#I don't get what it is with me liking to write Ccino!!!

[ancha-aus]

RealAgeAU Drabble - Alternative Path - The Cattree

Okay so. I am still editing Real Age. Of course I am. But I can't help but think about what ifs. What if the gang didn't find Nightmare on his travels? What if they didn't get to Nightmare before Nightmare went a the path they didn't expect him to do?

What if they went left where Nightmare had gone right?

This. Is about that posibility. @spotaus

Real Age AU Masterpost [Here]

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

Ccino cleans the counter as he glances at the clock. It is already an hour after when he would normally show up. Ccino is going to have to accept that Nightmare isn't going to show up again.

That is the fourth week he missed now. Ccino is starting to get really worried. But it isn't like he can file a missing person report for Nightmare.

First it would be one that had to cover the whole multiverse. But well, Nightmare isn't exactly liked in the multiverse.

Which, Ccino suposes there are some reasons for. But Ccino always figured it wasn't his place to consider the actions of gods. Reaper kills people after all and no one thinks twice about it as god a dead. So why are people mad at Ngihtmare for causing negativity when he is the god of negativity?

Ccino just doesn't understand and that is why he tries to not judge and stay out of it.

He sighs as he starts to clean up the coffee machines and clean up the food. Trying to remember if he heard any gossip about large fights or battles but nothing that he can think of right away-

The door rings and Ccino looks up already halfway through his sentence "I am sorry. We are close-" Then his sight settles on the customer.

Okay! nevermind! He is very open! He shoots the small child a gentle smile "Are you lost? It is okay if you want to wait here for your parent or parents." He hasn't seen a babybones since Papyrus was still a small. He can't believe how small the little guy is.

The tiny skeleton looks dirty however. There are dirt and mud marks all over their clothes. They aren't wearing shoes and they have a very tight hold on their backpack.

A moment of silence before they speak "Hey... Ccino..." They glance to the side "I... I wasn't sure... where else to go..."

Ccino's mind pauses before something about the way the other stands reminds him oh-

Ccino feels everything in his body tense "Oh stars..." that is... Is that why...

The door!!

Ccino rushes away from the counter and towards the door. Nightmare tenses and seems to wait but Ccino rushes passed him as he closes the door and locks it. Putting the latch on for good meassure. He looks around the store and quickly closes all the curtains.

Ccino glances around before he sighs "Okay.. Okay... that should be good." He turns back to Ngihtmare. Who is still just standing there, waiting and staring silently.

Ccino can't help but stare. Nightmare remains standing right where he stopped before. He is just... How is he?

Ccino slowly goes closer as he mutters "what... What happened?"

Nightmare looks away as his grip just grows tighter around the backpack "I don't... know... I thought... I thought I managed to do it. Do what I had to and now..." He frowns as he stares at his hands, his face sad "I don't understand..."

Ccino frowns before kneeling down by him "It is okay. We can figure this out. Lets first get you out of those dirty clothes and cleaned up. Do you have a spare set with you?" Nightmare doesn't look up as he just shakes his skull.

Ccino nods "That is okay. You can borrow some of mine." He smiles as he leads him towards the door to the back.

Nightmare glances at him before glancing towards the side of the room "But... your cats?"

Ccino frowns as he looks t them before smiling at Ngihtmare "They will be fine for a little. You look like you are freezing." which Ccino knows is silly. Nightmare doens't get cold. He feels the cold of course but he doesn't truly get cooled.

Ngihtmare shrugs as he mutters "Yeah... that is still new."

alarms go off in Ccino's mind. That can't be good. He quickly leads Nightmare to the back and up the stairs to his own small apartment. he helps him to the bathroom where he grabs soaps and a warm towel.

Ngihtmare goes to undress before hissing in pain as he moves his arm wrong. ccino joins his friends side and starts to help him. It happened before that after a very bad battle that nightmare would show up by his store. asking him if he could wash up and heal for a moment.

Ccino always thought it was stupid that nightmare didn't want to appear weak in front of his team. but was touched that nightmare trusted him enough to show the weakness to. it proved that they truly are friends.

Ccino notices that Nightmare leaves the shirt under his hoody on, a much too large shirt and Ngihtmare is swimming in it, and he can't help but frown "It will be easier to clean up if you take that off... also keeping it on will not help the whole cold thing." He gets the shower head down and checks the temperature. He doesn't go for hot right away. When monsters get cold their bodies need time to slwoly warm up or risk going into shock. Ccino isn't sure if Nightmare can go into shock but quite honestly Ccino doesn't want to find out.

Nightmare pauses and frowns "I know just... Don't freak out?" He crosses his arms before freezing slightly.

Ccino grins and sits by the floor with the shower head running water "I mean. One of my best friends just showed up to my doorstep as a four year old. I think I can handle it."

Nightmare smiles a bit before sputtering "F-four?! I am not four! I am six!!" his face puffs up slightly before he frowns to himself. seemingly surprised and shocked befores peaking again "I mean! I am over 500 years old!! The body is just six!"

Yeah. Ccino has his doubts. Because he notices certain things and how Nightmare behaves now. It is slightly diferent. It is undeniably Nightmare. But it isn't how he was before. The old Nightmare would never allow himself to sputter or pout. He would not smile as easily or look away as quickly. Ngihtmare was confident, or at least knew how to fake his confidence.

This Ngihtmare is unsure. uncertain. It may be because something is affecting him. But what could be powerful enough to change and affect a god? That isn't just any magic. Only ancient and other very powerful gods should be able to do that.

Ccino doens't point out the things he saw. He doens't need Nightmare to be even more unsure about what is going on. He needs to help his friend focus so they can start to figure this out. "Six? You sound very sure on that. I would think four still wiht how small you are... maybe even three?" he grins as he winks. Making it obvious it is a joke and that he is just teasing.

Ngihtmare huffs and sputters as a tiny tiny purple blush appears... wait purple? since when is Nightmare's magic purple? It fits the eye colour but it is strange.

Nightmare mutters unhappily "It is... My body is how it was before... and before is when i was six..." he frowns as he no doubt noticed his own speak pattern.

Ccino frowns as he keeps the water running, it is fine he doesn't use a lot of water anyway, "What do you mean before? Before what?"

Nightmare frowns as he looks to his feet. then he mutters "I... I think... I am not sure... Who is was before? That body? I don't think it was mine... it was a power that i... took... And i shouldn't have had." He keeps looking down. Everything about him saying 'guilty child.' and 'regret'.

Ccino frowns. He has no doubt there is more to that story. But Nightmare is troubled. He is dealing with his body just shrinking and returning to a child state, is a child like or truly a child? Neither of them knows.

Right now. Nightmare needs a friend.

Ccino nods as he hums "Well, in that case it is best to get you washed and get you to sleep. You look exhausted Nightmare." He waits and nods to the shower "The water is warm..." he grins.

Ngihtmare frowns as he slowly pulls on the shirt "It... it happened... ages and ages ago... I think it will look worse than it is? Probably... Just don't freak out?"

ccino nods and promises easily. He will be calm and relax and not at all OH SHIT!!

That... that are open wounds and horrifing breaks on the very spine of nightmar.e How the fuck had he been standing and moving adn walking around without sobbing and screaming in pain?! Ccino can see his mana lines in that spine! It is a weak looking purple, much like his eye lights- shit Nightmare is very hurt and very low on magic.

Okay. Calm down. Deep breaths. Remember. Panic is the enemy in these type of situations.

Nightmare just stands wiht his back to him. Slowly folding the shirt and Ccino is thankful to it because by the time Nightmare glances at him, guarded and his shoulders high as if he is bracing himself, Ccino has his face calm.

He knows he looks worried. Of course he is worried. But he is calm. He won't make it a big deal if Ngihtmare doens't want to. He speaks softly "Want me to help clean your wounds? Same as we did before?"

Ccino is happy to note that it works as he had hoped. Nightmare relaxes at the reminder that they have done this before. Ccino had helped him treat his wounds before when they are at places Nightmare can't reach or check himself easily. They are friends. They are still friends. Nothing has to change.

Ngihtmare nods as he speaks "I think that is for the best..." He slowly moves into the shower and Ccino can't help but see the angry sparks of magic come off the cracks. The way the broken and split bones grind against one another as he moves.

Ccino is going to have to figure something out to convince Ngihtmare to let him help him move around because that can't be good. That has to hurt so much.

Ccino says as much "It looks very painful... I think it is best you sit down while i try to wash it a bit."

NIghtmare freezes at the first comment but eventually answers "I... I guess..." He sits down as he lets the water just fall over him. Shivering each time water goes passed the wounds. clearly hurt but he doens't even make a sound.

Ccino frowns as he starts to clean the wound. there is dirt and little sticks in those wounds. He gets some tweezers and starts to carefully and slowly remove what he can. But in the end he needs to use the water to dislodge some very stubborn pieces.

Nightmare shivers and shakes as they work but remains completely quiet.

Ccino speaks softly "I am sorry this hurts this much. It is okay... to cry."

Nightmare shakes his skull as he speaks slowly and painfully "Can't... weakness... bad... exploided..."

Ccino speaks softly "I won't... Never. We are friends Nightmare. You are one of my closest friends that I have. You helped me so much. PLease, let me help you."

Ngihtmare still isn't looking at him "It... it is... too much." his voice is so quiet.

Ccino gently holds his friend's hand "Nightmare. You helped me wiht my depression. There is no way anything you have going on is going to be too much for me. Maybe i will be confused and out of my depth. But i will not give up on trying to help you."

Nightmare is quiet for a long time before a small sobs "It hurts... so bad...."

Ccino jsut hugs him. Not caring that he will get wet and soaked. that the bathroom will be a mess. His friends needs him. Has aparently needed comfort for a very long time. and Ccino will not disappoint him.

-------

The shower took a long time and in the end Nightmare just looked exhausted. Ccino managed to convince him to at least help him a little as Ccino took him to his own bed. Nightmare tried to reassure him that Nightmare would be fine on the couch. Ccino had grinned adn said it would be fine. It would be like a sleepover. tehy could watch movies and eat snacks and then go to bed and sleep.

Ccino first made sure that Ngihtmare had some food and was comfortable before rushing downstairs to make sure his cats were okay and were ready for the night and to finish the last few tasks to clean up.

He made sure to leave a notice on the door that the cafe would be closed the next day. He will need to help nightmare figure out what to do next.

After it he got redressed in his own PJs and put all the clothes of them both in the washer. Making sure to use a fabric softener to make those more comfortable.

He returns to his room to see Nightmare enjoying the warm meal as one of his own cats, Noodle, has joined the small skeleton. Noodle is living up to his name as he just lays limb and stretched out by Nightmare's side.

Ccino smiles as he joins him. Having grabbed his old laptop to load up some movies he has on it "Is it okay? Sorry I only had some leftovers."

Nightmare hums as he eats another bite "It is really good. Thank you." He takes another bite of the curry and Ccino smiles. His is washed and his wounds are clean. He is eating. and they will now relax and make light conversation on what to do.

Ccino joins Nightmare agianst the headrest and puts on a movie. One about some people throwing a ring into an volcano. it is enjoyable and most important, long. Ccino puts the movie on and the two of them watch it in silence. Nightmare eats and wathes the movie with great interest while Ccino just lets him relax for a while.

Once Nightmare finishes his meal Ccino makes sure to put the plate to the side. He will clean that up in a bit.

Tey sit in silence for a while longer but Nightmare breaks it "Thank you... You... thank you..."

Ccino smiles as he leans back agianst the headrest "No worries. as i said. We are friends. Friends help each other." More thoughtful "Do you want to stay for longer? I don't have a lot of space like you had at your place." a small assumption but to be fair Nightmare did mention he made his own castle in his own hidden universe. "If you don't mind the smaller space i am happy to have you around."

Ngihtmare blinks up at him confused. sockets so big and wide and Ccino can't help but wonder who could ever hurt the other when he just looks like that. Nightmare looks abcka t the blanket "I... if... It is okay... I am sorry for just... showing up I just... didn't know where else to go..." he looks so sad.

Ccino frowns. He wants to know so badly why Nightmare isn't with his team. But if he looks this sad and confused... Maybe it didn't go well? Maybe they didn't react well to Nightmare's change in form? That could explain why nightmare was so nervous about showing himself and meeting Ccino.

Ccino smiles "Happy to have you." but more practical "We will need to figure out something to tell everyone else. I need to take you to the healers."

Ngihtmare freezes and stares at him, that is fear in those sockets "Why?" it is muttered so softly.

Ccino smiles sadly "Because your spine is very hurt Nightmare. If your spine breaks you may never be able to move your lower body or even feel it. We need to make sure it will heal okay."

Nightmare frowns a she looks away and mutters "But... Healer don't really... help..."

And isn't that just something that sketches even more of Nightmare's past? Something that had been terrifying and full or hurt everywhere. Somewhere where nightmare couldn't trust others. where he knows showing wekaness would just cause him more pain. A place where nightmare got those terrible wounds. Where nightmare has this mindset that he can't even trust those who made an oath to help to help him recover.

Ccino doesn't want to know about the place that hurt Nightmare so. That place doesn't deserve the other.

Ccino speaks softly "I get it. I know I am always scared when i go to the dentist. But I know a few healers who are really nice and honestly want to help no matter who that person is."

Ngithmare doesn't look back up "That is because they deserve it... i don't... I am not good."

and isn't that just fucking heart breaking to hear someone say? this is the most confident Ccino has heard Nightmare speak since he showed up on his doorstep and it is to say these things.

Ccino hugs his friend "You are good Nightmare."

"Everyone in the multiverse will disagree."

Ccino stubbornly just holds unto the other "Then they are all wrong." Nightmare spend so much time and effort into helping Ccino first deal with his depression and than find the help he needed. Nightmare was gentle with the cats and always made sure to pay for what he bought. He may have caused negativity but he is a god of it. Maybe he needs it to live. as far as Ccino knows Nightmare never went out to kill others or cause ruin beyond repair.

Nightmare leans into his hug "... thank you..."

Ccino smiles as he continues to hold the other.

---------

Toriel smiles as she nods "You are a very smart young man Midnight." she smiles as Nightmare looks down embarresed.

Ccino smiles from behind the counter as he serves someone a drink.

It had been an adjustment but it was very worth it.

In the end Ccino mad eup a story that some of his friends dropped Nightmare, going by Midnight as there are too many multiverse travlers in his universe, at his shop to watch him while they went on holiday. Ccino faked a letter and used an old phone of his to make it seem like there was a text conversation before turning the phone of the 'friend' off and locking it away.

Now Ccino is Midnights caretaker while the police searches for the neglectful parents.

some people were called to make sure Nightmare was okay and Ccino saw his chance as he spoke about how 'Midnight' had showed up at his store alone with jsut the letter. Dirty clothes and some marrow on it.

One examination wiht healers later, Ccino stayed right by Nightmare's side, it became obvious that 'Midnight''s parents were abusive and that he would not be safe wiht them anymore. Ccino offered to keep fostering and helping the babybones and after a long conversation for both Ccino and Nightmare they managed to do it.

It helped tha tNightmare jsut said he didn't feel safe with others. That he wanted to be with Ccino and that he was happy to be with Ccino and didn't want to go back to his old home.

Ccino is very happy with his perfectly clean track record and his work with fostering cats nad helping abused animals recover as it gave him the perfect file to be allowed to take care and watch over the hurt Midnight.

But Midnight needed schooling. Luckily everyone, the people helping them with all the paperwork and information and process, agreed that it would be smart for Midnight to first remain inside to recover more and to heal and process his trauma more. Ccino had easily agreed.

So now every day around eleven Toriel would come by to homeschool Midnight, which turns out Nightmare's mind reverted to child forma dn he forgot many things. Ngihtamre had been very distressed to realise he had gotten dumber. Ccino reassured him he was still smart but Nightmare didn't seem to believe it. Luckily Toriel had more luck with making Nightmare see this truth.

And once a week a healer would visit them to check Nightmare's wounds and how those were healing.

All things considered? Things were going well.

The time that the stars walked in had been very tense. Luckily Nghtmare had alreayd been behind the counter and had been hunched over his homework.

Ccino had easily distracted the three wiht options to order while Nightmare quickly dove into one of the cabinets under the counter. When asked about the babybones Ccino said he was just babysitting a friend of his. The others let it go quickly after that.

At least it made Ccino very happy Nightmare nad him had decided on a nickname for Nightmare to go by. Midnight is still pushing their luck but it is worth it as Nightmare can still go by Night this way which seems to bring him comfort.

All in all. Ccino is proud in how far they had come in the last month. He does still worry about how everyone will react if this gets out but with each day that passes. each new face that meets Midnight. They less likely it is people will look at Nightmare and see the old Nightmare. Isntead they will just soo Midnight, or jsut Night, for who he is.

A bright kid that has had a very rough start of life and just wants to be.

Ccino thinks he managed alright.

Though... He does wonder... Because people have been living him and Nightmare tiny packages. His community and friends are amazing and Ccino always has small care packages delivered to his door.

He does wonder about the ones without any names on them. Without a message or letter or anything. Ccino obviously makes sure the package is checked for anything dangerous but it is always completely safe.

Maybe some people truly just wnat to help him but not be known for it?

Ccino isn't sure. But he won't worry too much about it. He should get ready for antoher busy rush hour!

[howlsofbloodhounds]

nckdnsk howl you can't keep having these bombass headcanons while i'm still compiling stuff to write my fics (it's me, crowshipping anon) 😭 i'll probably share them when i'm done 🫣

jokes aside, since you want some two cents on killer and color being apart from each other...

cross takes the role of teaching killer about boundaries in relationships. he belatedly realizes that "wait, does killer have any hobbies or other friends apart from color?". and so it turns into a daily exercise of forcing killer (usually with violence sadly) to socialize with more people and find his own hobbies/activities not related to color. cross gets killer a secluded place to live (cross might have blackmailed ink into helping). cross makes killer decide on interior furniture, letting him have some choices in his living environment. baby steps, baby steps.

unlike color, of course cross is busy with his own stuff and responsibilities. i imagine he's on community service for what he did in the past. so cross is not just killer's only caretaker/parole officer. sometimes dream is there, sometimes blue, sometimes murder and/or horror (if they escape nightmare and once they're well-adjusted - i imagine they'd have an easier time than killer for... reasons), and there are other people as well. it's not a one-person task to rehabilitate a bad person - it's a community effort to reform them to be better!

