#I wanted to make a whole reference in there about Cross giving geno and reaper the shovel talk

[ancha-aus]

Gifted drabble - New Age Au - The Eye of the Storm

Hey @spotaus !! I am back as I told you I would be because you gave me MORE brainworms! Remember us talking about the magic system? or me just yapping and rambling about it hahah.

And the thing you mentioned about how Geno would react to seeing Dust's storm? Yeah. Brainworms.

Either way. It can all still be changed as Spotaus and I discuss the magic system and how everything works.

So warning? ish? Deep intimacy by showing the soul. reference to past toxic relationship ship is DustedAfterDeath

This is them FAR beyond their toxic arc youall. They relationship is healthy and full of consent at this point :3

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

Dust frowns as he stares at the door.

It is fine.

It isn't that big of a deal.

Just get it over with.

Dust sighs as he rubs the soft cotton of his hoody. He is still in his casual wear for now. He had a few days off and he hardly ever wore his uniform on those days nowadays. Especially when Geno and Reaper visit.

He is still a bit unsure about this whole relationship between them. Dust wants to say he fully trusts them but... well... after...

It is hard.

Which is why Dust had decided to just make this jump. Fuck it. Show them the disgusting mess that is his soul and get it over with. They will see it. Be disgusted. Break off whatever this relationship is and be done with it.

Easy.

Dust takes another deep breath as he feels his storm around his soul rumble unhappily. He needs to remain calm. That will keep his storm calm enough to make it safe for them to look at it.

Dust does not want a repeat of the many times he zapped others with lightning. Even a tiny warning zap is stronger than a full blown lightning strike at this point. Dust frowns as he taps the doorknob. Maybe this isn't a good idea after all...

He may have enough control to form actual attacks but actually keeping it calm?

What if he hurts them? They will hate him...

Then again... if they see the mess that his soul is...

Or worse... Dust was right after all and Geno and Reaper just wanted to know how his storm works and it was all still fake. He was being blind again and falling for the exact same trick again.

Then again... they don't know how deeply connected to his soul it is. No one knows aside from Nightmare and his fellow Knights. They don't even speak about that out loud unless they are in a very secure room and know they are alone.

Even with all of Geno's past prodding and hinting Dust never told him that. Even if Dust knew that Geno wanted to know how he had such powerful magic. It was his secret. and Dust had been willing to take it to the grave with him...

Dust offered to show them his soul. Take the next step before they could move their relationship towards soulplay and other acts like it. They didn't know that they would find out the source of his magic...

Which brings him back to this exact point. Wouldn't it be better to just get it over with? If they really are still lying about everything... Wouldn't it be better to know it? To be able to let it go and move on?

Not that Dust thinks he can move on. If he could have he would have after the first mess that this relationship was.

But Dust is aparently an idiot because he is trying this again even if the chance it will hurt is much larger than the chance that this will be alright.

Okay that is not fair. They had been so much more honest about this whole relationship and Geno didn't even mention or ask about his magic since the mess that it had been. He also acutally paid attention to the few things Dust said now...

Then why did he still feel like a speciman? Like a project?

He doesn't like that... Feeling like that. It was why he was fine with being a crimelord before. Why he liked being a knight. No one looked at him with pity when he did either of those. Neither of those positions ever made people look at him like... like... some magical experiment...

His family had meant well... The mage who did this to save his life meant well... but it didn't change the way they looked at him... The worry he would just drop over and be gone. Then later the fear that the magic stabilizing him would just stop working... Then... Then the worry... after he started to cause damage.

Dust glares at the door. Fuck it. Either he is going to prove himself right that they really are still just after information and then he can finally bury these feelings and be done with it all. Or...

Or...

Dust shakes his skull as he pushes the hope down. Don't hope. That gets you hurt.

He knocks on the door and enters as soon as Reaper welcomes him in.

Reaper smiles brightly at him "Dust you are here already. How was your day off?"

Dust shrugs and mutters fine. He hadn't done that much today. Mostly spend time with the horses as he tried to not feel anxious about what he was about to do now.

