It's Not that Bad I Promise! (Octavian)

[Mercutio Lestrange]

Right then...Mercutio really didn't want to do this but...Octavian was his little brother. Even though he could be...really bitter about being the second son, even though he mercilessly teased Mercutio for his frail health, and even though he tried to get Mercutio into trouble whenever remotely possible he was his brother still. As the older brother, it was Mercutio's responsibility to look after him as best he could.

And Octavian had been really down recently. He was not pleased about being betrothed at all. Honestly, Mercutio hadn't really wished to be betrothed either; but, he took it in stride. People from their blood line had certain obligations. Arranged marriages were to be expected. Mercutio had been doing everything in his power to make the match agreeable. He'd taken time to study Flora's interests. He was trying his best to make her happy like a proper betrothed should. Honestly, Octavian wouldn't have such a rough time if he exerted a little effort. But...He wouldn't do that. They both knew that.

He finally found Octavian huddled around some drawing he was sketching, moping like expected. "Hello brother," he said tentatively, trying to properly gauge his mood. He was upset sure. But which level of upset? Was this the 'lash out at everyone' upset or the just the sulky upset?

"Want to play a game?" he asked with a warm smile. That was a better approach than directly discussing the arranged marriage. That would make his little brother flip for sure. Better to let him bring it up. Best to try and take his mind off of things if he could.

  

[Octavian Lestrange]

Octavian had not really felt like he wanted to do anything since his father had told him that he was betrothed. Why was he to be betrothed, Merc had been betrothed for what seemed liked ages and he was the oldest - he was expected to marry well. And then there was of course the fact that Merc were not as strong as Octavian - at least not on some points.

Still, Octavian had gone to sit in the middle of the room, Daemon by his side with the head on his knee, while Octavian was sitting and drawing - not anything special, but it was better than nothing. "Mercutio." he just said, his voice bored and not interested in Mercutio. Even teasing his brother was not the same right now. "No." he said shortly when Mercutio asked if he wanted to play a game.

In a suddenly fit of anger, Mercutio threw the color and the paper across the room, getting Daemon to whimper slightly in surprised, but Octavian just started scratch the crup between his ears to calm him down.

  

[Mercutio Lestrange]

Mercutio did not like his brother's greeting, not one bit. The dull and lazy tone was...upsetting. Typically Octavian inititaated every conversation with some sort of insult or at least a snarky comment. But now...Octavian just sounded bored. When his little brother didn't tease him, he knew things were bad. Very bad.

Right then. He didn't want to play a game. So where did Mercutio go from there? It would just be pathetic if he gave up the attempt to cheer his younger brother right then and there. But Octavian was sulking and...Mercutio wasn't sure how to bring him out of his shell. He still didn't think it was a good idea to mention his betrothed not unless Octavian broached the subject first. It was a touchy topic for him at the moment.

And...Octavian had snapped. Paper and crayons across the floor...Mercutio wasn't entirely certain of what to say. He picked up the paper and crayons and gently set them on the table besides Octavian, in case he wanted to draw again.

"Marriage is years away. You might even come to like her," he said comfortingly. As Octavian was already in a bad state and had already lost his temper at least for the moment, Mercutio didn't think there was too much to fear from mentioning the reason for his younger brother's violent mood swings.

  

[Octavian Lestrange]

He could not help but feel like something was wrong, why was it with Mercutio and try to make him feel better. Octavian was not exactly nice to Mercutio, not all the time, rarely honestly. But today he did not felt like it. There were plenty of other things to put his anger into. At least he had Daemon, the dog was a good friend and he was not sure what to do without Daemon when it came to this.

"She is a baby - I do not want to ever meet her." he said and looked at Mercutio. "Yours at least know who you are." he sighed and just continued to scratch Daemon.

  

[Mercutio Lestrange]

Mercutio looked calm and collected; but, inwardly he was concerned. He wasn't sure if Octavian was going to snap and start throwing things again. Maybe heavier things. And maybe these things would hit more than floor. But he waited in silence, hoping Octavian would take a breath and just try and calm down a trifle.

"Like you said, you've never met her. She might surprise you," he said in as comforting a tone as possible. "I know she's...really young but she won't be one forever you know. And better someone you don't know then someone you know and hate, right?" he asked tentatively, having absolutely no idea if he was going about this in the right way.