(though i imagine for safety reasons, people usually take on shifts in groups. killer is still dangerous after all. i think murder, having previous beef with killer, will enjoy having legitimate reasons to fight killer and taunt him over his failures of controlling color and how he's not that dissimilar to nightmare. needs some tough love to get through killer's thick skull after all.)

after a while, cross thinks about getting killer some cats, though he is skeptical at first. it's not that he can't trust killer to take care of cats - he's just wary the caretaking duties and ownership might trigger killer's control issues again. so at first it's cat therapy sessions with ccino. killer has some alone times with the cats. maybe once ccino can reassure cross that killer can be a responsible cat owner, then it's time to GET KILLER SOME CATS!!! killer can adopt some hobbies, like crocheting so he can give his cats some fun accessories, or journaling so he can vent like crazy. oh yeah, and he needs a therapist too.

meanwhile, color is on his multiversal road trip with delta and epic. he feels excited and apprehensive at the same time. excited, because it's been a long time since he has time to spend with his old friends - he misses this so much. and apprehensive, because he can't help fretting over whether killer is okay or not - last time he saw killer, cross was dragging him away quite aggressively. epic is like "nah bro, cross won't kill him, don't worry. let's just relax"

so color is relearning how to be himself around people he love. sometimes color hurts delta/epic out of habit for not listening to him, and he's appalled by his actions. sometimes he begs them to let him see killer again, just a call, and epic and delta just have to flat out deny it for his own recovery. he can only hear updates through cross. sometimes he tries to sneak out to return to killer (yay portal powers!), but gets caught and coaxed into not doing anything reckless.

this is me assuming everything go swimmingly for both of them, though for killer it'll be much harder. imagine something goes wrong. like killer finally weasels one of his caretakers into bringing him to color, or color successfully sneaks out to see killer. imagine killer says to color that everyone is out to get them, to separate them. let's just leave everything and run away together. killer knows just a universe that nightmare has destroyed where no one can suspect. imagine color is reluctant at first, but then killer pulls out his guilt-tripping card again. he was miserable the whole time color wasn't there, so is color okay with leaving him? killer knows color knows killer is a terrible person, and yet color still tries to connect with him, not to fix him but to show him a better way to live. and isn't killer content with being with color, just the two of them against the world? whatever color decides to do, killer will agree. but, as killer proposes, if they stay, killer will not be happy, and will color live with that?

Grr yess thank you I Am eating this up more please 🙏 🙏 (crowshipping anon may I please be able to read your fics when you’re done with them???)

I am conflicted because I am like yes killer get worse you fucking vile creature and in the next I want to snap his fucking neck. I wonder if ink shares my emotions on this (characters in a story after all)

I can’t imagine what killers fucking journal would be like. probably alternating between literally everything about color and then just violently wanting to rip cross and dream and fucking dust to shreds because how dare they

it is probably the equivalent of that one post that goes “*writing in my journal with a glitter pen* I am losing touch with my humanity”

I know his bitch ass immediately zeroed in on his past victims—blue, murder, horror—and started tearing into them. probably knew cross would prevent him from physically doing so hes gonna do it verbally. hows fucking papyrus doing huh? hows that eye treating you baby blue? trick your brother into eating anymore meat horror? does he hate you now?

his ass would immediately use his knowledge and experience with/about nightmare to fuck with dream too. you can’t even save your own brother what makes you think you could save me?

he would most definitely attempt to sabotage cross’, murder’s, and horror’s “redemption arcs.”

theyre all gonna fucking hate him in these moments and its gonna take a whole lotta patience and understanding to not immediately murder him. (maybe thats what a part of him is hoping for) (looking at you stage 1, even tho you havent likely made a appearance yet)

his ass would definitely fake cry and pretend to be getting better only to just clock whoever is watching him out and attempt to escape (goes nowhere because he wasnt even allowed to know where color is)

but imagine the relief for a moment if color did sneak out to see him. before his guilt tripping bullshit.

like. like. cause I know his codependent ass was on the edge on a perpetual breakdown even when he tried to hide it and suppress it under his apathy and dissociate. his experienced mind is conjuring up images every horrible fucking thing that could happening to color, and stage 1’s anxiety is causing fucking constant nightmares and flashbacks and it makes it worse because I know he tries very often and frequently to shove stage 1 all the way down. (Nightmares still out there he hates color colors not safe)

no. no. he would just ruin everything, hed try to kill them—he wouldnt understand what killer is doing. killer cant die, color still needs him. stage 1 would be stupid enough to buy into cross’ bullshit.

i can just imagine the relief that almost sends him to his knees when he finally sees color. eyes looking him over everywhere—wheres the scars? wheres the bruises?—shaky hands (uncharacteristic) roaming over colors form. maybe even does something as dramatic as slams color against a wall with his body just for the drama of it all.

He’s real. He’s real he’s real—solid underneath his hands. Colors real. maybe so relieved there’s even some cheek nuzzles and maybe even some kisses from colors cheek to his throat.

and. and. and killer failed him. he failed. he failed to protect him.

he needs to be punished. he knows. color probably doesnt know but its okay he’ll teach him later.

and then there’s comes the exhausted but content full body sigh before killer melts against color and then here comes the apologies. for failing.

theres some reassurance from color—no don’t apologize its not your fault im okay epic and delta would never hurt me/let me be hurt—then it loops around to the fucking guilt tripping. killer im gonna snap your neck you prick.

oh boy imagine being killers therapist during this. hes gonna make your job miserable and like pulling teeth. hes gonna observe you and start using what hes noticed against you—the kids dont call anymore therapist person? oh your husband is dead..im sure its your fault.

and i can imagine back with delta and epic and color that if anyone tries to talk about killer he immediately starts defending him. like no it wasnt okay what killer did but come on he doesnt know any better (color knows logically that its killers responsibility to learn better anyhow)

id imagine that the experience with killer and the subsequent effects of instinctively hurting delta and/or epic mustve led color to those “hurting my loved ones” nightmares that delta is quite familiar with. and delta hates killer for this. he hates that he made color afraid of himself, that he did all that to someone he claims to care about more than anything.

“care about” his ass. this isnt love. this isnt what you do to those you love.

anyway i need color and epic and delta to cuddle up all nice warm and theyre there to comfort color when he wakes up screaming/crying. often times color just wants killer (the devotion when he looks at color is as comforting as it is terrifying), so at most epic and delta settle for something that could remind him of killer. a photo? killers jacket?

delta should get to punch killer in the mouth for this yes siree. epic gives him the immediate “yes” to the signaled question. (murder gets to beef with killer and also talks shit about killer out loud to papyrus & although killer doesn’t know it reaper and grimm know all the juicy details (murder talks shit while at their altars lmao) and are judging him harshly) (theyre like ‘damn bitch you live like this???’)

[spotaus]

So i had another new age thought. Also yes hi i am back again and i just like sending you asks lmao.

Anyway. Remember how we agreed that once nightmare trusted and knighted killer he would be send on a mission to get more info/stuff/reminders of ccino's past life?

And how before we agreed he would find it boring?

Now with the whole crush and in love situation

Killer would be EXCITED for this mission

Finding stuff about ccino?! His family?! Sign him the fuck up- wait.what will you do with that information?

Nightmare: safeguard it obviously?

Killer: okay cool! When do i leave?

Because if nightmare was gonna destroy it killer would have 100% hidden the info away and reconsider those running away fantasies- I MEAN! plans again.

That was all. That was the thought lmao.

Ohoho- Killer would be SO pumped for it- I can't believe I forgot that with the crush plot line he'd be super curious... the him abd Ccino not getting along plotting is definitely more of a farce now, so ofc he'd be invested!

And... you can't tell me this man didn't immediately snoop. Like, he knows it's bad, he knows he shouldn't, but Ccino is one big mystery to him so of course he's going to try and find out more! And he gets a peek at the names of his parents, the old bakery they used to run, where he used to live, the whole nine yards. Do you think he found the death certificates of his parents and saw the cause of death was a housefire? He's pretty sure Ccino would've been really young when it happened, too. Do you think he went to the address out of curiosity and saw that the lot was still empty? (Taboo to rebuild atop the ashes of sonething burnt by the King, you know) Do you think he got a sense of what happened, even if he really doesn't know at all?

I think we've discussed it before, but Killer is all the more protective over Ccino and even more curious after this mission. He has no right, he knows that, but he can't help but try to look after him. Just!!! These guys!!!!

Also, I didn't get around to doodling them properly, but since I don't want to constantly draw Killer's armor? Here's his and Ccino's comfy/general clothes, as well as the front of Ccino's uniform! (Poorly sketched as always, haha-)

Killer likes to wear loose clothes, especially jackets. (I forgor to add the gold clasps on the jacket...) Tighter clothes feel like they confine him too much, almost like claustrophobia. For meta-story? The long jackets + oversized clothes are just a habit from his days in the temple, and then later when he and Chara had to steal clothes sizes too large so they could grow into them. I also think that Killer, later in the story, really only has his soul circular when he's in public/training, anytime he's comfy with his family (or ofc Ccino is near) it leans towards soul-shaped. His eyelight likes to pop into place when he's with Ccino :] (<- I WILL forget to draw/write like this. So like. Nbd.)

Ccino's casual fit is usually only for his days off, market shopping, and when he's alone in his cottage. He always keeps his apron and work shirt the same (honestly Nightmare wouldn't mind, but Ccino still worries about being punished for stuff like uniform screw-ups) and he wears a more casual pair of pants and a white shawl which fits him like a scarf now. (Maybe, if I wanted to be angsty, then it was given to him shortly after Nightmare came to power, and back then he was so stick thin it wrapped around his shoulders? Now he wears it as a sign of his healing <3) also!! Decided Ccino inherited hid mother's 'sleepy' eyeshape, where his sockets curve like he's sad, but that's just how he looks. Gives him a calm and gentle appearance.

Ignore that they're missing their shoes 🙏 I'm very close to convincing myself to let Ccino stay barefoot/sandals because tbh if I were him I'd be wearing the least shoes possible, but he's also very sensible so like. Probably sandals for him. Killer probably wears short boots or his sturdy armor boots? I couldn't see him taking the time to lace up any sort of complex sandals lmao-

[anfie-in-the-box]

X-tra Dark Cream third anniversary

Notes

I never mentioned it, never even payed it any attention, but the universe decided to remind me that one of my beloved works turns three on the twenty third of December. I don't celebrate any holidays at all, but sometimes I like to use them as a deadline that's not really strict and write something for my followers, and this time especially for @orange-dreamzer. Hope you enjoy!

。。。

It's fun to decorate the coffee shop for some local festivities, especially with a good company. There's five of them — Nightmare, Killer, Dream, Cross, and Ccino himself. They work faster together, even with the cats getting in the way and all of Ccino's helpers having no clue where to put what. He ends up directing them more than actually decorating, but he doesn't mind; it's new, but not a bad kind of new. He used to be the one helping… But the past is in the past. He has a family now — something he'd never dreamed of, not since his hopeless, dangerous love for still corrupted Nightmare bloomed. That's also in the past. Ccino's better now. All of them are. 

“Cross, I need you to put these lanterns above the door outside and a few inside as well. Do you mind me using blue magic on you?” Ccino says, getting the lanterns from yet another box. When Cross takes the lanterns and nods in confirmation, Ccino closes his sockets for a second, deeply breathes in and out, and then pulls. It's been a while since he had to use blue magic. Cross’ soul feels weird, part-human and part… something else, something more than soul traits, something that allows Cross to alter reality. Ccino doesn't understand that power, not even grasping the basics, but he thinks that's okay. 

While lifting Cross higher, Ccino calls, “Dream, please place the origami I prepared on the tables. Be careful not to wrinkle them, alright?”

Dream asks anxiously from behind, “Are you sure I should be doing this? I'm not used to handling delicate things…” 

Ccino can't help but soften. The curse has done a lot of harm to both twins, and it's crucial to remember that they don't realise just how loveable and reliable they are. If only they learned to love and trust themselves… But Ccino will support his family all the way. So he smiles, even though Dream can't see it — he can feel it, though, — and says with all the warmth and attentiveness in the world, “I have every confidence in you, Dream. Just try and put a few in their places, and then, if it doesn't work, I'll ask Nightmare. Okay?”

Dream hums an insecure “Okay,” and there's that. Ccino smiles and redirects Cross closer to the middle of the room. 

“There are hooks everywhere,” Cross notices. “Are they for the lanterns?” 

Am I doing this right? He doesn't ask, but Ccino understands nonetheless. He replies, “Well, yes. And for Christmas lights and tinsel, for example. All sorts of decorations.”

“How'd you do all this before?” Nightmare asks curiously. “Without someone to use magic on to put everything on the ceiling? I know you love this place, both Dream and I can feel it. But how?”

“I have a ladder,” Ccino admits. “But it's much easier and safer to use magic now that you're all here. Cats don't get in the way at all. Do they, Cross?” 

“They certainly can try,” Cross laughs. “Your blue magic is so gentle, you know? I was trained to be precise and effective, as a Royal Guard. To feel how different it can be… It's eye-opening.”

“Thanks for trusting me,” Ccino says. Dream adds from behind, “Thank you for your care.”

“Hey! Can someone come see this?” Killer calls suddenly from behind the counter; some time ago, he asked several questions about the festivities and hid with his favourite knife. 

“What have you got?” Nightmare responds, and then Ccino replies at the exact same moment, “A few more lanterns!” They don't apologise for interrupting each other, laughing instead. Barely a few seconds later Ccino hears Nightmare gasp in awe. 

“Didn't you see what I was doing? It's just a look over my shoulder, and you'd see it!”

Yeah, Nightmare and Killer are both behind the counter, but while Nightmare uses his impeccable penmanship to write well wishes on sticky notes and put them on the cups, Killer has promised a surprise.

“Well,” Nightmare replies in a patient tone, “You asked for privacy, so I gave that to you. Besides, I have my own task to do.”

Killer makes a noise in half-embarrassment half-gratitude. “It's ready. Now you can see.” 

Cross calls, “Hey Ccino, all done.” He puts him on the floor instantly, though carefully as usual, and together with Dream they all go to see what Killer has for them. 

It's wooden figures of different animals, so small they'd fit in the palm, yet finely detailed, so beautiful it takes Ccino's breath away. “How long have you been working on these?..” he whispers, afraid to ruin the moment — or the miniature figures. Killer shrugs and waves his hand, “Since you explained to us how this whole festivities thing works.”

Ccino's eye-sockets begin watering. He feels… happy. So very happy, and so very loved. He hugs Killer, murmuring, “Thank you.” 

“I didn't know you could carve,” Nightmare admits.

Petting Ccino's head, Killer explains, “Didn't really come up. It's a hobby for the times my LV acts up. Turned out to be useful now.” 

“I'm so proud and so grateful. This is amazing. You are amazing, Killer!”

“I agree with Ccino. Very clever,” Nightmare adds, just a little bit stiffly, and for once Ccino doesn't hear any guilt in his voice. Only serenity and love.

“So we did it, right?” Dream asks. “How about a small celebration?”

“Excellent suggestion!” Ccino exclaims, reluctantly letting Killer go. “You go sit, I'll handle the rest!” 

。。。

“Tea? Coffee? Or a dance?” Ccino offers half-jokingly. 

“Can I have more than one option?” Killer perks. Ccino nods seriously, “I don't see why not.” His hands tremble slightly, and he feels the heat of extra magic under his cheek bones. What's this impossible skeleton up to this time? 

“Well then, I'd like to order a dance and a cup of my favourite herbal tea right after.”

Oh. Ccino's never danced in his life; maybe as a kid, but he barely remembers his childhood, so there's that. There's also not that much space between tables and chairs. Yet he can't refuse, and takes Killer's hand, lowering another on Killer's shoulder as if they are waltzing. He quickly realises they're doing exactly that, just in one place, not moving around. 

“Shall we also give it a try?” Cross suggests. 

Dream hesitates, “But Nightmare would be left alone…” 

“That's not true,” Nightmare interrupts. “I'm still here with you, all of you, peaceful and content for once.” 

Ccino can't help but agree. And then Cross and Dream join Killer and him, waltzing between a different set of tables. 

Tomorrow's festivities have nothing on this lovely, so very lovely night. 

。。。

Credits

Ccino © black-nyanko

Nightmare and Dream © jokublog

Shattered Dream © galacii-gallery

Cross © jakei95

Killer © rahafwabas

Dark Cream © @zu-is-here

X-tra Dark Cream © me (anfie / anfie-in-the-box)

。。。

Notes

Is this canon in the actual Turns, twists, and paradoxes? Is the curse finally lifted? Is Fluffynightkiller a thing already? So many questions, so little answers!.. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Also, this piece started from Ccino's phrase "Tea? Coffee? Or a dance?" and then grew both backwards and forwards. In Russian it's "Чай? Кофе? Потанцуем?", which my relatives and I use rather often.

[luminousjellyfishy]

More writing!!!!

This one has been in the works for a while, but it's finally here!

~

Truce Talk

Characters (all Sanses from UTAU/MV): Dream, Ink, Nightmare, Error, and Ccino (in passing)

Word count: 4828

Trigger warnings: Swearing, threats of death, amnesia (kinda?)

Summary: Dream and Ink don't know if it was a mistake to meet Nightmare and Error here in Ccino's café. It's so public and there are so many innocent people that could be killed. What if something goes wrong? This wasn't a good idea. Oh, well that's them walking through the door, so it's too late to turn back now.

~

Both Ink and Dream sat on one side in a booth at Ccino’s café, anxiously awaiting the arrival of their long-time enemies. Dream sat against the wall of their shared side, fidgeting with his hands, seemingly unable to sit still for even five seconds; whereas Ink, sitting near the aisle, was uncharacteristically still.

“Where are they? Are we just early, or are they late? I wouldn’t think the latter would be true since Nightmare had never struck me to be the kind of person to allow himself to be la-”

“Dream. Stop rambling like that, I’m sure it’s fine. Remember, they agreed to meet with us in the first place. They’re probably just running late… or using this time as a distraction for us, so they can go destroy universes while we’re sitting here waiting for them…” Ink interrupted, trying to calm his friend, but trailing off at the end nervously. This thought hadn’t yet occurred to Dream, so hearing it from Ink made him doubt his decisions to be here even more so than he already had been.

