Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This had to be the worst day of your life.

Someone had to call in sick at work,making you take their place ended up working overtime and now trying to get back home in the pouring rain at night in the most sketchiest area of the city,it also doesn't help that your phone had died during work because you forgot to charge it overnight.

Then again it could be worse.

You heavily panted as the rain continue to pour making your clothes got soggier and heavier to run in.

Could be worse.

As you made your way to a street light,you took a quick glance noticing you were only a block away from your apartment,you sigh in relief as you were about to leave the light.

Until you heard a sharp screech.

At first,you thought it was a car speeding through the rain but a look at the road only showed it was empty.the screech also overlapped with beeping almost sounding computer-like.

you tried to listen to where is was coming from but it was a harsh screech that probably wouldn’t bled your ears out if it was a frequency higher.

The sounds followed into a sketchy looking alley,definitely one where you could get robbed or worse,at the end of the alley had a soft blue glow.

The rain only gotten worse as the screeching gotten louder,you felt torn about this situation.

You could leave this area and return to your small warm apartment or find out what that strong bright blue thing is.

fuck it as Curiosity gotten the best of you that you hadn’t realized you’ve been moving toward the alleyway closer and closer eventually, it got darker and darker as you moved farther away from the street light.

The alleyway led to to a end full of empty and broken wooden crates.As you got closer you heard a voice,it sounded distressed over the sound of static,it sounded like the person was hurt.

As you made your way to it,sparks violently flew making you jump back before it sizzled out again.

Whoever was there is most likely in danger.

The rain had slowed down as you search around trying to find the person,the glitching noise made it quite hard to focus even when following where the glow is coming from.

It seemed to ended by under a pile of crates,the boxes moved and shuttered showing a type of struggle.

Without hesitation you jumped onto a crate and began pulling them out one by one.

You pulled the last crate to revealed a skeleton head.

And at first you panicked slipping on the crate u were standing on and landing backwards,thinking it was a dead body but once you got up from the muddy ground and took a closer look at it,it looked like it was...glitching?

It must be a monster you thought as the introduction of monster were slowly increasing here in your city.

There wasn’t any hospital around nor could you call for help.

The skeleton seems conscious,mostly mumbling random things you couldn’t understand,regardless they weren’t safe here.

You managed to pull them out from the pile but the minute you came into contact with them your hands became incredibly numb,moreso a pins and needle feeling.

Lifting him up and carrying him bridal style made your upper body numb, you decided its best he stays in your apartment and see how things go from there.

------
You let the skeleton stay in the spare room leaving a note explaining where he was and what’s happened,hopefully he would understand.

Surprisingly the skeleton didn’t sustain any physicals injuries they’re just mostly asleep.

Which honestly you wanted to sleep so bad but you didn't know anything about this monster,you hope this skeleton wasn’t planning to steal anything from you.

So there you sat in the living room watching tv already in your pjs and mostly dried off,occasionally checking up on the monster who was still asleep.

It could be worse you kept thinking,you could’ve got robbed or murdered perhaps,abducted by aliens? hey if monster can exist so can aliens.

Speaking of the monster,you had no idea what this skeleton was,well he was a skeleton but he glitches somewhat like a robot it had never occured to you that cross breeding of monster was a thing.

You weren’t really focusing on the tv now,at this point you were deciding if you should have your fifth cup of coffee as you eyes drooped slightly and the amount of yawning your doing shows how tired u are.

You don’t remember what happen next as you had fallen asleep in a strange position.

--

You had woken up to the sound of a loud thud coming from the other room.

Chapter Text

You jump right out of bed,exhaustly alarmed you make your way to the spare room,you could hear struggle through the door.

Opening the door you find the skeleton on the floor struggling to release himself from the blanket.

“H-hey,do you need help?” you asked which made the skeleton jump backwards in surprise,his head popping out from the blankets.

He looked at you intensely as if he has never seen a human being before.

“Who are you and where am i?” he growled before getting and throwing the blanket off him.

You felt anxiety punch you in the guts,his voice was somehow glitching and deep,sounds almost like a vhs tape.

“I-i’m (y/n)” you spoke your voice shaking “and your in my house,i-i found you hurt in the rain so i took you here”

He glares at you but seems content with your answer.

He looks around the room then around you almost like he was scanning you,finding something about you.

You quickly cleared your throat getting his attention back.

“If you don't mind asking what your name is?”

He seems hesitant,suspicious of your intention.

“Error”

Error? Who looks at a baby and thinks ‘Error’ is a good name?

“Error right?” he nods “okay Error,care to have breakfast with me?”

Error looks at you with a puzzled expression “break..fast?”

“You know food and all that?”

No reply.

You sighed heavily,unsure what to say. “I-uh-just follow me”

You lead him to your living room with was connected to your kitchen,you open the fridge taking out the eggs and turning on the stove.

Error watches you with curiosity,sitting up on the breakfast table.

You're really lost for words at the moment,you found a some monster skeleton glitch thingy in a alleyway,let him use your house and now finding out that he has no idea what food is.

Plopping the eggs onto a plate you slide it to him and handed him a fork and knife as you sat with him as well.

He glares at the food,occanally poking it kinda like how a kid reacts to vegetables.

“It's not bad,i promise” you said taking a bite out of your eggs,showing him no harm in it.

He examines what ur doing and tries to mimic it,placing it in his mouth.

And then a loud crunch.

Error pulled out the fork but only the handle part.

“Kinda bitter” as he swallows the damn fork.

Looks like your gonna have to teach him a few things.

----

After teaching him that metal is something you don’t eat,you decide to call in sick because of the growing fear of what might Error do if left alone.You also hope that the person taking your place isn’t gonna meet and strange skeletons in an alleyway.

And since it was friday,it left you with saturday and sunday to get to know Error more

Error’s jacket had been drying from the day before and for some reason you couldn’t find any phone or id cards to help identify who he is,the jacket was still wet so you let it hang out for a bit more on the balcony of your apartment.

“I’m surprise your still hanging around here” you said as you were fixing the bed sheet and patting it down while Error watched you from the doorframe.

“Why? Do you want me to leave?”

“No i just,y’know thought that you had business or something once you were up” you place the pillows back on the bed,not mentioning the lack of ID.

Error thought for a moment but shook his head.

“Nah nothing at the moment,my work has been light as of now” he sounds cheerful.

“Wait you work but you don't know how to eat?” you look back at him “ nevermind,what’s your job?”

He hums “i destroy glitches”

You pause “so a electrician?”

“No,i destroy glitches in the multiverse”

Yea this guy is crazy.

“Uhh whatever you say” you pat him on the back as you left your room.

“So do you plan on staying?” you ask turning around to see Error glitching a ton.

“DoNt ToUCh Me” his voice glitched darkly,sending a chill down your spine.

“Right,my bad” you quickly apologized.

There’s a lot of thing your gonna need to know about him and a lot of things you need teach him.

Chapter Text

So after that…...whatever just happened,it's probably best to get let him wander around your apartment,let him understand where things are and all that.

It also helps you understand what powers he seems to have. you even kept a small journal mostly filled with reminders of not to touch him or other notes,most of the time he just pops up behind you or you enter a room you think he was in but happens to just be elsewhere .

Kinda reminded you of a cat.

Guess that means he’s part furry

…

Anyway

The strange increase of blue stings laying around might be related to him though your not sure where he’s getting them it best not to ask yet.

At some point you found him sitting on you couch watching the TV,it's on the spanish channel,you have no idea what they’re saying probably one of those cliche romantic stories where the main character falls in love with another character but their families don’t agree on it,yep it's forbidden love alright.

Your phone rang which startled you  and freaked the hell out of Error causing more glitches to form on him.you juggled your phone around before quickly catching it with both of your hands.

the screen popped up as ‘(^*^) ’ and you knew that it was from your closest friend,you press the green button and quickly turned your phone volume down.

“(Y/N)!!!” a voice yelled through the phone,making hold your phone back further from your face.

“Hey Thea” you replied back,as you walked into your room to try and avoid disturbing Error “how have you been?”

“I’ve been great! I just missed you so much!! It’s been forever!!” Thea shouted.

“Thea..” You paused pacing around your room “It's...been a week”

You hear her huff through the phone “i knowww but it feels so long!” she sighs which makes you chuckle slightly.”plus i’m sure it feels lonely in that apartment of yours,so that's why i’ve decided to stop by!”

You freezeup “erm..”

She notices your sudden change of tone though the phone “huh what’s wrong?”

You curse internally “Well..how do i put this,i’m not alone per say”

Thea cuts you off and decides to bombard you with questions “what!? Did you get a dog?or a cat? gasp! Are you dating someone?”

“No no!” you butt in,suddenly feeling your guts get all tied up and your face redden “i’ve just got a room mate is all but..”

“But?”

“He’s a monster” you said anxiously unsure to what she’ll say.

There was a silent pause before she replied “oh” before hitting up her usual tone “that’s Great (y/n)!,i’ll try to make a good impression!”

You sigh in relief,good,she wasn’t one of them,she was never those types of people anyway,you would hate yourself if you lost her.

 she adds in,quieter this time,awakening you from your thoughts “uh.. Are there any words that i shouldn’t say? What monster are they?”

“I’m not sure,he looks like a skeleton but he glitches?” you paused looking outside your door “ i’ll explain it better when you get here”

“Alright! See you in a bit!” she declared,her voice giggled through the phone before the call ended.

You give a heavy sigh,you decided to change to a jacket and sweatpant outfit just incase she decides to drag you outside.making your way back to the living area seeing Error hadn’t moved from his spot but he acknowledges  that your there.

“ She seems happy ” Error commented sitting up from his spot as you sat on the arm of the couch.

“I’d be surprised if you couldn’t hear her”  you mumbled while scrolling through the careless texts she’s spamming you with.

“ She’s reminds me of someone ” he hummed looking calm “ Blue was his name,i think ”

“Oh? Was he your friend?” you asked breaking eye connection with your phone while it kept buzzing off.

He smiles at you “ No,he was a two faced bitch ”

Well that kinda ruined the mood but you couldn't help but smirk slightly.just by how out of context it was.

“Oof,yeah i get what your saying” you reply covering your smirk “god you’re weird”

Error tries to stifle a chuckle,which sounded like a broken radio.

“ You’re weird too,guess we got something in common ” he chuckled laying further into the couch.

While that moment was pretty good,it was immentaly cut off by a loud car screech from outside which made you throw your phone across the room in panic.

“I g-guess thats her” you stumbled with your words as you picked up your poor phone from the other side of the room.

Your doorbell rang reletlessay which clearly irritated Error,covering where his ears would be if he was made of flesh.

As soon as you turn the knob,your door flug open almost whacking you but you manage to be pulled away from some force,possibly natural instincts.

“(Y/N)!! ITS SO GOOD TO SEE YOU!” she barges in and suffocating you in her hugs of death.

“I-its g-good to s-see you t-t-too” you managed to wheeze out as freed yourself from her grasp to inhale some sweet fresh air.

Error watched on from the couch a bit unsure how to interact with another,he’s mostly interacted with the same human from different AUs but they don’t end well as usual so seeing two different humans and knowing he’s gonna have to interact with the hyper one is asking alot from him.

Thea noticed the glitch,to which he backed off and mumbled ‘oh shit’ under his breath as she hopped right up to him and held her hand out.

“Heya! The name’s Thea! I’m (y/n)’s closest friends! Nice to meet you!” she exclaimed,her grin so large it looked like it was about to snap off her face at any moment.

Error looked at her hand hesitantly,kinda hoping someone changed the subject And thank god you did.

“Woah Thea chill” you calmly said to her holding her hand away from Error,making him relax once more.

“Thea this is Error,Error this is Thea” you introduced them both to each other

Thea gives a ‘who calls their child Error?’ look before fixing up her grin, “well Error its nice to see your (y/n)’s new room mate!” she said

“ Room mate? ” Error questioned glancing up to you.you flinched back remembering that you didn't explain the entire story.

Well now that she’s here you might as well tell her the truth.

Chapter Text

Error watched on as the two humans converse between themselves,the human called ‘Thea’ continued to glance between him and you.

“So you found him passed out? Shouldn’t we take him to the hospital?”

“The hospital is halfway across the city,plus i don’t think our hospital specializes in monsters yet” you tried to explain. “Besides he doesn’t seemed to be in any pain right Error?” you nervously look over at Error,hoping he would agree.

Error flexed his own finger just to rub in the tense pause time “ don’t know,i think i’m feeling fin--ARGH ” he quickly grabbed his own chest.

Both of you shouted his name in unison in a blind panic which made Error crackled,which confused you only to realise he was fucking with you.

“ Gotcha ” he chuckles,while doing a finger gun and laying back into the couch.

Thea nervously chuckled,poor gal looked like she needed a hospital instead,you on the other hand huffed before checking in with Thea.

You turned to the glitch “Error,this is serious i rather not be sent to jail for possible manslaughter”

Or monsterslaughter?

Error simply shrugged “ eh i just don’t enjoy people talking about me like i’m not here ”

“Ah right sorry about that” you apologized rubbing your arm anxiously.

Error shrugged “ whatever what’s with wannabe pop star anyway? ” Gesturing at Thea.

At first glance Thea did look like one of those overly cutesy pop idol with her baby blue crop top,pastel pink fluffy jacket,knee high striped socks as well as high heel lemon-yellowish shoes.

It looked nice on her as it made her light brown skin stand out.

Thea looked at herself before realising he meant her “oh right! (Y/n) there’s this cute cafe that opened up a few days ago”

“Which one? I feel like there a new cafe popping up every five minutes” you joked watching Thea grab her phone and scroll through her page.

Her hands you her phone with a cute cherry and bunny hanging off of it,it was opened up on instagram to a picture of some ice cream dessert.

“Blushtalk cafe?” You read the name out loud “Japanese cafe mixed with a touch of snowdin desserts” Error now curious tries to stand on his tippy toes to have a look on the phone.

“Yep! It'll be great to get you out and about! Plus Error can come along” she explained.

“It’s Not like I’m gonna have a choice in this ”  Error rolled his eyes,well he could but it would turn sour very quick the way he thought.

“Yeah I don’t particularly trust you with my forks” you took a jab at him as he huffed in response.

“I’m sorry what did he do to your forks?” She asked very confused with the interaction you were having.

You pat your confused friend on the back “you wouldn’t believe me,just trust me on this”

“ You should I bet her expression would be priceless ”

—————

The weather outside was alright,not too hot and also not too cold quiet a nice day to go outside than being cooped up in your apartment all day trying to figure out what the fuck this skeleton was,that can be dealt with later as Thea was sorta right you did need to get out abit more and this seemed nice enough you always appreciated how she seemed to try and make time for you.

Regardless it was a beautiful day as both humans and monsters wandering about,going from place to place minding their own business.

You snapped out of your thoughts as you felt a sharp sting throughout your wrist,Blue sting wrapped around your wrist as the wire trailed it way up to Error’s fingertips.

Well the mystery of the strange blue sting has been solved you thought as Error waddle with his short legs up to you.

“Wouldn’t it be easier to just hold my hand?” You asked slightly annoyed.

Error put his free hand up to his chin “ I could ” he looked back at you “ but you do remember the last time you tried to touch me right? ”

Ah yes,how could you forget then again you were a little bit preoccupied,nevertheless you carried on trying to follow your excited friend to the cafe.

You may have had to take the longer route due to construction but nevertheless it might be worth it.

The shop sat by the corner of cross road and very much stood out with an icy blue paint job as well as fake snow ‘dripping’ from the roof to give more of a winter vibe.

The outside had a wooden fence around the shop and what stood out front was a snowman with the cafe’s name in cursive writing,under it was Japanese and under that was something that you couldn’t recognised also a much smaller sign that said ‘lunch available from 11 til 1’

“It’s so pretty! Don’t you think (y/n)?” Thea squealed as she grabbed onto you suddenly.

Which in turn yanked Error towards you and bump his head into your thigh,he jumped back suddenly and glitched out pretty badly.

He growl angrily,these two are annoying as fuck! It would be easier if he just destr—

No

He wasn’t gonna do that,it would bring too much attention to himself and this AU.

For now he’ll play along.

You gently pushed Thea aside “Yeah it well designed so far” you take another glance to the sign “though I wonder what it says on the bottom”

“What? The Japanese?” She asked you curiously

You shook your head “under the Japanese”

Error moved closer to the sign to read with yanked your hand slightly.

“ It’s say’s ‘monster dessert cafe ’” he read,squinting at the sign.

“Really? How do you know?” Thea questioned

Error pointed at the sign,Turing his attention to you two “ It’s the Snowdin monster language ”

Oh that makes sense pretty neat thing to know.

—

The trio decided well technically you and Thea decided since Error just didn’t really care,that you sit outside due to a nice beautiful day.

Error did seemed hesitant to figuring out what he wanted so you asked if it was okay for you to pick something for him to which he agreed.

After that your group sat and waiting for the meal to arrive.

“Soooo…” you mindlessly said “how has that photography been for you?” As you rested your now freed hand onto your chin.

Thea blepped her tongue out “it was going pretty good until my auntie’s dog,who I was dog sitting at the time, knocked my camera out of my hands”

She makes a gesture of holding a invisible camera “and the lenses broke!”

“Oof that’s gonna cost a lot” you tried to sympathise with her.

“Yeah I was hoping to get a new one today but I rather hang with ya” she shrugged.

“Why not both?”

There was a moment of silence before it actually hit her.

“Why didn’t I think of that!?” She facepalmed “god I’m an idiot sometimes!”

While you and Thea laughed and talked Error on the other hand was satisfying his craving for destruction by ripping bits off a napkin.

As he fiddled around with it  his eyes wandered around to people and monsters that past by then his gaze traced back to you as you took your soda float that the rabbit monster waitress,Error got a what he think he heard a ‘chocolate caramel latte’? At least that’s what he heard you said as you pass it to him and for a quick minute your eyes met his and he quickly looked away,his grip on the napkin tighten.

Why are interactions so difficult?!? He thought to himself as he took a sip from his la-tea.

It tastes...strange but good, kinda bitter but has a warm caramel aftertaste.

“What do you think of it?” You asked him as the glitch took another sip.

“It’s….. alright ” he simply said not glancing at you and instead taking a look back out to the public.

Something had caught his eye not far from where he was but just far enough to not attract your attention,a human couple ranging possibly in their late 30s,they were staring at him while they murmur something between themselves.

Something that Error clearly could tell whatever they are saying wasn’t very nice.

Error’s threatening glare was quickly noticed as he watched the pathetic couple,he gave a menacing grin bearing his teeth and all.

The human couple left with a panicked expression on their face leaving Error feeling more satisfied with his sense of spreading terror.

--

Your waiter had arrived with you as you listened to Thea rant about different types of camera lens while also enjoying the utter confusion that was pasted on Error’s face.

“One bento box?” the waitress called out

You waved “here”

“Cinnabunny pancake?”

Thea excitly waved.

“And mild snowpiece curry?”

“Thats you Error,hope you don’t mind” you told him

Error stared at his meal,it smelled nice though he doesn't appreciate the rice that looked like a snowman smiling up at him like a smug bastard.

“Enjoy your meal!” the bunny monster said as she wander back to tend to other orders.

Thea took out her phone to snapped  a pic of her cinnamon drizzled pancake topped with raisin to make the bunny’s ‘face’ “this is so cute! Don’t you agree?”

“Well as long as it  taste good that’s all that matter really” you said taking some seaweed and mixing it with the igloo shaped rice,though you do admit the design of it was nice.

Error stared at his dish,the dish stared back.

“ Take that ” he mumbled to himself breaking the snowman’s face with a spoon and eating it’s insides.

“So..”you swallow a bit of your meal “ do you think the a shopping centre is not to far from here?”

Thea thought for a minute “a few blocks down i believe” she said before resting her arm on the table “still i wish there was some way to magically fix cameras”

“Heh yeah” you replied before realising something “wait”

You face Error and he in turn glanced back at you with a confused look.

“Error do you think it’s possible?” you asked,to which he shrugs.

“So that’s a no or..?” Thea asked.

“ I don’t know! I’m a multiverse type of  monster not a technician ” he retorted crossing his arms.

There he goes with his weird talk again--

“You believe in the multiverse theory too?” she replied excitedly.

Both you and Error looked at Thea in shock,well mostly you were,Error was surprised that a human would know such a thing.

“I’m sorry what??” you questioned.

Thea tilted her head to the side “you don’t know about that theory?” she asked and you shook your head in response.

“You really don’t know?” She asked again,twice as confused “like the theory that there are alternate realities”

Error nodded actually being interested in the topic “yeah like a universe where everything is in space or everyone’s evil and edgy”

“Or if i was white” Thea joked.

You shuttered,taking another bite “uegh don’t give me that mental image.”

“I mean it’s just a theory” Thea repiled “if that were real i would have like,50 crisis in one go”

“ Yyyeah about that.. ” Error mumbled to which you overheard.

“About what?” you asked but what quickly dismissed by him saying ‘nothing!’

This felt odd,you know he mentioned alternate realities before and seems to know alot about them,he was such an odd person,maybe all monsters were like this? Maybe he was a secret time travelers?

You rolled your eyes at the thought yeah right like that’ll happen,those are all fictional stuff.then again you thought monsters were fictional too so at this point anything could be possible.

Chapter Text

Luckily the off branched retail center wasn't as far a you thought as you followed Thea through trying your hardest to avoid bumping into other people,Error followed behind you attracting the string on your wrist again thankfully not as tight as before.The weather warmed up a bit or maybe  you had gotten easily worn out,you should probably exercise more often.

The automatic doors opens and  you were blasted by the cool air that smell  very filtered through,the sound of tvs and other working machines murmured in the background.

“Alright Thea where is the camera section?” you asked her while you glanced at Error who looked absolutely lost  and confused in the wave in technology-the intense washed out lights were probably irritating him a bit.

Thea thought hard “I think..it's over somewhere at the back”

“Lead the way captain”  you casually said to her.

--

“ Why are there different versions of the same thing? ” Error commented, glancing at all the brands of cameras in front of him.

You gave your attention with a quick hum,Thea was off talking with one of the retailers about the brand she wanted.

“ Like just sell one thats all the same,no need for differences or other unnecessary junk “ he explain being abit forceful on the word ‘differences’

“Life doesn’t work like that Error” you respond

“ Why not? ” He retorted

You picked up a camera box, examining its details“Because it be unfair and boring wouldn’t it?”  

You  might’ve been taken his words a bit literally but you had a hunch he wasn’t talking about cameras.

“Imagine just watching the same show over and over again” you tried to word it differently

“ So? ” He asked

“But it's the same episode” you added “over and over again...would be pretty boring now would it?”

You watched Error’s expression changed from annoyance to slight acceptance,for a skeleton he sure had plenty of expressions.You chuckled as you placed back the box soon enough Your conversation was cut short  by your bestie barreling towards you in excitement.

“They still have them!!!” She squealed hugging you tightly while she held the package.  

“Okay,okay,just don’t drop the box” you laughed as her infectious positive attitude affected you.

As you trio made you way to the checkout you let Error stay between you and Thea,just to make sure he didn’t wander off for any reason however he was incredibly slow as he worked his stubby legs,it was hard trying to keep up with Thea.

“Would it kill ya to walk faster?” you muttered to him

“ Not everyone has long legs jerk ” you heard his voice from behind,nearly making you jump out of your skin.

You turned to see Error right behind you—but he was just in front of you a second ago!?!?

“How the fu—“ you were cut off by accidentally bumping into Thea.

Thea didn’t seem to react to the contact,which was a bit odd but she seemed to have been staring off at something.

“I know that girl” she whispered to you,wrapping her arm around you and gesturing to a person.

The lady that your best friend seemed to be pointing at had was looking at some toasters.She long straight black hair that just about reached the ground and was wearing a long pale dress as well with the sleeves covering her arms,her skin was pale as snow which seemed a bit concerning health wise to say the least.You couldn’t see her face which surprise you how well Thea could recognize someone--then again she did stand out compared to the other humans here.

Within a quick blur Thea dragged you and your poor glitchy friend’s ass over to the woman.

“IRIS!! HEYY!!” Thea exclaimed which obviously scared the other woman shitless as she turned around as instinctively covered her face.

However the lady named ‘Iris’ removed her hands from her face “Thea..?”

Before she could ask anymore questions she was subdued into Thea’s hug.

“It’s been forever!! How’ve  you been?” she squealed strangling the poor lady.

“T-Thea i saw you last m-month” Iris pointed out once she was released.

You couldn’t help but chuckle “she doesn’t change does she?”

This caught the attention of the pale woman “i-i’m sorry who a-are you?”

“Oh! This is my best friend (Y/n)!,(Y/n) this is Iris!” Thea butts in.

“Wait,(Y/n) (L/n)?” Iris asked to which Thea nodded happily.

Iris puts out her hand “i-its  a pleasure meeting you (Y/n),I've heard lots of stories about you”

You take her hand to shake,surprised it wasn’t freezing cold like you imagined “really? I hope they were good ones”

“Like i would say anything bad about you!” Thea elbows you playfully.

Iris interrupts the playful banter “sorry to intrude but who’s the skeleton your with?”

You looked down,following her hand gesture to see she was pointing at Error,He looked just as surprised he was involved in this conversation since he was hiding behind you.

“Oh that’s Error my--uh---new room mate” you replied “Error say Hi”

Error flickered to a more serious expression “ Hi ”

Iris smiled “well Error it’s nice meeting you too”

It didn’t seem Error shared the same feeling as he glared at the tall woman.

You quickly changed the topic “anyway do you guys mind explaining to me how you two met?”

“She was a model  i was helping with!” Thea explained

For someone who seemly clothed head to toe you’d never thought they be a model “Really?”

Iris nodded “w-well for artist reference I model for–it’s for a blog I run,I post twice a week of human references”

Pausing,you quickly questioned yourself if it was your thinking was considered creepy. “Can..can i have the link to it?”

“Well if it would be easier if we trade phone numbers? So I can send you the link?” She asked.

You paused “phone number..?”

“W-was i being too forward?” her tone was filled with worry

You snap back to reality “no!--no! It fine!”

To be honest,it had been awhile for someone to as for your phone number unless it was one of those ‘‘nice’’ creeps at work but to have someone genuinely want your number felt incredibly sweet.So with a quick exchange you managed to get her number.

“Thank you so much (Y/n)! I send it to you as soon as possible but I really should head off now” she spoke up before taking one of the stocked up toaster boxes “ lunch can’t be made out of thin air”

After Iris’s departure your group left as well with Thea bouncing around happily with her new camera.

“Careful,you don’t wanna go buying another one again” you warn to which she quickly apologised and calmed down.

You glanced back at Error who seemly still held his glare,more so in a thinking expression.

“What’s up Error” you asked him quietly.

“ The sky ” He replied sternerly.

You rolled your eyes “no,i mean you seem a bit on edge with Iris”

Error gave a growl while he glanced away from you “ I don't trust her ”

“Why not?” you questioned “i know talking to people is hard but she seemed nice”

“ No,not that “ He sighed “ she just seemed off ”

“Off?” you repeated.

His eyes fixated on the ground “ Yea, even a multidimensional being would spot it a mile away ”

You thought it was enough badgering the glitch,though what he said had rubbed you weirdly,you had faith that Thea wouldn’t befriend someone that had certain intentions because you knew she wasn’t like that.Speaking of weird,Error is certainly not what he seems,this dimension talk seem all too suspicious but that couldn’t be true right?

right?

Chapter Text

You felt incredibly light as you slumbered,like you were floating—you were probably dreaming or some weird ass sleep paralysis,rolling over you suddenly realize.

You couldn’t feel your bed.

Your eyes shot open and below you was your bed,blue strings were holding you up,they were tight, just not tight enough to hurt.Out of the corner of room you could hear glitchy laughing and you instinctively knew who it was.

“ERROR!” You yelled out,turning your head towards the glitch.

Error was leaning against the door frame,his hand out with the same blue strings that were around you,his had a devilish smirk across his face as he seemed to enjoy your ‘minor’ problem.That jackass.

“ Morning,you seem a little tied up ” Error greeted,lowering you slightly so he could get up in your face.

You gave a ‘no shit Sherlock’ expression, “looks like someone woke up on the right side of the bed”

Error let out a small chuckle “ I don’t sleep ”

You raise your eyebrow,were there monster that just don’t sleep??? It would be efficient to never sleep and it would be nice to get more work done but you couldn’t imagine what it life would be to never sleep in a warm cozy bed.

“Show off” You added,though you did question what he does when your asleep, “do you mind letting me down? I’m the only one who can make food after all”

With a flick of his wrist,the strings dissipate and you immediately crashed onto your bed,thankfully with minimal damage,though your limbs were a bit all over the place.You sat up through all your blankets and manage to untangle yourself,you stretched allowing your bones to pop in satisfaction and slip on your fuzzy slippers.

Error eyed you as you made your way out of your room,he follows behind,seeing you enter the kitchen and open the cupboard,you made some shuffling noise inside the cupboard and soon pulled out a bag and a jar.

You took the bread and a jar of nutella and placed them onto the bench,popping the bread into the toaster you noticed Error watching you prepare,his eyes wandered to the jar.

“ What's that? ” he asked,as he stood on his toes to just barely reach the bench a point at the jar.

“Nutella” you replied as you took a small spoon and scooped a small portion of it “want some?”

You waved the spoon in his face as he begrudgingly took it,he sniffed it before putting the spoon into his mouth.his multi colored eyes lit up as he took the spoon out of his mouth,thankfully the spoon was still intact.

“ Holy shit ” Error said “ This taste like chocolate ”

The toaster pops the toast,you grabbed them and place them onto the plate,spreading the nutella thick on the toast,”well it's hazelnut and chocolate but i'm glad you seem to enjoy it” 

“ Gimme More ” He ordered as he tried to reach the jar but you simply pushed it away.

“Hey at least try it on some toast first” you said,sliding the place to him,closer so he could reach it.

He manages to reach with his boney red-yellow fingers and grabbed onto the place,shoving the entire toast into his mouth,thankfully not inhaling the plate as well.You heard him make a soft hum of appeasement,good to know you’ve made him addicted to this stuff.

Once Error finished his toast,he looked up to see if any more of that sweet goodness was being made,he noticed you scribbling something onto a small note pad.

“ What are you doing now? ” He asked as he watched you leave the counter and head for the cupboard.

“Making a grocery list” You answered, “Since I have you now,I have to double up on food”

Error tilted his head “ So you’ve never lived with another person before? ” 

You began to shuffle some things inside the cupboard “Nope” 

“What about that pop star friend of yours?” He said,clearly referring to Thea.

“She lives in her own house,most humans do” You picked up a can  of soup and checked it’s date before looking back at Error, “is living by yourself not considered normal by monsters?”

Error let out a half hearted shrug, “ eh not really,monsters stick together like glue ” He naturally considered it kinda gross how monsters like to value friends and family,well most monsters he’s seen.

“Guess that makes us both society’s weirdos then” you added,getting a confused look from the glitch skeleton.

“ What? ” He questioned as you scribbled down some notes “ but you just said most humans do! ”

“Well they do,doesn’t mean its accepted or anything” You replied “society kinda expects you to like have families and friends,though Thea really the only one i’ve always counted on”

Error soon took noticed how tense your shoulders were before you quickly change the subject.

“I’m gonna head out soon,plan on coming?”  You asked,snapping the glitch out of his thoughts.

“ Erm.. ” Error pause then shook his head,he rather not deal with anymore humans right now,one was enough, “ I’ll just hang here ”

“Alright “ You simply said, leaving the kitchen, the note held tightly in your hand, “just don’t break anything while I'm gone”

As you left the kitchen,Error lets out a disgruntled sigh,letting his bones relax for once.He really needs to think what in the world is he doing,he definitely needs some self reflection while you were gone.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once you were dressed to a socially acceptable level--well really it was a jacket and jeans along with runner shoes,still it was acceptable so some degree--You headed off to your local supermarket,thank god for walking-distance markets.

As you entered the place you were greeted with the sight of cold produces as well as other monsters and humans wandering around,you suddenly felt weird without Error despite him not being here for a long time,it seemed he made some impact on you.

Or maybe you felt bad for admitting that you are a loner,then again he seemed a bit of a loner too,so maybe it balanced out?

Humans and their weird needs to get attracted to others.

Regardless you need to get some food if he was staying with you,though your not really sure what he likes--well other than chocolate---most likely gonna be a ‘trial and Error ’ situation,you mentally high five yourself before slapping a watermelon from one of the fruit stands,checking the freshness of it for no reason,it's just fun to slap some melons.

You definitely didn’t get any odd looks from customers.

You wandered around the aisles of the market,picking up  the said things from your list which just so happen to be:

- Milk (he was a skeleton after all..)

- microwavable meals (when you leave for work,you’ll need to teach him how to use the microwave at some point)

- Nutella (definitely gonna stock up on that…)

- a stool (he was half your height and he couldn’t reach the bench,poor guy)

-various fruits and veggies (monsters need vitamins too right?)

You manage to pass by the candy aisle and took a quick glance at the assortment ,perhaps you could get some chocolate bars as well just out of curiosity of which ones he’d like,Perhaps he like peppermint or maybe honeycomb? Cherry? Vanilla?

While searching through the chocolate bar section,you swore you heard a familiar voice---

“I'm really trying not to be judgemental but I don’t know why you would eat mayonnaise like that”

That sounded really familiar,like ‘just met you yesterday’ familiar.you turn your head in the direction of the voice and saw Iris,who was chatting with another person you’ve never met,he was a head taller than Iris,his light tanned skin contrasted against Iris’s deathly pale skin,seriously, she should probably see a doctor about that.

You weren’t sure if you just leave those two be or if you should introduce yourself,would that be weird or creepy?---oh nevermind-- she saw you.

Well,her head seemed to be facing in your direction,though was she even looking at you through all that hair? Regardless,you instinctively  waved at her,wondering if she even noticed you.

“(Y/n)?” yep,she noticed you and so did the other guy as well.

“Fancy seeing you here Iris” You tried to play it cool,though you both were at the supermarket,cooliness wasn’t on either of your sides.

Iris’s blush stood out from her pale skin,”I-i could say the same for you” she tried to reply back, “quite a coincidence s-seeing you here”

“Hehe yeah” You said,swinging your basket a little, “Just needed to get some things” you felt like the conversation was dying and you needed to bring it back and quickly, “so! Who’s your friend?”

“Hm?” She looks at the other guy and realize what you said,”o-oh!--right! (Y/n) this is Jason”

“Gee Iris,did you suddenly forget i was here?” Jason spoke,in a joking manner,causing Iris to fluster up.

“N-no! I just thought you two knew each other because--”

“Of Thea?” You and Jason spoke in unison,startling both of you.

“Oh wow..” You could only muster up a chuckle,”small world ain’t it?”

Jason chuckled as well, “seems to be,Thea’s quite the gal”

“Indeed she is” You replied.

“So your (Y/n)? Thea’s best friend?” He asked.

You began to fidget with the end of your sleeves,a little embarrassed at the fact you were considered the ‘best friend',”hehe yeah,we go along way”

Iris was quick to notice something off,”uh (Y/n),where’s Error?”

“Oh he’s at home,I think yesterday kinda drained him” You explained,though you too were beginning to feel the exhaustion from socialising,” that’s why I'm here,just needed to get some stuff for him” 

“Uhh who’s Error? A pet?” Jason asked.

“Ah no--he’s my new roommate” you replied.

“Oh,hm Error is a bit of a weird name” Jason pointed out.

“It’s probably a cultural thing” Iris said to Jason before turning to you, “Though you should probably head  back,i don’t want to keep him waiting”

“Right,I guess I'll see you soon,or text ya,whatever floats your boat” You ended up mumbling that last part.

“Ain’t ya gonna ask for my phone number?” Jason asked

“Uh what?”

“Y’know,just in case we don’t see each other again” He clarified,rubbing the back of his head,sounding a bit worried that he was coming across as creepy.

“Oh right! Heh sorry about that” You quickly apologized as the two of you exchanged numbers with each other.

Once you and parted ways with the two,you went ahead a left the store with all you needed in your bags.You won’t lie but you felt sorta giddy that another friend of Thea wanted to keep in touch,it was nerve wracking but nice at the same time.

Even though the supermarket wasn’t far,it didn’t mean you weren’t exhausted from walking with heavy bags,you weren’t exactly used to buying for two people.Your life had just suddenly change and you were gonna need some time to adjust to this new experience.

-----------------------------

Error really screwed up big time didn’t he?

This wasn't supposed to happen but here he is,stuck in a pacifist AU  with a bunch of humans..as well as monsters.

His interaction with the human,(Y/n),had been good but that’s all it ever be.They were an item at best,something to distract himself until things blew over back in the multiverse and yet, when given the chance to toy with this human,he hesitates,he doesn’t know why,why out of all AUs was he hesitating to cause a bit of chaos? His magic did stutter every now and then but it had been fine,he was fine,so why was he going along with this human’s plans?

Error groaned into the couch,not even the mindless soap operas could distract his itching thoughts of this AU,this place of all places! Why was he not causing mayhem in it?!?

A small thought popped into his head. Maybe because you’ve grown attached to this place.

God,he wishes he could claw out his own skull off for ever thinking that,as hard as he tried to deny it,he may have gotten attached to this place despite the time he’s spent here---but it doesn’t mean it holds a special place in his cold,dead soul!

He got off the couch,wallowing in his own misfortune wasn’t gonna help,he needed to move around, he wandered to the small hallway that lead to ‘his room’ and of course the human’s room as well.However there was particular room that was across from his that he had never seen inside before,from all he could remember being here,it was always locked,he went to turned the handle,standing on his toes to reach it- -curse you tall humans-- ,only for it to be locked.

While he could easily just break the door open,it would most likely upset you and as much as he hated it--- he rather not upset the human who has to put up with him.

There might be a possibility of him finding a key to it,in one of the rooms,he checked your room,only really finding clothes and shoes and other useless human junk.He checked his room but it was a bare as bones,though besides the first time he got here,he hasn’t touched the bed.

He eventually gave up trying to search for the damn key---better to wait for the human to come back from ‘shopping’,despite his curiosity being peak. When he left his room,he stared at the locked door,his mind thinking up possible things that might be in there,gold? A dead body? Who knows.

“Hey Error,I’m home”

Oh good,right on time it seems.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

It sounded sorta odd calling out someone’s name in you own house but that’s gonna be something you have to get used to.

“ What? ” Error appeared out of the hallway,his expression unamused as usual.

“I got some things that might help you” You replied as you made your way to your kitchen,setting down your bags onto the counter,you assumed he followed behind you, “and food too”

“ Like what? ” He asked.

“Like…..” You reached into one of the bags and pulled out something flat,you shook it once and it popped out in a stool-like shape,”a retractable stepping stool!”

You set the stool down on the ground, “If you need to get something from the counter,you can use this”

Error stared at the thing like it was gonna kill him at first,he put one foot on it,seemingly trying to check its stability,then put the other foot on it as well,reaching up to the counter,getting a good view of what was on it,a fruit bowl,some notes and a sink.He seemed to hum in content.

“Better?” You asked. 

Error glanced away from you, “ Sufficient at best ”

Well,that counts.

You let him enjoy his little height boost as you began to put away the rest of your groceries,either in the fridge or cupboards. Neither of you said anything,though it wasn't awkward to you at least,though you were used to the silence and it didn’t seem to bother you.

“ (Y/n)? ” Error suddenly spoke up.

“Yeah?”

“ What’s in the locked room? ”

You closed the door of the fridge,a bit surprised, “You...wanna see what’s in it?” 

“ Well,if i’m gonna be living here,might as well get to know the place better ” Error added,stepping off the stool and shoving his hands into his pockets.

“I don’t see why not” You said,though you felt a little embarrassed at the idea,but he seemed to have a point.

He watched you make your way to the counter towards the fruit bowl,you lifted the bowl and under it was the key,well Error certainly felt like an idiot.

Error followed you to the door, you placed the key into the lock,turning the knob of the door---it opens with a click and pushes forward.

What was behind that room...was an art studio.

“It’s my art studio,it’s kind of a side hobby for now honestly” You tried to explain,though opening up to it felt slightly embarrassing.

Error flinched at the sight of the artistic supplies,some bad memories began to flood into his skull,reminding him of a certain artistic skeleton.

Your slight embarrassment turned to a concern when your noticed Error stepped back, “Error? Are you okay?

“ E̸̡̺͆r̸͈̺͋m̷̘̆.̷͇̌.̷͓̐̆i̴̺͑-̸͎̝̑i̸̟̩͐̋ ” He voiced was distorted more than usual as he gripped his face but what really worried you was that his pupils were missing.

He tripped on his own footing and backed away,mumbling words you couldn’t make out.This was definitely setting a some alarms in you but what could you do? You wanted to reach out and hold him but he hated your touch, you wanted to call an ambulance but do they have the medicine to treat Monsters? You felt suddenly helpless in this situation.

Error then suddenly stopped glitching,which was followed by a loud screeching beep,then he fell limp onto the floor.

“Error!” You cried out,as you kneel down to his unconscious body,only to notice something popped up across his eyes.

A loading screen.

The bar began to rise as your poor heart was beating erratically,anticipating what might happen when it fully loaded.

Once it did,it disappeared,a windows startup noise came out of Error’s mouth and he blinked a few times,his normal eyes were back as he groaned and rubbed his forehead.You quickly took that time to close the door to your art room just so he doesn’t panic again.

“ Ow.. fucking hell ” He groaned, “ What happened? ”

“Uh” You honestly couldn’t really describe what you just saw other than, “you crashed”

“ From what? ” He asked,only to seemingly remember what just happened,” Oh right.. ” 

“Are you alright now?” You asked.

He looked away,sorta embarrassed and ashamed at the same time,” yeah,yeah I’m fine ”

“Do you want to sit down on the couch for a minute?” You asked him once more,to absolutely make sure he’s alright.

Error was silence for a minute before he sat up and awkwardly shoved his hands into his pockets,” yeah...I'll just sit down for a moment ”

He left to go to the living room,leaving you with your thoughts of having to remind yourself that he was alright,it felt like you were gonna have a panic attack as well.This was something you will probably have to keep an eye on,it did upset you that he reacted that way to something you love but you don’t know why he has it but your gonna have to understand it but right now your gonna have to give him some time and hopefully he’ll trust you enough to tell you.

You really really want to understand him better.

Chapter Text

Monday was work day,or as you liked to call it ‘hell day’--because based on what society tells you,your life only is valuable if you are a functioning member of society,a cog in the machine per say.

Oh and you need money to stay alive and keep a roof over your head,that too.

Thankfully your roommate,Error,hadn’t decided to stick you on the ceiling again.

However you awaken to a pair of red glowing eyes,his multi colored eyes piercing into your soul--though really you were too exhausted to care about his annoyed appearance.

“ Morning ”  He simply spoke.

You groaned as you sat up slightly,having major bed hair,”hmmmmmm did you stare at me all night?”

“ What else was I supposed to do? Go into that inky hell? ” Error remarked,gesturing outside the door.

Of course, he meant you art studio--memories from yesterday flashed in your mind,you thought about asking if he was okay but right now--

You need food.

You threw the covers off yourself and with all your strength managed to sit up,yawning slightly--feeling very queasy from having an empty stomach.

“Fair point” You replied,stretching your back--popping a few bones in a satisfying way.

Error huffed in response,leaving your room--you got and slipped on your slippers and shuffled your way to the kitchen but you stopped by the living room to see Error on the couch,cuddle up against the couch’s ledge,watching more of his soap opera.

He should’ve done that instead of watching you sleep. 

His eyes flicker at you for a brief moment,his expression doesn’t change but he seemed to be waiting for you to say something. 

“You really enjoy soap operas” You commented.

“ There's nothing else good in this place anyway ” Error answered,scratching his boney cheek.

To each’s personal taste you suppose.

“Alright” You said,yawning once more,”what do you want for breakfast?”

“ That nut spread--whatever you call it ” replied Error,his skelebrows knitted in thought.

You tried to stop your snickering as your poor tired brain found that humorous...for no reason.

“Nutella,got it” You corrected,making your way to the kitchen.

As soon as you finished doing Error’s toast,you carried your bowl of cereal and toast to the couch.You set his breakfast on the coffee table before you settle down on the other side of the couch,sitting cross legged  laying you bowl on you lap.

And you swear before you could raise your spoon to your mouth,you turned your head slightly to see that Error’s plate was completely empty--not even a single crumb.

You did a double take at Error,who just seems like he hadn’t moved and ich from his spot,he glanced at you in a ‘what?’ manner.

“I swear everyday you surprise me” You said in disbelief. 

 Error sticks one of his boney fingers in between his teeth,picking some crumbs out,“ It makes you short life entertaining at least ” 

Well, that was creepy ,though you were slowly adapting to it.

However it didn’t mean it sometimes make you feel a bit weird around him.

Once you had finished your breakfast,you took his plate and made your way back to your kitchen,carefully dumping the dishes into the sick--you’ll deal with them after work.You glanced at the clock,it read around 7:48 am--indicating that you should really get going.

Walking back to your room,you glanced at Error who was still hadn’t moved from his spot.

“Hey Error” You spoke up,getting his attention,”i’m about to head off to work soon,I should be back after twelve”

“Well...if i’m suddenly given overtime,that's a different story..” You mumbled that part out.

“But yeah--make yourself something while i’m gone” 

He made a small noise in a mildly interested agreement before his gaze went back to the TV.

You had a slight hunch that something was off–you were the type of person to notice those things.You were no stranger to his growling mood and attitude but Error was surprisingly quiet this morning.

Unless of course–he wasn’t feeling 100% after what happened yesterday with his what you assume was a  panic attack. It probably drained a lot of monster energy out of him.

“..are you okay?” You asked him,slightly worried about his response.

“ Personally I’m surprised you haven’t asked about it ” He replied.

You tilted your head in an unsure manner,”what do you mean?”

“Y ou haven’t about why I was so upset about your little hobby,you didn’t ask me to explain by backstory about why and you certainly didn’t ask reveal my triggering dark secret about it! ” He snapped,a brief moment of anger before it deflated to a more shameful expression.

“Do you want me to?” You asked

There was a slight pause in his response,” no.. ”

“Then why should I? You were clearly upset and I don’t wanna push you further than you’ve already been” 

Error had a slight look of surprise but he was trying hard to show it,his slightly widened eyes is what really  gave it away.

“Besides if you want to tell me about it,you’ll tell when your ready–even if it takes a long time” You explained to him.

His shoulders relaxed though he looks away from you,putting on his tough skeleton attitude on.

“ Fine--whatever,just go do  you human thing ” He responded.

You hoped what you said got through to him,”alright,my place better not get burned down by the time I get back”

“ You’ll know when i do ” He makes his last comment before you disappeared to your room.

--------------------

You had left a few minutes earlier,leaving Error to do as he pleases around your apartment.

Which was binge-watching soap operas.

Not like he could really do anything else,you were gone so any sort of social-human entertainment was out,nothing great was really on TV and he was definitely not going back into that hell hole of an art studio.

His could still feel the icy cold ghost pain of his ribcage shattering,he instinctively rubbing his chest,reminding him that he was here in this universe--however he was incredibly bored.

When he left his void---he didn’t exactly plan on bringing anything with him--no puppets,no knitting set,nothing.

Though you might’ve had a set of knitting sticks in that art studio but he considered his options--either go into that room and possibly risk triggering off another panic attack or risk dying of boredom

He shuddered at the memory,feeling a faint wave of a ghostly brush slamming into his skull.

Dying of boredom it is.

Using his strings,he waved a throw pillow around in front of him,reminding him of all the victims he could be throwing around.

Eventually he chucked it across the room,landing wit a soft thud,he stared at it for a bit--as if it was gonna suddenly come alive and attack.He groaned in annoyance before deciding to fuck around with the remote,switching the channel.

His eyes met the TV,reading the title of a supposed ‘serial killer documentary’---his eyes lit up when he listened in on the man who was explaining the story.

The TV continued, “She would lure her victims into her house where she would…”

He used his strings to reel the pillow back into his arms,his pillow to support his head while his eyes were glued to the TV.

Time passed for quite a while with the glitch quite entranced by the documentary—that is until an advertisement popped,snapping him back into reality,should probably have something to eat right about now butttttttttt he was super comfortable right now,kinda wanted to stay for a bit longer although the ad jingles were getting into his skull.

He chucked the pillow off him and slid off the couch,stretching out his bones—man this had probably been the laziest he’s ever been,Well at least he had a good reason for it–that being he was basically under house arrest—technically AU arrest but that’s another subject.

He makes his way to the kitchen,thankfully he remembered where you had put the microwavable meals,he sorta just took the first one he saw and chucked it in there,not caring to look at the time he set it on—Though the beep from the machine did startled him–but you weren’t hear so you wouldn’t know.

In all honestly if he ever met the past version of himself----- well he would try to kill them no less---but if he told his past self that he would be living in an AU with a Human,he’d probably would laugh at him.

After all,his morals and beliefs  told him that humans are disgusting,vile,selfish beings.

But not you.

You literally saved his ass,put up with his bullshit antics as well as generally not pushing him for answers--you were,in fact,quite the opposite.

And hell,maybe this AU might be fucking with his brain but a break was needed from being beaten every single day by a certain someone,this AU so far seem to be….alright-- might become one of the AUs he won’t destroy similarly to Outertale.

The microwave beeped with startled the shit out of the glitch as he shot out a string attack which missed the machine and instead knocked over a bottle of salt--- whoops .

Once he gained some composure he took out the meal,though...he was probably sure he didn’t cook it long enough,there were still frozen bits he could still feel through the plastic.

He didn’t care really and just ate the entire thing in one bite,not using any forks this time since he would never live down his last incident.

After that was done he went back to the TV to continue his documentary.

--------------------------------

You unlocked the door and swung it open,only to be greeted with a skeleton bundled up in blankets and pillows that he had probably taken from the guest room.

Error glanced up at you,wiggling around in his fortress,” hey ”

You were tempted to chuckled at his shenanigans,”oh hey,i see that your comfortable”

“ Very ” You heard his muffled voice. 

You walk past him to enter the kitchen,”I hope you’ve eaten before you did all that”

Another muffled ‘ mmmh hmm ’  response came from the glitch.

Once you entered the kitchen you internally sighed in relief that he used the microwave correctly,though you did take notice to a knocked over a bottle of salt that was spilled all over the counter,oh well,not everyone can be perfect. You made your way to the cupboards under your sink to get a dust pan only to notice that your bucket that kept your trash--was empty.

Did--did Error take out the trash.

“Hey Error?”

“ Yeah? ”

“What happened to my trash?”

No response for a bit.

“ Error ”

“ I ate it ”

You stood out the doorway to your kitchen,”You what?”

“ You heard me ” Error sassed back.

“I had outdated rat poison in there!”

The skeleton gives a blank stare,” so? ”

“Are skeletons just immune to that stuff?” You said out loud.

“ Probably ” He shrugged,” but i know that i can eat things you humans normally can’t digest ” 

“So your a giant walking garbage disposal?”

“ I mean ” He pauses,” basically ”

You still felt weird about his strange ability but you should probably consider it a plus,”well..at least I won't feel bad for wasting things”

Then you glanced back at the kitchen,then back at Error,”you want the sal--”

“ Yes ”

Welp that settles it,you have an infinite garbage disposal at your fingertips.

Chapter Text

Your phone buzzed in a muffled manner from under your spot,as you reached for it and pulled it into your view,you couldn’t help but squint from the sudden brightness,once your vision cleared up you began to mumble out some words as you read a text from Thea.

“Movie night..?” You said out loud,getting the attention from the glitch next to you--who was bundled up like a burrito,really only having his head stick out from the fluff of the blanket.

“ From who? ” Error spoke,kinda reminding you that you weren’t living alone anymore,you still haven’t fully adjusted to the whole ‘living with another person’ thing but you were getting there,though that didn’t stop a rush of embarrassment creeping up against you.

You tapped a bit on your phone,quickly recovering,”--from Thea,remember her?”

Error rolled his eyes,” ah yes pop star ”

You let out a chuckle,”well,anyway,she’s asking if she and her friends can over to our place for a movie night”

“ That depends who ” He replied,skepticism in his tone.

“Just Iris and Jason--” You quickly remembered,pausing slightly,he was looking at you oddly hearing that last name,”ah you’ve never met him”

He let out a disgruntled hum,” its gonna be a surprise for him,who is he anyway? ”

“A friend of Thea” you answered.

