It's gonna stay a sketch because otherwise I'd never finish it. Also, this drawing is made as if AEJ actually finished (I never finished the story, but the ending is available via the epilogue/epitaph) and Lapse's design based upon the God portraits I did, available under under the aej tag.
All the Error's (minus Template, Errored, and Strings) are from my various series. Also finally nailed a design for cocoa lol, been having trouble drawing him for his series tlato (the lonely and the one).
Snippets of all the Error's stories and a bonus screenshot will be under the cut.
Cocoa -> my current/most recent series, The lonely and the one (only on ao3, although the og chapters are on tumblr) - Error is a lonely and near forgotten god, a terrifying myth that has been left behind even by his eternal enemy. But one hasn't forgotten, and has been waiting his whole life to meet Error.
Strings and Glitch -> Double Stitched (Rewrite) - Trust me rewrite is way better than the OG fanfic, Glitch accidentally ended up in a swapped universe, what will happen with this new chance he’s been given?
Survivor/Viver -> Putting Together Savorless Decisions (PTSD) - Short, but wholesome, nice hurt/comfort with a different take on the Ink and Error relationship
Ru -> I should - More Nightmare focused, still enjoyable and a different take on Nightmare with a more poetic one shot that evolved into a short story.
Star -> The Hidden Star - Ink cheats on Error, and overall chaos ensues. Started off with the idea of ink being a "wolf in sheep's clothing" but it evolved a lot.
Edwin and Neil -> The King and His Aid (Season 1) Nightmare is heir to the throne, and must find a queen, but he doesn’t want a queen, he just wants Edwin (Season 2) With a new start, what will happen? Who will they meet? Who’s Gene?
Balance -> From Memories to Trees - Also started as a one shot, much more extreme takes on opposite ends of the spectrum for Dream and Nightmare mixed with some internal problems and alternate beginnings.
Lapse & Chronic -> An Error’s Journey - Error’s been having these weird dreams… How does it affect his family and how will it change everything around him? Started as a headcanon story for Error’s past and now is a 12 page plot doc with the series at 100K+ words. If you want a very slow burn story full of world building that pulls out at all stops for everything with a focus for the small details, I strongly recommend reading it.
And the bonus screenshot because Neil and Edwin are too fuckin cute and need their own panel
The guardian watched the other sit still for once, calmed by his aura, a wing resting around the other’s shoulders. The other's eyes blank as his chin rested on his knees, legs pulled close to him. He leaned slightly against Dream as they both sat against the wall, still mumbling the same phrase that he had been saying since his mind snapped.
In his time away from Glitch, they’ve managed to make some progress with Blue. Having him focus on objects, training his mind to not jump to the more violent answer first and instead begin to accept what he’s done.
His mind snapping didn’t make him lose memories it just made him perceive them differently. Instead of seeing all the bad things he’s done as wrong, he began to see them as right. Thankfully, there was a lot of grey area that Blue was unsure of what to think of, and with that, they could slowly work on reversing what’s been done.
“ ...‘m not… h…”
“Yes, you aren’t him.” Dream confirmed.
All he could do at the moment was reiterate the main problem that was still left in the other’s mind. He wasn’t able to make out much, but the most he could understand was that Blue didn’t want to be like someone he knew, but not being like someone he knew connected him to something else he didn’t want to be.
No one knew of Blue’s background, Glitch only saying that the Blue in his multiverse came from a universe called UnderSwap. A universe that, while it existed in their multiverse, did not explain how Blue ended up the way he is.
The timelines that they had data on were almost all pacifist, a few neutral runs, and a single genocide. Yet no one that was missing matched Blue’s description. The only words Blue would give when Dream asked about his universe was “Stars are home.”
They were able to find Blue’s residence with that clue, and even find his surprisingly legal job, but it was clear that Blue didn’t always live there and suddenly showed up at some point. Some objects from his home helped bring back some bit of sanity, however. Simple objects like blankets seemed to ground him the most.
Thanks to the blankets they could keep Blue grounded longer and have him focused for longer, giving him more time to reteach him about morals. They even managed to get so much progress they could take the straight jacket off without Blue suddenly snapping to violence again.
Dream grabbed Blue’s hand and slowly pulled the other up with him, a wing still wrapped around the other’s shoulders, and they slowly walked out of the padded cell. Things were fine for a time, the two of them slowly walking around, Blue blankly staring at everything, finger’s twitching but holding back.
For a brief moment, the guardian was thankful that they were on the other side of JR, far away from Glitch. They should be away from each other for now.
As they walked outside, Blue seeing the sky and trees for the first time in days, a sudden dark aura began to leak through, piercing the content calm that kept Blue from snapping. Something only Nightmare was capable of.
