Archive of Our Own ^beta

Nocturn couldn’t sleep.

He could recognize the irony, of course. But it was surprisingly common for ancients to struggle with their powers when it came time to apply them to themselves. Clockwork was chronically late to every appointment he made. Vortex had to use an app to check the weather for anything he himself hadn’t created.

And Nocturn had insomnia. Such was the way of things.

On one particularly sleepless night, he decided to go find something else to occupy his time, rather than checking on his Sleepwalkers or the dream threads he managed for the umpteenth time.

“It’s been a while since I bothered the Timekeeper,” he mused absently to himself, glancing out over his domain and to the rest of the Infinite Realms beyond. “Perhaps it’s time I paid him a visit.”

Nocturn waved a hand to summon a bottle of dream wine, tucking it under his arm. “It wouldn’t do to show up unexpectedly without a gift, after all,” he chuckled to himself.

Then, in a burst of dreamsmoke, he vanished from his lair.

He reappeared a moment later in the front entrance of Clockwork’s lair, his form curling and emerging from the dreamsmoke cloud that had preceded him. As soon as he finished materializing, he glanced around.

“Yoo-hoo! Oh, Clockwork!” he called. “Sorry to drop by unannounced, but I brought you a little something!”

He waited patiently, holding the dream wine aloft as an offering, but no one appeared. After a few minutes, he frowned and let out an irritated grumble. “Well. How rude, to leave a guest waiting. Perhaps I won’t share my dream wine after all.”

For a moment he considered leaving in a huff to go find someone else to bother, but then a loud clang suddenly caught his attention. Perking up in interest, he slipped towards the hallways leading deeper into Clockwork’s lair to investigate.

Soon enough, he found the source of the noise. In one of the side chambers that Clockwork reserved as a training room, the Master of Time was putting his little pet halfa through some sort of trial. The ghost boy yelped in fear as he was suddenly flung through the air in a wide arc, landing on a pile of pillows at the opposite side of the room with a splat.

“There,” Clockwork announced, watching the halfa as he groaned and pulled himself out of the pillows. “Did you feel that moment where you hung weightless? That was the top of the parabola.”

The halfa just let out a tired groan. “When I asked you for help with studying for my physics exam, I was expecting more explaining equations. Not…this.”

“Practical examples are the best way to learn,” Clockwork replied. He snapped his fingers, and suddenly the halfa was strung up by his wrists, a cartoon-esque weight hanging from his ankles. “Now. Let us discuss tension forces. You said there was a problem involving a series of pulleys? Let’s see what happens to a rope when it’s put through this system. In this case, you are the rope.”

“Wait a second, can’t we just use actual rope?!”

“You need to experience the tension forces first-hand to understand them.”

Nocturn was distracted from watching Clockwork torturing the poor halfa by a little giggle coming from nearby. He glanced over towards the edge of the room where a set of bleachers had been set up. Sitting alone in the audience was the halfa’s redheaded older sister, who was trying to stifle her chuckles at the ghost pair’s antics from behind her hand. Nocturn was a bit surprised to see her there — Clockwork wasn’t exactly territorial of his lair, but he didn’t let just anybody in — but he gathered his composure quickly. Clockwork had always been a bit soft when it came to the ghost boy; that favour must have extended at least partially to his sister, he reasoned.

No one seemed to have noticed his arrival yet; or at least, the halfa and his sister hadn’t. Nocturn was well aware that Clockwork had sensed it the moment he’d arrived, but if the Master of Time was more concerned with putting his pet halfa through the wringer, well who was Nocturn to interrupt? Instead Nocturn flicked through the air as a wisp of dreamsmoke, landing and rematerializing in the bleachers right behind the human girl.

“Having fun at your brother’s expense, are we?” Nocturn murmured, leaning over the girl’s shoulder.

She shrieked and whirled around in alarm. When she saw who was behind her, she recoiled further, her eyes darting between him and her brother below. “Danny — !”

“Oh, don’t mind me,” Nocturn quickly cut her off with a scoff, waving his hand dismissively. “I’m not here to cause trouble. Well, not for you and your brother at least. I was hoping to bother Clockwork, but I see he’s rather occupied at the moment.”

“And now do you feel the point where the friction overcomes the pushing force?” Clockwork was asking impassively while he watched a massive stone block shoving the halfa face-first across what looked to be artificial turf.

