#the boys are bonding <3< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[rocicrew]

So you so nailed the Amos & Holden voices in the 4x08 prompt I’m here to ask for more please! #17 I can’t sleep, can I stay here and or #18 It’s late. Shouldn’t you be asleep.

Angst/fluff Prompt List, accepting

Insomnia had a steady presence in the course of Holden's adult life. It'd happened back when he was living on Earth but rarer. The manual labor helped knock him out in his teens and on the occasions it didn't, he was content to pick up a book and get whatever reading he hadn't had the chance to during the day. As responsibility grew, novels gave their way to briefs, court hearings, and land ownership law. Usually, he was able to make it back to bed to get a couple hours of sleep in, but one day, Mother Elise had found him asleep on the desk with the papers sprawled under his head. They never spoke of it. Two months later, she told him to go and not come back.

Then came the Navy. The drills and training helped a lot, but after making it as a lieutenant he had a few sleepless nights here and there thinking of everything he saw and heard on deck. How they viewed their job, their power, Mars, and the Belt. It hadn't been something he expected.

It'd made sense at first to join. Prove that he could win a battle, even if it wasn't the one he was raised to fight. After being dishonorably discharged, the sleepless nights grew in number. At first, it was that ship keeping him awake. The one he didn't shoot, but couldn't save either. People, children, floating to space because his superiors were on a power trip. He wanted nothing to do with it.

So he run.

The next decade blurred into the same kind of routine. Casually sleeping with people, drinking but not getting too drunk with people that he knew but didn't actually know, and laying in his bunk counting screws on the metal structures above. Drifting through ships and hopping on the next when responsibility came knocking. Just existing.

He failed at everything he tried to make a difference to. It wouldn't have been wise to try something again. Instead, he got to know people and places whose faces would drift by whenever he couldn't sleep.

He tried to help again, during one night he couldn't sleep, and fell right into an interplanetary war.

The Roci was no different. It was different, but it didn't stop insomnia from coming back like an old friend. After Eros, it was nightmares that kept him awake. But then, he could turn on his other side, bury his face in the crook of Naomi's neck, and breathe her in to soothe his racing heart. Whether or not he was able to fall asleep after that didn't matter. It was a peace that'd been hard to come by lately.

Now Naomi wasn't here anymore. And their, his cabin now, only made it worse.

He ruined that, too.

So, the galley it was. A fresh cup of coffee in his hands; hot, bitter, and comforting on his tongue. He wouldn't be getting any sleep with the additional dose of caffeine, but he wasn't going to be getting that rest tonight anyway.

The next stop was the Ops deck. He might as well be getting some chunk of work done if he was going to be keeping himself awake.

"It’s late. Shouldn’t you be asleep?" a voice suddenly asked as soon as he climbed up the ladder.

Holden faltered, trying to steady himself and the cup of coffee in his hands.

"Jesus, Amos," he exhaled as he tried to compose himself when he stepped onto the deck. "Thought you'd be at the machine shop."

That was a better excuse than I'd forgotten whose turn it was to keep watch. He was the Captain, and that was on his list of responsibilities.

If he didn't know any better, he'd say Amos looked apologetic. But he didn’t mention that. He only rounded up the crash couch and sat on the one next to the mechanic.

"I can’t sleep," he grunted, taping the edge of his bulb. "Can I stay here?"

"Whatever, Cap. It's your ship," Amos casually replied.

"Our ship," Holden corrected even if he understood Amos didn't exactly mean it that way.

One ship. Four owners, three crewmen, two governments up their asses, and one court order that would empty whatever money they'd been paid by Fred or Avasarala in the meantime.

Except it wouldn't even be their ship anymore. Mars would take it unless they found a way to keep paying the legal fees. Transport jobs would be enough for a little bit, but unless they found another legitimate source of income, they'd have to say goodbye to their home.

An empty laugh coursed through him at the irony of the situation.

Amos looked confused, and he couldn't blame him. Holden just shook his head to let him know he hadn't misunderstood anything. "Nothing, I was just thinking," Holden said. "My parents always prepared me to fight for our farm. I never imagined, after I left, that I'd have to do it for our home."

He exhaled, deflating, and fell back on the couch. The farm was a losing battle. Would the Roci be the same? A couple of owners were no match against a government. It really was the same. He closed his eyes and tried not to imagine them falling from his hands like live soil. He failed.

"So? We'll fight who we need to fight. It's not our first time against Mickies," Amos deadpanned.

