#as a result of his amnesia. but i'll keep that to myself......... for now | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

dam-peace · 2 years ago

Note

Greetings, Akuwaku from itch.io here.

Since your lil announcement I shall now be dropping all the current “what ifs” & “imagines” in here. So with that out of the way I shall start with one

For both ABO & VV:

What if the MC suddenly had amnesia? Like for ABO during a mission something went a bit wrong and it caused the MC to forget the others, the same goes for VV but it was in a case.

How would the others (RO’s and/or platonic peeps) react?

I shall now take my leave ;)

lol Hi Akuwaku,

Challenge accepted, and to commemorate this being my first ever 'what if', I'll do all of them. However, all secret RO's have been omitted for the time being.

Vice Virtue

This early on in their relationship, the MC's memory loss wouldn't hit any of the Team 1 members too hard but:

Nicholas

His soft eyes pass over the Detective's sleeping frame. A torrent of emotions etched onto his features, concern, pain.....guilt. Nicholas grabs his head in frustration, pulling slightly at the silky cherry-coloured strands. "How could I let this happen?" he murmurs softly to himself, "how?" he repeats back in a strangled voice. Remembering how he, and the rest of his team had found the Detective.

Sprawled out onto the dirty street corner, when they were in hot pursuit of the perp. The blood oozing out from the crack in their head, caused by blunt force trauma. The colour draining from the Detective's otherwise healthy complexion, the anxiety as the team had rushed them to the hospital. His hands stained with blood, trying to keep the Detective from bleeding out.

The treacherous wait, as they were immediately pulled into surgery. The relief when he had heard that they would be alright. As fleeting, and short-lived as it may have been....until the Doctor's next words hit him like a ton of bricks....."Due to the type of injury they have sustained. I'm sorry to inform you, that there's a high chance they will suffer from long-term memory loss as a result."

Followed by the feeling of his heart, plummeting down to the ground when he first saw you after the surgery. The blank stare you gave him as you took him in, then politely asked, "And you are?" Confirming his fear. Now, here he sits by your bedside, awaiting the arrival of his overseer, trusted mentor and, most importantly....your father.

"He entrusted me with his only child, and I've broken them....so, what kind of leader does that make me?" Nicholas mutters to himself in shame.

"Isn't it obvious Nicky?...A pretty shitty one, one they'd be much better off without.." Whispers the sinister voice in his head, mocking him as usual.

Tobias

"So they don't remember us? well that's unfortunate. But, at least they're alive, right?" I say lightly, with a shrug. Something that doesn't sit well with Nick at all.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" He hisses, "That's all you have to say?!"

I look up at him with a sigh, rising from the waiting room chair. "What do you want me to say, Nick?"

"Say it shouldn't have happened! Say the Detective shouldn't be lying in a hospital bed, right now! Say it was our fault!" He roars out in anger.

I narrow my eyes at him, "Why? So you can make yourself feel better?"

Nick takes a step towards me, his eyes burning with the familiar hot flare of anger. Which he's always tried like hell to keep in check, "Tobias-"

"No." I cut him off, taking a step towards him, mirroring his own action back onto him. "You and that bleeding heart of yours Nick, this wasn't our fault. Or, more specifically your fault and, I won't let you make it seem like it is. I'm not going to help you wallow in your own self-pity, it's pathetic." I spit.

"This kind of job has risks, our job has risks, we know it. The Detective knows it, or at least did." I correct myself, now given the circumstances. "And you know who else? every other cop in goddamn Manhattan!" I hiss back at him, "So what are you gonna do, huh? Blame yourself for every damn cop, that gets injured on duty? Pulling your hair out over it? Damn near castrating yourself, in front of anyone in sight. Begging for forgiveness, over something that was completely out of your control!"

Nick only stares back at me, without saying a word.

I scoff, "And, from a stranger no less. You've barely even known them a month. So, get over yourself Nick, what's done is done. And, you crying about it, isn't going to change a damn thing." Nick continues to stare back at me with dispassionate eyes, by the end of my tirade. I half expect him to sock me in the face, hell I'd welcome it. Though, like always he chooses to take the high road instead. Turning sharply on his heel, he walks away without a second look.

"Tobias....I don't think you should've done that." Kacey croaks out in concern, voice filled with anxiety. Whilst Elias silently peers over at me, from where he's sat. A whisper of concern in his golden, cat-like orbs. After witnessing the whole showdown between Nick and I.

With a tired sigh, I run a hand through my hair. "Why? it wouldn't be the first time", I snark back.

"No, but-"

I snap, "But what Kace?! I'm tired of his whining! he's probably the strongest of us all. And, he acts like a goddamn golden girl! Constantly stuck in the past, and he needs to get the fuck over it. I'm not fucking coddling him, what's done is done! And, we all just need to move the fuck on!"

Turning on my heel, I march away, exiting the hospital. In the opposite direction that Nick had gone. Sick to death of this goddamn conversation, of the past. Sick of him crippling himself with every self-loathing comment, that escapes his fucking mouth. Sick of watching my best-friend kill himself!

Elias

I watch as Nick flits in and out of the Detective's hospital room. Between, talking to the doctor's on Lars' behalf. And, checking in on the Detective every few minutes.

"He's gonna burn himself out", Tobias remarks.

"Maybe we should help him?" Kacey suggests, watching Nick nervously. Her leg bouncing up and down, at a fast pace.

Tobias waves Kacey off, "Don't bother, you know how he is. He needs this, a distraction, a way to keep himself from his own self-pity party." Tobias says in disinterest.

"Would you stop that?!" Kacey hisses, "He's just worried is all!"

