For Elijah

[mustachio69]

It's odd how the tables have turned; David up on a stage, dressed in a silly outfit and receiving applause while Elijah watches from the audience. He's always known he's not cut out for a job like his boyfriend's, in the limelight, all eyes on him, and the queasy feeling in his stomach just goes to prove it. As he shakes the Dean's hand and accepts his ceremonial scroll, his eyes flick to the rows and rows of faces, landing on Elijah's for a boost of reassurance.

He can't help but smile when he sees him. He's done it, he's got his diploma, the biggest achievement in his life to date, second only to somehow convincing Elijah to be with him. Worries about the future and securing a position and the responsibility of actually being a doctor constantly threaten to ruin the day but David does a good job of keeping them at bay. It's his second time on stage during the ceremony, having already been recognised for his commitment to the study of medicine, given the challenges that he's overcome of his unorthodox journey to graduation. It's a made-up award, everyone in his small cohort got a special mention for something, but it comes with a $250 prize and a certificate, so with his diploma in hand to boot, he's feeling pretty flush.

And very flushed. He exits the stage, colour still rising in his cheeks, and returns to his seat. There's only the closing remarks of this ceremony to go now, the "aim high and reach for the stars, keep in touch, you'll always have a place here, so proud, please donate in the future" speech, but David's not taking any of it in.

Instead, he reaches up to his mortar board and moves the tassle over to the other side, marking the end of his student days.