Chapter Text
Chris was nervous, which was not unlike him before his first appearance of the night on stage. He was to play Mercutio in the high school’s production of Romeo and Juliet, which at first seemed overdone until the challenge of having no costumes and little to no props was released to them. Chris looked down and smoothed out his faded scarlet button-up, remembering the challenge and thinking of how unusual it was for him to go on stage without physically being someone else. He remembered when he bought the shirt with his mother last spring. The store clerk had platinum blonde hair and thick makeup which creased near her eyes and her mouth, revealing her fake smile and old age. He remembered thinking of the similarities between her and his own mother.
Nicolas had brought him out of his reminiscent trance. “Babe, the scene is about to start. You alright?” He asked, taking Chris’ hand. Chris smiled up at him, squeezing Nicolas’ soft hand and assured him that everything was alright. “You’re going to do amazing, as usual. We’ve practiced a million times over.” Nicolas was also dressed in modern clothes; a dark cyan button-up with black suspenders attached to the waist of his khakis. With a wink and a peck on Chris’ cheek, Nicolas had returned to his wing for the entrance.
They had been together for many months now after meeting in that year’s theater class and growing a strong bond quickly. Their instructor, Mr. Clarke, soon had more than one jokester to worry about what with the arrival of Nicolas not dissuading Chris from his humorist ways. It seemed only fate that they both were selected for the Romeo and Juliet play, as well as characters that were close friends—Romeo and Mercutio. Of course, once Chris and Nicolas became a couple, the two roles were portrayed as slightly more than just friends. Mr. Clarke soon discovered it was to no avail in scolding them for sneaking kisses or holding one’s hand more than necessary and let them do as they wished with the role.
Jeremy, playing Benvolio, soon appeared next to Chris as they waited for their cue. Poor Jeremy, people had said when they heard he was to play Benvolio. He’s a mere shadow of an actor compared to Chris and Nicolas. It wasn’t that Jeremy was a bad actor, after all, it was difficult to be selected for this play. It was just that the chemistry Chris and Nicolas had when on stage made Jeremy fade as he lacked the explosive performance the two could give. This was not unbeknownst to him; rumor had it, Jeremy had requested a role change, so he wouldn’t look so out of place on stage with those two. They were impossible to match their stage presence. Nevertheless, Jeremy had stayed in his role.
Sure enough, the lights came up and the scene began.
“What, shall this speech be spoke for our excuse? Or shall we on without apology?” Nicolas protested at the others, trailing behind the two. Chris no longer had to wipe his sweaty hands on his black slacks, as he was consumed with a new confidence only Mercutio had. “Give me a torch. I am not for this ambling. Being but heavy, I will bear the light.” Nicolas stretched out his hand, now to the right of Chris.
“Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance!” Chris approached him.
“Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes with nimble soles. I have a soul of lead so stakes me to the ground I cannot move.” Romeo replied, moving away. A small smirk was apparent on Mercutio’s face.
“You are a lover. Borrow Cupid’s wings and soar with them above a common bound.” He gestured to a great beyond before storming toward Benvolio. After an exchanging of lines, Chris saw his opportunity to advance.
“Is love a tender thing?” Romeo had shouted. “It is too rough, too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn.”
“If love be rough with you…” Mercutio took bold steps toward Romeo, hovering just behind Romeo’s left shoulder. “Be rough with love. Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down.” After saying these words directly into his ear, Mercutio kissed Romeo on the cheek quickly before turning away, chuckling.
“I’ll be a candle holder, and look on. The game was ne’er so fair, and I am done.”
“Tut, dun’s the mouse, the constable’s own word. If thou art dun, we’ll draw thee from the mire,” Mercutio held Romeo by the head, forcing him to look into his eyes as he continued, veering closer and closer Their noses were centimeters apart. “Or—save your reverence—love, wherein thou stick’st up to the ears. Come,” He shouted, releasing Romeo of his hold. “we burn daylight, ho!”
Chris was now reciting the Queen Mab speech. He had sauntered over to Romeo and wrapped his arms around his shoulders, and then his neck, talking right into his ear. He tucked Romeo’s dirty blond hair behind his ear, earning a smirk that was quickly lost once Mercutio removed his arms and the distance grew.
As it became more intense, Romeo’s brow furrowed at his friend. Mercutio was fiddling with the mask in his hand, picking at the eye holes and snapping the string, looking smaller with each word. He was almost shaking with fear as he passed the line of a teasing story to a horror tale, one which scared himself so much so that Nicolas had almost forgotten his line as he was entranced by the performance.
“Peace, peace, Mercutio, peace! Thou talk’st of nothing.” He held his arms out to Mercutio, to which he grasped his wrists.
“True, I talk of dreams, which are the children of an idle brain, begot of nothing but vain fantasy…” He continued his story in a harrowing manner when interrupted by Benvolio at last. Romeo had continued his protests, holding Mercutio’s hand in an attempt to convince him. “With this night’s revels, and expire the term of a despised life closed in my breast by some vile forfeit of untimely death.”
Mercutio placed his hand on top of Romeo’s, looking into his eyes before wrapping him in a slow and reassuring hug. He stared at him for a moment after pulling away before grabbing his hand and leading him toward Jeremy.
“But he that hath the steerage of my course, direct my sail. On, lusty gentlemen.” Romeo raised his defeated hand outward to Benvolio, as he happily retrieved a mask for Romeo. Mercutio had a satisfied look on his face.
“Strike, drum.” Benvolio marched them off the stage.
As soon as stepping out of the light, Chris was greeted from behind as Nicolas grabbed him by the waist and spun him around. “You really are stupid. You know Mr. Clarke is going to freak out at that hug. I didn’t see that stage direction at the end.” Though his words seemed to scold, his facade melted into a childish smile with crinkled blue eyes leaving dimples on his cheeks.
