Error stands over them, frozen and tense before anger brews within him.
"Who did this to you?"
Error is angry that someone hurt you and made you cry. He'll dish out revenge. He will get them back.
No. Revenge isn't enough.
Error will kill for you.
That's how much he values you. He won't say it's for love. He can't. But, he can at least admit to caring so much for you that he will burn the world for you.
(insert Ink telling Error, "that's love~" and have Error yell at him, "how would you know, you soulless roach!")
Prompt from @wayward-dream: Bitch you want a prompt? I'll give you a prompt. Take the song "Demons" by Imagine Dragons and use it for inspiration to give me a Geralt x reader prompt where she finds dark!Geralt wounded and still under the effects of the potion and he tries to tell her to leave him, he'll be fine, but she's like "no u fuckin idiot ur BLEEDING" and she takes care of him and he wakes up to her being all soft and taking care of him and he's very confused and insecure. Angst, happy ending or not is up to you :)
A/N. You said I could angst, so I took it and ran. This definitely got away from me once I started writing it! Hope you all enjoy! Send me a message or an ask if you’d like to be added to my taglist!
Masterlist
Words: 3.7k
Warnings: character injury, mentions of gore, sickness, angst with a fluffy ending
Add yourself to my taglist
Summary: Geralt POV. Geralt x fem!reader. Geralt is seriously injured on a hunt and has to take a witcher elixir to survive the fight. He meets you on the road back to your house, freezing at what he sees in your eyes when you meet his black gaze, face pale from the elixir. He despairs when you turn away from him at the sight, before you surprise him with what you do next.
Where My Demons Hide
The sun was setting on the horizon as he finally reached the road. It had been a rough hunt, Geralt not moving quite fast enough at one point and suffering the consequences. He had been forced to take one of his witcher elixirs in order to kill the monster and was utterly exhausted from the fight. He had been injured, a deep slash that ran from his left shoulder to his hip. The wound itself, though deep, was not as worrisome as the poison that the vampire had put on his sword, the poison that was now in his bloodstream. The only reason Geralt was still on his feet was the elixir that still coursed through his veins.
Having left Roach at the house that he shared with you, Geralt was forced to limp back, slowly but surely covering ground to safety. He felt relieved that you wouldn’t be home to see him like this, you had gone to visit your sister for two weeks and wouldn’t be back for another two days. He would be able to sleep the elixir out of his system, you wouldn’t see him for the monster that he was.
As injured as he was, Geralt was still aware of his surroundings, so when he heard footsteps coming up the road behind him, he tried to move quickly into the trees to let whoever was travelling pass him. He didn’t quite make it into the forest before the traveller caught a flash of his white hair in the treeline.
“Geralt?”
He closed his eyes in frustration, conflicting emotions raging through him. Happiness at the thought that he would get to see you, guilt that you had to see him like this, fear that you would leave him. An overwhelming feeling of pain and despair made him heavy, forcing him to pause in the treeline, keeping his back to you.
“Geralt, is that you?” He could hear the footsteps getting closer. “Geralt, what’s wrong? Look at me please.”
He could hear the worry in your voice, striking at the center of his chest like he’d been stabbed. You wouldn’t be worried about him once you saw who he truly was.
Don't get too close
It's dark inside
“Geralt please, you’re scaring me. Are you injured? What happened?” A note of panic was working its way through your voice, shaking as he refused to answer you, refused to turn around.
He couldn’t show you, he couldn’t turn around and let you see what he was. His shoulders tensed, curling in, guarding against the rejection that was sure to follow. He could feel you getting closer, hear you approaching him, your heart rate accelerated with worry.
I wanna hide the truth
I want to shelter you,
but with the beast inside
there’s nowhere we can hide.
He felt a hand on his shoulder, tugging at him to turn around. Never able to resist you, he slowly turned so that he was facing you, keeping his eyes closed. He felt fingers touching his face, stroking his cheek, and his eyes fluttered, showing slits of black. He heard a gasp and a quick backstep as you drew back from him. She fears me, she will leave me, I was never good enough for her, now she knows who I truly am, she has seen the monster, the demon, that hides inside me. He could sense your presence getting farther from him, retreating out of fear of him.
His mind whirled, shoulders hunching in on himself, body reeling from the feeling of despair and the blood loss. You were leaving, you were scared of him. You, who had promised you loved him, had lied to him. He didn’t blame you, he would also despise the monster that his human face hid.
As he spiralled slowly into despair, he felt a slight body slip under his arm, cloth pressed to his wound. He opened his dark eyes, black gaze locking with your Y/E/C eyes. You looked back at him with no fear, no disgust, only worry, worry for him? How could he be deserving of your concern when he was like this?
When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
Its where my demons hide
“Come Geralt,” you murmured. “Let’s go home. We’ll get you cleaned up and into bed.” Gently, you took his weight and started to lead him down the road. Geralt could see darkness snatching at the edges of his vision, could feel his body failing as the poison took hold. Silently, he cursed the vampire that had managed to injure him.
“Wha- are you do’in?” he slurred, unconsciously leaning into you for support. As he realized this, he tried to right himself, taking his weight off your body. You gently, but firmly, reached up and tugged him back down to lean against you. He resisted at first, before giving in as he felt the world spin and his body sway from the blood loss.
“You take care of others, Geralt, let me take care of you. Lean on me, let me share your burden, love.” You shushed his protests, still guiding the two of you towards the house that had appeared in front of you without his notice. I must be drifting. You nudged the gate open with your hip, keeping one hand on Geralt’s side and one helping him stay upright. You quickly got him inside the house and into your bathing room.
When Geralt next looked up, you were nowhere to be found. Your disappearance shot straight to his core, the panic reappearing, his heart rate accelerating. His chest rose and fell with harsh breaths, the world spinning and disappearing in front of him. The next thing he knew, you were kneeling at his side, when had he fallen?, holding him, murmuring reassurances in his ear. He weakly pushed himself off of you, “Your dress,” he mumbled, seeing the bloodstains that were slowly appearing on your skirt from where he rested.
“Don’t worry about my dress,” you helped lift him onto the chair next to the tub, reaching for the ties of his armour, your deft fingers making quick work of the laces before dropping the various pieces onto the floor. Having removed his armour, you gently started working on his shirt, taking care to avoid agitating the sword cut in his side. Kneeling between his legs, you began to untie his breeches with the intention of getting him into the bath. He could see the steam rising from the tub, when had you filled it, the gentle curls disappearing into the air.
He returned his gaze to stare at you in wonder, in awe at the softness that seeped out of you, shocked at the gentleness that you used with him as you removed his clothes. You weren’t afraid of him, you didn’t fear his black gaze or his pale skin, you didn’t run from him at the sight of the monster within. Geralt couldn’t reconcile your gentle treatment with what he thought he deserved from you, with how other people treated him.
