Otherwise known as Rosaās Drink master essay on the perfection of the ship. (Trademarkedā¦.) also helped by @grayskiesandink
Important Notes: This is all MY interpretation and will not line up with everyone's opinion on the character's og versions. / always try to keep the characters accurate, but this also boils to opinion and interpretation of the characters. This is also not a ramble made to put down other ships or to make Drink seem like the "best" ship. This is all in good fun. If you don't agree with some of the stuff / say here, that's completely fine and I don't expect you to. Please remember I'm just having fun and writing the majority of this between my college classesāterribly sleep deprived. I just want an excuse to explain my thoughts on how Drink could work and how perfectly they fit together. Thank you, and happy reading!
Okay letās address the THE FIGHT
Okay. Iām just gonna address this one first, because I know this is going to be at the forefront of everyoneās minds before we begin. What about the canon fight Dream and Ink have that seperated them and makes Dream no longer trust Inkās intentions? I have my criticisms of the fight, and how I donāt think people portray both parties as in the wrong enough. But thatās not what this post is about. However, letās get one thing straight. Both Ink and Dream are valid in their argument.
Ink has this role he gave himself in order to stay alive. The AUS are his life force, and if the Creators of the Multiverse get bored and leave him behind because their AUS keep getting saved, then Ink dies. And of course, he doesnāt want that. You could argue itās a selfish reason to save one personās life over millions, but I also see it as self preservation. Ink isnāt evil for fearing death. Ink isnāt wrong for being desperate to stay alive. Thereās no other solutions that work besides fighting to keep the AUS untouched, so he has to do what he has to do. Not to mention he doesnāt WANT to see people suffer. He doesnāt get happy watching people die or get traumatized. It does make him sad seeing stories go that way, but because of his detachment, he reasons itās just how things need to be. I would label Ink as evil if he ENJOYED what was happening, but it just isnāt like that. Itās him not interfering at all to prevent any non-written endings, which includes keeping the happy ones safe. He wants to stay alive. So he lets the creators have their way. I donāt think you can say heās wrong for that, when we ourselves are those very creators, and he simply is the one character written to also understand our perspectives. Weāve doomed him to that role.
Dream is also not wrong for his position. Nobody would want to watch millions of people suffer and have to do nothing. Dream is able to go in and save the people within AUS, especially since he blames himself for not being able to do so with Nightmare. I canāt blame him for seeing the horrors of AUS and genuinely wanting to make a difference. Itās in his nature to protect and save. Heās a kind person who simply wants to do good. Thereās no way he can be seen as wrong in this, no matter how he may react to Ink. Although I think itās harsh of him to condemn Ink so harshly when he would know at that point about Inkās lack of soul and where the vials come from, I completely understand where heās coming from. His distrust to Ink is more than valid, and their morals just donāt align enough for them to work as teammates when they canāt properly game-plan during a fight.
With this said, what I do critique is the insistence that they do not somehow work it out and become friends again or more. Especially with how many connections and trust they have within one another that is unmatched to any other party in the Multiverse. Writing off a dynamic so deep and complex like this into an endless loop of disagreements is unjust. These two have way too much at stake within their friendship to simply end because of a morality fight. Hell, if Dream can withstand Nightmareās torment for years and Insist he can do better and improve, thereās no CHANCE in hell that Dream canāt offer that grace to Ink after a simple conversation between the two, which I believe fully can happen when we analyze just how important these two are for one another.
Iām not ignoring the fight here. I simply think believing that itās the end of these two entirely is crazy, and Iād like to prove to you all exactly why I think this in todayās essay.
I think the most apparent and obvious reason as to why Drink is a lovely ship is the mere fact that their differences is also their greatest form of trust.
