K I N G

t w o

etre venere
to be angry/annoyed

Neil's POV
Neil frowned at Todd's constant sniffing. He knew that him being out in the cold without much to keep warm with was the fast track to a cold. Neil also knew Todd wouldn't say anything to him about it because Todd thought it would him a burden. Neil knew a lot of things about Todd, more than the other realized. Neil knew Todd chewed on the eraser of his pencil when he was truly concentrated on his work. He knew how Todd had a soft spot for cats and took care of a stray one at his house. Neil knew there was a confidante, funny person under that shy exterior Todd put up in attempts to keep people out. Of course Neil couldn't say he knew this much about Pitts or even Charlie, but Todd was different. Todd was his roommate.

So Neil did not see how it wa strange that he worried so much about the blonde boy. He heard Todd's sniffling throughout the night and could make a pretty good guess that his throat would be sore by the time his alarm would go off  from the drainage. Neil didn't like the thought of that and wished to ease some of his friend's pain. Gingerly, Neil slipped out of the room and snuck down the hallways. The school was quiet, eerily so. No one stirred as the sun began to rise and color the earth. The sky was painted brilliant shades of lavender, midnight blue, and some orange. Neil found himself distracted by the sight many times on his journey to the kitchens.

He rummaged through the cabinets until he found what he needed. Neil grinned happily and pulled out the chamomile tea and made a cup for Todd. He'd done this many times for his sister when mom was too busy playing bridge with some neighbor ladies and Violet was feeling sick. His heart twinged as he thought of his little sister and realized how much he missed her. They were very close and he loved playing with her. Violet was always holding tea parties with her stuffed animals and he'd be a guest as Prince Neil of Welton. As a prince, Neil had had a lot of responsibilities. He often rescued Violet from the evil Count Teddy. A warm smile fell across Neil's face and he decided he'd have to go and visit her soon.

Neil soaked the tea bag in the hot water until it was ready. Once the tea was made, he added some honey to add extra soothing abilities and all but ran back to their room where he waited for Todd to wake up. But Todd sleep deeply and long, even past the shrilling sound of his alarm clock. Neil rubbed the back of his neck as he debated if he should wake Todd up or let him sleep.

Maybe Prince Neil could wake him with a kiss! He could practically hear his sister shouting.

Neil choked a little a little but was saved from any further dangerous thoughts by Todd awakening himself. Neil watched as Todd rose, moaning and rubbing the space between his eyebrows. He must have woken up with a headache. Swiftly, Neil pressed the cooling cup of tea into to Todd's hands.

"Wha--aa?"

"I thought you wouldn't be feeling well after running off into the cold yesterday so I made you some tea."

Neil's smile slipped from his face as Todd stared at the cup as if it was an alien object.

Neil's jaw locked as he stated unhappily, "If you don't want it fine."

He reached out to take the cup when Todd gulped it down.

"Thanks," he muttered, his eyes not meeting Neil's.

"Did...did you like it?" Neil asked hesitantly.

Todd flushed as he stuttered, "I-I don't really like tea."

Neil froze as what his friend had said finally hit him. He hadn't even considered the fact that Todd wouldn't have liked tea and would most likely be too afraid to tell Neil otherwise. He felt almost ashamed as he had been angered by he thought was a blatant refusal of his help. He was about to apologize when Todd started coughing and Neil noticed his face was flushed. Neil quickly felt Todd's forehead with the back of his hand. Todd felt really hot and Neil felt his worry spike for his friend.

"I think you should stay in bed," Neil advised.

"But school..." Todd argued weakly.

"Don't you worry your little head about it. I'll get all your work. You stay in bed."

Todd tried to protest yet it fell on deaf ears. Neil knew that if he didn't make Todd rest no one would and then he'd just get sicker. Eventually Todd gave up and settled back into the covers. Neil wouldn't leave their room until he could hear Todd snoring. With one last quick look, Neil took off to class.

"Where's Toddy?" Charlie asked, gesturing towards his empty desk.

"He's sick. The idiot went out to cave yesterday without a jacket or anything."

"Do you think we should cheer him up or something?" Meeks spoke.

Charlie clapped Meeks on the shoulder and laughed. "You're right Meeksie, maybe I should lend Toddy some of my personal magazines."

The others laughed as Charlie wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, all except Neil who was strangely upset by the idea. They quickly sobered as Mr. Taylor shot them a quelling glare and class began. Mr. Taylor droned on and on about the French Revolution and Neil had checked out a long time ago because the stuff just didn't click with him. He wondered how Todd was feeling or what he could do to cheer him up without using inappropriately clad women. He was broken out of his musings as Knox tapped him lightly on the shoulder.

"What was Todd upset about anyway?" He whispered.

Neil opened his mouth to speak only to close it again. He truly didn't know why Todd had been upset. He racked his brain to come up with explanation but he fell short. He didn't know, and shouldn't Neil be the first to? Neil was his roommate, his best friend! This haunted Neil for the rest of the day, always at the back of his head torturing him. The first chance he got Neil bolted to their room where he found a familiar sight, Todd reading at his desk. Todd watched Neil uncertainly as he leaned against the door-frame, panting heavily.

"Wha-what were you so upset about yesterday?"

Todd's face turned cold. "It doesn't matter."

"Yes it does!" Neil all but shouted as he stepped into their room.

"Just leave it alone. Why do you care?"

"Because I'm your friend, you're suppose to tell me things. Especially if they bother you."

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want to! Stay out of my business." Todd bit out irritated.

Neil flinched back as if struck, hurt and betrayal swirling around his body.

"Fine then."

Neil stormed out of the room to find the others standing outside the room awkwardly. Neil knew they must have heard them fighting. Charlie attempted to speak with him, but Neil was further infuriated by the sight of him holding those disgusting magazines. His fingers twitched as he fought every fiber in his being to rip them apart. Instead, he angrily stalked down the hallway and ignored them. All he could think about was the hate that came with imaging Charlie giving those magazines to Todd.