Chapter Text
Palette sat on the floor in the Save Screen looking at where the portal had just been. As if he wasn't already feeling like he was useless and unwanted... That had been a mess from beginning to end; he'd been too upset to fight properly and had only given Nightmare more strength. Since Reaper had saved him that meant that he'd tell Dream and Palette would have to explain why it happened in the first place. Dream had enough to deal with and Palette really didn't want to add to it. Why would his parents ever want him? He was just causing problems; they'd fight every time the three of them were together and now Palette had aggravated Nightmare, making himself a target that would need to be protected. It really would be so much easier if he had never been born...
"...Palette?"
The teen jumped at his name being called and turned around to see Raven standing there and staring at him. "Oh... I..." Palette could hardly get a word out as he burst into tears again. It was all too much and now one of his crush's younger brothers was here and could see how pathetic he was and that'd get back to Goth and then he'd think he was the pathetic weakling his uncle said he was. It really was all just too much.
"You're hurt," Raven stated, ignoring Palette's crying as he approached slowly to try to get a better look at Palette's collarbone. "Who did this? Is someone handling it?"
Palette could hardly talk. Not like he wanted to; how was he meant to explain all of this? He didn't want people to know about his unhappiness. He was Dream's son; he was meant to be happy. He didn't want to ruin his parents' reputations, he didn't want to be a burden to them, he didn't want this. He wanted to be happy, to be strong, to be someone his parents could be proud of...
"I'm going to get Goth and Mum. Stay here and keep pressure on the wound," Raven told him when he didn't get a reply, hoping that maybe Goth could get Palette to talk.
Palette wanted to protest but he wasn't given the chance as the younger teen ran off towards the Afterdeath house leaving Palette alone and crying like a baby.
"I'm so pathetic!" Palette whispered to himself once he had cried for a bit and felt slightly calmer. He covered his face with his hands wanting to just hide away from everything. "So pathetic!" All he'd done back there was made a fool of himself. If he couldn't even escape from battle what good was he to anyone? What kind of heir to the Guardian of Positivity was he if he just felt so depressed?
"You're not pathetic, Pal."
Palette jumped when he felt arms wrap around him gently and hold him close. He hadn't even noticed that Goth had arrived next to him. He really was out of it... "Gothy…" Palette whispered as he relaxed slightly just with his crush's presents there.
"It's okay. Let it all out. I don't know what happened but you're safe here. Cry as much as you like. Mum will be here soon with the first aid kit."
Palette didn't want to, he really just wanted to hide behind a mask again but it was too late for that. He'd already been seen by too many people, at least with Goth he felt safe. He knew Goth wouldn't judge or tell anyone so he pulled his hands away from his face and hugged Goth back. He held the young reaper close and tight as he buried his head into his shoulder and cried and cried. He really hoped that this time he really would get it out of his system. He clung to Goth like a life line as the smaller spoke sweet nothings to him as he cried and sobbed.
By the time Geno and Raven got there with medical supplies Palette was all cried out and tired, the adrenaline had worn off and his collarbone was starting to really hurt. Goth had backed away to let his mother treat Palette's wound. Palette simply sat there with his shirt off as Geno silently gave him pain killers, applied cream, reset the bone and bandaged it up. There were no words spoken as Geno worked on the wound. He clearly wanted to concentrate on that rather than interrogate him about what had happened but Palette was patched up soon enough.
"Want to tell us what happened then?" Geno asked as he helped Palette get his shirt back on.
Palette looked away from the family. It was only natural that they had questions but Palette didn't want to talk about it. However, he knew how stubborn the Afterdeath family was and it wasn't like he could keep it from them since Reaper had been there. The only thing he really could do was tell them; it'd be better if they heard it from him rather than Reaper. "My uncle attacked me... He tried to get me to join him and when I refused he tried to take me prisoner. Then Mr Reaper showed up and saved me but I refused to run and got hurt. Mr Reaper ended up forcing me through a portal... I don't know how the fight ended but since Uncle-Mare was after me he probably just left."
"Nightmare's after you again?" Geno said, looking shocked. "I thought he had given up on that."
"So did I..." Palette admitted. "I think he acted on impulse... I... I don't think he would have done anything if I..."
"Pal, are you alright?" Goth asked as he placed his hand on Palette's unhurt shoulder.
