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Cross is awed by how the garden has been brought back to life. For as long as he could remember the garden had been a mess of weeds and long dead or overgrown plants, that none cared for...until Little prince.
Little Prince was Nightmare’s little brother, Dream, from what the boss had told them, Due to an ...event, as Nightmare had put it- Dream was kill early on. He didn’t say what happened, it seemed to painful for him to. They- most from first hand experience of not only Nightmare wrath at too many personal question, but first hand experience of losing a sibling knew not to ask despite being curious.
Nightmare told them he vowed to bring him back.
The boss had succeeded in his task, as the Mob had a new addition to their family, a young bubbly prince.
The bad sans’s were hesitant to be sure. They didn’t want to scare the kid, nor did they know or trust him. Those fears’ had been quickly laid to rest. The kid took a few days to adjust to his new circumstances and his brother’s new life-kept a lot in the dark-, but once he did he was completely fine. He quickly became a beloved member of the family.
Horror adored his cooking buddy. They often baked sweets- as it was soon discovered that Dream had quite the sweet tooth. Though the two weren’t allowed to see how big a cake they could possibly make, not after last time.( They still found crumbs and frosting to this Day) Dream and Horror had been completely covered in cake. Killer had the pictures somewhere.
Killer loved taking pictures of the kid. He claimed he was ‘the only one who would let him’. (Everyone knew for him if there’s a will there’s a way). The kid was good for all kinds of pictures. (If you could get him still long enough-) The kid and killer had also-to everyone’s horror- bonded over pranks. Cross was still unsure of how the managed to paint Nightmare’s throne pink and survived. In Cross’s opinion that’s was the greatest miracle of this whole endeavor-
Dust the usual serious, arms length stone he was, melted for him. Dream enjoy listening to Him and boss read, Or reading next to him quietly. The kid would copy him when he did his yoga, typically falling down or doing it wrong. Dust however never seemed to mind him, Enjoying the baby bones company . Dream loved playing games with him, except for hide and seek, as he claimed Dust cheated using his brother to spy on him.
As for cross, the kid would follow him on his walks attempting to sneak. Cross training and the general fact Dream could not sneak for the life of him, He’d usually humor him by loudly acconing how he was positive he was alone, pretending he couldn’t find him. They would usually keep this up for about until cross ‘found’ him or Dream got distracted and attempted to explore on his own. Boss had been clear he didn’t want Dream leaving the castle grounds. As his loyal ..... subordinate and guard ‘Dad-mare’ said went. Dream was consistently asking many questions about a number of topics, however the subject that the Mob had recently been banned from speaking on was the Aus and what was past the grounds.
The kid was really curious about that particular subject and It made Nightmare uneasy. Boss understandably didn’t want Dream running off and getting killed or taken away from him again.
Nightmare was very private with how they spent their time, though as Dream was very affectionate and cuddly, they imagined their was a fair share.
Cross watches Killer chase Dream around the garden. The little light, giggling loudly, Killer laughed behind him. Dream got distracted by Cross’s presence,” OH HI CROSS!” Allowing Killer to catch up picking him up and pinning him. “GOT YOU~!” He laughed tickling the child. Dream shrieked with laughter pleading for killers’ nonexistent mercy. “ AH KILLER PLEASE- HAHAHA PLEASE HAHAHA HAHAHA PLEASE HAHAHA MERCY! MERCY! PLEASE!!”
“ONLY IF YOU SAY IT!~” Killer cackles wickedly. “N-never!! HAHA “ Dream shouted determined. Yet you can see him slowly giving in. “Then I won’t stop~!” Killer teased flashing Cross a grin making the monochrome skeleton face tint purple. How one drunk night can change so much. Cross managed to return it attempting to hide the fact that he upset. It was close to the time to start training Dream, after all they couldn’t always be home. “OK YOUR THE-HAHAHA BEST HAHAHA PLEASE S-s-STOP! HAHAHA” Killer noticed as perceived as even and sighed seemingly reading him as well as Nightmare could. Cross didn’t think he was that much of an open book. He stopped standing full tilting his head as Dream gasped for air still on the high emotions.
“Boss needs you.” Cross muttered softly attempting to hide his jealousy-not for Killer, of Nightmare for taking him away with a good reason that he was ever willing to share. His blood marrow boiled slightly. Of course nightmare was tight lipped to everyone even his own partners. Cross’s nativity had lead him to believe he’d change. “Aww sorry, little light~ duty calls “ Killer coed bopping Dream. Dream pouts but says nothing He walked off leaving Dream and Cross. “Crossy!” Dream grins hugging him. Cross chuckled softly. “Heya Dream, ready for training?” Dream eyes turn to stars “YES, YES YES YES YES!” Dream shouted bouncing up and down comically. Cross smiled at his eagerness to learn of his magic.
