#DoubleNoot AU

[ancha-aus]

DoubleNoot AU Drabble - Welcome Home

We are back with the adventures of parenthood for Corrupt and the adventures of what the hell is going on for Nightmare! And for the family comedy for the gang.

Last Time on DoubleNoot Adventures! Corrupt took his time to make sure Nightmare was safe before explaining to his mates just who Nightmare was. After a small discussion they all agreed that Nightmare would stay with the Crescents, Corrupt's gang, in the castle.

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Corrupt takes the time to make sure that Nightmare is still comfortable in his arms before walking down the stairs.

It still shocks him. To see Nightmare whole and alive in his arms. Safe and protected.

His magic literally glowing as he holds the child close. Nightmare himself seems fully distracted by the glowing and the small particals of magic floating up from their magic connecting.

Corrupt takes his time to make his way towards the kitchen. Still shocked at the sight of Nightmare.

Now that he is clean it is so obvious that all his past wounds healed. There isn't a scratch. And Corrupt thinks Nightmare looks a lot better dressed in something other than that prince outfit.

Of course they will need to get him different clothes still but hopefully Cross and Killer found some things for him to wear. Knowing them they will have gotten too much which fits Corrupt perfectly.

Means Nightmare will get to pick which things he likes.

Corrupt glances to the side and is happy to see some locks on certain doors. Foremost the training room is locked up tight. Seems like Dust has been busy.

Corrupt gets to the kitchen and opens the door with one of his tendrils.

Some clanks of pots and pans being moved and Nightmare looks up at the sound as well. Corrupt smiles as he walks into the kitchen and towards his largest mate "Hello Horror."

Hroror looks over and stares fro a moment before smiling "Hello Moonlight." he turns moves a pan around "Food isn't ready quite yet. Bunny is setting the table." Horror moves into their space and Corrupt feels Nightmare tense a little and shrink closer to him. Horror however just kisses the top of Corrupt's skull with a content hum "Buttercup and Cookie are still out."

Corrupt nods "thank you Horror. I will go to Dust in that case." Horror gives another content hum as he kisses the top of his skull again before turning back to the food.

Corrupt walks out of the kitchen to their dining room. Spotting Dust having pulled out the nice dishes as he sets the table. And extra chair already out and by the looks of it dust reorganised them.

Instead of two by two and one chair at the head of the table for Corrupt there are now three chairs on each side.

Dust looks up and nods before going back to laying down the last few forks.

Corrupt walks over to one side of the table and sets Nightmare in a chair. Nightmare starts to tilt and Corrupt catches him quickly. Nightmare looks away embarrassed.

Corrupt rubs his side and mutters "It is alright. You are only just healed and out on your own again." Corrupt notices him still rubbing and petting the young skeleton and pulls his arm back once Nightmare is stable. He is already much too attached to Nightmare.

Dust walks by as he goes to grab somethign from the cabinet but Corrupt cna hear him mutter something "motherhen."

Corrupt shoots his shorter mate a look but the hood remains a dark void. Though Corrupt can sense his amusement.

Corrupt shoots him a look "I know you are being smug."

Dust shrugs as he walks by and puts down glasses. Water glasses and wine glasses. Dust stops by them and leans to the side "what do you want to drink with dinner?"

Nightmare blinks and turns sligthly to stare at Dust "euh... I don't eat?"

Dust snorts "Sorry kid. That won't fly wiht Horror. What do you normally drink?"

Nightmare rubs his hands and the soft sweater he is dressed in. Nightmare looks at Corrupt for help.

Corrupt hums and shrugs "Horror never let me skip a meal and I am even less monster-like than you are." Corrupt smiles "You can always try a little. See if you like the experience. I myself find eating quite appealing and nice."

Nightmare frowns but nods as he keeps playing with the sweater.

Corrupt frowns as he focusses his power. Trying to find what could be bothering him. Insecurity is the one that comes through most clearly. Fear is the next, or better said Anxiety? The need to... do well?

Oh... He wants to fit in maybe?

If Corrupt considers all that he remembers of Nightmare's life. He must be terrified to be seen as wrong again. He had relaxed when he saw that their magics were compatible. He relaxed when it was just them because they are the same. They may look completely different but Corrupt was the same on a fundamental level. Nightmare felt safe and could relax because he knew that Corrupt wouldn't hurt him for what he was.

Corrupt stops himself from rubbing the other's skull "Hey... there is no need to feel unsure... it is always a learning process. Especially when learning about yourself..." He makes one of his tentacles get close to Nightmare and Nightmare immediantly grabs it. Some of the tension in him disappears when he sees the tentacle light up slightly. He starts to knead it, almost like a cat would.

Corrupt makes sure to keep himself calm. He is okay. They all are okay. and Nightmare is with them. Alive and safe.

Corrupt feels calm and relaxed.

And that seems to help Nightmare as Nightmare relaxes slowly.

Seems like feeling another empath nearby and calm helps him as well.

Corrupt speaks softly "It will take time. And that is okay." Everything will take time. Nightmare learning about himself. Learning it is safe. Learning he is free to be who he is. Everything. Corrupt hopes tha tNightmare understands Corrupt means that.

Dust snorts.

Nightmare looks up but slight confusion in him. Corrupt looks over as well. Dust just sits at the table. Feet on the table and lounging as he eats some berries. Strawberries it seems.

Corrupt raises a brow at him "Feet off the table. Also you better still finish your dinner later." Horror gets nervous when they don't eat enough.

Dust snorts and shrugs again as he tosses a strawberry and catches it with his mouth "It is just a tiny snack." he grins at Nightmare "Corrupt may talk up big but it took him ages to actually take part with the meals." and he eats another strawberry.

Nightmare blinks confused as Corrupt shoots his mate a look "Dust."

Dust grins wider as he eats another strawberry "He tried soooo hard to be a mystery. 'do not follow me.' or 'I will be in my study.' or my favourite 'you go help your... mortal needs. I will be working.' Honestly what did he expect us to do? Not bother him until we learned more about him?" he opens a socket and grins "Maybe he shouldn't have looked for us in that case, we are all very observant."

Corrupt wants to be annoyed but he can't. Not when Nightmare just looks at Dust with large sockets. listening to every word. Listening to how Corrupt acted as the very thing all those villagers told Nightmare he was. Yet these monsters decided they wanted to learn more. That they would not just believe the first thing they saw or heard.

Proof. It is actual proof.

Well... Dust is right. Corrupt's mates are all very observant.

Nightmare wiggles a tiny bit in his seat as he speaks "euh... How did you... figure it out?"

Dust hums "It were many things honestly. When we first moved in it was all wild and strange to begin with so we didn't notice as much. But after a while and you settle you start to notice things." he waves his hand around casually as he speaks "First thing we noticed? That when we spoke about out needs Corrupt would act dismissive. but he never forgot about them. Horror mentioned we need specific diets to get nutrients? Corrupt would mention how mortals are complex in their needs but the stuff we needed is always there or we go on missions to get it."

Corrupt sees Ngihtmare look over and he shrugs. it is the truth.

Dust continues "Killer mentions how he really likes cats and would love to help some strays. well suddenly we went by places which had cat stuff and Killer could bring injured ones back to treat before releasing them in safe places."

Nightmare looks confused as he mutters "Cats?" he shoots Corrupt an unsure look.

right... there were no cats in their old universe "Cats are small animals. I am sure if you stay still long enough Killer will show off his newest guest."

Nightmare frowns and nods as he looks down unsure. His hands find the tendril again.

Dust nods "True. Killer is always rather proud of the cats. You will end up meeting them one way or another." he turns his focus away and Corrupt feels Nightmare relax a bit.

Dust yawns "What was I saying?" He stretches as he leans back. Balancing on the two backlegs of the chair "That was just the start. We had arleady been curious and his behaviour didn't match his words. So we started to pay more attention." he grins "You want to know what we noticed?"

Nightmare keeps staring at Dust "What?" curiousity. the need to know. It feels so much better to feel those instead of the other emotions Nightmare had been feeling.

Dust leans to the side as he leans on his fist "We noticed he would watch us relax. When we weren't working but just hanging out and being dumb. He would watch us. At first we thought he may be wanting to learn about our needs more. See what we did and how we functioned and stuff."