"I've just been... Depressed lately, I didn't want to trouble my mum so I just thought I could go somewhere and let it all out. That's how Uncle-Mare found me. If I hadn't been letting out so much negativity he would have just left me alone and now I'm an even bigger burden to my parents since they'll think they have to protect me again."
The three of them looked worried as they looked to each other and then back to Palette, who was still looking away from them feeling ashamed for feeling this way. Geno sighed and spoke gently, "your mother needs to know about this, Palette. Nightmare could come for you again and out of everyone Dream is the best person to help you with your mental health."
This just made Palette shake his head. "I don't want to bother him. He has the whole Multiverse to take care of and his family. He shouldn't have to bother with me."
"You are his family though," Goth said with a frown. He was really worried about his friend, Palette was always so cheerful and seeing him like this was a total 180. It just proved how serious this was. Goth knew he had to help him that was what best friends were for. He loved Palette so much he couldn't bear to see him so sad, so Goth shuffled at little closer and put an arm around his crush.
Palette shrugged at Goth's statement barely acknowledging the hug. "But I never feel like I belong there. Mum has Mr Cross and my half-siblings. Dad has Mr Error and my other half-siblings. I... I just don't belong there."
"Why would you think that?" Geno asked. "You're still Dream's son, you're still his family and I'm sure he loves you just as much as he loves the others."
"He has more important things to do than deal with me. He can't spend all his time on me; he has a job to do and he has to look after my siblings and he should be allowed to spend what little free time he has with the person he loves. He can't do all of that with me around. I understand, really and it's okay. I'm used to it! I just want to help him by staying out of the way. Really it'd be best if I wasn't born. I'd just get in Dad's way too; he forgets I exist most of the time anyway. He's happier with his husband, Gray and PJ than with me around, I'm just a burden to them. I'm a burden to my whole family. They're just two happy families with two loving parents and good relationships and I'm just the kid from both that doesn't fit with either. I'm in the way, a reminder to my step-fathers that their husbands were with someone else first. Why would anyone want me? And yet I still have to go out and act like I'm happy because I'm Ink's and Dream's son, I'm meant to be happy but I just... I get so lonely... Heh, it's no wonder Uncle-Mare found me like this. I'm so pathetic." Palette broke down again into a sobbing mess. He just spilled everything to Goth's family and while it felt good to get it off his chest he still felt bad for it. Now he was being a burden to them by dragging them into his personal problems. Why couldn't he just stop burdening everyone in his life?
"...Palette..."
Someone sobbing out his name made Palette jump and look to the side. What he saw made it feel like his soul would stop; standing there leaning he his scythe was Reaper and he'd brought Dream and Ink with him. By Dream's sobbing and Ink's look of shock he could tell that they heard everything and Palette felt his face heat up in embarrassment. He hadn't wanted them to hear all of that, now he really had given them more work when really they should be off saving AUs or spending time with their other kids.
Palette wasn't given the chance to respond as Dream raced forward and threw himself at Palette, hugging his son as tightly as he could without hurting him further. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"M-Mum?" Palette sat there stunned as Dream clung to him and kept on repeating 'I'm sorry' again and again. "Woah... Uh... Why are you apologising?"
"Because you feel that way! It's my job as the Guardian of Positivity to make people happy but I've just made my own child miserable! I'm a terrible parent! It's all because of me that my brother's trying to hurt you again! I should have noticed how you were feeling but I didn't! I'm so horrible!" Dream let out a sob as he continued to cling to his eldest child. "I'm so sorry, Palette!"
"Its okay, Mum. You're busy, I understand. You don't have the time for me so you couldn't have noticed not when I've been going about the Multiverse on my own. I just got unlucky that Uncle-Mare was close enough to sense my negative emotions. I really don't want you to worry." Palette pulled out of the hug and quickly dried his eyes before he smiled at his mother but he knew that wouldn't be enough to trick Dream into thinking he was alright. Dream was an empath after all and could sense how he was feeling especially now when Palette wasn't hiding his feelings away. Even if he could hide it away after that display it was clear for everyone to see anyway...
"It's not okay, Palette. You shouldn't have to feel that way. I've never once thought of you as a burden. You're my son and I love you. Your father's a bastard but you are you and you will always be welcome in my home. Don't you dare ever feel like you're invading by visiting. Your siblings all love you and are always asking when you're going to come to visit again and Cross worries about you too. He may be a bit rough around the edges but he does ask about you whenever you meet with me and I know he cares. We'd all love for you to come home and spend more time there."