A smile spread through his lips. The tiniest bit of weight lifting from his sour mood. If anything else failed, he could rely on Amos' ability to face a problem head-on.

"Unless someone decides to gift us a shit ton of money, we're screwed," he explained.

"Would've guessed saving the solar system paid more."

Holden chuckled at that. As if.

A beat passed when neither of them talked. Holden turned to look at him while taking a sip from his drink. Amos wasn't looking at him but he could tell he was trying to work something out.

When he finally did, he spoke. "That's what you've been losing sleep over?"

No, was the immediate answer, but it would be a lie. Or at least, it would be a half-truth. There were other reasons, further up his list from everything that'd happened lately that kept him up, but Mars trying to take back the ship was included.

"What can we do?" Amos asked instead, trying to figure out if there was a practical course of action.

"I don't know. But I don't see any way we can keep the ship and not draw attention." Holden grimaced as he spoke. It might save the ship, but it wasn't a solution he necessarily wanted to take.

"That journalist you were saying?"

"Yeah," he confirmed. "They'll pay us good money to be on board. Maybe enough to keep the ship and share some four ways."

Amos adverted his gaze at that. Right, Naomi was a difficult topic still. It was for him, too. Her absence affected him more than he wanted to say. However, this way, at least, he could show her she had a home for her to come back to. When she wanted to. If she wanted to.

"But we'll be having some strangers filming us all the time, I can't ask you to do that." Nothing that major would be offered without downsides. He'd talked about it with Alex, and the pilot had agreed to quote on quote 'keep his girl'. But Amos might be even less enthusiastic than him at the prospect of strangers poking into their business and being in the spotlight.

Amos didn't say any of that. He just asked. "When?"

"We have a large window to reply." From what Holden could tell, they wouldn't be taking back their offer any time soon, "And some time until our money runs out."

"Right, so get some rest. Worry about it, later."

Yeah, that wouldn't happen anytime soon.

"That ship has sailed," he grunted, leaning back on the couch again.

He hadn't yet found the trick of putting his worries on the back burner. Sometimes, he envied how the mechanic didn't seem to worry about anything. But then he thought about it in more detail, and it just made him sad. Nevertheless, he appreciated the straightforward advice Amos provided since they'd gotten close. At the very least, it helped take some of the edge off and break the looping pattern of worrying thoughts, even if the worry never truly faded.

Getting lost in those thoughts, he didn't notice Amos squirming in his seat. It was only his voice that pulled him out of it.

"Look, I know I'm not the first person you'd come for this," Holden opened his mouth as if to object, but Amos didn't let him. They both knew the truth, anyway. "But you can - I dunno, talk to me if you need to, and I can listen."

"You're plenty of help, Amos," Holden tried to console, but the words brought a smile to his lips. He meant it. There were countless practical ways he had been helpful even if they usually veered towards violent solutions to their problems. And he knew that what he said now wasn't easy for him.

"Sure," Amos dismissed.

Holden wasn't going to let him think he didn't acknowledge the help. Quite the opposite, he treasured it.

"No, I- this helps. I tend to look too into things, and you always..."

"Remind you you're not that important?" Amos finished the sentence for him. It wasn't too far off from what he wanted to say.

He laughed and then continued because it needed to be said out loud. 

"Yeah. I appreciate it, you know."

"'Kay, Cap," Amos stood, walked close to him, and plucked the bulb from his hand. Before Holden had time to protest the loss of his precious coffee, he spoke. "If you're going to get all sappy on me, we need something stronger."

If Holden guessed, he'd say that was only half a reason, but the objection died on his lips. When Amos returned, he was balancing two bulbs and a bottle that contained a dark brownish hue.

He accepted his cup back and took a swing of the liquid inside, which sent him into a coughing fit. "God Amos, what's in that?"

"Don't ask questions you don't want the answer to."

With half a mind, he hoped Amos was teasing him, or at least that's what he told himself to keep drinking from the cup. Once he got some of that initial flavor down, it wasn't that bad, and it might actually do the trick of knocking him right out later in the night cycle.

For now, it was enough to share the bottle with Amos and talk about whatever mindless thing he could think of. No politics and war and stress about the future. Just here and now.

When Amos leaned towards him in the middle of their conversation, looking like he wanted to ask something, he stopped speaking to let him know he could. He just never expected that would be the topic he'd remember from their earlier conversation.

"So, when you said farm... You meant like chickens and shit?"

Yeah, it was going to be a long night. But Holden wasn't upset about it anymore.

