Disclaimer:
The following story contains graphic sexual scenes between underage boys. If material of this nature offends you, then you should not read this story. Additionally, if the law where you live forbids you to read such stories you should not read this story.
This story is purely a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, or to events that may have occurred, is purely coincidental. Don't forget this is a story, not everything that is done here is legal so I claim no responsibility on the actions the reader might do as a result of reading this story. The author claims all copyrights to this story and no duplication or publication of this story is allowed, except by The Nifty Archive, without the express written consent of the author.
Authors note: I am sorry this chapter is sooo long! I know I may lose sight of my narrator but I want you to know that I intend to dedicate each chapter to the viewpoint of either Romeo or Julian, but for the first chapter I wanted to incorporate outside and inside views to Romeo & Julian. Please feel free to submit comments or any story ideas to me at jfaulkner1992@hotmail.com. I will always respond to each letter as long as you put R&J in the subject line. This is my first story so please don't hold back your thoughts. Happy reading, xoxo.--Jordan
Chapter 1: The Meadow and the Tower
The town of Acara was quite prosperous. With gallant streets, and magnificent structures in size and glamour. The townsfolk were just as glamorous as the town itself, with prodigious families and romantic lovers, but with every idea comes a flaw. The town was plagued between stubborn families. The Montz family were a traditional family, rich in romance and tradition, just as were the Caps family. Their severe likeness in disposition may be perhaps the very reason they feud, but the origin of this feud is unknown. The generations of both families were brought up to hate one another, and so they did. The town had shaken many times with violent civil outburst between the men of the family, determined to prove they were the best in disposition and civility, but unbeknownst to them they were only destroying their civil image.
I suppose this story is more about the realization of tragedy, and how it can erase malicious pasts. The story focuses on two young lovers, both alike in dignity and tradition. Young lovers, blissful in time, yet ignorant of reality. However, their courageous acts of defiance to a code of hatred had possessed both families with the notion of peace, but at a price.
Romeo Montz lay on the grassy ground, with his head pointed towards the heavens. As he turned onto his side he gazed at the abundance of life around him. The flowers dance with the whispers of the wind, the whispers of love. The aroma given off by the flowers wild dancing had cause Romeo to sigh aloud, causing a rustling of the grass below him. He noticed towards the corner of the meadow he sought refuge in, a family of rabbits hopped along their merry way. He longed to be merry as the rabbits were, to hop alongside a family with no cares. To live in a forest where life was appreciated for its form and its beauty but not by its standards. Romeo tossed his head to the side, causing his hair to shake in the breeze. The shine of the dark coal hair glistened in the sunlight. Rays from the passionate sun caressed Romeo's tender skin, tanned with love and care. His white shirt had begun to become stained with grass, but the green patches where his idea of escape, not refutation. Romeo sat up, exposing his cultured face to the air of the forest. His curved jaw and passionate lips gave a smile to the peace he felt. His straight pearl white teeth could have caused a blinding glare if one were to gaze at him in mysterious wonder.
Romeo began to look around the meadow once more and noted no disturbance which had somewhat disappointed him. He longed for peace but wanted adventure. The two notions were forbidden to coexist but Romeo wanted something more. He wanted the adventure that would cause peace, peace in mind and peace in his heart. He stretched his arms as he started to get up. He noticed a bushel of berries and began to pick some to his delight. The succulent juices of the berries brought delight to his heart, and to his stomach. He had not been home for three days. Something he was not proud of, but with an obligation such as his, it was necessary for his survival, and sanity. He soon began to hear rustling of leaves and bushes. Romeo darted behind a large willow tree, hoping to conceal himself from the invader of his peace. Romeo watched from a private distance the rustling of tree's and bushes until a man with a familiar face entered his peace filled domain.
"Romeo! Where are you? Your mother is worried sick about you!" bellowed Victor.
It was Victor Croft, Romeo's life-long friend, and the brother destiny forgot to give him. Victor stood standing in the middle of the deserted meadow looking every which direction in hopes of spotting Romeo. His height was somewhat around 5' 11", only two inches shorter of Romeo's 6' 2'. Victor had brownish hair, short but still managed to sway in the invisible breeze. In the sunlight his hair appeared a more vibrant honey, somewhat dirty blonde.
"Romeo! I'm not kidding, you really need to come back home. The Caps are relishing in your absence and you don't want another civil outbreak do you?" Victor shouted.
With that said I stepped out of the shadows and into the sunlight. The warm, gentle sunlight. Victor smiled and ran towards me and gave me an embrace of brotherhood. He kissed my cheek and began to speak of the news I had so idly missed.
"Your mother has been ranting about your whereabouts for days. She hates when you run off on your little vacations," he stated.
