Error stared at the ground, dry swallowing as Ink continued explaining every single rule he had made for Error. Error wasn't really listening, his brain wasn't actually registering any of it. Ink eventually finished, and Error snapped back to reality, his eyes wide and he nodded when Ink asked if he had been listening. "Good. I swear, Error, and I'm being completely serious, if you don't fix this..." Ink's threat made Error tear up and look away, nodding. He quietly mumbled that he understood. Ink grabbed his wrist, "Alright. Let's go then." He teleported them, causing Error to fizzle. They were in front of the front door. Error immediately looked around. No pure stone walls. No chains. No vivid memories of spots he'd been violated in. The sky and moon and stars! People! He didn't even like people, but he was so happy to see them now, he just couldn't believe he was finally out of the room... but it was just so that he could convince people that he wasn't... and so that he would have to go back.

Ink noticed Error crying and was about to scold him when Dream threw the door open and was about to hug Error before pausing and instead standing in front of him, crying, "Error!! Error you're okay!" Error couldn't help it, when he saw Dream, he felt like crying and his chest got heavier, so quickly, he hugged him, tightly, regardless of the glitch and uncomfortable feeling it sent through his entire body. He had been wanting to hold Dream for so long now. He had missed him so much. He began to cry harder, but he was smiling all the while. Dream relaxed his whole body, feeling so happy. "I was so worried Error! I was so worried you were hurt or... or worse!!" Error wanted to tell Dream that he was hurt, but that nothing, nothing, could be worse. And he was going to be hurt again. Even just messing up one word would for sure earn him... he didn't want to think about it, squeezing his eyes shut as he hugged Dream closer, hiding his tear streaked face in his shoulder as a sob wrenched his whole body.

Dream held him tighter in return, "What happe- no. I... I shouldn't pry. At least not this early. I'm sure you had your reasons for disappearing, I just... I was so paranoid..." Dream let out a weak sob. Blue walked over, inspecting Error. Nothing seemed off, not that he could tell at least. Error was thankful for that. If Blue started questioning him... Ink would for sure rape him when they returned. A pain shot through his soul at the thought. But Ink would probably rape him regardless. He knew that. He felt his body softly shaking at the idea of going back to his prison tonight. Dream quickly led him and Ink inside as he thought about it. Error was zoned out as he was sat down on the couch. Dream brought out hot tea and cookies. Error's throat was dry, but he wasn't hungry. He stuck with tea.

"Oh Error... I was seriously worried there. You seemed so upset before you left..." Dream sat next to him, and Error glitched softly. Dream smiled softly, tearing up again. "I'm... oKaY..." Error softly lied. "I'm really glad... but you don't feel okay... your energy is telling me you're upset...? Or hurt...?" Dream softly questioned. Error was quick to shake his head, "A... loT, hAs BeEn GoInG ON..." He looked away. He hated lying to Dream. He felt terrible not telling him what was wrong and crying to him, having the kind guardian comfort him and tell him everything was alright, and that Ink would never touch him, ever again. Error began to cry again. Dream hugged him slowly, trying to stay in his boundaries, he didn't know Error couldn't crash at the moment. Then he seemed to notice something and squeezed Error softly, but he didn't vocalize his concerns.

Error cried harder. He'd never needed a hug more in his life. He melted in the hold, burying his face in Dream's chest as he made himself as small as he possibly could to get as close up to Dream as possible. Dream petted his head and quietly comforted him, asking why he was crying so hard. Error couldn't answer, his sobs and soft glitches making it hard to speak. Dream understood, standing up, "I think this is too much for poor Error. Can we have a moment... alone?" Dream's sentence caused alarm in both Error and Ink, though Ink was much better at hiding it, since his emotions were false anyways. "Is that really such a good idea...? I mean, not to insult Error or anything, but he could seriously hurt you." Ink's excuse fell on deaf ears as Dream shook his head. "Error isn't going to hurt me. And if he does I'll be close by. Just give us a moment." He softly took Error's hand and carefully led him to a nearby room. He could practically feel what Ink was going to do to him later.

Error was fizzling and popping, as if he were personified Pop-Rocks. What was Ink going to do to him for this later? What if he was taking a tally of all the things Error was doing wrong, and he was going to punish him worse for every bad thing he did?? Error was slightly hyperventilating by the time Dream got him sat down on the guest room couch. Error looked up at him, messing with his hands. "Hey... I'm right here... there's nothing to be scared of." Dream sat down, "I'll protect you, I promise. I'm sorry I didn't find you before. I don't know what happened, but I promise. It'll never happen again." Dream hugged him again and Error hugged back. Error wanted to believe him, but he was so afraid of Ink and he was so hopeless... he just knew Ink would never allow him to see Dream again after this. He knew he'd be forced to go back with him and Ink would hurt him again and again and again until he finally got bored. Error hoped it would be soon. And he'd kill him.

