Quick continuation of Bonk and Switch or Amnesia Au
Why the hell was Pyro back!?
This was not what he was expecting when he was called down for breakfast this morning! Why did they want him at their house?? After everything! This didn’t make any sense!!
It had been five weeks since Pyro had visited Czeslaw in the hospital. He was discharged yesterday night, and was now finishing his recovery at home.
His parents had sent a letter in response to the apology note Pyro had left. They had decided his fate, and wanted to meet with him to ‘discuss it’.
Which Pyro was sure meant Midevil torture. After all, who in their right mind would want to have a civil conversation with their son’s attempted murder!??
Well- disregarding Pyro’s parents.
They didn’t care much for him.
But Pyro knew Czeslaw had a very loving mother from the way he spoke about her, and she was said to be a //very// intimidating woman!
He was standing in front of their abode now, trying to steel his nerves. He took a deep breath in and then let it out before knocking on the door.
The second of silence felt like an eternity with how much they wanted to book it in the other direction and live in the forest forever.
But then the door opened to reveal a servant. She seemed shocked to see him for a moment before quickly becoming pissed at his mere presence.
She definitely knew who Pyro was.
“I- I’m sorry to bother-“ he stumbled before realizing that was a horrible start as she grabbed a rag from her waist and raised it. He flinched instinctively and quickly blurted out an explanation. “I have a meeting with Ms. Szlachtaski!!” He pleaded.
They waited for a beat before peaking an eye open at the sound of the woman’s sigh. She lowered her cloth and tied it to her waist before further opening the door. “Come with me.” She huffed before turning to walk deeper into the manner.
Pyro let out a sigh of relief before hesitantly following after her. She closed the door behind him and he felt his stomach sink.
Their footsteps echoed through the ornately decorated walls, the sound of leather meeting mahogany filled the silence before the woman leading them decided to break it.
“You tied that boy's brain in knots I hope you know.” She told them sternly, anger clear in her voice. “He hasn’t been right since he got back.”
Pyro felt nauseous. His mind still hadn’t recovered? They weren’t exactly expecting him to be all better by now but they’d hoped he’d have made some progress.
“I’m sorry.” Is all he replied with, voice fragile as glass. Then the walk continued in silence.
If….he was still as out of it as he was when Pyro last saw him, did he still think? No, there was no way that kind of delusion would stay in Czeslaw’s head that long. He hated Pyro after all, he would’ve overcome that rather quickly.
That was what Pyro chose to believe at least!
Maybe he was the delusional one.
The hall slowly led out into a beautifully decorated library and sitting area, rich warm colors filled the space, a red carpet on dark wood, orange tinted lights barely illuminating the space alongside a crackling fireplace, silhouetting the room of maroon couches in a warm glow, while also casting bold shadows over the poised figure of Czeslaw’s mother sitting with her legs crossed.
To anyone other than Pyro it might have seemed cozy, but they simply felt like a mouse in a cage with her expressionless face burning holes into his soul.
“Miss Minka Szlachtaski, your guest has arrived.” The young woman informed her. A small vindictive smile on her face.
Minka hummed in acknowledgement, gaze now fully focused on the servant. “Thank you Vivian dear,” she replied with a voice full of affection. “Have him sit down.” She told her.
Vivian turned to Pyro, who just about wanted to crawl into his skin, before gesturing to the couch sitting opposite to her. He scrambled to sit down and she strutted away, back to her duties. Minka watched her go before turning to Pyro with a predatory stare.
It was the most intimidating sight he’d ever seen. The fireplace was behind her, casting her in shadows, nothing but a coffee table adorned with a tea set between the two.
“Jack Von Pyrosythe.” She began with a sigh. Like she was disappointed. He tensed as if bracing for impact. “You’re Archie’s boy, correct?” She inquired.
He suppressed a flinch at the name of his father and merely nodded. Trying to come off as polite. “Yes Ma’am I am.” He replied nervously.
She poured him a cup of tea before continuing the discussion. Hers was a light purple, but she gave him one from a different teapot, his was a lovely amber. He picked it up with shaking hands and blew on it politely to help it cool. It smelled of apple spice.
“You’re the one who tried to cave in my son’s skull, correct?” She asked so casually that he couldn’t help but tense.
“Y-yes ma’am.” He said once again, ashamed of how meek and shaky his voice was.
She quickly rolled her eyes and drank her tea. “You can relax y’know, I don’t bite.” She told him, her voice still level and showing no emotion whatsoever. “All you did was hit him, nothing his father hasn’t done before.” She added.
