Hello Lovelies! A little Gavin and AJ chapter for you tonight…or tomorrow, depending where in the world you reside. I hope you enjoy! And just think, two more days until new Gleeeeeeee! Which reminds me, don't own it: never have, never will. Enjoy!

~oOo~

Gavin looked up from his political science textbook and stared at AJ. "One month," he whispered, just loud enough to distract AJ.

AJ looked up from his laptop, a grin covering his face. "I know, baby."

"One month and we are done with high school! Can you believe it? Thirty more days and we'll…" Gavin was cut off by AJ.

"Gav, you know I love you more than anything, but if you interrupt me one more time, I might not pass my lit final. Thirty more minutes and then I'm all yours, okay?"

"Promise?" Gavin asked.

"Promise," AJ replied going back to his laptop.

Thirty seconds later, "AJ…oops. I forgot. Sorry!" Gavin blushed and returned to his text.

"Love you Gavvie," AJ whispered, not looking up from his computer.

~oOo~

True to his word, all of AJ's attention was on his boyfriend thirty minutes later. They sat, curled around each other, on Gavin's bed in his dorm room. Both were tired from the studying they'd done and from the stress that built, as finals approached. The seniors at Dalton took their finals earlier than most high schools so that they could participate in Auxiliary Program in their final three weeks. Classes during AP centered on preparing for the transition between high school and college: how to schedule time, how to balance fun and work, healthy stress management, and navigating the social aspects of university. All of the seniors in Gavin and AJ's class were college bound, so everyone felt the benefit of the knowledge passed along to them. Besides seminars, AP week allowed the boys lots of good old fashioned free time to enjoy hanging around each other before the classmates were scattered to the four corners of the world. There were soccer games, movie nights, field trips, meals out, skit nights, plenty of snacks, and an overnight trip that was kept a secret until the last possible moment. Dress code was relaxed for the seniors during their last three weeks, so seeing boys on campus clad in shorts and flip flops was not unusual. AP was something Dalton boys anxiously anticipated beginning the spring of their freshman year , especially when the younger boys looked out the windows of their classrooms, while the upper classmen threw Frisbees around and had BBQ lunches on the front lawn.

"A week from now and finals will be over. Tuesday is my worst; I have three that day. What about you?" AJ asked, running a hand through Gavin's blonde hair.

"Wednesday is my worst, but I've only got two. One on all the other days, except Thursday, where, wonder of wonders, I have zero finals. Still not sure how that happened."

"Don't ask questions!" AJ laughed. "Just thank the Testing Gods for a sweet reprieve. Seems weird, doesn't it, that in a few weeks, we'll not be here anymore. I always thought I'd be rejoicing, getting ready to graduate from this place, but I'm not so sure I feel that way," AJ said.

Gavin was quiet for a few minutes. He sat up a bit in order to look AJ in the face and said, "I'll be forever thankful for my grandpa suggesting that I spend my last two years of high school here. Dalton will always be a sacred place to me because it is where we found us, and I can't imagine my life without you, August Hummel-Anderson." AJ looked at Gavin adoringly and pulled him into a tight hug.

"You make my heart flutter, O'Keefe," AJ said, smiling into Gavin's shoulder.

"You make my…" Gavin started

"Stop it," AJ said.

"But…"

"Stop."

" 'Kay." Gavin stopped talking, but grinned. He'd made AJ blush, which wasn't always an easy task to accomplish.

"So," Gavin said, changing the subject, "what's with the big dinner with the Grands?" AJ and Gavin received a mysterious invitation to dinner with Carol and Burt the Friday night after the last finals. They were invited to stay the weekend, which they accepted heartily. AP didn't start until that Monday, so leaving for Dalton on Sunday after dinner gave them plenty of time to get back.

"Dunno. Something's going on, though. I can tell when Grandpa is keeping a secret. His voice is a little different. Who knows? It will be nice to have a few nights away, though. Each time I talk to Grandma, she gets a little weepy about 'her boys' not being around much longer," AJ said.

"Man, she makes it sound like we'll be dead!" Gavin said.