Ink’s head fell dramatically to the table, resting in his arms and sighing loudly, drawing a glare from Dream.

“Is being here even the right choice? How do we actually know that they’ll even consider forming a truce?” Dream exhaled deeply, moving from fidgeting with his fingers to playing around with the napkins.

“We don’t. That’s the thing. We can’t know for sure that they’ll consider it, in the same way that they can’t be sure that this isn’t some elaborate plan for an ambush.” Ink shifted his head, looking up from his arms to glance at Dream before closing his eyes and sighing again, clearly bored.

There was no response from Dream, the only noise being the ambient sounds from the other patrons.

The silence between the two continued for a short while until the bell on the front door chimed and all sound in the café ceased as they watched who walked in.

Dream stiffened as he could feel the two negative auras approaching from behind them. He was internally scolding himself for choosing to sit with their backs to the door, having wanted to seem like they trusted the two not to hurt them.

But he didn't trust them. Not in the slightest.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, both Error and Nightmare slid into the booth seat across from them, with Nightmare closer to the wall. Ink finally straightened, feeling apprehensive about having them across from him in such a casual setting where people could be hurt if something went wrong.

“Hey, losers.” Error snickered once they had settled, his face as mocking as it always seemed to be.

“Don’t be rude, Error. What did we talk about?” Nightmare scolded, a quick glare shooting into Error’s direction. In response was the most crude mocking of Nightmare’s words that Error could muster.

Nightmare rolled his eyelight, then said, “My apologies for being so late, I spent some extra time with Error this morning in order to make sure he wouldn’t make such a fool of himself… although it seems my efforts were rather pointless. I hadn’t realized how much time had passed, so once Cross pointed out what time it actually was, we hurried right here.”

“By ‘hurried here’, he means that he took less time than usual to get dressed, go downstairs, get the morons in line, and make sure that no one has any plans to burn the house down while we’re gone.” Error said nonchalantly but joking at the same time, as though this was what happened every day.

Dream’s face must have been one of confusion because Error asked, in a surprisingly genuine tone, “What? Does Blue not try committing arson every time you leave him alone?”

Ink blinked a couple times, eyelights changing colours rapidly, then laughed louder than was actually necessary.

“No?? I can say for a fact that he does not.”

Error didn’t say anything, just scrunched his ‘eyebrows’ and face into a contorted look of confusion, scoffed, and shook his head.

Before their conversation could continue any further, Ccino showed up beside their booth, pen and notepad in hand.

“Hey guys, it’s nice to have you all here! Also, Error I didn’t expect to see you back so soon, but it’s great anyways! Alrighty then, what can I get you guys?” Ccino asked the group, a bright smile on his face.

“Can I have a strawberry cream frappé, please? They’re so good!” Ink exclaimed, his eyelights taking on various shapes in pink and yellow, and slight drool forming in the corner of his mouth.

“Sure thing, extra whipped cream I’m guessing?”

“Of course!”

“A cinnamon apple tea for me, thanks. Oh, but could I also have a chocolate chip cookie?” Dream inquired, eyes lighting up as he thought about the delicious sweetness of the cookies Ccino sold.

“Yeah, we can totally do that!” Ccino replied, smiling softly then turning over to Nightmare, “What about you?”

“Can I just have a regular coffee?” He asked simply, glancing up at Ccino as he spoke.

“Boooooooring.” Ink interjected quickly.

A soft laugh then, “Yup! And what about you, Error?”

“Uhhhhhhhmm, I guess just a hot chocolate..?”

Ccino began to speak, but was quickly interrupted,

“Oh stars, you're so pathetic sometimes. Just tell him that you want a cookie as well, we all know you do.” Nightmare said tauntingly, grinning over at him with a teasing smile.

Error stared at him, mouth agape and eyes wide, a very slight yellow over his cheeks that you would have to strain to see.

Turning his attention to Ccino briefly, he said reluctantly, quietly, and very unlike himself, “… fine… can I have a chocolate cookie as well?”.

Ccino laughed, “Of course! I probably would have brought one over without you asking anyways - I know you love them so much.”

Error nodded, but looked away sheepishly.

With that, Ccino walked away with his notepad back to the counter, humming as he went.

Error’s attention was turned quickly back to Nightmare, giving him the dirtiest glare known to exist.

“You bastard! Why did you say that? Seriously what the actual fuck is wrong with you?!” Error said suddenly to Nightmare, trying his very best not to speak too loudly as to disrupt the other patrons.

Both Ink and Dream giggled at not just the sudden outburst, but the context behind it. Error’s eyes quickly darting over to them; a warning that they should keep quiet. Their giggles were very quickly stifled, and they looked away uncomfortably.

“Oh, Error, be serious. You and I both know that you are physically incapable of going without chocolate for too long. I was just preventing you from making a scene later, whining about how much you want some.” Nightmare replied quickly, a knowing smile on his face as he shook his head and laughed. Error glared at him, seemingly stabbing him with his mind.

“You really like chocolate that much?” Dream inquired with a nervous smile, apparently very intrigued by the thought of Error liking something so simple as chocolate. The attention of the two bickering skeletons were drawn towards the guardian of positivity, having been caught slightly off guard.

“Yeah, so what? Do you have a problem with that?” Error asked, shrugging and staring at Dream, his previous annoyance directed at him now.

“No no no! There’s no problem with it! I just didn’t expect it was all!” Dream replied quickly, raising his hands defensively. Error rolled his eyelights and said nothing.

Silence followed, although it was deafening among the four.

“Soooooooo, since it’s getting way more obvious with every word you two are saying, we hardly actually know each other. Should we do… I don’t know, mini fake introductions? Before we get to the real reason for meeting, anyways.” Ink said suddenly, breaking the silence before it got too awkward. This quickly drew Dream’s attention, since it might be able to give him the opportunity to make new ties with his brother again. The thought made him smile softly, reigniting his hope for this meeting.

“I suppose. It would make sense to know one another before blindly going into something that may or may not be weighted in favour towards certain people.” Nightmare replied, his ending comment being pointed towards Dream with a quick glance that said he was not happy.

Error groaned obnoxiously at the fact that he would have to do more talking, but was quickly interrupted by Nightmare lightly smacking the back of his head.

He quickly turned his head to glare at Nightmare, saying, “You really have no idea just how lucky you are that I’ve been having a good haphephobia day, because if I wasn’t?” a small laugh, “boy, you’d be DONE.”.

Nightmare didn’t even look at him and just laughed, quickly rolling his eyelight in amusement.

“Okkkkk, maybe we should get to the point. I’ll go first because it looks like you two are about to kill each other and Ink will just keep talking forever. So, as you know, I’m Dream. Um, my favourite colour is cerulean, not yellow haha. It’s my favourite because it just looks so peaceful and quiet, so I just really like it a lot. Don’t get me wrong, yellow is a great colour and it’s my second favourite, but cerulean is just so pretty. Also, I looooooove sweets. Lollipops are the best candy and no one will ever change my mind.” Dream started quickly, interrupting Nightmare and Error, and finished with a smile at the thought of candy.

Error stared at him incredulously for a second before asking, “The fuck is cerulean?”.

Dream’s face quickly shifted to one of surprise; Ink looked like he had been personally offended; and Nightmare just looked disappointed, placing his head in his hand and pinching his nasal ridge.

“Error. Please tell me you’re joking.” Ink seemingly begged him, hoping desperately that he did in fact know what cerulean was and was just playing around. He knew deep down that he wasn’t though.

Error just stared at the three of them, trying to prompt an answer.

A sigh from Nightmare, then, “Error, what colour are your tear streaks? Be specific.”

“... Blue??? How much more specific can I be with that?”

“Error-” an exasperated sigh, “Yes, your tears streaks are blue, but specifically they’re cerulean.” Ink explained while shaking his head slowly in disbelief.

“Pffft, if you say so.”

A momentary beat of silence.

“Stars, very well I’ll go next. As you’re all well aware, my name is Nightmare. I enjoy reading in my spare time and have quite the collection of books-”

“That’s an understatement if I’ve ever heard one. You’ve got the biggest library I’ve ever seen; the morons have literally gotten lost in there.” Error quickly intercepted.

“Hush, that’s not what we’re speaking of. Anyways, I believe that I’ve done enough to introduce myself, how about you, Error?” Nightmare said, a sly smile creeping up his features.

“Oh, yippee fun. Whatever. Um. I’m Error, and I uh… like… chocolate?? What the fuck else am I supposed to say? You already know that I destroy AUs, so what else? Um? I crochet? Man this sucks, I’m done with this shit.” Error said, stumbling and glitching through his words, and making it more and more evident to Ink and Dream that he doesn’t talk to people much.

“Wait wait wait wait wait. You crochet? You create? I didn’t think you’d ever do something like that!” Ink asked ecstatically, his eyelights taking on the forms of bright yellow stars.

“Yeah? I make scarves and stuff. I don’t know. I make puppets too, like sewing or whatever.” He responded, clearly not having expected this kind of reaction and not knowing how to proceed.

“That is so cool!!! You’ll have to show me sometime! I’d really love to see!” Ink replied eagerly, lighting up even more so than he already had.

There was no real reply from Error, just awkward murmurs as he tucked the lower half of his face into his scarf as his glitches increased substantially.

Dream smiled to himself softly in amusement, never having expected to see this softer side of Error before. To him, Error had always been a powerful monster with little care for who got hurt in his rampages, but seeing him like this now made Dream question his whole perception.

“Anyways! I’m Ink! As you obviously know! I mean, if you didn’t I’d be pretty concerned because I’ve fought you so many times and you totally couldn’t forget me. Right? Anyways, let's not go there. Uhhhhhh, I do a lot of artsy craftsy things, but my medium of choice is oil paint! Granted I do love painting in general and also charcoal! Oh! And even regular pencil! You can get so many different results with so many different things! Man, I don’t know if oil paints are my favourite. There are so many choi-” Dream reached over and grabbed his face and muffled whatever he tried to say next, which was a lot because he didn’t stop.

After a short while, Ink finally realized that what he was saying wasn’t getting across, so he stopped talking. Dream was finally able to remove his hand, however he had the most exasperated look on his face. Nightmare just looked on in amusement, and Error looked like he wasn’t even paying attention, likely listening to the Voices.

“Are you done?” Dream asked him, staring daggers and daring him to keep going.

“... fine.”

“Can we get to the point of this meeting? Or shall we waste more time speaking of art supplies?” Nightmare asked, his amused expression having morphed into boredom.

Dream started, “Oh, yes. Um, yes of cours-”

“Here are your orders, guys! Sorry I took so long, the cats made a mess of the flour, so I had to get that cleaned before any orders could go out.” Ccino said as he stood by their booth, setting down their drinks and cookies.

Nightmare looked over to him, “It’s no problem at all, thank you.”

“Mhm, thanks Ccino.” Error mumbled, still slightly in his own head.

“Thank you! I appreciate it!” Dream chimed in.

A small beat of silence as Ccino prepared to walk away.

A sudden movement, then, “Oh! Uh, me too! Thanks!” Ink said quickly while rubbing his ribs where Dream had elbowed him.

Ccino laughed and then said, “It’s no problem at all, thanks for coming here!”, before walking away.

Nightmare picked up his cup and began sipping, clearly not caring that it was hot. Ink stirred the whipped cream into the rest of his drink and took a large sip, smiling and relishing in the taste. Dream stirred his drink softly, then let it sit to cool for a moment. Error sat still and stared out the window towards the street, his eyelights having taken on a hazy appearance.

Naturally, Nightmare noticed this and set down his drink, turning towards the Destroyer.

“Error? Is everything alright?”

Nothing much changed, just Error’s still hazy eyelights shifted to him, indicating that he could hear him.

A soft sigh, then, “Error I just need you to breathe and to focus. Ok? Try and tell me things that you see.” Nightmare said in a calm, quiet voice that seemed very out of character for him.

Error’s sockets blinked a few times as he looked around, his eyelights gaining some clarity.

“... café booths and cats. A couple of them. Um. Dream and Ink in front of us… why are they here? Why are we at Ccino’s?” Error asked shakily through a glitchier than normal voice, clearly not remembering about the potential truce.

Both Dream and Ink looked on in concern and slight shock. They obviously hadn’t expected this from Error of all people. While they were aware he wasn’t the most… stable monster out there, forgetting something like this in such a short amount of time with seemingly no prompting wasn’t what they had imagined.

“It’s alright, we’re at Ccino’s to discuss a potential truce, do you remember that? They made the offer to us before a fight could break out between our two groups in Underflowers. They proposed we meet them here today so we could consider. Do you remember what we’ve said so far?” Nightmare said, not paying any attention to Dream or Ink, instead calmly petting Error’s head in a soothing manner with a tentacle.

Error took a few deep breaths and blinked a few times in rapid succession before saying, “Um, yeah I think so. It was mini introductions, right? Apparently… um… oh, cerulean is blue, and uh, I couldn’t really come up with things to say and then Ink got all excited because I mentioned that I crochet… um.” He trailed off for a moment, “There was something after, but I’m not sure. Oh, uh Ccino came by with our stuff.” His eyelights darted around, before they found his drink and cookie.

“Yes, exactly. The part that you can’t remember was Ink’s ‘introduction’, he was just rambling about art supplies, it truly wasn’t much.” Nightmare replied, his tentacle still petting the top of his head.

“... Right. Oh, yeah. Fuck.”

An awkward silence passed between them as Error looked between Dream and Ink in what seemed to be a mixture of horror, shame, and embarrassment.

“Are you alright?” Dream asked quietly, concern written all over his features.

Error stiffened, and avoided looking at Dream, “Yeah. I’m fine. It just happens every now and then. It’s whatever. Can we get back to the point?”

A small beat of silence, before Ink said that they probably should.

No one spoke.

“Oh for fucks sake. Fine, I’ll start us off. What do you expect from us for this truce? We can’t just stop what we do because it would disrupt the balance into chaos, so what do you want?” Error snapped, clearly in a rather foul mood after what had just occurred.

Ink winced before hesitantly asking, “What would happen exactly if you stopped destroying? I’m just curious.”

A quick roll of his eyes before he said, “Like I just said, it would cause chaos. For our balance, it could potentially be kept within the quarter ranges instead of perfectly balanced at half… but that’s not ideal. If I stopped destroying, the Multiverse would fill and just keep filling with nothing to keep it in check.”

The only response he got from Ink was question-mark shaped eyelights.

“Ugh, alright think about it like this. Imagine a balloon.”

“What? A balloon? That’s random.”

“No, it isn’t, shut up. Imagine you have this balloon and you’re pumping air into it. You keep pumping in more and more air, so what happens?”

A thoughtful expression crossed Ink’s face before once again settling on confusion.

“It pops?” He asked, clearly not understanding what revelation Dream had just come to that he should have also had.

“Yes, exactly… What aren’t you getting?” Error said, not understanding what was so difficult to comprehend with his very simple analogy.

“You threw me off with balloons. All I’m imagining is a room full of giant balloons now.” He stated simply.

Error’s head fell to the table and he groaned in annoyance.

“Why are you like this? The balloon represents the Multiverse. The air is the AUs. Too many AUs and they’ll push against each other, inevitably causing the collapse of it all.” He explained with his skull still resting on top of the table, clearly tired of this interaction.

There was silence as Ink took this in. Once the information finally seemed to sink in, he abruptly got up from the table and made it a whole two steps to the washroom before he puked.

There were multiple cries of disgust and outrage as Ink vomited his namesake onto the floor, not having been able to cope with the information that he should have been very aware of.

Ccino came over with a mop quickly after Ink began calming down, and offered a soothing pat on the back before guiding Ink back to the booth. He began cleaning up the mess before any of the cats got the idea of trying to lick it.

“Are you alright?” Nightmare asked, his ‘eyebrows’ scrunching in what could have been concern, confusion, or disgust.

A nervous laugh came from Ink before trailing off into silence.

“... You know what? Um, actually. No. Not really. I didn’t realize that it was even like that. Honestly, I didn’t think it was infinite, but I really didn’t think that it would collapse. I just thought that… I don’t know, that maybe any potential creations would just be put on a waitlist or something instead of entering the Multiverse.” Ink said very shakily and unsure. His eyelights were a purple broken heart and a blue inverted triangle.

“Don’t you ever feel extra lethargic at some points? Like you don’t want to move and if you do it almost hurts?” Error asked him, looking extremely unimpressed with the entire conversation so far.

“Well, yeah obviously. Those are the days when you have your mega destroying sprees. I always feel bad because I’m way too tired to even try stopping you.” He replied, ashamed with this admittance.

“You do know that you don’t feel like that because I’m destroying, right? You feel like that because the Multiverse is too full at that time. Making you that exhausted is its way of coping with the over-abundance of AUs by having its Protector too tired to do their job. By not allowing you to protect, it lets me destroy a shit-ton of those anomalies.” Error said as he tried getting his point across.

Dream had taken to fiddling with the napkins again and Nightmare was gazing around at the other customers, taking in their various emotions.

“Wait hold up, so you’re actively destroying when you feel that tired? Wow ok I definitely underestimated yo-”

Error groaned as he cut him off, “No, you fucking moron. I don’t get tired when it’s too full, that would be stupid. I get tired when it’s too empty. It sucks because trust me, I’ve tried working through it. I’ve tried to destroy those stupid glitches even though I’m exhausted.” A sharp laugh, “I’ve only gotten to that point once though, and it really sucked. I eventually got so tired that even just moving my phalanges caused me to crash. Yeah… that sucked big time.”

“Anyways, for the sake of this whole…” A dismissive wave of his hand, “Truce thing. You should avoid encouraging the Creators to create when it’s verging towards full, and I’ll try and keep it balanced instead of on the emptier side like I usually do.” Error said quickly before falling quiet to pick up his drink.

The four were silent for a while, taking some time to enjoy their cooled beverages and cookies.

Finally, it was Dream to break the silence, “I understand if you don’t want to talk about it, but do you forget things like that oft-”

Error let out a sharp laugh before saying, “I am not talking about this with you. Not now, and likely not ever.”

Silence again.

It was Dream again to speak first saying, “Alrighty then... Well, brother, I’m sure that you’re aware of our balance to maintain and that you've purposefully spread Negativity despite that?”

Nightmare looked away sharply before slightly nodding.

