#also yes i chose percy bysshe shelley's poem for a reason

[gooch-cancer]

Steven Meeks x (GN!) Piano Player! Reader

In which: You are a church pianist for the Welton church whose gentle melodies caught the attention of Steven Meeks

A/N: AGGHHHHH IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO WRITE THIS I HAVE BEEN SO BUSY. I'm so exhausted but I love this story so I've been writing during any piece of free time I have. I love being in control of when yall kiss muehehehe. dw i'll probably cap it at around 9-10 bc I also have school coming up and i'm taking so many aps this year. In this chapter it's just some good ol yearning! prev chapter here:

Chapter 3:

That Friday morning Meeks was an anxious mess, as pure usual. If it couldn't get any worse they had to orally present their poetry to the class. He felt sweat run down the back of his neck as he looked out amongst his peers. He felt their eyes on him, staring, mocking. He looked over at Todd who often felt the same as he did, Todd just gently nodded. He glanced over at Mr.Keating who just gestured him to continue.

He cleared his throat, almost a death grip on his paper as he read out the poem. His poem to you,

"When I am kissed by you

It's like life grows around us

Giving us both breath and light

The plants grow

It's natural amenities preserve us

Our bodies will never rot"

By the end he was shaking, he looked out at his classmates, a lot of them were giggling at the thought of Meeks having a crush. Mr.Keating raised his eyebrows, "Interesting..." he slowly walked toward Meeks. He turned his body back to the class, "Does anyone want to guess at what Mr.Meeks's poem is about?" One of the boys raised his hand, he was large a football build with a buzzcut, he snickered before answering, "So like basically you guys made out till you died?" Keating nodded, "Yes I suppose that's a rather simplistic way to look at it,"

As Keating spoke Steven couldn't even pay attention. He was so embarrassed he just stared at a spot of the wall his face pink until he heard Mr.Keating telling him to sit down. He sat down and took a breath, he heard a whisper and turned around to see Pitts giving him a thumbs up from across the room. He smiled but he still held his head in his hands while his classmates presented their poems.

At dinner that night Steven was mostly silent, picking at his food. His friends conversed around him. Pitts, who was sitting beside him, noticed the look on his friend's face and leaned forward looking at him with worry. "You doing alright Meeks?," he raised an eyebrow,concerned for his friend. Meeks sighed and shook his head, smushing the peas on his plate with his fork, "Wish I can say yes Pittsy,"

Pitts turned his body toward his friend, giving him his full attention, "Well what's the matter? If this is about english then-," Meeks cut him off, "No- no it's not that..." Pitts looked at him confused for a second before realization dawned on him, "Ohhhh," he replied his mouth in an 'O' shape, "You miss them don't you?" Steven nodded without looking up, still absentmindedly picking at his food. Pitts let out a low whistle and smiled, "Meeks got it bad don't he?" Steven glanced up at him, he wanted to lie and say it wasn't true but there was no denying the growing blush on his face.

The next day came, just this one more day until he could see you again, he thought. He lazed in his bed daydreaming of you, of holding you, of laughing with you, and which in the back of his mind he desired the most, kissing you. Charlie, Todd, and Neil wandered into his dorm, Pitts was nowhere to be seen, something about a chem test. Steven laid down on the bed staring up at the ceiling while the three boys looked down on him. "Meeks...," Charlie chuckled, "C'mon...," Steven turned his head and squinted at him, he didn't even bother to put his glasses on. Neil shrugged, "You gotta get up man," he smiled at Meeks, not like the teasing smile Charlie had. It was friendlier like he was trying to encourage him.

