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Chapter Text

Dream was.. ashamed, to say the least. He hadn't ever expected to find himself in a place like this.. it was through the recommendation of Ink, who got that recommendation through Lust, apparently. Dream wasn't sure. But the details didn't matter..

Dream found himself standing outside of.. a brothel. It was.. nicely decorated. He would say that.. he wasn't sure how a brothel was normally decorated but this one looked nice. The title it bore was 'Starry Night' which was a nice name. He wouldn't associate this with a brothel, that's for certain.

Dream rubs his arm, should he really enter? He didn't even have anything in mind. He just.. heard it was a way to let out some stress, and he was stressed. Pleasure like.. that was.. well, foreign to him. He's never felt it by his own hand, the best he experienced it was..

..He shouldn't think about that.

Dream, against all odds, enters the building. The inside was.. well, a front desk with a waiting area and then two hallways with many doors. It reminded Dream more of a hotel than anything else. Dream approaches the front desk, shyly. The worker there glances at him, looks him up and down, then slides a catalogue to him. Dream stared for just a moment before he took it. He shuffles over to the little waiting area, that was currently empty, as he flips through it. Was this how brothels work? It was.. so strange.

There were many, many different types of people photographed in the pages of the catalogue. He skims through the women section, and eventually reaches a men section, which was slightly unexpected. He didn't expect there to be any men. Dream went through those pages a bit more methodically. There really were a lot of different types of people..

Dream's breath hitched as he reached a certain page. On that page had a young looking man who bore.. purple eyes. Dream swallowed back the spit that welled up in his mouth. He flipped to the next page, and it was another young man who looked very similar to the previous one. He flipped again, and again.

There were four total. Four total strangers who so closely resembled Nightmare.

Even the names they had were similar to his.

There was Misery, Malaise, Malevolent.. and Nyx.

Those four all looked like Nightmare but Nyx.. from photo alone, looked exactly like him. It was uncanny. It made Dream's heart and soul race. He felt both sick and.. excited.

Dream knew he couldn't turn back now.

Shyly, he approaches the worker once more and goes from Misery's page to Nyx's.. Dream didn't utter a word, but thankfully, he didn't need to. The worker writes down something on a paper and shows it to Dream. Oh, a number.. ah, that most be the amount. It wasn't as much as he thought it'd be.. Dream gives the worker the exact amount of money.. and he was given a room key. Room six, to be exact. Dream mumbles a 'thank you' before scurrying off to find room six.

Room two, four.. oh, six.

Dream shuffles over and inserts the key. There really was no leaving now.. he thought as he turned the key, hearing a distinct click.. Dream held his breath as he opened the door and entered the room. It was dark.. he couldn't see anything.

Dream kept walking and once he stepped into what he thinks was the bedroom, the lights turned on. On the very large bed were the four boys he picked out. All of them dressed in the same translucent purple cover-up, with skimpy lingerie beneath that. They were all cuddled together on the bed, smiling at him. "Hiii~" They greeted in unison.

Dream felt his face grow very, very hot.

Oh, oh no..

Dream couldn't say a word, he was staring almost breathlessly at the group in front of him. The smallest looking approached, Misery, if he recalled correctly. He gently tugs Dream's hand, pulling him forward.

"Come sit on the bed, mister~ No need to be so shy with us!~" He cooed, a bright smile on his face.. and Dream was suddenly sitting on the edge of the bed, the other three shuffling to surround him.

"What's your name?~" One of them asked, resting himself on his lap. Dream shivered. That one was.. Malaise, he thinks.

"Oh.. oh.. uhm.. Dr.. Dream." Dream shakily answered, he was staring down but his attention was quickly drawn away as another one of them tilted his head, forcing Dream to look at him.

That one was.. Malevolent.

"That's an adorable name.. much like you, adorable thing~" Malevolent whispers to him, leaning in so close, as though to kiss him and Dream couldn't.. he couldn't.

Dream turns his head away from Malevolent, staring at the ground. His breath laboured as he tried to get his mind straight.

Dream's whole body tensed up as he suddenly felt a weight on his back.

"Oh, poor thing.. are you overwhelmed? We can take it slow, don't worry..~" He reassured, and Dream didn't need to look to know that one was Nyx.. but he looked anyway. That one didn't just look like Nightmare, he sounded exactly like him too, he smelled like him.

Dream's senses were dizzied by this overload. Having all four of them at once might have been a mistake, doing this at all likely was a mistake and yet Dream couldn't pull away. He couldn't.. leave, no, no.. he can't.

Dream leans back into Nyx, nodding shamefully, finally answering him. Dream was overwhelmed.. so very overwhelmed.

Dream didn't even blink before suddenly.. all four were off the bed and lined up in front of him. Dream blinked, oh.. oh, he felt like he could breathe a little now.

"Why don't we introduce ourselves, boys?" Nyx spoke, a smile gracing his face.

Dream was decently sure he knew who was who but to have confirmation would be nice. If he called any of them by the wrong name.. he might just die of embarrassment.

"I'm Nyx, and to my right here is.." Nyx introduced himself first and passed off the introductions to his right. Stood next to him was..

"Malevolent, pleased to make your acquaintance~" He introduces.. and it's now that Dream realizes he's the tallest.. he had this refined air to him as well. Dream couldn't explain.

"And this is.." Nyx sets up the next introduction as well.

"Malaise! Looking forward to serving youuu~" Malaise almost teased, leaning forward ever so slightly. Dream felt his mouth go dry.

"I'm Misery!!" Misery greeted cheerfully, contradicting his name. He was the shortest, and the youngest looking. He was rather cheerful too, it seemed.

Those three felt like faucets of Nightmare.. and Nyx felt.. like a perfect replica.

"I.. n-nice to m-meet you.." Dream greets, stuttering over his own words. He didn't know what to do. Now they had introduced themselves and were looking at him expectantly. Like they were waiting for him to take the lead because he paid for them.

Oh, Dream shouldn't have come here at all. This was so stupid. He was so stupid. Dream could feel his face growing warm, and his eyes growing a bit wet, his throat growing scratchy. All the signs that he was about to cry.

But before he actually could, Nyx took a step towards him.

"Dream, right? How old are you?~ You look so young~" Nyx questioned, immediately distracting Dream from his tears.

Dream sniffled, "O-Oh, uhm.. I'm.. well, I'm rather old.." He avoids the question a little bit, rubbing his cheek—soothing himself.

The others followed Nyx's example.

Misery approached second, hopping up on the bed next to Dream, "Oh, c'mon! Give us a number! We won't be shocked, promise!~" Misery said with a bright smile.

Dream's face flushed, "I'm.. about a thousand years old, I believe.." He reluctantly answers Misery, despite everything.

There was this pause that made Dream feel very nervous but Malaise speaks up.

"Wow! And you don't look a day over a thousand!~" Malaise teases as he kneels before Dream, happily situating himself between Dream's legs.

"Oh, th.. thank you." Dream mumbles, he was feeling.. a lot. But, this was.. this was oddly nice.

Which made Dream feel so much worse.

His stomach twisted and churned with feelings of guilt. This was so wrong of him. This was so stupid. What was he even doing here?

"What do you like to do?" Malevolent asked him softly, bringing him out of his thoughts. Dream blinked, oh.. well that was a difficult question.

"I.. I like helping people, I suppose.." Dream mumbled, and that got the whole room's attention. All four of them looked interested and had this.. this air that seemed to think he was a good person for saying that.

Dream likes helping people, he does. But he shouldn't say that. That negates it, doesn't it? This whole situation.. who was it even helping, actually? No one. Dream was being selfish. Selfish and disgusting.

So utterly disgusting.

"Is that so?" Nyx spoke to Dream, again, taking him out of his thoughts. They were all doing that, he noticed. It must be because he keeps spacing out.. how embarrassing..

Nyx gently cups Dream's face, leaning in, "Can you help us, then?" He questioned, a grin on his face.

Dream stared, he looked so much like Nightmare.. his smile was soft yet snarky.. sweet yet confident. It was beautiful. He was was beautiful.

"Anything.." Dream breathes out, leaning in to Nyx's face. Their faces were close enough to feel the other's breath, but still shy of a kiss.

Nyx's smile widened, "Let us please you~" He requested, one of his hands leaving Dream's face to trail down his chest. Dream shivered, his whole body feeling very warm all of a sudden.

Dream almost just nodded along. Almost. But he couldn't do that. No, he shouldn't do that.

"I.. n-no, I'd rather pleasure you all.." Dream spoke shyly and the room fell silent. Did Dream say something bad? Why was everyone being so quiet? Was it weird to say that?

Nyx chuckled, "That's.. cute of you. But I'm not sure you have enough to go around to please all four of us~ Let's just help you, okay?" He was now completely pulled away from Dream, only briefly, however.. as he moved behind Dream on the bed once more.

Nightmare was often like that.. dismissing Dream's need to please.. and going behind him. Nightmare was shy.. he didn't like being looked at.. he doubts Nyx was the same but he just.. he couldn't help but correlate it.

"Just let us care for you, Dream.." Nyx whispered into his ear as he started slipping off Dream's clothes.

Dream wanted to deny it. He wanted to.. but he couldn't. He couldn't say the words because deep down.. this was all he wanted. It was all he wanted and he was so sick for wanting it.

For needing this.

Dream was naked before he even knew it, save for his crown. He was moved to lay down on the bed while all four of them surrounded him. Dream didn't know where to look as one by one they all began touching him. It was.. soft, sweet. Misery was rubbing his stomach in circles; Malaise was squeezing his thigh; Malevolent was petting his head.. and Nyx was swiping at his lips with his thumb.

All four were touching him in different ways, all four were staring at his face, observing him.. and Dream just.. he couldn't.

Dream didn't deserve to be treated so sweetly. He didn't deserve this. He shouldn't be treated nicely at all. He should be.. hurt. He needed to just.. hurt. He couldn't just lay here, taking this loving treatment. It made him sick.

It made him feel good and that makes him feel so, so sick.

Dream didn't exactly voice those complaints, instead those tears that he had been barely holding back this whole time finally saw the light. A couple tears slipped down, many more followed them. Every single one of them stopped touching him the moment the tears made their appearance.

Dream couldn't even speak, he was so choked up. Nobody was saying anything and that made him feel worse, so so much worse.

Dream, amidst his tears, felt his head being pet, and a gentle kiss to his cheek, kissing the tears away. More kisses followed that initial kiss. Both sides of his cheeks were being kissed, his forehead was kissed, and even his chin.

His lips were left alone.

"I-I'm s-sorry.." Dream chokes out an apology and he received no verbal answer, just more kisses.

The onslaught eventually ends as Nyx spoke up.

"What do you want from us?" He asked Dream directly. There was no beating around the bush, no gentle lead in. It was a simple question.

A simple question that Dream had no idea how to answer.

What did he want from them?

Dream didn't know. He didn't have a plan. He didn't think this through in any capacity and that was creating a burden for these four. Because he didn't know how to handle himself.

Dream was awful.

"I.. I-I.. I don' know.. I-I'm sorry, I just.. I.." Dream stumbled over his words, bringing his hands up to wipe the tears streaming down his face.

The room was filled with Dream's quiet sniffles.

Nyx sighed softly, "It's okay, let's get you dressed, okay? Then we can all just cuddle.." He suggested, though it felt more like stating what would be happening.

Dream was in no position to even reply as each one of them began redressing him, moving him however need be to get back on his clothes. He wasn't fully redressed, though.. only his underwear and his shirt were put back on him. Dream felt a bit like a child when all four took to redressing him so.. it was humiliating.

Once Dream was dressed, all of them took to laying down. Nyx and Malaise where on his left and right respectively.. Misery was laying on top of him. Malevolent was actually underneath Dream..

Dream was smothered, to say the least.

Dream was smothered and he felt.. so much. He felt so warm.. yet so cold. All of them were chilly, just like Nightmare. Dream just couldn't get over the internal comparisons.

The cuddling was silent, so utterly silent..

Until Misery spoke up.

"Do you like this, Dreamy?" Misery questioned softly, patting Dream's tummy. He wasn't looking at Dream.. instead staring at his stomach, humming as he awaited an answer.

"I... yes, yes.. of course.." Dream replied softly, staring at Misery. He wanted to pet him, but he refrained. He didn't deserve to touch any of them after all of the awkwardness he subjected each of them to.

Misery glances at him, "It's okay if you don't.. I'll stop if you want me to." He whispers, moving up just a bit more.. and resting his head on Dream's collarbone.

Dream shook his head, "No.. no, I like it.. I swear.. I just.. I'm sorry.." He apologizes, unable to find anything else to say.

Misery stared at him, unspeaking.

Dream was about to begin rambling to prove that he did like that but he never got to start.. Misery pressed their lips together. He held Dream's cheek as he kissed him. It was an innocent kiss.. but it was intimate.. tender.

Something Dream didn't deserve.

Dream let Misery have his way with him.. and Misery separated himself only a few moments later. Dream breathes out shakily, "Oh.." He.. he liked that. He didn't deserve that at all. He didn't at all.

Dream wondered if the rest of them would kiss him too.

His stomach churned at the pure excitement that came from that thought. Dream wanted that so badly. It's disgusting. It was so innocent yet he wanted more. He couldn't help himself even at the thought alone.

Dream was disgustingly greedy.

Dream wanted more. He wanted Misery to kiss him again. To call him Dreamy again. He wanted him to do everything that reminded Dream of Nightmare. Even if it hurts, he wanted to be reminded. Physically wasn't enough. Physically isn't enough. He needed more.

Dream is so horrible. He feels so much shame and yet at the same time, no shame. He keeps thinking of more and more when he doesn't deserve more. Comparing each and every one of these four to Nightmare despite the fact they're their own people..

Dream's a horrendous person.

Yet.. all he could think of was more. He needed more.

Dream was brought out of his thoughts by another kiss to his lips. This time it was by Malaise.

"You should stop getting into your head, Dreamy! We all like to see you in the moment, so.. pay attention to us." Malaise scolds Dream, his hand patting Dream's upper chest as he spoke.

Dream stared, his face growing red. Oh.. Malaise was also like Nightmare too. His almost cocky personality was so reminiscent of Nightmare. He behaved in such a way too.. it was so..

Dream sniffled, which alerted all of them once more.

Nyx cupped Dream's cheek, rubbing it with his thumb as he gently turned Dream to face him. "Why are you so upset, hm? Can you tell us?" He requested, being so.. direct with him.

Nightmare was like that too. He was always direct when it came to Dream.. but so wishy-washy when it came to his own feelings. Dream could never get a whisper of Nightmare's feelings but his own would be probed until Nightmare was satisfied.

This felt similar to that.

"..Will you hurt me..?" Dream whispered the question, the words spilling out of his mouth before Dream had a chance to think on it.

Nyx blinked, "Oh, well.."

Dream realized what he just said and jerked his head to the other side.. where he was met with a surprised Malaise.. looking down met him with a surprised Misery.. and looking up met him with a surprised Malevolent.

Dream was surrounded. There was nowhere he could look. He couldn't avoid his own words.

Nyx cups his cheek and gently forces Dream to look at him again, "I can hurt you if you'd like, but.. I don't think you can handle that, you're crying." He whispered, wiping away a stray tear from Dream's cheek.

Dream choked back a sob, "B-But..but I.. I.." He wanted to refute Nyx's words but he was choked up. He couldn't even get out a point.

Nyx seemed to want to say something, as his mouth opened but he ended up not speaking, cut off by Dream's squeak.

Dream squeaks because he felt a pain on his shoulder. Dream looked back to see Malevolent, his teeth buried into Dream's shoulder. Dream felt pain.. and it was followed by pleasure as Malevolent began sucking on the injury he made.

"A-Aah.. w-wa.. wait.. wait.." Dream tried to protest but Malevolent didn't seem to particularly care. He was suckling the wound he made and Dream could already feel the hickey blossoming.

Malevolent pulled back, seemingly satisfied.. but Dream was awfully ready despite his emotions as Malevolent slipped down his shirt, revealing more of his shoulder.. and he went right at it.

Malevolent began biting and suckling Dream's shoulder where he could and Dream felt a buzz down there that he just.. tried to ignore. He really tried to ignore it.

"Well, don't mind if I do!~" Malaise commented as he tugged Dream's shirt up—disturbing Misery a tad—now nipping at his skin where he could. That meant wherever Misery wasn't covering with his body.. which was mostly Dream's side.

Malaise and Malevolent were both making quick work of Dream.. Misery was quick to follow the example.. in a slightly different way. Misery took to occupying Dream's mouth, swallowing his protests, moans and whines. All his noises were consumed by Misery.

All that was left was Nyx.

Nyx hadn't moved from his spot, not for a long moment. When he finally shuffles, it's in between Dream's legs. Dream sees this between his blurred vision and Misery on his mouth. Dream could feel a stronger buzz hit down there and it was shameful.

Dream doesn't know what he wanted exactly but he feels Nyx start to kiss his thighs and that made him moan louder than he already was.

Everything was so overwhelming.. yet utterly perfect, in a way.

Dream was surrounded, encompassed, encased.. and it was perfect. It was perfect. He couldn't think yet he was thinking too much. The feeling of Malevolent's teeth digging into his flesh. The sting of it, the soothing passing of his tongue over it. Malaise nipping at his sides, taking Malevolent's example and biting into him all where he could, tugging at flesh and rolling it between his sharp teeth. Misery kissing him, no longer the innocent kiss it was earlier, no.. Dream can't even recall if this second kiss started innocently.. but it wasn't currently. Misery was suckling on his lips, his tongue intruding in his mouth, suckling on his tongue, biting his lower lip.. Dream couldn't even hear his noises, Misery was absorbing all of them..

And Nyx.. Nyx was doing the least, yet somehow, it was the most. Chaste kisses were pressed to his inner thighs. It was not even near the same level of aggressive passion as the other three..

Yet it ached him the most. Both his heart and his privates.. Dream couldn't even.. he couldn't think. He had no idea if he was erect or not. He just felt this warmth all over and it was concentrated right above where Nyx's lips met his flesh. Just above.

Dream panted softly, oh.. this was all so much.. it felt so similar to when he and Nightmare would be intimate with one another. Quick kisses between them would always end up with messy love making underneath their tree. Dream usually took the lead—at least initially—but.. the times that Nightmare took the lead were wild, fervorous, and tender all the same. It was intense, but gentle.

Much like this.

Dream felt so much, and yet he needed more. He needed more pain, more passion, more desire. He needed to be desired, to be used, to be broken by Nightmare's hands. He wanted Nightmare to break him into pieces and painstakingly rebuild him to his heart's desire. Dream would be whatever Nightmare needed him to be. He could be that and more. Nightmare just needed.. Nightmare, Nightmare, Nightmare-

Dream moaned the name without realising it.. he moaned it into Misery's mouth, he moaned it when Misery separated. Dream didn't immediately realize.. because no one brought attention to it.

Dream felt shame fill him as Misery came back to lock lips with him once more. He turned his head a little and Misery took that to heart, immediately backing up.

Dream regretted that immediately. Dream tugged on Misery's flimsy, translucent cover-up. "P.. please.. d-don't stop.. please brother.." Dream whispered the plea and yet again, he didn't realize what he had let slip.. and he didn't realize how it was so lovingly ignored.

Misery stared at him in shock for only a brief moment before a smile graced his face. There was no hesitation as he leaned back in.. and Dream's mouth was once again claimed by Misery.

And his mind was once again claimed by fantasies of being with Nightmare under the tree.

Where Dream needed to be.

Where Dream belonged.

Dream's mind had taken him back to that tree many times before, and it certainly will many times in the future. But instead of being guilt ridden and somber.. Dream's mind was filled with pleasure.

Pleasure, pleasure, pleasure.

Yet it wasn't enough.

Dream could feel the tingling feeling of pain twisting into pleasure, unadulterated pleasure.. but he felt nothing where it truly culminated. Dream was aching so much down there and all he could feel were butterfly kisses surrounding the most important area, teasing him.

Dream couldn't stand it, he couldn't stand this.. this teasing! Dream pulled back from his kiss with Misery, much to Misery's confusion. Dream fumbled a bit but his hand grabbed a hold of Nyx's hair and just tugged him to the area that needed attention. Nyx didn't say anything, there was this low chuckle before he kissed Dream through his underwear.

It sent a shiver down Dream's spine. He whimpered, going to pull Misery in again as he felt so bare without his lips being occupied. Dream was only moaning into his kiss with Misery more now.. he now had Nyx kissing him down there.

It was perfect. This was perfect.

Dream was practically drunk with euphoria. He had nothing to complain about and everything to fanatsize about. No part of him was left alone and that was perfect. He could barely think. It was perfect.

Dream didn't wish to think, he only wished to feel and feel and feel. Dream felt so warm, he felt this heat building in his chest and further down as well. Dream couldn't name what it was, he just knew it was there and was growing more intense with every passing second.

There was no longer any moment where Dream wasn't moaning. He was consistently making noise that was consistently being swallowed.

Dream was so close, he was so close. Dream needed this. He needed it. He wanted it, he craved it.. it was so close yet so far away. Dream was bucking his hips very poorly to try and derive more pleasure. As greedy as could be and his pleas were answered.

Nyx finally removed Dream's underwear and took him into his mouth. No hesitation. No wavering. Nyx had Dream, and he took him so well.

It was so warm and wet and Dream couldn't last. He just couldn't. Dream finished inside of Nyx's mouth almost instantly.

Dream's whole body stilled as it was racked with intense pleasure. It was so much more than anything he's experienced. It was so much yet not enough. He was tired yet energetic.

Misery was no longer claiming his mouth, allowing Dream to draw in deep, shaky breaths. Dream almost heaved as everyone else continued their ministrations on his body.. Misery had moved on to pressing kisses to Dream's sweaty face.

Dream felt that heat fizzling out but everyone still continued. They kept going.. Dream's body was still being used and pleasured and that was..

It was satisfying.

Dream could feel everything, every little movement, every little breath, all of it. Dream could feel and see the way all four of them kept using him so well.

Malevolent was still biting him, treating Dream like a personal chew toy. Malaise was nipping and creating a trail of hickies to decorate Dream. Misery was still kissing him and making sure that Dream's lips will be swollen and puffy.. and Nyx, oh, Nyx..

Nyx was making sure that Dream was still erect. Even if Dream didn't want to be erect, he doesn't think it's physically possible with the way Nyx was bobbing his head. Dream couldn't describe what Nyx did as anything but incredibly skillful.

It truly only took a few moments for Dream to finish again, inside of Nyx's mouth.

But the second time didn't stop them.

Nor the third.

By the fourth, Nyx had finally let off.. and when Nyx backed off, the rest did as well.

Dream was a panting, whining, bruised and hickied mess after all of their combined efforts. Dream was whimpering like a kicked dog, he couldn't even speak. He was just.. whining.

"Oh, you poor thing.. let's clean you up..~" Nyx cooed, squeezing Dream's thighs, eliciting a moan from him. Those little touches felt electric. Dream was hard again just from that.

Dream wanted them to keep going, to keep using him. He tried to express that.

"M-Mhnn.. n-no.. nno.." Dream whined, shaking his head to emphasize his disapproval for the decision to stop.

That got a round of coos from everyone in the room.

No one listened.

Malevolent started the job by removing Dream's shirt. It had stayed on the whole time, despite everything. It was loose and shuffled around the whole time.. and now it was littered with saliva and light blood. That was all the clothing Dream had been left with so there was nothing else to remove.

That meant that all they had to do was clean Dream up.

Dream didn't seem able to make it to the bath.. and even if he was carried to it, he had several open wounds, courtesy of Malevolent and Malaise as well.

Nyx hadn't said anything but Misery and Malaise were already on the move.. while Malevolent simply watched Dream, rubbing his little exhausted head. Dream seemed rather out of it, but he wasn't complaining anymore, murmuring incoherently to himself.

Dream didn't understand why it had all stopped. He wanted more, and more, and more. He wanted until he passed out from sheer exhaustion, or blood loss, whatever made it go dark.. but instead.. here he was, alive and awake. Dream's eyes flickered over to Malevolent, he stared at him and Malevolent stared back. Dream didn't have any reason to stare.. but Malevolent didn't seem to understand that. Mistaking the staring as a need.

Malevolent clearly believed Dream needed a kiss as that was what he gave him.

It was very shortly after that when Misery and Malaise returned. Misery had this small container of water, and Malaise had a few rags. Nyx took the lead on clean up, dipping the first rag in the water, squeezing the excess.. and lovingly rubbing down Dream's body.

Nyx took the lower half, caring for Dream's privates and his legs. Malaise took Dream's torso, and Misery took Dream's face. Malevolent was in charge of moving Dream as needed for one of the other three.

It went smoothly, as expected with three people actively working on it all. Not only was it smooth, but it was quick.

Despite the quickness of it all, Dream's eyes had begun to flutter shut. He watched with half-lidded eyes as his limbs were moved as necessary to fit him into some nightgown. Something the brothel seemingly provided in case of dirtied clothes.

Dream felt a heat rise to his cheeks as his arms were raised and made to slip through the sleeves of the nightgown.. and he was raised by Malevolent for Misery to pull down his nightgown. It felt so.. humiliating.

It made him feel warm, and fuzzy too, but still utterly humiliated. Dream was far too old to have others be dressing him but.. he was so tired.. he had nothing to say.

Everyone gathered around him in the same positions they had before their.. fun. Nyx and Malaise laid on either side of him, he was on top of Malevolent and Misery was on top of him. It all felt warm.. and pleasantly cool.

Dream's eyes were drooping; he sees the four of them exchanging words but his mind couldn't focus on what those could possibly be.

Dream wanted to know.. he truly did.. but he couldn't fight off the sleep for very long. It took little effort for him to drift off into slumber.

The moment Dream's eyes were closed, he was asleep.. in a small, warm, familiar pile.

It was.. peaceful, safe..

Dream liked it.

Chapter Text

What came after Dream fell asleep was Dream waking up in that same bed, alone after.. who knows how many hours..

It kind of stung his heart to just suddenly be alone after all that. Well, it likely wasn't sudden, but to him it felt so.. however.. he could handle the pain of it. When he wasn't in those four's presence.. he wasn't as likely to cry.

Thus, Dream gathered his clothes, redressed himself, took a moment to breathe, then he left.

He left the brothel.

That was.. quite the experience.

Dream couldn't be sure if it made him feel less stressed or not.

Regardless of how it made him feel, however, Dream had returned the next day.

The passing of time between AUs is a bit nebulous so he wasn't too sure how long it had been since he had been there to everyone else but it wouldn't have been more than a week.

Dream welcomed that idea, because it made him seem far less pathetic.

Dream entered the brothel, another worker was currently at the desk than the one he saw previously. Dream approached the desk and again, the worker gives him a catalogue. Dream does the same method of flipping through Misery's to Nyx's page, signifying he wanted all four, however..

"Those three are busy, you can either wait or just have this one." He explained to Dream, tapping on Misery's page. 

Dream tried to keep a neutral face but he let a little frown slip. Well, there is nothing he can do about that. He certainly wasn't the only person that came here.. but should he wait? How long would that even be? Should he go? No, he's.. he's already here.. and Misery was available.

Dream, silently, taps Misery's page, quietly informing the worker that he'd just be having him. Similarly to last time, he was handed a slip of paper with a number. Dream was surprised by how much less it was.. he felt a bit.. bad that it only took this much money to have someone share such intimate moments with him.

It just.. didn't sit right.

Dream was brought out of his thoughts by the worker handing him a room key. This key was to room one. Dream almost, almost, went to the same hallway he had before but the odd numbers were in the other hallway. Thus, Dream makes his way over there. It didn't take long to find room one, it was the first room in the hallway.

Dream stood in front the door, taking a deep breath. Similarly to last time, there was a distinct click when he opened the door but.. it wasn't dark. Light poured into the entryway from the bedroom. It was a bit.. nerve inducing, somehow.

Dream walked further inside and there on the bed, he sees Misery, sitting on the edge of bed by his lonesome, kicking his feet. He notices Dream a moment after his arrival, a bright smile growing on his face.

"Dreamy!~" Misery greets, hopping off of the bed and coming right up to Dream. Today, Misery had on much less revealing clothes. He had on this big, oversized shirt that made him look a lot smaller than he did before.

Dream felt his face heat up, he couldn't say anything as Misery took his hand and dragged him over to the bed. Like last time.. except, when he was sat, there was no barrage of attention.. just Misery sat beside him, holding and squeezing Dream's hand.

It was quiet, save for Misery's humming.

Dream's come to the realization that he didn't seem to think decisions through as often as he used to.

"Sooo~ What did you wanna do?" Misery asked quietly, his voice very soft, sweet.. and innocent.

Dream couldn't help but relate it to Nightmare more. When it was the four of them together.. Misery didn't stick out as being so much like Nightmare, but.. one on one.. it was.. glaringly obvious. Misery was.. small.. and that reminded him of Nightmare when he was small like this.. when they were small like this.

"I.. whatever you'd like.." Dream breathes out the words, less overwhelmed than he had been last time but certainly not taking his decisions with any pride or steadfast.

Misery glanced at him, staring for a moment before he crawled into his lap. Dream's face heated up quite a bit, especially as he was pushed down onto the bed. Misery brushes Dream's hair out of his face, a smile blossoming on his.

"Are you sure you want me to decide, Dreamy?" Misery asked, considerately, as his hands made lightwork of Dream's clothes.

It was only one of them yet Dream's mind felt hazy and his clothes were gone in a matter of moments. Dream stared at Misery, nodding slowly, he wanted Misery to take the lead. He didn't want to do anything that would make him uncomfortable. He'd rather be the receiver.

Even if that choice was selfish of him, it tortured his mind less than taking the lead and somehow hurting Misery.

Misery gave a small nod, leaning down and kissing Dream on the mouth. Soft, slow, chaste.. Misery's kisses were more often that than not, in his little experience..

Misery pulled back, kissing Dream's cheek, then his jaw, down his neck and chest.. to his stomach, where he stopped. Misery took a moment to nom on Dream's stomach, eliciting a little noise from Dream.

Misery perked up, "Are you ticklish?" He questioned between noms of Dream's stomach that felt more like nips with how fast paced they were.

"I-I.. n-no I don't t-think so-" Dream denied but there were little stifled laughs between his words as Misery continued his actions. Dream can't recall being ticklish.. perhaps he was. What Misery was doing was drawing noise from him.

Misery didn't seem satisfied with that alone, continuing to try and find a ticklish spot. He moved to Dream's sides, gently trailing his fingers along the flesh.

"M-Mh-" Dream makes a stifled noise. It was hard to tell what it was exactly. Dream certainly didn't know.

What he did know was that his face felt even hotter than when all four of them were using his body.

Such an innocent thing and yet Dream was so.. flustered.

Misery didn't seem to pay him any mind as he kept caressing his sides with the lightest touch, drawing out more and more subtle noises from Dream.

Dream felt like Misery wasn't paying him much mind as he played with his body but Misery's eyes were locked on Dream's face with every trace of his fingertips.

Dream watched as Misery began kissing his sides.. Dream's eyes grew half-lidded. He almost couldn't pay attention despite being focused on Misery.

Dream was just thinking of Nightmare. The way Nightmare would tease him in a similar fashion.. he used to hold him down and smother him when they were younger. Though, that was more playfully aggressive than this.. it felt.. connected.

Dream's mind was quickly fizzling out, as was his comprehension and reasoning. He wasn't overwhelmed and crying like last time, he was having a one on one moment and it was so.. reminiscent. Dream couldn't keep himself in the moment.

"..Night.." Dream mumbles, staring at Misery as he was by his side. 

Misery glanced at him, humming softly, "Mhm?" He questioned, though he didn't stop moving.

"Night.." Dream called out again, receiving the exact same response, a questioning hum.

"Night.."

"Yes, Dreamy?" Misery questioned softly, moving up, his face only inches away from Dream's. Misery caresses Dream's cheek, and Dream leans into it, tears beginning to well in his eyes.

Misery's face softened, "Oh, Dream.. you're so sweet, aren't you?" He spoke softly, kissing away the tears that began to slip down Dream's cheeks. Dream couldn't help but grip onto Misery's shirt, tugging at it.

"Okay.. okay, it's okay.. shh.." Misery moves to lay beside Dream, moving a limp Dream to nuzzle into his chest. Misery's little body curls around Dream's bigger one.

Dream trembled as tears just kept falling. He couldn't focus or understand but he could make out the soft whispers of reassurance and comfort from Misery. The rubbing of his back and kissing of his head. Dream was bigger than Misery but he felt so, so much smaller all of a sudden. He felt.. so much.

"I-I'm s-ssorry-" Dream chokes out between hiccups, unable to get his tears to stop. He thought he could handle this one on one. He thought he wouldn't burst out into tears if it wasn't all four of them..

He thought he wouldn't think of Nightmare as much as he did.

But Dream was, he had so grossly underestimated how.. fragile his emotions were. He thought he had a good grasp on them but all that seemed to fall apart the second he was in any presence similar to Nightmare.

Dream's body was racked with sobs and he felt so awful. He curled up into Misery, attempting to make himself smaller but he was still too big, too clunky. He didn't deserve to be held and comforted like this. Not in the slightest.

Misery whispers something into Dream's ear, and Dream catches it, despite everything happening.

"It's okay, Dreamy.. everything's okay.. brother's here.." Misery murmured into Dream's ear and Dream knew he was getting too lost in his mind because Misery wouldn't say that to him. Why would he ever?

But.. Dream heard this repeated twice, then thrice.. and Dream couldn't have made all of it up.

Dream's body started to shake less as he nuzzled Misery's chest, "Brother.." He mumbled into Misery, who gives him a little chuckle, petting his head.

"Oh.. it's okay, brother, you don't need to cry or worry.. okay?" Misery croons, his hands trailing Dream's sides and squeezing them ever so softly. It made Dream whimper, but.. surprisingly, his mind felt.. clearer, lighter.

Dream didn't feel like he needed to fret.. he didn't feel like he could because Misery kept whispering praises, reassurances, comforts.. all while his hands were busy on Dream's body, relieving him of tension wherever his fingertips trailed.

It was much more than Dream deserved.

Yet Dream was greedy, greedy enough to accept all of it at once.

To accept being accepted all at once.

Dream's breaths eventually evened out, and he was simply curled up into Misery. No longer crying, but just as fragile as when he was.

"Mm.. Dream, do you still want me to continue?" Misery questioned softly, tilting Dream's head up to look at him. Misery had a little smile on his face, sweet.. and unjudging despite everything that just happened.

Dream sniffled, "I.. I want it.. but ca.. can you..?" He couldn't even bring himself to voice what he wanted. It was humiliating what he desired. Dream felt.. just so embarrassed.

"..Hurt you?" Misery questioned, running his hand through Dream's hair.

Dream felt his embarrassment rise tenfold at the way Misery just knew what he was going to ask, like he had him figured out already. It's mortifying.

Dream, shamefully, nods, confirming that he did want to be hurt by Misery.

Misery pursed his lips, humming in thought, his hand still combing through Dream's hair. "I don't think I can do that, sorry.." He apologizes gently, a small smile on his face paired with furrowed brows.

Dream frowned, "B-But.. t-the last time-" He tried to argue but Misery silences him with a kiss on the mouth.

"That's all the hurting I can do for you, baby brother." Misery whispers, his face still so close to Dream's. Enough that Dream could feel Misery's breath and his warmth and chill..

Dream almost didn't register the denial, he almost didn't care..

Almost.

"Pl.. please, please.. I just.." Dream felt silly to be begging like this after he was denied. But he couldn't leave that there, Dream needed to get just a bit of pain. His mind was racing, he needed something to fizzle it out again.

Misery hummed, tugging Dream's hair harshly, making him whimper, "Dream, I've said no.. won't you listen to big brother?" He questioned, massaging at Dream's scalp.

Dream's mind went fuzzy as he shuffled himself lower, to make himself feel and look smaller. He nuzzles into Misery's stomach, "I.. no.. I-I won't listen.." He puts up a little fight, just to get a bit more pain.

Just a bit more.

Misery indulges him, tugging harshly at his hair again and Dream felt so flustered. His face felt warm but he felt good. Good without that sickening feeling.

Misery leans down and gently bites into Dream's cheek, simply rolling the flesh between his teeth for a few seconds. "Sweet thing.. you like being hurt? That's okay, a big brother can indulge the baby one, hm?" He coos, kissing Dream's forehead and Dream's mind went blank.

Oh.. Misery just knew, didn't he? He's likely been knowing but Dream couldn't feel the embarrassment of that right now.

Dream just wanted his big brother to hurt him.

Dream could feel Misery's other hand, dragging his nails into Dream's flesh, giving him such a little amount of pain. Especially compared to last time but it was enough. It was more than enough.

"Ple.. please.. can you please.." Dream tried to beg but his pleas were swallowed by Misery. He kissed him and swallowed every last noise from his mouth as he gave Dream the lightest teasings of pain.

Pulling his hair, digging his skin, biting his lips.

All too little.

All too much.

Dream was moaning what felt like endlessly into Misery's mouth. He couldn't think, only feel.

And he felt so much.

Dream was lost in this haze of pain and pleasure. He had no clue as to what was leaving his mouth and being absorbed by Misery's. It just felt.. good, so good.

Dream whined when Misery had separated their mouths, Dream didn't understand why.. that is until Misery rolled him to lay down. Misery moved down to his penis, it was erect.. and already leaking. Misery pushed his hair back behind his ears before he took Dream's tip into his mouth.

Dream felt a shiver go through his whole body. This was different than Nyx.. he took all of him in immediately.. Misery was just playing with the tip of his penis.. at most, the whole head. He was teasing Dream.

But Dream couldn't find it in himself to care. He moaned and whined as Misery kept playing with him. Dream could do nothing else. Utterly helpless.

Dream feels Misery's teeth gently press into his flesh and Dream swears he saw stars. It felt.. amazing. Dream couldn't.. he couldn't.. It was too much. It was too perfect. He wished Misery actually bit him. He wanted a real bite.

"P-Please.. please b-bite- please..-" Dream mumbled almost incoherent pleas and he felt like he was being ignored because he felt no bite, no pain.

Dream whimpers as he felt Misery pinch his inner thigh.. it felt like he was being scolded. All Dream wanted was to be bitten.. why was that so-

Before Dream could finish his thought, Misery bit him. It was barely a bite but he felt teeth sinking in and that was all it took for Dream to finish in Misery's mouth.

Misery made a little noise when his mouth was suddenly full but he dutifully swallowed all of it. Misery moves up and presses a kiss to Dream's lips.

Dream was panting, sweaty and sticky after all of that. Misery coos at him and Dream's face felt warmer than before. He felt.. small. It was odd. Dream couldn't place it. Dream didn't have much time to think, though.. as suddenly, Misery was wiping his body down.

That too was reminiscent of the last time.. but it was just Misery, methodically rubbing his body clean.

It felt like Nightmare was cleaning him up after he got messy.. he was prone to being messy, prone to being cleaned up.. it was all so familiar yet.. not enough in the same breath.

Dream blinked as Misery started to redress him, he was maneuvering Dream's legs to slip back on his underwear.. but when he pulled it up to his thighs, he taps Dream's hips. 

"Up, up.." Misery whispered, waiting for Dream to follow.

Dream's face was unbelievably hot as he raised his hips up, allowing Misery to put his underwear on.. Dream was about to stop Misery, because he wasn't so tired that he couldn't dress himself but he had no time to. Dream was pulled up and his head guided through the head hole of his shirt first, then his arms were moved and his shirt pulled down. Dream felt so embarrassed.

Dream could see Misery going to grab his pants but he grabs Misery's arm, "I-I can do it.. i-it's okay.." He whispers and Misery didn't look.. convinced.

Misery smiled at Dream, grabbing his pants regardless. He shrugs off Dream's hold and helps him put on his pants.. it was very similar to the underwear where Dream was forced to raise his hips for Misery again.

Dream was a flustered mess by the end of that.

Misery seemed satisfied, at the least. 

Misery sits back down beside Dream, rubbing his stomach, "I think we're done here, Dreamy.." He whispers.

Those words sent Dream's mind and heart into a panic, he doesn't know if it was visible on his face but Misery kisses him the moment he felt panic and Dream was soothed. If only for a moment.

"I.." Dream whimpers, he didn't want this to end yet.

"Shh.. it's okay, you can come back, won't you? Won't you come and see me again?" Misery asked, his words were whispered to Dream's lips.

He could feel them and he felt compelled to interrupt Misery just to kiss him again.

But he didn't.

Dream breathes out shakily, "O-Of course.. I'll come back.. of course I will.." Dream whispered into Misery's mouth.. mimicking what he had just done to him.

Misery smiled, pressing their lips together once more. The kiss was long, but too short at the same time. It was chaste, but deep and passionate.

Dream wanted more, but..

"Goodbye, Dream.." Misery whispers, one little peck given to Dream before he separated.

Dream stared at Misery, trying to find some excuse to stay longer but.. there was finality in Misery's eyes. He didn't want to disobey. Regrettably, Dream picks himself up, and walks out of the room, leaving Misery. 

But like Misery said, he'll come back.

They will see each other again.

Dream will make sure of that.

Chapter Text

It had been.. a little while since he had visited the brothel. Dream had intended to go back to it the very next day but he got caught up with his duty, and that wasn't something he could put off. The few days he had as a break were immediately negated by the few days he had to work non-stop.

When Dream finally had free time, he found himself at the brothel. If he needed the company before, he desperately needed it now. Dream didn't even look very presentable when he entered.. he had on this large oversized shirt with short pants that couldn't even be seen, making him look like he was only wearing the shirt.

Dream was valuing his comfort.. as honestly.. anything else was too much. His battle outfit was constricting to allow for precise movement.. he wasn't in battle, he didn't need to be precise..

Dream tried to get over the embarrassment of what he was wearing as he went up to the desk. He was becoming used to the routine by now. The worker at the desk was the same one from his first time.. he wondered how many worked the desk.. but that didn't matter, he was given the catalogue and Dream instantly turns it to Misery's page, signalling he wanted him.

The worker shakes his head.

Oh.. Misery must be busy.. then what about.. Dream flips the page over to Nyx. He was.. the most like how he remembered Nightmare.. and Dream wanted to speak with him privately. Oh, hopefully he's-

The worker shook his head again.

Dream frowned, well.. that left.. Malaise and Malevolent. 

Hm..

Dream was given the key to room four after he paid. He was growing used to this and he wasn't sure if that was good or bad. Dream opens the door, that distinct click growing ever more familiar.

The lights were off.. ah, this was familiar too.

As Dream approached the foot of the bedroom, the lights turned on. On the bed was Malaise and Malevolent, with Malaise in Malevolent's lap.

Both were wearing identical outfits, similar to the get-up they had on previously but.. slightly different. There wasn't any lingerie beneath it.. it was just.. a translucent cover-up and Dream was staring.

Dream couldn't tear his eyes away and he felt his face grow very very hot.

Malaise jumped off of the bed and happily skipped over to Dream, "Hello, Dreamyyy~ Only taking two of us? Learned some restraint?~" He teased as he tugged Dream over to the bed.

Dream stammered, unable to find proper words as he was put to sit on the bed. He realized that all of them liked to do that. Or was that just.. standard procedure?

Dream couldn't linger on those thoughts as Malevolent's hand was suddenly on his exposed thigh, squeezing it gently.

"My, aren't you being scandalous? If you aren't careful, someone might snatch you up~" Malevolent cooed, rubbing circles on Dream's inner thigh.

Dream's face felt hot before, now it felt like it was on fire.

Dream didn't even get a second to breathe as Malaise began copying Malevolent, rubbing his other thigh.

"Awh! It's okay, only we'll snatch you up, that's what you want isn't it? Dirty boyyy~" Malaise whispered, a sly grin on his face.

Dream was certain that Malaise knew what effect those words had on him. He's positive about it. But could Dream say anything? No, his mind was focused on making sure that he wasn't immediately erect over just his thighs being rubbed.

Perhaps picking these two together was a mistake..

Perhaps it truly was..

But Dream couldn't help but be excited, teeming with anticipation over what they'd do to him.

Malevolent had slipped his hand further up, his hand sliding past the band of Dream's shorts and pulling them and Dream's underwear down. Malaise took care of Dream's shirt, pulling it off of him almost aggressively.

Dream was naked, just like that.

Dream didn't feel naked, though.. because both of them were wearing.. practically nothing. That cover-up gave nothing to the imagination. Dream could see all. but he was trying not to look, to be respectful.

That didn't last long.

Malaise pushed Dream to lay down and it was.. familiar.. he's been pushed down every time he believes. Malaise claims Dream's mouth as his own, biting his lips, suckling on them as Malevolent took to dryly pumping Dream's penis.

Dream whimpered, the light pain was already making him much more slick than before and while two wasn't as overwhelming as four.. it certainly was much more than he could think about. He was still mostly occupied.. his mouth and further down.. even if it wasn't encompassing.. it was still.. full.

Dream moaned as Malaise's tongue intruded in his mouth, passing over every inch of it like he was exploring. Dream couldn't breath as Malaise began to suckle on his tongue, even bite into it. Dream's mind was hazy.

Dream turned his head away from Malaise, taking in deep breaths to compensate for how long he hadn't been breathing. Malaise chuckled, "Ohh.. you're so cute! Can't even handle a little kiss? Are you a baby?" He pokes fun at Dream, grabbing a hold of his hair and tugging at it harshly.

Dream whimpered, nodding along to whatever Malaise said. He wasn't paying attention. That tug didn't help either.. neither did Malevolent still pleasuring him further down. Malevolent was.. quiet. Dream wanted him to talk. He didn't want a moment to think.

"Dreamyyyy~ Eyes on me, c'mon! Don't look anywhere else.. keep those pretty little golden eyes on me, okay?" Malaise ordered, turning Dream's head to force Dream to look at him. Dream whined, nodding slowly. He was panting still.

Malaise didn't go back to kissing so intensely, instead giving Dream light pecks across his face.. paired with many tugs of his hair. Dream enjoyed it.

Malevolent had moved on.. beginning to use his mouth, though.. not on the area Dream had hoped for. Malevolent was biting Dream's inner thighs, marking him up just like he had before. Those bites were even sharper and deeper and Dream felt like he was in heaven.

Dream couldn't think, he couldn't even speak, simply laying there and allowing himself to be subjected to every whim.

Although.. even with this bliss, Dream craved more.. intense pain.

"I-I.. I w-want.." Dream began to speak and Malaise paused to listen, Malevolent didn't.

"Yes, baby? What did you want? You wanna come? Spit it out~" Malaise encouraged, tugging on Dream's hair like that would do anything but delay his answer.

"P-P.. pain.." That was all Dream could muster from his dazed mind.

Malaise giggled, covering his mouth as he laughed. Dream didn't know why but.. it both hurt and was incredibly attractive. It lended to that ache he had down low.

"Oh! You silly thing, relax, we'll get there! What an impatient boy!" Malaise scolded, moving his hand from Dream's hair. His hands find themselves at Dream's chest, pinching and squeezing his nipples.

"A-Aah! O-Oh.. w-wait..-" Dream tried to protest but his protests were met with another squeeze.

"No waiting, baby! You wanted more, you're getting more, so stay still, okay? Or else I'll have to punish you!" Malaise warned, continuing to tease the nubs between his fingers.

Dream could do nothing but whine and moan as Malaise did it.

Dream kind of wanted a punishment. 

Maybe..

Dream didn't get to finish his thought as Malaise had taken to using his mouth on Dream as well.. though, this time.. it was for biting Dream's nipple. He only had one mouth so as he tortured one with his mouth, the other was tortured with his hand.

Between that and Malevolent's relentless attack on his thighs.. Dream's mind was melted. Dream couldn't think of anything. 

All he wanted was pain, pain and pleasure.

Dream wanted more.

Dream needed more.

Dream barely registered Malaise switching between his nipples, now teasing the one he neglected earlier. Dream could feel all of the pain yet it wasn't enough. He felt it in the moment but it didn't linger. Dream wanted the pain to linger.

Dream whimpered as he tugged at Malaise's hair. It truly wasn't anything impressive but it did gain his attention.

Malaise chuckled at him, "Ohh.. you want to be naughty? Is that it?" He questioned and all Dream could do was nod. Dream wanted that, was that so bad?

Dream needed that pain and he needed it to linger.

Malaise turned to Malevolent, "Malll~ I think Dreamy here needs a little spanking, he's being such a bad boy, you know?" 

Those words rang out in Dream's mind, a.. a spanking? Oh, that's.. Dream didn't know what to think but his face was red and he was incredibly hard.

But Dream even knew it, he was put over Malevolent's knee. Dream blinked, oh.. oh, this was embarrassing. He's never felt so much like a child in his life.

Dream's whole body was tense as he awaited the pain but.. it hadn't come yet. Malevolent trails his fingers along Dream's spine, "Relax.. be a good boy for us." Malevolent croons, as his hand trailed further down.

Dream's face grew hotter as he felt Malevolent place his hand on his.. bottom. It was humiliating. This was humiliating. Dream hated it but he needed more.

Dream didn't get to think for much longer as Malevolent brought his hand down to hit him. Dream whimpered, burying his face into Malevolent's thigh as he was consistently spanked. Everything felt so warm and Dream couldn't think.

Dream wasn't just getting hit by Malevolent, no, Malaise was hitting his thighs to match. Malaise's hits were sporadic while Malevolent's were rhythmic. Dream could feel just a strong ache and heat down there.. in the whole area, really.

The punishment was only silent for a bit, as Malaise finally decided to speak up.

"Ooh~ You're loving this, huh?~ You're dripping on Mal~" Malaise coos, squeezing Dream's thigh. Dream whimpered, not knowing whether to nod or shake his head or..

Malaise hits Dream particularly hard, "C'mon~ Answer me!" He ordered.

"Y-Yes! Yes.. yes.." Dream cried out, sniffling as he nuzzled Malevolent's thigh. Malevolent cooed, his free hand running through Dream's hair, tugging lightly on his hair.

"Oh, sweet thing~ You're so good at taking punishments.. naughty little boy.." Malevolent whispered, his hits growing just a tad harder.

Dream nodded, agreeing with Malevolent. He was naughty.. and he was good at taking punishments. He needed more.. he needed..

Dream stifled the moan that left him as he came in Malevolent's lap. Dream whined, oh.. that's so embarrassing. He can't believe that was how he finished.

But even after Dream finished, Malevolent didn't stop.

Malaise did.. however he moved around to the other side, tilting Dream's head up and stealing him with a kiss. Dream could do nothing but whine as he was kissed.

Tears were slipping freely down Dream's cheeks as he was punished and pleased.

Oh.. how Dream desperately wished for more.

If all four of them were here.. punishing him, using him.. Dream's mind grew dazed at the thought alone.

Only able to absentmindedly and messily match Malaise's tongue as his sole action.

Before Dream knew it, his eyes had fallen shut..

He was no longer in the moment with Malaise and Malevolent, no.. he was under the tree, with Nightmare.

Nightmare looked him up and down, sighing, his pretty face scrunched up in disappointment. "Dream.. I can't believe you didn't listen to me, again." He spoke, voice laden with disappointment.

Dream sniffled, wiping at his eyes, "I-I'm sorry, Nighty.." He murmured but an apology wasn't enough for Nightmare. Nightmare took Dream's hand, pulling him closer. Nightmare guided Dream over his lap and all Dream could do was shake.

"I don't want to do this, but you've left me with no choice.." Nightmare mumbled as he fumbled with Dream's clothes, baring him for his punishment. Dream whimpered, nodding along. Nightmare was right, he had to do it. Dream deserved it.

Nightmare had started spanking him the moment that his lower clothes were removed. Each hit was slow, but intense. Dream felt his bottom growing hot with only a few hits in, let alone with how many Nightmare likely intended to give him.

Dream didn't know when he started to cry in his punishment but Nightmare had kept going and going.

Dream opened his mouth, a plea escaping him.

"Nightmare..!" Dream moaned into Malaise's mouth, the word muffled but still very clear. Dream's eyes were still tightly shut but Malaise left his mouth.

Dream's eyes opened slightly, through his blurred vision, he moans, "Night.. Night..~" He couldn't help but let the name slip.

Dream didn't know what was happening. He felt so warm all over and he.. he needed Nightmare.

"N-Nighty pleasee.." Dream begged, he didn't know what he was begging for. Neither did anyone else but Dream was flipped over, laying on his back.

Dream hiccupped, his stomach was lovingly rubbed and his head was lovingly pet as well. Dream couldn't see much through his teary eyes but he saw the purple. A pair of purple eyes.. oh.. oh, yes.. right..

Dream's mind couldn't bring itself to focus.. especially not when he felt a hand wrap around his penis, pumping the slick mess.

"Good boy.. you can finish, it's okay.. no one's stopping you. You've been so good for us.." Someone whispered to him, Dream wasn't sure who exactly, but he listened.

Dream had been good.. hadn't he? Dream felt like he was.. was he? Dream couldn't think.. he just felt the rhythmic thrusting and that resonated through his body. Every little pump made him jerk a bit.

Oh, he was so..

Dream whined as he came into.. someone's hand. Dream didn't know whose.. his eyes began to fall shut, he whined.

"It's okay.. take a rest.. we'll be here when you wake up.." Someone reassured him and Dream tried to nod. He didn't know if he did, but he tried to. He believed it.

Dream's eyes finally fell shut, and his whole body went limp. Though his mind was racing with old memories that no one but him recalled anymore.

Despite that.. Dream knew..

Dream won't be alone when he wakes up..

He won't be.

Chapter Text

The next time Dream opened his eyes, he was in between Malaise and Malevolent. Both were awake, both were watching him sleep.. and Dream was redressed, and he felt clean too. It was.. rather humiliating.. but.. he liked that he hadn't been alone. He bid the two soft goodbyes when he left, he couldn't allow himself to stick around or talk more. Both out of embarrassment, and out of worry on neglecting his duties.

It had taken a while for Dream to go back to the brothel again. Far, far too long. It had been a month, he doesn't even know how long that was to the universe the brothel was in. Dream was so.. busy. If it wasn't.. Nightmare, it was cleaning up damage, helping the locals re-supply.. just.. everything that came after destruction took so long. It was so exhausting.

So stressful.

Dream felt like he was going crazy, that month without any sort of relief was torture. Knowing relief made it so much harder to stand life without it. Dream wanted to go but he still.. he still had so much to do. There were still a couple universes with damage that needed help.

That needed him.

Dream shakily breathed out, he was sitting on his bed, spiralling about all he had to do tomorrow. It was late, but tomorrow hadn't reached yet. Dream didn't have anything left to do tonight.

Dream picks himself off, shuffling over to his dresser. He chooses a large, oversized shirt. He didn't bother covering himself more than that. He didn't bother with shoes. Dream wasn't thinking much about his appearance.

Dream was within the universe in seconds. The neon sign outside was brightly lit, illuminating him. The inside of the establishment was brightly lit indoors too. It was still open. He didn't know why. But it was.

Dream entered.

Dream didn't see anyone by the front desk.. and it was there that he realized he hadn't brought money with him.

..What was he even doing here?

He had so much to do tomorrow. He had so many people to help yet he came to lose himself in pleasure.

Some hero he is.

Dream turned around, about to leave for good, but..

"Dream?" 

Dream flinched at his own name, that familiar sounding voice. He turns to see..

"Ni-.. Nyx.." Dream mumbled, his face growing hot as he pulled down his shirt. It covered enough but he suddenly felt so embarrassed about his choice of outfit.

Nyx scanned his body up and down, this.. certain look, in his eye. Like he was calculating what to do or say. Dream recognized that look, he often bore it himself.

..Nightmare often bore it.

Neither moved; Dream waiting for Nyx to say something, and Nyx thinking of something to say.

"..Would you like to join me for a drink?" Nyx questions softly, taking a step towards Dream.

Dream blinked, he looks between Nyx and the entrance. He.. he shouldn't. No, no.. he really shouldn't..

Dream was nodding along before he knew it.

Nyx grinned at him, taking his hand and ushering him off down one of the hallways. But they didn't stop at any numbered doors, no, Nyx went to the end of the hallway and opened the door there. It was dark inside. Dream couldn't see a thing.

Before Dream knew it, he was in another room that was actually well lit, sat down at a table and given a blanket over his shoulders.

Nyx was stood by a table with a wide array of drinks; ranging from what appeared to be alcohol to juice. Nyx seemed to be contemplating. He glanced back at Dream.

"What do you want?" Nyx questioned as he started prepping a drink. Dream assumes that was for Nyx himself.

"..Whatever you're having is fine.." Dream mumbled as he pulled the blanket tighter over himself. Did he look sad enough to need a blanket? That's embarrassing.

What's more embarrassing was that the blanket was making him feel better.

Dream tunes back into reality when Nyx sits across from him, placing a mug in front of him. It was.. tea. It smelled.. like lemongrass.

That was.. one of his favourites.

Nightmare would always make tea for himself but Dream always liked the lemongrass, with honey.. because he had a sweet tooth.

He hasn't had lemongrass tea in a very long time. He could never quite make it the way Nightmare would. Nightmare did something.. special that Dream couldn't recreate.

Dream wraps his hands around the mug, feeling the warmth from it. This.. this must have already been steeped, it smells too fragrant to have just been made for him. It must have simply been convenient.. tea is relaxing, of course he should be given it when he undoubtedly looks rough.

Dream brings the mug up to his lips, taking a sip.

It.. it tasted familiar.

It tasted like home.

Dream didn't realize he was crying until he felt Nyx's hand on his face, brushing away his tears.

"I.. I'm sorry I-" Dream tried to apologize, setting the mug down and hastily rubbing his face to rid it of any moisture.

Nyx hummed, "It's alright, rough day?" He asked quietly, finger circling the rim of his own mug. His eyes were fixated on the motion of his own finger for a brief moment before he locked eyes with Dream.

Dream felt his mouth go dry.

He wasn't sure why.

"I.. yeah.. yeah. It's..yes." Dream couldn't elaborate, he wasn't asked to and it felt wrong to unload his thoughts on someone who didn't ask.

Someone who looked like the person who couldn't rely on him.

Perhaps he should have lied.. said his day wasn't rough.

But no one would believe that.

Dream is aware he looks awful.. Nyx gave him a blanket for stars' sake. Blankets weren't given to people who didn't look awful.

"..Would you like to talk about it?" Nyx prompts and all at once, Dream feels too much.

Dream stared at the tea, slowly shaking his head. It was barely visible, that's how little he was moving, but Nyx picked up on it regardless.

"..Hm, you know.. you came here in that and you don't have anything on you besides that shirt, I can tell.." Nyx started, circling the rim of his mug again.

"It seems like a cry for help." Nyx finished, locking eyes with Dream once more. Dream flinched when they made eye contact.. not to mention the words..

Dream hunched in on himself, shaking ever so slightly. "..Do I look that bad?" He questioned quietly, though, Dream thinks he knew the answer already.

"You do, you do look that bad."

There was a brief silence.

"..If I didn't want to listen to you, I would have let you walk out the door." Nyx clarifies, taking a sip out of his mug for the first time since he sat down.

Dream straightens up in his seat, unconsciously copying Nyx. He takes a sip as well.

"..Okay, okay.. I.. I'll talk." Dream mumbled, knowing in his mind that it was a bad idea but his heart overrides the decision to keep quiet.

After receiving tea and a blanket.. what could Dream do but talk to Nyx?

Nyx doesn't rush Dream, thankfully. He was simply sitting there, holding his mug and occasionally sipping as Dream found the words..

And the courage to speak.

"I.. I've been.. very busy. It.. it hasn't just been.. a rough day. It's been.. a rough few weeks." Dream rasped out part of an explanation, his throat suddenly so dry and his eyes so wet. But Dream doesn't cry, he takes a sip of the tea and continues.

"It's.. it's been.. hard. I.. my.. job.. involves.. helping people. I.. I often have to help improve the conditions of people's lives.. especially.. after disaster." Dream avoided saying what his job is as much as he really could. It was truthful, what he said.. but he didn't have a job.. it was his duty.

An obligation.

It's not something he can quit and never look back on.

Nyx listened to him, his eyes never straying from Dream. When Dream took a long enough pause, he speaks.

"..That must be hard, have you had to help a lot of people recently?" Nyx questioned, knowing exactly what to ask to make Dream just.. spill out everything.

"It is.. it's.. it's so hard. I've had to do so much and it's.. it's just hard." Dream couldn't find a more eloquent way to speak his mind, tears threatened to spill from his eyes as he gripped the mug.

"It is, isn't it? But why is it so hard to you?" Nyx prodded and Dream felt the tears in his eyes slip down his cheeks. It felt awful to have Nyx ask that.

It made him feel like it shouldn't be that hard.

But he talks regardless.

"Because.. because.. I.. I can't fail at it. If I fail.. I.. it's.. it's just.. s-sorry, I can't.." Dream admitted what it was and he immediately regretted it. He could feel bile rising in his throat that he swallows down with a gulp of lemongrass tea.

"Why can't you fail?" Nyx questioned, tapping on the table. It seemed to be an absentminded action but Dream couldn't help but focus on it.

It was like it put him in a trance.

"If I fail.. he wins.. if he wins.. then it's all over. It'll.. be my fault. Again." Dream mutters, eyes fixated on Nyx's tapping finger.

"Who will win?"

"..Nightmare.." Dream answered before realizing it, he covered his mouth but the damage had been done. Nyx knew what he said.

But Nyx didn't look surprised by it.

Of course.. of course, they don't know who he is.. or who Nightmare is.. even if Dream said his name a few times.. it meant nothing.

Nothing at all.

"Is it bad if he wins?" Nyx probed again.. and Dream didn't understand why.

"Of.. of course it is.. it.. everything.. everyone will be.." Dream couldn't even formulate why it was bad. That would reveal too much. Even though he's said too much already.

Nyx leaned forward, elbows on the table and chin resting on the back of his hands. "What'd you have to do? That made you so stressed, that is." 

"..I.. I don't.. wanna talk anymore.." Dream mumbled, going to take a sip of his tea but.. it was all gone. He finished it without realizing.

Nyx hummed, "I'll give you a refill." He said with a small smile as he took the mug without asking. Dream nodded along with it dumbly, saying nothing in response.

A freshly filled mug of lemongrass tea was placed in front of him in a matter of moments.

Dream takes a long sip.

Nyx sat back down across from him, his head tilted, "Do you want to have sex?" 

Dream spits out his tea.

"A-Aah- s-sorry I-" Dream's apology was muffled as he held his hand over his mouth, attempting to keep his spill contained but it seeped through the gaps in his fingers, littering the table.

"I-I'll clean it up- I-" Dream was panicking, he couldn't even think straight. What can he clean this up with? The blanket? No, no.. that was given to him. His shirt? It's not long enough to reach the top of the table without exposing himself-

Dream's flurry of thoughts were halted by a rag in front of him, slowly and methodically cleaning up the spill.

It was Nyx, of course.

"Was that a no?" Nyx questioned, tossing the rag into a nearby bin. He didn't sit back down, almost looming over Dream's figure.

"N-No! No.. it.. it isn't a no.. it's just.. I.. I haven't.. I haven't paid-" Despite how much Dream loses himself, he does know that he pays for a service. Pays to be put up with.

Here, he wasn't paying.

Nyx just.. offered that to him.

Nyx placed a hand on his face, rubbing at the wetness of his face with his hand—it did nothing but spread that wetness around.

"I know, I just.. figure you need to relieve some stress." Nyx responded, a strand of his hair falling in his face, almost framing it for Dream.

Dream didn't know how to feel.

He wanted to say yes.

He so desperately wanted to.

But Dream shouldn't.. he shouldn't. He.. he hasn't paid.. and.. and Nyx just.. he..

Dream's internal monologue was cut short by Nyx cupping his cheek, rubbing it with his thumb.

"Be a good boy for me.. good boys say yes when they are offered propositions." Nyx informed, a sly smile on his face.

Dream knows those words weren't exactly something to follow but he found himself nodding along anyhow.

"Let's go, then." Nyx whispered, pulling Dream up by the hand. Nyx kept a firm grasp on Dream as he led him out of the room.. and into the darkness again.

Despite not being able to see, not knowing where they're going...

Dream fully trusts Nyx.

It's odd.. he likely shouldn't.. but he does.

Dream's eyes fell shut as he was guided along.

The next time Dream opened his eyes, he was in a dimly lit room with nothing but a single, cramped bed inside it.

Dream watched as Nyx approached the small bed, sitting on it. It looked even smaller with Nyx on top of it.

Nyx pats the spot next to him, and Dream takes the seat, moving subconsciously.

The realization that he was going to have sex with Nyx in this small, cramped bed hit him like an avalanche.

Dream glanced at Nyx nervously, fidgeting with his hands in his lap. Waiting.. waiting to be instructed, moved, used.

Something.

Anything.

Dream's eyes trailed to Nyx once more, only to discover the other was stripping down. He wasn't wearing much more than Dream but he was suddenly naked and Dream felt exposed just upon the sight even though it wasn't him naked.

"Lie down.." Nyx ordered him.. though it didn't matter, he had pushed Dream to lay down anyway.

Dream stayed in that position, staring at Nyx as he hovered over him. Dream's face felt hot and in between his legs ached. His breath quickened and his body trembled in anticipation, already sweating over what was to come.

"Relax, Dream.. you're much too tense.." Nyx scolded lightly as he leaned down, kissing and nipping at Dream's neck playfully.

Dream whimpered, his hands looked to grip Nyx but he couldn't get enough of a hold, his lands lay at his sides, useless.. just like him. Dream tilted his head as Nyx kissed more of the area, he didn't deny Nyx any of his flesh.

Dream whined as he felt the smallest pass of teeth against his flesh. It made his stomach twist in what was both an awful and pleasurable way. Dream didn't know if he liked or hated this feeling. All he knows is that it was there.

And it was loud.

Dream's body was tense, as if it's never felt a moment of ease in its life. Nyx glanced at his face and Dream saw his expression. Not that it meant anything. Nyx's expression was unreadable, his face close to blank yet not.. nor was it any other emotion.

Dream's mind was awfully calm.

He didn't know why but he couldn't.. he couldn't do anything. Not even panic. Dream was laying there, watching as Nyx's kisses travelled down to his clothed chest, still innocent—for now.

"Dream, I'm raising your shirt, okay?" Nyx wasn't asking, he was warning. He raised Dream's shirt up, exposing him. Dream whined, pressing his legs together, as though he was trying to preserve his modesty.

"Dream, I can't relieve you if you don't let me." Nyx coaxes, rubbing Dream's knee. He didn't force his legs apart, or even ask Dream to open them.

No, he said something to make Dream open them.

That's what Nightmare would do. He doesn't beg or ask, he coaxes.. force wasn't something Nightmare used on him unless he was being punished.

He wasn't being punished here..

..And this wasn't Nightmare.

But it feels like it and it hurts.

Dream's legs fell open, lain on either side of him and abashedly exposing his partially hard penis to Nyx. Dream wanted to look elsewhere but he was fixated on Nyx.

This was.. different.

So different.

Dream wasn't paying for this, Nyx wasn't trying to please him.. no, it was.. it was so..

"I.. I'm sorry." Dream muttered, more relieved than he should have been for realizing he hadn't said that name that's always on his mind, or titles that will never belong to anyone else but that name.

Nyx glanced at him, "..I know." He answered softly, moving back up to kiss Dream's forehead. Dream wanted to melt.. he wanted to melt and not think and be held.

Nyx raised his shirt further up, exposing Dream's chest. Was it weird that Dream liked that Nyx didn't strip him? He's always been stripped bare without even truly consenting, honestly.. but Nyx wasn't stripping him.. just pushing his shirt up.

Perhaps it wasn't necessary because Dream was only wearing that shirt.

Despite Nyx asking if he wanted to have sex and Dream somewhat agreeing to it.. he wasn't doing much besides staring.

Dream didn't quite know how to feel.

Dream had a feeling that Nyx didn't know either.

Nyx's hands caresses Dream's hips, avoiding right in between his legs. How odd.. Dream didn't know what to expect... but this.. this small room, small bed.. it reminded him of that little place that he and Nightmare shared, because they needed more than being under their tree.

