#I don't think either twin would've ever developed harem-energy (a polycule is another story but those have *very* different tones)

[spotaus]

Hehe >:]

Yeag those tags ended up running WAY long lol!

Uhhh. Killer! I love this scenario bunches, because despite Night being entirely aware that Killer was alive and fine, he probably would've panicked! I imagine it being kinda like this:

Nightmare does his training with Killer, abd by this point Killer is taking it seriously. While Night is by no means trying to kill him, it hurts when a tendril manages to smack into his skull or trip him up, and while it's annoying, it can also be... kinda fun? He's caught Nightmare cracking a smile a few times at the very least. Looking pleased, with himself, sure, but Killer's pretty sure those smiles always showed up before an attack pattern changed. Like he saw Killer getting stronger.

Nightmare from the start had told Killer his objective was to get close, but Killer hadn't had the opportunity to break past his defenses just yet. *Until that day*. When Killer jolted forward, knife raised out of habit, and prepared to slam into the King to get past his stupid training. (If he touched Nightmare, he would get the next week off.) Of course, he did *not* expect the usually pretty mild attacks to sharpen and for one to wrap his arm, squeeze it tight, and chuck him away.

There was a snap, but he landed pretty decently for having been put off-guard. Now *that* had been fun. Exciting. Not the training wheel baby settings. He was ready to go charging back in, but he realized Nightmare had pulled back all of his magic, and his tendrils were doing that twitching thing again. 'Scared, afraid, bad,'. There was a weird look in his eyelight.

Nightnare had been short, a little 'You're hurt. Training is over, go to the healer.' And when Killer tried to laugh off the little fracture, Nightmare had ordered him to leave. Now. So he had.

But it was weird. Killer had *definitely* been hurt worse, and this was the same guy who was willing to watch him hang a month ago? He was pretty tame, sure, but that felt out of character. Unneededly careful. So he got the healing done (the crack really hadn't been that bad) and headed back to try and ask for answers. The training time wasn't even over yet, and Killer had done what the King was looking for?

But when he gets back to the training room, there aren't any guards (there usually are) and the door was slightly ajar. Just enough for him to get a glimpse inside and catch the lil dialogue you had above. Ccino comforting Nightmare, and Nightmare. Well.

Killer knew that grown men didn't usually just, curl up like that. Nightmare, curled up in Ccino's arms, like some sort of kid. Shaking, his tendrils more active, more ferally yelling 'BAD, HURT, NO' but not a single one smacking into Ccino.

Killer had no clue what was going on there, but he knew it was something he shouldn't have seen, and he makes the choice to silently pull the door closed that extra inch. He thinks about it a lot, a LOT, and comes to no solid conclusion. Ccino obviously meant a lot to the King, but the way they interacted was *not* that of secret lovers. Not at all. So he decided he'd be more observant. Because what he saw back there was a vulnerable, hurt, *traumatized*, person. Killer didn't think a normal person would get that freaked out about an attack during training, anyhow, unless they had reason for it.

Then, the next day, Nightmare canceled training, but asked to see him. Checked on his arm wound, and apologized for reacting so harshly. If he had been thinking, then Killer wouldn't have gotten so badly hurt. (And Killer has a very stark realization that, maybe that freak-out was partly the attack, but partly worry for hurting *him* which feels insane.) But he actually plays it off, saying he can take more than that, before admitting the quick reaction-timinh was good. That they should train like that more often. (Queue Killer getting attached to his weirdly emotional King, and deciding he'll play along until he gets bored or dies. He definitely does neither. It also stops being a game.)

Ough- and Ccino!!!

Night would feel so so horrible the moment he found those old documents. I think his blood would run cold and he'd be horrified. (One at the thought that his mother would do that, two at the thought that *Dream* would do that, and three at a much more childish horrible cringe level of imagining Dream being with Ccino in that way because a) his Twin is bad at romance + Ccino is not his type, and b) Ccino deserves better!) And all of these kinda just dog pile him at once until he's an anxious mess... he probably focuses really heavily on that for a while, the kinda episode like in the drabble (asking Ccino about his freedom) happens several more times until Nightmare finally accepts it. (Probably when the Mask is being made, he has a few more attacks in worry of Ccino lying for his sake, but Ccino stomps out those fears quickly.)

