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Jeffery Anderson whistled as he walked down the oft travelled hallway, greeting a teacher or a student with a nod every now and then as he made his way to the dorms.
It was a Sunday, and Todd had been in Welton for about 4 months. 2 days ago, Jeff had decided that the phone calls they had twice a week just weren't cutting it, so he decided to surprise his little brother with a visit.
He wanted to see for himself if Todd was as comfortable here as he said he was, but that wasn't the only reason he came. He was pretty sure that his brother was sweet on his roommate Neil Perry, and wanted to confirm the fact by subtly talking about Neil and observing Todd's visage, as the latter had never been good at hiding his emotions. Jeff was also ready with a pep talk that he would deliver to make Todd confident enough to confess to Neil.
Reaching the dorm rooms, he held his knock back as he heard bellowing laughter from inside, followed by Todd saying "Neil, you little shit give that back!", the smile prominent in his voice, along with his adoration.
Jeff smiled and shook his head at the 2 dorks, and started when he heard the blaring sound of a saxophone followed immediately by a "Shut up, Dalton, I'm studying!"
Looking around, Jeff located the noise from one of the closed dorm rooms on the other side, quietly laughing at Charlie's inability to not be a menace and wincing at the pitch of the off-key tune and the annoyed yells.
Turning back to Todd's dorm, he reached for the knob, not noting the sudden silence within. In hindsight, he really should have knocked because he was not prepared for the scene before him.
He didn't know what he had expected Todd to be doing, maybe reading a book or scribbling in one but he hadn't expected him- his little brother who shied away from physical affection from everyone except Jeff, who he hadn't even seen hold hands with someone before- sat with his knees on either side of Neil Perry's hips, the latter lying down with his head near the foot of the bed, arms raised above his head and held down by Todd's fingers interlocked with his as they kissed feverishly.
Several things happened in quick succession after that. Jeff let out an involuntary 'What the fuck' at which Todd raised his head, oceanic eyes panicked as he got off Neil and promptly pushed him off the bed and onto the floor. Neil uttered an expletive and let out a groan of pain as Todd tried to straighten himself and kicked a pillow into Neil's face by mistake. The latter spluttered and moved the offending object from his face, catching sight of Jeff while upside down and stopping, eyes wide.
Jeff looked at Neil on the floor, his head near his shoes while he stared at him, seemingly frozen in a mixture of pain, distress and panic, to his brother who was similarly frozen on the bed as the sax from the other room blared noisily and shrilly.
Todd caught his gaze and cleared his throat. "Jeff! I wasn't expecting you today; what a lovely surprise!" he proclaimed in a falsely positive tone, his voice higher than usual.
Neil dropped his head at the mention of Jeff's name and brought the pillow back to his face as though that hid him from Jeff's sight.
"What the fuck" he said again, still processing what he just saw before it kicked in: his brother was snogging the hell out of Neil Perry
"You did it!" he exclaimed joyously before remembering the open door and closing it immediately, which was a wise choice because the sax had been replaced by bongos. He turned back to his brother, who had blushed so red it looked painful, not meeting Jeff's eyes.
He knew that Todd was gay, he had talked to Jeff about it 3 years ago, and he had lived up to his duty as a big brother and accepted him without hesitation, having known for a while, offering unconditional love and solace. Jeff caught the apprehension and worry etched on Todd's face and understood that he was afraid of what Jeff would say, having been confronted with physical proof of his gayness.
Ignoring Neil on the floor, he made his way to Todd and sat down beside him, grabbing hold of his hand like he used to do when they were kids.
"Hey, baby brother" he started, laughing and swatting at Todd when he was immediately pinched for the use of the detested nickname. "I'm proud of you" Jeff said softly as he squeezed his brother's hand.
Todd looked up suddenly and their matching blue gazes met as his nervousness was wiped out to be replaced by overwhelming love and relief.
Though a poet at heart, he had never learnt to how to voice his innermost thoughts and feelings, though they were felt in abundance. Jeff knew everything he wanted to say but couldn't, and nodded slightly at him to show that he understood, ridding Todd of his remaining anxiety.
Jeff followed Todd's line of sight as he averted his gaze and caught onto something that made his entire face light up, eyes shining and lips quirking up as a becoming glow settled over his cheeks. Jeff saw a similar look emanating from the recipient, who was still on the floor with the pillow revealing only his eyes, which caught Jeff's own and immediately widened with trepidation.
Howling with laughter at the absurdity of the situation on the inside, Jeff let a stony mask settle over his face as he arched an eyebrow, surveying Neil as he stood up and discarded the pillow onto his own bed.
"Hello.. sir" Neil said, immediately wincing with embarrassment at the moniker he used but extending a hand anyways. Jeff shook it sturdily, refusing to let his amusement show as he replied, "Jeff is fine. Sit down, please".
Todd rolled his eyes and gave Jeff's hand a warning squeeze before giving Neil a reassuring smile as the latter sat on the bed across them.
