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Pyro hadn't hesitated when Scott asked him to help in the crypt. Maybe it was the lingering guilt eating away at him, or the desperate longing he still felt to please his Sire. It was naive of him to think he could ever get away with lying to his Sire. He already knew that Scott was powerful, and he should have known that he was always listening. That he would have always found out eventually.
It’s too late now, Pyro thinks, as he glances up meekly at his Sire's glare.
“Did you really think you could get away with lying to me?”
“I-I'm sorry?” They try to play it off as a question, but their voice shakes too much for it to sound genuine.
“I was there when you told them to leave you a note. What are you playing at?”
Pyro shrinks into himself, trying to make himself seem smaller, as if that will make him less of a target to Scott's anger. “I, I'm sorry, Sire. I wasn’t trying to–”
“You weren't trying to what? I asked you about your mineshaft earlier. I asked if it was a safe place for us and you said yes. You lied to my face.”
Pyro drops to his knees, their whole body trembling. They remembered all too well the threats and undeserved mercy their Sire had given them with their earlier mistakes. Pyro had a feeling that wouldn't be the case this time. They try to defend themself anyway, despite knowing that it won't do them any good.
“I would have told you, if I thought it was dangerous! I wouldn't put you in harm's way, I promise..”
Scott's eyes narrow and Pyro flinches as he steps forward, towering over Pyro's kneeling form. “You expect me to believe you? You've already betrayed my trust.”
They knew that they were being stupid to go behind their Sire's back. Pyro doesn't know how to express that they never would have betrayed their Sire, that they were only curious about the aspect of a cure, in a way that wouldn't make Scott more angry at them.
“I should kill you for this.” Scott hisses, reaching out towards Pyro with an unforgiving hand.
Pyro yelps as Scott's fingers bury in his hair, tugging mercilessly. His eyes sting, tears welling up and slipping down his face. Pyro is afraid. They haven't seen their Sire so upset ever, not even when Pyro stole his meal.
“I-I'm sorry, Sire! I'm so, so sorry…! Please don't… I'll fix this!”
Scott's hand tightens in their hair, yanking Pyro's head up at a cruel angle. It hurts, and Pyro can't stop the fearful whimper that escapes his lips. Scott isn't listening to him. He's going to kill Pyro for this. He made one mistake too many and now he's going to die for it. This time he won't come back.
Scott purses his lips at Pyro's terrified expression, still glaring down at them. He twists his hand in Pyro's hair, ripping strands out of their head. Pyro inhales sharply at the pain, shutting his eyes tightly.
“I thought you were finally learning your place, and then you go and do this? You deserve worse than what I'm giving you.”
Pyro hunches his shoulders, his scalp burning. “I-I'm sorry…! I'm so sorry…!”
Pyro pushes back the instinct to protect his head as Scott scoffs, letting go of Pyro's hair after a final yank. He doesn't want to do anything that could aggravate his Sire more. “You're sorry? You've said that every time you mess up. You're not sorry, or you wouldn't keep making these mistakes.”
Pyro cries. All they want right now is to be forgiven, to be held and told that they aren't going to be killed for their transgression. Pyro needs his Sire to show him mercy, or he really will die down here.
“I'm sorry, Sire.” Pyro whispers, his voice choked up with tears. “I won't do it ever again, I swear. Please don't kill me..” Pyro swallows thickly. “I'll do anything to make it up to you.”
Scott crosses his arms, turning away from Pyro, humming flatly. “Cut all communication with the humans. I don't want you talking with them.”
Pyro nods quickly. “I can do that.”
Scott starts to leave, glancing back only once more to fix Pyro with a stern glare. “If you make one more mistake like this again, Pyro, I won't forgive you. You will lose everything.”
Pyro nods again, sniffling as Scott leaves him alone in the crypt.
He won't ever make the same mistake again.