Blueberry Muffins and Apple Pie

Chapter 7: Rules

Swap wished he could stay in that warm bubbling spring forever.

But all good things must come to a end.

He didn't know how long it took before Nightmare got up from the stone and made his way towards him. Cross walked with him about half way, saying something Swap couldn't quite catch before jogging back the way he came.

Swap sat up, nervously wondering what was going to happen next as the other approached.

"Get up." Nightmare commanded, a tentacle gesturing for him.

Swap hesitantly stood, allowing a tendril to wrap around him.

The slimy appendage lifted him effortlessly out of the water and to Nightmares side.

By this time Cross was back, a towel in hand. The monochrome skeleton stepped towards Swap, handing him the cloth.

Swap took the towel with a thankful smile.

Nightmare waved a tendril at Cross. "Go, tell the others I'll be there in a moment."

Cross nodded, glancing at Swap before he turned and walked away.

Swap jerked as Nightmare picked him up with a tentacle once again before porting.

The smaller groaned at the feeling.

"You're clothes are on the couch. Dry off, get dressed, and be at the door in five minutes." Nightmare instructed as he set Swap down.

Swap nodded hesitantly. Watching as the larger left the room.

He stared at the door for a moment before taking the towel and rubbing off any water.

He didn't want his clothes getting wet or Nightmare getting mad at him.

Being extra careful with his sore hip he finished drying himself in under a minute.

Swap turned to the couch. There was a small stack of clothes.

He walked over, tossing the towel on the table Ashe did.

He sat down and unfolded the clothes. Looking them over he couldn't help but frown.

A white shirt, like the one before, and some black shorts.

That was it?

Swap glanced to the door then back to the clothes.

Sighing he slipped the shorts on, cringing at how thin and short they were. He could practically see his entire hip through the fabric.

Thankfully the shirt covered the shorts completely. It made it look like he had nothing but a shirt on but it covered what's important.

Smoothing the shirt out he walked to the door, waiting as Nightmare instructed.

After a few minutes, the door opened. Nightmare stood fully dressed. His eye roamed Swaps body, making the smaller shiver.

Nightmare stepped forward, closing the door behind him. "Alright, we're going to the dining room for breakfast." He said coolly. "But before that I'll be going over some rules with you, pet."

Swap soul sped up. Rules? He should have expected this.

"First of all, you are not allowed out of this room without my presence." Nightmare said, eye glowing.

Swap nodded softly. Easy.

"You are to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner with me and the boys. If I'm busy, then Cross will bring you food to eat here."

Another nod. Simple.

"No one besides me is allowed to touch you. Not even a tap on the shoulder, understand?"

Swap paused. "How do I do that?"

Nightmare waved a tendril. "Well, for now you're not aloud out of this room without me so none of the boys will be stupid enough to do anything to you in front of me." A tentecal reached out and gently touched Swaps cheek.

He shivered at the feeling but didn't pull away. He was more focused on the 'for now'. Did that mean in the future he'd be allowed to roam around? Freely?

Nightmare snapped him out of his thoughts as he continued.

"When you're in this room alone however, if anyone besides me or Cross enters, just scream my name." Nightmare smirked. "I'll hear you."

Swap nodded hesitantly. Just scream... how delightful.

"Lastly, the window. There are shelves with my personal books. You can read them if you'd like, but if you rip or fold any of the pages, your ribs won't be the only thing that's broken." Nightmare growled lowly.

Swap nodded quickly and fearfully. He was glad Cross warned him.

"Those are all the rules for now. Just know, if you break any of them, you'll be put in The Box." Nightmare said softly as the tendril on Swaps cheek slipped down and wrapped around his waist.

Swap squeaked as he was brought an inch from Nighmares face.

"Trust me," The larger rumbled, "You don't want that."

The... the box? What the hell was that?

Swap opened him mouth to respond but was silenced as Nightmare pressed him into a kiss.

He tensed, eyes widened as the larger pulled back. He could feel his face flush shamefully.

"Be good today, pet. And you'll get a reward."

And with that Nightmare ported.

Swap gasped, hands clinging to the tentacle wrapped around him.

They landed in front of two large doors.

Laughter and yelling could be heard on the other side.

Swap gulped, shrinking into himself. Knowing what was beyond those doors.

A loud bang made him jump.

Nightmare gave no hesitation. Swiftly he opened one of the doors to a rowdy scene.

Two skeletons, Sanses to be specific, were wrestling over a knife on top of the table. One with blazing purple eye lights, a grey jacket, and white shirt. The other eyeless with black tears down his cheeks, a dark blue jacket, and a black turtleneck.

Swap believed they were Dust and Killer, respectively.

Another, larger,  Sans with a sizable hole in his skull sat at the table, laughing like a mad man as he watched the two. A hand gripped in his own socket.

Horror. The crazed cannibal.

A large skeleton, a Fell Sans, stood away from they with an amused smirk. He looked a lot like Edge's brother. The difference was the crack over his eye was shaped differently.

Lastly Cross sat at the table as well, looking away from them all with a distasteful look.

The moment Nightmare stepped into the room.

Everyone paused.

Swap could feel it with out even looking.

All eyes were on him.