Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"What happened?" Nightmare asked when he found them upon their return. They stood in the hall, soaked from head to toe in some foreign, orange-colored liquid. It was dripping on the floor, and Nightmare ushered them outside.

"the toriel of the au spotted us. she dumped this stuff on us," Killer shrugged.

"it stinks," Horror muttered.

"Yes, it does," Nightmare sighed as he had them stand in a line before he turned on the garden hose. He sprayed them off and then had each take a shortcut to their rooms to properly shower and dry off with the order to come to the kitchen for dinner when done.

This wasn’t the first and won’t be the last time they get stuff thrown on them. Their high LV does not exactly make them a welcomed sight.

While they were washing up, he made a simple dinner of mac and cheese, hotdogs, and mixed vegetables. Comfort food from what he had heard. They shuffled in, one by one. Each had dressed in their night clothing, graphic tees and some pajama pants, and sat quietly in the kitchen: no joking or light-hearted banter. And the smell of food made them nauseous that they were all but turning them green.

Checking them over, he could tell they were getting sick. "The infirmary, all of you…." Nightmare frowned as he watched them all move, shuffling off as if about to pass out any second. While that was not uncommon for Dust, it was highly odd for Killer.

Once he had them all in bed, he grabbed a dropper and vial and walked into the hall they had returned into through the portal. As he had hoped, there were still drops of that orange liquid. After collecting some, he took a portal to a particular AU to visit an odd Sans.

Walking through, he entered a lab and spotted said Sans sitting at a desk reading charts. Around him, there were multiple machines doing tasks—spinning bottles, scanning substances, and analyzing something. Sci, the Sans in question, lifted a coffee pot, drinking from it as he had long since discarded his mug to just guzzle the drink straight from the pot.

"I will never understand your odd addiction. Is it not better to get some sleep and work with a mind not clouded with exhaustion?" Nightmare said as he used a tendril to extract the coffee pot from Sci.

"not when you have deadlines to meet," Sci chuckled and looked at the dark skeleton. "so, what are you going to set me back an hour or two with this time?"

"This substance," He said as he held out the vial to Sci. "My men returned to my castle covered in this. Now they are sick with a fever and nausea. Even Horror is refusing to eat."

"horror's not eating?" Sci said as he raised a brow bone. "that is serious…." Sci took the vial and swirled the liquid a few times as he looked it over. "i'll get started right away. i'll call you when i've got any results."

With that, Sci hopped out of his chair and hurried to his workbench. Nightmare would watch, but he had learned that he didn't understand this sort of thing, and he would rather get back to the boys and make sure they were alright. Leaving Sci to work, Nightmare returned home and looked in on them. They were sleeping, still warm, but seemed peaceful at least.

With a sigh, he walked back to the kitchen to clean up. He put the food away… then checked on the boys. Put the dishes and pans in the sink to soak… then checked on the boys. Since the dishes were soaking, he spent time with them and read. But he couldn't focus; once he gave up trying to read, he finished washing up. When he checked on them again, his phone started to ring. Taking a few steps down the hall, so as not to disturb the boys, he answered the phone.

"Hello?" Nightmare said as he answered it.

"i won't get your need for calls over texts. you also know it's me, so i'll skip the formalities," Sci's voice said.

"Go on then," Nightmare replied.

"it's a potion… odd thing really, not sure how it works. the ingredients so far are just nonsense. like something you’d read out of a kids book about witches. tested it on some lab mice, and they all decreased in age."

"Decreased… in age?"

"yeah, you know, got younger?" Sci clarified.

"Younger?! By how much?" Nightmare felt himself start to shake.

"well, barely noticed with the one that got one drop… it depended on the amount as to how young they got."

"THEY WERE SOAKED!" Nightmare bellowed.

"well, it wasn't me that did it, pal."

Nightmare sighed and closed his socket, calming himself. It was no use getting mad at Sci. "Sorry, please continue."

"anyway, they all were listless for a while, then perked back up. the… youngest of the mice, i slipped into a litter of other wiggling pink babies with a mark on his back. but… so far, they are all still young but seem otherwise healthy. starting some other tests soon, but also continuing analysis of the potion. see if i can figure out how to reverse this."

"They still looked the same when I last checked on them," Nightmare pointed out.

"mice do have shorter lives and faster metabolisms; it's why they make good test subjects…. with the guys not doing well, i didn't want to waste time."

"Thank you," Nightmare replied.

"welcome, just… keep me updated, and i'll tell you what i figure out," Sci replied and hung up.

Nightmare looked down at his phone for a moment before putting it away. Before he could think about what he had just learned, a youthful voice called out. 

"dad? dad, where are you?!"

He didn’t want to wake up. But he was forced to as something or someone kept poking at him. Sitting up, he looked at the others looking at him. Each were small skeletons that were similar to him. He hadn’t seen anyone other than the doctor before so it did make him nervous to see so many others. Did the doctor make more?

He looked at each one, picking out the differences to tell them apart. One had a hole in his skull, and one red eye light. That one also had tears dripping from his sockets, and he looked like he had been crying. The one who likely poked him awake was sitting beside him. That one red and one white eye and some red mark on his right cheekbone. And then there was one with black sockets that dripped some liquid. Of the three, that one looked ready to pounce.

“what’s your name?” the black socketed one asked.

That word… name? He wasn’t sure what that word meant. Should he ask them? Was this a test? He didn’t want to fail any more tests. But if they are like him they would do tests too, not give tests, right?

“see, all our names are sans, and we are wondering if that’s your name, too,” The one with mismatched eyelights said.

“uh, yeah,” He lied… or maybe he lied? He still didn’t know what a name was.

Looking around, this wasn’t where he fell asleep… this wasn’t where the doctor kept him. This was soft… nice….

The doctor was going to be angry when he found him here, he was sure of it.

“well, we can’t all be sans, can we?” the one with dark sockets asked, then sat back, folding his arms.

“why not?” The one with mismatched eyelights asked.

“because it’s confusing,” the dark socketed one said as he stood up. It was then he noticed that the dark-eyed one was wearing an oversized gown. They all were. Though they were nicer than the gowns he was used to. They had colorful pictures on them. Looking down, he saw he was wearing one too with some kind of sleeping animal on it. The fabric was nicer too, not stiff and itchy.

The dark socketed one climbed down from this soft place, feet clicked on the floor. “i’m getting dad; he’ll sort this out.”

“oh! i can see if i can find my dad, i bet my brother is with him!” the one with mismatched eyelights said climbing down, too.

As they wandered off, he started to feel over the blankets and smiled. The one on top was very soft, far softer than any he had before. He nuzzled his face against it and smiled. He didn’t understand why anyone would want to leave this soft thing.

“can i stay by you? my head hurts, and i don’t know how it got damaged like this.” The one with one red eye light asked.

“sure, if it’s okay with the doctor,” He replied.

“the doctor?” the other replied.

“yes… he… usually sits at his desk, writing. i don’t know where he is right now,” He replied.

The other shrugged and moved closer to sit by him. “i’m scared…,” the other said softly.

“dad? dad, where are you?!” One of the other two yelled out, and that made him scared.

“shhh, the doctor doesn’t like loud noises,” he quickly said, trying to shush them.

“the doctor? my dad is a doctor of science. is that who you are talking about?” the one with dark sockets said.

“so’s mine!” The mismatched socketed one replied.

“please, keep your voices down,” He said in a hushed tone.

“what are you so scared of?” the dark socketed one asked, folding his arms.

A dark figure appeared in the doorway, looking at them with one cyan eyelight. That wasn’t the doctor. But he doubted anyone taller than himself was to be trusted. He didn’t know what was expected of him here… what should he do?

“Great…,” The tall and dark skeleton sighed, pinching his nasal bone.

“when did you last take a shower?” The dark socketed one asked while looking up at the dark skeleton.

“This morning. I shower regularly.” The dark skeleton replied while still pinching his nasal bone..

“we are trying to find our dads…,” the one with mismatched eyelights said.

“Ah, yes….” The dark skeleton finally lowered the hand and looked at them again. “Well, there was an emergency. I am watching after you for the time being.” The dark skeleton said. There was a noise, like a little song, and dark skeleton pulled something out of a pocket and put it to his skull. “Hello, again, Sci… they are indeed doing well and… small. …. That checks out…. Yes…. There is some confusion…. Alright….” He then moved and put that thing back in his pocket. 

The dark skeleton cleared his throat and put his hands behind his back. “As I said, there was an emergency, and I am to watch over you all. Your fathers are busy.”

What was a father?

“what else is new,” mumbled the one next to him.

“Now, I have some food that I am going to warm up. As you eat, I will take each of you aside, alone, to ask some questions. I want to get to know each of you,” The dark skeleton said.

“s-sir?” He said softly.

“Hmmm?” The Dark skeleton asked, “What is it?”

“his skull hurts… he needs something for the pain… if he can have it?” He asked, directing the Dark Skeleton’s attention to the one beside him.

“Of course,” The Dark skeleton said and walked closer then picked up the one with the hole in his skull. “Now, everyone… please follow me.”

Sans didn't know why he felt like he could trust this stranger. Dad always said to not talk to strangers, but what if the stranger didn't seem like a stranger? It hurt his head to think about it, but he also didn't know why black stuff kept dripping from his sockets. He was also certain he should feel scared or something. He didn't.

It was all so weird.

Well, whatever; the goopy skeleton was showing them where to go and promised food, so what could go wrong? OH! What if he was a witch? The goopy skeleton could be like the witch in that one story about the human kids and the candy house. "hey! mr. goopy?"

"My name is… you know what, just call me Night," The goopy skeleton said.

"okay, mr. night!" Sans replied. "you're not going to eat us, are you?"

"What? What in the world would give you that idea?" Night questioned as he stopped and looked down at Sans.

Sans shrugged and looked up at one of those things coming out of Night's back. "i read a book about this witch, and she tricked these kids into eating food so she could fatten them up and eat them." With that, he jumped and grabbed one of those things. Sans hung on to it with both hands while his body dangled.

"I am not a witch. Nor do I know of any…," Night replied and walked into a room, letting Sans hang from the weird thing. "Though I get the feeling I am about to as one has gravely angered me."

"you're weird, mr. night." Sans giggled.

"you're even weirder with that stuff coming out of your sockets," the Sans with two different colored eye lights said… oh wait, there are two like that. It was the one that didn't seem constantly sad.

"we need different names. i'm confusing myself trying to think of you as sans with two different eyes, and that one is sans with two different eyes and sad." Sans said as Night pulled out a chair and moved the thing Sans was hanging from over the chair to set him on.

"Fine, you are Killer, this one in my arms in Horror… sit here, I will get you that medicine," He set "Horror" onto a chair and then pulled out another. "This one will be… let me see your face… Cross. Then this one here is Dust." He finished as he helped Dust up into his chair.

"their names are scary… i'm not sure i even like mine," Cross said.

"I am the adult here, am I not? Those are the names I will be using for you," Night said as he handed some pills over to Horror with some water.

As he was now called per the adult, Killer turned in his chair as he watched Night get things out of the refrigerator. "so, you're making leftovers?"

"I am not making leftovers but reheating them. I had expected to be feeding you four earlier… you… needed naps first, it seemed," Night replied without looking back.

"what are those things coming out of your back?" Killer then asked.

"They are my tentacles," Night answered patiently.

"like an octopus…," Killer then gasped and got off his chair to run over to Night, who looked down at him. "you're like an octopus! two arms, two legs, and four tentacles give you eight limbs!"

One of the tentacles wrapped around him and put him back on the chair. "Yes, well, please do not call me that again. I have enemies who enjoy using that… moniker for me, and I do not like it."

"what's a monnicure?" Killer asked.

"don't annoy him…," Dust said softly.

"i'm not annoying him, i'm asking questions," Killer said as he looked back at Dust, who only slid lower in his chair as if to hide. "how are we supposed to learn stuff if we don't ask questions?"

"That is true, but you could also space out your questions. You are tiring me out with them," Night said as he placed plates in front of them.

Killer loved this kind of food, and he grabbed his fork and started shoveling it in. Cross began to sniffle, though, and Killer paused. So did Night, who sighed and walked over to him. "Cross, are you hungry?"

"dad just adopted me… i thought he liked me…." Cross wiped tears from his sockets and then looked at Night.

"He… does. As I said, he asked me to watch after you while he takes care of some other matters. Things that are dangerous for children." Night explained.

"will he be safe?" Cross asked.

Night patted him on the head, "I am sure he will be fine."

"will my dad be fine?" Killer asked, and Nightmare nodded. It was not true in the end. All their fathers weren't around anymore. Nightmare knew nothing of most of their fathers except Cross'. But that's what happens when you're so notorious that the entire multiverse plots against you.

"I am sure he will as well," Nightmare reassured Killer, then frowned as he watched Killer go back to shoving food in his mouth. Not that he had the best table manners as an adult, but this was horrid. "Slow down…" 

Speaking of table manners, or the lack of is more accurate, he then noticed Dust reaching with his hands to pick up the mac and cheese. "Dust, please use your fork or spoon," He kindly corrected before looking at the other two, who, per usual, were far better behaved.

Now, they needed something to drink. Nightmare decided to start with Cross since he had already been upset. Perhaps his favorite drink will help calm him. Even if Nightmare knew what that was, he still decided to ask, "What would you like to drink?"

"Can I have chocolate milk?" Cross asked through his hitching breaths.

"You may," Night replied, and Killer stood up in his chair.

"oh, oh! me too," Killer replied and then paused, "please."

Nightmare was surprised that Killer remembered to say the 'magic word.' Such behavior is to be encouraged. "Since you said please, yes. Horror?" Night asked as he got out the milk and chocolate mix.

"that's me?" Horror asked, and Night nodded. "just plain milk, please."

"Alright, I can get that for you. How is your head feeling?" Night asked, looking up.

"better, thank you." Horror smiled, looking far better than he did previously.

Nightmare poured milk into one of the glasses as he prepared the drinks. Now, there was one more to ask. "Dust, what would you like?" He then turned his head to see Dust looking at the others as he tentatively picked up his fork as if he had never handled one before.

… In fact, he seemed entirely baffled by the item but was trying his best to mimic the others. It reminded Nightmare of the first time he saw utensils and the awkwardness of figuring out how to operate such a simple tool. There was frustration building up in Dust. He needed to be distracted from the task and given a moment to think of something else.

"Dust…," He repeated calmly, and the child finally looked at him.

"sorry," Dust replied, trying his best to mask the quiver in his voice.

"It is alright, but what would you like to drink?" Nightmare asked, and Dust started to tear up. What was meant to be a distraction became a whole new ordeal. He could feel so much confusion and frustration beginning to pour off the small skeleton.

"water?" Dust asked, but he sounded terrified, as if his request might somehow be the wrong answer.

"Alright," Nightmare replied, not wanting to question his choice or why he was reacting that way. Not here… in front of the others. 

He was starting to dread interviewing Dust.

He brought over the drinks and set them down. Killer tried speaking but had so much food in his mouth that the words were impossible to figure out. "Do not speak with your mouth full."

He pulled out the last chair to sit in and noticed Dust was eating too fast. "Dust," he said firmly, and the child looked at him with fear in his eyelights and pouring off of him. This was all too familiar to how he originally was after being brought to the castle.

Anger filled the dark skeleton for whoever put that need for such fear there. Knowing first hand some of the horrible things terrible people will inflict on children. He spoke softly but kept firm in tone as he meant the best for Dust. "Slow down your eating. Give your magic time to break it down. You will enjoy it better that way."

"i'm sorry, it… is just so good." Dust replied quietly and did as instructed.

"I am not upset; I just do not want you to make yourself sick," Nightmare explained.

"it is good," Cross agreed as he continued eating.

"mr. night, how do you know my dad?" Horror asked. "you're not one of my usual babysitters."

"Ah, yes," Nightmare paused as he looked at Horror, who was still looking at him expectantly. He didn't think of this when he came up with that lie.

"speaking of babysitters, my dad never uses those and just takes me to the lab," Killer said.

"... dad takes me to work too, but i guess i understand if it is dangerous," Cross said, and Killer then nodded.

"yeah, that's true," Killer agreed.

"I am an old friend of his that was away," Nightmare finally said as he picked up a napkin and gave it to Killer before he wiped his face on his arm. At least some things didn't change, which was comforting as he smiled at the little skeleton who took the napkin happily and used it.

"may i have one?" Cross asked, and Nightmare passed a napkin to him as well.

Indeed, some things hadn't changed.

"i'm done!" Killer announced proudly.

"Then we can talk first. The rest of you, stay at the table," Nightmare said as he stood up while wrapping a tendril around Killer, which is a far easier task with his small size. Though it did make Nightmare worry that he was curling it around him too tightly or loosely and didn't have a secure grip.

"can we go under the table?" Cross asked, and Nightmare blinked at him.

"Y-yes… if that is what you want to do. I mainly do not want you to leave the room or get into anything that is dangerous," Nightmare explained.

"ok!" Cross replied happily before sliding off his chair onto the floor to sit…. Was… this a child thing to do? The concept baffled him, but Nightmare decided not to ask questions about this and speak with Killer.

Chapter Text

Killer looked around as he was set down in the comfy chair in the office. Nightmare took a seat behind his desk and grabbed a piece of paper. “Pardon me, I know some things about you, but I would like to know more. That way, I may… make your stay here better.”

“ok!” Killer said with a big smile. He wiggled around in the chair until his legs dangled off and swung them a little.

For a moment, Nightmare thought about the adult Killer when he would give a report or just came to chat. He would lounge across the chair, the chair’s arms creaking from the odd way he ‘sat.’ Killers knees would be on one arm of the chair and his back pressed against the other. As he spoke, he would play with a knife only to pause in his report and smile as an interesting thought came to him. hey, boss?

“mr. night?”

The youthful voice brought him back to the now, and he looked at the child. Small… fragile… “Sorry, I was thinking about something. You said your dad takes you to the lab?” Nightmare asked, and Killer gave an enthusiastic nod.

“uh huh! dad first sent me to school but was mad that i wasn’t learning enough. he said i was doing bad in my classes because i was bored. school was boring. so, now i go to the lab, and i learn everything there!”

Nightmare smiled. Seemed about right. Underneath that silly and playful exterior, which may say or do some of the dumbest things imaginable, Killer is very bright. That would also be why he was not afraid to ask questions and was quick to point out that asking is vital to learning. It was likely encouraged by his father.

“That sounds rather nice. Do you have any siblings?” Nightmare asked, and Killer jumped up for his chair, excited, as the emotions he wanted to feel dripped down his face.

“yes! but he’s not born yet!” Killer ran around the desk and grabbed the arm of Nightmare’s chair while rocking on his toes. “he’s just a tiny soul! and he glows brighter when i talk to him! i love my brother so much….” That thought caused Killer to pause as he looked up at Nightmare quizzically, “mr. night? did dad send my brother with me? is he here to be safe, too?”

“No, your brother is so small he needs special care. He went to stay with someone better equipped to help him,” Nightmare explained, and Killer relaxed.

“oh… ok… you don’t think he’ll forget me, do you?” Killer asked.

“No, you both descend from the same source of magic, and that is stronger than anything else in the world…,” Nightmare said. Killer took comfort in those words, but Nightmare felt a lump in his vocal magic as he remembered his brother. They used to get along so well, but Dream was never where he was supposed to be. Nightmare had been abandoned when he needed his brother the most, shattering the brotherhood between the twins.

It was indeed a strong bond… but, once broken, it was not so easily repairable. Especially when one is stubborn and won’t deviate from what he thinks is best.

Or… perhaps both…

“mr. night?” Killer then asked.

“Hm? What is it, Killer?”

“why is this stuff coming out of my eyes? it wasn’t like that before… and i think i should be scared or something… shouldn’t i? the others have cried and i…,” He then looked down at his red soul glowing on his chest. “and what is this… it hurts….”

Nightmare looked down at the younger version of the most loyal of his henchmen. Slowly he reached down and picked the child up, and hugged him. “A lot has happened… more than I can explain.”

The child clung to him and started to whimper. “it hurts.”

“I know… You said you think you should feel scared, correct?” Nightmare asked, and the child nodded, turning his head to the side and looking up at him. “Your feelings have somehow been trapped, and they don’t know how to get free.” Nightmare explained, oversimplifying the malformed soul and lack of emotions.

“is that why it hurts?” Killer asked, and Nightmare nodded. “is that why i’m here? dad is trying to find a way to fix it?” Nightmare sighed, unsure how he should answer that.

“what about… this stuff?” Killer asked while wiping at his eyes. 

Nightmare patiently got a tissue and started to clean off Killer’s face. “This is… what emotions had pushed through, but incorrectly so you can’t feel them….” Again, oversimplifying his condition, but perhaps Killer will take comfort in that.

“something really bad happened to me… and dad trying to figure out what happened so he can fix it. i’m here for you to take care of me while he does that?” Killer asked. Nightmare didn’t respond; he’ll let the child believe what he wanted at this point. “i think… i feel scared now….”

Indeed, Nightmare could feel some fear coming from the mutated soul. “I think so too, and that is okay. This is… scary to me as well.”

