Chapter Text
The castle was bustling with enthusiasm from the preparations of this special day. Wasn't anything new. The boys always were buzzing during birthdays. Especially Nightmare's.
What was unusual was the fact that it wasn't just the boys preparing birthday festivities.
Ink and Blue were here as well. Because Dream was here.
Because a Truce had finally been agreed upon.
Of course...it had come with some...undesirable changes.
During a particularly vicious battle, one of Dream's arrows had landed its mark – nearly killing Nightmare. In order to save him, Dream desperately tried to siphon the poisonous positivity out. While he successfully did just that...it also caused the corruption to ooze away.
Left behind ashen bones riddled with scars of the past. Revealed the giant hole in Nightmare's skull, which needed to now be wrapped in bandages and periodically leaked what remnants of the corruption remained. The tentacles were gone as well, throwing his body off kilter weight wise.
But Nightmare wasn't the only one left with changes.
While fighting to keep him alive, bits of the corruption tried to swallow Dream. It may have been a small amount, but the attack was fierce. Desperate. Nightmare could vaguely recall watching as the obsidian goop latched onto Dream's left socket, stabbing repeatedly into it. Another bit of the goop tried to tear apart the radius and ulna on both arms. Some more wrapped around Dream's mouth, unsuccessful with its goal of going between teeth.
And just...so so much more.
The screams, despite being closed mouthed, were the worst sounds Nightmare had ever heard.
In the end, Dream completely lost his left eyelight – burns and cracks taking over the once golden glow. He suffered more burns around his teeth (that thankfully healed), and cracks all up his arms. The worse injury, however, at least in Nightmare's mind, was a massive scar near where the apple Soul resided. A clear last ditch effort from the corruption to survive, before being evaporated by pure concentration of positivity.
Despite all these injuries, Dream refused to leave Nightmare's side during his recovery phase, absolutely inconsolable. Just...allowed himself to be taken 'prisoner' by the boys. Allowed himself to be watched like a hawk by them while their Boss was unconscious, too.
When Nightmare finally woke up days later, he about had a panic attack upon seeing Dream. For a brief moment, he thought he had been captured. It was only when Dust came into view that he knew that wasn't the case. Of course...that's when he also realized the lack of corruption and tentacles.
It was...an adjustment.
Lots of cold shoulders sharp words, and blame.
He wanted nothing to do with Dream for what felt like months.
Screamed that his brother got what he wanted, so he should be left alone to fade into obscurity. Told the boys to leave, too, since they were now free from his influence.
Instead, the boys absolutely ignored him. Sticking around to help him navigate without his tentacles, which he never realized just how much he had relied on them. Supported him in practically everything else, too. Treated him the same. Like nothing had changed...
Dream moved himself in without fanfare, wandering the halls silently. Like a ghost. Did menial tasks while giving Nightmare all the space he desired.
It was odd.
All of it.
With the boys, it was obvious why they stayed. They had become family. Family stuck together (most of the time).
But Dream?
Remained an enigma that drove Nightmare up a wall. Until he finally swallowed stubbornness and pride to corner his twin.
There were...many tears.
So, so many tears.
Blubbering apologies, too.
Nightmare didn't know half of the time if Dream was just being sensitive...or the suffocating guilt and relief were genuine.
But when Dream handed him pages of terribly scribbled handwriting, pages of a Truce he had been drafting up, that he said Nightmare could make any changes he wanted, and apologized for how awful the writing looked, that it only looked that way because he had insisted on writing it himself despite still taking lessons from Blue...that's when Nightmare knew it was all genuine.
It was also when he cracked.
When he sobbed like a baby bones, giving his own blubbering apologies, choking on long buried guilt and self-disgust.
That's how they got here, with their closest friends, their adopted family, filling the castle with warmth as they went about preparing for the twins's birthday. Gone were the days of tip-toeing around each other, 'cause having the Stars around in a friendly way was...weird. Now they played off each other pretty well. Had certain activities they wanted to do with certain individuals. Horror and Blue also announced their not so secret relationship that had been going on for ages (everyone pretended to be shocked for their sakes).
