Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Ok ladies and gentlemen I would like to introduce to you my partner in crime Neopolitan, in short Neo" As Roman Torchwick Basically at this point shouted. Next to him is a short woman who can't possibly be taller than 4'10 with mismatched eyes, and pink and brown hair. This is all that Mercury can tell at the moment

"How will she be any of use to me?" Cinder asks coldly

Both Emerald and Mercury notice the annoyed expression on the criminal's face

"She has a name, and she can be more useful than those kids of yours," Roman says as if it was a statement as he points to Emeralds and Mercury's direction

Emerald simply sticks her tongue out while Mercury flips him off

"That still doesn't prove if she'll be of any use at all" Cinder states 

"For starters she is talented fighter, better than those two, she's quick, agile, and thanks to her semblance she cast illusions and change her appearance rather easily" As Roman finishes that sentence said woman changes her appearance into the form of a short silver-eyed girl in what appears to be in a red riding hood outfit

Unimpressed Emerald says" So what I can cast allusions too"

"Yeah but you suck" Roman insults

"Oh yeah? Wait until I-" Emerald starts but quickly stops by the glare of Cinder

"Moving forward I suppose she can be of use in our plans after all" Cinder hums

"OK, then it's settled Neo will be helping you in your plans," Roman says.

"One more thing" Roman quickly says before he leaves the room "She's mute so the only way she can communicate is through sign language, or texting a response on her scroll," Roman says then he leaves the room

A little after the whole meet and greet with the Ice cream flavor-looking girl, everyone goes back to their own devices. At the moment Mercury has nothing to do but go back to his own quarters and ponder today's recent events. To say the least he really doesn't care all that much about the new face. Roman was most likely saying all of that just to get under their skin. Mercury thinks to himself it doesn't matter this whole partnership isn't going to last long, Roman and Neo aren't going to be a permanent thing

Chapter Text

"So Em"

"What Merc," Emerald says in an annoyed tone.

"You think you can finally teach me to steal as well as you do?" Mercury says in a slightly hopeful tone.

"Oh wait you were serious about that?"Emerald says in a surprised tone.

"Well yea if we're gonna be posing as first-year students at Beacon might as well be prepared"

"Ok, yea sure...so what do you wanna learn how to steal? wallets, scrolls, keys"

"~Your heart~"

"Ugh...you're so unbelievable Merc," Emerald says with an eye roll.

"You know you want me" Mercury states as he wiggles his eyebrows.

As Emerald storms off into some other direction in the White Fang hideout, Mercury is left to wander around in search of some other form of entertainment. He has already done some training, and sparring with some of the White Fang (although they don't really pose much of a challenge if he's being honest) he has nothing else to do except go back to his room lie down and look at some of his comics since he just likes looking at the pictures.

That was until he came across the new girl Roman's associate, in a room full of crates. Mercury remembers the girls name Neopolitan or Neo for short. He has nothing to do so he might as well try to make the most out of a annoying situation. As he's crossing the room to go say hi to the small girl she notices and simply waves at him

"Hey" Mercury says

"So you're Roman's partner in crime right?" 

The small girl simply nods

The small girl pulls out her scroll, then types something down quickly "[Hi I'm Neo and I'm guessing your name's Mercury right?]" The small girl asks.

"Yea...how do you know that already?" Mercury asks

"[Yeah...Roman mentioned you guys before]" Neo states

"Oh yeah, what does he say?"

"[Not much just that he finds you and Emerald annoying from time to time]"

"Yea well feelings mutual"

"[Hhhmmm ok...so odd question do you like ice cream?]" Neo asks

"Never had it"

"[What??! You've never had ice cream before? Well now we have to get ice cream]"

"Wait what?" Mercury asks quickly 

"[Well if you haven't noticed pretty quickly, I look like an ice cream flavor and I love ice cream hence the name Neopolitan]" Neo states as if it's like the most obvious fact about her.

"OK, but why do I have to take you out to get ice cream. Why can't Roman do it?"

