A few days later, NO POV

It wasn't long after that when Reaper got called into a diner while Reaping by Blue. They discuss things for a bit as Blue tries to get an idea of who Reaper is aside from what he hears and that he's not someone to challenge or test his bluffs. He wants to know what the real Reaper is like, not rumors or reputation.

So it wasn't long until Error came up in the conversation and learned that Death is a lovingly worried idiot when it comes to Error.

"So how is Error doing? He has been living with you for a while now."He asks

"He has been doing good...when he isn't getting golden fevers."Reaper replies

"Golden fever?"He repeats

"Correct. His face will turn yellow by his cheeks yet no medicine works!"Reaper says

"Ummm...Yellow cheeks?"Blue says, sort of remembering the sight of what he's describing.

"Mhm!"

"Any other symptoms?"He asks

"No, I always give him medicine before it could escalate!"Reaper says proudly

Blue chuckles, seeing how proud he is thinking that he is keeping Error healthy.

"Umm...Reaper, there is no way Error has a fever so frequently. Have you ever considered that the yellow glow may be something natural with his glitching?"He asks

"No...What are you saying?"Reaper asks, tilting his head.

"Since it's only at his cheeks, it could be expressing a certain emotion. Like I see your face does whenever getting caught thinking about him. I saw his face turn yellow when I caught him making baby clothes before I knew about Goth. It certainly isn't a fever since it seems a lot more natural than that."Blue chuckles

Reaper realizes what this might mean. But it doesn't make sense.

"Wait...So he could be blushing? Why would he take the medicine then?"Reaper asks

"Error can be very stubborn. If he doesn't want to share something, he'd do a lot to avoid it. You wouldn't believe the things he did to keep Goth hidden when he was a baby. The last thing he wanted was for Goth to be targeted or known by anyone at first, even from me. He will use any method he needs to get the job done."He explains

Reaper smiles a bit hearing this.

BOOM!x6

They both glance out the window, watching Ink tumble across the floor and try to regain his footing, hardly able to get back up to his feet. He is bruised and beaten all over, holding his left arm weakly before strings wrap around him, dragging him away. Blue sighs, shaking his head.

"Looks like Ink and Error are fighting again."He sighs

Reaper tilts his head. Usually, Ink and Error fight when Error is out destroying AUs.

"Huh, that's odd. He said that he was going to shop with the kids."Reaper says

"Ink has a way of ruining plans and annoying Error."He says

"I see..."

They watch as Error's strings toss Ink around, slamming him into the ground ruthlessly. By the time Ink was released from the strings, he could hardly stand. That's when Error walks into sight, glaring Ink down.

"DoN't eV3r tRy tO tOuCh mY dAuGhTeR aGaIn!"

Reaper grins, finding everything he witnessed amazing. Just more to love about him.

"Oh come on, Error. I was just-"Ink begins

Ink gets blasted away before he could give an excuse. Then Error quickly marches out of their sight. Blue sighs, shaking his head at the stupidity of his "allies". Of all things, never threaten a destroyer's kid and not expect consequences.

"My friends are so dumb...."Blue groans

He glances at Reaper when he doesn't hear a response, seeing that Reaper is still staring out the window and mumbling to himself. He is clearly in his own world with thoughts or ideas about Error. His blushing mess of a face and a goofy grin gives Blue enough of an idea.

"Dear stars....Killer was right. Error's living with a simp."He mumbles, then chuckles

By the end of that visit, Reaper was able to check Blue off of his list, gaining his trust. Blue thinks that Error can handle himself and certainly won't have issues with a simp falling for him the way Reaper is. Yet that isn't the reason he told Reaper...

Reaper returns home later and finds Error casually drinking from his mug and reading a book, the groceries all put away. Looking calm as if that fight never happened. And to Reaper, he looks perfect.

Shino runs over, hugging him and looking up at him as he sets the book aside. 

"Is the weird man gone? He really creeped me out...I don't want to go with him..."She asks

He smiles at Shino, nodding.

"I pr0m1s3 tHaT i w1lL n3v3r l3t h1m r3turN nEaR y0u aGa1n."He says

Shino smiles, feeling relieved and comforted by his promise. Her papa is so powerful after all. Of course he will keep her safe from the scary dangers outside! She giggles, running to color and play in another room.

"So....What did I miss?"Reaper asks

"InK triEd tO fEeD hEr s0metHiNg at tHe sToRe aNd tRiEd tO snAtCh hEr wHeN tHaT diDn't wOrK. He diDn't gEt fAr...He wOn't bE wAlKiNg f0r a wHiLe."He replies

"Where are the boys?"

-"At frIeNds' hOmEs."

Reaper nods, noticing the title of the book being Tips and Tricks to give someone HELL! He grins, knowing Error is very calculating and that this isn't over. He goes into the fridge, preparing to make dinner.

Then as he is examining the options, (specifically what food he won't spoil/kill/expire upon touching it), a nagging thought leaks out of Error.

"If wE cOuLd tUrN bAcK tiM3 aNd I bEcOmE hiM aGaIn....WoUlD yOu liKe tHaT?"

Reaper shuts the fridge and glances over curiously with a bit of concern.

"Where is this coming from?"

"JuSt cURioUs...HyPotHetIcaLs aNd sTuFf."

Reaper frowns, seeing Error avoid looking at him. His glitching is picking up too, indicating his silent frustration. It clearly has been bugging him. 

Then he grins.

"Nah, I wouldn't even go back. I'd miss you too much."He says

"R-ReaLlY?"Error asks

It hurt hearing how surprised Error was, but he pushes forward.

"Mhm. Geno is great and all, but I think it wouldn't be the same. I'd just think about you and the things that I loved about you. I'd miss seeing your smile, hearing your melodic laugh, seeing what puppets you make next, all of it. I don't think I would go back there knowing that I left you."

Error is silent, considering his words. Then he smiles, his face burning a bright yellow. Reaper grins, finding it cute now that he knows it isn't a fever.

From that point on, Error loosened up a bit as those words repeated in his head. He's good enough, if not better according to Reaper...So, he let himself express more and take more risks. He'd often kiss Reaper on the head when he was asleep or check in on him using his code screens, never letting Reaper notice though. This went on for weeks and Shino was the only one that caught him often since her brothers were often off with friends.

But that wasn't all, he tries to learn more about what makes him different from before. Especially questioning the flag-designed blanket that Killer had Raven make that's currently tucked away in a closet. So he takes a picture of it and starts researching it, learning what Killer meant. He'd even check this while in battles or destroying AUs.

Killer catches him in the library one day after picking the lock. He grins. The kids were away with friends as well.

"Hey, if you ever want more help understanding that sort of thing with relationships, I can introduce you to someone. A friend of mine knows plenty about that area and the important things to consider with it."Killer says

That peeks his interest and he asks Killer to show him. So after a few texts, they were on their way to UnderLust, much to Error's uncomfortable surprise, yet understanding.

"If anyone knows about sexual attraction or lack of it, it's Lust."Killer says

TBC