TW: caps, food mention, suicide, suicidal thoughts, self harm, overdosing, cursing, homophobia (yes me mutual does have dark headcanons but they're good ones) This stuff is mainly only going to be in this chapter only, but I'll put TWs in the beginning of every chapter if there is one. The suicide stuff is mainly going to be modeled after my personal experiences with mental health (if you care, i haven't tried and am not really planning to) so i'm sorry if you feel like it's off.

Oh and Annabeth is not going to be as toxic as she is in the books. I just love the idea of her and Malcolm's friendship okay.

I am a terrible writer so beware (the A/Ns are mainly me making fun of myself)

(A/N before we begin, I'd like to add that in this version they're gen z so yeep)

Malcolm groaned and rolled over in his bed, shutting his alarm off as it blared. He rubbed his eyes, flopping back under his covers. It's Friday, he remembered, and he felt a little better. But then he also remembered that Friday meant he still had school.

Sure, Malcolm was possibly the smartest kid in school, but that doesn't mean he, an ADHD dyslexic kid, enjoyed sitting in a chair all day with many ableist teachers telling him to "just concentrate," or "focus and do your work, it isn't hard," or "didn't you ever learn how to read?" Fun. (He had glasses for dyslexia, but it didn't help when they had fancy fonts and handwriting in bright colors. It often took him a couple seconds to comprehend the words.)

Malcolm dragged himself downstairs, mumbling a quiet "hi" to his stepmom who was only awake because her job required her to get up early. Despite what everyone says about step-parents, she was really nice to him, almost like a real mother.

Natalie smiled at him. "Morning Malcolm. How'd you sleep?"

Malcolm yawned and stretched. "Good." He grabbed some toast and got ready for school quickly. "Bye Natalie!" He yelled over his shoulder as he walked out the door.

Le time skip

"Sup," Malcolm said to Darren, his best friend and fellow only-smart-person-in-this-fuckin-town.

"Hey, man." The two fist-bumped. "You ready for math?"

"Hell no," Malcolm groaned. "Malcolm, why aren't you paying attention? Malcolm, stop moving around so much! Malcolm, why didn't you do the homework? Malcolm, you're really smart, why aren't you getting this? No Malcolm don't blame it on your fake condition again! Malcolm, Malcolm, Malcolm! Sorry Susan, but maybe if you were a better teacher especially to ADHD kids I wouldn't be failing. I already know this stuff but the way she teaches is so ugh. Plus, I literally can't read, and ADHD making me not have any reading comprehension doesn't help."

Darren snorted. "Too true."

"If high school is like this I'm dropping out and running away," Malcolm deadpanned.

"But what about me?" Darren asked teasingly.

"Oh, I'm definitely leaving you," Malcolm grinned, "that'll be the main highlight. I don't have to see you anymore.

Darren put a hand on his chest. "How could you betray me like this, Malcolm! And to think I thought we were friends." He shook his head, wiping a fake tear away. Yeah, they were basically the most dramatic kids in the school.

Malcolm laughed, the two making their way to their homeroom.

Le time skip

Malcolm sighed, flopping on his bed. He pulled his phone out, texting Darren.

Only bitch in this mf that can do algebra
hey dude

Hecky heck i crave death (A/N no I can't do usernames ok)
hey

Only bitch in this mf that can do algebra
ahahaha i coming out to me parents wish me luck

Hecky heck i crave death
oh
shit
good luck man

Only bitch in this mf that can do algebra
thanks idk how they'll react so it's like russian roulette but worse ya know

Hecky heck i crave death
dude it was the same with my parents but they were fine with me being trans

Only bitch in this mf that can do algebra
ok here i go
i am going to die

Malcolm took a deep breath and put his phone down. He laid there for a while. This is a very bad idea, he thought, but steeled himself. I can do it. He stood up.

Malcolm walked to the door before turning around. "I cannot do it." He turned back towards the door. "Yes I can!" His shoulders slumped. "I most definitely absolutely can't do this." He stood up straight again. "Well, I have to!"

(A/N to all closeted peeps out there who don't know if it's safe to come out or do know it's not safe to come out; or anyone at all that's closeted: you don't have to come out. Being "more or less" queer doesn't depend on who knows. Don't put yourself in danger if it isn't necessary. You don't "have to.")

Malcolm marched towards the door, yanking it open. He stiffly walked downstairs into the kitchen where his dad and stepmom were. "H-hey guys," he managed.

"Hey kiddo," his dad said.

