Loyal Servant (Crossmare) (Rewrite)

That Secret you Keep

A/N, beginning note.
(Just going to note that I'm well aware Dream's original pronouns were he/him, but this universe already strays from fanon, so alas I'll go with a she/her Dream as I quite like that seemingly common headcanon.)

The shadows which basked the room seemed to grow endlessly deeper, blacking in the presence of the king. The oozing monster slowly padded around a stone figure frozen in time. A pulsating light emanated from their chest, fighting against the spreading darkness. The futile flickering felt like nothing compared to the full might of the magic Nightmare knew this monster possessed. Or at least what she once possessed, before dark magic had petrified her soul. For as long as that stone prison held, she would remain powerless.

Still Nightmare looked upon his twin like she could still be a threat, glaring daggers and lashing his tendrils. "Even in what's essentially death, you trouble me," Nightmare muttered at Dream's statue, well aware his words still reached her. "It seems your precious god of creativity-" He mocked "-Wishes to return you to a throne that is rightfully mine," He leaned in closer to growl out that last word.

Expectedly, Dream said nothing.

Nightmare gave a light scoff. "It's pointless. You're all nothing compared to just my servant- My guard," He hissed. As soon as the words left his mouth, the memory of Cross with a sword lodged in his arm flashed to the forefront of his mind. Turns out he wasn't so invincible after all. No matter how much either of them wished to believe he was. Cross would be in danger if Dream escaped. And so would I, He abruptly reminded himself. Keep those priorities in order.

The threat was right here, standing perfectly still in the middle of this concealed chamber. He tapped a talon to Dream's pretty little tiara. "I should destroy you," He whispered, an ancient hatred filling his chest. "I could do it with my bare hands. I could shatter this stone into a million tiny fractures and hide the pieces across the realms. I could erase you from the multiverse for the rest of time itself" He seethed. When he fell silent, another thought trailed after his words. So why won't you?

He stepped back with a yell of frustration. I hate these damned emotions! All of them! I don't wish to care for her! For Cross- He gave his head a strong shake. It took him a moment to settle and breathe evenly. "It's no matter," He sighed. "You're not worth the effort. And your friends will only reach their demise chasing after you," He told her before he left Dream's statue to dwell in its dying spark of light.

...

A day's worth of rest well tucked up in his quarters was about all it took to drive Cross up a wall. The peace and quiet was deafening, and the boredom torturous. Well accustomed to his usual bombardment of missions, he just couldn't stand the calm. Not to mention it feels like the storm will soon follow.

Nightmare had met face to face with two separate monsters, both of which had been pointed their way by Ink. It would be ludicrous not to think another threat was on the horizon. He shouldn't just be sitting here, idly sewing up his sweater while Nightmare could be attacked at any moment. He should be nearby, making sure nothing happened to the king. Yet still, he didn't disobey his order to stand back, no matter the irritation it caused.

He felt pain ebb at his bone. Cross cast his own arm a glare. Heal, damn you! He pushed aside the anger as a quiet knock rattled his door. He knew that hyper yet silent knock. "What is it, Zoie?" He asked.

Taking it as an invitation the rabbit pulled open his door. She held up a little bottle, shaking its contents about. "I know that medicine of yours has probably worn off," She explained. Cross gave her a puzzled blink. Had she been counting the very seconds??? She didn't wait for a response, trotting over and placing the bottle down on the desk at his bedside.