Chapter Text
In a small enclosed universe, the one where feelings were born, a tragedy happened. A young guardian of negativity, harassed for the crime of being alive, had eaten the forbidden fruits and, in a last scream of agony, had succumbed to their corrupting magic...
From this day on, the young guardian roamed from universe to universe, always hidden in the shadows, looking for powerful allies to help him get his revenche on those who have wronged him and his domain.
He had ended up recruiting three skeletons: a murderer named Killer, a genocidal named Dust, and a cannibal named Horror. He brought them to his manor, and let them get accustomed to the place while he was preparing for his first plan.
The three skeletons looked at each other for a moment, presentations having been made fast before they had been left in what seemed to be a big living room. There was a large rug, some couches, a coffee table and a fireplace against the wall. Nobody talked at first, then the one with the hole in his skull broke the silence.
- So... we work here now ? He asked, almost convinced he was having a fever dream.
The one with the hood sighed, sitting on one of the couches.
- It seems so... can't be worse than home anyway...
The tar-leaking one hummed, looking around, not really phased, as long as it was new and untertaining he was down for anything.
- Ya'll know what we're supposed to do ? He asked.
Horror shook his head, putting his axe down against a couch, he looked around, analyzing, this promised to be weird...
They had to wait a few days for the first instructions to arrive, a paper having been teleported on the table, surely by their new boss. It was Dust who took it to read what was written: it was their first job, not to complicated, they had a list of universes they had to go into and see which ones could generate more negativity. Of course, it was indicated that all attempt at escaping would be useless as they would be found easily and brought back here to be punished, and given how they were found in the first place, they had no problem believing it. The concept of universes was still new and strange to them, but they were already used to the concept of timelines in their own universe, so maybe it wasn't that strange after all... and hey, they were Sanses, they didn't have the energy to care anyway.
Dust sighed.
- Better get this thing done quickly.
As he turned, a portal appeared in front of the trio. They exchanged a few glances before Killer stepped through it, inspecting it, then turned to them and signed to them to follow him as there didn't seem to be any danger. Their first mission then started.
Hours passed before they could come back, tired.
- Should we make a report or something ? Killer asked.
Horror shrugged.
- I don't know, the boss didn't specify.
- We'll see later then, for now I just want to lay down... Dust said, flopping on the couch.
The decision was soon to be agreed with, and after dinner, they all went to their respective room for a well-deserved night of sleep.
The next day was similar, they got a sheet explaining the mission on the table, a portal appeared, they completed the mission and came back to the manor, doing it all over again the next day. The only thing that changed was that they were requested to write reports they would slide under their boss's office door, being forbidden to come in.
Months then passed, and the three skeletons, despite their differences and bickering, became friends, and even if they worked for the guardian of negativity they managed to find ways to have fun. Speaking of their boss, his existence was a complete mystery to them as never, in the six months they had lived in the manor, had they seen the owner of the place, even when he brought them here all they had seen had been shadows talking to them and wrapping around their body before they were teleported. The only proof they had of his presence were the papers with the missions he teleported, the fridge and cabinets refilling regularly with food and the meals Horror left in front of his door being eaten, but they had never actually seen him. The trio started to have questions: who was he ? What did he look like ? Was he real or were they being toyed with since the start ? And if he was indeed real, why never show up ? What did he have to hide ? All these questions, and no answers.
It was late, the group was in the living room, they had came back from a mission and their mysterious boss was once again the subject of their discussion
- I think we should, like, get in his office when he isn't expecting it, Killer suggested.
- And get killed ? Horror countered, no thank you.
Killer looked up from the couch.
- You have a better idea ?
Dust raised his hand, meaning that he, in fact, had a better idea.
- We stick our phone under the door and take a picture.
- He's going to see it, Killer sighed, and the doors are too low anyway, the phone won't fit under it.
Horror let out a sigh, sliding further into the couch.
- We don't even know if anyone's there...
As Killer was about to answer, he got interrupted by a loud crashing noise upstairs, as if something heavy had fallen on the ground. The noise seemed to come from the room directly above them, which was their supposed boss's office. Silence followed for an instant, before Dust broke it.
- Should we go check ? That's an opportunity to come in, and we would just have to say we heard noise and got worried so we wanted to make sure things were okay ?
- Works for me, Killer agreed.
Horror nodded.
- Me too.
With their plan in mind they got up and rushed upstairs, stopping in front of the dark wooden door. They looked at it for a second, hesitating, until Dust reached for the knob and opened the office door.
