I am determined to finish this MC. Then finish my others!


"Eridanus," he says, looking at the stranger. The stranger silently mouths his new name and Eri watches. "Eri," he adds, watching the reflection's lips move.

A new name has made it slightly easier for him. The person who looked in the mirror previously had no name, no identity. That stranger was no-one.

But now he has a new name, to go along with the new - well, he assumes he's always looked this way, but seemingly new - face. If he knew his real name, he may think the face doesn't fit the name, but this face looks like an Eridanus.

Hope insists he can choose his own surname, and he's tempted by hers. Lupin. Eridanus Lupin sounds nice, but he reminds himself that she's just a kind nurse. Yes, she's someone willing to look out for him, and perhaps when he's out of here, he can still pop in and see her. But he may have to do this alone.

He's trying to decide between surnames at the moment. Maybe someone will come before he does, they'll tell him his real name and he won't have to think about this anymore, but there's still that darkness inside, whispering that no-one wants him.

He stares at the grey eyes in the mirror and tells this stranger — tells himself — that someone out there has noticed that he's missing. He's sure of it. He knows someone is searching for him. He doesn't know if he believes the words, but maybe one day he will.

"Eridanus Seren," he tries, wanting to distract himself. "Hi, I'm Eridanus Seren." The name doesn't roll of his tongue as he had hoped. Seren is star in Welsh and he had liked the idea of having something Welsh in his name, so when he looked back on this day, he'd remember this little part of the world.

He doesn't really have any other surnames to try. Maybe Welsh isn't the way to go - perhaps another star related word?

"Atlas," he murmurs, knowing that it's the name of a moon. "Cupid; Naiad; Neso." Nothing grabs his attention, so he draws his gaze back to Eridanus in the mirror. "Eridaunus Neso," he tries, but it doesn't have a nice ring to it.

Something short would suit him best, he decides. He takes a deep breath. If he remembers the names of a lot of moons, there has to be something else in his head. At least he knows that the past-him likes space and stars and moons. He smiles, glad to have figured one thing out at least.

"Ara," he murmurs. A constellation. "Eridanus Ara." It sounds a little better, but he's still not sure about it. Part of him wants to wait and see if something defines him to use as a surname, but the other part realises that he can't take control of his life without this. He has no identity. He's only just a first-name on all of the charts now. He needs a proper identity, even if it's only temporary. "Eridanus Vela."

Again, a nice name. But… it doesn't feel right. He takes another deep breath and lets it out slowly. Stars and constellation names run through his mind and he searches for one that'll work as a surname. He likes Eris, but unfortunately Eridanus Eris doesn't work at all. Perhaps it could be another nickname?

"Eridanus Canis," he murmurs. The words don't flow as well as he would have hoped - especially with the double-s on the end, but something about this name sticks out. It's grabbed his attention and he likes it. "Eridanus Majoris. Eridanus Major." He feels like he's on the right track now. One of these would work well for him.

He straightens. "Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Eridanus Canis. I'm Eri Canis." He pauses, letting it sink in before attempting again. "It's nice to meet you, I'm Eridanus Major. Eri Major." He feels a little stupid talking to his reflection, but hearing the words aloud helps, plus there is no-one there to hear him.

He likes both equally. Perhaps Hope would have an opinion that could help him choose. But it's a surname. It's one step closer to becoming someone.

He watches himself for a long moment. He's not as freaked out as before, but it's still unsettling to look into a mirror and not know the person staring back. Maybe he's not freaked out, but it's going to take a very long time to feel comfortable when looking. It'll take a long time for him to look at that face and acknowledge that it's him, without having to stare or feel unsettled.

He hopes that one day the face will be familiar enough.

There is the same panic there as before though, seeping into him like black smoke, but he fights against it. This moment is an achievement. He's been strong enough to handle this reflection. He's picked a name. He's going to celebrate this moment, not allow the panic to take him over.

One day at a time.

...oOo…

Eridanus is just finishing up his lunch and considering eating some of his chocolate when he hears the doors to the ward shut with a thud.

This ward doesn't tend to get many visitors during lunch-time. Eri stands from the chair he was sitting in, and walks over to the door, peeking out. He wonders if Hope has returned so he can run the surnames by her.

The sight that meets him is a boy around his own age - sixteen or seventeen. He's seen a few guys around his own assumed age here already, so that's nothing new. But what's new is this attraction he's feeling. This guy… he's something else.