“but you seem so big and brave!” Killer protested, and Nightmare chuckled.

“You have to be scared to be brave. Bravery is the act of overcoming fear,” Nightmare explained and stood up while hugging the child.

“then i’m going to be brave, too!” Killer announced and then leaned into Nightmare. “thank you, mr. night.”

There is more he could learn, but that is enough. Did that soul always hurt Killer? That will have to be asked when Killer is an adult again. 

He made his way back to the kitchen, and as he walked in, he heard some sniffling from under the table. None of the children were still in their chairs, it seems. The kitchen trash can had been pulled beside the table, and there was the strong smell of wasted magic though the bag had been tied up.

“you’re okay, dust,” said a voice he was starting to recognize as Cross’.

“he won’t be upset over that. you can’t help it,” Horror added.

“i wasn’t supposed to get sick… he said so,” Dust’s voice sounded strained. He was trying not to cry.

Nightmare sighed as he knelt down by the table and set Killer down. “There you all are.” Dust curled up into a ball on the floor, shivering as he struggled not to cry. Fear was again coming from Dust, and it did not bode well for what he would eventually be hearing.

“he threw up,” Cross said.

“i’m sorry,” Dust then quickly mumbled while looking over a Nightmare. His face needed to be cleaned, and there were spots of wasted magic on his sloth shirt. When he reached for Dust, the child suddenly scurried back and away, clinging to a table leg. For an empath like Nightmare, he felt like he was drowning in the fear radiating off Dust. “i’m sorry, i… i didn’t….”

Using his tendrils, he grabbed Dust, who flinched and then started shaking so hard he was rattling. Nightmare shook his skull, knowing full well that there would be no comfort at this point. Dust was too stressed to hear what was being said. Still, the child needed cleaning up, and Nightmare walked to the kitchen sink. “Killer?”

“yes, mr. night?” Killer asked.

“Are you feeling brave enough to explore the castle alone to retrieve something for me?” Nightmare asked, looking at the tiny skeleton, and was rewarded with a big smile.

“yes, mr. night!” Killer said as he hopped a little in excitement.

“Do you remember where the infirmary is?” Nightmare asked and noticed the confusion on his face. “The room with all the beds we met in.”

“oh! yes, i remember!” Killer said with a big smile.

“There is a bin in there with clean shirts. Can you try finding one for Dust?” Nightmare asked.

Killer dashed out of the room, “yes mr. night!”

The child continued to apologize all through the time that Nightmare washed up Dust and changed his shirt. No matter what Nightmare said, Dust didn’t acknowledge any form of comforting words. This was not new for Dust. Anytime he feels he did something terribly wrong, he gets like this. Still, it annoyed Nightmare that this behavior started while he was so young. 

Finally, the Guardian set the child down near the table once he was cleaned up. “There you go,” He said, setting his hand on the child’s head. Dust flinched at the touch….

The fear Dust had been feeling was replaced with confusion and frustration. That was all too common to Nightmare. Once Dust didn’t receive the treatment he expected, he would not know what to think and be angry with himself for his behavior. As much as he wanted to find out what happened to cause Dust to throw up, Nightmare knew he wouldn’t have the emotional strength for the other two if he spoke to Dust now. But then, the Guardian hadn’t expected an emotional moment between him and Killer. He just hoped he would have the strength to get through all four.

Nightmare sighed, “Rest; we will talk soon. Horror?”

“my turn?” Horror asked, and Nightmare nodded. Horror crawled out from under the table and looked at Dust. “see, he wasn’t angry.”

Dust just stood there until Cross grabbed one of his hands, and Killer took the other. “let’s keep playing cave explorer!” Cross said.

“that sounds fun!” Killer said as he and Cross pulled Dust under the table.

Horror asked to walk instead of being carried, and Nightmare allowed it. Once in his office with Horror, Nightmare was ready to start the process over again. There was more he could have learned about Killer… but he learned enough. What he did know still bothered Nightmare. Did Killer still have that pain in that malformed soul? And what about Horror. Nightmare figured out he had headaches, but Horror was good at hiding them most of the time. Years of living with it made him used to the constant pain.

This was the child version of him, who wasn’t used to that wound.

Horror climbed into the chair on his own, and Nightmare walked over and sat at his desk. “You seem fairly independent.”

“dad’s usually busy… he gets babysitters for me, but he forgets sometimes,” Horror explained.

“I… see, so you take care of yourself when your father forgets?” Nightmare asked.

“... mr night, i don’t hate my dad. i know he’s trying, but he’s just busy,” Horror shrugged. “he’s the royal scientist. it’s a big job. i used to be angry about it, but i know he doesn’t mean to forget about me, so i now just accept it.”

“I understand. It must be difficult on you as well as him,” Nightmare replied.

“yeah…,” Horror sighed and shrugged, “sometimes i just go to the lab and sit in his office….”

“You walk there on your own?” Nightmare confirmed, and Horror nodded.

“he’s been talking about making a brother for me… i know he wants another son, so i guess i won’t be lonely,” Horror said as he reached up and touched his skull.

“Horror?” Nightmare asked as the child seemed lost in thought.

Tears were filling his sockets, “how did i get hurt… i can’t see out of my right socket….” Horror then looked right at Nightmare. “i’m so scared…, i’m trying to not be around the others. they're younger, and i don’t want to scare them, but….”

“You are a child, Horror… you have the right to be scared,” Nightmare stood up and walked over to the young skeleton.

“but…,” He was gasping a little as he pulled his legs up and to his chest. “... being scared never helps….”

“You were alone then… when you were scared?” Nightmare saw Horror nod and look up at him, tears in his sockets.

Was this why Horror seemed to have trouble with anxiety? He never learned to cope with stressful moments in a healthy way as a child. Instead, he forced it down, acting brave until it reached a point he could no longer handle it. Nightmare reached down and picked up the small skeleton. “I am sorry, I wish I could heal you, but those are wounds beyond my help. But that doesn’t mean you have to ignore your feelings. It is natural to feel scared and to acknowledge that fear so you may move forward.”

Horror cuddled into Nightmare. Usually, the taller skeleton was the one caring for the others and even keeping an eye on Nightmare. He was gentle and tolerant. There were times he needed comfort, but now Nightmare saw he may need more reassurance than he asked for. There was so much that Horror was willing to put up with, but was that because he learned to suppress his feelings? Nightmare inwardly scolded himself for not noticing this sooner. It was something he should not have overlooked.

Sitting down in the chair, he held Horror as the child sobbed into his coat. It seemed like this was the theme of these interviews. Gain some information about the henchmen in question and then spend the rest of their time comforting them. Nightmare was already starting to tire from the waves of emotions he had to deal with. But he couldn’t stop yet. There were two more, and one of them he was silently dreading.

Eventually, Horror’s crying quieted, and Nightmare rubbed circles into the small spine as Horror slowly calmed his breathing. “It is alright, Horror. I will be here for you and the others.”

“for now…,” Horror said softly. “eventually, i’ll be going home.”

“Even then, I will visit, and you can stay with me when you need someone while your father is busy,” Nightmare said, which seemed to calm Horror.

“you’re nice, mr. night,” Horror smiled and leaned into Nightmare. Seemed like a good stopping point for this one.

“Just do not tell anyone outside of the castle. I have a cruel and evil reputation to uphold,” Nightmare chuckled as he stood up.

“yeah, right; dad wouldn’t let me stay with you if you did,” Horror gave a tired giggle.

“Only because he knows me. Anyone beyond my alliances fears me,” Nightmare grinned as he started towards the kitchen. “That way, I can keep you safe.”

“well, i don’t feel scared around you… it’s like i knew you… but i’ll tell anyone new that you are mean and horrible,” Horror said, and Nightmare nodded.

“Good.”

As they entered the kitchen, Killer and Cross jumped out from under the table. Both were holding straws they must have found in one of the draws. He didn’t want them getting into things, but at least they didn’t have anything he worried about as dangerous. Though they both had serious faces as they glared up at him.

“who goes there?” Cross demanded.

“You tell me who you are, and perhaps I will tell you?” Nightmare replied.

“we are the knights who protect the last cave dragon hatchling!” Killer announced with a big smile.

“A little cave dragon, huh?” Nightmare mused as he set Horror down.

“yup!” Cross replied while pointing back at Dust. The “cave dragon” had summoned a blaster that was placed on his skull. “killer and i were pretending we were looking for a dragon. dust said he could make something dragon-like. we decided he could be the cave dragon since he can make those dragon head attacks, and we are guarding him.”

“I see. Well, perhaps there can be a change of guard, and Horror could take over for you, Cross. But please, do not get into any more things without me here,” Nightmare said.

“ok, mr. night!” Killer replied as he took Horror’s hand, “come on, let me introduce you to the dragon!”

“Stay here a bit longer, Cross. I would like to make a phone call,” Nightmare said, and Cross nodded before joining the others under the table to explain the game.

Nightmare stepped out of the kitchen and pulled out his cell phone to call Sci.

“how are they?” Sci asked without even a greeting.

“You said your tests were showing memory loss?” Nightmare said as he leaned against the wall.

“yes, further tests have proved that. two had memorized a maze, and they were acting like they had never been in it. there was a button one knew to press to get treats, and he is currently relearning how to use it.” Sci replied.

“As far as they are concerned, they were just with their fathers yesterday… and have no idea they were adults,” Nightmare sighed, and he heard Sci sigh as well.

“i’ve been looking over the chemicals of that orange stuff, and there is nothing, absolutely nothing, about it that makes sense,” Sci said.

“That is because you are looking at it as a scientist who only cares for the laws of science. This is a different matter,” Nightmare replied. Then smiled as a thought came to his mind, “Sci, free up some time tomorrow.”

“no can do. this has set me back already,” Sci said.

“Sci,” Nightmare said more sternly.

“hey, i’m not one of your ‘idiots,’ okay?” Sci replied, voice sounding annoyed.

“You forget, you made me your friend, Sci. I helped you when you asked. They helped you,” Nightmare continued to grin.

“yeah, think i’ve already paid off that debt,” Sci muttered.

“No, that’s not how it works. Now, frankly, Sci, I do not bother you that much, and I am not asking. I am telling you. This is for your own good, as you need to open your eyes. Being in that lab every day has blinded you to the wonders of the world that the science you cling to can not explain,” Nightmare replied.

“sorry, noot, i like my science,” Sci sounded annoyed at that point.

Nightmare chuckled darkly, “Oh, my friend, if you had a choice before, you lost it when you just called me that. I will be by to get you tomorrow, be ready.”

As he hung up, he heard Sci asking when but he just chuckled and ignored the scientist. A following flurry of dings from his phone indicated the panicked text messages Sci was sending. He turned his phone to silent, one of the few things his boys taught him that he managed to learn. 

Now, it was time to talk to Cross.

“you two know what to do,” Cross said as he hurried over to Nightmare. “ready, mr. night!”

“I see that,” Nightmare said as he carefully curled a tendril around the child. “Thank you for being so prompt.”

“you’re welcome!” Cross said. “mr. night, where is my brother?”

“I do not do well with little children, and the one taking care of your brother is only good with little children,” Nightmare said, hating these lies, but what else was he to say? Sorry, your brother is dead? You killed him? Right now, the truth wasn’t going to work. It was things they did when they were older, and each of their stories was vastly different, beyond a child’s simple understanding.

There was just too much to explain and too much the children would not understand. With how excited Killer was about his brother, how was he to understand that he killed him? Even if there were extenuating factors, it was well beyond the child’s understanding? He already knew Killer lived with guilt for his brother’s death; he could feel it. Same with Cross and Dust. So, no…, for now, it will have to be a lie. As much as it sickens him to lie to them.

“oh, i guess that makes sense…,” Cross sighed, then petted the tendril holding him.

“What are you doing?” Nightmare asked, feeling amused by this behavior.

“i don’t know… you’re being nice to us, but you seem… sad,” Cross said quietly, and Nightmare blinked as he looked at the child.

“Do I?” He started walking again, feeling self-conscious that he allowed such emotions to show when the children needed someone to lean on.

“uh huh… it’s in your eyelight. killer saw it too… horror thinks he also did, but he admitted that he was really sad and not paying attention,” Cross sighed and then hugged the tendril. “sorry if it was something we did, mr. night.”

“It was not you four…. Perhaps you can say that I am sad for you. I understand that you are scared and uncertain of what is going on. While I intend on doing all that I can, I am limited in what I can do to help.” Nightmare explained as he entered his office and sat Cross on the chair. “Does that make sense?”

Cross nodded his head but hung onto the tendril. “sorry, i thought you were kinda scary at first, but you’re nice.”

With a mock huff, Nightmare folded his arms and looked at Cross. “I must insist you keep this between you four.”

With that, the child giggled and nodded before finally releasing the tendril. “horror said you like making others think you are scary.”

“Correct,” With that said, Nightmare walked to his desk and sat. “You said you were just adopted earlier.”

Cross nodded, “been with dad for… a month and a half! he introduced us to the king and queen and their children! i like playing with them, but frisk is really quiet….”

So, that Gaster didn’t waste any time, did he. “How is your schooling?”

“dad has us go to the lab to learn. he either teaches us or has one of his assistants teach,” Cross smiled, unaware that he was nothing more than an experiment to his father. A tool to be used when he felt the need. That angered Nightmare to know that Gaster was toying with the emotions of the skeletons in his care. Skeletons that were just small children and hadn't the slightest idea they were being emotionally manipulated. As a king of negative emotions, he did not like seeing this. Emotions are not meant to be a plaything except for him.

“I see,” Nightmare replied, leaning his head on his hand, feigning contentment, “that sounds nice.”

“it is! i hope to be a scientist like him,” Cross smiled. The wishes of a child. As the world around him is continually turned more and more into a model of Gaster's ideals, that wish will change. “hey, mr. night?”

“Hm?” Nightmare asked as he jotted down some notes, enjoying the break from the previous emotional events.

“you said dad didn’t give me up, right?” Cross asked.

“Correct,” Nightmare responded.

“and you didn’t kidnap us?” Cross continued.

“No, but I suppose a kidnapper would say ‘no,’ would they not? Makes it hard for me to prove I am not or for you that I am,” Nightmare mused.

That made Cross frown and look down at the floor as he nodded. “wouldn’t a kidnapper be mean?”

“Hmmm, well, I suppose that would depend on why the kidnapper kidnapped you,” He drummed his fingers on his desk and frowned. “What a conundrum.”

“it is…,” Cross then narrowed his eyes as he examined Nightmare, “why would you kidnap us if you did that?”

“Not sure. I have all the wealth I need, so asking for ransom is meaningless. You are not strong enough to do much physical labor, nor tall enough. You are lacking in magical skills and abilities at such a young age. If you were older, I might have a reason. I can not say I really have much use for children. So, I have no motive to kidnap you,” Nightmare concluded and smiled, which caused Cross to brighten.

“ok!” The child said and tilted his skull. “so, why did you agree to watch us?”

“This is a big castle; it can get lonely,” Nightmare shrugged. “So, when your fathers asked, I figured, why not?”

“oh… could loneliness be a reason?” Cross questioned, and Nightmare chuckled.

“Oh my, I suppose it could. But then, I am rather introverted and enjoy my quiet time,” Nightmare mused. “Hard to have a quiet moment when I have to keep a socket on some children all the time. That would be different if I was just watching after you for a while. I get the company for some time, then send you home when your fathers are ready.”

“i suppose… okay! i just wished dad told me…,” Cross frowned.

“Hmmm… it was a rush…,” Nightmare nodded.

“mr. night…,” Cross then said quietly.

“Yes?” Nightmare tilted his skull.

“it doesn’t make sense…,” Cross stated flatly.

“What do you mean?” Nightmare frowned as he looked at the ex-guard, who then glared back at him.

“we have the same name, we look the same, we almost sound the same… and i swear i know you, but i’ve never seen you before. my soul says i can trust you, but this…,” Cross frowned and looked down. “the more we think about it, the more our heads hurt.”

“You will learn in time…,” Nightmare sighed.

“so… then there is information you are withholding?” Cross asked as he looked back at Nightmare. When Nightmare nodded, the young skeleton glared again, frowning as he folded his arms. “why?”

“At this point, I am not sure you four will understand. It is a lot to take in, and you four… have already started learning much of it,” After that, Nightmare stood. “Since you said 'we,' I assume you four were discussing these matters?”

“yes, sir,” Cross replied, and Nightmare could sense some anxiety building.

“I should have figured on that. Just let the others know they will learn more, but I do not want to overwhelm you four with information. Do you understand?” The Guardian moved in front of Cross, looking down at him.

“i… think so,” Cross replied.

Carefully, Nightmare picked up Cross, “Now, this interview is over. I am tired of being interrogated when it was you I was trying to learn about.” He chuckled, and Cross giggled a little. As they left the office, Nightmare looked down at Cross, who was leaning against him.

“Your soul says you can trust me, correct?” And Cross nodded in reply before Nightmare tilted his skull and asked, “Do you trust your soul?”

Cross paused and blinked for a moment before looking up at Nightmare. “yes… i think i do.”

He set Cross down in the kitchen, and the child ran over to the table. "i'm back!"

Dust was curled up on a chair, the blaster skull still on his head. He almost looked like a GB sans, especially as he had that skull resting on his hands. The others welcomed Cross back, who then looked at Dust. "how's the cave dragon doing?"

"he's resting on a throne we found deep within the cavern," Killer reported, and Cross nodded.

"good!" Cross replied.

"I am sorry, but I need to borrow your cave dragon now," Nightmare said as he started to walk toward the chair.

"wait!" Killer called out and came out from under the table. "you can't go that way; you'll cause a cave-in!" The small skeleton explained and then pointed. "you gotta go this way! the cave entrance is here."

Horror walked out, too, and pointed to the floor, "these three tiles are the cave entrance."

Nightmare paused and looked at them and then at the supposed entrance of the "cave." An idea came to him. No, do not do that , chided the Guardian's dignity. Something in Nightmare ignored the voice, and he walked over to the drawer that housed some of the linens. Within the drawer, he found the cloth napkins and… tablecloths. They were rarely used, disposable napkins and things less fragile or prone to staining being preferred with this rowdy and uncouth bunch. 

Do not do this! They will tear it. That is the good tablecloth…  

But the others would not hang over the chairs too. This was for the dining room tables, not the kitchen one, and those tables were larger and grand in comparison.

As if he was ever going to require this and those tables…. This far smaller kitchen table, though big enough for his men and possibly a few others, was nowhere near as large as the others. But he didn't play host like the previous owners of those tables. No diplomatic dinners or large gatherings. And he far preferred the cozier dinners with his boys not sitting several feet apart from him and each other.

Nightmare walked back over and opened the table cloth and flipped it over the table. He draped it over the chairs, pulling the two chairs at the ends, extending the cave's size. Remembering which Dust was on, he moved that one carefully then used two other chairs to make the entrance. The children were ecstatic and all but squealing with excitement as he gave them walls to their cave. He heard their excited thank yous, and Killer came out from under the table to hug him around the leg before scurrying back into the "cave."

When he knelt down beside the "cave entrance," he was greeted by three smiling faces. "Alright, now that I have done that, I require an audience with your cave dragon."

Cross hurried over to Dust, and Nightmare heard some whispering. His hearing was sharp enough to pick up on what was being said as Cross and Dust spoke with each other. "you can be the cave dragon while i'm away."

"no, you're the cave dragon, just leave it on the chair, and when you get back, you can be the dragon again," Cross said, and there was some shuffling until Dust finally appeared in view. Cross was behind him and looked out at Nightmare, "take good care of him!"

"we can't guard the cave dragon if the cave dragon doesn't return," Killer confirmed.

"I will return him safely once I am done," Nightmare said as he curled a tentacle around Dust and lifted him off the ground. He had grown used to the adult Dust, who had become accustomed to this. He noticed how Dust flinched at the contact and became stiff and scared as he was held. Just as Dust was at the very beginning of his time at the castle.

He sighed but tried not to seem upset as he turned and left for his office. Just like the others, he set the child on the chair and walked around his desk to sit. The Guardian has seen enough AUs to know what he is seeing in Dust's behaviors. Where does he even start with this one?

"is this a test?" Dust asked, caution in his tone.

"A… test? No, it is simply me trying to get to know you," Nightmare said as he sat down.

"oh…, will there be a test later?" Dust looked at the desk Nightmare was sitting behind and then down at the floor.

"What sort of test do you normally do?" Nightmare inquired, flipping the question back at Dust.

"um… well… i like the paper ones, i usually do good with those. but there's the maze and… damage output… some other random ones…, and the one i hate the most is on mondays. are you going to do the tests while i'm here?" Dust inquired. "normally, i have to do the test before eating…."

"My castle is enough of a maze, I think. And I am not concerned with how much damage you can do. What happens on Mondays?" Why was he asking… Nightmare wasn't sure he really wanted to know.

"i… i don't know, he makes me eat stuff that makes me really tired, and then when i wake up later, my soul hurts. he calls it DT day," Dust shrugged.

