Demons & Mortals | ErrorInk | EDITING

N I N E

Ink embarked on his journey home with a heart full of trepidation, each step heavy with the weight of his choices. The sun hung low in the sky, washing everything in a golden hue that seemed to mock his inner turmoil. He hoped that when he returned, the people he held dear would come to understand why he had ventured into the unknown—if, that is, they ever asked him about it. Even if the truth was mired in half-truths and veiled intentions, he held a flicker of hope that forgiveness would find him.

The hours stretched like an eternity as he and Error traversed the winding paths from point A to point B. By the time they reached their destination, an imposing monastery loomed before them, its ancient stones telling stories of centuries past. Ink turned to Error, his vibrant partner, his voice tinged with nerves, "Here we are."

A tight knot of guilt coiled in Ink's stomach. *Oh god, I hope everything remains unchanged while Error's here. I know what I did was wrong, a sin, but there must be a way to seek forgiveness,* he recited quietly to himself, hoping the words would soothe his racing heart.

Error, with his striking array of colors and gentleness, took Ink's hand, threading their fingers together in a display of trust. He squeezed it reassuringly, a soft smile blooming on his lips that made Ink's heart race. In that moment, he felt a rush of undeniable affection; he wasn't ashamed of the love he carried for Error, regardless of the lineages that separated them. With a father who was a fallen angel and a mother, once an angel herself, who now ruled the underworld as the Crayon Queen, Ink's life was a tapestry woven of paradoxes.

"It'll be alright, Ink," Error spoke, his voice a calming balm in the vast, echoing hall of the monastery. It felt like a sanctuary, but the heavy door suddenly clanged shut behind them, cutting off their world from the outside.

"Ink! There you are—" Blue's familiar voice rang out, laced with relief and warmth. But as his gaze fell on Error, the moment of joy was tinged with uncertainty. "It's wonderful to see you back safe, Ink," he managed, genuine concern flickering in his eyes. Dream stepped forward, his presence a whirlwind of energy. "Yeah, sorry for taking so long. I was on my way when I stumbled across—wait, how the heck—what should I call him?" Ink's thoughts raced as he hesitated. "Aw! You're in love; that's adorable!" Dream exclaimed, his wide grin reminiscent of sunlight breaking through clouds.

"So, who's this?" Blue inquired, somewhat unsure. Ink's heart raced. "Oh, this is Error." *Shit,* he thought, panic clawing at him from within. "Error, hm? That's a neat name. I've known someone else with a strange name, too," Dream remarked, an enigmatic gleam in his eyes.

Dream kept his secrets buried deep; he never revealed who that person was or uttered their name, but Ink could sense the unspoken connections in the air. He suspected Blue was also tangled in a web of affection, harboring feelings for Dust, a fellow Star Sans who also claimed the mantle of demonhood. *So I'm not alone in loving a demon,* he considered, his heart swelling with a mix of relief and concern. Dream was likely enamored with Cross, who embodied an angel's grace. A familiar pang of recognition fluttered through Ink's mind as he considered the intertwining fates.

As they progressed, Ink finally introduced Error to those who had shaped his upbringing. "Error, this is Mother Toriel and Mother Noelle," he announced. Noelle greeted Error with infectious enthusiasm, her voice bright, while Toriel regarded him with a careful, scrutinizing expression that hinted at her protective instincts.

"Ink, may I have a moment alone with you?" Toriel asked, her tone laced with maternal concern. Ink nodded, the knot in his stomach tightening as Error relinquished his hand, lightly brushing it against his lips before saying, "Come back soon, love," a smile adorned with hope lighting up his features. "I will; it'll only be for a few minutes," Ink promised, stepping away with Toriel.

Once they were apart, Toriel's gaze grew serious. "Ink, I want you to be aware of what you're diving into," she cautioned, her voice firm and unwavering.

"Of course I am," he replied, trying to quell his internal fear and uncertainty.

"I just need you to be cautious around... him," she urged, her warmth cloaked in concern.

"You mean Error? Are you saying he could be dangerous?" Ink asked, confusion simmering beneath the surface.

"No," she replied gently, shaking her head with a weight that felt almost palpable.

"Then what are you suggesting?" His heart quickened.

"A demon, Ink. He could very well be a demon."

Ink's heart sank; the blood drained from his face as her words resonated within him. *She knows.* Panic surged through him; how had she sensed the truth? Struggling to find his voice, he replied, "But if he were truly a demon, how could he enter this sanctuary?"

"You make a valid point," Toriel conceded, but the concern still etched on her face felt like an unyielding weight. "But please, be careful. I don't wish for any star to align that reveals he bears the signs of a true demon."

"I understand." As he left the conversation, anguish twisted at his heart. *God, forgive me for keeping this from her. I care for this 'demon' she fears, and wants him to feel safe, far removed from the imprisonment of that temple.*

Returning to his room with Error alongside him felt surreal. "So... she knows," Error ventured thoughtfully, his eyes searching Ink's face for reassurance.

"Probably. But she's aware of my feelings for you, which is... forbidden, I know," Ink confessed softly, as uncertainty lingered in the air.

"Heh, very forbidden," Error chuckled, sinking onto the bed and inviting Ink into his embrace, their bodies fitting together like two puzzle pieces.

"You know, I can tell that Blue is also involved with a demon. Dream likely loves an angel, and Toriel has feelings for one too," Ink remarked, his mind racing with the interconnectedness of their lives.

"I'm not surprised you figured that out," Error replied, a hint of admiration in his voice as he fiddled with the hem of Ink's shirt.

"As they say, 'knowledge is its reward.' But it can also lead one to madness," Error mused, recalling the keen intuition demons possess. They could smell their kin, scent lingering like a faint whisper in the air. That pause from Blue—the familiar scent of a demon, Dust, wafting through the moments. *Lucky for Error, his disguise cloaks him, blocking his scent from detection—except from me,* Ink concluded, leaning in to steal a tender kiss from Error's lips.

The kiss deepened, and their connection flared with an electrifying warmth. When they finally parted, Ink's face was aflame with color—a delightful rainbow blush illuminating his cheeks as a smile blossomed across his face. Feeling an overwhelming sense of affection, he nestled closer to Error, laying his head on his chest, succumbing to the comfort of his embrace. Eventually, wrapped in the safety of that moment, he drifted off into a peaceful slumber, where dreams and reality intertwined, allowing him a brief respite from the complexities of their world.