"I need to tell you guys something," Malcolm shifted from foot to foot, wringing his hands nervously.

Natalie looked worried. "Is something wrong?"

Depends, Malcolm thought. He hesitated. And hesitated. And hesitated. Finally he blurted out, "I'm gay!" He said it so fast he wasn't sure they even heard it, and he slapped a hand over his mouth.

(A/N wow how original of me)

The two didn't respond, only stared at him.

"You're what?!" His dad finally said loudly.

Oh no, Malcolm panicked internally, oh shit, oh no, oh no, oh NO.

Both his parents looked slightly disgusted.

Please don't kick me out, Malcolm prayed. He felt his heart shattering as thoughts ran through his mind.

"Go up to your room," Natalie's voice was cold. "Your father and I need to talk."

Malcolm darted up the steps and into his room as quickly as he could. He collapsed on his bed, curling up and hugging his pillow, burying his face into it.

Why did he do that. Why did he do that? He should've known they'd react like that. He's supposed to be smart. How could he have been so oblivious?

The two never called him down, even for dinner. Malcolm didn't smell anything so he assumed they didn't make it. Besides, he wouldn't have wanted to eat with them anyways.

Le time skip

All throughout the night, Malcolm tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Finally, he turned over and grabbed his phone, blinking at its light.

Hecky heck i crave death
how'd it go?

???

oh no

did something happen?

malcolm????

MALCOLMMM

Only bitch in this mf that can do algebra
hi

i did it

Hecky heck i crave death
what happened???

Only bitch in this mf that can do algebra
im about 99% sure they don't accept me

i mean they didn't say it but my dad yelled "what" all angry and stuff

and they looked really disgusted

and they sent me to my room to "talk"

i don't think they made dinner

at least they didn't tell me if they did

Hecky heck i crave death
dude i'm so sorry

ugh if i didn't tell you to do this none of this would have happened

Only bitch in this mf that can do algebra
no no no it's not your fault

how could you have known

i mean i didn't know they'd do that and as you say i'm the "only bitch in this mf that can do algebra"

Hecky heck i crave death
still

Only bitch in this mf that can do algebra
i don't want to go downstairs tomorrow

natalie's gonna be there and i don't know what's gonna happen or what they talked about

Hecky heck i crave death
you could sneak out the window or something

Only bitch in this mf that can do algebra
that'll probably make them madder

Hecky heck i crave death
true

FUCK dude i'm so sorry

Only bitch in this mf that can do algebra
i told you it's not your fault

Hecky heck i crave death
i know i just can't help it

i feel so guilty man

Only bitch in this mf that can do algebra
it's fine my guy

anyway ima try to go to bed

night

Hecky heck i crave death
ok text me if ya need to

night

Malcolm shut his phone off and flopped back onto his bed. He eventually fell asleep after tossing and turning a bit more.

Bleep! Bleep! Bleep!

Malcolm groaned and turned his alarm off. He buried his face back into his pillow for a second before looking up again.

He made his way out of bed, stretching and getting ready again. Luckily, he had his bag, shoes, and everything he needed in his room, so the only time he would need to go downstairs was to leave the house.

Finally, he looked up from his phone and saw that his clock read 7:15 am. Malcolm slowly got his bag, shoes, phone, and earbuds. He took a deep breath and opened the door, shutting it behind him.

Malcolm speed-walked down the hall, downstairs, and through the living room towards the front door.

Natalie nodded stiffly towards him, shifting away slightly in her chair. Malcolm's shoulders slumped. He knew he shouldn't have had hope that she'd change overnight, but he did.

Le time skip (a few months)

Malcolm was sick of it. He was sick of his ableist teachers (well, ableist everyone), he was sick of his parents treating him like a disease, he was sick of the stress, he was sick of feeling like a disappointment, he was sick of everything.

I mean really. If Malcolm so much as walked within ten feet of them, his parents shifted away, ignored him, gave him the cold shoulder, or even held their breath. Come on. You'd think they'd realize that they would have "caught the homo" by being around him for so long if being queer was contagious.

At least they didn't look at his grades anymore. Hell, they didn't look at him anymore. But Malcolm's grades had slowly started dropping letter by letter.

Malcolm collapsed on his bed, curling himself around his pillow. His body shook slightly as he sniffled a bit. He just couldn't do it anymore. Why did it have to be him? His dad and Natalie were the nicest people ever until he came out. Why did he have to be the one with ADHD and dyslexia? Why did he have to be the one whose parents didn't accept him? Why did his real mom leave? Why?

