#fezco

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The house was silent in the way only late and stormy afternoons could be. The blinds were half closed, the glow of lightning stretching across the unmade bed where the two of you had been lying for hours. Neither of you had much reason to get up, deals were slow today. The TV hummed somewhere in the background, forgotten. Your head rested against Fez’s shoulder, tracing absent-minded circles over the faded fabric of his knitted sweater, one his grandmother had gotten him. At time of purchase, it was too big for his child body, but now it fit comfortably.

You were thinking about every detail of him so much that you hadn’t realize he barely spoke today. That wasn’t unusual of course, Fezco had always been a man of few words, but there was a heaviness in the silence that settled over both of you.

“What?” you finally asked, tilting your head to look at him. His eyes stayed on the ceiling. “Nothin’.” He replied, almost in a whisper. You acknowledged him quickly, “You always say ‘nothin’’ when it’s definitely somethin’.”

A tiny smile tugged at the corner of his mouth before disappearing again. After another long pause, he sighed. “You ever think ‘bout… what you’d do if I got locked up?”

Your hand stopped moving across the sweater. The question hung in the room, making the air feel colder somehow. He nodded once, not even needing a response to feel your hesitation. “It ain’t impossible.”

You hated how calmly he said it. You pushed yourself up on one elbow so you could see his face. “I don’t like thinking about that, Fez.”

“I know.” He muttered.

“But I do think about it.” You spat out, feeling anxious as you said it. You almost regretted your words as they slipped past your teeth and into the chilled air.

He finally looked at you and you swallowed, hard. For a while neither of you spoke.

“I’d wait,” you whispered. Fez frowned before responding, “You shouldn’t.”

“I didn’t ask what I should do.”

“I’m bein’ serious.”

“So am I.”

Fez’s jaw tightened. “You got your whole life ahead of you.” he pointed out as you leaned over, gently pressing a kiss against his forehead, “ Then we’d figure it out.” He let out a quiet laugh that didn’t sound happy. “You always think things got an answer.”

“Not always.”

“Then why?” He questioned, looking at you like you were almost crazy.

“Because I’d rather spend years missing you than spend the rest of my life wondering if I gave up too soon.”

His eyes softened and finally moved from the ceiling to you.

“You deserve better than visitin’ somebody through glass.” You didn’t have a comeback for that.

Fez reached for your hand, fitting his fingers between yours. He shook his head. “But you stubborn.”

“You love that about me.”

“I do.” the words came so easily that neither of you thought about them. He squeezed your hand as his thumb brushed over your knuckles.

“I love you. More than anything.”

Your chest tightened.

“I know.”

“And if things ever went bad…” he continued quietly, “…I need you to keep livin’. Go outside. Eat good food. Take care of Ash.” You felt tears threaten the corners of your eyes.

“I can’t promise I wouldn’t miss you every day.”

“I know.”

“I can’t promise I’d stop loving you.”

“I don’t want you to.”

Outside, the world kept moving. Cars passed. People laughed somewhere down the street, a passing a vape between their hands. Life continued exactly as it always had.

But inside that tiny apartment, wrapped up in each other’s arms, time slowed just enough for both of you to know that no matter what tomorrow held, you loved each other.

And for now, that was enough as you held each other just a bit tighter.

“Hey, little man,” you said, and Ash’s attention left his phone and went to you. Even though Ash had a growth spurt since you had first met him and was now taller than you, you wouldn’t stop calling him little man. Ash didn’t really mind it much. But don’t tell anyone else he felt that way.

“Hey.”

“You all ready to go,” you asked leaning against the wall at the entrance to his room.

“Pretty much. Fez ready?”

“Not at all,” you answered giggling. “I’m glad I came over early and ironed his shirt.” You walked closer to where he was sitting on his bed. “I’ve got something for ya,” you said, a huge grin on your face. You pulled the small giftbag you had from behind your back and held it out to him.

To say Ash was shocked was an understatement. Fez always tried to make due with what they had. Birthdays and Christmases were okay. He’d only ever got gifts from his brother until you came around. But this, a watch that you obviously had to save up for, was a lot. 

“Y/N, I can’t-,” Ash started to say but you quickly interrupted him. 

“You can and you will. You deserve it. Besides, it’s not like I can take it back.”

You could see Ash fighting to not get emotional. He stood up and hugged you. You’re eyes grew wide. You hoped he would like it, but never thought you would get a hug. The only times you got hugs from Ashtray was when you hugged him, and usually he didn’t hug you back.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” You held onto him for a bit longer soaking up the moment. “Now, finish getting ready. I’m gonna go bug your brother until he’s done.”

