Loyal Servant (Crossmare) (Rewrite)

Little Things

Nothing seemed to change in the anti-void, from day to night. Either way Cross scanned the horizon, sitting on the porch's bench while he effortlessly spun a dagger around his fingers. He hadn't managed to fall back asleep like the others had, his thoughts too loud and worrying. That and it's been a while since I've slept without Nightmare nearby. He leaned back with a soft exhale, hardly noticing the approaching figure until they spoke.

"Your love for Nightmare is quite fascinating," Paperjam told him, taking a seat at his side. They watched him play with the dagger. "Do you get a thrill out of danger?" They asked.

Cross chuckled. "There's plenty more to it than that," He replied, a soft smile on his face as he thought about the dark king. "I'm sure you wouldn't understand. Not many do. They see Nightmare and all they know is the legends everyone's spun, but past that, he's capable of kindness. I'm not saying he isn't dangerous quite literally all the time, because he is. He's very dangerous," Cross whispered before he nodded back towards the cabin. "But what would they all have without him? Who would accept us as we are if not Nightmare? No one. He's the one person who understands the path we walk and doesn't want us dead for it."

"You're right. It's hard to understand. What if he's just using you?" Paperjam suggested.

"I've quite literally lived multiple lives thanks to my creator, yet the one I live now with them and Nightmare... It's damn near perfect. If this is me being used, then I don't care. I'm happy," Cross declared, which had Paperjam humming curiously.

"You must be, if you're willing to challenge Error for this life," They pointed out.

Cross nodded. "I'd challenge him as many times as it takes to protect my family."

"I wish I had a family to fight for," Paperjam sadly chuckled in turn. "I still see Fresh from time to time, but everything between us feels different now. I don't know if it will ever be like it once was," They admitted, pulling their legs up onto the bench. They laid their head on their knees, looking so small. Cross had to remind himself that this skeleton was probably way older than him despite appearances. "Maybe we can be friends once the dust has settled- Uh, so to speak, that is. Yikes, that human term sounds rather morbid now that I've said it aloud," They realized, nervously hiding their blue blush behind their tattered scarf.

Cross only found their embarrassment amusing. He let out a friendly laugh in regards to their choice of words, being sure not to sound mocking in any way. "I don't mind being friends, PJ," He told them, which had them smiling wildly. Cross placed a hand to their shoulder and gave a playful shake. "If we pull this off and free Nightmare, I'll be eternally grateful."

"Good to know," Paperjam happily chimed back. They both stared out into the anti-void now.

...

Dust rolled over on the couch, glancing down at Killer who slept on a mattress he had watched Paperjam simply paint into existence. The fireplace nearby currently crackled and burned, the high swirling embers keeping them warm without need for a blanket. It lit up their portion of the living room as the thick blinds blocked out the anti-void's constant light. Horror slept nearby as well, stretched out upon another curve of the couch. Ghost laid with her eyes shut on a rug by his side. He believed Cross managed to snag the guest bedroom.

"Killer, are you up?" Dust whispered, receiving a soft hum in return. One of Killer's eye sockets squinted open. "Have you ever fought with Error before?" He asked, still keeping quiet.

"Hell no," Killer replied. "If he ever challenged us, Nightmare would deal with it. He's not someone you just mess with. I've seen how vicious he can get when it's about something he wants," He explained before sitting up. He shifted and leaned onto the couch, resting an arm on it while he looked up at him. "Are you worried?" He asked. Dust was hesitant to answer. Killer continued: "You'll have the gang. Horror knows he can tank hits and bounce back. He'll literally jump in front of a blaster for any of us. Cross is smart and will probably find some strategic way to handle any twist. And me... I'd probably also jump in front of a blaster for you."