Chapter Text
Positivity hurts Nightmare. It could… it… unfortunately has the possibility of killing him.
His boys didn't know this.
They only thought it weakened him slightly.
They noticed how his actions were more feeble, movement more slow, needing to stop to catch a breath whenever they encountered Dream, went to a disgustingly high positive AU, and all these other things.
But… they didn't notice it whenever they laughed with each other, snuggled for storytime, enjoyed each other's company. All these small little happy moments. As they grew comfortable with each other. As they found who they were and their place. As they found people to confide in. As they started to help themselves and the people they cared about. As the truce came up. As his boys found love and life elsewhere.
They never noticed how it slowly killed him.
And of course, Nightmare would never say anything to any of them. Mention anything to any of them.
Why would he?
He wouldn't want to worry them. Or ruin their smiles. Cause them harm. And he certainly didn't want to tell them and in turn his boys started purposely shutting down their happiness, only for him.
He wanted only the best for his boys, and if that meant ignoring the pain throughout his entire body as positivity seeps in and slowly yet surely kills him, then so be it.