- Boss ? Is everything okay ? We heard noise so we wanted to check.. up... ? What... ?
He stopped, looking bewildered by the view in front of him. Killer and Horror shot each other a confused glance, before Killer nudged Dust to the side so the two could see what he was staring at: the room was large, with purple and red tints, lightened by a big chandelier on the ceiling, on the side were a massive desk and tall bookshelves full of book, except for one, it seemed the books had fallen on the ground, surely the source of the noise. What the hooded skeleton was staring at was under the pile of books, it was what seemed to be a child, a little black and goopy skeleton looking not older than six or seven years old, and visibly passed out from a supposed fall, as a ladder was next to him.
- We tie him up, Killer blurted out.
Horror shot him an incredulous look.
- That's a kid !
- That's an intruder, Killer argued.
- You really want to tie up a kid ? He emphasized.
Killer frowned, crossing his arms.
- We're not gonna hurt him ! We'll just wait for him to wake up, ask him how he got in, tell him not to come back and then free him ! He explained the plan more in details.
- Are you done fighting ? Can we go ? Dust interrupted them.
The two looked at their friend who was already holding the unconscious child in his arms.
- Let's just put him in the living room.
He shot them a warning gaze, and got out of the office. Horror and Killer shot each other a last look before following their colleague in the living room. Dust put his little charge on an armchair and teleported a rope to tie child's ankles and wrists.
- I still think it's stupid, Horror commented.
- Yeah well I don't want to chase after him if he starts running, Dust pointed out.
- You're not tying his tentacles ? Killer asked.
The kid in fact had four small chubby tentacles in his back, they were covered in the same black goop that was all over his body.
- 'Was about to, Dust informed, tying the appendages.
Horror crossed his arms, standing behind them, clearly unhappy.
- You swear we're only doing that so he doesn't run away ? He asked again, making Dust sigh.
- Of course yes, I know we're not really the most sane but we ain't gonna hurt a kid ! He stood straight again, and now we wait for him to wake up.
They then settled on the couch in front of the armchair and waited, keeping an eye on their little intruder. The young one woke up after a few minutes, looking confused, he glanced at the room around him to see where he was, then, trying to move, he noticed the rope tying him and the three skeletons silently staring at him. Panic suddenly washed over him and his first reaction was to scream at them with anger.
- Let me go ! He screamed, pulling on his ropes, you have no idea what I'm capable of !
The adults looked at him wiggle on the armchair, unimpressed, none of them moved. Dust was the first to talk.
- Calm down kid, we're not..
- "Kid" !? He cut him off, I forbid you to call me that !
Dust arched a brow, looking down at the small skeleton.
- That's what you are though, but anyway, we're not going to hurt you, we just want to know how you entered the manor.
The child kept wiggling in the first place, so much that Horror needed to get up to hold him against the armrest, worried he would fall over and hurt himself trying to get the ropes off.
- Let me go ! I live here ! I'm your boss ! He claimed, looking grumpily at Horror.
Killer snorted.
- Sure, as if we'll believe that our boss, guardian of negativity and ruler of nightmares, is in fact a six year old kid. He bent forward, who are you seriously ? Tell us and you're free to go.
The kid scowlded at him, visibly offended.
- I AM Nightmare ! He yelled again, wiggling more.
- Guys... Horror called, still holding the kid mostly in place, is it me or does he have the same aura as the boss when he took us in.. ?
The two glanced at their friend before getting up, approaching the child who had stopped wiggling to catch his breath, and noticed that there was in fact a very small negative aura surrounding him, almost unnoticeable from a certain distance.They all exchanged a look before Killer spoke.
- Okay prove you're the boss and we let you go.
The child looked back at him.
- I don't have to prove you anything- !
And before he had time to say anything else, the adult grabbed him by his hood with one hand, lifting him up easily and holding him at arm length, making the kid yelp.
- Put me down !
He started to wiggle again, mad, but quickly stopped when he saw the flames of the fireplace getting closer: Killer was holding him just above it, not close enough to burn him, but enough so he could feel the heat on his legs. He crounched on himself as much as he could.
- I said: prove that you're the boss.
- Killer ! Horror yelled at him, mad, as he snatched the kid to hold him himself, are you out of your mind !?
Killer shoved his hands in his pockets, looking at his friend as if he didn't see the problem.