"Well, she knows that when we're in school in New York, we won't be dropping in for dinner or to see them on a Saturday afternoon. And she talks about missing you more than missing me, so I guess I see where I stand," AJ said, laughing.

"I'll miss having them so close by," Gavin said, a little sadness in his voice. "They've been so good to me, making me feel like I'm part of the family."

"Dude, you ARE part of the family. Don't ever doubt that. Besides, we'll still see them on holidays, unless we're with your family."

"Okay, back to the topic at hand," Gavin said. "What do you think is going on?"

"Well, my guess is that it involves my dads, but that's as far as I can venture. Who knows with those two? I'm hungry. Wanna go get snacks?" AJ asked.

"Sure. I'll drive," Gavin said, holding out his hand for AJ's car keys.

"Hey, where are your keys? Use your own, bub," AJ teased. "Wait, wait, don't tell me: you've lost them. Again."

"Lost is a very strong word. I'm thinking more like 'misplaced' right now…" Gavin said, snatching the only known set of keys to AJ's car from his boyfriend's hand. "Last one to the car…" he trailed off, sprinting out the door of his room. Both boys ran through the halls and out the front door. They sprinted to the Mustang, with AJ on Gavin's heels the entire way.

"Winner!" Gavin proclaimed himself, as he touched the hood of the car. His dance of the champion was interrupted when AJ grabbed him around the waist, spun him around, and kissed him soundly.

"First prize," AJ whispered into Gavin's lips.

~oOo~

The ride to Lima was comfortably silent. Both boys were exhausted from a full week to testing. When they weren't taking an exam they were studying, eating, or sleeping. Finals were no laughing matter at Dalton, and thank heaven they were over…for good!

"Tired?" AJ asked Gavin, as soon as they got on the highway.

"Beyond. You?" Gavin returned.

"Absolutely. Relieved, though, right? Finals are done until we meet up with the hell called college finals in the winter."

"I'm not going to think about that right now," Gavin said, grinning at AJ. "For now, I want to look forward to this weekend, finding out what the heck is going on with your family, and AP. Is it wrong that I'm giddy about wearing shorts on campus, during the week?"

"I've been looking forward to AP since I was a freshman. Remember last year, when the entire class went to Cincinnati for three days? Museums, shows, dinners out. I wonder what is planned for us?" AJ asked.

"I heard rumors from Michael and Jacob, but we know how much stock to put into that!" Gavin said, laughing. "Speaking of your awkward siblings…"

"Not claiming them," AJ said.

"Too late. You lived with them for four years, they earned their siblingship."

"So what did they say about the secret trip?" AJ asked.

"Something about crocodile hunting in the Everglades of Florida…"

"How do they come up with stuff like that?" AJ snorted, unable to stop laughing at his roommates' ridiculousness.

"Dropped on their heads as babies? Infected by alien zombie germs in preschool? Who knows," Gavin laughed.

Conversation went quiet again, as the two boys passed the sign for Lima. "Yay! We're here," AJ said quietly. He reached over and squeezed Gavin's hand.

~oOo~

"Oh, boys, you look exhausted. Come in, come in," Carol Hummel said as she kissed and hugged the boys and ushered them into the dining room. "Dinner is on in ten minutes. Look at you two. I'd know that Dalton finals week exhaustion look anywhere."

"Look familiar?" AJ asked, hugging his grandma once again.

"I swear, Kurt and Blaine would drive here right after their finals junior and senior year and go right to bed. They'd sleep the entire weekend, they were so worn out. And hey, you have AP this year. Are you excited?"

'Totally," Gavin said. "Dinner smells delicious, Grandma."

Carol smiled, in love with this boy for calling her grandma. "It's your favorite, Gavin. Taco salads and nachos!" Gavin pretended to faint; Carol just laughed.

"After dinner we have a surprise for you! Did you bring a laptop like Grandpa asked?"

"We did. Hey, what's going on, Grandma? We've been trying to figure it out for weeks now. Does this involve my dads?" AJ asked.

