Disclaimer: I do not own Dead Poets Society. Otherwise I wouldn't be writing fanfiction.
INT. TODD AND NEIL'S ROOM-NIGHT
It is the night before the poetry reading. Todd is beyond nervous. Todd and Neil are on Todd's bed. Todd is curled up in Neil's arms, clutching to Neil as if he were a lifeline.
NEIL
Relax, Todd, everything is going to be fine.
TODD
[his voice muffled in Neil's tee shirt]
What if it isn't?
NEIL
It will be.
TODD
You don't know that.
NEIL
Yes, I do. It's late, you should try to get some rest. It'll be good for you.
TODD
Don't leave me.
NEIL
I won't, ever.
The light changes slightly. All of the lights are now off and Todd and Neil are sleeping in Todd's bed, Neil's arms around Todd. Todd whimpers in his sleep. Neil wakes up when Todd starts to thrash around.
NEIL
Todd, wake up.
Todd continues to whimper and thrash about, still in a fitful sleep. Neil shakes Todd.
NEIL
Wake up, Todd, wake up.
Todd awakes with a start. There is utter silence as Todd looks into Neil's eyes for a moment. Todd bursts into tears. Neil pulls Todd to him and Todd buries his head in the crook of Neil's neck. Neil rubs Todd's back.
NEIL
Shh...it's okay...
TODD
N-no it-it's n-not...
Neil pulls Todd closer to him, if that is even possible.
NEIL
Yes it is.
Todd shakes his head, his body shaking with sobs.
TODD
It...it's not. I...tomorrow...I...I'm going to fail.
NEIL
No, you're not, Todd, you're not.
TODD
Y-you ca-can't s-say t-that f-f-for s-ure.
NEIL
You trust me, don't you?
TODD
Y-yes.
NEIL
Than trust me when I tell you you'll be fine.
TODD
I...I c-can't.
NEIL
Why not?
TODD
B-because...bec-because I just c-can't!
NEIL
Todd...
TODD
I...I d-dreamt th-that I w-was s-standing in-in front of a-a l-lot of p-people. M-millions, b-billions. A-and I f-forgot my w-whole p-poem, s-so I h-h-had to m-make some-something up, and i-it was a-awful! M-my p-parents w-were there, a-and th-they t-told me I was a-a f-failure. A-and th-then Walt Whitman sh-showed u-up and h-he...he...he t-told me I-I'm a-a disgrace to p-poets everywhere.
Neil pulls back, so that he can look into Todd's eyes.
NEIL
Listen to me, okay?
Neil wipes the tears off Todd's cheeks as Todd nods.
NEIL
There are not going to be millions or billions of people there. You are not going to forget your poem, and even if you did, you're brilliant at making up poems on the spot. Sweaty-toothed madman, remember? You're going to remember your poem, and your parents won't be there. You are not a failure, and you most certainly are not a disgrace to poets.
Todd has stopped crying. He looks a Neil, wanting to believe what his boyfriend is telling him, but clearly having a hard time doing that.
NEIL
Is this a situation where kisses help, or is this a situation where kisses make things worse?
TODD
I-I...make it better.
Neil leans forward and kisses Todd tenderly.
NEIL
Go back to sleep. Things will look better in the morning. I'll keep you safe.
TODD
[sleepily, right before drifting off to sleep]
I love you.
Neil whispers to the sleeping boy in his arms.
NEIL
I love you, Todd.