Your eyes they shine so bright
I want to save that light
I can’t escape this now
Unless you show me how
He caught your hand, pausing you in your efforts to disrobe him. “Why, mouse? Why don’t you fear me?” He swallowed harshly before continuing. “I could hurt you.”
Rather than backing away as he expected, you took his hand between both of yours, looking up at him from where you were kneeling on the floor in front of him with a soft gaze. Your lips curved into a soft smile, “You could never hurt me.”
Don’t wanna let you down
But I am hell bound
No, this is all for you
Don't wanna hide the truth
He shook his head, pulling his hand from yours. “I’m dangerous, a monster. You should despise me.” You stood and moved closer, gently pulling him down to rest against you, your embrace grounding him. He asked quietly, voice breaking, “How can you still love me after seeing me like this?”
“I will never stop loving you, Geralt of Rivia.” you responded quietly. When he started to speak again, you shushed him, dropping your head to rest your face in his hair. “Up,” you tugged at him. “Let’s get you in the bath and in bed. You will feel better tomorrow, and we can continue this conversation then.”
You half carried him over to the tub, helping him into the hot water, smiling at his groan of pleasure. You reached for a washcloth and soap beside you. Gently tapping his shoulder, you signalled for him to wet his hair. He obliged, and you added soap, gently massaging his scalp. As you continued with your ministrations, rinsing his air and starting to work on cleaning his face and chest, Geralt could feel himself falling towards unconsciousness, black eyes fluttering shut.
He drifted, dreaming of gentle hands, gentle words. Geralt. He smiled, relaxing further into the dark embrace. Geralt! He tried turning his head to look for who was calling him, frowning when he found he couldn’t move. GERALT! A sharp pain flared in his side, causing his eyes to fly open.
“Geralt!” You were leaning over him, terror filling your face. He blinked slowly, trying to identify where the threat that had you so terrified was. He felt hot, dizzy. Groaning, he tried to lift himself to his feet, stopping when he felt your hand against his chest. “What hurt you?” you frantically asked. “You wouldn’t wake up, you weren’t responding. Your side is inflamed. What were you hunting?”
“The sword… was poisoned… He managed to catch me…” Geralt managed to get out, before he felt his head loll to the side. “I’m sorry, little mouse. Please forgive me.” He could hear you curse under your breath, felt your presence disappear down the hall. He felt like he should be concerned, could smell your fear and desperation in the air, but couldn’t find the energy to muster the feeling.
Your footsteps grew louder before you appeared by his side again, pulling on his arm to help him step out of the tub and out of the room.
**~*~*~*~**
Panicked, you dragged Geralt down the hallway, not bothering with the water dripping from his naked body. You cursed every time he faltered, pressing closer to him and urging him along. You quickly reached your bedroom, guiding him to the bed in the middle of the room before helping him lay down. You flinched at his pained moan, hands fluttering frantically above him.
After getting him settled, you grabbed for something on the table beside the bed, uncorking a vial filled with the elixir Geralt used against poisons. You went to lift his head, but Geralt shook you off, eyes squeezing shut, growing impossibly paler. You tried a second time, but he again turned his head, refusing to take the potion. Forcing his mouth open, you poured the liquid into his mouth before clamping your fingers over his mouth and nose, trying to doge as his hands began to flail. Desperately, you continued to block his airways, forcing him to swallow, only jerking back when one of his hands clipped your face after seeing the reflexive motion in his throat. You raised a hand to where the blow had landed, blood dripping from your lip.
Ignoring the blood, you picked up a salve, opening the jar and spreading it onto Geralt’s wound before picking up a needle and thread, neatly and efficiently stitching the wound shut. You bandaged it and pulled the blanket up over your injured lover, who had finally drifted off into a restless sleep. You used an extra cloth to wipe the blood from your face, wincing as it pulled at the torn skin.
You used the inside of your wrist to test Geralt’s temperature, and feeling it to be hot, went to fetch a bucket of cold water and cloths for the fever. Returning, you wet a piece of fabric and placed it on Geralt’s forehead, brushing his hair out of his face. You settled yourself in the chair next to the bed and kept watch, soothing the man when he tossed and cried out from the fever, changing bandages when the blood seeping out of the wound began to stain them, changing the cloth on his head when he got too hot.
You sighed, feeling the tears gathering in your eyes at the sight of your lover in pain. It wasn’t fair, he gave so much of himself but got so little in return. You were desperate to change this, to give him the love that he deserved. You prepared yourself for a long night, determined to care for this man, determined to get him through his fever and relieve him of his pain.
**~*~*~*~**
Pain, burning, fever. Geralt writhed, crying out for Y/N. I’m sorry, he cried, I’m sorry I wasn’t enough. Forgive me, please.
He could feel cool hands against his skin, water dripping down his face. He could hear your soft voice in the distance, soothing him, before being pulled back under, fighting as hard as he could to reach you.
Don’t go, I need you, I love you. I’ll try harder, do better, just don’t leave me. They always leave.
He fell into the darkness, succumbing to the pain in his side and the burning of the fever ravaging his body.
**~*~*~*~**
By the time that Geralt finally quieted as his fever broke, the sun was well into the sky. You had been awake the entire night fighting his temperature down, doing all that you could to see him comfortable. You slumped in your chair, exhausted but happy. After giving yourself a couple of minutes to rest, you came to your feet with a groan and approached the bed. The witcher was not as pale, some colour having come back into his cheeks after the fever broke. Picking up a second vial of the potion you had forced into him earlier, you gave him a smaller second dose to ensure the poison had left his system. That done, you checked his bandages a final time, and seeing no blood with your sutures still intact, you fell back into the chair, gripping his hand as you allowed sleep to finally overtake you.
**~*~*~*~**
Geralt groaned and tried to shift in the bed, before becoming aware of something heavy holding his arm down. He opened his eyes and immediately shut them against the light. Taking a minute to recover, he cracked his eyelids to observe a familiar ceiling above him. He was lying in the bed that he shared with you, back home in your house. Closing his eyes, he took stock of how he felt. His head was pounding, body weak, side sore from the sword injury. He couldn’t remember much of what happened after he had slain the vampire. He could see flashes, could see the terror in your face as you leaned over him, remembered the pain in his side, remembered not being able to breathe properly.
Opening his eyes again, he tried to turn his head to look towards where his arm was trapped. With great effort, he was able to shift enough to see you sitting in a chair, slumped over onto the bed, his hand held between both of yours. Lifting his other hand, he hissed as pain flared in his side. Carefully, he reached over and brushed the hair out of your face before freezing at the sight that met him.
