AN: This took way longer than it should be T-T

Sorry...

I've been trying, I swear, but at one point I kinda forgot how to write. Ngl.

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Chapter 48: A Giant Mess of a Puzzle

Third POV

Geno is at lost for words.

He was still reeling back from shock and Geno believed he saw a side of Error that no one has ever seen before.

It was utterly unexpected and it rendered Geno frozen on his spot, still trying to absorb the pieces of information that were untimely laid out before him.

Although vague, it is enough for Geno to have a bit of an insight about the Destroyer of the Universe.

And he wasn't as he seems.

There's more about him other than the 'heartless killing machine' they all seem to know. Something no one, not even Ink, has knowledge about and it felt wrong to simply ignore it.

How could he, anyway, when Error just cried right in front of him.

Less than a minute ago, he'd be immediately looking for a way out once given a chance. Like this exact moment, he's alone and unrestrained, a perfect opportunity to escape.

But he can't. There's something holding him back.

There's a nagging thought in his head telling him that there's something entirely wrong about this whole situation and if he leave now, things will remain the same.

Things will stay the way they are; a chaotic mess of endless war between the creator and the destroyer. Geno is aware of the on-going thousands of years of conflict between the two ancient beings; Ink told him about it.

But, Geno thought to himself, why exactly were they fighting in the first place?

Ink's reason for fighting was plain and simple; protecting the multiverse and preventing Error from destroying it.

But what about Error? What's his reason?

Geno couldn't help but feel guilty for never asking the question. In fact, nobody did.

It's just so easy to accept that Error is the bad guy, he slotted into the role too perfectly even without any proper explanation. To the rest of the multiverse, it's a given.

Especially with the kind of reputation Error has.

But Error cried! Geno reminded himself. It says a lot. It means a lot.

It means Error is not cold and heartless. It means Error has feelings. It means he's hurting.

It means he has a story. A background story no one cares to know, no one cares to figure out and understand because... it's easier not to.

Geno could feel the adrenaline pumping through his bones as he felt himself grew closer to the realization of the truth. He can feel it. He's so close.

Yet he's so afraid. Doubt and hesitation started to take over his mind and began dragging him away from the 'truth' as if his subconscious knew it'll hurt him.

What if they're the ones at wrong? The sudden thought hit him. As ridiculous and dreadful as it sounds and is against his better judgement, Geno thinks it's not entirely impossible.

It's just hard to believe because everyone knew Ink has been fighting for the good.

And where does that Error leave?

Geno is just so afraid to think that they weren't looking at the entire picture. What if they were missing something very important?

And Geno felt as if he just came close to figuring that out: the mystery that is Error and why he do what he does. All the more reason to stay.

Despite the injuries he's sustained, the beating he went through, and fears planted in him, Geno wanted to know the hidden truth.

Or else the heartbreaking image of Error crying will haunt him for the rest of his life.

Looking around the wide, empty, vast nothingness, Geno could feel the familiar deadweight loneliness creeping up on him. There's not single thing in sight for miles and miles in every direction.

It made him feel small, scared and on edge. Unpleasantly similar to how the Save Screen made him feel.

Trapped. Alone.

Maybe Error was right. Maybe they are the same after all.

Being all alone, isolated from the rest of the universe, was horrible, Geno knows that first hand.

Now that Geno thought about it, he wasn't entirely alone. He had Frisk and occasionally, Sans. Then Ink came and last was Reaper.

They may not be always there but they'll visit him whenever they could.

But Error... he has nobody.

There was a painful twinge in his chest, twisting into a familiar ache that is gripping his soul to the point of suffocation. He thought he had it bad but Error...

Error had it way worse.

Geno gulped down the bile rising up his throat. Error is an ancient being just like Ink. He existed for far longer than him.

Which means Error has been alone longer than Geno was in the Save Screen. And Geno felt as if he's been in there for eternity.

He couldn't imagine the agony Error must've gone through, watching over the multiverse while he separated from the rest of it.

Wait...

Something clicked in Geno's head before the realization dawned on him.

Oh stars, no. That couldn't be it, right?

There was a sudden heavy thud from behind him that violently ripped Geno out of his inner thoughts. He hadn't realized how quiet it has been and he was severely startled. He jumped, jostling his injuries but it's the least of his worried.

He whipped his head around and found Error looming over him.