“ Pop star seems pretty popular ” He comments,glancing back at the TV,which seemed to be advertising an hour long instruction of some product he didn’t understand.

“So you good with them coming over?” You asked him,since he technically lives with you now.

Even if he doesn’t pay rent.

“ I don’t know ” He didn’t sound too convinced,it wasn’t hard to notice that slight pause despite his distorted voice.

“I understand,though it’s only just the four of us” You attempted to reassure him,”if it gets too much you can always go back in your room”

He relaxed a bit,though he still seemed very tense,his eyes glancing at the ground,then your phone buzzed again and you quickly picked it up to read it.

“Oh and Thea said she’s bringing pizza”

“ I’m sold,bring them over ”

Another laugh erupted from you,”okay,okay i will you oversized twinkie”

You were very tempted to boop his little nose hole area but you quickly rejected that idea knowing what might happen but he definitely looked comfortable.

“ I have no idea what that is but i’ll take it as a compliment ”

-----------------------------------------------

 The door excitedly knocked,already telling you who’s there awaiting you on the other side,you mentally prepared as you unlocked the door before suddenly tackling you into a bone-crushing hug.

“We meet once again!” The sweet voice of Thea rang,soon after letting you go free.

“As per usual” you chuckled,kinda trying to regain some lost breath—thankful that she didn’t break your ribs like all those horror stories you looked up at 3am,once you gained some breath you finally got a better look at your best friend.

She wasn’t wearing her usual outfit that made her pop,she wore some soft purple sweatpants and jacket,her earrings were her what she called them ‘lazy studs’ which were just some yellow smiley face earrings.Her incredibly curly hair was tired onto a messy bun but still gave her a fluffy look.

You on the other hand were just wearing your winter pjs,they had flower markings on them—you think that’s what they’re supposed to be,but that was really it.

”now where’s the pizza you promise us?” You teased her,giving her a little elbow nudging.

She rolled her eyes as she playfully shoved you back,”it’s coming,it’s coming–Jason bringing it up right now”

“ Did somebody say pizza? ” Error’s distorted voice called out as he appeared from around the corner.

“Yes I certainly did my dear friend!” Thea proudly spoke,Error flinched at her sudden loudness so she softened her voice a bit more,”it’s coming very soon”

“ Okay ” was all he said,rubbing that side of his skull where his ears should be,” I’m going back into my room,call me when food is here ”

“Can do” You replied,watching him disappear back around the corner.Once he left your attention was brought back as another person came through the door,you recognised the long black hair to be Iris’s,she entered in a flustered manner and apologised profusely.

“I—I’m sorry for being late—“ She spoke as she looked up at you two,”I didn’t ruin anything did i?”

You were quite caught up from her stumbling apologize that it took you a second to realize that she was wearing a much more simple design of a white long dress although her caramel  colored coat was what got Your attention.Her coat had a fur neck and sleeve ends—and not that fake plastic fur—it looked quite real ,also you noted that it looked quite fresh as if it came right out of the box,not a stray of fur loose or stained coloration, she either bought it last minute or was just really good at taking care of it.

You were so caught up in that detail that you kinda forgot to reply to her,thankfully Thea took the lead and gently defused the situation.

“No need to apologize Iris!” She adds in.

Iris responded with a slight nod as he brushed some of her hair to the side,though still never showing her eyes,she then lifted up a plastic bag and fidgeted with the handles of it.

“I-I brought some snacks” She stutters out,”if t-that’s alright”

You quickly straighten yourself up,acting as if you weren’t staring at her,”yeah its totally cool!”

You offered to take the bags into the kitchen and she comply.Once you returned from there,the door opened once more by Jason,holding a few stacks of pizzas.Thea held the door for him as he fully entered,setting down the stack on your coffee table.

“There!” He said triumphantly as he straightened himself out,his crimson bomber jacket’s creases disappearing,”four pizzas ready to be eaten”

“Four pizzas?” You repeated back,”isn’t that a bit much?”

Then again,Error was probably gonna eat everything including the box itself.

“Well,they’re not that large” Jason added,”one of them is technically garlic bread on a pizza base”

Thea then jokes,”so basically round garlic bread”

“But cheesier ” you add in.

Jason began to sent up some of the pizzas,the smell of crispy bacon and cooked onion was really hitting you hard,making your mouth practically water,at some point when you and Iris set up some drink Jason had ask where the napkins were and you happily gave him directions towards the kitchen,once he left you began to wonder where Error had scurried off to,you thought that be might’ve hid himself in his room and you certainly don’t blame him—as you were beginning to feel the rise of social exhaustion,your throat clamming up every time you had to respond to someone.

But you kept your level,once the movie began,you wouldn’t have to talk to another person for at least an hour or so.

However you were quickly snapped out of your thoughts when you heard a scream come from the kitchen,you and the two other girls whipped your heads around at the speed of light. Instinctively you bolted into the kitchen for your eyes to gaze upon Jason on the ground,tied up on the ground with Error looking at him more than pissed.

“ And don’t even think About stealing my napkins again you dirty little— “

You quickly jumped in to defuse the situation,”woah hey—Error! Don’t do anything drastic! That’s Jason you got there”

He looked at you with complete confusion,” That’s Jason? ”

“Indeed I am—and I would certainly appreciate it if you let me go!” he snapped,getting a harsh glare from Error.

He glanced back at you to confirm this before a flick of his wrist,Jason was freed from the grips,he managed to sit upright,rubbing his wrists slightly.

“ Maybe introduce yourself first before you act like you own the place ” Error remarked at the human.

“Duly noted” he retorts.

“Uh--anyway” you try to change the subject,”Jason,this is Error--my uh room mate”

Jason manages to get himself off the ground with an annoyed groan,combing through his hair,”pleasure to meet you”

After that little fascio,eventually the two moved into the living room,as you and Thea set up the movie,Error had seated himself on the end on the couch,using one of the decorative pillows and had it placed on his more exposed side of him,as you went to sit next to him,you felt the pillow press up against your own side but it wasn’t much of an inconvenience as making sure you’re pizza’s toppings didn’t fall off.

The rest of the movie night went off without a hitch,Thea,who sat next to you—made a few references towards the movie which got a few chuckles from the others,though you really didn’t get but nevertheless you contributed sometimes to the small chatter.Error didn’t say much as you guessed that he was enjoying his pizza,while it was dark in the room,using the tv as a source of light—you could just faintly seen the glimmer in his eyes when he ate it,arising a small chuckle out of you.

Though he might be enjoying pizza a bit too much,as you went to take a bite of your slice,Thea asked a question and you turned your head for a minute to answer her only to turn your head back to see that your tasty treat was out of your grip.You glances over at Error to see that he was munching down on your pizza.

“Rude” you quietly commented to him.

“ What? ” He replied back,his face stuffed with food,” we share this place,why can’t we share food? ”

“There’s still plenty of pizza left” you corrected with a huff,taking another slice,”and if your still hungry,you can eat the leftover crust and cardboard box”

“ Deal ” Error replied with a slight smirk.

And so for the next hour or so the plot of the movie takes a turn when the main characters managed to open portals dimensions,which confused the hell outta you—you swore you thought this movie was just about vampires or something.Error scoffed at this part,rolling his multi-colored eyes.

“ Oh please,that's not how portals work ” Error scoffed at the TV.

“Well do you know how portals work?” You retorted,raising your brow.

A brief pause came from Error,” well--portals wouldn’t look all colorful and whooshy like that---it’s unrealistic ”

“If you think that's unrealistic,consider this; the romantic subplots” Thea points out,before gesturing towards the TV,”i mean those two only met just six minutes ago and they’re already in love”

“I thought y-you liked this movie?” Iris asked.

Thea shuffles abit in her spot,”I do,doesn’t mean i think its flawless”

“Just so we’re all on the same page,” You quickly add,”i’m not following much of the plot”

Jason takes a bite of his pizza,“Well i mean it’s not perfect”

“The sequel is way worse” Thea replies.

“Oh way worse ”

You and Error shared an odd look,despite the fact that the other three were carrying their own conversation about the movie,leaving you out of most of it,you didn’t feel all that alone.

“ Ugh these characters are unbearable ” you heard the skeleton mutter to himself--you kinda agreed there.

Before you knew it,the night was slowly wrapping up to an end--the last movie was wrapping up,the pizza’s been eaten,much to Error’s disappointment---but he was glad that the three were beginning to pack up,with Iris coming back from the kitchen with a garbage bag.

“O-okay is that everything?” she asked,holding the bag open.

Now was your turn to shine,taking one of the cardboard boxes,”actually,we don’t need that”

All three of them shot you an odd look as they watched you hold the box out towards the glitch,he seemed to get the idea,trying to hide the sly smile across his face.

“Error,care to do the honour?” You asked,an eyebrow slightly quirked. 

He took the box out of your hands,eyeing the smiling italian guy on the box,” would i ”

The utter shock and absolute horror of everyone’s expression as Error happily ripped the poor italian face’s poor was priceless, he still was chewing on the cardboard as if it was nothing,to be honest,this was the highlight of your night.

“Surprise!” you exclaimed,making jazz hands at the skeleton,”he eats trash”

Jason was the one to stutter out an response,combing through his hair,”okay--- okay ,so he eats garbage--yeah,totally makes sense”

“To be honest,I am surprised he isn’t dead from the rat poison” You stated.

“ I’m full of surprises ” Error remarked,taking another bite.

A chuckle escaped from you,”you sure are”

The three other people gave each other odd-looking glances but eventually the shock wore off between everyone--Thea actually made a joke to you about easy it would be to reduce waste,she seemed the most chill about it.Iris didn’t say much on the matter though through some subtle gestures,she seemed to agree with Thea’s idea

Though you were certain that it wasn’t gonna be lived down that easily--obviously questions were gonna be asked and Jason seemed to be the one to be that type of person and when you mean that type of person--you mean ‘ that type of person ’.

“How in the world did you figure out you could eat trash?” Jason asked upfront.

“ Outta curiosity mostly ”

“Can all skeletons do that?”

“ No,just me ,” He says a bit more harshly.

“Why’s that?”

It was clear that Error was getting more uncomfortable and frustrated with each question,he seemed to be trying to walk away from the situation,his voice was beginning to distort as he was getting more ansty with each personal question,he was clearly tired and just wanted to hide in his room for the next hour or so--you can’t blame him.You decide it was best that you stepped in,worried that Error might tie him up again.

You gently tapped Jason on the shoulder,getting his attention,”hey---sorry,just letting you know i have work tomorrow so it's best you head off now” 

A part of you wanted to slap yourself for sounding kinda like a jerk but you weren’t lying about work--also you didn’t wanted another one of Error’s meltdowns again.Jason seemed to understand,though he seemed curious about your job but he didn’t bother you with any questions--thankfully.After another death-inducing hug from Thea and a simple wave goodbye from Iris,the trio left with ease,leaving you and Error alone for the night.

You wanted to collapse on the couch right there and then,as much as you love Thea and her extroverted nature,having that many people at your place was kinda alot for you--but you couldn’t lie to yourself and say that you didn’t enjoy it,because you had fun.

For a brief moment as you stood in your now empty living room,deep in thought,when was the last time you invited friends over? You stared at your flooring---when was the last time people actually enjoyed your company? Of course you had Thea but even she had people she hung out with daily….but you?

Suddenly the room felt a lot colder than before.

Though those thoughts soon disappeared as you heard Error’s door close slightly,deciding to check up on him after the little ‘interrogation’ he had,you felt bad for the guy--kinda reminded you of how your old highschool teachers wouldn’t stop bombarding you with questions.You made your way up to his door and gently knocked against it.

“You doing okay there?” you asked,keeping your voice as low as possible.

Shuffling could be heard,assuming he took the trash into his room and is probably eating it,considering the sound of metallic crunch--presumed soda can,came through the door.

“ Yeah ” He replies,his voice much more muffled,seemed like you were right.

“Just checking” you responded before leaving though you quickly added,”don’t make a mess in there”

Last thing you heard from him was a small glitch hum before more shuffling around and chewing noises came from his room.

You entered your room and basically crashed onto your bed,not bothering to get under the blankets.Adrenaline from tonight was dying inside you as your eyelids felt heavy,drooping slightly,feeling the presence of the soft blanket under you before you succumbed to a peaceful slumber.

Chapter Text

Two weeks—you were certain that it had almost been two weeks since a certain amalgamation of a skeleton and a broken TV came into your life,instead of being greeted by the quietness of your apartment,you came home to be greeted by the TV playing some Spanish opera or murder documentary,maybe on the occasion rustling of Error looking for something in the kitchen,as small and minuscule as those were—it made your place feel more lively.

You never thought that you’d have a roommate,considering how much of an introvert you are and how much the idea of having to talk to people exhausted you,it was just comforting to have him around despite that you two don’t spend much time around other than small talk but that's the right amount of talk you want to do.

Error seemed to be adjusting well,though he still seemed to somethings flinched and glitch out a bit over sudden sounds like the toaster and microwave but overall manages to prepare himself for the them,though he hasn’t adjusted to his fear of art—avoiding your studio like the plague,you don’t force him to come in because you were pretty sure it was some deep trauma stuff that your not fully capable of understanding but you accept it and don’t push on it.

As much as you were enjoy these few days,money had really began to stress you out.Since you were buying for two people now and with Error unemployed and unable to get a job due to well as you sadly found out,most jobs around your area don’t allow monsters and you don’t think Error is the type to deal with customers at your job.

Though a lot of those thoughts slowly got shoved into the back of your head as you continued to deal with more daily stress,you did almost forget about it until Error spoke up about it.

“I should really start pulling my weight around here”

You glanced at him from the floor,your attention drawn away from the little card tower you were doing,too tired to set up a game or anything else,You asked him to confirm what he said and he went on to explain.

“Y’know since I’m basically mooching off ya” he adds,shifting positions on the couch,lowering the volume on the TV,”why not try and do something about it?”

You leaned onto the coffee table in thought,almost in defeat,”well,the main problem is the fact that jobs here don’t hire monsters”

You managed to hear Error curse,’of fucking course’ under his distorted breathe,watching his expression shift back to his relaxed one.

“There must be something” He insisted on as he crossed his legs,picking up one of the cards and fiddling with it in his hands,”Like–i dunno start up my own business?”

“Not too far-fetched of an idea actually,almost like what I do already” you replied though Error tilted his head slightly, so you quickly explained yourself,”well with my studio I sell my work,though it’s not really stable per say but it helps keep money coming in”

“Then what’s your full time job? you never really bothered to explain that” The glitchy skeleton points out.

You were pretty surprised at yourself for not mentioning that,”really? Huh guess it slipped my mind but I work at a cafe—it’s nothing special,just dealing with rude people and all that fun stuff”

“—anyways I guess your idea can work” You added to change the topic,tapping a finger on your chin,”Though you need a product to sell”

Error bends the card back and forth,casually mentioning,”well i used to knit,i could make a couple blankets or something”

You immediately perked up,”really? I never really saw you as someone who did that--not that is bad or a-anything!”

“What? Because i’m a scary tough guy?” Error teased,watching you squirm in embarrassment.

“Nooooo you’re just a scary guy” you quietly murmured.

Error simply gave you a deadpan look as you tried to defend yourself,”look, i’m not a people person!”

“I feel ya”,The glitch rolls his eyes,”but let's get back to wooly business”

“right! --yes! The wool!” You shot up from your spot,marching your way to your studio,”i’ll go get it!”

You almost knocked over your card castle as you left ,leaving Error for a bit on his own,essentially allowing him to bring chaos to your creation as he flicked the card into the tower watching it all flutter down into the table and floor. As much as Error enjoyed the more laid back nature if this AU,being free from basically running away every five seconds—having to be stuck in the same house was definitely getting to him.He did miss knitting but hey now that he’s got—however long,he’ll knit as much as he likes.

Well that is to say if you have the needles.

In all honesty he was exhausted dealing with the same type of AU,just a bunch of monsters trapped in a giant rock with not much to do other than get killed by a child.It was just a constant loop of suffering no matter who was at the end of the stick.

Even if his mind wasn’t entirely focused on the TV,he found himself curiously looking at the door,almost intrigued by what possibilities lie beyond it all aside from what he’s seen. Though an itch seemed to occur in the back of his skull at the idea of accidentally meeting a sans here—he had to reassure himself that it was a low probability.

He soon snapped out of his thoughts when you came barreling in,clutching a bag of presumed wool.

“I found them!--” However you halted your sentence when you saw your crumbled paper castle,then glanced back at Error who glanced at the mess then back at you.

“Uh” He spoke,”the wind knocked it over”

“ Righttttttttt ” You suspiciously spoke before plopping down next to the glitch,”anyways i actually found it,the end is slightly bent but i don’t think it’ll matter too much”

“Nah it’ll be good” He shrugs, taking them off your hands and examining them himself.

You pull your attention away for a second,rummaging through the bag,“Oh I also brought some wool too,brown,white,black—”

Error cuts you off,”I’ll just use my own”

You blinked in response,”your own?”

A smug smile skewed across Error features as he summoned his strings and began the first process of creating a row,the strings pouring endlessly out of his fingertips as they slowly form a line.Despite his focus being on his knitting he could just make out your awe expression out of the corner of his eyes.

“You can do that with those!?” You exclaimed getting a hum from the glitch,”I never really thought they were wool”

“They’re not,it's magic” Error corrected.

Tilting your head to the side,you asked,”what does magic feel like?”

Error shrugs,”whatever you want magic to feel like?”

“That’s quite vague” You pointed out.

“How about you feel it and tell me about it yourself” Error comments,sticking his pinkie out and letting a reel of blue string spill into the couch like a mindless word.

And at first you felt kinda..off about it but it did intrigue you considering that there wasn’t anything that summoned them,just existing out of air.You plucked the thread’s ends by the fingertips and the first thing you picked was that it did feel somewhat like wool yet almost stiff and rubbery,it almost left a numb sensation in your fingertips like a faint feeling of when you carried Error in the rain.

“Well?” Error asked

“Weird..but like i guess there are weirder feelings stuff” You comment,”like skinless grapes,those are weird”

“You say alot of strange things” The glitch points out,his hand never faulting a second.

“Sorry heh,i just--think about alot of things” You somewhat bashfully apologised,letting go of the strings.

Error shrugs,the string retreating back into his pinkie,”nah don’t be,it's entertaining at least”

You gave a lopsided smile to that response that you had to force yourself to look away bashfully,hoping that the TV would distract you from the happy feeling in your guts,your minding thoroughly rushing to think of something else.

“You know there’s an arts and crafts market on next week” you openly said,”you think you’ll handle that?”

The glitch shrugs,already created a small patch with his strings,”eh i’ll see how that plays out”

He holds out the square of wool,a small proud smile across his features,”what do you think?”

“Really good!” You happily replied,”can’t wait to see the finish outcome”

Error awkwardly huffs,taking a look at his work,”...thanks”

And for the next hour was just silence other than the TV that was mindlessly playing at this point,the clinking of the needles and the flicking noise of you messing with the cards to rebuild your tower,creating smaller towers next to your main big one.Error hadn’t realise how quiet he had been until the flashing lights from the TV snapped him out of his trance.

He looks down as his progress,seeing it reach down to his waist and thankfully not a hole in sight of his piece,the glitch glances over to you,the light from the TV reflecting off your hair as you continued to build up your tower,he couldn’t help but suddenly come to terms with the fact that he feels comfortable around you.

It's an odd feeling for sure,he’s been so used to being on edge,to always check behind himself and keep himself on guard that for once when given the chance to relax,he accepts it but finds it hard to settle into.

And of course you---you were weird and yet didn’t feel annoyed from it,rather oddly entrance by it like you were something to study about—better than seeing a genocide route for the hundredth time.

Man,humans are strange things but you were stranger and he was okay with it.

Chapter Text

The sun had been a lot more stronger than you had originally thought,either that or you’re really exhausted from heaving all the tables to your stall spot.Error was typically little to no help other than making some quips about the people here.

“You’d think people have better things to do” He spoke,looking over to you while he was wearing you’re hat and sunglasses as they clearly do not fit him,slipping off his face due to his lack of nose.

“Like What?” You replied,folding up the blankets he crafted neatly and placing it onto the table.

“Questioning their morality,finding out of there really is a god”

You make your statement,”we do,it’s called multitasking”

“Touché”

Nevertheless you can help but pick on the feeling that he seems anxious,he’s talking more so than usual and he’s picking at the seams on the camping chair,granted there are a lot of people here—neither of you had really predicted,doesn’t really help that both of you are socially inept but besides the point—both of you were rubbing your anxieties off each other.

“This weather is killing me” you hear him say.

You toss aside an empty box,”says the one wearing a jacket and sweater—whatever money we get I’m getting you some new clothes”

“I’m fine with these” he grunts out,tugging against the strings of his jacket.

“They’ll get holes in them” you replied then pointing out,”plus I’m pretty sure you still have that tomato sauce stain back when we had pizza”

Error huffs and crosses his arms,”fine just don’t get too humble”

“In this economy?”

Mindless chatter filled the space between you two,drowning out most of the noise of the public,some had come by at the peek but sadly no bite yet.Error however was quick to pick up some of the looks—mostly humans gave the minute they laid eyes on him,despite the uncomfortable itch—maybe desperation to kill—in his chest,he did not express that in his features as he simply stared back at them,Yeah now they know how it feels like.

Looking over to you and you’re sad attempt at looking professional by adjusting the folded blanket pile,he could hear you’re voice quiver against every vowel and noted how you were moving side to side,unable to sit still in peace.You were just as anxious as him but still kept that cheery persona—typically he despised it but he would just be a big hypocrite he kept his thoughts to the side.

It was when you were readjusting a painting(for what seemed to be the hundredth time),that you lost track on the conversation you had with Error—something about true crime—when you picked up the sound of chunky high heels,as weird as it sounds you had a gut feeling of who it was and turned around to see that yep,you were right,it was Thea.

She definitely looked liked someone who worked for accounting,it was an odd fashion choice by your standards nevertheless she greeted the both of you with a big smile,if there wasn’t a table between the two of you she would’ve flung herself to hug you.

“(Y/n)! Error! It’s so good to see you two! How’ve you been?” She exclaimed as she pushed the light blue and pink clips into her hair,now those were more like her.

“Good I guess” you lied through your teeth before immediately backtracking,”kinda wish I was back in my cave of darkness though”

“I second that motion” Error adds.

She playfully rolls her eyes,”totally expected it,I can see it in your face—or it could be the sunburn”

Now it’s your turn to be dramatically stubborn,you thrust out your arms,”how dare you imply that—do I look sunburn to you?”

You could quietly hear Error chant,’fight fight fight’

“No but I know you too well to point out that your skin probably has heat stroke every time you walk out the door” she laughs in her remark.

“Funny coming from someone who had a heatstroke because she wanted to be fashionable” you remark but quickly panicked if you stepped a bit too out of line.

Naturally she just laughs it off,you knew her,you knew she’s just playing and that there is no ill will—and yet you still panicked,maybe you were more stressed out than you realised.

Regardless you quickly change the subject,”so what brings you here anyway?”

“What? Can’t I support my best friend?” She remarks,fiddling with the camera now in her hands which she pulled from her bag,”I’m here because the Councell commissioned me to take photos for the local newspaper—something about creating inclusivity between monsters and humans,ya know that sort of stuff”

“If your gonna lie on the job,atleast make sure it pays well” Error replies with the slight scoff in his tone.

“C’mon she’s not lying” frankly she could never lie to save her skin,she was as obvious as a flamingo in a field of ducks—not sure why you went with that metaphor but you did pause to come to a conclusion,”though do people still read the papers..?”

“It’s online silly!” She overheard your stupidity,of course,that makes much more sense.

Thea straightens herself upright making herself a head taller than you and well a lot taller than your glitchy friend,”anyways,since your both here,how about a photo for the papers?”

Error’s mind halted for a brief minute,if there was a photo of him flying all over the place,then surely the Sans from this timeline would spot him and might try to cause some commotion or worse bring some pals from the other AUs like in—

“No” Error quickly and firmly stated,maybe a bit more aggressive than meant as he shot up from his seat.

A brief moment passes as he slowly sits back down again,feeling this terrible gooey feeling in his chest as he saw your surprised look,”I mean....no thanks”

Surprisingly but not really,she seemed fine with it,”camera-shy eh? No worries,they’re the same too”

“Am Not,I just look like I have a five o clock shadow when I have a photo” you defend,crossing your arms.

“Yeah sure,keep telling yourself that” she remarked,”if  you spot the others tell them I said hi”

Both of you bid your farewells as you watched her disappear into the thick crowds,she looked no different than everyone else that past by,before your thoughts became depressing you shift your focus to tending your stall.

You worked in customer service,deep breath,keep calm(resist the urge to slap a bitch) and put up a front.

People came and went,eyeing pieces,chatting up a storm and asking questions.While you spoke in a timid kind voice towards people,Error on the other hand spoke With smugness,perhaps his own way of dealing with it,though you could catch glimpses of his bashfulness.

“This must’ve taken a lot of time! It’s so pretty!” You overheard a customer say to Error.

He had taken off the glasses at some point,must’ve got sick of them as his eyes flicker to the ground,”Yeah Whatever thanks”

That definitely brought a smile to your face,it was kinda cute.

While your pieces sold decent,Error had definitely sold more than you,perhaps because clothing and other cloth-related pieces are more useful than a painting—you weren’t jealous,there was a bubbly sense of pride inside your chest watching him,man is this what character development felt like?

“We’re doing good” you comment,checking the money inside the safe,”but I see that you’ve become quite the hit”

“Of course I would” he flexed as he casually checked his nails? Claws?,”who wouldn’t love a blanket?”

“I bet if you made baby stuff,you’d be loaded” You comment.

“What happened to we?” 

Ah right ‘we’ Still was weird,you awkwardly chuckled,”I mean I don’t wanna take credit away,it was all your doing”

“Fair point”

As that conversation ended,out of the corner of you eye you spotted a older woman at your table,eyeing some of your work with a glare your all too familiar with within customer service,nevertheless you had to confront her because,you knew these people would not leave unless they made a big stink about something.

“Hello,May I help you?” You asked in your stained customer service voice.

Error looked on quizzically as the woman’s frown creases more as she scoffed,switching her gaze directly into your soul.

“$30 for a mere painting?” She spits out that same phrase you heard all to often,”I could get one cheaper at the mall”

“Yes but those are mass produced therefore cheaper to make for companies” you explained,”this is hand-made and one of a kind”

“You’re overcharging it”

Temptation to slap a bitch is strong with this one.

“Actually I’m not,since you have to add on materials,time,effort—“

She points her finger right up in your face,”don’t you dare talk down to me like that! I’m not paying that kind of money from a nobody”

“Then don’t pay” Error manages to pop up,separating you from the customer,aside from the table,”go get them from the mall”

This woman is absolutely fuming,definitely getting some people’s heads turning.Even if you knew the possibility of this was most likely—you really didn’t want it to be.

“Eh? Going all quiet now? Scared I’ll spread my monster infection?” Error continued,eyes fixated on this woman with some twisted desire to see her corpse mangled,feeling and embracing this strong burn inside his chest,”or are you upset that this kid here is far for successful than you’ll ever be?”

“Ah well I don’t think that’s true..” you muttered quietly throughout this.

Suddenly the woman straightens herself,still glaring at the both of you before she turns heel and storms off,”you just lost yourself a customer!”

Error huffs,”She was never gonna pay”

He looks over to you and quickly notices how upset you looked,you tried to make it look like you were just wiping sleep from your eyes but failing miserably,that odd burning feeling rose in his chest,desire to kill—but not for you no no no,but for that bitch.

He should kill her.

The black skeleton shakes his head,no,too many people,too much attention.

“What’s on your mind?” He kinda blurts out with much thought.

“Ah Sorry” you apologize,”I guess I didn’t expect it to hit a bit too close”

“You’ll never see her again so it won’t matter” he replies,throwing his arms around the back of his head.

You still looked a little bit bummed but it seemed to have gotten to your head,”Thanks Error,that’s really sweet of you”

“Ugh don’t call me that” he groans out.

“Sorry but that’s what you’ve become” you chuckled,”You’re no longer Error the skeleton but Error the sweet”

It didn’t sound right,almost like some uncover name,not something he would typically be known for.

But maybe he could become...Error.....the sweet.

As the sun slowly came to a settle,creating a orange hue in the sky,despite how emotionally exhausted you both are.These tables are gonna carry themselves.

You heaved a box with the rest of the stuff that didn’t sell,Error had the funds secured in his claws,making it very clear that he wasn’t planning on letting go anytime.Maybe the box—and everything else wouldn’t have been as hard if you weren’t so tired.

“You didn’t think to bring a car?” Error comments,eyeing the few people still around.

“I needed the exercise—ow my back” You hissed after your attempt to lift the boxes.

Error then appears next to you,”hold on let’s swap”

“Wait are you sure? They’re heavier than a stack of plates”

“It’s nothing,it’s just like lifting rocks” he replies,as he lifts the stack with ease,”—I might need you to be my eyes”

You held the funds close,eyes wide at the sight,but quickly had to focus,”Yeah—sure I can do that”

As the two of you walked home,there was a silence in the air,not uncomfortable but a clear sort of tired energy between the two of you.You were indeed tired but not exactly the same tired you usually were from work,maybe because you had Error with you,comforting presence despite his sass and smug attitude.

It gave you a sick feeling in your guts,it was dizzying but...it felt alright.

As the both of you drew close to home,you past by the alleyway and a sense of déjà vu overwhelmed your body that you paused in place,breathing halted as you stared into the darkness.

“C’mon slow poke I need you to be my eyes!” The skeleton called out,snapping you out of your thought...again.

“Sorry! Coming!” You called back as you ran back,leaving the alleyway in peace.

You no longer question it.

Chapter Text

If there was something that Error didn’t miss,it was the lack of entertainment.

His hands mindlessly fidgeted with his strings as his eyes stuck to the tv,he must’ve watched this particular murder documentary over a thousands times,he didn’t need sleep so he was at full watching capacity.

“Tch of course I’m still watching” he mumbles to himself as he was about to reach for the remote.

And all too familiar human hand reached out and quickly snatched the remote,he looked up to see you,hands on your hips and an all knowing look across your feature. Instinctively he knew was that look meant.

“You know what day it is” you simply said.

Error groans and slumps off the couch,”finnnnne,but im just gonna get the same things I always wear”

“If so I’m fine with that” you replied,”just something to get you out of these,seriously how do you not have holes in them?”

“My clothes are well loved and I have extreme sewing skills” He finally gets up from the floor,rubbing his cheek.

Of course,the two of you had only enough money for perhaps a few sets of clothes though he ponders what clothes could ever fit him? He was incredibly short and round,well big boned he would rather call himself,he’s seen the mannequins in the windows,many are human or human-like structure.Theres probably like a small monster section hiding in the corner.

Then again...the weather has been nothing but muggy,wearing a thick jacket and chunky sweater isn’t the best,you’re definitely sweating just by looking at him—and you’re only wearing a white tank top smudged with grey from pencils and shorts.

“We should get going before the sun really hits—besides I have a feeling it might rain” you explained before heading to your room to change into something more socially acceptable.

—————-

People,oh god there’s so many people.

There was definitely a tense suffocating feeling between the two of you that your both feeding off each other,the amount of people around was making the weather even more muggy—the moisture in the air was enough to drown them.

The mall was thick with people and many many screaming children,you could only tolerate so much of it between this and work.

The two of you eyed each other,Error’s eye twitched before he spoke,”lets just get this over and done with”

By the lord,the clothes store that you could afford was a little less cramped and of course...had the AC going.The both of you let out a gasp of relief the the coolness hitting your face and filling your lungs.Once you gained abit of composure you took a look around,even though you’ve been here before you’re only familiar with your section of clothing,perhaps if this shop didn’t have a monster section surely young teens section would have something that would fit him.

“Okay!” You clasp your hands together,”step one is done”

“Getting here was step one?”

“Technically getting out of bed today was step one but let’s ignore that”

“What?”

“Oh look! Some clothes! Why don’t we check them out” you quickly rushed those words out of your mouth as you picked your pace.Error begrudgingly followed.

“What do you think about colors?” You asked,shuffling through the clothes.

“There’s too many” He remarks,”and I don’t know the difference between Cyan and seafoam green”

“While I agree on the latter,I was talking about wearing more clothes with color” you explained holding out a yellow shirt.

You held it out to him to judge its size though you were keeping your distance,he still froze up slightly,looking unsure about this.A part of you felt the overwhelming dread of not knowing much about fashion.

Error shrugs It off, “I don’t care what it looks as long as it comfortable” he eyes the shirt in consideration, "guess that’s fine”

“It’s light enough for summer” you remark as you set it on your arm before you turned to him,”do skeletons sweat?”

There was a brief moment where he eyes you oddly but you quickly replied,’just curious!’ He shrugs and replies,”Yeah we just don’t smell as bad as humans”

“Are you implying something?”

“When was the last time you wore deodorant?”

You huff,”recently”

“Liar”

Your hands skim through some pants,”no,your a liar”

“Rude” he remarks,only getting pants in the face in response,to which he stuck his tongues out in response.

After a while,full of small banter and Error finally warming up abit to what he might like.It seemed like a good amount of clothes for now,besides you were reaching your money limit,While both you and Error were on the way to purchase your items,you mindlessly listened to Error ramble or make comments about specific clothes.

“You’re telling me that they rip holes into jeans on purpose? What’s protecting your knees then?”

“Those brightly colored jackets are giving me nightmares...”

“Hot dog socks..mmm we should have them later...the hot dogs I mean”

You promptly chuckle at these comments but it wasn’t long until you stop hearing that staticky voice and the clopping of slippers,naturally you turned around and spotted him looking at something—the expression he had on his face was pondering.

“Whatcha looking at?”

Error snapped out of his attentiveness,”—Ah well,it’s nothing let’s go”

“If there’s something you want you might as well get it now” you commented,trying to spot what he might’ve been looking at and the only you could guess was,”is it that dress?”

That sudden quietness seemed like your answer,he hunched up and acted bashful,it was definitely a surprise compare to his more chill and disinterested.Error wasn’t the type to really care what people think of him even though he was just as introverted as you he was more vocal and brash.

“I couldn’t wear something like that” he softly remarks,scratching his cheek,his eyes shifted towards the floor.

You readjust the clothes in your arm,”I wouldn’t judge Error,you would look nice in it”

Error seemed to linger on that comment for a bit before shaking his head and shuffling next to you,”maybe next time”

It was a step forward,it was a good day.

“We should get milkshakes” you comment.

“We should be saving whatever money is spared” Error remarked.

You give him a smirk,”there’s chocolate flavour”

“...” Error lets out a heavy sigh,”you know me too well”

Chapter Text

It was so fucking hot.

Hot couldn't even begin to describe the weather today,boiling,horrible,terrible were a few that come to mind.What's worse is that other than it being hotter than hell itself it was muggy.

You could barely breath in the moist air and your skin was sticking to your clothes,it was a living Nightmare.Error,despite being a skeleton was also feeling the heat,looking a little glossy as he sprawled all over the couch,ditching the jacket and wearing the lighter shirts you bought,his arm slacked over his eyes as he panted.

The AC was really pushing itself,something inside of it clattered about and sounded like it was about to explode,you had small cheap and barely working fan plugged in and blowing little air as it sat on your coffee table,the cable frayed and possibly a fire hazard.

Your sitting on the floor,using the seat of the couch to support your back,letting the pathetic slaps of air tickle your face.

"fuck this is what i imagine hell to be" You whined,"that or a working in a cafe during the lunch rush"

Error gives a mix of a chuckle and a groan,moving his arm to look at you,"as shitty as this is,rather take this than...the endless blankess of nothing"

"endless blankness..." You mutter,wiping your brow,"yeah sounds awful"

You glanced over to Error,maybe because you were used to Error wearing his jacket but he did look different,how a single change of top did wonders.Though this was possibily the first time you've seen Error's arms exposed at least as far as you could remember,there were scars all over both of them,from the top of his shoulder all the way down to the wrists,you did know about those everytime he tried to reach something,his jacket would slip revealing those scars.

You try not to look at them too often because you're mind often thought of the worse things and you didn't want Error to notice.

Suddenly there was a loud crack that alerted both of you,the cheap fan exploded into plastic shrapnel and flew everywhere,including directly right at your face.Before you could react,your vision went black and you were smacked with something soft.

Grabbing the thing covering your face, realizing it was a pillow,it slowing moved off you face and floated into the air,tangled in blue string.Looking back at the glitchy monster,he's sweating crazy and sitting upright,his arm shot out with blue strings coming out his fingers.

"you good?" He asked.

You nodded in response,though your eyebrows furrowed,"i-i'm fine but..ah you.."

"i what?"

"you have...something on your face" You gestured to your forehead.

indeed,he did protect you from the shrapnel however he did not think of himself as he had a piece of the plastic fan implanted in his forehead.

"where?" He touches part of his head but missing the spot,either he can't feel it or he's in shock and the pain hadn't kicked in.

standing up from the carpet floor,you lean over Error,not to close of course,"here lemme just..help"

you hesitated to get your hands close to his face,didn't help that he fliched when he saw your hands move close,he didn't say or do anything,he froze like a deer in the headlights.Doing the task quickly you pluck the plastic out of his head and thankfully it didn't look deep or wasn't bleeding..or was doing anything.

It takes a moment for his to realize before placing his hand on his forehead,feeling the small bump on his skull now.

"you good?" You repeat.

He gives a lop-sided smile,"yeah dork"

sighing,you glanced over at the mess of what once was a fan,now a crime scene.Even if the fan was shit,the AC could only do so much.

"should we start eating ice cubes nows?" you rhetorically spoke,not really expecting Error to respond.

"sounds fun,we should season them with coke or iced tea"

"ice tea sounds nice,don't know if the bottle i put in is cold enough" You remark,streching as you made your way to the kitchen.

"fuck that,i'll take anything"

You make two drinks of iced tea,though you really want to use ice sparely since you fridge only makes a certain amount for the day but dying did not sound nice either,making you way back to the living room and handed Error a cup and he planted the cup against his cheek,pure bliss spreads across his face and you couldn't help up chuckle sightly.

Setting the drink on the table,you pick up all the pieces and unplugged it and tossed it in the trash.Settling back to the comfort of the floor,saving your drink with small sips as you flicked through some shows on netflix.Just as you picked a show to play mindlessly in the background,your phone hovered over your face tied to strings,he must've heard it buzz and so you take it out of his strings,thanking him and he hummed in response.

blinking a few time to adjust to reading the text,quirking a brow.Error tried to subtly look over your shoulder though you heard him shift on the couch.

"Thea's asking if we wanna go to the beach" You spoke out loud,turing your head to look at Error.

"ugh in this weather?" He groaned.

"don't underestament the power of the ocean and sea breeze" You remark.

"you'll burn to a crisp before that"

"....fair" You remark,"but we can get ice cream and fish and chips"

Error groans even louder,throwing himself back into the couch,"why must you tempt me with food!?"

"because i know you too well" You chuckle before quickly relazing something,"wait,did we get a swimsuit for you?"

Error shrugs.After taking a sip of your drink you make your way to Error's room,opened the closet and began sorting though all the clothes,old and new,you were so tired from that day and you kinda just shoved everyhting in and didn't think much about it,curse past you!.Even though Error really didn't want to move,he was also curious and slumped out of the couch and made his way to you,watching you sort out his clothes.

Then after some time you pull out a large blue swimsuit and black with white pattern swim shorts,you looked so happy with yourself.

"ta daaaaa we did get them!" You exclaim,"looking back now i do remember showing you all the barely covering bikinis and we found these"

"ah i hate you for making me remember that,i think we were so heatstroked we blanked out"

You look back at Error with a smile,"so beach still on the table?"

He takes the swimwear out of of your hands,"just give me a minute or two"

So Beach it was.

-----------------------

Even though Thea insisted that she'll drive you there,you didn't want to spend an hour and a half cramped in her car,even though driving terrified the shit outta you and you had to have Error be your second pair of eyes as you did tokyo drifts around the beach trying to find parking and once you did you booked it to the spot.

Error looked like he was having several heart attacks.

He nearly kicked your car door over as he stumbled out,clawing at the door.You hop out the car and head to the boot,grabbing the beach bag.

"i see why you don't drive often" Error wheezes.

"you should see me do parallel parking" You quipped adjust you black swimshirt.

Error gulped.

checking your phone,"okay Thea sent a pic of where they are,some rocks covered in seagulls"

sinking your sandals into the sand,your feeling a wave of nostagia hit you as the sand burned your feet and crushed between your toes.You couldn't remember the last time you went to the beach maybe when you were a child,not having a care in the world.

Looking over to Error,seeing him akwardly kick his wave into the sand,he looked confused but surprised,wearing sandals instead slippers must be interesting.It took a bit of walking but after burning your feet for a good minutes,you managed to spot Thea waving excitely along with Jason and Iris.

Thea wore a swimsuit that looked complex to put on and she happily tackled you into a hug,Jason simply waved,with one of his hands in his deep red swim short pocket,Iris wore a simple one piece swimsuit and sat under the umbrella that was set up,applying sunscreen on her pale arms.

"how've you been you two? not dying?" She greets.

"we nearly died to a fan" Error bluntly puts it.

"What"

"our mini fan exploded" You explained.

She huffed,"you were still using that hunk of junk? i knew it would happen eventually"

"desperate times called for desperate measures" You retort with a shrug.

Iris offered you some sunscreen and you happily took,you already applied some earlier but knowing how little sun you get its better to be safe than sorry and to which you handed it over to Error,watching his face scrunch up but begrungly take it.

"i'm surprised you didn't combust while coming here" Thea jabs,"you are looking abit cooked"

"oh yeah you're neck is looking burnt" You gesture to your own back of your neck.

She touches her neck and fliches from the touch,"ow shoot! you're right,i always miss that spot"

There was a dock that the your group made your way to,the sun is strong but the ocean breeze cooled you right down.Error was leaning over the edge of the dock,watching the waves splash agaisnt the wood,he shivered slightly as the wind blew,his nose being hit with the smell of salt and seaweed.He looks over to Iris who stood next to him,she brushed her hair to keep it in front of her eyes,seemily too distracted to see Thea slowly creep her way up the dock.Error should really warn her but he wants to see what happens.

Thea pushes Iris and she hits the water with a screech,making a loud splash,she swims to the surface and gasp,quickly brushing the hair infront of her face.

"T-Thea! you m-meanie!" She stuttered all the while Thea gives a evil laugh.

You couldn't help but chuckle at the situation but it seemed that karma came to kick you in the butt as your felt yourself be pushed forward and you belly flopped into the water,the icy cold hits you like a flash and pain shoots up your nose,thankfully you break the surface and loudly gasp for air,looking back at the dock to see the glitchy monster standing where you once stood and it clicked it your mind.

"he did it" Jason points to Error,which confirms your suspicions.

"Error how could you!?--ow my nose" You whine briefly.

He probably thought it was okay to do since Thea did it,you did see for a second that he looked panicked before looking relieved.Thea quickly dived into the water,splashing both you and Iris,Jason followed suit doing a backflip as he crashed into the water.

Everyone was having a good time,splashing each other or just floating around letting the waves carry them,the water was refreshingly cold and beats the AC back at home,however you looked over back at the dock and saw Error still up there,though he had his legs dangling over the ledge.

"Hey Error come join us" You called out to him.

He was looking down at the water hesitantly.

"Maybe you wanna get in the water through the sand?" You suggested.

Error glances back at the beach,"yeah i'll do that"

He gets up from his seat and makes his way towards the beach but not before glancing back over to you and the rest of the group before heading off.Perhaps you need to give him a hand.

Error glanced at the water that was splashing his multicolored toes,sand squished beneath his feet.He's never really encountered water much,nevertheless gone into them,seaweed and shells were floating about,some of the green gunk wrapped around his ankle which startled him as he kicked it off.Taking a deep breath he told himself he'd move into the water more,that he'll go torso deep and maybe swim over to you,if he could swim,but his body wouldn't move,no matter how much he was yelling at himself internally.

"You alright Error?" Your voice snapped him out and he looked over to see your dripping form as you were standing up from the water.

"yeah fine" He awkwardly mumbles out.

You placed a hand on your hip,"if your not comfortable going in the deep end first then we can chill here"

"your friends will wonder where you are" He remarks.

"nah i think they'll understand" You reply,"and aside from Thea and you,the others are just acquaintances"

You slowly move backwards into the water again,it reaching you ankles,Error follows too,shivering as the water hits his bones.

chuckling,"feels cold huh?"

"it's...refreshing" He manages to say.

"if we move in further you can just sit in the water if you want"

You move deeper,the water slowly rising and Error just naturally follows you,he feels embarassed and how much of a lost puppy he was acting,maybe it was the sun but his face felt extremely warm.

you were a social outcast,and introvert and overall strange,kinda and sweet it almost made him sick yet he didn't mind this,he could get use to this.

And before he knew it,his ribs were wet and cold and he was chest deep in water,You were somewhat swimming,smiling at him like a proud parent.

"Hey you two!" Thea called out,swimming her way to you and splashing you.

"Jerk!" you retort,splashing back at her.

Then Error splashed Thea which surpised her as she shot a look at him then both of you decide to splash her.

"noo! how dare you gang up on me!" She dramactically whines before getting splashed again,her hair now sagging onto her shoulders.

After some time,a floaty ball was tossed around and Iris decided to dry off to which Error decided to get out of the water,digging holes in the sand so stranger could fall into them was sounding like a fun idea after you mentioned you did that once back in highschool.Iris sits under the umbrella,reading a book,she hears Error walk up and sit on the other side of the umbrella,he's staring off at the ocean,watching you and everyone else play and fool around.She fusses with her silky black hair for a bit before mustering up the courage to talk.

"you and (y/n) are really close huh?" She speaks to him lowly.

"yeah,i wouldn't be living here if that were the case" Error answers.

A long pause.

"if it isn't too rude to ask,how did you two meet? i don't think they said anything"

A long pause from Error,"They...saved me,i owe them"

Iris tilts her head at that...non answer but leaves it at that,glancing back at her book.

"you know.." Error voice drifts off,"you and uh Thea are close right?"

"well yeah?"

"i know who you really are"

That alone was enough to send terror into her soul,her grip tighten on her book.

"i ah...it's easier to lie about it" She remarks.

"you really think you could hide that from a monster?" He gestures to himself

"well...when i saw you...i thought about telling them.." Her voice shakes.

Error spots the three humans getting out of the water,clearly tired and done,Jason did trip over a small hole he made which was joy unto itself.

"i'll tell them soon okay?" She whispers,before closing her book.

"what were you two gossiping about?" Thea teased.

"we were planning to bury one of you in the sand" Error retorts.

"oohh how evil" You teased,"but i'm hungry now,so let's do that later"

Error stands up,"finally"

packing up everything,Jason and Thea taking the bigger things back to her car while you,Iris and Error head over to the fish and chips shop across the road,with everyone meeting up outside,using towels to huddle against the cold wind.Error look at the menu in fastination,nearly drooling at all the possible things he could eat.Burger,flake and fries it is.

once the order was place,you all waited on the seats outside,Error was still shaking the sand out of his swims suit but he seemed pretty happy.You're all chatting with each,sharing funny videos and memes,it feels nice and you to enjoy it as long as you could.

Food comes in and everyone chows down,Error doesn't hesitate to demolish his entire burger in a blink of an eye,using his multiple tongues to stuff the burger and consume it all,including the wrapper,he's a mess.He's about to consume the flake as well but you offer him the lemon to season with,he takes it and decides to plop it in his mouth and eat it.Regret was the only expression he had.

Jason keeps tossing all the burnt chips to Error,you speak up about it,"you know he shouldn't be eating that"

"yeah but he's basically a seagull" He remarks, continuing to toss Error the chips.

Error keeps taking them,"I don't like being called that but i'll keep eating them"

lunch slash early dinner wraps up and after some banter and chatter,you and Error decided that it was time to head home,both of you bid farewell and headed to the car.Both of you at in the car and sighed at basically the same time.

"what a day" Error sighs,rubbing his skull.

You turn the key and the engine hums to life,"yeah but it was nice wasn't it?"

Error leans against the window,glancing at the sky,"hm yeah"

On the drive back,you glanced over to the glitchy monster while keeping the eyes on the road,he was leaning against the window,not asleep but he did look wore out and seemed to be zoning out but peaceful,you softly smiled and used your free hand to toss the towel abit more onto his shoulder.You had a feeling that life was great.

Chapter Text

 Rain loudly thumped against the roof of your home,making it hard to hear your tv as you sat on your couch,wearing a brown and dark orange striped sweater,it didn't surprise you that the weather would change so quickly the next day,the hotter seasons often had wild swings of weather,didn't help it was still muggy,muggy but cold.Atleast your AC could have a break.

Error had tossed a blanket onto you as you gladly accept,he had a blanket wrapped around him as well and sat on the far end.

"Everytime it rains it brings back memories" You remark,eyes still stuck on the TV.

Error looks over to you seeing the light reflect against your skin,"of what?"

"of when we met" You reply,a smile forms on your face,"who knew i needed a bad day at work to meet a swell person that changed my life"

His eyes widen and he quickly looked away before you could notice his deep blue blush,"geez the weather messing with your head? god that was so fucking cheesy"

you chuckled,fidgeting with your remote,Error mumbles something under his breath.

"it was..nice meeting you too" He mumbles,griting his teeth.

"awwww E"

"god shut up"

time passes are you seemly finished up your show,handing the remote to Error so he could watch his true crime shows.

'feet bones were found in the boots but the rest of the body was never found...'

"ugh i'm so bored" Error whines.

"maybe do some knitting?"

"ran out of wool and can't be bothered using my strings"

You ponder for a bit,tapping your chin,"maybe we can play some board games?"

"we have all the entertainment in the world and you wanna play board games?"

"it'll will be a fun stupid thing to do,plus i do need to clean out the hallway closet,i've been kinda stuffing things in there" you shrugged.

Error didn't seem interested in that plan,waving you off,"listen if you wanna spring clean then be my guest"

And just as he finished his sentence the lights go out as the rain roars against the roof.

"oh"

"shit"

Error tosses the remote aside with a groan,forcing himself off the couch,"let's go closet diving"

Opening the closet caused a few junk pieces to fall out,you kick those aside and began to pull out some boxes,using your shoulder and cheek to support the flashlight,Error opened one of the boxes but didn't grab anything until you started pulling a few things out of the box.

"oh hey that's where all my spare sharpies went" You set those aside.

Error glances into the box with a slight frown,he wasn't sure if he should really look in case he stumbles across something....artsy,an old drawing book or unfinished paintng,the mere thought of him made him anxious.

Glancing in,he only saw alot of reading books,a bit of relief,many of their pages look yellow and wore,taking one out of the box he flicked through the pages,just skimming the pages.He waves the book over at you.

You carefully take the book out of his hands,"oh my god i read these books back in highschool"

"i didn't take you as a bookworm"

"what do you mean by that?" You queried ,flicking the pages,"well i had to read these for school,it sure has hell knew how to suck the fun out of anything"

Error hummed,looking through more books,"i see you more as..a comic book person,someone who likes looking at pictures"

"well you're not wrong.." You remark,brushing hair out of your face,"maybe i should read some of these again"

Then you look over to Error,"unless you want them?"

He akwardly sways on the spot,clearly interested but feels weird taking some of your stuff,you smile and set the books aside,'i'll let you 'borrow' them' you comment with a wink.After some time you managed to clean out some old cheap halloween costumes,noting that they were so cheap that they couldn't be used as material,it practically fell part in your own hands,you tossed it aside for the trash.

Error finds the board games you mentioned,none of them look really appealing but it had to be better than pure boredom,however he did find a deck of cards,diffrent from the ones he would mess around with,taking the cards out,he noticed the completely diffrent designs,kings,knights,yellow circles?

"What's this? is this those 'tarot' thing popstar talked about?"

Looking over at what he was talking about,your eyes lit up,"ah no it's scopa!"

"bless you"

"no it's like,an italian cards game" You explained,"you have to collect as many cards as you can,especially the gold cards,they're worth more"

"sounds charming" He remarks setting it aisde,"how good are you at it?"

"Thea kicks my ass to this day"

"then we'll play that" He jokes as you pout.

Setting those aside with the books and other bits and bobs you want to bring in,you manage to fold some old clothes neatly away,things you never touched or taken out of the box probably should try to sell and sell those and set them in the front corner as a reminder.Through all the sorting Error found some new year's cheap disco glasses and promptly put those on while looking through stuff,it was hard to take him seriously everytime he tried to ask you something.