(A/N my clown ass writing trashy fanfiction like this PLS-
Sorry it's gonna be shitty for a while lmfaoooooo)

Malcolm stared contemplatively at his ADHD meds on his nightstand. He just sat there. And stared. And stared. And stared. What if..

(A/N i know absolutely nothing about medicine other than allegra is a lifesaver i'm sorry)

He shook his head. No. He knew he shouldn't, in the back of his head, he wasn't sure if he even wanted to, but he didn't see any solution.

Malcolm stared at them for a while. Eventually, he was looking down at the meds that were now in his hands.

He kept hesitating for some reason. Come on Malcolm, said the depreciating voice in his head, do it already. Or are you too scared?

Am I too scared? Malcolm wondered. He wasn't sure it was that he was scared, it was that he... well, he wasn't even sure. He didn't know what he felt, just that he wanted it fucking stop already.

Malcolm opened the bottle and shook some onto his palm. One... two... three... four... five... six... seven. Lucky number, right, Malcolm thought sarcastically. He thought that would be enough.

(A/N again, I have no knowledge of medicine & overdosing, so i have no idea if this is accurate)

Malcolm took a deep breath. His expression twisted as he remembered all the bullshit he had to deal with. His parents, his fellow students, his teachers, sometimes even strangers. His breathing got heavier out of anger and frustration and misery and all his feelings that were all over the place.

Malcolm inhaled deeply again and swallowed the pills. Obviously, you can't do seven at a time, so he did two. It got a little harder towards the end, but he did it quickly. Soon enough, he felt nauseous. You know when.. not necessarily when you're hungry but when your stomach sorta bubbles? When it sounds like there's liquids in there, just churning around? Yeah, that's what it felt like, times one hundred.

Wait, he thought dizzily, can't I at least try to fix this? I-I can do something, right?

Malcolm tried to stand but his knees buckled. Shit, he started panicking, I can fix it, please I don't wanna die, I just don't wanna live like this!

After that, Malcolm supposed he kept thinking, because he was still half-conscious, but he didn't comprehend his thoughts.

Malcolm's eyes slowly fluttered closed. He struggled to keep them open at first, but it wasn't long until he gave in. He didn't know if he'd ever wake up after that.

Le time skip

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Hey, Malcolm thought, slightly deliriously, that's not my alarm.

He tried opening his eyes, but they stayed firmly shut. Hey, come on, that's so not fair, Malcolm grumbled internally. How come I can't even wake up?

After a minute or so, he gave up and listened to what was happening around him. He felt the wind of a person waking by his side. He heard hushed voices talking somewhere to his left. He heard someone anxiously tapping their foot near him. He still heard that annoying beeping. He winced slightly. Why was it so loud?

Malcolm tried opening his eyes again, and to his surprise, it worked. He squinted immediately because holy shit that's bright.

He repeated his thought aloud, fully opening his eyes, and the person next to him—Darren, what's he doing here?—shot up.

"Malcolm!" Darren practically yelled, tackling him in a hug. "Dude I was so worried." He pulled away. "You know you can talk to me about anything, right?"

Malcolm stared in confusion for a second, before it sank in. Oh. Oh. Right. Last night. with the pills.

"Right," Malcolm mumbled under his breath, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, I trust you man, I know. Sorry."

Darren waved his arms around. "No, no, no none of anything is your fault! I just wanted to make sure you knew."

Malcolm smiled slightly. "Thanks."

Darren gave a thumbs-up.

At that moment, the doctor came over from where she'd been taking to Darren's mom. Malcolm didn't see his parents anywhere, but that was probably a good thing. For some reason, Malcolm felt comfortable around her. Which never happened, because he was usually uncomfortable around people he didn't know.

She smiled kindly at him. "Hi Malcolm, my name is Valerie Sajo. How are you feeling?"

Malcolm thought for a minute. "How do I say a keysmash verbally?"

"Aksbsksnjekwbsnd," Darren supplied.

Malcolm blinked. "Thanks?"

Doctor Sajo suppressed a smile. "I just spoke to your mom," she said to Darren, "and I'm not sure when your parents," now she was talking to Malcolm, will stop by."

(A/N haha that's a lie i just didn't feel like writing that really awkward scene in.)

Despite everything, Malcolm was a little disappointed. "Okay."

Darren gave him a reassuring glance, as if to say, it's okay buddy, you've always got me.

Le time skip (After like four days)

Doctor Sajo had told Malcolm that he needed to stay for a couple days—at least, until they decided he was well enough to go home.