"[Well for starters he's gonna be working his ass off for your boss pretty often, so he'll be pretty much almost unavailable most of the time. So it'll be up to you or Emerald to take me out to get ice cream]"

"*sigh* This is what I get for trying to make friends with an ice cream lunatic" 

Neo then punches him in his arm 

"[Hey I am not a lunatic >:(   ]"

"OK ok you're not a lunatic" Mercury says now in an attempt in trying not to anger the small girl.

"So when do I have to take you to get ice cream this week?"

"[Tomorrow at 1:00 pm]" 

"OK well then I guess I'll see you tomorrow then, later Neo"

"[Later]" Neo text then waves goodbye to Mercury.

As Mercury walks back towards his own room he thinks to himself "Just what in the chicken nugget fuck did he get himself into?" 

Chapter Text

To say the least, when Mercury wanted to wake up early this morning he didn't mean to be waked up by his past come to haunt him again. So he woke up pretty shitty this morning, but that hasn't stopped him before, so he decides he'll train a little bit.

After doing some push-ups, using the punching bag, and sparring with some of the White Fang, Mercury finally decides it's time to get some breakfast. On the way to the cafeteria, Mercury sees Emerald further down the hallway so he decides to catch up with her.

"Morning Em" Mercury says

"Hey Merc" Emerald yawns out

"So watcha doing Em?"

"Getting some breakfast, why?"

"Just wondering if I can tag along"

"Sure why not"

After getting their breakfast and finding a place to sit down Emerald starts "So I was wondering since we have the day off wanna go down town and I don't know get food or something" she finishes.

"You mean you want to go downtown and rob peoples wallets, and lien?" Mercury says more as a statement than a question

Emerald hums "Yea pretty much"

"Alright sure as long as it's not around 1:00 Pm"

"Why not around that time?"

"Cause I gotta take Neo out to get some Ice Cream around 1"

"Wait so you already had the chance to talk to the Ice Cream girl? Well ok I use the term "talk" loosely" Emerald says

"Yea, so far I've learned nothing from her except she likes ice cream, knows our names, and Roman talks to her about how annoying we are"

"Figures should've known from her outfit that she likes ice cream. So what do you think she is to Roman other than his partner"

"I don't know and really I don't think I care" Mercury says in a tired tone

"Ok what's got you so moody?"

"Oh you know same old past thinking ' Hey wouldn't it be just hilarious to bring back some of Mercury's most fucked up moments from his past? man that's sounds so funny' " Mercury says in a sarcastic tone

"Ok guess now I know"

"Hooray" Mercury goes again in a sarcastic, and depressing tone

"Alright so do you wanna...talk about it?"

"Since when did you care so much now?"

"I mean you are kinda my partner since we work under the same boss"

"HHhhmmm true"

"So do you wanna talk about it?"

"Eh not now, maybe some other time but...thanks Em"

"Wow a real thank you from The Mercury Black I feel so honored" Emerald jokes "But yeah anytime Merc" Emerald says with a genuine smile, Emerald knows that her partner is rather quiet about his past but she also knows Mercury will tell her in his own time when he's ready, so with that Emerald and Mercury continue to eat there breakfast in comfortable silence.

Chapter Text

When Mercury was told Neo was a talented fighter he didn't believe much of it, he figured yea a decent fighter maybe but talented no, what he didn't expect was when he was looking for Neo for their day out in town he didn't expect to find her in the training room, surrounding her a bunch unconscious White Fang and by the looks of it some seem to be bleeding

"Do I even wanna know what happened here?" Said Mercury

Upon hearing Mercury's voice Neo turns around and waves at Mercury. She then proceeds to walk towards him not caring if she accidentally steps on a couple of the White Fang members

Pulling out her scroll she types "[Hey Mercury :) ]"

"Hey Neo, so you mind explaining why there's a couple of unconscious White Fang on the ground. Also, explain why some of them are bleeding?" Upon hearing that Neo turns back for a glance and just shrugs

"[Eh got bored]"

"[So ready to head out?]"

"Yeah sure"

After taking bullhead down into the city, the walk to the ice cream shop has been rather quiet. That was until Neo decides to break up the silence. "[So you doing anything later today?]" Neo asks

"Not much really. Might just come back down here later with Emerald to do some random stuff."

"What about you?"

