A/N: Hello everyone! Chapter 9 is up!
Once again, I wanted to tell everyone a big thanks for your support! ^^
Okay, here comes the play that our two lovebirds have practiced for a lonnng time. I wanted to tell you that at the beginning of the play, Yuri will become 'Juliet', Flynn 'Romeo' and so on. Since it's the real play, it was getting awkward and complicated to keep the actors with their real name during the play. It's more believable that way. You'll understand what I'm saying later in the chapter. ^^
Also, I've created my LJ account and put the link in my profile. Like I said before, I won't censure myself in any circumstances and I'll keep updating like I always did, but my LJ account is there with all my stories in backup if something happens to them here.
Okay, I've finished my blaberring. Have fun reading! ^^
Fall For You
Act IX : Love
Yuri groaned when an insistent hand shook his shoulder, trying to pry him awake. He tried to chase it away, but it was no use as that hand only shook him harder. More annoyed than ever, Yuri snapped an eye open, glaring at a pair of bright blue irises. Their owner was sitting at the edge of the bed, already dressed for the day and looking at Yuri with amusement.
"What d'you want? I was sleeping here," Yuri groaned in a bad mood, just wanting to go back to sleep.
Flynn raised an eyebrow at his lover. "You don't remember which day we are, don't you?" the blonde asked with an edge of scolding to his voice.
Yuri frowned at Flynn, searching his memory for anything relating to this particular day.
"No… I'm supposed to remember?" he asked as he muffled a yawn.
Flynn shook his head in discouragement. "You're unbelievable. Today is the day we move into our new apartment," Flynn answered.
As soon as Yuri's mind processed the information, sleep completely evaded his eyes. He looked at the window and saw that the sun was already up.
"What time is it, Flynn?" he asked in an almost panicked tone.
An amused smile appeared on Flynn's lips. "Ten past eight. Which means you have exactly twenty minutes to get ready before the girls arrive," he announced amusedly.
Yuri shot up in the bed and looked at Flynn with wide eyes. "Are you kidding? Why didn't you wake me up earlier?" he exclaimed.
His expression was too much for Flynn. He laughed openly at his lover, who threw him an outraged look.
"Because watching you hurry up will be too funny. I couldn't pass that up," he explained, still laughing at his lover's expense.
Yuri glared darkly at the blonde, and when it had no effect, he punched him hard in the arm. Flynn hissed in pain at the brutality, but he soon resumed laughing.
"I'll get you for this!" Yuri exclaimed angrily before jumping out of the bed and running towards the bathroom.
Flynn looked at the still open door of the bathroom. "Eighteen minutes now!" he exclaimed with amusement.
Not even a second passed by in silence before Yuri answered in a harsh and angry tone; "Shut up!"
Then, the door of the bathroom slammed shut.
Flynn started laughing again. What a way to start a day.
"Yuri, are you okay?" Flynn asked, concerned.
He was standing in front of the couch, where Yuri was currently sprawled, unmoving. The raven haired male made a small sound of acknowledgment, the only thing that indicated he was still alive. Flynn smiled lightly in understanding. They had a rough day; it was no wonder his lover felt so tired.
For an early day of May, the temperature outside was unusually hot. It was just their luck that they were moving at such a hot temperature. Even if the girls had helped them to move, Flynn and Yuri were the only ones that could move the heavy furniture. Apart from the girls, Yuri did not really know anyone who could help them – Karol and Marion being out of question – and Flynn's parents were not even an option, considering their opinion on the matter and how it went when Flynn announced them he had no intention of breaking up with Yuri.
The blonde was glad they were not home when he and Yuri went to their house to pick up the rest of his stuff. Flynn had seen Yuri visibly relax when he realized they were not there. He could understand why, after the way Yuri was treated the last time he saw Flynn's parents.
They finished moving into their new apartment in the beginning of the afternoon. To thank the girls, Flynn and Yuri paid lunch for everyone, after what, Judith and Estelle went home, leaving the two lovers alone in their new home. Their home. It was so weird to say that, but very pleasant at the same time. Flynn could never get tired of it. His thoughts led him back to the present, more specifically on a certain dark haired male lying on the couch.
Flynn's smile turned gentle. He leaned down and gently cupped his lover's head. He lifted it from the couch and he sat where it had lied, putting it down on his lap. Yuri looked up at his lover's face. Flynn found his tired expression adorable. His fingers went to the dark strands and softly glided through them, caressing the soft hair that he loved so much. He was rewarded by a soft sigh. Yuri closed his eyes and leaned into the touch.
"It's nice…" he muttered tiredly.
Flynn chuckled softly. "I think it's the first time I see you so tired," he commented as he kept on caressing his lover's hair.
Yuri sighed annoyingly. "It's because of that goddamn heat. I can't stand it," he muttered.
Flynn smiled amusedly and his fingers brushed a strand of hair away from Yuri's forehead.
"So it means we won't get to try our new bed? It's a shame," the blonde whispered in a sultry tone.
Yuri looked up at Flynn with surprise that soon turned into deviousness. "Maybe not, but we still haven't tried the couch either," he replied in the same kind of tone.
Flynn stopped the movement of his fingers and raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Weren't you too tired to move? That's what it seems to me, at least," he said.
Yuri grasped his lover's shirt tightly and yanked him closer. A seductive smile stretched his lips.
"I think I've just got a boost of energy," he whispered.
Flynn shook his head discouragingly, but the smile still plastered on his face told of his amusement.
"How interesting. Mind putting this energy to good use?" Flynn asked in an innocent tone.
Lust flared into his lover's gray eyes. "Do you even need to ask?" Yuri answered.
When Flynn's smile turned even more amused, Yuri knew things would not turn the way he expected it. Flynn suddenly pushed him into a sitting position.
"Great, because there are a lot of boxes that need to be unpacked," the blonde stated.
Yuri turned his face towards his lover and glared maliciously at him. "You aren't playing fair," he accused.
Flynn chuckled in counterpart. "What are you talking about? It's you who usually don't play fair," Flynn said.
A glint of mischief appeared in Yuri's eyes. He got up from the couch and stretched up in a very alluring way.
"I think I'm going to take a shower instead. A long, long shower. Got to get that sweat off me. It's so hot in here," Yuri said in a sensual tone, his eyes never leaving his lover.
By the way Flynn grew rigid and his eyes roamed over his body in the most subtle of movement, Yuri knew he had won. He managed to fight the victorious smirk that threatened to appear on his lips. Instead, he began to walk away and towards the bathroom, knowing full well that Flynn would follow him.
He was already looking forward to it.
Judith looked at Yuri with an amused expression on her face. As for Estelle, her eyes were filled with worry as she glanced at the dark haired male, who was currently collapsed face first against the table in the cafeteria.
"Yuri, what's wrong? Are you hurt somewhere?" the pink haired girl asked in an urgent tone.
Judith put a hand on her friend's shoulder. Estelle's panicked eyes were soon on her.
"Don't worry, Estelle. I'm sure it's just Flynn who's tiring him out," she said amusingly.
She received a grunt in response and Yuri lifted his face until he could look at his two friends with a desperate expression.
"He's going crazy! He keeps making me study for the exams! I can't take it anymore!" he exclaimed with a horrified voice.
Estelle's eyes widened in disbelief and Judith chuckled at the raven haired male's exaggerated reaction.
"You really don't like studying, don't you?" the blue haired girl commented.
When Yuri kept looking at her as if she had grown a second head, she added in an amused tone; "You should have thought of that before going out with Flynn."
Yuri sighed at his friend's words. "I know, but I didn't think he would go all psycho on me! I swear, I have to hide from him constantly right now!" he exclaimed.
Estelle smiled encouragingly. "I'm sure it's not that bad. And what's preventing you to tell him no when he wants to make you study?" she asked with a frown.
Yuri was about to answer when he noticed Judith's gaze focusing on something behind him. Yuri did not even have the time to turn around that a pile of books was dropped on the table right next to him. Yuri jumped and turned his face to the side in time to see Flynn dropping on the seat next to him. The blonde was looking at him with a severe expression.
"There you are! I was searching for you everywhere! We haven't finished studying for tomorrow's exam!" he said.
Yuri glared at his lover. "Look Flynn, I don't want to study! You already made me study more than I ever did in my entire life! That's enough!" he exclaimed.