"I do not go on vacations, I simply come to clear my head, you know that. With everything that I have to put up with it's only necessary I come and clear my head. What news do you have of my father?" Romeo asked gently.
"He isn't very pleased with you, he knows you flee to the forest but where in it he doesn't know. And he is beginning to suspect that I know the whereabouts of your oasis, considering I am always the one to bring you back to reality."
Romeo grunted. It was typical of his father to only know part of the truth and go off and suspect an unrelated issue. His father cared only of the family name, but not the family governed by the name. How he was a product of his father he would never know for Romeo considered himself free spirited, and one with nature, something his father chose not to acknowledge. But deep down, his father cared for his family, he just failed to show it. And the ignorance of these feelings only caused more civil unrest within the walls of his own home, a place that should have been one of sanctuary. The two began to wander out of the meadow and into reality.
"Have there been any brawls in my absence?" Romeo asked routinely.
"Thankfully no, but the Caps are still flaunting their impropriety on a daily basis," snarled Victor.
With that Comment Romeo sighed. He wasn't even four feet out of his sanctuary until a bash of culture was rudely thrown into his presence. Nonetheless, he still love Victor for who he was, and he knew his hatred for the Caps was brainwashing, and not his true colors.
"Do you even know why you hate them so much?" I asked elegantly with some amount of humor.
Victor stopped dead in his tracks and stared at Romeo with intense eyes and practically snapped, "What are you saying? That I'm stupid or something? Of course I know why we hate those dirty Caps."
I gently gazed at Victor, warning him that there was no need for a brawl between us and stated graciously, "The please enlighten me Victor, why do we hate the Caps?"
Victor began to ponder, and had looks of confusion and shocked ambivalence on his face. He gazed at me and finally and finally huffed, "Fine! I don't know why, but you don't know either!"
"Right," I snapped, "I don't know, which is why I don't hate them."
That statement had caused Victor to nearly trip over himself. He looked at me with pain staking eyes. Was it because I had spoken something taboo, or because I had enlightened him to an elevated level of thinking? Either notion was not welcome in Victor's brain.
"I suppose you're right, and if you don't hate them, then I should have no reason to hate them. I'll do my best to help keep the peace, brother" stated Victor respectfully.
With that statement, it was I who stopped dead in my tracks. I felt a sense of pride in my heart. I was glad to hear my best friend, my brother, had been so willing to my notions of love and harmony. I hugged him and thanked him. And finally began to go on our way towards the Mantz Villa where my family had waited.
When Romeo finally approached the gates of the Villa he had to call his home, he waved goodbye to Victor, for no one wanted to see the tizzy about to erupt from Mrs. Mantz. He began to trudge up the cobblestone driveway lined with vicariously planted flowers. He took a good look at the villa. It lay upon a hill right next to the forest, thankfully for Romeo's convenience. Its Spanish style influences where noted in it's architectural designs. It had grand arches with fabulous columns. It was the epitome of glamour and grace, something Mrs. Mantz prided herself in. Finally after his observations he went up the stairs that lead to the front door, which was opened by a fellow servant. Romeo had stepped inside to face the wrath of his mother.
"Romeo! Where have you been? It's been three days Romeo. You can't keep running off like this. It is not safe! What if a Cap was to come by and start a feud with family? Who is to protect us?" cried Romeo's mother.
Romeo had stared at his mother. Piper Mantz had held her dignity through her poise. She stood erect and feminine. No matter what the conversation was, or who it was too, she held her position and grace. She wore a dress, black silk flowing down her curvaceous frame. Her dark black hair had caused her bright blue eye's to pierce through Romeo's soul. She meant business with her son. He had an obligation to fulfill.
"I am sorry mother," I pleaded, "but I needed to get away. You know if I was needed, I would be found."
Piper stared at her son, and finally floated her way over to her son and embraced him while beginning to speak.
"Oh, my son. I understand the pressures this family war causes you to need your mind to breathe fresh air, but must you go away for so long? I can only cover for you for so long. Your father thinks you've been gone for other purposes. I told him you were helping Victor with an arduous task that required you to be gone for a few days."
Romeo looked upon his mother and smiled that heartwarming smile that fueled his mother's fire. How does she do it? She is so wonderful; I must learn to cope with life better. I love my mother.
"Thank you mother, I appreciate it. I promise I'll try and cope with life better. I'm glad there were no brawls while I was gone," I said happily.
"Yes, luckily," she gasped, "but let's hope we're lucky for the rest of the night. Tension has been rising lately. Hugo has been ranting and raving through town about our name, and who we are. I suspect a brawl to happen very soon. With Mr. Caps passing I suppose he's been labeled ringleader."
Hugo Caps was one of the most haughty and arrogant people you would ever meet. He was large in stature, and quite stout. The liquor fueled his nights, and the need for war fueled his days. He tended to rant and rave in drunken slurs and efficiently caused riots for his drunken pleasures. His imbibed disposition allowed him to be a puppet master for the criminally ignorant.
