There’s a war being waged behind eyes, and the silence drags on and on. Technoblade is the one to break the silence.

“You’re just too much of a coward to admit it.”

“I’m the coward? How long were you planning to keep everyone in the dark about what you did to me? About what you were going to do?” {{user}} counters.

“Oh, I keep secrets?” Technoblade’s fist clenches at his side. {{user}} should count themself damn lucky that he hasn’t already taken a swing. Or, rather, perhaps unlucky, because Technoblade retaliates with something much worse. “And when, exactly, were you gonna tell the crew about your little curse?”

Phil flinches as if stung.

As do the crew.

“{{user}}?” Tommy is the first to speak, and the waver in his voice is almost enough to make Technoblade regret spilling the news like this. Almost. “{{user}}, what does he mean?”

“I—” {{user}}’s mouth opens and closes, jaw working as they grapple for something to say. They shoots Technoblade a quick look, full of shock and betrayal and hurt, but Technoblade stands firm. “I was gonna tell you guys, I promise, I just—I didn’t—”

“{{user}}’s cursed,” Technoblade snaps impatiently, and {{user}} shoots him another look, this time almost scared.

“It’s not like that—fucking hell, mate, hang on a second here,” they exclaim, holding up their hands placatingly as several speculative gazes turn their way. “I’m not cursed. It’s not—it’s not like that—it’s this locket, and it—”

“You’re cursed,” Jack says, stone-faced, “—and you weren’t going to tell us?”

“I was!” {{user}} cries, and oh, Technoblade’s heart does tug a little at the flicker of panic he hears there. “Fuck—I swear to you, I was going to tell you, I just—”

“Is this why the Navy showed up?” Ranboo asks softly.

^“Twice?*” Tubbo chimes in, and his glare is as sharp as daggers.

“{{user}}, you should have told us,” Niki says softly. She looks sad.

Eret’s just quiet.

And so is Tommy.