A tug on your wrist brought you forward, helping you wrap your arms around the dark lord's neck. You clung to him with the knowledge that you were now firmly off the ground. You were quite startled by the act, not anticipating something like this so early in the morning, breath hitching from the scare. 

“Nightmare! By the Angel!”

Nightmare merely chuckled, lifting you higher to better fit within the crook of an arm as he turned. With tentacles idly slipping around and caressing your legs, you were hauled out of your room and down the grand hallway. You were baffled, naturally leaning into his large frame for support.

Your grip tightened.

“Aren’t I heavy?”

“Hardly.”

He hadn’t even paused as he walked on, confident and strong. You took a good thoughtful look at the man. It was unreal how easy he made it seem for him. You didn’t know if you believed it.

“Do I even weigh anything to you?”

This at least got a hum out of him, his gin quickly growing into a smirk when he finally glanced down. “In truth? You compare to that of a grape. Easy to move about and take. Small. Light.”

With the feeling of heat spreading across your face, you duct into him, words muffled through your smile on his shoulder. “I’m not– you and the others are just...” 

His bark of a laugh rumbled through you, easing your soul. However, Nightmare wasn’t finished. Using the tip of a tentacle, he tilted your chin back up to meet him.

“What did you expect from your King? I am, and  keep, only that which is exceptional.” His voice lowered into a pleased purr. “Now be still, Pet. There is much to be done today.”

…

Or so you thought.

Watching from his perch on the ship, Nightmare suddenly swooped down to sneakily grab you from behind, placing himself close enough to the nest that his tentacles could idly circle the shiver while still giving them space. You were placed in the equivalent of a lap amongst his tentacles.

“It isn’t well that you still sit alone, little fish. These little moments are times of bonding. No one should be alone during such opportunities.”

There were a few chuckles from the others as you squeaked and tried to twist in his grasp, heat blossoming on your cheeks. “It’s okay! You don’t— I can do it myself. The others already had partners anyway.”

Nightmare didn’t take any head, humming knowingly before delicately looking over your vertebrae in a similar fashion Axe was. It was Dream that sympathetically called to you.

“You don’t have to be shy, even if there are already pairs. There is always room for one more. It is more important to have these kinds of bonding moments.”

Killer grinned, peppering Cross with an especially harsh sand cloud. “Lucky. I bet she just didn’t want to get near Criss Crossies stink ~ ”

“Hey!” It was hard not to laugh along with everyone when Cross finally did tackle Killer, their tails and limbs tumbling out of the nest to kick up stray seaweed and kelp. Nightmare only sighed and sunk lower into his mass.

“Pay them no mind. Although inconvenient, play can also be a form of bonding.”

You had to hide the blooming smile behind a bony hand, watching Dream move on to comb over Axe as he worked.

It was nice. In a way, their nonchalance about the whole thing helped ease your tense nerves. Even with the two wrestling mer, you found that you felt comfortable enough to continue cleaning your hands and arms. It did little to take your mind off the relaxing way Nightmares claws passed over you, but it gave you something to occupy you. It wasn’t until you were shifted against the leviathan’s large chest that you stopped what you were doing to look up.

You weren’t expecting the large glowing tongue that came next. For as long as you had been with the shiver, you had never seen Nightmare lick anyone when grooming. The boys did it all the time. Even Dream on occasion, but Nightmare had kept to himself or only helped with joints and recesses.

The sensation made you squeak and giggle, each new pass filling you with warmth as you closed your eyes. Then, to add to your surprise, a low purr began to vibrate against you and the water.

If you hadn’t been content before, you most certainly were now. Something about sharing this moment with the dark guardian made everything else seem trivial. You didn’t need to worry about your place if he was willing to be this close with you. You were allowed to be here. You were accepted and nothing else mattered.

He was kind, and you belonged.

“Better?”

Your tentacles curled and unfurled in embarrassment as you gave him a sly smile. You blamed your rising courage on the guardian.

“Yes. But, I should be returning the favor.”

Floating up, you licked his forehead before slipping down to cling and pick through the vertebrae closest to his shoulders and spine. It made a lovely glow brighten his face with that low purr flaring up again.

“O-of course. If you wish, little fish.”

The rest of the boys were awfully giggly the rest of the evening. But you could hardly complain.