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Error stumbled into a random copy of OuterTale, the glitchy portal closing as soon as he stepped through. His breathing was rough and riddled with glitches, more so than normal. He wasn't... in top shape, admittedly. He hadn't been for a long time. Ink had gotten him good, good enough for him to feel the need to flee as soon as he saw the other two Star Sanses enter into the collapsing AU. Maybe on a particularly good day for him, he would even consider fighting them all at once, but he could barely breathe with the phantom sensation of his collapsed ribs sending shocks of pain with every inhale and exhale. Technically, he did not need to breathe, but his ribs seemed to disagree with him right now.
Bleeding all over himself and the ground around him, he limps over and sits on a random unoccupied ledge of OuterTale, one he knows no monster visits. Slowly, he calms himself down, slows his rapid flow of magic from adrenalin, and hesitantly gets to work on shuffling out of his coat and sweater as gingerly as he can, careful of his injuries. A glitchy, windows error sound manages its way out, akin to a hiss of pain. He peels his poor blood-soaked sweater off his inflamed ribs, squeezing his eyes shut as he does so. In the back of his mind, he huffs and mourns the loss of the sweater he knew was ruined. He had just made it less than a week ago, and Ink had already gone and ruined it. Opening his eyes again, he musters up some energy to make a portal and blindly grabs around in the anti-void, searching for the emergency kit he keeps around for times like this. It had been a gift from Nightmare, knowing he would never go to his mansion for help, especially when he had been weakened. Nightmare reasoned that "at least you won't bleed out" with a chuckle at the end. Error allows the smallest of smiles to slip onto his face at the memory.
Finally managing to grab his target, he opens the box and takes out a roll of bandages, some ointment, and disinfectant. Ointment for the burns from the annoyingly acidic paint Ink loves to throw at him, disinfectant for the areas that were bleeding, and old opened wounds, and bandages for... well, everything.
Beginning the process of dressing his injuries, he hardly noticed the presence lurking behind him.
"Error CQ." A dark voice called from behind him. Error panicked, how did Nightmare find him so fast?!
Error didn't turn around, he didn't even react. The only indication he was listening was the fact that he momentarily paused in his half-assed bandaging job. Error knew not responding would only make Nightmare angrier, but he just couldn't muster up the energy to even face him right now.
Nightmare walked up next to him, standing on the edge of the cliff Error was currently sitting on. Error continued bandaging himself while Nightmare stared at him. "Are you just going to stand there?" Error questioned, wincing as his voice came out far too glitchy for his liking. Nightmare didn't say anything, so Error refocused his efforts on healing himself. "Why didn't you call for help?" the King of Negativity questioned, the anger seemingly leaving his voice, now he just sounded disappointed. Error didn't know if that was better or worse. He just huffed and shrugged in response, using his teeth to rip the bandages once he was done wrapping one arm. Nightmare's tentacles whipped behind him angrily at being ignored. "When you accepted my offer to join my team to work alongside us, I had hoped you'd be smart enough to figure out that it went both ways. That we all protect each other. You don't always have to do all the fighting alone, Error." Nightmare said, forcibly relaxing his tentacles. The angrier he got, the less likely Error would follow him back to the castle and get the help he needed, he knew that, but he was so frustrated that Error didn't seem to pick up on the fact that they all cared for him so, so much.
"I know." Was all Error said in response, before packing up his first-aid kid and throwing it back into the anti-void. He stayed sitting there, however, staring off at the stars.
Nightmare dragged a hand down his face, annoyed "Error, please come with me back to the castle. I need to look at your injuries." Nightmare pleaded, going down on one knee to look at Error eye to eye.
Error debated it in his head, although not completely swayed either way just yet.
Suddenly, an idea came to Nightmare, one that might just work in swaying the destroyer in his decision, "You know, the boys brought some chocolate back from that au they were wreaking havoc on the other day. I could steal you a few bars if you come back with me." Nightmare offered, holding a hand out for Error to take. They had been working on his haphephobia and he was getting better, but Nightmare still had to let Error come to him if he didn't want the glitch to crash.
That seemed to do the trick, just as Nightmare had intended because Error practically lit up at the mention of chocolate. Normally, he was pretty picky on which brands he ate, but he hadn't had chocolate in so long, that he'd be willing to eat practically any kind at this point. Error slid his gaze over to Nightmare, and then to the hand that was still outstretched for him.
He grabbed Night's hand and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. Error wobbled a little at first, his legs were still a little sore. Nightmare towered over him, despite being an average-sized skeleton. Error and Ink just happened to be the two shortest skeletons in the multiverse, despite being the most powerful beings of their time. Yes, Error is still pretty salty about that one. "Can you walk?" Nightmare asked, choosing not to comment on the shake in his legs. Error simply nodded in response. Nightmare seemed skeptical but continued holding Error's hand, leading them both through a goopy portal, straight to the infirmity, because he knew the rest of the gang would go crazy if they saw Error like this, and he didn't need that right now, neither of them did.
Nightmare directed Error to sit on the bed, quickly and efficiently gathering medical supplies with practiced ease from various drawers and cupboards.
Error tried not to stare, but watching Nightmare move so gracefully was mesmerizing, and with nothing else to look at, he couldn't help but feel drawn to him. An ugly feeling of jealousy bubbled up in his chest, but he tried his best to ignore it, lest Nightmare find out. He was jealous that other people got to hold Nightmare, that Nightmare got to hold other people, that even the King of Negativity could find love. If Nightmare himself could find love, why couldn't he? Why was he so lonely?
