Chapter Text
“I can't believe you're here...”
Nightmare was dreaming... Well rather reliving a memory of when he first saw Dream.... after 400 years from when he had turned to stone after the events by their mother... He had aged considerably by then... But then he felt a shift in the multiverse... Nightmare doesn't remember what AU it was that he saw Dream in again, but it wasn't home... It wasn't in DreamTale... Dream was small... Just like he would be when they were barely out of stripes. Everything flooded back into his memory and he roared.... Quiet... quiet... that's what the castle was when he woke up...
“Fuck.” Nightmare whispered hoarsely as he put his hand to his good eye.
He pulls his hand back and sighs. On his hand were remnants of cyan colored tears. Great... he was crying in his sleep again. He remembers all the years he spent while Dream was in stone... Every last act he committed out of hurt... Nightmare wanted the multiverse to hurt... He wanted every last being to feel the pain he felt after all the years that the villagers had tormented him... Sighing he gets up from his bed and goes to the balcony that faced out to the inner court yard of the castle. Down below was a garden that Horror had insisted on for therapy reasons. Nightmare didn't mind as many of the plants were below his balcony and the smell that wafted into his room made it all the worth it. Black and red roses were planted among the lilies, hyacinths, baby's breath and others. He sat in a chair on his balcony as he looked out at the garden... Looking down he saw Horror was already out there tending to it in the early morning hours. He usually did this before breakfast. So that meant he had a few minutes to go grab a book before Horror brought up tea. Carefully, he arose from bed in his his long pajama bottoms and walked over to the bookcase he kept in his room. Hours and hours of entertainment at his finger tips. A gentle knock comes at the door and as he heads back to the balcony grabs a robe slipping it on. Nightmare still wasn't a fan of showing his skeletal body to most of the team... Except for Killer, but that was a different story as he pulled out tea stuff from his inventory and setting it on a small table by the chair he had.
“Come in Horror.” Nightmare calls out as he retakes his seat.
Horror gently opens the door and closes it behind him walking over with the tea kettle and some cups to where Nightmare sat out on the balcony with his morning table.
“Others are still asleep. Dust came home with a bruise around his eye socket again.” Horror growls as he sets down the tea he brought up.
“Other than restricting him to stay here. Horror, there is nothing I can do. Swap is staying in Omega and won't dare to venture out anywhere we have control. All we can do is offer Dust a safe place to stay.” Nightmare tells Horror.
“It's bullshit.”
“I agree. Horror how are you and Lust doing?”
“Good. Haven't been able to see each other in a while, but we're talking.”
“Any particular reason they've been away?”
“Mostly trying to deal with shit in UnderLust. They've been on a case for a couple of weeks.”
“And are you worried?”
“Yes. But I know... I know they'll come if they need help.”
“Stay with me a while. If anything Killer and Dust won't wake up till after breakfast. They can fend for themselves. Did you eat?”
Horror nods his head yes as he grabs another chair from the desk Nightmare keeps in his room and brings it over. They talk about different things and how it has been quiet lately as things slowly return from normal after the X-Event. After a while there is silence between the two as a gentle breeze takes up from the grounds and blows up to them.
“Horror... How's home?” Nightmare asks.
“It's doing better day by day. I doubt it will ever recover from the famine, but its better than it was. Toriel is doing her best. Speaking of home... How are you and Killer?” Horror smirks as he pours them both more tea.
“What do you mean?”
“Night... You know what I mean.”
Blast it. Horror always knew when Nightmare was full of shit. A smile crossed the gentle giant's face as he handed Nightmare his tea back and took his in his hands standing up and leaning against the wall as he looked out to the inner court yard.
“Dust and I see the way you two look at each other lately. You've been date-mates for a while now.” Horror comments.
“And here I thought I was being discrete.” Nightmare snorts.
“You're discrete in the way Killer is when he plays pranks on Dust.”
“You wound me.”
“But seriously... That shit with XGaster changed us all in a lot of ways. You two are afraid of losing each other. Corruption took a hold of you pretty good during then. All of us were scared, but we had no time to be. I'm just glad it's over Night. Now we can live... or at least attempt to.”
“I wasn't always kind... I dealt out the harshest punishments, but you all stuck around.... Why?”
Horror had to think for a moment before he answered. Staring out at nothing in particular he breathed in and then he breathed out.
“Where was I gonna go boss? My brother is gone... Anyone I cared about in my underground is dead from the famine. Toriel is better, but she's not the same. None of us are. After that shit with Undyne... I don't go back often.... Killer and Dust literally have no one in their AUs... This is home for us now... If they went to Omega... You already know what would happen.” Horror was blunt.
Nightmare knew what Horror meant. They would kill Dust and Killer, and that pained him. He found all of them in the pits of despair and brought them here. First, it was to keep a source of negativity nearby, then it was to spread said negativity to tip the balance, but now... It was family... A family that worked to restore the balance that was so tragically almost destroyed completely.
“Now our lives are comfortable for the most part. We have food, resources, and a family of sorts. You and me we've found out who we want in our lives. So many others can't say the same... We've all come from so many places that didn't show us much or no mercy... We found a family in that... Be proud of that.” Horror finishes as he starts to clean up the morning tea.