It was...nice. Being at peace at long last.
Still was an adjustment, though. Especially with how the Multiverse viewed Nightmare and his crew. But it wasn't as slow going as it could've been! That was good! Yet, there were other things that needed working on.
Like the slight awkwardness between the twins.
Dream didn't blame Nightmare for not fully letting go of his reservations, despite their breakthrough months prior. They both had hurt each other so much for so long. That couldn't go away overnight. Still...would be a lie to say it didn't sting a little. So close...and yet so far apart.
Hopefully, this gift might bridge the final gap.
Nightmare was currently in his office, looking over some last minute paperwork before his presence was required. Dream slipped on in, closing the door behind him and clutching the wrapped gift close to his chest. Yes, he could've waited until the group gift opening...but he felt that his brother would rather open this privately.
The dulled purple eyelight glanced up, watching each step Dream took with great intensity. A small smile smoothed out his face and he let out an equally soft chuckle. "Did Killer send you to fetch me? Odd. Usually does that himself."
Dream shook his head, setting the gift on the desk, right on top of the paperwork.
Nightmare hummed with curiosity, setting aside his quill and glasses. "What's this?"
"A birthday gift."
"Mm. Why give it to me here? Why not place it with the others?"
Dream scooted the gift closer to his brother, nervous energy creeping in. "I...thought you'd might want to open this privately..."
That piqued Nightmare' interest. He took the present in his hands, twisting it around to take a look at all sides. Had to be a book. It was book shaped. But what kind of book could it possibly be? He hadn't mentioned any he would be interested in lately...had he? And why was Dream nervous about it?
Done with the suspense, Nightmare carefully tore the wrapping away. The less wrapping that was left, the more fidgety Dream became. Part of Nightmare thought that the book was going to be lewd. Why else would his twin would be so fidgety? If it was, then it would be in poor taste. Especially since Nightmare hadn't yet –
He stilled when the last of the wrapping paper was removed. He...he remembered this book. It was his favorite from when they were young! The one book he would beg Dream to fetch from the library at least once a week. It was worn, now. Not at all the vibrant green it used to be, although remnants of it peeked through. The pages had yellowed immensely, but somehow were still readable. There were clear signs of an attempt to restore it, too. Probably why it wasn't instantly crumbling in his hands.
How did Dream find this? Where did Dream find this?! Nightmare had scoured through countless Aus, trying to find a copy, only to fail at each and every turn. So how...?
"I found it in the rubble of the library." Dream said quietly, still anxious. "Was...the only thing that survived."
The library? Odd. Nightmare was sure he had torn that place apart after this rampage. Then again, he could've missed it. Wasn't in his right mind, after all.
"I, uh...I tried to get it restored in Booktale. They did the best they could. Hope it's...hope it's okay..."
Pesky tears teased the corners of Nightmare's socket, and he could feel his chin tremble. Guess this was why Dream wanted to do this privately. It was sweet, but also how dare him. How in the hell was Nightmare going to top this? None of his gifts could even begin to hold a candle to this! None were sentimental such as this! None would hold no real impact like this silly little book!
Unless...
Wait.
Oh.
Yes...yes he could do that.
Sure, he had wanted to make it more grand, more of a spectacle. But, thinking about it...now would be the perfect time. The perfect gift. (And would blow Dream's gift out of the water. Because he didn't like to lose. Plus, technically, they would both win with this last minute gift.)
Nightmare cleared his throat, gathering his composure and rising from his chair. "Thank you, Dream. I will cherish this 'til the end of time."
Dream's posture relaxed, and he beamed with pride. "I'm glad! Happy birthday, brother."
Nightmare chuckled, taking the book and tucking it away in a drawer. He would find a more special place for it later. Right now...he had his own private gift to give his brother.
"Dream? Could you do me a favor and lock the door? I would like to have no interruptions when I give you my gift."
Excitement thrummed through Dream. He was getting a private gift, too?! Wonder what it could be! He darted across the office, locking the door as instructed, and hurried back to the desk. Was about bouncing on the balls of his feet as he waited for what would come next.
