Dust dips his hand in the pink bubbly water that filled the tub. The water felt good, a bit on the hot side but it was the perfect temperature according to Cross.

In the background Killer and Cross could be heard bickering playfully in the other room, Dust drowns it out focusing on making the perfect bath for his sick lover.

A few moments later Killer walked into the bathroom carrying Cross bridal style. Dust had lived with Killer for a long time, so when Killer walked in with a mischievous grin Dust knew something was up immediately. Cross was blushing he had his arms crossed pouting like a child. Dust’s sockets narrow behind his hood at Killer.

“What?” Killer could barely hold back his snickers when he speaks up.

“Here comes the prettiest princess in all the land- Princess Cross,” Killer laughs, Cross smacks his ribcage and pouts.

“He picked me up, and when I told him I could walk he said ‘Oh but the princess is too fragile to walk by herself’” Cross says mocking Killer’s voice in a goofy way.

“That’s you, that’s what you sound like.” Dust rolls his eyelights with a slight grin.

“Come on love birds, Cross needs to bathe so he can eat.” Cross’s mood changed immediately, both skeletons noticed and glance at each other.

Killer felt Cross physically tense before setting Cross down.

“Need help getting undressed there, princess?” Killer asks attempting to lighten the mood.

“No,” Cross mumbles starting with his shirt. Dust and Killer glance at each other and both nod, silently agreeing on a plan.

Sometimes laughter is the best medicine, but other times laughter is the bed form of comfort.

Cross was about to pull his shirts down when Killer was shoved into the tub by Dust.

Before Killer could get up Dust grabbed Horror’s favorite rubber duck and sets it on Killer’s head. Cross smiles forgetting about what was to come.

“Nightmare is going to kill you both when he sees the amount of water on the floor.” Cross chuckles, and Killer shrugs.

“Might as well enjoy it then.” Killer grabs the bottom of Dust’s jacket with one and with the other, he grabs Cross’s wrist and pulls them both in. There was a big slash as water pooled onto the floor.

“You fucking dick-“ Dust says pushing Killer’s skull under the water.

~~~

Cross stares down at the ground, yet again worrying about dinner. He hadn’t even noticed Dust or Killer trying to get his attention.

Killer grins and unwraps the towel from his neck and chucks it at Cross’s face.

“Ay fuckhead, quit overthinking.”

Cross yelps being smacked out of his spiral by a wet towel.

“What the-“ Cross rips the towel off his face and glares at Killer.

“Asshole.” He growls throwing the towel to the ground.

“Hey don’t blame me, we were the ones trying to get your attention for like 10 minutes.”

“Killer, it was less than 5 minutes.” Dust rolls his eyelights grabbing all the used towels and tossing them in the hamper.

Killer huffs and mumbles whatever and that it was the same difference to which Dust bites back his reply, he turns to Cross.

“What were you thinking about?” Dust asks gently grabbing Cross’s hand.

He leads the other out of the wet bathroom and sits him on the bed. Killer jumps onto the bed laying next to Cross kicking his feet playfully, he rests his skull in his hand and watches Cross.

“Eating..” Cross nervously admits, “I’m just worried I’m going to be..sick.”

The word already made him feel nauseous, he didn’t want to eat. He always waited three days after being sick to eat again, just in case.

“Cross you haven’t thrown up all night, it is very unlikely you will again. Even if you do we will all be here for you.” Dust says sitting next to Cross, he gently rubs the others hand in small motions.

Cross recognized the motion, they all often did it with Horror if he was panicking about food.

“It’s soup anyway, Horror and Nighty said it’s light on your stomach. It’s just vegetable-flavored water.” Killer smiles sitting up, Cross chuckles at his description of soup.

“Weirdo.”

“Freak.” Cross chuckles and lays his head on Dust’s clavicle.

“Thank you for helping me.”

“You’re-“

“Duh! That’s what we’re here for!” Killer grabs both of them and pulls them into a tight hug.

~~~

Cross tried to remind himself to relax when Horror and Nightmare came into the room holding bowls of soup and toast for everyone.

Nightmare said panicking can make his stomach upset and cause him to get sick anyway.

Dust and Killer both accept their food gratefully, while Cross was grateful he hesitated to accept the food from Nightmare.

“You have to eat Cross, you can take it slow if you would like. Just please eat something.” Nightmare says gently in a hushed voice so as to not worry the others.

Cross bowed his head in response and took it into his hands before setting it carefully in his lap. Nightmare set the plate of toast next to his legs on the bed before sitting in a chair he had pulled into the room.

Cross stirred the soap around in the whole, the smell wafting into his face. He forces down a gag watching chunks of meat and vegetables poke out from the brothy soup.

Cross felt all of their eyes on him while he raised the spoon to his mouth. It made him involuntarily squirm in his seat. He knew it was because they all cared about him and his health.

Cross closes his sockets as he puts the spoon in his mouth and swallows it. It tasted great, Horror is a great cook.

Cross gets another spoon full and another, until he gives up on the spoon entirely. He lifts the bowl to his teeth and drinks it.

“Very good Cross, we are proud of you. If you are still hungry, we did make extra so do not be afraid to ask for more.” Cross nods a little shyly.