"You all... You really want me there?" Palette asked, really feeling silly for ever thinking otherwise.
"Of course we do! I let you go off not because you were in the way but because I could tell you weren't happy at home. I thought you'd be happier with freedom to explore on your own. If I had known how badly you felt I never would have let you." Dream took Palette's hand in his. "I've put you in so much danger because I didn't pay enough attention to you and I'm so sorry for that. Please don't feel like you have to hide away; you can come to me at any time for anything. I can't lose you too, Palette. I can't."
"'Lose me too?'" Palette asked as he felt his mother squeeze his hand again. Dream still had tears in his eyes and it looked as if he was trying to hold himself back from hugging Palette again.
"...I lost Nighty because he wouldn't tell me what was happening. He kept everything from me and just got more and more depressed until he... Well, you know the story. Palette, please don't do the same; tell me what's wrong. I want to help you and if you keep it in I won't be able to. I really can't lose my son like how I lost my brother."
At that Palette felt tears run down his cheeks again. How could he be so selfish? He knew what had happened with his uncle but he had never thought of the similarities with what was happening to him. Sure, he wasn't being abused like Nightmare had been but keeping his problems from Dream was the same thing. "I'm sorry," Palette apologised. "I'll tell you what's wrong from now on, I promise."
Dream gave Palette a nod and smiled at him. "Good. I just want you to be happy. Never ever feel like you're bothering me by coming to me with your problems; it's my job as Guardian of Positivity and as your parent to help you, okay?"
Palette nodded back and hugged his mother tightly. He was already feeling much better than before but he knew it'd take a while to get over all of this but hearing his mother wanted to help him and didn't think of him as a burden felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
When they let go of each other and backed away, Ink took his chance to dash forward and tackle Palette to the ground with a huge hug. Palette landed on his back and hissed out in pain as his broken bone was aggravated.
"INK!" Dream shouted, making Palette cringe at the thought that his parents were going to instantly start fighting again. "He's got a broken collarbone! Be careful!"
"Oh... Yeah, whoops..." Ink laughed lightly as he got off of Palette. "I forgot about that."
Dream didn't look too happy with Ink as he frowned at him and crossed his arms. "Try to remember. Our son is hurt and not just physically!"
"I'm alright! Please don't fight!" Palette jumped in before they could start arguing. The last thing he needed right now was a fight.
"Sorry!" Both of his parents spoke at the same time as Ink looked around on himself and patting all his pockets trying to find one of his smaller paint brushes. He found it where it always was on his sash and pulled it out. He then stepped forward again and pointed to Palette's wound and torn shirt.
"I can heal that for you and fix your clothes?" Ink asked. Palette just silently nodded even though Geno had done a really good job patching him up it still hurt so he'd take his father's healing just so he didn't have to wait for it to heal on its own. Ink smiled he was more than happy to help and got to work painting over the injury.
"Thanks, Dad..."
"It's no problem! Dream's right you know! You don't need to feel like you're not welcome with me either! I'd love to see you more and I'm really sorry I forget about you all the time. You can come round at anytime and if I'm not there you can just text me or call me and I'll do my best to come see you!"
"But if you're busy-"
"Nonsense!" Ink interrupted with his hands on his hips. "You're my son too and I do want to hang out with you. I want to spent time with all my kids and I'm trying but it's so hard but that doesn't mean I don't love you. I do! In whatever way I can anyway. You're my kid, my creation and I love you. You should come over more! In fact you should talk with PJ and the two of you can come to visit at the same time!"
Palette frowned at that. "Are you sure? It's not like I don't want to but I don't think Mr Error would be too happy with me and PJ visiting at the same time. He doesn't like me much..."
"Hmm... That's true... But he'll just have to deal with it! You're my kid too, if Ruru wants to be a man-child about it then he can!" Ink pouted and crossed his arms. "I want to draw with you and hang out with you like I do with Gray and PJ and I want to spend more time with Blueprint too! …And I'm sorry I'm such a shitty father..."
Palette looked at both of his parents who were kneeling down next to him on the floor with gentle smiles on their faces. Palette couldn't help but feel happier than he'd been in a long time; it was so good to know that his parents still loved him and that they were going to help him. He didn't have to feel so alone anymore. Palette smiled back at them as he felt his eyes begin to close. He was just so tired and now the adrenaline really had worn off; he was so tired and now he really felt safe. He was with his parents and the Afterdeath family, he was safe.
