We were just friends

Big Baby pt. 1

Ink surfed through the doodle sphere from his painted portal automatically traveling to the predetermined meet up decided by himself and his work associates. Underswap.

Once getting to the right "opening" he landed on the coffee table belonging to the underswap bros. Much to the dismay of the Papyrus of that au.

"Ink!" Both Dream and  Blue exclaimed in surprise.

It was then that US Pap decided he wanted no part in whatever this was, and teleported away. He didn't care if the house burned down this time. This was not his first SS meeting and it certainly wouldn't be his last.

Dream was the first to help Ink up from the wooden shards of what was previously a coffee table, "Ink, are you alright?"

"Fine. 10% table, but fine."

"How have you been, friend! It's been awhile since you've blessed us with your presence," Blue exclaimed in a way Ink couldn't quite tell if it was sarcasm or Blue's regular cheery greeting. Blue after all was Blue, but over the years he has picked up some sass form Error, "where have you been?" Sarcasm it was sarcasm.

"Oh, uh..."

"More importantly, why haven't you contacted us?" Dream asked giving Ink an unimpressed look. Dream was no fool, he knew Ink was at best an inconsistent teammate. At worse an unreliable ass. But to the artist's credit he always gave something, a phonecall, a text, hell Dream has received letters! If Ink was not responding it was intentional.

"Well- you see-"

Dream then removed his support and let go of Ink's Arm letting him fall back in the couch. The smaller Sanses began to tower over him with expectant glares. They were small in size, yes, but the duo have always been able to make Ink seem smaller, effectively putting him in his place.

Ink sighed and looked away like a toddler. He was embarrassed for sure, irritated also.

He mumbled something unintelligible in a frustrated grumble.

Dream rolled his eyes at this, he did not forget how immature Ink could be, and how difficult he was when he was having a tantrum. Ink out of all of them had the most knowledge and experience, but yet was the most childish.

"Ink, you know we're just trying to help," Dream offered only to receive a pouty 'hmph', "me and Blue just want what's best, you know that."

"And you can't just disappear without any response. Dream and I were worried." Blue added.

Ink only whined and began to squirm into a lower position on the couch so that his back was on the cushion. He pouted and crossed his arms angrily as he grimaced at the floor. (The damn floor).

Dream tried a new approach since intimidation wasn't working, he came to Ink's side and crouched down to his level, expression softening,  "is something wrong, Ink. If something is bothering you need to tell us or we can't help you.

In rolled over so that he was face away from Dream, "nooooooooooo"

Blue couldn't help but hum an amused laugh.

Dream gave an exasperated sigh before huffing, "don't encourage him, Blue."trying not to laugh himself.

Blue suppressed a snirk, "sorry."

Ink's cheeks were burning with embarrassment, he didn't like being laugh at, it only accentuates how little they think of him. Tears threatened to fall from his sockets as the bitterness continued to fester.

Error didn't appreciate him. His friends didn't appreciate him. The only person who could understand him was Broomy, and she's still upset about the marker incident.

Ink rubbed at his eyes. Why was he like this, he usually wasn't wond so tight. Ink felt a twinge at his chest, but not the good kind, more like the icky empty kind.

'Damnit! Vial, Ink! Vials! Stupid, stupid!'

"Do you need something, you look sick." Blue asked concerned. Ink was childish, and would occasionally throw a tantrum here and there, but nothing like this. He usually couldn't shut up if he was upset, yet now he could only respond with baby whines and cranky sounds...

Cranky!

"Do you need a nap, Ink? Are you tired." (So close)

Ink aggressively shook his head, he new what he needed, but his was still stubbornly upset with his friends for belittling his pride.

"Do you want something to eat?" Dream tried running out of ideas and just following Blue's example at this point.

Ink shook his head.

"Do you want a MAGNIFICENT hug!"

Ink hesitated caught off guard by the audacious nature of the question. He had to question whether or not he wanted a hug. Ink shook his head.

"Do- do you want... something to drink??" Dream asked in utter confusion, he was completely lost.

Technically.

Ink balled up. He couldn't respond if he wanted to at this point, he had resided to being nonverbal. Why? Because he was an idiot! He should have known back when he was talking to Error, his glitchy's fearful hesitation now was more clear. And he really, REALLY should have known when he lost his desire for speech.

Blue now was also lost. He was on to something but didn't quite know what. This behavior, he'd never seen Ink act like this, but something about it was familiar.

Blue observed his friend closer as he curled up in a tight ball, searching for any more discrepancies in his behavior that might given them a clue.

Cranky. Nonverbal. Fetal position. It was all to familiar. Maybe something Error had said...

Blue gasped as the realization hit him like a god damn brick.

"VIALS! VIALS!"

Dream jumped up quickly, "shit, Ink! You haven't taken your vials!?!"

Ink didn't feel upset with his friends anymore. Which would be a relief if not for the numb feeling threatening his entire being. He felt guilty, really guilty. For Error, for Blue, for Dream, he'd failed all of then with his carelessness.

He felt bad, but he'd gamble that that was better than nothing at all so...

Misery it is!

"Alright! Give me the directions to the location of your vials, and I will retrieve them!" Blue asked forgetting the nonverbal part.

"He can't speak, Blue. I think he keeps a spare here."

"Then I will retrieve them!" Blue repeated, "where are they exactly?"

"Your brother's room."

"A very strange location indeed, but nonetheless I will find them and bring them to you!" Blue ran up the stairs.

Dream stayed behind wondering how Ink could possibly forget about his vials! They were pretty essential for him to-... well be Ink! He never forgets them! Purposefully stops taking them, yup, being unable to, yup, but forgetting, never. Dream rushed through all of the situation that could possibly cause Ink to forget his vials, no of which were good.

It was either he was going crazy, or he was dying. Or he being a-

"Got them!"