Basil and the Slumbering Emerald

Prom and Graduation

Once they got back from their vacation Basil buried himself in things, constantly doing something. He avoided Gram at school, missed out on his hockey games, and took up painting as a hobby. The first piece of art he completed was of the four of them back before Gram broke up with him. He hung it above his bed and would paint portraits of the three of his loves in different angles from his memory and photos off his phone. It was bittersweet but no one wanted to be the one to tell him to stop.

He convinced Petril to teach him battle magic in case anything else happened as well. So Petril and Basil were set up in the spare bedroom with protection spells. Petril conjured up a magic testing dummy that fights back and Basil fell into a routine of going there after finishing his homework to start training alone or with Petril. He learned disarming, binding, knock out, and shielding spells to begin with. He practiced most days until he was sore, usually covered in his own bruises from the fighting practice dummy. Petril didn't want him learning any lethal spells so most of the offensive spells he learned were used to incapacitate his foes. If Basil wasn't training, he was spending his time painting. While he didn't neglect Kelkian or Mattias, he wasn't the same Basil as he was before losing Gram. It genuinely felt like Basil had lost a part of himself when Gram left.

The part of Basil that seemed to go missing also cut Basil off from some of his magic for some reason. He couldn't cast celestial magic that Petril was attempting to teach him, even the most basic of celestial spells took nearly all of his magic reserves. Petril forced Basil to see a healer only for them to say there was nothing wrong with Basil, that his restricted magic was self-inflicted, he could fix it any time he wanted to. This concerned Petril deeply that Gram was so broken by the loss of Gram that is was cutting him off nearly entirely from some of his magic. Basil refused to acknowledge it had anything to do with Gram, suggesting that he might not be everyone's "precious chosen one" after all. It came out bitter and none of them realized how much Basil really blamed himself for losing Gram and for what happened to them. It was understandable though, if he hadn't been such a big target to the darkened then none of this would have happened in his mind.

That's how the last months of the school years went, Basil ignoring his problems and burying himself in other things to escape it and deal with it. As Prom approaches Basil resigns himself as not going until KElkian begs him to go with him so that he can go since he never got to go to prom. Basil filled out the necessary form for bringing an outsider to prom and then spent hours going over suits with Kelkian for suits that go together but don't match. Basil settles on an emerald green suit with a silver tie and Kelkian wears a silver-grey suit with a green tie. Basil slicks back his hair back. They head head to the school in one of Kelkian's family cars, a sports car that no one else in Granite Bay could afford. They head into Prom a little late so everyone is already dancing and everything. Kelkian pulls Basil to the dance floor and starts dancing with him until Basil sees Gram dancing really close with Becky. Kelkian pulls him to look at him and pulls him into a kiss. Basil resists at first but melts into the affection after a second, hugging Kelkian tightly. "Don't think about him tonight Love. I'm here. I've got you." He holds Basil close as a slow song comes on and they dance together. Kelkian looks over to where Gram is with Becky and he is just staring at Basil looking like he might come over. Wanting to make a big display, Kelkian starts leading him into a classic waltz around the dancefloor, careful of the other dancers. Everyone is watches them now as he twirls and dips basil, just extra flair, pretty much showing off. Basil giggles and grins the whole time, loving the feeling of spinning and dipping. He completely forgets Gram is there.

Becky stands next to Gram watching the two as well and crosses her arms. "You know, I still don't know why you didn't just ask Basil to the Prom. I'm flattered and all but we both know you don't like me like that. So what is it?" Gram looks guilty starring at his cup of punch.

"I made a big mistake and I was hoping Basil would get jealous and come over and... it was stupid to think. It's wishful thinking. He doesn't need me." Gram frowns and Becky scoffs looking at him like she might slap him.