He sighed. "It takes work," he admitted. Dreaming wouldn't assure your future. Neither would tears or complaint. Effort and skill were required. "First time I saw Flora after we were betrothed she burst into tears! It really scared me!" Now for the life of him he couldn't remember what he'd said to calm her down; but, he supposed everything worked out alright in the end. And thank goodness he hadn't done anything wrong! Flora was just...really shy.

"But if the two of you try and be understanding and learn each others interests it won't be so bad," he advised him. "Flora and I are exchanging letters so we get to know each other better. Obviously your betrothed is a bit young for that but...Later. Now, you shouldn't even be worrying about. She's one." Your personality wasn't even really set at that stage.

  

[Octavian Lestrange]

Octavian just looked at Merc. "By why her? Why could it not be Meta or someone.." he began before he turned to spanish. "clever." he added with a sigh. He did not wanted to be betrothed, he wanted to be able to get Meta, even though he guessed that it was not possible, not ever.

"Why do I even have to get betrothed. You are the one that has to get an heir." he said and looked at Mercutio. As much as Octavian of course liked teasing mercutio, but he was still the first born and as such Octavian knew he were to be the heir. Oh well, it was just bad luck.

  

[Mercutio Lestrange]

As Octavian switched languages, Mercutio followed suit. He'd been studying them longer. "She might be clever. It's really hard to tell when she's one and can barely talk," he pointed out. He shrugged at his question. "Family connections, I'd assume. That's how these things usually work. The whole point is to bond families together in favorable ways. It ensures loyalty, assuming both families will want what's best for the other given the union. You can try asking Father specifically why her. But you couldn't possibly be betrothed to Meta. She's betrothed to Flora's brother," he said gently.

Mercutio looked straight back at Octavian. "You never know what will happen. If I die before you than you're the one who will need an heir," he pointed out. It was possible Mercutio would die before he could produce any sons. He was more sickly than Octavian. Problems could develop with his health. Or he might be in some sort of accident. Or he might be kidnapped and killed. Or...Octavian could kill him. As much as brother teased him and was jealous and could even be considered somewhat bitter and cruel at times, Mercutio didn't honestly believe he would seriously hurt him. Still, it wasn't unheard of for the second sons to take care of the first ones if they were ambitious.

  

[Octavian Lestrange]

Usually Octavian would be angry when Mercutio switched languages as well, because Mercutio was better at him in all the languages they had. Because of different reasons. Mercutio was older than him, and then of course there was the fact that Octavian hated sitting still through all the lessons.

"But - father has enough family connections, why do I have to be betrothed for him to gain more?" he asked, switching back to english just to annoy Mercutio. Oh well, it was usually not working and right now he was not even trying that hard. He did not feel like it. "Merc, you are eleven, chances are that you will survive and stay the heir." he stated annoyed. Octavian was not sure if he even wanted to be the heir, of course getting the family fortune was nice, but he was used to the thought by now.

  

[Mercutio Lestrange]

And there his brother went with the language shift. It kind of irritated him; but, whatever made Octavian feel comfortable. He was having a rough time at the moment. Yes, he was being childish and spoiled but he was a child. So Mercutio supposed that if he was going to act that way now was the time.

"Father's running for Minister," Mercutio pointed out. "I bet that's why he got you engaged. He wants to ensure some extra votes." That might sound cold and callous but that was the way the world worked. Nothing was free and you always needed connections.

"Well I'd certainly like to live," he said with a playful smile. "But it's always possible I'll die first and then you'll be the one who needs the heir, Oct."

He bit his tongue nervously. "Oct, you know it's not my fault I'm heir, right? If I could I'd let you inherit." It would be easier than feeling his brother hated him all the time. He didn't want that. He'd like to be close but somehow...He seriously doubted that was possible.

  

[Octavian Lestrange]

"Why did I have to be dragged into it? Father could have gotten the votes anyway." he said and looked at him. Octavian continued to scratch Daemon, who just looked whimpering up at Octavian, like the dog knew that Octavian was not in a good mood.

He looked surprised at Merc as he began apologizing, in a way, for being the heir. "I know Merc. You were just lucky to be born first." he said softly and looked at his brother. "You are a good brother Merc, despite how I treat you at times." he added.

