Loyal Servant (Crossmare) (Rewrite)

After Arcs Oneshot: Is There a Chance?

Cross watched Nightmare's relentless pacing alongside the rest of the team. He had to crane his neck back when one of the king's out of control tendrils nearly knocked his jaw from the way it twitched up. He wisely took another step away from the god, brushing up against Killer as he did so. Nightmare didn't even notice, his eye glazed over. Cross figured he better recenter his focus before he walked into a pillar or something.

"Easy, my lord. You're going to wear out your precious floor if you aren't careful," Cross warned, darting his pinpricks down at the tile. That made Nightmare stop and glance down, as if he expected it to actually be damaged. Once he realized nothing was wrong with it, he returned to his tireless pacing. "Okay, and he's right back at it..." Cross whispered, a bead of sweat rolling down his skull.

Killer let out an amused huff, his sockets pointed towards the knife he idly spun between his fingers. "I mean, can you blame him?" He asked, catching the hilt and pointing the blade towards the god. "I know I'd go absolutely insane if I had to endure the bombardment of emotions from my sibling who is in literal labor," He told them.

"You already are insane," Cross, Dust, Fell, and Horror all said in unison. Killer winced and made a 'so-so' gesture with his free hand. Dust whacked it aside then claimed; "Killer. Just last night after we shared a single drink, you were jumping over the rooftops yelling parkour over and over again."

Killer lifted his brows and clicked his ecto-tongue. "Yup. It's what all the cool kids are doing nowadays," He insisted, causing Cross to roll his pinpricks. He would never trust Killer's definition of cool.

"Could you all shut up for just five seconds? My skull is pounding," Nightmare complained, now rubbing his temples. It didn't seem to be giving him much relief. "Ugh... It's impossible to absorb all this otherwise brilliant negativity while I'm experiencing it as well..." He grumbled in disappointment. His tendrils now drooped and he hunched over slightly to lean against the closest pillar.

Now that he wasn't in danger of receiving a concussion from any flailing tendril, Cross walked up to his husband's side. "Torture is a lot less pleasant when you're the victim of it, hm?" He asked with a hint of amusement. Nightmare let out a long and low hum for it. Cross gave his sunken shoulders a gentle pat. Nightmare was apparently dazed enough not to care about the others watching, as he leaned over and pressed his skull to Cross's.

"I'm across the castle from her and I still feel it so vividly," He rumbled out, socket squeezed shut.

"I think you'd still feel it from across the multiverse," Cross replied. He hated to see his lover in pain like this. He pressed his skull further into Nightmare's, winning the most quiet of purrs. He was sure the others wouldn't even hear the subtle rumble. "You'll be alright. I'm right here and I won't be going anywhere," He whispered, the words for his king alone.

"Hey, I've got a question," Fell spoke up, causing Nightmare's purrs to subside. His cyan eye flickered past Cross's shoulder and towards the sharp toothed skeleton. He currently leaned against the wall, hands tucked into his pockets. "If Dream's causing so much distress; Why are you even letting her stay here? Couldn't she go literally anywhere else?" He asked, shrugging his shoulders.

Nightmare sighed, finally pulling away from Cross to stand with a little more dignity. "She wants to have her child in Dreamtale," He began to explain. Cross had to grab Nightmare's arm to prevent him from mindlessly pacing again. "It was either here or in the village... And their doctor was busy." He growled out the last line. He didn't mention the fact that even then it took Cross's help to convince Nightmare to let her stay. He wasn't going to leave anyone to have a baby without a doctor nearby and somewhere nice to lay. He trusted Zoie would take good care of his sister-in-law. "I just wish she'd calm down."