Work Text:
Todd turned into a caffeine and energy drink addict every exam week, unwilling to “waste” crucial study hours on sleep. But Welton was constantly in exam week, so he became a zombie, with deep circles under his eyes and always drained of energy. And Neil noticed. He always noticed everything, from realizing Todd hadn’t eaten toast like he normally did at breakfast, to the fact that he hadn’t even tried to write a little before bed. Todd was exhausted.
Neil didn’t understand. Todd was very intelligent, so why study more than he could handle?
Last night, Neil went to sleep, and it was already very late. Todd was sitting at the desk, reading a basic Latin grammar book, and in the corner of the desk there was a pile with at least three thick books from other subjects. Todd read with extreme focus, his brow furrowed, turning pages every minute and highlighting the important parts with a marker.
Neil got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and found Todd still reading, in the exact same position he had been in when Neil went to sleep, except now the book was on its final pages.
“Did you read all of that in one night?” Neil asked in a low voice, pointing at the book in disbelief.
“What?” Todd was pulled out of his trance, lifting his gaze for the first time in hours. The blond looked around and placed the book on the desk, stretching. “What time is it?” he said, exhausted.
Neil looked at the clock above the dorm room door and raised his eyebrows, worry appearing on his face. “3:49,” the brunet rubbed his eyes, deciding to put an end to this. “Alright, that’s enough.” He grabbed Todd by the wrist, leading the blond to his bed, much to his reluctance. Todd melted into the blankets, finally relaxing after weeks.
“Todd,” Neil’s voice was soft, but firm. “This isn’t healthy, you know? You’re going to get sick from studying like crazy.” Neil’s left hand moved to Todd’s blond hair, gently scratching his scalp. Todd shivered at the touch, and his face turned red as a pepper. “It’s the hours of sleep that help you memorize things.”
The blond felt all the tension in his body melt away under Neil’s affection. Neil had that power over Todd; to fix every discomfort, every ache.
Todd tried to repress those feelings, tried to convince himself that he only wanted Neil as a friend, but who was he trying to fool? Neil was Todd’s soulmate.
“I know... I’ll do better...” Todd said, almost falling asleep. “I just... want to give it my all. Jeffrey managed it, so I have to manage it too.”
“You are not Jeffrey, Todd.” Neil said, his touch growing softer. “You are more than enough.”
Todd was left speechless, feeling all the pressure he constantly carried dissolve just from Neil’s words.
“Thank you.” It was the last thing Todd said before falling deeply asleep. Neil stayed there for a few more minutes, stroking his hair, watching him sleep like an angel.