Running errands today and "You Gonna Fly" by Keith Urban came on the radio. Never been one for songfics but it seemed like a perfect Todd/Neil story…
Disclaimer: If I owned, the last 20 minutes would have involved shirtless Poets and no guns.
Todd was sitting on the roof of the dormitory, where Neil had first encouraged him to chuck his birthday desk set. He could barely believe that they were graduating in a mere 12 hours. The past two years had been a whirlwind of emotion and excitement, with friendships and more blossoming with his classmates. With college and the possible separation from Neil looming, he needed a few moments alone to clear his thoughts. Of course, that was never allowed among the Poets.
"Hey kid, what's up?" Although he used a diminutive nickname, there was nothing but tenderness in Neil's voice. "I couldn't find you, so I thought you might be here."
Todd laughed. "I was thinking about my birthday. With the desk set." Neil settled himself beside the sandy haired boy.
"What about it?"
"You said," Todd choked slightly. "You said it wanted to fly. Well, right now I feel like that desk set. I want to fly, but I have no one to push me. There's nowhere to fly too. I mean, we're leaving, Neil. What if-" he couldn't finish the sentiment.
Neil pulled him close. "Todd, nothing can keep us apart. You know that, we've talked about that!"
"I know, but I'll be in New York and you'll be in Massachusetts- it's just so far, Neil." The two boys sat in silence for a moment. Neil stood up, pulling at Todd's hand.
"Come on."
"Where are we going?"
Neil grinned his signature grin. "To fly."
"Neil, you do realize this is crazy, right?" Todd panted as they made their way through the woods, half running, half being dragged by a seemingly crazed Neil.
"Yup!" Neil was unapologetic in his exuberance. "Come on, we're almost to the river." Todd continued trying to protest, but when Neil decided something it took a lot more than some halfhearted complaints to stop him. "Come on!"
Todd sighed, and attempted to pick up his pace. When they arrived at the river, Neil stood for a few moments, surveying the landscape, until his eyes alighted on a solid oak tree. He dragged the still protesting Todd towards, and (finally dropping the other boy's hand) began to scale the tree. Todd followed, resigned to his fate. When they reached the top, Neil turned.
"Todd Anderson, I want you to know something: I love you with all of my heart, and no damn college, or medical school, or even Broadway acting gig would change that. There is something that exists inside when I'm with you that is never there the rest of the time."
"I love you too, but why exactly did you have to bring to the top of an oak tree to tell me that?" Todd was slightly nonplussed.
Neil's face looked as though it were going split open from pure joy. "Because right here, right now, we are going to immortalize our love!" Todd's eyes widened in horror.
"Neil, I am not going to have sex with you in the top of a tree on campus!"
"No silly. We're going to fly. You're going to fly with me."
"I can't. I'll just climb back down, it's not an issue-" Todd was cut off with a kiss.
"Come on." Neil took his hand and together they inched out on a limb, over the deepest part of the river. "Come on Todd. Fly with me."
Both boys closed their eyes, and they jumped.
Kinda crawled out of my brain, but I like it, I guess. Review and tell me if you do, or don't, or if you like the color purple!