Summary: The darkness is really getting to me-

Brilliant rays of sunlight glistened along the ocean waters and warmed the sand across the beach.

Dream hummed- eye sockets shut and arms crossed beneath his skull, acting as a pillow; All the while, he happily basked in the warmth from atop the beach blanket he'd laid several hours ago. The yellow-clad guardian could faintly make out the sounds of waves lapping at the beach and his friends (Blue and Ink) splashing around on the shoreline in the distance.

He couldn't be sure how long he'd been lounging in the sun when a nervous presence tentatively approached before stopping in front of him.

The Guardian of Positivity lazily opened his eye sockets only to be met with the worried expression of his blue-clad companion.

A frown marred Dream's face as he pushed himself into a sitting position. "Blue? Is something wrong? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. But, uh..." The Underswap Sans awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, looking down at the sand. "H-have you seen Ink? I kind of lost track of him..."

Dream froze, dread crawling up his spine. "Please tell me you're not serious..."

Blue shifted uncomfortably. The guilt lacing his emotions was the only confirmation the yellow-clad skeleton needed.

A tired sigh escaped him. "Okay, where did you see him last-"

"QUIT HIDING THINGS FROM ME!"

The duo started at the scream. Blue and yellow eyelights - respectively - whipped toward the direction the familiar voice came from.

Sat atop the sand a distance away laid Ink. He had a bright red crab clutched between his hands, dangerously close to his face but just far enough away that the creature couldn't pinch him.

"TELL ME YOUR SECRETS!" The soulless artist demanded, shaking the crustacean captured in his grasp.

"Ink, no!" Dream shouted, pushing off the blanket and running to the Guardian of AUs. "What have I told you about harassing wildlife!"