  

[Mercutio Lestrange]

Why did he have to be dragged into it? What an odd question. Octavian was a Lestrange, a part of this family. What effected one effected them all. They were a unit, different limbs to one body. They were supposed to support each other. It was only natural that they did what they could to help when one of them wanted something.

But...Somehow he didn't think that would satisfy Octavian. He tried to think of a better spin he could put on it.

"Father really wants to be minister and if he's pushing your engagement he must think there's a decent possibility he could lose. He's just trying to increase his odds. I'm sure it seems unfair from your perspective but it's a long way off. You might like her. And you won't need to see her for a while yet."

Lucky to be born first? He wasn't quite sure about that. It was a lot of responsibility. Plus, Octavian hated him for it. Not really fun.

Mercutio was stunned by the soft look his brother gave him and more shocked by his words. Octavian thought he was a good brother? And here Mercutio was sure his brother disliked him.

"Thank you," he said softly after a moment, not sure of what else to say.

  

[Octavian Lestrange]

Octavian just sighed and kept scratching Daemon. "I just wished that he would not seem so excited about it. And most of all expect me to be excited about it." he said. "There is nothing to be excited about." he added finally and looked at Merc for just about the first time since Merc had entered the room.

"Your welcome. And if you tell anyone of it, I will deny it." he said with a small smile.

  

[Mercutio Lestrange]

Mercutio nodded his head in understanding. "I can understand why Father would be excited, more family connections, a better chance of winning the election. But it's unfair of him to expect you to be excited," he admitted. Octavian should try and make the best of things but making the best of things wasn't the same as being eager. Why should Father expect Octavian to be thrilled about an engagement to someone he'd never met?

Mercutio himself had hardly been eager about Flora. He was determined to do right by his father and Flora and carry out his familial obligations. He'd expected it and not been depressed or really upset by it but enthusiastic...No, that hadn't been him.

"Things are going well with Flora because we're both working at it. I try to be as kind as possible and I researched her interests to make her happy. But I wasn't excited either. I'm still not." He shrugged carelessly. "But such a thing is expected and so I try to make the best of it. And I like her well enough."

Mercutio grinned back at his brother. It was a rare thing indeed for Octavian to smile at him unless he was picking on him. "I won't tell a soul!" he promised. He laughed. "Besides, who would believe me anyway?!" he teased.

  

[Octavian Lestrange]

"He also considered taking Daemon from me and give him to Livius - even though I have been looking after Damon ever since father gave him to me - I mean, he is loyal to me." he said and scratched Damon. It was not really a surprise that Octavian was in a strange mood and scratching Daemon as much as he could while he still had him.

"Well - it is not like I have a choice anyway. And I might do the same when she is older and I have had a chance to get used to it. I mean - she's one, she cannot read or write yet - can she?" he asked and looked at Mercutio - not sure why he expected his brother to know such things. Still, Mercutio knew a lot of things.

"True." he said with a small laugh. Mercutio was a good brother most of the time - he could not help himself from teasing and bothering Mercutio sometimes.

  

[Mercutio Lestrange]

"He considered taking Daemon from you?!" he asked stunned. That would be beyond cruel. Octavian wasn't adjusting well to their new step-mother's presence or his engagement. The dog was one of the few things that could comfort him. Taking that away...That was madness. "I'll talk to father," Mercutio promised.

If he had any say in the matter, he'd make sure Octavian kept him. Mercutio rarely asked for anything and was considered a good son in Father's eyes. On the rare occasions Mercutio did timidly ask for something, Father rarely denied him. Surely he could get Father to see reason with Daemon. Octavian needed a source of support.

He shook his head. "No, she's too young to read," he admitted. It was hard to get to know a one year old. At that age they didn't really even know themselves.

Mercutio flashed his brother a small smile as he laughed, glad to see him cheering up at least a little bit. The two of them weren't very close so bonding moments like these were precious.

  

[Octavian Lestrange]

"He did - but he said that he wanted to see a change in my behavior." he said with a smal sigh. "But - I mean I know that I am not exactly the perfect son all the time, but I go to my lessons, I study - I stay out of trouble, mostly. I mean, it is nothing serious when I do get into trouble." he continued. "And there is no reason to talk with father about it. He decides what he decides."

"You know - when she gets older I might try to get to know her. I mean, it cannot harm." he said and looked at Mercutio. "Now - hwo about we decide on a game?" he asked, smiling and in a better mood after talking with Mercutio.