So… that's where Dust got his Determination from. Nightmare sighed and rubbed his one good socket. "There will be no test like that while you are here; they are not a prerequisite to your eating."

"oh, i don't think the doctor would like that," Dust said softly.

"I do not care," Nightmare folded his arms and rested them on his desk. "You are currently under my care."

"but…," there was confusion and more of that fear coming from him, "how will you know…."

"How will I know what?" Nightmare asked, tilting his skull.

"the doctor says i eat according to how well i do on the tests. how would you know how much to feed me?" Dust was now fidgeting with the oversized shirt meant for an adult version of him.

"I will be feeding you according to your needs," A sickening thought crossed his mind, and Nightmare feared to ask. But he did. "How well do you normally do on your tests?"

Dust's sockets started to fill with tears, and he continued to fidget more with the shirt. "not well…."

"When you don't do well, what happens?" Nightmare continued.

Dust continued to stare at the floor, more tears filling his sockets as he struggled not to cry. Nightmare could feel his fear building along with self-hatred. The child dared to glance at Nightmare before averting his gaze with a shakey exhale. "h-he… the doctor… he ye-yells." Dust sighed and wiped at his face before continuing, "he reminds me that i'm a failed experiment and that he shouldn't expect anything but failure from me. then, depending on his mood, he might ask his lab assistant to make another harder test… generally with attacks that hurt. or he just grabs me and throws me back into my space. he'll then decide how much of the food bars i should have and gives them to me to eat. usually, he says it's half portions… but he has done less when he's in a really bad mood."

Anger slowly built within Nightmare, but he didn't want Dust to see it and think the Guardian was angry with him. He likely had seen enough anger, and so many things were being answered here. For example, why Nightmare needed to repeat endlessly that Dust is not a disappointment to him. After all, it was grounded in his childhood psyche that he was nothing more than a failure. The dark skeleton was fighting against years of mental and emotional abuse that occurred during Dust's informative years.

Any healing he did once free from the doctor was crushed by the events in his AU that made Dust Dust.

And his shortness… may be the result of… malnutrition.

Nightmare needed to distract himself; the more he thought about this, the more enraged he felt, but he knew there was more to learn.

"Food Bars? Is that what you eat?" Nightmare saw Dust nod and followed up with another question, "Can you describe them?"

"the doctor says they have all the nutrition i need… he makes them himself. they are about…." Dust held up his hands and indicated a small rectangle shape, "that size and the older i got, the more i got since he said i was growing… until he said i was a failure and not worth all that food…."

"Had he ever given you anything else to eat?" Nightmare asked.

"no," Dust sniffled and closed his sockets as he focused on forcing down his sadness.

"I see, so that's why you threw up… you were not used to that kind of food," Nightmare said as he considered what would be best to do for Dust. "We will do frequent and small meals with you. Allow your magic time to adjust to different foods."

"i don't think the doctor will like that," Dust said, his fear growing.

"Yet again, I do not care what he thinks," Nightmare stated flatly. "You are staying here."

"… but he was planning on making another one like me. that one will need someone… not mean, won't they?" Dust asked.

"If he does, I will take that one too, and you both can live here. He has shown that he can not be trusted with another life's care," Nightmare explained.

"oh…," Dust sat there, looking at the floor. "won't the doctor be mad?"

"Good," Nightmare grinned darkly, "Dust, I am a being that lives off negative emotions. Do you know what that means?" Dust thought for a moment, then shook his head 'no.' "You will in time. For now, just know I will be happy making him mad, and I am far stronger than he is. So, no more DT tests; you will also eat a wider range of foods as your magic adjusts." 

Or, more correctly, readjusts. Some of Dust's magic must have regressed by taking on a more childlike shape, which makes sense with the memory loss. After all, Dust could eat everything… well, nearly everything. He was picky at times and was not fond of overly spicy or flavorful foods. And now Nightmare had an idea as to why. If Dust's first experience with flavorful foods was getting sick soon after, it was no wonder he was less inclined to eat them.

An annoyance to Horror, who saw declining food as a sin, yet understandable once you know the reason.

"if there's no DT tests, mazes, or damage tests, what kind of tests will there be?" Dust asked.

Nightmare leaned back in his chair and thought, "I suppose just the educational kind to ensure you are learning what you should know."

"oh…," Dust thought for a moment, then started to shiver. His breathing hitched for a moment, and the child fought hard to get his respirations under control. Losing that battle, he quickly wiped at the tears as they formed in his sockets. "i'm s-sorry… but... but there's things said i didn't...," his voice cut out for a moment before he struggled again to speak. "i didn't understand…. w-words the others used that i hadn't heard before."

"You are still very young; that is to be expected," Nightmare replied.

"but… the others knew them and were using them as if anyone should know them…." Dust replied as calmly as he could, but Nightmare could feel his emotions were like one of the cans of soda he had seen the boy drink and tease each other with. Killer was rather fond of shaking them until they "exploded" on the next person who tried to have one. That or the gremlin of a skeleton would just use it as a weapon of sorts.

With that, Nightmare stood and made his way over to the chair. It saddened him to see Dust pressed against the chair's cushion and staring at him with so much fear in his eye lights. The tears were forming far faster and seeping down his cheekbones as he expected aggression from Nightmare. 

Slowly and carefully, he lifted the small form in his hands. He then sat down in the chair, his tendrils retreating into his back for self-comfort as he rested against the chair with the child on his lap.

"Alright, what words are you worried about?" He asked, but no reply came as Dust continued fighting not to cry.

"i'm sorry," Dust said as he rubbed his sockets.

"For what?" Nightmare sighed and patted the child on the back.

"i'm trying not to cry… i… re-really am," as Dust finished, Nightmare hugged him closer. There was so much confusion coming from Dust, mixed with a plethora of other emotions.

"Go ahead and cry," Nightmare felt Dust's small hands grab his jacket.

"b-but the-" Dust started, but his voice hitched, and he couldn't continue.

"If you were going to say something about the doctor, remember that I do not care. You are here now. You will be eating real food, as much as you want once your magic adjusts, and learning all sorts of things," The Guardian then decided to push one key fact. "You are not a failure."

Dust froze and looked up at Nightmare. The dark skeleton continued, "You never were either. The doctor was a fool and did not see your good qualities."

That was all he needed to say, and Dust could no longer hold back. He buried his tiny face against Nightmare and burst into wails. Nightmare continued holding the child, letting him release years of emotional weight.

Once Dust wore himself out, Nightmare stood and started back to the kitchen. "I think the others need their cave dragon back. And what about a snack for now?" 

"snack?" Came the soft voice of Dust.

"A small amount of food between meals. Are you hungry?" Dust nodded, and Nightmare smiled, "Alright, a snack it is."

Chapter Text

While he dug around in the kitchen for a suitable snack, the kids returned to their game. A loud meow followed by the kids getting excited about the cat that just sauntered in reminded him he was now responsible for the animals, too. There was Dust's dog, Horror's chickens, and then Killer's army of cats. And several of Killer's cats needed medicine.

It's okay.

He can do this.

After all, it's just four not-so-typical babybones, one dog, seven chickens, and ten cats… 4 of which require medications. 

That shouldn't be too bad, right? 

He can handle this.

He took a pause from the snack idea to notice the children were completely occupied. A new character was added as Bill, the cat who walked in, joined in to get close to Killer. 

With the boys distracted by the game with the cave dragon and cave tiger, Nightmare made his way to Dust's room.

He found Ferrous, the blue-gray pitbull, waiting patiently to be let out in his crate. Upon seeing Nightmare, the dog wagged his tail and stood, eager to be let out. "come along, let's have you do your thing outside first." He walked the dog outside, and Ferrous walked beside him as he made his way to the chickens.

Sure enough, 'The Ladies, ' as Horror called them, strutted around outside their coop. He entered their pen, ushered them back into the coop for the night, and closed their door. Was he supposed to add their feed? He figured it wouldn't hurt, so he added some into the coop and refreshed their water.

A small distance away, Ferrous was taking care of his needs before trotting back to Nightmare, ready to go back in. He led the dog back into the house and spotted a few of Killer's other cats. Checking their food bowls, he noticed they needed to be refilled and dumped some food in. 

Oh…, Ferrous needs his dinner… which means he will need another trip outside later. 

While in the food room, he checked the dry-erase board Killer put up with the medicine regiment. Ah, good, only one needed meds more than once a day, it seemed. Antibiotics for "Tri." That was the three-legged cat Killer found sick with a fourth leg barely hanging to his body. The antibiotics were to treat the infection caused by the dead limb professionally amputated. The veterinarian then prescribed an aggressive medication regimen that was coming to an end.

A mini fridge was nearby with the medications that needed to be refrigerated. He got it out, drew up the medicine into a needleless syringe per the directions, and then looked for the cat.

…

He spotted the cat watching him and looked ready to run. "Tri, it's just your antibiotic," Nightmare tried to reason with the cat, who turned to run. Tripod, Tri for short, was surprisingly fast for only three legs, and he almost escaped.

Luckily, Ferrous thought it was a game and dropped into a play bow in front of the cat, blocking his escape. Grabbing Tri in a tentacle, Nightmare brought the feline closer. Once close, he then tried getting the syringe in the cat's mouth to squirt the medicine down his throat. Tri growled, hissed, and screamed at Nightmare, but the treatment finally went down. 

"Truly, it was not worth all of that fuss," Nightmare huffed as he set the cat down. The cat cried out angrily as if trying to convince his brothers and sisters of felinedom to rally to war against Nightmare. The dark skeleton didn't care, though, as he turned to leave the room. "Come along, Ferrous."

Back to the boys… hopefully, they stayed distracted during their time alone. He could see they had come out from under the table, their cave, but they were still near it. Upon seeing him, and what was following him, they once again became excited. Except for one… the one who should be most happy seeing Ferrous jumped back and stayed close to the table.

FEAR  

Ferrous wagged his tail but paused and tilted his head from side to side. He was clearly confused by how they smelled like the skeletons he knew but were suddenly shorter. If it bothered Bill, he didn't show it as he lounged over Killer's lap, purring away with a contented feline grin. The confused canine moved closer to Dust, who then yelped in fear and ran under the table.

"Come here, Ferrous, have dinner first," Nightmare said, calling the dog away to give Dust a chance to calm down. While Nightmare added food to the dog's bowl, the dog whined but did as he was told.

"what is that?" Dust asked quietly.

"it's a dog? haven't you seen a dog before?" Killer asked, and Dust shook his head.

"dogs are nice, at least dog monsters are," Cross said and looked over at Nightmare. "is that dog nice?"

"His name is Ferrous, and yes, he is nice," Nightmare replied. "Sorry about leaving, but there are other animals that I remembered needed care. Now… please continue to behave while I finish putting a snack together."

Dust, as he was now called… (that is what a name is, he thinks, based on how that word was used), continued to hide under the table as he looked at the thing called a dog. The crunching noise of the hard food it was eating made him wonder how strong those jaws were. It had a big mouth, too… and he's name was Ferrous, according to Mr. Night.

The dog finished eating and licked his bowl before walking back to the table. Dust could hear the dog's breathing change as he sniffed over all the other skeletons. The tail wagged as the others made excited noises and petted the dog. But the dog didn't stay with each for long as. He followed his nose as if searching for something. Worst of all, that nose was leading the dog under the table.

Backing up, Dust felt his spine press against the table leg, preventing him from backing away further. The dog stopped and tilted his broad head before letting out a sad, high-pitched sound. "i-i-i'm sure you're nice an-and all but…," Dust was shaking in fear, tears filling his sockets as the dog continued to stare at him. He was shaking so much that he couldn't stand anymore, and he started sliding down the table leg to the floor.

"it's okay dusty. you don't gotta be scared. just like the cat, he's friendly," Cross said.

Yeah… okay… the cat was scary when he first showed up, but the cat wasn't as big. As if reading that thought, the dog laid down and made that sound again. Ferrous then crawled a little close and brought that nose closer. Dust closed his sockets, feeling the dog's breath as it sniffed at him. Ferrous paused over his cheek, where a tear was making its way down towards Dust's chin. 

Times felt like it slowed as Dust waited for the dog to do whatever he planned. That was when something wet slid up, over Dust's cheek and right socket. The left socket opened as he felt startled by this.

... He... didn't hate how that felt. In fact, it brought comfort to the small skeleton.

He looked at the dog who looked at him, tail wagging and a pink tongue hanging out of his mouth. "did… did you just lick me," Dust couldn't help but giggle, "gross." The dog seemed to think that was an invite to do that more as he crawled closer and started licking all over Dust's face, and the young skeleton found he couldn't help but laugh.

"told ya! you didn't need to be scared!" Cross said as he walked under the table to join them. "he really seems to like you."

Part of the reason that fear had melted away was a feeling Dust couldn't explain. He felt a dog lick his face before. But when? He didn't know as he had never seen a dog before now. Yet, he knew this feeling. If he thought about it, his skull hurt. It was like Mr. Night. He looked scary, but Dust felt safe around him, and not just because Mr. Night said he was safe. It was like he knew that skeleton even though he also knew he never saw Mr. Night before.

It was… just weird.

Dust wrapped his arms around the dog's neck and clung to him. The dog accepted the role of cuddle buddy until Nightmare called out, "Boys, I have a snack prepared. Let us eat it in the other room, and I will turn on a movie."

He gave all the boys a snack of crackers (cheesy crackers and saltines mixed together) and cut-up pears. This they had in the entertainment room while watching one of the animated movies they had brought home at one point or another. He made sure to check the rating of the movie. 

Looking over the box, he remembered when the boys brought it home. At the time, they had laughed about it being for kids and expected to mock it the entire time. To them, it sounded cheesy.

It was about some giant metal creature from space that made friends with a tiny human boy. He remembered finding all four in tears by the time the movie finished. Nightmare should try watching movies more often. They were good stories; some were even adapted from books he read. But he’d just instead read.

Thankfully Dust was handling the snack well. The flavors were mellow, especially since he gave him more saltines than cheesy crackers. Nightmare offered them all small amounts at a time, preventing him from getting excited about the flavors and overwhelming his magic. Since they all got the same treat with needing to ask for more, Dust wasn’t singled out. Though Nightmare did need to ask him not to share so much with Ferrous. 

The dog was lying beside Dust, letting the child lean on him. It was nice to see the animals accept their smaller owners, like Bill, who was again lying like an oversized rag doll over Killer’s lap.

Once done with the snack, he stood and left the room with the excuse of needing to clean up. The truth was, he needed help, and he wasn’t above admitting it to himself, at least.

While they were watching the movie, Nightmare made a phone call.

“Hello, Nightmare! How are you?” Asked a kind and feminine voice.

“Hello, Lyra, I…,” He looked in at the boys who were fixated on their movie. Each in shirts that fit them more like nightgowns… Horror’s, in particular, was down to his ankles. “... I have a small problem. It is something I will try not to bother you with too often, but I could use some help for a moment. And yes, there was a pun intended before… you will understand once you see what I am talking about. That is, if you can come here?”

“I… can. Nightmare, is everything alright?” Lyra inquired. “You say it is a small problem, but your voice contradicts that.”

With a sigh, Nightmare closed his socket, and his tentacles drooped. “I trust you, so I will be honest… no… everything is not alright. But… I will make do.”

“I do not like the sound of that. I am finishing baking a treat for your boys,” She said. Before, he knew she would have been teasing him to say, ‘your boys.’ It has reached the point, now, that she calls them that without even meaning to.

Well, she will soon see. 

“I will be there soon,” She said, finishing her statement.

“Thank you, goodbye until then,” Nightmare said.

“You are welcome, and likewise,” with that said, she hung up.

Now, he should warn the boys. Lyra tended to look for them first when she visited. He wasn’t sure why, but he didn’t mind. She seemed to enjoy finding them and giving them a pie or something else that they happily came to share with him.

Walking into the room, he paused the movie, and all but Dust looked up at him. Dust looked confused and glanced around before looking up at Nightmare.

“I am sorry to pause your movie, boys, but a friend is coming over. She will be helping me out, and so I want you four to be nice to her. Alright?” Nightmare asked, and all four nodded. “Thank you.”

“what’s her name?” Horror asked.

“Her name is Lyra, or Balance, for she is the guardian of balance and order,” Nightmare explained.

“is she your wife?” Killer blurted out.

“My wi-” Nightmare felt his magic rush to his face, his tendrils lashing with a sudden burst of nervous energy. “No, no, she is not my wife.”

“Oh…, girlfriend!” Killer announced, pleased with himself.

“If by that you mean a friend who happens to be a female, then yes. But that is all we are, friends. Is that understood?” Nightmare clarified, and Killer nodded with a smile. 

What was he to do with that one?

He then resumed the movie and returned to the kitchen. By the time he finished cleaning up from the snack, he had heard the soft footsteps of Lyra walking into the kitchen. “I now see what you mean by ‘small’ problem.”

“You saw them then…,” Nightmare sighed without looking back at her. He pulled the plug in the sink to allow the water to drain. “Did they see you?”

“No, I had been considering surprising them. It is safe to say they surprised me, so I stepped away from the doorway to find you,” Lyra said as she moved closer. He glanced over as she set a tray of brownies down. Steam was rising off of them; they were fresh from the oven. She looked at him with a tilted head. “What happened?”

Nightmare waved a hand to the table before he remembered the tablecloth. She looked at it as well and giggled. “What is this construction?” She inquired.

“A cave… a small cave dragon hatchling lives there with his three guards. Here, let me fold the tablecloth, and you can take a seat…,” He said as he picked up the tablecloth and started folding it while walking over to the drawer it belonged in. 

Once she was sitting and the tablecloth was put away, he joined her and started telling the story of what had occurred. He didn’t hold back either, telling her everything he had learned about his henchmen. As he spoke of their Gasters, she covered her face when he got to Dust’s memories.

“Oh my… that…,” Her words failed her, and she shook her head. 

“Anyway, I need supplies for them… but I can not leave them alone in the castle when they do not even remember this is their home.”

“I can stay here for as long as you need me,” Lyra said.

“Actually… do you mind making the shopping trip? I will confess my knowledge of child care is limited,” Nightmare frowned. “They mainly need appropriately fitting clothing. Then anything you might feel they need.”

“And after the shopping trip?” Lyra pried

“You may go home,” Nightmare said with a tired smile.

“Nightmare… they are children.” Lyra pushed.

“I am aware of that,” he replied flatly.

“And with the same injuries and changes that occurred in adulthood. Nightmare… they will… be a challenge for just one person,” Lyra explained.

“They are my b-… my idiots,” he stated. “They are always a challenge, and I will make due as usual.”

She sighed and shook her head. “Alright, but know that I am just a phone call away. You need not do this on your own.”

She then stood and walked into the entertainment room. Just in time, too, the closing credits for the movie were starting. “Greetings, boys! Nightmare told me about you four and asked me to run an errand. Before I leave, I wanted to talk to the four of you.”

He stood there and watched as she knelt on the floor and spoke with them. Asking about favorite colors, animals, foods, and other things. Three of the four were excitedly answering. Dust, though, sat quietly and shrugged. The others would offer up answers for him. He then noticed Nightmare and walked over to him, Ferrous trailing behind.

“can i stay by you?” He looked about ready to cry, and Lyra offered an apologetic smile.

“You may,” Nightmare replied, and Dust moved beside his leg. He stood there quietly, watching the others. Nightmare glanced down again as he felt something touch his leg and saw Dust place a hand on his fibula. 

The others asked Lyra questions and pointed out how much she looked like Queen Toriel. Though, with some black fur, one gold horn, and one silver one. They were very curious, though Horror soon tired and made his way over to the other side of Nightmare.

As the children stood beside him, he moved a tendril around Dust’s and Horror’s shoulders to offer comfort. Horror smiled up at him but then sighed and closed his sockets. His head must still be bothering him. Dust, Of course, flinched at first when the tentacle Nightmare used for him made contact. Much to the Guardian’s surprise, though, he looked up at Nightmare with a smile.

“Alright, I will be back,” Lyra said as she stood.

“Thank you,” Nightmare said.

“You are very welcome,” she replied with a smile.

Lyra returned with bags of things. Toys, clothing, pajamas, children's books, board games, children's vitamins, small toothbrushes, toothpaste formulated for children, and even step stools so they could stand at the sinks. Much of it Nightmare never would have thought of getting. He helped unpack the bags after sending the boys off with a puzzle.

"Are you sure you can handle this?" She asked as she handed him a bottle of children's body wash specially formulated for skeletons and similar monsters.

"They are my responsibility. Besides, this will only be until they are restored," Nightmare said as he looked at the bottle. "Raising children seems to have become more complicated since I was young."

"Our knowledge of their needs has expanded, that is all," She said softly.

"Is that so…," Nightmare hummed as he set the bottle down. "I need to leave them for a time tomorrow. Could you watch them then?"

"May I ask where you are going?" She inquired.

"To pay a visit to the one who did this to them," he stated. "I want to know what potion that witch used."

They paused as they heard boney feet clicking on the floor. Killer and Cross came running into the kitchen, all excited with big smiles. "we finished the puzzle!" Killer exclaimed.

