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It was just a simple supply run to get more food, medical equipment and some spare clothes so Nightmare and Error had decided to let the boys go on their own. They had picked a quiet neutral AU, put Horror in charge, warned Killer to not run off on his own, told Dust to refrain from murder if he could and made sure Cross had spare knives just in case. All in all, it should have been a quick and easy mission. It was just their luck that Dream just happened to be passing through that exact AU during it.
They almost had everything they need with some extras too. Dust has managed to find some games for the console they haven't played yet much to the others delight while Killer had snagged some new board games. Cross was by far the most excited by his find, an old thick book that detailed the history of magic from this particular AU. While it wasn't something that interested him or the others, it was certainly something Nightmare would appreciate. Books such as these were always hard to come by and something the God of Negativity collected with a reverence so when Cross had stumbled upon it he'd been overjoyed at the prospect of giving it over as a gift. He'd been in the middle of showing off his find to the elder three when one of Dream's positivity arrows came sailing past to imbed itself into the book.
In an instant, the hot magic of the arrow set the fragile pages alight, Cross yelping in shock and pain as the flames licked at his fingers. He dropped the book, fingers black and red with burns but he hardly cared for the pain, eyes fixed on the book that was slowly crumbling to ash.
“Cross!”
“What the fuck?!”
“Show me…hands Bubba!”
Killer, Dust and Horror all shout at the same time, barely understanding what has just happened other than the fact that Cross is hurt and that bright purple tears are starting to flow down his face. Horror is gentle as he takes the burnt hands into his own, healing magic spluttering weakly. He won’t be able to heal them completely, but he can at least dull the pain. Killer presses close, arms snaking around Cross’ trembling frame to hold him flush against his chest while Horror heals his hands as best he can. Dust has taken point, placing himself in front of the group and staring down their attacker with tiny pinpricks for eyes as LV crackles through the air. Dream stands a few meters away, a second arrow already notched and aimed at them in a threatening manner, though he at least seems slightly guilty as Cross begins to audibly cry, wincing at each shuddering sob.
“It’s ruined.” Cross sobbed, eyes still looking at the smouldering remains of the book. “It was supposed to be a gift and now it’s ruined!”
“Hey, it’s alright Sunshine. We can find another gift for Nighty.” Killer attempted to sooth but Cross just shook his head sadly.
“Won’t be as good. Won’t find another as good.” The younger mumbled, flinching as the pain in his hands finally started to register.
“Any gift…you give Moon…will be appreciated.” Horror assured as he slowly released the smallers hands.
“The book would have been best though.” Cross’ tears were slowing, huffing when Killer pulled him closer.
Assured he wasn’t too badly hurt and no longer in too much distress, the trio turned hateful eyes onto Dream. Horror was growling, Dust looking like he was going to disregard his promise to refrain from murder while Killer looked ready to throw every single knife he had on him at the Golden God.
“You officially win the award for worst Uncle ever.” Killer snapped. It has Dream jerking back in utter shock, eyes wide as he lowered his bow.
“What?” Dream spluttered, completely caught off guard by the statement.
“At least Geno and Reaper give us presents.” Dust couldn’t help but tack on.
“Don’t attack…us either…or make Bubba…cry.” Horror grumbled.
“Geno makes us snacks too.” Cross spoke up.
“You only like them cause he always makes snacks with chocolate in them.” Killer teased, causing Cross to huff and the other two to snort. Dream just stares in confusion, trying to understand just what is being said to him.
“How are Geno and Reaper considered your Uncles. On that note, how am I considered your Uncle?!” Dream demanded. The quartet blinked, eyeing each other as if having a silent conversation with each other.
“Well, Error’s our mum.” Killer said as if it were obvious.
“And he and Geno consider each other brothers making Geno our Uncle.” Dust continued.
“Geno is dating…Reaper…so he’s…also Uncle.” Horror said just as calmly.
“And Nightmare is our dad.” Cross shrugged, wincing as his hands gave a slight twinge at the motion.
“And you’re his brother making you our uncle too.” Killer finished with a sneer. “Though like I said, you’re definitely the worst uncle cause you don’t give us gifts, attack us all the time and now you’ve gone and hurt Criss-Cross and made him cry.”
“I’d say that counts as F tier Uncle material.” Dust said, pulling a cackle from Killer and a soft giggle from Cross.
Dream stood there, mouth hanging open and eyes wide in utter disbelief. His bow was completely gone by now, arms hanging uselessly by his side as he processed all he’d just learned. The four mortals watched him warily, unsure if this was some trick to get them to lower their guard so he could attack them. Instead, they watched in both amusement and befuddlement as Dream just turned around and wondered off through a suddenly made portal, muttering to himself about an expanding and confusing family tree.
“I think we broke him.” Cross mused.
“Good, it’s what he deserves for that stunt he just pulled. Let me see your hands.” Dust growled. Despite his anger, he was exceedingly gentle as he held the younger's burnt hands in his own, carefully inspecting the damage with narrowed eyelights. “These will probably need Nightmare or Error’s assistance.”
