Goth's POV a few hours later

"Uuuugggghhh.....Mmmmm....."A voice groans

"I was wondering when you'd wake up."Another says

"Bout time."I say

I glance over to see Dream walking over with a dark grin. His cheeks glow yellow but his gaze is cold and grim. I glance down at my wrists and tug at the chains holding my wrists to a table.

"What's he doing here?"The groaning voice ask

I glance over and grin, glaring Slate down.

"Yeah, trust me that I'm not overjoyed to see your ugly face either!"I snap, summoning my scythe

I glance at Dream.

"I'm guessing this has something to do with Palette? How's that parenting going by the way? Oh wait, you're not a parent. A good one to ask, at least."I say with a shrug

"Quiet you. I have answers to get from either of you."He says

"And how will you get that without me talking?"I say

"Okay, you little smart-"He begins

"Oh, thanks! I do study to learn a lot. A good book never hurt anyone."I say, messing with him on purpose

He made Palette's life miserable so I don't mind being a pain for him that much.

"Shush! Now as I was saying-"He says, clearly getting irritated

Cling cling clang! Cling cling clank! Click clank cling!

"What are you doing?"He asks me

"Testing the restraints. It's kinda fun. Like a gym exercise band."I chuckle, easily tugging and stretching the chains

He frowns, his face darkening.

"Now, which one of you caused my son heartbreak and pain? So bad that I find him in tears?"He growls, glaring at both of us

"Oh, you actually cared to check on him for once?"I say, smiling and glaring right back

"Oh Brother, I've sensed a lot of negativity near you..."Nightmare chuckles as he enters the room

Dream slowly turns his head to the point that his neck audibly cracks to look at Nightmare.

"Ohhhh, Nightmare...You're next."He hisses

Nightmare's face goes blank, then he turns to leave with his tentacles forming hands to give the middle finger.

"Fuck this shit! I'm out!"Nightmare snaps

I frown and glance at Dream.

"If you want answers, ask Slate here. Palette told me what happened but I'd love to hear his reasoning!"I say, smiling at Slate

"Oh really? Well, Slate...You better start talking."He growls

I could see Slate start trembling and his face going grin with fear.

"H-How come you just took his word for it?"Slate stutters

"He protected my son from my brother and I haven't sensed anything to indicate that he's an issue for my son. You on the other hand have not done anything notable. My suspicions lie more on you."He says

"I'm his best friend after all! My kind is good to him unlike your kind!"I say, returning Slate's words back to him

"Having said that, I'm not leaving a stone unturned and I'm going to check him anyway."He says, putting his hands on either side of my forehead

His eyes glow a bright yellow and he hums with a stern look.

"Hmmm...Interesting....Oh, well that's new....hmmmm...Alright..."He mutters

After a few moments he removes his hands and blinks away the bright glow in his eyes.

"You're innocent of this. But I'll be keeping an eye on you for other reasons. Don't try anything, got it?"He says

I summon my list into my hands with a nod.

"What are you doing now?"Slate asks

I scan the list, then look at Slate.

"Your name left my list. Sir, I track and protect the innocent on this list. Including Palette. Slate was once on this list near the bottom, but you can see what happened."I say, lifting the list

He snatches it from me and reads it. His grip tightens, wrinkling the list, his face going blank but his eyes screaming in rage. Someone is going to die.

"I see....You're free to go..."He says

I smile as the chains on my wrist unlock, clicking open. I see Slate's face get filled with fear as he watches me get up, his jaw hanging open.

"Oh and Slate, don't try crying to your friend group about this. I already told them what you did and they're not happy with you for hurting our buddy Palette. Should've thought twice about hurting my best bud."I say

"I-I-I-! I didn't know this would happen!"He says

I steal a glance at him and grin wider, seeing him tremble.

Not so tough now are you? Arrogant dunce.

"Enjoy consequences!"I say, going out the door of the room

A few moments later I hear him screaming as Dream yells at him and who knows what else. I smile a bit.

Karma's a bitch, huh? And it's biting him in the ass. Now where the heck am I?

