Spark of Memory part 3
Spark of Memory
By AshtakRa
Fandom: Skins
Pairing: Tony/Michelle, Tony/Maxxie
Setting: Post season 1
Summary: You know the score, he’s been in a coma and has to recover. But just how much of the old Tony remains, and what pieces of his old life will help Tony move on to a new life?
Links to other chapters and stories: Part 1 Part 2 Part 4 AshtakRa Masterfile
Part 3
“I’m fine Mum,” muttered Tony and waved his arm about, pausing again as the cast came into view. It still kind of surprised him since it weighed next to nothing but seemed as strong as concrete. It was already covered in names and comments, some which had been scrawled on while he was still in a coma. He wasn’t happy about that, it was kind of obtrusive and it reminded him of his lack of control. Shit, the first day he could barely put two words together and as for getting out of bed or even taking a piss without an audience was bloody impossible.
“For god’s sake Tony, you been in a coma and have three broken bones and a cracked skull - you are not bloody okay.”
His mother always did have a way of putting things plainly. He had behaved though, stayed in bed and done the exercises. Let the quacks do their tests and not even complain that they had kicked everyone else out but let Michelle stay. Michelle Michelle he repeated the mantra in his head. Names were still hard to remember and he hated having to ask someone’s when it was clear he should know.
The others who had been here, he quickly went through their names. Sid was easy, he had known him without prompting and the grin Tony had received made him feel like a six year old reciting the times table for the first time. The pretty blonde standing by Sid was Cassie, pretty girls are always easy to remember. Jal, the other pretty girl - Tony was chuffed that he had all these gorgeous friends. The guy in bright clothes…Chris, he had to furrow his brows to think of that. Chris’ face was easy to recall and on sight he knew that he was friends with the guy, just his name kept slipping out of mind. Same as the skinny guy, Andrew - no that’s not it, Anny? How could a guy have a name like that, but it seemed right.
They had come in as a group but said hello one by one; testing him with the doctor looking on. So he hadn’t known all their names, he had still known them. The strange thing was after the last hello Tony found himself looking at the door, some tickling in the back of his head told him there should be more…somebody was missing. But how could he ask that without the doctor frowning and ordering another round of tests. Fucking quack, the old coot took special pleasure in getting the nurses to put probes and needles in odd places; Tony wasn’t going to give him an excuse to do it again.
Michelle hovered about, fluffing his pillows and clutching his hand like he was somehow going to escape. That she loved him there was no doubt and he felt that he loved her, didn’t he? Again the vision of whispered words before… then there was nothing. That is when he asked to be alone, yelled for everyone to leave. They had but his parents and Michelle stayed, no matter what protests Tony made.
They were smothering him. While part of him appreciated their care and needed it too, Tony really wanted a moment alone to just try and sort through all these scattered memories. Piecing together what was real and fake, finding the blank spots that might mean he was forgetting something vital.
Blue eyes
Blonde hair
Somebody was missing, he knew that for sure now but how to ask? He had no name and nothing more than a loose description that could make him seem not just forgetful but crazy.
A pressure on his leg made Tony look down to see Effie sitting on the bed. His little sister, he had needed no prompting for her either. In her eyes he saw understanding and empathy. She knew and would help him. Mouthing a please at her he smiled when she spoke up, asking for time alone with her brother. Not even Michelle could object to that and they finally exited the room; in fact Michelle actually gave Effie a significant look and nodded sadly, as if she had just lost something.
What’s up Tone? Effie asked without saying a word.
If anyone could be trusted and not betray him to the quack it was Effie.
“Has everyone been to see me?”
She looked at him sideways. “Everyone?”
“Yeah, like all my… mates you know?” Shit, he was still having some trouble with the long consonants, made him sound like a child and feel even worse. Effie ignored it of course, not even trying to finish words for him like his parents kept doing.
Shuffling up closer she put her little hand over his and in her look urged him for more information.
Tony rolled his eyes and hoped this wouldn’t make him sound too much like a fuckin’ wanker. “Light eyes, g..grey or blue - m…maybe with a hint of green, and b..blonde hair.”
She still said nothing but he could tell she knew, but his sister could be evil, even when he was lying in a hospital bed. Unless he gave up more info she would just remain silent. It was game that had been played all their lives and meant she knew more about his life than anyone else.
Sighing heavily Tony risked more. “A guy, and I think he and m..me may have been, you know?” Wow, the more he spoke without interruption the better he got, fuck that doctor who spoke about months of rehab, he’d be done in a week.
Effie’s gaze went up the ceiling and danced with laughter. The little witch, she had known all along but still said nothing and only gave him that questioning smile again.
