#Ccino and Nightmare are portrayed so so nicely and... I can't believe Kiler's silly quip inspired this all

[spotaus]

Gah-

Okay. So. First things first because I'll forget the tags: We talked about it briefly once, but Ccino absolutely gets a cat mask! Just a normal housecat I think (plain and unassuming, but ur 100% right about the implications! House at stand up to foes much bigger than themselves, they're loyal, *and* they keep the rats out!)

Second. Hi. Ancha may I please please request that I make this drabble part of the canon? Because you just. You managed to tie in so many things so beautifully, and filled a Ccino pothole I had, and placed all the ideas from my drabbles abd rambles into just such a neat perfect lil piece!!! Augh!!!!! (Okay we're back to internal screaming-)

Third!!! Digging into this thang like a nicely roasted chicken because!!! So many perfect moments!!!!

Okay. You got Night spot on. In the beginning he's awkward, using what little improv he's got to survive, then he's a bit more comfy showing the folks around (a space he knows thanks to Ccino) and then later as he gets more vulnerable that she'll breaks a little. I love how he reacts when pinned between Killer and Ccino for the brief moment, trying to keep that hierarchy act between them...

KILLER. I will never stop shouting his name, but he's so well portrayed here! He's sassy and playful and arrogant in all the right ways, abd he goes so far as to *tease* Night several times (which goes unnoticed basically aside from acknowledgement UNTIL he crosses the line, implying something between Night abd Ccino-). And his little "What?!" For the training- because yeah!

Night would naturally want to test his own strength in a controlled environment (ex. Killer, who has potential to be expendable if smth goes wrong (tho Night doesn't want that)), as well as *prove* his strength and capabilities to Killer to lessen chances of betrayal. And, most largely. A) He wants his potential Knight to be supervised by him alone so he doesn't get any outside influences from other combat styles or morals, and B) So he doesn't subject anyone else to Killer's murderous tendencies. Killer can't kill him, but he's certain Killer has no qualms killing others like his guard. He can't have that.

Bro thought he was getting off easy and now he's actually gonna have to train 🙏🫡

And then- AND THEN CCINO-

Gods above, Anchas I think you killed me. His little tonal qualities in how he balances his position w/ his history with Night, how he interacts with him, how... HHH It just makes me get butterflies in my stomach, but they're all mad and furious. I mean this in the best way possible. All positive.

Okay. Okay. One thing at a time-

Ccino feels comfortable with Nightmare. Obviously he would, with what he knows, but it's sweet. The way he sits with him, talks to him, *reaches out to him*. The soft touch to the cheek broke me, because there was a VERY quick shift where Ccino clearly recognized that, maybe Night had been overwhelmed, maybe it had been too much, a lecture might not be the best. He saw that change and immediately moved from the worried nagging (a needed strictness) into comfort and reassurance, because he knew Night was starting to spiral and get afraid again.

And idk man, but Ccino just slowly talking Nightmare through it all, holding him, comforting touches, it just- raughhh I loved it... Night's paranoia spiral was so so good too, because it just felt exactly like how I've been picturing it! He's such a guy who relies on logic, and he logics himself into the worst case scenario.

AND Night's lil flashback with the palm ritual thing. That one hurt so good, it had a perfect placement...

Okay. Okay. Let's see... Dream! And Ccino's role for the twins. I love that he's trapped, that he was forces to be there (and that Night offers him freedom and is so so set on ensuring Ccino be happy even in his state-). The bit in the tags about Ccino ending up as Dream's (metaphorically, literally, etc) hit me so hard because! YEAH. They would do that. Nim would do that. Like a consolation prize. One brother gone, but here's this other one you like, do as you please. Losing my mind- and Dream in an altered state? Who knows where that would've gone???

And then the shift when Night took over, and Ccino *chose* to look after him and help and care. It just. 😭😭😭 the narrative hereeeeee

I love that you have it end with them both there, and the mask case, and Night deciding Ccino deserved a mask... it made my heart hurt so so good 🫶

Ohh this gives me ideas for other stuff now (particularly Night + Killer doing those trainings, and maybe a pre-apple incident interaction between Night, Dream, and Ccino? But who knows-)

Okay lastly other tag things:

