TW Crying

It took a lot of convincing to get Dream to believe this was actually Ink and not his subconscious, and even longer to explain the whole artificial soul business to him.

"So you have a soul now."

"Yes."

"But you got it from an Alphys?"

"Yep. She wanted to be called is Dr. A. I still think Emily would have fit her."

"And you're stuck in another AU and have no clue where that is?"

"Correct! But I got a place to stay, so don't worry about it to much. Shannon is a fantastic roommate!" That was the third time they had been through this, but it seemed to be sticking.

Eventually, Dream looked Ink dead in the eyes, and simply said "Slap me." Without a second thought as to why, Ink obliged. When Dream went tumbling onto the white flowers however, it clicked.

"WHOA WAIT Why did you ask me to slap you?!"

"You can't feel pain in normal dreams, but in these types you can. So I know it's definitely you and not a trick." The second those words left his mouth, Dream broke down.

Tears flowed freely and his calm, put together façade crumbled. Ink and Dream clutched each-other for dear life as they cried together.

Eventually they separated and Dream was back to business, ignoring the tears that were still falling.

"So where are you."

"I told you I don't know!"

"Well we have to find you somehow!" A idea flew through Ink's mind.

"Go check out Dr. A's AU! It was," Ink grabbed his scarf, relieved to see the notes still on it even in dream world, "ST-11! Dr. A could probably do something to track me!"

"Are you sure she'll help?"

"Since when has an Alphys not kept tabs on their experiments?" Dream nodded slowly.

They spent the next couple of days minutes hours talking about what had been happening while Ink was gone. When he heard that Error was in his house nearly all "day" and only left to try and find him, something hurt. It was an odd feeling, because it was painful but in a good way. Happy and sad mixing together.

Before long though, the flowers started to fall apart, petals dancing in the air.

"Well, looks like we're waking up." Dream took a long hard look at Ink before continuing "Stay safe, okay?" Ink gave him a playful glare.

"Since when does Ink, Protector of The Multiverse and Creator of Things need a reminder to stay safe?"

"Since you lost the thing most of your powers are tied to." Dream pulled Ink back into a hug while the petals consumed them.

Ink awoke with dried tears on his face and a new hint of determination in his eyes.