(ALL CHARACTERS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE CREATORS)

Dream and Cross stepped outside their house. Summer had passed long ago, and winter was beginning to show. Frost covered the leaves that used to decorate the ground in wonderful hues of reds, yellows and browns.

"I'll get the car started," Cross said, quickly pecking Dream's cheekbone.

Dream nodded and watched as Cross wondered away. The crunch of frost and leaves caught his attention and his gaze travelled to a skeleton walking towards them. It was Ink, wearing a very familiar outfit and holding a massive paintbrush.

Ink waved. "Hey Dream! I heard you were going to find Nightmare and I thought I'd-"

"No," Dream snapped. "You can't come with us."

"Huh? Why?"

Frustration built up within Dream. How dare he act as if nothing happened?

"You've caused problems before," the golden skeleton continued, his voice firm. "You stabbed us in the back, and you've been treating me like absolute trash since I started working for you. Some friend you are."

"Oh, come on, you're still angry about the backstabbing thing?"

Dream clenched his fist. "Go back to your damn art show, Ink. I think the multiverse has had enough of your "protection."" Dream turned away. Before he walked away, he paused and glanced back at Ink. "You can go looking for a new employee, too."

Ink simply stared as Dream left for his car.

Dream drove up the highway without a word. Cross watched the trees rush by, wondering where they were going.

Memories flooded Cross' mind. When they had first defeated Nightmare they had to decide what to do with him. He knew that they should have locked him in the void and forgot about him. They should have left him to wonder the infinite abyss, forced to reflect on his actions for the rest of eternity.

But Dream wanted to give him some kind of chance. He didn't want his dear brother to be imprisoned in such a place. Instead the darned heap of tentacles was sent to a prison. A rather insecure one at that.

Cross wondered if he should have said something at the time. Regardless of how he felt about Dream, he should've taken Nightmare to the void. But he didn't.

Dream pulled up the car at the side of the road. "I'm going into the forest," he explained. "If I don't come back in and hour, leave without me."

"You're going alone?"

"Do you trust me?"

Dream met Cross' eyes. Dream's gaze displayed many feelings. Anxiety, sorrow, but also confidence and a need to prove something.

Cross forced himself to nod. "Be back soon."

The crunch of Dream's footsteps on the forest floor echoed around him. Few birds sung from the branches above, and nothing stirred from the forest floor. The wind blew against the tall, thin trees that towered over the skeleton, disturbing what few leaves remained on their branches.

Despite the emptiness and silence of the forest, Dream felt that he was not alone. An all too familiar presence was watching him.

Dream froze when the cold blade of a knife was placed against his neck.

"You've wondered a long way from home," cooed a voice from behind. "What do you want?"

"I just want to talk to my brother, Killer," Dream replied calmly.

Killer cackled. He tired to sound threatening, but it just came out as childish. "Really? What are you going to do, ask him to go back to prison?"

"No. Please, I'm hiding no weapons and I've come alone."

The black-teared skeleton paused. "Alright, fine. I'll enjoy watching Nightmare off you."

Killer led Dream through the forest, along a path that had been travelled through many times before. As they went, Dream noticed that Killer's magic-proof cuffs had not yet been removed. That fact brought little comfort. He hoped that Nightmare's magic was also being held back by the cuffs.

Eventually the two skeletons reached an old, run-down cabin set up beside a river. Rotten fences surrounded the small area of land, though did little to keep anything out. Nightmare was kneeling beside the river, fixing up a makeshift fishing rod.

"Hey boss," Killer called. "Your brother found us. He wants to talk."

Dream heard Nightmare grumble a complaint about Killer. He stood up and approached them.

"Come to take me back, have you?" Nightmare growled.

Dream shook his head. "I really do just want to speak."

Nightmare's eyes narrowed. He tossed the make-shift fishing rod to Killer and gestured to the river. "Go make yourself useful."

Killer caught the rod. "Whatever you say, boss," he said before wondering off.

Dream opened his mouth to speak, but he was interrupted by Nightmare. "What could you possibly have to say to me? You've already said all you have to say, haven't you?"

Dream met Nightmare's cold gaze. "I came to say sorry."

There was a silence.

"What?"

"You're right. I was selfish." Dream hugged himself. "I was lost in a fantasy, and I didn't notice just how much you were suffering. But part of me knew, I just..." He stared down. "I have no excuse. I know how angry you must have been when I said I wanted everything to be the way it was."

Dream's brother stared at him for a few moments. "You realise that an apology doesn't change anything, right?" Nightmare shook his head softly and turned away. "What happened, happened. You remained selfish and I chose a violet path. We can't toss our past to the side and act as if nobody was affected by it, it's not that easy."

"I know. But there are things we can still do."

"Like what, exactly?"

Dream looked out into the forest. The speckles of sunlight that made it through the branches, the lack of artificial buildings and other creations, it set a very peaceful setting.

"Neither of us are immune to trauma, as much as we try to say that we are." The golden skeleton's gaze returned to his brother. "All I want is a chance to talk about it, like we should have done all along. For both our sakes..."

To Dream's surprise, Nightmare chuckled. "I feel you're trying so hard not to sound selfish." He peered back at Dream. "Fine then. I'll humour you."

"Really?"

"Really. I enjoyed my reign while it lasted, but I've just grown so tired since then. I may as well try and mend a few relationships while I'm at it."

"Does that mean I don't have to call you boss?" Killer called across the clearing.

"No, I'm still your boss whether you like it or not."

"Fuck!"

Dream managed a slight smile, though it quickly faded. "Thank you, Nightmare."

"Whatever." Nightmare waved at Dream dismissively. "Go back to your husband. He's bound to be in the middle of a panic attack right now."

"Right... See you soon?"

"Mhm."

Dream climbed into the car, taking in a deep breath as he sat down at the wheel. Cross wrapped his arms around Dream, holding him close.

"Are you alright?" Cross asked softly.

Dream nodded, leaning into Cross' embrace. "I'm fine."

"How did it go? Was Nightmare there?"

"Yes." Dream pulled away from the hug, placing his hands on the stirring wheel. "It went better than expected."

"Really?"

"Yeah." A gentle smile grew on Dream's face. "I think we should go home now."

He turned the key and the engine roared to life. Soon they returned to the road.

The trees rushed by. Clouds drifted across the sky. A pair of birds hopped out of their warm hallows to witness the melting frost. The droplets sparkled in the sunshine, creating a marvellous display for all of nature to see.

Dream and Cross reflected on the past few months. There had been ups and downs, and that was how it would continue to be. They had each other, though, and the future was beginning to seem brighter.

"I love you, Cross," Dream said.

Cross grinned. "I love you too, Dream." 

~~~The End~~~