#errordream week

That was the closest he could place. He knew that he shouldn't mind it all that much. In fact, he should be happy for his friend, right? Even if it was his enemy he was with...but he felt nothing. Normally, that wouldn't matter—he was soulless, after all; it was normal. But it bothered him, this time. He didn't understand why.

His hands twitched.

He had an itch in him, but it wasn't something he could scratch. It felt like he had to do something. Something...important. Or wrong? One of the two. He didn't know why, though. Ink was a good guy, right? So, why did he have the itch to do something wrong.

Unless...it wasn't wrong and people just thought it was?

That...that could make sense, right?

...

His itch had to do with Dream and Error, he just knew it. Something about putting an end to something. Oh! He perked up. Maybe the itch had to do with stopping Error for good? It would make sense.

But the problem came with Dream.

He didn't really understand it, but people weren't exactly willing to let their soulmate die.

...

He'd give Dream a chance, then. He'd talk to him, try to make him understand.

And if he didn't, then...

There might be two deaths he'd have to make.

~oOo~

Dream looked up as Error entered the Anti-Void, Blue trailing behind him. He blinked and frowned. The swap sans had a furrowed brow, like he was thinking over something that confused him. His gaze travelled over to his soulmate, frown deepening. Error looked a bit...annoyed, if angry.

Why?

Dream opened his mouth to ask just that when Error beat him to it, answering it without hearing it. "Your stupid friend here accidentally spilled everything to your other, more stupid friend." Error huffed and flopped onto the beanbag chair, crossing his arms.

Dream blinked. "Oh." He didn't know why he couldn't bring himself to be more...happy, but something in him felt uneasy at the knowledge that Ink now knew. He fidgeted with his hands.

"Yeah." Error said back, seemingly understanding.

Silence fell for a minute.

"I...I'm sorry," Blue started and Dream looked over. He was playing with his bandana, staring at the floor. "I thought that Ink would understand. I didn't realize it until halfway into telling him, but Ink never said a word, only stared with..." He frowned, struggling for the right words. "...hungry eyes? Like he needed to know...everything." He slumped. "I should've just stayed quiet..."

Dream frowned and stood up, walking over to Blue. He hesitated slightly before reaching out. He pulled his friend into a hug, Blue immediately returning it. "Hey," The guardian soothed, rubbing the others back, "don't blame yourself. It's not your fault." He pulled back and smiled at Blue, wiping away some stray tears off of the other's face.

"Okay." Blue laughed weakly before tilting his head, curiously. "What are you going to do now?"

"I..." Dream faltered, looking down. He hadn't thought about it before, though, in hindsight, he probably should've.

Luckily, Error came to his rescue. "We could go to Nightmare's?" He offered, leaning forward. "He would be happy to help."

Dream blinked, thought it over and smiled at Error warmly. "Yeah, he would." He turned back to Blue. "We'll go to Nightmare's, then." Dream paused before sighing. "Oh, but I have things back at the house that I need to get..."

Blue perked up. "Oh, I could—"

Error spoke over him. "I'll go with you, just in case, then." He paused. "After I call Nightmare, to let him know what happened." He turned to Blue. "You should go back to Underswap—we'll meet you there."

Blue looked conflicted for a minute before nodding. "Okay." Error opened a portal for him and Blue hesitated, glancing back at Dream, before he left. The portal closed and a new one opened, Error walking through, leaving Dream all alone now.

Dream frowned, holding a hand to his chest.

Why did he have a feeling something bad was about to happen?

~oOo~

They entered the Doodlesphere, right next to the house. Dream looked around at all of the islands, a sense of nostalgia filling him. He would miss this place, all of its pretty views. Error squeezed his hand and he looked back, smiling.

Error looked at him with concern. "You okay?"

Dream shook his head and forced a laugh, making Error frown even more. "I'm fine. I promise."

Error didn't look like he believed him, but nodded anyway. "If you're sure..." Dream smiled and quickly kissed Error.