The human glanced over at them as well, and when she noticed that Clockwork didn't seem bothered by Nocturn’s arrival, the corners of her lips started twitching upward a little bit. “I told him it was a bad idea to bother Clockwork with something as simple as a physics exam, but Danny can be stubborn. He insisted that the only way he’d pass his exam tomorrow was with Clockwork’s help. Clockwork, however, apparently decided that meant he should tutor Danny on the physics concepts, instead of giving him more time to study like Danny had expected.”

“Unsurprising,” Nocturn let out a low chuckle. “Clockwork has always insisted that these sorts of lessons are best learned the hard way.”

“I’m sure Danny’s definitely learning something,” the human girl agreed with a giggle. Then she smoothed her leggings, and held her hand out towards him. “I’m Jazz, by the way. Danny’s sister. I don’t think we met properly last time.”

“Nocturn, Master of Dreams, Lord of the Sleepwalkers, and Keeper of the Night, at your service,” Nocturn introduced himself with a flourish, taking her hand and galliantly kissing the back of it.

She gave him a considering look. “Last time we met, you were trying to become all powerful by making everyone fall asleep. Given that you’re not attacking me or Danny, and Clockwork isn’t trying to chase you out, I’m guessing something has changed?”

“Ugh, I regret jumping on the bandwagon, but I will admit that putting your brother through his paces was just the ‘it’ thing to do for a while there,” Nocturn admitted dismissively. “After Vortex and Undergrowth got their turns, it was only fair I got mine.”

Clockwork was still busy teaching the halfa physics by actually putting the ghost boy through the physics problems himself. It looked like he might be a while, so Nocturn decided to just help himself to the dream wine, figuring if Clockwork wanted any, he should have made sure that he’d finished teaching the halfa his lesson already. Nocturn summoned a glass to pour the dream wine into, and then served himself a healthy portion.

“So, wait. That was all just a test?!” Jazz cried, looking up at Nocturn in disbelief.

“Yes and no,” he hedged, taking his first sip and then letting out a satisfied noise. “I wouldn’t have been upset if my ploy had worked, of course. But I never actually expected it to. If you and your little friends hadn’t stopped me, the other ancients would have intervened eventually. I just wanted to see how well your little halfa brother would do first. And I must admit, I was impressed with his resourcefulness and spirit.”

Her expression became wary. “How impressed?” she demanded.

“I’m not quite sure what you mean, my dear.”

She squinted at him. “You aren’t going to, like…try to take him on as your protégé, are you?”

He nearly spit out his next sip of dream wine. Spluttering, he stared at her. “What? A protégé?! Heavens, no!”

“Hmm.” She looked unconvinced, still giving him that suspicious look. “Are you sure? Because Danny is apparently very adoptable, when it comes to ghosts. I swear, every ghost he meets eventually wants to take him home with them, it’s been nuts! That’s why I’m here; Clockwork seems reasonable compared to some of the ghosts Danny calls his friends, but even he sometimes invites Danny to stay for a meal, and I just know that’s only the first step.”

“I have absolutely zero interest in spending any more time with your brother than I absolutely have to,” Nocturn reassured her firmly with a theatrical shudder. “No, no. I’m happy to sit here in the stands and let the rest of those saps fight for his attention.”

She stared him down for a moment longer, but when he simply continued to sip lazily on his drink, she eventually sagged. “Well, that’s a relief.”

Down below, Clockwork gestured, and a giant hamster wheel appeared in the middle of the room. “And now we will cover centrifugal forces.”

“Wait, that’s not even on this exam!”

“You asked me to help you with physics, so I’m helping you with physics.”

“Clockwoooaaaaaaah!”

“I mean, don’t get me wrong,” Jazz added absently, her attention on the shenanigans going on in the training room below them. “It’s wonderful that Danny has so many people to look after his well being — ”

A particularly loud drawn out scream followed by a crash made her wince, momentarily cutting her off.

“ — well, you know what I mean. But the thing is, we have parents already. I know they’re not perfect, but they love us, and they love Danny. The problem is that Danny’s so eager to please, he doesn’t even notice it happening. He doesn’t realize that so many of his ghost mentors are trying to essentially, well, adopt him.”

Nocturn gave a noncommittal hum, finishing off his glass and pouring himself another.

“So I’ve had to be the one to chase them off, I guess,” Jazz finished with a shrug. “Otherwise I’m scared that one day Danny will go into the Ghost Zone and not come back.”

“I see,” Nocturn commented, sampling his new glass. “How very noble of you. But what of you?”

“What about me?” she asked.

“Well, does he do the same for you?”

“Danny, you mean? Do what for me?”

