Wicktober prompt day 20 - Nightmares | event organizer @wickblr
Note: This idea just randomly appeared in my head, and I thought it could fit Santino and Acheron well. So, yes, here is a little ficlet about Santino having a nightmare, and his demon assistant Acheron helped him get through the tough night. Human form Acheron, btw ;)
Have some Santino & Acheron, enjoy! :]
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The night was long and insufferable, the air felt heavy, the room felt hot and almost claustrophobic. It was one of those nights, the long and terrifying ones that Santino had to get himself through alone.
Vivid memories mixed with nightmares, it felt so real, he was physically and mentally feeling everything that was happening in his mind and he couldn't do anything. He was shaking, hands clenching his pillow and sheets, his breathing hitched from time to time as if he couldn't breathe. He felt sick, he felt dizzy, all that while he was asleep, unaware of his surroundings, all he could focus on was the horrible nightmare. A nightmare that had some reality in it.
It was 4 am when it was happening, the halls of the D'Antonio mansion were dark, everyone was sleeping except Santino's best assistant, Acheron. He doesn't need sleep, only rest sometimes. Usually, during the night, Acheron would do some of Santino's paperwork to help him out, to make it easier for him. After all, Santino wasn't looking too good lately. He started smoking more, drinking before going to sleep without even eating anything, so sometimes he would wake up feeling sick and hungover. As far as Acheron knew, this evening, Santino drank only half a glass of the wine, he looked worried the whole day, and no one could really figure out why. Not even Acheron.
He just signed the last paper when he started feeling uneasy, like there was danger nearby, that something was wrong with Santino. He placed the papers back to their place and went to check out the situation.
There wasn't anything unusual while he walked through the halls, everything was silent, he could only hear his footsteps. Yet the closer he got to Santino's room the more he heard… whimpers? Sobs? Acheron tried to figure out the noise as he leaned his head closer to the door. His master’s noises sounded like he was struggling, like he was in pain and Acheron couldn't let him stay like that.
He carefully opened the door, silently sneaking towards Santino. He stopped right next to him, noticing how he was trembling, gripping the sheets, he really wasn't looking too good. Acheron thought about waking him up, he was struggling in his sleep, Acheron couldn't just let that continue.
“Master,” he whispered, gently rubbing Santino's arm yet he didn't react only winced but that was all.
Acheron stopped for a second, thinking what to do, he felt bad seeing his master like this, it wasn't fair that Santino had to go through another night like this.
“Master,” Acheron tried again, a little louder this time and shaked his arm a little more. “Wake up, it's okay.” He repeated it a few more times until Santino gasped softly, startled awake and disoriented.
The demon stepped back to give him some space, turning his head to look for a glass or a bottle so he could bring him some water. He heard Santino shuffling with the sheets, but he thought it was only him trying to regain himself. “I'm right here-” Acheron started when he looked back but stopped himself mid sentence when there was a barrel of a gun pressed against his forehead.
He could see it in Santino's eyes, they weren't clear, he was confused, he didn't recognize his assistant, his hand was shaking, he was still breathing a bit heavier. Acheron slowly raised his hands in surrender, “It's me, Master.” It didn't work, Santino was still holding the gun. “Acheron. Your assistant.”
That seemed to finally get to Santino, he blinked, sighing and slowly lowering his gun, but still looking at his assistant. D'Antonio looked terrified for a moment, like he couldn't process what just happened. “I’m sorry,” Santino whispered and Acheron took the gun away, placing it at the counter.
“It's okay, you're safe,” Acheron said, trying to sound reassuring, since he could see that his master was distressed.
“No, no, I'm so sorry,” Santino murmured, almost too quietly for Acheron to hear. “I'm sorry- I didn't mean to.” He rubbed his face and pinched his eyes closed in an attempt to fully wake himself up.
“I understand, it's okay.” At this moment, Acheron wasn't sure what to say, he wanted to give Santino some time to process everything. But he felt the need to tell him to breathe, seeing how panicked Santino looked, he couldn't let him have a panic attack. “Just breathe for me, okay? Slowly.”
Santino actually looked annoyed for a moment, just mostly at himself for reacting the way he did and now he was struggling to calm down his breathing. “Fuck, I really… I don't know why I did that.” Santino tried to inhale and exhale calmly, but it was still shaky and it was like he couldn't do anything. It was then when Acheron noticed a glistening trail down Santino's face.