Blue ran towards the aura, heading for the medical bay, scythe in hand.
-----
“We’re ready whenever you are, Strings.” Nightmare spoke, determination in his eyes, ready for their plan. The glitched human nodded, opening up a portal and jumping through, Nightmare and Cross trailing behind.
Their dark underground world turned into the bright gardens of JR, just outside the window of Glitch’s medical room. Said skeleton had been staring out the window, enjoying the nice breeze he got with it open when his lover and friends got through the portal.
The couple locked eyes, and Strings quickly climbed through the window, going over to his lover’s bedside and hugging his skeleton close.
“What aRE yOu dOing hERE?” Glitch asked when they pulled away.
“REcusing yOu, Of cOuRsE.” Strings smiled, Nightmare gave a small cough in the background, Cross just climbing in, “And wE’RE gOing tO gRab Ink tOO.”
“I’m wOundEd…” Glitch held a hand over the scar on his ribs, “It’s gOnna hOld mE back.”
“ThEn I’ll caRRy yOu.”
And that’s how Glitch found himself held in Strings' arms, running around the perimeter of JR, eventually arriving at the window to Ink’s room. Nightmare opened the window and climbed in like he’d done it a million times. Cross, Strings, and Glitch waited anxiously outside.
“Night?” Ink questioned, sounding genuinely surprised when Nightmare came running in and hugged Ink close, “What are you doing here?” Ink looked up, “What are all of you doing here?”
“We’re rescuing Glitch and you.” For once Ink was speechless, “Please, Ink.”
“...I still need to be here, keep my cover, Dream really does want peace-”
“But what if It’s a trap? Then what?” Nightmare challenged.
“...I’m sorry, Night, I-I really am.” The guardian sighed, and everyone turned away to give them some privacy as they shared a kiss, “I’ll miss you.”
“I know, I will too. Thanks, Ink.” With those final words, Nightmare separated the hug and climbed out the window, and Ink locked it behind him. “Let’s go.”
Cross gave a nod and opened a new portal.
-----
Just as suddenly as Blue snapped, he went calm again. Dream took a moment to catch up, having been running after the odd trail that the other had been following, but when he did, all Blue did was give him a blank stare, and look down at the floor.
Dream sighed and wrapped a wing around the other again. He could feel the other fully relax and begin to lean against him once more. Blue’s emotions were content for once, heavily relying on Dream’s aura at the moment.
The guardian looked around where they were at, having traveled some distance. They were right outside the medical bay now, a window cracked open. Glitch wasn’t in his cot, he was gone.
...A problem for later.
“Sorry?” Blue’s voice spoke hesitantly, still leaning against Dream and staring at the ground.
“Thank you.” The guardian put a hand on Blue’s back, the other relaxing even more at the action.
He’ll find them another time, right now he needs to focus on Blue.
Everything had been calm, for a time, and for all of it Glitch was hesitant to relax. No matter the multiverse, whenever a calm period happened, it was always followed by something big. Despite how it felt like it was the end of his story, he knew well that the creators were never satisfied. That no matter the end he was given, there would always be some loose threads.
He started to simply hope that his story truly had come to a close and that whatever loose ends could be wrapped up in short sequels. However, if that were true; he wouldn’t be able to still hear the creators in his head. Hear the occasional comment interrupt his day, people who made it late to the party and that have finally caught up to the present.
If that were true, he wouldn’t be able to feel them reading his thoughts at this very moment.
“Glitchy, cOmE On, yOu’RE finE tO RElax fOR a bit.” The skeleton curled further in his lover’s embrace, “WE’RE s-”
“NO. I dOn’t want tO hEaR thE ‘S’ wORd.” His human sighed, rubbing his shoulder comfortingly. “I swEaR, it’s a tRiggER… as sOOn as anyOnE says- OR EvEn thinks that wORd sOmE nEw BS happEns.”
“HOw abOut this? WE’RE-” Glitch glared up at him,“-Okay, yOu havE alaRms aROund us. YOu’vE bEEn kEEping us-” the glare softened, “-pROtEctEd. YOu did sO wEll, Glitchy.” The glare subsided, and his soul swelled with the praise, “And whEn wORsE cOmEs tO wORst, wE havE KEvin.”
The destroyer finally let his tense body relax, finally resting in his partner’s hold… when Kevin began screeching.
Nothing’s ever safe, is it?
The couple ran out of their room and downstairs met with the sight of Cross and Nightmare handcuffed, Ink with Kevin in his arms, and finally, Dream standing tall with Blue by his side. The latter with his signature smirk back.
