Hand in Hand (part six)
@whumptober Alt. 3, Brass Knuckles + Alt. 2, Aftermath of Failure
cw: beating, death threats, mild dissociation
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"Listen very carefully to me. If you want your friend to live another day, a demonstration of loyalty will be required."
Dan only nods at Swift's words. His back is cramping and his shoulders ache---the patrol didn't want to wake her up, so they tied him to a bunk and waited until dawn---but his mind feels as if it's been untethered from his body. He feels numb. He's sobbed himself dry, out of frustration and fear and pure despair, and now he feels numb.
After all, what can he do? They're going to hurt Wes. If he tries to fight, he'll only lose, and then it'll be worse. The softest outcome will only happen if he sits quietly and allows it.
Mercury tilts his chin up with a finger, an attempt to bring his eyes to hers. "Aren't you going to ask me what it is I want?"
He doesn't want to. A demonstration could mean anything from public humiliation to sitting still while she beats him. "What kind of demonstration?" he asks, his voice devoid of any real curiosity.
"We're going to take a little trip to the cell. You are to remain at my side at all times. You will not move, or even speak, unless I order it. Understood?"
His mouth is dry, his head is pounding, he knows what this means, but he only nods. "Understood."
"Do you know what will happen if you fail?"
It's implied. He doesn't want to hear it spoken, but Swift clearly wants him to ask. "What will happen?" it's getting harder to keep his voice steady.
"If you're disobedient, I'll have my Riot Kings pour a barrel of ship's fuel into the cell and set it alight. Your friend will burn alive."
Dan's breath catches, and he has to force himself to inhale, slow and deep, to keep himself out of reach of the despair that threatens to consume him.
"Understood?"
When he blinks, the heat of a tear drops down his face. "Understood."