Ash just smiled and nodded.

You went back to your boyfriends room to see him finally throwing on the button down you ironed for him earlier. “Took you long enough.”

“We’re gonna be on time,” Fez said. “I don’t take an hour to get ready like you.”

“I may take an hour, but somehow I’m the first one ready,” you said. You flopped down on Fez’s bed watching him. “I gave Ashtray his gift.”

“Yeah,” Fez asked, glancing up at you as he finished up the last button, “he liked it?”

You smiled. “Yeah, he did. Even gave me a hug.”

Fezco’s eyebrows shot up.

“I know,” you said laughing at his response. “I was surprised too.” Before you bought the watch, you checked with Fez to make sure it was something Ash would like. Fez was shocked you were getting something so pricy for his little brother, but it just showed how much you cared for Ash. 

“Told you he’d like it.”

The three of you finally got out the door and made it to the convention center where the graduation was being held. Fez dropped Ashtray off at the front of the building and the two of you drove off looking for a parking spot.

“Rue better hurry up. They’re gonna close the doors before the graduates walk in.” Rue told you both she was coming so you saved a seat for her, but you hadn’t heard from her in twenty minutes. 

Before Fez could reply, you felt a body bump into you. 

“I’m here, I’m here,” Rue said, a little disheveled but at least she showed up. 

“You had us worried,” you said, leaning over to give Rue a hug.

Fez leaned forward a little so he could see Rue. “I wasn’t.”

You slapped his chest with the back of your hand. Just a moment later the band began to play Pomp and Circumstance as the graduates began to file into the auditorium. Despite how long Fez took, you arrived to the venue pretty early so you three had good seats so Ashtray would have to walk right by you. 

Normally, Ashtray had an annoyed or angry look on his face, but you saw the small smile on his face as he came around the corner.

“There he is,” you shouted and pointed. “Ash,” you yelled a little too loud for the people in front of you but you didn’t care. Ash was only going to graduate high school once. 

“Go Ash,” Rue shouted and clapped next to you.

You could see Ash fighting it, but eventually he let go and smiled big and bright.  After a few boring but a little inspiring speeches, it was time for the graduates to walk across the stage.

“Ash O’Neil.”

As Ashtray walked across the stage to grab his diploma, Fez, Rue, and you yelled as loud as you could to make sure he could hear you. 

“Okay, Ash!”

“I see you, Ashtray,” you screamed. You definitely got a few looks when you called Ash’s real name, but you didn’t care or notice. 

“Yeah, Ash,” Fez hooped and hollered. 

You knew Ashtray heard all of you because his smile was beaming. He shook all the hands he had to as he finished crossing the stage then turned and pointed to the three of you as he walked off the stage happy as can be. 

All of you sat back down as the announcer kept calling names. You grabbed Fezco’s hand as you tried to watch the rest of the ceremony, but Fez squeezing your hand had you glancing toward him. You did a double take once you saw his eyes watering.

“Baby, what’s wrong?”

Rue leaned forward at the sound of your voice to see what was going on then saw the tears on Fez’s face. “Are you crying?”

You glared at Rue and she quickly sat back in her seat.

You turned back to your boyfriend and wiped the tear that was falling down his cheek. “What’s going on?”

Fez just kept looking straight ahead. You just let him take his time before he responded. “I’m just... I didn’t think we’d get here. I thought he would’ve had to drop out or... I’d be dead.”

“Hey, hey,” you whispered letting go of his hand so you could wrap that arm around him and hold his hand with your free one that was further away from him. “He did it. You did it. He wouldn’t have been able to get here without you. You both did good.”

Fezco looked at you then just nodded taking in your words. He was so unbelievably proud of his brother. 

The three of you were fairly silent watching the rest of the graduates walked. Rue snickered at a few of the names. You just held onto Fez’s hand, your thumb rubbing back and forth on his skin.

"Presenting the class of 20-" The graduates stood and tossed their caps in the air as the room filled with cheers and claps. After they filed out of the room, the doors were packed with family and friends trying to get outside to greet their graduates. 

The sidewalk and blocked off street were filled with people and balloons. Moms with their phones pressed to their ears trying to find their kids. Dads with big bouquets of flowers in their hands.

"Come on baby," you said as you pulled Fez's hand through the crowd. Fez was trying to call Ash while you attempted to make you way to a clear area. 

"He says he's just steppin' outside now." Fez squeezed your hand to try to get you to stand still. "We're near the tree in front." 

