#insomnia week

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.

Error held out his arm, offering it to the guardian of positivity. Dream blushed, giving Error an appreciative smile and wrapped his arm around Error’s. Error kept as much distance between them. Nonetheless, Dream still saw the glitches on the areas they did touch. With a stolen breath and clenched eyesockets, they went through the portal to Nightmare's universe.

Dream could hear birds chirping, wind whistling a soft toon around him. Dream swallowed and opened his eyes. The world around them was drastically different than what Dream thought it would be. It wasn’t dark or gloomy. The morning sun was beginning to rise, morning dew on freshly cut grass in the air. Most monsters were still inside. Most Sanses not wanting to come out of their house until it was well into the afternoon.

Though there was some out, minding their own business or off to missions. Many of them that were out, was staring at Dream. Like he was a target, something to attack. Dream didn't blame them. He was on the opposite side for a long time. Habits could be hard to break and trusting Dream to not hurt them was probably a big thing to ask.

If it wasn't for Error beside him, Dream was sure he would be dust.

Swallowing, Dream reluctantly removed his arm from Error's. Letting the glitches that surrounded his touch disappear. Dream dusted non-existent dirt off his chest. Holding onto his own arm, which was a poor imitation of Error's, Dream blinked at his surroundings.

Dream opened his mouth to ask Error where they go from there when a high pitched giggle rang through the air.

“Error!” A small horrortale Papyrus came running full speed at them. Big round pink glasses mirrored the child’s face with three daisies on the top left corner of the glasses. Freckles splattered like paint across the small skeleton's skull. Wearing a pretty salmon colored dress that poofed out at the body. Pink and red braces on their crooked teeth. In short, Dream couldn't think of the small Papyrus as anything but adorable. “You made it!”

Error picked the smaller one up. A fond look spreading across his face as he held the other. “Hey, Sweetness! ” Error balanced the child in his arms. “Happy birthday, Little terror!”

The papyrus, Sweetness, hugged Error’s chest. Not quite being able to wrap their small arms around Error’s torso yet. Sweetness began to go on a tirade about his day and how much he missed the destroyer.

Dream watched from his spot, arms clasped together. Smiling fondly at the two at his side. If there was ever a time Dream wish he had his camera…

Sweetness finally noticed the light Sans standing next to Error. Their small eyesockets narrowing in distrust and fear.  Sweetness cuddled further into Error’s chest, keeping their eyes locked on Dream.

“Error,” The destroyer frowned from the scared tone in the child’s voice. Sweetness pointed his finger to Dream as subtle as he knew how.  Sweetness’s grip on Error’s shirt tightening with every second. “Who is that?”

Error turned to look at Dream. A smile replaced the frown. Error turned his attention back to Sweetness. “That is my friend, Dream.” Error then booped Sweetness’s nose. Getting the smaller to wrinkle their nose from the action. “Don’t worry, he won’t hurt ya.” Error looked over his shoulder to Dream. “He’s one of mine,”

Dream tried his best to make himself look small for Sweetness. The last thing he wanted was to scare a kid on their birthday. Was he really that bad in the Dark Sanses eyes?

Sweetness nodded their head but still appear cautious. Error noticed and gave the other a small bounce, stealing their attention with ease. “Hey, where is all the cake I was promised, huh?”

Sweetness’s face light up like a Christmas tree. Wiggling in Error’s hold to get down. Only to snatch at Error’s arm once Sweetness made it to the ground. Pulling the taller into a direction littered with balloons.

“This way!” Sweetness cried out, the grin on their face outshined any star in Outertale. Error looked back to Dream as he was dragged off by Sweetness. Dream gave Error a smile. Amused by the actions.

When Error disappeared behind the doors. Dream had to look around himself. There wasn’t many dark Sanses or Papyruses out and about but the ones that were was watching Dream with a glare.

Dream gave them a small wave, unsure of what to do with himself. He couldn’t stay in the open, so the logical option would be to follow Error. But what if Dream freaked out any more kids?

Dream wanted to scream. He wasn't supposed to scare kids off, it wasn’t in his code to be something scary. But the light was scary to those of the dark. Children of the dark were no different. Did Dream really want to ruin a kids birthday party?

Dream knew he shouldn’t have come.

“Dream, ” Dream’s eyelights meet Error’s bright multicolored ones. Error had opened the door and was peeking his head around it. Curiosity and worry in those eyelights that still haunt Dream’s fantasies. “ You coming?”

Dream hesitated. He wanted to say yes, he wanted to follow Error to the end.  However, he wasn’t sure he should. Dream blinked, eyelights going to where the portal once been. “I…”

The eyelights of the others felt harsher with Error back.

Error walked out the door and made his way to Dream. Error grabbed Dream’s chin between his thumb and forefinger. His eyelights searching Dream’s. Dream fought the heat that rushed to his face. Averting his eyelights from Error’s. “Hey,” Dream took a risk and looked at Error. “-is everything alright?”

Looking into those eyelights, Dream couldn’t think of anything wrong in the world. Dream nodded his head. “Yeah,” Dream tried to sound convincing. Rather difficult with Error so close. “I’m just nervous,”

It wasn’t a lie.

Error dropped his hand from Dream’s face and re-establishing some distance between them. Making Dream yearn to close it. “Okay. Want to hold onto me?” Error once again offered his arm to Dream.

Dream looked at the arm. Without much thought, Dream circled his arm around Error’s. Letting the other’s aura wash over him. With Error by his side, Dream didn’t feel so hopeless in this world.

The party was surprisingly going well. The kids all huddled near Error, even if Dream had been near. Though, if Dream was further away, he noticed how more outgoing and carefree they acted. Error ended up wearing a party hat, three technically but they were tied together because Sweetness thought it wasn't pretty enough. So, Sweetness got three more and put them on Error's head. All this went smoothingly once Dream was a few feet away from them.

It surprisingly didn’t hurt as bad as Dream thought it would. Not when the smile on Error’s face was one Dream would remember for the next few centuries to come.

So, Dream now resided near the food table, watching a bunch of kids basically tackle Error to the ground. Sweetness leading the charge, their dress flowing with every bounce. The laughs and shrieks that echoed through the room were adorable on many levels.

Dream didn’t hold back any laughs as Error fell to the ground. Ten, if not fifteen, kids hitting him with rubber swords.

Error looked so happy, surrounded by the young dark Sanses. The children clearly looked up to Error in many ways. The joy and admiration in their eyelights were genuine. Error had such a way with kids.

Dream couldn’t help but think this was were Error belonged. Surrounded by monsters that love and care for him, monsters that didn’t fear him.

If this was where he belonged, where did that leave Dream in Error’s life? Dream wasn’t trusted or liked here. The only reason why Dream was even allowed here is that he was with Error. Dream couldn’t ask Error to be his knight in shining armor against the monsters Error cares for. It wouldn’t be fair to make him choose.

Nonetheless, Dream didn’t want to give up on his relationship, whether it was platonic or not, with Error so easily. Error was important to Dream. Dream wanted Error to be happy. Even if that meant Dream couldn't be apart of the aftermath. Dream was going to cherish every moment with Error that he could get.

“You’re absolutely hopeless,”

Dream didn't expect the voice, but it didn't frighten him. Not when he recognized the voice. Dream looked over his shoulder, eyelights meeting Nightmare’s. Nightmare looked bored and absolutely done with all the world's shit. Nightmare himself was keeping a close eye on the children. As if on alert for a coming threat that would ruin the party...Dream betraying Error in another sense of the word. Dream blinked, staring at Nightmare.

When did Nightmare get here?

“Excuse me?” Dream asked, turning to completely face his brother.

Nightmare rolled his eyelight, finally meeting Dream's stare. “Error,” Nightmare nodded his head to the destroyer. “You’re hopeless when it comes to him.”  

Dream began to pout, only for Nightmare to scoff. “Don’t give me that pout, Dream,” Nightmare growled. “You’re not good at hiding your emotions and you’re pretty fucking gone with him at this point,”  

Dream didn’t pout. Instead, he turned his attention back to Error. “It doesn’t matter if I am or not,” Dream retorted.

“Because he is the destroyer?” Nightmare asked. His voice low and dark, daring Dream to state that it was so. However, Dream shook his head. Dream never knew how protective Nightmare seemed of Error. Nice to know now though. “Then why?”

Dream had many reasons that he and Error didn’t belong together. So, simply, Dream turned his head to look at his brother. “It’s hopeless, pointless.” Dream let out a sigh. “Whether I wanted to or not, Error and I are just not meant for one another.” Dream shrugged, looking back to the monster that captured his soul. “I accepted my fate.”

Nightmare began to make his way to Dream. Slowly but surely, his footsteps could be heard over the sound of the kids playing. “Error tell you this himself?”

Dream shook his head. “No,”

“Then how do you know?” Nightmare pressed. Nightmare was now standing next to him. His front facing Dream. “How do you know that he thinks the same?” Dream wanted to groan. Instead, Dream hardens his expression.

“Nightmare, please. Drop it,” Dream let his eyesockets meet Nightmares. They stared at each other for a while. It’s been decades since he got to be this close to his brother without them fighting. Well, not fighting physically.

