♕ |[73]| And yet, by heav'n, I think my love as rare

[had_not_lived]

I dreamt when I was young, of course, of love

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[had_not_lived]

Even so. [He smiles weakly at the laugh.] Someone would ask and then we're back to explaining.

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[had_not_lived]

[Which, though he won't talk about it, Neil likes.]

Back to where we started.

[A pause.]

I don't know. I'd still rather not have it come out accidentally, and the way the curses are...

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[had_not_lived]

[Neil laughs at that, soft and breathy, curling forward so his lips brush Todd's hair. This is so easy, when they're alone; that's really want he wants. Not so much for other people to know... just the freedom to know they could hold hands, that he could put an arm around Todd if he wanted to.]

Mostly. We've had a few near misses. And-- I mean, some people have found out.

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[had_not_lived]

I don't know, [he admits, taking a long moment to weigh the options. Sometimes Neil does want everyone to know; it feels strange to hold back something this important. But it's not attention he craves, just honesty.]

Maybe... we could try being a little less worried about ever looking at each other, [he says with another laugh, because it's very nearly true-- and God forbid they ever touch, even innocently!] And if anyone asks us, well, we'll be honest. And if they don't, let them think what they like.

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[had_not_lived]

[But what if he wants to show you off, Todd?]

It's a plan. Sort of.