The soft glow of a desk lamp lit up the corner of their shared dorm room, casting a warm light over Todd’s face as he sat cross-legged on the bed, scribbling away in a notebook. Across the room, Neil was perched on his own bed, arms folded behind his head, a lazy grin pulling at his lips as he watched Todd.

“You’ve been writing for hours,” Neil teased, his voice playful. “What’s the great Todd Anderson working on now? A sonnet? A confession of undying love for your incredibly handsome roommate?”

Todd glanced up, cheeks instantly flushing pink. “Shut up, Neil,” he muttered, trying to hide his embarrassment behind the notebook. But Neil’s laughter filled the room, light and infectious, the kind that made Todd’s chest feel a little warmer than it should.

Neil sat up, leaning forward. “Come on, let me see,” he said, reaching out as if he’d pluck the notebook from Todd’s hands.

“No way,” Todd said quickly, pulling it closer to his chest.

Neil tilted his head, his grin softening into something gentler. “You’re really gonna make me beg, huh?”

Todd sighed, knowing Neil’s persistence all too well. Reluctantly, he handed over the notebook, and Neil took it with care. As he read, his expression softened even further, his teasing replaced by quiet admiration.

“This is beautiful, Todd,” Neil said, his voice quieter now. “You’re incredible, you know that?”

Todd fidgeted, unsure of what to say. “It’s not—”

“It is,” Neil interrupted, setting the notebook aside and sliding onto Todd’s bed. He sat close, close enough that Todd could feel the warmth of him. “You’re brilliant, Todd. I wish you could see what I see.”

Todd swallowed hard, his eyes darting to Neil’s. For a moment, the world outside their little room didn’t exist—just the two of them, the quiet hum of their breathing, and the unspoken promise that Neil believed in him when no one else ever had.

Then, Neil leaned in, brushing a kiss to Todd’s forehead, so soft it might’ve been a dream. “You’re my favorite poet,” Neil murmured.