Just as things were finally being sorted out,you found a worn out box,edges eaten and had little stickers stuck to it,you've seen this box plenty of times but you don't really recall whats in there,you pull it out and opened it up.

"what's in that one?" Error asked,now having the glasses place on top of his head.

You stick your hand into it and pull out a small journal,flicking through it's pages you came to mind what it actually was.

"oh my god" You exclaim,"its that stupid journal i wrote in when i first met you!"

"you had a journal?" He inquires.

"yeah,since i didn't know much about monsters and well--you so i made notes about it" You explained ableit embarassed looking back on it now,"it does sound weird saying that out loud but man i can't believe that it ended up here"

Error takes the journal out of your hands and getting a nervous squeak from you as he began to read through the pages,see the small doodles and scribbles.

'strange colors--kinda reminds me of a red back spider'

'oh hey he even has strings---is he part spider part skeleton'

'i don't think he's half spider----he's half cat'

Error couldn't help but smirk at these little comments which only flustered you further as you tried to grab the book back to which he pulled back,still reading.

"okay thats enoughhhhh pleeeease!" You whined,trying to lean over the box.

Error laughs,either at you or at what you wrote,"No way this is a gold mine i'm keeping it"

You groan,throwing your arms upon your face in defeat as you fell back onto your back,Error's laugh broke the noise of the thundering rain.Once he contains his laughter,he sets aside the book that he'll totally read later,away from you so you couldn't sneakily grab it and decides to look back into thhe box now even more curious at what other secrets you hold.

old libaray cards,snowglobes,dried out markers,stuff didn't seem too important aside from you finding some old highschool photos,Error could see other people but he also recognised you and Thea in them.

"You really looked like that?" Error remarks.

You chuckle,"yeah being a teen makes you do weird stuff"

"What happened to her hair?" He points over to Thea.

"She tried to dye it,but the dye was cheap stuff so it all washed out after a day leaving her hair like that" You explained as you flipped the photos to a group photo,eyebrows soften.

"who's them?"

"ah just some old..uh friends" You repiled,quickly tossing those photos back into the box,still holding the photo of you and Thea,"i should frame this"

He quirked a brow at that odd change of behaviour but brushed it off,glancing over at the now almost empty box,he noticed another book,damaged and the childish cover looked to be scratched off,He holds it in his hands and unlike the other books that were damaged,he got a different feeling,those books were simply tossed aside and left to rot however this book was worn....but well loved.He hands the book over to you and he could see your expression soften as you held the book in your hands.

Error couldn't put a finger on the look you had,quiet,lost....no it was looking back with guilt.He had a hard time bringing himself to speak up as the two of you sat in silence,the only noise being the the rain that thundered down,rattling the walls.

"(y/n)...?" He quietly asked.

You quickly snapped out of your trance and set the book back into the box,"ah sorry,i got um,distracted,let's wrap up"

You and Error placed everything away,this time in a neat,clear order,though the urge to quickly shove everything back in was strong,you were a better person than that.Error dragged his new book collection with in strings into his room,though when he came back to see you,he was holding one of the books,to read later perhaps once the power came back.You did try to test the lights in the living room but nothing,still had the cards.

Leaning over the coffee table you shuffle the cards around as Error sits across from you,tapping his clawed fingers against the table.You deal him his cards and make your own as the game starts.

"what's this suppose to be?"

"that's a nine"

He pouts,"How do you tell the difference?"

"eight's a regualar dude,nine's the horse and ten's a king"

"glad you remember this stuff" He takes a card from the table.

"years of trying to beat Thea at this finally paid off" You chuckle,taking three cards from the deck,"scopa"

His red eyes widen,"oh it's on"

To put it simply,you kicked his ass during the storm.

Chapter Text

late did not begin to describe how late it was.

Error could not relax,no matter what position he laid on his bed and unfountaly his book wasn't trancing enough to distract him from his anxious-inducing thoughts that were running through his mind.He rolled over to glance at the clock on his bedside table,it says 11:20pm,it was almost midnight,what was taking you so long?

You often told him that work would sometimes force you to workover time and sure being late for dinner or missing dinner entirely he's come to expect that but this had to be the first that you were seriously late.

He didn't like this,it threw everything off and the only thing he could think of what where in the world were you? Maybe it was all the true crimes he's been watching but his mind's running with thoughts of kidnappers and murderers,after all,you are a meek little human who could barely open soda bottles at times.He growls under his breath as he sat up from his bed,throwing himself off and began pacing.

You were just a human,nothing special,no powers or notable skills that could be used for battles and yet you've latched onto him like a parasite and he doesn't mind at all.You're nothing special but you see Error as special and treated him with open arms and kindness,even if he had the chance to kill you.

Even if you weren't special,you were special to him.

kept telling himself that he's just overthinking the murder stuff even if a voice of his mind kept poking him that it was possible,he checks the clock again,11:23pm

Maybe he should teleport to you,it's quickly shot down,he doesn't even know where you are and this city is big,he probably be teleporting around empty streets for hours.He looks down to his hands and sees them become shaky and glitchy,he's panicking and he feels stupid about it.

portal screens could work though he hesitates for a brief second,it had been a while but with a deep breath and a sway of his hand,white static flickered to form a screen and he could see into the living room,flick of the wrist he's sees a dark road,lights flickering leaving most of the area in pure darkness,frowning he flicks his wrist again,he sees shops with lights still on but he doesn't even know if you're in them but he can see people moving around in them.

Just as he tries to work the screen again,something happens to him and it all became a blur real quick.The arm that was outstretched began glitchy violently so bad that his arm was barely visible,it quickly zips up his arm and suddenly he's thrown to the floor with a loud bang.When he awakens,he's still on the floor,his glitching died down however his arm hurts like hell,it felt like hot acid was poured over it,forcing himself up,he's still alone in his room,weakly looking over to the clock it now read 12:01pm.

Had he really been knocked out for that long?

Perhaps his powers hadn't fully heal like he thought,he flexed his arm before focusing on the matter at hand.

However,He shoots up when he hears the door to the home click,followed by the jingle of keys and footsteps,he instantly knew it was you and his soul could not have felt any lighter.He heard your footsteps move pass his door and he basically bolted to it,opening the door,ready to make a snide remark about the time however he shuts right up once he takes a good glance at how shitty you look.

You were exhausted,your eyes barely open and you didn't really acknowledge him,your work outfit was stained and slumped on your body.You staggered your way to your room and closed the door,Error bit his tounges,He's relieved that your okay but a sinking feeling didn't leave his gut.

Error waits for the light under your door to turn off before he teleports into your room,being met with darkness but he could still make out the room and your form on in the bed,He takes a peak over you and nearly jumps when he sees you looking back at him.

"hey" You weakly say to him.

Error,a little lost for words just says,"hey"

"sorry about being late" You add on,"things..kinda happened at work"

As you move your hand over your chest,he sees it bandaged around the thumb and a mixture of panic and anger fills his bones.

He doesn't need to ask as you explain,your voice grows shaky,"ha yeah,don't worry it's not serious,maybe it's all the wild weather we've been having,alot of people we real nasty today,ran around like a headless chicken taking orders,plates kept breaking in the wash"

Your voice grows even more shaky as if your really trying to hold back tears,"but ah the coffee machine was acting up and i was forced to help the manager fix it and well...i got hot steam blasted onto my hand.They still made me work even after that and then one of the workers just decides to leave,making me work on their behalf"

With a loud sigh you deflat into the bed,"so yeah,sorry again for being late"

The room fell into the tense silence,he can hear you trying hard to hide your sniffling,he couldn't bare to imagine what stress you felt.He didn't know what to do.

"i'm sorry" You whimper out,trying to wipe your tears away,"i'm sorry that i can't do much,i don't know why you've stuck around"

That confession alone made his soul feel heavy,he's not too sure either but he knew it was better than the life before,something about you draws him near,leaning against your bedside table,he taps his nail against the wood.

He lets out a half-hearted sigh,"at first i didn't know either but the one thing i do know is that this life is better than the one i had before i met you"

In the darkness he could see your head turn to look at him as he continuted to talk,"i don't wanna talk about my life before this but it wasn't good and so what if you can't do much? you're..you know doing the best you can"

You let out a noise akin to a laugh or a choke,sighing,"thanks Error,for listening to me ramble about sad junk"

"it's nothing,now i'll leave you be,its late enough" He sits up and waves you bye,teleporting out of your room to his.

He quite frankly didn't know what overcame him,he's not one for emotions but all these words and feelings just came pouring out out of his mouth.Maybe he'll get the hang of this but for now,he'll let you rest.

Chapter Text

Next morning was dreadfully quiet,atleast compare to most mornings to Error.

He had debated throughout the night to check up on you but ultimately decided to leave you be,you had a rough night,you needed rest.

and while you were not a morning person,Error didn't hear shuffling outside his door until way later,he stopped reading his book to hear soft thumping coming down the hall,making their way to the kitchen.He set the book aside and took a peek through his door to spot you wandering like the dead.

Your hair was frazzled and unkept,frankly to Error,you looked like shit.He shut the door behind him and quietly followed you to the kitchen,at some point you do spot him akwardly stalking you.

"hey morning" You tried to greet him preppy but your voice was hoarse and strain.

You hand him the bag of bread to which he takes,making his way to his stool so he could reach the counter just as you slide him the nutella jar.

He wonders if he should bring up what happened,his eyes wonder over to your hand,still bandaged up but seems you've changed them,he ponders as he preps his toast though he does notice that you have your phone with you,checking on it every know and then.

He clears his throat,getting your attention,"so..something on your mind?"

"ah.." your voice drifts off,"i just told my workplace that i wouldn't be coming to work today,even if money's tight i can't work like this"

"does it hurt?" he cautiously asks,spreading the chocolate goodness on his toast.

You glance over at your hand,"alittle,i did change the bandages"

Setting up the pan,you crack two eggs into it,softly sizzing you glanced over at your phone as if in deep thought and Error did take notice of that.

"you still have something on your mind" He adds.

"yeah...i have to tell Thea what happened,i don't wanna freak her out while in public" You lightly groaned.

"she's not gonna be pleased is she?"

"not.at.all"

Once breakfast was made the two fo you sat on the couch to eat,you flickering through some shows as you ate your eggs on toast,Error quitely ate his toast and drank his tea,finding himself staring down at the loose leaves in it.It was weird having you here on a work day though he wasn't against it,your company was fine,though when you were gone he would blast his true crime shows loudly as he knitted.

He takes a sip of his tea before talking,"so what do you plan on doing today"

You were careful to not move your wounded hand too much,"i don't know,when i do get free time off work i usually go to my studio room but..i don't really want to be left alone.."

Error raises a brow,noting how sadden you looked,shoulders slumped and nervously tapping your cup in thought,"would it be okay..if we did something together?"

"why bother asking that? of course,not like either of us have much to do" Error repiled,taking a huge chomp of his toast,consuming all in one bite,"whatcha thinking? movies? video games?"

Frankly after everything you've been through,he just wanted to see you happy,back at the beach seeing you smile and giggle like a child made him feel something,it made him smile but like in his insides,he wanted to see you happy,so hence this,anything you said,he'll join in,no matter how lame or embarassing it was,besides it was just the two of them.

You gave him a lop-sided smile,"well i was thinking of doing some baking"

Error looks puzzled,"baking?"

"they say baking brings people together" You try to quote.

"who says that?"

"i...don't know its just some phrasing" You reply,"i think i have some instat mix stuff lying around that we can use"

"well let's do it,once breakfast was done"

wrapping up breakfast,both of you set your sights on baking some goodies.At the kitchen you began shuffling things about in the cupboard as Error tried to wash the dishes only to add way to much soap and made the sink filled with bubbles,it also didn't help that his boney claws caused him to keep dropping things into the sink,thankfully nothing broke and you quickly suggested rubber dishwashing gloves,handing them over to him before anythiing really broke,it definally made things easier.

"i found---ow!" You shout,banging your head against the cupboard,which caused Error to jump as you rubbed the back of your head,holding out a box,"i found it and it's still in date"

Error squints at the box,reading it's font when his eyes widen,"..brownies?"

"not just any brownies" You smirked,"triple chocolate brownies"

Error thinks he died and this is the afterlife.

He quickly throws the gloves off,landing in the sink with a loud slap,"what the fuck are we waiting for? chop chop let's go!"

scrambling to get everything needed,he had stings holding various things,did make things akward for you to walk around as you had to duck but it was nice to see Error so excited,normally he often hid his excitement for things with a gruff attuitude or mild interest but you could see those sparks.It was nice to see him visiably excited,moving around the small kitchen,arms full of things.It made you think about how close the two of you gotten,your mind wanders to what happened last night,his words repeating in your mind.

Maybe the both of you needed to have a little midnight vent to bring you closer to each other.

sorting everything on the counter and prepping the oven,the two of you began your mission to make some brownies.You cracked an egg into the bowl and then rolled the other one to Error while you grabbed the vegetable oil,you could hear him attempt to crack the egg against the bowl before it followed with a final crack.

"did you get egg shells in it?" You asked,trying to measure the oil.

"nope not at all" He repiled as he scrapped the insides of the bowl.

once everything was added in,Error offered to mix everything together,even though you really wanted to,with your hand there was no way you could hold the bowl properly so you allowed him to.As Error mixed while you set up the brownie tray,as the glitch mixed everything his mind wandered,he couldn't wait to have some brownies,sure he had chocolate treats all the time but brownies were something else.

It was nice to do something together like this and this was well deserved after everything that happened,looking over to you,he sees you trying hard to not scratch the bandage that covered a part of your hand.He thinks back to what happened to him that night,the pain,the glitching,being knocked out for a good hour or two,it's been a while since he's glitched out that badly but it how it happened that caught him off guard,he looks over at his hand,completely fine then back at yours.

Even though his glitching happened on the other hand compared to yours,it was still strange that it happened like that,call it coincidence but he pondered that he was so stressed out that he sort of predict--manifested the injury you'd get? regardless he needed to keep an eye on that,though he wonders if he should tell you about that but quickly shook that off,you were already dealing with shit you didn't need his issues on top of it.

Once the mix looked ready,Error poured the mixture into the tray with your help and the tray was plopped into the oven,Error looked over the oven like it was a prized possession as you dealt with the dishes with the gloves.

You suggested Error to prep the microwave meals as the afternoon rolled on,Error kept checking on the brownies even while the two of you where having your lunches,he would take a few bites then teleport to the kitchen then back into the couch to have a few more bites.He was more than edgar to consume them.

"careful teleporting" you warned,"you might get sick doing that"

"maybe if you teleported" Error snarked,"but i've got guts of steel"

"it'll be ready soon enough,sit down and chilllll,i'll let you watch your true crime stuff" You told him,waving the remote.

"like you can handle the things i've watched" 

You ponder for a moment,flickering through some shows,"fair,i'll put on some cheesy drama show"

Just as you finished your meals,the timer you had rung which made Error shoot up from his spot on the couch and he quickly teleported away just as you sat up and wander your way to the kitchen,grabbing a towel and praying to the oven gods,you used your good hand to take out the tray,sweet choco goodness hits your nose as you set it to cool down,Error was basically drooling at the brownies.

if only someone looked at you the same way Error looked at brownies.

You had to lure him away from the brownies with the tempations of TV,just long enough for the brownies to cool down to a tempriture that wouldn't cause severe burns,you already had to deal with one.They smell fantastic as you tried to cut them into equal pieces of squares,then came the debate of the century.

"edge brownie or middle brownie?" You questioned him.

"both,what's the difference?"

"be careful who you say that to" you jokily warned him as he looked at you confused but dropped that look once you handed him a plate of some brownies.

"you better not eat that whole" You told him,carrying your own plate,"you gotta savoir the flavour"

"sorry i can't hear you over the taste of heaven"

Indeed,it's taste was sweet chocolate heaven,your stress melted away like it was nothing,so worth it.Watching TV,sitting on the couch,Error's on the far end enjoying his brownies,licking his fingers too,it was nice.

You still needed to text Thea.

You were trying to put it off for most of the day,you felt bad telling her and dragging her into your mess,you've already got Error involed but you felt bad not telling her and going behind her back.Deeply sighing you tapped away on your phone,barely skimmed at what your wrote,sent it and then tossed it to the table in front of you.

"there i did it" You stated.

"now thats wasn't hard was it?" Error teased.

suddenly your phone buzzed and terror befell the room,you curled up against yourself as you stared at your phone wide eyed.

"i'm sure it's not her" He tries to reassure.

The phone buzzed again.

"its just spam"

Then the phone began ringing.

"okay okay i get it" You said to your phone,setting your plate aside and getting up from the couch to pick up your phone.

You then excused yourself to Error as you left to your room,just as you left he could hear Thea's voice as you left.He was left alone once again,though his anxiety creeped in he knew you were fine,you were just in the other room,he cared for you but he wasn't gonna get clingy.

It wasn't long before you came back to the room,called ended and you didn't look to please,not tired,just not happy.

Error doesn't need to ask as you spoke up,"Thea wants me to take this to court"

"court?" His knowledge of that is from some drama shows.

"i mean she's not wrong" You fidget with your phone,"but i can't affored a lawyer,i might get fired,court is gonna be long"

You pause yourself before you could ramble on,"thats besides the point,Thea's gonna try and find a lawyer on my behalf and..yeah"

"what a mess" You deflat back into the couch,"i don't wanna think about it right now"

Error frowned,quietly holding out his plate with one single brownie on it,you hesiated briefly.

"take it before i change my mind"

"thanks" you say as you stuff your mouth.

"let's just think about now 'kay?"

"mm hm" you muffled through the food.

Just think about now,though now..you've notice that his arms is glitching out more than usual.

Chapter Text

He had watched the documentary twice now.

Error had watched basically all his true crime stuff twice over,back to back.He loudly sighs as he tapped his claw against the remote,he’s basically begun watching your shows to distract his running thoughts that circled his mind.

You were in court,somehow by all means,you and Thea managed to pull together to get a lawyer,though as you put it before you left,’winning against a multi-trillion company doesn’t end well’

Worst,you had to do it on the day you didn’t work,so his stupid mind kept yelling at him that something was wrong.

“stupid voices..” he instinctively mutters out,though he hadn’t had to deal with those for ages,now that his head was clear,he could think and no one else could be blamed for his thoughts.

Though a part of him wanted them back if it meant dealing with this…crushing loneliness he’s been feeling,it all started when you came home late,injured and defeated,something just snapped in him and suddenly he’s finding himself freaking out over nothing.He groans into the cushions of the couch,he hates how stupid he’s been,logic and reasoning told him that you were fine,you were okay yet his feelings…

He sits up from the couch,he’s not hungry but he needs to eat something to distract himself from his stupid mind.

As his feet touched the carpet,he stretches out,popping his spine out in satisfaction.When he made his way to the kitchen,he opened up one of the cupboards and pulled out a handful of chip bags and dragged them out of the cupboard,using his strings to carrying out more bags.

He was gonna drown himself in food if needed.

The bitter,fake taste of flavors hits his tongue,he could just eat trash and it wouldn’t have made much of a difference,though for the trash can’s sake,he’ll eat the wrappings as well.

He’s thought about using his portals again to check up on you but he’s reminded of the last time he did it,checking his arm once more,nothing out of the ordinary for the glitch,still he rather not accidentally knock himself out again and have you find his unconscious body.

Once again came the issue of not even knowing where to look,where are courts suppose to take place,from shows he’s watch he knows they come from these large buildings but most buildings here are large…

Just as he finished his 6^th packet of chips,the door unlock and you slightly stumbled in,your formal suit looked creased and the cuff from your neck was lop-sided and your hair was scuffed.You didn’t say anything as you walked in and collapsed onto the couch face first.

“hello” He spoke up,”long day?”

“you wouldn’t imagine..” You replied,deflated,”still need to go in tomorrow”

Error eyes your hand that you had lazily sprawled out,”well today’s done atleast”

“yeah…”

He could see that your nails were chewed through,knuckles dry and tensed from balling them up for so long,he was feeling a weird sinking feeling inside his chest,pity? He pitied you though you probably didn’t want that,he does know that your not someone who wants to concern others but maybe he should try to maybe just..remind you that he’s got your back.Without thinking too hard,Error slowly moved his hand towards yours though he flinches briefly before trying to reach down until.

You shoot up from the couch and Error jumps away,pressing himself again the arm of the couch.

“god I’ve never been so tired of people my whole life” you just proclaim,getting up from the couch,”I’m gonna head to my studio if that’s okay with you?”

A part of Error nearly said ‘no’ but he quickly bit his tongues,”yeah—it’s cool”

You did briefly look at him oddly,making him wonder if he said something wrong,though whatever just bothered you then you seemed to brush off giving him a smile.

“thanks” You say as you headed to the hallway,leaving Error alone once more.

It was when you were away from his reach did he exhale a sigh he was holding onto,sinking into his seat.There so much to process and TV wasn’t distracting him hard enough.Turning off the TV,he decided to just head to his room for now,maybe he’ll get sucked into a good book.As he too shuffles his way to his room,he stops by the door to your studio,the door was slightly cracked open,spilling out some faint light as well as some music he would’ve taken a peek but….he wasn’t gonna confront that right now,still he wonders what you’re doing in their right now.

Closing the door behind him,he slumped over his bed,digging underneath his pillow,he expected to pull out one of the books he’s hoarded but instead he pulls out the little journal instead,he opens to a random page and reads the little notes.

‘always flickerings…glitching?robot?’

He would’ve assumed that if someone was writing about him that he would have found it creepy but you somehow found a way to make it endearing.

‘trash eater..gross but convenient’

‘how has the rat poison not killed him!?’

You simply wanted to learn more about monsters,learn about him.Suddenly his face grew warm,hunching his shoulders tightly as he continued to read.

‘he mentions strange things,I don’t understand much of it’

Then a sort of anxiety kicks in,you want to learn more about him but what if you learn too much about him? How would feel if you found out what he truly was? Would you still want him around?

He flicks to the next page and there’s a little scribble of him in it,messy but charming,his long claw traces over it gently as to not ruin the page,whatever happens he’ll just deal with it,taking it one day at a time.

Chapter Text

The door is thrown open,starling Error as you stumble your way in,tossing the bag you were carrying into the floor and throwing your hands over your head.

“I’m done” you proclaim.

“everything or the court stuff?”

“well both mostly the court stuff” you add,”Thea must have some damn good connections because by some miracle we—I won though its not much but it’ll sure make up the medical bill”

You take off your suit jacket and toss it onto the arm of the couch,slouching as you sat down with a sigh,Strings hover over you holding a soda can,taking that frown off of you,you gladly take it off the strings and crack it open.

“well at least you won’t have to deal with that bullshit for a while” Error remarked.

“until I get fired” You replied in a pessimist tone under your breath.

Taking a sip from the can,you look over at Error,”so,what you’ve been up to?”

“not much,watched TV,read,ate”

“sounds fun” You joked,”I hope you were okay these last few days”

He raises a brow,”what do you mean?”

“I mean…I’ve been away for longer that usual,that I thought..” you tapped the can in you hands before shaking your head,”I’m glad things have been alright with you”

Error had picked up on what you meant,his eyes glanced over to the floor,”I missed you,dummy”

A smile forms on your face,a stupid smile that Error was trying to avoid looking at,”heh missed you too”

“I did notice that lately,you looked stressed---that’s why I asked”

“stressed?”

“yeah” you add, scratching your cheek, “you were glitching more so than usual and I guess with me being gone for so long without contact would be stressful”

He must have not noticed from the last time he checked his glitching seemed fine but it was true that the stress was getting to him and having a mind that always jumped to the worst conclusions didn’t help in the slightest.

“which is why I got you something” You lean over the couch arm and grab the bag off the floor.

You shuffle things around in your bag before grabbing something but not pulling it out just yet,”close you  eyes E”

“why? Are you gonna scare with something?” He raised a brow.

“just do it!”

Error rolls his eyes before closing them,”there,happy?”

“hold out your hands” You spoke,he could something shuffling against the bag’s fabric.

“okay seriously what are you planning?” he asserted,doing what he was told though not too confident.

“hold on!”

It wasn’t long until he felt something be placed in the palm of his hands,it wasn’t heavy but he could feeling that something was inside it.

“can I look?”

“yeah take a look!”

He opened his crimson eyes to be greeted with a box in his hand and the image that was plastered on it looked like your phone then it connects in his mind.

“ta daaa” You do little jazz hands,”I got you a phone,now we can stay in touch”

A way to keep in touch huh,that did put Error at ease.

“thanks” he sounded more genuine than he wanted to express.

“let’s set it up and get everyone’s contacts in” You said,” you know in case I can’t be reached or something”

He doesn’t imagine he’ll be talking with the other so much but you made a good point,You even got him a dark blue phone case to stick on,just to make it prettier and overall easier to spot compare to the black square it was when it was pulled out from the box.It took a bit of time to set up,creating a code,adding a sim card,learning how to navigate it and the such,Error could spot your smirk that you tried to hide every time he didn’t understand some phone thing,yeah he felt old doing this at least you had the patience of a saint to teach him.Then again you just wanted to spend time with him after so long that this would be a good reason.

Error follows your steps on adding contacts,repeating the numbers out loud to confirm.Once every contact that he needed was in,you tested to see it work,pulling out your phone and typing something in.

His phone buzzed and he looked over to see a little read heart emoji pop up.

“there,now you try and send something” You said.

“anything?”

“yeah just something dumb or whatever”

It takes a bit of time but he types something in and it pops in on your end.

‘hello (y/n)’

“sweet everything works” you clasp your hands together,”all that work made me hungry,want some early dinner?”

“you know I’d say yes,what are planning? Take out?”

“I was thinking of making some pasta”

“after last time?” He quirks a brow.

Your quick to retort,”that happened because I got distracted but this time I’ve got this”

Getting up from the couch,you were just about to head to the kitchen when suddenly your phone buzzed,holding it up you read the message.

‘need a hand?’

You smiled at Error,”get over here,oooh you’re gonna have fun with that aren’t you?”

Indeed he was.

Chapter Text

 For the last few days Error has been having fun bugging you with his phone,granted you could tell he was just excited to talk to you without always having to be around you.Though it sure was fun getting a billion texts in the middle of the night.

Thankfully  he has slowly calmed down from the hype,texting you when you were out a few times,mostly asking for thing or checking in when you were returning,it was definably easier to tell him ahead of time instead of just leaving him to wonder.

He’s also been receiving messages from everyone else though you’re not sure if he really responses to them,if anything he would just say ‘okay’ that’s how most conversation go with you.

You chewed on the casing of your phone,glancing over at some bags of rice that sat on the shelf on the store,checking your phone,you sent out a message to Error.

>I was thinking of  making fry rice tonight

Okay<

>do you want anything specific in it?

Surprise me<

>ha ha okay,can you check the rice brand we have,keep forgetting what it’s called.

It takes a moment for a message to come through,he sent a picture of the half used bag of rice,his yellow tipped thumb was blocking out a bit of the picture.It gave you quite the chuckle.

>thanks E

No problem<

>I’ll be home soon

Okay<

>remember to keep your slippers out of the hallway!

Okay<

><3

Okay<

As you made your way to the counters with ingredients in basket,you pass by a large shelf stacked with various heart shaped objects and all you could do was quirk a brow in thought.

‘isn’t it abit early for valentine’s day?’ You thought,checking the date on your phone.

Indeed,it was,seems like shops enjoy setting things up earlier and earlier,still you head to the line of people and waiting.It wasn’t that you didn’t like valentine’s day,you and Thea spent that day having takeout and watching bad romance movies,you just….sorta accepted that no one would really love you romantically,after all what was there to love? an empty feeling grew inside your chest,as grateful as you were with the friends you’ve made,you have fantasized about having someone to do romantic things with from time to time,fancy dinners,cuddling on the couch,handholding…..kissing

“next please”

Jumping out of your thoughts,you awkwardly move and began setting things down on the conveyer belt.You didn’t need to think about that stuff right now,you’ve got other things on your mind that are way more important.

“hey Error I’m home” You shout into the home and Error comes walking in from the kitchen,most likely snacking on a treat,handing him one of the bags,”careful that has the rice in it”

He takes it with ease,following you back into the kitchen,”did you get more snacks?”

“no Error I didn’t,we’re both going on a strict diet” You said sarcastically,setting the bag in your hands down on the counter,”of course I got them,got some new ones we could try too”

“nice”

You started to put everything away while Error watched,snacking on some of the treats you brought.

“it was busy at the store,probably from all the specials going on” Speaking up to make some small talk.

Error opened a packet of strange looking chips,he looked at it oddly before plopping that thing into his maw,”hm? what kind?”

“oh you know,chips,snacks,baking kits…” you Listed,”a lot of seafood was on special too though I can’t see myself gutting a whole fish”

“we could have had home fish and chips” He remarks,crumpling up the packet and eating that too.

“but fish guts”

“but fish and chips”

“ah we’ll keep it on the back burner,what else…” you hummed,closing the cupboard,”oh valentine’s day stuff is already popping up”

Error raised a brow,“valentine’s day?”

“Yeah it’s crazy how they set it up so early” leaning against the counter, stretching your sore arms.

“Thea said something about it in a text” He spoke though it sounded more like a question.

“yeah Thea and I spent most of that day watching bad movies” you explain,”then wait for the chocolate to go on sale”

Error’s eyes lit up,of course that’s what he focused on.

“but really valentine’s all about romance and gifting your loved ones roses and sweets” You rambled one,”not that romance is important,it can totally be platonic and whatnot”

“I mean your free to join me and Thea’s little tradition if you want” You suggested.

“not like I would have much to do aside from eating chocolate” Error replied,”we could make brownies again”

You chuckle,”yeah that would be our little tradition! Baking so many brownies it’ll hold us long enough to the end of the month”

Still even as you joke there was that part of you and thought those things earlier, but you were okay with things were now,Error was by your side and frankly any good thing you had you were grateful for,Thea,Error,everyone else.

But there was always something looming on your shoulders,a form of guilt? You can’t really explain it perhaprs it’s the feeling of fear or dread,that something you can’t explain will happen and everything you’ve so hard for will crumble it a matter of seconds and you’ll be back at square one,the square you’ve always return to and been it,a leech that will never let go.

“(y/n)?” the distorted voice snaps you out of it.

“ah-yes?” you quickly turn to him,seeing the slight raise of his brow in concern.

“you kinda zoned out when I asked what you were gonna put in the rice” He points out.

You brush away some of your hair,”ha..sorry,thinking about stuff,what were you thinking of putting?”

He doesn’t look too fully convinced but drops it as he taps his chin with his claw,”well what do you put in?,egg?”

“eggs,onion,pork,beef,chicken…just a few things I can think of,though we’re not putting all of that in” You count on with your fingers.

“aw”

“let’s just pick a few things to put in,then see how it tastes from then”

You just need to focus on the moment and appreciate what you have now because who knows when it’ll all fall down and history repeats itself.

Chapter Text

“we’re going to Pop’s for movie night?” The glitch anxiously tugs on his seatbelt,eyeing you moving the steering wheel.

“yeah she recently got some surround sound and a 4k tv” You explain as you take a turn and Error nearly slams into the door,alittle thrown off,”and I’m not gonna turn down food from another person”

Error adjust himself to the seat,“fair point,c-could you slow down”

As you hit a bump,Error temporarily flies in the air for a second before his butt slammed back into the seat,he’s gripping the seat tightly with his claws this time,a wild look in his eyes.

“I am going the speed limit” You replied,”maybe we need to get a booster seat for you,you do look like you’re slipping”

“I think you’re suppose to be under the speed limit,not try and match it,and please I’m not that short!” He retorts.

You’re fingers tapped against the wheel,”you use that stool”

That shuts him up real good as you take another turn,much to Error’s horror,pulling into the smaller streets,the lights from the larger fancy houses,reflect off your car and got caught in your window,you could only take quick glances but you could see Error’s form light up as you pass a street lamp before his form disappeared into the darkness.His red eyes looked out the window,seeing all these houses,blocky and lacked any sort of identity,not that he could have a say on the matter considering they live in an apartment and that was as bland as processed cheese.

Taking a few more turns,you park on the side of the road,noting that there where more cars here.

“we’re here” You spoke.

Error looks out the window,”where’s her house..? all I see are cubes”

“we’re right in front of it” You replied,hopping out of the car,”she has the lily bush out front”

Error gets out of the car with a huff,the air was slightly warm but not to unbearable,he does see that the house has lilies that he could see in the dark,despite the warm night weather,he sees you tug against your yellow cardigan,a small daisy design on the corner of your chest.Your shoes click against the driveway and the sound of shuffling slippers followed suit.it doesn’t take long for you to reach her door step,the light shines from the glassy windows.

Ringing the door bell,it chimes as Error steps next to you,fidgeting with his strings.The sound of door unlocking and slowly opened,greeted with the sight of Thea,white crop top jacket and green loose jeans,her afro was tied to shape like a bun with a lime green bandana.She naturally pulls you into a hug while greeted Error as he shuffled to your side,being allowed in and adjusting to the light of the house.

Pristine white walls, modern abstract décor,smooth marble tiles that Error almost slips on,trying to figure out where to stand,the white is making him feel a little…queasy in his guts.To not spiral out in a new place,he hones in on your yellow cardigan,the only real color he could see against this pure white,the only things to ease him.

“how’s your hand been?” She asks you.

You hold it out,showing a faint scarring that starts at your knuckle then goes down to the first joint of your thumb,”it’s been fine,slight scarring and it gets kinda itchy but it’s good”

She clicks her tounge,”hmm you have been moisturizing it?”

“sometimes..” you admit,pulling your hand back,”um where’s the new set you got?”

Thea leads the way,”follow me~! You’re not gonna believe how sick this is”

As the two of you followed her,Error glanced around the house occasionally,wide open rooms and white walls,he tries not to hard to think about it focusing the sound of your voice but even then the reverb echoes,he’s not too sure what either of you are even saying.It was when the two of you entered a smaller room that you saw Iris and Jason,chilling on the large cinema couch,the slightly tanned human had a can in hand and was leaning back in his seat.You quietly greeted them both as you entered.

“alright,I got the Chinese food ordered and it should be here soon” Thea explains,”do we need a refresher on drinks?”

“need a few more Billsons” Jason replied,setting aside the empty can onto the small coffee table.

Iris also added,”I wouldn’t mind some more soda,if that’s okay”

“allow me to help” You offered only to get a jab into your chest.

“no,you two sit” she ordered before she heads out of the room.

And you promptly do,sitting next to Jason and Error sits next to you,flopping down on the seat,kicking up his legs.

“hey shoes off” Jason retorts.

Error lets out a huff as he kicks off his slippers,”fine”

Thea entered the room,holding a few cans and large bottles of soda,she had handed you and Error cups.You were about to pour yourself some orange soda,Jason tries to shove a can towards you.

“wanna drink,she’s got plenty of Billsons”

You politely try to deny,”a-ah no thanks”

He insist,”it’s the good stuff”

“I’m driving” you try to reiterate.

He seems to get the point,opening the can he was holding and drinking,“you don’t look like someone who drives,doesn’t he drive?”

“Error? No he doesn’t” You explain.

“not like I could,” Error chipped in,holding a imaginary wheel,”too short to reach the damn wheel”

“you would run a grandma over”

“I would,it’s their fault they’re too slow”

Small chatter filled the air as Thea sets up her Tv to the streaming service,Error already eyes some of the Horror movies that pop up on the recommendation.

“I’ve never seen that one back at home” Error points out.

“she has a different streaming service” You explain,”can’t imagine they still sell them on dvds”

“they still do,they’re just twice as expensive than a monthly subscription” Jason remarks,shifting in his spot.

Iris chimes in,“unless you get a pirated copy”

Jason teases the pale human,“ohh being lure in by the temptation of crime~?”

“crime is only five dollars” she replied,straightening her back,”are you handling those drinks alright? you really shouldn’t drink on an empty stomach”

“it’s fine,I’ll just eat a lot” was his response.

Thea fiddles with the remote,”alright so what movies are we feeling?”

“what about that one with these uhhhhh ambulance?” Jason chimes up.

You were about to give your input,”how about—”

“perhaps something with less action? “ Iris interjects accidently,”maybe a cheesy rom-com?”

“horror” Error gives his input.

“no way I won’t be able to sleep tonight!” Iris retorts.

“oh please that stuff is all corn syrup” Error scoffs,his eyes look towards you and immediately his attention is caught.

You were physically shrinking into your yourself and you were trying to speak up but other person would just loudly proclaim something that shut you right up,He furrows his eyebrows in thought for a moment before quickly and promptly elbowing you which did get your attention to the shorter monster.

“was there something you wanted to say?” He quietly asked you,leaning in close.

You mess around with the sleeves of your cardigan,”ah nothing much,I thought maybe we could watch…”

“watch what?”

“well…..?”

Jason chirps up again,”how about Morbius?”

“no..just no” Thea grimiaced.

Then Error loudly proclaims catching everyone off guard,including you,”we’re going to watch Paddington 2”

Silence followed after this as Jason snaps back,”I’m sorry, what?”

“it was my suggestion!” You step in for your glitchy roommate,”I thought…we could watch that maybe…I don’t know..we don’t have to”

“I would love that!” Iris chimes,clasping her hands together.

Jason huffs,”that kid’s movie?”

“ohhh good choice!” Thea clicks with her remote to find it.

“For an artist,you sure have kiddish taste” He remarks.

Error was just about to defend you before you chime in.

“actually this movie takes a lot of inspiration from Wes Anderson movies and everyone knows those are quite the pinnacle of cinema” You replied to him,leaving Jason alittle dumbfounded, nevertheless it seemed to have shut him up.

The food arrived just as the movie had begun,piping hot delicious noodles,rice,seafood and veggies drizzled in various types of sauce,neither you or Error waited to dig in,both of you promptly burning your mouths like fools.As the movie play,everyone seemed to have a good time with it,even Error got into the movie a few times on certain parts, occasionally kicking his foot to the beat of songs that played.

It doesn’t take long for Error to finish what’s on his plate as he looks over the container of food that was slowly disappearing he spots that the container that held some seafood and mixed vegetables,one single prawn stood out,most likely the last one.He didn’t hesitate to yonk it out an put it on his plate and just as he was about to eat it when he hesitated glancing over to you,seeing your eyes invested on the screen yet your plate was empty with some small leftovers.

He knew you didn’t eat some of the things that were in those containers but you did eat prawns,he glanced back down at the prawn then back at you.

“here” he states to you and getting your attention,holding out the prawn with a fork,”take it”

“Error you can it eat ill be fine” you tried to offer it back.

“no I’ll have the other stuff,you should eat stuff you like” He retorted softly back.

You did take it from him,thanking him with a smile,now happily eating it,seeing you smile like that made his chest feel fuzzy.

“awwwwww~”

That fuzzy chest feeling was suddenly changed to a tightening terror.

His eyes shot over to see Thea giving a sly smirk,she seemed she was just getting a refill when the conversation between him and you happened.A chilling rush of heat hits his cheeks,frozen in embarrassment.

“Error that’s so sweet!” Thea cooed,”ugh (y/n) your so lucky to have him as a room mate”

He looks over to you with panicked multicolored,hoping you would be able to shut this conversation down.Instead you set your plate down and looked down at him,softness in your eyes that makes his soul freeze.

“I mean…I am pretty lucky to have him huh?” you admitted.

Error didn’t know how to function nor react anymore,he simply threw two throw pillows at you and Thea before throwing his hoodie over his face and basically curling up on himself.

He wanted to scream.

“d-did I say something wrong?” you spoke confused.

Iris leans over from the other side of the couch,”is everything okay there..?”

“y-yes I think? Everything is fine” You tried to reason,feeling a bit bad on not being sure how to comfort him.

Thea heads back to her seat,”I simply spoke the truth,I’m jealous”

 Eventually that whole thing died out to which Error finally came out of his hoodie,grumbling nonsense to himself.He tried to focus back onto the movie.

After the movie wrapped up and the meal was done,it was agree upon to have a quick break.Thea packed up the plates and containers and was going to head into the kitchen.

“I’m missing a container..?” She spoke out loud in confusion.

Immediately you look to Error,he didn’t even try to deny it.

“what? I didn’t want to waste anything” He retorts.

Jason chimes in,”strange you can just..eat that”

“is it?” he remarked with a slight snark,”maybe you should try doing it”

“I rather not cut up my insides” He takes another drink from his can.

Frankly you just accepted Error’s weird quirks and never questioned too much ever since,you spot Thea trying to juggle all the plate and you decided to offer your help….well not offer…you basically forced yourself into it.

Thea wasn’t having it,”no! you’re a guest! Sit down!”

You weren’t having it either,”you need a hand,I insist,after all you have other guest to attend to”

She knew you were right still,that didn’t stop her from giving you a huff as you followed out to the kitchen.It was a lot bigger than your one,could easily hold a dinner just in this one room,it had two large windows that looked outside to the rest of the outside,citylights glowed like little artificial fireflies.Even though Thea did have a dishwasher,it kept breaking down so often that she gave up on it,Thea set the dishes on one of the sinks before reaching down to the sink’s cupboard and grabbing a pair of rubber gloves,the two of you got to work with you drying the dishes.

As you dried the plates and set them aside,your mind did wander to what Error might be doing in the other room,even though he was warming up,he didn’t seem to have thar sort of ‘thing’ with the other like you and him had or even you and Thea had,hopefully you didn’t leave in stuck in an awkward room.

“you know that movies wasn’t half bad” she spoke up as she handed you a plate,bringing you out of your thoughts.

“like you ever doubted me on anything” you replied with a sly smirk,taking the plate.

She scoffed,”oh please,remember that time at the grand canyon you wanted to go on that glass bridge they had,I kept saying it was too scary and guess what happen”

“I remember what happened” you remarked,trying to hold back a chuckle.

“we both got stuck on it frozen in terror that my dad had to drag us off!” She makes a wide gesture with her wet hands spraying water everywhere.

You jump back,”yes yes I know! Geez….it was fun though”

“yeah that was fun”

The two of you grew to comfortable silence before she spoke up again.

“thanks for coming over” She said.

“uh no problem..?” you response with a bit of confusion.

“I mean,like we’ve know each other for a long time” it’s clear she’s unsure how to go about this,”despite you know..everything that happen I’m glad you’ve still opened yourself up”

It hits you with what she’s referring to,you’ve stopped drying the plates now.Memories flash before your eyes as the sudden feeling of dread and anxiety kick in.You know what she’s talking about,people hurt you,tore you down after everything she stood by your side and saw all that happened.You don’t remember how it all happened or perhaps you blocked it all out but for as long as you could recount,you struggled with being with people,being around people,understanding people.

Yet you kept trying,you kept trying to understand people but it never worked out,Thea was the odd one out of this but even as now,as an adult there was that part of you that kept telling you that you just weren’t suppose to have friends..connections.

You’re suppose to rot alone.

Thea’s voice spoke up,”I wasn’t lying about what I said about you and Error,it’s nice he cares about you in his own way,you really got lucky there”

As she looks over to you,her face grew to worry as she saw your grip tighten on the plate,your eyes grew watery as you desperately tried to blink away.

“oh geez I didn’t mean to bring up bad memoires” Thea was quick to apologize.

You wiped your tears away,taking a breath,”no no it’s fine…it’s just been..alot”

Thea rubs your back in comfort as you talked,”but yeah,Error does mean a lot to me and I think I mean a lot to him too”

 “thanks Thea..”

“that what friends are for” She says with a playful nudge.

The two of you continue your work,returning to more causal chatter,just as goes on Jason wanders on in.

“what’s up Jas?” Thea greeted.

“hm nothing much,” Jason must’ve picked up on something,”uh…am I intruding on something?”

“ah not at all,just some silly banter” Thea repiles,you kept your face away just in case you still looked teary eyed.

 “cool,cool hey ah (y/n)? I wanted to ask ya some things” Jason explains,”nothing serious I mean”

“of course” you said as you wiped your eyes.

“I tried to y’know have some chatter with Error but he seems….distant” Jason leans over the large island table that was across from you and Thea,”how…exactly did you two meet?”

You raised your eyebrows, remembering the cold rainy night,a fondess warms your chest,”I met him at a very low point of his life,were you trying to ask him about it?”

“maybe,I mean he’s so odd, strange, weird” he adds.

“I think that’s what makes him so great,he doesn’t really like talking about his past and considering the way I found him I don’t blame him” you tried to carefully explain.

Jason perks up slightly,”so..wait you know nothing of him before you met?”

“no? not really..?”

“not even a little bit??”

You set aside a plate,”small things but they don’t really make sense,I simply took him in after I found him”

Jason nearly cuts you off,”hold on a second,you let him live with you after you just met him??”

“yeah…?” your anxiety creeps in.

“Thea you knew about this?”

Thea is also feeling the tense atmosphere,” well yeah but it all turned out okay”

“(y/n) I may have know you for only a short time so I may be a hypocrite..” He spoke,”but how much do you really know about him?”

You really didn’t like that question,it tighten your chest.Error was such a welcoming person in your life that you don’t question him too deeply,maybe you were scared of the answer you’d get.

Maybe you didn’t want to know.

But that wasn’t really an answer you wanted to give so you said,”I choose to believe who he is now,whatever past he had,he’s been trying to improve himself and I think that’s all that matters to me”

He seemed to back off,not too pleased with your answer,”sure,Thea we gonna watch some more movies?”

“y-yeah sure!” She tried to lighten up the mood,”there’s this one movie I thought about we could watch”

“do tell,it isn’t horror is it?” you asked.

You and Thea left the kitchen as well as Jason follow far behind,however just as you and Thea entered the movie room,Jason suddenly felt something tighten around his neck and dragged him into one of the many smaller hallways,he slams onto the floor hard,dragged along by blue strings,once he could regard focus,he found himself seeing burning red eyes staring down at him,long claws tangled in blue strings.

He could barely get a word in,“what the fuc—"

 “I heard what you were saying to them” Error snarled,”like you have any goddamn ground to stand on”

Jason claws at the strings around his neck,”l-let go of me!”

Error moves closer,a slow twisted smile creeps on his features,“quiet,you have no idea who you’ve messed with”

“seriously! Or I’ll---”

“or I’ll what? Cry out for help,whats a bunch of meekly humans gonna do? The so call ‘police’ wouldn’t do anything or anything thing from this world!”

“you’re crazy” Jason spat,”out of your goddamn mind!”

A sly look comes across Error,”crazy? No I’m telling the truth I’m really out of this world”

Something forms behind Error that catches the human’s attention,something large and beastly,it stared down right at him and right into his soul.It froze him in place,scared of the power that Error was truly showing.

“I’m a goddamn all powerful entity from between multiverses and everyone who lives in those worlds fears me” He proudly proclaim with a crazed look,his gaster blaster moving closer to the human that Jason could feel the heat radiate off it,”so unless you want your world to be wiped clean,I suggest you keep you fucking mouth shut and mind your own goddamn business”

Jason couldn’t handle all this sudden information but the one thing he could blurt out was,”(y/n) will find out who you are”

That seemed to snap the glitch out of it as if hit but a soft spot,he loosened the strings and Jason managed to scramble out of them,still keeping his eyes towards Error.The blaster disappears as well which seemed to take a lot out of him to do as his glitches became more sporadic.

“..if you tell anyone what happened here I’ll make sure that they never find your body” He threatens before adjusting himself,”we’re gonna go back and we’re gonna watch more movies got it”

Jason nods as he slowly gets up and leaves but not before shooting one last look at the glitch.Jason enters the movie room with Error follow behind.

“oh Error!” you exclaimed,”where were you?”

Lying,he says,”I was..trying to find the bathroom but it’s fine”

Error sat on Jason spot,now blocking him from you,his red eyes are shooting daggars at the tanned human.Despite the tension between the two everyone else was none the wiser.

Snack bowls were introduced as the next movie played,an action one that you were getting into but over time of the movie you found yourself growing drowsy even if you downed a few more sodas that you really should just to keep yourself caffeinated enough to stay awake.You accidently slump against Error but quickly pulled away once you felt the pins and needles sensation.

Error naturally grew some concern,holding a empty snack bowl,”You doing alright?”

“yeah don’t worry,just alittle tired” You tried to ease his worry,stretching out your back” sorry about leaning all over you,we’ll probably head home soon”

Granted it did startled him,feeling your warmth and soft cardigan against him but with the adrenaline  from earlier still riding inside him,he had to remind himself that it was you,soft,squishy,warm you.The strange but goofy human he lives with would never hurt him.

Though through accidently or reactively,he might hurt you.

Which scares him more than he even thinks he does.

It wasn’t long before that movie wrapped up to which you let Thea know that you were heading off,which seemed to be agreed upon with everyone else.

“c’mon Error let’s go” You called out.

Error wanted to finish off the leftover snacks in the bowl,”just a minute”

“Error!”

He quickly tips the bowl,letting it all tip into his mouth,”coming! Coming!”

He scurried his way to your side,crumbs littered his mouth,you had to point it out to him to which he wiped it off with his sleeves.Iris was checking over her purse but still kept glancing over to the rest of the group,she took a deep breath as she brushed away some of her hair.

“b-before you all go..” she stuttered out,sitting firmly on the couch,”um..there’s something I wanted to say but didn’t want to bring it up d-during the movies…”

This got everyone’s attention with Error raising a brow,Iris seemed to look at him for some sort of hint to continue talking.

“uh sure! What’s up” Thea was the one to speak up.

“I guess I want t-to say that we’re all friends r-r-right?” She asked.

“yeah..?” you say,wondering where all this is going.

“well..i think its important for me to be honest with you all” her voice quivers at every word,”the truth is….i’m not a human..”

She brushes away the hair that covers her face,revealing one singular blue eye.

“I’m a monster…” she finally admits.

There was…to say a lot of confusion on the matter, perhaps out of fear to saying the wrong thing, though Jason was the first to speak up.

“so..you lied about being a monster even though we got this guy hanging around?” He gestures to Error.

“w-well I didn’t know how you’d all react!” she tried to defend,”I mean I pass so easily as a human that I thought…it would be easier to just pretend..”

Thea,being the nice human she was,quickly comforted her,”hey I don’t blame you,it must’ve been scary,I’m just glad you trusted us enough to tell us this”

Iris nodded,”though Error knew long before you guys sorry…”

“you knew all this time?” You asked him,”why didn’t you tell me?”

Error shrugged,”wasn’t my business,knew from the first time I met her”

He checks out his claws,”monsters have like…a six sense so to speak that picks up on magic and that lady is full of it”

“interesting..” you mutter out,a six sense? How exactly would that be useful? To alarm one from danger?

“um thank you all for listening to my blabbering..” she wipes a tear from her single eye.

Thea playfully elbows her,”of course! it’s what friends do!”

Indeed,it was.After everyone bided their goodbyes you and Error finally headed to your car,as soon as you got into your seat you semi-slumped in it before trying to sit more upright.

“you alright to drive?” he asked,not that it matter since he couldn’t drive anyway.

You rubbed your eyes,”yeah I think I’m good, definably gonna crash back home…today was certainly a surprise”

Error buckled up,”you surprised she was a monster?”

“no? I dunno she was different,I guess I feel like,considering you and me,I thought she would’ve open up sooner” you started up the car and began your drive.

“hey Error”

He looks over to you,seeing the street lights reflect off of you,your hair and eyes glowed like an angel,”have I…ever said something really bad about monsters?”

“not that I can recount” He remarks,”Iris seems like the type who doesn’t want to bother people with her problems”

“okay…but feel free to kick my ass if I say something stupid” You replied,”but can I ask another thing?”

“shoot”

“this six sense you got…how does it feel..? or smell?” You hummed,gesturing with your hands on the wheel,”how to you sense magic I mean”

Error taps his chin,”it’s hard to explain but…its like a gut feeling?”

“like an aura of a person?”

“yes that” He continued,”some monsters have a chill magic,some violent magic so strong that just being near them causes panic attacks”

“wow that’s cool” You replied,”but I guess it kinda sucks too?”

“ugh you won’t believe..” he groans.

As you take a turn,you slide slightly in your seat,”if I had magic..what do you think it would be?”

“hmm…soft but not very welcoming” he admits

“I’m sorry?”

“like soft, ethereal?” he bumbles about,”like your not too sure to approach but once you do it’s pretty alright”

“aww” you cooed.

He huffed,crossing his arms,”shut it,it’s not a big deal”

It really wasn’t,he didn’t need magic to see the person you really were.

Chapter Text

“wait,you wanna go where?” He asked with a raised brow as he swallowed his food from his microwave meal.

