The scenes in italic were flashbacks ^^; Also, this chapter's from Mercury's POV!
"So, what happened?" Mercury's brows furrowed by her questioning. Emerald was lazily lying on their pull-out sofa, arms stretched out at the back of her head. Her tone was a mix along the lines of mischief and even curiosity, that he had to wonder for a moment why is there such that.
"Bad." it was everything that he could say. He took his shoes off, tossed it around and barged himself in the company of the other sofa they had opposite of her. He tried to think of another word that would simply fit, but it was bad, because it really was that bad.
"As bad as what happened to us?" she joked, implying that what they had before was worse, and he got the context.
He didn't even tried to remember, but it was so clear; everything he said to Blake, everything he heard from Yang. He was picturing every single of his past actions for the past hours. He knew that he should have just kept his mouth shut, but his mind was thinking out loud. He was itching to say more, but the clap back prevented him to do so. He shouldn't have decided to leave her despite how Yang almost lashed out at him.
He was just being frank, but his honesty was a bit brutal. What was so wrong about it? When it was his principles, how he sees the world around him, that's just how it is. The world is shitty, reality is harsh. Everyone are assholes, and if you don't want to get hurt, you can be one of them.
"I don't know, I kind of messed it up." he admitted, letting out a bitter laugh.
She chuckled, somehow expecting his response with how awful his mood was rather becoming infectious, filling the room with intentional void and numbness, "You always do."
He groaned, even wanted to shout. He wanted to get rid of this unwanted feeling, so he took off the necktie that Yang had given him earlier, loosened the collar of his polo shirt, "Fuck it." he cussed under his breath.
"Oh, I understood what you mean. No one has hurt no one. Yang and I were the best of friends, we've fought before, yes, but I never hurt her. And if I ever did, I never intended it." she looked down, stopped moving her fork, unsure whether she said the right thing or not. It was as if Mercury was force implying something out of her, like guilt-tripping.
"You know what, fuck it, you're pretty dumb." Mercury retaliated back at her, for them it seemed out of nowhere, so sudden. But for him, it was her. It was Blake. How she had this endearing facade on the outside, how drawn both Sun and Yang were into this "mysterious girl" thing she has going. But he wouldn't fall for that. It's funny, because there's really nothing special about her.
He didn't liked Blake to begin with.
"Watch your mouth, man." Sun, menacingly, glared at him. It was no joke how his happy-go-lucky and cheerful demeanor vanished completely once you talk ill about his partner. Hell, he even embarrassed her for saying that. But Mercury's definitely not one to back down.
This is the part where people misunderstood him, when all he did was try to slap some sense and truth straight to Blake's face, but it backlashed.
He wanted to understand Yang, that is by seeing through her bestfriend, but is he the bad guy now that he can't see what they saw in her? It was their first time meeting, but even if it was the first, there was no stopping him from speaking up his mind. It seemed like the aggravation he was feeling has found a way through his words.
If Sun's about to start a fight with him right now, he's up for it. But he wouldn't stoop so low just like that.
Yang looked at him in horror, how he can visibly see the disgust all over her face, the plead in her eyes inwardly telling him to stop and get a hold of himself.
Now is this the part where he was supposed to say sorry? He briefly closed his eyes, took a sharp intake of breath, walked out of the scene before things could get much worse.
In fact, it wasn't even starting yet. He wanted to be all-out, but they couldn't take it and now painted him as the asshole of the day.
"Mercury!" he could hear Yang's voice not from afar, the sound of her stilettos fast approaching him. He was walking in haste, but she managed to caught up with his pacing when they got out of the restaurant's door.
Yang grabbed him by the arm, when moments ago she was just clutching him with warmth that she wasn't aware of, but now she was holding him with force and controlled fury.
"What? You're going to preach me now about proper conduct?" he took his arm back, rather harshly and that almost startled her, "I couldn't stand it. I couldn't stand her." he spewed the words out of his mouth, tried to see the positivity in Blake, really, but maybe he's just fucked.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" she was mad, fuming mad. But it was no surprise anymore since he ruined the day for her, and for the other two. He decays everything, and that's why he was no good in socializing with people.
He mocked a laugh, more like a scoff that pretty much added more character to his blunt behavior, "So now I'm the black sheep here? Why don't you go ask her? Why are you dipshits-"
He was cut off when Yang pushed him, with intensity that mirrored how angered she was by his crude manner, "She was just being nice to you!"
"Really?" Mercury ran a hand through his hair, expressing his utter frustration, "Hell, then joke's on you."
He then saw how her palms bawl into fists out of anger, fuck. "Why did you even say that? Did she do anything wrong?"
There was no use in continuing this conversation anymore, because he wouldn't even bother explaining his defense, "It's not about me, it's about you."
"What about me?" she snorted, "You were the one being such an asshole!" she was pointing her finger at his chest, and he could feel like that could pierce through him. Really, Mercury was already readying himself before those fists, especially the cybernetic one, would land on his face anytime.
"What's even the big deal? I was only being honest. Was she supposed to be offended by that?"
"Honest? Then your definition of honesty's bullshit!" her voice only gets louder, tone raising by each answer he could come up with. It doesn't get any better at this point.
And this is how Yang Xiao Long gets when mad. He couldn't think of a way to calm her down, to pacify her, she was like a dragon waiting to be tamed down. She looks like she could kill him now with just her bare hands, the rage twinkling in those lilac-colored orbs were intact all the while she was shouting at him.
