Literally Mercy

"So what are we gonna do about Ajax this time?" Cowgirl asked. "The cops said they're gonna give her a longer sentence 'cus this is her 18th time being jailed."

Noises of agreement and nods came from the group.

"We will sort out Ajax and Fox tomorrow. For now, let's just get some sleep." Cleon answered before heading off to her room.

The rest of the group began to leave, Cochise and Cowgirl heading off to their room, Rembrandt going outside to paint and de-stress, which just left Swan and Mercy.

"What are you standing there for?" Swan asked, looking at Mercy before grabbing her hand and leading her upstairs. Mercy flushed at the contact, still getting used to her recent romance revelation. The pair entered Swan's room and shut the door behind them.

"Right, it's... 1am in the morning, you have been yawning since we arrived back, and you're beginning to resemble a raccoon with those eyebags. Let's get ready for bed." Swan said, laughing slightly at her own joke, before cutting her laughter off with a yawn.

Mercy awkwardly stood at the side of the room while Swan started getting ready. She took off her vest, hanging it on the corner of the bed frame, making sure it didn't fall off. She pulled her shirt over her head, her muscles flexing as she tugged it off. Mercy blushed, quickly looking away from Swan’s body as she fiddled with the hem of her vest top.

"Here, will this fit? It might be a bit big... try it and see." Swan said, holding out an old band shirt and a pair of shorts.

"Oh yeah, n-no that should be.. fine." Mercy stammered back, her face becoming increasingly red as she made eye contact with Swan.

Swan turned around to let Mercy get changed. The clothes were a bit big, the shirt hung off of Mercy’s shoulder, and the shorts were a little baggy but comfortable nonetheless.

"All changed. It fits fine, just a little bit baggy, but don't stress," Mercy said, her voice quiet as she stifled another yawn.

Swan clambered onto the bed, pulling the sheets over herself before she looked over at Mercy.. who was still awkwardly stood at the side of the bed picking at her fingers.

"Don't do that. It's a shit coping mechanism," Swan said, grabbing Mercy’s hands in her own, pressing kisses to her fingers. She pulled Mercy into a warm embrace in the bed, tucking the duvet over both of them. Mercy froze up at first but eventually relaxed into Swan's arms, resting her head on her chest and shutting her eyes.

"Aw.. no goodnight kiss?" Swan laughed, looking down at Mercy.

Mercy looked back at her and placed a hand on Swan’s cheek, pulling her in for a kiss before settling back down and going to sleep. Swan lied awake, her cheeks pink and heart thumping next to Mercy's head. Sure, they kissed in the subway tunnel, but that was more desperate. This was warm and soft, like there was no need to rush. She eventually dozed off to sleep as well. The pair had their arms wrapped around each other, protecting the other throughout the night.

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YAYYY THE CUTIES

reqs are still open 😼😼

"Please.. stop.. my head.. I'm so sorry.." She choked out between sobs, her voice shaky and raw from begging.

"No. You shouldn't have been with that girl. Now look what happens to those who disobey." Her father spoke before kicking her hard in the stomach.

"Get out of my house." He spat down at her.

"What... no, please, I'm sorry I won't do it again, just please..". She sounded more scared than before, the pleads tumbling off of her tongue.

"GET OUT." He yelled, his volume increasing. "PACK YOUR SHIT. AND LEAVE."

The girl scrambled to her feet and ran to her room, clutching her side as she pressed a tissue against her bloodied nose. Only the essentials were packed, clothes, toiletries, a journal and pen, a blanket, and a pillow. The bag was slung over her shoulder as she glanced around the room once more. A plush swan lay at the centre of her bed. She glanced toward her door before grabbing it and stuffing it into the bottom of the bag. It was the last item her mother gave her before she died. It was the last trace of any love she had from that family. The rest had been pawned off in return for beer, scratch cards, and lottery tickets.

Her footsteps echoed in the quiet hallway as she looked about the house one last time. Clutching the handrail, she slowly walked down the stairs, a creak following each step she took. As quiet as possible, she made her way to the front door and opened it.

"Y'know Jasmine, I used to recognise you as my daughter. Now I'm a childless widow." Her father scowled out, the faint hum of the tv in the background while he sprawled out on the couch.

Before he could add on anymore, Jasmine had slammed the door behind her and was walking down the street. She dropped into the pharmacy and bought some painkillers, a pack of plasters, and a box of tissues. After patching herself up in the bathroom, she continued her to walk around Coney. It was a big city that someone could easily get lost in, but luckily for Jasmine, she knew it like the back of her hand. She had a plan on where to head. There was a spot under the boardwalk that had enough shelter from the elements but wasn't visible to the public eye.

The sun began to set as she arrived at the familiar wooden planks. Her eyes checked for any witnesses, and then she wriggled her way under and began to set up camp. The first night was tough to sleep through. The rocks she lay on dug into her back, and she tossed and turned, clutching onto the little plush swan.