Tobias scoffs, "Yeah, an excessive amount. Because not only did the person we were assigned to, get hurt on our watch. But, they also happen to be the love child of our boss, and mentor. Who we knew absolutely nothing about. And, of course the cherry on top, is that there's a 90%-"

Tobias suddenly pauses, "My bad, I forgot the last doctor came with the grim update. That there's now a 99.9% that the Detective, has lost both their short term and long term memory, indefinitely. Nick is shitting himself right now, and honestly so should we." Tobias finishes, slouching in the hospital waiting room chair.

At the end of Tobias' words, my eyes flit back over to Nick. Phone in hand, I watch as a grimace quickly forms on his face. A mixture of both pain and guilt, brandishing the otherwise kind-hearted and ever composed man. Causing me to turn away from the sight, now left with the bitter taste of displeasure.

"I mean who hits someone, with a giant fucking tree branch, anyway?" Tobias mutters incredulously.

"That's really what you're worried about?!" Kacey hisses, at the nonchalant brunette.

Tobias raises a brow, "About saving my own ass, and the trajectory of the branch to head ratio? yeah, kind of."

"Would you shut up!"

Tobias shrugs, "I don't know, make me."

Kacey starts to give a retort, "Maybe I will-"

Until she suddenly cuts herself off, turning to look over at me. "Eli? where're you going?" She calls out, as I've risen from my seat amidst their argument. Making my way over to the front desk, where the exit is located. Rummaging through my pants pocket, I pull out a a pack of cigarettes'. Waving it in the air, for her to see, as I continue on my way. Out of the waiting room, past the front desk and, out the exit. Tucking myself away in a secluded corner.

Hidden from view, a ways away from the hospital's main entrance. Retrieving the lighter from my back pocket, I spark up the end of a cigarette. Inhaling the tobacco into my lungs, then blowing it back out slowly. Repeating the motion a couple of time, before closing my eyes, I enjoy the silence.....just before breaking it. "Find who did this", I command. Slowly opening my eyes, as I watch the puff of smoke emitting from my cigarette. Contort into the face of a wailing ghost, erupting into the sound of a thousand unearthly cries.

Then, abruptly coming to an end, as the smoke rises up to gaze into my golden orbs. A sinister smile on full display, "Etiam Dominus" (Yes, Master), comes they're joint reply. As the sound of a thousand voices, turn to one, peering back at the face in disinterest, I take another drag. The spirits giggle, as the smoke disperses into the air. Sending the wailing spirits with it....wafting into the air, quickly disappearing from view. With one final word, in the foreign tongue I now know so well.

"We'll find them Master....and we'll make them pay."

Kacey

"Are they gonna be okay?" I ask nervously, jumping up from my seat. As Nick exits the Detective's hospital room, with Tobias in tow.

"Yeah, Kace....they'll be fine." Nick says through a sad smile, then he sighs. Looking down at his phone with weary eyes, "I better call Lars." And with those soft words, he walks away to make the painful phone call.

"Tobias..." I trail off, watching as his eyes turn away from Nick, following his departure. Now peering down at me, he raises a brow, "yeah?"

Gnawing at my bottom lip, I look down in uncertainty. Asking the same question, for a second time. Though, this time I know the recipient will tell it to me straight.

"Is the Detective going to be alright?"

Tobias inhales a small breathe, then blows it out in exasperation. "Physically, yes. Psychologically, well only time will tell."

I look up at him in confusion, "Wait, what?"

Tobias tiredly runs a hand, through his dark brown locks. His eyes flitting over to the side, then back onto me. He reaches out a hand, ruffling my hair, "Just be prepared to re-introduce yourself, Kace." And, with those final words he walks off after Nick.

Causing me to turn over to Elias, now rising from his own chair to stand beside me. His hands patting me lightly on the back, as I croak out in a broken whisper. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Shuri/Shyam

Speeding through the busy streets of Manhattan, I wave in and out of multiple lanes. Hearing the continuous blare of honking cars as I move, though the sound just about registers in my mind. Because, in this moment, nothing else takes precedence, beyond the fact that my best-friend is currently fighting for their life. In a god forsaken hospital bed, because some asshole thought he was above the fucking law!

SCREETCH!

My car comes to an immediate halt as I pull up to the front entrance, of the Themis Legacy Hospital. Jumping out of the car, I don't even bother parking. Instead, rushing over to the main entrance door, like a sprinter in a relay race.

"Excuse me, you can't park here!"

Breezing past the security guard, the hospital's main entrance door, into the main reception. "Excuse me, I'm looking for my friend. They were admitted not to long ago, by the name of [Insert MC's First & Last Name]." I ask in a huff, anxiety creeping up the back of my neck, embedding itself deep into my heart.

The receptionist sensing my desperation, begins clacking at a number of keys on her keyboard. "Yes, they're in room 302, but Sir/Ma'am-" Before she can finish, I'm already rushing past the reception room, in search of the godforsaken room.....302.

302.....302....302.... I repeat over and over again, in my mind like a mantra. As I whisk on by, past the many door that line both side of the hospital corridor.

"302!" I exclaim, coming to a sudden halt in front of the door. Moving quick to open it.....only to find myself pausing involuntarily. Closing my eyes, I mutter a short prayer in Hindi, just before opening the door....

And there they are, sat up in the bed, a large bandage woven around their head. As well as, a tray of less than appealing hospital food, perched onto the makeshift bedside table. Face scrunched up in displeasure, their eyes move towards me in surprise. As, I step through the threshold, closing the door softly behind me....

Thank God.

"You know...." I start, "You....you really gave me a fright there." I croak out through a hiccup, trying to swallow past the growing lump in my throat. The burning hot sting of tears, clouding them from vision. Though, I quickly wipe them away, I need to see them. See that they're alright, erase all the gory images of them laid here....dead. I need to burn this into my memory, the memory of them being alive....this.

