Archive of Our Own

A sharp buzzing harshly went through the air, jolting Error awake from where he lay in a heap of pillows and blankets in his passion project of a bunk bed pillow fort. Error snorted and lifted his head, blearily shooting a glare to the multiversal communication device hanging up by the headboard. This was the brand new invention that the Council so proudly rolled out only about a month ago. For all intents and purposes, it was the same thing as a phone like so many AUs had, but the Council decided to be “quirky” and named their phone something different to highlight its multiversal capabilities. Error, however, didn’t give a damn what the Council called it. A phone was a phone, whether it had the ability to contact people across worlds or not.

Dragging the phone over, Error squinted at the time before grumbling in bitter annoyance. Yay, he just loved getting woken up two hours before he had to be anywhere; that was his favorite way to be woken up actually. The “urgent” alert his phone woke him up for appeared to be a text from Blue. However, like the weirdo he was, he left an audio message instead of just texting him like a normal person.

Rolling over onto his back, Error opened the message while putting his arm over his head with a sigh. It better not be him changing the location again, I swear he can’t make up his mind. 

Fortunately, it was not Blue changing the location for the billionth time. Although, Error wasn’t quite sure if he would have preferred that sort of innocuous message as compared to what he actually got. Error narrowed his eyes with confusion when he played the message and Blue’s voice sounded overly strained and nervous instead of the boisterous cheerfulness that he expected, “Hey, uh! About tomorrow, I think I’m going to have to… take a rain check? Yeah, just uh… unforeseen circumstances. It’s fine, it’s fine, we can reschedule some other time, don’t worry about it.”

Error stared at the screen with slight disbelief. Blue had been looking forward to tomorrow practically all week. Error was going to go over and help him out with some “new recipes” Blue learned about and wanted to try. He didn’t have a clue why Blue would suddenly cancel something that he had initially been so excited about.

“Oh, by the way, have you heard from Ink recently?” Blue’s recorded laughter didn’t sound natural, like he was looking over his shoulder while he said it, “It’s just I haven’t really heard from him and from this, he doesn’t sound… Nevermind, it’s nothing! Just maybe check in on him and see how he’s doing, then tell me. I’m… curious. Anyway! Uh, bye!”

For a long moment, Error tried to process what he just heard. On surface level, it made sense that Blue would ask about him; those two were friends long before Error and Ink became a couple. However, it was just the way that Blue had asked about him was concerning.

“From… this?” What did that mean? If he hadn’t heard from him recently, then what was he talking about? Error’s face further contorted as he couldn’t decipher what Blue’s cryptic message meant or why he sounded so nervous. Scrolling up through the contacts in his phone, Error opened the one appropriately titled “Squid.” Blue had a point. When it was suddenly brought to his attention, Error then realized he couldn’t quite remember the last time he had actually heard from his boyfriend. They talked just a little bit ago, didn’t they?

Bringing the phone closer to his face, Error blinked in disbelief when the last messages they shared were just a little over three weeks ago now. Swiping up to the beginning of the conversation, Error read through the messages he swore were more recent than they were to his stretched thin mind.

“Heeey, Ruru! Do you have some free time now hopefully?? I’ve just been kinda twindling my thumbs with no creators around lol.” Ink had been the first to text Error after, roughly, a period of about a week since the last time they had messaged each other.

“N o. Sorry, Squid, my calendar’s still super full. See?” Error read his response that he promptly followed up with a picture of his calendar. Confirming what he said, nearly every day was filled with job duties, promises to help acquaintances with tasks, and activities that he had scheduled in advance with other friends and colleagues.

“Oh, okay. I’m sorry.” Ink’s short message sat there for about three minutes before he had responded with additional, seemingly cheerful texts, “I hope you have fun! Maybe we can hang out again when you’re not as busy? I’ve been missing you.” They were, of course, followed by three heart emojis.

“Yeah, definitely. I’ve missed you too, I’ll be sure to give you a call when I can breathe again lmao.” Error had responded, adding one heart emoji but feeling too awkward to add a string of them like Ink.

“I’ll be looking forward to it!!” That was the last of that brief text exchange, Error letting Ink know that he saw his final message by giving it a thumbs up emoji.

Letting the phone fall to his chest, Error’s face twisted into a guilty grimace. Wow, he didn’t realize it had been so long. He had been dragged around all over the place by so many different obligations and prearranged activities, he really did feel like it was only a few days ago he had talked to him. If their last text exchange was three weeks ago, then that meant their last face-to-face interaction was… Stars, it couldn’t have been that long, could it? That had to be nearly six weeks ago at this point, all their interactions being limited to short text messages or the rare, barely coherent phone call late at night when Error could hardly think straight.

Sheesh, are you guys even dating anymore? Way to ignore your so called “partner-”

I haven’t been ignoring him! Error defended himself before looking away with an unsure frown, heart shrinking with guilt. Wait… have I?

Well, you certainly haven’t made an effort to go and see him. Or even talk to him for that matter. It’s like you two are in a long distance relationship without the actual “distance” keeping you apart.

You have been busy and he understands that. So, you deserve a bit of grace.

Yeah, but so busy, you can’t carve out five minutes to talk to him? Sounds like excuses to me.

Realistically, when is any conversation with Ink going to be only five minutes long?

Closing his eyes with a brief sigh, Error ignored the voices arguing above him. In a way, the last voice was sort of right. Error had been avoiding really talking to Ink because he wanted to wait until he could fully devote all of his attention to him. He hated having to cut conversations short because he couldn’t keep his eyes open when Ink would be so happily rambling on. But perhaps, that was the wrong thing to do. If he kept going on like this, then there would be no telling how many more weeks would go by without talking.

Eh, maybe not that many more. Error thought with a perplexed expression. Blue had been the third person this week to drop plans with him. The day before yesterday, Cross supposedly figured out a solution to his work problem and didn’t need his help anymore. Odd, since he had seemed extremely grateful that Error had offered to help him, stating that “it would be nice to have at least someone who knows what they’re doing.” Did he really manage to find someone else to help him when he seemed so sure before that Error was the only competent person he could think of to ask? Error thought it was strange, but ultimately didn’t mind much because that took something off his already overflowing plate. He only began to think something was amiss when the very next day, Life figured out how to work her television after all and didn’t need Error to come problem-solve it.

“Yep! It just ended up working on its own! So you don’t need to worry about it anymore, dear.” Error remembered Life beaming down at him as he stood on her front porch, curious on why she seemed to subtly refuse to let him inside by standing in the doorway and preventing him from seeing anything behind her, “So, um, have you heard from Ink lately?”

Error forgot about the strangeness of her even refusing to let him inspect her TV and had simply answered that he hadn’t, on account of having no free time, but now… he was beginning to think there might be a connection between all these sudden cancellations and a certain rainbow goofball. Especially since Blue was now the second person in particular to ask about Ink specifically.

I should probably go check in on him after I help Geno. I’ve got the time now. Error quickly typed a text to Ink asking if he was free to hang out after Error got done today, then forced himself out of bed. He lazily got around and freshened himself out of his sleepy grogginess before grabbing the harness he had been fiddling with last night. Forming a teleport window to his desired location, Error stepped out of the Antivoid and into the perpetual darkness that was the save screen that Geno called home.

Geno nearly jumped off the couch he had set up in there, tossing the book he was reading into the air before clumsily catching it as he whirled around, “Error?! You’re not supposed to be here for another hour and a half!”

