Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The study was quiet, the only noise being that of the gentle rain that patterned onto the windows. A faint light casting from a few candles into the closed chambers and coating over Nightmare. The guardian had been there for quite some time, probably too much in all honesty. It was late after all, everyone else's duties had been fulfilled for the day and so he had no reason to be anywhere else. 

Tomorrow’s schedule had already been determined; with Killer, Horror, and Cross going out to cause a minimal, but still noticeable, amount of chaos in a select few AUs. He’d been getting more prominent and bold with his actions lately. He knew his brother had begun to notice, he knew the fear it brought every time he sent out another attack. Was it right to call it a war? No direct confrontation had been made quite yet, not with Nightmare directly. His lackeys had been making more and more appearances as he requested, enough to start rumors and spike people’s paranoia. 

His planning would take a long time, these things couldn’t exactly be rushed could they? He’d been waiting for years now but he couldn’t strike directly quite yet. He had to wait. Moving too soon would lead to too much preparation put against him. While he provided himself in what he had created over the years, even he knew that with the right planning he could be defeated. 

Let time pass, it’s your best chance of success. 

The words echoed in his mind, he truly had been told them countless times. It pained him to know that he had to be reminded so often, by someone so beneath him too. It made him feel pathetic. 

Looking down at the dwindling stack of papers, the guardian decided he had gotten enough work done for the night. He could continue tomorrow; all the stress was starting to give him a migraine. Maybe the dinner he skipped was also a playing factor in his current demise. Horror was already mad at him enough for his recent lack of eating and attending meals. 

Nightmare finally stood up, feeling his spine crack and pop as he stretched. A hand rested upon his temple for a moment and moved to pinch the bridge of where his nose would be. It was a starting migraine, there was no doubt about it anymore. He cursed to himself, walking close to the large glass stained window, reaching for the curtains that hung around the grand display. The curtains were pushed back into place, the dark velvet soaking up the small amount of light they brought in and leaving the study with its candles and more traditional lighting. 

Moving closer to the unlit fireplace, one of his tendrils reached out and wrapped itself around a bottle of wine. Carefully, it brought the bottle from up on the mantel and into the guardians hands. He seated himself into one of the plush chairs, willingly sinking into it before opening the bottle of wine and downing a few mouthfuls. The sting it left in the back of his throat was heavenly, a faint taste of cherries lingering on his tongue before he continued drinking from the bottle. Half a bottle turned into an entire one, which turned into another, and another. The sensation , the taste , the burn, it was all equally as unpleasant as it was addictive. 

It must have looked so pathetic, he knew just how pathetic he was. Trying his best to get as drunk as physically possible, alone, in his office. 

Bzzzzt!

He groaned at the sudden noise, pain shooting through his skull sharply. His phone continued to vibrate against the side table it sat on, threatening to fall off the longer it rang. Begrudgingly, Nightmare grabbed his phone and squinted at the sudden bright light. 

Cross.

Taking a moment to compose himself, the guardian answered. 

“What is it you need, Cross?”

“I uhh- sorry to bother you, I know it’s pretty late. I didn't disrupt your work did I?”

“No, I decided to take a break a while ago. Why did you call me again?”

“Right, sorry. He’s back. He’s been waiting in the garden for you, you know how he gets.”

“...tell him I’ll be there shortly.”

“Of cour-”

He ended the call before the other could properly respond. 

Out of every night that damn fox could have decided to come back, he just had to do it tonight. Great, it was just great. He hadn’t even gotten to properly deep clean the bastard's room. He wasn’t meant to come back for another few weeks at least. He never did have a proper schedule, but he’d never been gone for less than 5 months. It was always at least 6 months on the dot. 

“That fucking brat.” The guardian growled to himself, standing up before nearly toppling over. His vision was blurred and his limbs felt too heavy to move to his will. His wish of getting “wasted” as some would say, had unfortunately come true. When it came to meeting anyone else he wouldn’t have cared, he probably would have been able to hide it too. 

But not with him , not this time. 

Steadying himself against the side table, Nightmare took a moment to compose himself once again. 

Be calm, be calm , be calm , be calm , be calm .  

The guardian was quick to make his way out of his study and into the castle halls. The occasional chandelier above head was enough to cast a warm light that just barely aggravated the pain.  The throbbing in his skull seemed to worsen with every damn second he spent moving and thinking. 

The hallways were thankfully empty, Dust and Killer were most likely already asleep. Cross has obviously been awake, probably too paranoid to fall asleep once again. And Horror was either in the kitchen or in the garden keeping the fox company. 

Much to his relief, Nightmare saw that Horror was indeed in the kitchen. The other skeleton waved at him from across the room as the guardian passed by, his usual apron draped over him. The smell of some sort of meat and seasoning filled the room, something which would have been nice if not for the fact it made the guardian’s migraine worse. He gave him a weak wave back, turning back to making his way to the garden.

Passing by the other utility rooms, the guardian walked through the maze that was the castle he’d created. Sometimes he truly wished to rework it, but the thought of how much time and magic it would take made him dread the task. It had been perfect all those years ago when he first thought up the plan, and had him help draw out the floor planning of each and every floor. How either of them had the energy or time to do it was a mystery. 

Coming up to the side door that led out to the garden, Nightmare groaned as he struggled to get the metal door to open properly. Pressing his side into the cold metal, it eventually gave way and allowed for him to pass through. Immediately he was met with the faint breeze and sunlight that the clouds managed to mainly dim out, leaving it looking a little past dawn at almost all times. 

He’d been able to feel the fox’s presence since he left his study. His soul. A soul so pathetically weak, yet so undeniably unique that it could never go unnoticed. Even when they'd been together, far apart at that, in an overpopulated AU, he always knew he was there. It was a cluster. Something that shouldn’t exist. He wasn’t meant to exist. But he was still necessary. 

Nightmare wasn’t surprised to see the fox, the way he held himself with pride despite the fact his clothes were slightly torn. He’d lost weight as well, as he did every time he left. His usual beige sweater, black dress pants, and black boots adorning his body. With his left leg crossed over his right, the fox sat in his usual garden chair. The one with rust starting to form at the bottom of the legs and had his initials engraved into the backing of the iron chair. Uncomfortable, no doubt, but his. Undeniably, absolutely his. 

“You are early.” The guardian stated. 

“And you’re drunk. I can smell it from here.” The fox spoke, nose twitching at the potency of the red wine emanating from the skeleton. 

“I suppose that you see straight through me. I do apologize, I did not expect your arrival for another three weeks at least. Why the sudden return?” He walked closer, sitting down into the garden chair across from the fox. The chair was far newer, many having been before it and each one customized to his specifications. 

“...you're not in the right mindset at the moment. I’ll tell you the truth later. Though I’ve finished a few of my scriptures now, and I know just how much you hate me keeping them anywhere other than your sacred library.”

“I may be intoxicated at the moment, but if something has caused you to break routine I must assume it is rather important, is it not?”

“It concerns your brother and his… little group of friends. They’ve been rather adamant about you lately. Your little plan of taking things slowly to gain their attention has been working rather well.”

“As expected, but what, precisely, is going on with them?”

“He wants to see you again.”

“... pardon?”

“He wants to have a “civilized conversation” with you again.” The fox rolled his shoulders, already knowing how the request would be taken.

“I assume he believes that everything can be resolved with a hug and a singalong.” The guardian felt disgusted at the mere thought of indulging in any of Dream’s childish fantasies. 

“Once again, you’re wrong . Your brother wants to make amends to you with a truce. The idea has been discussed rather intently over the past few days. I thought you should know about this sooner rather than later. You know how they all get when they’ve settled their mind on an idea they're sure will work perfectly .”

“They’re going to be looking for you soon .”

“... how long do you think I have?”

“A… no… shut up… probably two weeks at most… probably less.” The fox rambled to himself for a moment, something Nightmare knew to simply ignore by now. His judgment was, unfortunately , the first priority behind Nightmare’s own. 

“Thank you. We can begin a discussion with everyone else first thing in the morning on how the schedule will have to be adjusted. This was not expected to happen for another few months after all.”

“Understood. I can collect and lay out the written schedule from the library for tomorrow then.”

“Leave it, just... focus on getting some sleep for tonight. I know how tiring your travels can be, however short they may be, and I need you to be in the best possible mindset for tomorrow's discussion and eventual decisions.”

“... as you wish.” The fox truly didn’t have the energy to fight back. And the guardian was right, he’s been exhausted with getting as much information about the Star Sanses’ plan as possible. Just having to see all of them again… it made him sick to his stomach. 

“It is late, I believe we both need rest for the night. Come on.” Nightmare sighed, taking a moment to steady himself as he stood up from his chair. His vision blurred and spun unsteadily for a moment longer than he’d like to admit. Though considering how the fox already knew, there wasn’t any point in trying to deny the state he was in. 

No more words were spoken between the two creatures as the guardian led the fox into the castle. He’d become accustomed with the grounds just as the guardian had over the years, and he probably knew the place better despite how much time he spent away from it. The fox had taken inspiration from several other places he’d, and the other souls he now had, experienced in the past. He’s picked the ones he liked, and implemented them into the floor plans with Nightmare’s approval. It created a sense of familiarity for the smaller creature, even if the sights and sounds he recalled weren’t his own. 

Passing by the kitchen once again, Horror was still present and gave a smile to the fox. “I didn’t realize you were back. How are you? Do you want something to eat?” The skeleton asked, always surprisingly attentive.

“No thank you Horror, I do promise that I’ll eat in the morning though. I haven’t been feeling the best lately, so a light breakfast would be greatly appreciated.” 

“Alright, as long as you’ll eat.” And with that, the skeleton seemed to lay off the matter. 

“Horror, once you finish up, do go rest for the night. Let the others know to be well prepared for tomorrow, we have… many matters to discuss.” Nightmare spoke from behind the fox. 

“Of course, anything else?”

“No, that is all. Goodnight Horror.” The guardian bid his farewells to the other skeleton, turning back and walking down the hallways. The fox gave a small nod of understanding and kept close, but not invasive, to him. The smell of old wood and something faintly floral still stuck to the walls of carpets in the castle. Nightmare usually did a deep cleaning at the 6 month mark of the fox’s absence in preparation for him coming back again. It made him wonder a little about what else was usually done before he arrived that he never realized before. He was, unfortunately, aware of the fact that he had gotten rather used to the life he lived with the guardian. Spoiled wasn’t exactly a fitting adjective for it, but something akin to a little too much comfortability seemed to work better.

The guardian led the fox back to his room, opening the door and watching as he made his way in. He set down his messenger bag, the leather having become worn and slightly torn over the years. He watched as the fox's shadow manifested itself from off the ground and gave the guardian a small bow before sorting through its owner's bag. 

“I should be able to transfer a few of my works to the library soon. Have the covers I commissioned from Sci arrived yet?” The fox asked, taking a stack of papers bound together from his shadow. 

“Not yet, they said it should arrive soon though.”

“Good, I’ll focus on my other works in the meantime then.” He watched as his shadow sorted the bound pages onto a shelf where a few others had been sitting. 

“Right, goodnight then.” Was all the guardian said before taking his leave, closing the door to the room behind him. The fox was silent for a few moments, listening as he heard Nightmare's footsteps disappear down the hall. He relaxed his shoulders, groaning as he rolled them and straightened out his back a bit. 

“He seems a lot more standoffish, even for him.” His shadow eventually spoke, the voice being of his own yet sounding distant and slightly warped.

“I’m aware. But you know how he gets when he drinks. I suppose I can't blame him either, he wasn’t expecting me to come back so soon. At least he’s considerate enough to tone it down when I’m around.”

“... considerate, of course.” 

“You’re supposed to be the one agreeing with me.” The fox glared over at the shadow as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

“I am you, made of you, for you. What do you think that means?”

“... he said he needs me tomorrow, he’s just a bit messed up at the moment.”

“And if he’s not? Is he finally getting tired of you as a poor excuse for an ally?” The shadow asked, head tilting more than it should have. A long uncomfortable silence stretched out between the two, technically one, of them. “Go run me a bath.” The fox eventually said, resting his head in his hands as he sat there.

The shadow didn’t say anything else as it simply did as it was told, making its way to the extended bathroom attached to the room. A small sigh of relief left him as he heard the sound of running water finally coming from the other side of the wall he was on. 

He’s had his phases before, it’ll pass. Let it pass . 

A numbing feeling washed over his body as he held his head in his hands and saliva formed in his mouth. Being nauseous, unfortunately, wasn’t an uncommon occurrence for the fox, though it did happen to still be one of his biggest weaknesses. The feeling of what was inside his own body forcing itself out and up his throat was one he felt at least every few months by now. He had gotten so good at always keeping it down when he was younger, but now he knew he wouldn't be able to stop it no matter how hard he tried.

A shaky sigh left his mouth as he forced himself up, pressing a hand against the furniture and walls as he made his way towards the bathroom. His hands shook in his lap as the shadow stood above him, looking down at its master in such a pitiful state. 

“Just get it over with.”

The soft scent of vanilla filled the air in the small space that was the bathroom. The warm water that engulfed the fox’s frame was therapeutic as he worked to scrub the built up grime through his fur. It was always the same routine when he came back, one he stuck to and insisted was necessary at this point. To come back, talk with Nightmare, take a bath, get changed into the same band-tee and shorts, and then… 

Would Nightmare even allow it tonight?

Certainly he’d have to, wouldn’t he?

The thought plagued the fox for a few moments before he forced it away from his consciousness. Now wasn’t the time to be so afraid by such minuscule thoughts. His hands went back to their vigorous movements as they scrubbed his fur clean. By the end of it, the water felt lukewarm at best and has turned a slight shade darker than would be appealing to admit. Though compared to times in the past, it truly could have been worse. 

Calling over his shadow once again, the fox stepped out of the tub and onto the plush bathroom mats that covered the floor. He took one towel and the shadow kept the other, both beginning to work on drying off the fox’s fur. The task could be a one person job, but it went by much faster with two instead. When he was a child he’d have to spend an entire afternoon drying it with how thick it had been back then. Though now his fur had become a little more thin during the past few years. He had expected it, knew it would happen just as it had to both his mother and father, but still, it wasn’t a feeling he liked. 

By the ten minute mark he deemed it dry enough to allow his shadow to rest once more. The longer it was around the more drained he felt anyways. He set down both towels to dry on the rack on the wall before changing into the fading band-tee that Killer had gifted him when they were becoming acquainted, and the black shorts he’d stolen from Horror around the same time. The skeleton had enough, he probably didn’t even notice it left his laundry basket that day. 

Standing in front of the mirror, the fox looked at himself for a moment. He looked better than when he first arrived, but not nearly as good as when he’d left either. Leaning over the counter to see himself closer in the mirror, he grabbed a small hand towel and wet the edge of it before using it to massage the inside of his ears. Just as mother had told him to do when he was younger. 

Being fully clean was a nice feeling, though something that the fox truly had to work for to achieve. Still, it felt worth it after the few months he spent out. Feeling exhausted, the fox slipped out of the bathroom and closed the door behind him. He glanced back at his bed for a moment and a sense of dread flooded over his senses. A pain he knew all too well shot through his soul, causing him to shudder.

Nightmare.

The fox was quick to leave his room, the sound of his padded feet against the floor echoing faintly. His room was relatively close to the guardian’s, compared to the others anyways. The guardian had his room on the highest floor of the castle, while everyone else had their rooms scattered around on different floors according to their ranking. Moon had been the only one that Nightmare insisted be close to him, it had been just the two of them in the beginning after all. He still got to choose which room it was specifically and of course he wanted the one nearest to the library on the 5th floor. The guardian was the only creature residing on the 6th.

The trip through the dark and desolate hallways was rather short, the fox could easily find his way through with his eyes closed. Upon reaching the corridor leading straight to the guardian’s room, he could see the small crack as the door was propped open. He’d already been expecting him . The realization was just as comforting as it was nerve wracking. 

The fox closed the distance between him and the open door, quickly making his way inside and closing the large wooden door behind him. The guardian was leaned up against the railing of the balcony attached to the main room. His tendrils weren’t present, a rare sight, and he held a partially filled glass of wine. His usual black satin robe was wrapped around his skeletal form, just as it always was on this night.

“I didn’t think you’d be drinking again.” The fox broke the silence, approaching the other side of the room where a change of clothes sat on the guardian's bed. A black satin pajama shirt and shorts set, the exact same one he had every time.

“My apologies, but it is helping with the headache.” Nightmare glanced back at the smaller creature, eyeing him before looking back to the garden and forests that surrounded the castle. 

“It’s also the same reason you have a headache in the first place.” The fox changed out of his clothes for the considered stolen ones laid out for him. A hum was all that was said back in response as the guardian downed the rest of the crimson liquid and set down his glass onto a table in the middle of the room. The glass double doors that lead to the balcony were closed with a small click behind him as the guardian approached the bed. The throbbing pain in his skull had still persisted, and wine only gave a temporary and short-lived relief. The bitter taste continued to linger, strong enough for the fox to smell it as he joined the guardian on the bed. 

This… thing that they had, it was considered a ritual by the fox. The night of his return, no matter how long he had been gone for, he would have the exact same… night terror. As childish as it did seem, it happened consistently and without fail every time he came back to the castle. With Nightmare being one often known for manipulating or entirely changing dreams, it should have been a perfect match. 

Key word: should .

Though Nightmare prided himself in being a creature who had managed to hone his skills over the years he’d been taught by the younger fox, it was the only dream he was never able to change or prevent. As much as he fed off of the negative emotions of others, the fox was an exception. The first few times it had occurred the guardian hadn’t been aware of the fox’s predicament, and so it was chalked up to simple insomnia. As it continued every time he returned, it had begun to affect his work. He had refused to sleep for days in hopes that he wouldn’t have to relive the experience again. 

Nightmare’s number one priority was the fox’s well being, as it directly impacted how well he worked. The better he was, the more pampered he was, the more he was able to focus and get his works done and continue his teachings. In return it directly benefited Nightmare himself, allowing him to keep the fox’s extensive work kept in his library and now able to keep his magic in check.

The guardian seated himself onto the left side of the bed, scooting under the plush covers as he watched the fox do the same on the right side. He watched as the smaller creature leaned closely beside him, pressing his side into the guardian’s chest. In return, Nightmare pressed his skull onto the top of the fox’s head. The same position, just as they’d done countless times before. 

So why did it have to feel so wrong this time?

He’d spent so many nights sleeping beside the creature, intoxicated or not, a few times simply because the fox wanted to. It was more than he’d do with anyone else, but he never did take it as anything more than him helping him out, to be there for him. To hold him still and know another living creature depended on him, to know he was truly needed.

Why couldn’t he handle it this time?

The smell of the fox’s damp but now clean fur penetrated Nightmare’s senses; the same vanilla body wash that he’d been using for over ten years now. The sound of his steady breathing as his body fit in perfectly between the guardian's chest. It was all too much for him to handle. It was usually the perfect thing for him, always had been despite how much he knew he hated to admit it to himself. But tonight, the only night he knew the fox truly needed him, he couldn’t stand it. It made his very soul clench and burn with every emotion he knew he should represent, and he absolutely despised the feeling.

He bit his tongue, wanted to just feel like this was supposed to be happening. He always felt good despite the pain he knew the fox would be in. But just the thought of having to hold him steady as he trashed and cried, something he’d seen enough to know exactly how to react to it, it nauseated him now. It made him hate every little thing about himself, made him feel weak and pathetic for not being able to do anything more for the one creature he depended on the most. 

“Moon, I can not do this. Not tonight.” The guardian was quick with his words, more so than he meant to be. He hadn’t even known if he’d meant to say it, his mind forced his body to speak instead of slowly damaging itself. 

“...what?” The fox’s voice quivered. 

“I am sorry, but I just can not do this.”

“But we always do this, I need this. You know I can’t stop them.” 

“You need to leave.” The longer he dragged this out the more he knew it would hurt. 

“Nightmare I know you’re drunk, but I need you .” He sounded terrified. 

“I know. Leave.”

“ Nightmare I can’t han- ”

“I know. Now leave before I make you.” The guardian’s tendril ripped the blanket off of both of them. The fox's body trembled, fear enriched deeply into his soul as Nightmare’s hand gripped his collar. His tendril slithered itself around the fox’s torso, reaching his neck but hesitating to tighten.

I thought you quit. I thought you were better than this now. You promised. You promised me you’d stop.

“Do not think that even for a second, you are the one in charge here. You are beneath me. You will do what you are told, when you are told to, understand?” Nightmare explained, his voice leaving no room for argument. The choked sound that came from the smaller creature was amusing. His fear, though faint, tasted bittersweet.

The fox felt himself shiver, a lump forming in the back of his closing throat as he looked up at Nightmare. 

Liar.

“Fine, I’ll see you in the morning then.” His voice tried to sound steady, but it broke midway through his sentence as he struggled to breath. The tendrils were quick to let go and the fox could feel the skin beneath his fur that had been faintly bruised. He stole the guardian’s slippers as he got off the bed and walked towards the door. He would have looked back at him if not for the water beginning to form at the edge of his eyes. The door was quietly closed behind him as he slipped out and pressed his back against the wood for a few moments. 

It wasn’t a rare thing to see Nightmare mad, it was a daily occurrence to everyone. From a small outburst due to a stupid disagreement, to breaking multiple bones by disobeying him, the fox had seen just about all of it. He had never been on the receiving end of the abuse though, only ever watched it happen as a result of the guardian's unfavorable temper. And that wasn’t even considering how much worse it was when he first met the guardian. Gods , he could write a novel on its own about just how much destruction the single creature was capable of if he was in a bad enough mood. 

While it was something he often used to jab at the guardian for attention, he also knew that Nightmare never ruled him as a complete exception. The soreness of the skin around his neck was proof of that, but it wasn’t that bad this time. At least the fur would keep it well hidden again. The fox’s arms wrapped themselves around his figure, nails digging into his sides as he tried to calm himself. 

Be calm, be still, be calm, be still. 

His ears twitched as they pressed down against his head. It was late, most of everyone else would already be asleep by now, wouldn't they? Though there was always Dust, but it would be a burden to wake him. Then again, there was a good chance that he wasn’t even planning on sleeping tonight. The fox curled in on himself as he began to steady his breathing. He glanced around the empty corridor before beginning to distance himself from Nightmare’s room. 

His stolen slippers softly padded against the marble flooring as he went down two flights of stairs, eventually finding himself in front of Dust’s room. He could hear the faint noise of what sounded like music and other voices from the other side, most likely the skeleton still awake and on his phone. Taking a deep breath and unraveling his arms from his sides, he brought up his right hand to knock on the wooden door. 

“Killer go away, I’m not in the mo-“ “It’s not Killer.”

The fox heard the sound of faint footsteps coming closer before the door was unlocked and pulled back. He watched as Dust seemed out of it for a moment before confusion took its place over him. 

“I… didn’t realize you were back.”

“Had to come back on some short notice, sorry.”

“No, no it’s fine just… what are you doing here?” Dust asked, already moving from the doorway to allow the fox to enter the room. The fox was quick to slip into the smaller space, the familiar smell of cigarette smoke sticking to the walls in an oddly comforting manner. “Nightmare wasn’t really… he isn’t in a good mood tonight. You know how he is when he drinks too much.”

“Right, I forgot about your whole “first night of return and horrible reliving of your past” thing.”

“That the official title now?” A weak laugh came from the fox.

“A little, that’s what me, Kills, and Horror have been calling it anyway,” The skeleton shrugged for a moment. “I’m going to assume you came to me because Nightmare wouldn’t let you spend the night with him for once?”

“Ya, pretty much.”

“Alright, be my guest then. Not like you don’t know your way around.” The teasing was enough to make the fox feel better, even if only earning a weak smile from him. He watched as the skeleton made his way back into bed before he joined him and sat on the edge of the mattress.

“How did your little adventure go? I got a text from Horror that we had to be well rested for something tomorrow morning. Would that have anything to do with your trip?” Dust asked, scooting over to the right side of the bed to make room for the fox.

“Kinda… I don’t think Nightmare would like me talking about it.” Moon sat down on the left side of the mattress, allowing the other to drape the blanket over him.

“You’re like his dog sometimes, you know that?”

“Ya, I know.”

“… so why do you even stick around here with us?”

“Why do you stay?”

“… cause… I don’t got anywhere else to go.”

“Exactly. I think Nightmare has some sort of kink for collecting people that depend on him for survival.”

“Stars, I hate it here.” The skeleton groaned, more to himself than to the fox that laid bedside him. Dust wrapped an arm around Moon, digging his face into the fox’s neck fluff and letting out a small sigh of pure exhaustion. 

“Hey, watch the neck.” He flinched at the sudden contact and tried his best to create a bit of distance between them.

“Sorry… should I ask who it’s from?” The silence that followed was enough of an answer. Usually the fox would be trying to make up some sort of excuse or blame himself for whatever injury he had, but he didn't. Meaning he didn’t want to admit who had caused the bruise, because of course he didn't. 

It wasn’t even bad this time. More soreness than any real pain. The bruise would fade within a few days instead of weeks. 

“Fine, your choice.” Dust mumbled, moving to rest his head against his chest. His fur poked out from underneath his shirt and made a rather nice pillow to lay on. “Are you going to be alright?”

“... I don’t know.” The fox rested his snout atop of Dust’s skull, wrapping an arm around the both of them.

“Alright… you’ll be alright, okay? Just don’t bash in my skull in your sleep.” The laugh died in his throat at the fox’s expression. “... bad joke?”

“A little. I mean it’s not like I ever hurt Nightmare or anything, but then again, he’s… you know… used to dealing with me.”

“I know.” He dug his face further into the fox’s fur, wrapping an arm around him in return.

You'll be fine by morning, just let it pass. 

By the time the fox had woken, the body he’d fallen asleep next to was gone and all the sheets were bunched together at his side. With blurred vision, he could see the skeleton’s phone was still on the side table though. He wouldn’t have gone far without it, meaning he didn’t fully leave him. The realization brought the fox a small bit of comfort, and the leftover warmth on the empty side of the mattress only further proved his point. 

The noise of the bedroom door opening caused the fox’s ears to stand, to which the sound of shuffling slippers was heard quietly after. “G’morning sleepy head.” Dust's voice gently teased as he set something down onto the nightstand, most likely putting out a cigarette from the smell. Sitting back down onto the bed he brought the fox into a small embrace, pressing his teeth to the top of his head for a quick peck. “… mornin’…” The fox mumbled back, relishing in the warmth that the skeleton brought him and pressing his face into his chest.

“Last night was… something.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, it’s just what happens.” He held the fox close against himself, gently stroking his fur in circular motions for a few minutes. “Horror’s making breakfast, said he’d be done in about half an hour or so. Do you need any help getting ready?” Dust asked, pulling away so he could properly see the fox’s face but not quite letting him go yet. 

“No, I should be fine. But… thank you, for dealing with me and everything.” He hated it, hated having to rely on someone else. To be so utterly pathetic and weak in front of someone else.  

“Of course, ya know I’m always here.” Dust gave him a weak smile before pressing one last quick peck to the fox’s mouth before unwrapping his arms from around the fox.

“Thank you. It means a lot.” He returned the weak smile, forcing the expression onto his face. “I’ll go now. Tell Horror I’ll be down pretty soon.” The fox sat up, rubbing at the fur around his face before getting up from the mattress. With his stolen slippers, he gave Dust one last glance, and made his way out of the other’s bedroom.  

Warm lighting spilled through the castle's windows and onto the marble flooring, reflecting off the occasional mirror or glass decoration. Very, very faintly, the sound of commotion could be heard coming from the bottom floor, managing to echo through the halls and up the stairs. Horror was most definitely the one actually making food, and either Killer or Cross was there to keep them company. 

The fox made his way back up to his floor and bedroom, entering and grabbing an outfit for the day. His usual beige sweater and black pants would have to wait a bit until they could be worn again, the small rips and tears evident in the seams of the fabric. He’d have to ask Dust to mend them again sometime soon. Looking back through the decently sized closet, the fox was able to decide on a white dress shirt with a black vest top, black slacks, along with a black and orange floral patterned tie. Once he brushed out the knots in his fur and made sure he didn’t look too drained from his reliving last night, he allowed himself to leave the confines of his room. 

The fox made little to no noise as he made his way through the halls once again, slipping through the corridors until he reached the staircase that cut through the entire structure. It was essentially a straight shot from there, with the kitchen and open dining room being a short distance from where the stairs stopped. The smell of different types of meats and bread were present far before the fox reached the dining room, looking over to the doorway that led to the kitchen. He decided against entering, knowing how Horror got, and instead took a seat at the table. Killer was already there, sitting in the 2nd chair on the left side. The fox took his own seat, the chair closest to the “front” end on the right side, directly next to where Nightmare always sat. 

“I’m surprised you made it down before he did, usually it’s the other way ‘round. What’s up with that? Don’t tell me you got into a fight again.” Killer teased, close to no actual malicious intent backing up his words. His usual attire was some sort of t-shirt and shorts along with his jacket and sneakers, yet he lacked the jacket and wore a long sleeve black shirt. A small change, but still a predictable one at that. 

The fox didn’t allow himself to express anything through his expression. “It’s not my place to say.” His voice was unwavering as he stood his ground.

Killer’s smirk faltered for a split second, “You two got into an argument already? Didn’t you just come back las-” “ I said , it is not my place to say. So drop it .” His words were more a command than any semblance of a request. It seemed to do its job though, shutting Killer up from his pestering on the subject. Before any other questions could arise, Cross came from the kitchen, holding a plate of food in each hand. 

“Oh, Moon, good to see you.” The younger one spoke, setting down a plate in front of the fox and at Nightmare’s spot. He was still skinny, no, thin . His attitude seemed better though, at least compared to the day he’d left, it had been a particularly harsh day for him. The usual amount of layers he was seen wearing were stripped away, leaving only a thin black turtleneck and some sweatpants with a design down the sides. 

“Likewise.” The fox gave him a small nod of acknowledgment, smiling softly at him as the plate was set down. A slice of french toast drizzled with, most likely, sugar-free syrup, two slices of bacon, more soft than crunchy, and a poached egg cut in half adorned the ceramic plate. The fox said a small thanks to the other before he disappeared into the kitchen again and emerged with another two plates. He continued to transfer the plates, setting down Killer’s, Dust’s, his own, and Horror’s.  

Cross eventually sat down in his seat, 1st on the left side. He started to have some sort of conversation with Killer, something about how their sections in the garden were currently doing. The fox didn’t pay much mind to it, it didn't involve him after all. It made for good white noise before Horror eventually emerged from the kitchen, wearing a grey shirt under his usual jacket and some black pants. He flashed a quick smile at the fox, to which it was returned along with a small wave from the smaller creature. “Ya sleep alright?” He questioned, sitting down in the 3rd seat on the right.

“As much as I could, I suppose.” The fox knew the others knew about the reliving, of course they did, but he highly doubted that Dust had told them he hadn’t spent it with Nightmare this time. He forced out a fake laugh, as if it hadn't been in pure, brutalizing pain that didn’t really exist last night. Horror seemed to drop the matter, reading the room enough to know it wasn’t something to be pressed upon at the moment. Just as the larger skeleton was going to ask if the fox had seen either Nightmare or Dust, the pair made their entrance into the dining room. 

“Good morning to you all.”

“ Morning. ”

The guardian’s hand was placed onto Dust’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze just a bit too rough for comfort. He ushered the other to sit down, watching as he did in the 2nd right seat, right next to the fox. “Sorry we took so long, got caught up talking about stuff.” The usual hooded skeleton lacked his key feature, but he looked better in a black v-neck and dark blue jeans anyway. He gave the fox’s hand a small squeeze under the table, a silent “are you alright?” clearly being asked. The fox only smiled softly at the other before letting go and looking up towards Nightmare. 

“Thank you for the food Horror, I am impressed as per usual.” The guardian complimented, the lines of what parts were forced and what was a genuine compliment blurred for the others to clearly tell apart. The fox knew it was genuine, the faint shine in his eyelight and the gifted dark turquoise tie underneath the tailed black suit spoke more than the guardian himself would.

Once the guardian was seated, everyone else began to eat. It was a silent rule, one never quite spoken out loud but mutually agreed upon by everyone. If Nightmare was to show up to the meal, then no one would begin eating until he was seated. Sure it wasn’t an actual rule, no one ever got into any trouble when they’d begin eating before his arrival, but it was a force of habit.

The sound of scraping forks and knives against plates was occasionally broken by the conversation going around the table. Branching off of the garden, towards how Sci had been lately, to how everyone had generally been doing over the past few days. In simple terms, everyone had been doing relatively fine, besides Horror getting a minor injury on one of the more recent missions they went on. Meals are usually either one of two things, extremely talkative or dead silent. The latter usually only happened after a failed mission, a slip up, or a nasty argument having broken out earlier in the day. So an actually talkative breakfast was quite a nice thing for the fox to come back to.

Throughout the meal, both the fox and the guardian were rare to speak, only mumbling a few words or simply not responding at all. It was usual, both of them were akin to each other in that manner. Yet there was an underlying tension between the two as they ate. The guardian’s tendrils flickered behind him, a little more than they usually would in such a casual setting. While the action could easily be interpreted as anger, maybe aggression, it was far from it. 

He was at a loss for words, too deep in thought to properly control his magic the way he usually did. Surely not out of control, but its leash allowed itself to go just a bit farther than he usually locked it at. 

The positivity that emanated from the others’ seated at the table was tolerable, dulled and made lukewarm by the fox’s silent but unmistakable nervousness. He always emitted the emotion, even when he was happiest it seemed to cling to him like cigarette smoke. It was a pro rather than a con though, as it allowed the guardian to handle this setting better. It made the bitter taste a little bit sweeter, more palatable. 

The sound of utensils against ceramic eventually died down, with the quiet conversation instead taking its place. Most of everyone's plate now ranging from empty to only a few small chunks of food still left. The meals had been well prepared, nobody ever really doubted Horror when it came to cooking. It was his thing and his thing alone, to say he saw his ability to provide food as a large part of his being wasn’t a lie.

Nightmare, clearing his throat, pushed his empty planet forward before standing. The rest of the table was quick to fall into silence as their gaze lifted up to him. 

“Now then, I know all of you were informed that this morning is important. Some new information has come to light, and I believe that it’s important that we all go through this as a group. I… value your opinions.” The words seemed a bit foreign on his tongue, but he’d been getting better at allowing them into his regular vocabulary. 

“Soooo, I’m gonna assume this has to do with something foxy found while away on his little trip?” Killer asked, still poking at the remaining scraps of scrambled eggs on his plate. 

“It is,” The guardian took in a deep breath before continuing. “As you are all aware, our plan to slowly spread negativity and tip the scale of the multiverse in my favor has been going quite well. A little too well. Moon, if you could.” He looked to his side as he saw how the fox had already begun to lay down the scroll. Circling around the table in the process, he placed a few empty glasses on the edges of the paper to keep it down properly. 

“Our original plan was to allow this to go on for 8 months at a minimum, to a year and a half until the council would begin to take a large concern in the matter. Though as of recently, sometime last week, they’ve all begun to talk about a truce they wish to put into place. Though they have only seen the destruction of all of you, they have yet to see Nightmare directly connected to all of this. It doesn't exactly take a genius to put two and two together, and a certain someone happened to go blabbering their mouth to people he shouldn't have.

The council is almost certain that Nightmare is behind this, which was hoped to be avoided for up to another year. They’re moving faster than we originally planned, which is alright on its own, but certainly not appreciated.  The idea of a truce wanting to be created and signed was always a possibility, but unfortunately wasn’t thought greatly about before the operation began. So we’re a bit stranded on where to take this next. 

We’re on a time limit here. The Stars said they’d begin searching for Nightmare and his hideout soon, sometime within the next two weeks from what I've gathered. We need to build more distance between ourselves and the members of the council. But stopping the operation isn’t an option, and so we’ll need to be cautious anytime we leave the castle. Any bright ideas?” The fox circled around the large table a couple of times before stopping on Nightmare’s right side, looking up at the others that sat around the table. 

A silence fell over the group, the information sinking in. 

“How bad would it be if they began a fight with us? I know we’re more than outnumbered but haven't you been teaching Nightmare how to “be the master of his craft” for like… ten-ish years now?” Killers asked, finally giving up on the scraps on his plate and pushing it towards Horror.

“Yes, and he’s come a long way over the years. But displaying a great deal of magic such as he has now would more than likely cause the council to over prepare. I wouldn’t be surprised if they went to Sci to get something to dull it, or try to remove his magic entirely. They cannot know until we are certain he can truly strike.” The fox explained.

“So… distraction, we need to buy ourselves more time till we know we can handle everyone?” Horror looked up for reassurance. 

“Exactly.”

“What if we got someone to be a distraction for the Stars? If they want to be in charge of the thing then the council won’t yet get involved properly. But if they’re busy with someone else that may be able to get us the time we need.” Cross suggested, leaning his crossed arms against the table. 

“I mean that sounds reasonable to me, but who the fuck are we gonna get to do that? The Stars know everyone here has caused destruction and they’re not exactly happy with us. Nightmare’s out of the question, which is a shame since he’s got shapeshifting on his side. We don’t really got anyone to be able to just send out.”

“Unfortunately, Killer is correct. No one here has an exactly good relationship with any of them. To hire someone specifically to do it would be preferred, but rather risky. The process alone would likely take too long.”

“What about Moon?” Dust piped in. 

“That is not an option.”

“What do you mean? Do they know that he’s working with us?” Killer interrupted.

“They do not.”

“So what the fuck is the big deal? He’s exactly what we need for this plan isn’t he?”

“I can’t.”

“What do you mean you can’t? You just said a distraction is what we needed!” The skeleton slammed his fists onto the table, enough to shake his now empty plate but nothing else.

“Killer, do you need a moment?” The guardian asked, his expression slightly softening at the sudden outburst.

“No… sorry, I’m fine.” The other mumbled, looking down at his hands as they trembled for a second before he calmed himself.

The fox cleared his throat after giving Killer a moment to collect himself. “I burned my bridges with them many years ago. Swap… he… he wouldn’t be very happy to see me again.” His expression seemed to say enough, it was the same one Nightmare wore whenever someone brought up when he and Dream were still brothers. The topic was clearly off limits.

“I call bull , but sure, fine .” Killer huffed out and returned back to his seat. “What other bright ideas do we have then?”

The same silence fell over the table as it did earlier. 

“If we cannot get a person to be a distraction, maybe some sort of event could work? …No… the council would get involved too fast… maybe an AU? No… that’ll mess up the balance… or… maybe if we get a god we could… but they’ve rarely been able to… fuck, just shut up already .” The fox’s rambling was mostly ignored, best not to disturb him when he got like this. 

“So while he’s going insane, and until we think up a proper plan, what if we tried to trick them? We leave a bunch of hints, some real, and most made up.” Killer proposed.

“And… if we keep it up for a while it could allow for the Stars to have enough proof for the council that they’re onto something, but we really just mess around with them till they're worn out?” Horror added. 

“... It is a possible plan, but if we lead them on too much then the council is sure to get their hands on us. The balance we would need to keep would be rather difficult for us. Though I suppose if worst comes to worst… we could find a way to make it work.” The guardian rested his hands on his skull.

“Cross,” The younger skeleton flinched at the mention of his name, looking up from fidgeting with his fingers. “You got anything? Besides all that leftover food on your plate.” Killer asked before looking over at the only partially eaten buttered bread and bacon, both now cold from how much time had passed.

“I’m working on it.”

“A plan or the meal?”

“Both…” “Not to be rude but it doesn't really look that way to me. And no pressure, but I think the last thing any of us need is for you to start getting worse again.”

“... I know…”

Horror, partially feeling mad at Killer for his comment, took in a small breath before standing up. “It’s fine if you’re not feelin’ it today. But Kill’s right, ya gotta eat somethin’. We have some of that leftover swiss roll cake from a few days ago, would ya eat a slice?” The taller skeleton picked up the younger’s plate, taking a bite from the bread.

“Uh, ya… ya okay.” Cross mumbled, eyelights gaining back a little of their shine at the idea. It wasn’t the best, definitely not healthy for him so early in the morning. But he’d eat it, that's what was important at the moment. Horror smiled at him before turning to go back to the kitchen.

“Horror, while you are at it, grab Moon a slice too, would you?” The guardian was satisfied with the nod he received from Horror. Thankfully the other was quick, only a minute or two passing before he returned with two new plates in tow. He set down the one with a side of cut up fruit in front of Cross, to which he earned a rather sheepish thank you from him. The second, a slice with extra filling put into a small glass on the side. The fox had a known sweet tooth, it was hard to ignore after all. 

The plate being set in front of him caused the fox to seemingly allow himself to be in the moment again, shunning the voices of the other souls that plagued his mind. They were helpful of course, always had been, and he’d give anything to make sure he kept them. Yet it was rather difficult when a cluster of different memories that were not his own invaded his senses as he tried to search for an answer. 

“What did they say?” The guardian asked, watching as the fox next to him eagerly stuffed a large portion into his mouth. A small bit of the filling stuck to the edge of his mouth, to which his tongue quickly swallowed it along with the majority of the slice that was now in his mouth. 

“Hmhmhmhmhm G.” 

“Please remember to breathe while you eat.” The guardian grabbed his unused napkin before grabbing the side of the fox’s face and proceeding to wipe off his face. “Now, properly, what did they say?”

The fox cleared his throat, now more than happy having practically licked the plate clean. “I think I should talk to Reaper about this, probably Toriel too.” He seemed slightly disappointed at the fact he had finished the cake, knowing Nightmare would likely scold him asking for another slice.  

“You mean like Toriel, goddess of life? Oh yeah just give her a call, I’m sure she’d be more than happy to talk to you.” Killer said, rolling his head to mimic rolling his eyelights at the fox.

“I mean, you do consider her as a mother figure Moon, do you not?” The guardian held his slight smugness in the question. He’d been able to meet the goddess once in person thanks to Moon’s insistence to try and get her to tell the guardian the fox was worthy of teaching him. 

