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Fire crackled from the pit, wind rustled the leaves as birds cawed outside.
The room was snug, a great temperature to match the cold bite of the weather. The mug was warm in his hands as he watched the idle swaying of the curtains from where the window was slightly cracked open.
He contemplated saying it, he didn’t wanna bother his dad, although guessing by his dad’s body language—he’s waiting for something, or more specifically, for him to say something.
It’s a bit hilarious how from an outside perspective (of the ones who didn’t know his dad personally), he seems unaware or simply annoyed.
But he’d been with him for as long as time, (or maybe that’s just an exaggeration of his as it hadn’t been that long).
He chewed on his lip, really thinking about it.
“Fate was a being of order and logic. Despite people hating the god, it knew that it was powerful, that without Fate itself, the world would be nothing but an empty vast of void less, lifeless land, filled with mindless creatures.”
Horror startled as his dad started speaking. He cracked a smile at hearing his dad talk. Nightmare had always liked talking about fate or a red-headed woman.
He took a sip of his cocoa, trying to find the words for it.
“Oh!” He exclaimed, as he set his mug down, he shyly looked at his dad’s reassuring-inquisitive expression, subconsciously letting out an aura of being welcomed—pleased to listen to anything.
“I-“ he stuttered, taking a deep breath as he as he let out a nervous chuckle. Nightmare—his ever patient angel of a dad just waited for him to be ready.
“I met someone.” His voice barely came above a whisper, “Did I tell you?” He kept his gaze at the swirling sea of deep browns, unbeknownst of the fond look grazing Nightmare’s face as he watch his son have this look in his eye.
A look he’s well accustomed with, one he’d had before, reminiscing on the times he’d look at two people with the very same love-struck look.
He clamped his book shut, setting it aside, taking a sip from his cup.
“He’s-“ Horror started fiddling with his hands as he tried to continue, “I-“ he blinked, smiling a bit dumbly.
“I dunno..” he mumbled, briefly sneaking a glance at his father then looking away.
“I like him.” Nightmare smiled at the admission, his eyes squinting for a bit. Horror took a deep breath, his voice cracking as a stray tear fell from his eyes.
“He doesn’t like me though…”
Nightmare’s smile dropped as a heartbroken laugh escaped from Horror’s lips. “Not really” Horror felt that he can’t really look at his father right now.
He felt defeated as the new few words uttered out of his mouth, “I don’t blame ‘im” his accent got thicker at the end as more tears fell from his eyes.
“I don’t like me sometimes.” He laughed a little, a caw of a bird was heard, followed by a shout of thunder as harsh rain came clawing down the manor.
“And I AM me!” His voice rose as he dared to look at his father, and just like that a dam broke, fat ugly tears showered downwards as he tried rubbing his eye to rid of the crystal tears.
He heard a sigh and a cup being placed down, he didn’t look up, even as he felt a presence beside him.
He felt a hand grab his cheek as his gaze was slowly guided to look at his father’s solemn face.
Nightmare gently wiped the tears of as he gave a reassuring smile. “Love works in all different ways.” He stated, a strange glint in his eyes as he softly shushes his eldest.
Horror didn’t know if he’d continue speaking, he didn’t seem like it as he dared to ask, “Have you fallen in love before?”
Horror thought about his own question, his dad hadn’t expressed any interest in dating nor did he seem to have dated before, which is why it stunned him when his dad answered with a small chuckle.
“I have, two times actually.”
Horror let out a loud gasp of wonder as he stared at his dad’s amused expression.
“Wait really?!” He can’t help but shout, Nightmare chuckled nodding, his dad patted his head, smiling softly as he thought about it.
“How about this, if you get your siblings, I’ll tell you a story or two about it” was what Nightmare said, laughing in delight with the way Horror bolted out of there so fast.
A thunder was heard as Nightmare let out a sigh, contemplating on what he should say. He hadn’t really thought about it when he offered.
