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 speakest as if thou'rt not the one who hath the habit of departing worlds for other places first. Mayhap I ought to be the one chaining thee up instead."

Mentally he screams at himself to STOP TALKING. JUST STOP TALKING.

[bymyheelies]

"Wouldst thou?" --That sounds far more flirtatious than he meant it to, but it's too late now, he'll barrel past it in hopes that Benvolio won't notice. (A tactic he has become very familiar with in the past.) "You would not know the first place to look."

[keep_the_peace]

"I have already been reliably informed that the closets here supply whatever one wishes for," he says, grabbing his silly bandz from the top of his dresser and putting them on as some sort of proof of his point.

[bymyheelies]

"Ay, 'tis so," he says, sprawling out across the bed and arching aneyebrow at Benvolio. "Do what thou must, then." It is clear he means it as a challenge, even if he is laughing.

[keep_the_peace]

So naturally he walks into the closet, not really sure what he wants to find anyway. He definitely doesn't want to actually end up expected to tie up Mercutio (well...) but he needs something at least... He digs around until he finds exactly what he needs.

Wordlessly he comes back out, stands by the bed and stares at Mercutio for a moment, before lifting up a can of silly string and spraying it all over Mercutio.

[bymyheelies]

Mercutio just bursts out laughing, batting at the silly string like a kitten with a toy. "What is this?"

[keep_the_peace]

He holds up the can. "Silly string. Much is silly here." Silly string, silly bandz, ...actually that's about it so far.

[bymyheelies]

"Ay, it has no thought at all." He grins and flicks some silly string at Benvolio.

[keep_the_peace]

"I shall fit in quite well in that case."

[bymyheelies]

"Tush, thou fittest in quite well already."

[keep_the_peace]

"Ay, because I am silly." He picks up some of the silly string and smushes it around in his hands. "This is terrible."

[bymyheelies]

"Ay," he agrees. "Quite terrible. I cannot think what it is for."

[keep_the_peace]

"Mischief, clearly."

[bymyheelies]

“‘Tis in good hands, then,” he says teasingly.

[keep_the_peace]

"Such compliments from the king of mischief himself!" he says, pretending like he was just bestowed a great honor.

[bymyheelies]

“The king?” He snorts and hops up to give an over dramatic bow. “Then thou art my con—my knight, surely.”

[keep_the_peace]

"Oh ay, ready for whatever thou shalt wish of me, in the honorable name of mischief."

[bymyheelies]

"'Tis well, then." He steals the silly string -- if Benvolio will let him -- and sprays it at the other, laughing.

[keep_the_peace]

As Mercutio sprays him with the silly string, Benvolio kneels down as if this is some sort of knighting ceremony, and tries his very best to keep a straight face (to medium success).

[bymyheelies]

Mercutio cannot help but laugh more, fonder than the first. This is stupid, and silly, and charming, and so incredibly Benvolio that he wants to kiss him about it --but he just ruffles Benvolio's hair with a fond smile. "Thou art ridiculous, my Ben," he says, as though he is not just as ridiculous far more often.

[keep_the_peace]

"All knights of the kingdom of mischief are highly trained in the art of ridiculousness, an thou shouldst be well aware, as king."

[bymyheelies]

“Mm, yes. I had forgotten for a moment.”

[keep_the_peace]

"Our wise king must be ageing indeed, for it seems his memory is slipping. Alas, he hath no heir to inherit the throne upon his--" Benvolio cuts himself off, looks panicked for a second, and then, "--abdication."

[bymyheelies]

He snorts. "Go to, I am not so much older than thee."

[keep_the_peace]

"Not true. Thou art a whole year's time older now than thou wert previously. Thou'rt an elderly man, while I remain a youthful babe."