Cross sat down as Dream stood across from him. “Try to summon your staff” Cross ordered. Cross is probably one of the least qualified people to attempt to teach him magic in his personal opinion, but nightmare had been instinct that he be the one to teach him. Cross could only poorly guess why. You didn’t ask Nightmare question and expect a good answer. He preferred to be the only one with a full hand. Dream held his hand out trying to summon his staff as a curved handle formed into his open hand . This wasn’t his staff.
In the young skeletons hand was a beautifully designed bow. Little prince’s eyes widened, “Cross? What is this? I tried to do what you said, I-I don’t know what went wrong-“ Dream worriedly sputtered before Cross cut him off, “Hey it’s ok, it’s probably a part of your magic too, we can just work on this, Can you summon arrows? Remember to try to think as positive as you can. It seems to help your magic.” Cross soothe softly. He could teach how to use it, he can do that.
Dream nods closing his eyes for a few seconds before opening them. Cross sighed “Dream it’s going to take a little longer for you to-“His lecture was cut short by Dream asking him something he never expected, “Does all magic come from positivity? “ Dream asked tilting his head to the side.
Cross blinks surprised “well no, It’s different for everyone.” Dream tilted his head “Like what?” Cross gulped, nervous sweat going down his skull. He had hoped for a bit more time before talking about DETERMINATION, L.O.V, And Execution Points. “Take a seat, kid this is a big of a long story.”
Dream plots down on the soft jade grass and Cross joined him taken off guard by the living grass. It had Always been brittle and harsh. Weeds rooted together to prevent any beauty from growing, separate yet working as a team. Little prince must have spent hours gently and carefully pulling the weeds out and planting new seeds after clearing the dead grass and stickers.
Dream smiled warmly, a contagious infection Cross can’t help but notice has spread around. The garden was much brighter than he thought. The usual black arched walls seemed to be a deep purple instead. “Well monsters get their magic from strong emotions and LV. LV is short for levels of violence-“ Dream gasped scared “w-what? Why would someone want to hurt anyone! That’s mean!” Cross sighed softly “there are a lot of reasons, I’ll explain more of that when you are older. “ cross said desperately trying get off the subject.
Dream thankfully nods. “You get yours from positivity, Boss gets his from negativity-“ “Why do you call him Boss sometimes and Nightmare others?” Caught off guard Cross stumbled for an answer, his face burning purple with his thoughts going back those nights and the .....ahem other names exchanged. He remembered each one very well, killer and nightmares hands phantom trace his bones causing a shutter. “Cross are you ok?” Dream asked after a few moments snapping him out of his thoughts. “A-ah yes w-well we are-“ he can’t bring himself to say boyfriends, they aren’t.
He and killer weren’t priority for Nightmare. They were amusement, temporarily- and yet-
‘Cross stumble out of his room tired after pulling an all-nighter to get a task done. Running a empire was hard, even if you weren’t the emperor. He made his way to turn it in only the stumble over his own two feet. Seeing the ground speed toward him Cross braced for impact, But it never came. A warm squishy- gooey substance stained his clothes coming from a tendril wrapped around his waist. He looked back at the tendrils’ owner. Displeasure shone vibrant in nightmares one cyan eye. There seems to a slight mix of emotions, but most were drowned out by the clear annoyance. “S-sorry boss-“ Cross has been cut off by an groan. “You didn’t sleep idiot. Don’t try to deny it. How the hell can you be effective if you’re falling asleep on me?!” Nightmare growls.
“S-sorry sir, I was just-“ “Shut up. You’re voice annoys me.” He barked. Cross’s voice died on nightmares command. A tentacle takes his work from him. Night walked back to Cross’s room without a word from him or the skeleton he was carrying. He opened the door and pulled the covers and sheets down and dropping him into the bed. “ Sleep, this is a order.” His expression was strict and yet his eye held this tenderness Cross had never seen. Cross remember tiredly nodding as the covers were pulled over him. He didn’t remember grabbing them but he must’ve. The last thing he remembers before sleep took him was nightmare watching him from his door with a soft smile. ‘
It was probably just his tiredness however, “Ask Nightmare...” he answered softly snapping out of his flashback. Dream nods,” OK!” He beamed “let’s get back to practicing, try to summon some arrows while I set up the target.” Cross command standing up. Dream nods standing and going back to focusing on his magic.
