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.
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.
As he steadily awoke, far too many things felt off. His senses felt deprived. His bed was cold as if he was the only one in it and Glitch wasn’t with him. He couldn’t smell fried circuit boards, the dull smell of dried blood irking his nose instead. Blankets were curled around him, not his lover's body protectively circling his own. He couldn’t hear the soft beeps and breathing of his skeleton.
His eyes opened, and he couldn’t see Glitch either. The room around him was entirely different too. Instead of the grand four-poster bed, he sat in a small bedroom with a basic bed. Everything had been arranged nearly exact to his room in the farmhouse.
Had Glitch really carried out their plan without him?
Slowly, he walked out of the room and down a flight of stairs. Nightmare, Cross and Kevin sat at a table together, Glitch was nowhere in sight.
“WhERE is hE?” All three of them avoided his gaze, looking everywhere but at Strings, “YOu knOw whERE hE is-”
“You’re not the only one who had to give up someone they cared about.” Nightmare stared at the table, shuddering slightly as if he was about to cry, “It wasn’t easy for any of us. Right now we’re safe. We need to trust Ink and Glitch to see this through.”
“YOu REally think I’m gOing tO sit aROund hERE waiting?”
“We don’t have a choice,” Cross shrugged, “JR is on lockdown right now, trying to figure out who helped us escape.”
“Will EithER Of thEm bE safE?”
“...We won’t know until the lockdown is over.”
-----
It was shortly after Dream’s order that everyone was isolated, Dream slowly going through interrogating everyone. Anyone in JR was a suspect. It was several days before enough people were cleared for the building to be working again.
The first to be investigated and cleared was the security team, so at the least JR would have defense again. Next was a sectioned team to look for Nightmare, Cross, and Strings so while an investigation was conducted, they could start to search. From there it was slowly moving from the lowest tiers of workers to the highest until nearly everyone had been cleared.
The only people left were Ink and Glitch. One went to the first interrogation room, and the other went to the second.
“Where were you the evening Nightmare and his team escaped?” Dream questioned, Glitch felt a nervous sweat drip down his skull.
“In my ROOm, slEEping.” He shrugged, trying to be as solemn and unfocused as possible. Which surprisingly wasn’t hard.
“Do you have any notion of who could’ve assisted them escape?”
“MaybE StRings wantEd his fRiEnds tO bE fREE? If nOt him thEn I dOn’t knOw whO cOuld’vE.” He hugged himself for comfort, the guardian's eyes seemed to bore into him.
“You think Strings did? Despite him being your partner?”
“WEll, hE’s hElpEd thEm EscapE bEfORE, Right? I didn’t havE many univERsal laws OR tEammatEs back in my multivERsE, but if I had tEammatEs hEld in pRisOn I wOuld pRObably bust thEm Out tOO.” Glitch started to stare at the table, tears forming in the corners of his eyes sockets. He only just got Strings back and had to nearly immediately let him go.
“How do you think he helped them escape? Considering how comparable and close you two are.”
“...If I wERE tO bREak thEm Out I’d just dEstROy thE baRs, quiEt OR nOt it wOuld wORk and gEt us Out. MaybE hE’d cOnsidER kEEping quiEt? OuR stRings aRE pREtty haRd tO bREak, if wE usE thEm Right thEy can cut thROugh just abOut anything. SO hE’d pRObably cut thROugh thE baRs and thEn pORtal EvERyOnE Out.” Glitch shook his head.
A tear dripped down and he pushed it away, “SORRy… um,” he tried to remember what he was talking about, genuine pain over having to part with Strings making it through his act. “I guEss hE cOuld just tElEpORt in and pORtal thEm Out that way tOO.”
“I thought you said Strings isn’t experienced in warfare?” Dream’s gaze continued to burn into him, voice monotone and emotionless, seeming both unbelieving and believing.
“WEll, I havE mORE attacks, but, wE bOth havE stRings that wE can usE and pORtals.” Glitch hugged himself a little tighter, “I-I… I just dOn’t knOw… I nEvER bOthEREd OR EvEn thOught Of fighting with him, and StRings nEvER had tO hElp NightmaRE and CROss Out Of pRisOn whilE I was hERE sO I dOn’t knOw fOR suRE what hE’d dO.”
