Killer's POV, hours later

"Killer! There you are!"Horror cheers, hugging me

"Where'd you go? We were getting worried. Especially since we've heard things in nearby about you!"Cross says

"What kinds of things?"Nightmare asks

"Uh, turns out Color played dead and has been spreading rumors about Killer poorly from his treatment to his behavior, so we were concerned that something might've been done to him."Cross says

"I see..."He says, frowning

He swims inside the cave and Dream happily greets him. Horror and Cross look to me with some smiles.

"Sooo, where'd you sneak off to with Nightmare?"Horror asks

"Are you okay? It's summer! Did he have...urges?"Cross asks quietly

I shake my head.

"I assume you both got your soul matches for the season?"I ask instead

Cross's eyes temporarily turn orange, indicating the urges taking over. He shakes it away with a groan and nods. Horror nods as well.

"Then let's go."I say

Horror swims ahead with Cross and I following.

"We had already discussed the plan for the season. We'll find Horror's match first and I will find mine."Cross says

"I'm still surprised that you haven't been matched in this season, Killer. Denying the urges, sure I can see that. But not getting a soul clicking at all or that sensation? Not being part of this season with love? That surprises me. You're a great guy, Killer so I am just surprised that nature hasn't at least given a hint to anyone."Horror tells me

Cross and I are quiet, a bit surprised by how much of his thoughts he just unloaded. Yet at the same time I am unsurprised. Horror is often the blunt kind of friend that will tell you exactly what's on his mind. He glances back at us curiously.

"Did I say too much?"He asks

I shake my head.

"Nah, you're fine. Thanks, Horror."I say

"It's certainly a different view from Dust's, who thinks that nature is doing a favor. He jokes that a match would be giving someone a curse to be put with him. This is a different, sweeter sentiment."Cross says

I frown, nodding. It's true and these jokes or views from Dust do hurt at times.

"Pfft, he's too wild to find a mate! That's just an excuse for him since no mate would want to put up with him!" He had said when I told him and Cross for the first time

"No mate in all the seas would put up with a burden like him! He's a mess! Nobody with real standards would take him!"He'd say before brushing it off as just a joke

Then it reminds me of his teasing when I first met Nightmare here.

"That's IF he gets any poor soul to be his mate!" And then later, "Good luck mating him, doofus.~"

Is that what I am? A burden or curse? Why would this get set off now? I know now about the past life thanks to my dreams and Nightmare's explanation, but what really does he see in me? I literally FORGOT OUR ENTIRE RELATIONSHIP! Yet somehow he lets me back in and brushes it off...What does that say about me? He is so powerful and kind, going as far as to kill and tear cities to protect those he cares about.....And why? Cause he loves me, a total dimwitted numbskull with way too many scars for him to find pretty. Could Dust be right..? This is so weird....

"Well screw nature then! As soon as you help us, we're returning the favor to you and finding you someone!"Horror snaps, taking me out of my thoughts

"Yeah! You deserve it!"Cross says

I sigh, nodding. Whatever makes them happy, though I can't see it going that well.

"Whatever you guys say."I say

Soon, after plenty of swimming, we finally get closer to Horror's match according to what he senses. Then he zips ahead and the next thing we hear is a squeal of surprise. He carries back in a tight hug Lust, affectionately kissing his head. Lust glances at us, seeming so confused as his face becomes a blushing mess.

"Huh?"He says

"Summer has come for you both."Cross says

"Now this one I honestly wasn't surprised with."I say

Lust smiles, turning and kissing Horror right back.

"Onto Cross! And Killer while we're at it!"Horror says with a big smile

Cross starts to lead the way, but we find that it leads right back to Dream as he explores a shipwreck. Dream was quite surprised when Cross got more affectionate, part of that being due to his instincts taking over for him. After briefly explaining things, Dream understood and said that he will bring Cross home. Horror pulls me away with a grin.

"Now for you!"He says

Lust glances at me curiously.

"What direction does your soul point?"He asks

"Killer doesn't have a guide! We'll find one for him ourselves!"Horror says eagerly

"Hmm, and Nightmare is okay with this?"He asks

"It's summer and it will make Killer happy! Nightmare likes Killer happy!"Horror says

"Horror...."He sighs, catching on quickly

After a few hours of swimming around, Horror leads us to different crowds. He examines each person from a distance, then looks to me. He ponders for a few moments before having us move on to the next crowd. Then there comes a point where there's nobody left for him to examine.