It wasn't a big place, far from it. There was a single small bedroom, then another room that served as a kitchen and a parlor. It was so small, but it was theirs. He and Nightmare would sleep together in a small, cramped bed. Even though they weren't fully grown, it was tight.

But it was home.

Dream felt at home in small, cramped spaces.

Though it reminded him of worse things as well.

Dream was brought out of his thoughts by Nyx touching him, right between his legs. Nyx had taken a hold of his penis, gently gripping the base and swiping at the tip repeatedly. 

Nyx didn't say anything.

Neither did Dream.

It was quiet, only the soft sounds of sex able to be heard.

Nyx was fully committed to pleasuring Dream, it seemed. He was using his hand to thrust against his penis. He didn't use his mouth. Just his hand.

Then he spoke.

"..You never told me what made you stressed." Nyx probed and Dream felt like he was underwater.. he couldn't tell if this conversation was the thing putting him under or raising him above.

"..I don't want to talk about it." Dream whispered, voice raspy as he watched Nyx rhythmically move his hand. Dream felt the pleasure, he felt tears welling in his eyes.

Nyx leaned forward, their faces almost pressed together.

"Why?" 

Dream felt his breath hitch, "Because.. I.. I just.." 

"Tell me, Dream." 

"It's.. it's too much." 

"What is?" 

"P.. please stop, I.. I don't-" Dream felt tears slip down his cheeks. This is..

Nyx backs up, hand still on Dream down below, still pleasing him. 

"You can't run away from your feelings forever, Dream." 

Dream's face felt wet.

He pushed at Nyx a little, like he was trying to get him off.

Nyx obliged, letting go of Dream's penis but.. instead, Dream was scooped up into Nyx's arms, forced to straddle him. Dream hiccupped, burying his face in Nyx's neck as tears fell freely.

He cried.

Nyx rubbed his back, "That was too much, I apologize." He whispered, tracing shapes into Dream's back. Nightmare often did that to calm him down too.

"It.. s'okay.." Dream muttered into Nyx.

It's not like Nyx was wrong.

This was him running away.

Dream wanted to run away, but he can't actually do that.

So he latches onto whatever reminds him, whatever hurts him, whatever pleases him.

Dream wanted to feel, Dream wanted to hurt..

But he didn't want to think about why he wanted to feel those things.

Nyx was humming as he continued to calm Dream down, Dream was still shaking but he wasn't crying anymore. Nyx gives him a bit of a squeeze and Dream feels.. very warm inside from it.

Nyx lies down, with Dream now on top of him. Nyx caresses Dream's head, squeezing his head gently. It made Dream whine. Dream liked this position.. he often used to sleep like this.. on top of Nightmare's chest because their bed was that small. Dream never liked to sleep beside Nightmare, only on top of him. He felt safe like that.

Dream feels safe.

"..Dream, who is Nightmare?"

Dream's whole body stilled, his breath hitching. His hands balling up into fists without realizing it.

Dream didn't want to answer.

He found himself attempting to anyway.

"..He.. he's.. uhm.." Dream mumbled, unable to actually say it. He didn't feel like he should admit but Nyx didn't know.. that's why he was asking.

Right?

"..He's my brother." Dream mumbled, shamefully, his face feeling so hot. Dream knows that what he felt for Nightmare, how he was with him.. wasn't a commonly accepted thing in the multiverse.

Dream feels shame to admit it.

Dream locks eyes with Nyx, who didn't look.. disgusted, or even surprised. Dream was surprised by that.. why was he so.. nonchalant about it? Dream was grateful but it was also.. strange.

"I see, and you fight him a lot?" Nyx questioned, patting Dream's back as he spoke.

Dream stared at Nyx, slowly nodding. He thought that they were going to have sex but.. then again, Dream was crying.. perhaps Nyx felt responsible but it didn't explain this.. probing.

"That must be hard, fighting with your brother all the time."

"..It is."

"Does that make you feel stressed?" 

Dream stared, "I.. it.. it does." He admitted, hiding in Nyx's chest, he doesn't know why these things were slipping out of his mouth. It felt like he was back with Nightmare, Nightmare who'd sit him in his lap and ask him questions until he was sobbing, who'd hold and squeeze him after to get him to stop.

"Dream, did you come here to have sex or because you had nowhere else to go?"

Dream sat up, pulling himself away from Nyx like he had been burned. Dream turned away, gripping his chest, his shirt bunching up where he held.

"I.. I thought that we were.. we were going to. I.. you said.." Dream couldn't even address that last part. He felt stupid. He felt so stupid.

What was he doing here?

This.. this was..

Dream feels a pair of hands grab his waist, squeezing it.

"We can have sex, I just don't think you need it. Your eyes don't seek pleasure.. they seek comfort, and safety." Nyx whispers, tugging Dream back closer to him.

Dream collapsed in Nyx's chest, trembling like a leaf in the wind.

"I.. I want to forget. I want to forget.. just for tonight. Please.. please, I.. I don't want to think about this.. I don't.. I don't want to.. please don't make me.." Dream rambled almost incoherently into Nyx, his face wet all over again. Dream didn't want Nyx to force him to confront this.

Dream didn't want to.

"..Okay, you don't need to think about it. I won't make you, okay? No one will." Nyx murmured, raising Dream up a bit and kissing his wet face.

Dream wasn't any smaller than Nyx but in that moment he felt like he was.

Nyx shuffles Dream, having him lay on his side, but still on top of him. Hand hovering, like he was waiting for permission.

"Do you want me to help you forget?" Nyx whispers into Dream's hair, kissing his head. Dream nodded, very quick to answer. Dream wanted to forget his troubles, even if it was brief.

That was all Nyx needed to hear.

His hand was in between Dream's legs for a second time.

Dream felt his face pleasantly heat up, he nuzzled into Nyx's chest as he felt Nyx begin to touch him again. Dream did look but his shirt was blocking his view.

He liked that.

Dream liked being obscured, oddly enough.

"Just relax, take deep breaths for me." Nyx spoke softly as he slowly pumped Dream's penis. He was speaking close to Dream's ear, making his voice reasonate in Dream's head.

It made Dream feel dizzy.

In a good way.

Dream felt his eyes drooping as the pleasure continued but they suddenly snapped open as he felt Nyx go faster. "A-Aah- w-wait-" He whimpered out, his hips raising ever so slightly to meet Nyx's hand despite his protest.

"Shh.. it's okay, just close your eyes and focus on my hand." Nyx instructed, still going at that increased speed. Dream didn't quite want to but he followed instructions.

Dream's eyes fell shut, and he focused on the pleasure.. all while Nyx continued whispering to him.

Dream's mind started to imagine things.. imagine that he was back with Nightmare, in their cramped bedroom. Dream was on top of Nightmare, who was reading with one hand and pleasuring him with the next. Nightmare occasionally spoke to Dream, praising him for being quiet and patient. Things he normally isn't.

Dream was holding Nightmare different now, wrapped around him but still on top of him. Nightmare playfully scolds him, calling him heavy but he kept him there, kissed him, played with him.. 

"Nighty, do you love me?" Dream asked softly, his voice higher pitched with a slight tremor, nervous to the answer he'd receive.

Nightmare scoffed, "What kind of a question is that?"

Dream sniffled, tears filling his eyes.

Nightmare stared, cupping Dream's cheek and leaning in close, locking lips with him. Dream whined into the kiss but he dare not part it.

Nightmare pulled back, staring at him with a wistful expression.

"Of course I love you."

Dream opens his eyes with a gasp, he sucks in deep, laboured breaths as he glanced around.

Dream was in Nyx's lap, Nyx was watching him.. and.. and Dream had finished. He felt so wet and.. and gross.

Dream panted, looking up at Nyx, helpless.

Nyx pets his head and kisses his temple, "Good boy, I'm glad you finished. Do you want more?" He questioned, hand hovering.. but waiting for permission to engage once more.

Dream's eyelids felt heavy, he could hardly keep them open. Dream shook his head, "Mm-mm.. I.. i-it'll hurt.. if I get more.." He explains to Nyx, like he was justifying not wanting more.

Nyx gives this little grin, kissing Dream on the cheek as he allowed him to stay right where he was.

Dream felt Nyx cleaning him up with a rag, he wasn't sure where the other got it, he was barely keeping his eyes open. Dream just knew he felt cleaner.

Dream liked that.

Dream felt like he should be feeling bad right now but he can't recall what he's supposed to be feeling bad about.

Dream.. Dream was tired.

So tired.

Dream's eyes fell shut, he heard murmurs as he drifted off but he couldn't make them out.

Dream had fallen asleep again, like he always did.

The next time Dream opened his eyes, he was in that same, dimly lit, cramped room. He was alone on the bed but.. he wasn't alone in the room.

No, Dream sees before him Nyx, Misery, Malaise and Malevolent. All of them were in the room, speaking to each other with hushed voices. Dream couldn't make out what was being said.

Dream sits up and all of their heads snapped over to look at Dream. He flinched, gripping the bedsheet as he stared. Dream was.. so confused, so very confused.

"..Good morning..?" Dream rasps out, oh.. his mouth was very dry. He clears his throat a bit.

There was silence for a few seconds.

"Good morning, Dreamy!" Misery greets him back as he turned to this tiny table in the room that Dream cannot recall being there before. Dream could see a jug of water, and he hears a glass being poured.

Misery comes over to his side and hands him the glass. Dream murmurs his gratitude before he took the glass, eyes on his lap as he drank the water. Dream could feel the pricks in his skin. They were all staring at him.. why were they all here? 

It made Dream very nervous.

Did he do something wrong?

His mind was filled with worry and it must have been clear on his face because Nyx speaks up.

"Dream, we have something to tell you." Nyx started, waiting for Dream to finish his glass of water. Once he was done, Misery took it from him and scurried back off to the group. He was clinging to Nyx.

"What.. what is it?" Dream couldn't understand what needed to be said to him with all four of them there.. and they all looked so serious..

..was he getting banned from the brothel?

Oh, Dream hopes not.

He might just combust if he was.

"Dream, eyes on me." Nyx spoke again, drawing Dream's attention back to him. Dream hadn't realized he had gotten absorbed in his head. His eyes flicker to Nyx, where they remain.

"What we have to say will.. certainly shock you, but take it as best as you can." Nyx prefaced and Dream grew more nervous. Nyx didn't dance around his words so much last night. Why was he doing it now?

"I'm Nightmare."

"..What..?" 

"We all are, actually. Different versions from different universes." Nyx spoke so softly, every single one of them had a guilty look on their face. Misery hid in Nyx and Malaise in Malevolent.

"Is.. is this a joke..?" Dream questioned, it was a cruel joke to play after Dream opened up to Nyx last night but that's the only answer there could be.

They couldn't all be him.

They couldn't all be Nightmare.

That's.. no, no, that can't be.

That's..

Dream choked out a cry, unable to stop himself. He hunched in on himself, his body trembling as it was racked with sobs. Dream didn't understand why they were being so cruel to him. He knows that he was rude for not calling them by name, for fantasizing of someone else but.. but this is too much.

This is just too much.

Dream cried, curled in on himself, unable to think. He just sobbed and sobbed. Dream didn't like this.. this joke. Because that's what it had to be.

A joke.

A lie.

This couldn't be the truth.

"Dream.." A soft voice calls out to him, he lifts his head slightly to see Misery standing by him, face twisted in a guilty expression.

"I.. I'm sorry I didn't tell you.. I wanted to! B-But.." Misery stuttered over himself, looking much more shy and reserved than Dream had seen him be before.

Dream sniffled, shaking his head, "You.. this is a lie.. it has to be.." He croaked out the words, unable to speak normally. Dream couldn't think clearly. If he felt like he was underwater last night..

Right now, he was drowning.

Malaise approached next, standing next to Misery, holding his hand with a scrunched up expression on his face. "We aren't lying! We finally work up the courage to tell you such a delicate thing and you say it's a lie? That's not fair, Dream." Malaise defended and all Dream did was stare at him with red, teary eyes.

Malaise flinched, gritting his teeth and turning his head away. Unable to defend them anymore, it seemed.

Malevolent was next, it truly was one after the other, Dream noted.

"It truly isn't a lie.. why would we lie to you about that? Why else do all four of us look so similar? Like-" Malevolent tried to be gentle with Dream, only to be cut off.

"Similar. Not identical.. it's a lie. It has to be a lie." Dream grimaced, wiping his tear stained face. He didn't feel to cry so much anymore.

Dream just felt.. disheartened? Disappointed? Fearful?

He felt a lot at once.

Dream repressed a lot at once.

All that was left was..

Nyx.

Nyx was staring at him, blank faced. He hadn't moved to crowd Dream at the side of the bed, locking eyes with him from the foot of it.

"..And what's your lie?" Dream asked wryly, unable to contain himself. It had to be a lie. It had to be. There weren't other versions of him and Nightmare.

If there were.. why wasn't he around at all? Why wasn't there multiple fully negative beings? It made no sense.

No sense at all.

"..No lies, I just had a question." Nyx spoke up after a brief moment of utter silence.

Dream frowned a little, "..What is it?" 

"Did you enjoy the tea?" Nyx asked with a polite smile, hands clasped in front of him, head tilted.

It made Dream feel sick.

So sick.

Tears unceremoniously rolled down his cheeks, after he decided that he didn't feel like crying anymore.

Yet here he was.

Dream gulped, his throat suddenly so dry. 

"..I did." Dream whispered, hands clutching at the bedsheets. It wasn't a lie was it. Dream can't delude himself into thinking this was a lie, can he.

Dream wanted to.

Dream didn't want to believe that all four of them were Nightmare. That he called them such and paid them to just please him. It wasn't morally any better than if they weren't, he realized.

But it felt worse to him that they are.

Dream was so sick.

Dream wanted to throw up. He had no food in him and yet he still wanted to. The bile in his throat burned as he swallowed it back down. He hated this. He hated this. He hated this.

Dream hated this.

Dream takes a deep breath, a long, deep breath. He runs his hand through his hair, attempting to be calm. This was.. an impossible situation but Dream.. Dream has been through worse. This isn't life or death, no one was bound to get hurt.

Physically, that is.

Dream was plenty hurt emotionally.

"..You're all Nightmare?" Dream whispered the question into the silent room. There was no verbal reply, three nods told him what he needed.

Nyx only stared, it made him feel uneasy.

"And.. where.. where's your me? Why are you.. here?" Dream questioned, that was something he had to know. There was no way he was letting his mind believe any of this without knowing at least that much.

None of them answered, not anyone beside him. Nyx, still stood at the foot of the bed, opens his mouth.

"He's dead."

Dream felt his whole body stiffen, growing cold and his hairs standing on edge.

"Wh.. what?" 

"Our Dreams, they're all dead." Nyx clarified, his eyes cold and lifeless as he told Dream this.

Dream felt sick again.

"E.. every single one..?" Dream couldn't help but ask, it wasn't even conscious. The words spilled out before he knew it.

"Mhm. Every single one, the circumstances differ, of course. But that's what connects each of us here." Nyx explained, taking the burden of telling Dream what he wanted to know.

Telling him with that blank expression.

The other three were stood by him, mixes of guilt and fear exuded from them.

But Nyx was calm, calculated.

Just like Nightmare.

..Just like Nightmare.

"..Why.. how did you all end up.. here?" Dream questioned that instead of prodding at his own alternates' deaths. That was a bit too much for him to think about at the moment.

"..It's the only place that accepted strays without question." 

Dream didn't know what that meant, he didn't know if he really wanted to know.

"..Were you all.. together, before coming here?" It sounded like that to Dream. It was the only place that accepted strays without question.

Strays.

Nyx sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. For a moment, Dream was worried that he offended him. Nyx hadn't been anything but truthful thus far—at least it seemed like that—and he didn't want to be lied to again.

"You could say that we were, yes. We all came here together, we all agreed to leave our past, our name behind." Nyx started, his arms dropping as he sauntered over to Dream's side—his other side. The one that wasn't preoccupied.

"Nightmare has an awful reputation, that's always a fact. None of us could keep that name and live peacefully." Nyx finished his sentence, sitting down on the edge of the bed. His eyes boring into Dream's own.

Dream tensed unknowingly, "..How.. how did you all find each other..?" He figured that was an okay question to ask. He didn't understand how they all knew each other before coming to this brothel.

"..I can tell you, but you need to know something first."

Dream felt nervous, "...What is it..?"

"None of us are meant to be alive, uncorrupted. We're meant to be like your Nightmare, but we aren't. That's the first thing you need to know." Nyx spoke softly, for the first time in a long time. It wasn't monotonous. It was.. gentle, in a way.

Dream nodded, unable to bring himself to speak while fighting back bile in his throat.

"When a universe doesn't complete its story, what do you think happens?" Nyx inquired, staring at Dream.

Dream felt like he was talking to a certain guardian, for a brief moment.

"..I don't know." Dream wasn't familiar with that, his duty didn't involve that nitty gritty level of attention. He was protecting the multiverse as a whole.. it was hard to worry on every individual universe.. or their.. story.

"It collides with another universe like it." Nyx's voice rang out in Dream's head.

What.. what did that.. what did that mean?

"What.. what does that mean..?" Dream asked, unsure of what it meant. He heard what Nyx said, but he didn't know what it meant. What it implied.

Nyx hummed, "It means what it means. A slight difference is enough to cause a universe to collapse. Some were born with those differences, some made them. Usually it isn't enough to throw off a story but we all have one thing in common." He explains, twirling a strand of his hair.

"..That is?" 

"Your death." Nyx answered coldly, staring at Dream with blank eyes.

And yet he saw.. pity.

Dream shivered, "I.. I still don't understand.."

Nyx sighed, "Well, I won't tell you everyone else's story. That's theirs, but I can tell you mine." He compromises and Dream honestly hadn't expected so much grace to begin with. He just nodded along.

"My Dream died protecting me. I was only a moment away from becoming like your Nightmare. He stopped me, and died in the process. My universe couldn't handle that wrong. It was the closest to being complete." Nyx told his story, his voice was level, unwavering. Almost like he felt nothing at all while talking.

"It pulled universes towards it, trying to gather energy to not fall apart. It was like a supernova.. in the wake of that was one large ruined universe.. and the four of us. We were there for a while, I don't know how long. When we figured out how to leave, we ended up here, been here since." Nyx concluded his story and Dream didn't know what to feel.

He didn't know universes did that. He didn't know that if he died, Nightmare would be alive instead. Dream.. Dream couldn't think. He couldn't breathe.

Was the only way for Nightmare to live somewhat normally was for him to be dead?

That's so cruel.

So unbearably cruel.

"Any more questions?" Nyx asked him, bringing Dream out of his thoughts. He stared at Nyx for a few seconds before promptly shaking his head. Denying that he had any more questions.

Dream did.

But he couldn't stand being here any longer.

He.. he already wasted enough time. He had things to do and this.. this didn't relax him at all. Dream was more stressed than he thinks he's ever been before.

"I.. I have to go." Dream mumbled, getting up from the bed, though he was somewhat blocked by the other three, as guilty and reserved as ever.

"..You're running away?"

"I.. I'll come back. Just.. I can't.. I have somewhere else to be." Dream denied Nyx's notion that he was running away. He had other things to do. He was meant to leave long ago but they sprung all of this onto him and.. and..

He got distracted.

From his duty.

"We'll be waiting, Dream." Nyx told him, Dream glanced back only to see a smile on his face.

It made him shiver.

Dream didn't want to look at that face anymore. That perfect replica. He had to.. he had to leave.

And that's what he did.

Dream left, like a coward.

Like a coward.

Chapter Text

Dream hasn't stopped thinking about that night. He doesn't even know how long it's been since he was last there. In the beginning his visits were so close together but he hasn't been back since that day.

..He hasn't found time.

He was.. he was busy.

Dream knows that he's lying to himself. He's not busy enough to not visit. He's just.. avoiding the conversation that he will have to have. All were Nightmare.. that made what Dream did so much worse. So much worse than if it was a stranger.

A stranger didn't have all the personal details of his.. their lives.

A stranger didn't know that. Didn't know the way Nightmare used to console Dream, hold him, please him.

But they knew.

Because they are him.

And Dream's morally dubious paid for services were just.. that much more dubious.

In a way he struggled to handle.

He was getting sloppy in his work.

Dream was getting injured more and more often. That's what leads him to the present, where he was dressing a wound on his side.

It was a gash from nearly dodging one of Nightmare's attacks. The tendril was aimed at his vitals and it nearly got them. Dream was barely able to react and get away, though, clearly not unscathed. It had been a over a week since that attack.

It wasn't healing.

Dream wasn't a regular person, his wounds typically healed up the next day, amplified by his magical power. This gash should have healed itself up more than three days ago. It wasn't that deep. It wasn't life threatening.

Dream should have been healed by now.

But he wasn't.

So here he was, staring at his bloody wound in the mirror.

Dream had been dutifully sterilizing and bandaging the wound, thinking that maybe it would help. But he sees more blood every time he goes to change it. He didn't know what was wrong with it.

What was wrong with him.

Dream took a deep breath, he turns the handle on the faucet, watching water just pour down the drain. He scoops up water in his palms and splashes his face a few times. 

Dream had to get a grip.

He sighed again, grabbing the small bottle of acriflavine he had. He decided to try it since he's heard it was used to kill bacteria and maybe that's Dream's problem. He opens the bottle, seeing a small dropper. Dream carefully angles the dropper to dispense the liquid into the wound and surrounding area. His skin looking bright yellow in the areas he applied it.

Dream grabs the roll of gauze and packs a small section into the wound before he secures it in place by wrapping the roll around his torso a few times. 

This took so much gauze. 

Dream's used more gauze in this past week than he ever has in his centuries of living.

Maybe he's dying.

Dream doesn't know, but he decides not to linger on these thoughts.. until he feels a familiar ache in his soul.

Ah.. Nightmare was on the prowl again.

Yes, a little over a week of rest was far too much for Dream.

Dream didn't want to go. He's so distracted that Nightmare was able to get a gash like that on him last time and then he wasn't even worried about the possibility that he might be dying.

But he had a duty.

One that he couldn't simply ignore.

Thus, Dream dons his usual battle outfit. He was slower about getting it on, attempting to be careful with his wound. He's worried about how that may affect the fight but.. he'll have to use his bow and try to stick to long ranged attacks.

Although those were Nightmare's specialty. He was inept at close combat and although Dream is much more versed in close combat, Nightmare's tendrils were a versatile weapon. It exceeded at any sort of attack and they regenerated so quickly.

Dream couldn't attempt to try close combat in his current position.

Dream summons his bow, having it prepped so he could start shooting immediately upon arrival. He opens up a small portal to where he feels the disturbance in balance. The disturbance wasn't grand so he may not end up exactly where Nightmare was standing, it'd help a little if so since he could prepare.

With that, Dream enters the portal.

It was cold, it was so very cold. Dream found himself standing in snow, boots practically buried in it already. Dream hated having to fight in the cold.. but it was such a common pick for Nightmare.

Dream takes a hefty step out of the snow, whining quietly at the way his side ached from the movement. Well, now he's learned that that movement was much too strenuous for his current condition.

But he still had to move.

Dream was in a forest of white, the only thing breaking up this void of whiteness was the few leafless trees he sees scattered about. There were no people, no buildings.. not even any blood. 

Was.. was Dream in the right place?

Did his injury mess with his mind enough to have him fumble in such a way?

Dream pressed his hand to his chest, trying to focus on his soul, and that innate feeling in his soul.

But Dream didn't need to do that for very long as he heard a scream in the distance.

Dream snaps back to reality, forming an arrow and holding his bow, ready to draw at any given moment as he followed where he heard the scream come from. The snow crunched loudly underneath his boots with each step, he cringed at the noise of it.

There was just.. white, so much white.

Dream was beginning to wonder if that scream was even real.

It didn't take much more walking for him to truly start questioning his sanity but his sanity was validated by the small town he sees.

It was littered with bodies.

Dream had to suppress his nausea as he walks through the quaint town. There was blood, and bodies, more blood, and more bodies. Was Dream too late? He didn't see a single alive person.

Dream feels something grab his foot. He jumps but subdues his instinct to kick as he realizes it was one of the bodies near his feet. 

A young child.

"H-H.. help.. me." The child pleads with him, tears unable to even run down his frozen, bloodied face.

Dream immediately gets down on the ground, slowly picking up the child. The injuries on the child weren't too bad from what he could tell. His head was definitely injured—with what looked to be a small gash—which explains the blood on his face but he saw no other injuries. The child was more likely freezing to death than anything else.

Dream holds the child close to his chest as he began searching all these other bodies. He had written everyone off as deceased but there might be more like this child.

At least.. that's what he thought, but.. every other body had no life. Every other person besides the dying child in his arms was dead.

Dream took a shaky breath, the child in his arms was asleep, trying to steal whatever warmth he could from Dream. Dream removes his vest, wrapping it around the freezing child. He wanted to question the child, but he could leave that be for now.

Dream continues his search of the town, bodies becoming more scarce as he got further in.. but there weren't people around either. Dream didn't know what was going on. Nightmare killed people, yes.. but not everyone.. there's no one to feel negative emotions if they were all dead. But besides this child.. he hadn't found another living person.

Dream gently shakes awake the child in his arms, who just barely opens his eyes to look at him. "Hi.. could you tell me what happened here?" He asked softly, unable to figure out the answer on his own.

"It.. sum.. something attacked.. everyone.. and I.. I hit my head.. I don't know anything else.." He whispers to Dream, telling him everything he knew.. which wasn't a lot.

Dream might have been too late.

The least he could do was look for survivors and get them relocated.

Dream ends up reaching the end of this town without encountering any other alive people. But he didn't stop his search there.

At the end of this town had a thick forest, filled with trees that still had leaves and were covered in snow. Dream debates putting this child in a safe, warm location rather than taking him to search with him. He should just put the child somewhere safe.

Dream goes to an abandoned house, it was.. decently warm inside. He goes to place the child down on a couch but the child wakes up again and immediately clings to him. 

Dream blinks, "Little one, I'm going to search the forest. You can rest here." He speaks very softly, calmly explaining what was going on to the child.

The child vehemently shakes his injured head, "N-No! No! I-I don't want to be alone! T-Take me with you! Please!" He begs, his voice raising with desperation that Dream was finding hard to deny.

But Dream's side was really hurting from walking all around with this child already. He realistically can't keep this up.

"I'll come back for you once I'm done searching. I can't search with you in my arms." Dream tries his best to put this in a way this young child could understand but his eyes get glossy and he grips Dream's clothes with such desperation.

"Please.. please. I.. I can walk. Just.. just take me with you." The child begs, tears beginning to roll down his red, red cheeks and Dream couldn't.. he couldn't take the sight for very long.

"Okay.. okay, I won't leave you. You'll have to walk but I'll hold your hand. I won't leave you alone." Dream promises, gently wiping the child's tears away. The tears soaking into his gloves.

The child perks up, nodding as he stood up, already taking a hold of Dream's hand. Dream squeezed the little boy's hand as he exits the abandoned house and trudges towards the forest with him.

Hand in hand.

The forest was thick, much denser than the one Dream had walked through to even get to the town. It was quiet.. save for the crunching of snow beneath his and the boy's shoes. The snow was a pristine white.. and there was no evidence that anyone had even wandered through here.. there weren't any footprints.

But Dream persisted, shockingly finding a trail of footprints that led deeper into the forest.. despite the fact that he didn't see any on his way in. It was odd, but the snow likely just fell again and covered tracks.

The child squeezes his hand and Dream pauses, looking down at him. The child was unspeaking, looking over at.. something. Dream follows his gaze to see.. another body.

"Close your eyes." Dream orders softly as he approached the body, still hand in hand with the child. He checks the hidden body and.. well, he didn't bother checking to see if the person was alive.. the body was decapitated. He quickly pulls away from the sight to follow the tracks, quietly letting the child know it was okay to open his eyes again. 

Those tracks didn't lead to where that body was. Someone else must have made them and it had to be fresh.

The footprints led to a large clearing in the centre of the forest.

Dream felt.. uneasy. He didn't know why. There was something about this large, open space that made him feel uneasy. Dream couldn't see anybody and truth be told, he doesn't believe there were any alive people in this forest, so he best not make this child suffer and-

Dream feels something pierce his left shoulder. He blinked, slowly turning his gaze to see.. a tendril. 

Ah.

Dream looks down at the child whose hand he was holding, he had a tendril through his abdomen. Dream's mind felt foggy as tears started unwillingly filling up his eyes. The tendril in his shoulder was the least of his worries. Dream summons one of his daggers, cutting off the tendril from being inside the child. It wiggled disgustingly on the ground after being separated. 

Dream picks up the child, running away as fast as he could. Dream could feel the child grip him loosely, so loosely, coughing up blood. Dream couldn't think as he hastily applied healing magic to the child. He couldn't think. He.. he has to be calm. Dream.. Dream needs to get the child somewhere safe. This was his fault. He should have left the child in the town then come back. He was stupid. He was so stupid.

Dream made it back to the edge of the town, huffing and panting as he goes into one of the houses as quickly as he could. His hands trembling as he sets the child down on a couch. Dream pressses his hand to the hole in the child's stomach, pumping magic into it.

"Wh.. what's.. your name..?" The child asks him quietly, hand tugging at his sleeve so delicately.

"..Dream.." He answers softly as he tries his best to keep the magic flowing but his mind was unsteady, his use of magic was unsteady. Dream was.. he couldn't think straight.

"That's a nice name... I like it.." The child whispers, voice growing weaker with each line he spoke.

"Please don't talk.. save your strength.. we can talk as much as you want once I've healed you." Dream begged, his voice and magic both wobbly as they were projected. The child's wound wasn't healing right. It wasn't..

What does Dream do? He didn't.. his healing magic was the first aid he used. Dream doesn't know regular first aid.. he doesn't.

The.. the bleeding. He has to apply pressure to the wound. That was it, right, yes. Maybe once the bleeding stopped, his magic would work.

Dream tears a piece of the sheet on the couch, gently pressing it to the wound in the child's stomach.

It missed the child's organs, he believes.. and it didn't go through all the way.. so.. the problem is the bleeding. Dream can.. he can do this.

"Hey.. Dream..?" The child calls out to him quietly, placing his hand over Dream's own.

Dream took a shaky breath in, "Yes..?" 

"Am I.. am I gonna die..?" The child had glossy eyes as he asked the question, tears nipping at his cheeks.

Dream could only stare, "..No, no, you're not going to die. I'll.. I'll make sure of it. I'm not letting you die." He promises, a promise he isn't sure he can keep but Dream has to.

He has to.

Dream should retreat and get this boy to a proper doctor but he can't do that.. he doesn't have enough magic to open a portal after using so much on the child. Even if he did retreat, what if Nightmare just followed? What if Dream endangers the lives of more people for.. for one child?

"..What's your name?" Dream asks the boy quietly, he should have asked much earlier and Dream was ashamed that he didn't but he was asking now.

The child blinked, a smile smile gracing his face, "My name is.." He doesn't get to finish his sentence as a door loudly creaks open from behind them.

"I found you~" A familiar voice coos to him and Dream didn't need to look to know who it was.. but he does anyway.

There, standing in the doorway, leaning on the doorframe was Nightmare. An uncanny grin stretched across his face as he looked down at Dream.

Dream feels a chill run down his spine.

Dream turns his head away, staring back at the small child, "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" He asked with a small, weak smile. He'll deal with.. that in a moment.

"Mirage.." The child whispers, Mirage whispers quietly, his voice growing so soft. 

Dream felt his soul ache as he unconsciously began pouring a ton of healing magic into him. What a name.. what a name. This poor child. If Dream had been responsible then this child would be hiding.. and Dream would have gotten him after. Now here Dream was.. trying to prevent him from dying.

Dream sees a shadow looming over him, he looks up, his gaze meeting Nightmare's eye. "Is it fun to ignore me? You shouldn't do that, Dream." He whispers to Dream, like it's a secret as a tendril creeped up on the child.

"Don't.. don't touch him, please. Just.. just don't." Dream begs quietly, unable to do anything more than that. He can't retreat for several different reasons. He can't fight because if he fights, this boy, Mirage, will no longer be receiving what little assistance he's giving and.. and he might..

"I didn't know you cared so much about corpses." Nightmare remarked which made Dream hastily look at Mirage, and sigh in utter relief when he was still breathing. Still alive. Nightmare lied.. he always does.

Nightmare has always been a liar.

It's one of the things Dream remembers most.

Nightmare leaned down, hovering over Dream's form much more closely. "What if I killed this poor child? Put him out of his misery? Could you save him from that, o great hero?" Nightmare taunts, his almost claw like hands gripping Dream's upper arms. 

One of which was covered in his own blood from the stab to his shoulder earlier.

Dream's mind felt so.. blank. He couldn't.. he couldn't think.

"Please don't.. please.. I..I just.. please.." Dream didn't have the will to fight either.. there was no strength within him. His last fight with Nightmare only landed a non-lethal injury because he wasn't alone.

Dream was fighting alone right now.

And he was applying first aid right now too.

Dream's vision starts to blur and he wasn't sure why until he feels a few tears hit his lap. Nightmare's grip on his upper arms tightens as a coo rumbles near his ear.

Dream.. Dream couldn't think.

"Oh, Dream.. what a naive little hero you are.. you got here so late. Everyone's dead.. besides one, itty, bitty child.. and you can't even save him." Nightmare mocks Dream, running his hands down Dream's arms, squeezing them near his elbows.

Dream hated that he was right. He hated that Nightmare was right. Nightmare is always a liar and he's always right and Dream hated it. He hated it so very much.

"Look at you.. injured before the fight even begins.. what's going on there, hm? Why don't you tell your big brother?" Nightmare asked as his hands caressed Dream's sides, one of which having that deep gash.. that apparently bled through his gauze and his clothes.. making a very apparent blood stain.

Nightmare was caressing the wound, making Dream whimper. He tried to fuss but ultimately, he couldn't. Dream locks eyes with Nightmare.. there it was, that sick, twisted pleasure. Nightmare always had that when Dream was in pain.. even when.. they were small.

Dream discreetly summons one of his daggers in his lap, he turns to look at Nightmare, before driving the dagger into the middle of his chest. Dream just..he couldn't. He couldn't.

Nightmare blinked, slowly looking down at the dagger sticking out of his chest. He chuckled, "Cute." He taunts as he pulled the dagger out, tossing it on the ground with a clank.. where it dissipates.

"Really, did you think that would work? What a silly boy you are, Dream. All this time fighting me, resisting me, yet you don't know the first thing about killing me?" Nightmare presses his front to Dream's back, caressing. One hand caressing his chest, right where his soul lays inside.

"You don't want to fight, poor thing.. you want to just make up and go home, don't you? I can make that happen, brother." Nightmare coos into Dream's neck, forcing him to tilt his head and allow Nightmare entry. Dream didn't fight, didn't fuss.

Dream looks down at Nightmare.

So this is all Dream can amount to. 

Centuries of his effort, centuries of fighting, he's let more people die than he saved. Dream couldn't do anything. Would less people be terrorized if he was gone? Nightmare kills everyone to taunt him. If Dream wasn't around, there would be guaranteed survivors. To feel the pain of what Nightmare did.

Feel the pain yet be alive.

Dream's eyes drift over to Mirage, his breathing so utterly faint. "I'm sorry.." He whispers to Mirage, his hand still applying pressure to his wound. Dream's magic flows into him freely, he could feel it. Dream was still trying to heal him.

And Nightmare just watched.

He wasn't interfering.

Dream tried to take advantage of it. He couldn't.. give up. Dream isn't allowed to do that. From the day he was born. Nightmare gave up a long time ago. He relinquished his duties, thus Dream had to bear the weight of both. Dream isn't allowed to pout or whine and if he can't save at least one person.. then he has no right parading around his duty.

Dream has to do this.

He has to save Mirage.

There wasn't another choice.

Not to Dream.

Dream was trying.. he was trying so hard, he couldn't allow this one small life to slip through his hands. He needed to save this poor child. This poor child who didn't want to be alone. Dream has to help him. There's no one else who can.

Dream was starting to get dizzy, he felt lightheaded and—Dream covers his mouth with his hand, feeling something come up. It wasn't bile, no.. Dream sees blood staining his glove.

"Ah.." Dream couldn't help but make that small noise, wiping the blood off on his shirt and continuing his work.

Dream was straining himself but it didn't matter. If Nightmare wasn't interfering then Dream will take that and run with it.

Dream checks Mirage's wound, it had mostly healed up. There was just a little divot in his flesh but everything inside had been healed. Dream moves up a little, checking Mirage's head.. that was completely healed up, no injury in sight. It must have been that the smaller injury was eating up all his magic without Dream even realizing.. and because he was panicked, the flow was unstable and unable to be utilized to its fullest.

Dream presses his head to Mirage's chest, hearing his heart beat. It was a bit slow.. but still there. Dream hasn't felt this much relief in a long time.

Dream sees Nightmare approach and he's instantly on guard, blocking Mirage with his own body.

"Oh, calm yourself. I'm not going to do anything. This was a gamble, and like always, you win, because the universe loves a hero like you." Nightmare spits out the words with such disdain and Dream was having a hard time following.

The confusion must have been very apparent as Nightmare wryly laughs at his face.

"It was either you killed that boy and gave away into your guilt or you didn't and you'd be reinvigorated. You won that coin toss, and I'm currently not interested in fighting a half-dead stubborn roach like you." Nightmare flicks Dream's forehead, hard, unconsciously causing him to whine.

Dream stared blankly, which gives Nightmare another good chuckle before he opened a portal of his own and left.

Dream rubbed his forehead, staring at where Nightmare once was.

Nightmare was so strange. He's so cruel and yet.. sometimes he gives up, just like that.. 

Dream supposed that was the difference between them. Dream wasn't one to give up without exhausting every last option.. Nightmare gave up at the first hint of trouble.

That's the difference..

Dream should continue tending to Mirage now that there wasn't any imposing danger lingering over his work.

Chapter Text

Dream had rested up for a while in that desolate universe, with Mirage's unconscious body. He had to charge up in order to make a portal to leave. When Dream was finally able to, he took Mirage and left that universe. Dream took Mirage to actual health professionals to care for him and fix up anything Dream may have missed with his first aid.

Dream should learn regular first aid, he'll have to start taking a class.

Dream decided to wait in the hospital until Mirage woke up.. and also get patched up too, as he was waiting. He was originally against getting patched up himself but the nurses insisted.. then proceeded to ask him how he was alive. It was.. quite the situation.

Currently, Dream was sat beside Mirage's bed, reading one of those magazines hospitals tended to have. Dream wasn't too sure what was going on in it but it was something to do.

A small whine draws Dream's attention and he sees Mirage, eyes barely opened as they drifted across the room. Mirage's eyes landed on Dream and he sits up quickly.

"Careful!" Dream scolds as he places his hand on Mirage's front and back, supporting him. Mirage opens his mouth to speak but coughs erupted from his mouth instead.

Dream rubs his back as he releases Mirage's front, using his hand to grab the glass of water he had prepped for Mirage. He offers it to the boy who greedily drinks down what he was offered. Mirage clears his throat, looking around again before he finally tried speaking again.

"Wh.. where are we..?" Mirage questioned, looking very confused.

"In a hospital, it's a place full of doctors who treat injuries and illness." Dream explained, also tacking on what a hospital is since he wasn't too sure if Mirage was aware. That town was small, it'd be plenty if they had even one doctor.. let alone a hospital.

Mirage nodded along, still seeming confused but accepting it. "And.. I'm all better now..?" He asked, raising up his hospital gown and revealing himself to check his stomach.

Dream quickly yanks down his hospital gown, "Y-Yes, you are. You don't need to check out in the open like that.." He gently scolds, so gently that it wasn't really scolding. Mirage nodded along again.

Dream sighed softly, he was saving this conversation for when Mirage woke up but he wonders if he should.. no, he shouldn't put it off. It would just make him more confused.

Dream pets Mirage's head, "Mirage, I wanted to talk to you about something." He prefaces and all he gets in reply was a soft hum, for Mirage to prove he was listening.

"Well, the town.. everyone in it has.. passed away. There's no one who could take care of you, so the hospital staff here will bring people who will send you to someone who can care for you." Dream tried his best to put the situation into something a child could understand.

His biggest fear was that Mirage wouldn't understand.

But that look of hurt and betrayal on his face made Dream think that maybe Mirage understanding was worse.

"..What..?" Mirage asked quietly, tears beginning to fill his big, doe like eyes.

"I.. there will be people.. who will come after you've been released from hospital care to.. take you to people who can care for you." Dream struggled to reiterate, as he was being.. very, very hurt internally by the look on Mirage's face.

Mirage's little cheeks were puffed out as tears rolled down them, "But I don't understand.. can't.. can't you take care of me..?" He questioned and Dream wondered where that question even remotely came from.

Dream had nearly gotten this boy killed.. yet he wanted Dream to care for him? What sense did that make?

"I.. I can't do that.. I.. I wouldn't be around enough to care for you the way you deserve-"

"That's okay! I can handle myself! I didn't have parents.. so m'used to it.. b-but I want to be with you! You saved me!" Mirage sort of rambled as he got his point across. Dream thinks he can understand where the misunderstanding was coming from.

Dream took a deep breath, "Okay, I'm sure you could.. but it's not right for me to take you like that when I can't give you all of my time and attention, understand?" He says softly, cupping Mirage's squishy cheek.

Mirage's little brows furrowed as he turned his head and bit into Dream's palm. Dream yipped, pulling back instinctively but Mirage grabs a hold of Dream's hand.

"I dun' care! I want you!! I want you! I want you! I wan-" Mirage was well on his way to a temper tantrum and Dream intervenes by covering Mirage's mouth.

Which likely wasn't the smartest idea because he can bite him again like this but it's fine.

"Okay.. okay, okay. I.. I will take you in." Dream could provide lodging for a bit until he finds someone more suitable than himself to care for Mirage. He doesn't want the boy to stress himself out so soon after waking up from that injury.

Mirage's eyes lit up as he pulled Dream's hand away from his mouth. Mirage giggled, "When are we leaving here?" He asked, squeezing Dream's hand softly.

Dream gives him a little smile, "I'll go ask for the discharge papers.." He tells Mirage, who nodded along and Dream went to do just that.

It took about half an hour to get everything sorted for Mirage's discharge but eventually Mirage was released and Dream.. took him home. Much to Mirage's pleasure.. and Dream's slight displeasure.

Oh, things were going to get more complicated and busy..

As soon as Mirage had entered Dream's home—after getting really excited about going through the portal—he looked up at Dream and opened his mouth.

"Your place is messy.." Mirage mumbled, looking around Dream's bedroom.

Dream, frankly, felt a bit insulted. Just a bit. But it's not like Mirage was all that wrong.. he did.. sort of leave it in a mess when going to fight Nightmare. Dream pets Mirage's head, "I'm sorry about that." He says softly and Mirage immediately looks up at him, panicking.

"N-No! I.. I like it! I didn't mean to make you sad!" Mirage apologizes, hugging Dream's leg with teary eyes. Dream blinked, chuckling, that was very cute.

"It's okay, I'm not sad. Do you want to help me clean up?" Dream asked instead, distracting Mirage from his sadness. Mirage instantly perked up, nodding excessively as he got right to work. Dream smiled, following right behind him.

The mess wasn't anything too crazy.. it was just things being out of place. But it wasn't hard to clean up. Dream's home was very small.. he had a bedroom adjoined with a bathroom. A separate parlor area that had a kitchenette. Outside had this area with a little roof and that was where he did and hung laundry. It was really only his bedroom and the parlor that were messy, so cleaning up was rather simple.

By the end, he and Mirage sat down on the couch together, drinking some orange juice that Dream had in his fridge. Mirage practically downs his glass in one gulp while Dream took small sips.

"Your home is really nice! I like it!" Mirage says as he crawls into Dream's lap. Dream blinked, smiling at Mirage as he pets his head.

"Mhm? I'm glad then." Dream replies and Mirage beams, bouncing in Dream's lap. Dream was trying his best to get used to Mirage's behaviour.. as Dream has never been around children for a very long period of time.

Not in any recent centuries.

Mirage places his hands to Dream's chest, giving him this look.. Dream wasn't sure what any of this meant. He holds Mirage's waist, "What's the matter?" He asked, watching as Mirage bounced a bit in his hold.

"I wanna bathe.. I feel sweaty and sticky and gross.." Mirage complained, a pout now making its way onto his little face.

Dream blinked, "Well, I can certainly run a bath for you. Let's go." He places Mirage down and holds his hand to walk to the bathroom.. as the nurse that tended to him very adamantly told him to not lift anything heavy and while Mirage didn't feel heavy to him.. he's sure his gash didn't agree.

Once they were in the bathroom, Dream begins to run a bath as he doesn't think Mirage had any experience with a shower. The universe he was from.. or at the very least the town he was from didn't look very modern to him.

When the water fills to a decent amount for Mirage's size, Dream turns to look at the boy in question.. only to see him naked.

Dream averts his gaze, "You.. can get in now. I'll find you some clothes to give you when you're done. Towel's here." He says tentatively as he places a towel nearby.

Mirage attaches himself to Dream's leg again, "I thought you were gonna help me.." He spoke with a pout and Dream didn't dare look down at Mirage.

"You can't do it yourself..?" Dream could only hope Mirage could bathe himself.

"No.. I dunno how.." 

Of course he doesn't.. it made sense, Mirage was.. practically a baby. Dream wasn't sure how old.. but apparently not old enough to bathe himself.

But Dream doesn't know.. how he should go about this.. at all.

Dream was flustered, uncomfortable and very very lost on what to do.

"..Dream?" Mirage calls out to him, tugging on his pants. Dream took a deep breath, calming himself. It's.. this is fine. He's just.. cleaning Mirage.. and, and he'll teach him how to do it himself so Dream never has to do this again.

It's a one time thing.

Dream pets Mirage's head, "Get in the bath, Mirage.." He says softly and Mirage nodded, attempting to get into the tub but.. he wasn't able to safely lift his legs high enough to step in.

Dream was beginning to see more problems with the plan he just made internally.. but he pushes through. Dream picks Mirage up from under the arms and sets him into the bathtub. His side very much disagreed with the movement but nothing he could do about it.

"Dream..? I wanna be cleannn.." Mirage whines, not understanding what was taking Dream so long. Because he was a baby practically, he didn't understand how weird it was for Dream to be bathing him.

Dream wasn't Mirage's family, he wasn't even a professional in taking care of children, he had no basis to be caring for Mirage let alone bathing him yet.. yet here he was.

Dream sighed, "Uhm.. I'll teach you how to uhm.. bathe yourself. Then you won't need me to do it." He pitches the idea but Mirage didn't look very convinced. He nodded along with Dream, like he was hearing some childish idea.

"Okay okay.. whatever you say, Dream." Mirage replied, leaning back against the tub and looking up at Dream.

Dream attempted to just.. steel himself as he grabs some soap. It's now that Dream regrets his decision of using liquid soap to bathe as he didn't have separation like he would have with a soap bar.. and he doesn't even have those brushes or loofas.. Dream actually has to use his hands.. he doesn't want to do this. It feels so weird.

It really isn't.. it shouldn't feel that weird.. as Mirage's supposed new caretaker but.. but it feels weird. Dream doesn't like it.

Dream lathers his hands in liquid soap and slowly starts by lathering it up on Mirage's body on his arms.. right, then left.. then he lathered up the neck area. His hands slowly went down to the chest, then the stomach and it's there that Mirage giggles.

"It tickles.." Mirage comments as Dream continues rubbing his stomach. It made Dream feel better yet worse..

Then it's.. legs, yes, legs. Dream lathers up Mirage's right leg then his left. He was good to just let Mirage sit in the bubbles as he gets the hand held shower head to wash him off but Mirage's little soapy hands grab his shirt.

"Hey.. you missed a spot.." Mirage said with a pout, gesturing between his legs and Dream glanced without meaning to but he immediately looked away.

Oh.. oh.

Oh.

"I.. I don't think I did." Dream denied softly, keeping his gaze away from Mirage. He.. he doesn't think he should be doing this.. he doesn't think he has the.. anything to be doing this.

"Dream.. I don't wanna be dirty there.. it'll feel bad." Mirage tries to convince Dream.. he's trying to convince him and Dream is not sure if Mirage notices that.

Of course not, he's little.

"Oh.. okay.. okay, yes, I will." Dream keeps looking away as he lathers his hands with more soap before.. slowly finding his hands between Mirage's legs. Dream wasn't looking, he wasn't.. he was just.. kinda rubbing the area. He didn't know what to do he doesn't think he ever learned how to clean anything-

Mirage makes a small noise that sounded vaguely like a moan and Dream's hands pulled away from him like he had been burnt. "Okay that's enough you're clean-" He rushes through the sentence as he shakily grabs the shower head and starts spraying Mirage down.

Mirage whined at the sudden blast of water, but he didn't say anything.. and then Dream was done. He was fully.. done.

Dream helps Mirage out of the bath then hands him the towel, still unable to really look at the boy. "I.. I think you should clean yourself from now on.. just.. just do what I did." Dream spoke, his voice very high pitched from the stress of the situation.

"But I like you doing it.." Mirage mumbled, clinging to Dream's leg, luckily.. while wearing the towel.

"I.. uhm.. we'll.. we'll talk about this later. Let's uh.. let me get you some clothes." Dream stuttered as he hastily left the bathroom, going to search his old clothes.

Dream was.. a bit of a hoarder, he had a few of his old clothes.. which would still be too big for Mirage but much better than trying to give him any of Dream's current clothes.

Dream lays out an old underwear, pajama shirt and pants. Although it wasn't dark yet.. he certainly wasn't bathing Mirage again so the pajamas made sense.

"Mirage, you can get dressed on your own, right?" Dream asked with a bit of panic in his own voice.

"..yeah." Mirage unenthusiastically replies as he enters the bedroom, towel wrapped around his still wet body.

Dream frowns a little, "What's wrong? Why are you so upset?" He asked softly, kneeling in front of Mirage, simply not understanding why he looked so.. sad.

Mirage sniffled, "I jus'.. wanted you to do it for me.. like.. like a daddy.." He chokes out the words, little tears rolling down his face and Dream instantly felt so horrible.

Mirage was an orphan.. he doesn't know for how long he's been one but he must be aching for that parental love.. and Dream was just.. rejecting him because he felt weird about it.

This is why he didn't think he was suited for it.. why he wanted to find someone else, why he still wants to find someone else..

But Dream can't do that, can he?

He can't.

"I'm sorry.." Dream whispers the apology, opening his arms for a hug and Mirage, still so sniffly, immediately hugs him. His towel drops from the hug and Dream tenses.. but he doesn't run away.

"Let's get you dressed.." Dream said softly as he picked back up the towel, wrapping it around Mirage and beginning to pat him dry like the younger had clearly neglected to.

Dream picks Mirage up from under the arms, setting him on the bed. Dream kept his gaze on Mirage's feet as he helped each foot through the hole and pulled up his underwear for him. Then Dream helps him get on the shirt and the pants, not feeling as weird about those..

Which meant Mirage was all clean and dressed.

Mirage giggles, practically jumping Dream to hug him, giggles pouring out of the littler one. Dream was happy to see how happy Mirage was. Despite medical advice.. he holds Mirage, rubbing his back, "Good boy.. you're so sweet.." He whispers softly, giving Mirage the much needed praise.

Mirage keened, hiding his face in Dream's neck. He didn't give a reply but Dream didn't need one. Dream sits down on the bed, Mirage now in his lap. Mirage was still hiding away in him, adorably. Dream knows for certain now that he cannot find anyone else to care for Mirage.. this boy had a literal and emotional grip on him.

Dream would feel much too guilty if he tried getting rid of him after agreeing to keep him.

Thus Dream just holds Mirage a little closer, and a little longer.

Basking in and learning to accept his new normal.

It had been.. roughly a week or so of Mirage living with Dream.. with Dream learning how to be a parent while Nightmare was.. surprisingly silent. Dream's gash in his side had healed up significantly. Though it still bled a little when he changed the bandages, it was nothing like the fountain of blood it used to pour out before.

Mirage had already been.. excitable since when Dream first brought him home but he's gotten even more excitable since then.

Amazingly so.

Dream was in the middle of preparing lunch for the both of them, it was nothing crazy.. just a little chicken salad. Dream had never taken to actually eating so much after he was.. on his own. Dream, if he grew hungry, would eat snacks or maybe fruits.. or those instant ramen things his friends gave him. Dream never expended a lot to what he ate.

Dream wasn't a regular person, after all. He didn't get hungry.. not easily. It's like he had a very very slow metabolism. But Mirage was a regular little boy. He loved to eat, and he loved to eat a lot. Like a regular little boy, he didn't like vegetables.. but he did like meat. Dream wasn't too much a fan of meat nowadays either.. or vegetables.. both reminded him of his upbringing.

Dream guessed he wasn't a fan of food.

But Mirage gets sad when he doesn't eat with him, so Dream has to do it.

"Goldie! Goldieee!" Mirage calls out, running into the kitchenette. He hugs Dream's leg, looking up at him. Dream keeps his eyes on what he was doing as he hums in response. 'Goldie' was a loving nickname bestowed upon by Mirage on account of Dream's eyes.. that weren't really yellow, according to Mirage, his eyes were glimmery like gold.

Dream will take his word for it.

"Are you done yettttt? M'hungry!" Mirage asks, whining as he nuzzles his face into Dream.

Dream chuckled, "Almost, weren't you playing with your toys?" 

"I wassss.. but I'm too hungry to playyyy." Mirage complains, pulling at Dream's clothes. 

Dream blinked, giving a chuckle, "Okay, mister, I'm mixing it all together now, take your seat." Dream instructed, making Mirage very excited as he hurries over to the table, hopping up on the chair. Mirage giggles, kicking his feet as he waited for Dream to give him food.

Dream places the food on the table within the minute and Mirage did not wait for Dream to start eating and Dream didn't force him to.

Maybe it was bad table manners.. he always used to get scolded for it.. and elbows on the table.. and playing with his food.. but he doesn't think he wanted to enforce those rules on Mirage..

When were they applicable anyway? Enjoying food didn't need to look so.. prim and proper.

Dream decided to clear his mind as he eats his food. He's been eating so much this past week.. it's making him feel gross. Dream tried to take out the littlest bit for himself but even then he just.. he didn't want to eat. It felt so.. wrong. Dream scarfs down the food to the best of his ability, quite literally choking it down in record time.

"Seconds please!" Mirage asks politely, finishing right after Dream despite the fact that he had much more on his plate. Dream happily gives him seconds. Mirage was a growing boy, after all. He should eat lots.

Dream pets Mirage's head, leaving him to eat his second handful as he cleans up. Mirage was strangely very picky about mess.. for being a kid. Mirage was always between acting like a kid and a mini adult.. it reminded Dream of someone..

Someone..

Dream sighed, and Mirage picked up on it.

"Are ya sad? Ya look sad.." Mirage asked, speaking with that tinge of an accent he had. It slips out on occasion. Dream found it cute. It reminded Dream of.. well, himself, at.. around that age he supposes.

"I'm not sad, I just have.. a lot to do, it's making me sigh a bunch, but I'm not sad, Mirage." Dream denies being sad, and while he hears a noise that sounded like a huff.. he gets a very sweet response.

"Well I'll help ya! M'really good at doing things! We can do 'em together!" Mirage consoles, smiling at Dream.. his grin very toothy and a bit lopsided. It was.. rather cute.

"..Thank you, Mirage. You're too kind." Dream praises, and he watches the way Mirage's little, puffy cheeks get all red and the way he shrinks in on himself, getting all shy.

"M-Mhm!!!" Mirage gives an affirming noise, going right back to stuffing his face. Dream thought it was cute..

Dream had never thought about having children or raising children but.. now that he has Mirage.. he can see what the craze was about. Children were so precious. Having Mirage makes him wonder even more how people could ever hurt a child.. it didn't make sense. Children were so.. full of life, wonder..

But.. Dream guessed that some weren't like that.. deemed to have been born wrong and twisted. Maybe some were.. maybe..

Dream should.. Dream should wash up the dishes.

"Hey.. goldie?" Mirage calls out suddenly after a bit of silence from the both of them.

"Mhm?"

"I've been thinkin' about.. well, the day you saved me.." Mirage spoke softly, bringing up the topic with a hesitancy too mature for someone his age.

"..What of it?" Dream asked quietly, prompting Mirage to continue as he started back washing the dishes.. albeit slowly, to be able to hear Mirage.

"That.. that man.. you.. did you know him? He acted like you two knew each other.. and.. and, well.. you obviously weren't.. a native to the area." Mirage approached the question.. somewhat. It wasn't very direct. Like he was afraid to directly ask.

He sounded.. so weirdly mature. His use of language, the tone he took while speaking. It didn't resemble the child he was speaking with only a few minutes ago.

"..He's my brother." Dream answered, unable to look at Mirage. To see his expression, the way he reacted to that information. Mirage had a right to know.. it's not like Dream was hiding it but.. it always.. it always made people think his acts were ones of deception when they find out.

"..Oh, does he.. does he not like you?" 

Dream had to suppress a noise, he took in a deep breath and a shaky exhale. What a childlike question. What a strange question to follow that up.

"..He doesn't." Dream was barely able to answer, his voice quivering and raspy. He tried to calm himself as best as he could.

Dream flinched as he felt something wrap around his leg. He peers down to see Mirage with a regretful looking expression.

"I.. I'm sorry I asked." Mirage whispered, his brows furrowed as he looked.. so pained. Mirage looked like he was in worse pain in this moment than when he was actually stabbed. 

Dream had to turn his head away, wiping his face in his sleeve as he abandoned the dishes. Dream wipes his hands in his clothes—a habit of his that was often criticized—cleaning them to pick Mirage up. Dream holds Mirage against his chest, rubbing his back.

"It's okay, I'm okay.. you have every right to know.. I'm not mad with you or anything.. it's okay.." Dream assures and reassures as he feels Mirage press deep into him, hiding away.

Mirage nodded against him, trembling.. but he wasn't crying.. or speaking.. Dream sighed softly, kissing Mirage on the head.

"You're okay.. I have you.. everything's okay.." Dream watched the way Mirage loosened up, nuzzling into his neck with little sniffles.

Dream smiles at him, petting his head. "There you go.. there you are.. everything's alright." He presses a kiss to Mirage's forehead, watching the way he loosened up even more.

Dream still felt an ugly swirl of emotions in his heart but.. seeing Mirage's face helped them disappear a little. Mirage had this.. almost dazed look on his face as he watched Dream.. and Dream wanted to give everything to that face.

How strange.

So very strange..

Chapter Text

Dream had put Mirage to bed early that night, because he seemed exhausted after.. that. Dream was in bed with him, staring down at him as he pet his head.. thinking.

Dream still had to go back to the brothel, he had to talk to them.. he couldn't avoid that forever.. but now he has Mirage. He can't just leave him alone at home while he's gone but he also can't take Mirage with him.. and he doesn't trust anyone else to watch him for several different reasons.

So.. which one of the things he listed needs to be bent?

Dream sinks into the sheets, prompting an unconscious Mirage to nuzzle into him. Dream didn't want to leave him in anyone else's care.. or alone.. Dream will take him to the brothel. It certainly won't be appropriate but.. he can't leave Mirage at home alone.

Dream would never forgive himself if something happened to Mirage.

He.. Dream should go to the brothel soon.. tomorrow evening.. he has to commit or he'll keep evading it. Dream is going tomorrow whether he wants to or not.

And he really doesn't want to.

This is how Dream ended up where he was now.

Right outside the brothel, that familiar neon sign greeting him.

Mirage was in his arms, and honestly.. he seemed to be nodding off. Dream could understand why, he usually gets sleepy around this time.. it's probably better if Mirage is asleep for whatever was about to happen.

Dream enters the brothel, about to approach the counter but something grabs his upper arm and drags him away. Dream was going to panic but he recognizes the familiar short stature and long, black hair.

It was Misery, tugging him along to the back, it seemed.

Was he.. just watching the entrance waiting for when he'd come back?

Were they all doing that? Or just Misery?

Either way, he was sat down in one of these back rooms. The dim lighting of the room getting much brighter as Misery flicked a few more light switches.

"Dreamy! I was so worried that you weren't coming back! Also, who is that?" Misery starts off the conversation only to immediately pivot to the child in Dream's arms.

Dream blinked slowly, "I.. I just.. I was busy.. I needed time.. and this is Mirage, he's my.. ward? I guess you could say?" Dream wasn't quite sure how to explain his and Mirage's relationship as he certainly does not even dare to presume to call himself Mirage's father.

Dream simply wasn't that.

Misery looked as confused trying to understand as Dream felt explaining. Misery just nodded, seeming to accept this without much thought. "I.. I'll get the others, just sit tight!" He orders before leaving the room with record speed.

Mirage yawned, rubbing his eyes, "Who was that..?" He mumbled the question, not very aware as to what was going on. Dream pets his head, pressing a kiss to the top of Mirage's head.

"A.. friend, you should get some rest. I'm going to be here talking for a while." Dream whispers to Mirage, who nodded along drowsily as he nuzzled further into Dream's chest.

Dream could feel Mirage's body go limp and he takes that as Mirage falling right to sleep. Now he has to be quiet.. he wouldn't want to disturb Mirage. Dream wondered if he should ask for a place to put Mirage to sleep but he truly didn't want to put him more than an arm's length away.

Dream's thoughts were interrupted by the opening of the door behind him.

He looks behind to see the full group.. all four of them.. staring at him. Each take a seat around the table Dream was sat at.. with Nyx taking the seat right beside him.

"Hi.." Dream awkwardly greets, receiving a chorus of nods. No one else asked about Mirage.. so he can only assume Misery filled them in on it.

"I.. I want to apologize.. for.. everything. For.. well.. what I did and.. for taking so long to come back. I really am sorry." Dream kept his apology concise, figuring that a drawn out, teary and emotional apology isn't something any Nightmare would want to hear from him.

"You don't need to apologize for that, Dream. You paid for a service and got a service.. not to mention that I was the one who sprang everything onto you. I apologize for that." Nyx gave an apology back.. but it was put together a lot better. No stuttering or stumbling and.. he seemed genuinely sorry.

It's odd seeing that expression on Nightmare's face.

"..It's okay. I'm glad I was told even if it was.. sudden." Dream truly was glad to be in the know, even though being in the know plagued his mind for.. for so long.

"I.. I wanted to know.. where to go from here? I.. I mean, I'm not any of your Dreams.. your brothers. I.. I'm not sure what.. what I should be doing with the knowledge I have now." Dream was lost. He originally came here as a way to release stress and feel less.. lonely.

But that isn't something he can do with a clear mind anymore.

He doesn't think he ever did this with a clear mind.

"..I.. I like seeing you. I don't.. I don't want to stop seeing you." Misery tells Dream so softly, Malevolent petting his head as Misery spoke, comforting him.

"I agree with Misery.. I don't know how you feel but.. I don't think any of us what to stop seeing you." Malevolent spoke, inputing his opinion despite always being so.. silent. Dream wrote it off as how he was and now.. now he was talking.

Now he had something important to say and Dream listened. He had to.

"It's not exactly nice to come in here, call us all 'brother' then bail on it. You started this, we're just finishing it." Malaise spoke much harsher towards him, which earned him a firm shoulder grasp from Malevolent.

Nyx clears his throat, "Don't mind him.. Malaise missed you a lot. He's just upset. But.. he has a bit of a point, you did start this, how do you want to end it?"

Now all eyes were on Dream and he shrinks in on himself. He came to seek answers.. not get questioned on what he desires to do.

Dream exhales shakily, "I.. I don't want to.. stop.. necessarily. I.. I like this but it.. it also hurts. It's.. it's just like then. It's what I know.. and it hurts." Dream's voice gets wobbly towards the end as he licks his lips, desperately trying to wet his dried throat with saliva.

"..I'm sorry, could you elaborate? I don't understand.. I may have been the closest to being like your Nightmare but.. I don't think everything leading up was the exact same." Nyx requested, phrasing his request so delicately. Dream could tell it was for his comfort.

Dream.. Dream didn't know if he wanted to explain. But he started to.. he can't just leave that box unopened when he's using it to decide if he wanted to close another box.

That would be.. paradoxical.

Dream slowly breathed in and out, trying to calm the shaking happening in his insides presently.

"Okay.. I'll tell you." Dream decided to commit, but he gave himself a bit of leeway to.. think of how he wanted to word things.. what he wanted to mention.

It was completely silent for a couple minutes, enough to hear a pin drop.

Then Dream opened his mouth.

"My.. my Nightmare, my brother.. he was.. he was a bit strict, I suppose. He had lots of little rules, some were silly.. like keeping elbows off the table when eating.. others were.. strange." Dream began to explain, holding Mirage a bit closer to himself. He took that time to compose himself and here he was already unraveling at the seams.

"Nightmare.. he was.. he was cruel. He.. he raised me, loved me.. but it wasn't kind. It.. I.. sorry, I.. I need a second. I.. I don't have the words.." Dream's voice quieted to a hushed tone at the end as he turns his head away. He's cried in front of these four several times.. but.. but this was.. personal.

More personal than Dream would like to admit.

No one said anything but he could feel their gaze, likely waiting with bated breath after Dream started that off so terribly.

Dream breathes in, then out. He's.. he's fine. He can do this. It's easier than his duty.

It should be, anyway.

"Because he.. acted as my parent, of course.. he disciplined me, as he called it. It was.. typically physical but it.. it had other things too. Sometimes it was over little things.. like coming home late.. or just.. annoying him." Dream could still recall those memories, painfully vivid amongst the haze of happier ones that Dream longs to recall clearly but simply can't.

"He'd.. sorry, I.. I'm getting off topic.. I.. it's.. that's just.. why it hurts to try and continue this. But it's familiar. That.. that pain, it's familiar. I miss it sometimes.. I'm sorry that I kept trying to force my desire for that onto you all." Dream was so embarrassed. He didn't remain on topic at all. They didn't.. need to know all that.

Who would want to know any of that?

Dream lifts his lowered head, meeting an array of different reactions but the common denominator between them all was the mute horror present in their eyes.

"I.. I'm sorry, I.. I didn't mean to.. I..-" Dream started to apologizes before anyone had even said anything, on the cusp of spiralling after that horrific slip-up.

Only to be met with a comforting hand on his shoulder from Nyx.

"It's okay.. you don't need to apologize. We.. we understand why you're so hesitant now. I think I can speak for all of us when we say we'd like to keep contact with you, but.." 

"The decision lies with you, Dream." Nyx finishes, giving Dream this pensive smile that both told so much yet nothing at all.

The decision lies with him..

Dream hated making decisions, he didn't want to choose a situation where someone would be unhappy. He can handle his own feelings of discomfort but it's very hard for him to handle others' discomfort.

Dream could feel it.. he could feel all their negative emotions pouring into his soul. In this small, cramped room, with flickering lights.. he felt regret, rage, sorrow, empathy, sympathy.. fear.

Dream felt it all.

It usually wasn't this potent when he felt others' emotions.

Dream was experiencing their emotions channeled through his soul like his own. There were only four of them.. yet they felt strongly enough for Dream's soul to react.

Dream didn't know if he could make a decision like this.

"I..I need to think about it some more. If I.. was still on my own, I think I wouldn't have hesitated.. but I have to look after Mirage. I can't.. I can't keep bringing him here.. this was already too much." Dream whispers, giving his decision.. which was essentially a bargain for time.

Dream doesn't think he can decide right now. That he wants to decide right now in this moment.

Nyx gives him a small smile, this time, Dream couldn't decipher the emotion behind it.

"We understand, we'll wait for your decision." Nyx reassures, patting Dream's back but he recinds the hand very quickly, acting a bit.. reserved, almost.

Nyx hadn't been reserved before.. was this because of what Dream said about his Nightmare?

Ah..

"..No matter what I chose to do, you all are very lovely people.. and I wish you the best in every endeavour." Dream had to say that, he had to let them know that he bears no ill will. Even if that was obvious, Dream needed them to know. To hear it from his own mouth.

"..Would you like some tea, Dream?" Nyx asked him, his voice barely audible.

"..I would, thank you." Dream answers in a similarly hushed voice.

Like the tea was a secret between them two alone.