“Hello, you two.” Dream smiled. Glitch got into a fighting stance, letting his magic flare around him, a large gaster blaster appearing behind him. He could feel Strings behind to let his magic charge as well. Dream was unphased, “I’d recommend you don’t do that, as strong as you are Glitch- no offense meant, Strings- you wouldn’t be able to take down all of us without hurting your friends… or this chicken I suppose.”
“...Kevin.” Nightmare gritted out.
“Or hurting Kevin.” Dream corrected, “Wait… you seriously have a Kevin Jr. after that dumb chicken?”
“Nope, that’s the same Kevin.”
“...You’re joking. There’s no way he should be alive- ...you didn’t.” Nightmare shrugged, “Those apples were a sacred power and you fed one to a chicken!” Dream sighed, shaking his head, “Be glad I’m here to offer a truce and not destroy negativity for good.”
The meme squad and Glitch looked between each other for a while. “Yes, you heard me right. Ink, you can un-cuff them. Everyone else, you may head back to JR.”
The before unseen squads upon squads of workers came out of hiding, all walking back into their JR cars and through portals.
Once Nightmare and Cross were uncuffed Dream ushered everyone through a new portal, leading to a familiar office.
Nightmare and Ink stood next to each other, Kevin in Ink’s arms still. Glitch and strings took the chairs in front of Dream’s desk. Dream took his office chair with Blue perching himself on the armrest, and Cross stood awkwardly between the couples.
“Get over here, Cross.” Dream sighed, a large wing stretching out and pulling Cross over next to them, said person stuttering the whole way over, “I’m the guardian of positive emotions, you thought I wouldn’t know?” Blue chuckled. “Although I am surprised at you two,”
Ink’s cheeks colored a little as he looked away, as if Nightmare’s arm wasn’t wrapped around his shoulder, “However, after seeing you two together It’s clear where those sudden bursts of positivity I’ve been getting from you come from.”
Dream moved his gaze to Blue.
“What?”
“You know exactly what.”
“Do I really have to?” Blue whined and the guardian gave him a pointed look, “Fine. Glitch, Strings, I hurt both of you a lot, more than a sorry could easily cover, although I’d still like to apologize.”
“With that out of the way, I would also like to give Nightmare and his friends a formal apology, as well as offer a truce to peace, if you’d be willing to accept.”
Nightmare was quick to agree, and Dream soon had everyone’s signatures down on a document.
Glitch smiled, he could feel his true end coming to a close. The Creators voices slowly leaving him, it may be lonely for a time, even boring with all the peace- but it’d be nice not to have so many people reading his every thought.
Even now… they slowly… lost their grip... on him...
He sat comfortably in his cell, hanging in a hammock made of his strings. He was surprised by JR, they had enough time to make this special cell just for him, and didn’t bother to upgrade their magic cuffs? Maybe they learned not to waste their resources from last time.
A window hovered in front of him, letting him watch over his lover and friends, a second smaller one keeping an eye on Dream and a third on the door outside. He wasn’t going to complain about the cuffs. Without them, he can watch over everyone conveniently.
His mind began to drift as his eye lights stayed on Strings, flicking over to the other two windows now and again. Was all of this worth it? To cause so much chaos and only make things worse? Selfishly enjoy the few moments of cuddling and love he got? Find himself loving another version of himself?
Knowing the creators, it wouldn’t be the first time selfcest happened.
Still, that dream he had all those months ago itched at the back of his mind. He had always been a little vain and confident, which didn’t help the thought of, is this all a narcissistic dream? Small hope for a universe better? The need to feel like he was in the right, despite everyone and himself including knowing he’s in the wrong?
Was it a little, small, immeasurable sane piece of himself that wished for control again? Deal with all the death he’s caused, learn to live normally, not commit to his end goal early in fear and disgust of all the harm he’s brought?
Strings moved to his bed in his room, and pulled the knitted blanket close, laying on his side and hugging himself. Glitch let a soft smile escape. Selfish or not, narcissistic or not, dream or not, it was worth it.
Flicking his eyes back over to Dream’s screen for a moment, he saw the winged human outside his door, waiting for it to be fully unlocked. He swiped away the windows and laid down in his swing, relaxing the best he could in the conditions. Anticipating Dream.
The slide moved open, and the guardian’s voice echoed through.
“I’m here to inquire about Nightmare and his crew.”
“ThEn ask away Oh RightEOus OnE.” The skeleton snickered, one eye cracking open as he watched Dream’s eyebrow twitch in annoyance. His expression pulled tight into a smile.
“Do you have any concept as to where they are lurking?”
