#Ccino is a whole ass mood and honestly this castle and household would have fallen apart ages ago if not for him

[ancha-aus]

>:D

Error took CHARGE! Like. Nightmare is so confused by cross and dust lwasing error and geno in. Both clearly been in battle. Did soemone attack?! But no. Error just goes over tonreaper and quietly and quickly explains somwthing to him. Something tha tmakes reaper looks horrified as he shoots a look at geno.

Error goes to nightmare and nightmare is like "maybe we can continue speaking later? Dust can you-"

Only for error to quickly say "come with us? Cross can make sure they get back to their room"

Which cross and dust just do. Silently. Cross knows soemthing is wrong but not sure whag. Dust looks distraught though so cross is distraught.

and error knows nightmare Needs to know this. Even if dust doesnt want to talk about it. But well... they tell him.

God nightmare!! The poor guy!

Because this is two years after. So he only just starting to get used to growing again and relaly starting to settle in his role as king. And he TRUSTED these people. These people he welcomed and tried to help. They turn around and hurt HIS brother?! After everything?!

In his own home. It was happening the whole fucking time and nightmare didnt even notice! He didnt notice dust getting distressed and pushed to far. Sure he hid his stuff. Why didnt he even think that maybe he should have saveguarded his brothers secrets as well?

Nightmare just going straight to hugging dust. He is so sorry. And dust just muttering it isnt his fault. Fuck nightmare would just feel worse.

Nightmare just so determined. Immediantly telling dust they arent allowed near him anymore and he will make it so. Dist so worried about how this may affect nightmare and his standing and nightmare wants to fucking cry because no!! He doesnt care about those things if ut hurts one of his brothers!!

So nightmare uses that logic. What if they went after killer? Kr horror? Or cross?

And only that is what makes dust agree to add the clause to the contract. But begs nightmare to please sleep on it. To think it over. He is fine. He just doesnt want to be around them.. that is all. Nightmare nods and promises him he will plan a mission for him so dust doesnt have to be around either of them for the rest of their visit.

And as you said. The burning anger didnt die overnight. It just because a inferno of rage. Nightmare drafts an addendum. Makes a copy of it and secures the original draft (just in case something happens to the cpy so he has something easy to work off of)

And the next day. Reaper comes in looking... awkward? Sad? Doenst matter. Becuase nightmare is pissed and before reaper even says anything nightmare presents him eith the addendum. A needed edit to the contract.

okay but reaper would have to be VERY convincing. Because why would nightmare trust them? When they already broke that trust by hurting dust?

Reaper better have a good explanation for that. He probably mentions how changing the treaty will look to the people.

Nightmare just looking him straight in the socket "i purposely messed up a generation long series of traditions. Just to protect my twin. Why would you think i would not burn any other bridges to protrect my brothers?" Becuase nightmare has Done this song and dance before. And he is still standing. He made it through.

after the meeting. Or maybe even before. Nightmare just goes to ccino and cries. Lets out the full story on what happened and how he was an idiot and now dist got hurt. They were never suposed to get hurt here. And nightmare invited those people inside.

Ccino as always holds him and helps him put his mind back in order and helps nightmare forwards. After a good long cry because this boy is sad and very distressed about this.

God the knights learning.

Cross realising just WHAT the fight had been about. And pissed he didnt know before because then he would have joined and helped error. How fucking Dare he. How does he dare?! Cross is FUMING.

Horror is also horrified. He hadnt known. But one look at dust shows why and they know dust. So he just. Gently tries to redirect some of dusts focus. Favourite foods. They can work out. If dust wants to horror can come with him on a trip to catch another wild horse for dust to work with.

killer just feeling like shit. This wasnt suposed to happen!! Dist liked them! The plan was for them to see how amazing dust was and to like him back and then dusty would have two people who adored him. That was the plan!! Not... not this!! Not some fucking guys just toying with his emotions and feelings only to throw him aside as soon as they either got what they wanted or dust noticed. And then just acting as if NOTHING is wrong?! As if they didnt seriously hurt him?!