“the bookstore” You repated,pointing your fork at him,”ever since we found my old books I’ve gotten my groove to read back again”

Sitting on the couch,eating lunch while the tv mindless plays.Error isn’t really paying attention,he’s more focused on you and the silly little hand gestures you were making as you talked,he noted how whenever you got passionate about something your hands do a little dance.

“I suppose I wouldn’t mind” He quietly remarks,taking another bite.

Your eyes move over to the tv,”if you want,I mean,I tend to drag you out a lot and well now that you have a phone you can just check up on me like that”

“I don’t care that you drag me out,I don’t mind being with ya” He responded which catches your attention,”no matter how much of a grump I can be”

“aww E” you cooed

“I take it back,I despise you”

This gets a laugh out of you as you looked over to the monster,raising a brow before grabbing a napkin from your side.

“you’ve got mush on your face” You chuckle,still holding out the napkin.

The glitch blinks,he could see that you were trying to keep your fingers curled up,away,to avoid touching him.He should be grateful that your considerate of him but he wanted to touch without spiraling out of his mind,he carefully takes the napkin but still observes your hands.

Your hands were bigger than his though he was a skeleton,nimble hands made for crafting,short nails from stress chewing or accidental breaking on a recent project they were all in different states of growing,hand were always dirty from your projects,smudged greylid on your pinky finger or…..writing…..pen fluids.He could only ponder how your hands really feel,they look soft but did they feel soft? Your scars and cuts,if he ran his thumb over them would he feel them?

“ugh I’m getting tired of these ads” your voice snaps him out of his thoughts,”I mean,imagine If they put that in books…wait magazines and newspapers exist.. “

He playful rolls his eyes but his mind was thinking other things,why does his mind wander to such things when you’re around? Since when did he think such silly little thoughts?

He hated thinking,he didn’t want to think anymore,he just wanted food.

Error awkwardly hobbles behind you,kicking his shoe against the brick ground.

“are your sure those shoes are okay for you?” You asked,looking back at him.

He stopped for a minute to adjust his black army boots,finally being satisfied with the result,”I’m fine,it just didn’t want to sit right with me”

You glanced over to the other side of the pathway,small shops littered the sidewalk,mostly cafes and novelty shops,you deicied you wanted to dress nicely today and be a decent member of society,nice light blue button up shirt,light brown loose jacket,blue jeans.Even Error was dress differently,completely different from his jacket and red sweater,grey sweater and long blue coat, honestly the two of you looked like a pair of intellectuals or a pair of book dorks.

“it’s just straight ahead E” you said as you gently swung your arms to the beat of your footsteps.

Error catches up to you ,just behind you,his eyes focused to your hands,the sleeves to your jacker was long but it bunched up around the palm of your hand and as if following a urge inside him,his claws reach out towards your hand,just barely out of reach but you pulled your hand away to point at something.

“look we’re basically here!” Your face lit up.

Error felt his words choke against his throat,”…cool”

As the two of you entered,Error nose hole scrunched up from the smell of musky paper,the bookstore had a more classical look to it though certain pieces of the store had some modern aspects to it such as proper lighting,the store was warmth compare to the cool weather outside that you had taken your jacket off  and held it off your arms.

“I hope they have some new stock” you said,looking down to Error,”come on,I’m sure there’ll be some murder or true crime books that peak your interests”

It did take a bit for Error to feel comfortable wandering around the store,glancing around the spines and their labels,he picked up a few knitting books at peaked his interest as he carried those in his arms.He made his way to the murder fiction section,his eyes peaked when he saw some books on the top shelf that he took curiosity to but he couldn’t reach them,instead he used his string from his claws to pull it them down, unfortunately he managed to pull other books that were tightly fitted to the ones he wanted so he ended up getting a smackful of books to the face,a curse escapes his mouth as he rubbed his face.

Your head popped out from the other side of the bookshelf,”you okay Error?”

“yeah,just made a mess..” He grunts,looking at all the books he knocked down that were on the floor.

He knelt down to pick them up to which you decided to help out,your hand picking up the books as well,anxiety creeped up inside him at the possibly of people looking at two complete dummies fumbling around at a store,his hand reached out towards yours but you quickly snagged a book and stood up.

“was this the one you wanted to get?” asking,holding out one of the books from the rest of the pile you were holding.

He shoots up from his spot,”uh y-yeah”

Ugh he’s feeling like a gross idiot.

He takes the book off your hands,your warmth barely reaching him,”thanks”

You quietly say ‘it’s nothing’ before putting the books back on the shelf,awkwardly pining Error between you and the bookshelf.His back was against your body and he was staring at the bookshelf with wide eyes as his soul started beating like crazy like it was about to burst out of his ribcage,his mind raced with a thousand thoughts,not a single he could even understand.Your body was so close to him that he could feel your warmth tickle his neck,he knows this isn’t a panic attack,it didn’t feel like one but whatever he was feeling was driving his body into full adrenaline rush.

Why were you so close to him? ,why did he want you to be so close to him?

You pulled away,happy to where you placed the book,”there,I’ll leave you be if you need me I’ll be..in the art section”

Error didn’t really response but he must’ve done something as you wandered off to another section,he furiously shakes his head to clear him of these running thoughts,his face was burning so badly that you could cook an egg on it,he must look so stupid being a blushing mess in the middle of a murder fiction section.

He glances down at the hard cover in his hands,carefully flickering through a few pages before tucking it into the other books he was holding.Deciding to look in another section

Now that he thinks about it,you said you were going to the art section of books but when he did a wander it was on the left and remember seeing you go right perhaps he should go find you in case you got lost or something.

It only takes a minute for Error to find you,call it sixth…seveth sense or whatever,you were in the health section,reading some book as your focus was stern as your eyes scanned through the pages.

“(y/n)” his voice seemed to have startled you as you quickly hid the book behind you.

“o-oh hey Error! You—you done with your stuff?” You stutter out.

“yeah” he tries to look over you,”watcha reading?”

“oh you know….stuff” You vaguely put it.

“yonk”

You realized he was no longer in front of you,he had teleported and that the book you had in your hand was gone,you whipped around to see him holding said book and your face grew red as you watched him read the title with a raised brow.

“magic,monsters and you?” he read out loud.

“l-let me explain!” you quietly exclaimed as you didn’t want to cause a scene,god you wanted to die so much right now.

“you wanted to learn more about monsters” he seemed to have finished you sentence,”you could just ask,you live with one already”

You fidget with your shirt,”you know I can’t ask about ‘certain things’…besides I don’t wanna bother you too much”

“….you mean ‘that stuff’” he raised a brow.

“if you mean what I think you mean then yeah ‘that stuff’” you replied.

A silence falls between the two.

“b-besides..” you tried to speak up,”I want to know the health stuff um..side of monster because…what if something really bad happens to you? How could I help?”

Ah there goes your kindness that riles his soul,he tries to cross his arms and huff but he’s got books,”fine…you can get it,though I doubt that book had much of the issues I have”

The worry and embarrassment that fell upon your face simply wash away with a small smile,”okay,but I won’t ask any weird stuff I promise!”

“please don’t”

The two of you headed to the counter and you paid for the books,as you were paying up,he happened to look behind himself as see two humans enter the shop,holding hands.

His claws curl into a tight fist.

It wasn’t long before the two of your returned home and frankly he couldn’t he happier and it seemed that you did too,you decide to settle into the couch and read the new books you got while Error heads to his room.

Error wanted to relax and read his books as well,kicking his shoes off he made his way to the bed he spotted on the bedsheets the old journal you had,strange,did he forget to put it away?

Sitting on the bed,he flipped through it and sees all the old doodles you drew of him,a faint blush skew across his face,he wonders if you still draw him,he still can’t bring himself to go into your studio,he’s not sure if he ever could,has your work improved?

‘they will find out who you are’

A scowl forms on his face,he’s been trying not to think about it all day but with your nature,could he ever tell you,should he tell you?

‘what if something bad happens to you? How could I help?’

Sighing,at some point his past would catch up to him,that crippling feeling deep inside him was inevitable and he could never let you see the things he’s seen or done,how can a meek human help?

“just stay by my side” he softly mutters out, realizing he answered his own question.

He could tell you but not now but that didn’t mean that he couldn’t prepare you for when that time arrives.

As time rolled on,he heard a knock on the door and your head peeped through.

“hey E I’m just going head to my studio,just wanted to check up on you” You stated.

Error adjusted the red glasses he was wearing,your old journal still in his hands,”all good,have you read all your stuff already?”

“hmm not yet” You replied,leaning against the door frame,”but I got too much inspo from the books so I gotta get that energy out”

You noticed the book in his hand,”oh your still reading that?”

His face flusters up again,”y-yeah..i like your…drawings of …..me”

“please keep doing that…” he admits,his claws tighten on the book.

That look,that look,he doesn’t know what that look meant but he sees your eyes light up like fireworks,you look like you were desperately trying to hold back a smile and that look was making his soul thump like crazy all over again.

“of course” You spoke up,”maybe I can bring out some of the sketchbooks and show you,if—if your okay with that?”

Error slowly nodded,”yeah..that’s okay”

“well great! I’ll you later than E!” You wave him as you left with a slight skip in your step.

He hand’t realize he was holding his breath until he finally exhaled,his soul pulsing finally calmed down,red eyes looking back down at the book in hand,seeing the little doodle of him grinning,happy,content.

Still looking at the drawing brought dread up his spine,his mind naturally made that connection.

Error was going to break that association and connect art to you.

Chapter Text

Error snapped out of his little reading time as he heard faint chatter from outside his room,he’s wrapped up in his bed blankets like a little glitchy burrito  but he knew he need to get up and greet whoever you were talking to.As he set aside his book and rolled off the bed,he took a deep stretch allowing his bones to pop,making his way to the door he walked through the hallway and saw you,his pace quicken as he stood by your side,his eyes were greeted by Thea,dull red sweater with pinkish diamond pattens across it,she notice him and gave him a little wave.

“oh Error! I didn’t see you there” You said as you looked behind yourself and saw him,” We were just talking about some of the garbage valentine’s movies we were gonna watch”

“yeah they’re like…so bad it’s good” Thea explains.

Error raises a brow as you offered him to join,”you can join if you want”

“hm thanks I might but I got something planned later” He replied,he wasn’t lying that he had something planned sorta.It was very much a made up on the spot plan.

“sure thing E” suddenly you remembered something,”actually while your here I might as well”

You pull something out of your pocket and hand it to him and as he realized what it was his eyes widen in utter joy,a full block of chocolate,he clutched the gift so tightly just to make sure it was real.You couldn’t help but chuckle,even if you knew that this was going to be the reaction it still made you happy to see it.

Of course he realized that there was another person in the room aside you so he tried to play of his excitement with his cool dude attuite, casually pocketing the chocolate bar,”uh thanks…I guess”

He glanced over to see your smirking smile which made his blue even more noticeable as he quickly scurry his way to the couch and it wasn’t long til you and Thea follow suit.Error tries not to think too hard on how she hugs you before she sets down with you between Error and her,of course you keep your distance away from for his comfort.

He sorta kinda hated it.

You grabbed the remote and flicked through the cheesy romcom section,”so what we thinking?”

Thea grabs your shoulder and points to something on the screen,”oh! That one!”

Error on the other hand didn’t really pay much attention to what was happening on screen aside from the truly cringe moments from the movies,even if these movies were truly bad he found himself hyper focusing on the moments where they held hands,touched each other intimately,he’d grow quite and just…..watch.

Suddenly he’s aware how close your hand his to him and so with his claws he carefully moved his towards your hand but like always you pull away,whether your aware you do it or not. Frustrations grows into his soul so he gets up from his seat and moves his way across to the kitchen,you did perk up when he did so but brushed it off to that thing he mentioned.

“yeah I don’t blame him from leaving” Thea spoke up,”I mean,I can’t believe it! She fell in love with her kidnapper!”

You quietly agree to that.As it was just the two of you watching these bad movies you could faintly hear Error shuffling around in the kitchen,maybe he was making himself a snack.The smell of smoke alerted you and Thea too as you stood up.

“Error you okay in there?” You worriedly called out.

Something clatters in the kitchen,”shit!”

Even Thea is alarmed,”is he good?”

“dunno” you hurry over to the kitchen and even though your brain convinced you that a fire was happening,you were slightly relieved to see it was the toaster and pan badly smoking.

Error is scraping something off the pan before he spots you and awkwardly freezes and the two of you just stared at each other.

“uhhh hey” he spoke,setting aside the pan.

“hey uhhh what are you doing?” You asked him as you moved over to see what he’s doing.Error shrunk a little as he gave you some room.

You definitely recognize the slightly burnt bread but it took some time to figure out what was actually inside the bread,some werid gooey black and yellowish sludges that spilled out of the bread,looking at the pan you saw the same thing and off to the side of the pan were cracked egg shells and it clicked in your mind what was going on.

“were you..trying to make lunch?” you asked him.

He shuffled slightly on his little stool,”yeah…”

“for yourself..?”

“no….” he quietly mumbled.

You blinked it surprise,”you were trying to make lunch for us?”

Error nodded, confirming your suspicion,it was sweet of him to do that…even if he lacked the skills.

“E you didn’t have to,I would have been happy to help out” You offered to him.

The glitch shuffles away and tries to salvage the mess on the counter,”y’know you and Thea were doing your thing and I wanted to do something….nice I guess”

He quietly mutters that part out as Thea entered the kitchen,seeing the mess that was made.

“is everything okay in here?” she asked.

“oh everything’s fine” you replied to her,”just a bit of cooking mishap”

That seemed to satisfied her as she left,Error was awkwardly picking at his sleeves that were pulled up around his arms.Maybe you were reading into things to much but he seemed a bit out of it today.

“seems kinda depressing watching those…” he finally admits,”watching something that you can’t have”

That seems to kick you in your heart,watching him softly admit to that,you may not know too much about him but you do know that he had a hard life before he met you,you really did want to comfort him,your hand nearly patted his shoulder but you stopped your before you could touch him,his red eyes immediately hyper focused to your hand as if bracing himself to feel it.

You swiftly pulled away,trying to change the subject,”well it’s not wrong to fantasize and love isn’t the end all or be all of love,we’ve got each other right?”

He raised a slight brow which now made you wonder if you were understanding what he was saying but seemed to take your comment,”yeah sure”

Error looks over to the mess,”um can you help?”

You didn’t hesitate to help,letting him keep the failed attempt as his lunch while the two of you tried to make scrambles egg with bacon sandwiches,it looked a lot better,when Thea and you ate it,it tasted good too.You then suggested some other movies that allow Error to feel okay watching,of course Error decided that movies just weren’t enough.

Halfway through one,your phone beep with a notification and  you checked it to see it come from Error, cautious what he had in store you opened the message.

Your disappointment is immeasurable.

“dammit Error quit sending me that stupid video!” you retorted,shooting a glare at him.

Error had a smug smirk on his face,”no”

“whats going on?” Thea asked in confusion.

“he’s been sending me this dumb dog meme non-stop! I can’t escape it!” You explained while pointing a accusatory finger at the glitching monster beside you.

“you’re smiling” he comments.

“I am not!” you were,but you were trying so hard not to show it

“you gotta show me the meme Error” Thea chimes in.

“don’t encourage him!” You cried out at her.

You really wanted to slap that smug look off him right now as he added,”sure”

“my two friends! Turning against me!” you dramatically fall into the couch pillows in defeat as Error shared the video with her.

Thea couldn’t help but smile watching you and Error have this playful banter,it’s good to see you smile.

 It wasn’t long till Thea decided to head back home but not before giving you a big hug before she left,leaving you and Error to your own devices.You cleaned up the plates and the kitchen while Error helped put things away,he kept glancing back at you in thought,a thoughtful gaze across his face before he went back to tending to organizing the kitchen.Once you were done with the everything,you stretched out your back with a satisfying groan.

“right” you sigh out,”there’s still some time in the day left,wanna attempt to bake something?”

“actually…let’s go for a walk together” He quietly offered,his eyes away from your gaze.

“oh..? okay sure!”

And now here you both were,just walking around the block,not another person in sight,the sun was setting and the orange light was reflecting off the many building’s windows,despite the strong sun the wind felt nice and cool.The glitch was walking besides you but he seemed tensed about something,he was walking close to you but his multi-colored eyes were focused onto the ground,like he was trying to make up his mind on something.

You broke the peace of the silence,”so…what brought on this? Not that I mind it,it’s nice to go for a walk every one in a while”

“I want to try something…” he answers,his eyes slowly meeting yours.

You can only tilt your head in confusion,”hm? The walk?”

“no this”

His black hand promptly shoots out and grabs yours,the suddenly feeling on his static startles you as you tried to pull away from his but he has a grip on you.

“E-Error! Let go!” You exclaimed.

He doesn’t respond but you can see how much stress he’s being put under from this alone,you tried to get him off you but he seemed dead set on holding your hand,no matter how much distortion and glitching begins to grow all over his body,he’s even hyperventilating with pure static and his grip is shaking but tight.

But he can feel your hand,even though his fading in and out conscious makes it difficult to eve understand what is going on,all he knows is that your soft and warm and just like the rest of you very welcoming.

You try again but to no avail,”seriously Error! L-let go or you’ll----"

Beeeeep!

All falls to black.

When Error wakes up it’s dark out and he’s in his bed,his room,a throbbing headache disrupts all thoughts as he rubs his forehead and mutters a distorted curse,he feels sick and he’s still shaking.

God,he knew it was a stupid idea to do that but temptations and impulsive thoughts taunted him and he caved.Now his new concern was how you were dealing with this.All he wanted to do right now was crawl back under the sheets and pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist right now.

However he heard the door click and he practically shrinks into himself as he sees you peek through and see him away.

“Hey E” you softly spoke as you entered and thank goodness you spoke that way because his head felt like it was bashed in all those years ago.

“hey” his voice is barely understandable under all that static and you do flinch from the roughness of it.

Nevertheless you still lean down to his level and set some painkiller tablets and water onto his bedside table,that look of concern and worry made him what to sink further into the blankets and disappear.

“what..” you seemed lost for words,yours eyes looking for a way to put it,”what was that about back there?”

You looked so sad,it ached whatever was left of his soul,”I can’t really explain..”

Once again he grew frustrated that his voice was still jumbled and you still couldn’t really understand him.Error then had an idea as he searched under his blankets and pulled out his phone and began typing away on it,you received a buzz with confusion but took it out to see the message from Error.

I can’t really explain it<

“but I need an answer E” You repeat to him,”I mean,you have this intense trigger to contact but you went ahead against yourself to hold my hand even when it brought you pain”

He shrinks when he hears the subtle anger in your voice,not anger at him per say but just frustrating confusion,you continued to speak,”I mean…this was the longest I’ve seen you pass out like that,you really scared me”

I’m sorry<

“I just….why risk that Error?” You asked him,”do..do you want to be touched?”

Error’s fingers hover over his phone for a brief moment until he typed again.

Yes<

No<

Maybe<

I don’t know<

A little bit<

That mess of texts seemed to get the point across as your eyebrows softened,looking back at him while he waited for your response.

“I see, still going cold turkey like that was really risky” you lightly scolded him but looked more relieved,”with things like these you need to take it slow,like a lot of things”

In hindsight,he should’ve just done that,now he feels even more stupid,Error just feels like a child being scolded by their parent at this point and rightfully so.You ponder for a moment before you held out your hand and stuck out your pinky finger towards him.

“lets just start off slow okay?” You offered to him as his eyes were focused on it.

He slowly reaches out,sticking out his sharp pinky finger and hesitatively let it touch yours,he could only hold it like that for a few seconds before it got to much and he quickly pulled away,his hand heavily distorted but managed to go away pretty quickly.

“see? Nice and slow” You said to him,a smile on your face that eased him.

He gave a lop-sided smile back,flexing his hand as your sensation still lingered,nice and slow,he’ll go nice and slow.

Chapter Text

His eyes tightly focused on his knitting, threading loops and creating new lines,it was slow but it was progress.You were in the kitchen making tea,humming a small tune.

“do you want honey or milk in your tea?” You called out as he can hear the water from the kettle,”we kinda ran out of sugar from all that baking”

He sets his knitting down in thought, “um Milk I guess”

Seconds later,you popped out of the kitchen with two cups in hand, Error decides to quiet knitting while he’s ahead because he can already feel himself growing annoyed by his threading, You lean down to hand it to him and then sat next to him on the couch, alittle closer than usual and his mind picked up on it.

“still trying to create that knitting pattern?” You asked him,taking a sip out of your cat mug.

His mug says ‘true crime and chill’ you found online and decided to get it for him and he’s been strictly drinking out of it ever since, even for things you don’t put in mugs like water or juice, he’s sighing as his claws tap the mug,” yeah it’s kinda a mess right now”

You look over at his pattern and indeed it was messy but it was better than anything you could’ve done, “still cool that you did it, it’s interesting seeing you make things from just folded up string”

“thanks” he mutters out before changing the subject,”didn’t you want to show me something?”

“oh right!” You set your tea down before getting up on the couch and heading out to the hallway,”I guess I’ll show you my new sketchbook even if there isn’t much…”

To say he’s anxious was and understatement, the palm of his hands kept rubbing together till he felt them began to burn. He’s trying hard to not think about it, about him.

The ink burns his bones,paint suffocating his throat and he’s forced to vomit,it hurts , it hurts , It hurts, everything hurts.

Error slaps his hands against his cheekbones,he needs to pull it together, he’s not here , it’s not his art ,it’s yours, yours was difference and he’s seen it to prove it. Still he’s was scared that he would react in a way that would hurt you, He didn’t, he didn’t want to hurt you, you were always encouraging his interests he should do the same. He looks at his mug, the way his soul flutter when you handed it to him, no one has ever given him the time of day for his interests and silly little gifts meant the world to him.

You come back to the couch,holding a book with a spiral spine,you sit closer to him so you can show him your book,covered in stickers. Your eyebrows furrowed out of nervousness as you looked over to the glitch.

“heh I don’t really show my drawings often but…I hope you don’t mind them” you admit as you slowly opened the book.

Error braces himself, expecting something bad but instead he sees….your drawings.

Colorful landscapes, watercolor pieces of food, sketches of your friends, it was quite the sight, especially when he sees sketches of him skewed about, there’s drawings of his knitting, reading or just sitting on the couch.

It was beautiful.

“so yeah I do a lot of drawings of you” you slowly spoke up,” then again I draw everyone else, here’s some drawings of Thea after some of her online posts”

Error’s held the book carefully with his claws as to not damage your drawings, a bit hesitate to flip the pages so you did so once he finished looking. These were your drawings , your colors ,your works.

You.

He realizes how quiet he’s been so he quickly points a drawing in the book,”so um…what’s all this about?”

“hm? oh, that’s a scene from a book I was reading, I was trying to recreate it from just the words” You happily explained.

“y-you drew this from just words?” He asks,his surprised eyes meeting yours,he can see a sparkle in your eyes.

You looked so passionate when you spoke,”yeah! It was a pretty fun challenged to do”

“well color me surprised”

“was..that a pun?”

“not intentionally”

As he flips through the book and listens in to your chatter he suddenly notes something about the drawings of him.Many of the early drawings are him sitting around,hunched or curled up but as he goes through the pages,he sees himself losing that hunched look,he’s stretched out on the couch,he’s laying about with his stomach facing the ceiling, it’s like looking into a mirror, it’s an interesting sight to see.

“I look quite comfortable…” he points out.

“heh I bet you were when I drew those” you replied with a slight smile, your arm accidently bumped against his due to trying to hold the book.

At first Error was startled by it but he tried to ease the spike in anxiety,it’s just you, he keeps telling himself it’s just you.

“hey Error” you spoke up,grounding him back from his thoughts.

“yeah?”

“Thea’s asked us to go out today” you continued, playing with the corner of the paper.

“okay”

Pausing,you added,”well…she wants to go to an art gallery.”

Error goes quiet and so do you, he knows and you know that he’ll basically fall into a coma if he ever steps near a place like that, he’s only just started getting comfortable seeing your drawings, there’s no way he can handle something like that.

“I’m not stopping you for going out” Error finally adds.

“I know that” you huffed,”I just feel alittle bad leaving you out of things”

“well..to make up for it you can always by me a treat while you’re out” he gives you a teasing wink.

He sees you trying to force yourself to not smile from that comment, “fine, if you do the laundry and chores while I’m gone”

Error grunts in response but your smile does convince him, he doesn’t realize how close you were until you moved away from your seat, your warm leaving him and his arm grows cold. He can only try to not think too hard about it and he glances back at your drawings and sees the doodle-y version of him looking back at himself.

“geez sorry I’m late Thea”

You awkwardly shoved your hands into the pockets of your light jacket,Looking over to Thea, Iris and Jason ---- wow everyone was here except Error. Thea greets you with her usually cheery voice.

“it’s good to see you again, where’s Error?” She asks,looks around you.

“ah he couldn’t make it” you tried to make an excuse for him, eyes glancing to the ground,” he’s uh…got a project he really into and..yeah”

She seem to understand  and Jason lowered his shoulders,Iris had her hair pinned up slightly just to barely show her eye.It wasn’t long before the group made their way to the art gallery, despite making small chatter with your friends you couldn’t help but keep glancing down to the space next to you, expecting Error be there,making some joke or quip that would make you chuckle.

It felt like a part of you was missing.

Still, you had everyone else here, you could still enjoy yourself. Galleries used to be so cool to you when you were a kid,big large empty spaces with tons of paintings as far as the eye can see, it motivated you to become an artist, nowadays however you felt intimidated looking at them, there was a sense that after all this time you never really accomplished anything.

You watched  as Thea grabbed Iris by the arm and dragged her around,her silky black hair followed in a trail,leaving you to follow behind with Jason by your side. Every painting caught your attention either by the brush texture or the level or detail it them, of course there were more than just paintings, the sculptures were lovely, formed from glass, clay, wood or some mixture of those materials, you haven’t really been looking at the little writings next to the pieces but your eyes managed to catch some words on a detailed clay sculpt of the female form,painted with gold.

Name: Uye Nayme

Age: 14

Your heart sunk a little when your read those words, trying not to think too hard about it you look over to Jason who didn’t seem to interested but not completely zoned out and disinterested.

Then Jason spoke up,”soooo you’re an artist right?”

“hm? Yeah?”

“this stuff….probably speaks to you more an average joe like me” he gestures to the paintings he’s facing.

Smiling, you said,” yeah I suppose so but I think an ‘average joe’ can learn to appreciate work like this “

Jason scratches the back on his head,” I guess…I still don’t see it though”

“Jason! Is (y/n) with you?” Thea calls out before he makes your way to you,” (y/n) you’ve gotta see this, this is looks so much like your art”

“hehe you think?” you chuckled as you glued yourself to her side.

“yeah trust me,it does , and who knows? You might get a strike of inspiration from it!” she winks at you.

“god I hope so”

As you trailed behind Thea, You pulled out your phone to check the time but then you thought ‘ I should text Error’ surely things at home are going well without you.

Error sat in front of the washing machine,watching the clothes inside spin around and around,the only thought going in his mind is ‘god I fucking hope I’m doing this right’ he’d hate to destroy the machine because you would have to pay for it,speaking of which, he wonders how well your doing over out there.

Then like clock work,his phone pinged in his shorts so he pulled it out and his soul lightened when he saw it was from you.

>hey

Hey<

Another ping from you.

>how’s being home been? It’s getting cloudy over here

Alright, don’t get wet<

>haha you’ve been doing the chores like I asked?

Error glances up to the drying clothes that were hanging from his strings.

Yeah<

>you haven’t tried to eaten the detergent have you?

And like that he hiccups a bubble as it slowly floats down to the floor.He frowns.

…<

No<

>Error

>that stuff’s expensive

>anyway, hope you aren’t missing me too much <3

Error chuckles as he rolls his eyes,he’s hiding his smile with his hand as he texts back.

All good here, have fun out there<

He hesitates for a brief second before adding.

<3<

And like that the conversation died peacefully and he slipped his phone back into his short, returning to his chores in a better mood.

You slipped your phone back, even though Thea showed you the piece and while you admit it did look nice and maybe similar style the theme it was trying to present wasn’t something you really did,though it did give you an idea to maybe try to do something like that, you made a mental note of that.

After you all left the gallery,Thea decided to go to this café for some drink and snacks, and well, you couldn’t do creative things on an empty stomach. The clouds grew darker as you got to the café and order some drinks, you got a chocolate drink that looked pretty fancy atleast to your standards,whipped cream and sprinkles of chocolate flakes.

“oooh Error would be so jealous” Thea teased.

“heh he would” You added,” I should send a pic just to rub it in”

“kinda risky isn’t it?” Jason raised a brow to that comment.

“hm he can chew me out when I get back”

You fiddled with your phone so you took a phone of yourself and the drink,a playful look, looking at your little selfie, it kinda hits you that you’ve never taken a selfie in….ages, maybe back in highschool? Had it really been that long?

“ugh that looks bad” you comment yet you still sent it to him anyway.

He responses quickly.

Lucky<

>Haha don’t worry I’ll get ya a little something ;)

>Also looks like about to rain

Then come home,for my treat’s sake and safety<

This gets a smile out of you,as expected from him with a phone now It feel like he hasn’t really left his side though you wouldn’t mind him being here maybe when improved his mental state, you’d imagine he’d be by your side, the two of you taking slight jabs at each other and joking around, he would lightly try to hold your hand and make comments about the things he would see around him,you would laugh and he would give you a grin bearing his yellow teeth.

“(y/n)?” Iris asks.

You snap out of your little daydream,”h-huh?”

“sorry, you uh looked alittle tired and I thought..” her voice drifts off but you get the idea.

Sitting up straight, you sputter out,” n-no,it’s not that I just kinda zoned out”

“the sudden weather change doesn’t help either” you tried to change the subject.

“a total bummer” Thea sighed,” you three better get home nice and dry then”

The only problem being is that you parked really far and home was about a hour’s drive from here.

The total downpour of rain,annoyed Error to no end,loud thumping that echoed through the home. The last text you sent him was you talking about how you should’ve brought an umbrella. He’s in his room attempting to fold up some of his clothes,somehow he managed to get some of his shorts stuck on his head, it’s only when he hears the door to the apartment open does he peep out of his room,grabbing the shorts off his head.

You.were.drenched

The nice clothes you wore were soaked and clinging to your freezing body,you toss a little bag at Error before rushing into the bathroom. The glitch takes a look to see it be a chocolate filled donut, his eyes lights up.

“thank you~” he calls out though he’s pretty sure you can’t hear him.

He shuttles back to his room and chows down on his threat, disregarding his clothes on the floor,by the time he finished the donut and cleaned his fingers up,you had finished your shower and checked up on him,wearing your lazy clothes.

“had fun?” he asked, picking up one of his sweaters, “missed me much?”

“it was nice” You replied, “geez I can handle myself well without you….but I did miss ya a little”

A smile forms on his face,”aw, I feel so wanted”

That comment gets a small chuckle out of you before all of a sudden you left out a loud sneeze which made him jump slightly.

“god I hope I don’t catch a cold over this” you sighed with a sniff.

“Would it have made going there worth it?” He said in a slight joking manner.

You gave him a mild shrug before leaving him to deal with his chores as you felt a bit of motivation to work on your own art after going there, He’s in complete peace and quiet as he folds his clothes and puts them away in the closet,set in the way that he can see and order them, now that he thinks about it, this little room was really beginning to feel like his space now.He’s got clothes of his,a collection of yarn and materials stacked on shelves ,books of his interests, it really was his.

Now all he needed was a bean bag,now that would really finish the room.

The glitch admired his room for a bit before he picks up the sound of music playing, usually that meant you were in the studio doing your artsy stuff. For some reason he found himself compelled to leave his room and entering the hallway,he sees the studio door open,light and music bleeding through the crack. It was a soft song that lulled into his soul as he found himself stand in front of the door,a hesitated claw reached out and with baited breathe he gently pushes it.

Bright lights blinded him for a brief minute before his multi-colored eyes are greeted by the back of you,sitting on a lone stool,his hands are shaking as he looks on, the music grew louder as his slippers stepped forward. Your completely zoned into your work,soft yet hard working hands moved around the canvas, colors, your colors spread all over,creating orderly chaos. He’s stepping past the piles of sketchbooks,years of training and practice and past destroyed brushes and spilled glitter, the singer from the speaker sings as he looks on at the rest of you.

All I ever wanted is here

Those words ring in his soul, a warmth he’s never felt before.

All I ever wanted is

 Error accidently kicks a pile of colored paper which catches your attention,turning around and seeing the skeleton, his eyes meet yours ,ignoring the paint smears that were on your hands and clothes. Your eyes widen and quickly whipped around on your stool.

“Error! You’re!” you exclaimed in disbelief.

And suddenly reality kicks in for him and he’s surrounded by the things that strike fear into his soul,he’s glitching badly and shaking. Your not sure if you can comfort him but before you could think of doing anything he teleports out of your studio and you can hear him lean against the wall just outside the door of the studio, he’s trying to control his breathing by taking distorted heavy deep breathes, you quickly tried to clean off the paint on you and when you heard Error’s breathing slow down did you try to approach.

“Error..?” you gently called out from the door.

Error’s glitching was still bad as he muttered curses,” f-fucking hell, I d-don’t know what came over m-me”

“hey its okay Error” you tried to ease him,” well, not really----you really pushed yourself again”

“god I did” his palms are rubbing into his eyesockets, “I’m so sorry”

“just y’know don’t push yourself” you said,” just slow and steady for now okay?”

“okay” he nods along.

He pushes himself off the ground,still holding his chest,you repeat once more if he’s really okay and he repeats he’s fine,at least it’s what he’s telling himself as he slightly stumbles back to his room, mulling of his stupid feelings and his very stupid choices.

Chapter Text

Error felt off today.

He really couldn’t put a claw on it,his soul felt uneasy as he laid around on his bed,he checked the time and could tell that it was morning judging from his own body clock yet he couldn’t hear the sound of foot steps thumping outside. That alone told him that something was wrong.

Then again, he tried to reason with himself,maybe you overslept, maybe you we trying to pick something to wear or maybe you got your head stuck in a coathanger.He wouldn’t put it past you to do such a thing.

After some internal bickering, he calmed his nonexistent nerves and hopped off the bed. Peeking his head out into the hallway to see it still dark and all the doors that connected to it were still closed. Now his anxieties where heighten as he began to pick at his claws.

The glitch was at your door, still trying to not be a super worry wart he tried to causally knock on your door,passing off his incredibly shaky hands.

“(y/n)?” he attempted to sound like his usual self but his heavily distorted voice gave way.

No response, he kept telling himself that it wasn’t a big deal but it was odd, thankfully you didn’t really lock your bedroom door as he gently pushed it with the fingertips of his claws,meeting your dark room. Error could make out the outline of the room and as his red eyes scanned the room he spotted the bed and the lumpy form of you in said bed, bringing him even more confusion,making his way to your side,your hair skewed about and your face buried into the pillow.

“(y/n)..?” Error asked more sternly but still with that tone of worry.

That’s when he picked up on the off putting situation right now, you shifted in the bed but your movements were slow as you forced yourself to look at the skeleton monster as his eyes widen to the mess of a human he was looking at.Your face was deeply red,sweat formed on your forehead that caused your hair to stick, you looked like you were in pain.

You weakly blinked but kept your eyes closed just barely making out the figure of Error,”E…..”

You could barely form the words,growing quiet once more and now Error was basically at your side with panic,his claws digging into the bed sheets.

“w-what’s wrong!?! (Y/n)!?!” He’s now hitting his anxiety limit,seeing you struggle to form words only giving pained looks and groans.

Error didn’t know what to do, he’s never see you like this , was this normal for humans to go through? What does he do?! Were you dying?!

That word rung through his skull, dying dying dying dying dying dying, his mind was screaming at him,no, you can’t----you just can’t, he can’t lose you, not now! Not ever! You meant the world to him,no amount of resets or timelines or AUs could ever change that, he can’t can’t can’t can’t CAN’T CAN’T CAN’T!

His eyes are frantically looking around the room,trying to find an answer somewhere, god if he actually paid attention to humans he wouldn’t have been in this situation, he would have known how to handle this then you would be okay and totally not dying.

Blinking,he realized something and it hits the glitch like a bus,he booked it to his room scrambling on all fours as he ripped his phone off from his bed,his breathing had become rapid and he couldn’t control the shaking in his hands as he desperately scrolled through his contacts and nearly cracked his screen as he punched in the name,his phone rang which edge his anxiety further and further.

Then a pick up,”hello---?”

“Thea! S-something wrong!” He exclaims but all that was coming out of his mouth was stutters and glitching static.

“wha—Error---”

“It’s (y/n)! I think t-they’re dying!” he can’t hold his phone,even with both hands tightly gripping it.

There’s shuffling on the other side of the phone,”dying? Hold on Error---I can’t hear---”

“a-and I don’t know what to do--!”

“ERROR!”

That seemed to shut him up aside from his frantic breathing as she spoke up once more,”breathe Error,are you with them right now?”

He quickly teleports back to you side, your state not changing,”y-yeah?”

Taking deep breathes he continues to listen to the phone,”are they breathing? What’s wrong with them?”

“yeah…they..they are” He’s trying to clear his throat,”but badly and their face is red and sweaty…”

“please…please come here” Error begs her,”I don’t know what to do,and—and I don’t want them to die because of me…”

His eyes hurts,everything hurts,his breathing hasn’t slowed down and his vision was breaking down again,black spots but he can’t think about his pain right now,he can’t crash now no matter how much his body was screaming at him.

“okay, I’ll come over” Thea spoke up,”do you want me to stay on the line?”

“n-no, I need,I need to keep an eye on them..” Error repiles,looking back to you.

“okay I’ll hang up,call me If they get worse”

Error thickly swallows as he hung up.He could feel a crash coming up but he can’t bug out right now, he needed to be by your side, he needed to make sure that you were okay! Legs were about to give in so he was force to slump against the wall,eyes watching over your like a hawk even with the dark growing spots in his vision.

After what seemed like hours of waiting,he heard a knock on the door and he teleported to the front door which was a big mistake on his part to use his magic in this distressed state as he slipped and fell face first into the door after being disoriented,still he throws the door open and lets Thea in who was just as disheveled as he was.

She quickly paced to your bedroom with Error following behind,then carefully checked over you as you slurred some words and were really confused to why Thea was here. Her thick eyebrows were furrowed but quickly softened,looking back at Error.

“they’re fine,looks to me that they caught a flu” Thea explains.

“a flu?”

“yeah just your regular flu but it probably got mixed in with stress hence why it looks worse” she continues,”after a good rest,soup and medicine they’ll be up in no time”

Fine,you’ll be fine,you weren’t dying,you weren’t going to leave him. The adrenaline,stress,anxiety and high magic mixed into a tiny skeleton all wore off at once as he promptly crashes,collapsing to the ground.

So when he came back to conscious,it was alittle miffing to have a human freaking out over him.He slowly pushes himself up from the floor,his head throbbing like crazy and he felt like he was going to throw up and frankly he didn’t want to do that while you were sick.

“fucking god---Error you scared me for a sec” Thea sighs with relief,kneeling down at his level,”I already worry about (y/n) don’t make me start worrying about you”

“duly noted,how long was I out?” He questioned as he shakily got up,using the bedside table to support himself and glancing back at your sleeping form.

“maybe a minute? I wasn’t really counting because what the hell was that? That didn’t really look like fainting”

Error grumbles out words,”I didn’t faint,I crashed”

“like a computer?”

“yeah,like that I guess”

“that explains the weird loading button that was on your head”

That conversation was quickly cut short as you stirred away again and Error quickly jumped to your side,seeing your weak form shift from under the sheets.

“guh…guys..?” you weakly spoke up,your voice sounding like sandpaper,”i..need to go..to go work..”

“oh hell no,I’m not even letting you get out of bed” Thea ordered you,”not that you could, but speaking of which I need to go to work”

She turns to the glitch with a soften look,”you’ll keep an eye on them right?”

Was that even a question? He nodded without thought and so Thea left you and Error at that but not before giving him a few small tips to help with your sickness.Once she was gone he got to work to helping you heal,a bucket by your side,a nice cold damp towel on your head and loads of blankets,placing some of the his knitted blankets on you,you occasionally muttered nonsense to him but for the most part let out soft groans or was asleep.

As that was set and done,he grabbed the stool from the kitchen and used it as a seat to sit next to your bed and watch over you in case things got bad.Ruby red eyes guarding you as your chest slowly and hoarsely rise and fall.

Still,he can’t help but curled up against himself out of embarrassment,sure,he didn’t know a lot about humans and didn’t really put effort into knowing them but to have a panic attack crash over a cold.Error felt like a true idiot but then again the fear crawled into his soul,clinging to him like sticky honey or food that’s stuck in his teeth.

The fear of losing you.

He’s sick,he feels sick thinking about it, Error could protect your as much as he can but in the end there was always someone, something bigger ready to take you down and he despises that, he despises feeling so small and vulnerable in this situation because he can’t fight it for you.

 He feels something wet drip onto his arms,Error glances down as he comes to released that a waterfall of tears are streaming down his face,staining his shirt. He’s crying, he’s crying all because of the possibly of losing you.It’s stupid, he’s stupid for getting all worked up over a cold. He trying to wipe away his tears but more continued to spill from his eyes sockets,muttering curses under his breath.

And it seems that all the sniffling and cursing managed to awaken you once more,your weaken eyes glancing over to the hunched for of the glitch.

“Error…?” you sounded like complete garbage but you managed to get to Error as he looks up with teary eyes.

Error nearly chokes on his words,sniffling a mess,”yeah..i’m here,you just scared me is all”

Despite how half lidded your eyes were,you still gave a weak smile,”sorry…”

“quit apologizing and get some rest” He repiles,wiping away his tears,eyes growing heavy.

“baby…” you chuckled as him and that seemed to cheered him up slightly.

“yeah yeah I’m a big baby,you happy?” Error snarked in remark,getting up from the stool,”now rest, I’ll make you some soup or something”

Error quickly adds,”I’m not making actual soup, just the stuff in a can”

As much as the glitch didn’t want to leave your side, you were going to need food and medicine eventually. Letting the instant soup boil in a pot then heading over to the cupboard and glancing over the boxes,bottles and packets of medicine,after picking up a pink bottle and sending a picture to Thea --- because god forbid he accidently poison you--- he got a thumbs up emoji from her so he sets off with the nice and hot soup in his hands and the bottle of medicine in his pocket.

The smell of food entering your room seem to have awaken you,trying to sit up to see Error hold the bowl. Blue strings set pillows down to you so you could sit upright abit better,rubbing your sickly eyes of sleep as he set the bowl down carefully on your lap.

“can you move?” He asked.

“not much..” you replied,frowning.

He’s picking at his nails,watching you struggle to pick up the spoon,”want me to feed you?”

You looked at him with always surprised but still smile at him,”that…would be great”

Error did hesitated being so close to you but carefully scooted over so he could hold the bowl better,you were so warm from your sickness that he could feel your sweat stick to him grossly,he certainly was going to need a long bath after this.With the spoon he carefully fed you the meal,granted instant soup isn’t great but considering how hungry you were it was basically a first class meal to you.

You were very grateful for him.

It wasn’t long till Error helped you scoff up the last of the soup,“there, feeling better?”

You nodded before you quickly frowned when you saw Error pick up the bottle of medicine.

“yuck”

“The bottle?” he raised a brow.

“yee”

“it’s suppose to make you feel better dummy” Error huffed as he turned the cap,each small click making you shrivel up.

You tried to shout with sandpaper in your throat,”t-t-that doesn’t mean I have to---to like it!”

Still despite your protest,you did want to get better even as you watched in horror the pink sludge spill out onto the spoon,the strong metallic smell made want to reach for the bucket.You had to get better…for Error!

“take it,you big baby” Error asserted,hold the spoon dangerously close to you.

Taking a deep breath,you took on the whole spoon,every sense of taste assaulted by the disgusting fake fruity flavour plus the grimey texture that followed it even after you swallowed it whole,you gagged as you bolted to the water on the bedside table and gulped it all down all the while Error sighed and placed the items back.

“…thanks I guess” you quietly said to him,setting down your cup.

“seriously it’s nothing, anything to get you better” He takes the bowl off you and one hand on his hip.

A silly smile rests on your face,”my hero”

The glitch doesn’t reply but he’s got a slight blush across his face as he head out the room,washing the dishes and doing small chores around the house, checking up with you every now and then seeing you completely knocked out,even though your were fine,sick sure but you still gave small talk whenever you were awake there was still that itch to check over you.

The next time he enters your room,he brings his knitting set since things around the house were done and he really couldn’t help the anxious feelings that grew when you were out of his sight. As it was a pattern,you were asleep and after you had begrudgingly  taken your medicine,it looked like you were sleeping better,more peacefully.

He looks over your sleeping form then brushes some fallen hair off you face,his claw tenderly tucking your hair behind you ear,Error couldn’t stop a smile from forming on his face.Even though you were sick,you deserved rest.Your eyes fluttered opened once more making Error pull away slightly.

“did I disturb you..?” He gently asked with a quirked brow.

“not at all”

A soft pause comes from you as you speak up,”can..can I ask you something Error..?”

“sure”

Your eyebrows soften as you hesitated ,trying to form words in your muddled mind,”can..can you join me?”

That certainly caught his attention,his face growing a slight blush.

“ah..that was dumb nevermind..” your voice drifted off as he hid under your sheets.

“n-no” Error’s breath hitched,”it’s not dumb,move over”

Your eyes lighten up before you shuffled back alittle as Error tossed his jacket and slippers before crawling in under the sheets,his skull popping up from the blankets.That weak but sweet smile you gave him sent warm fuzzies into his soul that he couldn’t look you in the eyes anymore,your warmth radiating the bed.Then out of nowhere your arm laid across his body, making his jump slightly.

“thanks for..taking care of me today..” you spoke with a slight yawn as you felt yourself drifting to sleep once more,”you’re really…my hero”

And like that you were out like a light as Error lets go of the breath he was holding,to be call a hero felt…nice,not a villain,murderer,killer….

Destroyer of worlds….

No, he was a hero, your hero.

He shifts into a more comfortable position,careful not to awake you as your arm laid across his chest,faintly tickling an old chest wound and yet…he wasn’t scared. If anything,he felt…safe.

Staring at the ceiling,his blue strings greeted him,safe…he liked feeling safe.

Chapter Text

To say that waking up with Error in your arms was a surprised was an understatement.

Error had to fill you in on what happen since your cold basically memory wiped you, You were still groggy as you cold hadn’t fully gone away but from what you understood and from some of the things you faintly remembered; Error found you out with a cold, freaked out, called Thea and she had to explain what a human flu was, Error took care of you and then under your sickness you asked him if he could rest with you.

You were quick to apologies profusely for overstepping physical contact,to which Error had to be the one to calm you down.

“i-it’s fine (Y/n)” He shrugs you off as he dangles his legs over the edge of your bed,kicking on his slippers.

“I mean---are you sure your okay?” You asked once again,”it’s just that—a whole night of contact!”

Error hops off the bed and grabs his jacket,”I didn’t freak out or crash so it fine…it’s not like your gonna hurt me”

“of course not, I couldn’t even anyway—you’ve seen me try to open jars” You remark.

Just as Error gets his jacket on you attempted to get out of bed,tossing your blankets off before blue strings grab you and yank you back into the bed.

“like I’m letting you out of bed” Error warned,going over to your side and throwing the blanket back on you as the string retreat off.

He psyches himself up with a quick breath as his carefully let his hand press against your forehead,feeling the warmth come off you,still you pouted at him,”I’m fine Error!”

“over my dead body,your—as I think the saying goes--- ‘sick as a dog’ “ He quick to point out,” you’re resting and that’s final”

  “uuggggh I’ve been stuck in bed all day” You whined but Error gave you quite the look so you had to admit defeat,snuggling back into your bed,”can you atleast get me my laptop and my sketchbook?”

“sure,where did you last put them?”

You hummed as you rubbed your temple,frowning in thought,”uhhhh I think they should be in the living room? The laptop should be I know for certain”

He agrees as he heads out of your room leaving you to rest up a bit more. Heading to the living room he finds the laptop but he couldn’t find your sketchbook.Error scratching his skull at this point,if it’s not in here then where else did you put it?

Unless….

You left it in your studio.

His body freezes up by just the mere thought of it,going back in there was just begging him to have a bad crash again however he really didn’t want you up and walking around while you were still sick. Making his way to the door of the studio, he’s trying hard to not think about the freak out he had a while ago but he could do it only because you were in it so he didn’t need to think about it,about the arts that were staring down at him, surrounding him, mocking him.

Error thought about using his strings to blindly reach in but that would risk breaking something important in there so the next and really only option was to go in and find it. He just stood there at the door for a solid minute,trying to hype himself up, his claws tighten clenched into fist nevertheless he shakily grabs the doorknob and turns it.

He keeps his arm over his eyes,keeping them onto the ground,using that as a guild around the studio.

There were pieces of paper skewed about on the floor,scribbles of notes or drawing ideas, his slippers kept kicking pencils which startled him as he walked, he knew he had to look up eventually to find your book,peeking inbetween his fingers his multicolored eyes quickly glanced around and spotted a desk with a lot of books on it so naturally he shuffled his way to it and pulled the books off.Through his fingers,most of them were just bookings teaching how to draw certain things,still he persisted until his clawed hands touched a book that felt like it was covered in stickers. This had to be the book however he couldn’t reach it with his own hands so he used his strings to grab it however he since he didn’t have good vision, he accidently flung the book past him,cursing under his breath as he hobbled his way to the book that was now on the floor and just so happen to land right in front of a painting. Error jumps back in terror at first before taking a good look at the painting, his freakout being washed away with confusion.

It was a painting….of himself,it wasn’t just a painting of himself--- it was a painting of himself smiling .

Red eyes,blue tear marks, yellow razor sharp fangs, very part of him represented in a painting.

He’s tightly gripping your sketchbook, Error ponders if he does look like that when he smiles.

Finally making his way back to you room, he hands you your laptop and sketchbook to which you gratefully took.

“the things I do for you” He comments.

Yes the things he does for you out of…..care.

“my hero” You quip back at him as you open your laptop,”what would I do without you? Die of boredom probably”

His cheeks lightly glow as he speaks up,”hm yeah…your book wasn’t in the living so I went into your studio”

“my studio??” That catches your attention as you look right at him.

He continues,”I’m fine, I didn’t freak out or whatever but uh.. I did find a..painting of me in there..”

Error notices that your face grows a bit redder than the usual sickness red,”you..alright?”

“hah..well if it makes you feel better I wasn’t planning on selling it, I just wanted to paint you,sorry I’ve should’ve asked” You half-apologized,shrinking into the blankets.

His eyes glance down to his hands, ”remember what I said about that I didn’t mind your drawings of me? Well, the same can apply to..that stuff”

Again you gave him that smile,it was nice but at the same time he wanted to crawl inside himself.

“ugh quit looking at me like that”

“like what?” you ask.

“like that”

As much as you were teasing him, Error wasn’t going to leave you side, simply deciding on sitting on the opposite side of you on the bed, you look a little confused but it wasn’t unwelcomed, you were mostly going to be checking on sales on your paintings and emails.

Error sat and watched, fiddling with strings in his hands as a quiet but peaceful atmosphere surrounded you both. Comfortable normalcy, something Error was so grateful to have after years of pain and surviving on just instincts, he was safe, he was happy with you. Gently leaning on your side to feel your warmth soothe his bones, you don’t seem to mind it as you continued to write up some emails.

Chapter Text

Long grueling days at work left your mind nothing more than mush, you sluggishly turned the door handle and left yourself in.

“I’m back E..” You said deflated.

Only to your surprise to see three heads to turn to look at you.

“oh.. hey Thea, Jason” You slowly greeted them, seeing Thea and Error on the couch with Jason “You don’t usually show up on my work days”

“I know I’m sorry!” She apologized, getting up from her seat, “ I thought about texting you but I didn’t want to distract you from work so I thought I show up here once you were done and I might’ve frighten Error”

Error huffed, “ you didn’t frighten me”

“dude she totally frightened you” Jason smirks under his breath,” can’t believe you got startled by a woman like her”

“don’t take me for granted I’ve been through defensive classes” She remarks.

“right--- sorry---” You interrupted, gesturing to yourself, “do you mind if I change out of this before you explain to me what’s going on?”

