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It was a nice day to be outside, Gaster had decided.
He overlooked the forest outside of Aster's tower, the balcony below his feet neatly sweeped clean of autumn leaves. There was a small ornate table present (courtesy of Ink), along with a mini telescope and two chairs.
The rustling of feathers and a warmth beside Gaster signaled that Aster had joined him. The two for together like puzzle pieces, perfectly shaped for the other.
Aster broke the comfortable silence first. "It's soon, do you remember?"
Laughing, Gaster turned to him. "Of course, I wouldn't forget it even if my life depended on it."
Chuckling, Aster placed a quick kiss on his lips. Pulling away, he opened his mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by a loud crash.
Silence for a few beats, as the two stared in the direction of the commotion.
"How much do you want to bet he's paying us a visit?" Gaster asked.
"I'll lose if I bet." Was all Aster replied as he started walking towards the source of the noise.
Chuckling, Gaster followed.
______
Lo and behold, a black puddle slowly dripping from the dining room ceiling was a clear indication of Ink.
On the floor, lay said trouble-making monster and the chair he accidentally landed on, broken in two.
"Hey dad! Hey pops!" Ink enthusiastically greeted when the two came upon the scene. He sprung up, hiding something behind his back from view.
However, before Aster or Gaster could interject, their son kept going at mile a minute.
"Don't worry! I'll–uh–I'll fix the chair soon..." Ink glanced up. "...And the mess."
He stretched his hand towards the ceiling, pulling globs of paint off the white surface.
Aster swept Ink up in a hug, lifting the short skeleton up and twirling around. When Aster stopped spinning, Gaster joined in the hug.
"Look, I know I haven't dropped by in a hot sec', but I really haven't been gone that long!" Ink protested, trying to worm out of the bone-breaking hug.
"I know, we just missed you. Causing trouble in the Multiverse?" Gaster asked, stepping back and letting Aster set Ink on the ground.
Ink beamed, nodding. "Yep! You won't believe what's been going on!"
Gaster pulled up an (unbroken) chair at the table, knowing that they've got some catching up to do. He gestured for Aster and their son to do the same. The former followed suit, with Ink bounding at his heels.
Suddenly, Ink stopped mid-step. He paled (well, as much as a skeleton can pale) and spun, his back now to his dads.
"Ink? Is something wrong?"
"Uhhhhh... Yeeahh, definitely, holdon–!" Ink crouched on the ground, tugging Broomy from it's place. He busied himself with... whatever he was doing.
Aster laughed at Ink's antics, sitting at the table and waiting for him to finish.
Finally, after a few minutes, Ink popped up with renewed vigor. "Okay! Happy..." He suddenly stopped, using one hand to frantically check his scarf for a note.
"...Happy sixth anniversary!!" Ink exclaimed, revealing a bouquet of sunflowers.
Aster broke out on a fit of giggles while Gaster cackled, Ink smiling widely.
"I—I'm sorry I just, I just didn't expect this Ink." Gaster wheezed out. Finally, Aster composed himself and swept their son in another rib-cracking hug.
"Thank you Ink!"
"Though," Gaster butt in, "Our anniversary is actually in two days."
"Well, 'm pretty sure it's still better than... last year? I think?"