“HA! And yOu REally thOught I’d tEll yOu?” He leaned back in his hammock, “BEsidEs if yOu did find thEm, thERE’s tOO many fiREwalls and pROtEctiOns aROund thEiR AU. By thE timE yOu gEt in thEy wOuld havE alREady bEEn alaRmEd and mOvEd tO thE backup AU I madE fOR thEm.”
“What if I desired to find them to make peace?”
“ThEn yOu wOuldn’t havE mE ROtting in this cEll. YOu’RE nOt thE Only OnE whO can sniff Out bullshit.”
“What if I knew you would not understand me and would try and leave so I confined you?”
“If yOu’RE lOOking fOR pEacE OR nOt, I’m nOt giving yOu anything. GOOd luck asshOlE.” Glitch shrugged, rolling over in his hammock, back facing Dream. A small window opening in front of him, hidden by his body.
Dream stood for a moment, shoulders slumped, before stomping away through the door and up the stairs.
Peace at last.
“Hello, Glitch.” A sing-song voice called out.
“Fucks sakE! LEavE mE alOnE!” Glitch jumped up from his hammock, glaring at Blue, “ThE fuck dO yOu want?!”
“Calm down hun, it took me days to talk to enough people to get down here, at least give me a humble minute of your precious time.” Blue drawled, the skeleton pouted and tensed his glare, but stayed quiet. The blonde rat smirked, “Much better, I came to ask about our favorite Dreamy...”
“SO yOu finally gavE up On mE?”
“Oh stars, yes, you’re far too unpredictable. I thought that I’d at least have some sort of control over you like Strings, but that just was not happening.” Blue shook his head, before his smirk returned, “Dream, on the other hand, is much more predictable and interesting… although I wouldn’t mind going after Ink.”
“And yOu’RE nOt gOing aftER him, why?”
“High maintenance, no emotions to manipulate.” Blue shrugged, “And I don’t want Nightmare chasing after me, I learned my lesson from intruding on you and Strings. Too many problems, too much work.”
“OR dEEp dOwn yOu actually havE a hEaRt.”
“Oh please-”
“BluE, I’m fROm a diffEREnt multivERsE. YOu REally thOught I wOuldn’t figuRE Out yOu’RE fROm UndERswap?” The human’s expression froze, “I can’t REally guEss why yOu’RE living in OutERtalE nOw, and away fROm yOuR Paps,” His expression went blank, “But nO mattER hOw much yOu tRy yOu still havE sOmE cOmpassiOn, EvEn if yOu tRy tO hidE it.” He began to scowl.
“Since when did you suddenly get over your fear of me?”
“I gOt nOthing lEft tO lOsE, and I knOw if yOu tRy and fight mE I cOuld tEaR yOuR flEsh bOdy apaRt Easily. BEEn a lOng timE sincE I’vE gOt sOmE blOOd On my hands, I think I nEEd a REmindER Of what a human's ORgans lOOk likE again...”
“I get it, you’re insane.” Blue shook ever so slightly.
“WEll, it wOuld bE OnE way tO pROvE yOu gOt a hEaRt.”
“Why are you so bent on that?”
“DOn’t knOw, why aRE yOu sO bEnt On pROving yOu dOn't havE cOmpassiOn? SEEms likE a dumb wEaknEss tO havE.”
“It’s not a weakness because-”
“YEah yEah, yOu dOn’t havE cOmpassiOn, whatEvER. YOu just dOn’t want tO bEliEvE yOu havE a hEaRt bEcausE it’s OnE Of thE fEw things that still cOnnEcts yOu tO undERswap.” Blue’s fists clenched, “YOu wanna pROvE yOu havE nO cOmpassiOn? Stab mE.”
Blue’s expression quickly went from anger to surprise, mumbling out what Glitch meant. “If yOu REally dO havE nO cOmpassiOn yOu’d bE ablE tO stab mE. I’m pREtty suRE DREam alREady has mE On dEath ROw, sO if I diEd hERE it wOuldn’t REally impact anything.”
The destroyer let his strings open up the door, easily sliding through the cracks and picking open the locks. Blue’s face stayed blank, mumbling to himself something Glitch couldn’t hear. “That’s what I thOught.”
The skeleton leaned back in his hammock, opening up his windows once again, relaxing. Thinking he was safe. No matter the multiverse, Blue still avoided violence.
Somehow he forgot that he was never safe, a blue scythe striking him, leaving a bloody trail in its wake, knocking him out of his seat. Blue’s cold eyes stared at him as he laid on the floor, slowly bleeding out onto the white padding, his sockets slowly closed, and he fell unconscious.
