Chapter Text
Error was extremely anxious for his little babybones first day at school— jeez —he couldn't even believe PJ (* PaperJam) was turning 6 years old soon. He had no recollection of when he was younger, if that period in time even existed for him, but he was determined to give his brat the best life ever.
With everything that has happened to them these past 3 years with the divorce, sudden need to move due to his anti-void's instability and harm it was doing to PJ. It sucked like hell to move and he could only imagine how stressful it was for his child. The anti-void was the place where they both knew as a source of comfort but now they were stuck in some neutral AU's building. Wasn't that bad compared to what others might have to deal with but he was too used to white void that a void had appeared in his stomach too.
Of all the horrible things that could happen to him, the betrayal and hurt he felt after his divorce with that squid was the worst of the worst. He only agreed to that dumb truce because he didn't want the newly weds to fight but now he only wanted to destroy that stupid truce with his bare hands but he knew the consequences. Without any allies anymore, after he left for... Love— he would be vulnerable again like he used to be when he first started. The thought made his teeth grit in anger.
It pissed him off to no end. If he could, he would go back and shake some sense into his old self.
He hated this.
Hated this sense of helplessness.
Hated this loneliness.
Hated everything.
Hated.
Hate.
The glitch leaned back into the couch, sighing as he realised he let his mind wander too far deep again, it wasn't healthy and he knew that but it was a little nice to wallow in his pain once in a while. Before PJ came back home he decided to do something to pass the time, other than crochet.
Putting his coat on and stuffing his cellular device into his pant pocket he made his way out the front door. It was about time he went grocery shopping, the AU he resided in for the time being held many outcodes and just any monster who wishes to do their own thing without the hawk-like watch of Core!Frisk. This AU in particular had an agreement to remain neutral, with none of the star sanses or bad sanses interfering with their work, even after the truce was establish the care-taker of the universe refused to lift his foot up.
It was honestly amusing, most if not all who reside here still continue to the bad stuff like raiding helpless AUs, but he had no time to worry about such things that didn't involve him he needed to prepare lunch for PJ and himself.
After living here for as long as he has the people didn't cower before him anymore, instead, they gave a polite wave to him when they saw him. At this point he had accidentally been known as the AU's 'protector' because who would dare try to be rid of an AU where the former destroyer stayed with his child. Though he must admit, the drama would reach undernovela levels.
Taking a cart and walking through the mart he looked around to figure out where he needed to go, without his glasses he lost everything was quite blurry but he could still make out some words.
Grabbing what he needed and placing the items in his trolley as he skimmed through each aisle for what he searched for. Inevitably he had to address the presence watching the back of his head. Even if he did NOT want to cause a scene or even fight he had to establish some boundaries with those around him in this small town.
"May I h3lp you?" Error question as he nonchalantly checked out the various sauces and such.
"Heh... So it is the real deal. Didn't think my brother would be doing something as domestic as shopping."
The familiar voice pricked at his SOUL like a pin carefully aimed to hit where it hurt. Turning his head around immediately he saw Geno who seemed amused to see him here. It had been ages since they last interacted, when they last met was when he was with... Ink. Maybe it's best not to think about the past right now.
Taking note of the lack of a cloaked jerked he felt a little bit at ease. Cracking a smile at his older brother there was a slight relief that clogged his systems. Even if he was sure Geno and he were not bone related in the slightest he has been calling Geno his brother since... Forever he assumes.
"Where's the little gremlin and your favourite toy? I wouldn't mind seeing them."
"I c0uld ask tHE same of you, PJ is at school c-cu1rently and he... Uhm..."
Geno immediately noticed the anxiety that laced his baby brother's voice, that usual smile on him that every skeleton had wasn't as wide anymore. Dread linger in him as he wondered what had happened to his glitchy little bro.
_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Error eventually bid Geno farewell, after learning Geno just needed to purchase some stuff real quick then leave and not coming to visit like he hoped, he was a bit disappointed, he wouldn't have mind if he had some company other than himself and PJ but that was besides the point.
Carrying two bags of groceries he was glad to see PJ had yet to come home, he still had time to meal prep. Initially, he never found any purpose in cooking but now that he had his pride and ego form into a little babybones he found cooking to be a little nice. Cooking reminded him of his old mess of a life with all the spills and mishaps that could happen, it was like a call back to what he used to be.
Consumed by the cooking he did not notice that his babybones had came back home already until PJ tugged on his pant leg did he look down and notice the wide smile his child possessed. It was a surprise to him because he had never seen PJ so happy before but he was still extremely glad his kid enjoyed their first day at school.
Before he could open his mouth to ask about their day PaperJam was already excitedly talking about it. Walking back and forth in the kitchen while they talked, a habit they had developed from observing Error.
"I made a fren! His name is Cresent and we played together on the swings and took turns down the slide together and—"
The glitch nodded attentively as he listened to PJ's rambling. The lack of necessary grammar to create a coherent sentence from his young one was adorable. Oh to be a child with no care in the world. Hearing the name of their new friend he was a little at ease that his child wasn't the only one with an odd name in that class. Not like he was the one he named PaperJam anyway— it was more like a suggestion from a commentator so he blames it on them.
"–he had marks on his face like you, Papa! But like- less cool and it look more like a cresent moon... Hehe! Like his name!"
Marks on his face? What a strange child... Though, he found his child's analysis of their new friend amusing. PJ always liked to comment on everything that happened around them no matter how insignificant but always found a way to make it interesting.
Error never thought he would hear of another skeleton affiliated with the moon in some way, he thought that trend had died down with the creators but apparently not. The last monster he met who was like that was... Was...
Before he knew it he accidentally cut his finger while cutting up vegetables, causing PJ to panic at the hiss he exhaled. Marrow slowly leaked from the wound, it wasn't big, but still hurt quite a bit. Washing the wound he reassured PaperJam he was fine after noticing their worried reaction. Maybe it was for the best he keeps his mind busy and preoccupied with cooking or else who knows what else might happen if he continues to use his brain.