A Shadow of the Past

The Flames of War

A few weeks later....

"FiNaLlY! ThInGs ArE bAcK tO bEiNg SoMeWhAt NoRmAl!"

"Yeah, except Nightmare and the gang hate you."

Ink and Error were laying in the grass  in Outertale, staring up at the stars. It had been a stressful couple of weeks, as Error destroyed the AUs that were beyond saving, and Ink created a few new ones to take their place. Some AUs were easier to destroy than others, but overall, it was exhausting work. All the corrupted junk taking up space in the multiverse caused Error's migraines to spike, and Ink had had to carry him out of the AUs because he'd collapsed from fatigue and pain. Eh, nothing a good cuddle session and a few chocolate bars couldn't fix!

Ink and Error had grown closer over those few weeks. Error could control his glitches more easily, giving Ink more confidence to hold Error's hand and hug him. And cuddle him. And-

Ok, let's stop there.

Blueberry and Dream had watched as the two lovebirds worked together to save the multiverse, while simultaneously bonding and growing closer in their relationship. Blueberry thought it was cute, but it was going too slow for his liking. He devised a plan to bring them much closer, and convinced Dream to help. This required Ink and Error to go somewhere other than Dream's mansion, so they decided to hang out in Outertale.

"YeAh, I kNoW. I jUsT wIsH tHeRe WaS a WaY tO sToP tHe FiGhTiNg. JuSt YeStErDaY, rEd AnD tHaT oThEr GuY tRiEd To ImPaLe Me! WhAtEvEr Is CaUsInG nIGhTmArE tO bE tHiS aGgReSsIvE, iT hAs To StOp. ThE mUlTiVeRsE cAn'T hAnDlE hIs TeMpEr TaNtRuM rIgHt NoW."

"Pffft, poor little Nighty needs a nap so he doesn't destroy things!"

"Hahahahahahahahaha! Oh, and he needs a lullaby to get him to sleep! Rockabye, Nightmare, on the treetop!"

Ink burst out laughing, not noticing Error's voice ceasing to glitch. He'd gotten used to it after a couple of days, since it can't seem to stay consistent. It went from glitching all the time, to not glitching at all, then back again. Very confusing, but also, sort of alluring.

Anyway, the two of them stopped laughing after a bit, enjoying the stars and the silence that followed. Ink's hand inched toward Error's, and the glitchy skeleton mirrored the movement until their fingers intertwined. They both had huge smiles on their faces, as well as a small blush.

Ink sat up as a shooting star blazed overhead, and Error followed. Their hands were still connected, and Ink squeezed Error's as he turned to him.
"Quick! Make a wish, Error!"

Error looked up to the stars and closed his eyes. "I wish...."
'I wish I had the confidence to tell you how much you mean to me. I wish I could convince myself you love me as much as I love you. I wish-'

"E-Error?! What's wrong?!"

Ink's voice brought him out of his thoughts as a tear trickled down his cheek. He looked at Ink, then back at the stars, sighing deeply.
"It'S.... nOtHiNg ImPoRtAnT."

"Aww, c'mon, Error! If it upsets you, I wanna know what it is so I can help!"

"HeH, sUrE. LiKe YoU cOuLd HeLp Me WiTh ThIs."

"Whatever it is, I can at least try to help! Please, Error? I really want to help you feel better."

Error looked away, a blush creeping onto his cheekbones.
"U-uM, m-MaYbE i CaN dO tHiS mYsElF. JuSt- promise me you won't laugh."

"I promise!"

"O-ok, Ink, I... my wish was that... I would be brave enough to tell you.... how much you mean to me, how much I love and appreciate you, a-and I want you to love me as much as I love you. I g-guess my wish came true, huh?"