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A Midsummer Night's Dream
by neko
Ah . . . yet another addition to the multitude of slash fics out there. Why is she writing this? you ask. Because I can. Because I'm sick, I'm bored, I haven't the strenghth to do much else, and I recently saw both the play and the movie (the play was so much better) and have been obsessing ever since. It practically screams shounen ai. Oh, yeah, and I love Shakespeare.
A Midsummer Night's Dream and all the characters therein are the property of William Shakespeare, though I don't think he'll raise too much of a fuss. I'm not making anything off of this, so if there's anyone who can sue me, there's no point.
This has a mild m/m warning in it, but it's my first m/m fic, so really there isn't much. I'll warn more against its age and crappy style, but at least it's cute. This is what you get when you cross a warped mind full of cotton, Shakespearean comedy, and a sick kitten with too much time and Tylenol on her hands. If you don't like it, go read something else.
Now, on with the fic.
The peaceful forest glade was misty and shaded to give off an appropriate mystical effect.
An effect which was completely ruined by the slight figure storming in.
"Knavish sprite, indeed! Irritating fly. I should have just told her off . . ." his light alto voice was annoyed.
The faerie boy scowled. He really was quite pretty with a slim body, slanted eyes eyes and longish hair which made him seem almost feminine. He wore flowing garments of navy gossamer and gold bands around his wrists. All of these elements identified him as the one and only . . .
"Robin Goodfellow! How dare she address me as such? There's only one who's allowed to call me by that name . . ."
The servant of Oberon grinned suddenly at the thought of his master. The faerie king who ruled his life never failed to bring a smile to his face. 'I jest to Oberon, and make him smile . . . well it's not untrue. My methods are my own, and he doesn't seem to mind. If only he weren't so obsessed with that stubborn queen of his . . .'
The scowl returned. 'I think I need a drink. Something very strong.'
His sulking was suddenly interrupted by a smooth voice calling out:
"Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania."
'Speak of the devil . . . Ladies and gentlemen, please keep your hands and arms inside the handbasket . . .'
"What! jealous Oberon," the fairy queen replied, voice cold. "Fairies, skip hence: I have forsworn his bed and company." She glared at him.
'A good thing, that,' thought Puck from the shadows. 'It leaves me to attend my lord.' As the two argued, he continued this line. 'I wonder if she knows? She must. That bitch may be arrogant, but she isn't stupid. Why has she not said anything, then? I suppose, knowing those seductive fairies of hers . . . They must serve the same purpose as I do.' Titania's last snapped comment brought him back to the present. 'Is it over?'
The queen brushed passed him, whispering icily, "Give up. He will never love you. You just happen to be convenient." And with that, she left.
The lord of shadows extended a hand to his servant and called seductively, "My gentle Puck, come hither."
The boy crept silently into his master's arms, resting his head against a slender shoulder. 'It doesn't matter what she says. All that matters is the feeling of his arms around me. He does love me, if only a little . . . He has to . . .' he reassured himself as Oberon outlined his plan.
"I'll put the girdle round the earth in forty minutes." And he was off.
'I remember. We lay on the grass beneath a starry sky, my head in his lap, his fingers stroking my silver hair. O, that felt good. Does he really want me, though? Do I dare trust the queen? Do I dare not?' His mind was a confused mess by the time he had retrieved the flower. Still uncertain, he followed his orders and went in search of the man and maid of Athens born.
'At last! Athenian garments . . . check! Mere mortals sleeping out in the open? They're about as smart as bait. Hn. It does make my job easier, though.'
"Churl, upon thy eyes I throw
All the power this charm doth owe.
When thou wakest, let love forbid
Sleep his seat on thy eyelid:
So awake when I am gone;
For I must now to Oberon."
'Yes,' he thought, 'I will make the best of what I have. Perhaps there will be time enough to play.'
Amongst a group of players, the wandering trickster hid in the shadows. He had come upon them while returning to his lord and decided to have a little fun.
'That one will do perfectly, the swaggering peacock. He is proof that evolution works in reverse. My dearest Oberon will be impressed.' With a mishievous grin, he led the man off.
'But what is this? More faeries?' Indeed, more of the king's followers seemed to have found the group and were taking full advantage of the situation. He watched in amusement as a few of his brothers carried one of the screaming humans off. 'Silly mortal. They won't hurt him . . . much. In fact, his terror should soon be turning to . . .'
A pleasure-filled moan made itself heard. 'And that's my cue to leave . . .' He fled into the night.
He found the faerie lord in another part of the wood, silver moonlight shining off his night-black robes and midnight blue hair.
"How now, spirit!" the beauty called out. "What night rule now about this haunted grove?"
"My mistress with a moonster is in love . . ." he replied, settling in close to recount the tale of the actors in the glade.
When he had finished, the king pulled him close. "Marvelous," came the husky whisper. "But be quiet now." Hungry lips descended on his own.
Their activities were rudely interrupted by a couple of young humans entering the clearing. Invisible as they were, they could have easily continued, but the argument drew them in.
"Stand close: this is the same Athenian."
'Oops. This could be a problem.' He turned towards the king. "This is the woman; but not this the man." They watched the drama unfold before them.
"What hast thou done?" The accusation hurt deeply, as did his master's disappointment. He was quickly away to undo the damage, returning with the Athenian girl Helena and the man who followed. Oberon had already worked the enchanted nectar onto Demetrius' eyelid, and the young man awoke to the sight of the maid he had until so recently scorned.
'O, what an interesting dance this will be.'
"This is thy negligence: still thou mistak'st," the king of shadows narrowed his eyes suspiciously, "or else committ'st thy knaveries willfully."
Stunned by the scorn-filled rejection, Puck only answered quietly in his own defense. His normally mischievous nature and fiery tempre all but frogotten, he could only obey his master's will, cringing at the use of his name when he would otherwise have been overjoyed. Shaking off his hurt, he set about leading these foolish mortals on a wild goose chase.
"Up and down, up and down;
I will lead them up and down:
I am fear'd in field and town;
Goblin, lead them up and down."
'They truly are bull-headed. Perhaps I will have a bit of fun . . .'
'At last they are asleep. Now, to set things aright . . . This will be my good deed for the millenium. Honestly, I don't know why I bother . . .'
"On the ground
"Jack shall have Jill;
'Speaking of which, I wonder: is her
Bitchiness yet cured? Perhaps I will see for myself.'
"Welcome, good Robin. Seest thou this
sweet sight?" Oberon murmured, advancing.
'What! has he forgiven me so soon?'
his mind raced as the king continued his speech. 'Impossible! I thought
for certain that he would scorn me and deny me the comfort of his arms . . .'
". . . But first I will release the fairy
queen.
"Be as thou wast wont to be;
'O, spite! I knew it was to good to
be true. And thus, all is as it was . . . All except me. Best to put on a
merry smile.'
Yet as the king walked past with his
queen, he heard whispered, "My gentle Robin, I pray that you would always
remain by my side."
'I shall, my good lord. Now about this
cursed ass of a man. He must be made well by break of day.' And as he saw
to this, a thought flashed through his mind:
'I wonder when next my lord and lady
will quarrel? when I may again find those arms? It will be enough. I know
it will.'
"If we shadows have offended,
END
Sleep sound:
I'll apply
To your eye,
Gentle lover, remedy."
Nought shall go ill;
The man shall have his mare again,
And all will be well."
See as thou wast wont to see:
Diana's bud o'er Cupid's flower
Hath such force and blessed power.
Now, my Titania; wake you, my sweet
queen."
Think but this, and all is mended.
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
If you pardon, we will mend.
And, as I'm an honest puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call:
So good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends."