Impure Saint (MareNight)

15

A sharp and sudden breath caught in his throat as he sat up, the covers slipping off his body as his chest heaved. He felt sick, he wanted to throw up just so he wouldn't feel this awful nauseating feeling.

His face flushed royal purple and his soul beating rapidly in his rib cage. Tears beginning to swell in his eyes.

Throwing off the covers he swung his legs to the side of the bed, the nausea dissolving ever so slightly as his feet touched to could carpet. He hunched over, hugging himself as he attempted to calm his ragged breathing.

He mumbled softly to himself, each word more ludicrous than the last. Unforgiving lies escaping his mouth in wretched anguish. His fear had clouded his judgement and the hammering pain in his skull was enough to make him want to cry and scream. He bit his tongue.

The commotion had been enough to wake Mare from his slumber, his eye opening lazily until it landed on the shaking body of Night.

He sat up slowly, moving the covers off of himself and moving next to the smaller. He raised his hand only for Night to flinch roughly, slowly he placed his hand on Night's shoulder to pull him to his chest.

Night froze before the awful sobbing finally broke through. Tears rushed down his face and his hands grabbed hold of Mare tightly. Broken sob after sob choked out his non-existent throat, each more pathetic than the next.

Mare stayed silent, allowing Night to cry. He only hugged him closer when Night mumbled out a broken, "Don't let go."

Mare only did as asked, arms wrapping around his body along with the four black appendages. He stayed like that until Night's sobs began to grow quiet, replaced by sniffling when he found himself no longer able to cry.

Mare never let go though.

"Sorry..."

Mare wanted to growl at that word, "You have no reason to be sorry. You have no say in your dreams."

"I still woke you up... I should've been more quiet." Night mumbled

"Stop saying sorry, puppy. You have no reason to."

"But..!"

"No."

Night went silent in defeat, gripping Mare tighter. Mare sighed, petting Night's head gently.

"Do you wish to talk about your dream?"

Night shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut, as if the sheer mention of the dreaded nightmare would make it come true.

Mare nodded in understanding, moving the both of them back down to the bed. Night still refused to let go of him, clinging and cuddled to him. Mare didn't mind, he just wanted Night to feel safe... and Night did.

Not even five minutes later Night finally went back to sleep. Mare stayed up though, not taking the chance of Night having another nightmare.

~*~*~

Night frowned slightly as he faced his friends, not really wanting to leave just yet, but the thought of worrying his brother...

He kicked his foot against the ground, "Well... I'll do my best to visit."

Epic smiled, "Come by any time."

Error nodded, agreeing happily, "You're always welcome."

Mare hummed in agreement, opening the portal for Night to leave. A sad tug in his chest begging him not to let him go.

Night glanced at the portal before looking to Mare. He inhaled deeply before hugging the goopy skeleton, "You'll visit... right?"

Mare smiled gently, returning the hug. "I wouldn't miss a chance to, puppy."

Night smiled at him, hugging him tighter before letting go. He smiled to the others, waving a soft goodbye before hesitantly entering the portal.

The sudden sunlight washed over him and Night squinted his eyes at the overwhelming light. Slowly his eyes adjusted to the light and he began heading to the tree.

A soft smile on his face, his body refusing to let it fall. He was happy, he had friends who he could visit. Like his brother.

He frowned at the thought of Dream, wondering how much worry he caused him. He soon found out though when the bright skeleton himself tackled Night into the dirt with a hug.

"Nighty! Thank mom you're okay, I was so worried!" Dream cried, puffing his cheeks out.

Night only whined in defeat, "Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you."

Dream frowned slightly but smiled nonetheless, "Don't worry, I'm just glad you're okay! Look there's something I want to talk to you about." Dream's mood took a 180, his happy expression turning serious.

Night felt his soul speed up, "Yes..?"

"Are the villagers treating you right?" Dream's voice cracked painfully, as if he when holding back tears. "They aren't hurting you, right?"

Night paused only to look down, "They treat me fine."

Dream went quiet, "Please... don't lie." Night went to say something only for Dream to but in, "I know you aren't fine Night. I found out what they've done to you..."

"Dream... please, just leave it, it's fine..."

"No it's not! You know it's not!" Dream paused, "Why..? Why are you on their side?"

Night stopped. Why was he defending them? Fear? Or maybe he felt some sort of twisted pity? "Because they aren't like us... they fear what they don't know."

Dream whined, "That still gives them no right to hurt you like that. All the things they've done to you Nighty... do you have scars?"

Night looked at his brother and frowned, "I'm not entirely sure, I never bother to look. I tried to avoid looking really..."

Another whine from Dream, "And your body...?"

Night looked away, "I got off mostly lucky."

Dream hesitated, "You never got pregnant... did you?"

Night's face saddened, tears pricking his eyes, "I don't think I can even have kids Dream."

Dream frowned... he remembered when the two were younger. They had talked about a life where they could be free to do as they pleased. Dream wanted to become and adventurer and meet people all over the multiverse. Night's dream was much simpler, he wanted to settle down somewhere and have kids, like in the books he read. Dream always supported Night's dreams, and he still did. He loved his brother to hell and back.

Slowly the tears began to fall and Dream hugged his brother close. "It's okay Nighty... I'm here. They won't hurt you again. I promise."

Night nodded gently and he laughed weakly at himself, "I'm such a crybaby."

Dream smiled at that, "Nah, you're the toughest person I know."

Night smiled, "Thanks Dream."

Dream grinned, "Anytime brother."