A/N: Thanks for the reviews
Usual apologies
Disclaimer: see previous chapters
Leo let out a sigh as he stepped into his room just as the servants finished preparing his room for sleep. The boy couldn't help but smile as he walked past the bed and made his way over to the screen wall to change. If there's one thing he's going to miss about Verona when they get back to Mission Creek, it's having no chores and hundreds of servants waiting on him hand and foot. Although, the lack of technology did make it a bit boring sometimes and they in-avertedly found themselves in the middle of some 500-year-old family war, but it wasn't too bad.
Leo gave a wide yawn as he stepped in behind the screen. After a week of helping Tybalt prepare for the tournament, keeping Tybalt from murdering the Montague champion after the tournament, protecting the Capulets from the prince's anger, preparing for the masquerade ball, then protecting the Capulets from the prince's anger yet again and then keeping Tybalt preoccupied all day; he was exhausted. Paying little attention to his surroundings Leo took off his jacket and tossed it onto the floor when a hand suddenly covered his mouth and a strong arm went around his waist to pull him back against a hard chest.
Having had prior experience with being abducted by bullies like Trent at school and Krane that one-time Leo completely forgot that he was bionic and promptly started freaking out.
"Ngh!"
"Shh." The figure that held him whispered against his ear, "Be still and no harm will befall you."
Leo kept still trying and failing to put a face to the voice behind him as he took deep breaths through his nose.
"Master Leo, your bed is ready."
One of the servants called behind the screen and Leo's eyes went wide, hoping against all hope that the Capulet servants would stop being so damn polite and just walk around the enclosure to see what was happening.
"Master Leo?"
Leo made to raise his voice to scream, struggling in the man's grasp to try and get some help when the hand around his waist left him only to return less than a second later with a knife to press against his neck.
"Don't scream. Bid them leave and I may choose to show you mercy. Understand?"
Leo didn't respond and the knife pressed even closer against his neck, "Do you understand?"
The boy quickly nodded his head and the hand over his mouth slowly slipped away. Leo resisted the urge to scream the way his self-preservation instincts were screaming for him to do.
"Master-"
"Uh yeah, I-uhm," Leo cleared his throat, weary of the blade pressing against his neck as he spoke, "That's great, you can go now."
"But my lord," Leo could hear the man approach the screens, "We haven't completed your nightly rituals including the bedtime story and blankie night night tuck in-"
Leo flushed, "It's fine I don't need to be tucked in tonight. I'm really tired so, you guys should just go."
The steps stopped just outside of the screens and he could almost see the man giving a low bow, "As you wish. Good night, my lord.
"Y-yeah, goodni~ght."
Leo could feel his heart hammering against his chest as he listened to the servants leave the room until the door closed with a soft clack.
He held his breath when the man released him and stepped around the boy to stand before him. Leo gaped at who he saw.
"You?!" Just as suddenly the look of shock was replaced with one of anger as Leo glared and glared hard, "What the hell do you think you're doing here?"
~ FLASH BACK ~
It was eerily quiet the next morning.
Benvolio wasn't his usual bright cheery self, Romeo was brooding and Mercutio seemed utterly distracted.
Lady Montague shared a look with her husband who looked at the young men with similar concern while the servants busied themselves with setting out the breakfast around them. Romeo's brooding wasn't really anything new, but Benvolio was usually so bright and animated this time of the morning, talking about his plans for the day but so far, he's hardly said more than two words at a time. And Mercutio barely even spared his food a glance choosing to swirl his goblet of wine round and round while his gaze stayed fixed on the wall, completely absorbed in his own thoughts. If anything, they thought that he would still be brimming with pride as he gloated over his victory over the Capulets during the tournament the day before. But so far, he hasn't said a word.
The servants finished setting out the food, four of them left the room while three stayed behind to serve them. Lady Montague cleared her throat giving her husband a look as she nodded towards the boys and the man seemed to let out a soft sigh before he spoke.
