I agree that Mercury wasn’t sexually assaulted in the past, but rather it’s a potential for the future.
In Volume 6, Tyrian taunts Mercury about feeling confident in his working for Salem and how he’s so used to violence that he’s too afraid to leave it. When Mercury gets angry and tries to attack, Tyrian kicks him down and literally t-bags him, trapping him under him.
And then in Volume 8, as they’re leaving for Vacuo, he wraps his tail around Mercury TWICE. And this time, Mercury doesn’t try to fight Tyrian or get out of his grasp, because the last time he did that, Tyrian put him in a very uncomfortable, vulnerable position, and he doesn’t wanna go through that again.
He proceeds to grab Mercury and steer him away from Emerald (who is the only person Mercury feels 100% safe with), as if Tyrian is trying to alienate him.
He then puts his arm around Mercury again, and keeps it there until they reach their ship, then PUSHES Mercury inside.
Tyrian’s actions come off as very possessive, wanting Mercury under his control. And what’s really important is that Tyrian only gets handsy with Mercury, he hasn’t done stuff like this to anyone else. Sure, he got in Emerald’s face when he taunted her about Cinder’s assumed death, but that was one time, and he didn’t grab her or shove her around like he does with Mercury.
Tyrian is the most unhinged character in the entire show. He’s capable of anything, so I wouldn’t put sexual assault past him. It seems extremely unlikely because RWBY has never touched on elements of sexual assault before, but if it ever does, I do feel Tyrian would be the one to do it, and Mercury would be his victim.
I’m NOT saying that I hope this happens! This is just an analysis of their relationship and the worse case scenario.
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