"I'm sure," he whispered as he pulled away, turning to the house, where Ink stood watching.

He stopped and felt Error growl, pulling him behind the other. Dream looked past Error at Ink, who stared at them with a blank expression on his face. By instinct, Dream looked down at the vials, but they all looked like they had been drunken out of. So, why did Ink appear like he didn't care about anything?

Ink locked gazes with Error. "Huh," He started, voice hollow, another thing to add to Dream's confusion. "I didn't know you knew the way here." His gaze flicked down to Dream before going back to Error.

Error growled, tense, putting on an angry front. Dream knew that he was nervous underneath, possibly even afraid, not for himself, but for Dream. It was the opposite with Dream. "Yeah, well, shut up. It doesn't matter."

"Okay." Ink nodded, confusing both Dream and Error. Ink's gaze snapped and locked with Dream's, who froze. "Can you do me a favour, Dream?"

Dream swallowed. "What?"

Ink tilted his head. "Can you step away from Error so that I can kill him?"

Dream froze, his eyes widened. Error also froze, glitching franticly, on the verge of a crash.

Dream held his hand to his mouth. He felt...wrong. Dizzy. Something twisted at his heart, making him sick. To think Ink had...what was wrong with his friend? Asking him to step aside so he can kill his soulmate? How could he be so...heartless? He didn't know anything, but he so desperately wanted to. He wanted to know why Ink thought this way, why he felt he had to...he wanted to try and help him.

But...he doubted Ink would let him.

"Well?" Ink said, narrowing his eyes and stepping forward.

Error moved the two of them back.

Dream shook his head. "No!" He let out, voice shrill and almost a shriek. It was packed full of confusion and fear. "No, never! Why...w-why would you think I would...?" Dream trailed off; voice thick with tears.

Ink stared. He sighed.

"Fine." He said. "Fine," He repeated, reaching for the red vial in his sash. He grabbed it and brought it up to his mouth. He paused. "then I'm sorry, but I have to do this."

With that, Ink downed the vial, the empty glass shattering on the ground as it fell.

~oOo~

Blue exhaled slowly as he stood there in front of the ruins, waiting. He looked up as snow fell upon him, cooling him and keeping him grounded.

He hadn't meant to make Ink angry, to expose Error and Dream and put them in danger. Ink was their friends, so he had thought that he would be accepting and even happy about Dream's relationship. Now he sees he was a bit wrong.

Maybe Stretch was right. Maybe he was stupidly naïve.

He closed his eyes. He was worried about them. Blue just hoped that they got here soon.

And safe.

(He should've gone instead—)

...

He had a bad feeling.

~oOo~

Error stumbled as he struggled back to his feet. Dream grabbed him and pressed as much healing magic into the other as he could, but his hands shook and he was exhausted. His magic flickered out after five seconds, and Dream stumbled, making it Error's turn to catch him.

Error was concerned, his eyes said it all. Dream shook his head to clear it of any dizziness or buzzing and tried to communicate without words that everything was fine. It seemed to work, but Error didn't seem to believe him.

Which was fair.

They were pretty injured. His bow had been broken a while ago, so he couldn't fight anymore, only dodge and try to be support. Error was running low on energy as well. Ink, on the other hand, seemed to be fairing perfectly. The creator didn't seem tired at all. It did not bode well for the two of them, who he was trying to kill.

Speaking of, Ink landed a few meters away from them, preparing another attack.

"Ink, please!" Dream had to try. Even if he didn't succeed, he had to try. He couldn't let Ink just kill him and Error, now could he? "You don't have to do this!"

Ink said nothing.

"He's right, squid!" Error called, standing up straight, holding his arm. "We can all calm down and talk about this. Peacefully."

A beat passed.

"You made your choice already." Ink said, continuing to prepare his attack: a plethora of Gaster Blasters. "Ink narrowed his eyes into a glare. "Now you have to live with it." He paused. "Or, I suppose, die for it." He attacked.

