Cross pov

I opened my eyes and look around and realized I was back in the castle I felt dread and and fear run up my spine my room wasn't that far away I decided to speed walk to my room and remained in the shadows keeping absolutely silent as I walked in an effort to hopefully not be seen I did not want to get caught it would mean another punishment from Nightmare he loved to hurt me and feed off my fear and negativity that's all I was to him a source off power I was the only one he treated that way eventually the others joined in on the insults they never hurt me there was one in the mansion that was different than the others Dust when he was around he would try to distract the others while I slipped away there were plenty off times where Dust has let me hide behind him there were times were Nightmare would let me starve for days as punishment and Dust would sneak me some food he has helped bandage up when ever he could without getting caught since he wasn't aloud to help me he wants to do more but he can't stop Nightmare from hurting me once he gets his hands on me or else Nightmare would torment him to and he can't leave cause he doesn't have an Au to return to so he has to stay quiet and do as he is told Dust wasn't around today meaning if Nightmare saw me Dust wasn't there to distract him I quickened my pace in efforts to get to safety but my hopes were dashed away when I felt something grab my ankles and slam me into the wall this isn't the first time this has happened I collapse onto the ground and cough up blood I looked out off my half lidded eyes to see Nightmare with a malicious grin he said something but the ringing in my skull preventing me from hearing what he's saying I felt a kick delivered to my already beaten and sore ribs causing me to cough up more blood I felt more kicks as well as his tendril slam into me I felt my ribs crack I felt dizzy Nightmare stopped and looked at me in disgust and then walked away I felt light headed and really tired I saw feet run up to me before I passed out from blood loss. I jolted up with tears in my eyes sobbing my eyes out I looked around and realized that I was in my room in Dream's house it was the middle off the night I couldn't stop shaking that wasn't just a dream that was a memory that used to happen all the time and Dust would try to help patch me up when he could without getting caught and getting punished by Nightmare. I couldn't help but hyperventilate I was sobbing my eyes out I couldn't stop shaking I felt so much fear and anxiety I got up and rushed to Dream's room something told me to go there I say him laying in bed sleeping I approached the bed and slipped into the bed and cuddled into his chest I couldn't help but relax I felt safe I was half asleep again when I heard Dream groan.

Dream pov

I woke to the sound of crying in my room I was only half awake though so I didn't open my eyes until I felt something crawl into my bed and felt something warm cuddle into my chest I groaned and oped my sockets to see Cross cuddled into my chest it looked like he had been crying I brushed the still somewhat fresh tears away and Cross leaned into my hand I couldn't help but be worried about him he must have had another nightmare I saw him open his sockets. "Cross did you have another nightmare?" He looked at me tiredly. "No It was a memory a bad one." I felt even more concern for the fellow skeleton. "What was it about?" He hid his face in my chest. "I don't want to talk about it." "Alright you can tell me tomorrow get some sleep." "I'm scared to sleep by myself can I don't want to be alone can I stay for tonight please." I felt his grip on my tighten I couldn't help but smile and wrap my arms around his waist and hold him close to me. "Of course you can stay get some sleep I'll be here if you need me." I felt Cross snuggle into me while I hold him close I felt him relax and drift off to sleep I smiled and looked at his face to see him peacefully sleeping I smile and relax and slowly joined him in a peaceful sleep tomorrow is another day.