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Pepper

With Horror

TW: Eating disorders are mentioned in this chapter!

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“How dare you.”

Horror looked over his shoulder at you, pepper in hand. “Hmm?”

You rushed over and looked in the pot of macaroni. There was a small pile of pepper on the top as well as a smaller pile of salt. You groaned. “How dare you!”

“What?” Horror looked confused. “What I do??”

You thrust your hands at the offending pot. “You put pepper in the macaroni!! Why would you do that??”

A smile split his confusion. “Seasoning.” As if that explained his actions.

“It doesn’t need seasoning!! It’s macaroni!!!” You tried to reason with him. “Macaroni is good by itself!!”

“‘s better with pepper.” Horror said. He was enjoying this.

“Well, good luck getting me to eat that.” You commented.

You should not have said that.

Horror’s gaze shot to you. You froze. “I- I’m joking, Horror! I d-didn’t mean i-it!”

Horror’s eyes narrowed. “You will eat.”

“Yes, sir! I w-will!” You promised. “I love your cooking!”

His eye gained a dangerous glint as he smirked. He held up the pepper shaker. “Even with pepper?”

You nodded frantically. “Even with pepper! I’m sure it’s amazing! I’m sorry!”

He nodded, seeming satisfied. “Good. You’ll be here… for lunch.” It wasn’t a question.

You nodded anyway. “Yes, sir.”

He shooed you out of the kitchen and you retreated to the living room where Dust was mumbling to himself again. You sat at the other end of the couch and curled your legs against your chest, staring at the blank tv screen. You’d never been good at trying new things. Especially when it came to pepper for some reason. But you knew how Horror was with food and now that he knew he’d probably watch you eat.

“What?”

You startled and looked at Dust. “What?” You echoed. Had you said something?

Dust rolled his eyelights. “What happened?”

“Nothing.” You said too quickly.

He sighed. “Y/N.” You suppressed a flinch at his use of your name. “What happened? You don’t curl up unless you’re anxious.” He pointed out.

You released your legs subconsciously. “It’s dumb.”

“You’re dumb. Talk to me.”

You snorted. “Whatever. Horror’s making macaroni.”

Dust’s eyes narrowed at you and you shrank, Horror’s narrowed eyes still fresh in your memory. “And?” He prodded.

“He put pepper in it. I…” You grabbed at the collar of your shirt. “I’ve never liked pepper. Or been good at trying new things.”

Dust nodded. “Understandable. A lot of people aren’t comfortable with change.”

“That’s not the bad part.”

“There’s a bad part?”

You nodded. “I…” You brought your legs back up. “I… told him… ‘Good luck getting me out eat that.’”

Dust’s eyelights went out.

“Oh. This is serious.”

You shrank further into yourself. “…yeah.”

“Did you backtrack?”

“Yes. But now he’s going to make sure I eat it.”

“If it’s any consolation,” Dust turned towards you. “His macaroni is really good. So at least you won’t be suffering.”

You huffed a small laugh. “Thanks.”

He held his scarf in an echo of you holding your shirt. He turned his head to his shoulder and started whispering. You ignored it and looked away. He did that sometimes. You had a feeling it had something to do with the fact that sometimes he knew about a conversation or event he wasn’t there for. Your current theories were that he had a friend ghost or he talked to the castle. Talking to the castle made more sense despite not making any sense.

He finished whatever conversation he was having and the room fell into silence.

You had no reason to be so scared. It wasn’t like it was a life threatening event. It was just food. And Horror’s cooking was always good. So why did it scare you so much?

Dust finally broke the silence. “You should talk to Nightmare.”

You nodded absentmindedly. “Yeah. Nightmare.” You stood after a moment’s hesitation and set down the hall to Nightmare’s office.

“Enter.” Came Nightmare’s voice before you had even knocked.

You obeyed and stood just inside the doorway. Nightmare tapped his papers into a stack and set them to the side.

“Well? Come in.” Nightmare beckoned. “And shut the door behind you. I don’t want Killer to see the door open and barge in. Not that that stops him.”

