Written: Nov. 25
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It had to be in the wee hours of the morning by now. Dream could barely keep her eyes open, and relied heavily on Error's presence to keep her awake and moving as they went through the crowd of people. He had mentioned to her something along the lines of "we need to find someone," and then was pulling her out of that retched bathroom and into the light.
She had followed him silently, in no condition to protest. And though his grip on her hand was tight, she knew he wasn't going to hurt her. She knew him, and she had an unshakable faith and love for him.
Dream wished she could talk to him about everything. But...now maybe wasn't the best time.
Dream's dress caught on her flats and she tripped over, her arms flying in front to catch herself before hitting the carpeted floor. Error stopped his fast pace and turned around. He let out a sigh when he saw her on the ground, and so he held out his hand, to which Dream hesitantly grabbed and tried to pull herself up again.
"You ok?" Error asked, the guardian now on her feet again and feeling her forehead with the back of her gloved hand.
"A-a bit thirsty..." she responded.
The other let out a thoughtful hum, scanning the room for any sort of refreshment stand. He squeezed her hand once and started walking again, though this time a bit slower, careful to make sure she didn't trip again.
Dream followed and soon they found a large bucket with a faucet at the bottom, a clear drink visible inside it. Error got out a paper cup and filled it halfway from the faucet, then handed the cup to Dream. She hesitated.
"You said you were thirsty, take it," he said, holding it closer to her.
"Thank you," she mumbled, taking the cup and instantly drinking it.
...
It tasted weird. Almost like she was drinking wood. Maybe the water just wasn't all that good tonight, she thought, dismissing the oddity, and downing the rest of it.
Dream got another cup of it, easily drinking the rest. And then another.
...
Error by now had taken out his phone, seemingly texting someone rather quickly. Dream noticed his brows furrowed; his body visibly tense as his eye-lights focused on the small screen in front of him.
Only now did she really get a chance to see him – she hadn't seen him at the beginning of the party. His suit turned out remarkably well; it fit him perfectly and curved everywhere it was needed. She couldn't help as her eyes trailed up to his neck, his tie loosely undone and several of the buttons of his shirt opened at the top. He was somehow able to pull off being incredibly handsome, uncaring of his appearance, and looking like he didn't want to be there all at the same time.
(lol can y'all tell I simp for him yet?)
"Dream? Hey, Earth to Dream, you there?"
Dream immediately blinked, her head snapping up to meet his eyes. The way his brow furrowed upon seeing her seemed to indicate some sort of worry.
"You've been spacing out and staring at...me...are you o-"
"Yep, couldn't be better! It's just hard not to look at you, darling~"
Error flinched. He could feel his face heat up considerably, his (nonexistent) stomach doing summersaults at her words and expression. Her big golden doe eyes were half lidded, a goofy smile spreading across her gold tinted face.
"...*ahem*...uh...why's, uh, why's that...?" he asked hesitantly.
"Cause you're haaaandsome," she purred in response, her hands playing together, and her feet turned in.
Error opened and closed his mouth several times, trying to find something to say. Accepting compliments was not something he was good at – especially one so out of the blue and coming from Dream.
Dream's head fell, her arms crossed once more. She seemed almost upset, and Error couldn't understand why. "Uhm...you-you ok, sunshine?" he asked.
"Do you not like it when I compliment you...?" Dream asked, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes.
Error's own eyes widened, quickly placing his hands on her shoulders and leaning down to face her directly. "No, no, no, that's – no that's not it. That's not true. No, I, uh, I just don't know how to take it out of the blue and-"
"Oh, where is Blue? I haven't seen her in foreeever...!"
"Blue's-"
Error stopped himself. He let go of Dream and got himself a smaller paper cup. He filled it with the liquid from the faucet and quickly downed it (clearly, he didn't care about the consequences at the moment).
He scrunched up his face, his tongues slipping out of his mouth as he coughed at the taste. It was strong, no doubt some sort of scotch; and definitely not-
"Shit."
"Don't swear, Ruru."
"Crap."
"What's crap?"
"That's not water."
"How do you know?"
"You're too shy to tell me something like that directly."
"What if I just wanted to?"
Error thought a bit. "I might be dumb but I'm not stupid. That's alcohol of some sort, you're drunk, and you're coming with me. Nightmare and the others can wait."