Waving a dismissive hand, Error scoffed, “I know, I know, but Blue texted me and woke me up, so I decided just to come on over so I didn’t have to wait around forever.” He handed over the harness, putting his hands on his hips, “So, does it fit? Sci says this whole ‘harness’ thing is just temporary until we can figure out smaller, more discreet devices.”

Geno put on the harness, twisting himself around to see how it felt. After looking down at it and making sure the adjustments were correct, Geno nodded, “Yeah, it feels pretty good now. Thanks, I really appreciate it.”

“No problem.” Glancing over at the screen with the moving visuals of this world’s current timeline, he looked back at Geno, “So, you wanna go ahead and try it out now? I know it’s technically way earlier than we planned, but if I’m already here, we might as well.”

Geno’s expression faltered and he began to unfasten his harness despite just getting it on, “No, I… meant to tell you, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. Reaper’s not here yet and it’s just- It’s not really a great time-”

“We could just give him a call and tell him we’re doing it a bit earlier than expected-”

“No, just- I don’t think doing it today would be a good idea.”

Disbelief flooded Error. He couldn’t believe this. Tossing a hand out, he exclaimed, “You too? You’re the fourth person that’s canceled plans on me this week! I don’t get it, why wouldn't today be a good day, it was perfectly fine yesterday-”

“Because things change!” Geno snapped. He turned away and crossed his arms, face falling with a dark look.

A softer feeling overtook Error’s heart and he looked down to the pitch black floor. Right, maybe he was being a bit too forward with all this. He could leave this place whenever he wanted and go wherever his heart desired. Geno wasn’t so lucky. Of course Geno would have a much more difficult time potentially leaving the prison he had been forced to call his home for the first time, “If… if you’re nervous about leaving, that’s fine. We can take it a few steps at a time. Maybe you could just stick your hand out through a window and see if it remains stable? It doesn’t have to be much at first.”

Geno’s expression faltered and he looked over his shoulder with surprise. It softened into a grateful smile and he chuckled, “No, no, it’s not just that, but… thank you. No, it’s… really this.” He walked over to the couch and lifted a folded piece of paper. He then handed it over to Error, a disturbed frown distorting his usually calm disposition, “I got this. I don’t know where it came from. I went to go get a cup of coffee this morning and it was just sitting there on the floor.”

Error glanced over to the ‘kitchen’ Geno had in the save screen nothingness. It wasn’t a ‘real’ kitchen by any means, but it was filled with the typical furniture and appliances that one would find in a regular kitchen; courtesy of him and Fresh all that time ago. He looked back down at the paper with a skeptical look, opening it up.

It appeared to be an unsigned letter. Stickers and little drawings decorated every margin of the page. They weren’t exactly anything that could pinpoint to the identity of the person who gave the letter, just sketchy drawings of innocent things like balloons or a slice of strawberry cake, while the stickers were things like stars and hearts. Error squinted at the letter as the handwriting looked… extremely familiar, although he couldn’t quite tell where he had seen it from. Putting aside his confusion, he quickly read through the letter.

I’m sorry if this is alarming to you; it is not against you in particular! You have a part in it, but it’s not like I have a problem with you specifically or anything. It has just gotten to a point that I’m afraid it now involves you even if otherwise, it probably would have been fine and there would have been no problem whatsoever.

Cancel your plans with Error. I am not sure what you have going on that week or whatever, but surely you can reschedule? Like, if it’s something extremely serious, then maybe you don’t have to reschedule. I’d prefer if you did, but I suppose if your life is in danger or you have an incredibly important due date you just forgot about and absolutely have to do, then you don’t have to. Just make it extremely quick.

I have waited long enough. I have tried to be patient and very supportive, but I can’t take it anymore. Error’s been run around for weeks. It’s about time he gets a well deserved break, no?

Again, it’s not against you in particular. You just got caught up in the middle of it since you helped fill up his endless schedule. So, please cancel your plans with Error. If you don’t, bad things will happen. You have been warned.

Error stared at the letter, eyes narrowing as it was starting to become very clear who wrote it. Gaze trailing to the bottom of the page, Error read out the last little note with a deadpan voice, “‘P.S. Please don’t, like. Be too scared or anything. It’ll probably be fine? I’ve just had it. Sorry.’”

Geno had his arms crossed with a solemn expression, “I don’t have the slightest idea who would give me a threatening letter. Even if… calling it ‘threatening’ is kind of a stretch.” Putting a hand to his head, he gave Error a look of pleading hope, “Do you know who it is? It’s like whoever wrote it couldn’t actually… fully commit to the blackmail.”

Error looked down at the letter in his hand with a pursed mouth, “Yeah. Don’t worry, I have a pretty good idea who gave you this.” The author became all too clear in his mind, dissipating the fog as their voice finally made Error realize where he recognized the handwriting from. He could practically see the goofy little inksplotch now; writing away on a desk with his soft rainbow tongue peeking out, sketching out cute doodles as if those would make his essential blackmail easier to stomach.

Geno opened his mouth, expression contorted in bewilderment, before Error cut him off. He looked to the kitchen, raising his voice into a question, “So, where did you find this letter again?”

“Uh, over here.” Geno led the way to the middle of the area he set up as his kitchen. He pointed down to a spot on the floor, “Right there. It was just… sitting there when I came in here earlier. I have no clue where the hell it came from.”

Error kneeled down where Geno pointed, gazing suspiciously at the spot. It looked like the same, normal pitch black floor as the rest of the save screen. Reaching forward, Error pressed his finger to the spot. It was damp. Bringing his finger back, Error confirmed his theory as he gazed knowingly at his stained fingertip, “Yep, I know exactly who it is now.”

Geno raised an eyebrow, following Error’s gaze to the black smudge on his finger, “What is that? It looks like… ink?”

“The one and only.” Error stood up, wiping his finger on a napkin Geno handed him with a grimace. Flicking open a teleport window, the warm glow of the Doodle Sphere gave a more natural light to the unnatural lighting of the save screen, “Don’t worry about this, I’ll go and straighten it out. I’ll be back later to help with your stabilization project. I’ve just…” Error’s face fell into a scowl as he marched through the teleport window, leaving a perplexed Geno behind, “I’ve got to go handle something real quick.”

The gravity of the save screen immediately gave way to the complete absence of it in the Doodle Sphere. Error closed the window behind him, not answering Geno’s question of “when he thought he’d be back.” The truth was Error had no idea when he was going to be back. He hoped the matter would be very quickly resolved and it would become something everyone would be laughing about in a week’s time. But there was truly no telling. It wasn’t like Ink had ever gone around blackmailing their friends before.

“Oh, Ink~? I’ve got to talk to you.” Error called out in a dangerous sing-songy voice. He floated there near the fluttering AUs, looking around for any sign of his boyfriend, “You’ve been busy, haven’t you?” He lifted Geno’s letter and gave it an unsavory look, “Wow, you learn something new everyday. I didn’t know that squids engaged in extortion.”

Only the soft ambience of the Doodle Sphere answered him. Wherever his scheming little squid was, it wasn’t here.

Error pursed his mouth and looked over to the floating island with the house on it. His home away from home was probably the best place to look before he went scouring through the different universes.

