Bois and gurls

May I present to you

The amazing abomination that is...

DREAMSWAP CREAM

(Yes I will be posting one-shots of this)

- Canonically Cross HATES Dream, but I don't think Kai ever said that Dream actually hated Cross. Yes, in the thing for Outcome B it ISimplied, but that dialog goes, and I quote:

Cross: My opinion of you hasn't changed!

Dream: Likewise.

- It's actually fairly likely that Dream just sees Cross as a major annoyance, because with all those apples he ate he shouldn't be able to hate people I mean honestly. Maybe some sadness now and then but not hate.

- But! (And this is why I like loopholes) What if Dream liked Cross???

- Ok also for some reason I imagine the Meme Squad moving into JR apartments eventually and idk why but there you have it(EDIT: Its because Kai said they would and I just forgot until I went back to their posts for something completely different). For the sake of plot and argument let's just say they've moved in already.

- So insert cheesy logic for Dream to like Cross; I like to imagine that Dream just finds his antics cute. But Dream is well aware that Cross isn't his biggest fan SO

- Cross has a little place he likes to hang out and Dream just happens to know because let's be honest when you secretly admire someone you start to low-key stalk them even if you're not trying to or if you don't think of it that way.

- Anyway Dream leaves Cross a note at his special place that says something like "Hey! I just want you to know that you have a secret admirer ;)" Maybe a little more in the tone Dream has but he doesn't want it to be obvious that he's writing it either so it's also a bit not

- And Cross just goes "wait what who sInCe WhEn"

- Dream leaves a few more notes and occasionally a gift or two (CHOCOLATE) and eventually Cross leaves a note for his mysterious admirer and they start talking through these notes. Now Cross has a habit of going to his little spot every morning, finding and reading the newest note, and then writing and leaving his own. Dream comes by too but only in the evening after Cross leaves the last time for the day.

- Cross starts sassing his admirer like "How do you know this is my favorite spot? Are you a stalker?!?" When Dream reads that he just about dies because it's so typical of Cross omg XD

- But yeah and then Cross's like "So hey you ever going to tell me who you are?" And Dream says "Maybe. Depends." And it turns into "I'll give you a hint every day and you have to figure it out yourself. Your first hint: I am somebody you know." The second hint is some version of "You aren't very fond of me."

- Cross gets so into it that even when Nightmare and/or Error figures out who it is Cross's like "No don't tell me I wanna figure it out myself."

- Also Ink's probably in on it. In fact it's possible Ink has been made Cupid's unwilling and uncaring messenger. So one day Ink's like "Dude it's D-" and Cross just goes "NOPE NOT LISTENING" "But-" "LALALA CAN'T HEAR YOU" and puts his hands over his non-existent ears while Ink's just like 'Are you seriously this childish'

- Dream heard about it eventually and he's just like 'Yep sounds like Cross' but also 'Yeah Ink plz don't tell him if he wants to figure out himself lel'

- Cross eventually narrows it down to Ink (because he's such a troll and would totally do that just to see his reaction when Cross found out it was just a huge prank), Dream, and Blue because the latter two like to use 'proper English' He expressly tells his secret admirer his suspicions with the side note 'I'm not sure which possibility scares me more.'

- Once Cross finds out though he just takes one big step back like i'M sOrRy WhAt TrY aGaIn

- Cross just doesn't even come to his spot for a few days and Dream just KNOWS Cross figured it out but he still leaves a note like "Are you feeling alright? I haven't heard from you in a while."

- Finally Cross is just like 'ok I gotta do something about this I can't just ignore it' and pops on over to Dream's office.

- And Dream's just kinda like 'Oh hai how are you doing?' Except trying to be chill about it and also in Dream's semi-pretentious ways. But he's been worrying about Cross

- Cross realizes he has no idea what to say so he just kinda stands there awkwardly while Dream waits patiently, Nightmare eavesdrops, and Blue watches from the vents because seriously he'd find out and this is so much more interesting than the Inkmare bull going on-Oh. Oops. Well guess I'm talking about that next lmao-and Ink and Error are waiting separately for Nightmare to report back to them with the results

- Right so after a moment of 'what in the heck do I say' the only thing he can think of besides a hello is 'those chocolates were really good'Cue Blue and Nightmare trying not to alert the drama kings to their very amused presence. I mean it's possible Dream knew they were there but he's a bit distracted-

- Now what happens? Idk this is weird and awkward and I can't get past Cross being an awkward bean in Dream's office while Dream silently contemplates how cute he's being

- But if Dream just randomly came out of the blue and said "Hey Cross I think ur cute lol blushy face" etc then Cross would just kinda die where he was standing/sitting/whatever. But when some anonymous person keeps sending you chocolate, and cute little flattering notes you kinda start to like them even if you don't know who it is. So now seeing that this unknown person whom he's oddly grown attached to is the guy he hates for taking his friend away and who was such an ass to Nightmare? Now he doesn't know what to think of Dream because once you learn that somebody likes you a part of you starts liking them back and this is just

- "Ok stop my non-existent brain hurts this is so confusing"

-But Dream's not one to give up easily. He starts doing little things to show his affection that could be from anyone but Cross knowsit's Dream and he's mortified. Also just walking up to Cross randomly like "Hey how's it going" and handing him a chocolate bar. And Cross becomes a grape but grudgingly takes the chocolate bar and eats it like "I still hate you but thanks"

- Dream doesn't want to win Cross over with his aura though so he tries very hard not to use it around him.

- But with each flirty interaction Cross becomes more and more flattered and even without his aura Dream's very charismatic and now Cross shows his true side as a tsundere

- One day Dream's too busy to flirt with Cross and now he's kinda missing the attention but sh

- One afternoon Cross is at his spot (I imagine a spot in the gardens where he can watch the sunset because I also imagine him as kinda romantic since he's a weaboo) because hecc he shouldn't avoid the place just because he doesn't want to talk to the winged boi. Dream is actually just taking a walk in the area because it's a nice place and his life isn't all Cross. But there's his love, why doesn't he go say hi and I'm going to write this out I'm sorry-

"Good afternoon, Cross." Dream said, folding his wings behind his back and sitting down next to Cross. Cross tensed as his no-longer-secret admirer did so, but he kept looking ahead, at the sunset, and said nothing. Dream followed his gaze. "I can see why you'd like it here," Dream said softly. "It's rather serene, isn't it?"

Cross gave a dry laugh. "Yeah. It is." He couldn't keep the bitterness out of his voice. Dream blinked and tilted his head forward ever so slightly so he could see Cross's face. Cross looked away. Dream could still sense his anger and hate, but it wasn't directed at him this time. There was also...longing. And grief. And something else that he could tell Cross was trying to suppress.

After a moment of tense silence, Cross spoke. "Before my AU was destroyed, there wasn't really any color. Sure, our magic was usually red or blue, but mostly everything was black and white." Cross absentmindedly rubbed the scar on his chin.  "But the sky always had color. Sunset and sunrise, if you could watch, were beautiful. In one timeline, Asgore and Toriel had a huge garden, even bigger than this one. In the middle, was a big, sturdy oak tree, with a bench and a tire swing. And with the palace on the north end of the garden, it was the perfect place to watch the sun, dusk and dawn."

Dream listened to Cross describe this timeline with such sorrow, such homesickness that Dream wanted to comfort him. But Cross wouldn't take too kindly to that. Instead, he spoke.

"You speak as if that garden only existed in that one timeline."

Cross looked back at the sun, which had sunk halfway beneath the horizon at this point, and sighed.

"When X-Tale was first created, only Gaster, Frisk, and Chara existed. There wasn't anything else. Gaster was supposed to create a world for the humans using his 'Overwrite' power." Cross shook his head. "But Gaster was never satisfied with his work. He overwrote the timeline again, and again, and again, trying out different ideas he had gotten from other AUs. Sometimes he put us underground, and sometimes we lived on the surface. In one timeline he actually made a black-and-white version of Outertale.

"Sometimes he'd change little things about our personalities. But whatever happened in the timeline, however much the humans loved their newest world, Gaster would overwrite it, saying that he would make it better, that it wasn't as good as it could be. That garden was in one of the most peaceful timelines he ever created. In fact, it was probably the one that Chara and Frisk were most upset to leave. But he still wasn't satisfied."

Cross was shaking now. He was so angry at Gaster, for putting them through everything. For being an all-powerful perfectionist. Dream was about to tell him that things wouldn't change like that again when he suddenly froze. Dream watched in alarm as Cross no longer looked like Cross. His face flickered to a human's face, with tousled white hair and a strained look, then back to Cross only without his scar.

For a few moments, during which all Dream could do was watch, the human face and the skeleton face fought for control. Then, he looked like his usual self again, only anxious. Scared. Dream didn't put his arm around Cross, but he did wrap one of his wings around the monochrome skeleton.

"I don't know how difficult that must've been for you," he said softly. "But nothing like that will ever happen again."

Cross didn't respond. When they were in their physical form, Dream's wings were warm. Not hot. Just...Cross really didn't want to move away. He didn't realize he was leaning towards Dream until his skull touched the other's shoulder.