Flynn sighed annoyingly. "Yuri, don't be difficult. I'm just trying to make you pass your exams with good grades," he said.
Yuri snorted. "I don't care about good grades! Just leave me the hell alone!" he replied, unnerved.
Flynn was not impressed by Yuri's fit of defiance. He plunged his hand into the pocket of his uniform and presented the ultimate weapon to his lover's eyes: some delicious wrapped chocolates. Yuri looked at the sweets with a desperate expression. The blonde did not miss it.
"Come on Yuri. Just go to the library with me to study and I'll give them to you," Flynn said firmly.
The pleading eyes the dark haired male threw his way did not faze him.
When Yuri saw it was not working, he tried to snatch the chocolates, but Flynn was quicker. Yuri cursed and sighed in defeat.
"Alright, fine," he muttered weakly with frustration.
A satisfied expression appeared on the blonde's face. "Good. Let's go," he said as he rose from his seat, grabbing the books on the table.
Yuri stood up too with a bitter expression, trying to ignore Judith's chuckles. Apparently, the girl found the sight of Flynn exploiting his weakness really amusing.
His foul mood got even worse when Judith said; "Guys, don't forget we've got the trying on session later with Yeager!"
Yuri cringed, not wanting to be reminded of it. The play was due next week, which meant that in less than one week, Yuri would make a fool of himself in front of a lot of people.
Of course, that was only if he was still alive next week. Yuri seriously doubted that. Flynn would surely be the death of him before then.
Yuri felt so nervous right now it was not even funny. Not even the hellish week full of final exams he just went through even got close to compare to that. It was Friday evening, and college was finally over. Yuri was in backstage of the Grand Theater, along with the other members of the troupe. It was chaotic in there.
Yeager, with the help of his assistants, was frantically going between the actors, helping them get dressed quickly and efficiently. He accorded more attention to Yuri, since his costume was by far the most complicated. Yuri did not enjoy the attention at all, but he kept his mouth shut. Going against Yeager right now would mean instant death. It might not be just a figure of speech.
The technical team was also running everywhere, making sure everything was working and ready. The actors could already hear the excited voices of the spectators as the theater was slowly getting filled with people. The stress and excitement was palpable in the air.
When Yeager was finally done with Yuri, the latter tried to ignore the looks he was receiving from his comrades. How he hated those dresses! And even worse, there were too many pins in his hair to be comfortable. Yuri just wanted to rip them all off, along with that damn dress that was too big and puffy for his taste. He would feel so much more at ease if he did not have to play a girl's role! His attention was soon diverted at someone walking towards him. Yuri's eyes landed on a familiar blonde, dressed in elegant clothes. Flynn. The blonde stopped in front of Yuri and looked him over.
"You're gorgeous, Yuri," he said with a nervous smile on his lips.
A strained smile appeared on Yuri's face and a dangerous glint shone in his eyes.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed before the play, Flynn? Because you sure as hell will be if you keep it on," he said harshly.
Flynn reached over and gently caressed his lover's cheek. "I'm sorry, but it's the truth. You're stunning no matter what you wear," he said.
Yuri was not expecting such words. He blushed bright red and avoided Flynn's gaze. The blonde found the sight too adorable. Not able to resist the temptation, he leaned in and kissed his lover's sweet lips. Yuri wanted to protest at first since they were not alone, but he found the feel of Flynn's lips too hard to resist and he melted into the touch.
Flynn brought Yuri closer and deepened the kiss. He was so lost in the kiss that he almost did not hear the strange click coming from the side. Flynn frowned and released Yuri. Both lovers looked to the side to see Judith holding her cell phone, looking excitedly at the picture she just took. Yuri's blushing came back full force.
"Judith! Get rid of that picture!" he protested with embarrassment.
The blue haired girl smiled mischievously. "No way. I'm keeping this for as long as I'll live," she said, an expression of pure ecstasy on her face.
Yuri opened his mouth to say something when a voice cut him off.
"Hey guys! Come see this!" Rita exclaimed, motioning to her friends to come over.
Intrigued, Flynn and Yuri decided to join her near the curtains hiding them from the spectators, Judith on their heels. Estelle was already standing near her young friend.
Once standing behind the curtain, Yuri carefully opened it a little, just enough to glance at the other side. His nervousness raised a hitch as he saw the theater room packed with people. They would play in front of a lot of people, more than ever before. The raven haired male let his eyes roam over the people and over to a particular place in the assistance. His eyes widened slightly when he realized they had really come.
Karol and Marion were sitting side by side in the assistance. The young boy was really excited, talking on and on to the Nanny. Flynn had convinced Yuri to bring them invitations to come see the play. It took a lot of convincing, because Yuri was ashamed that he would be seen playing a woman. Seeing how excited they were to be here, Yuri had to admit it Flynn had a good idea.
As he kept looking at the spectators, Yuri froze when his eyes fell on someone sitting in the first row. He elbowed his lover, his gaze never leaving that person. Flynn looked questioningly at Yuri. The latter discreetly motioned in the direction he was looking.
"Look over there. It's…" he began quietly.
Flynn followed his gaze and he froze too when he recognized none other than his mother, sitting in the first row and looking uncomfortably all around her. Flynn had indeed told his parents of the date the play was due, but he had not expected them to remember or that one of them would come after their last encounter.
Flynn sighed nervously as he turned around and walked away from the curtain.
"Why is she here?" he quietly asked himself in an upset tone.
What did his mother expect to happen by coming here? Flynn had nothing to say to them anymore! A comforting hand was soon on Flynn's shoulder and he turned his face to the side to look at Yuri's comforting expression.
"Maybe she wants to talk to you once the play is over," the raven haired male suggested.
Flynn had a nervous smile. "I don't know what she wants to talk about so badly that she'd come here," he replied.
Yuri leaned closer to Flynn and dropped a soft kiss on his cheek.
"Don't worry about it for the time being, okay? Let's concentrate on the play," he whispered in a gentle tone.
Flynn was surprised by Yuri's unusual gentle behavior. He must have seemed really upset for his lover to act like that.
Flynn nodded and his eyes reflected his gratitude. Just then, their attention was diverted to Raven, who hastily emerged into the backstage where the actors were all waiting.
"Okay, guys, this is it. We've worked all year for this single night. I'd like to tell you to make a perfect performance out there, but we're mostly here to have fun and to make the most out of it," the director said once he had everyone's attention.
The actors nodded, nervous smiles on their lips.
"So let's make this night memorable!" he finished, his eyes shifting over everyone.
The actors all thanked their director. The latter then departed towards the stage, where he would present the play to the spectators.
Flynn and Yuri looked at each other, trying to calm their beating hearts. They were still lost in the other's gaze when they heard Raven's muffled speech and the applauses following it. It would be their turn any time now. Flynn gently grasped his lover's hand.
"Well, it's now or never," he said quietly.
Yuri nodded in silence. Flynn leaned in and dropped a quick kiss on his lover's lips.
"Good luck," he whispered against Yuri's lips once they parted.
Yuri smiled to him in return just before Raven came back into the backstage.
"Okay, guys! Gauche, Droite, you're on first!" he announced quickly, but quietly.
The twins nodded and got ready to enter the stage as their characters opened the play with the first scene. Once they entered the stage and the play began, silence filled the backstage and the actors all waited for their turn, repeating their texts in their heads. Too soon for the lovers' taste, it was Flynn's turn to enter the stage. Yuri sent him off with an encouraging smile, knowing it would soon be his turn.
When Flynn disappeared on stage, Yuri's nervousness only increased. Judith sensed it. She went to sit next to her friend and nudged him in the side.
"You're nervous? That's not like you, Yuri," she said.
The latter chuckled nervously. "Yeah, but I'm not usually dressed as a girl, about to kiss Flynn in front of that many people, including his mother, who by the way, doesn't really approve of us," he said ironically.
Judith leaned against her friend and smiled comfortingly. "Everything will be fine, I'm sure of it. Have some faith in you!" she said gently.
Yuri looked at his friend with surprise. It was rare of Judith to be so serious. Maybe the stress was affecting her too, even if she was good in hiding it.
The raven haired male smiled. "Thanks, Judy," he said.
She was right. Everything would be fine. He would play with Flynn out there. He would just have to melt into his character and forget about everything else. He could do it.
Raven soon told Yuri it would be his turn, along with the girl who played Lady Capulet, the mother of Juliet, and Rita, who played the Nurse. It was his cue. Having regained his composure, Yuri walked to the stage with confidence.