A soft sigh, then, “Ok well, would you be open to maybe… not doing that? I understand that you believe that there should be a surplus of Negativity, but there really shouldn’t b-”

“Yeah, I mean think of when all the apples corrupted! All the villagers got way pissier than normal because of the surplus of Negativity in the AU!” Ink exclaimed, proud of himself for this amazing and wonderful realization that he thought would be a great idea to say aloud.

Unsurprisingly, both Nightmare and Dream stiffened.

“Um, wait, should I have not said that? I feel like I shouldn’t have said that…” Ink said, trailing off nervously and looking between the twins with light blue question mark eyelights.

“It’s fine, you’re correct in saying that. I hadn’t put the two together, but having it pointed out to me is… troubling. To say the least.” Nightmare said slowly, unsure of himself at this moment.

Nightmare took a deep breath and sighed, clearly not happy with what he was about to say.

“In my spare time, I’ve been keeping detailed reports on the emotional balances within the Universes. By doing so, I can track which ones are suitable for my Negativity intake and which ones need more of a… push. In the event of a truce, then I’ll only alter the Negativity cores… Oh, Ink, cores are the AUs made with a certain emotional trait as their primary factors, like Horrortale or Underfell for Negativity and Haventale or Underswap for Positivity.”

Ink gave a thumbs up in appreciation.

“As I was saying, I’ll refrain from touching the Positivity cores as much as I can and only alter them if the balances begin to tip.” A quick beat of contemplation on Nightmare’s part before continuing, “Actually, Dream. I believe that it would be wise regardless of a truce or not for you to make your own records as well.”

Dream startled, then said, “Oh, actually I have kept some… in a way. Not in the same way that you’re describing, but more so in that I was keeping track of which AUs you and your group attacked. It would let me know where I needed to visit to imbue more Positivity.”

“Is that what you’re always writing about whenever we get back from fighting?!” Ink exclaimed far too loudly, drawing the attention of the other patrons.

A sigh, then, “Yes, Ink. I’ve told you this before. Several times. Whenever you ask. Which is every time you see me writing them.”

“Oh.”

“Ughhh, I’m so bored. What would we get out of this if we agreed? Like yes. I know there are balances to be upheld but come onnnnn, we need some sort of incentive!” Error said out of nowhere, groaning loudly to convey his annoyance and boredom.

“More incentive than the Multiverse not collapsing??” Ink asked incredulously.

“Did I stutter?”

“Ughhhh, man I don’t know! Uhh, how about making me happy? That seems like a great reason!”

Error just squinted his eyes and shook his head in sheer confusion, “Why would I do anything for that sake? That’s so stupid.”

“If you agree to the truce, you’ll be able to destroy the crowding Universes without interference from Ink. You already understand that you’re physically incapable of destroying them all, so all you would need to agree to is to refrain from tipping the balance too far from the center. For the Universes that you do destroy, then I can assure you that neither Ink, Blue, or myself will try to stop you.” Dream cut in, a slightly exasperated look on his face.

Error seemed to contemplate this for a moment, but remained silent.

“As for you, brother, this truce will help keep your gang members safe from unnecessary harm. I know you put on the face of being uncaring and cold, but I see the way you act around and protect them. It will also give you more time to yourself.”

Nightmare refused to make eye contact with the other, staring down at the table and his tentacles curling behind him.

“Damn those sound way better than just making me happy.”

Dream groaned and put his head in his hands.

A deep sigh from Error, then, “Alright. I’ll accept this stupid ass truce.”

“As will I.” Nightmare grumbled, tentacles still curled tightly behind himself.

“But listen, the second Ink tries getting in my way again, it’s done. Also, if he’s ever annoying, I will kill him. Not that it makes a difference… soulless bastard just comes back.” Error said curtly and glaring at Ink.

In response, Ink just giggled and said, “Yup! That’s meee!”

“Alright, I suppose that’s fair. Just no unnecessary torture, if you’re going to kill him, get it over with quickly.” Dream said as he shook his head, never having expected to be condoning Ink’s death in this manner.

“A similar rule applies to you, Dream. If you interfere with my Negativity cores in any way, the truce is off. Just as you’re expected to follow these conditions, Error and I will uphold our end of the deal by refraining from tipping the balances unnecessarily.” Nightmare added, clearly unhappy with the whole ordeal, but accepting on behalf of some… external factors.

“Of course, I would expect nothing less.” Dream looked around the table, “So it’s agreed?” He asked, smiling softly.

Nightmare winced as his brother’s positive aura grew as the potential future where they could all get along seemed to be drawing nearer and nearer.

“Yup!”

“Yes.”

“Fine.”

[ask-sibverse]

Actually I've Been Wanting To Ask For This Prompt For Awhile, But You Seem So Busy With Others And My 50 Something Prompts, But Seeing Your Post...

Could You Do A ReaderxKillerxColor Date?

Hon in my mind we're basically besties from how often you're in my inbox ( @dreamseersystem made me tally how many I had from you and I had five in my inbox lol)

If anything this would probably continue off this little side timeline (side note: while I definitely like writing Nightmare as redeemable/necessary evil/"secretly good" because I project on the Dreamtale twins intensely, Nightmare does have to be a toxic bastard in this version of things)

"You ever been on a three way date?" Killer asked.

You looked up from your book. The pair of you were just hanging out quietly together. Color, ever more versed in terms, said it was called "parallel play" or something. "Uhh no? Why?"

"Cuz I wanna take you both out on a date!" He beamed at you. "I have a day off coming up where Nightmare promises he wont pull me away for anything! It'll be perfect to take my two favorite people out for some fun together!"

You were tempted to remind Killer of the many promises Nightmare had already broken, including this same exact promise. Several times. But he looked so excited, you couldn't bear to ruin that smile. "Sure, that sounds great. Just tell me when and how much to dress up for you guys."

It was about a week later when Killer came to pick you up. He told you not to dress up too fancy, but you still made sure you looked nice for them both. He took you back to Ccino's to meet up with Color and pick up some food he'd ordered before going to Outertale for a picnic date.

You liked getting food from Ccino's, you had a pretty accurate idea of how to bolus for it. Grillby's were pretty consistent across AUs (at least the "standard" ones were), it was really mostly just Muffett's that were hard to guess the right amount of insulin for. (Except your own, of course.)

Regardless, you liked Ccino's and so did Killer and Color so everyone was happy with the food. You all honestly had a lovely time in the quiet and privacy under the stars.

... At least, until Nightmare very predictably started calling Killer and insisted he come home immediately. Which of course upset Killer because "he promised!"

You squeezed his hand. "Hey, its fine. Why don't you come back to meet Color and I at my apartment whenever he's done with you and we can snuggle and watch movies together?"

He sighed. "Fine..."

You and Color looked at each other after he left.

"I knew this would happen," Color ranted. "Nightmare always does this!"

"I know. I did too."

"He needs to get away from Nightmare. He needs to leave. I know the Omega Timeline might not be the best place for him but maybe-"

"You can't force him to leave, Color. Well, technically you could, but it wouldn't help."

"I know, its just. Its frustrating."

"I know. All we can do right now is be here for him, and be safe for him."

And that's what the two of you did, to the best of your ability. You were both in your apartment, as you said you'd be, when Killer was finally done. He very firmly had a mask of "everything is fine" on, but you didn't say anything. You just let him pick a few movies and some snacks, and the three of you cuddled up under a ridiculous amount of pillows and blankets on your couch to just cuddle and relax together.

And if Killer's black goop looked runnier and tearier than usual, well then, he didn't complain about you hugging him a bit tighter and leaving some tissues conveniently within reach.

[help-im-a-gay-fish]

Fluffynightkiller week 2022!

ITS BACK BABY!!!!! YAY!!!!

It feels good to be back. Idk who's taking part, but good luck to everyone who does!!!! It was so much fun last year! So I hope you'll enjoy these prompts.

Day 1: Romantic cliché

Classic set ups for dates, red roses and pink Teddy bears. The set up for every romcom ever, standard fanfic prompts. clichés come in all shapes and sizes, but what type is your favourite?

Day 2: Something old, Something new.

-Something borrowed, something blue... weddings aren't the only times these words are applicable however, old and new things are always coming up.

Day 3: Forgiveness and Trust

Saying you forgive is easy, rebuilding trust is the hard part. Whether thats in someone else, or yourself.

Day 4: Parting gift

A gift can be small, big, physical or verbal. Parting is such sweet sorrow.

Day 5: Soft and fluffy

Cats, kittens, fur collars, cosy days in the coffee shop. I challenge the angst makers with this one ;)

Day 6: Inner demons, Outer demons.

Both metaphorical and literal demons aren't fun to fight against. Maybe it's easier together..

Until someone gets hurt.

Day 7: Coffee boy's Birthday

Happy birthday Ccino!!

If taking part..

Any Au version of Ccino, Nightmare and Killer can be used. Classic, studio, humanised etc

Other ships and characters/ship kids can be included, so long as the ship is the main focus.

No NSFW please, lightly suggestive is aloud if wanted but keep it in reason.

You can basically create anything you want! Drawings, writings, massive mosaics! Whatever you fancy XD

You don't have to complete prompts on time, you can post them anytime later you like, just please don't post them early.

Make sure to credit the original creators of the characters you use.

.

Make sure to use the tag #fluffynightkiller week or #fluffynightkiller week 2022 so that I can find your posts!

And also tag me @help-im-a-gay-fish

HAVE FUN!

Original nightmare by jokublog

Original killer belongs to rahafwabas

Original ccino belongs to black-nyanko

Bonus, art without text! <3

(ㅅ´ ˘ `)♡

[faeroviolet]

IMPORTANT NOTE:

I'm not in the mood to do this with the original characters. That's why I'm doing this with their versions of my AU: MargeantAU. So each work won't be just a art, but a plot part. Although this ship is not canon.

Day 1: "There’s a first time for everything"[FNK week(MG edit)]

Credit: challenge by @help-im-a-gay-fish Nightmare by jokublog Ccino by black-nyanko Killer by rahafwabas MargeantAU by me

Fluffynightkiller is not a canon, but it's cute.

Once... I'll write a fanfic about how they met. It will be such angsty blood angst, and I have already thought out its plot uwu

And for today's prompt, I have not only art, but a story to it.

(I want to warn you that I am not responsible in any way for what is written below. So read, don't read, I don't care. There may also be some mistakes here, because I wrote this right now.)

This is the story of how Nightmare and Killer decided to have a picnic for the shitty Ccino, who hasn't slept for a whole week. They should have kicked his ass for treating himself so badly, but his health is already bad, so they decided to scold him later. Now it was important to help him get some rest, maybe even he would get some sleep.

Interesting, but this will be their first time together after entering a relationship. Despite the fact that Killer and Nightmare were already in a relationship between each other, this didn't interfere with them. They were both madly in love with Ccino, he sunk into their souls. However, this wasn't so surprising considering who he is. Although his abilities didn't affect this. It was just love. Delicate and strong. Able to make them do anything for a fragile miracle.

Now they were just passing near the hometown of their beloved. They decided to have a picnic in here because it would be difficult and suspicious to do near Sunapple. Having found a suitable field and a place near the tree(so that there was a shade if it gets hotter), they began to unfold. Nightmare, who carried a purple velvet carpet with yellow fringes all the way, laid it out here. And Killer, waiting for him to finish, then put the basket on it.

You ask: why a carpet? It's just that nothing else was found in the castle. And Nightmare didn't want to ask Dream to help in this.

"Do you think he will like the food?" Killer asked, sitting down next to the basket.

"Hmm... maybe he'll eat the cheese and ham sandwiches." Nightmare said thoughtfully, leaning his elbows on a tree trunk. "As for souls, I don’t know. He rarely talks about this, as well as about his preferences, trying to avoid difficult topics."

"And that's true. But... we took different variations." Killer nodded. "I hope Horror won't be offended that we robbed him like that."

"He won't dare." Nightmare said seriously. "I am your 'patron' and you have no right to contradict me. So if he is unhappy, he will not be able to do anything."

Without answering, Killer only directed his gaze towards the forest. They have already informed their loved one that they will come. And oddly enough, he agreed to a meeting. Therefore, all that remained was to wait.

They didn't wait long: a familiar face appeared from the trunk. Although the face was familiar, this face only wished for the best. The huge gray spots didn't adorn this skeleton much. But the guys didn't know how to make him stop torturing himself like that, but they could only help to heal. Even so.

They went to meet Ccino, who decided to please them with his smile. Although with "something" under his eye sockets, this smile could hardly please them. But Nightmare and Killer weren't angry, they just took him and led him to their picnic area. When he was just grabbed and dragged to the tree, Ccino became a little embarrassed and covered with a faint blush.

"Here, Cсino, we brought sandwiches and some fruit." Nightmare said, pointing to a basket containing said foods. "Only... we didn't know what kind of soul you wanted..."

"S-soul?!" He roused himself, displaying horror on his face. Ccino didn’t like it, even though he was also a demon, but he didn’t like to feed on souls. After that, he always feels bad. Well, as if he didn't use them either. Such a tangled loop constantly comes out. "I...I...I..."

Cсino began to breathe quickly and covered his face with his hands, hiding the tears flowing from his eye sockets. And Nightmare, very frightened, just froze in place like a statue, not knowing what to do. Just not that - to upset him. He didn't expect that this is such... a deep and painful topic for him.

However, there was still a way out in this situation. And Killer found him. While Nightmare stood like an idol, he walked a little further into a field where many flowers grew. He collected a couple of flowers and weaved three wonderful wreaths. Yes, he could do it, and there was nothing surprising in it. After all, he learned this from his mother, whom he loved very much.

When he returned, Killer tried to bring the guys to his senses. First, he lifted Ccino, who didn't resist at all, but still was not fine. He brought Night out of his stupor by patting him on the shoulder.

"Wear." In a commanding tone, Killer turned to his Lord, holding out a flower decoration.

"A-are you... kidding me?!" Such insolence pissed off Nightmare. Forgetting about what was happening, he was ready to commit a rash act, but...

"For Ccino's sake."

Only this made the Lord of Dark senses, startled, to stop raging. He turned his gaze to Ccino, who was nearby, and gritting his teeth agreed.

"Okay." He took a cute little wreath and decorated his skull with it, blushing like a tomato, and then, pouting, sat down on the carpet. Oh, it was even cutier than the wreath itself! Was Nightmare so embarrassed by such simple gifts, Killer thought. But now is not about that. Ccino should have been reassured.

"Ccino, look at Nightmare." Killer shook him and looked into almost empty eyes. Still, Ccino paid attention and looked in the direction in which he was indicated. "Isn't he handsome? Especially in this wreath! Do you want the same? Do you like flowers?"

"The w-wreath?" He quietly raised his voice. "I love flowers, collecting them, they're beautiful. And, unfortunately, I don't know how to weave wreaths, and-"

"O! Then I can teach you later. Now... would you mind sitting next to that glowing mean bean, and I will reward you with the most beautiful crown in the world?"

"Umm... O-okay." Ccino staggered a little to the indicated place and settled down next to another skeleton.

Killer jumped up to him like a bunny, and he was already holding a wreath prepared especially for Ccino. He put it on a cute skeleton that blushed very hard in the process. It was amusing.

Killer didn't deprive himself either. Now all three were in flowers. Together. They will have something to remember. But the main thing was that Ccino liked it.

Это история о том, как Найтмер и Киллер решили устроить пикник для чертова Чино, который не спал уже целую неделю. Им бы следовало надрать ему задницу за такое плохое отношение к себе, но его здоровье и так плохое, поэтому они решили отругать его позже. Сейчас было важно помо��ь ему немного отдохнуть, может даже он и поспит хоть чуть-чуть.

Интересно, но это будет их первое времяпровождение вместе после вступления в отношения. Несмотря на то, что Киллер и Найтмер и так были в отношениях между друг другом, это не мешало им. Они оба безумно любили Чино, он запал им в душу. Однако это было не так удивительно, учитывая, кем он является. Хотя его способности на это и не влияли. Это была просто любовь. Нежная и крепкая. Способная заставить их сделать все ради хрупкого чуда.

Сейчас они как раз проходили около родного города их возлюбленного. Они решили устроить пикник в здесь, потому что это было бы сложно и подозрительно делать возле Санапли. Найдя подходящую полянку и место возле дерева(чтобы был тенёк, если станет печь), они стали раскладываться. Найтмер, который всю дорогу нес фиолетовый бархатный ковер с желтой бахромой, разложил его здесь. А Киллер, ожидающий того, как тот закончит, потом положил на него корзинку.

Вы вот спросите: почему ковер? Просто в замке ничего более не нашлось. А просить Дрима в этом помочь Найтмер не желал.

- Как ты думаешь, а ему понравится еда? - спросил Киллер, усаживаясь рядом с корзиной.

- Хм... может сэндвичи с сыром и колбаcкой он съест - задумчиво проговорил Найтмер, облокотившись на ствол дерева. - А по поводу душ - не знаю. Он редко говорит об этом, как и о своих предпочтениях, пытаясь избежать тяжелых тем.

- И то верно. Но... мы же разные взяли - кивнул Киллер. - Надеюсь Хоррор не обидится, что мы его так обокрали.

- А он не посмеет - серьезно сказал Найтмер. - Я ваш "покровитель" и вы не имеете право перечить мне. Так что будь он недоволен - сделать ничего не сможет.

Не ответив, Киллер лишь направил свой взор в сторону леса. Они уже сообщили их любимому, что придут. И как ни странно, тот согласился на встречу. Поэтому оставалось лишь ждать.

Ждали они не долго: из ствола показалось знакомое личико. Хоть личико и было знакомым, но вид у этого личика желал лишь лучшего. Огромные такие серые следы не слишком украшали этого скелета. Но ребята не знали, как заставить того прекратить себя так истязать, но могли лишь помочь исцелиться. Хотя бы так.

Они пошли на встречу Чино, который решил их обрадовать своей улыбкой. Хотя с "кое-чем" под его глазницами эта улыбка вряд ли могла их обрадовать. Но Найтмер и Киллер не сердились, они просто взяли и повели его к их обустроенному для пикника месту. Когда того схватили просто так и потащили к дереву, Чино немного засмущался и покрылся слабым румянцем.

- Вот, Чино, мы принесли сэндвичи и некоторые фрукты - сказал Найтмер, указывая на корзинку, в которой хранятся указанные продукты. - Только... мы не знали, какие бы ты души хотел...