"Uhh...

Cross' inner grape quickly took over as his eye lights met Dream's surprised yet smug face.

"Hi...?"

Dream chuckled. "Hello. Are you comfortable there?" he teased. Cross somehow turned a deeper shade of purple. "N-n-no," He stammered, jerking upright. Now that the sun had fully set, the light from Dream's wings made the tall skeleton look...oddly handsome. He always looked angelic with those dumb things, but now they lit up his face in a majestic way. Because he wasn't majestic enough already.

Dream folded his wings back, making Cross a little sad. It was cold without them. If he was honest with himself, it had felt nice to be wrapped in Dream's loving embrace. But he didn't know how to deal with his feelings after everything that had happened. After hating him for so long, it felt weird to see him in a different light. But, here they were, with Dream looking like he had just won the lottery-surprised but glad, and Cross trying to not think about how much he liked being the reason for that expression.

Little did the two know, Blue was hiding in the background, praying for a kiss so he could take a picture and save it for later use (aka blackmail).

...He'd probably leave it somewhere for Nightmare and Error to find, as well, since he knew how much they shipped this. Ink too.

Now the DS Inkmare thing I'm kinda obliged to write about now

- Alright so that little comic where they're arguing, then kiss, then freak out about it is kinda the main idea of this version of their relationship. Also this thing my friend on wrote where they were fighting like:

NM: I hate how much of an ass you are

Ink: I hate how you always make a meme out of everything

And they say legit things to hate each other for but then it turns into:

NM: I hate how stupidly handsome you are

Ink: I hate you're so short and that somehow makes you cute

Ink + NM: I HATE HOW I WANT TO KISS YOU

*wait what*

*staring contest*

NM: *glare* Did you mean that

Ink: *Very confused and stares back blankly* I dunno did u

NM: *marches up to Ink, grabs the collar of his shirt, and gives him a quick kiss before pushing him away*

NM: Don't let me see you again

- Ok so that was set before any outcome could take place meaning the Meme Squad was wanted then and stuff so lemme just build my head canons onto it

- I would think that since things are weird now they purposely start avoiding each other. Like if Nightmare's out doing whatever and sees Ink he turns around and goes the other way. Same with Ink too unless he's on some mission chasing a guy and can't turn around but then he just ignores NM who just pretends nothing's happening this is fine-

- Then one day the whole Squad is out getting nice cream or something and Ink's walking by lost in thought about the best art supplies and brands or whatever and he doesn't notice them until it's too late for him to just turn around cuz they've spotted him now uh oh

- Yeah so instead of dealing with shit he just keeps his head down, avoids eye contact, and walks past. Pretending they aren't even there. And Nightmare had his jaw clenched and was ready to give Ink a big 'ol 'FUNK OFF' so now he's partly relieved and partly confused but eh. Error and Cross are just plain confused but they decide that if Ink's going to pretend they don't exist then they'll take it.

- Dream notices Ink flinch whenever he mentions Nightmare but he ignores it because he knows he can't worry about every little thing in the world. Even if he tries most of the time.

- So then Outcome B comes and Ink is guarding the cell with Cross and Error in it. And he thinks Dream is going to kill NM. He's kinda relieved that he won't have to deal with those annoying emotions anymore but he's also kinda guilty and he doesn't like it. So when he senses Dream's aura coming AND NM's aura he's like 'Oh hecc what now' plus he tends to panic when he feels a full range of emotions caused by both brothers being near him so he just does not like life at that moment.

- And when Nightmare points out that Ink isn't sorry for being a whiny b**** after being told to guard Cross and Error's cell (with a lot of salt because honestly after Dream changed his magical makeup without his permission Nightmare's not up to take any shit especially from Ink) Ink's kinda hurt like 'how dare you I thought you cared' but also 'why do I care I don't want to care-' "LEAVE ME ALONE" and runs away like a girl on her period

- So time passes and Ink's feeling better about everything because now he's not being assigned to screw with them anymore but then the Squad moves into JR Apartments. And Ink lives in the apartments. So now he and Nightmare are all but guaranteed to run into each other at least once a day.

- Finally Nightmare kinda drags Ink into a closet and goes 'ok dude we need to talk about this because it is not getting any better'

- And Ink's ready to run but also it feels oddly nice for Nightmare to be giving him attention without the fighting and anger and hate...nobody could see them maybe he could just—wAiT nO sToP tHiNkInG iNk No KiSsInG iN a ClOsEt

- So now we have two more awkward beans who do like each other but don't know what to do about it. I'd imagine that their version of showing affection would be bickering because. Ink is Ink. And Nightmare habitually angers people on purpose. So really these two having a serious conversation other than-
'Dude that's my soda' 'No it's not get your own' 'Dude. That's M Y soda.'
-is highly unlikely. And yes Blue would hear of this early on and start watching them be idiots because for a while they just try and figure things out and it gets ridiculous.

