Chapter three:

Error and Blue share a smile as they arrive at Inks place. They thought that Ink seemed to be spending a bit too much time alone. So they thought that they should do a surprise visit to their friend. They also believed that they could bring Ink twice the fun by going together. They approach the front door, spotting the closed curtains of the main window they see.

Error knocks on the door hoping that Ink is home.

After a few moments no one answers.

Error tries again only to get the same result.

"He must be out." Blue figures however Error can't push away this nagging feeling.

A nagging feeling that he has to get into the house.

Error turns to his mate when the other places a hand on his shoulder.

"Everything okay? I can tell something is troubling you." Blue questions with his bright gaze in genuine concern and questioning. He can very clearly read his mates expression as the other had stared at the door.

"I d-don't what i-it is." Error begins only to continue before Blue has a chance to speak. "I just f-f-feel as though w-we have to get i-inside. Like something is w-w-wrong."

"Maybe he got sick." Blue guesses as they both turn to look to the door.

Error tries the doorknob only to find the door unlocked. He knows that Ink wouldn't leave it unlocked unless he was home. "He is h-home." He confirms to Blue out loud opening the door further. He pokes his head inside and glances around not spotting his friend anywhere. He heads inside with Blue following almost hesitantly behind him. "I-Ink?" He calls out though he gets no response. He turns only to swear he can see something in the living room.

It's just hidden mostly by a wall.

Error heads that way curiously what's on the floor. He hears Blue come along with him.

The two enter into the living room only to freeze to stare in horror.

What lay before them was Ink laying on the floor with blood under the area he is laying on. His arms sliced probably by a knife that sits close by.

"Ink!" Error calls out in horror and rushes towards the other. He falls to his knees next to the other. He shakily reaches out and tries to find any healing magic in him. He hardly notices Blue fall to his knees and start using healing magic. His mind racing trying to figure out why Ink would do this to himself. He finds it breaks his concentration at the wondering. He then notices the green glow and looks up. He sees Blue using healing magic. He has always struggled with healing as he is a being of destruction. He is grateful that at least Blue can do it. He lets the other do so for a few good moments. He can tell just how hard the other is trying. He hopes that he'll be able to confront Ink on why he would do this.

"It won't heal." Blue tells Error staring at Ink with wide eyes. "I can't heal it." He stops using up his magic trying to heal a wound that he clearly can't heal. "It's too severe."

"We n-n-need to get him t-to a hospital." Error picks Ink up into his arms holding him bridal style. He takes off running with his mate quickly following behind him. He tries to use the fastest way to the nearest hospital.

Ink has to survive. He has to.

Error sits in the waiting room with Blue sitting beside him gently rubbing his shoulder. His head down as he wonders how he could have not noticed that his best friend was hurting. He should have realized something was driving him to this. He should have noticed the signs out of everyone. Was he too wrapped up in other things to realize this about Ink?

"Error?" Blues voice can barely be heard over Errors own thoughts swirling in his head. "Error please talk to me."

Error manages to turn to meet with his mates eyes. He can see that Blue is just as worried about Ink as he is. He sighs heavily and looks away again. "H-How did I m-miss it? H-H-He must have b-been in a lot of pain. T-To go this far." He lowers his head feeling Blues sympathetic gaze. "I-I know him. H-Hes my best friend. H-Hes never tried s-s-something like this. N-Not even talked a-about it."

"Neither of us noticed." Blue reminds him glancing away himself. His guilt for not realizing a friend needed his help hurting his soul. He can only imagine how much worse Error must be feeling. He knows how close the two were.

"Why. W-Why would Ink end u-up thinking of t-t-taking this path?"

"Maybe when you talk to him again he'll tell you." Blue brings his arm around Errors shoulders doing his best to comfort him.

"W-What if h-he doesn't survive?" Error questions his hands trembling at the thought.

"Don't think like that!" Blue retorts a bit sternly. "Ink is strong. We both know that. I'm sure he'll fight through this. Maybe he figured out it was a mistake though had already done it."

