A month passed, and Ink was really starting to enjoy himself. He might've gotten bored some days when Error went off to spend some time with the Bad Sanses, but he was resourceful. It didn't take long for him to find something to do, since he could always ask Dream and Blueberry if they wanted to hang out, go to a movie, make tacos together, anything, really. He was glad to be able to do fun stuff with his friends, and it made him think less about being bored or not having anything to do while Error was gone.

Just the thought of the glitchy skeleton made him smile. He remembered a few times where Error, as a dog, would just curl up next to him as they sat on the couch, watching a movie, or Ink was sketching. His soul swelled with happiness as he thought back to how Error comforted him when he was feeling down with little nuzzles in his hand and tiny licks with his tongue. It was like receiving a hug, and Ink sighed, smiling softly at the memory. It was kind of hard to believe that Error was so kind to him, especially now as he was back to normal, after all the decades they spent as enemies.

Ink stood up from the counter and stretched. That's enough spacing out for the day. He was eager to go and find Error and see what he was up to. He whipped out his paintbrush and made a portal to Nightmare's castle, then hopped in.

He was met with chaos. He ducked as Dust threw a handful of vanilla pudding at Horror, who had successfully dodged. Ink made his way over to Error, who sat in a corner of the room, hoping to not get hit.

"Quite a party ya got going on here, Error," Ink joked, sitting next to Error.

"Yeah? Why don't we go somewhere quieter? I don't like loud parties."

Ink laughed and took Error's hand. Together, they left through a portal, leaving the rest of the gang to continue their food fight. They landed in OuterTale, and sat down at the edge of the starlit void.

"Is this better?" Ink asked. Error nodded and leaned back onto the ground, putting his hands behind his head.

"Yep. So, how's your day been?"

"Oh, y'know. The usual." Ink laid down next to Error, and the two looked up at the stars in silence. After a few minutes, Error spoke.

"Hey, Ink?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you ever wish you could go back to creating?"

Ink remained silent for a moment. Sure, he would've liked to go and create universes, again. He had so many great ideas! Some were new, and others were inspired by something he'd seen. But, he was enjoying his life now, the peace, the joy, the contentedness he felt around Error. If he went back to creating, he'd turn his back on his friendship with the former destroyer. He felt a nudge at his shoulder, and shook out of his thoughts.

"Wh-what? Sorry, I spaced out, again."

"I asked if you were ok. You seem kinda sad...."

Ink sighed and sat up, and Error followed suit. Ink put his head in his hands, rubbing the sudden fatigue he felt away.
"Error, I... I do want to go back to creating. But, I like being your friend and hanging out with you more. If I went back to creating, I wouldn't get to be around you very much. Besides, don't you... like being around me?"

He turned to Error, and the glitchy skeleton blushed. He looked down, fiddling with the sleeves of his coat. He had to admit, being around Ink was nice when they weren't trying to kill each other, and the voices hadn't bothered him in awhile. It was like he was turning over a new leaf, and he was happy.

And scared.

"W-well, yes, I do. I do like being around you. I-I just.... You don't always seem interested in what we're doing. As if you were bored."

Ink's expression turned shocked and worried. That isn't what he wanted Error to think at all! He just has... a difficult time focusing, that's all!
"I'm not bored hanging out with you. I just get distracted easily."

Error sighed and returned to lying down on the grass. Ink looked down into the endless abyss beneath them, resting his chin in his hands. He knew that was a terrible excuse, and Error would likely not buy it. He didn't know what to do about it, though. What could he do?

Suddenly, he was struck by an idea. He stood up excitedly, startling Error.

"Oops! Sorry, Error," Ink rubbed the back of his neck and smiled sheepishly.

"It's fine, Ink."

"Ok, so, you know your collection of puppets?"

"Y-yeah?"

"How about you teach me how to make one?"

Error's eyesockets widened in surprise. Ink wanted to learn how to knit and sew? That actually made him excited, too!
"Sure! Let's do it!"

Ink clapped his hands with enthusiasm, then ran into a portal to grab some items to sew and knit with. Error waited patiently, looking up at the stars.

"Well, heya there, broski."

Error couldn't suppress the shudder crawling up his body as he heard the low, menacing voice of Fresh. Slowly, he turned around to find the Virus leaning against a boulder. Error scrambled to his feet, preparing for an attack, but none ever came. Instead, the Virus stood there, watching him. He fidgeted nervously, wondering what Fresh wanted this time. Finally, he spoke, again.