In the weeks after Glitch’s escape and likely reunion with the memesquad, they’ve made remarkable progress with Blue. He’s become much more conscious with himself, rather than a blank face riding with the waves. His old personality slowly slipping back into place, although far more remorseful and less manipulative. Much of his previous teasing lies and games turned into harmless casual jokes that stop once he crosses the line, although he’s getting better at seeing that line before he gets to it.
Blue’s gotten so much better that they were able to move him out of his cell and give him a proper room, although he refuses to stay in it, heavily relying on Dream still even if he tries to cover it up. The guardian has heard many of the repeating excuses Blue’s used to stay by his side.
“You’re more interesting than anything else here.” was a common one, “Well I don’t exactly have a job to run off to do anymore.” was the other one he heard a lot, since he was absent for so long without notice his employer fired him, and by the time he was stable enough to work again it’d already been weeks since. “You’re comfy to be around.” Was one he heard now and again, a more honest excuse considering how Blue avoided eye contact with him for hours after.
“I don’t feel safe anywhere else right now,” had been today’s reasoning, Dream pulling a chair over for him. Although after some time it was clear that just being nearby wasn’t helping, even with a blanket that grounded him.
The guardian took a moment to check over and see what meetings he had, pushing them back until tomorrow, before pulling Blue into his lap and helping the other lul to sleep.
His mind wandered as he attempted to do his paperwork, they were so close to finding Nightmare, to finding Glitch. Admittedly, he was worried about what would happen when they did. Would Blue snap again, or would he be able to stay in control? If Dream had to leave, Blue left without his aura, would he continue to stay stable in Nightmare’s presence? Would Ink be able to calm him down if he snapped?
A certain someone squirmed in his lap, and his wing adjusted the blanket around the other, letting the hand that wasn’t writing to rub up and down the other’s arm. The fawn haired relaxed and his head moved to lay against Dream’s shoulder again. It reminded him of Ani…
A hand held his own, resting on top, stopping his comforting motions. Blue held him a little closer, cuddling into him a little more.
The buzzer to his office door went off, and Ink’s voice asked to come in. He let the doors open.
“The team found Nightmare, they’re trying to disable alarms around them before recapture.” Dream gave a nod at the information, “It’s still going to be some days or even a week before we get to them.”
“Thank you, Ink.”
-----
The weeks after his escape from JR were content, things finally settling. Falling asleep and waking up in his lover’s arms, having breakfast with his friends, taking care of Kevin. Teasing each other…
“Come on criss-cross, there’s gotta be someone!” Strings teased, currently sitting in Glitch’s lap in an armchair as Nightmare & Cross shared the couch, the latter of the two pushing his scarf over his face.
“They’re gonna figure it out eventually, big guy,” The guardian chuckled, “Or should I just say how much you like-”
“I regret telling you anything, Night!” Cross’ brightly colored face poked out of his scarf.
“I mEan, thERE’s Only DREam & BluE lEft, it’s gOtta bE OnE OR thE OthER.” Glitch shrugged
“Um… about that… uh them.” He slid back into his scarf again.
“He likes ‘em both.” Nightmare blurted out, Cross stuttering, “What’s got you so worked up? When we were in the cells you spent most of our time ranting about how cute Blue’s eyes and Dream’s blonde hair are-”
“And you ranted about Ink’s tattoos!” Nightmare shrugged, a small blush appearing on his cheeks.
“He’s a good kisser too-”
“Did not need to know that!” Strings & Glitch just laughed at their banter. It was nice to be back.
“You’re an undeniable nincompoop, Glitch.” Was the first thing he heard when he woke up. His eyes drifted open, and the ever subtle windows startup played quietly. Looking around for the voice, he found Dream sitting by his bedside. “You’re in the infirmary, Blue has already been escorted to a cell befitting him and I’ve doubled security.”
Glitch sighed, letting his body sink back into the cot, “Not going to hassle to justify yourself?”
“BluE’s an asshOlE.” Was it really necessary to explain himself?
“Nevertheless, during all my years of dealing with his annoyance, he’s been adamant that he's against violence and confirmed it time and time again.”
“WEll, hE acts likE hE dOEsn’t havE a hEaRt sO I pullEd at his stRings a littlE fOR payback, what’s thE big dEal?” He was probably on death row anyway, if he died he died. If he didn’t he didn’t.
“The, as you so simply stated, ‘big deal’ is that it took four security guards holding him down and my aura to calm him!” Dream snapped, wings ruffling before he sat back in the chair again, “Previously all it took to get rid of him was bringing him to his senses. The string of that barely staying together yarn ball you plucked at has unpacked what scarce consciousness he had left.”
