Chapter Text
The problem begins because Commander Washington discovers time is apparently real.
Which is unfortunate.
Because he dislikes this information.
Very much.
It begins at breakfast.
Henri eating cereal.
Genesis drawing on napkin.
You drinking coffee.
Huck walking downstairs.
Normal.
Very normal.
Then—
Wash looks at calendar.
Freezes.
Stares longer.
Very long.
Then quietly says:
"...graduation is tomorrow."
You nod.
"Yep."
Wash blinks.
"...already."
You smile slightly.
"Already."
Wash slowly looks toward Huck.
Very slowly.
Because—
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
This is same teenager who once drove lawn mowers into street.
Same teenager who accidentally adopted responsibility for entire household.
Same teenager who was fifteen approximately six months ago.
Wash quietly says:
"...this appears incorrect."
Huck laughs.
"Sorry old man."
Wash points immediately.
"Do not call me old."
Huck grins.
"You were literally born in seventeen hundreds."
Wash sighs.
"...unfair advantage."
Graduation day arrives.
Chaos immediately.
Because of course.
Genesis refuses dress.
Henri cannot find shoes.
Someone spilled juice.
Nobody knows whose juice.
Everything loud.
Everything chaotic.
Wash somehow dressed perfectly already.
Standing near door.
Waiting.
Very patiently.
Very formally.
You finally appear.
"Ready."
Wash nods.
"...excellent."
Then pauses.
Looks at Huck.
Suit.
Tie.
Hair fixed.
Adult.
Almost.
Wash stares.
Very quietly says:
"...oh."
Huck notices.
"...what."
Wash shakes head.
"...nothing."
Then quietly:
"You appear older."
Huck smiles awkwardly.
"That's kinda how time works."
Wash remains unconvinced.
School gym packed.
Families everywhere.
Too many people.
Too warm.
Too loud.
Genesis sitting beside Wash.
Swinging legs.
Henri asking questions constantly.
"How long."
"When Huck go."
"Can I graduate."
"Can we eat."
Wash answering all.
Patiently.
Mostly.
Then ceremony starts.
Names called.
People cheering.
Eventually—
"Huckleberry Finn—"
You immediately stand.
Cheering.
Henri yelling.
"THAT MY BROTHER."
Genesis screaming.
"HUCK."
Wash stands too.
Clapping.
Very proud clapping.
Very emotional clapping.
Huck walking stage.
Accepting diploma.
Looking out briefly.
Sees family.
Smiles.
Tiny smile.
But there.
Wash notices.
Immediately.
After ceremony—
Photos.
Many photos.
Too many photos.
Genesis hugging Huck constantly.
Henri refuses leave side.
You crying slightly.
Wash notices.
"...you are emotional."
You laugh.
"Shut up."
Wash nods.
"...understood."
Eventually—
One photo.
Just Huck and Wash.
Both standing awkwardly.
Because neither particularly enjoys photos.
You hold camera.
"Smile."
Wash serious.
Huck serious.
You sigh.
"Please."
Huck smirks slightly.
Wash attempts.
It looks painful.
Photo taken.
Good enough.
Later—
Back home.
Small celebration.
Cake.
Food.
Neighbors.
Community garden members.
Everyone proud.
Annabelle hugs Huck.
"You survived."
Harold pats shoulder.
"Mostly."
Eventually—
Night.
Everyone tired.
Genesis asleep on couch.
Henri half asleep too.
You carrying dishes.
Wash finds Huck outside.
Porch.
Quiet.
Huck staring yard.
Wash sits beside him.
Long silence.
Then:
"...congratulations."
Huck smiles slightly.
"Thanks."
Wash nods.
Another silence.
Then Wash quietly says:
"I am proud of you."
Huck looks over.
Because—
Wash says this often.
But tonight feels different.
Huck quietly asks:
"...even if I don't got everything figured out."
Wash immediately answers:
"Yes."
Pause.
"Even then."
Huck looks forward again.
"I still don't know everything."
Wash nods.
"Good."
Huck blinks.
"What."
Wash smiles slightly.
"I am over two hundred years old."
Pause.
"I also do not know everything."
Huck laughs quietly.
Then says:
"...you know."
Small pause.
"Michael should be here."
Wash quiet.
Very quiet.
Then softly says:
"...yes."
Huck staring yard.
"He would've liked this."
Wash nods.
"He would."
Long silence.
Then Wash carefully says:
"...I know I am not him."
Huck immediately answers:
"I know."
Wash continues quietly:
"But."
Pause.
"I appreciate allowing me be here."
Huck looks over.
Really looks.
Then shrugs slightly.
"You kinda stuck around."
Wash smiles.
"...yes."
Huck quietly says:
"Besides."
Small smile.
"You've been my Pa for awhile."
Wash goes still.
Very still.
Huck notices immediately.
"...you okay."
Wash clears throat.
"...yes."
Pause.
"...mostly."
Huck laughs quietly.
Then asks:
"So."
Wash looks over.
"...yes."
"You gonna cry."
Wash immediately answers:
"No."
Tiny pause.
"...possibly."
Huck laughs harder.
Then leans back.
Looking at house.
Mom inside.
Henri asleep.
Genesis snoring softly.
Wash beside him.
Family.
He quietly says:
"...good day."
Wash looks at him.
Then toward house.
Then quietly answers:
"...very good day."
Because somehow—
The scared teenager who once slept in trees—
Graduated.
And somehow—
Everyone survived long enough to see it.