Dark Thorns (A Deltarune fanfic)

Painful Memories, Restless Sleep

It was late by the time Pink made it back home. He was exhausted. At least he had found the ring.

Spamton...
He was alive and didn't tell anyone. Why?

No. No use dwelling on that. He could have come back whenever he wanted. It was clear how he felt.

  Pink put the ring into an empty box. He put it by his bedside so that he wouldn't forget it in the morning.
Soon, all of this will be over.
Just give it to those crooks and forget about the whole thing.

Before going to bed, Pink checked the wound on his face. The bruise was still dark, but the cut didn't seem as red as the day before.
Healing. That's good.

Pink gave his face a wash then made his way back to bed. Hopefully, with the ring found, he could finally get some rest.

—

"Hey, Pink! I'm so sorry I'm late."

"It's no problem Spammy."
"... had a feeling you'd be late anyway."

"What was that?"

"Oh nothing."

"Oh. Alright then. Like I said, sorry I'm late. I was stuck on a call."
"Let me guess. Mike?"
"Ha ha. You know it!"

"Hm. What did you say about Queen's offer?"
"Huh? Oh that."

"I mean, it was nice of her to tell us we can stay over there, but our home is just fine."
"..."
"Spam?"
"I haven't told her my answer yet. It's a-"
"Our. It's 'our' answer."
"Yes. You're right. But don't you think it'd be nice to have a change of scenery?"
"Sure, but-"
"Then let's do it!"
"Hang on. I'm saying sure, but as like a vacation. Not permanently moving in."
"Didn't you say that you've always wanted a bigger space? Well it's a whole mansion!"
"Yes. I do want a bigger space. Our space. Not Queen's mansion."
"Well then let's buy a bigger space. I can afford it now. I can give you anything you want!"
"It's not that simple and you know it."

"But it can be."
"What would the point be in getting a new house if you're not even gonna be there? You're not even home half the time."
"I'm sorry if I'm working. Sorry if I'm too busy keeping us afloat while you're struggling."
"Spamton!"
"That. That came out wrong."
"You fucking think?"
"Look let's just-"
"At least I'm honest about my work."
"What?"
"I honestly don't even know how you did it. Where did all these sales come from?"
"I've told you already. Mike has been helping me out."
"And who is Mike?"
"Pink."
"It's a simple question."
"He's a friend. That's my simple answer."
"Do you even know what he looks like?"
"I-"
"How can you trust somebody like that?"
"At least he knows what's best for me!"
"What?"
"He at least knows I'm worth something."
"Spam I-"
"And look! I am worth something. I'm not that worthless little salesman that needed help from Yellow or Blue."
"Spamton-"
"Or even you. Maybe that's it. You'd rather it be me struggling while you're the one making all the shots."

"Are you kidding me?"
...
"Pink? Hang on wait-"
"Don't."
"I didn't-"
"Yes. Yes you did."
"I-"
"Just go. Fucking crook."
...
"Fine."

—

  Morning couldn't have come sooner. It was a restless night for Pink. All night, he kept tossing and turning in his sleep.
  Why did he have to remember that conversation before he went to sleep?

Well whatever.
He needed to get ready for the day.

As he got dressed, Pink started to feel anxious.
What time will they come?
Are they already there? No. They'll probably get there around 5:00.
But should he even open up the shop? The other Addisons would really be concerned if they heard the shop was closed again.
But should he risk other customers coming by in case they're there? Perhaps keeping the shop closed again wouldn't be such a bad idea.

Pink stuffed the small box into his pocket. He needs to keep the ring close to him so that it doesn't get lost.

Ring.

Quickly, Pink rushed over to look through his other pair of pants. The ones he wore two days ago. He didn't think of it at the time, but he needed to make sure it was still there. Reaching into one of the pockets, he felt a familiar cold object.

Good. It's still there.

He then took the item and put it in his other pocket.

  Before leaving the house, Pink made sure to put a bandage over his injury. He didn't know why he didn't do it before. It would have made people less concerned about him if he had just covered it up.

As he walked out the door, he got a phone call.

"Hello?"
"Heya Pink."
"Oh. Hey Blue."
"What happened last night? We all tried to call you, but you didn't answer."

Shit. He had completely forgotten to call the other Addisons and tell them he got home.

"Ah sorry. I had a really bad headache yesterday and I had my phone on silent for a majority of the day."
"Oh alright. How are you feeling now?"
"I'm actually still feeling like crap. I think I'm gonna have the store closed again."
"Woah it's that bad?"
"I think I might be coming down with something. I'll maybe go to the doctors later this week if it doesn't clear up."
"Okay. Are you sure you're doing okay? You've been kinda distant lately."
"Yeah. I'm fine. Like I said, I think I'm just coming down with something."
"Alright. Please be careful not to push yourself too hard, okay?"
"Yes. I know, Blue."
"Talk to you later?"
"Yeah."
"Alright, goodbye."
"Bye."

By the time they had finished their conversation, he had made it to his store. Pink took out his keys and unlocked the door. The inside was still a mess. He hadn't properly cleaned it up since he spent the majority of the previous day looking for the damn ring.

Might as well start cleaning the place up. It would be a good way to kill time before those men came back.