Thank you Rainbow_Meifwa for another great suggestion you're awesome :) Remember to brush your teeth before you brush your teeth

Nightmare stared up will dull, lilac eyes at his bedroom ceiling, studying the glow-in-the-dark stars that decorated it. He didn't know what time it was; the darkness of the night obscured his vision so he could only make out shapes and outlines. He exhaled quietly, shifting slightly so that he could peer out through the window.

Again, he couldn't really see much. There was no moonlight shining into his room nor any glittering stars in the cloudy, inky sky above. It was all just black- as if he was staring out at an abyss.

It had been a few days since Nightmare glimpsed into the future and he wasn't coping well. He's become a lot more jumpy and panicky- not to mention more protective of his brother. He didn't noticed he'd changed until Dream brought it up one day when they were playing tag outside. He sighed at the memory. He didn't know what to do anymore. He knew he had to alter the future so that he never eats the apples yet the thought of even touching them is making him feel sick. If he doesn't want to touch them then surely he won't want to eat them, right?

The guardian let out a small groan, burying his face into his fluffy pillow. His head ached and he didn't know what to feel. He was sad and frustrated with the future and himself; everything was weighing down on him and it felt like any minute it'd all come crashing down on him, sending him into a frenzy. He needed to talk to someone- but he couldn't tell Dream, he didn't want to worry his brother even more. Tears welled up in the corner of his eye-sockets. This was too much for him to handle. Nightmare shut his eyes tight and clenched his teeth in a desperate attempt to stop himself from breaking down. He was pathetic.

"Night?"

Startled, Nightmare let out a squeak and flung his eyes open to peer up at whoever was there. He was expecting to see Dream, however the flickering 'ERROR' signs made it blatantly obvious it wasn't.

"Error-? Why are you here?" Nightmare asked, his voice wavering. 

"I was watching you sleep." The destroyer answered with his usual broken voice. "You look sad."

Nightmare felt his face heat up in embarrassment.

"Why were you watching me sleep?" He cried out, being hushed by the other skeleton.

"Be quiet, you don't want to wake up your brother, do you?" Error scolded, folding his arms. "I didn't know it was night time; there's no sense of time in the anti-void. I just happened to open a window to your AU while you were in bed crying."

Nightmare grumbled something under his breath, sitting up so he could see the other better. The two glared at each other for a few seconds before Nightmare sighed, the sadness creeping back up. Error's glare softened. He knew there was something wrong and it had to be pretty serious if it was upsetting his friend this much.

"Do you want to go to Outertale?" The glitchy skeleton asked, tilting his head slightly. 

Despite everything, Nightmare felt himself smile at the offer.

"Yeah, that'd be nice." He answered, moving the bed cover aside and swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He heaved himself up and clicked his fingers, changing from his starry pyjamas into his regular clothes. Error snorted at the childish pyjamas, about to open his mouth and make a joking comment however decided against it when he saw the guardian about to poke him.

"Hey, don't threaten me like that." Error huffed, stepping away and eying the finger with distrust.

Nightmare gave him a small grin, rolling his eyes in amusement.

"I wouldn't do that." He assured, grabbing his crown that was conveniently placed on the bedpost. 

Error observed the guardian for a moment before creating a doorway that led to Outertale. He stepped to the side and gestured for the other to go first, grinning toothily.

"Ladies first."

Nightmare glanced between the portal and the destroyer.

"Go on then." He replied smugly.

Error slumped in defeat, muttering something under his breath as he stepped through the doorway. Nightmare chuckled quietly, following after the other. Even if they hadn't done much, the guardian still felt a lot better than he had earlier.

When the duo had exited the portal they were once again at the edge of a platform- though this time in a different area. Nightmare gazed in awe as he admired the universe, his lilac eyes faintly glowing. What a beautiful world to live in; he wished his home was like this. Error spared a glimpse at the other before taking a seat on the space rock and dangling his feet off of the edge, peering out at the twinkling stars with mild fascination. After a few minutes of appreciating the sky, Nightmare took a seat beside the destroyer- though not too close. 

They sat in a comfortable silence for a while, enjoying the scenery and each others presence until Error decided to ask why the guardian had been upset.

"Hey, Nightmare?" He started, voice shifting from high to low on each syllable. "Why were you so distressed earlier?"

Nightmare closed his eyes momentarily, reopening them and smiling sadly as he prepared an answer.

