Make War Not Love

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Mercutio never liked the Capulets. They've been enemies with the Montague family for many years; their conflict passed down from generation to generation. There hasn't been a concrete reason as to how it all started in the first place but it didn't seem like either family would be backing down soon.

As a blood relative to the Prince of Verona, Mercutio was expected to stay neutral during their disputes. However, having two best friends who were both from the Montague house might have made him slightly biased. He was a loyal man and if his best friends were enemies with the Capulets, then it was only natural for him to pick a side.

"Romeo! Don't fall behind! You don't want your darling, Rosaline, to leave before you could even see her!" Mercutio shouted as he bounced around in front of the group of men. Mercutio, Benvolio, Romeo, and many others took to the streets towards the Capulet estate for a night of festivities.

Despite Mercutio's disdain towards the Capulets, he absolutely loves grand parties among the wealthy. Being a relative to the prince meant that he was well known. It also meant that his blood ties could get him invitations to parties like the one they were headed to. Mercutio might see them as enemies but that wouldn't stop him from having fun.

The Capulets, being a very influential family, had a very luxurious home. Music filled the air as people in expensive attire danced around. Candles and torches illuminated the finely decorated interior of the vibrant colored rooms filled to the brim with expensive furniture. Any other person would be intimidated by their wealth and status but not the Montagues and Mercutio. Their families had just as much power as the Capulets so Romeo, Benvolio, and Mercutio walked the halls of the castle with ease. Except for Romeo, of course.

"I'm going to look for Rosaline. Hopefully, I could try to talk to her at least one more time. If I could even find her, that is" Romeo lamented beside his friends.

"Nonsense! From the way you talk about her, I believe you could find her in the midst of the crowd." Benvolio cheerfully replied.

"Maybe. I just feel even more dejected than usual... Wait! I think I see her!" Romeo exclaimed, practically bouncing on his feet. "I'll be going now! See you guys later!" Romeo shouted as he took quick strides towards Rosaline, a dopey smile plastered on his face.

The duo watched him make his way to Rosaline until he disappeared into the crowd. "Well, he could go do that, I suppose. However, we're here to party! I didn't plan on wasting my night just to look at furniture! Let's go have some fun!" Mercutio roars out of nowhere as he practically shoves a surprised Benvolio to the dance hall.

~~~~

They've been at the party for over an hour now and Mercutio wanted to slow things down. Tired and thirsty after dancing nonstop, he roamed the halls for a place that gave cups of literally anything. He found himself in a less crowded room with tables that carried drinks. Relieved, Mercutio made his way to the table.

He noticed someone. A girl a few years younger than him stood across the table, dazed as she studies Mercutio. She looked mesmerized, a blush tinting her cheeks with light pink. Mercutio doesn't like the expression at all. He doesn't think they've met before and it bothers him how she could just give that loving look to a complete stranger.

Since he had nothing else to do, Mercutio made his way to the other side of the table to chat with her. She seemed young so it looked like she could do well with one of his lessons about blind love. And what's better than firsthand experience?

"Good evening! The name is Mercutio! And what is a fair maiden like yourself doing over here all alone?" He questioned her with an amused smirk.

She responds with a smile that felt way too familiar for a first encounter. "Well, my name is Juliet. Daughter of the Capulets."