Dream could sense all of Error's emotions. And what was worse? He was sure most of them were directed at Ink. He held Error closer. Error whimpered and held himself closer to Dream as well. Dream could tell something was deeply troubling Error and the thought upset him. "Error... did Ink hurt you...?" Dream looked down at him, "Ink convinced me you were lying, you know... but seeing and feeling you now... I don't know..." Dream's words shocked Error to his core and he quickly shook his head, terrified of what Ink would do if he told. "No! N-nO! I WAs GoiNG THroUgh A MaNiC SpELl ANd I goT ConFuSEd!" Error's quick explanation offered Dream very little ease, but he slowly nodded anyway. He knew it was  best not to pry if Error was this scared, and he was sure he was. That was when Error realized, that's what Ink hadn't accounted for. Dream's ability to feel emotions. He must not have been thinking about it, otherwise he would've know this plan would never work. Error began to feel strange, and it took him a moment to realize, but he was hopeful.

When Error's crying suddenly got violent again, Dream was concerned, but when he lifted Error's head to wipe his tears, he was smiling, he pulled Dream close again before pulling back to avoid a meltdown from his haphephobia. He hugged himself. He was happy. If Dream could piece together the pieces he couldn't help him! He could save him! Dream sighed quietly, "Let's go back to the others and talk about this. I won't bring up the idea of Ink hurting you in there, okay?" Dream smiled softly at him. Error nodded, wiping his tears. "CaN I... hOlD YoUr HANd...? I prOmIsE I'll STOp iF I GeT oVeRWhELmEd." Error held out one of his hands and Dream took it. "Of course you can." They went out to the living room again and sat down.

"Okay. Error's calmed down. Now why don't you two explain what happened?" Dream requested. After they recounted their fabricated story, or, Ink recounted and Error nodded silently in agreement, the other two Star Sanses sat silently for a few minutes before making eye contact, then Dream spoke, "If Error's having breakdowns that bad in the antivoid, I think he should stay here for now on. Clearly the Antivoid isn't healthy for his mental well-being. And I'm sorry Ink, I know you think he's dangerous but Blue agrees and I'm sorry but that means we outvote you." Before Ink could protest, Error quickly made a decision. He knew it was risky, and he was terrified of the consequences, but he nodded, "I woULd LiKe ThAt." Error squeezed Dream's hand before having to let go as he glitched. He felt a small shock and almost yelped, but held it in. Ink's hand was resting in his pocket, and he knew he had shocked him. It was warning him of a punishment yet to come, and the thought terrified him.

Error knew this agreement could cost him his life and Ink would probably just torture and kill him, but it was worth a shot. He knew he had to try. At least a little bit. The rest of the day consisted of explaining and talking. Ink seemed a little annoyed the rest of the day, and Error knew why. It was obvious, and the thought was almost a little terrifying. Ink was mad at him. Eventually, Error quietly told Dream he didn't want to talk about it anymore, and Dream respected that, which warmed Error's soul. What he wanted hadn't been respected in much too long. He felt almost powerful. So why was he still so scared...? "Alright well, it's getting late. Error can stay in the empty room next to mine. So don't worry, Error, if something happens just call for me and I'll be there." Dream smiled warmly at him, "Tomorrow will be like normal, sorry we didn't have dinner tonight. Are any of you hungry?" Error shook his head and Ink said "nah".

"I am, see you guys tomorrow, assuming you're going to bed. Nighty night!!" Blue giggled, being cheerful as usual, waving, "Glad to have you here Error, I'm happy you're safe." He smiled as he left to go eat. Error smiled too, shyly looking down at his lap. He finally felt safe again. Ink headed to his room and Dream led Error to his. "Really Error, if you're upset or in trouble or even just need to talk to someone... I'm right next to you, I'm always here for you." Error teared up at Dream's reassuring words, nodded and softly hugged Dream before quickly pulling back, only able to handle slight touching. Dream quietly said goodnight, Error doing so as well, then they both entered their respective rooms. The guest room was very welcoming, and he was quick to climb into the bed and snuggle into its warm, welcoming blankets and many many pillows. He looked around the darkened room, lit up by the moonlight filtering in through the window, and he took the time to admire its beauty. No stone walls, no loops to be chained to, no memories of places Ink had hurt him.

He felt so safe. But that feeling was only temporary, and the sound of his door opening was only the beginning to that realization.