"Palette!" Goth spoke out alarmed as he crush fell forwards and into Ink's arms. He quickly moved forward from where he'd backed away from to give Dream and Ink space to check on his best friend.
"He's just asleep," Geno said noticing everyone's alarm. "Poor kid's had one hell of a day. Let's get him into the guest room to rest up."
"Right!" Ink said happily as he stood up and picked Palette up as he went. "Lead the way!"
Dream rolled his eyes at his ex but he was happy that Palette was going to be alright, although they'd need to deal with Nightmare quickly and add more security to their home. Dream really didn't want Nightmare coming after any of his children. As they walked Dream pulled out his phone to send a warning text to Cross and told him to keep all of their kids close not knowing what Nightmare may do. Dream wondered if he could ask Reaper and Geno if it was alright to bring the rest of his family to the Save Screen while Palette recovered. There was safety in numbers after all...
"And I'm telling ya kiddo; as soon as Noot Goop threatened ya he got real angry and attacked him without thinking!"
"So he got hurt because of me..."
"Not because of you. You weren't there. He really cares for you Goth and he's a good guy; your mother likes him too and trust me when I say that's an achievement when it's comes to his kids' love interests. The way he reacted really shows that he wants to protect you and even though he lost quickly he's still really strong. I mean he went up against Nightmare for you; he's the perfect partner! I'm just saying that you should tell him-"
"When will you just drop it, Dad!?"
Palette let out a small moan as he woke up. He still felt so tired and he really didn't want to get up yet but when he remembered where was, what had happened and when he recognised the quiet voices that were talking Palette opened his eyes. He then slowly turned to see Goth and Reaper sitting next to his borrowed bed and watching him closely.
"Hey, Pal," Goth said gently as he reached to the bed side table and passed him a glass of water. "How are you feeling?"
Palette took the water first and drank the whole glass, not realising how thirsty he was until the cool water hit his tongue. "I'm alright. Still tired but other than that I feel good. Definitely a lot better than I did before."
"That's good!" Goth smiled as he took the glass back and placed it to the side.
"Right, I better let the others know you're up," Reaper said as he stood from his chair. "Everyone will be glad to see ya." With that the God of Death left the room and shut the door behind himself leaving Palette and Goth alone.
"Sorry you got dragged into this, Gothy," Palette said as he looked away from his crush a bright blush on his face. He felt so embarrassed that he'd had a break down in front of his crush. Goth couldn't possibly still think he was cool after that!
"Don't be silly, Pal. I want to help you as well. I wish you would have told me how you were feeling. I doubt I could help as much as your mum could but still! I don't like seeing you like that. I care about you!" Goth flicked Palette's forehead as he pouted before he threw his arms around him in a hug.
"Sorry," Palette said as he hugged Goth back. "I guess I really should be more open with how I feel... Sorry I made you worry." He hugged Goth a little tighter; he didn't really want to let him go. He loved Goth so much and he thought back to how his uncle had threatened Goth and how scared he felt when he did. The last thing he wanted was for Goth to get hurt. Having him in his arms like this really made everything feel alright; Palette was safe, Goth was safe, Nightmare couldn't get them here.
Goth pulled out of the embrace so he could get out of his chair and get onto the bed instead before he hugged Palette again. He buried his head in between Palette's neck and shoulder and closed his eyes as he relaxed into the hold as took in his love's sent; it really felt so comforting. "I don't want you to get killed," Goth muttered out as he clung onto Palette's shirt.
"I won't. I'm here, we're all safe!" Palette reassured as he clung to Goth's shirt as well. He moved his head down to touch it to Goth's and they both cuddled up closer to each other.
Palette really did love Goth so much and what had happened had shown him that he really shouldn't just hide away all his feelings. It'd just end badly if he did but he wasn't sure if he really should confess. He was still convinced that Goth didn't see him as more than a friend but he wanted so badly to tell him how he felt. He just didn't want to face rejection; he'd end up feeling worse if he did.
"I love you."
"Huh? What?" Palette was shaken out of his daze by that and he looked down at Goth who was looking up at him, staring into his eyes.
"I love you, Palette. I can't stand the idea of your uncle taking you away or killing you and me never having the chance to say it... So; I love you. I love you so much. You're just so cute and you really light up my life. You mean everything to me."