The zero gravity abruptly switched to having gravity as soon as Error got close enough to the island, but Error paid no mind to it; having done this enough times, it was nearly second nature. He was busy opening his phone, grumbling to himself as he looked down at it. It didn’t even look like Ink had seen his text earlier, still left unread. Error dialed Ink’s phone, letting it ring as he stepped inside the house, “Ink? You here? I need to talk to you.”

A muffled ringtone reached Error. It sounded closeby, but… buried underneath something. Error ventured inside, shutting the front door after him. He followed the muffled ringtone until it led him to the couch. He looked down at the pile of stuffed animals and a Gyftmas patterned blanket staring back up at him. Digging through the pile, Error pulled out the colorful phone hidden within, its happy ringtone now much louder.

Ink’s ringtone and the dialing of his own phone played simultaneously as Error’s face twisted into a judgemental look. “Glitchy” was the caller ID on Ink’s screen while a very unflattering picture of Error served as his profile picture.

I thought I told him to fucking delete that! How many times do I have to say to not take a picture of me while I’m reading? Error grimaced as he angrily ended the call, looking over his shoulder with a dark look. It was now apparent that if he wanted something deleted, he’d have to do it himself. Or if he wanted something picked up, for that matter. He slipped Ink’s phone into his pocket and looked around for its missing owner. The house stood silent around him, only broken apart by his annoyed voice, “Oh, Ink?”

Climbing up the stairs, Error leaned inside the bedroom doorway, sweeping his disinterested gaze around the dark room. No one there. He passed the dark and empty bathroom and pushed open the door to the last room upstairs, Ink’s art studio.

No one was inside. The art studio was as messy as Error remembered it, Error standing in the doorway with a despondent look. Dragging a hand down his face, Error let out a sigh as he started thinking which AU out of the thousands he wanted to start checking first, “Sweet stars above, this is going to take fucking forever…”

As if answered by fate herself, Error stared in utter astonishment as an inky puddle formed in front of the large art easel set up in the middle of the room. Ink popped out of the puddle, humming to himself as his arms were filled to the brim with miscellaneous items. Error could only stare, trying to make sense of the items in his arms: stuffed animals, at least one stage light fixture, Gyftmas lights, dolls, and what looked like a seat cushion. Error couldn’t begin to piece together the purpose of these items, blinking in confusion as Ink marched over to the chest set up in the corner of the room, completely oblivious to Error as he continued humming cheerfully to himself.

For a moment, Error watched Ink try to stuff the items he had in the already stuffed-full chest, its lid pressed back to the wall as trying to shut it closed was an endeavor long left in the past. Error’s mind finally caught up to him, speaking over Ink’s grunts of effort, “Ink?”

His voice sent Ink multiple centimeters off the ground. He let out a shrill screech, his violent jump sending the items tumbling from his arms. He whirled around with a terrified look, items plopping and clattering to the floor all around him. His eyes immediately changed into a look of recognition, shining bright with a star and heart as he lovingly exclaimed, tossing his arms out toward him, “Oh, Error! It’s you! I can’t believe it, I missed you so much-!”

Error just flicked a hand, safely capturing Ink in strings before he could blindly bowl him over, “Hey, wait just a moment, what the hell are you doing?”

Ink blinked from his spot in the strings, eyes switching into question marks. He looked back over his shoulder to the overflowing chest and the mess of items he left in front of it. Instead of lighthearted laughter and explanations like Error expected, Ink jolted, his eyes flickering into multiple shapes as his laugh was high pitched with what sounded like nerves, “Oh, that? That’s nothing! Don’t worry ‘bout it! I was just- I didn’t expect you! Uh, what are you doing here? So soon? I mean, not ‘soon,’ but you know, just here in general right now or-”

He broke off with an ‘eep’ sound as Error dragged him closer to him. He gave him an unamused look, taking out the rainbow phone and shaking it beside his head, “I would have given you a heads up, but someone doesn’t bring his phone with him.”

Ink stared at his phone for a silent second before giggling with a sheepish grin, “Uh… I forget?” He broke off with a startled noise when Error abruptly let him go, letting him down to his feet.

Crossing his arms, Error looked down at Ink as he raised an eyebrow, “So, do you wanna tell me what the hell is going on, Squid?”

Ink shifted his gaze up to Error, almost looking like a guilty child. He then shook his head and gave a shrug, a strained tone to his voice as he poorly attempted to deflect, “What? I’m just… doing some spring cleaning! Just rearranging and, uh, reorganizing and everything. Why are you being so serious-?” He abruptly snapped his jaw shut when Error whipped up a hand, holding the blackmail in front of his face.

“This.” Error growled, slightly pulling the letter to the side so he could meet Ink’s nervous gaze, “Care to explain?”

Ink fell into a silence, staring with wide eyes at the paper, “Well, uh-” He stumbled over his words, absentmindedly flapping his hands as he failed to give excuses, “Like, okay, it was not- You know, it’s not exactly what it, like, I don’t know, I was just- Listen, it’s-” His face suddenly fell into a look of revelation and he abruptly paused his stressed movement. He then crossed his arms and turned his nose up defiantly as he coolly stated, “I have no idea.”

Scoffing in disbelief, Error gave a challenging smirk while he tapped the top of the letter, “Oh, sure ya do. What is this? Just tell me, what am I holding up here?”

Ink shrugged and pointed to one of the doodles drawn on the margin, one of a doggy face grinning, “I don’t know, it just looks like someone wrote a cute little letter to me-!”

“This is not just a letter, Ink.” He tapped the page closer to the center against one of the paragraphs running down the entire length of it, “This is blackmail.”

Ink’s expression contorted into one of annoyance and his calm demeanor rapidly switched to balled up fists as he snapped, “No, it’s not! I didn’t even ask for anything! Just for you to get a break-!”

He abruptly caught himself, snapping his jaw shut as he stared at Error in horror. Error just raised an eyebrow, silent as he waited for Ink to dig himself deeper.

Crossing his arms, Ink looked away as he mumbled, “Okay, fine, maybe in the swallowest definition of the word, but it’s not even ‘bad’ blackmail.”

Error couldn’t help his laugh, tossing out a hand in pure dumbfounded astonishment, “What kind of blackmail is ever good?!”

“Like, I didn’t ask for money or for them to give up anything because I kidnapped somebody they loved or something! Just for them to give you a little break, that’s all!” Ink retorted. He then pointed to the paper with an incredulous voice, “Look, I said I was sorry if I was scaring them too! So it’s fine!”

Glancing over to the paper, Error looked back at Ink with half-lidded eyes as he grumbled, “Just because you say ‘sorry’ in a threatening letter, it doesn’t make it any less threatening.”

Ink half-heartedly shrugged and mumbled to himself, but ultimately didn’t seem to have any comeback.

Error let his hand fall with the letter. He sighed wearily and gazed down at Ink as he refused to look at him, still crossing his arms in a pout, “What am I going to do with you? Why are you going around blackmailing our friends, Squid? You’ve never done that before. And what the hell did you mean by ‘bad things,’ what are you planning by that?”

Ink tossed his arms up and glared at Error, “I don’t know! I didn’t actually mean anything by it, I wasn’t actually, like… planning something, I don’t know.” He looked down and rubbed an arm, eyes forming deep blue shapes as he murmured, “I just- I don’t know. I wanted them to… leave you alone for a bit. Everyone else has been able to spend time with you and I’ve just… been sitting here. Alone.”

