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Ink sighed again, absentmindedly playing with a hoodie string and staring at nothing in particular with a vaguely irritated expression. His friends kept glancing at him, giving him amused and sympathetic looks.
“Come on, Ink. I know it’s not what you hoped for, but tonight will be great,” Blue said, nudging Ink’s hip with an elbow.
Ink shot him a pout, “But I really wanted to stay with Error until today.”
“Trust me, Inky, we know,” Outer chuckled.
“But you jinxed yourself by forgetting that assignment,” Lust pointed out.
“I could have done it from Error’s place,” Ink groused, crossing his arms with a scowl.
“Without any of the material? And have presented it to the professor in class today?” Dream asked with an amused smile.
Ink was not mollified at all by the look of understanding sympathy in Dream’s eye lights.
“Yes! No… I could have turned it in later!” Ink countered as the line moved forward. “Mrs. T would have let me be late.”
“Yes, but your painting professor is also much less strict about these things,” Blue pointed out reasonably.
“Not to mention she already knows how you are,” Outer added.
Ink huffed, looking sharply away from them.
“You guys are mean!”
It was petulant but his friends just laughed. Lust came and threw an arm around Ink’s shoulders, leaning on him and poking at bits of iridescent ecto tummy though the holes of Ink’s fishnet shirt exposed by the crop hoodie.
“We’re trying to help you make the most of the night, Inky. You love AU! We’ll have a blast tonight dancing to celebrate your birthday here. And you know Error will probably still be up when you get home. Besides, he told me to be sure you had fun out tonight.”
Lust poked Ink again and Ink had to stifle a fit of giggles, batting away Lust’s finger before it could turn into a full tickle assault.
“Ok, ok, geez!” Ink wheezed, finally caving in and brightening. He really did love coming to this club. Then Lust’s final sentence registered and Ink gave his friends a playfully bemused look. “How many of you did he send marching orders?”
Everyone but Dream raised a hand as Ink’s brows rose. Except Dream was grinning and tipping his head from side to side with a shrug.
“I got mine secondhand through Nighty.”
Ink was a little stunned by that even though Error had given him pretty much the same orders. Error was really that determined that Ink go out and enjoy himself? Even if Error couldn’t be there, he was still working that hard to be sure Ink had a great birthday? Ink’s soul did a funny little flutter as a light rainbow flush freckled Ink’s cheeks. He’d sent Error a picture of his outfit for the night: low-rise grey washed skinny jeans, fishnet shirt, vibrant tie-dye crop hoodie, and his black sneakers with the pained on strings of rainbow hearts. Error had said he looked great about the same time as Killer texted to report that Error was blushing a supernova.
Well…
Ink looked at his friends again. They were all dressed for clubbing, though no one was showing quite as much bone as he and Lust were. Blue was rocking a variant of his usual t shirt and shorts combo with glow bracelets over his gloves; Outer in a deep blue polo speckled with constellations and dark slacks with blue and gold slides; and finally, Dream in his black and gold high buttoned corset-back vest, black jeans with claw rips up the thighs, fingerless gloves and boots. In short, they were dressed to kill. Ink grinned. They were already getting eyed up by others in the line.
“Ok,” Ink said,” Ruru’s orders, let’s dance!”
“IDs,” an amused voice broke in.
Ink whirled around to beam at the bouncer. They all quickly presented the towering human with the requested cards. After a moment, he waved them all in with a casual “Happy Birthday kid” to Ink. Ink waved back, tossing a grin over his shoulder, but his attention was already elsewhere. Excitement thrummed in him as the music got louder as they stepped into AU. There were people everywhere! It was only Thursday but the front bar was packed. Ink loved it.
“Galactic or Cyber?” Blue asked, easily heard over the sudden increase in volume.
“Birthday boy’s pick,” Lust answered.
They all looked at Ink but he already knew where he wanted to go.
“Galactic!” Ink crowed, already heading for the section doors.
AU was Ink’s favorite club because of its three mini ‘worlds’ housed in each section of the U-shaped building. The front, where they were currently weaving their way through people, was the Reef. It was an underwater themed section with a huge behind the bar and smaller tanks along the walls. The wing to the right was Cyber. It was dark with strips of colorful lights around the décor on the walls. The smaller bar area had a purplish tint from its own diffuse lighting and the dancefloor was constantly lanced though by strobing laser-like lights. But Galactic, in the left wing, was easily the group favorite.
