Nightmare, the self-proclaimed Guardian of Negativity, was a paradox of calm cruelty. He might not always distinguish right from wrong, but his actions usually had a twisted logic behind them. So, why did it always feel like Error was to blame? Error's phobia of touch was a constant, agonizing presence. It meant any physical contact was a nightmare in itself, a jolt of pure terror. This phobia, ironically, made his relationship with Nightmare chaotic. Error couldn't touch Nightmare, and Nightmare, in turn, felt this as a personal slight. This inability to connect physically created a chasm between them, a fertile ground for resentment and misunderstanding. The blame, however, was a two-way street, though one far more heavily trafficked by Error's self-incrimination. Error blamed himself for his phobia, seeing it as a defect that prevented a "normal" relationship. He believed that if he could just overcome this one hurdle, things would be better. Nightmare, ever the master manipulator, capitalized on this self-blame. He saw Error's phobia as an inconvenience, a barrier to his desires, and subtly, or not so subtly, reinforced Error's guilt. Nightmare's reasoning, however warped, was rooted in a possessive nature. He viewed Error as his, a source of negativity he could control. When Error "sinned" - whether by showing even a glimmer of independent thought or by recoiling from a touch - Nightmare saw it as a challenge to his authority. He would twist situations, gaslighting Error into believing his own reactions were the problem, that his phobia was a deliberate act of defiance rather than an involuntary reflex. He'd remind Error of all he "owed" him, of the "sacrifices" Nightmare had made, painting himself as the victim of Error's "unwillingness." --------------------------------------------------------- Warning for suggestive content (Aka: Sex, Heavy Languages, Implied harassment, Guilt tripping, and Gaslighting) Started: 11/5/23 Ended: Total word count: