MCYT RANDOMNESS 2

Untold

This is set when it was written, towards the end of Season 9 (before Decked Out closed)

And this was inspired by reading angsty oneshots @JadedSundragon sent me.

Also the stuff towards the end of this is right on the edge of what I'm willing to write gore-wise. Please don't read if you're squeamish.

I'm changing it from the level it was, but it still won't be pleasant.

Blame them, not me

:)

PoV: Scar

Everyone has a tell.

Grian, for instance, ruffles his feathers when he's nervous, Bdubs stands a block higher than others when he's intimidated. So, when Cub emerges from Decked Out, hands fidgeting in his pockets, staring towards the ground, I know something's up.

'Tough run?' Guesses Jevin. A nod back. I don't say anything. I'll give him a chance to be honest. And I don't want to embarrass or make him uncomfortable by confronting him in front of Jevin and Hypno.

'You gonna redeem yourself, or are you done for the day?' asks the latter, jumping down from parkouring the scoreboard.

'Out of shards... I'll just write it down and be off to the museum.' He explains, walking off, hands still deep in his pockets. 'See you later... And good luck, Scar!'

'Thanks Cub!' I watch him fly away. Jev turns to me.

'Any plans for your run?'

'I'm going deadly!'

'No Deepfrost, man?'

'My deck's not good enough for that.' And I want a quick run so I can find Cub as soon as I'm done. I'll give him a bit of time to process whatever it was, then I'll ask. Me and Jevin continue talking strategy until the voice calls out for the next victim and I head into the dungeon.

'Cub? Are you here?' I ask as I enter his base. I lost my Decked Out run, too worried about Cub to focus... But now I can ask him what's going on, if he needs any help dealing with it. 'Cu-ub?'

'Scar?'

He appears below. I scan for tells... He's not letting anything show.

'You seemed worried earlier about something... Is everything ok?'

'Yeah, yeah, I'm fine.' Lie. Obviously.

'Cub, you don't need to lie to me.'

'I'm not lying! I'm fine. I... I thought something was up, but I've checked and everything seems ok.'

'Sculk or Vex?'

'Sculk.' he admits. He's not lying any more, but he's still nervous. He doesn't think it's ok.

'What do you think you saw?'

'It... was acting like it did in Empires. But didn't go further than empty threats.'

'And you're ok now?'

A nod.

'Yeah, I'm fine.' I check for signs of lying. Nothing.

'If anything happens, tell me, ok?'

'I will. I promise.'

'You promise?'

'I promise.' And as much as I know Cub isn't good at admitting his troubles, I believe him.

A few days pass working on Scarland and doing runs until I meet Cub again, waiting for the phase results. Places 7-4 pass with applause and interest. Then, in an unexpected twist, 3rd place is revealed as...