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It had been a few months since the three had settled in Nightmare’s home and the new life that followed but they still had a lot to learn, about living as a family and about their father so it seemed.
They were at Deam’s right now as Nightmare had work and didn’t want them to be at home alone for however long it will take him to settle everything.
Even though they hated the kids at the orphanage they didn’t mind Ink, Cross and Blue and quite liked their company. It helped that the three couldn’t keep a secret if it killed them. Dust was curious about the drawings they were working on and Ink gleefully exclaimed they were for Dream and Nightmare’s birthday.
The teens were stunned.
Nightmare never mentioned his birthday coming up, even though they knew he made notes about their birthdays the moment he could. It was coming up in two days and they had nothing prepared for their parent. Adoptive or not, he deserves a gift.
They moved to the guest room at Dream’s home where they were staying for the night and started scheming, “Alright, with the pocket money Nightmare gives us each week we should have enough saved for a decent gift but what do we get him?” Killer asked with a frown.
Yeah, they knew a bit about Nightmare but it was often hard to get anything out of him… they could ask Dream, but they wanted to think about it themselves.
“Maybe do something ourselves?” Horror proposed, “Like, wake up early, make breakfast… give him some craft or something?”
Killer hummed, “Yeah, I think I have an idea. You take care of breakfast, H. Dust, I have an idea for something with plants that will not wilt and I have been carving something for a while, just need to finish it and we have our gifts but… do you think he will like it?”
Dust smiled softly, “Nightmare would be happy if we just wished him happy birthday… I just want to show him that we care about him just like he cares about us. I think he will like something handmade more than store bought gifts.”
“Yep, he will.”
The three turned suddenly to find Dream in the entrance to the room, beaming at them, “I didn’t hear anything, just the ending, don’t worry. I was looking for you because dinner is ready.”
They followed Dream to the kitchen and decided to do more planning once everyone was asleep.
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Nightmare woke up on the morning of his birthday, that landed on a weekend this year with the text from his brother, wishing him happy birthday and that they will come for dinner, snow falling quietly behind the window.
He got up, already thinking about what he should prepare for breakfast, expecting today to be just like any other day until his brother brings the festivity with him. If not for his brother he would probably spend today like every other day.
It will be his first birthday where he wasn't alone at home in the morning, where he didn’t have family in a different house...
He came into the kitchen to freeze at what he found there.
The table was set for them with Nightmare’s favorite foods, a paper bag set on the table as well with a cupcake with a candle, “What…?” He didn’t tell them about his birthday and Dream probably didn’t mention it either thinking Nightmare told them, “How?”
“Happy birthday!” The three chorused, Killer lighting the candle on the cupcake and bringing it to Nightmare, who took a hold of it, still stunned.
“Come on, make a wish.” Killer said with a grin.
Nightmare blinked owlishly and blew the candle as his brain caught up. Dust took the cupcake from Nightmare’s loose hold and put it on a plate as Horror and Killer tugged Nightmare to the table.
“You know how lucky we were that Ink blurted out about your birthday, real mean of you not giving us a heads-up.” Killer said as Horror loaded Nightmare’s plate and put it in front of him.
“I just don’t celebrate that much… I’m happy just spending time with you, I don’t need anything.” Nightmare said softly, waiting for them to load their plates as well before starting to eat, his eye widening in surprise, “It’s delicious. Did you cook it Horror?” When the teen nodded he smiled, “You have really improved, I love it.” He said with a grateful tone.
Horror blushed with a soft smile, all of them eating happily.
Once the breakfast was eaten they forced Nightmare to sit down and let them clean up while Nightmare caught up on his newspaper. Afterwards they gave Nightmare the paper gift bag, “You really didn’t have to.”
“But we wanted to, so open it.” Killer said with a grin, Dust nodding with a soft blush.
Nightmare smiled and opened the bag, finding two items inside of it. One was a resin bookmark with flowers and leaves in it, clearly from the plants that grew in Dust’s room. The other was a wooden pencil holder carved by Killer that looked like it was wrapped in vines.
“It’s beautiful, thank you all.” He said with a soft tone, blinking tears away.
“You are welcome, dad.” Dust whispered and hugged Nightmare who nuzzled his skull gently.
The other two joined the hug, “I really appreciate it all.” Nightmare said honestly.
“We know, next time don’t hide stuff like that from us.” Killer said calmly, feeling the small tension leave him. They all were worried that their gifts won’t be accepted, no matter what Dream said.
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Later in the day Dream came with the kids and Stretch, bringing the birthday cake and a gift for Nightmare in the form of a new scarf. Nightmare gave his brother a beanie, while the teens gave Dream a new thermos with yellow apples on it.
Nightmare received a card from the kids that he displayed on the fridge and a new book from Stretch.
The patchwork family spend the dinner together, sharing the cake and enjoying their time together. Nightmare never expected this day to start this way but he would never change it for the world.
Now he really needs to go all out for Christmas in a few days.