-> No no, you got it perfect! I hadn't been mentioning it much, but Ccino is probably the STRONGEST connection + bond Night has. Period. Ccino is the only reason Night survived more than a week after the ritual (he made poor choices w/ the starving himself out of fear or poisons things, and more I think-) and so you are SO correct placing Ccino as Brother Supreme 🙏 (Also Killer getting put in his place by Night immediately felt like a 'I don't care what you say about me, but mess with him and you're dead.' Kinda moment, and I loved it <3 First time Night is genuinely scary to Killz probably-)

-> Nim's hall is 100% gonna be a Cat Space haha! Honestly I could see this very superstitious kingdom noticing an influx of cats around the palace and being helpful around the city, followed by Night's Knights all having cat-masks, and deciding Night's divine symbol is a cat (despite the Owl motif-). I think this'd lead to an influx of bad superstitions about cats, immediately followed by a healthy fear of harming a cat. (A guy who, completely unrelatedly, killed a Cat to spite Nightmare in his own time, was killed by the Knights a few days later because. People in his community were unaware he was a trafficker of people, so they assumed it was the whole cat thing. Rumors spread, abd cats were treated a lot better-) sidetracked- but yeah! Cats everywhere!! Kitties!

Gifted Drabble - NewAgeAU - Understanding

Hey @spotaus !! As promised :3 I got a little something for you!

Your drabble got me thinking and made me consider something. (also i am so sorry if i got the ages wrong. I really tried)

As always. Feel free to use whatever you want from it or just ignore what doesn't fit <3 I am just having fun and it is meant as a gift for you <3 (also to motivate you to keep writing more about it!)

*------------------------*

Nightmare gets off his horse as he stares at the castle.

Well. His castle now.

He is still not quite used to that. Refering to it with his castle instead of his mother's.

Even after almost 12 months. He still doesn't expect to see himself in the mirror. or maybe the problem is that he expects his old self. The young teen.

The weakling. The failure.

No focus.

He isn't that anymore. He now has the magic. He is the new powerful leader of his land. And he will make this work. Even if he still has no idea what he is doing.

No. He needs to get back and make sure no one tried to rebel against him. That no one tried to hurt Ccino while he was gone.

Nightmare gets off the horse and someone rushes over to take the horse. Nightmare stares at this person and figures out quickly it is the stablehand who has been taking care of the horses.

Nightmare looks over his shoulder and motions the new people to follow him. The set of brothers, the dog monster. and Killer.

Nightmare walks into the castle as he speaks "Some of the other servants will take you to your chambers to rest and clean up. Tomorrow the three of you will join some of my other staff to see what is needed and where you fit. Killer. You will-"

"My liege."

Nightmare blinks and looks over.

Ccino has appeared out of one of the servant secret passages and walks straight towards him. Nightmare can see, and feel, when Ccino takes in the new people and just who they are.

Ccino's face turns a bit harder and Nightmare can feel the annoyance and frustration in the air "My liege!" Ccino smiles brightly as he speaks "Have you eben succesfull in finding a possible knight?"

Killer chuckles behind him and mutters "someone is in trouble~"

Nightmare knows Killer is being sarcastic. But if only Killer knew how right he was.

Nightmare however could never be worried or afraid off Ccino. For him? Maybe. But never because of him. He gives a tiny nod. The only amount of respect their places and ranks allow them when others are near "Ccino." He waves into the direction of the new arrivals "These people will join my workers." He looks at the four new arrivals "This. Is Ccino. He is head of the house." a title that will never pass away from him. Not as long as Nightmare is in charge.

Ccino nods "Pleasure." he looks back at Nightmare "My liege. If you have the time. There is a matter we need to discuss."

Oh yeah. Nightmare is very much in trouble.

Nightmare's voice is still calm as he speaks "Very well. I will meet you in my study after i made sure they go to their chambers."

Ccino feels unamused but he nods with a bow before he leaves the hall with a quick turn.

Nightmare turns back to his new... servants? He never quite liked that word but it works. He turns to his servants and feel his tentacles slowly rise from their position on the ground. They slowly start to idle again as he makes sure the new people learn where their rooms are and where to get food.

He brings Killer to a room more seperate from the others. Beyond the guard positions. Just because Nightmare wants to give him a chance and the fact he doesn't fear him is refreshing doesn't make Nightmare forget how dangerous Killer is.

Fuck this was a mistake.

What if Killer hurts people here?

What if he hurts Ccino?

Killer looks around his room before lounging on the bed "So what is the deal with the other skeleton?" he grins and wiggles his eye brows "Little secret going on there?"

Ngihtmare needs a moment as he wonders what Killer could mean. Then it sinks in and Nightmare feels his tentacles all spasm as he shudders "No." the answer is final and harsh. Killer actually looks surprised.