"[Well since Roman's busy I don't have anyone to hang out with]"

Before the thought could fully register in Mercury's mind he blurts out "You could hang out with me and Emerald later" which he realizes at what he just said, he frowns internally. Sometimes he really hates how pathetic he looks.

"[Really? You sure?]"

"Yeah, I think with you it might be even better if you tag along with me and Emerald"

"[You sure Emerald will be ok with that?]"

"I'm positive" Mercury reassures

"[Ok then cool. What time will you be meeting up with Emerald?]"

"She hasn't decided yet, but I'm sure she'll make up her mind while were getting ice cream"

"Speaking of which were there"

Upon hearing that sentence Neo turns her head back in front of her, only to see the ice cream shop right in front of them.

"[Neat]"

Upon entering Neo couldn't help but smell the delicious treats

"So what flavor are you getting?" Mercury asks, only for Neo to give him a smirk, in which he realizes he already knows what she wants. "Right" He sighs.

After ordering their ice cream they go outside to enjoy their delicious treats. While Neo obviously got Neapolitan ice cream, Mercury was stuck trying to figure out what flavor he should get since ice cream back then was something he wasn't exactly allowed to have, so he went with what he was most familiar  and got plain vanilla.

While eating their ice cream an older woman walks by and says "What a cute couple" to them. "were n-" before Mercury could finish his sentence Neo grabs ahold of his arm and lays her head on his shoulder, while smiling and waving to the older lady

The older lady leaves,after she walks around the corner Mercury asks "What was that about?"

"[I only did it so she could leave us alone faster. Better than starting an argument over it]"

Mercury simply shrugs and says "Good point"

After finishing their ice cream they head their way back to the bullhead and go back to the hideout. On the way there Mercury receives a text from Emerald. "Emerald says we can go at 4:20 Pm," Mercury says. In hearing so Neo simply nods over the news

After reaching the hideout and leaving the bullhead Mercury looks down to look at Neo, and thinks to himself "I should really cut down my interactions with her I'm on a job, there's no room for making friends"

Chapter Text

"So see you around 4:20 Neo?" Asked Mercury

"[Difinitely, See you later Merc :) ]" after reading that Neo waved Mercury goodbye until later.

So after splitting up with Neo, Mercury decides to go look for his pickpocket friend. He finds Emerald sitting on a couch in the command room. "Hey Em" He starts

"Sup Merc"

"Hey Em, you're cool with Neo hanging out with us today right?"

"Yeah, I mean as long as she doesn't try and kill us I think I'll be fine with her tagging along"

"Cool so do we just go out in our regular gear?"

"Yeah I mean we're not going anywhere fancy unless you have something in mind?"

"Nope not all"

"Ok cool then it's decided, also how'd your play date go with Neo?"

"Don't call it that, and we're on job I don't have time to make friends" Mercury says rather coldly

"Ok calm down Merc I was just joking" Emerald asks

"Whatever"

"Did you atleast figure anything new about her?"

"Well turns out Roman wasn't joking about her fighting abilities, she managed to take on a whole room full of White Fang without killing them and without breaking a sweat"

"So I guess she can come in handy"

"Yep"

After Neo splits up with Mercury she went looking for Torchwick, she found him in the storage ordering around some of the White Fang.

"No, not there you idiot, over there!!"

Roman notices Neo out of the corner of his eye

"Oh hey Neo how have you've been?"

{I've been better} She signs

"Yeah I know I know Neo I don't like this either but you know I have to do this, You know what I can't afford to lose"

Neo frowns at the comment

{I know, but there just has to be a better way}

Before Roman could say anything to Neo, he yelled at the White Fang member moving the crates "How many times do I have to say this, I said move it to the damn right!!! not the left you dumb animal!!!" The White Fang member just sighs and continues to move the crate to the other side again

"So like I was about to say, is that I wish there was another way I could've taken but thanks to Cinder I have no choice except follow her plans, I'm sorry Neo" Roman says.

Neo sadly frowns at the hard cold truth the only way to ensure Roman and her's safety is that they have to continue to work for Cinder Fall.

