Chapter Text
Sci had, in total honesty, never expected this. He had suspected AUs were a thing, and had made many theories and attempts at getting into the multiverse, but he hadn't expected for an AU to reach out to *him*, instead of the contrary.
It seemed to be an AU of him, with the resemblance in face shape. That was where the similarities ended, as the short skeleton that went by "Ink" had an opposite personality to his. While he was still socially awkward, introverted, and preferred staying in his laboratory like some sort of bird in a nest, Ink was extroverted, energetic, and tried getting his hands on everything. Not that he couldn't be calm too, but he definitely seemed to have a hard time with it. Sci could relate, even if for him it was the opposite (able to but not comfortable with socializing), if you could call dry responses and trying to get out of a conversation as quickly as possible that.
Back on the subject, Ink had reached out to him, making him discover some of the multiverse. He'd try to stay near, Incase he "forgot about sci and left him there", as the other claimed (which he hoped to be a joke). Ink was happy to introduce him to Dream (a positive, and seemingly god-like version of him), and Swap, again another extroverted (though reminiscent of some of his college friends) version of him. Both were nice, and sci found himself making at the very least acquaintance with them.
Though, the one person Ink had warned him of (along with the others he had met so far) was Nightmare (along with his gang), Nightmare was, according to Ink, an extremely toxic person, cruel, unforgiving, sadistic, and much more 'unsavory' words that he preferred not to recall. He hadn't seen Ink as one to swear, though he didn't judge. Nightmare was apparently the multiverse equivalent of a gang leader, or weird type of dictator.
Any sane person would've taken this warning enough to stay away from him. But he was a scientist.
One might've called it being stupid, another might've called it him having a crush on Nightmare. (Which was utterly ridiculous, mind you.) Personally, he called it scientific curiosity. Hearing of his appearance, he had grown curious. A being whose bones were mangled and broken, yet still walked this earth due to a black goop. Any scientist would've wanted to know more.
That was why when he attacked the base of the star sanses, and the air turned heavy and pressed down on him, he didn't truly try hiding. He did "hide", but he made it bad on purpose ; simply hiding under a table in a corner. He promised himself he'd be careful not to get hurt. (his whole plan was dependant on Nightmare taking him in as hostage, after all.) So all he did was watch as Dream and Nightmare fought, and Ink fought against two of his minions (one had a huge hole in his skull, and the other had his hood up, preventing him from seeing any defining features).
He was snapped out of his thoughts by a raspy giggle. Looking up, he saw a skeleton with dark sludge descending from his eyes like impure tears-but-not-tears.
"Boss~ I found something." The individual said in his raspy voice.
The fight seemed to have been over by now. Had he really been in his thoughts that long, or were they just fast fighters?
Whichever one it was, Dream and Ink were nowhere to be seen. They had probably escaped somewhere, since he couldn't see any dust on the ground. So Ink HAD forgotten about him.
Wherever Ink and Dream had ran off to didn't matter. Swap wasn't here, he had went back to his AU to visit family. And now he was left alone here, with four criminals.
He heard footsteps, and the rest of them came to where he was 'hiding'. This was a lot more nervewrecking than he would've thought.
Nightmare crouched down (Dream had described him pretty accurately, but he didn't wear a circlet on his head like Dream had said) observing him for a few seconds. It was like some sort of weird stare-off had started. Totally scary. No romantic or sexual tension at all. Or maybe that was just him.
Nightmare grinned wide, and it was like someone cut open the night sky when he did.
"Come here." Oh. His voice was deep. Baritone and even, like he imagined the voice of the love interest in his favorite book.
Nightmare stared straight at him as he said that. It was perfect for his plan, absolutely perfect.
Sci obeyed without having to be told twice, getting out from under the table and slowly getting up. Now standing, he saw he was around the middle in heights. The one that had found him was the shortest, the one in a hood second shortest, while the one with a crack in his skull must've been one head taller. Or maybe that was because he was slouching.
Nightmare was the tallest once he stopped crouching.
Sci couldn't help but play with his hands, thumb going over each of his knuckles individually. This was awkward.
Before he knew it, a portal appeared on his right, and he was pushed through while others went through it.
Nightmare lived in a castle, like some goofy cartoon villain. Long corridors, a ball room (apparently), extravagant dining area, all of that.
He wasn't kept in a dungeon, much to his surprise and happiness. Instead, there was apparently a wing of the castle that had been vacated, and he was confined to it.
That was a bit inconvenient for what he wanted to do, but he decided to just hope and pray Nightmare would come visit him for whatever reason.
Most of the time he just spent making theories about various things based on what he remembered in the room he had appropriated for himself.
At around the same time every night, a plate would be at his door. He thanked the hallway everytime, not even sure if anyone could hear him.
The first few months were spent like that, before Nightmare started coming to see him. Every so often he'd hear three short knocks at his door, and would open it so him and Nightmare could chat. The first few times had been awkward, but they had become sort of friends over time.
Of course, Sci made sure to sneak in questions about Nightmare's goop and it's properties alongside normal conversation, and now had a few pages filled with info on it. Sci wasn't the type to talk much. Most of the time, he'd ask Nightmare about something that happened when he was younger (around 200-300, which was still insane to him that Nightmare was that old.) and let him rant about it, occasionally asking questions so Nightmare would know he was invested.
That had been normal behavior for friendship. Simply talking and telling stories from when we were younger. What was not normal however, is when sci began imagining Nightmare kissing him in the middle of their conversations.
It was embarrassing, really. Sci, thinking of Nightmare kissing him, and being all excited when the day of talking to Nightmare (Friday, around 3 pm) approached. Like some sort of stray cat excited to see the person that fed it everyday.
What was more embarrassing was when sci began scooting closer to Nightmare while they talked. He constantly felt like Nightmare was gonna tell him off for it, even if it was ridiculous.
This was one of those Fridays, with Sci probably just a bit too close to Nightmare. Nightmare was talking about the different meanings of flowers, when he just...stopped.
He stopped speaking and started just... Staring at Sci.
"Nightmare...?" Sci's voice wavered slightly in confusion.
... Were they always that close to each other? Their knees were touching.
"Hey-" Sci was picked up using two of Nightmare's tentacles, and placed on his lap.
This was getting more confusing.
"Shhh...." Nightmare's voice was but a whisper. His eyelight was all swollen.
Sci was... Very confused. Very, very confused.
Nightmare's arms wrapped around him. He leaned in close and...
Oh. They were kissing. Nightmare's tongue gently lapped at Sci's teeth, demanding entry which he gave. He slightly suckled on Nightmare's tongue, not quite sure what to do. It was embarrassing, but this was his first kiss.
Sci wrapped his legs around Nightmare's waist, leaning closer to him. He liked this.
Nightmare tasted like coffee, it was delicious.
He hoped this meant they could be together.