[pocket-dragon]

POV you ate shit during the family drama hour and your adopted peepaw needed your dogs help finding the Temple

[paintedcrows]

Assorted Gravity Falls doodles!

[benoits-neckerchieves]

Guyssss more new pics ‼️

Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc on the set of Wake Up Dead Man (via @ springhousese on Twitter / X).

[puppetmaster13u]

Prompt 277

Danny would be pouting, but this? This is actually kind of hilarious. He’d be laughing his ass off if he could, but allows himself to shriek excitedly around the binky in his mouth. Jordan on the other hand has no such thing stopping him, letting out his own toddler cackle as something bursts into flames. 

Their current caretaker- Clockwork’s nephew apparently, who is on babysitting duty for the next couple of decades- coos, and then they’re off again. Someone had apparently wanted their sort-of-Fraid-member to go to a meeting despite him informing them he’d be unavailable.

So of course he- and the three of them and Ms. Teekl the cat- just had to set the whole place on fire. You honestly can’t be that rude! It’s like, not exactly maternity leave, but something similar- don’t make fun of him he’s stuck with a toddler-brain right now! 

(All three of them would’ve had completely toddler minds if not for the fact that they were partially made from ectoplasm) 

Really, it was perfectly normal for them to set the building aflame and disappear into another dimension, even if maybe not for humans. Everyone knew you didn’t try to mess with a nesting Realms being! Especially if they weren’t fully Fraid yet. Honestly it’s all the idiots’ fault. 

[bevirspnsblmnt]

when you just finished fkng on top of a grave, but you have feelings you gotta sort out (they're just nekkie, but since I dont know the state of tmblr cens0rship - and I had drawings flagged where people were fully dressed before) you get the white halo of doom - but you can see the full pages on my twitter!! I drew some nice butts so pls check them out :3c)

[sporeclan]

< Previous | First | Next >

Yet another just generally bad time for all of SporeClan :')

[harrowharkwife]

i'm so used to there just being random unidentified bones laying around everywhere in these damn books that it finally occurred to me, just now, to wonder where the bones on new rho came from. y'know, the bones palamedes always tried to teach nona necromancy on.

they're his.

palamedes, who always loved teaching, living on borrowed time in a body that's not his own. palamedes, mentoring, teaching- parenting, by sixth standards, mind you. and that boy is sixth, through and through.

and the entire point of teaching nona necromancy in the first place was to try and determine if nona is, well, nonagesimus, right? so it has to be bones, it can't not be bones. bones are, like, her whole thing.

but they're not in the nine houses, anymore. things are different, on new rho.

they burn bones here. dig up the cemeteries. a society terrified of zombies will evolve to dispose of its dead differently.

the only bones he has access to now are his own. (camilla wouldn't let anyone take them- skull or hand, doesn't matter. they're still him, and she doesn't let go, remember? it's her one thing.)

palamedes woke up every morning wearing someone else's body to then gently place the shrapnel of his own in the cupped palms of a girl who's the closest thing he'll ever have to a daughter and try to teach her- how did the angel put it, again? normal school, as much as possible, for as long as possible.

(but hey, in a roundabout way, at least it's a chance for him to touch camilla again, right? nevermind that she's not there to feel any of it because he's in the driver's seat, that he can only stay for fifteen minutes at a time. it's atoms that belong to camilla touching atoms that used to belong to him, and that's close enough. he'll take what he can get, these days- if she can be their flesh, he can be the end. so what if holding his own bones is a mindfuck? so what if looking at them makes him nauseous? surely he can suck it up and deal with it for fifteen minutes. it's the least he can do— his poor camilla was the one who had to scrape the bloody pulp of them off the floors of canaan house.)

(speaking of, here's a fun fact: we actually only see nona practicing with the bones one time, on-page. camilla's final line in that scene, before palamedes takes over, is none other than: 'keep going. there are some bones left.' ow!)

remember, too, that the only part of dulcinea, the real dulcinea, that palamedes ever physically touched, was her tooth- the one that ianthe gave him, pulled from the ashes cytherea burnt her down to. he only ever touched dulcie once, and it wasn't until after she was already gone, but that doesn't matter- it still happened, and you can't take loved away.

in this same roundabout, bittersweet, by-proxy sort of way, palamedes has been physically touched by nona, too: the atoms she currently occupies, touching atoms that he used to occupy, and never will again.

the main interaction we've seen between palamedes and his mother took place back on the sixth, with her acting as mentor and him as pupil: the two of them studying a set of hand bones, juno encouraging him every step of the way.