"Hugo will be taken care of by someone, but I will do my best to keep the peace on our side of the family. I promise you that mother," lovingly stated I.
In that moment, in walked Jorge Mantz. The look of fury on his face had given way that Romeo's luck and wish of peace had faded. Jorge was fairly tall, but Romeo was taller. His graying hair was a clear sign of age, but yet he had the heart of a child on a good day. His wrinkled face and flame ridden eyes were a mere parallel to the scars of his life, and the war that consumed it.
"Those damn fucking Caps will be the death of me! That Hugo is nothing but a Bastard step-son who is hell ridden," bellowed Jorge and pointing to his son, "and you! You do nothing to help us fight this disastrous bastard!"
With that last statement Piper raised her voice and strengthened her stance, "Romeo is doing everything he can to keep peace Jorge, without him you'd end up dead in a gutter somewhere. He control's the minds of the ignorant, he is the ring leader!"
I stood watching the civil war erupting in front of me and managed to utter the words, "Good to see you to father. I'll try harder next time."
An astonished look grew on both his father and mother's faces. Romeo found it easier to just give into his father demands, no matter how absurd they were, but he always appreciated his mother's judicious defense. And with that he turned and went upstairs to his room, slowly running away from the muffled screams between his parents.
"He's your son Piper!" screamed Jorge.
"He's our son Jorge! Our son who's dying inside because of this war. He can't take this anymore. Brad Caps died because of this stupid family feud, and Hugo is probably next in line. Would you rather it be you Jorge? Or Romeo? Or even Victor?" shouted Piper.
Jorge looked at his wife and embraced her as she began to go into an emotional tizzy in his arms. He began to soother her, whispering sweet nothings in her ear, and promises he didn't intend to keep. He loved Piper, he did, but he loved the war more. Not because he wanted to prove he was the best, or to emerge victorious, but because of the thrill. He was always running for the thrill of it.
Meanwhile, across town Hugo Caps stumbled into what he considered his kingdom. He was drunk, as usual and slurring incantations against the Mantz family. He threw his shoes off and greeted his mother. Claudia Caps was sitting by the fire, with a fake poise of grace and beauty. She had mousy brown hair and a thin nose which she used to scowl at many with her vicious eyes, yet she loved Hugo for he took the role of the Man, unlike her stepson Julian. To her right sat her beautiful daughter Anya, with auburn hair and rosy cheeks. Her grace an elegant stance had only echoed her friendly disposition. She looked at her brother with disgust.
"You are drunk," scowled Anya, "Mother, why do you let him ruin this family?"
Claudia set down her book and stared at her daughter with intense fury but calmly answered her question with the statement, "Because your stepfather has passed and it is someone's duty to take responsibility as the head of this household." And with that she rang a bell that was next to her while Hugo had plopped himself into an oversized armchair, declaring himself Master.
"Julian!" Claudia sang while ringing the bell shaped like a golden flower, "We are waiting!"
As Claudia rang the bell a young man entered the room carrying a silver tray of scrumptious treats and a vintage pot of tea with two cups of tea and a bottle of brandy. He set them down amongst the table and began pouring the tea.
"Good afternoon stepmother, good afternoon Anya, good afternoon Hugo. Would you like sugar in your tea stepmother?" said Julian with little amount of emotion in them.
"No," Claudia said with condescension, "I will not be having sugar with my tea. I'm on a diet Julian, and I will not be having sugar anymore."
"And you Anya?" asked Julian.
"No thank you dear stepbrother, I am quite fine with my tea" said Anya sweetly.
It was apparent that Julian was not welcome in his own home, and had been reduced to a servant rather a family member. Hugo loathed Julian, but at the same time was happy he didn't take the throne of the house. He would never, however, let that feeling of thanks be known to anyone, not even God. Anya adored her stepbrother as they were both in the same age, and she often tried to relieve many of his chores or would help him as best she could. Claudia on the other hand did everything she could to occupy Julian's time with her chores. She despised her stepson with every ounce of blood in her, but she hated the Mantz family even more. For civil wars where always much more rewarding in entertainment than were family scorn. She hated Julian simply because he was handsomer than Hugo, brighter than Hugo, and simply everything she wanted in a son, but she wouldn't let anyone know of her secret jealousies, not even God.
Julian smiled at his stepsister and grudgingly turned around and handed Hugo his bottle of brandy, which he snatched with a cobra like precision. Brandy was Hugo's bottle of milk before naptime, his rattle when he was bored, his security blanket when times were dark. Hugo began to dispense the treats on two plates and handed one to Anya, and set the other down next to Hugo. He began to walk out of the room and start his other chores when he heard a loud and distinct huff.
