K I N G

s e v e n

irenic
adjective
promoting peace

Todd's POV
Todd swore he could hear someone calling his name. Todd. It sounded as faint as the wind. It was probably just his imagination, he figured, but then the voice got louder. Todd. Todd stopped and cocked his head to the side to try to hear better. That voice sounded similar. Who was it? Traitorous hope welled up inside of him as he thought that maybe it could be Neil looking for him.

No, he chided himself. Besides if I'm doing my job right, he'll soon break ties with me all together.

Luckily, the sound of someone splashing through the river distracted Todd from the melancholy thoughts about the inevitable doom of his relationship with Neil. Todd turned to find, shockingly, it was Charlie would had been calling for him. His face was splotched red and he was yelling angrily at Todd, shaking his fist at him. Eyes wide with shock, Todd stared at the scene Charlie created completely in bewilderment. He couldn't comprehend a thing Charlie was saying.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Do have any idea how worried we all were? Going off without telling anybody! Geez!" Charlie had started to whack Todd once he reached him.

"Wha-wha--"

"'Wha-wha' that's all you can say?"

"I-I don't know what you want me to say."

Charlie punched Todd in the arm. "I want you to tell me what possessed you to go for some stroll in the woods without telling nobody."

Avoiding the demand, and in hopes of directing Charlie's attention, Todd weakly pointed down at Charlie's feet and stated, "You got your shoes wet."

They both glanced down to Charlie's feet. His leather shoes would most likely be in ruins by the time they returned to Welton, and his trousers were soaked all the way up to his knees. Charlie started to shake with laughter and Todd couldn't help but join. Charlie's joyous mood lightened the air. Todd smiled widely as Charlie threw his arm over his shoulder and ruffled his hair.

"You're insane kid, you know that?"

They walked silently together. It was a comfortable silence that for once didn't have Todd  feeling that his awkwardness was crushing him. Charlie had removed his arm at one point, but walked closely next to Todd. Their hands kept brushing every once in awhile, an action that didn't fail to make Todd blush each time. Todd wondered if Charlie was doing it on purpose, but the free spirit gave no indication that it bothered him or that he would move. Todd's lips twitched happily. For the first time in a while, he didn't feel so weighed down.

Soon Welton came into view, and Todd felt apprehensive. If what Charlie said was true, everyone was waiting for him. They'd all be asking for an explanation, and Todd knew he couldn't give the real reason he suddenly disappeared. Todd stopped and started tapping his fingers worriedly against his thighs. Charlie shot him a confused look.

"What's up kid?"

"Can I stay with you tonight?"

Charlie frowned. "Whaddaya mean?"

Todd gazed helplessly at Charlie. His blue eyes heavy with desperation. "Please."

With that one word Charlie's frown was replaced with a surprising, understanding smile. Charlie reached up and gripped Todd firmly on his shoulder. The heat from his hands burned through his jacket, yet Todd found it oddly comforting. He knew Charlie wouldn't press him for more because he sensed the seriousness in Todd's plead.

Charlie stopped Todd outside his and Neil's room.

"Wait here."

Todd nodded obediently and waited for Charlie, his heart pounding the entire time. He heard Charlie talking to the others, but couldn't make out what they were saying.

"What do you mean he's staying with you?!" Neil yelled out.

Todd took a wary step back as he heard stomping footsteps coming closer towards the door.

"Back off Perry!" Charlie warned.

Todd heard them struggle some more before a deafening silence overtook the hallway. Todd strained his ears but heard nothing more out of the ordinary. Todd tensed as the door opened, but relaxed some when he saw Charlie step out and reach towards him.

"Let's go kiddo," he said gently as he lead Todd into his room.

He could feel all their eyes on his back causing the arm to stand up on the back of his neck. However, he felt Neil's eyes were boring the heaviest into him, and his throat started to tighten as a strange feeling bubbled in his gut. Todd felt like he was somehow betraying Neil by running to Charlie. Isn't that what Neil had been pressing for for the past couple weeks? For Todd to just confide in him? But Neil didn't understand, Todd couldn't. Everything about their friendship was perverted by his feelings for Neil. Todd had no other choice.

It was late, but Todd couldn't sleep. That uneasy feeling wouldn't go away. He felt guilty for going to Charlie yet he had no other choice! Todd fretted and started to tap his fingers against the floor, nervous habit he noticed he was beginning to develop. Charlie had gotten an extra blanket and pillow for Todd to sleep on the floor with.

"I think you just need to talk to him kid."

Todd blinked owlishly up at a disheveled Charlie. He glanced anxiously at Pitts's bed, wondering if they'd wake him up, but the sound of the other snoring quelled those worries.

"I don't know what you mean," Todd stated stubbornly, burying his face into his pillow.

"This fight, or whatever it is you're having, is killing the both of you. Todd, you didn't see how worried Neil was today because you went missing."

Todd gulped. "Really?" He asked softly, wanting to believe it so badly.

"Yeah, he practically bit Meeks's head off for suggesting we wait for you to come back instead of looking for ya."

A small smile played on Todd's lips as he imagined the scene, but it was gone in an instant.

"Why?" Todd blurted out. "He shouldn't. I've...I've pushed him away."

"Kid, he's not gonna stay away."

Todd's lips quivered. "But he has to. For his own good he should forget all about me."

Charlie gripped Todd from underneath his armpit and yanked hard, hauling him up into the bed. Todd opened his mouth to protest, but the words died before they left his mouth when he saw the intense fury in Charlie's eyes.

"You're such an idiot you know that? Quit running away from Neil."

"I'm not--"

"I mean it kid. You're hurting the both of you more than you realize."

Todd was shocked at the sincerity in Charlie's voice, something that has never truly been there before. Charlie didn't bother Todd any more after that, something Todd was extremely grateful for because now his mind and heart were battling against each other harder than ever before.

He didn't sleep a wink that night.

When the sun just began to rise, Todd slipped out of Charlie's room to stand in front of his own, trying to gather the courage to face Neil. Slowly, Todd opened the door to his room and peeked inside. There Neil sat on his bed, looking just as worn out as Todd did. Todd suspected he hadn't slept at all either that night. Neil watched him as he stepped inside the room. His brown eyes darkened with an inner turmoil that broke Todd's heart. Charlie was right. It as time to end this.

Giving Neil a timid, nervous smile, Todd spoke one phrase.

"I'm sorry."