- Д-души?! - встрепенулся тот, отобразив на лице ужас. Чино не любил это, хоть он тоже был демоном, но он не любил питаться душами. Ему поcле этого всегда плохо. Как и если бы он не употреблял их. Постоянно выходит такая запутанная петля. - Я... я... я...

Чино начал часто дышать и закрывать лицо руками, скрывая выступающие из глазниц слезы. А Найтмер, сильно перепугавшись, лишь застыл на месте как статуя, не зная, что и делать. Только этого не хватало - расстроить его. Это он совсем не ожидал, что это настолько... глубокая и больная тема для него.

Однако все же нашелся выход в этой ситуации. И нашел его Киллер. Пока Найтмер стоял как истукан, тот отошел чуть дальше на полянку где росло множество цветов. Насобирал парочку и сплел три чудесных венка. Да, он это умел, и в этом не было ничего удивительного. Ведь научился этому он от своей мама, которую очень любил.

Вернувшись, Киллер попытался привести ребят в себя. Сначала он поднял Чино, который совсем не сопротивлялся, но все ещё был не в порядке. Вывел из ступора Найта, похлопав того по плечу.

- Надень - приказным тоном Киллер обратился к своему повелителю, протягивая цветочное украшение.

- Т-ты что... издеваешься?! - такая дерзость вывела Найтмера из себя. Забывшись о происходящим, он был готов совершить опрометчивый поступок, но...

- Ради Чино.

Только это заставило Повелителя темных чувств, вздрогнув, прекратить бесится. Он перевел взгляд на Чино, который находился рядом, и, скрепя зубами, согласился.

- Ладно - он взял миленький веночек и украсил им свой череп, краснея при этом, как помидорка, �� потом, надувшись, сел на ковер. О, да это было даже милее, чем сам венок! Неужели Найтмера так смущали такие простые подарки, подумал Киллер. Но сейчас не об этом. Надо было успокоить Чино.

- Чино, смотри на Найтмера - Киллер потряс того и заглянул в почти что пустые глаза. Но все же Чино обратил внимание и посмотрел в ту сторону, в которую ему указали. - Правда он красивый? Особенно в этом венке! Хочешь такой же? Тебе нравятся цветы?

- В-венок? - тихо подал голос тот. - Я люблю цветы, собирать их, они красивые. А венки я не умею, к сожалению, плести, и-

- О! Тогда я могу тебя по-позже научить. А сейчас... ты не против сесть рядом с вон той светящейся букой, и я тебя награжу красивейшей на свете короной?

- Аамм... л-ладно - Чино немного шатающиеся поплелся в указанное место и расположился рядом с другим скелетом.

Киллер прискакал за ним, как зайчик, и уже держал приготовленный специально для Чино венок. Он надел это на милого скелета, который очень сильно заливался румянцем в процессе. Это забавляло.

Киллер не обделил и себя. Теперь все трое были в цветах. Вместе. У них будет, что вспомнить. Но главное, что Чино понравилось.

[ancha-aus]

NewAgeAU Drabble - Magic and Love

Because I had an idea. For a shorter drabble/snippet while I continue to scheme on the big thing. And i needed to focus on something else for a bit. I hope you are ready @spotaus because i felt like writing something sweet and a tiny bit of a gutpunch! :D

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

"The Princess looked at the wizard. Waiting with held breath as they considered her request. But one thing she had no considered with her question, was the fact that the wizard loved to play tricks.

And a trick he played. He nodded and agreed to the young Princess's request and the Princess's soul swelted with hope. She would have wings and fly away and fly free.

The wizard waved his wand and the Princess felt herself change. She gained the wings she had wished for so desperately but that was not all. She could feel her skin start to thin as her dress grow too tight. She felt her face start to stretch, as if she had a pimple growing under her skin. Her hands shook and she stared down, only to see her beautiful brown skin turn a bright angry red as her nails grew into claws.

The Wizard chackled with glee as the Princess turned into a feared dragon with a sample wave of his magic." The voice pauses as the hand moves to turn the page.

"How did that work?"

Ccino blinked and shot him a confused look. Nightmare stared at Ccino as he was waiting for his answer. He did feel a bit back of breaking Ccino out of his concentration and reading.

Ccino looks down at the book "What do you mean?"

Nightmare snuggles closer to Ccino. Ccino is so tall! Or maybe Nightmare is still real tiny? He is arleady 5 and everyone said he should be stronger and bigger but Ccino said he was fine. and Ccino is already like... twelve! He would know right? He is real smart and grown up!

Nightmare carefully touches the drawing of the wizard and the princess. And the next picture on the next page. Of a feared dragon "Magic... How does magic work?"

Ccino blinks and looks at the book before smiling at him "I am not sure? I am not that smart Nightlight... Maybe you can ask Dream and his teachers?"

Ngihtmare looks back at Ccino with confusion "But you know everything..."

Ccino laughs and shakes his skull "I don't Nightlight. And it is okay that i am not smart like you and Dream." he smiles again.

Nightmare shakes his skull again and pouts up at Ccino. His mom always tells him not to pout but Ccino never does. Ccino just smiles at him when he pouts.

And Ccino smiles at him gently. He rubs his cheek and mutters softly "No need to be sad..." He keeps rubbing his cheek "Maybe Dream will share what he learned in his classes?" Ccino glances at Dream.

Who is rolled up and sound asleep. Hugging a large plushy close as he sleeps peacefully though stroytime. Nightmare isn't even sure why Dream wants to be here for storytime. He always falls asleep.

Thought that he gets... It is nice to sleep with Ccino in his bed. It is warm and comfy and feels nice to be near their Ccino.

Nightmare shakes his skull and pouts "Dream says his teachers told him that i would need special training to know and learn and i don't get that. My classes are other stuff." it is unfair. He wants to learn magic. He looks at Ccino "I want to know magic. Please?"

Ccino frowns as he thinks. Staring at the book and messing with it. Nightmare waits patiently. He knows that Ccino needs time to think sometimes. Probably because he knows everything and stuff! Means he has to think through eveyrthing he knows and find the right answer! Kinda like how Nightmare has to look through lists and stuff to find the books he needs!

Ccino speaks slowly and softly "My... parents told me... long ago... That magic is connected to your soul... That what you can and can't do is all in there..." he smiles nad taps Nightmare's sternum and Nightmare can't help but giggle as he pushes close to Ccino's side. Ccino smiles again as he speaks "My... dad used to say that he could do magic because he loved us... My mom loved to sing and her sungs were magic... So... I think it is love related?" he tilts his skull.

Nightmare smiles before frowning. He stares at Ccino "But... but you love us loads. Loads and loads." more than anyone. Ccino loves them the absolute most! "But you have no magic..."

Ccino frowns before grinning and leaning close "Wanne know a secret?"

Ngihtmare is already nodding as he stares.

Ccino grins as he pokes his sternum softly "love, also comes from your soul."

Nightmare blinks and Ccino continues wiht a grin as he points at his soul "My soul is still tiny. It doens't have a lot of room. So... Because i have so much love... my soul is already full. It can't fit any magic in there anymore." he grins and nuzzles Nightmare's skull and Nightmare leans close with a happy purr.

"And how could my soul not be full of love? When I love you and your twin so much?"

Nightmare smiles brightly as he leans into Ccino's embrace. "I love you."

Ccino giggles and nuzzles the top of his skull "And I love you my little Nightlight. You and your brother both. I love you both so much."

Nightmare smiles as he pushes close to Ccino. He always smells of baked stuff and vanilla. He is warm and Nightmare feels safe.

Ccino hums softly "Want me to continue reading or go to sleep?"

Nightmare can't help but yawn as he mutters "Sleep? Can you hum?"

Ccino laughs softly "Of course." They lay down as Ccino puts the book to the side. Nightmare is soon surrounded by the warm soft blanket as he lays plastered against Ccino's side. One arm around him as the other is no doubt hugging his dear twin close as well. Ccino nuzzles his skull again and then a soft humming starts. Familiar tunes and dips and falls and Nightmare yawns as he falls asleep.

---

Nightmare stares at the very old book. He had found it in the library, forgotten on a shelve and it brought back memories from so very long ago.

His tendrils move and twitch with his emotions. Ever moving, never silenty, never calm.

He would do everything to go back to then... When he felt save and home...

He traces the drawing with the princess with a large red dragon behind it. Her in the shadows of the beast she was forced to turn into. She had only wanted to be free.

He should put the book back on the shelve. Return it to its rightful place.

Instead Ngihtmare just tugs it under his shoulder as he returns to his bedroom. It is very late. He had spend a long time in his study to work on new plans to secure his rule and secure the safety in his castle.

Ngihtmare returns to his bedroom and opens the door. The room is dark and empty. Still he leaves the found book in his personal bookshelf. He stares at the empty room and bed.

Nightmare is about to get ready for bed when he just... He shouldnt'... He is an adult now. Older. Wiser. He knows now. He knows the pain and suffering his... his mother... had done to...

He shouldn't keep bothering him.

In the end he still leaves his own room. Nightmare stalks through the empty and dark castle. Melting into shadows to remain hidden and silent.

Ngihtmare stops before a nice sturdy door. Nightmare had been sure to move him to a better room. A better home to rest.

He relaly shouldn't...

He stil knocks on the door.

Nightmare shouldn't do this. Ccino has very early mornings. He needs his sleep and the chance to rest. Nightmare can't keep waking him up in the middle of the night.

The door creaks open and Ccino looks out of the creak "My king?" the door opens fully.

Nightmare can't stand the title. Not when Ccino says it. It isn't right "Just me."

Ccino frowns as he glances around and looks at him searching "Is something wrong? did something happen?"

Ngihtmare shakes his skull "Can I... come in?"

Ccino blinks but nods "of course." He opens the door further. Nightmare goes inside and it gets easier to breath.

The room is all soft growns with small potted plants. It is a small safe haven. Nightmare feels terrible for intruding on Ccino's space. This is suposed to be his space yet Nightmare ends up here so often.

Ccino looks up at him "Nightmare? What is wrong? did soemthing happen?" he frowns as he thinks "Ddi someone mess withyour food? Did the guards say something again? I can look into it in the morning?"

Ngihtmare shakes his skull but can't get it past his teeth. The reason why he is here. The same as he feels right now.

Ccino frowns but nods as he guides him towards his small couch. Ccino helps him sit and sits wiht him "It is oaky. deep rbeaths. Stuff is changing quickly and it can get overwhelming. You are still learning about beign a king and people still need time to get used to you as king. You can do this." he smiles at him.

Nightmare can't keep it in anymore "Do you love me?"

Ccino looks shocked and Ngihtmare feels terrible "I am sorry. I shouldn't ask. It is unfair to you as I am a king now." He is selfish and a terrible person.

Ccino frowns as he take shis hand "It is oaky... I am jsut surprised. I thought... I thought you said you have magic that makes you able to feel things that others feel now. Empathy and things like it. I figured you would be able to feel how I feel?" and he just looks at him curiously.

Ngihtmare looks at him helplessly before looking away "Just because you love someone doesn't mean you can't also hate them..." Dream loved him but hated him now. His twin still feels both ways towards Nightmare. Ngihtmare himself hates his mother, but some part of him will forever love Nim even if that love hurts sometimes.

He just... He can't handle Ccino hating him.

Then two arms lock around his shoulders and Nightmare freezes. Ccino hums "this used to be easier when you were smaller... That is one downside is supose. Makes it harder to embrace and hold you."

Nightmare can't help it as he just sinks completely into Ccino. Shrinking into himself to try and make himself fit. He ends up laying in Ccino's arms as Ccino lays his skull on top of Nightmare's "As for your question. Of course I love you. I still love you and your brother very much Nightmare. Nothing changed that."

Ngihtmare wants to cry. Instead he just holds unto Ccino tighter. His tendrils wrapping around the other to hold him clsoer.

Nightamre needs to check. he needs to be sure "But you are stuck..."

Ccino hums "And you canceled the contract as soon as you knew about it. You made sure it wouldn't keep me locked in as soon as you realised you could free me."

Nightmare lays against the other. Feeling his soul slowly calm down "It is still my fault... If it hadn't been for me.... You wouldn't be..."

Ccino hums as he just continues to keep his skull on top of Nightmare's "It wasn't your fault, neither was it Dream's. It was all on Nim. Nim decided she was allowed to steal children. Not you two. You two aren't at fault. If it hadn't been me it would have been someone else."

Nightmare frowns as he leans against him "You were... stuck in a living hell. Just because Nim decided to steal you."

Ccino gives a small shrug but answers him out loud as well "It was rough... but you know what? Even in that darkness, I had a small ligth in there to help me." then a bit more teasing "A little Nightlight."

The old nickname feels like an arrow through his soul but in the best way. He tightens his grip on Ccino.

Ccino mutter softly to him "And just to be sure. I still love you Nightmare. That isn't changing. I will be right here for when you need me."

Nightmare finally feels his feelings and soul calm down. And once his soul calms so does his magic.

Nightmare feels himself start to fall asleep as Ccino hums a familiar tune. One he holds so dear and knows by heart. Nightmare lets hismelf relax and swears he will make sure that Ccino gets the next day more free time to relax. But for now he is warm and safe and so very loved.

[spotaus]

🥺🥺🥺🥺 (<- Me staring w/ my big ol eyes :] )

Ohhh yeah. Cross's codename was SO goofy. I had a couple of ideas for it, but ultimately landed on Cross's bestie and his temporary crush convincing him to use a dumb nickname. (Later on Shep and most of the guard still call him Z as a joke (when they can, ofc, the hierarchy still stands) and he dies a little inside every time-)

And yeah. I laid it on kinda thick but like. Cross wouldn't see Ccino enough to make the connection of anything between Ccino and Night, but he would still totally think Ccino was very very pretty and kinda blank for a second. Forget hierarchy. He assumes pretty privilege lmao---

I was also considering adding a moment where he was *also* flustered by Horror, but I imagine that can come later 🙏 He's just such a wreck <3

I feel like I'm going for forget something so I apologize but uhhhhb.

Oh! I'm SO glad you enjoy all tye setting details!! Sometimes I worry I'm laying it on too thick, so it's good to know they're working out mostly! (I had such a good time with the Tapestry!!! Cross would use that as info too, even if he doesn't know what to do with it! And yeah, initially the tapestry had been paused to allow Dream to take the throne before he'd be added, but Nightmare rose instead, and he didn't want his face on a wall just yet!)

The characters! I was hesitant to make any in this story because I couldn't land on any that I really liked, but Harper and Shep manifested and I got attached, haha! Harper will definitely hopefully live up to her arc! And Shep. Well. If I can get writing again here maybe I'll ping-pong off of you and do Night's return to shed some light on his situation, hehe!

Right!! Cross had no training at all! Dream believed he could do it, and just sent him in without any prep at all 🙏 it definitely hits hard when he finally accepts just how expendable he's seen to be by Dream. (And even more-so when Dream is furious to see him upon their face off, because??? Even if he was brainwashed, don't fight that hard, man!)

AND. AND. THE DUST SCENE!!! I was so so excited to do that one!!! Dust knows the castle like the back of his hand, and he knows that the handle to the study makes no noise if you weight it down a bit, so he wandered in like. A minute after Cross started his search abd just. Watched him!! He's so smug and relaxed!!! (Ohh yeah. Definitely minesweeper if he had a phone, haha!) He wanted to see how long it'd take Cross to notice him, but he didn't, so Dust got bored and spoke up! :D

And gods I'm glad the fight scene went well because!!! It was so so important, but I'm so so bad at fight scenes! Dust's magic was definitely something Cross had never seem before, abd Cross' magic was just like. Super weird!!

I really really like a continuous thing og Dust being the equivalent of Counterspell for magic-users in this au. Like, if he shows up the magic users might as well just head home and pack it up lmao- Cross in particular.... Dust would've totally drawn it out, he has enough stamina to outlast Cross, but because Cross did his weird thing Dust's magic was like "Oh? Oh? You're holding us? Bet >:[" and obliterated him way harder because all the little attacks basically smacked him all at once! (Dust would've stopped it if he'd known it'd be that strong, but he was mire occupied trying to figure out what Cross was doinglmao-)

Yes! Point blank lightning bolt!!!! Goofy ahh guy accidentally channeled Dust's easiest move. Which is Obliterates You w/ Lightning. Just shows how much better Dust has gotten over the years!

And yeah, them full-out in battle is crazy- when they spar the group actually tends to go outside, because Dust doesn't hold back (well, he does-) and sometimes he makes the field all foggy so he can make his attacks even more unpredictable! And Cross using his proper weapon in an open space? Hoo boy. He does slashing attacks with it, but long-range he can form cutting waves that shoot out! So they're crazy!!!

Also, shockingly, Night's study survived theur fight really well (Dust did damage control too-) and the only mark left over was the lightning singe on the stone from Cross's flashback moment haha!

New Age AU (Cross' Spy Adventures)

Hi guys! I'm back! This one has been eating at me so forgive me if it's a bit rougher than the others, but I hope you still enjoy! (And if plot details don't seem to line up? Remember Cross has no clue what's going on yet :] )

Context: Cross has been asked by Dream to do recover information on his brother's next plans of attack. He's not a very good spy.

(Hi to @ancha-aus @papiliovolens and @mutzelputz !!!)

Stars this place was big.

He'd almost forgotten what it felt like to be on a castle grounds after so many years roughing it with Ink. Inns and taverns and tents. He wasn't sure how much he enjoyed being back in the throes of the rich and powerful's estates.

The cart-ride with the other new recruits had been pleasant enough, they were all decently friendly guys. A few were putting on that tough-guy facade, but none of them could've been older than 25. Fresh off the press, practically. Perfect soldiers to be brainwashed.

Cross had laughed and joked with them about what life in the castle might be like. How different it would be from the old daily grind. How maybe they'd pick up a hot partner in town on their patrols. How they hoped they'd eat like kings.

Though, Cross noticed that each of them got cagey when word of the King resurfaced. One birdish-monster mourned that she couldn't have served the last King, Nim, before she passed on to join the gods. Another spoke of the honor it would bring for him to serve the blood of Nim.

They seemed averse to even acknowledging King Nightmare's existence. Aside from his connection to Nim.

Now, the chatter was all silent, and Cross was among the many new soldiers who were ogling the castle as they passed around its outer wall and entered through a side gate.

