Dream and Nightmare head to the Spa for their decompression day. The other boys go on missions to follow up on leads Nightmare received from Blue.
Notes:
WARNING THIS CONTAINS MENTIONS OF TOXIC/ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS.
ALSO A LIL TEASING AND GRINDING.
READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
The next morning Cross is at breakfast looking like he'd barely slept in a week red mingling with the dark circles under his sockets showing he'd been crying. Dream bites back a comment afraid it will send Cross running again.
"You boys will be doing solo missions today. Make sure to keep a low profile. I am not sending you to these AUs to start conflict. Only fight if completely necessary." Nightmare tells his crew as they eat receiving nods or grunts of acknowledgement from the others. "I will give you orders after breakfast is cleaned up.
"I'll do the dishes Boss." Cross says quietly surprising everyone because he spoke without being spoken to.
"Very well Cross." Nightmare replies hiding his shock and gently nudging Dream to look less floored. Dream schools his expression to be more neutral despite wanting to hug Cross simply for speaking. He and the other converse quietly and Cross remains quiet eating his omelet. Dream keeps himself from being outwardly disappointed at his lack of input. After they finish eating Cross clears the dishes going to wash them while Nightmare hands out the day's missions to each member of his crew even asking Error for help combing for troublesome AUs to which the glitch gladly agrees. Soon only the twins, Killer and Cross are left in the castle. "I assigned your AU Killer. Why are you lingering?" Nightmare asks narrowing his eye at his right hand.
"Aw are you excited to have sunny boy all to yourself Boss?" Killer teases
"Yes actually." Nightmare replies smoothly pulling Dream into a one-armed hug making his twin smile and blush. "Cross when you are finished go to Lust-Fell Swap. Observe to see if the lead I received last week is accurate." Cross confirms that he heard Nightmare before going back to the mountain of dishes. He sighs as he washes dishes hoping the twins won't push him for answers. Killer meanwhile realizes that Nightmare is not going to humor him so, he opens a portal to the AU.
"Don't have too much fun without me." He winks making Dream's blush deepen.
"Killer." Nightmare warns an edge to his tone even as his cheeks dust cyan.
"Have fun letting off steam." Killer replies with a salacious smile. Nightmare growls his face flushed cyan. Killer laughs leaving before Nightmare can attack him for teasing.
"Night he just wants a rise out of you." Dream says gently despite his own cheeks burning. "Today is supposed to be about unwinding not worrying about his taunts." They walk into the kitchen finding Cross finishing the dishes. He dries the last few plates turning around when Dream pats his shoulder gently, "Good luck and be safe Cross." He says quietly and Cross blushes.
"Have a good d-day." He murmurs before jumping through the portal to Lust Swap Fell. Nightmare squeezes his hand knowing how hard it must be for Dream not to explode with happiness.
He leans over giving him a kiss and Dream melts into it. Nightmare pulls away a low purr rumbling in his chest. Dream smiles letting out a purr in reply. Nightmare pulls Dream closer with a tentacle nuzzling his face causing his purr to kick up a notch. He purrs back just as loud before sweeping Dream into his arms as he walks towards a portal leading to the AU that had a spa they'd always visited together. Dream looks excited when Nightmare sets him down outside the lobby doors. They go inside and check in with the staff looking more than happy to help the guardians decompress. While they wait Dream looks over at Nightmare his emotions sparking in equal parts joy, relief, and sadness. Nightmare understands where the sadness comes from as Cross is still being distant. Their names are called and are led into the back area where they change into the robes and undergarments, they brought with them. Nightmare steals another kiss before they head to the massage room where they get onto the tables that sit next to each other. Dream looks over at Nightmare and his stress becomes ten times more obvious in the low light. He has stress lines and circles under his sockets even though he is giving his lover a grateful smile he looks very tired. Nightmare slides a tendril into his palm squeezing it lightly making Dream smile more as he squeezes back as the masseuses enter the room with the girl who does their mud masks.
