Past lives couldn't ever hold me down
Lost love is sweeter when it's finally found

"Don't worry about it too much, Seneca. He just wasn't the right one for you."

Seneca sat at a bar with her sister, being the kind to take things really hard, and not really wanting to deal with life anymore. Another guy leaving her for no reason, not even telling her goodbye. She already had a hard time in loving herself, this just worsened the feelings of deep seated self-loathing and hate. She knew she'd never find someone. Seneca was simply bound to be alone her entire life. The simple thoughts of such made her almost start crying, and her sister gave her a big hug to try and comfort her.

"Hey, don't worry about him. He's just a stupid guy. He doesn't know what he lost. There's more, and better ones, out there for you."

Right. . .because her sister always had the 'best' ideas. Just because she was older didn't mean she knew everything. Seneca held back a sob, not returning the hug, and gently pushed away from her sister. She didn't say it aloud but she made it clear that she wished to be alone. Her sister respected it, though knew better than to leave completely, so she patted Seneca on the back before leaving to go talk to random people.

I've got the strangest feeling
This isn't our first time around

She stared at her drink, having not taken a single sip, just staring at it. She wasn't a drinker, or even old enough to drink, which was why her sister was made to go and get it for her. Perhaps against the law, but she didn't care. She didn't care at all. Her emotions were swirling around and making her hate life more and more each moment. How could she be so stupid? Of course nobody would love her! She's an idiot, she's ugly, she wasn't worth the time or energy of being around her. She wasn't worth anything. She hated herself so much.

A loud crash right next to her made her look over in surprise. Her senses were dulled enough to not jump or give much else in terms of a response. But she was confused on what caused the noise, and why, considering she was sitting there and not really wanting to die at a bar. More so somewhere hidden and secret.

. . . .

Seneca and Nightmare locked eyes for what felt like hours. It was such a bizarre feeling. Neither spoke, or moved, the entire time. They recognized each other for reasons they both weren't entirely sure of. The fighting and sounds of carnage didn't reach their ears, far too enthralled by this new development in their lives. Why did they know each other? And how? Why was this so important to them? Why couldn't they stop looking?

Nightmare was the one to break the silence with clearing his throat and standing tall. The body he was formerly tearing apart with his hands, he now discarded, more focused on this woman than anything else. His lackeys could continue their work while he did his best to talk with her.

"So. . .you are. . .here. .how coincidental."

Seneca nodded to his statement. She was there. Though, coincidence seemed a little farfetched. Who was he? Had he been planning this?

Past lives couldn't ever come between us
Sometimes the dreamers finally wake up

"Can I ask who you are?"

Though she hadn't wanted it to come off as condescending or rude, he seemed taken aback by the statement. Genuinely. As if he knew something she did not. He glanced away, nothing really giving way to emotions in his only visible eye. He was hiding something, something she needed to know. Something he wouldn't tell her. He looked back with a sigh, the feeling of hopelessness permeating the bar and making her feel it harshly. Had he been feeling the same way she did?

"I know you, Seneca. Though, you don't remember me. At least, not fully. Does the name Nightmare come off as familiar in any way?"

She was going to shake her head, but stopped herself, thinking hard. Glimpses of him were familiar to her, but she never heard a name. . .

Don't wake me, I'm not dreamin'
Don't wake me, I'm not dreamin'

"Seneca. . .can you hear me?"

A voice. . .it was calling to her. It sounded familiar. .and. . .heartbroken. Nightmare watched as she contemplated, wondering if he should leave and come back later, before he heard the same voice. It made him look around in shock and confusion. Who was it? Why?

"N-No, don't speak like that. Please. I. . .I can't live without you, Seneca. I can't! Don't go, please!"

Again, the voice spoke. More desperate and pleading. This time Seneca seemed to understand. The familiarity, the voice, the brief reminiscing of the face she saw for only a moment. Her eyes widened at the sudden realization. It couldn't be. . .it just couldn't be.

Nightmare was caught off guard by the mix of emotions in the air. His confusion and her shock, mixed with the pained cries of everyone around them. The blood and gore continually spread across the bar as Killer and Horror had their fun, and Dust looked on in silent contemplation, knowing he'd be left to clean everything up. It made him quite annoyed. Seeing as the dark skeleton wouldn't get much of a response from Seneca at the moment, he left to join in on the fun of hurting people.

"Seneca. . .I. . . .I love you. . ."

I've got the strangest feelin'
This isn't our first time around

. . .Nightmare stopped in his tracks at hearing the last goodbye. His lost confession to a person he never thought he'd see again. The reason he searched so much, why he was so desperate to find her, why he never stopped looking. He may have come across as unsympathetic, as someone who didn't give a damn, as someone who didn't know any better. But he didn't know how to convey his feelings of happiness towards her. He couldn't feel positive emotions. .so why was it so different now? Why could he. . .now? Was it the initial shock of finding her after so long? After everything he'd been through?

". . .Nightmare. . ."

Seneca got off her stool and went to him. When he wouldn't turn around to look at her, she stood in front of him, basically forcing eye contact. She wouldn't be ignored. Not now. Not ever again. He would pay attention to her, because after all this pain and torture, she felt they both needed this so badly. They deserved their version of a happy ending. Her hand gripped his from inside his hoodie pocket, while the other went to his cheek, stroking it gently.

"I may not be who you wanted. I may not be who you fell in love with all that time ago. I'm certainly not worthy of being seen as such. But, if you'll let me, I want to make up for it. I'll do my best to prove that. ."

She didn't get time to finish her statement. He cut her off with a tentacle to her mouth, though he smiled genuinely, enjoying that even now she put his wishes and needs above her own. He knew she didn't need to, but she did, and he admired it greatly. It was sweet in a way.

"You don't need to prove anything. I fell in love with you all that time ago because you were being yourself. You were genuine, sweet, caring, and not giving a damn what others thought. You loved everyone. You cared for everyone. If you can do that. .if you can be yourself. .that's good enough for me. And it should be good enough for you."

~°~° (a small bonus scene, in case anyone wants to read it. If not, then skip ahead. I promise not to make it terribly long)

At the castle, once Seneca was put to sleep and tucked in the bed, Nightmare left his room for a moment. He knew the others would have questions to ask. He made sure to keep this little goal of his secret from them all, even Cross, who he was closest to. He sighed in annoyance at knowing they'd give him hate for this.

It was the general questions of "Who is she? Why is she here? How long were you planning this?" Yada yada yada. He answered them no problem, not exactly caring too much.

When the more personal questions came into play, he felt his eye twitch. Of course he wouldn't answer such things. They were personal between him and Seneca only. Not the weirdos who decided to invade his private life.

"So, boss. . .uh. . .what now?"

Nightmare breathed in, then let out a stressed sigh.

"Now you all go back to work. Me finding her is really of no concern to any of you. It doesn't change my plans at all."

The guys he talked to looked at each other, but didn't fight it, knowing it would be a losing battle. They would probably die if they tried to fight Nightmare on this. And they knew he probably wouldn't go through the trouble of getting them back.

With that settled he went to his room, closed and locked the door, then climbed in bed with Seneca. He held her as close as possible without hurting her. She opened her eyes and glanced up at him with a bit of confusion, though seeing it was just him, it eased her fears. She was happy to see him again. Her head nuzzled into his chest, and she smiled warmly to herself. This would be the start of her need perfect life.

~°~°

(Alrighty! And that's it! Woo! I've been planning this for some time, and if you want context, go read Tears of an Angel. It'll provide the backstory needed for this happening. Anyways, this was a doozy. I'll write more tomorrow. See ya! Hope you enjoyed this long story of mine!