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Noah woke up before his alarm, his heart racing like it was already late for something, despite the view from his window still being dim and quiet. Pennsylvania was just starting to wake up, the city softening in the morning light. He let himself lie there for a brief moment as it finally hit him, it’s his graduation day. He sat up, chest tightening with excitement, he reached for his phone out of habit, scrolling through the notifications that came through overnight until he found Finn’s message from the night before. I’m so proud of you baby ❤️. Noah grinned, rereading it as if the words would rearrange themselves into something new. He doesn’t need more than that, thats what he tells himself anyway, and he believes it, sort of.
Down the hall, the adjoining hotel room is wide awake. The smell of coffee seeping through the hotel door, followed by the sounds of his parents’ voices and Chloe’s laugh, sounds that sound like home. Noah pulled on a slightly oversized hoodie and joined them, immediately becoming engulfed in a hug by his mom, lasting slightly longer than normal. “My graduate.” She says, letting him go as his dad handed him a mug as if it’s just a normal saturday morning. Somehow, it made it feel more manageable.
Breakfast is informal, yet intentional, pastries from his favourite cafe spread across the table by the window, somehow, it looks like they’re hosting a talk show segment with how organised it all looked. Noah just about managed to sit down before his dad slid a plastic cup towards him, containing an almost lime green liquid, his favourite drink, iced matcha. Condensation dripping down the sides.
Noah paused, completely caught off guard, “Wait, how did you know this is what I wanted?”
His mom didn’t even look up from where she was stirring sugar into her coffee. “Oh my god. I carried you for nine months. I pushed you out. You think I don’t know your drink order?”
“That’s such weird logic.” Noah said, taking a sip anyway, he let out a satisfied sigh. It’s perfect.
Chloe eyed the cup as if it had done something terrible to her, “I don’t understand how you drink that. It tastes like grass. Like genuine lawn clippings.”
Noah just rolled his eyes. “It tastes like adulthood, and discipline.”
“It tastes like something you’d be dared into drinking.”
Their dad snorted, “Four years of college.” He grinned, “and instead of a drug problem, you come home with a matcha addiction.”
“Which I’m thrilled about,” their mom cut in, “It could’ve gone so much worse. I thought you were going to be a fraternity boy with a coke addiction, I was bracing myself for rehab! Instead, I’m buying matcha powder.”
Noah laughed, his shoulders loosening, “You’re welcome, I think?”
His mom pointed at him with her coffee. “I’m just saying, this is a win for the family brand. Two college graduates, no rehab visits.”
Chloe rolled her eyes, “Is that how we measure success now?” She drifted off into a speech, making the family laugh.
Noah took another sip of his matcha, smiling to himself, the ice clinking in his drink as he sets the cup down. The table settling into the post joke quiet. “Have you spoken to Finn?” his mom asked with as much ease as if she was asking if he remembered how to charge his phone.
“Yeah.” Noah nodded, unlocking his phone. “He texted.” He scrolled for a second, refreshing his texts, almost as if he was expecting another text. “He’s in Vancouver.” he adds offhandedly, showing Chloe a picture he’d seen online the night before, it was Finn outside some generic looking building, hoodie and coat on, it was tagged and reposted everywhere online. Proof, almost anyway, that he actually wasn’t able to make his graduation.
Chloe glanced at it with a nod, her expression entirely unreadable, “Looks cold.”
Noah laughs slightly, “That tracks.”
The rest of the breakfast flows quickly after that. His parents start talking logistics, when to arrive, who’s got the tickets, who’s carrying what, who’s taking photos, Noah drifted in and out of the conversation, finishing his food and matcha. He excused himself from the table, making his way to the bathroom to get ready, and the quiet settled around him all at once. He straightened the tie he had put on, making sure his hair looked presentable, he stared at his reflection a bit longer than necessary. Vancouver is really far. Filming schedules don’t bend, he knows that. Still, the thought lingers.
When he steps back into the room, he sees Chloe, leaning against the door frame, she’s scrolling on her phone. She looks up immediately, almost as if she’s been waiting. “I kind of wish he was here.” Noah says, the words slipping out before he could overthink them. It’s not dramatic, just true.
Chloe’s expression shifted, but she doesn’t say anything that would change the course of the day, “I know.” She said simply, “He’s really proud of you, Noah.” Her words causing him to nod.
Once they arrived down in the lobby, his parents were fussing over directions and tickets, his mom reminding him again how proud she is, and his dad already in problem solving mode. Chloe looped her arm through Noah’s, a familiar and steady routine they had. He checked his phone one final time, no new messages, nothing unexpected, slipping it back into his pocket. Finn will see the photos later. He’ll call him later tonight after the family dinner. They’ll celebrate properly another time, even if Noah doesn’t know how long until he’s able to see his boyfriend next. Noah tells himself this as they head over towards his college, his wish staying quiet in his mind, he can’t let his family think he isn’t happy they’re here for him.
***
The auditorium was louder than Noah expected, the excited voices of his peers bouncing off of the high ceilings and blurring together until it sounded like one consistent hum. His parents slowed down instinctively, their phones already out, “C’mon,” his mom insisted, “Just one picture, for grandma.” Noah laughed slightly, posing with Chloe before his family went to sit in their own seats. It all feels so much more real now, nothing like it did in the hotel room.