Dust shrugs "It was Killer who spotted him once. In the middle of night while we slept Corrupt went over to our gaming console and tried a few games himself."

Nightmare blinks confused and waits.

Dust grins "If you never get an option to try things. How can you know what you like?"

Nightmare blinks and stares at Corrupt and Corrutp nods "It felt... strange. To want to try these things. That in the memories i got I never knew about. It felt dumb to not know what they were and how i thought about them." it had been his first thought. Experience them so he could understand his minions better.

Turns out he found them rather nice.

Corrupt tells NIghtmare as much before he continues "After that I tried some meals with them and found that i quite enjoyed some flavours."

Nightmare frowns as he rubs his hands "But... we don't need them? Why... why would we-or you like them?"

Corrupt shrugs "I just do. Like you liked your books. You didn't need to read or stay busy. But it was nice."

Ngihtmare frowns as Dust shrugs as he studies a strawberry for a moment "You and Corrupt have that in common. Needing to learn yourself and what you like." Dust grins "Corrupt managed. I am sure you will be fine too." and he eats his strawberry.

Nightmare looks down but looks thoughtful instead of unsure. Corrupt sends his mate a smile and hopes it is obvious how thankful he is. Dust notices and just gives him a half shrug as he gets up to put the strawberries away. Now that Corrupt thinks about it. Dust doesn't even like strawberries all that much.

...

Corrupt is going to have to give Dust a very special thank you later.

The door opened and Killer shouts loudly "We are back!"

Nightmare flinches at the sound and Corrupt makes sure to keep his voice level "in the dining room."

Runnign steps and Killer grins widely as he slides in few "Hey Moonlight! Hey Moondrop!"

Nightmare blinks confused at the nickname as Corrupt sends Killer a look "Moondrop?"

Killer grins and nods "Yeah! Because you are moonlight already or jsut moon. and well." he grins wider "You got him so. Moondrop" and he smiles widely.

Corrupt sighs as he rubs his face "And I keep telling you i wasn't pregnant."

Cross walks in as he carries some bags "Hey Corrupt-" he spots Nightmare and jumps slightly "oh. Hey nightmare. Euh... Killer nad I got some stuff." He puts the bags down and smiles nervously "We weren't quite sure on what you liked or what your size was so we grabbed a bunch of different things. Once you find soemthing you like we can obviously get more which we will but there is also no hurry? So don't feel rushed."

Nightmare looks at the bags in shock and Corrupt gives his mate a nuzzle "How about we look at them after dinner? That way we have time to unpack it all and look through it before it is bedtime?" Cross relaxes under his careful nuzzles and easily agrees.

Cross and Killer take care to move the bags towards the living room and clean up for dinner as Dust and Horror walk out fo the kitchen. Dust assisting Horror with moving the food.

Corrupt sees them and frowns "I apologise. I should have helped." He had been so focused on Ngihtamre and-

Horror hums "No problem Moonlight." he puts the pans with warm food on the table.

Killer and Cross join them as Dust prepares the drinks. He leaves some water for Nightmare out. Soemthing easy for him to start eating and drinking after the long sleep he did.

Eventually they are all seated and Horror puts food on their plates. It is a nice stew by the looks of it. With a lot of vegetables and very soft slow cooked meat.

Horror puts a little of the stew in a bowl for Nightmare last and sits back down with his own bowl.

They all quickly start eating as Corrupt watches as Nightmare slowly moves his arm and hand. The arm starts shaking rather quickly and Nightmare frowns at it.

Corrupt hums and leans closer "Do you want me to help you?" his tendrils are alreayd nearby to keep Nightmare stable.

Nightmare glares at his own limb "Why can't i just move it right?" his hands shake badly as he tries to raise his hands.

Corrupt hums as he helps Nightmare try a bit of the stew "Well, I am not surprised. Sleeping and healing for 500 years would do that to anyone." Should he cut some of the pieces? Or are they small enough for Nightmare to chew comfortably?

Silence before a very quiet voice "What?"

Corrutp blinks and looks over just to see Nightmare stare at him desperately "What... Waht do you mean? five... five..." his breahting picks up.

Shit.

Fuck of course he doens't know!

Corrupt lays the cultery down as he keeps his voice calm and quiet "I know it is a lot. I am sorry. I don't know why i thought you knew... I have existed for over 500 years now. I do not know the exact number. You have been asleep for all that time until today."

He woke up today. He woke up from a 500 year long coma and Corrupt hadn't even thought about easing Nightmare into that inforation.

Nightmare shakes as he holds tightly unto the tentacle "But... but that... that can't be... Dream.. I saw Dream! Dream isn't that old!" he looks at him desperate "I can't... I can't have been... gone for so long... I thought... Dream was like adult and stuff... so I thought maybe ten? At most?!" He looks at him begging.

Corrupt feels terrible for disappointing him "I am sorry."

Nightmare lets out a whine as he shakes his skull "There is no way... it can't be... how... how is Dream?"

Corrupt speaks softly "I supose you wouldn't remember it... after you ate the first apple I came to be. I ate most of the other apples as well. But there was one golden apple that rolled away. Only to be picked up by Dream. Dream absorbed the apple himself before being turned to stone by the large aura of negativity I had been spreading." He waits amoment to let it sink in before he continues "I left soon after but a while ago Dream broke out of the stone himself. We have been. fighting ever since. That is now been a long time in our lifes. I didn't pick up my mates until a few years ago but Dream and I had been fighting for a long time already."

Nightmare stares at the bowl. Just quiet for a moment before he speaks "I... i don't understand..."

Corrupt sighs sadly "Me neither..."

Nightamre continues to stare for a while before slowly letting Corrupt help him eat a bit again.

The others make sure to have other conversations but Corrupt can't pay much attention to those. His full attention is on Nightmare as he just stares at his hands. Processing the information given.

In the end they decide to skip looking at the outfits and stuff gotten. Killer claims enough had happened for that day and that it would be better to get some rest and let it all sink in.

Corrupt made sure to thank his four mates and apologise for being so busy and distracted. All four reassured him that they understood and that Corrupt didn't need to worry.

Corrupt took Nightmare upstairs and helps him with brushing his teeth and helps him get ready for bed.

Corrupt takes Nightmare back to his room as he makes sure Nightmare is comfortable as he is tugged in "For now you will sleep in my room with me. Until we figure out which room to make yours and prepare that accordingly."

Nightmare just continues to watch him and Corrupt lays in bed himself.

Nightmare wiggles abit before sighing as he glares into the air "At least the long nap explains why i can't move anything..."

Corrupt chuckels and nods "It does explain it." a moment of silecne "I apologise. That you were stuck in me for so long..." maybe he could have speed up the helaing process? If he had known?

Nightmare looks at him "You saved me. I jsut... I don't get it... any of it."

Corrupt nods "I know. I thought I understood what had happened but I was wrong." Nightmare is alive after all.

Nightmare feels the blanket "Why did Dream attack me?"

Corrupt blinks as he looks at Nightmare.

Nightmare continues before Corrupt can answer "Why... When we split... why did he still attack me." he looks so sad "Did... does he believe... what the villagers said?"

Corrupt cant stop hismelf anymore. He hugs the smaller being close and rubs the smaller skull "I am sure that if he had known it was you he wouldn't have attacked you. He must have thought i was duplicating or something similar."

Nightmare frowns at him "But why? You... you protected me. Well tried to. The villagers were the once who hurt me. You got my magic. You came from the tree. Why does Dream hate you?"

Corrupt sighs and shakes his own head "Because Dream beleives I killed you. Dream believes that I cut down Nim... He believes I am at fault for everything." Corrupt understands why. It is always easier to blame someone else than to have to look back and admit you hurt someone you cared about.

Nightmare makes an unhappy sound as he wiggles to get closer. Corrupt pulls him closer and sighs happily. It feels good to have the younger skeleton close.

...

He is not going to mention this to his mates or the pregnancy jokes will return with a vengance.

Nightmare mutters softly "I am glad I am here."

Corrupt freezes and looks down "But... what about Dream?"