Dream has lived his life being used for the positivity he can provide via the apples, or now, himself. His aura influences every relationship he has, and he can never be sure if people's love for him is only due to the joy he brings through his soul. Dream already struggles deeply with trust after the villagers harmed him so greatly. Friendships do not come easy, and even though he has Core Frisk and Blue, there's issues with each of those connections. Frisk is a child, not a peer. Blue is a mortal, and can also be swayed, even if his positivity outshines Dream's own aura at times. Hell, he can't even touch his brother again without getting burned, and that is his only form of connection to his home and life left.
Dream has no one he can truly be himself with, and most relationships he gets into will always have a fine line of knowing that he might've caused that love by releasing too much positivity near them. If that's not a worry, then the invasion of knowing someone's feelings at all times is one. His partners or friends can never hide how they are feeling near Dream, and he always has a look into their souls, even if he doesn't want to disrespect them in such a way. It's something most would feel violated by, even if they understand Dream can't help it. You could argue his abilities are not this strong to constantly have this question hanging in the air, but even so, DREAM would think it regardless. He already loathes himself so deeply. Even if it was all in his head, it would still be a thought that plagues him. However, Ink isn't influenced. Ink has no soul. All Dream feels from Ink is blankness, because there's no aura to pick up.
Ink cannot be swayed by Dream's influence, nor will Dream be able to look into his soul and see if he's hiding he's upset. It's a wall, in a way, and though it likely would scare Dream at first, at the end of the day, itās something comforting. Dream gets to figure out someoneās emotions by not cheating with his aura, but by genuinely knowing the person and how they tick. Dream can fully allow himself to trust in Inkās love for him, and he canāt simply deny that Inkās enjoyment of his company is genuine. For once, Dream would have someone he can fully rely on and trust is telling the truth about his feelings, because truly, what point would there be for Ink to lie about his own personal feelings to Dream? Especially when the fight exists. Heās not afraid of losing Dream due to his blunt ideals if that has anything to say about it, so he would have nothing to lose by being honest with Dream. And Dream knows that.
For Ink, his life is centered around choices. He picks and choses his vials, which are his emotions. Sure, they are real, but it doesnāt change the fact that he can chose certain ones to feel and ones to not. These feelings impact how he thinks of people and how he responds to things in life, and so, if he doesnāt wish to feel, he wonāt. You have to be a very interesting person to gather Inkās full attention, and for their friendship to have lasted as long as it did, it truly says a lot. Ink doesnāt get forced into loving Dream. Itās his choice. Itās his decision to move forward and be with him entirely. He actively CHOOSES to relish in the love he has for him, and though it goes against all the rules heās made for himself, Ink still proceeds.
Dreamās self loathing canāt deny these feelings, as it would be directly denying the reality behind Inkās vials and their importance, and he would never wish to do that. Dream has to be fully confident in Inkās love for him to actually respect Ink as a person, which makes it all the more real. For Ink, Dream would be one of his first real connections that genuinely wishes to understand him. Dream is kind and genuine, and Ink may not deserve that at times, but heās given it anyways. Him being paired up with someone with so much love for life, while Ink canāt understand it, is poetic in some ways. Dream is his anchor when it comes to living. Not only can Ink experience his emotions with his vials, but he can trust in someone who loves him as he is and allow himself to feel realā heartbreak, anger, pain, love. All that comes with a relationship. Dream helps him experience life. Heās the only one Ink allows himself to give in to.
If youāre doubting whether or not Ink actually does trust Dream above most others, the fact that the Star Sanses existed or that they were so close is evidence enough. Ink had no real reason to join the group, but he does anyways for many years. He knows it goes against his morals, and yet heās working alongside them anyways. You could call that selfish, but why decide to do that anyways? Maybe, just maybe, itās because Ink loves Dream enough to pretend and forget. To ignore their conflicts and to relish in the good times he has beside him. For someone who does not usually care for others, that commitment to sticking around is interesting. Thatās not the only sign, either. Most people in media do not know where the DoodleSphere is, and if they do, they break in. However, Dream is showcased to be one of the few who genuinely knows the location and doesnāt anger Ink when he enters it, as seen in Underverse. Dream is also usually the only one who is stated to see Ink break down and shatter in stories before their fight, and Inkās mask NEVER slips. The fact that Dream witnessed these breakdowns in Underverse or any other forms of media is crucial.
