Disclaimer: I do not own Dead Poets Society. Otherwise I wouldn't be writing fanfiction.
EXT. STREETS OF VERMONT-NIGHT
Neil, who is bundled up and has a backpack on his back, walks through the snowy streets, bent over against the cold.
INT. TODD AND NEIL'S ROOM-MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT/VERY EARLY MORNING
Todd is sitting on his bed, scribbling away in a notebook. He looks tired, but he also looks as if he has too much on his mind to sleep. The door opens to reveal a snow-covered Neil, who just stands in the doorway. Todd looks up from his notebook when the door opens.
TODD
Neil!
NEIL
[through chattering teeth]
Hi.
TODD
W-what happened? Why are you covered in snow?
NEIL
Had...had to walk here from my house.
TODD
Oh, Neil...
Todd sets his notebook aside, jumps up, and makes his way towards Neil. Todd closes the door.
TODD
You should get out of those wet clothes. Here, let me take your bag.
Neil doesn't say anything, but does as Todd says. When Neil is in dry clothes he stands in the middle of the room, shivering.
TODD
You...you should, um, sit on the radiator.
Neil nods, and moves to sit on the radiator. Todd pulls the blankets off of both of their beds and wraps them around Neil.
TODD
Should I sneak down to the kitchen to get you some tea or something?
NEIL
No...stay with me.
Todd nods. There are a few moments of silence.
TODD
Neil, what happened?
NEIL
My father was really, really mad at me. But I was so mad at him too, so I yelled at him. Told him I'd never give up acting and that I'd never become a doctor. So he disowned me.
TODD
Neil, I'm sorry...I...I don't know what to say.
NEIL
Don't be sorry. I mean yeah, it kind of sucks that he disowned me, but don't you realize what this means? If my father disowned me, than I never have to listen to him, so that means I can stick with acting, and I won't ever be pressured into going to medical school anymore!
Neil jumps up, bounces over to Todd and hugs him. Todd looks surprised at first, but then hugs Neil back.
TODD
You're amazing.
Neil pulls out of the hug.
NEIL
What?
TODD
You...in the play...you were amazing.
NEIL
Thank you.
TODD
I...you were so...inspiring...that I wrote a poem.
Todd points to the notebook sitting on his bed as he says this. Neil looks towards where Todd is pointing, obviously surprised.
NEIL
You...you did?
TODD
[bashfully]
Yes.
NEIL
Can...can I read it?
TODD
I...it's not done yet...and...I'm not ready, so not yet...but I promise, I'll let you read it eventually.
NEIL
Todd, it's ok. If you don't want me to read it, it's fine.
TODD
No, I want you to read it, just...it's not quite ready yet.
NEIL
I look forward to reading it.
There are a few moments of silence in which Neil's face falls. Neil sinks down onto his bed.
TODD
It's scary, isn't it? Getting disowned. I know you said you're happy about it, but it also seems like it's getting to you.
NEIL
Yeah. I mean, I love that I don't have to listen to my father anymore, but at the same time I'm terrified, because my father won't even talk to me, and I have no idea where my mother stands on all of this, and the whole idea of not having parents terrifies me, you know? I've had them look after me my whole life, and now it looks like I might not have any parents at all.
TODD
Neil...I-I think you should go talk to Mr. Keating tomorrow. I don't know how to help you, but I think he might be able to.
NEIL
Todd, you're brilliant.
TODD
[bashfully]
Thanks.
NEIL
Can we go to bed now? Everything that's happened today has wiped me out.
Todd nods.
NEIL
Here, let me give you your blanket back.
TODD
No, keep it for tonight, you're still shivering.
NEIL
We'll share it then. Come here.
Neil, who is tucked under the two blankets lifts them up, inviting Todd in. Todd stands in the middle of the room, looking torn.
TODD
Neil...I-I don't...
Todd shifts his weight back and forth, and Neil sits up, wrapping the blankets around him like a cape.
NEIL
What?
TODD
[blushing]
Nothing. I-I'll just sleep without a blanket tonight.
Todd turns towards his bed, so that his back is to Neil. Neil stands up, and takes hold of Todd's wrist.
NEIL
Todd...what's the matter?
TODD
[his voice on the verge of hysterical]
What's the matter? The "matter" is that you just got disowned and all I can think about is kissing you!
Neil's eyes open wide with shock. Todd, upon seeing the look on Neil's face sinks down onto his bed, hiding his head in his hands. After a few moments Neil places a hand under Todd's chin, and raises Todd head so that they can look each other in the eye. Todd's eyes are full of insecurity. Neil bends down so that their faces are at the same level.
NEIL
I want you to...would you?
Todd smiles and nods before kissing Neil. Todd and Neil end up lying next to each other on Todd's bed, their blankets wrapped around both of them. Neil is still shivering ever so slightly, so Todd wraps his arms around Neil.
NEIL
I think I should sleep in your bed tonight. I'll be able to warm up faster, and you won't have to worry about catching cold by sleeping without a blanket.
TODD
Now who's the brilliant one?
NEIL
Nope, that's still you.
TODD
We're both equally brilliant?
NEIL
[chuckling sleepily]
Whatever you say, Todd, as long as I get to go to sleep now.
INT. TODD AND NEIL'S ROOM-MORNING
Todd and Neil are asleep in Todd's bed. Both of them have peaceful looks on their faces. There is a soft knock on the door. Neither Todd or Neil stir-both of them are too asleep to hear the knock. After a few moments there is another knock on the door, louder this time. Todd and Neil both jolt awake, scrambling into action. Neil throws his blanket across his bed to make it look as if he slept in his own bed. Todd moves towards the door and pulls it open. Charlie, Meeks, Pitts, Knox and Cameron stand in the hallway.
CHARLIE
Neil! When did you get back?
NEIL
[yawning]
Like, five hours ago.
MEEKS
What happened?
NEIL
Disowned.
KNOX
Shit...what're you gonna do?
NEIL
Go back to bed, because I'll just do something stupid if I don't get more sleep.
CHARLIE
Do...do you want to talk about it?
PITTS
Yeah, we're here if you want to talk.
Meeks, Knox and Cameron nod in agreement.
NEIL
Thanks, guys, but not right now. I talked to Todd about it last night. Right now I just really want to go back to bed.
CHARLIE
See you at lunch? Todd, want to join us for breakfast?
TODD
I didn't get much sleep last night either. I think I'll go back to bed too...
MEEKS
See you guys later.
Charlie, Pitts, Knox, Cameron, Todd and Neil all nod. Charlie, Pitts, Knox, Cameron and Meeks head off towards breakfast. Neil closes the door, grabs his blanket off of his bed, and joins Todd in Todd's bed where the two of them are asleep instantly.