No one else knew.. no one else needed to know.

Dream watches as Nyx gets up, going to fetch him some tea. Despite Dream's hestitance on if he wants to continue these visits.. he didn't want to leave right away. Dream didn't want to leave this on.. a bad note.

Nightmare deserved more than that.

These Nightmares deserve more than that.

More than a quick out due to Dream's own emotional cowardice after involving them in his own internal struggles. Dream didn't wish to be cruel.

He can stay for tea, at the very least.

It was quiet.. very quiet. No one was talking.. the only sound in the room was Nyx pouring the tea, eventually bringing it over and giving it to Dream.

The smell of lemongrass hits Dream first.

Ah, how familiar.

Dream takes the mug, it was warm.. pleasantly so.. he holds it by the handle and takes a sip. Usually he prefers to hold any cup by its body as he's afraid of spilling.. but he has Mirage in his arms so he can really only spare one hand.

Nyx was once again sat beside him, he looks at Dream with.. an unreadable expression. Dream was trying not to pry into any of their emotions as best as he could. It's an awful habit of his.

"Could you tell me more about the way you grew up?" Nyx asked, his voice and face soft, wistful almost.

Dream took a deep breath, "..Just you?" He questioned instead, glancing at the other three, who weren't daring to speak.

Nyx glances at them too, having followed Dream's gaze. He nods. "Just me." Nyx confirms and like clockwork, the other three leave.

Unlike Nyx, they weren't hiding their expressions very well. Dream could see them wince as Nyx asked Dream to delve into more of his youth. Dream didn't mind talking about it.. he just didn't think anyone would like to hear him go on a self pity fest.

It was why he cut himself off earlier.

Dream was so used to over explaining everything he felt.. because that's how Nightmare told him to explain things. If Dream was upset, he'd be prodded at until he was too exhausted to even feel upset anymore.

Dream learned that most people didn't like hearing all that.

But Nyx was asking, how could he deny him?

Maybe.. maybe talking about it would help him reach a decision too. If the past is what was making him hesitate.. then it's best to reevaluate it.

Then maybe Dream will know what he wants to do.

Nyx rubs his back, a small encouraging smile on his face. What an expression.. it did make Dream want to give him everything he knew.

For a second time, Dream opens his mouth.

"Uhm.. well, like I said.. I used to get physically disciplined a lot. Even for the time where that was considered normal.. it was a lot.. and always in places people couldn't see." Dream starts, elucidating a bit more of his childhood for Nyx, slowly.

Dream could still remember it vividly.

"You can go now." Nightmare dismisses him, allowing Dream to stand up straight, having been bent down for his punishment.

Dream sniffled, nodding slowly. He watched as Nightmare left him alone in their little bedroom. Dream rubs his calves, hissing at the touch of his own hand. The lines from the cane very apparent. He's just lucky that they weren't bleeding.

Dream will have to wear his long trousers again.. even though they get in the way of his work, he can't let anyone see this.

Dream, abashedly, slips on a longer trousers, covering his blatant punishment before he left to go to the village. 

Keeping his secret, his shame, as well hidden as can be.

"Nightm.. he.. he didn't.. he wasn't always like that. Hitting me, I mean. It's a bit more vague but when he started parenting me instead of being my brother is when the cruelty truly started.." Dream mutters, recalling more of the past as he spoke.

"Dream! What did I tell you about running around the house?!" Nightmare yells at him, making Dream shrink in on himself.

Dream clenches the hem of his tunic, "T.. To not do it.. sorry, Nighty.." He mutters his apology and that only makes Nightmare more upset.

"Don't mumble. If you're going to apologize, do it right."

Dream sniffled, "I.. I'm sorry." He spoke clearer, no longer mumbling to Nightmare.

"Good, you should be."

"I could.. I could have lived with it if he had good intent, I think. I.. I don't think I would feel so much pain if he.. if he didn't look like he was enjoying it." Dream's voice, which had been relatively stable, started to quiver as he spoke. Just as his body did.

"What.. what do you mean?" Nyx inquired, his first time speaking throughout Dream's lengthy recollection.

Dream bit his lower lip, an awful habit he had.. one he picked up from.. Dream hastily licks his lips as he looks to actually answer.

"He liked it. He liked my pain. It's why he did it so often.. it's.. it's why I didn't try to.. fight back or.. stop it,"

Dream turns his head, meeting Nyx's face with glossed over eyes and trembling lips, "How could I stop him when the only time he ever looked truly happy was when he was hitting me?"

The words were raspy, yet wet from the saliva in Dream's mouth. His throat felt dry but his mouth was salivating.

Nyx's face was painted with abject horror at his words, his story.

It's the first time he's seen Nyx's face be so.. expressive.

"I.." Nyx started to speak but the words died in his mouth. He was searching for the right words to say.. Dream could practically see the cogs turning in his head as his mind searched for what to say to Dream.

Dream turns his head, fixating his eyes to the table rather than Nyx's expression.

"..He wasn't always so bad. He used to treat me gently too. I'd sleep on top of him and he'd read to me or sing me a lullaby until I was asleep.. he used to cook for me.. and sometimes he'd even feed me. Even if he was rough in those more tender moments.. I knew he cared. I felt it." Dream was subconsciously trying to make Nightmare sound better. Maybe because it somewhat felt like he was talking to his Nightmare, even though he wasn't.

"..That doesn't change what he did." 

Dream hummed, pressing his hand to his own chest, "..No, but it eases the pain in my heart when I recall it." 

Nyx shakily exhales, enough for Dream to know he did without looking at him.

"..I'm sorry.. that you went through that." Nyx apologizes, although Dream notices a hand in his peripherals, it quickly retreats.

Dream smiled a bit, placing his hand on Nyx's shoulder, "Thank you for that, but you don't need to apologize to me for this." 

Nyx cringes, looking so.. pained, "But.."

Dream squeezes his shoulder, "I mean it."

Nyx backed down, giving Dream a tentative nod.

"Did he.. what else did he do? Besides.. hitting you?" Nyx asked.. it was certainly quite the thing to ask.

"..I don't think you want to hear that." Dream didn't have a problem talking about it. Maybe he should. Maybe he should feel more shame than he did.

But he didn't.

Nyx places his hand over Dream's, squeezing it. "If you're willing to tell me, I'd like to hear it."

Dream appreciated that.. Nyx, despite similarities, never pushed Dream. None of them did. Despite his hesitancy with.. everything.. each one of them guided and cared for him when he spent time with them. It was why he also felt so hard pressed to end this.

"..It's sexual in nature, the other parts of.. everything." Dream prefaced, bringing his hands to himself, and Nyx seemed to pause.

"Is it okay if I bring everyone back? It just.. feels like I shouldn't be the only hearing this part, given.. everything." Nyx was asking, not forcing. Dream thought it was a bit strange as Nyx did have that sort of pushy quality Nightmare did.. but he seemed to be reeling it in.

Dream nodded, "You can, given the topic.. it does sort of feel appropriate to bring them back in because.. well, you know.." His face grew a bit red, he didn't finish the sentence but the sentiment was enough for Nyx to understand.

Then Nyx went to fetch them, they were just in the other room so it only took about a minute for everyone to be settled again.

Dream felt a tad more nervous again.. he had a much wider audience after all.. but Nyx rubs his back reassuringly, "Whenever you're ready." He assures, gaining a chorus of nods agreeing with his words.

But again, not daring to speak.

Dream breathes in deeply, exhaling with a sigh. "I'm assuming Nyx told you what I'm going to talk about?" He confirms first, not watching to spring such a delicate topic onto them without warning again.

Another chorus of nods.

Dream nodded back and for a third time, he opens his mouth.

"He... was always a bit particular.. in many different ways. So.. our intimacy was usually always the same few things rotated." Dream mentioned that to start with as it defined a lot going forward, in his mind anyhow.

"It was.. typically things with hands.. occasionally mouth.. but it had to be done after.. excessive cleaning. If I was the one pleasuring him, if it was the other way around.. it didn't really matter." Dream was always.. dirty to Nightmare. Maybe he really was that dirty but even if he cleaned himself up.. Nightmare wouldn't trust that Dream was clean until he got his hands on him.

"We also never really did uhm.. p.. penetration. He thought it was gross." Dream felt much more flustered trying to describe this than upset or sad. He didn't have many negative attachments to the pleasure as it wasn't inherently painful like the discipline.

Dream leans back in his chair, trying to relax his very tense body. "Sometimes I wouldn't get to finish, as a punishment. My pleasure was.. the focus with our intimacy. N.. he didn't like being in a vulnerable position.. but he liked me in it."

Dream tried to stifle down the memories that unwillingly popped up as he talked about it.

"N-Nighty.. this is uncomfortable.." Dream tried to protest to Nightmare, who had him with his back flat on the table. The uncomfortable part was the way his legs were pushed up.

Nightmare was in between his legs as Dream was forced to hold this embarrassing position. Nightmare had his hand holding the base of Dream's penis, which with his hand was practically the whole length. He wasn't truly moving, if he did, it'd be at a snail's pace.

"You can handle it." Nightmare said instead, giving Dream a squeeze. It made Dream whimper, his tip getting leaky.

"There we go~ Let's see how long we can keep you like this.." Nightmare whispered, leaning close for their faces to meet. That familiar glint in his eye.. like Dream was just..

"..Dream?" Nyx called out to Dream, who had stopped talking. He appeared dazed.. and was very red in the face.

Dream jumped a little, shaking his head to clear his mind. "I-I'm sorry.. I.. the the reason I wanted to be hurt during sex was because he'd do that to me sometimes. I can't help but associate pleasure with pain." 

Dream unwittingly made everyone else in the room tense up at the way that he was treating this.. it was rather blase in an uncanny way.

"I have.. a strange relationship with pleasure because of it.. I only mention it because I did come here for that pleasure.. and I chose you all because you looked like him.. so it did feel wrong to not tell you about it." Dream didn't think he had a right to keep that to himself when all he did during sex was babble about his brother and lose himself in it like he was really back there.

The room was silent.

Did Dream say too much?

..Why weren't they saying anything?

..He messed up again, didn't he?

"..I'm sorry, that was too much." Dream apologizes only to be met with an amalgamation of 'no's and 'don't be sorry's from the others.

Nyx clears his throat loudly, "No one thought it was too much.. we were all just.. processing." He assures Dream, rubbing his upper arm soothingly.

Dream wasn't quite sure he believed it, but he nodded. Then it was silent again.

Did they.. want him to talk about it more? No one asked him to.. he.. he wasn't sure what he was meant to do.

"I.. sorry, I'm not sure what else to talk about." Dream had broadly covered everything, he thinks.. he may have missed a few details but the nitty-gritty wasn't something that was needed to get the idea.

"That's alright, Dream. We can talk about something else." Nyx suggested, trying to keep everything less awkward.

"Oh, but I'm not sure what to-" Dream's sentence was cut off by a tug at his chest. He looked down to see Mirage fully awake and staring at him with wide eyes.

"..How long have you been awake?"

"..I jus' woke up." 

Dream sighs, "I'm going to choose to believe that.." He muttered, petting Mirage's head. Mirage waking up has definitively ended any further conversation about Dream's past.

Mirage sits up in his lap, hands on Dream's shoulders, "Goldie, who are these people? They all look the same." He questions, nuzzling his cheek to Dream's own.

Dream couldn't help his little chuckle, he nuzzles Mirage back, "These are my.. friends. This is Nyx, Misery, Malevolent, and Malaise!" He introduces each of them, a gentle smile stretched across his face.

Mirage hummed, "Weird names." He commented, sitting normally on Dream again, still nuzzling into him.

Unbeknownst to Dream, Mirage was giving a glare to everyone at the table—practically oozing his hostility.

Yet Dream was perfectly unaware.

"..What an adorable child." Nyx compliments, getting Dream to perk up.

"Isn't he? He's a very good and brave boy!" Dream liked complimenting Mirage and he was glad that others were were doing it too. He really did deserve it.

The poor thing had been through so much.

The least he could be told was how precious he is.

Mirage puffed up his chest in pride, clearly thrilled to have been complimented by Dream. "That's right!" he confirms, a wide, toothy grin on his face.

"Wow, really? how good and brave?" Misery asked Mirage with a small smile. Despite being the youngest looking, he was obviously older than Mirage.. still, it was strange for Dream to see the usually childlike Misery talk.. maturely.

"Extremely good and brave! The best!" Mirage clarifies, a little huff escaping him as he leans back against Dream.

"What a big boy you are, huh?" Malaise teased, leaning over and ruffling Mirage's hair, which he got a quick slap to his hand for.

Dream blinked, oh.. "Mirage, we don't hit others, okay? And Malaise, please ask before touching him.." He scolded both of them for separate reasons, yet he got the same reaction

A whiny, angry pout.

Dream couldn't help but chuckle.

"I never thought you'd be one to care for a child." Malevolent comments, it was a very innocent comment but it had underlying implications that he doesn't think Malevolent was aware of, given his friendly manner.

Dream gives him a smile, "Me either, honestly.. it sort of just.. happened, but I'm glad it did." His voice softens to a whisper at the end as he ruffles Mirage's hair.

Mirage's face grows red and he whines, hiding away his face into Dream's chest, not wanting to be seen, apparently. Dream thought it was so cute.. he gives Mirage a lot of kisses for it. He has grown a lot more comfortable with Mirage despite their short time together.. there were still moments where Dream felt he was being too much but.. Mirage seemed to love it no matter what.

Dream liked that.

Dream sighs quietly, "I think I'll be taking my leave now. It's getting late and I want to put Mirage to bed properly." He gives his excuse, though the reason wasn't a lie. He truly did want to go ahead and get Mirage to sleep.

"We understand, goodbye Dream." Malevolent speaks first, a sad but content smile on his face. Malaise had a big pout but instead of speaking, he gives a half hearted wave.

Misery leaned forward across the table, kissing Dream's cheek, which got a series of gasps from everyone in the room. "Bye-bye, Dreamy.." He gives his goodbye with teetering melancholia.

Mirage was grumbling incoherently in his chest and Dream was feeling.. rather confused and strangely flattered.

Dream looks at Nyx.

All that's left was him.

Nyx gives the most precious smile Dream thinks he's ever seen. It made his heart tremble. He doesn't think hearts were supposed to be doing that.

"Farewell, Dream." Nyx bids him a more proper goodbye, it was far less childlike when compared to Misery's but had an odd air of elegance that Malevolent's goodbye didn't have.

Dream adored it.

"Farewell.. to all of you." Dream gives his goodbye, taking his leave immediately after. He didn't force Mirage to say goodbye, it didn't make sense to.

Dream had just exited through a portal right there.. as he didn't want to try navigating those back rooms, and just like that, he was home with Mirage.

However Dream's first stop wasn't the bedroom, it was the bathroom. He wanted to wash up, and Mirage would absolutely want to as well. Dream didn't particularly care about 'outside germs' as Mirage tastefully put it but considering they share a bed, he had to.

Dream sets Mirage down, wanting to help him bathe first and then he would do himself. Mirage grips his pants, "Can we bathe together.. please?" He asked politely, though the asking bordered on begging given his very soft tone and the look in his eyes.

"..Okay, we can do that." Dream didn't have the heart in him to say no, even if it was uncomfortable. Dream kneels down, helping Mirage undress.

It still felt wrong but Dream didn't try to deny it or redirect.. he was accepting it as something he had to do as Mirage's caregiver. Mirage was naked in only a few short moments.

Now it was Dream's turn.

Slowly, Dream undresses himself.

His movements were laden with uncertainty as he takes off his clothes, still knelt on the floor. Dream takes a shaky breath in and out before he scoops Mirage's little body up. He flips on the water heater, then gets into the tub with Mirage in his arms.

Dream was unsure of where to sit Mirage.. but he decided on setting him between his legs rather than on them. Dream leans over to grab the hand held shower head. He turns it on, testing to see if the water was warm on his hand, and it was.

Dream then begins to wash down Mirage's little body with the very pleasantly warm water. Mirage gave a little hum, leaning back against Dream.

"..Dream?" Mirage calls out, voice almost inaudible with how quietly he was speaking.

Dream hasn't heard Mirage say his name since.. his first day with him. Which wasn't that long ago but it still felt peculiar to hear his name from Mirage's mouth now.

"..Yes?"

"Can I.. can I call you daddy?" Mirage asked, looking up at Dream with glass like eyes—ready to cry before Dream had even said anything.

Dream.. didn't expect this. He truly, truly didn't. But.. but he didn't want to deny Mirage. Dream truly felt honoured that Mirage wanted to call him 'daddy', it has to mean that Mirage genuinely thinks of him as one now.

Dream didn't want to reject that sentiment, even if it was a bit.. strange to him.

"..Of course you can." Dream confirms, leaning in and kissing Mirage's forehead. Mirage beams at Dream upon hearing the acceptance. 

"T-Thank you..! Thank you." Mirage yips at Dream, rising up to meet Dream's face rather than Dream his. Mirage kisses Dream's cheek, wrapping his arms around his neck and hugging him so tightly that Dream had the vague fear of being choked out by those little arms.

Dream hugged Mirage back, of course, and for a short while, they stayed like that.

In each other's embrace.

The rest of the bath was uneventful. Dream got Mirage clean, then himself. Both got dressed in their pajamas and went straight to bed, no lingering with other things.

For once, Dream had fallen asleep only a few moments after getting into bed—Mirage on top of him as they slept.

It was a tender night.

Chapter Text

Dream was slowly growing concerned with the lack of any movement from Nightmare. He has had Mirage for about two weeks, maybe a bit over—he doesn't check time very well—and yet, Nightmare hasn't made a move. Dream doesn't know if perhaps Nightmare was plotting something of a larger scale.. he truly hopes not.

Dream is brought out of his thoughts by a force hitting and connecting to his leg. Dream blinked, looking down at Mirage, who had a bright smile on his face, "Daddy! Pick me up!" He ordered Dream to do with a cute little face.

Dream's heart felt very soft as he gently scooped up Mirage, holding his child against body, "Is this what you wanted, baby?" Dream asked, as he tended to hold Mirage in many different ways. Like on his hip, in one arm, cradled.. this was basically supporting him with both but allowing him to face Dream.

Mirage nodded profusely, "Yes!! I like it!" He exclaimed as he leaned against Dream's chest and he adjusts his hold to support Mirage against his chest. Dream rubs his back, watching the way Mirage relaxed.

"I can't hold you for too long, okay? I have to finish the laundry." Dream prefaces as the dial on the spin dryer he had was very close to resetting to its original position, indicating that it was almost done.

Not that he's ever truly aware of how long it is.. sometimes it feels like forever.

Mirage didn't even seem to heed his words, looking so content against Dream. It was precious, so precious.

"Do you want me to swing you? Weren't you doing that?" Dream questioned, wondering why Mirage had come over when he was entertaining himself just fine.

"Mmmm.. sounds fun but.. no.. the sun's too hot." Mirage mumbled against Dream's chest, nuzzling his face into it. 

Dream glanced back into the small yard he had, the sun was out but.. it wasn't that hot.. and the swing he had installed for Mirage was on a tree, providing it shade. Dream supposed that Mirage must be extra sensitive considering he lived in such a snowy area.

"Okay, then do you want to go inside and nap while I handle laundry?" Dream did only bring Mirage outside because he asked but that doesn't mean Mirage needs to stay outside until Dream was done.

"When ya have ta put me down, put me inside.." Mirage muttered, his eyes fully closed and body almost completely limp.

Oh, my.. the sun must really be wearing the poor boy out. He doesn't sleep during the day at all.

Dream kisses the top of Mirage's head, holding him gently and.. going back to his thoughts. He has thought about it, what he'll have to do when Nightmare attacks again. With Mirage's presence, he can't come home too injured, or.. not come home.

It's a responsibility.

Dream's biggest concern is the idea that while he's out fighting, something could happen to Mirage. Dream doesn't want that, but he cannot bring Mirage to a battlefield, whatsoever. Dream has briefly considered giving Mirage a babysitter, but there isn't anyone he trusts enough to do it.. but he can't.. leave him alone.

Dream feels a familiar disturbance in his soul. Oh.. oh, wait.. that, that can't be. There's a sharp pain as the disturbance grows larger.

Nightmare was.. just as he was thinking about what he'd have to do. What twistedly perfect timing.

The laundry will have to just wait in the machine, Dream has to.. he has to go.

Dream rushes inside, Mirage in his arms, as he goes right to the bedroom to get his fighting outfit on. Dream gently places Mirage down on the bed, which wakes him up.

Mirage yawns, rubbing his eye as he watches Dream hurriedly get dressed. "Where are you going, daddy..?" He murmured the question, looking Dream up and down.

Dream paused, briefly, he goes right back to readying himself. "You remember the day I found you? That man does this.. a lot. I have to go stop him." Dream explained as best as he could to Mirage without being too.. explicit.

"..Are you leaving me alone?" Mirage inquired with the softest, quivering voice he's ever heard. 

It makes Dream drop everything he was doing to pick Mirage up and hold him tight, squeezing his little body. 

"No no no.. I'm not doing that. I.. I just, I can't take you with me, baby." Dream tried to explain, he really did but what he was doing sounded worse out loud.

"..I dun' wanna be alone.." Mirage communicates to Dream, his usually bright eyes all teary, ready to cry at any given moment.

Dream was at a loss, he knows that more people were losing his lives with his own indecision but he cannot just leave Mirage like this. Leave him alone. Dream forgot how much Mirage begged for Dream to stay with him that day. Mirage has a fear of it, a fear that Dream doesn't want to trigger.

Where can he..?

Okay.

Dream wasn't sure this was a good idea, but frankly, it was the only idea he had. Dream puts Mirage down gently, kissing his forehead. He goes to finish readying himself before he helps Mirage get dressed in something a bit more appropriate to leave the house in.

Dream picks Mirage up, holding him in his hands, as he opens a portal. Dream takes a deep breath in, and out, Mirage settled on his body with a slightly confused expression.

Dream goes into the portal with Mirage.

On the other side of the portal was a building with a neon sign.

Dream feels like.. this was a bad idea, but he doesn't really have any more options. His contact with people is very limited outside of his duty. He doesn't truly have anyone he can trust.

But he thinks he can trust them.

Dream goes into the building and he truly feels shame bringing Mirage into this place but there's so little he can do about it. He enters the building, hoping that maybe, just maybe, one of them would be by the door like last time so he doesn't have to ask.

Luck was on Dream's side in that.. but there was a bit of unluck in the fact it was Malaise, who didn't seem to like him too much.

Malaise looks Dream up and down, unspeaking.

"Hi.. I.. I'm sorry but could you watch Mirage for me? An..an emergency came up and I really don't have anyone else who can-" Dream felt like a horrible parent, Malaise wasn't saying anything and it felt a bit like he was being judged.

"..Whatever." Malaise muttered, folding his arms across his chest.

"I.. I'm sorry?" Dream didn't understand what that meant.. was that a no? He truly hopes it wasn't.

Malaise sighed, turning his head away, "Leave the kid, we'll watch him. Just go to your emergency because you're clearly wasting time." He.. scolded Dream, at least it sound like it was scolding.

But he was right.

Dream places Mirage down and although he had a pout on his face, he didn't say anything. Dream clasps Malaise's hand, squeezing it, "Thank you so much.. I truly appreciate it. I'll be back soon, I promise." Dream spoke to Malaise, just feeling so much relief.

Malaise's face was red but Dream had no time to think about it. He kisses Mirage on the forehead, "I'll be back so soon.." He promised, again, before he hastily took his leave through a portal, afraid to waste any more time.

Mirage stared at where Dream once was with a scrunched up face.

Dream stared at the pile of bodies littered on the cold, snowy ground.

There were.. so many people. It felt like the body count was increasing every single time that he goes to fight Nightmare.

How could Dream let this many people die?

Dream is so awful.

Dream takes a shaky breath in, his lungs feeling pierced by the cold air. He takes a step forward, ignoring the crunching of snow and blood beneath his feet. Dream has to walk carefully, avoiding stepping on the bodies.

This universe was far more populated, it seemed.. usually snowy towns had as many people as bodies he just passed but.. it went on. Was this just like last time?

A few distant screams catch his attention.

Dream rushes to action, he can hear it. He can feel the fear and rage.. and sick, twisted satisfaction. Dream ends up stopping in the middle of town, where he sees Nightmare stood, his tendrils holding multiple civilians by the necks.

"Dream, how nice of you to finally join! I was wondering if I'd have to kill everyone to get your attention." Nightmare coos to him, talking from that distance.

Dream doesn't reply.

There were eight people held by a tendril, all seem relatively uninjured but if they fall they might not be able to run. But if Dream frees them, he can maybe get one or two and Nightmare will break the rest of their necks.

The best course of action was to attack Nightmare himself.

Dream summons his bow and in the next moment, forms and shoots an arrow.

The arrow hits Nightmare's shoulder, and he hisses—pulling out the arrow. It was bloody and dissipates upon being removed.

Dream shoots another arrow, this one hits Nightmare's arm. Unlike before, it sticks in his forearm and Nightmare pulls it out with no blood.

"As much as I like being impaled by arrows—" Nightmare tried to talk and Dream shot another arrow. He can't afford to waste his magic by shooting relentlessly but he can't let Nightmare catch on.

Nightmare clicks his tongue, loudly, he always does that when he's upset. Dream shoots an arrow again but it was a bit different. It was an arrow that breaks off into multiple smaller arrows.

As an attack, it was like the equivalent of a pinch. But Dream wasn't using it to attack, he was using it as a cover to get close. Dream, full speed, runs over to Nightmare, his bow breaking off into his daggers. 

With his newfound proximity, and his daggers, Dream cuts at the base of all of Nightmare's tendrils as quickly as he could before simply shoving him to the ground and getting on top of him, pinning him to the snow with his daggers.

"Run!" Dream orders the scattered civilians who immediately begin to flee for their lives.

Nightmare chuckles beneath him, "You know I let you do that?" He whispers, his tendrils forming back and caressing Dream's body.

They were small, wiggly, and rounded—recovering from being cut off.

Dream frowned, "That doesn't matter." He muttered the reply, driving the daggers deeper into Nightmare's shoulders with a sick crunching noise.

Nightmare just barely winces, but the smile on his face grows wider than before. "Speak up, Dream. I taught you not to mumble, didn't I?" He spoke softly, this.. twisted delight in his eyes.

The flesh that Dream was certain that he stabbed suddenly became malleable and Dream's blade ends up buried in the heap of snow beneath them. Dream tries to pull out the next one before it too got lost but Nightmare's freed hand was on his side and he squeezes Dream's side.

Dream gasped, sucking in a sharp breath as pain resonated through his body.

Nightmare had attacked his injured side. It wasn't done healing. It was still going so slow and still an open wound. Nightmare's fingers grow sharp, about to stab Dream in the side.

Dream just barely moves out of the way, falling onto his back. Nightmare took that moment to overwhelm him. His body was on top of Dream's, between his legs and laying on his torso. Nightmare twirls a strand of Dream's hair.

"Whatever happened to that child you saved, hm? The one you almost killed last time." Nightmare asks, his tendrils slithering around Dream's body and holding him there.

Dream stared, his heart beating loud enough for Dream to hear it. "..I don't know. I left him in a hospital." He lies, staring into Nightmare's one visible eye.

Nightmare hums, "What was his name again? Mirage? What a stupid name. He looked like you too, bug eyed and idiotic." He insults, the words practically dipped in disdain.

Dream doesn't understand what was going on.

Why wasn't he being injured right now? Nightmare likes to monologue and all but.. this wasn't.. typical.

It made Dream feel weird rather than scared.

Especially as Nightmare kept rubbing his body on his as he spoke.

"You've been so different lately. I don't like it. I want you to go back to that depressed boy. Won't you do that for me?" Nightmare whispers as he connects their faces, the last part he whispers into Dream's mouth.

Dream could do nothing about it. He was restrained, and his mind was growing numb.

"Nightmare.." Dream mumbled into his brother's mouth. Nightmare kisses him, swallowing his breaths as he continued to rub up on him.

It only ends when Nightmare decided to end it, pulling back and swiping at Dream's bottom lip. 

"There you are~ Look at those eyes, not a thing behind them. You just want your big brother, don't you?" Nightmare almost taunts Dream as he unbuttons the vest he had on.

Dream's mind was fuzzy. He couldn't think at all. Dream has to go. He has to retreat. He can't stay here.

Dream's cluttered thoughts were interrupted by a hard squeeze of his thighs. Dream whined, trying to pull his legs out from under Nightmare, kicking him, anything. Nightmare just laughed it off, like it was cute.

Nightmare smiled, "I think a punishment should set you back in place, shouldn't it? Don't you want that? You certainly feel like you do." He comments, his hand caressing Dream's hardening bulge.

Nightmare used a tendril to keep rubbing at it and Dream could feel an ache growing down there. It felt good. So strangely good. Dream hated it. He hated this. Dream was.. he..

Dream whimpers, shaking his head. "No.. just, just let me go.." He tried to beg but Nightmare cooed. He didn't seem to care.

Why would he?

What if Dream..

As Nightmare continued to try and have his way with Dream, Dream tries to think of an escape plan. Dream wiggles around a bit, which Nightmare doesn't question. He has movement, though limited..

It's enough.

Dream summons one of his daggers and attempts to stab Nightmare wherever he could.

The dagger is subsequently grabbed by Nightmare, who scoffs at the pathetic attack he was able to hold back with his hand alone.

Dream quickly follows up with an arrow, that ends up hitting Nightmare right in the eye when he threw it. 

There was a sickeningly squishy noise from it.

Nightmare hissed in pain, his tendrils retreating to his body and Dream scurries out from under him like a roach.

"Dream.. I don't like to play these kinds of games, Dream. You think this is smart of you? Invoking my anger is not a good idea." Nightmare spoke in a strangely calm manner as he pulled the arrow out of his eye.

Dream recoiled in horror as he saw the empty socket. He couldn't move. He couldn't.

"Despite blinding me to run, you can't even do that. A pathetic little coward who can't even commit. Did you like that? Do you like what you did?" Nightmare continued to question as he approached, somehow knowing where Dream is despite being blind.

"I.. I'm sorry.." Dream's voice quivers as he takes a step back, letting Nightmare know where he is, his horror unable to allow him to think straight.

"Sorry? You think a sorry can fix this? My, you'd think someone else raised you." He mutters, but after a moment of silence..

"Come here, Dream." Nightmare orders, his hands outstretched towards Dream, like a hug.

Dream, despite every bone in his body telling him to run, walks forward.

Dream embraces Nightmare, gripping at his clothes and soaking Nightmare's clothes with his wet face. Nightmare embraces him back, his hand rubbing at Dream's injured side. Blood soaking his hand.

"Night.." Dream mumbled into Nightmare, confused by just.. everything. Nightmare hummed, caressing his body as a response rather than a real response.

Nightmare leans in close to his ear, "The next time I see you.. you will be all mine, just as you should be." Nightmare whispered, blowing air into Dream's ear after. Nightmare's hand rubs Dream's chest, right above his soul. His hand presses in, and in, and in.

Until Dream pulled back.

Dream feels like he's underwater. He doesn't know what's happening. All clarity was lost, all sense was lost and Dream just.. he.. Nightmare's face, his eye.. 

Dream covered his mouth, trying to suppress his nausea.

Nightmare grinned, "Until we meet again, my dear, cute little brother." He spoke, but he didn't leave immediately.

His parting gift was a kiss to Dream's forehead.. and he was gone.

Just like that.

Just like that, Dream let him leave, Dream let him do.. everything he wanted.. Dream couldn't stop him...

Dream collapses onto the floor, his body curling up on himself. Dream is so pathetic. He didn't even do anything. He saved less than ten people and that was only because Nightmare let him. So many more died.

And Dream.. and he touched him. He's never.. he's never done that before. Not.. not there.

He said Dream was different now. He didn't like it. Is that why he tried that? What punishment did he even have in mind? What..

Dream's heart burns with everything left untouched and everything that was too touched.

Nightmare said the next time he sees him.. he..

Dream's eyes drifted over to the eyeball on the ground. Nightmare won't be permanently blind.. will he? He can't be. He seemed so calm. Dream's never attacked him in the face like that before.

Dream didn't make him permanently blind, he couldn't have.

This meeting, this fight, just ended and Dream already had a foreboding feeling.

Dream.. has to help the locals.. then.. then he'll pick Mirage up.

He hopes Mirage is doing okay.

Dream wasn't sure how long he spent helping the locals get back on their feet but he was there for at least a few hours. It was mostly just.. helping with everything as much as he could, healing those who were still alive.

His side was burning by the end of it all.

But Dream persists.

Dream finished it all up as neatly as he could, then he went to pick up Mirage. It was day when he left him here, and now.. it was night here. Dream was gone.. far longer than he thought he'd be. He sighed, approaching the entrance but as he got close, someone grabbed him.

Dream jumped, immediately hitting away whoever touched him, only to see Malaise.. who was.. outside, apparently.

"Oh..! I'm sorry..-" Dream apologizes to Malaise, who gave him this.. scrunched up face. He wasn't sure why.

"It's fine.." Malaise mumbled, crossing his arms on his chest.

"Why.. uh.. why are you out here..? Who's.. who's watching Mirage?" Dream was very concerned, all of a sudden. It was more concern than he thinks he's ever felt before.

Malaise scoffs, "Calm yourself. Mal is watching him with Missy." He answered the more important question, but not the other question.

Dream was glad that Mirage was safe but.. "So.. why are you out here..?" He.. wanted to know. It.. he just wanted to talk. He wasn't sure why.

Malaise blinked, "I.. I was taking a smoke break." He admits with shame as he hunched in on himself, looking away from Dream.

Oh, Dream didn't expect that.

He also didn't expect the.. shyness of it.

"I see.. do you.. want some company? Before I pick Mirage up?" Dream suggested, taking a step closer, causing Malaise to take a step back. His face grew very red as he just stared at Dream, before finally nodding.

Malaise takes Dream's hand silently, slowly leading him around the front of the building to the side. Dream briefly wonders how Malaise even knew he arrived but there was a convex mirror that was angled to see the entrance of the building.

There was a moment of silence.

"..You smoke?" Malaise asked as he pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his oversized jacket.

"..I tried it a few times."

Malaise offers the pack, "Well, try it another time." He spoke, watching Dream with almost regretful eyes.

Dream didn't understand why.

But he wants to know. 

Dream takes a cigarette, "..Got a light?" He whispered the question but Malaise just presents him with a flame from his lighter.

Dream leans down, pushing his hair back to keep it from the flame as he lit the end, breathing in until the cigarette was lit.

He breathes out the smoke, extinguishing the flame of the lighter with it.

Malaise stares at him, pulling the lighter to himself and repeating the process Dream just did.

Dream takes a drag of the cigarette, "How was watching Mirage?" Smoke poured out of his mouth as he spoke, leaning against the bare brick wall.

Malaise glanced at him, then away from him. "Awful, he's a little brat. Mal loved him." He answered, his words had a bit of implied snark but he didn't seem to be.. meaning it.

"..Hm, and the others?" Dream was actually a bit curious to how everything was in his absence.

Malaise sighed, "Your brat's precocious and makes it everyone else's problem. He fussed all day even while being given prince treatment." He takes a long drag of the cigarette afterwards, pointing his head down to blow out the smoke.

"..Oh, I'm sorry about that." Dream muttered, feeling very embarrassed that Mirage behaved apparently so awful.

"Don't be, we loved him. Missy especially, and Nyx got him coaxed eventually."

"..How?"

"Mostly through sweets, and that tea he's always drinking, I forget, lemongrass or something?" Malaise mumbled as he put the cigarette out on the brick wall rather than dropping it to the ground and stamping it out.

Nyx really was just..

Dream takes a long drag, blowing out the smoke. He takes the cigarette out of his mouth, putting it out on his hand—causing Malaise to stare.

"Why.. why did you do that?" Malaise questioned with this.. look of fear in his eyes.

Dream blinked, "Oh! I- I'm sorry, that was habit-" He tried to explain but it really made it sound worse.

"..You already looked awful, you didn't need to add to it." 

"I.. I'm sorry?.." Dream didn't.. quite like being spoken to like that. It must have shown on his face because Malaise flinched.

"I.. you.. you look beat up. You.. you shouldn't hurt yourself more, idiot." Malaise stumbled over his words, silently backing up, like he was retreating.

Dream stares, before a smiles settles on his face. Oh, he understands..

"You're right, I should be more careful. Thank you for looking out for me." Dream places his hand on Malaise's shoulder. He flinched but his face was flushed in a very cute way.

"Mhm.. I.. you should go get Mirage." Malaise mumbled, dismissing Dream. Dream decided not to prolong it. He did need to pick Mirage up.. and address his wound. He's very lucky his clothes are dark..

Dream gave a little nod, walking out of the corner, but he feels a slight pull on his clothes. He ignores the feeling from it on the side, instead looking back at Malaise.

Malaise's eyes were wide and his brows furrowed, his mouth open and quivering. "I.. I'm sorry for what I did to you.. what he did to you. I.. I didn't want to.. hurt you.." He whispers, tears pricking the corners of his eyes.

Dream was.. so very confused. He spins himself around, facing a suddenly very reserved Malaise. "I don't quite understand what you're apologizing for.." Dream murmurs in response, keeping the moment quiet and tender.

There wasn't quite an answer, just Malaise looking down at the ground, his body trembling as he started to cry.

Dream didn't know what was happening and he was so very, very concerned.

Dream brings Malaise in for a hug, which he doesn't reject, instead clinging onto Dream. Dream massages the back of his head, trying to think of what to say.

"You.. you don't need to apologize, you didn't do anything wrong." Dream tries to reiterate, though it didn't seem to help.

"I hurt you..!" Malaise makes a teary eyed argument.

"I wanted you to.. that doesn't count." Dream doesn't understand where this was even really coming from but it felt like it had been stewing under Malaise's surface for.. quite some time.

"It just.. I don't want you to go.. like he did. I.. my.. my Dream.. we used to fight so much, I always hurt his feelings and.. and I never even got to apologize because.. because he.." Malaise rambled his own thoughts out loud, it was slightly convoluted but Dream understood the idea and where it was coming from.

"I understand, you don't need to say anything more if you don't want to.. it must have hurt to not be able to apologize, but I think he knew you never meant to hurt him." Dream whispered, cupping Malaise's cheek and tilting his head up to look at him.

"How would you know..?" Malaise's question was quiet, small, and terribly fragile. Just like he was at the moment.

Dream leaned in, rubbing under Malaise's eye, "Because you don't look pleased when you hurt people. You look just as hurt.. I'm sure he knew you never meant it."

Dream has always been looking into people's eyes, always seeing how they felt. It wasn't always clear to him what people felt but he could always tell when someone gained delight in other's pain.

Those four were not like his Nightmare, even with the look in the eyes.

Malaise's eyes grow glossy upon hearing the words. He hides his face in Dream's chest but he squeezes him so tightly.

His side was getting numb but he feels the pain of that squeeze and it triggers a small coughing fit.

Dream coughs, covering his mouth, ah.. that's blood. Oh, he hoped the side wasn't bleeding through his clothes too. Dream watches Malaise pull his hand back to stare at, noticing the bloody stains on his palm.

Malaise stares back at Dream with abject horror.

Oh, dear..

"What.. you're.. you're bleeding-" Malaise pulls away from Dream, eyes wide and fearful.

Dream coughs lightly, "Yes, but it isn't a lot. Don't worry." He tries to quell Malaise's fears but instead of doing that, Malaise just looked more scared.

Malaise grabs his hand and walks him down the side of the building to a back door. Dream didn't fight it, wondering a bit what was going to happen. He doesn't think any of them had the ability to help this..

Once inside the building, Malaise entered the first door ahead of them and then the first door to the right. It's there that Dream sees.. Misery, but not Mirage or Malevolent, or Nyx..

Malaise perked up on seeing Misery, who was sat at a table, bandaging a wound around his thigh. Misery looks up at them, his face goes from blank to surprised, to a smile.

"Oh! What are you two doing back here? Mirage is with Mal in our room!" Misery informs as he takes his hand away from his own wound. Malaise approaches Misery, leaning down and whispering something to him that Dream cannot hear.

"..Ah, Dreamy, can you take this seat please?" Misery asked as he stood up, pulling the chair out for Dream to sit on. Dream was hesitant but he still sits down on the chair because, well, he was asked to.

Misery gives him another soft smile, and Malaise exited the room.. leaving them alone. Dream was.. he didn't understand what just happened.

"What's.. what's going on? Why did Malaise leave?" Dream questioned Misery, who opens a box on the table, shuffling through it. He could see bandages and smell chemicals.. wait..

Misery hums, "Liss isn't good with blood, that's why he left. Could you take your clothes off for me, Dreamy?" He spoke softly, not touching Dream at all. He wanted it done by Dream.

Dream hasn't really been treated by others, there was that time at the hospital but those were professionals. He's quite certain Misery wasn't one but.. he shouldn't be like this when going to pick Mirage up. Dream is aware of that much.

Thus, Dream removes his vest himself today, then he was in his bodysuit. He can't exactly take that off on just his upper half but since this was ruined already, he slips his top half out through the arm hole on one side and allowed the fabric to bundle at his hips. Dream stares at Misery, who had this.. sad look on his face.

Dream didn't know if to say anything.. so he didn't.

Misery sits down on a stool so he's near Dream's injury, the box he was using sat on another stool for easier access. What looked to be a wet wipe was in Misery's hand as he simply wiped the blood all around the wound first, skirting the edges of it.

Weirdly, it didn't hurt like Dream thought it would.

"..He always does this to you, huh?" Misery comments, discarding the wet wipe he was using to clean. He dons a pair of gloves, from inside a box inside the box before he grabs a little bottle of medicine.

"..Yeah, he does." Dream answered truthfully as Misery soaks a cotton ball in a liquid that Dream wasn't sure what but it smelled.. like he could get high on the fumes. Then Misery starts lightly dabbing the wound.

"..I'm sorry that he does." Misery gives a weak response, a pained expression on his face as he helps Dream.

Dream, today, was learning how much talking about his life had affected all of these four.

He didn't know about Malevolent or even truly Nyx but.. Malaise and Misery clearly haven't stopped thinking about it. Misery has such a look of pain as he treats Dream.

Dream doesn't like that.

Not one bit.

"..None of you are responsible for what happened in my childhood. Not Malaise, Malevolent, Nyx, or you.." Dream whispers, the words soft and almost inaudible without meaning to be.

"I understand that, as young as I look, I'm not too different in age to you." Misery replied, not meeting Dream's eyes as he focused on his work.

But it also felt like it was more than just focusing on his work.

Dream also hadn't thought about how old everyone was.. he never.. gave it any question. Misery looked young, but apparently they weren't that different in age..

"I didn't mean to assume, it just.. seems like.. all of you are horrified by it when it wasn't your faults." Dream gives his explanation, recalling his moment outside with Malaise.

Malaise was regretful and teary-eyed, and although Misery seemed pained.. he didn't seem to be like Malaise.. maybe Dream was assuming too much.

"It's a horrifying thing to hear, I don't like knowing that I could have been like.. that. I.. I can somewhat relate to you on it." Misery admits, lowering his head as he continued to treat Dream's wound. He was packing the wound and bandaging up his side.

Dream stared at Misery, "I.. I don't understand." He thinks he does actually understand but he wants to assume he's wrong about understanding what that meant.

"My Dream wasn't like your Nightmare, but he wasn't particularly nice. He valued the villagers' over me and he.. he died over it." Misery explained, despite Dream not pushing for it, he explains more than Dream could want and it left him with so many questions and answers.

Dream wanted to know more, he placed a hand on Misery's head. Misery blinked, looking up at Dream with a bright smile.

"Awh, you're worried? Don't be. Any version of you could never be as bad as one of me. You were just like you always are, concerned for others." Misery spoke as he moved up just enough to kiss Dream's cheek, prior to packing away everything.

"I.. I'm sorry for that." Dream couldn't help apologizing and Misery looked a bit surprised, before a graceful smile stretched delicately across his face.

"You don't have to apologize for that. It wasn't your fault, plus, my Dream was still so sweet and kindhearted, just like you. It's why he was easy to manipulate. You.. you're different than that, but still just as kind." Misery was leaned in close to Dream's face as he spoke, hands on the back of the chair on either side of Dream's head.

"That's what I like about you.." Misery whispers, he slowly pushes himself forward until he connects his mouth to Dream's cheek. It was just a peck.. and then it was finished.

Dream's face felt so hot by the end of it and Misery just giggled at him. "Go ahead and get your baby, I'll meet up with you to say goodbye in a bit." Misery dismisses him, helping Dream get back on the top half of his bodysuit and then his vest.

Dream was sort of in a daze after everything, he nodded along and left, before quickly realizing he didn't ask where to go. Well.. Dream can figure it out, he didn't want to go back and ask. Dream saw that injury Misery had on his thigh soaking the bandage with blood so he can only assuming he was changing it again, he doesn't want to interfere.

As Dream walked through the indistinct halls, he came to realize that he didn't actually know much about any of their lives before ending up how they are now. All had a Dream, all are dead.. but what was their life before that? Malaise used to hurt his Dream without meaning to and Misery's Dream didn't regard him much, it seemed.. 

It really was.. strange to think of. 

Dream briefly had the insensitive thought of what Malevolent and Nyx's Dreams were like. Nyx is a lot like Nightmare, so his Dream must have been similar to him.. but what about Malevolent?

Dream supposed it'll stay a mystery. He'll never ask Malevolent to tell him. That wasn't his place to ask.

..Dream was no idea where he was inside this building. Perhaps not asking Misery where to go was a horrible idea.

Dream thinks he's past the point of trying to figure this out on his own. He'll just knock on a door and ask someone for directions as he is way too lost right now.

Dream knocks on the first door he sees, hearing a bit of shuffling from the other side after his knock. The door opens and Dream sees.. Malevolent. Oh! He guessed right on the first try, how lucky..

Dream gives Malevolent a smile, "Hello, I've come to pick up Mirage." He says with that same smile, he peers into the room behind Malevolent but he didn't see anything.

"Ah, he's with Nyx. I'll take you there." Malevolent exits the room, closing the door behind him as he stood in front of Dream.

Dream's never stood directly in front of Malevolent before, he realizes that.. he was quite tall. Dream wasn't the tallest person ever but Malevolent was practically looming over him. Dream gulped a bit unwittingly as Malevolent gently took his hand and started leading him somewhere.

"I heard you were watching Mirage before.. why's he with Nyx now?" Dream asked, curiously. He wasn't trying to be judgy about it but he was just curious.

"I had to get ready for a customer, that's why." Malevolent answered, leading Dream down a hall. Malevolent had this air of mystery behind him that he couldn't understand but wanted to know more about.

"I see.. how was watching Mirage?" Dream had asked Malaise earlier but he hadn't told him how the others felt. He forgot to ask Misery but he can ask Malevolent now.

Malevolent's speed of walking slowed, "..He was lovely. He reminded me a lot of my.." He trails off, stopping in the middle of the hallway.

Well, Dream was now concerned.

"Of your..? It's okay, you can tell me." Dream encourages Malevolent to speak, letting go of his hand to instead place his hand on Malevolent's back, rubbing it.

Malevolent's head tilts over to Dream, locking eyes with him. Malevolent's eyes were ever so slightly wide and brows ever so slightly raised but the rest of his face was neutral.

"I.. he reminded me of my child, just a bit." Malevolent finishes his sentence softly, his face appearing red as he kept his head low in shame.

"You.. you have a child?" Dream didn't know what to make of that. But maybe that child and Mirage could play togethe-

"Had a child. I do not anymore." Malevolent clarifies, making Dream's heart drop to his stomach.

"O-Oh.. oh, I-I'm sorry for bringing it up-" Dream apologizes, tears beginning to well up in his eyes.

Malevolent blinked, he cups Dream's cheek, wiping away a budding tear. "You need not apologize, I brought it up, and it is not something you should concern yourself with." He assures Dream, pressing a kiss to the top of his head directly.

Dream nodded slowly, "Still, I'm sorry.." He couldn't help but apologize again even after being told he didn't need to.

Malevolent gives him a smile, another top of the head kiss, then continued to lead him away. There was silence for the remainder of the walk but not the uncomfortable kind. At least, it strangely didn't feel uncomfortable.

Malevolent walks into a room with Dream and it's there that Dream sees Nyx and Mirage. Mirage was on Nyx's lap, playing with makeup on his face, it looked like.

Dream had to stifle his laughter.

Oh, how glad he was to see these two.

Dream approaches swiftly, although out of the corner of his eye, he sees Malevolent take his leave. He did say he had a customer waiting. 

Upon seeing him, Mirage jumps out of Nyx's lap and runs up to Dream, "Daddy!" He calls out with a bright smile and Dream scoops him up carefully, trying to avoid the more.. bloody areas of himself, currently.

"Were you good for everyone?" Dream asks Mirage whose face swells up in a pout but he wipes the pout away and nods vigorously.

"I was! I was the goodest!" Mirage confirmed, crossing his arms with a huff.

Oh, that's the cutest thing Dream has ever seen. Dream kisses Mirage's forehead, "Good boy, I'm proud of you. Nyx, how was watching him?" Dream turns to Nyx, who was removing all the hard work of Mirage from his face.

"Oh, just typical. He cried, whined, got hungry, ate, fell asleep, then cried more. He really missed you." Nyx only stands to Dream's level when the makeup was fully removed from his face.

Which Dream was glad for, it was hard to take him seriously otherwise.

"Well.. I'm glad that you all did this for me. I truly am." Dream doesn't want to make it a habit, though. He'll have to work something else out.

"Of course, bring him over any time. I'll watch him for no charge." Nyx immediately offers the exact thing Dream was just thinking that he shouldn't make a habit and.. and he had that smile on his face.

Dream holds Mirage closer to him, "We'll see.. but thank you again, the others too, I wanted to thank them all as well but.." 

Nyx chuckled, "They're busy with work, it is getting late. You can give your thanks next time, you should get Mirage to bed." It almost sounded like Nyx was trying to send Dream home, but.. he can understand why, Mirage was nodding off in his arms and Dream himself must look.. rough.

"..I shall take my leave then. I will see you later, Nyx." Dream gives his goodbyes and without even being instructed to, Mirage waves Nyx a goodbye.

Nyx blinked, a bit surprised but he waves back, "Goodbye, you two." He says, a sweet smile on his face.

Oh, that smile..

Dream nodded quickly, opening a portal with haste and entering it with more haste. Then he was.. finally home.

Home.

Dream sighs softly, taking Mirage's little body to the bathroom. He undresses him and gives him a quick, warm bath, which Mirage was barely conscious for. He dries him up with a towel, dresses him, then settles him to bed.. where Mirage quickly made himself comfortable, off to slumber in a matter of moments.

Dream goes to clean himself, using the hand held shower head to wash around the bandages on his side. He didn't want to soak the area. It was a long, difficult cleaning, but he manages to get through, dry himself off and put on his pajamas. Dream gets into bed with Mirage, petting his unconscious head as he stared into the ceiling.

Dream had so many decisions to make and he wasn't sure which one to make. Everything was getting so.. complicated, not to mention that fight, or the talks with each of the four.. Dream feels like learning about them, wanting to learn about them is affecting his decisions.

Dream wants to know, but he wasn't sure he even had a right to know..

He definitely did not, didn't he?

..It was no use thinking of this right now. He should go to sleep.

With that, Dream closed his eyes. It was only a matter of moments before he fell asleep.

Chapter Text

Dream had been home with Mirage for a few days now. It was just mundane.. and he adored that. Dream never knew how much he would like just.. being with Mirage, cooking for him, playing with him. It brings him immense joy.

So when Mirage doesn't look too happy during their usual playtime, he's obviously concerned.

Dream was sat on the floor with Mirage, who had a stuffed bunny in his hands like Dream. Dream places a hand on Mirage's head, petting him, his child perks up a bit—tilting his head and nuzzling his face into Dream's hand.

Dream smiled a bit, he couldn't help it, that was too cute. "Why are you looking so down, hm?" He asks as he picks Mirage up from under the arms, placing him in his lap.

Mirage sighs a bit, nuzzling into Dream, "Well.. I love playing with you, daddy.. but it's.. not fun. It's not.. not fun, it's like.." Mirage's words hang unfinished as he tried to come up with an explanation.

"It's not exciting?" Dream finished what he thinks Mirage was trying to say and he nodded profusely, his eyes full of dazzle from Dream simply.. knowing.

Dream chuckled, petting Mirage's head, "What can daddy do to make it more fun?" It's probably the toys.. he should get Mirage a wider array of toys to play with.

Mirage's lips press into a thin line on his face, his brows furrowing down enough to make a lot of forehead wrinkles. Dream presses his finger between Mirage's eyebrows, smoothening the wrinkled area.

"It's okay, you can say it, daddy will do his best to make it happen." Dream assured Mirage, gently squeezing one of his chubby little cheeks.

"It's.. well.. I want ta go back ta the place we went last time.." Mirage finally admits, head hung low as he fidgets with his hand, clearly anxious of the response he'll receive.

Dream certainly didn't expect that.

He really.. really didn't.

"I.. I mean.. we can go there.. but they might be busy, you know?" Dream doesn't know if he was being discouraging or not on purpose but he recognizes that he was discouraging Mirage a bit.

Mirage's face swells up with a pout, "They weren't busy last time.." He muttered, arms crossed against his chest.

"Well, last time was an exception.. but we can go and ask. If they're busy, we can always go back another time, how about that?" Dream thought that was reasonable, it seemed like Mirage did too, the way he nodded along excitedly.

"Okay, daddy! Then let's get ready!!" Mirage exclaimed, standing up and attempting to pull Dream up from his feet. Though he obviously wasn't strong enough for such a feat.

Dream couldn't help but giggle as he stood up and whisked Mirage away right into his arms. He kisses him a bunch as he headed to the bedroom. It's there that Mirage gets set down on the bed as Dream picks out clothes.

Getting changed wasn't a lengthy process, they were ready to leave in no time.

"Oh! I wanna grab my toys!" Mirage suddenly exclaimed, fussing in Dream's arms until Dream put him down. He runs off, taking a bag and stuffing his toys into it. He comes back.. much slower, dragging the bag on the ground.

Dream thought the sight was endearing. He takes both Mirage and the bag into his arms prior to opening a portal to.. there.

Dream steps through with Mirage, and luckily, it was daytime over there. That meant that the group might not be busy then.

Now Dream was wondering if he should go through the front.. or through the back.

Dream really doesn't like carrying Mirage through the front.. this place really isn't a place for him.. but now it was his.. must be third time of being here.

It's becoming a habit..

Well, at least Nyx did say that he could bring Mirage over any time.. 

Dream still wasn't sure if to use the front or the back entrance.. and Mirage was giving him a confused expression that only grew more confused the longer that he just.. stood there.

Dream will go to the back.. because he doesn't want to go to the front and ask for any of them there.. because he thinks he would die of embarrassment.. he's only been lucky the last.. few times actually.

Dream walks around to the back door, it's there that he tries it and.. it was unlocked. He hadn't thought about it being locked, thankfully, it wasn't. Dream enters the building and.. well, now he had to try and remember any paths.

Well.. there was.. Dream enters the first door he sees and then the door on the right. It was the same room that Dream remembers Misery treating him in.. but it was empty this time. That makes sense..

Dream exits that room and was once again in the hallway. Maybe.. he tries the door on his left, another empty room.. Dream walks ahead, hallway.. he tries another door but it was locked.

"..Daddy, do you know where you're going?"

"..Uhm, no.. no, I don't." Dream shamefully admits as he paused walking. Behind him, he hears a door open—before he could look..

"..Dream? Is that you?" 

Dream looks back to see.. oh, Nyx! Mirage immediately perks up and Nyx does as well. Nyx approaches, and Mirage holds out his hands towards him. Dream watches as Nyx easily takes Mirage from him.

"I'm guessing you have somewhere to be again?" Nyx says with a questioning tone as he bounced Mirage in his arms.

Dream shook his head, "Actually, I don't.. Mirage just wanted to come back here." He admits to Nyx, who looked as surprised as Dream believed he looked when Mirage told him this.

Nyx blinks, "Well, I don't mind playing with him again.. you should start contacting us, though. Do you have a phone?" He made conversation which made Mirage grow pouty but he didn't interrupt the adult talk.

"Oh.. uh.. no, I do not. I.. it broke.. a lot.. replacing it constantly took a lot of money.. and.. I didn't really understand how to work it.." Dream answers, abashed by his own incompetence.

Nyx opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out of his mouth for a while.

"..I will.. find something for you. Just so you don't get into trouble by.. you know, showing up at back entrances meant for workers only." Nyx states, and Dream could only nod with a flushed face.

Dream truly was inept at being sociable...

"Can we play now?" Mirage suddenly spoke up as it went quiet, his face having those intense frown lines again.

Nyx chuckled, "Yes, yes, we can!" He confirms, and Dream silently passes over the bag of all the toys Mirage chose to bring.

"My.. you have quite the amount of choices here.. well, let's head inside a room instead of standing in the hallway." Nyx goes into the room he had come out of and Dream realizes that it was that room.. the one he had that initial first talk when he came back again.

Nyx locked the door behind them and places Mirage down on the small couch in the room off to the side. He sits beside him and starts going through his bag of toys.

Mirage begins to search through as well, he pulled out one of his bunny plushies. "Ya like bunnies?" 

Nyx hummed, "They're alright, do you like them?" He asked as he took the offered stuffed animal.

"I do! They kinda remind me of daddy.." Mirage comments like Dream wasn't standing a few feet away, watching.

"I understand that, he's cute like one."

"Yes! You do understand!" Mirage spoke with bright eyes and Dream suddenly wondered if the reason Mirage wanted to come back here was to talk about him.

Because it was looking like it was that.

Maybe he should give them some privacy..

"I'll be back in a second, you two have fun." Dream excuses himself, getting an absentminded 'okay' from the both of them. He left immediately after.

Maybe Dream just didn't understand how to play.. 

Well, now he was out here.. what should he do?

Dream thinks he's starting to understand the confusing layout of this place. He doesn't want to snoop around so he opts to heading outside instead. Dream did have a little money with him, maybe he can buy..

Dream heads out through the exit, actually having remembered the way in and out. He sighs softly as he's now outside. Maybe Dream should have stayed to play, or at least watch but.. he felt like he might have been intruding..

..Maybe he can buy some cigarettes around here.

Dream hadn't touched them in a long time because he frankly had just been too busy, and now he has Mirage, so he can't smoke home.

Sharing from Malaise's pack had kicked up the sand in the water that was his habit.

Dream thinks he saw a convenience store around here. He just hopes he had enough.. he should buy something for Mirage too. About a five minute walk away from the brothel was actually a convenience store, a twenty-four hour one, at that.

Dream enters and goes straight to the counter to see what kind of cigarettes they had. He'll buy a small pack, he doesn't want to give in to his urges that badly. Hmm.. oh, they sell 'Enkindle', that's the one that Dream was used to smoking. He doesn't see anything besides a standard pack, though.

Well.. Dream.. should look around a bit first. Maybe he can get Mirage a snack? He likes sweet things, maybe chocolate.. Dream goes into the aisles of the store, searching for something Mirage would like to eat. He thinks chocolate was the best bet.. or maybe those gummy snacks.. or ice cream..

Dream will just go with chocolate.

..Should he get something for Nyx?

But he doesn't think Nyx would like these sort of snacks.. that was just his intuition.

Oh, he might like.. would they have it, though?

Dream searches the store again, eventually stumbling on exactly what he was looking for. Lemondrop candies. Nightmare didn't really like sweet things but he liked lemon things a lot.. he assumes Nyx was the same.

Dream heads back to the counter, dropping the chocolate bar and lemondrop candies on the counter, "Oh, and a pack of Enkindle, please." He tells the cashier who nodded and took down the pack, cashing out the items.

Dream, luckily, had enough for the total. He pays for the items and leaves, walking back to the brothel.

It's only when he was reached the back door of the brothel that Dream realized that he didn't buy a lighter.

Dream runs his hand through his hair, "Stupid.." He muttered, just feeling like an absolute idiot. Was what he had left even enough for a lighter? Well, he can't even smoke without one. He might as well just go back.

As Dream's body was just about to disappear around the corner..

"..Dream?" 

Dream stopped in his tracks, that's the second time that this has happened today.. he turned around to see.. oh, Malaise.

"Malaise! Good to see you again!" Dream greets with a bright smile as he walks closer to Malaise.

Malaise's face flushes, he looks down, giving Dream a little nod. It was cute.. Malaise must be taking a smoke break again.

Maybe Dream can borrow his lighter instead of buying one..

How does he bring that up, though?

Dream felt like it was a bit insensitive to just ask for a lighter.. he goes into the plastic bag he had around his arm, showing Malaise the pack of cigarettes he just bought.

"Would you like to join me?" Dream asked, giving him a little smile.

Malaise stared, but he nodded and walked closer to Dream. Malaise takes a look at the pack Dream bought, "Hm.. I guess this is okay." He said as he took the pack, unwrapping it and plucking one cigarette from inside.

"Don't like Enkindle?" Dream asked as he followed in taking a cigarette from the pack, dropping the pack back inside his bag.

"It's.. okay, the aftertaste is weird to me, but it's pretty good.. do you have a light?" Malaise gave his thoughts on the brand and then the moment that Dream was waiting for struck.

"I was hoping you had one..?" Dream spoke with.. more shame than he'd imagine he'd have. His face felt hot..

Malaise stared, stifling a laugh as he turned his head to the side. He goes into his pocket and hands Dream a lighter while he instead composed himself.

Dream shamefully takes it to light his cigarette, and it wasn't long before Malaise's was lit too. They had done this before but the ambience was very different.. mostly due to the fact that it was day.

"..So, why are you here?" Malaise questioned quietly, smoke slipping out of his mouth between the words.

"Mirage wanted to come back.." Dream felt a bit.. a lot embarrassed, actually, to admit that this was the only reason that he was here again. He takes a drag, blowing out some smoke.

Malaise blinked, he looked.. surprised.. and a bit.. upset? Dream wasn’t too sure what Malaise was feeling but it clearly wasn't good.

"I've been.. thinking about what you said." Malaise brings up, blowing out smoke after he spoke, his head tilted downwards.

Dream was a bit scared.. especially because he didn't know what exactly Dream said that Malaise was thinking about.

"I see.. and.. what is that exactly?"

"That.. that my Dream knew I didn't mean to hurt him. That.. I don't.. I don't think that's true. You.. you said you saw my eyes and they proved it.. but.. but you don't know what I.. what I did. You're just.. you're just saying it." Mirage's voice was raspy, quivering as he said his thoughts. He wasn't looking at Dream, body trembling where he stood.

"..Well, if you want to tell me, I'll listen." Dream whispers, placing his hand on Malaise's shoulder, who flinches. Malaise still kept his gaze focused on the ground, his cigarette falling out of his hand onto the ground.

Malaise stared at it, and Dream figured it was best he put out his own.. he does this by dropping the cigarette and stomping it out.

Malaise took a shaky breath in, and out. The air grew heavy and thick, it was so silent all of a sudden. The only noise Dream could hear was the faint noise of Malaise's cigarette burning on the ground.

Malaise's hands clutched his own chest. His body was trembling almost violently. Dream was growing awfully concerned.

"Malai..-" Dream attempted to call out.

"I killed him."

Everything in the world seemed to stop.

"..What?" Dream doesn't think he heard that right.

"..I killed him." Malaise reiterates with a blank tone that felt cold.

Dream stared at Malaise's shaking, small form. He wasn't sure what he should be feeling but.. he knows what he should be doing. Gently, he places his hand on Malaise's back, rubbing it.

Malaise had flinched but he didn't pull away, still hunched in on himself, shaking and breathing heavily.

"I don't think you're telling me everything.. could you explain more for me?" Dream doesn't think that Malaise actually did that.. but.. well, he supposed he could only find out.

Dream was a bit scared of what he might find out.

Malaise swallowed back the saliva in his mouth loud enough for Dream to hear it.

"I.. it.. we.. we were fighting.. about something stupid that I can't even remember.. and the whole world just.. the sky got dark and it was cold and hot at the same time.." Malaise began to explain a bit better and Dream dutifully listened, not daring to interrupt.

"It.. it was scary.. and it caused the villagers to storm the tree.. looking for.. me. Dream tried to calm them down but.. they.. they crowded me." Malaise's eyes were filled with tears that dripped down his face, but the pain on his face seemed to be intensifying.

Malaise took a shaky breath in, audibly swallowing, "I.. I got scared.. I was just.. attacking people left and right and.. and.. I hit him. I hit him with my sickle. He.. I killed him. It went.. it went right through his flesh and got stuck in the bone, it was..  it was.." Malaise recalled the events for Dream but he couldn't continue it. He slowly sunk to the ground, burying his face in his hands.

Dream stared for a moment before he joined Malaise on the ground. He rubbed his back, and this time, Malaise didn't flinch, his body racked with choked out sobs escaping him. It was quiet too.. despite his clear anguish.

"Malaise... Nightmare, you didn't mean to do that.. you didn't mean to hurt him. It was an accident." Dream whispers, attempting to comfort Malaise.

Malaise shoved Dream away but it was so weak that he stayed right where he was, "D-Don't.. don't call me that.. I don't want to be called that.. 'Nightmare' is a killer. That's one thing your Nightmare and I have in common." He lashes out at Dream, speaking with that abrasive language that Dream was beginning to grow accustomed to.

"That's not true. You're not like him. You haven't murdered innocents for fun.. you didn't kill your Dream.. it was an accident. An awful accident spurred on from you being attacked by the village. That was never your fault.." Dream spoke frankly as he pulled Malaise in for a hug.

Malaise seemed to listen, burying his face into Dream's chest, weeping into it. "I.. I took his life.. I.. I killed him. I did it. I.. he must have died thinking I just.. hated him.. I loved him more than anything but.. but I!-" Malaise rambled into Dream's chest, soaking his clothes with his tears. He choked on his own words.

Dream listened, and he held Malaise as he continued to cry into him. Malaise wasn't speaking anymore, just trembling on top of him.

Dream gently squeezes the back of Malaise's head, making him whimper. 

"You never killed him, Nightmare." He whispers, feeling Malaise just still in his arms.. before he goes limp, only the sounds of snivelling being heard.

Dream felt like something long built up in Malaise was now broken.. reopening the wound that had unheathily closed itself.

And Dream will help Malaise pick up those sharp pieces.

After a bit of silence, Malaise spoke up again.

"I.. the.. the hit was an accident, yes.. but I.. he was in pain. I couldn't heal him.. so I.. I.. put him out of his misery." Malaise whispered the words, his confession barely audible.

Dream now understands why Malaise regards what he did as 'killing' his Dream.

Dream pets his head, "That was a kindness.. there was nothing you could do to save him, you just stopped him from suffering by bleeding out." He reassures, truly wanting Malaise to see things the way he saw it.

"But I still.."

"..I've witnessed my brother murder.. hundreds, maybe thousands, people who do that don't cry over it, rack their minds over it.. you are not like him, you aren't a murderer." Dream promised Malaise, gently squeezing his body.

Malaise breathed shakily, "I.. th.. thank you for.. for saying that. I.. sorry that I.. just sprung this onto you.. I couldn't.. I couldn't stand the guilt of knowing what I did yet you.. you were being so nice to me." He explains, and everything made a lot more sense to Dream..

Those little sudden outburts... those were a product of Malaise being unable to hold the guilt he felt.

Dream cups Malaise's cheek, kissing him on the forehead, "You deserve to be treated nicely, Nightmare." He murmurs to him, almost like it was a secret between them.

Malaise's face grows a bit red as he tilted his head down, "You.. you can go back to calling me Malaise now.. being called Nightmare by you feels.. strange. Not.. bad.. but I miss hearing you say Malaise."

Malaise was over explaining himself to Dream and wording things so carefully as compared to before, Dream realized.

But Dream gives Malaise a soft, tender smile.

"Of course, Malaise." Dream breathed out softly, lightly squeezing Malaise's cheek. It caused the other to grow more flustered, looking away even as he received another forehead kiss.

"..You're way too nice." Malaise muttered, rubbing his forehead.