"So.. Neil, isn't it?" Jeff asked, as though he hadn't started planning their wedding in his head after the first 2 phone calls with Todd.
"Yes sir, I mean, Jeff", Neil spluttered while Todd suppressed a grin.
Finally letting go of Todd's hand Jeff leant forward to place his elbows on his knees, looking Neil straight in the eye and making him gulp before speaking.
"What are your intentions with my brother?" he asked, ignoring Todd when he groaned.
Neil visibly relaxed a tiny amount and cast an adoring look to Todd before meeting Jeff's steady gaze and starting.
"Well Jeff, I'm gonna be honest with you." His soft eyes drifted to Todd then snapped back to Jeff as he spoke. "My only intentions with your brother are to love and worship him, cherish everything about him and create a.. a safe space for him."
Neil cleared his throat and looked at Todd, blushing slightly but looking him in the eyes as he continued. " I intend to be his first 'good morning' and last 'good night' for as long as he'd let me, but if it's left to me, I'll never leave him for the rest of my life."
Always one to wear his heart on his sleeve, it was not unexpected to see the profuse love in his eyes and the unwavering honesty that accompanied his words. Jeff was momentarily struck silent by the emotion in his tone, but when he made to speak, Neil continued, his eyes still fixed on Todd.
"I want to be the reason behind that smile, and the one who makes him laugh without inhibitions." Neil grinned as Todd smiled at the ground bashfully.
"I want to be his muse, like he's mine and be his.. everything, and even as underserving as I am, mean to him what he means to me."
Neil finally looked back at Jeff and flushed under his watchful glance, but didn't look like he regretted anything he said.
"Well then", Jeff started, "You have my blessing to date my brother, not", he added hastily, "that you need it, but I'm saying it anyways. Neil tried not too look too relieved.
Todd rolled his eyes again as Jeff continued.
"You're alright, Perry, but if Todd ever sheds a sad tear because of you, I'll have your bones before you even understand what's happening", he said seriously.
Neil looked mildly offended at him saying that he might potentially hurt Todd, but nodded nonetheless.
Jeff looked back at Todd who raised an eyebrow and gave him a look.
"Are you done threatening my boyfriend?"
Jeff grinned and let his protectiveness drop away as he finally began the teasing he was better suited for.
"Your boyfriend, is he? My baby brother- ow don't -all grown up! They grow up too fast" he said, pretending to wipe fake tears away while Todd fought an amused grin and Neil chuckled.
"When did this happen?" Jeff couldn't contain his curiosity anymore as Todd went to sit by Neil and put an arm around his waist.
"Last month", Neil answered, looking more comfortable with Jeff. Or maybe that was just Todd's embrace.
"Who confessed?"
"I did, in a way", Todd grinned coyly. "I saw a sheaf of poetry on Neil's bed and was going to leave it there but then I saw my name on it", he said as Neil looked embarrassed. "Then curiosity got the better of me."
"Then when I came home from rehearsals I found a poem for me beside the one I wrote for Todd, and, well." Neil pinked and didn't continue.
Jeff turned to Todd who was looking at Neil dotingly, and gasped. "Did he really write you poetry? Todd, if you don't marry him, I will."
Todd objected with an uncharacteristically loud 'Hey!' as roses settled in his cheeks while Neil looked as though the prospect of potentially marrying Todd was all he needed in his life.
Jeff smiled inwardly at the smitten brunet before another thought struck his mind.
"So, about what I walked into -"
"Jeffery Anderson, you'd better shut up right now."
"- do I need to give you guys the talk?"
He would be lying if he said that he wasn't thoroughly enjoying himself at the sight of Todd's and Neil's mortified faces, Neil averting his gaze and avoiding contact with both the brothers and Todd glaring at him as he withdrew him arm from around Neil and grabbed his hand instead as Neil seemed to be too shy to do anything in front of Jeff.
Ignoring the unified 'No!' that came from both of them, Jeff smirked and continued.
"You see, when 2 boys love each other very much -"
"Jeffery, I fucking swear to God -"
"- they'll want to do things so -" Jeff spoke but was promptly tackled by Todd, who pinched the tender skin near his armpit. Hard.
"Ow, fuck" Jeff looked over at Neil who had a hand over his blushing face as he got up and dropped the hand, looking over at Jeff and saying "I'll leave you two alone." before extending a hand for goodbye.
Jeff stood up and looked at it before grabbing it and pulling Neil into a hug.
"Take care of him and keep him happy" he whispered in Neil's ear as they were both the same height.
"I will." he whispered back, the promise strong in his voice.
Releasing him, Jeff clapped him on the shoulder and spoke.
"Are you free on Tuesday evenings?"
"Er.. yeah I am", Neil hesitatingly answered.
"Good. Expect a call at 6 every Tuesday evening. I'd like to hear about your play."
Neil looked surprised then elated as he nodded, which made Jeff wonder how many adults in his life actually cared about him and his interests, and he mentally vowed to keep him close.
Clapping another hand on his shoulder, he smiled at Neil.
"You're alright. Neil."