They broke though the crown at the door and stepped out onto the floor. All around them, the walls twinkled with fiber optic stars and galaxies glowed on the ceiling. Nebulas pulsed from monitors everywhere, full of vibrant colors and fascinating shapes. Ink could never get enough. He’d told Error about it several times hoping to bring him here one day. Error loved space as much as Blue and Outer did, if not more.
Someone whistled.
“Hey, skellies! Lookin’ good!”
Ink glanced around and Lust nodded towards the couches along the far wall where a pack of dog monsters were waving flirtatiously.
“Come join us for drinks,” yipped one with brown brindled fur.
“Thanks for the offer,” Outer called back, “but we’re good.”
A trim shepherd looking dog in a muscle tee tilted his head and gestured to Dream and Lust.
“You sure? We’d love you to join us,” he said in a suggestive growl.
The guys chuckled and Lust stepped forward, a hand coming up to rest on a tantalizingly cocked hip.
“Sorry boys and girls, he’s taken and we have plans. But try giving me a howl later~”
Lust threw them a wink and the pack broke out in good-natured laughs and assured Lust that they’d do just that.
Blue rolled his eye lights, “Are you not also taken?”
“That was a fling,” Lust said with an easy shrug. “He moved on, so I’m free to pet a few nice dogs.”
Blue frowned and exchanged looks with the rest of the Stars. They all knew that Lust desperately wanted a meaningful relationship, but he seemed to have the worst luck finding someone. Either the other person wasn’t interested in more than a quick fling or they broke it off after a few short months and broke Lust’s heart a little more.
“Anyways,” Lust continued, pointing up and changing the subject, “looks like Asteroid 5 has space. Let’s head up!”
He pushed off the floor hard and started to float quickly up. Ink grinned and followed after, loving the feeling of gravity falling away. This was one of the best parts of Galactic. Localized gravity spells plus an area weightless spell meant you could literally fly between small sections of dance floor that floated around the room. Or even fly up to dance on the ceiling! Each section of floating dance floor was numbered, spelled out by small lights, and 5 was about half way up the room.
In no time, the five of them had taken over the piece of dance floor. The music flowed around them, guiding them and setting them moving. Ink let it carry him away. Let it settle into his bones and moved with the images it painted in his mind. Lust caught his hand and twirled him around. Ink laughed and danced with him before spinning him away towards Blue and Outer. Blue caught him and lifted him off the ground before setting him down as Lust gave a laugh of his own. Then Blue started dancing enthusiastically, if not well, with Lust which set the whole group laughing.
The more he dance, the more Ink felt his scattered, racing thoughts slowing and quieting. His soul rhythm was calm. He could just zone into it and enjoy himself. Dance with his friends and have a wonderful time.
A low whistle and a quiet, startled gasp of “Nighty” broke thought Ink’s trance. He blinked back into focus to find Dream with someone, another skeleton someone, pressed up against his back. Ink blinked again and realized it really was Nightmare pressed up against Dream, hands on Dream’s hips and pressing kisses to the small spinal processes of Dream’s neck.
“Ngh! N-nighty,” Dream stammered, sockets lidding and eye lights fuzzing slightly.
“Mhmm… I didn’t realized you would be dressed so nicely for me,” Nightmare said appreciatively.
Ink was slack jawed, one eye light flickering from a buffering wheel to an exclamation point! He straightened indignantly, hands balling to fists at his side.
“Hey! That’s not fair! Dream, where did your boyfriend come from?” Ink demanded.
“I don’t know!” Dream panted in reply, shivering as Nightmare’s fingers teased just inside the rips of his jeans.
“Don’t be jealous Ink,” Nightmare said in that insufferably calm voice. “I didn’t come alone.”
