*Ten years later*

A. Gaskarth

"Hi, glad you made it!" Kellin greets me happily. Even after all that running, he's still the same kind person from high school. I can tell you, everyone changed a lot. A lot of us got separated. Some people left and never looked back. But Kellin's still here. It's August 20th. One day before our promised get-together. Too bad some people won't make it. 

"Kells, who is it?" Someone calls from upstairs. 

"It's Alex!" Kellin replies. I smile to myself. I know that voice. Vic rushes down and engulfs me in a hug. 

"Hey," he smiles. "Glad you made it, buddy," he pats my back. 

"Hey, I'm just glad you two finally get the chance to tie the knot," I grin. I hand then two gifts. Kellin thanks me and takes them into a separate room. "Is anyone else here yet?" 

"Just Dallon and Breezy," Vic sighs. But... We all made a promise. I sigh. "It's okay, it's still early. Brendon and Ryan are coming from New York. Tyler and Josh are coming from Ohio. Awsten and Andy are coming from LA." 

I nod as Kellin comes back. I notice the way his face changed. He looks... Exhausted. I guess being a leader to give rights to those with powers does that to a person. But he did it. They are now completely legal and treated much better. 

"Are you two ready to get married?" 

"We were ready ten years ago, but they only just now legalized our marriage, so, you know," Kellin chuckles and puts his arms around his soon to be husband. "How are you?" 

"It's been ten years. I think there's going to be a time where I'll be ready to move on," I shrug. "But hey, today and tomorrow are about you two! I didn't come all the way from Baltimore just to be sad."

"Well, okay-" Kellin's phone buzzes. "Hey, it's Tyler and Josh. They're five minutes away-" The doorbell rings. "Or maybe not-" The oven timer goes off. "Oh come on!" He sighs and walks to the kitchen. Vic opens the door. 

"Oh my god-" Vic smiles. I look and see Awsten and Andy. 

"Don't tell Kellin yet," Andy whispers and walks into the kitchen quietly. 

"Honey? Who is it?" Kellin calls, not turning around. Vic, Awsten and I peak into the kitchen. Andy covers Kellin's eyes. 

"Guess who?" He says. Kellin smiles and turns around. 

"Dude, it's been so long," he says and they hug. 

"We talked yesterday," he points out. 

"Well yeah, but not in person. The last time I saw you was at your wedding," Kellin shoots back. Andy and Awsten got officially married without the illegal thing.  That was mainly because no one knew Andy had powers (outside of our friend group of course) and because Awsten doesn't have them. Andy smiles and walks back to Awsten for a kiss. "I'll assume you two are doing well." 

"Yep, we adopted two dogs!" Awsten grins. "But we had to have CC take care of them, and honestly, I'm not very sure of him taking care of my children." 

"It was either CC or Ashley," Andy shrugs. 

The doorbell rings again. "I GOT IT!" Kellin runs to the door. "Hi Tyler, Josh!" He greets. I look over. 

"Hi, how are you!" Tyler hugs Kellin. 

"How are my two engaged beans?" Awsten walks over and hugs both of them. 

"Great. Couldn't be better. You know, Ohio has really crazy weather sometimes? Sometimes it's summer, and in three hours, it's snowing," Josh sighs. "But other than that, great." 

"HI!" Dallon walks in. "Sorry, the road from our house to here was under construction so we had to take this really crappy- Oh hi!" He hugs people. Breezy comes up behind him. Breezy moved to our school for her senior year, so we know her pretty well now. Dallon, Breezy, Kellin, and Vic all stayed here when everyone graduated. I guess they spend time together. 

