#hahahaha the duke falling in love w peter in a play where he acted as king arthur . i'm insane actually

[petervel]

❛ —  so ,     what  you’re  trying  to  tell  me     is that you aren’t the duke of monroth ,     you haven’t a  penny  to your name ,     and     —     though you haven’t sold a  single  play in the entire span of your exceedingly short career     —     you’re asking the company to put its future in your hands   &   perform . . .    ‘ bohemian  rhapsody ’     during our next season ;     with you in a starring role ,     at that . ❜     it isn’t a question .     

a quiet ,     resigned sigh rises from within the weary depths of peter’s chest   &   tumbles out of his parted lips as he sets aside the playscript ,     shoulders slumping imperceptibly .     he can ,     at the very least ,     afford to drop the  act  now .     

(  ‘ he  was  in  the  audience  when  you  stood  in  as  arthur , ’     zidler had explained ,     looping an arm around peter’s shoulders before he could roll his eyes   &   walk away     —     he was an  assistant ,     for christ’s sake ;     not an actor     —     as if preparing to let him in on a secret ,     ‘ and what good fortune this happy accident has brought !     he has requested to meet with you  as  a  benefactor ,     provided that you continue performing ;     i believe he’s rather  fond  of you .     it could help us ,     peter .     not just the theatre ,     but  your  family .     the duke can be exceedingly generous     —     with the right motivation . ’  )

right motivation ,     indeed .     he’s in his best suit ,     the only one of his father’s that they hadn’t been forced to sell after his death ;     zidler had even let him open the bottle of wine they’d been saving for an  exceedingly  special occasion     —     certainly no occasion along these lines ,     he’s sure     —     but of course ,     the beautiful ,     charming ,     achingly  kind  man in front of him is a penniless writer .     of  course .     life ,     peter thinks ,     has a peculiar habit of being exceedingly  terrible  like that .     and cruel ,     he realises with a rising ,     prickling fear :     the duke will be here soon .     the  real  one  .     

❛ i don’t have the time for this .     get  out . ❜

                                   plotted  starter  for  @cairspian​ !