Error's POV

Ugh, always the same with these dumb AUs. Always more to destroy. Can't get rid of enough for this dumb balance. Certainly don't want the multiverse to be overloaded and for Ink to make his mess....Or for it to spill into my space...I have to be strong enough to keep it out, keep it safe. I'm the AU destroyer after all.

I hear loud cries from the strings above as I pace back and forth. I glance up and sigh, shaking my head. I leap up, using my strings to reach the small cocoon-like crib that I set up. Beneath the blankets rests the reason for my strength...well, my need to be strong. An adorable little face with a single eye gazing back at me. My dear son, Goth. I've tried to take care of him for so long...since as long as I recall being in my antivoid. Yet the only one that seems to have changed is me even after all this time. Still, he is the only constant in my life...the only good constant. The last thing that I want is for Ink's trouble to spill the multiverse into our home and threaten him. I'd rather kiss his dumb brush than let something hurt Goth.

I gently brush my strings on his cheek, part of me upset that my glitching wouldn't let me touch him. He calms down, gazing up at me. Then he starts giggling.

"YoU doiNg oKaY? WhAt's wRoNg?"I ask, brushing away the strings that shield his  cocoon from sight

"Papa! Papa!"He cheers, extending his hands out to me.

I carefully lift him up, strapping the cocoon to me to help him. He smiles wider.

"UnDeRnOvElA oR sTaRS?"I ask

"Ela! Ela! Ela!"He says

Around his neck is a red scarf, the only other thing that has remained unchanged since my arrival to this empty place. Now, he wears it and I wear a blue one that I made. And no, I haven't seen my father since then. I just have Goth and this empty space. I don't know and don't have the time to check between caring for Goth and keeping the multiverse from posing a threat to him.

I sit on the beanbag, opening a view for UnderNovela and he giggles, starting to watch. Then I consider the fact that I should get some food for him to eat. Can't give him chocolate since that's unhealthy for his growth at this point and he doesn't have multiple tongues like me to tear it apart, wrapper and all. I open another portal, then snatch with my strings some proper food to feed him.

He dozes after a short bit of eating and watching. I smile, watching UnderNovela a bit more, and relax. I smile, seeing how peaceful he is resting. Cute...

Soon afterward, I decided that it would be safer to keep him strapped to me as I worked than to leave him in the antivoid. I put soundproof headphones on his head to play UnderNovela music that could tune out any noises that may disturb him. And I always made sure that he was facing me so he didn't see and have plenty of time to grab snacks for him. It all went smoothly, my destruction making sure that nobody could get close enough to even take notice of my son.

But of course, it wasn't long before some did indeed notice. I was taking a break in Outertale, letting Goth admire the stars, when a voice called up to me.

"Error! Hey! You there? Or rebooting?"A familiar voice asks

I glance down, seeing a small blur below me waving to me. I put on my glasses briefly, glancing down to see Horror waving to me.

"Come down!"He says, his red eye glowing as he lowers his axe.

I lower my small hammock down to be closer to him and he smiles.

"WhAt?"I ask, glancing around curiously.

He grins widely and points to Goth.

"Babybones!"He says, his red eye twinkling.

I stare at him, confused what he is trying to do. Is he pointing out that he's a baby? He looks happy...

"YeS..BaBybONEs...He iS gOtH. HoW aRe yOu oUt hErE aLoNe?"I ask

"Told Nightmare that I needed a solo trip. Killer annoyed him so he didn't listen much. Or care. Too distracted."He says

He squats down and smiles, waving to Goth.

"One eye! One eye too!"He says

"YeP."I say

Then he digs into his pockets, pulling out a small bag and opening it. He pulls out small containers with plastic lids that he peels off and spoons.

"Veggies mashed and applesauce! Healthy food! Good for growth! Made to help!"He says, offering them up

Of course, HE thinks of food first...His intentions are sweet, though. Considering Goth's health and trying to provide food...something he didn't have in his AU...

I smile at him. He is one of the few anomalies that I can tolerate and one of the even fewer ones that I'd call a friend. I was going to take it from him but paused, seeing Goth squirm.

"WhAt's wRonG, GoTh?"I ask

He points to his mouth, hopping in his little sling. I smirk, seeing Horror's gaze focus on Goth completely.

"HoRrOr, woUlD yOu liKe tO fEeD hIm? GiVe hIm a TaStE of tHe fOoD?"I suggest

He nods, smiling wider. Goth glances at Horror curiously, then at me.

"DoN't wOrRy, GoTh. He iS a FrIeND."I say

He smiles, then nods and opens his mouth. Horror smiles widely, eagerly taking the opportunity to feed Goth spoonfuls. If anything, he covered Goth since by the time he was done, there wasn't any food left that he came with. I shake my head, unsurprised. Given how he starved in his AU, the last thing he wants is for others to suffer like him. He looks proud of himself.

"NoBoDy kNoWs aBoUt hiM, rIgHt?"I ask

He nods.

"I noticed last battle and didn't say a word! Focused on fight so my feelings wouldn't give any indication to Nightmare!"He says

I nod, smiling.

"You helped give me stability. There's no way I would spill secrets if you didn't want me to! And I want this little boy to be safe!"He says as Goth dozes off

I guess that's true. While in my travels of keeping Ink from overwhelming the multiverse with his anomalies, I found Horror in his AU. The conditions were severely unhealthy and miserable, just like many others. Yet something was different about his. I'm not quite sure. Maybe it was the weakness of his bones or how empty he looked. Maybe it was the circumstances. Maybe it was because I had Goth on my mind, worrying about what to return with to give him the care he needed. Whatever it was, it didn't matter. I snatched him and took him to my home. Then I realized it wasn't the most stable place for him, especially since I could hardly support Goth there, so I sent him to Nightmare's place and grunted that he was cared for. We've had a connection ever since and I'll admit, he is good company and I'd eliminate every soul that dared harm him.

Then his phone dings and he sighs. I open a portal to Nightmare and he walks through, waving goodbye. It shuts and I return home where it's peaceful for Goth to rest properly.

Just like how I will do anything to protect Goth...Those anomalies...He took advantage of us once, but not again...

TBC

Yeah, the first few chapters are just going to be Error trying to raise Goth to get a feel for the relationship before Reaper comes along. Hope that's okay. Let's see where this goes.