Of course she’d be able to convince him, she had to. Everything was put into its place to allow the very thing to bloom.

“I do, and while I know she keeps her tabs on me, it’s been a while since I’ve paid her a proper visit. Could you ask Error to get me into contact with Reaper? He’d be able to get me to have a conversation with Toriel to discuss what’s the best plan of action.”

“... you, you want to ask the goddess of life what we should do. Isn’t what we’re doing frowned upon to others? We’re disrupting the multiverse, everyone knows that. Wouldn't she want to like, I don’t know , protect her creations and stop us?” Dust asked, voice still low but more expressive than usual. 

“While I would agree, Moon has the best idea so far. Toriel does not take a liking to me, which I suppose is understandable. Though from the brief time I was able to meet her, she clearly did take quite a liking towards him. I do not understand why she is tolerant of his relation to us, but nonetheless, she has the power to perhaps help us immensely. I will get in contact with Error, see if he can get you the meetings you need.” The guardian's shoulders seemed to relax a bit, his posture untensing as he leaned back into his chair. 

Cross’s plate was now empty, except for the singular cantaloupe chunk that Dust was willing to take from him. Horror seemed more than happy by the sight, giving the younger skeleton a small reassuring squeeze on the shoulder as he collected his plate. The rest of the empty plates from the table were taken, with Horror beginning to clean up the kitchen.

“I believe that concludes this, though if any other ideas are created, please do share. Toriel may help, but we can not be certain to the extent that she will.

Today’s mission will be cancelled until further notice. I will tell you all when your next assignments are to be completed. You are all dismissed.” The guardian clasped his hands together, taking a small bow as he watched the others get up from their seats. 

Killer let out a groan as he stood and stretched, a bone somewhere in his spine popping as he did so. The sound earned a slightly uncomfortable look from the younger skeleton, still trying to keep the newly eaten fruit down. “Why do you feel the need to do that every time you get up?” Cross asked, leaning against the edge of the table.

“What? You mean, this ?” Killer then proceeded to crack just about every nonexistent muscle he had, causing the younger skeleton to feel queasy. 

“…should I intervene?”

“No, they are fine.” The guardian merely shrugged at the other two skeletons’ banter, watching as the two began to likely make their way to the training room. Killer had been getting better and better at boxing after all, it wouldn’t come as a shock that he’d try to get Cross in on it as well. The younger could use the extra strength and hopefully he’d begin to eat more if he was drained from the practice. 

The two of them watched as everyone was quick to go their separate ways from the dining room. The fox’s gaze lingering on Dust for a moment before giving a small wave as the skeleton made his way to the kitchen where Horror now was. 

The guardian and the fox stood in silence for a few moments before the older turned to leave as well. There was no question about whether he wanted the fox to follow or not, both already understood the gesture. The fox kept his distance, a few steps behind the guardian as they made their way up the stairs and reached the 6th floor. The guardian steadied his back onto the stair railing as he looked down the hallway, eyelight focused on the lighting that seeped through the windows and onto the marble floorings stretched ahead. He could sense the way the fox stood a small distance to his right, his stance closed off and limbs wrapped around himself. 

“How are you?” The guardian eventually broke their silence, his fingers behind him tapping methodically onto the stairs’ railing.

“...‘m fine.”

“How is your neck doing?”

“It’s alright.” The fox’s ears twitched for a moment before he flattened them against his head. 

“I… am sorry,” The words didn’t sound forced, but difficult to get out. “About last night, about my drinking, and about how I acted because of it. I apologize.”

“I know.”

“I cannot undo what I have done. I know that you are far past the point of simply forgiving me because I give you something. A creature such as yourself is far beyond that point.”

“I know.”

“What can I do? How can I ease the damage I have done?” He had been getting better at this whole apologizing thing. He knew the fox wouldn’t forget, he never did despite how badly he tried to sometimes. What’s done is done . But that didn’t mean he couldn't try and ease the burns and scars left on his skin over the years.

“ You know what I want .” 

This card again.  

“Moon,” The guardian’s tendrils lowered themselves, his shoulders slumping as he looked to his side. “I know you think it is what you want, but I assure you that it will only cause more pa-” “ I don't care. I haven’t seen them in years. I just… I just want to talk to them again. I don’t care that they won’t remember it, I don’t fucking care that it’ll only last an hour at most, I just want to see them again. Please .” The fox’s words broke as they left his mouth and the fur under his eyes became damp. 

“...I shall get you that meeting with Error soon.” He didn’t dare look at the fox.

“I don’t care about that meeting right now, I want to see my parents again.”

“No.”

“What the hell do you mean no? You hurt me, you always do, and then you try and see how much time and energy you have to spend on me to fix it. Yet the one thing that I want that you know damn well that I want, and you won't fucking give it to me.”

“Stars, Moon I am well aware of how much you want to see them but I simply cannot allow it.”

“Why? You always say that I can have whatever the hell I want because I’m your special little pet but you can't give me this one dream?”

The fox’s family was a rather nice bunch, a nicely knit together family from what Nightmare had both seen and been able to gather from others. That night though, once the fox left them… it did damage that hurt to look at. The fox had known what he’d done. He’d known what it’d do years before he made his final decision. He knew how bad it would be, how much more it would hurt to see them again. Yet he still seemed to beg for it every chance he got.

“...do they still hate me for what I did?” His grief tasted like blueberry pie. 

“No, your father still misses you. Dot does though, she and Sylvia both do.”

“And mom?”

“... you already know the answer to that.” The guardian could only watch as the fox’s face contorted as he tried his best to keep his composure. He’d already known the answer, already known that Nightmare would give him such a vague but clear answer to his question. But that didn’t mean that it couldn’t bring a pain just below his reliving to his soul once again. 

“Just… get me that meeting with Error.”

“Of course… anything else?” It felt wrong to not give him anything more.

“... can I sleep with you tonight?” He sounded so pitiful, so utterly pathetic and weak as he spoke.

“Of course.” Nightmare’s tendrils wrapped themselves around Moon, the guardian holding him close against his chest. “I’m so tired. I’m so fucking tired Nightmare.” “I know, and I am sorry.” The fox let himself cry, let himself be a pathetic amalgamation with too many souls and too many emotions for a single body to handle on its own. 

The guardian held the smaller creature, one arm supporting his back and the other holding his legs. He led the fox through the hallway, faint sunlight casting onto his figure and onto damp fur. The wooden door opened without resistance and was quick to close behind the two. 

The guardian kicked off his dress shoes and undid the tie around the fox’s neck. A tendril slipped under the sheets to lift them before the guardian placed Moon onto the right side of the plush bed. Without being any more than a few feet from the fox at a time, Nightmare placed himself onto the left side of the bed. His arms finding themselves wrapped around the fox and pulling him closer. The fox’s once unsteady and erratic breathing had seemed to calm, though still faster than it should have been. 

“Hey,” Nightmare spoke surprisingly gently, trying his best to make sure he didn’t scare the fox. “Do as I do, alright?” The guardian tilted up the fox’s head just enough to make sure he could see him. Then, slowly and clearly, he took in a deep breath for four seconds, held it for seven seconds, before breathing out for eight seconds, and repeated. He watched as the fox struggled to follow the pace, though after the first five minutes he seemed to match the other’s breathing quite well. When he allowed himself to stop, he was left with his damp fur and heavy limbs, but at least he could breathe and his hands didn’t shake. 

“Just sleep… we can deal with everything else tomorrow.”

“... okay… thank you.” The fox allowed the guardian's magic to guide him to sleep, it was almost soothing, the way the magic felt seeping through his soul. Oh how he missed the feeling.

After laying in silence for a few minutes, the guardian deemed the fox in a deep enough sleep to move a bit. One of his tendrils reached over to the end table, making sure to not knock anything else over as it brought over his phone. 

Error. 

I need you to set up a meeting between Moon and Reaper as soon as you can. I will have some sort of reward for you once you secure it. 

Nightmare let out a small sigh as he set his phone back down, responses from the destroyer could vary from a few minutes to over eight hours. He could only really pray he’d get lucky this time. Though for now, his gaze fixated back onto the creature besides him. His fur still smelled faintly of vanilla and cigarette smoke… right… of course he’d…

He’d really known about it, already asked Dust about it before breakfast after all. He couldn’t handle the night alone after all, it was only reasonable for him to look for someone else's comfort. Still, the idea wasn't exactly  one he liked. It had been his fault though, he had been the very one to push the fox away last night. Of course he had gone to Dust for the night, there was no way he would have made it through the night without someone's comfort. The mere idea of it, of the two in the same positions that he was in with the fox now, it tasted like apples. 

Nauseating.  

But he knew Moon had been happy, he seemed like it in the brief moment his attention was purely on the other skeleton during breakfast. That’s what was important, that the fox was happy regardless of who it was with. And to that he was alright with, he had Dust as first in command for a reason. He trusted the hooded skeleton, knew that he did care for the fox as much as he did for the others. He loved them, as purely as a monster such as himself could anyway. 

The guardian found himself holding the fox tightly to his chest, feeling the creature's heartbeat and slow breathing against his body. 

It didn’t matter who he had been with last night. It didn’t matter how Dust had made him feel, and the moments of intimacy the couple had shared. It didn’t matter right now, because now Moon was with Nightmare instead. Now he was wrapped in his bedsheets and in his arms, and finally getting a good night's rest because of Nightmare. 

All because of him. 

Chapter Text

Long ago, two brothers were created. One’s soul filled with radiance and pure sunshine that he spread to those around him. The other, the older, had a soul filled with despair and fear that seeped into those who neared him. They were destined to protect their mother, a grand tree that held two types of apples, one filled with positivity and the other filled with negativity. 

The villagers nearby took quite a liking to the younger skeleton, showering him with their attention and begging for his very presence. The older was feared, stories of his possible rage being able to inflict pain onto those who found themselves too close to him. One day, the guardian of negativity took his fruits off the tree and he was corrupted. He destroyed his universe, his mother, and his brother tried oh so desperately to stop him.

Such a vile creature didn't deserve to exist after all.

“Dream!” The older guardian yelled, hands digging into the dirt beneath him. Pure negativity dripped out of the left side of his skull, having shattered the side of his skull. 

“I… I’ll go get help! I promise, I’ll be back…” The younger could only stare down at his brother, seeing all the damage he’d done. 

“No no no no no no, don’t leave me please! Dream!” He could only watch as he was left alone, truly such a pathetic sight. He was a danger after all, something that brought nothing but misery everywhere he went. 

He waited, waited for hours which turned into days. Nobody came back. Dream never came back for him. He promised, didn't he? He was foolish enough to think that maybe if he stayed long enough, maybe if he tried his best to fight off the negativity that seeped into his soul and covered his being, maybe then he’d be saved. 

I hate to spoil this for you, but no one ever came for him. Why would they? Why would anyone want to help a creature that didn't deserve to exist? 

The guardian waited for years in that rotting universe, and one day his brother did come back. He watched his brother, now changed but still so clearly naive. He was still a child after all.

“...why are you back?” Nightmare asked, looking at the creature that stood in front of him, one that he had no relation to anymore. Had they ever truly been brothers?

The younger guardian, head held high as his grip tightened around his bow. He raised it, pulling an arrow back and towards his chest. His aim was precise, the golden arrow pointed at the older guardian. “I’m sorry moonflower… I’m so, so sorry.” 

“Wildflower, why did you leave me?”

The tar that seeped from his soul puddled around him, inching closer to the other guardian.

“How could you leave me?”

He watched as it consumed him, spreading up his legs and covering his figure.

“Did you ever even care? Or were you too blinded by the envy of the villagers that leached off of you for so long?” He clasped his brothers the younger guardians face, watching the tears that fell from his eye sockets. “Was it just too much for you? Too irresistible for you than to stay with mom and I? I suppose I cannot blame you, why not go with the kind people who love you so much and leave me out in the rain to look after the tree by myself?” 

“Moonflowe-” “Do not, do not ever call me that.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry sorry I never meant to hurt you.”

“Liar, liar liar liar liar liar liar !” His fingers dug into the bones of the younger . “You are not my brother, you never have been and you never will be.” 

The room was encased in silence, the sounds of the rest of the castle not loud enough to travel into the quarters. As the sun had dimmed over the past few hours, the room had gotten darker. It at least helped with Nightmare’s faint migraine. 

The guardian’s head ached, a dull but persistent pain at the back of his skull that had lingered since the night before. Unfortunately, the wine had been making it worse. Not that much time had passed from what he could tell. While he knew he could sleep for long periods of time he knew he hadn’t rested until the next day. It was still only the day after Moon’s return. 

He was reminded of where he was at the feeling of the fox he held squirming, already complaining about not wanting to get up. 

“You snore when you sleep.” 

“I am aware.”

“It’s annoying.” The words clearly weren’t thought out properly, but the guardian bit his tongue as he always did for the fox.

“How are you? Better I would hope.” He asked, his arms loosening around the smaller creature just enough to allow him to pull away. 

“I’m fine… just tired.” It was the same response every time, just tired.

“You just woke up, you cannot possibly still be tired. Please do get up, I have already contacted Error to get you a meeting with Toriel for later today.” 

Fuck.

Right, the meeting.

“But I don’t wanna gooooo-” His complaining was stopped when he was pushed off the bed and landed face first onto the floor. 

:( 

“Get up.”

The fox rolled his eyes at Nightmare, but nonetheless complied with his request. Sitting up, he stretched his arms and back before sitting back down onto the bed.

“I don’t want to go.”

“Moon, I am not your mother forcing you to get up and go to school. You hold Toriel’s option over anything else, and I know that this will help all of us. I am sure she will be more than delighted to see you again. I will make sure to let you know when everything else has been arranged.” One of his tendrils pushed the fox off of the bed again, though that time he made it to his feet instead of falling on the floor again. For a moment he considered how much longer he could push off leaving the room, but he knew Nightmare was getting annoyed with him.

“Fine… where the hell’s my tie?” The guardian threw the tie at the fox’s face. “Thanks.”

The fox didn’t waste much more time, focusing on making his way to his room and making himself look presentable once again.

Stars, he looked like shit. 

The statement was only partially an over exaggeration, he’d woken up without his tie on and with his dress shirt half unbuttoned after all. If he hadn’t remembered why he was in Nightmare’s room in the first place, he would have just assumed they’d gotten to know each other more.

His messy fur wasn’t exactly helping with his case either, he’d managed to get knots in a few places. “... dammit…” His shadow helped him get the kinks out of his fur, as well as ironing out the wrinkles in his clothes. He knew Toriel wouldn’t really care what he looked like upon his visit, but it felt wrong to show up looking as much of a mess as he knew he was. 

“What time is it even?” The fox asked, buttoning up his dress shirt once again.

“About two to three in the afternoon. Did you enjoy your little beauty nap?” His shadow coaxed. 

“Stars… yes in fact, I did.”

“Don’t you just love sleeping in his arms again? Oh how you cherish the sensation.” 

“Oh hush.”

“You know I’m right, he’s the only person you have left at this point after all. You left everyone else behind you fucking traitor, you ran with your tail tucked between your legs when you got scared, didn’t you ?”

“Shut up. If I knew all you’d do was degrade me I wouldn’t have brought you here. I brought you to be useful to me, that’s your purpose to me. Are you going to do what you're told or not?” 

“Says the one having such a hard time fulfilling his own purpose. You know, I bet she would be handling this much better than you are. Everything about her is so much better than what you can offer after all.” He forced his shadow away before it could continue on. If not for the fact it took on his same figure, he would have assumed it was an entirely different creature than him. Of course it was helpful most of the time, but it was also a pain to hear it talk and belittle him for his every action. He instead focused on grabbing a few of the bound drafts he had on the shelves, stuffing them into his bag before draping it across his shoulder. 

Looking at the left wall of the room, he approached the cabinet mounted there. Its glass windows allowed him to see the collection of keys he’s collected there. He only grabbed the ones he knew he’d need for the day before closing its doors once again, catching a glimpse of the real magic that swirled around it, keeping the doors closed. 

Nightmare had been nice to him so far, it felt only right to get started on the mountain of work he owed him.

He pushed down the nauseating feeling in his throat before he deemed himself well enough to leave his room. His shadow seemed to have been right, as the sun seemed to have dimmed itself and made it look like late evening outside. For a creature that seemed to hate most light, Nightmare had been adamant about keeping a close to constant day cycle in the AU, it was to the point it was rare for it to actually be dark at night.

He had work to do and drafts to finalize, now wasn’t a time to be distracted.

The library had been exactly as he’d left it, though he could tell that Nightmare had come in maybe once or twice. A partially empty bottle of wine sat on a side table near the fireplace, accompanied with a glass beside it that clearly had been considered but not quite used. He looked through his section, finding a couple of books he’d written and taking them with him as well. With all the information he wielded it was unfortunately easy to forget much of it when he needed it, specifically to make references in his new writings to past information. He usually did explain certain concepts and ideas in each work if it hadn’t been already mentioned, but it was also much easier to put in notes as to where it was written about more in depth.

With his bag already having most of the writing utensils he needed, he left the quiet sanctuary of the library. The halls lightly echoed his footsteps as he made his way down back to the first floor. The kitchen was clean and empty, meaning Horror was likely in the garden instead. 

The garden didn't seem like a bad place to work in.

It wasn’t exactly long before the fox found himself pushing open the metal door that led to the garden, it having to take a few moments before he could get it open from the doorframe it clearly wasn’t meant to be within. The slightly humid air clung to his fur and the sky above had changed to a deep but still clear blue. His shoes tapped against the stone pathway before he arrived at his usual spot, his chair and small table having been waiting there for him. His bound but not quite finished books were laid out, with him continuing on details and editing certain parts. 

Killer had told him it would probably be better and more efficient to write down his works digitally, then print and bind them together, but Nightmare had insisted he wanted his works hand written. It wasn’t at all a necessity, really either way would have been more than fine. The guardian had only ever told him that he wanted him to write books for him to keep all his knowledge. 

The sunlight, less bright as it had been compared to that morning, still allowed for a pleasant faint warmth to cast over the garden and onto the fox’s fur. Horror had clearly been taking good care of the garden over the past few months, the vibrantness of the ivy and hedges showed it enough. The bluebells were finally allowed their time to bloom. They were one of the fox’s favorites to see in the garden. He’d considered taking a part of the garden as everyone else had, even Nightmare had his section, but he felt it’d be wrong to consider how long he often left. 

The fox’s ears twitched as he heard footsteps from behind him but wasn't surprised to see both Dust and Cross together. The younger seemed somewhat sluggish, but overall in good spirits. 

“Oh, hey, didn’t realize you were out here.” Cross was the first to speak, giving a small smile to the fox. Simply from the scattered papers and writing equipment laid out on the black solid iron table, both could see the fox was in the middle of something. 

“It’s not much, just trying to finish up my works for the library. Sci still hasn’t delivered the covers I ordered though so it’s been hindering it. Dust, you wouldn't happen to know if he’s finished up on them, would you?” The fox’s eyes seemed to plead to the other skeleton. He’d been known to have a rather good relationship with the scientist after all, considered friends actually. 

“Uhhh, no clue actually, sorry. But I could give him a call for you if you want, actually just take my phone at this point.” The other skeleton only shrugged before reaching into his pocket and handing the fox the phone, he trusted him anyway. The gesture earned a bit of a surprised expression from the fox, but he was grateful nonetheless. 

“I… thanks.”

“Of course, me and C were going to check up on the gardens. I’ll just pick it back up when we come back around again, alright?” Dust didn’t really mean it as a suggestion, as he and Cross were already walking past him and deeper into the castle's garden. The fox could only really accept the statement as it was made, hearing the two skeletons' footsteps fade away. He looked back down at the chipped phone screen, the most recent notification being a reminder to do laundry. 

The fox typed in the six digit password in the phone before searching for Sci’s contact and dialing the number. 

Bzzzzt! Bzzzzt! Bzzzzt!

“ Cmon’ pick up already , I know you always hav-” “What is it Dust? Not to be rude but I’m kinda busy at the moment.”

“Sci, it’s me, Moon. Dust let me steal his phone for a bit. And if you're so busy at the moment, I’d assume it's with those book covers I commissioned from you, oh I don’t know, almost six months ago? You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that would you?” The fox forced his voice to be sickeningly sweet, he’d probably be twirling his hair if he had it instead of fur. 

“Right, of course . I was wondering if you’d come by to pick them up sometime soon.”

“I was never informed that they were completed in the first place.”

“Really? I could have sworn I told Nightmare about it a while ago. Nonetheless, you can pick them up later today if you so wish. Just… give me a few hours, okay?”

“Fine, I’ll be there sometime this afternoon. You're lucky I have other things to attend to today.” The fox didn’t bother to hear Sci’s response as he hung up, setting the phone down onto the table. A sigh left his mouth as he rested his head in his paws. He knew the scientist would deliver amazing work, he always did, but he was always working on far too many commissions to get any of them finished by his promised deadline. Still, the fox was looking forward to the covers to finally put his works on display. Nightmare would likely appreciate the gothic theming to match his library as well. 

“... what was that about?” The fox forced himself not to flinch at the sudden low voice, instantly recognizing who it was.

“Nothing too important, just Sci procrastinating again. He said I could get my covers later today though so I’m not too mad.” He turned his head, seeing Horror standing only a few feet away from him. His gardening apron was covered in a thin layer of dirt, a few stray leaves sticking to it as well. He picked at his gloves, the plastic material clearly having seen better days. “... workin’ on stuff for Nightmare again?” The taller asked, noticing the state the table was in. It certainly wasn’t organized to most, but the fox insisted that he worked best that way. 

“Ya, I am. Just putting on some final touches, nothing too much. I want to start my work on another book but I already have so many that are so close to being finished already. I just want to get as much done as I can before getting the covers.”

“Sounds like a lot.”

“I… it’s manageable.”

“Ya came back yesterday, shouldn’t ya… rest? I know how ya get after… ya know.” 

“It’s nothing really. I’m more than fine to work.” He bit his tongue on telling Horror that his 'nightly routine after coming back' was none of his concern. He knew it wasn't really his fault, all of them just wanted to make sure he was doing alright. 

They cared, didn't they?

“Enough about me, how are you? I feel like I haven’t really gotten to have an actual conversation with you yet.”

“It’s been fine, the missions have been a bit much on us… but Night‘ll probably let us off for a bit. Nothin’ much to report anyway, every universe we’ve been to recently has been pretty easy. I’ve been trying to bake a bit more with all of us here a bit more… it’s been… alright.” The skeleton seemed somewhat sheepish at his words.

“That cake from this morning, you made it didn’t you?”

“Yup, Cross had been nagging me about it for a while. Finally got 'round to it once it was his turn to choose.”

“I have to admit I miss your cooking when I’m away. Then again, just about everything is better than what I can scavenge while traveling.”  The fox forced out a bit of a laugh, the sound dying after a moment in his throat. “The cake though, it was really good. I’d like it if you made it for me sometime. It would give both me and Cross a treat.”

“Sure, I’ll make another one once ya guys finish this one.” Horror’s low voice promised, a small smile creeping up his skull at the other's words. He grabbed one of the other garden chairs around the table, still keeping a little distance from himself and where the fox sat. He knew how much the fox cherished his writing, the last thing he wanted would be to ruin them by accident. 

“Thanks, I… really appreciate it.” He gave Horror a weak but genuine smile. He forgot how nice it felt to just be home again, where his largest concern was what kind of dessert he’d be able to have next. Still, he did in fact have work to do. Living under Nightmare and living a considerably luxurious life didn’t come for free to him. He remembered their agreement, that as long as Moon continued to document and teach the guardian, he would be allowed this life. An easy life. Not normal, not even close, but an easy life was promised to him.

For a while the fox continued to talk to Horror, making small talk over various events that had happened as of lately. The brief rant about how the garden had been doing was entertaining. 

All in all, it was… calming. Just hearing him talk. His passion for the craft was clear, impossible to ignore really. It reminded the fox of…

Her.

How was she doing anyway? Had she forgotten about his very existence? Destroyed every last semblance of his existence in their household?

Did she care about her garden anymore? Or did she burn it all the way Dot smashed her guitar?

“How are you so good at all of this anyway?” Moon asked,  “If it were me I’d probably kill everything already.”

“It’s kinda second nature to me now… after a while it just makes sense. 

     “I don’t really know how to explain it, but I can just tell how they're doing. I know when they’re well, and I know when their wilting will be inevitable.”

     “You know I’m not really good at people, guess we both got that in common… plants are just easier to understand.” She said while shrugging his shoulders.

"You don’t got a plot for yourself here since you're usually gone, but I could help you make one if ya wanted to. Be a nice side project for ya, wouldn’ it?” Horror looked over at the fox again, his eyes slightly hazy and out of focus.

“... sure, sounds like it could be fun. But another day, I should get back to this. I need to finish these up today so I can get them into the library soon.” The fox gave him an apologetic look, hoping he wouldn’t take his words as him pushing him away.

“Glad to hear it, whenever yer free just tell me and we can start it up.” Horror seemed to beam at the mere promise of it. “I should get back to work anyway, thanks for the break.” He brushed off dust from his pants that didn’t exist before standing up, moving his chair back to the spot it's been in before. The grin on his face stayed, at least until he was too far away for Moon to be able to tell anymore.

He wouldn’t make an addition to the garden. He’d made that same promise to Horror at least three times before. Still, it was… nice, that even though he forgot about it he seemed just as persistent. The fox wasn’t exactly cut out for that type of work, he’d end up killing even the simplest and sturdiest of plants possible. It was nice though, to be connected to nature in such a way, but nothing fated for him.

The iron table was slightly warm due to the sun no longer being hidden behind clouds anymore. The fox glanced down at the cracked phone screen, it was still a while before noon. He had work to do. 

Stay on task. 

Do your damn job.

“Moon,” The fox flinched at the sudden noise of the guardian’s voice. He was quick to look up from the pages he was writing on, his eyes squinting slightly from the sun. “I- Hey, Nightmare. Sorry I…” He couldn't seem to properly find his words.

“There is no need for an apology, I should not have startled you.” He took a step back, giving the fox back some of his space. It felt weird to have him be nice considering… last night, but it felt like him again. Whether most would believe it, Nightmare had… changed. At least to the fox, his behavior from the previous night was unusual for himself. 

“I was able to get the meeting with Reaper for you. Error said that he would need a little bit of time, but he told me you are free to visit him in a couple hours. Does that work with you?”

“Uh, ya. That should work out fine, thanks.” The fox looked back down at the scattered table, waiting for Nightmare to take his leave. But, he didn’t.

“If this is about last night it’s fine, I know you didn’t mean to.” He just wanted to get this over with already. “It’s fine, really.”

“I am sorry, truly I am. I broke the promise I made to you. I said I would not let myself get intoxicated again, yet I did.” His words sounded as robotic as they did… genuine?

“I know it’s hard for you to quit, it was foolish of me to think you’d be able to simply stop because I told you to. All of us have our vices after all, and both of us know I’m far from clean.”

“… What can I do to make it up to you?”

“Nightmare, I already said it’s fine. You don’t need to do anything.”

“Please,” He reached out a hand, resting it on the table rather than the fox’s shoulder. “I do not care how small or unreasonable your request is, simply give me something.”

“Begging doesn’t suit you, but… I guess I wouldn’t mind a new outfit.” He gave the other a weak smile.

“Right, I am sure we can have that arranged. You like the little tailor shop in MarketTale, the one with green wallpaper, correct?”

“Correct.”

“We can make it a day out if you wish.” Nightmare moved his chair to be on the opposite side of the table, settling himself at the fox’s workspace.

“… ya, I’d like that.” 

The two didn’t speak much more, though they both stayed as Moon continued to work. The silence was… nice. Most days were spent like this between the duo. The fox worked and the guardian either watched or simply stayed within his presence.

It was routine, the way they’d spent most of the past ten years.

Eventually Dust and Cross came back from their little excursion with the soldier being partially covered in dirt. Despite it, he seemed more than pleased with himself.

“… were you two sparing or digging up holes again?” Nightmare accused. 

“A bit of both to be honest.” Dust’s jacket also wasn’t completely clean, now having a few more scuff marks than before.

“Do I need to take care of it?”

“Don't worry, we filled them up again afterwards. The ground might be a bit uneven though, sorry.” Cross apologized. He didn’t look scared though. His fear was usually something constantly present, it tasted like lemon pie, yet the guardian was more glad that he couldn’t taste it.

“It is more than alright, just try not to drag too much dirt into the castle. I expect the two of you to clean yourselves up and clean any mess you make.”

“Ya we get it,” Dust rolled his eyelights at the guardian as he shrugged off his jacket, “could I get my phone back?”

“Oh, right.” The fox handed him the cracked phone, he really needed to get a new one. “Thanks for letting me borrow it.”

“Of course. And not that I mind, but shouldn’t you also have a phone by now? I mean, it’d probably make things easier. Wouldn’t it?” He side eyed Nightmare for a split second.

“It’s… probably best that I don’t, I can’t afford to be connected to Nightmare while I’m away, and it’ll probably just distract me more than help me. And besides, I’m more than fine without one.” The fox tried his best to reassure him, though his efforts didn’t seem to cut very deep. 

The fox couldn’t blame him for being defensive, he’d seen how bad it used to get. No one wanted that again. He wanted to be mad, but Nightmare just… looked at him. No hate, no jealousy, no will to hurt anyone there, just… content to be there.

“… alright, guess you can keep stealin’ mine for now.” He forced his posture to relax. “Let’s go get cleaned up C.” 

The fox gave the two a small wave as they left and made their way back into the castle. Glancing back down at his now finished books, he couldn’t help but feel accomplished for the day. “I should go visit Error soon.” He’d already started to reorganize his area, putting the completed books back into his bag.

“Of course, I have to admit I am rather pleased with your work as of lately. Any word on when the covers are to arrive?” The guardian asked, straightening his posture but not yet standing.

“He said he’d get them done by the end of the day…. Could you go and pick them up for me later? If not, I'm sure I can do it once I get back.”

“I see no issue with it, you already have the stress of meeting Toriel. Along with everything else you have been through today, I see it only fit for me to help you.” He finally stood up, pushing in his chair and standing beside Moon.

“You will do great, I know you will.”

Moon retreated back into the castle quickly after. His room, as per usual, was where he found himself. His incomplete books were set onto his desk as well as the rest of the writing equipment in his bag. He forced himself not to think too much, this would be simple after all, this would be easy. 

This was planned. 

This would be done.

It took energy to stop his shadow from speaking once again, he didn’t want to deal with it again. 

His bag, not much lighter, was wrapped around him again as he glanced to the wall above his desk. The wooden cabinet stared at him, the keys on display through the windowed doors making him flinch. He still hesitated before reaching for the handle.

Keys are entire embodiments of magic, often being difficult to obtain due to the standard needed for their creation. Most often they’re infused with magic leading to an Alternate Universe, either being in a specific location or randomized depending on the creator's precision with magic. Those found with more sloppy and inconsistent forms of magic are much more likely to produce keys that lead to completely randomized areas.

On a much rarer occasion, some keys are able to store mass amounts of magic. Using these keys grant the user to be infused with a specific type of magic for either a limited or permanent period of time. Limited time magic is the most commonly seen, and permanent magic keys are very rarely recorded. Though they do in fact exist, their existence is short lived due to often being created in dire situations. 

-Moon I. Vulxen

While many creatures would be lucky to obtain even a single key in their lifetime, the fox owned seven of them. Stored behind glass windows in their shelving on his room’s wall, the keys resided locked behind Nightmare’s very own magic. 

Oh the absolute irony of it. The guardian of negativity, keeping keys that he knew most likely led to Universes he would never be welcome in, yet were protected by his magic. It was a deal the fox had made with him many years ago, that he would keep them safe and only ever let the fox use them. No matter how much it would benefit them, no matter how deeply the guardian’s curiosity ran through him to know where they led, he restrained himself.

He couldn’t afford to lose what he’d built, not now, not with him. 

The fox opened the cabinet, the doors opening with ease for him. 6 keys were placed inside, from top to bottom and left to right in the order in which he’d been given them. Oh Stars how he loved them, one part of him had never understood why Sci liked to keep such a large collection simply to put on display. Yet even with only the half dozen he’d collected himself, he almost found some sort of pride in being able to have them. Not many saw them as they were kept in his room rather than in the library like they once had, so it was just his. Just his own collection… his own memories.

He pushed down the nausea that filled the back of his throat. 

He reached into his bag, taking out the key that led to the Omega!Timeline. He’d needed it when out for his travels, but now that he would be back he didn’t need to keep hold of it. His paws set it back into its place before then reaching for another, the one Error had given him. Gifted was too generous of a word, as it was only given to him for the sake of convenience. He was careful with the key, making sure to avoid its sharp and chipped edges. It glitched in his paws for just a moment before it was set back into his bag. 

The cabinet's glass doors were closed, being sealed once again with magic the fox didn’t own. The fox took a few steps back, standing in the middle of his room which Killer had said was weirdly empty. And while it would have been nice to buy a rug in the space, he needed it for this very purpose. With one hand held out, he ran a finger over the key’s bow and let out a soft breath.

I need to see Error. 

A faint glow came from the key, a dark scarlet and faint navy blue, before it shifted to shape into an oval in front of him. The magic swirled within itself until it was enough to create a portal in its bounds. He could see the blank canvas that was the antivoid through it, so empty yet familiar in a way he didn’t find comfort in.

Deep breaths, you know what you need to do. 

Moon’s eyes strained before being able to adjust to the endless white that surrounded him, a few strings of blue breaking the pattern and leading to the exact person he was looking for. The glitchy skeleton sat in his usual bean bag, a few wrappers laying on the ground besides it. And as per usual, his attention was focused on the show he was playing through a portal.

“What’s up with you and your soap operas? I know I’m not one to judge but doesn’t it ever get boring?” The fox’s voice rang through the endless void, only barely loud enough to be heard over the other’s show.

“Gods, I forgot your annoying ass would be here.”

“Weren’t you told about this earlier today?” 

“Of course I was, just… forgot.”

“You really need to find new material to watch.”

“Shut up! I wasn’t told you’d just be coming here to pester me.”

“Not my fault you're so predictable. And you know exactly why I’m here, don’t you?” The fox asked, his usually seen sly smile creeping onto his face. He tilted his head, invading the glitch’s space just a slight bit more than he knew he’d like. 

“Nightmare seemed real eager to have me get this little meeting, mind explaining it to me?” 

“The Star’s are going to be looking for him, and the council is going to be quick to follow them once they start. I need to talk to Toriel to know what I should do, she’s the one that wrote the majority of my script after all. Honestly I’m surprised you didn’t already know about this whole thing.”

“Oh no I did, I heard about it a few weeks ago actually. It isn’t my problem though.” The glitch looked back at the Undernovela 'show' he was playing. 

“... you didn’t think it might be just a little beneficial to give Nightmare a heads-up on this?” Error had never really been a part of Nightmare's little gang, he didn’t consider himself to be one just as Moon didn’t think he was one. While one creature had their undying loyalty pledged to the guardian, the other hadn’t. He helped, of course he did, but he never was helpful to the amount the guardian had hoped he’d be at the beginning. Still, the connection was a convenient one. 

“Like I said, not my problem. Are we going to do this thing or not?” The skeleton asked before snapping his fingers, a portal forming besides him in which Reaper stood on the other side of. The god gave the fox a weak smile and waved at the sight of him.

“... right, thanks Error, I’ll get ya something extra next time I come around.” The fox gave him a slightly apologetic look, knowing he’d probably expect a treat from the sudden favor. Usually the fox was the one to bring something, it’d been the reason he was tolerated by the destroyer for so long. Bringing little gifts and sweet treats to buy his limited affection and patience. 

Error only shrugged as he watched the fox make his way through the portal, quickly closing it behind the nimble creature. 

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Reaper broke the silence, his empty eyesockets drifting onto the fox in the rift they stood in. The god was a fan of visiting AU's, but his meetings were saved for the rifts between universes with nothing more than a few broken lines of code. 

“It has, though I’m sure all of you have been keeping your tabs on me. Did Error tell you why I wanted to see you?” 

“Right, of course,” It was stupid to think he’d want to talk to him during a time like this. It would be wrong to get attached to a mortal created to be so perfect. It would be disgraceful to wish to intervene in their fate. 

“Follow me.” Reaper's scythe manifested in his grasp, the god using the blade to rip through the air and create yet another portal. 

'Safety precautions' they called it. The gods didn’t wish to risk letting unaccounted for mortals enter their domain. 

Moon’s ears flattened against his head for a moment, watching as Reaper signaled for him to enter, it still felt so wrong to him. It was his home, his true home to some extent. Yet such a place filled with such power, such influence and importance felt wrong to be called a home to a creature such as himself. 

The sight of green grass and a bright blue sky above were the first to flood the fox’s senses, quickly followed by a distant conglomeration of voices that filled the air. 

Oh Toriel, please guide me towards happiness and allow my soul to prosper.

Asgore, lend me your strength.

Undyne, grant me your courage.

Alphys, bestow me with your knowledge.

Right, of course. Prayers from mortals. 

“Lovely, are they not?” Moon’s ears twitched at the familiar yet soothing voice.

“They are, sometimes I forget just how many devotees you all have.” The fox turned to see Toriel tending to the flowers. Her very presence causing the flora around her to rise and flourish. 

Toriel, goddess of life, bringer of life, mother to the multiverse. 

My creator. 

“Please, do sit. Here has always been a home for you, make yourself comfortable.” It felt more wrong to disobey her request than it did to be in such a sacred place. The fox made himself comfortable in one of the iron garden chairs, setting down his bag onto the grass beside it. He bit his tongue as he watched the goddess tend to her garden, her fur still pristine despite how much work he knew it was to maintain the place.

His gaze shifted around for a moment, noting all the smaller sections filled with specific plants. From what he gathered, Toriel kept them all as a symbol of all the other gods. 

Tiger lilies for Undyne.

Lotus flowers in the pond for Alphys.

Mullein flowers for Gaster.

Nightshade for Reaper.

Reaper.

The fox turned back to where the god had led him into the universe, only to see a patch of grass that had begun to wilt and rot. He hadn’t gotten to say goodbye, hadn’t even gotten to thank him.

No, no no no. He’s not your concern right now, Nightmare’s plan is what’s important.

Stick to the script.

“How are you? I understand that the last few days have been rather… rough on you.” Of course she knew. They were all seeing, all knowing.

“I am… fine. Everything with the Stars has been admittedly stressful for me though.”

I don’t know what to do right now.

“Did you know that the council would try to become invested this early?” His questions were met with silence before a soft laugh came from the goddess.

“Why of course I was, just as I was aware you’d seek my guidance as a response. Though, you do realize you can come here anytime, not just because you seek something from me.” She cupped a hand around the fox’s cheek. 

Stars, she looked so proud. 

“Yes, I’m aware. Not to be rude, but I feel somewhat… out of place here.” He didn’t have the willpower to pull away from her. 

“I understand, but do know that for whatever reason, you’re welcome here. I’m sure the others wouldn’t mind seeing you again as well, they helped create you after all. It’s only right for them to take a liking to the parts of you they created.”

“... right, of course.”

“Now then, about you and your friend's little situation. How have they all been handling the news?” 

Why was she asking any of this? She already knew. She’d probably seen it all happen when it did. There was no point in asking him about any of it. 

“Nightmare has his concerns, he’s looking to me to figure out what to do next. Killer suggested we try to find some way to keep them distracted until Nightmare’s plan is fully thought out and prepared. 

I know my purpose, and I know what things must and mustn’t happen to achieve it. But in this spot, in this position, I don’t know what to do. I can’t risk leaving Nightmare and you know that I also-""I know, Moon. I know.” She stopped him before he could begin hyperventilating.

“This life that you must live isn’t an easy one, I wish it was but it simply isn’t possible in this world. What you must do next will help us all greatly, but I know you will not like it.”

“You must join the council.”

“ ... what? ”

“Join the council, Core!Frisk and the others will gladly accept you for your “gift” that they can use to aid them. Then, you must reconnect with the Star Sanses.”

No, no no no no no no NO NO NONONO. 

“Toriel I can’t-” “Yes you can Moon, and you will. I know everything that has transpired between you and them, but this is necessary. It has already been written out. So much that I know that will hurt and damage you has already been written out for you. I am truly sorry this is the way things have to happen, but you already know that you are the key in all of this."

"You were created to be perfect for this, even if it isn't clear that you are. In the end, all will work out. I promise you, your day of rest will arrive. You simply have to make it through everything else.” The goddess wrapped her arms around the small creature as it wept. The being they spent eons preparing to create to be so 'perfect' crumbled in her arms. 

If she hadn’t been the one to know how necessary this was, how everything about him truly was perfect, she never would have been able to believe such a pathetic creature was what they would have to put their faith into. She loved all her creations, she had to , however flawed they were created to be.

“It’s okay, everything is going to be alright. You just have to trust me Moon.”

How can I trust you when you bring me such pain?

How can I put my faith into you when you do nothing but hurt me?

How can you believe in me so much when I do nothing but disappoint you?

How can you see me and smile everyday?

“ ... okay… ” His voice sounded so weak, so pitiful upon her ears. 

It’ll work out. 

It has to. 

“Hush my child, I believe you should leave now. Some well deserved rest would do you well.” She unwrapped her arms around the creature, her warmth fleeting from his shivering form. Her eyes bore into him, into his soul that held too many memories than any should. She wanted to believe that he’d be alright, he had to be alright, didn’t he?

He would make it.

He would… no. 

No he wasn’t going to. Not this way, not in this state. 

I thought I made you perfect, why must you always be so difficult? Why must you go off the trail at every chance you get? I didn’t make you this way. 

