Caged (Nightmare X OC)

Reconnecting

There was tension as Nightmare looked at the AU the Star Sanses were in. His old home, Dreamtale. He told himself he'd never go back... but here he was. Sidney gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. He gave her a grateful glance. "Whenever you're ready, Night." When he'd said he was going to do it, going to try seeing Dream, she was so happy from him! She reassured him that she'd always be there so comfort and protect him. Not that he needed it, but he'd been grateful nonetheless. Now the portal was open, the grass and a stump on a hill. Sidney read the story. She knew what that was. She hugged Nightmare close. "... let's go." He murmured to which she nodded. Together, they stepped through into the surprisingly light atmosphere of Dreamtale, considering what had happened. Then yet... he was not the Nightmare that had been created here. That had been pointed out time and again. Sidney and Nightmare approached the stump, his expression was morose and guilty. He crouched down, putting a hand on the dead stump. "i'm so sorry... mother, please forgive me.." Sidney crouched beside him, rubbing gentle circles into his back. "I bet she'd be proud, proud of the monster you've become." His expression lifted a little. "i've got a long ways to go.." She hummed, knowing that was the best she'd get out of him for now. "Should we find your brother then?"
"he'll come to us, no doubt he'd already sensed my negativity."

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Nightmare settled beside the stump with Sidney snuggled into his lap. The couple had nearly fallen asleep waiting when Nightmare felt Dream approaching, positivity getting stronger. He shook Sindney gently. "queenie, he's coming, i need to get up." With slightly tired grumbles she moved out of his lap and he stood up, offering his hand which she gladly took. The positivity had stopped moving now, Nightmare looked over to see all three Star Sanses at the bottom of the hill, Dream staring with shock, uncertainty, and hope. Ink looked about ready to kill him. Blue looked confused. "DREAM, WHO IS THAT..?" Of course, the skeleton had only ever seen Nightmare in his corrupt form, he couldn't know. Sidney gently nudged Nightmare before wandering down to his brother with a smile. "Heya Dream, how are you doing?" The yellow clad skeletons eyelights widened further. "s-sidney..?" Dream stammered. "In the flesh." She gave Dream a wink. "C'mon Nighty! I promise Dream won't bite!" Nightmare took a tentive step forward. "If you don't get your coccyx down here right now, I'll embarass you in front of your brother!" He blinked then laughed a bit, albeit nervously. "ok, ok... i'm coming.."

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It was very obvious that Nightmare was different. It wasn't just the lack of goop either. His personality was different, mannerisms calmer, more proper. Even his negativity was more 'quiet'. Controlled. "See. Nothings happening." Sidney patted Nightmare's cheek to which he merely rolled his eyelights, smiling. "well considering the last time we faced each other i was kidnapping you and he was shooting me with positivity arrows, i have a right to be weary." Sidney frowned and flicked his forehead. He grumbled, rubbing the spot. "That was when you were corrupted. When you weren't in control. Stop going back to the past and focus on the here and now, would ya?" He grumbled some more. "it isn't that easy- i can't just forget what i've done, the people i've hurt and ki- ahhh!" Dream had apparently heard enough as he squeezed Nightmare into a tight hug with a huge smile on his face. "nightmare! i-it really is... i'm so happy!" Dream sobbed with joy, it took Nightmare a moment to process before he hugged his brother back. "i'm so sorry... i-i'm s-so sorry brother!" It was a very nice moment of reconciliation. "I told you it would do us good.." Sidney said, mostly to herself. She didn't want to ruin the moment.