He wanted so badly to be a part of their little group but in a deeper sense. He wanted to stay up late and then fall asleep in the gang's arms. He wanted love and comfort. He wanted security, but with his job, he knew he wasn't allowed that luxury. But he could pretend for a while, right? Pretend they loved him in the sense that he loved them. But that was just a fleeting want, a greedy desire. He would never want to impose on them, especially if they didn't want him back. They were happy as is. Why would they want him? With his ugly, scarred bones and his glitchy voice. He wasn't charismatic like Nightmare, wasn't cute like Cross, not funny like Killer, the list just goes on and on! They would never want him like that, he's sure of it.
"E..R..?" Nightmares muffled voice was suddenly very close to him, and he practically lept 10 feet in the air from shock. "Err..o..!" Was Nightmare he saying something? Ugh, what was that loud beeping ringing in his ears? Was he making that noise?
The door suddenly slammed open "What the HELL is that noise?!" Killer asked, with Dust and Cross behind him. All 3 were covering their ears. The ringing slowly died down as Error came to his senses.
"ERROR!" Nightmare yelled, trying to get his attention. Finally, Error heard him, turning his head to look at him. The ringing had stopped. "Nightmare, what happened? Why is Error all bandaged up?" Killer asked, walking up to the pair of dark skeletons with concern in his dark eyes.
Error looked down and noticed he was covered in bandages, certainly not his work, they were far too well-wrapped to have been him. When had Nightmare done that? "Error? Are you okay now?" Nightmare asked, putting his hand out to place on Error's forehead before catching himself and drawing back, not wanting to startle Error into an unexpected crash again. "What... what happened?" Error asked, looking back up at the people in the room. "You crashed, it was my fault. I touched you without you being aware, and towards the end of me bandaging you up, you crashed. But, the weird thing is, I felt a plethora of negativity radiating from you right before you crashed Error. And not like the negativity from when I first found you." Nightmare questioned, and suddenly Error felt like there were too many people looking at him, his usually comfortable clothes were far too tight, and his face was flushed. Oh god, they can't find out. Error would personally dig his own grave if they did.
"Wait, found? When did ya find him, Boss? Did he get into a fight with Ink again? Why weren't we called??" Killer asked but remained ignored by the two. "I'm fine. You must've just accidentally brushed me while I wasn't paying attention." Error said, trying to wave off their concern. Nightmare wasn't buying it, and that alone was enough to make Error's fake confident smile drop from his face.
"Error, are you sure you're okay? I mean, besides the injuries you sustained from Ink, are you sure that's the only thing worrying you?" Nightmare questioned. He was onto him, and Error knew it.
Error broke eye contact with Nightmare, refusing to meet any of the eyes currently looking at him in the room.
Nightmare sensed Error's hesitancy, shooing the other members out of the room so they could be alone, but Error could still feel their presence outside of the door, trying to listen.
"I- uhm... It's nothing Night, really-" Nightmare cut Error off with a stern glare. "Error, I hope you know I can feel your emotions. And the jealousy and hopelessness I felt earlier, right before your crash, was certainly not normal. What's going on with you?" He accused, trying to forcefully prod the truth out of him. Error felt like he wanted to crawl into a hole and die. This was the worst-case scenario of how this would've gone if he ever decided to admit his true feelings. Yes, he's spent many days making up fake situations. Sue him, the anti-void gets boring.
Error took a deep breath, it was now or never, he supposed. "I... oh god, I'm just going to say it; I love you all. More than I should. I'm so sorry, I don't want to impose on your relationship, I know you all are so happy together and- mmphf!" Nightmare cut Errors rambling off with a kiss, holding Errors chin in place so he couldn't run away. "You idiot," Nightmare breathed out, breaking the kiss, "we love you too." Errors flushed face flushed impossibly brighter. Was this happening? This is all some sick joke, right? "Y-you're messing with me. This isn't funny, Nightmare! I'm being serious!" Error squeaked out, embarrassed. He hid in his scarf, hoping it would take some of the shame from being made into a joke away. "I'm being serious, Error. We all talked about it, and we want you with us. We all love you so much. And here I thought we were being obvious with our hints." Nightmare joked, Error slowly brought his eyes out of his scarf, peaking above the rim of it up at Night.
Nightmare held his hand out for Error to place his hand on. Nightmare kissed his hand, forming his tongue to lick a stripe up it to mess with the glitch.
"Ahck- eeww!!" Error quickly drew his hand back, clutching it to his chest as he stuck 2 of his tongues out at Nightmare. The goopy skeleton simply chuckled in reply, kissing the top of Error's cracked skull.
"Come on, now. Don't you want to tell the rest of the gang the good news?" Nightmare smiled, going towards the door and opening it, only for 4 skeletons to practically fall on top of him. Error let out a little giggle at how ridiculous this whole situation was. "Were you 4 eavesdropping?!" Nightmare growled but made no effort to appear angry, just slightly amused. He gently shoved them off of him, leaving some residual goop on the aforementioned skeletons. The octopus stood up, grabbed a skeleton in each tentacle, excluding Error, and set them all right-side up. Killer was the first one to recover, "So it's true? You DO love us?!" Killer said, getting up in Errors personal space. Error only blushed and nodded, ducking his head down a little to hide the blue flush on his cheeks. "Thank the stars! I was hoping you'd never come to your senses!" Killer exclaimed, hugging Error. Error only fizzled a little bit from the surprise contact, but he was half expecting it, thankfully.
The rest of the day consisted of Error being piled on top of what Killer deemed a "cuddle pile." No, that name was not catching on, fuck you.
Error had never been happier, a smile hardly ever leaving his face. Yes, he did mourn the chocolate he never received, Nightmare is a lying bastard, but he supposed this was the second-best thing.
Chapter 2: Art of Nightmare & Error with some design notes!
Summary:
Art by me! Do not repost please, I've had this issue before!
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