“Moon, before you go, I have something I’d like to give you.” She had planned to wait on this, at least for a few more months. He wasn’t supposed to be so close to breaking so soon. Her hands left him and she clasped them in front of her, a faint glow breaking through the cracks of her hands. The fox watched, seeing the same glow he had seen from others as they offered him this gift. He owned too many, he didn’t deserve something that was so rare that many never got to see one themselves. And yet here he was, being given them like candy and collecting them the way one collects nice cans.

For others it would have been more difficult, yet to a goddess such as Toriel it was second nature. A goddess so perfect needed to have power, needed to have magic to do her job. She rejoiced at the sight of others’ awe in her, it made her feel… pleased. It meant everything was in balance, because she was created to do this. 

Moon wasn’t surprised to see a key laying in the goddess’s hands when she opened them. Her open hands offered the key to the fox, practically begging for him to claim it as his own. “I believe you’re more than acquainted with these by now.” She had seen every time he’d been given one already. At least those around him could do their job better.  

“It shall lead you back to your home, your original home. Go back there if you so wish my child, I know how much you may need it as of now.” She cupped his face, smiling at his teary eyes and shaking paws.

“… thank you Toriel, for… everything. I don’t think I’d be able to do this without your guidance.”

“Of course, it is my duty. Now, I believe it’s best you be on your way.” 

He couldn’t stand to look her in the eyes again.

A certain gray wolf stood in the park fountain.

“How’s your mission going?”

“Fine, why the hell are you in the fountain?” The fox ran a hand over his face as he sat down on the ground, leaning his back against the fountain's cold stone.

“Cause it’s hot outside.”

“Or you could go inside somewhere that has air conditioning, just a thought.”

“… nah.”

“You do you, freak .”

“Failure .” She spat back, deciding she’d had enough time essentially water boarding herself. 

“Don’t you dare- “ “Too late.” She shook herself like a dog, smirking as the fox got wet in the process.

“Why do you always do that?”

“Because I think you're pathetic.”

“Yes yes I know. I’m pathetic and useless and destined to fail. Maybe telling me again will finally change something.”

“Having trouble in paradise again?”

“… he got drunk, he didn’t hit me though. It’s my own fault anyway, I never should have given him the stuff in the first place.” He shivered a bit at the memory, the day following their fight.

“You were trying to be nice.” She sat down on the ground beside him.

“I’m the reason he’s an alcoholic in the first place, if anything he should resent me for that.”

“It’s gotten better though, hasn’t it?”

“I guess it has. I just… I feel like he should hate me more sometimes. I don’t deserve his affection. I know it isn’t genuine, he may think it is but it’s not. I don’t like living knowing that.”

“Neither of you really have a choice. Gods, why is it so difficult for you to simply live your life? You’re the lucky one here.”

“…” He hated how much she wanted his life. “You’ve already served your purpose in helping me. My mission never really stops. At least you get to live a life now.”

It was weird to think they could be considered childhood friends.

“… wanna get something to eat?”

She knew too much not to be.

“Sure, I’m hungry.”

“Do you think it’s bad for me to love him?”

“Dude, you're ruining the food.” She complained, stuffing another piece of chicken into her mouth.

“I spend my entire existence helping him, all my intentions are for him… and I know he cares. You know how things were before.”

“God’s don’t even remind me. Sometimes I questioned if this was really supposed to be your purpose in life. I was the one who always had to deal with you when you were a broken and sobbing mess. Because of course someone else couldn't be bothered to try and help.” She glanced up at the ceiling of the poorly lit diner.

“You know they can’t help. It’s not their fault.”

“Yes it is! I think that your own creator should have occasionally intervened when you were actively being abused. But you know,” She looked back at the fox before her. “Maybe that was really just too much work to deal with. It’s not like you're one of her most important children or something, because then she’d constantly be there for you.”

“She helps when she can.”

“And once every few months is enough?”

“She’s busy and you know that.”

“Ya ya, so busy that she planned ahead to make sure to create me to help pick up the pieces. It’s not like I wanted to have a meaningful existence anyway.”

“She’s never said that you couldn’t still have a life. You have freedom, far more than I ever will.”

“... sometimes I wish we never found out about it. I wish we just… kept living without knowing how it would turn out in the end.”

“I know, I do too.” He finally met her gaze, tears dampening the gray fur around her eyes.

They didn’t speak for the rest of the meal. The waitress didn’t question why they were crying. No one else glanced at them for more than a second. This was supposed to be their home, yet they didn’t belong anymore. 

They didn’t belong anywhere anymore.

A few hours passed without Moon in the castle. The time was relatively well spent as most of the skeletons trained and sparred to pass the time. Horror and Cross were the exceptions to this, both being found in the kitchen instead.

“… the… the soup is overflowing again.” Cross pointed out, slight panic clearly showing in his voice.

“FUCK”

Horror practically flung himself across the kitchen to lower the heat on the stove. “Ya know, when that happens ya can do something 'bout it.” He mumbled, lifting the lid from the pot and checking to see how the soup was doing.

“I know… sorry.” Cross apologized. His eye lights focused back onto vegetables he was cutting. For a normal person it would be an easy task, just cut whatever needed to be cut into a vague size group depending on what they were for. Something so simple that most children could do it with basic motor skills. 

No one who lived in this castle was normal. 

Every slice needed to be the same Every slice needed to be equal. All of them needed to be perfect.

What size was acceptable for a salad? If he made them too small they would be imbalanced in each bite. Too large and they would steal from the rest of the meal.

“Cross.”

He needed it to be perfect.

He wasn’t even halfway done yet. It was the only task he’d been given. Horror had finished the soup and baked bread rolls. Yet Cross couldn't even finish making the damn side salad.

“Cross .” He flinched at Horror's voice. He couldn’t remember when his hands had started shaking.

“... I can’t.” He croaked. “ I can’t do it. ”

He was getting his tears all over his apron. All he was doing was making a bigger mess that someone else would have to clean up later.

“Hey, look at me.” Horror’s grip on his shoulders was firm yet not enough to hurt. He forced the other to look at him, seeing the purple tears that were staining his face.

“Talk to me Cross.”

“... I can’t do it.”

“Why not? What’s stopping ya?”

“It’s not good enough. I’m not good enough. You’ve done so much more than me and I… I can’t even do one simple task.”

“I’m pathetic.”

“No you’re not. If you were, I wouldn’t have even let ya step foot into the kitchen. What you do doesn’t have to be perfect. No one is perfect. If you try to be, then it’s going to be the thing that ends up dustin’ you.”

“... how do you do it? You make this look so easy, even when you mess up you manage to find a way to make it better. I can’t do that…I can barely even chop vegetables.”

“C, I wasn’t born knowin’ how to do this. I forget how to make recipes I’ve written half the time. I fuck up and I learn to live with it. Nothin’ I make is or will ever be perfect, that’s a fact. I’m not perfect, I’ve just grown to accept that. One day you're going to be able to do that, and that’s when you’re going to be at your best. I know it.” He wiped Cross’s tears with his thumb before planting a light kiss on his forehead. 

“It’s never gonna be wrong to ask for help. I need you to remember that for me when I can’t. Can you do that?” Horror asked, pulling away and looking at him.

“... I think I can do that, for you… for us.”

“Good. Now, do you want me to help you finish the salad?”

“Yes please.”

Moon wasn’t present during dinner. His untouched meal was instead put into a container and left in the fridge for him. He told Horror he’s already eaten, which for once wasn’t a lie. He didn’t linger by the dining room for any longer than he had to. Instead, he was found in the library. He was finally able to finish up his books, all of which were placed into his section of the library according to their contents. It felt… rewarding. Months of research and traveling to cram as much information as possible into a work that he was finally able to consider finished, just to have them displayed on some nice shelves.

Rewarding.

This would all

be rewarding

right?

one day

Rewarding

The fox held a stolen cigarette in between two fingers. He never did like smoking, the act wasn’t something he found much pleasure in. The smell though, weirdly enough, was comforting. None of his family had ever been smokers, but a family friend did.

All her clothes would faintly carry the scent. She hated it. She’d cover herself with cheap drugstore body spray to try and mask the scent. It never did work though.

When a certain skeleton had the same issue, it became a comfort.

“I thought you were trying to quit.” Nightmare’s voice was soft, no accusation or even anger within it.

“... I can’t.”

“I never said you had to.” He stepped closer to the couch the fox sat on. “May I?”

“Sure.” He scooted closer to the guardian as he settled himself. “Want it?”

“I would rather not.”

“Your loss.” He took one last drag before putting it out on Nightmare’s neck. He didn’t flinch, didn’t even really mind the gesture.

When had he become so tolerant of this… domestication?

Could he even call it that?

“So, what did she tell you?” The guardian asked, wrapping a tendril around the fox’s figure.

“She told me I need to join the council.”

“The council? Are you certain that-” “Toriel said it’s what I have to do. She knows what's best for me, so it’ll find a way to work out. It always does.” He cut him off. She always knew what was best for him. She made him knowing what decisions he needed to take to serve his purpose. If joining the council was what was necessary then she had to have planned it out to help guide him. 

“... if you have faith in her, then I suppose I have faith in your decision as well.” The guardian rested a hand in the fox’s fur, rubbing small circles onto his shoulder.

“Please go and rest, you can handle your work later.”

“... will you stay with me?”

“Of course I will.”

“… hey, you awake yet? C’mon Moony, it's already noon.” The skeleton's voice caused the fox’s ears to twitch before he groaned and covered his head with the blanket.

“Noooooo-” The fox groaned, his complaint muffled before his energy to speak diminished. 

“Look I know you're tired but I finally got today off and I already planned everything out. So you unfortunately have no choice but to accompany me.” Swap had practically begged Moon to spend the day with him, so he’d forced him to agree to it a few days in advance.  

“I know, I know… just… give me five more minutes…” The fox was quick to try and pull the covers back over his head. Much to his dismay, Swap was quick to tear it off of him and allow it to pile onto the floor besides the futon.

“You leave me no choice, you asked for this.” “Wait wait wait no! ” Moon couldn’t stop himself from laughing as he tried to protest, feeling Swap grab his legs and drag him off of the futon. The fox’s efforts to claw onto the futon were futile before he found himself beginning to be dragged on the room's carpet flooring.

“You know I have legs, that I can use.” The fox said, though not making much of an effort to stop the skeleton from dragging him by the ankle. 

“Yes, I’m very aware. And I’m even more aware that you're not going to be using them if I let you. You’re just going to fall asleep on the floor again and my brother does that enough already, I don’t need two people in my house who want to give themselves early back pain. I know you already have enough from all that slouching you do and hunching over at your desk all day.”

“It makes me more productiveeeeeeee.” Moon suddenly complained, knowing that Swap was completely right with his accusation. 

“I don’t care if it helps you work better, it’s actively hurting you in the process.” By that point the duo had reached the kitchen, Swap letting Moon’s leg fall back to the floor. The fox made a small noise in response, but didn’t have the energy to try and fight back against the skeleton's correct arguments. “Anyway, lucky for you, I already made breakfast. I’m honestly surprised the smell didn’t wake you already. Grab yourself a plate before you give yourself a headache. We need to leave in about an hour and a half, so you can take your time getting ready.”

“Alright, thanks.” The fox finally sat up from where he’d been dropped on the floor, using the wall to help him steady himself. He watched as Swap grabbed his keys and left him alone, he probably had some quick errands to run before they started… whatever it was he had planned for the day.

He trusted Swap’s plans, soon after following his orders to grab a plate and serve himself. Eggs and toast. It was light and simple, just what he’d always loved in the morning. His plate was promptly finished and washed before being put back into its cupboard. 

His clothes from the day before were thrown into the laundry basket before he borrowed another sweater from Swap. He didn’t exactly have a lot of clothes to choose from himself, so the skeleton had been persistent in getting him to take whatever he needed. The fox decided on a beige sweater, black dress pants, and black boots that Swap had tucked away in the back of his closet. It fit him rather well, being only just a little baggy on his figure. It was comfortable, which was really all that mattered to him at the moment.

He was ready by the time Swap arrived back home, sitting on the couch as he made sure his fur was knot free. 

He felt good. This was good. He was safe, happy even.

When he looked up, he froze.

He’s been here before, hasn’t he?

… how long ago was it?

Nine? Or maybe ten years by now?

Ten years since that day, when his true purpose would be made abundantly clear.

Ten years since Swap asked him that dreaded question.

Ten years since he knew he wasn’t the one in control.

“Moon! Are you all set?” 

Why did he have to smile so brightly at him?

“Yup, I’m ready for wherever we’re going. Sorry I borrowed some of your clothes.”

Stolen clothes you still keep.

“Oh it’s more than alright. C'mon now, I just know you're going to love it.”

He hated thinking about it, about everything that happened that day. He knew what was going to happen already. Yet he forced himself to smile and relive it. It felt… nice to see him this way again. He still loved him after all.

Why else would he dream about this?

Chapter Text

Not so long ago, two monsters who loved each other very much had a child. Gifted with the blessing of shadow magic from his ancestors, he grew up to love magic and wished to learn it from the moment he could understand what it meant.

When he was three years old, he was given a little sister, and another year later he was given another.

The Vulxen Family is what they called themselves; a tight knit family with a gift for shadow magic.

They resided in a small AU, one where war never broke out between humans and monsters. The three siblings prospered with their gift and all began to develop their own individual talent.

The youngest, Sylvia, grew to love nature and was far above her peers when it came to healing magic. Though the shy little thing that she was, a single mention of anything botany related sent her into quite a rant. She prided herself in the garden she grew in her parents backyard, providing fruits and vegetables for her family every spring.

The middle child though, Dot, was considered a handful by those around her. Being feisty and trying to start fights seemed to be her specialty. Even if it made making friends much more difficult for her, it did seem to bring her a sense of joy. A talent in physical strength, she knocked another kid out for the first time when she was only ten after all. She would have been a perfect addition to any of her school's sports or clubs, but she never did stick around for more than a few months. Consistently was never her strong suit, but she knew she could defend the ones she loved.

And of course there was Moon, the eldest of the three. He was…

A traitor. 

A liar.

A thief.

A Vulxen.

You left them, you left them all to rot.

“You’re not like, actually going to do that, right?” His sister's voice rang in his ears.

“Uh, I mean… it was just something that I thought about once or twice. It just sounds so interesting and I… I kind of want to do it…”

“What would you give up your magic though? I thought that was what made you happy.”

“It does, it’s just…”

“Just what? I see how happy you get when you learn more and whenever you get to be a show off about it. Do you not like it?”

“No, Dot, I do. I love it, I love that I was born into a family that specializes in magic. I just… I feel like I need to do this. There’s just this gut feeling that I’ve had over the past few months. When I was younger I.. I had this dream. There was this goddess, I think, and she told me about this “spell” that could be given to me. I know it’s stupid but I swear she’s real and I just know that she was speaking to me.”

“... you had a dream that god said you're the chosen one?”

“I know I sound absolutely insane but I promise you I’m not. Please you have to believe me Dot.” Her brother pleased, clasping his hands together and mimicking a prayer form. 

“Alright, alright, I believe you. I think you're utterly insane, but that also doesn’t seem too out of the ordinary, you are my brother after all.” The younger laughed at her own words, watching as her brother let out a sigh of relief.

“Just, don’t leave us, okay? I don’t know if we’d be able to go on without you, it’s not our family if you're not also here, Moon.” She looked up at him, her eyes so hopeful as she looked up at the stars.

“Right, I promise I won’t leave you guys.” Liar liar liar liar liar-

“Pinky promise?”

“Pinky promise.”

Liar liar liar liar liar liar liar

You promised me, promised us. 

You are no brother of mine.

“Dot! Moon! You two better not be on the roof again!” The two siblings flinched at their mothers voice, a few giggles being heard from the duo as they scurried back into the house through the attic window propped open. The eldest grabbed the blanket they’d been sitting on, quickly patting the crumbs off of it before folding it and setting it down by the window. Just as the window was shut, their mother peaked her head up over the ladder they’d used to get into the attic in the first place. 

“Stars, you two are going to catch your death if you keep going up there without a proper jacket.” She scolded, rubbing her temple before letting out a weak laugh. “Sylvia’s been waiting for you two for dinner, go get washed up so we can all eat.” Her paws brushed through her daughter's fur for a moment, feeling a faint lingering of the cold outside stuck onto her fur.

“We will, come on Dot.” He grabbed his sister’s hand before their mother could continue to try and straighten out her fur.  Their paws were cleaned in the bathroom sink, and they sat at the dinner table alongside their father and Sylvia. 

“I thought you guys died.” The youngest’s voice was flat, but they could all tell the underlying joke beneath it. She handed her sister a plate and some silverware. “Nope, just stargazing again.” She replied, taking the dish before serving herself from the bowl at the center of the table, small chunks of breaded chicken filling it. 

A silence fell over the family, with the only noise left being that of scraping forks against the ceramic plates. The food was always good, always served warm and fresh. Dinner time wasn’t really a time to “talk about your day and what happened” kind of thing in their family. It was more of a silent appreciation of food, with rare small talk at the beginning and end of the meal. It was their thing, their family routine in a way. 

It was funny, he always thought it was weird to talk during mealtimes. So when Nightmare started to have other people around during means who did talk, it was… new. 

“Killer for the last time, I do not need your stupid debates about what classifies as a sandwich.”

“But c'mon’ you gotta listen to me, ravioli is without a doubt a sandwich cause it’s-”

“I think that pizza can be considered an open sandwich.”

“... Dust, I’m going to sprinkle glass shards on your bed.”

“You sleep there too, you know.” Dust pointed out, grabbing another spoonful of rice. 

“I don’t even do it that much, if anything C’s there more than I am.” He pointed to the youngest, who was doing surprisingly well with his plate of fruit and buttered toast. “Why doesn’t anyone ever wanna sleep in my bed? How come it’s always Dust’s?”

“Because your room’s disgusting.”

“Your room permanently smells like cigarettes and I’ve seen mold grow in there before!” Killer pointed the butter knife he was holding at the hooded skeleton.

“That was one time!” The other stood up from his chair and slammed his hands onto the table in defense

This new “family” routine was different. 

Some would say worse, but Moon considered it simply… different. 

He didn’t mind different.

One part of him learned to like it. 

“...are you alright?” 

“Yes… yes I’m fine.” He focused back down onto his plate, having only taken a few bites out of the bacon and poached egg. Nausea had been pounding at his senses since the news from yesterday, the pure thought of what had to be done today made him sick. 

He’d managed to talk to Core!Frisk, they were aware enough of the plan to help things run smoothly in his favor. They’d set and planned for a trial to be held later in the day. It would determine if he would be accepted into the Council by its members. 

Already planned, and absolutely unavoidable.

The previous day had already been chaotic enough for him, but it never did stop for him. It didn’t matter how fast he felt everything was going, just had to follow along with the plans. 

Just don't fall behind.

Don’t drown.

But just having to look at the three of them again. They’d bring up everything that happened, even Ink probably remembered everything in great detail.

The Council didn’t know though. The fox had made a point to stay as far away from the public eye as possible. Of course Dream still ran his mouth and used it as an advertisement about how more people should join and work together to bring peace to the multiverse again. 

Yay!!!✧✧✧

“So… you gotta plan?” The fox’s ears twitched at the sound of Horror’s voice across the table.

“Not really, just try my best to be nice to them. They’ll accept me obviously, but I don’t want to risk messing this up though.”

“If you know you’re going to be accepted already, why are you worrying so much ‘bout it?” Killer asked through a mouthful of scrambled eggs. “Just be yourself.” The skeleton made a gesture similar to throwing confetti at the fox, though instead throwing his napkin at him.

“Because,” The fox swatted away the dirty napkin thrown at him, “There’s still a good chance that I can mess this up. I don’t like it when Toriel does her weird possession thingy on me, but it may be the only option if I can’t keep my composure.”

“Possession, nice.” The skeleton teased, his unseen eyelights glancing around in multiple different directions.

The fox merely groaned in response, leaning back into his chair and pushing away his unfinished plate of food. 

“ ‘m full.”

Horror bit his tongue as he watched Moon leave the table, hearing him mumble a small thanks for the food before leaving the dining room.

“... what’s up with him?” 

“It is not my place to say.” The guardian said before pushing away his plate as well. “But I will handle it.” He assured the rest of them. 

It was… almost comforting. 

They all knew the ways that both of them had gotten better. And while no one would ever mutter a word about it out loud, Moon was undeniably the one always in charge. Any and all minor inconveniences for the fox were instantly met with the guardian helping to make it better. 

Bad day? Nightmare ordered Horror to make some sort of desert and let the fox steal his clothes to sleep in his bed.

Upset stomach? Nightmare made him his favorite tea and got a heating pad.

Was anything damaged? Nightmare would personally escort Moon to MarketTale to find him the best and most expensive replacement.

“... they’re really obsessive over each other.” The killer mumbled just low enough for the table to hear but not the guardian as he left the dining room. 

“He’s been here the longest and he’s literally the one that made Nightmare start all of this.” Cross rolled his eyelights as he gestured to the room around them. “I think it’d be weird if they didn’t have that obsessive connection.”

“... you think they’ll ever get married?” This time, it was Dust that spoke, his plate already completely empty. He’d finished ages ago, but he chose to stay for entertainment.

Killer opened his mouth to make a joke before he stopped himself. “Nah, I think that we’d get married, not just them.” He sounded surprisingly confident, like this was something he's thought over before already.

“You’ve thought about this?” 

“Obviously! What, have none of you ever thought about it? Even just a bit?”

“... I mean, I guess…” Cross mumbled.

“What about the rings? Do we all get matching ones or unique ones?” Killer snickered, seeming far too overly excited about the hypothetical.

“Actually, I was thinking both.”

The guardian found the fox in the library as usual. He had a blanket wrapped around his body and an open pack of cigarettes sat on the side table next to the couch. The ashtray hadn’t been cleaned for a while, causing some to get onto the table and stain it in small spots. 

“Are you going to show up to your trial smelling like a chain smoker?” The guardian questioned, sitting himself on the other side of the couch. 

“Go away.” The fox mumbled into the blanket. He knew his words were useless as Nightmare made no move to leave. The guardian didn’t say anything else, instead staring at the fireplace’s orange flames. 

“You always do this.”

“Pardon?” The guardian tilted his skull before the fox stood up and threw the blanket onto the floor. 

“I said you ALWAYS do this!” He didn’t look at him; couldn’t look at him.

“You’re going to sit here and console me and tell me that "everything will be fine, I know that you will do everything correctly” and you’ll tell me how much you care about me and all that. You do it every time I get upset and it’s so annoying.” He choked out, his voice breaking in between words.

“I thought you appreciated my company and praise.” The guardian’s words were more so stating a fact rather than asking a question.

“Of course I do, I just.. you… you’re not…”

I know it isn’t real.

“It isn’t you.” Moon mumbled before sitting back down onto the couch, holding his head in his paws.

Nightmare didn’t ask anymore questions, he already knew he wouldn't get any real answers. Certain things simply weren’t allowed to be spoken, not written, not even implied to him. It was always just something the fox “wasn’t allowed to say”. It unfortunately wasn’t rare for Moon to get this way; to have random, sometimes violent outbursts about things he said he couldn't say anything about.

He said that this is just the way things have to be.

Nightmare had wondered if someone had been abusing him for a long while, at least other than him a few years ago, but that and all other theories were shut down.

Once he’d trashed the castle, though there was only so much damage one fox could do to such a large place. Still, the living room had to be entirely replaced. Everyone else had heard it happen. Cross was worried that he was going to hurt himself and tried to convince l Nightmare to stop him,  but he refused to. He knew the fox would be mad at him if he did. Killer had decided to “join in on the fun” and destroyed a series of hallways. Of course that was a while ago wasn't it? Three years ago if the guardian could remember correctly.

“Are you going to destroy something again?” Nightmare asked after a few minutes of silence. The question was so… casual. Because it was normal, just completely acceptable for someone to need to break stuff. No questions about what the reason was, just a silent acceptance that it was a necessary and an often unavoidable thing.

“...no, I'm fine.” He sighed, his ears dropping against his head. He took in a deep breath for a moment, holding it before relaxing once again. His ears raised to their usual position and he forced a small smile onto his face again. “I’m gonna go see if Killer or Cross is up to spar till I have to leave.”

“Please keep the damage down to a minimum." The guardian requested, his tendrils reaching for the previously thrown away blanket on the floor.

“We’ll keep it outside.” The fox responded while stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders back. “... and thanks for checking on me.” He added, his tail ever so slightly wagging behind him for just a moment. 

“If I say yes, then you have to answer any question I have about you.” Killer said, his smile stretching even further across his skull than usual.

“Ugh- you know what, fine. Whatever means I get to beat the shit out of you more.”

“Fine by me.” The skeleton chuckled as he closed his bedroom door. It was one of his “good” days, he’d been having them for about 3 weeks now. As long as you ignore his occasional yelling and constant harassment, he’d been doing great as of lately.

Free days usually meant training to both Cross and Killer, and occasionally Dust, but Cross often refused to leave his room. Something about him binge watching some sort of medical drama tv show. The fox decided to leave him alone after that, binge watching shows usually meant being more accepting to meals from Horror after all.

“So, whatcha’ thinkin’? Me on defense and you offense?” The skeleton asked, correctly assuming the only reason the fox wanted to spar was to release some steam.

“ ‘s that alright with you?”

“Sure, you want any point system or just keep on going till one of us passes out?”

“... I suppose a point system would be better.” The fox debated despite how much he wished against it. “One hit equals one point, and whoever gets to five points first wins.” He decided as he led the skeleton and himself outside and far past the garden.

“And I still get that question no matter what, right?”

“Sure, whatever.” Moon rolled his eyes as they approached closer to the “training grounds”. The title “training grounds” was quite generous, as it was more so just a  large barren spot of ground they used to spar without Nightmare getting too mad at them. The ground was uneven and a few roots poked out from the dirt. Killer’s insistence that it made it more "realistic" was the only thing stopping Nightmare from creating proper outside training grounds.

Killer stopped at the first side of the grounds, waiting for the fox to get to the opposite side. The clouds covered up most of the light from the sun, making it considerable good weather for training. Not too hot, not too cold, and dark enough for plenty of shadows.

In the middle of the “court” a figure emerged from the ground. It straightened out its posture, looking back and forming between the two monsters before getting the memo. 

“Alright, I want a clean match. No cheating, no biting, and try not to rip off each other's clothes. You'll have plenty of time for that another day!” It yelled to both sides, earning an eye roll from its master and a snicker from Killer. It held up a small flag made out of pure darkness, swirling it around in the air for a few moments before dramatically swishing it downwards.

“Begin!”

The shadow was instantly sliced in half by a line of sharpened bones from Killer, the skeleton sending his attack to the other side. The fox quickly collected the shadows from around the court and used them to form a wall in defense. He rolled his shoulders back before lowering the wall and sending out spiked arrows in the other direction. 

The sharpened arrows were, as expected, easily dodged by Killer. The arrows landed into the ground before shattering and sinking into the ground. Their essence was quickly brought back to the fox as he continued to shape them and aim them at the skeleton. 

Shadow magic was considered a form of elemental magic,it worked exactly the same as all other forms did. Unfortunately it was much harder to master for most monsters. All elements still decently obliged to the laws of reality, shadow magic was the exception. It required the presence of genuine shadows to be used, and the user needed to directly bend the laws of reality to control them. Though in return, it proved to be a much more useful form of magic than most. 

In order to take the form, the user needed to already know how the form worked. Its dimensions, its volume, every detail you could think of needed to be studied and embedded into the user's mind for them to be able to simply manifest one. Though, for those who excelled in the art, manually manipulating a figure was possible.

The sound of laughter could be heard faintly against the noise of sharpened arrows flying through the air. Killer was far from struggling, he knew this was really only foreplay at this point. Occasionally he’d throw another line of bones at the fox, but each one was met with a solid wall before shattering into itty bitty sparkles of magic. Usually this would annoy the skeleton, he didn't exactly find throwing attacks at a wall very entertaining. But slowly, he could tell the fox was making his way closer to him.

Now that, that was interesting. Moon wasn’t exactly known for close combat, he preferred to stay as far away from his targets as possible. It wasn’t that he couldn’t do it, far from it really. He just chose to play it safe when in real combat. 

This wasn't real combat though, it was more so two good friends trying to see how much violence they could inflict on each other before they crossed some sort of line. 

Getting just a bit impatient, Killer lunged forward to close most of the distance between the both of them. He pressed the handle of his knife against the fox’s shoulder, roughly making contact against the fabric without any “actual” harm done. 

“One point defense!” The "referee", who still had a slice taken out of its torso, yelled. It created a small white board and marker to tally score on, though quickly looking disappointed that nothing happened when writing with shadow onto more shadow.

Moon only winced slightly as the handle likely bruised his shoulder, his left arm reacting to elbow the skeleton hard enough to push him back a few feet. A mass of shadow was brought into the fox’s paw before he shaped it vaguely into the form of a dagger. The skeleton’s smile slightly grew at the sight before he threw a few stray bones at the fox. Only one of them came close to hitting his target, though it was unfortunately still a miss. 

A few jabs were attempted from both sides, all unfortunately being futile against the other. The fox groaned in frustration before throwing himself at the skeleton, pressing the handle of his dagger against the skeleton's skull and throwing him backwards once again.

“One point offense… I guess.” The referee mumbled before being torn apart by its master in frustration.

“Stupid fuckin’ shadow.” The fox mumbled, using up the material left from his shadows to instead form a vaguely shaped hand besides him. The appendage swung at the skeleton as bones were thrown at it, piercing through it before it reformed itself. A gaster blaster was summoned above of it before a blast of pure magic caused it to diminish back into the ground. 

Moon swung forward at the skeleton, his dagger meeting bone walls before shattering them. This specific pattern continued for a while. The fox would lunge forward, and the skeleton would defend himself, occasionally throwing in a slash of his own in an attempt to score more points. 

One point offense.

One point defense.

One point defense

One point offense.

One point offense.

One point offense.

One point offense. 

Killer made no mention to the fact the fox had already won, he probably didn’t even realize it.  Instead, he focused on continuously jabbing at the skeleton. He didn’t complain when a skeletal hand landed harshly against his face, he only kicked him back in the non-existent gut until he felt like puking.

“You- huh- alright?”The skeleton asked in between breaths, both of his hands struggling to properly keep the fox restrained against the ground. His stupid smile never once faltering through the match. 

“Never better.” He then proceeded to nearly choke on his vomit before he was rolled over onto his side.

“I’m- COUgh- I’m fine, it’s no- eughHHH.” The fox retched. Throwing up wasn’t exactly common for skeletons, as they were only ever able to with ecto summoned. Though it still occurred every so often during considerably extreme training or very bad diet decisions made. Killer really wished he could say he didn’t know how to deal with it, at least then he’d have a good excuse to be able to stay as far away as possible from the fox when he got like this. They should really start tracking this kind of occurrence, maybe if Moon got to a high enough count he could win some sort of prize too.

“... dammit, why am I always the one stuck with you like this?” The skeleton groaned, more to himself than to Moon, as he crouched down next to where the fox was currently dry heaving. He grabbed him by the torso to allow him to sit up properly and kept one arm wrapped around his waist to make sure he didn't fall over. His other hand went to patting his back for a few moments before rubbing small circles on his upper back.

“You want me to call Nightmare?” Killer eventually asked once he heard the fox’s breathing begin to mellow out. He only got a brief head shake from him in response, to which he simply hummed an alright to. “Whatever you say.”

“Do I still get that question?” He grinned, using his hands to scoop the fox into his arms and pick him up.

“Hell no.”

“Great,” The skeleton began making his way back to the castle. “Do you actually love any of us? Or is it just a nightmare?”

 …

“What?”

“I mean, I see you with him all the time but I’ve never actually seen you two do anything. What’s up with that?”

“... Killer, do you think I’d put up with everything that happens here if I didn’t actually like you guys?”

“I mean, I dunno, you’re weird. Kinda hard to tell when you're actually being sincere.” The skeleton pointed out, tilting his head to the side for a moment.

“Oh, I’m the weird one here? Really? I’m- I’M the weird one?” Moon asked, a strained expression pasted across his face as his canines flashed for just a second.

“What? I’ve seen you lie before, you do it without hesitation. I bet there's a whole bunch of stuff I think I know about you that’s completely made up.”

“That’s… comforting.” He complained.

“I don’t hear you denying any of it.” Killer teased. 

“... Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

“Yes, I do genuinely care about all of you.”

“And?”

“And I love you guys.”

“Not just Nightmare?”

“Are- Are you guys really that insecure about the fact that you think I only care about Nightmare?”

“A little… but you didn’t hear that from me.” Killer snickered, using his shoulder to push the gate that led to the closed off garden around the castle open. “You’ve been with him for, what, ten years now? How the hell did you manage to pull it off?”

“... I don’t…  know, but it was difficult. It was… really, really difficult.” The fox mumbled, glancing up towards the castle, eyes glazing over the ivy that grew up the walls and wrapped itself around anything it could. “But he's complicated, and I mean that in a good way. He’s capable of being a good person, I think a lot of people are. 

And what he wants to do… I know that none of us really want that. I don't think that he even knows what he wants anymore. But he’s happy around us, even if he doesn't look the part. He cares, but it’s new to him. He’s scared of it, and I don't blame him for that. The unknown is terrifying.” 

“You uh… you don’t have to answer, but… could I ask you somethin’? About when you two were new to each other?”

“Sure.”

“How can you look at him after everything he did to you? I wasn’t really there, but I saw bits of what it was like before. I could barely handle it, so how the fuck can you still look at him?”

“Why do you still stick around here?

“...”

“I can’t go anywhere else, so I made the best out of what I had. It took a long time, but I’m happy here. With all of you, and with him.”

“Do you still hate him sometimes?”

“A little, but I know he's trying to be “good”. You?”

“Kinda. It hurts, but it’s hard to hate him.”

“I get that.” 

I really get that.

No more words were exchanged between the duo as the skeleton carried the fox through the castle. He eventually settled on setting the fox down at the kitchen counter. The cold marble counter felt calming against his limbs as he rested his head in his hands.

Horror had finished cleaning up from breakfast long ago, but still lingered in the kitchen afterwards. No one ever really commented on it, or pointed it out when he seemed to be unable to leave the very presence of food. It didn’t happen nearly as often anymore, and at least he wasn’t able to be found sleeping in the pantry anymore. The larger skeleton tilted his head at the other two, but didn’t yell at Killer to get out of the kitchen this time. 

“Training?” He asked.

“Sparing.” The killer responded, washing the dirt off his hands at the sink. He’d left his jacket on the seat next to Moon at the counter, so he was considered almost clean enough to not be a bio-hazard in the kitchen. The fox set his head down on the cool counter top, ears lowering against his head as he blocked out the hushed conversation between the other two skeletons.

“I thought ya said ya wouldn’t try to kill him again.”

“‘s not my fault, he was begging me for it.”

“So why’d ya let him do it?”

“Look, can we just ignore it right now and get him something to eat? His breakfast is currently somewhere on the trainin’ grounds.”

“Which we wouldn’t hav’ to do if ya didn’t fuckin’ enable him!”

“If I don’t enable him then he’s going to find someone worse too! And I know your memories’ shit but I think that even you remember just how bad it can get. And if he’s hurt, then Nightmares gonna get upset, and I don’t think any of us wanna deal with that right now. So stop blaming me and make him a fuckin’ sandwich or something already.”

Horror couldn’t form any more words in his head or in his mouth, so punching Killer into the nearest wall would have to do instead.

“Why are they so orange?”

“That’s just how the pilot episode is, it goes away for the rest of the show.”

“Okay, but why are they orange?”

“Uh, they put a filter on it to make a patient in the clinic look more orange I think. I heard some people think it’s because it was supposed to be symbolic about House’s drug use though.”

“It’s stupid.”

“Do you want to watch something else?”

“No.”

“Then why are you still here?”

“Because you don’t make me nauseous.”

“… is it that bad this time?” Cross asked, tilting his head slightly to look at the fox better.

“Yes and no. I don’t… really feel worthy of eating right now. And you’re the only one who won’t lecture me about it so…” Moon drawled on, not daring to make eye contact with the skeleton but leaning a bit closer against him.

“Did… you wanna talk about anything else?”

“… I don’t really want to think right now.”

“Did you want…”

“No, no, not that. Just… I don’t even know anymore. I feel like I want to hurl. Feels like I shouldn't be allowed to live anymore.”

“I was like that for a long time, think I still am.”

“You ever get this feeling like… the body you have isn’t right? Like your consciousness is fine with it, but you don’t know what you is supposed to feel like?”

“Kinda… you wanna talk about that?”

“... no. But I don’t think I’ll ever want to.”

“I got like that a lot when I was younger. It’s weird, I didn’t feel wrong, I think I liked being that way honestly. But something was missing. It's this faint feeling you know is there, but you don't know what it’s supposed to be. You don’t know what it’s supposed to feel like, but you know when you feel it. You feel like you. All of you. Without that missing piece.”

“... ‘m scared.”

“I still am sometimes.” The skeleton pressed a small kiss to the fox’s shoulder. “Who are you scared of?”

Not what, who.

“... I don’t want him to look at me weird.”

“He doesn’t look at me weird. No one does.”

“Every time I think about telling him he gets weird around me.”

“He’s the weird one here.”

“I know.”

“He wouldn't keep you if he didn’t like you.”

“... I think the worst part is that I know he’d keep me. He can’t… really get rid of me.”

“Does it have to do with-” “Ya.”

“... I forget about that sometimes.”

“He doesn’t know, he can’t know.” The fox didn’t realize how roughly he was holding onto the skeletons' clothing.

“I’m sorry.”

“Why?”

“Because I can’t help with that, I wish I could. But I don’t hold very much weight on what happens.”

“It’s fine… I think it's better this way. It means less people can mess it up.”

“Also means less people can make sure it happens.”

“I know.” The fox mumbled before stuffing his face into a nearby pillow on the bed. “... do you think… that I…” He didn't have the courage to finish his sentence.

“From what you tell me, yes. But you're different from me, what happens will be different from what I went through. You like yourself like this, to some extent, right?"

“... ya.”

“Then I don’t think you're just like me, but you're similar. I get what you’re feeling, I just didn’t feel the same about those emotions.”

“Why does this have to be so… complicated?”

“Because we are.”

“You sound like Nightmare now.”

“I’ll try and take that as a compliment.” 

Waiting for this damn trial was like waiting for a bomb to go off. It's terrifying, but he knew it was going to happen, and he already knew what the outcome would be.

But there’s still a bomb going off, and he can’t stop it. 

Can't postpone it, can't reschedule, can’t make up some bullshit excuse to get out of it.

He has no say in it, but he’ll say he does.

Because that'll make Toriel proud.

That'll make her happy and willing to look at him for once.

So he’ll do it, for her.

Standing in his room, he looked down at the key settled in his paws. A rustic looking thing with bronze and amber coloring. It was the most basic looking one in his collection, but it was his to ever receive. Core had been so much more tolerable back then, when they didn't try and pry unnecessary information out of him as they now did.

The fox sighed and rolled back his shoulders, lifting the key in front of him. He didn’t bother with asking nicely, that never was an actual necessity for the magic to work. But he felt the need to thank it, for its power that was allowed to be used by him. So in silence, he watched as magic released from the key, swirling into an oval and creating a portal that led to the Omega!Timeline. He placed the key back into his bag before stepping through the swirl of magic, feeling weightless for the single moment he was in between the two universes.

The Omega!Timeline was a universe Moon often found himself in. It served its purpose well to house and aid those whose universes were destroyed. Anyone without someone there for them was embraced with eager and usually somewhat loving arms. Even for the fox it was a rather welcoming place.

The white void it had been many years ago had been cleaned up rather nicely, though it had been cluttered more than anything. He’d heard that Ink had been the one to create the first few buildings, and from there it just continued to expand. Truly there was so much of a community there that it was easy to forget it was considered a section of the antivoid. Though the endless and blinding white sky was enough of a reminder of what it once was.

The sound of running water was enough of a clue as to where he was. The universe's main park with its giant ass fountain was kind of hard to forget about, which is probably why he was sent to this specific location. Around him he could hear the chatter of others going about their day, on a stroll or sitting on a bench as they admired the greenery. No one seemed to pay any mind to him, for which he was grateful for considering just how badly he wished he could leave already. His shoes pressed against the brick walkway as he forced himself out of the park. It was nice, and could probably be a nice date night spot, it just had too many people in it all the time.

Gods, I love this park! Don’t you remember the days we spent here sleeping on a bench until we could-

Shut up, shut up, shut up! I don’t want to hear about your lovey dovey memories! It’s grating.

And too many of the souls had reactions to being there, the unnecessary information flooding his brain was tolerable, but undoubtedly annoying. 

It was stupid for them to have roads when no one ever drove anywhere. A chunk of its inhabitants could teleport or use some sort of magic to get around anyway. But the larger area to walk in made it faster to get to places at least. The park was considered to be the heart of the Timeline, so most important buildings were a close distance. The specific building the fox was looking for though was the… court? Names didn’t exactly stick here. Half the time buildings weren’t even given proper names. But the “court” was where the Council gathered for meetings or trials.

It was only a few minutes walk to get there, which was filled with relentless and tedious memories from the souls that were increasingly getting harder and harder to tune out. He couldn’t care less for the details of the building, as he instead scanned over those already inside looking for a certain anomaly.

“You’re early.” Their voice was already grating.

“I got restless, couldn't just wait around. At least it’s better than being late.” He shrugged. He glanced down to where the original voile came from and saw Core smiled at him. “Kid, you need to learn to smile less.”

His comment earned him a punch on the arm, he didn't really register the action though.

“Whatever, this’ll probably take a while to start. Usually everyone's late anyway so we pan accordingly."

“Are uh… they all here yet?”

“Dream and Ink are already here. UnderSwap Sans is the one running late. Heard he got caught up with doing a favor for someone, but I doubt he’ll be long.” They explained.

