"I-... I have questions..." said Killer.

"About Mare and you? Go on."

"How can we recognize which is active? Dream, Mare, both?"

Neutral sighted. He thought a bit before raising his head to Killer.

"We're trying to figure out which will be better." Said Nightmare's voice.

"Maybe it will be better to act like one than two." Answered Dream's voice.

"Our souls fused, technically, we are one now." They said with his new neutral voice.

Killer understood the struggle. They all had to accept the twins were gone and accept one brand new person as he is. Dust seemed to hate the idea.

"As if we weren't enough lost cases... but the goodie two shoes?"

"Dust... C'mon." said Horror as he put his hands on his shoulders.

Dust fell on the ground from a sudden weight. Nothing was on him, Horror was touching him but not feeling anything, trying to understand what was going on. Dust finally raised his head toward Neutral. The neutral blue eyes were on him, one expulsing yellow smoke.

"Not so mighty in front of goodie two shoes now, are we?" asked Dream with a threatening voice.

"Dream, release him." Said Nightmare.

The pressure went off. Dust groaned in pain as Horror caught him before his head met the floor. Cross crouched beside him too, checking rapidly the dust covered person. He sighed and gave a look at Neutral. The guardian crossed his arms, not regretting his act. A tentacle went out of the medley tail to smack the back of his own head.

"Nightmare!" hissed Dream.

"Dust was just teasing. Calm down." Answered Nightmare. "Damn, you lost your patience along your body?"

"Fuck off."

"Oh my god, Dreamy is using the big words." Teased Nightmare.

Another whack behind the head is heard, this time, another one and controlled by Dream. The tentacle Nightmare used began to flick to show his annoyance.

"Can't deny you are brothers." Said Killer with a giggle.

Neutral turned his head to the targeted soul holder. He was half laid on the couch, a sleeping skeleton kid above his torso, wrapped in a cover. He has little spikes over his sockets and on his forearm that is gripping Killer's shirt.

Even with the smile, Neutral could feel Killer's concern. He was stroking mindlessly the kid's skull, staring at nothing. Cross approached him, checking on the soul. Killer was heavily weakened since his new curse, and Cross was regularly checking on him.

Next, Neutral informed about the new mates of the castle. Dream's partner and their child. The group was stunned to learn Dream did have time to have a family. But Neutral forbade them to see them and promised literal Hell if they tried anything.

"My boyfriend got a little visit from you, and you traumatized him like hell. We almost hit the wall when convincing to live here." Dream said, pointing at Dust, Horror et Killer.

Killer's perked up at the accusation before sinking back in the sofa in shame. That was bad timing. He murmured an apology. Neutral felt his guilt but got alarmed seeing Killer's white pupils appearing. He cupped his bone cheeks and blew on his face. Killer's sockets fluttered and closed; he fell limp against Neutral. He surrounded Killer with his arms, keeping little Asteroidea safe between them.

"Horror. Can you bring Killer into my room." Asked Nightmare.

The broken skeleton obliged and carefully took his counterpart and left, Dust behind him and little Torpedo running beside him. The kid was bright boned and had pale blue eyes shining. He was wearing black clothes with white splashes that were phosphorescent.

Carrying Asteroidea, Neutral excuse himself to return to the other part of the castle. He made his steps echo, to be sure Plum would hear him coming. The lust inhabitant was sitting on the sofa, pouring tea for him and Zita. His daughter was nowhere to be seen. Plum didn't turn his head, but a content was felt.

"Welcome back Honey. Do you want some tea?"

"Sure please." He answered as he kissed his forehead.

He sat beside Plum, showing the sleeping kid. Plum's stare softened more as his parental instinct rose up. Neutral knew it, Plum would adopt them. He would wish for more children. He was already stroking the cheek of the kid with a motherly smile, then discovered the little spikes on him.

"This is Asteroidea."

"He looks peaceful in your arms."

"He still has nightmares, but it is going away... he is strong."

"He sure had a hard life before. Night, why do you always reverb this heartless image of you if you are just playing a role?" asked Plum.

Neutral stared at Plum with surprise. His gaze softened and a purple pupil appeared, keeping the softness. The lust sans couldn't stare away from this sight.

