Nightmarish Proposal

Summary: He promised to take away her frightening days if she agreed to his proposal. However, she didn't, and now he was bent on getting her to agree. Based on a Dream Eating colored Monochrome.

This was actually inspired by the cover of Dream Eating colored Monochrome, not the actual song. I really liked the singer's ENGLISH cover a lot because his voice fit the atmosphere better (in my opinion). I liked it so much, it got to the point where I wanted to listen to it during class, in the end I got in trouble before I was able to play the song. Yes, I've seen that there are other fics based on the song, and they've been following the song closely.

So why read this version? Not telling ya that ya have to, this is my spin on it because I enjoy making twists, but still following the interpretation of the song.

Please enjoy!


Her parents were killed in front of her at the very tender age of five. At first she didn't understand, she really didn't, when the man slashed her parents with his knife and their lifeless bodies fell limp onto her. It was only because of her neighbor that she survived the entire thing. He took action in disarming the man by deflecting the knife, knocking it out of his lousy grip, and kicking the back of his left side to make him lose his balance.

She was stuck beneath her mother's shoulder and her father's arm. Her eyes never left the murderer's face as her neighbor pinned him to the ground and dialed the phone for the police. Her neighbor then gathered her up in his arms after tying the murderer with the hose, and the two waited for the police to come. Once they did, her neighbor played everything back for them and assured that she should be put under his care – he was close to their family after all. It was hesitant, but somehow they agreed and she lived next door to her old home for about twelve years.

During those twelve years, she had been an emotionless doll, picturing the bloody faces of her parents. Her mother was crying and begging for her life while backing her daughter into a corner so the madman wouldn't reach her. The pleas for life fell on deaf ears when his blade came into contact with her breast and plunged into her chest. Her blood splattered the green walls of the family room and her father limped to his wife's rescue, trying to get the man with his already sliced up arm.

The girl could only watch, unable to speak or move. Then her parents' bodies fell on top of her in their last hopes of keeping her safe for the next few moments. They were heavy and reeked of blood. The warmth they once had was decreasing and she started to gasp for breath. Thankfully, the doorbell rang and the madman paused in an attempt to find the girl. He held his breath and then she released a cry that resonated throughout the entire household.

The doorbell rang once more and soon the rapping on the door started to quicken. The madman started to panic and tried to find his way around the house to escape. Then the little girl screamed again and the madman grew angry and started yelling at her with no idea where she was. Soon after, glass shattered and a hand found its way to the lock, unlocking the door and the person behind kicked it open. The frantic expression of her neighbor was imprinted in the little girl's mind.

He was worried then at the sight of her bloody parents, his expression distorted into a furiously animalistic one. It brought chills to her spine and a sense of assurance in her mind whenever she thought back on it. He didn't let her go to school for about three months, and during that time, she went to therapy sessions to talk about it. She had been going for the last ten years.


In the third year, the nightmares were bits and pieces that made her scream and cry for help.


In the fifth year, she was crying in her room, begging for her parents. "Please, mommy, daddy, make the bad dreams go away," she wailed into her palms. She met him instead of her loving parents. There he stood, somehow floating in the air on the other side of the window.

He was a skinny fellow, sporting a black fedora with a yellow stripe, a black blazer, a white dress shirt with a yellow bowtie around the collar, and a pair of black slacks complemented by pointy black dress shoes. In his black glove-covered hands was a white cane, gripped tightly and securely. His golden hair was tied with a yellow ribbon and his dark green eyes gleamed with enchantment. He was luring her in with a sly smile, standing before her open window.

A gasp escaped her lips as he leaned toward the glass, knocking on it, standing on nothing but air. She was hesitant, but heard his amused chuckle and her body somehow moved on its own. The window was finally opened and he slipped in without making a sound. The full moon beamed its enchanting glow and the branches of the tree outside tapped against her window.

"Little girls are supposed to be asleep at this hour," he mused, twirling around his cane and taking a seat in the air.

She bit her lower lip, feeling the tears welling up in her eyes. What a scary man. She should go and tell her neighbor about this and he'll beat him out of here! Then the skinny fellow put an index finger to his lips and shushed her worries. She fell to her knees, her night dress flopping to the floor and her growing hair going down with it. Her big eyes focused on him as he smiled once more with a sinister glint.

"There's no need to be scared, little miss, I'm here to take away your fears," he informed and leaned down towards her, staring her in the face, his lips widening into a smile. "Now, how about I take away your nightmares?"

Her eyes widened, hope lighting them up. Would he really take them away? The therapist lady with silvery locks failed to do a difference in her life so maybe…

"P-Promise?" she questioned, hesitant. He chuckled and leaned back, holding his hands in the air to show them off.