Ink trusts Dream. Whichā¦he doesnāt usually trust anyone. And yet, he trusts him. And Dream trusts Inkās emotions. Which not many can say the same.
Dreamās mere existence is not normal. I donāt think people realize how important this is to their dynamic, as Iāve never seen this discussed when Drink comes up. Dreamās AU is not a Undertale AU. Itās not even classified as a AU. Itās supposed to be a regular story, and I know that usually annoys people, but for Ink? This likely destroys his mind.
A lot of Inkās usual interactions with other characters are surface level due to his detachment to everyone. Ink has a canon god complex, and see himself as above all the others, viewing them as nothing more than characters. His connections with others are limited, and his only close friend is his father, who is classified as his own creator. Which showcases that Ink tends to trust in those that are above the systemā and on his level in a way. With Dream being from an original story, with his mother not even FROM Undertale as a whole, Ink can NOT default to his usual coping mechanisms with Dream. He canāt simply pass him off as another character he grows bored with. Dream is equal to him. His origins are from a different Multiverse entirely, and heās not exactly supposed to be there, and yet, he is. The balance infects the Multiverse and is needed to be upkeep, making Dream find a role, like Ink had to deal with once. A protector was not needed until he made a role for himself. Dream is as real of a person that Ink will ever be able to run into, and I think it would break him a little. Ink canāt just run away this time. Dream is right in front of him, making him feel things he never usually does, and for once, he canāt stop it.
This person that he has a friendship with, being on his same level and forcing him to careā to chose to careā is something heās not used to. We already know that Ink struggles with his attachment to his fathers because he canāt fully see them as just characters, so knowing Dream is even more self assured in that sense would force Ink to confront his love for someone. No longer can he hide behind his petty excuses and his apathy. If he loves Dream, he loves him. Itās not as easy as letting the story proceed and laying off. Dream forced himself into the story, like Ink did. If Ink belittled Dream into being a character, Ink would also have to admit heās not above all the others as wellā and that his God complex is just an excuse for his distrust towards others. So, he WOULD have to accept Dream as his equal, which causes its own issues.
If Ink wants to protect Dream, it wouldnāt be against his morals to do so. He could fully defend him and prevent things from happening to Dream, and that would shock him to his core. He could prevent a death of someone he truly loves for the first time ever. Dream doesnāt even have a canon ending written down yet, which makes his fate hang in the air. Heās already not supposed to be there, but his ending being undecided too? Being able to morph and twist however Dream wishes? Like Ink is able to? This person that teaches him about trust, understanding, love, and kindness, is the one being in the Multiverse that floats above the typical Multiverse rules Ink sets for himself. How is he not bound to trip over himself for Dream? (Lol)
Dream is quite literally the one person Ink canāt deny. The one person he can throw himself towards and never have to let go for his own āmorals.ā No matter the disagreements, Ink isnāt forced to stand by and let go. He can do something. He doesnāt have to just protect AUS, but Dream as well.
With all this said, their friendship with one another is so important for both of them to feel safe in life. While this is about their ship, them starting out as insanely close friends is an important part of their relationship as well. As Iāve stated, Inkās never gotten a connection he can fully see as his equal, or even care for. While he canonically loves his fathers (which makes him capable of love btwā¦), thereās nobody else besides that. Comyet has stated that heād be friends with Error if they ever met, but we all know that thereās some disconnection between those two. People obviously will still love that dynamic, and I donāt blame them, but with Dream and Ink, thereās a spark that they donāt really share with anyone else.