I smile, making my way closer to their bedside. "So, how are you?" I ask lightly, then catch myself. Chuckling to lightly, I point over to their bandage. "You know, besides that."

"Oh, I'm uh, I'm fine."

I nod, breathing out a sigh of relief, "Good."

"But, uhhh....who are you?"

I blink, the anxiety from moments ago, settling back in. "Who....am I?"

They nod, "Yes, do we know each other? because if we do, could you please tell me why I'm here? They won't give me the specifics." They pause suddenly, looking down at their bedsheets. Then back up to meet my eyes, "Actually, would you mind starting with....who I am?"

And just like that, they have become cloudy once more. My vision blurred, as the tears I fought so hard to keep at bay. Quickly and quietly, start to pour out like never before.

Mason/Marley

"Hey Mason/Marley!" I hear the sound of my name being called, as one of my fellow colleagues makes her way into the crime lab.

"Yeah?" I reply, taking my goggles off to see her properly.

"Did you hear what happened?" She askes with widened eyes, peering over my desk from where I'm sat.

"Uhh no?" I utter back in confusion.

What's up with her?

"Oh my god?! where have you been?!" She exclaims in disbelief.

"Here." I say simply, looking pointedly at the evidence I'm examining....or was.

"Oh yeah..." She trails off lightly in shame. Then, quickly recovers. "Detective [Insert MC's Surname] is in the hospital!"

"What?!" I snap, quickly rising from my chair. Causing the young woman to jump back in surprise. "Where?! Why?!" I ask in a panic, my eyes now just as wide as hers had been.

She raises both her hands, as a means to calm me down. "Apparently, they were injured on their latest case."

"Injured?! What type of injury?!"

"Blunt force trauma..." She shrugs, "So I hear anyway."

Oh my God....

"But that's not all...." She trails off, with a grimace.

"What?!" I bark back.

She jumps, "They're saying the Detective is suffering from memory loss. They have no idea who they are-"

"Which hospital?"

She blinks dumbly, "Huh?"

"Which hospital are they at?!" I cry out in anguish.

"T-themis legacy hospital!" She hollers back in surprise. Without a care in the world, I rush over to the small sideroom room, where our belongings are stored. Grabbing my bag and coat, I frantically shuffle through both, desperately searching for the keys to my motorcycle.

"Mason/Marley wait-!"

Breezing past my colleague as I head for the door. Though not without hearing her final words. Just as I pass through....

"I never knew they were so close...."

"We're not...." Whispers the small, sad voice from within. Echoing through the confines of my now empty mind.

"We're not...." It reiterates, strengthening it's resolve. As I rush down the long corridor, up the stairs, towards the main entrance.

"But, I won't let that stop me, I need to see them."

Leena/Luther

I'm quietly sat by my office desk, staring into space. When I arrived, I had intended to do as I've always done....work. Flit through case files, sign important documents, look over evidence, so on and so forth. And yet, all I can think about.....is them. Laying in a hospital bed somewhere, them of all people. The one person, thought to seemingly be untouchable. Unbreakable, as resilient as the vegetation thriving in the heat of Africa, damn near omnipotent.

I too, foolishly thought them to be that special person, that God/Goddess, ruling amongst us lowly mortals from the confines of their extravagant office. A gift and curse upon this very earth, masked as a mortal in disguise. Though, a mortal they were, just like me, they too could be broken beyond repair. And, now the one who stood so tall and proud, at the pinnacle of their career. Quickly plummets, to the wasteful hell down below. And, the worst part of it all....is that they'll probably never know.

Never know who and what they once were, how they changed the air of an entire building just by stepping through the door. How they commanded those around them, without uttering so much as a word. How they were both admired and feared with such reverence, how they even caused someone like me, as disinterested as I am to everything else.....to pay such close attention to them, it's almost criminal. And now, they just get to forget all about it....

Knock, knock!

"Investigator Kief?" A voice sounds off, from the other side of my office door.

"Come in", I call out.

The young officer opens my office door, stepping through. She ducks her head down slightly, as a sign of respect. Then, passes two files over to me. "Here are the documents you requested, pertaining to Detective [Insert MC's Last Name]'s accident. As well as, their hospital files."

First, opening the medical file, my eyes flit over the pages with alarming speed. Searching desperately, for the most important part of all......

So, they really have lost their memory. They're just like the rest of us now....

"Sir/Ma'am..." The Officer trails off in uncertainty, "Would you like me to assign a suitable person to the case? Investigator Patel perhaps?"

Closing [Insert MC's Last Name]'s medical file, I now open up the other. Reading it's contents with narrowed eyes of displeasure, "No" I answer, leaning back in my chair, as I continue to look over the casefile, with dispassionate eyes. "I'll handle this one myself."

Irene Beuford

"For the love of God!" I exclaim, throwing a file down onto the desk. Looking over each intern in irritation, "Can none of you do anything right?!" Moving around them with purpose, I snatch up everything in their hands. Placing each file in it's correct place, "This goes here!" I yell, Dragging out the filing cabinet, then placing the file into the drawer. Giving it a good slam when I'm done, "This, here!" I shout, slipping another file into a neat row. Onto the book shelf, along with many others.

"And, this here!" I practically scream, Dragging open a desk drawer. Placing the file in its correct place, before rounding on the three useless airheads. Who jump back in fear, "Got it?!" I bark back, they only nod along, without daring to say so much as a word.

"Irene?" I hear a deep voice, softly call out to me.

"What?!"

Chief Richmond blinks down at me in surprise, then quickly recovering. He beckons me forward, "Irene, come with me."

