Chapter Text
It seemed with every step, Nightmares concern grew. At first, little side-eyes, filled with blatant concern. Then, it turned to outright staring. Ink-wait no, Char, knew it wouldn't last long. This.. Display of empathy never aged well. It hurt too much to think of the last time someone cared.
The skeletons worry only grew, when he heard Chars bones creak.
Eventually, the child spilled his woes, as reluctant as he sounded to do so. "Excuse me? Uhm.. Do you need any help mayhaps?" his voice slightly wobbled at the end, as if he wanted to say something else.
Ink met the childs worried eyelights with a steely gaze. He would've said something, if his leg didn't give out. With a dull thud, Char met the soft moss and grass.
Moments later, Nightmare was by his side, already putting his grimy little hands on Chars shoulder.
In a flash, Ink had his curved dagger by Nightmares throat (manaline), crouching over the boys shaking body. A gravelly, unused voice echoed through the forest: "Do not dare cling to me. I'm well without your fallow aid," the young ones eyes widened at the sound of Inks voice. The blank, yet menacing look seemed to wack the meaning of said words into his empty skull.
"U-understood!" his voice shook even more, than last time.
With a huff (really, a sigh), Char stepped away from Nightmare, tail flicking wildly. Nightmare stood up, with the help of some nearby tree. Char only stared expectantly. And so, Nightmare continued on, albeit begrudgingly, to the city.
What the poor boy didn't notice, was how the second pair of footsteps grew quieter, more distant, with every passing moment.
___
Ink didn't know what was going on, but he definitely needed to recuperate alone, if he wanted to make any sensible progress.
Looking around, Ink saw a suitably tall tree, so he jumped up, and quickly scaled the whole thing, till he was deep in the canopy of leaves and branches.
Now relatively safe, Ink needed to figure out his next steps, carefully so, if the residents of this Multiverse were so.. Brainless. Who just shrugs off a dagger to the throat, and continues guiding that monster to safety? Absolutely zero self-preservation skills!
With a deep-suffering sigh, Ink went on to planning.