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]

"Thou dost not have to pretend to be happy. Not with me."

[bymyheelies]

"And what wouldst thou have me do? Weep and wail and gnash my teeth? It hath been some months now, I do not think he will return."

[keep_the_peace]

"There is much middle ground between weeping and pretending none of it matters."

[bymyheelies]

"And what of it? 'Tis shallow and inconstant, to drive a man mad over a woman or a man -- or worse, to drive them to a grave; and I, fool that I am, thought I might have something, for it only to last a day...tell me, then, what am I meant to do? I know not."

[keep_the_peace]

"There are -- there are many others who would love thee as thou deservest." Not naming any names, of course. "Shouldst not swear off all love from one heartache."

[bymyheelies]

Mercutio simply looks at him for a moment, about to reply, and then drops his head to his hands with a sigh. “Prithee, Benvolio, let’s talk of something else. I do not wish to think on this any longer.”

[keep_the_peace]

Benvolio sighs, and wraps his arm around Mercutio’s back again, this time leaning his head over to rest on Mercutio’s shoulder. “I am sorry, I should not have brought it up.”

[bymyheelies]

He shrugs. “Who told thee he was here?”

[keep_the_peace]

“Sagramore. Shortly after I arrived.”

[bymyheelies]

"...Ah." He makes a brief face. "Sagramore is a good fellow, but he does not know the whole of it."

[keep_the_peace]

"He said he was glad for my arrival, because thou hadst been ... upset, since Tybalt's departure."

[bymyheelies]

"Last I spoke with him, I was. Now, 'tis much less."

[keep_the_peace]

"Because more time has passed?" he asks.

[bymyheelies]

"Ay." --Benvolio's arrival had helped, too -- but he isn't going to mention the overwhelming fondness he feels for the other man, instead snuggling up a bit closer.

[keep_the_peace]

"I am sure, with more time, thou wilt feel even better," he says, snuggling in more as well. Maybe his advice will work for him too, and one of these days he'll finally get over this infatuation, and Mercutio can go back to just being his good friend. He sighs.

[bymyheelies]

"What is it? Thou'rt as full of sighs as the wind."

[keep_the_peace]

"I mislike when thou'rt upset, is all."

[bymyheelies]

…Oh. He swallows down his immediate reaction, and nods carefully. “Thou art too good to me, my dear,” he says, trying for a small smile.

[keep_the_peace]

Benvolio fights down the nearly overwhelming urge to kiss away all the pain on Mercutio’s face. It wouldn’t work anyway, it would just cause more problems. He mentally yells at himself for thinking so much about his stupid infatuation when Mercutio is clearly grieving.

“I only wish for thee to have a happier second life than thy first.”

[bymyheelies]

He huffs out a laugh and snuggles closer, probably almost on Benvolio’s lap by now. “With two or three more from home, it would be near perfect. ‘Tis already happy enough, for the most part.”

[keep_the_peace]

“‘Tis a happier place than Verona, though …underpopulated.”

[bymyheelies]

He makes an amused noise. "Hast thou met everyone already?"

[keep_the_peace]

"How am I to know? If I have not met someone I would not know they are here to know I have not met them," he says with a small smile. "But -- I doubt I have. It hath only been a short time since I arrived."

[bymyheelies]

"Mm." He nods, settling more properly onto Benvolio's lap -- without asking, of course, why would he? "Shouldst meet Laertes," he offers. "He is husband to Sagramore, and a very good fighter."

[keep_the_peace]

"Oh ay I have not met him yet. I did meet Sagramore's dog though."