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“Neil, I miss you” Todd whispers gazing up at the overcast sky.
“I don’t know if you can hear me or if you’re even listening but… why did you leave us. Why did you leave me?”
Todd reaches his hand out to touch the cold piece of stone engraved with the words “Neil Perry, dutiful son.” Todd had always hated that phrase. Every time he would visit Neil he would see those words and be reminded of the impossible expectations set upon Neil by his father. The expectations that he would give up his passion, his life. He still clings to the idea that Neil never actually went through with it. That he faked his death and went to pursue a career in the arts. That he would someday appear on tv and Todd would be able to see his beautiful face once again.
“I-I never got to tell you this, Neil,” Todd’s voice becomes increasingly shaky “I wanted to tell you as soon as your performance was over. I really wanted to tell you but your dad took you away before I could say anything.”
Tears start streaming down his face and he continues. “You were good, Neil. You were really good. You were too good for this world. Is that why you left? Did… did you feel too bound by this world that you had to give it up to be happy” Todd kept stumbling over his words, choking back his sobs
“Oh god, Neil. I’m so lost. Please come back, I’m begging you.” Practically gasping for air through all the tears, he managed to muster the strength to say one last thing “I love you, Neil. I brought you this as well.” Todd gently placed the rose he had been holding, thorns pricking his skin, onto the soil in front of his headstone before surrendering to his emotions and breaking down in front of the only person he ever trusted enough to open up to.