“Look,” said Tony firmly, trying to convey to her that this was more than just a game, even if his version of ‘look’ ended up with a few r’s in it, fucking lazy bloody mouth, fuckin’ work properly damn it! He felt like pieces of his life were falling away and he had no control. How many things had he lost when the accident happened and would he even know? Keeping hold of the things he could remember and knowing that it wasn’t just imagination and hope were more important than scoring points
"This is important to m..me 'kay."
She gave him her most calculating glare before looking furtively at the door. Seeing no-one hanging about she flipped out a phone and hit a few buttons. Tony noticed that whoever she called was on speed dial; that had to mean something. Turning away she spoke so quietly that he couldn't hear a name or anything. She flipped the phone closed and gave him a victorious smile.
Little bitch, she still wasn't telling him any names.
Everyone else must have gone to lunch or something because nobody poked their heads in. Effie pulled out the cards and they played a round of poker, with rules designed specifically by Effie. After the tenth game Tony swore loudly which earned him no sympathy from his sister who simply threw down two pair easily beating his pathetic hand. The nurse came around with lunch, somehow edible and with an extra portion for Effie, how did she manage to charm so many without saying a word? They ate in silence, Tony resisting the urge to throw some mash at her since she smiled when he was unable to hold it steady on a fork. Still, she did roll some up in bread and hand to him with barely a snigger. The time passed quickly and his eyelids fluttered shut, the food still half eaten on the tray.
An incessant poking in his ribs brought Tony back and he tried to ignore it for a few seconds but it became quite painful.
"Quit it Eff," He spoke out the side of his mouth.
The poking got harder until he opened his eyes and glared at her. "Listen s..shitface-."
He paused as she smiled and flicked her eyes at the door. He looked and noticed that someone was standing there.; kind of small, with blonde hair and a face that went from smiling to nervousness, back to smiling then frowning. He was wearing camouflage cargo pants and a tight-fitting blue knit top showing off a lot of skin. It should have looked ridiculous but somehow on this guy it just made him look cute and sexy and smart all in one.
"Hey ya Tony," whispered the new comer and Tony's face lit up in a brilliant smile. He recognized the voice, combined with the hair and eyes it had to be him. Now if only he could come up with a name. His brows furrowed in concentration as flashes of memory revealed that he knew this guy, but no name came to mind. Not wanting to admit it and not wanting to leave him standing like a dolt in the doorway Tony opened his arms, hoping this was somehow appropriate.
"You gonna give us a hug or what?"
The answering smile was worth it and lit up the room and made something in Tony's chest quiver and heat up. The blonde rushed over and enveloped himself in Tony's arms, even laying a chaste kiss on Tony's cheek. He held on for just that little bit longer before rolling back to sit, much like Effie, on the bed next to his hip. Effie had already got up and gave a little wave as she exited the room, not giving Tony time to say thanks - but she would know he appreciated it.
The grin on the blonde's face was infectious and Tony couldn't help but return it and put his hand out, grabbing the other's in his own. It is not something he would have done with everyone but it just seemed right. The other hesitated but squeezed back and gave a little laugh.
"Fuck Tony, its so great to see you awake - I would have come earlier but had to…" his voice just mumbled off, as if he realized he was crapping on too much. "I'm just so," he was lost for words and his eyes were glistening with unshed tears; instead of wiping them away or talking he leaned in to give Tony another kiss on the cheek as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Tony turned his head so instead their lips met, the blonde almost pulled away but Tony used a hand to keep him in place.
He tasted those lips, felt their texture and knew that he had done this before. The kiss deepened as he pressed his tongue into the other's mouth and ran it over his teeth before intertwining their tongues. Tony opened his eyes and found himself staring into those blue eyes that he had dreamt of, and they did indeed seem to have a hint of green. They were laughing eyes, from someone who enjoyed life but also had that hint of sadness, perhaps regret. What was he thinking? Maybe he thought this was some kind of joke; some game that Tony was playing. From what some people had said Tony figured this was part of his persona, he manipulated people. Yet they still liked him; he had yet to figure that out.
Right here and right now though he had to somehow reassure this guy that this was real, that it was something Tony actually wanted. But how? Don't think - just act.
He leaned back and continued to smile at the blonde, no… not 'the blonde', he had a name.
"Maxxie," whispered Tony, knowing it was correct the moment he spoke. If anything the grin he got back was bigger than before, and so much better now that Tony knew that mouth. The rush of memories that accompanied Maxxie's name assaulted Tony like an avalanche and he was unable to filter through them. He knew though, without thinking too much about it, that he had hidden what he wanted under so much bravado and lies that it was a wonder that Maxxie, or Michelle for that matter, would even be in the same room as him.
"I think," said Tony, licking his own lips and still tasting Maxxie on them. "That maybe I've been asleep for far too long."
Tbc…