Nightmare shrinks closer "I miss Dream... a lot... But... Drema always liked them more than me anyway... and I didn't like them and they hated me... I just... I don't want to hurt anymore... you made the hurt disappear and you are like me with my magic..."

Nightmare glances at him and mutters "You understand... You accept me... I just... am I bad for not wanting to lose that?" and he stares at him.

Corrupt holds the other close and rolls up around him. Making a small coccoon to hold the tiny treasure of a monster nearby "You don't. You are a good monster Nightmare. You always were. Those who couldn't see were wrong. And I swear to you. On my very being. I will protect you. No one will harm you here. I won't allow it."

Nightmare relaxes and sighs happilly "Thank you."

Corrupt smiles as he nuzzles the tiny skull "It is my pleasure."

Soon after.

Nightmare falls sleep.

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Next part.

[ancha-aus]

DoubleNoot AU Drabble - Sleepover

Welcome back to another installment in the series about Corrupt, and the gang, learning the wonders of parenthood. Meanwhile Nightmare is just trying to settle and relax a bit after everything.

Last Time on DoubleNoot Adventures! Nightmare got to know the gang a little bit before sharing his first dinner with them. This is where he learned the truth that he had been in stone for 500 years instead of a much shorter time. It was a lot to take in but after a calm dinner Corrupt brought Nightmare to bed where he quickly fell asleep.

No edits or beta as always! You guys ready :D

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Corrupt lays in his dark room. his mind still a mess.

He glances to the side and cant help but smile. Nightmare is sound asleep and in his sleep has started to hug one of Corrupt's tendrils.

Corrupt hums as he watches the young skeleton sleep peacefully. He seems completely out as he holds the tentacle. Corrupt wonders if it is just the busy day which made him this tired, or if Corrupt brings him enough comfort to be able to sleep peacefully.

Corrupt shakes his skull. No need to let those silly ideas take root. Nightmare is just tired after everything today.

Corrupt doesn't blame Nightmare for being exhausted after their day. Corrupt himself still needs time to progress all that happened and what all of it means.

Not just for Nightmare but for Corrupt.

Waht it makes Corrupt.

Because Corrupt isn't even sure anymore.

Where... where does this leave him? How is he even still here?

Corrupt had beleived. He had believed for so long that he had been a newer version of Nightmare. Not better. Never better. Just different. New. Strange. That by eating the apple. Nightmare had became the very thing the villagers had feared.

He had become corrupt.

Corrupt had those memories. He knew what those villagers had done to him, well Nightmare that is. How those disgusting and miserable people had hurt a child to a breaking point.

To the point where Nightmare prefered to eat one of the apples then be forced to hurt even longer.

Corrupt always tried to get the Nightmare in his own dreams to eat the apple earlier. from the first time one of those people was mean or evne rude to nightmare Corrupt would try and convince him.

Hoping that maybe in his dreams he would be on time to safe him.

Did... did this mean he had been on time? That he had shaped in time after all.

Does... does this mean that his purpose hadn't been to spread negativity or to hurt those mortals. but to protect nightmare?

Corrupt wonders if Nightmare had any pick in his shape or looks... did Corrupt look the way he did just because Nightmare's negative emotions impacted the apple? Did he look like this because nightmare wanted to be protected? like one of his few stories where the princess is tugged away and protected by a fierce dragon? Did corrupt get this look because that is what the villagers had feared? That the magic took the form that would intimidate the villagers the most?

Corrupt jsut... doesn't have the answers.

But he likes the idea. that he was made and created with a purpose to protect.

To protect Nightmare. and later, to protect his mates.

If he sees it as protection as his purpose it makes his behaviour make more sense as well.

Why else woudl he search for an empty universe to convert into his private universe?

Why edit in a large castle? with all the wings and decore? including a large forest to hide it even more?

Later when his mates joined him. Him editing his place his world to fit their needs better. to make sure to indulge any of their interests and to make sure that any improvement ideas they had were implemented to the best of his abilities? which is near perfection.

He had been making a home.

Not just a hideout. a hidden lair. or even an imposing castle.

He had been working on a home this whole time.

First just for Nightmare. Well himself and Nightmare. to follow those stories. where the princess was tugged away in a tower and protected. but he made it grander with giving nightmare a whole castle. worthy of a prince to his own king of darkness and negativity.

And it just became the castle of his mates as well.

Corrupt groans as he rubs his face, his mind and thoguhts kept going back to the same idea nad concept. and to him it makes sense. He thinks that is the case... from what he knows so far. it makes sense to him...

He is still unsure where that leaves him now. Why is he still here if his purpose is completed? He kept nightmare save. Nightmare is healed. and Nightmare has a perfect home where he will be save.

wasn't that what was his goal? his mission?

A soft knock and Corrupt looks at the door. He waits a moment but Nightmare remains asleep and so he answers "come in."

The door creaks a little open and Killer pokes his skull in as he whispers "He comfy?"

Corrupt chuckles and nods "He is asleep."

Killer grins as he rushes in. Somehow jumping on top of the bed without even making it bounce. Killer coos "Look at little moondrop."

Corrupt glares at him "Don't wake him up." Corrupt glances anxiously at the young skeleton but Nightmare is still out.

A chuckle and Corrupt turns just to see that Dust had also somehow joined them without being obvious "Kid is out like a light."

Corrupt sighs "I know but i want him to sleep so please be careful and quiet." he stresses the last word.

He hears the door close and a moment later two more forms join him. Cross remains near the side of the bed as he stares enchanted at them. Horror is closer and hums "You don't need to worry. He will remain asleep."

Cross looks over curiously as he whispers "How can you be sure?" Corrupt would also like to know.

Horror chuckles as he nudges the tentacle a bit closer and Nightmare hums contently before he starts to knead the tendril like he did at dinner.

Horror chuckles again as he looks back "I may not know him... but i know kids. Kids crash hard after a busy day. He? Is not going to wake up until his tiny battery fully recharged."

Corrupt frowns "He doens't have a battery."

Horror blinks but Killer grins as he hangs over Corrupt's shoulder "It is just a way of speech. it means the kid is just exhausted and needs to sleep."

Dust nods as he lays in the bed with a sigh "Think I will join his plan. Kid got a 500 year nap and wants to sleep again? I get it."

Corrupt shoots his mates a look "don't bother him."

Dust looks amused from his place next to the tiny bundle of tentacles and skeleton "Not like your tendril will let us touch him anyway, motherhen."

Killer grins and nods "Bunny is right! You are very portective of him. There is nothing getting to him." he grins wider and lays down dramatically "Not even us."

Corrupt feels his glare disappear from his face. He is about to deny it but can't. because he had been keeping him close and trying to get his mates to back away.

Corrupt frowns as he looks to the side. He didn't... he doesn't think his mates would endanger him. it is just... "I apologise... I know you four won't hurt him it is..." he can't explain it.

Killer looks over confused before looking guilty as he leans clsoer "Hey. it is okay Moonlight. I didn't mean it like a dig or anything."

Horror nods "You just had him today. of course you are feeling portective." he looks amused.

Corrupt goes to nod before the actual words settle and he shoots Horror a look "How often do i have to tell you i wasn't pregnant."

Dust hums from his spot in their bed "Then what would you clal the situation?"

Corrupt huffs "I was just carrying him in my bbody until he was ready to leave it when healed." easy. Not at all like-

All four of his mates give him looks.

Corrupt realises just how that sounded.

Corrupt glares "I was just... sharing energy, magic and nutrients while he was still a part of me..." he frowns as he thinks it over. trying to find other words to explain "... I wasn't pregnant."

Dust and Killer both laugh as Hroror just rubs his shoulder "We know. But it is the closest and easiest thing to compare it too."

Cross speaks up "Not to forget... it is normal and natural process... I think... It is probably good for him right? To hear what he went through has like... natural equals?"

Corrupt stops and considers that. Would... Would Nightmare feel more normal to have what he had gone through compared to the natural start of most monsters?

Dust nods "True. We know he is a treespirit... and well... We know how those villagers treated you." he shrugs.

Corrupt frowns as he looks away "Not me actually.. .I didn't form until the apple was eaten, at least not fully. All the memories i thought were mine were his." he lets the information hang in the air. Let his mates make the right conclusions themselves.