Ink can trust Dream. He can LOVE Dream. Morally and ethically in his book. He has someone he can keep around if he wishes, which means he actually has toā¦do that. Ink has to learn how to be a good friend if he doesnāt want to lose the only one who he can ever hide from the world with. Ink has to learn to be kinder. Which is good for his development. Because of Dreamās mere presence, Ink has to strive to better himself and understand others to keep him, as we see with the fight. He has to put effort and admit his feelings openly and trust in his vials. If he doesnāt trust in himselfā if he doesnāt actually try, he could lose Dream. In the past, he could reason his efforts away with his lack of connection but Dream isnāt like that. He canāt push Dream away because for once, Ink met someone whoās everything he needs, and would likely be terrified of losing the only selfish desire thatās all his. He doesnāt have to share Dream with the Multiverse. He doesnāt have to see him as a piece of AUS. Heās real. Heās one of the only people that can be apart of INKāS story as a main character. A friend. A lover. Anything. Thereās no way he would just let that go unless he really despised himself, and Ink just isnāt that self-loathing. Heās too petty and confident for that type of behavior, so he would latch on and never let go.
Meanwhile, with Dream, heās wanted for the first time in his life. Not because of what he can provide with his aura, or his strength, but because of who he IS. Ink admires and clings to the mere identity of Dream. He loves who Dream is and THATāS why he canāt let go, which is something Dream never wouldāve experienced before. To be wanted so desperately, that your mere origin and role in the multiverse has someone wanting you? Dream is finally loved fully and honestly, from the bottom of his codes. His soul has nothing to do with it. He could be a variety of thingsā different in a multitude of ways and yet, Ink would still be there clinging. For once, Dream is understood. For once, Dream can trust and let himself be vulnerable. He doesnāt have to be perfect when near Ink, as Ink doesnāt care for Dreamās imperfections and loved them just as deeply. Inkās mere solitude also makes Dream comfortable because Ink is in no place to judge if Dream gets angry and screams. If Dream one day cracks and the two fight and fight until their throats grow horse, Ink will still be there, hovering close. Dream can hurt, bite, and sob and Ink will still see him as apart of his story. Rather than forced to behave to keep from people getting hurt because of his aura, or faking a smile when he struggling because he has to be perfect, he can be ugly and mean. Ink lets Dream be an actual being.
The fact that the fight even happened? Yeah. That justā¦leads into this. I donāt think such a fight would happen with any other character for Dream, even when it came down to the same morals. The reason it hurts so bad is because itās ugly. Itās messy and cruel and they likely say terrible things to one another but thatās the point. They cant do that with anyone else. Dream is ALLOWED to be mean and hold a grudge against an individual. Ink is ALLOWED to mourn and argue back and feel the horrible emotions residing within that makes him want to throw up. Ink feels alive. Dream feels alive. They feel like this because standing off and screaming their heads off is so rare for them, but needed. It completes them and makes them monsters. They may fight, avoid one another, and distrust each other, but the fact they even dare to feel the depths of such emotions is proof of their connection.
Because of this, I donāt think the fight is anything more than a bump in their friendship. Thereās too much on the lineā too much trust and commitment that neither fully graspā but canāt live without. Theyād end up with one another again out of want and choice. Theyād make it work because they desperately NEED to, as they canāt be alone again after the beauty and love they found with one another once upon a time. Itās a feeling nobody can easily give up. Not even Ink himself, lol.
I think Ink can teach Dream that thereās positivity in even the darkest AUS, and thatās what makes it so beautiful. That even in Horrortale, Sans and Papyrus still make jokes with one another and try to find joy. The small specks of happiness in those AUS are the strongest postive feelings Dream can experience, as itās the result of fighting for something better. Although I think Dream forever will hate negative AUS, Ink himself could teach Dream the importance of the balance and negativity. While terrible in some cases, its presence makes positivity sweeter. It could give him a greater appreciation for themā maybe understanding of Inkās amazement with all AUS. Dream striving to understand Ink is clear, and I think heād try even in cases like this, because he loves him. Why wouldnāt he try?
