The tension that had been lessening, gradually, since Neil spoke to Princess Tutu lifted entirely as Todd said his name. It wasn't unexpected-- Rosella had warned him that it might hit his friend like this-- but he couldn't help but worry. What if something had gone wrong, what if Todd had been hurt in some permanent, deep way that they hadn't foreseen? But hope flooded back when the other boy spoke, and Neil fairly flung himself on the sofa, throwing his arms around Todd, choking a little on his relief.
Touch is much easier than talking, at moments like these. It's funny, because more often than not both boys would tell you exactly how important words are; together, though, it seems like they can never find the right ones to say to each other. Having Todd feel is more important, anyway, than having him speak-- after all the other boy has always been quiet at best, and perhaps this was only a change of quality, and not of quantity.
He rests his head on Todd's shoulder, aware of the dampness seeping into his shirt, only managing not to cry himself because he's been emotionally exhausted by the past few days. Even so he's not sure he'll be able to keep from tearing up sooner or later-- and for once he isn't ashamed by the fact, the raw depth of what he feels. Maybe you can't know how much you need something until you lose it, even for a little while. Trembling fingers curled in Todd's hair, he tries to steady himself.
Loud enough to resound, for Neil; loud enough to hit him like cold water, a shock to the system, though not an unpleasant one. Not at all. It was inevitable that eventually they'd have to say it, though he'd expected it would slip into the moment of some comfortable silence. To be honest he'd rather dreaded the moment; whatever he said, or tried to say, always felt inadequate and awkward on his tongue. But perhaps it's merely a matter of the right thing happening at the right moment; and he relaxes as swiftly as he'd tensed, letting out a breath and turning, pulling back a little so he can meet Todd's eyes. "I..." He laughs a little at his own melodrama, the easy grin staying with him as he catches his breath, inclining his head slightly. "I love you too," he stumbles, and leans in to seal the words with a kiss. Surprisingly he doesn't feel nearly as girly as he'd feared.
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But hope flooded back when the other boy spoke, and Neil fairly flung himself on the sofa, throwing his arms around Todd, choking a little on his relief.
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He rests his head on Todd's shoulder, aware of the dampness seeping into his shirt, only managing not to cry himself because he's been emotionally exhausted by the past few days. Even so he's not sure he'll be able to keep from tearing up sooner or later-- and for once he isn't ashamed by the fact, the raw depth of what he feels. Maybe you can't know how much you need something until you lose it, even for a little while. Trembling fingers curled in Todd's hair, he tries to steady himself.
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(The comment has been removed)
But perhaps it's merely a matter of the right thing happening at the right moment; and he relaxes as swiftly as he'd tensed, letting out a breath and turning, pulling back a little so he can meet Todd's eyes.
"I..." He laughs a little at his own melodrama, the easy grin staying with him as he catches his breath, inclining his head slightly. "I love you too," he stumbles, and leans in to seal the words with a kiss. Surprisingly he doesn't feel nearly as girly as he'd feared.
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