"You'll have to wait until 8pm. Be patient and no more questions!" Carol said. "Now, into the kitchen to help me get dinner on the table. Grandpa is due home in five minutes."

~oOo~

Burt poked his head into the living room, where he found his grandson and his boyfriend sitting on the couch, watching reruns. "Five minutes, boys, and I need you in the den. Not a second earlier, got it?"

"Grandpa, what's going…?"

"Nuh-uh. No questions. See you in five." With that Burt disappeared down the hall.

"These five minutes are dragging into hours!" Gavin complained.

"Come on. Let's start walking down the hall. There's just one minute left," AJ said as he stood from the couch and offered a hand to Gavin.

Just as the boys arrived at the door to Burt's den, it opened. On the desk on the far wall were two laptops: Burt's and AJ's. Both were open just a few inches. "AJ, Gavin, please, have a seat," Burt said, motioning that the boys should sit in the chairs set up before the computers. Carol sat off to the side in a leather office chair. Burt stood front and center.

"Boys, we have some very special people who would like to talk to you tonight." Burt turned to his right and fully opened the laptop's lid. Up came Kurt and Blaine on Skype.

"AJ! Gavin! Hi boys! How are you?' Blaine asked.

"We miss you!" Kurt said. "How were finals?"

"Wretched, but we lived," Gavin said. "It sure is good seeing you!"

"I hate to break up this little love-fest, but there are a few more people who'd like to see you," Burt said, lifting the lid to the second laptop. Up popped Patrick and Molly O'Keefe, Gavin's parents.

"Mom! Dad! Hi!" Gavin shouted, waving frantically at the screen.

"Hello son!" Patrick said. "AJ! We've missed you! How are you, boy?"

"I'm fine, sir…I mean, Pat"

Molly laughed. "We're never going to break you of your good manners, are we AJ?" AJ smiled and blushed a bit.

Burt turned the screens so that all parties could see each other. "So, boys, I know you've been wondering what is going on here. Your parents have a surprise for you." Looking at the computers, Burt said, "Who is going to do the honors?"

Molly piped up with, "I believe I drew the short straw," Molly joked. "Okay. AJ, Gavin, all four of us and been in cahoots behind your backs for some time now, making plans for your graduation gift."

AJ and Gavin looked at each other when they realized they were getting a "gift" singular, not "gifts" plural.

Molly continued. "We decided that the best way for you to celebrate your graduation from Dalton is to spend a month in Europe, so that's what we've decided to give to you. Happy graduation!"

Kurt was next. "We've bought you plane tickets for the Wednesday a week after graduation. We've made no other plans, other than for you to fly home four weeks later."

"And," Blaine picked up, "since we want this trip to be memorable for you, we've pool enough cash for you do travel well. We'll leave all the planning to you, but we really want you to have an amazing time."

"My only request," Patrick said, "is that you spend some time in Ireland, checking up on the older relatives. You'll save me a trip over in the late summer if you'll spend some time with Great Aunt Tess and Uncle Rory."

The boys sat in silence, stunned at what had been placed before them.

"Well?" all four parents said in unison, and then laughed.

"Wah…we…oh…wah…" AJ stumbled.

"I think what AJ is trying to say," Gavin said, "is thank you. Very much. This is more than we could ever ask for. We think all four of you are amazing. Thanks for trusting us to travel on our own. That means a lot to us."

"We love you, boys. We can't think of anyone who deserves this more!" Molly said. "Siobhan is calling me for a snack, so we'd best sign off. We'll see you both in a few weeks for graduation!"

"We love you too," AJ managed. "Thank you so much for this unbelievable gift."

"Good night, boys. Good night, Blaine and Kurt. Nice to finally 'meet' you Burt and Carol. We'll see you at graduation?" Pat asked.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world!" Carol said. Pat and Molly O'Keefe waved and then the screen went blank.

"We'd best go too. Early morning tomorrow. Gav, AJ, have fun at AP. A little birdie named Headmaster David told me where you're going for your overnight trip. You're going to love it!" Kurt teased.

"Dad! Please! Tell us where we're going!" AJ pleaded.