Thea agreed to that as you hobbled your way to your room, leaving poor Error alone with the two people he had the tensest relationships with. Thea was fine since she wasn’t ill- willed and he was thankful for her help when you got sick but she seemed like a lot and reminded him of someone he knew, he just felt awkward around her…. Jason…..let’s just say that he might’ve said to much.

He could feel the man’s anxieties and angst from here, Error really did feel like he was the one in control when he lashed out but all it took was a few words from Jason for him to realize who had the high ground.

(Y/n) will find out who you are

It stuck fear into him, it was basically blackmail.

His mind still wanders at the thought, not even the sounds of the tv could distract him, if you found out who he is, would you be repulsed? Disgusted? Want nothing to do with him, any person with goody two shoes’ morals would think that.

Again, you were always a surprise, every time he acted frantic or did something stupid, he expects it to get on your nerves yet you simply gave him a warm smile and offered understanding.

He really didn’t deserve you.

Maybe you wouldn’t be disgusted with him, maybe you would try to understand? Perhaps you would be disappointed in him but still accept him.

Finally, you came back out from your room, wearing nicer casual clothes, “okay Thea what is it that you wanted to tell?”

“okay! So!” She pulls out her phone and begins scrolling through it, “I managed to get contracted to do some photoshoots with a super crazy popular influencer---- some sort of clothing brand they have”

Your eyebrows went up, “wow, that’s--- that’s really great!”

Thea however deflated a little,” the only problem is they want to do this shoot in a certain place so I’ll be out of town for a little while…”

“so no more breaking into my home for a while?” You joked, “but seriously i’ll be fine”

“I knooow” She whines, “besides you’ll have your guard with you so I’ll know you’ll be okay”

“My guard…?” You looked at her confused before following her eye trail and seeing that she was looking at Error.

“oh--!” your face grew alittle red as you smacked her, Error must’ve been listening to the conversation because his cheeks looked a little blue, “I’m not a little kid Thea, I’ll be just fine”

“okay! Ow! Quit punching me!”

Error tried to deal with the burning in his cheeks by using his cold hands to cool them off, quickly glancing around the room he noticed that Jason wasn’t here, granted he didn’t want the guy around and hoped he was in the kitchen or something.

He didn’t need to proclaim that he was heading to his room, he simply hopped off the couch and headed to it.

Error thought about distracting himself with his small collection of books until he heard footsteps approach his room, at first, he thought it was you but when he turned to look, his mood imminently soured.

“it’s you..” He glares at Jason before going back to one of his books, “are you finally done intruding on our home?”

Jason tugs at his own jean pockets, “you mean their home?”

Error gritted his teeth, continuing to flip through the book in his hand, hoping to ignore the human.

“I suggest keeping your tongue in place” Error quietly threatened.

“killing me would just show (Y/n) how dangerous you are” Jason retorts back, taking his hands out of his pockets, “at this point why keep pretending your some good person? you just delaying the inevitable”

Error’s flicking through the pages, barely reading the words in the book he held, burning anger seeped from his soul into his bones, this pathetic human had power over him and he couldn’t do anything about it. He wants him to leave but did he really have any say in this home, to a degree Jason was right, it was your home first you were more so the boss.

“(Y/n) was better off alone”

The glitch slams the book shut before whipping his head to the human, “Don’t you fucking dare bring them into this---”

However, all his anger and resentment that shook his body was suddenly replaced with utter terror as his red eyes focused on an item that Jason was holding.

Error doesn’t know how the fuck Jason got but what he had twiddling in his fingers was a brush, a paint brush. Please please please no he can’t go through this again, he can’t be hurt again.

The book was long abandoned on the floor as Error froze in utter fear, a cold chill shivered through his spine it was like hell froze ten times over.  His soul raced so hard it might just crumple and dust from how overworked it was and no matter how much his body was screaming at him to breath, he could barely hitch a bit of air.

Jason noticed how quiet the monster has gotten, “cat’s got your tongue or something? What were you going to say?”

He then noticed that Error was dead staring at the paint brush,” why the hell this has your attention?”

“Get it away from me” He shakily mutters out, his claws tightening into fists.

“You live with an artist, don’t tell me you’re scared of a little brush” Jason twirls the brush which makes Error flinch, “maybe I don’t need to worry for their safety as it seems this is the only way they keep you at bay”

Error is suffocating under his own mind, no matter what he tries to do, his body didn’t want to listen to him it only wanted to fight or flight, ‘please stop pointing that thing at me’ He thought through the swarm of deep seeded memories that were flooding back to him. Memories of unwelcoming hateful eyes, lies, manipulation, pain through every bone in his body, paint, so much paint…. So much pain.

I don’t want to be in any more pain

Please don’t hurt me

PLEASE DON’T HURT THEM!

“LEAVE US ALONE!” Error screeched out, fight mode kicked in as a flurry of glitching red bones launched from him.

Bones struck the wall behind Jason with a loud thud. The screams of Error plus the sounds of crashing were something either you or Thea could ignore, You didn’t hesitate as you dashed to the sound of Error’s distress only to find Jason holding one of your paintbrushes, red bones protruding out from the wall, breaking the ply and Error other side of the room with his back against the wall, hyperventilating and shaking, his glitching looked like he was phasing out of reality.

“Jesus Christ Jason what the hell happened here?!” Thea exclaimed.

Jason didn’t say anything, dropping the brush he was holding—clearly in shock as well but you had a better understanding of Error, you carefully approached Error with your hands open to show that you didn’t have anything to harm him. He was clawing at his eye sockets muttering strange things under his breath.

“I can’t go back, I can’t go back”

“Error, it’s me--- (Y/n)? it’s okay I’m here now, no one’s here to hurt you”

You had to carefully call him a second time for his seven yard stare to finally go away as he seemly snapped out of it, still shaking like a scared kitten, he looks up at your were frightened scared eyes. Error looked so relieved to see you as his tense shoulders relaxed slightly.

“(Y/n)…..?” His voice was barely audible but spoke with such care and relief.

Kneeling down to his level, you hesitated for a brief second but you intertwined both of his hand with yours, “yep, it’s me E, take some slow deep breaths remember?”

He nodded, his breathing sounded like a broken recorder but nevertheless he listens to you, he’s never been so happy to hear your voice.

“feeling a little bit better?” you asked him.

“a little” He slowly repiles, “b-but I feel a crash coming on”

“do you want to go to your bed so you can crash a bit more comfortably?”

His eyes were glitching out badly, “no…I want a hug”

And like that he crashes, flopping forward and you managed to catch him in your arms, his face comfortably buried in your chest. You attempted to lift him up into your arms, a little heavy but nothing you couldn’t lift before turning to Jason in utter confusion.

“Can you explain to me what happened to him?” You asked the other man.

Jason tenses up a little, before gesturing to the bones impaled into the wall, “I don’t know what to say other than he attacked me”

“He wouldn’t do it without reasoning” You said in disbelief.

“ like I said I don’t know--- he just got aggro with me and shot--- whatever those’s are at me” Jason starts to get a bit defensive, “He’s dangerous”

“Jason!” Thea jabbed him.

“they don’t know him!” He tries to argue back.

“I don’t know you either!” You suddenly snapped at him, surprising both of them.

That distress that was inside you quickly changed to a spike in anxiety as you realized what you said to him, shrinking into yourself, “I…I didn’t mean it like that but… your just an acquaintance to me, I’ve known Error longer than you… I trust him”

You were never good in these situations, words just seemed to fail you the second conflict arose and you probably just dug yourself a deeper grave, glancing to the unconscious glitch in your arms before semi- looking back at the other two, you didn’t like dragging Thea into your messes.

“Sorry it’s been a long day…” You admitted as you set Error down on his bed.

“Understandable! We—we should probably give you and Error some space—right Jason?” She interjects while grabbing the other human and luring him out.

“that would be nice…um..” You really didn’t want to be perceived that you were mad at her, “Just text me later about your trip okay Thea?”

“yeah! I will!” She gives you a thumbs up before dragging Jason out of the room.

You only exhaled a heavy sigh once you heard your main door shut, glancing over at Error, seeing his little loading bar go up very slowly. You really hated conflict and you didn’t want to lose anymore people in your life, people were just so confusing and frustrating to you, understanding things like that always felt like they were talking in another language.

But enough wallowing in your depressing thoughts right now you had to take care of Error and well….the whole ‘bones in the wall’ stuff ,you noticed the paintbrush on the floor and pick it up, pondering for a moment. How the heck did Jason get this? You were pretty good at keeping all your art related stuff in the studio or atleast in an area Error wouldn’t go in…. until you forgot this one time? Or did Jason go in your art studio? It was creepy less he didn’t know--- then why did he pick it up the brush?

You don’t know what the hell happened to well but you felt like it was best to pick Error’s side, He was pretty good at expressing his discomfort so Jason had to really been making him feel so distressed that he lashed out. You put the bursh back in the studio where it belongs.

Speaking of which, you pulled out your phone and began looking for the number of your apartment lord.

Error finally awakens with a loud gasp for air as he shoots up from the bed, clutching his racing soul, he sees you finish talking to someone on the phone before hanging up and he relaxes a little, seeing it was just you and him now but he just happens to look over and see red bones protruding from the wall and…..oh….

He screwed up big time.

Error freezes up when you look back at him, you looked so tired and he hated seeing you like that, he hates that he’s the cause of it.

“you feeling okay Error?” You asked him before adding, “don’t worry, they’ve left already”

He avoids look you in the eyes, his gaze softens, “fine…sorry about the wall…”

“a wall’s a wall, I’m just glad no one got hurt” You replied to him, “I did have to tell the manager of the building about what kinda happened but a tradie’s coming tomorrow to um fix this”

“are you mad?” He quietly asks like a child to their parent.

“mad? No” You shake your head then pausing, “more…worried than mad, that was the first time I’ve seen you freak out like that in a long time, what happened?”

He presses his knees into his chest, the panic deep seeded memories flowing back up, “He was pointing that thing at me and it… brought up some bad things..”

You nodded in understanding, god he really didn’t deserve you, “well if it makes you feel better Jason is definitely getting a earful from Thea”

“It does a little” He mutters out before adding, “I thought he was going to hurt you”

“You thought Jason was going to hurt me?”

“no…um..” The phantom pains grew stronger, “someone else i…. ‘knew’.. I thought he was going to hurt you”

Error knew you really didn’t understand and there’s no way he could bring up his past without bringing up who he really is but he just thought that maybe you could understand a little.

It seemed to click in your mind as you gently held his arm, “well ‘he’ isn’t here, it’s me, Thea, Iris and ----well---- Jason, ‘he’ isn’t going to hurt you anymore, he has to go through me first”

For some reason that gets a laugh out of him as you huffed, “what? I’ll fight whoever to protect you!”

He’s still laughing easing the atmosphere,” says the person who can’t open an olive jar..”

Wiping a tear from his face, he looks over you with a loving look, “still…it’s nice that I have my own hero with me”

Error was okay with being each other’s hero.

“feeling better now?” you asked once more.

Error nods along,”much better, though an early dinner doesn’t sound too bad right now”

“instant noodles?”

“hell yeah instant noodles”

Chapter Text

Error frowned as he dried his mug.

“something up?” You asked him, handing him a wet plate.

“When’s that guy gonna leave?”

The tradie came in early basically kicking Error out of his room, the bones that impaled the wall had long disappeared before the tradie came in, leaving huge holes and cracked plaster. You had kept your word to Error and told the tradie the you had dropped some furniture, either the tradie didn’t care or totally took it and just went to work on fixing it up.

So here Error is, helping you do the dishes.

You had sent an apology to Thea about your attitude yesterday then proceeded to go on a long ramble about how stressed you were with work and with Error’s crash. She was one hundred percent understanding and then you both chatted about her upcoming work and how she was heading off soon and also she was totally planning on getting you something.

Jason….you never really sent anything to him.

You were mad, no maybe that’s not the word…. Disappointed in him? Why does he insist on trusting him over Error? Is there really something you don’t know about Error?

Error was Error to you, he liked knitting and sewing, obsessed with chocolate and true crime, collected books on space and stars, liked sending you dumb dog memes. He was charming, strange but fun, he didn’t like talking about his past and well you don’t blame him from what small glimpses into his skull you get, seemed like a tough life.

Error was your friend.

“(y/nnnnnnn) are they done with my room?” Error whined, using his strings to put away some of the dried plates.

“I’ll check” You replied, turning off the water and drying your hands.

Making you way into his room, you awkwardly peeked you head in to see the process. It seemed like they managed to fill in the holes and take care of the cracks, leaving white blotches on the wall that stood out like a sore thumb, the tradie smell of concrete and fillings hits you nose and makes you shiver slightly.

The tradie pulls off the mask and stands up, dusting off their hand and leaving the mess on your floor, “right so it’s just drying, should take 14 hours for it to fully dry but it should be fine to paint over by then”

“Thank you so much” Your customer service voice kicked in, “Your four arms must come in handy a lot”

The tradie give four thumbs up,”well I didn’t become a tradie for nothing, I believe the pay is with the landlord?”

“I believe it is”

You bid the tradie goodbye, a nice fellow but looking down at your floor your saw a trail of dry plaster led to the door, looks like you’ll need to vacuum again. The second the door shut, Error bolted to his room and checked his bookshelves clearly concern that a stranger may have nicked something of his.

“Don’t touch the wall!” You called out.

Error placed back one of this books, satisfied that nothing of his was taken, he wanders back into the hallway just as you pulled out a vacuum cleaner.

“No let me” Error offered.

“Error, you’ve already helped me enough” A part of you knew he was doing it out of guilt from destroying the wall.

“well I’ll help more” He retorts back, taking the vacuum off from you.

The vacuum was a bit taller than him, so he was holding it above his head, kicking the button the vacuum whirrs to life and he proceeds to clean up the mess but not before he gets his foot tangled in the wire and nearly trips, taking the plug out from the socket therefore killing the vacuum, you tried to hold back a chuckle while Error huffed out of embarrassment and plugs it back in.

“Are you sure----”

“I’m fine! I can handle this okay! Bye!” He yells out as he runs off with the vacuum, leaving you to shake your head.

Normally you be in your studio, doing your paintings but you kind of wanted to spend a little time with Error, you just wanted to remind him that he wasn’t a burden on you. Besides you had to make some lunch and you had something in mind though one might not really consider it a lunch meal.

You headed to the kitchen and pulled out various ingredients, taking a pot out your turned up the heat and placed a good amount of butter in, once fully melted you added sugar and flour, mixing it constantly to avoid burning. Out of the corner of your eye you saw the head of the black skeleton peek through the kitchen door before he returned to his work.

Once combined you turned the heat off and let it cool before turning to the apples, cutting them wasn’t always a problem, it was peeling them, you always nicked yourself on something that didn’t require a peeler.

Mustering up the courage, you took an apple and began to peel it being very careful at first but…. You had so many apples to go through that you may have picked up the pace in peeling.

So naturally your hand slipped, “shit!”

You left a light cut on your thumb, hurting like hell. But it seems like your roommate had a sixth sense as blue strings popped down in front of you holding a box of band aids, smiling you take one out.

“Thank you” You said with a smile as the box floats away with the strings and you return with the work.

Peeling all the apples, getting a few more nicks and Error’s blue strings handing out more band aids, you finally got to the more bearable part of slicing and cutting up the apples, tossing them into the bowl and adding cinnamon and the mixture from the pot and combing it all together.

Granted you could have made the dough but money’s tight again after the wall stuff plus you didn’t want to wait for the dough to rise so store bought will have to do as you attempted to fit it in your glass tray as you didn’t own a pie tray. Poured the apple mixture in the dough and attempted to cross hatch the dough.

The pie…. Did look a little lumpy but as long at it tasted good it should be fine, once everything was done, you placed the pie in the oven, did the dishes once more before finally heading back to the living room, noting the vacuum noise was long gone and looks to be put away.

You ended up slumping into the couch with a heavy sigh, you couldn’t wait to eat that damn pie, you needed it.

“Do you need more band aids?” Error asked.

You raised your wound covered hand, giving him a thumbs up.

He sits next to your head, bumping into his thigh, “geez, how the hell do you screw up apples?”

“I blame my parents for never teaching me, Thea was always better at it than me” You said through the muffle of your hair, “but I did it atleast”

“can’t wait”

“I want to take a nap” You blurted out.

“Then do so”

“Mmmmmmmmmmm okay” You sigh, “just keep watch on the pie… maybe wake me up in like ten minutes”

A smile curls upon his yellow teeth,soft red eyes admire you, “Don’t worry, I will”

Chapter Text

“Error are you sure you don’t want the remote?”

“Nah, watch whatever you want” he said as he causally laid on you.

You were typing away on your laptop, Error leaning against your arm fiddling with some of his blue string, for the last few days have been a lot so both of you were in a state of exhaustion and overall feeling the slump, you’ve been in an art block for awhile now that it was driving you nuts and Error was lounging around between the couch, the bed and the floor.

To say the least, both of you were out of it.

“Plan on doing any knitting?” You asked him.

Error eyes were closed but you knew he wasn’t sleeping, “No, haven’t felt in the mood to do it, this goddamn sucks”

“I don’t blame you,” You added, as he was aware that you haven’t been painting or crafting lately, “making that apple pie though was nice”

The glitch sits up,”do we still have leftovers?”

“I think so? Probably not much of it now” You remarked, recalling how you and Error ate until you were both in a food coma, adding the vanilla ice cream was so worth it, “and probably soggy, not that it matters to you”

Error was already halfway across the room,” nope not at all”

“If there’s a lot left don’t eat it all!” You called out as you heard Error rummage through the fridge, “We’re going out for lunch remember?”

“right, Popstar’s work thing” Error yelled back, closing the fridge and setting his plate in the microwave.

Once it beeped, he came back to the living room with his plate of apple pie, he would eat the entire plate with how good it was but Error knew you liked these plates. From what he remembers you mentioning, Thea wanted to have a lunch before she left as she would be away for a week or two, Error wasn’t keen on seeing Jason again but this time he was going stick to your side like glue, Jason couldn’t do anything while other people were around.

Right..?

He took a bite of the pie, whatever happened he at least knew you would be by his side. It was a strange thought he’s been having, scratch that he’s been having so many thoughts about you and how you make him feel.

Some days his soul would feel so funny but not like he was hurt or sick, he knows he cares about you but thinking about it makes him want to punch himself! Or maybe punch you… no he didn’t want to punch you, he wanted to be close to you, protect you and maybe hug you.

Ugh his soul was doing the weird thing inside him again and for some reason his face was burning up! It was annoying the shit out of him so he ate his pie with more vigor.

Stupid vague emotions….stupid feelings…

Before he knew it, he ate the entire slice he had, sighing he set it down on the coffee table before leading back on you again, mindlessly watching the tv as he paid more attention to the feeling of your warmth, you had recently had a shower so you were very warm, welcoming and smelled nice.

“Do we have any nice clothes that aren’t in the wash?” You asked out loud.

“That’s later us’s problem” Error commented, stretching out like a cat.

Right, later us problem.

Error pondered for a moment, glancing at your hand. Car drive aside, his soul felt frazzled by the idea of being near you, the chill of the cool weather cooling the warmth that was growing across his face.

He stuck by your side as the two of you walked through the thick weekend crowd at the mall yet all it took was someone accidently bumping into him to jump and grip your arm like a lifeline, he basically buries his face into your arm.

“I don’t blame you E” You spoke to him, his red eyes glanced up to you, “Early Easter rush it seems but just think of all the warm food we’ll be eating”

“Easter? Is that why I’ve been seeing rabbits and eggs? It’s so early!” He exclaims, keeping his focus on you.

“Make more money that way” You shrugged as finally entered the main area, heaters finally kicking in and making more bearable to move around without feeling the cold hit you, “I wonder if Thea will be back before then? She usually makes me go to her family easter lunches”

Error blinks, “She has a family?”

“Yeah, she does who doesn’t?” You said before quickly realizing what that implies, ”Her family does a barbeque in a park they’ve been going to for years, ribs, steaks, burgers, you name it--- you can come if you want”

His eyes glance at his shoes,he had replaced the shoelaces with his blues strings while thinner than shoelaces they looked much nicer, “I don’t wanna intrude if it’s tradition”

“It’s fine Error trust me they’ll adore you” You replied.

“Because I’m a monster?”

“well I can’t promise they’ll be at least curious about you but they’ll treat anyone they know as family” You commented, “trust me, I’ve known them for since I was little and they still coo and fawn over me like I’m 10 again”

Error notices the warm smile you had as you talked about Thea’s family, it’s strange how you talk about them like they were your own family now that he thinks about it, you never really bring up your family, you do mention them in passing but never really go into detail about them, then again it really wasn’t his place to ask about that sort of stuff.

Though that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t think about it.

Inside the mall near the end with the food court was a small entrance to a pub, the smell from all kind of food made Error’s mouth water. His death grip was less tight on you as you entered the pub, the emptiness aside from a few people at the bar lounging about was welcoming.

Being empty it wasn’t long to find Thea in the sea of chairs and tables, along with Iris and Jason. Your best friend was quick to tackle you into a hug.

“Geez, you hadn’t even left yet you’re missing me already?” You lightly joked to her, getting poked by her earrings shaped like butterflies.

“Hush you” She whispers to you, giving you a light jab in the gut, “let me just enjoy this”

Error acknowledges Iris, who had her front hair clipped up showing her eye, her ghostly skin stood out against the pub’s warmer dark brown colors. Red eyes quickly shoot glares at the only human male here before the skeleton moved back to your side once more.

Joining in on the table, Error sat between you and Thea unfortunately meant he was facing Jason, Iris was also sitting on that side so he kept his gaze to between her and you.

“So did the manager tell you how long you’ll be away?” Iris asked, picking up the menu that was on the table.

“They said it should be done before Easter but y’know you can’t exacting predict everything” Thea huffed a reply out.

“I’d hope so, it be a shame if was the only one to turn up on your family’s easter lunch” You added.

“God! My family would never live it down” She groans as her eyes carelessly skimmed through the menu.

Jason quietly chimes in, “ You guys have plans for Easter?”

“Yeah, (y/n) and I have family get togethers” Thea explains before realizing, “What do you guys do?”

“go on long drives out of the city, sometimes check out the easter markets if any” Jason replies.

Thea tilts her head, “You’re still helping out on those easter raffles?”

“Not this year” He shrugs, his elbows pressed into the table, “Maybe next time”

“What about you Iris?”

She brushes away the hair that wasn’t covering her face,”Well… Monsters don’t really celebrate easter…”

“Oh right! My bad, you guys to have holidays though, right?” Thea asked.

“uh…we have gyftmas…which is kind of sort of like Christmas..” She spoke, fiddling with her black hair, “we don’t have a easter version for monsters as far as I’m aware”

Iris glances over at Error who just shrugs back at her, “But I’ll be spending time with family”

After a bit more chatting, Thea went up to the counter and ordered everyone’s meals. You happened to glance around the area and noticed in the corner of the pub was an area filled with little arcade machine, lights flickered in the corner of your vison and the sounds of games occasionally distracted you from the conversation at hand. You shall not be tempted by addicting but scammy games.

Error quietly fiddled with his strings, listening in the conversation but not really paying attention to it, focusing on your soothing voice, anything to distract having to deal with Jason.

“So Deltarune is like a religion?” Error heard You say, suddenly snapping him out of his mind fog.

“more of a….what’s the word, folklore than a religion per say” Iris tries to explain.

A waiter comes by and hands you all your drinks, Error takes a drink of his chocolate milkshake from the cup before realizing he had a straw this whole time and drinks out of that.

“there’s actually a few types of stories I remember hearing and reading about growing up in the underground…” Iris hums before taking a sip of her peach drink, “There is one story I remember but um it’s a bit hard to translate from monster but it’s vaguely called ‘Destroyer of worlds’”

Error chokes on his drink, coughing like someone put a fork in a microwave. You tried to ease his coughing by patting him one the back.

“Are you okay?” You asked him out of genuine worry from that reaction.

“F-fine” He lied, gripping his cup tightly so you wouldn’t noticed how badly he was shaking.

“You know about this?”

“i-I yeah I know about him…” Feels awful talking about himself in the third person.

Surely, he just misheard her but no, that name came out of her mouth, his boogie man name that lingers across time and space. Why is his past coming back to haunt him now? Maybe if he tries to keep his cool, they’ll stop talking about it.

“Sounds… Terrifying” Oh god why were you getting involved in this!?!?!

Iris fiddles with her hair as she continues talking, “well those stories are meant to scare kids, they’re never really described but they supposed to exist between time and space destroying realities”

“What the hell, that’s a cool ass story!” Thea exclaims, “I would kill to have a story about a multi- universe jumping serial killer as a kid”

All he’s thinking right now is hoping the conversation would stop, his non- existence stomach was feeling all bouts of anxieties and nausea. He can’t have another freak out, not in public. His claws dugs into his shorts, closing his eyes and trying to ground himself only to not realize that the food had arrived until he had opened his eyes once more to see the steak and mash he ordered.

Error had been looking forward to this meal but now he can’t really imagine himself eating it.

A destroyer of worlds doesn’t deserve a good meal like this.

Still, it’s food, so he half- heartly cut the meat into pieces and chewed on them longer than needed, the meaty taste only mildly distracting himself from the conversation at hand. Worst is that he couldn’t get a read on you on this whole situation, you had an intense look of interest but nothing else to suggest maybe disgust or terror, perhaps you didn’t want to offend another culture but he both needed to know and don’t know how you truly feel about the ‘real’ him.

“hm? Is your meal alright Error?” You snapped him out of his daze, ”You don’t seem enthused about it”

Finally he had the chance to change the subject, “No, no, it’s fine---- How’s yours?”

“It’s not bad, wanna try some?” You offered some of your meal to him.

Error will take about any interaction that isn’t about him, he uses his own fork to take a piece of your meal, it’s not bad if only his disappear wasn’t looming over his head like a thick fog.

“When you go off on your work trip, everything will be paid by them right?” You asked Thea cautiously.

“I already told you (Y/n), everything’s going to be paid for” Thea reassures you.

You raised a brow,” Everything?”

“It’s in the contract” She said before taking a bite from her pasta plate, “ They’ll be dealing with one hell of a lawyer if that weren’t the case”

“Is your lawyer that good?” Jason adds.

“The amount of trouble I’ve managed to escape because of her lawyer” You commented then realizing how that came out, ”legal troubles--- I mean not crimes”

Error lightly snorts at that last comment, “Don’t panic dummy, like you’re able to commit any”

“I dunno maybe I can” You huffed.

“You scream like a banshee when you see mice and beg me to kill them”

You huffed again, going quiet and eating your meal with vigor, a glare directed at Error that he couldn’t help but smile at your goofy attitude. Thea’s laughter isn’t helping making this funnier.

“Yeah, I have to agree with Error, you’re too soft now” Thea smirks, “but back in primary school…”

The color in your face washes away with realization,”oh..no don’t bring that up..”

“Bring what up?” Jason asked

“Stoooooop” You groaned.

The glitch is just as confused, “(Y/n) what’s going on? Were you like a theft or something?”

“No ,nothing like that” Thea corrects, “But back in Primary school, they were quite the troublemaker”

“Weren’t all kids?” You tried to defend yourself.

“But not you” Thea leans against the table, “detention was basically your middle name, Every teacher feared crossing you in any way”

“why? What did they do?” Iris chimes in, now interested.

“I’m right here”

Thea sits up right, “okay, so back in primary school, like grade two”

“---- grade one” You corrected her.

“right, grade one---- so I had dreadlocks back then, Ma did them for me and I was so happy” Thea began explaining, “but this teacher um.. what’s her name..”

“Miss Flinch” You chimed in, knowing where this was going.

“right…well she was… let’s say..”

“a Racist sag of meat” You blurted out so casually yet so bitterly that everyone that wasn’t Thea jumped in surprise.

Even Error thought he might’ve dissociated into another AU and met an Underfell version of you. Was this person Thea even talking about the same as the sweet human that is sitting next to him?

“Yeah I know! So when I came into class with them, she was fuming and grabbed the nearest pair of scissors and just----” She makes a snipping motion towards her afro hair.

Iris gasps, clasping her mouth, “no…”

“Yep!” Thea interrupts, clicking her tongue, “right off!”

“isn’t that assault?” Jason points out.

“Now sure, back then? Forget about it! A teacher could stab you for no reason and it would be brushed off as the kid’s fault for ‘misbehaving’” She makes air quotes with her hands.

Error raises a brow, “okay but when does (Y/n) show up? I wanna hear them committing crimes”

“I didn’t commit crimes” You quietly remarked.

“Well, They were in a different class so they didn’t know until the first break and when they did—oh all hell broke loose”

“You’re really playing me up as some devil spawn aren’t you?” You commented with a slightly smirk.

“I mean I don’t know how you did it to this day but you broke into the teacher’s office space and trashed her little cubical” Thea exclaims, “You poured brown paint into her coffee without her looking!”

“They weren’t that bad”

“You gave her computer ten different trojan viruses!”

“Anyone can do that”

“When another teacher tried to defend her, you slash that teacher’s tires!”

“okay that may be a minor crime..”

“And this wasn’t a one-off thing either! You did this for a straight week until she was fired for what she done” Her finger is jabbing into your chest.

“Jeez, how on earth did you do all that?” Jason said in disbelief

“A magician never reveals their secrets” 

Just as you looked at Error, his big red wide eyes looked up at you with a sense of fondness.

“That’s so cool…” He confessed with a gleam in his eyes.

You playfully raise a brow, cheeks going a little pink, “What? Am I not cool now?”

“You are, but this is badass” Error points out.

The meals had long been finished, you may have eaten you’re a bit faster that intended because frankly you didn’t want to recall your childhood angst, even if it was warranted. You just felt at some point, too ashamed to express yourself loudly so you did so in a way through your art.

Finally, the conversation shifted to the arcade in the corner, Thea wanting to kick your butt in a race of arcade kart before she goes. Error was certain to stay close by your side, watching the two of you race, roasting each other’s driving skill, even though you were getting your butt kicked you were having fun, it made him feel nice, the warmth in his soul growing, easing the anxiety that hung in his bones lately.

He happened to glance around the small arcade, flashing lights and beeping overlapped each other, there were some other machines like a giant spinning wheel, shooters and crane games. Strangely he didn’t see Jason around which did drudge up some anxiety but he knew that the other human couldn’t do anything, besides Error’s reasoning side of his brain just told the Jason was in the bathroom and to stop being a baby, Iris was failing at getting something from one of the many crane games.

It was clear you were too enthralled with the kart game to hear any comments he would make; besides he would rather have you two interact before she left. So, he made his way to the cyclops, not making himself present yet until Iris lost at the crane game again.

“(Y/n) tells me those are scams” Error then makes himself known, his reflection in the machine’s glass coming into view.

“I know but it’s always a ‘what if’ thing” She spoke with slight embarrassment.

“What exactly where you trying to get?” He looking into the machine but he not to familiar with these weird small plushies.

“They’re just silly little keychains” She explains, “thought it would look cute with my bag”

With that Error raises a skeletal brow in thought, “hold on let me try,”

Iris looked at the other monster in confusion, watching the skeleton hunch down to the little flap on the machine, She really didn’t understand what was going on until she saw blue strings crawl out inside the machine and grab one of the little keychains and dragging it into the hole. Pulling his hand back to reveal the little toy in his hands.

“Error!” She quietly exclaimed, not to bring attention.

“What? Who’s going to care that some toy is missing in a crane?” Error retorted before tossing it to her, “here catch”

She fumbled it, glancing down at the silly keychain, a small smile appears on her lips before pocketing the little guy.

“Thanks”

“Eh whatever” He shrugs as he turns back to the crane machine.

“It was nice of you, Destroyer of worlds”

He freezes up once more, slowly looking back at the other monster with wide red eyes, her singular eye said everything; she knew.

“How…?” He spoke in a terrified deadpanned voice.

“W-well when I first met you I didn’t think much of it, Many depictions of you were vague at best but some of powers in the stories seemed to line up and then I heard small things from Thea and (Y/n)--mostly (Y/n) but that didn’t fully seal the deal” She awkwardly explains.

“It wasn’t?”

“It was back at the table, you refer to—well--- yourself as ‘him’ most stories that are atleast a few centuries old refer to you with no description of a gender but stories about you a few trillion years back did refer to you as a man” She pointed out, “that meant you were way older than any monster of this realm”

Mentally cursing himself, he really should have been paying attention than maybe he wouldn’t be having this fuck of an embarrassing yet terrifying conversation, he just prays to whoever that you weren’t listening to this.

“So? What are you going to do about this now you know?” He threatened but it hung empty on his jaws.

“Nothing”

Error blinks, ”huh?”

“It’s not really my place, is it?” Iris replies, “Besides the destroyer in the story isn’t the same monster that’s standing right in front of me”

Not the same destroyer.

Maybe past him would feel insulted by a comment by that but now…. He feels a sense of relief, a tenseness eases his shoulders, still he keeps his guard up with Iris.

“You won’t tell them, will you?” He asked.

“No, though it really isn’t my place to say this but…” She pauses, “like you said to me, they’ll find out soon enough”

Iris doesn’t speak out of anger but rather out of concern, “If you don’t tell them, someone else might”

Error frowns, as much as he hates the thought of telling you, he despises the thought of someone else telling you--- especially Jason, he sure as hell would try and twist the narrative.

“I’ll tell them…” He hesitates to speak, “not now though”

“of course,”

He happens to look over to you and sees you chatting to Thea and Jason, that deep pit in his body unease him but he makes his way back to your side and the second you smile at him, that uneasiness becomes a bit more bearable. You had asked him what he and Iris were doing and the cyclops chimes in that they were just talking about monster stuff. Good to know and she seems like she’ll keep her word.

With that lunch came to an end, leaving Error quite exhausted as the two of you headed out of the mall. He kept stumbling over his feet trying to catch up to you.

“can’t you teleport to me?” You asked him as you stopped just outside of the shops.

“Too. Tired. To. Use. Magic.” He huffed.

You tapped your chin in thought before an idea popped into you head, “Hey E, can I hold you?”

He looks up in confusion,”uhhh… why?”

“To carry you back to the car” You replied.

A faint blue blush grows on his cheeks, “if you can, I don’t want you breaking your spine”

“come on, a simple lunch meal couldn’t make you that heavy” You let out a chuckle and with a bit of prepping you managed to lift him up and over onto your shoulder.

Error was now sitting on your shoulder, a little disoriented by the sudden height shift and the feeling of moving despite not walking but he quickly began to enjoy it.

“Holy shit, is this how you see everything!?”

You smirk, “It must be nice not having to crane you neck anymore”

It was clear he was so excited but tried not to kick his legs too much otherwise he smack your chest. It was nice to have someone to care of in a way like when you protected Thea when you were children but she’s an adult now, she doesn’t need your protection not that you could anymore, you weren’t the same person as you are now, that loud, brash child and did what they thought was right, you’re now a husk of that.

A loser, a whimp, a coward.

Your hands grip his ankles for support, he seems content resting on your head, maybe with Error, that part of you could still come out.

Chapter Text

Error squinted from the sunlight that was blasting down on him, not even the sunglasses he ‘borrowed’ from you. His red eyes glanced over to you, who was leaning over a wire fence, it looked like it was about to give way any second which irked his anxiety, the people who were passing by didn’t help either.

You and Error were at a trash and treasure, from what he hears from you, it’s like the craft market you both been trying to make stuff for but instead it’s people selling secondhand items.

It was where you got a few of his later stuff since getting new stuff now was a bit difficult, shoes, shirts, shorts,jackets, bracelets--- he didn’t wear those last things because they always got tangled in his strings but he still kept them on his bookshelf as decoration, the things you got him meant the world even if it was simple things in your eyes.

You finally get off the fence, easing the tension in his shoulders, “Ready to get moving?”

“I was waiting for you actually” He replies, fiddling with the sunglasses.

“You were?” You sounded a little embarrassed, “I thought you were mentally preparing yourself, that’s why I waited”

Indeed, he was but that was not the point, he shifts over to your side, “well—whatever let’s get---”

He was about to grab your hand but stopped the second fingers touch, his face grew warmer than the sun blaring down at him.

“What are you…oh!” You realized what he was attempting to do, reaching out and grabbing him pointy hands, “You can hold my hand E”

“Yeah, sure..”  He barely says.

Stalls lined the small area, filled with treasure….but mostly trash at least in Error’s eyes, he may not have the greatest grasp of money but even he knows he wouldn’t pay a dime for rusty sawblades.

Or is it a dollar here? Bah details.

Error passes by a half rotted wooden rocking chair with a slight frown, “Well that sign was pretty upfront with the ‘trash’ part”

“There’s a lot of good stuff here too! I mean look at that vintage wardrobe!” You gesture to this large dark oak piece of work, its frames curved with fancy designs.

“It wouldn’t fit in our home” Error points out.

“I knowww!” You swung his hand around, yanking him slightly, “But imagine if we could”

The only thing Error could imagine was both of you trying to figure out how to get it through the door first, theoretically speaking Error could teleport it inside but it would break the low roof and the risk of it falling on Error, he was keen on those things happening so to speak.

“eh I guess I’ll admit it looks nice” Error comments before he looks over to you and your determined look, “quit staring at me like that”

“Like what?”

“With those big eyes”

“Fine, I’ll stare at you with tiny eyes” You then squinted at him.

He lightly shoves you, a smile on his face, “God, you’re so dumb sometimes”

“Admit it, it’s the part you like about me!” You teased him.

His face goes a little blue, turning away, “s-sure whatever, let’s keep looking”

He likes a lot of things about you -----stupidity aside, your kind, too kind for your own good sometimes, your patience when dealing his shenanigans, your strange human charm like how you always stick your tongue out when writing emails, how does the meme go? It’s like you’re trying to use the single brain cell in your head. Or how sometimes he hears you making noises in the shower, not singing just making random noises, sometimes he hears you repeat a car ad word for word.

How stupidly, oddly charming.

The two of you wander a bit, the clothes people were selling were what you’ve gravitate to, most of the clothes that were selling were ones where you just wear around the house and you had plenty of paint and clay-stained clothes. Some of the clothes you pulled out for Error were either too big or too small, you had a hard time revisiting the urge to laugh when you accidently pulled out a super tiny mesh piece, his unamusement was golden.

“Over my dead body you’ll be catching me in this” Was his comment.

“I dunno, it doesn’t hurt to show some bone right?” You joked

He pushes the clothing away from him, “ugh I rather wear something with a bit more class”

Frankly he rather not walk around bearing his bones, wearing a tank top at home was fine because he trusts you and home was his safe place but out in public was too unpredictable even by your side, he already gets stares and odd looks from both humans and monsters, he didn’t need them staring at all his self-inflicted/ battle scars.

Error eyes wander at a particular stall while you were looking at candles, gently tugging at your hand which gets your attention, he points across the pathway to another stall and your eyes follow his pointing and both of your eyebrows raised at what you were looking at.

A nice somewhat frilled silk black dress caught both you and Error’s attention, it was a very lovely dress so no wonder Error was drawn to it, he looked like he wanted to take a look but felt a little intimidated to do so, with determination in yours eyes you basically dragged the poor glitch across, with him stumbling over his sneakers and the glasses slipping off his nose.

“You’ve got quite an eye for this stuff Error” You grabbed the dress and held it out, seeing under the frill was blue silk fabric, matching Error’s tear markings, it was like it was made for him.

His eyes are awkwardly dancing between the dress and the ground, “I mean yeah, but it probably doesn’t fit me..y’know big boned and all”

You pouted your lip at his excuse before pressing the dress against his chest, nearly poking his eye socket out in the process with the coat hanger.

“I think it’ll fit you pretty well!” You remarked with thought.

“I dunno, it might be too much for us” He kept making excuses, “y’know that wall damage did take a kick in the pocket”

“Error if you want it you can have it” You said to him.

“me? Wanting the dress? Noooooo” A pause from the glitch, before quietly adding under his breath, “maybe”

Another voice chimes in, “oh? Are you looking at that dress?”

Both of you jumped from the person running the stall, Error bolted right behind you, leaving you to the cat-like monster with piercing yellow eyes.

“um yes! ---i--- we were wondering how much the dress costs?” You point to the dress in one of your hands.

“that one? Tell ya what I’ll sell it to you for five” She answered you.

You blinked it surprise, feeling Error straighten up in shock to, “really? Five? are you sure?”

“sure, My daughter bought it ages ago but never wore it” She spoke with a shrug, “some designer brand I think but I’m not really into fashion”

You take a quick glance at the tag, you certainly don’t recognize it, maybe Thea would know more about it she was way more knowable in fashion.

“Are you sure five?” You asked once more.

The cat monster happily nodded so reach in you pocket to grab your wallet before realizing;

“um Error?”

“yeah?”

“can I have my hand back” You asked him, “I need to pay her”

His face lit up once he realized he was still holding your hand, Error quickly lets go, causing the glasses he wore to fall to the ground. You paid up just as he re-adjusted his glasses, handing her back her coat hanger and carefully folding up the dress so it didn’t become crumpled. Error eventually pulled the bag that you were carrying all the brought stuff in and you placed it in, making sure it didn’t get crushed.

“happy?” You asked him

He’s fiddling with his hands before quietly saying, “a little”

That gets a smile on your face, “trust me, you’ll look great in it”

You make a gesture that you’re asking for a hand hold before Error, after some mental debating, grabs onto your hand, his thumb brushing against your burn wound that has long faded but still notable on your skin, it felt different from the rest of your skin, rough, scratchy.

“oh Error! This person is selling beetle prints!”

But it was still you.

He squeezes your hand as he follows along with you, seeing those beetles did spark an idea in him, he’ll ponder about it for a bit maybe if he got the right color of wool…

Seeing you smile over something like old bug prints sent his soul aflutter, even if he doesn’t fully understand why he’s filled with such excitement but deep down linger the looming dread that still hung around that only seemed to worsen now that Iris is aware of his status.

At some point he would have to tell you but maybe it’s just a hunch, something big involving multiverse matters is going to come crashing down with you getting caught in it all, he’ll need to tell you just in case something happens to him so that you could defend yourself, though he really doesn’t know how to go about it--- how does one even explain a concept?

He just wants to be Error for a little longer, your hero just a little more, he tell you soon….soon..

Chapter Text

Error stared at the dress that laid on his bed, he stood on his floor,staring, half dressed. He kept telling himself he would try it but there still was that nagging thought in the back of his skull that kept telling him otherwise, it was such a simple thing to do so why was he hesitating?

“Fuuuuuuck it” He said as he snatches the dress off his bed and begins to slip it over him, tugging it past his ribcage.

After what felt like being birthed through fabric, his head finally popped out and he adjusted the sleeves and skirt, taking a good look at himself.

The dress surprisingly fits pretty well, nice and snug around the ribs and waist but just loose enough around the hips, it was silky smooth as he ran his claws over it, such nice fabric almost mesmerizing to him.

He headed over to his closet and pulled out a medium sized mirror, it once was in the hallway closet but you don’t recall ever getting it, then again you sometimes forget to eat. He carefully balances it against the bookshelf before taking a step back and looking at himself.

This was not the same destroyer of worlds.

Granted he did have heavy bags around his eyes, must have been overusing his magic but he looked happy, content, at peace.

He gave his reflection a smile before embarrassedly giving a small curt, bowing a little to hide his slightly ashamed face, he’s seen people on TV do it so why not him? The dress moved and danced nicely around. It felt strange to see his exposed scarred legs and arms as well as a small peek at the scar that was across his ribcage.

Nevertheless, he liked it.

“ERROR!” You suddenly burst into the room, giving Error a soul attack as he desperately tried to cover himself up with his arms like he was naked, “that dress----that your now wearing, I looked it up and apparently it sells for 500 dollars! What a steal!”

A pause, “oh! You’re wearing it, looking good!”

His face lights up and he’s forced to look away from you, “T-thanks..”

“Give up a little twirl!”

“what? No!”

“come onnn it’s just me” You gently coaxed him ,” please?”

Error let’s out a groan, the blush never leaving his face, “you’re killing me (Y/n)”

He complies, doing a little twirl, the ends of the dress flared up before he ends it and crosses his arms around his chest. You give him a little clap.

“Amazing Error” You cheered him, “definitely for a fancy party or something like that”

You decided to leave him be to enjoy the dress, giving him a thumbs up on the way out, closing the door. Error sighs before glancing back at the mirror.

At least you liked it, it would be nice to walk around in it, wearing nice shoes, holding your arm, feeling your warmth and chatting about the most meaningless things that would mean the world to him.

He’ll get there one day.

Chapter Text

Error has been acting strange all day.

Yesterday when you were going to shop at the craft store, he had awkwardly shuffled to you and handed you a note listing certain colored wools before saying it was for ‘a big project he was struck with’, you didn’t think about it back then but now… maybe curiosity was getting the better of you, you wanted to see what your roommate was up to!

He wouldn’t even come out to eat, you either heard him eating chips he sneaked in or you had to hand him food through the door.

Anytime you did ask him about it he would say ‘it’s not done I can’t show it yet’

Clearly, he’s been struck with the elusive creative drive, you yourself had time when creativity struck you hard that you didn’t want to lose the steam so you kept going, skipping sleep or meal. Still, you didn’t want him to crash and burn after all that hard work.

So even if you’re stuck waiting at his door with food and drinks, knowing he was eating and drinking eased you slightly. Though it left you alone for most of the day. Thea texted you every now and again, complaining about on set drama and other things, missing you, missing Error, missing family etc.

When you told her that you brought a designer piece for cheap, your phone absolutely blew up with her text, you knew it would get a reaction out of her and so left your phone buzzing to let her cool off.

You cleaned, washed, showered but you couldn’t work on your craft, seemed like the artistic gods wanted to bless Error today, you couldn’t even doodle a thing on a piece of napkin. Tapping your pencil against your sketchbook, humming little noises. Maybe looking up cat memes would get your flow going….

Error looked nice in that dress yesterday, it really was like the dress was made for him, it respectfully showed off his chunky red bones that gleamed against the lights, bone plates and joints were noticeable and interesting to see in motion. Blinking out of your daydream, you glanced down at your book and noticed that halfway your started drawing Error in that dress.

Well…it was better than drawing loops repeatedly…

You heard the door to his room click but you didn’t hear his footsteps. Curious, you peeped over to his door and it was indeed unlocked and cracked opened, unsure if it was like some sort of cue or permission, you simply peeked your head in.

A huge knitted blanket draped the floor, light brown with a dark brown frame and in the middle…were depictions of beetles. The blanket shifted which scared the shit out of you briefly before Error revealed himself from under the blanket, dropping his knitting equipment onto the ground, staring off into the ceiling.

“Done” He simply said, not even looking in your direction.

“Woah Error, this was all your doing?” You said in disbelief, moving closer into his room, “it’s so cool!”

“Yeah, my wrist’s hurt like shit” Error groaned, rolling his hands around, “but I couldn’t stop, didn’t mean to worry you”

“I wasn’t too worried since you were eating and drinking but what are you planning to do with this?” You asked him as you picked it up and rubbed your thumb over the yarn.

“It’s for you” He finally sits up properly, “Consider it a thank you for the dress”

A warm blossoming feeling spreads through your chest, clutching the fabric, “really? For me?”

The glitch nodded and you pulled the blanket off of him and wrap him around it before pulling him into a hug, his red eyes widen as he felt your warm and safe body surround him, it felt like hours but it was only seconds before you pulled away, picking up the blanket and dashing to your room.

“Thanks E! I’ll put it on my bed!” You shouted from down the hall, “also sorry for hugging you! Should’ve asked!”

Error shakes his head playfully before he picks himself up from the ground, using his strings to grab his knitting tool. The warmth that was once over him, now left him slightly cold.

Chapter Text

Your finger joints were aching like hell as you typed away, mix between email, payments and endless scrolling online, you were very tempted to just flop back onto your bed and sleep, what would you do to have your sketchbook with you, ugh but you can’t be bothered. Stretching your hands out and flexing your fingers, feeling the pain shoot through before you slumped forward and smacked your head against the bright laptop screen.

“Error I know your at my door” You said out loud, hearing the glitch jump slightly from your door.

“shit..how?”

“I can see your shadow under the door” You replied back, seeing his shadow swaying from side to side, even faintly seeing the red of his toes.

A long pause before he talks, “are you busy?”

You raised your brow slightly, why on earth is he acting like this? Did he over fill the washing machine with soap again?

“No, you can come in” You shut your laptop and scoot it back against your bed. Resting with your legs against your chest.

It takes a minute for Error to unlock the door and slowly scoot in, his red eyes greet you at the other end of the room, shifting between you and the floor, he looked deep in thought, skele-brows slightly twitched--- as if unsure of the words he wanted to say.

“There’s…” His voice is heavily distorted before he clear his throat up slightly then spoke up again, “There’s something I want to talk about..”

Tenseness hits your body slightly; you really didn’t like where this might be going and your mind was already racing with worse possible situation. Error did notice this in you and try to raise his hands but kept them close to his chest.

“Ha.. don’t—don’t worry it’s not about you” The monster tried to reassure you before his eye sockets lowered, “well kinda—no, nevermind, it’s more about me”

You slipped off your bed so you were facing him properly, “Error, you know you don’t have to talk about certain things”

“But I want to” He confines in you, “I want to get this off my chest, I want to tell you this before some asshat twists the narrative”

He was referring to Jason but he didn’t to bring that up right now, he’s already got a handful right now to deal with. Error’s watching your body tone like a hawk, seeing if your shoulders tense up, your hands clasp tightly against each other or any sign that he should back down but no, you looked concern, worried but not scared, fearful, terrified.

“What….” He takes a static deep breath, “What do you think of me..?”

You raise a brow at that, “what? That’s all?”

Error didn’t say anything as he watched you press your finger on your chin, “well…you’re a butt sometimes but you have good intentions, you’re passionate for your hobbies and even if certain things terrified you always try your best”

His soul is at conflict with himself, nevertheless he continues, “Would those… theoretically speaking change if I told you about my past?”

“…hm…well…If you did something really bad--- like bottom of the barrel stuff like…. Inject monkeys with cocaine to sell them off to animal circuses”

Error squints at you, “Why was that the first thing you think of?”

“I don’t know! I have a hard time believe you’d do something like that” You shrugged in defense.

“Well… if it makes you feel better I didn’t” Error replied, lowering his head, “I’ve done something much worse..”

He raises his claw to his side and snaps his fingers together.

The reality behind him twists and breaks, like a TV ceasing the ability to function, struggling to stay on, tears in the fabric of the world rip like tissue paper revealing underneath the sound of noise fuzz and the matter of white, white and more white.

Endless white.

The glitch raises his head, fearing you expression, “I’m the Destroyer of Worlds”

His soul breaks as he sees your horrified expression as you stared at the other half of your room being ripped apart from the white that was just behind him, he wanted to go back, go back to being Error, go back to being your hero. He wanted to reach out to you, to tell you to not be afraid of him but he can’t--- he’s scared, he’s scared he’s hurt you.

“Please, please, please don’t leave me” He’s begging you as you finally look past the white void and down to Error, “I won’t hurt you I promise”

“I….” You were at a loss for words as your hand rested against your face, “i-It’s a lot to take in…”

In all honesty, he’s surprised your still talking to him, he’d imagine you be running away screaming in terror.

You’re rubbing your cheeks, “so, you’re THE Destroyer of Worlds”

“yes”

“The one from the stories that Iris was telling?”

“yes”

“And they’re all true??”

“Ehhhhh Most of them” He adds, his eyebrow furrowed anxiously, “Destroying realities and timelines are definitely true”

“I just….” You take a deep breath, “I’m trying to think of words to say”

“um well, take as much time as needed” Error tried to be reassuring but at the same time he was freaking out hard over what you might say.

“Firstly, what is that that’s destroying half my room” You gesture to the white.

“That’s a portal--- we--- you seen movies with them, just a doorway to my…. Old home, the anti-void” He half heartly explains, leaving a sour taste in his mouth.

“so, all this time, this entire time, you could just… leave?” You said to him in utter disbelief, “Then what happened all the way back when I first met you? When you were injured?”

“ha..well….i was being chased and attacked by…him” Error puts it, “He’s like a ‘good guy’, Did Iris ever mention a ‘Protecter of the multiverse?’”

He never thought he would ever call him a ‘good guy’.

“I think…? I don’t know I’m just trying to wrack my head around all this--- I’m sorry---” You rambled on.

“it—its fine! Please take as much time as you need, I want you to understand everything about me” He did sound a little desperate.

He continues, “so I managed to barely escape him with little health I had, crash landed here and well….met you”

“But you could still leave” You repeated, your hands shaking, “At any point of our time together you could have left, why? Why? A literal god! Would ever want to stay with, frankly a meek weird human?”