"Not that bad yourself, Jeff. Terrifying sometimes, but not that bad." Both the boys grinned at each other as Neil left after planting a kiss on Todd's cheek., then Jeff turned to Todd.
"He seems like a good guy", Jeff started.
"He is.", Todd said, the remnants of a lovey-dovey smile on his face, his expression content and happy.
Jeff turned sober as he drank in that look, and realised how rarely he saw it. Todd hadn't always been the happiest at home. Everything was fine 'til about 7 years ago, when he was deemed old enough to 'follow in his brother's footsteps'.
That was when his parents had become disinterested, he supposed: when it became clear that Todd was nothing like Jeff. Even at 13 Jeff had understood what was going on but loved Todd more to make up for it. It got harder when he came to Welton, but he managed it with an abundance of affectionate letters and phone calls.
The two of them had always been inseparable, from the day Todd was born. Still, Jeff felt guilty that Todd had to take the brunt of his parents' disappointment while they showered him with love and pride all the time. It wasn't uncommon for Jeff to argue with his parents about their treatment of Todd, but they never changed, and Todd didn't deserve that.
The sadness his thoughts invoked must have shown on his face, because Todd took his hand and asked "Hey, what's that look for?" concernedly.
"Just thinking." Jeff shook his head. "I like seeing you happy like this, he's good for you."
Todd's face caught that enamoured expression again. "He's more than i could ever even have imagined.." he trailed off before looking back at Jeff. "I really love him."
Jeff felt happiness welling up inside him as he caught Todd in a hug in response.
Jeff's arms had been Todd's first safe space, as Neil had put it. After being yelled at by his parents, Jeff was who he would go to for comforting hugs that were willingly given. He'd taken solace in them during thunderstorms, and after bad dreams, and it was the first place where he felt completely loved.
Even though Neil was his everything, the safety bubble that Jeff provided meant a lot to him, and Todd was reflecting on this as he squeezed his brother just a little more tighter.
They released each other after a few moments, and Jeff ruffled his hair affectionately before suddenly looking apprehensive.
"What is it?"
"It's about Melissa.. Todd, I'm gonna ask her to marry me."
Melissa was Jeff's girlfriend. They'd been together for 4 years, and Todd absolutely adored her. She was extremely accepting, and one of the few people who loved his brother the way he deserved to be loved.
Todd's jaw dropped open as he stared at Jeff, before excitedly punching his shoulder and grinning. "About damn time! Have you got a ring?"
Jeff nodded, clearly happy at Todd's reaction, as he pulled a small red box out of his pocket. It was beautiful, a small diamond heart surrounded by 2 gold laurels and Todd audibly gasped before saying so.
"When are you going to give it?"
"Next weekend. I'm taking her out to dinner."
Todd grinned wider, unable to contain his joy as he threw his arms around his brother's neck again.
"She'll say yes." he whispered confidently.
He felt Jeff's chest rumble with a nervous chuckle as he pulled back.
"Yeah, I hope so..." Jeff started, when the door was thrown open as Charlie stepped in with a loud "Toddster!!!"
Charlie stopped in his tracks when he saw Jeff sitting on Todd's bed before catching sight of the ring and smirking.
"Here to propose, Anderson? Thought you'd know which dorm is mine by now.", smirk widening when Todd grimaced.
"You wish, Dalton." Jeff chuckled, putting the ring back before shaking Charlie's hand.
"Found out about our resident lovebirds, did you?"
"Mhm. Neil went to you, then?"
"That boy can't keep a thing from me. Good job on the protective brother act; had him proper terrified."
"Good to know. Was that you with the sax and bongos then?"
"Obviously. These fuckers don't have enough class to learn." Charlie scoffed.
Jeff laughed. Charlie had been about 12 when they had first met around 6 years ago, and not much about him had changed. It was refreshing.
Clapping Charlie on the back, Jeff said "Always a pleasure to meet you, Dalton. Call soon."
Charlie nodded before saying "All the best with your girl. I expect an invitation to the wedding." and bounded out after a 'See you at dinner' to Todd.
Jeff turned to his brother, giving him a smile.
"I'm happy that everything is working out for you. Don't let him go, and make sure you use protection - ow! That hurts!"
"Good.", Todd grinned. "Don't stress it with Melissa, she's gonna say yes. Shit, I can't wait to be an uncle, get the babies soon, please."
"Babies?" Jeff looked as though he hadn't considered that yet and rather liked the idea.
"Yes, babies." Todd smirked. "You see, when a man and a woman love each other - you fucker!" he exclaimed as Jeff dug his fingers into Todd's sides.
Laughing, Jeff pulled him in for a last hug, kissing the side of his head and whispering "I love you, baby brother" into it.
Todd sighed dramatically and let the nickname pass because he secretly loved it. "Love you too, even though you're a pain in my ass."
"That's Neil's jo- Ouch! Okay damn, point made" as Todd continued to pinch him.
With a last hair ruffle and a laugh, Jeff walked away smiling to himself and feeling as though Todd was finally getting the happiness he deserved