Geno's POV months later

.....So it's been a while. I finally got my thoughts in order and Error helped me fix my code. He and I agreed that I should take a break from seeing Reaper after everything. It really annoyed him how troublesome his AU was becoming and how it seems to drag me into a chaotic storm, especially from Gaster. So, until that AU settles down or as he put "Reaper and his father get their shit together", then I won't be seeing them. We really need some space. I can still contact them, just don't do it as often. I have hung out with other friends and I have enjoyed it. I also got back to a normal routine. and grew comfortable in my own AU, my own save screen, again. I just watch the multiverse by manipulating the code.

But I haven't been completely alone in the save screen. Ink came to me with Blue one day and had a baby with them. Apparently the baby is from a corrupted world that closed in on itself. Ink was wondering if I could take care of him, this little boy named Miles. He put Miles in my arms and I just remembered my Gaster handing me my little brother to me for the first time. The baby was so precious. I agreed but he told me that it was justt for the time being until they find a proper AU for him. At least, that's what he said. Now he is at the age of four and is super energetic, reminding me of my brother. I raised him like I raised my brother and gave him all the love and care I could for him. He is alwyas so positive and enthusiastic, looking up to me like a guardian or parental figure but calls me Geno. I train him myself as best as I can. One of my biggest regrets is not preparing my brother well enough. Then again, how well could I train a pacifist to fight? But with the dangers in the multiverse, I want him to be ready. I grew attatched and fond of him, wanting to protect him the best I can. I never want him to....to......

"Geno!"Miles exclaims, taking me out of my thoughts.

"Huh?"I say, looking at him on my shoulders

"You got lost in bad thoughts again."He says

"O-Oh! What were we talking about?"I ask

"We were going to see the stars."He says, pumping his fist in the air

He smiles excitedly.

"Right! Let's go!"I say

I open the portal to OuterTale and enter the AU. I went to a peaceful, isolated area with the knowledge that it can get chaotic here. I set him down and he sat down right beside me, looking at the beautiful scenery in awe. We started naming constellations and it was very peaceful. It was nice.

"Hey, Geno?"He says

"Yeah?"I say

"You love me right?"He asks

That broke my soul to hear.

"Yes! Of course I do! Why do you question it?"I ask

"Ink........Kept messing with my code. He'd leave me to be raised by one person, then restart me when he got bored or something. He claimed that those folks didn't love me correctly but I have grown to question if he really cares or is honest....I love you Geno and don't want to be seperated from you...I don't want Ink to take me from you."He says

I sigh, pulling him closer.

"I should've known that something was up with him....."I say

"You're the Big Bear to my Little Bear."He says, pointing at Ursa Major and Ursa Minor

I smile a bit.

"Ink won't take you from me. I'll keep you safe."I say

He smiles happily, seeming happier than before.

I hear a portal open and feel multiple hands grab my arms, pulling me away. Horrible scenarios went through my head. I thought of Slash or The Collector and Gaster.

"What the?! Hey! Let go of me!"I snap, strangely unable to summon anything

"Geno!"Miles exclaims, looking at me in shock and terror

I get pulled through a portal and thrown into a box.

But instead of hitting wood, I felt myself land on someone. The lid shuts and I hear the chest get locked.

"Geno!"I hear a familiar voice cheer

I look to see I was stuck in here with Reaper and we were very close. I feel my face burn at how close our faces were. But alarms were going off in my head.

"Reaper! What the hell is going on? How are you so calm right now?"I ask

"Welcome to our tradition for a lover's holiday! You can thank the romance gods!"He says

"That doesn't make it okay! I thought Slash or someone was kidnapping me and they messed with my code! A warning would've been nice!"I snap

"But you don't even know how it goes!"He says

"I don't care! You can't just abduct me out of nowhere whenever you like!"I say

"Trust me, you'll enjoy it. I know I will."He says, leaning closer

I shove his face away.

"Cut it out!"I snap

His gaze seems to soften, realizing something.

"Geno....I'm sorry about what I said last time. I was being an idiot to make those comments and not connect the dots. I ruined the golden moment that I've dreamed of but I won't ruin it again. I love you, Geno."He says

I glance away. He said it with such a flat tone that lacked a sense of a genuine apology or confession.

