Oh my god. Wow. This was incredible.
Firstly, I love the setting. The way you wove the canon era together with AU was convincing and intriguing. I was impressed by the way you managed to make characters living such different lives to our own so relatable. Also, you used Elizabethan speech believably and comprehensible, which is pretty rare in a lot of writers xD
Secondly, the way you handled difficult topics was amazing. It was really interesting to see how Mercutio's mental health problems and abuse were portrayed in a society that knew little of, or often turned a blind eye to, such issues. It was perhaps a little far-fetched how accepting almost everyone was of Benvolio and Mercutio's relationship, but it certainly made for an enjoyable story and avoided a cliché storyline.
Overall, this is a really amazing story, and I absolutely loved it! :)

Where to start?

I usually do not post a comment when I read a complete story but this was so well written that I couldn't keep justifying myself and came here to take the principal points of the story.

First than anything, I saw coming said end. I had tasted in books before and they hurted just as this did. I had had to wait a couple of minutes to control myself (because I knew since the begging of the chapter what was inevitably to come) and keep the weep away.

I do not regret reading this masterpiece, if anything, it gave me a new worldview to appreciate some characters and other to some kind of hate. Not at all hate, but something similar.

Beats me, I don't even know where exactly to star reviewing, if begging since the chapter one or only my favorite parts.

Well, a part of their childhood was really pretty and that still-innocence in Mercutio's thoughts years after his father's exile maked chills though my spine.

And the begging of Benvolio's feelings were the most beautiful thing had ever happened.

I just seriously know what else to say, if I had to think of something to add, it would be the Princes humor (humor, was it?) When given Benvolio the jar. That forced a couple of grins out of me.

As I said at the beginning (and if I hadn't, get this cleared up to you) this was beautifully written and I may find it as one of my favorite stories, and I feel like the only one I will add from this category.

Thank you so much for sharing your creativity, since a lot of people did enjoyed!

—gemini in tauro—

OhMyGod. I love this fanfic. Ugh I'm a huge Bencutio shipper and I'm so glad I found this. Ugh my heart just exploded. Thank you for writing this. You're a great writer by the way. 3

This was a beautiful story. Sadly beautiful. 'Tis definitely one of my favorites, such a wonderfully well written story. :3

I fell in love with this play and its characters all over again with your story. While your plot was different, you kept so close to the feel for the original play. Mercutio's actions made even more sense in your version as well, which I enjoyed. Congratulations on writing a magnificent piece of literature.

This whole thing is honestly one of the best things I have ever read.

Dear Pargoletta:

This story is wonderful. A different take to Mercutio, but one I find truly lovely. One thing that I noticed continually throughout the story was that I would forget Romeo was the same age as them, and that I would too forget Mercutio and Romeo were best friends. But aside from that, you did an amazing job. Your characters are captured stupendously, and your use of language is divine. A wonderful mix of modern and Shakespearean, one I tend to find myself speaking more often than not. You captured their speech amazingly, and the fact you kept with the style of wording through the rest of the story really set and kept the mood.
I would also commend your research and knowledge for this story. You have done much, much better than many. All in all, this was wonderful.

Sincerely,
Master of the Hellish Yard

Wow, I really loved this. It was exquisite, and the end was lovely. I'm off to read all your side stories now!

I am not a member of this site. In fact, I have not read many things on here, but this story I was instructed to read by my best friend. She felt that since I am "playing Mercutio in the performance; the story will make [me] see the character in a much more interesting light" which I denied at the time. However, after having read the story, I admit that she was right. Your story did make me view the character in other ways. Others in the performance commented that I seemed more in touch with Mercutio recently and, as much as I hate to say it, I believe that reading Caro has had something to do with that. I felt a lot for him here and seeing a lot of him outside of the script made him a lot more real to me. So, I guess I am saying thank you and you did an amazing job.

Sorry. I'm not very good at reviews.

This piece of work was so beautifully written that I'm completely speechless. I'm struggling with what to say that would be worthy of this story that brought me to tears. It was both devastating and heartlifting. It was so well done that I couldn't stop reading. Only when my eyes got strained did I stop. Both Mercutio and Benvolio were my favourite in the play and I'm happy that someone wrote a beautiful story on them. I hope whatever you are doing now that you are still writing since you are obviously skilled at it. You are one of the few people that could a story of this play and actually make it seem like it could be a part of it. I am definitely going to read this again in some point of my life :]. And I also think its awesome that this story actually had plot and character development and all that good stuff and that it wasn't just smut (also loved the subtleness of the sex scene and that it wasn't just straight up porn). Your story is one of the (if not the) most beautiful story that I stumbled on ffn. I thoroughly enjoyed this story thank you for writing it

I am so moved to tears... I have read this story completely now and I must say how amazed and impressed I am of it.

It seemed so real, like it was really part of Shakespeare's play.

I felt so much sadness and sympathy for Mercutio. He never deserved such a abuse and distress like that, and I am so glad that he slowly regained confidence with Benvolio's help.

I am so overwhelmed by this... Truly.

Very, very well done.

That was honestly one of the most beautiful stories I've read in a LONG time! It was well-written, imaginative and meaningful, and I want to thank you for sharing it with the world.

I have always been a HUGE Shakespeare fan, of "Romeo and Juliet" in particular, and specifically Mercutio. And as much as I love the tragedy of the original version, I have to admit that I am very partial to your version, since Mercutio survives his duel with Tybalt and goes on to live a long and happy life. Benvolio too is a character who doesn't get the attention he justly deserves, so kudos to you.

Although it took a while to get used to the switching between the modern English of the prose and the Shakespearean English of the dialogue, you were fairly consistent with it. I came across a few sentences that I thought were a bit awkward, specifically "thou" vs "thy" vs "thee" but even then I am not positive that my interpretation is correct and yours wrong.

Again, I can't truly express how well this was written. As much as I would have loved an explicit, smutty scene, I think the way you handled Benvolio and Mercutio's relationship fits much better with the overall tone of the story. I also approve of the way that they did not simply fall into bed together, and that the healing process Mercutio underwent was credible.

Loved it loved it loved it! I intend to read the rest of your Shakespeare-related fics as well. My compliments to you 3

Congratulations. This story actually upset me on multiple levels. You truly have a gift with words, a silver pen as it were, and I admire how well this piece of yours ended up. Beautiful work.

This story was devastating and beautiful. Thank you for sharing it.

-CCS

Words cannot express the infinite beauty of "Caro". Truly, the most heartbreaking story I've ever read.