Sunnydale AU: 100% giant-demon-snake free!

[americas_son]

Cal knew graduation was coming, but after everything that's happened in the past few months, it still catches him by surprise. It should be a major milestone, but it seems almost pointless, like it's getting in the way of more important things.

He never seriously considered skipping the ceremony, though - there's still the family image to consider, after all. And besides, for some of the people who matter to him, it is important. So he arrives right on time, crimson gown and hat in hand, and watches the other excited seniors mill around the gym.

Comments

[toblameforit]

"...Yeah, I hear you."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"I mean. Not that I ever thought it would be, but."

Cal shrugs. He knows Tony knows what he means, and knows it better than he does. At least Cal has a parent here. Hell, even Grahame actually came out of his study for the occasion.

It doesn't make up for who isn't here, but - well. No buts. It just doesn't.

[toblameforit]

"But yeah."

And that, Tony knows, is why Sherry is here. Because nobody else is.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Yeah."

Cal sighs.

"- How many other kids here you think are in the same boat?" he asks suddenly.

It's Sunnydale. There's no way the rest of the graduating class has made it with all their families intact.

[toblameforit]

He blinks.

"Sherry'd probably know," he says after a moment.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"I'll have to ask him," Cal says. "They could be in our club."

The murdered parents club, because he figures there probably aren't a lot of deaths from natural causes in Sunnydale.

[toblameforit]

"God, now there's an idea." Tony laughs.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"We could meet on Tuesdays."

It just seems like a good day for it.

"There would be a lot of drinking."

[toblameforit]

"I could bring the booze."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal nods.

"Good plan."

Also slightly less depressing a topic. In a relative kind of way.

[toblameforit]

Count on Tony's attention span to change the subject:

"Damn, are we done yet?"

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal can work with that.

"No, we still have - the whole thing to go."

They aren't even being lined up to march yet.

[toblameforit]

"Well, fuck the whole thing," he mutters.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Think we could get away with skipping it?"

Who'd notice? Aside from Violet Chandler and Stark Industries?

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

Tina probably would notice at least one of them skipping. She's making her way through the crowd, already in her gown with her cap carefully bobby pinned to her hair.

Today is a big deal.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal, scanning the crowd again, brightens as he finally sees her.

"Tina!" he calls, waving her over.

[toblameforit]

...aww.

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"Oh, hey, Cal!"

She waves back as she walks over, reaching for Cal's hand and kissing him on the cheek. Then she turns to Tony.

"Hi-" Not Sherlock. This must be Tony. "Hi," she repeats with an embarrassed grin.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Hi," Cal says, smiling at her.

Then he remembers - right. The introduction thing.

"Tony Stark," he supplies. "Tony, this is Tina McCoy."

Cal's girlfriend. In case Tony didn't notice.

[toblameforit]

"Hi! Damn, he wasn't lying when he said you were cute."

Tony's grin is not embarrassed. Tony's grin is amazingly sincere. What? She is.

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

Tina blinks while her smile turns somewhat baffled. She's not used to this kind of attention. Seriously.

"Um. Yay? At least he doesn't lie?"

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal grins and squeezes Tina's hand.

"I definitely did not lie," he says.

Then, "Ignore Tony, he's usually like this."

[toblameforit]

Beat.

"—Oh, right. Sorry, Cal, I'll try not to flirt with your girlfriend." He smiles apologetically at Tina. "He's right, I'm usually like this."

[take-youaway.livejournal.com]

"Oooookay," she laughs.

"So I'm guessing the whole cap and gown thing is not as exciting for you guys? Or do you just not look good in red?"

She looks great in red apparently.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal almost answers Tony with It's okay, I don't care before he remembers - that is not something he should say in front of his girlfriend. Because he's supposed to care.

(He's not good at being a boyfriend. But this time he's going to make to make himself good at it, because he badly wants to not fuck this up.)

"You get a pass this time," he says instead, with a light chuckle. "Just be careful in the future.

". . . Yeah, you're the only one who looks good in these things," he tells Tina.