Ink’s scowl softened with hope and, when Nightmare pointed, Ink followed it to where Asteroid 9 was passing by off to the right and a little above them. Ink scanned it eagerly but he could only make out Killer dancing on a heavily blushing Cross. Though Ink wasn’t sure if that flush was more from how Killer moved against him or the outfit Killer had on. It was cute from what Ink could see of it: oversized cropped sweater, high-waisted booty shorts, and knee socks. But…
“I don’t…”
Something tapped his shoulder. Ink whirled around and let out a stunned gasp, his eye lights blinking to a bright star and heart combo, then to a flame and question mark, before starting to flicker erratically through all four. Error was standing there looking awkward, nervous, irritated, smug, and hot as hell. Ink had no idea where this outfit had come from! He’d been through Error’s clothes several times and didn’t remember ever seeing that leather jacket! He totally would have demanded to see Error in it sooner if he had! Nor did he recognize those particular dark wash jeans. Even the shirt might be new because would have swiped a white shirt as his borrowed pajamas in a soulbeat. The shirt glowed faintly under the black lights which kept drawing Ink’s gaze back to Error’s chest. Where he noticed the little silver brush charm he’d given Error was dangling from a silver chain. Ink’s already flushed face grew even warmer as his soul skipped a beat. Error snorted a laugh.
“Nice to stun you for a change,” he muttered.
Error took a step closer and Ink swallowed dryly, his eye lights how firmly a flame and bright heart, as he dragged his gaze back up to meet Error’s again.
“Well? Like what you see?” Error asked in a smug tone that told Ink he already knew the answer.
“Wow…” Ink breathed. “You look amazing Error!”
Error smirked and posed, a hand half-tucked into a hip pocket with the other hesitantly taking hold of the jacket lapel.
“I know,” he said with immodest pride.
Ink’s eye lights shifted again as a bright, beaming grin spread across his face. He adored Error’s absolute surety that he was good looking no matter what. It was so cute!
Rocking up onto his toes, Ink reached up to touch the jacket, humming appreciatively as his fingers ran over the supple material. It felt really nice!
“See?” Nightmare broke in smugly, “Worth all the trouble to drag you out shopping.”
Error stuck his tongues out at Nightmare but Ink absolutely had to agree! Maybe he should talk to Nightmare about taking Error shopping more often and sending pictures of each outfit tried on. Even if Error got nothing, Ink would have a ton of amazing new pictures of Error! Throwing his arms around Error’s shoulders, Ink leaned up to nuzzle Error’s cheek.
“I feel spoiled! Three presents in one,” Ink said cheerfully.
Error’s arms looped around Ink’s waist even as he pulled away to give Ink a confounded look.
“Wait, three?” he asked.
“Yeah!” Ink cheered, “You, the new outfit, and the fact that you’re here in AU! What do you thing?”
Error made a face, wrinkling his nasal bridge at Ink before rolling his eye lights with an amused half-chuckle.
“Loud, but pretty neat, Squid.”
And in Error-speak, he might as well be singing AU’s praises. Ink beamed. Then Error poked Ink’s forehead.
“So…”
Ink blinked in confusion, “Huh?”
Error smirked, “Gonna ask me to dance?”
“Oh!” Ink felt like he was going to vibrate right off the asteroid from the sudden rush of jittering excitement racing through his bones. “Yes!”
And amazingly, awesomely, Error did dance with him. Error, who wasn’t a fan of crowds or dancing in public, actually danced with him! Ink was so happy and giddy that it felt like he’d slipped off the asteroid to float free in the space between the stars and bodies of Galactic. He let that feeling carry him away with the music. A slower song came on and Error took his hand, pulling him close with a cute and cocky grin as they swayed and rocked together in a way that sent Ink’s magic tingling along his spine. Ink smirked back as the tempo picked up.
He spun in Error’s arms, pulling Error’s hand to his sternum and pressing his back to Error’s chest as his other hand snaked down to settle on Error’s hip. He tipped his head back to shot Error a coy look, thoroughly enjoying the building flush, before dropping with the beat, guiding Error down with him and back up again as illusionary meteorites streaked by like strobe lights. Error’s face glowed, his expression flustered and just a little bit panicked. Ink laughed, pleased with the minor victory, and Error shot him a glare. Then, quick as thought, Error leaned in and lightly bit Ink’s shoulder making Ink jolt and suck in a sharp breath that was lost under the music.
Ink had to pause for a moment to get his mind working again. He blinked up at Error who was now smirking and blushing at the same time. Ink tried to scowl at him. They stared at each other like that for a beat and then dissolved into laughter for the last bars of the song.
“Can we keep dancing?” Ink asked between chuckles, leaning comfortably against Error.