Nightmare holds his sight and speaks slowly "I will only repeat this once and remember this well. I don't like having to repeat myself." he holds Killer's gaze "Ccino is head of the house. He will remain head of the house. Nothing anyone can say or do will change this." he holds his gaze before straightening himself again as he moves towards the door "Tomorrow we will start training."

Kilelr sputters "We?!"

Nightmare stops and shoots him a look "Obviously. How am I to keep track of your skills and promise if i don't oversee the training myself?" and he leaves the room.

He hurries back through th castle towards his study. Sinking in and out of shadows as his mind, body and soul all know where he wishes to go.

He stops by his study and enters it.

Ccino is already in there. Studying the old masks in the special glass casing.

Nightmare closes the door and Ccino turns to him with a glare "What were you thinking?"

Nightmare gets taken back to a year or two prior. When he was still small. When he had cut himself to practise for the ritual. He hadn't been able to sleep and had been nervous about the apple ritual already. He had wanted to practise his part. to perform a blood oath to promise loyalty until death to his twin.

Ccino had caught him with a knife out.

Nightmare blinks back into the here and now as Ccino looks at him expecting with his arms crossed.

Nightmare blinks as he looks to the side for a moment. How is it that even wiht him being taller than Ccino he still feels small compared to him? "They were innocent."

Ccino looks unimpressed as he crosses his arms "Now with less lies."

Nightmare blinks and shoot his traitorous tendrils a look. No doubt they did something to give his little slight lie away. Ccino jsut raises a brow as he taps his foot.

Nightmare speaks again "Most of them were innocent. I didnt want them to get hang for something they did not do."

Ccino hums as he waits "And the murderer?"

Nightmare looks at Ccino "how did you know?"

Ccino sighs but has a small smile on his face. an old fond feeling as ccino looks at him and the tiny part of nightmare that had been stressed relaxes. Ccino just keeps looking slightly amused "There is a reason i told you to get out more. you only hear so many things from people in the castle nightmare. You need to go out to hear everything from everyone. I know who he is because i go to the market sometimes."

nightmare gives aslow nod as he looks away. So Ccino knows that nightmare brought a serial killer home. great.

Ccino sighs and sits on the couch for visitors and Nightmare joins him instead of sitting in his own chair.

Ccino looks at him "Just... tell me what happened. Why did you decide this?"

Ngihtmare looks at his hands. again slightly shocked to see the goop. It never stains anything yet it feels like a reminder. It is dirty. it isn't the holy light the powers promised. it is weird and looks diseased which is fitting for him. someone who betrayed everyone. who betrayed his twin. He may have gone it to protect dream. But even dream doesn't see this.

Where does that leave him?

Ccino's hand rubs his cheek and Nightmare shakes himself out of it. Ccino looks so worried as he rubs his skull "Hey... it is okay... i am not mad at you. I am worried about you. I am sorry if it seemed like i was mad."

Nightmare knows ccino isn't mad at him. Not like that at least. Nightmare can feel that. But he likes that ccino still tells him as much too.

Nightmare sighs as he leans into the gentle hold and touch. Ccino had always been one of the few to hold him. As his and Dream's babysitter it had been his job. But Ccino had always truly cared about them both. The moment that Nightmare could feel emotions he had been shocked by that.

That Ccino held no hatred for him. Not even a little bit. He enver blamed either Nightmare or Dream for his situation.

Nightmare speaks softly "The... kngihts you picked out. they were amazing. They showed much promise and would have made fine warriors."

Ccino hums as he keeps rubbing his skull "But?"

Nightmare sighs "They hated me. Even if with time they would eventually grow loyal and accept their place. They would forever hold resentment towards me for making them come."

Ccino hums and nods "I get it. It were only options Ngihtmare. there will be more people who fit the job."

Nightmare feels another part of him relax. knowing that Ccino still understands him "Killer wasn't afraid."

Ccino hums questioning.

Nightmare speaks slowly "He wasn't afraid. Not of me. Not of his situation. He stood up when near me. He didn't cower and he didn't hide." he sighs as he leans into the hug. He shouldn't need these anymore. He is an adult now and not that awkward young teen anymore. Nightmare shouldn't still count this much on the other "He saw me and didn't hate me. He knew who i was and didn't hate me. It was... new."

Ccino still feels unsure but he holds him still "And that gave you hope? That maybe if soemone didn't start with that hatred they could maybe become truly loyal?"