"Here I know what'll cheer you up once I'm done with this I'll go buy you some ice cream after this, you haven't gotten any all-day right?"

At the question, Neo does smile a little bit.

{Actually I already got some ice cream today with a new friend} Neo signs

"Oh really ok, and who's this new friend of yours then?" Roman asks curiously

{Mercury}

"Uuugghh why did you become friends with him of all people?" 

{What he never had ice cream before, plus not like he tried to do anything with me}

"Ok but you know how I feel about Cinder's kids, those little shits annoy the living hell out of me"

Neo stays quiet

"Hhhhmmmm something tells me there's something else"

{Well I may or may not have asked Mercury if I can go with him and Emerald to downtown}

"Again why Neo?"

{I was bored there's nothing fun to do here!!!, and with you being almost busy every day makes it even worse} Neo states

"Ok ok fine you can go hang out with Mercury and Emerald, just don't do anything that even resembles stupid ok?"

Neo nods in agreement

"OK thank you, Neo now go on and get ready for your time downtown"

With that Neo hugs Roman goodbye and leaves him to his own business. She thinks to herself this will probably fun compared to doing nothing. Who knows maybe she'll get to make two new friends today.

Chapter Text

"So Em you ready to head out?" Mercury started

"Yeah pretty much I'll just steal someone else's lien to use for shopping, or food," Emerald says

"Of course you would" Mercury deadpans

"But hey what about your little friend?" Emerald asks

"I don't know, she said she'll be here" Mercury wonders out loud

Just as Mercury finished that sentence, a finger tapped on his shoulder, he turns around to see Neo waving at him with a cute little smile.

"Oh hey Neo there you are"

"[Hey Merc :) ]"

Before Mercury could reply back Emerald stepped in introducing herself "Hi names Emerald nice to meet you Neo" Emerald finishes.

"[Nice to meet you too Emerald :) ]"

"Alright, ladies ready to go or what?"

Both Emerald and Neo nod in unison

After hopping on the bullhead Emerald tries to start a conversation "So what do you guys wanna do when we make it to downtown?" at the ending of that question, Mercury already had his answer "Easy chicken nuggets" Emerald deadpans at the answer "Why?? Why not get actual food??!!" Emerald almost shouts her response at Mercury "Cause I just want chicken nuggets" Mercury answers cooly "Ok well Neo tell me you have a much better answer than my stupid partner over there?" Emerald asks.

Neo types quickly "[Ice Cream!!!]" 

"Ok that I can work with"

"Heey, what's wrong with chicken nuggets?" Mercury asks offendedly

"Besides your weird obsession with them, I just can't stand how much you order, and how much you eat" Emerald states

"Eh you'll never understand," Mercury says

Neo silently laughs at the conversation in front of her

"[So what about you Emerald? What're you gonna do once we make it into downtown?]"Neo asks

"Me? I'm probably just gonna steal a couple of pockets of lien buy some noodles, then buy some snacks, then finally steal more lien" Emerald replied honestly.

"Wow so basically what you do every time we go into town?"

"Yep pretty much," Emerald says popping the p in yep

"Mmmnnnn maybe buy some new shoes" Emerald also says

"Actually buying some boots doesn't sound so bad after all" Mercury hums in agreement

"Well then it's settled you and Neo will head out together for a bit while I go stealing," Emerald says

"Alright," Mercury says, while Neo just nods

Ok maybe I could use this time to get to know Mercury a little bit more, Neo thinks to herself.

Chapter Text

"So Neo what should we get first?" Mercury asks

"[ICE CREAM!!!]"

"Ok ice cream it is"

After a while of walking, Mercury and Neo arrived at the same ice cream shop from earlier. Neo being Neo ordered the same thing from earlier, Mercury took a little bit longer trying to see what he should get. Before he was recruited by Cinder Mercury did not live the best life. If anything he lived one of the worst fucken live's almost any child could live. He was born into a nightmare, a murderer's son, so with that said Mercury never got to enjoy such things as ice cream until recently. Before he could continue daydreaming about his old life he was snapped out of his thoughts by Neo who was waving her hand in front of him.

