"OH MY GOD, YOU'RE F*CKING FIVE-" Dust howled with laughter as he fell onto the floor, clenching his stomach harshly. Killer was leaning against a nearby wall to prevent himself from falling on the ground and laughing as well. Horror had already lost it and Cross was banging a fist on the counter, trying so hard not to laugh.

Nightmare stood with his arms crossed, an unamused look plated on his face. He rolled his eye lights and tapped his pearly white bone. "Yes yes, laugh it up as much as you can." His cute little face contorted to the same terrifying expression he always wore. "But don't expect pleasant dreams for the next week you *ssholes."

"But you're so cuuute!" Dust whined, walking over and smooshing his face a bit. "Wanna play dress up, little child?" He mocked with a smile.

Nightmare grabbed Dust's wrists and squeezed. "Get your filthy f*cking hands off of me."

Dust let out a well and quickly drew his hands back. Cross and Killer shared a laugh. Horror calmed himself down before looking at Nightmare. "So, how long have you been able to do that?"

Nightmare let out a tired sigh because he has to deal with these fools everyday. "For a while now."

"Is this what you looked like before you turned into a goopy tentacle monster?" Cross asked curiously, now taking the time to properly look Nightmare over.

"Unfortunately, yes." Nightmare sighed. "The darkness from the apples keeps me young and fresh, exactly how I was years ago. That doesn't mean I'm not older, just that my actual body doesn't change."

"But you look like an adult when you have that black stuff on you?" Horror chimed in, confused.

His boss shrugged. "What's more intimidating? A kid or a scary adult?"

The answer was almost instant as Dust, Killer, and Cross shot back at the same time. "A kid with a knife is terrifying."

Nightmare opened his mouth before closing it. "Right." He waved a hand. "Anyways, I believe I could use this to my advantage."

"Like getting free kids meals at Mexican restaurants?" Horror blinked.

"Or playing on a playground without getting weird looks?" Dust chuckled.

"Or free balloons from those balloon vendors!" Cross added, smiling.

"Or-" Killer was about to say before Nightmare interrupted.

"OH MY GOD, AND YOU CALL ME FIVE!" His face scrunched up in disgust. "I'm the Lord of Darkness, not a child going to chu(n)ky cheese!!"

"Sorry but we can't take you seriously with that baby face-" Cross blurted, dawing at his lil boss.

Nightmare let out a pissed off screech. "I WILL KILL ALL OF YOU--"

"Aw, He's so cute-" Killer cooed.

And for the rest of the day, Nightmare made each of his subordinates regret ever babying him.

~

Nightmare decided to go shopping today. Even more interesting, he decided to do it in his passive form.

He reasoned that he couldn't shop in peace if he was the Lord of Darkness, so this change seemed necessary. Well, until he heard someone drop their basket behind him.

"Brother...?"

Nightmare turned to the quiet, shaky voice only to meet his shining twin brother. Well sh*t. "Uh."

Dream was already crying. He lunged forward and wrapped the other in a crushing hug, filled with overwhelming emotion.

Unlike Nightmare, Dream still grew. So, when Nightmare is in his terrifying goopy form, they are about the same height. However, now Nightmare only went up to his brother's chest. How embarrassing.

"Dream," Nightmare spat, trying his best to pry himself away. However, his arms were far too weak to do such a thing, so he eventually gave up. "You're crushing me-"

The light guardian quickly pulled away. "Brother, how-"
Realizing he can now breathe, Nightmare took his chance to escape, grabbing breadbasket and running the hell away. Dream jumped and quickly followed. "Wait!" Sadly for the Lord of Darkness, Dream's legs were much longer and he quickly caught up in no time. He trapped Nightmare in another hug before he could go any further. "You're you again!"

"I KNOW AND I HATE IT." Nightmare growled, smapping Dream's face.

Dream was crying again, this time stroking his brother's skull. "You're so small!"

"I KNOW AND I HATE IT!!" Nightmare repeated, now hiding his shame by covering his face.

Dream laughed. "You haven't aged one bit!" He snuggled his brother. "Literally!"

Nightmare pushed at Dream. "Let go so I can buy stuff, you stupid brother!!"

"Okay okay," Dream snickered, letting go of him. "I've got to tell Ink and Blue about this!"

Nightmare reeled back. "OH NO, YOU'RE NOT TELLING ANYONE!!"

"Too late." Ink laughed, standing behind Nightmare. Blue was jumping up and down, smiling his goofy face off.

Nightmare wanted to die.