"Grow some balls and go cut in! Forget about me! Basil hasn't been the same since you broke up. He isn't Basil anymore, just a robot of himself. If you don't go over there right now I swear I will beat you up with my heels. Go." Becky demands and Trisha comes over with her date, Iain, Gram's teammate. Gram sets his drink down, takes a deep breath and walks across the dance floor to Basil and Kelkian. Gram taps Kelkian's shoulder.

"Can I cut in?" Grams asks shakily and Kelkian looks to Basil for approval before letting Gram take his place, Kelkian walking to join Trisha and Becky for a drink. Gram takes Basil's hand and holds his waist leading him into a dance slowly. Their eyes connecting and not letting go of one another. They both start to lean in for a kiss just as the principle cuts the music interrupting the moment and announces prom queen and king, which is Gram and Becky. Gram goes to speak but Basil just sniffles back tears. "Go... Becky needs you." Basil has tears in his eyes and Gram grimaces at his stupid decision. Basil starts to walk over to Kelkian and Gram goes to stop him but the principle calls him up front and center again so he goes looking distraught. He gets crowned next to Becky who looks ready to murder him. Gram just watches as Kelkian and Basil spare him one last look before leaving prom early.

After the school year ends Graduation comes and Basil is dressed in his cap and gown at the very end of the line waiting. Basil has to listen to them call everyone's name and celebrate their achievements. When they get to Gram, Basil contemplates leaving but sticks it through knowing he can't keep running away. After he gets his diploma he leaves, giving Gram no time to catch him. Petril invited everyone for a graduation party for Basil. Basil doesn't want to, he just stays in the guest room practicing spells and working on his punches when Mattias comes to the room resting against the door frame. "It's your party handsome. You have to come down. Please?" Mattias asks and Basil sighs rolling his eyes.

"Fine..." Basil goes to change and join the party. It's a little bit of everyone, except Gram. Everyone is eating, drinking, and enjoying themselves. He sees Becky and Trisha and almost goes back upstairs but Mattias is blocking the stairs knowingly. Basil grumbles and goes to get a drink. As he is drinking Becky comes over to him with Trisha not far behind.

"Hey Basil-babe. I feel like we haven't seen you in forever. You never hang out anymore." Becky says and Trisha nods. Basil sips his drink shrugging. "About prom, I only went with him to try to get you both back together." Immediately Basil downs his whole drink grabbing a beer, popping the cap and immediately starts drinking.

"I'd rather not talk about this Becky. You can do whatever you want with Gram. He isn't mine anymore anyway." Basil says bitterly. Basil pushes past them, carrying a couple beers to his room, he threatens to teleport if Mattias doesn't move. The party winds down without Basil just as there is a knock at the front door. Petril goes to get it and Gram is standing there looking nervous with a wrapped gift in hand. Petril sighs heavily.

"I know I wasn't invited but... I got this for Basil, and I wanted to drop it off..." Gram says nervously.

"You should go give it to him, he is in his room." Petril says watching Gram like a hawk. Gram hurries to find Basil surrounded by beer bottles curled up on his bed. Gram sighs softly and sets the box on the dresser and picks up the bottles, and goes to tuck Basil in. Basil whimpers in his sleep.

"mmm... Gram..." Basil rolls in his sleep clinging to his teddy bear Mattias got to resemble him. Gram looks at the art Basil did above the bed and starts to cry, kneeling next to Basil's bed and kiss his forehead.

"I'm so sorry baby... I love you so much... I just wish you trusted me more." Gram gets up wiping his tears and hurries out of the house. In the morning Basil wakes up and notices the gift. He grabs it and sits on the bed opening it. Inside is a leather-bound photo book. Inside are countless photos of the four lovers together. Some just Basil and Gram. Basil sits looking through them all smiling and crying in equal amounts. The last image is of Basil and Gram from Christmas after the engagement. Written around it in Gram's handwriting is "I will ALWAYS love you. ALWAYS no matter what happens to us." It's the exact words Basil told him on Christmas. Basil breaks down into sobs clutching the photobook to his chest.