Take Me Home.

Chapter 6: For A Moment I Thought You Were Here

A ding ringed out in the hallway and Dream froze, taking out his phone to check it, before sighing. "..Sorry, I- I don't think I'll be able to help you two. Nightmare's causing trouble in another AU and I can't just not do something..-" He seemed almost hesitant to leave us.

"We'll be fine, just go do your job." He looked at Cross after that, who simply nodded.

"Alright then.. But if anything happens, you have to let me know." And then he disappeared.

We looked at each other, nervousness evident on our faces. "I guess we do the one thing we're actually productive at at this time. ..Patrolling..?" Killer offered. Cross thought for a moment, before nodding once more, putting his hands on my shoulders.

"It'll be better to stick together, alright Kills? So don't split up. If we end up having to or you encounter danger, holler for me and I'll be there in a flash."

Killer could feel a bit of relief at that, relishing in the comfort and reassurances Cross provided him. In response to that, he kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks." The soft flush of purple on Cross' cheek was unmistakable, the soldier no longer meeting Killer in the eyes. Cross still wasn't used to the touch being in relationships provided, nor was Killer, but it was still nice in the end.

A light distraction in the midst of possibly finding someone.

So when they went out, the glow of magic caught their attention in an instant.

Killer tensed up, magic tingling and pulsing in his veins. He could practically hear the other's magic singing in his bones like electricity.

He pushed Cross out of the way, who had been frozen, not expecting an attack that sudden, and where Cross stood, a path of bones had shot up from the ground.

His attention snapped to the threat. "I thought bases were practically neutral territory. Peaceful, even. So how come I find ya attacking us on the spot? Shame Dust-Bunny, you're forcing my hand here."

Dust walked away from the trees that hid him so easily, hands in the air as if he was surrendering. The both of them knew better than that, though. It was clear his grin was strained though. He hadn't gotten a word in before Cross spoke. "..What happened..?"

Getting a closer look, it was easier to tell that Dust seemed more pale, or paler than usual at least. His bones where thrumming with an overwhelming amount of magic, and every time he twitched it'd spike. No doubt touching him, or even getting close would burn like hell.

Dust should've been able to use the excess. But he couldn't. So now he was suffering, burning even. And that probably wasn't even the worst of it. If Horror wasn't here, it was oh so clear that Nightmare must've been using Horror as bait.

So Dust looked away guiltily, grin starting to falter, and his hands falling to his side.

"..Nightmare did something, didn't he?" Cross asked, though it was more like a statement than a question.

Dust stiffly nodded.

Killer and Cross shared a glance at each other, communicating without words.

They both knew it had to do with Horror.

"..What's he want to trade?" Killer questioned instead. They knew there wouldn't be a choice. Nightmare wouldn't let them off empty handed. Dust would have to come back with at least one of them.

Dust didn't seem like he wanted to talk, shifting on his feet, as if testing the weight, though it was more a nervous habit if anything, getting quite fidgety. "..You." He mumbled under his breath. It would've gotten unheard had it not been deadly quiet.