- Relax, I wasn't really going to put him in the fire, I'm not stupid.
- You still scared him, Dust pointed at the young one.
The child, still in Horror's arms and pressed against his chest, had became silent, having stop wiggling too as he was shaking against the adult who was staring angrily at his friend.
- Okay, okay, I'm sorry, no need to look at me like that, Killer apologized.
- It's all ridiculous, Dust, untie him, Horror demanded, sighing.
The skeleton did as told, taking the ropes off the kid who didn't protest, staying still.
- We still don't know if he's the boss, Killer pointed.
- Well... Dust thought, apart from his appearance it does seem like he is, I mean he's got the same aura, knows his name, says he lives here, was in his office... and the boss wouldn't just let some kid look through his stuff.
- So what, we were following orders from some six year old ?
It seemed hard to believe, to say the least, but the truth was there and they couldn't deny it, and they couldn't just put the kid back in the office and act as if nothing happened.
- I refuse to work for a child, Killer claimed.
- For once I agree with you, Dust nodded.
The two of them turned to Horror, waiting for his opinion. The cannibal was holding Nightmare, since it was him, against his chest, a hand on his small skull to support and help calm him down as he was still tensed after Killer's bad joke. He looked at him for a moment before reporting his attention on his colleagues.
- I won't be working either, but... we can't just leave him alone, he's too young, he can't be independant enough to take proper care of himself.
Nightmare looked up at him while the two adults seemed surprised by the decision.
- You want us to take care of him ? Killer asked.
- I don't need anyone to take care of me, the child protested, drawing the attention back on him.
- Do you know how to cook ? Horror asked.
Nightmare didn't answer, looking down with a pouty expression, offended.
- So you need someone to take care of you.
The child answered with a huff, crossing his arms.
- Speaking of cooking, we didn't eat since we came back from the mission, I'm kinda hungry, Killer spoke up.
Dust nodded, feeling his own stomach grumble. Horror looked up at them.
- I'm gonna open a can then, he announced, going to the kitchen with Nightmare still in his arms.
The two others set the table while the food was heating up, adding a fourth plate, as requested by Horror, so that Nightmare could eat with them. Speaking of the kid, he was sitting on a chair in the kitchen, still vexed not to be treated as the boss anymore, he seemed to have decided to pout where he had been put down. At least, he didn't try to run away the moment Horror stopped holding him.
- It's ready, come eat, Horror informed, taking the pan.
He went to put the food on the table and, seeing that the kid didn't follow him, went back to the kitchen. Nightmare hadn't moved from his place, staring so hard at the wall he could have pierced a hole in it. Horror sighed, picking him up again to bring him to the dining room, putting him down on a chair previously enhanced with a thick pillow for him to be at the right height.
- He's got legs you know, Dust commented, already sat.
- Say that to him, he's the want who doesn't want to use them, Horror responded, sitting down as well after everyone was served, anyway, enjoy your meal.
They started to eat, not adding anything, though Nightmare started a few minutes after they did, having taken the time to stop pouting and find a more comfortable position. He ended up deciding he would kneel on the pillow and ate like that, not saying a single word until the end of dinner when he hopped down from the chair to swiftly fly from the room, at least that was what he wanted to do if he hadn't been lifted from the ground by the hood, again.
- Not that fast ! Killer stopped him, holding him in the air.
- Let me go ! Nightmare complained, kicking his legs.
- Where did you think you were going ? Lock yourself in your office and refuse to come out ?
Dust arrived on his side, looking down at the child then up at the adult.
- Can't you hold him correctly ?
- Nah, Killer chuckled, it's fun like that.
- He doesn't look like he likes it, Horror pointed out, coming back from the kitchen after having cleared the table.
Killer looked down at the kid trying to make him let go by hitting his hand with his little fists. He snorted, earning a very angry glare from Nightmare, before handing him to his friend.
- Take him, then, he replied.
Horror sighed, coming over to take Nightmare back and correctly holding him against his chest. Nightmare didn't complain, even though being held like a baby was incredibly humiliating, this position was far more comfortable than hanging in the air.
- So.. what do we do now ? Dust asked, we put him to bed ?
- I'm not tired, Nightmare protested.
- We watch a movie then ? He suggested.
- Sure, Killer agreed.
