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taking a deep breath jack fixes his hair and pulls his scarf tighter around his neck, he rushes out the bathroom door as the last bell rings for the day, sure he can handle himself but these are guys bigger than Angel he's talking about- no way could he take all three of them all on his own. but he refuses to tell Ma, or his brothers. if Bobby found out- hell even Jerry- he didn't want to know what would happen to them, he just wanted to get home, talk with mom, maybe play ball with Bobby before going back to his guitar and finishing some music.
of course life wasn't easy and he bumped straight into Evans back, even if he was taller then the man he was still much stronger than Jack could wish to be. a large howling laughter filled his ears as Antony and Tyler laugh loudly. "well if it isn't the Mercer Fairy!" Evan scoffs, flicking his shoulder like he could get rid of Jacks accidental touch. Jack only mutters a quick "Evan" before tugging his bag closer to his neck as he tries to move around the group, a rough hand on his bag tugs him back, he turns around as Tyler scowls into his face, his brown skin drenched in sweat, the summer heats pouring down onto the school grounds, other kids and teachers just pour out lazily around the quickly agitating group. ignoring them. "hey! we're talking here Mercer" Antony snickers as Evan smiles widely, they quickly take up space at his left and right side, no way was he getting out of this now, "what do you want?" he quirks a brow and fakes annoyance, trying to bury the feeling of wanting at least one of his brothers close by.
but a second thought of Bobby egging them all on and calling him a Fairy himself made shame burn through jack. one time- just one kiss from his old friend Ryan- one that was just on the cheek as he pulled away from a hug- but Bobby saw it all, and never let it down.
he looks behind Tyler which wasn't hard as the man only reached his nose in height. he tries to think of a snarky insult to throw, maybe one Jerry had thrown to Angel or maybe Bobby when he plays ice hockey and gets mad. Evan pulls him out of his thoughts, "what? we can't talk with you no more? you too cool of a guy now Jack?" he growls out shoving him towards Antony who shoves him towards Evan again. before stopping, jack got one shove back before he fixes his eyes on Evan, bag falling off his shoulder, "what do you want? apart form being a prat?"
Jack had to admit, he was following after Bobby more lately, but Jesus these guys have been going on for weeks and they don't seem to be getting bored, maybe it's the high of getting away with shoving a Mercer around and getting away with it, or maybe they just needed a new target Jack wasn't sure, but after those words fell from his mouth, Evans pale skin creases in fury, Tyler grabs his hair, Jack grunts as they shove him off to the side of the school, Jack hears as others muttered as he was shoved and punched over to the side of the school but he ignored it, trying hard not to cry out for one of his brothers. flashes of his past went through his head as he was kicked to the floor, he did his best to fight back, bag left on the dusty floor as he got a hit or five in on the three, but in the end he was the one laying curled up on the floor, blood in his mouth, sides hurting like a bitch and his lip stinging like a drum.
he tried to pay the pain in his wrist that Antony had grabbed with his strong tanned hand, and twisted it so he would let go of Evans neck.
he gave a weak chuckle as he limped to a stand, bag held loosely in his hands, it was stupid, to talk back to them- he knew better. Angel would have his head if he knew he did something so dumb but he was sick of borrowing Cathy's makeup at band practice, when one of his Brothers decided to collect him from school themselves, which only started after he came home after dark drunk with a large bruise on his eyebrow, after starting an argument with some guy.
they liked to keep him on his toes but he hopes just for today his brothers would keep to their plans.
**
Jack took a deep breath before opening the front door, Bobby was back again, likely kicked of the team once again. or just back for a place to stay till he fucked off again. Angel should be with Sofi and Jerry said he was with his girl Camille- so all jack had to do was avoid Bobby and Ma and he could clean his face up, change into new clothes all before they saw anything.
luckily for him his brothers never needed a reason to go through his closest, apart from Ma whenever she was being sneaky and put some of Jacks clothes away, but she never goes through his stuff, unlike his brothers who would. he could hear his mom in the kitchen, more than likely starting dinner. he luckily makes his way up the stairs just as his ma calls out to him, "Jackie? is that you?" he holds his breath before steading his breath, "yeah ma! sorry i'm in need of a shower, summer heat is killing me" he groans, he hears her laugh softly "okay Jackie, i just sent Bobby out for a few things from the store, always trying to get out of it that one" she rambles softly, Jack smiles to himself, one thing Bobby hates the most his food shopping for ma, she always gives a rather long list of stuff she magically remembers she needs now and not a minute later.
Jack was slightly lucky he was late, Bobby would've dragged his 'skinny ass' down there, as he says very often. "i'm going to shower ma okay?" he says, he could basically hear her smile, "okay sweetheart, don't be to long- Jerry and Camille will be back soon" she says and Jack quickly makes way to the bathroom before undressing before checking out what the trio did to him.
he looked in the bathroom mirror at his sides, already forming bruises litter his sides, black like bruises take up his lower stomach, foot print like marks lay all over, his legs too covers in marks, his lip was only slightly red, they seemed to lay off his head, only a slap here and there on the back of his hair, maybe they knew better than to bruise him that high up.
he gives his back a quick look, it looked the same as his legs, he shakes his head, gives his teeth a quick brush before showering. he could hear Bobby come back, Jerry and Camille not far behind him, he quickly shuts the water off, towel around his waist he quickly ducks back into his room, door shut tight, dragging his old battered duffel back on top his bed and took a few large band-aids and slapped them on any cuts he could feel and reach, before pulling out a small brush mirror he stole from Sofi a few months ago, he grabs some makeup Cathy was sure he could keep incase he needed it, he knew Bobby would smell the feminine stuff on his face miles away and would have to hold back spilling why and what happened.
but he was a Mercer, sure he was sixteen- but all his brothers were crazy at his age, well, jerry was the most calmest one. but his point is he can and should handle things himself, he would need too one day. all his brothers would move away one day and he couldn't rely on them all the time.
Angel was already talking a few days ago about doing the Marines, Jack actually laughed when he told him, Angel Mercer and the Marine should never be said in the same sentence, but he thought it over and weirdly enough said sorry to Angel and said he should and would rock the Marines to its core. he just finished covering any marks that would show through his long sleeve black hoodie and jeans, when Angel came bouncing up the stairs, Jack broke into a frenzy quickly, shoving all his used stuff into the duffel before shoving it under a blanket in his closest.
he just shut the door before a quick knock that was useless as Angel opened the door straight away, "you ready for dinner Jack?" he smiled and gave a quick nod "i'm starving" Angel gave a laugh as they both made their way down, Ma was at the head on the table, bobby on the other end of the table, Sofi sat to the left side of the table, an empty space between them, likely for Angel to calm the weird energy the two shared, Jack took a quick seat next to Sofi, one next to Ma, who gave him a large smile before they all stood on ma's command and gave a small grace before tucking into the food, Jerry and Camille sat across from him and Sofi, Camille gave a quick smile to him "hey" she said softly "hi, you doing okay?" she nodded, "all good Jack, anything happening at school?" Jack paused taking some salad from the bowl at the question before continuing with his motion, Jack ignored the look his Ma sent him, "not much, bands going well" Bobby snickers which made Jack give a confused brow to his older brother.
"didn't know you needed makeup to play band now Fairy" Ma sent a cold look at Bobby who only sighs "just a joke Ma" before the table goes back to quiet. though that didn't last long as Jerry and Angel start talking and Ma and Camille talk about some work thing she does, Sofi tries small talk with Jack but he wasn't in the talking mood anymore, Fairy. that one fucking word makes him want to cry and break things all at ones, Evan had heard Bobby call it him as he came to pick him up in winter, Bobby tried to play it off as needing a hand with something but Jack knew Bobby didn't want him to walk home in the strong snow.