we know that harrowhark's "most vivid memory of her mother was of her hands guiding harrow's over an inexpertly rendered portion of skull, her fingers encircling the fat baby bracelets of harrow's wrists, tightening this cuff to indicate correct technique."

they're still small for a nineteen year old, but the wrists are bigger, in this new set of memories nona's making. and it's not an inexpertly rendered portion of skull anymore- it's a hand, now, albeit one crafted from [a piece of skull reassembled (painstakingly—passionately—laboriously reassembled) from fragments, manually, and not by a bone magician, from the skull of someone who, soon after death or symptomatically during, had exploded.] and the identity and origin of these bones is no mystery at all. they belong to palamedes, and he's consented to their use for this purpose, and that matters.

but the details are just set dressing, really. the foundation of the memory is the same.

palamedes and his mother, juno and her son.

harrow and her mother; pelleamena and her daughter.

nona and her father-mother-teacher; palamedes and his daughter.

[nelo0wesker]

Request List!

(Yall can keep requesting! Father and son bonding, Armando X reader, mother and son bonding, just Armando, bad boys 3 and 4.)

1. Who is she? -Armando X Reader (Finished)

2. I got you -father and son bonding- (Finished)

3. First Time? -Armando X Reader (Finished) +18

4. Will she like me? -Armando X Reader (Finished)

5. Bonding? -Armando X Reader, father and son bonding- (Finished)

6. Your Married? -Armando X Reader, shocking- (WIP)

7. You really never done this before? -Armando X Reader- (HS) +18

8. Not enough -Armando X Reader- (HS) +18

9. Grieving -Armando X reader, comfort, father and son- (Finished)

10. I’m coming -Armando X reader, father and son, reveal- (HS) [Bad Boys Ride or Die]

11. Who is she? -Armando X reader, enemies to lovers- (finished) Part 2

12. Jealously -Armando X reader- (HS)

13. I’m a grandpa? -Armando X reader, father and son bonding, surprised- (HS) +18

14. Jail Break part 2 -Armando x reader-

15. Matching Tattoos! -Jacob X reader- (HS)

16. You’re stuck with me forever -Armando x reader, attempt breakup- (finished)

17. Does she like me? Part 2 -Armando x reader- (HS)

18. Baby -Justin X reader- (HS)

19. Yeah we’re married -Armando x reader- (HS) [Bad Boys Ride or Die]

20. Who the hell are you?! -Micheal x reader- (HS)

21. Tie me up? -Micheal x reader-

[iwritenarrativesandstuff]

See, I think Charles’ annoyance and frustration with the Cat King really was just pure protectiveness and not any kind of jealousy - it’s understandable, because Edwin is not telling him what happened even though something clearly did, which is not typical for them. Edwin doesn’t usually hide things like this! Of course he’s worried!

Charles’ reaction to Monty, on the other hand, is difficult to explain in a way that isn’t jealousy. You could say he’s being protective again, but Charles shows no sign of distrust in Monty, and had no idea of who Monty was or that he might betray them - he was actually very chill with him, except in a select few specific scenes. You could say he just doesn’t like him because he got brushed off during their first meeting, but not only does that not seem like Charles at all, it also doesn’t make sense, since, again, in most instances, Charles is genuinely friendly and is happy when Monty compliments him and seems to have come around to liking him (it completely flies over his head that this is a petty jab at Edwin on Monty’s part but oh well hahaha). You could say it changes up their status quo a bit and that bothers Charles. I do think this bothers him a bit, but I think, unlike Edwin, Charles’ fear and frustration here is directed more at situations (the Cat King whisking him away for several hours, as an example) than others. He’s sociable and likes being able to talk to new people. There’s absolutely no way he’d begrudge Edwin doing the same - and he doesn’t… with Niko. Edwin and Niko hit it off and become very close and that never bothers Charles at all. He’s incredibly endeared to her, just like the rest, and for the most part, he’s chill with Monty too, and smiles pretty knowingly when Edwin confesses to him having awakened some feelings. The only exceptions, where he shows definite annoyance, are when Monty first shows up and gets really in Edwin’s personal space to show him the astrology chart he made, and when Edwin is so sucked into the book Monty gave him that he doesn’t hear that Charles is talking to him, to which he annoyedly says that they seem to have been “spending a lot of time together”.

