Chapter Text
It all happens so fast Pyro can hardly process it.
Scott Goldsmith taking over the capital, his people covering every inch of the city, ordering the noble families to pledge their allegiance to him or face death.
Pyro tries not to tremble as the man himself sits across from him and his parents. Scott is an imposing figure, despite being shorter than Pyro is. He's broad, strength held in every inch of him. It's terrifying to be under any kind of scrutiny from a man like that, especially when Scott has the kind of power to wipe out the Pyroscythe bloodline right here and now.
It's obvious his parents know this as well, because they're as deferential as Pyro's ever seen them. It's strange seeing his mother and father so shaken, but he can't blame them. If any one of them makes a wrong move, they'll all be dead.
He just prays Scott is appeased by their fawning.
Pyro hasn't managed a single bite of food since sitting down at the table, too anxious to be able to stomach it. He sees the looks Scott is sending him, but he doesn't know what they mean. He doesn't want to offend Scott or seem rude, so he tries to force a few bites, but it's a miserable endeavor.
He was told to keep his mouth shut and only speak if someone speaks to him first, and so far no one has. Pyro's fine with that. He doesn't want to join the conversation anyway. There's too many ways he could mess it up and the stakes are too high for him to stumble.
He only turns into what's being said when he hears his mother say his name, her voice tentative.
"Jack?" Her eyes dart over to Pyro. "Lord Goldsmith is speaking to you."
Pyro swallows hard, looking over to Scott. He tries for a smile, but it's shaky at best. "I'm— I'm sorry. I must have gotten stuck in my head for a moment there. What is it?"
Scott's eyes burn into him.
"I was just saying you look nice," Scott smiles. "You're just my type."
Pyro blinks, throat dry. They don't know how to respond to that. His father clears his throat, answering for him when he doesn't speak up.
"Maybe we could make a deal?"
Scott turns at the same time Pyro does.
Father taps his thumb against the table cloth. "I'll speak bluntly, so forgive me if I offend you. Would you grant us safety if we let you take Jack back to your estate with you?"
Pyro blanches, his heart skipping a beat. He stares at his parents in disbelief, his eyes darting over to Scott when the man hums in consideration.
"I can't say that isn't a tempting offer," Scott's smile widens. "You pledge your allegiance to me and send your son over to my estate, and I'll grant you my protection."
Pyro eyes widen, chest tight with panic and shock, but he doesn't dare say anything. One wrong move is all it would take to get them all killed.
This isn't a choice.
Mother and father continue speaking with Scott, discussing Pyro's fate like he isn't sitting right there next to them.
He clenches his hands in the fabric of his pants to keep them from trembling. It doesn't feel real, at least, not until Scott stands to leave, giving orders to send Pyro to his estate within a week.
A week to get his things together and say his goodbyes. That isn't nearly long enough, not for him, but no one argues. Not that Pyro thought they would. His parents are trading him away for protection. It's obvious he means even less to them than he thought he did.
Neither mother or father will look at him once Scott leaves the manor, whether out of guilt or shame. Knowing his parents, Pyro doubts it's guilt they're feeling over their decision. Giving Pyro away is a small price for them to pay to be able to keep their title. It's more likely they're ashamed at having to lower themselves like that in front of him.
They've never tolerated weakness, and all of them are weak compared to Scott and his army.
Pyro is sent back to his room to start packing away his things, and he pushes away all thoughts and speculation on what's going to happen to him as he does so. He can't afford to freeze up. Not now, when so much is on the line.
As devastated as Pyro is that his parents have done this to him, he doesn't want them to suffer. He loves his parents, even though he knows they don't love him the same.
He doesn't want Scott to hurt them, so running away isn't an option. Not that he thinks he could run away even if he tried.
Pyro opens his trunk, tucking his books and research papers away in the bottom before folding clothes on top. He packs away a few small keepsakes as well, though he tries to keep it light. He doesn't have much of personal value anyway.
It's only after filling up the trunk that Pyro allows himself to rest, falling onto his bed and into a fitful sleep.
-
A week passes. It's both the slowest and the fastest week of Pyro's life.
There isn't any fanfare with Pyro's departure, their trunk put away into the back of a carriage and their father's men coming to escort them to Scott's estate. It isn't a long ride, so Pyro doesn't bother with getting out a book. They're too anxious to be able to focus on reading anyway.
They haven't allowed themself to think about what's going to happen to them over the past week, but now that they're on their way, it's impossible not to. They can hear the hushed whispers from their father's people, mocking Pyro under their breath, as if they can do anything to change what's going on.
Pyro tries their best to ignore it, but the words creep into their mind, refusing to leave. What if Scott does decide to kill them as soon as they arrive? When they're proven to be less entertaining than he thought?
What does Scott want with them in the first place?
Pyro is a scholar, though they doubt their knowledge will be valuable to Scott. He called them pretty, so maybe he just wants them as an accessory.
It's impossible to know for sure. Hopefully, Scott will tell them what's expected of them.
Until then, Pyro just hopes they don't find a way to mess this up.