Horror nodded too, a movie would be good, they could relax and not think too much about the weird events of the day. With everyone agreeing they went back to the couch, Horror laying on his back to keep Nightmare on him and make sure he didn't leave while Killer went to pick a movie. The one he chosed was three hours long, and while the adults stayed awake until the end, the kid had fallen asleep at the middle, safely tucked in the arms of the taller skeleton: it was late after all, night had fallen a while ago.
- You need help putting him to bed ? Dust yawned.
- Nah I think I'm good, just don't know where his room is...
Did he sleep in his office ? Horror didn't remember seeing a bed there, did he sleep on the ground ? He couldn't just put him on the ground though...
- I think I saw a door in the back of his office, Killer perked up, maybe it's his room ?
- Maybe...
Horror slowly got up, holding the little being sleeping in his arms with care, following the others upstairs, back to the office that they crossed to arrive at a door. Killer put a hand on the handle, expecting to have to force the door, but it opened right away, unlocked, seemed like Nightmare really didn't expect any visit. The room was indeed a bedroom, with purple decorations like in the office, a large bed, some furniture and a small reading space with a beanbag. They looked at the room for a while until Nightmare slightly wiggled in his sleep, getting Horror's attention back on him. The adult went to the bed, bending over to put the child on the matress, but Nightmare clinged to his jacket, refusing to let go of the warm hold.
- Seems like he doesn't want you to go, Killer teased.
- Well he'll need to, I wanna go sleep too.
He delicately made him let go of the jacket, covering him with the blanket instead before standing back up and, after a last glance, leaving the room, letting the small one rest. They all told each other goodnight and regained their respective rooms with the same question in mind: how was their life going to look like from that point ? They were about to care for a child, something they hadn't done in years, did they even remember how to care for a kid ? Would Nightmare let them take care of him or would he live up to his name and be a real nightmare to take care of ? Only fate could tell them, and fate liked keeping secrets...
The night had been calm, relaxing, and Dust had been the last one to wake up, as usual, Horror was already downstairs making breakfast and Killer was surely taking a shower, as they all had private bathrooms in their rooms. He got up from his bed, stretching, and after a quick wash in the bathroom he decided to go check on the kid, see if he was awake. He found him on his bed, the cover wrapped around him, he looked even smaller like this, and he already wasn't that big, even for a six year old. As Dust was about to leave to let him continue sleeping he heard him move in the sheets, turning around Dust saw him struggle to open his eye and look at him, still very much sleepy. Normally the kid would have yelled at him for having entered his room, but he didn't say anything, not awake enough to realize where the adult was.
- Slept well ? Dust asked.
Nightmare answered with a yawn, making Dust chuckle a little as he approached the bed. A few minutes later they arrived in the kitchen, Dust holding the kid, who started to wake up a bit more, in his arms.
- And you were the one who told me he had legs ? Horror joked, arching a brow when seeing the two arrive.
Killer was already at the table.
- He fell from the bed trying to get up, Dust explained, I didn't want to risk taking the stairs.
He put the smaller one on a chair and went to grad a mug to make himself some coffee.
- Wanna eat something ? Killer asked Nightmare, sitting in front of him.
As he didn't get any answer he looked up from his own mug to see if the kid heard him and found him staring at him with a confused expression, not quite getting the question it seemed, but seeing the adult's gaze lock on him he slowly nodded with a little hesitation. He looked surprise to hear Killer ask him something again.
- What do you want ?
Nightmare thought for a moment, glancing at the side before looking back at Killer.
- Cereals... ? He murmured, unsure.
His confusion seemed to grow as he watched the adult get up to bring him a bowl with milk and cereals, as if it seemed impossible to him that somebody would willingly prepare breakfast for him. He stared at the bowl for a moment, then at Killer, then at the bowl again. Killer frowned, wasn't that what Nightmare had asked for ? Did he hear wrong ?
- Is there a problem ?
- Can I eat it... ? Nightmare asked, looking at his bowl.
He didn't seem to believe these cereals were real with how he was staring at them with such confusion, and his question took the three adults aback.
- Of course you can, why couldn't you ? Killer asked him, perplexed.
Did he think they were trying to poison him ?
- I never had cereals before... Nightmare admitted.
He took his spoon, slowly dipping it in the milk for a moment before eventually starting to eat.
Horror stared at him doing so, looking like he was discovering what cereals were.
- What did you use to eat before ? He asked.
- I didn't eat, Nightmare answered, not looking up from his bowl.
The three adults exchanged a worried glance at that answer, but, thinking about it, if this child was already alone at six years old, then it made sense that he probably didn't have the greatest life before ending up here.
