"Mind Of Their Own"

Chapter 1 - Figuring Out

Nightmare hummed as he filled out paperwork, eye drooping slightly. Who knew this could be so boring? Either way, didn't matter, it needed to be done.

He sighed and leaned back in his chair, stretching as he shut his eyes. "Mmm," he sighed as he heard the satisfying crack from his joints. "I should get some coffee." He hummed, turning his attention to the clock on the wall.

10:37 already? He thought, momentarily startled. I started at 2pm, it's been that long already. He sighed and stood up, setting his pen down. He walked out of his office and down the hall.

He stared out the windows as he passed by them, moonlight shining through them. Stars shone far away in the black sky. He glanced forward and focused where he was going when he got closer to the stairs.

He went down the stairs, one hand ghosting over the railing as he walked down. Each step echoed softly, something he found quite annoying the more he listened to it. Soon, though, he reached the first floor.

He passed through the living room, noting how Horror was laying on the couch with Dust laying on him as they watched a movie. Killer was also there, sitting by Horror's head and letting the brute use his lap as a pillow.

Knew it. All three of them are together, too close to not be. Nightmare thought as he walked by the couch. He walked into the kitchen and flicked the light on before going ahead and making some coffee.

He noticed his tentacles were twitching and circling him, cradling him slightly. He didn't think much of it as he got a mug from the cupboard. He leaned against the counter as he waited for the coffee to brew. He stared at the fridge, the florescent lights above head shining down harshly.

One of his tentacles suddenly coiled around his head, startling him. He was confused as his tentacles coiled and curled around him, cradling him. He blinked and moved the tentacle out of the way, off of his face so he could see properly. His tentacles were curled and coiled around him tightly.

That's odd. He thought, narrowing his eye. He pushed the tentacles away slightly as he went to pour himself some coffee. A tentacle put a grip on the coffee pot and made sure he couldn't pour himself any coffee.

He scowled before he was forced to set it down. "What in the--" he jolted as his tentacles swarmed him, one tentacle taking the mug and putting it up. He was startled as his tentacles clung to the small, small cracks in the floor, pulling him. He stumbled and his tentacles swarmed him to soften his fall.

He hit with a thud, yelping as he jolted. It didn't take long for Horror to look into the kitchen.

"Anythin' wrong in here, boss?" Horror asked, concerned as Nightmare struggled against his own tentacles.

"Yeah. Fucking fine." Nightmare scoffed, sitting up. "These things are just acting as if they have a mind of their own and it's annoying as fuck."

Horror walked over and helped him stand back up. "Maybe you should go to sleep, boss.." he frowned. "You might just be tired?" He offered, beginning to lead Nightmare out of the kitchen. "It's 10, y'know. You did say your tentacles react upon your sense of safety and emotions."

"I'm fine." Nightmare scowled at Horror as he led him upstairs. "My tentacles are just acting up."

"Maybe it's because you're tired?" Horror suggested as they approached Nightmare's room. "Look, boss, whatever it is, you should still get some rest."

"I don't need rest. I need to do paperwork." Nightmare pushed Horror away slightly. "I'm very busy. It won't kill me to stay up late."

"If your own body is acting up then you need rest." Horror scoffed. "Got it?"

Nightmare rolled his eye, huffing. "Fine. I'll rest."

Horror sighed and opened the door. "Just go to bed, boss."

Nightmare crossed his arms and walked inside. Horror shut the door behind him. He sat down on his bed and sighed. His tentacles swarmed him again, pulling him down. He jolted and struggled against his own tentacles.

They, of course, just swarmed him more sharply and forced him down onto the bed. He blinked as a tentacle pulled a blanket over him.

He was genuinely startled as one of his tentacles began petting him. He couldn't find any explanation. Sure, forcing him to not have any coffee when he was honestly exhausted had an explanation, his tentacles often acted off of his emotions, but tucking him in and petting his head as if he was a child? He genuinely had no explanation.

He stayed frozen as his tentacles gently caressed him and pet him. He was trying to come up with something, something to explain what was happening, but he couldn't.

In fact, it felt rather nice.

He felt his eye get heavy and he blinked slowly. He curled up a bit and closed his eye. Well, what was the worst that could happen? It was just his tentacles acting up. They'd be back to normal in the morning.

And then, he fell asleep.