For all that their nosey and observant behaviour can be annoying. what with them being convinced that Corrupt needs rest and needs to sleep. It is also ratehr useful. It means Corrupt doens't have to spell everything out to them for them to get the bigger picture and for them to make the needed connections.

Cross throws up his arms "Who bullies a baby like that?! because his magic isn't right?!" then he slaps both his ahnds over his mouth and glances down at Nightmare.

Who remains sound asleep. unbothered by the world. letting out sleepy purrs as he sleeps on.

Cross stares before looking in shock at Horror. Horror grins "See? out like a light."

Killer grins "like a tiny nightlight! I like that as nickname! That and moondrop. I think both fit him."

Dust nods "To sprinkle in together with his normal name. Make some positive associations."

"Thank you."

his four mates stare at him slightly confused. Killer smiles abit but remains confused "Waht do you mean moonlight?"

Corrupt watches them. watches his four dear mates. "Thank you. I know this was confusing and I am still not even sure what happened or why or how... but you four have eben welcoming and understanding. You all are willing to adept to welcome him into our home and life. Thank you." It means more to him than he can explain. The same feeling as their connecting magic had given him.

Killer looks embarrassed, same for Cross as they mutter about it being no problem and just being decent mates. Horror gives him a nuzzle and kiss before getting comfortable in his usual spot "He is important to you. you are our mate. so he is important to us." and he sighs before grabbing dust to pull him close to cuddle with.

Dust just remains limp like a ragdoll as he is pulled over. he shrugs at the compliment before getting comfrotable. Corrupt reminds himself he will need to still give Dust a special thanks for making Nightmare able to relax before dinner.

Killer pouts and pushes him on his back. Corrupt shoots him an unimpressed look "Killer. There is an actual child in the room. behave." because he knows his mate.

Killer pouts "please. that is so not my aim. but you need to sleep as well. So. get comfy!" and Killer lays against his side wiht a happy hum. pushing his soul right against Corrupt's side and into his goop.

Corrupt sighs but smiles as he helps Killer adjest his position to free up his soul again "Love. Careful. you know that too much pressure or too long pressure can harm you." and he never. NEVER wants to harm what is his.

Killer purrs and looks up at him adoring "Always taking such good care of us."

Dust hums sleepily "agree."

Cross joins them as well and sighs as he holds a tentacle close himself "the best."

Horror gives all of them a nuzzle and kiss before going back to laying on the edge of the bed as he holds dust close as prisoner in his arms "without a doubt."

corrupt feels his soul swell with emotions and just love for his mates. he makes sure to move the tendrils still free to interlock around all his mates. keep them close to him.

"I love you all."

Corrupt enjoys the answering 'me too's.

He loves them all so much.

And his family is complete and close and all safe. and Corrupt is going to enjoy every second he has with them.

*------------------------------*

Next part.

[ancha-aus]

DoubleNoot AU Drabble - Next Steps

I got time! Time to write my version of what the next part of the DoubleNoot AU timeline is! Noot² for some :D

Last time on DoubleNoot Adventure! Corrupt split and caused the original Nightmare to return in the heat of battle! As a reaction he took his mates and the newly arrived child and took them back to his home and hideout.

@mikimakiboo Made their own version of this meeting but I also wanted to write it myself and how I see it happening :3 Still their drabble is amazing and everyone needs to show it love :D (yes i linked it last time but come on. This drabble is actually the counterpart to it!)

Also fair warning. I am keeping the pregnancy joke alive. I am not letting that go. It is too funny and too fitting for me. So... warning? discussions of mpreg.

No edits or beta we just going :D (warning. It is a long read.)

*----------------------------*

There... There is a tiny skeleton in his arms. A shaking and terrified skeleton. Corrupt glances around and very slowly places the skeleton on the couch. Only to have to dive back closer to catch him from falling over. Corrupt ends up putting Nightmare in the corner of the couch to enable him to lean against two sides.

There... Is a child. In his house.

One he had thought had died. Correction. One Corrupt had thought he had killed.

What... What does he do now?

Corrupt had reacted impulsive. He doesn't actually have a plan. He just knew he had to get himself and his mates away from the Stars, even if he already felt much better.

Okay. He needs to focus.

Corrupt needs to check his mates and make sure they are okay. Needs to make sure the Stars didn't hurt any of them while he crumbled.

Why is it so hard to look away from Nightmare? Corrupt can't look away. He keeps staring at the young skeleton.

He looks scared as he looks around the area. Pushing himself back against the couch as his chest moves quickly wiht his fast breathing. His clothes are absolutely filthy and goop isn't even the thing that makes it most dirty. Not there is still old dust and blood on his clothes which are ripped and also covered in mud.

But the bones? While also covered with dirt there isn't even a scratch on Nightmare. Which surprises Corrupt. Nightmare had his skull smashed in. Had suffered years of abuse of those villagers. Yet here he sits. Whole. Not as much as a bruise on him.

The only thing that seems wrong is that Nightmare seems to have lost control over his body, but he had also been inactive for 500 years so this may more be a matter of him having to relearn how to walk and move..

Okay. Stop. Think. Waht do you know for sure?

Corrupt just... split in two and Nightmare was removed from his being. Aparently he had Nightmare resting in his body since the apple accident. Maybe instead of forming from Nightmare he formed around Nightmare... it would explain why Corrupt never actually saw Nightmare or dust from him. Corrupt had always assumed that Nightmare hadn't dusted because of his treespirit nature.

Now.

Nightmare had been in his body, aparently slowly healing, and is now out of his body. Corrupt frowns. How come that he has Nightmare's memories in that case? Is it because Nightmare was the one to eat the apple? Does that mean that all those things he remembers and remembered feeling was all Nightmare and never his own.

Corrupt takes another depe breath to try and stay focussed. He still glances to make sure Nightmare is still where he left him. He is.

Okay. Corrupt will ahve to think about everything that this means later. Now he has to make sure everyone is okay... also make sure that Nightmare gets clean and situated. It... unnerves him to not have Nightmare with him. Corrupt doesn't knwo a lot but knows his being misses having Nightmare close.

"Euh... Moonlight?"

Corrupt frowns and turns slowly.

Killer looks between Nightmare and Corrupt "You know... I know we aren't always the most... serious bunch... but you could have told us you were pregnant... we could have handled it and could have helped."

It takes amoment before Corrupt sputters and glares at one of his mates "I wasn't pregnant!" He snaps but sees Ngihtmare flinch at the sound. Corrupt mentally decides to not shout anymore.

Killer just raises a brow as he crosses his arms before looking pointly at Nightmare "Really? Because that is a whole ass child-"

Cross shoots him a disapproving look "Don't curse!"

Killer blinks and looks over "The kid is already like... eight?" he tilts his skull at Nightmare.

Nightmare however shrinks in on himself as he tries to disappear into the couch.

Corrupt answers instead "He is ten actually. Just... tiny." he frowns. aparently Nightmare is just short? Corrupt himself is also short and he took some of his appearances over from Nightmare...

Killer frowns "Wait... ten years? How long have we all been together?" He looks very disappointed "We aren't the dads?"

Corrupt sputters again but manages to keep his voice down "I wasn't pregnant."

Horror speaks up as he glances up from his phone "According to the definition of giving birth which is: The emergence of a baby or other young from the body of its mother; the start of life as a physically separate being." Horror waves into the direction of Ngihtmare "Young." and he just looks pointedly at Corrupt.

Corrupt sighs as he rubs his face "I wasn't pregnant. I didn't give birth." he looks at Nightmare and frowns "I didn't even... i thought he was dead..." Nightmare stares back at him but gets a tiny frown on his face. Corrupt isn't sure what is on his face... probably grief. there always is grief when he thought about Nightmare.

Cross joins his side and holds his hand "hey... you could also have told us you miscarriaged... We could have helped..." he smiles.

Corrupt rubs his skull as he shakes his skull "No. I wasn't pregnant... Meet... Nightmare." Ngihtmare flinches at his name and when the others all start staring at him. Shit. Corrupt regrets that...

Dust frowns "I thought you said..."