“Great.” He strained his voice, hunching over his shoulders to seem to hide himself among the crowd of Sans and Frisk variants. “Could we go somewhere else? At least till this thing starts?” He asked, eyes darting around to try and get a brief feel of his surroundings.

“Sure, there’s a break room that usually has donuts and an almost working coffee machine.”

“Alright, whatever- just get me the fuck out of here already.” It sounded harsher than he’d meant for it to be, but the anomaly kept their mouth shut.

They managed to find some hot chocolate packets in a cabinet in the break room, which the fox gladly took. He felt pathetic sitting there, sipping hot chocolate from a thin paper cup that burned the longer he held onto it. The anomaly that sat next to him had small talk,to which he gave bleak and mainly single word responses to. They weren’t exactly his favorite person to be around, he’d seen how they could truly be after all. The only reason they were helping him was because it gave them some sick sense of empowerment over others.

But regardless, they were still a vital cog. 

Not like that meant he had to be overtly pleasant or nice towards them.

“I thought foxes couldn't eat chocolate.”

“I think you're thinking of dogs.”

“The two are related in some way, aren't they?”

“I dunno.”

“... alright.” They mused, sipping on their tea as they swung their feet back and forth, just faintly humming to themselves.

A few people came into the break room after them, mainly to brew cheap coffee or tea and chat for a bit. It was a nice background noise for the fox. It made him feel more normal. No one spared him any more than a glance, why would they? There were too many people in the Council to properly keep count of each one, at least for one person. Monsters made up the majority even though most were Sans or Papyrus variants, he seemed to blend in rather well. Though the fox’s peace was short-lived though, eventually a robotic voice was heard from the speakers occasionally mounted to the ceiling or high walls.

All members of the Council… room… immediately.

“You really need to get that fixed." The fox complained, standing up and tossing his now empty cup into a trash can.

“We’ve been meaning to recently. But I have a feeling it’ll be at least another year until it gets properly looked at.” Core said as they copied his actions. They turned to the door they came in from and followed the crowd of people for a while, though eventually they turned a corner and stood in front of a door. The voice of the Council could be heard from the other side, with everyone presumably getting settled beforehand.

“Smile.” It was more so a demand than a suggestion. The fox compiled, forcing a weak yet still genuine looking smile.

“You look nervous.”

“I am.”

“Is that how you want to look?” They asked, glancing at the door as the voice for the other side slowly softened.

“I think it’ll do better than looking over confident.” He mumbled, his ear twitching for a second. He needed to look natural, normal,  and with no room to have any ulterior motives. Normal people would be anxious, not because their fate depended on it,  but because they don’t like public speaking. Same difference.

“You ready?”

“No.”

“You’ll do great.” They gave him a thumbs up before getting onto their tippy toes to try and reach something on his shirt. He only groaned and bent down a bit to allow the anomaly to adjust the collar of his sweater for a moment. “Perfect.”

They led the fox through the door, to which the Council’s voices hushed at their entrance. The room itself seemed to loosely imitate a court room, though to a much larger scale. Seats lined two opposing walls where the Council was seated, and in the middle there was a seat with a table. At the front of the room, stood three connected podiums, with the middle being slightly more elevated than the other two. He briefly heard Core voice saying something to him that he couldn't quite make out, likely just wishing him luck or telling him to smile better. 

Squinting a bit, the fox was able to make out a few, almost familiar faces among the council. He never was popular, but he’d managed to meet a few other AU Sanses in his brief time with the Stars. Classic was there for once, which was a genuine surprise to both him and the majority of the members already in attendance. He accepted the whole multiverse thing, but rarely ever tried to do anything related to it. To see him present at any meeting was a rarity, and a trial even more so.

The bright lights beating onto him were less than comforting, the subtle but clear sound of whispering coming from the rest of the council wasn't exactly helping either. A few were already well aware of his existence, while others had a hard time remembering if such a fox was ever a part of such a prestigious group. Though the requirements to join the Stars had been slightly altered within the past ten years, it was mainly still the same. 

Fight for justice and to protect the multiverse,

Preferably immortal,

Something something happiness and cheer, 

And bring something important or overall useful to the table. 

New recruits were essentially nonexistent, and those who did join never really lasted all that long. Two out of the three members were immortal, and neither of them exactly understood to a full extent how mortals needed to be taken care of. How this Swap was still alive was a mystery on its own. He wasn’t the original UnderSwap Sans, as the original had decided to stay mainly within his home AU. This Swap was rather close to the original though, considered practically identical. The only difference being that he had the courage, or foolishness, to join the Stars and spend the rest of his life protecting the multiverse.

From what he could gather, the Stars had gone through a few different UnderSwap Sanses by now. This Swap had managed to do quite well so far, with many already betting that he’d last at least a good fifty years with them.

The fox couldn't bring himself to look directly at Swap, only catching very brief glances at the skeleton. The Stars were seated at the head of the room, though the guardian of positivity seemed to be running late. Surprisingly enough the artist had managed to be punctual, and wasn't a complete mess for once. Though they were currently drawing on the wooden elevated table before taking the occasional bite from the stationery.

God’s I forgot just how gross he was. 

The court room fell into a more hushed tone as the main door’s reopened, the previously mentioned guardian entering through them. He gave an apologetic look to those in attendance, though most of them didn't exactly seem surprised, while making his way over to the front of the room. He briefly smiled at his two other members, taking the pencil from the artist before throwing it into a nearby garbage can, and took his seat at the elevated table between the two other skeletons. 

The room fell into silence for a few moments before the guardian cleared his throat. Likely with the aid of some magic, his voice managed to be projected through the room at a consistent volume.

“Greeting’s everyone,” He gave a small bow to those in attendance. "This is trial number 4352 held by the Council. We’ll be discussing and evaluating if the monster “Moon Vulxen” should join the Council or not.” The guardian explained rather monotony, clearly having repeated almost the exact same statement thousands of times already.  

The word “trial” was rather loose in this situation, as neither the guardian or the artist really decided to research what a trial was considered. Either way, it was more so just a bunch of people in a room trying to come to a decision. That was close enough, right?

The fox tuned out the words coming from the guardian's mouth, something about formalities and trial etiquette because they had one too many incidents in the past. He instead watched as the artist grabbed a few of his paint vials and chugged them before Dream nudged him to stop. It wasn’t considered very 'proper' for the artist to be taking his meds in the middle of a trial. It’s not like it ever really stopped them from doing it though.

Ink wiped the corner of their mouth with their scarf, before speaking up. “So as usual, me, Dream, and Swap will be the first ones to ask questions about whatever we view as necessary and then everyone else gets to ask any questions as well to make a decision. At the end we’ll do the vote, which is anonymous, one of us will tally them up, and that will decide the outcome of this trial.” They said, glancing back down at the smudged writing on their scarf every few seconds to remember his little speech.

The rest of the council either nodded or said words of acceptance at the artist's words. Their eyes watched as both the guardian and the artist stood from their seats and traded spots. As Ink stood at the center and more elevated table he properly got a look at the fox, his brain seeming to have to take a moment to fully register and remember who was standing in front of him.

“Hey again, how are you?” They started as their eyelights shifting into a green circle and a yellow explanation mark.

“I’m… good.”

“Been doing anything interesting lately? Watch any good movies? Get any new hobbies?” The artist seemed esthetic, practically beaming as he questioned the fox.

“Uh, not really. I’ve just been traveling the multiverse again. I wrote a few books as well, but I wouldn’t exactly call any of it exactly interesting or exciting.” Moon responded with a weak smile, looking slightly flustered at the bombardment of questions he knew weren’t really useful.

“Still, it’s good to see you again. It’s been, what, six years now?”

“Ten.”

“... really?”

“Ya.”

“Oh, cool. Anyway, that doesn't really matter right now. What does matter is that you’re here now, and you want to do this, correct?”

“I do. I think that it’s my responsibility to do this, I’ve been given all this knowledge and it would be kind of selfish if I didn’t use it to try and help people you know?”

“Then why did you wait so long?”

“I think… I think it took me far longer than it should have to truly realize how important it was. When I was younger, you all saw so much potential in me and tried to help bring that out of me, and I know what you all wanted was good, it still is good, but I was young and scared. 

It’s taken me years to adjust to living this broken mess of a soul I have now. I would never give it up for anything, but it felt like much more of a burden than a gift when it was first given to me. For a long time I felt that I had made a mistake, that I never should have traded my magic for this knowledge. 

But I don’t know who wouldn't be terrified if they were in my position.” Moon admitted, glancing down at his paws.

“How is it?”

“What?”

“Living like that, does it hurt? I wouldn’t really know, the whole no souls thing and all…”

“No, I wouldn’t say it hurts. But my soul is no longer mine, it’s this… thing that has pieces stolen from many people.”

“Stolen?” The artist tilted his head in confusion, forgetting that this had been explained to him before.

“When I made my deal with Death, he gathered the souls of those he deemed me worthy of having who had already passed. When my magic was taken from me in exchange, I was left with very little of my soul and so I was given the remains of the souls he collected. As they were all already dead, I only gained their emotions and memories, the lack of magic or determination was what allowed so many souls to be stuck together.

I think… that they’re still alive because of me, but their voices are hard to distinguish from one another. They react to what I see, so they’re connected to my soul. They talk to me, and they usually get mad at me. Not like I could really blame them. They lived their lives, whether good or bad, and had no say in the fact they were brought back and all forced into a single soul.”

“Cool, cool.” Ink said, biting on a section of their scarf.

Being a soul stealer wasn’t exactly going to help him convince the Council to like him, but being self aware and guilty about it seemed like it could work.

“I can feel their frustration, they believed they would finally be able to rest after living their lives. So to not do anything good with what I have left of their lives, it would be shameful for me to even live.” The fox explained, his voice wavering just slightly as his ears lowered.

“I think that's good for you, if it makes you happy with the way you live. It’s been so long since I had my soul, I don’t think I even remember how it felt anymore, but I know that they’re the core of your being. 

I’ve been told I'm not good at relating to you mortals, especially with all of your emotions and stuff. The only thing I wish I could experience that mortals do, is to live with passion and satisfaction knowing you did the best you could in your short period of time. 

I don’t think I'll ever be able to properly understand it, but the desire to do good is one of the best feelings I think a mortal can experience. And I know that you think this is important, so I want you to do it if it’ll make you happy.” Ink said, his eyelights turning into a sun and a green swirl as he smiled down at the fox.

“… Thank you.” Moon forced himself to smile back at the artist. 

Just go and lie about your intentions, I bet this whole thing is going to end perfectly!

I guess it isn't totally a lie, he just isn’t telling all of the truth to them. 

That doesn't make this any better!

He’s trying to say how we feel but he doesn't even listen to any of us unless it directly benefits him.

It's… going well though… isn’t it? 

Only because he’s painting us as nothing but pitiful monsters who had their souls stolen.

Not everyone here is a monster! Why is it so hard for you to remember that?

All of you are being too loud, you’re not helping anyone this way.

What else are we supposed to do? Just sit here until he dusts as well? That could be hundreds of years for all we know!

We were all chosen for specific knowledge and experiences that would help him, we don’t need to bud in unless he needs our specific help. He’s already gotten most of our knowledge neatly wrapped in his boyfriend's library. I don’t think we even have much of a purpose left at this point.

If we don’t have any purpose anymore, then why am I still stuck here with you all?

Because he barely even has a soul anymore, if we go back to being dead then he’d die alongside up.

Honestly I think he should, he’s actively manipulating genuinely good people just because Toriel said he needed to. I don’t even like her anymore, she’s hurting him, isn’t she?

She’s his creator, she knows what's best for him. She created ALL of us, we should still respect her for giving us life and allowing us to live the lives we did. 

How can you continue to argue for 10 years straight?

I don’t think my life was perfect, but I don't think I would have lived it any other way. She’s the one who allowed us to learn so much and experience everything we did, so that he could get that information and pass it on.

Why the fuck would she let me experience what happened to me then? If I was so damn important why would she let that happen to her 'wonderful and innocent' creations?

…

I’m sorry I-

Shut up.

You’re all too loud.

You’re distracting him.

…

Sorry.

Don’t you dare pity me Connie.

Moon couldn’t be bothered to try and pay attention to Ink or the souls. Both were equally as annoying and unintentionally or intentionally degrading towards him. By the time the artist finishes rambling on about something relating to foxes it was extremely apparent that the Council was getting fed up with it. Not that they weren’t used to it happening multiple times per trial or meeting, but the constant exposure didn’t make it any less annoying.

“So, is that all?” The fox’s head tilted ever so slightly as he involuntarily clawed at his fur.

Please just let me get this over with already.

“Oh, uh ya. Anyway it was nice to catch up with you again!” Ink beamed, standing up from their seat and quickly returning to his original position. The fox was at least glad that he was back on his paints.

The fox couldn't help but let out a small sigh of relief as he watched the artist return to their seat. It was definitely the easiest member he would be questioned by, but he was most definitely the most boring. Agitating seemed like it would be a close second, but that award would faintly have to go to Nightmare’s brother instead.

One part of him wished he could ju-

The fox kept a neutral expression as he looked up at the guardian. The hatred he felt towards him wasn’t warranted, not properly anyway. Some people chose to believe that he was truly the big bad evil guy in all of this, and that his wittle brother was just a good guy who helped broken people better than Dream ever could. 

That statement alone gave Moon a headache.

Not that all of it was false, but that too much was left out. Moon had never been there, but had known what happened hundreds of years ago between the two. 

Both were at fault.

And both continued to be at fault.

Maybe Moon was a bit biased, he still preferred Nightmare over Dream any day after all. But being around the later guardian made him nauseous. The guardian emitted too much positivity for the fox to handle. He could tolerate it, but it was exhausting. Even Nightmare didn’t intentionally force his aura onto those around him anymore.

Or maybe Moon was just too used to it to notice it.

Regardless, exposure to Dream was insufferable to put it lightly. The only thing that saved him was the fact that the guardian couldn’t read him like a book as he could with so many others.

The guardian gave Ink a small pat on the shoulder as he moved to the center, glancing around at the Council for a moment. He seemed calm. Maybe a bit anxious underneath it all, but no fear. 

And no judgment. 

“As you are all now aware, Moon is a unique creature. Years ago he made a deal with death where he traded his magic for the knowledge of many souls in return. His soul is an amalgamation of many, causing it to be very difficult for a guardian such as myself to properly read his soul. When I try to look into it, what it feels and what it truly is, it’s overwhelming as I’m looking at around a dozen souls all blurred together.” The guardian explained.

“I’ve known about Moon for a while now, though I haven’t seen much of him for quite some time. I considered him an honorary member of the Stars, yet now that I look back I realize that I never properly gave him an option. I overstepped boundaries that I didn't even realize needed to be put into place, and for that I deeply apologize to you Moon.” Dream gave a small bow down to the fox, his eyes seeming slightly too hazy to be considered normal. To hear the guardian be… nice… it was weird. Last that the fox had heard of him, he’d still been the exact same creature he once was. 

Then again, time changes people.

Would a guardian be considered a person?

Does an immortal count as a person?

Is it humanity or experience that differentiates the two?

“I don’t forgive you. But I’ve grown to simply accept that. There’s many bridges I've burned with people over the years, but I don’t wish to do that to any of you again.” He glanced up at the three skeletons. “I want to start over with all of you. I’m not the same monster I was ten years ago, and I wish to believe neither of you are either.”

“While I can’t speak on behalf of Ink or Swap, I know that I’ve tried my best to be better. I’m not perfect, and I know I never will be. But I want what's best for others, not just myself. I know that you joining the Council could be an immense help for us to defeat my brother.

Do… you accept that?”

“Of course.” 

“Will you fight alongside us to win this war?”

“I will.”

“Will you help those in need?”

“I will.”

“Do you promise to use your gift for good?”

“I do.” The more repetitive the statements got, the more the fox found himself tuning out the guardian's words.

Yes.

Of course.

Absolutely.

Anything you say boss.

It was really starting to just sound like a mission debriefing. Not like Moon ever went on the actual missions, but he got nosy and usually sat in on them when he could. Mindless and usually not too important information benign thrown out and a bunch of slightly different words of agreements. The fox could feel a tension headache starting to form by now, the point between his eyes really starting to hurt.

“I was never properly made aware of your reasoning for leaving before, but I do hope that it doesn't happen again. I know it may be personal, and so I will not be pressing any further onto it. Though you know that I am always here for you no matter what. I want to make a place where everyone is supported and cared for, including you.” The guardian finished, giving the fox a weak smile.

“Thank you.” He couldn't muster up the energy to continue. He already knew what was coming next, it’d been stealing glances at him from the very moment the trial began.

Moon kept his eyes on the table, only hearing the sounds of shuffling as the guardian moved spots. In his place, a very tired, yet still bright looking skeleton stood.

Swap.

“...hey.” He sounded so weak, so defeated in just one word.

“Hey.” The fox wasn’t exactly much better.

Dream and Ink weren’t exactly aware of… it. There were certain things that immortals stayed away from when it came to mortals. All they knew is that one day Moon was perfectly fine and happy with them, and the next he was nowhere to be found.

The skeleton’s eyelights dilated, shaking ever so slightly as they seemed to try and engrave the very image of the fox into his mind.

10 years.

10 fucking years.

10 years. 

“... how are you?”

“‘m good.”

A long, uncomfortable silence filled the room. Only a small murmur of whispers could be heard from the crowd, trying to piece together what the few of them had known about the fox from before.

“Why did you leave?”

“… as I somewhat said earlier, I felt forced into joining you. I know what you all did was good, but I didn't get that much of a choice into what happened. 

But I’m sorry.

I should have said something. I should have just talked to you about it. I shouldn’t have run the way I did. 

I… I shouldn’t have left the way I did.

And I’m sorry for that.”

“... was it because of me? Did I… was I too harsh on you?”

No, no, of course not. 

“... I don’t know.” 

“Do you regret what you were before?”

“I think I still regret the person I am now.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m… I’m not good for others. I’ve done… a lot of bad things, and I’ve hurt a lot of people. That’s just what I am.”

“Do you want to get better?”

“I do.”

“Do you think you can get better?”

“I don’t know.”

“Who did you hurt?”

“My parents, my sisters, my best friend, my mentor’s, my friends, and… all of you.”

“How did you hurt them?”

“I left them. I tricked them. I betrayed them. I ran from them instead of dealing with anything I thought could hurt me.” The fox’s voice wavered before he sucked into a breath, focusing on his goal. “I hate it, I hate how pathetic I am. All of you were so good for me. I didn’t deserve to be around such good, caring people. I don’t think I even deserve this opportunity, but I know it’s good for me. 

I run when I get scared. And I run when people show any affection to me.

But I want to do better, I want… I want to be like you.” It was true. Sure the sour lie still lingered on his tongue, but there was enough false sincerity to make it tolerable.

But to him, to Swap, it was true.

“...Thank you.” The skeleton's words cut through the air, efficiently ending the trial with no room for argument. He stepped back from the podium and Dream shuffled to take his usual place once again. For a brief moment, the guardian seemed to open his mouth and say something to the mortal. Though he didn't seem to receive an answer as the skeleton walked right past him and sat himself back into his position. Faintly, the fox swore he could hear a member of the council softly crying at their seat.

It really was a mystery as to how joining such a pathetic group of people was necessary for the mission. Truly, he wished he could tell whoever it was to shut up, but that wouldn’t be very “gentlemen like” as Toriel sometimes put it.

Moon couldn't be bothered to pay any attention to the words the guardian spoke to the council. Though his ears twitched at the question on if other questions wished to be asked. From what he could tell, no one seemed to be interested, or brave enough, to ask anything else. While the guardian didn’t exactly seem pleased with the lack of response, he continued on with protocol.

“Now, we’ll have a ten minute break, in which Moon will exit the court, for all of you to make your decisions. Feel free to move around and talk with one another in whichever way you feel is best for you. Ink will be handing out sheets of paper and pencils so you can mark your vote, and all votes will be tallied by me afterwards.” Dream explained, his eyelights glazing over the council members as he saw a few already turning and whispering to their peers.

Core was the one to escort the fox from the “court” and into the hallway outside. Their hollow eyes fixated on the monster for a moment before smiling. 

“Why the long face? I think that you did wonderfully out there!” They beamed, sitting in the seat next to the fox.

Because I hate everyone here and I want to go back home already.

“‘m tired.” He lied, well, more so bent the truth.

“Oh come on, we both know that isn’t all of the truth.” They teased. “You did great, you’re practically already accepted from what I can tell. That last little speech you gave did well with getting all the softies on your side.”

“It’s just really awkward seeing them all again. I knew it would happen, but nothing could have really prepared me for it.”

“What did happened between you and UnderSwap Sans anyway?” They asked, leaning forward in their seats to invade the fox’s personal space even more. 

“I was reckless and emotional, shit got complicated and… and this conversation is meaningless.” The realization seemed to finally hit him. “You hold very little purpose for me.” Moon stated, almost more so to himself than to the anomaly.

“You know, sometimes people do things simply because they want to, not just because they need to. You should really try it sometime.”

“We both know there’s no point in that.” The fox’s ear twitched as he turned his body further away. The court room still seemed to be bustling with discussion, and it almost seemed… happy? There was very little yelling, so Moon took that as a good sign.

“I thought mortals were supposed to like doing stuff, not just sit and pathetically sulk all day.”

Moon didn’t respond.

Wouldn't.

Couldn't.

They knew what was necessary for them to know, but they didn’t have all the pieces. 

Most didn’t.

Eventually he was escorted back into the room and sat back down where he’d been seated early. Subtly, he glanced around at the council members. They seemed content. Most of their smiles were genuine. He looked nervous, but excited. Not being possessed is considered a good thing.

He glanced up at Dream, who softly smiled down at the fox.

“Now,” The guardian stood from his chair. “Of the two hundred and seventy six votes received, seventy three votes were no, and two hundred and three votes were yes. So, as per a majority vote, Moon is hereby a member of The Council just as all the rest of you are!” He explained, smiling fondly at the council and now, the fox.

The sound of applause filled the room, and though not deafening, it likely echoed down the hall. A few of them even cheered. A great, knowledgeable monster would be fighting for them now.

It made him sick to his stomach.

Something something, Dream said a bunch of mandatory stuff about loyalty and honesty. Moon didn't even hesitate to sign the contract that was placed confronting him. His eyes only glossed over the words before his hands moved to make a vaguely fancy signature at the bottom line. The ink flashed a soft purple color before being overlaid with a layer of golden magic, sealing it. 

Sealing him.

Words of compliments and handshakes blurred together as he was eventually allowed to “socialize” with the other members. Someone asked if they’d seen him before, to which he laughed and made some sort of stupid joke about red foxes that wasn't funny. 

Someone smelled like cigarettes.

 Someone pulled on his tail by accident.

Someone shook his hand so hard he swore it broke a finger.

Someone said his sweater looked stupid.

Someone got crumbs all over the floor.

Someone asked him a question, but he couldn't remember if he’d even opened his mouth to respond or not.

something

happened

where was he again?

why

couldn’t he remember 

ẁ̷̫̣͚̓ḧ̵̨͎͍̖͜ͅy̸͎̯͙̳͓̫͑́̏

why

why

couldn’t he

do anything

I just want to go home

p̴̨̨̣̪͉̰͔̺̩̯̂̉̾͝ͅͅl̶̢̝̞̮̘͕̮͓͖͖͓̳͈̼̊̍̀̐̓̕͠ĕ̴̘̮͉̱̃̾͑̃̂̃́͐͝a̴̡̫̣͍̺͖͚̻͔͓̝̋̃͛̿͌͒̽̀̈́̐̓̂͋͠ͅs̸̢̲̤̾͐͂͠ẽ̸̛̝̻̱̫̳͍̻̳͙͂̎̐̈́̿̉̇̏͂̒̋̑͌

just

l̴̺̋̃̀͑̕e̸͖̤̣͚̞̎̍́̊t̶͎͖͔̣͆ ̴͇̤̀͂̓̀m̶̛̞͙̄̓͝ẹ̶͔̪͙̈ͅ ̴̢̳͙̬̠̒̃g̷͓̠̀̀̄̾͝o̸̧̼̳͎͋͊͋ ̶̧̗̯̻̟͌b̵͉̖̤͈̃̿͜á̷̪̀͠c̸̦͆k̴̳̬͓̙̂́ ̴̖̭̬͔̀̎̋̕͝h̷̰̞̤̥̝̊̇́̽̿o̷͔̓͌̿m̵̻̱̳̲͕͋ḛ̸̘̾

please

Moon woke up on the floor of the castle’s foyer with a blanket draped over him. 

Everything hurts.

“How’d it go?” 

Cross.

“Fine.” The fox groaned, pushing himself off the ground before sinking back down. “Why… am I on the floor?” He asked, propping himself up with his arms and looking at the skeleton who was sitting on the floor besides him.

“You kinda… wouldn't let any of us touch you. We tried to get you upstairs but that… didn’t really end well.” Cross explained, twirling his fingers in his lap. “So we just tried to get you comfortable there instead.”

The fox blinked at the skeleton a few times as his vision progressively became clearer. His muscles felt like they were on fire and incredibly stiff at the same time. He mentally cursed at himself for even letting himself consider doing something so stupid, let alone to follow through with it and cause the entirety of his body to be in pain as a result.

“Could you get Nightmare for me real quick?” His own words didn’t seem to register to his brain. 

But the skeleton nodded to his request and stood up from where he sat. He teleported away, leaving a faint flash of magic behind him, before Nightmare took his place. The guardian was immediately at the fox’s side, sitting on his knees next to him. And surprisingly enough, when he cupped one of his hands around the fox’s face, the fox didn’t flinch away. It certainly wasn't as comfortable as it usually was, but the feeling was somehow still comforting.

“Are you alright?” The guardian’s tendrils had already begun to wrap themselves around the smaller creature.

“Tired.”

“You have been sleeping on the floor for the past four hours, I would think pain would be the strongest thing you feel right now.”

“Close enough.”

“How did your trial go?”

“Fine, just too many people.”

“But you were accepted?”

“Obviously.” It sounded meaner than he’d intended for it to be. The guardian didn’t seem to mind his tone in the slightest, as instead a very small, very faint smile brushed across his face.

“I never doubted you.”

“... thanks.”

Moon didn’t have the energy to fight back or argue as the guardian's tendrils wrapped the blanket around his body. They lifted him up until he was properly nestled into the guardians arms. 

He probably looked really, really stupid and pathetic. Imagine being too weak to even walk after nothing more than a simple meeting. Really this whole thing is already a lost cause, you might as well go dust yourself in some dying universe already, maybe then you wouldn't be such a burden you f-

“Horror made cake while you were gone.”

“I want some.”

“There is already a slice in your room.”

“Move it to yours, I want to steal your bed again.”

“Of course.”

It only took about 7 minutes for everyone to hear about Moon’s return, and for everyone to pile together in Nightmare's room.

On his bed.

And on top of a certain fox.

“Cross you're suffocating me right now.” He choked out, squirming to push him off of him. In response, Dust laid himself on top of the fox as well.

“... uhhhhhhhh, is he… still breathing?” Killer asked, dragging extra blankets from the couch in the room to the bed.

“I can feel him still breathing, he’s fine.” Dust said after holding his head against the fox’s chest for a moment and feeling it rise and fall.

“Oh, ok.” He pressed the blankets onto the fox’s face, not exactly having to fight against the struggling fox who slowly stopped moving.

KILLER I SWEAR TO THE GODS IF YOU-

“I believe that is more than enough.” Nightmare’s voice broke through the chaos, his tendrils lifting the various skeletons off of the fox. Both Killer and Dust were shoved off of the bed while Cross was merely moved to the edge of the mattress.

“Aww come on, you never let us have any fun!” Killer complained while lifting himself back onto the bed, dragging Dust by the hood in the process.

“I believe I let all of you have plenty of fun that does not include harming one another.” The guardian stated.  He’s moved the fox to sit up and lean his back against the headboard, his back comfortably supported by a few extra pillows. The fox squirmed for a moment before going limp once again, to which Cross spooned against his side and messed with a small knot in his fur.

Killer couldn’t think of a good comeback in time. He instead huffed and pulled the hooded skeleton back onto the bed and laid him at the foot of it. Dust didn’t protest and was swiftly given a pillow to support his neck from Nightmare. A tendril fought with Killer for a moment before forcing him to sit still next to Cross. 

The fox tapped the guardian on the shoulder once he seemed to be done getting everyone in comfortable positions. 

“Yes?”

The fox only stared at him.

The guardian took a moment before nodding, reaching a hand out and using his magic to lift up the plate of snacks Horror had prepared. The said skeleton had been sitting on the floor with his back against the bed-frame as he nibbled on stale chips. He made a noise almost like a whine as the plate left his lap, and quickly followed it to the fox’s side.

“My apologies.” The guardian said, scooting over from his spot on the bed to allow Horror to sit close enough to the fox so that they could both share the snack plate properly.

“‘s fine.” He didn’t seem very phased as he moved to eating the burnt hard pretzels.

The fox picked up a chocolate chip cookie from the platter, staring at it for a moment before offering it to the skeleton leaning against him. Cross mumbled a small thanks before taking the cookie and essentially inhaling it. The fox then offered him another one, to which he also graciously accepted.

The scene was comical. 

Hilarious even. 

It made Moon want to hurl the longer he thought about it.

The terrible and wicked Bad Sanses, acting so domestic and affectionate. 

Don’t make me laugh.

These-

These were the people that are such a threat?

To the entire multiverse?

Oh what a fucking joke.

For such important people that held the fate of the multiverse without truly knowing it, it was a pathetic sight.

Just get a warm blanket and some snacks, maybe they could talk everything out with the Council while painting their nails and gossiping about boys.

You make me sick.

No one questioned the fox when he locked himself in the bathroom for about half an hour.  And no one said anything about the retching they heard. They didn’t comment on the fact he was still shaking when he finally had the courage to face them all again. They just smiled, and offered him another cookie.

How could he say no?

❅

He’d forgotten how nice Snowdin was.

Everyone loved Sans, so any friend of Sans was a friend of theirs.

He was respected.

Cared for.

He should have known it was going to happen that day. He should have left when Alphys started acting like they were childhood friends. He should have left when Undyne made the effort to try and properly talk to him, like she knew she would have to get used to it sooner or later. He should have left when Muffet started saying his meals were on the house or would insist that Papyrus could cover it instead.

He should have left when Papyrus gave him that one, genuine smile. He’d looked like he’d wanted to tell him something. He knew he'd ruin the surprise if he uttered anything related to it.

It was like everyone knew besides him.

But he did know, didn’t he?

Some small, pathetic part of him chose to stay for longer than he should have. He delusionally believed that maybe Toriel would let him live that life. Because… maybe… maybe if he was good enough, she’d let him have this one thing.

But she… didn’t exactly approve of it.

Some part of him wondered if she wanted it to happen, that maybe she’d also hoped things could be different. She knew, of course she would have. So why had she let him stay so long if she already knew what she would end up doing?

❅

It was cold.

It was nothing terrible, but still cold. The jacket he’d stolen borrowed from Swap had kept him warm as well as his fur. He’d nearly tripped over his own feet as he’d followed after the skeleton to leave the house.

He laughed as the skeleton made some joke that he couldn't remember. But he could still feel the way he’d refused to let go of his hand, claiming that it was to make sure he didn’t slip and fall on any ice beneath the snow.

He should have shrugged it off and said it was stupid, that he could walk perfectly fine on his own.

But he bit his tongue, and flexed his fingers around the skeletal ones intertwined with his.

Swap had led the two of them to a clearing on the edge of a hill, where a few homes with smoking chimneys could be seen below.

It was quiet—reclusive.

The way Swap knew Moon liked it.

They’d sat there for a while, making small talk about how the Stars progress was going. The fox had mentioned he was considering whether he should begin writing down some of the soul's knowledge to turn into books. He suggested that he’d trust Swap to keep them, as Ink would forget where they were and Dream would never have the time to read them.

The fox suggested they eat at Muffet’s when they’d begun to get bored. And though Swap had always said he hated it, insisting there was too much sugar in her pastries, he’d agreed. For Moon.

They ate and sang along to some cheesy songs playing from the radio in the corner of the bakery. Though they stopped when the fox nearly choked on whatever it was he’d been eating. Small talk would suffice.

“Are you excited for when you’ll get to go to the surface here?” Swap’s AU was still stuck underground. Ink had insisted they couldn't interfere with the timeline, but assured them they would eventually make it out. Chara wouldn’t even be born for a few more years, and so their story wouldn’t begin for quite some time. 

“I suppose, but I think that the fact that I've seen so many “surfaces” before makes it less fun. But, nonetheless, it will still be special. It’ll finally be my surface after all.” Swap exclaimed, puffing out his chest. He always did manage to make the best out of any situation.

“Do you know what you guys are going to do when your Chara falls down? Don't you kinda have to be here for that?” The fox inquired, he’s been pondering about it for a while now. The Star’s were always so insistent on not interfering with timelines natural progressions, yet seemed more than willing to rip key characters out of it for their benefit.

But it was for a good cause, so it seemed alright.

“Uh, I don’t really know yet. My brother is a bit more important to them than I am, so I might be left out. But Ink told me that he'll figure it out when the time comes.” The skeleton shrugged, forcing a nervous smile onto his face. “Worst case scenario, he said he could make a clone for me to make sure everything goes accordingly.”

“If there’s a clone of you, does that mean that I get two times the magnificence?” The fox snickered.

“Nonsense! If any clone of me existed, it would never be exactly as magnificent as I! …though I suppose it would be at least half as magnificent as me.” Swap mumbled, smiling sheepishly at the fox’s slight teasing. A faint light blue had dusted over his face.

He should have made an excuse to leave. 

He should have found a way to leave everything behind, to pretend that it’d never even happened.

They continued on with their day by going to the library, mainly to return some overdue books the fox had picked up a few months ago. He’d convinced himself he'd find time to read all of them, but most of them had sat untouched since he first got them. The librarian said she wouldn’t charge him a late fee.

She’d known. At the bare minimum she had a suspicion about it.

But he shrugged it off, monsters were made of love and compassion after all. 

He couldn’t remember what else happened that day, just that he stayed glued to Swap’s side the entire time. Eventually it got late, most stores closed and very few monsters remained out. So the duo returned to the hillside they'd begun their day out at.

Moon had gotten cold, his nose slightly runny as the skeleton held him against his side. For a skeleton, he managed to keep the fox decently warm. Not overwhelming, but enough to make him more comfortable.

Swap had gotten rather quiet after a while, only responding in mumbled yes or no responses. The fox pried, and eventually the skeleton let out a defeated sigh.

“...is it something bad?” The fox asked quietly, his ears lowering.

“Of course not! Stars, have I really been worrying you that much? I’m sorry.” The skeleton apologized, shaking his head and fidgeting with his scarf.

“Oh, alright, then what is it?” The fox's shoulders relaxed.

“I… have something I wanted to give you.” Swap started, pulling away from the fox before extending his hands forward between them. “I know that I believe knowledge to be the most important thing to you, so the more you can explore the better. And I admire that about you. But when you leave, I don't want you to not have somewhere to go. So whenever you need it… I want you to always have a way to come back here. 

To me.” 

A small ball of light blue magic shifted in the skeleton's hands, shifting and contorting into a few different shapes. Magic continued to pour from his hands as it molded itself vaguely into the shape of a key. Then, the skeleton began to shape it himself. He added the detailing to the bow, keeping it clean but still detailed. And at the top, he modeled a heart with his magic. After he seemed pleased with its design, the magic’s color dulled to reveal a stainless steel key.

It looked so normal. Like it was nothing more than a simple house key you’d find. But very faintly, spurs of light blue magic circled around it. 

Swap’s magic.

The fox looked in awe at the creation he’d witnessed, he’d never realized that the skeleton could make a key. Let alone so easily, like he’d barely spent any energy on it.

“I want you to keep it, no matter what. It’ll lead you here, to Snowdin.” Swap spoke, snapping the fox out of his trance. He moved forward, letting the key fall into his paws.

It was warm.

It was home.

“I… Are you sure?”

“Of course, you mean everything to me, Moon. I want… you to always have the option to come back here.” The fox had only now noticed the blush that dusted over the skeleton's face, the same light blue that was of his magic.

For a moment, the fox couldn't think of words. Couldn't speak. Couldn't even think. But he felt the key in his paws, and he felt the leftover magic that swirled in the air around the two of them.

“I love it.” 

Swap opened his mouth to speak, but no noise came out. The blush seeped on his skull as he lowered his head a bit, and he mumbled something too quietly for the fox to hear.

“Pardon?”

“You know I love you Moon, right?” He repeated, glancing up at the fox.

I know you did. 

“And… I want to spend the rest of my life with you if you'd let me.” His hands balled into fits on his lap. 

I know how badly you wanted it.

“So... would you?” 

The fox could remember how much hope filled the skeleton's eye lights. 

He couldn’t find the words he wanted to say. Just remembers the way he stumbled back in the snow.

Of course.

Of course.

Why can’t I say it?

Just let me say it.

Please, just let me have this.

Is it that selfish to want this?

Am I really that worthless to you?

Please

Plḙ̸̛̗͕͍̗a̷͇͇̞̳̽͋̀̓se

P̷͙̗̬̣̘̤̀͗̎l̶͉̖̺̈̉̾͊́́͝e̴͚̭̝͗̀̚͜ả̷͔̫̇͊̈́̔̓s̴̬͕̻̮̫͐̂̆̾͘͠ẻ̵̥̟̗̠̫̤̈͆̇͝!̷̢̭͓̝͖̓̂͋̓

The fox forced himself up, stumbling through the darkness and shoving everything away from him. He gagged and retched into the nearest trash can. He couldn’t even make it to the bathroom to throw up into the toilet.

He couldn’t stop himself from shaking as his stomach rejected everything he'd eaten earlier. He tensed as he heard shuffling from behind him. He couldn’t make out the words spoken between them, just hearing the mumbled and hushed voices of them.

His shoulders relaxed as he felt Horror’s hand rest on his back, rubbing a small circle against the fabric of his shirt.

“I’m sorry I didn't- I didn’t mean to.” The fox choked out, dipping his head back into the trash can once again.

“‘s fine, it's not your fault.” He told him.

The fox’s breath was ragged and uneven, though it eventually mellowed as he no longer had anything left to puke up. He dry heaved for a moment before finally pulling himself back, resting his head on the skeleton's shoulder.

He knew the others were talking about him. He didn't have the energy to try and make out their words. It was easier to just assume they were concerned and leave it at that. It was probably close enough anyway.

The fox was eventually lifted into Horror’s arms, groaning softly in protest. The skeleton brought him back to the bed, where there was now a large spot for him to be laid down in. He was settled back into his spot, he could feel someone lean against him after a few moments. He didn't really care who it was, they were warm. 

They were home.

The fox recognized the coolness of one of Nightmare’s tentacles as it wrapped around his face, brushing the excess fur out of his face. The guardian whispered something to him that he couldn’t quite make out.

He didn’t care. 

He felt safe with them; that’s all he needed to fall back asleep.

Chapter Text

“Hey fox! Get the fuck up already!” A voice echoed through the apartment, practically shaking the walls and most definitely disturbing the neighbors again. The monster merely rolled his eyes when he heard a grumbled response in return. He heard the floorboard from their room creak as they got out of bed. It’s not like it was getting late, but he'd much prefer if he and the fox were out the door by six. The earlier they were to the market, the better. Prices were usually better and the vendors were more lenient to haggle prices on what they were selling. And if they were fast enough, they’d manage to be done before the “morning” crowd could arrive.

He faintly smiled as he watched the young fox stumble out of his room, having thrown on a—hopefully clean—black t-shirt and the same pair of cargo pants he’d been wearing for the past few days. His fur was still a bit messed up, but he was awake and ready enough.

“Up and at ‘em kid.” He chuckled, pushing himself off the doorway and throwing an apple in the fox’s direction. This time, the fox actually managed to catch it before shoving it in his mouth.

“Marhhket?” The fox asked, his voice distorted with the apple he was actively trying not to choke on.

“Yup, I need to pick up some essentials for the week. And the tailor called me last night, said they finally managed to fix up my jacket.” The water element explained, pushing open the door and smirking when he could hear the fox scurry to put on his shoes to follow behind him.

“Sorry about that.” The fox mumbled, taking the apple out of his mouth when he spoke this time. 

“Bout what?” The water elemental pushed the elevator button, glancing up as the little light above it lit up.

“Your jacket…”

“‘s fine, should’ve been more careful with it in the first place. It was worth getting to see you try and take me seriously for once.” He shrugged as he stepped into the elevator. The fox followed behind and pressed the button for the ground floor. The statement didn’t seem to relax the fox, but he bit his tongue and didn’t say anything as the elevator descended.

“You really need to learn when to just let things go.”

“Huh?” The fox's ears twitched and his head tilted slightly.

“It’s just a jacket, don't go beatin’ yourself up over something so stupid. It’s a waste of energy to still feel bad about it. Just… don’t get caught up on stupid shit, alright?” Ethan’s voice slightly softened as he glanced over at the fox.

“... ok.”

“Good.” He straightened his shoulders once again as the elevator doors opened and he stepped out.  The fox waved at the half asleep apartment receptionist, earning a weak smile and wave from her in response.

The sun hadn’t risen yet, but Moon considered it to be one of his favorite times of the day. When it was just a bit too early for most people to be up, but not late enough for no one else to be around. While it was rare to see others out at the time, they were busy enough or in enough of a rush to never bother them. It was the perfect balance for him.

The walk to the market wasn't exactly long, the apartment was only a half hour walk from it on most days. The two of them talked about what they wanted to eat for the week, the discussion ending with the conclusion of some sort of meat and rice for dinner each day.

Once they finally arrived, the two greeted the vendors they passed and one of them gave Moon a muffin, which he gladly shoved into his mouth. Ethan preferred to get all the dry foods first and anything perishable would be last. He really should have just bought a small cooler to bring the meats or milk back safely, but he insisted they didn’t need to waste the money. The water element slapped the fox’s hand when he tried to eat a handful of rice from the bag, earning a huff of annoyance from the smaller creature.