You could say he’s unused to having anyone get in Edwin’s personal space like that, but, again, Niko. She’s very tactile with him and he doesn’t seem to mind all that much; they spend time together watching things. If it was just someone getting close with Edwin in general, not only would that be weirdly possessive for the character, but it would also mean he would show discomfort with anyone getting close, I think. Does Charles see Monty as more of a potential threat than Niko, seeing as he knows her and her personality and doesn’t know Monty? Well, maybe, but again, Charles shows no sign of distrusting Monty at all.

Monty is a boy. Okay. So something about seeing Edwin so close to a boy that is not him, getting lost in thought over something this boy gave him, really rubs Charles the wrong way. Charles appears to catch on just as quickly as anyone else that there is something (or it looks like something) between Edwin and Monty. He is not surprised when Edwin comes out to him in episode 6, and in fact, seems to have just been waiting for him to verbalize it. He smiles and is not bothered at all by Edwin showing (what he thinks is) a romantic interest in Monty - he just doesn’t like it when Monty clearly shows a romantic interest in Edwin. Um. Well. Well.

Charles is jealous. I really don’t know what else to say.

Look, when I first watched this show, I actually didn’t want them to end up together romantically - I love the idea of one having fallen in love with another who does not reciprocate and the two of them still loving each other just as much. That Edwin’s confession made them closer instead of making things awkward is such a beautiful outcome to this build up and I absolutely love it. However. On my two rewatches, I caught a lot more little details, and I think it would be very strange if the show did not follow up on this. That, plus the deliberate quality of these “jealousy” moments where the camera focuses on him, Charles’ Orpheus coding throughout the show, the fact that Edwin’s arc was far more about realizing his feelings for Charles specifically than just coming to terms with his sexuality, and that even the actors admit that Charles’ response to the confession kind of left things open, it really seems to me like the path leads to a romantic endgame for them, or at the very least, that this possibility will be explored in more depth.

**This is just my reading of it. Please do not use this post as a gotcha for anyone who loves them as a platonic duo or people who really love Crystal and Charles together (because let’s face it, they’re super cute too). I’m just doing my rambles. As per usual.

[cicerfics]

Stolen from reddit because I couldn't help it. This is just so Q-core it hurts.

[quadrantadvisor]

I think Tim Drake deserves a villain arc. As a treat. Just like a little one, to get it out of his system.

Option 1: Tim hunts down the dregs of the League of Assassins, bends them to his will through money and influence, and starts building his own ninja army. This utilizes his management and organizational skills. If Jason is allowed to have a gang, its only fair Tim gets one, too. This would be terrifying and have lasting impacts on the world villain economy.

Option 2: Literally just Teen Titans Red X. Here he's using self sufficiency and stealth skills. Much more of a loner villain arc, just striking out for a little while and finding himself. Also maybe doing some actual Robin-hood-ing and stealing from the rich. It could be fun. And it fits his theme!

[piratespencilart]

Can you imagine being a two foot tall halfling in your giant cow uncle’s lap. Literally the safest feeling in the world I think. 💚

[ID: Digital art of Luc and Caduceus from Critical Role. Luc is a small halfling child in yellow overalls, looking up with a smile. He is sitting in the lap of Caduceus, who is shown from the neck down and is much larger than Luc. End ID.]

[ancha-aus]

RealAgeAU Drabble - Rebuilding

You all have been so kind <3 It isn't much but I figured we need a win :D Here is the win :D

There will probably come another drabble between this one and the last one about Dream dealing with all he learned but I wanted fluff so we going out of order again!

First Drabble Prev Drabble Next Drabble

No edits or beta. We just having fun <3

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

Dream hums as he packs some snacks. He had been waiting impatiently for this day. Cross had texted him that the meeting would have to wait as it were the holidays with them in their universe.

But! Those have finally passed!

Which means…

Dream grins as he checks his own little present. He is excited to see Nightmare. See how his now little brother is doing.

It still hurts to not be the one to look after Nightmare. But Dream had managed to at least accept that for now.

Too much had happened between them for them to just pick things up as they were. And Dream will admit that he is a little afraid that he will end up letting the memories cloud his own judgement and behaviour concerning Nightmare.

So. They are taking small steps! Kind of like playdates.

Dream hadn’t minded the name much. It is cute. Even if he is still sad it is needed.

Dream takes a deep breath and hugs his bag close “Baby steps Dream. Just take small steps.”

For now he has a little brother to see and cuddle. Dream’s goal at the moment is to convince Nightmare that Dream does love him. Dream figured that is a good first step over trying to convince him that he had always loved him.

Dream texts the gang that he is going to the meeting spot before leaving the phone in his house. He knows people can track phones and stuff and he is not leading anyone to his little brother.