He threw his and Dreams' cup in a nearby trashcan, quickly turning back to her and sliding his arm around her waist. She let out a squeak, though it was quickly drowned out as they became surrounded by nothingness, a muddy pitch black.
...
Dream had grabbed ahold of Error's arm and now refused to let it go. The taller sighed, deciding it was for the best that she had something to hold onto. He led her through the hallways of the Sanctuary, trying to remember which way her room was. It had been a while since he'd been anywhere in this massive palace besides the living room or basement; places he had arrived at and gone to in order to make his suit with the others.
Dream had been ceaselessly rambling since they got out of the Void, her voice cracks and hiccups doing nothing to make her stop. She talked about the most random things; from video games, to books, to different types of flowers and their meanings, different defense techniques, backing, and even to how much she loved...
"Dream, that's enough, seriously," Error said, finally having enough when she started talking about how much she loved his suit again.
"But whyyy...??"
"It's embarrassing, that's why!" Error whined almost playfully. Dream huffed, then started rambling about how mean he was to her sometimes. He could only laugh at the petty examples she gave.
"And not only won't you lemme me *hic* compliment you, but you also won't even lemme me talk to *hic* y-you!" she slurred, letting go of his arm and crossing her own. Error stopped, his laugh dying quickly when he noticed the daggers she was glaring at him.
"...What are you talking about...?" he asked slowly, his tone slipping ever so slightly on frustration. "I'm talking to you right now, and I'm letting you talk to me right now."
"Only 'cause you helped me."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"When I try to help you or explain something, you get mad at me and yell. Then you won't let me talk to you when...whenI try to... to helpyou or..." She paused, awaiting any sort of reaction from him. When he said nothing, she continued in a quick and almost breathless voice. "I don't like it when you yell at me...it makes me feel...sad. I don't like being away from you...or seeing you avoid me...it makes me feel lonely... I love you a lot, Error. I love you so much...but...I don't like to see you alone...I don't like to be yelled at or see you sad. I know you're sad when you do it. You don't like to yell. At least, not at me. I can feel it, ya know? And I know how it makes you f-"
"-We need to get you into a shower," Error cut in, grabbing her wrist and pulling her along.
"Ruru I wasn't done yet-!"
"I don't care."
"You never care."
"I do care-"
"You just said you don't care!"
"Just shut up, Dream. You're drunk."
...
Dream didn't say another word, instead trying to focus on her feet and where they were going as he pulled her along.
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Error stood outside Dream's bathroom. He listened to the inconsistent sound of water hitting the tub, the occasional hum from Dream, and the sound of the night outside. Or...could you call it morning? He didn't know exactly anymore.
He was tired.
More than just physically tired, though that was also true. He was tired of the awkwardness between himself and Dream.
...
Was that all he was tired of though?
"Hey Error!"
"Yeah?" he called back, getting up and preparing to walk in if needed.
"I don't think I'm drunk anymore-"
"Take another cold shower."
"But I don't like thoooose!"
"It'll help, trust me."
Dream let out a loud groan, the sound of the water being turned off, then turned back on. Error let himself smile a bit behind the door.
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Dream stepped out of the bathroom, slowly closing the door behind her. She saw Error on her bed, his blazer and shoes forgotten in a pile near the door, his tie neatly placed on top. She almost laughed at how he was sprawled out on her bed, hugging a pillow to his torso, his legs tucked to his stomach.
She walked to the side of the bed he was on and leaned down slowly, placing her hand on his shoulder gently. She shook him once. "Error...?"
He let out a sleepy groan, his brow furrowing as he shoved his face further into the pillow.
She shook him again.
This time, his eyes opened and he sat up rather reluctantly. "Why'd you wake me up...?"
Dream's mouth became a thin line; only slightly annoyed. "It's late. I thought you would want to know when I was done so you could go home..." she informed him softly.
He let out a "hm" and nodded. "Just get in the bed."
"Excuse me?"
"If you're going to sleep just get in the bed."
"But-"
"Is sleeping with me really that bad? Would you rather have Mr. Wooden Floor as your bedmate?"
Dream almost laughed. Error seemed so offended she was questioning the situation.
Without a word, she walked back to the other side and slipped in, pulling the blanket around herself. She didn't feel him move; not scoot away or get closer. But...that was ok. He need space, as did she.
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Hope this was ok. Shorter than usual cause I had a little less to cover than some of the others.
But uh...
...Guess who has an announcement? (in next part)