Love Doesn't Age (ErrInk)

Chapter 24 - Ice Skates

Ink's POV

I drew in my sketchbook while waiting for Error to pick me up from the library. He was busy with work which caused him to have to stay longer.

  My attention was taken from my drawing when I saw Tisha sit across from me.

Me: What are you doing here? I thought you left already.

Tisha: I had some theater stuff to do before I left school. What are you doing?

Me: I'm waiting for Error to pick me up.

We talked with one another but I suddenly felt my phone vibrate by getting a notification. I pulled it out from my pocket and saw Error's contact profile. A small smile came to me.

Tisha leaned in, resting her elbow against the table and giving me a sly grin. I glared at her before looking at my phone once more.

  I picked up my backpack when I read that he was outside the building. I gave her a quick hug and exited the library.

  I saw Error leaning against his car, typing on his phone. I waved to catch his attention. We smiled to each other, greeting before going to the front doors of the vehicle.

  Once we slid into the seats, Error looked at me as he turned on the electric car.

Error: Do you have homework, Ink?

I shook my head, thankful that I didn't have anything to do for school.

Error: Great. Then what do you want to do for the rest of the day?

Me: Really? Um...

  I thought to myself for a second, trying to figure out what both Error and I can do.

Me: How about ice skating?

  Error stared at me, going silent. I tilted my head while giving him a confused look. He looked away with blush slowing appearing on his cheeks.

Error: It's... it's so many years since I've skated.

  My mouth opened slightly. I leaned back into my seat and stared at the windshield.

Me: That's it. We're going ice skating so you can learn again.

  Not long after, we were heading down the road to the rink that I went to when my parents were still alive.

(Time Skip)

  I stood on the blades of my shoes while watching Error tie his laces. The weather was cold so we had to wear warm clothing.

  I kept my brown scarf secured around my neck and one of Error's warm jackets was wrapped around my shoulders. Error was wearing a turtleneck with a leather jacket. He wore his glasses as well as a red beanie on his head.

  He stood up but almost fell over from the lack of remembering how to balance.

  I grabbed his shoulders, helping him stand up. He lightly smiled at me as he used me as support.

  When we slid onto the ice, I felt Error slip a bit however still managing to keep himself from falling. I grabbed his hands gently as I skated backwards.

  After a few minutes of giving him the basics, Error eventually got the hang of it again.

Me: Do you want me to let go so you can go on your own?

Error: Yeah. I think I remember how to do this.

  I slowly slipped my fingers from his hands and slid at his side. A smile came to me when Error got better and better as time past.

Me: You're doing great... for an old timer.

  I lightly giggled. This caused Error to look at me with a playful expression.

Error: Old timer? I'm not even thirty yet.

  He said while laughing.

Error: Besides, I know a few things about skating.

Me: I'm still better than you.

Error: Are you sure about that, Inky?

  My eyes widened when he called me that name. The name that I was very familiar with. It finally dawned on me.

  My thoughts were broken when I felt the blade of my skate catch the ice in the wrong way. I fell over, hitting the ice roughly and feeling myself lose all of my breath.

  Error got on his knees and instantly helped me up. There was pain in my foot, telling me that I injured it in some way.

Error: Are you okay?

Me: I don't know. I hurt my foot.

Error: Let's get off the rink and get to the car.

  He picked me up and skated to the glass wall. I felt the smooth gliding soon turn into hard ground. Error set me on the bench so he could take off his skates. Once he done, I was carried off the rink and into the parking lot.

The trunk of Error's car opened up. Error rested me on it, allowing me to breathe for a second.

Error: How's your foot?

Me: It hurts but it should be fine.

He growled to himself and began pacing back and forth.

Error: I should have never agreed to taking you here. Then, you wouldn't have gotten hurt.

Me: I'm fine, Error.

He sat down next to me and buried his face in his hands. I rethought about the name that Error used.

Me: You called me "Inky". You were my caretaker, Error?

Error looked at me, realizing what I had asked him. He turned his attention to his legs while sighing somewhat awkwardly.

Error: Surprise. I never intended on telling you like this. I didn't know how to bring it up after so many years of being gone. It was honestly shocking to see my name on the will.

I hugged him without warning. Error was still for a second but he pulled me close to him into a warm embrace. Tears of happiness started to fall down my cheeks.

Me: I missed you, Error.

I heard Error's voice from the fabric of my scarf.

Error: ...

I missed you too, Inky