To the naked eye, the two of them appeared to be just staring at each other. Seeing whatever their imagination could think up in this situation. 'Seeing them lovingly stare at eachother in disbelief' could be a possibility. In reality, Nightmare and Dream were having an entire argument with their eyelights. (even decades apart couldn’t compare to the centuries under that tree). Not noticing their arrangement catching the eye of Error.

“What’s going on?”

Dream jumped, looking over his shoulder to Error. Error was eyeing the two of them. Dream gave his brother aside glare before giving Error a smile. “Nothing, I was just leaving.”

Dream brushed past his brother, hearing an annoyed sigh from the guardian of negativity in the process. Error eyelights batted between the two of them. Dream tried to keep his smile, reassuring his friend as he made his way past him.

Only for Error to reach out and stopped him in his tracks. Error kept his eyelights on Nightmare as he said, “I’ll... take you home,” Error turned to make eye contact with Dream, a smile on his face.

Currently, Dream had his legs thrown over Error’s lap. It had taken a few weeks before Error was okay for Dream to do this. Even then, Dream’s legs thrown over his lap was about as much of a touch he could take.

The glitches that sped across the area they touch should hurt, but they were soothing for Dream in a weird way. Just the knowledge it was Error, kept the discomfort at bay. Was that weird? Dream didn’t know for sure. All he knew was that Error’s company made him feel lighter, happier than constant happiness that resided in his soul. Dream didn’t want to lose the real emotions.  

They both sat at Dream’s kitchen table. Morning light shining through the window. The warmth of the sun and Errors voice made this all feel like, well, a dream. Both had some cocoa and Error had an extra bar of chocolate.

Error had his own legs propped up on a kitchen chair. Trying to open a chocolate wrapper. A glare on his face as he pulled on the paper keeping him from his prize. Dream was leaning against his fist, smiling as he watched Error.

“You need help?” Dream asked, getting a twitch in Error’s eye socket. Error gave Dream a side way snare. A half-hearted one that made Dream giggle. “Error?”

Error shook his head, yanking on the wrapper harder. “I got it,” Dream prayed silently that Error didn’t yank too hard, accidentally hitting Dream in the process.

“You’re gonna hit me,” Dream said, slouching in his chair to get farther away from Error without moving.

Error scoffed. “Of course, I won’t,” Error almost looked insulted by the very idea.

“Error-”

“I got it!”

“Glitchy, let me-”

“Mmf !”

“Error,” Dream’s laughing was getting worse. Error now resorted to trying to open the chocolate with his teeth. “You’re going to break your-”

The package ripped open the chocolate fell onto Dream’s kitchen table. A few chunks breaking off. The pure happiness on Error’s face when the chocolate was finally free from its confides was something that Dream wanted to take a picture of.

Dream grabbed one of the lone pieces of scattered chocolate and popped it into his mouth. Not missing the utter look of betrayal that splattered across Error’s face. Dream gave Error a cheeky grin as he chewed on the chocolate.

“Thief!” Error cried out, pointing an accusing finger at Dream. Dream stuck his tongue out at his friend. Stars, Dream was beginning to hate that word.

“I bought the chocolate,” Dream reminded, wiggling in his seat. Error gave a pout and took a bite from his chocolate bar. Why was his pout so adorable? It really shouldn’t be that cute on him. It wasn’t fair!

“And you gave it to me…” Error grumbled out, taking a piece and dunking it into his cocoa. Dream giggled, leaning in slightly closer to the other. Relishing in the wave of Error’s aura’s echoing to him.

Getting his cup and taking a sip of his hot cocoa. "So how is, fixing the balance going on your end?" Dream was still off when it came to asking about that, but he found a way to word it. Dream didn't miss how Error froze, a frown on his face. Dream did miss how Error flinched.

“Ink seems to think it is working.” Error stated, hand holding onto Dream’s leg. Giving it a soft rub unconsciously. “He even offered to make some larger au's to help place many of the copies into .” Error winced, cracking his head to the side in thought. “Could work, but he seems hesitant to even try creating anything.”

Dream had to do a double take. Swallowing his cocoa, a dark feeling poking at his soul. Error had spoken to Ink? Since when...

“You’re talking to Ink?” Dream asked slowly, staring at the forced destroyer as he munched on the chocolate bar. Something hot and possessive poked at his soul. Dream calmly took a drink of his hot cocoa. The burning liquid did nothing for him.

Error shrugged, pulling the candy sent from heaven back. “Whether anyone, me definitely included, likes it or not,” Error placed the chocolate down and looked up at Dream. “ Ink and I are tied to each other. We are both the balance and needed.”