~oOo~

Nightmare entered Underswap, looked around. His brother and his friend weren't there yet. He frowned. They were late. His gaze snapped over to the only other person waiting with him: Blue, the little swap sans he had never cared to look closely at before.

"Error and Dream aren't here yet?" He asked, even if he knew the answer.

Blue blinked at him before shaking his head. "No," He frowned and said what Nightmare thought as well, "They're late." His gaze drifted to the door of the ruins. "I'm worried."

Nightmare hummed. "I have to go check on them." He had a bad feeling, a sinking feeling in his chest that was expanding ever so slowly with each passing minute.

Blue nodded. "I'll call Core. They can get you to the Doodlesphere." With that, he fished his phone out of his pocket. Nightmare sighed and looked away, towards the trees.

The bad feeling grew.

~oOo~

"Dream!" Error called, pushing himself up and catching the guardian as he fell, a hole in his side where the attack had pierced him straight through. They fell to their knees together.

Dream coughed and tried to say something, nothing coming out. Tears rushed to Error's eyes, spilling over as he glitched frantically. No, no, no. This couldn't be happening. He was the one who was supposed to die. Not Dream. Never Dream.

Ink stepped towards them and Error hissed, curling around Dream. He was tense. He couldn't attack, he knew that. He was tired. So, so tired.

Ink waved his brush and sharp bones appeared around and around the two of them.

They enclosed them.

No one could escape this.

Error sighed, accepting this. He pressed a kiss to Dream's forehead as Ink prepared to snap. "It's gonna be okay, I promise." He murmured do that only Dream could hear. He looked back up and gazed at Ink with all the hate he could muster.

Ink wasn't fazed. "Goodbye, old friends." He snapped and the bones started descending.

Error hugged Dream close, shielding him as much as he could, even though he could feel Dream start to dust already. At least he didn't need to see all on this.

"It's okay." He repeated as pain surrounded them.

Then...nothing.

~oOo~

Nightmare walked fast, hands clenched at his side, tense. Blue and Core were a pace or two behind him, struggling to keep up, but he couldn't bring himself to care. There was a sharp pain in his chest, one that almost made it hard to breathe.

He felt that something was wrong. That something had gone wrong.

...

He hoped desperately that he was wrong, that everything was okay.

The Star Sanses house appeared and he breathed a silent sigh of relief. Good. They've arrived. Now, they could find Dream and Error and get out of here before Ink found them. They would be safe. Everything would be—

He froze.

Blue and Core stopped as suddenly as he did and he could hear them gasp. He was sure one of them started to cry—most likely Blue. As for him? He was...numb. He felt nothing, nor did he hear anything besides a dull ringing. It was like he had suddenly been plunged underwater and was sinking fast.

He couldn't tear his eyes away from the dust pile, black with a red tint and white with a golden glow mingled together, in front of him. A patched-up jacket and a golden crown sat upon it. Bones skewered it. Over it, through it and around it.

No one could survive something like that.

...

His chest hurt.

Memories flashed through his mind. Dream's smile. Error's laugh. Their ups and downs, how much they loved each other. Every moment he spent with them, good or bad, he relived at lightning speed. It made his chest tighten even more.

It...hurt.

Dimly, he heard Core speak up, their voice shaking but trying to stay calm. "Ink...what have you done...?"

...Ink?

...

Of course, he was behind this.

His chest hurt even more.

Nightmare didn't want to know why he had done this. It didn't matter anymore.

Nothing would bring his brother and best friend back.

Nothing...

A tear slipped down his cheek and his hands shook.

...Nothing...

In the fog of his mind, he saw Ink, who was standing on the other side of the dust pile, blink, his eyelights turning to two question marks. "What had to be done."

...Nothing.

...

Dream didn't want Error to be forced to choose between him or the life Error has. It wasn't right! Dream accepted his fate for him and Error to only be friends. He needed to reinforce that!

