Remember to brush your teeth before you cross the road

Also, I forgot to say but if you requested something that I said I'd save for the 'ending' then I will get them done soon I haven't forgotten :>

Nightmare observed his brother from across the living room with a small smile. Dream was making wild hand gestures as he talked about his latest adventure with Blueberry and Ink, rambling about how they'd found a strange crystal and then proceeded to interrogate it. It didn't make any sense to Nightmare- they were questioning a sparkly rock that is not sentient. He didn't care to ask about it though, instead he sat listening to his brother in content. If Dream had fun on his wacky adventure and was happy then that's all that mattered.

"It was so rude to us!" Dream huffed, folding his arms and stamping his foot. "It wouldn't answer any of our questions."

Nightmare hummed, a lazy grin forming on his face as he leaned back into the couch.

"That sucks, Dream." He chucked.

"Yup- but it's okay, me and Blue drowned it."

Nightmare gave his brother a quizzical look.

"You drowned a crystal?" 

"Well we threw it into some water and it disappeared from sight like a fish!"

"Like a fish?"

"Yeah- like a fish!" Dream giggled, his golden-yellow eyes glowing softly.

Nightmare let out a breath of laughter, deciding to just go with whatever his brother said. He spared a glimpse towards the window, noting the dark, overcast sky. It was definitely going to rain today- It's been raining a lot, lately. He didn't mind at all though, the two guardians enjoyed listening to the gentle pitter patter of the water droplets tapping against the windows. 

Dream followed Nightmare's gaze, taking note of the damp weather before remembering they were meant to go somewhere. 

"Night!" Dream cried out, waving his arms frantically. 

Nightmare jumped in surprise and an embarrassed blush spread across his face. He coughed awkwardly and narrowed his eyes at the other skeleton that tried to suppress a snort.

"We need to go to the village, remember?" 

Nightmare tilted his head somewhat until his eyes widened slightly and realisation became apparent on his face.

"Oh, right." He mumbled, mood dampening. 

Dream gave him a sympathetic look. He knew how much his brother disliked venturing into the village- even when the guardians were together. They only needed to stock up on food so he supposed it would be fine for Nightmare to stay at home while he went.

"I'll go by myself if you want." Dream suggested, meeting his brother's lilac eyes. 

Nightmare frowned and thought about it. He'd much prefer if Dream went, but then he'd be lonely.

'Are you seriously going to stay here?' The voice within his head spat. 'You're even more of a coward than I thought you were.'

"I'll go with you."

Dream smiled softly, proud of his brother. Maybe he's trying to get over his fear. The thought made the guardian of positivity smile wider.

"Okay!" He cheered, golden-yellow eyes radiating happiness. "We should bring an umbrella incase it rains."

Nightmare nodded in agreement, letting out a small sigh as he heaved himself up from the couch and smoothed the creases out of his clothes. He stretched his arms and listened to them crack before treading towards the stairs and heading up. Dream scurried into the kitchen and checked the cabinets for what they need. He grabbed a conveniently placed notepad and pen and made a quick list before spinning around to inspect the fridge.

They have a nice fridge.

He shook his head and stepped towards it, swinging it open and peering inside at the sad sight. There was one carton of apple juice and a yogurt. 

"You may be beautiful on the outside, fridge." Dream started. "But on the inside, you're cold and empty. Literally."

The guardian of positivity closed the fridge after a few seconds and scribbled down a few more notes.

"I have obtained umbrella." 

Dream squeaked in surprise, turning around to face his brother. Nightmare had a small, mischievous grin on his face and was idly swinging the light-blue umbrella. Dream huffed and reached out to try and take it from him. The two playfully fought over the umbrella for a minute or so before Nightmare gave in and let Dream snatch it from him, though not before flicking the other's forehead. Dream grumbled under his breath, batting the hand away and stepping around his brother towards the front door. Nightmare released another small sigh, trailing after the other guardian.

"Ready?" Dream asked, hand on the door handle.

"Steady."

Dream blinked, staring at the other with feigned disappointment. Nightmare snickered.

"You're supposed to say yes or no."

"Oh sorry- yes or no." Nightmare corrected.

Dream's eye twitched though he couldn't contain the small laugh that escaped him. He lightly pushed the other guardian before opening the door and stepping out into the fresh air. Nightmare followed after him, shutting the door behind them and glancing upwards. 

The sky was darker than it was earlier- they might even get a thunderstorm, Nightmare mused. The two brothers shared a look before trekking onwards to the village, making small talk along the way. 