- Oh yeah Nightmare has a new pranking buddy but don't tell Cross cuz he'd feel weird about it. They don't really hide their can figure it out themselves.

- Surprisingly only Blue does and he doesn't tell anybody either.

- Although Error probably suspects something whether he knows or not.

-  Once things get sorted out and they accept that this is happening they actually pretty get cuddly. Like they're watching a movie just sitting next to each other on the couch-next thing you know Nightmare is laying down with his head in Ink's lap. They don't even think about it it just happens.

- Lots of poking wars because Nightmare's a petty little shit and Ink just can't let things go

- Once Cross finds out and accepts it (which takes a hot minute but still not very long) he becomes Inkmare's No. 1 shipper, although he doesn't realize he has to compete with Blue for that position.

- "Just because I took his stuff doesn't mean you can take his stuff." -Nightmare at some point probably to someone who stole Ink's stuff (probably Blue because he was bored)

- "Yeah, see, I kidnapped you brother and now he won't leave." - Ink trying to explain to Dream why Nightmare refuses to let go of him after he had a really bad dream.

- "Lol fuk u" - both of them to random people who judge their relationship because they're dorks

- "1'm n07 5ur3 1f Cr055 d3ny1n9 Dr34m'5 l0v3 15 funn13r 0r 1f 7h15 15." - Error after he accidentally walks in on Nightmare the short skele playing keep-away with one of Ink's favorite sketchbooks because yes

- "Am I invited to your gay wedding?" Probably both Cross and Blue, but not necessarily at the same time

"Cross, no."

"Cross yes."

*Ink pokes his head into the room* "Hey Night I found that thingie we were looking for-"

*gæ gasp of delight*

*Cross looks at his best friend*

"CrOsS nO"

"CROSS YES"

*Ink rolls his eye lights* "Dorks."

- Nightmare trying to come up with a decent nickname for Ink but that's a hard name to work with so he eventually just says "U know what Bob I give up"

- Ink and Nightmare would come up with the ship name for Cream and NM immediately tells Error so the three of them can ship Cream together

- Also they totally get most of the JR employees into it just to annoy Dream and Cross but they hardly even notice and now the three of them are just dying of laughter at how oblivious they are

- Blue totally trying to swap their DVDs out so they watch MLP or something that they both think is stupid but HAHA WE USE NETFLIX TAKE THAT

- They don't know Blue is there though they just think it's easier to use Netflix cuz laziness is bliss

- Also they don't have to interrupt cuddles as often.

-Yes and when Ink initiates cuddle time there is nothing Nightmare can do because Ink gets his cuddles dang it-not that Nightmare ever wants Ink to move but sometimes Ink just kinda drowns Nightmare in his sweater like

Nightmare: Heeeyy, I wanna watch the movie Ink, moooove

Ink: Nooooooo I like it here

NM: I cAn'T sEe ThRoUgH yOuR f***iNg SwEaTeR mOvE iT

Ink: Why are you so mean to me?

NM: Oh shut up you drama queen

Ink: Look who's talking!

NM: I'm a meme lord thank you very little

- Etc

-And Ink still has bad days so even though he won't actually say anything he'll just kinda go up to Nightmare and be a melodramatic dork like "Hey are you doing anything? No? Can I have some attention then? Plz? I'm so sad and lonely *puppy eyes*" and puts his skull on NM's shoulder while just watching him do whatever he's doing and Nightmare tries to see if not saying anything will get Ink to tell him what's up but how does he do puppy eyes so well damn. Also he's a little afraid that Ink will just leave if he doesn't get his attention even though he knows Ink's a stubborn ass.

- Expect Ink randomly walking by, poking Nightmare, and trying to leave before Nightmare can poke him back.

- Error and Cross finding ways and reasons to anonymously provoke a poking war

- Dream finally getting fed up and going Oh my god you two just move in together already and Nightmare being like D r e a m w h ywhile Ink is just cackling in the background

- And probably Blue too because at this point he lives in the vents where he watches the Cream and Inkmare shit go down

- Blue anonymously sends a set of nice wedding rings because goddamn it he wants them to do this

- Oh yeah btw Error is talking to a ghost about Inkmare and Ink sees this happening and goes "waaaaiiiiiiit is that you Ani"

*The Ani escaped!

"7h4nk5 1 w45n'7 74lk1n9 70 7h3m"