"Such chilling silence to greet us on a morning meant to grant such joy." The older man started causing both Benvolio and Mercutio to look up in surprise, "Is something the matter?"
Benvolio shook his head and gave a somewhat forced smile, "No, of course not uncle. All is well."
"Why are you so quiet, after such a great victory?" Lady Montague asked but she received no answer. Benvolio only looked away, Romeo was still brooding and Mercutio hadn't even looked up from his wine. Lord Montague started to frown before his wife gave a warm smile as she sipped from her tea.
"Well, perhaps a proper celebration is in order to lift our spirits." Lord Montague said as he lifted his goblet to drink, "We should have a feast, tomorrow tonight."
"What an excellent idea. A grand ball, we'll invite everyone." Lady Montague started with a bright smile as she set down her cup of tea clasped her hands together, one of the servants standing near the wall immediately stepped closer and stopped by Lord Montague's side, pulling a parchment of paper out to set by his side while another ran off in another direction to fetch a quill and an ink pot, moving the plates set for breakfast aside so his lord could write. Lord Montague only gave his wife an indulgent smile once the servant returned and he took the quill to started to write. "Signoir Martino and his wife and daughters, Count Ansel me and his sisters, the lady widow Vitravio, Signior Placentio and his nieces…" and then she gasped, "His nieces are ever so lovely, I'm sure you could find favor with either of them Romeo."
Romeo looked up at that only to look away with that brooding frown, "I suppose."
Lady Montague started to frown herself, Romeo barely reacted and usually she'd tease him mercilessly over his romantic ways all while her son laughed good naturedly. Something must be wrong-
"My Lady, am I allowed to add a name to the guest list as well?" Mercutio said, earning looks of surprise from all those at the table except for Romeo who seemed entirely too distracted.
"Of course sweet Mercutio, this ball is being held in your honor." Lady Montague said with a soft smile, "Who would you like to invite?"
Mercutio paused for a moment before he spoke, "Lord and Lady Davenport and their four children."
Lady Montague's eyes went wide and she froze, Benvolio's head snapped up to stare at his friend in horror while Romeo only looked between the three in confusion. Lord Montague frowned.
"Davenport, that name doesn't sound familiar."
"It isn't." Lady Montague interrupted as smoothly as possible as she gave her husband a smile, "Perhaps it would be best to keep our guest list reserved for only our closest companions. Only those with which we are most familiar." She strained the last words looking right at Mercutio the younger man only stared back.
"I wish to have them here."
"Mercutio-"
"Well if the Davenport family is who you wish to have at your ball then I don't see why we cannot have them, although, I'm not sure how we'll get the invitation to them. Where do they live-"
"I'll take it myself."
"A personal invitation?" Lord Montague raised his brows before smiling at the younger man, "Lord Davenport wouldn't perchance have any daughters, would he?"
Mercutio gave a snort, "He has one, however, she isn't the reason that I wish to have them here."
Lord Montague looked back down at the parchment and started to write, "Very well, they will be added to the guest list as well."
Lady Montague smiled half heartedly as she lifted the tea cup to her lips, "As you wish."
Romeo only looked among them in confusion as his mother shot a subtle glare at his friend and Benvolio looked close to screaming.
"I think, I'd like to accompany you dear cousin." Romeo said and Benvolio's eyes went wide as he quickly spoke.
"I'd like to come as well."
Mercutio's eyes narrowed down at Benvolio ever so slightly and Romeo couldn't help but frown at the silent exchange that went between the two when Mercutio shrugged, "I don't see why not."
"Very well, I'll leave it up to you." Lord Montague said with an oblivious smile while his wife shut her eyes briefly and Benvolio let out a soft sigh of frustration.
~ END FLASHBACK ~
Leo watched the older man very closely as he walked across the room all the way over to the glass decanter filled with bright red liquid in the corner of the room. The boy folded his arms across his chest and glared.
"What are you doing here?"