Killer feels so bad for his involvement but also so mad about them. He wants to make it up to dust but he doesnt even know how. Dust na dhim had alreayd been on thin ice because killer tried to help before and that ended 'well' whoch turned out wasnt okay at all!!

Meanwhile dust just doesnt want to think abiut it. It hurts. He really tried to connect with them. But dust saw that geni wasnt interested. And later just seemed distracted (at first geno just didnt care. Later after he realised his feelings he got distracted because he realised that he really really enjoys just listening to dust.) It hurt extra because genonwould repeat questions. Stuff he already asked with that same fake interested face only to zone out whenever dust started talking. Dust knows he had been an idiot. Blinded by his own stupid feelings to not see what was going on. He knows better now. He shpuldnt have expected anything else

and yeah. The next visit makes it VERY clear they are no longer welcome. Hell the very castle looks less welcoming (ccino is mad so the tree/castle are mad with him)

Geno and reaper spoke about what thr fuck geno had been thinking. Very quickly concluding. He hadnt been thinking. They concluded they need to apologise. Only for them to meet horror out front. Mask up. Not saying a word. Just silently leading them. And staying.

They are under surveillance.

And dust is no where to be found/seen. And then reaper is given the addendum.

the idea that it is actually dust who is calmest. Who just says that if tbey are actually sorry they will stop after the warning so just treat them normally. Honeslty just reinfoces the others fo keep doing what they are doing. Because dust may not move to defned himself like this or his own comfort but they will!

error aand noghtmare are still... more positive but again. Stuff is going on.

The idea though of geno awkwardly asking if he can speak to dust only to be met with nightmare loooking at him and grinning "no. In matter of fact. I am going to do my best to make sure you never get to see him ever again. Now. Please leave the meeting room. After your past behaviour i cant quite trust you with sensitive information".

Which. Worst part is. Geno knows he deserves because look at ehat he did when he learned anything about them. Think of ways to get what he wanted from dust.

aaw no reaper bit. I will wait with waited breath hihi.

Hahaha the drbable wouldnt be the toxic phase per se... more of how geno deals with being forced to deal with the consequences of his actions. Deal with knowing that someone he likes and wants to know better just. Doesnt even want to look at his face anymore.

That is the general idea hihi.

Important plot point for the New Age AU post-story dustedafterdeath plot- (realizing now slight tw for abusive relationship???)

Geno is a manipulative bastard who exerts his skill and prowess over others. With Reaper their relationship was balanced and became healthy thanks to Reaper actually being stronger than Geno. So all of Geno's manipulation was more like an angry chihuahua barking at Reaper. They got over that stage fast.

With Dust?? He doesn't realize he can't show his interest the same way. Doesn't occur to him that Dust is "lesser" than him in every situation. Royal Mage against a Knight, the Mage has more political power. Geno has direct ties to Reaper, who they need to keep happy for Night's treaty. Geno has more technical skill w/ his magic and Dust is sure the technique and control would be enough to best his own barely controlled magic. He's physically weaker, especially after his shoulder injury. So when Geno realizes he's caught feelings he feels guilty, but doesn't stop manipulating him?? Because Reaper was fine with it, so clearly that's how romance works right?

And it is (shocker) NOT how romance works.

While Dust is being low key pampered and spoiled by Reaper (Reaper recognizes the power dynamics very vividly and I'd sure to make sure Dust knows he can say No or Stop at any moment to anything, even hand-holding or escorting, and Reaper respects it) as Reaper compliments him and gives him gifts and asks how he's been. Geno is out here hyperfixated on Dust's latent magic and is getting his way to learn more no matter the cost (which, in this case, is faking romantic interest). And Reaper doesn't realize how intense Geno is bring because he *thought* Geno would know better. And with the fragile situation, Dust doesn't speak up.

