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"I'm not interested." Error said.
Now the problem with Error being extremely stubborn and honestly quite old… was that he wasn't alone in that, by any stretch of imagination.
This was not the first time Nightmare had come and visited Error in an attempt to… Recruit him? That wasn't entirely accurate. He did say he would appreciate it if Error helped out, but also that if he didn't want to that would be fine too, just… move into Night's castle rather than the antivoid.
In fact, back when Nightmare had started this plight, he was very much alone, and now he'd recruited the Sans from 3 other AUs. And still Error refused to move to the castle.
"Are you sure? Staying in this place can't be good for you." Nightmare was looking around at the strings hanging around them in the corner of the antivoid that Error had claimed as his own.
What did Nightmare care? He thrived off of negative feelings.
"I'm sure."
Nightmare nodded and made his exit.
And then, it was quiet…
Error was so damn lonely. Some company would be fucking nice!
...oh, but he did have company, didn't he?
The strings were holding souls, and he happily started talking to them - and the dolls - about his day, although he did work himself up somewhat while he was talking about Nightmare's persistence.
The souls helped. The thrum of magic radiating off of all of them made all the difference, made Error feel like he was surrounded by people, but he didn't have to worry about his issues with touch. So really everyone won.
Except a few weeks later - a little after a weird attack on an underfell had left the timeline glitched beyond repair - Nightmare showed up again, Ink's weird (ex) friend in tow (looking somewhat scared).
"You have Cross' soul." Nightmare said.
So what if Error did, it wasn't hurting anyone?!
"He needs it back."
"I don't want to." Error pouted.
After… a lot of negotiating (by that, Nightmare refusing to give in as Error continued to whine until eventually he just took Cross' soul from where it was hanging and returned it to the original owner)
Error remained confused, why did Nightmare take that soul?
Looked like he had another member of his little group now, though...
Still, Error was perfectly fine in his little corner of the multiverse.