You obeyed and sat on one of the stools by the desk.

Nightmare sat leaned back in his chair, waiting for you to speak.

You didn’t.

He sighed. “Did you know, I could feel your anxiety all the way across the castle. And your disappointment, though I assume that’s directed at yourself with all that guilt.” He tilted his head at you. “What happened?”

You sighed, upset at yourself for being upset. “It’s stupid.”

“That seems to be a common occurrence. Continue.”

You smiled. Him and Dust were the same. You explained the situation to Nightmare who waited patiently for you to finish.

“Hmm.” Nightmare brewed over the information. “Did you have any eating disorders growing up?”

You froze. Yes. Yes, you did.

Nightmare nodded even though you hadn’t answered. “Was there a time where you refused to eat?”

You nodded.

“How long?”

You shook your head. “Not very long. I always got too hungry to starve.”

Nightmare slowly leaned onto the desk. He looked thoughtful. “I think that your experience with that might bleed into how you treat food. And Horror picks up on that. So he’s more strict about you eating than the rest of us. Does that make sense to you?”

You nodded.

“If you want, I can come with you but you need to talk to Horror about feeling forced to eat. You will still have to eat what he prepared but hopefully, in the future, it won’t feel forced.”

“Okay.” You mumbled.

“Y/N.” Nightmare’s tentacle rested on your shoulder and you felt some of your anxiety leave. “No one is forcing you to do anything. If you feel like someone is, you can talk to them about it with or without me. I don’t mind either way.”

You fidgeted. “I… don’t want to be alone…”

Nightmare nodded, standing. “Understood. Let’s get going, shall we? Before Horror serves lunch.”

Horror looked up to call that lunch was ready only to see you and Nightmare in the doorway. He immediately noticed how you kept fidgeting with the collar of your shirt. His eyelight locked with Nightmare’s for a moment, piecing together what was going on.

“Y/N?” Horror asked. “You need… something?”

You hesitated. “I… Horror…” Nightmare set a hand on your shoulder. You straightened a little. “I’m sorry I said I wouldn’t eat your food. I wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to eat what you’ve made. But…” You hesitated again. Horror gestured for you to continue. “I’d like it if you didn’t force me to eat things.” You said hurriedly before shrinking as if you expected him to lash out. You might actually expect him to, Horror realized. He hasn’t given you a reason to think he wouldn’t. Especially after he almost hurt you the other day.

Horror nodded and looked at Nightmare who seemed proud of you. There must have been a lot of fear for you to conquer to say that. He glanced at the pot of food. He wondered why you acted weird about food so much. This seemed like a step towards progress. “Okay.” Horror said, slowly. You looked shocked. “I’m sorry… you felt… forced. Can you help… me fix… that?”

Your face lit up with so much hope that Nightmare flinched. “I… uh… y-yeah. Yeah. I can try.”

He glanced at Nightmare who nodded in approval. Horror looked back at you. “Wanna help… set the table?”

You seemed excited. “Sure.” Horror handed you the bowls from the cabinet, not missing the way you sniffed at the macaroni when you thought he wasn’t looking.

The table was set and everyone was halfway done with their food when you took your first bite. Your eyes lit up at the flavor. It was amazing! How had you never tried it before? You glanced up at Dust who sat across from you. His eyes were on his food but you saw the smile on his face.

Unbeknownst to you, as you scarfed down the rest of your food, Horror and Nightmare shared a smirk between them.

Go All Out

With Horror

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Your first mission.

It wasn’t going very well.

Of course that was mostly because you couldn’t rely on magic like your opponent did. Or like the rest of the gang. Killer had been paired up with you for that very reason. Couldn’t have you dying on your first day. Though, Killer only did so much.

It was supposed to be a routine raid. Get in. Distract the residents. Take what they needed. Get out. You and Killer were one of the distractions. And you just had to meet the oddly dressed Papyrus of this world. That wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t a swap au. Killer had immediately engaged in battle, leaving you to dodge what blasters and bones came your way. You weren’t sure if you should try to help or stay out of the way. Killer had it handled right?