It was, admittedly, impressive.

His own home kingdom had less of a castle, more of a monolith. It had been dense, and tall, and impossibly smooth. His father couldn't stand imperfection.

This castle was almost the exact opposite of what Cross had always known. The walls imperfect and overlapping, rather than brick it looked like it had burst straight up from the ground. Bumpy and imperfect and natural, and yet beautiful and structurally stable. He didn't linger on it, but he wanted to so badly.

Instead, he drew his attention ahead. To where a man stood, his armor decorated in the marks which indicated him as a reporting officer.

This man, a human with a crooked nose and a thick, black, beard held up a hand, and the driver of the cart tugged at his reigns, the horses pulling to a slow stop.

One by one, once given the signal, the soldiers filed out. Stating their rank, their camp of origin, and their name.

Cross was middle of the pack, and saluted the human as Dream had taught him and as everyone had done before him.

"1st Year Guard, Pierson Camp, Z." He reported.

He was not proud of his code-name. It physically hurt to say it with a straight face, but when he'd been talking about needing a new code name, Ink had excitedly suggested it.

Z, he'd said, Like 'X' but not! And Cross hadn't been able to shut the idea down when Dream had giggled and tapped his cheekbone, the spot just under his eyelight that held is scar.

Dream had called it fitting, and it'd been settled in a heartbeat.

Cross managed to say it aloud without any hint of suspicion and was waved off to join his fellow recruits.

They lined up haphazardly, but didn't dare to do more than grin and snicker between eachother at. Well. Anything, it seemed. They were taking this very casually compared to what Cross had been expecting.

Though, the moment the captain was done looking to the cart for any stragglers, he turned. The soldiers all went still and aligned themselves.

Cross wondered how they survived training if they goofed off like that so readily.

He watched as the cart which had brought them circled away, and he listened carefully as the man introduced himself.

"I am Captain Rogers. Your platoon will report to me for any and all management. I control your training schedules, your mealtimes, and your work hours." He called out to them, right there on the lawn "you are here today to serve the blood of the gods, and by Nim's watch you will not slack on your oath. No matter how much you loathe it here. Understood?"

Such a bold declaration of... unrest.

The soldiers, one by one, gave affirmative nods and salutes, Cross making sure he wasn't the first. He didn't want to seem too eager.

The captain led them about.

He asked for them to stay in formation, and Cross ended up towards the middle of the pack yet again, just close enough to hear the explanations of their duties, places on the grounds they were allowed to go, and what their daily routine was meant to be like.

Near the stables, they paused briefly, and the Captain was taking an extra long time explaining that the horses in the stables were not to be ridden without explicate orders from him or another commanding officer.

Cross couldn't help but notice the guys ahead of him whispering about something, and Cross followed their miniscule gestures off to the left.

A black cat, wirey and short-hair. It was standing in the shadow of a fence, and he didn't think he would've spotted it if it weren't for its big, green eyes. They were like little saucers in its head.

It was staring straight at him. Tail flicking. One ear twitched.

Cross tried to ignore it, but when he'd glance back, it was still there.

Until, suddenly, it wasn't.

By the time they moved on, it was nowhere in sight.

His old home hadn't had many animals, especially not roaming cats. He wondered if it was a 'barn cat'. Blue had explained the concept to him once.

Regardless, that thing was freaky.

Finally, after what felt like hours of walking, the Captain announced that their last stop of the night would be to their quarters.

He could practically feel the relief rolling off of the guys next to him, and it took am effort to let his shoulders sag even an inch in imitation. The guy next to him looked like he might fall over, and Cross shared none of that exhaustion.

They would start their assignments bright and early in the morning, each of them would have a more experienced guard join them as a guiding measure before they were left to the duties themselves.

A much kinder grace period than Cross had been expecting, honestly.

The Captain escorted them down the halls, long and twisting. Each one held soldiers out of uniform, turning in for the night, going through their routines. As well as some moving out for the night shift. They ignored the rookies as they kept to their own business.

The Captain swung a door open, only to immediately block the soldiers in front from entering the space of relaxation beyond.

"Ah, Ccino, I was worried we'd missed you." The Captain spoke up.

"Soldiers, back up. Stand at attention." Came an order next.

Cross was faster than the others in recognizing the order, but forced himself to wait until the others stumbled into him to start moving. He wasn't sure why they were getting into this stance, but he knew better than to start asking questions.

They all stood in the hall, and Cross caught a few snickers from nearby lounging guards as the rookies stood there.

"The King called upon me, so I wasn't able to meet you where we had planned," a softer, calm, voice rang, "I figured I would run into you here before you turned in for your first night."

The Captain stood before them, and beside him, exiting the barracks, was a monster.

Cross tried not to stare, but he couldn't deny that this was odd. He'd never known a captain to bend to anyone but a higher up. But...

This skeleton was dressed in a servant's uniform. Granted, it was made of a thick, soft-looking brown and tan fabric, with an apron with more embroidery than he thought he'd ever seen in his life, but it was nothing too out of place.

Surely it wasn't a Knight. No, he'd been told they wore masks. He could tell this skeleton was not a Knight. He could see the full skull, soft and gentle, calm eyelights, and a body Cross swore had never seen a single battle.

No. Cross, stop that.

He didn't tear his eyes away, but he forced himself to look back to the skeleton's shoulder. No eye-contact, but still facing him. Good.

"Soldiers, This is our Head of House, Ccino." The Captain gestured to the skeleton at his side.

The soldiers all remained silent, and the captain nodded.

"If Ccino ever gives you any sort of order, you listen." The Captain's voice was harsh with this, the same way he'd spoken about the horses, and the kitchen, and the private training rooms they'd passed. "No questions, no hesitation, no disobeying. You understand?"

The squint of the Captain's eyes were more than enough for Cross to know better than to ask. Something like this was unfamiliar, for sure, but he knew when a soldier was saying something he truly believed in. Lived by. For better or worse.

None of the other recruits seemed to speak up. Cross certainly didn't. He tried not to let his nerves show as this skeleton, Ccino, let's his soft white eyelights skim softly from one soldier to the next. When they came to him, he desperately avoided the gaze, practically staring a hole into the soft fur scarf wrapped around his neck, hiding his spine from view.

"It's a pleasure to meet all of you," That calm voice again, "As you heard, my name is Ccino. I manage the Castle, it's grounds, and the people who stay within our walls. This includes all if you, as of tonight."

He seemed rather put-together. Pleasant. Cross didn't feel any unease. He was positive, now, that this was not a Knight. Yet, he couldn't figure out why such a monster would be held in such high regard, unless, of course...

"As you heard, our King trusts my decisions regarding these matters, which is why he asks you listen to my requests. However, I don't abuse this privilege, and it shouldn't dissuade you from coming to me if you have any problems." Ccino pulled his arms to cross infront of him, and once again looked over the recruits. "You may be our guard, but that does not mean you shouldn't recieve help as well. If you cannot find me, ask another servant and they will get word to me."

Ccino seemed... kind. That had to be it.

The sparkle of admiration in the captain's eyes. The way some of the soldiers watched. Maybe Ccino was the golden light in this dark place? Though, that didn't seem quite right.

"Stick to your duties, remain diligent, and you will be cared for here." He said softly. "Now, stand down and go rest. Your training tomorrow will be thorough, and you will need the extra sleep."

Oh.

Cross recognized the order, and his body moved a bit before his mind could catch up. He relaxed, as much as he naturally could, and took a step. Toward the barracks. Then paused and glanced like a deer in the headlights to the Captain and the Head of House.

Ccino just smiled, and the Captain seemed stoic.

"Seems Z gets first dibs on the cots!" The Captain announced, and with his approval, humor seeping into his tone a bit, and laughter echoing from the older guard who'd been observing?

Cross made the quick duck into the room and grabbed for the first cot he saw. Bottom bunk, closest to the door, the easiest way he'd be able to leave the long room of bunk beds.

The others hurried in after him, some laughing, others cursing jokingly at Cross having noticed the test first.

The test.

Of course it'd been a test. A test to see if they'd recognize Ccino as an authority figure. A test to see if they took the warning seriously. Cross just listened to the superior officer. And... put himself in the limelight of excelling new recruits.

If there was one good thing, though it was mortifying, the others didn't seem to notice what it was. They were too busy teasing Cross for the grape blush that enveloped his face the moment he sat to think it over. The others assumed he'd just slipped up. Listened to the prettiest person in the room.

Once again, Cross wondered how they'd made it through training. Though, it was good they just thought he was a stupid lover boy. Better than them realizing he was following orders on instinct.

It'd been a hard sell, getting to sleep, but he'd managed somehow.

.

The morning was much easier than the night prior. He woke up before the sun, before a lot of the others even showed signs of stirring. It was good he got up so early, sneaking off probably wouldn't be much of an issue.

Tomorrow, then. He'd do his sneaking tomorrow, after he got a lay of the land today. From what they'd been told, he'd be supervised today. Everyone would. It was different from what the Prince had told him, but it didn't matter. Policies could change, and Cross knew better than to disobey new policies.

The castle inside felt like a maze yesterday, he'd hopefully have routes inside, so he'd be able to memorize at least a few escapes. Orient himself. Worst case he could break a window.

He didn't want to leave any trace, though. The best scenario, as Dream had explained it, was that he'd get in, get the information, and get out. A week, maybe a week and a half tops. Cross wanted to spend as little time here as possible. He didn't want to fall into whatever mind-control he'd been warned of. He didn't want to run into the Knights. He certainly didn't want to see Dream's twin.

Though, he was curious. What he looked like. If he could see the sibling resemblance between the Prince and his supposedly brainwashed ruler of a sibling. It was honestly none of his business. If the King never saw his face, that would be all the better. He shouldn't know Cross was ever here at all.

The thoughts swirled in hid head as he stared at the bottom of the cot above his. Wood slats, the whole thing was sturdy wood, with decent mattresses and blankets and pillows resting on its support. It didn't creak at all, which was good. And surprising. Everything in the castle seemed so nice.

Mm, must've been a thing for the people here. Serve the 'gods' and live in luxury. It certainly seemed that was how the Prince's camp had run as well.

Cross couldn't be sure how long he was awake, examining the room and sitting still, but the sun managed to rise into the sky by the time he'd heard the slamming knock on the door to the barracks.

It was easy for him. When the Captain swung the door wide open and announced, in a hardy shout, that they were to be in the hall in 5? Cross rolled out of bed the moment the door closed again.

It pained him to move so slowly. He couldn't be the first one out again. Couldn't be the first one dressed. He didn't know why it took so long for the others to change to their uniforms and rub the sleep from their eyes. Monsters and humans alike! They hustled, some of them, and Cross was grateful a cat monster seemed to gather herself more readily than the others. An orange striped cat, her nose and the tip of her tail a stark white. Cross only noticed her when she rushed for the door, and he let himself trail her a moment later.

Thinking back, she'd been at the back of the group yesterday, joking with some of the others. Cross wondered what the energy change was all about.

He didn't get time to worry about it, though. The hall outside the barracks was busier than it had been last night, and Cross found himself facing, not only the Captain, but also several guards. They each seemed to be in full uniform, different than Cross' or the cat's which marked them as trainees. They seemed stoic before their captain, and Cross almost felt a moment if relief. Maybe this was a decent show of artillery?

No, wait, strong soldiers would be bad for the Prince. He'd have to get through these guys.

He shook away the thought, listening in as he stood awkwardly in the hall, another recruit lumbering out to stand where he'd joined the cat already.

The Captain looked them over, before nodding.

"Harper, you're with Jenna." The Captain ordered, pointing from the cat before gesturing towards one of the guard directly behind him.

Cross tried not to let his eyelights give away his observance as the guard stepped around her captain. She seemed to be a bunny monster, lots of fur and long, floppy ears tied behind her head. She, Jenna, saluted the cat, Harper, and Harper saluted in return.

"Listen to what your mentor tells you, got it?" The Captain asked, and Cross saw a few others exiting as he said this.

Those who started moving down the hall, and the Capatin looked to Cross. It was a kick glance, one look-over, before he turned and looked over his shoulder.

"Z, you're with Shep." And a gesture guided Cross towards whoever his mentor for the day would be.

From nearly the back of the crowd, snaked a dog monster. Black and white, short-trimmed fur. His eyes were brown and intense, and after a moment Cross realized this guard was shorter than him. He didn't like that when Shep saluted, he had to peer down to salute back.

He hardly even registered that they were already moving off, not unlike the two before them had done, until he'd taken a few steps to follow this small royal guard.

"So, you're Z?" Shep asked him as they stopped a few halls away. This one was largely barren aside from a few servants. Along each wall hung a huge tapestry, woven out of heavy threads and hung by a long piece of metal along the top edge.

"Yes, sir." Cross responded shortly. Not giving himself a moment to stammer.

Shep looked at his quizzically, before he leaned forward and sniffed. Actually just sniffed at Cross. It was still a few inches away, they didn't make contact, but suddenly he worried he was stinky. He's bathed before hopping on the cart, and he hadn't been exercising much, surely-

"Ah, you're not from this Kingdom! Not originally, at least." Shep said then, leaning away just as quickly as he'd gotten close.

Cross blinked, and he was sure his skull didn't hide his shock as well as he'd hoped. "I can smell the pollen on you, newbie. We don't have those kinda plants in this kingdom." He explained, and Cross internally cursed himself. Would he have to run? Would he have to-

"You know, I'm not from this kingdom either, I was born to the west." Shep admitted then, easily, using a paw to gesture loosely at the space between them, "I bet we'll get along just fine, newbie. C'mon. I'll show you around your route."

Cross didn't even get a spare second to defend himself, or puzzle at why a foreign monster would choose to come here. Shep was already on his way, back turned and hurrying down the hall at a brisk pace.

"As far as I know You're gonna be taking over my old route, inner portion of the castle." Cross listened, but orders were his second nature. As they walked, he eyed the tapestries hung along the wall. Long and intense, and yet, there was a moment where Cross could see the colors were more faded and worn.

"You'll mostly just be patrolling, watching out for anything out of the ordinary, waiting to see if you're needed for any specific duties." The images showed monsters, humans, monsters again. Depictions of complex circles and red splashes dripping from weapons and hands. And he noticed a trend, eventually. These must've been the previous rulers. The past Kings.

"Your patrols will be alone, the rooms in the hall aren't too important, and it's mostly servants that pass through that way." Cross almost lost his rhythm as they drew to the end of the tapestry, though the hall kept moving. There on the tapestry was a depiction of two little skeletons, one which seemed strikingly similar to Prince Dream, even in his adulthood. Beyond, the tapestry simply stopped. It was odd that King Nightmare hadn't bothered to get it finished with his own visage. Maybe his puppetmaster was waiting to put himself there instead?

"Still important, anyways. The servants halls are the easiest ways in and out of the castle, so we can't slack off." They turned a corner, and Cross pried his eyes away from the tapestry and back before him.

They passed a few more halls, before Shep stopped dead in his tracks, and Cross reacted quickly, spotting the way he peaked around the next corner.

Across the way, Cross spotted that they'd run into another pair who had also stopped. Only when Shep saluted did Cross think to follow his lead.

From the hall he couldn't see, emerged a figure.

Cross kept his eyelights to the ground, but the steps, the shoes, the heavy cape, and especially the dark and slimey tendrils which snaked along in his wake? That was the King. The one Dream had been so particular about not running into at all.

Two sets of feet followed him. Closely. He didn't have to look up to recognize that they must've been Knights. The easy weight of their steps, how close they stuck behind the king, the weight of the one's magic? Surely. He didn't risk a glance until after Shep lifted his head again. Cross only caught a glimpse of a tiger mask turning another corner before the three figures were gone.

In the tense silence, Cross swore he could hear his soul beating. He wasn't sure if it was fear, or indignance, or something else, but he knew being so close to the King had not made him feel good. Dream had been right, something about that guy was wrong.

Shep glanced around, and his ear twitched, watching down the hall where they'd left to.

The group across from them was already moving, towards the hall Cross had just cone from.

"You know, you kids are lucky Newbie." Shep voiced then, eying up the human rookie who was passing by. "When I first joined the guard, the King cut my tail off to prove my loyalty."

He said it so easily that Cross was speechless. What did he mean? Was. His tail was docked, but...

"What?!" The panicked whisper came from the passing humans who had obviously been eavesdropping. He expressed the concern coating Cross's soul and freezing him in place.

"Yep. I heard he used it as a cat toy for the strays." Shep confirmed loosely.

"Shep." Came the snap of his name from the other trained guard, though they didn't move to deny his claim.

Cross hadn't heard anything about that from Dream. Of course, he also hadn't heard about this introduction process either. He was flying blindly here, and suddenly he feared for his limbs.

Shep simply shrugged and kept moving forward. Cross wanted, badly, to excuse himself right this moment and go back and claim he couldn't do it. But he was here now, and he had a Prince to help. And a whole lot of people relying on him to prevent more tragedies.

The training wasn't hard. Shep stood with him, made small-talk, told him all the tricks to ensure he knew when someone would switch off with him, and then they had lunch.

He hated to admit it, but the food was delicious. He hadn't had something so filling in... maybe ever. He couldn't put his finger on it, not quite, but for monster food, it felt solid. Warmer. He felt less hungry after, and a part of him wondered if that was how they did it. The mind control. Was it the food?

But, no, surely not. He was still set on his mission when he went right back to his rounds. The food was just... strangely good.

The rest of the rounds were easy. Simple. And there was at least an hour after where Shep willingly guided him through the rest of the building. At least, anywhere he could.

Cross noticed, once, that Shep broke a rule. He ducked into the kitchen. Returned to a surprised Cross with two pieces of bread and handed one to Cross before tearing into his own. Apparently, from what Shep said, the main kitchen wasn't off-limits. Not really. Just the private one.

He didn't ask about the difference, he wouldn't need to know, after all. He doubted plans of attack were stached in the cupboards of a pantry.

And just as swiftly as it had begun, it ended. Shep said he'd be around the training grounds tomorrow if Cross needed him, and released him to dinner. After Dinner, Cross went back to the barracks.

Many of the rookies were talking all about their routes, others complaining that they had gotten cleaning duties for being the last out of the barracks that morning. They'd start training tomorrow. Cross tried not to contribute much, but he liked listening in. Understanding more about the place. The people.