"[Yo Merc you alright?]" Neo asked

"huh...oh yeah I'm fine just dozed of that's all"

Neo looked at him with a questioning look. He shrugged off that look and continues to order his ice cream. After Mercury and Neo paid for their ice cream's they sat at a table outside to enjoy their respective ice cream. Neo got Neapolitan, while Mercury went for chocolate this time. Across from her, Neo can see Mercury thinking to himself again with a serious expression. "What is he thinking," Neo thinks to herself. To break the Silence Neo types on her scroll and shows it to Mercury.

"[Mercury you've been staring at your ice cream for a couple of minutes, are you sure you're alright?]"

Mercury nods "Yeah I'm fine just you know thinking about some stuff you know"

Neo asks in a neutral-sounding tone "[Mind if I ask like what kind of stuff?]"

Mercury really hates thinking about his past, especially the moments that just stick with him no matter what he tries. Feeling the metal colliding with skin halfway up his leg. But since it's Neo who's asking and he's rather getting along with the girl, although he won't admit that aloud, he guesses it wouldn't hurt to share a little bit.

"Well for starters just thinking about all the stuff I didn't get to enjoy thanks to my asshole of a dad, like ice cream"

"[How was he an asshole?]"

"Well for the basics he hated me as long as I could remember. He would always beat me senseless that's all I'm gonna say for now"

"[Oh]"

Neo thinks out her next question carefully"[So where is he now?]"

"Probably being picked clean by a couple of crows right now," Mercury says coldly

"[Oh]"

Before Neo could ask what happened Mercury interrupts her

"Yeah look I don't wanna ruin this afternoon by thinking about him so can we continue eating this ice cream so I could get some chicken nuggets?"

"[Yeah sure]"

So they ate in silence. Once done eating their ice cream they went to the nearest fast-food restaurant

Emerald has been pulling tricks like these ever since she got her semblance. She used it to her every advantage to get a meal a night, although sometimes it didn't work when she was younger, other times it failed in mid pickpocketing whenever she got caught the target would beat her, or call the cops. Sometimes she got away. Other times she didn't, but now was different. She has long since gotten control of her semblance and pulling moves such as robbing people blind while they look at an illusion was as easy as cake for her. After her most recent steal, she finally knew it was time to eat. So after finding a noodle shop nearby she ordered a simple bowl of noodles and paid for it with the lien she just stole.

"Finally some real food" Emerald says to herself

Emerald always enjoyed the taste of noodles no matter the kind. After all, living in the streets she had to resort to eating much worse things. She shivers at the mere thought of her old life but finds comfort in knowing things are gonna change now with Cinder around.

"Everythings different now and it's all thanks to her" she whispers faintly to herself

After finishing her noodles Emerald pulls out her scroll texts Mercury where he's at.

:Thief: "Where you at?"

A couple of seconds her scroll chimes with a message.

:Butcher: "Heading towards some random fast-food restaurant called Jay's Chicken Shack"

After reading the message Emerald quickly searches for the restaurant on her scroll and finds out it's five blocks away from her so she makes her way down there. Thinking to herself all of this is because of Cinder and how she owes Cinder everything.

Chapter Text

After their little conversation from earlier, Neo has been racking at her brain for a little bit "Why is Mercury's dad dead? Did he have an accident or something? Did Mercury kill him?" all of this thinking brought her mood down a little, putting a frown on her face. All of this did not go unnoticed by Mercury, so his attempt to lighten the mood was to strike a conversation.

"So Neo...Roman mentioned you spoke sign language"

"[Oh yeah I do]"

"Ok cool...then mind if asked how did you learn it?"

"[Easy Roman taught me]"

"Wait he taught you?"

"[Yeah pretty much I mean I'm mute so I had to find a way to communicate, and when he first found out I was mute he taught me how to speak sign language]"

"Wow guess Roman can surprise after all"

"[He's not as bad as you think Mercury]"

"Maybe but he still annoys the hell out of me"

Neo makes a silent sigh as they continue down the sidewalk. A couple of seconds later Mercury asks another question.

"You mind teaching me some sign language?"

Neo looks at him questioningly "[Why do you wanna know sign language?]" She asks

"Who knows might come in handy in the future...that and I guess it'll be nice if you had another person to talk to without using your scroll"

At that Neo beams at him for actually thinking of taking up some sign language just to make her comfortable.