Glitch just turned his head away, staring out the window. “Whatever f-” Dream breathed in deeply, “Whatever paradox you gave him he clearly found a solution to it. He’s a ticking time bomb, passing in his cell mindlessly.”
“SOunds likE ya caRE fOR ‘im.” The skeleton continued to seemingly stare out the window, a small portal opened up beside him, blocked by his head. Sneakily checking in on Strings and his friends.
“...Enemy or not I have the betterment of everyone in mind. At the moment, Blue is on the brink of, or already has reached insanity… what did you even do to him?”
“MadE him REalizE hE always says OnE thing and dOEs anOthER.” Glitch flicked through the AU and the surrounding ones, checking to see if JR was anywhere near.
“...You made him realize his own cognitive dissonance and made him find a way to improve it, surely?” Dream’s voice was one of surprise, either at the willingness of manipulation or whatever cognitive dissonance was, Glitch was unsure.
“YOu’RE spEaking gibbERish.” He scrolled back to JR, searching through until he found the cell Blue was in, a wing he was unaware of until now.
Just as Dream had said, he was mindlessly passing, mumbling something. A straight jacket keeping him from doing much, scratch marks along the walls and on the door. His legs wobbled, his steps were shaky. Blue’s legs fell from under him, and he rolled onto his side and sat back up, pushing himself against a wall, still mumbling to himself.
It reminded Glitch far too much of being in the AntiVoid.
“Cognitive dissonance, essentially holding two different mindsets causing tension. Blue acts like he has no compassion nor heart, yet he is averse to violence because he doesn’t want to hurt anyone, something someone with compassion would think.” The destroyer rolled his eyes, “You made him informed of his cognitive dissonance, and in summary, there were two paths to take: Accept that he’s caused mental violence to many and does have compassion, or turn to violence. The latter either much more appealing or easier for him.”
“I think yOu’RE lOOking faR tOO intO this biRdman.”
“I’m making sense of the situation so I can correct your blunder.” The skeleton just shook his head, closing the window and looking back at Dream.
“What happEnEd tO him?”
“We put him in a padded cell for his safety, magic cuffs attached along with his ankles and wrists. Yet, somehow he succeeded to get them off- we’re still unsure how, and summon a weapon to start attacking the door and striking at the walls. As much as I didn’t want to, the only way to keep him and everyone else safe would be to keep him pacified with my aura, drugs, or put him in a jacket.”
Dream looked away, remorseful and silent for a moment, before looking back. “...Blue aside, I require more information from you.”
“StaRs, yOu’vE alREady tRiEd OncE, I’m nOt giving yOu anything.”
“You still resist believing that I aim for peace?”
“EvEn my DREam, whO actEd mORE likE a child than thE… was it FivE hundREd? WhO actEd likE a child instEad Of thE fivE-hundREd-yEaR-Old hE is, undERstOOd that pEacE is basically impOssiblE tO REach and nEvER lasts.”
“I intend to do whatever I can to at least soothe the tensions between JR and Nightmare as well as his friends.” Glitch let out a loud fake laugh at the statement, “I’m serious about this Glitch.”
“And I was sERiOus abOut wORking at JR,” The sarcasm rolled off his tongues easily, “yOu’RE nOt fOOling mE, DREam.”
-----
Strings sat outside of their new home on their front steps, looking at the abandoned AU, Kevin resting in his lap. It had been about a week since JR finished lockdown and had announced that they had found Glitch guilty of helping them escape.
He was so worried. They had only said his lover was guilty, not the conviction. For all he knows, his Glitchy could be dead right now and he wouldn’t even know.
Absentmindedly he held the blanket around him closer. The blanket he and Glitch fell asleep under, and the one he woke up in. The one that his lover crafted to remind himself of Strings, and the one that Strings now has to remind him of his skeleton.
The door opened with a creak, and Nightmare sat down next to him, handing him a mug of hot chocolate, giving Kevin a spinach leaf.
Strings slowly looked over, seeing his consoling expression and arms open, offering a hug. He nodded, letting himself lean against his friend. The hug didn’t fill his nose with the smell of fried circuits, nor did he hear the subtle beeps, but it was still comforting.
“We’ll get them back.” Nightmare promised, letting go. Clutching onto the paint-stained scarf around his neck.
The door opened again, and Cross came down, sitting next to them, another two mugs of hot chocolate. One for himself and another for Nightmare.
“You’re not alone in this, Strings, we got you,” Cross spoke, giving a light pat to Strings’ back, unsure if the glitched human’s haphephobia would allow much more.
Strings nodded, feeling a bit better, but worried.
