(Palette)

Seeing him whole and alive, I never wanted to leave him again. I was glad that I got to drive him home, to my home.

When I saw his torn shirt, anger boiled in my chest, then I saw the marks, the carvings. I said nothing until we were alone in the truck, on our way back.

"Who scratched you up?" I asked him stiffly. He looked over at me, a sad, wane smile on his face with a slight red blush. He mumbled something quietly, staring out the front window.

"What was that?" I asked him.

"I did," he whispered louder. I slammed on the brakes, looking at him askance.

"Why in hell would you do such a thing?!" I asked him.

"Because it's the one thing Geno can't take away!" Goth snapped at me. I froze, staring at him. "He took away my locket, he took away my freedom, he took away my happiness, he took you away from me in every way he could! I made sure you became a part of me in a way he can never, ever erase!"

"But why did you mark yourself up in such a way?" I asked him angrily, "I love your body just the way it is, and I'll always be in your heart. You have enough scars, why add more?"

He growled, grabbing my collar and pulling me close, glaring at me, "Every scar on my body is because of Geno. Every. Single. Damn. Scar. If I could erase them I would, but I can't."

He shoved me away and leaned on his window, curling into himself from me, "You can't understand why I did it. It was the one pain I've suffered that I was happy to bear because I bore it for you."

We went silent after that. Or rather, Goth refused to talk to me for a long time as we drove home. He said nothing until we passed over the Over Bridge, within sight of the cliff.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, staring at it. I glanced over at him.

"I can't blame you," I sighed, "You were so close to the edge, anything could have set you off."

"Close to the edge... heh," he chuckled and I realized the play on words.

"I'm sor-"

"No, it was funny," he said, chuckling. I felt his eyes on me, "I needed a laugh."

"If that's the case, knock, knock," I said.

"Heh, who's there?" he replied.

"Doris."

"Doris who?"

"The Doris locked, why do you think I'm knocking?"

Goth laughed softly, "That was so bad," he chuckled. I shrugged, not caring.

"Knock, knock," I said again.

"Who's there?" he asked, calming his soft laughter.

I told him corny jokes for maybe half an hour, just wanting to hear his soft laughter. I felt bad about my freak-out and wanted to calm him down. The last thing either of us needed now was an argument, not after recent events.

When we pulled in front of my house, Goth went quiet. I sat in the truck, letting him be alone with his thoughts for a while.

"Do I need to go inside?" he asked softly.

"Do you not want to meet my parents?" I asked him a bit smugly, and he turned to me.

"I just want to be alone with you for a little longer," he said softly.

"Well, you don't have to go inside..." I let out a breath, "But Ink and Marvul are gonna come outside anyways. I need to get our bags, and then we're heading to the cabin for some quiet time." I grabbed his hand, squeezing it softly, "I'll be right back."

Getting out of the truck, I jogged up the drive to go inside. Ink and Marvul were waiting in the living room with someone I did not expect to see: Nightmare.

It was Nightmare in his prince form. He looked an awful lot like Marvul, except with darker eyes and he wore midnight blue and black colors. Red gold trimmed out his outfit, and he wore a half moon circlet on his head.

"Uncle Nightmare, what are you doing here?" I asked him. Oh stars, did they tell him about Goth?

"I wish to speak with Goth," he said.

"He doesn't want to talk right now," I said stiffly.

"Calm down, Palette," Marvul insisted, "Nothing is wrong. Nightmare just has something to give to him."

"What is it?" I asked warily, picking up the bags I left by the stairs.

"It is for him and only him, Palette," Nightmare said, "On Reaper's request." He made to move for the door and I stood in front of him, eyeing him.

"He's not in the mood for seeing anyone right now," I told him, "Can it wait?"

"It cannot, I'm afraid," Nightmare sighed, "it is most urgent. If you want him to sleep soundly, you'll allow me to do this."

I stood in the doorway for a while, glancing at Ink and Marvul. Seeing no help from either, I sighed and stepped out of the door.

"Let me tell him," I told Nightmare, "Come out when I wave."

"Alright," Nightmare said, standing by the door.

I went outside with a sigh. So much for leaving him alone, I thought. I went up to Goth, who leaned on the window looking a little forlorn. He saw me coming and gave me a wane smile. I motioned for him to roll down the window and he did.

"Hey, I know I said you didn't have to do much," I sighed softly, "but Nightmare wants to talk to you."

His pupil went dark and his teeth twisted into a snarl. The reaction shocked me. He was not looking at me, just staring at something far away. A low growl emanated from his chest and his fingers dug into the side of the truck.

I leaned and kissed him, feeling the snarl melt away at my touch. The growling stopped and he relaxed, kissing back once he was fully calm. I pulled away from him, giving him a gentle frown, "I'm sorry but he needs to. Reaper asked him to do something. He wouldn't tell me what, and he wants to talk to you alone."

Goth gripped my hand, looking a bit frightened, "Please don't leave me alone with him."

"I'll be in the yard, watching. But he needs to talk to you alone."

He sighed heavily, "Fine..."

I waved to the door, seeing Nightmare approach. I walked up the lawn and stopped by the door, holding him for a moment, "You do anything that messes with his head, I will end you," I growled at him. He nodded.

"Don't worry, this will help," he said calmly. I let him go and he approached Goth. I stood impatiently, waiting.

(Goth)

I waited with my arms crossed, not looking at Nightmare as he approached.

"Afternoon, Goth," he said calmly. I glanced at him, a bit surprised to see him in his prince form. Not what I remembered him in.

"Nightmare," I said stiffly, looking away.

"Your dad wanted me to give you this," he said, handing me a black vile. I took it hesitantly, looking at it suspiciously.

"What is it?" I asked him warily.

"It's a sleeping drought," he said calmly, "Take it after dark. It only works at nighttime, but it will keep the nightmares at bay for tonight and let you rest soundly to regain some energy. I'm sure you're very spent, emotionally and physically."

"Not so much physically," I said quietly.

"I know you don't like me, and you don't trust me. Reaper told me to give you this as well," he handed me a pale-yellow scroll, "It's the recipe for the sleeping drought. Proof that it is un-poison-able, as it were, because any additive makes it useless."

"How do I know you're telling the truth?" I asked him. He shrugged.

"You trust Reaper, I assume," he said, "but if you want to know for certain." He held up his wrist. A glint of bronze gleamed on it, shining with ancient ruins.

"That looks like-"

"Greek, I know," Nightmare looked at it and chuckled, "Some old magic your father dug up. It reads, uh, what did he say..."

"'Naught but Truth shall reach the air for those this bracelet doth dare to wear'" I said solemnly, "He taught me to read Greek when I was young," I shrugged at Nightmare's impressed look. I let out a breath, nodding to myself, "Alright, I trust you. This time."

"This time is the only time you need to, so far," he smiled, "But I should warn you: that potion has some potent side effects sometimes."

"Like what?" I asked suspiciously.

"Read the directions, and give them to Palette once you drink it. Once you take the potion, you most likely will lose some control over your actions."

"And why did Dad tell you to give me this?" I asked, holding the potion up.

"He wants you to be fully rested before you talk again," Nightmare sighed, "He wants you to recover your mind before seeing Geno again."

I nodded, and Nightmare left me alone. Palette instantly walked up, grabbing my hand.

"Did he do anything to you?" he asked quietly.

"No, nothing," I said softly, "just gave me something to help me sleep tonight."

"Okay," he nodded to himself curtly, "Then, let's go be alone, shall we?"

"We shall," I said softly.    

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(I had to resist the urge to put like fifteen corny knock-knock jokes in this part. I mean, I looked up an entire list of them...)