Error’s thumb stroked the back of Ink’s hand.
“Yeah… but only cause it’s your birthday,” he shot back playfully.
Ink beamed with delight. Error spun him back around and they let the music carry them away again. Ink lost track of time and the world. Everything became just dancing with Error. Even as more people crowded onto the asteroid’s dance floor Ink still didn’t notice. They danced closer as the space around them shrank. Error started to shot wary looks at the people dancing happily around them but, to Ink’s astonishment, insisted they were going to keep dancing.
“It’s your birthday Inky and this is making you really happy,” Error said stubbornly when Ink asked if it was too crowded.
Then someone bumped into Error and sent him stumbling into Ink. Ink caught him and hurried to steady him, glaring at the person and their group of friends, sharp words primed, but they’d already jumped to a higher asteroid. Ink snorted after them before looking worriedly back to Error. He could feel how tense Error was. Not to mention the faint, strange buzzing jitter of magic scattered over Error’s bones. His sockets hadn’t fully blanked out Ink was relieved to see but it wouldn’t take much to push Error into frozen sightlessness.
“Hang on, Error. We’re going somewhere less crowded.”
Ink looked frantically around for any of his friends. They’d drifted apart in the crowd but Ink could see Outer and Blue working their way to him. Lust seemed trapped in a group of adoring dancers while Dream and Nightmare were nowhere to be found.
“Error, are you alright?” Blue demanded as soon as he was close enough.
Error tried to answer but his voice split and echoed like an out of tune radio. Whatever he’d tried to say was to garbled to understand but sounded pissed.
“I’m gonna take him outside,” Ink told Blue.
Blue nodded, “I’ll let the others know.”
Ink thanked him, waved to Outer and Lust, and then shifted to Error’s side. He wrapped one of Error’s arms around his shoulders and then wrapped his other arm around Error’s hips. He gave Error’s hand a squeeze and Error nodded jerkily. He trusted Ink to get him away. Without another thought Ink leapt straight up from the asteroid, twisting to avoid other people until he could kick off another asteroid, redirecting them to the wall where the ground level door was. He snagged an emergency down line and it whisked them towards the floor. Ink really liked doing this too. Taking the lines down always felt like a minor thrill ride, but with Error in tow Ink hardly noticed.
“Almost there, Ruru,” he said.
Their feet touched down. Error grunted at the abrupt return of real gravity but Ink only gave him a moment before pulling him out the door. Not through the one back into the Reef, but the door that lead out into the courtyard between the three sections of AU’s wings. Cool air washed over them, feeling much colder after the exertion of dancing in the club, and Ink shivered. He wasn’t a fan of the cold. Beside him, Ink could feel Error relaxing more and more the further they walked from the door. Finally, Error pulled Ink to a stop.
“Sorry, Inky,” he said quietly, voice still a little buzzy.
Ink blinked up at him, “Wait, huh? Why are you sorry, Ru?”
Error glanced at him and then away, sockets clear once more, and scuffed the ground with a toe.
“We had to leave because of me. You were still enjoying yourself.”
He said it in a gruff tone that Ink knew hid the irritation and embarrassment Error was feeling. After all, he’d know Error since they were kids.
“Yeah, I was, but its because I was with you that made it really special Error.”
Error’s skull popped up, a blue flush dusting along his cheeks as he stared at Ink. Ink shifted so he could bring a hand up to cup one of those warm flushed cheeks, running his thumb over the curious blue tracks etched into the bone. His expression warmed, his eye lights shifting to a soft pink star and a green circle.
“Thanks, Error. This has been the best birthday.”
“You said that last year,” Error stammered out as Ink leaned in closer.
“I mean it, Error. You are always my favorite gift,” Ink said softly.
Error’s sockets widened and his flush brightened. Ink leaned up the last inch between them, kissing Error with all the sincerity, joy, gratitude and affectionate intent he could. Error gasped against his teeth, seemingly stunned. Then he turned into Ink, arm around Ink’s lower back and a hand cradling Ink’s skull, kissing back with just as much emotional fervor. A shiver ran up Ink’s spine that had nothing to do with the cool air as Error hummed, low and content. Then he pulled back from the kiss, resting his brow against Ink’s.
“Happy birthday, Ink. Love you.”
Ink flushed, a bright smile on his face.
“Love you too, Error.”