Pyro stared at her in shock, he didn’t know that Czeslaw was abused. “He did?” He asked in shock, not quite sure how else to respond.
“Mhm.” She hummed in response as Pyro delicately put his tea cup to his lips. “Such a shame that he drank cyanide that night.” She remarked.
Pyro spit out the tea in a panic, choking and spilling it all over the table as his eyes went wide with horror.
She just watched him with an even expression.
He slowly looked up at her with shaking hands. “What- what was that?” He asked in terror. The tea tasted bitter and stung his tongue with placebo as he tried his best not to vomit right then and there.
“I said he choked on his own spit that night,” she replied with a small shrug. “At least that’s what we assume, since we had him cremated before we remembered to do an autopsy.” She explained.
Pyro slowly set his tea cup down. He felt sick. “I-I’m terribly sorry for what I did.” He told her, “whatever you see fit to happen to me I’m more than willing to oblige.” He detailed, kissing his life goodbye in his mind.
Minka huffed, the first emotion he’d seen from her forming on her face.
“Am I right in assuming you’re aware of how my son views you?” She asked. Pyro felt like he’d been slapped.
“Does…..” They began before starting over, “He doesn’t still think that I’m his..” Pyro trailed off, Minka vocalized it for him.
“His lover? I assure you he does.” She replied, back to her state of emotionlessness.
“Oh…” Pyro trailed off, this looked bad.
She sighed again, drawing Pyro’s attention back up to her instead of at the floor. “Amnesia is a funny thing.” She began, taking a slow sip of tea. “The patient has significant information missing, and so their brain fills the space in with what they think is the answer, and any indication that they’re wrong causes them great stress, and stress significantly worsens their condition.” She monologued, swirling her cup with a distant expression.
Pyro soaked up the information like a sponge, feeling great concern for his own bully. And also, who wouldn’t find this incredibly interesting? He froze when her gaze locked onto him, predatory once more.
“Do you know what I’m asking of you young man?” She asked, her tone cold and her posture ready to jump up and grab him if need be.
He blinked dumbly at her and thought for a moment. “Uhhhh, I can’t say I do.” They replied, fidgeting with their hands in their lap.
She hummed and looked Pyro up and down in judgment before explaining. “You, for the duration of my son’s memory loss will play along with his delusions and live here in my home.”
Pyro felt his eyes go wide as she spoke.
“You will sleep in his bed and play the part of the perfect boyfriend. This will significantly relieve his stress and allow him to properly heal.” She detailed before glaring into his soul. “You broke him, you fix him essentially.” She explained.
Pyro just blinked at her in shock.
His face turned bright red and he nearly passed out.
“O-okay.” He let out after realizing he hadn’t replied. “Yes ma’am, if you think that’s best.” He added.
She watched their gay panic ensue before standing up. “Come with me, I’ll show you to his room.” She informed them.
Pyro stood up shakily and put all his weight on his right leg. She raised her brow at this slightly but didn’t react outside of that.
As the two walked through the halls Minka continued to detail his new living situation to him. “Your parents were informed of this beforehand and your belongings are already on their way. You are not to leave the estate unsupervised as I don’t trust you to not run at the first opportunity. If my son obtains any injury while under your care know that I will give you triple that, and if you attempt to finish the job I will make your demise slow and painful.” She listed as he limped after her.
He felt like an ice brick had become lodged in his stomach with every new statement she said. Holy shit this was actually happening. They were a prisoner here holy fucking shit. They’d been a prisoner before of course but only in his own home, this was a much newer experience.
He suddenly wished he’d been paying closer attention to the layout and what turns they took, getting lost in this mansion with Minka’s amnesiac son was sure to get him beheaded.
“Do you need a cane?” She added after it had been silent for a moment.
Pyro paused before realizing she was asking if he was disabled. “Oh, this is a new development.” He explained, “It’ll heal eventually.” He reassured, before adding a hushed ‘probably’.
She hummed and they returned to silence once more. They quickly came upon a staircase which made Pyro clench his jaw in agony as he very slowly ascended. Minka had to wait for him at the top and when he got there he half expected her to push him down them. But she merely turned and continued a few paces before pausing at a door and turning to him.
“I have an excuse prepared regarding your absence, so let me tell it before you say anything.” She ordered them, to which they nodded obediently before she grabbed the door handle and twisted it open.
Guess they were going back after all. He hadn’t intended to keep that promise.