(Edit: Forgot to put the warnings. This contains explicit/sexual language and violence.)

"Cross, why do you keep staring at my brother like that?"

Nightmare's words, although laced with his annoyance and displeasure, had no registration in Cross's mind. The boy's mind and eyes were too occupied with his brother, just like he'd said. He was slouched forward in his chair, his elbows on the table and hands against his face. Nightmare groaned in disgust as he could practically see the hearts coming off of him, not to mention the sickening positive energy seething from him.

Dream was on the other side of the park square, sitting on the bench by the fountain. He wasn't alone, of course. He was chatting with Ink and Blue. The three of them were close enough for Cross to hear their conversation. He didn't have to worry about either of the two other Star Sanses dating Dream. Ink had Error and Blue had Dust. But he always kept a lookout for any signs of flirting that was more than platonic fun and games.

"Oh come on Ink! You've gotta forgive me by now!!" Dream pleaded, grabbing Ink by the shoulders. "I didn't mean it!"

Ink looked a little conflicted, his eye colors and pupil shapes changing as he blinked. He always did have a difficult time holding a grudge against Dream and Blue, and not just because they were his friends. They were just too cute to be angry at for long, if at all. His grudge crumbled again when Dream started to put on a certain face, a deep frown tugging at his own face as his guilt flooded into his eyes. Damn Dream and his charismatic cuteness.

"Alright alright, it's fine. I forgive ya," Ink sighed, admitting defeat. "Just... don't do something like that again, capeesh?"

"Capeesh!" Dream's eyes lit back up as he threw his arms around Ink's torso, pulling him into a crushing hug. Ink's cheeks puffed up as a small 'crack' was heard from his body. "Oh, thank you so much! I promise you, I'll never let something like that happen again!"

"It better not...." Ink mumbled his breath, struggling to speak as Dream crushed his body. "Dream... my spine...."

Cross didn't really care for the empty threat that came from Ink. He was only focused on Dream, that bright ray of happiness that lit up his world. He was so focused on him that he didn't even hear Nightmare's gagging from the intensifying positive aura he was giving off. If they were living in a cartoon world, there definitely would've been hearts flying off of him by now. He just loved everything about Dream.

The way he laughed. The way he smiled so warmly and sweetly. How his eyes were so friendly and innocent. He was just so understanding and welcoming with everyone... he was too good for this world. He was too good for any of the worlds in the Multiverse. He was everything Cross could have ever wanted and more. He was perfect. And Cross couldn't help but blush each time he laid eyes upon him or thought of him.

Cross was only brought out of his daydreaming fantasy when Nightmare jabbed at his arm with one of his tentacles. Cross knew his boss didn't like the way he obsessed over his brother, but he didn't normally interrupt him unless he was getting too creepy. When he looked over at him, he saw the serious look on his face. Nightmare put a finger up to his lips and cocked his head to one side, gesturing over to their right. Cross followed his gaze over to a group of three people. He let the Guardian of Negative Feelings take him over to the group, the two of them hiding behind one of the outrageously large trees.

The group was made entirely of humans. One of them had blue-green eyes and brown hair, short, and looked like an average anime protagonist. Another had brown eyes and hair, several ear piercings, and looked like some washed up e-boy. The last one had dirty blonde hair with reddish highlights and hazel eyes, and his face said "Nice guy" in that asshole way. Cross felt himself tense up and his eyes narrowed. Nightmare had pointed this group out to him for a reason, and not just to get his attention off of Dream.

"That one's a real cutie," one whispered. "I didn't think monsters-- let alone skeleton monsters-- could be that cute."

"Which one? There's three of them over there." Another pointed out. "I think the yellow one is the cutest."

"Definitely that one," the other agreed. "God, I wonder what he'd sound like being pulled down onto my dick."

"I bet he'd sound better than Jeremy's ex!" The Nice Guy joked, grinning.

"Do you really have to bring that up?" The one named Jeremy groaned, glaring. "I'm still pissed that fucking bitch cheated on me with that nerd. And all because I raised my voice and threw something at her once!"

"Skeletons can summon those ecto-body things, can't they?" The first one asked. "I bet he can summon a female body better than any of these fake ass sluts around here."

Cross was absolutely seething with rage. So much to the point where Nightmare had to keep his tentacles wrapped around his body, so he wouldn't run out there and kill them right then. But it was definitely hard to not let go, as he himself wanted to tear those people to shreds. Dream was far too sweet and innocent to be hearing such inappropriate things, especially when the person they were aimed towards was him! Did they have no basic respect!?