He waited just behind the curtain for the current scene to end. When it did, Flynn and the actor playing Benvolio left the stage. Yuri waited while his two comrades entered the stage. He watched from behind the curtain as they began the scene.
The girl dressed as Lady Capulet looked at Rita, playing the Nurse.
"Nurse, where's my daughter? Tell her to come to me," she said in an imperious tone.
The Nurse sighed with a hint of annoyance as she looked all around her.
"I swear to you by my virginity at age twelve, I already told her to come. Come on! Where is she? What is she doing? What, Juliet!" she exclaimed.
It was Yuri's cue to enter. Grabbing the many layers of his dress, he took a deep breath before emerging onto the stage. Yuri did not look once at the spectators, as it would only hinder his concentration. He needed to do as if they were not there. He looked at Rita and entered his character.
"What is it? Who's calling me?" Juliet asked in a slightly breathless tone as if she had run there when she heard her name being called.
The Nurse looked at Lady Capulet. "Your mother," she answered simply.
Juliet turned her attention to her mother and bowed lightly.
"Madam, I'm here. What do you want?" she asked in a polite tone.
Lady Capulet looked at Juliet with a serene expression. "I'll tell you what's the matter. Nurse, leave us alone for a little while," she ordered.
Just as the Nurse was doing as told, she was called back in a hasty tone.
"Nurse, come back here. I just remembered, you can listen to our secrets. You know how young my daughter is," she began to tell of the matter at hand.
Juliet looked between the two, a slightly clueless look on her face. The Nurse nodded.
"Yes, I know her age down to the hour," she answered in a confident tone.
Seeing the lady wanted an answer, she added with the same confidence; "I'd bet fourteen of my own teeth – but, I'm sorry to say, I only have four teeth – she's not fourteen. How long is it until Lammastide?(1)"
Lady Capulet smiled gently at the Nurse. "Two weeks and a few odd days," she specified.
The Nurse's gaze grew fond and distant as she lost herself into memories. "Whether it's even or odd, of all the days in the year, on the night of Lammas Eve, she'll be fourteen. She and Susan – God rest her and all Christian souls – were born on the same day. Well, Susan died and is with God. She was too good for me. But like I said, on the night of Lammas Eve, she will be fourteen. Yes, she will. Indeed, I remember it well. It's been eleven years since the earthquake. She stopped nursing from my breast that very day. I'll never forget it. I had put bitten wormwood on my breast as I was sitting in the sun, under the wall of the dovehouse. You and your husband were in Mantua. Boy, do I have some good memory! But like I said, when she tasted the bitter wormwood on my nipple, the pretty little babe got irritated and started to quarrel with my breast. Then the dovehouse shook with the earthquake. There was no need to tell me to get out of there. That was eleven years ago. By then she could stand up all by herself. No, I swear, by that time she could run and waddle all around. I remember because she had cut her forehead just the day before. My husband – God rest his soul, he was a happy man – picked up the child. "Oh," he said, "Did you fall on your face? You'll fall backward when you grow smarter. Won't you, Jule." And I swear, the poor pretty thing stopped crying and said, "Yes." Oh, to watch a joke come true! I bet if I live a thousand years, I'll never forget it. "Won't you, Jule," he said. And the pretty fool stopped crying and said, "Yes."
Lady Capulet sighed in annoyance and Yuri retained the need to laugh as he remembered how hard it was for Rita to learn this long text and how many times she had swore while trying to learn it. She did a good job in the end.
"Enough of this. Please be quiet," Lady Capulet said with exasperation.
The Nurse seemed to realize just now that she had been rambling about. An apologizing look crossed her face.
"Yes, madam. But I can't help laughing to think that the baby stopped crying and said, "Yes." I swear, she had a bump on her forehead as big as a rooster's testicle. It was a painful bruise, and she was crying bitterly. "Yes," said my husband. "Did you fall on your face? You'll fall backward when you grow up, won't you, Jule?" And she stopped crying and said, "Yes."
Now it was Juliet's turn to sigh loudly. "Now you stop too, Nurse, please," she pleaded.
A sad expression appeared on the Nurse's face, disappointed to be cut from her memories.
"Peace. I'm done talking. May God choose you to receive his grace. You were the prettiest baby I ever nursed. If I live to see you get married someday, all my wishes will come true," she said in a voice filled with emotion.
Lady Capulet turned her face towards he daughter and it lighted up with reserved excitement.
"Well, marriage is exactly what we have to discuss. Tell me, my daughter Juliet, what is your attitude about getting married?" she asked.
Juliet let a small, humble smile decorate her lips as she looked back at Lady Capulet. "It is an honor that I do not dream of," she said quietly.
The Nurse threw an adoring look at Juliet. "An honor? If I weren't your only Nurse, I'd say you had sucked wisdom from the breast that fed you," she said with a prideful voice.
Lady Capulet ignored her comment as she kept her gaze locked on her daughter.
"Well, start thinking about marriage now. Here in Verona there are girls younger than you – girls from noble families – who have already become mothers. By my count, I was already your mother at just about your age, while you remain a virgin. I'll say this quickly: the valiant Paris wants you as his bride," she announced, and there was no hiding the excitement and pride in her voice.
The Nurse also seemed very excited by the news. "What a man, young lady. He's a great man as any in the whole world. He's as perfect as if he were sculpted from wax," she said.
Lady Capulet nodded, agreeing with her. "Summer time in Verona has no flower as fine as him," she said.
"No, he's a fine flower, truly, a flower," the Nurse added quickly.
Juliet stayed silent during all this time, listening to the two women praising Paris. Lady Capulet walked towards Juliet and took her hands in hers.
"What do you say? Can you love this gentleman? Tonight you'll see him at our feast. Study Paris's face and find pleasure in his beauty. Examine every line of his features and see how they work together to make him handsome. If you are confused, just look into his eyes. This man is single, and he lacks only a bride to make him perfect and complete. As is right, fish live in the sea, and it's wrong for a beauty like you to hide from a handsome man like him. Many people think he's handsome, and whoever becomes his bride will be just as admired. You would share all that he possesses, and by having him, you would lose nothing," she said, trying to convince her daughter.
Juliet had no time to place a word that the Nurse laughed. "Lose nothing? In fact, you'd get bigger. Men make women bigger by getting them pregnant," she stated in a tone that told of her amusement.
Lady Capulet made a curt sign towards the Nurse, asking her for silence. She never looked away from her daughter.
"Give us a quick answer. Can you accept Paris's love?" she asked with a hint of hope in her voice.
Juliet nodded, but it lacked the excitement Lady Capulet was feeling.
"I'll look at him and try to like him, at least if what I see is likable. But I won't let myself fall for him any more than your permission allows," she answered, knowing it was the answer she was waiting for.
Satisfaction appeared on Lady Capulet's face, but before she could say anything, Peter, the Capulet's servant, entered the stage in a hurry. He bowed in front of his mistresses.
"Madam, the guests are here, dinner is served, people are calling for you, people have asked for Juliet, and in the pantry, people are cursing the Nurse. Everything's out of control. I must go and serve the guests. Please, follow straight after me," he pleaded, and it was obvious that the situation was getting out of his hands.
Lady Capulet understood it. "We'll follow you," she said in a calm tone.
Then, turning towards Juliet, she added; "Juliet, the count is waiting for you."
Juliet nodded with a straight face. The Nurse went to her and put a hand on her back.
"Go, girl, look for a man who'll give you happy nights at the end of happy days," she said gently.
They then all left the stage as the scene ended. As soon as he was backstage, Yuri let out a long sigh. At least, he had broken the ice. It should be easier for him now. Raven came to him and patted his back.
"Great work. Continue like this and everything will be perfect. Now, I want Romeo, Benvolio and Mercutio to get ready to go on stage!" he said quietly.
Judith, Flynn and the one playing Benvolio all nodded silently, reciting their texts in their head while the technical team quickly changed the settings on stage.
When it was Flynn's turn, Yuri and Flynn exchanged a quick, encouraging glance before the blonde left the backstage in company of Judith and the other actor. Yuri would have liked to stay there and watch the scene, but his name was called by someone. He turned around and his eyes landed on Yeager, who was currently making some quick alterations on Estelle's costume and her hair.
"Come here, Mr. Lowell. I'll need to look after your hair a little before you get back on stage," the man with the strong accent said in a low tone.