The other teenager hasn't noticed Eri yet. He's busy looking for something in his pocket, frowning as he does so, but the frown is adorable. There's no annoyance or anger, merely confusion as to why he can't find whatever the item is.

Eridanus is captivated. His long fingers wrap around the doorframe as he continues staring. Even without his memory, he's certain he's never seen someone so completely beautiful. He's sure this is what love at first sight feels like.

He quickly realises that he's gay. If he's attracted to another guy, he must be. He expects to feel something big at this revelation, but it's just so easy for him to accept. He wonders if his previous self knew. He probably would have known, which is why finding out isn't so hard to accept.

There were a few pretty female nurses there too, but Eridanus had barely glanced their way and now he understands why. He knows without question where his attraction lays.

It's not like when he looked in the mirror and saw a stranger, this information goes deeper than that.

He isn't expecting the amber eyes to glance up, finding his. The confusion makes way for the warmest of smiles and Eridanus can't pull his gaze away, even if he wanted to.

"Hi." The guy approaches. "Are you okay?"

Eridanus nods his head. He recalls Hope's stories and wonders if this is how Hades felt when he first saw Persephone for the first time. If Hades felt even a fraction of what Eri feels right now, than Eri can understand better why he wanted to take Persephone away.

"I am," he confirms. "I feel like Hades."

The guy looks surprised at the words. "You do?" he asks curiously. "Why is that?"

Eridanus nods his head. "When he laid eyes upon Persephone for the first time, is this how he felt?" It's not a pick-up line, it's a genuine question. Okay, maybe it's a little bit of a pick-up line, but that doesn't make it any less real. He's not lying about how he's feeling right now.

The stranger's eyes widen at the comment. Clearly he wasn't expecting this answer, but he doesn't shy away. There's no disgust or disinterest in his eyes and Eridanus takes that as a win. He feels bolder now and straightens up.

"So, is this your polite way of saying you're about to kidnap me?" Amber-eyes asks shyly. He's into this, Eridanus can tell. He's glad he took the risk - he didn't know how many people were aware of Greek Mythology, but Hope had assured him it was a popular tale.

"If that's what you're into." He reaches out, gently enclosing his hand around the other teen's wrist, and tugs him into the room. He's not forceful, his hold isn't tight, but Amber-eyes walks in, clearly unable to hide the smile on his lips. The cardigan is soft under Eri's touch.

"And since you're now in my domain, this is where I tempt you with delicious things to keep you here," Eridanus continues. He gestures for the guy to sit down, before he opens the nearby chocolate bar, breaking the pieces up.

There are twelve, but the beautiful stranger before him knows how this works. Six means they're together half of the time. He hopes his new-found love takes all twelve. He wonders if it'll be that easy. Even if it isn't, this is a wonderful distraction from the darkness of his life. He wants it to be more than a distraction. This can be a light that takes away the darkness. Love is stronger than anything, he's learnt that from all of the stories and believes it more than anything.

"I'm Eri, by the way," Eridanus says, testing out his new name. He doesn't offer a surname yet, as he's still considering which one to use.

Before his guest can answer, Hope appears in the doorway. "There you are."

Eridanus doesn't reply - where else would he have been? "What's going on?" she continues, looking between the pair.

"I'm waiting to see how many pieces he eats," Eridanus explains, trying not to be impatient. "He's my Persephone." The surname question can wait for now, he's found something more important. Love.

"Like… Hades and Persephone?" Hope's curious smile widens now and she looks delighted. Eri understands this - she seems like the sort that lives for romance. It's something they have in common and they've discussed in detail the stories she's told him over the last few days.

Eri nods, his gaze darting back to the uneaten chocolate. His guest was just about to eat it, he was so sure of that - but now he looked embarrassed, his cheeks flushing red.

Eri silently decides he looks even more beautiful.

"Eri, this is my son, Remus. Remus, this is Eridanus." Eri's gaze darts around to the woman.

Eridanus looks at Hope for a long moment before turning to Remus. They have the same amber eyes, though Eri would love to stare into Remus' for hours. He remembers his thoughts earlier - that any child of Hope's would have a kind heart like hers, and he doesn't regret his choice. If he married Remus, Hope would be his mother-in-law. Of course he would marry Remus, even if Hope wasn't his mother. But this way it's like a bonus.