The sobbing he had heard.
“Master, have you cried?” Santino looked up at him in confusion.
“What?” He breathed out, feeling his face and the wet spot. “No… I didn't. What is this?” He was so confused, in disbelief, and nothing was making sense.
“You probably had a nightmare that was too intense. It happens, though, especially if you were stressed out these days.” And, Santino was stressed out these days. Acheron thought it was something about work but now it looked like there was something more.
“What the fuck… I could've shot you.” Santino looked over at the gun on the counter, not really listening to Acheron.
“Well, I can't really die. Although it would hurt.” Acheron tried to use a little bit of his charm to help and calm down the tension. “And it would stain your bed and I don't want that.”
Somehow, that made Santino laugh, but it was a sudden chuckle that turned into more of a desperate laugh as he tried to stop himself, lowering his head to hide his face with his band. “What have I done?” He whispered when he got himself to stop.
“Nothing. Nothing bad happened.” Acheron took this as an opportunity to try and feel Santino's forehead in case he got a high temperature, but it was like Santino sensed that he was getting closer to him.
“Don't touch me.” D'Antonio warned, a hint of frustration in his voice.
“Okay, I won't.” Acheron stepped back. There was silence for a few seconds before Acheron tried again, however a bit hesitant, “I'm… not sure having a gun under your pillow is the safest option for you. Maybe in the drawer?”
“Just… shut up. I feel sick, stop talking.” For a moment, he thought he was going to be sick, and having his head down and then looking up made it worse. He cursed something in Italian, Acheron stood right there in front of him in case if he had to help him get to the bathroom. However, Santino managed to take some deep breaths, remembering what Acheron told him, to breathe slowly.
“Okay?” Acheron asked softly, studying Santino's face and body language.
“I… I think so,” Santino nodded slowly, voice barely above whisper. “What time is it?”
“Half past five in the morning.”
Santino sighed in frustration, his mind was racing with so many thoughts. “I can't believe this happened again.”
“It passed now. You're okay.” Well, it could still take Santino some time to fully regain himself.
“I think it was instinctive…” Santino paused to exhale, “To grab the gun. But I thought…”
“What?” Acheron asked softly.
“I thought you were someone else.”
Oh. Acheron was right then. That look in Santino's eyes told everything. Fear, confusion, disorientation, anger. The assistant guessed it was probably better not to ask him who he saw instead of him, but he knew it was only slow steps with Santino when it came to helping him open up about his emotions. No matter what reaction he would get from Santino, he could understand his feelings more that way.
“Do you want to maybe tell me who you thought-”
“No, no,” Santino cut him off, “I don't want to talk about it.”
Acheron nodded, sensing sorrow and misery mixed with anger in his master. Whoever he saw must've done something terrible to him. “How about I bring you some water? Or tea? Anything you'd like,” he offered.
“Water is fine,” Santino replied quietly.
While Acheron was getting him water, Santino got up, felt dizzy but supported himself on the counter to get to the window. He opened it and felt the cold fresh morning air, inhaling and exhaling it.
“Oh, Master, what are you doing?” Acheron asked, placing the glass on the counter and rushed towards him.
“I'm fine, I just need some air,” Santino replied. Sometimes, Acheron's worry would annoy him, even if deep down he knew he only meant to protect him. “Don't touch me.”
Acheron stopped, he was about to hold his shoulders in support. “Okay. I brought you water.”
Santino sighed deeply, closing his eyes, “Thank you.”
The demon stood on the side, waiting for Santino to take in some deep breaths. It took him a few minutes and decided to come back to bed after he shivered from the breeze. He was quiet, didn't say anything when he sat on the bed, took the glass and drank almost everything.
“Put the gun away,” Santino murmured quietly.
“I'm sorry?” Acheron asked since he didn't hear him properly.
“Put the fucking gun away, I don't want to look at it,” D'Antonio snapped, “Put it in the drawer.”
Acheron did what he was told, putting the gun in the drawer. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
Santino stayed quiet again, swallowing nervously and looking down at the floor. “I almost pulled the trigger.”
“You didn't.”
“I almost did. You started talking and I stopped myself.”
“You wouldn't kill me, I can't die,” Acheron reminded him.
“I know. What if it wasn't you? What if it was someone else?” Santino looked at him, finally after some time.
“Well…” Acheron sighed, “It didn't happen, it's best not to think about that.” He was worried it would upset if they started talking about it.