“I... Out of all of us... Sometimes I wonder who the real glue is here... Thank you Horror. I really appreciate these talks. I need you to do something for me if you don't mind.” Nightmare says as he gets up heading over to his desk.
“Sure thing what is it?” Horror asks coming over.
Nightmare pulls out a list from his room's desk and hands it to Horror, who looks it over. A smile comes to Horror's face as he looks at Nightmare with a grin.
“Do you want this set up here?” Horror asks.
“Yes. Can you and Dust makes yourselves scarce for the rest of the night?”
“Yeah we can. I'll call Lust and see if we can head over.”
“Thanks. When Killer gets up have him come and see me please.”
“Will do Boss.”
Horror smiles and leaves the room. Nightmare has a grin on his face as he heads off to the shower in his room. While skeleton monsters don't use the bathroom, hygiene was still important. Plus the hot water on aching bones was always a relief at the beginning or end of a long day. Today was going to be the day... Nightmare couldn't wait any longer and he hoped that everything would go according to plan... Downstairs in the kitchen Horror was making a lunch bag up when Dust and Killer walked into the kitchen stretching and rubbing sleep from their sockets. Horror points to two plates on the kitchen counter and they grab it without asking questions. As they eat Horror finishes packing the lunch and turns to them.
“Dust you and me have chores to do today and then we have to go on an overnight to UnderLust. It's a recon mission as a favor according to the Boss. Killer is getting sent out on a solo mission elsewhere.” Horror adds.
“Fucking really Horror?” Killer says rolling his head to the side.
“Spoke with Boss this morning when I went to bring him his tea. Said for you to see him after you eat. He told me to let y'all fend for yourselves, but I didn't feel like it.” Horror grins.
“Fine with me. I didn't feel like going out anyway.” Dust shrugs his shoulders.
“Just be lucky Boss told us not to kill that fucking piece of shit Dust. Mark my words. He will get fucked up one of these days.” Killer snarls.
“Thanks... But I got it.” Dust says without looking Killer in the eyes.
Killer frowns as he looks to Horror who only shakes his head, shrugging his own shoulders. They nod their heads. Their friend deserves better. If only he could see it. Sighing everyone finishes their meals and Horror tosses the bagged lunch to Killer.
“Boss mentioned it was going to be an all day affair. So I packed this for you.” Horror says.
“Thanks Mom! I'll go see Dad now.” Killer teases.
“Get going ya fucking ass.” Horror laughs with a smile.
Killer smirks and puts his dishes in the sink before waving to the guys and teleporting to in front of Nightmare's office door. He swallowed his ecto-tongue at the nerves that build up in him. Nightmare was more than just a boss, he had become his friend... his lover... the one person who could see him at his most vulnerable. Killer recalls the first time they looked into each other's eyes and saw the fires they each had.
Flashback
It was a normal day in the castle. This was long before any of the gang had gotten into relationships with others in the multiverse. Dust and Horror were sparring in the training room as Nightmare and Killer sat on the side lines. Killer was being loud and unruly as he cheered his friends on, while Nightmare tried to guide them through their movements. Dust and Horror could only roll their eyes as they tried to tune the pair out during their sparring.
“Come on you know Horror likes to get close! Move it Dust!” Nightmare calls out.
“Ha! Horror is gonna make ya wish you could swing an axe Dusty! Horror watch out for Dust you might step on him.” Killer giggles.
“Will you shut the fuck up Killz!” Dust shouts.
“Boss... I appreciate it, but uh we got this yeah! Let us fuck around and find out.” Horror calls out a little softer.
Nightmare crosses his arms and gets a pout to his face. Killer glances over and his cheek bones blush red... Since when did looking at him get that reaction from his core... Killer glances down at his own soul which was on the outside... It was an upside down heart shape... That was his stage one... He hadn't been in this stage for so long it felt almost alien to him... But when he looked at Nightmare he realized it was all worth it and his eyes softened as much as they could as his permanent tears shrunk slightly. Nightmare had a glow about his darkened body that made Killer feel like he was on cloud nine. No... No... He couldn't have these thoughts about his boss... No way... But yet there they were... Elegant in the way they sat... Authoritative and commanding presence. The gang had just started seeing the softer side of Nightmare after the X-Event... It was a welcome reprieve after the years of hardness and down right borderline abuse they had suffered. Nightmare went to great lengths to correct his wrongs with them... Soon they had more and more free reign in their lives than they have had before. Killer was even able to see one of his friends, Color more and more. So that was nice. Just as Killer was about to say something, Nightmare turned and Killer looked away quickly blushing harder than ever. Instead of calling him out Nightmare really looked at someone he considered a right hand man. He never took notice before and suddenly he felt his own cheeks flush cyan and gold... When did Killer start looking good to him... He still remembers when he first found Killer... He had been in stage 3 for sometime, but Nightmare was able to get him down to Stage 2. They fought hard against each other and Nightmare came out on top. Instead of killing him, Nightmare made a proposition and took Killer out of SomethingNew bringing him to the castle. Then the other boys fell in order. Horror being the last one before they adopted Cross some years after. Killer stood proud and tall as he leaned forward his sleek frame on display. Killer had been his most loyal... despite the unkindness he had done to them over the years. He regrets the times he took Killer to stage 3 and 2 so often... Nightmare's cheeks flushed burning purple from the regret of doing that, but now more often than not Nightmare took him to stage one... Killer deserved it.... He didn't deserve all of the fucked up shit Nightmare had done to him.