"come and see!" Cross added as he grabbed one of Nightmare's and Lyra's hands each to pull them along.

Dust stayed in the doorway, with Horror. The child version of his tallest henchman had tears in his sockets. "mr. night… if it's okay, can he have more of those pills for his head? it's hurting him again."

"Ah, yes… let me get that for him, and then I will come to look at your puzzle," Nightmare said as Cross let him go. He walked over to grab the pill bottle and shook out the dosage recommended for someone so young. This was really concerning. How often was Horror's head hurting him? Was this typical? Did he just adjust to the pain?

Killer and Cross were now over by Horror, apologizing they didn't notice before and asking if they could help. Horror shook his head, "i… didn't want to say anything."

"Please do. I do not wish for you to be in pain when you don't need to be," Nightmare said as he offered the pills and some water to the child.

Once the pills were taken, he scooped Horror up, who leaned into Nightmare and closed his sockets. Dust took hold of one of his tentacles as he walked to the entertainment room to see the puzzle. "Ah, yes, you four did a good job putting that together. Now, I do believe it is time for bed."

"aww, do we gotta?" Killer whined.

Lyra clapped her hands together, "I know! Let us have a pajama party! I will be watching you four tomorrow and have rudely invited myself to stay the night to save me a trip." She winked at Nightmare, who felt his face flush a little.

"That is rather rude, but I will allow it since you have been so helpful. You still have things here. In your room, anyway," Nightmare sighed and looked away.

"Hmmm, if I have a room here, and it is indeed my room, is it really that rude to stay unannounced?" Lyra inquired.

"Yes, it is still rude. Children, let this be a lesson: always ask if you may stay over at someone's house," Nightmare said, making this a teasing teaching moment.

 "My, my, how bitter. One would think you were a fan of black coffee and not hot chocolate," Lyra giggled as Nightmare shot her a glare and then looked back at the boys. "He may act tough, but Mr. Night is sweet, much like his drink of choice."

"nu uh! mr. night is mean!" Killer announced.

"yes, very mean and terrible," Cross added.

"Good boys," Nightmare smiled as they beamed at him with big smiles. He then gave Lyra a smug grin as she snickered.

"You have trained them well, I see," She teased, then shook her head. "I stand corrected; Mr. Night is truly a nightmare ."

The Guardian of Balance and the children giggled at her pun. Nightmare couldn't help but glare at her again, even if his face felt hot under the cool corruption over it. If she noticed his glare, she ignored it as she smiled brightly at the children. 

Once they all settled down, she offered to take Horror from Nightmare. "Now, how about if you four get into your pajamas so I can see if they fit. And maybe, while we are away, Mr. Night can prepare a spot for you four to have a slumber party after watching another movie."

"Inviting yourself over and changing my plans, I see," Nightmare tried to sound annoyed, but he wasn't. Having the group together and near him might do his nerves well. "Fine, I will have some nests ready when you five get back."

They left, though Dust seemed very hesitant. He looked back at Nightmare as if asking if this was okay. The dark skeleton simply nodded, and Dust followed the others. Ferrous trailing behind with Bill pouncing playfully at the dog's legs. Once alone, Nightmare sighed. As much as he felt he should feel upset, he couldn't. He was thankful to not be alone.

Still, this was his home… his henchmen… and their pets… he could handle this.

He then left the room and got the bedding needed to make his boys a cozy place to sleep.

Just as he finished preparing a cozy place for the boys to sleep, Lyra returned. In her arms was a small figure in gray pajamas with his head covered in a hood and face turned towards her. It would be impossible to know which of the four she had if it weren't for the dog following along, looking up at the child.

He looked at her, and she sighed. "I am sorry, but I fear this was a bit much for Dust. There are some matters he did not know and is learning that he sees the others know about. Unfortunately, his insecurities were only worsened by the others asking questions."

Nightmare frowned and stood, holding out his arms. Lyra passed the child over. The pajamas he could now see were made to make the wearer look like a koala, ears and all. On the chest was an embroidered koala with the words "koala-ty sleep."

Dust didn't give him long to look, though, as the child clung tightly to him, hiding his face. "I will take care of him. Thank you."

"I will be back shortly… I am sorry," Lyra sighed, then turned to leave.

Nightmare walked over and took a seat on the recliner. 

"i'm sorry," Dust said with a quiver in his voice.

"For what?"

"for… being stupid." Dust mumbled into his jacket, and Nightmare sighed.

"You are not stupid. You are more skilled in magic than the others, which, at your age, requires a sharp mind. And I am sure there are other things you know that they do not. Just because your education was different from theirs doesn't mean you are stupid," Nightmare explained.

"the doctor said," Dust started, but Nightmare had enough.

"Dust, the doctor was the truly stupid one. You were a life to treasure and take care of, and he was too blind to see that," Nightmare frowned. "So, never think about what that waste of magic said about you again. What I say is truly what matters now. Alright?"

The child was quiet for a moment as he turned his head and looked off to the side. "i… don't understand all of this…. why? i… don’t….”

"We have time until the others are here. I think it would be best if we go over something confusing you," Nightmare said while patting Dust on the back. "What is one thing that you would like to know?"

Dust was quiet for a moment as he thought deeply on this question. "i think… i want to know why you and lyra picked me up and held me close…."

"Do you not like it when we do this?" Nightmare asked.

There was a pause and nervousness as Dust seemed unsure if there was a right or wrong answer. "Just answer honestly. Do you like being held like this?"

“y… yes i do…,” He looked up at Nightmare.

"Well, we do it because we want to comfort you because we thought you might like being hugged, which is what this is called," Nightmare explained.

Dust looked around at how Nightmare was holding him, and he looked back up at the dark skeleton. "why? what did i do to earn it?"

"This may be a concept you struggle with for a while because of your former upbringing. But I do not require you to do anything for a hug. There may be other things I ask for you to do something for. Hugs and other forms of comfort, food, and other basic needs are not one of those things," Nightmare then proved the point by pulling Dust close to him. The child leaned in and sighed, but Nightmare still felt the confusion from Dust.

“why though…?” Dust questioned

"Because I choose to. I despise bullies, and that is what the doctor was. I was bullied as a child myself, and I do not want you to suffer any longer from that abuse than you already have," Nightmare felt the child sigh again. Before he could say more, Lyra walked in with the other three and her pair of pink flannel pajamas.

Each boy was in a different pair of animal pajamas with their hoods up, making them look somewhat like the creature depicted on the front. Horror was a brown bear with the words "bear hug" written on it. Killer came running in, passed Horror, and took a leap into the nest of blanket pillows. He was clearly a black and white cat with a tail on the back. As he rolled around in the soft space, giggling, the front read "cat-astrophe." Very fitting , thought Nightmare with a sigh; some of the pillows that Killer had sent flying when jumping in will need to be put back into place. Cross was the last to walk in. The pajama set he wore made him look like a white wolf, and the words "howling with laughter" was written on his.

"Well, they look like they fit, and they seem very cozy," He said as he stood and walked over to the disheveled nest. Setting Dust down in the nest, he started to fix the blankets and pillows.

Dust squeaked as Killer grabbed and pulled him into the nest. "slumber party!" Killer cheered as Cross and Horror joined them in the nest. Despite his best efforts to get free from Killer, the other child had a firm grip on him. Even if he did get free, it would have been brief as Dust was soon held in place by Cross and Horror too. The child gave Nightmare a pleading look, but Nightmare just smiled and gave him a nod. It might seem harsh to let him undergo this handling, which he wasn't used to, but it was ultimately for the best to learn that the others meant no harm and weren't hurting him.

They simply noticed he needed comfort and reacted to that in their own overzealous way.

Once he knew he wouldn't be rescued, he accepted his fate. It didn't take long after that for Dust to settle down and enjoy the company while Lyra put in a movie.

Chapter Text

Nightmare stared up at the ceiling, unable to get himself to sleep. The boys were cuddled into the nest of blankets and pillows he had built for them. Lyra was sleeping on the sofa in her own set of pajamas. As for Nightmare, he was in the recliner and in his own black flannel pajamas that she had felt “compelled” to buy for him.

At this point, it was apparent he wouldn’t get any sleep. So he looked at the time.

0400

Well, there was no sense in just lying on the recliner, staring at the ceiling. His mind was swimming with too many thoughts for sleep, not that Nightmare needed it now. He can go days without sleep without feeling tired or having ill effects. Carefully he climbed off the recliner, knowing full well that putting the leg rest down would cause a loud sound that would wake everyone. In the darkness of the room, he melded into the shadows and made a silent exit.

First, he stopped off at his room to change clothes. Once dressed, he went to his office to get some work done, but he couldn’t even focus on that.

What if there was no cure?

He may have to raise his henchmen….

Nightmare could handle immature adults, but can he raise four tiny baby bones?

Will they be the same as he knew them?

Will their old memories return as they get older, and how will they react to those?

0435

Sci’s AU is an hour faster, but he didn’t plan to pick him up this early. But then, he couldn’t wait that much longer.

After writing a quick note that he placed in the kitchen, Nightmare left to pick up the young scientist. It will be good for him to face matters that science can not explain. Exiting his portal, he looked around the lab. He saw the Sans in question sitting at a desk, slumped over some papers. The soft snoring made the guardian chuckle softly.

“Ah, it seems sleep has finally caught up with you,” He mused in a soft tone as he walked closer. Looking over Sci’s shoulder, he read over the notes. All were about the mice and the orange substance. Speaking of the mice….

He saw several cages with mice and looked in at them. After a moment, he spotted the ones marked with a purple spot so Sci could easily find them. … Nightmare did not know enough about these mice to understand what to look for.

“mmm…,” Sci started to sit up and stretch.

“Good morning, friend,” Nightmare said smugly as he looked down at the young scientist.

“oh! uh, nightmare, i wasn’t expecting you this early… heh… you wouldn’t happen to be reconsidering what you said yesterday?” Sci chuckled nervously.

“Hmmm… Sci, what did you call me again?” Nightmare feigned thoughtfulness as he tapped his chin.

“n-nightmare?” Sci was trying to play innocent.

“No… it was not that. What to try again?” Nightmare grinned.

“look, nightmare, i’m useful for you here, and you know it. so, please… let me just keep doing my research,” Sci said as he turned back to his notes.

“Now, if I did that, you would not learn your lesson, and you may dare to call me that nickname again. Besides, I am positive that this experience would be good for you,” Nightmare chided playfully before curling a tendril around the scientist. “Come along, little lab rat, time for you to learn something new outside of these walls.”

“i rather like my four walls, thank you,” Sci protested, but Nightmare ignored him.

He opened and walked through the portal to the AU in question. On the outside, nothing looked out of place with this AU. The odd spark of magic in the air set it apart from the rest of them to the dark skeleton. Magic was usual in all AUs, but the magic was heavier, darker, and more tangible this time. Nightmare could almost taste it in the air. Amusing. Though magic is not his domain, so he gained no benefit.

“Well, my friend,” Nightmare said as he set the scientist beside him. “Tell me, what are your first impressions.”

“well, it’s the underground. ruins, to be exact,” Sci said as he adjusted his glasses.

“True, go on,” Nightmare mused.

Sci sighed and looked around more. “seems no different than any other ruins.”

“Close your eyes, Sci,” Nightmare instructed, “You are a scientist. Use your other senses.”

“right, right…,” Sci closed his eye sockets and put his hands in his lab coat. After a moment, he hummed, “smells like spices… like nutmeg and cinnamon? the ruins are usually described as musty.”

“Good, what else….” Nightmare inquired.

“sounds… too quiet… but that could just be the nature of the ruins? it’s not as populated,” Sci said as he opened his sockets and looked up at Nightmare.

“Hmmm, yes, but that is indeed a good thing to keep in mind, correct?” Nightmare questioned.

“... is this how you train your boys? you’re not thinking of replacing them with me, are you?” Sci questioned.

“Nonsense, lab rat, you are more useful to me in your maze of machines and facts. I am just teaching you an important lesson,” Nightmare chuckled. “Besides, these are skills the boys picked up on their own. Now, close your eyes again. Take in that smell and sound and how the air feels, and then tell me how you feel.”

“how i feel? …as in emotionally? that’s subjective,” He said with a frown, but Nightmare gestured for him to go on. Rolling his eyelights, Sci did as asked. There was a pause as Sci frowned. “it’s… odd… i feel unwelcomed?”

“Oh?” Nightmare mused.

“it’s like… when you walk up to some coworkers who were talking but become oddly silent and short with you,” Sci frowned. “you just get the feeling they don’t want you there.”

“Good, for this is as you should feel. To magic like what is in this AU, you are indeed unwelcomed. This magic thrives in being unexplainable, in its own enigma. Someone like you reveals it for what it really is, and that weakens it. So, Sci, stay close and observant. You will learn something more as you do. Do you now understand why I wanted you to come?”

“yeah…,” Sci replied.

He kept the scientist close to him. Sci was Nightmare's greatest weapon against this AU, but he could not keep himself safe. Not here with a type of magic that would seek to destroy him to keep itself from being discovered.

With how early it was, the Toriel was in her home. She was awake, though, as she could be seen moving past one of her windows. Seeing that made Nightmare smile, as that was convenient. If she was awake, he would not need to wait too long for her to answer the door.

"Alright, little lab rat. It is time for us to meet the witch," Nightmare mused as he started towards the door, dragging Sci along behind.

Ever so politely, as his standards are, he knocked and waited per the social norm for her to open the door. Being proper should keep the tension down as much as possible, at least long enough to take her by surprise. Thankfully, she followed her part in this custom cautiously and answered. Unfortunately, she balked the moment she saw him and started slamming the door.

"How rude," Nightmare mused as his tentacles sped forward, keeping it from closing and forcing it back open. Perhaps he used too much force, as it did cause her to stumble back, but he honestly didn't care. He would not be a kind guest if she did not play hostess.

Fear

Good. Let her feel fear for the fear he has been experiencing about the health and safety of his boys. The witch was so focused on him, in general, she failed to notice anything else he was doing. How foolish. He curled a tendril around her ankle to keep her from fleeing and actively feed on that fear. It fueled him and allowed him to grow equal to her height.

A wicked grin grew over his face, keeping the fear he drew out from ending.

"Greetings, Toriel," He said darkly.

The witch summoned up her fire magic, naturally. Of course, she would; fire is natural to most Toriels. She snarled, smoke curls drifting up from her nostrils, "Get out, you horrible creature!"

"Tsk, tsk~," Nightmare teased. "Is that any way to speak to your guests?"

Before she could use her fire magic, he pulled her ankle that he was holding and unbalanced her. It caused her to drop the fireballs she had summoned. They shattered into glittering specks of spent magic as her position. For the moment, she was also defenseless as it was difficult for her to focus on any more attacks.

How amusing; she was still standing.

If Sanses didn't fill every corner of the multiverse, the strength of the others would be more noticed. Toriels, Agores, Undynes, even Alphyses... No one of those characters, or others, should be dismissed as weak.

Regardless, her still standing against him just would not do, so he continued to pull until she did fall. " Now listen here, Witch, you have no right to threaten me. My men were simply scouting your AU, but you dared to throw a potion on them. You will tell my friend here what you did, and I may just let you live. "

Sci flinched at that and peeked around Nightmare to look into the dark skeleton's eyelight. "whoa, nightmare, i think… i mean… there's no need to kill her."

"Oh? Do you hear that, one of the ancient spells?" She was trying to stand, but he would not allow that and lifted her up by her leg. There was an angry growl from her, but it kept her distracted by trying to keep her dress from flipping and stay modest. "The little scientist wants to spare you. How cute~. Now talk before my patience runs any thinner than it already is." Nightmare snarled while giving her a slight shake.

"Your men are dangerous! And they serve an evil being," She glowered up at Nightmare, and he sighed. "They deserved worse!"

" Can I kill her now, little lab rat? " Nightmare inquired of Sci, though he didn't mean it. What purpose would he have in killing her? No, her being alive was more beneficial to him. But he wanted to keep her fearful of him and look to Sci as her advocate. Sci's naivety towards the true nature of Nightmare added to this facade.

"n-nightmare… i… i can't help them if she is dead," Sci stepped forward and did as Nightmare hoped.

"Fine," Nightmare said, calming his voice as he lowered her to the floor.

Sci knelt down and freed her ankle. "i was given a sample of your potion to assess, and nightmare, guardian of negative emotions, is eager for me to reverse its effects. those… dangerous skeletons are important to him, and… they have helped me in the past with various things."

"Then you have thrown your lot in with them!" She yelled and moved to strike him. Sci was too close to block and not in the position to dodge. Unlike his boys, Sci was as delicate as the typical Sans, and Nightmare would not tolerate him dying on this mission. So, the Guardian grabbed her wrist with a tendril before she could turn the scientist to dust.

Sci scurried back, sockets wide as he realized how close to death he was. She summoned her fire magic again, and Nightmare used his other tentacles to grab her other limbs and pin her down. Other tendrils emerged from his back to swat the fire magic to destroy the attacks. He could feel the burn, but it would not last as it lacked the positive energy to cause him real harm.

"Do not lower your guard around her. Now, shall I hold her down, and you can show her the scientific version of what she did to my men?" Nightmare mused darkly.

"YOU EVIL, VILE CREATURE!" Screamed the Toriel as she tried to pull herself free.

"nightmare, please. thank you for saving me, but the threats aren't helping," Sci sighed and looked at Toriel. "he isn't evil… wouldn't call him good either. but if you hurt those in his care, he will act evil. and… they are nicer than they seem as well... his men, that is. you don't have to trust them, but we can make a deal or something."

" Absolutely not. If word gets out that I am willing to make a deal with anyone who threatens or harms them, there will be a target on their backs, " Nightmare snapped. " What I can say is that I would normally feel inclined to destroy the AU of anyone who hurt them. If she tells you how to fix what she did, I will let her and everyone else in this disgusting world live! "

And that threat, he did mean.

There was a pause, and she finally looked right at Sci, "Fine, just tell the walking tar pit to let me go."

"I will, so long as you promise not to threaten my little friend again. Is that clear?" Nightmare said calmly.

"I promise," she growled out as she glared at Nightmare.

There was no hint of feelings of trickery or deceit. Still, Nightmare kept watch as he didn't trust her. That, and he didn't bring Sci along for him to get hurt, after all.

For most of her life, Lyra was not a deep sleeper. There was always a reason she had to stay alert. Yet, at that moment, she was dreaming and felt safe. It has been like this when she sleeps at Nightmare’s castle. Everyone there was dangerous, yet she knew they would not harm her. That gave her a sense of peace.

But she could not sleep without some level of alertness. Something felt off, and she began to rouse from her sleep.

She felt magic. That was what woke her up from her deep sleep and pleasant dream. Now that she took the time to think about it, the magic felt like Nightmare’s. Wasn’t he sleeping as well? Slowly, to avoid disturbing anyone, she sat up and looked around. The recliner chair he had been sleeping on was empty. So that was his magic. At least the boys, who were now literally boys, were still curled around each other.

She stifled a giggle as she noticed that Dust had ended up sandwiched between Killer and Cross. Ferrous had put his big head into the nest, which Dust was hugging as if hoping to pull himself to safety before falling asleep. Bill the cat was curled around Killer’s back like an oversized, fuzzy backpack. Horror was back-to-back with Cross. And a few of the other cats had joined in.

Carefully, Lyra stood and quietly made her way out of the room. No longer did she feel Nightmare’s magic. He said he would need to leave in the morning, but this early?

Crossing the hall into the kitchen, she found a note on the island counter and read it. So… he couldn’t sleep and left to find the witch who did this to them. It likely would have been better if she went, but she will not press that point. These were Nightmare’s men that were affected. Not hers.

Not that she could save her home…

Shaking off that thought, she yawned as she continued reading, seeing he reiterated that Dust had a terrible history and his magic regressed in confusion with his body. He would require a gentle diet until his magic remembered it could eat a variety of foods. Holding back a second yawn, she made her way to the cupboard and refrigerator to look for something simple to make.

Eggs… cut up fruit… toast is possible, but maybe a waffle section? Just a little should be good. While encouraging Dust to try new things slowly, small amounts of each may do the trick. Perhaps she could also engage him in a conversation; that way, he would eat slower. Though, she knew that, even as an adult, he tends to be the quieter of the four.

Lyra yawned again. She was no stranger to rising early, just not after such a deep sleep. It was such a rarity for her without alcohol being involved. In those cases, she tended to have a bad hangover the next morning. 

This was something Nightmare discouraged her from doing. While some might think it odd for him, he looked after anyone he cared about, friends, or “found family.” She happened to fit in… the middle of those two categories. So, he saw to it that she had ended such a habit. 

Tiny footsteps clicking in the hall let her know she wasn’t the only one awake. Pulled from her thoughts, she looked over her shoulder she saw Killer, who beamed happily up at her.

“wha’cha doin’?” Killer asked as he ran into the kitchen with Bill trotting along behind.

“I was thinking about what you four should have for breakfast. What are you doing?” Lyra inquired with a smile. “Is it not early? You should still be sleeping.”

