Adult Content Warning
This work could have adult content. If you continue, you have agreed that you are willing to see such content.
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Summary
“From the moment we enter crying, to the moment we leave dying, it will cover just your head as you wail and cry and scream!”
Oh.
The room fades. There is only Todd, his voice, the trembling honesty of it, the way he doesn’t look at anyone, especially not Neil, even though Neil knows he can feel it. Knows Todd can feel his eyes burning holes into him.
Neil wants to laugh. Wants to cry. Wants to stand up and grab him and say “you did it, you did it, you’re brilliant!”
Instead, he stays still.
The poem ends awkwardly, the way it began. Todd cuts himself off like he’s afraid he’ll say one word too many and disappear. Applause breaks out, too loud, too fast, Todd flinches at it.
He sits down quickly, eyes on his hands. They’re shaking.
Neil doesn’t clap. He can’t stop looking.
Todd never meets his gaze. He keeps his head bowed, jaw tight, like he’s bracing for something, judgment, maybe, or disappointment. Like he doesn’t trust what just happened to stay good.
Neil feels it then. Fully. Clearly.
Shit.
Or:
Somewhat of a fix it fic