It didn't take long before they arrived. Nightmare tried to remain indifferent, though Dream could see the hesitation in his brother's dull lilac eyes. The guardian of positivity gave him a reassuring smile and interlocked their hands together to give him a sense of safety. Nightmare gave him a weak smile and the two entered the village.

It was the same story as usual. Nightmare stared at the ground while Dream waved and talked to some of the monsters. Though the guardian of negativity didn't need to be able to see the villagers to know the look they all gave him. He could feel their eyes on him, glaring at him with the same look as always. A look filled with hatred, resentment, anger, fear- all combined into one. Nightmare couldn't bare to meet their eyes. He knew he wasn't welcome here. He will never be welcome here.

'You're so pathetic.' The voice snarled.

Nightmare clenched his teeth, trying to ignore the voice. He made the mistake of glancing upwards and immediately froze when his eyes locked onto the scowling, disgusted faces of some of the villagers. They were just stood there leaned against a wall, baring their teeth and practically radiating hostility. Nightmare whimpered. Dream glanced over at the monsters and glared daggers at them. They all avoided his eyes- well, nearly all of them. A tall, slender catlike monster stalked towards the two, flicking her tail with irritation. She crouched down to become eye-level with Nightmare, ignoring Dream's threats. 

"If you would just stop living, we could all be happy." She whispered with a cheshire cat smile. "Nobody wants you here, Nighty- it would be better if you just disappeared." 

The cat giggled and a few other villagers nodded in agreement. Without warning, Dream lashed out and swung his fist at the cat. Much to his dismay, the cat monster had ducked down just in time and avoided the attack. She giggled again before darting away; the other monsters that had been leaned against the wall ran after her.

Dream seethed with rage. How dare she. How dare she say something like that to his brother. His eye-sockets were empty. He was mad. 

Nightmare felt the familiar sting of tears building up in his eye-sockets. A sudden droplet of water on his skull made him glance upwards at the blackened clouds. It was raining. The droplets started off light before quickly becoming heavier until they felt like pellets. His tears mixed with the rain and dribbled down his cheekbones and he began to tremble. 

Dream's golden-yellow eyes returned and he hurriedly fumbled with the umbrella, opening it up and shielding the two from anymore rain. Not that it did much, they were already soaking wet.

"How about we just go home- I'll go out and get the groceries later." Dream mumbled softly, squeezing his brother's hand gently.

Nightmare remained quiet, thinking about what the cat had said. 

'She's right. They would be better off without you.' The voice taunted. 'Make them feel your pain.'

Nightmare closed his eyes and silently sobbed. Dream felt a pang of pity and sadness hit him at the sight. He wasted no time in teleporting them both home back into the kitchen, embracing his weeping brother into a warm, comforting hug.

They didn't speak. Nightmare sobbed into Dream's shoulder, inwardly cursing himself for being so sensitive to some words. He should be used to it by now. He's being pathetic, he's being-

"It's okay to cry and get upset when someone says something like that to you." Dream mumbled, interrupting Nightmare's maddening thoughts. He didn't respond, instead he just cried harder and clung to the other.

'No it's not. You're weak.' The voice discouraged.

He's weak, he's a crybaby, he's-

"You're brave, Night." Dream spoke softly. "You've lived through so many days with this kind of treatment and you're still here with me."

Nightmare released a choked, dismal cry, clenching his teeth and shaking. Dream was wrong. He wasn't brave. 

'You're a disgrace.' The voice growled.

He's a disgrace. 

'I'm a disgrace." Nightmare whispered, beginning to repeat it over and over.

Dream narrowed his eyes and forced the guardian to look at him, earning a whimper.

"Don't you dare say that ever again. You're not a disgrace." Dream barked out, startling the other. "You're the best brother in the world and I love you- it hurts me so much to hear you say something like that." His voice cracked and golden-yellow tears built up in his eye-sockets.

'You've made your brother cry now.' The voice tutted.

He's made Dream cry.

Nightmare reached out and tried to wipe away his brother's tears however was stopped by Dream grabbing his arm. Nightmare's watery eyes met his the other guardian's watery eyes and once again he broke down crying, falling forwards into Dream's embrace. 

Dream felt the tears roll down his face and shut his eyes tightly, hugging Nightmare as close as possible. No more words were spoken. They both stood in the kitchen, crying together for seemingly hours.

The rest of the day didn't seem so bad to Dream. They'd both eventually calmed down and spent the day together just watching movies and listening to the melody of the rain tapping at their windows. He thought that his brother seemed a little more cheerful when he went to bed.

He didn't know Nightmare stayed awake that night, replaying what the cat had said and listening to the voice whisper condescending words to him. He was slowly breaking.

--End--