- Your parents didn't feed you ? Horror asked.
- I don't have parents.
An even more worrisome answer.
- How long have you been living without parents for ? Dust demanded, trying to learn more about his previous situation.
Nightmare stopped eating for an instant, thinking, before continuing with his breakfast.
- Always, I lived outside with my brother, but I don't know where he is now.. he finally responded, looking a little sad when mentioning his brother.
At least, he wasn't all alone, they thought.
- And how did you eat ?
- We would pick fruits in the forest next to our tree, and sometimes the villagers would cook for us, well, they would cook for my brother, but he always shared with me, he explained, can I have some more ? He pleaded, handing out his empty bowl.
Killer took the bowl to go refill it, stunned by what he just heard: there were villagers ? There were villagers who knew about these kids' situation and didn't step in to help ? Not one ?
- How old is your brother ?
- We are the same age, he's my twin, Nightmare answered, looking at Killer with his bowl.
The adults didn't add anything, but they all had the same thought: if these two kids lived outside and had to provide for themselves at only six years old and Nightmare didn't know where his brother was anymore, then there was a high probability that his brother didn't survive or that something worse happened to him. They decided to stop talking about it, if it was a traumatizing event for the kid they didn't want to remind him of that. Killer gave him his bowl back.
- Thank you ! He chirped, taking it to continue with his breakfast.
Breakfast was calm and surprisingly the rest of the day was too, Nightmare having spent most of it just staring at them and asking them why they gave him things, looking very unsure when they told him they just wanted to, and mostly keeping his distance. At least, he didn't try to run away.
He trio then spent the next week trying to show Nightmare, who was still very defensive and tensed most of the time, that he could trust them, that they wouldn't hurt him. It seemed to work a little, as for now the only ones allowed to pick him up were Dust and Horror, though he allowed Horror to do it more easier than Dust. Killer was forbidden to, the kid starting to wiggle and kick as soon as he tried to lift him.
Currently, Nightmare was sitting on Dust's lap on the couch, Killer sitting next to them, as they were watching a movie. Horror appeared on the doorstep, holding a tennis ball in his hand.
- Killer ! Think fast ! He called, throwing the ball.
Killer was quick to react, swiftly lifting his arm to catch the ball before it could hit Dust in the face.
- Hah ! Always had the best-
- Nightmare ? Are you okay ? Dust cut him off.
The two others lowered their gaze towards the kid and saw with surprise that he was shaking, his arms in front of his face as to protect himself from an incoming hit. Killer frowned, putting the ball down on the coffee table to gently put a hand on Nightmare's arm, moving it aside slowly so he could see his face.
- Hey, is something wrong... ?
Nightmare flinched quite violently, immediately trying to back away from the adult, only for Dust to hold him tighter against himself when seeing tears form in the child's socket.
- I did nothing wrong... ! Don't hit me... ! He yelled, sobbing, as he tried to hide himself against Dust.
Killer didn't like that reaction: he wasn't going to hit him, he didn't see why he would do that, he didn't have any reason to. Horror approached, careful not to make any sudden move, and slowly knelt in front of the kid, taking the small hand in his.
- He's not gonna hit you, nobody will... he tried to reassure, gently petting the hand with his thumb.
Nightmare looked up at him, sniffling, Dust gently rubbing his arm as he didn't let go of the young one.
- But- but he... ! He was... ! He lifted his arm and- and... ! He stuttered between his sobs.
- His movement scared you ?
Nightmare nodded, crounching on himself a bit more. Killer felt bad watching the kid in that state knowing it was his fault.
- I wasn't going to hit you, I lifted my arm to catch the ball, I would never hit you... he tried explaining, pointing at the object on the table, I'm sorry I scared you...
- Nightmare... Horror frowned, did people use to hit you... ?
Nightmare stared at him for a moment, then slowly looked down as he nodded, making the adult sigh, Dust holding him closer as Horror gently held out a hand to wipe the child's tears.
How could people do that to a child ? How could they see a homeless kid and decide they would hit him so much that any sudden movement now meant getting beaten to him ? These people had no shame, and while Horror knew they weren't really the best examples regarding violence, they would never hit a child, they would never bully a child, if anything the children were the bullies in their universe and even then they only resorted to violence when the kid really deserved to be punished and they didn't have another choice. Did people really thought a six year old living under a tree deserved to be punished ? They were having a hard time believing that he did.
- It won't happen again, you can trust us...
