Pretty please for prompting night; Blue Beetle: Bianca and Alberto (and Milagro) realizing Jaime is on mode.
When Bart had come to the house that morning to see where Jaime was, Bianca started to worry. She knew Jaime was a good boy, and would more likely be out saving the world than getting into trouble.
The fact that a teammate didn’t know where he was was not reason to worry. Not really. But a pit in Bianca’s gut had formed, and she just knew something was horribly wrong.
Something had been off for a while. When Jaime had been reported as kidnapped by supervillains, her and Alberto had hugged Milagro and prayed dearly for Jaime’s safe return. And while he had returned, it was clear that something was bothering him.
Her and Alberto had gently asked. It was especially clear that something was off when Dr. Cross had come to them, talking about Jaime’s request for surgery to remove the scarab. But Jaime’s only response had been that he did not wish to have an alien weapon on him anymore.
When he came back that fine April day, Bianca’s feeling of wrongness had not abated. “Mijo, are you alright? You didn’t come back last night.”
“Oh, sorry mom. But I have good news; Green Beetle made it so my scarab can’t control me anymore!” Jaime’s voice was filled with good cheer.
Bianca paused, suspicious. “Really?”
“Yeah, it’s great!”
For her part, she smiled back. “Oh mijo, I’m glad you’re feeling better. Now, if you could help vacuum the house…”
“On it!”
With Jaime gone, Bianca let herself take a deep breath. Something was very wrong. The good cheer was forced, and there were so many little things in the way he talked to make her suspicious. With that, she texted Alberto, saying Jaime’s home, seems in good cheer.
Much later, after her husband and daughter had returned and Jaime left for a team meeting, Bianca said, “We need to talk.”
“Mom, why’s Jaime acting weird? Like, weirder than normal,” Milagro asked.
“I don’t think that’s Jaime,” Alberto said, quietly.
Bianca nodded. “I know. But who do we tell?”