Reaper keeps smiling "I am happy to hear this." He shoots his mate a look.

Geno looks terrible... mostly because he is obviously anxious and nervous, maybe even uncomfortable.

Dust huffs as he crosses his arms, feeling defensive "You can just say you aren't interested. It was just an idea." It had been Dust's idea after all.

Geno shakes his skull as he messes with soemthing in his lap. Some spell probably. Geno looks nervous "It isn't that i... don't want to... That isn't the issue... It is just... you never seemed comfortable with anything close to this... and then this?" he glances at Reaper.

Reaper picks up easily "Are you sure this is what you are comfortable with?"

Dust shrugs. He isn't. But it is best to get it over with. But the doubt either will like to hear that answer.

Reaper looks fond at him, it makes Dust's soul do this weird little flip thing it is unfair Reaper looks at him like that, "Can you please explain Dust? We wish to understand."

That is something that had surprised Dust. How much they want him to talk or tell them how he feels. Dust finds it unfair. Before Geno didn't even bother to listen to the few things Dust did talk about and now he pays attention? It is just so different. Dust isn't sure how to feel about it. It is nice but it also means he has to explain things he can't quite explain.

Dust searches for the right words "I want... you two to see... it." it. That is the best way to explain the storm.

Geno looks bothered as he loosk up "Why call your soul it?"

Dust shakes his skull. It isn't normal. It isn't healthy... This is dumb. They will both just be disgusted and then this little nice thing will be ruined forever.

Dust shrugs "It is hard to explain..." he decides to echo some words back "Open communication and honesty or something... Soul is not the... healthiest." there.

Reaper looks super worried as Geno looks slightly more horrified. Ugh. Yeah. that is what Dust figured. He tugs on his hood to enable himself to hide more. He wishes he still had his mask.

Reaper shakes his skull "No no love. Nothing against you... But is it safe for you then? To even summon and show your soul?" he looks worried. Geno keeps his mouth shut but he shoots both Dust and Reaper looks.

It is now or never.

Dust sighs as he takes a seat on the bed and shoots them both a look "Well?" and he waits. His hands feels the soft silky sheets on the bed. It calms him. The bed feels like the bed in his own room. Even though he prefers his cotten and woolen stuff. He keeps rubbing the sheets with his fingers as his two boyfriends take their own seats.

Both wait and share a look.

Geno grins a bit "Want me to show my soul first?"

Dust shakes his soul. He does not need to see a healthy soul before he shows his mangled one. Dust will just lose the nerve. Geno looks bothered but doesn't offer again.

Dsut takes another deep breath. Tugs his scarf higher and his hood closer around his skull before slowly tugging at this very core.

And there it is.

Dust always thought it was like a cloud. Just in a weird soul shape all around his actual soul. The tiny malnourished one that never was able to grow fully. The magic and his actual soul work well and seem to connect with tiny bolts of lightning. Dust doesn't even feel it anymore. So used to the constant zapping emitted to his very being... The zaps outwards obviously at much more harmful. as Dust can channel those into actual attacks.

He is not looking at either of them as he waits. Just because he is willing to hear it doesnt mean he wants to see the disgust and horror on their faces...

"It is beautiful..." Geno whispers and Dust can't help but snap up slightly to check. Geno is just staring with open awe at the mess that is his core. Geno doesn't even seem to notice it as he slowly reaches a hand out.

Dust moves the cloud away "Don't touch it!" he stresses it.

Geno blinks and looks confused before seeing his hand "oh shit! sorry. I didn't... i wasn't thinking... I swear i didn't... i wouldnt!" he looks anxious as he holds both arms behind his back.

Dust frowns as hekeeps looking at Geno "I mean it... I can't exactly... control it... It will zap you full force... I already fried Cross once and that was a non-lethal hit... I don't think it will like it if you get that close..."

Geno frowns but Reaper is the one who speaks "It? Why do you refer to the magic as an it?" He seems curious as he looks at the soul and spell. Seemingly enchanted.