"Of course, see, no fingers crossed, little miss." He grinned at her and she slowly did the same. "Now, what is it you do? Ah, yes, a pinky swear, correct?" He held out his pinky and pointed it to her. She stood up and locked hers with his. With a laugh, he pulled back and grabbed his cane.

She stared at him, wondering how in the world he was going to take away her nightmares, and paused. His lips were in a straight line and he held one hand over his fedora, the rim hiding his eyes. Then his gaze met hers and she averted her eyes away from him. There was the fear in her heart, but this time it wasn't about the repeating images of her parents' murder – it was the thought of the fellow clad in yellow and black being here. Shouldn't he be radiating an atmosphere of…protection?

Somehow, he appeared beside her, knelt down and raked his fingers through her neatly kept hair. She wanted to scurry away, but he wouldn't let her. Soon he whispered in her ear with a gentle tone, "Say goodbye to your nightmares, little miss – I'll eat them up. Every last one of them." He ended his words with a laugh and spun his cane until its body landed on his bony shoulder.

The girl stared at him curiously. He returned it with a smile.

"Well, little miss, I'm going to go now; the moon is glaring at me," he joked and took a step back into the shadows of her small room. She extended her small hand out towards him and somehow felt his presence vanish.

"Bye…"


In the seventh year, they moved out of the house that was situated beside her old one and into an apartment building because he figured that it wasn't healthy for her to be constantly reminded by peering out the window. It wasn't veryclose to their old development, but it wasn't very far either.


It was the eighth year when he returned. She was sick for a week and wasn't getting better due to overwhelming flashbacks. Again, she wished for them to disappear, wishing for someone or something to take them away.

He took the initiative in breaking past the window's locks and opening it himself. It was a full moon that night as well. Then he loomed over her and took a seat on the edge of her bed until she sat up, letting the towel fall from her forehead. Her face was flustered and her eyes were drowsy. Her head was throbbing like crazy and she was ready to burst into tears; if it didn't hurt so much to make any sudden movements, she would've done so earlier that day.

The fellow shushed her, doing the same position as before. Did she remember? Ah, that didn't matter to him. Her nightmares were delicious. He leaned towards her and she backed up, fright overflowing her heart. Her head was a different story, though; it was telling her something, but there was too much to comprehend what it was telling her. He looked so familiar, but the girl couldn't think of how or why she'd know him. Maybe he was some guy from school? Was he here to…?

"Little miss." Her head hurt like crazy. He was so familiar. "I'll take away those nightmares you've been having if you'd like," he offered and she thought this was too good to be true.

With a weak smile, she nodded, her eyes pleading instead of her voice.

He chuckled, enjoying how easy this was. "I'll do it for a kiss."

She contemplated, but the images repeated themselves and she clutched the blankets that covered her petite body. The thing is, she had a boyfriend already, and this would be cheating…wouldn't it?

"C'mon, little miss, you want to dispose of those fanta-dreadful nightmares, don't you?" he questioned, swiping his tongue over his lips. She did, but…her loyalty. "It won't even count; you may just be dreaming right now," the fellow commented, somewhat pleased with her agonized decision-making, though annoyed by it at the same time. What was taking her so long to choose? This was her chance to get rid of the nightmares, and…

After another second, she nodded. It was a dream anyway, right?

With a smile that could match the Chesire Cat, he tipped his stylish fedora to her. "Let me do my magic then," he spoke and captured her lips over his after tilting her head up with a gentle grasp. He was cold and bitter and she never wanted anything more than to tear away from him and go into the arms of her boyfriend at that moment. He raked his fingers through her hair and pulled back, swiping his lips with his tongue, and winded a few of her strands around his finger. "Definitely an improvement from the last pact."

Last pact? What on Earth was he talking about? He held down his hat and grabbed his cane. "W-What are you talking about?" she questioned and cleared her throat, noticing how hoarse her voice was.

He smiled, happy. "No need to worry, little miss. This kind of thing makes me happy." He put his index finger in front of his lips and winked at her. She didn't know whether her face was blushing from his handsome face or the fact that she was still very ill. For morals' sake, she preferred it was the latter.

"Um…who…are you?" she questioned, clutching the hems of her top comforter. He paused, silence looming over the two until he chuckled and adjusted his fedora, twisting the rim.

"Now, go to sleep, little miss, I hope you have some…sweet dreams." He laughed and disappeared when she blacked out.


In the ninth year, she started calming down, but the stress of school work was taking its toll on her after being obsessed over a memory.


In the eleventh year, he wanted her to take a break from it and free her mind by doing other things like sports or singing.


In the twelfth year, she used singing as an escape and tried to forget about everything.