And broooo. I know my tags went on about it, but the idea that Ccino wonders whether him stepping in was the right move then? Because, yeah, he had so many pressures and dreads, but in the moment all he knew was that his two charges were at odds, stressed, and one of them (the more flightly and afraid) now had godlike powers. Honestly, he was half convinced he'd be skewered getting between the teens, but it was his job, and it was what he *wanted* to do.

Also the image of Ccino getting between them? All dressed up and meant to be a perfect offering for a newly adult, newly god-like, Dream, getting between them... and facing Dream. Back turned to Nightmare, the one who was the obvious threat in any sane-person's eyes, because he knew that *Dream* was the one who was angry, who had already acted in violence (and fear, but less) and Nightmare was there one who was afraid and preparing to retaliate. In his mind, this was just another case of the twins getting into their rare squabbles. This time, Dream was ultimately the one who didn't try to talk it out. He had to show Nightmare that it was *Dream* who set the bad example first. A lil bit of showing trust and preying to the gods it came across.

But yeah. Just. Wild...

(And as a person who *just* thought of this, I gotta say that if Ccino hadn't gotten in the way there, Night would've definitely given into the Apple's reflex and killed Dream. The unfamiliar magic between them confused the Apple enough for Nightmare to realize what was going on-)

OH I almost forgot Dream w/ his sudden realization- Idk exactly where u were thinking this would go in the timeline (I read the 'with Blue' to imply sometime after the two of them ran away together, but it could *also* be later when they're in the Dungeon or smth-) But a teen Dream, now as old as Ccino was during the ritual, probably sleeping curled up next to Blue (because Blue is warm and it's safer to sleep close, obviously- nothing more-) and he has a weird stress Dream that compiles into Ccino's face and he just sits up. All sweaty and face a huge blush of yellow because "Oh gods noooo." Because it just clicked for him that his mother did *not* mean Ccino would be his as in 'your servant/butler/etc.' And she totally meant mate. Betroathed. Lil side-piece.

And he is just HORRIFIED because he can't fathom it. Not that Ccino wasn't handsome, but that was his babysitter! He was the one who gave him and his twin baths up until they could do it themselves! He fed them as toddlers when mother was too busy! He followed them around when they wanted to get into trouble and told them no! NOT someone he'd ever have feelings for, nor would he even humor the idea of making heirs. (Now it made sense why mother seemed so disappointed when he expressed that he thought the guard members were pretty or handsome (Pan King me-thinks) though.)

And Blue wakes up, because Dream is literally shaking in embarrassment and red hot confusion/frustration, and blearily asks him what's wrong. And. Dream just can't explain it. Blue comforts him anyways, assuming it was a night terror.

And... the haunting idea that Ccino's role for him was given to Night? He can't imagine his twin would do something like that, but he *had* always been Ccino's favorite... and then he spends like 3 nights in a row trying to forget that he even figured that out in the first place. It kicks off the solidification of his twisted perspective on the whole thing.

Gifted Drabble - NewAgeAU - Understanding

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

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

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

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

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

Well. His castle now.

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

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

The weakling. The failure.

No focus.

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

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

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

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

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

"My liege."

Nightmare blinks and looks over.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oh yeah. Nightmare is very much in trouble.

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

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

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

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

Fuck this was a mistake.

What if Killer hurts people here?

What if he hurts Ccino?

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

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

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

Kilelr sputters "We?!"

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

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

He stops by his study and enters it.

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

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

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

Ccino had caught him with a knife out.

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

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

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

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

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

Ccino hums as he waits "And the murderer?"

Nightmare looks at Ccino "how did you know?"

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

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

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

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

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

Where does that leave him?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ccino hums questioning.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He thinks something catlike will fit his older brother.