@blue_topaz
I drew back, confused. "Because—I denied you what you wanted."
I drew back, confused. "Because—I denied you what you wanted."
“Is this… this like a trick question or something? Did I do something wrong?” I crinkled up my nose in confusion, tilting my head to the head a bit.
“What? No!” I hastened to say, studying his expression. “I just—I thought you’d be mad. Because I’m not giving you what you want.”
“But it’s not what you want. Why’d I do something that’d make you unhappy if I like you?” I couldn’t wrap my head around her thought process at all.
I was equally, if not more, confused. “Because—Because I should go along with what you want to do? My opinion shouldn’t matter this much, right?”
“What? Why wouldn’t it?” I stared at her in complete, utter confusion. “Your opinion matters just as much as mine does. That’s how relationships work, right?”
I shook my head. “Never mind.”
I stared at Marina, confused and a bit worried, but I fell silent, unsure of how to voice my concerns.
Thankfully, the doorknob turned to let in Joe, who had various plates stacked up in his arms.
I jumped at the door opening, although my reaction time was still quite delayed from usual. I scooted away from Marina to avoid getting lectured.
Joe gave us a suspicious look, but locked the door behind him and plopped three plates piled high with sandwiches onto the bed. “Eat up.”
My stomach turned at the thought of eating, my skin physically paling from nausea.
I gave Mercutio a worried look. “Is everything alright?”
“Hangover kicking in.” I muttered, turning my head to look away from the plates.
“Ah,” Joe muttered. “Of course. Marina and I can split what you don’t eat… Also, be prepared for the talk, Mercutio.”
“The talk? What? I’ve already—er…” I cleared my throat awkwardly, silently wondering if I could make a break for the window.
“The boyfriend talk, idiot,” Joe snarked, raising an eyebrow. I tried to protest, but he cut me off with a wave of his hand.
“The boyfriend talk?” I shot a panicked look at Marina, shakily grabbing a sandwich to nibble on.
“Joe, he’s not my—“
“Bullshit.” Joe raised an eyebrow. “Bull. Shit.”
“We haven’t done anything at all!” I protested weakly, pushing my glasses up onto the bridge of my nose.
“If I hear that you e hurt her in any way shape or form,” he continued, ignoring both our protests. “I will come after you with half the Capulets behind me. Juliet will murder you on the spot. Marina is sensitive. Don’t say anything that could be taken as an insult, even in a joking way.”
“I won’t uh… sir?” I scratched the back of my neck in embarrassment.
Joe punched Mercutio’s shoulder. “Don’t give either of us bullshit. And don’t tell Romeo about this either. Or anyone. Got it?”
I grimaced in pain, but nodded. “Yeah…. you have my word.”
Joe’s eyes darkened. “I’d better. Oh, and no sex unless she wants it.”
My face went from pale to a flustered red within seconds. “No! No! I’d never— I’m not like that I don’t even like that! I—I… I…” I couldn’t even think, embarrassed and horrified at the same time.
My body went rigid. Before I knew what I was doing, I was stumbling off the bed and to my feet, backing away. Mercutio stammered out a reply, but I barely heard it through the blood roaring in my ears.
”Fuck.” I cursed quietly, scrambling to my feet. “I know you hate me.” I turned to Joe desperately. “But you gotta get me something—anything to get the smell of alcohol off of me. I don’t give a fuck what it is.” I ordered, my gaze already fixed on Marina. “Marina? Can you hear me? I need you to nod if you can hear me, okay?” I spoke gently, trying to hide the fear coursing through my veins.
I nodded vigorously, flattening my back against the wall. Horrific images flew through my head—Mercutio, his tongue in my mouth. Hands slipping to my waist—
I can’t breaghe. Joe’s simple warning has triggered a monster.
“Marina— Good. I need you to breath. I won’t come near you, I promise. Just breath.” Fuck. I could feel my own panic tears starting to well up in my eyes “Please, Marina. It’s okay. Please, breathe.”
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