Chapter Text
Cross had decided to separate himself from the rest of the people and take a moment alone to analyze everything that had happened, the torment seemed to want no rest from his presence and Cross could not object much to it.
Clearly and as always at the opportune time, Nightmare spotted him in the storm and went desperately in his direction, Cross did not bother to think about the reason why Nightmare continued until there, but he supposed that as always it was just to make fun of him and his situation, as if he was feeding on his misfortune.
But apparently he was wrong in his thinking.
Nightmare reached the guardian despite the mud and heavy rain, he looked agitated but the monochrome figured it was due to the cold, the rain, or having run there, Cross nearly muffled a smile because he had never had the opportunity to see him before in such...such a medieval appearance.
"Cross..."Nightmare called his name in full breath, something that caught Cross's attention, however the prince took a brief moment to fix his composure and regulate his breathing, well at least he gave his best effort to do so ."I am unable to continue like this... unable to keep pretending and ignoring the situation in which you have so... coldly involved me..."
Cross growled softly ready to defend himself against whatever accusation Nightmare was able to accuse him of, however Nightmare cut him off before he even opened his mouth.
"I know I haven't shown myself very direct with my intentions and that in your eyes I am someone who is not tolerable, however, I come here to clarify the truth and... the truth is that... I..."Nightmare paused and finally After a second look away in what seemed to be embarrassment, Cross studied him carefully, intrigued by what the prince was so desperately trying to express, trying to find some clue in his gaze until the prince was finally able to speak again. "I'm... .irrevocably...in love with you..."
Cross blinked in astonishment at such words, believing for a moment that he had misheard, Nightmare, uneasy due to the guardian's silence, decided to express himself a little more thoroughly, as always giving more room to his pride than to his feelings.
"I am willing to put aside both your rank and the faults you have shown and ask you to accept my hand in marriage"Nightmare lowered his gaze to the floor one last time now with nothing more than to wait for an answer.
Both were left in a sudden silence that could only be relieved by the sound of the rain falling thunderously, Nightmare, despite the nervousness due to his confession, had a slight and almost imperceptible smile on his face that soon disappeared upon hearing the answer which Cross gave.
"¿Are you-?... ¿Are you making fun of me?" Cross asked in complete seriousness and sure that Nightmare's words couldn't be real. "¿Is this some way to remind me once again of the inferiority of my rank? Cause, if that is the case, then let me tell you that it is in very bad taste and I would be within my rights to show my disagreement ¡Even if you were a prince!"
"¿Me making fun of you? ¡I'm the one who put his feelings on the table, leaving aside his pride and any dignity he harbored!" Nightmare responded shocked at such an accusation.
"¡Well, how little tenderness someone who declares to be in love possesses!" Cross claimed truly indignant only to later let out a slight laugh at the sheer frustration and anger that ran through his being."¿Pride and dignity, you say? ¡¿Is this how you see yourself after all the atrocities you do to your own people?!
Cross faced the contrary with all the contempt he had harbored for him for weeks and he got close enough to Nightmare to notice the growing anger reflected in the prince's eyes.
"¡¿Excuse me?! The issues of how I manage my people are mine alone, not the concern of someone of lower rank. A guard who could not even exert his presence in the army and yet you think you are relevant enough to have an opinion!" Nightmare intimidated by the Proximity gave the monochromatic a slight push and then tried to get away, however Cross stopped him by taking his forearm so he could see him face to face again, to make sure he made things clear to him.
"You're one of the most arrogant people I've ever met, too vain considering that the rank you hold is hereditary and not true merit" Cross stated as if venom was coming out of his mouth as Nightmare tried futilely to free himself from his grasp.
"I didn't come here looking for a scolding! I wanted to see if you gentleman harbored the slightest possibility of allowing me to rejoice in your inferiority! However, I see that...it was a complete mistake..." Nightmare finally managed to separate from the monochromatic only to give him a sad look and step aside to let out a long and frustrated sigh.
Looking to calm down a bit, Cross decided to lean against the nearest wall looking to take a second to breathe and think more clearly about this situation and in the expectant silence he could recognize Nightmare's irregular breathing, sounding much heavier than ever, as if it would trigger all his emotions through it.
That made Cross understand that the statement that Nightmare had given him was really made with the best of intentions despite having been badly executed, perhaps he had thought he had earned an affirmative answer due to the privilege of his position and therefore the refusal had left in such an altered state, however, clarifying the intentions did not give the answer to the reason for those feelings.
"Could you explain to me what is the purpose of declaring such feelings towards me despite-?"
"Because I never met anyone like you" Nightmare interrupted as he turned towards him one last time with a cold face, making Cross sigh in surprise as he saw the nightmare declaring with total seriousness and clarity how little he had left. to express."You are so... stubborn, stubborn and so loyal that you would keep a promise to a friend even if it would cost your happiness in life, an admirable quality of which I know of no one else capable of boasting such a virtue"
"B-but..." Cross hesitated his next words dazzled by the nature in the feelings raised making him nervous and stutter in front of the prince's sight. "That doesn't explain enough about..."
"You cannot expect more explanations from me about my feelings, gentleman, because if I had the answers, I would have enough excuses to ignore it, but as you can see, that is not the case, I could name each of the qualities that I witnessed in you, but at the end of the Today none of them is an answer, much less an excuse for my feelings..." Nightmare did not take his eyes off Cross nor did he doubt his words, he was determined to express his feelings with the same fierceness that they possessed and they were so violent that they made a chill ran through the guardian's soul. "I asked before and I'll ask again...¿Would you do me the favor...of marrying me?..."