(HEY!! I'm not dead! I am so, so, so, so, so, so sorry for not posting. My laptop glitched and died on me but I have fixed it now!)

(Translate that in the comments :) If you want)

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(Error)

I woke up to something licking my face. At first, I shot up in a panic. Then I looked around and saw Aquarelle wagging her tail next to my bed. I smiled, "Hungry?"

The puppy barked as I sat up. She ran to the kitchen and ran back to me, barking. Chuckling, I followed her. I wondered why she was out. She slept in a crate. I looked around and saw Ink asleep on the couch. Must've pottied her late at night... I thought. I looked around and saw only one latch on Aquarelle's crate done. She had forced her way out when she got hungry.

She barked at me again as I worked on getting her food. I set her bowl down and went over to Ink.

"Inky," I whispered, "Inky, get up."

Ink mumbled, rolling over.

"C'mon, Ink," I said, a bit louder, "Or I'll set the dog on you."

Ink mumbled, turning over and giving me a look. I shrugged, hearing Aquarelle finish eating and make her way over. She walked up to me and I picked her up, holding her by Ink's face. She started licking him. He continued to try and glare at me but his face started twitching into a smile. He finally laughed and took the puppy from me, snuggling her with a soft sigh. She burrowed into his chest, laying down with a sigh and looking up at me as Ink pet her head.

Ink sat up on the couch, bringing Aquarelle with him as I sat at his feet. He smiled at me, still petting the dog.

Turning on the TV I sat back with a sigh and relaxed, fully prepared for a day of doing nothing.

After an episode and a half of some random show, Ink spoke up. "I wanted to talk to you about something..." Ink said softly.

I looked at him. He avoided my eyes, looking at Aquarelle as she slowly fell asleep.

"Yeah?" I said, turning the TV down to give him my attention.

He waited a few minutes before talking again, "I want to go back to work..."

"Alright, what do yo-"

"I want to return to the Orchid."

(Ink)

He froze. I felt it on the couch as he stopped moving and stared at me.

After a few minutes of silence I hated, I looked up. He didn't look disappointed or angry. He wasn't happy, but he was...I couldn't describe it. It was almost like he was waiting.

"I've thought about it since my leg," I went on, explaining my thoughts, "That's why I was practicing on the rope. I don't want my fight, my experience, my fear of Lust to keep me from doing what I love. And I love dancing, Error. I love it as much as I love painting and drawing. It's just as much of an art to me. My body is art, is a painted canvas, and I want the world to know how I exhibit it."

Error nodded, sighing slightly, "I understand, Ink...but that place? Can you manage working with Lust again?"

I blew a breath through my teeth, "Yes, I can. I have a lot of friends there that won't let him use me again. And I won't ever do another partner dance with him like I used to."

Error huffed, leaning back. We sat in silence for a while and I grew a bit nervous, hugging Aquarelle to my chest.

"Well, I can't stop you when you make your mind up..." Error said at last, giving me a wane smile, "I know that much. But I'm going to come with you and watch you."

"Error, you don't have t-"

"I know I don't. But I want to know you're okay with going back."

That drew a smile from my face, "Okay..."

I knew that going to the club would make him nervous. The very fact that he was willing to put himself in direct discomfort for me and my safety warmed my heart. Even though I couldn't jump up and squeal and hug him tightly, I gave him the warmest smile I could, "Thank you, Error. Thank you so much...I love you..."

He smiled at me, "I love you, too, Ink..."

And he really did. I knew it.

(G)

I was wiping the bar in preparation for opening up at one when he walked in. Well, both of them. But he caught my attention first.

"Ink! What's up?" I called, leaning on my just wiped bar as Ink gave me a playful grin.

"Well, I'll be, if you've got an opening," he said, winking.

I stared at him, stunned for a moment. Then I grinned, "I've always got a spot for my favorite dancer."

Ink grinned, excited as he let out a small giggle, "G, honestly..." he said as he rolled his eyes.

Laughing, I offered my hand, "C'mon..."

Ink huffed, still playfully grinning. He took my hand and shook it once.

"May I be the first to welcome you home, L'Artiste."

(Error)

G did me a good favor. He took me out back as Ink went to his old dressing room, still full of his costumes, and showed me a rack of clothing. He looked at me thoughtfully, then grabbed several items off the rack. He laid them out and I was actually impressed at how much it covered.