Error finds his soul aching and thumping loudly in his rib cage, “Because I hated my life, a life I was forced into and didn’t get a choice, everyone in the multiverse saw me as this boogeyman, a villain, someone to point all their problems at; oh my grandma died, it was the Destroyer of worlds fault! ----- I lost my job, the Destroyer of worlds did it! ----I was so sick of it”

“No matter how far I escaped, him and the rest of stupid crew would always find me even if I wasn’t doing anything awful!” Bitterness seeps into his voice.

Then it washes away as he looks down as his hands, hands that have killed, “I don’t know what higher being decided this to happen but you were the best thing to have happened, the only best thing”

Error looks up to you and sees in your eyes tears forming, he doesn’t know what to do but talk, he doesn’t understand a lot of his feelings when it comes to you but he knows that your everything to him, “I can’t deny who I was, I was a killer, a murderer, I did a god awful lot of bad things but I’ve changed, here I’m not the Destroyer of Worlds, everyone just knows me as Error”

“please…just don’t hate me” He quietly confesses.

“I don’t” Your voice is shaky but those two words gave him a rush, “i-I--- why me? I don’t deserve someone like you…”

“(Y/n), You deserve everything”

And with that tears finally spill out and you find yourself collapsing to your knees, struggling to hold back sobs. Error wants to comfort you so bad but he doesn’t if he’ll just make it worse.

“I’m sorry Error” You admit to him, “but I really don’t… I’m not a good person either..”

Error blinks, removing the void portal, he carefully makes his way closer to you, “what? What makes you think that?”

You wipe away your tears, face red and feeling ugly, “I guess this talk was kinda needed…b-but I want to say..that I don’t hate you Error, like you said, you changed and I trust you…”

That lifts a huge burden off his shoulder, he’s a little relax but still concern with you.

“Do.. you want to talk about your stuff?” He asks with caution.

“I should but um..” You sniff, “compare to yours, my issues feel pretty small and i-insignificant”

He’s scratching his cheek, “Well, they’re important to me”

You adjust to sitting cross legged, Error mirrors you, his claws are gripping his legs--- wondering what you were going to say.

You take a deep breath, compose yourself and spoke, “It’s hard to figure out where to begin but---well Thea wasn’t wrong about how much of a trouble maker I was when I was younger but I had good intentions in a way, I hurted people who hurt others back because teachers and adults weren’t going to do much about things, I was just trying to protect Thea”

“My parents got real sick of my uh.. issues so home life wasn’t great, I mean I had a roof over my head, I was fed” You tried to explained, “but as I grew older, the arguments became more common and well Thea didn’t need protecting anymore, she became super popular in high school and knew how to defend herself now, I just sort of… shrunk into myself.”

A pained expression briefly flashes across your face, “Despite being a human I couldn’t connect with others, I don’t know it hard to understand what they wanted from me, I didn’t get it---- so most of my friends were just at the time Thea’s but those didn’t last either as despite my more quiet and reserve attuite, I still ended up in trouble for things to this day I don’t really understand----- like I bought this girl a pair of earrings and she got pissed at me for not getting the right brand or something”

“Sorry, this must be super lame and boring..” You apologized to him.

“Not at all (Y/n), it’s….nice to learn more about you” He said, before awkwardly admitting, “not to.. ruin the emotional thing we got going on but I am….um what’s the word?”

“You want me to ‘spill the tea’?” You asked with a slightly hiccup of a laugh.

“Yeah that!”

“well there was this one time I tried to warn a guy to not eat something because It had nuts in it, ate it anyway and blamed it on me” You recall slightly, “He was involved with a gang at the time so it wasn’t fun having the school go on shut down over it”

“oh. My. God.”

“Yeah life is weird like that” You chuckled.

“Didn’t your parents do anything about it?”

“If it didn’t affect them directly, then they didn’t care” You put it bluntly with a slight shrug, “speaking of them, there’s a reason I don’t bring them up”

You hesitated to speak, lips parting but no words came out, “They’re not in my life anymore”

“I’m sorry for your loss” Error replies.

“Loss? What no, they’re not dead---at least I don’t think they are? Um they kind of cut me out of the family”

“What really?”

“Yeah, it was because…I wanted to become an artist,” You confined in him, hands rubbing against each other, “They wanted me to take a dead end job but I stood my ground on what I wanted, for the first time in years---- so they cut me off, no roof, no money, no food. I really struggled in the last few years”

His eyes widen, last few years..? “so this happened recently?”

“Well yeah, Thea really helped out me then her family basically adopted me after they found out” You fiddled with a piece of your hair.

Sighing, “But in the end… my parents were right, I’m stuck at this stupid job because my art never sells”

Error frowns before noting how you were looking at him, a sadden yet soft smile, “But they didn’t know, that the best thing had happened in my life”

“and that is..?”

“You” You quietly spoke, your crying face going a little red, “you were the best thing to happened, things aren’t perfect by any means but you make things a little more bearable”

His soul did backflips in his chest, eyes wide like dinnerplates, Error was at a loss for words, even if the air is emotional and heavy, it felt like burdens have been lifted from each other’s shoulder, it was finally a relief.

“you’re…welcome” He stutters out.

You chuckle, “Then I guess it’s all good now?”

“As long as your okay having a interdimensional being live with you” Error remarks.

“That’s going to take to get use to” You admitted, “but I can try”

Error finally feels like getting up from the floor, “That’s all I can ask for”

He holds out his claw for you and you take it with a gentle smile as you get up from the floor as well, still holding his hand you yanked him into a tight hug, your hair drifted over his shoulder.

“Thank you” Your voice is barely a whisper.

He’s been trying really hard to not cry but it didn’t stop a single tear from falling from his blue- marked cheeks as he hugged you back, safe, warm, in your arms, arms that don’t see him as a destroyer of worlds but as simply;

Error.

Chapter Text

You may have put up a front that you somewhat handled the situation well but oh boy… you were a bundle of mess.

Internally you were not handling yourself well.

You were ready to suspect him for being a criminal, killer, drug dealer, whatever but this---- this deity of destruction?!? How does one handle that!?!?

You face was firmly sunk into your pillow; you mind a reckless storm as you tried to reason and logic your way into what just happen. This is something you see in stories, video games, anime, movies---- where your average joe gets their life turned upside down up some outside force, the main character per say.

And you were not a main character.

You were a side character, no an npc--- no those faceless people in the background of an anime. You weren’t important.

Life isn’t a fucking video game! You had to keep telling yourself, this was real life.

Still seeing Error confess to you--- to see him look so scared, you mean something to him. You. A mortal, a weak human---- you meant something to him, you’re unsure what that really means and the cool fabric of your pillow stings the warmth of your cheeks.

Out of every single being in the…multiverse, he chose you.

You get up from your bed, rubbing your face, there’s no point of trying to sleep now--- you really couldn’t sleep, maybe some tea or something would relax you, at least to the point you could sleep.

Taking in a stretch, you lumber out of your room, slightly attempting to get the knots out of your hair. It was when you were taking a turn to the kitchen and passed the living room, you saw Error on the couch, mindlessly watching the tv on mute. What didn’t help was that the two of you immediately locked eye contact with each other which filled the air with awkward tension.

The two of you stared at each other for a bit.

“i—”

“hey—”

Oof, yeah this is awkward.

“couldn’t sleep?” He quietly asked as if the act of talking to you would send you into a panic.

“Yeah, I was going to make some tea” You gesture to the kitchen, despite the fact that he doesn’t sleep---- he looked tired, you’d imagine opening up would take a lot out of him, “You want some?”

He slowly nods leaving the room in a quiet yet unsure atmosphere. As you were making the tea in the kitchen, you pulled out his favorite mug, hoping it’s another way of telling him that you trust him. That you know he’s trying his best to be a better person.

You pour the hot water into the mugs and dip the bag into it, letting it seep to your liking, Error liked his tea with a bit of extra sugar. Heading back to the living room, you handed him his mug and you watched as his eyes lit up softly before gently taking the mug off your hands, a faint ‘thanks’ escapes his mouth before he takes a sip out of his mug.

Sitting next to him, leaving a bit of a gap between the two of you, you take the remote and began flicking through to the movies you could play as background noise.

His red eyes soften, “Is…everything okay between us?”

You really didn’t expect him to be the first to really speak about this, then again it has been about him, “Yes I’ve said it before, I trust you---- the whole ‘multiverse’ thing is a bit confusing and hard to grasp, I imagine it’s different from the movies that center around it”

“It’s…. both close yet very far away” He comments, “I’ve never been good at explaining but every action can either make a new timeline or an new alternate universe--- the fact we’re talking is creating new timelines”

He looks over to you and sees you rubbing your forehead,” am—am I going to fast or--?”

“no, no, it’s just…how? How does talking change everything?” You spoke in disbelief.

“Don’t ask me, I didn’t create AUs I simply observed and tore them apart” He tenses up slightly.

You bit your lip, “so…theoretically speaking… there’s an uh what’s the word?”

“AU”

“A-you”

“A.U”

“Yes that, where we never met?”

“yep” He looked just as much horrified by the concept of it as you were, an AU where you were sad, alone and struggling to get by?

“I never liked AUs” He spoke, “Every other clone of me was having the time of their lives---- living happily, not being hated, getting their happy ending that I didn’t get, hell even the ones that were going though a bad time still were better off than me”

He slumps back into the couch, “I just had the anti-void and the voices”

“The voices?” You asked.

“They only live in the anti-void” He explained, “They were…the only connection I guess I had but they always mocked me, told me I’m worthless, nothing I did pleased them, if I destroyed---they got mad, if I didn’t--- they got mad”

“It’s hard to remember now that the voices in my head are mine and mine alone” He lets off with a sigh before taking a sip.

“I’m..sorry you had to go through that” You said to him.

Error can feel his eyes well up again, he looks away from you, “It’s—it’s fine, it’s over now….I’m happy here”

“I’m glad Error” Your voice drifts off.

“I feel like there’s a ‘but’ in there” Error points out.

You shift slightly in your seat before setting down your tea on the coffee table, ”I’m worried about this ‘protector’ guy”

Error flinches slightly but hold tight on his cup, “Yes…him, he shouldn’t hopefully be a problem unless I start destroying or I do something out of this AU to catch his attention--- which I don’t plan anytime soon”

“but there’s still that what if” You replied back to him, “What if he does find you, I don’t want him to hurt you but I don’t know what I can do”

“He’s my burden to bear (y/n)” Error retorts but deep down he doesn’t know either, he would have to leave, run away again, leave you behind, alone, he couldn’t bear to do it.

“Can’t he be reasoned with?”

“What?”

“Can’t I like, talk to him?” You asked before letting out a yawn, “I mean if I told him how great and kind you were…maybe he’ll leave you alone?”

Error doesn’t answer, he’s not too sure, sure he might not have the best memory but he’s never let an enemy go free. He knew how he is when it comes to a fight, no survivors.

“I don’t know….but I do know that I want to stay here with you and…and I would give it my all to protect you…to protect this second chance I’ve been given” He spoke with honest emotions.

“heh..you’re my protector..”

His red eyes lit up as he whipped his head around to look at you only to see that you had fallen asleep, the remote slipping out of your hands and clattered to the floor. The light from the TV coloring your skin in blue, he realizes that he might have been staring at you for a bit too long and so turns the tv off and uses his strings to take your now cold tea to the kitchen.

Error looks back at you, you had work tomorrow and he knows that a bad sitting position screws his back up badly so he decides to use his strings to pluck you up off the couch, carefully not to have his strings around the vitals like the neck as he carried you back to you room.

Pulling your blankets and tucking you into bed, Error gently brushes away some loose hair on your face, a smile forms on his face--- your warmth lingering. He’s Error, he’s your protector…you mean so much to him, in ways that he doesn’t understand but he does understand that it’s important.

You’re important to him.

Chapter Text

You sighed as you stacked the last coffee cup onto the machine, keeping your hands away from the steamer, a faint phantom burn tickled your hand but you tried to not think about it.

You tried to not think about a lot of things, you tried not to listen to the screeching of the coffee machines, you tried not to think about your co-workers gossiping like highschoolers even though they were in their 30’s and you tried not think about the customers. From old women who sit around and complained about their husbands and how lazy the modern generation are to the techie bro that had to loudly tap away on their keyboard and those parents who take their kids out even though it’s a weekday your children should be in school!

Work was work, you were at least somewhat grateful that you still had a job after all the court stuff, it didn’t stop you from wanting to leave this damn job.

At least at the end of the day, someone was waiting for you back home.

You slink your way into the kitchen, you were planning to take the plates out from the drying rack and putting them away but you looked over to the sink and saw one of your co-workers there, well your newest co-worker.

You had accidently run into them during the start of your shift, giving them a half heart apology before hurrying off, it was the lunch rush so you weren’t exactly in the state to chat to them.

They were a monster, a tall large one at that, you’d imaged it would be hard for them to get through any doors with their height. They looked close to a dragon, almost like the main dragon in ‘how to train your dragon’ but red and no wings, the best way to describe them is ‘red gummy dragon-like monster’.

You felt a little bad for kinda brushing them aside during the rush but you’re not really sure how to talk to them considering they were new and you’re not sure if they’re doing this for a quick buck or something else.

They were doing the dishes, so you made your way to the drying rack, taking the plate into pile you could carry. You replayed what you were going to say to them, as you were about to open your mouth.

“Hey sorry about running into your earlier” They spoke up, craning their head down to even look at you.

The deep voice threw you off your game but you tried to be polite, “no--- no it’s fine, lunch rush can be intense, um I don’t think I ever got your name?”

“Oliver”

“Well nice to meet you Oliver” You replied back to them, taking the pile of plates into your arms, “hopefully this place treats you well and gives you a decent pay”

Oliver laughs, “ah I’ve worked in worst places”

May a higher being have mercy on their soul.

As you head over to the counter to pack the plates away, one of your human co-workers came in, looking worried and concern, rubbing her hands together anxiously.

You raise a slightly brow, “Something wrong? A customer harassing you?”

“N-no” She quietly spoke, “There’s just some weird person staring through the windows”

“huh maybe they trying to figure out if we’re still open” Oliver suggested from the sink.

“maybe?--- I don’t know it felt weird” She explains, “from what I saw they looked like… I think a black skeleton?”

You paused, wait--- black skeleton.

“hold on a second..” You gently brush past her to the front counter, looking out the front window of the shop, you quickly spotted Error peeking through the window only to notice you and perk up slightly.

You quickly turned to your co-worker, “sorry! My bad, that’s my roommate, he probably got worried, I’ll head off now!”

You quickly grabbed your things and headed out the door, greeting Error on the way out.

“Error!” You exclaimed, adjusting your work outfit, “How’d did you find where I work?”

“Honestly I don’t even know” He sounded strangely out of breath, “I just teleported around…phew”

You don’t push him too much on that matter, changing the topic as the two of you began to walk, “Well I’m glad you’re here, when it starts getting a bit late, I’m worried some one might jump me on my way”

“Not when I’m here, that fella is a good as dead--- I mean beaten up” Error corrects himself, remembering to be a bit more careful with his wording now that you know about his past.

A smile curls on your face, “Thanks”

Despite the late evening weather being cold, Error felt his face burning as he turned to look up at the sky. Little white dots were spread thin across the sky, his eyes softened slightly and you take slightly notice to it.

“Yeah, living in the city makes it hard to see them” You spoke getting his attention, “with all the light pollution”

“It does…remind me of somewhere I’ve been” He replied.

“oh? You mean outside this world?”

He nodded, glancing down at the ground, recalling those memories through the thick fog of pain, “When I wanted to escape the voices, I would go this place called ‘Outertale’ “

“Outertale?”

“—it was filled to the brim with stars, since it was in space” He makes a vague wide gesture with his arms, “and the only sounds were the rumble of space and your own breathing”

Error looks over to you, gauging your reaction as your eyes lit up, “You went to space?”

“basically, except you can breath and won’t get sucked up into any blacks holes” He added, “anti-gravity is still a pain”

“Wow! That’s amazing Error! As much as I like space, I’m way too terrified to ever go there” You admitted to him.

“I could show you” he said.

“wait? Seriously” You did a double take.

“I won’t take you there” Error quickly corrected, “I’ll just show you, y’know through the portal”

“Ah fair” You chuckle to yourself, “I don’t I’d handle space well—still cool”

After a while, both of you finally made it home--- it felt weird to not be stressed out heading home to work, Error really knew how to distract you and keep your mental sanity, maybe you should buy him some chocolate as thanks.

You got changed out of your work outfit and promptly tossed it in the basket, now in sweatpants and a jumper, you headed your way to Error’s room, making sure to knock before entering--- even if you didn’t know if he was in there.

“Come in” He spoke though the door.

“You’re not going to send me into space if I do?” You lightly joked.

That gets a huff through the door, “unless you plan on running right into my room”

Keeping your nerves in check, you slowly open the door. Greeting you was Error who gesture to the rift in reality, as you glanced over to it, your eyes widen in utter disbelief and amazement. Half of his room was swallowed with the blue and purples of space and the array of stars, there were so many stars--- you don’t recall ever seeing so many stars before.

“oh wow..” You were at a loss for words.

Error kept you close to his side, holding you hand tightly, you could tell that he felt anxious about doing this, it must’ve been hard, to go back to something you love but also brought you pain. You decided to sit down on the floor, the carpet of his room and he followed suite, never letting go of your hand.

A sense of comfortable quiet followed, the two of you enjoying the peace both each other gave, Error did take a few sly glances at you, watching you awe at the stars. That feeling grows in his chest, slowly he moves closer to you.

“I should have moved the portal towards the bed” Error remarked, “that way we could’ve been sitting on my bed”

“ah that’s fine E” You spoke up, your eyes never leaving the view, “feels more cozy here”

He’s treating you like glass as he leans against your arm, simply comforted by your existence and you don’t fight it, you simply let it be. Something in the stars does catch your eye.

“holy hell, is that a shooting star?” You ask out loud, joy spreading through your body, “Quick! Make a wish!”

The glitch watches you close your eyes and clasp your hands together, chuckling at the sight, he didn’t really believe in wishing stars, they always seemed to bring him nothing but false hope--- well back then they did. He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes as well, focusing hard, surely it wouldn’t hurt to try right?

His wish? Well, if he said it, it wouldn’t work now, would it? But one more glance at you seemed to get the picture.

Chapter Text

“Error, I’m home” You called out as you entered the home.

“I’m in the kitchen” Error loudly replied as you picked up the sounds of something sizzling in a pan.

Quickly getting changed out of your work outfit, you headed to the kitchen, seeing the mild chaos that was ensuing. Error had various items strung above with his strings that you had to duck under to avoid a milk carton that he had out for some reason, he’s scraping something in the pan, there’s bread, cheese, various cold meats skewed about on the counter.

There’s also a simple cook book entangled in the strings, you poke at the milk, “uh Error? Why is the milk out?”

“I got thirsty” was his response.

You grab the milk and tug on it gently as the stings finally let go of it, now placing it back in the fridge, you make your way over to Error, carefully leaning over him. You saw a plate off to the side containing what looked to you grilled cheese sandwiches, while the ones on the plate looked fine, the ones that Error had been trying to scrap off looked…slightly charred, overfilled with cheese that was basically ash at this point.

“you really did it with the cheese” You commented as he finally gets the sandwiches off the pan and onto another plate.

He hands you the other plate with the good ones, “that’s because it’s for me”

“I’ll keep in mind that you like it extra crispy” your little joke gets a chuckle out of him.

While cheesy food wasn’t your first thing to go for after work, you were so hungry that you’d happily take it plus Error made it for you! How can you say no?

As you bit into your meal, Error sort of mimicked, the crusty cheese spilling out from the bread, he licked his mouth the same way a dog does with peanut butter. As the two of you ate, small talk filled the air, you chatted about work and some of the terrible customers you had to deal with, you laughed it off as you told him some of the stories especially the ones when you first started working there.

Error brought hesitantly brought up the suggestion of showing you a few AUs, he made it very clear that he was just showing you and not taking you there, to which fair, you’re not sure you could handle a world where everyone’s a complete edge lord. This alone brought a few thoughts in your head.

“say Error do you have any other abilities now that we’re” You gesture vaguely with your hand, “open about all this?”

Error finishes one of the sandwiches and licks his fingers, “well there’s the strings…. Teleporting…..portals…bones..oh the blue bones I have those”

“what do the blue bones do?” You asked him

“they’re like normal bones but blue…. And you take damage from them if you move” He explains as he summons a neon blue bone.

“if you move?”

“yeah like so…think of them as a stop sign…but blue” the blank expression on your face tell all to the glitch, “just stay still and it won’t kill you”

“are you gonna use that on me?” You asked.

He paused, “I mean—I can if you want---”

“yes”

“wow okay, I didn’t even finish” He stutters out slightly, though seeing you get excited for his weapon was a strange welcoming feeling, he picks up the bone and just has it slightly away from your arm.

“so do I just stay still?” you asked.

“as still as you can be” he replies, “please for your own safety”

So you do, holding your breath just to be extra still, Error hesitates but he does move the bone and he was right, the blue bone simply phases through your chest, it feel like much, the closest thing you could compare it too was a gentle cold wind blowing on you. Error did despawn the bones are a bit as he saw you were getting a little too excited and he really didn’t want to impale you--- he would never forgive himself for hurting you.

“that’s so cool!” You exclaimed as you touched your chest, “but I imagine I’d be dead if I moved”

“very dead….i appreciate you placing trust in me” he quietly spoke that last part out before changing the subject, “I can also summon orange bones which are the opposite of blue ones; being that you need to move to not get hurt”

He sees your eyes light up and he quickly shuts it down, “I’m not impaling you anymore”

“aw but I wanna get boned so badly” your off comment makes him choke on the air, his poor black bones turning blue. Most likely you were too caught up in the excitement to notice what you said.

“okay enough about bones” He manages to pull himself together to continue talking, “I uh also have a ability to summon a gaster blaster”

“I’m sorry---a what?”

“gaster blaster” he just realizes how weird it sounds to someone who’s never been around one, “they’re like… big and floating and look like dragon skulls”

“so all this time you could summon familiars??” You gesture wildly at him with both hands.

“I don’t  remember what those are but I guess so if that makes sense to you, their like; an extension of me that can shoot lasers” Error tries to explain as best as he can.

“can you show me?”

“not in here that’s for sure” He holds his arms wide out, “my blaster could barely fit in this tiny kitchen”

“hmm maybe the living room?” You offered.

“it might… don’t be surprise when it knocks things around”

So with your meals quickly done over, you excitedly rushed out to the living room with Error cautiously following soon after. His gaster blasters were one of the few things he tied to his past, so internally he was struggling to wanting to show you it, he had full control of it but that didn’t stop the itching fear that he might hurt you.

He would never see himself really using it unless really necessary.

You spread your arms out as you stood in the middle of the living room, “this should be fine?”

He eyes the room, “I think so…just step back abit”

And so you do.

“a little bit further”

And so you do.

“a little more”

“Error, my back is going to press against the wall” You pointed out to him.

“sorry, just being cautious” He mumbles out an apology, “okay, here goes nothing..”

He takes a shaky breath as Forms of glitching began to be summon besides him and slowing a large, black, dragon-like skull is summoned into the room, just hovering off the floor as it puffs out warm air. Error has his strings attached to its lower jaw as if to keep it in check.

You look very surprise, eyebrows raised as you stared at the best in the room, glancing over to Error as if to ask if it was okay to approach. He picks up on this and slowly nods, with that permission you make your way to it, shivering slightly as the warm that was radiating off it shakes off the cold on your body.

“it’s just a giant heater” You spoke out loud in disbelief of such a sight before looking at Error with bright eyes, “can I pet it?”

Error nods with a smile as he watches you eagerly reach out and pet along the nose ridge, it’s eyes so similar to his slowly blinked at you. A smile forms on your face as you let your hand trail along the bones of the beast, even though you were certain it wasn’t sentient to a degree but it was nice to see it close it’s eyes and let out a soft purr, enjoying your touch.

As the glitch watched this go on, he felt his soul lighten when he gazed upon your smile, the way your lips parted to show your slight imperfect teeth while you cooed over the beast.

Seeing this made his soul feel like he’s….he’s never really been good with words, it just felt nice to have that part of him be accepted.

“we can’t let the landlord walk in on this….would it classified as a pet?”

Error was too distracted looking at you to give you a proper answer.

Chapter Text

Error wasn’t sure what got his stomach all tied up in, perhaps he ate something he really shouldn’t, maybe it was your awful driving that’s gotten him feeling all kinds of queasy or maybe…..

That he was going to see your family--- no not the ones that ditched you---- your real family, is it just him or is the collar shirt really tight?

“Error relax, we’ve got this” You tried to sooth the short monster.

Error hops over the small wood fencing that lined the park, “ we? Atleast you know these people, I’m bound to screw something up”

“Is this the same Error I’m talking too? Worrying is my thing” You causally brush up aside him, “they’ll love you, if anything they’ll never stop babying you…”

He chuckles a little bit, easing his bones, “you love them”

“I do”

After a bit of walking through the short grass and ending up on the gravel pathway, it wasn’t long until you spotted the small park and its table filled with a decently large group of people with some huddled around the barbeque. Error, out of the corner of his eye sees the smile form on your face.

Of course, the first person to spot the both of you is a large burly black and balding man at the barbeque, who’s wearing a grey t-shirt showing of his tattoos, his big bushy eyes brows raise as his eyes lit up.

“Van!” The man shouts, throwing his arms up, the brightest smile on his face.

“Uncle GiGi!” You replied back as the man twice your size throws you into a hug, Error watches on softly, reminded of a certain goat monster.

“my goodness! Look at you! You’ve grown!” He finally pulls you away from the hug, looking you up and down, “how’ve you been? Eating well? You know Ma will hound you for it”

“I know I know, I’ve been doing fine” You brush it off before gesturing to the glitch, “Uncle GiGi, this is Error and Error this is Gabriel----also known as Uncle GiGi”

Error found his bones trembling as the big man observes him, “ah Error I’ve heard things about you”

“good things I hope” He spoke in the most stoic manner.

“plenty of good things from Van here” The big man chuckles before holding his hand down to the glitch’s level.

He flinches at the sight of the hand, sweat forming on his skull--- he’s not use to other’s contact only yours, if he reaches to shake his hand, he will surely freak out and crash but if he doesn’t, he’ll be seen as rude or an asshole and he doesn’t want neither of these things! What does he do!?!?!

You immediately step in, “GiGi, I’m sure Thea mentioned about ‘the thing’?”

At first he looks confused at what your referring to before it hits him and he pulls away, patting his stomach, “ah---right, anyways I’m sure everyone is excited to meet you two”

Uncle GiGi turns around and shouts from the top of his lungs, “Hey everyone! Van’s here!”

This gets a few excited yells back from the crowd forming around the table and you can spot Thea’s head pop out from the crowd, she excitedly waving at you and you wave back before turning back to the big man.

“Need help with the BBQ?” You asked your uncle.

“nah, everything is under control, head on over and greet the others”

“did you get the vegan stuff for Lucia?”

“yeah yeah… its was a pain to find the ones she like” He off handily comments as he returns to the grill.

As you and Error headed over to the table, the glitch lightly whispers to you, “why do they can you ‘van’?”

“oh it’s a nickname they call me, y’know--- van gogh”

“oh”

As you drew closer to the table,Thea rushed over and hugged you before shaking you by the shoulder.

“you—you!” She continues to shake you, “I can’t believe you got that dress for so cheap!”

“i-I j-j-j-just c-c-call i-i-it l-l-l-luck” You tried to speak between her shaking.

She lets out a whine, “you gotta let me try it!”

“too late popstar, I wore it, therefore it’s mine” Error puffs out his chest.

Finally she stops shaking you and it takes a moment to adjust to your surroundings, Thea is looking down at the glitch, the beads in her hair jingling, “oh Error, your wearing it? That makes sense--- no offence (Y/n) but it didn’t really suit you”

“Thanks” You bluntly put it.

“you’re very much a vest type to me”

Error jumps in between the two of you, “so uh… who’s everyone else?”

“oh! Let us introduce you” She gestures to the other people.

First one of the youngest children here, her fluffy hair in two big buns and she’s wearing a pink tutu, she looks at the three of you before hiding behind her mum’s leg, Thea speaks, “that’s Sofia--- don’t worry, she’s usually shy towards strangers”

“the lady she’s hiding behind is Aunt Fey, her mom” She gestures to the dark red-head, who’s skin tone was a lot darker than her child’s, she politely waves before trying to nudge her daughter to do the same but she simply hides.

“What with the two boys dragging each other through the mud?” Error points at the two kids that were tussling in the grass.

“Sofia’s twin brothers, Ryan and Dante” You explained, “the old man that’s trying to break up the fight is their dad, Felix”

“okay let’s try to speed this up---”

“that’s what you get for having so many cousins”

“shut it you” She hushes you, “okay, so at the table, the woman with dreads is my mum Isabella, the short man next to her with the prosthetic leg is my dad,Abott---Aunt Fey is on my mum’s side so on my dad’s side is Auntie Bella, her wife Sally”

Thea’s hands wave to a table, “her kids from oldest, Lucia, Ambel, Caius and Alejandro”

Lucia, glanced up from her phone and waved before returning to her screen, her blue wavy hair hiding her face, the kids in the group look much older—middle to late teens.

Error noticed that next to Lucia was a blue bird monster similar to a blue jay, they had their arm around her shoulder, he’d just assume he would be the only monster here and it seem like you sensed his thought.

“That’s Kev, Lucia’s new partner” You answered his question that he didn’t even ask.

He silently nodded, auto anxiety mode kicked in and he grabbed your hand, looking for some sort of comfort, you squeeze his hand in reassurance and whispered to him that he was doing really good, Error could tell that you were comfortable with these people so he trusts you on that but he wasn’t really expecting this type of crowd then again normal crowds just gave him a cold look or a passing glance, here though, he had to leave a good impression---- and he’s not known for doing such a thing.

“Ugh I just realize how many uncles, great aunts and whatever’s we got” Thea murmurs under her breath, “in that case then, we’ll introduce the rest later but you gotta meet my mum and Ma”

“Are they….so to speak the leader of this group?” Error cautiously asks.

“Ye, they the boss of this rag tag family--- so you gotta give them a good impression!” Thea exclaims proudly.

“Thea, leave him be” You spoke in disproval.

“Neither of you are helping” He bluntly puts it, shaking his head.

Naturally you tried to ease the glitch monster, “T-trust me Error, they’ll like you---if they’re going to pick on anyone it’s me”

The trio reached the table, Isabella greets you, pitching your cheeks, “Van! It’s so good to see you, my goodness you’ve grown”

“Mum I’m here too” Thea replied.

“Hush you I see you everyday, I never see Van—how’s your work been? Not too much?” She spoke softly, her deep brown eyes seek comfort in you.

Thea threw her arms up in dramatic hurt, Error awkwardly chuckled before making eye contact with the woman with dreads, she lets go of you and her attention is now on the monster.

“My where are my manners! You’re Error right? “ She asked only to get a nervous stiff nod from him, “well welcome to the family, hope you like food because after Fey found out about you she went nuts on the salads and tamales”

He simply nodded, giving a lop-sided smile to the older woman, was he giving a good impression? He has no fucking clue if he’s giving a good impression. Before anyone else could get a word in an elderly woman’s voice chimes in.

“Van? Did you say Van is here?”

Isabella turns and calls back to the voice, “yeah! Van’s here Ma!”

Error shoulders tensed as he watched another human come into view, short and walked with a slight limp, her hair grey and tied up, eyes looked to be closed until they glanced over to you in which her wrinkled eyes open to show hazel colors.

“Van! Ah it’s good to see you come here” Ma greets, opening her arms.

You gently nudged Error to let go of your hand and he complied as you gave Ma a hug but not before she started pinching your stomach.

“M-Ma!” You cried out, your face going slightly warm.

“Have you been eating? I’m not feeling enough fat on your bones” She comments as she pokes and prods you, eventually you managed to escape her grasp, rubbing your sides.

“I’ve been eating fine, actually I’ve been making my own meals again” You admitted to her, still rubbing your sides.

A smirk forms on her wrinkly face, “really now? How many pots have you burned?”

You stutter, “t-three..”

She hollers out a laugh while Isabella just gives a comforting smile, “haha! Well we all start somewhere don’t we?”

“Heh yeah, I mean I would’ve burned more pots if it wasn’t for Error helping me out” You tried to change the subject, gesturing to the monster.

Her eyes squint at him, making his tense up further, “Oh Error? This the man you’re talking about? Come here boy”

His red eyes nervously look back at you, you nodded to him and said monster stepped towards the old woman, keeping a tense but neutral expression, is it just him or is everyone’s eyes all on him on a sudden? Ma leans forward and examines him, eyes trail up and down as she tapped her finger against her chin.

“Van are you sure you’re feeding him? He’s nothing but bones!” She jokes.

“Ma!” Isabella jabs in, “that might be insensitive!”

Error pauses in thought before speaking, “I can’t help it, it goes right through me”

Ma laughs like a cheetah, “Ah see Isabella? We got a funny bone here! ---- I like him”

Hearing that from a bitty old woman, it comforted his soul a bit that he couldn’t help but chuckle, glancing over to you, seeing how relieved you are, he had a feeling he did a good thing. Uncle GiGi finally called everyone for lunch ----a word Error liked very much.

The table wasn’t big but it managed to fit all kinds of food, burgers, kebabs, chops, various plates of salads and rice, it was heaven for the glitch and he didn’t hesitate to stack his plate with all kinds of food. Meanwhile Isabella filled your plate with a lot of food as well because she knew you only ate what’s on your plate and never got seconds, sighing you accepted your fate and scooped some fried rice into your mouth.

It tastes like home.

You glance over at Error who was chowing down on some lamb chops, drizzled in sauce. While he ate, he was making small talk with the few people at his end, he keeps certain details about how the two of you met vague but he talks about the things you two do together, it gets a chuckle out of him when he recalls certain embarrassing memories. You couldn’t help but smile as how comfortable he’s gotten with this family.

“Van are you okay? You’ve stopped eating” Aunt Fey asks and you perk up suddenly.

Lucia butts in, “yeah because you stacked a hill on their plate, you know they have a tiny stomach”

“shush you” You interjected, “talk to me like that and I’ll eat all your vegan stuff”

“Like you could! You’re barely halfway with your plate!” She jokily argues.

“But I will just to spite you!” you point a finger at her.

The table was lively as ever as Error sinks his teeth into another lamb chop, its meaty juices tingling his tastebuds. It was pure heaven for the glitch, of course whenever no one was looking at you, you did sneak some of your off your plate into his, he saw this but pretended to not notice just for your sake plus more food, he wasn’t gonna argue that.

Once lunch was wrapped up, you slumped against the table, completely stuffed, all the while Error continued to eat through some of the leftovers.

“uuuughhhh how can you still eat?” You complained, “I never want to look at food again”

Error sucks out the marrow out of a chicken bone, “more for me then”

Another grumble escapes you mouth before you were slightly caught off guard by Sally who lightly tapped on your shoulder.

“some of the kids are setting up cricket and Thea suggested if you want to join?” She spoke to you.

You sat up a bit more, “well…why not, it’ll help shake off the food coma”

“You better not throw up” Error joked before realizing that Sally was there, he quickly cleared his throat, “---I mean have fun out there”

A chuckle comes from you as you sat up, “have fun stuffing your gullet Error”

It takes you a bit to get up but you make your way to everyone on the grass, with cricket set up, you made idle chat with your family members. All the while Error watched from the sidelines, it was nice seeing you content, he liked it when you smile, every time you did so it melted away all his fears and worries. As the game startled, a quiet shuffle of footsteps came up to him.

“Mind if I sit here?” Ma’s voice greeted him.

He stiffens up slightly before slowly nodding, she shuffles into a spot somewhat next to him, simply watching everyone go on playing the game or chatting away. There’s this odd sense of peace between the glitch and Mam he’s not sure if he should say anything to her, it’s the only time you’re not around to make him feel like he’s doing or saying the right thing.

As it was your turn to bat, Uncle GiGi pitched the ball and you struck it, like that you bolted to the post and back but somehow during it your foot got caught in some ground and you struck face first into the ground. Error flinched on behalf of your pain while Ma chuckled, Thea and Uncle GiGi rushed in to pick you back up but you seem fine, laughing and wiping grass off your face, your eyes meeting Error’s you gave him a thumbs up before resuming the game.

His eyelids soften as he watched you play on.

“It’s nice seeing them have fun isn’t it?” Ma spoke with fondness in her voice.

Error glances at the old woman, “yeah----yes ma’am”

She looks at Error with a reassuring look, “aren’t you quiet the gentleman”

Ma’s gaze returns to the field, eyeing you, “I’m glad they found some happiness in you, I don’t know how much they’ve told you but Van’s suffered enough”

The glitch was very aware of what she’s talking about, he watches as her gaze grows a little sad yet there was a bit of hope in her worn eyes.

“i always hated the idea of leaving this world one day while they were still suffering” She confesses in him, a warm smile greets her face, “but I’m glad they found happiness”

“you’ll make sure they’ll be happy won’t you, young man?” She turns to him, making his soul stiffen up.

Without a beat, Error spoke, “I will”

She softly nods, “atta boy”

Meanwhile during this, you were on the field, you happen to be standing next to Kev, who seem to want to make some idle chat.

“you and Error are pretty close?” The bird monster asked.

“hm? Yeah, we’re a pretty well oiled machine, I couldn’t ask for anyone else” You said with a smile.

Kev nods, “I didn’t really get much from him through the small time we had at lunch but he seems always, awkward but alright”

“he’s really nice, just not use to big crowds” You explain, “but I think it comes from wanting to make a good impression, I’m sure you were like that when Lucia introduced you”

The bird snorts, “yeah I was”

Then they added, “so, how long have you two been dating?”

You brain fried right then and there, so out of sync of your mind and body that you might’ve dissociated right into space from that word alone.

Dating…?

“what?” You blankly spoke.

Kev raised a bird brow, “I thought you and Error were…..?”

“what!?! No----no way!! I mean dating? I can’t date!!--- I mean I can but---w-were just friends!” You stumbled out, trying to keep your voice low so Error wouldn’t hear, your face burning up.

Him….and you? Dating? No way, that wouldn’t be a thing, it couldn’t be---- Error was your friend, your roommate, some one who was ride or die with you. He wouldn’t see it like that, besides why would Error romantically like you back? There wasn’t much about you that made you an interesting partner. Besides you had no romantic feelings for him.

……..

Did you?

“ah, my bad,” The apologized bashfully, “judging by the way you talk to him and about him I thought…my bad”

Wow, did you really talk about him a lot? You guessed that being so close to him you just naturally talked and thought about him.

A pause.

Even if you did like Error back, he deserved someone better.

Considering what you really know about him it just further complicates the situation.

Error doesn’t bring up that he’s technically older than her but he doesn’t want to ruin this moment. After some time, Thea times out of the game and crashes next to her Ma, complaining that she broke one of her nails. Cricket ended a few minutes later as it was time for the egg hunt that the parents set up while their kids were distracted. You collapse at Error’s side, leaning against him as you panted from all that running and hitting.

As much as he wanted to get some chocolate, he was content as being your support lump, your intense warmth easing his weary bones. However as he watched what was going on, he saw Sofia run past, her hair buns bouncing behind her, she took one glance at Error, trying to be nice, he waved at her, she ran off without much thought. Error sighs, leaning into you and pulling out his phone, he needed to look at funny videos.

Thea just happens to glance over at Error’s phone and noticed that his home screen with his apps had a wallpaper----and that wallpaper was you with the chocolate milkshake back when you guys went to the art gallery, she tried to suppress a noise but oh dear lord was her mind coming up with a lot of ideas but she’ll brain storm ideas with Iris later.

You looked up from your little nap to see aunt Fey and Sofia walking up to your small group, sitting up a little more you asked, “is something wrong Sofia? Are all the boys stealing the eggs?”

Fey chimes in, “ah no Sofia wouldn’t stop talking about wanting to give Error a gift”

That caught your attention as you gently nudged Error to which he put away, his eyes now on the little girl who was still hiding behind her mother. Fey gave you a slight nudge and Sofia slowly makes her way to Error, holding something clasped between her hand. Trying to be nice, Error nervously holds out his hands, thinking to himself that he would never forgive himself if his fear of contact kicked in right now. Eventually something dropped in his hands and when he brought his hands close, he realized that it was a chocolate egg.

Sofia quickly ran back to her mum, grasping at her pants, it was a very adorable sight.

Error held the egg close, “uh thanks kid..”

“I wanted.. to give you it… to make you stop crying..” She spoke quietly.

He blinked, “crying? I’m not crying”

She pokes at her own cheeks and it hits him what she means, gazing his cheeks.

“ah I’m not crying, it’s my…..tattoos” He half lied to her, “like um your uncle has them”

“uncle GiGi?”

“yeah but I have them on my face, pretty cool…right?”

Sofia nods looking a little proud of herself before she runs off with her brother, Fey thanks Error before following after her child.

You and Thea were squealing which left Error a bit bashful.

“that was so cute!” You cooed.

“s-shut it you…”

“I’ve never seen her to that, adorable!”

He playfully rolls his eyes before glancing down at the egg in hand, he almost felt bad to eat it, in a way it symbolizes him finally being part of the family, perhaps he’ll save the wrapping.

Chapter Text

It was rather chilly throughout the entire day, not that Error minded as his mind was more focused on knitting, though you on the other hand were cuddled up on the floor with his gaster blaster, a blanket coiled around you and a bit over the dragon-like head.

“how long are you going to hoard my Blaster?” He playfully jabs at you.

“shhhhhhh it’s nice and toasty…” You hushed him, resting your face against the snout of the beast.

“I’ll make note that my magic is useful as a magic heater” He rolls his eyes as he returns to his knitting.

“if it keeps the bills low”

He let out a sneeze which startle you and got the attention of the blaster, with one of his eyes lazily looking at him, his sneeze sounded like you stuck a fork in a toaster. Error wipes his nose before returning to his work.

“You okay E?” You asked.

He sniffles, “yeah yeah, I’m fine”

“you don’t have a cold do you?” You pause, eyebrows furrowed in thought, “wait monsters don’t get sick”

“good to know you’ve been reading up”

“I have! I need to make sure you’re okay, I don’t think I could live with myself if I lost you” You retort back at him, glancing down at the warm blaster, “I mean… I’m not a monster doctor but how much magic does it take to summon this?”

He wants to lie and tell you not much for your warmth and comfort but the look of wanting to know your truth caused him to reconsider his words, “a bit…as long as I don’t summon too many of them”

It was a half lie but it seemed to ease you, “You can summon more?”

“yeah, if you want me to shorten my lifespan” He lightly jokes but that look your giving him of sorrow makes him change the topic, “…it would be a last ditch effort don’t worry”

“okay, as long as your okay” You replied, rolling over on the floor, “ughh should we start dinner soon?”

“By making dinner, you mean heating up the leftovers?” He gets a sluggish nod from you.

You grumble under the blankets, “five more minutes…”

At this point he gets up from his nice comfortable spot of the couch and sits next to you, he takes the side of the blanket that you offered and wraps himself up, as much as he wanted food, he eyes trail up your restful form. You were layered up in warm and comfortable clothing and your resting face looked very peaceful, it brought a sense of comfort in himself, this growing feeling in his soul as well as a sense of gratefulness to be given this second chance.

He wasn’t going to ruin it.

Error sniffles, after some time sitting in peace, he gets up, your warmth leaving his bones and was now being greeted with the cold, he lets out a yawn and stretches out his back, small satisfying pops ring through his spine which gets your attention briefly but you return to your little nap, eyes fluttering to a close.

You don’t know when or how long you’ve fell asleep but what startles you slightly awake is the smell of warm beef and vegetables, your nose twitches before you open your eyes, greeted by a plate of leftover lamb chops, burger beef, veggies and potatoes. It makes your mouth water.

“What? Not hungry?” He clicks his tongues, “guess I have to eat this all by myself”

“hey!” You retort, wiggling your arms out of the blankets and reaching out for the plate.

He laughs before letting you have your plate, while he sits next to you once more with his own plate in his hands, holding a bit more food, at least the leftovers won’t go to waste, you always felt bad when you could never finish their food made with love. You don’t wait to chow down and neither does Error.

Your mind wanders back to what Kev said, could you and Error really be mistaken for a couple, is sitting on the floor eating leftovers really something couples do? What do you know, you’ve never seen healthy couples growing up.

With Error, you were comfortable, you trust him and Error trusts you otherwise he wouldn’t have opened up like the way he did with you, after that if felt like you two only grew closer since then. But there comes the question of would Error be into romance? You’ve seen him watch romance movies---- even the bad ones, and for someone who had spent his life alone and hurt, he’s probably longing for some form of connection.

Maybe you’re thinking too much into this, why does Kev’s words affect you so much?

“You okay?” His distorted voice catches you off guard.

“huh yeah why?”

He gesture with a kebab in hand, “You’ve stopped eating plus you face kinda looks funny, are you sure that you’re not sick again?”

Suddenly you’re aware of how warm your face is, “i-I’m fine, just that warm food warms me up hehe..”

Error doesn’t seem to question it as he chews the stick, “sure, but I swear if your sick again, you’ll never hear the end of it”

“please I already have Thea on my back” You groan, “just let me eat in peace”

“sure thing, Van”

“uuuuuuuuuuggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh” That smug grin he’s giving you makes you wanna….do stuff to that dumb cute face of his.

Chapter Text

It didn’t hit Error what was wrong with him at first, it started as a mild headache and tiredness, naturally he brushed it off as just overworking himself and stress, usually just being by your side made him feel better or at the very least the pain was bearable. Then came the sneezing like there was something blocked in his nose hole, he only realized this when he found himself unable to get up from his bed with a burning fever.

He wasn’t sick no but he was suffering from lack of magic.

Error doesn’t really recall how long he’s been lying in bed but when he got a bit of conscious, there were these bottles and littles boxes all over his already small bedside table but his eyes immediately lock onto you as you looked over one of the bottles.

You see that he’s awake and you let out a sigh of relief, “oh geez Error, are you feeling any better?”

“any better?---- why am I sticky?” He suddenly feels a slime sheen cover his ribcage and face.

“I kinda rubbed a bunch of magic infuse creams all over you” You explained to him.

Error wants to be smug and sarcastic but this heaviness makes it hard,” you’re handling this well”

“oh I wasn’t--- I freaked out when I saw you collapsed on the ground but!---- I kept my cool and saw that this wasn’t a crash but rather you suffering from a lack of magic intake” You explained in your own ramble-y way that Error always found cute.

“So you have been studying up” He replies, slumping back into the pillows.

“I have!” You sounded so proud of yourself and he can’t help himself from smiling though you were quick to scold him, “you really should take care of yourself better”

“Coming from you” He takes a jab.

“Ow---- okay fair but like, please?” You gave him a pleading look.

“yeah okay, I’ll try not to push myself too far….” He lets out a cough, “but that means not having a magic heater for a bit…”

“fine by me, after all you are the most important right now!” You state matter of factly, booping his stuffy snoot in the process.

His already warm face was beginning to burn up which made the cream smothered all over him unbearable but you being you, always willing to make him better. Ugh his sickness was making him think weird stuff, he wants to take a nap----oh wait he doesn’t nap.

So you basically return the favour, making sure he has nice things to eat and drink and overall making sure he’s resting. You’re handling this much better than Error ever did which makes him feel like a fool looking back at it, when he gets better, he should really look into humans.

You’re careful to enter his room with some monster snacks, sitting at the end of his bed, you offer to him and he doesn’t hesitate to eat them, despite hating the feeling of the cream, he could feel the magic fill his bones making him bit more lively.

“I know you don’t sleep but maybe it’ll help speed things up?” You suggested to him.

He licks his fingers, “I just don’t, more like I can’t”

“you can’t?”

He gives a half-hearted shrug, “back in the anti- void that’s all I ever did, eventually it just…got too much and so I don’t sleep”

You seem to understand his angst behind his words, not wanting to dig up old memories you handed him another snack, though you were a little curious on monster food so you took a quick nibble of it. Error eyes your reaction as you sort of ate in confusion.

“kinda doesn’t.. taste like anything” You said to him with a surprise tone, “no wonder some people use this for dieting”

“Maybe to you humans it does but to me, it’s delicious” He takes another bite.

Letting Error rest for the time being, you mostly did the housework, it was quiet but you persisted through the sludge of chores, you never realize how unbearable it was without Error lending a hand or making small talk. Even having your phone play some video wasn’t much compare to listening to Error explain the difference between knitting and quilting, though he struggled with social stuff---you don’t blame him---- but he was smarter than he lets off sometimes.

There you go again, think rambling about Error. Sighing you folding up the dried clothes and took your pile to your room before heading back over to Error’s. Knocking, you heard murmurs from the glitch and let yourself in, setting his clothes onto a space on his bookshelf for the time being.

Error’s head popped out from under the covers, so you went to check up on him, “How you feeling? Got you some clean clothes”

“less…sticky” The distortion in his voice did sound a lot better, “but like I just gotten the shit beaten out of me, fuck, is this how you feel when you get sick?”

“more or less” You shrug, you rested your hand on his forehead and he freezes up slightly, “well at least you don’t have a fever”

“oh hooray” Error cheered dryly as he slumped back into the pillows, blue dusted across his cheeks.

You straighten yourself up from your spot, “right then, is there anything else you need? More water?”

He glances down in thought for a brief second before shaking his head but as your about to head off he finally speak up.

“Are you…busy?” He asks, looking up at you with those red eyes.

“hm? No, not really, at least anything needed right now” You replied to him, scratching your head, “something you have in mind?”

“just…y’know, stay here, chill, vibe…vibe? Is that a word?” He mutters out half heartly, sinking into the blankets a bit.

“of course, Error--- it’s been boring not having a certain skeleton ramble on about loop threads” You chime in, sitting at the edge of his bed as he sits up a bit more upright, “I’m glad Thea’s been teaching you some cool kids lingo”

“I don’t really have much energy to talk about that..cool beans” was all he really said.

You decide to watch some videos online with him, it was a bit awkward having him climb onto your lap but he’s very much semi- big teddy bear sized so it does work out and it was awesome to see him trusting you this much to just sit with you, even if his weight of bones it making your legs go numb.

Error does occasionally chime in but there one-worded or very short and that’s fine by you, you really don’t want to push him as much as he has already himself.

As he laid on you, the back of his skull resting just below your chest, he’s warmer than normal but not hot--- Error felt like you had a cat-sized blaster in your lap, naturally you try to be careful not to squeeze him like a toy. Just because Error has come far when it comes to contact with you, doesn’t mean you want to push it.

So the two of you sat in comfort and it wasn’t before long that you felt Error grow limp and a soft sizzling snore sound came out of him, you glanced down as saw him curled against your body, snoozing.

“so much for not sleeping huh?” You quietly said to yourself.

You did your best to put him properly back to bed but he clung to you like a koala, his claws getting caught on the thread of your clothes. Eventually you managed to peel him off you and properly tuck the blankets around him, smiling, your hand gently caresses the top of his skull, your mind wanders to what Kev said but you decide to not think about it too hard, being for Error was your one priority, you can worry once he gets better.

Chapter Text

He’s not sure what’s going on, he feels heavy yet his mind is light---he’s getting weird visions of things he’s seen before and why does his bed feel so weird?

Error struggles to lift open his heavy eyes, rubbing his eye sockets---- he feels like he’s just been laying under a rock as all his bones and joints were stiff as hell. He recognizes that he’s in his room but it doesn’t explain the shift in weight on him that’s very warm and squishy.

It takes him a bit to lift his head but when he does, the glitchy skeleton freezes right up as he spots your sleeping form slumped over his bed, your hair sticking in all kinds of directions, he tries to hold a laugh under his tongues, you looked so stupid yet so cute. Error carefully slips himself out of bed and drapes his blanket over you then heads out of his room.

A part of his soul told him to just go back to bed, stay a little longer, stay with the comfort of their weight and warmth but he ignored it as he left.

It wasn’t while that Error was having some cereal that you stumbled out of his room, clearly a bit disoriented as your hair hasn’t left it’s messy position, his snort caught your attention as you sort of stared at him.

“wuhhupanlestnight?” You stumbled out your words as you stretched out your body, still wearing yesterday’s clothes.