It sounded like the King had crossed quite a few of their paths as well, and they didn't seem happy about it. Discussing in hushed tones how weird the King was compared to the last. Dark, secretive, hardly even a ruler. Cruel. He heard the human from before shamelessly telling Shep's tail misfortune to the gathered group, who all seemed to be riled up by it, exchanging other horrible speculations.

He needed to get this information. He just... he couldn't do anything until the others were asleep. So. Morning it would be.

.

Cross was a coward.

He knew as much, deep down somewhere, but as he woke up early again, he thought through his plan. He didn't know where he'd find any of this information he needed, he didn't know anything beyond his own route. He didn't even know what he'd be finding. He'd know when he found it, he was sure, but the last thing he wanted to do was get caught

He should've excused himself during dinner to go search around, or chosen a buddy to go wandering with. Shep had told him some things, he knew the room where the Knights trained was the indoor room, and he knew some areas no one went to. He knew the hall where the Knights and King stayed, Cross found it interesting they all stayed nearby, and he'd promised himself he'd avoid the space like the plague. He knew so much, and so little, all at once.

And he waited, thinking, so long that he... he just got up as the others did. Moved to his station to rotate shifts with the night guards. He just... did his duties again.

Well, they weren't his duties. He had no obligation to be here, not really. But the Prince had told him a week. A week and a half. That would make the most sense for an in and out. So, he wanted to respect that. And he had orders now to act out. Surely if he slacked off it'd be noticed, right? Yeah. He'd just slip away before dinner and say he went to train a bit more. Peak into some doorways. No biggy. Surely.

He worried about what he'd do to pick up a slack he hadn't even lost, all day. All through his rounds. If he showed it, his replacement at his last post said nothing, and waved him off.

Cross wanted so desperately to go searching. But. Before he could pass by the hall which would lead to the mess hall for the servants and guard? He glimpsed them from down the adjoining hall.

Two of the Knights.

One with a hood obscuring his face, casting a heavy shadow over everything, his eyelights a dull white. Though he didn't see a mask at first glance, Cross had to make some assumptions based on the one beside him that they were both Knights.

The other had on leather training armor, and a tiger's mask, red ribbons hanging from it, swaying with weight. He could see the skeleton's grin peaking from beneath the mask, and noticed how the tiger draped an arm over the other and laughed.

Cross didn't even give them a second to notice him, swiftly stepping out of the corridor and towards the dining halls after all. He didn't want to get in the way. He didn't want to be on their radar.

He needed to know when they trained. When they'd all be occupied so he wouldn't have to worry about them catching him off-guard.

Off guard. Ink would be having a hayday with that one if he'd made that joke back at camp.

Cross just kept moving forward, ducking into the dining space before the Knights even reached that hall.

.

Three days. It took him 6 whole days to learn more. To learn where the information might be. To learn where the Knights usually were at any given time. To learn how to navigate the place better. To not worry about getting caught.

He'd gone back to Shep one day, to test if he'd be told to go off the dinner or if he'd be sought out. He was not, so he had his proof that no one cared so long as he was doing his rounds.

He'd sat and talked. Asked about the Knights. (Shep had little to say that Cross didn't already know). Asked about training. (Shep said he was always out here now, running routines.) Asked about the king.

And Shep was interested about him asking on the King. Cross almost fumbled, but said he'd heard a lot of rumors. Shep had been here a while. What was true?

And Shep told him stories. In a low voice. Of the King breaking spines, of throwing objects with his tendrils, of sentencing folks to death over minor transgressions. Of his ruthless rule and cruel first. How he brought in servants and guards by force. Ripping them from their homes. How the king would declare traitors and have them hung.

Eventually, Cross asked him to stop. He'd heard enough.

Some of those things he'd heard from Dream, or the folks back at that encampment. Others were new. Insider information. Things he'd never dreamed of.

It was informational, and Cross decided that he'd keep learning more, until he was sure he had the perfect moment to strike.

.

He wasn't the smartest, okay?

Cross had done his rounds, and the moment he was done, he scurried off towards his destination.

He paid no mind to servants or guards, and used a servant's hall to arrive in the location he needed. The hall where the King's Study was located.

Yesterday he'd investigated the war room. Entering and closing the doors behind him, the room had been a mess of papers and figures and notes. The maps of each neighboring kingdom alone were strewn on walls, like the ravings of a mad-man. None of them had plans of attack, though. The light from his eyelights had been enough to illuminate each one as he approached. Every single one was a new defensive plan. Ways to deploy troops if they were attacked. Not one seemed unprovoked which was... strange.

Cross was almost unable to find any sign of the King's next route of action for his destructive feats, so he was resigned to search the study tomorrow. His only solace was that exiting the War Room had only been met with a servant a ways down the hall, and a cat pacing by, paying him no mind.

The cats in this place were many. Cross had never seen so many cats in one place, and when he'd asked at dinner, it seemed that everyone thought they belonged to the Head of House, Ccino.

It would make sense, Cross had seen the embroidery along his apron, plenty of paws and cat-like figures along the hemlines, between the branch and tree motif the entire building seemed set on holding tight to. But, it amazed him that there would be so many, allowed to run free. The King must've been very lenient with his Head of House, to allow so many creatures free-roam.

...then again, the Knights wore masks decorated with Big Cats. Cross had finally caught a glimpse of the Lion, out on the lawn while he was talking to Shep. He carried an Axe twice the size of Cross' torso, and he seemed to wield it with hardly any problem. Cross just hoped the little beasts weren't being sacrificed. He'd heard about the barbaric practices from Ink once when he had his head on straight. He hadn't had the guts to bring it up to the Prince. Or Shep. Fearing the answer.

And so, now, he moved for the study. When he knew no one would be around, when no one would see him or bother him. He could dig through the information, tuck it away in his ribcage, and get out of dodge.

It was mid-day. Apparently the Knights tended to have training about now, and the King always supervised. So the forbidden hall, as the others called it, was dead and silent.

It wasn't hard to determine which door was the study, the door was carved carefully with a beautiful tree, and the handle was a shining gold, as though it got less use than the other rooms. He tested the handle, it moved, and he slipped inside.

Of course it wouldn't be locked. Who would have the guts to go snooping around in the private spaces of murderous tyrant kings? Well. Cross would, but that was besides the point.

The inside was lit by a few stray candles, and Cross tried not to marvel at the luxury of the room. Everything was carved out of dark wood, with golden fabric lacing the cushions of lounge seats and the curtains which covered the windows. It was darker, used, but still gorgeous. The daylight filtered in through an open window, giving it a warm ambience. Cross didn't know how a room used by such an unpleasant man would be so calm and soft.

There was a case along one wall, large and long. Hung inside were masks of all different shapes and styles. Some were decorated with swirls and gems, but most resembled animals. A crane, a swan, a horse, a sheep, a hawk, a wolf, they all stared out at him with blank, empty, sockets. He wondered if these were used or not, but they seemed untouched.

And beside that case, in the far corner, sat a heavy desk, with bookshelves filled to the brim tucked just behind it.

The desk was heavy, and it looked to be covered with papers, letter drafts, just a quick glance over the contents told Cross this was just what he needed.

He stood behind the desk, unable to stop himself from lifting the papers up into his hands. From here he could see the door, as well. He'd know if someone was coming.

The first paper he looked at seemed to be the draft of a letter, addressed to someone by the name of Crop. The handwriting was beautiful, and Cross was lucky Ink knew how to write in so many dialects, or he'd have trouble deciphering exactly what this was saying. The cursive was precise. And... it seemed a half-finished letter asking about plants. The state of a harvest? No, that's strange.

Cross lifted the few pages which had been tucked beneath the first, confused. These ones seemed to be written in a much more unsure writing, but they held what he could only call sketches. Showing clouds and plants and... fields? Cross wasn't familiar with farming, but he could recognize a field anywhere. The paper had a few words underlined and circled, and they seemed to be later additions, added overtop by someone else. The words seemed to be mentioned again in the letter draft? It was completely innocuous. If this was the King's letter, he was just asking about the wellbeing of a farmer's harvest. Asking about improvements.

He moved them hastily into a stack and set them aside, reaching for the next haphazard bundle of paper. That couldn't have been right.

The next piece he scooped up was in that same pretty cursive, but this time it wasn't a letter. Instead it was some sort of list. Locations, some crossed off, and some untouched. Was this what he was searching for? Surely this was it.

He moved to grab the next page that had been beneath it. It held more context, it seemed. Notes scribbled down about how these towns needed changes. Action. Cross looked to the first crossed-off name, one he recognized from one of the woman at Dream's encampment.

The paper read of a faulty justice system, a lawman who needed to be checked up on for counts of bribery and false accusations. She'd said the Knight, the tiger, had arrived and asked for their head of city guard, the one who enforced rules and kept peace in their small village. Two days later he was killed, replaced by someone the King installed, and he started jailing innocent folks.

Cross looked to the next one, a pass where travel had been haunted by the royal guard. He'd been told they'd done it to halt people from mining in the area, a crop of wealth the King wanted to hoard. But this said that it was a mountain pass with frequent and dangerous rocks lines thanks to a sudden increase in storms since his rule. Notes reminding of supplies, and pay, and signs. Signs.

The next was not crossed off. An issue of bandits ransacked the town when people would enter or exit. Notes in messier scrawl seemed to pose solutions. Ideas. One that was circled said 'Send Horror, Autumn'. It was nearing the end of summer now.

This did seem to be the list that Dream had suggested existed, my twin is organized, he'll have a list with extensive notes, but he'd said nothing about the way the list wouldn't actually contain anything incriminating.

He skimmed again, but it seemed like nothing harmful. One lower down even acknowledged a damage caused during some sort of raid and to divert funds to someone. A random shopkeep in an outer city. This didn't add up at all.

He folded the paper silently and stuffed it into his armor, but kept looking. No doubt there would be something else. One of the lower pieces, something hidden away.

But the papers atop the desk seemed just as helpful in nature. Even ones like drafted decrees or laws to impose later were not unreasonable. One even seemed to propose a ban on child labor. What kind of tyrant would pass up a chance for easy workers?

Digging through the drawers revealed nothing more, just an impressive collection of quills, ink, and more books it seemed didn't fit on the shelves behind him. He wouldn't find anything more useful than these documents, he was sure. He... he just hoped the Prince would be able to see whatever evil Cross was obviously missing here. He scooped up another piece, one of the decrees, and then the letter draft to that Crop. Maybe they could speak to him? No, the planning was up to Dream. He was just here to get the information and go.

And now that he had it...

Cross sighed a bit, he couldn't understand why these were the things in here. In this innermost sanctum where only the trusted went. Everyone feared this King so much, Dream claimed he and his master were such a threat. And yet all Cross could find was a record of damages, and a plan to enact damage control. It...

"Having some trouble finding the dirt?"

Cross felt his entire soul freeze up as the voice cut through the silent room. It was quiet, and deep, and a bit gravelly. He didn't recognize it, but that didn't matter, because he knew he had been alone.

Almost all at once, a wave of presence crashed over his awareness. That damp static that had passed by once in the hall. Trailing the King. He didn't have to look up to know it was one of the Knights somewhere before him.

"Our King isn't usually one to make a mess." The voice said again, calmly.

Cross dragged his eyelights up, hands tentatively hovering at his sides. There, sat comfortably on one of the chairs, was the hooded one. Dust, Shep had told him.

Now, despite the shadow cast by his hood, Cross could see the faint details of his panther mask, black and hidden away in the darkness of his cover. He seemed entirely at-ease, not a care in the world, watching Cross. If his soul hadn't been sinking into his gut, Cross would've even thought Dust found the situation humorous.

He steeled himself, watching. Could he try and bluff his way out of this? Somehow? How long had Dust been there? How much had he seen?

"Any chance you'd believe I was looking for a good book?" Cross asked, though the bold humor he'd attempted to channel in the way Ink had done so many times before fell flat. Maybe his growing panic was clouding his mind, or maybe he'd never been much of a comedian.

Dust just stared at him, tilting his head a bit. By the way his eyelights changed shape, Cross imagined his sockets had drooped to give an unamused stare. Not a great sign.

"Are you going to try and run, or can I catch a break today?" Dust just asked across the room.

Mm. Cross didn't have much of a choice here anymore. Dream had told him, drilled it into his skull, not to get caught. Especially not by the Knights. They'd torture him. Kill him. The stories of what they did to traitors... Cross couldn't let this knight get hold of him. Couldn't be trapped. He had to get out of here.

He promised Ink he'd be back.

With that thought, his sword summoned to his hand in a flash. It was big, and bulky, and not the best for an indoor fight, but he'd make due. He just needed to get away from this guy. That was all.

His summons was clearly a declaration of intent, because he heard Dust scoff over the rush of adrenaline running through him and roaring through his ears. All at once, the electric charge in the room seemed to up itself. Bones, blue, cracked downwards from the rafters and planted themselves sturdy before the door and the window. His two possible exits. Dust stood up and stretched his arms before him.

"Alright, let's get this over with." Dust voiced, then.

Cross nearly let his guard down in the first moment. He felt a charge of energy coming from his side, and narrowly vaulted over the desk to avoid the spiked and jagged bones which rose where his feet had just been planted.

Momentum carried him now, and his sword was already poised for attack before his mind quick processed it. He slashed at Dust, growing rapidly closer. Hid swing was met with pure white bones that stopped his swing, just enough for Dust to avoid the hit with a split second to spare.

He was quiet, as they fought. As Cross lunged and spun and threw himself forward with grunts of exertion. It was unsettling, how the only noises were the cracks of his magic ripping into existence or Cross's sword cracking them to pieces like a lumberjack's axe.

He kept his attention on Dust. The magic had a pattern. The room was buzzing ambiently, and right before an attack it was like being too close to a fire. Just briefly. Cross barely managed to avoid spearing his ankle thanks to the crackle. He wished he could be a bit faster, though. Cross couldn't feel where an attack was aiming like he normally could. Dust gave no indications as to where an attack would be channeling either, almost like he wasn't controlling them at all. He didn't like it, it was unpredictable, and was wearing him down fast.

Dust kept dodging his swings, no matter how fast he moved, and eventually Cross stumbled. His shoulder connected with one of the random jutting bones. Dust stepped back just before it pierced upwards, and Cross grunted in distress as it drove him back a step as to not get impaled.

That was apparently his mistake. The moment he wasn't close to Dust, bones seemed to crop up all around him, gutting at different angles, just barely piercing the bone, little cracks forming with the force. Cross could feel each one jab a bit deeper than the last. Each time he reversed to get away from one or break away an incoming volley, another would arrive behind him at a new angle.

He hated that Dust stood back. Watched. The only sign that he had even broken a sweat was a slight heaviness to the up and down of his shoulders, and while Cross hadn't lost much HP yet, he was starting to feel the exhaustion creep closer, and each little wound and crack seemed to be draining him. Was this the strategy? Play with him like a living pin-cushion? Was this it's own sort of-

Cross shifted his stance and unsummoned his weapon as he jumped up and out of the quickly growing ring of spikes. He had to act fast. He had to get out of here.

He grumbled a bit under his breath, he didn't like trying to do this, but...

The moment his feet landed, Cross summoned up his other piece of magic. The part his father had embedded into his soul early on in his life which made him so powerful. He was sure his normally white eyelight changed shape in the split second it happened. Red, bright red.

It only took a moment, a tug at the very being, hidden away in the Knight's chest. For a split second, he could feel the control of foreign magic slip into his own hands.

For a moment, it worked just as he knew it would. His fist trembled under the effort, keeping an eye on Dust as the other seemed to stare at him. The bones he'd summoned all seemed to sink away at once, recalled faster than Cross could've hoped. Dust seemed to feel his magic stop responding to him.

Cross just needed to get the Knight downed. Not dead. He just needed out.

He shifted stiffly. One, concentrated blast of bones at the Knight. He seemed like he didn't want to risk taking any damage. That was all Cross needed then. Some damage. And he'd be free to escape back to the camp. Away from these weird monsters with their weird magic.

He let his palm open, directing the force like he'd done so many times, channeling another monster's magic against them. Controlling it against their will.

The feeling of electricity rose again. It spiked. It. It gathered in his hand, that burning feeling he felt when an attack had been about to hit him.

What?

It was too late to recall the intent once he'd released it. The moment he tried to command the magic, he felt it all roll back over him. Bones meant to be aimed at their owner came jolting straight at his front. And though he stumbled back, he couldn't escape the searing pain of a fire too hot to process escaping his bones and immediately rushing up his arm, into his chest, down to his feet.

He had to imagine, with the loud sound like a cracking whip, that that was what being struck by lightning felt like. Molten metal in your veins.

Cross laid sprawled, dazed, on the floor as his control magic puttered out. It hurt to breathe. To see. To exit. He was half-convinced his arm was completely splintered apart after the pulse of raw magic that had filtered through it, but he didn't bother to look.

His soul begged him to move, to get up and run again, but darkness danced in his vision as he stared up at the ceiling. He failed his mission.

He hated to see as the Knight rounded into view, standing cautiously over where he was laid. Floored by the backfire of his power. If the knight said anything, he couldn't hear over the loud ringing invading his head.

Though, instead of stabbing him through like Cross had expected, the knight seemed to duck down. A cool feeling encased Cross' wrists (so the other hadn't broken apart) and his soul suddenly felt exhausted. He felt exhausted.

No matter how much he wanted to stay awake, to escape, he lost this fight fair and square.

[help-im-a-gay-fish]

Okay I had to do some stuff, but here I am rambling about relationship between Killer and Nightmare in Colours of LOVE.

Some of this I might mention before some of it might be your and Jann or Yuri ideas... Anyway!! The way I see that:

Even though this is soulmate au Nightmare and Killer aren't perfect fit for eachother. They are perfect fit in threesome - Ccino softens rough edges of both of them, and changes their attention from being mad on eachother to carrying about Ccino together (especially at first when he is really depressed). But before that... It was hard.

Killer is really open about everything he thinks and feels. If he founds someone who is attractive he will flirt. Even when he is already dating Nightmare. And also he always shows his affection to Nightmare everywhere, in public too. That's cute and sweet, but Nightmare is really closed person so that makes him really uncomfortable. Night often got jealous with Killer flirting with anyone else, got embarrassed with his kisses and all on public, and in general is a bit annoyed with Killer's actions. Killer on the other hand doesn't really understand why Nightmare is so "tensed" (he is not, Night is just much more calm, but Killer don't get it).

