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The morning sun was at its highest peak as Nightmare began to make his way home. The birds are chirping and the world is bathed in golden light as he makes his way through what once was a city. The buildings lean against one another, tangled in reclaimed nature and wires. The pavement was speckled with holes and busted concrete, cars stagnant since the day their batteries died. Animals moved passed him, the world now theirs as it was before.
Nightmare had been out gathering things to take back home, his bag filled to the brim with whatever he could scrounge up that wasn’t already taken. The nearby village people don’t often go into the city, seeing it as dangerous because of the wild animals and the damage done to the surrounding areas. They often badgered Nightmare to go and seek certain things for them and Nightmare took on the role as gatherer for them, seeing it as a worthy bartering point.
Today he had found some parts for one of the machines that an old man had requested. There was also some stray books that Nightmare had grabbed that seemed interesting enough and weren’t too water damaged. It was a good trip he figured, worth the ire that Dream was going to give him for leaving the bed this early in the day.
Nightmare was sure he could be appeased with the broach he had found in one of the cars on the way here. It was a sparkling yellow with green jewels around it, his favorite colors. It was a bit scratched but he was sure Dream wouldn’t mind.
Nightmare leaned down and tightened his near threadbare boots, he’d have to get a new set soon, before he walked off towards their home.
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The sun was nearly setting by the time that Nightmare had returned. Their house was a ways outside the village, it stood squat and familiar against the garden they’d planted out in the front. The white of the paint neared more towards yellow these days but it was in good shape and suited their purposes just fine.
Horror was out-front tending to the garden as Nightmare approached the fence that encased the house. As Nightmare swung open the door, it alerted Horror to his presence, who raised his dirt smeared head towards him. Nightmare had told him time and time again that he didn’t need to work the garden while he stayed at the house but Horror never once listened to him. So instead of complaining about it anymore, he just offered the big skeleton some of harvest when it was time.
“Find anything good?” Horror asked, wiping the sweat off his skull with a dirty glove.
“A few things.” Nightmare said, closing the gate behind him “Some parts for the villagers and some books.”
Horror offered him a smile before he leaned on his shovel “Birdie is making you something.” He said simply.
Nightmare sighed in frustration “I’ve told him that he shouldn’t be up doing things like that. What’s he making this time?”
“A stew, I think. Helped him chop the vegetables but he wouldn’t let me do anymore than that.” Horror said, waving his hand in a way that said “Nothing to do about it”.
“He’s stubborn, just like you. If not more so.” Horror said.
Nightmare sighed again. He knew that much by now, Dream was a stubborn monster no matter how much they’d both changed.
“You can head on home now Horror, I’m sure the others are waiting for you. Thanks for staying with him today.”
Horror nodded and stretched out his bones “’Course. Its no problem.”
Horror, Dust, and Killer didn’t live far from them. Taking their own private section of land to heal and tend too. They still felt indebted to Nightmare for all that he’s done for them even if Nightmare told them it was in the past. They’d still do anything Nightmare asked, even though Nightmare would consider them more friends than subordinates these days.
Nightmare gave the other a brief wave before he entered the house, the rickety front door opening with a long sigh.
Before he had even made it to the kitchen he could feel the emotions coming off the other. Frustration. Aggravation. Something that Nightmare didn’t quite have a name for. For Dream’s sake he ignored it.
“Dream? I’m home.” He announced as he walked through the living room into the kitchen.
Nightmare found Dream perched in front of their wood stove, a bot boiling with the supposed stew. Dream gripped his crutches and turned around the greet Nightmare, the ever present smile stuck on his face. His wings twitched behind him.
“Welcome home dear.” He said brightly, the warmth in his words a stark contrast to the emotions the others was trying to hide from him. “How was the trip?”
Nightmare, sat his bag down on the table. “It was good. I found some books for you to read.” He said, making his way over to the pot and giving the other a meaningful glance. Dream rolled his eyes but Nightmare could see the subtle tremor in his hands before he gripped at his crutch and walked to the table, where he took a seat.
“Goody, more books.” Dream said before he flourished with his arms “I made stew! I’ll only accept some light groveling as payment.” He grinned, his hands starting to shake before he folded them politely in his lap.