“Protect you from those who might wish to claim you as their own,” Nocturn clarified.

She blinked, and then let out a startled laugh. “Oh! Oh, no, no one’s interested in little old me. I’m just Danny’s boring human sister, after all. Nothing special about me.”

Nocturn glanced at her over the rim of his glass, taking note of the white streak that had started forming in her hair, the invisible cloud of ectoenergy that hovered around her, and the way her eyes seemed to glow, just the tiniest bit. “Mhmm,” he murmured sarcastically to himself. “Nothing at all.”

Then he cleared his throat, setting his glass aside for a moment. “Tell me, Lady Jazz. If your brother does not offer you protection while traveling the Realms, have you thought to seek other alternatives? Perhaps you may be interested in seeking assistance from someone else.”

She looked at him in surprise, and then suspicion. “I don’t need protection,” she insisted. “I can take care of myself.”

“I’m sure you can manage many threats, yes,” Nocturn said placatingly. “But the Infinite Realms are, well, infinite, and treacherous to navigate. There may be times when you are in need of a bit of aid; a friendly face or a helping hand, as it were.”

“I just said we already have parents,” she informed him cooly, her eyes narrowed. “I’m not interested in being adopted either.”

“And as I just said, I have no interest in adopting anyone,” Nocturn retorted with a haughty sniff.

“So what exactly are you proposing, if not adoption?” she asked, crossing her arms and staring him down. Oh, but she was a firecracker, this one. For a moment he imagined siccing her on the Observants when they came to call; the mental image was just delightful. But then he quickly shook it off, picking up his glass once more.

“Patronage,” Nocturn replied succinctly, toying with the stem of his glass.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Clockwork suddenly go stiff and whip his head towards them, but Nocturn ignored the other Ancient, knowing very well that the Master of Time wouldn’t interfere. If he was upset that Nocturn was putting a claim on the halfa’s sister first, well, then he should have made a move sooner.

“Patronage?” Jazz echoed. “What does that entail?”

“Nothing much on your part,” Nocturn explained. “I’d claim you as under my protection, and in return you would answer my summons if I needed to call upon you. Given your human nature, I doubt I would do so often, however.”

“That seems simple enough,” she said slowly. “But what's the catch?”

“The catch?” he echoed, sipping his drink.

“Yeah. This seems too simple, what's the downside?”

“It would really annoy your brother,” Nocturn pointed out offhandedly.

“I said the downside.”

Nocturn was startled into snorting into his glass, nearly spilling his drink. Clearing his throat, he gave her a grin that showed off his fangs. “Oh, you are just hilarious, my dear. I really would enjoy being your patron.”

She hummed thoughtfully, still looking uncertain. “...I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have more allies in the Zone.”

“Precisely, my dear. Better to be prepared.”

“Well…” She hesitated, but Nocturn could see that she was at least seriously considering it.

Just then there was a sharp sound of metal on stone. Both Jazz and Nocturn looked up to see Clockwork hovering in the middle of the room, the various bits of equipment he'd been using for his lesson all gone. The ghost boy was lying on the ground beneath Clockwork, groaning, his white hair looking slightly singed.

“I believe I have instilled all I can about physics into young Danny's mind,” Clockwork announced. “The lesson is finished.”

“So is Danny,” Jazz agreed with a snort, looking down on her frazzled brother. “Thank you for taking the time to help him, Clockwork, even if it wasn't what he had in mind. I know how busy you are.”

“Not at all,” Clockwork told her politely, giving her a little bow. “I always enjoy the opportunity to help mold a young mind.”

“Yeah, mold it into the shape of a slope or a pulley,” the halfa grumbled under his breath as he pushed himself up to his feet. He shot Clockwork a dirty look. “I didn’t even know I could stretch my body that far.”

“Well there you have it,” Clockwork replied mildly. “I’ve taught you something in addition to physics.”

The halfa groaned in disgust, but Jazz laughed, making her way down from the bleachers so that she could help steady her brother. “I definitely think that he learned his lessons. Thank you, Clockwork. I’ll get him out of your hair now.”

“Safe travels,” Clockwork said.

Jazz paused before she and her brother left, and looked back up at Nocturn.

“I’ll think about what you said,” she told him earnestly.

“That’s all I ask,” he replied with an acknowledging tilt of his head. “It was a pleasure chatting with you, my dear.”

She grinned up at him. “Same.”

“Wait,” her brother choked out as Jazz started to drag him from the room. “Wait, was that Nocturn?!”