I glance around at the brick walls of the hallway as I walk through it. I come across doors labeled and decorated for various people. Dream, Ink, someone named Blue, Cross, Lux, Faith, Cloudberry, etc., etc. Many of the doors were dusty and had webs in the hinges besides Cross and Blue's rooms. I continue walking down the hall and find a freshly cleaned door without webs of any sort. I look at the room inside and it is neatly organized, full of color and cozy as if just waiting for the occupant to arrive and sleep in bed. Clear care was taken into the decoration of the room and it has been maintained more than the other rooms. I look to see who this room is meant for and see Palette's name drawn on the door.

I hear footsteps coming closer to me and glance to see Dream walking over.

"Welcome to my home. I see you found Palette's room...I hope one day to bring him here so we can be happy again...Where he can be protected."He says

"So this was here while he was abandoned in vast emptiness?"I ask

"Well, no...I didn't think of making a home back then...This space hall or home at all is quite newly constructed."He says

"Uh-huh...And I'm assuming those other names with cobwebs are other kids you didn't consider caring for until later?"I ask

He frowns, looking away.

"It's....complicated."He says

"Seems quite simply from my position. Negligent parenting is your flawed style as well as whoever else you parent with. Like the Ink guy."I say

"I am hoping to fix that by bringing the children here once I-"He begins

"Oh like a pretty house and being stuck in a room with you will magically undo what you did! Make up for everything. Really, it's quite naive to think that Palette or any of those kids would want anything to do with you after who knows how long you've treated them like an afterthought. Trading a cage of emptiness and loneliness for a decorative cage with the source of their pain. Yeah I don't see any issues there."I say

"I'm not looking for that to make up for what I did...or failed to do in this case. I just want to have a starting point to work up from. You're his best friend, could you suggest it perhaps?"He says

I see that he is being sincere and the begging look in his eyes.

"This alone is a big jump from the actual starting point. Ya know, getting them to talk to you. He has you blocked for a reason and doesn't like talking about family all that much. Well, the past family. Have you ever considered that maybe he and other kids have built their own lives that they won't drop for you?"I tell him, crossing my arms

"Please? It doesn't have to be moving in at first! I'm not asking for that large of a jump! Maybe just visitation, nights over and then holidays. I'll do anything! Please?"He asks, his eyes begging for me to agree

He did just go after the one that hurt Palette...Looking to protect Palette...He seems genuinely sorry and is begging just to have a life with him...

"Fine..."I sigh, then glance around

I notice some unmarked doors.

"But you might want to prepare two other bedrooms because he isn't leaving his brother and cousin alone at his home to spend time with you. That's a fact."I say

"He found a brother and cousin? Who?"He asks

"A brother named Gradient and a cousin named Radier."I say

"B-But those are Error's kids! I'm not having a destroyer's kids in-!"He begins

"Ah ah ah!~ You said you'd do anything! If you don't do that, you can kiss your chances goodbye."I say

He groans before sighing.

"Fine."He says, pouting

I nod, then see the front door.

"I'm going to take my leave."I say

"One last thing..."He says

I groan, my shoulders slumping.

"What?"I ask

"When is his birthday?"He asks

I facepalm, shaking my head.

"He's a Leo to help narrow it down. I think you should try to remember or figure it out and that will show how much you care. Consider it a first step or test."I say, then leave the home.

I open a portal with my scythe and go through, shutting it behind me. I see Palette walking down a trail toward me. He spots me and smiles, waving to me. I smile at him, feeling relaxed already.

"Hey, Goth. Your bro has been looking for you."He says

"Ah! Whoops, I forgot my phone. I was...checking things on this new list of mine."I say

He smiles at me, holding my hand gently with a soft glow in his eyes. I feel my cheeks burn.

Palette certainly is someone special...

He gives me my scarf and wraps it around my neck.

"Shino wanted me to give you it if I find you."He says

"Are you doing better?"I ask

"I'll definitely have trust issues but yeah...I'll be ok. I'm doing better."He says

I see his eyes dim.

"I'm here for you if you ever need a shoulder to lean on."I say

"Thanks..."He sighs with a smile

I'll be who he needs and deserves......Unlike Slate...

TBC