closed: let them measure us by what they will

[bymyheelies]

Mercutio has always been fond of fashion. Specifically -- sparkly, colorful things, things his father would call gaudy or womanish. It is no wonder that arriving here was like a revelation, free to wear what he pleased and feel no judgment for it, whether it be a sparkly floor-length gown with fishnets and combat boots or a ratty Iron Maiden t-shirt and jeans. It is time, he has decided, that Benvolio gets to discover all this as well. Will he give Benvolio a choice in this? It is quite unlikely.

Therefore, it should be no surprise¹ to Benvolio that Mercutio appears at his door one morning, looking intent and not at all like he's mildly singed any eyebrows recently or anything like that. "Ho, art thou up?"

¹ Doubtful. Mercutio is always surprisingly chaotic, that's one of his charms.

Comments

[keep_the_peace]

He's got the buttons undone on the first shirt, and shrugs it off, tossing it inelegantly on his bed before grabbing the second shirt. "Thou art surely the best piece of being here. Would not know what to do without thee," he says, honestly and probably a bit more earnestly than Mercutio might expect.

[bymyheelies]

"Thou hast not seen the best of it yet," he says, strangely just as earnest. "--Aside from the hot water on demand, and the lights, and the food. I do not think thou wouldst be so lost without me, anyone would take pity on thee. My lord Bacchus did for me, when I arrived."

[keep_the_peace]

"Thy new father seems very kind," he says, pulling the new shirt on.

[bymyheelies]

"Ay, he is. Much more than --ah, you know."

[keep_the_peace]

"Thou'rt free of him now, and better for it." Benvolio's opinion of Mercutio's father is not incredibly high, to say the least.

[bymyheelies]

"...Ay. Did he even notice?"

[keep_the_peace]

"He... mourned," Benvolio says, with an apologetic expression that implies it was more a public mourning than anything else. "Thy brother and I were upset enough to make up for it."

[bymyheelies]

"Valentine? Truly?" His surprise is probably evident in his voice.

[keep_the_peace]

"Of course, he is thy brother. Dost think so poorly of him?"

[bymyheelies]

"...No," a little quieter. "He is dull, sometimes, but not unfeeling."

[keep_the_peace]

Okay, the clothes can wait. He shoves the extra clothes out of the way a little, and motions for Mercutio to sit with him on the bed, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "All of Verona hath suffered for the loss of thee, Mercutio. Thou'rt well loved -- at home by thy brother and myself, and Romeo before he --" well, anyway. "And here, by thy new father, I'm sure, and all thy new friends. Shouldst not care about the affections of those too foolish to see how wonderful thou art, such as thy terrible father." And Tybalt. He doesn't say that part out loud though. He... hasn't yet told Mercutio he heard about that.

[bymyheelies]

Mercutio happily snuggles into that hug. "Ay, ay, I know. 'Tis only hard to break a habit of nineteen years. Certes, he is happy to be rid of me."

[keep_the_peace]

"Thou art better off without him, I am sure of it." If he's leaning his head over onto Mercutio a bit, well, that's just to be reassuring and friendly, of course.

[bymyheelies]

"Undoubtedly. I am no shame to him here."

[keep_the_peace]

"He is not worth thy concern."

[bymyheelies]

"I know." He sighs and leans against Benvolio a little.

[keep_the_peace]

The urge to kiss his cheek, or anything along those lines, is almost overwhelming right now. He's so warm, and the fabric of his strange shirt would be very easily nudged out of the way if he wanted to touch Mercutio's back or chest, and it's not lost on him that they're sitting on his bed. But this isn't the first time his thoughts have drifted to such things with regards to Mercutio, and unfortunately for him he doubts it'll be the last. Worse than this feeling though would be losing Mercutio's friendship, and besides, apparently Mercutio loves fucking Tybalt, so--

"Ah, I ought to change the rest of this outfit," he says, dragging himself away from Mercutio enough to stand.

[bymyheelies]

Mercutio looks mildly disappointed; but nods. It is, unfortunately, a lot harder to snuggle your best friend when you are very much sober and haven’t drunkenly confessed love to him for the twelfth time in an evening. “If this is not to thy taste, all you must do is think of something else. I’ve dresses and suits of all colors in my own closet.”

[keep_the_peace]

He quickly enough gets the rest of the outfit changed and looks at it in the mirror. He moves his legs around a bit, getting used to the feel of the tight, slightly stretchy fabric, then says, “I think this is fine enough. At least for today. Unless thou hast any other thoughts?” Maybe it looks ridiculous, who knows.

[bymyheelies]

"No, I like it." He likes several things about it, up to and including the way those jeans look on Benvolio. But he's not saying that, aside from an appreciative lingering look. "How does it feel?"

[keep_the_peace]

"It feels comfortable enough, ay. I am sure I shall grow accustomed to it quickly."

[bymyheelies]

"Ay, 'tis simple enough." He's going to keep quietly appreciating the view for a moment. "Hast been settling in well enough?"

[keep_the_peace]

"Ay, things are... nice here. I do not wish to return home."

[bymyheelies]

“I shall not let thee.”

[keep_the_peace]

“Wilt thou chain me in place so the magic here cannot kick me out?” he says, at first intending it purely innocently, but as soon as the words leave his mouth he has to turn away, and he busies himself by pretending to look in a drawer for… something. Literally anything.