“I see that.” Nightmare said, stirring the pot. In all honestly it looked delicious, it was a rich brown color with vegetables from the garden with chicken in it. Nightmare decided to bite his tongue, Dream knows better than to be up and doing things like this but. It was a gift for him, Nightmare was always willing to indulge his brother.
Nightmare turned and offered the other a small smile “Thank you, Dream. It looks delicious.” The air in the room seemed to warm up as Dream smiled at him “I’m not groveling though.” He said as he turned and got two bowls down from the pantry.
Dream scoffed, “Oh please, I have had people begging at my feet to eat my food. You should count yourself lucky.”
It was Nightmare’s turn to roll his eyes good naturedly “You’ve told me that, no less than 3 times. You’re a good cook, I get it.” He said with a light voice and chuckle in his tone.
Dream propped his arm up on the table with a wistful look “I have to say it multiple times with your abhorrent memory. It’s almost like a told you that I don’t like waking up to an empty bed.”
Nightmare huffed “I know. I know. But this was important, I needed some things to trade tomorrow at the market. We are getting low on some stuff.” Nightmare walked over with the two bowls filled with stew and spoons in hand.
“Besides, I brought you a present.” Nightmare said, sitting the two bowls down in their respective spots before he grabbed his bag.
“Something more important than me? I scarcely think there is anything else more important, but fine. Let me see what trinket you picked up this time.” Dream hummed, extending a bony hand.
Nightmare dug in his bag until he found the pouch that stored the brooch. He dropped it into the other’s waiting hand.
Dream made quick work of opening the bag and held the piece of jewelry in his hand, examining it. He moved it this way and that, watching the sun shine on the jewels and refract across his face. His smile softened in that way that Nightmare knew he’d made a good choice to pick it up.
Dream sighed gently “It’s pretty.” His tone of voice was full of something warm and soft yet a little bit sad. Nightmare figured that Dream used to have lots of jewelry before the incident, he’d seen him wear quite a bit in his encounters with him. But Nightmare had never seen him hold one with such reverence before now. Nightmare wondered what was going on in his brother’s head right now.
Dream reached down on his plain green button up and pinned it to the fabric. “How does it look?” he asked.
Nightmare smiled at him, “Beautiful.”
Dream’s laugh was airy, like a wind chime in the dead of summer. A welcome reprieve from the heat and a treat whenever heard.
“Flattery will get you nowhere. Now let’s eat this meal I slaved over before it gets too cold” Dream said, reaching for his spoon. Nightmare did the same.
After dinner, Nightmare left dream on the couch to read his new books while he went to go prepare a bath for them both. It took a little while to get the water heated on the stove and poured into the tub but he managed. He lit some candles in the bathroom so they could see.
He then went to go retrieve Dream, he dusted off his trousers and went into the living room. The sun was nearly set so the room was basked in the flickering warmth of candles, Dream sat on the side of the couch with his feet draped over the other end. A heavy blanket was covering his lap as he flipped through the pages. Even in the sweltering heat of the summer Dream often had a blanket on his shoulders, no longer having the warmth his magic brought to him he found himself often cold.
The other looked up at him with his two toned eyelight’s glittering in the semi darkness.
“The bath is ready.” Nightmare said.
Dream nodded and folded the edge of a page to keep his place in the dog eared book. He placed the book down on the coffee table and held his arms open for Nightmare. Nightmare took the cue and let Dream wrap his arms around his neck as Nightmare grabbed underneath his leg and bottom, his wings fluttering lightly behind him.
Nightmare walked slowly back to the bathroom so as not to jostle Dream. When they arrived too their destination, he sat Dream down on the toilet and looked at him for permission to undress him. Dream scoffed and nodded so Nightmare began the task of unbuttoning his shirt.
Dream hated bath times. Nightmare knew it was because it really drove home the way things had changed. Dream no longer could bathe himself, the act of washing taking too much of his already limited supply of energy. It was a sore spot for the skeleton and bath times were often spent in silence.