Despite the sudden distance, Dream made sure not to be so far apart that they couldn’t be friends. They still had dinner together. Normally topped off with some type of chocolate dessert. They played video games together, normally PVP. Error even was teaching Dream to knit.

One of Dream's favorite activities was reading to each other. Each would pick out a book they liked and read to the other. It was soothing. Dream could listen to Error's voice for day's on end. It made him feel whole. Which is why it was the only activity Dream put an end too. He couldn't risk it.

Error didn’t know of Dream’s feelings and that is how Dream wanted it to stay. Dream wasn’t going to hold on to feelings that were unrequited. Dream didn’t want to let go of his love for Error though. It felt too amazing to love Error; But it seemed to be the only way for Dream to hold onto the other in some way or form.

Currently, Dream was curled up on the armchair. A blanket that Error knitted wrapped around his body. The television was on. It was playing a new special from Undernovela. Error was wrapped in a blanket watching it with unmoved interest. Error was so cute when he got wrapped up in Undernovela. Well, when he got wrapped up in anything really.

Dream was trying to watch the show, but his eyelights kept getting dragged from the television to Error. Error wasn’t paying the golden skeleton much attention. So, it’s not like Dream would get caught looking at Error, right?

Sighing, Dream cuddled deeper into the chair. The white leather cool against his bones.

They have been in the same room for two hours, thirty-three minutes and twenty seconds. So Dream only had twenty-six minutes and forty seconds left with Error. Was Dream crazy? He felt like it. He couldn’t help but dread the moment the three hours was up. He was only hurting himself by doing this.

The minutes sped by fastly. A minute feeling like a second. Undernovela now a dull, static noise in the background to Dream; But Error's laugh and giggles like bells to the guardian.

Error burst out laughing at some part of the show. His eyesockets shutting, nose wrinkling in the most adorable way. Dream let out his own giggle, not completely forced. It was had to keep a straight face when Error looked so cute.

With dread, Dream looked to the clock. He had ten minutes left now. Dream resisted the urge to look back to Error and just basked in the other's aura. While it is negative, it was soothing. Dream wiggled in his spot, eyelights darting to the clock once again.

“Are you comfortable over there?” Dream cursed his luck and look at Error. Error hadn’t looked away from the screen, but his head was tilted in Dream’s directions. Letting the other know he was listening if Dream spoke. “I don't get why you won't seat over here, you’re bent in half and keep wiggling.”

Dream froze. “You can see me?” He squeaked out. Error raised an eyebrow and nodded his head. “This entire time?” “Yeah,” The show went to commercials, Error turned to meet Dream’s eyelights. His multicolored eyelights accusing. “You’re in my peripheral vision,” Error claimed, leaning his back against the couch. “You keep looking at me and moving around,”

A Christmas tree’s star couldn’t shine brighter than the blush on Dream’s face. His eyesockets were wide. Soul stuttering like a lawnmower. “I…” Dream moved to sit up, eyes darting to the clock and back to Error.

“Three hours isn’t up yet,” Error informed. Eyelights emotionless as he watched Dream’s movements. Dream felt his soul drop to the ground. Eyesockets widen more, biting his tongue. “So,” Dream dreaded what Error would say next. “Are you okay?”

Dream blinked. Needing a second to gather his thoughts. Error knew. Of course, Error flipping knew! Why didn’t he say anything before? Maybe he agreed with Dream on some level…

“I…” Swallowing his nerves, Dream flashed a smile to Error. “I’m going to go get some cocoa,” Dream pulled the cover off his body and stood. Disregarding Error starting to lean forward, his brilliant eyelights gone out. Dream stretched his body. Keeping up his happy mask.

“Want some?” Dream asked as he stopped stretching. Taking a few steps to go to the kitchen. Keeping eye contact in an attempt to prove something to Error. Dream didn’t make it three steps before Error grabbed Dream’s arm.