"it's your choice really so if you don't wanna teach me that's ok also," He says

"[Yeah actually that sounds like a good idea, appreciate you trying to make me feel more comfortable Mercury]"

"Yeah no problem Neo"

After a while, they've reached their destination. Upon entering Mercury took in a deep breath to enjoy the smell of chicken in the air. Walking up to the counter Mercury orders.

"Hey, can I get some chicken nuggets?"

"How much sir?" The cashier replied 

"20 and uh can I get 2 chicken sandwiches?"

"Yes, will that be all sir?"

"Yeah that'll be it"

After paying Mercury and Neo look for a table to sit outside. They find one a bit farther away from the other so they can enjoy their food in privacy.

"[So 20 chicken nuggets huh?]"

"Yeah, they're like the best thing to ever exist. Better than ice cream"

At hearing that Neo fakes a gasp "[Sir I don't think we could be friends anymore]"

Mercury fakes a hurtful face "You wound me Neo now who shall I take out to get ice cream with me?"

Neo snickers "[I don't know, guess you'll have to find someone else]"

"But who, Cinder??? She'll just turn me into toast the instant I ask the question" Mercury says in a dramatic voice

At that, both of them burst into a fit of giggles.

"It would be funnier if it weren't probably true" 

After the laughter died down their food have arrived.

"Man when is Emerald gonna show up she's missing all of this food!!"

"[I know right]"

"Actually I'm willing to make a bet"

"[Oh really, do tell?]"

"I'm betting Emerald robbed at least 3 guys her entire time in downtown and if I win you gotta give up ice cream for a whole 3 weeks" He smirks

"[Ok I'm betting one, and if I win you gotta ask out Cinder for some ice cream]" She smirks back

"Ok, I'll take those odds" Inwardly Mercury is hoping Emerald pickpocketed at least 3 people so he can avoid death.

In what felt like forever for them, Emerald finally arrived taking her seat to enjoy her food.

"Sorry I'm late was a couple of blocks away from you guys"

"It's cool as long as you showed up and didn't make me waste my lien for you"

"[So what've you been up to Emerald?]"

"Oh you know the usual robbed only one guy"

At that Mercury knew his death would be soon, he cringes at the thought.

"What's up with you?" Emerald ask

He sighs "Nothing just my death certificate being signed"

"What?"

"[I and Mercury made a bet on how many people you robbed he guessed three while I guessed one]"

"Ok, but what's that got to do with him dying?"

"[Well since I won he has to ask out cinder for some ice cream]"

At that Emerald burst into a fit of laughter.

"Oh my fucken gods Mercury you're so dumb" She continues laughing

"Since you find my death so amusing, let it be known that if I do die I'm haunting you first Emerald"

"[But not little ol' me right?:) ]"

"Nah you're second on the list" At that they continue eating.

Chapter Text

"So what have you two been up to while I was gone?" Emerald started

"[We got ice cream, and Mercury wants me to teach him sign language]"

"Wow really? the Mercury Black actually wants to learn something new? never would have ever thought I'll see the day"

"Har har Emerald I'm only doing it to make our new partner in crime more comfortable with us"

"Again I never thought I would see the day you would be considerate of others"

"Well Neo just happens to be my new favorite criminal, your new replacement" Mercury mocks

"Oh no whatever shall I do without you," Emerald says sarcastically

"[Don't worry you can be my favorite criminal Emerald]"

"Thanks, Neo"

"Hey I thought I was your favorite" Mercury complains

"[Maybe not criminal but in terms as in friends definitely number 1# :) ]"

"Ha top that Emerald"

"Oh don't worry Merc I'm a thief, I'll steal her next" She winks at him

"Good luck trying" Mercury hugs Neo close to him

"Wow two hot people fighting over me" Neo smirks at the thought

"So what do we do next while we're still here?" Emerald ask

"Eh you know me I don't do much socializing, thinks that's why Cinder wants me to socialize with the kids in Beacon" Mercury comments

At the thought Neo types in her scroll "[I got an idea how about the mall]" she asks

"Actually I like the sound of that" Emerald says

"*sigh* sure why not"

"[YAAAY]"

*2 hours later*

"YEAH WHATEVER YOUR MALL SUCKS ANYWAY" Mercury yells at the guards

"Can you believe those guys? I didn't do anything wrong" he says

"You kicked one guy in the face!!! of course, they're gonna kick you out, and thanks to you also us!!" Emeralds seems visibly annoyed with the turn events.