He headed over towards his seat towards the back of the student cohort, the people he had been surrounded by for the past four years, he was going to miss them. His eyes skimmed the audience, smiling as he made eye contact with Chloe. He almosts laughs at himself, knowing Chloe’s face wasn’t the one he was searching for, he knows it’s ridiculous, Finn is in Vancouver.
The professors speeches all blur together, talking about alumni, and success amongst the cohort, the words go through one ear and out the other, Noah wasn’t paying too much attention to them. His hands folded over his lap, tapping his thumbs against his black gown, thinking about how Finn will probably text as soon as this is over. He imagines sending him pictures later, imagines his voice on the phone, and a smile appears on his face, the thoughts calming him down.
After what felt like forever, the dean called his name. “Noah Cameron Schnapp.” He stood, approaching the stage, it felt like a deep breath he had been holding in for years, finally letting itself out. He doesn’t look for anyone this time, he just lets himself have this moment. Focusing on himself walking across the stage, he smiles as he hears the cheers from the audience. He shook the hand of the dean, and his professors, smiling at their congratulations.
The ceremony ended with a rush of noise, caps flying in the air and cheers spilling over everything. Noah lets out a laugh as someone bumps into him, a huge grin spreading across his face, in this moment, he isn’t ‘Netflix Star: Noah Schnapp,’ he’s just Noah, Penn graduate. The adrenaline made his hands shake a little, it’s done. He’s finally graduated.
He finds his parents almost immediately, his mom already in tears as she pulls him and his dad into a group hug. “We’re so proud of you.” His mom pressed a kiss to his forehead as his dad clapped him on the back. Noah let himself sink into the hug, so thankful that they’re there.
He turns to Chloe next, her arms tight around his shoulders, “Finally graduated. You’re free!” She cheered as Noah hugged her back just as hard, smiling into her hair.
Behind him, he heard a cough, almost as if someone was clearing their throat, it wasn’t loud, or rushed. It sounded…deliberate, just enough to cut through the noise. Noah turned automatically, expecting to see a friend, or another relative, another congratulations. His breath is already gone before his brain catches up, his jaw already on the floor.
Finn is standing there.
Noah freezes as soon as he registers that he’s there.
His mouth opens, and promptly closes. Nothing comes out, his chest tightens, and for a second, the world tilts, it’s too bright, too full, too perfect. Noah’s eyes sting without any warning, unbidden and burning hot, because Finn is actually here. He’s standing just a few steps away, smiling like this is exactly where he belongs, full of certainty and calm, and all of the longing from that morning crashed over Noah at once.
Noah noticed the small things first, the way Finn is standing,, empty handed, everything he brought set neatly on a nearby chair, as if he planned to be nothing but fully there for Noah. Relief and disbelief tangled in Noah’s chest, and without thinking, he takes a step forward, and Finn closes the gap immediately, arms opening wide.
Noah folded into him without hesitating, pressing his face into the space between Finn’s neck and shoulder. The first small sob slips out, raw and unexpected, and Finn holds him tighter, a low hum vibrating against Noah’s chest, keeping him grounded and steady. One hand sliding into Noah’s hair, fingers threading through it, the other slipping to his waist, thumbs rubbing along it in small soothing circles. “I’m so proud of you, baby.” Finn whispered, punctuating it with a soft kiss to Noah’s temple. “I couldn’t miss this for the world. I love you so much.”
The tears came out in a rush, Noah no longer being able to control them, soaking Finn’s shoulder. Noah clinged to him, pressing impossibly closer, letting every ounce of happiness and relief pour out of him. Finn’s grip doesn’t loosen, he tilts his head so Noah can breathe, muttering over and over, “I’m here. I’m right here. You did it.”
Noah pulled back slightly, blinking up at Finn through the haze, laughing shakily as his tears slightly slowed. “You…You’re insane,” he whispered, his voice full of happiness.
Finn pressed his forehead against Noah’s, smiling, “Yeah.” He said quietly, wiping Noah’s tears away with his hands, “But I’m your insane.”
Noah chuckled slightly, trying to act annoyed by rolling his eyes, but the rest of his face gave away how he was actually feeling, he was so happy.
Eventually, Noah pulled away, turning to his parents, where they were watching with knowing smiles. His mom already hugging Finn, as his dad clapped him on the shoulder, “You made it.”
“You knew.” Noah said, slowly turning to Chloe.
She shrugged, unapologetic, “He made me swear.” She smiled, “I’m an amazing secret-keeper.”
Finn perked up, suddenly remembering the gifts he bought. He picked up the flowers, and the iced drink. “Noah,” he said, getting the younger ones attention, “I was thinking of getting socks for you, but I thought I’d go down the typical romance route.”
Noah looked at the items in his hands, “Finn, you didn’t have to.” He smiled, “Flowers, and…matcha? How did you know?”
“Because I love you.” Finn grinned. Noah went to take the Matcha out of his hands, “Nuh-uh. You’re forgetting something.”
Noah just looked at him, confused. “Huh?” His eyes immediately rolling as Finn pointed to his pouting lips. “You’re lucky I love you.” He sighed, stepping back into Finn’s proximity and softly pressing his lips against Finns.
***
Later on, after they had all eaten their dinner, Finn shuffled his chair closer to Noah’s, brushing a piece of his hair out of the way as it had fallen out of place. Noah leant into the touch without thinking. “I saw the photos.” Finn said quietly, “I knew you’d think I wasn’t coming.”
Noah swallowed, his heart full in a way that almost hurt. “I’m so glad you came.”