Neon Tears

Chapter 1

-Council Meeting Room-

Fresh 404 ignored the council as they trickled in, kicked back in a chair feet up on the edge of the table reading a book Life loaned him about fruit trees.

Nervous glances were cast his way. Carefully planted rumors had spread that he was hostile towards the council for hurting his family. Fanning the embers of guilt never quite letting it die down or them get comfortable.

Of course it was Inky who opened his big mouth and started something. "You're grounded!"

"Fuck off your not my parents you just helped kill them." They turned a page not even looking up from the book. While a soft rumble shakes the room.

"I don't have enough coffee to put up with this crap Inky set down and shut up. We are here to make contracts with them not watch you display your failures as a person. At least the rest of us can admit we funked up." Reaper glared at his empty coffee cup.

Classic cleared his throat, "Did you bring a list of what you want in the contract?"

They threw a paper plane at his head. "I believe these terms are reasonable for the contract with the council."

"Bru not the reasonable one you said we could be unreasonable?!" Fresh, tried to snatched at the paper airplane and froze.

"Settle down Fresh the unreasonable one is for Inky." 404 settled calmly back and pulled a Rubik's Cube out of his pocket Fresh pouted but settled down.

Catching the paper airplane, Classic watches. "I see you two are still learning to work together."

"It is rather like having a sibling who hasn't been brainwashed to kill me. I am enjoying the company." They turned their attention to the retro toy leaving Classic to read the list.

Glancing over the list Classic choked on air, coughed then started to read their demands out loud. "No work on school days, no hours longer than nine to five, no council member is allowed to attack Fresh 404 for Destroying or any member of any family he chooses to build. No council member is allowed to encourage others to attack Fresh 404 for Destroying or any member of their family. Once balance is restored his contract with Inky will become primary for work hours. The council will provide healthy non greasy snacks at meetings? There will be no drugs or alcohol at Council Holiday parties until after all children leave. Dream will take over Nightmare's jobs outside the balance until replacements can be found. The council is required to provide a companion to keep Inky out of trouble. There is also a list of Council members who have to work as their teachers. Fresh 404 will be joining the council along with all the original AU's we left out like BittyTale, LittleTale, and the mini-verses. And we have to throw birthday parties for everyone on the council?"

There was a stunned silence Fresh 404 was young enough that God of Destruction was going to be a weekend job? Nightmare, had jobs outside the balance? They were required to socialize? They were stuck babysitting Inky forever?

Surprisingly it was Razz that broke the silence this time. "Where are you staying, who is looking after you, when was the last time you ate?" His questions might not have lined up with what everyone was thinking but close enough.

"We have taken over dad's castle. Lady Life has agreed to move her garden there tell I am an adult, as has Golden from FlowerFell # 0, Fresh insisted on disgustingly sugary cereal this morning. Any questions that actually have anything to do with the council? Or mom's job that you tried to sacrifice me to get a replacement for?" They glanced up to watch the more sensitive members of the council flinching back when he called Error mom, and reminded them they had fed a kid to a SOUL parasite.