Chapter one:
Today's the day.
Ink feels like it has to be today, it should be today. He is going to tell Error how he feels. He's been crushing on him for a long time now. He just hasn't had the courage to actually tell the other his feelings. He is determined to make it today. He adjusts his clothes he usually wears wanting it to be a bit surprising. Plus he wants to make sure he doesn't go too far to do this. He knows how simple Error can be at times. He's seen the other content with just a box in a room when visiting others.
Since everyone all lives in one world scattered in cities or towns of mixed versions.
Now ready he heads off after taking a deep breath. He is meeting up with Error who asked him to come to a spot. He makes it to a park in the middle of the city he lives in.
The main residents are from Underswap, Undertale, Swapfell, and Underfell, though some others from other versions can also be found here. They decided to live here for their own reasons.
Ink sees Error up ahead down a path in the park. He starts to feel a little nervous so he takes a quick moment to gather some courage. He heads over to the other a smile on his face. "Hey Error!" He greets causing the other to turn around to him.
"A-Ah. Inky." Error greets with his glitchy voice. "P-Perfect timing."
"Well I thought I might as well get here on time." Ink tries to wave it off with a slight laugh. He shares a smile with the other. He feels as though his nonexistent stomach is turning from the nerves creeping into him. He really hopes that nothing goes wrong. He loves Error so much and is a little scared about rejection. Though he knows that they've known each other for a long time, and clearly care about each other. He knows that anyone can see it. "Say... Ru-Ru." He begins as the other watches him. "There was something I wanted to tell you." He shifts his right foot crunching some small rocks beneath his shoe.
"W-What is i-it?" Error questions sounding pretty curious about what in the world it is.
Ink is about to tell him his feelings when a third voice stops him from doing so.
"Hey guys!"
The two turn and spot Blue, Underswap Sans, coming their way.
Ink notices Errors face light up and he shares a hug with Blue. He feels as though he is standing on the edge of a big hole. "You two seem to be getting along." He mentions hoping that it isn't what it looks like. He prays to whatever deity is listening to make it anything but the one thing.
The two turn and Blue smiles in greeting.
"A-A-Actually yeah. I a-asked him to c-come." Error explains, and the two turn to fully face Ink standing side by side. "Actually I w-w-wanted to talk t-to you first. Since y-you're one of m-m-my closest friends." His words almost seem to feel like shoved to Ink; as if he is about to be pushed into the hole. "Me and B-Blue actually d-decided to try d-d-dating."
It is what Ink thought it was... And now he feels as if he is falling though he remains standing.
Blue lays his head on Errors shoulder looking happy.
Ink closes his eyes to give a big smile to them. If only to try to hide any hint of his eyes showing his sadness. "That's great! Im super happy for you two." He opens his eyes once he feels he has gotten a grip on pushing it away.
"Thanks Ink!" Blue is the first one to respond to this.
"Y-You said t-that you w-w-wanted to tell me s-something?" Error inquires appearing to have remembered this information.
"Oh!" Ink fakes surprise then waves it off with another closed eyed smile like before. "You know I completely forgot what I was going to say. Must not have been that important." He opens his eyes still managing a smile. "Whatever it was it got kicked out by this wonderful news." He keeps himself calm by pushing away his emotions, ignoring them. He tries to think of happy things to try to keep Error from spotting it. He just hopes that it'll work.
"W-Well if y-you say s-s-so." Error turns to Blue sharing a nuzzle with him then turns back to Ink. "If y-you remember it f-f-feel free to tell me. N-No matter w-what was on y-your mind."
"Of course." Ink fakes an agreement. "It is what great friends are good with. I'll let you know if it comes back to me later." He tries to think of a possible reason to get away from this.
"How about we go for a walk?" Blue suggests bringing attention to him. "It is a really nice day out here."
"A walk sounds nice." Ink agrees. He is willing to quickly agree to try to get the whole thing to be left in the past. He tries to ignore the thoughts that point out he was too late to get his desire. He should be happy for his best friend. He also knows Blue is a really good nice monster so Error will be treated well.
"A-Alright." Error agrees as well and Blue takes the lead saying that he knows some good paths. He falls into step with Ink as Blue continues to lead them. "Is e-everything okay?" He questions, his voice lowered, and Ink should have known that Error would see it.
Ink supposes he just didn't want to talk about it as Blue was standing there. He also knows that Error is trying to keep their conversation a secret. He partly wonders if Blue caught on that they needed to talk a little without him. He knows Blue is pretty understanding and accepting so he knows he won't get suspicious. "Yeah. Why wouldn't they be?" He responds his voice lowered as well.
"Y-Y-Youre a little o-off Inky." Error informs Ink who tries to shrug it away. His face looks serious.
"I got a bit caught up in a painting and stayed up late." Ink tells him though Error doesn't look full convinced. "I feel a bit bad that I got carried away and went to bed late. Because I lost track of time. When we were going to meet the next day." He hopes that this will be enough to convince Error to not press it.
"It's f-fine." Error tells him. "I-If you n-n-need a rest y-you should t-tell us."
"I can handle a walk. Besides it seems to be a pretty casual walk. So I won't be chasing after you guys." Ink flashes a smile at Error. "Thanks for your concern though."
"O-Okay." Error seems to accept that and he heads to catch up with Blue. He starts talking with him and to Ink it sounds like some chit chatter about where they're gonna go.
Ink stays back for a few moments before catching up to join them. He walks beside Blue who claps a hand on his shoulder.
"This path is pretty relaxing." Blue informs Ink as their eyes meet when Ink turns to him. "I think you'll like it."
"I probably will." Ink nods his head and the two turn back to where they are going.
The whole thing earlier remains dropped.
Later... Ink gets home having declined lunch at a cafe. He told them that he was going to let them have a little date, while he maybe had a nap. He shuts the door and tosses his keys onto the entry area table. He makes it to his living room, where several paint bottles and brushes are on the coffee table. With an angered frustrated growl he shoves it all off the coffee table in one quick swipe. He then grabs a pillow off of the couch tossing it across the room against a wall. He stands there clenching his fists as he finally lets the tears fall down his face. He quietly sobs and sniffles for a few moments. He falls to sit on the floor knees up, only to bury his face in his hands as his sobbing continues. He doesn't understand why things had to go so wrong. He feels like he's getting some bad karma though he has no idea why. He wishes he could question fate at why he has to go through this. He lowers his hands to glare at his sash.
It's that stupid sash fault... Maybe?
Ink quickly removes it tossing it to the side. He cries for a bit longer, before all feeling starts to melt away. He finds himself becoming emotionless, and after a bit longer wipes the tears away. He is aware that he can't keep his sash off forever. He knows that it'd be obvious to everyone that something is up. So he'll just have to deal with wearing it and feeling those emotions. He just thinks everyone realizing something is wrong will bring attention he doesn't want. He wonders if he'll be able to move on from this... Even though he loved Error so deeply. At least he's still friends with the other.
Who has no idea about his friends feelings towards him.
Ink wonders if Error would push him away if he did find out the truth. He also thinks about how Error could be suggesting they take a break so Ink can get rid of those feelings. He closes his eyes at least in his mind grateful for not having the sash on. He gets up opening his eyes heading to the kitchen. He can leave it off for now. He glances around checking what he has... Yet he doesn't find something that his mind seems to want. So he just leaves the kitchen and sits on the couch. Too emotionless to care about the mess he had made on the floor. He turns on some TV staring blankly at the screen as some crime drama plays.