Yuri wanted to protest, hating when the costumer touched his hair, but he knew he would not win that argument. He sighed and walked over to him with a resigned expression.
By the time Yeager, finished, the next scene was about to begin. Yuri would play with Flynn in that one. It was the scene when Romeo met Juliet for the first time, at the feast organized by the Capulets. Romeo, being a Montague and one of the Capulets's worst enemies, was coming to the party wearing a mask, in company of his friends Benvolio and Mercutio.
Yuri felt some of his nervousness return at what he had to do in that scene; kiss Flynn. He berated himself for that. He could do it. He already did in the rehearsals. The only difference was that there were a lot of spectators who would watch them as they kissed, that was all. He needed to convince himself of that.
Raven gave them the sign to enter the stage. Yuri and the rest of the actors stayed behind while Flynn, Judith and the actor playing Benvolio began the scene. The rest of the actors would enter the stage soon after. Flynn and the others went to a corner of the stage and waited for the lights to go on and for the scene to start. Flynn gathered his concentration during that time.
When the scene finally started, silence fell over the theater. The three friends began to chat quietly together, trying not to attract attention as they were not invited to the party. As they did, Peter, the Capulet's servant, as well as other servingmen entered the stage and went towards the tables to clean the remains of the feast.
They began to clean the tables, talking amongst themselves. When they left, that was the cue for Juliet, Capulet, his nephew Tybalt, Lady Capulet and some other members of the house to enter the stage. As soon as they arrived, Flynn let his gaze flick a split second on Yuri, but it was soon diverted to the actor playing Capulet, Juliet's father, as he began his welcome speech.
"Welcome, gentlemen. The ladies who don't have corns on their toes will dance with you. Ha, my ladies, which of you will refuse to dance now? Whichever of you acts shy, I'll swear she has corns. Does that hit close to home? Welcome, gentlemen. There was a time when I could wear a mask over my eyes and charm a lady by whispering a story in her ear. That time is gone, gone, gone. You are welcome gentlemen. Come on, musicians, play music," he said with a strong voice.
As soon as he finished, music started and the guests began to dance to the rhythm of the music; everyone except Romeo. The young man had not the heart to dance as he was still hurting over his love towards Rosaline.
Capulet smiled as he opened his arms wide, taking in the sight of the guests now dancing in the room.
"Make room in the hall. Make room in the hall. Shake a leg, girls," he said with spirit.
He then turned his attention on the servingmen, who were back in the room. "More light, you rascals. Flip over the tables and get them out of the way. And put the fire out – it's getting too hot in here," he ordered.
While the servingmen hurried to do as told, the master of the house turned his eyes on his nephew Tybalt, sitting at his side.
"Ah, my man, this unexpected fun feels good. No, sit down, sit down, my good Capulet cousin. You and I are too old to dance," he announced with some amusement in his voice.
Tybalt smiled in return and he settled back into the chair. Capulet smiled at his nephew.
"How long is it now since you and I last wore masks at a party like this?" he wondered.
Tybalt was thoughtful for a moment. "I swear, it must be thirty years," he said after a moment.
Capulet looked at him with wide eyes. "What, man? It's not that long, it's not that long. It's been since Lucentio's wedding. Let the years fly by as fast they like, it's only been twenty-five years since we wore masks," he said.
Tybalt shook his head. "It's been longer, it's been longer. Lucentio's son is older than that, sir. He's thirty years old," he replied politely.
Capulet frowned, confused. "Are you really going to tell me that? His son was a minor only two years ago," he said thoughtfully.
From his place farther in the room, Romeo was listening to the conversations, still not taking part in the dancing. Suddenly, his eyes caught the sight of Juliet, currently dancing with a knight of the Capulet's household. Entranced by the sight, he could not tear his gaze away from the beautiful creature. It was not hard for Flynn to play his role now; as much as Romeo was in awe in front of Juliet's beauty, so was Flynn in front of Yuri's. Romeo grabbed the arm of the servingman who was passing in front of him, stopping him. The man's questioning eyes were soon on him.
"Who is the girl on the arm of that lucky knight over there?" he asked. The servingman followed Romeo's gaze.
"I don't know sir," he answered before prying himself away and leaving.
Romeo stayed frozen in place, his gaze glued on Juliet at the other end of the stage. The words flowed from his lips easily, coming straight from his heart.
"Oh, she shows the torches to burn bright! She stands out against the darkness like a jeweled earring hanging against the cheek of an African. Her beauty is too good for this world; she's too beautiful to die and be buried. She outshines the other women like a white dove in the middle of a flock of crows. When this dance is over, I'll see where she stands, and then I'll touch her hand with my rough and ugly one. Did my heart ever love anyone before this moment? My eyes were liars, then, because I never saw true beauty before tonight," he said with a voice shaking with the emotion.
His tirade brought the attention of Tybalt on him. Capulet's nephew rose halfway from his chair.
"I can tell by his voice that this man is a Montague," he seethed with anger.
He turned his heated gaze on his page, standing near him. "Get me my sword, boy. What does this peasant dare to come here with his face covered by a mask to sneer at and scorn our celebration? Now, by the honor of our family, I do not consider it a crime to kill him," he said with hatred.
Capulet threw a confused look at his nephew. "Why, what's going on here, nephew? Why are you acting so angry?" he asked, completely clueless.
Tybalt pointed towards Romeo, who was still standing in the same spot, waiting for the dance to end so he could go and talk to Juliet.
"Uncle, this man is a Montague – our enemy. He's a scoundrel who's come here out of spite to mock our party," he said, rage dripping from his words.
Capulet frowned, trying to recognize the young man behind his mask. "Is it young Romeo?" he asked.
"That's him, that villain Romeo," Tybalt confirmed it.
Capulet put a comforting and solid hand on his nephew's shoulder.
"Calm down, gentle nephew. Leave him alone. He carries himself like a dignified gentleman, and, to tell you the truth, he has a reputation throughout Verona as a virtuous and well-behaved young man. I wouldn't insult him in my own house for all the wealth in this town. So calm down. Just ignore him. That's what I want, and if you respect my wishes, you'll look nice and stop frowning because that's not the way you should behave at a feast," the man finished in a strong and convincing tone.
Tybalt was not so easily convinced. He snarled in a threatening way. "It's the right way to act when a villain like him show up. I won't tolerate him," he said irritatingly.
Capulet lost his temper at his nephew's irrational behavior. "You will tolerate him. What, little man? I say you will. What the – Am I the boss here or you? What the – You won't tolerate him! God help me! You'll start a riot among my guests! There will be chaos! It will be your fault, you'll be the rabble-rouser!" he exclaimed, now angry at his own nephew.
Despite being impressed by his uncle's anger, Tybalt did not retract. He looked at Capulet's angry expression.
"But, uncle, we're being disrespected," he protested, weaker this time. It only fueled his uncle's anger.
"Go on, go on. You're an insolent little boy. Is that how it is, really? This stupidity will come back to bite you. I know what I'll do. You have to contradict me, do you? I'll teach you a lesson," he said harshly.
Before Tybalt had the time to say anything, Capulet turned to the guests. "Well done, my dear guests!" he exclaimed, joyfully this time.
When he testified that the guests were all well, he turned his deathly glare on Tybalt. "You're a punk, get away. Keep your mouth shut, or else," he threatened.
By now, Tybalt was beginning to shake from rage. His uncle ignored it as he addressed the servingmen this time.
"More light, more light!" he said.
He still did not spare a look at his nephew as he talked back to him in a low tone; "You should be ashamed. I'll shut you up," he said.
When a couple of the guests' gazes were on him, Capulet smiled back at them, doing as if nothing was wrong. "Keep having fun, my dear friends!"
He then totally ignored Tybalt. The latter rose from his seat and muttered under his breath as he glared darkly at Romeo from afar; "The combination of forced patience and pure rage is making my body tremble. I'll leave here now, but Romeo's prank, which seems so sweet to him now, will turn bitter to him later."
He left the room in a fury.
Romeo was completely oblivious to what just happened. Since the song finally ended, he walked to Juliet, who was now standing alone. When he was close enough, the lovely gray eyes locked on his masked face and he felt his heart leap in his chest. He stopped in front of Juliet and gently took her hand, locking gazes with his love.