"Yeah, sure. How many times did your brother or whomever have to rehearse that with you? I'm not even supposed to be here! I'm supposed to be stargazing with Miles..."I say, picturing Miles' poor face of terror

His grip tightened on me.

"Who the hell is Miles?"He growls with venomous anger and jealousy

I slap his hand off of me and shove him away. I went to one end of the box and kept him at the other.

"None of your business if you're going to react like that."I say

"Hey, you're mine. I have a right to know and get protective."He says

"You sound like your father."I say bluntly

"Don't compare me to him!"He snaps

"Then don't act like him! Reaper, you just talked as if I was an item you can own and use! Think about that! The number one thing you complained about others doing and said you'll never do was just done by the words out of your mouth! I am not yours! I am not an item! I am my own person! I'm supposed to be your friend that you respect, not get possesive over and boss around like a nosy jerk! And you are not one to demand information about MY LIFE Mister Hide-Everything-About-My-Life-And-Identity-From-My-Friend! So don't try it. Now don't talk to me until you calm down and think, cause you won't help yourself whatsoever. You act and talk without thought when you're upset, clearly not like the sweet friend Reaper I like. So just don't say a word."I tell him

He looks at me in surprise, looking like my words stung him. Good. I shake my head, taking some deep breaths to calm down.

"Tell me how this is a romantic tradition, exactly? Cause it just feels like being caged with a tiger or something."I say with sarcasm

He doesn't answer me.

I sigh, taking out my phone. I see texts from Miles coming in. I reply to calm his nerves and he sent an army of affectionate texts and making plans. I chuckle.

"Ohhh, kiddo..."I say softly with a grin

"A kid is texting you? And you like it? Didn't a kid kill you and your loved ones?"Reaper asks, his hood hiding his face

"Thanks for the wonderful reminder, Reaper. You really know what to say."I say sarcastically

"I'm serious. I thought you'd hate kids."He says

"Well in case it isn't obvious, I love them. It kind of comes naturally since I've always had to look after someone...Like my brother....And I enjoy it. Not like you'd understand that...Or recall with how little you're thinking right now. Hey Papyrus! You near? Is there a way to get him to stop talking?"I say

"No but he should really publish a book called:Quickest Ways to Insult Geno and Ruin Any Sort of Moment-Expert Edition."I hear him say

"Can you let me out? I'm not doing the tradition, whatever it is. Not with him and his attitude."I say

"Don't have the keys, sorry."He says

Just then there is a blast that fired through the center of the chest. I quickly climb out and get greeted with a hug.

"Geno!"Miles exclaims, nuzzling his head against my chest

I could tell he was in tears. I lift his chin up and wipe his tears.

"Hey Miles. How'd you get here?"I ask

"I used your training! I was scared that someone was trying to take you from me! Hurt you o-or worse! I can't lose you...I can't lose someone else! I thought...t-t-thought...."He cries

"Well thank you for getting me out. And like I said, I'm not leaving you."I say

"Miles is a kid...?"Reaper says, rising from the box

Miles looks at him and grips me tighter.

"I know you. Error hates you for always getting Geno into trouble. Don't hurt him again or you'll regret it."He tells Reaper

"Oh really?"He says

"Yeah, I have him on speed dial and you are supposed to be giving Geno space. I wonder how he would react if I called him RIGHT NOW."He says

"That is not needed!"Reaper says

"Are you sure?"He asks

Reaper nods.

"Was he nice to you, Geno?"He asks me

"Eh....He wasn't thinking that much or acting like himself...."I say

"What is your relation? I've heard so much about you over text."Papyrus says

"We aren't biological family but he is like family to me! He raised me after my world was destroyed! I have a picture Blue took!"He says, taking a picture out

The two brothers look at the picture curiously. Papyrus smiles.

"How adorable. Geno, I'm so sorry about my brother's behavior. We've been stuck with our father longer than usual but it's still not an excuse for his behavior. The tradition for your information is to transport the chosen couple together to a romantic setting but the gods could feel the negativity between you two and ditched the box here. Now, I'm going to teach him a little thing about SINCERITY, RESPECT and COMMON SENSE."He says, dragging Reaper away

I look at Miles and he grins.

