Chapter Text
Surveying their surroundings from where they crouched behind the cardboard box, Domino silently summoned their fountain pens: Jesse and James. It was hard to tell in the dark, but there were enemies lurking nearby; that was for certain.
Peeking over the top of the box, Domino readied James at their left. Several small figures sat around the room on various surfaces. The closest sat on the dresser by the door.
Just as they lunged towards the figure, the door to the room opened; Domi firmly jamming the tip of the fountain pen just above the doorknob.
"Domi?" Cross asked after staring at his almost skewered hand, "What are you doing? And why are all the lights in your room off?"
Domi put a foot against the door to tug at the pen. "I'm just, mhf, practicing, mhf, sneak attacks!" They let out a small yelp as they yanked James free and stumbled backwards.
Cross turned to the light switch and flipped it on, "Right. Maybe, just, don't use your pens inside? I don't you making a mess and I doubt you want any of your collectibles broken."
Domi blinked up at Cross. In their excitement, they hadn't even considered they might have damaged one of their prized possessions.
Sighing, Jesse and James dissipated in monochromatic sparkles. "Mom, other mom has been on patrol for three days now! Blue and Dream got back two days ago, and even they don't know where Ink is. I wanna go explore some new AUs! Where else am I going to find someone new to fight? Why isn't he back yet?!"
Stomping over to their bed, Domino plopped down and crossed their arms and legs. Two red x's in X-shaped eyelights sat above a pouting frown.
With a sympathetic smile, Cross sat down next to them. "I'm sure Ink just got distracted by something; you know how he is. Maybe we can see if Error can find him?"
"I already talked to him. He said to either funk off and stop interrupting his show or shut up and watch."
Cross faltered. "O-oh. Um, well, maybe we can do something to distract you until Ink gets back? A Naruto marathon or a few training sessions?"
"...ok. But make sure you make the right kind of ramen this time! Handmade, not the kind from the box! It needs to be just like Naruto's!"
Cross chuckled, "That's my little ninja." He leaned over to kiss Domi's head. Domino flinched away, disgust written on their face and exclamation points as their eyelights.
"Ew, mom stop! Just go get the show ready while I change into my cosplay."
---
Many hours later (at what would probably be considered late evening in a timeless place like the Omega Timeline), the marathon was still in full swing. Wrappers from various treats lay scattered on the living room floor and empty ramen bowls were stacked chest-high by the two skeletons. One was softly snoring as he slept, the other very engaged as they occasionally shouted attacks and posed alongside the show.
'Hiyaa! Take that!'
'Oh no! Is he ok?!'
'And if that wasn't enough, now you'll have to face my ultimate technique-'
"Oh, you're on this episode Demetri? I thought you were further along?"
Domino whirled around from the TV screen to find Ink standing behind the couch, tilted head supported by one hand as he leaned against it. Domi rushed over. Arms held back and leaning forward, they Naruto-ran around the couch and the marathon mess to crash into Ink.
"Mom! You're back! What took you so long?! I wanna go explore. I've been waiting for days!" Domi exclaimed as the two fell to the floor.
"Oof! Days? Are you sure?" The ink-stained skeleton's eyelights turned to question marks, "I could have sworn it was only one day at most."
A monstrous yawn sounded from the couch. "Hhhhmmmm...could you two keep it down? I was having the best dream about tacos."
Ink pushed Domino off of himself and stood. Domino ninja-rolled into a crouch before bouncing up to stand.
"Oops. Sorry Crossy! Guess Dillan was just overexcited."
Cross scoffed before stiffly stretching. "Domi? Overexcited? Never." He smirked at Ink. "They got that from you by the way." He stood and turned to leave the room with a yawn.
"Anyways, now you get to parent them. Make sure Domi and you get some sleep before you two do anything stupid. Good night."
"G'night Cross!" "Oyasuminasai!"
Domino waited until they heard Cross's bedroom door close before they whirled to face Ink.
"So can we go now?!" Yellow-x'ed stars for eyelights.
"Heck yeah we can! As long as Cross doesn't find out." He gave Domi a mischievous wink.
"Yes!" Domino fist-pumped triumphantly.
"Did you have a place in mind?"
"Anywhere new! Please tell me you found someplace with demons or something cool that could possess me."
"Ha ha! New AU it is then! But sorry kiddo, it's not very exciting." Ink shrugged.
"Aaaawwww…" Domi turned back to their anime, disappointed.
"Of course, it's not finished yet, so who knows?"
Domino sat in silence for a minute thinking. Why couldn't the creators make something cool like super-powered pirates or a demon hunting AU? Domi didn't care if they were similar to existing ones, they were just as enjoyable! Ink had once said that the creators wanted to be original or something. This new AU apparently had nothing cool or anime-like in it….yet, at least. Domi shook their head. This was no attitude for a protagonist! A hero was supposed to be a force of positivity and determination! Heroes didn't pout! At least, not without some important plot device or teammate bonding. Domi could always check this AU out later once they'd been there. They could always come back to see if something cool had showed up. Domi turned to face Ink with a grin.
"Let's go!"
---
A few minutes later, Domino was standing outside the house with Ink, the Naruto cosplay switched out for their normal attire. Bouncing up and down with excitement, they tugged on Ink's sleeve.
"Mom, mom, c'mon let's go already! What if we miss out on something cool?!"
Staring off into space, Ink snapped out of his thoughts. He looked at Domino with a confused expression, eyelights blinking between several shapes before settling on an orange rhombus and green question mark (though Domi just saw two shades of grey).
"Huh? What? We were going somewhere?" He briefly looked at the notes on the end of his scarf. Domi huffed.
"Did you really forget in the space of like, five minutes? Why does your memory suck so much mom? Oooo! Is it a secret part of your backstory that you've never told me!?" Their eyes sparkled at the prospect of their parent somehow being even cooler than he already was. Speaking of backstories, they remembered their current objective.
"Oh, uh, you were taking me to that new unfinished AU. The one without any demons or cool stuff."
Recognition spread over Ink's face. He pointed enthusiastically at Domino before reaching behind himself to grab Broomy. With a practiced twirl, he swiped the large bristles across the ground before placing it on his back again.
"Right! Thanks Duncan! Let's go then shall we?" He placed a hand on his hip as he held out his other hand for Domino to take.
Domi clasped it in an eager grip and looked at Ink; eyelights so big they almost took up the entire socket. A smile just as big was stretched across their face.
"Onward to epic adventure and side quests!"