I'm absolutely /screaming/ this chapter was so good!!!
The fluff, the angst, the heartbreaking apologies and reconciliation-!
"Partly convinced he’d imagined it, Dream glanced up from the fraying tunic in his lap over to the door just in time to see Nightmare walking towards him with Horror behind- oh, and Cross- and Dust- wait, Killer too?
They . . . they all came?" my heart-
"Slowly, his eyelight’s flickered up at their faces again. Memories sparked in his mind- of smiles, and laughter, and games, and hugs so warm and safe, it was hard to connect them to the same skeletons he once fought. Dream didn’t notice how the corners of his mouth subtly curled.
“. . . like seeing old friends,” he finished.
Killer took a step forward, stomping the corners straight again.
“Well I got’a newsflash for ya, pal. We're not you’re friends,” he scowled darkly.
“I- I know that,” Dream’s eyelights fell his soul stinging at the harsh rejection. “I didn't expect any of you to . . . to see me the same as before. I understand a few months won't change everything after years of fighting.”
Dream grabbed the arm Sci had stuck, absently thumbing the spot." My Heart-
"Dream froze, sockets wide, mind racing.
What was he doing? Was he going to say something? Was he going to do something bad? Why were his eyelight wobbly and fuzzy and . . . hold on, were those tears-
“heeEEE-hhhuu!” Dream involuntarily squeaked as Horror swung his arms around him and crushed him against his chest.
It wasn’t the hug or the soft sound of the skeleton sniffling over his shoulder that caught Dream off guard.
It was the affection leaking from Horror’s soul." MY HEART CAL-
"Eager to throw off the embarrassing attention, he struggled to think of a subject to change to. Then, looking at Nightmare again, it occurred to him. Repressing his own mischievous glint and flush, Dream cleared his throat.
“So, my dear brother,” he started innocently enough, “how does it feel to be the younger sibling again?”
To his hidden delight, Nightmare’s own smugness was snuffed out by a scornful frown.
“No different than it did before, my dear twin.”" THE FLUFF, THE SIBLING TEASING, ITS BEAUTIFUL
"As was the last bit of strength Dream had, the fumes escaping in a pained groan as he hunched forward, pressing a hand to his temple.
“Dream? Are you alright?” Nightmare asked, and as much as Dream hated when others fretted over him, the genuine worry in his voice was so new and precious, he couldn’t help cherishing it a little. (or indulging in it a little?)
“I-I’m fine . . . just tired,” he said, not technically lying." This is so wholesome oh my God Cal THANK YOU (i'm not sobbing You're sobbing)
"Nightmare remembered a few of them. Denial, anger, bargaining. But he’d already come to his senses, burnt through his anger, and given up trying to gain his little brother back. The end of grief was acceptance.
And he had accepted.
He had accepted responsibility for his actions, he had accepted Dream’s apology, he had accepted Dream himself as his brother again.
But had he accepted that he would never see his little brother again?
. . .
No.
The wound was bandaged, but only time would truly heal it.
Nightmare accepted that fact at least." oh wow, Nightmare experiencing Character Growth? it's more likely than you'd think-
"Nightmare approached Dream’s sleeping form. That is, he appeared to be sleeping. He was sleeping, right? Not- no, Nightmare pushed that thought aside. Pressing a hand to Dream’s pale, cold cheek, he watched his chest slowly, steadily rise and fall. Yes, he was asleep alright.
And right on top of the covers, the heathen.
Nightmare carefully used his tendrils to lift Dream’s body an inch or two in order to pull the blanket back. But with how limp and lifeless he was, he probably didn’t have to be so gentle. Still, that didn’t stop him from gently drawing the cover up to his neck." as an older sibling, i wish i had tendrils to tuck my brother in properly when he falls asleep on top of the covers (i can't call him a heathen cause i do it too)
This story is gorgeous and gives me All The Feelings, amazing writing as always Cal, i can't wait to see how you end this masterpiece (:
SfkgkgkSfkgksf oh my goodness!! Thank you so much!! TwT I really enjoyed reading all the little moments that made an impact on you, and I am so glad you enjoyed it, thank you for the feedback and encouragement!! <3
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Kweeny_Luv on Chapter 22 Mon 01 Jan 2024 12:27PM UTC
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Calcium_Cat on Chapter 22 Mon 08 Jan 2024 11:33PM UTC
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