Impure Saint (MareNight)

22

"Something wrong dad?" The skeleton spoke softly, placing a gentle hand on his father's shoulder, "Did something happen today?"

"No no..." The older smiled at his kid, "nothing's wrong Goth. Things are just getting out of hand."

"Out of hand? What do you mean?"

Reaper sighed, "I'm worried... about a certain AU."

"If this is about.."

"No. It's not about that." Reaper cut Goth off, "there was someone on the kill list and they disappeared."

"Why does it bother you?"

"I've never seen anything like it, something changed the course of fate. The list never changes, you know this." Reaper looked down.

Goth frowned and looked down, "You suppose they led their own fate? Like mom did?"

Reaper smiled a bit, "Maybe... if so, they haven't changed a bit."

Goth smiled brightly at his dad, "That's good for them, a second chance is worth it."

~*~*~

Dream glared at the tall skeleton asleep next to his mother, tendrils curled around himself as soft snores gently sounded out.

The bright skeleton finally had enough, walking up and reaching out to Mare only for the darker to yelp and hiss at him. "The fuck is your problem!"

"My problem is, you're sleeping on mom without permission! The likes of you shouldn't be touching her!" Dream growled, similar to an upset child.

Mare huffed, "Night already gave me permission to be near your mother, we've slept by her and everything."

"Now I know that's a lie! I've never seen you with Night!"

Mare's expression turned from angry to unamused, "Meow."

Dream fumbled at a loss and starred at Mare with wide eyes, "Wh..What?"

"I said 'meow' you motherfucker, are you having some sort of restart in that pea sized brain?" Mare narrowed his eyes.

"You're... You're Nighty's cat..."

"Yes, yes I am." Mare seemed to preen at that, smirking softly.

Dream pushed away the feeling of surprise, glaring at him. "Did... did that have something to do with the deal you made with my brother?"

"Oh? You know about our deal do you?" Mare growled a bit, "Let me guess, Shattered told you."

Dream paused at the mention of Shattered, making Mare almost smirk. "He did tell me... but answer my question... please."

Mare sighed as he leaned back against the tree, "It did. Night was so broke when I first met him and he was so scared..." Mare paused, remembering that that was partly his fault. "The form of a cat seemed to be an easy way to keep him relaxed. Though he eventually go so comfortable with the cat that has wasn't at all bothered by the actual me."

Dream frowned slightly, "Night has never been one to hold some accountable for their actions... he's forgiving."

The taller shook his head, "He's only forgiving because he believes it's his fault. He believes that everything that happens to him is his fault. It's not... not even close. He's trapped in a world of self deprecating nightmares and constant pain and fear."

"Are you calling him broken?"

"I'm calling him a saint. He's never once lashed out in anger, only in fear. He not only cries for himself but for others as well, even if they've hurt him. He loves unconditionally, like a puppy... my puppy." Dream hardly heard the last two words, his eyes widened as he watched Mare curl up on himself slightly.

Dream decided to leave then, eyes focusing on the ground as he headed to the village. His shoes finally meeting the cobblestone road where he was immediately bombarded by the townsfolk.

Multiple yells and cries about the strangers ransacking their village. Dream only told them to quiet down and listen, and the did.

"Listen, I'm allowing this..." Dream saw their faces turn into ones of surprise and outrage.

"Why the hell would you allow this?!"

Dream glared towards the villager, "My brother is missing! Until this entire place is searched or until we find something, they aren't leaving."

The villagers looked at Dream like he was crazy, well most of them did.

Silence fell over the crowd until a soft tug pulled Dream away from the stares. Looking down he was met with the Florist's son, Olly.

The kid looked upset, on the verge of tears. Dream gulped, despite being good with kids he never really liked them. "Hey hey, don't cry, what's the matter?"

Olly sniffled, "Is Mr. Night gonna be okay?"

Dream was about to speak before a soft 'rrorw' cut off his words. He looked behind him to see a black cougar... Mare.

Olly seemed to perk up, rubbing his nose with his sleeve as Mare approached. "Kitty?"

Mare only made another small roar, rubbing his head against Olly slightly, almost knocking the boy over. The child only giggling at the action, hugging Mare gently, his arms barely making their way around him.

Mare paused but leaned into the hug gently, feeling small hands grip his fur before hearing a whisper. "Are you going to look for Mr. Night?"

Mare pulled back and allowed himself back into his original form, surprising not just Olly. He smiled, holding out his pinky to Olly to which the child perked. "I pinky promise, I'll find Night."

Olly smiled at him and instead of intertwining fingers, he hugged him. Mare could only jump in soft surprise but smiled fondly, patting Olly's head. "I'll find him no matter what, you don't have to worry."

The boy seemed pleased with that, letting go and returning to his mother without another word. Mare watched him go, eye landing on a guilty... no not guilty, scared... scared and oh so familiar face.

Mare's eye narrowed, about to go after the monster before he heard his title.

Killer's voice, quiet and scared, almost terrified. "Boss, we found something."