"Who's ready for a wedding?!" Dallon cheers. Everyone cheers back. 

~~~Wedding Day~~~

"Alex, Alex, Alex, help-" Kellin hyperventilates. I rush over and see Andy trying his best. "I'm freaking the hell out- You'd think after ten years this wouldn't happen- yet here the fuck we are!" He rants. 

"Hey, hey it's okay," I pull him into a hug. "Andy, get him some water," I whisper-shout. He nods and gets up. I pat Kellin's back softly. "What's going through your mind?" 

"What if this is too much?" Kellin answers softly. 

"It's perfect. Everything is perfect, don't worry. Do you want me to get Vic?" 

He shakes his head. "Believe it or not, I actually believe in the bad luck thing," he chuckles. Andy walks back over and hands Kellin a glass of water. Kellin sits up and drinks it slowly. 

"Think about all the good times you two will have as a married couple," Andy comforts. 

My eyes go wide. 

~Flashback~

"Jacky?" I walk into the room. He looks up and grins. I lean down and kiss him. "I made a song," I whisper. 

"Really? Can I hear it?" He asks, pulling me down to sit next to him. He hands me the guitar. 

"I call it Good Times," I smile and start the song. 

~End of flashback~

I smile softly and stand up. Kellin sighs and walks into the bathroom. I hear running water. 

"Thank you," Andy sighs. "I had no clue what to do," he shakes his head. 

"It's okay. Everyone has that." 

"Did Awsten?" He turns to me. 

"I don't know. I was with you, remember?" I smile. He nods. 

The door opens. "Hello!" I hear Brendon shout. We glance at each other before running to them. "Hi!" Brendon hugs both of us. He smiles and leans against the wall. "How are you?" 

"Fine," I answer. "How's Broadway?" 

"It's great. Who knew playing Charlie Price in Kinky Boots could do so much to a career?" He grins. 

"Hi!" I see Ryan walk in. We hug. Andy starts talking to Brendon. 

"How are you?" I ask Ryan. 

"Great. The book is doing great too." 

"How many sells?" 

"Fifteen million," Ryan smiles. 

"Holy shit! That's awesome!" I hug him again. Ryan blushes. 

"Well, how are you?" 

"I- I've been better," I shrug. "But that doesn't matter, Kellin and Vic are getting fucking married!" I cheer. He cheers too.

Kellin walks out and smiles. He hugs Brendon and Ryan. 

"Holy Jesus, you and Vic are finally getting married!" Brendon grins. Brendon and Ryan got married almost 6 years ago. 

"Holy Jesus is right. I can't believe it," Kellin says breathlessly. "Did you already greet Vic?" He asks. They nod. 

~~~

I think I might cry. Kellin and Vic hold hands, looking at each other. Somehow, Andy can marry them, I'm not entirely sure how that works, but it does. 

Vic starts his vows. "I don't know if anyone knows this, but I loved Kellin from day one. Okay, at the time, I didn't know, but I remember the way my heart pounded when we made eye-contact. The way I felt my palms sweat. I could practically feel my pupils dilate by that, what, 45%? I don't know how to express how much I love you. I don't think there is a single word that could describe it. All of those late night strolls, and the words that we share are forever burned into my memories. And the way I felt the first time I saw you? I have the exact feeling whenever I look over and see your warm hazel-green eyes I love you. I love the way you hold my hand when I'm nervous. Or how you just know when something's wrong. Or how you smile every time we hug. I love how you're so careful about everything. I love how your voice makes my heart pound. I love everything about you. Even what you hate about yourself. I love watching your face when you're focused on something. I love the way you look at me. And If you couldn't tell I love you so much, Kellin Quinn. Forever and always." 

I wipe tears from my eyes. Shit, it's started. 

Kellin laughs and obviously trying to hold back tears. "God, when I first met you, I was in a really dark place. I thought I wouldn't make it through. But then I met you. At first, you were like a match. Bright enough to see just a little bit in front of you. But as time grew on and I got to know you, the light got brighter and brighter. I don't know where I would be if I never met you at that street. You're like the strings to your guitar. Without you, I'm just plain, a useless block of material. With you, us together, it's like magic. It makes music. I love the way you cradle my cheek to get my attention. Or how you hold me when I feel like I'm in a million pieces. I remember the day you asked me out. I thought I would pass out right there and then," everyone chuckles a bit. "It's like all of my hopes and dreams came true. I grew to absolutely adore you and love you with all my heart. With every cell and spark in my body. You gave me a reason to keep going. To keep living. You gave me hope, joy, and most importantly, love. You're the reason I worked so hard to give us the right to get married. To give people all around the country the right. Sure, our love is tested sometimes, but we always come back stronger. I knew that you're the man I'll marry since the day we first kissed. I'll love you until the world ends and after that. Your forever is all that I need. I love you, Vic Fuentes. Forever and always. 