it started slowly, the trio started to be in his eye view more, or he heard their deep voices, then it was a push or two, then it was a push and the word "fairy" muttered under harsh breath, it was weird, hearing the words uttered from someone who wasn't Bobby. even when Bobby is being mean with it, his voice was never so cold and distant. he remembers the way his heart sped and humiliation burned through him like a bonfire when Tyler had first shoved him into Cathy and snared the word out. he took another large bite of salad as Angel reached past Sofi and places some chicken on his plate "need to get your white ass built Jackie" was all Angel said which made Bobby and Jerry laugh loudly, soon conversations was flowing through them all, but Ma kept a close eye on Jack. soon dinner was done, and girlfriends went home, Jerry going with Camille, Angel rushing to his room to call Sofi, Bobby taking Jerrys room, Jack heading to his own. he changes into his pj's before sitting on top his bed, guitar in hand as he plays his new tune a short mumble of words falling from his lips. he could hear his Ma pause outside his open door but he didn't look up, after awhile she moved along, after some time Bobby came into his room, sitting on the floor next to his feet, which he gave a gentle hit too, Jack couldn't help the flinch he gave as pain ran through his leg, the sound of music cut off as he held in a small grunt Bobby scowled "i didn't hit you that hard!" he looked up at Jack who only sighs, "what's up Bobby" he lets his back hit the wall as he drums his fingers on the base of the guitar, "you always playing that racket?" Bobby grunts out as he fiddles with a pen in his hand Jack only gives a chuckle "bands is going good" he begins, "i have band tomorrow so i might not make it for dinner" he mutters, most of his attention back on flicking the strings and making sounds come from the instrument Bobby only sighs "sure Jack, what's with the makeup though?" Jack pauses to think of an answer but can't come up with anything that wouldn't make his brother run to see if he's lying. "it just sort of happened, some girl my friend knows wanted to see what we looked like while wearing it, i'll wash it off soon" he says, giving Bobby his attention even though his older brother was just staring at the floor, pen still moving in his hand as he twirls it round. Bobby mumbles before sighing "you fucking fairies are weird" his voice was spaced through a breath and Jack twitched his face before schooling back to his normal look, "i'm not gay Bobby" he mutters once again, attention away from his brother before he screams at the man. "sure Jackie sure" with that pointless conversation, Bobby ruffles his hair before saying goodnight. loosing the want to play he tucks his guitar away safely before tucking himself into bed. he falls asleep quickly, his body tired and hurt and all but ready to heal. he vaguely remembers Angel walking into his room and tugging his blanket up closer as the weather turns colder, before closing his door ajar. ** "you think you're fucking all that don't you?" Jack tries to pull Antony's hand of his neck, but he wouldn't budge, Tyler and Evan watched the bathroom door as Jack was stuck between a sink and Antony, who could actually make eye contact without standing on his tippy toes. his head shakes no, he truly didn't mean for Antony to get called into the principle office, but how was he supposed to know the guy was skipping his lessons? "really? because you did today" he growls, his other and came up and punched his cheek, he couldn't help the pained noise from his mouth as his breath got quick and too shallow, he scrambles his arms and tries thrashing his body but Antony wouldn't fucking move, his hands were tight on his blue shirt as he tries pulling him away, no doubt his face an ugly red as he tries to breath. he manages to rush out a quick "i didn't mean it" before he got a punch to the gut that him yelling out again, while it had been three weeks since their first big fight his gut still felt sensitive at times. "but you did it anyway" another punch, more air leaving and not much returning, Angel said something about walking him home today- wanting to sneak out of shopping with Ma or something, no doubt Angel would soon get annoyed that he wasn't coming out and look for him- or he would walk away like last week and leave him to walk home alone after he got caught by Tyler who had no issue dumping his shit all over the hallway and running off after Evan. as another punch landed his body basically crumbling, as his eyes flutter shut as the room tilted and turned vivid colours. he could only rasp out tiny pleads of stop and no as he feels another strong hit before he felt his body drop to the floor, he couldn't move, his body felt heavy, he heard