"I hope y-y-ou're right." Error leans into his mates embrace and they stay there together. His eyes closed as he tries to not imagine Ink as nothing but clothes and dust. He opens his eyes finding it a bit easier to concentrate on looking at Blue than thinking.

The grey and black tabby cat monster doctor approaches them after what feels like forever. He is holding a clip board with a serious look, his tail swishing side to side as he walks. He stops in front of them as the two look to him. He looks up from his clipboard to them. "Well. Your friend sustained a lot of damage." He explains watching the worried looks on the two. "We did all we could to heal the wounds the old way. They're too deep to be healed with magic. If he does make it through this he'll have scars."

"If?" Errors eyes widen as he stares at the doctor. "Y-You mean you d-d-don't know if he'll live?!"

"We don't know for sure just yet." The doctor calmly informs Error who clenches his fists. "He is currently alive. Although that doesn't mean he's going to wake up."

"Can we see him?" Blue questions as Error hangs his head.

The doctor nods and leads the two to the room they put Ink in.

Error heads in first as Blue follows, though Blue stays at a distance letting his glitchy mate have a little time.

Just in case.

Error looks over Ink.

Inks arms are bandaged, he has some IVs out into his bones where the bandages on his arms aren't, he has a mask over his face to help him breathe, and he is just laying there as though asleep.

Error looks to the others face who almost looks peaceful. "What w-w-went wrong?" He wonders to himself quietly as he secretly wishes for Ink to respond. He closes his eyes tightly gripping the bed sheets as if he can't stand the silence.

Blue moves closer unable to stand by seeing his mate like this. He wraps his arms around the other who turns burying his face into his chest. He can feel the wetness of tears on his shirt with the sobbing of his mate. He keeps him held close and hoping that Ink will make it through.

After Error managed to calm down the two have pulled up a chair each to sit beside Ink. He stares at the peaceful face of his best friend laying in the hospital bed. He can't help imagining that face twist in pain.

A pain that wasn't noticed until now.

Error blinks as his body wants to cry again only he had cried all he could already for now. He should have noticed. He should have been able to stop this from happening. He feels a hand grip his shoulder though he doesn't look away from Ink.

"You haven't eaten much." Blue tells Error. He knows that it's a bit of a long shot. He just hopes that the other will be willing to let him feed him. "We can go to the cafeteria then come back. We'll be quick. It'd be good to get some food in you."

"Y-You go a-ahead." Errors head drops. "I w-want to stay b-by Ink."

Blue stares at him for a few moments then he gets to his feet. "I'll bring you something to eat." He leaves the room a little hesitantly. He forces himself to continue onward knowing how good food is for them. He comes back a little later with food for the both of them. He sits back down in his chair and offers Error his food. He doesn't get an immediate reaction. "Please take it." He pleads in which the other turns to him. "You'll want to be at least healthy if Ink wakes up."

Error finally nods. He takes the food and the two eat in silence.

Blue just is happy that Error is eating.

That night...

The two were allowed to stay being the closest thing Ink has to family.

Blue passed out with his arms as a pillow on the edge of the bed by Inks feet.

Error is still awake. He glances to his sleeping mate. He sees that Blue looks peaceful. He takes off his jacket and lays it on him like a blanket. He turns away finding Blue just so adorable like that. His gaze finds its way back to Ink who remains where he has been. He lays his head down unintentionally by the others hand. "P-Please get b-b-better. We h-have a lot t-to talk about." He whispers to not wake up his mate. "You k-k-know this was a-a mistake to do. I j-j-just wish you h-had talked to me." He pauses for a moment clenching his teeth before continuing just as softly. "I-Instead of g-g-going to these l-lengths." He sighs heavily and wonders what could have been causing Ink so much pain he didn't tell him. He wonders if the other was afraid of his reaction, or just afraid to say what it was that was bothering him. He passes out later that night.

It's the afternoon of the day after Blue and Error had found Ink.

Blue stretches his arms above his head. He lowers them and feels his phone in his pocket vibrate. He turned it to silent trying to help with battery power. He pulls it out and spots that it is brother calling. "I'll be right back." He tells Error who nods trusting him in whatever he has to do. He gets up and moves just outside of the room. He answers the phone. "Hey Pappy."