Merc's Daughter

Prom was what she’d expected it to be. A bunch of school kids in big, expensive dresses expressing their parent’s willingness to buy garish outfits. Eleanor pulled on the soft cotton dress she wore, holding the skirt to keep from tripping over it the fabric as she walked. An over the shoulder grecian gown was as far as she had been willing to go. 

In her other hand, however, she held a silver flask filled with vodka. She’d told everyone it was ‘just water’ but in order to put up with a party after Preston had photos deemed to be ‘sent to dad (just ‘Wade’ really)’ Eleanor needed something. It burned down her throat as she sipped from it, heels clacking on damp concrete. 

The sound of heavy boots caught her attention and she stumbled slightly, turning to look at the hooded figure. “If you don’t stop following me, like you have for almost two blocks now, I’ll do something we’ll both regret. Do me a fave, yeah? Fuck off, buddy.” Slurred words coming from a high schooler weren’t unusual and Ellie reached into her small purse, finding her fake ID and money. 

He was left SPEECHLESS at this point. When stuff got serious, just like now, he didn’t know what to say. His fight or flight reflexes wanted to kick in but he kept his feet planted FIRMLY against the ground. 

Wade rolled his eyes and leaned in to RUFFLE the hair on the crown of her head, pulling her in for a hug. “No boys. Or girls. Or nonbinary people. No dating is what I’m saying,” he joked, lightly rubbing CIRCLES onto Ellie’s back. “Or maybe I don’t gotta know. When I was sixteen I did a bunch of shit my parents didn’t know about.” 

Ellie giggled at him ruffling her hair and hugged him, sighing as she smiled. Days like these were the ones that made her feel like things would be okay, especially since she didn’t get to see him often.

“Well.” Wade cleared his throat and looked away for a moment. “Best kind of jumping I do is to conclusions.” He grinned and put a hand on her shoulder. “You’re as protective as you are smart. So thank you, baby cakes. I mean it. And you know the second someone tries to hurt you, they’re going to need to do a tri-state search for all of their body parts. Right?”

“But I don’t want that life for you.” Wade knew what he had done. Well, what he could remember and it wasn’t good. “Eleanor. You are so much more than what I could ever be. You’re smart and beautiful and you have a wit sharper than any sword.  You can’t go down the same path as me. I’m flattered, yeah, but I want better for you.”