Chapter Text
The holly and the ivy
When they are both full grown
Of all trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown
After Hamlet goes back in, Claudius pours the rest of his hot chocolate out the window. Outside is nothing but a blur of white and black. He inhales long and deep, letting the winter air bite his throat.
“Teenagers” he mutters to himself
Looking at his empty mug he is face to face with his own reflection. A dashing yet sad face stares back at him in question. Who made him so handsome? Claudius doesn’t want to get off topic but he is definitely more handsome than his brother. His ex wife surely thinks so.
Sigh
He misses her, His muse. If Gertrude saw that interaction with Hamlet a few minutes ago she’d be overjoyed. She’d let herself be deluded into thinking that stepfather Claudius finally bonded with hormonal Hamlet. The image of her clapping her hands, jumping up and down, maybe giving him a kiss or two plays in his head. He’d like that. But then he thinks of Hamlet. Trembling depressed Hamlet.
It’s funny really. Even though Hamlet is not his he sees himself in him. The way he speaks, his humor, his coping mechanisms… Well, Maybe not that one. Hamlet would never admit it but Claudius thinks he sees it too.
At moments Claudius wonders what it would be like if things were different. If he was Hamlet's father and not his brothers. Would he make a good father? He freezes at that thought. The wind grows stronger, snow burning his face.
Claudius pulls away from the window. In walking towards the exit he stops glancing over his shoulder, Eyes drawn towards the empty mug.
Claudius is not Hamlet's father.
And never will be Hamlet's father
Final.