A pang went through Error’s heart. He just now noticed how wrinkled Ink’s clothes were and how disheveled he truly looked. His pants looked baggier than normal and half his shirt was untucked. His scarf wasn’t even put on right; one tail hanging much more lopsided than the other. The pain in his heart grew when Ink finally looked up at him, the slight hollowness to his cheeks and the heavy bags under his eyes now clearly visible once Error was paying attention.

“How’s it fair that everyone else gets to spend time with you and not me? Like, we’re the ones dating, not them. So, I thought if I could just get them to back off a little bit, then it’d be fine! I’d get to see you again!” Ink exclaimed excitedly, tossing his arms out as he was completely oblivious to his own concerning appearance or the pitiful way Error was looking at him, “But you know, I… I felt bad about it, so I tried to say sorry and make the letters all cute and everything.” He reached forward and took hold of the other end of the letter in Error’s hand, pointing to a strawberry he drew on the page with a hopeful smile, “See?”

Error looked down to the drawing before back up at Ink’s face. His pitying look slightly morphed into one of gentle concern as he reached up and lightly cupped Ink’s cheek, slightly worried that anything more than a light touch would knock him over based on how feeble he looked, “Are you okay? Have you been getting any sleep?”

Ink beamed up at him, “On and off.” He brushed right past the concerning implications his words held and jumped forward, wrapping Error in his arms as he nuzzled into his chest, “But you’re here now! I’m so happy, I’ve missed you so much!”

Hesitantly, Error hugged Ink back, looking away with a worried murmur as he wasn’t sure how to address any of his concerns, “Yeah, I’m happy too, but… There’s still the main issue, Ink-”

“Don’t worry, Ruru! I’ll be sure to apologize to everyone later! Right now, we got some bonding time to make up for!” Ink exclaimed as he joyously led Error out of the room. His excited movement was much more unsteady than normal, nearly tripping over himself twice before they even made it to the stairs, “I’ve got so many things I want to show you! But first, let’s get a snack and you can tell me all I’ve been missing!”

“Yeah, but- Ink, wait-” Error helplessly trailed after Ink, his hand firmly intertwined with his as he was led the way downstairs and to the kitchen. He stood behind Ink and fruitlessly tried to voice his worries, “That’s good and all because, like, you do need to apologize to them, but the main thing is why you did that… at all? Like, yeah, you wanted me to get a break, but-” He broke off as Ink loudly clanked a cup onto the counter and went scurrying around his drawers. He spoke up again, raising his voice over all the commotion, “Are you okay? Like, genuinely?”

Ink waved a hand in a dismissive manner, laughing brightly, “Oh, yeah! I’m fine! Perfectly. Now,” he turned Error around and pushed him out of the kitchen, “go sit! Relax! Leave it up to me. I’m going to make you a little surprise.”

“But-” Error could only weakly protest before he was given a final shove out the kitchen. He turned and shot an offended glare at Ink.

The little goofball only gave him a wink and held up a finger to his mouth, shushing him, “No peeking! It’ll ruin the surprise.” With that, he swiftly disappeared back into the kitchen.

Taking a step toward the kitchen, Error halted. As much as he wanted to barge back in there and continue to question Ink about his well-being, his rather pitiful appearance shot through his mind again. In the feeble shape he was in, Ink probably couldn’t physically force Error out of the kitchen if Error resisted. He’d be left to only plead with him to please just go along with his plan and let him surprise him.

Letting out a small sigh, Error relented and retreated to the couch in the living room. He pushed aside the stuffed animals and blankets to make room and sat, waiting for Ink to come back. It wasn’t like it was going to hurt anyone if Error played along. Besides, didn’t Ink deserve to treat him a little if that’s what he wanted?

Rubbing the back of his skull, Error ignored the uncomfortable flush to his cheeks. He didn’t exactly… know what to think about being “pampered.” It was often embarrassing. He didn’t really see himself as a person that someone would want to take care of or shower with attention. He felt like he was always doing something wrong if he let someone treat him like that, even if the extra praise and attention had a way of making his heart flutter and his chest puff with pride.

It’s fine. If he wants to… ‘treat’ me or whatever, he should get to. Especially after not getting to for so long. Error thought with a guilty frown, looking away. He felt even more like he was doing something wrong. Shouldn’t he be the one taking care of him? Why was he the one getting special treatment when he was essentially the one blowing Ink off in favor of other obligations for weeks at a time?

Shaking his head, Error decided it was fine. He would just have to make the effort to return the favor once Ink was satisfied with pampering him. He looked over when Ink emerged from the kitchen, carefully holding a mug.

“Here you go!” Ink beamed as he handed the mug to Error. He plopped down next to him and grinned, “What do you think? I put in extra marshmallows, just how you like it! I didn’t have any chocolate sprinkles, so I’m sorry, but I couldn’t put any of those in.”

Error looked down into the mug. It was hot chocolate. He could only tell by the smell and the traces of brown on the walls of the mug or peeking through the sea of marshmallows. Taking a sip, Error nodded while he gave Ink a skeptical look, “Don’t worry ‘bout it, it’s really good… what about you? Didn’t you want any?”

Shrugging, Ink waved a hand, “No, I’m fine.” He then clapped his hands together, placing them under his chin and holding up his head as he smiled, “So, what have you been doing recently?”

“Um…” Error gave Ink a weird look. He decided that humoring Ink was going to help more than endlessly trying to interrogate him. Taking another long drink, Error began, “Well, I was going to help Cross earlier this week, but he apparently didn’t need my help anymore right before we had to do it. Then, Life cancelled on me because her TV magically fixed itself, and today, Blue called to cancel our plans for tomorrow. Right after I got that news, I went to Geno’s and he tried to cancel on me too.” Giving Ink a long look, Error’s voice dripped with sarcasm as he grumbled, “That’s when he gave me that ‘mysterious little letter’ he got. Now, Life and Blue both asking if I knew how you were doing makes sense. How much gold you wanna bet that if I went to ask, everyone else got the same kind of letter that Geno did?”

Ink stared at him with a blank look. He then looked away, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, “Wow, that… uh, sure is strange-”

Closing his eyes, Error took another large sip as he growled, “Don’t play stupid now, you more than admitted it upstairs.”

Rolling his eyes, Ink sighed, “Fine, maybe they got the same sort of thing too. You can’t blame me too much when you sent me a picture of your calendar.”

Glaring at him, Error abruptly quit drinking as he snapped “You can’t blame me when you were the one who made the conscious decision to extort our friends!”

“I said I was sorry!” Ink retorted, throwing his arms into the air.

“Saying ‘sorry’ in literal fucking blackmail doesn’t count!” Error shouted back.

“Fine! I will apologize in person later! Happy?!” Ink glared at Error, who simply gave a shrug and took another drink from his hot chocolate. His glare softened to an unsettling blank look and he continued to stare at the mug in Error’s hand for an uncomfortable amount of time.

Glancing over, Error finished his sip as he cautiously lowered the mug and gave Ink a weird look, “What?”

Blinking out of his strange trance, Ink gave him a nervous grin, “So, uh, is it good? Even without the… um. Chocolate sprinkles?”

Raising an eyebrow, Error rolled his eyes with an amused look, “Yeah, it tastes good. You still worried about that?” He patted Ink’s head with a chuckle while Ink pushed him away with a snort.