"So many hours you spend tirelessly tending to Tybalt, aren't you bored with his presence?" Mercutio said as he picked up the decanter and pulled off the glass cork to smell before frowning when he realized that it was only juice and set it back down, "Where do you keep your wine?"
"My mom said I'm not allowed-" Leo shook his head, "You know what that's none of your business."
"And Tybalt?"
"What about him?"
"Do you honestly need to spend hours at his side at all hours of the day?"
"How… wait a minute, how long have you been here? How did you even get in here?!" Leo asked incredulously and Mercutio only turned around towards the bookshelf on the left.
"I used the balcony." Mercutio said as he gestured towards the large balcony to the left, "That trick you played on me last night was quite impressive."
Leo tensed, "What trick?"
"Do not take me for a fool." Mercutio hissed as he turned back to glare at the teen, "You know what I speak of."
"No I don't. Now do us both a favor and get lost. You're digging into my glow time-"
Leo gasped when he was suddenly grabbed and he was yanked forward, a hand went around his throat. Something about the action felt too familiar, it reminded him of the night before when he and Adam ran into the Montagues. Things escalated and got out of control. Leo reacted before he could stop himself.
Just like now.
Leo lifted his right arm and an energy sphere glowed in his palm and just like the night before, Mercutio ducked down out of the way and the sphere flew off to the side shattering a vase and leaving an impressive scorch mark on the wall. Mercutio gasped, staring with wide eyes at the spot where the sphere hit. Leo's eyes were just as wide when Mercutio got up to his feet and approached him with a grin, eyes glowing with fascination. Leo stumbled back with each step the man took towards him.
"How did you do that?"
Leo swallowed hard as he kept stepping back while the man kept talking.
"Exactly what are you?"
"Wouldn't you like to know." Leo said trying to find some of his old defiance, Mercutio's head gave a tilt, "You know I've heard stories, about merchants from the east. Travelers from the west capable of incredible feats… almost magical in nature. Witches."
Leo gave a snort, "Witches? You think I'm a witch?"
"If you aren't a witch, then what are you?"
Leo didn't know how to answer him, so he didn't. They're supposed to be keeping a low profile, he couldn't tell any one about the bionics especially not a Montague. But after slipping up in front of this particular Montague not once but twice? What could he say?
Mercutio smiled at the look on the boy's face, "I knew it."
"What do you want?"
Mercutio straightened up and his head fell to the side as he took a step forward while Leo took one back.
"I'm not quite sure… a ball is being held in my honor tomorrow evening. Lord and Lady Montague has allowed me to invite a few guests." Mercutio said taking another step closer, Leo stepped back as well, "I expect you and your siblings to be in attendance."
Leo stopped and glared, "And what if we aren't?"
Mercutio's eyes narrowed down ever so slightly, "Difficult little witch, aren't you?"
"I am not a-"
"If you don't come then I'll tell everyone your secret."
Leo scoffed, "Please, who's going to believe you? You don't even have any proof."
Mercutio smirked, "No proof is needed. Suspicion of witchcraft is all that's required for an arrest under Veronian law."
Leo's eyes went wide, "You wouldn't."
Mercutio stepped forward, "Do as I say, and there will be no reason for me to utter a word against you."
Leo gave the man a glare folding his arms across his chest, "Exactly what do you want from me?"
Mercutio shrugged, "Like I said before, I'm not sure." The brunette turned around and walked away, "I expect you at the manor at seven o'clock sharp."
Out through the doors leading to the balcony. Leo was to mad to find out how on earth he managed to get up the balcony in the first place.
"Great, now what."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Confusion, Romeo felt so very confused.
He pulled his cloak lower over his eyes as he quietly made his way through the long winding halls of the house of Capulet. Mercutio abandoned him and Benvolio the moment they made it over the wall that led to the Capulet garden, he ignored their please for him to stop, for him to see reason and be more careful. Benvolio ran after him Romeo tried to catch up only to completely lose track of them. Not that Mercutio had been any more cooperative on their way to the house of Capulet.