“I got sick” He simply puts it, stuffing his face with the weird fruity stuff you have, “thanks for taking care of me anyways”

“oh yeah” It kinda hits you know as you rub your eyes, “you’ll take care of yourself better this time?”

“yes” He puts it bluntly, he knows your just looking out for him but worrying should be his job.

“promise?”

“Promise”

“great” You give him a thumbs up then adding, “oh actually I have a thingy bob that might help”

Yawning, you head over to the kitchen but not before missing the door and walking into the wall, Error hears the thud followed by a blunt ow and he nearly loses it, half choking on his breakfast. When you came back out of the kitchen you were holding toast and a cup of tea, sitting next to him on the couch you hand him the tea.

“it’s magic-infused tea” You yawn explain to him.

He takes it without much thought, only flinching at the hotness of it, and you weren’t wrong, he could already feel less like shit after just taking a sip.

“Not bad,” He notes, “better than some teas I’ve tried from you”

“Like what?” You asked, turning on the TV, checking to see if new episodes were on.

“Like that black tea stuff” He points out.

“I thought you like it?”

“Yeah, with sugar and milk but the way you have it? That’s strong even for me” Error gestures with his arms slightly raised.

You smirk, “maybe you need to try it again”

“I’ll stick with this thank you very much” He takes a sip from the mug, his favorite one of course.

“They make chocolate teas you know” You casually dropped on him, not moving your head away from the tv but out of the corner of your eyes, you see his little skeleton go up slightly, even if he doesn’t comment.

Breakfast together always felt nice, even if the both of you were just sitting, eating cereal and talking about nothing important ---- just warmed you right up. This was the kind of life you often fantasied in high school whenever you got ditched by your so called friends and you found yourself sitting alone in the cafeteria. You didn’t want a rich or attractive partner--- whatever that last part meant---- you just wanted someone to support you, to be by your side, to talk about nothing and still enjoy each other’s existence, Error might not be what your younger version of you would want but you’re happy with him.

You love him.

…..

So why is your stomach filled with anxious butterflies?

Error might be feeling better but that doesn’t mean that chores stop.

He was in the middle of taking off his bed sheets to toss into the wash when he heard a phone chime, he checked his pocket and it wasn’t his but it was in his room. Taking a glance he notices your phone on one of his shelves buzzing away, he makes a grunt noises and shoots his strings out to grab it and presses the green button.

“Error speaking, speak now or be destroyed”

“Oh Error!” Thea’s voice chimes through the speakers, “Is (y/n) not with you right now?”

“They’re in their studio, I think, last time I checked” He glances out his door, “why? Something up?”

He walks over to your studio, letting the woman talk, “oh no nothing serious, it’s just that there’s a monster festival happening tonight and we were wondering if you guys would like to come?”

“we?” He repeats.

A whisper of a voice comes through the phone, “Hi Error”

“hello Iris” He tries to politely greet her before changing the subject, “let me check in with them and see, they’re the ones that deal with the schedule stuff”

Error knocks on the studio of your door, “Oi (Y/n) phone call”

“uh—wait but I have---oh!” He hears things shuffle about before you open the door, dusting off your hands on your pants before you take the phone off him, “must’ve left it after laundry my bad----anyways! Hello?”

“Hey! Busy working?” Thea chatted.

“eh kinda” you shrugged, glancing back at the studio, “what’s up?”

“Monster festival tonight, wanna come?” She repeats what she said to the glitch.

“Tonight? Couldn’t you give me a heads up earlier?” You replied to her.

“Well, this was the only time our schedules would line up! I know you have work tomorrow” She tried to explain.

She makes a good point, you glance down at your skeleton roommate in thought, covering up the mic on your phone, “How are you feeling Error? Think you’re up to it?”

Error couldn’t stop his mind from thinking back to this morning, face growing slightly tinted, “I think I’ll be fine, I’ll just take it easy”

That seems to get a smile on your face as you went back to the phone, “That’s fine Thea, we’ll be there”

“Great! I’ll text you the details later, see ya!”

And with that, the call ended and you let out a sigh before turning to Error, “Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

“It’s a monster festival, there’ll be magic infused food there, if anything I’ll get better quicker” He explained to you.

You nodded along, “If you say so”

There was still that moment of hesitation in your face that he took notice, he knew you were just being cautious about his health but he didn’t want you to worry, especially when it comes time to the festival, he’ll gorge himself on as much magic food as possible just to make you happy.

Leaving him to do his clothes, Error glanced over at his dresser, he should have something nice to wear out tonight, once every piece of clothing was folded up nicely and put away, he began to sort through his cupboard, he had a feeling that it was going to get cold so a jacket was needed, searching around, he pulls out and black and white bomber jacket, Error was contempt with this and he tossed it onto his bed.

More shuffling things around, eventually he found the dress, he held it in his hands, trailing his thumb against its soft silk like texture, his eye sockets slouch in thought. It was a nice dress and it would be really funny to wear it just to rub it in Thea’s face but…there would be people, people staring at him, at his crimson bones, at his scars---

He puts the dress away, he wants to, he really wants to but can’t.

Though the sky was just hitting its orange hue, it was already dark on the city streets, say for the small venues that littered the streets, filled with various trinkets and food, things Error couldn’t wait to try however you two were currently waiting for everyone else.

“Despite the weather being cold, I’m sweating like a pig here!” and he doesn’t blame you for wearing thicker stuff, a nice black sweater with colorful polka dots and puffy end sleeves.

It was clear you wanted to look a bit nicer as you even had bracelets on, most likely hand-me-downs from Thea as they were brightly colored that they almost stood out against the dark.

“Maybe don’t stand so close to the dumpling table” He points out to you.

Huffing, you stand a little closer to him as humans and monsters continued to walk by you two, he watched you fidget with your hair, trying to make sure it didn’t stick to your forehead, the color of your hair glowed a fiery red from all the lights around, it make you look almost ethereal to Error. Strangely the more he looked at you, the faster his soul beats.

Error snaps out of his little daydream when your head whipped around away from him and your started waving, clear that they finally showed up.

“Thea! Over here!” You called out, waving your hands like an adorable doofus that Error couldn’t help but smile over.

Thea naturally rushed over to give you a hug, her large orange earrings clatter against your neck, she was very fashionable for tonight, leather purple pants, light pink crop top--- despite how cold it was and a cardigan that slipped off her shoulders, the patterns on it were squares of shades of pink and purple.

Jason and Iris followed suit, the pale monster wearing a simple light blue button up top and jeans while Jason settle for a causal jacket and ripped jeans. Though it was surprising to see Iris’s long silky black hair now tired up in a ponytail braid.

Not long after you greeted the trio, Error really regretting not picking the dress because he would just enjoy rubbing it in Thea’s face, Lucia and Kev show up, hands entwined though it did look awkward since Kev’s feathery hands were longer than a human’s but they both didn’t seem to mind it.

“geez what took you two so long” Thea took a quick jab at her cousin.

The blue hair teen snarked back, “You try and find parking here, crazy drivers everywhere!”

“that might’ve been (y/n)---- Van” Error corrects himself which gets a dramatic hurt look from you.

“I do not drive bad! We seriously need to invest in a seat booster” You replied back with a glare, though clearly not hurt by his comment.

“no, you do drive bad Van” Lucia snickers, “Why’d you think we chose to take my car instead of yours?”

“we’re not here to make fun of their driving skills” Ouch, even the shy and quiet Iris got in on burning you, “we’re here to enjoy the festival”

You clasp your hands together and give her finger gun motions, “Right! Then let’s get going!”

You were quick to follow Error to the food section of the area, his nose did all the leading and you don’t blame him, the smells that were wafting through the air were good, sweet, savory, bitter, meaty---- all that mad your mouth drool and let’s not forget how different monster food was to humans; cinnamon bunnies, legendary sandwich, glamburgers.

As cool as they were, they didn’t taste much like anything to humans, you’d kill to know what a nice cream tastes like.

But Iris and Error seem to be enjoying themselves, you could see life come back to his face, the blue markings on his cheeks were much brighter now and the glitching didn’t look to bad either.

“I just think glamburgers are messy” Iris looked over to where Error was stuffing his face with pretty pink buns.

“all burgers are messy” He replies, swallowing whole.

The pale monster gestures to his hands, “your hands are covered in glitter”

Error looks down at his hands and behold, his hands are no longer black but rather sparkly glitter, he sticks his hands away from his nice clothes and tries to smack it off, when that was proven to be ineffective, he looks over to you with big red eyes.

You sigh with a chuckle,”I’ve got tissues”

“you’re a lifesaver” Error repiles.

“You just had to go for the messiest meal huh?” You take out a clean tissue from your pocket and helped wiping his hands away, he gave a guilty shrug but you shook your head, ”we’re here so you can get better right? Get whatever you want”

“we’re not here sorely for that..”

“I know” You reassure him, “but it’s a bonus right?”

He nods quietly and as the two of you were having your little moment, off to the side, Thea glanced over to her cousin who glanced back at her. Thea gestures between you and Error.

“Do you think that maybe…?” Thea didn’t even finish her sentence.

Lucia nods, “yeah, totally”

“Ah okay—good to know, I thought I was crazy” She sighs.

“You are crazy” The teen repiles before she gets a smack from Thea, “---ow! I didn’t say you were stupid!”

“Can you two try and not kill each other?” You called out the two who both freeze up, you glanced at them with a slight confusion on your face before going back to frowning, “Lucy, go back to your partner, Kev, do a better job at keeping your girlfriend in check”

Error is laughing at this while Kev shrugs, “eh, I’ll try, can’t promise though”

Thankfully there were human food there that you could enjoy though the queues were long, while you waited in line, Error somehow got nice cream and it didn’t even melt the entire time you waited nor while you ate your food.

Monster food was so cool, god why was it taking now for you to realize this!?!

Once you were done, you took your nice cream and Error was already eating his and once he finished it, instead of eating the stick too, he just tossed it onto your lap, it confused you at first, considering he just eats everything in sight that is, until you see little writings on the stick so you take a good look at it.

‘You look lovely today!’

You keep trying to tell yourself that it’s the steaming food that making your cheeks warm, you lightly chuckle at Error as you finish your nice cream and stick the stick directly on his face. Predictably, he does not take that well, sputter out obesities at you while you laugh at his misfortune, once he gets it off him, his shooting glare softens when he reads the little writing on it.

‘Always together forever!’

You’re forgiven for being a little cheeky, for now.

Once eating wrapped up for the most part, the three monsters in the group sharing little snacks between each other, your group headed towards the more interesting side of the place, little shops of monsters of all kind selling things. Spider monsters selling silk, sheep monsters selling dyed wool and yarn, some monsters even sold books about their culture, you definitely got a few things there, occasionally you kept glancing back to the monster group, watching Error chat or make jokes between Kev and Iris.

He seemed happier.

“Everything swimming in your head okay?” Thea said to you which jolted you out of your thoughts.

You stumbled out your words, “huh---yeah all good here, I’m having fun”

Then quietly you add, “just making sure he’s okay..”

“I get it, you care about him” She nodded along, “he’s great isn’t he?”

You nodded quietly.

“Always makes sure you’re okay, putting your feelings first before his..”

You nodded.

“helps out with the chores, charming, funny, pretty good looking too eh?”

You nodded. Pause. Wait.

Your face lights like a streetlight as you push her roughly, “T-Thea!”

“Am I wrong though!?” She’s laughing and you’re trying to be angry but your burning face isn’t helping.

Then she speaks a little quieter, “Am I wrong though?”

Slumping your shoulders in thought, you glance back at Error, he’s seemed to be telling some story, probably something dumb you did, you look back at her with soften eyes, “…N-no..”

Your best friend--- your sister, chuckles before patting you on the back, “don’t worry I got your back”

“thanks”

“If he ever breaks your heart, I’ll rip his fucking dick out”

“i-I don’t think that’s necessary” you stammer out a bit, “he doesn’t even have a dick to begin with”

Plus, she would be no match for the ex-destroyer of worlds, Ma on the other hand could make god themselves wet their pants if she found out you got hurt again.

But you weren’t hurt, you were happy, the happiest you’ve been in a long time. How much has changed, it’s strange to think about a time without Error, what a sad little life you led.

“Why are you guys talking about my dick?”

You whipped your head so fast to look at the glitch, you wish it snapped and killed you right there, he’s got one skelebrow raised in a confused look, you just wanted to die right on the spot.

“w-we weren’t talking about your dick!” you exclaimed, you were pretty certain the other people here at the festival are giving you and Error odd looks.

He slowly nods, “riiiiight”

“Not he has a one” Jason speaks up which makes you die a little more inside, “he’s skeleton right? You don’t got nothing down there”

Error’s shooting the tanned human a glare but he’s not saying anything, in fact the group goes quiet when Error doesn’t say anything but instead shuffles in on himself.

“uh.. skeleton don’t have dicks right?” Lucia asks.

“please stop…” You groaned.

“no way, you’re fucking with us” Jason injects.

Your rubbing your face out of desperation, “can we please not talk about his dick?”

Thea shrugs, “I don’t hear a no from him so….”

You, Kev, Iris and Error share a look with each other, Error’s face is as colorful as your and frankly not a single one of him really wanted to talk about this.

So, you bit the bullet for your monster friends, “Monster…from what I know, are sexless so to speak, intersex if I’m correct”

He’s not saying anything but he’s nodding along, his red eyes not even looking at you and it makes you want to die a little more.

“They can just, magically get whatever they want, no need for gender change surgery like us” You finally add, “let’s just leave it at that right?”

The three monster eagerly agree though Kev speaks up, “how do you know this stuff?”

“I uh read it…” You admitted.

Error scoffed, “I thought you weren’t going to look ‘that stuff’ up”

“I thought---! For y’know---- art purposes!” You stammer out to him before throwing your hands up in the air, “I’m heading off, you guys can have fun talking about dicks”

You storm off a little faster than you intended but you were just so ashamed for having to deal with that, why the hell was that brought up now? Why did you have to open your dumb mouth, ugh and you were having a heartfelt moment with Thea, thinking about how great Error was.

As your stomping off, you hear familiar quick steps follow by your side, you look over to see Error walking along side you, all you could to was stare at the ground in embarrassment.

“s-sorry” You apologized to him, “Thea was making a dumb joke and it kinda got out of hand..”

“eh I was the one who kinda started it” he spoke, fiddling with his pockets, “it was funny seeing everyone’s reaction”

“yeah” you nod along, “all good then?”

“pfft please, it takes more to offend me” He smiles at you, grinning his yellow fangs which puts you at ease.

“well In that case, would you become a woman?” You asked him.

He blinks as if the thought never passed his mind, “hm, nah I like me, I like being Error not uh… Errorette”

You nodded, though he does add as he kicks some rocks, “I would like to…wear dresses and stuff but still be me you know? I don’t know, makeup seems cool too, I’ve been watching videos of people doing it and it seems cool, fun”

“I get it though if you want to get into makeup, you’d have to ask Thea” You replied, glancing back at him.

“I can imagine how much makeup she has” He jokes, giving a lop-sided smile.

Your fully turned to him, “oh yeah! She has loads! She’ll totally let you----oof!”

Dumb you wasn’t look at where you were going and ran into someone, “oh gosh--- I’m so--!”

You looked up--- like really looked up to see who you ran into and you were greeted with the sight of a red dragon-like monster, both of you realized who each other was but it was clean neither of you really knew how to deal with co-worker…outside of work.

And you were too busy trying to remember this monster’s name--- oh god what was it, you swear it started with an ‘o’

“O-oliver right?” You pray to god that was their name, “what a surprise to see you”

“yeah… sorry I forgot your name you’re…” Their voice drifts off unsure.

“They’re (Y/n)” Error butts in, Oliver had to really crane their neck to even get a look at him.

The dragon points at the glitch, “oh so you were the one outside”

“yeah! he’s my roommate, come to see the festival?” You asked them.

“mmmh hmm not much a people person but I can make an exception with this” They talked as they glance around at all the stalls.

You nodded along, “well I hope you enjoy your time here, this is our first time here actually”

“really well let me give you some advice” They gesture in a far off direction , “There’s a ant lady selling honey, if you like tea get the floral herb ones, she’s in the back but you can’t miss her”

“oh thank you so much!” you clasp your hands together as you hear the rest of your group catch up to you.

They nodded and muttered out a ‘no problem’ then they look over to Error and said something that you didn’t understand but he seems to understand very well as his eyes went wide like dinner plates and like that Oliver walked into the crowds, sticking out like a sore thumb.

You looked over to Error, concern at what got him looking so worried, “what did they say to you?”

“Uh something along the lines of…” He’s hesitated to speak up, “may the strings weave a brighter future”

“Is that like an insult in monster?”

He shakes his head but he still looks slightly bothered, the whole ‘strings’ metaphor might’ve hit a bad nerve.

You lightly bump into the glitch, knocking him out of his thoughts, “well consider it a blessing, I mean, they only knew you for like five seconds and still wished you luck”

You’re not sure if it really changed Error’s mind but his eyebrows loosen a bit, “right, should we try and find that ant lady?”

“Let the other’s catch up first” You replied.

The group re-couped back with you and Error, each with their own gifts and Knick knacks that they brought. Kev gently nudges their girlfriend, getting her attention before gesturing to you and Error, holding each other’s hands as you rambled on about something and he listened in with the upmost attention.

You can overheard the two snickering between each other but you brushed it off to some teen humor. Though that thought didn’t linger in your head for long when Jason dashes pass you, clearly intrigued by something, he’s made his way to a type of carnival game stall.

It was the first to see him enjoying himself here even in the end he got some cheap silly looking keychain out of it.

“really?” Thea sounded disappointed in him.

The tan man shrugged, “eh, just needed to get it out of my system”

While a few people in your group joined in trying some of the carnival games, getting either little keychains or cheaply made toys, you watched on but didn’t seem all too interested though but that didn’t mean that you didn’t enjoy watching Error try a ring toss and only getting those stim slug toys. He looked annoyance at his prize but he didn’t stop messing with it as he leaned against your side, waiting for the others.

“You wanna mess with this?” He offered his slug to you.

You shake your head with a soft smile, “nah I’m good, enjoy your prize”

He scoffed, “hmp Prize”

Error looks down at his prize with a disgruntled scoff before looking up back at you, a softer look taken your face. His soul beats a little harder and after all this time he doesn’t understand why he feels this way with you now, these constant starings at your sweet sight, the fluttery feeling in what’s left of his soul, the flustered stammering when you looked back at him and tilted your head in a curious manner, your hair drifting against your face, eyebrows knitted together. He feelings like he’s about to crash but surprisingly he doesn’t.

These emotions…he doesn’t recall ever experiencing them before he met you, it was after knowing you, especially trusting you with his past.

He has to force himself to look away to ease his soul, it was a shot of adrenaline, like he needed to do something.

The more he thinks about it, the more he’s certain it’s draining his magic.

However, the glitch doesn’t get much time to dwell on his confusing feelings when you suddenly shift away from his side, your attention is focused on something and he follows your eye line, trying to see what you’re looking at. You don’t say any words but point over to a carnival game.

It’s one of those ‘test your strength’ type of machine and at the top were hanging all types of plushies, the one that seemed to have catch your eyes was a giant squid plush, at a glance it didn’t look anything like the other toys, not made of some cheap fuzzy material, it looked…decently made.

It was a bit unfortunate that your eyes seem stuck on it because to Error, it reminds him of someone.

“There’s no way it’ll fit in the car” Error comments.

“I’ll figure it out” You said right back to him, not even looking at him.

“You won’t be able to lift the hammer” he then points to the thing that surprisingly not considered a weapon as it was as tall as Error.

 You puff out your cheeks, under his breath he mutters out ‘cute’ before you turn to the shark lady running the game, she’s got a devilish grin on her maw.

“Ten bucks per person” She spoke with a sly smile.

Determine, you handed her the money and Error pinches his nose as he watched you try and lift the hammer, you basically drag the damn thing over to the button, your arms dragging behind you. The shark lady seemed to be enjoying your suffering as you used all your weight to try and lift the thing over the button. Your arms gave in and the hammer lightly tap the button, barely moving the metal piece that hits the bell.

Despite holding the hammer for a short time, you were already panting, not even getting a prize out of it. Error twitches his mouth as the lady laughs at your attempt and you were clearly trying to be nice but even he could see you were slightly hurt.

“ah well, it wasn’t meant to be” You brush it off before Error passes by you, “Error..?”

“Let. Me. Try.” Error said firmly, his glare never leaving the shark lady.

She looks at him, eyes scanning him up and down before smirking, “be my guest shrimp”

He pays and makes his way to the hammer, picking up said item with one hand with ease which did wipe the smile off the shark’s face. He looks back at you, seeing your face light up like the stars, your fists excitedly clasp together. He didn’t see the crowds, the lights, the noise, he only saw you.

With a nod to you, he causally makes his way to the button, takes a deep breath, inhale, exhale. He throws the hammer over his shoulder, steadies his footing and with the might of all hell, throws it down at the button.

The metal piece does more than shoot up and hit the bell, it shatters the bell and shoots up into the sky, landing somewhere. You and Error stared at the mess in horror, neither able to register nor know how to deal with this.

“Uh…..” Error dragged out bashfully looking at the shark lady, “My bad…?”

There was a silent pause from the shark monster before she burst out laughing, slapping her knee with her fin.

“Y-you’re not mad..?” You stammer out.

“Mad? Gaw Ha! I’ve been waiting all night to see something impressive --- and you my fellow monster have got it!” She explains through her laughs

Both of you let out a sigh of relief, with Error taking the big squid plush and handing it to you. Seeing you smile ear to ear as you held the oversized plush in your arms was a true prize to him. It was hard to not gaze at you so much, seeing how happy you were.

All he wants is to see you smile, smile like that, smile at him.

You pull him into a hug, though it’s difficult with the plush stuck between you know but it didn’t stop Error’s face burning from your touch.

“We should give them a name” You said through the fabric.

“no way, it’s just a plush” Error repiles.

You see him sinking into the “it’s our child Error”

“n-no it’s not!” He’s trying to sound annoyed but you can see him smiling and blushing like crazy.

“I know you’re thinking of names aren’t you~” you tease him, messing with the limbs, “Error Jr? lil Van?”

It takes him a bit to speak up, “Vanror”

“hm?”

“I said…” He pauses, skele brows twitched, “they should be called ‘Vanror’”

You smile sweetly, “lil Vanror it is”

“no we are not adding ‘lil’ to it” He huffed before letting go of you and the plush.

You were quick to show the rest of your group your new child, bringing up that Error got it for you which pushed him to being even more flustered though you tried to avoid bringing up that he destroyed that machine. While you were chatting away, Error glanced away from the group for a brief second--- the last thing he heard from you was mentioning a fireworks show, watching passersby and seeing what other games he could try that won’t end with him breaking the stall then he looks back to the group--- at least where the group last was.

He’s stunned, he only looked away for a second but your large group is gone, panicked, Error walks over to where you were all were, looking around but he can’t see anyone familiar to him in the slightest, no sight of the giant squid plushie you were gushing over, no bright clothes Thea wore.

Gripping his chest, he’s suddenly aware of every stranger that’s passing by him, close enough to touch him, his breathing quickens as he’s trying to find any sight of you, mind racing with a thousand thoughts. Should he teleport to find you? His magic wasn’t enough that it might risk him passing out in public, should he wait here and hope you make your way back?

Someone’s leg brushes against his arm and he bolts.

 Somewhere, he doesn’t know where he’s going, he just knows he needs to get out----- away, from people, from strangers. When he came to his senses, heavily breathing as his ribcage shook from the growing anxiety, he’s in a corner between stalls, hiding in the darkness that sheltered him from the people walking by him. He’s trying to take deep breaths; he’s trying to fight the urge to glitch out and crash.

But it’s hard--- hard to think---- hard to breath, he just wants you back, to be back in the comfort of your body, your smile, your voice.

The glitch lets out a distorted gasp when his phone buzzes, he’s so shaky that he struggles to take his phone from out of his pocket, nearly dropping it as he presses the call button, thickly swallowing as he tries to get words out but all that comes out is static.

“Error…?” Your worried voice already begins to ground him, it’s the only thing he’s focused on, “Error where are you?”

“i…” his voice is still static, he’s not sure if you can hear him, “I don’t know..”

“Can you see anything that stands out?” You asked him.

He’s blinking away the tears, glancing from out of the shadows, trying to get a look, “u-um.. food I think”

“Near the food stalls got it” You spoke with determination, “hang in there, I won’t be long”

“Please hurry..” was the only thing he whispered out before you hung up or maybe he accidently hung up, he doesn’t know, his head hurts too much to even process what he’s doing.

He just sits there stewing in his emotion, he doesn’t know how long he’s been sitting just trying to not cause a scene or crash in public, gripping the fabric of his jacket, expanding his ribcage with his long inhales, pausing then exhaling, easing his ribs. It’s hard to look up as it spikes his anxiety----- he doesn’t know how long he waited with his head in his palms but he musters up the energy to look up and though the crowds and lights, he sees a flicker of highlight of your hair and the sweater you were wearing.

It takes you a bit to spot Error hiding in the corner but once you do, your eyes soften with relief, “Error---”

You don’t even finish what your saying as he basically crashes into your legs, griping the denim of your pants, his face is buried in your form and though he doesn’t say anything you can tell he is distress.

“I’m sorry” You say to him as you rest your hand on his head, “I got distracted -----and excited over the plush and lost you”

“No, I’m sorry for not paying attention..” his voice his barely a whisper as he spoke, soaking in your comfort.

“Do you feel like you’re going to crash?” You carefully ask him.

He shakes his head, taking a shaky breath, “c-can I just…stay like this?”

“course” You gently run your hand down his skull, he lets out a noise of relief.

Your warm human hand runs down the back of his skull, fingertips grazing down the dip that connects his skull to his crimson neck. You’re safe, you make him feel safe---- you’re kind and treat him with patience and you’ve done nothing but respect and try to understand his issues, with you he’s better now.

His soul flutters--- backflips inside his ribcage when he looks at you, his black face grows to a blue lightbulb whenever you smile at him, genuinely smile at him it makes him what to do anything he can, he adores you, he----

Error suddenly stops his train of thought as his soul starts racing that it might rip out of his ribcages, his eyes are as wide as dinner plates, the poor skeleton is frozen in place hyperfocus on your delicate tracing over his head. It’s only hitting him now of what’s been wrong with his soul. This sudden realization hitting him like a rough wave.

“Feeling better? Want to go see the fireworks?” You softly asked him, your voice being music to his non-existent ears, “don’t worry about the plush kid, Thea’s got them”

Error looks up at you with those wide eyes but he can’t bring himself to say anything but he nods at you. Taking his hand, intertwined, claws that once killed, you lead him back to the group. Gently squeezing it to comfort him, Thea happily hands you back your plushie and you as well as Error, sit down on the grassy space that wasn’t swarmed with people.

Hands still intertwined, the fireworks show starts, shooting off an array of bright and clashing colors that lit up the night sky, you were in awe, eyes fully glue to the show at hand as you tightly gripped the squid.

But Error’s eyes weren’t on the show but rather on you.

The blue from his cheeks glowed against the dark of the night, he felt rather silly, after all this time how did he not realize…

That he was deeply in love with you?

Looking back on it, the signs were very much there, he was just so dense and wrapped up in his out doubts and fears that he didn’t know that the fluttery feelings in his souls or the blushing was out of love.

He cares about you, he loves you, he adores you. You were everything to him.

The glitchy skeleton glanced at you with fondness, gently with his thumb he runs his claw over your knuckles, smiling at the blessed life he has been given.

Even with the fireworks blasting off, the most beautiful and wonderful sight was right next to him.

Chapter Text

Error knew he wasn’t quite bright when it came to ‘normal’ but he didn’t think he was that dense.

He was in love with you.

The mere thought of it makes him sink his face further into the plush now called ‘Vanror’. Face burning that it might set something on fire, his soul wouldn’t let him rest even for a second after learning about himself.

From what movies he’s seen, when people fall in love, they’re happy about it, excited even----- so why is there this feeling of dread inside the pit of his stomach?

Right, because he’s not from this world. The people in the movies don’t have to deal with his issues, grand scale multiverse issues.

Despite how welcoming you are and maybe a bit eager to his abilities that few or no monster here holds, deep inside the tangled mess of his soul, he’s scared of his powers. Ones that used to bring him comfort out in the wild of the multiverse now terrify him here. He doesn’t want to hurt people, not anymore, not you.

Then came the other issues, if he could get here, what’s stopping the other outcodes----or whatever they call themselves, from coming here too, what’s stopping Dream or underswap Papyrus or the bad sanses or even-----!

He’s getting himself too worked up, holding Vanror in his arms, he sits in the comfort of it, taking in deep breaths to ease himself. The glitch knew that if he worries too much he’ll make himself sick again and that will make you worry, he should really just…appreciate you while your still around. Multiverse aside, you were human and he was a monster, your kind didn’t have a long lifespan.

Sitting up from his bed, he hops off and drags the squid plush with him by it arms, getting stuck briefly through the doorway as he walks to the living room. He sees that you’re trying to put a few of your art pieces into a cardboard box.

Still he likes to ask, “what’s up”

“The roof” You replied, pushing the box flaps into the center, “I got some sales online so I’m just packaging them up to mail them out”

And you looked happy about it too, he could notice a little shine in your eye as you packed it in. Getting any sort of acknowledgment for your work always brought you to a better mood and while his feelings towards art haven’t fully settled, he still wanted you to pursue your dreams.

“I can’t blame them, you work is appealing” He comments, using the squid plush as a beanbag.

Your face goes a little red, “Thank Error, now have you seen the boxing tape?”

It doesn’t take long for some blue strings to bump into the back of your head, holding the tape, smiling, you take the tape off the strings and thank Error before finally taping the box all up.

“So now what?”

You clasp your hands together and let out a big stretch, clothes sagging along with your form, “gotta do a few more things then send this bad boy off”

Standing up to give your legs some movement with Error perfectly comfortable laying on the floor, you couldn’t help but be a little pumped at your work being sold, you should try and keep check when the next art market is on, maybe you should bake something while your spirits are high.

“Do we even have a post office near here?” He asks.

You vaguely gesture to the opposite direction to him making a noise in the process, “euuughhhh somewhere over there, I know it’s in walking distance cause my legs are killing me!”

“Then your gonna need me to carry it” he proclaims, sitting up a bit more.

“of course, my hero” though intended to be more of a joke, it didn’t stop him from going blue.

He rolls his eyes but the smile doesn’t leave his face as he watched you happily walk into the kitchen with a bit of a skip in your step, seeing like this made his soul buzz with delight, if only he had a way to help you push your art further…maybe if he had any sort of understanding in art…..

Huh…an tiny idea popped into his head, he might bring it up with you once your done with the package.

It might be a stupid idea or the best idea he’s ever had.

Chapter Text

You blink at Error, drying the dish in your hand before setting it down, “you mean it?”

Error nodded, you had to fully turned to face him to make sure you heard him correctly.

“Are you certain Error?” You stammer out in utter disbelief, not even believing what he was saying.

He slumps his shoulders with a heavy sigh, “I don’t need to repeat myself (y/n), I want to do this…to y’know get a better sort of understanding of you”

Error doesn’t need to look up at you but he does so anyway, seeing your eyes light up like stars, your enthusiasm rubbing off of him as he finds himself smiling slightly.

“I mean--- that’s great! That you want to try to learn to paint” You spoke with excitement, “granted you’ll need to know about anatomy, perspective, color theory, focus points----”

You look down at him and already seem the confused look from his face, his red eyes squinting, “ah sorry, we might start with the basics or---or something”

“but ah, I’m not exactly teacher material” you found yourself retracting into yourself then muttering, “I wonder if I still have those beginner books..”

“you’ll do well, I’ve seem to understand everything coming from your mouth so far” He replies which makes you pout while smiling, “though just so we’re even, you have to learn my craft”

“deal! I been wanting to do some of the cool stuff you do” You shook his hand.

“let me just finish up the dishes and I’ll get my studio set up!”

Error left it at that, helping putting away the dishes while you headed to your studio, he catches a glance of you fiddling with your hair as you left, after realizing he’s in love with you, he’s been picking up small things you do that make him fall in love with you all over again.

Once that chore was all done, he occasionally past by the studio, hearing faint shuffling and creaking followed by the sound of something falling then a ‘ouch!’ or ‘motherfucker!” not soon after. He considered maybe trying to help but then…back out, it’s your space he doesn’t want to junk it up.

Thankfully, you popped your head of the studio to greet him, “it’s ready! Um take as much time as you need to Error”

Always considerate for him, typically sweet you, easing his rushing soul, he gently and slowly makes his way into your studio and purposely it was cleaner that it usually was whenever he got a glance at it, scraps that once littered the floor were now thrown into the trash, your paintings and other finished works were on the other side of the room and covered with a sheet, to protect them.

In the middle of the room were two blank canvas and a little table with small items like a kettle and books.

Surprisingly, there were no paintbrushes as far as Error could see, you probably didn’t want him to freak out the second he enters your space.

You nervously clasp you hands together, “so! I went with something simple, something you can reference but you can add your own flare”

He nodded along, making his way to one of the blank canvas, glancing around to see a small palette of paint and a small jar of water. Error doesn’t really realize how quiet he’s been till he notices you looking at him with concern.

“Don’t worry I think I’ll be okay” He tells you.

You politely nod in understanding, “I trust you on that, just if it gets too much you can step outside, there’s no shame in that”

The glitch quietly nods before asking, “right, so where are the things..?”

“ah right the things” you repeats out of anxiety, making your way to one of the tables that had drawers underneath, you slowly reach under and pull out a yellow bucket and it lightly rattles with the paintbrushes.

Error tenses up, keeping his fists clench as his eyes locked onto the brushes, you didn’t pull one out, you simply allowed Error to take one from the bucket, hesitantly he reaches out, claws shaking. Then in one fell swoop he snatches the brush out of the bucket, eyes screwed shut.

He wanted for something but….nothing.

Opening one of his eyes, the brush was now in his hand and nothing bad happened to him as he held it.

“huh….” Was all he said.

“I’m proud of you Error!” You tried to keep your voice in check, “shall we start?”

“Yeah, not gonna lie---I did think it was going to explode on me” He admitted before he turned to the canvas.

“like hell I’d keep something like that, you know how clumsy I’d be” you lightly joked.

He chuckled, “yeah I can imagine”

Take that stupid brush.

He’s a little overwhelmed, despite the simple color choices, he really didn’t know where to start, the blank canvas was a bit intimidating, still tightly gripping the brush, he lightly dabs the yellow paint and sort of….smacks it against the canvas.

It only just hit him how out of his field he is, luckily he’s got you to help him out.

“The canvases were primed ahead so the colors should pop very nicely” you explain to him, “painting the background is a good place to start”

So he basically followed that, painting the whole canvas yellow all the while he took occasional glances at the brush in his hand, getting a little paranoid that it might jump to life or something so his grip might have been a bit stronger than needed to be. He glances over at you, already working on the outline of the objects, you were quick whenever it came to your works, it was a part of your passion for it, the way your eyebrows curved in thought as your focused layering paint onto the canvas, your form leaning over to examine every dab of paint.

He had to force himself to look away from you, cheekbones growing warm. He needed to focus on the task at hand!

Error tries to follow along with you, picking out lighter colors, mixing the paint, adjusting color. It wasn’t really looking like anything that was laid in front of him, just as he was trying to mix a new color, asking you what two colors make green, the tight grip he had on the brush made his wrists give up and the brush stumble out of his hand. The brush clattered down to the floor but that wasn’t what stopped him in his tracks.

His soul tighten when he looked down at his hand, a small slop of paint had gotten on his hand and while for you getting covered in paint was no biggie.

But for him, it was unraveling all kinds of pain, even after he scrubbed the paint off he can still feel the phantom feeling linger on him. Clenching his fist, he closes his eyes and tries to focus on where he is now.

He’s with you, sweet, lovely, kind, smart you, you who is warm and squishy, you who made little gibberish noises whenever you were deep in thought--- it brings him back down, grounds him.

Opening up his eyes and looking down his hands, he still feels the burns---- the phantom pains.

Instead of freaking out, he simply removed himself from situation.

He didn’t tell you that he was leaving, he simply teleported out of the studio room, leaning against the wall he continued to take in large inhales and exhales, a small grunt escapes his mouth as the back of his skull gently knocks on the wall. It wasn’t long to see your head pop from the studio door, you look at him with a soften look that made his soul shudder.

“all good?” you asked him in a gentle voice, eyeing the way his glitches formed over his body.

“y-yeah I’m good, just needed some air” he told you, fiddling with his claws, “I’ll be back in there in a second”

“ah no rush Error, I’m just happy with how well you’ve done! Plus your piece is looking good so far” You happily told him before heading back in, leaving him alone.

He doesn’t know how long he stood there calming himself before he entered the studio once more, taking his spot and trying to continued his work, he’s really not proud of what he’s made but…he atleast he made something and it made you happy plus he thinks he’s understanding a bit of it.

It’s about expressing what you like.

As he looks over to you, still working, he looks over to find his brush and tries to fine a skin color paint that matches yours, then finding the right hair color….

After you were satisfied with what you made so far, you decided to check up on Error, noticing how close he was to his canvas. Clearly trying to hide his work from you.

“uh Error? Can I see?” You calmly asked him.

He makes a low grumble noise, the same noise you tend to make when something in your work isn’t going right.

“E, you know I won’t judge you with what you make” You told him in a affirming manner.

He looks at you, then back at his painting, then at you, never changing that disproving look he’s got on his face, he slowly turns his canvas around for you to show.

…looks about as much as expected from someone with no painting experience. But it still looked like he did his best to paint what he saw on the table though your had to look a bit more further at the strange blob he put in the corner only then did your eyes widen when it hit you that he was trying to paint you.

It was…messy but you could see your hair, skin, eyes…..you think they’re your eyes? You really shouldn’t laugh but you couldn’t help but let out a snort.

“Is….is that me?” You snickered, his disproving look worsen with a bright blue blush and you had to backtrack, “no! no! it’s nice Error! It’s so nice Error”

You picked up the canvas and looked over the brush strokes, smiling genuinely, “I’m hanging this in my studio”

“Nooooooo please” Error whines.

“Too late, that’s what you get for painting with me” You teased.

He groans but you could tell he was enjoying himself, spending time with you and doing what you love, it was sweet really. Though your next thought was how you were going to handle his hobby next.

Chapter Text

There was so much fabric on Error’s floor, you didn’t think Error hoarded that much but to your surprise he was, apparently, he was taking your old clothes that you really couldn’t use anymore----size too small or just not great as a art apron----- to work on his little stuff and you didn’t mind that, upcycling hell yeah.

“Don’t move I think I dropped a needle” He tells you as he looks around like he’s trying to find his glasses, finally he picks up the needle with his claws, “got it all good”

“You have…a lot of things” You tell him as you glance around.

When you think about it, aside from his knitting, you don’t see much of his fabric plush works, maybe you’ll see one of them on his bookshelf or one he’s left on the corner of the kitchen bench. So to see some of his plushies laid around on the floor intrigued you, still ,you knew his work meant a lot to him so you tried to be careful to pick up his works, admiring how well detailed they are.

He’s quick to tell you the story of everything you pick up, “That’s Underfell Sans or as a use to call him abomination”

“what’s underfell again?” you ask him.

He hums in thought, “well…imagine you…but you never grew out of your highschool edge phase”

He sees you shrivel up in thought which makes him chuckle, “now imagine everyone in the world is like that”

“uegh”

“exactly”

You set that one down and pick up another plush, wearing light blue and seemed to have a crown, you don’t even need to ask him as he speaks up.

“That’s Dream Sans, guardian of positivity” he’s not even looking at you as he spoke, flipping through some fabric.

“what does he do?”

Error shrugs, “I don’t know, protects positivity?”

“How do you protect an emotion?” You said out loud.

“Do I look like a Dream Sans?” he rolls his eyes. Then he pulls a fabric close to your arm, seemly trying to find the right skin color

You chuckle at his comment, setting that down, eyes scanning over his works before you picked up another doll, it looked a bit basic but almost identical to Error but the colors were all wrong, you had to hold it up to compare it to him.

Error takes a bit to speak up, “That’s Classic Sans….the..first sans”

You looked at the doll then at him, “I don’t know Error, I think I like you more”

That makes his face glow like crazy desperate to distract himself from it, pulling out some fabric he lays it across from you, some markings already made on it.

“s-so I’ve gone ahead and prepare the patterns” He explains, “You just need to cut them out, leaving a bit of a gap for sewing”

Your eyes lit up, “got it!”

You were determined to make your own doll. Cutting as decently as you can, meanwhile Error just worked through it like it was nothing, all the black patterns were all cut out and he was already moving on to the blue. Your cutting work was shaggy but it worked with what Error and you had planned.

“good, now cut out the rest” He tells you.

“ugh you’re so quick!” you said to him.

“Well I can say the same to you, you’re quick when it comes to your paintings and whatnot” he said to you, “skill makes you able to work faster”

“so wise” you told him.

“Shut it before you cut yourself with your scissor”

Finally, after some time, all your patterns were cut out--- Error was done way ahead of you, then came to the sewing. Error despite always keeping a bored and uninteresting tone, was a hint of excitement in his voice when he was helping you along, there were a inflection in his distorted voice that made your heart flutter, it was nice hearing him talk, hearing his passion through him.

You talk, he listens.

He talks, you listen.

A perfect dynamic.

You held out your inside out doll, “how’s this?”

“Threading is a bit messy but it matters to keep it together” He tells you, leaning against your side.

So you continued, only to glance over at his side to see his already stuffed doll.

“y-you’re already done!?” you stammer out in utter disbelief.

He’s snickering at you, “Don’t focus on me, focus on your work”

You pout still but march on, trying not to rush the process, after all they’re a saying in art culture called; ’trust the process’

Sewing everything together, Error handed you stuffing and after a bit more help from him, his hands holding yours to guide you. It was done, completed, it was….

A bit of a mess.

“it’s so bad, I love it” You cheered as you held your work out.

Error couldn’t help but give a toothy smile before handing you his doll, you looked on in a bit of confusion.

“here, have it” He tells you.

You blinked in surprise, growing a bit warm, “w-what? Are you serious? I mean----you worked so hard on it”

“sure, take it, I can make plenty of them easy” He explains.

“well if your giving me yours, then you can take mine!” you handed him your doll, it’s heavy head fell to the side.

He didn’t hesitate to take the doll, gently brushing his claw against the doll’s cheek. As much as he likes the real deal, to be given a piece of your craft however flawed, is incredibly lovely, just like you. He’ll figure out a place to put it, some place to keep its fragile form intact.

“Do you want me to help clean up?” You asked him, standing up and stretching your back, “I did seem to make more of a mess”

He shrugs it off, setting aside the doll, “Nah its fine, leaves me something to do during the night”

You happily took the Error plush with you as you bid him goodnight. He took to spending his night cleaning up his room and by cleaning up his room he means shoving all the fabric back into his closet, morning him can deal with that.

He decided to leave the plush you on his top shelf for the time being, his spine was killing him from all the cleaning and plucking fabric out from the gaps of the floor. Error doesn’t recall how much time as past once he finally put everything away but his room is much darker making his little lamp’s light more noticeable.

During the night he checks up on you, it’s a new thing he began doing after you got sick and it just puts his soul at ease before he retires to his room for the night. Making his way to your room, he cracks a small gap just to see if your asleep, your form on the bed visible in the dark, he slips in and moves towards the bed finally seeing you in view, your hair a mess and your body rising and falling with your breathing.

However you rolled over to face him which made him jump slightly before going back to snoring away, he relaxed in relief before his eyes widen at what you had wrapped close in your arms.

The Error doll.

Your sleepy form nuzzled into the doll,smile never leaving your face.

He restrained himself from making a noise, his face burning up so much that he hoped the light coming off of him wouldn’t wake you up.

“Stop doing that….” Stop finding ways to make him fall in love with you all over again.

Chapter Text

Despite it being the night, Thea was too focus on her work to sleep, she had a bunch of tabs open on one computer screen then her typing away at emails and messages on the other, breakcore music playing through her speakers.

Though the noise and distractions were a lot, she was able to pick up the sound of her phone buzzing, telling her that someone was at the door, She paused her music and raised her brow at it.

“Huh, could that be the shoes I ordered?” Thea muttered to herself as she gets up from her seat.

Making her way down the stairs, trying to recall if she did same day delivery or not. Now at her front door she takes a peep through the peephole to see a short figure with glowing red eyes. She nearly jumped at the sight if she didn’t immediately recognize the blue markings along with the red eyes.

“Oh Error!” She said in relief as she opened the door, “you looked like a tiny mothman in the dark”

“Thank….?” He wasn’t sure if he should take it as an insult.

She glances behind Error and even in the dark she couldn’t see your car.

“Uhh Error? Where’s (y/n)?” She asked.

“They didn't come with me” He replies back.

She then adds,“then…how did you get here?”

A long pause from the glitch, “Magic.”

“Right…” Thea eventually lets Error in from the cool weather, entering into her long hallway.

“So!” She clasps her hands together, despite being an extroverted type of person who doesn’t mind others not matter the time of day, it was strange for her to see Error without you, it’s like peanut butter jelly but without the jelly, “what brings you here?”

He looks quite uncomfortable being here without you as his anchor, she can tell as he fidgets with his pockets, “listen, you’re (y/n)’s best friend, you know them more than anyone else”

She nods along to his words---picking up on the fact that he’s inhaling through his teeth before speaking up once more, “ it’s their birthday soon---and I just—want, to uh, y’know make them something--- something special, something to thank them for everything”

“Understandable, I mean living with each other for this long now I figure you might have something in mind?” She asked him.

They both enter the kitchen and Thea offers him up a seat that he takes, needing to get on his tippy toes to get upon the seat. Thea set the kettle up to boil and headed over to the cupboard to get the tea bags.

“It has to be something useful that’s for sure” He says as he leans against the counter, tapping his cheek with his claw, “it can’t be something that’ll get put on the shelf and forgotten about”

“ah I’m sure they’ll never forget the things you give them” She adds before turning to him, “coffee or tea?”

“Tea, surprise with the type, just has to have sugar or honey in it” he replies, still not quite satisfied, “they don’t, in fact, they constantly bring it up---like our kid”

Thea nearly drops the mug in her hand, dead staring at the glitch, “I’m sorry what?”

“That squid plushie I got them” He explains.

“Oh ha” she lets out a sigh of relief, going back to pouring the hot tea.

There was a moment of quietness that fell between the two ----maybe out awkwardness, mostly out of awkwardness, two people who know you well but didn’t know each other well was going to feel weird, Error mostly, he’s always had you by his side as a buffer to his more distant personality.

But it wasn’t too late for him to start trying right?

“Anyways, I think with the skill you have, amazing by the way, you could make something they can wear!” She hands him a cup of tea and he quietly thanks her under his breath.

His skeletal brows furrow in thought, quietly, “What if they don’t like it?”

“Not like it? My god Error they would love it! It doesn’t have to be big or complex, something to wear around the house or for going out shopping” She leaned a bit close to the black skeleton, so he tried to move away in his seat.

Still he couldn’t help but think, “even if I try and make something, there’s no way I could hide it before their birthday”

“And that’s where I come in” She winks at the glitch, “I’ll happily take them out, maybe see a movie and give you time”

He nods and agrees to the idea as she speaks, “whatever you make, they will love I assure you, you mean a lot to the I can tell”

It makes him go a little blue in the face but he nods along, eyes looking down at his own claws. The fact he was so invested with your birthday to begin with is because you mention in passing how you really didn’t celebrate it that often, it motivated him to do something nice, strangely you were more concern for the fact that he didn’t have a birthday or at the very least couldn’t remember his.

You settled for the day you first met him.

And he was going to remember that well.

“oh! And speaking about their birthday, we need to got to this restaurant” She pulls out her phone and shows Error a place, “we always go there whenever we could for their birthday, they love the food there”

“I think I heard them mention that…” He squints his eyes, sipping my tea, “I’ll keep that in mind”

Error glances at the blur figure in his tea, even though you’ve been nothing but sweet to him, he still wants to do good by you----a gift you can wear, he thinks back to all the types of clothes you wear.

“You’re pretty great for them huh?” She speaks up, “I can’t imagine them being with anyone else”

His face flushes a light blue, “what are you getting at?”

“Duh Error, you’re pretty obvious with how you feel towards them” She tease that makes him choke on his drink.

Clearing his throat, “a-am i?”

“Yup! Everytime I’ve seen you look at them---- it’s the look of love~” She added, confidently sipping her tea.

Frankly Error wants to die out embarrassment, “please don’t tell them”

“I won’t” She said before facing Error, “but if you break their heart I’ll rip your dick out”

“No plans to, plus, it’s not like you could”

“I may be a wimp but I will protect them at all cost” she proudly spoke.

His chuckles before his mood somber out a bit, “Frankly, I don’t wanna hurt you cause…”

Well, everyone in the small group knows so might as well rip out the band aid…

“You know Iris’s story? I’m that” He curls up on himself, waiting for the reaction.

She nearly jumps onto the table, “No way! You’re the destroyer of worlds?! Cool!”

“Ex- destroyer” He corrects, flinching, “I’ve long since abandon that line of work”

“You’re not angry?” He asks.

“well do you plan on doing that stuff again?”

“no”

“Are you remorseful for your actions?”

“yes”

She gives a shrug, “Then I have no problem with it”

“So.. you’re okay with your friend potentially dating basically a Deity?” He quietly asked, tapping the mug.

“well yes but no---it’s not fair that they get to date one, I wanna date a deity!” Thea clasps her hands together with an idea, “gasp! Do you know any hot single deities?”

He slightly stammers, “ah well I’m on good terms with them….”

Still, he tries to list them out in the most unbiased way--- not bringing up him, but a bit of salt still leeches into his voice as Thea happily nodded along. Error didn’t think this would be his way of bonding with Thea but it wasn’t unwelcomed, life is truly strange.

Chapter Text

As you set up the table at your spot in the craft market, Error sets down boxes filled with both of your works.

“All good Error?” You asked him, watching him stretch out his back.

“Yep, how’s over there?” He asked.

You nodded happily, despite being early there were many people already flooded in. Error carefully helped out setting everything up, listening to you rambled about how you were proud how your recent batches of painting and small works. You sounded a little tired from waking up early but your tone was happy.

“If that lady that sells that nice soap is here again I might get a few things from her” You off handily comment, setting some paintings up for the public to see.

The foldable chair snaps into Error’s arm, letting out a curse which catches your attention and you offered to help him, finally freeing him from the chair’s grasp. His arm hurts a little but it’s no big deal, setting the chair down and slumping into it’s seating.

“You just gonna sit there?” You asked him with a raised brow.

“yep” He says as his hands rest on the back of his skull.

You playfully roll your eyes, taking a glance over at the crowds that were slowly forming, it was a little intimidating having so many people coming in but your anxieties were overwritten by having Error by your side, even if he was trying to act lazy, you know if something comes up, he’ll be the first to jump to his feet and help you.

The first few hours were a bit slow, as tempted as you were to scroll through your phone, you didn’t want strangers to get the wrong idea of you, so you not so sneakily watched whatever Error was doing on his phone, which was either cat videos or memes or maybe some knitting video.

Error was clearly was letting you watch along his dumb stuff, with it being a bit warmer you wanted something to distract you from how bad you sweat.

Still, you wanted to look nice, knee-high shorts and a clean loose top with a fun fox pattern on it. Error gave up his jacket for a long sleeve dark blue shirt, it was crazy that he doesn’t feel uncomfortable under that thing.

“Do you want to go to a nearby café for lunch?” You casually asked him.

“I’m not really that hungry” he replies.

“you??? Not hungry??? Who are you? Are you an alternate Error that switched with my Error?” You acted dramatically, grabbing his arm and shaking him slightly.

He brushes you off, “we literally just had breakfast”

“you’re always down for food, it’s strange” You point out.

“just give me a couple of minutes I’ll get hungry soon” he stretches his back out like a cat before slumping in his seat, “by the way, there’s a person looking at your stuff”

You jumped, glancing over to see a monster looking at your work, “gah---you--!”

No time to be mad at Error, you made your way to the table, you don’t know what monster she seems to be but she is super fluffy, a reddish brown fur.

Take a breath, you prepare your food hospitality voice, “Hi! If you have any questions feel free to ask!”

She looks up at you and gives a kind smile, “Hi, sorry if you have a sign that says this but how much does this painting cost?”

Her paw points at your painting of glow worms, you don’t know what came over you with this painting, you just felt the need to paint a bunch of glow worms and it came out nice.