“Yeah, more actually sounds nice.” Nightmare smiles and stands up taking his bowl.

“Good, I will be back in a moment.” Once Nightmare leaves Killer speaks up with a chuckle.

“See Crossy we told ya!” Cross flushes and mumbles for him to shut up.

Raindrops pounded against the roof above their heads. To a barely awake Nightmare, it created a beautiful melody, even the thunder soothed him.

A quick flash of light lit up the room, and for a quick second Nightmare could make out his husband's sleeping and peaceful face.

He smiled just allowing himself to be in the moment. This was the only time Killer was ever calm and quiet when he was asleep or waking up.

Nightmare didn’t feel like particularly doing anything today, perhaps they could take a break from their duties today.

Nightmare felt Killer slowly tighten his hold around his waist.

“Good morning.” He whispered in a soft tone, it could barely be heard over the pouring rain.

Killer’s sockets barely flutter open, he smiles looking over Nightmare. Even though he could hardly see him Killer knew he still looked handsome.

“Morning moonie.” He whispered back, Killer’s eyes shut again. Killer pulls Nightmare closer and yawns.

Nightmare let’s out a soft chuckle and closed the space between them, he gave Killer a soft peck on his cheek. Killer smiles peacefully and leans into it, loving the affection and attention.

Nightmare begins to rub Killer's back with his tentacles, Killer seemed to be melting into his touch.

“So I was thinking,” Nightmare starts, Killer perks up but does not at all open his eyes. Even in a dark room, it seemed too bright, he was far too tired.

“Maybe we relax today.”

Killer smiles and purrs, “I’m okay with that.”

Nightmares snorts, “Of course you are.”

Killer shushed him with a grin. “I’m sleeping so you can’t talk.”

Nightmare rolls his eyes with a grin. “Does seem to stop you.”

Killer laughs and opens his eyes, he gives Nightmare a peck on his teeth.

“I love you Nightmare.”

“It is your choice, however, I highly suggest you come with us.” The dark goopy skeleton spoke in a deep but soft voice.

Cross glanced back at Dream, he wore an unsettling smile. Like he himself was also being forced, he looked so tired.

It weighed on Cross’s broken soul, Dream obviously needed help, but his mind drifts over the last month of his life. He was doing things he didn’t want to do, he felt like someone else controlled his body while all he could do is watch.

While he silently begged for help that felt like would never come, is that what it felt like to Dream?

“I’ll come.” He nodded towards the dark skeleton, he seemed to sigh in relief.

He was pulled into the safety of a different world in less than a minute. It seemed to be a dark castle, which fit the aesthetic of the skeleton before him.

“I apologize for my brother's actions, I’m sure you have questions I will answer them to the best of my ability.”

“Who are you guys?” Cross asked quietly as he looked around the room he stood in. It seemed to be a living room.

“Ah- I am Nightmare guardian of negativity and this is Killer. You are here in my castle where I can guarantee your safety.”

Cross’s mind flashed to when he first met Dream. He introduced himself as the guardian of positivity. Cross took a careful step back.

“Are you going to control me too?” Killer laughs, and Nightmare sighs.

“No, I can assure you, I am nothing like my brother.” Cross nods slowly, relaxing a little bit.

“Do you know what your Au is called? I’m sure you're wanting to go home.” Nightmare asks after a moment. Cross was quick to nod.

“Xtale.” Both Nightmare’s and Killer's sockets widen.

“What?” Cross asks confused.

“Well…-“

“Your au is -poof- gone!” Killer yells out with a chuckle. Nightmare smacks the side of Killer's head.

“What?” Cross asked looking at Nightmare. “What does he mean by that?”

Nightmare sits down in a chair and signals for Cross to follow along. Once Cross is seated Nightmare began to explain.

“Cross your au was empty, nothingness for miles and miles-“

“How…how do you know that?” Cross asks, Nightmare sighs.

“We have someone on our side who keeps an eye on things for us. Back to what I was saying your world had nothing, but you. But now it is a void because the last being there left.”

Cross felt his soul drop, his sockets begin to well up. He was angry- no not angry he was furious at Dream, he only wanted to repair his broken world. Why did Dream have to come in and take the only hope he had left, that one day he could fix his au.

“How did Dream find me?” Cross asked bitterly.

“Your emotions, in vast nothingness emotions can be a beacon of sorts.” It grew quiet as Cross stared at the floor in anger and sadness. Nightmare gently took Cross’s hand, and the other stiffened. Nightmare sent out a relaxing aura.

“Relax.” Cross felt himself relax, though it was nothing like when Dream took control of him.

“Do not let your anger eat away at you. Angry will kill you.” Cross nodded tears coming to his eyes.

“I-“ Tears rolled down his cheeks as he began to cry.

“I have nowhere to-“ Nightmare sent out another wave and gently shushed him.

“I can not do anything for your au, however, I can offer you a place to stay here. You’ll get plenty of food and water and safety will never be a concern in these walls.” Cross stared at him for a moment.

“It’s alright, if you need time to think then you may. I understand why you would be uncomfortable.”

Cross nodded after a moment.

“Yes.” Nightmare smiled and let go of the others hands.

“Killer show him around please?”