“i can’t sleep… i’m rememberin’ too much,” Killer hummed.

“What are you remembering?” Lyra asked, wondering if maybe he remembered who he was.

“where i am, and that dad isn’t here…,” he replied before walking over and leaning against her leg. “can… i ask you something?” There was a somberness about him that wasn’t there before… he was seeking comfort from her too. His tiny fingers gripped her soft pajamas.

“Of course,” Lyra smiled down at him and waited for a moment for his question. It was then that she heard the soft sniffle and shuttering sigh. 

He was crying….

Lyra knelt down and pulled Killer into a hug. He quickly hugged her back and buried his face into her shoulder. “i c… i can’t remember what my dad looks like….” And with that, Killer burst into full-blown tears with wailing.

Still holding Killer close, Lyra stood and sighed. “Oh…,” What more could she even say to that? She rocked the child while rubbing his spine as she waited for him to finish crying. The poor dear.

Once Killer could speak again, he just shivered a moment before mumbling, “i re-remember what he… what he was and was like… but… but not what he l-looks like.” Killer sniffled and looked up at her. “am i a b-bad son?”

“Oh dear, no! You are not a bad son,” She hugged him tighter, feeling a little bad that he made a soft grunt as it was too tight. Even if it was, Killer clearly didn’t mind as he clung to her as tight as he could and nuzzled against her fur.

“There are things… that you won’t understand until you are older… And that is part of it. I am sorry, sweet child. I wish I could help you understand why, but this is a matter that one so young would struggle to understand.”

“okay… dad said there were things i’d learn when i get older. like how baby monsters are made. Is it like that?” Killer asked.

“Oh, well,” Lyra felt her face flush a little. “It is… not exactly like that but similar in the sense that you need to be older to understand.”

This seemed to satisfy the child enough, and Lyra relaxed as she set the child back down. “Now, how about you keep me company while I make us some breakfast. Then, we can go play outside and take care of the chickens.”

“there’s chickens?!” Killer asked excitedly.

“Yes, there are,” She said as she got the eggs. “They are the ones who made these eggs that I will be cooking.”

“that’s so cool!” Killer giggled.

As she cooked, Killer told egg puns and chicken jokes, and talked about everything that came to his mind. Lyra idly listened as he spoke. As she finished cooking, she asked the child to get the others, and he scurried off across the hall.

Once she returns home, she will need to ensure she is ready to return at any moment. With sudden and random emotional moments like that occurring, Nightmare could not be expected to handle all of this alone. Right now, he is letting his pride get in the way of allowing her to stay and help. Once reality set in, though…

She will be ready.

With Sci feeling like he had a better grasp of the potion and how to reverse it, Nightmare dropped the scientist off in his lab. The over-the-top display of hugging and kissing his lab and equipment while apologizing for being gone for so long was mildly amusing, at best. Rolling his eyelight at the scene, Nightmare left for home.

It was silent in his castle. He thought for sure he would have heard Killer at least…

He looked at his pocket watch and saw it was past 1300 or 1 pm. Perhaps it was so quiet because they were still having lunch? Testing this theory, he went to the kitchen but saw it was empty. There was evidence that someone had been there, as some dishes were soaking in the sink, but that was all.

Frowning, Nightmare stepped back into the hall. Where were they? He trusted Lyra but couldn’t help but worry… for her and his boys. Searching for the nearest source of emotions, he found them. They were all outside. The bitterness of positive emotions resulted in a soft “tsk” even if he was happy they were feeling good.

Melding into the shadows, he made his way to them and reformed a short distance away before walking up. Before him, he saw that Lyra had set out a large blanket she was sitting on. Horror was cuddled on her lap, napping. Ferrous was curled up with Dust snuggled against him, though he was awake and watching Killer and Cross running around. Those two were chasing those blasted butterflies the boys had insisted on bringing home from a dying AU nearly a year ago.

“Be careful not to damage their wings,” Lyra said. The two chimed back that they would be careful at the same time.

It was… cute… domestic…

He hated to ruin the scene, but he needed to let her know he was back.

“It would be an acceptable loss if they did damage a few… those things have started taking over,” Nightmare huffed. 

Dust looked at him with wide eye sockets, a hint of fear was present until he recognized who was speaking. He started fidgeting with the striped tee shirt Lyra had dressed him in. Looking around, he saw that Killer was in red and white, Horror was blue and white, Dust was green and white, and Cross was black and white. That would be far easier to figure out which is which.

“That just means you need to rebuild the ecosystem of your home,” She chuckled softly.

Nightmare hummed thoughtfully, then grinned. “Are you hinting that my home is out of balance ?”

“I may,” She said with a smile.

“Once things have… settled, perhaps I will consider making this a proper ecosystem,” He replied.

“In the meantime, would you like some lunch? There is plenty left over, as the boys were hoping you would be back in time to join us,” Lyra said with a smile.

“mr. night!” Two young voices yelled as Cross and Killer came running over. Dust snuggled tighter against Ferrous, and Horror yawned before he nuzzled his face against Lyra.

“you’re back! we missed you sooooooooooooooooooooooooo-” The “o” just kept going for a surprising amount of time from Killer.

“you gotta have some lunch! you are hungry, right?” Cross said as he grabbed Nightmare’s hand and “pulled” the dark guardian over to the blanket. “here, sit, i’ll make you a plate!” He happily announced as Killer started gasping for air.

“-oooo… much!” Killer finished between gasps.

“I did not think I was gone that long,” Nightmare replied with amusement in his tone.

“you were gone for-e-ver!” Killer stated while accenting each syllable.

That made Nightmare chuckle as he used a tendril to pick up the exaggerating child. “If I truly were gone for-e-ver, then I would not be back now,” He said as Killer squealed and started laughing.

Lyra helped Cross get food on a plate as Nightmare sat down with Killer playfully climbing and wiggling around his tentacles like a jungle gym. Dust then crawled over and leaned against Nightmare with a contented sigh. “we did miss you….” He said softly. “we only just met… but it’s like i’ve known you longer.”

“uh-huh!” Killer confirmed as he wiggled his way to Nightmare’s shoulder. The wiggly child then flopped over Nightmare’s shoulder like a towel.

“What are you doing?” Nightmare asked Killer as Cross handed him a plate. “Thank you, Cross.”

“just hangin’ out… oh! try the potato salad! it’s really good!” Killer said as he wiggled around more, standing on a tentacle while leaning over Nightmare’s shoulder to watch what he ate.

“Hmmm, I suppose I will, but not with you leering over my shoulder,” Nightmare replied before a tendril wrapped around Killer’s midsection. He lifted the child off of himself and placed him on his back on the ground. Nightmare started to eat as another tendril then started a tickling assault on the child, remembering that those areas on the feet and under the arms were very ticklish when he and his brother would get into tickling fights.

Sure enough, Killer started to squeal in protest before bursting into unstoppable laughter. He tried to get out a “stop,” but Nightmare sipped his juice casually, “Hmmm? Sorry, I did not hear that.”

Both Cross and Horror watched with giant smiles on their faces, but Dust tugged on his jacket. “please, mr. night… don’t hurt him anymore….”

worry, concern, fear

“I am not hurting him, Dust,” Nightmare said while putting an arm around the small child.

He ended his ‘merciless’ attack on Killer, and the child wheezed and lied there, dazed from laughing but with a smile. Cross then jumped forward and grabbed the tentacle with a laugh. “don’t worry, killer! i’ll avenge you!”

“Oh, will you?” Nightmare mused as Cross pinned down the tentacle and tried to tickle it. He wasn’t expecting to feel much, but those tiny fingers did send a ticklish sensation traveling through the odd limb. It flinched and then started to squirm. That will not do, so Nightmare grabbed Cross with another tendril and proceeded to give him the same treatment he did Killer.

Horror excused himself from Lyra and ran over to help cross. Unfortunately, he forgot there were more tendrils, and another grabbed him. The two children were now squealing and laughing as they rolled around on the blanket.

The positive emotions they emitted stung… but he enjoyed watching them so happy and carefree. Even Lyra started to laugh at the silly little scene of childish joy. All the while, Nightmare casually ate his lunch. Dust grew more curious, but that concern was still there as he didn’t understand what was happening.

“oh no! it’s the tickler!” Killer wheezed as he started to stand up.

“That I am,” Nightmare replied as he pinned Killer down again. Killer seemed prepared and wiggled free and began to tickle the limb.

“Ah! A crafty one we have here!” Nightmare grabbed Killer from behind with a different limb, which started its own attack. Killer still held to the tendril he caught but was so distracted he could not begin tickling. Good… they didn’t need to know he was apparently ticklish after all.

“dust! help!” Squealed Cross. And that did not settle any of Dust’s nerves.

“mr night?” Dust softly pleaded.

Nightmare began to set his plate aside, but Lyra offered to take it. Handing it over, he used the arm around Dust to pull the child onto his lap. Dust squeaked, and Nightmare smiled down at him. 

“I think it is time for you to learn what tickling is. I would say to relax, but you will naturally try to wiggle and squirm. Such is the game of tickling. But I will say, you just need to trust me. Do you?” Nightmare asked.

When Dust slowly nodded his head, Nightmare got a slightly fiendish grin as he wiggled his fingers and then began to tickle Dust’s feet. Sure enough, the child squeaked again and then started to laugh as he began to kick and wiggle.  “No escaping, not yet,” Nightmare teased as he moved his fingers under Dust’s arms, allowing him to better hold the child in place.

Once each child seemed exhausted entirely from laughing, Nightmare eased up on all of them and then took his plate back from Lyra. “I suppose that is one way to calm a roundy group,” She mused, and he just grinned as he started to eat.

“It was how I would get Dream to settle down at times,” Nightmare replied.

“Is that so? And what about you?” She asked.

“I am no longer ticklish,” He replied.

She coaxed a tendril to curl around her hand, then softly touched it with her other. Again, Nightmare felt a ticklish sensation travel through it and to his spine. They have always felt so numb to touch before. He was aware of touch but nothing so delicate and nothing like that. 

That’s when it dawned on him. Intent! No one has intended to tickle him in years. Most physical contact he has is limited to violent attacks and what gentle interactions he might have with his gang or Lyra. Something as playful as tickling, he has not experienced since he was very young.

“I do not know, Nightmare, this limb is squirming like the children were,” She teased. “You might not be squealing and laughing, but I can see you feel something.”

Annoyed she was reading him so well, Nightmare pulled the limb away. “Nonsense. It is simply reacting to a new sensation,” He huffed.

“Hmmm, I am not sure I believe you. I suspect this will be something to investigate further… at a later time… when you least expect,” She teased.

He inwardly denied he was blushing at that, even if his face was warm, “Here I am, trying to eat my lunch, and I am being threatened with assault in my own home?”

“Does seem that way,” She said as she scooped up Cross to place on his lap next to Dust. She then picked up Killer and Horror to sit on her lap.

…

This… 

It was nice…

Chapter Text

The bedrooms the boys usually slept in were close to his chambers but not right next door. They were in the same hall, just further down and clustered together. They chose them like mildly rebellious teenagers who wanted to strike out on their own while only moving a block away. With them currently being so small, Nightmare didn’t want them even that far away. Besides, their rooms were far too much of a mess as well. (Except for Cross’ room, but that is beside the point.)

No, Nightmare wanted these younger versions of his boys closer to his room and in a cleaner space. Also, with how clingy they were towards each other, they would be best all together in one room versus separated in four different ones like normal.

So he picked a room right next to his. While Lyra got them washed up for the night, he got the room ready for them. Their favorite blankets he did fetch from their rooms with pictures or other items each boy seemed fond of. They might not remember these objects, but if those items bring any amount of comfort, then the effort is worth it. As he was doing this, it was starting to hit him.

Obviously, he knew and understood what happened, but all this time, he had been reacting to the situation. He did ponder it before… but as he was setting up a room for them, the realness of this was sinking further in. He sat on a chair he set near the bed to read from as he needed a moment to settle the complex feelings within him.

This evening had been nice. They ate dinner together, played a board game, and enjoyed each other's company. But the fact is that his boys were different. As enjoyable as this afternoon and evening were, he wanted the adults back. He even missed the chaos of them. He would know they were alright if they were their true selves again. Additionally, they would know who he was and not be wondering why they couldn’t go home.

(Except for Dust, that one could use being raised by him. A far better option than his actual childhood.)

But even the adult Dust he sorely missed.

“Here we are!” Said Lyra as she guided the boys into the room. They were all dressed for bed and looking around with wide, bright sockets.

“wow! we get to sleep here?!” Killer asked as he looked up at Lyra.

“Yes, you do! It is the room Mr. Night chose for you to sleep in. Was that nice of him?” She asked.

“yes!” Cross replied as he then ran in and over to the bed. 

It was a tall bed, so Nightmare had put a step stool for the children to use. Cross, though, being the adventurous child he is, decided to disregard the stool and try climbing up on his own. The heavy emotions Nightmare had been feeling were replaced by amusement as he watched the child struggle to climb up to the top.

“Do you want help, Cross?” Nightmare asked.

“mm, nah… i got… it,” Cross huffed as he finally squirmed and pulled his way up.

“oh! I wanna try!” Killer said as he started climbing.

Horror used the step stool and then helped Dust up as well. They sat on the bed, watching Killer struggle his way up and join Cross in laying on his back and catching his breath.

Breath finally caught, Cross sat up and smiled at Nightmare, “thank you, mr. night!”

“what… he said,” Killer wheezed.

Horror and Dust also said their thank yous, though Dust’s was more mumbled than anything. He picked up one of the books Lyra had previously bought and opened it. The story was very… simple… so was the wording. He frowned for a moment and then looked at the Toriel in question. “This is really meant for children?”

“Well… yes,” She replied, looking confused.

“There is nothing here to challenge the mind,” He stated with a frown.

“They are getting ready for bed, not school. You can read something to offer a challenge in the morning. For now, a simple story, with a simple moral, is best for sleeping,” She explained, and Nightmare had to admit that made sense. Still, he had been reading far more advanced books when he was just a little older than them.

“i wanna be challenged!” Killer protested.

“what kind of challenge?” Cross asked as he sat up. “is it a test of strength?”

“or speed?” Killer asked.

“It is a test to see,” Lyra started, but Nightmare could see the nervousness in Dust’s eyelights.

“Not a test,” Nightmare said quickly to cut off. “Also, no challenges tonight. What Lyra was saying is right. You four need sleep.”

“but i don’t wanna,” Killer huffed.

“Well, if you do not sleep, then you will not be able to do anything fun tomorrow,” Nightmare stated flatly.

“what?! why not?!” Killer then demanded, sitting up, “that’s mean! why won’t you let me do anything fun tomorrow just for not sleeping?”

“It will not be me not letting you. It will be you being too tired to do anything fun,” Nightmare replied. He then mused and set the book aside. “I think I have the perfect story for the night. It is one that actually happened, and I was there to see.”

“Did it happen last week?” Killer asked.

“Longer than that,” Nightmare replied.

“Last month?” Cross then asked, wanting to join in this game.

“Longer,” Nightmare answered.

Horror was now curious and spoke up, “two years ago?”

“Still longer,” Nightmare replied.

“how old are you, mr. night?” Dust asked quietly.

“I am both very old and not at the same time,” Nightmare answered, “Now, will you let me tell my story?”

“how can you be very old and not very old?” Killer asked.

“are you like the boss monsters? they stop aging unless they have kids.” Horror asked.

“We are like that, yes,” Lyra replied. She then smiled at Nightmare. “I will go clean up and let you tell your story.”

She left the room, and he stood and readjusted the blankets. As Nightmare tucked them each in, he started his story. “Settle in, comfy cozy, as they say. Now, once upon a time, a very long time ago, there was a tiny sun and a tiny moon. They were brothers, and they got along very well, sharing what they had and protecting a great planet that was their mother.”

Killer gasped quietly and whispered, “i love space!”

“shhh,” Replied Horror.

“Now the sun was always bright and happy, and all the mortals that lived on their mother were happy to see him. They were so glad to see him that one day, this tiny sun asked if he could stay up with his brother, the moon, all night long. The moon wasn’t sure if that was wise and asked the sun if he would still be able to warm the planet the next day if he did that. Too excited to think about the consequences, the sun assured the moon he could. That night, the sun played all night with the moon, and the moon had so much fun playing with his brother, the sun.

“Then the morning came, and the sun was so tired that he fell asleep. Worried for his brother, the moon tried to help, but his light wasn’t as strong as the sun’s. The mortals became cold, and that made them angry.”

“Moon!” Nightmare snapped in a more gruff voice. “Where is Sun? We need him, not you!”

The next voice he did was more youthful, and he felt odd hearing it. Still, he continued, as the children seemed happy, “I am sorry, cried Moon. I am trying my best, but my brother is tired and needs to sleep. I will help you the best I can.”

“It is your fault! You tricked him into being active at night when we need to sleep. Now, when we need his light and warmth, we are in the dark and cold! The mortals yelled at the small moon. They continued to insult and threaten the moon until he ran and hid. Soon, the sun woke, and he saw his brother was gone.”

“Sun! The mortal called, We have chased off the wicked moon who dared to steal your place.”

“This surprised the sun, and he then ran. The mortals yelled after the sun as they were left in darkness without Sun providing his light. They did not even have the tiny moon there to give his light. Still, that did not matter to Sun as he wanted to find his brother, Moon. So, he left the mortals in their darkness.

“He searched and searched, finding the small moon eventually by a stream of stardust. He apologized to the moon for breaking his promise and said that he would do his best to complete his duties so the mortals would never talk to him like that ever again.”

“did the moon forgive him?” Killer asked.

“Yes, he did,” Nightmare answered.

“the mortals should have apologized!” Cross frowned and folded his arms.

“what are mortals anyway?” Killer asked.

“i don’t know what they are either,” Cross frowned.

“None of you know what mortals are?” Nightmare asked. And all but one shook their heads. “Dust?”

“they… are any creature that can grow old and die…,” Dust said softly.

“That is correct. Humans and monsters are all mortals,” Nightmare praised.

“are there things that don’t?” Killer asked, looking at Dust.

“immortal is the word for a thing that doesn’t grow old and die,” Dust answered.

“Well done,” Nightmare nodded.

“are you in-mortal?” Cross asked Nightmare.

Killer then gasped and sat up, “is that how you’re old and not old?”

“It is pronounced i m mortal, but yes,” Nightmare said before he had Killer lie back to tuck him in again. “Now, we can discuss this more in the morning. Good night.”

He reached over to turn off the light when Killer whined, “don’t we get a kiss goodnight?”

“A what?” Nightmare frowned as he looked at Killer.

“dad always gives me a kiss on the head right here,” Killer pointed at a spot in the middle of his forehead. “i can’t go to sleep without it.”

“What do you mean you can’t? You did last night,” Nightmare corrected.

“that was a slumber party, that’s different,” Killer whined.

“Is this not also, in a way, a ‘slumber party?’” Nightmare frowned.

“nuh-uh! this is different,” Killer frowned and folded his arms.

“slumber parties have games, and you stay up late and watch movies and stuff,” Cross explained.

“this is ‘mommy and daddy wanna do fun stuff without the kids, so we have to go to bed when they want,’” Killer huffed, and Horror snorted back a laugh.

“what?! what kinda fun stuff do they do?” Cross said while looking shocked at the idea that what Killer said could be true.

“stuff that isn’t even fun, like kissing,” Killer complained.

“If kissing is an issue, why are you asking for one?” Nightmare inquired.

“it’s diiiiiifferent!” Killer threw his arms up as he spoke with an exasperated tone. As annoying as this was, Nightmare could not help but find amusement. “i want a bedtime kiss. adult do gross mouth kissing!” Killer frowned and glared at the ceiling as he folded his arms again.

“ewww, do they brush their teeth first?” Cross asked.

“i don’t think they do since they just kiss each other on the lips. or teeth for skeletons or non-lip monsters,” Horror added.

“nuh-uh! i saw some kissing before, and they were opening their mouths and-” Killer started.

“That is enough,” Nightmare interjected as this was getting out of hand. He highly doubted he would hear the end of this if he didn’t surrender to Killer’s demands. “Here,” he said as he bent over and kissed Kill’s forehead. Then he did the same for Cross, Horror, and Dust. “Now, go to sleep.”

“thank you, and good night, mr. night!” Killer said with a big smile before rolling to his side and closing his sockets. The others added their own thank yous and settled into bed to sleep. Nightmare turned off the light and then turned to leave. The cartoon-style dragon night light illuminated the way, even though he didn’t need it to see.

He stepped out into the hall, noticing Lyra was standing nearby as he closed the door most of the way. She leaned closer to him and said softly, “I thought I was going to have to save you.”

“You already have,” He smiled at her. “Thank you”

“I will ask you one more time. Are you sure?” She asked as she looked at him calmly. “My room is just right over there. The very room you gave me so I would feel more welcomed here. I can stay… I will stay however long you need me.”

