forum In Fair Verona // Modern Romeo and Juliet // Private RP - CLOSED

Started February 05, 2019 by @blue_topaz

tune

I paused for a moment, but my hand moved of its own accord and slipped into his. "Like this?"

I felt Marina’s hand slip into mine. Time slowed for a second, and my breathing hitched in my throat. Somehow it meant more than the hug, even though it was an Olive Branch at best. But I craved it. “Like… yeah—Er… yeah. Perfect.” I gently ran my thumb over the palm of her hand, bashfully looking away.

My breath hitched in my throat. "I—Mercutio. Once we get to my friend's, I will be the only one talking. Don't say anything to agitate him. Please."

“I won’t… I’ll do whatever you want me too.” I replied, embarrassed and drunk and… a mess. A complete mess. “I don’t want to get hit again.” I sighed, interlacing my fingers with hers and leaning back against the seat.

"Again?" A frown tugged at my already downturned lips.

I gently squeezed her hand, exhaling through my nose. “Marina, Can I tell you something that I don’t think I’d be saying if I was sober?”

I screwed my eyes shut. Did I really want to hear this?

"You can do whatever you want."

“I’m really afraid… all the time. And I—“ I paused, unsure of how to say this. “I don’t know how to be me anymore.”

I licked my dry lips.

"I know how you feel…. Is there anything I can do?"

“I feel like myself when I’m around you. I did today, at least up until…” I paused, shaking my head and clearing my throat. I took off my glasses with my spare hand, looking at them. “You have no idea how many people thought these were ugly prank glasses.” I smiled sadly, turning the frames over through my fingertips. “And a bunch of my friends asked if I curled my hair as I joke. If I used my sister’s curling iron. I don’t even have a sister.”

A lump formed in my throat. This was my fault—I was the one who had sent him that list. “I’m sorry..” I whispered, and squeezed his hand.

“No, no. I just didn’t realize that… that only Romeo knew what I looked liked for real. And then you asked me to… you know. It’s just… Thank you.” I murmured staring up at the ceiling and blinking tears out of my eyes. I felt her squeeze my hand and released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

“Well, for the record,” I murmured softly, swaying slightly. “You make an adorable dork.” And before I had fully grasped the situation, I was leaning to the side and resting my head on his shoulder.

“I don’t get it. Anyone else could call me a dork and I’d threaten to fight them. You do it an’ I get a shitload of blood rushing to my face. It isn’t fair, Marina.” I hummed, afraid to move in case I scared her off.

“Well, life’s not fair,” I whispered and shut my eyes. What was I doing?

“Do you want me to move?”

“Please stay.” I didn’t hesitate to ask, too desperate to play hard to get, too drunk too worry about consequences, and too content to be afraid. “Can I rest my head on yours?”

I nodded, about to reply… but just then, the bus came up a grinding half. “This is our stop.. sorry..”

I shook my head, ignoring the slight disappointment stirring in my stomach. “Don’t be sorry.” I squeezed her hand one more time before letting go and standing up, wobbling on my feet.

I led him cautiously through alleys and side streets, my arm around his torso. We didn’t speak, but the silence was nice. Serene. Tranquil.

Eventually, we arrived at Joe’s. I took Mercutio around back until we stopped beneath his window and began throwing stones.

I waited by Marina’s side, silent as a statue. I didn’t dare speak up on the way here, not wanting to lose the protective, guiding arm she had kept around me. I pushed my glasses up onto my nose, watching Marina throw rocks at the windows. “Why don’t you just call him?” I whispered, unwilling to break our silence.

“Phone’s almost dead,” I murmured by way of explanation. A moment later, the window swung open, and Joe’s head poked out. The moment he saw us… well. ‘Shock’ isn’t really a strong enough word to describe the expression on his face.

“What the hell?”

I inched my way closer to Marina, every muscle in my body tensing. Why did it have to be this Joe? The one I fought with in school biweekly. I knew I had to trust her on this, so I obeyed her wishes and remained silent.

“I—I can explain.”

Joe sighed slowly. “No. No you can’t. Now, get his sorry ass up here before I kick it straight to hell.”

After several failed attempts of helping one very intoxicated Mercutio scale the uneven brick wall, we finally made it through the window.

I stumbled into Joe’s room through the window. I made for the wall, pressing my back against it to take up a defensive position in case Joe decided to beat me black and blue. Everything else was a fretful daze as I waited for Marina to either soothe my fear, Joe’s anger, or in the best scenario both.

Joe massaged his temples.

"Marina. Why did you bring a Montague to my house?" I exhaled shakily, hearing the hidden meaning beneath his words. Why did you let a Montague break your heart?

"Because he has nowhere else to go," I replied quietly. "Yeah, actually, he does. Somewhere where he can't fucking make you cry again."

I bit my lip, trying not to have an anxiety attack pressed against a wall in Capulet territory. My eyes rested in Marina. I didn’t like her being forced onto the defensive, but if she didn’t want me to speak, then I wasn’t going to. I breathed shakily.

In. Out. In. Out. In. Out.

Yet it wasn’t working to soothe me like it was supposed to. And the alcohol wasn’t wearing off either, leaving me drunk, anxious, and as a result of that lovely combination, disoriented.

“Joe—“ He cut me off. “This asshole sent you, sobbing your heart out, through my window a few hours ago. Not only have you apparently forgiven him and are letting him manipulate you, but he’s alsp a Montague. One of the Montagues that nearly got your best friend killed.”

I lowered my head. “I—I’ll leave then. We’ll leave. Sorry to bother you…” But once again, he interrupted me. “You owe me a full explanation, but not now. Stay here with your dumb boyfriend, since he’s clearly about to panic, and I’ll bring you water. For the love of fucking god, Marina, I’m never leaving you alone again.”

Boyfriend. That word had managed to register, loud and clear. I opened my mouth before quickly closing it again, unwilling to speak out of turn. I leaned heavily on the wall, my breathing fast and shallow.

“Thank you….” I whispered, and he was gone.

“Mercutio?” The name was heavy and awkward on my tongue. “Hey, you’re going to be okay.. breathe. Remember? Slowly. In, out. Like you told me.”

I nodded, feeling a bit numb as I worked to steady my breathing. Eventually I got to the point where I wasn’t paralyzed in place, slowly looking around to gain my bearings. “Are you so sure it’s safe here?”