"Because it was my revenge. They wanted a villain; I gave them one."

Plum didn't say much, he felt Mare didn't want to speak about it, even though he gave a slight answer and could not give anything. And more of it, he could relate. How his universe had been belittled to a slutty world. Plum moved his hand from the kid's cheek to Neutral's hand without letting out any words.

They stayed like that for a few minutes, Plum using his free hand to drink his tea and hand Neutral his mug so they wouldn't move to prevent to wake the kid.

"So...You were just playing an act?"

"Mostly... but honestly, I really wanted to burn the worlds down for what happened to me, my mother etc..." he said. "Dust and Killer are the dangerous ones. Dust on top of all. Cross and Horror are just as broken as me."

Neutral stroke Plum's hand, his stare in the emptiness.

"Killer is less dangerous than Dust for the simple fact it was Chara and my curse that made him what he is. He's more like Cross, different ways."

Plum's interest perked up. Neutral smiled, Dream was giggling internally after he said that Lust was curious about them all. Neutral stroked Plum's head before standing up.

"Story for another time. I must check on Killer, He's having a nightmare and needs my powers to rest correctly. And he usually prefers to sleep with a kid."

Plum's face changed fast to worry. Night's purple eyes disappeared to let the blue show. The lust inhabitant felt relief but didn't know where that came from. But then it struck him. That was Neutral's deed.

"Care to check up on him with me? He's not going to do you anything, I'll make sure of that."

"I-... okay. Can't believe I'm worried..."

"Well, you both share some lines... Solitudes, curse... Internal emptiness."

Plum stared at Neutral in awe. The more he was present in the castle, the more Neutral showed him how similar they all were. That will never excuse what they did, but at least, he could empathize now. They walk down the corridor toward Nightmare's room.

"There is a lot I need to learn..." murmured Plum as he stared at Asteroidea.

"No need to rush. You need to find your comfort here first. Then you'll be able to befriend the guys. And the kids, they'll do just fine."

"How are you going to manage me and Killer, as you are both in the same body?"

"That's up to you and how we can manage."

"I love Dream. I can give a shot to you both and see how we're doing... And if Killer behaves, I might let him at least."

"You should let Horror around you. He's the kindest and the less lethal around here."

Plum gulped, remembering the skeleton with that horrifying hole in his skull and this huge bright red pupil that could stare deep down his core. Less lethal if you want but still the scariest.

"He has a unique way to calm Dust down or prevent him to do regretful acts. He's the safe spot around."

They arrived at the room. Neutral entered first, Plum after. The room was dark, the furniture seemed to be made of heavy wood. Neutral showed Plum the couch so he could sit, as he walked toward the bed to Killer. He was sleeping in a large pillow nest, almost a fort.

The guardian laid the kid along the sleeping skeleton, they instantly cuddled. Asteroidea has a spot that helped a lot of calming Killer, by putting his little skull against the adult's chin. He then proceeds to go to his couch, sitting beside Plum and taking him in his arms.

"What about Cross?" asked Plum.

"What about him?"

"Zita is a little mouse." Said Plum with a smile. "She feels and she spies."

Neutral stared at Killer. He sighed and pointed to the bed with a tentacle.

"We are a poly couple."

"Oh."

He wasn't expecting those guys to be in this kind of relationship. Yet here they are all. Taking care of each other.

"Father?" a little voice raised.
"On the couch, little star." Answered Neutral.

Plum turned his head to meet phosphorescent green eyes. The kid stood on the bed and jumped silently on the ground before running toward them. He climbed on Neutral, staring at the person he didn't know.

"Who is that?" he asked, pointing at Plum.

"New papa. This is Sugarplum."

Neutral took Plum's hand to make it meet Asteroidea smaller one. He seemed curious and loved the touch. He jumped between the two adults and crawled onto the lustian.

"You're so soft! And your eyes are pretty!"

He showered lust with childish compliments, making him flustered. If that one was the calm one... Torpedo is sure to be an electric battery.

"Papa! You are Papa!"

"I guess you can call me that, little star." He answered as he sat the kid on his legs.

"Yay! More papas!"

Asteroidea hugged Plum, making his soul melt from this love. Plum loved kids, he will cherish this one as his own.