"Let's continue stargazing, shall we?"He says

I nod.

We go through a portal and that's exactly what we did for the next few hours.

A few months passed and I have gotten over those past issues. It was not worth being angry over anymore. I started messaging him and we started talking over text again, though the words before did its damage to my trust in him. How do I know that he is sincere anymore?

Error and Blue were unhappy with him still. His behavior crossed too many lines with them. Miles was very protective of me and kept reporting back to them. Though it seemed like Reapertale calmed down, they were still suspicious. I was sitting in Outertale when I heard someone come up behind me. I turned to see Gaster staring at me.

"What do you want now?"I ask, keeping him at a safe distance from me

He mumbles something quietly.

"What?"I say

"I'm so-mmm...I'm sor-ugggh. I feel guilt and regret for my actions that caused you pain."He says, seeming to struggle to get his words out

"So you're....sorry?"I say, questioning his sincereness way more than I have questioned Reaper's.

"Yeah....That."He says

"WeLl iT iSn'T aCcEpTeD oR mAgiCaLlY fiXeS eVeRYtHiNg."Error says

Gaster gets tied in Error's strings.

"Wait, you're friends with Geno?"Gaster says

"Mhm aNd I do Not lIkE wHat yOuR Au haS dOnE t0 GeNo. YoU'rE mEanT tO aCt liKe a GoD, noT a SpoiLed BraT or PaiN iN tHe AsS. AnD wHaT mAkEs iT woRsE iS thAt yOur sOn ReaPer iS uNdEr yOuR inFluEnCe aNd stArTinG tO aCt lIkE yOu. AnD n0t iN go0d WaYs! An apOlOgy dOesn't mAke Up FoR scReWinG uP anD nEarLy EnDing HiS liFe muLtipLe TimEs! AnD lEt mE waRn you abOut WHat caN hAppEn iF yoU coNtinUe. You mAy bE a gOd, bUt juSt iN yoUr AU. YoUr tiTlE mEanS nOthIng oUt hEre aNd I caN juSt easIly puLl thIs strIng anD kIlL yOu wiThOuT rEspAwNs. YoU roLl tHe diCe oN hIs lIfE agAin, I'lL puLl tHe pLuG oN yOuRs."Error says

Gaster's face went blank and I actually saw fear in his gaze.

"U-Understood."He says

"GoOd nOw Be aN acTuAllY gOoD iNfLuEncE aNd LEAVE."Error snaps, kicking him through a portal.

"Thanks for stepping in, Error. I wasn't exactly sure how that was going to go."I say

"No proBlEm! ThAt AsShOlE wiLl thInK tWiCe bEfoRe meSsiNg wiTh yOu NoW. I goTtA go Now bUt I wiLl bE sUrE tO chEcK iN oN yoU!"He says, then rides his Gaster Blaster away

I check my phone just in time to see Elden texting me.

Elden:Hey!

Elden:Geno!

Elden:Am I using this "phone" correctly to contact you?

Elden: OwO

Me:Yes, yes you are. What's up?

Elden:Are you free later?

Me:Yeah, Miles is playing with a friend today....Why?

Elden:You remember me talking about my brother, Eric, right?

Me:Yeah?

Elden:Well....He's the god of respect and was enraged at how disrespectful Reaper was to you.....So he wants to meet you and treat you to something special. Show you what a "healthy relationship" is.

I was excited, eager to meet Eric, truly.......but then I remembered Reaper.

Me:Are you sure that's a good idea? What about Reaper? I don't want him to barge in like he did with you, especially since the last time he got upset he pulled some sensitive topics into the argument. >_<

Elden:Well my brother won't allow it. Reaper has to learn to stop those behaviors. If he isn't going to listen, he will have to learn the hard way. You shouldn't be put through what he has done to you just because he thinks you're his or whatever. Maybe he's not an auditory learner but a visual learner, cause if he sees that what he's doing isn't right he may change like he did when he barged in on us. He saw how I could make you smile when he couldn't and had to ask himself why. Not saying he can barge in on you living your life, but it may teach him a lesson if he does. He shouldn't keep you from living.