Dream concentrates his staff and powers and connects to the ride universe. He steps through and looks around.

It seems that this universe has a small town at least. Probably a locked universe than. As the gang doesn’t take risks. A locked one without knowledge about the multiverse, and probably far away from anyone who may have seen any skeletons.

Dream hums as he skips through the beautiful little winter wonderland town. The snow is nice and fluffy and the many coloured lights are beautiful. There are little stalls with some things for sale and Dream can see a little frozen lake in the distance. Oh! Maybe he and Nightmare can go ice skating?

Blue taught Dream all about it after Dream admitted that he never actually experienced winter. Which was weird to Blue as he grew up in a snowy town. They drag Ink along and had a lot of fun.

Dream snickers as he now knows why Blue had been so pushy about dragging Ink along too. But playing matchmaker is for later!

Dream looks around and grins as he spots the others. Seems like it is just Dust and Cross today with Nightmare. Dream rushes to their side and can’t help but think back to the first time he heard about their ‘child.’.

Back then Dream had still believed the worst of Nightmare. When the actual proof that Nightmare had always just been himself had been right in front of him.

Dream really needed to learn to look fully at situations before making decisions.

But that is for later. He happily goes over to Dust, Cross and Nightmare. Nightmare is sitting on Cross’s lap and seems to be people watching. He is wearing a large jacket, very thick looking pants and snow boats. Not to forget an adorable frog beanie.

No doubt to protect the scars on his skull and keep him warm.

Dream smiles “Hey guys!”

Dust looks at him bored and nods as greeting. Cross gives a small smile back “Hey Dream.”

Nightmare looks away from the people and shoots him a tiny smile “Hey…”

It was already so worth it. All the effort and work and careful steps. Because his brother finally smiled at him again. It may be after Gyftmas but Dream knows this is the best gift he could have gotten.

Dust gets up first and takes Nightmare over as Cross carefully rights himself.

Dream snickers to himself.

Cross looks confused as he gets up after one of his feet sliding a little bit “What?”

Dream shakes his skull before smiling “It is just… remember how the last time I met you guys with Nightmare you guys said he was yours?” he grins more “Apparently you were telling the truth after all.” Even if it is still hard to not have Nightmare with him. It is getting easier to accept the gang as his twins parents. It is just the obvious care they show. How to are so careful with him. It is hard to not see this as something good for his brother.

Cross sputters as he blushes slightly embarrassed.

Nightmare blinks and tilts his skull “I remember that.” He looks at Cross with a frown “You are not good at improv.”

Cross sputters again and looks with betrayal at Nightmare “Nightlight!”

That is another thing. Their nickname for his brother? Their little nightlight? Adorable. 10 out of 10. Dream will not let anyone interfere.

Dust chuckles and shoots Cross an amused look “Still ended up being right.” even more amused “Even about the relationship.”

Cross looks even more embarrassed as he looks to the side “If I had known I would get bullied I wouldn’t have come.”

Dust hums and shoots Nightmare a look. Nightmare looks back with a doubtful look and Dust nods “I agree Nightmare. He is bluffing.” More amused at Cross “You would have come either way.” Then Dust walks a bit closer and pulls Cross’s skull down a bit to enable him to easily kiss his cheek.

That is something Dream still needs to get used to. The four of them dating. It is just not something Dream had expected! Thought that is because of the fact that Dream only knew them when fighting. Who knows?! Maybe they had been dating for years and Dream just never knew- wait.

Dream gives them a strict look “You guys better keep it at handholding and kissing in front of Nightmare.”

Nightmare frowns at Dream “I know that kinda stuff!”

Dream sighs and gets a faraway look “How far I have fallen to let my little brother see those sinful things when he is just a baby.”

Nightmare pouts as he huffs “We fought before!”

Dust laughs and just nuzzles the grumpy baby. Cross grins amused as well “Yeah so sinful. Premarital handholding.” Which just causes Dust to snort again as Nightmare pouts.

Dream smiles and giggles “Sorry sorry.” He looks at Nightmare “It is great to see you again. How were your holidays?”

Nightmare keeps pouting and thinks for a moment before relaxing a bit “They were nice. We had food and did some stuff around town. Looking at things.” He looks back at Dream “How was Gyftmas?”

Dream makes a so-so motions “It was alright. There was this big party which I just visited to show my face. Afterwards I went back to Blue’s with Ink and the three of us and Blue’s brother had a bit of a more private celebration.” Which included Dream trying to push Blue and Ink under the mistletoe. He was kind of successful as Dream managed to get them under there. But Ink just stared at the little plant before proclaiming he had an idea for a drawing and he rushed off.