"Why'd we just ditch all those crowds?"Lust asks

"None of them fit! None seemed right for Killer! Too snooty or arrogant, timid, mean, just something about them isn't right!"Horror says

"Maybe it's since they aren't fitting for you and the urges have you think of that?"He asks

"Ugghhh, I'll find a match for you when I can think clearly then. Let's head back home. Lust, you're staying with me."Horror says, kissing Lust as we swim back home

They are still kissing when we return home, finding a very...complicated situation. Dream is feeding Cross a snack so he stops showering kisses onto the poor golden
victim pinned to the couch seating. X!Chara is asleep on the floor, Error is nowhere around while Dust sits awkwardly as he attempts to read while being glared down by Nightmare in his cozy area. Nightmare could also be heard growling as he glares at Dust. The room is cut in half between chill wholesomeness and extreme tensions. Horror breaks the kiss from Lust and notices the scene.

"Uuuuh, what's going on here?"Horror asks

"I really don't know. He went in there and we both were reading. Then he started glaring and growling. And he won't respond to me. Where are you returning from?"Dust replies

"Well after Killer helped us, I tried to find someone fit for him as well and...It didn't go well."Horror says

"Tch, even I could've predicted that."Dust says with a roll of his eyes

"Screw you, Dust."Horror growls

Nightmare's growls grow louder and Dust seems uncomfortable under his stare.

"Horror, you go enjoy yourself with Lust."I say

"Stupid Dust...Throwing stones in a glass house....He doesn't have a mate to find either....Difference is that Killer is nice and deserving..."Horror grumbles as he takes Lust away, glaring Dust down

"I have Blue!"Dust shouts

"Yeah! And you're stuck in the friend-zone with him! Neither of you have matched and you're alone here reading! It would be a curse for Blue to be stuck with a jerk like you so shut up!"Horror snaps

"I'm right though, aren't I? He's alone WITHOUT any chances, right?"Dust chuckles

Nightmare slams a tentacle into the ground, catching everyone's attention. He slithers over to me while making Dust squirm under his intense glare. Then he sets a hand on my cheek with a smile. Then he pulls me closer, kissing me.

What is he doing? My first kiss? At least in this life? I-In front of everyone? What is EVEN HAPPENING?

My face is burning and soul racing, then he pulls away from me.

"What the fuck was that?"Dust asks while everyone else who was awake in the room smiles.

"Oh? Killer didn't tell you? Our souls clicked you could say."He says, pulling me into his chest

"N-Nightmare..?"I say quietly

"I do believe that he has been through mistreatment and abuse to earn your respect and silence Dust. I do not like the well-deserved affection for him being questioned or mocked, that you should know. Now unless you want to end up like the abusive former pack of his or the ships that I sank, you should take Horror's advice and shut your mouth."He says, glaring Dust down

I glance up at him and he smiles.

"Don't ever question the love you receive. You deserve it all. I'll love you as long as you let me."He says, gently feeling my cheek

"I..."I begin but then see his eye turn orange for a moment

The past mixed with this season blurs lines...Will it last after the season changes?

He leans in, kissing me again.

But it feels so nice....His affection...Would it be so bad to give into it?

I start kissing him back, trying to return the love. And it seems that he eagerly takes this up. We break away from the kiss and he scoops me up, pulling me into his room and wrapping us both in the blankets I got him. He snuggles on top of me and I could feel everyone staring at us as his eye glows a bright orange. Then it turns red and he looks back over to Dust.

"Dust, if I hear you causing trouble in this home or being a jerk again, a very incorrect one at that, then you will be kicked out of here. Your nonsense will not be tolerated. Do I make myself clear?"He growls

Dust nods and Nightmare's eye turns back to orange as he grins. He looks back at me and his grin widens.

"Now, Killsy, where were we?"He asks with a twinkle in his eye

"Oh, so that's what you meant, Lust! Let's leave them to it!"Horror says as he slips away to his room with Lust

"Oh dear...Brother...Be careful with him..."Dream says as Cross dozed off on him

"Of course, Dream. I'd never hurt Killsy..."He says, wrapping his arms around me

What did I get myself into...?

TBC