Me:Okay.....I'll go.

Elden:Phew! That's good because Blue just messaged me saying that he's coming to get you ready. My bro will come to pick you up.

Sure enough, Blue showed up after he said that and took me to his house to get ready. Then he wished me luck and sent me back to my save screen where Eric will pick me up. I hear a portal open and a skeleton in a tux walked through. I suddenly felt underdressed or in the wrong kind of clothes due to how formal he looks. He readjusts his tie and looks at me.

"Aah! You must be Geno! My brother told me so much about you! You're as cute as I imagined!"He says

My face burns up and I try to hide it with my scarf.

"And I am guessing you're the brother he told me about. It's nice to meet you."I say

"Take my hand, I want to take you out to something special."He says, extending his hand

I smile, taking his hand and he teleports us away. We arrived at a restaurant-like setting and get greeted by a welcomer.

"There should be a reservation under R., Eric."He tells the welcomer

They nod and lead us to a candle-lit table for two away from everyone else. He sets menus down and I notice that there were mini easels and canvases set up per person with art supplies. Eric has me sit in my seat and he pushes it in before sitting in his seat.

"My brother told me how you like privacy and feel unsettled in crowded places, so I distanced ourselves from others so that you feel comfortable. This place is having an art night so I thought it'd be a nice way for us to bond and for you to release any stress you have without doing anything too crazy."He says

"Well...This is very sweet of you. Thanks Eric."I say

We started talking while we painted and had the most delicious of foods. My mind was wandering as I listened to him talk and laughed at his jokes. He was so sweet and polite. Though that should be expected from the god of respect. I felt much better than I have in a while. So much that I turned off my phone to tune the world out and just focus on him.

"Hey...Are you alright, Geno?"He asks

"Hm? Yeah. Why do you ask?"I reply, seeing that he came beside me

"Your paintings.....They're beautifully crafted but....The symbolism sends horrible messages. Are you okay?"He asks

I look at the canvases and realize that I painted on all three of them. I quickly realized what he meant. I had poured my inner thoughts and concerns out onto each of them.

There were three canvases that I had painted. The first was painted black with a white lighting in the center. In that bright spot was a pawn from a chess set wrapped in strings. The strings went to two hands, one in each top corner of the easel with a face of Reaper and Gaster. There were words enscribed into the strings. Words they have said. "Just a Mortal!" "My friend!" "Overdue and should be killed already!" "A freak!" "Know your place or else!" "You're mine!" "You're just a tool for my plan." to name a few.

The second easel showed Reaper but split down the middle. On the left showed a nice Reaper in bright lighting with a faint sight of his brother behind him. He was smiling and seemingly nice. The Reaper I befriended. Words were written into his cloak. Kind and friendly. Dorky. Understanding. Funny. Protective. Respectful. Flirty. Made me feel safe and special...The one I loved...But on the right was a much darker half of him depicted. The background was darker, his expression was cold and he has his father beside him. That half of his cloak also had words written. Controlling. Possesive. Manipulative. Harsh. Rude. Disrespectful. Loyalty, trust and honesty are questionable. Uses sensitive info against me. Doesn't think before acting. Is becoming like his father. Can flip on a coin from kind to cruel. Dangerous of course. Intentions not clear nor his true views. Invasive, cocky and overbearing. Could just be toying with me for his pleasure like Gaster wants him to.....Soulbreaker.....Sends mixed signals...Values his desires above my freedom to live my life....Draining and is forgiven for things that cannot be forgotten easily due to the damage he did.... At the top of this easel was a question:Which is the real Reaper?