Dream and Blue drunk some whiskey after that together with Stretch.

Nightmare tilts his skull “I thought you liked the big parties?”

Dream shrugs as he walks with the family “They are okay. Mostly because it used to just give me a lot of energy thanks to all the positive emotions going around. Nowadays they are more of a hassle than anything.” He rolls his eye lights “People keep demanding I do the things nad stuff I used to do. Honestly some people never learn.”

Dust and Cross nod in agreement as Nightmare shrugs “Some people don’t want to learn. Can’t make them.”

Dream nods “Very true. But tell me how have you been!” and he looks hopeful.

Nightmare thinks for a moment before slowly starting to talk about how the winter hit and so there is a lot of snow. He mentions he doesn’t like the cold but the snow is pretty. And that his classes are going better.

Nightmare huffs unhappily “Math is still stupid.”

Cross looks amused “Just need to practise is Night. You will get it eventually.”

This actually surprises Dream a lot “But you had about a thousand calculations and stuff about the balance in your office.”

Nightmare makes some motions before sighing “It is different now…”

Dust actually speaks again “We think it is because he is a child again. The boost made him older using god magic. We wouldn’t be surprised if it changed him in some other things as well. Like how his magic had a different colour. It could have also assisted a lot with the way he thougth about things.”

Dream nods “Like an aid? Or a cheat sheet?”

Dust shrugs but nods.

Cross shrugs himself “We aren’t sure. It isn’t like we can test it and Nightmare thought that was just who he was.”

Nightmare nods “It felt like me. Not like I was still six. I felt like an adult… I think.”

Dream smiles “Well. It doesn’t matter now. We can just assume the magic aided you with everything.”

Nightmare shoots him a considering look before smiling a tiny bit again “Yeah.”

They get into town and Dream looks hopeful at Nightmare and Dust as he mutters “I was wondering… If I could… Could I please hold Nightmare again?”

Dust thinks for a moment and looks down at Nightmare. Nightmare gives him a nod. Which causes Dust to give him a nod and carefully hand Nightmare over.

Dream pulls Nightmare as close against him as he can while still being gentle. Nightmare is still healing. He almost died and got very hurt. Dream has to make sure he is careful.

Dream smiles as he nuzzles Nightmare softly “I am so happy to see you again. I love you.” I love you so much Nighty.

Nightmare hums and just hugs him back.

Their souls may no longer be in sync as they used to be but at least it seems that Dream’s hugs also mean something to Nightmare. Which may be all Dream gets but he will hold unto it greedily.

It just feels so good to have Nightmare near. To be able to hold and hug him.

They just let him hold his tiny twin. Enjoy the feeling of him close again. Dream never gets over this. He hadn’t realised how much he had missed his brother’s hugs until he finally got one again. He wonders if that is what starving feels like.

They sit down on a bench and Dream just asks his brother things. As long as Nightmare is open to it Dream is trying to get to know him again. Learn what he likes and dislikes. Which books he reads and which movies he watches.

Dream has heard so many facts about bats.

Nightmare tilts his skull “Gyftmas, or Christmas isn’t as much of a present holiday in our universe.” Their universe. The place the called home and settled. The very same that Error hid again and refuses to give the new coordinates to.

Dream frowns “So you didn’t get presents?”

Nightmare looks a bit shyer “I did get stuff!” then he looks embarrassed and crosses his arms “Dads are still used to giving gifts and stuff.”

Cross nods “We got him a few small things…” he rubs his neck “It was a special happening! A holiday! It seems criminal to not get him things!”

Dream laughs and nods “Oh I fully agree…” and he slowly rises his little present “I promise it isn’t a lot… just a present… Happy Gyftmas.” It is the first holiday where he has his brother with him again.

Nightmare stares with shock at the present before looking slightly panicked at Dust and Cross before muttering “I didn’t… I didn’t get anything… I didn’t know…”

Dream just hugs his little brother closer “I know. It is okay. Maybe I shouldn’t have surprised you…” or maybe he should have asked any of the four if this was okay?! He just wanted to surprise Nighty with something. “I just wanted to give you something okay? That is it.” he holds Nightmare close and smiles “You already gave me this chance Nighty… There isn’t anything else I want.”

Nightmare still looks unsure as he stares at the present. Cross rubs Nighty’s cheek “It is okay Nightlight. If you want we can check the stalls?”