Dust frowns as he looks at it "I... well... I tend to just call it my storm... as that is pretty much it..."

Geno seems nervous "I euh... Just so you know you can just tell me to stuff it... But... euh... why is there a very complex spell around your soul?" He looks at Dust and waits.

Dust frowns at him. He knows their question would come. It was to be expected. He looks at the spell and settles on telling the truth "It is my life support system."

Reaper jumps upright "What?" he glances at Geno "Is that normal?"

Geno looks horrified "No? Magic is too... unstable and unpredictable? Which mage... who would... why?" he sputters and seems shocked.

Dust feels more uncertain as he ducks his skull more into his scarf. It isn't that he is surprised but it still hurts... why does it still hurt so much? He knew this was going to happen.

He holds his storm closer as the rumbling in it intensifies with his own shaking emotions. This was a mistake. He recalls both and the soul and storm disappear.

That seems to snap Reaper and Geno out of their slight moment or horror and panic as they shoot him glances.

Geno inhales sharply as he reaches out "Wait! Sorry. Fuck I am sorry. I didn't mean anything negative i swear! I just don't understand. It is fine! It looked beautiful!" He smiles.

Dsut shrugs and mutters "It is fine... it is disgusting... i know..." He wants to leave. He wants to go to his room and cry a bunch... he tugs his scarf higher as he pushes back into his hood. He wants his mask. He wants to hide.

Geno shakes his skull "No. It really is gorgeous i swear! Like a geode!"

That causes him to pause and shoot Geno an disbelieving look "A geode?" the absolute absurb nature of that has to be commented on. A geode?!

Geno nods "Of course it does it is so obvious."

Dsut just raises a brow at him "Really?"

Geno nods with a stubborn tilt "summon it again! I will point it out." he holds up his hands "No touching! Just pointing."

Dust frowns but slowly brings the mess out again.

Geno grins as he scoots a bit closer before beginning to talk "Okay. It is really cool and pretty. Your soul itself is obviously the very center. Everything around it is like the geode itself protecting your soul. The crystalized minerals just barely touching your soul and that makes the colouring probably! The little crystals are all slightly differently forming and shaping and growing. Reforming new connections and growths." Geno points and motions towards the cloud nearest his soul "Around that sits the metaphorical layer of stone protecting it!" when he speaks about that he motions towards the very outer layer of his cloud.

Dust rolls his eye lights "How do you explain the zaps of electricity going outwards?" Like his storm knows waht he wants it makes a tiny zap.

Instead of looking confused Geno just gasps and stares "Holy that is beautiful... It is like... the start of anew crystal growing! It is so beautiful."

Reaper looks curiously at Dust "how do you see it?"

Dust looks to the side "You know... a storm cloud? obviously?" because it is? At least Dust thought that.

Reaper hums as he looks at it curiously "I can see both... though I think it looks more like..." and he stops.

Geno looks curiously at Reaper "what do you see?"

Reaper looks slightly embarrassed "Lets keep it at a gem and a beautiful cloud... that is much more romantic." and he smiles.

Dust tilts his skull "Come on. Tell."

Reaper sighs but stares at the soul and cloud around it with a gentle smile "It is... Sea urchin."

Geno snorts as Dust blinks confused. He had heard of those animals before but never actually seen one.

Reaper chuckles "Yes yes love. laugh it up." he looks amused.

Dust shoots him a look before looking at his soul and storm "why?"

Reaper hums and speaks slowly "Well... it is like a protective shell isn't it? Your soul is safely tugged away within the center. Where it is safe and protected by the larger shell around it." he motions towards the cloud before motioning towards the everlasting zaps "And the spines to protect the treasure that lays hidden."

Dust frowns at his soul. He never... He never thought about his soul as either of those things... His soul was just the mangled thing... while his storm was the thing powering him and keeping him whole.

Not the center of a crystal cluster thing... Not something that had a shield and spikes to protect it...

Geno scoots over and looks curiously "Why... why is that magic there? if you are okay with me knowing... It is okay if you are not..."