“I’ll fill you in on the way home,” Jazz said, her voice growing muffled as she and the halfa disappeared from sight. “Right now, you need some sleep before that test tomorrow.”

He heard the halfa let out a loud groan, and then they were gone, leaving Nocturn alone with Clockwork. He looked down at the Master of Time and gave him a smug little grin.

“Jealous, much?” Nocturn drawled. “You and the rest of the buffoons courting the halfa’s favour have been trying for months, whereas I have her practically sworn to me in a single chat.”

“She hasn’t said yes yet,” Clockwork grumbled, floating over to join Nocturn on the bleachers. He sat with a huff, summoning his own glass, and finally serving himself a bit of the dream wine. When he saw how little was left in the bottle, he gave Nocturn a sour look, but Nocturn merely played innocent.

“No, but I doubt it will take long,” he replied. “Honestly, the poor thing has been completely overshadowed by her brother, it's practically criminal. If not for him, she would have been snapped up almost as soon as she set foot in the Realms. She has nearly as much raw potential as he does.”

“I know,” Clockwork agreed tiredly. “And if I had not already put forth a bid for Danny, I would have offered my patronage to her myself. So thank you for doing that. This way I know at least she is under the care of someone trustworthy.”

“Ugh, Clockwork, you insult me,” Nocturn sniffed. But then he stiffened in realization, and whipped his head around to give Clockwork a narrow-eyed glare. “Wait. If you did want me to claim the girl under my protection, why interrupt? I nearly had her convinced!”

“Yes, and you're already smug enough about that as it is,” Clockwork replied, rolling his eyes in annoyance. “If you'd successfully claimed Danny's sister before Danny himself was claimed, I'm well aware you'd lord it over us for the rest of eternity.”

“As I rightfully should,” Nocturn pointed out with a snort. He then asked, “How is the bid for the ghost boy going, by the way?”

Clockwork let out a heavy sigh. “It will be some time before he really understands what's happening, even with you explaining some of it to his sister. Frostbite will inevitably be his final choice, I foresee, but Pandora refuses to surrender without a fight, so our bids all still stand.”

“How troublesome,” Nocturn grumbled.

Clockwork laughed and nodded in agreement. “They are troublesome, but ultimately worth the trouble.”

Nocturn wanted to protest, but then he thought back to the glimpse of Jazz's shining, brilliant mind that he'd gotten during their chat, and he was forced to tilt his head in acknowledgement.

“She's not the only one who hasn't been claimed yet, though,” Nocturn pointed out. “What of the halfa's companions?”

“Undergrowth staked his claim on Sam so strongly that even I wouldn't dare interfere, and last I heard, Pharaoh Duulaman had petitioned Osiris to put forth a bid on Tucker, though there are apparently some other interested parties as well,” Clockwork explained.

“So they're both accounted for, at least,” Nocturn murmured. “Or will be soon.”

“Yes. Danny's sister hadn’t yet been claimed, but…I knew it was only a matter of time.” Clockwork gave him a smug little smile.

“Wait.” Nocturn gave him an incredulous look. “Wait, did you set this all up?! Having them be here when I came to visit, making sure the ghost boy was distracted so his sister was alone?!”

Clockwork's delighted cackling was answer enough to that question.

“The nerve!” Nocturn spluttered. “The sheer cheek!”

“Forgive me, old friend,” Clockwork apologized, still chuckling lightly as he wiped a tear from his eye. “But I knew you'd refuse if I asked you directly, out of sheer spite.”

“Well now I'm not going to share any more of my wine with you,” Nocturn huffed with a haughty sniff, snatching the pretty much empty bottle out of Clockwork's reach.

“Ah, that's too bad,” Clockwork said mildly. “It would have paired nicely with my ambrosia cakes.”

Nocturn immediately froze. “Ambrosia cakes, you say?”

“Yes. With the gold foil and the nostalgia swirls.”

“Well why didn't you say so!” Nocturn cried in delight, summoning another full bottle of dream wine with a snap of his fingers. “Really, old friend, you should have mentioned this from the start!”

Clockwork just laughed, floating up to guide Nocturn out of the training room.

Later that night, after much food had been consumed and much wine had been polished off, Nocturn slipped back into his lair, feeling very full and satisfied. He checked in on his Sleepwalkers, made sure no dreams required his attention, and then headed to his little nest of clouds and woven moonlight hidden away deep in his lair. He flopped down on it with a happy little sigh, feeling very satisfied with how his little adventure had gone.

With a pleased smile on his lips, the Master of Dreams finally drifted off to sleep.