"About a week ago, Dream had a nightmare about the future but he wouldn't tell me what it was about so I decided to find out myself." Nightmare mumbled. "I went into the village and asked the local witch-"

Error released a breath of laughter.

"You have a local witch?"

"Yes, now shush." Nightmare huffed. "Anyway, I asked the witch if she had a potion that would let me glimpse into the future and she did. She let me take a sip of it and..." He trailed off, tearing up.

Error frowned, unsure with what to do.

"Uh, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

Nightmare stayed quiet for a few seconds before shaking his head.

"No, I'll tell you." He replied. "When I drank the potion, I saw myself eating the corrupted apples and I..."

A stray lilac tear rolled down Nightmare's cheek.

"I killed Dream." He choked out, more tears beginning to overflow from his eye-sockets. "I killed my brother, Error."

Error didn't know how to react; he'd never tried to cheer up someone before (considering he destroys everything) so this was weird. He wanted to help the other somehow. 

"Can you change it?" He questioned.

Nightmare nodded, letting out a strangled cry. "Yeah but I don't know how- I don't know what to do, Error!" He sobbed, covering his mouth with his hand to muffle the cries.

Error fidgeted, trying to think of what to say. Maybe he shouldn't talk, maybe he should just listen- when he was sad all he wanted was to be able to tell someone. As if on cue, the guardian began speaking again.

"Everything is giving me so much stress. The future is messed up, Dream's worried about me, the villagers hate me, I don't know how to change anything and the negative emotions I have to deal with already are not making things any easier!" He bawled.

"Not to mention I've been having nightmares again and panic-attacks; I hate it all!" He whimpered, sniffling. "I hate myself." 

Error turned to fully look at the other skeleton.

"Don't say that." He mumbled. 

"I'm so alone, Error." Nightmare whispered, his tears streaming down like waterfalls.

Error sighed, turning to glance back out at the universe.

"Me too." He said. "The pain of being alone is completely out of this world, isn't it? I understand your feelings so much it actually hurts."

Nightmare sniffled, remaining silent as he listened to his friend.

"I'm not the best at helping people- I've never helped anyone before, not even myself. I don't really know what to say but please don't hate yourself. I know it's easier said than done, I hate myself too, but even though you feel entirely alone in this world there will always be someone who cares about you."

Nightmare shook his head. "Nobody wants me here."

"Dream wants you here and so do I." Error stated, glancing back at the guardian. "I don't know how to help you change the future, but I'll support you in any way I can. I'll also visit you more often so you wont be lonely, yeah?"

Nightmare clenched his teeth and his fists, closing his eyes and hopelessly trying to stop himself from breaking down into hysterical crying. He was trembling violently and looked like he would shatter into pieces any second. Seeing the guardian like this made Error want to cry- however he wouldn't let that happen. The destroyer did not cry. At least, not in the presence of anyone.

"I know you'll be able to get through this. you're strong, Night." He assured, reaching out to place a comforting hand on the other's shoulder before pausing and backing away. He couldn't bring himself to make physical contact.

Nightmare wailed, hugging himself for comfort. It may not look like it, but he was thankful Error was here. He was thankful that he listened to him and talked to him. He was thankful he met the destroyer. A woeful smile spread across the guardian's face as he met eyes with Error.

"Thank you so much." He cried. "You have no idea how much those words mean to me- I wish I could hug you." He bawled, crying some more.

Error twitched, his 'ERROR' signs flickering rapidly and a light mix of blue and yellow dusting his cheeks. He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly and glanced away.

"Sorry, I'm  just, y'know. Haphephobia, am I right?" He awkwardly chuckled.

Nightmare laughed slightly, rubbing his eye-sockets with his sleeve and giving his friend a melancholy smile.

"I understand." He mumbled. "Thanks for listening to me vent."

Error returned the smile. "No problem."

They remained in Outertale for another hour or so. Nightmare's sobbing had eventually subsided until he was left just sniffling. He had a small smile on his face as he sat with Error, rambling about the stars and moon to him. The destroyer didn't mind, he wasn't entirely listening though he was glad the guardian was focusing on something other than the future. It was weird having someone else to talk to and consider a friend- even weirder making someone feel better about themselves since he usually tormented monsters. There was something about this skeleton though that Error liked and respected. There was a nagging feeling inside him that told him the guardian would have a huge role in the future and he was hopeful that it'd be for the good and peace, even if he hated the word. 

Error promised to himself that he'd stay by Nightmare's side no matter what happens. He couldn't lose his only friend.

--End--