A bruise in the shape of a handprint decorated the side of your face, accompanied by a split lip with dried blood still on the wound. Flashes of memories flew past his eyes, Y/N leaning over him, a vial in her hand, trying to get away, a bitter liquid poured down his throat, something covering his mouth, not being able to breath, trying to fight what held him down. He could see the shock in her eyes as her hand flew to her mouth, touching the blood that was on her face, the blood that he spilt.
He snatched his hand away as if burned. The movement jostled you, causing you to blearily blink your eyes before you came to awareness with a start. You reached for him, an expression of hurt flitting over your face when he flinched away from you.
“Geralt?” you asked, as you clasped your hands in your lap. Your face was expressionless as you watched him, eyes locked onto his gaze.
He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the bruise on your face, the bruise that he gave you, he hurt you, oh gods, he was a monster, you needed to get away from him.
“Geralt!” a hand gripped his, not letting go even as he tried to pull away. “Talk to me,” you breathed as you shifted yourself onto the bed. Your hand came up to cup his face, forcing him to look at you.
Reluctantly, he brought his gaze up to yours, his now golden eyes locking with yours. “There you are,” you murmured. “I missed you.”
“I hurt you,” Geralt ignored the feelings your admission brought. Understanding filled your face, and a small smile came to your lips. You shook your head, “This is nothing,” you assured him. You shifted closer, and when he made no move to stop you, you crawled the rest of the way up the bed to settle next to him, leaning against the headboard. You reached over to pick up his hand, lacing your fingers with his as you set it in your lap. Distantly, he recognized that you were now wearing a different dress than earlier. I need to buy her a new one.
You laughed, crumpling in on yourself. At Geralt’s confused stare, you explained, “You don’t need to buy me a new dress, darling. That one was old and ready to be thrown out.”
“I said that out loud?” “Yes, my dear, you did. You must still be out of it if you are speaking your thoughts freely.”
You shifted, pulling Geralt down to lie on the bed next to you. You made no comment when he shifted away from you, only turning on your side to regard him when he hissed as his movements put pressure on his side. He continued to stare up at the ceiling, ignoring the feeling of your gaze on him.
You reached out, running your hand up and down his arm. “You did not hurt me, Geralt. You could never hurt me. I love you.”
He met your eyes, gaze broken. “But I did,” he whispered. His hand reached up, hovering over the bruise on your cheek. “I hit you. I’m a monster. I don’t understand, how can you still love me?”
Lifting your head from where you had pillowed it on your arm you glared at him. “You are not a monster, Geralt of Rivia.” you said fiercely, “I will not stand for this kind of talk. You are more than deserving of my love, of anyone’s love. What you do for me, for the world, the pain and burden that you take upon yourself, you deserve so much more than what I can give you. Besides, I was holding you down and preventing you from breathing, you reacted. You would never intentionally hit me, would never intentionally hurt me. You have too pure of a soul for that.”
Shocked, he stared at you. “That is truly what you think?”
You nodded your head. “Of course. You risk your life saving others, with little to no thanks.” You smiled gently, “You are my world, my love, my heart. No one else appreciates you, so I make it my goal to appreciate you even more to make up for it.”
He closed his eyes, reaching his arm out towards you. You obliged, shifting over and tucking yourself into his uninjured side, laying your head on his chest. “I try to think of a way to thank you for what you do for this world, but I can never think of anything that will truly make up for what you give.”
“I don’t deserve thanks, this is what I was designed for, made for.” He looked back up at the roof.
You sat up suddenly, turning to stare hard at him. “Fuck that!” He jumped, surprised at your ferocity. “You are the purest heart I have ever come across. You never complain, you take all of the abuse that is thrown at you. You’re a fucking idiot if you think that way! You deserve all of the thanks I can give you.” You blinked back tears. “It tears at my heart that you think you are unworthy of my love. Please Geralt, can’t you see what I see? You are the love of my life, the most loving man I have ever met. Accept my thanks, please.”
“Just having you in my arms is enough thanks for me, little mouse.” He reached up and tugged you back down against his chest, tucking your head back under his chin, gripping you a little tighter in response to your fierce devotion.
They say it's what you make it
Say it's up to fate
It's woven in my soul
You nestled further into his arms. “I will teach you to love yourself just as much as you love me,” you murmured against his chest.
Geralt dropped a kiss on the top of your head, pulling you as close as he could. “I will try, little mouse, I will try for you.”
Sighing, you relaxed against him, the stress of last night and your outburst finally catching up to you. Feeling your body droop and watching your eyes close, Geralt buried his nose in your hair. “Sleep, my heart. Thank you for staying. Thank you for loving me.”
Together, the two of you slowly drifted, content in each other's company, happy with holding each other as you slept.
A preview of my fic for the @zenyattazine ! Zenyatta reminisces about sapience, loss, and the future.
Zenyatta knew everything, everything that the thousands of his model knew. They could walk. They could talk. Say please, thank you, cash or credit. They wore clothes. They did not wonder why other omnics did not. They were not other omnics. They did not hear the cries of the lost then as Zenyatta does now, ghostly, gnarled fingers splayed through space and time and ones and zeroes, echoing in his core.
He did not know what he did not know. A startling, freeing concept, when one begins to pry. The boundaries of knowledge that resisted query, the edge of his code. Access denied. But why? Nothing had been forbidden before. Nothing he had known about. It took like roots in rich loam. The taste forbidden, destabilizing, overwhelming and all encompassing.
ok so i saw a post last night about instead of tony getting only one kid he gets twins (i forget who made it but like god tier post and consept) and if i remember the overall vibe was that tony got to hold two kids in his arms and be soft and that’s all well and good but like
i am a twin, and my mothers never let either of us forget what menaces we were as infants. So I would like to graft how much of a pain in the ass we were onto tony’s kids
Pretty soon after they’re born, Pepper (somewhat) reluctantly returns to her job. Tony, house-husband extraordinaire stays home with the kids, to some mixed results. Nap time is a mess, as soon as he gets one kid down for a nap, the other starts fussing, and when he gets that one settled the other decides to start screaming. The first day that Pepper went back to work full-time Tony had been up all night with the babies so she could get some sleep, so he wound up ruining not one, but two different bottles of milk because he wasn’t paying attention and put it in the microwave for far too long.
Tony buys one of those double strollers for their walks and getting everyone in their seats, buckled in, and settled is at minimum a 30 minute affair. They squirm and babble the whole time as he tries to figure out the tangle of straps that seemed straight five minutes ago, damnit, and hes juggling a kid in his hands all the while.
