Sea-Crossed Lovers:A Nightkiller fanfic

Chapter 17: Winter Letters

Killer POV weeks later

It has finally started snowing, which I see as both a pro and con. I enjoy fooling around in it, plus I can hide away indoors without suspicions. On the other hand, it's too cold to go swimming at night without any worries and it's constantly freezing in my home when I transform at night no matter how many blankets I use. In the end, I enjoy it much more than I hate it.

The traditions around this time allow me to cause some chaos with my friends so I take full advantage of it. Today I worked at the tavern, selling hot coco and warm meals but subtly worked things so that Dust left with Blue and Horror with Farmer. I saw them enter their homes together and I grinned, heading home right before the blizzard hit. If things work, they won't have to participate in the tradition and will get to spend time with each other.

I curl up by the fireplace, sipping hot coco with blankets wrapped around me. My mind trails off to Moony, wondering how he is doing. Then it trails to Nightmare, wondering how he will handle the village traditions.

When the blizzard passed, I went out and just plopped onto the snow, starting to build. Soon enough, a nice snow fort forms and I just lay in it to relax. I see everyone coming out of their homes, making me smile. I see Farmer kiss a heavily bundled-up Horror on the cheek, making him a blushing mess. Then I see Dust walk past me, holding hands. I smile at the sight, knowing that their time during the blizzard went well.

"Someone seems to be enjoying themselves in the snow."A familiar voice says

I glance over, seeing Nightmare standing beside the wall of my fort and smiling at me. He has at least two jackets on, the top one being the fluffiest lavender jacket I've seen. In addition to that, he has on numerous scarves and a wool hat over his head with his crown peeking out from under it.

"Yep, I love messing around in the snow!"I say

He smiles wider at me. I continue to push snow around to mold, then feel something placed on me gently. Then something clicks around my neck. I glance to see the necklace back on my neck as well as a purple jacket wrapped around me. I glance at him, seeing that he now has only an emerald-colored jacket on.

"You've had enough to recover from, I don't want you to get sick."He says

"Thank you..."I say

Then a horn is blown.

"Of course now they rushed to do this since the blizzard passed."I chuckle

"What?"He asks

"Oh, just another tradition that the village does. "I say, getting up and dusting the snow off of my pants.

"I see...Like the festival?"He asks

"Not exactly. You wouldn't be that into it as it's more...intimate in a way or two. And it can last for weeks, unlike the single-night festival."I tell him

"Sir, we need your assistance at the south border."A guard says

Nightmare nods, following them away.

I march to the town hall where fires are burning to keep the crowded space warm. I take a seat and watch the leading elder take his place at a podium.

"Welcome everyone. It is so good to see so many continuing or joining our tradition. Now, I'm sure we all have things to do as a result of the blizzard but I hope this gives you an opportunity to stay warm by the fire with someone that matters. I'll make it quick. After I ring this bell, you will each be given letters written anonymously and sent in by those who admire you or seek your attention. Well, I assume they're anonymous but my old eyes can hardly read anymore. It is your choice to respond or not as the first part of the tradition."The elder says

He rings the bell three times and cheers of excitement ring out. Elders walk around, distributing letters and I smile, seeing the happiness on their faces. I never get anything out of this tradition but it's still nice to watch the village unite. I turn to leave but then an elder approaches me with a grin. He hands me a bag and I open it to find it bursting with letters.

What the hell?

"You're very popular this year, Killer. Have fun with your selections. It will be a pleasure to have your participation. Simply tell me when you've narrowed it down to proceed to the second part."The elder says

"Okay, thank you, Sir. "I say, pulling my hood up and strapping the bag on.

I walk through the snow, heading to the tavern to clear the snow from it. My face burns as it sinks in that I'm PART of the tradition now. I can only imagine what was written in these letters. This tradition is a love tradition, which makes this bag a bag of love letters. What caught their attention now for this change? I sigh, shaking my head as I think it over.

I'm just a cursed freak who escaped monster trafficking schemes and getting sold to run a tavern. I don't have much money and I'm known to be a troublesome freak...If that gets revealed, hardly anyone would stay. It wouldn't even be safe to reveal my curse given the rumors I've heard lately...I'll have to burn a lot of these letters. Wait...Could it be due to my connection to Nightmare? Rumors have spread about the changes in the village and even made it across the seas. I guess it was going to attract attention eventually since nobody has ever been so casually friendly with higher ranks. I'm probably just a stepping stone to get to him...A tool...Not that it isn't something new...

I set my bag in the storage room, then started shoveling snow away from the tavern to provide a clear path. The jacket glows and buttons itself up on me.

Shouldn't be that surprising given how obvious Nightmare makes our connection. So protective and caring...It was only a matter of time until someone tried to obtain and manipulate our friendship...These letters all come from fools.

I pause, then start to chuckle after uncovering a familiar wanted poster.

Not that I can judge. I have feelings for a wanted fugitive of the seas...I hope Moony is doing alright...

TBC