Todd remained silent but even in his facial expression it was apparent that he agreed. Meeks sat up in bed frustrated, "I can't stop thinking about them," he ran his fingers through his hair, "I- I feel nauseous," Charlie widened his eyes, his smile growing bigger, "Woah...Meeks got bit by the love bug, and we get to see it finally happen!" he exclaimed. Meeks glared at Charlie, "Shut up..." he muttered and fell back into his original position. It was by then that Neil was having none of it and he grabbed Steven by one of his legs, trying to pull him out of bed. Steven shouted in surprise and he began clawing at his bedsheets,desperate to hang on.

Unfortunately, this only gave Todd incentive to help as he grabbed Meeks's other leg and Charlie his torso. Eventually Steven was on the floor his blanket on him as he fell on his back, his face twisted in shock and horror. He looked at the three incredulous, "Wh- why would you-" Charlie cut him off, "Cmon don't make us pull you to your feet as well..." In response Steven quickly stood up and smoothed out his pajamas. Neil laughed, "We're having a meeting tonight in the cave, that is if you're not too lovesick to join us,"

Steven grabbed his glasses and put them on before shaking his head, "No of course I'm able to," Neil nodded approvingly, "Good we're leaving at 9, now go get ready, you can't just be looking like that all day," He gestured to Meeks plaid pajama set earning a snicker from Charlie. Steven nodded and waved his hand, "Ok ok now get out," He ushered them out of his dorm room and slammed the door behind them. He stood in the middle of his room holding his head as he plotted his next move, he missed you so much it was sickening.

Later that night, Meeks was there with the others flashlights in hand as they trekked through the forest. He mindlessly followed his friends to their meeting spot, dazed. The night was bitter and he could hear the leaves crunch under his feet as he walked. His mind went back to you, how beautiful your hair was, the way you laughed. He absentmindedly smiled at the thought, his face heating up despite the frosty atmosphere. "Meeks!," he heard someone hiss, he turned toward the noise. The boys were now outside their cave and Pitts was gesturing him to come on.

He nodded and followed them in, sitting in their respective spots. Neil stood up and cleared his throat, "Welcome to The Dead Poets Society," he opened his book and began to read the excerpt he always started the meetings with. Steven stared at Neil whilst he spoke, he soon came to the realization that Neil always had quite the flair for the dramatic. It was impressive to him, the confidence and how suave he was. He would be so perfect for theater, and then his thoughts back to the conversation he had with you.

There really was no arts department at Welton. Not even a simple drawing class. It disappointed him when he thought about it because what would he be like if he had access to such things? Would he be any good? He sighed and frowned, the thought began to get to him as he daydreamed what could've been. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Charlie, "Hey..." Charlie smiled at him, "Put your jacket down for the picnic," He gestured to the ground, and Meeks shook his head, taking it off anyway. "Wh-what why does he have to be mine?" he complained as he put it on the ground.

Charlie shrugged, "You were sitting the nearest to me," When the jacket was smooth on the ground the boys began to contribute their offerings. Various pieces of stolen dining hall fruit, cookies, and a singular Milky Way all thrown onto his jacket. He stared down at it and groaned, "I'm gonna have crumbs for days," he looked over at Charlie, "If I get ants because of you..." Charlie shook his head, "Relax!" he chuckled,"It's all in good fun, it's your turn to read anyway," Steven turned to his other side as Knox handed him the book. He flipped through the pages and found one that interested him, 'Love Philosophy' by Percy Bysshe Shelley.

As he read it out, his mind again jumped to you. He gradually got louder and louder until he shouted the final line, jumping up from his seat ,and throwing his arms out, "IF THOU KISS NOT ME?" only to be met by cheers and whoops and hollers. He panted, his heart beating with passion as he handed the book to Charlie still standing. He ran his fingers through hair and swallowed before sitting back down. His heart rate slowly decreasing. When he shouted that final line he felt a weight lift off of his shoulders. His mind unclouded as an idea began to form, he looked around the cave as Charlie read out his part eager to share the idea and to get some opinions on it.

As Charlie finished out Steven took the opportunity, blurting out the idea he'd been keeping,"What if I gave them that poem I wrote for english class?"