Unrequited LOVE

•Chapter 16•

Traveling through a portal, not your own, was an interesting experience. Your stomach flips as you walk to the other end.

"Wow..."

Before you in a humongous castle. Dark shadows cover the entirety of its shape, adding to the intimidation factor.

Horror rests a hand on your shoulder, expression soft. "yeah."

Something wraps around your opposite arm, causing you to squeak in surprise.

Horror's hand tightens over your shoulder.

"Relax," you look down, realizing that its one of Nightmare's tentacles. Said skeleton is standing behind you, teal eyelight fixed on your face. "Come on."

You allow them to lead you inside the castle. After opening the heavy front gate, you skirt inside.

The interior of the castle is even more interesting than the exterior. Black Victorian-Era wallpaper covers the walls while slate tiles make up the floor.

A grand staircase looms before you, leading up to the second level. At least seven double-doors line the first floor's walls.

...You can definitely understand why Nightmare likes it.

"There should be rooms available on the second floor. All occupied rooms are marked."

"Alright, thanks," you say, taking a single step up the stairs. Nightmare's tentacle remains curled around your arm. "...Nightmare?"

The goopy skeleton says nothing. The tentacle tightens, then releases you.

...okay?

Horror speaks up. "i'll come with... so you don't get... lost."

Aw, sweet. You smile. "Sure, I'd appreciate that."

His grin widens. You head up the stairs together.

Heh, this'll be fun.

***

Nightmare didn't know what was wrong with him. Over the past months, he'd grown... attracted to you.

And it wasn't in a friendly way.

It was pure idocracy, he was the guardian of negativity, for heavens sake! The only feelings he should have felt were negative ones, yet here he was, lusting after you, of all creatures.

It wasn't like you'd feel the same, either. Your friendliness - to all of them - was genuine, but he doubted you harbored intimate attractions to anyone.

Well... maybe Dream or Blue, he thought back to your interactions with both skeletons. Blue was easiest to read and most definitely had a crush on you. Dream was a bit more difficult, but it was still clear as day.

How was he supposed compare against his own brother, the literal guardian of positivity, and that blue, happy-go-lucky freak?!

You were nice, but not that nice.

"i know you like her."

Nightmare flinched, turning to face Dust. "I don't know what you're talking about."

The other skeleton snorted. "'s clear as day, boss..."

...Is it really? Well, that was a problem.

"Then mind your own business," he said rather harshly.

"tell her."

"Excuse me?" Nightmare blinked, wondering if the goop had finally impaired his hearing.

"...if ya don't tell her," the look in Dust's eyelight was... regretful? "you'll never know."

Okay, I'll bite.

"I've accepted that. There's no way," He laughed humorlessly.

"then you're more... thick-skulled than we thought."

'We'?

"What did you just say?" Nightmare's voice dropped dangerously.

Dust didn't flinch; he never did. "try."

If anything, it got Nightmare thinking. What if...?

As if reading his mind, a dry chuckle left Dust's maw. "heh. think about it... what do you have to lose, anyways?"

And then he was gone, shortcutting away to his room, most likely. Nightmare laughed bitterly.

Oh, (Y/n), just what have you done to me?

***

Oh my, plot development. Perhaps there's more to some of the skeles than we thought ;)