Darren was a lifesaver—he picked up Malcolm's favorite books, his glasses, a sketchbook, and a couple pencils plus an eraser from Malcolm's house before visiting him. Malcolm didn't know what he'd do without him.

Right now, Malcolm was doodling a cat in his sketchbook. He'd always liked cats, even though he loved dogs more. It was almost lights out (A/N I haven't been a patient in a hospital since pre-school don't @ me idk how it works) so he knew he'd have to stop soon. Luckily, he'd been able to change into pajamas, even though his pajamas were everyday sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt.

Sure enough, Doctor Sajo came in. But something was clearly wrong. She ran in, something against the rules, her hair was all messy (as were her clothes), and she looked a little panicky.

Malcolm closed his sketchbook, swinging his feet over the side of the bed. "What's going on?"

"No time to explain," Doctor Sajo said. "We need to go."

"Why—" Malcolm started, but an inhuman roar in the distance cut him off. It didn't sound distant enough though. "Does it have something to do with.. that?"

"Yes, now come on, I need to get you out of here," Doctor Sajo said urgently.

Malcolm snatched his few books, glasses, pencils, eraser, and sketchbook. Doctor Sajo didn't protest, so Malcolm assumed it was because his things were easy to carry.

She led him down the emergency stairwell, the roars sounding like they were getting closer. Malcolm briefly wondered what it was, before deciding he did not want to find out.

They made it out of the building and weaved through cars, trying to find Doctor Sajo's. They eventually did, and Malcolm practically dove into the passenger seat.

Not even bothering to out her seatbelt on, the doctor stepped on the gas. The car raced towards the main road, and just as they reached it, something burst through the stairwell doors.

"Can't it use the doors?" Malcolm said in a small voice. "And also what is it?"

"A Laestrygonian giant," Doctor Sajo replied, not batting an eye.

Malcolm's head whipped to face her. "From Greek mythology? Please tell me I'm wrong."

She said nothing.

"Okay, okay, this is crazy. I'm crazy. I'm high on those hospital drugs and had a weird dream and Greek mythology isn't real and I'm not about to die," Malcolm muttered under his breath, hugging his books to his chest. "Yep, I'm gonna wake up soon and Darren's gonna be there after school and none of this will ever have happened."

Doctor Sajo looked at him for the first time since they left the room. "Hey. Hey, it's okay. This isn't a dream and I definitely wouldn't let you get high," she joked.

"Okay, okay, that's fair, but how is it real?!" Malcolm exclaimed. "All of this stuff has been disproved by science."

Doctor Sajo shrugged. "The two coexist. In the next thousand years, our science will be laughed at. You and I will be no more than myths, if we're mentioned at all."

"Hooray, existential crisis time," Malcolm mumbled.

She sent him a small smile. "Sorry."

"Nah, it's fine." Malcolm said. "So how does this have anything to do with me? How come there haven't been attacks all over the news? Wouldn't someone have seen something by now?"

"Well, first question; you're a demigod. You're the child of a god and a mortal, so monsters target you for revenge on your parents," Doctor Sajo explained.

It took a while for Malcolm to comprehend this. "So... my mom is.. a goddess." At first, Malcolm was shocked and slightly happy. Finally, he was significant for–for something. But then he was angry. Why didn't she do something? When he struggled in school? When his parents hated him? When other people harassed him for no reason other than he was different? When he tried to kill himself?

"Why doesn't she care?" Malcolm asked, betrayed.

Doctor Sajo sighed. "I don't know. They stopped caring about us a long time ago. Some kids aren't even claimed by their parents."

"Okay, so you're also a demigod, but what does claimed mean?" Malcolm asked.

"It's when a god shows that kid is one of theirs without coming and saying it themselves. Usually it's a symbol above the head, like my dad's. He's Apollo—golden lyre for the claiming." She explained.

"And how come other people don't know?" Malcolm questioned.

"There's a little later between the mortal and godly worlds we calm the Mist. It covers up stuff like that and makes it into what mortals expect to see," Doctor Sajo said patiently.

"Alright... so I'm a child of a goddess, who's gonna claim me with a glowing symbol, and no one else knows cause the Mist tricks them into seeing what their expect." Malcolm said slowly. "Last question: where are we going?"

Doctor Sajo smiled. "Camp Half-Blood. It's a safe haven for demigods, in Long Island Sound, New York."

I know my writing's bad, so please don't say it I will cry (threat).