Chapter Text
Nightmare hummed as the bell rang and a few minutes after that Toriel brought here students that hesitantly took seats.
Only one was rather relaxed and Nightmare recognized the aura of one of the students from his music class. The guardian stood up and stood in front of his desk, leaning against the piece of the furniture, “So, Toriel decided that you don't need to know how human female menstrual cycle works?” He asked, his distaste in the teacher’s actions clear in his tone which caused a stir in the previously muted students.
“Yes, Mister Nightmare.” The student knowing him answered.
Nightmare hummed as he reached and after searching for the right button pulled up a video that Killer sent him, “I had someone send me a sex ed video detailing that topic, then we will talk about your questions to that or any other part of sexual doubts that you have. I just hope my mate didn't fool me with this.”
There was a soft laugh from the students and then focus as the video played, Nightmare listening intently to ensure it was factual and not something weird. Once the video ended, Nightmare vowing to thank Killer once he's off work, the new teacher sat on his desk, “Alright, any questions? Don't raise your hands, just try to decide who goes first so you are not shouting over one another.” He said calmly.
“What painkillers would be the best to give a friend or partner that has period pain?” A male voice asked.
Nightmare hummed, “That usually depends on the person, some prefer other medicine over another. It's always good to have a hot water bottle you can prepare at home, since it's useful not only for period cramps but also other pains. The important thing in any kind of relationship, platonic or romantic, is communication. When in doubt, ask.” He said calmly.
“How do we stop liking someone when the love is wrong?” Another student asked sheepishly and Nightmare couldn’t help but frown.
“What do you mean?” He asked, confused.
Another student piped in, “Miss Toriel often says that you can't like just anyone. Girls should like boys and boys should like girls and only them.
The guardian sighed, “I swear to all that is unholy. Don't tell me she is this close-minded about gender as well.” The sound of assent from the students made him rub his face, “I swear…” he took a deep breath before addressing the students, “There’s nothing wrong in loving anyone, no matter their gender. As long as the other person consented nothing is wrong in love. I myself have two male mates.” He said calmly.
Once the muttering quieted he continued, “As to gender or even just clothes you wear, the important thing is that you feel comfortable in your body. If you feel something is wrong, listen to your soul, don't let others stifle that. Especially not some judgemental religious bigot.” He said with a huff.
He froze when he felt a shaken aura from one of his students and heard sniffling, “So… so I'm not sick or weird for wanting to wear dresses as a man?”
Nightmare slowly approached the student and rubbed their back, “No, you are not weird for that. I promise you that.” He said softly, giving them time to calm down. He really can't believe how Toriel traumatized the students to this point. This will not continue for any longer, not while he works here.
After that the lesson continued, Nightmare answering various questions as soft music played in the background until the bell rang. The students left and Nightmare waited for Gaster to come and show him where the teacher’s lounge was where they drank some coffee, sharing impressions of what went down in their lessons.
“Is Toriel really that influential in this school? The students are terrified of her and also her sex ed is taught in such an archaic way… I am simply flabbergasted by this.” Nightmare asked with a grimace.
Gaster hummed, “Well, she is an influential person in the community and was a teacher here when the school was first opened, and I guess Muffet just… didn't know how to fire her. So she at least reduced her work by taking away music lessons from her.” He said with a shrug, “Anyway, ready to be introduced to the whole of the student body?” He asked, changing the topic.
Nightmare drained his coffee and sighed, “It's not like I have got much choice. And it's not like I can't handle any mischief the kids will try to get up to upon learning one of the teachers is blind.” He said calmly.
Gaster smiled slightly, “I don't think it will be that bad and… there's going to be a self defense talk right after, maybe you can wipe the floor with the instructor and scare the students off from pranking you.”
Nightmare snorted, “I don't think this would go well. Since it would just disrupt the chance to learn for the students.” He said amused as they got up and started heading to the gymnasium, students greeting Gaster and some greeting Nightmare, mostly the students that had lessons with Nightmare already and their friends.
In the room Nightmare greeted the other teachers and principal Muffet and they waited for the students to gather before starting the appeal.
Muffet started with a greeting to the students and then quickly got into the topic of Nightmare’s interest, “I'm sure you all noticed a new member of the staff. I want to introduce to you our new music teacher, Mister Nightmare. Please welcome him warmly.”
As instructed earlier, Nightmare stepped forward and bowed his head slightly as the students clapped and Muffet continued, “As you can see Mister Nightmare is blind and moves around using a walking stick. I trust you will help him if he ever needs it and treat him with respect as you do the rest of the teaching staff.” She then glanced at Nightmare and smirked, “Now a few words from our new teacher.” She said, putting the microphone in Nightmare’s hand, the guardian frowning as this wasn't part of the plan.
