@lunarreaper-ut uhm. My hand slipped. Would’ve put more detail into it but there are other things I ought to be working on. Hope you like it though!!! (Also please assume any and all art I make for you is a bribe for more content pretty please!!!) and maybe if you could make it ship content
(Thank you @owlheartt for requesting the second part! Knowing you guys like my writing and au so much really fills my heart with so much joy! I hope you guys enjoy this part too!)
Killer woke up before the sun had even began to peek over the horizon, as he usually did. He hummed contentedly, his eyes still shut as he rolled onto his side, pulling the pillow he was sleeping on closer to his face.
He didn't remember his bed smelling so nice before. This scent was familiar... Like the smell of a chilled night after a thunder storm, and... something else. Killer started to nuzzle his face into the pillow, trying to search for the scent that was evading his sleep addled mind.
Killer didn't quite remember going to his room either, now that he thought about it. He was almost certain he'd fallen asleep. He was dozing in his usual chair, and he'd just been so tired after nearly a whole day of training with Cross. Then...? Killer felt a chill, and then warmth...
As Killer slowly began to put the pieces of last night's puzzle together, he froze. There was the evasive scent... and it became clear very quickly why it was so familiar.
Killer's eyes shot open.
No wonder his bed never smelled so nice... This wasn't his bed. Killer had to fight every urge in his body to leap out of the bed as far away as he could, but he absolutely was not going to wake the sleeping King in front of him.
Killer was usually a very calm person, but as of right now he felt like he was on the verge of panicking. How did this happen?! He was an idiot sometimes, but he wasn't stupid enough to crawl into Nightmare's bed! Not even while half asleep!
He would figure out the "Why's" and "How's" later, right now Killer needed to escape before Nightmare woke. Killer slowly slipped out from under the covers, barely disturbing the silky fabric, and quickly found his shoes and coat. He carefully tucked his side of the bed in as if it was never disturbed, before starting towards the door.
Killer looked back towards the sleeping King and felt himself pause with his hand barely on the doorknob. Nightmare looked so relaxed... Killer wished he could look that way more often. No! Snap out of it, you're escaping, not admiring the one person who will absolutely be mad if you're found in their room!
Killer shook his head and slipped out through the door, practically running to catch up with his morning routine. He just hoped Cross wouldn't ask where he was...
As the door to Nightmare's room shut, the 'sleeping' King's eyes slowly opened. He looked towards the door and sighed, rolling over in his bed, a barely muttered "Idiot" leaving his mouth. If he pulled the very same pillow Killer had been practically snuggling a bit closer, no one would have been around to see it.
Likes
- Autumn and Winter (Autumn is his favorite)
- Knives (Go figure. He’d collect them if he could.)
- Jokes and teasing others
- Combat (He has quite the bloodlust at times)
- Sunsets/Late evenings
- Nightmare’s voice
Favorite Foods/Drinks
- Most alcohols (Prefers a good beer or ale over wine)
- Spicy Foods (Likes meat dishes the most)
- Cinnamon Candies
Hobbies
- Brewing Coffee/Tea (Makes his own blends)
- Sewing (He doesn’t do it often though)
Dislikes
- Arrogant/Cocky people (Even if he can be so himself)
- Anyone who disrespects Nightmare
- Silence
- Drawing attention to his eyes or soul
Killer is an exceptional Guard who has prevented many attempts on King Nightmare’s life. It was during one of these attempted assassinations, that Killer lost his arm. His arm has since been replaced with Nightmare’s own magic.
Abilities/Special Traits
- His arm is capable of minor physical changes, and is able to withstand blows from most weaponry. Killer has learned how to utilize this in combat to it’s fullest.
- He often chooses to keep his arm hidden under his cloak, but he shows it off when he wishes to intimidate others.
- Killer's eyes enable him to see in the dark, but cause issues with reading. He also has difficulties seeing if it is too bright. He prefers the dark now.
- Killer is skilled with most bladed weaponry, but prefers knives as his main weapon.
- Due to having Nightmare’s magic fused with his body, he is able to utilize it for his attacks to a minor extent.
- Killer is able to move his soul around his body, and hide it for short periods of time. If he feels a surplus of positive emotion, his soul will revert to a heart shape. (Though he can suppress this if he makes a conscious effort to do so)
Misc.
- Killer is fond of cats and most small animals.
- He has a nice voice, though he doesn’t sing. (He would if Nightmare asked)
- Killer has a habit of cleaning his knives at least once a week. He will do so if he’s bored as well.
- Killer is 5′8″ (~173cm)
- Killer prefers to sleep on his side, and is a particularly light sleeper. Most disturbances will wake him up.
- If he was allowed to, he would be quite the cuddler
- He has a fairly high alcohol tolerance. It would take quite a few drinks to get him drunk. (He's a sassy drunk. He has a very loose tongue, and isn't afraid to poke fun at anyone or say anything to get someone flustered. When he's around someone he's interested in, he becomes very flirtatious and touchy.)
“You know, Your Majesty, they say if you continue to make a face like that it will stick?” Killer’s voice cut through the silence. Nightmare barely glanced up from the papers he was reading, giving an indifferent grunt of acknowledgement. The papers he was reading consisted of various reports from the Guardsmen sent to patrol the borders of the Kingdom. The words on the page meant little, each report bearing similar details as the last.
Killer’s sigh and grunt of effort as he got up from the lounge he’d been resting on could be heard, soon followed by the Guard’s footsteps as he approached his desk.