Dream chuckled, "I try my best."

Malaise locks eyes with Dream, "That you do.." He whispers to him and Dream's face suddenly felt hot. 

Dream nodded slowly, agreeing.

Malaise leaned in, their bodies growing ever closer as he shortened the distance between them.

Just as their lips were about to touch..

The back door opens and Malaise had separated from Dream, sat on the ground quite a distance away from him all of a sudden.

The perpetrator was Misery, who looked a bit confused.

"..Why are you two on the ground?" Misery questioned, offering both his hand to stand up.

"That's.." Dream didn't know if to explain or not but Misery steps close to Dream.

"You're bleeding, don't let Liss see." Misery whispers as he slips off the jacket he had on, passing it to Dream.

"Liss? Mal's looking for you, there's a customer." Misery calls out to Malaise, who was dazed.. but he snaps out of it, nodding quickly and heading inside.

Misery sighed, "Let's get inside." He spoke softly and Dream nodded in agreement. He picks up his bag of goodies that he had completely forgotten about while with Malaise.

Misery waited for him to walk in first, then led him to the same room he had gotten treated in before.

Now it truly was just them.

Misery pulls out a chair for Dream and he subconsciously takes a seat. "You can take off the jacket now, and your shirt too." Misery spoke softly as he opens up that first aid box.

Dream listens to the orders he was given, taking off the jacket Misery had given him to hide his shirt, and then his shirt. Oh.. yeah, that was blood.. not much but more than what should be there.

"Do you uh.. have anywhere I can wash this?" Dream questioned softly as he set both the articles of clothing onto the table beside him.

"I'll wash it for you after I'm done here." Misery stated as he sets himself down on a stool, his tools on another stool beside him. He then begins to unwrap Dream's bandages.

"I can wash it myself, it's okay.." 

"I don't want you to be moving your arms that much when your side is injured." Misery explains to Dream as he began to clean the wound. Dream understood that, he supposed.

There was a brief silence.

"..What were you talking about with Liss?" Misery asked, glancing at Dream between steps of his work.

Dream didn't know if he should say it but.. he's decently sure the group knows.. but even if not, he's not going to give details. The thought of recounting it alone makes him queasy.

"..He was telling me about how his Dream died."

Misery blinked, "Oh, I see.." He murmured, his paused hands immediately going right back to their work in aiding Dream's seemingly perpetual wound.

It was quiet again.

Dream felt a bit awkward.. should he have not said that? Should he have lied about it? Dream didn't understand this.. looming silence.

"..Do you want to know how my Dream died?" Misery broke the silence with that one question. Dream stares at Misery and he was certain that his shock would be apparent on his face.

"I.. I mean if you're willing to tell me.. but.. why do you bring it up..?" Dream couldn't say he wasn't curious, he absolutely was.. as horrifying as it'd possibly be, he wanted to know.

But he didn't want to know at the expense of whoever tells him.

"You talked about your Nightmare, I don't think it's fair to keep things about my Dream from you.. especially when we lied about not being Nightmares." Misery gives his reasoning, his tone soft.. and mature.

Dream's come to realize that Misery wasn't as innocent as he first thought.. he initially reminded him of a very young Nightmare.. and he still does, in a weird way.. but he was so mature..

Or was Dream just immature?

"..Okay, then tell me." Dream spoke after a short few seconds of silence.

Misery took a deep breath in, and out.

"My Dream.. was trampled to death by a very aggressive mob of villagers." Misery tells Dream, making eye contact with him as he relayed such awful information.

"What do you mean by trampled..?" The words left Dream's mouth before he could think twice on it.

"I mean trampled, he was crushed to death." Misery reiterates, still staring Dream in the eyes and unlike the teary-eyed Malaise.. Misery had a very neutral expression on his face.

Dream felt a shiver run down his spine.

"H.. how did that happen?" Dream couldn't help but ask, he was prying but he found it hard to just accept that and not question it at all.

With Malaise's story, he said how it got there, so far.. Misery hasn't mentioned how it got that far.

Misery paused again, he pulled away from Dream and it's only now that Dream realizes that he was all bandaged up. Misery was done with addressing his wound.. but Dream was not ready to leave this conversation.

"It's a bit vague.. but I was alone by the tree.. and the tree just.. started to rot and the sky and even the grass was just dark.. like it was burnt. The tree rotting got the attention of the villagers." Misery begins to elucidate how such a thing could ever happen, with a neutral expression on his face, though it leaned on sadness.

"Of course, Dream was in the village at the time and he too had joined the crowd to see what was going on. Everyone started coming to attack me and I climbed the tree to stay safe. Dream was trying to get everyone to calm down.. get me to come down.. but they trampled him. I tried to get him to come up with me but he refused.. he.. well, that's practically it." Mirage was finished with his explanation but it only left Dream with more questions.

"..I thought you said your Dream wasn't that bad." 

"He wasn't, it's not bad to care for people or try to resolve things peacefully. He just.. thought no one could ever mean to do harm unto another." Misery replies, speaking to Dream in a tone that made him feel a bit like a child. He looked down at his hands, rather than looking at Misery.

"I'm sorry that happened.." Dream apologizes, unknowing of what else he could say.. or do.. it just.. it was all so awful. 

Dream learning about not just one of his alternates' death but two was not something he expected today. It made him feel.. so many different things that he couldn't even begin to name or articulate.

"I'm going to wash your shirt, I'll be right back." Misery excuses himself, taking Dream's shirt and heading into an adjoined room.

Misery certainly painted a vivid picture.. whereas Malaise's words were surprisingly coherent rambling.. the way they spoke about it was so different.

Dream thinks Malaise felt a little too guilty.. and was too affected by that..

Is it insensitive of him to think that Misery could feel.. could just be more affected by it, at the very least?

..That definitely was insensitive.

Dream sighed softly, staring at the ceiling.

Accidental impalement and a stampede.

What two horrible ways to go.. the latter was far worse in his opinion.

And this isn't even involving Malevolent's Dream.. and the fact he found out last time that that he used to have a child apparently..

Dream has enough information for his brain to implode.

He wonders if..

Ah, well..

Dream comes back to reality once Misery entered the room again, there was an obvious wet spot on his shirt but it looked like Misery tried his best to dry it out as much as he could before coming back.

Misery gives the shirt to Dream with a smile, leaning in and kissing his cheek, "There you go, Dreamy." He then paused, and began helping Dream put back on the shirt.

"I-I can do it.." Dream muttered but he wasn't truly fighting Misery on it. The shirt was back on his body in no time.

Misery gives Dream another kiss to his cheek, "Now, can you make it back on your own?" He questioned, apparently having picked up on Dream's abhorrent sense of direction when it came to this place.

Dream's face felt hot as he nodded, confirming that he could. He felt quite a bit of shame that he was being asked, it.. it was just embarrassing.

Dream gets up, he leans down and kisses Misery's cheek before hastily leaving the room. 

Stars.. he doesn't know what was in the air today for both of them to tell him.. that.

Next it'll be Malevolent.

Dream sighed as roamed the halls, eventually making it back to the room where Nyx and Mirage were.

At least, he thought he did, but instead it was a dressing room with Malevolent sat by a vanity, scantily dressed.. he looked to be removing makeup from his face. Malaise was on a small couch in the room, curled up and fast asleep.

Malevolent glanced at him inside the mirror, "Yes?" He says, focusing on removing his makeup once more.

"O-Oh! S-Sorry.. I.. I got the wrong room.." Dream apologizes, turning his head away. His hand on the doorknob yet.. he wasn't turning it to leave the room.

Malevolent hums, "That's alright, do you want to take a seat?" He gestures to a small table inside the room that had a few chairs around it. Dream honestly didn't feel like leaving, so he took a seat in one of those chairs.

There were a few moments of silence.

"..Malaise said that he spoke to you about his Dream's death." Malevolent brings up, eyes locked on Dream in the vanity rather than turning and looking at him.

Dream slowly nodded, "He did.. Misery did too." He added on, figuring that there wasn't any reason not to say it.

Malevolent hums again, turning in the swivel chair to look at him, "Well, do you wish to hear about my Dream? Not just his death but.. the life we had lived together?" He inquired very gently, his expression tender with a small smile on his face.

Dream didn't know when he had begun nodding along but he stopped his head quickly. "Y.. yes, I.. I would like to hear that." He had received knowledge on his death twice, and a bit on his personality but neither Malaise nor Misery told him how it was to be with him.

Not in the way Dream told them about his life, once upon a time.

Malevolent smiled a bit wider, he rises from his chair, going to a dresser in the room. It's there that he opens a drawer and throws on the first shirt he sees. It was a plain, oversized shirt. Malevolent was now much more covered as he came to sit by the table, beside Dream.

Dream fidgeted with the hands in his lap, waiting for Malevolent to start speaking. He unconsciously tenses when he feels a hand on his head, but he relaxed himself.. since it was just Malevolent.

"Well, to begin with, I'm much older than you or any of the others.. I stopped keeping track a very long time ago.. but I'm at least two millennia old." Malevolent commenced his telling of his life with something Dream certainly did not expect.

"Oh.. I'm sorry to have been treating you so casually.." Dream apologizes, keeping his gaze down. Respecting those who were older was something taught into him.. by his older brother.

Malevolent had a little chuckle and Dream felt a kiss to his the top of his head and that made him very flustered all of a sudden.

"I'll continue.." Malevolent whispered, before doing just that.

"Dream and I.. we weren't perfect but.. we had found peace, I believe that was because of our child." Malevolent whispers.

Ah.. right..

"You did mention that you had a child.. was that child like Mirage?" Dream asked, as Malevolent had taken a pause while speaking.

"..Yes, that child was one we had adopted. We found him abandoned at our tree as a newborn.. we named him Light. I thought it was a bit simple but.. Dream loved that name." Malevolent whispered the words with a faraway look in his eyes, if only for a brief second.

Dream did feel like he would name a child that and he wasn't sure how he was supposed to feel on the similarity.

"We raised him like he was our own, it was.. nice. He was an adorable little thing.. mischievous and playful, like the way Mirage is. I truly loved him.. but, he.. he died." Malevolent's eyes looked a tad bit watery as he spoke on it.

Dream felt his heart ache at the relevation. He.. he already knew but hearing it again still hurt.

"I'm sorry.." 

Malevolent places a hand over Dream's own, squeezing it, "You have no need to be.. my child lived a long life.. for a mortal. He made it to a century old.. taking care of him in those days was reminiscent of when he was a baby.. and he had both of us when he passed. He was.. he lived a full life with us."

Malevolent's voice sounded a bit dry as he spoke even though his eyes were wet. He took a deep breath in and out, turning to look ahead of him and squeezing Dream's hand.

"Dream was inconsolable.. I was too, in all honesty. It was.. the first time I ever realized how fleeting life was.. and how I truly only had Dream. I think that's why our relationship wasn't like any of the others.. because we were older, and realized we only had each other." Malevolent reiterated his point, his thumb gently circling Dream's palm.

Dream was struggling not to cry, he felt very choked up as Malevolent kept comforting him. This wasn't.. wasn't what he expected. This was so much.. but.. strangely, hearing about it felt.. felt nice. To hear about such a peaceful life. Dream encapsulates Malevolent's hand with his own two, embracing it.

"We still had our differences.. and we fought occasionally.. but I truly believed that we were.. alright. All of the issues that Malaise and Misery had was something long in the past with my Dream," Malevolent whispers, his voice growing quieter as the conversation grew even more personal.

"We grew a bit apart after the death of our child. Dream wanted another child.. and I did not, for I was still grieving, I believe he was too, in his own way." Malevolent squeezes Dream's hand, glancing at Dream, who nodded along to show he was listening.

Malevolent's eyes widened, but he cooed, leaning in and wiping a stray tear from Dream's cheek. He cups his red face, kissing him on the forehead. "Are you okay, dear?" He inquires, pressing their foreheads together.

Dream hastily nods, "Y-Yes.. I am.. please continue.. I.. I want to hear." He so brazenly requests and he gets another coo and forehead kiss from Malevolent before he went back to their previous positions.

"If you wish.." Malevolent murmured.

Dream focused on him intently, awaiting the next words he would say.

"I remember.. that we were disagreeing on having another child. I didn't want to go through that pain again but Dream so wanted to raise another child.. in the midst of our fight.. the world changed. The sky was pitch black, and the tree began to rot at an aggressive rate." Malevolent continued to tell his story, hand still captured by Dream's two own.

"We didn't know why it was happening.. Dream had touched the tree while trying to figure it out.. then he began to rapidly age. Dream had started looking so.. old within minutes and.. even when I touched him or the tree, I was unaffected." Malevolent's voice was raspy again as he squeezed Dream's hand, he glanced at Dream but.. decided to keep his gaze ahead on the wall.

"He died within my arms as an old man.. then his body had rapidly decayed to the point of dust... there wasn't a trace of him left besides.. a pile of dust." Malevolent turned to look at Dream after he was done speaking of his Dream's death.

Dream was crying, he couldn't help it. He hadn't cried for the other two stories but he hadn't heard all about their lives. Dream choked back his sobs and he wasn't even aware much of anything as his heart was racked with the information he now had. That was.. that was so awful.

They had lived together... had a child, they were happy.. nothing extreme even happened and yet.. and yet Malevolent lost his Dream.. in the same way he had lost his child.

It was too much for Dream's heart.

Dream didn't know when it happened exactly but Malevolent had put him into his lap, as though Dream was a baby.. and he fit perfectly snug, because Malevolent was much bigger than him. Malevolent cups Dream's cheeks, pressing kisses all over his face as Dream cried.

"You do not need to cry for me, I've made my peace with what happened a long time ago.." Malevolent reassures as he gently presses Dream's head into his chest. Dream couldn't help but hide inside it, unable to stop the flow of tears on his face and the flow of feelings in his heart.

"Oh.. you sweet thing, it's alright, it's all long passed.. you needn't feel like this for me.." Malevolent continued to speak to him, rubbing Dream's injured side. Although Malevolent likely wasn't aware of his injury. The touch was gentle and it made him feel that much worse.

How could such a gentle person go through all of that?

It was.. it was awful.

Dream's cries had settled down a bit but he was still sniffling in Malevolent's lap. Malevolent was still comforting him, speaking to him softly with reassurances that Dream was too out of it to truly understand.. and caressing his body like he was trying to lull him to sleep, almost.

Dream took a moment to just.. be in Malevolent's lap, in his arms, comforted like a child despite the fact he should be comforting Malevolent, not the other way around. Dream truly was spoiled sometimes.

Dream closed his eyes, just for a moment.

One moment.

The next time Dream opened his eyes, he was in the room he had been in with Mirage and Nyx.. and both were inside there. 

Dream didn't even realize that he fell asleep.. now he was in here.. Malevolent must have brought him here.. he should apologize when he sees him again.

Mirage was curled up next to Dream on the couch, fast asleep.. and Nyx was sat at the table, reading a book by his lonesome.

Nyx perked up when he sees Dream sit up, "Oh, you're awake. Are you alright?" He questioned, closing his book shut and quietly pulling out a chair for Dream to sit beside him.

Dream carefully retreats from the couch, going and sitting beside Nyx. "I'm okay.." Dream murmurs as he notices a bag on the table, oh.. that's his bag.

Dream carefully rummages through it, pulling out what he had gotten for Nyx.

"Oh? What's that?" Nyx asked softly, curious as to what Dream had in his hand. Dream smiled, sliding the pack of lemondrops to Nyx.

"I got these for you earlier.. I was going to give them to you sooner but I.. got distracted." Dream had gotten.. a lot of information during that time and frankly if he ever had any thoughts of coming here no longer.. they were gone. Dream doesn't think he could stop coming here, stop talking with all of them anymore.

Nyx took the pack of candy, "Lemondrops? Huh.. did I ever say I liked lemon?" He questioned as he opens up the packaging quietly.

"O-Oh.. I'm sorry, you don't? I-I thought you did-" Dream felt like such an idiot today.

"No, no, I do.. it's just.. have I said it?" Nyx stops Dream's spiral, staring at him with curiosity.

Dream shook his head, "No.. I just.. thought you'd like it.. since you like lemongrass too.." He whispers, hands in his own lap, squeezing his hands together.

"..Too?"

Dream felt a few years come off of his life.. he cannot believe he just said that. He didn't even mean to say that, not one bit and he just.. did it. Dream sighed, he's really out of it today, huh?

"Sorry, I.. my.. my brother liked lemon things a lot. He used to drink lemongrass too, I thought you'd like it and I.. I just wanted to thank you for watching Mirage and playing with him even though you didn't have to." Dream confesses, unable to think of any lies.. or even wanting to lie after everything he's heard today.

Nyx blinked, he leans in and pets Dream's head, "I think.. everyone told you a bit too much today." He whispers, making Dream's head snap up to look at him.

"You.. you were told about that..?" Dream asked, his face having unadulterated horror and embarrassment painted across it. Had he truly behaved so badly that speaking like that makes Nyx say that?

Nyx blinked, "Yes, through Malevolent.. and I think it was a bit much for.. everyone to spring what their lives used to be on you like that.." He clarifies and Dream felt his face flush.

Dream hangs his head low, "I.. maybe.. but I don't regret knowing... uhm.. are you.. are you gonna tell me too?"

Dream wasn't sure if he asked that because he thought Nyx would tell him or just because he wanted to know.

Nyx pops a lemondrop into his mouth, "Do you want me to tell you?" He asked right back, those purple eyes boring into Dream's own.

Dream nodded before he even knew he was.

Nyx hummed softly, he presses a lemondrop to Dream's lips. Dream stared for a moment but stabilizes Nyx's hand with his own two as he takes the lemondrop into his mouth. 

Nyx's face was a bit red when Dream looked back but he didn't say anything, instead clearing his throat.

"I don't think I should tell you today.."

Dream squeezes Nyx's forearm, "Please.." He begged, pathetically. Dream just.. needed to know. Especially considering how similar Nyx is to his actual brother..

Dream needs to know how he was to Nyx.

A him that had a nice brother.. how was he like? How did he treat him?

Dream had to know.

Even if his mind implodes from the knowledge.

Nyx stared, but eventually, he nodded, slowly. "Okay, I'll tell you.." He promises, taking a moment to think about what to say and Dream impatiently waited to hear what he had to say.

"Well, you're very similar to my Dream. He was.. kind, loving and.. thoughtful. But I think he was too nice.. he was taken advantage of by those villagers." Nyx elucidates, tapping the table as he spoke. He seemed to be deep in thought.

"Dream would always come home with gifts for me and things we just needed.. he was mature in that aspect.. but he was also very.. small too. Dream liked to be read bedtime stories and have his hand held when we walked.. I suppose it was.. babyish.. but I liked it." Nyx had his gaze fixated on the table as he talked, absentmindedly sticking another lemondrop into his mouth.

Dream could already see some similarities.. but.. Nyx's Dream sounds better than him. Dream didn't always come home with gifts for Nightmare.. and he struggled to get things they needed.

Nyx leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling now, "It's.. a bit vague, but.. I think he really did enjoy being treated like that, even though I wasn't the best at it. We fought sometimes, usually it was over the village.. sometimes it was over petty things,"

"When Dream was upset, he had this habit of climbing the tree and not coming down until I apologized a lot.. I climbed up after him once.. wasn't the best idea since we both ended up falling out of the tree.. but it did end whatever fight we were having." Nyx didn't seem too affected as he recalled his life with Dream. Though, he hadn't said anything sad, yet.

"We started to fight more and more. I'm not too sure why but it was just.. constant fighting and fighting.. verbal fighting, that is. Though.. there was a time where we just kept shoving each other back and forth.. like children, honestly." Nyx's voice was a bit quieter as he spoke now, Dream realized. It was barely audible.

"Dream started to spend more time in the village, and I was alone. I was.. just so alone. There was this.. voice.. in my head, that told me to eat the apples, that it'd change everything. I took one of the golden ones.. and the tree began to rot." Nyx's voice cracked a bit and he paused for a few seconds.

Dream's breath hitched as he waited for Nyx to continue. This was.. was the part that led to the major difference between their lives.

That one moment.

Nyx started speaking again, after that brief silence, "Dream had come home just in time.. the golden apple was now black and.. and I was going to eat it. Dream stopped by tackling me to the ground. He touched the apple but it remained corrupted. I was trying to steal it, he was trying to keep it away." Nyx sighs softly, taking another piece of candy and stuffing his mouth with it.

"..He ate it in my place." Nyx mumbled, his face downcast and body ever so slightly trembling.

"..He ate it..?" Dream spoke for the first time since Nyx had begun telling this story. 

Nyx cleared his throat, nodding slowly, "Y.. yes, he did. That.. that was what killed him. It was.. it was awful. He was.. he was dying and the rest of the apples had just.. melted away into nothing.. Dream's body was.. melted."

"Melted..?"

"Melted. It was like it was trying to make him liquid but his body couldn't survive that.. he died from it." Nyx went further into detail and Dream felt sick. He felt so sick.

"I.. I'm sorry.." Dream apologized, he forced Nyx to tell him about it then had the audacity to feel so much worse than the one telling him.

Dream's eyes stung a bit with tears.

Nyx turns to him, pressing another lemondrop to his mouth, "If I didn't want to tell you, I would have refused. You don't need to apologize." 

Dream nodded slowly, trying to just.. accept that. He forgot that Nyx was like that.. he hasn't ever really been denied by Nyx..

"..Could you tell me more about your brother? More than just.. general things, I suppose." 

Nyx took in a shaky breath, Dream audibly heard it. But Nyx nodded slowly, abiding by Dream's request.

"Okay.. I just.. need a second to think." Nyx made an excuse and Dream didn't care for it. Nyx could take all the time in the world. He was already humoring Dream far more than he needed to.

Dream wasn't too sure if he and Nyx's Dream were very similar. Maybe he shouldn't be the one to judge but.. so far, they didn't sound like they were the same person. But Dream wasn't the best at picking up and understanding these things.

Dream just.. waited for Nyx to tell him what his Dream was like a bit more.. personally.

Stars, Dream truly was spoiled.

Nyx mumbled to himself and Dream heard it. He had his hand over his mouth as he murmured and Dream just.. stared. Right.. murmuring.. Nyx does it freely, wouldn't he?

"Okay.. well, I'm not sure what to talk about but.. Dream had a habit of biting me? Not hard, he just.. liked to bite me.. and it was always around my arms and neck. It wasn't.. sexual, he just liked it." Nyx explained and the air in the room suddenly just felt so much lighter.

Dream couldn't help but laugh, he didn't even mean to.. it just came out. Dream covered his mouth, feeling horrified as Nyx looked over at him. But to Dream's relief, he had a smile on his face. He laughed at Dream's chuckle, this genuine smile on his face.

"Yeah, I know. He also had this habit of hiding under my clothes.. I had to stop wearing my buckle because he'd get stuck under it from sticking his head under my tunic." Nyx spoke of another silly fact of his Dream, a smile on his face.

The mood was much different now.. and Dream liked that. Hearing of Nyx's Dream.. he seemed very cute.

"How silly.." Dream replied with an amused tone. He liked this.. this wasn't like the other conversations he had today.

"Very silly.. he was just a silly boy. A very rowdy one too.. he loved to roll around in grass and chase stray rabbits.. he used to eat pretty flowers.. sometimes I looked away for a second and there's a flower in his mouth." Nyx continued and Dream couldn't help his snickering at the story. It truly was very cute to hear.. even if that was technically about him.

Nyx's Dream sounded like he needed a parent from him.. more of a parent than a brother.. meanwhile Dream was the opposite.. he needed a brother more than a parent. Though maybe if he had that then his situation would have been just like Nyx's.

"-ream? Dream?" Nyx called out and Dream flinched, coming back to reality.

Dream blinked, staring at Nyx, who was looking at him with concern.

"..I think that's enough stories for today." Nyx spoke softly, petting Dream's head. He had a soft expression as he tells Dream this.

Dream wanted to deny it.. but he also just completely zoned for.. he wasn't sure how long while thinking.. so, he thinks Nyx may be right. Dream nodded, slowly, silently agreeing.

Nyx smiled, "Oh! Right, I have something for you." He said as he got up from the table, walking over to the counter in the room.

Nyx grabs.. something Dream couldn't see and comes back.

Nyx sits back down and shows him.. a phone, it looked like an older model. Dream's never seen a lot of older phones..

He was told to get the newer ones and those were just bricks.. this one didn't look like that.

Dream blinked, staring at Nyx and simply awaiting an explanation.

Nyx smiled, "This is a Nokistar, it's an older model of a phone and it's practically invincible. It's hard to damage. This is how you turn it on." Nyx points to a big button on the centre and holds it down, the small screen lit up and said 'Nokistar' as it turned on.

"It can only call and play a few games. It's not overwhelming like modern phones. I already put all of our numbers into it for you." Nyx explained as he simply handed the phone to Dream.

Dream held it, scared, and he was hesitant. "I can't accept this.." It wouldn't be right of him to..

"You can, I wasn't using it. Now let me show you how to send messages." Nyx completely overshadows his opinion and instead takes the phone back to show him how it operates.

Nyx shows Dream how to select someone to call, how to end a call, how to message someone and he showed him how to play the few games on the phone. It was all.. relatively simple and Dream actually understood it.

"I really have to press the button so many times to type 'S'? That's so strange.." Dream mumbles as he tries to send a text message to Nyx, per his instruction. Dream wasn't actually writing a sentence.. he sort of just sent Nyx gibberish.

"Mhm, but you can send me a text message or just call me when you want to come here or want me to watch Mirage.. or just talk." Nyx's voice got very soft at that last part and Dream felt.. he felt guilty.

"..Nyx, I know I had talked about what I wanted to do.. and I think I want to keep seeing you all. It does feel.. strange, but I truly want it." Dream whispers, figuring that it was finally time to make his decision.. and this was the decision he decided to make.

Nyx stared at him with a wide eyed look, a soft smile gracing his face right after. Nyx leaned in and kisses Dream's cheek, "Alright, I'm happy to hear that.. you better use that phone often, then." Nyx teases Dream, his grin growing wider.

"I will, don't worry." Dream promises, leaning in and kissing Nyx's cheek in return.

Nyx's face turned very very red, he looked away, unspeaking. Oh.. dear.. was Dream's kiss that awful..?

Dream was wondering what happened.. but Nyx recovered in record time and Dream couldn't question it.

Nyx steps away for a second but quickly comes back, "This is the phone charger, here's where you plug in to charge it." He moved onto showing Dream more things about the phone.

In the midst of this, Dream sees Mirage get up, rubbing his eye. "Daddy..?" Dream perks up, getting up quickly and going over to scoop Mirage into his arms.

"Yes, baby?" Dream asked, rubbing Mirage's back. Mirage doesn't actually say anything. He mumbled incoherently into Dream. 

Oh my.

Dream glances at Nyx, who was actually staring at him. "It looks like it's bedtime. He played hard." Nyx teased a bit as he placed the phone and the charger into the plastic bag Dream had, and the plastic bag into the bag of toys Mirage had brought.

Nyx hands Dream this bag with a smile on his face, "Make sure you call me." He emphasizes and Dream didn't know what to do but nod.

Dream was so quickly being dismissed.. but.. he has been here for.. several hours. The group were working after all, they must be busy. Dream nodded, giving Nyx a kiss to the cheek.

Again, Nyx's face got very red but this time he mirrors Dream, giving him a kiss right back. 

"Farewell, Dream." 

"Farewell, Nyx." Dream spoke his goodbye very softly, before he opens a portal. He briefly checks to make sure he had everything.. then he went through.

Now Dream was home.

Dream moved on autopilot as he got everything sorted. He bathed and dressed Mirage to get him right to bed..

Then he packed out all of Mirage's toys. He takes out his plastic bag.. which had his new phone, Mirage's chocolate.. and his cigarettes.

Dream puts the phone and chocolate away separately, grabbing his stove lighter from the kitchen on his way outside.

Dream stands outside, under the awning, he takes a look at the pack of cigarettes. Inside, there were still eighteen. He doesn't want to keep these around when he has Mirage, though. He'll just.. smoke them out, he guessed.

Dream probably should smoke more outside.. he sighed, moving to go into the moonlight. The moon was rather large tonight.. it made everywhere visible with how strong the light was. It was beautiful.

Dream stood beneath the moonlight and honestly, he doesn't think he wants to stand like this for so long. Dream glanced around and he decided to sit on the ground by the one tree in his yard. He did debate the swing but Mirage uses that, he can't taint it.

Dream pulls out a cigarette, holding it in his mouth as he used the stove lighter to light the cigarette. It was rather awkward as the stove lighter was much longer and a bit of a weaker flame but he accomplishes his goal.

Dream breathes in rather deeply, holding the smoke for a couple seconds before he blows it out. Dream remembered the time when he used to do this so often. He doesn't know if the reason he did it was addiction or just.. habit. He had tried it then to release stress but.. he wasn't sure that worked.

Dream always used to smoke in foresty areas too.. that's why he had that awful habit of putting it out on his hand. He truly scared Malaise with that.. Dream stares at his palms, the centre of one was just slightly darker in a rounded shape. 

Dream takes another long drag, he doesn't think he should smoke these out. He should toss them.. not into the trash, though. What if he got tempted? He should.. Dream glanced at the stove lighter, oh.. yes.

Dream picks himself off the ground and scurries back to under the awning, where the floor was concrete. Dream empties the pack of cigarettes onto the floor, he puts out the one he was currently smoking too, dropping it on the floor and stamping it out. Dream gathers all the cigarettes very close together.. then sets them on fire with the stove lighter.

Only one burned at first but it spread and soon all of the cigarettes were up in flames. Dream stared until there were no more cigarettes, and the fire had gone out.

Good.. this was for the best.

For Mirage.

Dream sighed softly, heading inside. It was time to get ready for bed now.

Dream had much to reflect on in bed.

So much.

Chapter Text

Working a phone was hard.. Dream's come to learn. He remembered everything Nyx taught him up until he touches the phone, then he magically forgets.. and there's no one who can help him besides himself. Dream sighed, looking down at Mirage, who was on top of his chest and taking a nap.

Dream gently rubs his back with one hand, the other trying to play this game on the phone. He didn't understand it.. there was a little star and it was shooting beams constantly.. but Dream kept losing the game when he gets touched by a small blob pixel.. it kinda looks like a rock. Dream didn't get it.

In the midst of his game play, the phone vibrated and a little envelope appeared on the screen. 

Oh! He thinks that means he got a message.. Dream does his best to back out of the game and selects his messages instead. There, he had a text from Nyx. It read: 'Hi Dream' and that was it.

Dream tries to send a message back, he presses the number four button twice, then thrice.. and sent the message. Okay! Perfect! He did it!

Dream nearly dropped the phone when it started to vibrate and make noise. Oh, oh.. he's getting a call from Nyx. Dream makes sure he's answering it, not declining it, before he presses the button and holds the phone up to his ear.

"Hello, Dream." Nyx's voice comes through the phone, sounding just slightly different through a phone than how it actually was.

"Hi.." Dream whispers in reply, but he tries his best to get his voice in the phone. He didn't want to wake Mirage up at all.

"You're whispering.. is Mirage asleep by you?"

"Yes, he is.. he's on top of me.. so I have to keep my voice very low.." Dream hopes that the vibration of him just speaking wasn't enough to wake Mirage up. He'd feel very bad if it was.

"I see.." 

"So.. why'd you call?" Dream asked, it didn't seem like it was an emergency or anything. Nyx sounded very calm over on the other side of the phone.

"I wanted to check up on you, you haven't sent me any messages or called me yet." Nyx sounded like he was pouting. Dream couldn't see it.. but it sounded pouty.

"Sorry.. I'm still learning how the phone works.." Dream mumbled his excuse into the phone, feeling a bit ashamed. It had been.. he wasn't sure but it's at least been a few days since his last visit so.. Nyx really must have been waiting for Dream to talk to him.

"That's alright, I'm just teasing, Dream." Nyx assured, and Dream was sure he'd have that little smile on his face as he said those words and..

Oh, he didn't think he'd miss seeing Nyx's face when he spoke.. or feeling a hand on his shoulder or a rare kiss to his cheek.

"..Dream?" 

"Sorry.. I.. I was making sure Mirage didn't wake up. He needs a little nap in the afternoon sometimes." Dream does a.. half lie. He wasn't checking anything.. he just zoned out.. but it is true that Mirage needed a little nap in the afternoon at times.

"Oh, I understand. He gets cranky, hm?" 

"Yes.. he's a sweet boy but gosh, he loses his temper so easily when he's tired." 

"My Dream was like that, whenever he was home, he needed a nap or he'd be whiny and get frustrated easily." Nyx spoke with this.. tone.. that sounded like he was happy while speaking. It's something Dream notices purely because he currently cannot see Nyx's face.

"Oh.. that.. sounds like me a few.. centuries ago." Dream shamefully admits, even though he didn't need to. He wasn't asked to.

Nyx's laugh resonates through Dream's head when he hears it from the phone. It made his head feel light and face feel hot.

"You're too cute, Dream." 

"I.. thank you.." Dream didn't know how else to reply to that. He was.. so flustered all of a sudden.

Enough that he didn't realize Mirage was awake until the phone was snatched out of his hand.

"Stop talking ta daddy while m'asleep.. s'rude!" Mirage sleepily complains into the phone, trying to muster up an angry tone but he couldn't hide the tiredness in his voice.

"Mirage-" Dream tries to get the phone back from him but Mirage rolls off of him.

Mirage braces his body on the floor before running off with the phone in his hands. 

Dream hastily gets up to give chase, "Mirage! Mirage!" Dream calls out to his child who had gone into the bedroom.. but when he reached inside there, he didn't see him.

"..Mirage? Can you give daddy back the phone? Did you want to talk to Nyx? You don't need to run away with the phone to do that.." Dream clarifies, thinking that Mirage was just confused.. especially since he only now woke up from a nap.

Maybe he went into the bathroom.. Dream goes inside the bathroom to check only to hear scampering behind him. When he looked.. he saw the closet door and bedroom door open.

Seriously.. what's gotten into Mirage? He's never behaved like this before..

Dream exits the bedroom, but.. he doesn't see Mirage. Don't tell him..

Dream checks by the door to see Mirage's slippers missing. He's not supposed to go outside without Dream, he knows that. Dream sighed, slipping on his slippers and walking outside. It's in the yard that he sees Mirage under the awning, hiding behind the washing machine.

"Mirage, come here please." Dream spoke with a stern tone, trying to indicate that he wasn't playing around. Dream sees Mirage still and that makes him feel so guilty.

Mirage pouts, getting up from behind the washing machine and approaching Dream. His hands were behind his back. Dream stoops down, putting himself more on Mirage's level. 

Dream holds his hand out, "Give me the phone." He instructed but all he got was a bigger pout and a shake of the head.

"Mirage, I'm not asking.. I'm telling you to do it. That is mine and you cannot steal it like that." Dream was trying his best to be firm and outwardly appear so but he could feel his soul hurting each time he's just a tiny bit strict with Mirage.

"I dun' wanna.." Mirage mumbled, still fighting on giving Dream back his phone.

Dream wasn't sure how to handle this.. it was the first time that Mirage has ever made trouble for him.. and over a small thing like this phone at that. Was Mirage jealous of Dream having the phone? No, that doesn't make sense.. he got upset at Nyx.. he must feel like the phone was taking Dream's attention, then.

But.. how does Dream resolve that?

Dream doesn't really know how he's supposed to handle this..

Dream takes a deep breath in, and out, "Mirage, daddy is telling you to give the phone back. If you want to play on it or anything, this isn't the way to get it." He tries his best to both explain what he wants done and why.

It didn't seem to help.

"No! I don't want to!" Mirage yells at Dream, taking a step away while still having the phone in his hands behind his back.

Dream felt his heart hurt to hear Mirage yell at him like that, he doesn't know why. He takes another deep breath, "Give it back, Mirage. We can talk out the problem after you give it back."

"I'm not giving it back!" Mirage exclaimed, stepping even further back from Dream.

"Mirag-"

Before Dream could finish his sentence, Mirage revealed the phone from behind his back only to smash it against the ground. It breaks into pieces on the ground.

Dream stares at the phone pieces, it broke off into three parts.. the phone, what Dream thinks was the battery, and its back. He collects it from the ground, standing up straight. Dream didn't know how to fix it.. he wasn't sure which way the battery was supposed to go in.

Dream looks down at Mirage who was staring up at him with a glare. It was oddly hateful. Dream didn't understand that. He also didn't understand why he broke the phone. Like he didn't care about others' belongings.

That wasn't good. Dream has to discipline him.

Dream sighed, he no longer asks for Mirage to come to him, instead grabbing his hand and dragging Mirage back inside the house. Mirage fought against him the whole time.

"Let me go! S-Stop pulling me! Dream!" Mirage shouts and Dream pauses. He looks down at Mirage, who seemed to realize what he just said.

"..Mirage, I don't understand this disrespect. I truly don't. You stole the phone from me, then you broke it.. and now you don't even call me daddy anymore. What is it?" Dream questioned, he truly was trying to understand and keep things civil but he was beginning to lose his patience and he still had to make Mirage understand that what he did was wrong.

"You.. you should know! You aren't.. you can't do that!" Mirage didn't explain very well, and he still had his voice raised at Dream.

"..Mirage, please go stand in the corner for a bit. I'll get you when you've reflected." Dream settles on a punishment, thinking that it was suitable.

He got that as a child a few times but it tended to be after.. everything else.

"M'not doing that! You can't make me do that!" Mirage pulls away from Dream and shoves him. It doesn't do anything, obviously.

But it was still hurtful.

Mirage wasn't listening, he wasn't calming down and Dream didn't know what to do. He places down the pieces of the broken phone before he lifts Mirage up.

Mirage fusses, now attempting to bite at Dream and it just made Dream's heart hurt more.

Dream sits on the couch and gently puts Mirage over his knee, keeping him still. He didn't want to do this, he didn't. But Mirage wasn't talking, calming down, or being receptive to anything.. he needed to be forced into listening otherwise he won't.

Dream didn't know how else to enforce that but this.

Dream watches as Mirage continues to struggle but he was no longer yelling. Dream keeps Mirage over his knee as he brings his hand down on his small bottom. Dream didn't even do it hard and he already felt bad. He didn't even take Mirage's clothes off like he was supposed to.

Mirage whined nevertheless but he wasn't taking it. He bites Dream's leg harshly with his little teeth and Dream yelps.

Dream doesn't understand.. he doesn't. He.. he thinks he has to be harsher. Dream decided to bare Mirage, not all the way.. he just removed his pants. Then Dream hit him again, a bit harder but he wasn't putting any real strength into it. A bite while he was in the middle of his swing causes him to hit much harder.

Mirage whined loudly from it, his little form shaking and Dream's heart hurts.. but Mirage wasn't biting anymore. He wasn't fighting Dream.. from that one, harsh hit.

It worked and Dream didn't like that it did work.

Dream tries to steel himself as he hits Mirage again, just as hard as he accidentally did. Again, there was a whine, but no fighting. Dream does it again.. and again.. then one final time.

Dream puts Mirage to stand up and helps him get his pants back on as he cried, his face red and wet. Mirage rubbed his eyes, sniffling.

"..Do you know why I did that?" Dream asked as he gently picks Mirage up, he trembled even as Dream just put him to sit in his lap.

"..No, I'unno." Mirage answers, looking down at his lap instead of up at Dream.

"You weren't listening to me, and you not only broke my phone but you hurt me. I wouldn't have done this if you had just listened and talked with me, so when you're upset.. please do that instead." Dream felt like an awful parent. He never felt like hitting was necessary but he just did it.. and it worked. It really worked.

Mirage nodded slowly, rubbing his eye, "M'sorry, daddy.. I didn't mean to hurt you.. or break the phone.." He apologizes, shuffling closer and hiding himself away into Dream.

Dream gently rubs Mirage's back, "I accept your apology.. now, could you tell daddy why you were so upset? Why you stole the phone?" He questioned, now trying to solve the cause.

Mirage tenses, "I.. I jus'.. didn't like you talking ta someone else when I was napping on you.." He explained, and it was so clear and that was all Mirage had to say earlier.

Dream sighed softly, pressing a kiss to Mirage's forehead. "Daddy is sorry for doing that. I won't do it anymore. If you have a problem, you just have to tell me.. don't do that running away again, okay?"

Mirage perks up when Dream says he won't do that anymore. He seemed so happy. Mirage nods profusely, giving Dream a little smile as he moves up, kissing him on the side of his mouth.

Dream felt his face flush a bit as he returns the affection with a kiss to the cheek.

Dream didn't know if he did the right thing, but it worked.. and that made him feel sick. This was why he didn't think he was cut out for being a parent.

Dream struggled to make hard decisions.. he wasn't like Nightmare who could decide and punish with ease. Dream didn't know if that was a good quality or not.. considering he's a parent.

..Dream just felt so sick.

Dream places Mirage down to actually sit on the couch, "You go ahead and continue your nap.." He encourages softly but he didn't give Mirage much of a choice as he left, heading straight to the bathroom.

Dream's heart hurt so bad, he just.. everything hurt.. his side was hurting too. That wound that just never wanted to heal. Dream collapses onto the bathroom floor, staring at the ceiling. Maybe he.. he wasn't suited for this. He truly loved Mirage but he doesn't think he's good at this. Maybe he should.. find someone more suitable to care for him.

Someone that isn't Dream.

Dream was breathing in and out.. but he was struggling to. He felt.. awful, so awful. Why did Dream do that? He should have just talked to Mirage.. or, or let him cry it out or let Mirage just hit him until he felt better.

Any of those things.

But instead, he hit him. Dream just.. followed in Nightmare's footsteps. He just.. did exactly what he used to get. Dream thought he was better than that.. but he clearly wasn't.

"..Daddy?" Mirage called out quietly from behind the bathroom door, clearly having not gone back to napping.

"..Daddy will be out just now. Go back to resting." Dream said, not giving anything more. He hears the quiet footsteps walking away after a few moments of silence.

Dream can't do this.. he can't. He thought he could but this has confirmed he can't.

Dream eventually left the bathroom but.. things weren't the same after that.

The rest of the day was awkward, with Dream not doing.. much with Mirage. The routine was still the same but Dream was far less present. This was the case over the next several days, too.

Dream was in the middle of making lunch, he was a bit zoned out, staring at the pot of boiling water when he feels a tug at his pants. Dream looks down to see Mirage standing there, his face twisted into a grimace.

"..What's wrong?" Dream asked quietly and Mirage seemed to shrink on himself. He fidgets with his shirt, eyes focused on the ground now.

"A.. a-are you mad at me..? F-For uhm.. w-what I did l-last time.." Mirage questioned, unable to even get through the words properly.

Dream paused, he blinked slowly, "I.. I'm not mad at you." He truly wasn't.. did Dream seem like he was? He wasn't trying to be that way.

"O-Okay.. but.. but you're different.. s'like you don't like me a-anymore.." Mirage didn't deny Dream's words, instead bringing up an entirely separate point.

Dream turns off the stove, sighing softly, "..Mirage, I don't think I'm good to be your daddy. I tried.. I really did try but I think it might be better if I found someone else to care for you." He spoke quietly, bringing up a conversation he felt like he should have doubled down on when he first talked to Mirage in the hospital.

Mirage's eyes go wide as he stared at Dream. Tears started to fill his eyes, "B-But.. but I don't want that. I like you being my daddy.. I-I.. I don't want another one.." He tries to argue against the decision that Dream was so sound in making.

It hurt.

"I understand.. but, I'm just not a good daddy. You deserve so much better than me." Dream whispers to Mirage and Mirage shook his head, denying the words as he latched onto Dream's leg.

"I-I think you're perfect! You're the best daddy ever!" Mirage verbally denies Dream's statements, a look of desperation in his eyes and tone.

Dream looks away from Mirage, staring at the once boiling pot of water. "..I hit you and that's not something a daddy should do. That means I'm not a good daddy."

Dream can't blame Mirage for not understanding. Dream was his first daddy, but Mirage deserved better than Dream.

"I.. I.. I liked it! I.. I was being bad b-because.. because I wanted you to do that!" Mirage suddenly exclaims and that gives Dream pause.

"..What?" Dream doesn't think he heard that correctly. That just didn't sound right.

Mirage squeezes Dream's leg, "I.. I wanted you to do that, daddy! I.. I was being mean on purpose.. so.. it's not your fault and you're a perfect daddy!" Mirage defends Dream's actions, nuzzling into his leg even though Dream was incredibly tense.

Dream stared, unsure of what to say or do now. He couldn't tell if that was the truth or not because he could see honesty in Mirage's eyes and it had him so confused.

Dream sighed quietly, turning his head away. "Mirage, I still think.."

"I don't want another daddy! I'll die before that!" Mirage exclaimed, suddenly getting a lot more intense and Dream did not like that. His face was all red and scrunched up.

"..Okay, okay, if you say that's why that happened, I believe you but.. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I was being distant, baby.." Dream apologizes as he picks Mirage up to cradle him.

Mirage relaxed in his arms instantly, "S'okay.. but.. daddy.. I'll never want another daddy.. so.. dun' ask!" He spoke with a huff, crossing his arms and hiding into Dream, embarrassed.

Dream slowly nodded, "Okay.. okay, I understand." He didn't know how to feel about all of this. Everything was just.. sudden-feeling.. even though it wasn't. 

So sudden.

Maybe Dream's anxiety and panic is just heightened from how long Nightmare has been quiet. He wasn't sure how long that was but it was.. longer than it has been in quite some time.

Because Dream..

Dream covers his mouth and it gets Mirage concerned, "Daddy..?" Dream hastily puts Mirage down.

"I.. I'm okay. Everything is okay." Dream reassures, slightly reaching out to pet Mirage truly for the first time since.. that. He had been keeping his hands to himself.

These hands that hurt without meaning to, and try to save but most things slip through.. Mirage was one of the few things recently that hadn't slipped through and yet.. Dream felt like he was. Because Mirage has been in his hands for too long.. Dream's hands weren't meant for nourishing..

But he was trying.. Mirage wanted him still.

When Mirage didn't want him.. Dream will let him go.

That made sense.

Although it hurt to think of.

It made sense.

After that things were.. relatively normal again. Dream tried not to push Mirage away like he had been subconsciously doing. Dream truly did try.. he was trying his best to be a parent.

It was a day or so after having returned to normal.

Dream was laying down on the couch, Mirage was on the bed to take his nap. Mirage asked to nap with him but.. Dream told him it was better to go into the bed. He just.. wanted to not have to be cautious of Mirage's sleeping body for a bit.

Dream wondered if he was doing the right thing. He likely wasn't. The right thing was for him to be alone.. that way Nightmare didn't have any obvious weaknesses from him to exploit. That's what Dream did last time.. yet.. yet he always goes back to having people in his life, even though he said he wouldn't.

Always having people that can be hurt and exploited just because they know Dream.

Mirage's existence is a secret from Nightmare.. the secret being that Dream kept him. 

If Nightmare ever found out..

Dream felt sick again.

He tries to push down his nausea, his eyes falling shut while he focused on that alone. Dream was interrupted by a small pair of hands on his upper arm, shaking him.

Dream opened his eyes, staring down at Mirage, "Finished with your nap?" He asked quietly, receiving a little nod in response as Mirage climbs up onto him. Mirage nuzzles his chest and Dream places a hand on his back, rubbing the area in circles.

"..Daddy?" 

"Yes, baby?"

Mirage hesitates, his face scrunched up a bit but he seems to swallow his fear before speaking again. "I.. I want ta go back ta that place again.." He requests, staring at Dream with hopeful eyes.

'That' place, huh?

He must be talking about the brothel, since he doesn't actually know a name for it.

Dream's been meaning to go back, he had to give the phone back to Nyx and apologize for breaking it. If Mirage also wanted to go.. then that would help since he has to take him wherever he goes.

"Okay, when do you want to go back?" Dream figured that maybe tomorrow will be good..

"Taday.." Mirage mumbled, hiding away in Dream as he requests that.. as though Dream would get mad at him.. it hurt to see.

"Today..? Hm.. okay, can you go get changed on your own while I prepare?" Dream asked, petting Mirage's head. Mirage nodded excitedly, clearly happy that Dream agreed before he ran off to go get himself ready.

Dream should grab the broken phone.. some money, and change his clothes, then he and Mirage will be on their way.

Dream hopes that showing up unannounced wouldn't be a problem.

Once Mirage had finished changing, and Dream had finished changing, they were both off to the brothel.

It was getting close to night where Dream was but it was still daytime in this universe. How interesting..

Dream holds Mirage's hand as he walks around to the back entrance. He tries the back door.. and it was unlocked. He enters and, luckily for Dream.. he sees Malaise right near the door. He looked like he was just about to leave, likely for a smoke break.

"Malaise, I'm so sorry to bother you but do you know where Nyx is?" Dream asked Malaise, who blinked, he stared for just a moment before nodding.

Malaise opened his mouth, but paused, then he spoke, "Let me take you there." He said, leading Dream down the confusing halls again. Dream was then dropped off in front of a room and left very quickly. Malaise must really want to smoke..

Dream sighed softly to himself before he entered the room, there, he sees Nyx sat on a couch, book in his hands. Nyx looked up at Dream when he enters, seemingly surprised.

"Oh! Dream! I haven't heard from you in a while, is everything okay?" Nyx asked as he set the book aside and approached Dream and Mirage.

"Well, the phone broke.." Dream mumbled as he took the pieces out from his bag. Dream hands that to Nyx.

"Oh, how did this happen?" Nyx asked as he immediately started to reassemble it.

"..I dropped it." Dream lies, feeling Mirage squeeze his hand tightly upon hearing his lie.

"Well, that's alright. See these words on the battery, you put those in rightside up and the phone is as good as new again, see?" Nyx explained and demonstrated by turning the phone back on and it looked.. the exact same.

"Oh.. wow, it truly is invincible." Dream muttered, unable to help himself as he stared in amazement at the phone.

Nyx smiled at him, "I told you. Now, what's going on here? Am I watching Mirage again?" He questioned as he picked Mirage up and Mirage didn't fuss, nuzzling into Nyx.

Dream hummed, "Something so, he wanted to come back again, so please watch him for a bit." He requests softly and Nyx looked a bit.. concerned but he didn't question Dream.

Nyx gives a smile, "Okay, Dream. Why don't you check the others?" 

Dream stared for a second, nodding before he left the room. Dream headed straight outside. He didn't.. he didn't want to check the others when he was in this state. They've all seen worse from him but it was just.. humiliating.

Plain and simple.

Dream headed outside, it's there that he sees Malaise leaned against the wall and smoking. Dream gives him a little wave but doesn't stop to talk as he headed to that convenience store.

Dream buys a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. He doesn't look around, he came just for that, then he left. Dream goes around the side of the convenience store, taking out a cigarette and lighting it. Dream takes a long drag of it, blowing out the smoke in small puffs.

Dream felt.. so complicated. He couldn't even begin to decipher any of his feelings. It was all just so.. stars, he doesn't even know. Dream takes another drag, he wondered if the cigarette was helping. Even if it wasn't.. he had the urge to do it. Dream truly did have a bad habit.. or perhaps it was addiction? Dream didn't know.

Dream smokes out the cigarette until it was a little nub. Then he lights another one immediately after. He isn't prone to the effects of cigarettes and alcohol. They can affect him in high amounts but other than that.. it didn't do much. It doesn't affect his health in any way.. since he's not a mortal.

Dream kept smoking and smoking.. until there were no cigarettes left. Dream had gone to grab one but there was none. It was just filled with those nubs and ash. Dream sighed, he closed the pack and tossed it into a bin. Well.. he felt a bit better, he guessed?

Dream should head back inside anyhow. He wanted to apologize to Nyx but he didn't.. so he should actually do that now. 

Thus Dream heads back inside, finding his way back from where he was shown. He's shocked he remembers that. Dream enters the room the path led to and he does find Mirage and Nyx inside there. Mirage was sat on Nyx's lap, they seemed to be talking but stopped when Dream entered.

"Oh, I can come bac-" Dream was going to suggest that he leave but he was interrupted.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Mirage calls out to him as he runs up right to his feet and opens up his arms, like he wanted to be picked up.

Dream, confusingly, obliges, taking Mirage up from the ground and holding him in his arms. Mirage nuzzled into his chest, holding him tightly.. like if he didn't then Dream would be gone.

Nyx approaches Dream much more calmly, "Let's sit at the table." He instructed, taking a seat at the table first, and Dream follows right behind.

"I know you didn't break the phone." Nyx said out of the blue, eyes locked with Dream's.

"..But I did." Dream sticks with his lie, unable to maintain eye contact as he does.

"I heard the conversation up until Mirage smashed the phone." 

Dream blinked, Nyx.. Nyx heard that. Oh.. oh.

"You didn't.. hear what happened after, right?" Dream asked, feeling his breath quicken unwillingly.

"No, but Mirage told me."

Dream stared, he looks down at Mirage, then up at Nyx. Oh.. oh, yes, of course. Mirage wouldn't trust him anymore, of course.

Of course.

Dream gently takes Mirage off of his lap, placing him to stand on the floor. He pets Mirage's head, "I'm sorry, Mirage. I.. I'll try to find someone better to care for you, okay?" He spoke softly to Mirage and Mirage immediately clings back to him as best as he could.

"N-No! That.. that's not why I told him! I.. daddy, I told you already I wanna stay with you!" Mirage exclaimed, trying to crawl his way back up into Dream's lap, and Dream let him, he seemed on the verge of tears.

"Dream, Mirage isn't upset at what you did. He loves you dearly and he doesn't want to leave." Nyx said firstly, trying to get Dream to calm down and not make decisions like that so suddenly.

Dream stares at the ground, "I understand that, truly, I do.. but I'm not a good parent.. and.. and I don't want him to get hurt by.. him." Dream didn't say the name but Nyx seemed to understand who he was talking about.

Nyx hummed, "You didn't do what you did because you want to hurt Mirage, Dream. Mirage was acting out and you were at a loss.. it doesn't mean it's right but it's not like how you were treated, far from it." Nyx reassured, squeezing Dream's shoulder.

Dream couldn't look any of them in the eye. He couldn't.

"I.. people who come near me get hurt. I tried to take a risk for Mirage.. but if I'm hurting him like this, there's no point in letting him suffer." Dream muttered but Mirage, from his lap, grabs his face and forces Dream to look at him.

"You saved my life! And.. and you took me in! And you didn't hurt me! What you did hurt less than a mosquito bite.. you just.. I want you! I don't want anyone else!" Mirage somewhat rambled at Dream, trying to make him understand.

Dream somewhat did but he thinks all of them were misguided.. he wasn't someone to be this.. wanted, he supposed.

"I.. I just don't.."

"Daddy, you're my only daddy, forever." Mirage squishes Dream's face as he utters those words. Dream felt his face get hot and his eyes sting a bit.

"I don't think you realize how much Mirage, and others, like myself, just want to be with you." Nyx whispers as he gets up, getting close to Dream and leaning down to kiss his forehead.

"I.." What does Dream say to this? He wasn't given any kind of choices here.

"Dream, it's okay. You're not an awful monster." Nyx whispered, kissing Dream's cheek this time, reassuring him that he truly wasn't as bad as he thought.

Mirage follows Nyx up, "Daddy, I love you more than anything else in the world! The whole world!" He announced, moving up to kiss Dream on the lips.

A small peck but still a kiss.

Dream's face felt even more hot.

Oh, oh dear..

What does.. what does he say in this situation?

Dream isn't someone to want, he just wasn't. He's always.. he's always been..

"Nighty! I got invited to a tea party!" Dream excitedly tells his brother, who was sat on their bed, reading a book.

Nightmare glanced at him, then went right back to reading, "And are you going?" He questioned, he didn't sound as thrilled as Dream.

"Well.. yes! I.. what should I wear?" Dream tried to shake off the way that Nightmare didn't seem to care as he sits down by the edge of the bed.

"Does it matter? They're only inviting you to laugh at you." Nightmare commented coldly, still not looking at Dream as he spoke.

Dream's smile drops completely, "What.. what do you mean by that?" He didn't understand what that meant. Not one bit.

Nightmare closes his book, finally looking at Dream, "Oh, Dream, they're not inviting you because they want your company.. they're inviting you to laugh at you. Truly, do you think you have any clothes good enough to wear? Please. It's to make fun of little poor you." Nightmare explains to Dream, petting his head so lovingly while he explains such a harsh truth.

Dream looks down at his lap, "I.. I suppose. I.. I won't go then." He decided, which made Nightmare smile and Dream was pulled into his arms, held lovingly in them.

In his cold arms.

"I.. I don't.." Dream tried to speak, but he couldn't even say a word. What does he say? How can he explain that he doesn't.. doesn't deserve this?

How does he tell them that he isn't someone to love?

"Nighty.. someone in the village said they like me, and.. and I kinda like her too." Dream confesses to Nightmare at the dinner table.

Nightmare paused his eating, eyes flickering up to meet Dream's own. They were sharp, like always but.. colder than usual.

Nightmare scoffed, "Uh-huh? Next you'll tell me that she wants to marry you." He mocks, putting a full hold on his own meal.. and it caused Dream to stop eating too.

"..I just.. she's pretty.. and she treats me nicely. I.." 

"And that's all it took for you to want to court her? That's ridiculous, Dream. It was certainly a dare and as soon as you accept, she'll laugh in your face with her friends." Nightmare elucidated the girl's supposed intentions with Dream, his face in a grimace.

Dream stared, swallowing thickly as his eyes fixated on the table. "You.. you don't think she just.. likes me?" He asked, unable to help himself.

Nightmare leans across the table, cupping Dream's cheek. His face looked so soft now, loving, in fact. 

"Dream, my flower, no one loves you but me. Even if they did, they'll leave you all alone and hurt. I would never do that to you." He whispers, ending the sentence with a kiss to Dream's lips.

It was cold.

"..Dream?"

Dream flinched, breaking out of his daze and glancing around. Nyx and Mirage were both looking at him with faces full of worry. Dream's face felt hot.

"I-I.. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get lost in my head.." Dream apologizes firstly, feeling so utterly ashamed to have been lost in thoughts of a time long passed.

"I.. I don't.. know what to say.. I.. I don't think you should waste your time on me. I don't have any.. any reason to life but.. but stopping my brother. That's.. you can't love someone who's like that." Dream whispers, unable to say the words with his full voice.

Because if he did, it would feel more true than it already is.

Dream isn't worth that sort of attention. He never has been. All he had was Nightmare.. and Nightmare left him. If Nightmare couldn't even love him, who could?

Another Nightmare? A child that he almost didn't save?

Dream would be rightfully left alone again. Rightfully left to deal with his own things on his own.

Left to do nothing but fight Nightmare when he wants it and save however many he could.

That was how he was meant to live until the day that Nightmare inevitably gets bored and kills him.. because Dream doesn't have the strength to kill Nightmare.

"..Daddy, I love you. Isn't that enough to keep me with you?" Mirage asked softly, his little hands gripping at Dream's chest.

Dream unwillingly flinches, turning his gaze away but Mirage just moves to be in Dream's vision.

"Look at me, daddy. Don't look anywhere else." Mirage ordered and Dream wasn't given a choice as Mirage holds his face and keeps Dream's gaze on him.

His face was so.. earnest. Dream could see it. He could feel it. Mirage so wholeheartedly wanted him as his daddy. So wholeheartedly wanted.. Dream.

Dream doesn't deserve that kind of genuine love.

Dream feels a hand on his head and Mirage lets up on Dream, allowing him to look at Nyx, who had a smile on his face.. though it looked sad.

"You're the only person, in every version of our world, that accepted 'Nightmare', even your own Nightmare, despite how he was." Nyx whispers as he leans down, his face was now dangerously close to Dream's own.

"Dream, you deserve love more than anyone else.. you don't have to reject everyone who's willing to give you it." Nyx declares, and ends that declaration with a kiss to Dream's mouth.

Dream was surprised but he didn't push Nyx away. He was.. he was so cold, but so.. warm. So very warm. Dream feels Nyx's hands on his face, and it was.. warm, it was warm. Nyx presses further into Dream and Dream allows him to. His mind felt foggy.

Despite everything he had done with Nyx, this felt lewd.. and so, so much more intimate than he ever could have thought it'd feel.

Their lengthy kiss was broken by Mirage pushing Nyx's face away from Dream's, "That's enough.." He mumbled, his face scrunched up in a bit of anger.

Dream sat there, dazed, and frankly, too flustered to even think.

"I.. I.." 

"Don't say anything more, Dream. Just accept this." Nyx whispers directly into his ear before kissing the side of his face. Dream's face felt even hotter.

Mirage's face looked like it felt hot too, with how red he was. He took a deep breath in and out, "Yeah, what he said. You can't get rid of me, daddy! No matter what!" He promises, taking a hold of Dream's face and smashing his lips to Dream's as well.

Dream blinked, holding Mirage's face and gently pulling him back. "O.. Okay, okay.. I understand.. that.. that's enough kissing now." He muttered, he wouldn't be able to think if they both kept doing that to him.

Dream was loved, huh..?

..It's warm.

Did love always feel this.. warm?

Dream.. Dream wanted more of this warmth, more love. It felt.. selfish to want more but.. but he thinks he's allowed to have more. Expected to, even.

Dream gives both Mirage and Nyx a smile, it was small but utterly genuine. "Thank you.." He expresses softly, unknowing of how else to express this immense gratitude. It felt too short.. but.. Dream thinks that was enough.

It was all.. enough.

Chapter Text

Dream has been.. trying to accept love.. as best as he can. He didn't realize that.. it wasn't.. so much different than just.. being treated nicely, really. It's like being polite but.. even deeper emotionally, he supposed.

Mirage has been very mature lately. He still had that same childish way about him but in the rare instance he got upset.. he told Dream what upset him and they worked it out together. It was.. nice. 

Mirage mainly got upset when Dream spent too long on a phone call, mainly when the phone call was with Nyx. Dream wasn't too sure why..maybe because he was jealous that Dream was talking to Nyx? Mirage did seem very.. entralled by Nyx.

Maybe it was a little crush.. that would be cute.

Dream can't ask about it, but it's funny to imagine the idea.

Everything has just.. been peaceful.

Dream wasn't sure how long it's been since he had to fight.. his brother. It.. it's felt like a lifetime, truly.. but it's probably only been at most a few months. But he doesn't think it's been that long.. He doesn't.. he doesn't really check these things.

"Dream?" 

Dream zones back into reality, seeing both Nyx and Mirage staring at him. He blinked, "Oh.. apologies, I got lost in my thoughts.." He whispers, face feeling hot from embarrassment.

Dream zones out far, far too often.

"It's alright, what's on your mind?" Nyx questioned as he continued to play with Mirage, who was being silent as the adults talked. 

Both were building a.. castle, Dream thinks. It was out of the building blocks Dream got Mirage and.. it was actually very impressive.

"Oh, nothing.. just, thinking about what to have for dinner at home." Dream lies, unable to tell the truth.. he didn't want to say it and then somehow..

..Dream's chest is hurting.

"I want fried chicken!" Mirage exclaims, telling Dream what he wanted for dinner with a bright smile.

"Okay.. we can-.." Dream holds his chest, why is it.. oh, oh. He knows what this is.

"Dream? What's wrong? Does your chest hurt? Why are you holding it?" Nyx looked very concerned as he rushed to Dream's side, looking him over.

"I-I.. I'm okay. It's just.. I'm going to need you to watch Mirage by yourself for.. a few hours or so." Dream explained softly as he got up, his side was hurting now too.. it had healed up in the time away from fighting but there was a nasty scar and it hurt a lot sometimes despite being healed.

"Oh.. is it..?" Nyx asked but he didn't finish the sentence, giving Dream a look that practically spelled his concern out on his face.

"..Yes. Please take care of Mirage for me." Dream requests quietly.

Dream bends down and kisses Mirage's forehead, he cupped his little cheeks and squishes them. "Daddy will be back soon.." He whispers, and Mirage holds his face back, squishing it just like he did.

"Be safe, daddy.. I love you!" Mirage tells Dream with a small smile, pressing his lips to Dream's own. It made Dream's face feel hot. He truly needed to tell Mirage to stop doing it.. all this fluttering in his heart surely wasn't good for him.

Dream gives Mirage one final forehead kiss before he left through a portal to his home. Although Dream can summon his weapons through magic, he can't do that for clothes.. and he likes to have actual physical knives and the like that didn't require magic as well.

Dream hastily gets on his fighting outfit, he remembers the time where it was just.. all he wore. Because he had to fight at any given moment. Dream still has to fight but.. now he has to change, too.

Hm..

Dream immediately portals to where he felt the disturbance as soon as he was dressed. Another snowy place.. Nightmare really enjoyed attacking snowy places.

Unlike the quiet of the last few times Nightmare attacked.. there were people screaming and running past Dream.

In the middle of the town he sees Nightmare's back, his tendrils having impaled a few residents and keeping their dead bodies strung on them, racking them up.

It was brutal to look at.

Nightmare appeared distracted.. and Dream took that as an opportunity. He sends an arrow to Nightmare's back, but a tendril stopped his arrow from meeting Nightmare's main body.

"Dream, you've arrived!" Nightmare spoke with far too much excitement as the bodies slid off of his tendrils onto the floor.

Dream has another arrow lined up to shoot as Nightmare turned around to face him.

His eye.. was there, and it was purple.

It was purple.

Dream unconsciously lowers his bow and arrow, "N.. Nightmare..?" Dream calls out, receiving a wide grin from the other.

"That's my name, don't wear it out~" Nightmare cooed at Dream as he walked towards him. 

The crunch of the snow filling the deafening silence.

"Your.. your eye.." Dream couldn't help but point it out, his voice breathy despite the fact that Dream was finding it so hard to breathe at the moment. His side burned too.

Nightmare paused his approach, placing his fingers over his eye, spread out to still allow him to see Dream. "Oh, this old thing? Yes, it was a pain to regenerate. I've never lost this eye before, though. It was a new experience, courtesy of you." He spoke of losing his eye in such a blase manner.

Like he didn't care about it.

Like it didn't matter what Dream did.

Dream backed up, that prompted Nightmare to walk forward. His tendrils slid over to Dream and grabbed his ankles, pulling them and causing Dream to fall right down onto his back. More tendrils came forward to restrain Dream.

Nightmare looms over Dream, giving him this.. genuine smile. It had that delight.. that delight at seeing him like this. His eye.. that.. that purple eye.. he had.. he had almost forgotten that it was cruel too.

Dream didn't fight against the restraint, he could barely breathe right. He had to manually breathe in and out to keep taking in air otherwise he just.. wouldn't.

Nightmare's tendrils fondled his body, removing things from his person like his knives, his vest, and.. and..

"Hm? What's this?" Nightmare asked as his tendril handed him Dream's phone. 

Nightmare chuckled, "Another phone, Dream? And such an old brand too. It suits you." He says with a grin as he observed it and it's only then that Dream found it in himself to struggle.

Dream tried to resist the hold, squirming aggressively, "G-Give that back! Now!" He ordered, he felt a bit of satisfaction when Nightmare's eye widened a little.

That satisfaction turned to fear when Nightmare looked at him sternly.

"I was just going to break it but.. now you have me curious. Let's see what's on here, hm?" Nightmare spoke as he turned the phone on, he starts going through it and Dream cannot see what he's doing and it makes him feel so sick and worried.

"Malaise, Malevolent, Misery and.. Nyx? Pft.. what kind of people have you been talking to?" Nightmare questioned rhetorically and Dream was going to say something but his mind went blank as he heard the phone start to ring. Nightmare was calling..

Dream's breath hitched as he heard Nyx's voice come through the phone.

"Dream?" 

Nightmare's previously amused face went blank, he took off the loudspeaker, no longer allowing Dream to hear Nyx.

"Dream's busy at the moment. Do you want to leave a message? It might be the last you get to give him." Nightmare's voice was sharp and cold. It didn't hold any disdain.. it was.. scarily blank in emotion and tone.

"I see, well, that's too bad." Nightmare pulled the phone away from his ear, passing it to a tendril and crushing the phone to literal pieces.

The tendrils wrapped around Dream's body to force him up, supporting his weight and making it as though Dream was standing up.