“I wasn’t even gonna eat it.” He grumbled.

“Yes you were, and I don’t wanna hear you complaining that your stomach hurts later.” Ethan said. “And as punishment, you get to hold the bag now.” He smirked, dumping the bag into the fox’s paws.

“Memenenem.” The fox mocked under his breath while rolling his eyes. The bag lifted from his paws and into the air as a soft black glow of magic surrounded the item.

“Oh hell no, you don’t get to use your magic for this one.” The water elemental snarled, grabbing the bag and shoving it against the fox’s chest.

“Why not? There’s no point in you teaching me to use my magic if I can’t actually use it!”

“You don’t need to practice that type of magic, you’re more than capable of using it appropriately. And just because you have a shit ton of magic doesn’t mean you can use it for absolutely everything. You need to have actual physical strength too; relying on magic for anything makes you just as weak as if you have no magic.” He lectured. He watched as the fox looked at the ground and clearly couldn’t think of a comeback. The older monster scoffed at him before he turned around and continued walking.

The fox was a handful. That was the simplest way Ethan could put it. He wasn’t particularly ruthless or aggressive, he was quiet and usually kept to himself. But when he got comfortable he gained an actual personality. He was cocky, greedy, and usually annoying. But he was a good kid underneath it all. One part of him wanted to know why the fox turned out the way he did. Sometimes he wondered what he’d done in a past life to deserve taking care of him. It could be worse; but it sure as hell wasn’t perfect either.

Moon had never opened up about what happened before Ethan found him sleeping on that park bench. He never said anything about his family, and making friends didn’t seem to be his strong suit. The most information he’d gotten about his past is that he’d been friends with a grey wolf, but it was clear friends wasn’t a good word to describe the two anymore.

But he was incredibly gifted when it came to magic, having learned just about any and each type there was. He wasn’t very good at most of them though, but he knew enough of each to be considered to “know” it. Shadow magic was his forte though, he even had his own shadow help around sometimes. The thing was a pain in the ass, but an extra pair of hands was always helpful.

Ethan couldn’t remember why he agreed to let the fox crash in his apartment, but he’d been living under his roof for about a year now. It just felt right. Like he needed to do it. When he’d thought about leaving him on that bench, he couldn’t shake off the guilt that he knew would come from it. And so, he offered to teach the fox how to use his magic, responsibly, in exchange for him helping him with whatever he needed done. Sure, the water element didn’t exactly have a job, but he was always working. A friend of his hired him for odd jobs and gigs wherever they were needed around the city. It wasn’t professionally, or a stable source of income, but it usually made rent.

It was good for the kid to learn how to do basic manual labor. Especially considering all of it was completely new to him. It made Ethan question what the hell his father was even doing when he was younger. Or maybe he never had one, that would explain a lot.

Childhood trauma that led to him never knowing how to do anything a father figure should have taught him. Maybe it would explain what the hell happened with the rest of his family. Had he even had one? Or had he just been sleeping on benches his whole life?

The thought made Ethan uncomfortable. He forced his mind off of the subject as he continued to lead himself and the fox through the market. It didn’t take very long for them to pick up all the dry food. They were making good time so far.

“Just wait out here, I’ll only be a moment.” He told the fox before entering the small tailor shop. Moon nodded as he watched the water elemental walk in and could see him start talking to the person at the counter through the shop's window.

He liked this block; most of the clothing stores had decided to make shop in the same block. It made it easier to find clothes or get something mended or altered. Most of the fox’s closet had come from thrift shops and the occasional dumpster dive, so he rarely bought anything new, but it was still nice to window shop.

His eyes glanced at the store across from the tailors— a women’s clothing store. He’d always been just a bit curious about it, just as he was with all other shops, but he’d never had a reason to go inside. For a moment he thought about her, wondering if she’d ever go in a place like that. 

The idea was quickly set on fire and thrown away. 

It wasn’t about the style of the clothes, feminine and masculine both suited her, but it was the price. He couldn’t even remember the last time she’d even paid for something. The closest thing he’d seen was her tipping a waitress because she thought she was cute. She'd rather be caught dead than actually pay for anything.

The mannequin in the window display wore a short black dress that rose up on one side more than the other. It was embedded with tiny rhinestones that spiraled up the side and had ruffled lace on the edges. A ribbon was neatly wrapped around the neck and tied into a bow, resembling a choker.

It was cute. 

It was normal, wasn’t it? Just because he was a guy didn’t mean he could find beauty in things. Really, it was stupid that some people couldn’t just look at things and know it was good.

This though, wasn’t normal.

Normal people didn’t get a weird feeling in their stomach when thinking about wearing clothes of the opposite gender. Normal people would probably mind it, but wouldn’t feel weird about it. Those the most comfortable and sure about their gender identity wouldn’t even care, because the clothes they wore didn’t affect their gender.

It was all just fabric. Wasn’t it?

… wasn’t it?

The fox felt nauseous the longer he thought about it. It’s not like it overtook him. It didn't affect him all day every day. He still felt like him.

But maybe she wouldn’t be so bad either.

The thought was interrupted by the chime of the bell on the shop's door. Out came a smiling Ethan who was still laughing with the cashier. His now mended jacket was thrown over his shoulder as his left hand held onto it.

“See ya soon Dian!” He said before the shop's door swung shut behind him. His gaze turned to the fox while his hands worked to fit the garnet back onto his body. He grinned at the fox for a moment before turning his head to the shop across the street and seeing the mannequin. 

“Nice dress, ain’t it?” He asked, already turning back and beginning to continue walking.

“Sure is.”

“Got a gal you’d want it for?” The question was genuine, just him making small talk. Any and every bit of information he could get to know about the fox eventually proved useful.

“Uh, no. Not really.” He mumbled, following behind the water element before catching up and walking by his side.

“Seriously? Not anyone?” He tilted his head to the side and chuckled. “No old hallway crush? No random celebrity I’ve never heard of? No childhood best friend?”

“Nope…” The more he thought about it the more pathetic he sounded to himself.

“Aww, cmon, there’s gotta be at least one girl you like.” 

“…”

“...Do ya…. even like girls?” Ethan asked, side-eyeing the fox. 

“Of course I do! I just… I don’t really see myself finding “the one” one day. Ya know?”  He shrugged while rolling his shoulders back and forcing out a laugh.

Don’t mess this up. Don’t mess this up. 

“I guess I do, I mean, not like I got a woman to go home to after all.” He barked out a laugh and elbowed the fox in the side. 

“What was up with that dress then? You ain’t some sort of crossdresser are ya?” He asked it in an almost joking way, still laughing to himself.  

“I mean… no… but…” Moon couldn’t bring himself to say anything, couldn't bring himself to deny or confirm it. 

He’d never cross dressed or anything before. Never really said anything about it even to himself. He was him, and he was more than fine with that. He was comfortable with it… just… wanted to… try on a dress… see what it was like to wear heels. Wondered what it’d be like to be seen as a she just a bit. 

“But what? You some kinda fag?” He didn’t sound mad, just… he wasn’t happy either. 

“I just… I don’t… I don’t know…” His voice sounded so weak, barely even audible. His paws tightened around the bag he held, his eyes staring down and begging not to look back at Ethan’s face. “... I never really think about it that much…” The lie tasted bitter on his tongue.

He didn’t like the silence that ran between the two of them. He could practically hear the gears shifting in the man’s head. It didn’t take a genius to put two and two together.

But Ethan didn’t say anything else, and he didn’t stop walking. So the fox didn’t stop following him.

He didn’t say anything to Moon for the rest of the day. Didn’t even knock on his door to train with him. But he still left a plate of reheated steak and rice from the night before on the kitchen counter for him.

It was neither hatred nor acceptance. But instead this weird, unpleasant middle ground between the two.

It made him nauseous. 

You know, he isn’t exactly much use to us anymore.

Seriously? The kid’s still learning! Just because he can handle his magic enough to stop him from killing enough doesn't mean that he’s ready!

I’ve already grown out of my stripes.

Just because he doesn't like one part of him doesn't mean he can’t still teach him good. Toriel made him useful, and the kid clearly still needs his guidance.

So you think it’s right to leave him alone, trapped with a man like that?

It doesn’t make him a terrible person… just, not a perfect one.

Of course, of course you always have to see the good in people. Can’t you ever just accept that sometimes people are bad? I would have thought that’d finally click in your head after you were killed by someone you thought was so perfect!

Don’t you DARE bring him into this! We all know that he was- 

You’re giving me a headache again. You’re supposed to all be helpful to me, and right now you’re just being a fucking nuisance.

…

He’s right. I think this should be his decision. Kid, if you want to leave, I think you should.

… I don’t know what I want anymore.

You’re not really supposed to.

I’m sorry.

You should… do what you think will make you happy.

We’re just suppose’ to help you, not control you.

Where am I supposed to go? I don’t have anyone else, that's the entire reason I came here.

…

I think… I might have an idea.

Do you know if it’s really yours?

Hit me.

You’re going to have to trust me on this.

But I think I know some people who can help you.

Moon never did see Ethan again. Maybe that was a good thing. The monster had served his purpose, the one he’s never known he was meant to serve from the day he was born. But he taught the fox well, and he gave him a warm place to rest. A safe place. And the God’s considered that to be enough for him to do.

Ethan.

Ethan.

Ethan and that stupid dress.

It was all because of just some dumb fabric and a nosy, young fox. He was too hormonal, only just outgrown his stripes.

A child.

He was still a child, wasn’t he?

A child with too much power to handle, and no way to live without guidance.

A child.

He was only a child.

He never did have what everyone else had. He had so much, so fucking much just handed to him years before his very conception.

But he never did have what he needed, did he?

Something so utterly simple, that it never did seem too important to the gods.

Because what creature needed a childhood when the fate of the multiverse would be forced upon them?

What child needed friends?

What child needed support?

What child would be selfish enough to want to be normal?

⚿

Sunshine leaked through the curtains and warmed the room. Plates from the night before were still scattered around the room alongside the occasional shirt. In the center of the bedroom, five figures laid together with their limbs intertwined in odd, likely uncomfortable ways. Yet they didn’t stir.

Moon had started to get rather annoyed with his recent dreams, he would consider them more of bad memories to be honest. Not nightmares, they weren’t like that. But he didn’t appreciate that he had been relieving his past. For a while he’d managed to block them out, barely even remembering they’d once been real.

But the sudden, violent reminder of them certainly wasn’t nothing. It was never just nothing. It had to mean something, maybe he just didn’t have all the pieces yet. 

It was always something.

His body tensed for a moment as he realized he was being held down by multiple different limbs, though he quickly relaxed once he registered that it was only Cross and Horror. The larger skeleton kept an arm underneath him and had his hand dug into the fox’s shoulder. The other had the front of his body pressed against Moon’s back with his skull nuzzled into the fur of his neck.

He groaned as he decided that squirming would do him no good. While it felt nice, he also still felt disgusting. His memory from the previous night, or maybe early morning, was too hazy to recall anything. But the sour taste in his mouth pointed to him throwing up at some point. He’d been doing that a lot lately.

Maybe his nerves had finally caught up to him from yesterday and his body decided it didn’t want to function the way it was supposed to. 

Ya, that’s probably what happened.

That's definitely why.

He nudged Horror’s shoulder, earning a soft groan from him before his eye sockets opened. He made a noise of confusion before he released the fox; not stopping him as he stumbled out of bed.

The fox grimaced slightly as he saw the garbage can that had been placed next to the bed. Nightmare had probably put it there after his first round of retching. Surprisingly enough, the prementioned guardian wasn’t in the room. Though by the vague lumps under the covers, everyone else still was.

Moon made his way into the bathroom and brushed his teeth. His fur was a mess and it would probably be a good idea to take a shower. He debated the idea for a moment before agreeing to it and turning on the shower. It only took about a minute for the water to heat up, in which the fox spent ridding himself of his disgusting clothes. He probably still smelled like puke. The thought alone made him shudder.

Behind the sound of running water, he could faintly hear someone talking on the other side of the wall. They said something and someone else responded. A bit of shuffling could be heard before one of them knocked on the bathroom door.

“Ya alright in there?” Horror asked, his voice a bit deeper than usual.

“I’m fine, just feel gross.”

“Ya need any help?”

The thought wasn’t a new one, he’d been unfortunate enough to need the others' help to bathe himself a few times before. But he was fine this time, not injured or on the verge of passing out like the previous times. 

Just tired.

“… actually, ya.” Gods he felt pathetic just thinking it, let alone actually saying it.

The other was quiet for a moment before he cleared his throat. “Want me t’ do it? Or would ya rather have someone else?”

"Doesn't matter.” Each of them had already done it at least once.

“Ok, can I come in?”

The fox made a sound of approval in response. His ear twitched as he heard the door handle turn and the skeleton shuffled into the bathroom. He heard him close the door behind him, it was better if only one person dealt with him anyway.

The skeleton's clothes were a bit of a mess, at least more than usual, but he seemed to be relatively awake. The fox was grateful for that, as he knew Killer would still be half asleep and falling over himself if he were the one in Horror’s position.

His eyelight glossed over the fox for a moment, registering that he’d already undressed. The fox didn’t look uncomfortable, he’d been seen like this before after all, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t shy about it. He watched as the skeleton pulled back the shower curtain and moved the stool that sat in the corner beneath the running water. He shrugged off his jacket and tossed it to the counter before turning back to Moon.

He didn’t say anything as he extended his hand. The fox merely placed his paw into his as he helped him into the shower.

He’d forgotten how nice this could be. Besides the humiliation of not being able to take care of his own basic hygiene, it was nice to have someone to do it for him. Horror was always good at it, compared to Killer at least. That’s not to say he couldn’t get the job done, but he would constantly tease the fox and talk too much. He’d stopped his antics after the fox had broken down crying that one time, but he still made it a bit too hard for the fox to genuinely enjoy it. He didn’t hold it against him, he just wasn’t good at that specific thing. That didn’t mean he wasn’t a great sparing mate and an amazing listener when the fox needed to get something off his chest. 

Everyone had their weaknesses, and it just happened to be that Killer’s was helping people bathe.

That sounds weird now.

Moon forced himself to pay attention to the feeling of the washcloth rubbing into his fur. He liked Horror, he made sure that Moon didn’t only look clean, but felt clean too. Once his fur was washed and riddled of whatever the hell had managed to get into it, he brushed out the knots. That was something that only Horror did; he said it made his fur nicer when it was brushed while showering, not just afterwards while it was drying. Moon could never tell if he was right or not, but he didn’t wish to argue with the one who was taking care of him.

Once the skeleton deemed him clean once more, he turned off the water and helped the fox out of the shower. Him and Horror used a hairdryer each to dry his fur. The noise very likely woke up the others that were still lounging on Nightmare's bed. It was probably time to get up anyway, the fox hadn’t yet been bothered to check. After everything that happened yesterday, all his energy had been drained from him. He hadn’t been bothered to listen to all the responsibilities and duties he’d now have as a member of the Council. Core!Frisk would likely be the one to tell him when to show up and what he needed to do. The anomaly would find a way to get the information to him. So for a very brief amount of time, the fox didn’t have anything to do.

The fox’s fur was eventually dry enough for him to wear clothes without being immensely uncomfortable. The skeleton lifted his shirt above his head before putting it onto the fox. “‘s clean.” He reassured as he grabbed his jacket from the counter and put it back on.

“I kinda need pants too.”

“… gimme a sec.” Horror mumbled, moving to leave the bathroom and stepping out. He could hear him say something to someone else and get a quick response in return. Then after a few moments he returned with a pair of black boxers. The fox recognized them as one of Nightmares from the tiny embroidered crescent moon on the waist band. The guardian had taken a liking to the brand, though it was unclear if it was for the quality or the logo. Probably both.

“Thanks.” The fox mumbled as he took the boxers from the skeleton and slipped into them. He found it funny how Horror looked away as he did this. Because staring at his naked body while helping him shower was super normal, but watching him change for five seconds would be weird, right?

The duo made their way out of the bathroom to find Dust, Killer, and Cross all still on the bed. Nightmare still hadn’t made an appearance. The trio were all sitting up and watching something on Killer’s phone. The said skeleton smirked as he saw the two emerge from the bathroom together.

“Did you guys-” “What time is it?” The fox cut Killer off.

“It’s… ten fourty-six. You were in there for a while.” Cross responded while squinting at the tiny numbers in the corner of Killer’s phone.

“I was gross.” He mumbled, making his way over to the bed and sitting down next to Cross.

“You threw up last night.” The fox glanced back at the trash can still sitting next to the bed.

“I know, sorry about that.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Cross rested his head on the fox’s shoulder. For a moment he wanted to kiss his neck but decided against it and simply nuzzled his nonexistent nose into his fur.

“Is Nightmare here?”

“I don’t think so, he left before you woke up and I haven’t heard anything from him.”

Moon hummed in response as he leaned backwards, with Cross following his lead and laying down beside him. The other two skeletons scooted closer to them on the bed and laid down as well. Killer held up his phone so they could all see the video playing on his phone.

“Is this Final Destination?”

“The fourth one.” Killer confirmed.

“… this sucks.”

“I know. I hate it.” :3

“I’m gonna get us all somethin’ to eat. Be… back later.” Horror said to the others before teleporting to the kitchen.

The four of them remained on the bed for a while, continuing to watch the movie on Killer’s phone screen. It would be extremely easy to just move to the living room to watch it on the tv, but none of them said the idea out loud. There was something so nice, so normal about being huddled together as they struggled to make out the characters on the small screen. Though thankfully Killer had put the volume on blast, so they could at least hear the dialogue to know enough of what was happening. It was endearing to hear Killer bitch and moan about how much he hated the film. He talked about how terrible the acting and CGI was for almost the entirety of the time they watched.

Horror eventually come back to the room, with Nightmare right beside him. Horror held two plates in his hands, his and the Killers. The guardian held the fox’s and his own in his hands, as his tendrils held Cross’s and Dust’s. 

He always did love to show off.

The fox glanced up at the two, smiling at them before pushing himself up once again. The movie continued to play on the small phone screen as everyone was handed their respective plates. The two other skeletons claimed their places on the bed once again and huddled tightly together with the rest of them. The guardian’s magic held the phone in the air so that Killer was allowed to eat with both his hands, though thankfully not literally. 

Forks scratched against ceramic plates every so often. And frequently, a grotesque scream could be heard from the phone. 

The fox didn’t question, didn’t pry at where the guardian had been. He instead leaned into his shoulder and snagged a piece of bacon from his plate. Nightmare didn’t mind; he’d grabbed extra for a reason.

And in that moment, he didn’t think about Ethan, or Swap, or Amber. 

He could only smile and allow himself to relax, to be safe. 

To be loved. In this weird, yet earnest way.

Because in what other life would this be allowed? 

This perfect, momentary bliss.

“You know he’s lookin’ for ya.” Horror mumbled as he side eyed the guardian. “‘m surprised you weren’t there… when he woke up.”

Nightmare didn’t speak, his eye kept its gaze on the bacon currently sizzling on the stove. The other skeleton continued to stare at him for a moment before turning back to cutting up fruit. The guardian had been in the kitchen when Horror had first entered, though he hadn’t spoken a word. But he’d agreed to help make the others breakfast. And he wasn’t a half bad cook.

He'd been awake when the fox got sick, but he hadn’t been the one to comfort him during it. Usually he was the first one at his beck and call to do everything possible to help him feel better. But he’d simply watched as Horror had rubbed circles on his back and eventually got him back into bed.

Jealousy wasn’t quite what he had felt, at least it wasn't enough for him to consider it. For as much as Nightmare prided himself in keeping himself stable, professional, he would be lying if he said he didn’t feel considerably more “mortal” emotions. But jealousy didn’t make sense, he was happy that the fox had found the others. He was glad when he saw them all smile and visibly relax around one another. And as much he usually detested positivity, he had grown accustomed to theirs. It didn't hurt; it didn’t burn like positively did when he was younger. He would never get any gratification from it, not the way he did from negativity, but he was content with it.

And that was the best he could ever feel about such emotions.

For a creature that had lived for hundreds of years, it was pitiful that he couldn’t understand his own emotions. Maybe there was no specific word to describe it. Maybe it was simply too complex for a single word to describe.

But he felt burdened to know that mortals got along so well together with others of their kind. Burdened to know that he had become soft and weak. Burdened to know that as time went on, he began to doubt himself more. Burned to know that after hundreds of years of planning in despair, he didn’t know if he wanted to go through with everything anymore.

“The bacon’s gonna burn if ya keep starin’ at it.” Horror’s voice cut through the guardian's mind as he looked back at the stove. The bacon was just almost perfectly cooked, but would begin to burn if left on the skillet. 

The guardian moved the pieces of bacon onto the plate covered with a few paper towels before covering it with a piece of aluminum foil to keep them warm. His magic picked up the rest of the uncooked bacon from its packages before placing the last batch onto the skillet. The sound of  sizzling meat filled the space between them once again.

“Do you think that this will work?” He suddenly asked, voice cutting through the lingering tension.

“The… oh.” The skeleton took a moment to realize what the guardian meant.

“Horror, I am not asking you as your boss, I am asking you as your partner.”

… 

His partner.

His partner.

“… I think that you’re more than aware of what ya want. I just think ya don’t know the best way to get it.”

“…”

“It’s cause of him, isn’t it?”

“I think he was the first to make me realize it, but it is not solely for him. It is for all of you.”

“… I think that we’re a little too deep into this to turn around and act like it never happened.”

“I am aware, that is why I asked you.”

“Do ya… wanna find a way out?”

“I do. I simply do not know how.”

“I think that’s gonna be a better question for Moon. He’s the one who’s been helping ya plan this… whole thing”

“I… I fear he will not like my decision.”

Horror set down the knife and wiped his hands on a towel. “Why not?” He tilted his skull to the side just a bit.

“He has spent so long helping me, and I have appreciated every moment of it. To tell him that everything he has put in, that we have put in, for it to mean nothing… I doubt he will take it well.”

“... I don’t think that he really wants this either. I mean you might be right, ‘s a shame to see everythin’ go to waste… but I don’t think any of us want what we used to.” Horror explained, his shoulders relaxing as he looked up at the guardian. For a moment Nightmare seemed to look through him; he had that look that he always did when he tried to reason out another person’s emotions or actions. 

Horror

Fight   Act   Item   Spare

Check   Argue   Help   

Horror

He means what he says.

“It is ironic, is it not? I spent centuries trying to work to get here, and yet I do not even want it anymore. Those hundreds of years spent sulking and planning managed to diminish within a measly few years.” He lowly chuckled, the noise quickly dying in his throat. He turned his head to the side, glancing at the clock mounted on the far wall. “Regardless, I am sure all of them are hungry. It would be rude not to feed them.” Nightmare quickly shifted the topic. He turned back to assembling plates together for everyone, making sure to put extra bacon on his plate for Moon to inevitably steal. Horror shrugged after a moment and followed the guardians lead. He didn’t seem mad or upset, which was good enough for him to continue working in relative silence. 

When the two finished up, they grabbed the plates they could before Nightmare teleported them back to his bedroom. The others were all grateful for the food, and soon they were all situated back into relatively comfortable spots together. The guardian softly smiled as the fox stole pieces of bacon from his plate. 

When plates inevitably began to empty, Nightmare and Horror took them back to the kitchen together. 

The small glance between the two was brief, but equally comforting and knowing.

Dust didn't exactly keep track of time well, but he assumed that a few hours had passed since he’d last properly moved—he didn't consider Killer pushing him every so often to count—and his phone was somewhere too far away on the floor for him to bother to reach it. The lack of a proper sun cycle had ruined everyone's circadian rhythm long ago, but it’s not like they really needed it at this point.

The skeleton grumbled under his breath as he pushed himself off of the bed and stumbled for a moment. He leaned his body against the wall to regain his balance before then shuffling towards the balcony. The clear sliding door clicked shut behind him as he rested his arms on the railing and dug out his lighter, alongside a half empty box of cigarettes from his jacket. After lighting his cigarette, he took a slow drag and let out a small breath of relief.

Glancing down, he could see the garden that surrounded the castle and the training grounds that were a small distance away from it all. The sky was darkened by clouds and an occasional stream of sunshine would break through amidst. For a few minutes he simply stood there, looking down at the castle grounds. He hadn’t found himself on the training grounds in a while now, though Nightmare already knew he hated the activity. He was fine at it, considered rather good compared to the others too. But it took up too much energy, and there wasn't exactly a point in it. They’d recently been going out and terrorizing AU’s of course, but he knew that wouldn’t go on for much longer. It’s not like physical fights ever broke out during them anyway.

Well besides that one time, but that was entirely Killer’s doing.

Regardless, physical strength wasn’t that important in his opinion. He had his magic and excelled at it, so training with it was more so a nuisance than anything else. Magic was a skill that was much harder to lose by simply not using it. People lost languages and skills over time, but magic could stay intact and practically entirely unaffected even without years of use.

Behind him, Dust could hear the door being reopened before quickly being slid back shut again. He wasn’t surprised to see Killer lean against the railing beside him and put the entirety of his body weight against him.

“You’re gonna break the railing.”

“Nu-uh.” Killer countered before digging his hand into the other’s pocket and pulling out another cigarette for himself. He expectantly held it in front of Dust before the other let out a defeated sign.

“You’re so annoying.” He complained as he was already pressing the end of his already light cigarette against the end of Killer’s. After a few moments the flame was shared between the two, to which Killer finally pulled back and turned his skull away for a moment.

“...you ever think about how lucky we are that this can’t hurt us?” Killer asked after a moment, turning back and tilting his skull down to the castle grounds.

“I guess,” Dust shrugged before taking another drag. “I think I still have an addition to it though.”

“I mean obviously, you smell like this shit all the time. But like, we only get the “good” effects of it. Humans have to deal with lung issues and the… dying n’ stuff.”

“Very poetic.”

“You know what I mean.” He waved his hand in the other's face before taking a small drag.

“If you’re trying to make a point, I’m not getting it.” Dust dropped his cigarette and stomped it out on the ground.

“I dunno. Just- trying to talk or somethin’...” He mumbled before quickly doing the same to his almost fully intact cigarette. 

“If you’re not going to actually talk about something then I’m going to go back inside.”

“I think that maybe you should… stop givin’ these to Moon.”

“I thought we were talking about humans here.”

“I was just referring to everyone that actually has lungs and a functioning body.”

“We have perfectly functioning bodies too.”

“Why are you being like this? I thought that I was supposed to be the annoying one here.” Killer laughed for a moment before the noise quickly died. “He can actually die from this and I don’t think that Nightmare would be exactly thrilled to learn he has some weird health issue or somethin' cause’ of it.”

“Killer, if you’re worried about him then you should tell him yourself. He’s a big boy, he doesn't need mommy's permission to smoke if he wants to.”

“I’m telling you this because I know that you’re the one that gives him them in the first place. I don’t care what he does on his own, but I know that you’re enabling him.”

“Me? I’m the one enabling him? I thought that was supposed to be your job. Because just yesterday, Horror told me about your and Moon’s little training practice. I think it’s fine if you want to point fingers, I know I deserve it, but it’s childish that you won’t accept some of the blame as well.”

“I- If I didn’t agree then I knew he was going to find what he was looking for somewhere else and then Nightmare would get upset and then he’d be angry so everyone else would get upset and it-” “And you don’t think that it's the same for me? You think that you’re the only one that has to worry about what we can and can't give him? I want to help him. Everyone knows that he doesn't have anything else outside of this castle, so I want to look after him. I wanna look after everyone here. But I’m also trying not to fucking parent him either. I’m not about to baby a fully grown man because I think it’s bad that he smokes a cigarette every once in a while.”

“I get that, but it’s- you can’t just, just let him!”

“And if I stop, are you going to?” Dust pushed himself off of the railing and turned to the other skeleton.

Killer didn’t speak.

“Or do the rules just not apply to you? Because if I do something wrong, it's my vault. But if you do something wrong, then 'Oh, it’s not my fault!' or 'I had no other choice!' Right?” He accused, his hand harshly gripping the now empty cigarette box in his pocket. 

“... just forget I brought it up.” The other mumbled. He wanted to hit something right now, and really anything would suffice. It was a wonder that his fingers didn’t manage to create marks in his arms as he crossed them in front of his chest. His face hurt from just how tight his smile was; it felt like the singular thread holding himself back from pushing Dust off of the balcony.

But he watched as Dust stood there, just as upset as him, before his shoulders slumped. His hands rested at his sides, unclenched and limp.

“‘m sorry.” Dust started, “I shouldn’t have yelled, that was shitty of me. I just think that… It's just annoying when you try to put all the blame on everyone else. I get that I deserve it, I know that I do. But I don’t want to make a promise if I don’t think you’re going to hold up your side."

"But I trust you… maybe more than I should."

"So, if you agree not to help him self-destruct, then I won't either. And when he wants to, we’ll figure out a different way to help him, together.” Dust explained, his eyelights glossing over the other. He watched as his body slowly relaxed and let out a sigh of what seemed like defeat. He could see the frustration within him, yet he contained it. It didn’t disappear, but it diluted just a bit, just enough to not break him.

“... you promise?"

“I promise." He reassured, his voice firm and his stance unwavering. He watched as Killer stared at him, practically seeing through him for a while until he seemed to give up. The other groaned into his hands before practically throwing himself into Dust’s arms and pulling both of them down with his weight.

“I hate you.” His hands grabbed onto the back of the other’s jacket as he sunk to his knees.

“I know, I hate you too.” Dust chuckled, slowly sinking down to the floor as well. He felt stupid. He was giggling like some dumb teenager with Killer on the floor, how could he not feel stupid? But even with that embarrassment, he didn’t force himself up. He didn’t care if he looked stupid. He was in a once abandoned and broken AU with only five other people. 

If he wasn’t comfortable here, if he wasn't able to be vulnerable here, then he wouldn't be able to be anywhere else.

But he was alright with that.

The fox wrapped an arm around Cross as he buried his snout into the other's shoulder. The skeleton held Killer’s phone in his right hand and the fox with the other. They could both hear Killer and Dusts’ muffled talking, and occasionally yelling, on the balcony. Though neither of them could be bothered to look at them. 

The fox had been in and out of sleep over the past few hours. Nightmare was clearly unhappy about it, but he knew Moon would refuse going to see Sci because of the little “bug” he likely had. 

Drugging him to get a check up would probably work.

But… no, that might be overkill.

Moon was well enough to walk for short periods of time, and he was keeping most of his food down. He seemed rather content watching medical dramas’ with Cross. His tail lightly tapped against the bed as he laid onto the skeleton and breathed in his scent.

“... wilson."

“Wilson?”

“Wilson.” The fox comfirmed.

The skeleton weakly smiled at him before slowly moving away. Moon’s eye slowly blinked up at him as he watched him stand, but they quickly darted back down to the screen of Cross’s phone. He could faintly hear as the skeleton walked across the room, but he didn’t pay much attention to it.

He watched as Wilson continued to lecture House, as if he would ever change. Nothing would ever make him stop being House. He argued back, defending and deflecting as usual. But then he stopped, and that same sound that always played when House realized what was wrong with the patient played. 

And Wilson watched, both disappointed and proud, as he watched House limped out of his office to go tell his team.

“Nightmare, he’s sick. I know you don’t want to upset him, but he needs you right now. There's only so much I can do to help. He’s- It’s your- you need to-”

“I understand your concerns, and unfortunately I agree. He is… quite ill. But I fear that moving him too much would harm him.”

“Then we- can’t we get Sci? If we can’t- If we can’t take him there can we at least bring someone else here?”

“I have already considered it. And while I believe Sci would keep his secrecy, I still do not want to risk word getting out about Moon’s… inhabitants. He has only just been accepted and if information that could break the trust given to him is to be revealed…. I- I simply do not want him to be affected by that.” Nightmare explained, his eyelight glancing over at the fox’s figure covered under a stack of sheets and blankets.

“If you- if this has anything to do with your plan then I-” “It does not.” The guardian quickly said, placing both of his hands onto the soldier's shoulders.

“I have been… having many conflicting feelings about the plan. But I know that nothing apart from it will harm any of you, inducing him. I do not wish for the Council to know about his affiliations with us for the sake of the plan, but for his. He… has simply gone through too much to let such pain and distrust be pushed back onto him.”

“But I can’t just sit here and do nothing. There has to be a way we can help him without- without compromising his well-being.” Cross begged. His hands trembled and a couple of lilac colored tears had leaked from his eyesockets.

“... I think I know who can help.”

“I do apologize for bringing you so suddenly, but I am afraid anything I have attempted to suggest has fallen on deaf ears.” Nightmare explained. His tendrils had retracted into his being and he seemed a lot smaller than the last time Amber had seen him.

“Oh- you don’t have to apologize. I know how he gets it.” She rolled back her shoulders and began walking across the castle's marble flooring. She had spent her fair share of time within the castle, though most of her visits were quite brief. This time would most likely be the same as all the ones before.

The wolf glanced to her right, where the guardian walked beside her. Just a foot behind her. 

“Has he eaten anything today?”

“Horror and I prepared everyone breakfast, he ate some eggs and stole some bacon but not much else.”

“Good… how sick is he?” She asked.

“After his trial he was… unconscious on the floor for quite some time. We moved him upstairs and he ate a bit, but he threw up last night. Thankfully, he has been able to keep down his food so far today. Though he is delirious and is having difficulty staying conscious.”

“So, pretty sick?”

“Yes.”

“I figured.” She brows furrowed for a moment as she looked up at the wooden doors in front of her. 

Hesitantly, she pushed the right door open and made her way past them. Her eyes glazed over the sight of the others scattered throughout the room. In the middle of the room, she saw the fox curled into a ball within a small pile of blankets. The others stiffened before slowly moving away to give way for her. The fox groaned, curling into himself and covering his face with whatever was closest in his reach.

“Moon.” She spoke. “Are you… alright?” She allowed herself to sit onto the edge of the bed.

He mumbled something she couldn't quite hear.

“Moon, you’re sick. Do you know that?” She moved closer, resting a paw onto the fox’s forehead.

“... yes.” He was burning.

The wolf let out a defeated sigh as her paws moved to pull away the blankets. The fox groaned and shivered at the coldness of the rest of the room, yet he didn't even have the strength to reach out for them again.

“You need to get up. You can’t get better if you just lie here all day.”

“... it’s cold.”

“I know, but you need to get up.”

“...I don’t… wanna.”

“You’re being childish, you know that? You made Nightmare drag me away from my life to take care of you. And as much as I hate you for that,” She paused, looking down at the fox’s glossy eyes. “I still care about you. I… I have to take care of you, Moon. But I can’t do that if you won’t let me. I know it’s hard, and that’s okay. But I need you to get up. Can you do that for me?”

The fox shivered, his breathing shallow as he felt Amber’s warmth around him.  He couldn’t force himself away. He let her wrap her arms around him and slowly pick him up.

“I know you like it here with them, but we’re gonna go outside for a bit, alright?”

“...okay.”

Amber had always been strong, she’d been the only one able to keep up with Moon in terms of his magic when they were young. But one day she simply couldn’t get any better at magic, so she turned to physical strength instead. It gave her a reason to do things as hard as she could without getting into trouble. She knew she was strong, stronger than most people at least. But holding the fox felt like nothing.

There was nothing else left in him.

She could probably break his arm, it wouldn't even be that hard. 

Or she could start with his legs first.

Maybe fracture his spine. 

She could paralyze him. 

She could kill him.

But she wouldn't, of course she wouldn't. She would never be strong enough to. 

The wolf gently carried Moon out of the room, giving Nightmare a small nod as she passed by. She could hear the worried mumbling of the others around her but forced herself to not pay any mind to them. It would be best for Moon to take a break from his usual routine. He needed the change to help him regain himself.

She glanced back towards the windows that lined the hallways. It was nice out. Admittedly, the garden wasn’t always well taken care of. Horror did pride himself on it, alongside his cooking, but even he had rough days. The last time the wolf had visited the outsides had been in… less than optimal condition. 

It wasn’t like she could judge them though, she wasn’t exactly doing much else with her life other than occasionally budding into Moon’s. Jasmine had tried her best to get Amber into some hobbies, but nothing seemed to stick. Even when she thought she had finally found something, anything to keep her continent, she got bored. She couldn't rely on Jasmine to be with her day and night, she had a life outside of her. She wasn’t asking to be happy or esthetic, just content. Just something to fill in the months between her making sure the mission ran smoothly.

But Moon, he was allowed the pleasure. He was allowed things to do and had people to keep him busy. He was allowed to be content and happy. 

But it would be so, so silly for  Toriel to spend even a moment more thinking about Amber.

She only had one purpose. Nothing else was given to her other than what she “needed.”

“I’m sorry.” The fox’s voice suddenly broke the silence between the two animals.

“I know, but it’s not your fault. I was created for a purpose, the least I could do is make sure I follow along.” Amber explained.

“You shouldn't- shouldn’t have to do this. It’s not fair that you have to- that you have to take care of me. The others should just… they should be taking care of me. You should be able to live and… do stuff for just you.”

“As much as I would like that life, the others weren’t created for you. You were created for them, meaning you can be just as pathetic as you want as long as I still exist.” The wolf stopped as she approached the door leading to the garden. Carefully, she pressed her weight into the door until it creaked open with ease.

The fox winced at the noise of metal scrapping but didn’t actively complain. They really needed to fix that door someday. Moon glanced around at the garden, not paying much mind to any one aspect as he was brought to a table. Amber gently set him down into his usual chair before she grabbed the other and scooted it closer to him. Once seated, she reached into her bag and pulled out a small vial. The vial was set down before a needle syringe was also brought out.

“I made a quick stop at Sci’s before coming here. Nightmare said it wouldn’t be necessary, but I beg to differ.” She inserted the needle into the vial and extracted about half of its contents. “But this should help you… not die.” She looked up at him, waiting for him to do his part.

Moon seemed to grimace at the sight before reluctantly allowing her his soul. The white, upside-down heart flickered for a moment and flashed different colors. A few spurs of lilac and blue overtook the soul before they shifted into a rough orange and harsh red. It was disgusting really, the sight alone made the fox cringe. 

Could you blame him? It was everything a soul such as his shouldn't be. It was barely even of his own anymore, and the colors were far from the stark white a monster soul was meant to be. Considering almost all of the souls didn’t once belong to humans, the mix hues didn’t exactly make sense. But Toriel had decided to allow it, saying it was the colors of their magic. Moon knew it was likely because she thought it looked nice, and forced it upon him to forever keep.

He watched as the wolf carefully took his soul and only grazed over it with her paws. Slowly, she injected the needle's contents into his soul. One part of her wanted to feel guilt, maybe remorse for forcing him through something she knew was so uncomfortable. But she didn’t. And she didn’t feel bad about it.

The soul was a delicate thing, for both humans and monsters—and just about everything else in between. For humans, their souls were revealed in combat due to the power they held. And in monster’s, as they were creatures with terribly weak souls, they were a more intimate matter.

As for a monster to show another their soul is to expose and full-heartedly trust another being with their life. And even if not meant for any intimate matter, to show one in a platonic manner is considered one of the highest levels of friendship to most.

-Moon I. Vulxen. 

As Amber pulled away from the fox, she watched as his soul merged back into his chest. He held a paw against his mouth as he curled into himself. A warm, almost numbing feeling flooded his body and pained his nerves just as equally as it healed him. He could hear as the other souls protested against the decision and their arguing seemed to tear into his soul far deeper than it often did. 

He couldn’t see, couldn't feel, couldn't even hear anything else around him. He felt the souls claw from the inside of his soul and burn his body as best as they could. A high pitched ringing shot through his skull and he wished he could anything, even if it was the warmth of blood trickling out of his ears. But of course he didn’t. Everything was far too bright, bordering the pure emptiness that was the antivoid. 

The only thing that brought him back was the sudden feeling in his throat as he threw up the breakfast he’d eaten only hours earlier. He coughed and gagged as he hurled onto the nearest patch of grass. He dry-heaved and trembled while Amber slowly rubbed curled on his back and squatted down to his height.

He could feel the way she smiled down at him, both in pity and pure satisfaction.

“I forgot- how much I hated that.” The fox slurred in between disgusting breaths of air.

“I know, but you’ll be perfectly fine in a couple of hours.” She dismissed before picking him back up and setting him back into his seat. The vial and needle were placed into a plastic bag before she shoved them back into her bag.

Both of them were well aware of the process. It would make him worse before returning him to better than before. The liquid magic would do its job to solidify his soul for a while, hopefully enough to make him stable again, before it would fade away. Though by that time, he hopefully couldn't be consistently puking.

Amber watched as the fox shivered in his seat and wrapped his arms around his torso. It was torture for him, is always was. He was given back the magic that was taken from his soul after all his years of missing it. It would always be overwhelming for him, but it would stop him from being a complete mess for a while.

“When Dream asks you where you’ve been since your trial, tell him you were helping out a  friend. I’m sure he’ll be curious, and if he thinks you were helping someone in need then I doubt any suspicion will be raised. Got it?”

Moon could only weakly nod.

The wolf glanced up at the looming castle for a moment, her eyes scanning over the ivy covered walls before landing on a balcony. She could see Nightmare staring down at the two of them. He pretended to be threatening as he usually pretended to be around others. Amber never did form any relationship with the bad Sanses, she didn’t need to. And as much as she knew Nightmare trusted her, he would rarely pretend to be kind around her. To seek out her help was an exception. The focus of that was on Moon after all. And he was always the exception. The guardian knew when and how to be kind to those he needed help from, because he couldn't possibly handle his perfect little fox getting sick.

Nightmares could only help so much with Moon’s condition. No one else could really help him, his sickness wasn't something that could be cured with medicine and rest. It wasn't even really a sickness. Though injecting liquid magic into a soul wasn't a science by any means, the mere practice wasn't exactly legal in most universes. It was immensely unethical to most, as doing it to a normal soul could either allow great power or destroy a soul. The concerning number of deaths the practice led to caused it to be illegal, or at least highly frowned upon just about anywhere.