A grandfather clock sang it’s hourly song as time announced a new day. The minor set back now gone, he could lay in the room he was given with his lover, fall blissfully into sleep surrounded by warmth. Yet his soul wasn’t contently quiet, it was forced quiet by his own screaming mind.
His soul wanted to be happy, enjoy the night of cuddles and loving good night kisses, relish in the embrace of his arms holding his human close. His human happily clinging to his chest, hair and head carefully tucked under his skull. His mind on the other hand reminded over and over that the same human was counting on him, counting on him to know when to escape. Counting on Glitch to call the time when their friends rotting in the cells below them would be set free.
His newly found guilt wasted no time crawling up his back, curling itself around his vertebrae and resting on his head. His own torturest spirit of negativity whispering to him of all the things he could be and should be doing. Ironic.
If he was aware of his own feelings and this situation had happened a year or two prior, he would’ve likely left Nightmare and Cross to rot. Not under the pretense of hating either of them or following with JR. Simply because he and his would be safe. No more running or worry. No more fear. As long as they pledged to JR and worked under or with Dream, they would stay safe and taken care of.
Stars know he’s tired of fear by now. Fear drove his hatred. Hatred drove him for centuries. Centuries of battle gave him more to be paranoid of, more to be afraid of. More fear, more hatred, more time, more of the vicious cycle that was his emotions. A cycle that stopped when he was brought into a new multiverse, one where he wasn’t feared. When his own paranoia began, he wasn’t hated but searched for. Suddenly, with the two driving forces of his life gone, time began to heal instead of corrupt.
Now time has brought him forward in life, not blissfully unaware of the pain of business and criminals. He was no stranger to war, but laws and customs were and are still as foreign to him as the multiverse he’s stuck in. All is game in a three-sided turf war of AUs. On the other hand, in the two-sided battle of humans and laws, there are far too many rules and contradicting stories, it’s ridiculous how anyone follows them all.
The clock sang it’s song for a new hour, and Strings squirmed in his sleep before going still once more.
Glitch pulled back, letting one hand run through Strings’ hair and another caress his cheek. He may not know how to follow laws or rules just yet, but he’s learned how to do what’s right.
Strings doesn’t belong in overly fancy full-sized beds, under expensive layers of blankets and unneeded sheets that serve no purpose aside from decoration. He belongs in the rickety mattress in a home he loves, hiding under quilts carefully stitched full of layers and experiences. Not in JR issues pajamas but in mismatched worn clothes. Not in JR, but on the run, living in a house with his friends and Kevin.
It was moments later, Glitch found himself teleporting to high security, Strings sleeping away in his arms.
Nightmare and Cross looked up, somber looks on their faces.
Glitch simply opened back to back portals in the walls of both their sells, essentially letting them walk through the bars.
“Are you sure?” Cross asked as Glitch carefully passed Strings over to Nightmare.
“NO, but it’s bEttER tO dO this nOw.” Glitch leaned down, and pressed a kiss to his lover’s cheek, “I’m sEnding yOu tO a gEnOcidal undERgROund AU, I’vE alREady fOund and sEt up KEvin thERE. ThERE is plEnty Of fOOd stOckEd and clOthEs. It’ll bE nO OnE but yOu thERE.”
The two of them nodded, and turned to the portal, “...TakE caRE Of him fOR mE.”
------
“Have you finally changed your mind?”
“Yes,” there was a deep sigh, “I desire you and Glitch to be there when I make amends, Strings as well.”
“Not until you say that you were wrong.” Ink smiled, as close as he could get to real happiness and real coyness in Dream’s presence.
“Is that positively necessary?”
“You’ve been chasing the wrong guy for practically a century, I think you kinda deserve everyone at least a small ‘I was wrong’ Mister I’m right all the time.”
“That is far from my last name-”
“Oh, just say it already.”
“Very well,” Dream stood up from his chair, and gave a bow to Ink, hand over his heart, “I, Dream-”
“I don’t need a full announcement, Boss.”
“Fine,” Standing tall and looking his subordinate in the eyes, Dream spoke: “I was wrong. You were right. May we go now?”
“We may,” Ink laughed, “Like the little, I was right part too, nice touch.”
“Don’t remind me.” The older spoke under his breath, walking forward, using a wing to pull Ink along with him out of the office, and walking over to Glitch’s room not far away.
It was a few knocks before Glitch answered, his expression sorrowful, “Is there something amiss?” Dream asked, putting aside the good news.
“I can’t find StRings...”
“...Anyplace at all?” The former destroyer shook his skull, staring down at the floor.
In a flash of speed, Dream flew over to the prison, marching his way to high security, Ink and Glitch hardly keeping up.
The cells were empty.