Dust frowns "I told you... life support..."

Reaper sits nearby "How came it to be like that?"

Dust shrugs as he messes with the magic around his soul. It doesn't harm him in the least "I wasn't exactly... healthy... When i was younger. Never was. Had no energy. Hardly any magic. I am pretty sure the doctors told my folks i wasn't even meant to survive for longer than a year... but I managed... until i was suposed to start puberty."

Geno frowns as he nods "It is when our magic and souls start to truly develop."

Dust nods "I don't.. I don't know exactly what was wrong. They never told me in details. I just know that suddenly it burned and hurt... turns out the magic that was starting to develop was kinda... burning my soul out. My soul was too weak to keep up wiht the growth it needed to help support me." He frowns "I remember many doctors and mages." them all prodding him and mentioning how it was a miracle he had even been alive as he had been. More interested in learning how his magic burned himself than anything. He thinks some of them even asked his parents if he could be a study case. "One of them had an idea... a complex web of spells to help center the magic or something and to use it to power my soul... That was at least how it was explained to me after i started to feel better."

Geno shoots upright "Wait! They didn't ask you?!"

Dust snorts "What could you expect? I was hardly awake as it was... Not like I could have given my agreement..." he shrugs "It saved my life..."

Reaper gently takes his hand and kisses it slowly. Dust can see how slow Reaper moves. Probably making sure his own magic doesn't react badly. "It is your soul love... Even if it saved your life it should still have been your choice. As it is your right."

Geno messes with his own hands "That is why... You didn't want to talk about your magic... it isn't a spell that is even meant to attack... It is your soul's whole support system... I am so sorry...." he looks away. ashamed "I know i apologised... before for pushing and everything... I am so sorry I was..." he laughs as he looks down shocked "Pretty much trying to force you to talk about your soul and show it to me? what the hell was wrong with me?"

Dust shrugs "You didn't know..." he tugs his soul back into his actual body and breaths a sigh of relieve.

Reaper frowns at him "Are you okay?"

Dust shrugs "I am fine... Just tired..." He gives a tired grin "It isn't just my suport system for my soul... My soul can't exactly make the magic and energy i need. It barely makes enough for my soul itself."

Geno stares in shock "Everythign... the spell pwoers everything about you? How..." he freezes and stops "Wait. Sorry. It isn't... it is interesting but you don't need to... I mean yes i want to know but." he glares down frustrated.

Reaper still holds his hand as he rubs the back of Dust's hand "I think what Geno means to ask is... How is it possible? How is the spell still there? In my experience spells don't last long. I know my magic is about momental protection. Not a constant force."

Dust looks at them for a moment. They don't... they don't stare at him like those mages and doctors. there is worry. but they also keep holding him. keep being near. They aren't afraid of him...

Dust figures if they haven't pulled away in disgust yet... All he risks now is his trust being betrayed which wouldn't be the first time.

Dust rubs his neck "From what i udnerstand... The weather powers it. Natural rain, hail, wind... actually everything connected to storms power it..."

Geno blinks in awe "Your storm... That is why you call it your storm and a cloud... because it is... wow..." he jsut continues to stare with open awe "It is powered by an outside constant force... adn that powers you..." he frowns "Should you be throwing lightning around then?"

Dust looks around confused "euh?"

Geno gives him a bit of a glare "I mean it. Is it even healthy for you to be throwing lightning around? Waht if you run out." more anxious and stress on his face.

Dust nods "It is fine... I before couldn't even pick when it happened. it just happened. At most i give it a target." he grins a tiny bit "there is a reason that Killer calls the spell i use 'fuck you lightning'... I don't exactly got a lot of other spells..."

Reaper chuckles and nuzzles Geno "Calm down love. trust him. He knows himself and his magic best. If he thinks it is fine it is fine."

Geno shoots Reaper a look but takes adeep rbeath and nods "right... right... sorry... i just... don't like how unpredictable it is. How will we know it will keep you safe and healthy if we aren't sure it will manage itself? That it will stop you from shooting to much lightning?" he rubs his hands "I also used to overuse my own magic. As magic rarely gives you a warning you are running out until you are almost completely out."