Romeo kept asking over and over again about what happened with the Davenports and what he wanted from them. Mercutio didn't answer his questions only asked why Romeo felt the need to tag along with him like some insipid mother hen. Benvolio intervened.
"We're concerned cousin." The younger man sighed, "Your obsession with that boy… I don't understand why-"
"You don't need to understand." Mercutio said as he immediately came to a stop.
"Mercutio-"
"Enough." Mercutio hissed, "My so-called obsession with the boy is none of your concern." And then he left.
Benvolio ran after him, Romeo failed to catch up and now he's lost and all alone in the house of Capulet. He would leave, spare them all the danger of having a Montague caught there if he wasn't so worried about his cousin and friend. There was as much danger in one of them being caught as there was of Romeo being caught, he couldn't leave them there regardless of how badly he wanted to leave. And he wanted to leave so badly.
He just… he still felt so confused over what happened the night before, first with Juliet and then with that boy.
A boy whose name he now realizes doesn't even know.
Romeo sighed as he kept walking down the empty hall as his heart continued to war with itself.
He thought back to the ballroom, to the moment he lay eyes on Juliet. She was so beautiful, so sweet and so pure. She was everything he thought he could ever want in this life and the next. The moment their lips touched he was sure he'd found the person he'd spend the rest of his life with, he thought he'd found his true love, his Aphrodite. It tore his heart apart when he realized that she was a Capulet, that they were destined to be enemies instead of the sweetest of lovers.
And then, then he met the boy or rather boy ran right into him. He came crashing into Romeo's world like a herd of wild horses and threw it all upside down with just one kiss.
It was different from Juliet's kiss. Its hard trying to explain how it felt. It just… something inside of him caught a flame when their lips touched, something came alive. It was a dizzying feeling that caught him off guard so completely that he gave into it, he kissed the boy back felt the air rush out of his lungs in the most shocking way he just-
He's never kissed another man before, never even thought of it. Is that what it is? Romeo couldn't understand why on earth that would make much of a difference. Mercutio was involved with many different people, men and women and he said that there wasn't much of a difference between them. "Men have their charms as do women. Everyone is different, sweet Romeo." he would say with an easy smile.
Romeo never really thought about it until now that is.
Is that what it was?
Romeo almost froze when he heard what sounded like a voice speaking softly in the distance. The Montague heir was about to turn back when he realized that he recognized the voice and walked towards it instead. There was a room further down the hall around the next turn. Romeo paused beside the entryway being careful not to bring attention to himself, he carefully peered into the room only to freeze at who he saw.
It was the boy. He sat at a large round table in the middle of what looked like a sitting room, piles upon piles of books surrounded him along with stacks of scattered parchment. He was reading softly to himself, making notes every few seconds with the quill in his hand before reading again. Romeo only watched him.
Now, in the lighting of the torches against the walls and candles in the room and without the crow mask, Romeo could see him more clearly. He looked so young, not much older than Juliet.
Dark hair, bright eyes. He seemed so different like this, so calm and peaceful, almost pleased. So different from when he and Romeo had their confrontation. And then the boy paused with a frown as his eyebrows furrowed in slight confusion, lifting the end of the quill up to his lips gently brushing against them and Romeo stared unable to stop himself from touching his own lips when he suddenly heard footsteps coming up behind him. The Montague heir's eyes went wide and looked around himself.
A dead end.
Of course.
He couldn't turn back.
He did the only thing he could think of.
"What the hell?!" the boy screeched out in confusion when Romeo suddenly came rushing into the room, grabbed the double doors and shut them behind him. He looked up and found green eyes wide with shock. The boy was gaping at him as he got up from his seat and Romeo could almost hear him scream before his lips had even formed the sound.
He moved before he could stop himself again, rushing at the boy to seal a hand over his mouth and force him back against the nearest wall.
"Mmmhmm! Hmm hmmm mhm-"
"Shhh!"
A/N: Yeah
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