“I suppose you must’ve missed a page in the script, then,” Chris replied, leaning in to kiss him.
“Set change! Lucy, grab that vase and get it out there, will you?” Mr. Clarke said to a sophomore girl leaning against the wall. “Kendall.”
Nicolas had to look away to keep from laughing. Mr. Clarke’s stout posture and small height made his threatening stare and voice deteriorate, as it was difficult to feel inferior to a 5-foot-tall man. Chris muttered his apologies as Mr. Clarke sighed exasperatedly and stormed away.
“I’m going to get our waters. Want yours?” Chris nodded in response and watched Nicolas walk down the stairs toward the dressing room. As soon as he was out of sight, Amanda sauntered in front of him. Chris looked up at the ceiling and sighed.
“Yes, Amanda?” Amanda was known as the most talented actor in the whole theater company. If people didn’t want to date her, they wanted to be her. She was captivating as an actress and could memorize lines within minutes of receiving the script. She was most known, however, by her relationship strategy. Amanda would fixate on one guy and be relentless in pursuing him, though most times, she didn’t have to try very hard. Recently, she had her eye on Nicolas.
Chris knew Nicolas was loyal and that he loved Chris, but Amanda still made Chris nervous. She always got who she wanted, even if it meant being a homewrecker in other’s relationships. Of course, she had gotten the role as Juliet.
“I just wanted to tell you that you and Nicolas did great just now, but did you really have to kiss his cheek? And that hug… talk about out of character acting.” She laughed to herself. Chris clenched his jaw knowing that talking back would only make things worse. “I’ll show you a real kiss. See you on stage!” Chris felt his stomach plummet to his feet as he realized the very next act would be the meeting of Romeo and Juliet, and perhaps the worst part for Chris, their first kisses. If Amanda was serious—and she often was—then this would be a little more than a stage kiss.
A nauseating feeling filled his head and he stumbled to the wall to sit down. Nicolas soon returned with their waters and formed a puzzled look when he saw Chris on the ground. Carefully, he sat next to him.
“Everything alright- “
“Do you love me?” Chris whispered. He knew the servingmen on stage had to be almost finished by now.
“Wha- yes, of course, I love you. Chris, what’s going on?”
A voice in the dark whispered that they were almost on. Before Nicolas could say anything else, Chris hugged Nicolas suddenly before stepping away. Nicolas grasped Chris’ hand and squeezed it before following him onstage, accompanied by Jeremy and other party guests.
The whole scene itself was one of the more painful ones, especially after Amanda’s visit. When Romeo trailed off to pursue Juliet, Chris was forced to pretend to enjoy the party while hiding the swirling pool of nerves in his stomach. At last, the party members left the stage and he was relieved of keeping a mask. He and Amanda were alone on stage.
He had to leave. He couldn’t watch his boyfriend kiss Amanda even if it was just for the play. He knew Amanda didn’t mean it as Juliet kissing Romeo. Chris had never left during Nicolas’ performances until now. Throughout the rest of the show, his mind plagued him with images of how the kiss would have looked had he seen it. Perhaps, he thought. It would have been better if I had seen it. Then I would know how bad it got.
It was too late for all of that now. He played out the rest of the show the best he knew how and didn’t veer off his character directions toward Romeo anymore. Once the curtains had closed, Chris almost ran to the dressing room to collect his things. His button-up had sweat stains from the hot lights, so he took it off and pulled on a plain grey tee-shirt. Others started filtering in, and suddenly, Chris felt very cramped. He didn’t even notice when Nicolas had tried to grab his sleeve, to which he must’ve shoved off.
He didn’t realize he had gone all the way to the lobby until he looked up to see people filtering out. Some of them gave Chris compliments, and eventually, they all trailed away. The lobby was cold. Chris got up for a drink of water near the water fountains since he had run out. He wanted to go home; he was certain Amanda had a love potion on her lips and could whisk away anyone with a single kiss. He was sitting on a cold metal bench in the lobby with his black theater bag near his feet when Nicolas found him again.
“Chris!” He exclaimed from the hallway leading to the lobby. He broke out into a jog. “I didn’t know where you were. Some of the cast want to go out for dinner as a celebration—we had sold out the theater!” His voice had faltered from what he wanted to say next when he saw Chris’ dismal look. “What is it?”
“I don’t know.” Chris picked at a loose thread on his slacks.
Nicolas looked at him funny. “Chris,” he took his hands, bending down on his knees to meet his level. “I’ve known you long enough to know that something’s bothering you. You love hanging out with the cast. Do you remember the last time we sold out? You were so happy that you told me you loved me. You should be jumping like a kangaroo right now. What’s going on?”
“I’m just s-scared,” Chris was surprised by the weak croak that came out. His throat felt like it was closing up. “W-we both know A-Amanda’s reputation, I-I-I just don’t want her to s-steal you away from m-me.” He felt hot tears streaming down his face. “Y-You make me happier than I’ve been in y-years. I don’t want to l-lose you.” He wiped away the tears quickly, laughing despite everything. “Look at m-me. I’m a m-mess.”
Nicolas used his finger to tilt Chris’ head up so he was looking at him. “Listen to me, okay? You aren’t going to lose me. You are never going to lose me. No girl—especially Amanda Atkins—is ever going to change us. I love you, Chris Kendall. And I’ll never stop.” Chris nodded in reply, smiling wearily. “God, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you cry. You’re supposed to be the comedic entertainer! C’mon, let’s go just for an hour or so and then we can go home and (fun theater kid activity.)” Nicolas kissed him slowly, trying to give him the same reassuring comfort that Chris gave Nicolas on stage.
“We are,” Chris said, regaining his voice. “We’re the comedic entertainers.” He laughed. “Let’s give them a show.”