Dream stopped, his smile faltering. Dream yanked on his arm, a feasible attempt to get his arm out of Error’s grip. Error’s eyelights snapped back, his stare maddening. Error yanked him back onto the couch and into his arms. Dream squeaked and landed in Error’s lap. Error flinched from the contact, stiffening. Dream rambled out apologies and tried to get out of Error’s lap. However, Error’s hold on him was strong.

The glitches were going haywire across Error. Making Dream all the more desperate to get out of the arms of the other. The glitches had to be hurting Error! However, Error tightened his grip. Not letting the other free. When the glitches finally decreased, Error wrapped his arms around Dream’s body. Nuzzling his head into Dream’s neck. Dream’s face was a bright yellow.

“I don’t know why you have been avoiding me,” Error started, eyes trained on the screen. (Undernovela coming back on) His voice, deep and quiet. Like a broken melody meant for only one person. It made Dream's go crazy. Dream looked down, hand clenching on Error’s jacket sleeve. “But you’re not getting rid of me that easily,”

Dream stared at the television. Dream couldn’t decide if he should deny the accusations or joke it off. So, Dream wiggled in Error’s hold. Tilted his head to the side, letting Error nuzzle in deeper as Dream relaxed in his hold.

Dream will let himself have this moment for now. Just this moment. Tomorrow, Dream will go back to creating a barrier between them. Error didn’t need to know of his feelings. Error didn’t need to choose between Dream and the Dark Sanses. Dream just needed to keep his feelings for Error a secret.

Dream opened his mouth to ask what he was doing here, when Error held up a hand in his direction, scowling. "No, shush. I know what you're going to ask, and you're here because I decided that I should show you the greatest show of all time. You remember me talking about it, right?"

"Of course!" Dream really did. He had been amazed at the time because he didn't know that Error had been so attached to something, like any other person. After all, he was the Destroyer, who could feel nothing but hate and rage, right?

Error's mouth twitched and Dream just knew that he was fighting back a smile or a smirk. "Good, wonderful; then, we'll start." He snapped his fingers and a small portal appeared in front of Dream, dropping some popcorn and a drink. A glance at Error showed that he had some snacks as well.

A portal opening up in front of them drew Dream's attention away from Error. A scene started in it, and it got Dream hooked from the first minute. He had to admit, it was a pretty good show, although he probably wouldn't love it with the enthusiasm that Error does. He more so loved the reactions the Destroyer had at certain scenes. But he did like the show.

Eventually, Error opened up aa portal beneath Dream without saying anything and the guardian yelped as he landed in some snow. A look around revealed he was back where he had been before Error had taken him.

He smiled slightly, not at all upset at what had just happened. He stood up, brushed some snow off of him, and made his way back to Blue's while wondering faintly if there would be any more of these 'kidnappings'.

~oOo~

Dream had been right in his wonderings. Once a week, without fail, Error would pull him away from whatever it was he would be doing, so that they could watch Undernovela together. The guardian had to admit, he did love these meetings. But really, who doesn't like spending time with the person they loved?

~oOo~

One time, Error accidentally put Dream down next to him on his chair. They had both tenses when they realized that this wasn't the seating arrangement from before. They didn't change it, though. Dream was respectful of Error's haphephobia and so it was fine, this new arrangement.

~oOo~

They had been doing this for about three months, when Error decided to spice things up a bit. Dream had prepared himself for another watching of Undernovela when the strings wrapped around him, but instead of the white of the Anti-Void, he had appeared by the cliffs of Outertale.

He blinked in confusion, his gaze roaming from star to star. They were pretty, very pretty. But he didn't understand why he was here. Error had been the one to take him, right? It wasn't another person deciding to kidnap him for real? His gaze landed on the Destroyer in question, who was sitting by the edge, staring up at the stars with a peaceful look on his face.

Dream stared.

He couldn't help it! How could someone not star when faced with someone so beautiful? They must be blind if they didn't. Really, though, the stars illuminated Error in the most perfect way. Dream knew that he would never hold a candle to how beautiful Error was.