Nightmare's face was suddenly close to his and Dream couldn't breathe again.

"Do you have something to tell me, my dear little brother?" Nightmare's voice rang out in his mind.

Dream felt so sick. Everything hurt but his chest and his side were burning. Dream couldn't.. he couldn't-

Nightmare backed away from Dream just in time for Dream to throw up.

"It's been a while since you've done that." Nightmare commented, stepping around the mess on the snow. He reaches into his coat, pulling out a handkerchief.

Nightmare uses that to wipe up Dream's mouth. "Honestly, Dream, what am I going to do with you?" He questioned rhetorically, discarding the handkerchief on the ground.

"It's a wonder how you found something like that. Did you miss playing house with me that badly?" Nightmare questioned, but Dream didn't reply. He couldn't reply. He was much too out of it to reply.

Nightmare sighed softly, releasing Dream from his tendrils and Dream collapsed onto the floor, on his knees, unmoving even though he had been released. 

Dream couldn't.. he couldn't.

Nightmare bends down, tilting Dream's head up to look at him in the eye. "You're not even seeing me right now, are you?" He asked, receiving and expecting no answer as he released Dream.

Dream was swaying a bit, he finally moved to brace himself as his body hits the snow. Dream holds his side, the side Nightmare had hurt so long ago, the side that had been healed up. It was healed yet it burned, he could feel the pain resonating throughout his body and it burned.

Dream felt a cool hand on his side, it eased the burning, just.. just a bit. Dream pressed the hand to his side, his eyes starting to drop, unwillingly.

"Truly, what am I to do with you, baby?"

Dream hears Nightmare speak, he wanted to say something, do something.. that.. that voice. That.. tone. It was so soft. So soft. The hand holding his side was gentle.. gentle and cool.

Dream.. Dream just..

He needed a moment.

Just one moment.

One moment.

It was dark.. it was so dark.

Dream shot up, breathing in big gasps of air greedily as he whipped his head around the area. He.. he couldn't see anything. Where.. where was he? There was something on him.. this.. is a blanket?

Where was he..?

Last Dream remembered he..

Dream covered his mouth, trying to push down the overwhelming nausea. Oh.. oh, don't.. don't tell him. Dream throws the blanket off of himself, relieved to not see any chains or the like.

Dream's been captured.. he cannot believe that he allowed himself to get captured. It.. it wasn't the first time it's happened but it hasn't happened since the early days of this.. game they play.

Dream attempted to do the logical thing and open a portal, but his magic fizzled out before it was a reasonable size to fit through. Oh.. oh stars.

Dream scrambles out of the bed, almost falling to the floor. His side hurts. Why does it hurt still? It's now that Dream realizes that he wasn't wearing his battle outfit but instead.. pajamas? Vintage ones at that.. like the ones he had growing up.

Dream raises the shirt, checking his side and it.. was hard to make out but.. it looked like how it did before he went to fight Nightmare. Nothing was wrong with it.

So why was it hurting so badly?

Dream groaned, attempting to search for a light in this room. His eyes were beginning to grow adjusted to the dark and it's then that he spots a light switch.

He smashes all the switches, turning on every light in the room. It was a bit too bright for his eyes, thus he took off all but one.. after some fiddling.. he left on the main light at the centre of the ceiling.

Now that the room was illuminated, he could clearly see that it was.. lavish. 

Dream didn't know how else to call it. It looked like a room for nobility and it was ridiculously large and grandiose.

It suited Nightmare to a T.

Dream notices two doors, one was right by the light switch where he was and other on the wall opposite the bed. He assumes that he was standing by the exit to.. who knows where and the other door was a bathroom.

But it could very well be the other way around.

Dream places his hand on the light switch, turning off and on the lights in order as he stared beneath the doors. The one further away from him suddenly had light seeping in from under the door. That one had to be the bathroom then.

Dream leaves the light on inside of there as he approached the bathroom, heading inside. It was as ridiculously extravagant as the bedroom. He wondered if he would find anything that could serve as a weapon in here. He didn't want to waste his magic since that was the only thing that could actually harm Nightmare. Regular weapons don't work.

Dream checks the sink counter, the shelf.. but as he bent down to check the cabinets beneath the sink, his side began burning again. Dream sucked in a shaky breath as he held his side. He clutches the sink counter, using it as a crutch to pull himself up again.

The burning eased a bit when he was standing upright.

Dream didn't see anything that could be a weapon but.. but maybe..

Dream takes down a hanging mirror from the wall, his side pained as he held it but Dream didn't hold it for long, dropping the mirror onto the ground. It shatters into pieces and Dream grabs one of the hand towels to pick up the longest and sharpest piece from the shards.

Dream uses the hand towel as a handle and keeps the mirror shard by his side as he exited the bathroom.. and the bedroom. Outside was indeed a hall like Dream suspected.

This was.. a different location than the one Dream had been to such a long time ago. It was.. newer looking, strangely.

The hall only had one route, apparently the room Dream was put into was the last one of this hall.

Dream takes a shaky breath as he walked down the hall. He had a bit of a headache to match the burning pain of his side but he ignores it.

Dream persists onwards.

This was a long hallway..

Dream felt like he's been walking forever. Then he looked back and saw that he really hadn't walked that far.. this pain in his side is truly annoying. Dream tries to pick up the pace a little, despite the pain and he ends up reaching the end of this hall.. and walking right into another.

Oh, this is going to be terrible.

Dream keeps a firm grip on his weapon as he traversed the barren halls. Not a soul in sight. Dream walks around very aimlessly until he finds.. a dining room.

A very elaborate one.

The table was set.. and the food that was on the table was hot, steaming, actually.. but there wasn't anyone around. Dream carefully approaches the table, inspecting the food.

"Hungry?" A voice said behind him and Dream immediately panics, turning around and stabbing his mirror shard into whatever was behind him.

That turned out to be Nightmare, who stared at the mirror shard in his chest.

"How.. quaint." Nightmare comments as he takes the shard out from his chest and Dream's hands, tossing it aside without a care in the world.

Dream felt his breath quicken and his body started to tremble. His hands shakily grabbed the carving knife he spotted upon inspecting the table and he rams the knife into Nightmare's side.

"..Are you going to keep doing that?" Nightmare questioned as he held Dream's wrist, pulling out the knife from his flesh without a care. It didn't go in..it just.. just sat there. Dream knew it would but.. but he had to try.

"..Why.. why did you take me?" Dream hesitated for a second but he speaks as clearly as he could, asking the question as.. Nightmare seemed to be.. gracious at the moment. If Dream could call it that.

Nightmare hummed, twirling a strand of Dream's hair, "I wanted to, plain and simple." He answered Dream, a certain.. look in his eyes.

It wasn't the look of twisted delight, no..

It was the look where Dream wasn't a person to Nightmare. Just an object of entertainment.

It's been a while since he's seen anything but twisted delight from him.

"..Are you going to kill me?" 

Nightmare laughed, separating from Dream and walking away, strolling straight over to the head chair and taking a seat. "Oh, Dream, if I wanted to do that then I would have done it while you were asleep.. or restrained.. I've had a lot of opportunities to." He informs as he began cutting into a seemingly well done steak. He cuts the meat into a little cube that he then eats.

Nightmare gestured to the seat beside him and after he was done chewing, he speaks. "Take a seat, you must be starved." He comments, his voice having this.. giggly tone to it.

Dream, hesitantly, does as he was told. He sits to the right of Nightmare.. and there was food already on his plate too. A rare steak.. if he had to judge by all the.. blood.

Dream doesn't touch it.

"Aren't you going to eat? It's rather rude to refuse your host's meal." Nightmare criticizes him, despite the situation of.. everything.

And despite knowing that it's ridiculous..

Dream begins cutting into the bloody steak.

It was quiet, nothing but the noise of cutlery clinking with the plate.

It wasn't smart of Dream to be eating this food, but he was also incredibly hungry and couldn't stop eating. Any time he went a bit too quick, Nightmare would clear his throat and Dream would slow down.

It was very reminiscent.

Dream finished before Nightmare and as soon as he was done, Nightmare stood up. His tendrils slither over and wrap themselves around Dream, holding him in the air as Nightmare walked elsewhere.

Dream tried to fuss but the grip was too tight.. and he just ate.. he didn't want to throw up again. Dream hated throwing up.

Nightmare takes him to.. a library, it was vast.. expansive, and weirdly.. familiar. Nightmare sits Dream down in an armchair that was.. very squishy. Dream practically sinks into it.. but the tendrils don't let up and that makes Dream tense, more tense than he already was.

Nightmare sits in an armchair across from him. He crosses his legs, fingers intertwined with one another and resting on his knee. Nightmare tilts his head, a smile on his face as Dream stared at that familiar purple eye.

"Now, why don't you tell me about those friends you had saved on that cute little phone? I'm very curious about them, you see." Nightmare spoke, acting coy even though he was currently interrogating Dream.

"..They're not my friends."

"Oh? What an unusually cruel thing for you to say!" Nightmare appeared very entertained by Dream's perceived cruelty. He was clearly loving it.

Nightmare giggled, "But, I am being serious, who are they? Especially the one that answered. If you don't answer then I'll simply force it out of you and I don't think either of us want that." He whispered the words at the end, leaning in as though to intimidate Dream.

It made Dream recoil into the cushions.

"..He was just.. a person that sounded like you. The rest were his friends who have stupid nicknames." Dream lies through the skin of his teeth, he couldn't tell Nightmare the truth.

Nightmare didn't seem convinced, "Hm, is that so?"

Dream swallows thickly, "I.. he looked like you too and I.. and I.."

"You played house?" Nightmare finishes Dream's sentence with words that he wasn't thinking of.. yet they encapsulated more than Dream thought they would.

Dream nodded, both accepting that finishing of his sentence.. and confirming that to be what he was doing. 

..Dream's stomach hurt, a powerful wave of nausea hitting him.

"Are you going to vomit again? I'd rather it not be in the library." Nightmare questioned as he stretched a tendril off into the distance, a bucket clanging onto the floor in front of Dream before it was right sided on the floor.

Dream stared at the bucket, what.. what was Nightmare thinking of?

Dream could never truly tell, despite everything.

"..Why didn't you restrain me?" Dream mumbled the question, and Nightmare leans in close, his eye sharp. Nightmare didn't need to speak for Dream to realize what he had done wrong.

"..Why.. why didn't you restrain me?" Dream asked again, although he stuttered, he spoke much clearer.

Nightmare smiled, leaning back in his chair and tilting his head at Dream, "Did you want me to? That's a very naughty thing to want, Dream." He teased, rather than seriously answering.

Nightmare absentmindedly twirled a strand of his own hair as he spoke and Dream's eyes fixated on the sight. His brother always had a habit of doing that.. usually while in thought.

Dream ripped his eyes away to stare at the ground instead. 

"No, I just.. I was wondering why. If you captured me, wouldn't you.. restrain me in the room?" That made sense to Dream, if he was supposed to truly be kept here then Nightmare would've.. should've done that much.

Nightmare blinked, a small smile gracing his face right after. "I don't need to do that, since you won't leave." He said that with so much confidence that Dream could have honestly believed whatever he said if he wasn't listening closely.

"Why.. why wouldn't I...?"

"By all means, go ahead if that's what you want but.. I don't want you to, so what will you do?" Nightmare's tendrils that had previously been keeping him to the armchair rescinded and Dream was.. free.

Free yet he couldn't bring himself to move.

"See? You're shaking.. you just want to be good for your big brother, it's in your nature." Nightmare comments as he stood up, approaching Dream and cupping his face, forcing Dream to look him in the eye.

Nightmare's eye was.. the look in it was.. something Dream struggled to articulate.

Dream rips his head away, leaning back in the armchair, peering at the ground. Nightmare laughs—Dream hears it loud and clear—as he sat back down in his chair across from Dream.

"Well, I don't have any more questions for you. Did you want to ask something? Seeing as you've already been asking me things." Nightmare's eye had this.. this flicker to it whenever he glanced at Dream that made Dream feel like prey in front of a predator.

Dream didn't know if he had anything to ask.. if he wanted to ask anything.

Before he knew it, he was whispering a question.

"Why did you leave me..?" 

Dream flinched at the words that came out of his own mouth, he slaps his hands over his mouth to prevent anything else like that from slipping out again.

Nightmare gave pause, pursing his lips in thought, "I'm not too sure what you're asking here." He said, crossing his arms over his chest loosely.

Dream stares, allowing his hands to drop. "I.. you.. you left me.. you ate.. you destroyed our home." He couldn't properly formulate a sentence, he wasn't sure if it was due to shock or rage.

"Oh, that? That wasn't leaving you. I came back for you right away, didn't I?" Nightmare posed the question and although that was vague.. Dream believes Nightmare must be talking about how he attacked him after he woke up again.

Dream knew this was pointless, that trying to tell Nightmare anything or change him was useless. Dream tried before he was.. corrupted, and he tried after. It never works. Nightmare wasn't capable of that, of change.

But it didn't stop Dream's words.. as much as he wanted it to.

"The.. the moment you did that, you left me. You.. hurt me." Dream was struggling not to mumble but he was doing it. He had gotten too used to mumbling around the others.

"And? What's the point of these questions? Do you wish for me to get all teary-eyed and beg for forgiveness, Dream?" Nightmare stood up, slowly and loudly walking right up to Dream.

By the foot of the armchair is where Nightmare leans down, his face almost touching Dream's own.

"You know who I am better than anyone else, yet you don't know me at all, Dream." Nightmare whispered caressing Dream's jawline with his fingers as he leaned in, kissing Dream.

Dream didn't stop it.

The kiss was cold.. so cold.

Dream's hands loosely gripped at Nightmare's clothes as they kissed. He could pull away.. yet he didn't. Dream simply.. couldn't do that. Dream felt frozen in place.

Dream feels Nightmare's hand caress his body downwards, landing on his scarred side and rubbing it. Dream couldn't help but moan into the kiss as his side was rubbed and so gently squeezed. Dream didn't understand the delicate way he was being treated... it wasn't common, not one bit.

Dream's heart drops to his stomach as he feels a hand slip past the bloomers he was wearing courtesy of Nightmare. Dream attempted to struggle, and while Dream broke the kiss, he couldn't remove Nightmare's hand.

Dream whimpered as he felt Nightmare palming his.. his.. Dream bit back a moan, staring at Nightmare with teary eyes. He couldn't..

Nightmare palmed him with a bit more strength, going harder on him like he always did."How long has it been since I've done this for you.. you were always such an aroused boy.. you used to beg to be touched.. then hump me if I refused.. it was adorable." Nightmare reminisced as he continued his actions, showing no sign of stopping at all.

Dream could barely even register what was being said to him. He didn't want this. He wanted it to stop. Dream.. Dream hated how good it felt. He hated that. Dream couldn't.. he couldn't..

Dream felt so warm down there.

Nightmare forces Dream into another kiss, swallowing all of his noises as he continued to please Dream in such an inefficient way. No care for his pleasure. Nightmare just wanted to do whatever he wanted and Dream was expected to just.. go along with it.

Like he always did.

..Why was Dream like this?

Why couldn't he.. do something?

Dream was awful.. so..

Dream couldn't even self deprecate, the way that Nightmare was overloading his body with sensations. It's something that hasn't been done to him in a long time. Nightmare always overwhelmed him in an underwhelming way. 

It was one of his specialties.

That and those eyes that could see right through him yet not see him at all.

Dream felt sick.

Nightmare took his hand away from Dream, picking him up from under the arms and forcing him to stand up. It reminds him a bit of what he does with Mirage.

Nightmare pulls down Dream's bloomers, exposing his lower half to him. Dream's face gets very hot as he looked away. He wanted to fight. He so desperately wanted to fight but.. but he just couldn't.

"I've wanted to do this for a while.." Nightmare whispers as a tendril wrapped itself around Dream's penis. Dream felt his face just get that much hotter as it started to slide up and down and it felt so.. so weird.

It was slimy and cold.. like an ice cube but.. down there.

Dream's legs began to shake but Nightmare supports Dream by holding his waist. He didn't let Dream sit down again, enraptured by the movement of his tendrils violating Dream. More tendrils made their way around his body but nothing else touched anywhere..

Except the tendril that slithered into his mouth.

"Mmph!" Dream chokes on it slightly as it forces its way further in his mouth and down his throat.

"Oh, that's too much. Apologies, these things have a.. mind of their own." Nightmare apologizes to him as the tendril stopped invading his throat but very much remained in Dream's mouth, fondling the inside of Dream's mouth.

Nightmare rubs his thumbs against Dream's midriff, eye on his face now, observing him. "You can suck on it, you look like you want to." Nightmare reassures Dream as he pressed his thumbs into him and Dream couldn't help the whine that escaped him.

Noises were all being muffled by the tentacle and he was being so, so touched and Nightmare was telling him to.. to suck on it?

Dream.. couldn't help but do as he was told, suckling on the tentacle in his mouth. It's when he starts to suck on it that he picks up a taste.

It tasted like apples..

Apples and.. weirdly, lemongrass.

It made Dream feel sicker.

And although Dream's mind and his stomach felt ill.. his chest and pelvic area burned.. both for very different reasons but Dream all around was.. warm.

Cold, and warm.

Dream finished in the next moment or two and he felt so ashamed because Nightmare made such a noise of delight when Dream did. Like he was proud of it.

Dream's bloomers were slipped back on and he was sat back down, tendrils removed from his body and allowing Dream to pant like a dog. Nightmare stared at the mess on the ground, then back at Dream.

"Dream, clean up your mess, why don't you?" Nightmare made it sound like a request but it was an order and Dream was forced to the ground, not even allowed to say anything.

Dream was put on all fours and he hesitates, giving Nightmare a pleading look unwittingly. Dream didn't want to do this.. this was.. gross. Nightmare's tendrils removed his bloomers and Dream whined in confusion, yet Nightmare understood what he was asking.

"The longer you take, the less clothes you get to have on you when you return to your chambers." Nightmare explained, a grin on his face and Dream just.. he hated that grin.. he hated it so much..

So much..

Dream peers at the floor, his.. mess was on there. He must be meant to use his tongue. There's nothing else he could use besides his clothes or his tongue. Dream closed his eyes and leaned in, beginning to lap up his mess from the ground.

Nightmare cooed at Dream's shaking form, a tendril sneaking to his penis again, pumping it as Dream was forced to lap up his mess and yet Nightmare wanted to make more. Dream tried to stifle his noises, his body spasmed with every pump and Dream felt his mind grow hazy.

Oh.. oh..

Dream braces his upper body on the floor, trying to pull away from the tendril, unsuccessfully. "I-I.. i-if you keep that up.. I-" Dream tries to speak but he can't get out the words. It's just mute.

Dream couldn't.. he couldn't.. Dream's body lowered itself subconsciously to the ground, practically prostrating himself before Nightmare as he didn't finish but rather.. oh, Dream doesn't even want to think it.

Dream whimpers loudly, on the verge of tears and those awful feelings of shame and arousal are exacerbated by Nightmare's reaction.

"Oh? Fuck.. you're cute." Nightmare sounded so genuine as he said that. It didn't have that pretentiousness he always spoke with.. it was curt, lacking the length that Nightmare always added to any sentence he spoke.

Dream choked back his noises as he feels his back being rubbed.. and he was let up from the floor by the tendrils and Dream was forced to see Nightmare's face. A look of delight.. that strangely.. didn't look as twisted as it normally did. Maybe because Dream wasn't in pain.

But he was utterly humiliated.

It was.. so reminiscent of their past. Just the two of them.. and Nightmare embarrassing Dream so awfully inside their home. Only inside.

"You made another mess.." Nightmare whispered, running his hand through Dream's hair. Dream dreaded the words that Nightmare would say next.

Nightmare cooed, "Oh, you look scared.. what? Don't like cleaning your messes? My, you were always like that, weren't you?" Nightmare comments, teasing Dream by his tendril squeezing his penis.

It wasn't rubbing or pumping, just squeezing and it made Dream's mind fuzzy again.

Dream was so.. so..

"Dream, my little buttercup, look at me." Nightmare ordered, his voice was soft but the order was firm.

Dream shakily makes eye contact with Nightmare, staring into that eye.. that purple eye. It was.. cold, yet it felt warm. That gaze felt warm.. loving.

..What was Dream even doing anymore?

Nightmare coos, "Let's get you cleaned up, hm?" He whispers as his tendrils wrap around Dream and hoist him up again.

Dream was then carried out of the library into.. a random room. It was not the room he had woken up in but instead another guest room.

Dream was carried straight to the bathroom and it's there that he was placed down into a bathtub and stripped of the rest of his clothes. Dream's face felt hot and he started to cover his body as Nightmare looked him over.

"You don't have anything I haven't seen, Dream." Nightmare comments as he slowly prys Dream's body to be unfurled instead. His eye drifts to Dream's scar on his side, fixating on it.

"..You don't usually acquire scars from my attacks." Nightmare states as his hand moved to rub the scar. His thumb caresses the flesh, rubbing at it and making Dream whine.

"I.. I guess not." Dream replied to Nightmare, out of habit, if he was being honest. This all felt like.. like his childhood and Dream's mind was so foggy from it all.

Nightmare hummed, pulling away and seemingly moving on as he began filling up a small container with water. Nightmare then slowly pours water over Dream's skin, hand more caressing his skin rather than scrubbing it.

It made Dream feel flustered.. and nostalgic.

This was almost exactly how Nightmare used to wash him back when they were small. Nightmare would have Dream stand in a bucket, while he used a small container to take water from another bucket and wash Dream down like that. The differences here were that Dream was sitting down and the modern plumbing that made everything just.. slightly different.

"..Why are you being so.. nice?" Dream asked, staring at his lap. He didn't understand it. The last time that they saw each other, Dream ripped out Nightmare's eye, the time before that, Nightmare was encouraging Dream to fail at saving a life.

Nightmare chuckled, "Well, that's how I am, when you listen, that is." He explained as he began to soap Dream's body, lathering him with bubbles.

"..You aren't usually like this."

"And what is usual to you, exactly?"

Dream paused, eyes flickering between Nightmare and his own lap. "I.. when you're.. mean and.. cruel." He whispers, fidgeting with his hands.

"That is simply a response to your behaviour, Dream." Nightmare clarified, acting a bit offended in a way Dream doesn't understand. He cannot understand it.

"What behaviour are you talking about? Stopping your murder sprees?" Dream retorted before he had a chance to think about it. Shockingly, saying that didn't end as badly as he thought it would.

Nightmare scoffed, "It's not my fault that's the only way to get your attention." He spoke as he dumped water onto Dream's head. That was clearly out of spite because Dream's hair wasn't being washed before.

It was so.. childish.

Dream frowns, "Why do you even want my attention?" 

Nightmare blinked, "Pft.. why does a flower attract bees? Why does the moon pull the tides? That's simply the way it is. Do you need more reason than that?" He answered.. if Dream could call that an answer at all.

It was just nonsense.

"I do need more reason." Dream muttered, though he surprisingly wasn't scolded for it.

Nightmare stares down at Dream, "I just like it. If you don't want people to die, you should be quicker about your arrival." He blatantly makes those deaths seem like they're on Dream's hands.

Like it's Dream's fault, not his.

"..You're a murderer."

"And you're stating the obvious, no one's perfect, Dream." Nightmare riposted, soaking Dream from head to toe again. Nightmare's tendril grabs the bath towel and tosses it at Dream.

Dream huffed as he wiped his face in the towel.

Nightmare sighed in a drawn out manner, "All this criticizing of me is rather tasteless, Dream. After all, you're doing only god knows what with a man bearing my visage." He comments, his back faced to Dream as he stood by the door.

Dream was embarrassed that he had no snarky reply to that.

"Nothing to say? And here I thought you had so much to criticize. Go on, Dream." Nightmare encouraged sarcastically as he opened the bathroom door. He didn't stick around, exiting the room.

Dream was ashamed by how quickly he trailed behind Nightmare.

Nightmare was stood by a dresser, looking through it and.. fully ignoring Dream.

This was all so.. odd. It didn't feel as intense as when he woke up and Nightmare was being so.. amicable.

In a pretentious way but still amicable.

For someone like him anyway.

"..So every time you attack a world, that's you wanting my attention?" Dream questioned, following up on the bath conversation. He wasn't done with it, even if Nightmare was.

"Essentially, yes. Albeit sometimes I just need the negativity." Nightmare answered.. being seemingly honest as his attention was held by the clothes in the dresser. He was going through them as he replied.

"..What do you mean 'need the negativity'?" Dream didn't quite understand. He's never.. he's never talked to Nightmare like this before.. despite the.. centuries of fighting. 

It was always just a fight between them, nothing more.

Nightmare paused, pursing his lips, "Hm.. how to put this? My form isn't corporeal, not entirely. It is malleable and that is due to negativity. When there's too much positivity, my form hardens. It's why those arrows of yours are so pesky." 

He just.. completely answered Dream. There weren't any lies or mocking or.. he just answered. It was such a seemingly important thing and Nightmare answered it. He answered it and told Dream something that felt like it could backfire onto him.

Dream was silent, unable to say anything more but Nightmare didn't seem to care. He holds up a pajama shirt against Dream's body. It was a soft cream colour and it felt.. like velvet against his skin.

"Hm.. I like that.." Nightmare said quietly to himself as he gets the shirt onto Dream. Dream didn't fight it. Nor did he fight Nightmare helping into another pair of underwear and bloomers.

Dream stared at Nightmare as he started to.. reorganize the clothes he had moved around while finding the ones Dream were currently wearing.

"..Is killing truly the only way to get my attention?" Dream didn't want to believe that it was because it made him feel like those deaths are his fault even though it so obviously isn't.

"Have you seen me outside of that?"

Dream felt a chill run through his body as he realized that.. that he's never seen Nightmare outside of that. But it.. but it made sense. They were meant to fight. They've been doing it for so long, it's.. it's not Dream's..

Dream took a deep breath, Nightmare was messing with his head.

He wasn't.. he wasn't going to fall for it.

"..Regardless, you're still killing people." Dream doesn't know what part of that was hard for Nightmare to understand. But he never cared about hurting people.

Nightmare steps closer to Dream, his face very close to Dream's own. His expression blank. "I need a certain amount of negativity to keep my form. If you know a better way to make people sad, by all means, do tell." 

Dream gulped, he.. he didn't like that knowledge. It made everything he said feel like.. like he was being crazy even though he wasn't. Dream didn't.. he didn't.. 

Dream pivots the conversation, "..Sometimes when I hit you with an arrow or my daggers, it doesn't stick. Why is that?"

Nightmare pulls away, humming softly, "It's a parlor trick, really. Before your implement makes impact, I make the area it will hit full of negativity and your positivity is usually too weak to pierce through or harden." Nightmare explained to Dream, and yet.. the knowledge that felt like it should give Dream an advantage.. did nothing, despite him now knowing.

Dream looks down at the ground, "..I see." He muttered, unable to say anything else. Everything was just..

Nightmare takes his hand into his own and despite how Dream flinched.. Nightmare squeezed his hand, leading him out of this random guest room and walking down the grand halls to another unfamiliar area.

"..This isn't the same castle you had when I woke up." Dream comments, thinking that had to be the truth, given the completely different interior of the whole place.

Nightmare made a noise of confusion, "It is the same castle. Why would you think otherwise?" He didn't seem to understand and gave Dream a raised brow.

Dream's face felt hot, "It.. it looks very different." He defends his thought, unconsciously squeezing Nightmare's hand.

"I renovated. Unlike you, I do not shy away from the use of modern technology." Nightmare sounded like he was criticizing Dream but it wasn't even true..

"I use a lot of modern technology.." Dream mumbled, instead of being scolded, he got a laugh.

"Oh, do name a few for me."

"..uhm.. the fridge, the uh.. the stove, uh.. kinda, and the washing machine."

Nightmare glanced at Dream, "A grand total of three modern day objects. I misjudged you." He taunts with this.. grin that.. while teasing, didn't look malicious.

Dream hummed, squeezing Nightmare's hand again. He only realized when he received a squeeze back.

"..Where are we going?" Dream felt like he could ask with how cooperative Nightmare has been with the questions.

"To my chambers."

Wait what..

Dream hadn't gotten a chance to question or attempt to refuse as suddenly Nightmare had stopped and let them both into a room. He's never been in Nightmare's room before.. ever, actually.

Upon entering the room, Dream expected a lavish display of wealth and ornate design but.. besides the size, it was very plain.

Dream hadn't expected that.

"You have a very.. bare room." Dream comments, though he feels bad about it when Nightmare separates from him but that wasn't related to Nightmare's separation.

"I prefer a tidy space where I sleep." Nightmare adds to Dream's sentence and Dream now realized that there was one thing inside here that was unusual.. the size of the bookshelves in the room, as there were multiple.

Dream approaches one of the bookshelves and takes a book from it. He reads the title: 'The Prince and His Dragon.'

That was an interesting title. The book was incredibly light and once Dream opened it, he understood why. It was an illustrated fairytale.

"Do you like that?" Nightmare asked from behind Dream which made him jump. Dream holds the book to his chest unconsciously, oh.. oh.

"I.. it sounded interesting." Dream definitely shouldn't be keeping the book this close to him. Nightmare will certainly get mad about i-

Nightmare was smiling at him, a small, soft, genuine smile. His tendrils were nowhere to be seen behind him as he takes the book from Dream.

Nightmare grabs Dream's hand and leads him to the bed, helping him onto it.

Nightmare then lies next to Dream, beginning to read the book without any sort of prompt.

"There once was a prince, trapped by a dragon." Nightmare spoke aloud, pointing to the illustration of a golden haired prince sat sadly in a room that was lavish but had prison bars.

Dream wasn't sure what was going on but it made him.. feel so strange. Dream's eyes were starting to shut.. but he keeps them open anyways.

"The dragon was mean and the prince couldn't leave. But the dragon wished for the prince to be by his side, spoiling him in riches from far and wide." Nightmare continues to read to Dream and point out the illustrations. 

Which currently was the dragon holding a little treasure chest to the prince and it was full of gold and jewellery.

Nightmare turned the page to show an illustration of the prince trying to climb out of his comically larged barred windows. "The prince did not care for the stolen wealth, and tried to escape with hasty stealth. The dragon finds him gone, and his world shattered, as all the dragon wanted was the prince's heart. A treasure that mattered more than any other," 

"The prince's escape was simply fate but the dragon refused his mate's leave. Hunting him down was all he could do, to restore their relationship that split into two." Nightmare glanced at Dream and Dream looked right back at him. He tried not to stare though, focusing on the illustration of the dragon flying over different lands in search of the prince.

What a strange story.. he didn't know if he wanted to see more.

"The plan was simple, the dragon must-" Nightmare stops talking as Dream placed a hand on his forearm. Dream's eyes were drooping as he wrapped his arms around the limb.

Nightmare blinked, he puts the book away and turns to face Dream, caressing his head. He wasn't saying anything.. just caressing the side of his head. There wasn't a smile on his face but he looked.. endeared, oddly.

Dream shifts his gaze to Nightmare's chest, his hand gripping it loosely, "I.. I don't understand you.. you hurt me. You hurt me so much yet.. yet now you're keeping me here and being.. like this." Dream mumbled to Nightmare, who hummed in response, still touching Dream gently.

"I already told you that you can leave, I don't want you to, but you can." Nightmare reiterated, his hand shifting down and cupping Dream's cheek.

"But I can't.. I can't make a portal yet you're saying I can leave if I want?" Dream's voice was thick with disdain for the way Nightmare was behaving. Like he was unaware.

Nightmare shuffled down, putting himself into Dream's field of vision. "I'm not stopping you from leaving. I never have. If your portals aren't working, that is not because of me."

Dream's frown deepens, "You're lying.. because the last time I was here.."

"You left. You had no problem leaving. I cannot do anything to inhibit your powers." Nightmare interjected, he was lying.. he had to be lying because there were so many times where his presence alone makes Dream's powers stop working.

"You make them stop working.. why are you acting like you don't?"

Nightmare blinked, "..Because I do not." He answered, seemingly surprised by Dream's accusations.

Dream took in a shaky breath, eyes drifting elsewhere again. "You're awful.. you've always been.. you always hurt me. You.. you always break the things I care about and act like that's fine for you to do."

Nightmare was silent.

"You used to treat me so.. so awfully. You used to hit me.. and.. and touch me and.. after all of that, you just.. left." Dream rambled, laying on his back as he did rather than facing Nightmare. He didn't want to look at him.

"..I see." Nightmare murmured to Dream, which made Dream snap his head towards him.

"You.. you don't get to act coy about this. Why do you.. why do you look hurt when you're the one that caused all of this?" Dream proposed the question and the subtle look of hurt in Nightmare's eye doubled.

"..The cause of it? I'm the cause of this?" 

"Who else would be?" Dream answered rhetorically with a deep frown. He doesn't know if he even believes what he's telling Nightmare, he just... Dream just..

Dream wanted it to hurt.

Nightmare scratches his own cheek, appearing to be in thought.. before he sits up. "..hm.. hm. I don't have anything to say to that."

"What? Run out of witty remarks?" Dream mocks, copying Nightmare by sitting up as well.

Nightmare chuckled, turning to look at Dream, a melancholic smile gracing his face. "You're more like me than I thought." He whispered, giving no explanation before he was off the bed.

Dream didn't understand. He.. he didn't..

He covers his mouth with a hand.

..Dream felt sick.

Nightmare hums, "I don't know anything about your powers not working. If I am the cause of that or not but you left the last time, thus I doubt I'm the direct cause you're implying me to be." Nightmare started to actually answer him again and Dream.. listens, with drooping eyes.

"As for.. everything else you said. I tried, I truly did. I wanted you to be happy." Nightmare whispers to Dream and the audacity alone wakes Dream up quite a bit.

"You.. you cannot be serious. You think that made me happy?" Dream gets up from the bed with haste, going by Nightmare's side and staring him in the face.

The.. slightly sad face.

Nightmare's gaze drifted downwards, "I thought it did. I tried to give you everything I had.. the problem with that is all I had was apparently awful." His voice got quiet towards the end, he was.. he wasn't being like how he always was and that puts Dream on edge.

"..You hurt me. All you had was hurting me?" 

Nightmare's eye finally locks onto Dream's own two. "..All I had to give you was me. If you didn't like it, you could have left. You can always leave, Dream." He sounded offended, which Dream didn't like. It made Dream.. angry.

It made him angry.

"You keep avoiding the very basic statement that you hurt me. You left me. You ate that apple and left." Dream felt like he was going crazy.. Nightmare seemed to be done physically torturing him and moved onto mentally because Dream feels insane.

Nightmare's expression was one that was complicated to dissect. There were many different emotions rolled into his one eye. But he just looked.. hurt, and it wasn't satisfying.

"..You don't even know why I did that. You don't know what I went through for you."

"No, you don't know what I went through for you."

Nightmare didn't say anything, staring at him and Dream didn't understand why he felt so.. just.. he felt so much.

"..Tell me, then. Tell me why you left me, tell me what you so terribly went through." Dream ordered Nightmare, who appeared a bit surprised but his expression went blank after.

"..Everything involving that village was what I went through. It's.. vague to me now but I still remember more than I want to. It does not matter, though." Nightmare gave an answer, like his supposed memories, the answer was vague.

Dream wasn't.. unaware to the fact that the villagers never liked Nightmare but the extent may have been deeper than he thought. He did hear of the others' story and.. and majority involved the villagers treating Nightmare like.. a curse.

"Continue." Dream ordered.

"I.. I wanted to show you a life beyond that village. Eating the apple was the only way to detach us from her.. from the tree." Nightmare answered, eye boring into Dream's own and it was.. genuine.

Dream didn't understand it. He didn't understand any of this. He doesn't understand Nightmare's words. It all feels like some.. elaborate lie. Dream just... he doesn't.

Dream doesn't understand, and he doesn't know what to feel or say.

"..What did the village do to you?" Dream murmurs the question, unable to ask it with his full voice. Nightmare sighed and plops down on the edge of the bed.

Nightmare hummed, clearly thinking on the answer to Dream's question. "Whatever you can think of, they likely did." He answered unhelpfully.

Dream stared at Nightmare, "..If you're going to say you went through so much for me, the least you could do is actually say what you went through." He was pushing it, Dream knows that. This whole situation is.. inane. It's not something he ever thought could happen.

Dream never imagined he'd be able to speak to Nightmare with such clarity ever again.

Nightmare stared at Dream, head propped up against his hand. His eye drifted elsewhere as he spoke. "It was mainly physical assault. Though it ranged on sexual at times. There were many blatantly false rumors about me, people would refuse me service or purposefully give me faulty items or expired food. I'd get invited to events occasionally, just to be a laughingstock,"

Nightmare tilted his head, eye now focused on Dream again, "Does that suffice? I truly did put up with a lot for you, apologies if putting up with me was so utterly awful compared to earning scorn from a whole village for existing." Nightmare's voice was sharp and cold. Yet.. there was this slight waver as he spoke that Dream heard.

Dream wasn't sure what that meant.

Dream felt his stomach churn as Nightmare gave him the story.. and it wasn't even very specific. Yet Dream felt awful. So awful.. but..

"You went through a lot.. but it still.. you still hurt me."

Nightmare crosses one leg over the other, "You keep saying that but you're not elaborating. Please, do tell me what you went through for me. Like I just did." 

Dream flinched as he was told to do the exact same thing he just asked of Nightmare. It.. it made him feel.. bad. He didn't want to verbalize this.. especially in front of Nightmare himself.

Dream fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, "You.. you used to hit me." He brought that up first, mostly because that was the thing that haunted him the most. Not the physical pain but.. the look in Nightmare's eyes.

Nightmare nodded, "I did, what of it?" He said that so casually, like it wasn't a horrific thing. What Dream had done to Mirage when he was at a loss makes him feel to vomit and simply perish but Nightmare just.. didn't seem to care.

"And.. and you liked it. Maybe if.. if you did it just to 'discipline' me.. I could have understood, but you.. you always enjoyed it. It was in your eyes." Dream accused, as he was basing this off of what he saw from Nightmare, but Nightmare will probably deny it. Like a liar.

Nightmare paused, "..I enjoyed how cute you were." He responded, not a smile on his face but this.. almost airy expression that resembled happiness.

"..What?" 

Dream didn't understand.

It's only now that a smiles makes its way across Nightmare's face, "As I said, you were cute. When your face was flushed and wet and you squirmed around.. it was the most precious sight." Nightmare cupped his own face as he described what he enjoyed. It was.. a truly perverted explanation.. and a perverted expression was on his face.

Dream swallowed up the saliva that welled up inside his mouth. He took a step back unconsciously, drawing Nightmare's eye to him.

Nightmare's eye appeared smaller than it was with the way he was smiling. His head was tilted ever so slightly to the side as he stretched his hands out to Dream. "Exactly like that. Come here." Nightmare ordered, Dream didn't realize he was standing directly in front of Nightmare until his face was pulled down and cupped.

"It's still the most precious thing in the world.." Nightmare whispered, leaning in and pressing his lips to Dream's forehead. They were cold.. and Dream's face was burning hot.

Dream didn't realize he was kneeling between Nightmare's legs until his head was pet like a dog. 

"Good boy.." Nightmare whispers the praise.

Oh, no..

Dream.. Dream had to pivot this conversation.

Right now.

"You.. you used to say cruel things to me too. Like calling me stupid and slow.. and, and saying no one truly wanted to be around me." Dream whispers the words, still knelt between Nightmare's legs.

"But you are those things and that was true." Nightmare spoke the harsh words so softly. It hurt Dream's heart. Whenever he starts to think that Nightmare loves him or cares about him.. he just.. throws that away.

"Neither of those were true.." Dream denies, looking down at the ground. He didn't understand why Nightmare thought so little of him.

Always thought so little.

"Both are true, you were very slow at reading and learning anything with your mind. I don't recall saying 'stupid', but sure. As for the other matter, I based that off of my own experiences. I didn't want you to be treated as a joke." Nightmare clarifies, immediately refuting the points yet he also wasn't.. wasn't dodging the responsibility of what he said or did.

It was nothing like the Nightmare he knew.

Dream opened his mouth but Nightmare pressed his finger to his lips. 

"Dream, you've asked me many questions. It's my turn to ask now." Nightmare claimed, which made Dream's heart drop to his stomach. He.. he didn't want to answer any questions.

Because what if Nightmare used that against him?

Dream nodded, he'll just.. lie.

Nightmare pets Dream's head, "What did you do with those who bore my visage? And where did you even find them?" 

Wait, how did Nightmare know there was more than one? He only heard Nyx speak...

"..Them?"

Nightmare raised a brow, "You expect me to think those other three names were.. what, just your friends? All are similar to my name." He retorted Dream's questioning remark, a look of.. amusement in his eye.

Dream supposed that did make sense.. he just.. he wouldn't have thought that far immediately. Dream didn't.. he didn't want to answer any of those things..

His face felt incredibly hot.

"Uhm.. I.. I had gone to a.. brothel." Dream mutters out the truth, ashamed beyond what words could describe. He couldn't look Nightmare in the eye. It was so embarrassingly quiet.

"..Pardon?" 

Dream should have just lied.

Why didn't he lie? Why did Dream tell the truth?

Well, he cannot go back on it now.

Dream just nodded, unable to verbally confirm that after Nightmare's so very confused response. Dream felt so ashamed.

"..Interesting. I'm surprised you found four whores in my likeness." Nightmare commented, petting Dream's head again.

Oh.. oh, Dream is so relieved that Nightmare was unaware that those four were actually versions of him. Dream was a bit worried he had figured it out but it doesn't seem like he has.

The relief was enough for him to just not think about the actual words Nightmare said.

"Yes.. and I.. well.. I.. I don't think I need to say what I did.." Dream felt like it was embarrassingly obvious what he did if he met them in a brothel.

"Perhaps not, but, I think you have a duty to after demanding detail from me, hm?" Nightmare was referring to Dream's earlier demands and it is now that Dream regrets.. ever speaking. He should have just dropped it all and tried to leave again.

"I.. I had sex with them, are you happy I said it?" Dream retorted, crossing his arms with a huff. He was trying to cover up his mortification.

Dream should probably get up from the floor.. but Nightmare was somewhat keeping him down with his hand.

Dream glanced at his brother to see.. a confused expression. Dream felt confused seeing that confused expression.

"..You had sex with all of them? At once?" 

Dream's face practically exploded with blush as he shot straight up, standing upright and staring down at Nightmare.

"W-Why do you want to know that?!" Dream couldn't help the question, it felt wholly absurd for Nightmare to ask that.

Nightmare scoffed, crossing his arms, "Oh, please, don't act as though I'm the weird one here. I'm not going around having sex with anyone who resembles you. Let alone four at once." 

When it was put that way.. it sounded more pathetic than it already did.

"You're making it sound worse than it was.."

"Pft.. oh, of course, my mistake. You having sex with four people who look like me at once was meant to sound good?" Nightmare pressed his finger to Dream's chest as he spoke, taunting him.

Nightmare sighed dramatically, leaning back on the bed, resting his weight on his arms, "Please, Dream. I'm right here, you do not need to go to such lengths." 

Dream blinked, his face growing even hotter at those words. "I.. I.." He stuttered, unable to muster up a reply to that.. invitation?

It sounded like an invitation.

One that Dream felt stupid that he was actually considering.

There was just something about being around Nightmare that changed his mind until he was away.

"I.. I don't.. think I should do this.." Dream whispers, fiddling with the hem of his shirt. Dream truly shouldn't. He.. Nightmare was.. an enemy, truly. He kidnapped Dream today.. he's a murderer, an abuser.. his abuser, yet..

Yet..

"Who cares if you should or not. Do you want to reminisce with me for a bit?" Nightmare proposed with a sly smile, arms outstretched as though he was offering a hug.

Dream shouldn't.. this was a bad idea, it was betraying everything he tries to stand for.. and yet.. and yet.. Dream found himself in Nightmare's lap.

Nightmare supported his body, holding him by the waist. Nightmare didn't initiate more than that. He was just.. just staring at him and Dream couldn't take this endurance game.

Dream presses his mouth to Nightmare's aggressively, whimpering against his mouth as he pushed Nightmare down to the bed. Dream was on top of his big brother, ravaging his mouth as he sank him into the mattress.

It was.. intoxicating.

Dream needed more.

So much more.

Dream rubbed up on Nightmare as he kissed him desperately. He couldn't control himself. The kiss was the dam and Dream utterly shattered it. Nightmare's hands were on Dream's side, rubbing them gently as Dream continue to dominate this kiss.

Dream audibly moans into Nightmare's mouth as he feels a knee pressing to his.. oh. Dream pulls back from the kiss, panting. Nightmare looked similar to him, face flushed and panting in a similar fashion.. though he wasn't as winded as Dream.

Dream goes back in for another kiss and it is then that he feels Nightmare's hands come to his front, unbuttoning his shirt, and Dream helps him in slipping that off. Nightmare's hands move to his bloomers but Dream placed his hands over Nightmare's.

Dream sits on Nightmare's stomach, he doesn't explain why he stopped Nightmare verbally, instead, attempting to help Nightmare out of his clothes as well. Dream was going to pull the shirt over Nightmare's head but his hands were grabbed.

"It's a button up." Nightmare informed, pressing Dream's hands to his chest. Dream's face felt hot as he began unbuttoning the buttons. They were hidden.. Dream felt embarrassed already.

Nightmare helps Dream in getting the shirt off of his body by raising up for Dream to pull it off and toss aside.

Now both of them were on Nightmare's bed, half naked, and breathing quickly.

Dream didn't know how.. what.. he doesn't know anything. The.. the others sort of just took the lead but Dream initiated this. He.. he didn't know how to be the one in control though.. he's never.. he never touched Nightmare sexually.. Nightmare was always touching him.

Is he.. supposed to be making this good for Nightmare?

Dream was broken out of those thoughts by Nightmare's knee rubbing up against.. there, again, as he was hovering. Dream was embarrassed by how immediately erect he was.

"Don't think, Dream. It's not your strong suit. Follow your instincts." Nightmare advises, his smile was wide and devious. It made Dream's heart start to beat faster than he thinks a heart should be beating. 

Dream wanted to be more mad at the snide remark but.. he thinks the advice was.. meant to help his dilemma.

Dream's instincts..

Dream taps Nightmare's knee and immediately he lays his legs flat. Dream hadn't expected that to be so easy.. Dream decided not to think too deeply as he mounts Nightmare's thigh.

He stifled his moan as he rubs up on his brother's thigh. It was warm.. why was it warm? Dream tried to focus solely on his own pleasure. Something he hadn't done in.. a long time.

Dream wasn't counting the brothel experiences as he was not in the lead.. or very present in those moments.

Not like the way he was now.

"..You always did like to hump things, like a dog." Nightmare comments, his finger trailing from Dream's chest to his belly button, stopping just above it.

"And you always liked embarrassing me.." Dream responded without thinking twice. His tone blank as he tried to commit to the.. humping.

Nightmare snickered, his hand circling Dream's stomach. "I still do like it." He ends that short confession by sneaking fingers down Dream's bloomers. He didn't remove the bloomers.. he just.. had his fingers there.

Dream's face felt hot.

..Too hot for his liking.

Dream attempted to move past his embarrassment and continue to ride Nightmare's thigh as Nightmare still touched his body.

In a very teasing manner.

Nightmare was slipping his hands up past the bloomers, massaging Dream's skin then retreating. He does that.. several times.

Each time made Dream's heart flutter.

Nightmare glances up at Dream, "Come here.." He orders, causing Dream to lean down and connect their lips. Dream feels a splash of heat down below as he kissed Nightmare.

Nightmare's hands moved to his back and they were.. unusually sharp. As though Nightmare was transforming them.. 

"A-Aah! N-Night!" Dream speaks into Nightmare's mouth, separating to say something but the words die in both his brain and his mouth as Nightmare's sharp fingers trace his skin.

Dream's mind felt.. dazed. He was still subconsciously humping and it was.. tingly.

Nightmare's hands were on his hips suddenly, forcing him to pause. Nightmare then began to pull down the bloomers. Dream, embarrassingly, did nothing but watch as his lower clothing was stripped from him entirely and Dream was naked. Dream had actually moved as he needed to for Nightmare to take his clothes off.

Dream's hands find their way to Nightmare's pants, rubbing at the thin fabric. "Take it off.." Dream ordered, expecting Nightmare to listen.

Dream didn't expect to be forced down onto the bed.

He whined as his back suddenly made contact with the mattress and his brother loomed over him.

It made Dream feel very small.

On one hand, Dream wants Nightmare to do things to him like this.. on the other.. well, it was just Dream rubbing up on Nightmare until he finished.

Dream's inner thoughts were cut off by Nightmare's mouth meeting his own. He almost forgot what he had requested of Nightmare a bit earlier, however feeling the fabric rub up against Dream down there quickly reminded him but.. but now this rubbing was on Nightmare's terms, not his own.

It was sporadic, gentle, rough.. and very arousing.

Dream whimpered loudly into his kiss with Nightmare, panting against his mouth. "N-Night.. Nighty.. Nighty.." He whispers into his brother's mouth and Nightmare's response was to kiss Dream deeply for a brief moment multiple times, swallowing his noises.

Dream was so.. so close. He already was a tad sensitive from.. earlier. But this wasn't earlier where he was being fondled by tentacles.. in fact, Dream couldn't see them.

It was like the past.

Except..

Dream cups Nightmare's face, keeping him still as he moved back. Dream passes his hand over Nightmare's hair, tucking it behind his ear and revealing his other eye. Dream's heart and further below hurt as he saw the other eye.

It was purple but the colour was washed out, and there was a scar that ranged from Nightmare's forehead to right above his mouth. It passed right over his eye.

Nightmare stared at Dream, bringing one of his hands up and Dream grabs it by the wrist. "I want to see.." He mumbles, squeezing Nightmare's wrist.

Nightmare blinked, chuckling, "If that's what you wish.. it's been a long time since you've seen this side of my face, hm?" He croons, as Dream was rubbing the scar on his face.

The scar Dream gave Nightmare.

It was with his staff.. Dream didn't mean to do that to his face but it just.. the sharp end dragged itself along and.. Dream didn't know if he caused Nightmare's vision to be awful in that eye or not. It.. it..

"..I think I'll be covering it now." Nightmare stated, not asked, as he untucked his hair and it was pathetic how Dream did feel better despite being the one to do that.

Shockingly, that didn't kill his arousal.

Embarrassingly, it made it much stronger.

Dream was humiliatingly close to finishing especially since it was Nightmare rubbing up on him.

Dream could feel himself approaching an orgasm and his stomach buzzes with the realization as he thrusted himself against Nightmare too, whining.

Nightmare's hand pressed into Dream's stomach, "Finish." He orders Dream to do, his digits sinking into Dream's skin. 

Dream was embarrassed by how his body simply.. listened.

Dream was panting heavily, he glanced down to see that his stomach and Nightmare's hand were.. messy. Nightmare raised his hand to Dream's face and he understood what Nightmare wanted but..

Dream shoves Nightmare a tad, "M'not doing that.. you clean it.." He suggested mockingly.

To his surprise, Nightmare moved down and began using his tongue to lick up the mess on Dream's stomach. Dream gasped, keening as he feels the warm, wet tongue pass over his skin and.. and..

Dream finished again.

The mess was much less and it was immediately being lapped up by Nightmare.

"I-I thought you h-hated using your m-mouthh.." Dream commented as he kept Nightmare's head below. As though to prove Dream truly was wrong, he pressed his mouth to Dream's penis, giving it a brief kiss.

"It's neutral to me, I don't mind using it on you.. and I know you're perfectly clean." Nightmare whispers against Dream's flesh as he moved further and further below. Dream felt Nightmare going.. what was too low in his opinion.

"N-Nighty.. i-if you do that.. s-sstop.. I.. I need a second.." Dream was trying to warn Nightmare but he kept.. oh.. Dream pushes his head away almost aggressively, tears welled in his eyes.

Nightmare cooed, "Okay, I'll stop." He promised as he leaned down but instead of kissing Dream on the mouth.. he kisses the side of Dream's mouth and slowly moves down with his kisses, stopping at Dream's chest.

Dream was.. beyond flustered.

And his eyes felt so heavy.

Nightmare seemed to notice this, as he runs a hand through Dream's hair. "Close your eyes, everything will be sorted when you wake up again."

Dream whined, opening his mouth to argue but a kiss silences him.. a bite of his lip makes him whine but he tried not to think about how much he liked that.

Dream's eyes were drooping and.. and despite wanting to stay up.. the haze in his mind that had been lingering for.. however long now had finally caught up with him.

The last thing Dream felt was a kiss to his forehead.

Then he was out like a light.

Chapter Text

It was bright..

That's what beckons Dream to wake up this morning; the beams of sunlight streaming through the curtains.

Dream's whole body felt sore and.. and.. he shot up as he recalled last night. Dream's face was flushed deeply, he.. oh. It's one thing for Nightmare to just touch him but Dream.. Dream led so much and.. and the conversation..

Dream didn't know what to do or think.

"Up already..?" A quiet voice calls out from beside him and Dream looks to see Nightmare, yawning as he sat up.

It's now that Dream realizes he and Nightmare were in pajamas.

Nightmare looks at Dream, pressing his lips to Dream's own in a brief kiss. "It's early.. we can rest more." He spoke, hand on Dream's stomach as he tries to push him back into laying down with him.

Dream blinked, taking Nightmare's hand off, "Uhm.. I.. I don't really understand what's going on anymore." He's lost track of.. everything and.. and oh, stars. Mirage and Nyx, they.. they must both be so worried and yet here Dream was..

"I don't understand what you mean." Nightmare retorted as he made his way off of the bed, stretching his body with a few pops here and there.

Dream cringes at the noise.

"I.. well.. we.. we had.. sex.. and, sort of talked..? But.. but does that change anything..?" Dream has been fighting Nightmare for.. centuries upon centuries. He's been cleaning up the messes his brother makes for the longest time and yet now..

Nightmare hummed, "Well, I suppose it does. I've never quite had a goal besides bringing you home." He comments as he removed his pajamas in front of Dream, causing him to squeak and turn away.

"B.. Bringing me home..?" Dream wasn't sure what that meant.. Nightmare's vaguely talked about Dream giving up and joining him a few times.. he thinks..? It all gets lost in his mind.

"Mhm!~ By my side, that's home. I've been trying to do that for centuries but with the way you fight me, I get frustrated and retreat." Nightmare saying that actually explained a lot more than Dream thought it would. The way he just.. gave up and left sometimes even though he could have killed Dream.. he apparently didn't really want to.

"The one time I had gotten you here in my abode, you left before we could even truly talk." Nightmare continued, referring to the one time that Dream recalls being kidnapped. It was truly only that one time and he certainly didn't stick like he had now.

"..Right, okay.. but..but I have to go." Dream thinks he can say that.. it.. it seemed like Nightmare wasn't keeping him here. He told Dream earlier that he can leave whenever he wants.. and now he's beginning to believe it to actually be true.

"What? Why?" Nightmare looked back at him, half-dressed with a pout on his face. It was.. quite an unfamiliar sight. Not 'never seen before' but.. it was rare.

Dream wondered if he should.. if he should tell Nightmare about Mirage.

He lied earlier and earlier was.. filled with a lot and Dream still feels a lot but he's been gone for over a day and he's worried about Mirage.

Nyx is an adult who knows Dream can handle himself but Mirage must be so worried.. and Nyx must be at his wits' end with the boy.

Dream has to go back.

But can he say why?

"..Dream? You didn't say why." Nightmare pulls Dream back into reality and he feels a tad embarrassed by it.. he feels like this happens a lot.

"I.. I have a child to get home to." 

"..What?" Nightmare's anger was palpable and it's brings the most amount of fear Dream has felt since getting here.

"A-Adopted. He uhm.. he's my ward.. I took him in and I had someone watching him but I.. I have to go back, you know?" Dream clarifies, watching the way Nightmare's anger seemed to settle immediately. That was scary.. why did he get so mad at that?

"Oh, is that so? Is this that child you saved? Mirage or something. I figured you wouldn't leave him in a hospital but to take him yourself? My." Nightmare was now fully dressed as he sauntered over to Dream's side, petting his head.

"Hm.. I suppose you can bring him here." Nightmare commented as his hand trailed down to Dream's chin, tilting his head up.

Dream blinked, "What..? Bring him here..?" He didn't understand. Why would Dream bring him here? That didn't make sense.

"To stay with you, of course. Unless you wish to give him away, either way I have no qualms."

Dream's mind went blank.. stay with him..? Stay with him.. here? Oh.. oh.. wait.

"But I'm not staying here." Dream denied, feeling his heart drop a bit at the way Nightmare's face contorted into a grimace.

"And why not?"

"I.. well, I.. I.." Dream tried to give a reason but he truly couldn't think of one. Whatever life he used to have outside of Nightmare was something that he cut off a long time ago. All he had now was Mirage and.. Nyx and the others. But Nightmare was allowing Mirage to stay here..

"..I just.. I.. it's too quick.. I can't.. I don't feel.. like I should live here with you." Dream mumbled the words, gripping the blanket on his lap. He felt.. like it was too fast. Dream didn't even.. really work out all his problems with Nightmare. Dream just.. kissed him and it went away for a night..

Nightmare leaned down, placing himself at an angle where Dream's lowered head could see him. "If that's what you wish, then fine. We'll go back to the same old song and dance." His expression and his tone was cold.

Dream felt sick at that.

"I.. I-I didn't mean it like that! I just.. we can see each other. I just.. I just don't want to live with you yet.." Dream spoke softly, cupping Nightmare's face in his hands—his eyes stinging with budding tears.

Nightmare blinked, turning his face and nuzzling into Dream's palm, kissing it. "Hm.. I see. I'll accept that." He whispers into Dream's hand, pressing even more kisses to it.

Dream breathed a sigh of relief, squishing Nightmare's face. "Yes.. yes. I.. well, you broke my phone.. so I have to get a new one but I'll give you my number when I do." Dream is going to feel very bad telling Nyx that he broke the phone he gave him.. again, permanently this time.

"No need for a phone. We aren't common, Dream." Nightmare spoke softly as he stood up straight, walking away from Dream and going to one of the many bookshelves.

Dream watches Nightmare take a book and open it up, revealing that it wasn't actually a book.. but instead a container that appeared like a book. Dream couldn't see what was inside but Nightmare pulled something out then put the 'book' back.

Nightmare sits down on the edge of the bed and presents a necklace to Dream. One side was a golden crescent moon and the other was a dark sun. Both looked very ornate and delicate.. Nightmare pulls them apart and it's only then that Dream realizes that they were two separate necklaces.

Nightmare takes the moon necklace, leaning in close to Dream to put it on him. Dream allowed him to, his face felt a bit hot.

Nightmare puts the sun side on himself.

"Thank you..?" Dream wasn't sure how this correlated to what they were talking about before but it was a lovely gift.. he liked it.

Nightmare smiled, playing with the pendant of Dream's necklace, "When you pour your magic into this, I'll come find you. Vice versa."

Dream blinked, tilting his head, "How does that work?" He doesn't understand how that would work.. the necklace seems.. pretty normal besides the way that it's put on.

Nightmare smiled, "They're a pair, so when you put magic into yours, mine will glow and resonate, vice versa." He demonstrated by holding the pendant of his necklace and pouring magic into it.

Dream's pendant began to glow and vibrate on his collarbone. It also felt oddly warm. Even after Nightmare stopped pouring magic into his, it kept doing that. Before Dream could ask, Nightmare connects their pendants together and the pendant's glow subsided and the shaking ceased.

"It'll only stop once the two are connected and it gets brighter and vibrates quicker the closer the pendants are to each other." Nightmare explained, which mostly answered Dream's questions. It seemed rather.. indirect in a way but it also was much more of an intimate way of contacting each other.

Nightmare leaned in close and Dream could feel his brother's breath on his face. "There's one more thing I didn't mention but.. I'll save that for the next time I see you." He whispers, caressing the moon pendant.

Dream's face felt very hot.

Dream nodded along, "O-Okay.. uhm.. thank you.." He expresses his gratitude once more and that earned him a kiss to his mouth.

"Good boy~" Nightmare praised before he pulled away, standing up straight.

"Now, let's get you breakfast and then you may go back to your child." Nightmare spoke and Dream knew that was an order, not a request.

He could eat.

With that, he followed Nightmare out to the dining room to eat breakfast.

Breakfast was.. relatively quiet. It was just the two of them eating in silence but Dream strangely didn't find that uncomfortable.. it was nice.

Then he was given clothes to go in as Nightmare said he couldn't leave in the pajamas.. Nightmare also embarrassingly helped Dream put them on.

Dream sighed softly, giving Nightmare a kiss to his cheek, "If my portal doesn't work, will you carry me to where I need to go?" He asked shyly, just preparing for the possibility.

Nightmare chuckled, "Alright." He didn't say anything more, simply agreeing.

Dream gave a nod and attempted to open a portal. Unlike yesterday, it actually worked. He half expected it not to.. but it did. Dream gave Nightmare another kiss to his cheek, placating him as much as possible before he left. 

"I'll see you soon.." Dream whispers.. receiving a brief kiss on the mouth.

"Hurry along before I change my mind." Nightmare teased but Dream didn't want to actually test those words thus he hurriedly left through the portal.

Dream sighed softly as his eyes fell on that familiar neon sign.

He was back.

He's going to have to explain a lot.. he's not looking forward to that.

Dream sighs quietly as he made his way to the back entrance. He's going to have to try and find them within that maze.. he doesn't have any money to try and get a room with any of them.

Dream enters the building and immediately he copies the path to that room Misery treated him in so long ago.. Dream got the room right but.. no Misery.

Oh.. this is going to suck.

Dream then began the tedious process of simply trying doors. Most were locked, those that were unlocked were empty.. knocking didn't do anything either, no one was answering when he did. Was anyone even here? There had to be someone here. Why else was the back door unlocked?

Eventually, Dream feels a weight slam itself into his leg from behind. He looked back to see.. Mirage.

Dream breathed a sigh of relief to see him safe and sound. Mirage was crying, babbling into his leg and Dream scoops him up.. with Mirage now crying into his chest. "Oh, baby.. it's okay, daddy's here.." He reassures, kissing his forehead as he glanced around for anyone.

"Mirage!" Around the corner he hears a voice calling for Mirage, it sounded like.. 

Around the corner came Nyx, panting, and clearly out of breath. He paused when he saw Dream.

"..Dream? I.. y-you're here!" Nyx spoke with such relief in his voice as he hastily approached, looking over Dream's body.

"Y-You're not hurt, are you?" Nyx was so concerned for Dream and it made his heart feel warm. He liked having the concern.. even though he didn't like making Nyx or Mirage worry.

"I'm not hurt.. I'm perfectly okay." Dream reassures, leaning in and kissing Nyx's cheek. Mirage swipes at Nyx though, which makes Dream step back.

"Mira-" Dream was about to scold Mirage but..

"Wait ya turn! Let me hav' a moment!" Mirage yells, clutching Dream's chest and keeping him close. Dream blinked, oh.. oh dear. This was.. he didn't know how to approach this.

Nyx chuckled, luckily, addressing Dream once more, "I'm glad you're okay.. we were worried sick.." He says softly, keeping his hands to himself as dictated by Mirage.

Dream nodded, "I'm sorry.. where are the others? I'll let them know I'm okay too." He wasn't quite sure how Mirage even found him.. but he can tell the others he's okay.

Nyx blinked, giving Dream an awkward smile, "The.. the thing is.. they don't know that you were missing.. I.. I didn't want to worry them so I told them you had just left Mirage with us for a bit." He explained, shamefully.

Dream supposed that made sense, and it was very noble, but..

"..You told Mirage?" Dream couldn't see why else Mirage was having this strong of a reaction to seeing him when he knew he'd be gone.

"He was there with me when I got the call and it was on loudspeaker.." Nyx shamefully elucidates how Mirage knew he was missing.

"..Ah. I understand." Dream says softly as he re-adjusts Mirage in his grip. He kisses his little face, all teary and red.

"Daddy made you worry.. I'm sorry about that.. will you forgive daddy?" Dream whispers to Mirage, whose face swells up in a pout. He huffed, taking a hold of Dream's face and pressing his lips to Dream's forehead.

"I'll forgive ya jus' this once.." Mirage mumbles, nuzzling their foreheads together right after. Dream couldn't help but smile, holding Mirage still as he pressed kisses to his stomach, making his teary baby giggle a lot.

It was.. lovely.

Dream missed this so much.

He didn't realize how much until he had Mirage in his hands and Nyx by his side.

Dream notices that Nyx's eyes had began focusing on his neck.. he was certainly wondering where the necklace came from, Dream was sure. He didn't have it when he left, after all..

As Dream was about to open his mouth, he feels Mirage's little hands on his necklace.. he didn't mind it but Mirage pulls on the little top part that Nightmare had used to secure it around his neck. The necklace instantly tightened around his neck and he whined a little.

Mirage's hands moved away from the area like he had been burnt as he stares at Dream, mouth open in shock. "Wh.. what's this..?" He asked and now Dream definitely had to explain it but..

Dream didn't know why it tightened like that.. was that what Nightmare was referring to when he said 'other feature?'

That's...

Dream cleared his throat, "Uhm.. the necklace was a gift.. apparently it tightens a bit too easily but.. it.. it's a gift." He explained which got a round of confused stares.

Nyx was the first to ask a question. 

"A gift from who exactly?" 

"My.. my brother." Dream felt very ashamed to say this aloud. Especially with the way Nyx was staring with utter disbelief.

"W-We made up! We talked it out.. kinda.. and this was his gift! It's a pair and.. and.. mm." Dream didn't like the look he was getting from Nyx.. Mirage just seemed a bit confused but he didn't know the depth of.. everything. Even if he did, he was too young to understand.

"Oh, Dream.." Nyx said that with so much pity.

Dream wasn't one to be pitied.. so why was he..?

"I.. It worked out.. I talked with him..it.. it was different. I know him, I know when it's different.." Dream tries to defend but that look of pity was distracting him from being able to make a good point at all.

"..Please don't look at me like that." Dream whispered, unconsciously pressing Mirage closer to his chest as he took a step back.

Nyx blinked, that look of pity being replaced by surprise for a brief moment.. only to return to pity once more.

"Dream.." He called out softly, speaking his name with that.. that tone of voice.

Dream didn't..

He didn't like that.

It made him feel like he made the wrong decision.

Or that he somehow didn't know any better.

..He didn't like it.

"Dream.." Nyx called out again, suddenly much closer, his hand on Dream's shoulder.

Dream didn't like this at all.. Nyx was just.. he was looking at him strangely. It was a strange situation but.. Dream.. Dream understood what he was doing.

Dream brushed Nyx's hand off of his shoulder, "Please don't.." He muttered, unable to say anything more to get whatever was happening here to stop.

When Nyx tried to approach again, Mirage swiped at him. Dream didn't try to scold him for it. Mirage huffed, turning to nuzzle into his daddy.

Nyx's face scrunched up a bit, "Dream.. please, let's just talk as adults.. privately. I'll have one of the boys watch Mirage." He tried to convince Dream but he didn't feel like talking when Nyx had that.. expression.

Dream also didn't feel like leaving Mirage alone after being away from him for.. however long.

But Dream didn't say anything and apparently that invited Nyx to take hold of his arm. "Please.." He spoke so softly and Mirage was about to swipe at Nyx again but this time, Dream intercepts it.

"..Okay, we can talk." Dream muttered, this was truly the last thing he wanted after everything he went through already. He's had his difficult conversations already but now he had to have another one.

Dream can do this.

He can explain.

It's the least he could do.

Dream allows Nyx to lead him somewhere private.. he assumed Nyx would get someone to take Mirage.. but he didn't. Dream guessed it didn't look very plausible with how Mirage was clinging onto him and him Mirage.

Dream just trailed behind Nyx, then suddenly they were in a little room.. that looked vaguely like a dressing room. Nyx also locked the door when they entered.

Hm...

Dream sits down on the small couch in the room, Nyx sitting down beside him. Mirage was sat in his lap, clinging to him. Dream holds Mirage, bouncing him in his lap.

"..So, how did.. you two 'make up' exactly?" Nyx started gently, he was looking at Dream with that pituful look again.