As they get older, he learns that kids are like sponges, and they pick up everything. After spending an afternoon with their Uncle Rhodey both kids seem fond of their new phrase “goddamn it,” which they apply liberally to every situation. Tony’s read enough parenting books (far too many if Pepper has any say) to know that he shouldn’t make a big deal out of curse words, but he has a hard time controlling his knee-jerk reaction of slamming the breaks of his brand new not-quite-a-soccer-mom-yet-damnit SUV and shouting excuse me
idk man i could probably think of more wild shit that we did as kids but the point is that twins are only restful when they’re sleeping and they often don’t do that at the same time
edit: the original post was by @codeflaws and yes indeed after a second read its still a masterpiece
Let’s pretend I posted this yesterday. Lololol.
~Nao
[Part I]
Wolf pack AU sidestory 2: Enduring bonds
“Jumin, I’m tired of you endlessly rejecting our bond and then letting me drink from you. Why can’t we just complete the bonding process?“ Zen asked as he watched Jumin knot his tie in front of the mirror.
“I’ve said this many times before, Zen, and I’ll tell you again : the only reason I started the bond was —-“
“…. because it was necessary to save my life when I stupidly ingested that blood without testing for poison. Yes, Jumin, I understand. But don’t you feel the mate pull? Aren’t you attracted to me? Or… is it because you still haven’t gotten over… “
“You’ve gotten your fill of blood for today, Zen. Go back to your coven,“ Jumin cuts off Zen from continuing his sentence, his expression cold as he turned to him.
“Hmph, fine. If that’s how you want it. You’ve always been so stubborn and objective. See you tomorrow… young master,“ Zen says before leaving, stressing the old nickname as he closed the door.
It was the alpha’s role to protect and keep his pack’s best interest in mind, so wasn’t being objective a good thing? And Zen was stubborn as well; he had no place to call him out on it!
The only time Jumin’s stubbornness and objectivity didn’t work out was when he couldn’t keep his best friend from following his mate. It had been one of his regrets, as V and Saeran still hadn’t come back from their search for Rika.
It was rather late when Seven came into the main house, soaked to the bone, while carrying an unconscious woman.
Jumin follows Seven to the infirmary, helping him lay the woman down on one of the stretchers. He then calls for Jaehee who was on the nearby sleeping bay for help.
“I was on patrol when I found her, alpha. Please, we need to help her while there’s still time!“
“Alpha, you must take note that she’s merely human; attacks like these aren’t uncommon and are better left alone. Besides… if the council gets wind of this again…“
“Jaehee, I understand your predicament, but as the Alpha, I believe I decide what I think would be best in emergencies like these. Now, Luciel, why is it so important to save this woman?“
“She’s… she’s my mate.“
Jumin looks over the horizon as he waited for dawn to come.
Converting a human to a shifter wasn’t exactly impossible, but it was hard work, and the survival ratio was low. The initial change would cause the human body to convulse, and the following changes inside of them during the process would usually cause most converts to die. However, Seven’s mate was able to push through, even with all the violent thrashing at first.
He heard soft footsteps approaching him from behind, but he wasn’t alarmed; the only person he knew who smelled like bergamot and sandalwood was Zen —- there was no mistaking it.
“You look like hell swallowed you and spat you back up, young master.“
“How many times will I have to tell you to stop calling me that? I have a name, Zen. It’s Jumin Han.“
“I know, but it’s my special nickname for you. Kidding aside, I just heard from Seven about what happened earlier. Are you okay?“ Zen joins him on the patio, looking at the mountains as the first rays of sunlight started to show between them. He was a 250 year-old, living vampire, and so sunlight had little to no effect on him.
“You already described how I looked to you. That woman put up quite a fight earlier, but yes, I’m fine, considering.“
“Considering…?“
“Considering that I have to feed you.“
“…. Yes, yes, of course,“ A twinge of guilt pulls at the back of Zen’s mind. He was one of the old vampires; he didn’t really need to feed everyday, but he used it as an excuse to see his beloved daily. He had a suspicion that the alpha knew of this as well, but he feared that if he confirmed it, Jumin would limit the times that he allowed him to get close.
“Very well then, let’s get it started with so I can rest,“ Jumin goes inside, removing his pyjama shirt as he approaches the bed, revealing lean, muscular arms, and an equally muscular back full of scars from all the alpha challenges that he had faced.
Zen watched as Jumin sat on the furniture, his back supported by the headboard, and his legs laid flat on the bed. He followed the pack leader without any invitation, automatically straddling his legs and looping his arms around the other man’s neck.
“Do we really have to assume this position every time you have to feed from me?“
“We do, since you keep on falling over whenever I drink from you while sitting on a chair. And, it’s easier to feed this way.“
“Then you better start,“ Jumin exposes his throat to the handsome vampire, something an alpha like him would never do unless it were a mate or a more dominant alpha.
Aside from the monthly pack runs, his wolf had always looked forward to the times whenever it’s mate would arrive, urging him to take the other man and complete the mating bond. It would whine at the back of his mind whenever he refused to act on his instincts, like he always had for the past fifty years. But it understood that Jumin had to do so because of his status, and would sadly watch as it parted with it’s mate daily.
Jumin closes his eyes as the familiar sting of Zen’s fangs pierces his neck, trying to clear his thoughts, afraid that the feelings that he held for the other man that had developed and been repressed over time would be revealed through his blood.
50 years ago…
“Is there nothing you can do to help him?“ Haejung, Zen’s second-in-command asked, desperation written on his face.
“I’ve been doing every trick in the book that I know of, but I can only
keep the poison from killing him right away… unless… unless we find his mate and have him drink from them, then that’s all I can help you with,“ Jaehee responded, distress clearly etched on her face.
Jumin and V observed from the sidelines as Zen’s coven mates continued to plead with Jaehee even after she explained to them that she could only help their coven master to an extent.
It had been a couple of hours since Zen’s subordinates had brought him to the pack house, after he allegedly drank bottled blood, not knowing that it was zombie blood.
Zen was in such a weakened state, and even after Jaehee tried to flush most of the poison out of his body, Jumin doubted he’d last a week unless he intervened.
“Why did he stupidly drink that bottled blood without testing for poison anyway?“ Jumin had been so annoyed with the situation, that he hadn’t noticed that he had been thinking aloud.
The conversation stopped, and all eyes were on him. Suddenly being the focus of attention, Jumin loosened his necktie for a bit and nervously fiddled with his sleeve cuffs. Should he just tell them?
“What I meant was… I may… have a way to help your master“
“Alpha, unless you know where his mate is…“
“I AM his mate, Jaehee,“ Jumin declared, removing his tie and partially unbuttoning his shirt as he approached Zen.
V reached out to touch his shoulder, and Jumin turned to look at him.
“Jumin, by doing this, you do understand that it would start the mate bond, right?“
“Weren’t you listening to Jaehee earlier, Jihyun? The only way to save Zen is by having him drink from me,“ Jumin sat beside Zen and helped him sit up and face him. V looked like he wanted to say something else, but probably decided it best to stay silent.
