Disclaimer: this fanfiction is based on "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare. None of the characters are mine and the events differ from the original.

Also don't mind the fact that the Adige is not deep enough to swim in. Just forget about it ;)

CHAPTER I

-It's quite nice, huh?- The dark-haired looked at Benvolio with a quirky smile. As always, there was that certain melody in the way he spoke, accenting the "huh" almost overly.

-Sure.- Benvolio answered with no great passion. The day was way to hot to show emotions. He already felt as if the summer sun drained all the energy out of him, the cold water of the Adige seeming to be the only thing keeping him alive. It was Mercutio's idea to go to the riverside and sit in the shadow of the city walls. Both men were holding their feet into the pale blue wet. The blonde looked at the sky only to decide that it was a bad idea after getting his eyes burnt by the midday sun. He quickly looked at the streaming water again and felt as if his eyes were cooled by its sight just as his feet were by its touch.

-Yes, it really is.- he confirmed again, this time meaning it. He catched a glimpse of Mercutio's smile. He smiled too, delighted to see his friend's happiness. A relaxed silence retourned between them, just as it was before the elder broke it. Then history repeated itself.

-Look!- Mercutio whispered, visibly excited. He pointed at a figure walking over the Ponte Pietra bridge that crossed the same river about 15 metres away. The silhouette was merely visible, but the two friends could recognize the familiar human with ease. -The prettiest lady in all of Verona- he explained, not even trying to hide the sarcasm and joke behind his words. Benvolio straightened up apruptly and looked at Mercutio reproachfully.

-What about me though?- he whispered, acting offended. His friend turned around slowly and looked him in the eyes.

-You're way out of league, and you know that.- he answered calmly.

-Like what, lower league?- it was clear that he was only trying to provoke an argument

-No, like over the top league-. As soon as he had finished these words he started kicking the water rhytmically, creating a flushing, echoing sound. -RO-ME-O!- he shouted, and his voice together with the splashing noise cut through the calmness of the town in an invasive way. There were barely any people out on the streets, it was just too hot.

The young one on the bridge followed the noises with his eyes and saw his two best friends sitting on some stones well beneath and away from the bridge. Mercutio waved at him, giving up the sound-making.

Benvolio was the tallest of the friends group, even though he was only second oldest. His limbs were long, but he moved gracefully and quickly. He had intensely blonde hair that always seemed to reflect the light in a golden way. His skin was easily browned by the sun, creating a delicate glow that correlated well with the halo-like shine on his head. His delicately upward slanting eyes were of a warm hazel. He smiled often, but spoke rarely. He was of peaceful nature and took up conflicts with unease. It was Benvolio who was the most responsible and grown-up of them.

Mercutio- the oldest and shortest one, had a cold aura. His skin was cool and pale, just as his steel coloured eyes that were contoured by thick black lashes were often slightly squinted, as if critically looking. His face was framed by a mane of deeply black, wildly curly hair. It had an aristocratic look to it, thanks to his straight nose and light lips. He was known for his witty joke and sharp tongue, and also for the madness in his eyes and actions.

As Romeo approached them, he saw that his friends stood up and walked barefoot to meet him, leaving wet footprints on the light riverstones. The height difference between them always amazed him. He went down the tiny stone stairs that led to the spot chosen by the other men.

-I did not expect you to be here- Benvolio said with a smile as soon as they met.

-And yet here I am- Romeo answered, slightly annoyed. There had been arguments between them about his frequent love affairs and neglegting his friends- especially Benvolio wasn't content with the often absence of his cousin.

-I didn't mean to bring up our fights. I just think it's rather hot today- Ben answered calmly, his eyes smiling.

-...I'm sorry- Romeo said, realising his misinterpretation. He quickly changed the subject. -What are you two doing?-

-Cooling down a bit. You want to join us?- The blonde asked and his cousin agreed enthusiastically. As they walked back down, the footprints had already vanished, as if they had never been there. They sat down in the same place as before, and put their feet back into the water. Romeo sat next to them, and did the same after taking off his shoes. He frowned as he felt the icy water. Mercutio smirked in response.

-What's so funny?- The young one asked, feeling attacked.

-Nothing. I'm just thinking... do you ever wonder how seaweed tastes?-

-How seaweed... what? What do yo- his question was interrupted by a strong push he received from his older friend. Romeo lost ground and felt as if the world had slowed down to slow-motion. No sooner had he closed his eyes than he felt the same breathtakingly freezing water surround him. Shocked, he couldn't recognise where up and down was, everything was spinning. He lasted a while just like that, his thoughts racing. Then his foot brushed against the sandy ground and he regained conciousness. He pushed off the surface and swam towards the light. Finally he broke through the surface and grasped for air. He looked around and saw his companions, Mercutio laughing with his eyes closed and Benvolio, who took his shirt off and was getting ready to get into the water to get him. When Romeo's frightened and Benvolio's worried eyes met, Benvolio released tension from his body, took a step in Meructio's direction and pushed him the same way the royal had done it with Romeo. It was a thing the dark-haired didn't expect at all. He broke his laughter with a slight gasp and fell into the water, disappearing in a second. A few more passed before Mercutio resurfaced again. His hair looked miserable, oddly straight and ruly while completely covering his face. His pale, boney hand slipped out of the water and pushed back the dripping strands, revealing his confused, wide-eyed face. A moment of silence followed, the sights of the younger ones fixed on Mercutio and awaiting his reaction. Nothing came until the oldest grimaced suddenly and reached to his mouth. He pulled out a thin, rather long, slippery piece of algae.

-Now I know- he addmitted, his words drowned in Benvolio's and Romeo's laughter which he soon joined. He threw the plant over his shoulder and turned into Ben's direction.

-The water's nice once your inside- he said with a convincing voice.

-Yeah, I can see that- the only dry one giggled glancing at Mercutio's lips that had turned blue from the cold.

-It brings bad luck to stay on dryland when everyone else is in the water- Romeo added.

-What kind of saying is that?- Ben asked, still laughing, showing of his dimples. He was already slowly slipping into the sudden depth anyways. Once he was inside, he swam towards his friends. All three were floating on the surface now, constantly working with their legs and arms so as not to go under.

-What now?- Mercutio asked, shivering a bit from the low temperature. Benvolio approached him an started to tickle him.

-What are you doing? Stop...!- he managed to say only these words, as he was breathless laughing and trying to get away from Ben.

-You need to be warmed up- his attacker simply explained, and went on. Soon the gesture emerged into a full-blown tickle fight; everyone versus everyone. The game was in full action and went on for about an hour more, none of them noticed the passing of time though.

Mercutio was just holding up Romeo by his chest, so that Benvolio could reach his feet- an extremely ticklish point on the youngest one's body, when someone crossing the bridge drew their attention. All of them looked up and froze, Ben's smile disappeared and he let out a quiet sigh that signalled the end of the fun they were having and the trouble ahead.