Nightmare looks at the stalls and nods “yeah.” He holds his hands out to Cross and Cross takes him back. Dream is sad to let go of him but doesn’t fight it as Cross and Nightmare move towards the stalls.

Dream frowns at the present “I shouldn’t have surprised him.”

Dust snorts “You are fine. Nightmare just still has this idea that he owns people things when he gets stuff. We are still working on it.”

Dream blinks and thinks “Oh… is that why you guys gave him gifts for the last holiday?”

Dust nods “Yup. He is still learning to just be a kid again.”

Dream laughs and nods “I can’t imagine how hard that is…” For Nightmare to have to unlearn 500 years of trauma and responsibilities.

Dust shrugs “We are making progress.”

They sit in silence as they wait. Dust is very quiet and Dream rubs his hands. He is still not sued to Dust. He is just so eerily quiet and unmoving. Almost like a statue, and Dream can know as he used to be one.

The first few times Dream tried to fill the silence but nothing what he said seemed to be able to pull Dust into a conversation. Maybe Dust just doesn’t want to talk to him or maybe Dust is just quiet. Dream isn’t sure.

A memory enters his mind and Dream gets ready “I euh… had a question.”

Dust hums and waits.

Dream takes a deep breath “Have you guys been to Dreamtale? And… euh… have you seen any of us per chance?”

Dust thinks for a moment before nodding.

Dream shoots upright “Seriously?! Was Nightmare little at that point?” another nod.

Dream leans back and mutters “So I wasn’t going insane?”

Dust snorts and shoots him a look “Nightmare saw you through a window and he said you saw him too. Calling him ‘Nighty’ and he made a break for it.” and he looks back forwards.

Dream just leans back. Holy shit. All this time he thought it was somekind of magical hallucination or something. Nope. His actual brother. Dream can’t believe it. He went back to Dreamtale to get answers. And he got his answers but again he hadn’t considered what the sighting could mean.

At least Dream will excuse himself for just assuming it was a hallucination. Who would assume that it is your actual brother who was an adult the last time you knowingly saw him!?

Which is when Cross and Nightmare return to them. As soon as they get near Nightmare holds out a present. It is packed with the generic holiday wrapping paper and Dream happily takes the present after which he gives his own back to Nightmare.

Dream takes care to unwrap the gift and smiles at the small snowglobe. It has this town in it with the lake and Dream smiles happily at Nightmare “I love it.” and he isn’t even kidding. This place now holds a special place in his soul. A reminder is very nice to have. He will think of this moment each time he sees it.

Nightmare looks away embarrassed and shrugs as he opens the present only to stare.

Dream looks nervously at the small wooden bat he had tried to carve. He rubs his arm “I am still getting back into it… But well… You really like bats…” and they used to carve each other these statues…

Nightmare traces the carved wood and holds it close. A soft thanks is muttered and Dream feels himself relax. Nightmare always gets this shy about things he liked, even when they were kids together.

They end up relocating to the lake to get away from the other people. Only to see a small stall renting out ice skates and a few people skating.

Dream smiles at Nightmare “Want to learn how to skate? I can teach you!”

Nightmare frowns as he thinks it over. Dust and Cross share a look and seem to speak without making any sounds before both nodding. Apparently they are accepting of the idea! Great!

Nightmare looks up at his two dads and Cross smiles “I can’t skate myself.”

Dust rolls his eyes “I can. While Dream teaches you Night I will teach Cross.”

Dream looks confused at Dust “You can skate?”

Dust shrugs “Snowdin.”

Right. Of course. Duh.

They get four pair of skates and Dust helps Nightmare with his, and afterwards helps Cross with his as well. Cross looks deeply embarrassed as he mutters “Just never skated before…”

Dust shrugs “it is fine.”

They get to the lake and Dream is quick to focus all his attention on Nightmare. He helps him stand and find his balance and then a slowly helps him move a tiny bit.

It takes a while but soon enough Nightmare is smiling and having fun as they skate. Dream grins and happily shows off his moves to Nightmare when he has his balance.

Dream smiles as he just enjoys his day. And he hopes he will get many more just like this.

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

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Oh also. @spotaus haha almost forgot to add you that time!

[benoits-neckerchieves]

Oh my god !!!!!

Well that explains this then

[shaylogic]

Snipped these from George Rexstrew's insta vid of DBDA BTS.

Based on the outfits they're in, it looks like this was a break Jayden and Kassius were taking while working on the early scenes of episode 3 "The Case of the Devlin House".