Killer's POV weeks later

Creeeaak

"I wonder where this room leads..."I mutter, peeking in

By now I have grown familiar with the home of another life that's been hidden away in nooks and crannies of my mind. Strangely enough it is only now that I find them or maybe it's just recently that I've noticed them. Regardless, it's interesting to explore.

I walk down the spiraling staircase that was hidden behind a door and step out into a beautiful garden. I take a few steps into it and a flood of land version of sea bunnies rush over to me, knocking me down and hopping all over me to cuddle. I chuckle, petting them gently and see a basket of carrots laying nearby. I feed the carrots to them before going to explore beyond this beautiful garden. I find myself back inside and curiously climb a stairwell as it twists to the top floor. I head down a hall, finding two large doors. I push the doors open and see a large, three-floors tall library overflowing with books and papers beyond anything I've seen before...At least, that I can recall.

At the other side of the library was another set of doors that I went through, finding a large office with a bedroom connected to it. I've already explored the other bedrooms to figure out who lived where, and clearly this had the largest bed. I see that it has colors of purples and greens, the desk a dark black. Then on the bed I notice something gleaming on a pillow. I step closer, seeing a crown that shines brightly in the dark room with a crescent carved into it.

Royalty....Here...? Well if I eliminate everyone who I recognize has rooms here, that leaves this room to be Nightmare's. So does that mean this crown is his? Is...Was Nightmare royalty?

"Curious, aren't you?"A voice says

I turn around, seeing Nightmare on two feet leaning against the wall. His tentacles sway from his back calmly.

How long has he been there? Is this just a dream playing out? Or a memory?

This is the first time that I've interacted or seen another person in these memories, so I have no clue how to act.

He smiles at my speechless response and starts stepping closer.

"Then again, that's a part of you that I've always loved. So I shouldn't even be surprised to ask that."He says

"H-Huh?"I say as he sets his hand on my cheek

"Are you feeling alright, Killsy? You seem lost."He says, trailing his fingers down my tear streaks

My face burns as he smiles wider.

"K-Killsy?"I stutter

"What other nickname would I call my beloved boyfriend?"He asks

BOYFRIEND?!?

Within moments I wake up, sitting up from my bed to find my soul pounding. I take a few deep breaths, then shake my head. I move the boulder I put in my room, slipping out. Nobody is up and I see Nightmare sleeping peacefully. I even see him smiling for once in his sleep. My face burns, remembering his smile in the dream or whatever that was. I shake my head, dismissing it. I slip past him to the exit and shut the boulder behind me. I quickly swim out of the cavern, staying low along the ground. I could feel the water changing, indicating spring starting.

I should hunt just to make sure they are well-fed. Especially Nightmare, knowing his habits...Maybe it will help get my mind off of things...

After some hours of hunting, I got a good amount of food to bring back. Then I get tackled by a sting ray as they laugh. I get my claws out with a knife as it took a few moments to realize who it is.

"Outer!"I snap

"What?"He asks, transforming back to his mer form.

His tail glittering with stars.

"I nearly attacked you! I told you not to jump me when I'm hunting!"I say, shaking my head

"Sorry, I just haven't seen you in a while and got excited! Wait, winter's over! Are you alright?"He asks, examining my tail

"I'm okay, nobody hurt me. Quite the opposite actually."I say, sitting down on the sand

"What does that mean?"He asks, sitting beside me

I sigh, starting to explain and retell everything that has happened since I last saw him. I even explained the dreams that I've been having.

"Ah, well that's certainly interesting. I'm glad that you have found a better group and a nicer home. A lot of your dreams incorporate human objects, which my friend Sci could help explain. But it mostly sounds pleasant besides your nightmares. What's the issue?"He asks

"Well...The contents of the last dream was...stranger...With Nightmare in it..."I say

"Ah! You're unsure how to act or feel around him because of it?"He asks

I nod.

How do I even look him in the eye when I dreamt of him calling me his boyfriend?

"Well don't worry about it. It's just a dream that he doesn't know about. Your real worry is coming towards us. Quick! Dig!"He says, turning to a sting ray and burying into the sand

I don't ask questions, digging into the sand and feel something big swim over me. I glance up, seeing a dark golden mer-creature swim around, many tentacles pushing them along as they themselves seem to be hunting.

"Don't move or that beast will kill you...He has been on a murder spree all through winter..."Outer whispers

I hear a low growl rumble out and the stranger quickly leaves. Then I hear a loud squeal-like scream, seeing Color fleeing as quick as he can and swimming right over me. Then I see Nightmare swimming after him, dragging many poor souls behind him in his tentacles. Then I notice that all of them were my former pack members...The ones who hurt me.

"Come back here Color! Your pack was dumb enough to cross me and a pack sticks together! Come fall with them or I'll catch you and it will be worse!"Nightmare snarls

"Aren't those your...?"Outer asks

I nod.

Nightmare leaves our sight and I sit up with Outer from the sand, gathering the food that I caught again. Then I hear a chuckle. I glance over, seeing Nightmare choking Color with one of his last spare tentacles.

"P-Please...D-Don't...."Color chokes out

Why does this feel wrong? Should I stop him?

"You should've never crossed me."Nightmare growls

"Nightmare..?"I say

He stiffens up, then turns his head to look at me.

"Killer! Hey!"He says

"What's....going on?"I ask

"Oh, I'm just handling some unfinished matters. Why? Should I spare this one? I've already concluded that the rest aren't getting away..."He says, lifting Color higher

"Don't let him eat me, Killer!"Color cries

"Eat you? Tch, please. My tastes are much higher than filth like you."He chuckles

"Not like you'd stop him if the roles were reversed. Just watch and flee."Outer says, shapeshifting beside me

"Oh! A new face! Who might you be?"Nightmare asks

"Outer, his friend once he got out of that hell. You can do whatever with Color. It'd just be karma."Outer says

I bow my head, not exactly objecting.

"I just...Don't want to get hurt by him again..."I mumble

"It's settled then."He says, slipping away

A few moments later, a tentacle gently holds my chin to lift it up gently.

"Are you better now, Killsy?"He asks with a grin

I feel my face burn at the nickname.

Shit...

I nod my head, feeling the tentacle wrap around my waist.

"Good. And don't worry about hunting. We have plenty at home."He says, pulling me closer

He wraps his arms around me with a grin. His eye twinkles at me.

"Oh...Now I see why you were worried."Outer says

Nightmare looks to him.

"Worried? What about?"He asks

"Uuh, nothing!"Outer says, swimming away

He looks at me curiously, gently putting a hand on my cheek.

"Are you okay, Killer?"He asks

I feel my soul pounding as he gazes at me. I clear my throat.

"Yes! Yes I am!"I say, forcing the words out

He pulls me in, my head hidden in his chest.

"Good."He says, a purr rumbling in his chest

Then he swims back towards home, hugging me close.

I am so doomed.

TBC