Your soul turned blue.

“Well, well. Hello, human.” Said a voice behind you.

You fought the hold on your soul but it tightened. You grunted and tried to look behind you.

This world’s Sans had his face hovering over your shoulder. “Ah, ah. You wouldn’t leave a new pal hangin’, would you?”

Your face twisted at his grin. Wasn’t he a swap? The magnificent Sans or something? What was he doing? This wasn’t how the gang described swaps.

He grabbed your shoulders and you suppressed a flinch at the contact.

“Release me.” You said, much calmer than you felt.

He chuckled. “Normally, I would. But~” He blinked slowly but when his sockets opened again, his eyelight was blue. “I saw who you came with.~” You tried to lean away from him. “We don’t take kindly to raiders here, human.”

You fought his hold again. You needed to get help. Your eyes went to where Killer was fighting Papyrus. Maybe he would hear if you-

A hand went over your mouth. “Nope~! Let’s not bother your friend, hm~?” He whispered in your ear. “He looks busy.”

You struggled. Surely, Killer would see you. He had to. He was supposed to protect you for this mission. He looked so focused, though.

A blaster charged up pointing you direction from where the battle was going on.

You broke the hold on your soul and tried to break away from the weird Sans. His hand stayed clamped over your mouth as the other wrapped around your waist. You thrashed trying to at least get away from the blast. The blaster fired and suddenly the world lurched as Sans rolled with you out of the way.

His grip tightened on you and you felt him try to get a hold of your soul again. “Woah! Almost lost you there, didn’t I?”

You growled through his gloved fingers, kicking at him. You had to save yourself.

“Feisty, aren’t we?” He purred, pulling you closer so you couldn’t kick properly.

Your eyes widened. This was a Lust au, wasn’t it? Nonononono. You fought even harder to break away. You knew what the gang had told you about these aus.

He started pulling you backwards. “Don’t be scared, sugar plumb. The Majestic Sans will take care of you~.” You couldn’t break his grip. His strong and practiced hands held you secure. You felt his breath on the back of your head. “You won’t remember a thing~.”

Sans yelped as you were yanked backwards. Another hand grabbed your upper arm and ripped you away from the pervert. You scrambled to steady yourself and break away from the new threat when you locked eyes with Horror. He gently released your arm and rubbed where he’d grabbed you before turning back to the swap with fire in his eye. You stepped up behind him, not willing to leave your partner in a fight again.

“Don’t touch her.” He growled, towering over the opponent in his crushing grip.

Sans cursed and summoned a bone.

That was a mistake.

Five blasters and an uncounted amount of bones appeared around Sans as he swung at Horror’s arm. He didn’t even nick Horror before he was dusted. Horror heaved with his fist crushing the dust in his hand. He wasn’t moving.

You peaked around his large form, concerned. “Hor-”

“AAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!” Horror screamed. His blasters went off again and started blasting a hole in the ground where the Sans had once been. Bones imbedded themselves in the ground before evaporating under the blasters. You shielding your eyes at the light show and radiating heat.

“HORROR!!!” You shouted over the storm of sound. “HORROR, HE’S GONE!!!!”

The attacks gradually slowed to a stop. You and Horror panted for a minute.

“Woah.” You said at the destruction before you.

His attention snapped to you. You flinched. His eyelight had zeroed in on you and was but a pinprick of black against burning red. He didn’t seem to recognize you. Again.

You stepped back.

Horror shook his head and the tension in his shoulders dissipated. He looked over you with concern. “Are you… hurt? . . . Anywhere?” He looked like he wanted to step closer but restrained himself.

You sighed when you saw the Horror you knew come back. “I’m fine. Just startled.” You glanced down at the hole. “I… didn’t see him coming. He…” You hesitated. “He caught my soul off guard.” Should have kept your guard up. Always keep your guard up.

Horror growled at the hole. “Good… riddance.”

“Yeah…”

You and Horror shared a moment of silence.

“Woah! What happened here?” Came a voice at your side.

