Redefining Expectations-Insomnia Sequel

Chapter 4: Complaints and Cuddles

"I see..."

"Just hurts to hear their praise and love after a while aimed above as if I'm someone different or non-existent...Error and Swap don't pretend they want to get close to me like Nightmare does when thinking or saying this...That part of me gets to be called smart, strong, sweet, and desirable while I just get awww, cute! Nightmare's thoughts even phrase it like I'm a different person and not his brother at times. The rest of me up there gets to be called Dream and I'm just him in his mind. It's strange and upsetting even to hear this or feel like this...You both know what the other side of me is...Is it my aura that determines my identity to him? Or the wings? That side of me can be so stiff and locked on logic alone but if it's the power and logic that he sees and determines my quality...I guess it's good that he loves a part of me...It's better than when he loved none of me as a brother...Am I overreacting? I know they don't mean to hurt me but sometimes I wish they were glad that I'm here instead of seeing disappointment in their eyes..."I say, admitting a lot more than I have all month.

"I mean...it does make sense...Even if you joined their ranks before falling back to us, you still died in a sense. You were attacked and we're lucky to have you back. I'm sure it's a lot to take in and accept that you've returned as well...To recognize that it's lucky to be back...Those events must've impacted you as well and seeing people look through you or be disappointed by your return certainly doesn't help. You have a right to feel hurt. Anyone would be. It's like waking up from a coma and being asked why you haven't started walking yet. We should celebrate your return and love you, not wish for more as if this isn't a miracle in itself. And you've made this entire place for us and reshaped the land to satisfy us, working to protect us. You've been trying to satisfy everyone and protect us, the least that could be done is satisfying you in return. You deserve happiness as well after what happened, not just worrying about if this place makes them happy. And their comments can be quite dismissive and I know it would get on my nerves if I was treated as if I wasn't myself or not deserving of the love or traits that I know I have....I'll be sure to get it through to him."Obscuro says

"Do aNy oF yOu sMeLl sOmeThInG?"

I sniff the air, noticing a sweet smell filling it. It's like the nicest flowers mixed with the nicest scents of candles...But it's also very faint.

"I'll check the garden rooms...Smells like flowers..."I say, heading upstairs.

"I'll check this floor to see if there are any candles left burning. Don't want any fires to start now."Obscuro says and I hear Blip hum in agreement.

I walk through the halls, checking the garden rooms filled with flowers and plants yet finding nothing. Then I felt a doll hit me on the head. I grab it and see that it's a doll of Error. Its eyes flash as it repeatedly says I love you, making me pause before the doll is taken through a portal again. I glance around confusedly. What...was that?

Then there is some rumbling and I glance down the hall, seeing a swarm of blue strings burst toward me, stopping inches away from my face. Then it blooms into a beautiful line of flowers made entirely of strings...I curiously follow them, knowing that Error must be back. As I go further, the smell gets stronger until it's right behind a door. I hear soft music on the other side and suddenly feel extremely relaxed.

"CaRefuLlY...d0n't brEaK...n0w oVeR hErE...tHeRe wE g0. n0w iT's p3rf3cT! i cAn't wAiT f0r hiM t0 c0m3!"I hear Error say

I haven't heard him so excited in weeks...Did Mom figure out how to fix things? Is the other half of me returning and that's why he's so excited?

"I cAn't wAiT t0 sEe hiS cUtE liTtl3 fAcE...waiT! WhAt iF h3 cAn't reAcH? I d0n't wAnT h1m t0 b3 b0th3r3d wiTh cliMbiNg..."

Within moments a group of strings are tugging in a small stool as the doors shut behind it.