Next Day:
Pen and Ink found a quiet spot on a roof near a clock tower to read a book that Pen brought with her. She showed him that it was a book about an AU world that was written, as an example of what worlds she protects. They started reading the story together, with Pen reading for the voice of the Curtain and other girls of that world, and Ink reading for the voice of the Sans and other boys of that world. They would read out loud while laughing sometimes when they would try to voice act, and they were having a good time.
As they reached the end and were pretty engrossed with the story, Ink stood before Pen as he read the next part outloud, but at the end of the sentence he read the next voice line in his mind and blushed a little. Pen was a little confused by his silence as he glanced her way a few times, until a hint of courage overcame him and he held the book with one hand and wrapped his arm around her waist to pull her close to himself. Looking into her eyes and only having to glance away once to read, Ink read the next part,
"'I love you, Curtain. I will love you forever. Whatever you do, where ever you go... whom ever you love... I will always be there for you. You can always call me if you need me for anything, and I'll be there for you. For as long as you want me... or if you don't. Just say the word.'"
Pen felt her face flush in a blush, as Ink continued to read the story until her part and gave her the book. He let her go enough to let her read the next part as she wanted to cover her face since she was a little embarassed, but she read the part since they were both eager to know what happens next, though not only in the story,
"'Every moment I spent with you felt different every time. I suddenly couldn't think of you without wanting to smile, I worried about you, I get flustered when I'm around you, I can't think of you without feeling a wonderful warmness in my heart."
Ink stepped besides her as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and leaned his head lightly on hers, almost entranced by her voice as she read while Pen's blush darkened as she continued,
"'Even when I see you, and hold your hand... I can't help but feel more secure, and feel more alive when I'm with you... I don't want to be separated from you Sans! I want to be with you forever! I love you...'"
"I love you too," Ink whispered low enough that Pen couldn't understand what he said.
"What was that, Ink?" Pen asked, and Ink blushed madly as he released her with his hands up and said,
"O-Oh! I'm sorry! How silly of me! I was almost falling asleep from how nice you were reading and really got into character! Sorry about that, it's just something about you-not that anything is wrong with you! I love yoouurrr book so much. Heh. Heh."
Pen blinked a few times, and she smiled and said, "Well, that's okay Ink. I understand. I really get lost in the stories myself… Do you want to finish the book since you like it so much?"
Ink calmed down and lowered his hands, as he smiled and said, "Sure. Let's finish it."
They read the rest of the book, and Ink noticed pages that were blank after the end.
"What are these blank pages?" He asked.
"Well, the story isn't over, so these pages will slowly be filled as the world progresses," Pen replied, and Ink nodded in understanding.
"Wow, it's late now huh. They're restocking the food court," Pen said, as she closed the book and saw the closed food courts ahead of them.
"Yeah... so, you want to call it a day?" Ink asked, wishing that she would say no.
"Well, I guess so. I'm sure you have your duties as a guardian, and I have to put this book away," Pen said, wishing that she didn't have to go either, but knowing her duties as a guardian herself.
Ink smiled in admiration for her consideration of his job and her own, and he said, "Alright. I'll see you tomorrow!"
"Okay. See you tomorrow!" Pen said, and Ink jumped through his portal to leave.
When the portal closed, Ink checked his vials and noticed that he didn't have to use them as much when he was in Serentime. It was as if the world itself prevented him from needing to go to them as often, which was strange to him, especially the new feeling he seemed to be gaining from being there.
'Or maybe… it's not the world entirely…' Ink thought as he pictured her and her smile in his mind.
Next Day:
Pen and Ink were playing various carnival games and waiting on lines to get on the rides. At one point, Pen let Ink go on a ride on his own, since only one person at a time could go on it, as Gold approached her.
"Hello my friend. How has your time been with Inky?" Gold asked her.
"Oh it's been wonderful! And his name is Ink, or else you'd confuse me with the Pacman ghost," Pen said cheerily as Gold laughed.
"Well, I'm glad you're having such a marvelous time with him. He seems like the perfect guy for you," Gold said, patting Pen's back.
"Wh-What do you mean perfect guy? We... we just met a few days ago," Pen said, her blush becoming vivid.
"Aww Pen! You're denying your feelings for him. That's one of the signs of love, at least in this situation huh," Gold said, her smile unwavering.
"N-No! I don't think... I mean.. I... Mmm! How would you know anyway-" Pen cut herself off, realizing who she was talking to, and she relaxed and said, "I'm sorry Gold. Of course you would understand..."
"Ey, don't worry about it Pen. I won't take that to heart. I've recovered," Gold said, with sincerity, and Pen nodded.
"...But that's why I wouldn't want you to miss your chance. I recognize your feelings and I see it in him too. It is better to love and lost then to never love at all. Be brave enough to love, my friend," Gold said, petting Pen's head.
"I understand, and I do have feelings for him... I just, you know, don't want to rush and be like married to someone I don't know, you know?" Pen said.