"Victor Fuentes, do you take Kellin Quinn as-"

"I do," Vic interrupts. Everyone laughs at that. 

"Okay... Kellin-"

"I do," Kellin smiles. 

"Rings?" Andy asks. They exchange rings quickly. 

"I pronounce you groom, and groom, okay, you may kiss!" Andy says cheerily. Kellin and Vic kiss, and everyone cheers. I wipe away tears again. Awsten leans over. He hands me a tissue. 

"Thank you," I whisper. He nods and takes another to wipe his tears. Kellin and Vic walk down the aisle together. 

~~~

"Let's get this party started!" Brendon shouts as the music starts. Everyone goes onto the dance floor and starts dancing. 

"So, you two are finally married!" I say. Kellin and Vic laugh. "Congrats you two. Just so you know, everyone always thought you two would be the first to get married," I tease. I look around the room. "Have you seen Sarah?" I turn back around. Kellin and Vic glance at each other. 

"She went AWOL. No one's heard from her since Dallon and Breezy's wedding," Kellin says. "I thought you heard." 

"I didn't-" I sigh. "I just hope she knows that it's okay," I shrug. Kellin nods. "I'm going to say something to Jenna. She's the only one I haven't talked to yet." I walk off and find Jenna. 

"Hi, Alex," she smiles. 

"Hi, Jen. How are you?" 

"Great. That wedding was so cute, wasn't it?" She giggles.

"Yeah," I nod. 

"I saw you crying!" She teases. 

"Yeah, fine! I'm an emotional bean, as Awsten would say," I laugh and shove my hands in my pockets. "How's modeling?" 

"It's pretty cool. I get to put on really nice dresses without having to pay for them!" She grins. "But, how are you?" 

"It's been ten years, Jen. Sure, it hurts, but I have to move on. One day..." 

"It'll be hard, but you so many friends you can lean on," she looks around the room. I spot Brendon and Ryan slow dancing to the song. Dallon and Breezy sitting at the table, and for some reason, Dallon is balancing a grape on his face. Kellin and Vic are slow dancing. Tyler and Josh are walking around. Andy and Awsten are laughing while sitting at the table. Otto and Geoff are here too, both of them are with Andy and Awsten. Even Gerard and Frank are here. 

"I know. You know, I always thought I'd be one of those kids that gets bullied and dies in high school. But it's because of this group that I'm still here," I sigh. "I just-" I look down at my shoes. "I guess it's harder to get through than I thought." 

"The last thing Sarah said to me was to tell you that she's sorry. And she really is." 

"No, I know," I bite my lower lip. "And I forgave her a while ago," I add softly. 

"Old squad!" Kellin speaks into the mic. "As promised, let's go to the tree!" He smiles. The squad cheers. We were granted permission to step onto school property for this. I end up in the car with Dallon, Breezy, Brendon, and Ryan. We get to the tree and everyone just stands around it, staring at the words. 

Together through the darkness. 

~~~

After the party ended, I took a walk. I walk until I find myself in a familiar place. I stop at the spot, looking down. I brush leaves off of the stone. 

"Kellin and Vic finally got married. It was great. Andy officiated. We had this great party and then went to the tree," I feel tears well up in my eyes. "I miss you so much, you know that? I moved to Baltimore because everything here reminds me of you." I fall to my knees and trace the engraved words. "We- we were supposed to be like them. We were supposed to get married and adopt a bunch of dogs. We were supposed to be happy but-" I choke on my words "One day, I'll move on, I promise you. I won't stay sad forever." 

I cry and my tears hit the ground. I look back up at the headstone. Like a reminder that he's not coming back. I press a kiss to two fingers and press them to the headstone. 

"I never forgot the good times. I love you, Jack Barakat." 

THE END