Corrupt groans as he takes a deep sigh "I know... I know what i said. I thought the same. This is also very much a surprise for me."

"how do you know my name?"

silence and Crorupt looks back at Nightmare. Ngihtmare still looks terrified. He is obviously terrified. but he has a very tiny stubborn glare on his face. One hand has formed a fist and is shaking sligthly. Nightmare keeps staring at Corrupt specifically.

Corrupt blinks and speaks softly "I.... What do you remember?" does he remember everything that Corrupt remembered?

Nightmare frowns as he thinks before looks at Corrupt distrusting "You first. What do you know?"

Killer snorts "suspicious little fellow." he points at Corrupt "That is corrupt. I am Killer." he points everyone out as he names everyone. Corrupt is watching closely and can see more and more panick appear in Ngihtmare's posture as each name is given.

right... Very unfriendly names. Corrupt now regrets not agreeing to taking a friendlier name. He makes the decision as he walks over to Nightmare and takes a seat before him. He makes sure to keep his tentacles low but not to hide them, same for his arms.

Hidden limbs can attack him and hurt him. This way Nightmare can keep and easy eye on everything.

Corrupt speaks softly, making sure to keep his voice soft and quiet just in case "I must admit I am not quite sure myself anymore. I am Corrupt. When you ate the apple of the tree I formed. I always believed that you had died and I formed from that moment with the apple's magic and power... I was unaware you were with me the whole time. How are you feeling? What do you remember?" and he waits. He knows this is a lot of information.

Nightmare frowns as he looks down slightly. Thinking. He looks at his hand and frowns as he touches some of his fingers. Corrupt follows the sight and knows why Nightmare must be confused. The villages had smashed his phalanges with a large bat just days before the apple incident. Those breaks should have been there still.

Nightmare forms a fist again as he holds said hand with his other "I... I think i... remember eating it..." he frowns more before flinching. Corrupt frowns and looks over his shoulder. Right.

He sighs "Loves. please back up a tiny bit." the four had started to gravitate closer but they seem to realise the problem. They give some quiet sorries and back up a bit.

Corrupt looks amused at them before motioning towards the other couches and chairs "Just sit down for a moment." He first needs to get Ngihtmare to relax just a tiny bit. Corrupt doubts he can move alright just yet and Corrupt wants him to be at least a bit calmer before he tries to ask if Nightmare wnats to get clean.

His mates luckily all listen and sit down and get comfortable as they start checking each other. Corrupt smiles, that is good. This way he is at least sure that they are all alright and no one is hurt.

Corrupt turns back to Nightmare who is staring at him. But he looks away as soon as Corrupt looks at him. Corrupt chuckles "It is alright... I can only imagine I must look very strange to you."

Ngihtmare shrugs and mutters "Not... that weird..." he grins a tiny bit as he glances up at him "I am a treespirit..."

Corrupt chcukles and nods "true..."

Nightmare glances to the side and Corrupt realises what Nightmare must be glancing it. Corrupt slowly makes one of his tentacles raise a little and makes it wave.

Nightmare blinks and looks at Corrupt "Are those..."

Corrupt nods "They are... made of negative energy." he brings it closer "We got that in common. Both of us have powers connected to the more negative things to feel." he lets the tendril hover near Nightmare.

Nightmare stares at it before very slowly touching the tendril. As soon as he touches it the negativity and magic in his being reacts. Because the area around the tendril starts to shine and show of cyan coloured swirls.

Nightmare stares and starts to smile "wow... I didn't know my stuff could be pretty..." he touches one of the shown swirls wiht his other hands and the area of effect expands a tiny bit.

Corrupt nods as he mutters "Even if everyone looks down on negativity. It has its good adn beautiful sides. Everything has, including the negative emotions."

Nightmar elooks unconvinced and that doesn't surprise Corrupt. Nightmare is used to being harrassed, bullied, hurt and abused over what he was connected to. His powers and role only every brough him pain.

Maybe Corrupt can at least show him the more beautiful side of their emotional powers. Show it is a part of healing and growth. That it has a connection to justice and protecting others.

Nightmare ends up focussing back on the tentacle in front of him and watching their magic react to one another. Familiar and calm. Both magicks seem to know the other and it helps Ngihtmare feel safe.

Some movement by his side and Ngihtmare watches as Cross is now near him before sitting on the ground with his back against the couch. Ngihtamre shoots him a look for a moment before calming down when the other's attention isn't on him. Nightmare turns back to the tentacle.

Cross looks over nervously before turning to Corrupt "what... what is the plan? are we just... going to..." he shoots Ngihtmare a look "Can we just keep him?"

Nightmare freezes and grabs the tentacle tighter.

Corrupt frowns as he looks at Nightmare. The idea... of leaving him somewhere? No... they can't just leave him somewhere.

Cross rubs his arm as he continues to speak "Like... I am not... sure how good I am at this dad thing?" he cringes "But I can learn! probably." he grins as he looks nervous.

Killer laughs as he lounges on the other couch, obviously watching them "I mean. I think this one is dips for either Horror or Dust. You know. Cyan of Cors and red of either of them makes purple for little nightlight."

Nightmare shoots Killer a glare "I wasn't pregnant."

horror hums and nods "Dust then. I don't have enough magic to get anyone pregnant."

Dust shrugs "Cool. I am upper-dad."

Killer grins "It has been decided!" and he throws his arms out with a laugh.

Corrupt sighs deeply as he looks back at Nightmare however just looks at the other four. Looking a tiny bit more relaxed and with a slightly tilted skull.

Corrupt speaks softly "Are you okay with staying here for a little bit? I swear to you that no one will harm you here, ever." It is why he made this place. it was a place of safety and shelter. For himself and those he holds so dear.

Nightmare looks at him, looks at the others, then looks at where their magicks interact and strengthen each other. Nightmare frowns but nods "Okay..."

Corrupt smiles "Thank you." he looks at his mates "How do you four feel?"

Killer grins "A bit tired but nothing too bad."

Cross nods and sits up straight "We are ready to do whatever!"

Corrupt sees both Horror and Dust give their own okays before nodding "Cross and Killer, can you two go to Littletale and get some supplies? We will need clothes foremost but anything that can fit a ten year old is helpful." furniture will come later once they figure out which room is right for the tiny prince-

Oh... Corrupt is already considering calling him prince compared to his own king title...

Maybe his mates have a point about how this whole situation happened. He does feel very protective over Nightmare... Again things to consider when he has the time.

He focusses on the mission "Dust. If you can go around the castle and secure the place. Make it safer." a glance confirms that Dust shoots their training room a look before nodding. He had figured Dust would understand what he meant without having to point out how many weapons they have, which will just make Ngihtmare nervous.

He looks at Horror "Love?"

Horror grins and nods "I will be in the kitchen. Allergies?"

Corrupt shakes his skull and looks at Nightmare "Not that i can remember... Nightmare? Are there any things you don't like the taste or texture off?"

Nightmare looks confused "texture?"

Corrupt smiles "Well yeah... I know I dislike either quite a few things that feel strange to me to eat. Anything you don't like?"

Nightmare thinks before speaking "I don't like.... mushy stuff? feels weird to chew..."

Corrupt looks at Horror and Horror nods before looking at Nightmare "Anything you like?"

Nightmare blinks and actually focusses on Horror for a moment. His hold on his tentacle tightens but seems to relax when he sees that Horror just waits as he stays in place and doesn't get closer.

Nightmare looks away and shrugs "Don't have stuff that i really like..." he rubs the tentacle. maybe it helps to sooth him?

Horror nods "Fair enough. We will have to get you to taste test a few things to see what you like." and he walks off before he can get a reply.

The others had already quietly left the room which Ngihtmare registers as he looks around soft "They move quiet..."

Corrupt nods "I know. I hardly ever hear them. I notice them by sensing their emotions more than anything."

Nightmare looks up unsure "They... they won't get mad? Others always get mad when i... used that..."

Corrupt smiles and shakes his skull "They won't... Will you let me help you get cleaned up?"

Ngihtmare blinks and looks down only to stare at the mess he is. Clearly not having realised that "Oh... euh..." he looks unsure as he looks hard at Corrupt "You... ARe you the one who spoke to me?"

