Why me?

Bone brother's bitters

Nightmare knew how dinner time usually was—it never surprises him anymore.

His family rarely eat together and even so,there was never enough for him so of course Dream,being the ever so 'lovely' brother would spilt his portion with him or make him something while their parents worked—or should he say 'Dream's parents' considering how much they forget or disregard him,almost as if he didn't even exist.

On some days,he felt like a complete stranger in his own home.

This night was no different,Nightmare was in another room reading a book lazily on the couch,his mum was in the kitchen making dinner—well only for her and his brother since their dad left earlier in the day and clearly Nightmare doesn't exist!

However his brooding thought came to a halt when he heard something like paper harshly being slapped down which came from the kitchen.

"I honestly can't believe this—!"

Recognising that voice as his mum though he wouldn't lie at how terrified he was when he heard him,nearly making the large monster fall off the couch because that was probably the first time he's ever heard her like that.Quickly composing himself,he shifted himself from his seat and made his way to the kitchen,hearing more of the conversation as he drew closer.

"Mum please,I—I can explain" he heard his brother's voice,pleading with the adult–his voice sounded so desperate it was so odd for Nightmare to hear that from him.

"Oh can you? " She spoke in a harsh skeptical tone,"can you really explain how you managed to screw up this bad?!"

Nightmare peered into the kitchen,the saturated fluorescent light made the two people in the kitchen stand out against its monochromatic tiles.Dream had his shoulders hunched as he shook like a leaf while his mum continued on her rambling rampage of guilt tripping.

"Please mum— I just made one mistake on the test" He tried to testify.

She was quick to snap back at him,"One mistake?!—Do you want to spend the rest of your life flipping burgers?!"

Even Nightmare flinched back when her voice hit the high note,still noting how much Dream is literally trembling.A part of his soul twisted in his ribcage—the way his brother shriveled under her gaze,barely keeping himself together,it reminded him too much of himself.

"I'll have to tell your father about this" she spoke with an annoyed sigh in her voice.

"No!--don't p-please!" He begs and boy,his voice sounds so fragile and desperate.

This wasn't about how he felt anymore,Nightmare needed to step in.

"How about you back off!" He snaps,getting both the attention of Dream and his mum.

Nightmare practically looked over his brother all the while he glared at her within eye level,the death stare she was giving him made him only more angrier at the situation.

"Don't you dare talk to me like that!" She shouted at her taller son,even though it caused Dream to flinch,desperately trying to keep his rapid breathing as quiet as possible.

"That's funny coming from you! Talking shit about him over something as stupid as a grade!" His anger was practically boiling inside of him and yet he gently pushed his brother off to the side just in case.

The veins would probably be bursting right now as she retorted back,"grades are everything! Unlike to you—you disgrace of a son! You have to be perfect at everything or you might as well be dead!"

"Well you sure as hell are not perfect enough to remember my name do you?" He finally snaps,bearing teeth and all.

That's where she steps back,still glaring at him but almost stuck in her own thoughts,the atmosphere is deathly tense—almost suffocating as Dream carefully peeps over from behind his brother,shaking from all the possible outcomes,knowing this won't end well.