Dust just listens to the other. He... he isn't even asking about how he can control or replicate it. How he can use it. All geno is worried about is it somehow getting unbalanced...

The fear slowly disappears...

Which is when his body decides to make it very obvious it does not appreciate Dust removing his storm from his body. He yawns and feels his socket becoe heavier. Yeah. he expected as much.

Geno looks panicked as Reaper rubs his back "Are you alright?"

Dust shrugs as he rubs the sleep from his sockets "I am fine. Body doesn't appreciate me removing my soul for a long time. Just need to give it time to settle and calm down."

Reaper hums as he pulls Dust slowly against him "You can rest. thank you for trusting us with this love." a soft kiss to his skull as Dust lounges against Reaper. Reaper's clothes are always warm and brimmed with magic. reinforced to make sure Reaper's deadly magic doesn't get through if he is stressed. It makes for a very soft living pillow.

Geno meanwhile is muttering about maybe making a tiny sensor. Just to give Dust a warning signal in case his magic levels get dangerously low. Just as an extra warning and protection for him. Reaper chastises Geno gently but Dust isn't paying much attention.

He is exhausted. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. But it was worth it. Maybe he didn't have to be worried after all.

[zuzuma-katpaws]

Complete pt 4

Part Four of Complete is finally up. Not only that, but I updated the other three chapters to help the story flow better. 

The AO3 link for this chapter: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20347783/chapters/57760873

Palette by @angeutblogo (I didn’t even realize that this was the correct blog for Palette until a few minutes ago.) 

Gothy by @nekophy

Nightmare by @jokublog

The pain in his chest is what woke Palette up follow by the slight shaking. It didn’t happen often but sometimes Palette’s episodes would occur while he slept. When it did happen, Palette would often wake with a start while shaking all over. He quickly took his medicine and looked around, realizing that Goth was not here right now. ‘He must be at work right now. At least he didn’t see me like this, again.’ Palette hated to worry Goth over things that can’t be help, however he did appreciate the concern and level of attention Goth had for him. ‘I supposed I’m addicted when it comes to Goth.’ Palette smiled when thinking about this and slightly blushed as well.

After the shaking went away, Palette got up and went to the bathroom to clean up then started downstairs to get breakfast. Once he entered the kitchen, he went straight for the coffee pot; however the coffee machine was not there. Puzzled, Palette just assumed that Goth might have gotten rid of it and went to get a new one, especially after the last time the machine acted up which the normally nice Goth went the whole day without coffee and with a bitter attitude. “Just get some coffee at one of those Starbucks”, Palette had said to which Goth responded with, “I’m not paying for that expensive stuff when I can get the same thing from home!” That day turned out to be terrible, not only for Goth but for everyone else in his path. Palette didn’t care much for coffee products, but he did like cappuccinos, hot chocolate, and the occasionally tea products.

Instead of getting his hot chocolate liked he hoped, Palette decided to get milk instead with some leftover doughnuts that Reaper brought the other day.

“Your lack of awareness is amusing. I could have killed you so easily if I wanted to.”

Palette was caught off guard by the voice. At first he didn’t recognize it, so he looked over to the living room to see who was talking to him. What he didn’t expect to see was the dark being itself, covered in corruption and malice with a smile like a fox in a hen house. His lone blue cyan could pierced any soul, searching for any weakness that may be hidden within the darkest of corners. The tentacles seem to sway gently however they were ready to strike anyone down with one single thrust. He, who stood there, was the proclaimed king of darkness and negativity known as Nightmare.

“Uncle-mare?”

Nightmare scowled when he heard those words. “You will refer to me by my proper title.”

“Okay. What are you doing here, King Goopy-Goop?”

Palette was pretty sure when Nightmare raised his tentacles and pointed them at him in a threatening manner that perhaps he might have gone too far. Now, while Palette could not die, he certainly did not want more injuries to add on the ones he currently has, if that was possible. “Clearly you have your father’s sense of humor while you have your mother’s cowardice.”

