Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 20:15:57 -0700
From: andy dearth <andyistiredoftimeandspace@gmail.com>
Subject: Rings and Promises #30 by Kane

Chapter Thirty: You are all in my heart...

[Author's Note: So, how are you guys doing? Rough day at work? School?
Well I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. I made a small error with the
last chapter so I apologize. I'll make sure to be careful with this
chapter. Well I hope you guys have an awesome day, night,
afternoon...whatever time it is right now. ^_^ Much love and hugs ♥]

Aiden P.O.V

It's finally happening. Graduation...graduation...graduation...I can't
even get passed that word. What could I say to my best friends and the
love of my life on this happy yet lonely day? "Hey," Eli whispered as
he grabbed my hand. "Smile darling, it's a special day." We were
sitting in the front row in the auditorium. I watched all the
graduates with their big smiles, in their red graduation gowns with
their gold tassels moving as they look around at their parents and
friends. But the one I was staring at most was Vulcan. He sat a couple
rows back, looking right at me, that mischievous smile on his face. He
winked at me. I gave him a small wave. "I love you." He mouthed each
word slowly, his gaze turning soft with each syllable. "I love you
too." I mouthed back. He smiled. The speeches went on and on, and I
began to wonder if these people were just making it up on the spot.
The valedictorian was announced and the salutatorian came after. After
all the speeches were over and done with, it was time for the diplomas
and awards.

"Eli, do you feel as lonely as I do right now?" I whispered, squeezing
his hand as each name came and went. Eli squeezed back and smiled a
sad smile. "Yeah I do. But I know that Brett and I are going to be
together again. So I can wait." Waiting, the hardest thing anyone can
do for the person they love, especially when that person is the very
air you breathe. "Attention everyone," We turned our gazes to find Lee
standing on the stage. "I'd like Mr. Vulcan Magnus and Mr. Seth
Devereaux to stand up and come to the front please." The students
murmured as Seth and Vulcan got up and walked over to Lee. "I think
this is the first time I've heard Seth's last name." Eli whispered. I
nodded in agreement. "Um, did we do something Lee?" Vulcan said. Lee
chuckled. "No, no calm down." Then he cleared his throat. "Mr. Magnus,
you and Mr. Devereaux's attendance and your tendencies to get into
fights are pitiful. You guys leave school whenever you want and are
quick to throw the first punch." Vulcan gave him a dull stare. "Way to
put our crap on blast Lee." Seth just sighed. "Really appreciate it."
He said sarcastically. Lee laughed and so did the rest of the
students. "Oh relax." He then handed Vulcan and Seth a gold plaque.
Vulcan arched a brow and took it. Seth looked like he was being handed
the key to the city. "I'd like to present these awards to the both of
you. Even though the aforementioned are true, you never let your
grades slip and you protected those who needed protecting." I saw
Brett smile. Lee held out his hand. "I am proud of you," He turned his
gaze to all of the graduates. "all of you. Now go raise hell!" Every
single graduate stood up and cheered. Vulcan shook Lee's hand and so
did Seth, holding their awards up for us and smiling. I gave them a
thumbs up while Eli blew kisses.

The ceremony was finally over and it was time for the parents to get
mushy, the teachers to sigh in relief, and for Eli and I to go see our
boys and get mushy with them. When we finally found them, and it did
take a while because we were being crowded by parents, Brett was
hanging off of Seth's back and grinning like an idiot. Karen was there
talking with Valerie, and Maia was sitting on Vulcan's shoulders. "Hey
you." Eli said as we got closer to them. Vulcan set Maia down and
immediately hugged me. Eli pulled Brett off of Seth and jumped on him
instead. Brett just laughed and held on to Eli. Seth came over and
ruffled my hair. "C'mon man my turn." He said as he poked Vulcan on
the back. Vulcan let me go and grinned, then he let Seth have me and
it was like being in a straightjacket. "Seth, you're crushing my
ribs." I said in a tight voice. Seth let me go and kissed my forehead.
"Finally, high school is done! Freedom!" "By the way," Eli said as he
jumped off Brett. "today was the first time I heard your last name
Seth." Seth arched a brow. "Really?" "Yeah, are you like, part
French?" I asked, because honestly, when have we ever talked about
Seth's background? Seth thought about it. "Kinda...my grandfather is
Cajun." "Huh...and while we're on the subject, because it seems like
all this time you're background hasn't been mentioned much, tell us
about your family tree." I said as I put on my serious face. Seth just
laughed. "Well my granddad was a restaurant owner in New Orleans and
it was in that very restaurant where he met my grandmother. She was a
librarian of Greek decent. Apparently she was on vacation with some of
her friends and they went into that restaurant blah, blah, blah long
story short, it was love at first sight. They got married, had my dad,
moved here and settled down. Then my dad met my mom in a bar, they
went on a couple of dates, a year later he pops the question and they
get married. I was a honeymoon baby. Are you two happy now?" Eli and I
just stood there. "Dude..." That was all we could say.

