#even if that one doens't turn out to be canon i still believe i have the vision though

[hobgirl]

don't take this too seriously bc there are Not enough clues for it and i trust that the show is well-crafted enough that there would be but. maybe coach ben not first intentional sacrifice but antler... king? and if you believe that it really is supernatural that's why there hasn't been a need for a sacrifice until now.

so. coach ben antler imagery -> he fucks off to javi's little den where apparently there is food enough to survive the winter -> javi dies. he's the only one who knows about the den (except maybe other taissa) so nobody else knows where ben is -> ben is presumed dead -> everybody survives until rescue. coach ben doesn't know and is still there -> the woods are satisfied bc they have ben -> present day. ben escapes or is found and rescued -> woods don't have a sacrifice anymore -> woods call the girls back

like i said though i don't actually think this is the case cause i feel like it would have been on the in-universe news if they found another yellowjackets survivor after all this time but it would be interesting

[ancha-aus]

hey hey :D Happy you liked my tiny gift!

Friend. I made it for you :D If you want it to be canon i am honoured *bows* Is it obvious that i adore this au? Because i do :D

I also remember this video where there was like a house cat sneaking into the containment of a lynx. and like snugglign and cleaning the bgiger cat. and by cat language it was obvious the housecat was the boss. Turned out later that the lynx was raised by the housecat from kitten on and it made sense but that is also the energy Ccino has to me.

(on that note. when Ccino met Nightmare in the hall Nightmare's tendrils were all very low and still. kinda like a cat tail being low and submissive. Do with that what you will :D)

yay for getting Night right! You ahve so much going on with Nightmare but. They guy was a teen less than a year ago. It takes so much more than just changing some chemicals in the brain to grow up. And even if you grow older you don't change that much from teenage.

Nightmare has more power and brainpower. but he is still just that terrified and hurt teen on the inside. He hides it well but nightmare is in there.

But yeah. Ccino also plays in the hierachy act very well. BEcause he knows how important it is for nightmare to keep it up when others are near. Ccino knows nightmare doens't see them like that but he also knows tha tnightmare NEEDS the reassurance that the act is alive to make sure he appears strong and in control. So Ccino requests a private meeting. Nightmare knows it is a scolding :( But it is HARD for nightmare to act like king and leader agaisnt Ccino. because Ccino is Ccino. Ccino has always been there. He read bedtime stories to them. He eats midnight snacks with him and mad ehim hot choco when people were mean :( it is real hard for Nightmare to treat Ccino as lesser. it is why he has such a HIGH position in EVERYTHING.

It is why killer clocked them as something more going on. BEcause it is very weird. nightmare is hostile/unsure of everyone. but relaxes near ccino? Speaks his name and speaks to him directly? Turns his back on ccino wihtout a second of doubt? Killer may not know what is going on. but he sees soemthing is up. so he made a comment.

And Nightmare reacted VERY aggressively. Probably the first time killer ever saw all four of those tendrils sharpen and aim directly at him. Ready to strike for what he said.

And then Nightmare distracts him with mentioning they will be training. and Killer realises he will actually have to do work?! He can't just whisper stuff like the daydream of evil advisor he had been planning on?! What the hell?! tHen killer starts thining and realises all the stuff you said. because it makes SENSE the king himself oversees the training of a special guard. Killer curses himself and is already planning on leaving soon... but... maybe just a bit longer to figure out what is up wiht nightmare.

(because as you said. nightmare seemed amused and almost content when killer made remarks or slight jokes about him. but the rage when ccino was mentioned?)

((I can almost see killer one day when he is closer to nightmare seeing it once. the forbidden moment. When nightmare is stuck in paranoia. seeing villians and enemies anywhere. and then ccino just so gently calming him down. talking him through the panic. holding him like a parent holds a child. gentle and sure. reassuring him and humming soft songs and lullabies.)) (((killer realises he misses a lot of information. probably when nightmare is a child again? THe last few things slot in place for killer.)))

and Ccino :D I love him so much in case you didn't notice.

I figured that with how much nightmare trusted ccino? Especially that he trusted ccino enough for the apples to tell him what he learned. Nightmare was a crown prince. and he told this servant all these secrets about this holy ritual. and ccino beleived him. ccino listened and believed him. and then after the apples ccino stayed?

