Loyal Servant (Crossmare) (Rewrite)

Reunion

The tiny white flakes drifted like ashes to the ground, dappling the forest with a soft powder. Nightmare watched the snow fall, pinpricks dilated into glittery saucers. When the frost landed upon his equally pale face, it looked to Cross as if it had disappeared altogether.

He watched from the mouth of the cave they had sheltered in. Upon waking from their slumber, Nightmare had immediately stepped out into the snow. There was something so endearing about the way the king watched the sky with a sense of wonder. It must have been a long time since he last saw snow. He dipped his head to hide his smile behind the sleeve of his turtleneck.

Nightmare glanced back at him, and when he did it was with a gentle smile. Cross felt his cheekbones grow warm. He tried to hide his face further, just to be sure Nightmare wouldn't see the blush which soon dusted his features. "Do you like the snow, Cross?" He asked, returning his gaze to the swirling flakes. "I've always been fond of it. It's just incredible how something so small and pretty can be so dangerous. Snow kills. Every day. Yet still children frolic and play with it," He said. Cross hummed. He should have figured beforehand that there'd be some dark undertone as to why the king of despair found weather like this appealing.

"I've never paid it much mind," He admitted. It certainly looked beautiful now, dotting the purple of Nightmare's fancy cloak. He tried to imagine what it would look like if he were to stand in the snow in his full form. The white on black would be a stark contrast, but a welcomed one. "I'm sure you could easily convince me to enjoy the snow," He mused. Nightmare cast him a surprising warm look for it. He clearly likes me, but will that remain once his darker side returns?

He stayed at the entrance of the cave, taking the chance to truly be at ease for the first time since being driven from his home. He needed that moment of peace. One where he could simply watch Nightmare be. With his guard hovering nearby, he was safe to enjoy what little things he could. Cross nearly let his eyes drift shut, but a faint yet familiar sound swiftly returned him to his alert state.

He stood taller, listening carefully to the song on the wind. A low and eerie whistle reached him. Fear struck his chest as he remembered the last time he heard that tune. He had been in the Garden, fighting Horror. He's nearby.

"Nightmare," He called, stern and serious. The other skeleton looked his way in confusion. "Listen," He said before falling silent. The snow muffled nearly all noise, allowing the whistle of Horror's skull to easily be distinguished amongst the hushed forest. Nightmare clearly remembered the sound as well, now growling as he glanced in the direction of the noise. "Come back to the cave, my lord. Let me handle it," He told him. He added the royal title in hopes it would stop the king from feeling insulted by the order. It didn't work, as he received a painfully harsh glare in return.

"I will not be tucked away like some vulnerable child!" He argued, stomping through the thin layer of snow to reach him. Cross had been scolded by Nightmare before. It seemed significantly less frightening now that he had to look down to meet the dark lord's eyes. "I am a king! A god, even!" He pointed out. Cross chalked this fit of his up to the insecurity that his lack of magic caused. "You on the other hand are my servant. You're the weaker one. You best remember that!"

"I remember," Cross replied calmly. He didn't give in however. He kept his posture tall and continued holding Nightmare's stare. "However, I am still your protector, not just your servant. You don't have any magic, and I'm not going to let you challenge anyone to a battle without it," He told him. Nightmare looked upset, so Cross placed a hand to his arm. Nightmare glanced down at the touch, blinking. "Let me be your champion again. Don't you love having me fight?" He asked with a glimmer of amusement. It appeared to help ease Nightmare.