“I like to think both of my ‘dads’ have courage and while I have an amazing sense of humor of my own. Why are you here?” Palette did not want to waste time with Nightmare, as he knew Nightmare was here for a reason and he didn’t want to spend any time with his uncle that he could get out of. Nightmare withdrew his tentacles away from Palette before walking to the couch and sitting down, keeping his stare at him the entire time. Palette was about to say something else before Nightmare spoke up once more. “Why are you naked? Didn’t your parents teach you any self-respect or decency?”

It was then that Palette realized that he was still in his boxers. To be fair, he and Goth didn’t get visitors often and, when they do, any guests would just knock and stay outside like decent visitors and not break in like Nightmare did. Upset in general, Palette decided to walk away and go back upstairs to change. It took about an hour, as Palette didn’t mind letting Nightmare wait since the king was making himself at home. Palette came downstairs, fully dressed in matching gray sweats, and went straight back to the living room to see what Nightmare had been up to since he left. Satisfied to see nothing changed and that Nightmare hadn’t moved from his spot, Palette went back into the kitchen to find something to eat.

“You never did mention why you came for a visit.”

“Aw, I need an excuse to visit my favorite nephew.”

“I’m your only nephew.”

“Thus far” Nightmare said with a devious smile so obvious on his face, “It’s only a matter of time before Cross shacks up with Dream, and I know that Cross has desires for a ‘big happy family’.” Palette did not want to admit it but that sentence really upset him. He still didn’t like Cross, even after the events at the family dinner. Why? When Palette was little, Cross was always on his best behavior around Dream and never tried anything that would upset their friendship on purpose. However, when Dream was not nearby, he would mean to Palette and tell him to get lost. Cross use to bully little Goth as well until Geno decided to intervene and give Cross a ‘bad time’. Palette would tell Dream about Cross’ behavior however it felt like his dad didn’t believe him or perhaps thought that Palette was exaggerating everything. Now that Palette was older and Cross was dating Dream? Clearly Palette didn’t feel welcome near them now and why should he? Ten years may be a long time, but he was sure that Cross didn’t change much.

“Why are you here?” Palette asked once more, much sterner than he had been before which pushed outside his comfort zone just a little bit. Nightmare was not someone to trifle with so carelessly and Palette knew it.

The said monster frowned just a little before grinning again. “Don’t be like that Palette. I’m actually here to help you.”

This took Palette off guard. “How exactly?” he asked. Dream had warned Palette to never trust Nightmare, even if he seemed friendly and genuine. Palette had been naïve a few times, thinking that Nightmare wanted to hang out with his nephew when in fact he had been held hostage the whole time. He had always wanted an uncle to play with and heard stories about when Nightmare was still good, but now he wanted nothing to do with the abomination that took his real uncle’s name.

“I want to help you get better, that’s all.”

“Nothing can help me now. I’m eternally dying with no way to cure myself.”

“Oh…but that’s where your wrong, dear nephew.”

Palette stared at Nightmare for a little while, his attention to food completely gone and now directed at the current conversation. Nightmare gestured to one of the chairs in the living room, specifically the one right across from him. Palette narrowed his gaze but obeyed, being weary of whatever scheme Nightmare had in store for him.

“You see, your problem relies on the fact that you don’t have enough magic to restore yourself to your proper form, or at least a form that you can reside in without crumpling to dust. You don’t have the same DETERMINATION that Geno has nor enough magic from Ink or Dream to be strong enough on your own. Basically, you’re a much weaker lifeform than each of them.”

‘Thanks for beating a dead horse. I get it.’ Palette dared not to say these words out loud.

“What you need is a boost of magic essentially. Not like the food that restores your health instantly. Those don’t have enough magic in them for your body to work. You need something much stronger.”

“If you’re suggesting that I should jam a vial of determination into my soul, then no thanks. Geno did that and he isn’t in the best state of mind right now.”

“Oh nothing like that, I assure you. That’s far too crude compared to what I’m offering.”

