Work Text:
To be corrupted was not what Pyro expected. They had hoped it was like close your eyes and never waking up, never truly being able to see what your body will do next to erase life itself. What he actually expected was to be trapped, painfully aware and able to do anything as the corruption puppeted his body. Afterall, he did see the real Tim trapped in those bruising eyes before the almost too easy push off the edge.
However it was neither of those things.
Assimilation. Symbiosis. Ship of Theseus. His mind at first tried to categorised it so it made sense, but such things didn't really matter anymore. As memory thins and hunger grows, the whispers in dreams were and cold within his soul was something he learnt to accept. Identity and self was still fading now, being replaced with corruption, but it was getting more and more difficult to find where Pyro begins and the corruption ends.
They do know they were different though. He remembers what he used to be, what he used to feel, but more out of necessity to interact with people rather than any victory Pyro Dagmeare had with trying to hold on to his mind. No, that had lost long ago during the month in the cage.
Pyro currently sat on Scott's bed as he listened to Scott, Shelby, Drift, and Maddy talk on the couch downstairs.
"We can't just hide him here! Oh god the professor is going to be so mad! And usally I don't mind getting him mad but- Pyro's corrupted!" Drift exclaimed.
"I noticed. Look we can't just abandon him. I can't. Not after letting him be kidnapped for so long. So far Pyro hasn't hurt anyone and hasn't left my room. If they stay docile then maybe we have time to find a cure." Scott argued.
"A cure? Scott if there was one then surely the whole kingdom would of heard about it since so many people are in danger of being corrupted. I think we should do what Pyro himself suggested if he ever got corrupted. Just lock him in an empty village with food so he can't hurt anyone." Shelby frowned.
"You know... you don't have to talk like I'm not here." Pyro spoke.
They made sure to be careful to not slur his words together like Tim. He couldn't hide his eyes or their hunger well, but it would be beneficial to appear better than what they actually are. He wanted to stay here after all the Corruption does not kill quickly. It listens first.
The four of them immediately went quiet, staring at Pyro, before Maddy scowled.
"You're not here Pyro. Don't pretend otherwise." Her eyes narrowed.
Ah yes. Pyro remembered how much they both panicked as Pyro's condition got worse in the month. How Pyro begged Maddy to make sure that Cindy was okay when she got help to save them. And even now Cindy was sitting with Ambi and Maddy, safely away from Pyro.
"That's hurtful... I'm still Pyro."
"Pyro once said that he could see the real Tim trapped within, even as he pushed him. Just because Pyro is still in there somewhere, it doesn't mean you're any less dangerous." Shelby crossed their arms.
"I'm not going to hurt any of you."
"Sureeee."
"Okay enough. Look I'll only put up with this because I'm worried about Cindy. She's still bonded with Pyro and I'm scared the corruption will use that to infect Cindy. So either fix Pyro or... or I'll make sure to honour Pyro's request to protect Cindy." Maddy threatened, her voice only wavering slightly.
"I- That's- You can't kill Pyro." Drift looked at Pyro with worry.
"To be fair, he did kill Tim." Shelby pointed out.
"Not helping Shelby!"
"Alright. Look we're not going to get anywhere like this. Maddy you go take Cindy to Lupi and keep her away from Pyro as much you can. I'll keep Pyro here. And Shelby and Drift can go to find a lead on how to cure the corruption." Scott said firmly.
"What about Aurora?" Maddy asked.
"I won't let Pyro anywhere near her. I would give up my own life before that happens." Scott promised.
"To be clear, I don't plan to go anywhere. My purple eyes... aren't exactly easy to hide." Pyro added.
Shelby gave Pyro a distrustful glance before dragging Drift out of the room with her. Maddy went to pick up Cindy, not even looking at Pyro.
"See ya later Cindy." Pyro waved.
Pyro knew that eventually everything and everyone here would be taken by the Corruption in time. He could practically feel all the corruption in the air as the mana twists and more dark rituals are casted, hell he could probably find Tim with their eyes closed. So he knew he'd see Cindy again.
Cindy stared at Pyro sadly before growling and grumbling in Maddy's arms as they left the room.
"It's a shame. I haven't seen Cindy in a month and now I'm not allowed to have my dragon back." Pyro sighed.
Scott cautiously approached Pyro, leaving Aurora downstairs. His expression was guarded as he stared at Pyro.
"You know, I'm pretty sure I told you about the book about the Eyes of the Corrupted. Never stare too long. Although I don't think you have stopped looking since you saved me."
Pyro could feel the corruption feed on Scott's emotions practically as he kept staring. Eventually Scott broke eye contact.
"I... I'm sorry Pyro."
"Sorry about what?" Pyro tilted his head.
"About- I didn't think anything of it when you were missing and- you were trapped in a cage and I didn't know-"
"Hey hey hey. Chill out. I'm fine. You saved me Scott." Pyro assured him.
"I didn't though. You- You're not really here. It's not really you."
"... Scott. I'm sorry."
"...What?"
Pyro reached for Scott's hand to pull him down to sit with them, lies rolling off the tongue unnaturally easy. Well... they weren't exactly the truth and Pyro knew why he was saying it.
"Scott this wouldn't of happened if I chose to leave. I thought you wanted to come with but I realise now, you just wanted me to stay. So I'll stay here with you." Pyro reached to hold both of Scott's hands gently.
Scott stared with wide eyes at Pyro, clearly not expecting this at all.
"I- You're-"
"I'm not lying Scott. I changed my mind. I don't want to go anywhere if it's not with you. I want to be here at the academy with you, and when you're ready we can go to Tegrith."
They knew how much Tegrith was already taken by the Corruption. The cold can only slow it for so long.
Scott's eyes searched his, trying find any truth to Pyro's words. Maybe he could see the soul trapped within that wished that Scott wouldn't fall for this and just fucking listen to other's warnings. Or maybe Pyro Dagmeare was already too far gone to find.
"... You... you promise?" Scott's voice was breaking as much as his calm facade was.
"Of course. Scott, we've been best friends since we were two. It wasn't fair on you when I left Tegrith and it wasn't fair on you when I asked you to leave the academy. I'm not making that mistake ever again."
Corruption Lies. Scott knew this. And yet, he chose to believe it? Whatever humanity that was left within, screamed at Scott for being like this. Scott WHY?!- And yet all thoughts and confusion about it died when the hunger whispered. This is what it wants. Pyro will be able to devour the frost mage and corrupt him so easily in due time, just as long he plays to his desires.
Pyro in a bold move wrapped his arms around Scott, pulling him closer in an embrace. Scott didn't fight it at all when Pyro tucked his head under their chin. Pyro used to run much hotter, but even now Scott's icey temperature didn't bother them much.
"It's going to be be okay Scott."
Pyro could count on his hands the amount of times he had seen Scott cry, but even so he wasn't expecting Scott to break so easily and start sobbing silently into his shirt.
"... I miss you Pyro." Scott's mumbled through his tears.
"... I know." Pyro softly pressed a kiss to Scott hairline.
I miss me as well.