"Your hand is like a holy place that my hand is unworthy to visit. If you're offended by the touch of my hand, my two lips are standing here like blushing pilgrims, ready to make things better with a kiss," he said in a loving and adoring tone.
Juliet looked at Romeo, fighting the color that wanted to show on her cheeks.
"Good pilgrim, you don't give your hand enough credit. By holding my hand you show polite devotion. After all, pilgrims touch the hands of statues of saints. Holding one palm against another is like a kiss," Juliet replied in a soft voice, not taking her hand away from Romeo.
The nervousness Yuri had felt earlier was gone. He felt calm, at ease, as he faded completely into his character. He knew it was mainly because of Flynn being with him.
Romeo made a step forward and his eyes flickered to Juliet's lips in a split second.
"Don't saints and pilgrims have lips too?" he asked in a soft tone full of longing.
The young girl missed a breath, losing herself in the vast ocean of those blue eyes.
"Yes, pilgrim – they have lips that they're supposed to pray with," she answered.
Romeo hesitantly lifted a hand to Juliet's face and he let his fingers shakily brush that pale and perfect skin, so soft to the touch. A gasp escaped Juliet's lips and she closed her eyes for a brief second, reveling in the feeling.
"Well then, saint, let lips do what hands do. I'm praying for you to kiss me. Please grant my prayer so my faith doesn't turn to despair," Romeo pleaded.
Juliet held Romeo's gaze for a moment before she finally answered. "Saint don't move, even when they grant prayers," she answered breathlessly in an open invitation for Romeo to do as he asked.
The latter took the last step that separated them. His fingers lingering on that porcelain cheek lowered to softly caress the skin of a lovely neck.
"Then don't move while I act out my prayer," he replied with a shaking voice.
His eyes went back to those soft, kissable lips. Then, he leaned in and caught them in a tender kiss. Their lips melted so perfectly against each other as their strong feelings overwhelmed them at the intimate contact.
When they parted, Romeo smiled tenderly at his love. "Now my sin has been taken from my lips by yours," he said in a soft tone.
Juliet looked to the side, slight embarrassment showing on her face. After a few seconds, she dared look back into Romeo's gaze.
"Then do my lips now have the sin they took from yours?" she asked in an uncertain, vulnerable tone.
A sweet and loving smile appeared on the young man's lips. His arms circled Juliet's waist and he brought her gently to him, their lips now close to each other again.
"Sin from my lips? You encourage crime with your sweetness. Give me my sin back," he said playfully.
When he saw no objection in Juliet's eyes, Romeo leaned in and kissed her again. The contact was as sweet and full of emotion as the first one.
When they parted and Romeo released Juliet, they kept looking at each other, from close up. Many strong emotions swirled in their eyes.
"You kiss like you've studied how," Juliet commented softly after a short moment, a faint color on her cheeks.
Romeo smiled and was about to answer when the Nurse came to them, bowing in front of her mistress.
"Madam, your mother wants to talk to you," she announced.
Juliet looked bothered having to leave Romeo's side, but she nodded nonetheless. She bowed briefly in front of the young man before turning around and striding away to where Lady Capulet was standing, but not without a last look at Romeo.
As soon as she was gone, Romeo turned to the Nurse.
"Who is her mother?" he inquired, curious to know more about the woman who swept his heart away.
The Nurse did not hesitate in answering. "Indeed, young man, her mother is the lady of the house. She is a good, wise, and virtuous lady. I nursed her daughter, whom you were just talking to. Let me tell you, the man who marries her will become very wealthy," she said in a secretive tone.
Romeo turned away from the Nurse and a worried look appeared on his face. "Is she a Capulet? Oh, this is a heavy price to pay! My life is in the hands of my enemy," he whispered fatally to himself.
Just then, Benvolio approached him and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Come on, let's go. Right when things are the most fun is the best time to leave," he said.
Romeo sighed, depressed by the fatality of his newfound love. "Yes, but I'm afraid I'm in more trouble than ever," he said darkly.
As they were about to go, Capulet addressed the guests.
"No gentlemen, don't get ready to go now. We have a little dessert coming up," he announced jovially.
Two servingmen went to whisper something in his ear. Capulet looked at them in surprise.
"Is that really true? Well, then, I thank you both. I thank you, honest gentlemen. Good night. Bring more torches over here! Come on, let's all get to bed," he said to the guests, indicating the end of the reception.
Everyone began to leave except for Juliet and the Nurse. When the older woman was about to go away, Juliet kept her and was quick to talk.
"Come over here, Nurse. Who is that gentleman?" she asked, pointing to the retreating back of an unknown young man. The Nurse looked in the way Juliet indicated.
"He is the son and heir of old Tiberio," she answered.
Then, Juliet pointed to another man. "Who's the one who's going out the door right now?" she inquired.
"Well, that one, I think, is young Petruchio," she answered again to her mistress's demand.
Juliet's gaze then fell on the one who really mattered to her; the man who just kissed her.
"Who's the one following over there, the one who wouldn't dance?" she asked, barely hiding her agitation.
The Nurse shook her head. "I don't know his name," she said.
Juliet frowned. She needed to know his identity.
"Go ask," she ordered the Nurse.
The older woman obeyed, going away into Romeo's direction.
"If he's married, I think I'll die rather than marry anyone else," Juliet said quietly to herself.
The Nurse returned and the words she said made worry and panic settle into the young woman; "His name is Romeo. He's a Montague. He's the only son of your worst enemy," she said.
Juliet turned away and her hand covered her heart as her features showed her distress.
"The only man I love is the son of the only man I hate! I saw him too early without knowing who he was, and I found out who he was too late! Love is a monster for making me fall in love with my worst enemy," she whispered to herself with desperation.
The Nurse frowned as she looked at Juliet. "What's this? What's this?" she inquired, intrigued by her words.
Juliet quickly shook her head. "Just a rhyme I learned from somebody I danced with at the party," she was quick to reply.
Her name was suddenly called by someone outside of the room. The Nurse put a hand on her back.
"Right away, right away. Come, let's go. The strangers are all gone," she said, pushing the young lady with her towards the exit of the room.
They left and the scene ended.
As soon as Yuri and Rita stepped off the stage and emerged into the backstage, the raven haired male was assaulted by Yeager.
"Hurry up, we have to get you changed before the next scene starts!" he said hurriedly, even though he was still smiling in that creepy way of his.
He surely found the situation quite amusing. Yuri sighed annoyingly.
"Why am I the only one with that many outfits?" he complained in annoyance as he quickly followed after Yeager.
He barely had the time to exchange a smile with Flynn and to hear Raven congratulate them all for their performance so far.
As much as Yuri liked acting, he could not wait for the play to be over with. Having to play the dress doll was god damn annoying.
They were down to the last scene now. Yuri was freaking out right now. He had already practiced it before, but being trapped in a tomb was not the most pleasant experience, even if it was a fake one. His character Juliet had drunk a potion prepared by her and Romeo's friend Friar Lawrence; a potion that put the body of the one who drinks it into a state of apparent death.
Juliet had done it to escape the fate of getting married to Paris. Friar Lawrence told her that he sent a letter to Romeo, who was exiled in Mantua for having killed Tybalt in a duel. Romeo would come back to get her out of the tomb and they would flee together.
Now, Yuri was feigning death in that fake tomb, listening at the scene that played on stage. While Paris came into the graveyard where Juliet was resting, he had seen Romeo coming, alerted by the news of Juliet's death, not having received the letter of Friar Lawrence saying Juliet was only in a state of apparent death. They engaged battle and Yuri listened at the fierce fight taking place on stage. Soon, Paris fell under Romeo's blade.
When Paris was dead, Romeo leaned over the corpse.
"Alright, I will. Let me look at this face. It's Mercutio's relative, noble count Paris! What did my man say? I was worried, so I wasn't listening to him while we were riding. I think he told me Paris was about to marry Juliet. Isn't that what he said? Or was I dreaming? Or am I crazy? Did I hear him say something about Juliet and jump to conclusions? Oh, give me your hand. Both of us had such bad luck! I'll bury you in a magnificent grave," Romeo said with sadness and remorse at having killed that young man.
When he released Paris's hand, Romeo looked at the closed tomb concealing Juliet. Without a second thought, he pushed on the stone covering the tomb and made it fall, revealing Juliet lying inside it with her eyes closed, her life obviously having been unfairly taken by death. Romeo gasped as horror filled his eyes.