"I have work to do, Dennis." I huff in frustration.

Can he not see, all this work I have to do?!

He raises his brows at me, "And, now you have a break to take. The interns can handle it."

"Yeah, so you'd think!" I huff under my breath, following the goliath of a man out of the filing room. Through, the corridor, up the stairs and past the reception area, all the way to his extravagant office. "Wait here", he says, leaving me to my own devices.

I sigh, What the hell does he want now?!

A few minutes go by, and Dennis re-enters the room with a steaming hot mug in hand. My mug, "Here", he says, handing it over to me. "I don't like coffee", I state matter of factly.

He gives me a smug look, "That's why it's tea", handing the mug over to me for a second time. This time I take it from his hands, whilst he takes a seat on top of his desk, watching me. As I take a tentative sip at my drink......

It's good.

"I'm ashamed that you think after all these years, that I wouldn't know how you like your tea Irene." He says teasingly, having watched me taking the first few sips as if it were poison.

I wave him off, "Yes, yes, congratulations Dennis. You can make tea, we're all extremely proud." I snark back.

He smirks, "Thank you."

I sigh, "Now why am I here?"

Dennis stares back at me for a long moment, then says ever so softly. "So you can cry in private..."

I scoff, "Cry? whatever for?" I counter, though between the worried look in Dennis' eyes. The warmth from the tea, and the saltiness from my tears, now caressing the corner of my mouth. I already know what it is I have to cry about.....

My silent tears, quickly transform into broken sobs. Hiding my face from view, I do my best to maintain a semblance of my dignity. Though, I know I'm safe here, Dennis is one of the few I trust. The few I would ever show any weakness to, the few who would never judge me.

Making his way over to me, Dennis crouches down beside me. Allowing me to keep my face from view. As I prefer, in these few, though, sickly pathetic moments. He rubs my back softly, up and down in a slow motion, trying his best to soothe me. "You find the bastard who did this, and give them hell. You hear me, Dennis?!", I croak out through my wretched sobs.

"Yes, Irene", he says softly with conviction. "You can count on that, I promise."

And, I know he means it too.

Chief Richmond

"What?!" I holler out at the top of my lungs.

"Sir, they say the Detective was rushed to the hospital. Apparently, the perp got the drop on them, and now they're in surgery." As the words leave the young officer's mouth, I can feel the beginnings of a cold sweat breaking out. The anxiety creeping in....accompanied by, the quick flare of anger whenever I feel backed into a corner.

"Got the drop on them?! That's how you see it?! That they were unprepared! how dare you!" I roar in anger, causing the young police officer to shrink back in fear. Quickly, moving from behind my desk, I shoulder past them, "move" I command. Retrieving my coat from off its hook, "which hospital?" I grit out. Adjusting the lapel of my thick winter coat, onto my large frame. In a feeble attempt at hiding my shaky fingers from view.

"What?" The young officer asks dumbly, fear still shaking him to his very core. I round on him, "which hospital were they sent to?!" I hiss. Clenching my fists in frustration. I know this isn't right, it's not the kid's fault, I know it's not....it's mine.

"T-themis Legacy Hospital, Sir!" He answers back in a shaky voice.

Making my way to the door, placing my hand on the door handle. I turn once with venom in my veins, anger coursing through my very being. "And, whilst I'm gone, this whole, entire fucking department better find out who did this....and quick.", Slamming my office door, on the way out. Rushing out of the precinct and to my car, with a silent prayer that they'll be alright. Or, someone's going to have hell to pay.

Lars Beckford

I look over at them, from the other side of the hospital's glass partition. Watching as they sleep soundly, completely unaware of how this incident will forever change their life....

"You can go in, and see them you know?" Dennis suggests softly, now by my side, handing over a cup of steaming hot coffee. Though, I need it little, if anyone needs solace right now...it's him. Taking the cup from his hand, my eyes pass over him in examination.

Turning away, I mutter the findings of my observation back to him. "You've been crying", I state matter of factly, turning away from him. As I take a sip from my coffee cup.

"Yeah...I have," He mummers softly, "And I'd love it if you did too..." He trails off, now too sipping at his own coffee cup.

I raise a brow, "You'd like me to cry?"

"I'd like you to care!" He hisses back, "About your own goddamn kid!" He proclaims, his eyes burning with a fresh flow of hot tears. Pointing over at [Insert MC's Name]'s sleeping frame. "Why Lars?! Why?! Even in this situation, you just won't budge! You won't feel! You refuse too! Why?!"

I continue to stare blankly back at him. Hearing the murmurs of those nearby, as his emotional outburst causes a commotion to stir. "They're not dead" I state matter of factly.

Dennis scoffs, his face contorting into a grimace of both pain and utter disbelief. "No...they're not, but you certainly are." With those final words, Dennis moves past me, into [Insert MC's Name]'s room. Sitting by their bedside, with his head in his hands. I watch him for a silent moment, taking small sips at my now cooling coffee. Before, turning sharply on my heel, walking away.

Alpha, Beta, Omega

One

I had come here in the hopes, that the familiar dull ache of my fists. Against the punching bag, would help to clear my head....but, to no avail. On the contrary, the rhythmic sound of my fists against the object. Only seem to bring me back, as the events that had transpired just hours ago, quickly flood my mind.

"The CT scan seems to suggest, that they've suffered some form of blunt force trauma. Though, I can't seem to locate an entry point anywhere. Yet, the effects of a hidden wound, has somehow caused them to lose their memory."

BANG!

The sound of my fist connecting heavily, resounds throughout the room. The punching bag, bursting from the seams upon impact.

"You've been here for hours." Zero announces, making his appearance be known. As he ventures further into the training room. I look over at him with a blank expression.....