"So's dat wacko creator's got yo' trust, eh? Too bad he'll betray ya soon."

Error scowled at him.
"Wh-what are you talking about?! Ink won't betray me!"

"Ah, but dat's what they all say," Fresh continued, pointing finger guns at Error. "Den da next thing ya know, he dizzity dumped yo' ass out on da street, yo! And dat's not the worst of it, naw bro. He'll straight up mess ya up worse den before, break ya mind more than ever, and den what'll ya do? You'll go on da worst road rage dis side o' hell! And dat be straight up unradical, broski!"

Error balled his hands into fists, standing tall and proud.
"I don't believe you."

Fresh shrugged, his unsettling smile never faltering.
"I mean, believe whatcha want, but I seen it happen, brah. And I may be a soulless parasite, but I seen monsters go ballistic over somethin' as simple as havin' a crush on somebody."

Error's eyelights shrunk in fear.
"H-how did you-?"

"Ah, heck, did I say that? Whoops, mah bad, broski. I knows ya got a itty bitty little crush on Inky brah, and dat's just wizzity wack, yo! 'Specially since he ain't da type ta settle down, ya know? Now, if I was you, I'd ghost 'im. Break all ties wit' him. Dat way, nobody important gets hurt."

Error's brows furrowed in confusion.
"Nobody important? What does that mean?"

At this, Fresh's grin widened. He summoned a bone wall behind Error, and began walking toward him. The glitchy skeleton panicked, backing away, but hit the wall. He slid down it, shaking slightly in fear. The Virus stood over him, that sick smile still on his face.

"Now listen, broski. I wantcha ta start destroyin' universes. Just a few. That'll get Inky brah curious. Den he'll come runnin' when he realizes it's you, and if all goes well, he won't get a chance ta hurtcha wit' me watchin' ya back. Got it?"

Error gulped, but put on a brave face.
"I-I won't do it! You can't make me! Your lying, and I will never go against Ink! Never again!"

For the first time since he'd arrived, Fresh's smile faded. He snapped his fingers and a few bones shot into Error's shoulders, pinning him to the wall. He cried out in pain, struggling to get away, but Fresh suddenly knelt before him. Taking Error's chin and tilting it to face him, he smirked.

"Aw, wouldja look at dat. Da mistake of da multiverse is a loyal dog, again. Tch, it'd be so much more fun if you was a dog, still. Throwin' ya down a trash compactor woulda been funny, but now...."

Error squirmed and struggled to get away from the Virus, but Fresh shot more bones into his arms. Error screamed, panting rapidly from the intense pain. He figured not having to fight as much has made him grow soft, and this pain he could've probably walked off easily a few months ago. Fresh stood up, frowning.

"Ya got 48 hours ta start destroyin', broski. Inky brah's not gonna see it comin', cuz ya won't be under his li'l thumb no more. And den, Inky brah'll get what he deserves. Ya dig?"

Error looked up, tears blurring his vision, and nodded. Fresh smirked and let him go, teleporting away right after.

Error shakily held his arms against his body, breathing in quick, shallow breaths. He looked down at his bloodstained arms, allowing them to fall limp to his sides. He watched idly as his fingers twitched from the pain, deciding his next move. Fresh couldn't be serious, could he? What motive did he have for wanting universes to be destroyed? He tried to think of a reason, but nothing came up. Fresh was an unpredictable character, so he might just have gotten bored of... whatever he does with his time. He doubted that. He wouldn't have given Error a time limit if he was bored. There had to be a reason! Could he actually be right? Could Ink's kindness just be pretense to keep him from destroying? Sure, he hated destroying, but was Ink secretly creating universes behind his back?

Suddenly, he heard a portal open, and he folded his arms to hide his injuries. He turned to see Ink walk out with a basket of sewing supplies, a lovely, oblivious smile on his face. Error forced a smile on his face, and Ink sat down next to him.

"Sorry that took me so long. I saw so many different colors of yarn, I just couldn't choose! They were all so pretty, and I wanted to bring them all! How did you come by all that yarn, anyway?"

Error was staring at the basket, lost in thought. Ink got a bit worried, and lightly shook his shoulder. Error flinched at the touch to one of his injuries, then looked at Ink.
"H-huh? What did you say? I-I wasn't listening...."