“Nothing was seized on camera, how do you think he slipped by?”
“HE was dOwn thERE mORE than lOng EnOugh tO knOw thE cOORdinatEs sO hE wOuldn’t mEss up tElEpORtatiOn… OR a pORtal.”
“I thought you said he couldn’t teleport like you?” Glitch could only sit and wait, he messed up. That was it. “For not grasping what Strings would do to break out Cross and Nightmare… you’ve given complete descriptions so far.”
Dream sat back, seeming satisfied with himself.
The door opened, a security guard notifying that Ink was cleared. Before the guard could leave, Dream spoke: “Gather some guards, it’s going to take several of you to take Glitch to his cell.”
The guard nodded and left. The guardian's smile turned solemn, but still content. “You were given a secure life, why?” Glitch couldn’t look the other in the eyes, “Why stay faithful to Nightmare?”
“...Out Of all things my lifE has taught mE, thERE’s nO such thing as safE.” Dream scoffed, “I wasn’t safE in my multivERsE, nOt wantEd by anything ExcEpt thE antivOid, thE placE that’s pRObably huRt mE thE mOst if I cOuld REmEmbER what it did tO mE. I’m nOt safE hERE, tOO scaREd Of gOing back and lOsing thE lifE I madE hERE. HOnEstly, I’m tiREd Of all Of this.”
Glitch was able to pull his gaze from the table and smile as he looked Dream in the eyes. “Changing tO pacifism isn’t gOing tO gEt Rid Of thE dust and blOOd On my hands. I cOuld EscapE, but it’s pOintlEss. I dOn’t bElOng in this multivERsE, and my multivERsE dOEsn’t want mE. In thE End, I dOn’t bElOng anywhERE, I dEsERvE this fOR all thE chaOs I’vE causEd.”
The guards came through the door and Glitch followed them without resistance. Dream and soon Ink trailing behind. Instead of heading to the prison, however, they took a sharp detour, heading outside.
The sun shined down on the skeleton, ironic. Glitch breathed in the outside, and he let a small still insane piece of him smile as he saw several of his guards flinch. He soaked in the noise of birds chirping, the soft blue sky, the trees full of life, the smell of cut grass.
They reached a brand new building, small in size, walking downstairs after stairs until they reached a heavily locked door. It was a quarter of an hour later that they continued on, a padded room, fit for an insane king waiting beyond the layered glass, a metal door sealing him away.
Dream pulled a slide, opening a small window. The glass was soundproof as well.
“Are you pleased with yourself, Glitch?” Dream called, his expression still emotionless. Ink looked between the two worriedly.
“I guEss I am… aftER all, I’m nOt thE Only mOnstER hERE anymORE.”
Dream paced his office, thinking over the last two conversations he’s had. First with Glitch, and second with Ink.
For someone who knew nothing of what happened, Glitch’s words struck far too close to home. It was impossible for him to know, for anyone to know. Those who do know are long since dead or far too old to remember, Dream aside.
“HE kEEps mE sanE, HE HELpEd mE wHEn nO OnE wOuLd OR knEw HOw TO.”
They kept him sane too, in the early years of JR when Dream was confined to his office, stressed out of his mind. They pulled him from his less than proud coping habits. They were the only one that could pull him out of his office and get him to sit down to eat and relax.
They also helped him, someone to lean on and feel safe enough to fall asleep next to. They held more hope and positivity than Dream, and he’s the guardian and embodiment of positivity. All of it was too close for comfort. Down to the detail of Strings being in the infirmary.
Dream’s mind kept the ever flickering image of Ani. The memories old and fuzzy, but he refused to let go. After years, decades even, he still mourned over the loss. Regretting not telling them how much he loved, and still loves them. To this day, it still feels as if Ani is with him, watching over him. The presence is unseen, and not always there, but most of the time it is.
When he gets far too worked up, he can feel phantom arms wrapping around his waist, little Ani much too short to wrap their arms around his shoulders. When something bad is about to happen, he feels a strong breeze tugging at his arms, even if he is inside. When he just needs someone to hold onto, when his own wings hugging him isn’t enough, he can swear that a hand snakes its way into his. Clasping tight and holding on.
