Today is the one-year anniversary of my cat's death. His name was Tariq, and he was 19 years old, most of which he'd spent with me. He was a silver Persian. He was very sweet, rarely ever naughty, and just the best cat - and friend - I could have asked for. Rest in peace, Tariq. You had a great life, and though it may be over, I'll always love and remember you.
I'd love to explore Tejo's vulnerabilities and write a bit of angst because I know beneath that old smug man are layers of hidden traumas and experiences.
(And also Riot doesn't do shit with his character and lore so it's time to take matters into my own hands)
I added a cut since I didn't realize how long this is gonna be lol
His motto and lifestyle about doing things by any means necessary, making peace before pulling the trigger, clearing conscience before the fight stems from his past experiences of having to overcome that issue.
While he has learned to distance himself and learned to be uncaring and detached in the battlefield, there was a point in time where he was guilty and hesitant on finishing the job and has to reinforce himself.
My hc is that while he was responsible for Tariq's death (sorta implied btw), he was very hesitant to do the act. He has to make a very heavy sacrifice after all and all the guilt that will come with it.
But I like to think that Tariq willingly sacrificed himself for the team and especially Brimstone's safety. He probably had a talk or promise with Tejo that if something goes wrong with the mission, he'll do what's right.
The feeling of guilt he felt right after this incident would be immense, since after this the team most likely disbanded. This is the point where his and Liam's relationship with each other became estranged.
He'll take Liam's anger as a way to punish himself and a reminder of what he has done. But he won't apologize because he knows Tariq wanted this and apologizing for his death would be an insult to his sacrifice and he would rather have Brim angry at him than himself.
After the disbandment of the ragged ravens, he started to become distant on people he has ties and working with. Everything isn't personal for him, just work. Getting too attached would not only be him risking of compromising the mission, but him getting hurt again.
While during this point, he has coped to do things by any means, he doesn't like the act of self sacrifice. He knows too well how cruel it can be. He hates working with those people the most as it reminds him of his time with the ragged ravens.
He has become so detached and cold in the battlefield to the point that his coworkers regards him as the guy that doesn't hold anything back (Veto and Waylay reinforces this in their voicelines). He is also more brutal and violent in fights, something he developed as a way to take out his anger and emotions.
While he's good friends with Veto and Waylay and worked with them over the years, he still has his walls up and doesn't show any signs of weakness. Veto and Waylay was curious and concerned about him at one point, but they know not to press further. They also don't know what the man's thinking deep down half the time.
Joining the Valorant Protocol definitely opens up old wounds. The fact that the agents treat each other like family along with Brim's usual leadership fills him with so much nostalgia and while he doesn't like to admit it, he likes the feeling of warmth and camaderie and he hates it.
It took a very long time, but his exposure to the protocol soften his guard little by little without him realizing it. Deep down he feels like he's somewhere he doesn't belong to. He was a stranger to them after all, especially when they find him wandering in the HQ randomly during their first meeting.
He first kept his distance and walls up, but the vibes of the Protocol was infectious
He never expected to be attending football matches with the other agents, reconnect and go fishing with Brim again, or helping Reyna cook food for the children of the sanctuary. All this little acts of warmth and kindness slowly brings back the old Tejo before Tariq's death.
Whenever one of the agents are hesitant or carried guilt with them, he would try to comfort them in his own way. By clearing their conscience, helping them compartamentalize and sometimes, very rarely, sharing his own experiences.
He also gives other agents the confidence they need by supporting them in fights and during strategy meetings. (I love how he supports and hypes up Phoenix during the Corrode trailer and tasked Veto with protecting Mary)
While he knows under Brimstone's leadership he won't risk the agent's for their cause, he decides to handle the team in his own way. Sure he's rough and he speaks very bluntly, but it's his way of toughening the agents up so they don't go through what he did.
Slowly starts to show a bit of affection and pride in his team with some short compliments and praise. Man's in denial still, but deep down he lowkey cares about this group.
He wears his glasses all the time not only because he likes to be ready for combat, but the man's eyes speaks a thousand emotions underneath those shades. His smug and cocky demeanor is also a defense mechanism he has built over the years.
My hc for Omega Tejo joining Omega Viper's side is that he was disappointed in Brim's leadership as well. We all know he hates the idea of self sacrifice and as he watches many agents fell on the battlefield and takes many loses due to Brim, he decided won't stand for this shit as well and something has to be done.
Under Omega Viper's leadership he reverts back to the Tejo after the ragged ravens, becomes more cold and unfeeling again and doesn't hesitate to do what's necessary (Which aligns with Omega Viper's strategy and style).
Also look at the difference on Tejo between during the time with Veto and Waylay before/start of joining the protocol from serious and stern
Vs. After joining the protocol. He expresses himself more and has emotions LIKE MAN'S SO RELAXED AND COMFORTABLE WITH HIS NEW FOUND FAMILY
