Another Book of AU Oneshots

Rumbling

This was taken from my prompt book, however, I urge you guys to also read -Vksel- 's fic, too (titled "Little by Little").

Ink groaned and ran a weary hand down his face. He was exhausted, and he still had more work to do. One of the shyer Creators had asked for his help today, and he just couldn't turn them down. It had already taken this long for them to reach out, so it would've been mean to deny them help. But the thing was, there had been so much work to do lately. From inspiring ideas to motivating Creators to defending AUs... the list went on and on. And as much as Ink wanted a break, he was scared. He needed to work. He needed to help. If he didn't, he'd lose his paints. If he didn't, they'd forget him. And... Ugh, just the thought of those happening made him nauseous.

Or... maybe he was nauseous from hunger. After all, he hadn't eaten in at least a week, and the hunger had made him retch whatever was still in him days ago. Now, he was shaky, fatigued, dizzy, faint, and his thoughts were hazy and clouded. Everything was muddled and muddy and he felt awful.

What was he even doing...? Where was...? Oh, right. Still in the shy Creator's AU.

"Hey, Creator? You feeling good on your own here, or do you still need help?" His voice cracked as his stomach grumbled.

Near him, he could see the landscape slowly taking shape. A stream here, a flower there... and the framework of a house... Suddenly, the whole AU seemed to brighten. They got it!

Despite himself, Ink managed a small smile and turned. "Looks like you got it, pal! Good for you! I'd stick around, but I gotta head out, so-" Another movement at his feet caught his eye. There was suddenly writing in the earth in front of him.

Hey, are you okay?

Ah, this Creator was probably the "worried mom friend" type. Or at least compassionate. The artist clutched his middle as a wave of nausea swept through his empty, growling stomach.

"I'm good, pal," he managed weakly. "Just, you know, sudden nausea. It's normal for me, trust me."

Are you sure? You seem hungry.

He sighed. He was so hungry, but with the queasiness came a vicious loss of appetite. He could eat later. He had work to do. "I'm okay. I can make myself something to eat in a second. I'll get out of your AU, though; I don't wanna ruin it and distract you. Good luck, and call me if you need me."

With that, Ink leapt into a new, inky portal and slipped away from the developing universe and into the Doodlesphere. He flopped out of the paint bucket, exhausted. That Creator had been so worried, but he hadn't the time...

Another wave of hunger-induced nausea forced him onto his hands and knees, and he heaved and retched up a pitiful mouthful of inky acid. Again. Stars, that was all he was ever able to get up, and it was so painful...

He... He needed to rest. He wanted to rest; he was so exhausted.

Ink finally looked up from the puddle. The rest of the Doodlesphere sat, waiting for his attention, and in the center was a large island with a small house. That was his home. Yet... he didn't want to go home. He could still hear the Creators. Plus, the inside was a disaster, more so than normal. He couldn't walk in without falling over something, and he didn't have the time or energy to ever clean up. All the food in his kitchen was likely rotten by now, the dishes had been piled high in the sink for who-knows-how-long, and...

He sighed and grabbed one of the tails of his scarf to wipe his mouth. Nausea bubbled unhappily in his stomach, and he took a deep breath, willing himself to keep it in. The Doodlesphere didn't need him puking all over it. At least it wasn't Nightmare's manor...