After about a week of sleeping under the boardwalk, Jasmine's health began to decline. Her chest was tight as she violently coughed and wheezed, struggling to breathe, and the salty, cold air didn't help. She began waking up feverish and sweaty, her appetite fading as she slept through the days and nights.

"Yo Cleon, I'm telling you I saw- Shit is that a kid?" A voice came from close by.

Jasmine tried with all her effort to move, but she was too weak. Her body had lost all of its physical and mental strength. She was helpless.

"Guys... Ajax is right." Another voice came, even closer this time.

The swan plush was held tightly in Jasmine's grasp. If she was going down, she was keeping a piece of her mother nearby. As their presence drew closer, her breathing got shallower before everything faded to black.

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IM ON A ROLL WHEYYY

SWANS BACKSTORY 😼😼 (prequel to silent Swan)

11:17 AM

Well, now she's awake. Her eyes widened as she threw off the duvet and slid out of bed, her feet barely making contact with the floor before she headed to the wardrobe in search of clothing. She rummaged blindly before producing a pair of flared leggings and a band shirt, which definitely was not hers, but she was too busy to care. She grabbed her vest before sprinting down the stairs, her footsteps echoing throughout the house.

"Jesus Christ-, sorry Cleon, I overslept I'll make it up to you somehow, I promise." She rambled out before processing the fact that Cleon wasn't even downstairs.

In fact, nobody was. Her brows furrowed in confusion as she looked around the dark, empty room. She squinted to try and see where the light switch was, but her hand was beaten by another. The lights flashed on, and a chorus of shouts came from all around.

"Happy Birthday, Mercy!!" The group yelled, party horns and kazoo accompanying while confetti was flying all around. Before she could react, she was drawn into a big group hug, a tangle of arms round her before one by one, the laughing women pulled away. Swan remained, her hands lingering around Mercy as she rested her chin on her shoulder.

"Happy Birthday, Love," Swan whispered, her voice low and grounding in the chaos of it all. Mercy turned her head, flashing Swan a big grin before grabbing her hand and dragging her to the dining table, where the rest of the group were getting themselves situated, putting their gifts in the centre.

Swan pulled out Mercy's chair and jokingly bowed.

"Your highness," She laughed, winking in her direction and waiting for Mercy to sit down before she took her seat next to her.

"Right," Cleon announced, "Let's get started with the birthday festivities!" She laughed. "First order of business : Presents."

Everyone's gaze was redirected to the pile in the middle of the table as Mercy glanced at Swan for reassurance before beginning to open them.

Each gift was unique and thought out : an engraved switchblade from Ajax, a new notepad from Cleon, some vodka and shotglasses from Cowgirl (which didn't last very long..), a freshly painted vest from Rembrandt, a black hoodie with the WonderWheel on the back and two pairs of leggings from Cochise, some of her favourite sweets from Fox, and a charm necklace from Swan, consisting of an 'S', and 'M', and a little swan between the two initials.

After all the excitement of gifts was over, they decided to play some classic party games. Sure, it was cringe and clique, but they found it fun regardless! Instead of pin the tail on the donkey, they had pin the bat on the Baseball Fury, which ended up with Ajax physically using her bat on said Baseball Fury. The bat isn’t even hers. She nicked it from the sports group after the night in the Bronx. She managed to sand off the sharpie, which identified it as Thurman's.

However, it wasn't long before the sun was setting and people's eyelids were become heavy. The Nathan's boxes lay empty on the table, wrapping paper was everywhere, and the faint hum of the tv in the background was still going. Cleon stood in the kitchen, having a fight with a box of matches before giving up and going upstairs to grab Cochise's lighter. After successfully lighting the candles, she carried the cake through, and the group gathered around Mercy, whose head lay in her hands, and she smiled in embarrassment. They all sung Happy Birthday with grins on their faces, and the candles were blown out at the end. Soon after, people began to retire to their rooms, wishing Mercy a final happy birthday and the rest a goodnight.

Mercy leaned back on the sofa, her head resting against Swan's chest as her eyes  drooped lower, her mind and body relaxing. She felt a strong pair of arms lift her up, carrying her to bed and tucking her in safely. Turning over to the side, she made eye contact with Swan.

"Do you want to know what I wished for?" She asked, her voice a low whisper, her heart filled with warmth, eyes glistening in the moonlight that seeped in through the curtains.

"If you tell me it's not going to come true." Swan teased in response, her lips curling slightly into a smile.

"Oh, trust me, it's coming true." Mercy assured, her eyebrows slightly raised as she nodded her head.

"Go on then, what did you wish for?"

"I wished for us to be together forever. Not just us two. The whole group. All of us. This little family that we have created."

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BACK IN BUSINESS BABY ‼️‼️

boy do I have some idea lined up ready 😈😈