Loyal Servant (Crossmare) (Rewrite)

The Storm

The gentle breeze whisked silky trails of the spider's string across the gravel pathway. Cross had to pay good attention to where he walked, shifting well out of the webs way as he followed Nightmare. As if the Garden somehow had a sense of respect, the string seemed to naturally avoid the king as he stalked by.

The black substance that covered Nightmare gave off a shiny glow in the moonlight. Cross couldn't help but study the way the ink rolled across his bone yet never fell from his body. With how often they were beside each other, Cross had accidentally brushed by him more than once. Every time he'd have a quick moment of panic where he'd check the solid white of his cloak for the goop. For some reason it never left any residue behind. It only seemed to stick to things when Nightmare intended it to. He'd seen one of Error's Gaster Blaster's mouths clogged shut by the substance before. He can be quite strategic.

Nightmare dipped into the shadow of the tallest bare oak tree. Cross joined him, watching the branches. He knew what creature liked to hang around this specific tree. It took a moment to pinpoint its location, but when he finally saw the scaly coils of the snake wrapped around a nearby branch, he shuffled back. He wasn't terribly fond of serpents, though he put up with its presence given Nightmare seemed to enjoy the midnight black snake.

Nightmare didn't comment on his discomfort. Instead he focused on the snake. When he reached his hand out, the serpent moved. It slithered along the branch, scales gleaming with a purple hue. When it dipped down and began to lazily drape across the king's arm, Cross couldn't help but give a light shudder. Nightmare chuckled at that. "You'll dive in front of a sword for me, yet the timid snake brings you fear?" He questioned while the snake wrapped itself around his limb. It rested its head on his shoulder, tongue often flicking past its maw.

"I don't have fear in the moments where I need to act fast," Cross explained, managing to tear his eyes off the snake to meet Nightmare's gaze. "I think you'd find me rather fearless if I needed to cut down a giant snake before it bit you," He told him, willing to take just one more step closer to the king. His desire to stay near to him apparently overran his nervous phobia.

Nightmare gave a curious hum, his smile twisting into more of a smirk. "Loyal and brave," He rumbled out, his voice almost sounding like a purr. "Those are two traits I'm bound to love about you," He then added in a more hushed tone.

Cross's breathing hitched for a second before he forced himself to regain composure. Nightmare's choice of words had taken him by surprise. He didn't even know the word love was in his vocabulary. Other than when he referred to Level Of Violence Experience, that is. He wasn't completely sure what to make of it, or what to say in return. In the end, he couldn't just ignore it. His soulbeat picked up as he watched Nightmare carefully. He so casually pet the snake's head with one finger, as if he had said nothing out of the ordinary.

"I'm... I'm surprised there's anything you love about me," He told him, hoping the oak's shadow obscured the light blush which darkened his face. "I figured it was more traits that helped you tolerate me," He admitted.

"That's because you assume me governing all negativity chains me to feeling only those emotions, no? Is that what you think of me?" He asked with a tilt of his head. Cross wasn't sure how to answer. There was a lot he thought of Nightmare. "I suppose it equals out. You make me feel happy... And I hate that you make me feel that way. You best guard me well, for that positivity you bring along with you is what makes me vulnerable," He told him, pointing a tendril his way as if it were an accusation.

Cross was still at a loss for words. I make Nightmare happy? After a moment of silence, he knew he better say something in return. "My lord-"