"What's wrong, buddy?"
"This… this kid."
Ink stood beside an even smaller skeleton, dressed in ornate light blue and yellow fabric with a simple golden crown perched atop his head. He had a look of concern on his face as his eyes were glued to the projection in front of him.
"What about him?" Ink asked, a slight note of confusion crossing his face as he looked down at his smaller friend.
"...I've seen him grow up, plenty of times in other timelines, and every time he does, it just…"
His voice trailed off, small bright cyan tears starting to form in his eye sockets as he looked up at Ink.
"...It's horrible, Ink… He has such a terrible childhood, and he doesn't grow up to be a very nice person, either… I just- I wish there was something I could do for him..!"
"Hey hey, it's okay Dream, I'm sure we can-"
"I-Ink, I'm afraid- I'm afraid that if we don't do something this time, something terrible could happen…"
Dream's golden pupils disappeared from sight, tears streaming down his cheekbones at the terrible thoughts that started to cross his mind.
Ink stayed silent as he looked to the projection of the universe that Dream had been examining, a small human boy with brown hair clearly visible, crying alone in a dark room.
"...You're right. We have to do something before your brother decides that it's time to step in."
The small skeleton's pupils returned, looking down in almost a shameful manner.
"...He already has… In another timeline. I-, I couldn't bear to watch the rest…"
The taller skeleton's fists clenched, gritting his teeth at he looked to the side.
"Dammit, Nightmare…"
Closing his eyes, Ink took a deep breath, taking a hand and gently placing it on Dream's shoulder, upon which the shorter monster looked back up at him with slight surprise.
"Don't worry, Dream. We'll make things right. I promise. I won't let Nightmare or Error meddle even more in this than they already have."
Dream only nodded, taking his sleeve and wiping away his tears.
"Th-Thank you, Ink."
Ink smiled.
"Hey, it's no problem. We have every right to help this kid, okay? Your brother can't just do whatever he wants."
Dream frowned slightly despite Ink's reassurance.
"I-I would've stepped in earlier, but… there weren't enough good emotions to let me pass through the fabric of the multiverse to help me get to him…"
"Then I'll go and make some! Don't you worry buddy, I got this!"
Ink said, suddenly turning away and drawing his paintbrush from his back, the leftover ink and paint on it easily forming a portal as he swiped it through the air.
"I-Ink, wait-!"
Dream stepped away from the projection as he called out to him, but Ink was already hopping through the portal as Dream reached out in a vain attempt to stop him from going through. Dream watched as the portal closed, and he sighed at the occurrence of the brash action.
"...Just be careful, Ink…"