"A grave? Oh no! This is a lantern, dead Paris. Juliet lies here, and her beauty fills this tomb with light. Dead men, lie there. You are being buried by another dead man," he said in an agonizing tone.
Romeo bent down and gathered Paris's corpse into his arms. He then gently laid him next to Juliet in the tomb.
When he was done, Romeo fell to his knees next to the tomb and his gaze traveled sadly to the pale face of his love.
"How often are men happy right before they die! They call it the lightness before death. Oh, how can I call this lightness? Oh, my love! My wife! Death has sucked the honey from your breath, but it has not yet ruined your beauty," he said with pain.
Romeo lifted a shaking hand to Juliet's cheek, brushing the cold skin with the tip of his fingers.
"You haven't been conquered. There is still red in your lips and in your cheeks. Death has not yet turned them pale," Romeo's shaking voice died with agony.
The young man's eyes shifted towards another tomb near Juliet's.
"Tybalt, are you lying there in your bloody death shroud? Oh, what better favor can I do for you than to kill the man who killed you with the same hand that made you die young. Forgive me, cousin!" he exclaimed with remorse before returning his attention to his love.
A sad and bitter smile stretched across his lips as his hand caressed Juliet's beautiful hair.
"Ah, dear Juliet, why are you still so beautiful? Should I believe that death is in love with you, and that the awful monster keeps you here to be his mistress? I don't like that idea, so I'll stay with you. And I will never leave this tomb. Here, here I'll remain with worms that are your chamber-maids. Oh, I'll rest here forever. I'll forget about all the bad luck that has troubled me. Eyes, look out for the last time! Arms, make out your last embrace! And lips, you are the doors of breath. Seal with a righteous kiss the deal I have made with death forever," he said solemnly, his voice dripping with conviction.
He had made his decision. He would not live without his love. He could not. Romeo bent down and gently kissed his wife's lips, those cold, soft lips one last time. When he pulled away, he took out the vial of poison that he bought earlier for that very reason and brought it near his lips.
"Come, bitter poison, come, unsavory guide! You desperate pilot, let's crash this see-weary ship into the rocks! Here's to my love!" he exclaimed strongly before drinking the poison in one go.
As soon as he did, his limbs grew quickly weak and numb. His vision became rapidly blurry and he smiled with relief.
"Oh, that pharmacist was honest! His drugs work quickly. So I die with a kiss," he whispered just before his body crumbled against the tomb near his lost love.
Soon after, Romeo drew his last breath.
A short moment later, Estelle, playing Friar Lawrence, the man who secretly married Romeo and Juliet and gave the latter the potion to put her in her death-induced state, entered the graveyard, carrying a lantern, crowbar, and shovel. He was there to get Juliet out of her tomb and bring her to a safe place to wait until Romeo would arrive.
"Saint Francis, help me! How often tonight have my old feet stumbled on gravestones! Who's there?" he exclaimed when he realized he was not alone in the graveyard.
Balthasar, Romeo's servant, came out of hiding. His master had told him to leave, but he had stayed close, worried about Romeo. The man lifted a hand in a sign of peace.
"I'm a friend, a friend who knows you well," he answered quickly.
Friar Lawrence sighed in relief. "God bless you! Tell me, my good friend, what is that light over there? The one that vainly lights up the darkness for worms and skulls without eyes? It looks to me like it's burning in the Capulet tomb," he pointed out with worry.
Balthasar nodded. "That is where it's burning, father. My master is there. The one you love," he confirmed.
Friar Lawrence frowned, confused. "Who is it?" he inquired.
"Romeo," Balthasar was quick to reply.
The worry on the old man's face deepened. "How long has he been there?" he asked in a hurried tone.
Balthasar bowed lightly. "For a full half hour," he answered.
Doubt flickered in Friar Lawrence's eyes. "Go with me to the tomb," he told the servant as he began to walk towards the Capulet's tomb.
Balthasar hastily stopped him. "I don't dare, sir. My master doesn't know I'm still here. He threatened me with death if I stayed to look at what he was doing," he protested with fear.
Friar Lawrence nodded. "Stay, then. I'll go alone. I'm suddenly afraid. Oh, I'm very scared something awful has happened," he whispered.
Balthasar looked nervously in the direction of the Capulet's tomb.
"As I slept under this yew-tree here, I had a dream that my master and someone else were fighting and that my master killed him," he revealed with a scared voice.
Friar Lawrence looked at the servant for a short second before hastily resuming walking towards the tomb.
"Romeo!" he called the name of his friend.
His eyes were suddenly attracted to the ground and he froze when he saw blood.
"Oh no! What is this blood that stains the stony entrance of this tomb? Why are these bloody swords lying here, abandoned by their masters? Next to this place of peace?"
He looked over to the tomb and he gasped with horror. "Romeo! Oh, he's pale! Who else?" he wondered with dread as he got closer.
His eyes widened when he looked inside the tomb.
"What, Paris too? And he's covered in blood? Ah, when did these horrible things happen?" he wondered with a pained voice. The old man's eyes were then attracted to Juliet.
"The lady's moving," he commented in a breath.
Juliet slowly moved and her eyes fluttered open as the potion's effects wore out. Her eyes were met by the sight of Friar Lawrence's worried face. The young woman blinked wearily at her friend.
"Oh friendly friar! Where is my husband? I remember very well where I should be, and here I am. Where is my Romeo?" she asked with worry.
The father was about to answer her when a noise echoed from the direction of the graveyards' entrance.
"I hear some noise. Lady, come out of the tomb. A greater power than we can fight has ruined our plan. Come, come away," he probed Juliet to sit up.
When she did, her eyes fell on Romeo's corpse, lying near her, sagged against the tomb. Her eyes widened and her lips trembled under the shock. Friar Lawrence's face saddened as he looked at his friend's lifeless body.
"Your husband lies dead here, and Paris too. Come, I'll place you among the sisterhood of holy nuns. Don't wait to ask questions. The watch is coming. Come, let's go, good Juliet, I don't dare stay any longer," he said with sadness.
Juliet stayed unmoving as tears gleamed in her eyes. She never pried her gaze away from her love's body.
"Go, get out of here. I'm not going anywhere," she whispered with unending pain.
Friar Lawrence wanted to protest, but the look of resignation mixed with conviction on Juliet's face made him understand that nothing he would say could change her mind. He turned away and quickly left the tomb, leaving Juliet alone with the two corpses. Juliet went to the side of her husband. Her sad eyes went down and she took Romeo's hand, still clutching the bottle of poison.
"What's this here? It's a cup, closed in my true love's hand? Poison, I see, has been the cause of his death. How rude! He drank it all, and didn't leave any to help me afterward," she commented, distraught.
Her hand went up to Romeo's cheek and she longingly caressed his now cold skin.
"I will kiss your lips. Perhaps there's still some poison on them, to make me die with a medicinal kiss," she whispered.
Juliet leaned in and let her lips softly cover Romeo's unmoving ones. When she pulled apart, she smiled sadly. The tears in her eyes were shining even more brightly now.
"Your lips are warm," she commented softly.
She knew now that if she had woken up a moment earlier, Romeo would still be alive. It was killing her inside.
A sudden voice approaching reached her ears; it was the voice of the chief watchman.
"Lead, boy. Which way?" the muffled voice said, addressing Paris's page who had come running to the guards earlier to warn them about Paris and Romeo's fight to the death.
Juliet gasped. "Oh, noise? Then I'll be quick," she said.
She did not want to leave this place and Romeo's side. Her eyes searched frantically for something. They suddenly fell to Romeo's back.
"Oh, good, a knife!" she said.
Juliet quickly took the knife and aimed it at her heart. Her hands were not even trembling as she was about to end her life. She could not care less. She did not want to live without her Romeo.
"My body will be your sheath. Rust inside my body and let me die," she said solemnly.
Without wasting any more time, she stabbed her heart with the dagger. Her eyes fluttered and her body crumbled against her true love.
Life quickly evaded her and she soon died, following Romeo into death.
Not long after, Paris's page came back into the graveyard in company of the chief watchman. When the latter saw the three bodies in the Capulet tomb, he sent his watchman to go get the Capulets, Montague and the Prince to tell them the news. Not long after, two of the watchmen came back with Balthasar and Friar Lawrence, who were still hiding in the graveyard.
