It's a new day and many thoughts are had. Blue tries but that isn't always enough

—-

Reaper was glad Goth was back, but the words would not leave his mind.

"I am the most replaceable one"

When did Goth, his own child, start thinking like this. The knowledge the other knew about the balance was baffling but it seemed more of a curse, with how Goth viewed himself. He couldn't help the tears falling down his face while watching Goth sleeping in the living room at Inks home. He hovered closer and placed a shaking hand on the other's skull. He breath stuttered at feeling the others SOUL reach out to his magic, as if begging for death to take them. He gently rubbed the other's skull and felt bittersweet. The first time he touched his child and this is what he learnt.

"I'm keeping him Reaper. I'm not letting Goth leave us that easily".

He startled at Ink being awake but only nodded his head in acceptance. It seemed his role at being a parent was a failure but hopefully others could help. He slowly pulled away and left. He needed to be alone with all the facts he learned and he no longer had a place by Goth's side.

The morning came and Goth enjoyed the warmth he was surrounded in. He smelled food being cooked but was too relaxed to move. While he had gotten into a routine of eating he wasnt sure if he liked it.

He always felt overcharged after food and sometimes he expelled the magic, before his body could absorb it. Taking magic from others directly was a much more preferred method. Opening his eyes he noticed that Reaper wasn't there anymore. He wasnt sure why his SOUL ached at the thought but pushed it away. He nudged Palette awake and moved to the kitchen.

Dream had woken up first and it almost felt like yesterday was just a bad memory, till he saw Goth. He distracted himself by making food with Ink joining him. Placing the plates on the table he saw Goth already seated.

When everyone sat down Dream could not keep his eyelights off of Goth. Watching the other stare at his food in uncertainty was odd, until he remembered he had never seen Goth eat. How had they missed this? Even at Goth's birthday he would only look at the sweets given and put them in his inventory. He was scared to ask the other where it had all gone, as he felt he already knew the answer.

Dream wasn't sure how to bring up his concerns but it seemed Ink had other plans.

"Goth, I want to form a bond with you. I consider you my child and would love for you to stay, p-please?".

The confidence seemed to dwindle the longer Ink spoke but Goth saw no surprise from the other two at the table. They must have discussed this before, but why? He was a cursed being and should have been gone long ago. Reaper leaving helped confirm he had finally pushed the other too far to even pretend to care.

"I don't think that is a good idea Ink. Two parents have already left me. I'm pretty sure there is something wrong with me at this point".

It had been a recurring theme these last few lives. so he saw no issue with his statement. The others looked a bit unsure but maybe they were reconsidering wanting him? Before anyone could open their mouths, strings surrounded him and dragged him through a staticky portal. Was he being kidnapped again? That was quick.

That thought was discarded when he saw the others be dragged through too. Looking around he saw they were in a meeting room at the Council of sans. Why were they here? More importantly, why was he here? He was sure Reaper would at least tell him what jobs he would need to do from now on, not strangers.

-

Blue wasnt sure how his life got more complicated but it was probably when he encountered Dream and Ink. He had been dazzled when the two introduced themselves and felt awe at the role they did. He had jumped at the chance to get close to the others and had grown to care for them as family.

He listened as Dream cried at not being close to his brother anymore and Ink worries about being forgotten by everyone. His SOUL felt warm at the closeness they shared and he wanted to help more.

He had grown stronger over the years and finally felt he contributed equally in the fights they took part in. He was never sure why the Bad sans or Error caused such destruction, but he believed they could do better!

When he heard they had kidnapped a babybones, he felt his SOUL drop in dread. He hadn't spent much time with Goth, as the other always seemed so busy, but he knew how loved he was by Blues friends. He had been determined to help anyway he could and supported Inks plan fully.

The ambush that Ink had planned was a failure from the start, with the enemy being there before them. He saw how close they had been to subduing Error when Inks magic swept across the area. He shivered at the malice in the magic and realised a cease of all activities had been declared. Seeing Goth in Inks arms pleased him but the meeting just added more confusion.

"Goth, why don't you tell me what your role really means".

Blue made sure to retain all information he heard. He never really knew what the babybones did and was slightly curious.

"I am the balancer for SOULS, which is mainly affected by the other balance keepers. Too much Destruction leads me to releasing SOULS from rest to be reborn to fill the space. Too much Creation means more SOULS are held in the great beyond"

.......That couldn't be right. He never heard Ink or Dream tell him about this. Looking around he saw even Reaper looked shocked. How did Goth know this?

"What happens when a balancer disappears, Goth"

"I'm used in exchange of course. You've heard an eye for an eye, like the humans say. I am the most replaceable one, so if one of you died my existence would be taken for your rebirth".

Blue couldn't help reacting at this. This was a step too far. This had to be a joke.

