Creation Begins with an I, Destruction Begins with an E (Undertale Errink Book)

The Air Has The Consistency of Ice Cream

"Good morning, Oreo Boy."

Cross jumped. The door had slammed open as he'd been tying his shoelaces. He let out a shaky sigh and pulled his hood over his face as he saw Nightmare in the doorway of his hospital room. "Don't do that..." Cross' voice was somewhat shaky and quiet.

Nightmare narrowed his eyes. "You okay? "

"Yeah, sorry..." Cross stood up, his back facing Nightmare, "Just... a little tired."

"Y'know, if you don't feel better you probably shouldn't leave yet." The God took a few steps forwards.

"I've already been discharged. I'm just going now. Don't worry, like I said, I'm just tired. Sleeping in a hospital is never a nice experience." 

"You're crying." Nightmare stated as it suddenly hit him.

"No I'm n-!"

"What's wrong?" He put an arm around the monochrome skeleton. Initially Cross shrugged him off, but about two seconds later he spun around and grabbed Nightmare, wrapping his arms around him, burying his face in the God's shoulder. 

"I...I'm just... W-What if he doesn't r-recover? Is it m-my fault? D-Did I drag h-him into this?" Cross stuttered. 

Nightmare immediately embraced him, whispering softly to him, "Hey... hey, he's gonna be okay. Okay?"

"Y-You don't know that!"

"I do. I know he's going to be okay. I promise he'll get better." Nightmare knew he shouldn't make promises he couldn't keep. He never did, but... he couldn't help himself; he just wanted Cross to believe him. Believe that everything would be okay, even if it wouldn't. 

"But Nightmare-!"

"Shh. It's okay."

The longer Nightmare stood there with Cross in his arms, the better it felt. But he felt like he was taking advantage of Cross' vulnerability. And not just because of the negativity that he was getting from Cross, but the hug itself... it felt so nice. He couldn't help himself; as they pulled apart, he planted a small kiss on Cross' skull.

 Cross looked up at him with teary eyes. He leaned in, pressing his mouth to Nightmare's. The monochrome skeleton didn't know how he felt in this moment. He'd been wanting this since that kiss on the battlefield. But it just felt... wrong. 

"I'm sorry," Cross muttered as he pulled away suddenly, wiping his tears aggressively and grabbing his phone and a black and white bag, slinging it carelessly over one shoulder as he walked hastily to the door.

"Wait," Nightmare called, following him, "Dream asked me to take you home. Just to make sure you got there okay."

"I don't like you." Cross stated as Nightmare hurried to catch up to him.

"Oh, thanks."

"No- I don't like you."

"Okay. Then what was that about?" Nightmare looked at him, making Cross turn his head.

"Just forget about it."

"That's twice you've done that to me now," Nightmare suddenly stopped walking, grabbing Cross' arm to pull him back, "You kiss me and then tell me I'm just supposed to pretend nothing happened. I know you weren't in the right frame of mind last time, and I appreciate that you're upset now. But stop leading me on, Cross." 

"I'm not leading you on, I just-"

"Can't make up your mind?" Nightmare scoffed, "Well, let me know when you have." He turned to walk away, but collided with someone else. They dropped everything they were holding, and as Nightmare started to apologise he realised he was looking at Dream's exhausted face. Both twins crouched down, starting to collect the papers and files Dream had dropped. "Sorry, Dream, didn't see you..."