 Sci didn’t care for ethics, he never did. But he considered himself to be above such “violent” actions. 

Bullshit

Nonetheless, it left Amber to be the only one willing to do it. She knew the others would hate her if they knew the pain she was inflicting onto him, pretending it was good for him. 

The wolf watched as the guardian’s figure began to melt and quickly disappear from the balcony. She looked back down at the fox who had managed to stop his dry-heaving. His body still trembled, but he seemed more put together. He would go back to his usual arrogant and self loathing self in no time. He would be normal again. 

He glanced up at the castle for a moment before leaning forward and resting his arms onto the table. His ears twitched and lowered themselves.

“... do... do you think it’s real?” He quietly asked.

“You’re future?”

“No, I mean- I guess. But not that.” The fox shook his head. “I mean, them. Do they… actually like me?”

“Why wouldn’t they? They were all over you when I got here.”

“I don’t know if it's really them or not.”

“... I guess that’s something Toriel would probably do.”

“I just- I’d feel bad knowing that they’re being forced to like me. I want to know, and I want them to know too…”

“But if you’re right, then that destroys everything?”

“Amber, I like them. I want to know if it’s real or if… Toriel just forced them to as some sort of apology to me.”

“I doubt that Toriel would ever be that kind to you.”

“It happened so suddenly, I didn’t really question it when it happened. I was kind of just happy we all stopped trying to kill each other all the time. I’ve always had my doubts, but it feels so wrong to stay with them if it’s not really them. I don’t want them to live like that. I want them to be whatever they were originally meant to be. I want them to love whoever they were originally meant to love.” He looked at her with such a look of conflict. 

Of course he wanted to stay, he would be stupid not to. 

She knew he could never say the words out loud, couldn't even think about the thought for too long. But she could see how much he wanted to leave. It wasn’t like seven years ago, when he’d leave to avoid getting hurt. When he’d run to her and cry with his tail tucked between his legs. 

He wanted to leave for them this time.

He wasn’t stupid, despite how arrogant he often was. He knew what he could and couldn't do. They both knew how risky the idea was. If Toriel were to figure it out, she’d surely punish him further. But Amber knew Moon wasn’t thinking right. She didn’t want to stop him, because one part of her stupidly chose to believe that maybe it would work.

If it worked, and he managed to become normal, average monster again, then she would be free. She would be able to live for once. She could do something meaningful and fulfilling. And one part of her knew it was a delusion to want it.

 But Amber always had to put up a fight.

“I think you should stay, keep yourself comfortable here.”

Her ears lowered softly.

“If you really need a breather or a place to think then just head over to the Stars for a while.”

She couldn’t risk being blamed for his misdoing.

“And if you need anything.”

She moved to get up.

“Just know I’m always there for you.” 

Reaching back into her bag, the wolf pulled out a silver key with rust around the engraved details. She didn’t say anything else as she left through the portal it summoned. But she looked at Moon, begging he would understand. 

And she was right, he wasn’t stupid. 

But he was desperate. 

Chapter Text

The smell of cigarette smoke and mold enveloped the entire room. No one else besides Dust had stepped foot into his room for months; he planned to keep it that way. All the other versions of him were nothing but annoying and quite honestly a disgrace in his eyes.

Too oppressive.

Too freaky.

Too offputting. 

Too skittish.

Too... earnest.

He preferred to stay locked in his room as much as possible in hopes of avoiding any of them. Usually it worked, everyone left him alone and kept their head down. 

Being in a castle that none of them understood wasn’t exactly fun to explore. So everyone stayed in their own general areas to avoid getting lost. Even if they did get lost, The Boss would probably just get a kick out of their fear.

Fuck, he hated that guy. He was always looking at all of them weird. He was either glaring at them from the corner of the room or practically breathing down their spines. 

Of course he was uncomfortable around the freak, who the hell wouldn't be?

Oh, and his fucking tentacles. He felt nauseous just thinking about them.

“Dust, come here.” The Boss left no room for questioning. 

“Do you know why I put you in charge today?” He slowly asked, his tendrils slowly extending from his back.

It wasn’t a question.

“I believed you could do good for me. But perhaps,” They ran up his legs, teasing his joints and making him tense. “I put too much faith in you today.”

It was slow. Nightmare wasn’t one to rush things unless necessary. 

“I sent you to do something so simple, and yet you seemed to struggle quite harshly with it.” The sharp cold wrapped itself around his hands, squeezing his fingers together.

“I ask you for one human. One single human to bring back to me.” It crept its way into the space between his radius and ulna before firmly pressing against the sides. “And correct me if I am wrong, but I see no human here.”

He paused for just a moment, his hands reaching out to grasp the weaker skeleton’s face. 

“Do you know what I do to those who cannot follow simple orders?” The Boss asked, leaning in closer. He watched as his mouth opened without any sound coming out.

“ANSWER ME!”

“I don’t- I- punish. You- you punish them.” He stammered, his eyelights darting to look anywhere but in front of him.

The Boss’s grip on his face loosened, his thumb moving to gently caress his cheekbone. “There we go. I always knew you would be a good addition. I believe that you simply… need some readjustments made.” 

He smiled at Dust as he tore apart his arm. His tendrils crushed the bone and flung him to the floor. They practically quaked from excitement as the guardian watched him writhe on the floor. His body convulsed as his still attached hand grasped at the broken bone. He dryheaved as he looked at his detached arm laid on the floor. 

The Boss only smiled at him, softly chuckling under his breath. 

“Truly, this is the best case scenario for us both. You get to learn a very important lesson, and I get what I wanted from that human.” He kneeled down to the crying skeletons level. “So when I send you out tomorrow to finish the task I gave you today, you will do as you are told. And every time you fail to bring me what I want when I ask it of you, you shall be the one I get what I need from.” He tilted Dust’s chin in to look at him. “Do you understand?”

The skeleton nodded as best as he could.

“Do. You. Understand?”

“Yes! Yes- I- I understand.” He choked out. His legs pushed against the floor as he tried to move as far away as possible.

“Good.” The Boss smiled once again. He stood back up to his height as one of his tentacles wrapped itself around the severed arm. The broken limb was brought into his hand as he examined the bone. It was already littered with scrapes and indents over its rough surface. He couldn't care enough to ask which ones were from battle and which from his own doing. 

“To ensure you do well tomorrow, I shall be keeping this with me until you deliver me a human. I believe the rest of you should be more than adequate enough.” 

The memory made him tense. He grimaced as he glanced back down at his arm. Slowly, he ran the tips of his fingers over the scar left across his radius and ulna. He flexed his right hand for a moment, shuddering as he could remember when he’d tried to do it before, but couldn’t. 

A dull pain pulled at his torso and caused him to fold both his arms across his nonexistent stomach. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d stepped into the kitchen, let alone ate a proper meal. The offputing one was in there almost every hour of the day. He’d caught him sleeping in there on more than one occasion. The guy had a room, it was the first thing all of them had been guaranteed to join. But he was always either in the kitchen or the garden. It made him reek quite honestly.

It’s not like you’re any better. 

He bit down on the palm of his hand until it bled.

Begrudgingly, he pushed himself off of the mattress and shuffled across his room. He kicked away the food wrappers and cigarette butts before resting his skull against the door. He cracked the door open and peered around the corner in both directions. The only thing he could hear was his own slow breathing. 

The castle was nice, Dust would admit that at the very least; marble flooring, expensive furniture, pristinely cleaned windows, the whole deal. The training room had been a nice discovery a few days ago, but he would rather kill himself than willingly “spar” with any of the other freaks. It was essentially a death sentence, but even that was being too generous about it. The Boss would probably keep them alive rather than let them dust.

He made his way through the hallways until he spotted the kitchen out of the corner of his eyelight. He tugged on the edge of his hood just a bit tighter as he made his way to the cased opening. For once, it was actually empty. He felt like he was trespassing as he made his way into the kitchen and opened the fridge. He shivered as the cold air hit him but he was more focused on the fact it was filled to the brim with food. It was made apparently clear that The Boss had little concept of food, but instead of just leaving them whatever he could find, he threw in essentially everything possible.

It was almost… considerate.

The skeleton couldn’t care less about that though, he was hungry. He looked through the shelves and pushed past everything until his hands found a somewhat small cardboard box towards the back. Pulling it out, he looked down at the microwavable meal labeled “Hot n’ Ready Always Fresh No(t many) Preservatives No Artificial Food Dyes No Human Products Golden Meals Shrimp Alfredo Pasta.”

He didn’t have the energy to question where in the multiverse The Boss had managed to find it. But food was food, and he didn't know how to cook anything without burning at least half of it, so it would have to do.

He rearranged everything he’d pushed out of its original spot and silently prayed that he wouldn’t get into trouble for taking the meal. The fridge door was shut before he moved towards the microwave and glanced back down at the box he held. He glimpsed over the instructions on the back as he opened the box and took out the plastic plate. A small plastic fork came alongside the packaging and clattered onto the counter top as he pushed the box to the side. He shoved the meal into the microwave and his fingers hovered over the buttons before pushing them. 

A highpitched ring came from it before a low hum followed and remained.

Through the foggy see-through door, he watched as it spun in circles. His hand gripped around the plastic fork that came with it as he lightly bit on the ends of the prongs. Eventually, the humming stopped and another highpitched ring was heard before stopping as well. Reaching into the warm microwave, he grasped his free hand around the edge of the warm plastic plate. The cling film was covered with droplets of water from the inside.

“... hey.” He flinched hard as he turned his head to the doorway and saw the offputting skeleton standing there. His jacket, though surprisingly thick compared to most Sans variants, was still riddled with holes and the fur on the hood had a few chunks taken out of it. And before either of them could properly form a response, Dust found himself back in his room.

The smell of cigarette smoke filled his senses again as he started down at the floor littered with garbage. His hands gripped the still warm plate just a bit tighter as he brought it closer to his chest. He shuffled back to the mattress in the corner of the room before sitting himself down on it. The cling film was slowly taken off from the plate before being thrown onto the floor beside the mattress.

Slowly, he stabbed his fork into the pasta and took a bite.

“...I-” He stopped himself off as he watched the smaller skeleton disappear from the kitchen. The room stood still for a few moments before Horror made his way to the spot the other had been standing. Glancing down, his eyelights landed on an empty and open box. 

“Hot n’ Ready … Food Dyes No … Meal Shrimp … Pasta.” The words were too small to make them all out, but he squinted as best as he could to see a few of them.

With a surprising amount of consideration, his fingers slid underneath the edges of the box and pulled the cardboard apart from itself. He unfolded the box until it was the original sheet of cardboard it had been originally made as. The cardboard was tucked underneath his arm as he made his way out of the kitchen and down the hall. His fingers brushed against the doors he passed, most of them were unscathed. But eventually he felt a familiar indent, and he knew he was where he wanted to be.

He opened the door and flicked on the light switch. A low hum filled the air as he stepped inside. The two metal machines that sat in the corner still sat as untouched as the first day he had seen them. In the opposite corner sat a few boxes filled with a different mix of garbage and recyclable materials.

For a few moments he blankly stared at the small pile of unfolded cardboard boxes. Then, he shifted and felt the once cardboard box he held underneath his arm. It was placed alongside the other of its kind before he turned and left.

He liked the castle. It was far larger than any of them needed it to be. But it meant he didn’t have to really talk to any of the others if he stayed in the same spot most of the time. He didn’t mind them all that much, they seemed to respect him to some extent. Maybe… maybe respect wasn't quite a good word to describe their glances. But they weren't rude, never to his face at least. Whatever judgment they felt towards him they never had the courage to say to his face. And in return, he did the same. He kept his mouth shut and did what he was told.

They’d all seen what would happen when they were to disobey. 

At least for the hooded one, his punishment had been less than pleasant. Horror hadn’t known what they had done to upset The Boss so much, but he never did have the chance to ask after the incident occurred. He knew it wasn’t his fault, and some small part of him wanted to help him. But he knew he wouldn't be able to help, he couldn't do anything that could help them. He was good at what The Boss told him to do, he was good at hitting hard. But once his job was done he was left empty and equally restless as exhausted.

He hadn’t disobeyed yet. He’d tried his very best to do well since the moment he got there. The Boss seemed to like him for that. He didn’t smile at him, didn't pat him on the back and tell him he did a good job. He didn't do any of the things that friends did when friends did each other favors.

He knew they weren't friends. It was stupid for him to even wonder if they could be. 

But The Boss had looked at him, and he hadn’t scowled or frowned or glared or done any of those unpleasant faces at him. So he had to have been doing something right.

“Horror, so far, you are one of my best.” He explained, “Do you know what that means?”

His mind couldn't form words that could fit together. But unlike when Dust had failed to speak, The Boss didn't yelled at him. Instead, he looked down at him and gave him this look of pity.

“That means that you still get to eat. You like to eat, do you not?” He asked, his head tilting and his eyes narrowing down at him. “So when you fail to do what I tell you to, you will not get to eat. Alright?”

He talked at him like he was a pathetic child.

The Boss was nice. He only hurt them when they hurt him.

Horror missed his brother. He missed his old mattress. He missed the snow. 

But he needed to eat, and he knew Papyrus did too. So he would stay for however long he needed to. If it meant his brother would get to eat, then he'd endure any punishment.

One of his hands reached up and glazed over the gaping hole in his skull. The tips of his fingers ran over the dulled edges before scratching at a section for a moment. The pain never did stop, but it lingered and festered until it became a part of him he could never cut out. 

He hadn’t taken his medicine yet.

Some other version of him had given it to him, but he didn’t live in the castle like the others. He lived in an immensely disorganized lab and had glasses tapped to the sides of his skull. Sky? No, no that wasn't right. Cal? No. It was something similar, maybe. But the medicine had helped, it made the pain manageable and let him hold a conversation.

The Boss kept his medicine in his office. Even though he had an entire castle to use to store stuff, he kept just about everything in his office. Most of the others had some sort of medicine too. He’d almost talked to one of them, the short one with the scar, when he’d needed to get his dose. But after they’d gotten their pills they practically ran out of the office.

He looked up at the wooden doors. He couldn’t hear anything from the other side. For a while he couldn't find it in himself to push himself through them. He didn’t know if The Boss was busy. Disturbing him if he was in the wrong mood would probably lead to a punishment, he’d seen it happen before. Everything set him off. But that didn’t mean that Horror was in any less pain. So carefully, he pressed his hand against the door and looked inside. 

To the right of the room there were a few couches and chairs circled around an unlit fireplace. The skeleton with the scar sat on one of the couches and across from them, the one with hate dripping out of their eyes sat. 

“It's not my fault you were pathetic the entire time! I was being nice! I gave you the opportunity to get them, they were right there!”

“I know- it my- my fault but I didn’t- I meant to- I was going to- I was- I- I was-” They blabbered on in between broken sobs. 

Neither of them seemed to notice Horror's arrival. The Boss, on the other hand, turned his head and rose to his feet at the skeletons entrance. He walked closer to where Horror stood, but he stopped and waited for the other to come forward.

He felt small in the setting.  His eyelight glanced at the others and he watched as the smaller skeleton put their skull in their hands and shook. Nightmare looked back and smiled at the scene.

“... I will assume you came here for these.” He eventually said, his hand extending forward and revealing two circular white pills. The other nodded at him and hesitantly reached out his hands, asking for them. He heard The Boss chuckle, the sound low and shallow, as he dropped the pills into the skeletons cupped hands. Horror didn’t waste any time before throwing them into his mouth and tilting his head back.

The Boss watched the action and saw the skeleton's expression shift after a moment. It became harsher, more present. He could taste his annoyance already beginning to fester at the commotion not too far away from them. Unfortunately, he wouldn't get the agony that came from the pain, but he liked to switch it up every so often. He couldn't spend the rest of his existence only consuming misery from simple pain. Vexation was certainly a guilty pleasure of his. It was something that didn’t strike as suddenly as fear or panic, but rather it built up until it boiled over and melding everything else into wrath.

“...thank you.” The Boss's smirk faltered for a moment as he heard the words. 

“Of course! I cannot allow one of my best to go on in such… distasteful emotions.” He explained, his arm wrapping around Horror’s back and giving his arm a painful reassuring squeeze. The small bit of happiness that his words induced were enough to force him away and instead focus his attention back on to the bickering duo.

“I did everything I could to make sure that we could get them! It would have been better if I had just been sent on my own, at least then I wouldn't have you messing shit up for me.”

“It’s not my fault Killer- you shou-” “OF COURSE it’s your fault! You were the one that was too weak to take the fucking human! And now, because of your damn mistake, I’m going to be punished as well. The next time I see you I’m going to rip out one of your legs. Is that what it takes for you to finally understand how to listen? Because I would have just an absolute field day getting to see yo-” “Killer, I believe that is more than enough from you.” 

The skeleton's hate had started to dip onto the carpet below. The Boss grimaced at the sight and watched as Killer seemed to have the same realization. For a moment he almost looked embarrassed, ashamed really, but it was quickly released with a look of frustration. The Boss could feel the others' rage, and unfortunately for all of them, he wasn’t able to keep it in.

Cross hadn’t seen it happen, but he’d heard it. First had been the slap, then came the crack and shattering of Killer’s chest. When he’d managed to look up at the scene, all he could see was a bright red soul that The Boss held so tightly, he thought it would dust right there. He hadn't had the courage to look at Killer as he laid on the floor and rambled on words that didn't make sense. 

He hated the castle, he hated it so much. Nobody liked him. He was never able to be good enough for anything he was assigned to do.

Killer didn’t like him.

Dust didn’t like him.

Nightmare would only pretend to show him kindness and pity. 

He didn’t even like himself anymore.

He hated being in that white void for so long, but this was so much worse.

He wished he could just go back. Because even if it would have driven him insane, he would at least know that death would eventually arrive. But he wasn't allowed to die here. No one was allowed to die here. 

He couldn't do anything. Couldn’t help in any way. He couldn’t even speak.

Some damn soldier. 

He’d heard The Boss speak to him, he sounded upset, but he couldn’t make out any of the syllables. He was merely pushed out of the office and thrown into the hallway. His back pressed up against the cold wall and he glanced out of one of the windows.

He always did think the garden was interesting, but he was never good at keeping anything alive. His own fear kept him from doing anything further than looking at it from a distance.

The walk back to his room was long, it was more of a pathetic crawl than anything else. But he eventually managed to lock himself in his room and away from everything else. He curled himself under  the blankets he'd managed to steal and covered his entire body underneath its warmth.

One day, he was going to make The Boss proud.

He’d become the best one there.

He’d become a good soldier and do what he was told when he was told to do it. And everyone else would look at him and smile and laugh and see him as an equal. And he would get to be happy. And maybe Nightmare wouldn’t hurt any of them anymore. Maybe he would just talk to them and understand. And he would reward them when they did good. And they would get to have nice conversations and garden and eat meals together like friends did.

And one day he would get to be happy and nothing would hurt anymore and they would all like him and he would do a good job.

One day.

One day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day one day

⚘

The Boss didn’t like it when they left, even when he told them that it was necessary. Horror could tell, it was that look that he gave them right before allowing them to leave on whatever mission he had created for them that spoke more than he would ever admit to. Ignoring the objective of the mission, which usually included capturing a human, it was nice to get out of the castle for a bit. Thankfully The Boss wasn’t always concerned about the time they spent out, as long as they managed to get him what he wanted within a few hours. But that meant if Horror could time it right, he could have some free time.

He was always dropped off in the same general area—the edge of a generously populated city. The people there never seemed to mind him as long as he kept to himself. 

It was his fifth mission… or maybe it was his seventh. It was somewhere near that range, at least from what he could remember. Usually he was sent alone, he seemed to work better  that way. But The Boss had sent the fox with him this time. He was… pleasant to be around. He didn't really speak, he barely even looked at any of them. He didn’t stick around for long, he only stayed for a few days at a time before leaving again.

Didn’t eat anything either. 

He’d caught glimpses of him sleeping on different couches in The Boss’s office before, but Horror had never been allowed into the office when the fox was there. 

Both of them were what were essentially cloaks. The hood helped to keep prying eyes away from the gash in Horror’s skull. They were made of a dark and faintly blue fabric that reached down to just about their ankles. Tiny embroidery had been made to the edges, little stars were speckled with white and grey cotton. Horror couldn't remember if they had always been there or if they had been a recent addition. Regardless, he didn’t mind, he liked them.

Both of them were crouched down in an alleyway. The fox peaked his head past the corner and scanned their surroundings. Then slowly, he began making his way into the crowd of walking people. The skeleton quickly followed behind him and stayed only a few steps behind. The two almost walked in sync. This type of mission took time, they had to both get a human to The Boss while still alive. But they’d been given extra time, with The Boss ordering that they go pick up some more food while out.

Eventually the fox stopped at what seemed to be a plaza and glanced up at the sky. His eyes strained at the light before looking back down at the ground. His mouth opened but no sounds managed to make its way out before he forced it shut again. Instead, he pointed to a grocery store a small distance from where they both stood. His eyes met with Horror’s single eyelight.

Go get food.

The skeleton slowly nodded his head as he turned to the building. He focused on it for a second before turning back to the fox. But he’d already begun walking away. 

I’ll take care of the rest. 

Horror didn't have the power to protest against him—for such a small creature, he always did manage to get his way with as little as a glance. So he made his way towards the grocery store and prayed he’d know where to meet up with the fox again.

The store was large, with glossy tiled floors and fluorescent lights hanging overhead. He grabbed a plastic red basket near the entrance and went through the isles. The Boss hadn’t given him a list or anything, just told him to restock on food. Apparently he was just supposed to know what they needed. The thought made him upset, but at least it meant that he would have control over what they had. If this continued, he would always be aware of what they had and he could know what his options were at all times. That made him feel better.

To his own surprise, most didn't seem to mind his appearance and he was left alone. He circled through each and every aisle, occasionally stopping and picking up an item that caught his attention and, more often than not, putting it into the basket. Most of the items he picked were prepacked and canned. He didn’t have enough security to know whether or not fresh food would be eaten in time. None of them really seemed to eat, not around each other at least. He knew they ate. They existed beyond his own imagination. 

But they didn’t seem to mind the prepackaged food, it went missing for a reason.

Eventually he reached the refrigerated selection. The cold nipped at the few other monsters in the section with him, but it didn't phase him. He picked up a few glass cups of yogurt, trying his best to read the words on the label but not quite being able to. Nonetheless, he still took a couple with him.

The frozen meal selection was… impressive to say the least. Horror could probably stare at it for hours, and truly he knew he would if he had the time to. But then The Boss would get mad at him, and then he wouldn’t get to eat. His eyesight only glossed over the boxes and would occasionally stop and allow him to pick something up.

He still remembered the other day, when one of the others had made their way into the kitchen. He’d wanted to speak to them, even if for just a moment. But they’d teleported before he'd gotten the chance to fully register their presence. They’d taken a meal from the fridge.

They’d been hungry.

…

It was something with pasta. Horror knew that for a fact.

The skeleton strained his eye as he looked for meals with pasta and with the letter A somewhere in there as well. 

Spaghetti. no.

Lasagna. no.

Chicken Alfredo. 

Alfredo. That had been in the name.

Broccoli. no.

…gluten-free. no.

Shrimp Alfredo. That was what they’d had. 

He grabbed a few different boxes that had the words “Shrimp Alfredo” plastered over their packaging in large letters. He didn’t recognize any of them and he knew none of them were the exact one from the other day, but it would have to do. If it meant they would actually eat, if it meant they wouldn't starve, then he’d try as best as he could.

The human at the register had smiled at him. They’d been kind enough to help him count out his gold when he went to pay. They told him to have a nice rest of his day when he left.

Their name tag read: [*****].

Horror liked [*****].

The skeleton glanced up at the sky as he exited the store, seeing it had begun to lower, but not quite set. Slowly, he made his way to the plaza where the fox had first left him at. Thankfully, he could see him sitting down on a bench with a man sleeping on his lap. The fox looked up at him and smiled at him. One of his paws was petting the unconscious man’s hair in an almost affectionate way. As the skeleton got closer, the fox picked the man up into his arms and stood. 

“... we… need two.” He mumbled.

“I know.” The fox began walking away again, but looked back for a second to make sure Horror was following him.

The people from earlier had left, the plaza was pretty close to empty. The two monsters made their way back towards the main street and eventually reached the alleyway they’d both arrived from. The skeleton could spot another unconscious man laying against the wall, his head rolled to his side and his breath shallow.

The fox set down the man he’d been holding before reaching into his pocket. He looked around, paranoid about any unwanted eyes around them. But once he was sure there was no one else around, he pulled out a key. He mumbled something under his breath that Horror couldn’t quite hear. But the skeleton watched as a portal opened up in front of him. The fox turned back to him and extended his arms out, asking for the grocery bags. He took them from the skeleton before looking at the two men on the floor. He had no trouble carrying them through the dark portal before it closed behind them.

Killer fidgeted with the fluff on his jacket as he watched the human bleed out. He looked back and forth, his non visible eyelights dashing to every corner of the room without ever landing on the corpse for more than a split second. His breath came out shallow and in short bursts. A high-pitched persisted in his skull, the sound too loud to let him focus on any one thing.

Everything hurt.

But he felt so good.

The Boss’s touch felt sharp and painful as he rested a hand onto the skeleton's shoulder. His fingers dug into the bone and slowly crept towards his collarbone. “Have I ever told you just how marvelously you always do that? Truly, it is an art. You seem to  have perfected it; it was truly… wonderful.” He whispered, as if he spoke too loudly he would break.

The human had fulfilled their purpose, they’d feed Nightmare negativity for quite a while. And quite honestly, they lasted longer than he’d expected him to. But the humans they brought him only gave such negativity for a few weeks, after that they became desensitized to it all. They still gave him the fear and anguish he needed, but it wasn’t as strong. It wasn’t enough for him, and so he saw no more purpose in keeping them.

But that didn’t mean that they couldn’t still prove useful.

Killer couldn’t stop the shaking that ran through his body. His hand was still tightly grasped over the handle of the knife. He couldn’t speak, couldn't even think anymore.

It shouldn’t have been any different from every other time. It wasn’t any different from the last. It was the same.

It was always the same.

He didn’t even know them. He never knew who they were. He never wanted to learn about their personal lives.

He never even knew their names.

The skeleton flinched away when The Boss tried to place a second hand on his shoulder. He knew he deserved to suffer, all the pain he went through was necessary. But he didn’t like it this time.

“... how about you go get some rest. You have done so well for me, I think it is only fair you get to have some time for yourself.” The Boss offered, his tendrils creeping closer yet not quite reaching him.

Killer weakly nodded, his head lowering and his hands finding his arms. 

He couldn’t remember the walk back to his room, he hadn't even been sure if he'd walked or not. He didn’t care.

He sat down on the edge of his bed. Slowly, he dragged the edge of his knife across the wood. A few more bits of wood were carved off of the bed frame, collecting on the floor in a pile Killer had never once bothered to clean up. After a few minutes, he drew the knife away from the wood.

But that itch was still there. There was too much of it, of everything. Too much energy and sensation in him that he couldn’t get out, not properly.

He stared down at his arm while his free hand slowly rolled up the sleeve of his jacket. 

And he carved.

Food had started disappearing more quickly. So, Horror got to go on more outings. He was even allowed to go by himself, though it was only once. But he didn’t mind going with someone else. It made the job easier. He would go get food while the other would collect a human or two for The Boss. The routine of it all was honestly quite calming. And the cashier had still been kind to him. They’d started recognizing him and made small talk about the items he picked out.

They had a sister.

They volunteered.

They’d been working towards her masters degree.

They’d been trying out new recipes.

Some of their friends were going to have dinner together next week.

And they had beautiful, truly wonderful, brown eyes.

For a while, he wondered if he loved them. Was it even possible for him to love someone anymore? Or was he just happy to have someone look at him and smile for once?

Love… that wasn’t the word he was looking for. Certainly it was close, but it didn’t fit. 

He enjoyed their company; it was the one thing he looked forward to when sent on missions. Maybe that was the problem, they made him too… happy.

Nightmare didn’t like happy.

“Hey there again.” [*****] said once they saw Horror, their smile reaching their eyes. “Didja find everything you were lookin’ for?” They asked. Their hands had already started to scan the items on the conveyor belt.

“I… did.” His words came out slow and low.

“Glad to hear it. Oh! How were those dumplings?”

“They were good… liked them…”

“Nice, I’ll have to give them a try sometime soon.” They said before scanning a few packages of noodles. “I’ve had these ones before. I cook some bok choy and mushrooms with them, and if you put in some potstickers as well it’s to die for.” Their face lit up as they explained.

“... sounds good.” He watched as they finished up and neatly stacked everything into paper bags. They softly hummed underneath their breath as they took the gold from the skeleton and handed him his receipt.

“Have a good one!” They waved at him as he walked out. And he gave a weak, but earnest wave back to them. 

Horror found Killer fishing coins out of the plaza fountain when he returned. The skeleton didn’t stop as the other noticed him, only continuing to get as much as he could into his pockets as fast as possible.

“... the… humans?”

“Don’t worry your pretty little busted skull ‘bout it, I got it covered.” He cursed as a few coins slipped out of his fingers and fell back into the water. “Just… give me a sec.”

The taller sat down on the edge of the fountain, quickly watching the smaller skeleton's antics. He didn’t question why he was wasting his time with such a thing, they didn’t really need money. The Boss gave them whatever they needed—it barely took him any energy to create. But he knew Killer was often restless, and letting him do whatever he set his mind onto was easier than trying to coerce him out of it.

The skeleton spent a few more minutes collecting coins before it seemed to finally bore him. His hands shoved the rest of the coins he'd gathered into his jacket pockets before he stood up.

“whatever- Cross’s probably already got them through.” He grumbled. Horror followed a few steps behind him.

The two eventually reached the alley, with Cross sitting on the floor with his knees to his chest. He stiffened as he heard them approached, but slightly eased as he realized it was only them.

“Ready?” He asked, standing up and pulling a familiar key out of his pocket. Killer grabbed the key out of the skeleton's hand before pushing him back to the ground.

“Yup!” He grinned as he watched the portal open before him and stepped through. Horror glanced between the magic in front of him and the skeleton on the ground. The skeleton winced as he forced himself back up, his eyelights looking down at the floor as he quickly made his way through before the taller one followed. 

They arrived at the foyer, with both smaller skeletons already leaving to go handle their own activities. Horror blinked for a moment as he readjusted to his surroundings. The Boss wasn’t there to greet them this time. He was probably busy.

The skeleton made his way to the kitchen to put away the groceries, but was surprised to see Dust sitting at the counter. The hooded skeleton flinched as he heard Horror, but he hadn’t instinctively teleported away this time. Instead, he looked up at him with shaking eyelights. And for a very uncomfortable few seconds, they simply stared at each other.

“I-uh,” He began, “I can leave if it’s- if you-” “‘s fine.” He froze at his words, but slowly his shoulders relaxed. His fingers scraped at the edge of the counter.

Horror looked at him for a moment longer before turning his attention to the groceries again. Slowly, he took the items out of their bags and placed them onto the counter in sections. Canned goods, meats, dairy products, and frozen items.

His movements were slowly but clearly practiced, this had become a ritual of his. He got to know exactly what they had and how much of it they had. Everything was put into its respective place with like-products near it. The organization wasn’t perfect, but the effort had clearly grown over the past few weeks.

Dust couldn’t help but watch it with a sort of admiration. He knew his room looked like absolute shit, but he could still appreciate proper organization. It was… comforting to watch. He hadn’t realized he was staring, and even though Horror had, he didn’t say anything. The hooded skeleton's eyelights eventually landed Horror’s jacket, which they stayed on as they examined the damage. It wasn’t terrible… but it was blaringly obvious that it’d gone through hell and back. The entire bottom section had been torn off as well as a few chunks of fur from the hood.

Dust's fingers dug into his wrists, scratching as he tried to not think about it. It was something so, so stupid to even be thinking about. Of course he looked like shit, who the hell here didn't? It was rare for any Sans variant to abandon their jacket, the mere idea made him nauseous. It was a prized possession, no matter how disgusting or torn apart it became, it was a part of them.

“Your…” He spoke before he realized he’d wanted to. “... your jacket.” He could feel the sweat begin to bead on his skull.

“… my … jacket?” Horror tilted his head in confusion as he finished putting everything away. He looked down at his jacket for a moment before looking back up at Dust.

“It’s damaged.”

Horror blinked at him. This was information he already knew.

“I could fix it for you, if you… want.” He slowly offered. He watched as the other shrugged off his jacket and held it for a moment. His single eyelight scanned over the fabric. It was… really bad. He couldn’t even remember the last time he'd washed it.

“... could you?”

“I uh- I mean I could try. I wouldn't say I’m the best at it or anything, but I’ve been sewing my jacket back together for a while.” He pointed at some small handstitching on the shoulder area, the thread being just a slight shade off of the jacket's color. Horror stepped closer to him, his eye squinting to make out the details. He looked back down at his jacket before placing it on the counter in front of Dust.

The hooded skeleton ran his hands over the tattered fabric for a few seconds before pulling away once again. “I’ll be back in a second, okay?”

Horror watched as he disappeared for a moment from where he sat, before eventually reappearing with a bag and a small stack of different types of blue fabric. He set down his items on the counter and began to put the different fabrics against the jacket to try and find the right color. Once he found one that seemed to match best, he cut it to the size of what he would need. He cut off a few ends of the jacket that were too far gone before sewing the two pieces of fabric together.

The taller one watched the hooded skeleton in silence as he worked, and after a few minutes he sat down in the seat beside him. He watched as he sewed on new pockets and tried his best not to damage the jacket anymore than it already was. He stitched up a few tears and holes, and he patched up larger ones with extra fabric scraps. Once he seemed to be done, he paused for a moment before disappearing for another few seconds before coming back with an off-white fabric that he sewed in as a lining.

“... I would give it a new zipper if I could, but I don’t have any. Sorry.” Dust sheepishly apologized. He offered the jacket back to its owner, his hands still trembling a bit. He didn’t focus on the other’s reaction, instead forcing himself to put away his materials as quickly as hc could.

Horror stared down at it. It looked good. It didn’t look new by any means, but it looked nice. Worn, but the good kind that means it’s worth something.

“Thank you.” Was all he could muster up in the moment. He put the jacket on and put his hands into the pockets. They were a little small for him, though not terribly so.

It was warm.

He felt surprisingly out of place as he sat there, his eyes still lingering on Dust. He owed him something now, didn’t he? Was that the only reason he offered to fix it in the first place? It was something he could hold over him, a favor he’d eventually have to return. And as much as the thought irked him, he didn’t protest against the unspoken ruling. “Would you… uhh, are you hungry?” He forced the words out. 

Dust shifted uncomfortably in his seat, but slowly he nodded and his shoulders slumped. “I wouldn’t mind eating.”

“Anything in mind?”

“Nah, just… whatever works.”

Horror approached the pantry and after a moment and picked up a box of uncooked pasta.

Papyrus. 

That’s why he’d wanted pasta.

The thought hit him so bluntly it made him nauseous. Horror still had his brother, but he knew nothing about the others. To assume they didn’t have theirs anymore wasn't exactly far-fetched. No one else there had any family from what he’d been able to gather, he was the only one that had someone left.

His hands gripped around the box and dented it a bit before he forced himself to relax. He turned back to Dust who’d stayed staring down at the countertop. It stung something inside him to know he’d either watched his own brother die, or been the one responsible for the death in the first place. And as much as it disgusted him to think about it, he knew it wasn't his place to speak. So instead, he focused back on cooking.

As he waited for the noodles to cook, he shredded some cheese and combined it with a lot of melted butter. Then, he threw in a small amount of spices and seasoning he didn’t quite know, but knew tasted good. He really only cooked for himself, everyone else just took whatever was in the fridge or left out on the counter. But he trusted himself enough to know what others would find hopefully edible. He heated up a bit of tomato sauce he'd found in the back of the pantry, and eventually put it all into a bowl.

He gave the hooded skeleton a fork and paper towel alongside the meal. He served himself a bowl as well, and sat a seat away from him. He glanced at Dust and watched him take the first bite.

He said nothing as Dust softly cried in between bites.

And friends don’t judge each other.

⚘

[*****] sighed as they leaned themselves up against the wall. They reached up and rolled their shoulder in a weak attempt to loosen the stiff muscle. It wasn’t as bad as most days, they’d been able to get Mat to lift most of the boxes lately. But their shoulders had been dislocated a few times in the past year. It was usually able to just be popped back into place, which meant just slamming their arm back into a wall, but the pain had been lasting a few days more than usual.

Going to the doctor would require an appointment and their insurance had been a pain recently about what they’d decide to cover. The pain would probably be gone by the time they’d manage to get an appointment set up.

Letting out a sigh of defeat, they released their shoulders and rested their head back against the wall. They had a few more minutes left in the lunch break. But Carla would get mad at them if they took up the exact amount of time they were given. They groaned into their hands for a moment, their body slumping and muscles aching.

“Excuse me, are you [*****] by chance?” They looked up to where the voice came from, their gaze landing on a tall skeleton covered in a thick, black substance.

“No, sorry, they’re not in today.” They responded, a small wave of relief washing over them when they remembered they'd left their name tag inside.

“Oh, what a shame. I had something I needed to tell them, would you mind giving a message for me?” He asked,  settling a few feet closer, but still keeping his distance.

“Uh… sure.” They’d tried their best to not look back at the door that led back into the backroom.

Their fear was nothing new, nothing extraordinary.

All fear was delicious. Just as despair and rage and disdain all were. But theirs wasn’t any more special than any random person could be.

He didn’t drag it out.

Didn’t need to.

They’d tried to put up a fight, but it didn’t last.

He cupped the human's face with one hand, examining it before letting the neck go limp once again.He found it disgraceful that Horror had become so attached to something so weak. The guardians' tendrils wrapped themselves around the corpse and held it in place.

He’d left before anyone realized [*****] was gone in the first place.

✧

Horror gagged as he dug his fingers into the back of his throat. He dry-heaved as he managed to get more of the meat out of his stomach. His own body wouldn’t stop trembling as he forced out everything he’d eaten.

He hadn’t done anything wrong.

He’d been good. 

He didn’t understand.

Nightmare stood above him, grimacing slightly as the mess the skeleton was making of his floor. He rolled his eyelight at him before leaning forward and closer down to his level. 

“Oh my, is someone ill? What a terrible, terrible thing.” He coaxed. “I only feed my men the best there is. Was it not up to your standard?” One of his tendrils reached up, harshly holding the skeleton's face still to look up at him.

“I thought you would be grateful for this treat, but instead you are puking it all up over my floors. How… disappointing.” He threw the skeleton back down to the floor. “I do not expect you to finish what I have brought you, but I would be gravely displeased if you let so much go to waste.”

“And if you do not do what you are told,” He pulled him back up by the arm. “Your brother will be very, very unhappy.” He dragged the skeleton back to the table, forcing him to stand before it.

Horror dry heaved as he looked up at those wonderful brown eyes. His eyesight tried its best not to look over their body splayed out across the table, but failed miserably.

He didn’t. 

He couldn’t.

He… he couldn't.

He sat at the table.

He couldn’t.

He wouldn’t.

He felt disgusted.

They didn’t deserve this. They didn’t deserve to be laid out as a feast for him

It was wrong. It was so, so wrong.

He couldn’t remember how long he sat there.

He wouldn't be surprised if it'd been days.

The Boss said he wasn’t allowed to leave if he didn’t eat more.

But eventually, someone else came.

The fox stared at the skeleton and the corpse. Slowly, he made his way close to the table.

The skeleton watched as he climbed onto the table and looked down at [*****].

“Horror,” He looked up at the skeleton at the end of the table. “close your eyes.”

He did as he was told.

And he heard the rip of flesh from bone.

Moon trembled as he sat on the bathroom floor. The cold tile pressed up against his fur and burning skin beneath. His shadow sat opposite of him, picking at the grout and tapping its nails against the tile. Its tail lazily tapped against the floor before tilting its head back and groaned.

“This is SO fucking boring. You’re not even throwing up anymore. Why do I still need to be here?” It questioned, pointing a finger at its owner's chest.

“Because-” he gagged before swallowing nothing. “Because I need someone here to make sure I don’t die if I pass out.”

“You’re not gonna pass out. And Tori’s too overprotected to let you die.”

“I- ugh- I know.” The fox dug two fingers into the back of his throat once again, but nothing else would come up. He groaned as he leaned back against the wall and blinked up at the lights. His eyes strained and burned looking up at the lights.

“You know, nobody forced you to do that. You have no one to blame but yourself.”

“I couldn’t- I couldn’t just let him sit there forever!" He angrily stabbed a finger at his shadow. “And I just thought that… maybe this would be a good step. They’re gonna like me eventually.”

“Ya, you know, I always think of eating human flesh when I want to make friends too! We, like, should totally be friends for, like, ever!” It clasped its hands together and swayed from side to side. “You should kill yourself.”

“I would if I could.”

His shadow carried him out of the bathroom and into bed. Both of them laid on their side, facing each other. It ran its fingers through the fox’s fur in a gentle, stable motion. Slowly, its hands moved from his forehead down to his waist.

It’d already seen everything it could possibly want to see. 

Nothing was new.

It pulled up his shirt with two hands, though not taking it off. It traced a finger up his stomach to his chest and felt his heartbeat. It pushed its owner onto his back before placing its hands on either side of him.

Staring down at him with eyes that didn't exist, it spoke. “Go talk to him.”

He couldn’t say no.

☾

The office was quiet, a faint fire crackling in the fireplace to break the silence. The guardian sat in a chair close to the fire, his tendrils holding a book before him. The fox’s return had been almost pleasant, as it usually was. Of course he’d made quite a fuss about sleeping for a while but it eventually went away. He’d been lingering in his room for the majority of his return. Nightmare never did see him interact with the others very much. Of course he knew they talked, they had to for the missions he sent them on. But he never detected any form of genuine connection from them.