“Well, yeah, I suppose.” Ink’s laugh switched to an intrigued tone as he asked, “So, what happened before all that? You know, like last week and-” He broke off as a loud rumble came from his abdomen. Both skeletons looked down at the source of the noise with shock.

After a few moments, Error looked back up to Ink’s face, “Uh, Squid? When was the last time you ate?”

Ink’s facial expression was alarmingly blank. He then seemed to spark back to life, turning away from Error. He let out a laugh as he talked, reaching into his pocket and subtly trying to take a sip from a vial he had hidden there. Despite his secrecy, Error could see the bright yellow liquid sparkling from between his fingers, “Oh, it’s fine! I ate… earlier. You know, every time I… remember to… but it’s fine! You know, silly ol’ me, forgetting when I get too distracted on something, no big deal-!”

Error’s gaze flickered down to trail over Ink’s body. Seeing the glimpses of his yellow vial suddenly reminded him. Where was Ink’s bandolier? Where were the rest of his vials for that matter? He quit listening to Ink, hanging up his mug beside him with strings. He reached forward and grabbed Ink’s wrist with the vial, turning his hand to fully expose it hiding in his palm.

Ink jolted, turning to stare at Error in shock, “Glitchy? What- What are you-” He cut off into a gasp when Error gripped the sleeves of both of his arms with one hand and pushed them to the back of the couch, immobilizing Ink. He was powerless and squirmed with an outraged cry as Error leaned forward and dug his free hand through his pocket, “Hey! Error, what?! What do you think you’re doing?! Stop that, no, give that here-!”

Error abruptly leaned back, letting Ink go. He turned his body, holding Ink back with one arm as he vainly struggled to retrieve his stolen items from the hand Error kept away from him. In his palm sat only three vials: yellow, orange, and pink. All of them were nearly half empty. He cautiously looked over his shoulder, fixing Ink in his darkly concerned gaze, “Where are the others?”

Ink glanced at the vials Error held hostage before back to his face again. He pulled back from Error, looking away as he mumbled, “They’re… getting refilled.”

Raising an eyebrow, Error pressed, “Yeah? Then why not these, huh?” He rattled the vials in his palm, the glass softly clinking together, “If you’ve been taking them as you’re supposed to, then they would all need to be refilled at roughly the same time.” He narrowed his eyes as he continued, “So, what is it? Have you been neglecting these vials in favor of the other ones or-” He broke off. He looked down to the vials in his hand. Yellow, orange, and pink. Arguably some of his most positive colors, “Or… have you been only…”

The implications and spiraling in Error’s head was interrupted as a hand snatched the vials away from his palm. Error looked over, still in a sort of shock as Ink cradled the vials close to him with a dark look.

“It’s fine. I told you, the others are getting refilled.” Ink lowly growled, his half-lidded gaze seeming to stare through the floor. His eyes were two cold, white eyelights as he seemed to sink into a world of his own. However, as quickly as it began, it ended; Error left to stare in stunned silence as Ink took a large drink out of the yellow vial before stuffing them all back into his pocket.

“So!” Ink beamed, carrying right on as if none of that had ever happened, “What did ya do last week? I just sat here bored that whole time, so hopefully you did something interesting!”

Error wanted to speak, but his world was still spinning. It wasn’t just from shock; that should have calmed down by now. No, something was wrong. Error just stared at Ink, his vision becoming strangely fuzzy, “I… Ink, I don’t… feel so good.”

Ink looked like he was behind a TV screen filled with white noise and static, becoming increasingly harder to see as the static increased. He tilted his head, his facial features getting too fuzzy to make out clearly, “Error?”

“I can…’t, I don’t know… what’s… happening…” Error’s head spun and he felt like he wasn’t even in control of his own words, mildly aware he was badly slurring them, but having no way to stop it. His vision grew darker and his limbs grew heavier as he collapsed forward, unable to even hold himself up anymore.

Delicate hands coaxed him down onto a warm lap and stroked his head, “Oh, Glitchy, come here. It’s okay, don’t worry, I’ve got you. Just go to sleep, okay? I love you, just close your eyes, it’ll all be okay.” Ink’s gentle voice reached Error’s ears, but that was the only thing he could really sense. His body felt so foreign and heavy to him, he could barely even register the loving strokes on his skull.

I can’t… I can’t see, what’s… what’s going… Even Error’s thoughts were incoherent, staring straight ahead through wide open eyes, but not being able to really see anything. His vision was so full of static and becoming darker by the second. His head spun until finally, it all went black and Error plunged into the abyss of unconsciousness.

******

Whether it was because something roused him from his deep slumber or he simply woke up naturally, Error couldn’t tell. He slowly pried his eyes open, squinting as even the dark room was too much for his eyes. Faint music played, but Error couldn’t tell exactly where it was coming from. He rolled his head back with a groan. Stars, was his neck killing him. He tried to move further, perhaps to rub a tired eye or have a long stretch. Nothing wanted to move. Error forced his heavy eyes to open fully as he stared down at his legs, willing his vision to focus. His legs were tightly bound to the legs of an ornate chair, keeping him trapped. 

Error struggled against the restraints, casting a look of dismay to see his arms were given the same treatment. He looked around in growing alarm. Where was he? He was in a fancy looking chair… surrounded by rows just like it. Although, he seemed to be the only living person here. Error couldn’t believe his eyes as his only other company in this dark room were stuffed animals and dolls sitting on the chairs; some of which even appeared to be ones that he made.

My dolls? What… what are they doing here? Error gazed around in utter shock before back at himself, tied and helpless to do anything. What am I doing here? He struggled a bit more before an audible click went through the air.

Something glimmered in the darkness. Error looked up in time to see the sheen of a lens and a red blinking light before loud sounds of lights powering on blasted his ears. Error squinted painfully as bright lights blazed in front of him; luckily not at him, but directing his attention to the front of the room.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the show!” A familiar voice called out, voice absolutely beaming as if the speaker was smiling ear to ear, “Thank you all so much for coming out today! Have we got a show for you! But first, let’s welcome our very special guest. Let’s give a round of applause to the guest of honor, Error!”

That’s when the lights were cast upon him. Error squeezed his eyes shut with a painful grunt, suddenly the world blanketed in blinding white light. He very slowly squinted open his eyes, trying in vain to adjust to the drastic light difference despite the difficulty. He jumped when a hushed roaring came from right beside him.

“‘Yaaaay, we love you, Error!’” Ink cupped his hands around his mouth, poorly mimicking the voices of a thousand different people cheering. He wrapped an arm around Error’s shoulders and beamed down at him, “So, do you have anything to say to all of your adoring fans, Glitchy?”

Error could only give Ink a bewildered look. He was dressed so strangely. Almost like… some sort of flouncy magician outfit, with an extravagant hat and an abundance of frills, lace, and ribbons. He wildly glanced around to the rest of the room. The rest of the audience members weren’t even looking at them, their lifeless eyes still trained onto the stage at the front of the room, “What are you even talking about? Ink, what are you wearing? Where the hell are we, what’s going on?”

Ink twirled out in front of Error, placing his gloved hands onto Error’s arms tied down to the arms of the chair, “So many questions! I told you all how naturally curious he is!” He then roughly started pulling the chair, Error leaning back in fright as he was powerless but to go along, “Don’t… worry, Ruru!” Ink panted with effort. His eyes were beaming with a crazed sort of light as he grinned up at him, Error instinctively leaning back as far as he could from him, “You’re just the most important… guest of honor for the surprise I worked so hard to make for you!”