He looked away, thinking about that. If there was no cure? What then? She would be stuck being the mother of his sons … his henchmen who would truly be his sons. No. He knows Toriel’s are motherly, but he highly doubted the boys sleeping in the room behind him were the type of children she would want to be the mother of. If he lets her stay, she will accept that fate… just as she has allowed him to cling to her.

“Lyra, I will call you when I need help, I guarantee that. But let me at least try,” He said.

She hummed softly and nodded, “Alright, I understand. They are your boys.”

Lyra then did something he did not expect as she placed her hand on his face, along his left jawline. She directed his head to tilt up as she leaned down and gently kissed his forehead. “Good night, Moonbeam.”

He blinked at her as she pulled away and gave him a mischievous smile. All the while, his mind struggled to get caught up with the act that just occurred. It took longer than it should have to register that she kissed him good night.

Not once in his long life had he ever been kissed goodnight before. And now…

Her portal was open, and she was walking towards it. His mind snapped out of its daze just in time for Nightmare to say, “Good night, Lyra.” She gave him another smile before walking through and leaving his castle.

…

Nightmare should go to his office, where he stashed the dating advice books. He was not as ready for that as he should have been. It was such a… soft and platonic kiss that it should not have startled him. Leaning against the castle wall, he sighed… it was likely just him being tired and honestly not used to acts of affection beyond initiating hugs with others.

He needed sleep… and while the boys were asleep, he should sleep too.

Cross idly kicked his feet behind him as he lay on his chest, coloring book in front of him. It was about sea life, and this page had a cool-looking shark. It had a really long tail and was called a thresher shark. According to the little bit of information on the page, it uses that tail to hunt. The picture had the animal in a dynamic pose to demonstrate how.

He was so engrossed in his coloring and thinking about how cool the shark was that he didn’t hear what was happening around him. It was when he was randomly pounced and let out a yell in fear that he knew that Horror had been creeping up on him. The slightly taller skeleton child picked him up and held Cross in a bear hug.

“Gotcha,” he chuckled as Cross squirmed.

“you’re a jerk!” Cross snapped as he was set back down. In that background, he heard Killer giggling away from where he was sitting with some Legos.

“sorry, was just bored,” Horror sighed as he patted Cross on the head.

No surprise, they all were. It had been a week since being here at Mr. Night’s castle. It was the times that Mr. Night was off doing his errands or working that were the dullest. There was a lot for Mr. Night to do. He was caring for them, for starters, and then he had all those animals he cared for. Then he had a job. When Cross asked if anyone helped him with his job, a moment of sadness appeared in the dark skeleton’s eyelight. He said he used to have help, but those who helped him could no longer assist. Cross asked if he could help, but Mr. Night patted him on the head and said ‘Maybe when you are older.’ There was such sorrow in his voice that Cross couldn’t forget how that sounded.

Dust was the only one who didn’t seem to mind these long periods of nothing to do. They had to be even longer for Dust, as he was often done with all the lessons Nightmare had for them before everyone else. So, he had to sit quietly and do something else while Mr. Night finished teaching the others. That one knew a lot of cool stuff and could do math easily.

Looking over, Cross saw Dust sitting by himself, reading a book that Nightmare had given him. After all, he had already read all the other books written for children their age. Still, he had to be lonely, too, right?

“let’s talk to dust!” Cross said.

Horror shrugged, and they walked over, Killer following along behind. Dust was as focused on the book as Cross had been on his coloring. Horror looked ready to pounce, but Cross grabbed the other’s shirt. Unlike the others, Dust seemed jumpy and nervous about new situations.

“hey, dust?” Cross asked, and Dust looked up at him, his eye lights shrinking nervously as he noticed the other two.

“yes?” Dust replied, his tone flat to hide the fear. Not wanting to scare him anymore, Cross decided to sit down. That way, the shorter of the four didn’t have to look up and feel like he was surrounded.

“i wanted to ask you something since you’re so smart!” Cross replied happily. “i wanted to know if your dad is really smart too, since you never talk about him.”

Dust looked down at his book for a moment, then back up at Cross. “i… i… uh… don’t like him, so i don’t want to talk about him.”

“you don’t like your dad?” Killer asked as he knelt by Cross. “why don’t you like him?”

Dust was quiet for a while, and Cross tilted his head, curious. “did he give you up? are you an orphan like i was before dad adopted me?”

“no…,” the other replied as his fingers idly flipped the corner of the pages. “i… my father, uh… mr. night says he was a bully and not a father… that i should just forget him.”

“whoa! really?” Killer asked.

Cross watched as Dust sat there quietly for a moment. He looked up at Cross, then Killer and Horror. “your dads taught you what a family was… right?” To that, Cross nodded. “well… he… the doctor… he never taught me the word father or family or other words or things you all know so easily. to him, i wasn’t his son. all he did was make me and then… stuff i don’t like… so…”

“wait, mr. night won’t return you to some mean bully who doesn’t think you’re his kid, right?” Horror asked, frowning.

To that, Dust shook his head. “mr. night says this is my home now.”

“good!” Killer loudly declared.

“yeah, you deserve someone nice for a dad!” Cross added. He then got an idea, “maybe mr. night can be your dad!”

“yeah! you should totally ask him to be your dad!” Killer insisted, approving of the idea.

“i don’t know… maybe?” Dust frowned. “not now… but after you all go home and it’s just us, i can ask.”

Horror moved over and sat next to Dust. “i think mr. night likes having us around and would be happy if you called him dad after we leave.”

“me too!” Killer said. “he seems so lonely and sad sometimes. 

“ok,” Dust said quietly. He looked worried.

“something wrong?” Cross asked.

“well… i… don’t know what to do, so maybe i won’t,” Dust muttered.

“know what to do?” Killer asked, and Cross was confused about what Dust meant also.

Horror then wrapped an arm around Dust and picked up the shortest of them up. “enough talking, let’s play a game.”

“but dust is confused about something,” Cross protested.

“yeah? and i say the cave dragon is tired of answering questions,” Horror announced as he carried Dust from the corner he had been reading his book in.

“the cave dragon’s cave is in the kitchen,” Killer frowned.

“the cave dragon is no longer a tiny hatchling and needs more space and territory, right?” Horror asked Dust, who looked between everyone nervously. “see! he needs more… uh… experiences! learn about life and have a larger home.”

Horror stepped up on the stool by the bed and guided Dust to climb up. The smallest of them looked at everyone, looking confused. “this is…”

“your mountain home,” Horror announced with a smile.

Dust looked down for a moment, then whispered to Horror, though Cross was now close enough to hear, “what am i supposed to do now?”

Cross, ignoring the stool, climbed up on the bed. Dust and Horror watching him made his way as Cross said, “hang on, cave dragon dust!”

“look… i wanna play and will totally build a village for dusty to wreck and steal sheep from if he wants, but i’m hungry,” Killer frowned.

“hmmm… well, if we are careful, maybe nightmare won’t care if we grab some snacks from the kitchen?” Horror asked.

“he didn’t want us to leave the room…,” Dust said nervously.

“i know, but… i think he would understand. he said he wouldn’t be gone long, but it’s been a few hours,” Cross pointed out.

To that, Dust started to say something but stopped. He frowned and looked down for a moment and then shrugged. 

“you two stay here; we’ll be back. that way, if he is mad, we aren’t all in trouble!” Killer announced before he grabbed Horror’s hand, and the two left the room.

Cross sat there and looked over the room from the bed as he kicked his feet over the side idly. Dust had his knees drawn up to his chest and was looking at nothing in particular, it seemed. The need to break the silence came over Cross, who was about to speak when Dust beat him to it, “what are sheep?”

“sheep?” Cross blinked as he looked at Dust, but the other just looked away. “their animals with big fluffy coats that monsters and humans raise. they cut off their fur coats to make clothes and stuff with.”

There was a pause for a moment after that, and then Cross asked, “hey, dust… what were you saying before?”

The other was quiet for a while, then looked at cross with his red eyelights. “horror was right… i don’t wanna answer any more questions.”

“oh…,” Cross replied.

“we are back!” Killer announced as he ran into the room. “we found chocolate!”

“chocolate?!” Cross grinned and slid off the bed.

As Killer and Cross opened the bag together, Dust watched, and Horror reentered the room. Horror grabbed some chocolate and joined Dust on the bed while Cross and Killer dug in. Chocolate… blessed chocolate! Cross grinned as he enjoyed the flavor with a big smile.

Looking over, he watched Dust investigate the chocolate piece Horror gave him. That is something Dust does when he hasn’t eaten something before. Now that Dust said his ‘dad’ was mean, it made sense why he hadn’t eaten so many things before. That was most likely why Mr. Night told him to take it slow with things he is unsure about and see what his magic tells him. Dust then put it in his mouth, and Cross saw his eye lights brighten.

“let’s make the chocolate loot and stuff for us and the cave dragon to find!” Killer announced.

“yeah!” Cross agreed and he worked with Killer to make a lego village of simple block houses to hid the chocolate in.

---

That took longer than expected. Nightmare leaned against the wall of his room as he tried to calm down. The truce with Dream seemed to have only angered others. Those others have learned to add positivity to their magic-made weapons. Who would have thought a simple shopping trip would have been interrupted by mercenaries out for him?

They notice his followers have been missing…

And Nightmare had been gone for too long.

With a sigh, Nightmare had to accept that at least he had some of his errands done and wouldl have to try another neutral AU later to go shopping. Regardless, their positive tainted weapons aren’t as powerful as Dream’s attacks, and the wounds were nearly healed.

He had to check on the boys.

Luckily, they were close, and he opened the door to their bedroom… to find them curled up on the floor. Nightmare would be worried if it were not for the bag of chocolate kisses, previously unopened and now empty, laying in the middle of them. “You all have belly aches?” Nightmare asked as he entered the room. The boys flinched except Dust, who looked utterly sick.

“it was soooo good,” Cross whined.

“It would have been better if you ate them in moderation,” Nightmare frowned as he grabbed some of the wrappers.

“what’s moderation mean?” Killer groaned.

“It means smaller amounts of things, for example, a few chocolates so you can enjoy them and not get sick,” Nightmare replied as a tendril started to tickle the immobile child. 

Killer whined and swatted the limb away, “doooon’t, i’m gonna spew.”

… 

As mad as he should be… he was just happy he was able to return home to them.

The mental, physical, and emotional drain on him could not be any more clear than how he slouched on the sofa. Nightmare was not one to sit in a slumped manner. The powerful and generally active tendrils sprawled out around him, one mustering what strength it had left to twitch now and then like the tip of an idle cat tail.

A week and a half. He had lasted that long before the thought of needing help crossed his mind as being something he could no longer avoid. Determined to prove himself wrong, he struggled through the rest of that week. It was now the start of week three, and he knew he was being a fool. That pride, which has been the cause of failure in others that he tried to keep in check, got him in the end.

Glancing at the clock, he saw it was time to start dinner. Before he could, he had to make sure the boys were occupied. If he didn’t, then there was bound to be a disaster within minutes of him leaving the room.

Cross was playing a video game, thankfully an age-appropriate one. He had quickly gathered up and put away everything that was not “child friendly.” Still, Killer has somehow been getting into the mature games Nightmare had put away. Naturally, Cross is too well-behaved for that.

Unfortunately, that is not true for them all. For example, Horror was about to sneak up behind Cross. Nightmare has learned that Horror, even while younger, enjoyed giving others a scare now and then. Considering Sanses and their pranks, the dark guardian understood why. Still, that does not mean the others appreciate being startled by Horror.

“Horror, what are you doing?” Nightmare asked, and Cross paused his game to look. 

Seeing his plan of scaring Cross was thwarted, Horror sighed, “nooothing….” He then shuffled over to play with toys while Cross glared at him. With that settled, though, Cross returned to playing his game.

Dust was curled up beside him, sleeping. Feeling the tiny skeleton’s negative emotions increase, he knew a nightmare was starting. He drew out some of those emotions while placing a gentle hand on the child’s skull. In return, Dust’s body relaxed, and he continued sleeping peacefully.

Wait… where was Killer? Nightmare quickly looked around the room, trying to figure out where the more active of them was.

A crash from the kitchen answered the question of where. 

“sorry!” Killer called out.

With a long-suffering sigh, Nightmare stood up and made his way to the kitchen. The child had flour and other ingredients all over him and the floor. A bowl was upside down beside him, and he was trying to pick it up the best he could. But it was a large bowl and likely too heavy for one so young.

“Killer…,” was all Nightmare could say.

“you looked so tired… i just wanted to help…,” Killer explained, a feeling of regret emerging from his soul.

That was it. The guardian surrendered to the children tonight. He had planned on doing this in the morning, but the dark guardian needed rest now. Nightmare was exhausted after watching after them, tending the animals, filling in for missions, and being in charge of chores. He needed a moment, a chance to close his socket and sleep. 

With that, he pulled out his cell phone and made a call. As he kept the phone to his head, he shuffled into the kitchen and picked up the bowl.

“Greetings,” said a soft, sweet voice. A part of him felt some guilt for this, calling her back to play nanny for him. But, he knew she offered and would likely not mind or see it that way.

“Could you come over in a half hour?” Nightmare asked Lyra. As he spoke, he grabbed the broom and dustpan, then set to work cleaning up.

There was a pause before the Guardian replied, “I can. Though, I must ask, are you alright? You sound different.”

“I just need to rest. If you could watch the boys for five… ten minutes?” Nightmare was ashamed he was pleading but was too tired to stop himself.

“you need longer than that!” Killer insisted, real tears in his sockets.

“Are you sure you don’t want me there now?” Lyra replied.

“I need to get the boys washed up… normally I would do dinner first…” Looking at Killer, Nightmare sighed.

“i’m sorry…,” the child said as he started to cry. Nightmare winced as he knew he would need to comfort Killer before Lyra arrived.

“we’ll be good…” That sounded like Cross, and Nightmare looked back at the doorway. There the other three were, looking into the kitchen with worried expressions. Meaning it would need to comfort all four.

“Let me give them a bath, as I need to talk to them anyway. Once that is done, they will be ready for you. All you need to do is watch them and then wake me to make dinner.”

“Night…,” Lyra started.

“Please.”

“Alright, I will give you time to wash them up. But I am making dinner, no exceptions,” Lyra said. “I will see you soon.”

“Thank you,” Nightmare replied as he relented dinner duty without any more fight. He then hung up and sighed as he looked at Killer.

“i’m sorry!” Killer then said before bursting into more tears. His soul had succeeded in changing back into the monster soul shape, which meant he could feel some of the emotions that had been cut off before. The poor thing was drowning in regret.

He wanted to pick Killer up in his arms, but Nightmare didn’t want to get covered in flour. Later, he will have to comfort the boy. Using a tentacle, he scooped the child up and then walked over to the others. “come along, bath time,” he said as he grabbed the others.

Walking was a kind way to put it. Nightmare shuffled down the hall until he arrived at their bedroom and set them down in the connected bathroom. There, he started to run water. Luckily, by then, Killer’s crying had calmed enough that Nightmare could speak. “I understand you wanted to help, Killer. I am not angry, just disappointed. You could have assisted me instead of trying to do it on your own. Your body is… you are small… and fragile right now. If you got hurt trying to do that, I would have been… very sad.”

Killer sniffled, “i’m sorry.”

“I know… now, come on, undress for a bath, all of you,” He said.

One by one, they each were placed into the tub to wash up. The bathroom was warm and smelled pleasant. The soft sound of them splashing around as they played in the water was calming…

“mr. night?”

Nightmare’s head shot up, and he blinked a few times. How irresponsible. With a sigh, Nightmare sat straighter beside the bathtub. He will have to do better about staying awake for their sake. Granted, skeletons don’t need to breathe and can not drown, unlike other beings. Still, now was not the time to doze off.

“Are you four ready to get out?” Nightmare asked.

Killer moved closer and stretched a hand out to pat Nightmare on the head. “can you please sleep longer than ten minutes? i… i don’t care if i have ta go to bed hungry! you’re too tired, and you need sleep.”

“we’ll be on our best behavior!” Cross added.

“And you will have Lyra watching you, and she insisted on making dinner for all of you. So, you will eat, and I will get some rest. Still, you are my responsibility,” Nightmare said, then yawned. “Ready or not, you are getting out. Lyra will be here soon enough.”

Nightmare got the towels and wrapped up each tiny skeleton. “Go get your pajamas,” He said as he walked with them into their room while holding Killer. “Thank you for caring about me, Killer. I forgive you, but please let me know next time.” He then set the child down.

Killer hugged Nightmare around the legs. “all right, mr. night,” the child replied.

“Go get dressed,” Nightmare urged, and Killer nodded before joining the others. Horror and Killer both do well at getting themselves dried off and dressed. Cross, being younger, and Dust, who is still learning, need a little coaching and help from him.

Finally, all dressed in PJs, they walked over and cuddled beside him. He could feel how sorry they were, and he wished he could say or do more. This guilt will be something they will just have to work through on their own, which is unfortunate but good for their development. 

Just as he felt like he was about to drift off again, there was a light knock on the bedroom door.

Chapter Text

Lyra folded her arms as she looked at the other guardian, who looked back up at her with an eyelight so fuzzy it could barely be seen. Nightmare sat on the bed, the boys surrounding him and clinging to him protectively. They could sense she was angry. She shouldn’t be angry, but she was. 

Actually, no, she had the right to be angry about this. It was wrong to deny that she should feel this way when she could have prevented this. They had agreed to start dating, to begin forming a relationship, yet he still would rather act independently to the point that he looked like a wilted plant. Nightmare clearly did not understand how it hurt her to see him like that.

There was no reason for him to look so tired and run down when she was just a phone call away. No. When she could have been here all along! There were so many things she could and wanted to say if the children were not here in the room. She would even grab him by that coat, pull him onto his feet, and plant one kiss he wouldn't be forgetting anytime soon if it would make him understand that she cares! Unfortunately, that would be highly inappropriate to do around children so young.

Besides, she also needed to understand this was all still so new to Nightmare. The dark guardian was still adjusting to having someone he could turn to for help. He has had allies before, but not in the role of Lyra. Her help had no strings attached; no deals needed to be made save for being there when she needed him. Which… was something she was not used to as well. Remembering she had not called on his help yet did act as the water to cool her anger. Considering that he is not used to this, she was just as much to blame for his condition by not being more insistent or checking in on him.

That was it; she was putting her foot down.

“I am not going to be leaving when this is done,” She stated flatly, glaring down at him.

“Lyra,” Nightmare started, and Lyra had enough.

“I do not want to hear it. I know that they are your…,” She looked at the children who stared up at her in their fuzzy pajamas. She needed to be mindful of the words she used around them. “Responsibility. But, I am insisting, no, demanding you let me help.”

“Thank you,” Nightmare sighed and smiled at her, and that surprised her.

“No argument this time?” She asked while tilting her head.

“I was going to ask you to stay,” Nightmare said, then stood and looked at the boys. “I admit defeat. They are indeed my responsibility, but it was one I will now accept that I was not ready for.”

He looked back at her, and she sighed, feeling her anger settle further. Well, at least that is sorted out. “Good… Now, to bed with you,” She said.

“aren’t you going to give him a good night kiss?” Killer asked with a big smile. She suspected that one knew what he was doing at this point.

“I do not think that will be,” Nightmare started, but no, Lyra would not let this moment slide. Now, she couldn’t place the kind of kiss she wanted with the young audience they currently had. But she could get away with a nice little peck on the head.

Leaning over, she gave Nightmare a small kiss on the top of his skull and grinned as he froze. His face got that adorable blush she loved so much. “There, now, bed.”

“Be good for Lyra,” Nightmare said quietly to the boys while staring at the floor. Oh, who would have suspected that the dark guardian, who was so bold and confident at most times, could be turned into someone so bashful with a single kiss? It will be a secret of his she will keep, as it is actually a sorrowful testament to how unaccustomed he is to affection. 

Once he could, he looked up at Lyra, “and… thank you.”

“we will!” Replied Killer.

“don’t worry, mr. night! we will be on our bestest behavior!” Cross added.

“It is just best, Cross. Best means that you will be excelling and unable to do any better,” Nightmare gently corrected before yawning. He made his way out the door, tendrils dragging on the floor behind him. The poor dear truly was exhausted, and yet, here he was, still doing what he could for the boys. It was rather endearing how devoted of a father figure he was, even if he will deny it.

Dust was becoming fidgety as he watched Nightmare leave. Thankfully, Ferrous walked over, and the small boy started to pet the dog. It seemed to calm Dust enough that he looked back at her without so much nervousness. 

Lyra looked at the group and hummed. “Alright, I am about to make dinner. Can I trust you four to play quietly in here while Mr. Night sleeps?”

Cross raised his hand, and she chuckled at how cute that was. Killer’s hand shot up shortly after, and she nodded. “Alright, Cross first, what is it?”

“can i help make dinner?” Cross asked.

“me too! that’s what i wanted to ask!” Killer added.

“wasn’t it your ‘helping’ that made mr. night call a babysitter?” Horror asked with a frown.

“that’s because i was helping by myself. this time, she will be there!” Killer answered.