"There's 5 different trees," you said looking around trying to find something that could be used as a marker for Ash to find the three of you. "Oh," you spoke, letting go of Fez's hand. You took a few steps and stood on a wobbling bench. Was it the safest option? No, but there was no way Ashtray would spot you in the sea of people unless you stood out. "Tell him I'm standing on a bench."

Fez stepped towards you, his hand held out to balance you. "You see y/n? She's standing on a bench."

"I see him," you shouted and waved towards Ash. You looked down at Fez, your feet wobbling a little. "Let's go to him, there's less people over there." 

"Wait there, we're comin' to you," Fez told Ash, the phone pressed between his ear and shoulder as he grabbed your waist to hoist you down. 

The three of you quickly made your way over. "There's our graduate," you said excited, a huge smile on your lips. You were leading Fez to Ash but thought Fezco should get the first hug. You tugged his arm forward, so he was standing in front of his brother. 

Fez clasped his brother's hand then pulled him in for a tight hug. They held each other like that for a moment, swaying a little, before Fez pulled back slightly and rested his forehead on Ash's. Your eyes filled with tears at love for one another as you quickly snapped a picture on your phone. 

"I'm so proud of you man." Fez said in a low tone, Ashtray nodding silently. 

They pulled apart then you went in for your hug. Two hugs in one day? This was a world record. 

"You did so good. And you look so handsome in your cap and gown," you said as you pulled away. You adjusted his tassel, so the year faced forward.

"Congrats, Ash," Rue said, holding her fist out for him. 

"Thanks, Rue," Ash replied, his fist colliding with hers.

"Okay, picture time," you shouted gleefully. "Fez, you go first."

You took a boat load of photos to remember the day. Ashtray and Fez. A close up of him with his diploma. Rue and Ash. You and Ash. Fez, Ash, and you. You stretched your arm out to get a group selfie of the 4 of you all together.

"Alright, alright. Can we go eat now please," Ashtray asked while he loosened the tie around his neck. He was over all this sappy hugging and photo taking. 

"Yeah, where you wanna eat at," Fez asked. He through his arm over Ashtray's shoulder as he lead him to the car.

Two hours and a full stomach later, you fell back on Fez's bed, tired from an overly active morning and afternoon. 

"I'm pooped," you said, eyes closed. "Please don't let me eat that much chips and salsa again, no matter how many time the waiter refills the basket." 

Your eyes stayed closed waiting for your boyfriend to reply. You popped one eye open to spot him looking at himself in the dresser mirror. "Baby?"

"What do you think about me getting my GED," Fez asked suddenly. 

You sat up quickly, eyes looking at Fez's reflection in the mirror. "What?"

Fez turned around, his eyes shy, "I was thinking about getting my GED. What do you think?"

"I think that's great Fez."

"Yeah," he looked at you questioningly, wanting your approval. 

"Yeah."

"I just...," Fez started as he walked to you and sat on the bed, "With Ash graduating, I thought maybe I could start studying, take the GED."

You scooted closer so you were sitting at the end of the bed with him. "As long as you’re happy, and safe, I'm down for whatever you want to do."

Fez nodded, thinking to himself. You could tell he was nervous about this. "I was also thinkin' after I finish I could, I don't know, try trade school or something. Go legit." 

You grabbed his hand, interlacing your fingers with his. 

"You know I'm gonna support you in whatever you do, but... why the sudden interest in going 'legit,' you asked, putting air quotes around legit. You knew who Fez was when you started dating him. It wasn't the safest occupation out there, but you were with him because you loved him. His job was just a part of that. 

"I only deal cause that's what Grandma did. She got sick and I had to take over. Now that Ash is done with school, I just thought I could finish what I started. And you..." Fez started but stopped, hesitating.

"What about me," you asked, squeezing his hand.

"You deserve better than a drug dealer. I wanna build a life with you. Have kids. I don't wanna have to keep dealin' with Laurie and worry about sellin' all of my supply."

Your eyes began to fill with tears, your voice soft as you spoke. "You want to have kids with me?"

A slight smile started to grow on Fez's face. "Yeah... I mean... if you want to," he answered, rubbing the back of his neck.

You bit your lip holding back a big grin as you nodded, "I do." Then you lunged forward tackling Fezco on the bed, your arms wrapped around his neck. His hand flew to your waist, his fingertips pressing into the fabric of your dress.

"I can't believe you wanna have babies with me. You want to get a day job and pay taxes and ughh-," you said before you muffled yourself into his neck. 

Next thing Fez knew, you were sniffling. "Don't cry, ma."

"They're happy tears baby," you said beaming, pulling back to look at him. "I love you so much."