Even a guardian needs a guardian apparently.
His mind continued to think of Ani as he thought over Ink’s argument. Ani had also had similar values, and for a moment, he could see the meaning and proof of Ink’s argument. Ani would’ve never been able to shine as they had, helped as much as they did, if they never stood on that rooftop. If they had never wished for an angel to save them, and Dream helped them away from the ledge.
Dream would’ve never felt so happy to have Ani if he never feared he’d lose them. After all, it was Ani who first told the kids in the orphanage years ago: “Only when you’ve felt the lowest of lows, can you feel the highest of highs.”
Maybe there was some truth to Ink’s dispute. Now that he looks back on it, all of this was for not. Even if he did kill Nightmare and himself, there was no telling if it would work. It would do more than letting Nightmare live, the multiverse is for the most part stable, any serious negativity can be treated. JR can capture criminals just as extreme anxiety can be helped.
Suddenly, Dream stopped pacing, a small tugging at his sleeve. No one was in the room with him. Ani was altering him. The guardian searched through the room, just in case, letting his wings and eyes flare bright magic. A hint of blue in the shadows.
“Aww, you caught me.” A sing-song voice drawled out, “I was hoping to admire the view a little longer.” The other’s head tipped a little, smiling innocently. His fawn hair shading his eyes, giving them a glowing effect in the magical light.
“You can admire the view of a jail cell if you decline to leave, Blue.” The guardian snapped, well done with dealing with the pest. He had many more important things to get back to now that he had thought through his little problems.
“My my Dreamy, how rude~ ...it isn’t like you to snap at people. So unprofessional.” Blue used exaggerated body expressions as he talked, trying to hit a weak spot in Dream. “Funny enough, a lot of the highest members have been unprofessional lately… Ink, you, and of course, our little Glitchy.”
“Dare I ask?”
“Oh my dear, you don’t need dare, for I can simply tell you: Glitchy has been stealing away moments with Strings behind you back.” The guardian raised a brow, “It’s true, I was unlucky enough to catch the two being love birds in the infirmary… Ya’know, perhaps if you let me, I could do the same for you-”
“Not happening.” Dream turned away from the intruder, going back to his desk and back to work.
“H-HEY!” Blue sounded exasperated for once someone not paying attention to him and flat out ignoring him. Blue’s lips pursed, and he rose from his shadow, strutting over the Dream’s desk and making a newly cleared spot on it.
The guardian continued to pay no mind. Blue leaned back, pulling a wing to wrap around himself. “...Is there a reason to why that’s not happening, dear Dreamy?”
Still no response. Blue carefully moved himself to sit on one of the armrests of Dream’s chair. “Perhaps someone who’s stolen your heart from me?”
The silence mocked him. He rested his head on Dream’s shoulder, nuzzling into the bare neck, “Someone that you still miss? Someone that made that little trinket you wear so preciously around your neck?”
A wing knocked him off, and the air went icy, all of Dream’s magic pulled back. The sudden lack of positivity suffocating.
“Have I struck a sore spot?” The guardian’s eyes slanted, daring Blue to go further. “Do you really care for someone that’s been dead for nearly a century?” The little magic in the room pulsed, a second warning. “Ani isn’t that good anyway-”
In the blink of an eye, Dream was out of his chair and had Blue pinned to the wall. His famous claymore barely pressed against Blue’s neck. The taller’s glare was intense, and suddenly Blue regretted opening his mouth. All of his confidence was gone.
“Give me one valid incentive not to tear your throat like a worthless chicken.”
In the blink of an eye, Dream was out of his chair and had Blue pinned to the wall. His famous claymore barely pressed against Blue’s neck. The taller’s glare was intense, and suddenly Blue regretted opening his mouth. All of his confidence was gone.