Cold dread washes over him and, in panic, Geno scrambles back away from the other as much as he could with his stiff aching limbs. Putting as much distance in between them.

Although he haven't even gotten that far when Error outstretched his arm, reached out to him and sent the blue strings after him.

Geno screamed as the blue strings swarmed his vision. His first instinct was to raise his arms over his head and curled up his legs close to his chest to protect himself. He clenched his eye shut and braced himself.

He felt the strings slithering around his legs and arms individually and tightening around his bruised limbs like wires pressed tight against his bones.

Shoulders tensed, soul pounding, and the worst case scenario in his head, Geno braced himself for the inevitable pain.

But...

Seconds passed and nothing happens, Geno dared crack his only eye open, cautiously peering up at the destroyer before him to see him staring back at him.

Geno shrunk under the other's intense gaze, curling up even more and holding back quiet whimpers.

There was a pregnant pause between them and Geno didn't dare lower his guard as he waited an extended moment warily watching the other; genuinely afraid of what Error might do.

Yet Error didn't move. He didn't do anything but stared at him until Geno concluded that Error might be -just maybe- waiting for him to... do something.

Cautiously, ever so slowly, lowers his arms just enough for him to look at Error's work and just as he suspected, the strings were tied around his wrists and ankles. Not together though, which was good.

His eye flicked back to Error and caught sight of a bundle of blue strings in his clutch. Geno followed the trail and found it was attached on him. Geno tried to suppress the swelling fear in him at the sight.

He opens his mouth to speak but before he could even make a sound, Error turned and began walking away with the strings still in his clutch.

Panic burst in Geno as he thought, for a second, he's going to be dragged across the floor until he saw Error stopped at a near distance and sank on the floor hugging his legs close to his chest as if he's sulking in the 'corner'.

Heavy silence fell over them and Geno did his best to calm his wildly beating soul.

Being in the presence of the destroyer was nothing less than terrifying that made Geno blindly panic especially from such close proximity.

Why wouldn't he? Error is insanely powerful, everyone knows that. Error can easily eliminate him if he wants to.

But then again, after hearing some personal words tumble out of Error's mouth, Geno is sure Error wouldn't end him. Not for the mean time. Who knows if Error changes his mind.

But he could hurt him, badly. He already did.

Geno eyed Error's back warily, catching sight of the huge slash across the back of his jacket and watched as the blue strings stitches the tears close.

The gentle sway of the bright blue strings in the air, glowing against the pitch black fabric of Error's jacket, the act of piercing the pulling of the sewing process is oddly mesmerizing that slowly chasing away Geno's lingering panic.

Geno shook his head, snapping himself out of the seemingly hypnotized state, and tries to gather his scrambled thoughts together. Sitting here, waiting, doing nothing would do... well, nothing.

He have to get through Error, figure out his reasons for destroying universes and maybe, just maybe,... talk him out of it? Geno isn't sure if that's even possible but it's not like he could take him on head-to-head.

But what was he supposed to say?

Looking back at Error, Geno could feel a lump forming in his throat and anxiety wrecking his nerves but gulped it all down and put on a brave front.

"Er-Error?" Geno internally wince at his own unintentional display of weakness. Pathetically stuttering and voice cracking. To be fair, Geno is terrified.

He knows nothing about Error aside from the fact that he can singlehandedly wipe out an entire universe out of existence. Geno is just so afraid to set him off. It doesn't help that he doesn't know what could set him off.

Geno is not only treading on thin ice but he's also blindly walking in the dark.

He waited with growing worry, subconsciously bracing himself to face Error's wrath but Error didn't give any indication that he even heard him.

Breathing in, careful not to move his broken ribs that much, Geno called out again, "Error." Louder and a little more steady that before, and watched as his soul lurched when Error turned his head ever so slightly, turning his ear at him; implying that he's listening.

He got Error's attention. Now what?

With his soul threatening to burst from his chest, Geno managed to force the words out, "How- how long have y-you been alone here?"

...

Silence. Nothing but long, ringing silence as Error turned away.

F*ck. Geno internally wince. He knew it wasn't the best topic to dwell on considering of both of their traumas but what else should he say?

Shifting his gaze left and right, Geno hastily tried to think of another, better conversation starter. He remembers what Error told him.

"You told me you're sick of this place, why'd you still stay here?" It's a stupid question, obviously, Geno knows it.

