For months I've thought about like. Error, Nightmare and Dream all having feelings for Ink. At the same time. But none of them are aware of the others
In the beginning it's because even Ink isn't aware. He's oblivious to all their methods of flirting (Dream through humble romantic courting, Nightmare through elaborate plots and schemes, Error through killing him and throwing a fit when Ink doesn't spend time with him)
Then Ink Realizes and finds it the funniest thing in the world, especially because he's soulless, and yet here are THE Guardian of Positivity, THE Guardian of Negativity, and THE Destroyer of Worlds all down bad for The Paint Clown. At The Same Time. His silliness and brash attitude and insanity and sincerity and vitality and horrifyingness and kindness etc etc have Captivated Them
Further thoughts. Snrk. They All Learn About It. Nightmare and Error are both crazy jealous/possessive because they're freaks who can only process their emotions in extreme and violent ways <3 Ink finds is even more hilarious and also kinda charming (he loooves to be wanted)
Blue has already been listening to both Error and Ink rant about the other. Now he listens to Error and Dream rant about each other, and Ink and Dream being sappy about each other. He cannot catch a break
Nightmare tries to play unfair and kidnap Ink through one of the aforementioned Schemes. In any other context it would go laughably bad. Now Ink goes along with it For The Bit, and to make Dream rescue him like a Knight. Instead Error comes busting in, pissed off, and puts the fear of god into Nightmare a little bit
Ink is also totally using this all for his advantage when he can, too. In the middle of a fight he just goes "Aw man and here I thought I had a FREE DAY today especially since I have NO DATES PLANNED 😔" and Nightmare ceases the fighting to Plan Date (Dream lets him, totally on board with Ink's cheeky idea (and also Ink will obviousslyyy have a date with him too))