Nightmare chuckled, moving himself to behind the chair and patted the backing. "Sit."
Dream eagerly did as he was told, nearly launching himself into the leather chair. Somehow, it didn't tip backwards from the sheer force. Possibly because Nightmare was still holding it. He mumbled an apology, but it likely came out as far too giggly to be sincere.
His brother walked around the chair – standing in front of him now. The expression across Nightmare's face was stoic, calm...but he himself oozed nervousness. If he had tentacles, they'd likely be curling inwards. Dream frowned, confused as to why his twin seemed anxious. Did he also try to restore something for him from their childhood?
Silence was held for what felt like eternities.
The air fizzled with nerves from them both.
Then, Nightmare took a step forward. He rested a knee on the seat, right between Dream's legs. Hands gripped the chair's arms, giving him purchase to lean dangerously close to Dream.
Close enough to...
"Dream...Firstborn of Nim, Guardian of Positivity, former Watcher of the Tree of Feelings...we have been through much. Have caused pain and destruction towards each other...towards ourselves. We are no longer the little seedlings shielded by the branches of our Mother. However...there is still one thing that remains the same, no matter how much we've been twisted and molded into what others demand of us: you and I are two halves of a whole that was torn apart at our creation. The sense of loss, the sense of longing, will never leave us. We will always crave to be near one another. We will always want more, but we can no longer be truly one again. Not in the way when we were one Spirit. However...we always took what we could get, whatever would satisfy the flickers of emptiness...did we not?"
Nightmare gently cupped Dream's cheek, the one stained with golden tears he didn't realize were falling. He nuzzled against the hand, breath hitching slightly. An all too familiar kiss brushed against his skull. This was happening, wasn't it? After so long apart...this was happening. He waited patiently – waited for his brother's poetic words to continue. To solidify what they both denied each other for too long...
"Dream..." whispered Nightmare, voice wobbling, as if he was afraid of an answer that in reality would never happen. "My missing half, my Spirit, my Soul...may we start anew? Become one in the way of mortals? May...may we become lovers once more?"
The dam didn't just break...it shattered thunderously. Dream let out sobs and laughter as he practically yanked Nightmare into his lap, smothering him in uncoordinated kisses. Nightmare sighed into each and every one, somehow kissing him back in those same calculated movements from their younger days. Even smirked when Dream snarled in frustration at the slow pace like back then, too.
Fucking asshole.
Well...Dream knew how to fix this.
Nightmare may have won in this silent war of private gifts, was savoring this by denying Dream's desperate kisses. But he was always weak to bites against his collarbone. And, sure enough, the very second Dream bit down, Nightmare became putty in his hands.
Neither of them knew how long they were lost in their re-exploration of one another.
All they knew was that every inch of that office wasn't safe from their coupling.
And that it had to have been some time.
Because their adopted family came pounding at the door, with Killer shouting with no shame if they were 'done boning', and Ink cackling at the exasperated groans of the others.
"Keep bitching, and we'll go another five rounds!" Dream spat teasingly back, shocking out a booming laugh from Nightmare and hisses towards Killer to 'shut the fuck up'.
The others quickly left after that, with Blue stating that they'll happily wait to start the celebration until the Guardians were ready. A dangerous phrase, because if they had it their way...they would just stay in bed with entangled limbs and soft breaths soothing hidden wounds all day. But that wouldn't be fair to the others. So much work had been done for this party!
Oh well.
Maybe later.
There was time now, after all.
Nightmare stole one last long, lingering kiss, savoring the honey apple taste he used to only feel when in slumber. Dream giggled, clinging almost desperately. When parted, both were drunk off of one another – skulls spinning in a good way. They smiled tenderly, nuzzling one last time before pulling away and shuffled about to grab discarded clothing.
"Happy birthday, Nighty."
Nightmare paused grabbing his shirt, a light Soul skip occurring upon hearing the old nickname. The first time it had been said aloud in quite some time.
They were healing.
Truly.
At long last.
"Happy birthday, starlight."
🌙🍎☀️