"That's understandable too. Take time, but tell him how you feel about him and that you want to take time. Alright?" Gold asked, and Pen answered with a nod.
Ink finally came back from the ride and was smiling kind of like a goof as he told Pen how fun it was. Pen went to try the ride next, as Gold decided to talk with Ink.
"Sooo, having fun in Serentime?" Gold asked, her hands behind her back with a smirk.
"Oh yeah! It's great! I can see why Pen and everyone likes it here," Ink replied.
"That's great... sooo, do you like spending time with Pen?" Gold asked, her smirk widening.
"Well of course I do! She's wonderful," Ink said, being more cheery so that Gold wouldn't suspect his true feelings or see his small blush.
"Oh, I see. You know, you too seem more happy when you're together. Especially Pen," Gold said, and Ink asked with a small blush,
"Really?"
"Yeah. She seems more blushy when she talks about you… Kind of like you right now," Gold said, as she saw Ink's blush glowing brighter.
"Uhm, heh. That's great actually. I mean, we enjoy each others' company as friends, you know," Ink said, rubbing the back of his head.
"Oh Inky. Don't try to hide it," Gold said.
Ink looked around and then back at Gold and asked, "Wait, you're referring to the ghost or me?"
"Wha- No, not the ghost! I mean YOU! You love Pen, don't you?" Gold asked, as Ink's blush became vivid.
"Uh, UH! L-Love! I-I don't know! I'm not sure if I feel love for her. I do like her a lot, but you know my emotions are odd, so... I think..." Ink tried to think about his feelings, and Gold said,
"You feel like you could fly whenever you see her even in your thoughts that you want to sweep her off her feet and keep her smiling for the rest of your lives. You want to stay near her and protect and take care of her while feeling your heart about to pop from your chest when she calls your name... am I pretty accurate?"
Ink looked at her in surprise and said, "That's... yes. I do feel that way. Every word you said... how did you know?"
"Well, someone told me that's how they felt for me one time, and I never forgot his words..." Gold said, a bittersweet expression on her face, as Ink noticed this.
"You should tell her, Ink. Tell her while you can. You still have tomorrow, but make sure you do tell her or you may not get another chance. Don't take the risk of silence, it's a painful thing that can haunt you for years to come, I've seen it. Tell her," Gold said, a little more serious, and Ink nodded.
"Okay, I'll tell her. I'll let her know of my love! This time it won't be a recite from another world. It'll be my OWN words! Thank you Gold," Ink said, encouraged, and Gold nodded and walked away.
"See ya later Ink," Gold said, waving, and Ink waved back.
Pen came from the ride with a big smile and a dizzy stride, as Ink helped her not to fall down.
"Hee hee! Spinning all around and everything! That was so fun," Pen said, and Ink grinned and said,
"… See! I told you! Come on, let's get some food, I'm starving," Ink said, and Pen agreed.
Although they withheld from telling each other their feelings now, they decided to tell each other tomorrow and to enjoy the rest of day today.
Next Day:
"Hmm, try this dress instead," Gold said, handing Pen a dress as they stood in a dressing room.
"But Gold, why am I trying on dresses? What does this have to do with the royaltic treat?" Pen asked, as she held the new dress Gold gave her.
"Hey, you need to look you're best! Besides, you're telling Ink how you feel, aren't ya?" Gold asked, and Pen blushed and nodded.
"Then try a dress that suits you and looks good. Maybe simple, maybe decorated, something to define you and make you stand out," Gold said, as Pen pondered this and smiled with a nod.
As Pen continued searching for a dress, Gold left the dressing room to visit Ink, who was in the men dressing room. She stood outside of the door and knocked.
"Hey Ink. How's it going?" She asked.
"Umm, pretty good actually. I think I found a good suit," Ink said.
"He looks rather dashing. Pen will be quite impressed," Mettatime said from inside the room since he was helping Ink find a suit.
"But, why am I finding a suit? I thought Pen and I were getting a deal for today?" Ink asked.
"Oh, but you are," Mettatime said.
"Yeah Ink. You are..." Gold said with a smirk and continued, "You see, Pen must have misheard the name. It's actually..."
When Gold revealed the real name of the treat, Ink shouted in surprise, as Mettatime started to laugh since he didn't realize that Pen and Ink didn't know. Gold told him to finish getting ready and that he can tell Pen the real name later, and he agreed.
Later, at the dinner tables of a dock that was converted to hold seats and tables for diners of a restaurant at a large beach of Serentime:
Ink stood near the table, standing and waiting for Pen to arrive. He wore a dark blue suit that had splashes of color as a border on the ends of the suit and a tie that changed colors along with his eyes that Mettatime gave him. He left his paintbrush and clothes with Mettatime, although he wore no undershirt for the suit, revealing part of his ribs that had black ink tattoos on his bones. He heard his name called, as he turned to see Pen and forgot what logic was when he saw her.