Error only barely registered his eye twitching, staring down at the borderline manic smile Ink was giving him as he briefly halted in his harsh pulling of his chair, “Uh… Wha-” He couldn’t even finish his question before suddenly gravity gave way from under his chair. Error let out a startled scream before abruptly getting cut off, rattling to a stop as he breathed heavily. A thousand different bright lights were trained on him from both the ceiling and the ground. The fake audience members were now all staring at him, obscured from the lights blasting in Error’s face. He could barely make out the blinking of a red dot out in the dark audience, most certainly a camera capturing all of this in its full disturbing glory.

“Sorry about that! Travelling through my puddles can always be a bit disorienting if you’re not expecting it.” Ink giggled. He skipped around in front of Error, coming to a stop in front of him. He then cast his arms out, spinning on his heel as he let out a delighted laugh, “Welcome to the show, Ruru! Not only are you the guest of honor, but you have the prestigious role of director too!” He clapped his hands together with a squeal, then beamed at Error, “You get to decide what our show is about! I am but a humble actor for your grand performance. Please! Just tell me whatever your heart desires and I will act it out for you! Doesn’t that sound fun? Your very own play that you get to direct!”

Error’s head spun. He felt like none of this could possibly be happening as he stared at Ink, hardly able to believe that his appearance as a crazed, glittery showman with heavy bags under his eyes was, in fact, reality and not some delusional fever dream. After a long moment, he muttered, “Alright, that’s it. You’re coming with me, we’re going to go get you some professional help right now.” He flexed his fingers, intending for a teleport window to open underneath them. It wasn’t the most… optimal way to form a window, but Error didn’t think he had any other choice being bound to a chair. However, nothing happened.

Expression contorting, Error looked down. He flexed his hand again, internally willing his magic to form a window. Over and over again, he tried, but nothing happened. He struggled, trying in panic to use other forms of his magic. Strings, bones, nothing worked. He just sat there, struggling in the rope while tied up to the chair as it rattled on top of the wooden stage.

Ink stood there with slumped shoulders, watching the struggle in silence. His expression was heavy, and he finally spoke after watching Error strain fruitlessly for a long moment, “I figured you’d do something like that. I went and got some magic dampening rope from Mafiatale ‘just in case.’ I didn’t want to think you’d just… not care about the surprise I made for you, but I thought ‘better safe than sorry,’ and it looks like I was right.”

Error paused, looking up at Ink. He managed a strained smile, heart still pounding with growing panic, but at least attempted to pretend like he was okay with everything that was happening, “Oh, no, I do care about it! A lot, I just-” He struggled once more against the restraints, squinting out past the lights to the ‘audience’ members he couldn’t even see, “I don’t understand why you couldn’t have just… told me. About all this. Rather than tie me up and…” He trailed off, face falling into an uncomfortable realization. He looked back up at Ink, blankly muttering, “Did you drug me?”

“It was the only way I could get you to come.” Ink looked away, a sad frown across his face. He turned and kicked a foot, as if kicking a stone away as he murmured, “I didn’t… I didn’t think you’d be calm about it and you’d just… think I was crazy or something and want to go ‘get me help’ without even looking at it first.”

He faced the lights, camera, and dozens of stuffed audience members as he declared, “But look! Look at all of this! I made this! For you! All of it is for you.” He whirled around and clasped his hands together, his smile bright but his eyes sparkling with a pleading look, “Isn’t it marvelous? It’s all for you! I’m all for you! Please, let’s just have a few wonderful moments together. Give me your vision and I will create it for you! I will do anything for you! Please, just let me show you how much I love you.”

Error cautiously looked around with a newfound interest. He tried to push down the nauseating feelings of alarm coursing through him, attempting to see Ink’s vision despite how borderline crazy it was. He hesitantly shifted his gaze back up, answering carefully, “You… made this all for me?”

Ink rapidly nodded, ribbons on his hat nodding just as quickly along with him.

Alright, okay. Error could work with this. Ink just wanted… him to appreciate and play along with what he was doing, right? He seemed to genuinely believe this was just an exercise in showing him how much he loved him rather than… what appeared to be an alarming lapse in sanity. Okay, all Error had to do was play along. Then he could get him to untie him and that’d be the end; Error could whisk him away to some place with help and this would all be some crazy memory, nothing more, “So… when did you get my dolls? When I was passed out?”

Ink nodded again, bright smile on his face, “I figured those would be some neat audience members for you! Since you would recognize them better and all.”

Right, and you can’t create life by yourself… or convince anyone living to actually go along with this. Error let out a sigh, closing his eyes as he struggled to think of what to say. Finally, he began, giving what he hoped was a convincing smile, “This is very sweet of you, Ink. Really. I’m impressed, you did all of this for me?”

Ink’s eyes sparkled and he quickly dug through his pocket, pulling out his yellow vial. He tilted his head back and downed the rest of it, even though there was still a good quarter or more left. He was oblivious to the alarmed look Error was giving him, beaming at him as his eyes were a much brighter yellow than before, a thin trail of the last bit of yellow liquid going down his chin, “I knew it! I knew you would think so! I’m so glad you like it, Ruru!”

“Uh, yeah, it’s great-” Error’s laugh was incredibly forced, concern making his head spin, “Hey, uh, Squid? Was that… the last of your happy vial? Don’t you think you’re… overdoing it a little?”

Eyes lighting up, Ink scampered to the curtains that led backstage, “Oh, no! No, don’t worry! I’ve got more!” Error could only watch in abject horror as Ink retrieved his bandolier of vials and raced out in front of him, holding it out with pride like it was a trophy instead of a clear indicator of something being deeply not right in his psyche, “See? I have lots! So it doesn’t matter that it doesn't work as much anymore!”

Error could only stare, feeling like his stomach just dropped to the floor. The bandolier of vials was completely full of yellow vials, except for the already half drained pink and orange vials at the very top. It was a long moment before Error spoke, hardly able to hear his own voice as he couldn’t pry his gaze away from the darkly concerning sight in front of him, “Ink? Where are the other colors? And what do you mean? ‘It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t work as much anymore?’”

“The yellow. It doesn’t work very well anymore.” Ink answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. He pulled out a new yellow vial and popped off the heart-shaped lid on it, taking a sip as he continued, “I have to drink more now to make it work. Not that much more, but still. It’s fine, don’t worry about it!” He placed it back into the bandolier and swung it around him before letting it go. Error ducked, glancing over with shock when it landed around the top of his chair. Ink beamed at him, hands on his hips, “More yellow means I am fun to be around! I am happy and cheery all the time and it is all okay! I need to be happy so I’m not boring. The other colors only bring me down, so yellow’s the only one that really matters now. Maybe a little pink and orange too, but I can get away without much of those.”

A sharp pain went through Error’s heart. His alarm gave way to sympathy and he couldn’t help his soft, worried gaze, “What are you talking about? The other colors don’t make you ‘boring,’ Squid.”

Letting out a sarcastic scoff, Ink glanced elsewhere as an almost feverish sheen glistened on his forehead, “Oh, sure they do. What kind of entertainer cries all the time?” He turned on his heel and flashed a brilliant pose, addressing the audience, “No, I need to be happy! Wonderful and fun so I will be good enough! Amazing enough to remember, right?!”