Dream's face started to feel hot as he recalled how he technically made up with Nightmare.

But he couldn't say that.

"..We talked. Honestly.. I kind of just.. yelled at him and he answered my questions. He was.. just so different than how I remembered and it made me question if I remembered.. right." Dream was very.. frankly, rude to Nightmare. It wasn't unfounded, he kidnapped him and.. and everything else but he was being spiteful with how he talked.. and Nightmare answered everything calmly.

It was such.. a complicated situation.

..Nyx wasn't saying anything.

Dream glanced at him, his expression was hard to describe but it wasn't one that he liked to see.

It just.. what other word could Dream use to describe that expression but pity?

Nyx took a deep breath in before he started to speak, "Okay, so.. you talked.. but that doesn't change how he used to treat you, still treats you.. that call I got was terrifying but now you're saying you 'made up'?" 

Dream felt guilt start to bubble up inside him. He.. he guessed he didn't think about how it'd look to others. He's never.. really had to worry about it, since he's isolated himself for.. so long.

"I.. I know. I'm sorry.. he was a bit upset that I found people like him and was.. doing things. He doesn't know you all are versions of each other, though." Dream explained why that phone call had went so terribly. Although he doubts it would have gone that much better if it was anyone else.

"..Right, and you said you talked? What was it about?" 

Dream looks down at Mirage in his lap, his child appeared very concerned for him and he shouldn't be hearing any of this but.. but he can't put him elsewhere. Dream wants to hold his baby.

Dream sighed, "My childhood, mostly.. and his too." He murmured the response, gently pressing Mirage's head into his chest, like it would hide his words.

"You know about mine.. but, truth be told.. it's hazy to me. I only remember a few stand out moments and stand out things. I thought what I remembered was right but I'm not even sure anymore.." Dream didn't like being so.. unaware of his own past. What he remembered did happen. Nightmare confirmed it.

But maybe it wasn't as bad as Dream thought.

Nyx hummed thoughtfully, taking in Dream's words. "I understand.. but what about your memories of him treating you nicely?"

Dream flinched, he looked down at the ground, "Well.. I just didn't want you to feel bad about being a version of him. I don't remember moments like that very well but.. I don't think it was fully a lie." He whispered, holding Mirage ever closer to him.

If Dream held him any closer then Mirage and him might become fused.

"..Okay, and what did he say of his childhood?" Nyx brought the topic back on track which Dream was grateful for.

Dream didn't want to divulge into his vague memories any more than he already has.

"He said a lot.. he didn't go into detail of any one thing but.. he said he used to get.." Dream trails off, looking down at Mirage. Dream covers Mirage's ears with his hands, it might not work fully but it made him feel better about speaking.

"He said that he used to be physically assaulted.. that it ranged on sexual.. and.. that he used to be made fun of. That the villagers denied him services or gave him faulty or expired products. That he.. got invited to things to be a joke.. and.. yeah." Dream tried his best to recall what he was told and state it verbatim but.. he was beginning to learn his memory wasn't all that he thought it was.

Nyx nodded slowly, "Right.. but that doesn't excuse what he did to you, even though he went through a lot." He said the exact same thing that Dream had said to Nightmare.

Dream glanced at Nyx, but kept his focus on the ground. "He said he tried his best.. that he wanted to make me happy.. that, that eating the apple was the only way to get away from her and.. and I feel like I believe that." His voice cracks a bit at the end as he spoke, causing Dream to hastily clear his throat.

"..I don't know about this, Dream."

Dream wryly laughs, "Me either.. but I just.. I'm not any better so why.. why shouldn't I give him a chance? He.. he's trying, he's.. listening. He's making amends in the way that he knows how.. which is truly a strange way but.."

Dream didn't mean to ramble, but he did. That ramble ended only when Nyx put a hand on his shoulder.

"And the.. necklace?" Nyx murmured, focused on how snugly it was against Dream's neck after Mirage pulled it.

Dream's face flushed, "I know what you might be thinking.. but it's a pair. His is the exact same besides the pendant." He explained, observing the way Nyx's eyes slightly go wide before they return to normal.

"..I see." 

Dream nodded, "Mhm."

It was quiet for a moment.

"If.. If this is what you want to do, I think that's.. lovely. But just.. keep your guard up a bit, okay?" Nyx spoke softly, rubbing Dream's back in circles. He wasn't questioning anymore and for that Dream was glad.

Dream nodded, finally releasing Mirage's ears. He turns to Nyx and kisses his cheek, "Thank you for worrying about me, Nyx. I think I'll be going now. Also, thank you for watching Mirage."

Dream gets up with Mirage in his arms. Nyx stood beside Dream, giving him a kiss to his cheek back.. and then one to Mirage. Mirage giggled a little at the kiss he received, blowing one to Nyx. Dream can never quite tell how Mirage feels about Nyx, honestly.

"I'll come back and talk with everyone later.. I just.. need to be home with my baby for a bit." Dream felt bad for not talking with everyone else about all that happened but truth be told.. he wasn't ready to talk about it all. Talking with Nyx was already so much.

Nyx gives him this small smile, pressing his forehead to Dream's, "That's okay.. come back when you're ready, alright?" He spoke so softly.. so sweetly. Dream felt his eyes tear up a bit.

Dream kisses Nyx on the cheek before he turns away, "I.. I'll be going now. Farewell, Nyx." He gave his goodbyes as he opened a portal.

"Bye-bye, Nyxie!" Mirage very cutely gave his goodbyes as well.

Nyx gave them both a smile and a short wave, "Farewell."

Dream stared for only a moment before he left through a portal with Mirage. 

Dream sighed shakily as he observed his home. It wasn't messy but it definitely needed airing out and cleaning.. and.. Dream walks over to his couch, plopping onto it with Mirage in his lap. Dream pets Mirage's head, Mirage smiles at him, nuzzling into his chest.

Dream breathed in then out, "..Okay, you want to help daddy clean up? Then we can relax together, hm?" He suggests and Mirage perked up. Mirage was one of the only children he's ever met that got excited about cleaning up.

Mirage nodded, getting up off of Dream, "Yes!! Let's open the windows first!" He suggested, pulling Dream over to the windows. Mirage was too short to open them so this was Dream's job.

Together, they tidied up the home.

It was nothing too grand. Just airing out the place and cleaning up the bedroom specifically, as that was where they slept. The place got a little dusting, no mopping today, and the sheets were changed.. and that was it.

Now it was bath time.

Dream was knelt on the floor, helping Mirage out of his clothes. Mirage seemed very excited to take a bath. Dream puts Mirage into the tub but he whined, clinging to Dream.

"Bathe with meeee.." Mirage whined, and Dream never had the heart to deny him.. and especially not after leaving him alone for who knows how long.

Dream kisses Mirage's forehead as he removed his clothes. He paused at the necklace, debating if to remove it.. but he decided to keep it on as he sat in the tub with Mirage. Mirage crawled into his lap and leaned back into him. Dream smiles, rubbing his tummy.

"..Daddy?" 

"Mhm?" 

"Did you.. make up with your brother..?" Mirage asked quietly, turning to look at Dream, though his gaze fell to the necklace around Dream's neck. Still snug against it as Dream wasn't too sure how to loosen it.

Dream paused, nodding slowly, "Yes, I did.. does that make you upset, baby?" He questioned, petting Mirage's head. Mirage nearly died because of Nightmare, he had every right to be upset about it.

But Mirage shook his head.

"No! M'happy ya made up! You're brothers, so ya shouldn't fight!" Mirage spoke and it was.. an adorably childish view. It was so innocent. Despite how mature Mirage acted at times.. he was just a baby.

Dream nodded slowly, kissing Mirage's forehead, "You're right.. but you don't have to like him, okay?" He didn't want to force Mirage to like him.

That wouldn't be right.

Mirage hummed, "Mhm! I gottit! But if he's like daddy, I think I'll like 'im." He comments, leaning forward to rub his face in Dream's chest.

Oh.

..Oh.

Dream pets Mirage's head, if he's like him, huh? That's.. well, Dream didn't know about that at all.

At all.

Dream decided to put those thoughts away and focus on the bath. It was quiet.. and Dream tried to make it a bit quick as truthfully.. he just wanted to lay down in his own bed for.. a while.

The bath was done in no time, as was dressing for bed. It was the middle of the day here but.. but Dream got into bed and Mirage got in with him.

Dream laid flat on his back, with Mirage laying on his chest. He rubs Mirage's back, watching the way that his baby almost instantly fell asleep. He must have been so tired. Just like him.

..Just like him.

Dream's mind felt heavy and overloaded. He had so much to think about still.. nothing was ever really simple, was it? As much as he wanted it to be.

Dream decided to empty his mind and close his eyes.

For now, he can just rest.

That's all that he wanted to do right now.

Chapter Text

Dream woke up to this brightness, that wasn't like sunlight coming in through the curtains, and a vibration on his neck.

Dream's eyes fluttered open, but he couldn't see the problem.. oh, right. Dream groggily tugs at the pendant, and that does make it loosen from the grip it had around his neck. The pendant was vibrating a little bit, not a whole lot but enough to wake Dream up.. and it was glowing.

..Nightmare was calling him back already?

Dream groaned, he tried to tug the necklace off but it didn't work.. he has to actually attempt to take it off but he was too tired for that. Dream looks down at Mirage, whose eyes were beginning to flutter open.

Mirage yawns, a yawn so big that he has to stretch out his arms as he does. Mirage rubs his eye as he sat up on Dream's chest, looking at the glowing and vibrating pendant in his hand.

"..issit broken..?" Mirage questioned with that sleepy tone of voice as he leaned in to inspect it, not understanding why it was doing that.

Dream understood why, though.

"..No, it's working as intended.." Dream mumbles as he lets go of the pendant, instead securing his arms around Mirage as he sat up. It's then that he places Mirage to lay down, rubbing his stomach and making him giggle.

"Mimi.. do you want to go with daddy to visit his brother? You don't have to if you don't want to.. but.. maybe just try it once and then if you don't like it, I'll find someone to watch you until I come back?" Dream felt like that made sense. Just to.. try it once and then if Mirage can't find it in himself to tolerate or like Nightmare then he'll just have the others watch him.

Mirage sleepily blinks, he raises his hands to Dream, trying to grab his face. Dream leans in a tad to get his face snatched by Mirage, who pulls him in to kiss his forehead.

"I wanna go!" Mirage proclaims, a bright, sleepy smile on his face.

Dream felt.. just a bit lighter seeing it. He leaned in, kissing Mirage's forehead, "Okay, baby.. then we'll get ready and go, hm?"

Mirage nodded very quickly, "Mhmmhm!!" He seemed excited, which Dream truly didn't expect.. maybe he just liked the idea of going somewhere new..

..Dream should really take Mirage out more.

In any case.. Dream had to make breakfast for them.

The process was rather simple.. Dream didn't make anything too complicated for breakfast. All he made was fried eggs paired with just a little salad.

Dream did have to go into the town and buy fresh food, as he didn't trust the food that was left in the fridge because he didn't know how long he was gone.. so that was.. a tad annoying but it was for his baby.

Once breakfast was finished and both him and Mirage were full, Dream went right into getting their clothes sorted.

Dream wasn't too sure what to wear.. he, truthfully, didn't have a variety of clothes. He just had many duplicates of what he liked to wear. Mirage's outfit wasn't an issue, he put him in these little overalls that Dream bought because Mirage asked. He had also sewn on the stars on the patch at Mirage's request. He hurt his fingers a lot for it but it was worth it.

So Mirage was taken care of.

As for Dream, he ended up going with a loose sweater and a comfortable pair of long pants beneath them. That was it. He didn't look as cute as Mirage but he did look presentable.

At least he hopes so.

Because Nightmare dresses like nobility still living in the time they grew up in.

Which was a hard threshold to pass.

Regardless, Dream was ready, and so was Mirage, thus, Dream set off.

Dream's portals were a complicated thing that he himself didn't really understand. He can make a portal to most universes.. he isn't sure what determines him being able to go there but he knows that it's easier for him to find where he needs to go if he's seen the sun in that universe.

Dream has seen the sun where Nightmare resides. Not directly but the sunlight should count, maybe.

Dream closed his eyes and tried to focus on the feeling that the world Nightmare resides in gave him. It didn't take long for a portal to open up. Thus Dream scoops Mirage up and steps through the portal.

Stepping through revealed a very.. ornate room.

..Huh.

The pendant of his necklace started to glow brighter and vibrate more aggressively.

It was like a game of hot and cold.

Dream steps out of the very ornate room to reveal.. a hallway. It looked.. it looked like the same one that Dream had woken up in. How odd. Dream didn't even see sunlight in this room yet.. hm. Dream holds Mirage close to him as he walked out of the hallway. 

If he remembers right..

Ah, it's the dining room.

With a lot of food already there.

..No Nightmare, though.

Dream was going to start searching elsewhere until he was turned around, a distinct click filling his ears. Nightmare was smiling at him.. and that little click was the pendants locking in place with one another. All that glowing and vibrating suddenly just stopped.

"I'm glad to see you arrived safe and sound, hm?" Nightmare spoke with a grin as he pulled pendants apart, his hands moving to cup Dream's face.

Dream's face felt hot, "Mm.. mhm. Uhm.. right, this is.. this is Mirage, my child." He spoke softly as he backed up a bit, gesturing to the child in his arms.

Nightmare's smile widens as he leaned down, holding his hand out to Mirage, who hesitantly takes a hold of it. Nightmare kisses the back of Mirage's hand.

"It's a pleasure to officially meet you, Mirage. I do apologize about our last meeting." Nightmare spoke softly as he lets go of Mirage.

Mirage's face was a bit flushed as he pulled his hand back to his chest. He gave a little nod, "S'okay.." He mumbled, receiving a small pat on the head from Nightmare.

Nightmare hums a little tune as he went to the head of the table, taking a seat, "Have you eaten already?" He questioned, eyeing Dream as he walked over and took the seat beside him.

"We have.. but I can eat some more. How about you, Mimi?" Dream looks down at Mirage in his lap, who gave him this little smile.

"I can eat dessert!" Mirage claims, nuzzling into Dream's chest very happily. He was too cute.

Dream gives Nightmare a little smile, but was unspeaking. Nightmare gives him a smile back.

"Well, dessert isn't an issue. I wouldn't want you all to eat something you don't want." Nightmare spoke as a tendril slithered out from behind him and rang this.. bell that was far away. In almost an instant, people came out to take away the food that was already on the table. They were so quick about it too. Only one man stopped by Nightmare and Dream barely hears Nightmare speaking to him about dessert and then they were just all.. gone.

Dream breathes out slowly, "I.. didn't know people worked here." He commented, it made sense but he's never actually seen anyone here besides Nightmare.

Nightmare chuckled, "Of course, it's a very large residence. My staff tend to stay out of the eye when guests are here, though."

"..You get guests?"

"Well, I have two right now." Nightmare replied, crossing his arms, looking at him rather..quizzically.

Dream couldn't help the laugh that escaped him. 

What an expression for his brother.

His brother..

Dream cleared his throat, "Well, uhm.. I've.. never actually gotten a tour of the place. Maybe we can do that after dessert?" He suggested, watching the way that Nightmare's eye lit up with intrigue.

"That sounds delightful~ The place is rather expansive, are you up for walking a lot?" Nightmare questioned, twirling a strand of his own hair as he eyed Dream.

Dream felt his face get a bit hot, for some reason. "..Of course. Yes.. uhm.. Mirage, are you okay, baby?" He questioned, pivoting to his child as, well, he looked a bit bored.

"M'okay! Jus' a lil bored." Mirage answered truthfully as he leaned back into Dream, staring at him with a little smile.

Dream wondered what he could do about that.. maybe he should have left Mirage in the others' care rather than bringing him along.

Before Dream could doubt his decisions any longer, he notices a cart being rolled in with desserts on a tray. They looked to be.. parfaits?

It was very.. pretty, and fancy.

Dream thanked the worker who put the two parfaits down in front of him and Mirage. He got a slight nod in response before the worker hastily left. Although he did notice that Nightmare didn't have one.

"..Not hungry?" Dream questioned as he started scooping up a bit of the parfait and feeding it to Mirage before himself.

Nightmare leaned in, "It's not that, I just have a baby to feed." He coos as he took Dream's parfait, scooping up a bit and holding the spoon in front of his mouth in the exact same manner that Dream had just been doing for Mirage.

Dream's face felt hot as he shamefully ate the bite Nightmare offered him.

It wasn't just one bite either.. for every bite Dream fed Mirage, Nightmare fed Dream. That's how it was until both the desserts were done.

Dream felt so embarrassed.. yet weirdly, very warm on the inside.. despite all the ice cream he just ate.

"How about that tour now?" Nightmare suggested with a grin.

Nightmare got up, walking out and Dream followed with Mirage still in his arms. Nightmare walked rather slowly, as though allowing Dream to take in the scenery, which he did. Everything about Nightmare's residence was just.. ornate. Everything was simply detailed down to the very last dot.

It was quite nice to look at.

Eventually, Nightmare led them outside to what seemed to be a garden. There was a large wall surrounding the perimetre but it still looked to be outside.

The garden was vast.. Dream doesn't think he's seen this much nature in.. such a long time. There were a lot of plants that invoked.. memories. Not anything direct but he remembered a few.. like those buttercups.

Nightmare called him that at times.

Dream shook his head a little, following Nightmare as he seemed to head straight to a specific thing in the garden. Dream only found out what when Nightmare stopped.

It was a stump of a tree.

A very large one.

It was..

"..Why do you have this?" Dream asked softly as he puts Mirage down. He approached the stump, bending down and running his fingers along the rings of the stump.

"Well, just because I wanted to be able to leave her doesn't mean that I wasn't fond of her. She is the reason we exist." Nightmare answered softly as he bent down beside Dream, rubbing his back.

Dream's heart ached, yet.. not as much as he thought it would. He does have memories underneath the tree.. but they're vague. They're all vague.

"..I don't remember much about her." Dream mumbled as he rested his arms on the stump, then his head on his arms.

Nightmare gave a small chuckle as he copied Dream's position. "There isn't much to remember about her." He spoke softly, his eye boring into Dream's own two.

"..I don't remember much as a whole. I thought I did..but everything.. is just.. hazy. All I can clearly remember was the bad.. and the good is there but it's so.. foggy. It all is, even the bad." Dream admits quietly, feeling tears well up in his eyes. He couldn't help it. Dream felt.. crazy.

He felt crazy.

Dream's memories being so foggy meant that he wasn't sure what was fact.. or fiction. 

It's terrifying to not be able to trust his own mind.

Nightmare's eye widened in surprise, he reaches out to Dream, cupping his cheek and rubbing it with his thumb. "You don't remember much.. no wonder you've been this way." He whispered, sounding.. almost relieved. Like he had figured something out.

Nightmare scoots a bit closer, pressing his forehead to Dream's, "I can tell you everything you've forgotten and more, Dreamy." He whispers, speaking so softly to him.

Dream wanted to know.. but he was also scared to know.

Dream had built this opinion solely on what he thought he knew.. he wasn't sure if he could handle the actual truth.

There was also this pit in his stomach that kept wondering if Nightmare would lie about their past to him.

A seed of doubt casted towards Nightmare.. and Dream's own decision.

Dream wasn't sure if he planted that seed.

Or how much justification it had.

Dream cups Nightmare's cheek, keeping his brother against him for just.. a bit longer. "..Okay, another time. When I'm by myself." He accepts the offer, but postpones it, separating himself from Nightmare.

Dream wipes his face, it was a bit wet. He takes a deep breath in, then out, before he scoops up Mirage. Dream presses kisses all over Mirage, observing the way the concern left his face and was replaced with glee at the affection he received.

That's better.

His baby deserved to be happy.

Nightmare stood up straight, dusting himself off, "Well, shall we move this tour elsewhere?" He questioned with this polite smile.

Dream nodded, as did Mirage.

"We shall." Dream answered with a little smile, feeling joy bubble up in him when Nightmare chuckled.

He didn't know why that made him so happy to hear.

..Dream just supposed he liked hearing people laugh.

The rest of the tour went rather smoothly.. there wasn't anything else that affected Dream.

The last stop was surprisingly Nightmare's chambers.

Dream didn't think that would be included in a tour, but it was. 

Upon entry, Dream lets Mirage down. Mirage didn't stray too far from him but he seemed to be staring at the bookshelves. Nightmare appeared to take notice of this, bending down to Mirage's level as he speaks with him.

"Do you like to read, Mirage?" Nightmare questioned with this small, polite smile on his face.

Mirage clung to Dream's pants, gripping them a bit, "I dunno.. I dun' really know how ta.." He admits, hanging his head a bit low as he nuzzled into Dream.

Nightmare blinked, staring at Mirage for a moment before he looked at Dream, "You haven't been educating him?" He questioned, appearing surprised at that fact and Dream felt his face flush in shame.

"Well.. I.. I had been busy.. and I'm not.. the best at that.." Dream isn't illiterate, but he does struggle just a tad bit with reading. Simple arithmetic Dream understood very well but reading and reading out loud.. well, he took a long second to comprehend at times.

Nightmare sighed, "Mirage, how high up can you count to?" He asked as he stood up, dusting himself off. Mirage's face flushed a bit deeper as he tried to hide into Dream.

"Uhm.. a hundred.." Mirage claimed, unconfidently and it didn't seem to convince Nightmare whatsoever. 

"Oh, Dream.. you have to teach children these things early. It gets harder to learn as they get older, you know?" Nightmare scolded a tad as his tendrils moved behind him.. going to a bookshelf and taking a book out.

Dream recognizes the book, it was the one Nightmare had read to him that night. It did seem to be a children's book but he felt like it was a bit too complicated for Mirage to read..

Yet Nightmare scooped Mirage up into his arms, causing Dream and Mirage to panic a bit.

"N-Night-" Dream approached, reaching out to take Mirage from Nightmare but Nightmare went and sat down in an armchair that he had in his room. Dream got sat in Nightmare's lap, sitting in between his legs and Nightmare placed Mirage on top of Dream. It was quite the sandwich of peoole..

Nightmare didn't waste any time, he opened the book and began to read to Mirage.

As Nightmare read, Dream realized that Mirage actually seemed engrossed in the story, unlike what Dream would have expected.

Maybe he just didn't know the age demographic of fairytales..

Dream hadn't been entirely focused as this book had been read to him before. He started focusing when he was hearing things that he hadn't before. Dream believed that he had stopped the story when the dragon went to find the prince.

Now, in the story, the dragon had found the prince.

The prose was simple and repeating but Dream struggled to catch it.. maybe because Mirage kept pausing to ask Nightmare questions. Which was perfectly okay and Nightmare answered kindly.. but it definitely didn't keep him captivated. He wasn't entirely focused on the story but he understood what was happening due to the illustrations and skimming the words.

The dragon was begging the prince to return with him, back into his captivity.. and the prince refuses. The dragon explained to the prince that all he wanted was his heart, that he wanted nothing more than that. The illustration had the prince with a flushed face, contemplating the dragon's confession.

The prince accepted to go back but only under the condition that he wasn't a captive, and instead the dragon's equal.. and that the dragon will no longer steal from others or terrorize kingdoms.. that he'd be loyal to the prince and the prince alone.

The dragon accepted those conditions.

And they lived happily ever after.

Dream thought it was sweet, Nightmare's reading voice made him sleepy, though.. he had truly only gotten a bit of the story, paraphrasing it in his head. Mirage seemed to truly enjoy the book, though.

Nightmare pets Mirage's head, "You can have the book." He spoke, and Mirage's eyes lit up as he clutched the book to his chest. 

"Th.. Thank you!" Mirage showed his gratitude for Nightmare's decision, shuffling closer to Nightmare and kissing his cheek.

Nightmare blinked, giving Mirage a small smile. He leans onto Dream's back, placing his head right in the crook of Dream's neck, which made him feel a bit shy.

"You have such a cute boy, Dream.. savour these young moments while you have them." Nightmare advises, pressing a kiss to Dream's neck. 

That didn't last very long as Nightmare's head was pushed back by Mirage's little hand. Or.. well, Mirage attempted to by pressing his hand to Nightmare's forehead.

"Dun' do that.." Mirage mumbled with the biggest pout on his face. It was odd because Dream thought Mirage liked Nightmare.

"What's wrong, baby?" Dream asked quietly as he rubs Mirage's back. Mirage seemed to loosen up the second Dream touched him and he rubbed his face into Dream's chest, yawning.

"M'tired.. let's go home.." Mirage mumbled, showing a lot of exhaustion all of a sudden. Dream supposed that reading took a lot out of the poor boy.

Dream glanced at Nightmare, "Well, I don't wanna push him so.. I'll go now but.. I'll be back soon. I.. I want to hear about.. y'know.." He whispers, and despite what he may have thought.. Dream got a smile in response.

Nightmare leaned in and kissed Dream's cheek, "Alright, I shall see you soon, then?" He asked, hand on Dream's stomach. Dream felt his face heat up as Nightmare rubbed his stomach in circles.

Dream hastily stood up with Mirage in his arms, nodding quickly, "Y-Yes! Yes, yes..soon, I.. I'll contact you soon.." He stutters as he pressed Mirage to his chest. Mirage was staring at him with a little pout and Dream took that as 'hurry up.'

Thus, Dream hastily gives Nightmare a cheek kiss and opens up a portal.

"Farewell, Dream." Nightmare said just before Dream left.

Dream glanced back at Nightmare, giving him a little smile. "Farewell, Night.."

Then Dream had left.

And that was that.

Dream took.. maybe two days to himself, he both needed to mentally prepare.. and spend some time with Mirage. Dream didn't get to spend a lot of time one on one with him after.. everything, thus he just.. took a while to do that.

Dream enjoyed it.

Mirage is a very delightful, sweet child to be around.. and he's Dream's child. He enjoys spending time with him a lot.

Which is why he was a bit sad to hand him over to Nyx for the day.. but, Dream was going to be inviting Nightmare over to have a very difficult conversation and Mirage shouldn't be anywhere near that.. thus, Nyx was his babysitter.

Dream feels a bit bad to constantly do this to Nyx but.. he says he enjoys it.. also, Dream wasn't sure that he.. did anything. The others were always working.. that was not the case for Nyx, at least from what Dream has seen.

But Dream didn't know the details so he shouldn't assume anything.

..Dream had to clean up the house.

It wasn't dirty.. per se, it just.. was not 'Nightmare' clean. Dream.. believes he recalls the way that Nightmare fussed over organization and he definitely couldn't be wrong.. he's seen Nightmare's chambers. Dream thinks that he remembers 'Nightmare' clean right.

And Dream's house was not that.

It had to be.. a lot cleaner.. and Dream spent.. maybe an hour tidying up his already decently clean house to make it just that much more clean.

..Should he make food?

Dream doesn't really know how to cook cook. He sort of just.. makes simple meals and Mirage happily eats them. Dream has eaten what Nightmare eats before.

Dream does not have the skill or resources to make a steak.

..Maybe he can.. no, no.

No food.

Dream couldn't handle that extra stress, the cleaning already put him so on edge. Dream takes a deep breath in and out, trying to exhale all his tension before he finally places his hand on the pendant and pours his magic into it.

His pendant started to glow and vibrate a little, not much.

Dream sighed, taking a seat on his couch. 

Now.. to wait.

..There was a knock on the door less than a minute after Dream used the pendant.

Dream thought it might be a person from the town but.. his pendant was glowing and vibrating very very aggressively. That can't be..

Dream goes up to his front door and opens it up without even asking who it was and stood right outside his door was Nightmare. 

Nightmare who looked down at him with a smile, "May I come in, buttercup?" He questioned, leaning into the doorway and teasing the boundary of it. Dream felt his face heat up as Nightmare—still leaning forward in the doorway—connects their pendants together.

The pendants ceased their united glowing and vibrating yet Dream was still stuck staring at Nightmare.

Who was still standing outside because Dream had not permitted entry.

Dream shakes his head a little as he stepped out of the way, gesturing inside. "Come in.." He permits and Nightmare enters. In the small foyer, his brother took a moment to remove his shoes before continuing further inside.

Nightmare glanced around Dream's home, "You have quite the quaint little abode.. it reminds me of our home together. Though, yours is certainly much larger." He commented as he sauntered through the house without any direction.

Dream hastily followed, "R.. Right, yeah.. that.. that house was small, wasn't it?" He asked as he trailed behind Nightmare, absentmindedly holding the bottom of his coat.

"Indeed, it was only two rooms and those combined were about the size of your parlor." Nightmare recalled, giving Dream a size estimate. Dream did remember it was tiny.. but that small?

Dream guessed that they were both much smaller then than they are now.

"Mm.. how.. how did we get that place again?" Dream questions, unwittingly delving into Nightmare's memories and internally comparing them to his own.

Nightmare hummed, "The village built it for us, though it wasn't immediate.. maybe a decade or two post their arrival." He elucidated, currently observing Dream's bedroom.

"Why.. why did they do that?" Dream asked, gripping Nightmare's coat without even realizing it. Nightmare paused, glancing at him.

Dream feels Nightmare's hand on his head, a strangely comforting weight.

"I don't know, perhaps it was to gain our favour or.. to gentrify us. Either way, once we had a house.. we weren't as close to her." Nightmare spoke softly as he pet Dream's head. He takes Dream by the hand and sits him down on the edge of his own bed.

Dream meets Nightmare's gaze, he felt.. complicated feelings arise in him already. Dream flops his body back onto the bed and he swore he heard a sputter from Nightmare. Dream feels the mattress dip beside him, he turned his head to see Nightmare.

Nightmare lies down beside him, petting his head. "You seem tired already.. I haven't even begun fully talking about the past yet." He whispers to Dream.

Dream pouts a bit, his face felt hot and he.. just had so many feelings and he didn't know what to do with them. It was so frustrating. Dream has tried and tried to not feel so deeply.. maybe his whole life but it always spilled.

Dream was close to spilling and nothing's happened yet.

"..Can you tell me about our life before the village? Or at least.. under her with it there? I have hazy memories of playing underneath her.. m'not sure how right they are." Dream requests, staring at the ceiling above. He didn't.. he didn't know when or why it started to become hard to recall the past.

But it was scary.

Nightmare hummed beside him, "Well.. before the village is a time I don't remember much either. We were more.. animalistic then. We.. became people after the village arrived." He clarifies, and Dream.. felt a bit relieved to hear that Nightmare had some foggy memories too..

Dream also felt a bit.. well, he wasn't sure. There was this strange feeling he had.. to know that they weren't truly people until the village arrived..

Dream, often times, doesn't feel like a person.

Maybe it's because he and Nightmare weren't people.. then suddenly, they were forced to become people.

Forced to grow beyond their inherited, instinctual duty.

"..I see. What.. what do you recall from that time?" Dream prompted as Nightmare had paused, seemingly waiting for him to process before he continued.

"Well.." Nightmare started, "That time was mostly instincts.. but I do recall us playing together a lot. I would pin you down and bite you.. and you to me.. we'd reenact whatever wild behaviour we saw.. and more than that too."

"More than that?" 

"Yes, we used to copy mating underneath the tree.. you never understood how to be gentle, though." Nightmare teased a tad, locking eyes with Dream.

Dream felt his face heat up at the implication that he used to be the dominant one in their earliest days.. and that he was apparently very rough.

If that is true then it might be no wonder that Nightmare started reining Dream in some form.

That knowledge was.. so strange to bear.

"I.. can't really imagine that." Dream admits, he think he remembers leading a few kisses with Nightmare. He recalls that.. because Dream.. liked kissing but when it came to more than that.. he doesn't.. quite remember.

"Well, I cannot blame you. I long stopped liking being in a submissive position." Nightmare confessed, his eye fixated on the ceiling rather than Dream.

"..Because of the village?" 

"Yes." Nightmare confirmed, eye still fixated on the ceiling.

Dream felt sick. He could feel bile rise up in his throat that he hastily swallowed down.

"I.. I have a question."

"Mhm?" Nightmare finally made eye contact with Dream.

"Why.. why did you start.. discipling me?" Dream asked, unconsciously looking away from Nightmare.

Dream could hear Nightmare take a deep breath in. It made Dream shiver just from the sound of it.

"I.. I thought you needed structure. You.. had started becoming.. just like them. I couldn't stop you from going.. we became reliant on what they had.. thus I felt like.. that was all I could do." Nightmare disclosed, staring at Dream.

Dream couldn't directly look Nightmare in the eye, instead he glanced and with that glance he saw.. this look in Nightmare's eye.

He looked pained as he spoke about it.

Dream didn't know how to feel about that.

Dream took a deep breath, "I was.. becoming like them? How so?" He inquired, his voice trembling as he spoke. He was unable to stop it from doing that despite his best efforts.

Nightmare turned his head, staring at the ceiling again. "..I don't know how to describe it but you had just.. started fully adapting their behaviour. You'd speak of the village and what they did as so great.. while I had been scorned. Perhaps some of it was simply my own frustration.." He mumbled that last part, he didn't seem all too aware himself.

Dream was weirdly soothed by Nightmare looking.. confused. It was.. rare. It made him remember that Nightmare didn't know everything.. although Dream believed he did. Nightmare was knowledgable, not omniscient.

He was just.. a person too.

A lone person.

That's.. what they both were.

Dream breathed in, then out, attempting to compose himself as he truly didn't want to start spilling his emotions.

"..Okay, and.. you enjoyed.. how.. how 'cute' I was? Not just.. hurting me?" Dream asked as he turned to lay on his side, facing Nightmare a bit more directly. He grabs a hold of Nightmare's sleeve, gripping it as he stared at his brother.

Nightmare's eye drifted to Dream's grip, then met his gaze. His face grew a bit red and Dream felt his own get very hot at the sight.

"I.. I'd say so, yes. You were just.. cute. Even when you cried..or more. You'd cry.. and then we'd embrace each other. It was.. nice. It started to feel like the only time I got to see my precious little brother." Nightmare confessed to Dream, his face appearing redder by second.

Dream could only stare.

Dream sucked in a shaky breath, licking his dry lips as he shuffled closer to Nightmare. Dream cups Nightmare's head, entangling his fingers in his brother's hair and lightly pressing them into his brother's skull. Dream leaned in, pressing his forehead to Nightmare's chin.

"I see.." Dream murmured, his voice barely audible. He feels Nightmare shift around him, his hands wrapping around Dream's waist.

"..Are you done with your questions?" Nightmare asked and Dream could feel his breath on his forehead and it slightly tickled.

"Mm-mm.. I have more.. I just.. need a moment." Dream explained, shifting a bit lower down and hiding his face in Nightmare's neck. Dream's hands moved with him, now gripping Nightmare's coat from behind.

Dream felt Nightmare's hand on the back of his head, squeezing it gently.

"Take all the time you need, buttercup." Nightmare whispered into the top of Dream's head, sending a full body shiver down his spine. Dream nodded a little, delving deeper into his brother's clothes.

Dream.. felt so much that he could not begin to describe.

He needed a second.

Just a second.

A moment, even.

Dream stayed like that for a bit, not too long.. just a bit. He didn't want to end up falling asleep and delaying his questions at all.. he always felt a bit tired around Nightmare. Dream separates from Nightmare, turning his head as he yawned.

"..That's cute." Nightmare comments, patting Dream's head. Dream's face felt a bit hot as his head was rubbed.

"S'just a yawn.." Dream mutters as he shifted further away, sitting up and propping himself against the wall. Once Dream had shifted positions, so did Nightmare—he was copying Dream.

Dream hugged his knees to his chest, glancing at Nightmare, who was resting his arms on his knees in a similar but not identical position to Dream. Dream had so many questions but he didn't even know if Nightmare could answer them all.

..Or if he should be the only one asking questions.

"..Do you have anything you want to ask me?" Dream inquired, just putting out the idea that he was willing to answer questions if Nightmare wanted to ask.

"Hm? Well, not particularly. The only question I could think to ask is why you had fought me for so long." Nightmare answered, now hugging his knees like Dream but he rests his head on top of his knees, head turned to face Dream.

"..I felt betrayed. I.. I felt like you didn't love me. I didn't understand the magnitude of what you went through or why you had even done such a thing and.. and it hurt because I just.. wasn't good enough to make you.. stay." Dream admitted, unable to look at his brother as he spoke. Dream had to look in front of him.

Thus he didn't see Nightmare's reaction.

But he felt a hand on his cheek, gently turning his head.

"Is that what you thought? That I did that because I didn't love you?" Nightmare asked, his expression twisted into one of pain.. and regret, almost.

Dream choked back whatever had started to come up as he attempted to answer. "It felt like it.." He answered, his voice trembling as he spoke.

Dream's body was quickly captured by Nightmare's own as Nightmare embraced him. Nightmare pulls Dream's body onto his own, rubbing his back as Dream struggled not to cry. 

It's embarrassing that one question that Nightmare hadn't even seriously asked made Dream this emotional.

"I-I.. I'm ssorry-" Dream tried to apologize.

"Hush." Nightmare cuts him off, massaging Dream's head. It makes Dream's mind clear up a bit.

"..I didn't do that because I didn't love you. I did what I did because I loved you too much. There was something more out there.. something more than a little village and I wanted to show you it." Nightmare spoke so softly to Dream and Dream stares at his expression. His brother was staring at the ceiling, rather than him.

"..I didn't think that I would lose myself as much as I did." Nightmare whispered, finally gazing at Dream.

Dream locked eyes with Nightmare, feeling tears begin to sting his eyes.

Oh.

..Oh.

Dream felt his heart start to turn itself inside out because that's the sort of aching feeling he had in his chest as he realized that Nightmare had.. had lost himself. As he put it.

Lost himself..

"Where did you.. where did you get that idea? You keep mentioning that to show me more you needed to do that.. where did that idea come from?" Dream doesn't think that idea would have been in any book.. unless it was. Dream wasn't an avid reader.

Nightmare seemed to pause, thinking on the question he was just given.

"..Would you believe me if I said that it was an instinct?" Nightmare asked, his expression looked conflicted.. between what Dream assumes was many different emotions or feelings.

"..An instinct?"

"The feeling that if I wanted to take us both out of there, I just knew what I needed to do. I thought that it would have been.. okay. I didn't know of the effects it would have on my body.. or you." Nightmare answered, describing more of what he meant by his words and Dream's heart ached just a bit more upon hearing them.

Even more upon understanding.

"..Why did that need to be how you showed me more?" Dream questioned as he pushed himself up, hovering over his brother. 

Dream felt like there could have been another way. Did it truly need to be all or nothing?

Nightmare's hands cupped Dream's face.

"If I had to burn it all down to show you a glimpse of the greater world beyond what we experienced, I would have." Nightmare stated, eye locked with Dream's own two. There was this.. intensity that Dream doesn't recall Nightmare ever having.

But what did Dream recall, anyhow?

"Did.. did she not matter to you?" Dream didn't get to stop the question from slipping out. It was such an awful question to ask.

"Of course she mattered to me.. but not nearly as much as you." Nightmare answered, his thumbs rubbing Dream's cheeks as he answered. He looked pained.

Dream stared for moment, the next moment his lips were pressed to Nightmare's. Nightmare was pinned beneath Dream as he kissed his brother. 

Nightmare's hands moved to grip at Dream's shirt, holding him in place as Dream kissed him.

Dream's head bobbed a bit as he switched from softly kissing Nightmare to a more deep kiss with him.. several times. Dream couldn't help but want to absorb his brother in the moment.

Dream could hear a noise escape from Nightmare as he pressed his body into him and that's what brought Dream out of his spur of kissing Nightmare. Dream separated from Nightmare, panting.

Nightmare was panting too but it was far quieter.

Oh..

Dream leaned in again but only for a peck this time, prior to collapsing on Nightmare's chest.

Nightmare said he mattered.. mattered more than their mother, than a whole village of people.. Dream was worth more than that to Nightmare.

..Was it bad to feel as satisfied by that knowledge as he did?

Dream's back was once again rubbed by Nightmare and Dream felt.. soothed. He felt so soothed. Dream didn't understand why but he liked it. He felt.. good. It was just.. good.

Dream nuzzled into Nightmare's chest, "..I used to hear from Ink that universes all had a predetermined outcome by a higher being and.. and I guess that ours was this." He spoke quietly to Nightmare, his hand was moving down to Dream's hip.. squeezing it.

"I suppose.. what ever happened to him, hm? You used to fight with him quite a bit." Nightmare questioned and Dream felt embarrassed. He didn't think he'd be asked that but then again he was the one who brought up Ink.

"I.. I just started to feel like no one but me should have had the burden of fighting you. I talk with Ink sometimes.. but it's.. it's been a long time." Dream had been busy, and truthfully, talking to Ink was exhausting. Especially with his forgetfulness.. Dream didn't mind it too much but.. it was a lot.

Come to think of it.. it was Ink who told him about that universe and the brothel inside it..

..Dream isn't going to think any more on that. It doesn't change anything in his life and Ink has been out of his life for a while anyway. It doesn't effect him.

Dream had more important things to think about.

Nightmare's hum draws Dream back to reality. "I see, well, it never made a difference to me. Though, he was annoying. I preferred our.. one on ones." His brother whispered as he situated his hands on Dream's waist, squeezing it.

Dream's face felt like it could explode right then and there.

"..Oh, y.. yes. I mean.. you were less aggressive when Ink stopped being involved too.." Dream commented as that was a big part of the reason why Dream continued to fight alone even though it was difficult. It had been only a recent change too.. like Dream unconsciously was trying to keep Nightmare's focus on him.

..That's an embarrassing thought.

Nightmare moved Dream to be laying on the bed, pinning him down now instead. 

"All I heard from that was that you want me to be more aggressive with you~" Nightmare croons as he leaned in close to Dream's face and Dream could feel Nightmare's breath against his face. Oh.. oh..

Dream turned his head to the side, squirming, "W-Wait.. I still have more to ask.." He mumbled an excuse for this to stop.. despite the fact that Dream was already getting hard.

"Well, go on.. ask me whatever you want." Nightmare spoke nonchalantly but his knee was in between Dream's legs now.. rubbing up against him.

Dream felt his face flush, "I.. how am I meant to think like this, Night..?" He pouts at Nightmare, who chuckled, leaning down to kiss Dream on the cheek.

Nightmare pulled back his leg and Dream immediately felt a sense of regret as it was gone.. but he can't ask for it back now. He.. he had more questions.

..What more questions did he even have?

Dream couldn't think after that.

..Dream can always invite Nightmare back to talk more.. so.. so.. Dream grabs Nightmare by the shirt, pulling him down and practically smashing his lips to his brother's own.

Nightmare didn't fight it whatsoever.

Dream whined into the kiss as Nightmare's knee made a return between his legs. Dream panted into his kiss with Nightmare which allowed his tongue to sneak right inside Dream's mouth. Dream accepted the challenge, messily suckling on Nightmare's tongue, taking the instrusion in his mouth very seriously.

Dream heard Nightmare groan a little and that sent a shiver down his whole body. Dream's body heated up exponentially in response.

Oh.. that was..

Dream wanted to hear more noises like that from Nightmare. He was so silent.. and he always let Dream get pleasure. He did say that he stopped liking being in a submissive position but he lets Dream pin him down.. so.. so maybe..

Dream pulls back from the kiss, his mouth slick with a mixture of his and Nightmare's saliva. Dream turns his head to wipe his mouth in his sleeve before he pushed Nightmare away a bit. "Lie down." Dream ordered and Nightmare obliged, lying down on the bed as he was commanded.

Dream sits on Nightmare's stomach, pausing for a second after he does, "Am I heavy?" He questioned, a bit worried about his weight on Nightmare like that. His tendrils were strong but Nightmare himself still seemed..well, that's rude to think.

Nightmare chuckled, "Not at all, I'm very used to your weight. You used to sleep on my chest all the time." He answered, divulging a little fact as he did.

Dream recalls that.. the bed was always too small.. they slept like that to save space. But.. Dream thinks they both just liked sleeping that way.

Dream had certainly liked it.

Dream shakes his head a little as he tries to take off Nightmare's clothes.

Though, he was struggling because Nightmare was laying down and giving no help—watching Dream with an amused look on his face.

"Can't you help me?" Dream asked with a pout, leaning down to meet Nightmare's face.

"Well, I could.. but I'm not sure what you're trying to do here, Dream." Nightmare answered but it sounded like a very long and difficult way to say 'no' to Dream.

Dream huffed, turning his head to the side.. only to meet a very orange hue. Oh.. wait, was the sun setting? Already? It hadn't been that long, had it?

Nightmare seemed to notice his panic, placing his hands on Dream's waist and gently pulling him to lie down on him. "What's wrong?" He questioned, rubbing Dream's back as though comforting him.

"Nothing's wrong.. I just.. didn't think it was that late already.. I have to go pick up Mirage." Dream spoke hastily as he got off of Nightmare. He was dressed just fine.. so he could go right away.

Nightmare sits up on the bed, humming, "Well, I can go with you to pick him up?" He suggested, getting off of the bed and practically looming over Dream..

Dream thought that was sweet and he could agree until he remembered who exactly was watching Mirage. "..Oh, oh.. no, no that's not.. necessary." He refused, trying to seem casual and nonchalant but Dream was sweating.

"..Mhm? And why's that? Don't want my company any longer?"

"No! No, it's not that! It's.. it's just.. Mirage might be cranky and you know.. I don't want you to see that.." Dream doesn't think he was really making sense but he hoped Nightmare would be polite and back off.

Nightmare did not back off.

"That's alright, I'm just going to accompany you. I don't need to speak with the child." Nightmare politely refused Dream's refusal and Dream was starting think that the only way out of this was to admit some things.

..Partially, that is.

Dream sighed, "Okay, the one who is watching Mirage is the.. y'know.. people who were on my phone." That wasn't the best way to phrase that but Dream physically could not say the actual words.

Nightmare blinked, "Oh, the whores?" 

"..Mhm, yeah, them."

"Well, I don't care. You're not still sleeping with them, are you?"

Dream's face felt very hot, "No! No.. no, I haven't in.. months.." It really has been that long.. he's known them for quite a while then.

Nightmare smiled, "Then I do not care. I'm interested in how close to my visage you got when picking out whores to sleep with." 

..Dream made it worse.

This is so much worse.

Dream took a deep breath in, "Okay.. okay, can you uhm.. be less.. intimidating? I think they might uhm.. get scared away." Dream doesn't even know what he was asking. He was at a complete loss. This would be a perfect time to have a phone. Why didn't he ask Nyx for another one?

Nightmare seemed a bit confused.

His response to Dream's request was to.. make himself quite a bit shorter. "Will this do?" He questioned, gesturing to himself. His coat sleeves were now oversized and covered his hands fully.

Dream couldn't help but stare.

"..You can do that?"

"Mhm, as I've explained, I'm not corporeal. I can change my form to be smaller or bigger." Nightmare explained, and even though he said that.. his face just looked younger. He didn't look as old as he did before.

"..Okay, yes.. that's fine. Let's.. let's go.." Dream decided not to linger on this new discovery—focusing on getting both of their shoes—as he instead opened up a portal. He subconsciously held Nightmare's hand like a child as he went through the portal with him.

Over in this universe, it was night.

Oh.. Mirage is going to be very upset with him.

Dream tried to brace himself for.. everything that he possibly could as he took Nightmare around to the back of the brothel.

"You go through the back?"

"..I don't like leaving through the front with a child in my hands."

"Do none of them live elsewhere? You leave your child in a brothel every time?" Nightmare questioned, he both sounded and appeared baffled by this information.

"..Please don't criticize me." Dream mumbled as he walked inside through the back entrance.

"I'm not criticizing you, I didn't say anything." Nightmare defended himself as he trailed behind Dream.

"You were judging me." 

"I wasn't doing that. I just.. I just think it's strange."

"..I'm not continuing this conversation." Dream mumbled as he tried to navigate through the brothel.

Nightmare didn't say anything in response, simply following Dream but..

"..Do you have any idea of where you're going?"

"..Please stop asking me things." Dream felt very.. very stupid at this moment. It is times like these that Dream wonders what he's doing.

By some pure miracle, Dream felt an attack to his leg from the side and it was indeed a pouty Mirage.

But Mirage's appearance meant that someone had to be trailing behind him.

"Mirage!"

That was definitely Nyx around the corner.

Dream could do absolutely nothing as Nyx turned around the corner and came into view, he paused upon seeing Dream, a smile on his face.

"Oh, Dream! I don't know how Mirage always knows when you're back.." Nyx commented as he approached and Dream can see his gaze drift downward to what looked to be another child by his feet.

"Oh? Who's this?" Nyx questioned as he bent down to be more at eye level but Dream knows Nyx catches Nightmare's eye because he visibly freezes.

"Hmm.. that's uncanny." Nightmare commented as he approached Nyx, using his currently little hands to hold Nyx's face. Nyx was just staring, completely unspeaking.

"N-Night, let's go now-" Dream rushed through the sentence as he picked Nightmare up like a child, holding him underneath his stomach before adjusting him.

"Oh? But I want to meet the others. This one looks exactly like me, I wonder how close the other three are." Nightmare protested, his hands pressed against Dream's chest. He didn't even seem to suspect anything.. he just seemed curious.

Well, Dream wouldn't have believed these four were Nightmare until they told him so.. he doubts Nightmare would either.

"I don't think it's right to go and gawk.." Dream tried to be firm with Nightmare, acting a bit like Nightmare was a child, given his appearance.

"And I don't think it's right that you had sex with all of them. I might as well see how close it is." Nightmare retorts and Dream feels his face go extremely hot as he puts Nightmare down.

Dream decided to ignore Nightmare for now as he picked up a very pouty Mirage. Mirage immediately nuzzled into his neck, hiding away into him and Dream could only rub his back, soothing him.

Nightmare smiled at Dream, "Well?" He questioned and Dream—out of the corner of his eye—sees Nyx stand up, finally unfrozen.

"..You can meet them, but we aren't staying for more than ten minutes. If they're busy, then we'll just go.. we aren't waiting." Dream decided to agree but he made sure to drop a line for Nyx to understand what he should do.

Nightmare smiled wider, "I can agree with that." He stated, sauntering over to Dream's side and holding the hem of his shirt, like a child.

"Nyx?"

"..Mhm?" Nyx somewhat replied as he glanced between Dream and Nightmare. Dream didn't know what thoughts Nyx had going through his head but it's likely the same ones Dream had before coming to the brothel.

"Is anyone available?" Dream asked Nyx first, trying to desperately communicate with his eyes to say 'no.'

Nyx opened his mouth but before he could actually say anything, Malaise had turned the corner. Malaise paused at the scene, staring. His gaze travels down to Nightmare, who he smiles at.

"Awh, you got another child? This one kinda looks like us." Malaise commented softly as he stooped down near Nightmare. Dream was a bit worried that Malaise might say something that he wasn't supposed to.

Especially because Dream hadn't talked to the other three about his decision.. only Nyx was privy to majority of it all.

Dream hastily clears his throat, "Malaise, are you going out to smoke?" He questioned, just trying to change the conversation.

Malaise blinked, "Yeah.. what, you want to come with?" He asked and Dream felt stares but he tried to push past the stares he felt.

"No, no, I just don't want to interrupt, you know.. we have to get home anyway, right?" Dream spoke, using one hand to very tightly hold Nightmare's own. Nightmare chuckled, squeezing Dream's hand back.

Malaise stood up, dusting himself off, "Alright? Well, come visit soon, preferably on one of our off days, okay?" He spoke with a little smile as he got closer to Dream. He shyly kisses his cheek and Dream felt his face go hot.

Nyx cleared his throat loudly, "You should really go now, Mirage looks very upset and tired." He was both making an excuse for Dream and.. well, telling the truth. Mirage appeared very close to tears.

"A-Ah- bye you two!" Dream gives a rapid farewell as he opened up a portal and left.

Dream breathed a sigh of relief the moment that he was home, although.. he didn't get to enjoy the relief for very long.

"That one looked a bit like me.. what was his name?" Nightmare asked, still remaining very small even after coming back to Dream's home.

"That was Malaise.." Dream answered as he figured it was better to answer than not to answer. Dream bounces Mirage in his arms as Mirage had a death grip on him and now actually starting to cry into Dream's neck.

"Oh, baby.. it's okay, daddy's here.." Dream comforts Mirage, kissing his face a little as he took him to the bedroom.

Nightmare trailed behind and Dream didn't stop him.

Mirage was babbling and Dream was trying to make sense of it.. it sounded like Mirage was just upset Dream left him so long and didn't give him his full attention upon picking him up..

"Daddy is sorry, baby.. do you forgive me?" Dream asks quietly as he sets Mirage down on the ground, helping him out of the extra clothes he had on. Like his jacket and overalls.

Mirage sniffled, "I will.. but dun' do that again.." He ordered and Dream kisses Mirage's forehead.

"I'll try my best not to, baby.." Dream whispered, immediately embraced by Mirage's little body. This seemed like he wasn't going to want to bathe without Dream with him tonight.

Well, Dream doesn't mind the clinginess.. Dream keeps Mirage in his arms, kissing his face and his neck, down his chest too. It made Mirage giggle a whole bunch and settle normally.

"You're a rather good daddy." Nightmare commented, reminding Dream that he was still here and in the room.

Dream glanced at his brother, "Thank you.. but uhm.. why are you still that size?" It was a bit distracting and it honestly did make it hard for Dream to think of Nightmare as.. Nightmare when he's that size.

Nightmare gave him a shrug.. so no real answer as he approached. Though Mirage hisses at Nightmare like an irate cat, which does get Nightmare to step back a tad.

"Hm.. well, I think I should be taking my leave now. Your ward is getting fussy." Nightmare commented, again, still sized very tiny.

"Oh.. okay, yes, yes that.. that makes sense." Dream didn't know what he expected.. Nightmare had to go back to his residence.. it's not like he could stay here. Dream shares a bed with Mirage.. and he couldn't make a guest sleep on the couch but he couldn't force Mirage to sleep elsewhere.

Nightmare had to leave.

Dream was brought out of his thoughts by a kiss to his cheek, from Nightmare.

"Summon me again soon, Dream." Nightmare practically orders Dream, which makes his face feel hot as all he could do was just nod at this young face Nightmare bore.

Dream watched as Nightmare opened his own portal and left.

Dream sighed, looking down at Mirage.

Mirage nuzzled into Dream's chest, making him chuckle as he pets Mirage's head. "Hi, baby.." Dream greets, only to be met with a kiss to his chin. He giggled, getting up with Mirage in his arms as he took him to the bathroom.

As Dream expected, Mirage didn't want to just be bathed.. he wanted Dream with him.. and he was fine with that. Dream took a bath with Mirage.. it was quite nice.

Then Dream took them both out, got dried and dressed.. and it was straight to bed.

Dream did try to ask Mirage if he was hungry but Mirage was already falling asleep on himself. It was honestly adorable.

Dream gently rubs Mirage's back as he observed the way his little body rose and fell with every breath he took. Dream truly lost track of time today.. but he does think that was better than ignoring Mirage at home for as long as he talked with Nightmare.

Today was.. so much in one.

Dream couldn't even think to process it all at the moment.

Thus Dream closes his eyes and drifts off into sleep with Mirage on top of him. He didn't need to think so much right now.

Right now, Dream was exactly where he needed to be.

Chapter Text

Dream was a bit concerned for Mirage.. not for his behaviour or anything like that but.. health wise, he supposed.

Dream only noticed this recently but Mirage's ears were getting.. pointier. A bit like Dream's when he was young. Because while he.. didn't know what he recalled.. he does think his ears were smaller and rounded when he was younger then progressively grew pointier. 

But it doesn't quite make sense for Mirage's ears to be like that.

Dream had Mirage in his lap, his child fussing as Dream pressed his fingers together and gently squeezed his helix. It didn't seem like anything was.. wrong.

"Daddyyyy.." Mirage whined as he tried to swat Dream's hand away, clearly not appreciative of the probing.

Mirage was a growing boy, things are bound to change about him especially when he is this young.. but he did notice that even smaller things were changing about him. His eyes seemed to be a lighter colour.. and he was getting more sun marks despite not liking to play in the sun. His hair had gotten a bit more curly too, though the colour of it seemed to darken. It just grew more unruly.

Mirage didn't seem any taller.. though, he did get a bit chubbier. That was from Dream feeding him on a regular schedule than whatever schedule he had before Dream.

Dream sighed softly, putting Mirage down on the floor. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to trap you on me." He apologizes, petting Mirage's head. Mirage's little face puffed out in a pout but he didn't seem very upset.

"When are we leavin' again?" Mirage questioned as he crawled back up into Dream's lap, happily situating himself even though he had just been freed.

"In a bit, I want to go clean myself up and look a bit more presentable." Dream states as he stands up with Mirage in his arms.

"Ya always look presentahble, daddy!" Mirage reassures with his accent slipping out a little. It was very cute to hear him just parrot Dream with reassurances derived from whatever Dream said.

"Thank you, baby.." Dream whispers, kissing Mirage's forehead as he sets him down on the bed. He'll get Mirage sorted then he'll..

Right.

Dream gets dressed.. well, he'd like to say nicely but he had on this black turtleneck that was thinner and breathable.. because it was a bit hot. Then these cargo pants, he had bought them recently because Mirage said he'd look nice in them and he can carry all of Mirage's things in his pockets.. sweet child that he is.

"How does daddy look?" Dream asked as he showed Mirage. He wasn't going anywhere fancy but considering what he was about to do.. he might as well dress a bit better. Mainly because of who he was going to be with rather than what he was doing or where he was doing it.

Mirage beams at Dream, clapping his hands together, "It looks really good! And you can carry allll my toys too!!" He comments with a wide grin, gesturing to Dream's pockets.

Dream chuckled a little, Mirage isn't going to let the idea go, it seemed.

Well, Dream was fine with that.

"Alright, mister! It's your turn!" Dream spoke with a bright smile as he scooped Mirage up, kissing him all over as Mirage playfully fussed.

"Noooo!!" Mirage denied, clearly not meaning it as he giggled and pushed Dream's face away. It just made Dream kiss him up even more. 

Just for a bit.

Then Dream moved onto getting Mirage dressed too, as while his current outfit wasn't bad.. it was definitely more home wear than anything else. Dream dresses Mirage in a little knitted sweater he recently got for him and a nice pair of comfortable long pants.

"There you go.. look how cute you are.." Dream coos, squishing Mirage's little face, which made him giggle. Mirage gently held Dream's hands on his face, turning his head and kissing Dream's palm a few times.

It was adorable.

Dream sighed softly, a gentle smile stretched across his face as he leaned in and kissed Mirage on the forehead. Dream picked Mirage up once more, holding him in his arms. His hand was on his pendant, pouring magic into it as Dream walked and got their shoes in order.

The pendant began to glow and vibrate aggressively in only a matter of moments and Dream hears a knock at the front door.

There he is.

Dream opened up the front door, finding Nightmare standing there with a smile as he immediately interlocks their pendants to cease their motion. Although, Nightmare's smile dropped to a more neutral expression as he looked Dream up and down.

"My.. and where are you going today?" Nightmare questioned, stepping aside as Dream walked out of the house and locked the door.

"Out with you, you'd get more notice if you had a phone." Dream replies in a rather sassy way, although it was in a lighthearted manner and Nightmare didn't seem to take it negatively.. given that grin on his face.

"I like the surprise." Nightmare defends, leaning in close to Dream's face.. only to get shooed back by Mirage, who had quite the pout present on his face.

Nightmare leaned in closer, but to Mirage's face, very blatantly observing him. It makes Mirage shrink back a little, his pout lessening for a more confused expression.

"Hmm.. he looks different." Nightmare commented as he pulled back.

It surprised Dream that Nightmare even noticed that. It hadn't been that long between his last visit and now.. Mirage must have truly changed quite a bit for Nightmare to also notice.

"He does.. he is a growing boy, after all." Dream tried to write it off as that as frankly he had no other explanation. He couldn't even grasp what it was.

Nightmare didn't linger on the topic, instead pivoting to another. "Where are we going, hm?"

"Well, truth be told.. I am using you today." Dream admits, vaguely, embarrassed by what he had planned to do.. without asking or telling anybody.. besides Mirage but he only knows where they're going.

Nightmare seemed intrigued, "Oh? Using me how, hm?" He inquired, once more leaning in to Dream's face. Dream could feel Nightmare's coolth, that's how close to him he was.

"I.. I have uh.. people to tell about.. my decisions. Because it feels wrong to.. not tell them.. and.. I feel like the quickest way to portray why I did it is to.. show why, the why is you." Dream tried to explain, he really did. He was coming around to the notion in his head that maybe.. maybe.. this wasn't a good idea.

But sometimes the bandage just needs to be ripped off.

Right?

Nightmare appeared very amused by what Dream had just told him.

"Oohh, I see. Well, I'm not opposed to being shown off." Nightmare assures, twirling a strand of Dream's hair. Nightmare pressed a kiss to Dream's already flushed face.

Dream could feel Mirage taking deep breaths and he wasn't sure what that was about exactly.

But he figured that meant it was time to actually leave and enact what Dream had planned.

Dream opened up a portal and took Nightmare through it, along with Mirage, of course. The other side of that portal was a familiar neon sign. Besides him, he can hear Nightmare chuckle.

Dream looks over, "..Don't scare anyone." 

Nightmare blinked, "I'm not intending to do such a thing. If it happens, it's natural and not my fault." He excuses as he boldly took the lead to walk to the back.

..Dream already felt regret but he had to do this.

No one besides Nyx knows that he made up with Nightmare and Dream doesn't think that's right. But he.. he also didn't want to have to try to explain himself like he did with Nyx.

Maybe if he showed them.. it would work out.

Dream trails behind Nightmare with building regret and anxiety.

Dream ends up walking straight into Nightmare's back as he had paused at the side of the building.

One look revealed why.. Malaise was smoking outside and his eyes were wide as he stared at Nightmare. His eyes drifted over to Dream, growing impossibly wider.

"Uhm.. Dream..?" Malaise called out to Dream, his eyes travelling between his and Nightmare's form rapidly.

..Already there was proof that this was a bad idea and that Dream needed to start thinking his decisions through more than he does.

Dream stepped between Nightmare and Malaise, to give him a buffer from Nightmare's intimidating appearance. Dream took a deep breath.

"Malaise, this is my brother.. Nightmare. I have.. made up with him and I came to tell all of you that." Dream was blunt, because he didn't know how else to be with his words.

Malaise's obvious fear trickled away into more obvious distrust of Nightmare and confusion towards Dream. "I.. but he.."

"Yes, yes.. I know. It's.. it's a somewhat long story.. and I want to tell all of you." Dream didn't want to dilly-dally outside the building.

Malaise's eyes travelled behind Dream and he flinched, which made Dream whip around to stare at his brother.. who had this definitely pretending to be innocent smile on his face.

Dream pressed his finger to Nightmare's chest, "Behave yourself." He scolded, and Dream hears Mirage giggling quite a bit from Nightmare being scolded.

Nightmare fluttered his eye in another 'appearing to be innocent' like manner. "Oh? But I'm being used today.. I have to behave myself on top of that?" He asked, leaning down to Dream's face and it is then that Dream realizes that Nightmare was suddenly quite a bit taller.

Dream huffed, "Please. If you would so gracious as to control yourself." He stated before turning around to face Malaise, who seemed.. less scared and more wholly confused now.

Dream understood the confusion, he didn't think he'd ever be this way with Nightmare. 

"Can you lead us to the others?" Dream questioned with a small smile and although Malaise seemed hesitant, he nodded.

"Yeah.. it uh.. might take a while to get everyone though. I know Mal's free but I'm not sure about Missy or Nyx." Malaise prefaced as he dropped his cigarette and stomped it out. It had burnt out without Malaise smoking it.. likely from the shock of everything.

"That's fine, thank you very much, Malaise." Dream expressed his gratitude and all he received in turn was a slight nod prior to being led inside.

This perhaps was a blessing in disguise.. because having all of them meet Nightmare at once might have gone awfully but if it's one-one then that might just be better.

Dream hopes that it is, anyhow.

Malaise eventually entered a room that didn't quite look like a dressing room and more of a bedroom.. but it had a little couch in it too, like the rooms Dream has previously been in. Sat on the bed was Malevolent, who had a book in his hands. Malevolent immediately raised his head upon their entry and his brows furrowed ever so slightly as all of them entered.

"..May I ask what's going on here?" Malevolent questioned, closing the book and setting it aside. Malaise shuffled over to Malevolent's side, climbing up onto him and hiding into him.

Malevolent didn't acknowledge Malaise's actions, instead simply holding his way smaller body and practically covering him up with his arms.

"This one kinda looks like me. He's a lot taller, though." Nightmare whispers to Dream and Dream is surprised Nightmare can tell that Malevolent is tall when he's still sitting down.. though he supposed it's a bit obvious when watching his long legs.

Dream sighed softly as he took a deep breath in, "Well, this is.. my brother, Nightmare. He and I have made up and.. I wanted to tell you all about it." He expressed to Malevolent, who unlike Malaise didn't look scared and his furrowed brows loosened once Dream explained.

"..I see, have you told the rest?" Malevolent questioned as he visibly shuffles Malaise a bit, giving his body a squeeze. Malaise made this soft noise as he hid further into Malevolent, as though trying to merge with him.

"..Not yet, Malaise told me that they might still be busy. I will answer every question once everyone is here." Dream didn't bring up the fact that Nyx already knew. It wasn't something that he thinks would make the situation any better.

Malevolent gently removes Malaise from on his lap, leaving him on the bed as he approached Dream and Nightmare.

"..He's very tall." Nightmare whispered to Dream as though Malevolent wasn't standing right in front of them.

Malevolent leaned down, his face close to Nightmare's. He gives a small smile, petting his head rather casually. What was more shocking to Dream wasn't that Malevolent did that but that Nightmare didn't react negatively.

Nightmare just stared at Malevolent.

"I'm very curious to hear how this happened, Dream.. I'm happy for you, though." Malevolent spoke gently as he leaned towards him instead, cupping Dream's face and kissing his forehead.

Dream's face felt hot.

That's odd.. he.. he wondered why Malevolent wasn't suspicious.. like the way Nyx was. He didn't even seem frightened the way that Malaise was. Malevolent was simply.. calm.

..Maybe it was an age thing.

Dream cleared his throat, "Could you.. maybe message them and let them know to come here when they're finished?" He still didn't get back another phone and Dream just.. feels like maybe he shouldn't.

Dream always breaks them.. even the old, almost invincible ones.

Granted, that was Nightmare but.. it still applied.

Malevolent nodded and looked back to Malaise, who now had a phone in his hands and appeared to be doing just as Dream asked. He nodded to Malevolent, who turns back to Dream.

"They'll both come here as soon as they're available. In the meantime.. would you three like any refreshments? Or, anything like that?" Malevolent immediately went to playing host and Dream felt a bit bad about springing this all on them.. it was now starting to truly hit.

"Uhm.. I think I'm okay, Mimi? How about you?" Dream asked the rather quiet Mirage, who seemed to have been not paying attention.

"Oh.. ahmmm.. yeah! I want a snack!" Mirage stated what it is he wanted, holding his hands out to Malevolent, who gently steals him away from Dream.

Dream did know the others watched Mirage too but he's never seen it.. he didn't realize Mirage was so close with them.

Dream's thoughts were interrupted by Nightmare interlacing his fingers with Dream's own.

Dream stared, before he allowed a smile to grace his face. Dream leaned in and kissed Nightmare's cheek.

Nightmare repeated that to him.

The room was rather quiet all of sudden.. there was this palpable tension that Dream felt.. truly out of nowhere.

"..Can ya stop kissing my daddy?" Mirage spoke, posing what he said like a question when it sounded a lot more like a demand.

Nightmare chuckled, "Awh, are you jealous? How cute." He teases Mirage before leaning in and kissing Dream on the mouth. Dream felt his whole body get hot as he allowed the kiss to happen.

Nightmare pulled back after a few seconds, leaving Dream embarrassed and breathless.

Dream pushed Nightmare away as he hid his face in his hand, "Don't do that in public.." Dream muttered and he could hear and feel Nightmare's chuckling.

Nightmare hums as he pulls Dream's hand away from him, instead going to sit on the couch in the room. Dream doesn't follow because he didn't have the audacity to do what Nightmare just did.