Corrupt frowns as he tilts his skull "spoke?"

Nightmare nods as he rubs his hand "When... whenever i was sad and scared... I always heard this voice... it was very quiet and begged me to stay near... let them help... Was that you?"

Corrupt frowns as he thinks back. trying to remember the voice that Nightmare speaks off. But he can't remember those moments... What he does remember instead are his dream. showing the other side of the same conversation. Corrupt looks at Nightmare "I must admit I am unsure myself. I do not have memories of my own from before you ate the apple. I do... however... have your memories. For a long time i beleived those to be my own."

Nightmare looks away ashamed and mutters "oh...."

Corrupt shakes his skull "You don't need to be ashamed... you are a child... you shouldn't have had the pressure on you that was placed on you... and those who hurt you... they are the ones who are wrong. You never did anything wrong."

Ngihtmare nods but looks sad "I... I thought you were that voice... you sounded familiar and... I felt like i knew you."

Corrupt frowns and speaks sfotly "There are however dreams i had. Dreams that I wasn't you. But looking on from the outside... unable to assist. But I wanted to help you."

Nightmare thinks it over before looking at Corrupt and nods "okay... I would like being clean..."

Corrupt smiles and carefully picks Nightmare up. Noticing now that any goop touching any bones on Ngihtmare causes the same effect as the touches to the tentacles had caused. He hadn't noticed in his panic before.

Corrupt slowly leaves the living room and goes towards the hall before going up the stairs. As he walks he points at each room and area as he softly explains what is what. Ngihtmare looks around in shock and mutters about it being an actual castle. Corrupt smiles as he feels the excitement slowly start to appear in the younger empath.

They get to Corrupts room and he takes Ngihtmare towards the bathroom. Ngihtmare looks around confused as his hold tightens "what?"

Corrupt speaks softly as he explaisn how the bathroom works before turning on the tab of the bath. Letting Nightmare feel the water before making sure the water is nice and comfortable. He lets Ngihtmare sit by the water and play wiht it as he goes to look through the soaps and brushes. Getting everything needed to help clean up the young skeleton.

It only takes a moment before Corrupt returns to Nightmare's side. Ngihtmare looks nervous at him before looking at the water "will... will the water hurt you?"

corrupt stops and stares at Ngihtmare. He had expected th young skeleton to be worried about being exposed and naked in front of someone he didn't know. instead he is worried about Corrupt.

Corrupt smiles "I will be fine. Water does not bother me." to show he puts his hand in the water and shows how his goop just doesnt'mix with the water, all the rises off him was some old dirt from the battle. Nightmare looks at it curiously and touches it. the goop still lights up when their magic meets.

Ngihtmare frowns "why does it do that?"

Corrupt hums and shrugs "I can only assume it is because our magics have a similar source. it recognises each other as-" family. He manages to stop himself.

Nightmare tilts his skull as he stares at him. a tiny smile appears on his face "I already got a mom though."

Corrupt sighs and looks at the younger monster "please don't start to. I already have four of them doing that joke."

Nightmare chuckles before looking at the water "Bath time?"

Corrupt nods and gently helps Ngihtmare out of his dirty clothes and into the water. Ngihtmare hums happily and relaxes. Corrupt looks him over but doens't see any scars or marks of the past wounds. completely healed.

Corrupt smiles "You really are healed..." It makes it worth it. Makes it worth having to experience the pain of Ngihtmare splitting from his body.

Nightmare looks in awe at his body "You healed me... You kept your promise."

Corrupt frowns as he starts helping the younger monster bath as he still can't quite move right yet "What do you mean?"

Ngihtmare hums as he relaxes into his hold, full trust "The voice... it said that if i just gave in. To accept help. That the pain would stop." he smiles "You stopped the pain."

Corrupt looks at him before smiling "I am happy I was able to help you. I was worried before... That i had hurt you... that eating the apple to make me, destroyed you."

Nightmare keeps looking at him. Some suspicion in his feelings before he relaxes and smiles back. believing him. Why would Nightmare just believe Corrupt on his word-

Oh... of course...

Nightmare and Corrupt are both empaths. They can feel the other and feel that they are both honest. That they don't want to hurt each other.

That is what the trust is build upon. Something that was clear instantly from their first interaction.

After that Corrupt just helps Nightmare get clean as Ngihtmare uses the water to slwoly move his limbs.

Nightmare looks unhappy with the uneasy movement.

Corrupt chcukles "You were asleep for a long time Nightmare. It will take some time before you regain your full movement again."

Nightmare looks at him "Why... why did Drema shoot you?" he looks so confused "Your magic is like mine... why would he attack you?"

Corrupt stops and sighs "Your brother hates me. Because He thought I killed you."

Nightmare frowns as he looks up at him "But... you didn't... it was.. them... the villagers... not you..." he frowns "did you tell Dream that?"

Corrupt sighs "I tried to explain it to him a long time ago... He didn't beleive me."

Nightmare just looks sad as he leans heavily into his hold "He never believed me either."

Corrupt frowns "I am sorry."

Nightmare shrugs as he moves the dirty water around "I am used to it..."

Corrupt rubs his shoulders "People believe what you say here. I promise. They will listen to you."

Nightmare frowns before nodding "okay."

Corrupt nods before smiling "Ready to get dressed?"

Nightmare frowns at the sad pile of clothes "i guess?"

Corrupt shakes his skull and stands up "You are comfortable right? stable? No leanign to the side?"

Ngihtmare looks unsure but nods "I am okay... No one will get in?"

Corrupt nods "no one will bother you." Ngihtmare accepts it and Corrupt quickly goes ot his closet and reaches around. It doesn't take long before finding a soft sweater and some sweats. He returns to the bathroom and helps Ngihtmare dry off before helping him get dressed.

Clean and comfrotable safely in his arms.

Corrupt looks at Nightmare "ready to get some food?"

Nightmare looks at him before nodding "okay."

Corrupt leaves his room and goes towards the kitchen to meet up with one of his mates. Hopefully the others will like and accept Nightmare as easily as Corrupt did.

*--------------------*

Next Part.

[ancha-aus]

DoubleNoot AU Drabble - Bright Morning

Welcome back to another installment! this time we see the start of a new day with our lovely family who suddenly aqcuired a child and will have to figure out how to take care of him. Now wiht a slightly less confused Nightmare.

Last Time on DoubleNoot Adventures! Corrupt spend a while thinking about what the new situations is as Nightmare slept peacefulyl next to him. His mates joined Corrupt before he could spiral.

*----------------------------------------------*

Nightmare hums sleepily. He is slightly confused. The ground is never this soft and he doesn't feel that branch poke him in the ribs. He also can't feel his mother or brother near but... he isn't alone.

Being alone means danger as that is when the villagers come to hurt him. To hurt him and punish him for everything that goes wrong in their lives. Nightmare is still not sure how he could have caused some of them to get sick or even die. But the villagers always say it is his fault so maybe it is?

But he isn't alone.

It is warm and comfortable and he hears others breathing nearby as he snuggles into whatever he is laying against. It is warm and just feels familiar.

He would love to keep sleeping for longer but he needs to wake up. He has the tree to protect and if Dream is already out it is a matter of time before they come.

He yawns as he rubs his sockets. He takes his time to stretch along the soft thing circling him. Before trying to sit up.

Keyword. Try.

Because he just.. can't get his limps do push himself up. He can't figure out how to make everything work and move... huh?

He opens his sockets and pauses. That... that is a ceiling? He never sleeps inside though? why is there a ceiling?

Nightmare looks around and spots the dark tentacle around him. Sees where it is lit up such a pretty cyan where he is touching it.

and he remembers.

remembers all about well... yesterday aparently.

Nightmare turns his skull to the other side and spots Corrupt. sound asleep and his tentacles all around. One is circling himself but the other three are all connected to those skeletons that Nightmare met the day before.

Right... Corrupt loved them a lot. Nightmare had held the adoration they all shared between one another. It was so deep and all consuming that Nightmare couldn't help but stare and watch the skeletons. How could monsters feel such strong emotions the whole time and just feel okay?

Nightmare shoots Corrupt another look and tilts his skull. Nightmare isn't sure why he trusts the other so much. He just. He could feel the honesty. the care. How could Nightmare not believe that honesty?

