#anderperry fics

Todd fixed his coats before Cameron squeezed himself in front of Todd to see himself in the mirror.  “Excuse me,” Cameron said. The ginger head carefully brushed his hair up before pointing at his own reflection and grinned. “Just a moment. Yes. You’re good.” 

Todd laughed at him as he messed up Cameron's hair. Cameron docked and grunted. “Oh, come on, Todd. I’m trying to fix this.” Todd just chuckled before taking his coat.

“Come on, Nuwanda. We’re going to miss Neil’s entrance,” Meeks said.

 “He said something about getting red before we left,” Pitts says as he keeps on brushing his hair. 

“‘Getting red’? What does that mean?” Cameron asked.

“I -” Pitts tried to mumble something but nothing. “You know, Charlie.”

Speaking of the devil, Charlie opened one of the cubicle’s doors with a smirk on his face, a what seems to be paintbrush and a red acrylic on his left hand, his hair still messy and his necktie hanging on his right shoulder. Everybody looked at him.

“So, Charlie, what’s this ‘getting red’ bit?”

Charlie opened his unbuttoned polo and revealed a red drawing of a lightning on his chest. The room was filled with ‘oohs’ and laughs. 

“Wha-” Todd stammered. “What is that?”  

“It's an Indian sign for virility. Makes me feel potent, like I can drive girls crazy.”

Todd shook his head as he headed for the door. “Come on, Charlie. The girls are waiting.”

But, there was, in fact, a girl waiting. Not for Charlie - but for Knox. They six of them stared at the blonde girl in fascination. Unbelievable. Knox whispers as he approaches her and Todd can barely hear them. Keating called out for them.

“Go on, guys. I’ll catch up,” Knox said. Todd definitely wouldn’t want to stay there so he was the first to run to Keating’s car. Charlie and the others kept talking about it in the car. Todd tried to get in the conversation a few times but stayed silent for the rest as they made their way to Henley Hall. 

- 

Thank God they arrived early and didn’t miss anything. Todd felt giddy the whole time. He’s so proud of Neil and he can say the same to the other boys. Charlie almost did a standing ovation when Neil first showed up. By the time Neil started his monologue at the end, Todd felt a little uneasy. The play is ending which means Todd will have to talk to him soon. I mean. Oh my God. What’s going to happen then?

“... And Robin shall make amends.”

Right after he disappeared behind the curtain, a loud applause echoed through the auditorium. And when they opened the curtains again to give the cast one last sight, the crowd stood up as they clapped and praised the successful play. Ginny gave Neil a push to the spotlight and the Dead Poets shouted their “YAWP!” as a sign of support to Neil. At that sight, Neil felt a light baggage fall from his back. He felt relieved. No matter what happens to him, he knows that these people got him. Through success and trials. 

Behind the curtains, everyone rejoiced. There was a lot of clapping and discussion about the play and Neil has never felt so happier. The phrase “You did great!” were tossed around the room so much. Not only to Neil but the other cast members, of course. 

Their organizer approached Neil. “Someone wants to talk to you.”

Neil felt his color drained out of him and the baggage he lost a minute ago came back even heavier. Miss Cece didn’t specify who wants to talk to Neil but Neil already had the feeling that it’s his Father. It’s got to be and that terrified Neil so much.

He took his coat and his stuff before opening the curtains to face whoever wants to talk to him. To his surprise, he saw Todd leaning against a wall a few feet away from the stage. His hands were fidgeting and Neil could hear him mumble. It’s just Todd. His Todd.

Neil walked up to him. “Hey, Todd.”

Todd looked up to him and smiled. “Hey. Uh, you did great!”

“Thank you.”

“I… I need to tell you something.”

There was a moment of silence. Usually, they fill all that silence because they can talk about anything and if they do have The Silence between them it always brings lightness and contentment. But this one, it’s scrambled with ranges of emotions that both of them can feel. Todd knows Neil is bothered. Maybe now is not the right time to say it. Maybe it can wait. There’s always later, anyways. Right? 

“I…” Todd hesitated. I don’t know if you noticed it too. But every time I’m with you, I feel this resurging energy that makes my whole skin vibrate, makes my heart beat in a mellow rhythm that nobody ever did before because I’m never comfortable to have some other presence other than mine. I also don’t know if you noticed it but I stare at you a little longer every time because I hope you understand that you’re really beautiful and I adore you. There’s so much to say about this and about you but I’m ending it by saying I love you. Todd wanted to say it but he held his tongue. He looked at Neil. The love of his life. Neil always made sure he’s there for Todd and now Todd’s going to make sure that Neil knows that. He can confess later. 

“Nothing. I just wanted to say congratulations! You made us proud. Neil Perry, the master of seizing the day, huh?” Todd said.

Neil grinned at him. “Yeah, right, Todd Anderson, the master of words.”

They both laughed. “Now, come on! The others are waiting for you!”

Neil puts his arms around Todd’s arm as they walk to the exit and talk. For now, this is what’s going to fill their Silence. Contentment and a home.