“You can stop regretting it Boss.” Killer calls out.
“What are you talking about Killer?” Nightmare says as he looks out to Horror and Dust taking a breather.
“You know what. I still wouldn't change it. I know they wouldn't.”
“I... Why do you guys stay? You're free to explore the multiverse and experience it outside of your homes. Why stay now that it's all over? I'm not worth the time.”
“So says you. You don't get to decide that for us anymore remember? Your words, not mine Boss man.”
Horror and Dust look over as the two are distracted. They nod their heads to each other and teleport without them seeing it. They both land in the kitchen.
“About fucking time.” Dust groans as he sits at the kitchen island.
“Yeah... Took em long enough. I was getting tired of the verbal edging between those two. It wasn't as bad as it was with me and Lust.” Horror says as he grabs water from the fridge and gives one to Dust.
“Wish I had that.”
“You could if you fucking broke it off with Swap and focused on someone else.”
“Asgore... Are you like Killer and Nightmare too?”
Horror shrugs his shoulders and leans on the counter across from Dust. Looking his friend dead in their eye-lights.
“You know you deserve better. Now come on. Let's see if they're done yet.” Horror says.
“Yeah yeah alright.” Dust shrugs.
They manage to teleport quietly back and take the seats where Killer and Nightmare had been sitting to see the two were now engaged in their own sparring match. Killer had his knife in hand and Nightmare was using his tentacles to block the attacks. A few times he's grabbed Killer by the ankle and flung him across the room. They continued this way for several moments, but then Killer gets the upper hand when he starts moving incredibly fast and eventually Killer comes at him from a blind spot with his right eye, catching the guardian and pinning him beneath using his arms to pin Nightmare down.
“You got lucky Killz. Now get off!” Nightmare hisses.
“Make me.” Killer grins.
“Killer!”
“I'm not moving.”
Horror and Dust look at each other and just teleport back out. They didn't want to embarrass them in this moment. They would mess with them later about the whole exchange. Moments like this were meant to be special and not a spectacle. Nightmare kept trying to flip Killer off, but the skeleton wasn't budging. It just made Killer laugh and soon Nightmare was getting that blush to his cheeks again. Killer smirked and went leaning down close to Nightmare's right ear.
“I'm still here Night. Now move me.” Killer whispers causing a shiver up Nightmare's spin.
“You fucking bastard.” Nightmare hisses.
“What's the matter? Cat got your tongue.”
“No a killer does.”
Before he could blink or react Nightmare kisses Killer and it shocks him. He freezes for a second before he gives it back. It's quiet, its soft... the buzzing in Killer's head stabilizes and his soul feels like it's on fire. Nightmare is freaking out internally.... What did he do?! What the fuck was he thinking?! This wasn't... But it felt good... felt like it belonged there... the intimacy was there and he didn't want it to stop...
“For how long?” Killer breathes as he breaks the kiss.
“I don't remember. It just happened.”
“I remember when it was for you.”
“You do?”
“Hmmm. I had taken a bad hit from Swap's hammer. I was unconcious for a minute, but I kept hearing your voice asking me to please wake up. I couldn't let you down now could I?”
The cheesy grin Killer had on melted his tough exterior. He remembers that day too. It was a particularly bad fight in a corrupted AU that they were working on clearing with Error when the Stars Sans interferred. Nightmare thought he lost Killer that day. He wasn't going to let that happen again no matter what.
End Flashback
Nightmare was waiting in his office looking at proposals when he heard a knock on the door. As usual without looking up he calls out.
“Enter Killer.”
“How do you know which one of us it is?” Killer asks entering the room.
“You knock fast, Horror is quiet and slow and Dust just teleports in.”
“That predictable huh?”
“Yes, but today I need you to to run around and gather intel for me. It's going to take all day. Regardless, I will need you back by 630.”
“Gotcha boss. Any particular reason Dust isn't going?”
“I have him doing something else. Same for Horror. I trust you'll get it done.”
“Don't I always.”
“Oh and Killer...”
“Yes?”
“Please be careful. You see the Stars you leave. Don't pick fights. And LEAVE SWAP alone.”
“UGH! Fine. Spoil sport. Give me the list of where I'm going and I'll be back.”
Nightmare hands him a list from a desk drawer and Killer leaves closing the door behind him. A sad smile comes to Nightmare's face, but then he feels a peck on his cheek and turns to find Killer had teleported back in giving Nightmare a kiss before teleporting back out. A smile now comes to his face as he touches his cheek as he thinks about the night that he has planned for the two of them.