Chapter Text
“Positivity lies within, Cross. What do you not understand?”
Cross had been sneaking out to see Dream for a while now. Thankfully, his Boss was still utterly and completely unaware. If Nightmare knew, who knows what would happen to the former royal guard, but enough of that. Cross had seeked out specifically Dream in hopes of finding out his boss’ backstory, out of pure curiosity, but instead got caught up in Dreams life story.
After he learned everything the Guardian had gone through throughout the years, Cross stuck around, visiting Dream whenever possible and learning more bits and pieces of stories and adventures overtime that led up to Dream becoming the person, or skeleton, they were.
Cross sat with his hands cupping his skull at a small table with Dream. They were at Ccinos Cafe, a cute cat cafe that had hot chocolate to die for.
“I.. I can't explain what I don't understand! So what? Is there always just positivity within me??” Cross tried to understand what Dream was explaining but the raging headache in his skull said otherwise.
“Ugh, let me put it in the most simple terms I am possibly able to, alright? When you are feeling emotions, which is every second of your life, positivity and negativity manifest within your SOUL to match the emotion you are feeling. If you are feeling positive, positivity manifests in large amounts. Vise versa for negativity. But it doesn't matter how much negativity or positivity you are feeling since there is always at least a little of the other manifested within your SOUL as well. Do you understand?” The Guardian of Positivity rubbed at their temples, getting slightly irritated at the extent they were made to explain a simple sentence they had brought up moments ago.
“Sorta? I get the concept, that's all I need to know. Thank you for dumbing it down for me, Dream.” Cross gave a half hearted chuckle at the end of his sentence, trying to lighten the soured mood.
“I am glad you understand, now– Where were we before I had to explain all of that?”
Cross quickly interrupted the Guardians train of thought, grabbing a caramel apple sucker that was in a small tin on the table for the Boss that the former Guard knew his boss would surely decline and stood up.
“I best be on my way, I am sorry to cut our conversation short, Dream, but you know what could happen if I am not back at the castle soon. Boss doesn't like it when me or anyone else but really his favorite minion, KIller, is out long, and I’d hate to end our meetings with Nightmare finding out about us.” The former Guard shifted uncomfortably, a nervous pit in his SOUL growing rapidly by the second at having to go back to the castle. He wished he could be free from his promise to Nightmare, but he sold his SOUL away for his right to ‘freedom’. Or at least to get out of his blank, once beautiful, AU.
Dream nodded sympathetically, standing as well and carefully laying 20G on the table for their drinks. “Meet here next week? Same time?” The Guardian more so requested than asked. Cross nodded in response before giving Dream another quick nod and teleporting away. Dream followed suit and left a few moments later.
Cross materialized in his excuse of a room. It was a small messy room and it smelt of old, molded food he had forgotten to throw away days ago. If Nightmare found out about this he’d be dead. Hopefully not literally, though. The former royal guard began cleaning up, forcing false motivation through his leylines.
The black and white clad skeleton was less than half way started cleaning when Killer walked into his room uninvited and startled him. Cross and Killer didn’t have exactly the best relationship, but it was there. They would more put up with each other though than actually hang out for the fun of it.
Cross looked over to Killers, devoid of color, eyelights, which dripped a tar like goop substance resembling Nightmares goop that stained any surface it met, onto the guards floor. “What could you possibly want, Killer? I am busy, can’t you see? Or has that goop finally made you blind and useless?” Cross scoffed, rolling his mix match eyelights whilst throwing a dirty sock into a full laundry bin.
“Am I not allowed to visit Criss Cross?” Killers permanent smile widened, scaring off Cross slightly. Killer walked over to the guards bed and plopped onto it, continuing his speech with his monotonous voice. “Boss wanted me to check on you. Can you believe that? Boss said when you came back you seemed nervous. Have anything to say?”
The black and white clad skeleton stared at a wall blankly for a second too long before responding to the dreaded question, quickly making up a lie real enough it could pass. “I met up with an old friend of mine, wanted to catch up, y’know? I was nervous because I was late from Boss’ curfew by a minute or two– didn’t wanna get in trouble. You understand, don’t you?” Cross lied through his clenched jaws, hoping it was believable.
“Out with an old friend? Huh. I was unaware you had friends. Who are they? Mind telling me the name or somethin’?” Killer swung his legs back and forth off of the bed, still smiling monotonously at Cross as he watched the skeletons repetitive motions of cleaning the room.
Cross stopped cleaning and glared at Killer, already annoyed. “What the fuck is your problem, Killer? Can’t you go bother somebody else for once?” The former royal guard raised his voice though not enough that he was yelling, just enough to get the point directly across.
The practically emotionless skeletons' smile got impossibly wider at the others' annoyance. Killer slid off of the bed and walked over to the door, stopping only at the door frame just to turn around and stare seemingly right into Cross’ SOUL. “Fine, since you don’t want my company, I suppose I'll have to go entertain myself with the Boss. I’m sure he’ll love to hear all about you sneaking out to see his greatest enemy. Have fun cleaning.”
The former guard rolled his eyelights again until he stopped. And he realized. “Wait, what?” By time Cross had realized, Killer already began walking away. The guard freaked out and ran out of his room and next to Killer, stopping the other in his tracks.
Cross’ voice got impossibly quiet as he leaned next to Killer, who’s face had a devilish smile plastered onto it. “How the fuck do you know about me and Dream?”
Killer smiled and turned around, walking back into Cross’ room. Once Cross followed suit wanting an answer Killer locked the door behind them. “I want to know what you two have been talking about. If you let me come along next time, I won’t say an inkling of what I know to Boss. Do we have a deal?” The monotonous skeleton stuck out his hand, stretched out and ready to come to an agreement.
The former royal guard pondered the deal. If he denied then Boss would know and he would be put into a position of grave danger. If he agreed then he could possibly put both himself and Dream into a great disadvantage. At least if he agreed, maybe Dream could help him fight if things go south.
Cross hesitantly stretched out his right arm and shook on the deal, agreeing. The action brought back bad memories of when he sold his SOUL away to Nightmare, he hoped he wasnt making the wrong choice again.
“You made the right choice, Criss-Cross. Now, how about we go grab some dinner? Horror wanted me to let you know I'd be done soon. I wasn't going to tell you so I’d get your portion but I might as well. What do you say?” Killer joyously asked Cross, his voice seeming sweeter and filled with delight.
The guard shook his head, feeling sick to his nonexistent stomach and feeling the effects of a headache begin to come on. “I am good, you can have my portions tonight. Goodnight Killer.” Cross sat on his bed.
“Goodnight Crossy~” Killer sang in a sweet tone as he made his way out of Cross’ small room and began his journey down to the dinner table, where he’d be in a suspiciously good mood to everyone else around for the rest of the night.