The Prince and the Capulets soon entered the graveyard and wept in front of the corpses lying in the tomb. The Capulets were shaken by the sight of their daughter who was supposed to be dead the day before, but had now a dagger embedded into her chest.
Montague was fast to follow, still mourning the loss of his wife who died earlier that day, unable to take the exile of her son. His sorrow only worsened when he saw his son Romeo lying dead with his young wife. The Prince then asked for explanations and Friar Lawrence advanced towards him, a resigned expression on his face as he was about to tell the truth behind the tragic deaths.
"I am the greatest, but I was able to do the least. I am under the most suspicion, because I was here at the time of this awful murder. And here I stand, you can question me and punish me. I have already condemned and excused myself," he said sadly.
The Prince looked harshly at the father. "Tell us what you know about this affair," he ordered.
Friar Lawrence looked sadly at Romeo and Juliet's bodies as he began his tale.
"I will be brief because I'm not going to live long enough to tell a boring story. Romeo, who lies there dead, was the husband of that Juliet. And she, who lies there dead, was that Romeo's faithful wife. I married them; their secret wedding day was the day Tybalt died. His untimely death caused the bridegroom to be banished from the city. Juliet was so sad because Romeo was gone, not because of Tybalt's death. To cure her sadness, you arranged a marriage for her with Count Paris. Then she came to me, and, looking wild, she asked me to devise a plan to get her out of this second marriage. She threatened to kill herself in my cell if I didn't help her. So I gave her a sleeping potion that I had mixed with my special skills. It worked as planned. She seemed to everyone to be dead."
The father made a small pause, and when he saw that no one was talking and that they were all waiting for him to continue, he did.
"In the meantime I wrote to Romeo and told him to come here on this awful night to help remove her from her temporary grave when the sleeping potion wore off. But the man who carried my letter, Friar John, was held up by an accident. Last night he gave me the letter back. So I came here alone at the hour when she was supposed to wake up. I came to take her out of her family's tomb, hoping to hide her in my cell until I could make contact with Romeo. But by the time I got here, just a few minutes before Juliet woke up, Paris and Romeo were already dead. She woke up, and I asked her to come out of the tomb with me and endure this tragedy with patience. But then a noise sent me running scared from the tomb. She was too desperate to come with me, and it seems that she killed herself. I know all of this. And her Nurse knows about the marriage too. If any part of this tragedy is my fault, let my old life be sacrificed and let me suffer severe punishment," he finished in a desolate tone.
Silence followed his explanations. The Prince was the first to break it.
"We have always known you to be a holy man. Where's Romeo's man? What does he have to say about this?" he asked.
Balthasar approached him. "I brought my master news of Juliet's death. And then he rode from Mantua here to this tomb," he began.
The servant took out a letter from his coat and showed it to the Prince.
"Earlier this morning he asked me to give this letter to his father. When he went into the vault, he threatened me with death if I didn't leave him alone there," he said, his heart heavy with sadness.
The Prince reached a hand towards Balthasar.
"Give me the letter. I'll look at it," he said.
When he took the letter, he immediately began reading it. When he finished, he lifted his head and looked around.
"Where is the count's page, the one who called the watch? Boy, what was your master doing here?" he asked, wanting to know the last mystery of the story.
The page approached and bowed in front of the Prince.
"He came with flowers to spread on his lady's grave. And he asked me to stand far away and leave him alone, and so I did. Then someone with a torch came to open the tomb. So my master drew on him. And then I ran away to call the watch," he explained.
The Prince threw another look at the letter. "This letter confirms the friar's account," he said.
He then lifted his face and looked severely at the Capulets and Montague.
"It describes the course of their love and mentions the news of her death. Here he writes that he bought poison from a poor pharmacist. He brought that poison with him to this vault to die and lie with Juliet. Where are these enemies? Capulet! Montague! Do you see what a great evil results from your hate? Heaven has figured out how to kill your joys with love. Because I looked the other way when your feud flared up, I've lost several members of my family as well. Everyone is punished," he declared, his words heavy on everyone's hearts, accusing them of the tragedy that just happened.
Capulet turned towards Montague with a guilty look on his face. "Oh, brother Montague, give me your hand. This is my daughter's dowry. I can ask you for nothing more," he said with humble apologies.
Montague looked at Capulet with sadness and understanding.
"But I can give you more. I'll raise her statue in pure gold. As long as this city is called Verona, there will be no figure praised more than that of true and faithful Juliet," he exclaimed.
Capulet's gaze became clouded with gratitude. "The statue I will make of Romeo to lie beside his Juliet will be just as rich. They were poor sacrifices of our rivalry!" he replied, his voice shaking under the onslaught of his emotions.
The Prince looked at them with a proud, gentle expression, tinted with sadness.
"We settle a dark peace this morning. The sun is too sad to show itself. Let's go, to talk about these sad things some more. Some will be pardoned, and some will be punished. There was never a story more full of pain than the story of Romeo and Juliet," he declared.
With those final words, the curtains fell down, indicating the end of the play. Thunderous applauds echoed through the theater, congratulating the troupe for their excellent performance. Yuri and Flynn could finally move. Yuri straightened up and removed the false dagger from where it was stuck to his chest.
He looked at Flynn, who sat up and they smiled as they kept hearing the enthusiastic applauds. Flynn reached a hand to Yuri's cheek and smiled brightly at him.
"We did it!" he said with contagious happiness.
Yuri laughed as he stood up, offering a hand at Flynn. "Yeah. Couldn't be more glad," he added, which made Flynn laugh.
The blonde took his lover's hand and he was pulled to his feet.
They then turned towards the curtain and waited until all the actors were on the scene. They stood in a perfect row and held each other's hands. When the curtains opened to reveal them to the spectators, the applause became even stronger as the spectators stood up. The actors all bowed in unison. When they straightened up, Yuri looked over at Karol and Marion. The old woman was waving at him, an impressed look on her face. Karol was looking excited, having obviously loved the play.
The raven haired male looked at his lover, to see him staring at someone in the assistance. Yuri followed his gaze, even if he already knew what he would see; Flynn's mother. The blonde was staring at her with a blank expression. Yuri did not know what was going through his lover's head, but he thought it could wait.
He squeezed Flynn's hand, which led the blue gaze on his face. Yuri smiled at Flynn.
"Hey, smile! We're being acclaimed!" he exclaimed.
Flynn's eyes widened for a second, but soon, a fond smile stretched his lips. Flynn squeezed his lover's hand in return and smiled to the crowd.
They had earned this, after all. He should take advantage of it.
When the spectators began to leave the theater and the actors returned backstage, all the members of the troupe were ecstatic. Congratulations were heard everywhere while they recalled the best moments on stage. Raven was very happy by the way it went and he did not forget to congratulate them all for their performance.
Yuri was about to remove the dress he was wearing, having wore enough dresses for a lifetime, when Flynn came behind him and embraced his waist, planting a soft kiss on his neck.
"You were wonderful, my dear Juliet," Flynn whispered with amusement against his lover's neck.
Yuri smiled. "You weren't so bad yourself, Romeo," he replied.
Flynn laughed, but he still did not let go of Yuri. "As much fun as it was, I'm relieved this is over," he commented.
Yuri turned his face to the side to look at his lover. "Yeah, me too. I've got enough embarrassment already," he said.
It made Flynn smile. Just as he was about to answer, Estelle came to them.
"Flynn, there is a woman who wants to talk to you. She's waiting outside, near the stage," she announced.
The blonde stiffened in a second, but the pink haired girl did not seem to notice it. Yuri looked at Flynn and saw his lover hesitate. The raven haired male untangled himself from his lover's embrace and took his hand, squeezing it gently.
"I think you should go talk to her. It must be important, if she came here," he said, looking deep into his lover's gaze.
After a few seconds, he released Flynn's hand and waited for his answer.
The blonde seemed to be deep in thoughts for a long moment. Then, he grabbed Yuri's hand and quickly walked towards the backstage's exit, pulling his lover with him. Yuri gasped in surprise.
"Flynn? What are you doing?" he asked.
Flynn did not answer. He left the backstage and spotted his mother standing not far from there. When his mother saw them, she stiffened visibly, uncomfortable by Yuri's presence. Flynn did not mind. He kept pulling his lover gently with him as he walked towards his mother.
They stopped in front of her and Flynn kept holding Yuri's hand. The latter was not trying to pry free. He understood how important it was for Flynn that he was there with him. Flynn's mother was visibly trying to keep her composure. She looked at her son.