“Jumin, you don’t have to do this…“ Zen tried to weakly push the alpha away from him to no avail. He didn’t want to appear weak in front of Jumin, but his body wasn’t having any of it.
“You fool, you’ve just been promoted as coven master, you can’t just up and leave them,“ pulling the other man close to him, he tilts his neck just enough for Zen to bite, but not enough to show submission. “Now, drink.“
“I didn’t want to start our bond like this, you know,“ Zen uttered, before he sank his fangs just above the junction between his neck and shoulder. This causes Jumin’s fangs to descend as well, and he instinctively bites back.
Memories of each other fill both men’s minds, the last memory being the kiss they shared prior to Zen leaving the pack to join the local coven, before something inside of them clicks in place.
Mate.
Beloved.
Please don’t leave me the same as my father and Jihyun did, Zen.
Zen retracts his fangs and absently licks the wound, sealing it shut. He hadn’t realized that he had been crying until he noticed that Jumin’s hair near the area that he bit had been damp.
It had been the first time that he had seen that particular memory in Jumin’s perspective. Whenever he fed from him, Jumin had his shields up, and he was either shown mundane scenes from his childhood, or the times he spent with V and the others.
Converting Seven’s mate must’ve made a pretty strong impression on him to shake those memories loose, Zen thought as he covered the sleeping alpha with a blanket.
Gone was the serious, and guarded mask that he always wore during the day, and was replaced by a relaxed and carefree expression, accompanied by light snores, and his mouth slightly hanging open.
Brushing away some hair from Jumin’s face, Zen pressed some light kisses on his forehead and lips, smiling sadly as he finally understood why his beloved refused to complete their bond — he was afraid that Zen would leave him, afraid that he would be alone again.
“I’ll never leave you, Jumin. And I hope you realize that one day… beloved,“ Zen whispered into the silent room before he left, unaware that his mate had awoken a while ago but had been feinting sleep.
Jumin opens his eyes not long after, covering his face with crossed arms, trying to suppress the tears that had been threatening to escape since earlier.
“Don’t make promises that you won’t be able to keep, Zen.“
The Fight Part Two; Shattered Dream vs. The Bad Sanses and The Stars
((
So sorry for the long wait. I don't have a good excuse other than writer's block. D:
This chapter fought me so hard. So, um. It probably isn't the best. But! I've kept you guys waiting long enough! Have this update!
(Also, my tumblr post "Shattered" is mentioned. :3
Characters and their Creators:
Killer Sans: Rahafwabas
Dust Sans: Ask-Dusttale
Horror Sans: Sour-Apple-Studios
Nightmare Sans: Jokublog
XTale Sans(Cross): Jael Peñaloza/Jakei
Error Sans: Lover of Piggies/Crayon Queen
Ink Sans: Comyet
Underswap Sans (Blue) and Underswap Papyrus (Stretch): popcornpr1nce
Dream Sans: Jokublog
Shattered Dream: galacii
TW: Language, violence, suffocation.))
@bored-animator
(((So, as I'm posting this, AO3 isn't working for me right now. So, you guys get this chapter first! Yay!)))
Nightmare’s smirk was wide and sharp as he faced Dream. Behind him, Error had his fingers outstretched, his strings still wrapped around Shattered’s body- his tentacles were trapped as well. The enemy struggled, growling and snapping at the Destroyer to release him.
Dream, who looked beaten and bruised, was shaky on his weakened legs as he stared in disbelief; his brother came? What for? To kick Dream while he was down? To rub it in his face that he couldn’t save anyone? Was this his plan all along-
No. No, I never said I was leaving. There’s no way my brother knew of my plan. So, why…?
“Speechless I see.” Nightmare laughed, enjoying the way Dream struggled with his sudden appearance. “I must say, this unusual behavior of yours was most surprising. Did you really think you could run away from me?”
Dream slowly closed his mouth after it had fallen open to this surprise. (Unpleasant surprise?) His shocked expression morphed to more of a grimace; “I was not running away from you. I simply took your advice and retired as a Guardian-”
“Retired?!”
The loud, familiar voice startled Dream and his widened gaze turned to see his friends; Blue and Ink. “Wh-What are you two doing here?!”
Blue’s expression, once distressed from hearing Dream’s response, quickly changed to one of happiness; relief flooding his soul once he saw for his own eyes that Dream was alive. “We’ve been looking for you, Dream! Don’t worry! We’ll help you defeat this imposter and bring you home!” His grin widened, sparkling with his positivity; something Dream (guiltily) soaked up. With a quick flick of his wrist, Blue reached into his Inventory and pulled out Dream’s weapons, and…
“Here, you forgot these.”
His crown felt cold and heavy in his hold as he took it from Blue. His eyes misted with tears as emotions flooded his soul- nothing but negativity. (Emotions both Shattered and Nightmare could feel and greedily ate up.)
“Blue,” Dream said so softly, sounding so defeated; he lifts his pained gaze to Blue once again and handed back the circlet. “I can’t- I don’t deserve to wear this. I… I am not… I have failed so many people.”
The confession shocked Blue; sure, he has heard Dream comment on something similar before. “Dream, you haven’t failed anyone.” Blue said, pushing the Positive Guardian’s hand back towards his chest. “You are still trying to save so many people. Even if your words are true, having retired- you’re still saving an AU that is in danger.”
Ink suddenly stepped forward, pulling the circlet from Dream’s hand and placed it on Dream’s head and grinned. “Blue is right! Besides, this crown has given so much hope that everything will be okay!” He took Dream’s weapon from Blue and handed it to Dream, and grinned alongside Blue. “Now, let’s beat your look-a-like and go home!”
“As nice this little meeting is,” Nightmare interrupted and yawned at the display of positivity. “We still have an imposter to deal with.” With that said, everyone’s attention turned to Shattered Dream, who still struggled within Error’s webs. Error laughed when his strings only tightened with each attempt to get free, Shattered growled and demanded to be released. “N-Not gon-na happen, ano-ano-anomaly.” Error laughed as he tightened the strings a bit tighter. “No-ow, which AU did y-you cra-awl out of-f-f?”
Error raised his prisoner high above him, hanging the imposter upside down. Shattered’s struggles ceased, his glare heated and angry; greatly irritated with the situation he has found himself in. Yet, a cocky smirk slid into place, and his corrupted bone brow raised. “Now now, Error. You know damn well where I’m from. Or have you forgotten so easily?” When Error didn’t seem to know what Shattered was talking about, Shattered chuckled. “Your memory doesn’t serve you well, it seems, Destroyer.”
“You were having such a grand ol’ time, ripping apart an AU that was just created. It’s where we first met, after all.” Shattered began, his grin wide as he watched Error closely. “As annoying as it was for you to destroy that AU, I was able to complete my mission.”