them laugh as the ran from the bathroom. he could only let out one pained cry as the world left his senses. ** Angel stared at Jerry and Bobby, they was waiting across the street from Jacks high school, he was late once again, this time ten minutes, Jerry sighs heavily, before wiping sweat from his brows, "what the hell is taking him so long" Bobby only narrows his eyes before speaking "probably making out with some guy in the bathrooms" no one responded to his sentence as they watched three guys run from the side of the school, laughing and whooping as the stumbled over each other, one of them spoke loud enough for the brothers to hear "holy shit! he actually passed out!" the sentence had the brothers eyes rolling, "do these kids got nothing better than watching someone passing out?" Angel mutters. "fucking Fairy cant handle a few hits" another cackled that got Bobby's attention, but it was the next thing that got them all looking, "thought he was a Mercer? he cant even fight like a Boonwill!" quickly enough Bobby was yelling, "what the hell are you fuckers talking about!" the three boys stop as their heads snap over to the three Mercers, Jerry was already walking closer to the three- fire in his eyes, quickly any ego the three idiots had was melted by being in front of three Mercers. fear was in their eyes so fast it made Bobby grin, but it was wiped off as he remembers they words that was said, "what did you say kid?" his voice was calm, which made Angel know he wasn't fucking around, Angel looked over to one kid, before his eyes trailed to the kids hands, bloody knuckles was what greeted him. "why are your hands bloody" his voice was loud, cutting of whatever nonsense the pale one was trying to say, his eyes stayed firmly on the tanned ones hands, "um..i-" Bobby cut him off, "what did you say?" he repeats and it was the brown skinned kid that spoke, eyes straight at Bobby, "he said 'thought he was a Mercer, he cant even fight like a Boonwill' " Jerry took a hold of the kids shirt face inches from the kids, "what Mercer would he be talking about?" when the two other kids took a step back, Bobby and Angel took a step forward. when there was no response Bobby spoke again "you wouldn't be talking about Jack Mercer would you?" he says, a shrug on his shoulders as he cracks his hands, when all the boys took a glance at each other it was the last thing Bobby needed to swing on one of the kids. a few hits later, bloody nose and one crying in pain as their hand wouldn't move properly, did Angel speak, "where is he!" he yelled, voice booming as he took in the pale one again, "t-the side ba-bathroom" Bobby snarled, "Jerry, angel stay here." ** Bobby wasn't one to run, but with the boys voices in his head about how they just left his brother passed out on a stupid bathroom floor made him sprint, his eye caught Jacks bag on the floor, his stuff spilled out, but Bobby didn't have time to look to much into it as he rushed down the brick wall to the 'out of order' toilets. shoving the door open his eyes immediately took to his brothers slumped body, he rushed to the floor, knees hitting hard as he scooped his brother face into his hands, "jack! hey Jackie wake up for me" his voice was thick with emotion as he looked down to his baby brothers bloody face, his eyes trailed down to his neck and saw deep red as he saw the red mark of a handprint standing out on the pale skin, he patted Jacks face again but nothing, he felt for a pulse and breathed deeply when he felt a strong one pluming blood around his brothers body. "hey jack c'mon it's Bobby, Jerry and Angel are kicking their asses okay?" he kept calling for Jack, mind racing the longer he got no reply, he was just hooking Jacks legs over his arms to fucking carry the teen when his face shifted in pain, a small sound broke through his throat and Bobby never wanted to hear such a sound again. "jack? you with me buddy?" he lets jacks legs fall back to the floor as he rest his upper body on his left knee, hand on Jacks face as his eyes roll open. Bobby breathed in deep as he saw his brother looking around before his eyes went to Bobby's face, "Bo-Bobby?" his voice was almost silent as he grunted, trying to sit up which Bobby stopped with a hand to his chest, "i'm here Jack, Angel and Jerry are outside" Jack nodded before dropping his head that Bobby quickly caught. "hey!" he blurted out, shaking his face until jack was looking at him again, "what happened Jackie?" he wiped a stray tear from Jacks cheek as he slowly shifts jack up more, "assholes jumped me before the bell" Bobby couldn't help a laugh "swearing doesn't sound right from your mouth brother" Jack gave a weak smile, rubbing as his neck as he now sat by him self, Bobby kneeling to his right ready to throw fists and break noses just so those wannabe