Ink once again mimicked the roar of a crowd cheering, but Error was only half listening. The alarm coursing through him was making him dizzy, but his heart felt… sad. The insecurities that Ink usually did his best to gloss over and make light of were now on full display from his words, even if Ink didn’t seem to be fully aware of it. This really seemed worse than what Error thought. It was beginning to become clear this wasn’t just a lapse in sanity, but perhaps a full break brought on by crippling self-doubt, “Is… Is that why you’re doing all this? Because you don’t want to be forgotten?”

“Why, of course!” Ink let out a delighted laugh. He clapped his hands and extended one toward Error, as if presenting him to the audience, “What did I tell you? Have we got a smart cookie or what?!” He only briefly mimicked the crown cheering before facing Error again, his smile seeming to be genuinely joyful, but seeming strained all the same, “What good entertainer is ever forgotten? They aren’t! They live on as legends and memories! That’s what I want to be. If I am just good enough… If I am just fun and entertaining enough… No one would want to leave me, right? I would be interesting enough that I wouldn’t just be… left behind and forgotten, right?”

Error couldn’t even speak, not sure what to say. He ultimately didn’t have a chance to say anything. Ink extended his hands out to him as his laugh choked up, “If I am fun enough, I will be good enough for y-you too, right? I promise, I can be! Just give me a chance and I will show you! Please, I can be whatever you want me to be. I just want to be fun and interesting enough for you to want to spend time with. So, please, tell me what you want me to be and I’ll do it! I’ll be anything you want, I promise!”

It took a long moment for Error to respond, his mind wading through such shock and pity from what Ink said, he couldn’t even form an idea of what to say. His heart was also heavy with such guilt. This was all his fault, wasn’t it? If he had just made an effort, carved out even just a little chunk of his schedule to spend some quality time with Ink… Maybe none of this would have happened. However, eventually, the sad feelings gave way to a sort of anger. He couldn’t believe the things Ink was saying about himself. He wouldn’t let anyone get away with spouting such nonsense, even if it was Ink himself, “Now that’s got to be the stupidest thing I have ever heard!” He ignored the way Ink jumped and stared at him in a frightened manner, continuing on as he snapped, “I like you because you’re you! Quite frankly, I don’t think you can ever be uninteresting even if you tried. My entire life has been turned upside down since the very first time I met you!”

Rolling his eyes, Error lamented, “You annoyed the absolute shit out of me at first. I legitimately thought I was going insane. But you’ve also just… shaken things up. Make things fun in ways that I could have never thought of in a million years. My life is honestly way more fun and engaging with you in it. So, how, after all that, can you not be interesting? If anything, you’ve probably been the most interesting person I’ve ever met.”

Ink had let his arms down and was just staring at Error, his facial expression becoming blank as his sparkling eyes grew dimmer. He didn’t interrupt one time, just letting Error continue his tirade.

“I love you, okay? I don’t think it’s possible for me to ever forget you. You’re that unforgettable.” Error’s annoyance gave way to softer feelings. He gave Ink a warm smile as he chuckled with an adoring gentleness, “And you’ve always been that way. You’re unforgettable as just yourself. You don’t need to go through all these extravagant hoops to prove that. You’re already ‘good enough,’ just as you are.” 

He didn’t respond. Ink was just staring at the floor, his hat obscuring his face so Error wasn’t quite sure what he was feeling.

Alright, now seemed to be a good time? Ink wasn’t twirling around or seemed to be high off of maddening glee as much anymore. So, Error tried his luck. He strained in his restraints before flashing a knowing smile and deliberately letting his chuckle rumble out of him, “So, why don’t you come over and… let me out of here? I can’t exactly show you how I feel about you from down here, now can I?” Oh, Error knew it was a rather simple, cheap trick, but it was something criminally easy at getting Ink to crumble.

Error’s hopes were dashed when his alluring tone didn’t work. Ink turned his back on him, letting his head droop down as his voice was a depressed murmur, “I can’t. You’ll leave.”

Leaning forward against the restraints, Error urged, “But not without you! We’ll go together, alright? It’s all very sweet and super cool what you did here, but you’re clearly not okay. First thing we’ll do is go get your other colors. You’ll feel a lot better once you’re back on your regular dosages.”

“No.” Ink’s voice came out sharp. He turned and stalked up next to Error, making him lean back against the seat and look up at him with a startled expression. Ink’s white circle eyelights narrowed as he glared down at him, snatching his bandolier from the back of the chair, “I told you. The other colors make me boring.”

Narrowing his eyes, Error rocked harshly to the side, knocking into Ink. He stumbled and a large splash of one of the yellow vials landed on the floor from the uncapped vial in his hand. Ink gave him a stern look, but Error ignored it with righteous conviction, “No, they don’t. They make you whole.”

Ink’s upper lip curled into a snarl, “What use is a ‘whole’ if it’s just a hollowed out shell?” He downed a good portion of the liquid happiness then beamed at Error, managing to appear extremely disturbing with his cheerful expression in contrast to his dark words, “It’s not real! None of this is real, Error. I can’t ‘feel.’ So why not stay on the ones that make me fun to be around?”

Glaring at Ink, Error watched him skip around the chair and then back in front of him, dancing around with his bandolier of vials and putting on a show for an imaginary audience, “They are real! You can feel!”

Ink abruptly quit dancing, lowering his bandolier until he was gripping it rather tightly as he kept his back turned to him. Error continued in a low growl, “I will continue telling you this as long as I need to, but who gives a damn about being ‘real?’ That’s extremely fucking subjective if you ask me.”

“But I’m not. They’re not…” Ink mumbled, tilting his head down to presumably stare at the vials of emotions in his hands.

“They are. I know it.” The two fell into a silence; Error left sitting there behind him as Ink faced an audience of silent stuffed animals and dolls. Letting his voice morph into a gentle tone, Error tried his best to assure him, “If they truly weren’t ‘real,’ then they wouldn’t be able to discriminate, would they? If you took the red vial, you’d be pissed at anyone regardless of who they are or what they did. But you don’t. You can actively recognize who deserves the anger or not, so you can avoid chewing the head off of anyone who doesn’t deserve it. If it was fake, you wouldn’t be able to do that.”

Silence answered him, Ink still keeping his head bowed.

“Your pink vial. If that was truly artificial, you’d be feeling the same sort of love toward anyone, right?” Error softly spoke, gazing at the back of Ink’s head as he still kept his back to him, “But you don’t. You can feel different kinds of love toward different people depending on who they are. I don’t think you’d be able to do that if your emotions were fake.” Giving a warm smile, Error chuckled, “So, your emotions are real, Squid. You just have to believe it-”

“No, they’re not!” Ink exploded. He whirled around and was in front of Error in a matter of milliseconds. Error threw himself back into the chair in horror. Ink slammed his hands down on the narrow bits of the chair’s arms that Error’s hands didn’t reach. He glared at him with eyes that were such a scorching red, Error was suddenly fearful for his life, “This is all fake! It’s not real! None of it! I’m just a selfish freak who pretends to feel! A soulless husk who can’t feel a goddamn thing!”

Error was stunned speechless. He was only mildly aware his flickers were going out of control, body trembling as Ink leaned ever closer, their faces mere centimeters apart.