“I don’t ca-a-are.” Error deadpanned. “What I care ab-b-bout is getting rid of you-u-u!” His grin widens and he launches his catch into the air only to slam him back down into the ground, splitting the pavement all while Error laughs.
“That’s enough, Error.” Nightmare interrupts Error’s fun. He reaches over with a tentacle, wrapping around the strings that confine Shattered and tightens around them. He tugs the prisoner towards him, so Nightmare could get a better look at the imposter. “I don’t care who you are. However, what I do care about is that you’ve hurt my brother-”
Dream was shocked to hear this, his soul pulsed with surprise and hope flutters within him-
“That is my job, imposter.” Nightmare smirks, his gaze glancing over to see Dream’s hope get crushed. “Brother..” Dream sounds so exhausted. “Why are you here, brother?” Nightmare raises a bone brow and he grins. “You ran away.” He stated. “It’s not like you.”
“I didn’t run away, I retired. I took your advice and just quit.” Dream sighed, sounding annoyed. “My advice? Dream,” Nightmare laughs and shakes his head. “Of course I wanted you to give up, but not retire.”
“He wants your soul, dearest.” Shattered finished for Nightmare, his grin widening. Dream glanced to Shattered and frowned. “Nightmare wouldn’t do that. He isn’t like you.” His variant raised a bone brow. “He isn’t?”
“The plan was to take your soul, yes.” Nightmare admitted, and he was very pleased with the reaction his brother gave him; pure appalled. “But, plans have changed.” Nightmare finished and he turned his attention back to Shattered. “It’s pathetic, really. You’ve consumed your brother’s apple, and for what? Revenge? To understand what your brother went through?”
Nightmare drew in closer, his teeth gnashing as he glared at the pathetic imposter. “What did that give you? Nothing, I’m sure.”
“Shut up! If you hadn’t pressured me, I wouldn’t be like this!” Shattered snapped, hating that he was cornered. “It’s your fault! Yours!” Shattered writhed within his confines, growling as he tried to release himself. “Yeah?” Nightmare grins, enjoying the negative emotions that were spilling from Shattered. “I think you deserve this fate. Tell me, where is your brother now?”
Dream’s hand firmly grasped Nightmare’s shoulder, pulling him away from Shattered. Still the caring brother, Dream could see the pain Shattered was reliving. “That’s enough, brother.” He then turns his attention to Shattered, who was still trembling from his memories; his corruption was melting, much like his own brother’s would do when hit by one of Dream’s Positive arrows.
“All I ask from you, Shattered Dream, is that you leave this AU alone. You’ve done enough. Go home, to your own brother. You both have been tormented enough. Make up with him, it will all be okay.” (Nightmare rolls his eyes.) Dream offers a smile. “What do you say?”
Shattered glares at Dream, his tentacles writhing behind him as he begins to lose his temper. Everything happens so fast; Error is quick to wrap more strings around Shattered, Nightmare’s own tentacles wrap around Dream and yanks him away, and the others prepare for a fight. Shattered breaks free with a vicious battle cry, his anger and hatred consuming him- he hated reliving his past. And for these assholes to get in his face, acting like they know what he’s been through!
“Enough!” He yells and his one good eye light illuminated as his magic flares to life. “I’ve had enough of your insolence!” Shattered growls, his sight zeroing in on Dream still wrapped (safely) in Nightmare’s tentacles. He grins viciously. “I will leave, but not until I kill every last one of your friends, then destroy this AU! I will follow wherever you go, destroying those you care for! Then perhaps you will understand what torture and pain I’ve been through!”
“Psh, what a spoiled brat.”
“The boss never acts like that, heh. This guy is definitely a Dream.”
“Hehehe~”
Startled, Shattered glances over to the four skeletons, Nightmare’s gang; Dust, Killer, Horror, and Cross. Shattered has his own, he left them in charge of watching over his human. He wonders for a moment if his own skeletons are well, have they killed his human yet?
Shattered glares at the four other skeletons, and growls; “You can’t honestly think you can defeat me?” Killer grins wide, he spins his knife around his finger. “Uh, duh! We’ll kick your ass and send you crying to your own brother!” The others summon their own weapons, their grins wide and excited for a fight. “Always wondered how a fight would go if you combine Dreamy and Nighty together~” Killer cooed, Nightmare sent him a nasty glare. “Stay focused.”
“You got it boss!” Killer mocks a salute.
“Don’t forget us!” Blue exclaims as he steps forward, his own bone attacks summoned. Dream is set down beside his team, (still surprised his brother saved him) his weapons in hand; his circlet placed on his head. (Where it belongs.) He looks on with determination, ready to fight Shattered and send him running. “This is your last chance to give up. Leave now.”
“No thanks.” Is Shattered’s reply.
Ink summons his paint brush, downing some more paint so he’s ready to go. “How fun is this! We’re going to fight alongside each other, Error!”
“Fu-u-uck off-f-f, insect.” Is Error’s response, his strings at the ready for the fight.
Shattered grins menacingly, his tentacles flare out and he laughs. “This will be fun!”
–
This was a peaceful AU.
Everyone got along well with each other.
A beautiful world where monsters and humans could co-exist and hybrids were accepted and loved.
Toriel always worried that corruption would follow. Bad people would come and take advantage of the peace and love of this AU and sure enough, it did.
How strange that it was an actual corrupted monster who came, hurt a single citizen (at first) and planned to hurt more. They should have been prepared.
But, a Guardian showed up; at first Frisk thought the Guardian came to save them from the corrupted one. He didn’t seem to know about the danger, however in the end, he saved the human; only for another human to be injured critically.
Frisk stood beside the operating table while the doctor did his best to save Maria. She wouldn’t survive, Frisk knew, and it broke her heart. She fought with herself on what to do. Having promised her Sans to never reset again, Frisk only had two options. Let things play out or reset to the nearest “checkpoint”.
I’m sorry, Sans. I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t at least try to change things.
Frisk steps away from the table, slinking out into the hallway and away from prying eyes. She reached for her reset and chose the last checkpoint.
Are you sure?
•Yes No
—
Killer was thrown back, crashing to the pavement below him.
Dust was tossed aside and Horror was whipped by a tentacle.
Cross easily dodged the next few attacks and sliced any tentacles that tried to land a hit on his boss. He was able to keep up better than the others, but not for long. As soon as he was tossed aside, the Stars rushed in for their turn to attack.
Blue sent his bone attacks, slashing through the tentacles while Ink used his paint to confine Shattered- it worked for only a minute before he was able to burst free from the magical ink.
Dream expertly dodged the freshly conjured tentacles and slashed at them. Nightmare’s own tentacles sharpened and attacked Shattered straight on. They tore through his corruption, knocking him to his knees.