I say all of this with the idea that they donāt even have to be dating during all this. Their connection as peopleā finding their first true friends in one anotherā is something I canāt forget about in favor of their romance. They mean more to one another than just lovers.
Okay this is a more humorous reason, but it still aligns with the core of Ink. As I stated throughout this essay, Dream is unlike other characters due to the fact heās not really a Undertale Multiverse character at all. Heās the guardian of positivity and is one of the strongest immortals in the multiverse. Everyone in the Multiverse loves Dreamā heās almost like a prince. Kind, handsome, and a savior to many. Heās the main hero in so many peopleās stories, and for good reason. He has a genuinely kind soul and wants everyone to be happy. He also strives to see the good in even the worst people, which is a trait not many can possess. Dream stands out in the Multiverse like a sore thumb because heās above it all, and also an influence people arenāt used to.
And then we have Inkā¦anti-social, blunt, loud. Heās not well liked at all by the others in the Multiverse, and he prefers it that way. Itās hard for him to find anyone who tolerates him due to his behaviors and yetā¦.the character that is closest to a prince stereotype is the one to get drawn to him. The āprinceā picks Ink and gets heavily attached. While this may sound silly, itās actuallyā¦really important to how Ink views being picked. Ink operates on a weird understanding of typical fandom culture. He is a fanboy of Underfell Sans canonically, and he uses fandom terms when talking to people which confuses them. Heās usually used as a self-insert to make a fourth wall break joke because Ink understands the greater humor of the fandom. Thatās who he is. He represents the fandom at the end of the day. Because of this, he also sees the AUS as nothing more than storybooks. He knows the troupes they follow, the story beats each may possess.
Ink know how each story may turn out because of this. He knows whatās expected of each character, and heās the first to point out if someone is acting out of character because he STUDIES this stuff. Soā¦for Dream to take a liking to him, knowing he fits the kind, prince stereotype? Ink is living his Y/N fantasy, and I fully believe he would get GIGGLY about it. Not only is he experiencing his own story, focused on a storybook romance, heās dating the person that is supposed to be the most charming and sought after character. The individual that is goodness personified and incredibly handsome to anyone who passes by. Ink, a person who is so disliked, is picked by the favorite. It definitely makes him kick his feet, but itās bound to make him feel special in some ways. The plot that was picked for him is one where heās loved and seen as something worth sticking around for. Not just with some random character, but one that is sunshine incarnation. Ink is the opposite completely. And yet, heās chosen. Heās picked by his āprinceā. He lives out his storybook and gets the best ending possibleā happily ever after with the kindest love interest you can find.
In Inkās apathetic viewpoint, he won the lottery. He got the best ending. HE did. And itās because Dream likes being near him. Thatās bragging rights to all the other Inks who are single in their multiverses LOL.
In conclusion, Drink is a mixture of trust between two individuals who never thought theyād discover such things. Dream can fully be himself with Ink, without fear of abandonment, and Ink can finally chase after someone who is his equal in all the ways that matter.
On a more personal note, Drink means so much due to them both being aroace or coded to be. Their dynamic isnāt as simple as being in love. They are one anotherās greatest companions, and the connection these two have is something I cherish greatly. I cant stop thinking about them because of how beautiful their love for one another isā rich in earnest and honesty. Itās such a sweet, yet complex devotion that I have not seen displayed in any other fandom l which is why I always come back to them. Thereās so much to them that Iām sure that this essay will not be the last stop of all my thoughts of them. Iāll always have more connections and links to them. And they will always find their way back to one another in all the works I write and create.
If you want a very good fanfiction that embodies all that I talked about here, I highly suggest you check out @grayskiesandink ās fanfiction. It is the essence of this post. Most of these points have come to be because their fic got me thinking so deeply about them, and made me realize just how connected these two are.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/63163771
I love you drink. PLEASE kiss and make up ur evil evil daughter misses you