Seemed like a stupid decision, but he’d do anything his children asks of him (not everything everything of course, but simply within reason he’d do).
He stood up, going back to his seat, picking up his lukewarm cup of tea, and took a sip.
It wasn’t soon later when the door was barged open with three excited (adults) children, all with expressions of nonchalance, completely hiding how their buzzing with excitement.
Nightmare felt slightly sick with all the positive energy, although it didn’t let it deter him. He motioned for them to sit, as Killer shot him a look.
Silence washed over them as Nightmare calmly finished his tea, it seemed that it was too slow as Killer groaned.
They stood up and sat down beside him, poking his cheek, acting like a curious child. Nightmare wanted to laugh at the description if it wouldn’t betray his collected act.
“Hey hey- hey, father- fathah, momma, mothah.” Killer poked him again, and again, and again, by word, listing all titles.
Nightmare tried swatting it away, looking at his other two children and nearly shrieking of surprise when Horror was suddenly in front of him.
Murder wasn’t anywhere that he could see, he took a gasp as he turned to look behind him.
And he was correct, hold and behold, Murder staring at him with an expression that even he couldn’t decipher.
Nightmare rolled his eyes, summoning his tentacles and carefully picking his children one by one and placing them down in front of him.
“Calm down you little terrors.” His tone was malicious and cruel, although the trio knew it was anything but that.
Killer pouted, playing with a knife they got from somewhere, “Can’t blame us fathah, this is the first time we’re hearing about this.” They exclaimed, glaring at him like an angry baby.
Nightmare sighed again, pinching the bridge of his nose. He collected himself before starting, “There once was a beautiful girl, with long—“
“Dad. Just get to the point.” Killer deadpanned, getting elbowed in the ribs are Horror and Murder both glared at him. Horror hissed, “Don’t ruin the fun! Let dad explain it like a children’s tale.” Murder nodded in agreement.
Nightmare fondly shaked his head, happy to fuel his children’s imagination.
—
A bell dinged, as the woman stood properly from where she was crouching down behind the counter. She smiled warmly as she welcomed the man who had entered.
“Hello, welcome to the Fluffy Café, what can I get for you?” The man in front of her, who was covered in black clothing, glanced up towards the menu and contemplated.
Her heart skipped a beat when bleak peacock eyes gazed at her, she felt that she could get lost in it, as she quickly shook the thoughts out of her head.
Knowing all of it is hopeless fantasies, ones that will never be fulfilled as no one would condemn themselves to ever love a miserable woman like her.
“I’ll like to get an earl grey tea? And a señorita bread if you will.” She nodded as she started to work on his order.
It hadn’t taken her long but as soon as she finished she turned around and walked up to the man’s table.
“Here’s your—“ she trailed off, looking at the man’s terrified expression as he was frozen in his seat. It hadn’t been obvious as only his eye gave away such emotion.
She opened her mouth to ask what was wrong as the man flinched, she blinked looking down, nearly laughing at what she found.
It was Classic, a cute tabby—
—
“A cat?! No shit were you afraid of cats boss!” Killer burst out laughing, wheezing so hard he couldn’t breathe.
Nightmare watched unamused, didn’t even bother helping as his middle child nearly died of lack of oxygen.
Horror rubbed his back, trying not to laugh himself in order to help Killer who was slowly dying. Murder wasn’t any help as she stared unamusedly at both of them.
She was beside dad on the couch, when she got there was a mystery, Horror felt annoyed how they seemed to act similar to eachother.
They even look like eachother with that expression on their faces, he wanted to cry as he knew that no matter how much Nightmare denies it, Murder was the favorite child.
Nightmare sighed, sipping from his cup of tea, Horror could’ve sworn it was already finished earlier, at this point he didn’t even question it.
—
“I am so so sorry sir.” She kept apologizing as she looked at the man with regretful eyes.
