Cross does not show up for lunch and is absent before dinner causing Nightmare both stress and concern. He does not like seeing any of his boys skipping meals after what happened with Horror. Horror had damn near starved himself feeling like he was taking unfair helpings despite being malnourished from his own AU being on rations. Nightmare had discovered his feral side that day and his tentacles shudder at the memory of being bitten by the then feral skeleton. He's made sure all his boys eat their fill ever since. He brings them food during heat, when they get sick or get badly injured during a mission. Nightmare cares about his boys even though the multiverse will never understand that he does in fact have a heart under all the goop.
Horror meets Nightmare's eye from his place at the table, "Would you like me to look for him boss?" Horror knows about Cross's tendency to find outrageous hiding places when he wants to be left alone or is very upset. He has a few ideas of where Cross could have gone.
"I would appreciate that Horror." Nightmare replies and Horror rises from his seat chair scraping across the floor. He pauses to nuzzle Dust who gives him a small grin before going to leave the dining hall. Killer arrives as Horror is leaving to search for Cross and Nightmare sees the large skeleton narrow his eyes at him in clear distaste. Dust stops grinning when Killer walks over to his seat across from him. Killer raises a brow at Dust who glares at him in turn. This concerns Nightmare because he does not want his boys to be at each other's throats. When Dust does nothing aside from fiddle with the placemat Nightmare lets it be. Dust can go from smiling to angry between breaths due to being unstable from living in a world full of death and destruction that left him riddled with guilt to the point of hallucinating his papyrus who did nothing but encourage him to gain LV. Nightmare knew Dust was trying to overcome this but he still had bad days.
Horror meanwhile takes a deep breath before heading to check the usual places Cross hid around the castle not expecting to find him there. The library is empty as Horror expected so he goes to check the nook he never knew existed until he had stumbled upon Cross sleeping there after Killer had thrown Cross under the bus to boss when Dream got hurt during a scouting mission. Horror despite being a cannibal and killer felt bad for Cross getting chewed out for no reason when the injuries were Killer's fault for not properly tying off the hammock in the tree. Dream had broken his left arm and two ribs leaving Nightmare furious. Killer not wanting to look bad to his love interests blamed Cross. Horror had begun to realize that Killer wanted boss and Dream all to himself regardless of the fact that Cross is genuinely in love with Dream. Shaking his damaged skull Horror checks the nook finding it empty aside from a pillow. Horror sighs softly and moves on to the next nook he knows Cross to hide in when he wants to avoid everyone.
It's behind a suit of armor in the second-floor hallway. It was one of those spaces that opened if you shift the armor just right. Horror thinks back to when he found out this secret room existed.
Horror was assigned to work with Cross for a scouting mission that required stealth and brute force. He could not find the monochrome monster, on his life, however. Annoyed he searched the hallways of the castle wondering where the hell Cross had gone. Grumbling to himself he calls for Cross, "I don't know where you are asshole, but we have work to do and I don't have time for hide and seek!" He searches the library checking the hidden nook and other places Cross has gone when he's upset. He is ready to tell Nightmare when he feels a tug on his soul right before he gets teleported out of the hallway he's in. He stumbles as he lands in an unknown place in the castle looking around until he spots light filtering in from a slot in the wall. He goes over and looks through it squinting against the light. He sees that he is on the second floor near the medical wing. He realizes that the slot is looking through the helmet of a suit of armor right as a voice comes closer.
"Come on Crossy~ We just want to talk~" The voice is clearly Killer's, but the other presence is Dust's. Horror is about to reply before remembering he was teleported here by someone and turns around seeing Cross curled up in the corner tears running down his cheeks one of which is clearly bruised. He goes over to Cross who flinches when he kneels in front of him clearly expecting to be hit. "Cross what the fuck happened?" He asks in a low voice.
Cross looks away sniffling, "Killer found Dream cuddling with me and got mad. I t-think he roped Dust into helping him find m-me…"
Hearing that made Horror angry but he knew Dust was likely told a different story by Killer so he wouldn't look like the villain. Killer's desire for Dream is getting out of hand at this point. Before Horror can ask if he wants help Cross mumbles softly that he doesn't understand why Killer is so angry about innocent cuddling. Horror decided then that he misjudged Killer. "You did nothing wrong Cross; this is on Killer." He sits down against the wall still giving Cross his space to calm down. He's genuinely surprised when Cross comes closer looking at him for permission to lean on his shoulder. Horror pulls Cross closer giving him the comfort he clearly needs. Cross sniffles softly and they sit there in silence until the voices have faded away. Cross asks Horror why he was looking for him. "We have a mission to go on tomorrow; boss's orders." Cross nods to show he understands. He thanks Horror for comforting him. "You're a part of the team and no one deserves to be attacked for being in love. Killer needs to accept that he is not the only one with eyes for Dream." Cross smiles slightly and whispers a soft thanks.
