Chapter Text
After the Winter holidays, 1960
It was their first day in Welton after the winter holidays and they had spent the day catching up in their dorm. Unsurprisingly, Todd had a cold and unpleasant couple of weeks, but at least his parents remembered his existence and had given him a present for Christmas; a new desk set.
For Neil, it was worse.
After the play, his father hadn't left him off the hook, and since December 15th Neil was held in his parents' house until this morning. Mr Perry scolded him for hours on end, he diminished his passion for acting, saying that he wouldn't accomplish anything in life if he followed that path and that he was going to take him out of Welton and enlist him in Military School. Neil had begged him on his knees to let him finish school in Welton, and Mr perry was reluctant to do it for days until Neil promised that he would never act again, that he would give up his dream and do as his father pleased after graduating Welton. With a little push from Mrs Perry, his father let him come back.
Neil couldn't say he was happy with this outcome, but at least he gets to keep his friends for another year.
On the other hand, Todd was horrified by the thought of losing him for a long time. He couldn't picture the rest of his schooldays without his roommate, his best friend, his muse. He couldn't help but feel a little relieved at his return, even if that meant he had to give up on his dream.
However, Todd had noticed the change in Neil's spirit; it had only been a day-less than a day actually-since they came back, but for Todd, it was very evident. So after not much thinking-who was able to think, seeing Neil's sad puppy face?- he promised himself that he was going to help his friend, no matter what he would make Neil's dream possible.
Right now both boys were quietly lying on their beds after dinner. Todd was writing in his notebook, while Neil looked at the ceiling with a pensive stare.
After several minutes, Neil broke the silence. "What will you do after finishing school?."
Todd looked up at him, surprised by the question. "I-I want to continue with poetry, so I'm probably majoring in Literature," he said "I believe my parents won't mind a-as usual, as long as I don't interfere with their business and don't stain the name."
"Cool," Neil replied, wincing instantly. "I mean, it's obviously not cool. Fuck your parents. But It's nice that you get to do what you want, I guess..." He whispered the last bit, looking down between them.
"Yeah, I guess." Todd looked down, and they stayed quiet for a few seconds. "Wh-what about you?"
"About me?"
"What will you do after Welton?"
"I will do what my father wants me to, go to medical school. I can't act anymore," he said bitterly.
"Why not?" Todd asked seriously, trying to catch his eye.
"Why...?" he laughed half-heartedly "Are you serious? He will kill me!" he exclaimed "Well, not literally, but he'll kick me out, he'll disown me for sure."
"Isn't being forced to give up on your dreams like being killed symbolically?" Neil stared at him at a loss for words so he kept going "Would it be that bad if he disowns you?"
Neil opened his mouth to respond, but Todd didn't let him. "No, think it through. Would it be that bad if he disowns you?" he asked again, harder "What is the worst that can happen? You having to leave that abusive household? You getting to do what you really want?"
Neil looked like he had been thunderstruck, but after a moment he answered, "It's not that easy."
"Oh, it's not?"
"No, of course not!" he exclaimed, "How would I live? I'd have to get a job so I can pay for a place to live, and for food, and many other things! I don't think I'll have much time for acting then," he expressed angrily, standing up.
"Then I'll make it easy for you!" Todd stood up, so he could look Neil in the eye.
"What?" he uttered confused.
"I-I'll make it easy for you. Y-you won't have to pay for a place to stay, nor for food," Todd stuttered realizing what he was doing "I will give them to you, so you don't have to worry."
"What are you saying?" Neil whispered.
"You just have to focus on your dream and..."
"Todd, are you crazy?!" he interrupted Todd "I can't let you do that!"
"Why not?! It won't be my money anyway!" Todd said, "You can live with me and my parents won't even notice, so why not?"
Neil started shaking his head, "Why would you go to all that trouble for me?"
"Because you are my friend, Neil. I just want you to be happy." He sat on his bed again, eyes set on the floor "Besides, I don't know what could happen to you if you go back home... I can't lose you."
"Todd..." Neil's eyes soften "You won't. I'll go with you."
"Really?" Todd looked at him hopefully.
"I'll try," he shrugged "I'll see what I can do, there's plenty of time for that." He gave him a little smile.
Todd couldn't help but smile greatly at him, "We'll make it work. I promise".
Neil chuckled a bit and ruffled Todd's hair fondly. He could see the other boy's blushing cheeks "We'll make it work".