How did I not hear him? I hear everything.

"You're not losing your touch, One. You're just distracted is all." He replies back, answering a question that went unsaid. Gesturing over to the now broken piece of training equipment.

I turn to him, "And, what good is a distracted leader?"

Zero smiles softly, "You know it wasn't your fault, right?"

"Anything that happens to any of you is my fault." I say through a clenched jaw, my fists closed tightly by my sides.

Zero then makes his way over to me, now standing face to face. The taller boy peers down at me with sympathetic eyes. Much like he had done, when we were children.

"And, anything that happens to you is mine." He murmurs softly, "Now come, Mrs Martin would like to see us....it seems that [Enter MC's codename] has awoken."

"And...." I trail off, the burning question clear in my tone.

Please let them be okay...

Zero inhales slowly, releasing a short breath. A soft smile forming upon release, though it fails to reach his eyes. "And, we need to introduce ourselves."

Zero

"Miguel, you're back!", I hear them cry out in greeting. As I close the door softly behind me. Making my way further into the room, pulling up a chair by their beside. I smile, "That I am."

They look over me in quiet observation, "You come here multiple times a day, everyday." They emphasize with a teasing grin.

My smile remains firmly in place. As I nod my head in confirmation, "That I do."

They chuckle, "I'm starting to think, you have nothing better to do."

My smile remains, "I have a lot of things to do, but none better than this." I admit, waving a hand in their direction.

They smile back at me, though it's dampened by a hidden layer of sadness creeping beneath the surface. "Hey Miguel, were we friends?" they whisper, "You know....before-" They take a short pause, "Before my accident." They finally whisper in a small, soft voice.

"No", I say simply.

They're eyes widen slightly in surprise. Turning away in sorrow, with one short word in reply, "Oh..."

Lightly grabbing their chin, I force them to meet my eyes. As I stare back at them in adoration, "We are friends", I say with resolution. "There will never be a past tense in that sentence. We are friends, no matter if you remember me or not....we are friends. And, we always will be, no matter what."

My eyes roam over their features, taking them in, as I softly stroke their hair. "And, once I find the bastard who did this to you...." I trail off, my face remains as soft and serene as ever. Though, my voice betrays the poisonous venom, hidden beneath the mask. "My loyalty and devotion to you, will never be tested again."

Viper

Gliding the knife over the skin of the bright green apple, for the final time. I'm now met with the finished product, bite sized pieces of an assortment of fruits. Which, I place into a clean bowl, taking a chill water bottle from the fridge, ripping off a square of kitchen roll. I walk through the pristine white walls of my home, making my way over to medical ward. Passing through the open door....

"Oh! you're back!"

"Yes", I reply back simply. Making my way over to their bedside. Placing the bowl of fruit, water bottle and napkin onto the bedside table, as I pull up a chair.

"This is like the tenth time you've brought me something. You're like a magpie, you know that?" They chuckle, taking up the bowl of fruit, nibbling at it's contents. "Hmmm", They hum in delight, "I love grapefruit."

I know....

"Hey..." They call out softly with a smile, then raising the bowl in hand, "Thank you for this, I mean it."

I nod, "You don't talk much, huh?"

I shake my head, "No."

They grin, "I guess you're just my silent Samaritan, then I guess."

"Hmm..." I hum back in response.

"You know..." They trail off, placing the bowl of fruit back onto the bedside table. "You've been visiting me ever since I woke up here, but you've never actually told me your name...."

My eyes quickly flit over to the side, then back over to them. "Raja...", murmur softly in reply.

"Raja..." They mimic, "Well, thank you for taking such good care of me Raja." They say through a soft, smile of gratitude.

I nod slowly back at them, "I try...." I whisper under my breath.

And I failed.

Wolfe

Throwing my knife over at the assailant, looming over [Enter MC's codename]. I watch as it wedges itself into the back of the man's head. Causing him to collapse onto the ground, dying instantly.

"What was that about, [Enter MC's codename]?" I ask in confusion, making my way over to them. Retrieving my knife from the now dead man, wiping the blood clean off the blade. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you looked like you didn't know, what the fuck you were doing." I continue, placing my combat knife back into my utility belt.

"Normally, I 'd just watch to see you cut the bastard down." I shrug, "But, what can I say...I felt like stealing." I say through a grin, then quickly raising a brow, "Why the hell are you on the ground?"

"Who are you?" They utter in confusion, looking up at me. As if they've never seen me a day in their life.

I chuckle to myself, reaching down to help them off of the ground. "Very funny [Enter MC's codename], now come on, get up-" Though, my words are cut short, when they shuffle away from me in fear.

"Please don't kill me! I won't tell anyone what I saw, I promise!"

I blink, looking down at the hand they had just escaped from. I chuckle once more, though this time it comes out more like a nervous gargle than anything else. "Yeah, okay joke's over now [Enter MC's codename], we've really gotta go-"

"Go where?!" They scream, shuffling away from me in a panic, once more.

"And, who the hell is [Enter MC's codename]?!"

I clench my jaw in annoyance, "This isn't funny, [Enter MC's Codename]. And, that's coming from me, of all people!"

"Do I look like I'm joking?!"

No....they don't.

I stumble back a step, as if under a liquor induced haze. Blinking in confusion, I look around at the surrounding area. Though, nothing seems to register....Until, my eyes land on the dead man beside me, the familiar hot flare of anger, quickly igniting....

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO THEM?!" I roar, smashing my heavy combat boot onto the man's head....hard. Watching as blood and brain matter, ooze out of him. The familiar crunch of a human skull beneath my feet, as his eyes pop out of their sockets. [Enter MC's codename]'s screams, quickly flooding the once quiet area. Slowly, transforming into the bleak buzz of white noise. As I continue to smash his face in, until, his features are no more.