"I decided to switch things up a bit." He heard Error say, the Destroyer turning to look at him. The peaceful look hadn't gone away, luckily, as that made his eyes the way they were meant to be. Hate and rage tainted that look most of the time, but here the colours shown as they're supposed to. Dream tuned back in as Error continued. "Is that alright?"

Dream blinked hard, trying to focus. "I-it's perfect!" He stuttered out, a light-yellow blush on his cheeks, quickly walking up to Error and sitting beside him, like he assumed that Error wanted him to. He folded his hands in his lap.

Then, the most magical thing happened.

Error laughed.

Error laughed and Dream froze, gaze snapping over to him. He stared. The laugh wasn't glitching like his voice usually was. The laugh was pure and deep and just...wonderful. It was a laugh that dream thought everyone should have, but also wished they never got, because only Error could pull it off.

His blushed deepened, beginning to glow. Dream quickly turned his head before Error noticed his staring. He put his hands on his cheeks to try and quell the glowing and hide it from the other.

The Destroyer did not need to know how he felt; it would only complicate things!

...

Stars...did he have it bad...

~oOo~

Another month later, and Error decided to bring Dream while the guardian had been asleep. It wasn't his fault that he didn't know Dream's sleep schedule, so don't even start. He had assumed that Dream was always alert and ready, so what if he had forgotten that people needed sleep?

But he will relent that maybe he should've guessed it when Dream fell asleep in the middle of an episode, tipping over and leaning against Error's shoulder.

Error tensed. He felt himself begin to glitch, but to his surprise, they retreated before they could be made an issue. He blinked in surprise. That...wasn't normal. It had never happened before. The glitches were supposed to hurt when in contact with someone; they were supposed to burn. So, why did they stop?

His glazed lowered to the guardian sleeping against him.

It had something to do with Dream, but what?

He stared. He looked back. Nothing stood out. Dream was always kind and respectful not to touch him, and the reason that he was now was nothing he could fault him for. He should've seen that Dream was tired, even though the other had never complained. He frowned slightly; he should talk to Dream about that. That wasn't healthy, even he knew that.

But despite that, nothing else stood out.

It had nothing to do with Dream's kindness and big heart, which was honestly mind-blowing and made an instinct rise up in him, something that told him to protect that heart of anything that sought to destroy it. He admired Dream for being able to show that much kindness, even to someone who tried to kill him, like his brother.

It had nothing to do with Dream's smile. The smile that he was sure only angels or pure people could have. It just made sense that was. He loved it when Dream smiled like that, it made him feel special, as he never saw it directed to anyone else; all the rest could never hold a candle to that smile.

It had nothing to do with Dream's laugh. The laugh that felt like a piece of music all to itself. Nothing would ever be able to give him the same level of satisfaction as saying something and making that laugh appear did. It just wasn't possible!

It had nothing to do with Dream's appearance in general. When they had been in Outertale, Error had glanced over and had his breath taken from him at the sight that was before him. Dream was beautiful; the way the stars glowed against his yellow and blue palette, the light dusting of yellow across his cheeks, the way his eyes glowed like a little golden flame...it was all so perfect.

Nothing stood out about all of that that—

...

Wait.

Error blinked, confusion filling him. There was something off about all of that. It seemed like a normal thing to do, normal things to think about someone. But something told him there was a bit more to it.

He thought and thought.

Whenever he thought these things, or even saw them in Dream, he felt all warm and fuzzy. Like happiness, but different. There was something more to it. Something itched at the back of his mind and he recalled something he had overheard. A random person (he had never learned their name) had been gushing about their lover to their friend, describing everything they found cute or wonderful and how it made them feel.

...now that he thought about it, everything they described that they felt, was what he felt when Dream did all those things he listed above...

...weird...

Why...if he didn't know any better, he'd say he was in love with Dream!

...

...

...

...wait...

...

...

Oh.