“Alright, why don’t you all come with me instead? You can either help or play quietly in the kitchen while I work on dinner,” Lyra replied. That seemed to appease them, and they followed her as they left the room. At one point, she glanced back to do a quick head count… Killer… Cross… Horror…

Looking further down the hall, she saw Dust standing still as he stared in the direction of Nightmare’s bedroom. Lyra stopped and turned fully; the others stopped and followed her gaze back to the little skeleton clinging to his dog while staring at Nightmare’s door. “Wait here,” she told the others as she made her way to Dust. She knelt down near the young skeleton and asked, “Child, what is wrong?”

“if i say i’m not hungry, can i go take a nap with mr. night…?,” There were tears in the boy’s sockets. Nightmare had said that Dust, as an adult, tended to hang around him more than the others, especially on ‘bad days.’ Considering the child’s past and the peace and safety Nightmare has likely been providing Dust’s younger self, that shadow behavior appears to have turned into clinginess.

“I think Mr. Night would like you to have dinner to keep your body strong and healthy. Do you not agree?” She asked.

Dust looked at the ground and nodded.

“How about this? Since we both know Mr. Night would want you to have dinner, you come with me and eat first. If you are tired after you eat and promise to be quiet and sleep, I see no reason why you could not go nap with him,” Lyra compromised. “Does that sound fair?”

That seemed to do the trick, and the child nodded. “ferrous, too?”

“Ah…” Oh dear… would Nightmare want the dog in his bed? “Well, we will see. Maybe Ferrous will want some outside time after dinner instead.”

“oh… okay,” Dust replied and looked at the dog as he petted him.

Lyra stood and offered a hand to Dust. He looked at the hand for a moment, then reached up and put his tiny hand in hers. Together, they walked over to the others and then down the hall. Killer insisted on holding her other hand, which led to Horror holding Killer’s free hand and Cross holding Dust’s free hand.

Once the children were all gathered again, they continued to the kitchen. Along the way, she had asked them what they wanted for dinner. After some discussion amongst each other, they had decided on tomato soup and grilled cheese, or three out of four did. Dust was quiet and just shrugged when asked if that was okay. Based on things said, they had tomato soup once already, so he knew what that was. But the complaint from Killer about how long it had been since he had a grilled cheese hinted that was why Dust was so quiet. It may be new food for him, but it shouldn’t be too hard on him if he still has some sensitivity after all this time.

She had each child help make their sandwich after she had doctored the canned soup, so it was the best it could be. They stood on the stool two at a time and flipped their sandwiches when she said so. Then, once the food was ready, she plated the grilled cheeses and poured the tomato soup into mugs while telling the boys to go sit. They sat at the table and ate, looking as pleased as possible.

“thank you for helping, ma’am,” Horror then said.

“You are welcome,” Lyra smiled.

“mr. night was very happy to see you! i think… we caused him too much trouble,” Killer sighed and looked down at his crumb-filled plate. “we didn’t mean to be trouble, ms. lyra.”

“I know you did not, and so does Mr. Night. I warned him, though, that four children is a lot of responsibility for anyone to take on without prior experience with raising one,” She picked up a napkin and handed it to Killer. “I am sure he was doing well for a while there, but now he has me to help him.”

“he came home hurt a few times,” Dust said quietly, and that startled her.

“Hurt?” She asked.

“uh huh, and we don’t know why, ms. Lyra,” Cross confirmed, then frowned. “he would go out to buy groceries or something but reappear later and say that he will try again later. he said they didn’t have what he was looking for or stuff like that and for us to play quietly. but we could see he was hurt.”

Nightmare… why did you wait so long? But she knew why. It wasn’t just stubbornness but the fact he was not used to turning to others for help. Sure, he had his henchmen, but they were not usually so dependent on him. Still, he does care for them and sees them as his responsibility.

He forgets she is willing to share in that, even when they are rambunctious adults.

“ms. lyra?” Dust spoke up, and she looked over at the child. “may i go take a nap now?”

“Are the rest of you tired?” She asked.

“nu-uh! i’m not ready for bed yet!” Killer replied.

“can we play for a while longer?” Cross asked.

“i’m not tired yet, either,” Horror added.

“Alright, wait here at the table. I will be right back,” she said before scooping up Dust. The child clung to her and nuzzled his face against her shoulder. In silence, they made their way to Nightmare’s room, and she quietly knocked. When there was no reply, she walked in and over to the large bed, one clearly made for a king. 

That was Nightmare, a fan of the finer things in life.

It appears he had changed into pajamas but didn’t get any further than opening his covers and lying down before passing out. Nightmare was sleeping on his stomach, which made sense with the tentacles attached to his back. One of which was hanging off the bed and touching the floor. With care to not wake the sleeping guardian or disrupt Dust in her arms, she used her foot to lift the tendril up part of the way, then reached with a hand to grab it and place it on the bed.

She then placed Dust on the bed next to Nightmare. The child crawled closer and snuggled up to Nightmare’s shoulder. The dark skeleton shifted a little but did not wake. The tentacle closest to Dust moved and curled around the child protectively. Lyra smiled before tucking them both in under the blankets. Leaning over, she gave Dust a kiss on the head, then gave one more “goodnight kiss” to the sleeping guardian. With them settled, she left the room so they could sleep peacefully.

She now had three others to attend to, plus the pets. Ferrous followed her down the hall as she walked, reminding her with his presence of all the responsibilities she now had. Nightmare might have wanted her to wake him after ten minutes, but she wasn’t going to do that. It has been close to an hour, and he still needed rest. He can trust her to care for the boys and their animals, but if he genuinely believed she was going to wake him so soon, then he was sorely mistaken. Lyra was going to make sure he got the rest he needed.

Once he has his needed rest, then they can share this workload.

What had been the “entertainment room” now looked more like a playroom, with toys and games in easy reach of the boys. There were some movies and video games, but only a scant amount, considering they had been adults before who preferred watching more grown-up movies and shows. They didn’t care; the boys enjoyed playing board games together rather than video games alone. This was true even if they chose to break the rules so they could somehow all win.

Actually, it wasn’t breaking the rules so much as coming up with their own, occasionally midgame. Lyra didn’t mind since they were all having fun, even if she honestly had no idea what was happening most of the time. Killer and Cross were definitely the ring leaders in all of this, and Horror, though he seemed older, just seemed to enjoy following along in the chaos.

After a while, Horror moved over by her and leaned against her side with a yawn. Placing a hand on his back, she looked down at him. “Are you done with the game?” He gave a tired nod, and that was when she noticed the tears in his sockets. “Is your head bothering you?”

The child sighed, then looked up at her. “i try to ignore it…” his voice was quivering, and she scooped him up.

“I know you do, but you do not need to,” She stood up. “Killer, Cross, can you both play quietly until I return?”

“uh huh!” Killer replied.

“i wanna color!” Cross announced, and then he waved at Horror. “g’night!”

“night,” replied Horror, who then cuddled further into her chest—the poor dear.

She walked to the kitchen, where she knew she saw a bottle of pain pills safe for someone so young. She dosed out some and gave it to him with a glass of water. “There you go. Now, do you want to stay up a bit longer or go to bed?”

“bed, please, mrs. lyra,” Horror replied.

“Of course. How could I not help you to bed when you ask so nicely?” She answered as she picked him back up and carried him down the hall to the room Nightmare had picked out.

She entered the room and approached the bed. Before she could set him down, he asked softly, “where is dust? i thought he was sleeping.”

“Oh, well, he asked to sleep with Mr. Night,” She explained.

“oh…,” He said quietly. And there was continued silence. Part of her had a feeling she knew what he wanted to ask.

“Horror?” She started, and the child looked up at her. “Do you want to sleep with Mr. Night, too?”

Then the child looked away momentarily before turning back to Lyra and nodding. “but… i should be sleeping alone, aren't i?”

“It will be alright,” She said, and she turned around to leave the room and made her way to Nightmare’s room.

Opening the door, she listened and could only hear the soft breathing of sleeping. Her soft paw pads made her walk across the old, wood floor silent as she made her way over to the bed. Dust was still cuddled up to Nightmare, but she could see that the guardian now had an arm around the child. She set Horror down, and he crawled closer. She helped him under the covers so he was on the other side of Nightmare, cuddled up to his side.

Not long after she finished tucking the child in, she noticed the covers move as a tendril curled around Horror. Happily, the child wrapped his arms around the limb and hugged it like one might a teddy bear. Still, Nightmare was asleep, and this action was done unconsciously. This made Lyra smile as she moved a paw to her mouth to hold back a giggle.

Oh, how she will tease him once this ordeal is over. For one so adamant that he is not a father, he has taken to a fatherly role so naturally, he even fathers the boys in his sleep. Content that everyone was comfortable, she made her way back to the other two.

Cross and Killer were coloring near each other to share crayons. She walked over and smiled at them, “May I join you?”

“sure!” Cross replied as Killer moved over to make space for her, even if there was plenty of space already.

She thanked Killer for being so polite before joining the two on the floor and picking a coloring book. Opening it, she found a picture of a castle with a dragon with four hatchlings. It was labeled “A Mother Dragon And Young,” but nothing about the dragon made it male or female. Lyra decided that she would change this picture to fit her narrative for the image.

As they colored, Cross and Killer took turns talking about their days being here with Mr. Night and the others. “sometimes, i take my coloring book in, and i color in mr. night’s office. i always ask if i can help him, and sometimes he tells me he has a paper that needs some colors or drawings to make it nicer. so i make it look as colorful and nice as possible! mr. night always tells me i did a good job, and he pats me on the head before setting the paper aside,” Cross explained.

“he lets me help him wash up after dinner sometimes!” Killer said happily. “mr. night lets me dry stuff, and then he uses his tentacles to pick me up so i can put some of the stuff away!”

“It is so nice that you two are willing to help him,” She praised.

They continued to color until she had almost finished her picture. She was rather pleased with it and the edit of crossing out “Mother” and writing “Father.” It was then she noticed how quiet it was, and she looked up to see Cross was sleeping. Killer’s coloring had become lethargic while his sockets drooped, meaning he was ready for bed, too.

“Alright, I think it is time for bed for you two,” She said as she carefully picked up Cross. The youngest clung to her and nuzzled his face against her neck. Killer sat up and stretched his arms up to her. Sweeping her free arm over, she scooped up the last little skeleton.

As she made her way to the bedrooms, she glanced down at them, “Now, Horror and Dust are sleeping with Mr. Night. Is that where you would want to sleep too?”

“can we?” Cross asked, opening his tired sockets as he asked.

“please, oh please!” Killer said while he started to wiggle in her arms.

“You can if you two promise to be quiet and sleep. Remember, Mr. Night needs his sleep, so you can’t be noisy,” She insisted.

“we will,” Cross said.

“i’m going to be super quiet, i promise!” Killer said loudly.

Well… time will tell.

Before long, she was setting Cross on one side of the bed and Killer on the other. Cross was curling up near Horror when a tentacle embraced him. He smiled at the limb and started to pet it softly. Then, as his sockets closed, his hand stopped when he drifted off to sleep. 

Killer wiggled around near Dust, who grunted in annoyance but did not wake. Dust did yawn before he snuggled closer to Nightmare. Rolling so his back was toward Dust’s back, Killer then scootched back until they touched back to back. This also meant he wiggled his way under Nightmare’s arm, which was still over the smaller skeleton child.

Luckily, Nightmare did not wake, but like the others, a tentacle curled around the child, and Killer hugged the limb while nuzzling it. At least Killer was being quiet.

Killer reached out to her then, and she tilted her head. “i need a goodnight kiss,” he whispered.

Lyra smiled softly, then leaned down and placed a kiss on the tiny skeleton’s skull. Killer smiled back up at her before he started to settle into sleep. With that, she took a moment to admire the little family before her.

With a pleased smile, Lyra left the little family to sleep. Now, to finish tending the animals.

---

Nightmare sat in the shadow of his mother, reading a book silently to himself. It was a pleasant afternoon, not too hot, but not cold either—just the perfect temperature. Dream was away, as usual, helping the villagers. So, Nightmare was left to entertain himself, and he did so by reading.

That is until he noticed a lost child approaching him. Nightmare was a child himself, but this one was clearly younger than him.

“Hello? If you are here for the golden apples, my brother is away, and I am not to touch them,” Nightmare stated.

“n… no… i just… i don’t know where i am, and i…” The child was trembling as he looked around. The child was wearing a shirt with a sloth and matching bottoms. Odd clothing, really. He had never seen anyone dressed like that before. He looked around, clearly confused, with red eye lights, though the left eye had cyan blue in the middle.

“Where did you last see your parents?” Nightmare asked.

The child stiffened and looked down at the ground for a moment. He fidgeted with his shirt hem for a moment before finally muttering a question so quietly that Nightmare could not understand him, just the inflection of his voice.

“I am sorry, but what did you say?” Nightmare said with a sigh.

“what… what does ‘parents’ mean?” The child asked quietly, but at least this time, it was loud and clear enough for Nightmare to understand. But the question startled him.

“You do not know what the word ‘parent’ means?” He clarified, but that appeared to be the wrong thing to do. The child quickly turned and ran, but Nightmare jumped up and followed. His taller body meant longer legs, and he quickly caught up with the small child and grabbed him in a hug. 

The small boy was crying. He kept repeating that he was sorry. “sorry, i…i… shouldn’t have bothered you. i’m sorry… sorry that i… i’m stupid and a failure.”

“Shhh? Now, when did I utter such words?” He asked, and the child shivered in his arms. “A parent is the mother and/or father of a child. Or caregivers of a child who considers the child theirs.”

“oh…,” The small child looked up at Nightmare, tears in his sockets, but spoke with a happy tone, “i just learned about moms and dads!” The child then looked down and muttered the word ‘parents’ a few times as if committing it to memory. If he just learned about mothers and fathers, then this child is likely an orphan from an early age. One that has not had kind guardians. “mr. night is watching me for… the doctor. but he says i don’t have to go back to the doctor. i don’t think mr. night is my parent though… but he is nice… i mean, he’s not nice! he’s mean and horrible! oh! and very scary!”

Yeah… Nightmare wasn’t believing that last bit. The child seemed way too happy talking about this ‘Mr. Night.’ In all likelihood, this Mr. Night was some hermit who just didn’t want a bunch of people coming around by putting up a front that he encouraged this kid to perpetuate. Nightmare will gauge how ‘nice’ this Mr. Night is when he finds this child.

“Come with me, then, sit under my tree beside me and wait for Mr. Night to find you,” Nightmare said as he finally released the child from a hug before taking his hand and guiding him back to his mother.

I do not think this is wise, my child. A mortal is a mortal, even when small. His mother said. But Nightmare could not just leave this little child to wander around alone. He knows firsthand how cruel the village can be. And as much as Nightmare loves nature… a child so small would not last long alone. Saving his spot, he flipped back to the beginning of the book and started to read aloud.

After some time, a voice called out, “dust!” And Nightmare looked up to see another child approaching. The poor thing! His skull was cracked and he had… “dust! you’re here too?” The child wore a white shirt, fur-lined hoodie, and black shorts with a white stripe.

… Horror… Dust…

As the children talked, Nightmare remembered that he was no longer a child, that this was a dreamscape made by his tired mind that he drew these children into. Even in exhaustion, he seemed to want these mortals near, it seems.

How interesting that their minds choose to dress them in clothes they wear as adults…

“i am waiting here for mr. night,” Dust explained, and Horror nodded.

“okay, can’t miss this tree, so it makes sense!” Horror said as he sat down next to Dust. Horror then looked at Nightmare and smiled, “hello, mind if i stay here too?”

“No, you are welcome to wait here as well,” Nightmare replied, then continued the story after Dust explained what was going on so Horror understood.

Cross quietly walked up with a wave and sat next to Horror. Much like Dust, he wore pajamas, though they were pajama bottoms, with his favorite ‘anime’ themed t-shirt. Nightmare smiled at Cross, who waved at him before listening intently to the story. Mother chided Nightmare for keeping such mortals around. He… didn’t like the things she said about them. He could understand some of it, as he will admit, they were not the best ambassadors for mortal kind. Still, they were his, and that was all that mattered to him. He hated ignoring her, as she was his mother, even if this was a dream.

Thankfully, Killer’s boisterous entrance did drown out those hurtful things she said. The child, dressed in his regular clothes, white shorts, black sweater, and hoodie with a fur-lined hood, dashed forward and pounced on Dust. The smaller yelped out as Killer loudly proclaimed “tickle fight” before mercilessly assaulting Dust’s ticklish areas. Dust yelped and squeaked before giggling away. Horror was the one to come to his rescue, grabbing Killer and tickling the babybones, who squealed with laughter.

Dust scurried over and hid behind Nightmare as Cross faced a decision. Who does he back up? After a moment of debating, Cross jumped up and started to tickle Horror. Horror started to turn to defend himself when Killer sprang up to get the larger of the three back.

“Oh dear,” Nightmare said as he closed the book. He glanced back at Dust, “It appears the odds are against your friend. Two against one.”

Dust frowned for a moment, then looked up at Nightmare. “i am sorry for disturbing your peace, but I need to help horror.”

“That is quite alright. You do what you need to do,” Nightmare said with a smile. That was all Dust needed before running forward and tackling Killer. The two rolled around in the grass in a fit of giggles as they tried to tickle the other. That gave Horror the opportunity he needed to grab the youngest and tickle him until he surrendered.

Once the giggling died down, Nightmare stood up. “Care to join me for a walk?”

“sure!” Cross said, and Horror helped him stand.

Killer looked up at Nightmare briefly, then smiled big, “yeah! let’s join him!” Killer stood and pulled Dust up onto his feet.

With that, he led the children to the forest that he often played in with his brother, away from the ominous village and the insulting words of his mother. Once in the shelter of the trees, he helped them climb and explore…

… He almost didn’t want to wake up.

Almost… for a dream is just that, a dream. What matters more is the events in the waking world.

Something moving started to pull him from the deeper sleep he had been enjoying. It wasn’t the first time he felt something move while sleeping. It frequently happens; he ignores it and continues to sleep, which is how it usually goes. His tentacles, reacting to the emotions that his dreams stir, are typically what he feels when moving about in bed. 

This was different, though.

It felt like small hands pushing on his back as someone was climbing on him. Soft, hushed voices telling the one who was climbing him confirmed his suspension. Nightmare groaned softly before opening his eye and looking at the little skeletons. Killer continued to climb up on him, settling down in the center of his back, making it hard for Nightmare to see him.

“killer,” Horror hissed softly in a whisper, “you woke him up.”

“i did?” Killer asked without the care of keeping quiet.

“You did,” Nightmare said before yawning. Slowly sitting up, he felt Killer safely slip down onto the bed in a fit of giggles.

“sorry,” Dust said softly.

“No need to apologize. I actually had a pleasant sleep. I hope you four did as well,” Nightmare said as his tendrils curled around the four small skeletons in a hug. “Now, if only I woke up on my own accord and not because some little minion decided to start crawling all over me. A rude awakening by an intrepid mountain climber is a poor start to a day.”

“intepit?” Cross asked.

“In-trep-id,” Nightmare corrected.

“intrepid,” Cross said, trying again.

“There you go, it means fearless or adventurous,” Nightmare explained.

“that’s me!” Killer exclaimed, holding his arms up excitedly.

Nightmare used a tendril to pick the child up, purposefully holding him upside-down, “Yes, that was you, but your actions were still rude. Were they not?”

Killer giggled, “sorry!”

“Why do I doubt that you are?” Nightmare asked, and Killer giggled more as Nightmare set him back down. “Alas, the youth these days have no respect for their elders. Whatever is an old man like me to do?”

“i re-pect you, mr. night,” Cross said quickly before whispering to Horror, “what’s re-pect mean?”

“respect, it means… um…,” Horror put his hand to his chin as he thought. “i know what it means just… um…”

“You are unsure how to define it, or put it into words?” Nightmare asked, and Horror nodded. “Start, and I will help you when you need it.”

“okay, um. it means that you… show uh… well you listen and you…show someone they are important,” Horror said, then looked at Nightmare.

“Exactly. You honor them by listening, doing as they ask, and being polite.” He smiled and patted Horror on the back. “You did well, Horror. You did not need my help after all.”

“thank you, mr. night,” Horror said with a smile.

“i respect you! i just like being silly,” Killer giggled.

“That you do, you little imp,” Nightmare huffed.

To that, Killer gasped and folded his arms, “i’m not an imp! i’m a skeleton!”

“Yes, you are. Come along, babybones. Time for breakfast,” Nightmare said as he stood from his bed.

“oh! oh! can you carry me, pleeeeaaase~?” Killer asked, holding his arms up in the traditional ‘pick me up pose’ all children seem to know naturally.

“me too! please!” Cross said, putting his arms up as well.

“Alright,” he said as he used his tendrils to wrap around those two and lifted them off the bed. Killer giggled and squirmed a little before finally settling into the hold. It amused Nightmare as the youngest, Cross, patted the tendril as if it were alive while whispering, “thank you” to the limb. As Cross continued to gently pet the limb, Nightmare turned his attention to Dust and Horror. “What about you two? Do you want to be carried, as well?”