It makes it even stranger that Dream dislikes Corrupt so much. Drema should have felt the same right? felt that corrupt was honest and meant everything? that corrupt loved deeply? that... that when corrupt spoke about hurting Nightmare he only felt grief, regret and sad?

why would Dream not see that? He always saw the best in those villagers.

...

Seems like Dream can excuse the actual people hurting and killing him but someone stepping in to continue his duty is a step too far...

Nightmare's soul hurts with that thought but before he can even consider what to do the tentacle wraps tighter around him and Corrupt mutters unhappily as he pulls him closer.

He is embraced by all that love and care all over again and Nightmare guiltily leans fully into the hold. Trying to soak everything up. Even if it isn't meant for him.

Them inviting him to stay had been a shock. and Now that Nightmare had time to really think about it since just ending up on their couch. He is so lucky they are willing to let him stay. Especially as people tend to hate him.

He had tried so ahrd to be friendly and be right and normal. But it is so hard. Becuase Corrupt would just read him and help him feel easy and then Nightmare starts to pay attention to how Corrupt feels and it just... is nice. So nice and safe.

The other skeletons are... weird but nice he thinks. They are so different than the people he is used to.

Nightmare hears a yawn and stays frozen. That is the one with black tears. He is sitting up and yawning? BUt Ngihtmare thought this was Corrupt's room and-

Oh. Of course. they are like. together together. Wait are they married? Nightmare knows the villagers did a marriage thing but did corrupt marriage these four? wait can that many people marry one another?

Ngihtmare wishes Dream was here. Dream knew these type of things but well... Dream doesn't like Corrupt of the other skeletons aparently-

"oh shit- I mean hi."

Nightmare blinsk and looks up to see the one wiht black tears staring at him. Seemingly frozen met stretch as he stares at him.

Nightmare leans further intot he tentacle "... hi... Killer?" right?

Maybe Killer blinks before smilign brightly and laying back down. He pulls a pillow over and lays on it with his skull and they can just see each other over the edge "that is me." he grins "How was your first night here tiny nightlight?"

Nightmare searches for the right words. He can't jsut say this is the best sleep he has had for a long time. That he feels warm and nice and comfortable. That is weird... He only just got here. Nightmare realises he has been quiet for way to long and mutters a quick answer "It was nice."

Killer grins and nods "Yeah I know. Moon's bed is so comfy and nice." he sighs happily.

Nightmare frowns "Why do you call him that?" Corrupt's name is corrupt right? wait "why do you keep calling me nightlight. I am nightmare." he waits for him to talk about how his name is wrong or a bad omen or-

Killer snorts "yeah i know. but that is why nicknames are for little moondrop." he grins "I give nicknames to everyone. same for big guy."

Nightmare blinks but shoots the giant with the cracked skull a look. Horror right?

Killer grins and nods.

Ngihtmare looks away embarrassed. How did he notice his glance? Was he that obvious- no wait. didn't Corrupt say that they were all very observant? oh no they will realise something is wrong with him even quicker! What does he do?!

The tentacle tightens around him again as Killer makes soft hushing noises "ssh shsh it is okay. i know it is still strange. Everything is new and scary and we are a lot." he smiles "But you are you like Moon is moon. it will be okay."

Nightmare turns a bit clsoer to the tendril. feeling safe with a cyan light shining from it. he traces a few of the swirls and feels a bit better. They are connected. their magic works together. so even if he is weird they will accept him right? because the love Corrupt so much, and nightmare is connected to Corrupt in some way.

Or would they end up hating him because they fear he took power from him?

Killer sighs "Corrupt's magic is always so fucking pretty. Oh shit don't tell the others I cursed near you."

Ngihtmare shoots him a look and looks at the cyan himself "It is very pretty..." he likes cyan. It is a nice colour. Not like his ugly purple. Everyone agreed his magic was pale and seemed darker. Not shining like his brother had had. Dream had the most beautiful magic and Nightmare always wished his own had been more like Dream's.

Killer nods "It is gorgeous. The blue is so pretty and it is always atreat when he see it." he grins at him "Do you also have cyan?"

Nightmare freezes and shakes his skull. He doens't. No use to lie.

Killer looks excited "oh which colour is it?"

Ngihtamre shrugs before he mutters "it isn't pretty like Corrupt's." there. That should do it right? No need to pay attention to it. Maybe this way he doens't ever have to show it and can jsut enjoy the bright shine he helps bring out in Corrupt's magic!

Killer jsut looks excited "Oh i am sure it is pretty. like all magic is pretty." he grins.

Ngihtmare shurgs as he just lays further against Corrupt. feeling safe there. He is safe there. Corrupt promised he would be safe.

Kilelr frowns at him and Nightmare immediantly looks away. Oh no. Did... did he make a mistake by dodging the question? did he mess up? did... did refusing make him angry?

"hi." Ngihtmare can't help but flinch before feeling bad about doing that. Killer is speaking softly as he looks at him "it is okay... I am sorry if i pushed... my mates often tell me I can get too excited and I am not the best at noticing boundaries." he grins and winks with his tongue sticking out "you can just tell me to shut up or leave you alone okay? I get it. No hard feelings."

Ngihtmare jsut stares at the other. partly shock and partly disbelieve. really? he won't get mad if nightmare says no? or tells him to leave? Nightmare finds that hard to believe.

Suddenly a hand appears and tugs Killer's blanket over his skull. Killer yelps as Dust sits up wiht a yawn and annoyed look "You woke me Killer." and he pushes him over. He glances at Nightmare before frowning at Killer "And give him some space. he is still new."

Killer pouts at Dust "I am great to new people."

Dust looks unamused "I was new once. I disagree."

Ngihtmare watches them interact. They are talking and killer pouts and dust looks annoyed but neither actually feel sad or mad. Just. familiarity. This is normal? they always do this?

Dust looks at Ngihtmare "How did you sleep?"

Ngihtmare shrugs and mutters "it was nice." this answer worked last time.

Dust yawns "That is good. We thought maybe sleeping somewhere new woudl make it hard for you to rest."

see? it is weird he would have been relaxed and felt safe. it is good he just said nice and-

"We hoped of course you would sleep well. But new places can awlays be a bit rough." Dust stretches and scoots to the side of the bed only to pause. he glances down and ngihtmare checks as well. it is a tentacle wrapped around him.

Dust hums "Seems like it is nap time." and he just lays back and clsoes his sockets again.

Nightmare blinks as Killer snorts and hugs the other "sounds like a plan." and he gets comfortable. Neither actually fall asleep as they just start to have quiet conversations.

Ngihtmare goes back to leaning against Corrupt as he listens. something about a game they played and one of the cheating. then about some trip and later about chores.

It is nice. It is just background noise.

Corrupt stirs and hums as he opens his sockets.

Ngithmare watches as Corrupt spots him. Corrupt freezes for a moment with clear confusion before it changes to understanding and then-

nightmare feels hismelf relax. the warm look of before is back.

Maybe things will be oaky. The skeletons are nice and Corrupt still wants him around.

And if he is even half as safe as Corrupt promised than he will be more than happy to stay as long as Corrupt lets him.

*----------------------------------------------*

Next part

[ancha-aus]

Masterpost

Welcome to my new Masterpost! This time including all information on everything on my tumblr instead of just one AU! Asks are always open and I am happy to answer questions <3

Tumblrsona has been made. The icon is still being made :3 The amazing @a-whispering-echo also made a drawing of her <3

AO3 account over here

AUs and stuff.

Ancients and Champions AU - Masterpost Here The big one! My main one! Story is finished and readable over here

Careful. It is a long story with many sidestories. All in the story tab <3 All the information I got concerning that AU is over in the masterpost <3

.

Real Age Au - First prompt and start of story Here This one doesn't have a masterpost. It is a drabble series I only upload on my tumblr as it are all first drafts and not always uploaded in order.

Drabble which doesn't have a plave quite yet in when it happens in the timeline.

Summary: Nightmare gets deaged, or better said, reversed aged towards his real age. Six years old. Join him and his gang as they discover how to deal with it and learn to be a family.