Still, he took a deep breath and in a smooth voice spoke, “Hello, students. As the principal Muffet already said, my name is Nightmare. It is my pleasure to be the music teacher. Even though that is my expertise if you ever need advice or help with anything else, on the days that I'm working, Mondays and Fridays, my doors are open to all of the student body.” He said calmly and held out the microphone back to Muffet as the students clapped.
The rest of the appeal went smoothly, Nightmare mostly tuning things out until it was time to return to his classroom and wait and see if anyone would need him.
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After work Nightmare returned to the castle where Dream was working with Cross on paperwork for some of the AUs Nightmare handed to him.
“I'm back.” He called, Cross smiling at him and going to kiss him.
“Welcome back, love.” Cross said softly.
“Welcome back, big brother.” Dream said with a grin, “How was work?” He asked.
Nightmare sat on the couch with a weary sigh, “Toriel is a bigger bother than I could imagine. I am tempted to wear a dress on Friday when I come in, just to spite her… and show it's okay to all those students she traumatized with her lessons.” he said tiredly, “But the music lesson went fine, it was only the introduction today.” He added with a small smile.
Dream smiled, “That's great… oh, a few from the council are going to visit the castle. Is it okay?” he asked quietly.
Nightmare hummed, “As long as it's just a few of them… and they are not unsupervised. If any of them steps even close to my music room and breaks anything in there I can't guarantee their continued existence.” He said with a smirk, Dream chuckling.
“Okay, I promise to watch them when they visit.” He said, leaning into Nightmare’s side, relaxing as his brother hugged him closer.
“Nightmare!” Horror called from the kitchen, “Fish or steak today?” He asked.
Nightmare hummed, “Steak please!” He called back. It seems Horror was making them potatoes and vegetables with fish or steak depending which one each wanted. And well, he was in a mood for a steak.
“Other than that, the Council is a bit lost as to what to do, with you know… not having to fight against you and Error.” Dream said with a weak smile.
Nightmare hummed, “When I'm more assured that I won't get jumped by them I can go and help you organize the agenda for the Council. If they can help you with some words I gave you to care for, then you can include them as well.” He said with a smile.
Dream hugged him tightly, “Thank you, big brother. I will go to put the documents away now.” He said, getting up with the pile of papers he and Cross were working on.
The dinner was a pleasant affair as they talked about their day and relaxed. Just a big family.
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The days until Friday were spent with Nightmare working with the AUs that he still was taking care of, delegating the tasks and negotiating deals with Error and other monsters.
And when Friday came he actually welcomed the return to school, to teaching. He already received the email with the songs his students wanted to learn and organized them, deciding to start on them by next month after teaching some basics to music and using some of his previously prepared songs.
And this also gave him the chance to put his plan into reality. So when they all woke up and Horror went to prepare breakfast and a lunchbox for Nightmare, the guardian called for Killer to stay behind.
“Oh, do you want a good morning quickie, my moon? I'm more than happy to deliver.” Killer said with a purr.
Nightmare scoffed amused, “No, but I have another task for you that I'm sure you will enjoy.” He said with a smirk, “Toriel is a conservative cow and I want to step on her toes and give a bit more confidence to my students by dressing into something that many will say is feminine.” He said calmly. It was stupid to him, clothes have no gender, you should wear what you want. He often wore backless dresses because they felt nice with his tentacles.
Killer grinned, “Oh, I love that. Should I still keep it chaste and kid friendly?” He asked, heading to their walk-in closet.
Nightmare nodded, “Yes, please love. I want to prove a point, not get dress coded. Even if I think dress codes are bullshit.” He said calmly, Killer chortling as he chose clothes.
“Okay, love. We got a nice long sweater dress in emerald green and a charcoal gray cardigan to cover those sexy shoulders and we got some high heeled knee-high shoes in black.” He said, helping Nightmare get dressed, purring when Nightmare summoned his female ecto to fill in the clothes, “You look stunning. How about green silk for the blindfold?” He offered, going to the drawer where they were keeping different silks for Nightmare’s blindfolds, since glasses weren't a good solution for skeletons and he didn't want to walk with his dead eye sockets uncovered.
Nightmare smiled and kissed him gently when Killer finished tying the blindfold around his eyes, “Thank you, love.” He said softly as they started heading to the kitchen.
This day will definitely be interesting.