gangsters learn better of what happens when they putt their hands on his baby brother when something clicked in his mind. "they've done this before haven't they?" he grunted out as he took in Jacks form. he was way to calm for this to be the first time, having to deal with Jerry and Angel came home with the same embarrassed look in their eyes as they limped home form a lost fight. when Jack only nodded, eyes looking down to his hands, Bobby could only stand, holding his hands out for Jack to take, "c'mon i'll let you get a hit in" he cocks his head to the door, Jack could only shakily stand with Bobby's help, while Bobby wouldn't admit it he knew Jackie definitely couldn't even slap anyone right now, so he'll get him his car before he did anything. "how many?" Jack only grunted in confusion "how many what Bobby?" they slowly walked past Jacks dusty and dirty backpack before Bobby saw Angel holding the brown skinned boy to the floor, foot on his back as Jerry held the white one by the back of his neck, the tanned one was being held by both the brothers. Jack winced at the sight, "how many fucking times, how many were there, how many people have i got to deal with?" Bobby grunted walking near the brothers, who quickly stopped arguing about something as they looked over to the two, "Jack! what the hell happened!?" Jerry yelled over, Jack only looked down as they continued walking, "do you need your brothers to fight for you Fairy!" the white one called out and to the clear shock on Jacks face when he looked up- he wasn't expecting Jerry to deck the boy square in the face, Bobby snarled at the boys stumbling body, "why don't you pick on someone your own size dick wad" he shoved Jack forward gently, trying to create space between the two. once back to the car, Bobby opened his side before shoving jack into the back and blaring some random bullshit that was on the radio he gave a look but he only rested his head on the head rest. "stay in here, don't look over understand?" he waited till jack nodded just as Bobby was shutting the door Jack called for him, "Bobby!" he re opened the door and looked at his little brother, "yeah?" he was really itching to punch someone right now. "it was just them three, i promise" with that said Bobby left his little brother in his car before storming back over to the boys and his brothers. ** Jack didn't fully listen to Bobby, he had leaned forward and faced to the field of grass the group was on, Bobby was holding Antony by his hair, Angel had Evan on the floor, hand around his neck, hand raised to struck down if need, Jerry was holding Tyler who was already crying, Jack's whole body felt like fucking hell- but he felt guilty, while it was an amazing feeling knowing his brothers were fighting for him- it was meant to be him fighting them. he wanted to kick the stupid grin of their faces but he guessed fighting wasn't his strongest point, he sorta froze- or just ran after the problem. but as he watches as his 'bullies' get their personal memory of why not to fuck with a Mercer- he took in the rage in his brothers forms, he doesn't know how long he was watching, but by the time his brothers left the limp and tipsy from injurie forms- but Bobby was walking back through the side of the school when Angel and Jerry came to the car, Angel joined him in the back, him sat on the right side, Jerry went and sat in the passenger seat, Jack just turned to Angel when his brothers bloody hands touched his face, making him turn his head this way and that as he took in everything wrong with Jacks face. "god i could go out there again if they would last that long, Jerry look at his neck!" Jack rolled his eyes as Jerry turned in his seat and looked him over, he watched his face school as he tries to keep his face from snaring. "Jesus Jack, why didn't you say anything?" Jerry's worried voice made more guilt run through Jack, he could only lean away from his brothers gazes "could handle it" Angel's laugh filled the car and over some song playing, "looks like it Jackie-poo" he was quickly pulled into Angels side as his hand came over the side of his head and onto his forehead, maybe it was the beat down he just had, or maybe he was still tired but he let his head roll onto Angels chest, and if he heard Jerry sigh a small "oh Jack" before turning back forward as Bobby pushed into the car, "here" Bobby murmured passing a bag to Jerry. Jack listened more to Angels breath as his head fell against Angels hand that was on his forehead, he felt Angel shift slightly letting him rest more comfortable, in Bobby's car, Angel as a car pillow and Jerrys worried glances through the rear view mirror as often as possible, surrounded by his brothers, did he drift to a comfortable sleep, his last grip on realty was Bobby's voice "they fucked with the wrong Mercer"