On the third easel was a small doll-like depiction of me. At the top of the canvas was the line from Gaster: Know your place. Once again, there were two different atmospheres cut down the middle. The left was brighter than the right and the doll was in the center of it. Little fabrics wrapped around the doll that originated from both sides. And just like the first, they had words written on each. From the left came encouraging and positive labels like:"My friend! Mwehehehe!" "LiKe bRotHeRs." "A rare gem of the multiverse-Elden" "A genius to meet! My brother is lucky to have you!-Papyrus" "Alternative Mama Geno! We love you!" "Like a father to me. The Big Bear to my Little Bear." "My little hibiscus flower." But on the other side there were negative labels like:"MINE." "Just a tool." "Just a mortal." "A freak." "Corpse overdue to go in the ground." "Worthless." "An experiment waiting to fail." "Poor tortured soul." "Meant to be dust." "Nothing special." "Doesn't belong." "Something Reaper should kill already." "A mistake." "Not a person." The last detail was that the doll's face was completely glitched out and marked with a question mark.

"I guess......I let my stress out after all. Being with Reaper is....complicated I guess....I actually feel better now...."I say

He sighs and gives me a smile.

"Well, that's good. My brother and I are here if you ever need to talk."He says, giving a kiss on my head

"Thanks, Eric."I say

He takes his seat again and rests his hand on mine, his thumb rubbing my hand in a comforting manner. Music begins to play from a band in the corner.

"I'm just shocked that he hasn't barged in y-"He begins

"WHAT THE HECK?!"I hear Reaper yell

"Dang it I jinxed it! Now I owe my bro 20G!"He says

Reaper quickly comes over.

"Geno what are you doing?!"He snaps

"What are you doing?"I ask instead

"I came to look for you when you didn't answer my messages and find you in this candle-lit place holding his hand! What do you think you're doing?"He says

"I see what you mean about controlling and invasive....."Eric says

"Excuse me?!"Reaper snaps

"I'm sorry Reaper, disrespectful jerks are not on the guest list. You aren't supposed to be here so how about you go run along and swing that scythe somewhere else."Eric says

"Excuse you?!"Reaper snaps

"You heard me. I know what you did and said to him and it is very disrespectful and insulting that you consider yourself his friend. You were not invited here and you are only making things worse by barging in here and invading his privacy. He isn't yours to control or boss around so stop acting like he has to tell you everything and can't be with other people! It's very toxic and unattractive! Until you understand that and what it means to be a good friend, go and what is it that your dad told Geno? Oh yeah! Know your place!"Eric says

Reaper looks extremely shocked and offended. He turns to me.

"Don't start with him. If you're going to bother him, answer the question. Which side of you that he saw is the real one? He has a right to know who he is spending his time with."Eric says, lifting my second painting up

He takes a good look at it and all his anger melted away. He looked horrified, his gaze lingering on the right side.

"The left side is me. The true me." He says

"Then act like it. Cause your behavior isn't like that side. And if you look at the other paintings you can see what it does to him."Eric says

Reaper looks at the other paintings and I bow my head, not even looking at him. I feel a hand on my shoulder and glance up to see Reaper gazing at me.

"Is this true?"He asks

"Yes....."I say

He kneels down with a frown. He sets a hand on my cheek.

"I'm so sorry...I promise I'll change. I'll be the good friend that you know. You are not a pawn, you are my friend and your own person. I'll treat you the way you deserve to be treated. I promise."He says with genuine sincerity in his voice

I was hesitant though.

"How am I supposed to believe you? You promised that I could trust you and then you used what I confided in you, my brother's death, against me. So how am I supposed to trust your promises now?"I say

He is silent.

"My brother and I will teach him. And here's your first lesson:Boundaries. You can't just intrude whenever you feel like it or force him to spend time with you. He has a life outside of you just like you have a life with others besides him. You gotta learn when to step in or back off and timing to say certain topics. So this will be your first example of giving space and boundaries. Leave and you'll meet when he's free or willing."Eric says

Reaper sighs and nods, leaving.

Weeks later I got a message from Reaper. It showed a diploma-like certificate or something that said that he graduated and aced in the studies of common sense and social education. Guess that means he finished learning from Elden and Eric. He seemed very proud and asked for me to give him another chance. I was with Error at the time and he saw the text. He was not happy. While he was taking his anger out on some AU or telling Blue, I warned Reaper that he still has Error angry at him and won't let him within a ten foot radius of me until he is convinced otherwise. Reaper said he'd work on that but the question still remains. I agreed.

Deep down I still had some hope for him and wanted to fix our damaged relationship. I still had feelings....Maybe things will go better now.

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TBC