They were braking up and coming back again a few times, because they had argued a lot about everything and got tired of this. Right now they are on their "best days" - they started to date again a few weeks ago and right now they are through some stuff, they understand eachother better, and pretty chill about eachother weird actions. Like in the second page Night is a bit flustered by Killer's kiss but he almost used to that. Same as he is worried about being late, since Killer is almost always late, but he is more or less fine by that. On next page (which you haven't seen yet), there are an interesting dialog between them, and I will definitely write some of "subtext" about it when I will post it.

Actually if they haven't met Ccino they would break up again after a few months. And maybe come back again after a week.

Also! Interesting thing about third soulmate: at the beginning of the comic (before Nigh met Ccino) Killer is 100% sure that they have third soulmate, but Nightmare is sure for about 60%. Killer is existed about that, he knew knew that he is polyamorious for a long time, but Nightmare hesitates a lot, because he can't really imagine himself in polyam relationship. It feels weird and also he is soooooo jealous about Killer paying any attention to anyone except him, that he worries to become "third wheel". Will it be different with Ccino?? Who knows (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.)

Hi kotikaleo!!! This was super fun to read.

Firstly I'm going to tag @zu-is-here since she started the studio verse

It's definitely an interesting insight to your comic and the characters!

It reminds me a lot of an early version of my own ideas about the studio verse nightkiller relationship! And I can definitely see the way we have bounced headcannons of each other paying off.

Them still dealing with a softer kind of lovehate dynamic is an interesting one. It doesn't seem to be as extreme as my version, but it's interesting that it's still there.

The fact that they are meant to work as a 3 makes sense as well. If they are supposed to be bounded as a 3 it makes sense that three they their relationship would be unstable. They don't work as a two, but they are soul mates and something would always pull the two of them together.

I'm also curious, since Nightmare isn't 100% sure that the lack of colour is due to them being soul mated to another person. I wonder if he ever felt like the universe got it wrong? And that he'd been mated to the wrong person? Or perhaps he felt it meant that him and Killer don't have soul mates and that's why they have some connections.

It sad boy.

Also if Killer knows he's poly by nature, is that something that causes disagreements with the 2 of them?

And now for mine and @jann-the-bean version.

This story has been something that we mostly developed in tumbler DMs but both me and Jan wrote a story about it. Jan wrote

KillerNight(s)

And I'm writing

Round and round till we all fall down

Nightmare and Killer's relationship started off baddddd, it basically started as a mutual dislike for one another. This is due to their conflicting personalities and morals.

Nightmare was originally quite excited to meet Killer, as he'd heard a lot about the actor. But almost straight away he found Killer to be rude, childish and irritating. Killer found Nightmare to be stuck up, snobbish and entitled.

The two first met at an awards ceremony and got into a yelling match after a few drinks and were separated. From there their dislike for one another was made quite well known to the public because of a social media battle back and forth.

This only went on for a few months however, as the characters of 'Killer' and 'Nightmare' were cast to play together.

Nightmare and Killer agreed to be civil in order to function while working and get the filming completed as soon as possible.

As they worked together, their dislike turned into a playful banter and respect for one another. And then something else shifted.

Now Killer has a reputation for being a player and one who likes to sleep around, as you said, he's open about his interest in people when he has it and enjoys casually flirting with just about anyone.

Which came to include Nightmare.

Nightmare paid no mind to it really, though he couldn't understand why it embarrassed him so much.

Killer comes to find Nightmare to be very attractive and enjoys his reactions when teased, he rights him off though because he was under the impression that Nightmare was straight, and he'd never try to change that.

It was a day when they were talking about Killer's eyes and how it's caused him to struggle, that Nightmare tells him that he thinks his eyes are very pretty and that they are an attractive quality, and something in Killer breaks and he kisses him.

So Killer feels like he messed up and the two avoid each other. But it causes Nightmare to start questioning things about himself.

Nightmare at this point had only every dated women. He assumed that he was straight. But after that kiss a lot of buried feelings are dragged to the surface and exposed, and he realises that he's also attracted to men.

So Jan goes into full details about this, in the fic Killernights, but basically Nightmare confronts Killer about the kiss and Killer tells him he 'has a thing for him'

The two go back to Killer's flat to talk, but their normal banter, leads to flirting and then another kiss. And Nightmare who is curious and suddenly craving new sensations becomes lost to him. Killer who finds Nightmare physically very attractive, also gets wrapped up and the two of them sleep together.

Nowwww this is getting long so I'll try to shorten it down a bit.

Basically, it's an amazing night. It's passionate, enjoyable and a lot of fun for both of them. Upon finding out Night has never been with a man, Killer guides him carefully though the process.

After that night the two can't stop thinking about each other, even though they both planned for it to be a one time thing. Again, they avoided each other until talking after a while.

And killer admits his desires for the other, and offers Nightmare a safe environment to experiment with his sexuality, where he won't be judged.

To cut a long story short, this spirals into a passionate and carnal, on and off booty call/fling with each other that spans for years.

Other that time they grow very close with each other, and come to recognise the similarities that they share, and have soft moments of just enjoying being together with one another.

For Killer, Nightmare is the first person to ever tell him he had beautiful eyes and mean it. The first person who wasn't at all put off by them.

To Nightmare, it feels like Killer is the one person that will never pick Dream over him. And he makes him feel wanted and desirable in a way few have before.

However, their are still parts of their relationship that conflict. Of course a healthy relationship will always have some conflicts. But for Killer and Nightmare the conflicts clash and fight with each other.

That along with both of their past traumas, (I wrote about Killer's back story here) means they find it difficult to talk about genuine feelings and what's bothering them. Causing things to bottle up and blow up over time.

They also find it impossible to admit that they actually love each other deeply.

They tried to be in a full on committed relationship once, (which I'm writing about in Round and Round) but it didn't work out for these issues. As well as the fact that Killer is poly by nature, and therefore gets anxious and uncomfortable in a relationship with one person only. Which he won't talk to Night about for the reasons stated above.

Enter Ccino.

Now Ccino is the missing piece for Nightmare and Killer.

He's soft and gentle spoken, which easily helps them calm down when things get heated between them. He also provides a safe and loving space to open up about what things are bothering them.

Nightmare and Killer's also, as you said, spend more energy caring for and sometimes worrying about Ccino, so they have less energy for the constant fighting.

Ccino was the missing piece. He's the person who will cuddle and read books with nightmare, but also the one who's super into affection, which Killer loveesss.

A relationship would never work between just killer and Ccino, since Ccino wouldn't be able to keep up with Killer's libido and killer doesn't know much about Ccino's mental health. And Ccino wouldn't work in a relationship with just Nightmare because Night's colder and more straight forward personality would leave him affection staved after a while.

They just work together! They are basically soul mates in this universe as well!

P. S Nightmare in this universe was also very veryyyyy jealous when Killer showed interest in Ccino. Which is something he took out on Ccino till Killer stopped it. After falling in love with Marshmallow he regrets this a lot.

I'M SO EXCITED FOR MORE. COLOURS OF LOVEEEEE

[spotaus]

Haha! I always appreciate the enthusiasm <3 (*shakes a bonus treat bag* /lh)

-> Yes exactly!!! The guard in Nim's era like. Really really really sucked- Torch luckily was around long enough that Night found him imprisoned/doing work and was like ???? What did they do to you??? He's very anxious and he always appreciates Ccino's presence when they cook together because Ccino is SO willing to accomidate. (Yeee he got all the water bad times :'[)

-> Yep! Cizor is on the wall because she'll defend it passionately and without hesitation! Especially since the internal guard tends to be... nicer we'll say, they need someone up on the walls making sure the more leniant guard don't let people get too close! (She has and will again yell at those across the wall if she thinks they're slacking. Rogers knew just where to put her!) And fr!! Harper's got a bajillion problems already, most of them being Shep! she has no time!!

-> Fleur absolutely specializes in embroidery, Ancha you're a genius!!! He knows so many intricate patterns and the bland portions of his limbs and torso are covered in bright colorful patterns! (aybe he uses himself as an example swatch too when customers ask about his skill lmao-) (And yeah!! Fellow doll!!!)

-> For Rita I really did kinda want to play around with her story a bit more (because Night's intitial reaction to ask to hire her eventually stresses him out when he realizes he could've just had her sent home rather than force her to work for him-) but I think it's a good one specifically because of her age and passions! (Eventually he gets the courage to ask her and she admits this was the best outcome, because now her son knows she's safe, she has a safe place to age, and the guards aren't all that different from the schoolchildren she used to teach!) AND!!! Night is cool like that! He knows that he values his education deeply (no matter how coersive and awful it was-) and when his knights expressed interest in learning/embarrassment at not being educated? Well, it was time for him to put some effort into helping them first, but then outreaching to the rest of his staff! If they want to learn, he'll find a way to help them!

-> Oracle was a last-second addition, but yep! I like to think this was when Nightmare started really really putting effort into designing his child labor laws too haha! Oracle came to him as a late teenager, and Night's solution was one he debated and researched a lot. It's also why he was so ready to offer something similar to Error! Apprenticeships + Studies weren't uncommon, it was just not something Nightmare wanted to do with such an important decision-

-> WHISTLING! Thank you!! I was writing his in a tired stupor and couldn't remember the name for the life of me!!!! Anyways- exactly, Fennec has a goal in mind and by god did he get there! He would 100% fight a 12 y/o no hesitation, and I love that for him.

-> Yeaggg. Normally he's some sort of bartender (as is normal for a Grillby) but Dream doesn't really need one of those, so Hearth made do! And his gambling is something usually really big in his universe (He's the god of Luck/Chance haha!) but here he's just got a bad habit! (I think Dream is salty he lost once so Blue tries to mitigate and make sure hearth doesn't play when Dream's around lol!)

-> Cupid!!! My beloved girl, I'm so glad you like her! She picked up on Dream's weird magic super super quickly and did NOT like the vibes! You're exactly right that observant characters are so fun because they pick up on the things that are going wrong or are dubious and they get to come to their own conclusions! (And yes!! Aro-queen!!! Moment she had an out she was out for real!!!) She absolutely has qualms when Nightmare first arrives and Dream is toting him around (showing him around, but also establishing who he is to everyone else) and Nightmare just looks constantly distressed. Like, that boy is trying to put on a storng face, to look mad or indifferent, but Cupid notices the way his sockets (strikingly similar to Dream's) look stressed and tired, how his mouth twitches into a frown, and the few comments he makes are genuine based on how tense his shoulders are and how he pulls his arms in close to his sides. And when he finally has his outburst, or Cupid is involved with a meeting discussing the knights, like you said she SEES visibly all the signs that Night is uncomfortable and scared and downright heartbroken! (She and Eclipse 1000% meet up and compare notes after a few days of Night's presence and do agree that he was totally kidnapped. Dream is NOT telling them the full truth. (I like to think that they leave the kids with Ichor and Grillby claiming needing a night to relax and hang out (and Ichor and Grillby are chill like that)but in reality it's these two meeting up in the smithing tent's backroom scheming on how to talk to Nightmare directly and find a way out for him before Prince Dream could do anything else. Eclipse was grateful that the knights showed up later because that solution was SO much easier than his and Cupid's plans!)

-> Sam is lowkey tragic :'] I had to do it though haha- Sam was sure Cizor had died and just like you said, she helped because she thought she could help save someone else's Cizor ( have to say, her seeing couples like Eclipse and Ichor and many others thrive in the camp did help her feel a bit better) but just like back in the day with Ccino, Dream doesn't spare Sam a glance! I think that the way that Cizor and Sam reconnect is that, in the aftermath of Dream's capture, Nightmare does eventually send some guard to the camp's location to ensure they disbanded or to help those left behind (it's... a while after of course, he needed a bunch of time to recover- but he's not cruel. If these people needed help and resorted to planning rebellion to solve it, he wants to learn what drove them to that point and what he's missing) and Cizor is one of the party members, just incase anyone gets hostile. In the aftermath, Sam helped keep things organized for those who stayed or had nowhere else to go, and, well, they sure do reunite!

-> eah exactly! Phish is kinda like Ink in the way he shows up then leaves again, and ur so right that Blue and Dream really like his energy and vibes! He rivals Dream in his sunshiney demeanor haha!

New Age thoughts (which will get forgotten if I don't write them down-) regarding side-characters not yet established!

I want to include at least a few more of these guys in the drabbles at some point, but we'll see!

-> Torch: A classic grillby who works in the kitchen of Night's castle! He's not very verbal (which is how he got into hot water back in the day. Not responding to guards questions when asked was basically admitting guilt-) but he's a fantastic cook and helps manage the rest of the kitchen staff somewhere a step below Ccino. He's stoic and quiet, but he isn't able to hide his age or past very well. His hands shake when he tries to lift heavy pots or pans and he refuses to have anything to do with water.

-> Cizor: A fell!undyne who is part of the guard! She was imprisoned in her hometown for picking fights with some shady guys in the black market and was picked up during one of Nightmare's last sweeps of criminals to hire. She's abrasive and aggressive, so she's usually given work along the walls or less populated spaces, but she's just doing her best! (I think she'd try to start a one-suded rivalry with Harper and Harper ignores her about it-)

-> Fleur: The mettaton who works with Lust in his tailor shop! Fleur is constantly picking up any loose ends Lust may have (he worked for the late owner) and is extravagant in his work! Because robots aren't quite. Uh. Designed. In this au? Fleur was made a custom body from unused fabric, so he looks like normal mtt, but he's plush instead! (His feet have rice in the bottom, so his kicks hurt if they land!) He's a diligent worker, but appears to constantly be skipping out on work, treating it as unimportant, and disappearing to go hang out with his friends or party. It's just that he loves his work so dearly that the idea of admitting it makes him physically ill and vulnerable.

-> Rita: A toriel who was hired on by Nightmare to teach lessons to his employees. (Night made it clear that he cared about his people learning. He focused on his knights, but the guard + servants also recieved basic lessons.) She's very kind and older, glasses sitting small on the brim of her nose, but she's got the spirit of a real teacher. Nightmare met her when he was visiting the home of a noble he had grievances with. She was a maid at the time and was struggling to mamage the laundry in her arms, so Nightmare set one of his guard to help her. She thanked him very... verbosely, and after his business he asked about her. When he learned she used to be a schoolteacher, he offered her a position with him instead.

-> Oracle: Rita's son! He's an asriel (loosely based on those deltarune college headcannons) who went off to become a scholar! He kept in tight contact with his mother, and when he learned she'd been hired somewhere new he returned to meet this new employer. When Nightmare met him, Oracle spoke with him for a while, and while Oracle was an excitable young man who held himself with a high self-esteem (similar behavior to Night's old mentors) Night offered him work as well. Oracle decided to stay to do study as well as assist his mother in the teaching. (Oracle was the first 'study' hire he took on, but certainly wasn't the last. Several scholars live in the castle as well.)

-> Fennec: A human! (If I had to be specific, a littletale Frisk would be the closest?) Initially a kid originating from Whispering (is that what I called that kingdom?), they were freed from trade during the dismantling of the black market. They escaped, found a place to live in a neighboring kingdom, but never gave up on returning to help those who had saved them in the first place. Eventually, he manages to get himself into a position that he can apply for an apprenticeship w/ someone who works in the castle, and ends up getting in. Fennec is a tinkerer at heart, their brain coming up with every solution aside from the normal one. Often, if there was a weird weapon, trap door, or a reinforced carriage pre-Error? Pretty good chance it was Fennec's idea. (Error and Fennec stay as far away from eachother as possible one Error arrives. Fennec can get competitive, even if his opponent is 12 (<- Fennec is at least 20). Error is protective of his spot and very prideful. Eventually they come to good terms, because Fennec uses no magic and Error is all magic, so they don't step on eachothers toes.)

-> Hearth: Another oc of mine (Catacombtale) but he's another Grillby. He and his sister (Cupid, a pink fire elemental) work together at Dream's base as sort of blacksmiths. Hearth wants to settle down one day, but after fleeing his kingdom alongside Ichor + his sister, he needs something to start him off. Luckily, he's a good blacksmith and Dream is willing to promise him a noble title if he sticks around. Hearth is a very playful and extroverted type (he used to have 'a guy' for everything). His downfall is a gambling addiction 🙏. It's not actually harmful, he's usually dealer or Winning, but Blue often finds Hearth dealing cards and rolling dice with folks in the grass instead of forging new weapons.

-> Cupid: Sister to grillby (total oc from Catacombtale-) used to be a matchmaker back in her home kingdom, raised to do womanly duties and married to a noble, nothing more and nothing less. However, she is an expert at reading faces (Poker is HELL with her at the table-) and she could correctly diagnose love in monsters abd humans alike. Cupid herself is entirely uninterested in romance, though, so when her brother sent news of his impending treason she followed with little hesitation. Now she works with her brother blacksmithing, but she's nosy and loves reading into others without their consent. She's heard Eclipse speak and seen his discomfort about Dream and backs up his worries. Dream seems to be hiding something, or at least not what he seems.

-> Sam: An Alphys who helps Dream keep the camp operational. Where Night has Ccino, Dream has Sam. She self-appointed as a permanent resident after a black market trade went sour in her home and her girlfriend was kidnapped (Cizor perhaps??? Cizor thinks Sam is dead-) and she was greatly wounded. It was a year later that Dream appeared and started the rebellion, and she decided that he would be her new reason to keep moving. She's very meticulous in planning trade, keeping track of newcomers, allies, suppliers, and deaths/M.I.A. members (that list is... longer than she'd like). Dream doesn't treat her right aside from minimal praise, but she keeps going anyhow. (When the rebellion is over, Sam is hired by Night to be the recorder for official court meetings and discussions.)

-> Phishbone: hello my special son (Papyrus oc!). Phish is actually just a really friendly traveler. He was raised in Sanctuary, but after the passing of his father he decided to branch out and explore new places! Help people! And the place that needed desperate help was Orchard, so there he went! He's been doing humanitarian efforts in town for years (Night would've probably tried to recruit him if people weren't so tight-lipped about his presence tbh) and eventually he found his way to Dream through his traveling parties! Phish is almost constantly away from camp, only ever returning briefly for urgent reports, usually sending news through letter (in an obnoxiously encrypted code, mind you. Luckily he wrote the solutions down for Dream.).