Chapter Text
“Just because I did not see you do it, does not mean that you didn’t.” After Error switched the chess pieces around while Nightmare was thinking for what had to be the fourth time that day, the guardian was getting annoyed. Error did not like to lose, he understood that. But cheating was a hollow victory. “ThiS fEelS liKe a liNe yOu wOulD uSe oN KilLer.” Nightmare had to suppress a laugh. He probably had used it, or something close to it, on Killer before. She tried to use the ‘but you don’t have proof that I did it’ excuse far too often- HEY! PUT THAT QUEEN BACK!
Nightmare decided he was done playing chess with Error after that. It simply wasn’t fun. To his honest surprise, the destroyer came up to his office to apologize, that evening. “FoR tHe rEcorD, I hAve nO qUalMs aBouT cheAtinG itSeLf, bUt I dO apOlogiZe fOr rUiniNg iT fOr yOu. It sEemS tO bE oNe oF thE fEw tHinGs yOu gEnuiNly enJoY.” Though Error’s jackassery had significantly decreased in the years of their alliance, it was still hard to tell whether something like that was an insult, or a genuine comment. Possibly both.
“I will not lie, Error, I am surprised that you apologized at all. I accept your apology.” In hindsight, that was colder than he intended, the phrasing showing distrust in Error’s words. “I may have phrased that poorly, I hope you know what I meant.” Error sighed, rolling his eyes half-mockingly. “I knOw wHat yOu mEanT, OcTopUs. YoU hAve a riGht tO bE suSpiCious. I’Ve cErtainly mEsseD wiTh yoU qUite a BiT, oVer tHe yEarS.” Countless times, especially in the first two centuries of Nightmare’s godhood. He just.. Didn’t really think about it, anymore.
“Do I detect remorse?” Nightmare grinned at Error, mocking him right back. The glitchy skeleton crossed his arms, attempting to glare. He mostly looked like he was trying not to laugh. “DoN’t pUsh yOur lUck.” For all of the wisdom that Error evidently possessed, he was quite intent on remaining petty. Nightmare didn’t know the reason, not for sure, but his guess was that it helped Error stay at least somewhat sane. Refusing to show genuine care, genuine understanding, keeping an intelligent mind hidden behind a layer of madness, of anger, perhaps it’s what allowed him to retain it at all. Or perhaps the guardian was overthinking it. Error might just be being petty because it’s fun. The man was a mystery at times. A pain in the ass, and a sometimes endearing friend, but a mystery.