In all honesty, it surprised him. The fox had been so… bold when they first met. He walked and talked as if he was above the gods themselves. But now? He barely ate anymore. He still had that blasphemous attitude of his, believing he was somehow better than the guardian. The guardian that fed him, housed him, kept him warm, and protected him.

But of course he was better than him, wasn’t he?

The guardian glanced over to the door, watching as the fox crept in. He hesitated, only for a second, before trotting over to the fireplace. He sat him on his usual couch, in his usual spot, and in his usual manner. He crossed his left leg over his right and leaned back, his arms crossing against his chest. His eyes glossed over the fire, shining in its faint light.

Nightmare observed him for only a moment before turning his attention back to his book. He could feel his soul. That disgusting, jumbled mess of lives. The guardian could sense every emotion, but refrained from reading every thought it produced. All previous attempts left him with either a headache or migraine. Most of the time they were just talking about their past lives or playing different card games. It’d only been recently that he’d realized they were playing card games in a void where nothing existed.

He set his book down to the table beside him, his gaze looking at the fox. “I assume you are here for something. If you are here to simply scold me about the situation with Horror, I would rather not hear it.” His eye socket squinted at the fox. 

“... I thought you would be more talkative today.”

“…”

“Typical. You really are childish. Are you going to sit there and pout at me forever? Because I can assure you that you would start to deteriorate before me.”

“... I just…. I want to talk.” The fox could see the emotion flow through Nightmare at his words.

“Talk? I suppose,” He shifted in his seat, leaning farther back into the plush. “I have nothing better to do than to amuse you.” His tendrils shrunk back into his body, leaving him small but still imposing.

“Is there a subject you have in mind? Or am I going to have to do everything myself?”

“The uh… the thing with Horror. I know I can’t do anything about it, and I don’t really want to. I just wanted to know why you did it. It wasn’t… it wasn't necessary. I’ve tried thinking about it from your point of view but I can’t think of any reason why you’d do something like that other than just… because you thought it’d been entertaining." He hugged his shoulders as he looked at the guardian.

“.... Unfortunately for you, you are right. Though I suppose that there was a bit more to it. Horror was bringing back too much positivity. I must admit I am surprised about you. I did not expect you to help him with the task I gave him.” He tilted his skull and rested it onto his hand. “But what I find even more fascinating, is that you spent the last three hours hurling. You did not want to do it, I know you are too fragile to want such a thing. Which means, you did it for him. Did you think I would accept that? That I would allow him to be free of punishment because you took it instead?

“He doesn't deserve to be punished. He hasn’t- he hasn't done anything to deserve it.”

“That is exactly why I had to do it. If I never punish him, then one day he will think fail to do his job. I want to make sure that never happens. I cannot simply let my men grow lazy and cocky, you already do that well enough.” He watched as the fox’s gaze stayed on the fire. “If you think you can change how I treat what I own, you are even more foolish than I once thought you to be.”

The fox clutched his arm, his claws digging deep enough to draw blood. 

“I want-” Don't do this. You’re only going to cause pain for everyone else. 

You must be obedient.

You shouldn't.

Why can’t you do what you’re told?

Maybe this is good.

He's going to get hurt.

Why must you always cause such a fuss?

Break him.

“I want to fight you.”

The guardian laughed. 

And he laughed. And he laughed. And he laughed. And laughed so hard, that a tear formed in the corner of his eyesocket.

“You- YOU, want to fight me?” He couldn’t even compose himself. “I understand you hate yourself. But seriously?” He wiped away the tear. “What brings this up? Was it a 'dare'?”

He could see the water build up in Moon’s eyes. “I want to fight you.”

“Oh, do not be any more delusional than you already are.” He straightened out his posture. “When I win, you shall finish the entirety of the human. Does that work for you?”

“Sure, but when I win, you let Horror go without any more punishments.” His ears twitched. “And no magic.”

The guardian smiled at him. “Whatever you wish.” 

☽

The fox slammed the guardian's skull into the floor, hearing something adjacent to crack. His legs held down the skeleton's weight. The skeletons hands scraped at the fox’s fur, tearing chunks out and drawing blood.

He’d never properly considered how light a skeleton was.

He was so small. 

The skeleton’s goop felt cold and burned against Moon’s skin. He clawed his nails into the skeleton ribs and could feel the indent made into the bone.

The fox groaned as the other’s knee found itself crushing something near his stomach. The action made him dizzy and his vision blacked out for a moment. His paw clutched around the area as he forced the other into the skeleton's jaw.

He could hear the smaller monster hiss in pain discomfort beneath him.

In a single moment, everything shifted. A tendril wrapped itself around the fox, holding his arms to his side until a sickening crack was heard and the fox cried out in agony. The warm sensation of a warm liquid coated his arm and flowed downward—the blood staining his fur.

Moon choked on his own saliva as he was thrown a distance away, his skin harshly rubbing up against the floor. His intact arm reached out, his fingers becoming red as they grazed over the bone. The skeleton got to his feet as his tendrils restlessly trashed behind him. 

The magic, no… the pure emotion was too much for him to contain.

“You disgust me.” The fox spat blood down onto the floor. “Can’t even-” fuck, his arm hurt. “can’t even fight someone without relying on your magic.”

Nightmare didn’t like that.

“You dare to speak to me so poorly? I feed you, I cloth you, I own you. If not for me, you would have been dead ages ago!” His tendrils flailed and pointed at the fox. “You are nothing without me. I was not the one foolish enough to make the deal that you did. In no world of mine would I allow myself to be so weak and defenseless.”

“You would still be in your home universe if it wasn't for me!” The fox grinded his teeth together. “Your magic would still be adequate to that of a child if I didn't allow you the information I traded my magic for.”

“Oh yes, of course. I should be groveling at your feet and begging for your forgiveness. You believe that you can simply have whatever it is you desire. But the moment you attempt to get it, you fail miserably. I could care less about what little magic you had before. The only thing that matters is what you are now. And now? You are weak.”

He could hear the fox make a noise that sounded like both a laugh and a groan.

“I may not have much magic, but I was not raised to be weak. I was trained well enough to hold myself in a fight. And judging by your tentacles, you know I’m right.” He forced himself up, his paw still clutching his nearly detached arm. “You may have magic, but you have no genuine strength.”

“Those who solely focus on magic are weak.”

The skeleton stared at him with that wonderful, teal eyelight of his. His clothes were torn and his own dignity was left broken in front of him. His hands formed into fists before they grabbed onto the front of Moon’s shirt. He pulled the fox forward, until his skull and his snout were almost touching.

“You do get to decide who is weak and who is strong. You do not get to decide who is punished and who is protected. You do not hold any power above me.” He talked in between heavy, uneven breaths.

His hands faltered around the fox’s shirt before letting him go. He placed his hand over his mouth for a moment and forced his tendrils to sink back into his body. He turned away, not having the strength to look back at Moon.

“... do not let this happen again.” He spoke softly, the edge having dulled from his voice.

The following day, a bottle of cherry wine was found on Nightmare’s deck.

And Horror was given no further punishment. 

🌣

Cake.

“God’s, that sounds REALLY good right.” Amber mumbled to herself. Her tail softly wagged behind her as she continued to stare through the bakery window. She reached her hand into her pocket and checked how much money she had on paw.

She wouldn't be able to get a treat for this week's groceries, but this technically counted. So… ya, good compromise.

She pushed her arm against the door to let herself in, her ears perking up at the bell that chimed above her. A few customers were already waiting in line, though it wasn’t anything terrible. The wolf made her way closer to the display case. She stood beside a small tiger monster—undoubtedly still in her stripes—that clung closely to her father. She leaned down just a bit, trying her best to still keep her distance while her eyes browsed over the selection of desserts.

Brownies, cupcakes, cookies, breads, and most importantly, cake.

Chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, lemon, orange vest, strawberry, coffee, black forest, carrot cake, marble cake, birthday cakes, celebration cakes, key lime pie.

“Ma’am? Have you decided yet?” She flinched, her body standing up straight as she looked up at the deer monster behind the counter smiling brightly at her.

“Uh, no sorry.” She felt her face heat up and her ears lower slightly. “I’m not- uh, good at making decisions.” Her eyes looked at the deer antlers, which had beads and small charms on string loosely wrapped around and hooked on the tines.

“Could you give me any recommendations?”

“Of course! It’s no issue.” She pointed to the nonexistent line at the counter. The wolf hadn’t even realized how much time had passed.

The deer moved over to the cake display, walking over to the wolf's side and standing beside her.

“Is it for any specific occasion?”

“Nah, I just wanted something sweet.” The wolf scratched the back of her neck and glanced back down at the display.

"Great! I can work with that." The deer said—the beaded jewelry in her antlers glistened in the sunlight as she tilted her head to the side ever so slightly. Amber couldn't help but stare.

"Are you into more rich, powerfull and flavorable tastes, or like, more of a soft and subtle type person?"

"Ummm, I think the second one."

But if you get chocolate cake, then you'll get sick of it after only a few bites. But if you get a vanilla cake, then we can eat way more cake in one sitting before feeling sick!

Amber shifted uncomfortably at the memory.

"Alright, I may a bit biased because it's one of my favorite to make, but I think you'll like this one." The deer moved back to behind the counter and took a cake from the display case. She set down a cake covered in white frosting, with swirled dolleps of whipped cream and strawberries stood upward on top.

"… You make the cakes ?" She was gratefully that the deer couldn't see how her tail wagged behind her.

"Yup! My friend's family owns the place and they let me work here when I can. I've always loved to bake, so it's practically my dream job." She admitted, her hand reaching up to fidget with her fur. "So… what do you think?"

"It's perfect, I'll take it."

She paid, and thanked the deer for her help.

And she came back the next week.

And the next.

And the next.

And the next.

Until she learned the deers name was Jasmine.

And she got her number.

And they agreed to go on a date.

Chapter Text

The next few weeks went smoothly for both groups. The Stars continued to looked and gather information on Nightmares little gang, and Nightmare kept his team on a tight leash. Outings weren't allowed as frequently; though when they were necessary, they were as quick and quiet as possible.

"Cookie?"

"Uh- sure. Thanks." Moon smiled up at Swap as he took a sugar cookie from the baking pan. He nibbled on the edge of the star shaped cookie, crunching down on it as he looked toward the others.

Dream stood in front of a large white board mounted onto the wall. It was covered in tiny doodles of what he assumed was Nightmares team, but the scribbles were difficult to differentiate from one another. Notes of the little information they had were written besides the people they were in relation to. The fox enjoyed the makeshift conspiracy theory board. It was entertaining to see just how little information they had managed to gather within the past few months. Maybe his expectations were too high, but he would have thought the efforts of the entirety of the Council would when been more than this.

Swap made his way over to the board and stopped next to Ink. He offered the artist a cookie, which they gladly took. They got crumbs all over the carpet.

"So, Nightmare's attacks seemed to have lessened ever since the council first had a meeting to address them. And we don't want to point an fingers at people… but there's a very likely chance someone within the council is working for him." The guardian sighed. "But we have way too many people in the council to personally integrate all of them."

"And no one's really been able to make contact with him. The closest we've got is that someone thinks they saw Killer somewhere." The artist explained.

"Where was it?"

"Uhh, some Underfell variant I think?"

Moon made a mental note to tell Killer to stop heading over there. He had no idea how often he went, but it had to be really often if he'd managed to be recognized.

"We need to brainstorm ideas of how to make contact with him. Of course we want to be able to just talk… but realistically it's going to get violent. His recent attacks haven't been as frequent but they've gotten a lot more violent and it's causing a lot of negativity."

"It's… really bad. BUT we're going to think of great ideas and will have a wonderful plan to minimize harm and damage!"

The four of them sat in a circle on the floor for a while. Stationing people in the universes that Nightmares team had been seen seemed to be the best overall idea, but they knew he'd been limiting the time and amount he let his men leave. And considering that someone inside the council was working with him, they'd likely let him know which universes to avoid.

And directly reaching out to him wasn't the most liked idea, as it would just lead to more people being hurt.

Their recent attacks had doubled in overall damage and far too many people had been injured as a result. But, no one had been killed.

"I mean, don't you think it's weird? His entire goal has been to spread negativity, and killing people would be the best ways of doing so. I did some digging… well I just looked at some really old records, but my brother's attacks used to end in a minimum of at least one casualty. They would occasionally increase, but I couldn't find any pattern from them."

"When was that?" The fox asked, looking up from the spot of carpet he was currently ripping out.

"About… maybe ten years ago? It's a bit hard to say. Of course we can't just blame every single misfortune on him, sometimes things just happen. But I'm pretty sure his attacks mainly took off around ten years ago. I think there was a few before that, but nothing all that major. It was just small disturbances. I actually, umm- I have a bit of a theory behind it." The guardian shifted uncomfortably.

"I think my brother knew about you when you were helping us. So when you left, which I have nothing against it was absolutely your own choice, he started to attack. We were weakened after all… and he probably thought it was his best shot to get what he wanted."

"…I guess that would make sense. But, how would he have known back then? Moon was never made an official member of the council or of us, so how could he have known?" Swap glanced over at the fox.

"That's the one thing I don't quite know yet. The council had always been big, but I suppose we could limit down the possible suspects now. A lot of our current members have been a part of the council for a few years, but only a fraction have been with us for over ten years."

The fox got tired of the conversation and excused himself for a moment. He stood in the kitchen for a minute before grabbing a jar of Nutella from the pantry. He ate spoonfuls of it straight out of the jar. Listening to The Stars trying to figure out who was the traitor was fun and all, but it was really boring.

He could still hear them talking in the living room. Swap was talking more than when the fox had been present. He licked the metal spoon clean before throwing the plastic jar into the overflowing trash can. Ink really needed to clean this place up. They only had food because of the times Swap would come over, which led to an excessive amount of expired and wasted food.

The artist's 'home' was littered with paint stains and garbage. It reminded him of Dust's room a little, but it was somehow more disgusting. At least Dust had cleaned his room once he started to care about the others. Sure his room was never that organized anymore, but he tried to make sure no more mold grew in there.

Moon leaned his back up against the kitchen counter, his eyes looking up at the window above the sink. The house was surrounded by absolutely nothing. A section of the anti-void. Error had a few… not nice words to say about the artist living in the same 'universe' as him, but they never crossed paths within it. Of course they still hung out and bickered as usual, but they had to go out of their way to do so.

The antivoid was cool. Just nothing, forever. But Cross hated the place, he couldn't stand being in it for any more than a couple minutes. Moon saw it plenty enough, it just got boring after some point.

He threw his spoon onto the pile of dishes in the sink. He could still hear them talking. Swap was whisper shouting at Dream about something. The fox stretched, raising his arms above him and rolling his shoulders back. He really hated being here.

The past few months of his life has been spent going on outings to spread positivity. It involved a lot of a baking, like, a LOT of baking. But he got to see Ink light things on fire on accident which made it a bit better. A lot of time was spent watching them heal people too. Moon was usually allowed to just sit in some corner and not bother people when they did that.

"Look, I don't want to know what happened between both of you. And it's none of my business because you should be dealing with it, with him. You barley even talk when he's in the room. This entire team is built on open communication and trust! If he's affecting that for you then I can help you, but that's not it. You just don't want to talk to him in general! It's setting all of us back. So I need you to talk to him and deal with whatever it is that needs to be dealt with. I'll help you, but I can't do it for you."

Moon stayed in the kitchen until the sound of Swap crying stopped. He made his way back into the living room, seeing the guardian and the knight sitting on the floor. Ink smiled at him as he drew on the white board with a permanent marker.

"Sorry that took longer than I thought it would, I had to take a call." The fox apologized, nervously smiling as he sat back down on the floor. "Any good ideas?"

"It's uhh- going great. We're going to start investigating a few people to hopefully figure out who is giving my brother information. And we'll set up a few posts in universes he's been known to send his men to. It's not the best, but putting everything into just one thing isn't really going to do anything. But hopefully, this way we'll be able to make contact with him. And- you know, talk to him." The guardian explained. He looked hopeful before seeing the permanent marker on the white board.

"You seriously think he's going to just talk to you guys?" Moon laughed, tilting his head to the side. "When was the last time you even saw him?"

Dream's eyelights stared down at the ripped carpet. "It's uhh, it's been a while. I think I saw him like… fifty years ago? I was just trying to help some people and I saw him just… kind of there? I couldn't say anything to him. BUT I think that if all of us have changed over the past ten years, then I think… maybe he has too." He let out a defeated sigh. "I just… I want to talk to my brother again."

Your brother is ḓ̴̨̛͇̰̿̈́͗̀̆͜e̶̩̾́a̸͕͚̫͊̚d̵̖͇͕̳͖͈̽̎̈͝.̴̱̜̋̇͑̂͊͝

"Well, whatever happens, I'm sure we'll be able to figure something out." Moon forced a smile to him. "When are you hoping to put this into action?"

"As soon as possible, I'll call a meeting for the council later today. You don't have to show up, it'll just be a chance for us to figure out who we can send where. Just keep an eye out for anything. And let us know if you get any new information." Dream stood from his spot, grimacing at the artist for a moment. At least it was a good drawing.

"Sure thing." He pulled out a key from his pocket. "I'll see you guys soon."

"If you bump into me one more time I'm going to throw you into the tv." Dust threatened as he side eyed Killer.

"It's not my fault! You're the one that keeps getting in my space." "Well I wouldn't be in your space if you just moved on beat you asshole!" "I'm PERFECTLY on beat!" Killer yelled before kneeing Dust in the stomach. Both of them fell onto the floor while still yelling at each other.

"This is my favorite part." Horror gently rested his arm over the fox.

"Mine too." He snickered.

He glanced over at Nightmare, who had Cross in his lap as they both silently smiled at the conflict. The guardian rested his chin on the soldier's skull, his fingers methodically tapping on the bone. Behind the two skeletons on the ground, the TV played a YouTube video of some Just Dance song.

Horror handed the fox another apple slice from the plate set on the arm rest. He watched as the creature sunk its teeth into the flesh before reaching his paw out in anticipation of more. The skeleton laughed at him for a moment before giving him the rest of the platter.

"How are… the… The Stars." He took a moment. "How are they?"

"'s all fine. They're busy trying to look for us right now." He chewed for a second. "Too bad they tell me everything."

Killer ran his tongue against Dust's collar bone.

"We need to find new places… t' get food."

They could see Dust's ribs as a hand pulled up his shirt.

"I'll have Amber bring us stuff. Don't worry about it."

The fox looked down at the now empty plate.

Moon and Cross left the living room.

They silently agreed to head towards the soldier's room. The fox laid himself across the perfectly laid out blanket on the other's bed and let the skeleton roll him up in the fabric. The skeleton's phone was propped up against a pillow as both monsters laid on the bed.

"I need more morphine." Wilson said in a hoarse, disgusting voice. His body still laid on House's couch and covered with a gray hoodie.

"We're out. You've been using my personal supply of painkillers for the last eight hours." House explained as he poured out two white pills into the palm of his hand.

"You have- you have enough enough for both of us?" He could only open his mouth as House placed both pills into it.

"I've got enough stashed around here for a minyan." House leaned forward and put a glass of water to Wilson lips and waited for him to swallow.

Faint sunlight spilled past the curtains and warmed the room. Moon could feel himself overheating in his stupid sweater and Cross's amazing wonderfully soft blanket. But he couldn't muster up the energy to break free from its immensely strong don't be dramatic bond. The skeleton lazily poked the blanket burrito before resting his skull on the trapped fox.

"Hey! Just leave me alone." Wilson groaned on the floor before rolling himself onto his back. "It's pathetic. I'm pathetic. An oncologist with cancer. Of all the things that could be killing me… it's like the universe is giving me the big middle finger." He spoke inbreathe breaths that took his entire being to force out.

"The universe doesn't care-" "WHY ME? I'm always telling my patients not to torture themselves, because there's no answer."

"Sound advice."

"It's cruel advice. They were just trying to make sense of what was happening to them. And I'm there telling them not to bother?" His breaths were still heavy and rushed. "I should have spent my life being more like you. Should have been a manipulative, self-centered, narcissistic ass who brought misery to everything and everyone in his life."

The camera focused back onto House as he looked away for a moment and pursed his lips.

"You'd still have cancer."

"Yeah. But at least I'd feel like I deserved it."

The fox let out a noise, similar to a pur, as he felt the skeletons fingers softly scratching his head. His ears piqued before lowering and his tail tapped against the inside of the blanket.

"Okay, your heart rates up, BP's tanking. White blood counts at 500. We have to go to the hospital now."

"No." Wilson sniffled and tried to swallow down the puke that hadn't made it into the bucket.

"I don't have the equipment or the meds to handle this." House tried to plea.

"No. Win or lose. Win or lose. That was the deal." He spoke with what sounded like no air left in his lungs.

"That was the deal when there was an 'or'. You can't win this."

"No. I'd rather die here. Not in an ambulance." He sobbed. "Not in a hospital. Please." His voice broke. "You can't do that to me. I can't… House… please. Promise me that you don't do that to me. Promise me."

He looked at House and watched him eventually nod. "Okay. I promise."

The camera panned outward and watched as Wilson laid on House's couch, surrounded by discarded tired and holding an air mask up to his face.

"… I'm a virgin."

"…what?"

"I haven't had sex… ever."

"… seriously? I mean! There's nothing wrong with that or anything! I just… really?"

"Yeah."

"… not even with Nightmare?"

"Does everyone think we've done it?" He asked, just a bit too agitated for comfort.

"Everyone thinks you've done it."

The fox groaned and retreated back into the blanket. As much as he wanted to be mad at Cross and the others… he couldn't… really blame them.

"Killer owes me an outing."

"What?"

"We bet money on if Nightmare was a virgin or not. But we don't really need money, so he owes me an outing now."

"He's not a virgin, what are you talking about?"

"He told us himself…" Cross fidgeted with his hands and looked back at his phone.

"When did he tell you this?" The fox finally sat up.

"It was… a long time ago."

The fox blinked. "You guys made this bet almost four years ago?"

"It was more like five."

Moon groaned and pulled the blanket back over himself.

"… uh, sorry?" The skeleton didn't know what else he was meant to say.

"No, it's fine." The fox let out a defeated sigh. "… I thought it was stupid to think that the guardian of negativity would be a virgin."

"That's what Killer said too." He laid back down to watch the show. "Why did you tell me this?"

"Because…I thought you'd be the only one to not make fun of me for it."

"Why would any of us make for of you for that?"

"I don't know! I just… I don't know." He could feel his eyes water. "And I don't- I don't even know if I want sex. I think I do, but maybe I just think that I need to. I hate it."

The fox could still hear the show playing from Cross's phone.

"Did you wanna talk about it?"

"… no."

"Then we don't have to talk about it."

After a few minutes, the fox threw half of his blanket into Cross and snuggled into his side.

The two doctors stepped out of the elevator and stopped after a second.

"I'll see you at lunch." Wilson watched as House gave a small nod to the offer before the oncologist walked off screen. And the diagnostician smiled.

The oncologist made his way into his office, taking small steps that slightly haltered as he registered that his computer was open on his desk. He glanced around for a moment before leaning forward and typing in his password. He groaned as he sat down and "Any Way You Want It" by Journey began to play from the computers speakers.

The camera shifted to show a slideshow of photos taken during his treatment, when he was unconscious, of him and two hookers. Where different tacky props were used to decorate himself, House, and the two hookers. One of the last photos had him wearing a yellow lei, his hands positioned around the shoulders of both the hookers, and House in front of all of them with his arms extended and smiling mouth open facing the camera.

Wilson couldn't help but laugh, his eyes closing and smile stretching across his face as he watched. He earnestly chuckled as the camera slowly panned away from his, and the credits began to roll.

"… thank you."

The massive amounts of baking with The Stars wasn't a joke. They really did bake that much. Fortunately, for food safety measures, they decided to never bake at Ink's place. But unfortunately, that meant they baked at Swap's place.

Moon had already revisited the place quite a few times in the past few months, but it was just as uncomfortable every time. Swap had most likely been telling Stretch when the fox would be there. The two interacting would be… less than ideal.

You left his brother crying and unable to even get out of bed for weeks, of COURSE he hates your guts.

The fox held the metal bowl against his chest as he continued mixing some sort of batter together. He couldn't even remember anymore. They always used the same few recipes. The written instructions had already become engraved into his mind. His gloved paws set the bowl down onto the counter and measured out a teaspoon of baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Once that was incorporated well enough, he put in a cup of blueberries and folded them into the batter. The mixture was poured into lined muffin tins before being put into the oven for like, what- like seventeen minutes? Sure, that's fine.

Swap stood at the other counter, piping bag in hand as he continued frosting cupcakes.

"… those look good." Moon mumbled as he stood beside the knight.

"I- uh- Of course! I would never make anything less than magnificent for others." He stumbled for a moment before regaining his confidence.

"Can I try one?"

"Go ahead." Swap watched as the fox took a cupcake and bit into the side.

"… this is really good," He covered his mouth as he chewed. "I thought it was vanilla, but the lemon is a nice surprise." He smiled at the knight before quickly shoving the rest of the cupcake into his mouth.

"I'm pleased to know they meet your standard." He forced a fake, posh voice before giggling at himself. "How are the muffins going?"

"They're good, I just put them in the oven." The fox leaned against the counter.

"What did you put in them?"

"Just blueberries, you have a lot in the fridge. Where the hell do you get all this fruit anyway?" He vaguely pointed toward the fridge which still had a few containers of fruit left.

"Me and Pap's go out to Market!Tale before every big baking session. Most of the sellers give us stuff for a pleasant price."

"Nice to know." The fox opened his mouth to speak again, but the front door opened before he could form the words. Moon already knew who it was, he could tell by the way Swap's shoulders tensed.

… he hadn't… told his brother…

"… hey." Stretch said after a moment of silence. His eyelights immediately went to the fox, whose ears had already pressed down against his head. He glanced at Dream and Ink, both who were in the living room talking about something, for a brief moment. The taller skeleton looked back at the fox who'd moved a few feet away from Swap.

"Long time no see." He'd already begun making his way toward the kitchen. "Why don't we have a little chat, for old times sake." Stretch's fingers dug into the fox's sweater too harshly to allow him to pull away. He was already dragging the fox out the door before Swap could try and stop his brother.

Moon was thrown forward and stumbled down the steps on his way down. He could hear the door being slammed closed before Stretch's hand found its way back to the fox's shoulder. The fox tripped over his feet a few times, but managed to keep pace as he was dragged to the outskirts of Snowdin.

Everyone knew that what happened between Swap and Moon had been far from desirable. And though the fox got over the situation without any mental breakdowns fucking liar, Swap hadn't. Which meant Stretch had to deal with the aftermath.

Look, it's really hard for me to be on your side right now. SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!!! You think I don't know that already??????

The fox was pushed forward once again, and the skeleton was successful in having him faceplant into the snow this time. He could hear the skeleton softly laugh at him for a moment before composing himself again. Moon forced himself up and shook the snow off of himself like a dog. Stretch groaned as some of the snow hit him, but he repeated the fox's actions. After a minute of both of them shaking off snow onto each other, they stopped and Moon realized where they were.

The hill.

He brushed a thin layer of snow off of a tree stump before sitting down on it. His tail lightly tapped against the wood as he looked to the horizon.

"Sorry about… being here." He looked over to Stretch.

"'s fine, not your fault anyway." The skeleton reached into his hoodie and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. "Sans shoulda told me."

He extended the box out to the fox, who hesitated for only a split second before taking one.

"He told me he did." The fox let the skeleton light his cigarette before pulling away.

"He only told me Dream 'n Ink were over. Didn't mention anything about you." He took a drag. "Hate those guys comin' over."

"Me too."

The skeleton glanced down at the fox. "What brings ya here anyway?"

"Council stuff… I get to be an 'unofficial official member' of The Stars."

"I assume it's hell."

"It's on par." The fox shrugged and rolled back his shoulders. "… but sorry about… what happened. It was shitty of me."

"It was." He moved closer to the tree stump. The fox scooted over to get him enough room to sit beside him.

"I can let you know when I'll be here if you don't wanna see me."

"Nah, I don't really care. He looked happy."

"… how was he… after the whole thing?"

"Didn't eat, barley slept, spent a lotta time crying too. Ya know, typical stuff." He sounded so calm about everything.

"I had a feeling." He took a short drag. "Still makes me feel like shit whenever I think about it."

"At least you didn't have to actually deal with it." Stretch took one last drag of his cigarette before disintegrating it in his hand. "Look, I don't really care about you. If it were up to me, you'd be dead. Do whatever the hell you wanna do. Just don't toy with him again. If you wanna be his friend then just be his damn friend, don't make things complicated. If you wanna like him again, then actually commit to it. Because if I find out your messing with his emotions just for the fun of it, I will kill you this time."

"… got it." His voice was coated with shame rather than with any fear. "I'm pretty sure he thinks you're trying to kill me right now."

"That's fine. I don't want him to mess with your feelings either. Both of you have to take responsibility for whatever your relationship is. I love my bro, but he's…. not the same. It's not your fault or anything, he just changed. I wouldn't put it past him to mess with you when he shouldn't be. Just because he's my bro doesn't mean I won't kick his coccyx. But if your gonna start anything up with him again, actually follow through with it this time."

"… nah, my party's already full. I don't think… they'd want him apart of… us…"

"What're they like?"

"They're… complicated." He looked down at his cigarette. "But I like them, a lot. They treat me good… they care… they trust me. But I think they're too different to let someone like Swap in. And I think that's for the best. I realized that him and I … aren't really meant to be. We both know it, but I don't think either of us want to accept it yet."

Stretch took the cigarette from Moon's paw and disintegrated it. "Sometimes things just don't mix—'s just what happens."

The skeleton leaned forward a bit. His eyelights stared off towards the horizon but never focused onto any one thing in particular. The fox held his paws in his lap as his tail thumped against the tree stump in a slow, quiet motion. "I forgot how nice you are."

"Don't count on it too much. I still want you dead."

"I know, but thanks for… understanding me. You'd be a good therapist."

"Ehh, too much work."

"… I should probably leave. I've been baking for the past five hours, I wanna go home." Moon stood and stretched for a moment before grabbing a key from his bag. "But thanks for the smoke."

Stretch merely shrugged at the fox as he left. The skeleton stayed on the hill for a while longer, enjoying another cigarette before deciding to head back.

Upon arriving back, he was greeted with the other three skeletons decorating various desserts spread out on the table and kitchen counter.

"Oh, hey bro!" Swap immediately smiled up at his brother once he realized he was back. "… uh, where's Moon?"

"He said he had to leave, told me to apologize on his behalf. So, sorry. Anyway, could I talk to you? Just for a minute." He looked at the guardian and the artist for a moment.

"Sure thing." Swap set down what he was holding and whipped the back of his gloves on his apron. He hung said apron onto it's hook on the wall before following his brother outside. Stretch closed the door behind them. Both brothers sat down on the porch stairs.

"Why do you guys bake so much anyway?"

"Well it helps people feel better and Dream infuses them with small amounts of healing magic-" "No, I mean why do you guys bake that much?"

"… Dream and Ink don't know how to cook."

"Can't you? I think your stuff's worthy enough."

"They don't really like my cooking that much and I would rather not be the only one not baking so- did you pull me away from them just to talk about this?"

"Ehhh, partially. But I wanted to talk about him."

"Did you threaten him?" Sans pointed a finger at his brother's chest. His magic caused his scarf to slightly puff up for a moment.

"Course I did, but that's not the point. I was having a very mature and adult conversation with him about you guys."

"Paps, I already told you I'm over everything."

"You look like you wanna to marry him."

"No I don't!"

"Look, I'm not gonna try and fight with you on that. But something I know for an absolute fact, is that he's taken." Papyrus watched as his brother froze at his words, his shoulder tensing before slumping. "And he didn't tell you that, did he?"

"… no."

"I had a feeling." He let out a sigh. "Sans, I know you like him, but it isn't going to work out. I'm telling you this because I care about you, your my brother. I don't want you to get hurt again."

He heard his brother sniffle. "… did he tell you who?"

"He said they care about him, that's it."

Stars, it was so stupid of him to believe he'd still have a chance. Just spend some time together, maybe bake together, and they'd magically become a couple. Like nothing even happened. Like nothing had stopped them the first time. Moon didn't owe him anything. He was his own person with his own life.

Swap wiped a few stray tears away with the back of his glove, they still smelled like blueberries and vanilla.

"… I … still like him."

"I know."

"… what do I do about it?"

"Wish I could tell ya."

"Cmon' man it'll be really fun. Trust me."

"The last time we did this we were almost attacked… we're not even supposed to be out here." The solider mumbled into his scarf.

"Oh come on, it'll be FINE. Because Nightmare WON'T find out we left."

"Killer he already knows were out here." Moon pulled back the hood of his cloak and before poking his head out of the alleyway for a moment.

"Okay ya I know- WHAT I MEANT, is that he won't put us in the timeout corner for this. You trust me and Moonpie, don't you?" Killer leaned closer to Cross's face and batted his nonexistent eyelashes on him. He should really invest in some eyelash extensions.

"Don't call me that."

"Ughhhh- you guys are soooo boring. We haven't left the castle in days! Don't either of you ever have fun?"

"Keep your damn voice down. And I have tons of fun staying at home." The fox corrected with a jab at Killer's chest.

"We're on our fourth rewatch of House." Cross confirmed as a soft lilac dust covered his skull for a moment.

"You're proving my point. Whatever, let's just go already." Killer said as he pulled his hood back over his skull and made his way out of the alley. He stopped a few feet away and waited until he was sure the two other monsters were following closely behind him.

The specific universe was an Underfell variant after a pacifist route. Humans and monsters still lived with a bit of social division, but the progress towards regaining harmony seemed promising. There had already been a few reports of Nightmares men visiting the universe. Moon glanced across a busy street and felt his heart drop at the sight of a few Council members out on patrol. They were too busy talking to other civilians to notice the trio.

"This is a really, really, REALLY bad idea." But Killer didn't hear him.

They eventually arrived in front of an animal shelter and quickly made their way inside. The fox glanced around and felt just a bit of relief as he realized there were only a couple of civilians inside.

Killer uncovered his skull as he approached the counter and smiled at the receptionist. He opened his mouth to speak, but the receptionist sighed and stood before he could say anything. They led the trio to a door which they unlocked with a key and allowed them inside.

"I'll give you an hour. Try not to break anything this time." The door clicked shut behind them.

Killer immediately grabbed the keys hung on the wall and made his way to let a few cats out of their enclosures. A few of them meowed at him in recognition and rubbed themselves against his leg before trotting around. Moon and Cross both sat down at the end of the large hallway on a wooden bench with far too many claw marks across the wood.

"Hi, Dog." The soldier smiled down at a long haired gray tabby cat, scooping the creature up into his arms and setting it down on his lap.

"The cat's name is Dog?" The fox extended his hand out to Dog and allowed them to sniff his hand before they rubbed their snout against his paw.

"Killer gave her that name."

"Of course he did." The fox ran the tips of his claws through Dog's fur and earned another headbutt to his paw in response.

Killer came back to the end of the hallway with one cat perched on his shoulder, one held in his arm, and two following closely behind him. He set the cat in his arms down into Moon's lap and handed the fox a few small cat treats. "Feed 'em." He instructed while sitting down onto the floor and using his magic to lift up a small box of toys from the corner.

The cat in Moon's lap pawed at him until he gave them a couple of treats. Afterward, he was allowed to pet them a bit. They nibbled on his paw for a while before eventually licking his fur in a weak attempt to clean him. The fox didn't mind, and accepted another few treats passed over to him by Killer. He held the treats in front of his snout and sniffed them for a moment.

"Oh, this is what you were making yesterday?"

"I only feed them the best." Killer smirked before giggling a bit as one of the cats continued to make biscuits on his jacket. His smile faltered for just a moment as he watched the fox eat the treats.

"These aren't that bad."

"… sometimes I forget how weird you are." Cross mumbled while scooting just a bit farther away from the fox.

"No, these are actually really good." Moon held up a few cat treats in front of the soldier.

"I think… I'm okay..." He gently pushed the fox's paw away from him. He focused back on the string toy he was holding and pulled it back up into the air, watching as two of the cats swatted at each other in their attempts to reach the plush mouse attached to the end of the string.

"Do you think that," Killer picked up a short haired, cream colored cat onto his lap. "Nightmare would let me keep one of those guys?" He scratched the small creatures head and inspected it's ears for a moment.

"Mmmm, maybe. He's been in a bit of a good mood lately." The soldier said. "Didn't you have a cat at one point? I swear you've had one before."

"Uhhh… I did… once… but Nightmare didn't really like it so… you know." His smile dropped a bit at the memory. One day, the thing was just gone. It had been a kinder approach honestly, he'd expected to find the thing gutted and sprawled out on his bed.

"Oh… right…" He shifted uncomfortably. Gods, he shouldn't have brought that up, he really, really shouldn't have brought it up.

The fox cringed at the tension in the air. "… I think he'd let us have one or two of them." He let out a small sigh of relief at the sight of Killer's smile returning to normal. "The castle gets kinda lonely sometimes, I'm sure he'd enjoy the extra company."

"… that does sound kind of nice. And I bet we could get Horror to grow some cat grass for them. Or some catnip if you want." The soldier giggled at the mental image as he looked over at the other skeleton.

"Huh… I guess your right. Whatcha think Soop? You wanna come home with us?" He looked down at the cat, who blankly started up at him before meowing in his face and pawing at the fluff on his jacket. "I'll take that as a yes." He giggled and ran his hand through Soop's fur as she purred against his chest.

"We could make a day out of getting stuff for her. And we'd need to make sure the castle is at least a little safer…" The soldier mumbled as he ran through all the small details of activities would need to be done. But the idea was still nice to him. Even before they had to be isolated to the castle they didn't exactly have much to do. One cat would be great, but then they'd probably get a bit lonely after a while. So then they could get another to keep them company and keep them happy. They could spend a lot of time bonding with them, and Horror would continue to make them healthy treats. And Nightmare could create small rodents and birds for them to hunt too. And Dust could make them little shirts and sweaters and socks and hats and-

Cross froze as the sound of keys jingling could be heard from the other side of the door before it swung open. The sound scared the cats and caused all of them to scatter away. Killer attempted to reach out to Soop, but she scurried away before he could get a hold on her. The receptionist from earlier stood in the open doorway, heavily panting and sweating a bit.

"You guys need to leave NOW."

Moon expected them to sound mad and probably upset, but the fear in their voice made him tense.

I knew this was a bad idea.

"Why the hell do you have people from THE COUNCIL looking for you? You could warned me or something at least!" They exclaimed, but not quite yelled. "You uh- fuck, you guys need to go like right now. They sound way too excited at just the idea of finding you." They looked directly at Killer.

The skeleton looked irritated, but knew it wasn't the place to try and argue back. He brushed off the pile of cat hair that had been shed onto his cloak as he stepped closer to the fox and soldier.

Moon reached his paw into a pocket on the inside of his cloak before pulling out an old, gothic styled key. This time, he didn't even need to speak to get it to work. He merely held it outward in front of him and watched the magic enclosed within it pooled and formed a portal.

The fox felt a numbness through his body the moment a large noise, definitely a crash, could be heard from down the hallway. Someone yelled, but Cross had already gotten a hold of the two monsters and pulled them through the portal.

Moon and Cross stumbled, but neither of them fell as they were thrown through the magic. Killer landed face first into the castle foyer floor. He groaned and went limp after a moment.

"Oh my- I am so sorry- I didn't mean- mean to do that." Cross stammered as he quickly made his way over to the other skeleton. "I- are you- uh are you okay?"

"Never-" He winced as he pushed himself up from the floor. "better."

As much as he wanted to push the soldier away, he allowed him to help him stand and not immediately fall back over himself. Moon followed and placed his paws on the side of his skull, inspecting the damage.

"So doc, do I get a cool scar or what?" Killer laughed before forcing himself to stop at the slight pain.

"It's… actually not that bad. There's just a little crack." Moon explained as he gently ran his claw over the skeleton's left cheek, where the crack was, but pulled away when he heard Killer wince. The fox glanced down at the floor when the skeleton had fallen and thankfully saw no bone fragments.

"We should get you to Nightmare."

"Cross, carry me."

"… no." The refusal sounded like a question on its own.

"But I am simply so terribly injured," He pressed the back of his hand to his skull and dramatically— though carefully— sunk back to the ground.

Cross only stared at him with emotionless eyelights.

I can't believe I let this guy take my virginity.

As the soldier started down at the skeleton, Moon let out a sigh of defeat. He allowed for his shadow to form and watched as it bent down and scooped Killer into its arms.

"Yay :3" Killer wrapped his arms around the shadow's neck and threw his head back to look back at the fox. "I forgot about this guy, why don't we get to see him more often?"

"IT is terrible and annoying and I hate it." He corrected as he'd already begun to walk away. His shadow followed behind him, and Cross followed behind it.

"I mean… it's interesting." The soldier mumbled as watched the way Moon walked without an actual shadow attracted to him anymore. He didn't know the specifications of how shadow magic worked—it wasn't something he ever really intended to learn. Nightmare and Moon were the only two who knew how to use it, and they seemed plenty sufficient at it for all of them.

"See? They like me, don't they Moonpie?" It spoke as it twisted its head in a direction just a bit too far to the side. Something should've broken.

The fox didn't respond.

The 'trio' arrived at Nightmare's office and Moon's shadow gladly carried Killer over to the guardian. He was less than pleased to see it, and quickly took the skeleton from it's grasp.

Moon forced his shadow away the moment it had fulfilled it's purpose.

"I suppose you all had an entertaining outing?" The guardian questioned as he held Killer's face with his hands and examined the damage in the same fashion the fox previously had.