The man simply shook his head, “No no, it is simply my fault for not reading the sign, my apologies.” She felt shock, usually people wouldn’t admit their mistakes.
She was glad she didn’t have to have another argument with someone.
The man looked around the empty cafe, given as it was four in the morning, he looked at her, “Would you mind joining me?”
She blinked, smiling as she nodded, she didn’t sit down at first, as she walked back to the counter and started to make herself a cup.
“I’m Ccino.” Was what she said as she sat herself in front of the man. He nodded, offering a hand, “I’m Nightmare.” She smiled, as they both shook hands in lieu of a greeting.
Conversation flowed smoothly, she hadn’t expected to get along with someone, she felt genuinely happy.
As he started coming back everyday, at the same time and with the same order, days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months until eventually.
He asked her out.
—
“Didn’t expect dad to have some rizz—“ Horror smacked Killer’s head, shushing him, said individual just glared.
Murder’s quiet voice was heard, “What happened then?” She peered curiously at her dad, as she clutched the pillow tighter.
Nightmare hummed, then chuckled, “I was gonna propose..” he trailed off. All three of them raised an eyebrow, finishing the sentence on their own.
Did she break up with him? Did she cheat? Did something go wrong?
Nightmare looked heartbroken as he tried giving a smile, it looked more like a grimace than anything.
“She died.”
Silence, as there was another shout of thunder. Killer wanted to joke, try and lift the spirits but they we’re at lost of words, Horror wanted to hug him, reassure his dad that it’s alright, even if it’s not, Murder wanted to- she wanted to sing to him.
That had always been how they were comforted, shown with love, care and reassurance.
But they can’t do it.
Murder crept closer, wanting to hug his dad when he continued.
“I had another love..”
All three of them smiled, showing that their listening and excited but wouldn’t mind stopping if their dad wanted to.
He didn’t.
He chuckled, smiling once again with a love struck glint in his eye, “It was my first one, met him during my teenage years-“
—
Pages were flipped as leaves danced amongst the wind. He smiled to himself, happy to be left alone for once. Those moments become scarcer everyday.
The smile fell as he heard footsteps coming his way, he frowned as he sighed, burying his face further down the book.
He ignored the looming danger, even as it was in front of him now.
He braced himself for a hit, clutching the book tighter, tears clinging in his eyes as he closed them.
“Uhm- sorry for disturbing but—“ Nightmare was shocked, eyes opening as he looked at the boy? girl? person in front of him.
He realized the person must have asked a question as they seem to be waiting for an answer.
Nightmare slowly lowered the book, “My apologies but- if- uhm- c-can you repeat the question?” He stuttered, worried he did something wrong as the person looked at him weirdly.
(He’d see years later that, it was simply a look of regret and worry).
“Of course, I asked if you know where I am? I’m quite lost” The person mumbled nervously, looking at him amicably.
“Ohh, you’re in—“
—
“Arcos de la florenta? Is that a Spanish name?” Horror asked, snatching his phone out to search. Nightmare shook his head and chuckled.
“We got along well, kept meeting up at random times and soon enough I recognized his footsteps you know?” The trio nodded, distrustful with how this’ll turn out.
Nightmare sighed for the umptenth time, “Few weeks before the accident, he disappeared. I didn’t know what happened or where he went, but I know that it wasn’t my fault. No matter how much I racked my brain up for it, I knew, that it was never my fault.”
They nodded, Murder shifted closer, snuggling beside him, Killer joined on his other side while Horror got comfortable on his feet.
Nightmare started playing with Horror’s hair, “I met him again eons ago.” He softly smiled at them.
“Reconnected, started dating, got engaged and slowly became married couples.”
The fast dump of information made their heads silent, until soon the room once again erupted in chaos.
Exclamations of, “You got married?!”, “You never told us?!” and “Can we meet him?!” was heard, as Killer looked at his dad and started shaking him.
Silently demanding answers.
They never got one.