So, ofc, it all comes to a head when Geno finally realizes he's gone too far, Dust completely shuts him out. And Geno is too proud to face his consequences and come clean to Dust about his intentions. Dust, usually quiet anyways, just moves on, though he's deeply distrustful of every pampering Reaper does for him now.

It isn't until 2 days later that Error is talking with Geno (y'know, brother gossip) and Error asks how it's going with Dust.

When Geno responds that his plan fell through, Error asks for elaboration, and Geno tell him the jist. Leas Dust on, then let him down gently. But he caught feels and Dust didn't seem to like the advances so he gave up. And Error knows his brother and knows that's not the full story. So they change subjects, and Error convinces Geno to go visit the woods on the edge of town to test a new weapon of his.

But once they're out there and alone Error reads his brother the riot act because he's so furious and disappointed!!! Dust of all people?? Manipulating him??? And when Geno tries to defend himself (digging a deeper hole and processing just how awful he was himself as he says it out loud) Error just straight up pulls him into combat. (And Geno, not wanting to accidentally hurt his brother but also furious + caught up in emotion, fights back.)

They beat eachother into the trees and the rocks and just tear into eachother, but by the time the Knights arrive to see what the problem is (the cats got word to Ccino, and Ccino sent Dust and Cross to figure it out) Geno is pretty much on low hp and Error is wounded but still standing.

Error spots the Knights and basically uses his strings to slam Geno to the ground at Dust's feet. And there's this moment of frustration and sorrow that seems to pass between the three of them, before Cross (<- unaware) asks what Error was thinking!

Error just says he'll explain it later and that they can go back now. Cross should carry Geno. Error would explain to Reaper (Geno flinched at that).

They return, and Error pulls Reaper aside to mutter some things to him. Reaper seems distressed and takes Geno from Cross, but doesn't even seem bothered at seeing his lover as roughed up as he was. He excuses them away, and Dust disappears into his room.

Error hunts down Dust and chills with him a bit. Error apologizes on his brother's behalf, and Dust seems just. Out of it. He won't say it's okay, because it's not, but he won't put pressure on Error because it's definitely not the kid's fault. So he settles on a tired laugh and thanking Error for beating up his big brother for him. (Error and Geno are on level playing field. As siblings, as Royal Mages, as partners to their kings. They are evenly matched in almost every way, so Error had the power to stand up for Dust, and Dust appreciates that.)

Amd after that little interaction, Dust actually realizes he's alright. He has people who will look out for him. Who will make sure everything goes smoothly. AND after joking with Error some more? He realizes Geno just. Has weird priorities. Weird ways of showing his affection. Dust decides he won't give Geno a second shot unless he bends and gives up his weird manipulation with Dust.

It takes a few days before Geno is done wallowing and processing, but he comes to find Dust (Reaper right behind him, supposedly to keep him in line) looking like a prideful lil wet cat. He says he's sorry, and that he realizes it was shitty of him, and that he will respect it if Dust wants him and Reaper to stop bothering him.

Dust clarifies and asks if Reaper was being genuine. (He was.) And he asks of Geno would be willing to give being genuine a shot (a hesitant yes). Dust does not push them away, but he does say he is going to inform Night. He also asks them to swear that no matter where the relationship ends, they will not take it out on Nightmare. (They agree.)

Like. Reaper, the romantic who is actually kind and wants to make lasting relationships *before* acting on his desires. Vs. Geno, the guy driven by desires who seems to stumble across romance by mistake every time. Both after Dust, most emotionally bottled skeleton they've ever met? Wild.

Geno is super toxic about his relationships and doesn't even notice in my aus ig. Goofy ahh. He eventually gets his conscience back. But it's. A struggle.

In the other au I have Dust guilt-trip him into being less of an idiot. In this one I make his brother throw him around like a ragdoll. (To Error, violence is often the answer <3)