“They’re both gonna fuss.” Cross sighed.
“Only fuss…cause they care.” Horror reminded him.
They finish up in the AU quickly, grabbing the last few items they needed before heading back home. As Cross predicted, both Nightmare and Error fussed over his burnt hands. Nightmare looked particularly murderous at hearing it was Dream who caused the injuries while Error looked like he was ready to track the other God down so he could pull his code apart line by line. The incident was eventually forgotten about, fading from their minds until about three months later when they woke up to find the castle's living room absolutely filled to the brim with wrapped presents. Every single box was addressed to one of the four mortals and every single one was from Dream. Killer of course had no qualms about ripping into the first present he could get his hands on, completely ignoring Nightmare’s panicked and enraged shout of it being a possible trap.
“Yo! He got me new throwing knives and throwing stars!” Killer yelled with joy.
At seeing that it was safe, the other three slowly began to sift through the assortment of gifts. Dust was moderately pleased to find a kit of new test tubs, beakers as well as a new high powered microscope. Horror rumbled with delight at a box filled with exotic spices for cooking as well as some seeds of different vegetables he could use to attempt to grow his own food. Cross was overjoyed at finding a brand new sketchbook along with some fancy water coloured pencils.
“Guys! Guys! He got us the new gaming console from one of the Gamertales!” Killed screamed in excitement, holding up the box he’d just ripped open.
“No way, they are so expensive and hard to find, how’d Dream get hold of one?” Cross gapped in wonder, eyelights shifting to stars in his excitement.
“Who cares? Did he get us games to go with it?” Dust asked.
“Found them…must be about…ten different…games in here.” Horror called out as he inspected the box he’d just unwrapped.
“Okay, he’s no longer the worst Uncle.” Killer decided.
“Reaper’s still the best, but Geno might need to watch out for the second best spot.” Cross laughed.
The quartet was quick to push the boxes aside, happy to unwrap the rest of them later after they had set up their new gaming console. Meanwhile, Nightmare and Error stood in the background completely stunned. Nightmare was internally panicking over the fact that his twin had not only found the hideout's location but had managed to sneak in undetected while Error was just a mixture of mild amusement and annoyance.
“Oh, there’s one for you Boss.” Killer said as he handed a box over to the Dark God before rushing back to his brother's teammates to help finish setting the console up.
Nightmare was hesitant to open the box, more tempted to just throw it into the fire than see what his twin had gotten him. But he was curious, so with an annoyed huff he lifted the lid to peer inside. He was pleasantly surprised to find an ancient looking book along with some large blocks of the spicy chocolate Error loved so much from Underfell. Looking closer at the book, Nightmare was startled to recognise it as the one Cross had described he’d found in the AU three months ago, the same one he’d been so excited to give to Nightmare only for Dream to destroy it. On top of the book rested a letter written in Dream’s strange mix of elegance and chicken scratch.
‘Dear brother,
I know you have no reason to trust me, have no reason to even bother hearing me out. In fact, I have no right to ask anything from you, but I do so hope you will take the time to read this.
I am truly and deeply sorry, for everything. I have been doing a lot of thinking and self reflecting and I’ve come to realise just how blind I’ve been. I never truly listened to you, even when we were children. If I had taken the time to listen then perhaps things would have turned out different. Sadly, we cannot undo what has been done. But I hope we can one day work towards a better future.
I realise now that you have just been doing your job, as I have been doing mine. I see now that you are not the lies I foolishly chose to believe, you are not evil, nor are the mortals you have taken in and called your own. I’m going to do better, I’m going to be a better brother and a better uncle.
Please tell your boys how sorry I am, especially Cross for how our last meeting went. They weren’t really doing anything in that AU other than scaring a few of the locals so my attack against them was unwarranted. I hope they will accept the gifts as both a peace offering and as an invitation to foster a better relationship between us.
I hope you and Error will also accept your gifts. I know how much you love history, and Cross had been right in that this particular book would be a valued addition to your collection. I also made sure to get lots of the spicy chocolate bars from Underfell for Error as Blue mentioned it was his favourite. Think of them as late wedding presents. I’m happy you’ve found someone, though I am also ashamed you didn’t feel comfortable telling me of your partnership. Just know I love you no matter what.
Please don’t feel obligated to respond to this letter, just know I am willing to listen now and that I always have and always will love you.
From you brother, Dream.’
Nightmare huffed, feeling lighter than he has in centuries. The letter, it feels like the start of something, like the start of something amazing. Perhaps his brother isn’t all that bad after all, perhaps they can be brothers once more and finally do their respective jobs in harmony. He smiled, watching his boys as they excitedly started up one of their brand new games and felt his soul warm. All was perfect.
…….hang on, wedding present?!
“Boys! Why the hell does Dream think I’m married to Error?!”