“Maybe Inky and I can finally come to a conclusion on how to run things.” Error shrugged his shoulders. “ As much as I would like to avoid the rainbow asshole, I can’t. Besides...” Error eyelights downcasted. Error broke off a piece of the chocolate and threw it in his mouth. “ Everyone is turning their back on Ink. No one, including Ink, should feel that way...I know that feeling all too well,”

Dream breathed out of his nose. Eyesockets closing as the burning emotion was replaced and his soul was anchored down with guilt. Dream tried his best to be there for Ink, but with all the changes it had been hard to even find a day to himself.

If it wasn’t for Error keeping him sane, Dream didn’t know what he would do. He really needed to become a better friend and guardian. “I should see him more,” Dream admitted. “How has he been?”

“Ink is fine from what I can tell.” Error waved off Dream’s concerns. “Remember, he is emotionless.”

Dream rolled his eyelights. “Not completely.” Error shrugged, not caring much for the topic at hand. Dream picked at his sleeves. Dream bit his tongue and looked away. “Do you…” Dream cleared his throat and averted his eyes from the destroyer. “Do you see him a lot?”

Error shrugged his shoulders again. Looking confused. “I don’t have a good perspective of time. I see him when I can,”

Error looked around him “I’ve been here for a few days right?” Error joked, his eyelights sparkling with humor.

Dream snorted. Shaking his head. “Nope, a few years. Please, leave.” Dream clasped his hands together. Giving the other a fake plead despite the small smile on his skull that said otherwise.

Error laughed. A real, perfect, laugh. Eyesockets clenching shut as his body shook with each laugh. “Yeah, right. You would be lost if I left,” He joked, holding onto his non-existent stomach.

Dream agreed. He would be lost if it wasn’t for Error’s company and help. Dream doesn’t know what he would be doing if it wasn’t for Error. Panicking and having a breakdown over everything. Feeling like the world was breaking down. Error kept him steady and safe. Made him feel happy and stable.

Dream wandered if Error felt the same. “I would be,” Dream’s voice was softer than it probably should have been when regarding a friend. But he couldn’t help it. Dream raised his foot up and gave Error’s chin a slight kick. Error’s nose scrunched up and pushed Dream’s foot away.

When he did so, he yawned. Dream was so tempted to stick his foot in Error’s mouth, but that would be rude. “Tired?” Dream asked.

“Yeah, been working more lately and I haven’t been able to sleep as much,” He confessed, flicking at Dream’s feet. Dream kicked at Error’s feet. Taking a sip from his cocoa.

“Yeah, I bet Nightmare’s place isn’t all too quiet.” Dream joked, thinking of all the dark sanses causing mischief and chaos all hours of the day. Dream wishes his brother was okay with his presences enough to visit. It seemed like fun, but too much at a certain point.

Error leaned back in his chair, his hand tapping at the table. “I rarely stay at Nightmare’s.” Error admitted with a neutral look on his face.

“Oh, where do you stay?” Dream questioned, tilting his head to the side. Dream felt a little hope blossoming in his soul. If Error didn’t stay with Nightmare, maybe Dream could visit him. They could possibly spend more time together. Though, that hope wilted when Error just shrugged.

“Error,” Dream started slowly. Removing his feet from Error’s lap, not missing the way Error twitched to bring them back into his lap. “Don’t you have a place to live?” Dream asked Error. Shock and sympathy echoed in Dream.

Error just shrugged his shoulders, not looking bothered by Dream’s shock. “I got the anti-void.”

Dream shook his head. “That’s not exactly...a place to live,” Dream said. Dream stared at Error, hand twitching to grab ahold of Error’s hand. He wanted to intertwine his fingers with Error’s. However, he knew the boundaries set in stone. Boundaries he needed to respect.

But, there was something…

“Error, what if you lived here?” Dream asked, scooting his chair closer to his friend. “You are already here a lot. I got an extra room and it would be better than the anti-void?”

Error froze. His eyelights disappearing from his eyesockets and glitched exploded across his body. Dream frowned, flinching. “You don’t have too!”

“You trust me enough to live here?” Error’s eyelights were still gone. The static in his voice getting worse. Dream tilted his head to the side. Did he trust the former enemy to live with him? No, not former enemy, Error. Did Dream trust Error enough to live with him?

Dream slowly nodded his head, giving Error a reassuring smile. “Of course! You’re my friend!” The word ‘friend’ felt like poison on Dream’s tongue. A stab in his soul as he tried to not let it show.

When Error didn’t reply, Dream smirked and leaned in closer. “There will be more hot cocoa…” If there was a purr in his tone, Dream didn’t notice. Error’s eyelights appeared in their sockets, Dream almost expected to hear a sound effect with how fast they came back.

“Fine, but only for the cocoa.”