“Give me one valid incentive not to tear your throat like a worthless chicken.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” Blue spat until he gasped weakly as the sword moved closer, it’s flat side now pressing closer to his throat. Threatening to cut two bleeding lines in his very fleshy neck, “I GET IT, OKAY? YOU WOULD DARE-”
“Do I need to reiterate myself?” Blue didn’t dare speak and was unable to nod or shake his head. Hoping his silence was enough. Dream’s eyes glared further, his small beady pupils barely seen, “...I learned a rather unique fact about Glitch the other day. How he doesn’t require to breathe, how his skull can effortlessly separate from his neck and persist.” Blue gulped, “It nearly makes me wish that you and I were skeletons. It would make the more… desirable result far less messy.”
Blue closed his eyes and dropped defenses, fearing the worst. “There, much more agreeable.” The sword pulled away from his neck, and Dream rested his weapon a breathable distance away.
“W-what?” Blue was still far too shocked and had much too little positivity to have much of a grasp on anything. Eyes focused on the sword before darting back up to Dream’s eyes.
“Leave me and my alone. JR and its workers included. Only then will I not make my threat a promise.” Dream leaned forward slightly, towering over Blue, “Am I clear?”
“See-through...”
The guardian finally stepped back and walked back over to his desk as if nothing had happened. Positivity leaked from him, not so much that the angel had fully let go of his aura again, but just enough to get Blue moving again.
It was a few moments before Blue could remember how to walk, and still, it was shaky steps all the way to the door. The terrifying thought of Dream easily being able to strike at him didn’t help.
Just as Blue’s hand’s finally rested on the handles, Dream spoke up once more.
“Before you leave, Blue. If you are to take anything from this discussion, remember to firstly, not underestimate me, and secondly, don’t disrespect the dead.” Blue weakly nodded, the guardian’s laugh sending shivers down his spine.
-----
It was hours later when Dream was finally able to get out of his office, his work done. Curious, he wandered to the infirmary, wanting to check up on Strings and Glitch if he was there.
“YOu just missEd him...” Strings’ weak voice echoed in the closed-off room, gesturing to the chair beside his cot where Glitch was currently sleeping. Dream quietly closed the door behind him, the glitched human having been moved to his own room in the medical ward, and pulled up another chair to sit in.
“Actually, I came to see how you are, Strings. I believe this is the first time, or one of the few times, that I’ve taken an opportunity to talk to you.”
“I dOn’t havE much tO say tO yOu, sORRy.” The glitched human shrugged, going back to knitting another toy.
“I might as well try. Assuming you’ve decided to switch sides, it would be sufficient to get to know each other.” Dream’s eyes trailed down to the toy, the craftsmanship eerily recognizable, and strikingly similar to the toys that an anonymous visitor liked to leave for the Orphanage. “You fancy making toys? Or at the least, knit?”
“Mhm,” Strings hummed, letting silence grow for a moment, before speaking further, “OnE Of my fEw hObbiEs. KnOwn hOw tO fOR as lOng as I can REmEmbER.”
“It reminds me of a lot of the toys a stranger likes to impart to the Orphanage.”
“...Only way I cOuld gEt thEm tO thE kids, bEing an Outlaw and all.” Strings admitted.
Anxious silence ensued, Dream breathing in a nice quiet moment, and Strings sitting nervously. Unsure of the other’s next action.
“You and Glitch got together shortly before we located him, correct?”
“...Why aRE yOu asking?”
“You both care about each other… as well as care about Nightmare and Cross.”
“Can I ask whERE this is gOing?”
“If you’re plotting anything, don’t. I’m not wholly sure of their or your condemnation anymore.” Strings looked up from the toy, confused. Dream continued, “While I can’t say for definite you will be cleared, some new evidence is compelling me to look over everything once more.”
“Don’t test me, Glitch. I’ve already had to threaten Blue today, don’t make me snap at you too.” The guardian sighed, “I want this to go smoothly if I do adjust my mind. Ink is aware of my fresh thoughts and it is only fair that you two, being in the corresponding tier as him, know as well.”
Dream rose from his chair and moved it back to its place, “The moon is high. I counsel you both to get some rest. I’ll see myself out.”
It went silent as he left, both error’s eyes following him until he disappeared out of the medical ward.
“...Is thE plan still a gO?” Strings hesitantly asked hand clasped tightly around Glitch’s.