"Flynn, can I… can I talk to you in private?" she asked with uneasiness.
Flynn looked back at his mother. "You're doing it right now. Yuri is not going anywhere," he answered in a tone that made it clear it was not debatable.
Flynn's mother was taken aback by her son's firm answer. She threw a quick look at Yuri before looking back to Flynn.
"Dear, I'm… I'm sorry. Your father didn't mean to say those harsh things. We-we just want you to come home," she pleaded.
Yuri looked at his lover and saw his jaw tighten. Flynn frowned.
"I find it hard to believe that dad wants me to come home. Are you sure you're not just talking about you, mom?" the blonde said in an unwavering tone.
By seeing the expression that appeared on his mother's face, Flynn knew he was right. Soon, plead shone even brighter in the woman's eyes.
"Please, Flynn! Just come home and we'll – "
Anger shone in the blonde's eyes. "And you'll what?" he cut her off harshly.
His mother's eyes widened in disbelief, but Flynn continued.
"You'll forgive me for going out with Yuri? You'll want to pretend that I'm the good old Flynn that you could match up with girls? This won't work anymore. You can't try to pretend everything is like before," he said harshly.
Hurt shone in his mother's eyes and Yuri understood it would get out of hand soon. He grabbed Flynn's arm.
"Flynn, stop. Let's go back," he said gently.
His lover's blue gaze was soon on him, and the blonde seemed to understand what Yuri was trying to tell him.
Stop before you say things you'll regret.
Yuri did not want Flynn to completely destroy his relationship with his parents. He still had them, and despite what was happening right now between him and his parents, Yuri was sure they still loved their son. It would take time for them to accept Flynn's sexual orientation if they ever did.
The blonde turned his attention back on his mother. "Thanks, I guess, for coming to see the play. But don't get your hopes up. As long as you both won't accept that Yuri is part of my life now, I've got nothing more to say to you," he said before briskly turning away from his mother and her crestfallen expression.
"Let's go, Yuri," he added.
This time, Yuri did not protest. As his lover pulled him away, Yuri looked one last time at Flynn's mother, hoping she caught the apologies in his gaze.
When Yuri finally got out of his dress, he felt relieved. Now it was finally over. Wearing his casual clothing, Yuri left the changing rooms and spotted his lover sitting on a sound box in a corner of the backstage. Yuri joined him and sat next to him. He looked worriedly at the blonde.
"Are you okay, Flynn?" he asked.
They did not have the chance to talk yet about what happened earlier with Flynn's mother. Once they returned in the backstage, Yuri had immediately gone to get rid of the annoying dress.
Flynn smiled ironically. "I'd be lying if I said everything's fine. I would have liked for them to accept my choice, but it's obviously not the case," he said in a resigned tone.
Yuri looked away with a hint of guilt. He hid it to Flynn, because the blonde already told him once that he did not have to feel guilty about it. Instead, Yuri leaned against his lover. His hand found Flynn's on the blonde's thigh and he laced their fingers together.
"Have faith in them. I'm sure that they'll come around; they just need some time," Yuri said quietly, in a tone that held a hint of embarrassment.
He was not really used to try and comfort people, but it was Flynn who needed it right now. His lover deserved it. The dark haired male soon felt Flynn's surprised gaze on him, but he stubbornly looked away, too embarrassed. Flynn opened his mouth to say something when Judith suddenly leaned against their back, having crept behind them. Before they had the time to react in any way, the blue haired girl wrapped a red tinsel – she surely found it amongst the accessories loaned for the plays – around their shoulders and leaned between them, a devious smile on her lips.
"There's my two favorite guys! What are you doing there all by yourselves? Are you whispering some dirty little secrets to each other?" she said with amusement.
Flynn frowned at that and Yuri sighed in annoyance.
"What do you want, Judy? What does someone has to do around here to have some privacy?" Yuri asked in a bothered tone, but there was no hiding the slight amusement in his voice.
Judith chuckled. "You two are not allowed to have some privacy in my presence. Unless I can watch, of course," she teased, waiting for her friend's reactions.
Embarrassment appeared on the blonde's face, while his lover only glared at Judith, silently telling her that it would never happen.
The three friends' attention was soon diverted on Rita, who was coming at them, her arms folded on her chest and an annoyed expression on her face.
"Judith, what's taking this long? Did you ask them if they wanted to come or not? I'm tired of waiting!" the young brunette exclaimed.
Yuri turned his face back towards Judith. "What is she talking about?" he asked.
Judith finally released the two lovers and smiled at them. "Raven and Yeager invites us all to a restaurant to celebrate the success of the play. I'm sure Raven would have preferred to go to a bar, but since there are some minors in the troupe, that wasn't an option. Do you want to come?" she asked.
Yuri thought it was a good idea. It might help raise his lover's spirits. He looked at Flynn and the blonde seemed to be thinking the same thing. Flynn smiled at Judith.
"Yes, we'll come," he said.
Judith was pleased. "Great! Then let's go! Everyone's waiting," she said.
Flynn and Yuri stood up, never letting go of each other's hand.
They then followed Judith towards where their other friends were waiting.
Yuri sighed in contentment when he and Flynn left the restaurant after almost two hours being cooped in it. As he began to walk down the streets with his lover, he recalled what happened in there. The atmosphere had been really festive at both the end of college year and the play they just participated in. Many funny stories were told and everyone laughed, happy to share good times with their friends.
What Yuri found the most funny, however, was to see Raven turn slowly drunk. The old man was becoming even more of a pervert that way, flirting with all the girls in the troupe. Yuri was not a girl, so he was not his target and therefore, he found it funny, particularly when Judith knocked him out cold for trying to kiss her.
Still, Yuri could not wait after a while to go out and have some private time with Flynn. When he told the latter so, the blonde agree and they took their leave. Both lovers wished good summer vacations to their friends, knowing that they would probably not see them much before the start of the new school year. Then, they left to enjoy the warm, quiet atmosphere outside.
They were walking in silence for a while when Yuri's voice rose in a quiet whisper, his eyes locked on the few stars shining in the dark sky.
"You know, Flynn, I never would have dreamed to be here right now a year ago. It's really strange. We haven't known each other for a long time, but it seems like so much longer than that," he commented quietly.
Flynn looked at Yuri and smiled fondly as he squeezed his lover's hand, trapped in his.
"I know what you mean; I feel the same way. I suppose that's what 'made for each other' means," he replied.
Yuri sighed and shook his head. "I swear, you can't stop yourself from saying things like that, don't you?" he muttered.
Flynn laughed. "I'm sorry, but I can't," he replied.
The raven haired male sighed again. Flynn lifted their locked hands and dropped a sweet kiss on Yuri's. The latter made an annoyed, embarrassed sound at that. Flynn almost laughed, but he stopped himself at the last second. He knew he would probably only get Yuri angry. He learned some time ago that his lover did not like to be made fun of.
Flynn was surprised when Yuri untangled his hand from his, only to tightly lock arms with him instead. He looked at Yuri and saw his lover stubbornly staring ahead, a faint color on his cheeks. The sight was too adorable. Flynn leaned in and kissed his lover's forehead.
"I love you so much, Yuri. Thanks for being part of my life," he whispered lovingly those words that came from deep within his heart.
The blonde waited for Yuri to make a fit for what he just said.
Again, the dark haired male surprised him when he merely tightened his hold on his arm and whispered a soft; "Me too."
A comfortable silence fell over the two lovers as they kept walking slowly down the empty streets towards their home. A sense of peace washed over Yuri. He knew that he had achieved his happiness. He did not need to search far; it was with Flynn all along. Yuri knew everything would be alright as long as Flynn would be by his side.
He had found his place in the world and he would be damned if he ever let go of it. He would embrace it with both his arms and hold onto it for the rest of his life.
(1)Lammastide : 1st day of August.
A/N: The end? No, not yet! There's the epilogue left!
I hope the play was to your taste! I cut some of the parts in the scenes I depicted, because it was beginning to be too long for my taste. Still, I couldn't cut too much since the play was a rather important part of this story. :)
I'm already feeling melancholic with this story. I can't believe it's drawing its end! It's all thanks to you! I wouldn't have come this far without all your lovely comments and your support!
Thanks everyone! I hope you'll stay for the epilogue and the surprise!
Until next time!
Rose