Nightmare finished up with his shirt and made short work of his pants leaving Dream’s body exposed. Dream was covered in cracks and divots that caused him pain even on the best of days. He always wore long sleeve shirts and pants to cover them, Nightmare being the only one allowed to see them.
He lifted Dream and placed him slowly in the bathtub, allowing for his body to adjust to the temperature slightly before he placed him in. There was a hiss of discomfort from the other for a moment before it settled into a sigh. Nightmare grabbed the soap that Dream favored, lavender and mint, and set to work.
The bathwater was lukewarm by the time Nightmare was done and Dream was dozing against the tub despite himself. He knew it was because the other had spent the day trying to cook for him. A pang of guilt ran through Nightmare but he brushed it off, lest Dream detect it.
Nightmare put a hand on his shoulder to signify it was time to get out, Dream yawned, his large incisors on full display for a moment before they were tucked back into his mouth. Nightmare grabbed a towel from the side and Dream reached over and tucked his arms back around the other’s neck. Nightmare wrapped him in a towel and picked him up, his bones creaking from the effort. He made his way over to the bedroom and sat Dream down on the bed, Dream began to dry himself off properly as Nightmare went to get him some pajamas.
He found a long sleeved nightgown with daisies that felt soft to the touch. He brought it over to Dream who slipped it over his head without much of a fuss, his pickiness dying out a long time ago.
Nightmare stretched his arms behind his back, his own yarn creeping up on him. He knew he also had to take a bath but really, he just wanted to lay down and sleep.
Dream laid down on the side of the bed, “Hurry up and bathe. I’m tired.” He grouched, tossing an arm across his eyes.
“I’m going.” Nightmare relented, walking back towards the lukewarm bath.
When Nightmare was done bathing, he slipped on some fresh clothes and tossed the dirty clothes into the basket. He blew out all the candles in the other rooms before he came back to the bedroom. He found Dream staring up at him from his place on the bed, nestled against the wall.
Nightmare placed the candle he’d been carrying on the bedside table “You could have gone to sleep.”
Dream sneered “You know I can’t.” Not without you, was the unspoken part of that sentence.
The statement was oddly endearing despite the tone that was used to carry it across. Apparently Dream had had insomnia ever since the apple incident, the only cure apparently being Nightmare himself. It made Nightmare think of all those years spent apart that Dream simply missed his brother.
Nightmare grabbed the extra blanket at the foot of the bed and covered Dream with it before he blew out the candle. The only light in the room being that of the half-moon.
They laid there for a few minutes before Dream spoke “Do you ever get tired of it, Night?” he said, his voice low. Like he was telling a secret.
“Tired of what?” Nightmare asked, turning over so he could see Dream. Dream was on his back staring at the ceiling.
“Taking care of me like this?” His voice was devoid of the usual playful tilt to it, it sounded tired.
“No, I don’t.” Nightmare answered.
Dream sighed, swiping a hand over his face “Why?”
“I love you. That’s why.” Nightmare answered softly.
Dream scoffed, “You love me now? When I’m this-!” He waved his hands, frustration evident in his voice “ This broken, ugly, thing! I used to be so much more than this and you choose now to care about me? When I’m nothing.”
Nightmare sighed, “I’ve always loved you, that’s something that has never changed. But that power, it corrupted you. It changed you and I didn’t know who you were for a long time. You scared me, Dream. But I never stopped caring about you.”
Dream turned to look at Nightmare, his eyelight's near frantic “All I’ve ever wanted was to protect you. I can’t even do that anymore. I can’t even handle making stars forsaken soup these days.”
“I know that Dream. I know how hard you have been fighting this whole time trying to protect me, but you’ve done enough. It’s time for you to rest now. Let me protect you for a change.”
Golden tears started to pool around his eyelight's, dribbling down his skull “I’ve ruined Everything. How can I be allowed to rest now?”
Nightmare placed a hand on Dream’s face, “I don’t have all of the answers, but we’ve all made mistakes. We’ve all done things we regret, but what matters is that its in the past. There’s nothing we can do about it now, even if we so desperately want too.” Nightmare reached over and brought Dream close to his chest “All we can do now is try to heal what’s been broken.”
“And despite everything, I’m just glad I have my brother back.”