"HE HAS TO BE LYING. A BABYBONES SHOULD NOT HAVE THAT ROLE. MAYBE NIGHTMARE DID SOMETHING TO HIM"

"We don't have that sort of power Blue. Neither i nor Nightmare can fully control the minds of monsters, let alone baby Gods"

He knew Dream had a point but he needed something to explain this. A babybones should not have this burden placed upon them in the first place. He observed both apple twins and neither spoke out at sensing a lie. His SOUL felt heavy with the knowledge he was learning.

"You can choose someone else for my role. It will only require Rea- father to do it. Should take seconds".

Blue was glad a solution was available, as he had no idea how he could be of help to the other. This was treading into God territory and he was still a normal monster, no matter who his friends were.

"YES! THAT IS PERFECT, LETS DO—"

"What does it require, Goth. You are leaving something out"

He kept his mouth shut when Nightmare spoke. He didnt want to make this tentative cease fire turn to violence. He was surprised how calm the Bad sans were being to be honest. Killers stillness was unnerving him and he kept expecting a knife to be thrown at any moment. Goths voice made him jolt back to awareness.

"Father just needs to use his scythe to cut my SOUL from the cycle. I would dust, but a new being would be chosen to replace me".

This couldn't be right. This wasn't the child that Ink said acts like a stubborn cat around him. This couldn't be the sane Goth that Dream saw as Palettes little brother. This looked more like a doll with a painted on smile and calm voice. Even Nightmare looked horrified by the answer!

The rest of the meeting dragged on with everyone trying to ignore the elephant in the room. Every glance at Goth showed the other daydreaming, with seeming no care at all.

" A truce would be nice and all but i want to know what's happening with Goth. Squid, what's the plan? "

Blue wasn't sure what to feel about the Destroyer. He never got too close to the other but this care did not fit the laughing maniac he had seen previously.

"I refuse to let you idiots make it worse. I will be included in this or there will be no truce".

What did Goth do to bring out the softness of the others? He was looking forward to finding out for himself and helping in any way. He had nothing else to add so he watched and observed, hoping a peaceful resolution would be found.

-

A good sleep helped Blue organise all that he learnt. They would be having another meeting today with Goth being distracted by someone. They didn't want to make the other feel obligated to take on more responsibilities.

He however did not enjoy being dragged to the meeting by Error's strings, as he had seen the damage they could do too often. He was glad it was quick travel at least. Blue was glad he wasn't the only one snatches as he saw Ink, Dream and even Palette arriving like him. He was worried when Goth's strings stayed around him and was kept close to Error.

Discussions were had and Dream and Nightmare were chosen to spend the day with Goth. Dream looked pleased but Nightmare looked like he regretted even getting up today.

"Fine, but only because of the truce. You better not annoy me all day, Dream!"

Error finally left Goth's side and seemed to be trying to calm Nightmare down. Blue was wary of how sharp the other tentacles had gotten and the rapid movements. Walking up to Goth he hoped to learn more about the other.

"HELLO BABYBONES. HOW ARE YOU DOING?"

"I'm good. Is there a reason you are so close to me, Blue? Haven't you heard that i am dangerous?".

He was confused what Goth meant. He rarely heard anything negative about Goth and wondered what others had been telling the babybones. His confusion must have been obvious as Goth looked at him in pity.

The other looked around and walked out the building, indicating for Blue to follow. He noticed Goth made sure to never touch another monster and was confused why this was. He admired the universe the Council of sans was located in and almost missed the babybones crouching down to grab a flower.

"I'm sure you have heard others talke about Reapers touch and how deadly it is. Tell me Blue, do you know how little it takes to dust a monster with that type of power?"

He hated how dark this conversation was getting. He also observed how they didn't call Reaper father anymore and was unsure what had changed since yesterday. Blues eyelights were drawn to the blue flower, that Goth was twirling in his fingers.

"It only takes a flicker of our power to do our job after all".

He noticed a cold feeling settling in his bones and the way his breath slightly fogged,, at the rapid change in temperature. When he was about to ask what was going on he saw the flower wither then dust in the others hand. Looking down he noticed a perfect circle of dead flowers where Goth was standing. He couldn't help the shiver that ran up his spine nor the instinctive step back.

The feeling faded just as quickly and warmth flooded to his bones.

"I'm glad you understand Blue. Dangerous things should be avoided after all".

Blues eyelights never left Goth's figure. He watched them walk towards the apple twins, who were waiting a few feet away. Guilt welled up in his SOUL, as he knew he had made the other believe he feared them. He prided himself on being an open minded monster and Goth's power did not change that. He wasn't blind to how the others power never reached him, nor the control the other wielded. He promised himself he would make it up to the other as soon as he could.

~~~~~

Blue: Why is everyone worried about Goth?

Goth: *trauma dumps like a champ*

Blue:....oh