Nightmare slowly looked up, sniffling.
- You promise... ?
- I promise, Horror smiled, you want a cookie to forget all that ?
Nightmare nodded, staying all cuddled up against Dust as he watched Horror get up to go to the kitchen. He then turned his gaze towards Killer to see he looked upset about something, probably to have scared him. Was he mad at him for having flinched ? Nightmare didn't mean to, but his emotions reacted before his reasoning could and he got scared of the movement, he wasn't proud of himself for that... he was about to ask him if he was mad at him but stopped himself when his cookie arrived, taking it after having thanked Horror. He ate the biscuit silently, staying against Dust for the rest of the movie, glancing at Killer from time to time.
Even though no one mentioned the incident it kept replaying again and again in the child's head all day. He felt bad for having flinched, for having been scared Killer would hit him out of nowhere, and now he was worried Killer would be mad at him too, and even if he wasn't mad, he most definitely must have thought Nightmare hated him now, but it was wrong, Nightmare didn't hate him, he didn't like how he would hold him by the hood, sure, but he didn't hate him.
Nightmare didn't want him to believe that, so he needed to think of a way to show the adult he didn't hate him. Pacing in his room as he was thinking he ended up tripping and falling on his beanbag, getting an idea when his gaze landed on a book laying there: he would ask Killer to read him a story ! Granted, he already knew how to read quite well for his age, but asking the adult to read it to him before bed would surely show him that Nightmare liked his presence in particular, right ? He didn't lose time and rummaged through his bookshelf, picking a story about knights and dragons, and rushed to the adult's bedroom with the book in his arms. Stopping in front of the door, he looked at it for a moment before knocking, waiting for it to open up. The waiting wasn't long, the door soon opening to reveal Killer in his pajamas, looking surprised to see Nightmare standing there.
- What are you doing still up ? He arched a brow.
It was past his bedtime, Nightmare knew it, but he didn't care as he handed Killer the book, hoping his idea would work.
- You want me to read it to you ? Killer asked, even more surprised.
Nightmare quickly nodded, still holding his book out for the adult to take.
- Fine, but you're going to bed right after, Killer agreed, taking the book as he let the kid enter his room.
Nightmare smiled, going to sit on the bed and get comfortable as Killer closed the door and sat next to him, analyzing the book he would have to read.
- Alright, ready ? Killer asked, smiling as Nightmare nodded, good.
He then began the story for his little audience and, surprisingly, he was an amazing narrator, Nightmare had never been so invested in a story before, there was everything: the noises, the movements, the voice tones, the suspens... characters seemed to be alive and backgrounds seemed to be real, night-time would be under the shadow of the covers, vicious dragon attacks would be just as vicious tickle attacks, thunder and lightnings would be flicking the ligh switch repeatedly, ... everything was just perfect.
Near the end of the story, the little skeleton, who started in front of the taller one, ended up sitting between his legs with his back against his chest, Killer having made the reading calmer, seeing that the young one had started to get tired. When the book was finished, Nightmare was struggling to keep his eye open.
- You can sleep here if you want... Killer smiled.
The kid didn't lose time and immediately fell asleep in the adult's arms, making him chuckle as he put the book down on the nightstand. He laid down, keeping Nightmare safely tucked against him, and brought the covers up, falling asleep not long after the child.
The next night, Killer found the kid at his door again with a new book in his hands, the night that followed as well, and all the others too, and they all ended like the first one. It had soon became a sort of routine, Killer ended up going to Nightmare's room himself though, so the kid would actually sleep in his own bed and the adult wouldn't have to carry him every night. They quite like this new habit, and Killer gained the right to pick up Nightmare too, on the one condition that he would pick him up properly and not by the hood, or else he would lose the authorization.
Weeks then passed, calmly, Nightmare was slowly getting used to have the trio take care of him, to have them look after him willingly, to have them love him, give him the affection he had been deprived of, so much that he ended up abandoning his plan for vengeance, preferring staying home where he was loved rather than hopping from universe to universe looking for people who hated him. He didn't need strangers' approval when he already had the trio by his side.
On the trio's side, they too were getting used to having a child to take care of, to raise him in a way, teach him things, make sure he was healthy and wouldn't hurt himself. They still messed with him from time to time, finding funny to see his little grumpy face and raised fists, and it amused the kid too most of the time, so all was well, it was harmless fun.
All in all, their life was rather calm, until one day...