"I hope you're not going to pull a Demeter," he murmurs instead, crossing his arms across his chest. He wonders if Hope would approve of him dating her son - if she even knows her son is attracted to guys, because Eri can see it in Remus' eyes, the flash of attraction. There isn't much else he can offer Remus right no - no stories of his past, no discussing interests. Eri doesn't know enough about himself to offer anything like that.

But he'll hopefully have something to talk about for next time. Even if the only thing they have in common so far is Greek Mythology.

Hope laughs. It's a beautiful sound and Eri wonders if Remus' laugh is similar. But the thoughts take a dark turn again - he finds himself wondering what his own mother sounds like when she laughs. Was it as pleasant as Hope's, or perhaps she was the sort to snort. Maybe she was stern and didn't laugh as often as Hope.

He absently reaches for a square of chocolate, suddenly at a loss on what to do. His fingers clench around the discarded wrapper and he misses the look that Hope gives Remus.

He doesn't see the wand behind him and doesn't see the frown on Remus' face as he slips it back into his sleeve a moment later.

"You know," Hope says, causing Eri to look towards her, devoid of any hope. He's feeling lost again and doesn't know what to do now. He doesn't want to break down in front of Remus and Hope but he's not sure if he can stop himself.

"What?" he asks. Panic is nipping at his heels now. His parents haven't come and they never will. He's really all alone.

"That was my son's chocolate bar," Hope insists. "You ate one piece, so I think that makes /you/ Persephone."

Eri considers this. He had been picturing himself as the dark, brooding god, reaching for someone who is clearly the embodiment of light and all that is good. But Hope's now comparing him to the beautiful goddess that he pictures Persephone to be. Kind, graceful and full of love. Able to light up the whole underworld with her mere presence. He wonders if Hope sees him so differently than he sees himself. Why would she see him like that?

"What happens if I eat all twelve squares?" he asks. The confidence is gone now and he feels just as shy as Remus sounded only minutes ago. The next question is aimed at Remus. "Do you get to keep me?" He can't help but sound lost rather than whatever it was he was going with.

The question is deeper than Eri expected to ask. He didn't know how long his stay in the hospital would be and he's scared. Scared of the unknown future. But there's the Hades to his Persephone… or the Persephone to his Hades… he's not sure which way they fit, just that he doesn't want to step away from whatever it is that he's found - and he knows that it's something that is just /right/. It's like a light was switched on when his eyes met Remus'.

"Maybe we start with one square, and work our way up to the twelve," Remus offers gently. Eri understands that it's a kind reply, a suggestion that they get to know each other, without a promise of forever. He can handle that. It's not a no. It's a 'let's take this slow and see what happens'. He can do that if that's what Remus wants. In fact, slow is good. He's still fearful and scared, and jumping into a relationship when he doesn't even recognise the body he's in is probably not the best thing to do.

"I have to go, but it's been really nice meeting you," Remus offers. "I'm sorry that I couldn't stay longer - I can't imagine it's much fun here."

"Not at all. I have amnesia so don't really have much to compare it to," Eri admits. "Are you going to come back?" He tries to keep the begging from his voice. He doesn't want Remus to feel burdened by him, but he wants to make sure he returns. How can he get to know his soulmate if his soulmate doesn't come back at the next available opportunity?

Remus nods. "I'll stop in after the library tomorrow," he promises. "Is there anything you want me to bring?"

Eri shakes his head. As long as Remus turns up, that's all he needs. Hope feels like a mother, but she isn't his as much as he wants her to be. A friend on the other hand… that's what he needs. He can't help but wonder how a family could be so kind and sweet. How is he this lucky to find kind people in what he's sure is a cruel world.

He follows Hope and Remus to the door and they say their goodbyes. He's alone again and he strains to hear their voices as they walk away, the ward doors closing behind them.

"I don't know," Remus says to his mother. "It's like there's nothing to heal. There's just nothing… I can't fix it."

Eri wonders what Remus had been trying to fix. His words didn't make any sense, but perhaps they're part of another conversation that he was never privy to. He heads back to his bed and ponders for a while, but it doesn't become any clearer. Instead he thinks again about his surname. He wonders how much it matters because he's going to marry Remus Lupin. He'll be Eridanus Lupin one day.

By the time he lays down to sleep, all twelve pieces of chocolate are gone. Remus might only accept the first, but Eri is ready for the twelve, as insane as it sounds.

He'll make the offer of twelve again. One day, Remus will accept them all. He's not going to give up!


So... only Sirius can go from "Let's take this slow" to "This is my soulmate and I'm going to marry him"