Hex

I've been laid out on my bed, for a good hour now, wailing like a banshee.

"They don't remember me...." I croak out, in a broken whisper. Everything we've been through. All the sacrifices, blood, sweat and tears. All reduced to nothing, they remember none of it, so where does that leave us? as....strangers? The very person I looked up to, the one I considered family. As another older sibling who took care of me, is now nothing more than a stranger, laid up in a hospital bed.

Looking over my sobbing frame in pity, trying to pat me meekly on the back. As someone would, any other saddened acquaintance. The memory of it all, clenches at my heart, only causing me to sob harder than ever.

Knock, knock!

A soft knock sounds at my room door, though I make no effort to call them in. My silence seems to worry, whoever's standing on the other side , "Sabeen, honey I'm coming in." Comes a warm voice, as the woman I've thought of as my own mother, steps through the door. Closing it behind her with a soft, sympathetic tut. "Oh Sabeen, honey...." Mrs Martin, sits beside me. As I continue to sob into my pillow, she reaches out a hand to pat me softly on the back.

Flinging the pillow to the side, I clutch onto her for dear life. Sobbing into her chest, as she strokes my hair softly. Shushing me tenderly, much like you would a new born baby. "They don't remember me, or you, or any one else!" I exclaim in a pained, strangled gargle.

"I know", she says softly, "I know."

"Someone took them from us." I whisper in anger, pulling away from Mrs Martin. Looking up into her swollen red eyes, that mirror my own. Though, unlike hers, mine are filled to the brim with tears. No longer as a representation of my own sadness, at the loss of a dear friend, no. These tears represent my burning hatred from within, begging to take root....

"And I swear, when I find who did this...." I begin, speaking through clenched teeth, shaking with unbridled anger. "I'll cut them from the inside out!"

Ghost

"Ghost...you gotta rest bro." Wolfe says through a tired sigh, making his way further into the Tech lab.

"No." I say in flat out refusal, without giving him so much as a look. I have important things to do. And, I won't let him get in the way.

He let's out a scoff, "You're obsessed with fixing them, whilst breaking yourself. How does that make any sense?"

"I'm better than the average human, we perform at a higher rate. You're attempting to force me to rest, when you know I simply don't need it." I answer back matter of factly, my eyes still glued to the three computer monitors in front of me.

"We need less rest than the average human, but we still need it. And, you haven't slept, or eaten in three days!" Wolfe shakes his head, "It's gotta stop, you're fucking scaring Mrs Martin. And, Hex thinks you're gonna die!" Wolfe barks back in annoyance, now leaning over my desk menacingly.

Clacking heavily against the computer's keyboard, I respond back to Wolfe's admission. "If I'm on the verge of death, I'll let you know."

"Would you just stop!" He roars, swiping the wireless keyboard away from me. "You think [Enter MC's codename] would wanna see you like this?!"

I narrow my eyes at him, "What they want is irrelevant. They don't know me....not anymore. So, what does it matter what they want?"

Wolfe only blinks, peering down at me from where he's stood. Keyboard still high in the air, his mouth slightly agape. Unsure of what to say next.

"Ghost-"

"So, let me tell you what I want..." I trail off in a clipped tone, rising from my chair to look him in the eyes.

"I want you and everyone else to get off my fucking back. As long as my technological efforts, do not hinder my academic, or military performance. Then, I want you all to back off!", I hiss. "Because what I need to do, is to fix them!" I spit. Dragging the keyboard from Wolfe's hands, then placing it back onto the desk. Ignoring him, as I examine [Enter MC's codename]'s medical data once more.

"What am I missing?"

Mr & Mrs Martin Part 1:

Stepping into the large kitchen area, I watch as Maria frantically flits around the room. An assortment of mixing bowls, ingredients, kitchen utensils and more are scattered over ever counter. She's stress baking, something that only happens when she's extremely distressed. She always says, if she could turn her bitterness into something sweet.

Then, whatever happened must be worth it, something to learn and grow from. Though, what I see before me aren't the sweet treats, my wife is practically an expert at making. No, all I see are blackened crisps of multiple failed attempts, only worrying me that much more. Venturing further into the room, I call out to my wife softly. "Maria...", though her focus is elsewhere. Whisking at some heavy batter mix in a deep bowl, "Maria..." I try again.

This time she hears me, "I was meant to look after them, all of them." She states, her voice distant, far gone. Refusing to look up at me, instead, she continues to mix the contents of the bowl, this time harder than ever.

I correct her, "We, Maria.", "We were meant to look after them. All of them, and if you blame yourself. I won't let you do it, without blaming me too."

She pauses, looking up at me with tearful eyes, "Don't do that", she says in a broken whisper. Watching me softly, as I move over to her side, extracting the bowl from her hands. "Don't what?", I ask, smiling down at her.

"D-don't", she stutters, soulful tears building up in her beautiful brown eyes. "Don't try to make this a joint thing, okay? We're already married, let me have this one thing for myself."

I chuckle under my breath, "Not a chance, we're a package deal, remember?" The comment causes her, to let out an almost inaudible huff of laughter. I watch her, my eyes roaming over her every feature. Even in this moment, with her hair as wild as the whisk, she used to beat that batter to a pulp. Food splatters all over her clothing, red, tearful eyes. And, a whole earring missing from one ear, I can't help but to love her more.

Wiping away her warm tears, with both my thumbs. She closes her eyes, softly grasping both my hands. I lean down, kissing her on the forehead with purpose. Then, wrapping my muscular arms, around her much smaller frame, pulling her in tightly. As she starts to sob into my chest, hiccupping, wailing. And, belting out her guilt and frustration, for only my eyes to bare witness.