There was a shoulder cape of dark blue trimmed in yellow. A deep, wine red V-neck shirt that was flowy and not tight, but somehow still sexy. Like a pirate, but clean. And some dark navy pants that were tight but at least they were long. Along with a mask swirling with red and yellow that went over my eyes. A curvy swirl design flowed up into a peak over my left eye and down to a similar but opposite point going down below my right eye.

G looked at me, handing me the clothes, "Ever run a bar?"

I shook my head and he just chuckled.

"C'mon, I'll show ya..."

----

Forty-five minutes later, I had just finished a crash course on all the alcohol served at the bar. G was making me a temp bartender so I could watch Ink without taking up customer space. G could also keep a close eye on Lust as Ink performed. I'd have help from the other employees and being behind the bar, I didn't have to touch people. I just had to hand them things and as a bonus, I had a barrier between me and the masses.

I had to wear the costume and thus, no one actually knew who I was. G struggled to come up with a nickname for me since all employees had one. He did tell me he'd be paying me for tonight since I was working and he didn't want me to work for free. It wasn't fair.

Ink refused to come out of his room. He kept replying playfully that he was still getting ready. But for almost an hour? Even G was confused.

G sat at the bar, looking over the empty club. He sighed and turned to me, "It'll get pretty busy. If you ever need a break, let the Royalty know and I can come back here."

"Royalty?"

"The waiters," G explained as more employees started arriving, "They're called Royalty. We've got Lord, King, Emperor, Monarch, Princeling, and Black Baron."

"Oh, okay...and are they all...?"

"Yes, they're all strippers. Everyone here is except you."

"Oh..." I paused, "Wait, you too?"

G just smirked at me, "Yup."

--------

"Destructeur!" G shouted behind me, making me jump.

"What?!"

"Your nickname, le Destructeur!" he said, leaning on the bar. The opening was in five minutes. Ink's show started in just over half an hour, "It's French for 'Destroyer'. Makes sense, since you do demolition."

He produced a little tag, "Name tag, with your nickname." He handed it to me with a grin. He gave me a small salute before pushing off the bar and turning around, "Prepare for a crowd. It's Friday night."

(3rd)

The crowd did come. No one paid much heed to the masked bartender. Anyone who started trying to flirt with Error was redirected by one of the Royalty. Lord's crop, which Error recognized well, now had a rhythm of snapping on the bar to get people's attention off Error.

The Black Baron also had a crop of sorts. His was more whip-like with leather tassels he'd drag on people's shoulders. Princeling was the youngest of the Royalty, at twenty-two. He was King's cousin. Both wore half capes on their shoulders, matching dark midnight blue lined with fiery colors. Emperor wore the colors of an Emperor penguin, a black tailcoat with white skinny jeans. No shirt. Monarch wore royal reds and purples in an embroidered vest.

All had flirty smirks and grins. Error would feel more uncomfortable. But he was behind a bar and they led all the people away from him. He was happy.

Soon the lights dimmed as the real show began. G came out in his Dragon regalia, which consisted of black reflective face paint, black skinny jeans, and suspenders hanging pointlessly from his belt. He welcomed everyone and the cheers got loud. Error focused on him as he began to speak.

"Welcome back to the Azure Orchid's Friday Night Freakout!"

Loud cheers accompanied him and he let it go for a while before asking for calm. He knew how to control a crowd.

"As you all know, we suffered a loss almost a year ago..."

Assent rang from the crowd.

G kept his face solemn, "We all miss him. But! We shall no longer worry, wish, and pine for him!"

Dead silence.

"Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome back," fog spread on the stage, lit with rainbow lights behind G, "In his grand entrance after much tragedy in his life, I am proud to introduce the great, the grand, the piece de resistance," G stepped to the side, 

"L'Artiste!"

The crowd went crazy as Error stared at the sight revealed.

Ink wore rainbow shorts and... nothing else. His body was covered in head to toe body paint. Swirling rainbows traced his frame as he walked out. Error went slack-jawed, as did everyone in the crowd.

Someone in the crowd, however, wasn't so overjoyed. He slunk away, scowling to himself as everyone cheered.