You lashed out, swinging a fist at the intruder. He caught your fist and smiled at you.

“Nice to see you too, Y/N.” Killer said. “So what’d you and Horror have against the ground?” He pointed at the hole.

Horror growled and came at Killer before shoving a finger in his face. “Where were you?”

Killer lifted his hands in surrender, grin gone. “Hey, I’m just one guy! That Papyrus just wouldn’t die! I was gonna kill him and be back at Y/N’s side before she even noticed I was gone! I swear!”

Horror’s growl got louder. “The Sans had her.” He snapped.

Killer’s wide sockets turned to you. As if he thought you’d correct Horror. When you didn’t his mouth fell open. “…Well, shit… You okay, kiddo?”

You nodded. He hadn’t gotten violent while he had you. So nothing was bruised or broken.

Killer’s face changed to something you didn’t recognize on him. “I didn’t mean physically. Are you okay?” Oh. That look was sympathy wasn’t it.

You hesitated to answer. Were you okay? Nothing had happened. Nothing that bad at least. Did that count? You weren’t sure. “I don’t know. I think so?”

Killer and Horror shared a look before Killer spoke again. “Let’s go meet up with the Boss, yeah?”

You nodded. He gently grabbed your sleeve to teleport.

Nightmare locked eyes with you the second you teleported. You looked at your feet. He wouldn’t let you go on a mission again after that. You couldn’t handle yourself for two minutes! You were a liability if they had to keep a constant eye on you. This was your only chance to prove yourself as a valuable member of the team. You’d messed up.

Nightmare rounded everyone up and you all went home. Horror had his hand on your shoulder the entire time.

“Freshen up.” Nightmare said as he moved towards his office. “Afterwards, everyone gives a report. Don’t take too long.” He was gone.

Dust, Killer, and Cross started checking and cleaning each other’s wounds. They moved in tandem. You mindlessly watched their quick and efficient movements. They worked so well together. You even saw Dust hand a wrap to Cross while they both were facing opposite directions. Killer managed to keep up perfectly while yapping his mouth off as usual.

The hand on your shoulder gave a gentle squeeze, pulling your attention away from the orderly chaos. Horror looked down at you. “Let’s get you… clean.” He mumbled.

You nodded numbly and followed him to a bench against the wall you hadn’t noticed. You must have teleported into the medical wing of the castle. Horror had you sit and grabbed a first aid kit. When he opened it you realized that it was specifically a monster first aid kit. You were completely at a loss for what anything in there was. There was even a bag of candies. Horror opened it and passed you a candy. You accepted it from his hand as he pulled out a salve of some sort.

You stared as he took your right arm and gently pulled your sleeve up. You reached to stop him when you suddenly noticed a large burn mark on your arm. When did that get there? The fog in your head started to clear.

Ow.

Ow!

You pulled away from Horror at the rush of pain that shot through your body. “Ah!!” You yelled. Why did it only start hurting now? Why didn’t you feel it earlier? You fearfully pulled away from Horror. Did he do something to you? What could he have done? And why would he hurt you? The guys from across the room stopped what they were doing and looked over at you. Seeing you holding your arm away from a concerned Horror, Cross got up and walked over. Dust and Killer slipped out of the room together.

“Y/N.” Cross squatted in front of you, pulling your attention away from Horror. “You’re okay. Your adrenaline is wearing off. It kept you from feeling the pain. Horror isn’t hurting you. You’re okay.” He held your gaze with a knowing look. “It’s okay.”

Horror cautiously took your arm again. You looked back at him, flinching back. Cross set his hand on your knee.

“Y/N. Look at me.” Your head sharply turned back to Cross. His face was just as gentle as before. “Keep looking at me. He’s just cleaning you up. Can you tell me how you got burnt?”

You thought back to when you were dodging Killer and Papyrus’s blasters. It must have happened then but you made sure to check yourself each time. So when did… Your eyes widened. When Sans had dodged with you. You must have still gotten hit.

“Killer and Papyrus were fighting.” You started slowly. “He had my soul. I broke free but he grabbed me. A blaster fired at us. He rolled with me at the last second. It must have hit me then.” Your mind was numb again.

