This chapter was made by me and my friend Weebyhumanbean go follow them!

Dust sat down cross-legged on the carpet, Nightmare doing the same, though folding his legs underneath him instead. The hooded skeleton used his telekinesis to grab the board game they were fit on playing and set it up infront of him.

The other, Nightmare, waited for him. His eye closed as he muttered something along the lines of, 'this is stupid' under his breath. "By board game, that's unspecified. Is there a certain game we're playing?"

Dust was quiet before a lot of pieces fell onto the carpet. "It's actually chess. Your favorite."

"Chess..?"

Dust was right. It was his favorite board game. Combining skill and strategy is something he found great pleasure in so combining both pleased him immensely.

Though.. he never told anyone about his preferences, whether that be likes or dislikes.

...so how did Dust know this one?

"Yeah, chess." Dust grinned. He was the white pieces and Nightmare was the black.

"Ready to start?" Dust asked, looking at the other male sitting across from him. Nightmare was quiet before he gave a simple, shallow nod.

Nightmare was the first to move his piece on the board.

Though, Nightmare was thinking as of now..

Did Dust even know how to play chess? It seemed like he did, moving in ways to keep Nightmare from stealing his pieces. The game was actually fairly matched.

Dare the prince say he was having... fun..?

Nope.

That was a stupid thought. He really just wanted to know the context to Ink's 'deal.' There was some stupid catch. There had to be! Ink was never up to any good.

"You're good," Dust complimented.

The young prince looked up from the game and to the hooded skeleton, "what?"

Dust's smile widened a bit. He looked relaxed.. which wasn't normal for him. Being insane and all.

"I said you're good at the game."

"...thanks, I guess."

Nightmare muttered, slightly averting his eye, feeling slightly embarrassed to get such a small compliment, yet feeling a tad bit unworthy to get such praise for his skill.

"Checkmate."

Said Dust, and Nightmare put his attention. He could think about what the others were plotting later. Right now, the game was more important...to him at least.

But to Dust, all he wanted was to see his boss enjoying himself, even if only a little.

Nightmare had done so much for the hooded skeleton. He took him out of the maddening isolation of his desolate world, freeing him form the resets. He never called him crazy when he and his brother would have "conversations." All in all, he gave Dust a place he could call.. home, not to mention he met some of his greatest friends he could ever have.

"Dust,"

Nightmare started again, moving one of his pieces before looking to the other male.

"You're loyal...enough.. aren't you? Surely you can tell me wh—"

"—no, can do. Sorry, boss.."

Nightmare stared at Dust.

Dust stared at Nightmare.

The game went on like that,

In pure silence.

Nightmare didn't really find it awkward though. He usually hated loud noises. They, dare he say, scared him. Maybe it was his past memories of the village. Or maybe it was just a fear in general. He didn't yell much anyways. Though when he did, he was serious.

"Sorry we're forcing you into this.."

Dust spoke up. The prince looked up form the game and to his subordinate.

"We just.. wanna help make you feel a bit better..—"

"—checkmate." Nightmare said bluntly, ignoring Dust's statement completely.

Dust frowned. He hated when Nightmare interrupted him. Especially when the message was important.

The insane one sighed, moving his piece.

"I don't need to feel better."

Dust looked up from the board, eyes in Nightmare.

The prince's gaze was still on the game.

"I do not want to feel better. You can try and help in any way you see fit. But it won't change the way I feel whatsoever. It's the last thing I need."

"Mm.. sorry, but you don't really have a choice here, Boss."

Nightmare's eye shot up, glaring at the other.

"And who are you to tell me I don't have a choice? I'd like to you see you try. Nothing will work, I can assure you that."

Nightmare said in a slightly cocky manner.

'There's that look in his eye again..'

Dust thought he looked at the black one.

That same look of insanity and despair..

Dust never wanted to see that look ever again. They'd free Nightmare from this horrible train of thought. They had to..

Soon, the game was coming to a tight close.

"Damnit.." Dust muttered, very much just as competitive as Nightmare.

Nightmare looked up form the game and to Dust's pondering face. He couldn't really hold back the small smile from how hard he was overthinking it.

"You're way to damn good at this game, Boss." He chuckled, "you win—"

"—I don't think I ever taught you to forfeit, did I?"

Dust's eyes widened as he looked to Nightmare's smirk,

"Come on, there is some way to beat this. You just have not noticed it yet."

Was.. was Nightmare actually encouraging him..? Or was he only being cocky again? But, he knew for a fact Nightmare wouldn't give him this hint for a reason. He left an opening somewhere..

Dust smiled when he understood what Nightmare was talking about..

His smile widened as he saw an empty space thAT WOULD LEAD HIM TO VICTORY!

Soon, Dust was actually able to win.

"Checkmate!"

Though, instead of what Dust was expecting, a sarcastic tone, he only got a smile and a laugh. It was not loud nor was there an embarrassing aspect to it.. it was rather soothing actually. It was the most in cursive, polite laugh he'd ever heard.

He could listen to that laugh all day.

Soon, Nightmare cleared his throat, visibly embarrassed about letting his cold persona break for a minute or two.

"Congratulations." It was that bland tone Dust was waiting to expecting to hear earlier. Only this time, he wasn't even put off by it.. it only warmed his heart.

"That's a valuable lesson, Dust. There is always an opening. No matter how small or risky it is. Though, do take that with a grain of salt. I'd hate seeing one of my men get injured over doing something reckless and stupid."

Dust couldn't help the dorky smile that grew onto his face.

He not only won, but he also broke Nightmare out of his shell!

If him and the others kept doing these activities, they'd get him better in no time!

Nightmare sighed softly, "dare I say I found this.. enjoyable." He cringed at his own words, never finding himself saying such a thing aloud.

Dust smiled at him happily. "Really?!—" Nightmare groaned at the sudden enthusiasm as he rolled his eye.

"Will you shut up? I regret telling you now.."

The other male chuckled,

"Whoops.. sorry, Boss."

Though, he was still happy he got the prince to enjoy it.

"I, uh.. hope we can do this again.. sometime.."

Dust stated awkwardly.

Nightmare just scowled at him, picking up a pen and throwing it to the other.

"Whatever. Mark that off your stupid list."

Dust caught it with no fail, staring back at Nightmare with a nod.

"...and.. maybe if I feel like it. I may play again sometime."

Dust smiled happily at that. As he marked it off the list just as instructed, he chuckled.

"Will do, Boss."