"Are you not forgetting someone Julian?" cried Claudia.
Julian stopped in his tracks and pain filled his eyes. He was unaware of the trap he fell into. Claudia very well knew what she was doing when she denied the sugar and placed herself on a diet that lasted for only five minutes. He turned around to see an inebriated Hugo, a reserved Anya who shot him a glance of sorrow, and a stern Claudia Caps.
"Right stepmother, I am sorry to have forgotten you, would you like some of these fine delicious treats the cook has prepared for you?" asked Julian remorsefully.
Claudia Caps gazed at her stepson with furrowed brows and was astonished that he would ask such a question.
"Did I not make myself clear that I was on a diet? Shows how much you listen! For your lack of comprehension to my health I would like you to wash the tapestries in the upstairs hallway, and the draperies, and the tablecloths..." she listed in stern rage.
"But I just finished those!" cried Julian.
"Do them again!" bellowed Claudia, and with that said she took a bite of a cupcake off the tray and dismissed Julian.
As Julian left the room, Anya couldn't help but nearly express pain for her stepbrother. She loved him, but was in an obligation of either keeping luxury, or joining him in the tower.
Julian had gone through the rest of the upstairs hall and began doing his newly commanded chores and succeeded in washing them swiftly and effectively. He then began on the resident's laundry, taking extra care of Anya's delicacies and paying no regard to Hugo's. Julian swept the kitchen floor and looked outside through the window. The sun was beginning to set and Julian was done with his chores. He began to put the broom away and he made his way to the tower.
It was a long and lengthy tower for which Julian was able to call his sanctuary. The flights of stair were always a pain to climb but they kept him fit. He knew he was safe from Claudia and Hugo here because they were both two lazy to journey up there, and for the mere purpose of scolding him. They would just hold their scorn for another time and not waste their physical energy on him. Anya would, from time to time, venture up the tower and bring him snacks she saved from tea time. As Julian marched his determined march up the final steps, he open the door to his home. A bed, the only luxury Julian really knew, lay towards the farther corner of the tower. A dresser had few bits of clothing that Julian would occasionally switch into. He didn't have many articles and found it rather nonsense to ruin the few pairs he had. But he would sometimes steal some of Hugo's old clothes once they were deemed too small, so all in all his clothing situation had worked out. Julian glided over to the window where the shutters were closed and with one swift movement the shutters broke away the darkness and the romance of the sunset flooded into the tower. Julian laid his arms on the sill of the window and watched the sunset. He gazed over the town and watched the night lights burst. The tower was so tall, that in fact he had a good view of the lake that lay in the middle of the forest. The stars twinkled against the gleams of the lake's still waters. While daydreaming of romance and nature, a knock came at the door.
"Come in Anya" sighed Julian.
Anya walked in with her hair up and a candle in her hand. Her nightgown swiftly moved with her as she floated towards her stepbrother and embraced him.
"I am so sorry for my mother's behavior earlier during tea time. She should not trap you like that. It's unfair! And she let's Hugo parade around town in intoxicated manners. She hopes he'll annihilate the Mantz family," she said annoyed.
"This family feud is ridiculous, don't you think?" asked Julian as he slowly watched the sun finally set and escape his romantic gaze.
"Well yes, especially after the death of your father. This feud is doing nothing but ruining spirits, but you know Hugo will do nothing but continue his inebriated schemes. He is quite brooding isn't he? Always getting in the way of fate," cried Anya.
With the mention of Julian's father he looked over of the picture of him hanging on the wall, and the silent memorial played inside Julian's head. Brad Caps had gotten into a brawl gone awry, due to his insignificant and degenerate stepson Hugo. One thing led to another, and his father was pushed violently out of the market. He hit his head against a rock, and three day's later his father never woke up. The scene will always play inside his mind when he ever hears the mentioning of his father, he loved him, he was his hero.
"I'm sorry, I should not have mentioned your father" cried Anya.
"No, it's ok, it does not matter now, that was a long time ago," reassured I.
"I'll never forgive my brother for not keeping his mouth shut, but it is getting late dear stepbrother, I must go to bed before mother finds me in the tower again. Here I brought these up hear for you" giggled Anya pleasantly.
Anya set down a tiny box of sweets down on the dresser and kissed her stepbrother goodnight. She grabbed her candle and made her way towards the door and giving a sweet goodnight. Julian walked over towards the window and gazed at the moon, hoping someone who loved him would be gazing at that same moon, wishing for a love to begin a new life.
Julian sighed once more at his hopeless thoughts of romance and a new life with a lover and got away from the window. He scooted over the fireplace and began to start a fire that burned silently. He warmed himself by the fire and laid on his bed, hoping one day he'll awaken next to someone who loves him. With that final thought he closed his eyes and fell off into a dreamless sleep.