Cross walked to the training room to grab a dummy. “Fucking hell!” He heard Blackberry cuss.”what’s wrong?” He asked “Ink and Blue, are getting closer! Boss is having trouble keeping the promise to Dream....” black muttered. “
“SHIT- well if he has to.....then he has to.” Cross muttered loudly. Black gave him a disturbed look. “All this... For what?? The kid will grow up eventually, and he will want to explore and leave. What happens then??” Black spit. Cross frowns. He had blocked that information out of his mind. What would they do? Would they let their prince out of his safe tower? Or would they become the Dragon keeping him there? “I don’t know...but right now I know that this is the safest place for him. He already died out there once.....” cross muttered picking up the dummy and heading out.
Black muttered angrily. He technically shouldn’t have been there but he and horror had become good friends so no one paid him any mind. He was similar to Blue in that they never backed out of a fight even when they were clearly not going to win. Though his whip could do as much damage as Blues war hammer. They really were the embodiment of ‘Though they be little, they be feisty.’ Is that how that quote went? Cross hadn’t read Shakespeare in a while.
It was astonishing of how much people underestimated Blue Or swap as he preferred. They just call him Blue for ‘code Blue’. Blue had held his own against several of them. Of course they easily out numbered him but still Swap was a good opponent. A really good guy too. He would let them have a moment to catch their breath if they extended the same curtise back. Shame they were on different sides, though he was good friends with error.
Ink...... that’s would be better for someone else to cover...
When he got back to Dream, the kid had summoned a few arrows. Cross set up the dummy and gently positioned Dream. They spend the rest of the day working on shooting the bow.
(Time skip cause I’m not an archer. If you’re still here.... thank you! Almost done!)
Cross watched the Sunset from the garden as the golden rays made the emerald leaves and jade stems glow. The light falling upon the beautiful many different colors of flowers, creating a spotlight highlighting the breathtaking nature of this resurrected place. Dream nuzzled into his lap, having fallen asleep laying on the guard. The light hit his golden circule. The kid said it was nightmares’ as he had a panic attack anytime he saw the other circuit. The lighting made him seem to be a stunning angel. Cross smiled softly unaware of the darker skeleton watching him with a pleasant smile and a soft eye .
“Tired himself out?” Nightmare asked breaking the peaceful silence. Cross jumped surprised “B—Boss! Ah yes sorry I didn’t realize you were there!” Cross apologized quickly. Nightmare ‘brow’ furrowed and let out a thoughtful hum. “I thought I told you and to refer to me as Nightmare in private “ his tone was scowling yet softened unusually. “A-ah yes si- Nightmare-“ Cross stumbling through his words. His usual strong persona failing him yet again. Nightmare chuckled softly before sitting next to him. “My brother knows his gardening...” he muttered in awe.
Cross nodded doing his best not to look at Nightmare. He could feel his Cyan Eye boaring into the side of his skull. “Something bothering you? “ Nightmare asked politely. Cross just shrugged trying to keep his expression and emotions under control. He did not want to give Nightmare more then he had to. “Our relationship ? You feel left out.” It’s not a question. Nightmare smiled softly at Dream before continuing,” I admit, I’m fair from the best partner, and and not skilled in communication, but do believe you and Killer are invaluable to me. “ A tentacle gently takes under his chin and has him look in his eyes. Nightmare eye ementis a soft glow . He smiled softly, it looks almost unnatural for a face that expresses negativity mostly. Cross feels frozen blush coating his cheeks. Nightmare gently captured his a gapped mouth into a sweet kiss unlike anything he had given before. Cross melts in it his arms wrapping around Nightmares neck. Nightmare hands gently hold his cheeks his thumb massaging him. They stay in that sweet moment until cross has to break for air, quietly panting, his face burning grape.
Cross stares at him in shock and the confiting emotions siring more. Nightmare kisses his hand before standing up and gently- as if He would dust from a single touch- scooped up Dream and left Cross in the quickly darkening garden without a glance back, leaving him once more with more questions than answers. Cross sat there as night fell, pondering what the little gardener had done to this thorny kingdom. He waited a few hours then left the garden to sleep. He stumbled into his room going over the encounter with Nightmare and only frustrating himself further, before slipping into a restless night sleep.