"Gothy…"
"You don't have to say it back. I doubt you feel the same way but-"
Palette couldn't help himself and he lent forward and captured Goth's mouth in a deep kiss. Goth jumped at the sudden act but quickly kissed Palette back. It didn't last long before they both pulled apart and Palette pressed his forehead to Goth's.
"I love you too, Gothy. I've loved you for so long but I thought you wouldn't love me back so I never said anything." Palette's blush had covered his whole face but he couldn't look away from Goth as he lifted a hand to stroke his face.
Goth was also blushing as he nuzzled Palette and giggled. "Wow... I wasn't expecting that at all... I guess we're boyfriends now."
"I guess we are," Palette replied as he kissed Goth's cheek. This really wasn't what he was expecting either but he was happy that something good had happened from all this mess. He was talking with his parents about his problems and now he and Goth had confessed. Palette should really try to be more honest with his feelings more often. He really couldn't help but feel like his old happy self. They nuzzled each other's faces and shared another sweet kiss.
"Hey! Geno and Dream are making breakfast!" Ink called out loudly as he burst into the room to find his son and Goth kissing on the bed. "Woah, sorry! Didn't mean to walk in on a make out session! I didn't know you two were a thing... Did it just happen or did I forget?"
"Dad!" Palette cried out and threw a pillow at Ink who got hit in the face with it.
"Aww come on Palette! I said sorry!" Ink whined out and giggled. "And you didn't answer my question! When did you two get together? Was it recent? How did it happen? I wanna know everything especially if it's a cute story!"
"Huh?" Reaper appeared over Ink's shoulder and looked at the two teens on the bed and laughed. "Holy shit! You two finally confessed! It was about time! HEY GENO! BABE!"
"What?" They heard Geno call from the kitchen.
"You owe me 50 gold!" Reaper shouted back followed by the sound of feet hitting the ground hard as Geno came running.
"What!? They confessed already? Really?"
"Don't worry if you don't have the money, Dear," Reaper said with a wink. "You can pay me in some other way~"
Geno shot Reaper a glare and pulled out the money from his pocket and threw it at his husband. "Take the money you damn pervert!"
Goth just blinked slowly and hid his face in his scarf and saw that Palette was doing the same. "...You guys placed bets on when Palette and I would get together?"
"Of course! It was obvious it was going to happen eventually. Geno was certain it was going to be another couple of years and I knew it'd be soon so the best idea was to put money on it although I was hoping for-"
"Yeah. Okay!" Goth interrupted. "I really don't think I want to hear the end of that sentence!"
"Let's just go eat, I don't know about you lot but I'm starving!" Ink butted in before Reaper made things even more awkward and skipped out of the room with a smile. It was great that another one of his kids got a partner, now he was wondering what his grandchildren would be like. He'd have to try harder with them; he didn't want to make the same mistakes with his grandchildren. Although that was going to be a while away.
Palette and Goth sat on the bed in silence while they calmed their embarrassment of being caught like that before they starting giggling. Everything really felt like it really was going to be okay.
Once they had calmed down they got up and Palette quickly changed his clothes. The two of them went to the dining room hand in hand. Upon arriving there they found it full. Goth smiled at his family and their guests as he stepped forward to join them while Palette stood there in shock. He really hadn't been expecting this at all.
"Hi Palette!" Lux waved at him happily and stood up to take her half-brother's hand so she could pull him to the table to eat with them.
"I... Uh, hi?" Palette replied as he looked around at everyone. All of his half-siblings were there as were Blueberry, Cross and Error. Palette really hadn't been expecting it and he wasn't given the chance to take it all in before conversation began across the board. Everyone wanted to know how he was and Palette was quickly taken in by the friendly conversations. They all seemed so happy to see that Palette was alright and once everyone was reassured conversations began to shift. Stories were told of adventures or shows they'd been watching. At one point Reaper and Cross ended up discussing memes. The whole time everyone had a smile on their face.
Palette had always felt out of place when his families were involved but with everyone here like this it felt like he did belong with them. Not once in their conversations did he feel like he was butting in. Everyone was talking and getting along, (except maybe Error who stayed in the corner and only spoke with his kids, Ink and Geno when they asked him something,) and for once Palette didn't feel so alone, not with all these people here who cared for him. He knew everything was going to be alright. He'd have to stay with Dream again until they knew for sure that Nightmare wasn't going to attack him again but Palette was fine with that. This time would be different. This time he knew for certain that they wanted him around.