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Cross didn’t mind that Ink always sat close. He was just glad that someone was there. That Ink was there. He still didn’t understand why Ink came. Didn’t Ink HATE empty spaces?? That’s all XTale had been reduced to. Empty white for miles and miles in every direction. Cross sighed quietly and glanced back at Ink.
The other was sketching. He was very fast and Cross knew he would never make it to Ink’s level. It impressed him even more. “Is that me?” Cross asked quietly, even though he could already tell it was. Ink gave a quiet nod. He stopped sketching for a moment and quivered. “Hey, hey, focus on your drawing.” Cross prompted.
Ink nodded and lowered his gaze back down. He wasn’t just scared of empty spaces. He was TERRIFIED. Cross moved around so he was in front of him. That way Ink could look up and see him instead. He... He didn’t know if that was any better. Cross pulled the paper he’d been drawing on over and jumped as Ink reached out a hand, quietly stopping it.
Cross’ cheeks flushed a slight purple. “I-It’s not done... I... need to work on it a lot...” He tried to excuse his shitty drawing. Ink stared down at it before giving a quiet nod, one eye a yellow star and the other a green circle. He gave a soft little laugh.
“You do.” He said, allowing Cross to take the drawing. He stared at him quietly before echoing Cross’ earlier question. “Is that me...?” Cross felt himself flush to his shoulders as he mumbled, asking what if it was. He knew it sure didn’t look like Ink and it didn’t help that he’d basically scribbled it in colored pencil. Cross stared at it quietly.
“Ink?” Th guardian blinked, his eyes changing shape as he looked up at Cross. Cross paused before shaking his head. “Just... nevermind...” He mumbled, turning his head away. Ink was heard pausing himself before there was the shuffling of paper.
“What’s wrong, C?” He asked quietly. Cross glanced at him before looking down. He jumped as Ink’s hand tapped his cheek, turning Cross’ head back to face him. “What’s wrong?” A green spiral and blue question mark met Cross’ gaze. Cross sighed.
“Why do you come here? There’s nothing for miles. You said you hate empty spaces and that’s all my AU is.” Cross mumbled, rubbing his arm. “I... kind of don’t get it.” Ink stared at him, the question mark shifting into an exclamation point as he blinked. He moved closer to Cross, giving an awkward shrug as a slight rainbow hue spread across his cheeks.
“Well, you’re here.” He said quietly, pressing against Cross’ side. “And you’re definitely one of the more fascinating things I’ve seen in a while...” Ink paused. “Monsters. You’re one of the more fascinating monsters, not things.” He seemed to be reminding himself. Cross stared at him and looked down.
“Oh... okay...” He mumbled quietly. Inside, he felt like screaming. That had made him overjoyed to hear those words, but he didn’t dare let Ink know. He jumped as Ink spoke again, confirming his fear.
“Are you happy, C? You’re trembling.” Ink had noticed. Of course he had. They spent hours and hours with no one but each other. Cross swore internally. His cheeks were burning.
Ink didn’t even seem to need an answer as he laughed quietly. “I... I don’t know why that made you happy... but I’m glad it did.”
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