“oh that’s…” You had to mentally recall the pricing you and Error made up, “40 dollars”

“40 dollars? My you’re underselling yourself” She remarks.

Yeah, you’re aware but if you put the true price random people would complain about how expensive it is and you didn’t want to deal with that.

“all these paintings are so lovely…” she mutters to herself and you couldn’t help but be a little bashful.

Then words you never thought you hear, “do you take commissions?”

You nearly choke on the air,”u-uh yes! Yes I do”

Patting your shorts, you quickly turned to Error, ”E! have you seen my---"

He tosses your notepad and pen, scrambling, you write down your work email and phone number, she writes down her information on the notepad as well and hands it back to you.

“here you go, I hope to get in contact with you” She says with a smile.

“y-you too!”

Error is trying not to chuckle, watching you excitedly fumble about, bidding the monster woman bye, she did end up buying one of your smaller pieces as she left. You stood there holding the notepad and he couldn’t help but wonder what was going inside that pretty head of yours.

“what’s up---” He’s cut off by you picking him up and pulling him into a hug, his soul burst into all kinds of feelings.

You were warm and sweaty but every touch by you didn’t feel painful, it felt amazing, especially seeing you laugh and smile.

“A commission, finally! After so long!” You exclaimed with joy, still holding Error in your embrace like a stuffed teddy bear.

He can’t help but smile back though you quickly realize that you are in public and your hugging Error for a bit too long. So, you put him down. Hiding your blushing.

“a-ah, back to work I suppose” you stammer out.

“r-right”

A little awkward but Error brushes it off from excitement and really nothing else awkward happens, the rest of the day was decently busy. Still your warmth still lingers on the glitch’s bones.

Surprisingly, the monster lady contacted you back as soon as you two got home and you were just as quick to get to work once the payment came through.

You headed to your studio with a little skip in your step. As cute as it was, Error wasn’t going to let you skip dinner. So he made fired rice, grant there are only two vegetables in it but it’s the thought that counts.

He takes a bit of time to enter your studio, keeping his eyes focus on you as your hunched over a canvas, giving a little nudge with the plate it snaps you out of your focus and you happily take it. Error just sits on the floor next to your stool as you ate.

“How’s it going?” He asks you, digging his claw into the floor.

Swallowing your food, you spoke, “good! I think it’s going good, I’ll definitely work on this tomorrow after work”

“sorry about missing couch dinner but I’m just in the zone” You say to him as you reach down to pet him.

“no…no..that’s fine” he leans into your touch, welcoming the warmth and scent of your hand, embracing every touch against his skull.

He’ll enjoy sitting here a little longer.

Chapter Text

The one thing you hate about your birthday aside from the trauma from your biological family—is that your birthday landed on a work day, the last thing you would want to be doing is being around strangers.

You had gotten a few happy birthday messages over the course of the day and Error say happy birthday to you on your way out though he said he’ll give you his gift after. That hasn’t left you mind for the entire day at work, you kept pondering what gift he had for you, the year had gone by so fast it feels and Error has made such an impact on your life that you just wanted to hug him and tell him how happy you made him.

Maybe you’d tell how you really feel but, ah you were an artist, you don’t confront your feelings, you bottle them up and use them on art.

As soon as you entered the door of your home, you dropped everything and crashed onto the couch, especially since the squid plushie was there and you buried your face into it.

Error heard you grunt and popped on by, his claws gently playing with your hair, “welcome back”

“Hey---oh keep doing that Error that feels nice” You mumbled back, not moving your face from the plush.

He chuckles and continues to do so, your hair was a bit greasy from work but it felt nice to the black skeleton, he only pulls back once he sees how relax you are, you looked like you were about to enter a peaceful sleep and the sight alone made his soul flutter.

“So what have you been up to?” You asked him, shuffling to look up at him from your position.

“knitting, cleaning all that fun stuff” he says as he leans on the arm chair, “oh and wrapping up your gift”

That got you sitting upright, your head nearly smacking his face, “Can I have it now?!”

“Sure, why not? I think you deserve it” the way he’s smirking about makes you wonder what is it that’s got Error all joyous about.

Then again it must have been something big if the last few days Thea’s been more active than ever, dragging to places and leaving Error to work on his gift. Error helps you up and you stretch out your back in relief before following Error to the hallway where he told you to wait before he entered his room.

“you got to do the thing” You heard the glitch call out from behind the door.

“the thing..?” You said out loud before realizing, “oh! Got it my eyes are closed!”

“No peeking”

“I know!”

You heard shuffling as you held out your arms, you don’t know where he is but you soon feel something soft and fabic like in your arms.

“okayyy open them”

And so you do, being greeted with a warm brown fabric, curiously you tug at it and out pulls an arm sleeve, then it hits you as you hold out the fabric. It looked like a cardigan jacket, the trims were a light orange and on the front of it around the chest area were yellow bats embroidered in, it was so adorable.

“oh my god dude….this is so cool, I love it Error!” You exclaimed

“You haven’t seen everything” He tells you.

“huh?”

“Turn it around”

You do and on the back were physical bat wings and your eyes lit up.

Utter joy was all over your face, “It even has wings!?! You went all out Error! Thank you!”

He rubs his foot on the rug, his face flushed a light blue, “you deserve it…I mean I wanted to make it as a thanks for everything you’ve done for me…I’m happy---- y-you make me happy”

Error watches as you clutch his gift in your arms, the sincerest smile on your face that makes his soul explode with all kinds of emotions, seeing you happy made him love you even more.

“Same here, I’m happy to have you with me” You replied back to him, your cheeks burning up as you spoke.

You were quick to put it on even if you were still in work uniform, thankfully it seemed to fit you all right except for the sleeves which were a bit long but you love it all still. You couldn’t help yourself when you lightly slapped him across the face with it, giggling like a child.

“Since it’s my birthday, I’ve decided that we’re eating cake for dinner” You happily proclaim raising one hand to the sky, sleeve flopping about.

Even Error couldn’t stop himself from chuckle, “can’t argue with the birthday bud”

Chapter Text

With your day off to finally actually enjoy your birthday, you wanted to treat yourself a bit before the dinner party tonight. Was it wrong to splurge a bit or high-quality art supplies?

Even Error offered to join you, even though he stood as far as he could from the art section, hanging around the wool/fabric section but still the fact he was trying meant the world to you.

…maybe you bought more than either of you could physically handle back to the car but man, you had the biggest smile across your face, you couldn’t wait to try out everything! Once home you reorganized your little studio while Error watched against the doorframe even as you were trying to sort through your stuff, you could see out of the corner of your eyes his little smile, soft red eyes watching you. You’re no longer awkward being watched by him, it made your stupid heart flutter.

You’ve thought about maybe hinting at romantic intentions but….you didn’t want to break that trust you have with him, he means a lot to you that you’re happy like this…even if your dreams have slowly been about him smooching you---- now that you think about it, how do skeletons kiss?

“Hey (y/n)” his voice makes you spill out the new pencils you got out of the box.

You stumble out a response, “y-yeah what’s up?”

His eyes glance around the spill in thought, “how would you feel….if I wore that dress to dinner tonight?”

You sat up a bit more, “I think it would be great! Frankly I’ve been waiting to see you in it---but not pressure of course”

The glitch’s face lights up a bit, scratching his cheek, “Hehe, I appreciate your honesty”

“I think you look stunning in it” you off handily slip out, picking up the pencils.

Error has to look away from you to avoid you asking about how deep his blush is, he knows you like him in the dress but it still doesn’t stop his soul from fluttering, a warmth chill spreads through his bones. He can’t stop himself from imagining the scene like in one of the movies he watches; a fur coat, a slick black dress and nice high heel boots, he walks down the stairs of the red carpet, his eyes flutter to you as you stare in awe at the beautiful monster that he is. He would wrap his arm around yours and take a lovely walk through the city, everyone admiring the amazing couple you were.

Of course, he had to remind himself that he hasn’t even confessed his feelings to you so it’ll will most likely stay a little dream of his.

Before he even knew it time had passed and he found himself standing in front his little mirror, getting the dress up and onto him, it takes a bit of tugging before the dress finally slip on, adjusting the look through the mirror, he checks himself out--- yep, he’s a 11 out of 10.

“knock knock” you called out through the door.

“who’s there?”

“uuuuuuhhhhhh ice?”

“ice who?”

“urggehhhh ice to meet you?” You chuckled out opening the door, “puns are your thing, not mine”

Error studies the way your eyes drift up and down him, his soul begins to quicken as he nervously asks, “w-what do you think?”

“lovely” the way your voice grows soft that drives his soul mad.

Error could say the same for you, wearing a nice warm brown vest with black pants, it made you look quite charming.

You hand over a fluffy black coat and he takes it from you, as the glitch puts it on, he can still feel your warmth linger on the fabric, he really feeling himself right now, digging his face into the fluff. Then you offered your hand to him and he slowly takes it, wrapped in your warmth.

He was so ready for this.

Entering the place brought back a sense of comfort to you, the smells made your mind flash back to all the previous years coming here, you were more than happy to introduce Error to this place.

As you walked in with Error’s arm wrapped against yours, some of the workers recognized you and gesture you to the table. You could sense both his excitement and nervousness going out like this, his eyes shifting every now and then. It wasn’t long to find Thea and the others, all dressed up in their own ways.

Thea hugs you like normal, a welcomed embrace before her eyes lock onto Error.

“Oh my god Error! You look amazing!” Thea exclaims, before she gently nudges you, “Right~?”

You rub where she nudges you, ”Y-Yeah”

Error crosses his arms and puffs out his chest, the scarring becoming slightly more noticeable, “I know, you should be careful, I might over take your role as a fashion icon”

Thea chuckles, “don’t push your luck”

Finally able to sit at the table, you offered to take Error’s coat, granted there was a hint of humor in your voice----like how they do it in the movies but for a brief moment he ponders that thought, the only people really looking at him are you and everyone else at the table, no strangers giving him the stink eye, the workers seem to be minding their own business. So to your surprise, he shed the coat, crimson bones glowing under the warm light, you were almost starstruck from the sight alone.

As Error takes his seat, Iris chimes in, “It really suits you Error, I’m surprise you found it at the market”

“I must have an eye for it” He replies, feeling that bit of ego boost.

As nice is was to be praise, it was your day.

He leans on the table slightly, “but can’t forget how nice (Y/n) looks”

You bashfully tug on your vest, “it’s one of the few nice clothes I have”

“If it works then it works” Jason remarks

You try to reason with yourself but that doesn’t stop your face from warming up. Error’s had called you nice things before, he was just being a good friend.

Already you knew what you were going to order so you didn’t bother looking at the menu, making small chatter with everyone, it felt nice, seeing the people you care about laughing and chatting with and around you, it eased the years of ache inside your body. Looking over to Error, eyes glancing over his crimson bones, his voice and laughter made your soul flutter, you loved him and you were so proud of how far he’s come.

The waiter comes by and you were the first to say your order, not even glancing at the menu, Error almost was impressed and curious what his meal was going to taste like considering how much you like this place. Sometimes he would catch glimpses of food coming out from the kitchen, savory smelling and the sounds of sizzling makes him drool at the thought of food.

Despite only being a year of being here, he’s felt more at home than he ever did than in the anti-void, he was happy, he was happy with you.

Couple minutes pass and finally everyone’s food comes out, Iris got a creamy seafood pasta, Thea had Avocado and poached eggs, Jason was given the angus beef burger. Error got a meatlover pizza because who doesn’t love pizza? And of course, you were finally given your meal, a large plate of a lamb shank, drenched in red sauce, sitting atop of a pile of mash potatos.

You looked so proud having that large plate sitting in front of you.

“I swear your eyes are bigger than your stomach” Thea comments.

You already had a fork in your hand, “it’s too good to turn down, plus Error can have the rest”

“Good thing I got a medium rather than a large” Error retorts.

Thea sighs though there’s a smile on her face, “hopefully you two still have room for cake later”

The food is more than delicious, it amazing, Error couldn’t even begin to explain his pizza, it’s soft and crunchy in the right places, the sauce is addicting and the various meats were juicy. No part of the pizza was saved, not even the crust.

You were enjoying your meal too, cutting the juicy meat off the bone, the bone itself could be a weapon with how big it was, every bite you took he notice your sway a little in your seat, an adorable sight.

“Enjoying it?” He asks as he grabs another slice off his plate.

“oh absolutely” You sigh out of food pleasure, picking up some bit of lamb, “wanna try some?, considering you’re almost done with yours”

“like I would turn down food” He remarks and your relationship with the glitch was strong that you didn’t mind letting him eat from your fork and yeah, you were right, it tastes good.

Even though it was such a delicious piece of lamb, you were only halfway through it before the effects of the dreaded food coma kicked in, you wanted to eat another bite but at the same time, you rather not get sick on your birthday so you had to surrender your meal to Error and he took much joy cleaning the plate, bone and all.

So, of course, you only had a small slice of cake later because you were just that stuffed, curiously Error asked what you had wished for when you blew out your candles.

“It wouldn’t come true if I told you” Is what you said to him, playfully nudging him.

It’s hard to wish for much now, sure, would you rather drop your day job in order to work on your art full time? Yeah, you would love that but right now, where you are----- you are content, you were okay. Tonight was a good reminder of that.

With dinner wrapped up, your group was huddled just outside of the restaurants, Error looking completely satisfied with both his and your meal, still licking his teeth. He had offered to carry the birthday bags you received since it was abit of a walk back.

Thea searches for something in her purse, “Oh! Wait guys! I want to take a photo to remember”

“haven’t we been doing that for most of the night?” Jason turns to her with a slight brow raise.

She then pulls out a small mint green camera, ”I wanna try it with this”

You take a closer look, “is that one of those instaprint cameras?”

“yep! Finally got my hands on one, I think it’ll be nice for you to keep it” She explains before handing it to you.

As everyone was getting into position, you held the camera lens towards you, “okay so, what button to I press?”

Your finger slips onto the button and you blind not only you but everyone around you, many of which yelled out from the sudden flash and Error nearly dissociated from reality, glitching intensifying. You all were in such a shocked state that the picture than printed out fell out and was lost to the night wind.

Rubbing your eyes, Thea grabs the camera as well, “how about you hold it and I’ll take the shot?”

“Sounds good to me” You replied.

 Once everyone in your small group composed themselves, Thea held the button while you held it in position.

“Three…two…one” snap! This time the flash didn’t blind you all and the picture printed.

You had your arm around Error as he was comfortably cozed up in his coat, bright smiles on everyone but Error’s yellow fangs stole your heart, you were putting it on the fridge when you get back.

“Maybe you could be a model Error” You said to him with the photo in your hand.

“hm maybe” He glances over the photo, finally seeing himself smiling in a photo, “but I’ll need those really big puffy wigs to fit the look”

“sorry Error, you’re very much the bald type”

After saying your goodbyes to everyone, they went there own separate ways, you having Error wrapping around your arm as the two of you chatted about dinner and the like, the first failed photo now long forgotten about.

It was a great birthday.

However, it still fluttered in the wind, passing by speeding cars and night owls passing the streets, the photo was no more than trash in the wind, though as it floated through the air, it almost froze, like a broken game object. It hit a line in reality, a string of uncertain code before it fizzled out of reality--- not a single soul to noticed it.

The flimsy paper entered a world of yellow and orange skies before landing on its white flooring, finally at it’s resting place. Two pairs of ivory bone feet walk up to it before plucking it with gloved hands, the being in question wasn’t focused on the mortals in the photo but rather the single black skeleton, smiling.

“So this is where you’ve been hiding Error?” The skeleton monster spoke, half it’s face stains in ink.

The monster crumples the photo in hand before summoning a large brush and with a heavy swing of it, it creates a watery paint-like portal.

“It’s time to end this game of hide and seek once and for all” And with that, Him, of all monsters, enters the portal.

Chapter Text

Error felt off.

Like not in the sick type of off or in the moody kind of off, like his skull was trying tell him something but it won’t tell him.

It had been a few weeks since your birthday and he sort of assumed he was still getting the adrenaline high from wearing the dress in public but he should be over it, why was he feeling this way?

Granted, he’s still trying to be open about things though it’s hard to explain.

“so it’s like an itch in my skull that hasn’t gone away, like my senses are out of wack” he tries to tell you while your putting on a long green coat.

“From what I understand from the things you tell me, you’re picking up on a monster’s magic” You tell him, “then again I’m not a monster”

“But usually, it comes and goes because y’know people move around, this one been in my head since like days!” he has his hands covering his ‘ears’ so to speak.

You’re thinking as well, “maybe a new tenant moved into the apartment that’s a monster? How about we go out to get supplies, we’re out of toothpaste and toilet paper.”

He agrees, maybe some fresh air would do him some good and it might knock some sense into his senses.

The glitch didn’t feel any better but being around people did suppress the sense a little bit, shame he had to be around people because today seemed busy and he was quick to groan about it to you.

“Must be a sale going on” You replied to him, your hand in his, “also it looks like it’s about to rain so I imagine people are in a rush to not get wet”

“They should order online then” He remarks, squeezing your hand in comfort.

“you see, that’s how companies get you” You added, ”oh! Off topic kinda but humans do have a sixth sense sort of, some humans can sense storms and weather changes before it happens”

Error nods along, keeping close as the two of you move between crowds of people, the clicking and tapping of boots and shoes on concrete pathways getting to his skull, “Do you think you have it?”

“Nah, Thea’s mom has it, she would complain about a horrible headache she would get before thunderstorms” You shrugged.

That sounds like what he’s getting, this pain in his skull that’s making it hard to think clearly, though he’s been through storms unless it’s going to be a bad one. No it’s magic, whoever has this magic is so strong it’s affecting him from miles from home, now that he’s thinking about it, the pain he was getting back home was mild, more like an itch, here, it feels suffocating, whoever held this magic was around here.

Then a pain shoots through his skull, like he just been stabbed in the head, he finds himself letting go of your comforting hand to hold his skull and you were quick to notice his state.

“Error, are you okay? You need to sit down?” Worry filled you voice as the two of you stopped walking.

“I…” He blinks a few times before he looks back up then he froze in place at what he saw.

He wasn’t looking at you, he was looking past you, past the crowds of humans and monsters, his eyes caught someone he never wanted to see for as long as he was around, he only saw the back but that scarf was all too familiar. Too much---Too much, it can’t be------

Every bone in his body began to burn, years he put pass himself were flooding back, he can’t breathe under all this suffocating paint, he can’t breathe--- he can’t breathe----!

When he wakes back up, the first thing he sees is you looking down at him with serious worry, the warmth that he felt at the back of his head were your thighs that you were using to support his head, he tries to sit up but he feels awful and staticy. All he knows is that you’re both off somewhere hidden from the busy street.

“woah woah, Don’t move Error, you had a pretty bad crash” You told him, “do you know what triggered it?”

Suddenly he recalls and panics, “I-I saw him”

You seemed tense as well, “Like Him-Him?”

“that’s why my senses were freaking out! He’s here! He’s coming for me!” He standing up now, stumbling, his breathing quickened “I can’t---I can’t go back!”

Error’s hands were taken by yours and he forced himself to look at your eyes, focusing, grounding, even if his ribs are in pain.

“hey breathe, it’s scary---I know, I’m not sure how to handle this either” You admitted to him, keeping his claws in your warm hands.

Your eyebrows furrow in thought, clear as you were glancing over to the passing crowds, “best we can hope is that he heads back but we should lay low, you especially”

The glitch’s not sure how well a plan like that works but he’s so worked up he can’t think of anything else so he just nods to you, scared shitless that his voice will alert him.

“Teleport home” you told him, “I’ll take care of everything today, I’ll take a longer route home just in case”

He really hated the idea but you were---to him----an average boring human, he wouldn’t care about you, still you meant so much to Error, he could never forgive himself if you got hurt. Still he doesn’t know anything else to do, he nods and you squeeze his hands tightly like a lifeline.

Error’s greeted by cold the second he lets go of you.

“and Error” You tell him before he leaves, “Don’t open the door unless you are hundred percent certain it is me”

With that he leaves but not before giving you the most heartbreaking look, the second he leaves, you slumped against the wall with a heavy sigh, rubbing your face. You don’t know, you don’t know what to do? Even Error who knows this guy, doesn’t know what to do, it’s clear Error’s changed---and he’s not looking for a fight, can talking to him work? Would this person listen?

You think about it, reeling through every possibility, Error means everything to you, if this person was going to harm him, you were going to fight tooth and nail----sure you were most likely going to die if you did that but you weren’t going to fucking let the universe take one of your few sources of happiness.

Taking a deep breath, you stand up and try to continue to act a human that doesn’t know any sort of forbidden knowledge.

There was a knock on the door, “It’s me, (Y/n)”

Error doesn’t unlock the door, tapping your foot you think.

“uh our child’s name is Vanror”

You here the door clicks and slip in, surprise to see Error holding up one of his bones and having his gaster blaster summoned. He sighs a loud sound of relief before he de-summons the blaster, slumping on the spot, looking over him, you could tell that he was in bad state, his eyes look heavy, his grip was heavy on the bone and overall looked frazzled.

Still, you ask him, setting down the bags, “how are you holding up?”

“not good” He sighs, lowering the bone in his hand, his eyes are trying to scan for an answer, “i-I’m scared, I don’t want to cause pain anymore..”

“do you think he can be reason with?” You asked him, “if I told him that you changed would he leave us alone?”

“i-I don’t think so” He tells you, “he’s forgetful, a clutz and overall inconsiderate of others but the one thing he takes seriously is his duty as a protector”

The two of you just stood there in silence, both of you at a loss at the situation, Error knew this was bound to happen but…he didn’t think it was going to happen so soon, it’s not fair, not fair to him and not fair to you. You make your way down to his level and pulled him into a hug, you breathing growing shaky as you tried to hold back tears, Error held you tightly as well, his claws slowly brushing your hair.

Should he confess his feelings to you before it’s too late? Or would it bring you more pain than needed?

“I’m sorry” He found himself saying, “I wish things weren’t this way, if I never became a destroyer---if I never existed---”

“Don’t finish that” You said though your choking breath, “You’re the best thing that happened”

The two of you just sit there, holding each other out of fear you’ll lose each other for good, the room goes dark as the rain begins to kick in and after sometime, you both pull away and just…try and wait this out. You put the supplies away while Error sat at the couch, holding the squid plush tightly to bear overbearing senses he feels all over him.

It’s pains and needles but worse, like stabbing, like throbbing, he hasn’t seem to left the AU as his senses fade in and out, Error can’t stand it, he can’t stand getting you hurt, getting you involved in this mess.

That what he thought was just going to be a long day of dealing with these in and out assaults on his senses, begging that he would never find him and would leave and Error can put this all behind him and live in peace.

But it didn’t go away, he didn’t go away, the throbbing in his mind worsen, the pain shivering through his bones, it got stronger and worse and worse and worse------

He froze. Error knows he’s here.

The loud thump that came from the living room startled you as you hurried out of the kitchen. Seeing Error glitch out madly on the floor, you didn’t stop to think as you rushed to his side.

“Error!” You called out to him, “It’s okay! I’m here!”

“i-i-i-it’s him!” Error cried out, clutching your arms, trying to force himself up, “He’s here! He’s found me!”

You could sense what he was planning in his mind, grabbing his arm, “Error don’t! whatever you plan on doing isn’t worth it!”

“There’s no other way!” He exclaims trying to pull away from you.

You cried out, “Error! Please!”

“I CAN’T LET HIM HURT YOU!” He yells in full distortion, the heartbreak all over his face was hard to look at.

You and him stared at each other as guilt forms over his feature, pulling away from you, tears spill from your face as you watched him move away from you.

“I…I can’t lose the one good thing in my life, I’m sorry…” He says as he teleports away.

For the first time in a long time, your home became insufferable, the rain pouring blocking out all noise, including the running thoughts in your mind….what can you do? You were human, a fleshy bag waiting to be tore open by something that you don’t fully understand.

You don’t realize how tight of fists you’re making until you look down at your own hands, seeing the red nail marks in the palms of your hands.

Error had done so much for you, it wasn’t fair he had to do this alone.

…..

..then again he didn’t have to.

Wiping away your tears and snot, you stand up----- you’re not gonna let some deity thing take away Error, you fought tooth and nail for your friends and family----- you were going to do the same for him, no more hiding, more shyness. You were going to march right up to Him and give him a piece of your mind.

You marched right out the door, though you didn’t know where Error was, thankfully he seemed to have left a bit of a trails of broken blue strings and shattered bones on the pathways, you hurried in your step as the rain was pouring harder, slowly washing away Error’s whereabouts.

Hair stuck to you and your coat grew heavy as it absorbs the rain, still you pressed on, the chill not bothering you as it usually does.

After what seemed like hours of following the trails, it led you around to the alley. The same alley you found Error in all the way back. Adjusting your coat, you headed in, the strings becoming more frantic and torn and you even saw strange colored liquid that was flowing into the drain, it looked like paint?

Finally, you see Error and your in shock at the state he in over just an hour, the black jacket is torn and stained with paint that seemed to be burning through his clothes, he’s holding one of his arms in pain, he looks horrible.

And you look past him to finally see…..

Him.

Chapter Text

“Ink!”

The monster called Ink straighten his back while you froze at the sight of this other being, while he was a head taller than Error, it was the large fucking paintbrush that scared you----now you understood how Error’s fear manifested.

“Yes, that is my name” Ink boasts, “are you done trying to run away now? running barefoot on concrete isn’t fun”

Error snarled like an animal, “Why can’t you just leave me be!?”

“Because I can’t have you running around causing suffering to others!” The artist retorts back.

“Like you’re any fucking better!”

Like an idiot, you accidently made your presence known by kicking a can that was left in the alley, both monsters turn to you with Error looking at you with horror.

“(y/n)! you should’ve stayed back!” He snaps at you out of panic, hissing at the pain in his arm.

Ink raises a brow, “wow Error, a human hostage! Better than your last hostage huh?”

“That. Isn’t. Me.” He clenched his fists.

“well a human’s a human, some gotta die for the greater good” Ink shrugged before swinging his brush right at Error.

The old Error would’ve panicked and let himself get hit, feeling the burning pain shoot through every bone in his body but you’re here, at risk, Ink wasn’t going to stop the fight over one human, a human he didn’t---couldn’t care about after all what’s one human to an entire multiverse?

But Error loved that human, he wasn’t going down without a fight.

He grabs the brush.

It surprises Ink as error adjusted his footing and swung the brush----with the artist still on it, right into the brick wall. Ink doesn’t go down that easily, he gets up and splashes red paint down.

Error dodged out of the way but not before he summoned a wall of bones to keep you out of the fight, you tried to squeeze through it but the gaps were tight, you just watched on in horror as Error got his shit kicked in, the paint Ink was summoning was either burning him or stifling him of his movement, every once of your body was just begging him, get up, get up, please get up, please don’t die.

Get up.

He collapses to the ground, heaving so hard that he might puke. No matter how bad everything burns he desperately forcing himself to get up, he has to get up because you were counting on him, everyone was. The second he gets up from his knees he’s kicked down, slammed into some crates and trash cans, pain shoots through his spine and he cries out.

You’re freaking out now as Ink is making his way towards Error with his brush tight in his grip, sucking in your stomach and successfully squeezing past his bones, you frantically looked around and spotted a trashed crate, pulling out a plank of wood. Ink didn’t get a chance to react as you bolted to him, filled with determination and swung.

“Get away from him!” you shouted.

The plank in your hands shattered against Ink’s skull. Error watched in slow motion as the artist’s fight instincts kicked in and he swung his brush right into you and your body was throw into the ground, slumped motionless on the concrete.

Error’s breathing quickened as he watched your body get pelted by the rain, he failed to do the one thing he swore to do---protect you, protect your smile, protect your voice, he failed, he let Ink hurt you---- claws dig into the ground, jaw beginning to tighten.

He hurt you he hurt you he hurt you he hurt you he hurt you

HE HURT YOU!

Error wasn’t going to run around this anymore, he sent out a flurry of bone at the artist then throwing his string around wildly, anything to lay ablow on Ink. On this utter scum of a monster, a monster who doesn’t understand the concept of love or care----he only cares about the theoretical concept of the multiverse, Ink’s never loved anyone.

Error has.

The entire multiverse can go to fucking hell for all he cares.

As the battle grew more violent, with some of the building’s wall beginning to crack from how they were slamming each other or their weapons into it. you slowly stirred out of the pain, just seeing Error summon a blaster out of the corner of your eye, head’s ringing as you tried to muster up the strength to get up but the second you tried to apply pressure on your right arm, pain of a thousand torn nerves shoots through your arm. It hits you hard that you had broken your arm.

Blue strings wrap around Ink’s body and he’s slammed straight into the wall and half of it collapses onto him but Error knows better that it won’t hold him down for long. Error wipes away the blood that’s dripping from his mouth, snarling, heaving as his body shook, eyes wild like an animal, readying to strike the second their prey tries to move.

He hears your voice weakly call out, “E…Error”

And like that he’s out of his trace, blinking, he turns his head to you, see you struggle to get off the ground. The battle was abandoned as he rushes over to you, skidding to his knees, hunching over your beaten form. He wants to hold you but he flinches and pulls away, scared of hurting you, tears forming in his eyesockets.

While the glitch was focused on you, Ink managed to pull himself out from the rubble, hissing at all the laceration marks that covered his body now, some so deep that they were beginning to bleed. Finally landing on his feet, he spots that Error is now distracted and prepares his brush, quietly making his way over the hunched of the ex-destroyer of worlds.

Error doesn’t noticed as he’s focused on the many gashes on your body, ”i-I’m sorry, I, I couldn’t protect you”

“Er-Error, it’s fine---”

“NOT IT’S NOT FINE!” He snaps at you, it halts Ink for a moment, his brush lowering.

Error begins to sob, trying and failing to wipe away his tears with whatever was left of his sleeves,” Y-you say that i-it’s fine but it’s not! I didn’t want this! Any of this! I didn’t want you to get hurt because I love you!”

Ink’s no longer holding his brush as you stared at Error with widen eyes with him continuing his ramble, “I wanted a peaceful life with you, I don’t care about the multiverse or destroying it anymore----I just want to be by your side for as long as I can----b-but I can’t because I can never be good, no matter how hard I try!”

You weakly reach out to clasp his cheek, using your thumb to wipe away his tears, seeing him blink away to too down at you, “you’re good to me…”

That didn’t stop the tears from streaming down his face, sniffling he grabs you hand on his cheek and leans into the touch. All this as the artist watched, thinking to himself before stepping back.

Error heard the sound and was ripped right back into the situation and he whipped he head around, ready to protect you but the artist wasn’t there anymore, all that was left was the mess around you both and the large black ink puddle just behind him, his red eyes scan the area but it was soon forgotten the second you cried out in pain and he turned back to you.

“My…my arm” You murmured out.

“w-what do I do? Call an ambulance?” He stammers, resting one of his hands on your shoulder just to support you.

“can’t afford that….call Thea, tell her to..take me to hospital” You weakly tell him and he nods.

It was only a few minutes before both of you heard Thea’s car careering across the road and nearly driving it into the alleyway, she was only wearing grey jacket and sweatpants as she ran over to the two of you, the horror on her face seeing the state that you’re in, she’s asking questions but neither of you are in a state of mind to answer and Thea seemed to have understood that as she helps Error carry you into the car.

She doesn’t say anything the entire trip, her grip on the steering wheel made her knuckles go pale, the care ride is rough as she speeds through the bucking rain, passing by red lights. Error holds your hand tightly and you squeeze his back weakly while trying to support your broken arm.

Thankfully the nurses and doctors there saw that this was bad and helped you into a room, leaving Thea and Error in the waiting room.

Finally Thea speaks, “Shouldn’t you go in?”

“I’m fine” He simply said, pressing his knees into his chest as he sat on the chair.

“Error, you look awful”

“I said I’m fine” He said a bit harshly before softly, “I just want (y/n) to be okay…”

Her eyes soften, “They will be, they’ll make it”

It sounded like more of self-reassurance for her than for him but he was too dazed to really think, he leans back into the seat, staring at the bleach white lights.

“Error, what happened?” She finally asked him.

Error went quiet, “well…let’s just say an old pal wanted to meet up with me”

“You mean like ah…what’s his name Nightmare? Or his cousin Dream?”

“no. not him, someone worse” He shakes his head before looking over at her, “If you meet anyone named ‘Ink’ rip his dick out for me, okay?”

She seemed surprised but nods anyway.

What seemed like hours for the both of him and Thea, finally you were released with a proper cast and a couple of bandages for some stitches, Thea would’ve rushed to hug you but she stopped just a few inches and wrapped her arms around herself. Error could only feel guilt at how awful you looked, he should’ve tried harder, done more to protect you, he was grateful to whoever listen to him that you were still alive.

Thea drove you both home, it was quiet, painfully quiet but despite being in a bad state, you still muster the strength to hold his hand until you both got home. His soul aches but still he feels that sense of warmth, you don’t blame him---and it makes him feel a little bit better.

As much as Thea wanted to stay, the two of you were just so tired that she felt it was the best to leave it be. Once Thea left, Error helped you to your bed, no words spoken throughout it but the second your head lands on the pillow you managed to mutter out a ‘thanks’.

His eyes soften as you rested, Error sat on the edge of your bed as you rested, summoning a bone to lean on as he watches the dark, the sounds he only hears are the thumping of the rain and your slow breathing, no matter what, he wasn’t going to let his guard down for a second.

Chapter Text

When you wake up your surrounded with yesterday’s pain kicking in. A soft groan escaped your throat as you forcefully tried to sit up, intense pain shoots through your arm and you lightly hiss at the pain, finally sitting up, it was dark in your room but you could make out the cracks of morning light, you don’t recall where your phone went but you had to guess that it was around 5 or so.

A figure at the end of your bed startled you with yesterday’s memories kicking you in the brain but the distorted snoring eases you as you saw it was just Error dozing off. Quietly and painfully, you got out of bed, rolling your sore neck around----man you felt like you went through the ringer, you’re surprise your even still alive after that.

You cover Error in the blanket before heading out to the kitchen, after everything you just wanted some cereal, you couldn’t be fucked with making toast, the pain in your arm was too much and the case was slowly becoming unbearably itchy.

As you’re trying to grab a bowl with minimal pain, you heard a knock on the door, only half awake and slightly paranoid you pull out a heavy frying pan and slowly, you made your way through the quiet house towards the door, hesitantly you reached to open the door, hoping your where just crazy and that it was just Thea or a delivery.

It was neither of those things.

The second your eyes laid on the skeleton artist, you pointed the pan at him, wild eyed and panicked. Ink glanced down at your pan and looked back at you with a slightly raised skele brow.

“wow. A pan. My only weakness” He sarcastically spoke, eye colors shifting.

“If you’re here to fight Error you’re going to have to go through me” You threated, granted it’s not much coming from an already bandaged up human holding a flimsy pan.

You don’t like the way he’s eyeing your body as he spoke, leaning against the brush, “human, buddy, pal, friend, I could wipe you out before you could fill your lungs enough to scream”

Palms grow sweaty against the pan, heart racing through your chest. Ink’s eyeing down on you and your frozen in place, terrified to even scream out for Error since you’ve only seen half of what this monster is capable of.

Ink leans back, making you tense up, “you can put down that useless pan, I’m not here for a fight”

“y-you’re not?” You finally let out the breath you’ve been holding.

“Nah, I mean, why should i? he seems out of the business” Ink shrugged, “there are a lot more dangerous Errors running about in the multiverse, sooooo I don’t really care if he stays here”

You let out a sigh of relief, “so you’re going to leave him alone? For good?”

“yep! Unless he needs me to be his wing man” Ink winks at you and suddenly you remember what Error said to you when you got hurt.

“I think…he’ll be fine” You replied to him.

Ink clasps his hands together, “great! Good luck with him and hopefully things go well! I totally ship you two~”

You nervously chuckled as you waved the artist, the last thing you saw of him before you closed the door was his scarf flowing behind. With your door shut, you groaned under your breath, trying to even register what ever happened. One the bright side, it seemed like you won’t be seeing him for a while, returning to your cereal, it wasn’t long before Error seemly woken up, completely dazed.

He locked eyes with you before looking away, guilt written all over his face the second he sees your arm cast. Error quietly shuffles to the fridge and grabs the milk, pouring himself a cup then, without words, offers it to you which you accept for your cereal.

“how…” Error’s trying to keep his distress in control, “How are you feeling?”

“tired, sore” You replied, “but uh, alright, I’m alive and that what counts”

Error quietly hums and drinks his milk.

“um…Ink came here”

The glitch promptly spits out his milk, turning to you so fast his neck must’ve snapped, “HE WHAT---”

“d-don’t freak out! I---uh, scared him off? Like we talked and he said that he wouldn’t hurt you anymore” You tried to clarify with him.

He looked at you in disbelief, “w-wait, he said that to you?”

You nodded and Error glanced back at his cup, “did he say anything else to you?”

“Granted my mind is a bit fuzzy but that was the gist of it, he said good luck to you I guess in a way” You rubbed the back of your neck.

Error looked surprised, like he was expecting something else but he scoffed and glanced away slightly, “well, I’m glad it all over, sorry you had to get involved”

“Error, I was going to get involved in some way or another” You said to him, only paying half attention to your cereal, brushing away some of your matted hair, “hey Error…”

“yeah?”

“Do you remember much of what happened yesterday?” you asked him, face growing warm.

With a raised brow, he replies, “uh bits of it? I was so freaked out over you getting hurt that I wasn’t really thinking”

Your heart was racing, maybe you weren’t thinking straight but you decided you going to ask because you don’t know when you’ll have the guts to do it later.

“d-do you remember what you said to me?” You asked him, even quieter.

Suddenly his eyes grow wide as dinner plates and he slowly looks up to you, blushing like crazy. You were looking at him, waiting for answer.

“i---uh” He thickly swallows, feeling sweat form on his skull, “I do, remember blurting out something I’ve---been keeping down for a while, you----you don’t have to---”

“it’s okay Error, I feel the same way” You confess to him.

He jumps slightly from his spot, “r-really? You l-love me right? We’re on the same page here?”

You nodded and he chokes a bit on the air, fidgeting and unsure of himself, his eyes wander around as he tries to think of more things to say.

“i-I love you too” He confesses as well, “but are you okay with…all of this?”

He gestures to himself but also to the general air around him, you understand what he’s saying and you say, “Error, no amount of multiverse Shenagains could ever stop me from loving you”

Error’s face is entirely blue now, he looks like a glow light in the darkness of the home, “r-right, you know, when I thought about confessing to you I thought I’d do It under the stars or something..not like this”

“well, it’s about taking a chance when you have it right?” You stirred your mushy breakfast.

“I suppose your right” He moves closer to you, waiting by the counter top, “soooo do we kiss?”

“I’m not actually sure how we would kiss” You said to him, “cause, you know, you have no lips”

“I’m well aware of that” he says so bluntly it makes you laugh and soon he finds himself smiling.

There was a sense of relief that washed over the two of you, a burden lifted off your shoulders, it was over--- Error had finally found his place, his home and he found with you, no more running, no more living in fear, no more being called destroyer of worlds---- sure there would be ups and downs of living this type of life but he was ready for it, he could handle anything that was thrown at him.

Well, he wasn’t expecting you to leaned down close to him and gently give him a peck on the top of his skull, that he wasn’t prepared for and his face lit up like crazy.

“gah! N-no fair! I wasn’t ready!” He flusterly exclaimed.

You giggled, “sorry, you were too cute to resist”

“N-no! you’re the cute one! I’m the cool one!”

“okay, okay, since I have kissed you, you can kiss me too as payback” You chuckled to him and pointed to your cheek.

He tried to hype himself up by smacking his cheeks, awkwardly shuffling closer to you and quickly planting a ‘kiss’ on you. It felt strange to have teeth pressed up against your burning face but it wasn’t bad, just different.

“g-good, now we’re both even” He stammered out.

It helped to lighten up the mood for the morning, though neither of you were in much of a state other than to laze about on the couch and do fuck all, not like you were in any state to go to work.

“The medical bill going to be a dent for a bit” You said out loud as Error placed a pillow behind your neck as you laid across the couch.

Error flops on the end of the couch, grabbing the remote and flicking through the TV, “still no way in hell I’m letting you go to work”

You looked over to him, seeing him huddled at the end of your feet, “what do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m…watching TV?” He replies with an odd look.

“no, I mean what are you doing over there?” You held out your good arm, offering a hug, “we’re a thing now, we can cuddle”

His eyes nervously widens and he looks away to hide his blush, “I mean, we could---I didn’t want to rush things but you think you’ll be okay with your arm?”

“trust me, a bit of pain is nothing to what I’ve been fantasizing about all my life” you flexed your hand, waiting for the contact.

“really?”

“listen, I’ve only experienced this in fanfics and i’m not letting up the chance to get a cuddle, no matter the state I’m in currently” You retorted back to him, now waving your arm around.

Error rolled his eyes as he shuffled slowly towards you, careful to stay away from your cast as he lay down onto your chest, he was stiff as a board where he laid before some time he began to relax his form a bit, curling against your body like a cat, listening to your heart beat as the two of you relaxed on the couch.

Yeah, you could get use to this.

He looked like he was about to fall asleep in your arms, red eyes half lidded but he grew slightly alerted when he felt a buzz in his pocket. The glitch grumbled a bit as he shifted his position to pull out his phone, squinting at it.

You hummed, “what’s up?”

“it’s Thea” He replied, tapping away, “She’s asking how you are”

“hm, tell her I’m fine, just sore” you tell him and he hums in agreement, typing away.

Another buzz, “she’s asking if she can come over…I guess to make sure”

“yeah sure, but I’m not way in a state to talk much” You replied to him, pressing your face against the top of his skull.

You could feel his gentle hum vibrate off you as he typed, now that you think about it, nothing really changed between you and Error, just with a dash of more romantic intentions. His bones were so warm, that you couldn’t help but rest your eyes for a bit, feeling his weight comfort you, that little rest ended up knocking you out because you came back to the real world when you felt something poke your cheek.

“(y/n)? (yyyyyy/nnnnn?)”

You choked on air as you wake up, “I’m!----I’m up!”

Sitting up, you were greeted with the sight of Thea’s curious face.

“well, you don’t look as bad now” she spoke, trying to be humorous but you could sense her hiding his own distress.

Groaning, you replied, “wish my damn arm got better already, I miss doing things with both hands”

You happen to glance over and spot Jason hanging around the door along with Error side eyeing him, arms crossed, he didn’t look angry with the human, just watchful.

“Geez, that looks really bad, what happened?” Jason just happened to ask.

You happened to lock eyes with Error, unsure how to really go one explaining what happened, like; ‘oh yeah some deity thing skeleton tried to attack Error so I attacked him back, ended well for me didn’t it?’

It seemed like your long pause was enough for Jason to grow suspicious at the way you were looking at Error.

“Did he hurt you?” The words that came out of Jason’s mouth surprised everyone, angered Error especially.

“What no!” You were quick to defend him but of course Error could defend himself as well.

As a low growl emitted from the glitch, “don’t you fucking dare suggest that I would hurt them”

“Hey Jason, let’s not jump to conclusions” Thea got between him and Error, trying to defuse the situation, “and let’s not point fingers as well”

“Well what else is there? The guy’s a total weirdo!” he pointed a finger right at Error.

“Seriously, he didn’t do anything wrong!” You argued with him, “if anything, he was trying to protect me and I just got in on my head”

“How can you know that? You met the guy off the streets and just decided to let him live with you! I’m sorry but for all you know he could a serial killer!” He retorted back at you which really hit a nerve with Error.

“Jason, seriously!” Thea loudly chimed in.

This was a lot of noise that you can handle, the numbing pain in your arm and around your body became unbearable, you were so tired, so tired of the noise, tired of people trying to put words into your mouth, tired of being a doormat and have people try and decide things for you.

“i don’t care” you spat back at him, “I’m well aware of his unsavory past and I’m also well aware that he’s changed----what the hell makes you think I can’t decide who I can or can’t interact with?”

Everyone was take aback with you--- Jason especially who seemed to be stumbling over his words, eyeing your tired yet wrathful look.

“---I feel as your friend---” He barely got out before you stopped him.

“As my friend? I’m sorry but no---- you’re not ‘my’ friend, I barely know you! Did you ever try and get to know me? Ask me about my interests the way Error does? So what makes you think you can come into my house and tell me what I can do?” ranting to Jason, who just stood there, taking it all in.

While Thea just stood there in shock, Error was totally enjoying this scene of you standing up for yourself, it excited him seeing this side of you.

“so, you can actually put effort into being my friend and get to know me or you can leave, your choice” You finally said to him, crossing your arms as best as you possibly could.

You and Jason just stood there, with you eyeing him like a hawk, waiting for his answer, it seemed like hours of just him thinking, eyebrows furrowed together, it wasn’t long before he seemed to have an answer, he stood upright, straightening himself and then walked out the door without uttering a word.

It stung a bit to say the least but you did give him a choice, you let out a heavy sigh and just as you did, you felt Error’s hand hold yours, you smiled softly at him, feeling his warmth greet you again.

“wow, i---I barely had time to process that” Thea mumbled, looking over you, “are you alright? That seemed heavy”

“it was, guh, it’s so hard to say no sometimes---I just couldn’t stand it anymore” You muttered out.

“if it’s anything----I think you did the right thing” Error spoke while patting you.

You tiredly chuckled, “thanks dear”

“Dear?” Thea questioned, startling the two of you.

Both you and Error look at her flustered, Error physically shrunk into himself while you awkwardly fidgeted as Thea glanced over at the both of you, piecing two and two together.

“wait---you two”

“uh…y-yeah, we’re a thing now” You confessed to her.

Her eyes lit up, gasping, “oh my god”

“Granted we confessed our feelings for each other like…half an hour ago?” You looked over to Error who nodded in agreement, “so like, we’re still trying to figure things out so can you keep it low profile?”

“You know I have a hard time keeping things ‘low profile’!” She squealed, nearly jumping on the spot, “oh my god! I’m so happy for the both of you!---- god what a roller-coaster this day has been”

“tell me about it” you mumbled.

“then in any case, I’ll leave you lovebirds at it~” She teased with a wink, heading to the door, “you know if this gets out to mum, she won’t leave it alone”

“ugh, atleast tell her she’s not getting any grandkids anytime soon”

As she left, it left you and Error alone and frankly you wanted it to be that way for a bit as you sit down back onto the couch, holding your working arm to Error. He didn’t need to be told twice as he stumbled and climbed onto your lap, letting him cling onto your shirt as your arms wrapped around him. Error buried his face into the crook of your neck, smelling too much like hospital chemicals---- missing your natural smell that brought familiar comfort.

“I can get use to this” He quietly spoke, your hair tickling his nose hole.

“me too” You said to him as well, “I love you Error”

His breathing hitched slightly, feeling his cheekbones grow warm against your neck, “I love you too (y/n)”

Chapter Text

The holidays used to be a difficult time for you but as you stared at the outside of the mess hall, that your true family rented out, hearing the muffled sounds of laughter and music, you felt a sense of content in you with the warm summer air passing by you.

Error nudged you, “You good?”

You looked down to see your well-dressed boyfriend, he was wearing the black dress but had a casual grey jumper over it, his claws delicately wrapped around you hand, no longer tied down to the cast. In the other hand was a few gifts for the family and friends.

Nodding your head, you softly smiled at him, “I’m good, we should head in before we worry the others”

As you headed in, greeted by the cool of the AC, the lights were a bit bright as your eyes adjusted to it but the inside of this place was decorated with warm wood with some of its floors covered with a worn red carpet. Of course there was a long buffet table of all kinds of food and around the place was decorated with holiday décor, streamers, sparkly hanging stars and what not.

There was also a pile of gifts in a corner that everyone else had placed, as you made your way to it, you greeted the people you passed, Kev, Lucia, Thea, Iris. Error happily snacked on a few things at the buffet while chatting with Uncle GiGi, the glitch must’ve said something funny because you could hear the old man let out a hearty chuckle.

It warmed your heart seeing him laugh and chat with others, he really built himself a place in this world and you couldn’t be any happier to have him by you side, sharing the experiences of life with you.

Speaking of your partner, he teleports besides you, offering you a plate of food, “here, got you something”

“thanks dear” You said to him, watching his cheeks get a blue glow, “…did you put the cucumber salad inside the breadroll?”

“Thea was right, Fey does make a killer salad” He munches down on his own cucumber salad bread.

He was comfortably in the crook of your side as the two of you watched the kids run around and play, Error spotted Sofia joining in with the others and waved at her and as soon as she saw Error, she smiled and waved back excitedly before joining in with the rest of the kids.

As you finish your bread, you look over to Error, “do you ever think about your old life? Before we met?”

Error gazes at the meatball on his plate, “eh, sometimes, not like in a sad or angry way, more so in a ‘wow I’m glad I got out of that shit’ kind of way, I’m happy here, nothing can change that”

“and like, I’m still figuring things out and I know I’ll have my ups and downs but just so you know, I will work hard to be better for you” He confides in you.

“I know Error, you’ve come so far already, couldn’t be anymore prouder to call you my boyfriend” You replied to him, patting him on the shoulder.

As sweet and intimate this moment was between the two of you was cut short as and artistic skeleton busted into the scene, Error’s disappointment was immeasurable.

“hey guys I’m here!” Ink proclaims before spotting Error and waving excitedly, “Hi Error!”

The glitch groans, while everyone else except you look at each other confused, “ugggh get out of here Ink, I didn’t invite you!”

Kev, who was the closest to Error, turned to him, “so um, do you know this guy?”

Error rubs his temples, “yeah, he’s Ink, he’s uh…. Kinda like…”

“I’m his brother!” Ink interrupts, the second he makes his way to Error, you feel your partner cling onto you.

“As if! Quit forcing labels on me” Error expresses annoyly, “if anything, you’re like a weird distant cousin…”

“I see” Ink taps his chin, “then it’s settled, I’m Error’s cousin!”

You could feel Error grunt in annoyance, “uh Ink…you did try to kill both of us”

“Pfft! That was years ago!” He waves it off.

“It was four months ago..”

“It was? Well it’s water under the bridge!” Ink interjects before glancing around the place, “say, is that food I smell? Oh! Is that salmon pasta bake? I’ll have some of that!”

Error sighed out of relief the second Ink headed over to the buffet, at least he didn’t carry that tacky paintbrush around.

Thea interjected herself between the two of you, “wait, you two know him?”

“yeah, kinda, Error knows him more than I do” You sort of gestured to him.

Thea hums and taps her chin, “do you think I have a shot?”

“have a shot at what?” it hits Error as he spoke, “oh god, you’re not doing what I think you’re doing”

But it’s too late, Thea takes a shot of her drink and confidently struts her stuff towards the artist. All the while Error is internally cringing.

“I wouldn’t….do that because he has…no soul, ugh, should we stop her?” He asks you.

“I think she can handle herself” You shrugged, “I can admire her confidence, I wish I had an ounce of that sometimes”

Your boyfriend seemed he wanted to wind down after those shenanigans so once you had finished your plate, Error dragged you along to the quieter areas of this place. Sounds of chatter became quiet echoes through the walls.

“Where are you taking me Error?” you asked him, “wanted to get away from Ink?”

“Yes, somewhere just the two of us for a bit” He replied.

Raising a brow, you teased, “oh~ are we gonna make out in a closet or something?”

Error, who already gets flustered when you call him dear, cheeks grew a little blue, “p-please, as much as I want to kiss your stupid face, I have standards”

You let out a chuckle as the two of you stopped, Error now holding both of your hands, looking up at you bashfully, all you could do was tilt you head.

“What now?” You asked.

“Can’t we just admire each other?” He answered before dramatically pointing up to the ceiling, “oh wow, would you look at that? I wonder who put that there?”

You happen to follow his gesture and glanced up, only to be greeted with a mistletoe, hung by a blue string. You couldn’t help yourself from letting out a small snort from this sweet gesture.

“oh my good, really?” You asked him, seeing him shrug in a bashful manner.

“It’s the only month I can do this” He answers, “so what do you say?”

You don’t say anything but lean down to his level, greeted by his multicolored soften eyes, he’s shy and nervous but it’s sweet, he lets you make the move as you leaned in for a kiss on his teeth. It’s awkward but you can feel Error melt into the kiss, the way his eyes closed as he embraced the kiss.

A perfect way to end the year, to welcome in the new year and enter the next stage in life. Whatever life throws at you both, as long as you two have each other, you can overcome it all.