Ngihtmare shrugs. He isn't quite sure. he didn't think that far ahead. He just didn't want to lose another person who didn't hate him.

Ccino sighs as he keeps rubbing his skull and the back of his neck "I won't say i trust him. Because i don't. And I worry about you. I am scared he will end up hurting you."

Nightmare rolls his eyes as he answers "I have yet to even lose a fight and i had almost no training." all because of his tentacles and his newfoudn power.

Ccino just holds him tighter "There are more ways someone can hurt you Nightmare."

Nightmare feels the fear of before return. THe idea that somoene would kill Ccino. "If... if him being here makes you feel unsafe i will return him to the guards."

Ccino laughs and shakes his skull "Ngihtmare I am fine. I am not scared for me."

Nightmare keeps holding him as he feels himself start to shake. fears he had been trying to ignore and push away return to the front of his mind "Waht if they realise just how important you are? What if they try to hurt you to hurt me? What if they kill you to hurt me? Ccino maybe it is better if you hide." hide... hide away... out of sight out of mind.

Ccino just rubs his neck "It is okay Nightmare. It is okay. They don't know. and even if they have an idea your reputation adn the past of this country will just make them think I am someone who will be used as sacrifice last. That i will be punished last or least."

Nightmare shakes as he keeps holding the one person who remained "What if they hurt you because of me?"

Ccino is so calm and sure "then it would be on them. Not you. You don't want others to hurt me. It wouldn't be your fualt Nightmare and I will never see it as your fault. It is okay."

Ngihtmare still feels unsure. He made it obviously clear to Killer that Ccino is improtant. Killer is smart and Nightmare has no idea what he could be planning.

Another thought enters his mind. Somethign he had found early on in his ruling.

A very very damning piece of paper. a slave contract.

Nightmare speaks softly "I am sorry you are stuck here..."

Ccino shrugs as he keeps rubbing his back "Not your fault."

Nightmare shakes as he holds him "I.... I can undo it... I can give you back your freedom..."

Ccino had been taken from his home. Sold to the castle with a very clear purpose. First to be a babysitter. and later... well... Drema had been planning to be all powerful and go from young teen to adult in just one ritual. There is a reason Ccino's age had been only 6 years older than them.

Ccino had been suposed to be Dream's from the very start.

Ccino hums "A nice thought. Not that i thought about that contract in a long time. It hardly matters nowadays. Not like I can just leave."

Nightmare feels his grip tighten and his tendrils curl around them. He doesn't want to let go of the one person who cared. The one person he could count on to help him. To give a single shit about Nightmare. But... but how long will it take before Ccino starts hating him? If Nightmare keeps him here?

Nightmare holds him close "I... I can get you a horse... I can give you gold..." He will just use some of the treasury. Ccino deserves it. "I can send some guards with you on your way. You could go wherever you want. Back to your family."

Ccino locks both his arms around his skull and hums softly. an old lullaby and Nightmare stops. The amount of memories almost hurt. It was always Ccino who held him on bad nights. Or when he was sad. Or when everyone pushed him aside again.

Ccino speaks sfotly "Nightmare. When I say i can't leave i don't mean i physically can't leave. It means i don't want to. I decided a while ago i want to stay here Nightmare."

Nightmare shakes but refuses to let go "What... what about your family?" Ccino's fmaily have to love him. Ccino is so amazing. There is no way he isn't missed dearly after he was stolen from them.

Ccino sighs sadly "Nightmare... They have been killed a long time ago. The day i was taken the guards made sure i knew there was nothing to return to. even if i ran." Ngihtmare feels himself freeze. why... why had he thought?

Ccino rubs his skull "It hurt a lot but i accepted a long time ago Nightmare. I accepted that you two were my family now... and well... now it is just you. and it is okay. I am okay with that. I will always support you Nightmare." he grins "You may be older now but i like to think i am still the older brother."

Nightmare feels aprt of himself break as he just sinks fully into Ccino's hold "please don't also leave me." it is weak. it is pathetic. He should be stronger than this. He should have been prepared for this.

Ccino just covers his skull wiht his body and holds him "I am not going anywhere Nightmare. I will be by your side. I swear on my soul."

Nightmare relaxes and lets himself enjoy the comfort he should not need this badly. He enjoys it and can't help but let his eyes slide around the room. His sight finds the masks and remembers.

The masks are the highest honour. only shared with those most special.

He thinks something catlike will fit his older brother.