"Well I had a good reason too"

"Oh yeah and what's that"

"He was trying to flirt with Neo"

"OH, my gods Mercury I'm going to kill you" Emerald grits through her teeth.

"[Mercury I appreciate the protectiveness you showed but I can handle it myself without getting us kicked off the mall]"

"Fine I won't interfere again"

"[Thank you]"

"Ok well thanks to Mercury's fuck up we should probably head back to the hideout,"  Emerald says

"uh-huh"

"[Ok]"

"You gotta admit though it was pretty funny seeing that guy getting his face kicked," Mercury says

"[Funniest thing so far in vale]"

 "Maybe, it would've been better if you didn't get us kicked out of the mall," Emerald says

"Eh they'll forget over time"

"So what you think of today Neo?" Mercury asks

"[Actually it was pretty good today, it's nice not having to get into a fight once in a while and just take a break from it]"

"Yeah, it is so you wanna join us next time we get a break Neo?" Emerald asks

"[Definetly]" Neo beams at the idea of hanging out with Emerald and Mercury again

"Alright then glad you said yes," Mecury says

"[~~Awe do you miss me already Mercury?~~]"

At that Mecury cheeks turn red at the question and it does not go unnoticed by Neo

"[Anyway I'll see you guys later]"

"Later Neo" Emerald says before leaving

"Yea...catch you later Neo," Mercury says also before leaving

After he arrives in the room he's currently staying in, he ponders over today's events on one hand it was...nice for him instead of the usual he's used to doing with Emerald, he had fun with Neo today. He wasn't used to those activities but it felt good. On the other hand that one conversation still bothered him. He hated Marcus. The man was a cruel bastard that he got to enjoy putting in the ground after years of taking the abuse from him. Every single beating he ever received was worth it when he droves his boot into Marcus's skull, but even after he killed him his past still haunts him, Marcus left a mark on him that will forever stay no matter what he does, but there's hope yet. After he was recruited by Cinder he never felt so free in his entire life. Finally free from the man who had the nerve to call him his father. Free to make his own choices. and right now he wants to sleep after hanging out with Neo today, which was kinda the best part of today for him so with that thought finished he feels good about tonight's sleep.

Chapter Text

Mercury was wrong about that night. He wasn't able to get much sleep due to an all too familiar voice. "Wake up Merc...Today is a new day. Time for someone to lose their life"

That was Mercury's cue to wake up at 3 in the morning unless he wants to continue being disturbed in his sleep by the ramblings of a dead man

So what was Mercury's first idea after waking up from a night terror. Some light training by brutally destroying some of the white fang soldiers but not enough where it kills them

As he's making his way towards the entrance of the training area he's met with a sight that he can only describe as beautiful

He sees Neo sparring (well he uses that word loosely since the white fang are currently being destroyed in the process) with multiple white fang members. Landing precise Attacks on them with fluidity in her movements and dodging all of their attacks as if she's dancing around them. If he had to describe Neos fighting style he would say it was like watching a work of art. To Mercury dancing was always an art hell he based his fighting style off of capoeira and breakdancing but the way Neo fought was with grace and elegance almost the kind you would see between two people on the dance floor in a ballroom but in this Neo dance partners are sorely lacking

Before Mercury could even finish his thought in almost in a instant Neo was finished with her performance as Mercury would call that atleast to his own thoughts he would rather be caught dead before he'd let anyone hear him compliment another fighters style especially Emerald

As Neo gives a bow to all the injured white fang and turns around she locks eyes with one of her most recently made friends and gives him a smile and wave of her hand before making her way towards him and all Mercury could do other than resist the look of awe that is threatening to appear on his face is wave back with somewhat of a stiff pose