Mr & Mrs Martin Part 2:

After Maria had tired herself out, from all the tears she had wrongfully had to shed. I carry her back to our room, changing her out of her dirty clothes. Untangling the hair band, out of her thicket of curly locks. I slip on her silky bonnet, extrating her lonesome earring from one ear. Watching her sleep so peacefully, after going through emotional hell. Stroking her hair softly, I sit there for however long, just taking her in. Then, with a light kiss to the forehead, I leave the room.

Making my way back to the kitchen, I roll up my sleeves. Cleaning every pot, pan and utensil in sight. Putting all the ingredients back into their place, wiping down the counters, mopping the floors. Even, baking something small of my own, for Maria when she wakes up. Six banana breads laid out splendidly, on pristine porcelain plates.

Her favourite....

Enough for all to share, since everyone here is fond of them. Looking over to the side, there sits another cake entirely of it's own. Different from the rest.

[Enter MC's First Name]'s favourite...or, at least was.

Leaving the cakes on the counter, I cover up each one with with a clear casing. Leaving a small note, stating that it's there to be eaten without hesitation. Then, I leave the room, in search of another....

Leaving the S.P.U Headquarters, I send my wife a quick message. Letting her know of my whereabouts, for when she wakes. Then, I'm on my way, over to The Facility's main base....Lieutenant Zhang's.

Soon arriving at her office, I knock on the door for entry. "Come in", she calls out to me. Opening the door, I shut it behind me. Making my way over to her desk, I stand with my arms behind my back. A stoic mask set firmly in place.

Amelia nods in my direction, "Winston."

"I'll keep this short", I state. She nods, "Have you informed the council of the incident?"

She shakes her head, "No, not yet."

"Good, because you won't be doing that." I state plainly with authority.

Amelia raises a brow, "Am I now?" She challenges.

"No Amelia, you're not." I state matter of factly. "Because, we both know what could happen to them if you do."

Her eyes flit over to the side for a second, then back over to me. I take a step towards her, now leaning over her desk. She stares back at me with distant eyes. "I can turn them into a soldier again, Amelia. I did it once, I can do it again, I will work with them extensively, every. single. day. To get them back to the high standard they once were."

"That took years, Winston. Years to get this team where its at now."

"I know...which is why, I'll get it done in half the time."

Amelia raises a skeptical brow, "Is that so-?"

I cut her off, "You brought myself and wife here Amelia, never forget that."

Her brow drops at my hardened tone, "You wanted us here, and now you got us. Those children are my responsibility, my wife is my priority. And I'll be damned if you, or anyone else, council or not. Get in the way of me protecting one of mine." I warn her, squeezing the corners of her desk so tightly in anger. That if it were another other flimsy material, it would've been broken by now.

Amelia stares back at me with cool eyes, then nods her head slowly. "Alright, Winston, I won't say a word, for now send the others on any assigned missions. Whilst [Insert MC's Codename], starts from the ground up."

Hearing her words, I ease up off of her desk, taking a step back. She continues, "Whilst I handle the search for the perpetrator-"

"No", I cut her off. "He's mine." I say through clenched teeth. Spinning on my heel, I march over to the door. And, out her office without a second look. Though, not without hearing her mutter under her breath.

"Looks like Mad dog Martin is back."

And, I'm out for blood....

Lieutenant General Zhang

Sat in my office, I look over the file before me, once more.

How many times have I read this?

"Not enough", sounds off the voice in my head. "Not enough for it to make sense", it continues. "Not enough for you to believe it", it finishes.

"Memory loss...." I utter in disbelief, "What am I supposed to do with a soldier, in The Special Unit no less, who has memory loss!" I hiss quietly under my breath, standing from my chair. I make my way over to the large window behind me, overlooking the base, as I contemplate my next move.

"It took years to get here, to acquire this..." I mutter to myself, looking over my base with pride. Though, who really comes to mind, are each and every one of the S.P.U members. "And, if they can't learn how to be a soldier again. If they're powers run amok, as it had many times in the past. Then, they have no use here.....

"And, they need to have a use here, don't they, Amelia?" The voice whispers, "Because you know, better than anyone. What happens to those, who have no use...."

Narrowing my eyes, I remember the treacherous orders from the past. And, the bloody screams of terror that followed it.

"They're eliminated", I mutter stoically.

"They're eliminated." As does the voice, with me. Though, where I feel nothing....they only feel pleasure.

#ABO-if #ABO: RO Ask #ABO: Ask #ABO: S.P.U #VV-if #VV: RO Ask #VV: Ask #VV: Team 1

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the-ghost-king · 4 years ago

Text

Schizophrenic Nico, here's why I think it's possible:

I want to start off by saying these are just my thoughts, there is no one way to be schizophrenic or to have schizophrenia. It's also important to note that many of the schizophrenic symptoms overlap with other mental illnesses/nuerodivergences like ADHD, Autism, Depression, and OCD which I know many people who head canon Nico as having. I'm not arguing schizophrenic Nico is more correct, more canon, or more right, but to explain some thoughts on why I think it's possible/very likely he does so I can use this for future reference in various thing.

I am using the term schizophrenia as a catchall for all "types" of schizophrenia, but not for schizoaffective disorder which I would say Nico probably doesn't have.

Children born in the winter/those who were "sickly" as babies are more likely to develop schizophrenia. It may also be possible if your mother was sick while pregnant with you, or having a father who was significantly older when he had you.

A stressful life, especially trauma, are more likely to develop schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. It likely has something to do with excessive dopamine production, but it may also have something to do with the same genes that control the sleep-wake cycle. Schizophrenia is more common with other mental illnesses or with other nuerodivergences or developmental delays.

