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]

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.

[bymyheelies]

Mercutio laughs, and Benvolio likely knows him well enough to hear the mischievous grin that comes with this tone of voice. “O, ay, mayhap. I am certain I could find something.”

[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."