A Midsummer Night's Revelation

Part 2

Wait, what?  Demetrius was dumbfounded, standing stock still as every single one of his interactions with Lysander replayed through his mind. What?!

"Lysander, we are rivals for Hermia's affections! What is the meaning of this mockery? Even in jest, such words only further solidify my claim to Hermia's heart! Doth thou love her no longer? Reveal your meaning at once!" The panic was clear in Demetrius' voice, but he couldn't find it within himself to care. Lysander was clearly not in his right mind anyway.

"'Tis not mockery, my love. My love for Hermia was as a curtain, only to mask that which I felt for you. Of my actions I stand not proud, though I did love the fair lady, that love is not the same as that with which I love you. Her life would have been fulfilled, were we to wed, yet our hearts could never be intertwined as one. My meaning is clear: my mind is consumed with fiery passion for your olive skin and sharp tongue, and for only you am I thus consumed. Please, let me know who I may be to you, in truth. Surely you must feel the pull between us two, as the shore pulls at the tide." Lysander was begging on his knees by the end of his impassioned speech. Seeing the man's rumpled hair and tanned hands, clasped before him in desperate prayer, Demetrius could admit, if only to himself, that he did, indeed, feel a pull. Like the deepest ocean, somehow compelled to flow ever closer to Lysander.

Unfortunately, the tide must always recede, and Demetrius forced his horrible affections away. "Thou art a wretched creature, fit not for dogs! Why betray a lady so? Love true or do not love at all! Love not a man, for lovers men may never be! Away I go, may we never meet again." Demetrius began to run further into the forest, clawing at his breast as he did so. What was this pain, sat just where his soul lay at rest? Lysander scrambled after him, but Demetrius could no longer bring himself to care.

Nearly slamming into a tree, Demetrius skidded to a halt at the sight of Hermia, sleeping soundly a mere few meters from Lysander's resting place. "Hark! This woman is your love, not I! Let her wake and you shall see. Hermia! At his words, Hermia began to stir, opening her eyes to the sight of her supposed lover gazing at Demetrius with complete and utter adoration and devotion.

His eyes held for Demetrius that which she had always known they could never hold for her. That had been fine, better than fine, really. She had never been keen on the idea of marriage, and a disinterested man was a much better option than one who would watch her every move. In truth, while she had adamantly fought her father on marrying Demetrius, she had noticed his propensity for lingering gazes when the men trained shirtless under the hot sun. However, he was less settled in his desires, and would likely rule over her with an iron fist so as to assuage his fears.

Perhaps this would all work out after all. It was clear that, as she had slumbered, Lysander had, perhaps due to a last minute impulse or divine influence, made a move. Demetrius looked not angry, but flustered and afraid. This, she could work with.

"Why am I awoken? Do the stars not still hang in the darkened sky? Do you intend to drag me back to Athens and my death? Do you not know that love arrives for us all, oft in ways as expected as a fish begging to be caught?" She smirked as Demetrius's eyes flicked to Lysander, who was nodding enthusiastically at her last question.

"My fair Hermia, I no not by what power I have found my grace, but I shall relinquish my claim on your hand so long as you may remind Lysander of his truest love. Please."

Lysander was looking at Hermia liked a kicked puppy. "It seems to me that such action is unnecessary, for Lysander appears to have already revealed his fairest affections." She was barely holding in her laughter, at this point.

"Please, sweet Hermia, remind him if only for my sake. Then, you shall be free." Demetrius sounded seconds away from a breakdown.

"Very well. Lysander," The man peered at her with a glint of fear in his eyes, as if he was afraid that she would maintain whatever little hold she had over his heart. "your truest love is to Demetrius, and this way it has always been."