Common symptoms include:

Hallucinations

Delusions

Disorganized thinking

lack of motivation

slow movement

change in sleep patterns

poor grooming or hygiene

changes in body language and emotions

less interest in social activities

Now what does this mean for Nico, and why do I think it's likely he has Schizophrenia?

Let's start with Nico's childhood, "children born in the winter/those who were "sickly" as babies are more likely to develop schizophrenia". Although Rick proposed two birthdays for Nico, the fandom generally accepted the January date more fully. We also know that Nico is described as small when he was younger, smallness is common in children who grow up sickly, but it is also common in children who's mother was ill while pregnant with them. We obviously don't know if Nico was sick as a kid, or if Maria was sick while pregnant with him, but again being born in the winter makes these things more likely, as well as consideration for the time period Nico grew up in and the larger variety of illnesses going around at the time. (He is vaccinated against some things though).

Trauma and Nico... do I really have to go into super detail on this one? He spent his childhood growing up in a fascist country that was extremely racist/anti-Semitic/homophobic/etc, his mom died when he was a child- in front of him, his father intentionally gave him amnesia, his sister died when he was a child, he then proceeded to become homeless living/spending lots of time with Minos who verbally (and possibly physically) abused him, becoming aware of his past memories, becoming aware of the fact that many people hated him because of his father and because they thought he was joining the other side (therefore, he was "bad"), he fought in many battles as a child, fought monsters alone, was often faced with life or death situations, went to Tartarus alone (where the goddess of misery told him he was "perfect"), was trapped in a hostage situation with little/no air for a long time while people debated whether or not to save him, was outed against his will, was freed only to travel again fighting monsters and then win a battle, was eventually made to quest with Apollo despite still having lots of healing to do in ToN. So stressful life? Fuck yeah, that doesn't being to cover it.

Genetic factors, obviously nothing here is confirmed so I'm speculating a little bit again, but the common idea in regards to Hades children through the series is that they are "bad". Mental illnesses have been stigmatized for hundreds, if not thousands of years, and often mentally ill people were made out to be weird/bad/etc. It's more than possible there is some sort of genetic factor taking place, also "having a father who was significantly older when he had you". Although I doubt godly genes work the same as mortal ones (trust me I have lots of thoughts on how god genetics/DNA work, but that's not the point right now), I think Hades being the oldest out of all his brothers and having a reputation for having "questionable" children says something... We have no information on Maria's family history at all.

As for schizophrenia often occurring with other mental illnesses and/or neurodivergences: Nico canonically is implied to have either ADHD and/or Autism, and is canonically stated to have PTSD. I think most people would agree that saying Nico has or has had depression isn't a stretch in the slightest.

So canonically we can all agree Nico has severe trauma and coinciding mental health issues/neurodivergences, so out of 4 possible issues I’ve first presented we guaranteeably have two. If I wanted to stretch this a little I would give myself a half point for him being born in the winter and a half point for the aspect of Hades genetics but I won’t do that.

On top of that schizophrenia usually appears during teenage and young adult years in people who receive diagnosis; most people live with mental illness for a few months or a few years in some cases before they're able to receive a diagnosis. Nico being 15 (16 by the end of ToN/shortly following the end of ToN) is about the age that schizophrenia would start to make an appearance. It's also more likely to be found in men, with men also noticing the appearance of schizophrenia appearing early in their lives, and experiencing more negative symptoms in comparison to the higher commonality of affective symptoms in women. That's a really complicated explanation to basically say there's 3 more things that would make Nico having schizophrenia make more sense.

Alright, let’s go back to the list of symptoms I provided:

Hallucinations

Delusions

Disorganized thinking

lack of motivation

slow movement

change in sleep patterns

poor grooming or hygiene

changes in body language and emotions/behavior

less interest in social activities

Once again, some of these are not solely related to schizophrenia and can be the result of other mental health issues, I’m just going to go down the list and add in some moments from the books in which Nico shows some of these traits/behaviors.

Delusions/Hallucinations (more later)

Our best chances for understanding Nico's thought process is in Blood of Olympus where he has a P.O.V... Sometimes Nico's thoughts do derail, or sometimes they get a little confusing, but not always, and when talking to others he is consistent and aware of what he's saying, as well as blunt. Anything "off" about his thought patterns to me just seems like ADHD..

Dietary changes (whether or not you think he has an eating disorder) are behavioral changes (I personally think Nico has AFRID)

Within House of Hades Nico's poor sleep patterns are constantly referenced, and I'll give him a pass on poor hygiene because he's in the middle of a quest but still..

I have extremely complicated feelings on what Will says here, it's possible Nico is an extremely unreliable narrator (unlikely, it seems many people are bothered by him and only maybe a handful aren't), I've also thought at many points this was Rick trying to backtrack some stuff with Nico because he realized he'd made his story a little too harsh for a kids book, it could also be Will's trauma kicking in and that happening... I'm not counting it as full proof about Nico disliking social interactions, but Nico does try to leave even after this conversation and isn't convinced to stay until the last chapter, so maybe there's something to be said about people's dislike of him for being a Hades kid- but I think it's fair to say Nico also dislikes people at least some because he doesn't have interest in trying to befriend anyone either, and is quick to assume all people dislike him (paranoia/low self esteem/and some other possible stuff). There's lots of discussions to be had about this quote and other similar ones, and I don't think a broad brush approach of "Nico good everyone else bad" is accurate it's more, "Nico is good but he fails to try and you have to work on your own mental health everyone won just go to you, and also people dislike Nico for silly reasons and need to get over themselves and make an effort too". (I'm extremely oversimplifying my thoughts and feelings to keep it brief.)