Cross nodded patiently. “Who had you, Y/N?” He gently probed.

Your mouth shut.

“Sans.” Horror said quietly.

Cross’s eyes shot between you and Horror. You looked at the burn on your arm.

“Hey, keep looking at me.” Cross beckoned. He tipped his head into your line of sight until you obeyed. “You did a good job.”

“No I didn’t.” You said without thinking.

Cross’s lights flickered for a moment. You saw a flash of recognition and grief in his expression before he regained his composure. You couldn’t find it in you to care. You’re sure you’ll feel regret later. He tilted his head at you. “Why would you say that?”

“I couldn’t take care of myself. I failed.” You stated bluntly.

That expression flashed again. Yeah, you’d definitely feel guilt later. “Y/N.” Cross stressed your name. “You weren’t supposed to be in that situation. It wasn’t a test. It was an accident. You weren’t expected to hold yourself in battle on the first day. The goal was to show you how we did things. What happened wasn’t your fault.” He smiled at you. “You did good.”

“No.” You corrected again. “I got caught. I couldn’t get away. I’ll never be able to keep up with you guys if I can’t even beat a monster that was holding back. I did not do good.” You felt sadness press against your barrier. You pushed it back.

Cross looked sad. He went to speak again when you looked away, effectively ending the conversation. He sighed.

“Done.” Horror stated. He had cleaned and wrapped your wound with a long loop hanging off the bandage. He nudged your other hand which still held the candy. “Eat that. It… helps.”

You popped it in your mouth without care.

Dust entered the room again. “Hey, guys. Reports.”

Horror nodded and stood. He offered his hand to help you up. You took it despite not needing help. He lifted the loop from the bandage over your head. It held your arm in a makeshift sling. You gave the sling an upset look. As if you needed to look any weaker.

You silently followed Horror and Cross to Nightmare’s office where they would enter alone for their report. You waited to go last. You needed to psych yourself up first before you saw Nightmare.

Horror went before you and when he came back out he gave you an encouraging smile. You didn’t react as you entered the office, carefully not to bump your arm in the door. Nightmare sat at his desk scratching things down on paper. You sat on a stool and waited for him to finish what he was writing. Trying to distract yourself, you looked at the shelves behind him, reading the titles.

“Normally, when someone comes in to report,” Nightmare startled you, setting his pen down. “They start the conversation.” His eye leveled yours.

You look down. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry.” Your free hand grabbed at your collar.

Nightmare sighed. “I see you got your first injury today. Care to tell me how that happened?” His fingers drummed on the desk.

You took a deep breath and straightened to give your report.

After your full report, Nightmare remained silent. You ended up slouching again in an attempt to go unnoticed.

“What makes you think any of that was your fault?”

You shrugged.

Nightmare heaved a deep sigh. “Did you know, Horror struggles to use his magic?”

You shook your head.

“He doesn’t teleport. He doesn’t summon bones let alone a single blaster.”

Your brows drew together and you looked up at Nightmare. You’d just watched him summon five…

“Horror has a very hard time focusing his magic. I have yet to see his blasters. None of us have.” He let you mull that information over. “He told me that he wasn’t sure what happened. That he was just angry. He saw that Sans dragging you and acted. Horror purified the world of his dust.” Nightmare’s brow rose. “We would have all done the same. Do you know why?”

You shook your head again.

“Because you are important.” He stated. “You are worth it. If you didn’t have a use, you would never have been brought here in the first place. You’re not just a guest or a weapon or a tool. Just like everyone else here, you are family.”

You shrank into yourself. As much as you wanted to hear those words, you didn’t think you deserved them. You hadn’t done anything to earn them. Nightmare stood and walked around the desk to stand next to you.

“You’ve done enough, Y/N.” He said, gently grabbing your arm. You flinched, the feel of that Sans’s hands still fresh on your arms. Nightmare pulled you onto your feet and into a hug. “You are priceless.”

You melted into his arms. You really needed that hug.