Sea-Crossed Lovers:A Nightkiller fanfic

Chapter 18: Love Letters

Nightmare's POV hours later

I sit in my room, relaxing after visiting Color in the dungeon again to teach him another lesson. I'm intent on giving him hell. I smile, recalling Killer's smile earlier today as he enjoyed the snow. My soul beats differently around him and I feel this warmth around him. I don't understand it but it only comes when I see him happy. I don't want the feeling to end and I love seeing him happy so I'll do what I can to keep it that way.

Then my thoughts trail to the revelations about him. He's cursed by Color with the same curse as me and he is Sharky, the Laughing Shark that I've seen each night messing with me or keeping me company. He trusts "Moony" or the Moon Kraken, but not me to reveal this fact. That is to say, he trusts my cursed side but not the Dark Prince with this secret. He has good reasons with the past mistreatment from nobility like Color, but how do I act now that I know it? Is it right for me to know it without his knowing consent? He doesn't know that "Moony" is me. Yet revealing this may not be best as he may think that I was fooling him, betraying his trust or scheming something. He'd think that I was manipulating him with this disguise, risking our connection. I don't want to lose our relationship, whatever it may be. I won't force the revelation out of him, but act clueless. I'll let him choose to tell me when he's ready and simply act to prove that he can trust me both as prince and Kraken. Whatever is best for him...

Knock knock!

"Come in. "I say, shutting the book

I glance over, seeing Blue enter. I smile, waving to him.

"How are you doing today, Blue?"I ask

"I'm doing quite well today. Everyone in the village is full of excitement as this wonderful tradition begins. I saw Sprout decorating trees in the village garden and collecting a few herbs so he is certainly scheming something fit for it. I can bet that his brother and Horror are his first targets. Mwehehehe!"He tells me, referring to Farmer's brother

"Tradition?"I say, curious about what this one means.

"Oh! You weren't told about it? Hmm, that would explain why you weren't at the opening gathering for it...However, it does surprise me that you haven't spoken to the elders about it or participated in it...The elders have been preaching about it eagerly in Killer's tavern for weeks."He says

"We didn't think he would be interested since it requires more interaction personally than the Winter Festival does. We've seen that parties aren't his cup of tea, especially a social gathering such as that. And he fights Her Majesty on any marriage proposals she may arrange so this didn't seem fit for him either."A guard posted outside my door says

"That does make sense. Could you go grab yourself a snack? I wish to speak privately to him."Blue says

The guard nods, marching away as Blue shuts the door.

"You're surprised that I don't take part in a marriage tradition?"I ask

"It's not a marriage tradition but it certainly is more personal like they were saying. The elders like union in the village and don't like seeing members lonely around here, so a few decades ago they came up with the tradition they call Love Season. It especially works as they encourage people to find someone to cuddle beside the fireplace. It starts with them gathering letters they claim to be anonymous for those that seek another's attention or have desires of love or something. Love letters essentially but some are more manipulative in the ones I've received. At the opening, they blow a horn and call everyone to the town center where they ring a bill to distribute the letters they collected. From there, they narrow down which letters they wish to connect with and the elders gather those that wrote them for the second part and it becomes a cycle of activities until the participants find someone fit for them."He explains

"And you're surprised that I don't play a part in that?"I ask

"I certainly thought your letter would find its way into Killer's bag today, yes. I understand that you had things to tend to that kept you from the opening, but I thought you'd be a late arrival. And I can certainly see something unique about Killer to you. You don't exactly hide it with how you treat him or the look in your eyes when you see him. Your soul got pierced by an arrow, didn't it?"He replies

I know what he is referring to and feel my face burn.

"Are you implying that I love him?"I ask

Could that be this warmth? Love? For Killer?

"Head over heels, even. It's certainly more affection than I've seen any other figure with a rank as high as yours show someone. But that aside, I know how to recognize the signs in anyone regardless of rank. I could easily tell Horror had feelings for Farmer for example. That longing gaze, the protective desire or caring behavior, the color on your face, it's all beyond platonic relationships. Not that it's a problem of course. I'm happy that you found someone that makes you happy. I just have some advice for you on it since I know others quite well."He tells me

I nod, open to hearing what he has to say.

"I advise you not to wear your soul on your sleeve if your brother ever comes to visit. He will catch onto things quickly and not understand your feelings for Killer. Then trouble will only spiral out from that. He has good intentions but it's hard to stop him from his impulses as I'm sure that you're aware. And he doesn't exactly have a good relationship with Killer. And I'm just going to warn you now that Killer is not going to be an easy one to convince. He's often clueless about the love others have for him unless it is platonic from friends or whom he considers family. He doesn't trust love or see himself as one to be desired for any good reasons, his history with Color gives him good reason to believe this. So don't be surprised if you have to convince him. And also, you should know that the elders take late submissions for letters to be in the tradition."He tells me

I nod, taking note of his advice to remember. I smile, able to catch onto the fact that he will keep this from my brother as well. But then I tilt my head at the last piece of advice.

"Late submissions...?"I repeat

"Yes, they do allow it and will bring it to whoever it is meant for. It could be a first step in convincing him, even if it's anonymous. You should really take the chance or you may lose it with him. I saw him leave with a bag full of letters so you're certainly not the only one that has caught feelings for him to some degree. I could deliver it to an elder if you wish. You know where to find me. Have a good afternoon."He tells me, leaving moments afterward.

I sit there as the info sinks in, then get a stack of papers out.

This is going to take a few tries to get right...But it'll be worth it...

TBC