On the twelfth year, she didn't know why, but she stayed awake past midnight. Her boyfriend recently broke up with her yesterday and she was still in her mourning period. She'd been in about four relationships so far, the first one lasting about four months, the second about two, the third was about six, and the last one was about…

"Seven, which is very impressive if I do say so myself," a voice commented and she spun around on her computer chair to find the fellow standing outside of her opened window. She squealed in surprise, ready to slam it shut, but he stepped in before she could do so. "Oh, what a terrible response," he noted, offended.

Then he laughed.

Her head throbbed and she could vaguely remember him. Then everything flooded back. Her parents, her neighbor, those long years of reoccurring nightmares only to have a relief period after a certain night. It was…it was…

"Y-You?"

He grinned and leaned towards her with his fingers holding the rim of his hat and his other hand holding the handle of his cane. "Yes, and top of the midnight to ya, little miss."

He spun the cane around and took a look around her room.

"You sure have grown up in the last couple of years – no more stuffed animals and fancy dresses." She watched him take extreme interest in her quarters and her heart was racing. "Y'know, I was thinking of visiting ya, but I didn't think you'd need to me to eat anymore of your dreams, so I took a step back and tried finishing up the leftovers. Little miss, you were truly a messed up child back then. I had plates and plates of those stars."

"Excuse me," she brought him back, holding the edges of her computer chair. "Stars?"

"Well that's how dreams look like to a dream eater like me," he informed, suddenly beside her with his hand on her shoulder. She tried to wheel away, but the hook handle of his cane was around one of the wheels and she was stuck there. "Don't run away, we're friends – actually, a little too intimate to be just that, aren't we?"

She paused, dread chilling her insides. So that kiss between them wasn't a dream?

"We made a promise, we kissed, and you invite me into your room like it's nothing. Also, I got to see you practically half-naked that time you were sick. Ha, I wish I could see you like that now since you're more developed." She pushed him away, but he moved back just in time with a laugh and appeared floating over her bed with a cup of tea in his hand. His cane was propped beside him, also in the air, and she was blushing madly.

This was a vulgar man and she wanted nothing more to do with him.

"Get out of my room," she demanded. He shook his head and took a sip of his tea, an ominous cloud of purple streaming from the liquid.

"Now, why would I do that? You were begging for me to take away your scare," he noted and took another sip with a smirk on his lips.

"Since when did I do that?" All she's been doing was trying to get rid of her mourning period for her latest boyfriend. There wasn't any scaring involved. At least, not this time. She hasn't had a single nightmare of her parents or the fact that the murderer might come after her and her…erm…new parent. Okay…that topic was still somewhat sensitive.

The fellow shrugged and tossed his cup in the air. It shattered in wisps of shadows and a glitter of stars glowed in the dark. "I don't know, but I do know that your voice was the one that called me here. Now then, what scare do you want me to rid of for today?"

"N-None…"

"Hmm…is that so? Well then, I guess we should start talking about the cost of those scares you've been telling me to get rid of."

She had a puzzled look on her face.

He smirked haughtily and tipped his fedora to her. A wicked glint flashed in his eyes and she felt another chill run down her spine. What has she been doing in the past years? Making deals with a devil such as himself was the most foolish thing anyone could possibly do.

He laughed maliciously and stared down at her. "You wanna know the price?" But of course! "Well it ain't cheap!" he cackled almost too happily for her sensitive ears.

"What is it?" she glowered.

He smiled creepily. "All the color in those pretty eyes of yours, I just want to lick it all up." He chuckled, ending his frightening talk. She shivered, hugging herself at his icy tone.

"Y-You don't mean that, right?"

He eyed her quizzically. "Why wouldn't I? I'm a dream-eating creature, a monochrome-colored baku," he enumerated and flicked the rim of his hat to show his stunning eyes. She winced. He sounded completely serious. Wait, a baku? Those things couldn'tpossibly exist.

Unable to conjure any reasonable thought that sounded plausible, she merely laughed nervously. Okay, that was pathetic, but at least she calmed down a bit…just a tiny bit. "You're just another part of a nightmare, a dream!" she countered, hoping that she would wake up from this horrible situation. At least, she thinks it is; what does he mean by 'all the color' anyway?

The fellow shook his head, closed his eyes and put his hands up in the air, as if he was disappointed by her accusations. In reality, he was.

"Welcome to reality, little miss," he commented and appeared before her, a little tooclose for her liking.

"W-Wait!" she screeched, backing up as he was getting closer with his cane disposed of and his hat tilted up to reveal the tumble of his yellow bangs. He stopped, puzzled and amused. "E-Explain yourself! What do you want from me?"

He grinned and entertained her last moments of seeing color. "Well, as any other dream eater, I like having your dreams as a meal, but right now, I want your colors."