- What are you drawing ? Dust asked, passing by behind Nightmare.
The child was sitting by the coffee table, comfortably installed on a pillow on the ground, he had gathered paper and crayons to draw.
- Dad, he answered, staying focus on the drawing.
Dust blinked.
- "Dad" ?
He glanced at the kid with confusion, didn't he tell them he didn't have parents ? He tilted his head, looking past Nightmare to see the drawing and what looked like a skeleton with a hole in its head, "dad" was written underneath. The drawing was simplistic, but very much recognizable.
- Your dad looks a lot like Horror, Dust pointed out.
Nightmare hummed.
- It's because it's him ! I drew you too, you're here ! He showed on the paper.
Dust looked at what was a second skeleton, this time with a hood, that had the word "mom" written above its head.
What.
- Why am I the mom ? He asked, perplexed.
- Because Horror is already the dad, Nightmare explained matter of factly, continuing his art.
Dust stared for a while before feeling his face get slightly warmer, blushing at the thought of what this nomination could mean, before shaking his head, it didn't mean anything, it was just a kid's drawing after all. He focused again on what Nightmare was doing.
- And where's Killer ?
- I'm making him right now ! He's uncle, Nightmare excitedly answered.
Dust arched a brow.
- Why not a second dad ? Or even a second mom ?
The kid shook his head.
- Killer is uncle, he looks like an uncle, he claimed, finishing his piece, I'm done !
He got up, the drawing in his hands, and turned to the adult. Dust couldn't help but smile at his little excited face.
- Horror is in the kitchen if you want to show him.
As soon as he finished the sentence he saw his self-proclaimed son rush towards the kitchen, excitedly calling for the skeleton in there cooking dinner. Nightmare went by his side, pulling on his sleeve to make him look down at him.
- Yeah ? Need anything ? Horror asked, turning around.
The child handed him his drawing, Horror taking it carefully to take a closer look. He quickly recognized his friends and himself as well as the small black skeleton in the middle, he however had to look twice at what was written. Just as he looked up, Dust arrived in the kitchen too. He would need to ask him about that, for now he had an expectant kid waiting for his validation.
- It's very good ! You did it yourself ?
Nightmare proudly nodded, happy to see his drawing was being appreciated.
- Well that's impressive, it will have a nice place on the fridge. Why don't you go show it to Killer now ? He suggested, giving the paper back with a pat on the kid's head.
- Oh ! Yes ! I'll show him ! He quickly agreed, taking his drawing back and rushing out of the kitchen.
The two adults watched the kid leave, and once alone, Horror turned to Dust for some explanations.
- Since when are you the mom ? And why is killer the uncle ?
- Since you're already the dad and because Killer looks like an uncle, he quoted.
Silence reigned for a few seconds before Horror eventually asked the one question that was spinning in Dust's head.
- Does he... see us as a couple.. ? He hesitated.
Dust sighed, just as lost as the other.
- I don't know, I'm asking myself the same thing... but.. I guess it at least means he sees us as family.. ?
Horror thought about it for an instant, before nodding.
- It's at least that...
- Yeah... Dust agreed, looking to the side.
They stood there for a few minutes, awkward.
- I uh.. I'm gonna let you cook.. Dust stuttered.
- Yeah..
and with that, Dust left the kitchen.
It took these two quite a while to get accustomed to the names, the only one getting used to it rapidly having been Killer, who was very proud to be the uncle. Of course, after some time, it eventually became a habit for them to get called by their new titles.
For his greatest joy, Nightmare now had a dad, a mom and an uncle, all three quite unusual, but who would give everything for their kid's happiness.
And just like that, the years passed, a little too fast for the trio who saw their little skeleton become big and strong. They had trained him of course, made sure he was able to defend himself in case they weren't with him, and they were proud of him, of who he had became.
On Nightmare's side, he was definitely over taking revenche on the multiverse. The child he was had been lost, mad at everything after years of neglect and mistreatment, he had thought only vengeance could calm him down, but deep down the only thing he ever wanted was to be reassured that he was enough, to be accepted somewhere, that someone would tell him he was important, that someone would care about him. He had found just that with them, and that was all that mattered to him now, to be with the only persons in this universe who made him feel like he belonged there, like he would always belong with them. And he was happy. For nothing in the world would he ever leave them, and if someone tried to separate them he would fight just like he knew they would fight for him too.
He would never leave them. He would never leave his family.
Because that was what they were: a family.