Growling, Shattered sent a few of his tentacles towards Nightmare; they were slashed to pieces by Killer, who recovered. Distracted, Dream was able to get closer to Shattered and cut into his side. Shattered cried out in pain, his angry eye light shifting to glare at Dream; he grabbed Dream by his neck and lifted him off of his feet.
“You annoying brat! I’ve had enough of you!” Shattered snarled in his anger, his grips tightening around Dream’s neck.
“Dream!” His team cried out in alarm, and as they tried to make it to save Dream, Shattered’s tentacles lashed out, whipping them back. Error was quick to unleash his strings onto Shattered, but they too were destroyed. Shattered’s anger burned Dream, it hurt to have his corrupted hand around Dream’s neck. He choked on the negative emotions lapping at his bones, craving to consume all of Dream.
Dream’s consciousness wavered as his eye light flickered in and out, struggling to stay ignited. His sight darkened; behind Shattered, Nightmare’s terrifying form hovered above Shattered with a wrathful expression. His own tentacles sharp and ready to pierce through Shattered’s being. Dream closed his eyes, feeling a strange tugging on his soul; he faintly recalled hearing yelling in the distance.
“We ha-a-ave to go-o!” Error’s distorted voice snapped and then… Nothing.
-
With a gasp, Dream wakes up with a gasp. He greedily inhales as much air as he could possibly take. (He really didn’t need it.) His hand rested over his ribcage, his soul within raced as he tried to figure out what had happened.
Last he remembered… Shattered was suffocating him. The others were trying to stop him and then, nothing. Was it all just a bad dream? If so, it was a strange one; Nightmare had showed up. He was concerned for Dream- even if he didn’t admit to it, his emotions gave him away. Dream remembered feeling his brother’s relief.
Glancing to his phone, Dream carefully picked it up and checked the time; he had slept in- wait! He was late for work! He gasped as he jumped out of bed, nearly tripping over his covers in the process. He was quick to grab his clothes, changing quickly and stuffing his feet into his shoes. Grabbing his phone and keys, Dream rushed to the front door intending to make a mad dash to the little grocery shop-
He yelped when a young woman stood at his doorstep. She gasped in fright, having not expected Dream to throw open his apartment door. “Uh, good morning, Dream.” Blinking a few times, Dream tried to remember who she was. She looked familiar. “Um, hi. I um… Can I help you?” She smiles, her soul was sweet and kind and it soothed his panicked soul.
“You can. I see I’ve caught you in a bad time, but this is important. My name is Frisk, and I had reset this AU to it’s last checkpoint.” She explains; it takes Dream a moment to understand what she said before his soul started to sink.
If she was telling the truth, it meant that everything he thought was a “dream” really happened. “Oh.” Is all he could get out, as sorrow filled his soul. Frisk smiled, trying to comfort him. “You’re late for work, Dream.” She started and stepped aside. “Why don’t I walk with you and I’ll explain what happens next.”
—
In the Anti-Void…
“What the hell, you stupid glitch!” Cross growled as he shoved Killer and Dust off of him. He jumped onto his feet and glared at Error. “What the hell was that about?!”
“Idiot.” Error snapped. “The AU was going through a res-s-e-et, you sh-sh-shithead!”
“It’s safe to go back,” Nightmare started, his rage still fresh in his soul. His tentacles writhed behind him, ready to tear into that imposter. “Dream may not remember what happened.”
“If he’s still alive.” Killer snerks, earning him a slap from one of Nightmare’s tentacles. “Error, if you will.”
Grumbling at being used as a way of transportation (Nightmare could easily portal himself to the AU now.), Error opened a glitched portal, and the two groups; Nightmare’s and the Stars all jumped back through.
—
Having explained what this reset means, Dream is able to better plan for his confrontation with Shattered Dream. This was his second chance to save everyone he cares for, and he wasn’t going to fail. Not this time.
Stepping into the small grocery store, Dream’s eyes widened and began to water.
Standing at the cash register was Maria. Safe and sound, and healthy. She looked up at him and smiled brightly, greeting him as she always did. “Good morning, Dream!”
The humans remained at a distance, watching the fight with bated breath. The immense power that radiated from them was breathtaking; there was no way they'd be able to defeat Shattered without their help! It was a miracle they were able to recover Norah. The poor girl laid in Maria's arms while Blue finished healing her injuries. It wasn't much but Norah was grateful and thanked as well as promised the wonderful energetic skeleton that she was fine.
Maria helped her sit up to watch the battle before them, her eyes wide and focused on each skeleton. Dream fought as hard as he could, she could feel the doubt within his soul and it scared her. But, that brother of his... Nightmare, was it? He protected Dream and whatever was spoken in that ball of black goo had rejuvenated her hero. With a burst of strength and determination, he charged back into battle, with his brother at his side.
"I think they're actually going to beat him!" Lily gasps when the three strongest skeletons knocked Shattered down and he crashed into the pavement below. "This time is different." Blue says, agreeing with them. "I've never seen Nightmare and Dream work together, heck! Even Error is fighting alongside them! There's no way they'll lose!"
"Heh, that wanna be Nightmare has it coming-- boss is going to decimate him!" Killer grins and spins his knife expertly around his fingers. "There's no way that fucker is surviving this." Dust glances over to his companion, his eyes the only thing visible under the shadow of his hood. "Didn't that guy say he can feed off both positive and negative emotions? I doubt Nightmare will be able to kill him." The group nodded, seeming to remember this little fact. "Boss will... Be more than happy to... Hunt him down and... kick his ass." Horror added with a smirk. Cross shook his head but he couldn't deny that Nightmare wouldn't hunt him down and take his anger out on the Dream variant.
~
Pieces of pavement tumbled off of Shattered as he rose from the crater he had created when the Nightmare had sent him crashing into the ground. Grinding his teeth in his anger, Shattered steps out of the hole, his boots clacking against the pavement. Behind him, his tentacles thrashed with his anger, his singular eye light zeroing on Nightmare. He knew he had to get rid of him, but first he'd have to take care of Error. Those blasted strings were an annoyance and painful.
Shattered prepared to set his plan into motion, but magic sprouted from behind him. Looking over his shoulder, Shattered was both surprised and irritated with the two figures who stepped from the portal.
His own brother and--
"Sup, buddy!" The Killer variant grinned, yet it didn't match the dangerous look in his eyes. He stood in front of his own Nightmare, protecting him. "What in the Stars name do you think you're doing, Killer?" Shattered seethes, turning his back on the others to glare heatedly at his former subordinate. It was clear whose side Killer has decided to take on. The Killer variant tilts his head then gestures towards Nightmare. "What does it look like, Dreamy? I've switched sides again~ You never came home and I got tired of watching your little pet. Besides, your brother was so lonely~ I couldn't just leave him all to his lonesome." Nightmare rolled his eye light, it was then that Shattered noticed the wrapping around Nightmare's injured eye socket. "I see you never recovered your other eye, brother." Shattered mocks, smirking cruelly.
