Chapter Text
Birthdays were hard.
Like...really hard.
Not like Nightmare would ever admit to that.
His stubbornness and pride wouldn't allow it. Would rather forget his (their) birthday altogether.
Nothing but bad memories, anyways...
He was never celebrated when he was younger by anyone. Except for Dream. His brother would always sneak away something from the obnoxious party the villagers threw for him, and only him, to give to Nightmare. As well as give him special attention before they both fell into a deep sleep in each other's arms.
It hurt, being ignored by everyone but his own brother...but it was also a blessing in disguise. A unique present, in a way. The only good thing that the villagers ever did: being too busy celebrating Dream that they left him alone for a single day.
After The Incident, Nightmare would spend his (their) birthday sitting with the statue of his brother, recounting his (mis)adventures across the Multiverse. Sometimes, he'd be able to sneak back a small cake with him to Dreamtale, singing the most melancholic birthday song.
He wasn't sure when he stopped the tradition.
Stopped going back to Dreamtale altogether.
Just knew that one day, to him, he had no birthday. That day did not exist. And it was like that for the longest time.
Until he acquired Killer.
That little menace poked and prodded relentlessly! Earned himself many trips across the room, down the hall, and a few almost out a window. Despite all that, the mortal never gave up on discovering the dreaded day Nightmare desperately tried to ignore. Which only intensified upon the collecting of Dust and Horror. Somehow, this topic was the only thing those three could agree on. Much to their Boss's annoyed dismay.
"You celebrate our birthdays! Why can't we do yours?" Killer would always ask, each time the emotion behind the words growing more and more calm. Sad. Less curious for the sake of gathering forbidden knowledge.
Nightmare would never give him an answer.
The secret was kept for a long, long time. All the way up until Cross joined them.
Cross, too kind and lovable Cross...who had spent time with Dream. Who gave the others confused looks when asked if the golden Guardian talked about birthdays.
"Uhh...kinda? He was a little cagey about it. Just said it wasn't the same without the Boss most of the time."
Killer pinned the ex guard against the wall, vibrating with excitement. Finally! The secret would be out in the open! Dust and Horror were equally excited - sockets wide and waiting for their newest recruit to spill the beans.
"Did sunshine happen to tell you when his birthday is?"
Cross's expression became more confused as he easily took Killer's wrists, and eased him into taking steps back. "Not an exact day. Just said it was on the Winter Solstice. Why are you asking, anyway? Don't you already have this information?"
The Winter Solstice?
Shit!
That was tomorrow!
Not a whole lot of time to throw something special together for the Boss. But that didn't mean that they weren't going to try! The guy, at least to them, deserved something nice on his big day.
And, much to everyone's surprise, Nightmare didn't notice that the boys were plotting.
Wasn't until the actual day that he learned just what all that mischievous energy, that he ignored in order to complete the mountain of paperwork his recent conquest shoved his way, was.
Nightmare had spent all night in his office, lone socket weary of reading piles of fine print. He wasn't sure what time it was when he removed his reading glasses and sat them on his desk - giving himself a break. Was in the middle of rubbing at his nose ridge when the office door crept open. Next thing he knew...the room was filled with a joyous, off-tune birthday song. Accompanied with a painstakingly made galaxy themed cake that was topped with greenish candles, and lovingly piped words saying "HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIGHT!"
A wave of conflicting emotions hit Nightmare like a ton of bricks.
He...wasn't sure how to feel about this.
No one but Dream had ever shown an ounce of joy celebrating his existence. Now...now there were four mortals standing there. With a homemade cake and...were...were those presents?
He didn't know how long he zoned out. Just...staring at the things he never thought he would ever have.
Things he didn't deserve...
All he knew was Killer's hand suddenly resting on his shoulder, jerking him back to the now. And...tears flooding his socket.
"You gonna make a wish, birthday boy?" Killer teased, though it was fairly muted.
Got a wet chuckle from the former Guardian.
He would inquire how the boys learned the date of his creation later, corner them one by one. For now...he rose from his chair, leaning in close to the cake, his cake, and blew out the candles. Made a silent wish he knew would never come true. But he didn't need it to. Not when he had everything he could ever want, everything he didn't know he needed, right here in this room.
Tentacles covertly wrapped around a wrist of each of his boys, squeezing lightly as he let out a content hum. If the boys noticed, they didn't say anything. Just went about chattering excitedly about the presents, shoving them in his face and demanding him to open them. All the while Horror carefully cut the cake and handed out the slightly uneven slices.
Birthdays were hard.
Like...really hard.
But maybe, just maybe, with this little messed up group, this makeshift family...they wouldn't be so hard anymore...
🌙 🍎