"Hey guys, what say we all go out and celebrate huh?" Vulcan asked as
he snuck up behind us and draped his arms over me and Eli. Seth was
all over that idea. "Dude totally!" He took off his graduation gown
and cap and handed it to his mom. "We're gonna celebrate mom!" Seth
grinned. He kissed her on the cheek before turning back to us. "Don't
worry Valerie we'll take good care of your baby boy." Vulcan teased as
he pinched Seth's cheek and made cooing noises. "Um, could you watch
Maia?" Vulcan asked as he let go of Seth. Valerie chuckled. "All
right, but be careful. I know how crazy you kids get on graduation."
Seth nodded and we all bolted from the auditorium. We all crammed into
Brett's car. Vulcan was awkwardly stripping off his gown in the
backseat. "Dude finally, this thing is really stuffy!" He folded it up
and with his cap, placed it on his lap. Brett was trying to strip and
drive which proved to be a little hard to do, but he did manage. Eli
took care of the cap and gown. "So what do you guys wanna do?" Eli
asked. "Well we could go to the beach." Seth said. "I haven't been to
the beach in ages." I said, thinking back to the last time I saw the
ocean. Brett considered it then he smirked. "Shall we everyone?"
We stopped at a variety of stores and bought a bunch of snacks,
drinks, and even some sparklers, fire crackers, and little fireworks.
We got beach towels and lawn chairs, it was a wonder that all of that
stuff fit in Brett's trunk. As we drove, I just looked at everyone and
tried to commit this day to memory and the looks on everyone's faces.
Everyone was smiling, laughing, everyone was just alive and full of
energy. I loved it. I wanted it to stay like this forever.

I took mental pictures, snapshots of everyone's happy faces. Eli
holding Brett's hand and kissing his fingers, love in his eyes,
Vulcan's dimples getting deeper as he laughs, Seth's skin glowing in
the sunlight, and then me, feeling so happy I never wanted this day to
end. "Hey guys..." I said. They turned all their love and attention to
me. "Just so you know, I really love you guys." I said as I put one
hand on Brett's shoulder and the other on Vulcan's knee. The love in
their eyes never left. Brett looked at me through the rear-view mirror
and smiled. "I love you too man." He said as he let go of Eli's hand
for a second to grasp mine and give it a good squeeze. Vulcan grabbed
my other hand and held it to his lips. "You know I love you back."
Seth and Eli both nodded. "Love you too little brother." Seth said as
he reached over and ruffled my hair. Eli looked like he was on the
verge of tears. "I love you too darling." Being called darling by Eli
gave me a sweet feeling. This was the perfect day to start our little
beginnings.

Seth P.O.V

Aiden's sudden rush of feelings were felt by all of us. I could tell
no one wanted today to end. After this its college, work, and maybe
independence. But I knew, even when we're all separated, we'd be
together in the end. Because we were friends, brothers, and our hearts
were the same. "We're here." We all looked at the ocean with
amazement. It wasn't the first time we've seen it but now it felt like
this ocean was different. It felt new. It felt like it was put here
specifically for us. "Let's go!" Eli said as he jumped out of the car.
Aiden followed right behind him. Vulcan, Brett, and I carried the
stuff down and set everything up. Aiden kicked off his shoes and socks
and walked over to the ocean, standing  on the shoreline and let the
waves wash over his feet. He sighed and I could tell he was smiling. I
watched him. His back was facing me but I could read him. I watched
the wind blow through his hair and I watched him inhale the salty air.
He was having fun. I smiled. "What is it?" Vulcan asked as he grabbed
a bottle of coke. I nodded towards Aiden. "He's beautiful." Vulcan
nodded. "He is." He got up and walked to him, hugging him from behind.
It was beautiful, they were beautiful, they were meant to be.

I sat on the sand and watched. "Hey..." I felt a hand on my shoulder.
I looked up and Brett and Eli were smiling down at me. "We'll find
each other again." I whispered. "What was that?" Brett asked, still
smiling affectionately at me. I shook my head. "Nothing...wanna get
your feet wet?" I asked, giving them a mischievous grin. They grinned
back and Brett pulled me up. Eli grabbed my hand and pulled me as he
ran towards Aiden and Vulcan. We got into the water, not even caring
that our sneakers were probably going to smell a little funky later.
We splashed around like kids and laughed. We laughed hard and the fun
just seemed endless. I love these guys and I will forever love them.
They mean so much to me that sometimes when I think of being separated
from them my chest hurts. But I know for sure, I believe with
everything that I am, we will always be together. "Seth? Are you okay
man?" Vulcan asked as he put an arm around me. I nodded. "Yeah, I
guess graduation just hit me." He pulled me closer. "I love these
guys." He whispered. I know he did. "I love them too." It was hard to
believe that the people we were before are not the people we were now.
Brett changed, we got to know Eli and watch how he changed Brett,
Aiden changed and because of him, Vulcan and I changed too. We were
becoming better, taking steps to becoming the best versions of
ourselves.

