One shots

Macbeth Oneshot 1: In Another World

I started this when I was in the middle of writing the oneshot Olympian siblings oneshot so if either are a little sloppy, that's why. Anyway, there is a lot of queer ships in this (manxman and womanxwoman). If you have any problems with it, just don't read. In fact, don't read my books. I will delete any and all homophobic comments I see. Don't be mean. Anyway, enjoy.

In another world, Macbeth thinks he and Banquo would have been happy and safe. In another world, Banquo would have held Fleance in his arms, Macbeth's own arms around his waist, all three laughing. In another world, Gruoch would have been laughing with them.

In another world, Macduff and Favianna would not be separated between life and death. In another world, despite their sole purpose of their marriage being platonic love, they would have still been married. In another world, Macbeth thinks, he would not have chased away his friend, nor ordered the death of that same friend's family.

In another world, Ross and Angus would have been happily together. In another world, they would have asked Lennox to join them. In another world, they wouldn't have been afraid. In another world, Macbeth thinks, he would not have lost their respect.

In another world, Duff would be smiling alongside Malcolm, the two in an experimental but steady relationship. In another world, Malcolm would smile and laugh. In another world, Malcolm would not be forced into the position of king, unsure of himself and in the process of needing to repair an entire country. In another world, Macbeth thinks, Malcolm would not stare at him, eyes full of hate and terror and grief, but rather with love and compassion and respect.

In another world, Donalbain would not be scared, across the world, away from his beloved elder brother. In another world, Malcolm would not hiss the words, "for my brother" as he fought back, if not for Scotland, if not for his lord father, if not for his own safety, then for Donalbain's. In another world, Macbeth thinks, Donalbain would have sat beside Malcolm, smiling as he listened to another extravagant story to appease the younger children, jumping in to further appeal to them.

In another world, Cawdor and McDonwald were not traitors. In another world, they were there too, joking and teasing and poking fun at the unsteady relationship of the crown Prince and the Thane of Fife. In another world, the duo would boast of the steadiness of their relationship. In another world, Macbeth thinks, the treason that had started this would have never existed, and life perhaps would have been better.

In another world, the Weird Sisters never spoke of their wicked prophecy to Macbeth. In another world, they never called him evil. In another world, Macbeth was not evil. In another world, Macbeth thinks, he would have acted with loyalty and bravery.

In another world, Duncan would not have been dead. In another world, Macbeth would not have murdered his liege, his king, and his friend. In another world, Macbeth would never have tried to claim a throne that did not belong to him. In another world, Macbeth thinks, Duncan would have been a better suited man, for a better suited throne, surrounded by a better suited Macbeth, who would not kill.

In another world, perhaps Duncan's leadership, while still good overall, would not have oppressed Macbeth and Banquo, or Gruoch and Favi, or Angus and Ross and Lennox, or Cawdor and MacDonwald, or Macduff and Malcolm, his own damn son. In another world, Duncan could have lived and led, and they still would have been happy.

In another world, Fleance would not have run. In another world, Banquo would still be alive. In another world, Favianna and her children would be alive too. In another world, Malcolm and Donalbain would be in Scotland together still. In another world, Rue, his darling wife, who he loved, and cherished, as much as Banquo, though perhaps not in the same way, would not be dead.