Francisco sighs and puts the paper down, rubbing his temples. Juliet and Romeo invited him to their wedding. Technically it was their second wedding but this one would be recognized by the people of Neo-Vorena. It's not that he was upset to be invited to the wedding, in fact he loved weddings. The problem was that he'd be there. Curio. The very man who Francisco was in love with. He was well aware that Curio was in love with Juliet but would never tell her because he cared about her happiness. Francisco in turn, could never tell Curio his feelings because he knew they were unrequited. He pushes his chair back and stands, stretching. He needed to get ready, he would be going back to court in the morning.
Francisco lays down in his bed, his mind wandering, as it often does, to Curio. He wondered what Curio would be doing right at this moment. Reading maybe or watching the city as he had so often done during the uprising…
The uprising…
Francisco turns over and stares at the wall for a moment before squeezing his eyes shut. Though it had been a number of weeks, the scarred man's face was still fresh in his mind. He remembered the night he almost told Curio how he felt. When they were talking about Juliet's love for Romeo.
Francisco squeezes his eyes tightly and grips the sheets, willing himself not to cry. He told himself he wouldn't let Curio get to him. He was strong. He was…...lying to himself. He sobs quietly until he fell into a restless but deep sleep.
"It's time we take back what is ours!' Juliet say loudly, lifting her sword into the air as the citizens cheered and stormed into the castle.
Francisco reaches out and grabs Curio's arm. The bigger man turns and looks at him, a look of confusion and passion of fight on his face.
"What is it Francisco?"
Francisco hesitates.
"Curio-"
Blood splatters across his face as Curio as he fell forward toward. Francisco barely caught him, seeing a sword baring the emblem of house Montague
Francisco jerks awake with a strangled cry, sitting up and looking around. His breathing was heavy, deafening to his own ears. His long tangled hair stuck to him due to his sweat. Might as well start getting ready for the day, sleep won't be returning.
He climbs from his bed and gazes out the window. It appeared dawn was just breaking. Sunlight streaked across the slowly lightening sky, lighting up the gardens of his holiday home. It was beautiful, as it always was. Images of his dream flashed in his mind and his fingers tightened on the edge of the windowsill. It's not real. He is still alive. I will see him today or tomorrow at the latest. But would he be strong enough to stand it? He would have to be. For Juliet. His friend and queen.
Francisco turns from the window with a sigh and goes to the dresser and picks up a brush and running it absentmindedly through his hair before going to bathe. He lets the hot water run over him, hoping it would calm his shaking body. It worked, for now anyway.
He steps out of the tub, drying and dressing. He brushes and braids his hair, tying a dark pink ribbon at the end, the colour of house Capulet. He wanders the halls of the manor, feeling the walls closing on him. He needed to get out of here. It was too quiet, even with the bustle of servants.
Francisco left as soon as it was fully light, making it back to the castle in a few hours. When the castle came into view, he felt a bit calmer. He needed to see Juliet. The calm confident woman kept him sane, as she knew how he felt. She was his best friend after all.
Juliet was outside waiting and Francisco couldn't help but smile as the bright red head came into view. He steps out of the carriage and was immediately pulled into a hug.
"I have missed you Francisco."
Francisco smiles and bows.
"I have missed you as well my lady."
Juliet laughs softly and puts a hand on his shoulder.
"You need not bow to me friend. Come walk with me? I can tell we have much to talk about from the look on your face."
Francisco sighs and nods.
"You were always to good at reading me."
"I've had a lot of practice. But you also wear your emotions like a jacket my friend." Juliet says as they enter a garden filled with beautiful colourful flower and in the center, a fountain surrounded by irises. Of course. He smiles softly.
"It's beautiful."
"It is but you are avoiding the subject." Juliet says, sitting on an elegant stone bench. She pulls him down beside her. "Tell me what is troubling you."
Francisco sighs and looks at her.
"I keep having this dream….it haunts me." He pauses, hesitating.
"Tell me. Please."
"It takes place the night that we-you-took back the castle. You lead the charge but I held him back and was about to tell him but as I do…" He shudders. "I can still see it. Even when I'm awake. The blood…" He hears his voice crack and balls his fists, willing himself not to cry. Not again.
He feels Juliet pull him close, wrapping him in a hug.
"It's okay. It's not real. He's alive and you can see him either later today or early tomorrow."
Francisco hugs her and feels himself break.
"It just….looked and felt so real…..to real…" He cries softly into her shoulder.
FInally he looked up at her and wipes his eyes on his sleeve.
"Sorry…" He clears his throat. "I'm such a mess. Not very gentlemanly of me, crying on a lady's shoulder, a queen of all people." He laughs in spite of himself.
Juliet shakes her head with a gentle smile. "Don't worry about it. Friends are supposed to help each other."
"You are a good friend Juliet."
"You started without me?" A very familiar and gruff voice says, making Francisco's head jerk up.
Curio…..