"M-My colors?" she questioned, feeling her heart beat itself to death in her chest.

He was adjusting his wrist-length gloves with a bored expression. Then he started, "Why yes, you'll live the rest of your life in a monochromatic daze, or should I say, forever in monochrome days," he explained laughing as he finished his adjustments.

"W-What else can I do without getting rid of…" she trailed, unsure of how maddening a monochromatic world would be like. However, this fellow might have the answer if she was willing to question it in order to prolong the horror that would await her. He would probably accept her questioning as a sign of acceptance or the obvious sign of reluctance.

…He paused.

"Hmm, well…I can take all your fears away," this was okay… "If you promise to me marry me." …and he lost her.

"M-Marry you?" she parroted, struck into a spluttering mess. "Why? I'm only seventeen!" she exclaimed, her heart racing for a different reason and everything spinning around her. It was almost a big enough deal to erase her nightmarish memories of her parents' death anniversary coming up in about two weeks.

He chuckled. "Well, it's interesting if I marry a human girl. Besides, it beats having some sort of demon bride," he informed, leaning back. "Also, it benefits both of us; you're not going to have anymore scares and I get to have an interesting human bride."

"…Out of all the human girls in Japan…no…in the entire world…why me?"

"Hmm…" he hummed playfully, much to her chagrin. "I'm not too sure, maybe it's because I fell in love with your eyes."

She didn't know whether to be flattered, flustered, or flat out flabbergasted. Although it was a very sweet thing to say, she couldn't help but find the tone to be somewhat sarcastic. He was hiding something, but…

"Now then, whaddya say, little miss? I promise to be the best husband you'll ever have." There was that evil glint in his eyes, but…she didn't want to be maddened.

"F-Fine…" She didn't like it, and her tone gave it away. He realized this and cleared his throat, the sole of his shoes finally touching the physical ground. She released a slight gasp, surprised that he was actually tangible.

"Ah, yes, I should do this properly, hmm?" He cleared his throat once more and went into a one-knee kneel position; taking her hand, he looked at her sternly. She felt her heart in the midst of her throat, tears of fear welling up in her eyes as she waited to hear the dreadful words coming from the baku's mouth. "Will you marry me?"

This wasn't how she saw everything when she was little. She wanted to marry someone who would love and cherish her just like her foster father did and was going to with his girlfriend of three years. She didn't want to throw away her dreams of being coupled with a considerate and loving man, who she desired to meet one day, just because she was horrified by past visions resurfacing in her mind. That wasn't even a legitimate reason to exercise getting married. It was shallow – very, very shallow.

It also left a bitter taste in her mouth.

What was she going to do? Getting married was a life-changing decision, and to a supposed non-existent spirit! How was she going to work this out, was she going to bid adieu to her life in this world? Was she going to go mad from all the things he would do to her? What if this was a trap and he was luring her into it because he wanted a new toy to play with? The crazy feat in question scattered through her head, and she wasn't so sure about her decision anymore.

She was only seventeen.

Her first big mistake was accepting this demon's help in getting rid of her nightmares.

Her second was accepting it once more.

Her third was not calling her foster father.

Her fourth…was…this one.

The fellow peeked up at her face; she was crying, her mouth covered by her hand. Her petite body was trembling and she looked ready to roll over and wail into a pillow. He sighed, not liking the turn of events that transpired during his stay. Then he tumbled the fedora off of his head and plucked something from it. She cried a little louder until he snapped his fingers.

"You have until the next full moon to answer, I'll try to turn that cry of fear into one of happiness," he informed cheekily with a wicked grin. She daringly opened her eyes, wiping away the tears and stared at the object in his hand. It was a glossy ring, black and white were layering over the other and the clashes revealed a silvery gray. It was simple. He then slipped it onto her ring finger without her say. She squeaked and he rolled his eyes.

"I-I didn't agree!" she complained, still wiping away the tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

He scoffed. "This is to remind you. It'll tighten on the next full moon until you answer. Now, if you disagree, that ring will absorb the color in those pretty eyes of yours." Again, she felt the sarcasm welling in his voice, but didn't comment. "But if you agree, that'll be your engagement ring, got it?"

She didn't have any time to answer because he disappeared.


To those waiting for updates...

I keep avoiding you, I am so sorry, I just made this as a stress reliever because I have to review for exams coming up. I wanted to keep this as a one shot, but then I started writing the second chapter and well...it turned into a mess. Believe me, I am working on my other fics, it's just that I keep getting distracted by other things or the lack of motivation.

This was me thinking: Ha...there are plenty of plots like this, but might as well try to take a spin on things!

Pfft. You really think he's gonna give you a month? We'll see.

~Ventus