"Well, if we're waiting in any case.. I may as well learn about your.. friends, Dream." Nightmare stated, though he only received stares in response. No one was quite sure how to indulge that request.. or order more like.

Then the door opened and Misery had walked in.

"Oh, another one. Come to think of it, I haven't gotten proper introductions." Nightmare stated, crossing his legs and staring at the room.

"My name's Malevolent, on the bed is Malaise and this right here is Misery. There's one more and his name is Nyx. Does that suffice, dear?" Malevolent took it upon himself to deliver introductions to Nightmare, who seemed even more amused by this.

"Hmm~ What interesting names.. though, I can't say much in that regard." Nightmare commented, his grin growing wider by the second.

At least someone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Misery stared blankly at Nightmare for a few seconds, before he sauntered over and sat down next to him. His blank face having this sweet smile instead.

"Nice to meet you!" Misery greeted, holding out his hand to Nightmare. Nightmare glanced at the hand, taking a hold of it and shaking.

"Likewise." Nightmare returned the sentiment, releasing Misery and it is now that Dream felt like he needed to intervene. Thus Dream went over and quickly sat himself between them, much to the clear surprise of both.

Dream leaned in close to Nightmare, whispering, "I thought I told you to behave.." He didn't get why Nightmare was being so.. well, Dream guessed that was just how Nightmare was.

Nightmare pressed his lips to Dream's own briefly, "I'm behaving, buttercup. Relax." He murmurs gently against Dream's mouth, making his face feel.. incredibly hot.

It was so unfair.

Dream was slowly coming to regret his decision more.. emotionally. His emotions were all over but he thinks the idea itself was.. okay.

Dream held his face in his hands, sighing.

It's okay.. this will be okay. Just one more.

All that's left was Nyx.

But, of course.. Nightmare wasn't going to wait in silence.

Why would he ever?

Nightmare leaned in close to Dream, "Who did you have sex with first?" He questioned, making Dream's face explode with heat. Nightmare couldn't seriously be asking him this right now..

Oh, but he was.

Dream debated whether or not to answer and the silence of the room was very loud.

"..All of them..." Dream mutters the reply, unable to deny Nightmare of the knowledge that he sought.

"Truly? You started with all of them?"

Dream just shamefully nodded his head.

"My.. I never knew you to be that kind of boy, Dream." Nightmare teased, pressing his face to Dream's own, feeling each other's heat. Dream groaned, pushing Nightmare's face away from his own.

"Please don't start this.." Dream practically begged, though the desperation must have sounded like an invitation to Nightmare.

"Did you have any one on ones?" Nightmare asked next and Dream wondered why he wasn't asked the details earlier.. why now?

It didn't help that everyone was watching. Even Mirage and Malevolent, who were not blatantly looking at them, were watching. It was still obvious. Still easy to tell. Despite their eyes being elsewhere.

"Nighty.." Dream turns to face his brother, leaning in close and almost pressing his lips to Nightmare's own. "Later, okay?" Dream murmured the words practically into Nightmare's mouth.

Nightmare's reaction to that was to kiss Dream, even cupping his cheek to very firmly keep him in place as they kissed. Dream allowed his brother to do whatever it is he wanted.

But Dream is the one who ends the kiss after.. quite a while. Dream needed to breathe.

Dream turned his head away, taking in deep gulps of air as his face felt like the heat of a thousand suns. Dream tried his best to ignore the blatant stares.

And the way Nightmare so cheekily licked his lips, like he was savouring the taste of Dream.

"..You two really made up, huh." Malaise commented, his voice deadpan and his expression blank. He didn't seem to be outwardly judging but he.. also seemed to be judging. In terms of just.. feelings, or perhaps Dream was just insecure.

"That we did.. that we did..." Dream mumbled in reply, unable to speak above a whisper as he hung his head low in shame.

Luckily for Dream, he didn't have to feel so ashamed for long.. as the door opened and in entered Nyx.

However, Dream was greeted to more internal shame as Nyx looked at him with such blatant disappointment.

Dream lowered his head a little as he squeezed his hands in his lap.

Was he making the right decision? Had he made the right decision? Dream didn't know.

But he made this bed, now he has to lay in it.

"Well.. now that everyone's here, I can.. answer any questions?" Dream posed, unsure if there'd be any or.. if they're even needed to understand. Perhaps Dream's decision was.. incomprehensible.

"..How long have you two been on amicable terms?" Malevolent softly spoke up, Mirage in his arms with a lollipop branded in his mouth. Mirage was a bit hidden away into Malevolent too.

"Uhm.. I'm not sure the exact time but.. we made up when Mirage had stayed here for.. a while without me." Dream answered and he watched Malevolent's eyes slightly widen.

"That's.. a little while now." Malevolent didn't seem to be judging. Out of everyone, he seemed the most receptive to Dream's decision.

"I knew something was wrong.. Nyx, why did you lie about that?" Malaise mumbled the first part, the second part was actually a question posed to Nyx.

Nyx sighed, "What did you want me to do? I kept your peace of minds, you should be glad I did." He retorted, crossing his arms across his chest.

It was a very Nightmare like response.

"Alright, relax.. no need to get upset over this with one another.. everything already happened and truthfully there wasn't much that could have been done in that situation." Malevolent skillfully de-escalates the situation, leaving both involved with this slight huff.

There was a sigh from Misery, he turned to look at Dream. His eyes bearing that cold calculative look that he thinks a version of his brother would have.

"How did you two actually make up?" Misery inquired, posing the exact same question as Nyx had when he initially found out.

Dream took a deep breath, "We talked.."

"We did a lot more than that." Nightmare interjects, a snarky grin present on his face.

"Night.. I feel like I rather you be intimidating than making these sorts of comments." Dream murmurs, unable to help himself from scolding Nightmare. He was being so.. well, childish, in a way.

"I know I have quite the array of talents, Dream, but truly, make up your mind on what you'd like me to be." Nightmare still bore that same snarky tone as he pressed a kiss to Dream's cheek.

Dream tried to ignore the warmth of his face as he moved onwards.

"We talked about.. our past and.. all of that. I did tell you all about it a bit and what I said was true but.. I was only thinking of my perspective and.. perhaps exaggerating the instances." Dream tried his best to explain what he thought the situation was and what he had done. He never meant to do those things but it happened, unconsciously.

"I.. my mind always feels like it's full of water when I'm around all of you and trying to recall the past. I had a clear image..and it distorted.. and I.. I don't understand why it happened but it did happen." Dream finished his bit of a tangent quietly.

The silence was palpable.

Dream's body unconsciously tensed as he felt a hand on his back, it relaxed subconsciously when Dream realized it was Nightmare rubbing his back.

Dream didn't know how much there was to ask.. but the expressions in the room ranged from neutral to pity to confusion and.. distrust paired with disappointment.

Dream's heart felt heavy.

"..So after everything you told us that he did, everything we know that he did.. how do you still trust him? How can you forgive that?" Nyx questioned Dream, stepping forward and approaching him.

Dream met Nyx's eyes, his disappointment, his frustration, and he turns away. Dream gazed at the floor, hands clasped together in his lap.

"..I'm simply not a good person." Dream answered Nyx, it was that simple. Dream was never a good person. He tried to pretend to be one, thinking one day it might make him one, but he wasn't.

He never was.

Dream could hear Nyx take a step back.

"Dream.." He mumbled but he didn't get to say anything more as Dream felt a hand on his shoulder, Nightmare's, his brother's, hand.

Dream felt a squeeze to his shoulder, and Nightmare leaned in to kiss his cheek. He didn't say anything but Dream appreciated the affection.

"I.. I should be better, I know that. I'm selfish. This.. this all is because I'm selfish, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't but despite that, I don't want to hurt others. That's why I wanted to tell you all.. I didn't want to pretend like.. I'm any better than I am." Dream confesses his feelings, his reasons, and said what he wanted to.

Dream was selfish, petty and he exaggerates. Maybe none of it was on purpose, maybe it all was. Dream exaggerated what kind of person he was, his skills, his feelings, his thoughts. Dream wanted.. wants to be good.. but being good meant saying what he was and he can't lie and say that he feels such an awful burden from the things Nightmare has done.

Dream feels guilt, yes.. but it doesn't affect him as deeply as it likely should. All four of them, all four versions of Nightmare would feel those actions closer than him, feel horrified and Dream cannot leave them in the dark.

This is all he can do.

Whether or not he was accepted or shunned for the choice he made is up to them.

The room was silent.

It was so silent.

This silence was broken by Mirage getting out of Malevolent's hold to run up to Dream and hug him as tightly as possible. Dream didn't expect it, but he happily holds Mirage tightly.

"Daddy.. you're perfect.." Mirage mumbles into Dream as he squeezes his body.

Dream squeezes him back, very gently, "Thank you, baby.." He whispers, holding Mirage's head as he kisses him a few times.

It made him feel.. loved.

That was all he could ask for in a situation like this.

Malevolent approaches Dream, petting his head, "Dream, I think it's wonderful that you two made up, and for what it's worth, I still want to see you, and I do not mind seeing your brother with you." Malevolent reassured Dream, moving to cup his face and kiss his forehead before he separates.

Misery leaned into Dream, "I agree with Mal. If he isn't going to hurt you or us.. then I think it's nice. I.. want to believe anyone can be forgiven." He whispers, pressing a kiss to Dream's cheek.

Dream's face felt warm.

There was a stumbling sound until suddenly Malaise was also in front of him, having ran off the bed.

"I.. I think it's weird, I don't really trust him.. but I trust your judgement! I don't want to stop seeing you around again." Malaise expressed, his face looking as warm as Dream's felt. He was teary eyed on top of that.

Each one of them expressed their trust in Dream.. in his decision.

..And truthfully, Dream doubts that he deserves that—that trust.

But he was receiving it.

From everyone but..

Nyx was stood behind everyone else, his head was hung low and Dream could see his fists clenched and the way his body trembled. Dream sets Mirage aside and stood up, gently moving past the group to approach Nyx.

Dream takes Nyx's hand, causing him to flinch and pull away but Dream captures him again.

"I'm sorry for lying.." Dream whispers, squeezing Nyx's hand. His body tensed up as he weakly tugged his hand back but not enough to break the grip.

"I.. I just think it's a mistake."

"I know, I'm sorry."

"He'll hurt you." 

"Maybe.. but what if he doesn't?" 

"I.."

Nyx fell silent.

Dream's heart felt so heavy, as did his mind, he wasn't too sure if this was all the right choice but Dream had chosen this path and will continue down this road.

Dream brings Nyx in for a hug, there was a bit of tensing.. but Nyx's body went limp and his arms wrapped around Dream's, holding him in place against his body.

"..Okay." Nyx mumbled.

"Okay..?" 

"I.. I trust what you've said." Nyx elaborated, squeezing Dream against him.

It.. It was shocking. 

All of them.. trusted Dream, his decision. Even if it started off hesitantly it.. they still trusted him.

Dream didn't deserve such trust.. but he didn't wish to betray it, not anymore.

..That said, there was still something Nightmare needed to learn about the.. group.

Dream whispers to Nyx.

"..Right now?"

"..Is that a bad idea?" 

"I.. if you think it's right.. but maybe not in the same room as us." Nyx answered truthfully and Dream took those words to heart. He can do it separately.

Dream should take care of it all in one go.

Dream watched as the room wss cleared out by Nyx, the only one who he told what he was about to do. Mirage was also scooped up and carried out too, much to his clear confusion.

Dream approaches Nightmare and sits down beside him.

"Why was the room cleared out?" Nightmare questioned, obviously a tad confused by what just happened and Dream could hear his heartbeat quicken exponentially.

"Well.. I have something to tell you about those.. those four." Dream explained, glancing between his lap and Nightmare's face, unable to commit to staring at one.

Nightmare raises a brow, "Go on." 

Dream took a deep breath, "They're all versions of you-" He spat out the words as quickly as possible and he was surprised that he even said actual words upon telling Nightmare.

"..Pardon?" 

Dream gulped, "They.. they're all.. you. Just.. a version of you with their me dead." He explained slower and tacked on that last bit to maybe calm any sort of rage.

But.. Nightmare just seemed a bit sad.

"You were.. having sex with other versions of me?" Nightmare asked, his voice was neutral besides this slight waver and his expression was neutral besides his brows being furrowed.

"..Yes." Dream was once again realizing how awful he was and how awful what he did was when Nightmare reiterated what he did.

Nightmare took a deep breath in, "But you're no longer doing that?" He questioned instead, no longer having that slight tinge of emotion.

"N-No! I'm not! I.. I haven't since before you have gave me that gash!" Dream explained, even giving a time for Nightmare to try and.. believe his words more, he supposed.

Nightmare sighed, crossing his legs "Alright then." 

"..You're not mad?"

"I'm furious, and intrigued, but I'm refraining." Nightmare admits, hands in his lap. Dream honestly couldn't even tell.. he seemed the same as always. But a bit more.. ticked off, not.. furious.

Dream crawls into Nightmare's lap and he allows Dream to. Dream feels Nightmare's hands grip at his hips as he sat on top of him. Dream cups Nightmare's face and kisses him deeply. He slips his tongue into his brother's mouth and suckles on his tongue.

Dream was trying to kiss away any fury.

By the way Nightmare had moved his hands lower and was grabbing.. he'd say it worked.

Dream wasn't too sure how long he was kissing Nightmare but he stopped when he heard a knock on the door.

"Is everything alright?" That.. sounded like Malevolent.

Dream quickly got off of Nightmare, wiping his face free of his and Nightmare's spit. "Y-Yes! You all can come back now!" Dream permits entry again and the door opens, letting in the small flood of people.

"..He seemed to take the news very well." Malevolent comments, while holding Mirage in his arms.

"I'm still incredibly vexxed but I'm keeping it together for Dream." Nightmare confessed and it honestly surprised Dream that Nightmare would admit something like that.

That statement made the room's atmosphere quite a bit more tense.

"..Well, I.. believe I will get going now. I'll come back very soon and.. I'll try to get another phone!" Dream tried to wrap things up before Nightmare's grace ran out. Dream hastily takes Mirage from Malevolent who easily gave him back.

Dream refrained from any physical affection with any of them, giving a quick little wave which was mostly returned.

"F-Farewell!" Dream said his goodbyes as he made a portal, hastily pulling Nightmare up and pushing him through first, which he allows, though it appeared slightly reluctant.

Dream sighed, "I truly appreciate all of you.. I shall come by again soon." He whispers softly to a chorus of nods, no one spoke over the other.

"Bye-bye!" Mirage interjects the soft silence, giving this big wave and he got a 'bye-bye' back from everyone in unison.

Dream decided to leave with that, finding a slightly peeved Nightmare on the other side of the portal.

"I hope you're ready to make amends." Nightmare stated, arms folded over his chest. 

Dream puts Mirage down, "H.. how?"

Nightmare smiled. "Get on the bed."

Chapter Text

What followed Dream springing the truth onto Nightmare was a very lengthy session of cuddles.. which Mirage also trapped himself between because he didn't want to be left out. Thankfully that was all Nightmare had done, then he had left, leaving them to their own devices.

It had been about a few days since then.

Mirage was acting strange. Dream didn't quite understand it. There were times where he caught Mirage talking to himself in what sounded like.. an argument. Dream talks to himself all the time but it didn't sound so much as disagreeing with yourself as it did an actual argument.

Dream knew he wasn't just playing either, he never had a toy when he was doing it. He'd just.. argue like that then he'd go back to normal and ask Dream for whatever he needed.

It was concerning him.

Those subtle changes in Mirage had shifted again.. to where his eyes got darker but his hair got lighter.. and he had less sun marks too and those aren't things that just.. changed. His ears remained ever so slightly pointed but everything just shifted one way.. then back the other way.

Dream doesn't think that's normal.

"Mirage?" Dream calls out softly, he was watching Mirage mumble to himself in the hallway. He had excused himself to get something but paused in the hallway and had been mumbling for about a minute.

Mirage didn't seem to hear him.

"Mirage?" Dream tries again as he got a bit closer.

Mirage still didn't seem to hear him.

"Mirage!" Dream calls out even louder as he was now stood in front of his child. Mirage flinched, looking up at him with a shocked expression.

Mirage's eyes dart around the hallway and then finally land back on Dream. Mirage grips the bottom of his shirt, "Y.. yes?" He questioned, acting so.. reserved.

Why was that?

Maybe it was because Dream had yelled his name.

Dream kneels in front of Mirage, cupping his face and pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Weren't you going to get something?" He asked, his tone much softer than it had previously been.

Mirage blinked, nodding slowly. His eyes were darker than usual, but his hair was lighter than usual. It was odd. Mirage shuffled away from Dream, his face flushed.

"Mirage..?" Dream called out but he received no reply, just Mirage running away into the bedroom.

..It's so odd.

So very odd.

These instances kept piling up. It wasn't just a one time thing that Dream could write off. It seemed to get.. almost worse. To the point where Mirage was mumbling to himself at the dinner table.

The thing about this mumbling is that it sounded like a one way argument.. then sometimes it would switch to the other side of the argument. The topics didn't make much sense to Dream.

It would be something as simple as Mirage mumbling that he doesn't like the way the food looks to saying that it's rude to say that and eat it anyways. Whenever Dream called out to him, he'd usually stop behaving like that and act completely normal.

It's.. so odd.

Dream was presently getting Mirage ready for bed. He had already bathed and Dream was getting him dressed. Dream scoops Mirage up and sits on the bed with him, with Mirage in his lap.

"Mirage, baby?" Dream grabs his attention softly, getting a little hum in response as Mirage pressed up against his chest.

"I noticed you've been talking to yourself a lot lately, can you tell daddy what that's about?" Dream tried to be casual about it, he didn't want to make Mirage feel strange or ashamed about it.

Mirage blinked, tilting his head, "M'not doing that..? I dun' talk to myself.." He answered, appearing utterly confused by Dream's words. He didn't appear to be feigning ignorance.. he seemed genuinely confused.

Dream wondered how to approach this.

"..Okay, then, when you go away from daddy and speak quietly, are you talking to someone else?" Dream vaguely wondered if maybe this was an 'imaginary friend' situation but Mirage's scrunched up face made him sure it wasn't.

Mirage tilted his head, "Daddy, I'unno what you're askin'.. m'not talking to anyone.." He firmly denies that he's been speaking to anyone or talking to himself.

Was Mirage simply just not aware that he's doing that?

..Maybe Dream should take him to a doctor.

Dream sighed softly, "Okay, baby.. daddy must have just been confused. Let's go to bed, hm?" He whispers as he lays down with Mirage, settling his child on his chest. Mirage hummed, nuzzling into Dream's chest.

Then they were both off to sleep.

Dream wakes up in the middle of the night to whispering.

Dream barely cracks open his eyes to see Mirage laying on the bed instead of on him, curled up around one of his bunny plushies as he mumbled to himself. Mirage wasn't staring at the bunny, he was staring ahead at the wall as he murmured.

"You always do this.. you always make trouble.." Mirage mumbled, hands fiddling with the rabbit's ear as he spoke to himself.

"I don't make trouble.. people make trouble with me.. that's not my fault.." Mirage replied to himself, and it was hard to see in the dark but his eyes looked teary.

Dream turns on his side to face Mirage and Mirage's mumbling immediately ceased. Dream slowly wraps his arms around Mirage's little body. "Baby? Are you okay?" He whispers the question and Mirage tilts his head to look at him.

His previously wide open eyes were suddenly drooping and he yawns quietly. "Mmbh..?" He makes a noise of confusion, his eyes falling shut as he hid in Dream's chest.

Like nothing had just happened.

Dream could only hold Mirage close to him, squeezing his little body as he racked his mind trying to figure out what this was.

..Dream's carrying Mirage to a doctor tomorrow.

This wasn't normal. He needed to get him checked out. He didn't know what was going on in the slightest.

Dream could only hope it wasn't anything serious.

In the morning, Dream carried on as usual.. up until after breakfast, where he took Mirage into the bedroom and began changing his clothes.

"Are we going out, daddy?" Mirage asked as he raised his hands for Dream to easily slip off his shirt.

"Mhm, we're going to the doctor." Dream answered honestly as he got Mirage's clothes fully off and began dressing him in clothes easier and more appropriate for outside their home.

Mirage seemed confused, "But why..? M'not hurt.. or sick.." He mumbled, allowing Dream to dress him easily. He never gave trouble for it but he was lagging a bit with his confusion.

"It's just a checkup, baby. It's to make sure you're still as healthy as ever, understand?" Dream lies, although it wasn't fully a lie. He picks Mirage up into his arms, cradling him as he went to grab a few more things.

Mirage appeared just as confused as before but he stayed quiet as Dream got them ready to go.

There were doctors in the town that Dream resided in. Dream lived quite a distance away from the town and he's never visited any doctor in it before but there was a first for everything.

It had all been relatively okay.. but as soon as Dream got to the door and was putting on Mirage's shoes.. Mirage began behaving strangely again.

Mirage whined loudly as he kicked his shoes off of his feet. Dream blinked, confused by the sudden rejection. He attempted to get the shoes back on Mirage and while he allowed him to do that.. Mirage kicked the shoes off immediately after they were on again.

"What's wrong? Are the shoes tight?" Dream questioned as he squeezed Mirage's small feet. It only seemed to upset him more as he whined louder and fussed, trying to kick Dream's grasp away.

Dream lets go but he was utterly confused by this sudden behaviour.

"Mirage, I cannot help you if you don't tell me what's wrong.." Dream spoke softly as he picked Mirage up from under the arms but he fussed again, hitting Dream away and he was just.. so confused. Mirage had been completely obedient up until this point.

"Mimi.. c'mon, baby.. talk to daddy." Dream requests quietly, cupping Mirage's cheek but he turned his head and whined.

"No.." Mirage whimpers, pushing Dream's hand away very weakly.

"No what? C'mon.. talk to me.. I don't know what's wrong or what you don't like." Dream was practically begging for Mirage to actually tell him what's wrong but he was fully refusing to do that. He didn't normally refuse like this.

It was new, and it was strange.

Dream sighed softly, "Okay, if you won't tell me, that's fine. I'll just carry you around without your shoes, then." He told Mirage what was going to happen and picked him up.

Mirage immediately began to fight.

"N-No! No! Put me down! Put me down!-" Mirage cried out as he hit at Dream hard and it shocked Dream to his core as he immediately let down his child. Mirage sniffled, wiping his teary face as he stood on the ground.

Dream didn't understand.

Dream kneels before Mirage, taking a hold of and gently squeezing his little hands. "What is it, baby? Do you just not want to go to the doctor?" He asked quietly, trying to grasp at a semblance of what could be the problem.

Mirage flinched.

"..Is that it? Can you tell daddy?" Dream requests confirmation, to which he received the littlest nod.

Dream sighed, "Okay.. okay, we won't go, then." He almost instantly gives in, picking Mirage up and carrying him away from the foyer. 

Mirage was all sniffly and teary as he clung to Dream, while he wasn't crying.. there were these quiet hiccups and this subtle trembling that his little body was doing. It racked Mirage's small form and all Dream could do was hold him until he was calm again.

Dream didn't want to force Mirage into going when he was clearly so adamant on staying home.. he'll just have to.. keep monitoring his condition, he supposed.

What more can he do?

..Dream definitely needed to talk to someone about this.

Dream wasn't sure who he could even go to with something like this. The first instinct he had was Nightmare but Nightmare wasn't someone that he thinks could or even knew how to deal with this. Dream thinks he may aggravate the situation.

Intentionally or not.

Dream's second instinct was Nyx but he didn't think Nyx would be any better.. then Dream remembered that Malevolent used to have a child, one that he took care of for a century.

Maybe Malevolent would have some idea.

Dream will put off going to the doctor because of how adamantly Mirage refused but if he cannot find a reason why this is happening and if it gets worse.. he'll force Mirage to go regardless of his wishes.

But for now, he'd respect them.

Mirage was still clinging to Dream which also surprised him given how he didn't want his hands to be anywhere near him just now. Mirage mumbled something into Dream and Dream rubs at his back.

"What's that, baby?" Dream asked softly as he took Mirage to sit down on the couch. He'll let him relax a bit before he takes him elsewhere.

"M'sorry.. I-I didn't mean ta..m'sorry.." Mirage apologizes more than once into Dream. It makes Dream's heart ache as he gently separates Mirage just enough to look at him.

Dream kisses Mirage's forehead, "It's okay.. I know you didn't mean it. Daddy's not going to force you anywhere, okay?" Not until Dream is forced to, that is, but Mirage didn't need to know about that.

Mirage nodded slowly as he shuffled closer, hiding in Dream once more. Dream rubs his back, giving him the time to just.. cool off. Dream was waiting for Mirage to simply be calmer but.. his little body went fully limp and Dream realized that Mirage was.. completely knocked out.

Well, Dream wasn't going to go to the doctor even if Mirage was asleep and no longer fighting. Mirage throwing a tantrum in the doctor's office would be.. just awful.

But, there is a place that Dream can go that he's sure Mirage wouldn't complain about.

Dream opened up a portal and stepped through with his sleeping baby.. and he's greeted to a familiar neon sign.

Dream heads around to the back and there he sees Malaise smoking outside. Dream feels like he always finds him outside smoking.. at least he knows that it doesn't affect Malaise's health since it doesn't affect his or Nightmare's health.

Malaise blinked upon his arrival, "Oh.. hi.." He shyly greets but his eyes drifted to Mirage and he frowned. "..Is Mirage okay?" He asked softly, clearly concerned and Dream can understand why.. 

Mirage has never come here while being asleep.. he's left here asleep, but he's never arrived while sleeping.

Dream rubs Mirage's back absentmindedly, "He's okay, just.. a bit tired. I actually wanted to talk to Malevolent, is he around?" He got right to what it is he wanted. Dream didn't want to dilly-dally when it came to his child.

Malaise appeared surprised by the sudden shift but he nodded, "Yeah.. yeah, he's inside. I'll take you to him." He offers and Dream nodded along. Dream presses a small kiss to Malaise's cheek, smiling a bit at the way his face flushed.

Malaise huffed but spoke no words as he dutifully led Dream to Malevolent. Dream has come to realize that he's bad at directions solely when it comes to the brothel.. he was fine in Nightmare's castle. Dream didn't get it but they eventually ended up in a room that looked.. similar to the room he was in last time.

..Or was it just the same room?

Either way, Malevolent—similarly to last time—was sat on the bed, reading a book. He looks up from said book, eyes landing on them.

Malevolent blinked, closing the book, "Dream.. nice to see you again." He greets, though Dream did notice the way that Malevolent's eyes were fixated on Mirage. Dream gives Malevolent a little nod of acknowledgement as he walked over.

"..Yeah I'll just uh.. I'll just head back outside.. you two have fun.." Malaise awkwardly excused himself, hastily leaving the situation.

Which Dream was thankful for.

Malevolent pats the bed, indicating for Dream to come over and take a seat, which he does. It's then that Malevolent leaned in and rubbed Mirage's back.

"Is everything okay?" Malevolent whispered the question to Dream and he didn't know why that made him tear up a bit. Dream sniffled, shaking his head as he tried to choke down the feelings of worry that were bubbling up.

"I.. I don't know.. Mirage has just been.. a-acting weird and I don't know w-what to do.." Dream confesses, receiving a loose hug from Malevolent in response. Malevolent gently tilts his head, kissing his jaw softly.

"Okay.. I understand. Could you tell me more about how he's been acting?" Malevolent gently attempts coercing Dream into speaking and he can tell that's what it is. Dream was going to speak.. he just needed a second.

Dream nodded, "Y.. yes, he.. well, he's been talking to himself a lot.. but.. it's like.. he's talking to someone else and arguing. That's the main thing but his appearance also keeps.. changing? I know he's growing but his eyes seem lighter.. then darker all of a sudden, same with his hair.. it's just.. I don't know." Dream explained as best as he could what the issue was to Malevolent. 

Dream held Mirage a little closer, squeezing him so gently.. as to not disturb him.

Malevolent hummed, "Well, have you asked about it?" He inquired, seemingly getting all his bases before he spoke on anything but Malevolent appeared calm.

It made Dream feel better.

"I.. yes, I did. He says he's not talking to himself or anyone else. He also acts completely normal a lot of the time but it's.. it's just concerning." Dream didn't know if he should be as worried as he is or if it's maybe a phase. The talking to himself was normal, everyone does that but arguing with himself like he's talking to someone else.. and the topics of what he's arguing about..

It's concerning.

"Well, the only thing I can truly think of is that he has some sort of disorder. Mirage wasn't a boy you found under normal circumstances, correct?" Malevolent didn't seem to know much more.. but Dream still listened. Anything can help. He had no clue and this already gave him more to work with.

Dream shook his head, "No.. he was the only survivor of one of Nightmare's attacks." He whispered, internally reeling as he said those words. Dream should feel worse than he does about that.

"Then, perhaps it is trauma of some sort.. I'm not sure about the latter but he is a growing a boy and kids change these smaller things all the time until adolescence." Malevolent spoke quietly and Dream felt no less confused or really any more enlightened than he did by coming here. At least he did feel calmer.. maybe Mirage was traumatized and Dream just didn't realize.

"..Thank you, Malevolent. I appreciate the help.." Dream whispered and Malevolent looked a bit sad. Dream couldn't understand why.

Malevolent cups Dream's face, kissing his forehead gently, "I'm sorry that I could not be of more help to you.." He whispered, his expression one of shame as he pulled away.

Dream felt his heart ache a bit.

Dream shook his head, "No.. no, you were a lot of help. I didn't consider some of the things you said and I'm glad I asked you.." He reassures as he leaned in and gently kissed Malevolent's chin as that was all he could currently reach without Malevolent bending down.

"..If it isn't any trouble, could you stay here with Mirage for a few hours? I might have more of an idea if I see him doing it." Malevolent requests, which fully caught Dream off guard because he thinks it was the first time that Malevolent has ever requested anything of him.

Dream thinks he may be embarrassed about being unable to help much.

..Malevolent truly is a Nightmare too, isn't he?

Dream nodded, "Okay.. I was planning to anyhow." He easily agreed, making Malevolent smile and kiss his cheek.

He hoped that this would go okay.

Mirage woke up very shortly after Dream and Malevolent had stopped their more.. serious conversation. Mirage stirred in Dream's arms, yawning and rubbing his eye as he sat up properly.

"Mmb.. daddy..?" Mirage called out quietly as glanced around, his eyes landing on Malevolent. He squeaks before giggling, crawling off of Dream's lap and into Malevolent's, a big smile on his face.

"Mallie!!" Mirage called out as he stood up in Malevolent's lap, reaching his head a bit better. Mirage cups Malevolent's face, squishing it with a wide grin across his own face.

It was rather cute.

Dream hummed, "Why don't you go ahead and play with Malevolent, Mirage?" He suggests and Dream didn't need to say it twice, Mirage happily crawled off the bed and started pulling Malevolent along to play with him. Dream didn't bring any toys but it didn't seem like it was necessary as they began playing games with their hands alone.

Dream watched from the bed as they both played together.

He's seen Nyx play with Mirage quite a bit but he hasn't seen anyone else truly play with Mirage.

This was a first.

Dream wondered if Mirage would even do that talking to himself if he wasn't home but it wasn't long into Mirage and Malevolent playing with each other that it happened.

"He definitely cheated.." Mirage mumbles to himself, a pout on his face and arms crossed on his chest. "Why do you always assume everyone cheats? Not everyone is you.." Mirage mumbles, again, to himself though his arms were no longer crossed, he had them very politely in his lap.

"..Mirage?" Malevolent called out to him, and Mirage looked up at Malevolent, acting like nothing had just happened.

"Mmm? Whassit?" Mirage questioned, clearly not understanding why he was called upon like that.

Dream felt vindicated when he saw the look of complete shock and concern on Malevolent's face. The feeling was brief as Dream's own worries quickly flooded his brain.

There must truly be something wrong and.. and Dream doesn't know what and..

Dream was snapped out of these thoughts by hands on his thighs. He blinked, staring down at Mirage, who looked concerned for him and Malevolent was just a bit behind, looking a tad worried but not as much as Mirage.

"Are you okay, daddy..?" Mirage quietly asked as he crawled up into Dream's lap, gripping at his chest to stabilize himself.

Dream blinked, "I.. yes, yes, of course, baby.. I.. I'm okay.." He lied through the skin of his teeth and Mirage didn't look quite convinced.

"..Daddy, am I making you sad..?" Mirage questions, appearing to be on the brink of tears.

It made Dream's heart ache.

"No no no.. never, baby.. not at all, you don't need to worry over that.." Dream immediately assures that Mirage hadn't done anything to make him sad. He truly wasn't sad.. just very, very concerned. Dream squeezes Mirage in a hug, trying his best to cheer him up.

"..Daddy, I was lyin'.." Mirage murmurs into his chest.

The words made Dream still.

"..About what?" Dream pressed further, needing to know what it is that Mirage had been lying about.

"I.. I kno' m'talking to myself.. but s'not.. s'not really me.." Mirage admits quietly, his grip on Dream just that much tighter as he confessed.

Dream didn't understand.

Dream glanced at Malevolent, who gave him a little nod and left the room. Dream was looking for help but he guessed Malevolent misinterpreted that.

"Can you.. can you explain more, baby?" Dream requested, it made Mirage's grip loosen as he rubbed his face in Dream's chest, silent as ever.

Mirage gave this little sigh, "I.. mm.. okay.. I.. I will.. jus' now.." He stumbled through the words as he seemed to soak up Dream's presence. Dream didn't know why Mirage was so hesitant but he didn't rush him.

Dream only held Mirage closer as he awaited an answer.

After a bit of silence, Mirage finally spoke up again.

"Well.. s'like.. two voices in my head.. they're not me but.. they aren't.. not me.. s'just... confusing.. they got louder and started talking and s'weird.." Mirage murmurs, finally explaining what it is. 

Although the explanation was confusing.

"..I.. I don't really understand, baby but.. you have two voices in your head and those argue? But they aren't you?" Dream repeated, making sure that he properly understood. Though, from the way it sounded.. Malevolent might have been right in saying this was a disorder.

Mirage nodded, "Mhm.. I'm them if they're mixed, almost.. uhm.. the uh.. don't get mad when I tell you the next part, okay?" He requests so softly, his eyes watery as a few tears slipped down his cheeks.

Dream lovingly caresses the tears away, "I'd never be mad, baby.. please, tell me.." He practically begs as his eyes bore into Mirage's own.

"The.. the voices' names are.. are Nightmare and Dream.." Mirage admits and in his eyes there was a glimmer of purple and a glimmer of gold. As though to physically confirm the words.

Dream didn't understand.

Not one bit.

"..I'm sorry?" That was the only thing Dream could say and Mirage flinched, shrinking in on himself on Dream's lap.

"I.. I said it.. p-please dun' get mad.." Mirage spoke with a sniffle, rubbing at his face and Dream's heart just hurt. It hurt and it was so confused.

Dream shushes Mirage gently, holding him as he kisses his head. "I'm not mad.. just confused. I.. how.. how long has this been going on?" Dream didn't know if he believed it.. maybe it was just a disorder and this was how it presented itself.

But it didn't explain those physical changes.

Mirage sniffled, "S.. since.. since I met ya.. that's.. that's when they started talkin'.. but s'gotten louder and louder lately.. I can't ignore it like I did before.." He elucidated, it made a lot more sense all of a sudden but it was still..

So odd.

Dream didn't understand and he wasn't sure that anything could surprise him anymore.

"Do you.. do you know why they're in your head?" Dream questioned, he didn't want to make Mirage feel crazy regardless of if this was real or not.

"I am them.. and they're me.. that's why.. but we're.. not fully mixed.. not pro.. properly.. kinda.. I.. I'unno.." Tears started to roll down Mirage's face as he grew less confident in his words and all Dream could do was hold Mirage.

Hold him and try to understand.

Dream truly was trying to understand.

..But it sounded.. inane.

Dream just.. he wanted to understand, he really did but this was just.. Dream didn't even know, honestly.

"..Okay, and.. they weren't always there?" Dream tried to find out more because he honestly didn't really understand and he wanted to. But he didn't know if he was asking the right questions to understand.

Mirage shook his head, "They're me.. they've always been there.. I.. I came after, I think.." He whispered, which was.. quite the revelation. That answered one question and raised several others.

"You.. came after?" Dream didn't understand what that meant.

Mirage tilted his head up, making eye contact with Dream. His eyes were darker now and his hair was lighter. "We weren't always like this.. we became a mirage." He answered but it.. it didn't sound like Mirage speaking.

Mirage's eyes grew lighter and his hair grew darker, "We existed first, then we existed merged.. we were unaware.. until you." Mirage whispered as he cupped Dream's cheeks, his eyes boring into Dream's own.

Dream felt a shiver run down his spine as he unconsciously leaned back. Mirage seemed to snap back to normal, his eyes all watery again as his hands were back to his own body, "I.. I'm sorry.. I thought.. I thought they'd know more.." Mirage apologizes, wiping at his wet face.

Dream didn't understand any of this.

Was.. was that.. him and Nightmare? A version of them? And.. and they existed first and Mirage came after..? They merged and Mirage started existing from that?

Dream's head hurt.

"Why.. why did they merge?" Dream asked Mirage, not the.. other two. He wasn't going to address them. It felt.. weird. It wasn't like he was seeing someone who looked like him or Nightmare. It was just Mirage.. speaking in such a strange way.

Mirage sniffled, pausing for a few seconds before he spoke, "..They said they dun' know.. that it jus' happened and they weren't c-con.. conscious until we were a-attacked.. and met you after.." 

Dream was growing more and more befuddled by the second. He wondered if it was rude to ask for Malevolent to come back inside.. Dream didn't want to deal with this on his own.

But he didn't want to put Mirage on the spot to admit something that's clearly very personal to him to anyone else.

Dream took a deep breath, "Okay.. and.. and you are them and they are you?" He asked and Mirage nodded, confirming this.

"Okay.. and this does have to do with why your appearance keeps.. changing?" Dream had found that to be the more baffling thing because Mirage talking to himself like that can stem from so many different things..

Not the appearance change.

Mirage paused, then nodded again. "They started ta fight and that shows up on me.. they said.. so when one of 'em is more in control.. it shows.." He explained but there was this quiet mumbling after where Mirage asked if that was right then nodded to himself.

Dream took a deep breath in, "Okay.. okay." He couldn't say anything more than that. Dream had not a single thought in his mind.

Dream was overwhelmed with perplexing information.

It felt like he was understanding.. then suddenly he was dumped into an ocean of confusing knowledge and left to drown.

Though, from the looks of it? Mirage didn't know much more than him.

He just kept.. asking himself.

..Dream has a headache.

It was silent for a few moments.

"I.. uhm.. well, they have different names.. because you know.. you and.. him." Mirage spoke rather avoidantly as he confessed that the voices also had different names.

Dream guessed that it was the same situation as the group.. but it didn't feel like it'd be as necessary...

"..Okay, do you want to tell me them?" Dream asked instead, still trying to wrap his head around everything and understand this.. inane situation.

Mirage nodded, "The uhm.. the Nightmare is.. Na.. Nascent and.. and the Dream is D.. Dene." He gives their names and Dream didn't think Mirage knew words like that.

Though, there is apparently a Nightmare inside of him.

"..Those are nice names.." Dream whispered as he adjusted Mirage in his lap, sitting him in a more comfortable position as he cradled him. Dream rubs Mirage's stomach in circles.

"You should tell them to stop fighting so much.. and.. and if you can, try not to mumble like that in public. You will look.. very strange if you do.. but you can do it as much as you want home.." Dream was trying his best to be accepting. He didn't know what this revelation even meant.. how it'd change his and Mirage's lives..

Dream hopes it wouldn't change them much.

..He can only hope.

Mirage sniffled quietly, rubbing his eye, "Okay.. m'sorry, daddy.." He apologizes quietly, which Dream didn't like. Dream squeezes Mirage gently as he pressed kisses to him all over again and again.

Until Mirage was giggling and Dream pushed it until Mirage was a giggly mess.

Dream sighed softly, pressing one final kiss to Mirage's forehead, "You don't need to be sorry, this isn't something you can control.. and daddy doesn't think any differently of you."

That was all true.. Dream was less thinking of Mirage differently rather than thinking of how he'd have to try and approach such a.. tender situation.

But Dream will make do.

He always does.

Mirage loosely nuzzled into him, yawning, his face was all red and puffy.. Dream cupped Mirage's cheek, pressing kisses right beneath his eyes. Expressing all of that must have made the poor boy so tired..

Dream should take him home.

Dream also just wanted to go home and lie down. His head hurt so bad.. and oddly, his side did too.

Regardless of the pain, Dream stood up with Mirage in his arms and carried him out of the room. It's there that he sees Malevolent by the door, clearly waiting to be let back inside.

Malevolent's eyes landed on the obviously exhausted Mirage who was almost fully asleep. Wordlessly, he tells Dream to leave. The look was just present in his face.

Malevolent leaned in and kisses Dream on the forehead, "Until next time.." He whispered and Dream couldn't even reply. He just wanted to leave. Dream presses a kiss to Malevolent's cheek before he opened a portal and took his leave.

Dream couldn't even be bothered to get him or Mirage properly cleaned up the way that Mirage likes.. he just collapsed onto the bed with Mirage.

Mirage was asleep by now and Dream's body curled around his child's own. He had a hand on Mirage's stomach, observing the way his chest rose and fell with every breath he took. He couldn't believe that Mirage was.. a fusion of them.

Dream wouldn't believe it if it weren't for the actual physical changes that came alongside them.

It's just.. inane.

Why.. why does he keep attracting versions of him and his brother? Something that he didn't think existed but every person presently in his life was at least partially Nightmare, apparently.

Dream tried not to dwell on all the feelings he had.

He was tired.

Dream closed his eyes, he'll just.. take a brief nap. He'll get up soon and do.. what he has to.

Just now.

Dream woke up to a stark pain in his side. The scarred side.. the one that took so long to heal. Dream suppresses any noise he makes as he sat up, lifting his shirt and staring at his side. It looked.. fine. It didn't look like it was hurt.

So why did it hurt?

Dream tried to move to get up, to inspect the problem better but it really hurt.

Dream just collapsed right back onto the bed and this movement wakes Mirage up too. Mirage yawned, he sits up effortlessly, turning his gaze to Dream.

"Daddy..? What's wrong..?" Mirage asked, his voice drenched in concern. Did Dream look as bad as he felt because Mirage seemed incredibly worried.

"Nothing, baby.. go back to sleep.." Dream answers through gritted teeth, he was trying to behave normally but it really really hurt. Why was it hurting like that? It was healed. It's been healed for so long now.

Dream doesn't think that this was normal.

What should he..?

Before Dream could even finish the thought, Mirage was in front of him, hands on his pendant as his eyes appeared lighter and his hair darker. Dream didn't quite understand why Mirage had grabbed the pendant like that but it started to glow and vibrate subtly.

Oh.. that.. he poured his magic into it.. he's.. surprised that worked, honestly.

Dream didn't think Mirage had much magic if any at all.. but he looked slightly different if Dream's eyes were not deceiving him.. that meant..

Mirage.. or rather.. one of them got off of the bed.. just in time for Dream's pendant to glow and vibrate much more aggressively. Dream couldn't see but he could hear the little footsteps running out.. and the front door opening.

The footsteps came back but with a second pair of footsteps accompanying it.

He already knew but..

Dream hears a small click, seeing his pendant now connected with another familiar looking one..

The next thing Dream knew, Nightmare was hovering over his curled up body with a frown very present on his face.

"What's hurting?" Nightmare murmured the question, speaking very softly to Dream. Dream moved his hand away from his pained side, slowly.

"My side.." Dream rasps out the answer and like clockwork, the lights turned on and Nightmare had raised his shirt, inspecting his side. Dream feels Nightmare's cold hand pass over his side and it makes his mind go a bit numb.

It felt better.

But only for a moment.

Dream whined, his body scrunched up as though that would help the pain in any way. Dream feels Nightmare slowly unfurl his body. "You're putting pressure on it like that.. relax." Nightmare informed as he put Dream to lay flat on his back.

Dream tried his best to resist the urge to curl up and disappear as Nightmare's hand trailed back to his side.

"..You're not hurt, your injury is healed." Nightmare muttered as he pressed his fingers into Dream with a bit of pressure, causing Dream to wince and whine. Nightmare soothingly rubs over the area, brows furrowed. Dream could feel a sense of coolness spreading over his side and further.

It took Dream a moment to realize that Nightmare was healing him.

It dulled the pain Dream felt but the pain was still there.. just, slightly less sharp than it had been before.

Dream was barely lucid enough to hear Nightmare talking to Mirage instead of him.

"What did you do today?" Nightmare asked, his voice had this slight waver to it.

"We went to the brothel, that was it." Mirage.. said..? That didn't sound like Mirage, it sounded too mature.. and almost jaded in a way.

Dream figured that had to be 'Nascent' rather than 'Dene.'

"What happened there?" Nightmare continued to question Mirage for the details on their day and Dream tried his best to focus and listen.

"We went.. I told him.. but he was.." Mirage wasn't making much sense as he spoke..

Oh.. it was Dream who wasn't hearing properly. Dream's eyes felt heavy, he can close them for a bit, can't he?

Dream suddenly felt a jab of pain in his side, making him whine. He glanced, noticing Nightmare's hand had moved from his side. Dream peered at Nightmare's face, it was contorted into this expression of worry and fear that didn't quite suit Nightmare.

Dream felt his brother's hand on his side again, that cool sensation passing over him once more. But that wasn't the only thing he felt.

Dream also felt Nightmare's lips on his own, kissing him as he caressed his side.

Dream kissed back, of course.

Dream wasn't too sure why Nightmare was kissing him and he was a bit worried that Mirage might be watching.. but his mind was very hazy with the pain that he felt.

Dream feels Nightmare start to undress him and he felt chilly.. Dream was then moved and his head was laying on what he thinks was Nightmare's arm while his hand still caressed his side. Dream felt cold.. he tried to tug at a nearby blanket but Nightmare stops him.

"You're too warm to be covering up right now.." Nightmare explained which Dream barely registers but he takes Nightmare's word for it.

Dream also was just struggling to move at all with this pain in his side.

Dream glanced at Nightmare's face and.. it was pained. He didn't look happy upon seeing Dream so obviously in pain. It's strange to see Nightmare look so.. upset. Nightmare pressed his lips to Dream's forehead, and Dream felt a little better.

"Just relax.. I have you, you're okay.." Nightmare whispers to Dream and it does make him feel even better.. weirdly enough.

Dream feels a pain in his side again.. but that was because Mirage was now curled up in his side.. Mirage was pressing kisses to Dream's side and despite the initial touch hurting.. Dream liked those little kisses. He didn't want them to stop.

Dream just barely raises his hand, feeling his side tense more than he'd like it to as he pets Mirage's head. Mirage paused, taking Dream's hand off of his head and wrapping himself around his arm as he sniffled.

If Dream didn't know any better, he'd say he's dying because this all felt very melancholic.

Dream's eyes started to fall shut again.

Unlike before, Dream isn't woken up by pain.

Dream drifts off into sleep without any interruptions, surrounded by this warmth.

Chapter Text

Dream woke up to more pain in his side during the morning.. he glanced around the room and.. he was alone.. and wearing a robe.

..Dream didn't own any robes as far as he was aware.

Did Nightmare bring them?

Speaking of Nightmare.. where was he? And Mirage?

Dream didn't really want to but it seemed like he had to get up. Just as Dream was about to attempt to sit up, the bedroom door opens. There, he sees Nightmare with a bowl of.. something, and Mirage trailing behind him.

"I want ta feed him!" Mirage complained, tugging at Nightmare's pants.

"You'll spill it all over him, and stop pulling at me." Nightmare spoke sternly as his tentacles encased Mirage, lifting him above the ground.

Nightmare approached Dream, blinking, "Oh.. you're awake.. how are you feeling, bub?" He asked, his voice so soft as he set the bowl of what looked to be soup aside. Nightmare helps Dream to sit up and Dream allows him to easily.

"Better.." Dream answered quietly, he wasn't lying, he felt better than yesterday but there was still this.. ache.

Nightmare sighed softly, his expression.. melancholic, almost. Nightmare cups Dream's cheek and kisses him on the other, "That's good.. I brought you something to eat." Nightmare spoke softly as he sat on the edge of the bed, picking back up the bowl.

Dream opened his mouth a bit and Nightmare spooned broth into his mouth. Dream was easily able to eat that. There were a few vegetables too.. and they were all incredibly soft. It was easy for Dream to eat. The soup tasted like a chicken broth soup.. something he does recall having a lot of growing up.

The chicken was something Dream struggled to get a lot.. sometimes it'd just be a vegetable broth soup.

Dream doesn't recall having chicken in his fridge.. but he doesn't try to think on it too deeply as he dutifully ate whatever he was fed.

Dream finishes the whole soup and Nightmare uses his sleeve to rub Dream's messy face, "There you go.. are you still hungry? There's more." Nightmare asked as he rubs Dream's cheek with his thumb.

Dream shook his head, feeling a tad bit embarrassed at the.. childlike treatment. He's never seen Nightmare behave like this. Did he always act like this when they were younger?

Dream sees bits and pieces of this parental role Nightmare takes on and it makes him wonder if he was like this when they were younger.. and why he so struggled to recall it.. Dream's thoughts were interrupted by Mirage in his lap, pouting with teary eyes.

Dream cupped his cheeks, "What's wrong, baby?" He asked, uncaring of his injured side, at least for a moment before it started to ache.. but thankfully, no one seemed to notice.

Mirage hiccupped, "M'sorry.. I.. I didn't mean ta make ya sick..!" He apologizes, obviously believing that he was at fault for Dream's current condition.

"You didn't do this baby.. don't cry.. daddy likes when you're happy.." Dream murmurs to Mirage, kissing away his tears. Mirage held Dream's face, keeping him there to kiss his face. Dream indulged his child.. he felt bad that he worried him.

Their tender moment was interrupted by Mirage getting yanked out of his lap, now held in Nightmare's own.

Dream blinked, "Wh..?-" He didn't get to finish the question.

"You're pushing yourself, lean back and relax." Nightmare ordered as he gently pushed Dream's hunched form to lay back. Dream felt his face flush, oh..

Mirage looked even more upset when he realized that Dream was bending forward for him. Mirage sniffled but he didn't seek Dream out, instead hiding his face in Nightmare.

Dream felt a bit jealous.

His jealousy was quickly smothered to death by Nightmare kissing him on the mouth.

"Get a bit more rest, you should feel even better later." Nightmare instructed, moving Mirage to one of his tendrils to be held as he used his hands to gently adjust Dream's body to be lying down. Dream was given a kiss to his temple, then his cheek.. and finally, his lips. Mirage gave him a kiss too.

Then he was left alone to sleep.

The next time that Dream opened his eyes, it was dark.. the only light in the room being the glow in the dark stars that he had on the ceiling.. for Mirage, of course.

They didn't provide much light, though.

Dream tried to feel around the bed but no one else was with him in it.. were they sleeping on the couch? That's not good. Dream ignored the pain he felt as he sat up, only to be confusingly pushed back down.

Dream blinked, eyes focusing on.. Nightmare. Oh.. Dream didn't.. he didn't even see him. "Where's Mirage..?" Dream whispered, trying to keep his voice as low as possible. Nightmare didn't verbally answer, instead turning on the bedside lamp.. Dream doesn't own a lamp, where did that..

Dream didn't fixate on the lamp, instead he fixated on second mattress on the ground that was covered in pillows and blankets, with Mirage bundled up at the centre of it all.

"Did you.. did you bring all that..?" Dream questioned, coughing a bit as he spoke. Nightmare pours him a glass of water out of nowhere.. and helps him to drink it down.

"I did.. your home is much too bare.." Nightmare whispered as he set the glass aside, cupping Dream's face and kissing him on his temple. Dream felt his face grow hot.

Dream completely forgot about the ache in his side until he leaned a bit forward. He winced, making a noise of pain as his body recoils without instruction. Nightmare frowned, he leaned in, pressing his hand to Dream's side.

Once more, Dream felt that coolness spread over his side and travel further too. Dream didn't realize that his head had felt hot until it was suddenly cool again. Dream simply watched Nightmare until his brother pulled away.

"Go back to sleep.." Nightmare ordered as he adjusted Dream back to his sleeping position. Nightmare did it so carefully too.. like Dream was glass.

"M'not tired.. I slept all day.. and more.." Dream makes an excuse but truth be told.. he also just didn't want to sleep again. Sleeping during the day made him feel awful.. mentally. Sleeping through the day completely? He may as well never sleep again.

Dream could hear Nightmare sigh, then he was shifted on the bed, closer to the middle. There was a dip in the mattress as Nightmare laid beside him.

Nightmare's hand made its way to Dream's chest, rubbing the area in circles. "There once was a buttercup.." He whispered to Dream, giving him pause.

"Are you telling me a bedtime story..?" Dream mumbled the question.. though it didn't matter. He received no answer.

"Who was so very sleepy.."

Dream was a bit insulted that Nightmare thought that this would work.. Dream was also a bit frightened by how Nightmare speaking in that specific tone made his eyes start to droop already..

That wasn't fair..

But Dream keeps listening.

"He swayed against the wind unlike the other buttercups.. refusing to sleep despite how tired he was." Nightmare whispered, tracing shapes into Dream's chest as he spoke.

"This isn't going to work.." Dream mumbled to Nightmare, who kissed him gently in response.

"Your eyes are practically closed, baby.. just get some rest.. I'll let you stay awake during the morning." Nightmare promises, pressing his lips to Dream's own, briefly, before separating.

Dream's face felt flushed and he felt flustered.. he wanted to deny this but he complied instead. Dream's eyes fell shut.. but Nightmare didn't immediately back away, no.. Dream hears a.. lullaby? It was Nightmare singing what sounded like a familiar old tune.

It made Dream's closed eyes feel much heavier than they already did.

Dream couldn't even make out words with how tired he was..

He was out like a light in no time at all.

Dream woke up to sunlight in his eyes. He groaned, turning his head out of the way and cracking open his eyes. It was morning, that's for sure.. Dream glanced around the room, in daylight he could now properly see the second mattress that was on the floor. Dream didn't own that.. or the lamp, or the robe he was in.

Dream didn't own any of these items.

Dream sighed as he shifted to sit up, his side was a lot better, actually.. to the point where him moving like that didn't cause horrible aching pain that incapacitated him.

Dream didn't even know what spurred that pain on in the first place.. but he was incredibly glad that it eased up. Dream, for the first time in almost two days actually, shuffles off of the bed, standing up.

Dream took a moment to assess how much pain he was in and.. it didn't feel like much at all. It was a level he could handle. Thus, Dream carefully exits the bedroom, heading outside quietly.

Dream wondered where.. 

His thoughts were cut off upon hearing Nightmare's voice.

Weirdly, Dream didn't reveal himself, instead he hid in the hallway, listening.

"Why are you pouting?" Nightmare questioned what he assumed was Mirage. There was a bit of shuffling that Dream couldn't see but he heard it clearly.

"I jus'.. want daddy ta be better.." Mirage answered, his voice quivering as he spoke. He could hear the little sniffles that came after the admission.

"He will be soon, he's already much better than before." Nightmare.. reassures Mirage, that's strange to hear.. so very very strange. 

He could hear Mirage sniffle again, "Okay, papa.." He muttered and that gave Dream pause.

What did Mirage just call Nightmare..?

Dream wasn't the only one who was surprised by this, apparently.

"What did you just call me?" Nightmare questioned, Dream's curiosity got the better of him so he just peeked around the corner.. he sees Mirage in Nightmare's arms.. and he sees Mirage's face grow awfully red.

"I.. I didn't say nuthin'..!!" Mirage denies ever even speaking, hiding his flushed face away into Nightmare's neck. Nightmare chuckled a little, rubbing Mirage's back..

It was so sweet.

Dream didn't think they'd ever get along after what Nightmare had done to Mirage.. but he's glad that Mirage didn't seem to hold any grudges..

Dream should go back to bed.

Dream tries his best to quietly sneak away but he steps on a creaky floorboard, and in an instant, his body was loosely restrained by Nightmare's tendrils.

Dream was now in front of Nightmare and Mirage.. who both wore different expressions. One of disappointment and shock, respectively.

"Hi.." Dream greeted, not knowing what else to say or do.

Dream was gently set down in one of the dining room chairs. Nightmare sighed so loudly as he placed Mirage in his lap.. but Mirage was sitting on the chair in between his legs rather than on his thighs. Mirage gently leaned back into Dream, putting no weight on him at all.

Dream smiled, petting Mirage's head as he observed Nightmare going around the kitchen from the corner of his eye. Dream did smell food.. he wondered what had been made.

A plate of mini pancakes were placed in front of Dream. It was quite the different meal from the soup he had yesterday.

Nightmare took the seat beside him, dressing the mini pancakes in syrup. He then starts to cut up the food into little cubes and.. feed Dream. Dream's face flushed as he just decided to be quiet and eat.

Though, it wasn't just him who was being fed.

Nightmare was also feeding Mirage between Dream chewing his food. Mirage appeared pleased as he ate, he had a little smile on his face and a bounce as he sat. It was adorable.

Dream didn't know how else to describe this whole situation besides.. domestic. It just felt very homely.

The food was finished before Dream knew it and Nightmare had immediately gotten up after to clean up the dishes and further tidy up.

Mirage also jumped out of the chair to go and aid Nightmare in this while Dream sat there, staring.

Oh, he should..

Dream was pinned to the chair by a tendril.

"Do not get up and try to help, just sit there." Nightmare ordered, back turned yet he still knew what Dream had planned to do and restrained him. Dream pouted, petting the tendril in his lap.

"And don't pout at me, you're not feeling well, you shouldn't be so active." Nightmare followed up and it made Dream's pout disappear immediately. He didn't know how Nightmare knew.. but he certainly stopped pouting.

Dream sat at the table by himself until Nightmare and Mirage had finished cleaning up. He was relieved when they were done as sitting at the table being useless was truly putting a damper on his mood.

"You know, I'm surprised you don't own a television." Nightmare commented as he sat across from Dream this time, though unlike before.. Mirage was in Nightmare's lap now.

Dream blinked, "Well.. I never had time to sit and watch shows.. I also heard it wasn't good for children so I didn't get one even after getting Mirage." He explained himself to Nightmare, who hummed.

"I see.. well, you're not entirely wrong but not entirely correct either. I do think it's better for children to play outside or read than watch television." Nightmare discussed with Dream, bouncing Mirage in his lap. Mirage didn't seem to be following too well. Dream wonders if Mirage has ever seen a television before.

"Speaking of children, have you started on educating Mirage, yet?" Nightmare pivots the conversation to something that immediately makes Dream feel shame.

Dream shook his head, "No.. I.. I didn't." He couldn't say that he 'didn't have time' anymore. Dream had all the time in the world to be teaching Mirage.

Nightmare leaned over the table, pressing a kiss to Dream's cheek, "It's alright, I can teach him for you." He suggested, which weirdly enough, made Mirage perk up.

"Bring more books like the one ya read to me!" Mirage ordered, pressing his hands to Nightmare's chest.

"Books like the prince and his dragon, you mean?" Nightmare questioned to which he received a very excited amount of nods.

"Yes! Yes! That one! I liked it!" Mirage expresses so happily and it made Dream feel guilty that he had been practically robbing Mirage of books when he clearly seemed to enjoy them.

Dream guessed Mirage was a bit more like Nightmare than him.

Well, Mirage was..

Dream's not thinking about that.

"-ream? Dream?"

Dream comes back to reality, seeing Nightmare look at him with a slightly puzzled expression. "Oh.. yes..?" He answers, embarrassed that he had zoned out like that.

"Hm.. how about we go outside for a bit? I'll help you change and you can bask in the sunlight." Nightmare suggested, though it didn't feel much like a suggestion when Nightmare had already gotten up and picked Dream up with his tendrils.

"I-I.. okay.. sounds good.." Dream reluctantly agrees as he was carried to the bedroom regardless.

He was taken out of the robe that he didn't own and dressed in just a regular short sleeve shirt and pants.. unlike him, Mirage got dressed on his own in the bathroom.

Then they all headed outside.

Outside was very bright.. and sunny.

"Come to think of it, I don't recall seeing the back here.. it is rather drab, though." Nightmare commented as he set Dream down on one of the plastic chairs he had outside under the awning.

"Is it..?" Dream didn't feel like it was drab.. but then again, the only things outside here were grass, weeds, a lone tree.. and one swing. It was nothing like the expansive garden that Nightmare had in his residence.

"A bit, I do think that it can do with more variety of plants, and perhaps a fountain or two. Maybe one of those play houses for the little one." Nightmare commented as he sauntered through the yard.

Mirage perked up, "Oh! I want a play house!!" He exclaimed, pulling at Nightmare's clothes. Nightmare chuckled at him, picking Mirage up and placing him on the swing.

"We'll see about it, those are only for good boys." Nightmare teased, causing Mirage to huff, even as he was swung on the swing.

"I'm a good boy! Right, daddy?" Mirage called out to Dream, making him smile a little.

Dream nodded, "Of course, the best boy, in fact." He praises, adoring the way Mirage's face lights up as he puffs his chest out in pride.

Dream would never get tired of that face.

Nightmare chuckled, still continuing to push Mirage on the swing. He locks eyes with Dream, smiling.

"I am surprised that you don't have a garden, Dream." Nightmare comments, which made Dream a bit confused.. until he remembered that Nightmare hadn't gotten a proper tour of his home.

"I have a vegetable garden on the side of the house.. Mirage can show you where if you wish." Dream explained, and despite not saying for Mirage to be a guide right now.. Mirage took the role.

Mirage hopped off of the swing and grabbed Nightmare's arm, tugging him along to the side of the house. Dream tried to keep an eye on them, peeking around the corner but he couldn't see that well.

Dream could hear Mirage explaining all the plants, though.

"That's the tomatoes, those are the chives.. that's the.." Mirage kept going on about every plant that Dream had in his garden.

"Oh, and that's the.. whassit.. oh, right, lemongrass!" Mirage ended on that, which made Dream feel a bit embarrassed, for some reason.

Nightmare hummed, the first noise he made since being shown the vegetable garden. "I see." He spoke softly.. Dream watches them both come back into view, Mirage holding Nightmare's hand.

Nightmare smiles at him, "May I use your lemongrass for tea later?" He inquired, his face looking.. just so soft as he spoke.

"Please.." Dream whispered in reply, feeling immediately embarrassed by how those words sounded. He didn't mean to sound so desperate.

But Nightmare didn't mention it, pressing a kiss to the top of his head before Mirage had dragged Nightmare back to the swing.

..Dream liked this.

He liked this a lot.

Dream was truly content to just watch Mirage have fun and drag Nightmare around to play but occassionally Mirage would run up to him, kiss him on the cheek, then go back to playing.

Dream liked being included like that.

Presently, Mirage had Nightmare sitting on the ground as he practiced braiding hair. Dream doesn't recall teaching Mirage how to do that.. maybe he already knew.. or maybe Nightmare had taught him.

It was going fine enough but Mirage huffed very loudly.

"You have too much hair, papa!" Mirage complained as he rested himself on Nightmare's back. Dream tried to contain his surprise from Mirage not only saying that once.. but twice.

"Papa, hm?" Nightmare teased, tilting his head back to stare at Mirage's now deeply flushed face.

Mirage pushed his head away, "I didn't say that!" He denied, even though he definitely did and Mirage definitely knew that he did. Nightmare coos at Mirage, a tendril wrapping around his waist and dropping him into Nightmare's lap.

"Awh~ No need to be so embarrassed, 'Mimi.'" Nightmare uses Dream's nickname for Mirage in a teasing way, making his face grow all the more red. Mirage whined, hanging his head low but he didn't fuss much.

Dream wanted to comfort him.. although Nightmare was only teasing.. he wanted to hold Mirage and tell him that it was alright.

As though Mirage could sense his thoughts, he escaped from Nightmare's hold and ran over to Dream, slowing down only to crawl into his lap and hug his neck.

"Daddyyyy..." Mirage whined, nuzzling his face into Dream's neck.

Dream cooed, he wrapped his arms around Mirage, massaging the back of his head as he placed tender kisses all over his sweet boy. He could hear Mirage thrumming with noises of delight. Dream liked to make him happy.

In the midst of this, Nightmare had walked over. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of Mirage's head, which made him flinch and huff but he didn't seem upset at the affection. Nightmare stands beside Dream as he continued to spoil Mirage with affection.

Dream hummed softly, "This is nice.. I like this.." He expresses to Nightmare. He had kept thinking it.. but he wanted to say it to him.. in hopes that maybe, maybe.. this would happen more.

Minus Dream keeling over with almost unbearable pain, that is.

Besides that, this had been.. lovely.

Nightmare hummed, leaning down and pressing a kiss to the top of Dream's head now. "Well, I'm rather available." He whispers, and Dream found that hard to believe.

"Really?" 

"For you? Always." Nightmare's face was incredibly close to Dream's as he whispered the words.

All Dream could do was dumbly nod along.

Dream wasn't sure if his heart would be able to handle Nightmare's suave constantly, though.

Nightmare pressed a kiss to Dream's mouth briefly before he pulled back, "I think we should head inside now, Mirage seems to need a nap."

"I dun' need a nap.." Mirage mumbled, clearly half asleep but only replying to the notion to prove that he wasn't. It made Dream giggle.

Dream felt a bit sad when Nightmare took Mirage from him, holding him in his arms, while his tentacles grabbed a hold of Dream.

Dream felt his face heat up ever so slightly as he was carried back inside. Dream was placed on the couch, while Nightmare headed to the bedroom. He came out about a minute after and sat beside Dream, putting Dream to sit in his lap.

"How are you feeling?" Nightmare whispers the question into Dream's neck, his breath tickled him a little. Dream nuzzles his head against Nightmare's own.

"A lot better.. it just barely hurts right now." Dream spoke the truth, it didn't hurt nearly as much as it did before but he shouldn't push it, he thinks.

Nightmare kisses his neck, "That's good.. I believe that by tomorrow you won't have any pain left." He estimates as his hand gently goes to Dream's side, that cool feeling spreading over his scar again.

"I hope so.. I want to play with Mirage like normal.. speaking of, did he tell you..?" Dream leaves the sentence hanging, not wanting to say it and expose Mirage's secrets. But Dream knows he heard them talking that first night..and it was about their day.

"Hm? About what?" Nightmare prompted Dream to actually speak and it causes him to hesitate.

"On that first night.. about our day? Did he tell you what he told me?" Dream gets a bit more specific but he doesn't actually say any details.

"Oh, that? Yes, he told me about those voices and their names. It didn't help me whatsoever." Nightmare admits that he did know but.. the revelation didn't seem to matter to him at all. It didn't seem to affect him.

"And you.. you think nothing of it?"

"Do you?"

Dream blinked, "I.. well, no, it.. it's just.. strange, you know? I thought that.. we were a bit.. unique.. yet apparently there's so many versions of us running around.." Dream thought it was strange.. to know that there could be even more versions of him and Nightmare running around.. more innocuous fusions like Mirage running around..

It was weird.

Nightmare hummed, "I suppose it's strange to think of, yes.. but it doesn't really affect us, does it?" He proposed, hand caressing Dream's side lovingly.

"What do you mean..?"

"I mean that it shouldn't change anything. Whether or not there's multiple of us running around, or Mirage being whatever he is. The knowledge shouldn't affect our day-to-day." Nightmare clarified what it is he meant.. and Dream suddenly realized why Nightmare didn't seem to truly care about the group being versions of him..

Nightmare didn't let that knowledge affect his day-to-day.. Dream could only hope to be like that. Dream stews in any new knowledge he finds until he's sick.

..Oh, that explains some things.

Dream sighed, leaning back into Nightmare. His brother's hand moves to rub his stomach and Dream felt his face flush ever so slightly. "You're weird.." He mumbled, causing Nightmare to pause.

"Just like that? What did I do?" Nightmare asked, playfully offended. He nips Dream's neck as a sort of revenge and Dream giggled unwittingly.