Pen wore a white dress that reached above her ankles, and the puffy straps stood down on the sides of her shoulders. A silver belt stood around her waist that matched her silver heel boots that reached her knees, and a silver rose on the left side of her head with some of her hair laying over her shoulders while the rest stood in the back with a puffy black rose that tied it up. There was also a splash of a black border instead of colors on the bottom of the dress and on the upper top as she also wore a black jeweled necklace and bracelet.
"H-Hey Ink. You look gr-great," Pen said, a smile on her face with a gray tint on her cheeks.
"Th-Thanks. You look much better than I do honestly," Ink said, with a smile and a rainbow blush threatening to overcome his whole face.
He let Pen sit first at the table and then he sat down. Their faces were filled with smiles and blushes, and after a while of talking they relaxed a little and were enjoying the evening. Their dinner was served to them, and they ate and talked, when finished chewing of course.
"This is really nice. But I didn't expect a royaltic treat to be like this though," Pen said, and Ink put his glass down and said,
"Um, yeah, about that... Gold and Mettatime told me that it wasn't actually a royaltic treat..."
"What do you mean?" Pen asked, tilting her head as Ink felt more nervous to tell her since she looked so cute, and he had to swallow his goopy throw up so that he wouldn't ruin the food before them.
"Eh hem, hrrm, emm... You see the actually name is a... Romantic treat. It was for couples to get together and go out on a paid date at the end of the week," Ink said, as Pen's eyes widened while her mind processed this.
"So, when Gold said to me that I was the perfect guy, I guess I now know what she meant," Ink said, and then Pen slammed her hand on the table, which startled him.
"That two-timing gambler! She KNEW I got the name wrong and didn't BOTHER to correct me! Ooo! Gold!" Pen raved, as Ink even thought her angry face was just as cute as her confused face.
"When I find her, she will get a piece of my mind!" Pen said, standing up and looking around.
"Wait Pen! Don't be mad at her now. Wait until after our date, okay? Let's enjoy this," Ink said, also standing, as Pen relaxed.
"Are you sure Ink? I mean, did you... want to go on a date with me?" Pen asked in a calm and sweet voice, as she looked at Ink earnestly for his answer.
"Of course I do. That's why I don't want you to go yet," Ink said, feeling more confident with his feelings, as Pen blushed more to his response.
"O-Oh, okay. Sure. Let's continue the date then," Pen said with a sweet smile, and Ink smiled back at her.
Music began to play, as Ink invited Pen to the dance floor that was created in the center of the dock, since all the couples were there, and Pen went along with him. They danced to the medium-slow songs, looking into each others' eyes with smiles, and when Pen looked down from her blush growing too powerful, she noticed that Ink wasn't wearing an undershirt and his tattooed bones could be seen.
"Wha? Ink, you're not wearing a shirt, and... your bones... are they inked?" Pen asked.
"Oh yes, they are tattooed. They've been like that since I was made, and Mettatime thought I should show off some of it by not wearing an undershirt. He thought the designs looked cool," Ink replied.
"Huh, well, he was right," Pen said, looking at the intricate designs, as Ink blushed more.
Pen realized how odd it must be for her to be staring at his exposed rib bones, and she looked away and said,
"Oh my goodness! Sorry! I got distracted, I didn't mean to stare!"
Then Pen felt Ink's hand under her chin as he made her look up at him and said,
"It's alright. I don't mind actually. Especially when you become my wife."
Pen blushed madly, as Ink's blush intensified realizing what he just said.
"Um, Ink. That's what I would like to t-talk to you about... you see, I don't want us to rush without getting to know each other more. I would like to know who I may be marrying in the future, and I'm sure you would too, right?" Pen asked, and Ink replied,
"Of course! I totally agree with that. I'm not sure why I said that any..."
Ink grew quiet, as he looked at Pen, mesmerized by her as she wondered why he became quiet. Ink's eyes became pink and red, as he held her closer to himself and said,
"Actually, I'd like you to be my wife someday. Even though we only met a few days ago, I already feel close to you, ya know? But I do agree with you too. We have all the time in the world anyway so there's no need to rush."
They exchanged smiles, and Pen said, "Thank you Ink."
They continued dancing, as Pen laid her head on his chest, and Ink laid his head on her head. Then Ink said,
"Pen."
"Yes, Ink." -Pen
"... will you be my wife?" -Ink
"Wha-but... oh, right, short term memory." -Pen
"Heh, just kidding." -Ink
"Ink! Don't joke like that." -Pen
"... ...huh? What joke?" -Ink
"... Heh. Nothing. Let's just dance." -Pen
"Oh okay!" -Ink
After dancing, the two headed out to a bridge with the other couples to watch a fireworks show. Pen knew a spot on a hill where a bench was where they could see the fireworks better. They climbed up the hill, but two people were already there, and they were shocked to realize that the two people were Error and Mirror. They sat together talking and laughing, as Ink and Pen noticed that they were holding hands, but they seemed not to notice.
Ink and Pen decided to leave them alone, as they walked halfway down the hill. They sat on the green and blue grass, as they watched the fireworks together in contentment.