These two had to have astrong bond. otherwise they wouldn't ahve made it through. and ccino who always felt responsible and as a caretaker for nightmare? It doesn't matter nightmare is now larger and stronger and seems older than ccino. because ccino knows nightmare. he can see the way those sockets pinch together with pain. How nightmare will still freeze at certain sounds and movements. Ccino knows nightmare. and he may appear older. but to ccino this is still the little seven year old that one night sneaked into his room because he couldn't sleep because drema had his own room now. The same little babybones ccino would hold close and hum old lullabies his own mother sung to him.

and ccino was used to having to be sneaky about his affection. nightmare was the lesser twin and lesser prince after all. why should the babysitter focus his care and energy on the lesser of the two? Ccino managed. ccino made sure nightmare felt safe. that nightmare knew that ccino would always be a safe space of him.

and it worked. because even in the mids of a paranoia episode. nightmare is just afraid someone will hurt ccino to get to him. becuase nightmare knows ccino will never hurt him.

ccino knows how to help nightmare because he always helped nightmare. sure the feeligns got more extreme but they are still the same at the core. so ccino does what he always does. he is gentle. he makes sure nightmare knows he is safe. that ccino himself is safe. that ccino would never blame him for something others did.

I wanted that to be obvious. gentle touches. in very vulnerable spots (the skull which had gotten hurt. the neck is vulnerable) but nightmare knows ccino is safe.

Then with Dream I just. i wasn't sure if we ever discussed why they would bring in a skeleton to watch them. especially if they wanted the twins to be close. sure they didn't want to watch over nightmare themselves but then why not just have an old babysitter when they were young young and kick them out when to old?

Then i remembered that a lot of royal families totally did slavery, arranged marriages and harem. so. yeah.

it was pretty much meant that after dream got crowned and took the magic. the idea was just to push ccino closer as a "Here you go. he is for you in whatever way you want." there needs to be a next set of twins after all. and it may take a few mates before they hit gold. It makes sense why ccino, who was JUST a babysitter was even near the ritual. Why he was allowed to be close to the twins. Why he was encouraged to always be near them. ccino would have just barely been an adult when the ritual happened. ready to go from babysitter to whatever dream wanted. but then the ritual did not go the way it was planned.

it fits especially because you mentioned before that dream just didn't remember the servants that much. Though maybe... maybe he remembers a bit about ccino. mostly that nightmare liked him. that nightmare felt save with him. so dream having accidentally killed his twin. gotten a power boost. being presented with the one person who tried to protect his twin? in a way? perfect little gift for dream after he got crowned (and the guards/nim wouldn't have even known) sidenote. I think that Ccino totally knew this was his future. He was told very quickly that as soon as dream ascended that ccino would be expected to serve him and swear his loyalty to dream. Ccino knew what everyone implied (some of those council man were not subtle about his hips and figure.)

Then Ccino saw the whole mess with nightmare. nightmare in pain and when he woke up? all he could see was that same preteen who jsut had a night terror. so he went over to him and just held him when others left and ran. Ccino had always known he would remain. but now he wanted to stay for his young charge.

and it had to end with nightmare wanting to gift ccino a mask. it is the highest honour and normally only for royalty. but in nightmare's mind. if ccino doesn't deserve a mask? then no one does. because no one is more worthy than his older brother.

also i really like the idea that cats first are seen as something negative but then as something positive over time. they keep stuff clean of vermin and are very friendly because ccino raises them well. the knights all got a few cats they like to hang out wiht and all the cats love nightmare.

The idea that ccino will just walk through town just doing gorceries and suddenly like fifteen different cats all start bringing him like dead mice as trophies like "look dad! I hunted so good! For you!"

and i am very happy you noticed :3 After all. Cats keep the Rats out of the house :3 It fits for the first one to be Ccino. Ccino who runs a vvvery tight ship as he manages the house. who listens and knows this game. ccino who got ultimate power inside the castle.

You think nightmare fires servants? No. That is all ccino. Ccino is not letting anyone untrustworthy in the castle. or at least not stay for long. He is smart and sniffs them out. and cleans his house of any rats before they can start to nest or make themselves at home.

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.