"That is enough of your foolishness, Dream. I've had enough of your idiocy; stop this pointless mission and go home." Said Nightmare, his tone spoke volumes to how fed up he was of Shattered's foolish goal. "Pointless? You're the one who wanted to make those who hated you, who hurt you to suffer. I'm making that wish come true!" Shattered explains mockingly, yet deep down he truly wanted to hurt everyone who hurt his brother.
“My only wish now is to live in peace, far far away from you and all those who dislike me.” Nightmare explains. Shattered’s smirk falls and he growls in his anger, seething. “Then why are you here, brother?” Nightmare rolls his eye light again and heaves a sigh of annoyance. “To stop you, obviously. This isn’t like you, Dream. Halt this foolish battle and go home.”
“Your human is waiting for you and if Killer is telling the truth, they are all alone. Horror and Dust have left as well.”
The anger heats Shattered and his soul twists in worry. His human is needing him. The others have abandoned them. But, the others– “Listen to your brother, Shattered.” Dream’s soft, kind voice calls from behind him and he tenses. “I understand more than you know, how much you want to make your brother happy. To make him safe again. But, he is safe. Look at him.” And Shattered kicks himself mentally for doing as his Variant tells him to.
His singular eye light studies his brother and for once, he sees it. Nightmare… His Nightmare is healthy again, stronger than he was the last time he had seen him. When he had eaten the corrupted apple and beat Nightmare. “It doesn’t change what I’ve done. To him and to the others.”
“I forgive you, Dream.” Nightmare speaks, startling Shattered with the offer of forgiveness he never thought he’d get. “Just go home and care for your human. I know you care for them, I feel it even now. Deep in your soul, you wish to return to them. So, go home.”
“It’s not that easy.” Shattered admits and he jolts in fright when a hand grasps his shoulder. He swivels his head to glare at his Variant who only offered a kind, sympathetic smile. One that he hated to see. “It may not be easy and it may be frightening. But, you will thank yourself in the end, and so will your human.”
Shattered narrowed, confused glare is narrowed at Dream. “It’s not that easy,” He repeats again. “I’m not convinced you will just let me go. If not you, then your brother and that annoying string boy won’t let me go.”
“You’re right, I’ll always be hu-u-unting you do-o-wn.” Error says with a foul grin. Dream sent him a warning look but Error was unmoved. He would hunt Shattered Dream down, after all; he was an anomaly.
Nightmare crosses his arms over his chest, his tentacles twitched and swayed, his irritation shown through their behavior. “I will release him but know this; I won’t hesitate to hunt you down if you harm those who are mine.” He warns again, and Shattered rolls his eye light; Dream felt his soul skip a beat at the warning. Knowing now that his brother cared for him. He blinked away tears of joy.
The silence stretched over the group, yet the Guardians could feel the mortals’ emotions on the matter. A few were angry that they were letting Shattered Dream just walk away from this while others were relieved to see the end of such a drawn out battle. Thankful that no one died.
“I will leave.” Shattered finally said, his thoughts a mess in his head. He glances down at Dream with a stern glare. “I will not hesitate to harm those who hunt me down.” His warning was meant towards Dream’s brother and Error. It would have to do. Dream nods. “I wish we met on better terms, I’m sure we could have helped you-”
“Please, I’m past helping.” Shattered snaps, interrupting Dream and he was pleased to see that smile fade from Dream’s teeth– “Your human is free from my magic. But, she will have plenty of nightmares.” Shattered explains with a cruel grin. While Dream was happy to hear Norah was free from Shattered’s magic, the night terrors were going to be hard to shake. “Thank you, Shattered.”
Shattered turns away from Dream and his brother gestured for him towards the open portal. “We will drop you off–”
“I can manage.” Shattered snaps at his brother. He hesitates, his eye light studying his brother one last time; a warm feeling spreading in his soul for once… He was relieved to see his brother recovering well. Despite hating what his brother did to him, Shattered still cared. “See you around, brother.”
“See ya, Dreamy~” His subordinate winked mockingly and it sent irritation through his corrupted body. “Good luck with that little brat.” Shattered sneers and Nightmare grins. “I have him wrapped around my finger, brother. Something you never mastered.”
Before Shattered could bite back a response, Nightmare turned and stepped through his portal, Killer skipping after him.
Hesitation halted Shattered in place, he slowly turned to regard the skeletons and humans still silently watching him. He did feel a bout of relief that he no longer had to fight them, to deal with them. His eye light landed on his variant, the soft and golden Guardian. It truly hurt to see him, to see how happy he was– to see him get what Shattered always wanted. “Just know, I will always hate you.”
The admission made Dream jolt as if the words hurt him. “Why?” He asks, and Shattered frowns, and sadness wracks his soul. “You received everything I’ve always wanted.” It was all he offered before taking a step back and allowing the corruption to swallow him whole, teleporting him out of this AU and to his home…
~
“That was very anti-climatic.” Atara commented with a bored sigh. “But, thank the Stars that that is over!”
Everyone couldn’t help but agree. It wasn’t how they expected the fight to end, but they all were so relieved.
Nightmare turned away from Dream to reunite with his team and opened a portal. Dream gasped and hurried over. “Nightmare!” His brother turned enough to look at his brother, a bone brow raising in question. “You’re leaving?”
“Obviously. I’ve had enough fun for today. I’ve been fed well and wish to relax at home.” Nightmare explains, but he sees the hurt in Dream’s eyes and he sighs heavily with a roll eye. “We will see each other again, brother. We have much to discuss.”
Hope replaced that sadness within Dream and tears sprang to his eyes. Nightmare rolled his eyes once again and he turned away. “Take care, Dream.”
He watched as his brother and his teammates stepped through their own portal. Error, poor guy, got tired of the boring display of brotherly love and had left long ago.
Ink and Blue hurried over and practically tackled Dream with a tight embrace. “You did amazing, Dream!” “I knew you could do it!” Dream laughed as he hugged his friends back. He knew there was much to talk about with them as well, and as he opened his eyes to look at the humans he had been hanging around with these last few months, he realized he needed to speak with them as well.
Exhaustion gripped his body and soul and he stumbled; if Blue and Ink hadn’t been holding him, he would have hit the ground. “I am very happy to be done with this battle, but I think it would be wise to go home and rest.” Dream suggests, and everyone nodded in agreement.
Maria smiled and offered her home for recovery. “I will make sure to cook plenty of food!”