"Have him make some nice, big, bouncy tits." One suggested. "Rub his clit till he cries."

"Hey, since the ecto-body is just an extension of their magic, does that mean he can adjust it to any desire?" Another asked curiously.

"Only one way to find out, my friends." Jeremy smirked nastily. "Only one way to find out."

Cross's body tensed even more and his teeth gritted together, a low growl escaping him. They were just discussing a potential plan to harass and assault Dream! He watched with unfathomable hatred as the group of three walked off, glaring right into the backs of their skulls. He then turned his sharp glare to Nightmare. Why hadn't he let go of him!? He could've killed those bastards before they could make such a horrible plan!

"Don't worry, you'll be able to kill them soon," Nightmare assured him. Cross relaxed a little. "But if I'd let you run out there, Dream would've noticed."

He was right. Cross felt a rush of fear as he glanced around the one side and saw the Star Sanses were no longer talking away carelessly, and that Dream was staring in their direction. Nightmare placed him on the ground and used a tentacle to point in the direction the three went in.

"Go. Go and give them hell," Nightmare instructed him. "But keep one alive. Unconscious and in agony, but alive, then call Killer. I'll keep Dream distracted. If you need anything, call."

He placed Cross on the ground, withdrawing his tentacles. Cross wasted no time in going after the trio of humans, while Nightmare went to keep his brother occupied. He remembered their faces clear as the day they were in. His chest momentarily puffed up with a feeling of pride, honored that Nightmare was entrusting some a vital job to him. But he could relish that pride later. Right now he had a job to do.

He found them by one of the more unpopulated areas of the park. This area had plenty more trees, so it was easier for Cross to stay hidden while approaching their small group. As it turned out, they were, in fact, making a plan on how they would confront Dream. Cross fought down a scowl as he listened to them. He felt a violent urge as one of them suggested that Dream's personality was a fake, that there was no way he was that nice to people. They were so occupied with their sickening agenda that they didn't even hear or notice Cross's approach.

But they definitely noticed it when Nice Guy let out a cry of pain. Blood poured from the new wound in his chest, where a large and bright red knife had skewered through him with ease. Cross stood behind him, grinning as he yanked the knife out of his body. The blood gushed forward like a shower onto his two friends, his body collapsing to the ground and making a pool. Cross's eyes portrayed all of his fury at the group as he lunged towards his next two victims.

Just because of their SOULS alone, humans were stronger than monsters. That had been proven by the ancient Human & Monster War that plagued the history of every AU, or almost every AU anyway. But with time, and with the monsters sealed in the Underground, humans had let go of their ways and knowledge of magic, embracing technology instead. That gave Cross an advantage over them, as they had no magic knowledge that they could use against him.

But even if they did have that power, their magic alone was nowhere near enough to conquer Cross's love for Dream. He thought of his beautiful light as he slit the blue-green eyed one's throat, nearly beheading him entirely with how large his knife was. His smiling face and innocent eyes. How happy he got to see Cross everytime. He was worth this mess. All of this bloodshed, all of this murder, was all for him. And Cross would do it again and again, no matter who it was or how bloody it got.

The last one-- the one named Jeremy-- was much tougher than the other two. He had some fight in him. Cross wasn't very surprised that the e-boy was the one who acted all tough. He had managed to pull out a pocket knife, which was really pathetic when put up next to Cross's blade. Cross didn't even flinch as the blade dug into his forearm, though he felt the pain. Jeremy's eyes widened in fear as he realized the pocket knife wasn't very effective against bones. Cross smiled eerily at him, yanking the pocket knife from his grasp. He would kill him with his own weapon.

Nightmare's words rang through his head. He wanted at least one of them alive. Cross swore aloud as he remembered this. But he supposed it was best that Jeremy was the one left alive. He seemed to be the ringleader of the whole thing. He started to apply force to his pressure points instead. Once Jeremy was out cold beneath him, he pulled out his phone and sent a text to Killer. A minute or so later, the murderous skeleton was by his side.

"So... this the one the boss wants?" Killer asked, prodding Jeremy's side with his foot. "Gross."

"He'd be dead if I didn't remember that," Cross huffed. "Just take him back to the castle."

"Eh? What's that?" He questioned, kneeling down and grabbing Jeremy's arm. "A ring?"

Cross leaned forward as Killer pried something off of Jeremy's hand. It was, indeed, a ring. A beautiful ring at that. It was made of white gold and had a shining pink diamond carved like a heart. Killer handed it to Cross so he could see it better. This ring had to be worth a lot.

"You have the hots for Dream, don't you?" Killer asked. "Why not give it to him as a gift?"