Crossmare Week 2022

Past And Present

Tjis chapter's a little wonky with the pacing and also shorter than the previous one.

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Cross still recalled what his thoughts about the boss used to be. Anger and unjust, was how he thought of it now and perhaps a little ashamed. Whereas his first week with Nightmare had been more of a game to him, nowadays he was taking everything serious regarding the deity's safety.

Back then he'd been uncertain whether to ask his boss for help or stay silent and deal with it himself. Presently he made a list of all the things his boss said 'always' to and if he even had the slightest bit of doubt, he rushed to Nightmare.

Back then he'd stood outside of the door, impatiently waiting for the deity to hurry up. Now, he could afford himself a peek or two without fully scolding himself on the inside.

In the past his body shook with fear when the boss called his name in a demanding tone and now his body shakes with satisfaction. He can't help himself, he is only satisfied when his boss is safe with him in the same room. Always under his guard.

He'd sacrifice his life for the man who'd saved him from a slow and painful death caused by either starvation or the merciless cold of December. He would forever cherish the day his boss provided him with some warm food and in return only asked a second perspective.

His boss hadn't beaten around the bush and Cross immediately knew that someone had to be killed off. The monster had amused him and vice versa. So, when that brilliant mind actually intended to leave, having been served what he asked for, Cross couldn't help himself.

He would go on and on about his strengths, same for his weaknesses, and before Cross could blink, the friendly conversation had turned into a job interview. He'd been asked if he was afraid of blood, good with certain weapons and he'd never forget how some of his answers made the deity smile, laugh even.

A laugh he, nowadays, would kill for.

"How did a charming young man such as you end up on the street?" Was the question that made him, for a split second, think about giving up on the chance he had. He always had a choice, he could just refuse to answer the question.

But he didn't do that and instead leaked his most embarrassing secret, in his opinion, to a stranger he just met. His answer had left the boss with highly raised brows and a smug but charming smile. As surprised as he was at himself for leaking this information, the deity's next comment nearly knocked him off of his seat: "I would have never guessed we shared the same interests."

He really did fall off of his seat at the monster's next comment: "you are hired." A rare laugh added to the noise in the restaurant and Cross just tried to hide his blush. He felt embarrassed at the fact that he'd fallen off of his seat because of a job.

"Follow me, I will lend you an apartment for the night." Was the sentence that left him silent, breathless even. Was it just him or did this tall man look beautiful when the lights were brightly burning behind his back?

Was it perhaps the happiness he felt when his delicate hand offered to help him off of the ground? Or perhaps the smug smile while that same gloved hand dragged him out of the warmth and onto the streets, for some reason insisting on hiring him.

No, it was love. As his future self would know.