"We… uh- we wanted… to just… pet… some… cats…" Cross's voice died in his nonexistent throat as he looked down at the floor in shame. He didn't want anyone else to get in trouble, they didn't have ill intention. But he… he didn't want to take the blame either. It wasn't his fault. It wouldn't be fair to him.

The guardian glanced at the soldier but didn't comment. He pressed his hand against the crack in Killer's skull and focused his magic onto the point. A faint teal glow emanated from his hand as he healed the small wound. Nightmare's ability to heal was weak, but he could heal small scrapes and bruises when necessary.

Not all monsters are born with the ability to perform healing magic. The trait is most commonly passed on from a parent, though it can be learned by most monsters with enough practice and dedication. As a monster's magic is a direct representation of their soul, their ability to perform specific types of magic can be influenced by their soul.

Monsters with particularly high Levels Of Violence often have a more difficult time performing healing magic; the violence they cause directly contradicts the desire and ability to heal.

- Moon I. Vulxen

Nightmare pulled his hand away and observed as the bone reformed itself. His magic would never be able to do much more than heal what was on par with paper cuts. Even with all his dedication and patience, it simply wasn't something he could do anymore.

Believe me, he'd spent weeks trying to fix the gaping hole in Horror's skull.

"… It's not their fault, I shouldn't have agreed to let us leave." Moon explained. "I'm sorry."

"I mean it's entirely his fault. I was kind of… annoying them both and convinced to leave in the first place. I just wanted to get out of the castle for a bit." Killer glanced up at Nightmare for a moment before looking away.

The guardian sighed before pressing a small kiss to Killer's skull as he set him down. "I am not mad at any of you. I simply… worry about you leaving. While we may know quite a lot about where the Council will and will not be, we cannot always be certain they will not find us. The only way we can be certain we stay hidden is by not leaving." He looked between the three monsters. "But I understand that it had been difficult for you all. As much as I wish you could freely leave, I cannot in good consciousness allow it until this… situation is fully resolved."

Moon seemed to stiffen a bit at the guardian's words. "Actually, about that, how do you feel about… meeting them?"

Nightmare didn't look quite as surprised as Moon thought he would, and surprisingly, the other two skeletons relaxed at the idea as they looked over at the fox.

"I've been thinking of something for a while now… and I think you'll like it. Also how do you feel about us getting a cat?"

The 'anonymous' note 'found' by Core and given to Dream was a phenomenal thing for them to receive. And as suspicious it was, the Stars couldn't afford to not go. Worst case, they immediately died. Mediocre case, they just waste their time being pranked by some random kids. BUT, best case scenario, they would actually be able to have a peacefully conversation with Nightmare's team.

The Stars had been in the abandoned universe for a good few minutes. Times was always a difficulty when it came to going between different universes, so they'd decided to show up what was likely two hours earlier than the notes told them to. Orders had already been given to Core to send backup if they didn't return in a few hours, or if they 'got a really bad vibe' after a while.

As much as they really wanted to go without any sort of weapons, they weren't stupid enough to trust them. Swap glanced around the barren surface, cringing slightly as the borders of the universe seemed to be actively collapsing on themselves. From what Ink had been able to gather, the universe had been slowly falling apart for a while now. They'd be perfectly fine residing in it for a few hours.

The artist sat on the ground with their fingers fiddling with the long pleated skirt they were wearing. They picked at the specks of paint and bits of glitter that stuck to the fabric. "Do you think they're actually going to show up?" Their colorful eyelights looked up at Dream.

"… I mean… I wouldn't really count on it. I really hope they do though." The guardian stood beside the artist, glancing down at him before looking over at Swap. The knight hadn't been himself ever since they last baked with Moon. Something had clearly changed, but Dream couldn't find it in himself to ask him. He could have just read him emotions, and therefore his mind, but Swap had already told him that was weird and asked him to stop doing it. So as much as he wanted to try and help him, he wasn't allowed to. It had only been a few days since then. But the tension in the knights mind seemed to rapidly grow. Dream could practically see the negativity dripping off of him.

They waited around for a while. They really shouldn't have come so early. But Dream insisted that they couldn't afford to miss this opportunity. And Core could manage everything for them for a few hours. They seemed more than delighted to be given the temporary authority anyway.

Swap was the first one to see the portal forming across the field. It swirled with a dark teal and purple magic before a large skeleton missing a chunk of their skull stepped out. A few others followed before Dream laid his eyelights on Nightmare. He didn't even register the fact that Moon was standing right beside him until the fox weakly waved at him.

"… hi… guys…" The fox's voice couldn't be heard from the other side of the field; but they watched as he slumped behind Nightmare's frame. The guardian glanced back at him before forcing himself to look ahead at the trio whose positivity he could feel immediately wither.

Slowly, Swap stepped forward. The others didn't stop him. And Nightmare's men remained still at his action. He could feel their stares, he could feel perfectly well the way they analyzed his every movement. But they didn't move. The knight stood before the guardian and the fox, his eyesockets already leaking a light blue liquid. The fox couldn't meet his gaze and his craws dug deeper into the tendril he hid behind. Swap understood everything from just the way the fox held onto the guardian.

He should have been terrified and helpless. He should have been begging the Stars to save him. He should have been doing anything, just anything other than what he was already doing. He shouldn't have been calm. He shouldn't have been at ease. He shouldn't have looked more afraid of the Stars than of the ruthless monsters that surrounded him.

He belonged with them.

But Swap couldn't tell if Moon owned the others, or if they owned him.

"… I'm sorry… I shouldn't have… I should have told you sooner."

The knight looked up at the guardian, who could only afford him a look of apology.

"… this whole time? … this WHOLE TIME?" He cried at the fox. "You just… lied to us. Lied to me, just like that?"

"I would have told you if I cou-" "NO! No, you wouldn't have. You would have just-just messed with me like last time. Is this- is everything just some sort of fucking joke to you? Do you seriously not care about anything we've done together? After EVERYTHING we went through, after I gave you so much… you just lie to my face and can't even bother to tell me you're taken? You knew what you were doing the entire time… and you just let me believe I had a chance. You told my own brother before even thinking about telling me. Do you really think I'm that stupid? Do you really think I'm worth that little?" Dream and Ink approached a few steps behind the knight.

"… I'm sorry." The fox choked out his words. "I know what I did was bad and I don't expect you to forgive me, I don't expect any of you to forgive me. But I've done everything for a reason… and I can't tell you what that reason is… but I promise you, all of you, that if you just let me do what needs to be done… then everything will work out. We'll all be able to get what we want in the end… you just need to trust me." He glanced up at Nightmare, catching his gaze for a moment before forcing his head back down. "I meant what I said in my trial I joined the Council to help the multiverse regain it's balance."

"… We would appreciate it if you would discuss a possible truce with us." The guardian of negativity took control once again. His eyelight handed back on Dream and managed to not falter.

The smaller guardian forced himself to look away from Swap and Moon. "… okay."

Ink created a long wooden table, alongside some chairs, for everyone in the center of the field. The artist scratched at the edge of the wood and restrained himself from trying to make small talk. The taller guardian sat opposed to the smaller, and the rest of his men were seated around him. Dream summoned a scroll with his magic and unrolled it before pressing it forward to Nightmare. "It's far from complete and only a temporary version… I hope that's alright." His hands trembled against the table more than he wished they would.

"Your contribution is more than enough, I am afraid we have not prepared anything on our behalf yet." He hesitated to hold the paper and tensed a bit at the golden magic that encapsulated it.

The meeting was in silence for the majority of its duration. Nightmare would read a section, cross out a few parts, and then usually add a section of his own. And slowly, the magic from the scroll faded from bright and golden, to a much darker teal color. Occasionally, the guardian would allow the fox beside him to peak and read his edits, and he seemed mostly pleased with the adjustments made. Once Nightmare seemed to be content with his work, he handed the scroll over to Moon alongside the quill he'd used. The fox wrote a section at the very end of the document before crudely signing his name in the open area at the bottom. He passed the document back to the guardian, and saw him sign without hesitation.

"Nightmare, can I ask you something?" The younger guardian forced himself still as he met the other's gaze.

"Of course."

"… why are you doing this? Why now?" He glanced over to Nightmare's men, watching as they all read the document in full. "What changed?"

"… I do not know when it happened exactly," His tendrils curled in on themselves and flexed for a moment. "but I have realized my original 'plan' was… of poor quality. The harm I wished to cause others was built on experiences I had hundreds of years ago. For so long I believed that becoming the harm that I faced would somehow solve everything. The ideas I had when I was a child were foolish… and it was foolish of me to keep them for as long as I did." His set his hands onto the table, interlocking his fingers. "But I still need to fulfill my purpose, we both must. I cannot destroy you, to do so would only cause more issues to arise. And I apologize that it has taken me so long to realize this." Dream's voice died before he could even think of the proper words to speak.

That's two whole people crying so far, do we get a prize if we can get Ink to cry too?

He made a noise between a laugh and a sob before covering his mouth with a gloved hand. "… I'm sorry… I should- I should have done more. I shouldn't have left you when I did. I should have been a better brother to you. I should have cared more. I should have tried more." He sobbed, tears leaking down his skull as he looked up at his brother. "I'm sorry moonflower, I'm so, so sorry."

Nightmare watched the other guardian weep. For a moment, he almost wanted to reach over to him. He couldn't tell if he wanted to hug him or not. Dream's regret was perhaps the best emotions Nightmare had ever been able to consume. It was something he would only ever get once, no other time would ever be this strong and sincere. It would never be this satisfying again.

But it would always be there, festering in the cracks of his mind and soul—and Nightmare was content with that.

The guardian blinked back the few tears he could fear forming in his eyesockets. He looked at the others and watched as the knight quickly signed his name before passing the document over to Dream. He sniffled and controlled his breathing as best as he could as he read every new thing his brother had added. He tried his best to wipe his eyesockets and not get his tears all over the paper.

"… do we… really need to disband?" Swap and Ink both held a small look of distrust, but they'd still been willing to sign. Dream was the most important one after all, shouldn't he be the one to make the final decision?

"I am afraid so, but know that we shall be doing so as well. Having these 'teams' is only necessary if the balance of the multiverse is uneven. Only in times of great disturbance will either group be allowed to temporarily reform. I understand that the balance of positivity and negativity is not perfect at the moment, so you all may continue your work for the time being. Though once balance is regained you must be permanently disbanded." Nightmare explained as he leaned forward just a bit. "Both of us still must do our job of course, but it should be without the aid of anyone else. We should not involve mortals in our work any more than we already have."

Dream couldn't say no. He'd wanted to find a way to peacefully talk with his brother for hundreds of years. He wanted to trust him. He wanted to be able to sign it without a second thought. He'd wanted a truce for longer than anyone else had. Even if it was only for a few weeks or months or however long they could all handle it for. But something in his soul stung and dug itself into him.

You need to do this. You need to do this.

Toriel's looming presence was so persistent that Moon was surprised she hadn't already made up some excuse for him to throw up. She wrapped her paws around his throat to ensure his silence. He'd done his job so well. He'd even gotten to write a section of the truce, isn't that just adorable?

The guardian of positivity name glowed a bright gold as it was inscribed onto the document, coating it in his magic just as everyone else had done. It was done. It was that easy.

It shouldn't be this easy. It can't be this easy. It can't. It can't it can't it can't

Hundreds of years for this, and it's over in only a couple hours.

There has to be something more.

Shouldn't there?

Some sort of disagreement or dramatic fight?

… how are you this bad at your job?

My entire existence has lead up to this moment and you can't even try to make it seem realistic. Fuck, you really are terrible at your job. But I guess that makes sense, if you couldn't be bothered to let me have a relationship with my own family then you wouldn't even think twice about having things make sense you-

The fox coughed and silently gagged into the crook of his arm. He blinked away the tears that formed in his eyes as best he could. He cleared his throat and avoided eye contact with everyone else. A few more words were exchanged between the two guardians. The table and chairs melted into the black ink they had been created from. It sunk back into the ground and was absorbed by it until there was no trace left of them ever existing.

Nightmare didn't object to the way Dream hugged him. He wrapped his arms around his brother and rested his head on his shoulder. No one said anything about the embrace. But they walked just a bit lighter afterward.

The Stars walked back to where they'd arrived. They watched as the now separated group of skeletons stood at their end of the field. Cross had already grasped Horror's hand and spoke to him words that The Stars couldn't hear. Killer had slung his arm around the hooded skeleton's neck and shoved his hand into the other's pocket. Dust attempted to push him away, but the action caused both of them to trip and fall onto the ground. Dream watched as his brother sighed before using his tendrils to pick the two skeletons up.

The group made their way towards the portal Nightmare had created. Moon stayed a few steps behind the rest of them. The fox's eyes flickered back at the abandoned universe. The horizon stretched on and on, for what seemed like eternity. He watched as the Stars left in their portal. He could see the way Dream kept an arm around Swap's shoulder to prevent him from looking back. He could hear the others behind him, already bickering about what Horror should make for dinner. His paw fell over his bag as he could feel the magic that radiated from the keys inside. There was no point in bringing them, not when Nightmare was the one in control of the meeting place.

But the fox hadn't let himself leave without them. Not without the key that lead to the Omega!Timeline.

In that single moment, the urge to leave overcame everything else. It was so simple. So, so simple. He could just leave. Leave Swap. Leave Nightmare, leave Dust and Killer and Horror and Cross all behind.

What would that be like?

How far could he get before someone dragged him back?

Would they even bother?

What life could he live outside of this one?

He could feel the nausea pool in his stomach and burn the back of his throat. His arms wrapped around his stomach as he forced himself to stop thinking. It was a stupid idea. Such a stupid, stupid idea. He had a life here with them. He didn't need anything else. He didn't deserve anything else. He couldn't think of such awful things, not now. Not when she was already watching over him.

The fox took in a shaky breath. The air tasted differently here. Not bad, not good, simply different than the air he breathed at home. Nightmare's hand rested on the fox's shoulder.

"Are you alright?"

"… ya, just a bit nauseous." His paw reached up for the guardian's hand, guiding it to his face. The coldness of his magic helped to ease the flushed skin beneath his fur.

"I can have Horror prepare you something to ease that. Can you walk on your own?" The guardian had already placed his other hand against the fox's side. Gods, was he really that pathetically predictable?

Moon let out a low hum, but he didn't push himself away from the guardians touch. The rest of the team stood around the portal, clearly waiting for them. Once they were close enough, the others began to make their way through the portal. Cross waited for the fox and guardian. The soldier gave a small, earnest smile to them, before allowing himself to go through.

Nightmare stopped just before the portal, his hands still holding the fox in place. He watched as Moon let out shallow breaths of air and trembled on weak legs. The questions and words flooded his mind, but he wasn't allowed to speak on the matter.

Some things weren't allowed to be spoken. Not even when they were of concern. Not even if it meant he would continue to be in pain. Moon was always sick. Nothing would ever change that. He was always uneasy and weak and on the verge of puking. And the guardian was never allowed to ask why. He could only try to alleviate the suffering. So Nightmare picked up Moon, and carried him back home.

The fox was nestled into the guardian's bed with a blanket wrapped around him and a cup of tea held in his paws. He leaned his head against Horror's shoulder as both of them nibbled on a plate of cookies. Killer had laid his entire body over Dust's lap, holding him captive as he tried to talk him into going to the animal shelter with the rest of them on their next outing.

It was… far more normal that Moon had expected it to be. He'd expected some sort of interrogation from Killer at least, but it never came. They just acted like it never happened. It's not like it changed how they saw him. They'd all done bad things, even if some were to incredibly different degrees. But they tried their best to leave it behind and forget about it.

The door to the room opened as the guardian and soldier stepped in. The taller of the two held a white envelope with a wax seal on the cover.

On the front, 'Bad sanses Nightmare's team' was written in very eccentric curly letters.

Greetings! We hope this letter finds you all well. We're all absolutely thrilled to hear about the temporary truce put into place and we hope that one day it can become official. We'd like to invite you all to a ball to celebrate this tremendous milestone. It will be hosted in the Omega!Timeline in twelve days. For more information please contact Core!Frisk as the event approaches. Please wear formal attire.

We hope to see you there!

- The Council

Chapter Text

Moon held the keycard to his hotel room up to the door until it flashed green and allowed him inside. The door quickly shut behind him as he blindly felt against the wall for the light switch. He squinted when the light were suddenly flashed on but slowly blinked and recovered. His bag was set down onto the small table beside the pullout bed sofa thing.

It wasn't terribly late in the day, but he'd decided to head back early. His research had been going rather well, the monsters at the nearby library had taken a liking to getting to see him everyday. The expedition had been going on for six months already, but he didn't plan to head back to the castle for at least another few weeks. He'd managed to complete a few more books for Nightmare, but they were still rough around the edges.

The fox leaned himself against the small rooms window ledge and pressed his paw against the cold material. Below him, he could see the cites inhabitants going about their daily routines and business. He liked this universe a lot. It was a pretty old copy of the original Undertale universe and had some of the best recorded research on magic available to the public. Both monsters and human freely roamed the surface in almost complete harmony.

He pushed himself away from the window and stepped closer to the small refrigerator in the corner of the room. It had a few containers filled with half eaten restaurant leftovers. Though there was a couple packages of fresh fruit that he'd managed to get his paws on earlier in the week. The plastic carton of blueberries was snatched before the refrigerator was closed again. He seated himself down onto the couch and grabbed his most recent book he was working on. His shadow formed beside him and shoved it's snout into his space for a moment before pulling back. He silently handed it the other book that it had been editing earlier. It groaned in frustration but reluctantly accepted it and leaned back against the other side of the small couch.

The two creatures worked in silence for about half an hour before the shadow got up and opened the window. It seemed much happier to hear the sounds of the city and was far more willing to work afterwards. It continued to work on editing the fox's work—catching and fixing spelling mistakes or simply changing sections that didn't quite seem to make sense.

They worked until the sun began to set in the horizon and the room was basked in a warm, orange hue. The shadow was clearly getting restless and set down the book it was working on onto the floor where the other's were. It laid itself across the couch and rested its head on the fox's lap. And though he couldn't see the expression it made, he knew it was smiling.

"What?"

"IIIIIII want ice cream." It drawled.

"We don't have any… you can't even eat anyway." It took him a moment to remember that very important fact.

"Let me rephrase that, you want ice cream." It corrected itself.

"… I do." He let out a sigh of defeat as he set his book down onto the armrest. "But that ice cream place is like a ten minutes walk from here, and it's late and it's getting cold and I don't want to go." He complained to himself while he tilted his head back.

"Whatever you say. I'm just telling you everything you already know. We can always go there tomorrow." It shrugged before leaning itself over the fox's shoulder. He appreciated the weird warmth that it brought him.

After another hour of working, he eventually decided to rest. The couch was extended and the fox nestled himself under the thin blankest the hotel had supplied him with. His shadow pressed it's body against his and wrapped it's arms around him. They'd done this countless times before, it was something that almost regularly happened since he'd been in his stripes. It was honestly quite normal, his parents had seen nothing wrong with it. Just about everything else in their family had grown more and more attached to their shadow as they got older. But it was usually just a friend to have when they were younger, a way to better understand their own emotions when they were too young to know what they really meant.

But… something else had been on his mind lately. He'd thought about it a few times before… okay maybe a lot of times before. But even when he was younger, he'd thought it was too embarrassing to allow himself to do. He shifted uncomfortably beneath the covers and pushed himself to sit up. It did the same. It could feel everything he felt, and it knew exactly what was on his mind.

It pressed itself against the fox and roughly lapped at his throat. It nipped at his skin and seemed satisfied at the noises he produced in response. And for a while, it was good. It felt good. But as the shadow moved and placed it's legs on either side of the fox's lap, he seemed to tense.

"I… I don't… I don't know if I want this." Moon mumbled as he glanced away from his shadow. But it stayed insistent as he straddled his lap. It giggled at his look of discomfort and rested it's paws on his shoulders.

"Oh Moonpie, don't be like that. If I'm doing something to you, then you must want it. I'm you after all, even if you don't want to believe it. I know everything you know and have felt everything you've ever experienced. I'm just you in a different perspective." It explained, its paws trailing their way down to the fox's waist. "Do you not realize how great this is? You get another version of you to use for all your disgusting fantasies! And because I'm technically you, it's no different than you touching yourself at night. You get all the experience while still being a virgin, isn't that wonderful?" It leaned in closer to the fox, nestling it's snout back onto his neck and running it's tongue along it.

It was right, Moon knew that. It was just all the parts of himself that he never expressed. So if it was doing something to him, then he had to have wanted it. He just didn't realize it. He wanted it to touch him like this. He had to—or else it wouldn't be doing anything to him.

"You want this Moon, don't you?" It asked, already grinding itself against him. One of it's free paws moved down to it's crotch, but Moon refused to look down at it. The space between his legs felt funny in a way he knew was different from just arousal. But it felt good, of course it did. It was friction and affection, so of course he enjoyed it.

Because it was him. Some part of him had to have wanted it. It just had to. So if it hurt him, then he had no one to blame but himself. Anything he didn't like was his own fault, not it's. It was him… just in a different perspective.

"Now be a good boy and open wide."

"Y-yes sir." He stammered as he weakly opened his mouth.

"Sir?" It grinned at the words, forcing it's fingers into his mouth and spreading his maw. It's other paw grabbed the back of the fox's head and pulled it down to where it wanted him. "I could get used to that." It scoffed at the sight of the fox's tears. "Oh don't be a baby, your a big boy now. Aren't you?"

The fox weakly nodded and tried his best not to choke on the warm intrusion shoved into mouth. His shadow groaned in satisfaction. And if it was enjoying it, then he had to have been enjoying it too.

Even when it hurt.

Even when he cried.

Even when he asked it to stop.

At the end of it all, the fox was left alone on his dirty mattress feeling both too empty and still too full. His fur felt gross and knotted again. He was glad he'd never done this thing while at the castle with the others. Nightmare would be able to feel his lust and passion. He would think he was more disgusting than he already was. One part of Moon wanted to head back, because then he wouldn't have to do this again. But going back would mean experiencing that dream again.

… maybe it would be best to forget about tonight. He wouldn't really be a virgin if he could remember having sex, right? He wouldn't be pure enough for anyone else if he could still remember the way his shadow fucked him until everything in him felt sore.

So he would forget about this night.

And he would never let anyone else every touch him like that again.

Things had changed, and it was mostly for the best. Nightmares' missions had shifted away from just capturing humans and were instead focused on simply spreading negativity. His men went on a lot less missions because of it, and they were forced to find new ways to entertain themselves within the castle.

"… If I can give you some negativity… can I leave for a bit? It'll only be a few hours, I promise."

Or they could think of new ways to bargain for temporary freedom.

"How exactly do you plan on doing so?" The Boss asked as a smirk slowly crept its way onto his skull. He could already feel the dread pooling in the fox's soul. The creature didn't speak as he moved, he extended his arm forward. Slowly, he tore his claw across his fur and watched as it was soaked in red. The action itself didn't emit much negativity, but the emotions that followed it did. Disgust and regret were such a delicious combination for Nightmare; it would be rude not to let the fox have his way after such a good meal.

The fox had been a bit more distance since his last expedition but seemed to have regained himself after a few days. He was clearly trying to form connections with the others, through he wasn't very good at it. A few words here and there was fine and all, but nothing really stuck. The fact they knew the fox wasn't actually punished really wasn't helping his case. It was an unintentional action on Nightmare's end. Breaking the little fox would be useful of course, but his knowledge and findings were immensely more important. He didn't need any more positive emotions floating around anyway.

Moon could see the way the others had started to form connections, they'd even started eating meals together. Though not everyone was always present, he'd be lying if he said he wasn't just a bit jealous. But he couldn't blame them. He couldn't be mad at them for not wanting to make friends with someone who was barley even around. But it still stung… just a bit.

Despite begging Nightmare to leave, he didn't really know where he wanted to go. There was a few universes he had in mind, but all of them would be difficult to get to. For his expeditions he was able to use Nightmare's magic alongside his own to get to his desired location, but the guardian likely wasn't in the mood. With how weak his magic was, getting to universes on his own was a struggle. And everywhere his keys led to didn't seem very appealing.

The fox groaned as he rested his head against the iron cast table. The wind outside ran through his fur and the small amount of sunlight allowed warmed him just a bit. He liked the garden, just about everyone did. It had been in rough shape when him and Nightmare first created the castle. But slowly, it had been tamed and managed. Horror had taken a liking to the environment and everyone else was just happy he wasn't sleeping in the kitchen anymore. Though sleeping outside certainly wasn't a step up from it.

He flinched at the sound of footsteps approaching, but made no real effort to move. He could already tell it was Horror. The larger skeleton stopped a few feet away from the fox, staring down at the creature as it slowly breathed. He seemed… uncomfortable when the fox lifted his head and look up at him.

"… hi." Moon blurted out after a moment. He looked away from the skeleton but could still feel his gaze.

The fox reminded him of Cross, in a bad way. In the way that they both seemed skittish and far too thin. But something else was there… some sort of memory Horror couldn't quite place. It was a bad memory, he knew that… but the fox had made it better? Right? Everything was too fuzzy to fully understand.

"… hey." He eventually spoke, his voice quite low and rough, but overall gentle. Seeing the fox made him feel happy for some reason, maybe grateful even. He just couldn't place the reason why.

The two monsters stayed in an uncomfortable silence for a while before the fox gathered up the courage to speak again. "… do you- uh- know any good universes to visit?" He was partially grateful for the fact the skeleton didn't seem to remember the last time they interacted.

Horror only had to take a few moment to properly respond. At least the meds were still working. "Uh, yeah. There's this place that me and… Killer go to… sometimes." It was actually cute to see someone so intimating be sheepish. "… why'd you ask?"

"Nightmare said I could leave for a bit but I… don't really have enough magic to leave on my own."

"He… The Boss actually said you could leave?" He knew the fox left on long missions, but The Boss was always the one to escort him. The Boss only let them leave if they'd done really well and brought back a human that could produce a lot of negativity for him.

"It'll only be for an hour or two… but I could ask if he'd let you too come along." He offered, shrugging his shoulders a bit. "If it makes you feel better, I can ask him on my own… I doubt he'll get mad at either of you." His claws nervously scratched at his arms as he spoke, but he seemed genuine enough. He could much rather take punishment than know they'd get hurt.

The skeleton considered the offer before slowly nodding. "I'll have to ask Killer, but I'm sure he'd enjoy it. We can't… really go without him… my magic's too weak on 's on." He explained while picking at the hole in his skull.

So, that's how Moon ended up standing in front of a gas station on a seaside that he'd never been to before. With Killer's hand slung over his shoulder as he talked his ear off. "What's up with you and The Boss anyway? Like, I know you've been around the longest and everything but you don't really stick around that long. Where do you go? How'd you meet him anyway? How come he lets you sleep in his office? Are you guys fucki-" The only reason he was cut off was because Horror shoved him away from the fox and he landed into one of the shelves. The cashier looked up from the lottery ticket she was scratching for a moment before going back to ignoring them.

"Thanks." The fox mumbled as he rubbed the arm the skeleton had been attached to.

"'s good. Just… ignore him… he's just excited to finally get t' talk to ya." Horror shrugged and looked back at the aisle of candy they were standing in front of. The bright florescent lights above them flickered a bit and the humming was really starting to bug him.

Killer dusted himself off as he stood up and looked over the larger skeleton's shoulder. The fox watched as Killer read out the small text on the packaging to Horror. He glanced around the small store for a moment before slipping past the two skeletons and heading toward the back. He could still easily hear their voices, but he felt a it more comfortable by himself. His eyes glossed over the see through doors that held an immense amount of different drinks. For a moment he considered getting something alcoholic, but he quickly decided against it at the mere possibility of throwing up.

He shivered as the cold air hit him before crouching down to look at the drinks at the very bottom. An energy drink would be nice… or just something that had enough artificial sugar in it to keep him from getting a headache… and preferably with only a few calories. He ended up grabbing some cherry flavored energy drink, it seemed good enough. The two skeletons voices got a bit closer and the fox took the opportunity to head back to where they'd first been. As much as he did enjoy Horror's company so far, Killer was an entirely different story.

The monsters essentially swapped places, and the fox let out a small sigh fo relief as the others voices sounded distant again. He spent a few minutes picking up different bags, checking their nutritional information on the back, before putting them back. Fuck, why did everything have to have so many calories? It wasn't like he kept close watch on his amount per day. He didn't let himself track of them anymore. He'd promised mom he'd stop… but that didn't mean he couldn't still try and keep the count low.

It was different when he was out on his missions for Nightmare… he didn't always know when or if he'd be getting a meal soon. So it was okay for him to indulge a bit. But when he got back he knew his access to food would be more than enough. So it was okay for him to start thinking about it again.

He felt sick just thinking about how much he'd eaten already. He'd be such a good anorexic if he didn't have emetophobia. Just thinking about it made him feel disgusting. It would be so, so easy if he could actually let himself throw up on a regular basis instead of only every so often. But of course he couldn't, only Toriel could force him to puke to remind him to stay on track. Because she was just doing her job, and she needed to make sure he did his. Even if it meant using his own fear against him; it was alright, because it was for a good reason.

Killer eventually found him again and wrapped his arm around him and continued talking about things Moon really didn't care about. But he offered to pay, so the fox didn't shove him away.

He was led to a bench not to far away from the gas station, and that was facing the ocean. The two skeletons sat on the edges of the bench and the fox sat between them. Horror set down the plastic bag in his lap before passing out the contents within to their respective owners. The fox watched as Killer shotgunned his drink, almost puked, and then started drinking his second. Moon brought the aluminum can up to his lips and chugged about half of the cherry flavored liquid before deciding it was enough for him.

"… not hungry?" Horror asked, glancing down at the fox. Of course he'd noticed the fact he hadn't grabbed anything else.

"Not really. Just… not feeling it today." The fox quickly explained, it sounded like a decent excuse anyway.

The smaller skeleton seemed to shut up for a moment and his demeanor shifted. "Do you, like, actually eat anything? You're a lot thinner than you where when I first saw you."

"Killer, ya can't just… say shit like that."

"Oh don't be a baby," They would have seen his eyelights roll in annoyance if they were still visible. "it's not like there's anything wrong about it. If it makes you feel any better, Cross and Horror both have eating disorders."

"I don't have an eating disorder." The fox snarled back at him.

"Just cause you say something doesn't make it true." He said in a singsong voice. "Really, there's nothing wrong about admitting it. Half of us have one, don't think you're all that special or something."

"I don't have an eating disorder." He repeated.

"I saw you with your fingers down your throat last night, don't even try and deny it. Is it a kink? It's not my thing, but I've heard about it before. It's gotta be a kink or an eating disorder. I mean, no normal person is forcing themselves to throw up as much as you do unless it-"

"I DON'T… have an eating disorder." The fox forced himself to only imagine what it would feel like to strangle Killer rather than to actually do it. Everything he was saying was stupid. And it hadn't even been Moon throwing up that night, it had been her.

"… I'm gonna go take a walk." He doesn't even have a throat. The idea was stupid.

He could hear Horror begin to yell at Killer once he was a short distance away from them. He was glad it was late in this universe, he didn't want to have to interact with anyone else for the night. The sidewalks were cracked and sparsely lit. The place was just dripping with agony in ever crevasse.

This was such a stupid, stupid idea. He shouldn't have wanted to leave. He shouldn't have tried to make friends with the others. He should have just stayed in the castle with Nightmare, maybe teaching him some more magic. That was all he was good for nowadays.

Gods… I'm pathetic. I can't even have a single outing without something going wrong, without me doing something wrong.

Maybe Killer was right… maybe Moon did- No. No. Of course not. People like him don't get eating disorders. That's disgusting and pointless. He knows he needs food to survive, and he needs to consume a specific amount of calories per day. Yeah, he knows that. So obviously he can't be anorexic or whatever. He's super normal and healthy and amazing and smart and wonderful and…

… and he should have stayed home with Nightmare. He'd know what to do. He'd know how to talk the fox into eating again. And he'd soak up all of Moon's terrible emotions, so both of them would be able to be happy again. Gods, he should have just stayed with Nightmare. He'd make sure Moon wouldn't even have to think anymore. He'd take care of everything. He always did.

Horror found the fox sitting on the ground, trembling with his knees tucked to his chest. Slowly, he lowered himself down beside him. The fox looked pathetic. He was pathetic. Horror watched him get weaker and thinner every time he saw him. He knew that once, Moon would have been able to beat him in a fight. The fox would've made a great teammate on missions, not just those half assed supply runs, but the actual missions The Boss had started sending them on. But now… that was gone. Now, Horror was almost certain something would break if he so much as held Moon too tightly.

The skeleton's hands rested in his lap. He could tell Moon was trying his best to stop his crying, but it didn't seem to be working.

"… why…" Horror paused, rearranging the words in his head. "Why do ya work for Nightmare?" He watched the fox stiffen for a moment.

"I- I give him my knowledge, and I teach him how to use his magic… and he gave me a home."

"No, I mean why do ya work for him?"

"Because I have to." Moon chocked out, and Horror knew he would never fully understand what the fox meant by that. "I have to do what I do, I need to do this."

"I guess… we all do. None of y'all really got a home to go back to, huh?"

"Do you?" Moon asked, still sniffling.

"Yeah… my brother's still alive, but he's all I've got. Nightmare said… he'll continue sending food home to him, 'nough to share even, 's long as I work for him. I'm here because of my brother… so, why are you?"

"I don't really have anywhere else to go." The fox softly laughed at himself. "My family hates me, my only friend hates me… and I ran away from everyone else. Nightmare's all I have. Without him, I'm useless."

"I mean… you're weak, but I wouldn't say you're useless. You're smart… you're patient too. You handle The Boss better than any of us do. He likes ya… he wouldn't have kept you 'round if you weren't worth keppin'."

"Why are you so kind?" Moon's paws wiped away some of his tears. "Why do you bother with me? What do you get from this?"

"… as much as Nightmare makes our lives hell, we all still need him. He's too much to us for any of us to leave. Honestly… leaving would be stupid. So we're all stuck here… together… and with him. So… the best way to live is to just take what we can get and to make the most of it. It's better than just sitting around, isn't it?"

Horror watched as the fox seemed to finally calm down. And he just sat there, contemplating the skeletons words for a while.

"I can't speak for everyone… but if ya ever need someone to talk to, or if you're just hungry… I'm here, okay?" He leaned just a bit closer to Moon, and he didn't pull back when the fox leaned his head against his shoulder. He was warm against the skeletons jacket, though still not warm enough. But it did something to Horror… he remembered something… he knew something had happened before… and it was important. Wasn't it?

"The other day… what did you do? I can't… remember." Horror asked as he carefully placed an arm around the fox and pulled him closer.

"… I ate them." Moon admitted with a noise that sounded like a cry of pain and a laugh. "I'm sorry."

"No… thank you." His own mind wouldn't let him remember it, but he knew he had memories with them. They weren't just someone random. They were a friend, he just knew it. "… what did they look like?"

"They had- they had the most beautiful eyes I'd ever seen." Moon blinked back his tears before looking up at the skeleton.

"Thank you." Horror looked down at the fox—but not with pity, it was something warm, something kind.

He pressed his teeth against Moon's forehead, and kissed him.

Moon's head rested on Dusts chest, two two of them on the same, shitty mattress. It smelled kind of gross, but Moon was pretty sure it used to be worse. He couldn't find it in himself to turn down Dust's offer to go back to his room. Obviously he'd expected something more than this… but nothing had happened. But for some reason, that comforted him.

There was no expectation to meet or perform. It was just two guys hanging out—cuddling. But it was super platonic and not weird at all.

…. fuck… Ethan was right.

Dust's left hand softly combed through the fox's fur. His gloves felt warm against the creature, who moved to rest his snout on the skeletons shoulder.

"Why do you wear gloves?" Moon's words left his mouth before he could realize what he said.

"It stops anything from getting on my hands… dust and blood mainly… cause they stain pretty badly." He pulled his hand away, examining the glove. After a moment of silence, he pulled the fabric off and set it down. He'd forgotten just how white his bones were.

When was the last time he showered?

The fox shifted, rolling around one way before deciding the other direction was better, to look at the skeletons hand. His paws reached out and grabbed the other's hand. Dust tried his best not to pull away as the fox's claws slowly traced over the indents in his bones.

The scars were old, much older than any of the other skeletons scars. But none of them seemed to have been very deep, and they'd all healed quite well. Moon couldn't even tell if they were intentional or a genuine accident. But his bones were soft and surprisingly clean.

The fox silently pressed his snout against Dust's hand, and the skeleton saw no reason to stop him. He… liked Moon. In some way at least, he knew he liked Moon. he enjoyed being in the fox's presence, even if no words were actually spoken. There was always this quiet, humming connection between them.

Moon made things easy. He wasn't like Killer, he wasn't constantly bothering him with pointless and intentionally annoying questions. He was curious. he wanted to learn everything he could about everyone around him, but he knew his limits. He would save Dust a spot beside him on the couch just to be around him for just a while longer.

He didn't mind the constant smell of cigarettes or decay that stuck to Dust. He didn't tell him to shower or brush his teeth or do his laundry. He just sat there and listened to the few words Dust would give him.

It made Dust…. want to keep him around. He wanted the fox to stay for longer. He didn't want to know that there was always a chance that Moon wouldn't return from his trips. He wanted him here, on this shitty mattress without anyone else to bother them. He wanted Moon as his own.

He felt like a pathetic child who didn't want to share his favorite toy. But Dust knew Moon's affection couldn't be contained. He couldn't just stick it in a jar without air holes and expect it to live.

He'd seen the way the fox curled around Nightmare, how they practically melted into one. Without sharing anything more than a single kiss, they seemed to be utterly, completely devoted to one another. And Dust would be lying if he said he wasn't a bit jealous of it. The thought paused him constantly, mainly in the times in which the fox was away. And he couldn't figure out if he only craved the idea of such affection, or if he craved Moon's affection specifically.

The fox kissed Dust's hand. He spoke in a very quite voice, but nothing of nervousness or hesitation could be heard.

"Do you know what a polyamorous relationship is?"

"You… you like medical dramas?" Cross asked, leaning in closer to Moon. Both monsters sat on the living rooms busted up couch. It was one of the very few things in the castle that wasn't new. Killer had complained about how uncomfortable the original one was, and Nightmare had eventually folded and let him steal one from an abandoned universe.

"I don't know that much about actual medicine, I mainly like the drama part. But it just makes me feel smart when I recognize what a CT scan or an MRI is." The fox sheepishly admitted. "My… my youngest sister really liked them. We used to watch them a lot when we were younger. She always got really squeamish, but she couldn't look away."

Cross seemed highly invested in the small scraps of the fox's childhood. He mentally cataloged the information to remember, and maybe write down later.

"I've only watched a few, but they're always really interesting. Would you… want to watch some with me?" The soldier knew he was blushing, he must have looked so stupid. But his body relaxed just a bit as he watched the fox nod.

"Of course! It's better than just sitting in silence."

"Okay! I- uh-" Cross scrambled to stand up, nervously looking around before grabbing the nearest blanket and throwing it to the fox. He took the few moments of Moon struggling to find the short end of the blanket to compose himself and find the remote. he already knew exactly which show they would watch, and he was already thinking of what facts he could say about the pilot episode. But obviously he couldn't say too many facts, but it was appropriate for him to give a few in specific intervals of each episode. Yes! And he would totally impress Moon with his knowledge of human medical procedures. And the fox would be smile and laugh and they would become friends.

…. they… would…

"Hey Moon?" The soldier stood just a few steps away from the couch.

"Yeah?" The fox looked up with his tangled mess of blanket, head tilting and ears perked.

"Are we friends?"

Moon seemed to freeze, he looked disappointed for a moment. "Cross… of course we're friends. I thought… this was a date."

…

"What?" Cross's entire face must have been purple by now.

"I slept in your bed last night."

"That was- That was because you asked to sleep in my bed last night! You said you- you didn't… want… to be alone." He couldn't believe just how oblivious he had been.

"I assumed that was confirmation of you liking me. Do… you like me?"

"Of course I do! You're kind and intelligent and- and-" He forced himself stop. "… last night…. were you expecting me to…?"

"Uh, kinda?" Moon looked away for a moment, staring at the carpet. "I don't think I wanted to have sex or anything, but I thought you'd want to, and I…. was okay with that." He shrugged his shoulders. "I have this kind of…. weird thing with sex. Like, I want it but… I don't know if I even could."

"Do you have a condition?" The soldier slowly sat down on the couch again, making sure to keep a comfortable distance between them.

"No, no it's not like that. My… stuff, all works properly. It's just… I get like… this kind of weird feeling when I think about it. Like… it's wrong. But it doesn't make sense as to why I think it's wrong. It just is."

Cross seemed much calmer, but concern had filled his voice.

"Did something happen to you?"

"I…. I don't think so." Moon wrapped his arms around his torso. "I don't remember anything ever happening to me… so I'm pretty sure nothing happened. I think… I'm just a bit… different."

"So, was it actually good that we didn't have sex?"

"I think? I'm sorry if it's something you want out of me, I wouldn't mind letting you-"

"No. If it's something you don't like, then you don't have to do it." He set his hands on the fox's shoulder. "I respect you Moon, a lot."

It felt like the closest Moon would ever get to a marriage proposal.

He couldn't even think of what else to say. But before either of them could continue to make a fool of themselves, Moon grabbed Cross by the scruff of his shirt and pressed their mouth… teeth, together.

Cross hadn't thought about just how weird it would be to kiss a fox monster. But Moon didn't seem fazed at all. He'd kissed a skeleton before, many at this point. The soldier had always wondered if anything was going on with Moon and the others, and the way he was currently kissing him was confirmation of just that.

Cross's tongue was purple, just as the rest of his ecto body was. It felt weird against Moon's own tongue. It was… almost gummy like. The fox had to resist the urge to bite down on it to know if it's texture.

But… he might be able to convince Cross to summon his ecto for him to gnaw on.

As long as he asked really, really nicely.