King's Heir (A Dadmare fic)

24

(A/N I lived bitches)

The winter had come and gone to the lucky eye of Nightmare and with the going of Winter came a new moment where Nightmare had to think over his options. To be truthful it was an easy decision, it was time for Error to truly meet the others, afterall it would be rude for a godling to never introduce himself to the elders. He shook his head, the age of the god never truly mattered, they were all divine in their own right of course.

Godlings had different responsibilities though, they were meant to be protected and taken care of, same as any other child. The moment they receive their true godhod was a different story however, everything they did would be weighed by creatures higher than any normal god. Fate, Karma, Destiny, the holy trinity, the true goddesses, they were the one's in charge. To ever meet them was a curse for you would have to have done something outrageous. At least, that was what the god thought before Fate appeared in his castle with a baby godling in her arms.

A heavy sigh left his nasal aperture and he rubbed a hand over his skull, eye heavy with exhaustion as he lifted himself away from his desk. Today was the day, with the first day of spring waying heavy over his head, it was finally time. He shrugged off his jacket for a much more casual attire. He made sure to check everything over before he slipped out of the room.

"Error." He called out quietly once he reached his son's room. There was silence and a small fumble before Error opened his door just a crack which aroused Nightmare's suspicion. He ignored that little notion before he gave his second oldest a small smile. "Are you ready for today?"

Error, hesitant as ever, nodded slowly and carefully moved out of his room, shutting the door before Nightmare managed to get a good peek inside. He dropped it for now and smiled at his son. "I'm ready." Error gave his dad a little grin.

Nightmare nodded, giving his heir a small pat on the head before his tendrils stabbed open a hole in reality. The appendages slowly opened the portal and Error gave a nervous glance before stepping through only to be met with a beautiful sight. Flowers of all kinds, some of strange colors he's never seen before, at least Error could never say he's seen such a fiery red before any other place besides the hearth.

His father gave a chuckle as he followed him through, watching his son admire the beauty of this 'new' place. New for Error, not at all new for Nightmare as he spent years here in his younger years. The young godling couldn't seem to pull away from the flowers, that was until he noticed the wildlife, the sheer amount of butterflies that lapped at nectar and the rabbits that seemed almost used to monsters, nibbling away on grass. There was a pair of wolves not too far off, a fox curled up between them and hidden in the shrubbery was a doe with her recently born fawn, the youngling just now ready to stand. Above him the spiders had webbed a beautiful net across the vine towers. There was a heavy feeling of safety that came from the spiders alone.

It was the wing beats that caught Error's attention, the sound of gentle flapping above him causing him to move and grip onto his father's hoodie tightly. He silently wished now that his brothers could have come with them but according to the king this was no place for mortals. That was fine, he'd just relay the information to his dear siblings, only after he kicks Cross' ass for stealing the last piece of chocolate.

Nightmare gave a chuckle at the sudden change of Error's curious demeanor, his feet moving along the walkway that led up a simple hill. He stumbled over his feet as he followed his father up the hill, slightly hiding behind the god at the sight of a goat monster. He looked up at his dad only for the elder god to give him a gentle smile before greeting the monster.

"My my, it's lovely to be seeing you again, Life, you're looking lovely as ever." Error perked up a bit, peeking his head out from behind his dad as the wing beats grew closer.

"Oh Nightmare," The goddess greeted as a black figure swooped behind her, landing with a slight stumble. "It's lovely to see you again child...." She trailed off, "Well, you're not so much of a child anymore." The goddess's eyes drifted towards the small figure against Nightmare's side.

Error's eyes widened in realization as he stared at the now two gods in front of him. He was in the presence of Life and Death. His first reaction, however, was to cling to his father and hide his face in the older's hoodie. Nightmare chuckled and gave Error a gentle nudge forward, "Go on," he nudged, "say hello, Ruru."

"Um," Error started unsurely, "hello Miss Life... Mister Death." There was a chuckle from both elder gods and Reaper surged forward, making Error jump as the empty eyed god lowered himself down to the godling's height. His glitches fizzled nervously and he gave a small smile.

"Geez kid, relax, you act like I'm gonna be the death of you." Reaper smiled causing Error to giggle slightly. The god of death chuckled and returned to his full height. "Hehe, not bad, I think you're doing good Nighting Gale."

"For the love of fuck, don't call me that." Nightmare shook his head. Both Error and Life gave a quiet laugh before Life gently motioned for the three to follow.

"Come now my dears, we have much to discuss," Life grinned, "Error you must tell me about how that cat and spider of yours has been doing.

Error lit up immediately and Nightmare gae a laugh as his son began spewing each little detail. He let Error interact with the two older gods, deciding to take a moment to decide a time for their family to go out. He's sure everyone would enjoy a nice family outing.

He was soon distracted by his thoughts when Reaper flitted over, a hum in his throat as he lightly nudged Nightmare's side with his elbow. "So, what's your plan?"

"My plan?" Nightmare repeated.

"Yeah," Reaper chuckled, "What have you been doing with the kid? I can tell he's gotten stronger, his LV has been raised. Are you finally letting him in on the work?"

The younger god gave a sigh at that, "Wouldn't you know, you're the oh so scary god of death."

"There's two of us," Reaper responds, "I'll have you know I've been taking care of my own godling so I can't exactly reap souls at the moment."

"Oho? Is that so?" Nightmare paused for a moment before perking up in realization. He blinks slightly before grabbing Reaper by the front of his cloak. "You didn't!"

"Hey I didn't even think it could happen! I'm a god of death!" Reaper cries as Nightmare aggressively shakes him back and forth.

The younger god narrowed his eye slightly, his hands dropping his grip on death in favor of scolding him. "And they called me reckless," Nightmare sighs softly, "what's their name?"

Despite having just been throttled, Reaper perks up chipper as ever. "Goth, his name is Goth. He's about to turn four, you should bring your boys to meet him, I'm sure he and Horror would get along nicely."

Nightmare scoffs, "I ignore you for half a decade and you ended up a child-barer, I can truly never leave you alone, can I?"

"Hell no," Reaper laughed, draping an arm over Nightmare's shoulders, "you love me though."

"Love?" Nightmare parroted, "Certainly not, that's reserved for my children and boyfriends."

"Oh I'm hurt!"

Error giggles quietly at the interaction between his father and death before he turned his attention back to Life who seemed to be smiling fondly behind her paw. There was a small smile that appeared on Error's face, happy that his dad had friends outside of their AU. He had never really understood why his father always pushed him to make friends but now he had come to discover a reason. From what he knew, his dad was the scorn of the multiverse, it would make sense that his dad would have little friends. He swallowed down his need to make a look of sympathy, if it made his dad happy, he'd tried to make friends with the entire universe.

"What are you thinking about my dear?" Life questioned the little godling, her voice hushed.

"Oh nothing big ma'am." Error piped up, "I was just thinking of ways to make dad happy."

Life's expression softened and she gently rubbed Error's skull with her large paw. "Sweet child, don't you ever change."

Unfortunately though, change is certain, Error knew that. And soon enough, he would grow to know it well.