My own doodle for this work over here <3

@spotaus has made amazing fanart and a sweet fic in line with the AU.

@mikimakiboo as also made some sweet fanart here and here as well as fanfics over here and here

@driftinbubbles Has also made a very cute drawing!

The tag is RealAgeAU <3

The drabble series is completed but I will be editing it to post on my AO3 but that is a background project haha

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Bitty Surpise - An idea and very lose concept because I had bitty brainrot. A story in the works and I may eventually upload or draw more of. Very little aside from a doodle at the moment.

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Ghosts & Medium AU - Technically a collab because @mikimakiboo helped abunch wiht some of the backgrounds :D - Dust is a medium who helps spirits moves on as his job. trouble appears when he meets spirit!Killer. First message in reblog train & ask & general roles of everyone. And people made some doodles, here and here! Link and Link in the same thread. Another trhread over here, here, here, and here - About Dust. - About Killer. - About Cross. - About Nightmare.

Drabble: First Encounter - Killer and Dust meet (and the part 2 of that little drabble)

Drabble: Exorcism Backfire - Cross joins the party. Very unwilling mind you.

Drabble: The Necromancing Medium - Dust and Ash's backstory - 18+ because it is heavy on trauma and heavy subjects. Please mind the warnings.

Drabble: Sleepover - Dust, Ash, Killer and Cross get to Dust's apartment to relax and regroup. Mostly to sleep.

Drabble: Research - Dust gets some work donw to make some progress. Eventually.

Drabble: Moon Ritual - Dust summons a new creature to hopefully fix the situation with Cross and Killer.

Drabble: Mansion Invasion - Dust and the gang goes to clear out an incubus and succubus infestion. What can go wrong?

Drabble: Slow Morning - Dust wakes up and gets ready to do some chores only to come across a surprise that makes his morning much better.

@mikimakiboo wrote a great story about the introduction of Horror to the group! Which i am sneakily accepted as canon so check it out!

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DoubleNoot (name pending) - Turns out that Nightmare that the multiverse knew, was not just Nightmare. Instead it were two beings. Corrupt, the being everyone knew. and Nightmare. The same young skeleton from before he ate the apple that changed the course of the multiverse.

And now they are split? It changes their lives as well.

First Drabble here!

Idea for a possible story/series. Posts are here, here and here.

@mikimakiboo once again made an amazing drabble with the idea! and it is amazing!

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Sans in Wonderland - A possible project idea that would be an interactive ish story with different endings. original message/concept here.

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SansNautica - Sans crashlanded in subnautica and is trying to escpae the planet but gets sidetracked and distracted by a bunch of very interesting looking mers.

idea for it.

info on issues for sans to encounter.

The gang and mers.

Crash location.

Sans is a pacifist and cares about the environment.

Sneak Peak for the story.

@0p1er0 was REAL nice and made a sketch of Cuddlefish Cross <3

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Spirit Soul AU - A fic idea I had with info here and here An AU idea I had which is inspired by both Omori and Life is Strange

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Little story for @somegrumpynerd and their amazing comics where Dream and Nightmare get body switched <3

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Little drabble for @spotaus because they made their own version of RealAgeAU but wiht knights <3 Another drabble over here <3 And another one! <3 One more hihi.

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That was the stuff I have actual posts about that I can share. Overall progress on other things below:

Ancients and Champions - 100% writen. 100% edited. Fully uploaded.

Mermaid prompt list 2022 - 100% writen. 95% edited. Uploads ever Sunday on my AO3

Bitty surprise (name pending) - 100% writen. 25% edited. Needs to be finished (also needs another drawing of Horror Bitty)

Family Ties - 30% writen (ish?). 20% edited. General storyline in my head, just need to actually write the thing

Real Age AU - 100% writen. 0% edit (No edit or beta we die like men with this one) No real goal and just a fun drabble series <3

Story ideas that seem fun to me/ stuff i am thinking about writing:

UT Zombie apocalyse story.

Background story on Error and Geno and their time growing up - A&C related

Story on what would happen to the multiverse if there was NO negativity, the consequences to an only positive multi-universe

another mermaid story but pairing focus dustXsans

story where all the sanses are just actors and they do a series together (no idea how i would make this work in writing gonna be real with you)

Classic Dust ship story where Dust finds the original timeline and hangs around and watches Sans (I can't find my own original post with the idea anymore. It is lost to the void.)

That is all for now folks!

Edited 03 November.

[ancha-aus]

i am back with even more thoughts on Nightmare and Corrupt splitting. The DoubleNoot AU.

DoubleNight? Maybe?

When Nightmare got split from Corrupt he was very confused. The last thing nightmare remembered was almost dying and hearing his mother's dying screams as the villagers cut her down to get to the apples.

He remembers staring at the apple and just wanting to live. Wanting to not die. Wanting to be safe again. He grbabed the golden apple, watched it corrupt by his own negative feelings. And bit down anyway.

Only to wake up on battlefield. His body feeling weird and almost as if there is a disconnect. No where near anywhere he recognized and with all these weird skeletons around him. Especially the goop guy who reminds him of the corrupted apple a bit.

Nightmare does not, and never will, remember his time when he was in Corrupt. He was asleep and feeling slowly. All that he remembers are some nonsense dreams or beginning nightmares that always ended with a darkness that fell over him like a blanket. (He was able to find this comparison later when he finally got his first bed. He realises that while he was asleep he just felt wrapped up and cocooned.)

Corrupt for a ling time believed all of nightmares memories to be his own. Same for his feelings. But always felt weird about being called Nightmare.

Dream even said as much that he was not his brother anymore. So Corrupt agreed and decided to be named corrupt. As a way to reclaim the insult the villagers and later dream would throw at him. (Well the villagers at nightmare but you get the deal)

The reason why corrupt wasnt completely evil and more of a lawful neutral? It was because the negative feelings that corrupted the golden apple were fear and desperation. And mot for revenge or anything. Nightmare had wanted above else to feel safe.

And the apples are all about emotions. So when corrupt first formed the thing he had foremost was a wish to be safe and not be hurt anymore. The rage and hatred came later when within seconds all the memories of what the villagers said and did came rushing back.

When they split and when corrupt managed to see the difference between them and who was who he understands that in a way nightmare's honest and well positive wish to just feel safe was the thing that made corrupt more than just a negative creature band on destroying everything. (The thin dream says he is)

Corrupt protected nightmare since the start. Nightmare made it able for corrupt to be more than just a demon.

[ancha-aus]

DoubleNoot thoughts.

About Dream this time

As mentioned before. Dream HATES Corrupt.

Forst because he believed Corrupt to have killed Nightmare.

Later however. Dream wanted answers.

He wanted to know where Corrupt came from. Why he attacked his dear brother. Why Nightmare had to be hurt.

So Dream searched for answers.

I think he eventually came across an AU with like fortune tellers and stuff. Very magical. And there dream got his answers.

Dream did somekind of ritual to learn what happened to Nightmare. He first asked why corrupt killed his brother but that didnt give him any answer. Dream believed because corrupt had no reason ans just did it, it was really because corrupt hadnt killed nightmare but no one knew that. Later he asked to know what happened to Nightmare. Because he specifically asked for that he was shown what happened to Nightmare.

All that happened.

Dream had a vision where he lived through everything Nightmare lived through. Unable to change or interact but being able to feel and see everything.

Dream learned of the abuse. The lies the villagers told nightmare. That dream knew about the pain they did to nighty and that dream didnt care. That dream also thought he deserved it for what he was.

Dream is heartbroken.

Then... he hears the whisper. Est the apple. Let him help. Give in.

Why Dream hates corrupt?

Dream believes that Corrupt preyed on his brother who was already so hurt. That Corrupt took advantage of nightmare and ended up killing him thanks to the apple eating.

Dream will never forgive Corrupt. He will also never forgive the villagers.

So to see nightmare reappear on the battlefield? To see nightmare look around confused. Just like he remembered. See him flinch away from dream. Only for Corrupt to grab him and take him?!

Dream is furious.

He is going to save his brother and make sure he is save forever.

This does also mean that dream would not just trust anyone with his brother anymore. Not after what happened before.

Just. Thoughs :D