Sea-Crossed Lovers:A Nightkiller fanfic

Chapter 7:The Festival

Killer's POV a few weeks later

My new routine has been extremely fun and interesting.

I've been called to Nightmare's castle nearly every day where we meet and chat. It will usually be a messenger that tells me or he comes for me himself. Error has witnessed this and has shared his concerns but I assure him that everything is okay. The most it has been are meetings where he explains the progress made and I teach him about the village or we plan the next steps regarding the village security and stuff. Then it usually devolves into casual conversations. Within two weeks, the separation was made official with Dream's help since Nightmare said that it was HIS desire so his brother was happy to get it fulfilled for him. There was no mention of me which would make it complicated given my last encounter with Dream in my tavern. The business deals were preserved as we have now become our independent territory of the kingdom. This has been all done through Nightmare mailing letters to his brother, who apparently loves to be pen pals with him and to hear about how he is settling in.

Nightmare often jokes with me about how surprised his brother seems in the letters that he is doing well in the village and even has people to keep him company. Imagine Dream's surprise if he learned who this company is.

After another three weeks of this, I have seen Nightmare help the village improve. It has gained better security with walls built at the borders or security at the docks and more guards keeping watch. We have more resources here and the village is looking better now that it is improving. It's wonderful and people say that they've never felt so safe here in months. We haven't been raided since Nightmare improved things and Error felt confident enough to sail away with his crew for another voyage, though he tells us to send a letter and he will return ASAP.

Now the village is preparing for one of our annual festivals which will be at its record-breaking size that hasn't been seen in decades. Games are being set up, meals cooked, seating arranged, and campfires are being set up with firewood. Horror has never gotten so much firewood sold before. Everyone is excited while I am trying to cover my bases since it is set to start at sundown and it would be weird or even disrespectful to our ancestors for me to avoid the festival because of my curse. It's not like I am sick. So I place the crystals in my clothes, specifically by my neck so it looks like embedded jewelry to the coat or my necktie. It's going to be outdoors so the crystals will be able to reflect the light and prevent my transformation. I will be very active anyway in the festival so there won't be a time that I am out of the moonlight.

I smile, listening to the eager chatter of my overcrowded tavern as everyone shares meals and conversations together. I smile, rarely seeing the tavern so busy and so many happy faces in it. From little children with friends and family munching on snacks to the elders of the village discussing their tales of history as they drink some tea, all sorts of people enjoy themselves here. Nightmare slips out from his usual corner to the side of the bar counter. I hand out a few more drinks and collect the money before going to him.

"Need a refill?"I ask

"What exactly is going on? What are they all talking about?"He asks

"Oh right, this is your first time! They're coming to eat before the annual Winter Festival! It's to celebrate the start of winter and some of our ancestors that made the village. It's normal for the tavern to get busy beforehand."I tell him

"So that's why you're dressed up too?"He asks

"Yep! Can't disrespect the ancestors at such a special event!"I say, then hear my name called.

I glance over to see a little girl waving to me with her kid's menu.

"Welp, I have to go help her. I'll talk to you later!"I say, going to the little girl.

Meanwhile, Nightmare's POV

Okay...This should work...Please work. I'm glad I made this veil for my crown.

"Let the festival begin!"A voice declares

"Yeah!"Voices cheer, followed by laughter and whooping.

Just in time too...

I glance out the window, seeing the village come alive as they celebrate and take part in the festival. Games are being played, crafts are being made with Horror, music is being played, and fun is all around. Never have I seen a group so united and genuinely happy together. So much kindness and unity. It won't be so bad to join them, right? It actually would be nice to leave my comfort zone and go out there. I grin, going downstairs and out into the evening activities, seeing the moon shine down on the scene. I sigh with relief that the veil is working, the tiny crystals keeping me on two feet instead of revealing my curse. I don't even feel any burning like I usually do. I wander around to explore the festival, getting greeted warmly by nearly everyone. I got this warm feeling inside as it didn't feel like I was an outsider. I feel included among them and it was nice to observe everything. I feel more comfortable than I have felt at any other party.

I see something shine from the corner of my eye and glance over, seeing Killer dance around a fire with children laughing and singing songs. His outfit reflects the moonlight, making him twinkle and shine, seeming quick on his feet as he spins and leaps. The kids seem to enjoy dancing with him, waltzing around happily with a bounce in his step. His laughter is a wonderful melody and his smile just seems to light up the area. I pause in place, mesmerized by the sight of him. His happiness is precious to me....this becoming extremely clear to me.

Killer notices me, hopping over after finishing an adorable dance with a little girl much shorter than him. Then his dancing feet finally stop as he smiles at me.

"I know this isn't any ballroom or waltzing but it's tradition."He says

"That's what makes it great. "I say

That seems to surprise him, and then he smiles.

"I'm glad that you're enjoying yourself."He says, then offers his hand

I glance at him as he smiles at me smugly.

"Think you can keep up?"He asks teasingly

"I've never danced before but I'll try. "I say, taking his hand

We dance into the night, him leading me through the steps around a fire sizzling away. It's so much fun...Then the next thing I know, it's over and I'm lying in my bed staring at the ceiling with a strange warmth in my chest. My soul has never beat so fast before. What is this feeling?

TBC