“Your Highness?” Killer spoke from directly in front of Nightmare’s desk. The King looked up, a mild look of irritation on his features.
“What is it, Killer?” Nightmare asked. Killer grinned, seeing the King finally look away from the papers.
“Perhaps a break is in order? You’ve been reviewing these reports for two hours now, Your Majesty. Surely they’re not that important?” Killer tilted his head as he spoke. Nightmare sighed and pinched the top of his nasal ridge.
“If you want to go do something, you’re free to do so on your own. I’m not about to shirk my responsibilities just because you’re bored.” Nightmare sat straighter and looked at Killer with an unamused glare. Killer continued to smile, raising his hand to rest his palm against his own chest, giving a slight bow.
“Of course not, Your Majesty. I’d never suggest as such, I’m merely concerned you’re overworking yourself. Isn’t it my job to take care of you?” he said with a slight tilt of his head. Nightmare continued to fix his Guard with the same unamused look.
“Your job is to protect me, not take care of me.” Nightmare raised a brow bone as Killer chuckled.
“Protect, take care of, they’re relatively the same, aren’t they?” Killer stood up straighter.
“Not in this context. Now, if that’s all you have to say, I have reports to look over.” Nightmare raised the papers up to continue reading.
“With all due respect, Your Majesty,” Killer’s voice broke the moment of silence again, causing Nightmare’s brow bone to twitch with mild irritation, “Why don’t you just have your advisor take care of all of these reports? Isn’t that his job?”
“Error is busy in a meeting discussing the funds needed for the upcoming gala. After that he needs to talk with Ink about catering and decoration, and after that he has to talk with the Captain about security.” Nightmare listed off his advisor’s duties as he read.
“And Ink isn’t the one handling all of this because…?” Killer trailed off, and Nightmare looked up at him with a deadpan expression.
“You’re asking why Ink isn’t the one handling the allocation of funds from the royal treasury… For a party.”
“Ah, right.” Killer chuckled. “I guess that’s fair… But everything else?” He asked, and Nightmare looked back towards the papers held in his hand.
“Dream requested Error’s assistance specifically. Apparently this gala is special in some way, and he’s having Ink deal with the invitations of some particularly high end guests. Now if you’re done with all the questions,” Nightmare waved a dismissive hand towards his Guard, “Kindly go back to sitting on the lounge. If you’re bored, I’ve already given you my permission to leave.” He said with an air of finality.
Killer’s grin twitched a little and threatened to fall as he sighed. He bowed his head towards Nightmare before turning on his heel and starting towards the door. Nightmare only glanced up to watch his Guard leave. Once Killer had stepped out, Nightmare let a frown form on his face. He supposed he shouldn’t be too surprised that Killer actually left.
It didn’t stop him from feeling slightly hurt that he had, though.
Nightmare huffed and lightly flicked the papers in his hand so they would stand up straighter. What did he care if Killer had better things to do? As long as he wasn’t bothering him, Killer could do whatever he wanted. Even if the room seemed a bit too quiet without him here. Even if it was just a little colder… Even if Nightmare rather liked the presence of another person nearby…
Nightmare shook his head and growled at his own thoughts. Nonsense is all it was. Killer was always near enough for Nightmare to call if he needed, so there’s no need for concern of his absence. Focus on the reports, Nightmare, before it gets too late. The last thing you want is to be sitting in your office all night. Alone.
…
Did being alone bother Nightmare this much before? Perhaps he was getting too used to Killer’s presence… It’d only been a year since Killer was assigned as his Guard. A year was so little time to someone who was eternal, so why was it that this last year had had such an impact? Nightmare realized he was lost in thought and raised a hand to lightly smack his own cheekbone.
Less than a minute of Killer being gone and Nightmare could hardly focus! This was ridiculous. Nightmare huffed in anger, his grip on the reports a little too tight before he noticed and set them down on his desk, lightly smoothing the wrinkles out. Just a few more reports to go through and then he could retire for the evening.
Nightmare barely finished the report he’d been reading before there was a familiar knock on his office door. He lifted his head a little too quickly at hearing the knock Killer usually gave before entering Nightmare’s office, and quickly cleared his throat.
“Enter.” Nightmare said clearly, and loud enough for Killer to hear through the thick wood. The door opened and Killer walked in, his usual grin lighting up his face as he pulled a cart in behind him. Nightmare gave a confused look to his Guard.
“And what exactly is this?” Nightmare asked, raising his brow bone at his Guard.
“Well, considering how Your Majesty refused to go take a break, I thought I should bring the break to you.” Killer said with a simple shrug. Nightmare watched in slight confusion as Killer started to pour tea into a cup- (One of Nightmare’s favorite cups)- Before setting it down next to the King, along with a small plate with various treats. Butter biscuits, chocolate tarts, and a small assortment of cookies.
Nightmare looked at Killer who then began to pour himself his own cup of tea, a cookie halfway dangling from his mouth as he poured. Noticing his King’s stare, Killer quickly composed himself, removing the cookie from his mouth and swallowing the bite he’d taken quickly.
“Something wrong, Your Majesty?” Killer asked, his voice slightly rough from swallowing a chunk of the cookie he’d barely chewed in his haste to collect himself. Nightmare continued to stare at Killer for a moment without answering, and only spoke once he noticed Killer’s miniscule shifting of discomfort at being stared at for so long.
“No. I suppose not…” Nightmare looked at the tea he’d been poured, and the carefully plated treats Killer had set down. The look on Nightmare’s face softened, if only the slightest bit, and he sighed.