Normally, if she was another girl, they'll talk it out and make up with this whole argument by ways of making out or just fuck each other right there and then. But then it dawned to him, she wasn't like any girl. It wasn't that of a big deal, honestly, even Sun just threatened him for what he said. But Yang...Yang was twice as mad as she should have been, her reaction says a lot about her personality, or what she's actually capable of doing once the line has been crossed. Yet again, he was Mercury, Mercury fucking Black, and he could equally match whatever she has to offer.
"I can't believe you're trying to defend her now." of course, she would side with her no matter what. And no one could tolerate his attitude except for Emerald, "Fine, you're bullshit."
And with that, suddenly she was rendered speechless. Bullshit. She stood there, silent, like the flame in her eyes were momentarily gone. Mercury, for a second, thought she already calmed the heck down. But he was wrong, and as if on a cue she raised her right fist to land a good blow on his stupid face, but thank God for his reflexes were fast enough for him to block the attack by gripping her trembling wrist, only inches away from his jaw, "Why are you being so apathetic?" her voice fell from an agitated tone to a faint one, gravely a whisper.
"If this makes me apathetic, then so be it. I have nothing to do to change your mind." he slowly put down her hand on her side, made sure it was released and in a relaxed state. It was like dealing with another person, and if Yang was a man, hell already broke lose.
"Just when I thought you're an okay person, hell, even nice...I was wrong about you." she was about to launch another smack at him, using her other free hand, but this time aimed at his chest. Mercury let her, unlike previously, but it was light weight. Like a punch that was meant to be a joke. Yang curled her fist in his shirt, as if she was trying to stop herself from raging once more, inching a bit closer to him.
Now this is the three billion dollar question: Is this finally the part where he was supposed to grab her cheeks and kiss her? No, now's not the best time, not the best option. She was mad at him. Maybe a hug will do? Just like how it works on romantic movies, wherein couples embrace each other after a fight and suddenly all the tension was gone. But shit, they weren't even a real thing. Will that work out? He wanted to try, but his body tensed as Yang looked at him, for lack of a better word, rather longingly, and he gulped. He fucking gulped because suddenly, something inside of him came rousing with thrill.
"Who said I was nice? Is this whole thing over now?" he quickly regained his composure by clearing his throat. Maybe this was one of Yang's antics wherein whoever does the move first, loses. Like a tease. And he's not going to be the one who bites that.
She let out a loud grunt by how thick-skinned he was, "Seriously, fuck you." Yang pushed him again, rolling her eyes, "I seriously fucking hate you." she exclaimed once more before she walked away from him, overly frustrated by his lack of delicacy, lack of conformity.
"People suck." Mercury motioned his hands in the air, punching like there was a tangible object right in front of him where he could express just how frustrated he was. It felt weird, when he shouldn't care at all. He was known for that, right? Being fucking apathetic, so why should he care?
"What's her name again?" Emerald's attention was still on him despite wanting to sleep. She yawned, her eyes were already closed but her mind's just as active.
"Yang." he answered simply, just the mere mention of her name felt weird than 'blondie'.
"Are you serious with her?"
"I fucking don't know." he sneered, that came out of nowhere, "It's past twelve midnight, can you let me sleep first before you interrogate me again with your stupid questions?" he quipped instead, turning on the other side of the wall and kept his gaze there, staring at whatever ghost along the air there might be.
Emerald hissed, didn't bother insisting anything more, "Fine." was all that she said.
He didn't turned off the lights yet, this shit's going to keep him awake for the rest of the night. Fuck Yang, fuck her, fuck everything about her. He forcefully closed his eyes to sleep, but to no avail. He kept on moving, finding the perfect position, but he couldn't. His mind's just awake as him, busy with thoughts of her and why he couldn't get her out of his damn head.
Several minutes passed, maybe a good fifteen, the room was just dead silent, "Hey, Em?" though a bit hesitant, he still called out to her. Maybe she'd sleep talk and he'd get a response from her. Perhaps that was a good idea so she didn't have to remember what was he going to say right now, it would be easier for him to pretend this talk didn't even existed in the first place.
"Mm?" she mumbled, Mercury was somehow glad she still wasn't asleep. Though that might just be her subconscious self answering him.
"You think I..." he trailed off, he had a minute to think of a better term, or just screw it off, never talk about her again. But this girl's got some serious nasty effect on him, "should've hugged her?" that came out cheesy sounding, it was so out of his character, so unlike him, but goddammit. It wouldn't hurt if he'd ask, even just this once.
"What? You mean, Yang?" her voice was sluggish, and it sounded like she was drunk. Mercury actually wanted to laugh.
"Yeah."
"I see. So you had a fight with her?"
"Not really a fight, you know, just a misunderstanding." he shifted once again in his lying position, one arm flexed at the back of his head. He sighed, "And she's about to kill me."
"You really don't know how being in a relationship works, don't you?"
"Wow, says the expert." he chuckled. Emerald being half asleep and half awake, and still able to comply with the conversation with much more sense, was bizarrely noteworthy, "Whatever, just answer my question."
"You asshole, you should've hugged her. It should make her feel better, you know. Girls like hugs, and cuddles."
Mercury just remained silent, didn't know what to say next. He decided to just close his eyes and not reply again, he was sure Emerald will finally fall asleep and won't even remember anything she said, or heard from him.
He almost bolted from his spot when Emerald spoke again, this time she sounded so loud, "Just cut the fucking ego and swallow your pride. Jesus, this is why men are hard to be with." she threw a pillow at him, and he just laughed.