Unrequited LOVE

•Chapter 12•

"I DON'T LIKE THIS," Blue says as soon as the portal closes. "DID YOU SEE THE WAY HE GRABBED HER?!"

"I agree," Dream stared at the ground in concern. "I'm afraid they'll accidentally hurt her..."

"Well, we could just take over her job," Ink offers.

"I wish," Dream sighs. "She'd never let that happen; she's too kind."

"then what should we do?"

The following silence was so tense it could be cut with a knife. After a moment, Ink speaks up. "what if..." his face twists, conflicted. "actually, no, that's too much."

"AM I RIGHT TO ASSUME WE WOULDN'T WANT TO KNOW?" Blue asks incredulously.

Ink nods, slightly embarrassed. "something like that."

"you three realize that talking to her would work, right?" Suddenly, a new skeleton enters the conversation. It's X-Tale!Sans, commonly known as 'Cross'.

"Oh, hello, Cross," says Dream. "How do you mean?"

The black-and-white skeleton crosses (no pun intended) his arms across his chest. "talk to her, it'll be better than anything you're cooking up."

Blue doesn't look convinced. "BUT WHAT IF SHE DOESN'T LISTEN?"

"then accept that. i don't know (y/n) very well, but she's a grown woman. let her make her own choices."

He was right, almost infuriatingly so.

"I GUESS YOU'RE RIGHT," Blue admits dejectedly.

"We just want to keep her safe..." Dream adds.

"i'm sure she can do that herself," Cross argues.

The conversation dwindles and they stand in silence. Blue is the first to speak, fiddling with his phalanges as he does. "I'M GOING TO SEE PAPY. LET'S MEET LATER."

Wordlessly, Ink creates a portal for the smaller skeleton. Dream waves goodbye. "Have fun, Blue."

"I WILL!"

***

Making cookies with Horror is a calming experience, in its own way. He's quiet, yet helpful and patient. In truth, you're beginning to wonder why the Stars are so wary around him.

Probably because of the crack, you glance at the literal hole in his skull, but quickly look away. It's rude to stare, after all.

Things get even more interesting when Killer joins, mumbling about having nothing else to do (Dust promptly left after bringing the groceries in). No less than five minutes later, Horror banishes him to the kitchen table for making jokes about poisoning the dough.

("aw, c'mon, it was just a joke!" "no. table. now.")

You fall into a rhythm, alternating between rolling and flattening the dough. Soft music emanates from the radio on the counter, making the whole scene seem somewhat domestic.

And you like it.

Horror seems to be enjoying himself, too, sticking extra chocolate chips atop the already over-chocolatified cookies. You snort when you catch him sneaking a few morsels for himself. His eyelight swerves in your direction.

"...want some?" He offers his palm, nearly overflowing with chocolate, to you.

"Is that even a question?" You take a few, pooping them into your mouth. "Wow, these are good!"

"can i have some?" Killer asks from the table.

"no," there's a playful lit in Horror's tone.

You giggle and grab a handful from the bag of chips, much to Horror chagrin, handing to the hopeful skeleton. "There. Satisfied?"

"very," he opens his maw and dumps the chocolate in. "'s good."

"Jeez, one at a time, bone-boy," you tease. Killer's perma-grin widens.

"at least be creative... you know, i'm more of a screamer than a killer."

You gag in mock disgust. "Ew!"

Horror's eyelight flicks between the both of you. He likes your smile, so innocent and genuine. It makes him want to pick you up and squeeze you to his ribcage.

After another chortle, you return back to work, finishing the rolling and flattening in record time. Your nimble fingers dance across the completed cookies, making sure they're correctly flattened.

"...i like your fingers."

Huh? You stop and look up at Horror, who is staring down at you with a strange look in his single, engorged eyelight.

"your fingers," he repeats. "i like them."

You're not quite sure how to respond, but opt for a thanks. "Thanks?"

"...don't mention it," If anything, he leans closer until the bottom of his mandible nearly brushes the top of your head. The look in his eyelight changes at your doe-eyed look.

It's a look of hunger.

Suddenly, Killer appears between you and Horror, creating some much-needed distance. His sockets have narrowed minimally. "horror."

"killer."

The air is tense, sending small shivers down your spine. What is it with these skeletons and posturing??

"calm down," Killer's voice pulls you back into reality. "not food."

Not... food...? You shift uneasily.

Seconds tick by as the staring continues. The sharp tang of magic invades your nose, causing your wings to bristle. It's the scent of a fight.

"never food..."

I sure hope not.

The next thing he says, however, shocks you to the core.

"...m i n e."

...

Killer tenses. "horror, stop."

The giant skeleton ignores him, taking a heavy step forward. As if on instinct, your wings extend halfway, the feather tips brushing the floor. Horror's eyelight flits down to the feathered appendages. A string of black-tinted drool escapes his maw.

...

"...don't be scared..."

His tone is exactly what's scaring you.

"then back off," Killer says, phalanges curling into fists.

Horror doesn't budge, even at the obvious threat.

The solution is clear; I need to stop this. They're ready to fight and you're going to stop it. With a deep inhale, you step past Killer, who tries to hook an arm around your middle to stop you.

"Killer," you say. "It's alright."

He relents, albeit hesitantly, eyeing both you and Horror.

Horror doesn't move when you approach him. If you hadn't known better, he might as well have been a statue. You take a deep breath and face the terrifying skeleton.

You got this, (Y/n).

***

Oh my, I'm so evil :)