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

[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."

[bymyheelies]

He grins. "Szarka is a very good dog," he replies, thankful they've changed the subject from earlier.

[keep_the_peace]

"Ay, very sweet and well-mannered. Quite unlike present company."

[bymyheelies]

"Ay, I am a pup that likes to bite." He snaps his teeth at Benvolio, grinning still.

[keep_the_peace]

A number of thoughts pop into Benvolio's head, none of them anything he should be thinking about his friend who is mourning the loss of someone he loves.

But damn. Ugh. Mercutio really doesn't make this easy, does he?

"Shalt be my guard dog," he manages to get out, lamely. It's the only thing he can think of to say that isn't wildly inappropriate.

[bymyheelies]

“O, ay, protecting thee from all the menaces of this world.” He would be quite a small guard dog, he thinks; but thinking about that is easier than considering biting Benvolio in a non-playful manner.

[keep_the_peace]

"And what menaces would those be?" he asks, laughing a little. "Too much light?"

[bymyheelies]

"I do not know," he says cheerfully. "I have been told there were some undead, upon a time; but I have ne'er seen anything dangerous. Aside from mayhap Drosera."