(Ink)

No one could see my blush of pride as I walked up to the pole. I grabbed it and swung, hearing more cheers.

"Oui, oui, it's me, mon amis!" I called out to loud cheers.

"Do you want a dance?!"

"YES!" everyone shouted. I saw familiar faces; Sci, Marvul, Sans, Outer, more.

That made me smile as the music started up. So I began to dance.

The background went away as I fell into familiar motions. I only ever danced for myself. And when I danced for myself, I danced my best. It was a beautiful, fluid dance. I spun on the pole with practiced ease, pulling myself up. I flipped over, doing a mid-air split over the pole as I spun. Landing on my feet I dipped down the pole, walking my hands up over and over as the beat climbed. It dropped and I bent back suddenly, dipping my head back and bending as far as my flexibility let me. I flashed a wink at the crowd before bending back up and continuing to dance.

At one point I noticed the tips being thrown at me and I had to suppress a giggle. God, if only I knew what Error was thinking at this moment...

(Error)

I shouldn't be behind the bar, was my number one thought. My face had warmed up so much I swore it was on fire and being near all the flammable alcohol made me nervous as I drooled at the sight of my boyfriend.

Jealousy reared its ugly head as I noticed the pile of green surrounding my boyfriend. I grit my teeth, forcing my eyes away from him as the cheers grew louder and drunker.

Just get through the night... it'll be okay... he loves you... Just, hold on...

(Ink)

At the end of the night, I was flushed and happy and high on life. My body paint had smeared. Sweat glistened down my...everything. I went back to my room and threw my robe on loosely. A few fellow dancers came and congratulated me on the return, also having swept up my tips.

Sitting on a little couch I started counting them, setting them in stacks. There were ones, obviously, fives, tens, and twenties. A handful of hundreds and fifties surprised me. A small hunch made me think it was Marvul's doing since he was loaded and always tipped well. But it didn't matter.

Soon, I got bored. I finished counting and huffed, looking around. My shift was over and I just wanted to go home, get a shower to get this paint off, and snuggle my boyfriend in loose PJs and watch our show.

As if on cue, just as I got bored Error came to my room. His outfit surprised me as I stood to greet him. I smiled, "G did well with you."

He chuckled. His face was bright red and looked like it'd been that way for a while. He eyed me, "You look beautiful, Ink..."

I smiled, swaying slightly, "Thanks, Ruru~ I did it all for you..." I walked over to him, hooking our first fingers together. He shivered slightly and looked at me, "The paint, the dance, the intro: it was all for you. Without you, I never would've done this. Thank you."

Error smiled at that, squeezing my fingers lightly before letting go, "You're welcome, Inky. Anything for you."

-----

We got home, me wrapped in a large brown coat and Error changed into his normal hoodie and shorts. Error let me go get a shower while he took Aquarelle out.

Refreshingly I dropped my coat on the couch and walked to the bathroom. Stepping into it I turned the hot water on, dropped my shorts and underwear, which was a thong, and looked in the cabinet. I had special soap for washing the oil-based body paint off. It was oil-based to shine and stay put.

One step under the water rejuvenated me. I tipped my face to meet the water, smiling slightly as I ran a hand through my hair. After standing there for a moment I got to work, grabbing my shampoo and scrubbing my hair thoroughly to get all the sweat out.

Once I finished shampooing and rinsed it out, I grabbed my body sponge and covered it liberally in the oil-washing soap. Then I washed the rainbow away, scrubbing my body clean of the paint and leaving nothing but my tattoos and my smile. I was still high on life after the show. A feeling I never shake, not since my first dance.

The water cleaned me, washing the soap away. After a quick scrub of conditioner, I rinsed everything and got out of the shower, refreshed and springy, but still wanting to sit and be lazy after all the exercise.

Drying myself off, I looked out and dashed to my loft where I changed into a loose t-shirt and pajama pants.

Error came back as I was walking down from my loft. He smiled at me as he put a sleepy puppy into her crate. He took a little bit to throw on some sweatpants and a big shirt in the bathroom. He refused to change in front of me.

Setting up the big teddy bear, he came back and I threw it on him as he sat down. I snuggled into it and smiled at him, "TV?"

Error smiled, "Yeah. Sounds great."