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It has been a rather busy week for Nightmare and his boys; he knew just how exhausted they were and gave them time off for the next few days. The castle remained quiet while he worked on paperwork in his study. Writing in his books, updating information about the different Alternate Universes he and his team came across. The interesting folks they met and what their abilities were. If the AU’s were neutral or not. He also mapped out the AU’s for future use; placing a blackened apple, a golden apple, and sometimes both near the AU’s that were Negative, Positive, and neutral.
Nightmare managed to get plenty done in the last thirty-six hours while the boys were gone.
As he placed his books back on their appropriate shelves, Nightmare let himself feel out the castle for his boys and found… No one was home. It didn’t alarm him, but he did reach out to feel where they might have gone. Horror and Dust were together at Farmtale, Cross was with Epic and Killer-
Stars sake , he tensed as he realized just where Killer ran off to. As quickly as he could, Nightmare melted into a puddle of corruption, letting himself teleport to the AU where a cozy and cute coffee shop sat.
Looking in, Nightmare could see that the business had many patrons today. But, it was nothing for the short skeleton who leisurely walked through the lobby, making sure to give refills of coffee or tea when it was needed; making sure everyone was doing alright before moving along. As the skeleton disappeared into the kitchen, Nightmare’s cyan eye found the one troublesome skeleton he was searching for; Killer .
For once, Killer isn’t causing a scene, he isn’t being a menace. The reckless skeleton stays seated at his booth, sipping at his mug and looking down at something– it looks like his phone. Nightmare relaxes himself and walks into the coffeeshop. Patrons don’t turn to look at him, they don’t gasp in fear. The smell of Latte’s familiar incense burns around the shop, to help keep everyone comfortable. There is no negativity, no poisonous positivity for him; just neutral ground. So everyone can enjoy a nice and peaceful environment.
There aren’t many places Nightmare could go to just relax; Latte has made sure everyone can feel welcomed in his coffee shop, even the King of Negativity .
“Welcome in!” Latte’s voice called from the back. “I’ll be with you soon!” Nightmare didn’t bother to go to the counter, instead he walked over to sit across from Killer.
“Hey, boss. Was wondering when you’d show up!” Killer says as he switches his attention from his phone, he was watching funny cat videos , to his boss. His toothy grin made Nightmare grimace at him. “Are you here for coffee or to take me away from your-”
“Oh, good morning, Nightmare.”
Latte’s soothing and kind voice interrupted Killer from his teasing, which Nightmare was glad for the distraction. He glances to Latte, seeing his coffee already prepared for him. He raised a bone brow as he regarded the Ccino variant. “Greetings, Latte.” He began and eyed the mug. “I don’t suppose-”
“It’s for you.” Latte chuckles lightly and gently sets the hot mug of black coffee in front of Nightmare. A soft, “ thank you ” slips from between his teeth as he lifts the delicious smelling mug to his mouth. The hot liquid is soothing to him, the taste just right; his body relaxes further and he tries to ignore Killer’s snickering.
“Do you need another hot chocolate, Killer?” Latte helpfully distracts Killer from harassing his boss. Killer leans one elbow on the table, resting his chin in his opened palm, while the other arm lays flat against the table; he continues to grin at his boss. “Sure thing, mom~”
Latte tenses and Nightmare chokes on the coffee that he just swallowed; his eye light wide as he stares at Killer, absurdly. Latte recovers first, laughing nervously and scratching gently at his cheek bone; his eyes averted elsewhere while a cute dusting of color blossoms on his face.
“Why in Stars name did you call Latte that ?” Nightmare asks- more like demands and Killer is more than happy to explain. “Because~ You and Latte are dating, right ~?” He asks in a sing-song tone. “You’re our boss, almost fatherly in a way sometimes! So that makes Latte our mom!” And he grins like it was such a great idea!
Nightmare and Latte glance to one another before looking away once more, both of their faces colored with a brightening blush.
“That’s-” Nightmare begins. “It’s rather wholesome.” Latte helpfully adds while Nightmare remains speechless. Latte’s smile widens as he turns to look at Killer. “It’s adorable, but please ; but please, call me Latte.” Especially while patrons are here , he wanted to add and hoped Killer understood. But, the troublesome skeleton grinned and winked as he says, “We’ll see~”
After refreshing Nightmare’s coffee and Killer’s hot chocolate, Latte leaves to attend to more customers. Nightmare refuses to look at Killer, and thankfully the other returns his attention back to his cat videos. It remains peaceful after Killer’s teasing and once the customers have had their fill of delicious drinks, they leave. Latte switches off the open sign and makes his way over towards Nightmare’s side of the booth. He slips in and immediately the corrupted god skeleton wraps a tentacle around Latte’s shoulders to bring him closer.
“Will I be entertaining you tonight, dear?” Latte asks, and Killer perks up, ready to tease his boss more. Nightmare sends him a warning glare before glancing at his partner. Lifting Latte’s hand, Nightmare presses a kiss to the back of it.
“Perhaps not tonight, I have to bring this one back home-”
“Oh, come on, Nighty~” Killer begins and the nickname earns him a glare. “I’ll just go back to the farmhouse with the others.” It’s where Killer had been before he came to Latte’s this morning. Nightmare gives Killer a sceptical look. “Really, boss. I know how much you’ve been missing your babe~”
Before Nightmare could swing a tentacle at Killer, the silly skeleton teleports out of the seat and beside the table. “Thanks for the drinks and sweets, Latte. I’ll be back tomorrow to pick up boss~” He winks at Latte, and he blushes. “Don’t stay up too late, you two lovebirds~”
His laughter echoes in the lobby as he disappears before Nightmare could swing at him again, his presence long gone. Nightmare waits a few minutes longer before he relaxes; Killer had finally left.
“He’s charming.” Latte says sweetly and he lays his head on Nightmare’s shoulder. With a sigh, Nightmare hums softly, agreeing. “ Sometimes .” The two remain that way a few minutes longer before Latte shrugs out of Nightmare’s hold. “I need to clean up before we go upstairs. Wait for me?” He asks with a sweet smile, and Nightmare feels his corrupted soul melt at the sight. Stars, he loved this sweet skeleton .
“Always.”