"N-Nothing.. I.. you're just weird.. and I like it." Dream admits, feeling his face grow even hotter as he spoke. Dream's always adored his brother's little oddities.. always enjoyed.. him. Despite everything.. Dream has always adored him.

Nightmare's face grows a bit red, he looks away, tense. Dream rarely sees Nightmare behave.. shyly. It was.. it was so cute. Dream holds Nightmare's head still with his hand, pressing a kiss to his cheek. Nightmare's face flushed a bit more.

"..I think you need a nap too." 

"What? For kissing you?" 

"And if I said yes?"

Dream giggled at the dry reply, receiving a kiss back from Nightmare on the cheek. He liked this.. he liked it a lot.

Dream was then lifted off of the couch, carried in Nightmare's arms like a bride to the bedroom. Dream tried to push down the fluttering feeling in his heart as he was carried. Upon entering the bedroom, Dream noticed that Mirage was asleep on that second mattress.. while Dream was put to sleep on his own mattress.

Dream pouted a bit, he wanted to sleep with Mirage but he doubts Nightmare will allow that.. in case it somehow aggravates his condition. Nightmare was humming a tune as he sets Dream up to sleep.

Again, the tune was familiar..

"What's that you're humming?" Dream asked softly, watching the way Nightmare paused his movements, blinking in surprise.

"You don't remember?" 

"..No, I'm sorry." Dream apologizes, trying to contain the shame bubbling up inside of him. It made his side..

Dream's thoughts were cut off by a kiss to his lips.

"That's okay.. it was just a tune I used to hum for you when we were younger." Nightmare explains as he sat on the edge of the bed, adjusting the pillows behind Dream and pulling the blanket up over him properly.

Dream blinked, oh. 

"Did it have lyrics..?" 

"That's a rather roundabout way of asking me to sing for you." Nightmare teased, leaning in and kissing Dream's cheek.

Dream's face flushed, "Well.. so what if I am? Aren't you going to anyways?" He retorted, leaning in towards Nightmare, like he was challenging him.

Dream gently gets pushed back.

"My, you have me clocked, don't you?" Nightmare teased, pressing a chaste kiss to Dream's lips. His hand over Dream's hand and squeezing it gently.

Nightmare took a deep breath, then he started to sing.

"Rest now, my bunny..~ Close your eyes~" Nightmare sang, passing his hands over Dream's eyes, 'closing' them. Although Dream kept his eyes open.

"The stars will sing and dance as you sleep..~" Nightmare lightly tapped his fingers on Dream's face, as though mimicking the stars dancing on him.

Nightmare caresses Dream's lips, "They'll grace your tired, weary form.. adorning you with glitter and gold~" His voice was a bit softer..

There was a small pause as Nightmare took another deep breath.

"Rest now, my bunny.. for soon we'll away~" Nightmare continued, cupping Dream's cheek, rubbing at it with his thumb.

"Into the sky, where the stars shine so bright..~" Nightmare glanced up, and Dream followed his gaze unconsciously. His brother was looking at the glow in the dark stars that he had on the ceiling. It hadn't been that late but it was somehow dark.. and the faux stars truly did shine so bright.

Nightmare tilted his head downwards, leaning in close to Dream. "I'll take you with me~ We'll leave this behind.. as I have finally.." Nightmare trailed off, pressing his lips to Dream's own.

The kiss was chaste.. but so.. intimate.

Nightmare separates, singing against his lips, "Made you mine..~" He finished, pressing a brief kiss to Dream's lips before he moved back completely.

Dream's face felt hot and he could do nothing but blankly stare at Nightmare.

Oh.. that was.. that..

"Th.. thank you.." Dream muttered his gratitude. Nightmare didn't have to sing for him.. but he did.. and Dream appreciated it.

Nightmare's gentle smile made Dream's heart melt a little, "Of course.. I'll sing for you anytime, bunny~" He teased a little with that petname, making Dream's face feel ten times hotter than it did before.

Dream was both tired and extremely awake.

Dream didn't know if Nightmare could tell but he cupped his cheek and kissed his forehead. "Get some rest now, okay?" He softly orders and Dream felt compelled to listen.

Before he knew it, his eyes were closed.

Dream could feel that gentle, tingly tapping feeling, like the stars were dancing on his face as he drifted off to sleep.. it made him feel warm inside.

So warm.

Chapter Text

Dream had basically fully recovered in the following day. Although Nightmare stuck around until it was nighttime, watching him as he did simple things like walking around, picking things up. Nightmare made sure that he wasn't in any sort of pain before he left.

Dream was truly a bit sad to see him go.. he had been there for a few days and Dream had gotten.. used to his presence. But Nightmare apparently had other things to do.. Dream didn't know that. He kind of thought Nightmare was like him.. that if they were no longer fighting, he'd have all the free time in the world.

But that wasn't really the case.

Mirage also seemed sad to let Nightmare go. He didn't quite show it, but he had the biggest little pout on his face when they were all saying their goodbyes. It was cute..

Nightmare had left the things he brought here even though Dream insisted that he take them back.. the only thing Dream convinced Nightmare to take back was the second mattress as he had.. no use for it. A robe and a lamp and whatever other minor things, he can make use of it.. currently, he had no need for another bed.

And that was it..

Nightmare had left his home and it felt.. weirdly empty.

But Dream tried not to think about that.

Dream carried on with his day-to-day, though.. he started trying to educate Mirage, because if he doesn't, he'll feel very guilty about it because he would be robbing the boy when he's clearly so bright.

Mirage got the hang of counting fairly quick, the only thing about counting was that he struggled a bit to spell the words used but Dream didn't rush him, just kept him going and learning.

Dream was mainly focusing on arithmetic.. and things related to that. Dream wasn't the best at reading. The words sort of just.. eluded him at times and that certainly doesn't help when teaching another.

Mirage didn't seem to like arithmetic as much as him, though.

Mirage liked reading more, it seemed.

"C'mon, Mimi.. you know the answer to this." Dream gently encourages, watching the way Mirage glared at the math problem. Mirage got addition and subtraction down extremely quickly, thus he moved to multiplication and.. Mirage struggled a tad.

Mirage knew up to his multiplication of threes so Dream moved onto four.. he had a little sheet that had numbers one through twelve, multiplied by four.

He was stuck on nine by four.

Mirage didn't look very interested in the work, maybe Dream had overworked him today.. well, no point in continuing if Mirage isn't interested anymore. He'll pick back up later. Dream scoops Mirage up, holding him in his arms.

Mirage blinked, giggling a little. He nuzzled into Dream, "Are we done??" He asked that with so much excitement.. it made Dream confident in his decision to end their learning today.

"Mhm, all done for today.. how about we go ahead and play outside, hm?" Dream suggests as he headed to the bedroom, Mirage would have to change to go outside.

Mirage giggled, nodding along. As soon as they got to the bedroom, he got himself dressed in more outdoorsy clothes, then he pulled Dream out to the yard. Dream was so much more appreciative of being able to play with Mirage after those few days he had where he couldn't.

Dream just.. loved this.

Dream smiled as he watched Mirage head over to his swing, taking his seat easily.. and Dream got behind him, pushing him as high as he safely could. Mirage was giggling, clearly very amused by the swing.

Dream wanted to get him more things.. for Mirage to be this happy all of the time... that would be wonderful.

..Maybe Dream should get a play house for Mirage.

Dream's come to learn that play houses were very expensive.. Dream doesn't lack money, he was often gifted it as a reward back when he used to fight Nightmare.. and he had a lot saved up.. but he's been using those savings for his and Mirage's own expenses.. and a play house would eat up a lot that Dream isn't sure how quickly he could or if he even could recover it.

Dream wondered if Nightmare would buy one for Mirage..

Dream sighed softly, running his fingers through his hair. His thoughts were interrupted by Mirage putting a paper on the table. Oh, he finished the whole sheet. He got his multiplication of fours and fives.. Dream didn't even make him a sheet for his five times.. Mirage simply did that himself.

Dream went through, correcting it and.. Mirage hadn't made a single mistake in either sheet.

He truly is very bright.

Dream picks Mirage up, placing him on his lap and keeping him trapped there as he smothered him with kisses. "Good job! You got it all right!" He congratulates, his heart warm with the way Mirage giggled and squirmed at the kisses.

"Daddyyyy.." Mirage called out, putting a pause on Dream's barrage of kisses.

"Yes, baby?"

"I wanna go see Nyxie!" Mirage told Dream, cupping his face and squeezing it.

Dream blinked, oh.. he didn't expect that. It had been a while.. Dream had been.. sick and then after that he had just stayed at home, educating Mirage. But this was such..

Dream truly needed to get another phone.. maybe Nyx would have more.. and maybe this time, it wouldn't be broken..

"Okay, we can do that.. go ahead and get dressed. I'll pack up your toys." Dream instructs, making Mirage beam. Dream gets a quick peck to the cheek before Mirage ran off to go get changed.

Dream goes to pack up a few of Mirage's toys, the ones he liked the most.. oh, maybe Dream should get him toys that stimulate learning.. or was Mirage too old for that? Dream wasn't sure.. ah well, he can look into it.

Dream picked out a decent amount of toys, and went to show them to Mirage, who approved of what Dream chose. Then Dream had gotten dressed in more appropriate clothes.. and they headed on their way.

Dream is greeted by a familiar neon sign, as he so often is.

Dream headed around the back where he half expected to find Malaise smoking but.. instead he found Misery.. who had a flask in his hand and smelled strongly of alcohol. Dream subconsciously put Mirage behind him.

"Misery..?" Dream called out quietly and he sees Misery's eyes trail over to him. He watches the way Misery closes the flask, wipes his mouth and tucks the flask away into his pocket.

Misery smiled at him but it didn't reach his eyes. "Hey.. what are you doing here?" Misery questioned, still acting the same despite what Dream just saw. Dream didn't have a place to judge and he wasn't judging but it just.. wasn't something he expected from Misery, really.

"Just.. came to see Nyx. Is he available?" Dream didn't comment on anything, as that wasn't his place, especially not when he had Mirage with him.

Misery hummed, pulling out his phone, "One second." He says, seemingly sending a message.

Then he puts the phone away again. "He's free, he'll come meet you outside." Misery stated, giving them a smile before he attempted to take his leave.

"Wait." Dream said that before he could think about it.

Misery paused, glancing back at him, still smiling a bit, "Hmm?" He hummed questioningly, prompting Dream to speak further.

Dream didn't think this far ahead.

"Uhm.. I want to talk to you, is that okay?" Dream asked softly, he observed the way Misery's eyes flickered over his body, in a way that Dream likens to a predator watching prey. Misery's gaze travelled over to Mirage, then back to Dream.

"..Sure, after Nyx comes." Misery stated, then he.. went inside anyway.

Only for Nyx to come out very shortly after.

Nyx smiled at him and Mirage.. and Mirage wasted no time going up to Nyx and handing him his bag of toys. "Let's play!!" Mirage demanded and Nyx chuckled at him. Nyx takes Mirage and the bag in his hand, glancing at Dream with a smile.

"Hi, Dream.." Nyx greeted softly.

Dream nodded, "Hi.. Nyx.. I.. sorry, can you.. can you watch Mirage? I.. I want to talk to Misery." He requested, unable to get over what he had just seen.

Nyx's eyes widened, but his face twisted into an expression of grimace. "Oh.. yes, yes, of course. I can do that for you." Dream didn't understand why Nyx had that expression but he didn't question it. Not right now.

Dream kisses Nyx's cheek, "Thank you so much.." He whispers to Nyx before he headed inside, only to find Misery leaning against the wall next to the door.

Again, drinking from that flask.

Misery doesn't say anything but he tilted his head a bit, signalling for Dream to follow him.. and Dream does. Shortly after they walk away, he heard the back door open. But he doesn't dwell on it.. Dream follows Misery and.. he was taken to that room.

The room where Misery had dressed Dream's wounds more than once.

Dream.. felt weirdly uneasy.

"What did you want to talk about?" Misery asked as he pulled up a chair and plopped down on it, again, drinking from that flask.

Dream hesitantly approaches, licking his lips unconsciously as he took the seat across from Misery. "I.. didn't know you drank." He comments, though Misery didn't react to his comment much.

"Mhm. You don't know a lot about me." Misery retorted, taking another sip from that flask. Dream's eyes couldn't help but focus purely on it every time Misery lifted it to his face to drink.

Dream felt his heart ache when Misery spoke those words. It.. it was true, and it hurt that it was true. He's known Misery.. all of them, for months.. yet how much did he really know about them?

How much did he really know about.. anyone in his life?

"..I'm sorry." 

Misery's eyes flicker to his own, sharp and calculative. "What for?"

"I don't know.." Dream whispers, hands in his lap.

"Then why are you apologizing to me?" Misery questioned quietly. His eyes were sharp.. yet also.. soft in a way.

Dream swallows back the saliva welled in his mouth, "I.. I just felt like I should." Despite all his salivating, his words came out incredibly dry.. because his throat was dry.

Misery hummed, "So, you have nothing you want to talk about?" He questioned, his eyes fixated on the table as he taps his fingers against the flask.

"I.. I just wanted to talk to you." Dream responded, fidgeting with his hands in his lap.

"And why is that?" Misery probed further, obviously unsatisfied with Dream's reasoning.

"I just.. wanted to." Dream kept his answer the same, being a bit more firm in the way he spoke.

"You saw me drinking and that made you want to talk. You wouldn't have otherwise." Misery stated, his flask sat on the table now.. and he knocked it over. Purposefully. It clanged against the table in a way that made Dream cringe. It was empty, only a bit of whatever liquor was inside of it spilling out.

"That's not.." Dream whispers but the words die on his tongue.

Misery sighed, "You didn't try to talk to Malaise over his smoking, I don't know why I would be any different." He commented, causing Dream to flinch. His eyes were fixated on Dream, doing that flickering motion again.

Dream took a deep breath, "My intention wasn't to talk you out of drinking.." He claimed, that.. he didn't think that's what his intention was.

"Then what is your intention?"

Dream shamefully didn't have a response to that.

Misery leaned back in his chair, his usually cheerful looking face that Dream was accustomed to seeing was jaded and hardened.. he appeared much older than normal.

There was a brief silence between the two of them.

"We don't have to do this, Dream. We don't have to talk." Misery expressed in a low tone, sounding much older, much more jaded as well.

"..Did I do something wrong?" Dream didn't understand what the problem was. Maybe Misery was simply having a bad day but it felt deeper than that.

"..You didn't. You could never do anything wrong." Misery spoke the words in a hushed tone, a hint of bitterness nestled in the words.

"..I'm not your Dream."

Misery recoiled a bit at Dream's words, his eyes widening in shock but his face doesn't return to that blank expression. His face was scrunched up.

"..I know that." Misery muttered, tucking a strand of his hair behind his ears.

"Then why are you being like this?"

Another pause.

Misery's eyes darted across Dream's form, "Like what?"

Dream's own face scrunches up a bit, "..Mean." He answered, observing the way Misery's eyes widen ever so slightly.

His face went blank.. then it wasn't.

Misery wryly chuckled, "Do I compare to your Nightmare?" He asked, face propped up against his hand as he made eye contact with Dream.

That was..

"Why.. why would you say something like that..?" Dream asked, incapable of understanding what had brought upon this attitude. Was it the alcohol?

It had to be.

Misery spins the empty flask on the table with his finger, eyes fixated on the movement before he peered at Dream once more.

"Because I am a Nightmare. I am cruel, uncaring and spiteful." Misery answered flatly, his eyes held little emotion in them, as did his face. He was.. so hard to read. To understand.

Dream shakily breathed out, "But you're not that." He denied Misery's words, despite how he was currently acting.. he wasn't.. he wasn't what he said he was.

"And what makes you say that?" Misery inquired, tapping his finger on the table. Dream couldn't help but focus on the tapping before he broke his vision away from it.

"Because.. because you aren't. A person who is those things would never say so.." Dream answered, that's how it was. A person who was cruel, uncaring and spiteful would never call themselves that.

Misery chuckled, "Is that so? I don't think that's quite true."

"Then.. then because you've been nothing but kind to me." Dream pivots to something else, smiling at Misery. He.. Misery has always been nice to him. If he was everything that he said he was, he wouldn't.. he wouldn't be nice to him.

Stars, Dream felt so sick.

"Yes, it doesn't take a saint to have manners, Dream. I do like you, but I'm hardly what you're making me out to be.." Misery spoke so.. formally, he was sounding more and more like Nightmare.

"You like me?"

Misery's eyes flickered over to him, "Of course I do." He said that immediately, there was no hesitation in his reply or in his voice.

Dream's uneasiness eased ever so slightly but he still felt so terribly sick.

"You're.. you're acting very different." Dream stated the obvious, he wasn't sure what he had hoped to achieve with it, but it got another wry laugh from Misery.

Misery hummed, "Well, this is how I am." It was a curt answer that added on no explanation.

Yet Dream just.. couldn't believe that.

"But what about..?" Again, Dream's words died on his tongue. He has been struggling so dearly to make a point.

"..About what? When we had sex? When we admitted to being versions of your brother? To when I told you about my brother? It was an act, Dream." Misery confessed and it made Dream's heart just.. ache. He didn't know why it ached so much but it really.. really did.

"An act..?"

"Yes, you paid for a service. I provided the experience I'm supposed to provide. As for the rest, well.. I didn't want to scare you off for the others. I mean, c'mon.." Misery spoke so softly, he stood up in his chair and leaned over the table, brushing a strand of hair out of Dream's face.

"You look scared out of your mind right now." Misery states, pulling his hand back and sitting down.

Dream didn't want to be but he felt so very sick. Dream rests his head on his arms on the table. He took a deep breath, staring at the table.

"..You didn't have to tell me about his death. Or accept the fact that I had made up with my brother." Dream mumbles, flinching when he felt a hand touch his head. The hand retreats but Dream takes a hold of it and keeps it there, eyes locked with Misery's own.

"..I didn't." Misery said softly, his fingers gently pressing into Dream's head, massaging it, almost.

"Then.. I don't believe that you're cruel. You haven't been cruel to me." Dream firmly states as he removes Misery's hand from his hair, clasping it in his hands and squeezing.

Dream watches the way that Misery's blank face subtly twists into a little smile. A little smile that was incredibly genuine.

Dream couldn't describe it.. he also couldn't describe the way it made him feel.

"You always have to get your way, don't you?" Misery remarks, it sounded snarky but.. his expression and his tone of voice didn't make it seem so.

Misery gets up from the table, though this time he walks around to Dream's side, tilting his head up and cupping his cheek. "Indulge me for a minute, would you?" He requests, Dream could do nothing but nod.. and the gap between them was closed.

Misery was kissing Dream.. on the lips.

Something Dream hadn't felt for.. months. Dream had stopped being physically intimate with any of them and yet.. here he was.

Kissing Misery back as hard as he could.

Dream guided Misery to sit on his lap, which Misery obliges. Dream held his waist with one hand and cupped his head with the other. Dream pushed his tongue into Misery's mouth, the aftertaste of alcohol on his tongue, the taste burned and Dream wanted more.

Misery's arms were wrapped around his head, trapping Dream against him in his kiss and Dream let him. He let him kiss him deeper, push his tongue back into his mouth. It was a messy fight and it was hard to tell who was going to emerge victorious.

If emerge from this kiss at all.

Misery is the one who ends the kiss by pulling his head back. Both of them were panting, mouths slick with the other's spit.

Misery sighs softly, wiping his mouth. "I.. I didn't expect you to indulge that much." He comments, sat in Dream's lap so.. perfectly. He was small.. not as small as Mirage but.. Misery fit so well in his lap.

Dream breathed out shakily, "I.. me either.." It was the only reply he could think to say.. Misery gave him a little nod and moved off of his lap. Dream instinctively grabs his hand.

Misery paused, turning back to Dream, clearly waiting for him to say something.. anything.

"Tell me about him.." Dream orders softly, squeezing Misery's hand.

Misery's eyes widened ever so slightly, but returned to normal in a split second. "..Who?" He questioned, as if daring Dream to say it.

"Your brother." Dream accepted that dare. Although he was shaking and still panting a bit, he accepted the challenge.

Misery didn't react, because he obviously knew who Dream was talking about. Instead, he tilts his head. "That's quite the thing to ask for a man whose brother is still alive." He remarked, and Dream won't lie.. it stung.

But he didn't back down.

"..But you will tell me. Because.. because I always get to have my way, don't I?" Dream parrots Misery's earlier words, and to his own surprise, it gets a laugh out of Misery.

"That you do.. that you do." Misery spoke in a hushed tone as he pulled away from Dream's grasp, instead grabbing him by the arm and taking him.. somewhere else.

"..Where are you taking me?" Dream questioned softly as he followed along, he didn't understand why they were switching rooms but he doesn't question that part.

"To where I typically sleep, it changes sometimes." Misery answered and.. Dream couldn't help but feel a bit curious as to what that space would look like.

Dream didn't have to wait long, they entered a room soon enough and.. it was bare.

Even more so than Nightmare's room. At least Nightmare had bookshelves, bedding.. Misery had.. none of that.

It sadly reminded Dream of himself when he was at the worst of his fights with Nightmare.

"I can see you gawking." Misery commented as he approached a dresser, pulling out a sheet and covering the bed with it, before he plops down on it and gestures for Dream to sit.

Dream dutifully sits down beside him.. attempting to stop 'gawking' at the room.

Dream hears Misery take a deep breath.

"He was like a mirror." Misery spoke out of the blue, staring ahead at the wall rather than making eye contact with Dream.

"..What?" Dream didn't quite understand what that meant.

"He reflected all of the good in people, he gave back double what he saw, I suppose. But not to me, double of nothing is still nothing." Misery's voice rang out.. cold, and hollow. There wasn't much if any emotion in it.

Akin to when he told Dream of his brother's death.

Misery's words and his behaviour both had Dream tense.. without Dream even fully realizing it, as he waited with bated breath for Misery to continue.

"..Are you calling yourself nothing?" Dream couldn't help but ask. He didn't get the response he sort of expected.

"No, I'm saying that I didn't have any good for him to treat me with. Dream was kind, he found kindness where others wouldn't. He couldn't find it in me." Misery elaborated, still staring blankly ahead at the wall in front of him as he spoke.

Dream's heart felt heavy as he listened to this. "Why do you say that?" He asked softly, finding it hard to believe that Misery had no good in him. No kindness in him.

"Dream loved me, don't get me wrong, but it's in the same manner you would love an empty bowl." Misery started and Dream already didn't understand the metaphor but Misery kept speaking and Dream listened.

"You like what you can put in it or a pretty exterior, otherwise what else is there to it? It's useless. But you can keep it around because maybe you like keeping useless things around. It'd certainly make one feel more useful." Misery's voice was a bit breathy as he spoke but it was still void of.. emotion.

"Did he.. make you feel useless?" Dream whispered, feeling a lump in his throat as he tried to talk. He barely manages to get past said lump.

"I was useless." Misery emphasized that. It was the first thing that he has emphasized to Dream during their whole.. conversation.

"I hate to sound like a broken record but.. why do you say that?" Dream was maybe pushing it by consistently asking Misery to expand but he wasn't doing that much without Dream's prompt. Like he was.. waiting to be asked, Dream guessed.

"I watched the tree but I wasn't much of a guardian. No one came to do harm unto the tree. I didn't truly get bullied either. Not in the way the others did. I was just.. there. Nothing more.. and nothing less." Misery's gaze finally shifted from the wall, only to stare at the floor instead. He didn't look at Dream.

Even as he revealed such.. shocking information.

To hear that Misery wasn't bullied.. but then.. then why..

"Then why did they assume that you had caused your tree to rot..?" Dream didn't understand it. If Misery wasn't regarded much as a whole then why..

"If you saw Mirage standing next to a broken vase, who do you think broke the vase?" Misery made his point, glancing at Dream as he brought up his child's name.

"..I see." Dream muttered, expressing his understanding.

"You.. you said a lot of.. I suppose wise things before. Kind things before.. you did kind things before so I just.. I'm confused to how you could think you're.. cruel." Dream mentions it, because it felt like.. Misery was ignoring the own good he did to keep this perceived cruelty he seems to think he bore.

"Again, it was an act." Misery reiterated, staring at Dream now.

It made him feel like he said something really stupid.

"But.. but you don't.. you can't always be keeping up an act."

"That is correct, I have slipped up a few times." Misery confirmed, though he didn't bring up any instances.

"..Then, what about.. what about what you said when you supported my decision to make up with Nightmare?" Dream didn't want to think of it all as fake. Maybe that moment was a slip up in the act..

It'd feel better if it was.

Misery paused, turning to stare ahead again. "Those were not my words." He answered plain, and simple.. with no elaboration.

"..Whose words were they?" Even if Dream thinks he knew, he still asked.

"My brother's." Misery's eyes were still fixated on the wall. His face was blank.. his eyes.. were almost void, in a way.

Did Misery's eyes always look like that?

"..The way you're describing him.. it doesn't sound like he loved you." Dream points out, causing Misery's eyes to flicker over to him.

Sharp and calculative as always.

"And what do you know about love, exactly?" Misery questioned, Dream couldn't tell if the question was genuine. But it hurt to be asked that. It hurt a lot more than Dream would expect.

But he doesn't dwell on it.

"More than you, apparently." Dream replied, hands in his lap. It got this wry chuckle from Misery. He was.. so..

Misery didn't say anything more.

Dream kept probing, though.. as he remembered more and more things to dispute Misery's supposed cruelty.

"What about.. when you were treating my wounds.. and, and when you were horrified that my brother was so cruel? You looked horrified when I talked about it. Was that an act too?" If Misery was uncaring.. then he wouldn't have been horrified.

"..You're acting like I do not have emotions. What you said he did to you made me feel bad.. but it's not like I dwelled on it." Misery explained, which made Dream feel.. bad. He was.. he felt like he couldn't solidly grasp at a point.

"I didn't dwell on what he did to you and I didn't dwell on your decision to make amends with him." Misery added on, his hands in his lap. Eyes on the wall.. he didn't seem to want to make eye contact with Dream much.

It also didn't seem like Dream could even change Misery's mind..

"..You're stubborn." Dream comments, unable to help himself. If Misery shared any quality with Nightmare.. it had to be that. He refused to let Dream have his point.. he just kept.. dancing around it.

"I suppose so."

"..Did he ever.. touch you?" Dream asked the question quietly, he certainly could have phrased it better in hindsight but he.. wanted to know. Maybe it wasn't right to ask but he wanted to know.

Misery glanced at him, "That is quite the thing to ask."

"..Is that a no?"

Misery sighed softly, "We had sex a few times. It was always slow and it'd last a long time.. I suppose he might have been making up for all the times that he wasn't there, in a way." He indulged Dream with that information, shockingly enough.

Dream gripped his own pants, "It.. it really doesn't sound like he loved you."

"Are you trying to convince me of that?" 

"N-No! No.. I just.. I'm just saying..-" 

"Dream, my brother is dead. I watched him die trying to stop people from hurting me. If he didn't love me.. then I don't know what that is." Misery defended his Dream.. the one that Dream had unintentionally disparaged.

"..Didn't he try to convince you to come down despite the crowd?" Dream asked, wondering if he even remembered what Misery said correctly.

Misery's eyes were on his own hands, watching as they fidgeted with one another. "..He wanted to hold me. He didn't get to, not while he was alive." He explained softly.. again, he was completely blank in expression.

"Did you.. love him?" Dream breathes out the question, placing his hand over Misery's.. who stared at the intrusion.

"Of course I did." Misery answered immediately, without any sort of hesitation.

Dream leaned in a bit, "I'm glad you did.." He whispers to Misery, who turns his head towards him. Their faces were suddenly very close together.

Misery smiled, though, it didn't reach his eyes. "You're trying to pick up a broken mirror, Dream.." He whispers, and although Dream didn't understand..

Dream leaned in closer.

Initiating their second kiss.

On Dream's own terms.

Misery kissed him back very softly, it was.. reserved, in a way. Dream didn't notice how reserved his kiss was the first time.. but the second time, he's noticing. Dream gently guides Misery to lay down, with Dream on top of him as they kissed.

It was no longer that aggressive, messy display of passion. But rather a muted, buzzing show of affection.

Dream separates from the kiss just barely to go back in, multiple times. When he separates completely, he sees Misery's face. His eyes were half lidded, and his face flushed. He seemed.. almost dazed, in a way.

Misery turned his head to the side, "Are we going to have sex?" He questioned softly, his face seeming to get a bit redder at the question.

Dream.. didn't know if he should.. he had told Nightmare that he stopped being intimate with the group but..

But Misery had this glimmer of hope and anticipation in his eyes that Dream didn't want to disappoint.

"Yes.. we are.. do you want to lead it?" Dream asked, still hovering over Misery, though he didn't initiate anything more.

Misery shook his head, "No.. I want you to use me." He stated, face still red but, less red than before. Dream was a bit.. a lot concerned by that statement, actually.

"..Use you?"

"Mhm, pretend I have a use.. just for a bit." Misery requests as he shrugged off his jacket, tossing it aside to the ground without a care.

Dream leaned in, pressing his face into Misery's neck, "You're precious.. and I'll show you that.." Dream whispered, giving Misery a few tender kisses to the area.

Dream honestly wasn't too sure if he could lead well.. but he is going to try to, for Misery.

Dream kept his head buried in Misery's neck, kissing him there repeatedly. Misery made this small noise that wasn't quite a moan and held his head as though keeping Dream there, although he put no pressure on it.

Dream trailed his kisses further down, he was about to raise Misery's shirt up and over his head but Misery placed his hands over Dream's own, stopping him.

"Can you rip it down the middle?" Misery inquired, his face as expressionless as ever even with that.. request.

"..Can I what?" Dream didn't quite know what he was being asked here. What was he meant to do..?

"My shirt." Misery clarified and that made Dream feel a lot better, that's for certain. He wasn't too sure why Misery asked but he wasn't about to question him.

"Okay.." Dream softly agrees as he tries his best to neatly rip the shirt down the middle. The fabric was thin and it ripped easily. It wasn't a very clean rip, but it was ripped down the middle, exposing Misery's chest.

Dream, without instruction, started to kiss down Misery's chest. He had very soft and smooth skin.. softer than he would have thought for supposedly being around his age. Dream rubs Misery's sides as he kisses his chest.

"..Would you go slower? Just for a bit.." Misery requests, Dream wondered why for a second until he remembered what Misery had told him. Dream nodded, pressing a kiss to Misery's chest, holding it for a second or two, then pulling back only to repeat.

Dream slowly trailed those kisses down Misery's body.. down to his stomach, down to his belly button and slightly past it. Dream paused, glancing at Misery, who seemed.. dazed again.

"..You're beautiful." Misery whispers, his voice full of.. wonder almost.

It made Dream's face feel beyond hot as he hid himself away into Misery's stomach.

To compose himself.

Just for a second.

Dream unburied himself, staring at Misery as he dipped his fingers past the band of his pants.

Misery gave him the slightest nod and he slipped the pants and underwear off. 

Dream took a moment to marvel in Misery's fully naked body. He's never seen it before.. Misery was small in form..and he was a bit on the skinnier side. Dream's eyes trailed down to Misery's.. well, to down there.

Dream blinked, oh.. oh. His face felt hot.. maybe.. maybe Dream should be naked too. He was starting to feel like he's seen too much at no price at all.

Dream haphazardly strips himself of his clothes, tossing them somewhere onto the bed with the rest. Now he was hovering over Misery, naked. Dream's face just felt hotter.

Dream tried to ignore just how erect he was as he moved his head down to Misery's penis. Dream gave it a little lick, drawing a little noise from Misery. Oh.. oh. Dream decided to keep licking a little at Misery.. and Misery grew erect too. Dream clumsily took the head of Misery's penis into his mouth, suckling on it.

Dream could feel Misery pet his head as he sucked and Dream wasn't sure if that meant he was doing a good job or a terrible one. But he continued.. and in his progress, he draws a moan, a genuine moan, from Misery.

Dream glanced up, only to see Misery's face sort of scrunched up.. his hands were gripping at the lone sheet beneath them. It was.. it was so cute. 

Dream removed Misery's penis from his mouth, licking repeatedly at his slit. That got Misery moaning too.. though muted and a tad purposefully stifled. Dream was proud that he was genuinely pleasing Misery.. he wanted to make this good for him.

Dream's head was pushed away and that confused him.

"I want you lie down on top of me." Misery gave his request, Dream didn't question it, instead trying to do as he was asked and lay down on top of Misery.

"Like this?" Dream inquired, to figure out if he was right. Misery nodded at him, wrapping his limbs around him and squeezing.. Dream mimics the action back.

Misery rubbed up on Dream slowly, massaging the back of Dream's head. Dream shifted to continuing his barrage of kisses he was once giving.. but slowly, of course.

Dream was prolonging this.. for Misery to feel comfortable however he can. Even though Dream wasn't good at prolonging things.. he tried.

Dream squeaked as he felt a nip to his neck.

Misery gently nipped at Dream's neck, murmuring his name. "Dream.. Dream.. Dream.." He mumbled between every nip he gave to Dream.

"Shh.. I'm right here.. right here.." Dream assures Misery as he cups his whole body, squeezing him gently. Dream just wanted to hold Misery and make him feel good.

Dream believed that he was doing a good job.. on account of the quiet warbles of moans leaving Misery beneath him. Dream felt.. like he was doing good. He wanted to keep making Misery feel good. Feel precious.

Dream wanted Misery to feel seen. He didn't look anywhere else but at Misery.. Misery and his petite body.

Dream could only hope he was accomplishing this goal.

Dream kept kissing Misery and Misery kept nipping at him. The routine remained unbroken until Dream's stomach felt wet. He separated enough to see that Misery had finished against him. From simply.. rubbing up on him.

Oh.. my..

Dream was going to end it because he had accomplished his goal but Misery pulled him back in and continued to rub up against him. Dream wraps around Misery fully and raises him up a bit, he sits up, Misery in his lap.

Misery didn't express anything verbally, instead pulling them both back down into the same position they previously had. Dream took the hint and continued to hold and kiss Misery as he pleased himself using Dream.

"Do you want to go inside me?" Misery whispers the question into Dream's ear and it makes his face grow.. so very very hot. Dream didn't.. he didn't..

"I don't know if I'll be good at that.." Dream admits, rubbing his face against Misery's chest as he spoke. He's never.. done that. Not that he can recall.

"It's okay if you aren't. I want you inside of me and I want you to use me." Misery whispered as he so gently pushed Dream away, rolling onto his side and opening the bedside drawer, pulling out a bottle of lubricant.

Dream felt so.. utterly flustered, especially as Misery poured some onto his fingers, lathering them up and then.. stretching himself. He didn't ask Dream to do it or look away.. Misery gazed at Dream with half lidded eyes as he thrusted his fingers in and outside of himself.

Dream felt so.. he whined slightly, looking down to see that he had finished from.. from the sight of Misery doing that alone.

Misery chuckled and Dream could hear his amusement. "You're adorable.. you can put it in now." He allows, pulling his fingers out of himself and the noise was just so.. wet. Dream didn't know how to go about this but he held his own penis at the base and tried to.. push it inside of Misery.

Misery didn't make much noise as Dream pushed in. Despite Misery stretching himself out for Dream, it still felt.. tight. Dream felt just.. Misery all around him and it made him dizzy. Dream barely got the head of his penis inside before he came again.. Misery remained unphased while Dream was a panting, teary mess.

"Keep pushing, it's okay. You can go in completely." Misery assures as he grabs a hold of Dream's hips, yanking them forward and the shock of that alone threw Dream off.

Because he was now flush against Misery's body.. and.. and inside it.

Dream's face felt hot and his head so dizzy that he could explode.

Dream wrapped himself around Misery's body, whimpering quietly as he, without instruction, began to thrust in and out. He did it slowly.. each thrust almost pulling him out of Misery before sliding back inside.

"There you go.. just like that. You're such a good boy.." Misery whispers into Dream's ear, kissing at it. Dream moaned from the praise alone but the kiss didn't help.

Dream had almost moaned Nightmare's name.. but he had held his tongue, thankfully. Dream wasn't thinking of Misery as his Nightmare.. he just was Nightmare and he.. he wanted to treat him as kindly as possible and call his name like it meant all of the good things in the world.

But Dream didn't want to make Misery feel like he was thinking of his brother rather than him even on accident.

"Y-You're perfect.." Dream praises Misery instead, observing the way his face got a bit red and his hands moved to grip the sheet than hold Dream's body.

Misery was acting coy..

Dream adored it.

Dream came again just seeing Misery so flustered and Dream felt.. embarrassed. He had finished so many times now while Misery had only gotten off once.

Maybe he can..

Dream grabs a hold of Misery's penis, thrusting it up and down slowly. Every time Dream did that, the skin would drag down.. then up again. Dream was mesmerized by the sight as he kept doing that alone. He had stopped thrusting, just barely keeping his hips moving.

Misery was stifling his noises, wrapping his legs around Dream's hips and keeping him even closer and making Dream's thrusting feel like a full body movement to them both.

Misery panted, his face now starting to actually appear flushed and.. and Misery came. Dream's hand was covered in Misery's fluids now. Dream's face felt so hot. Misery was starting to soften up and Dream believed that meant their intimacy was coming to a close.

Dream licks up the mess Misery made on his hand, once he was done there he was going to help Misery but.. Misery was hard again.

Oh..

Dream wasn't sure how long the two of them had sex for, he wasn't sure how many orgasms either of them had by the end of it.. it only stopped the moment Dream's body didn't allow him to get hard anymore.

Dream tried to take in slow, deep breaths as he laid next to Misery, the sheet beneath them and them themselves were both messy. Misery rolled over a tad, taking his phone out from his abandoned clothes on the floor.

"What are you doing..?" Dream asked quietly, watching Misery put his phone on the bedside table and digging through it instead.

"I was checking how long it's been." Misery answered as he pulled out a flask from the drawer, taking a swig of it.

Dream tried not to fixate on the flask, "Oh.. how long has it been..?" He wanted to know as he.. he had to go check in on Nyx and Mirage. Dream felt awful about leaving Nyx like that.

"Since we started having sex? Two hours, since we 'talked', that'd be three." Misery answered as he hovered over Dream, kissing him on the lips briefly.

Dream rolls onto his side, and Misery pets his head as he too rolled onto his side. Dream felt.. so tired.. but Misery looked.. fine. He was acting like this hadn't been tiring at all.

It made Dream feel a bit embarrassed.

Dream's eyes also fixated on that flask.. and Misery offers it to him. "Take a sip." He encourages and Dream felt his face flush.

"I.. I really shouldn't.." Dream denies softly, even though he was curious.

"But you want to." 

"..But I want to.." Dream parrots as he shakily took a hold of the flask, bringing it to his mouth and tilting his head back as he took just a single swig.

The alcohol burned his throat and Dream hastily gave back the flask, turning his head to cough.

It wasn't that bad but Dream let it sit in his mouth instead of a quick swig.. because he's lying on his side.

"I suppose you enjoyed that?" Misery.. teased, taking a swig from his flask too. Dream's face just felt hot and the burn and coughing had zapped away any tiredness so he should..

Should..

"I.. I should go.." Dream said softly, his face flushed with shame.

"I know." Misery answered, leaning in and pressing his lips to Dream's cheek.

"Then should I..?" Dream didn't even finish his sentence and Misery gestured to a door Dream hadn't even noticed before.

"Bathroom is over there. Clean towels are in the left cabinet beneath the sink." Misery directs, and Dream nodded, showing he heard and understood.

Dream scoops up his clothes, making sure they weren't.. messy before he goes to the bathroom.

Dream takes a quick rinse in the shower, just to rid himself of all of the.. fluids. He takes a towel to just pat himself dry then he got dressed.

Dream comes back out to see Misery, still naked on the bed, with a book now in his hands as he occasionally had a sip from the flask.

Dream approaches, pressing a kiss to the top of Misery's head. "I.. I'll see you later." He gives his goodbyes.. sad to just.. leave after all of that but he.. he had to.

Misery tilts his head up at him, grabbing a hold of his shirt and kissing Dream deeply on the lips. Dream could do nothing but lean into the kiss. It was.. truthfully, aggressive. More akin to that first kiss they shared..

And then Misery pulled away.. and it was over.

Just like that.

"Come and talk to me anytime. Maybe get another phone, too." Misery comments, making Dream feel that much more embarrassed that he hadn't gotten another one yet.

Dream nodded, "Y.. yes, of course.. farewell." He gives his goodbyes but still waits for Misery to reply.

Misery raises his head, smiling at him with this small, gentle, genuine smile. "Bye-bye, Dream.." He childishly replies and Dream's face felt.. hot.

Dream nodded, quickly pressing a kiss to Misery's cheek before he hastily left.

Dream.. Dream might need to evaluate some things about himself.

Putting that out of his mind for the moment.. Dream doesn't know where to go to find Nyx and Mirage..

Well, this is gonna take a bit.

Dream feels like he may need a necklace like the one Nightmare gave him for Mirage, minus the weird tightening aspect. As Dream passed by a room, he hears a door open.

"Daddy! Over here!" Mirage called out to him and Dream sees him standing in the doorway.

Dream blinked, "How did you know I was passing by..?" He asked as he entered the room, closing the door behind him.

Mirage just shrugged his shoulders, "Jus' knew!" He answered without really answering as he headed over to Nyx.. whose face looked sour upon seeing Dream.

"..Hi." Dream greets, Nyx barely hums as a response giving him a little nod back and Dream.. felt like he might have to have more than one talk today.

"How was your talk with Misery?" Nyx questioned, Mirage in his arms and looking.. rather confused by the tension of the room.

"..It was good." Dream mutters the reply as he went over, easily snatching Mirage from Nyx. His face only growing more sour as Dream did that.

"Must have been if it took three hours." Nyx remarked, his hands crossed against his chest.

Oh.. oh.

Dream took a deep breath, "Could you get someone else to watch Mirage for a bit?" He requested, which made Nyx scoff at him.

"Who? Misery?" Nyx wryly comments, his hands gripping at his own forearms tightly.

"..Preferably Malevolent." Dream states instead of replying to the petty comment. He was going to be calm.. and he was going to apologize as soon as Mirage didn't have to witness this.

Nyx muttered something incoherently but regardless of that, he pulled out his phone and sent a message. There was a knock at the door within the minute then Malevolent walked inside. Malevolent took Mirage without so much as a word but on the way out, he says one thing.

"Be good." Malevolent almost requests.. and then he left them in the room alone. Dream could hear his footsteps get further and further away.

Dream takes a deep breath in.

"I'm sorry." Dream apologizes immediately, not wanting this to drag on in any sort of way. Dream is an adult, he will behave as such.

Nyx's expression was rueful.

"Oh, what for exactly? Leaving me with your child for hours while you had sex?" Nyx snidely spoke the words, uncrossing his arms and approaching Dream solely to poke at his chest.

Dream's face felt hot, "How did you.." How did Nyx know that he was..?

"Oh, please, Dream. I can smell it on you. Not to mention your face.. you have orgasm face on." Nyx spoke so crudely to him and it was the first time that Dream has experienced that.

It was both humiliating and heartbreaking.

Dream lowers his head subconsciously, adjusting his hair to hide his face. "I.. I didn't mean to do that..I.. it just happened." Dream weakly defends himself.. which earns a scoff from Nyx.

Nyx had such.. a bitter expression on his face that turned into.. almost maniac pettiness, in a way. "I thought you made up with your brother, didn't think someone like him would be okay with you having sex with others."

Nyx had a point.. Nightmare definitely won't be okay with that.. but Nyx wasn't saying this out of concern.. he was saying it to hurt him.

Dream.. Dream guessed he was still upset over his decision.

"..You're right, he isn't the type to like that I did that." Dream confessed, confirming Nyx to have a point.

Nyx tensed, turning his head away, "Mhmm." His hum was gruff in a way as he avoided Dream's gaze.. his face was red.. and.. sad.

Dream usually struggled to read Nyx but right now he was like.. an open book.

And Dream was trying his best to read him.

"..I'm sorry." Dream apologized again, unable to think of anything else to say. He just.. he did actually do something wrong.. even if Nyx was the one currently behaving rudely towards him.

Nyx scoffed loudly, clicking his tongue.. like.. Nightmare does when he's upset. "You don't even mean that." He criticizes, blatantly calling Dream insincere.

"I do mean it." Dream stated, stepping closer to Nyx only for him to step back.. like Dream intimidated him or something.

"You.. you just... you're awful.. I.. I have been trying my best to be someone you can depend on for.. for months but you just.. you just went at the first chance you got.. and then you doubled back but you didn't even do that for me. You did it for Misery who hasn't done nearly as much for you as I have!" Nyx's voice was low but progressively got louder until by the end.. he was yelling at Dream.

Dream didn't interrupt him. He didn't talk. Nyx was right.. and Dream didn't have a right to speak over Nyx at the moment.

"You just! You just.. you don't care.. I.. we all like to see you and spend time with you and yet.. yet he broke your phone and you haven't gotten another one.. you show up unannounced but none of us have ever kept you waiting for us like you do to us. You talk to us on your own terms always and we.. I can't even get a hold on you and I was the one who tried to.. and I did.. and then you just.. you just.." Nyx sighed shakily by the end, turning his head to the side as he visibly struggled to compose himself.

Dream sees Nyx tear up a bit but it was quickly wiped away and he felt.. so awful. He is awful.. Nyx was right.

"I.. I'm sorry." Dream whispers the apology.

"Is that all you can fucking say?" Nyx snapped at Dream, making him flinch. Dream's flinch caused Nyx to recoil a bit, stepping back.

Nyx shakily breathed in and out, "I.. I respected your decision. I didn't trust it let alone agree with it but I trusted you and you couldn't even respect your own decision." He spat the words out with disdain towards Dream.

And it hurt.

It truly did hurt.

Dream took a deep breath of his own, sniffing a bit as he held his head low. His throat was so dry.. Dream felt like if he tries to speak, he'll cry.. and he doesn't deserve to do that. Not right now.

"..What, no apology to give?" Nyx remarks, his disdain even more apparent.. though the bitterness was louder.

Dream kept silent.

"..Forget it. I don't even know why I'm bothering. Just.. just go home, Dream." Nyx dismisses him, about to turn his body away from Dream.

On instinct, Dream grabs his arm.

"I.. I'm sorry I hurt you. I didn't mean to belittle you like that.. a.. and.. it was wrong of me. It all was.. but please.. please don't leave this like that." Dream's voice cracked by the end as he squeezed Nyx's arm. Dream felt tears starting to slip down his cheeks but he hastily wipes them away. He didn't look Nyx in the eye, just gripping his arm with a strength he hasn't ever shown Nyx.

Dream didn't look him in the eye after his plea, he couldn't. He was afraid of what he might see.

What might be.

Dream felt a hand on his hand, his heart dropped as he waited to see if he would be pushed away or not.

If this was.. done or not.

Nyx squeezes Dream's arm, causing his heart to flutter with hope. He looked up to see.. Nyx, with a.. sad expression on his face. He was.. wistful, almost.

"I'm not leaving anything, Dream.." Nyx assured as he cups Dream's face. He just.. he looked even more upset as he did.. thumbing at Dream's cheek.

Dream shakily exhales, "You.. you aren't?" He felt like he couldn't believe that after all Nyx said. The way Nyx spoke had this finality to it that scared Dream.

Nyx shakes his head, "No, I'm not." He confirms, attempting to pull his hand away only to be stopped by Dream, who keeps it right where it was.

"I.. I'm sorry for everything I did." Dream apologizes again, because he felt like he hadn't enough.

"..It's okay, I.. I overreacted, anyway. I just.. felt like Misery shouldn't have been who got to.. have you like that." Nyx stated and Dream was surprised that Nyx even admitted something like that. Dream felt like Nyx shouldn't have admitted that, almost.

"I.. I really didn't intend to do that.. he.. he asked if we were going to and I.. I didn't want to disappoint him." Dream confesses why that situation had come to be.

Nyx's expression was.. unreadable to Dream. Dream thinks.. he may be processing what he said but he wasn't sure.

"I see.. well, if you're.. doing that.. then I'd be.. very disappointed if I didn't get at least a kiss after watching Mirage for three hours while you did.. who knows what with Misery." Nyx didn't directly say that he expected Dream to further break his own decision.. but the implication felt more like an order.

One that Dream.. wanted to obey.

"I didn't do anything so naughty with Misery.. just so you know.." Dream murmured as he leaned in close to Nyx's face.

"That's not something I want you to murmur before you kiss me.." Nyx whispered back, pulling his head back just a bit. Obviously to give Dream a do-over.

"I.. you deserve this kiss.." Dream murmurs instead and Nyx leaned right back in, connecting their lips.. and their bodies as he held Dream's body against his own.

It's so odd.. Nyx was just yelling at him.. and now they were kissing.

What's odder is that Dream didn't feel odd about the change.

Dream just enjoyed this kiss.. and the way that Nyx caressed his body as they kissed. Nyx was separating only a tiny bit and repeatedly kissing Dream over and over again.

Dream could barely breathe.

Dream's face felt so hot.. as does his body.. everything felt hot and hazy..

And Dream wanted more of that.

Dream wanted to be smothered by that feeling.. and he couldn't understand why but he didn't dwell on the why.. he wanted to experience it and he'll deal with what he did later.

He already has to.. one more.. one more won't make a difference.

Their kiss lasted.. Dream wasn't sure how long.. and at some point both of them landed on the couch in the room.. Nyx on top of Dream, pinning him to the couch as they kissed.

Nyx finally separated first, panting quietly as he made eye contact with Dream. Dream was panting loudly in comparison, staring right back at Nyx.

"..Will you indulge me further, Dream?" Nyx questioned, reminding Dream a tad of Misery as he said that.. but Nyx actually waited for Dream's response.

Dream leaned in close, his mouth only a breath away from Nyx's own. "Always.." He whispers unto Nyx's lips.. Nyx responded by once again connecting their lips.

Dream wasn't too sure if he could handle more sex but.. he'll have to try.. if Nyx was anything more like Nightmare then he wouldn't like penetration anyhow..

Dream's thoughts fizzled out as Nyx's hand moved to his..neck, lightly squeezing it. Dream gasped into the kiss, feeling his face grow.. so hot. Nyx wasn't squeezing hard or cutting off airflow.. it was just a squeeze and Dream.. Dream didn't know if he was hard or not and right now he'd prefer to keep not knowing.

Nyx separates their kiss once more, tilting Dream's head up and now kissing down his neck and to his collarbone.. then back up again.

Dream's head felt light.. very light.. 

Dream's head was moved to Nyx's neck after a moment, instinctively, Dream started to kiss his neck and it seemed like that was correct. As Nyx was now gently squeezing his head, "Good boy.." He praises Dream, making him feel.. so much.

Nyx held Dream's head there for a bit, his hand buried in Dream's hair.. entangled with it as he tugged lightly a few times.

"You're already hard.." Nyx whispers to Dream, regrettably giving him the knowledge he didn't want to know. Dream didn't think he could even become erect anymore for the rest of the day..

Yet here he was.

Dream didn't reply to Nyx but he didn't seem to mind, instead he was now slowly rocking back and forth on Dream's lap... against his erection. Very blatantly at that.

He was definitely teasing Dream.

Dream decided that he would just accept it.. but he got.. a bit cheeky. Dream buried himself in Nyx's neck again, as though to give him more kisses when in reality Dream nips at his neck. It drew a moan from Nyx, though Nyx hardly seemed phased.

"You wanna bite? Then do it. Don't pussyfoot around." Nyx scolded Dream, making him feel very embarrassed. Dream didn't.. Nyx was quite different than the couple other times they had sex.. he was well, snarky in a way.

Dream takes Nyx's flesh into his mouth but it wasn't truly a bite..it was more like kneading the flesh between his teeth.

Nyx tilts Dream's head up to look at him, "You're such a baby, aren't you?" He comments, it made Dream's face feel hot as he shamefully hid away into Nyx's chest, again, unresponsive.

Nyx chuckled, "Okay, baby.. here's what.." He spoke but.. didn't finish his sentence. Before Dream could question anything, Nyx was palming at his erection.

Dream whined softly, leaning back against the couch, unconsciously recoiling from the sudden stimulation. Dream panted softly, he was already feeling close because he was.. so sensitive from his time with Misery.

"A-Aah..-" Dream made a noise, he couldn't help it. He was so.. so..!

Nyx retracted his hand from Dream's body.

That feeling of closeness rescinding immediately upon Nyx's retraction.

Dream whined louder than he'd like to admit.

Nyx then went right back to kissing him.. though he was being very careful to not touch his body.. no longer rubbing up on him like he had been just now.

"N-Nyxxx.." Dream whines into Nyx's mouth.. Nyx kissed him even deeper, causing Dream to whine and grip at Nyx. He was so close.. and Nyx was just.. oh..

Nyx breaks the kiss, Dream's mouth was full of saliva that he swallowed down but he just kept salivating.. Dream tries to rub up on Nyx, unconsciously, but he was stopped by Nyx.

"No, baby.. you're not going to get an orgasm today." Nyx informed as he got off of Dream, instead sitting beside him now.

Dream blinked, "W-Why..?" He asked with a little pout as he moved to lay his head in Nyx's lap. Nyx was giving him a little push to his head and he assumed this is what he wanted.

"I'm certain that you already got a lot today.. yet I haven't gotten any. So, maybe when I have, you can too, hm?" Nyx said with a smile, petting Dream's head and ruffling his hair a bit like he was a dog.

Dream huffed a bit, but he didn't disagree. He didn't want to and even if he did, he wouldn't. Dream leaned in and began mouthing at Nyx's bulge without instruction. Nyx didn't make a noise but when Dream caught a glimpse of his face.. he had this small smile.. and his cheeks were red.

"Oh.. you're a good boy, Dream.." Nyx praises softly, grabbing a handful of Dream's hair and tugging at it. Dream moaned against Nyx's bulge from the shock of it.. and that made Nyx pull harder, for some reason.

Dream's head was shifted back and he watched as Nyx removed his clothes. He has seen Nyx naked once before but that time he was.. mentally a bit unstable. Nyx wasn't removing all of his clothes though, just the lower ones.. revealing himself to Dream.

Dream's face felt so hot as he blatantly stared at Nyx's.. Dream shakes his head, tearing his eyes away from the sight. Nyx's penis looked like Misery's own.. just bigger.

"C'mon, lemondrop~ Don't just stare..~" Nyx encourages, giving Dream a new nickname, on top of everything else.

Lemondrop, huh..?

Dream gets off of the couch and instead moves to kneel on the floor between Nyx's legs. It was just more comfortable for them both. Even though the position made Dream feel.. a lot. Dream leaned in and just like with Misery, he gave it a lick first.

Dream didn't think much about Misery's taste but now that he was also using his tongue on Nyx.. he realizes they both tasted.. very similar. Dream found it hard to describe.. it was a bit like a lemon candy, he supposed.. though Misery was a little less.. sweet compared to Nyx.

..Dream shouldn't be comparing this.

Dream shoves those thoughts out of his mind as he instead kept licking. Nyx was a bit erect.. not fully erect yet. Dream kept up just licking.. until he decided to take the head of Nyx's penis, holding it still as he licked the slit. He didn't put it into his mouth yet.. just licking.

Maybe Dream was teasing..

Maybe Dream was just scared to put Nyx in his mouth because he was a lot bigger than Misery.. it could be many different things.

Nyx didn't voice any complaints, though.. so Dream kept it up.

Dream could see the tip sort of just poke up past the skin and he was a bit scared to do.. anything. Nyx noticed this.

"Just pull the skin back." Nyx ordered and Dream's face felt.. hot. Dream didn't think so much with Misery.. he just put Misery in his mouth.. skin and all and it just sort of pulled back when he used his hand on him but this was.. different.

"I.. won't that hurt..?" Dream asked quietly and Nyx stared at him, appearing utterly confused. Which made Dream feel shame.. then a look of realization dawned on Nyx's face.

"Right.. I forgot that you're circumcised. No, it doesn't hurt but I'll do it for you." Nyx explained, putting his hand on the head of his penis and seamlessly gliding the skin back.. exposing himself and it is then that Dream realizes a few things.

Dream keeps that to himself, though, instead taking Nyx's head into his mouth.

Dream felt so embarrassed.. he didn't quite realize that he was.. different. It must just be him and Nightmare then.. though, he hasn't seen Nightmare naked yet.

Dream tries to stop thinking about all of that. He didn't want to be distracted.. he was trying to make Nyx feel good.. although Dream was.. clumsy at it. Misery didn't even let him use his mouth that long, actually. Was Dream bad at this? Nyx wasn't making much noise.. Misery had made a bit of noise at least.

Dream felt Nyx's hand on his head, slowly pushing him further down. Dream tried to take more of his penis as best as he could but it felt so weird.. and Dream choked a bit a little less than halfway down. Nyx let his head go and Dream pulled off completely, covering his mouth as he coughed.

"Sorry.. I.. that was too much." Nyx apologizes to Dream, pulling him in and caressing his face and head with both hands. It made Dream feel a bit like a dog but he doesn't think that was the intent.

Dream clears his throat, taking in a deep breath, trying to stop his coughing. "I.. mnm.. i-it's okay.. I just.. you're.. big." Dream tried to explain and Nyx's eyes widened in surprise. His face getting a bit redder.

"I.. I mean I.. yeah, okay. I don't need you to fit me into your mouth, it's okay.." Nyx spoke softly, running his fingers through Dream's hair. Dream liked that.. and he did want to try getting Nyx fully in his mouth but that might be too much of an undertaking right now.

Dream wanted to continue, so he pushes Nyx back a tad. Nyx leans back against the couch, understanding what Dream meant. Dream takes Nyx's head into his mouth again and perhaps it's because he had tried taking more of his length but the head of his penis now felt smaller in his mouth than it did before. Dream suckles on it and bobs his head around the tip and further down, more diligently pleasing Nyx than before.

This draws a noise from Nyx and the amount of pride that Dream felt from hearing that noise was a bit embarrassing.

Dream continued to suck Nyx off and he moved his head lower and lower, more slowly progressing downwards when compared to before. Dream couldn't get all of Nyx into his mouth but he comfortably gets about halfway and he was proud of that.. maybe he shouldn't be but he was.

It wasn't too long after Dream had gotten Nyx in halfway that he finished.. filling not Dream's mouth, no.. it went straight down his throat and Dream hastily pulled off, turning his head to the side as he coughed, again. Dream felt so embarrassed.. he.. he felt like he was better with Misery yet he was.. so.. so embarrassingly a novice here.

Nyx coos at him, pulling Dream up and having him kneel on the couch, between his legs. Dream sniffled a tad, from all of the coughing he just did. Nyx pulls his face in and kisses him. Dream kissed back, whining into it as he pressed his body to Nyx's own.

"You're a good boy.. so so good.." Nyx pulled back just enough to whisper that against Dream's lips. Nyx's breath tickled him a bit.. not to mention the words. Dream's mind felt fuzzy..

"Good boy.. I think you deserve a reward.." Nyx spoke as he pressed kisses down Dream's neck, speaking between every kiss.

Dream squeaks a bit as Nyx suddenly exposes him, showing off his penis to him. Nyx coos at Dream and it makes him feel humiliated. His erection had gone down during him pleasing Nyx but now it was back with a vengeance.

"You're cute.. all over." Nyx praises as he passed his thumb over Dream's slit.. having no skin to pull back.. and Dream felt so embarassed. Nyx just teases Dream's slit, rubbing it with his finger and passing over it several times.

It only took a few seconds for Dream to be leaking slick. That Nyx used as he passed his hand down the length of Dream's penis, then right back up. Several times.

But it was slow.

Agonizingly slow.

Dream was whimpering like a dog, the movements had his mind in a full haze and Dream just wanted more.

Dream couldn't even keep kneeling on the couch. He collapses into Nyx's chest and Nyx paused to adjust him.

Nyx sits Dream in his lap, faced away from him. Nyx's hand moved right back to Dream's penis, thrusting his hand over the length again and again. His mouth was busy buried in the crook of Dream's neck, kissing it and.. and rolling the flesh there between his teeth.

Dream whined, at a humiliatingly high volume. It was all so much yet not enough. Dream was so close, he could practically taste it and yet he still hadn't reached that peak yet.

"N-Nyxxx..~ I.. p-please..~ pleaeee..~" Dream wasn't even sure what he was begging for but he was begging and Nyx bites into his neck.

An actual bite, his teeth actually digging into Dream's flesh.

And Dream came from that.

Dream panted like a dog, his whole body limp against Nyx's own as he licks the area he bit repeatedly, soothing it. Nyx teasingly kept pumping for a few seconds after Dream came but he stopped soon enough.

"That was.." Dream breathed out softly, leaving his words hanging.

"Good?" Nyx finishes, leaning in and kissing Dream's jaw.

"Yes.." Dream didn't think good was enough to describe that. Maybe it was because he had already been so sensitive or the fact that Nyx had denied him earlier but it was.. different.

Dream liked that a lot.

Dream turned his head to face Nyx, capturing him in another kiss. Nyx obliged him, cupping his head as he kissed him.

Dream greedily soaks in the kiss that he initiated.

It didn't last for too long.. less than a minute and Dream broke the kiss.

Dream pants, taking a moment to just.. realize everything.

Oh.. oh.

Nyx seemed to catch onto this.

"Will you be okay?" Nyx murmurs to Dream as he hugs him from behind, giving Dream a little squeeze.

"I.. I don't.. know.. but.. we don't.. I.. should I.. say anything to him?" Dream asked, unsure if that is what he should do. Dream didn't want to lie but.. he.. didn't know what would happen if he told the truth. Dream assured Nightmare that he was no longer having sex with any of them.. and yet here he was.

Nyx sighed softly, "As long as it won't put you in any danger then yes.. but.. I am more concerned for our safety than yours.." He admitted, rubbing at Dream's stomach.

"I wouldn't let him do anything to you.. or anyone else." Dream claims, and it was true. He would let Nightmare do whatever he wanted to Dream before he let him hurt any of them.. especially since all of this is his decision.

Nyx hummed again, pressing a kiss to Dream's neck. "Okay.. I believe you. Now.. let's get cleaned up." He stated as he moved Dream off of his lap and stood up, pulling Dream up alongside him and grabbing their clothes.

Dream's eyes drifted downwards to Nyx's penis, he was soft, and the.. skin was over the head again. That was.. so strange to see.

Nyx caught him staring though, "What's wrong? Did you want a round two?" He coos, causing Dream to freeze up. Dream shakes his head, cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

"I.. no, I just.. I've never.. seen uh..that.. before.." Dream comments but he wasn't very specific.

Nyx seemed to understand despite that but he bore an amused, puzzled expression.

"..Are you talking about my foreskin?" Nyx questioned, his amusement made Dream feel.. beyond humiliated. He slowly nodded. He didn't know that was the name..

"Huh.. I guess you have been circumcised for a long time, then." Nyx commented, as he held Dream's hand and walked him to an adjoined room. It was a whole bathroom.

"I.. I guess.. yeah.." Dream mumbles the answer as Nyx removed his shirt..and then Dream's shirt.

"Misery is uncircumcised too, though. Didn't you see it then?" Nyx questioned and it made Dream's face feel hot.

"I.. yes.. but I didn't.. question it..and we uhm.. we did.. more than mouth and hand stuff.. so I didn't.. didn't linger on it and I didn't want to ask... cause that would be rude.." Dream sort of rambled and Nyx fully allowed him to, he didn't stop Dream.

When Dream stopped speaking, he spoke up.

"Well, no shame in not knowing. I doubt you went around enough to even realize that." Nyx assures Dream that he shouldn't be ashamed as he helped him into the shower, turning it on and getting behind him.

"I guess.. I mean.. Mirage is.. uncircumcised too, I think. I.. I never really looked obviously.. but I just thought that he was a little different." Dream admitted, as though he was trying to disprove that he shouldn't feel shame.

"Dream, it's okay to not know and it's okay that you're different. I mean, your brother is the same isn't he? So you're not alone." Nyx was clearly trying to comfort Dream for any negative thought he could have as he helped clean up Dream.

It made him feel better but it also made him think..

Dream doesn't recall when he was.. circumcised, the term was.. and he doesn't recall if Nightmare was the same. Dream hasn't seen him naked.. he hasn't even had sex with him since.. Nightmare kidnapped him and that day Nightmare didn't even get to have an orgasm. It was.. just Dream.

So Dream didn't know.. but he assumes that Nightmare had to be the same. Why else would Dream even think that every penis would look similar to his own?

..Dream's memory truly is bad.. maybe it's just.. a product of his age.. and well, more.

Before Dream knew it, he and Nyx had finished their shower. Nyx dried Dream off and redressed him, then himself.

Dream followed Nyx outside, just.. watching as he cleaned up the bit of mess they made. It was quick.. quicker than Dream would have thought but Dream didn't have much experience in cleaning messes like that.

Then Nyx comes over to him, "I want to give you something." He said, surprising Dream but Dream just nodded and Nyx took his hand, taking him outside of this room. Dream just followed as Nyx carried him to a different room. It seemed like a bedroom.. it was neat but not barren like Misery's..

"Is this your room?" Dream asked softly as he watched Nyx go through some drawers.

"It is, I can give you a tour another day." Nyx stated, making a small noise as he clearly found something. Nyx comes back over to Dream.. presenting him with a phone.

It was an older model, again.. and it looked to be the same brand as that other one.

"Oh.. Nyx.." Dream breathes out as Nyx puts the phone in his hands.

"You're taking this, I'm not hearing otherwise. I'm going to grab the charger and then we'll head back, I'll put my number in and you will call me, okay?" Nyx orders Dream.. and all he could do was nod and accept this. He.. truly had no right to refuse.

Nyx smiles at him and kisses his cheek. He then grabs the charger from a separate drawer after a bit of searching and takes him back to the room they were in before.

Dream sees Nyx grab.. oh, that's Mirage's bag of toys. Malevolent didn't take those with him when he came for Mirage? Oh.. hopefully Mirage didn't miss it. Dream just observed Nyx as he turned on the phone.. 'Nokistar' appearing on the screen. Yes.. that was the brand.

Nyx was.. kind of like magic as he seamlessly operated the phone and put in not only his number but everyone else's too. Nyx took out his own phone, though... texting away and Dream didn't look then.

"Okay, I told Mal to come back with Mirage so he should be here in a bit." Nyx informed Dream, who only nodded. He didn't need to speak for that.

"..Are you okay?" Nyx asked softly, putting down everything just to cup Dream's face. Dream held his hand over Nyx's own, nodding slowly.

"Yes, I am.. just.. very tired." Dream verbally confirms, turning his head slightly to kiss Nyx's palm a few times.

"Okay.. if you say so.." Nyx spoke, leaning in and kissing Dream's cheek. Dream smiled a little, it felt nice.

It was only a few seconds into basking in this moment that the door opened and in came Malevolent and Mirage, with Mirage running up to Dream and latching onto his leg the second he saw him.

Dream smiled as he easily picks up Mirage, holding his child against himself as he just nuzzled into him. But Mirage wasn't the only one who came forward.. Malevolent approaches both him and Nyx.

"Is everything okay?" Malevolent asked softly, petting both his and Nyx's heads.

"It is, we sorted it out." Nyx confirmed, giving Malevolent a small smile but Malevolent didn't just take Nyx's word, he turned to Dream.

"As Nyx said, everything's okay." Dream confirmed, and he watches the way Malevolent's shoulders drop from the relief.

"Good.. I have to go now but I'll see you soon, alright, Dream?" Malevolent gives his goodbyes and Dream nodded, stepping on his tippy toes to give him a kiss on the cheek and then he was gone.

"Well.. I'll see you later too?" Dream says softly, to which Nyx nodded, giving him another cheek kiss.. though he hears a grumble.

"Bye-bye, Nyxie.." Mirage mumbled, making Nyx laugh.

"Bye-bye, Mirage." He returns, ruffling Mirage's hair.

Dream grabs Mirage's bag of toys, checking that the phone and its charger was in there before he opens a portal. He didn't immediately walk through it, though. He turns back to Nyx.

"Farewell, Nyx.." Dream said softly, getting a smile in return.

"Farewell, Dream." Nyx responded so softly and that was all Dream needed to hear.

And then he left.

Dream had a lot to think about.