Mercy [boyxboy]

Chapter Eleven

Eric Holloway's a tall, unconventionally handsome man with dusty, sand colored hair and windswept bangs that curl across his forehead to fold inward behind his left ear. The rest of his hair is drawn back in a haphazard ponytail, stray strands escaping to frame his severe face. He's glowering, countenance serious and abrasively disappointed. Just above his right eye rests a small white scar that cuts into his eyebrow, marring his otherwise attractive exterior. Although his eyes are the same soft brown as David's, no kindness hides there.

At Mercy's side, David merely appears confused. "Eric?" he questions slowly. "What the hell… What are you doing here?"

"What," Eric responds, "I can't visit my baby brother unannounced?"

"It's unlike you," David says, frown creased with suspicion. After considering Eric for several quiet, tense moments, he continues coldly, "Seeing as leading the Board of Supers generally leaves you little time for family."

"Yes, well," Eric says with the wave of his hand. "Let's have dinner, then. I've something to discuss with you."

David's lips quirk downwards, unimpressed. "Sorry, already got plans." He glances sideways at Mercy, face relaxing into a fond almost-smile.

Eric's face darkens considerably. "I'm going to have to insist you cancel them." His gaze shifts to Mercy, whom he inspects with a careful, familiar eye that unsettles him.

"Yeah, that's not going to happen," David says easily, posture stiffening as his hands flex in and out of balled fists.

Eric scowls, clearly agitated. "Who's your friend?" he asks, redirecting the conversation with the jerk of his arm.

Mercy frowns at Eric's question, finding it incredibly odd. Eric Holloway should know who he is. After all, he's the one who tasked Bentley with keeping a close eye on him. Of course, they've never met in person, but surely the older Holloway has at least seen a picture of him? Mercy doesn't know if he's playing ignorant, but something doesn't quite sit right about his tone, his forced inflection.

As Mercy continues to try and work through what's nagging at him, David snaps abruptly, "None of your damn business." However, Mercy doesn't miss the way confusion flickers across David's face as he remains standing steadily beside him.

Eric's gaze alters, warping almost undetectably, something akin to amusement swimming in the depths of a stare that doesn't belong to him. That's when it clicks into place for Mercy. His jarring realization sets off thunderous warning bells and everything around him fades to static white noise. Mercy's eyes drop immediately to Eric's attire; he's dressed in a dark blue, collared button down and black jeans that don't fit properly. Exactly what Antonio had been wearing during the entirety of Langley's lecture.

Mercy feels the dread snake up his spine and it sets his hair on edge as he sweeps a panicked gaze up to meet faux Eric's. Before he can manage the coherency to speak up, David's phone begins to go off again. The obnoxious ringtone cements for Mercy the knowledge that it's Antonio who's once again toying with him.

"Shit," David curses. "Who is it now?" As he grapples for his phone, flipping it right side up in his palm, he simply stares down at the flashing screen, confusion etched into the depress and wrinkle of his brows.

Mercy reaches to grasp at David's arm. "That's not your brother," he says very quietly, grip tightening without his consent.

David looks up slowly at the Eric standing before him, no phone in sight. He hits accept and lifts the phone to his ear, asking with absolute calmness, "Eric, where are you right now?" A pause. "Uh-huh," he murmurs, eyes narrowing with murderous intent. "Yeah, I'm going to have to call you back." Click. He deftly turns his phone off and stuffs it back into his pocket before he levels a truly frightening glare on Antonio. "Who the hell are you?"