“yes, please,” Horror replied, and Nightmare curled a tendril around him. Horror simply hugged the limb that held him with a content smile.

Dust was hesitant and fiddled with his fingers for a short moment before he softly muttered, “please?”

And with that, Nightmare lifted him off the bed as well. Just as before, there was a flinch at the initial contact, but Dust soon relaxed and was lifted off the bed. He looked down and around himself, interested in the different angle he now had to view everything. 

Nightmare made his way out of his room to theirs to help them pick out what they would wear and get them ready for the day. Keeping Killer and Cross focused was a struggle, but he could after that good sleep. One at a time, he helped them brush their teeth, Cross needing help with the action to make sure he got all of his teeth, and a tendril around Killer kept him in place long enough to complete the task. Once done and dressed, he walked them down the hall.

“what about you, mr. night? you still have your jammies on!” Cross asked.

“That I do. Once you four are being watched by Lyra, I shall change and brush my teeth,” He explained as they continued on their way. This time, they wanted to walk on their own—Killer and Dust on one side, Horror and Cross on the other side of him. Killer and Horror were holding a tendril in one hand and the other’s hand in the other.

Once they reached the kitchen, he found Lyra at the refrigerator going through its contents. She looked up at Nightmare and the others and smiled. “I hope you do not mind. I decided to make meal plans for the week,” she said, closing the refrigerator door.

“I do not mind at all. I will admit, I was so busy with other things that I just decided on meals when it was time to eat,” Nightmare admitted. “Speaking of meals, I have four little baby bones-”

“i’m not a baby! i’m an intrupid,” Killer started.

“Intrepid,” Nightmare corrected.

“intrepid… umm… oh! climber!” Killer announced.

“you are a babybones,” Horror grinned while patting Killer on the head.

“nuh-uh!” Killer rebutted.

“Alright, no more arguing. All four of you are baby bones, adventurous nature or not. Now, if Lyra is alright with it, I will leave you four in her care as I get myself ready for the day,” Nightmare declared.

“okay, mr. night!” Cross said before hugging Nightmare around the legs.

“I think that sounds like a wonderful idea. I will have them help with breakfast, and when you get back, we will enjoy a meal together,” Lyra smiled.

It had been long enough that Dust could now eat most of what was given to him without making him sick. And with them helping, that should keep Killer out of trouble and Horror entertained enough not to prank the others. Content they were in good hands, Nightmare started to turn to leave when he felt someone holding one of his tendrils.

Looking down, he saw Dust holding the limb in question. He was near tears as he looked up at Nightmare with a pleading look that said what his voice was failing to say. Dust wanted to come with. When he was alone with the boys, Dust stayed close whenever Nightmare was home. He usually did not initiate physical contact beyond holding a tendril like now, but he did accept it when offered. At this moment, when the others were going over to Lyra to learn what she had planned for breakfast and how they could help, Nightmare considered Dust may have become “clingy.”

What was he to do…

Nightmare will not admit it, but after his troubles as a small child at the hands of adults… he had a soft spot for them. Such young children should be his brother's concern. And yet, Nightmare just had a hard time hurting, emotionally or physically, children. It just felt like bullying.

He just… didn’t like bullying of children…

That dislike only seemed to get stronger the older he got.

But this wouldn’t be bullying… it would be telling Dust he had to wait with the others.

And yet…

He was getting soft…

Those sad eyelights, tears in the corner of his sockets, as the child silently pleaded…

“Dust,” Lyra said as she walked over and knelt down. “Mr. Night just needs to get dressed and cleaned up like you did.”

Dust looked down at the floor and nodded; he understood, but… Nightmare was the first adult to show him kindness and love. After all the anger and hate he had experienced, Dust seemed scared to be away from Nightmare. He felt safe when Nightmare was around and wanted the guardian who was protecting him from “The Doctor” to stay nearby.

“Lyra, I,” Nightmare started, but Lyra shook her head.

“Dust, I have an idea. Can you help me? Nightmare is going to be very hungry by the time he is done, and I do not think I and the other three could make enough food for him without your help,” Lyra said as she held her hand out to him.

“Hmmm, I am feeling rather peckish right now,” Nightmare said thoughtfully.

“I am sure you will be ravenous by the time you return,” Lyra grinned.

“i thought you didn’t hafta eat since you eat emotions!” Killer blurted out. He then gasped, “what about all the times you didn’t eat with us? Was that because… because you didn’t make enough for all of us and you?”

“Well… I require emotions more than food, but I also enjoy food,” Nightmare explained.

“you really need my help?” Dust asked in a whisper to Lyra.

“I do,” She whispered back. “So, will you help us?”

Dust looked up at Nightmare and then back at her with a nod. With that, she extended her hand, and he placed his hand in hers. She then stood and guided him over to the others. Dust looked back momentarily but then focused on where she was guiding him. With the group distracted with breakfast plans, Nightmare turned and left the room to prepare for the day.

…

He could get used to this…

Killer walked up to Mr. Night as he finished giving medication to the three-legged cat. Killer giggled as the kitty hissed and spat at Mr. Night before walking over to Killer and purring. “you should be nicer,” Killer scolded while petting the kitty. “mr. night is only doing that because you need the medicine.” Tri, the kitty, did not like the scolding but accepted it from Killer with a questioning ‘murr.’

“Killer, should you not be with the others?” Nightmare asked as he put the bottle of medicine away.

“i told lyra that i needed to tell you something important. i told her about how one of the chickens laid two eggs and how cool that was and how you should know,” Killer explained.

“Well, now I know,” Mr. Night replied as he picked up Killer with a tendril. The tendril moved Killer closer to Mr. Night, and Killer stretched his arms out to the goopy skeleton. As gently as his dad would, the dark skeleton took Killer into his arms, and Killer snuggled against him.

“but that wasn’t what i really wanted to say to you,” Killer continued, “that was just the excuse i used to ask you something very, very important.”

“Oh, I see, very crafty of you,” Nightmare mused as he walked out of the cat feeding room.

“uh huh!” Killer puffed himself up, looking rather pleased with himself after that praise. “me and the others-”

“The others and I,” Nightmare gently corrected.

“the others and i decided we wanna thank ms. lyra for helping you and being so nice to us. none of us know what having a mommy is like, and i think, if i had a mom, she is what i’d want that mommy to be like,” Killer explained.

Mr. Night paused and looked at the floor in silence for a moment. He then looked up as if looking at someone on the ceiling while muttering, “Give me strength.” Then, after that, Mr. Night looked at Killer. “That… sounds very nice, you wanting to thank her for helping.”

“and being like a mommy!” Killer announced happily.

“Ah… yes, how could I forget that part,” Mr. Night mumbled.

“you’re silly, mr. night!” Killer giggled.

“Between the two of us, I do believe you are the silliest,” Mr. Night said while poking Killer’s cheekbone. That made Killer giggle and squirm in the arm Mr. Night was holding him in. “Now that has been clarified, what were you four thinking of doing?”

“oh! we wanna have a picnic, with flowers, and, and, and games! oh, and pie! and we want her to just relax and play with us and… and… give hugs, and we wanna make her cards,” Killer said the last parts quietly.

“Hmmm, except for the relaxing part, does she not do most of that already?” Nightmare asked.

“yeah, but she’s the one who does eeeeeeeeeverythiiiiiing for that. we wanna do it so she can have a day off, but we’re too small to do all of it and were wondering if you could help,” Killer said, finishing his reason for coming to Mr. Night.

“I suppose that will work. And what day were you four thinking of doing this?” Mr. Night asked.

“mother’s day!” 

“Oh…”

---

Oh, indeed…

Nightmare worried that such a celebration on Mother’s Day would drudge up bad memories for the guardian. It would also encourage his feelings of having a new family. Just as he felt that pang of longing when Killer first announced Lyra was like a mother to him. But that is beside the point. The focus was on Lyra, and he was about to convince the boys to choose a different day. But he then considered it a chance for her to make new memories. Albeit… with four hooligans that Lyra would not want to be the mother of. 

Although, if that were true, she was showing the opposite.

She was always eager to care for the boys and their pets. It was sweet watching them interact with each other. Every morning was so soul-warming as he watched them happily greet her for the day. Even Dust was starting to warm to her and was not always clinging to Nightmare. They all excitedly go to her after she returns from tending to her duties as a guardian, begging her to tell them how things were outside their home. 

She truly was being motherly to them.

So, if she is filling the role, he might as well help the boys celebrate her on a day meant for beings like her.

He helped them, one-on-one, during moments when she was busy or away to make their cards and start preparation for Mother’s Day. For the most part, there was no evidence for her to suspect something was going on. But, on the rare occasion, the Guardian of Balance would notice something. “Killer, how did you get this glitter all over your hands?” “Cross? Where are you going with that stack of blankets?” “Horror, is that flour on your shirt?” “Dust? Oh, there you are… Please do not wander off without telling me.”

Nightmare should have known he could not have hidden everything from a mom ster. Still, he luckily was around to save the boys from interrogation each time. “Ah, we were considering an art project, but he quickly reminded me how that stuff gets all over everything. I guess I failed to wash all the glitter off.” “Ah! Thank you for getting those for me, Cross. These were used last for the nest during the boys' movie night and should be washed.” “I do believe that is my fault. He was nearby when I spilled that flour while looking in the cupboard.” “Ah, sorry, Lyra, I am equally to blame. He followed me to my office after I got my drink. I should have sent him back. But… well…”

That last one resulted in some light-hearted teasing from her at how soft he was with the boys. It was embarrassing, but he would admit it was true.

It took careful planning on the days leading up to Mother’s Day. The tendency for immortals to lose track of time helped him, as Lyra was not carefully watching a calendar like Nightmare was with the boys. Finally, the night before arrived. The boys assigned him one task: make sure she sleeps so she is rested for tomorrow and in place for a surprise breakfast in bed. 

Nightmare let her get the boys ready for bed, which will be her last bit of work before relaxation begins. While she was away, he cleaned up the toys and mess in the entertainment room and set out some candles while turning off the lights.

While he was not an avid movie watcher, he did enjoy the few he has watched. Especially if he read the book first. Sure, the movies were often different, but as long as they held to the spirit of the book, he honestly didn’t mind that much. Nightmare might grumble a little when scenes he enjoyed in the book did not show up or were not portrayed accurately enough to his liking. But, in the end, he acknowledged it was a movie and had limits to how much and what it could show.

The mind will always be the greatest movie theater.

All that aside. Shortly after starting their… relationship, Lyra and Nightmare formed a sort of “book club.” It was mostly them taking turns reading aloud a book together. He discovered that one they particularly enjoyed for its wit and humor had been made into a movie. They had picked the book since it was set in a “fantasy” setting in the time period he preferred, and it was a romance. It is not precisely Nightmare’s favorite genre, but this was enjoyable with the action and parts of revenge, war, and trickery. With the boys in bed and it being the night before celebrating Mother’s Day, well… might as well have a date night. Once the movie is done, he will have Lyra go to bed.

“NightStar?” he heard her say, and he looked over at her. 

She looked around the room and smiled while placing her hands on her hips. “I thought you said you had a lot of work to do,” she said.

“I did,” He chuckled as he lit the last candle. “It was a lot of work setting this room up for something other than child care.”

“I was going to help you with all that paperwork you claimed to have from the latest alliance,” she argued. “Will this momentary distraction mean we will have more work during the next few days?”

“I may have exaggerated how much I had to do in order to secretly plan tonight,” And tomorrow, but she didn’t need to know that part yet. Instead, he walked over to her and held out his hand. “M’lady, if you would join me?”

“How could I say no?” She asked while extending her hand and letting him take it.

Which he did. While taking her hand, he bowed to her slightly and lightly placed his teeth on the back of her hand, against the white fur, in a skeletal kiss. He then looked up at her with a grin as he saw the hint of pink appearing on her face where her fur was the thinnest, such as around her nose. However, he could feel the warmth on his own face, telling him he was blushing as well—not that he cared at the moment.

With that, he stood straight and guided her to the sofa. “Sit, and re-,” he started. The sound of flatulence filled the room as she sat, and both were startled by it. The silence that shock caused was broken when Nightmare sighed, and Lyra burst into hysterical laughter as she fished the whoopee cushion out from under herself. “I would ask you not to laugh since that would only encourage them, but they are not here to witness. I must have missed that one while cleaning up.”

“Indeed,” She wheezed as she tossed it onto the stand beside her. But she continued snickering, and Nightmare could not help but find that… endearing in a way.

“You truly found that so funny? Typical Toriel behavior. You may act mature, but deep down, you enjoy childish things,” He teased.

“Oh hush, you old fuddy-duddy,” Lyra taunted with a grin.

Nightmare mock gasped, placing his hand over where his soul was and acting offended, “Me, old?”

“Honestly, Nightmare. That is the part that offended you the most?” Lyra teased.

“Naturally! The notion that I am old when we are both immortals is insulting,” He said while turning his head to look away to feign indignation.

“Well, if you act the part,” She chuckled.

“Fine, then. If I am old, I will act as the grandparent and spoil the four with sweets and whatever they wish. Then, once they are a rowdy and unmanageable lot, I will pack them back over to you to tend,” he replied with a grin.

It was Lyra’s turn to mock gasp, though hers was in faux fear, “How devious! I take it back. You are still youthful! But a fuddy-duddy all the same.”

“I suppose that will do,” he said, rolling his eyelight. He then smiled at her, turning their focus back to the matter at hand. “Though, I think that banter will be a good segway for the movie we will be watching tonight.”

“Oh?” She tilted her head.

“Romance and humor… though this also has sword fighting, drama, and action,” he said while putting the movie in the DVD player. He won't claim to be great at using the player and TV, but he was proficient enough to complete the task.

They sat together, holding hands, as they watched the movie about Princess Buttercup and her true love, Wesley.

It was nice… especially when the movie ended and she gave him a kiss on the cheekbone. He then followed up with a kiss on her nose, which then turned into a true kiss… one that he hoped she enjoyed as much as he did. 

This was still all so awkward and new to him. Yet, feeling her lips on his teeth, their magic meeting with the physical contact, and the love they shared for each other being accepted and reciprocated was almost intoxicating to him. The fact that she seemed happy enough to keep this kiss going told him that she was enjoying it enough not to stop anytime soon. However, the sad fact of life is that all good things must eventually come to an end. If the boys were going to wake her up with a surprise breakfast in bed, then she needed to be in bed and sleeping.

“Lyra,” He said, finally pulling away, “as much as I am enjoying this. One of us should sleep while we have a chance. I will tend to everything else tonight and in the morning. It is your turn to rest.”

“Is it? I thought it was your turn,” She said with a frown.

Nightmare shook his head, “No, I rested last. Remember, we both had a chance to sleep last week, and I was the last one to sleep. So, you need to go to bed, rest, and get ready for another busy day tomorrow.”

“Hmmm…,” She hummed as she coaxed one of his tendrils to curl around her hand and arm as she often does. “That may be true, but I am not sure I am tired yet. Or done being around you.”

“Ah, yes,” He felt flustered by that. He wasn’t truly done being around her and would love to wake up cuddled with her again. But, he reminded himself he had his standards to hold to. Rules of propriety that may be ignored by some, but keep him in a moral code that made him who he was and not like the other cruel Nightmares off in their own multiverses. It might not seem that important of a rule. Though breaking one purposefully , as that one time was an accident brought on by mutual exhaustion, will invite the idea of breaking others. 

“Well, as true as that may be, you should take this chance while you have it,” He said as he turned his attention to the TV. 

The menu screen for the movie was playing on repeat in the background; during the kissing, he blocked the noise out. Now that he could turn his mind to other things, he had to admit the repeated short song was starting to become annoying. When the screen turned black, it darkened the room further, though that never bothered him. Nightmare can see easily in the dar-

Nightmare clapped his hands over his mouth as he struggled to hold back the sound wanting to emit from his mouth. A sensation he had not fully felt in centuries nearly forced him to laugh. In shock, he looked at Lyra, who looked back at him with equal shock and slyness. The tendril that felt the tickling sensation was no longer being tickled but still squirmed in a failed attempt to flee her. But no luck; she was not about to let the limb go.

He watched as she turned her attention back to the tentacle. Her fingers started moving over the limb in an oddly delicate yet aggressive way. Lyra leaned closer as Nightmare again struggled to hold back laughter, “My, my, what is this? The King of Negativity is ticklish after all?”

He wanted to deny it, but he didn’t dare utter a sound for fear he would burst into laughter. A snort did escape, but he held strong. No, he would not give in to this.

“I warned you, did I not?” She said with a mischievous grin on her face.

And yes, she did warn him about testing her theory that he was ticklish, but that was about four months ago. It had slipped his mind completely.

“You are so quiet, not even a retort?” She teased. “But not a laugh, either.”

Behind him, the remaining tendrils curled tightly as if trying to hide from her tickling fingers. He needed to will them to act, to push her away. It was a struggle, as his main focus was on trying not to burst into laughter. Still, he started to get them to respond, but they could not reach her to push before she pounced.

Those deft fingers moved to each side of his body, aiming for the tender area under the arm. Nightmare made the most undignified of sounds as Lyra continued this childish assault on areas he long since thought were no longer ticklish. With that, he could no longer hold it back any longer. Laughter, unlike any laughter that has burst from him in centuries, poured forth. He struggled, mid-gasps for air, to beg her for mercy.

What shame he would feel… if this wasn’t her. Indeed, if he were to display such vulnerability and weakness, it might as well be to one who has been doing the same towards him. Spending every day together caused him to shed his wall of defensive pride when around her. Still, his tendrils finally obeyed and spared him as they worked together to push her away.

“And here I thought you said you were not ticklish,” Lyra taunted with a giggle as Nightmare leaned back against the sofa arm, catching his breath.

“To be fair,” Nightmare wheezed, “No one has dared to test that theory since I was a child.”

“I suppose that is true,” Lyra replied. “But now, you look more tired than I do. Perhaps you should be the one to sleep?”

He shot her a glare and then sat up. “Winded from that ridiculous display of frivolity you coaxed out of me, sure. Tired? No. It is your turn. Do not make me carry you off to bed like I do the boys.”

“Would you tuck me in?” She teased.

“You are an adult who has tucked in more beings than I ever have. I think you can manage,” He taunted in return.

“Not even a goodnight kiss, then?” Lyra said with a “sad” pout.

“You have already had a ‘goodnight kiss,’ multiple even,” He replied.

“Oh, have I?” She said while looking off at nothing as one does to recall a memory. “I am not sure I remember.”

Of course, she remembers. He sure hopes she did. Still, if she was going to play that game, he would give her a kiss she would not likely forget anytime soon. He leaned forward and drew her attention back to him as his hands moved to her face. Fingers moved through her soft fur and touched the skin beneath. Nightmare called on his magic, his love, and his emotions for her while he kissed her as if he were trying to smother her in affection. She gasped, shocked by this display from him, but then hummed contentedly back at him as she returned a kiss.

It now was a contest of wills to see who could pour out more love and affection for the other in this single display—one he was determined not to lose. Digging down deep, he pulled on his past emotions, converting them to magical energy that she could interpret but shared through a kiss. 

How they once were enemies, and at that time, he truly did despise her and how she interfered with his plans. And yet, even then, there was admiration for her doggedness to stop him and protect those weak mortals he had, at that time, no respect for. How his anger for her only increased when she seemed to disappear. When it was then Dream who was upsetting the balance. Then, the shock of how she stood up for him… Aided him and the boys, which sparked something in him. It was not love at that time, and it was more than admiration. It was the growing seed of an alliance. As time went on, he took that feeling and formed a bud of friendship. That bud grew and blossomed as they worked together for peace, and as she showed the same kindness to his boys he showed them. He… liked seeing her show off her motherly side to them. When most hate his boys and find him revolting, she showed nothing but kindness and friendship. And oh, how that confused him.

Nightmare had tried to push her away for her own good. But just as before, when they were enemies, she was too stubborn to leave. She shared her love for him with him, and he relented to that confirmation that he was not alone in those feelings. And now, here they were. This time together, tending the boys, drawing them closer and closer, deeper and deeper into love. And he was devoted to her. If he were her “NightStar,” guiding her on the ocean of life as the stars guided the sailors, then he would do his best to keep her safe and direct her back here, to her home.

And with that, she surrendered, pulling away and gasping. Hints of blush were now visible through her fur over her whole face. He won, and he grinned while watching her catch her breath. Sitting back, he let a little smugness change his grin. His tendrils flipped contentedly from side to side as a display of playful superiority. “Now who is looking tired, hmm?”

“You say that with such confidence, but your face is covered in that lovely teal blush,” She teased back. “But I give… my sweet Night… we will need to discuss this kiss another time, as… I think you,” She looked at him for a moment, and he started to frown, tilting his head. “We will discuss this ‘goodnight kiss’ another time. For now, I will go to bed. Good night, my love.”

“Good night, Lyra.”

And with that, she stood and left.

Discuss the kiss? What was there to discuss about it? Granted, it was their history displayed to her in his view through magic shared in a kiss, but… that is all there is to it. They both lived through that. Did they really need to talk about it?