"Are you feeling alright, Error?" He glanced at Error's folded arms, then met his eyelights. "Is it too cold? Do you wanna go somewhere warmer?"

Error internally sighed in relief at the excuse Ink had unwittingly offered him, and nodded. The creator grinned and stood up, offering a hand to him. Error ignored it and stood up on his own, and Ink lowered his eyelights sadly. He made a portal and walked through with the supplies, and Error followed, taking one more look around before deciding he couldn't see Fresh anywhere.

... ... ...

The next day, Error took a walk in ScienceTale. He planned on visiting Sci because Ink was off hanging out with Blueberry and Dream, and he didn't feel like going to Nightmare's castle. He was half-convinced they were still having a food fight, and as much as he'd like to participate in ganging up on Killer and Nightmare just for the fun of it, he had bigger things to think about. Fresh and his stupid threats. He should've killed the Virus when he had the chance!

He arrived at Sci's house quicker than he thought, and knocked on the door. Papyrus answered, offering a bright smile.

"HELLO, DEAR ERROR!" He exclaimed, inviting him inside. "SO NICE TO SEE YOU, AGAIN!"

"Uh huh." Error slowly trudged over and sat on the couch. Papyrus frowned with concern, and sat next to him.

"ERROR? WHAT'S THE MATTER?"

Error glanced at Papyrus, then sighed.
"I don't know if you can help, Papyrus. I just... felt like visiting you and Sci for a change."

"SANS ISN'T HERE, TODAY. HE WENT ON A DATE, I THINK, WITH RED. YOU SHOULD'VE SEEN HIS FACE! IT WAS AS BLUE AS THE OCEAN WHEN RED ARRIVED WITH A BOX OF CHOCOLATES, AND HE LOOKED LIKE HE WOULD FAINT!"

Error smiled.
"Heh, sounds like him. Well.... If you're really sure you want to know...."

Papyrus turned to fully face him.
"YES. I AM. A PROBLEM SHARED WITH A FRIEND IS A PROBLEM HALVED, IS IT NOT?"

Error smiled gratefully at him.
"Yeah. Thanks, Papyrus."

He recounted the incident with the Virus to Papyrus, making sure not to leave anything useful out. He knew Papyrus was smart, and there was a chance that he could offer more than just advice. Error had resisted the urge to hug Ink before he left, and he was missing Ink's touch, now. But if Fresh was right, the creator was just using him for his own gain. The thought sickened him. Why did he let the Virus into his head?!

"P-Papyrus?"

"YES, ERROR?"

"I... Can I... hug you?"

Papyrus beamed, and held out his arms.
"OF COURSE! HUGS FROM THE GREAT PAPYRUS ARE ALWAYS THE BEST!"

Error laughed a bit as they hugged, and they pulled away after a minute. They sat for awhile in silence, thinking over the situation. Finally, Papyrus spoke.

"HERE'S WHAT I THINK. FRESH HAS BEEN YOUR ENEMY FOR A LONG TIME. HE'S OBVIOUSLY NOT ON YOUR SIDE, AND HE CERTAINLY DOES NOT HAVE YOUR BEST INTERESTS AT HEART. SEEING AS HOW WE CANNOT TRACK HIM, IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO GET AROUND HIS ULTIMATUM. BUT...."

Error perked up.
"But...?"

"IF HE CANNOT FIND INK, HE CANNOT HURT HIM! THEN AGAIN, FRESH IS A SLIPPERY CHARACTER, AND FINDS HIS WAY IN AND OUT OF PLACES QUITE EASILY. WHERE IS A PLACE HE CAN'T GET TO THAT YOU OR INK CAN?"

Error thought a moment.
"How about Nightmare's castle? Fresh has never gone there, not even to bother me. Could that work?"

Papyrus nodded slowly.
"IT'S AN IDEA. LET'S TRY IT!"

They both stood up, and Error engulfed Papyrus in a hug.
"Thank you for helping me, Paps."

Papyrus smiled fondly at the nickname.
"YOU ARE VERY WELCOME, MY FRIEND."

-----------------------------------------------------------

Okie dokie, dat's done, whooo-

First off, I'd like to say something about the last chapter. Y'know, Nightmare convinces Dream and Red to embarrass their significant others? I had wanted to pass that off as a joke, but a few people didn't like it. I did not realize dom/sub dynamics were such an insult to homosexual couples, so mah bad. o>o

Anyway..... enjoy the chapter, I guess.