"And ruin a perfectly good surprise? You really don't know me well at all, do you AJ?" Kurt teased.

"Dad, Mom, I'll email our flight info to you in the morning," Blaine said to Burt and Carol. "If it's still okay, we'll be there the weekend before graduation."

"Of course it's fine, Blaine. Can't wait to have you here and to spoil you to death. You're looking a little thin. Are you eating?" Carol asked with genuine concern in her voice.

"He's fine, Mom. Don't worry!" Kurt said. "Good night boys, goodnight Mom and Dad. See you in a few weeks!"

"Goodnight!" all four people at the Hummel's said, waving until the screen went dark.

~oOo~

"More ice cream?" Carol asked the boys.

"Sure!" Burt said, holding out his bowl.

"Not you," Carol said. "You know the rules."

"I was hoping you'd forget them," Burt mumbled.

None for me," AJ responded. Gavin nodded in agreement. "I think I'll head to bed. Gav?"

"Yeah. This has been quite a day! Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa, for having me over. And for setting up that chat with our parents. I can't believe we get to go to Europe!" Both boys got up and headed towards the stairs.

"Good night," they said in unison, as they hit the first stair.

"Sleep well, boys," Carol said. At that moment, AJ turned and looked at AJ with big eyes. Usually, this was when Burt chimed in with something like, "Finn's room is all ready for you Gavin" just to remind the boys that they were to spend the night in separate rooms. Tonight, nothing.

Gavin's grin was cut short as Burt's voice echoed through the house. "If you boys are sharing a room tonight, the door stays open!" After that, they boys heard Burt say to Carol, "I never thought I'd utter those words in this house again!" Carol broke out in a fit of giggles. AJ rolled his eyes and both boys ran up the stairs, to Kurt's old room.

~oOo~

Thirty minutes later, both boys were in their pajamas and were wrapped around each other in the center of the bed. Soft, quiet kisses led to a hug that drained the last of their energy from them.

"We're going to Europe!" Gavin sang.

"It doesn't seem real, does it?" AJ asked. "Suddenly, I feel really grown up."

"We are going to have a blast. I can't wait to show you Ireland! We should start planning right away…" Gavin started.

"Whoa, there. Sleep first, then plan. We have a few weeks to get everything worked out." AJ said.

"I know," Gavin said, "but it's not just the trip that makes me excited. It's that I get to travel with you! This is like, the first step into our adult lives, and we get to spend it together!"

AJ was quiet for a few moments. "I'm glad it's you."

"What do you mean?" Gavin asked.

"I'm glad it was you that found me locked out of my dorm room. You who tried out for soccer with me. You who falls asleep during movies. You who has a scary amount of knowledge about plumbing, you who can't stand take off when we fly, you who holds my hand and keeps me sane. I'm just glad that it's you, with me, for the rest of our lives. That's all." AJ pulled Gavin closer.

"I love you AJ. That doesn't feel like enough, but it really says what I feel. I look into our future and it's all so clear to me: college, getting married, having careers, children, vacations. Every time I picture my future, you are right there with me."

"I love you too, Gavvie. To the moon and back."

"I've always wanted to go to the moon. I wonder if…"

"Good night Gavin."

"Night, love."

"Oh geeze. Here we go again," Burt said, after hearing AJ and Gavin's conversation while standing outside their door. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but once he started he couldn't stop. These two were just as smitten as Kurt and Blaine were all those years ago. Burt grinned to himself, heading down the hall to tell Carol what he'd overheard. He knew she'd be thrilled, no doubt.

~oOo~

As I was proofing this, I overheard the television in the sitting room (the teenagers in this house watch WAY too much television). The preview for Glee came on and Blaine was singing a snippet of Gotye's Somebody That I Used to Know! Coincidence? I think not…Good timing? Yes!

I'm thinking there is a prom chapter and a graduation chapter before this series is done. No promises on how long it will take to update, 'kay? Sorry. It's just how life works right now.

I hope spring has sprung in your neck of the woods! It sure has here!

GirlFromTheWest xxoo

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