Nightmare reached into his pocket and pulled out an apple. It wasn’t just any apple though. This one was black as oblivion and reek of negativity. Palette watched it with surprise and awe as Nightmare set it on the coffee table in front of him. Palette knew what it was…he just couldn’t believe that he was seeing it.

“I’ll give you one Negative Apple to help restore yourself back to normal.”

Palette knew something was up. There was a catch and he was not falling for it. “In exchange for what?” Palette asked with caution. Nightmare laughed out loud, his malicious tone reverberating against the house walls.  “I love making deals with skeptical creatures such as yourself. Especially when they know that they are being played. It makes any conversation much more interesting.”

Palette bit his tongue in frustration. He needed to tell Nightmare that he wasn’t interested. He should tell Nightmare to leave immediately, even at the cost of his own life. Palette needed to walk away from the topic all together. The problem was that he was interested. Palette wanted to know why Nightmare would even bother with this. He wanted to know if the Negative Apple would work and get him his life back. He also wanted to know the cost. He was very curious despite the obvious warnings screaming at him. “You didn’t answer my question”, Palette simply said, despite wanting to say more.

Nightmare grinned all too eagerly. “Of course…you will have to repay me.”

“By being your servant, you mean?”

“I wouldn’t say that per say, but more or less doing what I ask of you from now on would be more accurate.”

There was something that Nightmare wasn’t saying. There was an extra clause in fine print that Palette wasn’t seeing and it scared him. Before Palette could say anything else, Nightmare got up and brushed off his clothing. “I’m afraid that I must be going. So many things to do and I cannot leave such work for my simple minded minions. However I did enjoy talking with you. I do hope that we can meet again soon.”

Palette was unsure how to properly respond to that, so he tried to be polite. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. I’m always here so…I guess you can come by whenever you want.” It wasn’t an invitation, and Nightmare knew it.

“In the meantime, I’ll leave this here. I won’t force the decision on you now but I truly do hope that you’ll consider my offer before my next visit. Think about it. It could save your life.” Nightmare smiled sweetly at the last sentence before warping out of the house and perhaps the ‘Save Screen’ altogether.

Palette let out a sigh of relief. Nightmare’s aura was getting unbearable for Palette to stand. The aura itself was literally suffocating Palette, trying to snuff out the last of his soul. He was glad that Nightmare was gone. However, the dark apple sitting on the table posed…problems. Palette didn’t want Goth to see it but he didn’t want to hide it from his husband either.

None of Goth’s family like Nightmare and some still did not like being around Dream. It wasn’t that the family didn’t approve of Dream as it was they disliked Nightmare so much. Even though Dream never intended it, problems from Nightmare and the dispute between positivity and negativity followed the little guardian around. It caused hardships on those around Dream, thus many chose to leave both brothers alone rather than getting caught in the middle. The AfterDeath family had sworn off having any involvement in the battle between Dream and Nightmare, which included helping or hindering either side. It was fine, and there was no trouble that came of that. Dream understood this perfectly and was never truly offended. Despite all of this, Geno and Death had somehow grown a friendship with Dream thanks to Ink’s meddling. This led to Palette being able to meet Goth in the first place.

It did put Palette in a bind though. He loved Goth and wanted to respect the wishes of his new family however Palette did want to support both his dads as well, for creation and positivity were good things. At first, Palette wanted to be just like them. A hero that could help and inspire the multi-verse he lived in and creators that Ink always talked about. But now? He didn’t know what he wanted anymore. A lot had change for him ten years ago and in did so in a matter of minutes. He couldn’t save anyone. All he did was cause grief to everyone that he knew.

Palette held his remaining hand against what was left of his chest. He hated that he went into that fire. He wished he hadn’t gotten involved. He could remember the little girls in that fire. They trusted him to save them…and he didn’t.

Palette shook those thoughts out of his head. He just wanted to eat something and go back to bed. As for the dark fruit that was sitting on coffee table? That will have to wait until Goth got home and Palette was not looking forward to that conversation.