The CEO silently shook, his back turned as Ink and Glitch finally arrived. His voice was monotone as he gave one simple order: “No one leaves until we locate out who did this.”
Viver, Putting Together Savorless Decisions (PTSD)
Star, The Hidden Star
Deity, An Error's Journey
-
“Hello again, everyone! Thankfully, everyone from last time was able to come- kind of, and we have a newcomer!” The newest Error shifted a little in his seat, “Introduction circle again! Just a nickname for yourself, and a bit about your multiverse.”
He sat down in his chair, “I’m Template, in my multiverse, I fight against Pale to protect the AUs!” Template looked to his right, a very grumpy skeleton slouching in his chair.
“I’m the original of all of ya, destroy the Aus for fun. Ya can call me Errored.”
“Hi all, I’m Strings,” A human waved, “I’m a little different from the Strings you would normally know since I’m human and all, but my multiverse is still the same as his. I ran away with Nightmare and Cross from JR for most of my life- until recently when we made peace with JR.”
“Hi, Glitch here, different from the Glitch you would normally know. My multiverse Ink’s kinda crazy and everything is just chaos- but somehow I ended up in Strings' multiverse and later ended up together.”
“Hey, Survivor or Viver is what I go by, Ink and I share PTSD and treat each other like brothers after a lot of fixing misunderstandings.”
“I go by Star, a nickname from a lot of friends, a lot of stuff happened to me and those around me, but in the end, I’m happily married and co-parenting a child made from magic with my ex.”
“You can call me Ru, I have my boyfriends and a truce with the Star Sans’.”
“Hi, my name is Edwin, and this is my husband, Neil-”
“You two got married?!” Template shouted, excited.
“Yeah, the ban on gay marriage was slowly lifted across the lands, so we could finally marry. Our world is far different from all of yours, Neil was heir to the throne of his town, and was forced into marriage before we ran away and started a new life. We also found a runaway since last year and raised him.”
“Hi, you can call me Balance, Nightmare and Dream are deities in my multiverse, after a while, we now have a truce with Dream and most everything has settled.”
Silence settled in the room and everyone stared at the newcomer. “You okay newbie?” Balanced called.
“Yeah… just. Just taking things in.” The new skeleton shook his head, “You all do a lot- and have been through a lot. My multiverse is pretty boring.”
“Eh, maybe the creators just haven’t started the problems in your story yet.” Viver shrugged
“...yeah.” They looked away, “Um, I don’t have a nickname that any of you don’t already go by… so I guess I can go by Deity? Since I’m technically the god of destruction. My multiverse doesn’t have much going on, I live with Nightmare and his gang, friends with the gods of ReaperTale, and a guardian to the Charas of the multiverse. Then of course I destroy when I feel there’s a need to.”
“Already sounds like more fun than most of us,” Ru shrugged, “Lot’s more going on.”
“So-o, since introductions are finished, we can sit and chat for a while before cake and presents!” Template cheered.
Soon most everyone had gone in their groups, Star talking with Edwin and Neil about kids, Strings and Glitch talking with Viver and Ru, and Balanced had looped Deity into a conversation with Errored. Tensions were still high with Deity, but it was his first time at this cross multiversal get-together, so it’s to be expected.
Sooner than later they got presents started, not a lot to catch up on since a lot of their stories had finished, although Glitch and Strings were much different now, their story was still mostly the same.
Template put all their names in a hat and surprisingly drew Edwin’s name. Edwin shrugged and took a random present, opening a coffee machine.
“What’s this?”
“Just a coffee machine,” Deity shrugged, “Ccino and I are close, so he recommended I get one, figured at least one of you guys would like coffee too.”
“Much more advanced than any coffee maker we have.” Neil mused.
Next Ru’s name was pulled, and he opened a new present, a journal plus a bunch of tape-colored paper and pens to decorate it. Balance smiled a little more. After that was Glitch’s turn, who also opened a present-far less stealing going on this time-and pulled out a tea set. Ru cracked a smile.
Deity’s name was pulled, and he didn’t hesitate to steal the tea set. Glitch rolled his eyes, smiling, and let Strings pulled a new gift over, since they only brought one gift with them they were sharing everything. The newest prize was a box of chocolates, Errored scoffed at the confused faces. Template pulled his name, and grabbed a new gift, one full of canvases and paint, Viver nodded appreciatingly.
Balance was next, grabbing a blanket made with fine craftsmanship, Strings and Glitch gave thumbs up in the background. Viver’s name was plucked, and he grabbed another present, origami flowers that Star smirked at. Finally, Star got the last gift, a calligraphy set that Template smiled boldly at.
Finally, the party was over, and slowly one by one everyone left. Hopefully, to return next year.