Geno assumes that there was a time when Error was unable to leave just like him but, obviously, that wasn't the case anymore. Error can now freely move in and out of the white void whenever he wants but the question still stands:

Why didn't Error just leave? Especially after admitting how much he's sick of this place.

This time, Error turned his head halfway. Just enough for him to look at Geno with one narrowed crimson eye as if sending him a warning look.

Geno met his gaze and gulped. The simple act admittedly intimidated him and Geno almost -almost- bailed on his plan.

Thankfully, it only lasted for a few seconds before Error turned away again, seemingly choosing to ignore him.

Geno is torn between relieved and disappointed. Confronting Error is scary, especially after the beating he went through, but Geno can't stop now.

As far as he knew, he's the only one who came this close to figuring it out.

His hold around his broken ribs tightened and heave another deep breath. Trying his best to suppress the stabbing ache at his side. "You can obviously leave whenever you want." Geno could feel his soul pounding loudly, either from his restricted breathing or the lingering fear in his system, Geno isn't sure anymore.

"Unlike me, I'll turn to dust the moment I step a foot out of the Save Screen. But you. You're free to leave anytime you want. Why didn't you?" Geno knew he's probably already crossing the line and it scares him but he's more concerned about the other. Surprisingly.

"Why do you keep coming back?" Geno didn't mean to raise his voice but the frustration got the better of him.

He wants to know Error's side of the story because Geno is having a hard time trying to understand the motive behind Error's actions.

Error didn't move, respond, or twitch, or even acknowledge that he almost yelled at him which fueled his frustrations because he's trying hard not to provoke the other.

It doesn't help that he's rapidly growing tired and his body growing heavier as the minute passes by.

He has sustained a lot of injuries and every ounce of his spared energy is poured into his body's natural healing process.

The urge to lie down and rest is almost irresistible until Geno caught the slightest change in the way Error's glitches grows restless.

That's it. He's getting through.

With a burst of determination, Geno grits his teeth through the pain and managed to push himself up on his feet. Doing his best to ignore the burning ache in his bruises and steady himself on his limping legs.

With an arm still wrapped around himself, cradling his ribs, Geno straightened himself as much as he could without straining himself any further. At least the pain helps him stay awake.

For a moment, Geno thought that maybe this was how he used to handle pain: by using it as a way to ground himself to reality. Maybe that's also the reason why he's having trouble handling it now.

He's still hyper aware of the blue strings tied around his wrists and ankles with Error holding the other end and preventing him from going anywhere, Geno thinks it doesn't matter.

Not as of the moment. He isn't trying to find a way to escape anyway.

Geno initially didn't want to provoke Error but as the silence dragged on, questions left unanswered, it became evidently obvious that Error isn't willing to have a peaceful talk.

So be it.

"Error, talk to me!" Geno demanded, voice firmer than before, stronger, more confident. "Why do you keep coming back!? Why do you keep torturing yourself!?"

Error's shoulders visibly tensed but unfortunately, it wasn't enough to generate a response. D*mmit!

Geno narrowed his eye in mild annoyance. Not a single question was answered and the best response he got was a warning look in the eye. He resisted the urge to stomp his foot like a demanding child in temper tantrum as it might jostle his injuries.

Geno resorted to guessing the answers himself. "Is it because you're angry?" It was the most logical reason Geno could come up with.

Because he himself had been there.

"Or is it because you're jealous that everyone has someone else and they're not alone like you?" Geno is speaking from his own experience.

"Error, this isn't right! Killing innocent people won't make you feel better!" Geno yelled, emotions overtaking his physical pain as he took a step closer.

"Threatening me, tying me down, and beating me to a pulp won't make me want to stay here!" Geno added in a way that is implying that he'll leave if Error wouldn't speak.

Error clearly received the underlying message and it seems to be the last straw as Error pushes himself up on his feet and finally turned to face him.

"You really don't know anything, do you?" Error's first official response came out as a low hiss, red eyes glaring sharp, and fists clenched at his sides.

The air between them grew tense and Geno's expression hardened, no longer afraid. "No," he replied in agreement, it'd be no good to argue otherwise. After all, he didn't want to fight. "Not unless you tell me, then I'll never know."

To be continued...

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AN: Also... can you follow me on Instagram?

I kinda needed some motivation to... well, force me to draw more fanarts.  Trashubun already found me.

Thank you!