We stayed at the beach until dark. We just sat there watching the sky
turn from blue, to orange, to dark. It was beautiful. We didn't say
much. We just sat together, Eli leaning against Brett, Aiden sitting
next to me and holding my hand while his head rested on Vulcan's
shoulder. "Oh yeah..." Brett muttered as he stood up. He went over and
dug through the pile of stuff we bought until he came across the
sparklers. He brought them over and dug through his pocket, pulling
out a box of matches. He lit one and watched it glow. "Awesome." He
smiled like a little kid. We all lit one and watched as the light
bounced off each other's faces. I smiled at everyone, committing their
faces and expressions to memory. I wanted to look back on this day and
smile every time that I do. This beach, this time, these people, I
want to remember them all. These were the best friends I've ever had
and I don't know what I did to deserve them but I am thankful.

As it grew darker and our firework supplies lessened, we all just lied
down on the beach and stared up at the night sky. "Would it be crazy
if we all just slept here?" Eli asked. "Do you want to sleep here and
wake up with sand in your ears and kelp in your hair?" Aiden chuckled.
Eli did too. "I guess not." "We could you know. We have beach towels
and lawn chairs." I said, reminding them of our supplies. Eli sat up.
"That's right!" He went over to get a towel so that he and Brett could
share. I decided to follow and grab a lawn chair for Vulcan and I. I
was thankful they were big enough so that Aiden could lie in Vulcan's
arms. We kicked off our shoes and socks and went back to star gazing.
We snacked and sang different songs off key, and we continued to enjoy
the night, for it was the last night for all of us to be together.
College would hit us soon, and maybe some of us will get jobs, but
times where we are all together like this will be scarce so I knew
that everyone just wanted to be together for as long as possible. We
wanted this to be our fondest memory, but we also knew that it would
only be one of many fond memories.

Vulcan  P.O.V

I could tell Seth was acting different and I knew and understood why.
Much like him I wanted to stay like this. This night was perfect. The
stars were out and the sky was beautifully dark. The ocean and moon
seem to fit perfectly as one enhanced the beauty of the other. Eli
rested his head on Brett's chest and sighed affectionately. Brett
stroked Eli's back and snuggled a little closer. I looked at Aiden who
was laying beside me, one arm draped over me, his head resting on my
chest, his heart in tune with mine, and his beautiful eyes looking out
at the scenery. I looked over at Seth. He stared at the moon. I didn't
know what was on his mind, but whatever it was it must have been
moving, for his gaze was calm and warm. His hair moved with the breeze
and his chocolate eyes began to soften. He was beautiful. His skin and
the moon seem to go together. I wanted him to find someone to share
his beauty with. I wanted him to find someone who could share her
beauty. But Seth was Seth no matter what, and he had a big heart and a
warm smile. His soul is his greatest gift. He is Seth Devereaux, my
best friend and my brother. "Be happy..." I whispered, letting my
words be carried with the wind. "Hmm?" Aiden looked up, his eyes half
lidded. I shook my head. "Are you sleepy?" I asked. He nodded. "You're
so warm..." He snuggled closer and sighed. I kissed the top of his
head and turned my gaze back to my best friend. He was looking back at
me this time, a small smile on his warm face. I smiled back at him. He
turned back to gaze at the ocean as he lied back in his lawn chair.
Brett and Eli were snuggled tightly together and were fast asleep. I
was content. I was with people I loved, and I was happy. I sighed and
let the sound of the ocean waves lull me to sleep.

I dreamt of everything that happened up till now. All the memories of
everything we've been through flooded my mind and played themselves
out, one image after another. I watched as I first met Aiden. I
watched as I struggled with my feelings, only to realize now that they
were more obvious to everyone but me, and I saw my first kiss with
Aiden. I saw everything that made me who I am and I was thankful for
every moment of it. I was thankful for these guys and I was thankful
that I had found the only person I was ever going to love in this
lifetime. I had found my soul mate. I was surrounded by wonderful
people who didn't judge me. They just accepted me and gave me their
kindness and love. I watched every memory form and pass me like images
from a projector and I was thankful for each memory and all the
lessons those experiences taught me. I slept peacefully. I had Aiden
in my arms. This was the perfect end to our beginnings. It really was,
and I am thankful for all the love and support I've gotten and the
people I've met. You are all in my heart.