Overwatch: A Short Story

The screen flickered and turned off. Mercy opened the blinds, she always did like natural light better than the eco-friendly electric ones.
“Well?” Mercy demands.
“Well, what?” Rae asks. She knows, but she’s not going to lose this partner too. At the very least, she’s not going to be the one that breaks this. It was light and fun and laughter, and she wanted to keep it to herself. Hug it to her chest and never let go of this newfound happiness. If that made her selfish or crazy, then so be it. This belonged to her now.
“They’re criminals!” Mercy nearly shouts.
“They’re agents of Overwatch!” Rae reasons.
“They don’t belong here.”
“Everyone can find a place to belong in Overwatch! You’re the one who told me that.”
That gives Mercy pause. She sighs.
“I’m just worried about you. I don’t want you to get hurt.” She admits. The word “again” hangs between them. She didn’t say it, but they were both
Before the accident, she had been Mercy’s best student. Referring to her as Dr. Ziegler reminded Rae of what she was working towards, and it was also a testimony to how close they were. After the accident however, when Rae had still been frustrated and upset about the event Mercy had come to visit her, and they had gotten into a vicious argument. They had both said things they had regretted. Rae remembered venomously spitting insults and starting to call her Mercy to add weight to her anger.
“I’ve forgiven you already.” Rae tried again.
“It doesn’t change things, Rae. I’ve made many mistakes in my quest to help people, I’ve deeply hurt people that I intended to help. Some recovered, others didn’t, but I should never have let you get hurt. For that, I am truly sorry.” Mercy looked straight into Rae’s eyes. “You deserved better.”
“I’m sorry too.” Rae said. They stood there, looking at each other’s faces in despair. Mercy looked away first and went over to one of her bookshelves. She took down one of the picture frames from a higher up shelf and motioned Rae