“It could've have-”
“Master.” Acheron cut him off. “Everything's alright.” He had to snap him out of it.
Santino looked puzzled, but this time, he didn't snap back at him. Instead, he nodded and looked away from him. “Right… yes. I guess so.”
“You should feel safe in your own home. With me, I can guarantee that you're safe here.”
His master stayed quiet again. He should feel safe here, his reaction was out fear, instinctive and not the first time this happened. “I know. I'm sorry if I ever doubt you, sometimes I forget that you're a demon and immortal.”
Acheron chuckled softly, “It's alright, I understand. I just want you to feel like you're safe.”
“Yeah. You want that and my soul one day.” It looked like Santino relaxed a little, finally.
“I'm glad you're feeling better,” Acheron smiled. “Joking so early.”
“Don't get used to it,” Santino groaned as he felt the back of his neck. He probably got a little stiff while sleeping. He also noticed that his skin felt warm, so Acheron was right about his suspicion.
“Alright,” Acheron nodded, “Would you like any pills? Painkillers? However, I don't recommend drinking them on an empty stomach.”
“No, I'm barely drinking water. I'll be fine, thank you.” Perhaps chugging down water so quickly wasn't the right move, since now it was starting to make him feel sick again.
“Are you sure you'll be fine?”
“Yes, I'll sleep through it. Or… I don't know, stay awake. It wouldn't be the first time.”
“It's better to get some sleep, Master. The nightmare wouldn't continue, I'm sure.” Acheron couldn't promise it won't continue, he was just hoping his master would continue sleeping peacefully.
“We'll see. I'd like to be left alone now.” The sunrise started to appear and that didn't help Santino's sudden headache.
“Whatever you say, Master,” Acheron said and bowed his head in respect. “You can always call me whenever you need me.”
Santino only nodded in response and lay back down on the bed, hearing the door close when Acheron left.
Sleep through it. Acheron couldn't stop thinking about what his master said. Santino said that so casually, so he was doing it often and Acheron couldn't always tell when.
Santino even managed to trick his own demon assistant into thinking he was fine when he wasn't. ‘Impressive.’ Acheron thought.
In the morning, at 8 am, Santino woke up again. Or he never slept. Acheron noticed the dark circles under his eyes, and he just wasn't looking too well. It also took him a longer time to get out of his room, so the demon only thought of the worst, that his master was sick in the bathroom.
Santino was in the kitchen, drinking coffee, or attempting to since this time it tasted awful and made him feel nauseous again. So, he only drank a little bit.
While Santino was still there, Acheron went to his room and immediately noticed that the gun was on the counter again. Why? Acheron thought Santino wanted it out of his sight for at least a day.
Well, Acheron left it there, knowing Santino doesn't like when his things are being touched or put away. But it made him worried and he wanted to ask Santino about it, but seeing how tired he looked, he didn't do it. He didn't want to upset him.
“Acheron. Let's go, we'll be late.” He heard Santino calling for him and he obeyed, following his master and his orders like always.
Acheron wondered the whole day what was the nightmare that upset Santino so much to the point of almost having a panic attack. His master wasn't talking much with him today either, he was just doing the negotiations with people, being his usual self, trying to get the most with his charm and silver tongue. No one could see that he was drained and exhausted except Acheron and Santino preferred it to stay that way.
Other info: Acheron is the Lord of Agony and the ruler of the Agony Realm. He is always quiet, yet he always somehow causes a fight between his siblings. He can cause and sense pain of mortals. Even if he created pain, he cannot feel it himself. Ironic isn't it. Acheron sees Abaddon's point of view more then anything, wanting to be there for his younger brother but he can't forgive him for... befriending a human.
id : a digital drawing of a shadow guy on a toned paper background. it is made of swirling shadow in a roughly human shape with a sweater and one non shadow eye. it is holding a shimmery leather spellbook with golden details, and has a similar leather belt supporting a pouch, quill and shimmery ink bottle, on its other side a carved metal cube lantern hangs from a metal chain with a blue glow./end id
revamp the shadow guy, meet my dnd wizard acheron.
I think Acheron could be a little bit more in his human form. In the original idea, he was supposed to be only in his wolf form with the ability to shapeshift into anything/anyone. But I think he could use his human form a bit more since I really like it. He can still shapeshift and mimic voices.
And Santino will really like that form. I mean, Acheron will really just become someone special to Santino.