Ink’s red eyes glared into his own, his voice a dark snarl, “So I don’t want to hear it. I don’t deserve your grace. Your empathy. I don’t deserve to play pretend like I’m normal. The other colors don’t matter because none of it matters. I don’t matter. Don’t you see? I don’t deserve to feel. I don’t deserve anything-!” Suddenly, he broke off. Error kept himself pressed back into the chair, staring in shock as Ink abruptly pulled back, gazing off into the distance with a blank look. Ink stepped away from the chair altogether, muttering, “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Forget that. I need to be happy. I’m sorry.”

He took a giant gulp of yellow, downing another vial. He violently threw the empty vial away, Error jumping when the sound of glass exploded not far from his left. Ink tossed his hands out with a grin, his eyes bright, cheerful colors again, “I’m okay! See?! It’s all okie dokie!”

Face twisting into anger, Error erupted, “No, you’re not! Ink, let me go right now! We are going to get help whether you like it or not-!”

Ink tossed his head back with a furious cry, “No! I am not ever letting you go! You are going to sit there until I say so!” His expression suddenly contorted. Error blinked in surprise when Ink lowered his head, eyelights shaking in his sockets as he seemed to murmur to himself, “What… what am I doing? This isn’t… Oh, I’m so horrible.”

Shifting in his seat, Error leaned forward as he began, “No, Ink, wait-”

He wasn’t listening. Ink clawed his hands into his cheeks, fingers digging deep as he talked to no one in particular, “I’m the worst boyfriend ever. What am I doing? Oh, I’m such a horrible, awful person, why am I doing this. I’m so sorry, Error. I’m so, so sorry-”

“Hey, just-! Look at me, listen, it’s-!” Error jumped when Ink whirled around on his heel, as if he were going to bolt offstage, but his drastic movement sent him hurling to the stage floor. Ink landed with a loud whump and Error let out a shocked and concerned gasp, “Ink! Stop, you’re too weak! Just listen to me, it’s okay! We’ll work through this, it’s fine-”

“No, it’s not! I’m so sorry, Error. I don’t deserve you or anything, I’m so sorry-” Ink curled into a ball on the floor, muffled voice coming out as completely choked sobs. Error could only sit in helplessness, head spinning on what he could possibly do. He couldn’t do anything. He was trapped, forced to watch perhaps the person he loved most break down on the cold floor.

“Please just ignore m-me. I’m fine. I’m just… being manipulative again. I’m fine, it’s not real.” Ink looked over his shoulder with a shaky smile, Error’s heart twisting at the heavy tears streaming down his face, “Don’t worry! I’m so sorry, Error, I’m just manipulating you, all of this isn’t real. I’m being so terrible right now-”

A pang went through Error’s chest and he desperately wished he could just do something. All he wanted to do was wrap Ink in his arms and forcibly chase the lies out of him with a firm display of affection, “Hey, no, it is real! All of what you are feeling is real. You’re not being ‘manipulative,’ you just need some help. So, come let me go and I’ll help you-”

“No! It’s not real, it’s not real, it’s not real-!” Ink screamed. He sat on his knees and repeatedly slammed his balled hands into the sides of his skull.

Horror shot through Error and he leaned forward with a cry, “Ink, stop! What are you-?!” He broke off into shaky breaths, the sounds of Ink hitting his skull abruptly stopping.

“It’s fine! I’m sorry, E-Error, it’s all okay!” Ink scrambled forward and grabbed his bandolier. He took out a yellow vial along with the orange and pink vials. He hastily brought up an arm to his face, presumably to wipe away tears although Error couldn’t tell very well with his back to him, “Don’t mind me! I’ll be okay, here-” He violently threw his head back, downing the three vials at the same time.

Error leaned back in his chair, chest heaving as he was too shaken to say anything. He watched in stunned terror as Ink lurched forward, harshly coughing. After a few uncomfortable moments, Ink stopped, breathing heavy and ragged. Slowly, he rose to his feet, legs trembling and body unsteady. Finally, he extravagantly tossed his head over his shoulder, eyes beaming and radiant smile on his face. The dazzling emotion horrifically contrasted with the tears glimmering down his cheeks and the bright, thin trails of liquid emotion trailing down his chin, matching the splatters on his clothes and the stage floor perfectly, “There! I’m all good again.” Ink unsteadily turned toward Error, pulling the corners of his mouth up into an even bigger smile as the tears still steadily flowed down his cheeks, “See? I’m happy!”

Error could only stare at him in horrified silence. He lost the ability to think a long time ago, all his thoughts getting replaced with that of static. He knew he had to say something, find something to do. Ink so desperately needed his help. He desperately needed any kind of help. But still, Error sat there, vision shaking and breaths shallow as fear rendered him useless. Completely at mercy to the show of a deeply troubled psyche snapping in real time.

The sound of Ink’s delighted laughter did not cause a flutter in Error’s heart like it usually did. Error’s heart sat so cold and still inside his ribcage, a part of him was convinced it wasn’t beating at all. He could only stiffen in his seat, powerless in his restraints as Ink twirled around him. Error sat there, breathing shakily as he felt Ink’s presence loom over him from behind the chair. His arms soon reached down, curling them around his shoulders.

Fingers snaked up and pulled the corners of Error’s mouth into a smile. Error couldn’t move. He couldn’t think. His mind was a panicked fog as he sat there, staring straight ahead at the red light blinking out in the dark auditorium. Ink’s loving giggle was right next to his skull as Ink hovered behind him, pulling his cheeks into an unnatural smile just like him, “Smile, Ruru! It’s just going to be you and me. I’ll be good enough for you, I promise. We’ll have so much fun, you’ll never want to leave! You’ll see! We’ll be completely unforgettable!”

Unforgettable. What an ambiguous word. Error was sure that Ink meant the positive connotations for the word. But the word also held far darker implications; implications Ink perhaps didn’t consider in his delusional state. Whether he meant it or not, Error was sure of one thing. He wasn’t ever going to forget what happened today. He didn’t think it was possible.

Ink’s touch didn’t comfort him. It wasn’t warm or soothing. It was forceful. Manic. Barely being controlled by a mind that had gone completely insane. Just further restraining him like the ropes keeping him tied down now. His laugh wasn’t infectious anymore either. The only thing Error felt was the sinking pit of horror as Ink’s laughter rang from behind him, the muffled music playing somewhere offstage feeling more like a herald of doom. The lens of the camera glinted in the distance and Error’s eyes blurred together as he stared at that continuously blinking red dot, forced to smile against his will by his deranged love behind him.

Huh, it was funny. He really did feel like a sort of actor now. Ink’s plan kind of worked after all, didn’t it? Even if… he planned for him to be the director and not so much an actor. Still, Error felt a sudden strong kinship to those of anxiety-ridden actors. Standing on stage and feeling like the heavens had forsaken you because the lines you spent months practicing were now nowhere to be found. Having blinding lights stare you in the face as the suffocating silence of an auditorium of judgement roared louder than any orchestrated symphony. Only for your failure to be forever immortalized as a camera sat in the distance, capturing everything without an ounce of sympathy and forsaking you just as everyone else had.

Well, there was a saying, wasn’t there? That no matter what, performing for the audience came first. Through rain or shine, through pride at dazzling fantasies of grandeur, or those of doom as nauseating fear left you paralyzed backstage. Error now understood that phrase perfectly while he sat there, prisoner to the tortured and broken psyche laughing with such delight behind him. Despite the horrified static in his head and the waves of nausea in his stomach…

The show must go on.