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Riker:
"I really wish I could be there today babe," Riker laments, shifting in his seat as you turn your gaze to the computer screen. "I know you do, it's alright," you sigh, turning back to the mirror to continue your makeup routine. "You know I'd be there if I could," Riker assures you, watching as you swipe eye shadow onto your lids. "I'm not mad at you Riker, I get it... the tour is important," you say, shifting your gaze to the laptop to give him a bright smile. "Winged eyeliner or not?" you question, trying to make it seem like he's apart of this day and he smiles. "Winged... you're important too though," he promises and you give him a genuine smile. "I promise, I'm not mad. Did I think my boyfriend would be here for my college graduation... yes. However, that's not possible considering you're in London and I'm in LA so, no worries" you say, puckering your lips for an air kiss before standing to dress. "How do I look?" you question, spinning in your cap and gown. "Like you're a college graduate," Riker beams, shifting forward to get a better look. "Mom's going to FaceTime me the whole thing so... I won't be missing it, listen for me" Riker states, blowing you a kiss that you return. Four hours later, you're walking across the stage when you hear a familiar voice shout your name. Which, is odd because it sounds like Riker is actually in the crowd which is impossible... he's in London. "What... how?" you stammer, squeezing Riker's neck tightly as he spins you around with a chuckle. "You didn't think I'd let a little tour stand between me and your graduation did you?" Riker questions against your ear, pressing warm and loving kisses to your temple as you grip the back of his jacket. "I... had my doubts. But, the tour?" you question, leaning back as Riker tugs on your tassel with a shrug. "Screw it... I left on the red eye this morning before Paul could stop me. The boys snuck me out and the boys are going to cover for me until Paul figures it out, which shouldn't take that long. I can only be asleep for so long," Riker teased, pressing a kiss to your lips and you could care less about the trouble he's sure to get into because he's here... arms tight around you while congratulating you on your graduation.
Ross:
"I swear to Harry Potter, if you miss my graduation I will literally kill you," you seethe, slapping a still sleeping Ross with your pillow. "Chill out woman, I'll be there... let me sleep for another hour," he begs, having just got home the night before in order to make your college graduation. "AN hour... YOU WANT TO SLEEP FOR ANOTHER HOUR! MY GRADUATION STARTS IN THREE HOURS AND YOU'LL BE GOING THROUGH GRADUATION TRAFFIC AND MORNING TRAFFIC!" you scream, snapping back to the five year old Rachel Berry within you as you stamp your foot and storm off to the bathroom. It takes your forty-five minutes to do your makeup and hair and get dressed and you pray that Ross has gotten out of bed. "You know what, don't even fucking bother coming to my graduation you selfish-asshat piece of shit" you snap, tossing everything on the floor at his head before storming from the house. You fight tears the whole way towards SCU, reminding yourself that Ross isn't worth your tears. Only, he is. He's Ross, the boy you've been in love with for three years. Ross, the boy who helped you through nursing school, the boy who kept you from ripping your hair out. He's Ross, you're you, and you're meant to be together. The fact that Ross couldn't even get out of bed early on the most important day of your life thus far, hurt you more than you could ever explain. You've dragged your butt out of bed at all hours of the day and night to follow him on tour, to follow him onto planes and buses and trains. Because he asked you. You asked him for one thing, come to your graduation early, and he couldn't be bothered. When your name is called, you hear your family and friends and the other boys cheer for you but you don't hear Ross. You hadn't actually meant for him not to show up but he's Ross... he doesn't always catch when you're not being serious. "I'm sorry babe," Riker whispers against your ear, pulling you in for a tight hug when you ask where Ross was. "Flowers aren't an apology" you hear Ryland state and when you look up, you see Ross holding a large bouquet of flowers. "I sat in the back... I wasn't sure if you actually didn't want me to come or not so, I sat in the back because I couldn't miss your graduation. It's your graduation and even though you did all the work, I helped and I learned what you learned so... it was kind of like I was graduating too because, I'll never graduate college. But, even without that, even if I hadn't helped I still would've showed up because it's you. You do everything I ask you to do and I wasn't not going to come. Even this morning, when I was sleeping in, I was always going to be here come hell or high water," Ross assures you, using a phrase he's heard you use multiple times. "I'm sorry I made you angry but... I couldn't function this morning, I haven't slept in three days but I'm sorry. I should've gotten up when you asked me too," he finishes and everyone is staring at you. "Are those for me?" you question, nodding to the flowers while whipping your tears away. He nods, ducking when you start smacking him with the bouquet until all the petals are scattered around the both of you and he looks terrified. "You miserable, asshole... of course I wanted you to come to my graduation. I was irritated and annoyed this morning that you were going to get to sleep in and I had to leave. I'm sorry I was a bitch but this is stressful for me and we all know how well I do with stress," you tease, the boys around you breaking the tension with their laughter and Ross lets out a sigh of relief. "I love you Ross, I'm sorry you sat in the back" you tell him, lips pressed to his jaw as he wraps you in his arms. "I love you too babe, I'm sorry I tried to sleep in" he murmurs and you let out a soft laugh.