When Horror checks the room, it is empty aside from the squishy unicorn pillow Blue gave Cross for his birthday as a joke. Joke's on you Blue; Cross loves the thing enough to hide it in here. He thinks fondly smiling at the thought of his smaller lover. He, Dust and, Blue got together after the murder duo cared for a critically injured Blue following a riot breaking out in Mafiatale. Blue of course was terrified of them at first until he realized they had been the ones to protect and heal him as much as they could. They confessed that they liked him and mumbled they were sure he didn't want to date freaks like them. "And if I do?" Blue had whispered gripping their hands tightly before they could run. They all got together shortly after and were immensely happy.
Moving on Horror checked the small crawl space under Nightmare's throne still wondering how the fuck boss had no idea it was there and how Cross had discovered it. Horror sighs going to check the only other hiding place he knew of hoping Cross was there. Dinner would be ready soon and he was uncertain how long Dust would hold back from attacking Killer. He heads to the third floor and into the smaller library pulling a specific set of novels out spelling Seek. A small section of the shelf shifts, and Horror pokes his head inside only to find it empty aside from the small blanket fort that Cross built for he and Dust to cuddle in when they wanted to be alone. Shoulders sinking Horror admits defeat not sure where else in the castle Cross would go knowing he loathes the dungeon, and the towers were supposedly haunted by the previous groundskeeper who had been lynched.
Horror returns to the dining hall right as Error shows up looking frazzled. Dust looks ready to hurt Killer only settling back into his chair when Horror sits beside him telling him that it isn't worth upsetting boss when he's already stressed. Dinner is served by Nightmare shortly after and they dig in after thanking boss for cooking. Dream's presence is forgotten until Error notices him sitting beside Nightmare and ties him up looking at the others like' why are you so calm he's the enemy?!'
"We have a truce. Whether the other stars want a truce is out of my hands." Nightmare says and Error unties Dream mumbling a soft apology his cheeks flushing slightly. Dream smiles telling Error that there are no hard feelings as he didn't know about the truce.
"WHeRe Is ThE mOnOcHrOmE iDiOt?" Error asks Nightmare
"Pouting somewhere." Killer replies smoothly a grin on his face.
"I wAsN't AsKiNg YoU KiLlEr." Error replies stabbing a piece of steak with his fork.
"We don't know where he is other than that he is in a place that blocks Nightmare and I from sensing his emotions." Dream replies gently and Error looks concerned.
"DiD sOmEtHiNg hApPeN?" He murmurs knowing that Cross skipping a meal does not sit well with Nightmare.
"You could say that." Dust replies narrowing his eyes at Killer. Error does not press further clearly not wanting to start a fight. They eat in silence aside from Error telling Nightmare the steak is amazing. Nightmare preens at the compliment thanking Error who nods.
"Did Ink disturb your knitting again?" Dream asks Error who looks startled he knows about his hobbies.
"YeA hE dId. I wAs aLmOsT dOnE tOo DamN it!" Error replies throwing his hands up in exasperation. Dream makes a mental note to scold Ink the next day as it was unfair for Ink to disturb him without reason. Dream sighs knowing Ink is the only star that hasn't seen the good in their 'enemies'. He just wants the fighting to end and he knows Blue is right there with him. He knows about Blue dating Horror and Dust; he also knows the trio is trying to convince Error to join their happy poly relationship seeing as Error has feelings for Blue. Despite everything that happened Blue was the only one kind to Error after SO many years alone being hated for doing his job. Even Cross had come to slowly forgive Error though he's still wary of the destroyer which is justified considering Error has ripped his soul out the first time they met. Cross made an attempt to learn knitting and was horrible but every time he improved he would show Error who secretly enjoyed having a knitting buddy.
All the Bad Sans had slowly become fond of Cross except for Killer. Error didn't understand what Cross did to justify the ruthless mockery. No amount of pinning makes it okay to antagonize someone to the point they skip meals to hide. Error assumed Killer had ended his sexual relationship with Cross then attacked him for having feelings for Dream. The apple twins are clearly worried about the monochrome idiot being somewhere they can't sense him on top of Cross skipping more than one meal by the looks of it. Once dinner is over Killer stands to leave only to be stopped by Nightmare,
"Killer you are on dishes tonight; I don't want to hear any complaining." Killer grumbles but goes to start doing the dishes. Nightmare motions for Error to follow him to the study after telling Horror to come along as well. Dust asks Nightmare if he can use the 'I need to smash shit to calm my ass down' room and Nightmare gives him the keys telling him to be careful only letting go of the keys once Dust promises him he will be. Once Dust leaves the three head to the study while Dream retreats to his room. Once inside Nightmare moves to make mint tea offering Error a cup which the glitch gladly accepts once the kettle whistles. Once they all settle Nightmare looks at Horror, "So, how many hiding places does Cross have?"