Error sat with Geno in the Save Screen. The glitch was slowly opening up to his older brother more and more as time progressed. Of course, Reaper was there, floating high above, barely listening in on the conversation but more or less just slacking off on his job.

"What about Ink?" Geno asked, "What did you do with him...? He's still okay, isn't he?"

Error looked away. "I got in a little skirmish with him before I left but... I didn't kill him."

Suddenly they heard a grunt from Reaper. Death, who had been "laying down" in the air, suddenly sat up with such a concerned look it actually made Geno worry as he looked at his comrade.

"Death? What's the matter?" Geno asked, craning his neck to look at Reaper.

"...Woah." Reaper held a hand over one side of his face. "...Error, my dude..." He looked down at Error. "Is there anyone in your void with Ink...?"

Error looked up, confused. He nodded. "Killer... Why?"

Death's expression went solemn and almost sad if not for his empty smile. "I'll um... Be right back. I've got a soul to reap..."

The god summoned his scythe and teleported away, into Error's void where the dying soul was. Reaper's smile fell. It was indeed Ink.

Thanks to his powers, he couldn't be seen by either of the skeletons in the void. Reaper looked at Creation lying almost dead on the ground, slowly dusting away. He tried not to assess the scene too much more. All he allowed himself to register was that Killer was standing, staring incredulously at Ink.

Then, the small skeleton collapsed. Reaper's eyes went dull. He pulled back his scythe behind his head then swung it over Ink, successfully reaping the soul. The spirit of Creation left his body, rising up only a few inches before disappearing. Dust scattered everywhere as Ink's spirit left for the afterlife.

Under normal circumstances, Reaper would push away his emotions. But this time, sorrow got the best of him. He felt hot tears decorating his face with their mark of sadness. He bowed his head, unmoving. Ink was dead.

* * *

"I wonder what that was about..." Error said nervously. Geno looked distressed.

"You don't think he... Not Ink..." Geno fretted. Error seemed not to have thought of that.

"Ink...? You think he...?" Error's face twisted into one of anger. "I told Killer not to hurt him."

Geno stood up. "Oh my God... What if it was Ink? What if he... What if Ink's..."

Error stood as well, trying not to show his panic. He didn't actually hate Ink. Error wouldn't ever actually kill him.

But what if...?

No. Ink was fine. Error couldn't have actually inflicted a fatal blow on Ink when they argued.

Could he have...?

Error shook his head. No. No. NO.

"Let's just... Go take a look." Error opened a portal to his void where he saw Killer standing looking shocked and guilty.

"What did you do, you little shit?!" Error shouted at Killer, "What the hell did you do!?"

Killer looked up in alarm at Error, raising his hands up in defense. "I- I didn't do anything, Boss...! His soul was glitching! I... I couldn't do anything!"

Error stormed over to Killer, grabbing a fistful of his t-shirt. "What happened?!"

Killer shakily pointed to the notepad which was still laying on the ground, untouched. Error slowly turned his head and followed Killer's gaze.

"Wh-What..." Error let go of Killer and knelt down next to the sketch pad. He read the broken cursive letters, looking through dried rainbow teardrops and small blood spatters.

Of course, accompanied by the same small doodle, it said,

You win.
-Ink

Error gripped the sketch pad, feeling tears threaten to break through his stone hard gaze. The small drawing underneath the note didn't help anything. Ink gave up. He let Error win.

What was there to win, though? This wasn't some game. Did Ink think it was?

...Did Ink assume Error thought it was?

Error held the notepad with such force it almost tore the page. Geno walked up behind Error, hands over his mouth in shock.

"What... happened..?" Geno knelt down beside Error, his eyes flitting to the side where Ink's scarf was lying, sprinkled with dust. Geno felt a tear roll down his face slowly. Killer backed up slowly.

"I killed him..." Error said softly. Geno looked over at his little brother.

"What...? No. You were with me. You couldn't have..."

"I told you, we fought before I came to your Save Screen." Error was emotionless. His face held no hint of feeling whatsoever. He didn't look at Geno. He only stared at the three words on the sketch pad with pupil-less eyes. "I blasted at him... I think the blow landed.." Error held his free hand over his chest, "..landed on his soul.."

Geno felt more tears threatening to come but he stayed strong for Error's sake. He leaned to the side and gave his little brother a tearful hug. Error didn't move, aside from lowering his head onto Geno's shoulder. He was trembling.

"I didn't mean for this... I didn't want this... Geno... I didn't mean...." Error's cracking voice trailed away into a choked cry. "Damn it... Get Killer out of here..."

Killer backed away more. "A-Already gone, Boss." With that he quickly ripped open a portal and raced through it, willing himself to get as away from all that as possible.

Reaper made himself visible just then. His signature grin was nowhere to be found, which didn't help anything at all, but it's not like this situation could get any worse... Could it?

Suddenly, Geno gasped. He looked up at Reaper. "Death... Do you know where Dream is?"

"People could die at any time... I gotta know where everyone is. Why?" Death's voice was weak.

"He needs to know about this... Can you go tell him...?"

Reaper looked away. He didn't say anything for a moment. Then he nodded, though he looked at Geno uncertainly. "...You wouldn't mind joining me, would you?"

The older glitch tilted his head a tad. "...Alright, I suppose..." Geno turned his head to Error, whispering, "Will you be okay here for a few minutes while I go with Reaper...?"

Error silently replied, "Yes."

Geno didn't like the tone of his little brother's voice, but it wasn't like he had much of a choice in this situation. He'd come back to Error's void after he aided Death in informing Dream about what had happened.

"Okay. I'll be right back."

With that, Geno stood up and looked up at Reaper, tears still staining both their faces. Death opened a portal, letting Geno exit the void first. As Geno walked forth, he couldn't help but feel bad for Reaper. He had to deal with this daily... And barely with a break. Being in the Save Screen with Geno must have been Reaper's only solace through all the death and grievances he had to bestow upon people and their families; and not only did he have to do such in his own world, but every other AU as well...

Geno's ninth of a soul was pinched with guilt. He treated Reaper like yesterday's newspaper... and the god always kept on a smile no matter what. In fact, this was the first time Geno had ever seen Death without his grin, smug or otherwise.

Reaper followed through the portal then closed it behind the two of them. As they walked further into Dreamtale, which Dream was trying to rebuild with some help, Geno looked over at Death, catching the god's attention. He glanced back at Geno, who tried to put on at least a semi-convincing smile.

Reaper was honestly touched by Geno's attempt to cheer him up, if only a tiny bit. Never had the glitch given him such an offer.

Death smiled back weakly, blinking slightly in surprise when Geno hesitantly reached over and took Reaper's hand, trying for a bit of comfort as they walked. Silently, with averting eyes, Geno said, "Don't read too much into this." 

Reaper could only smile sadly and let more tears flow from his eyes involuntarily as they walked around looking for Dream and Cross.

---END OF PART 15---

A/N:

Hoo boi, well here's some Afterdeath fluff(kinda) for you in the midst of all this sadness :') This story's going somewhere, I promise.

Also, this is totally not the right atmosphere for this, but I've considered and I want to start taking art requests. So, if you have a certain ship, or character, you want me to draw for you, just comment down below and I'll get right on it. (Also tell me whether you want the drawing traditional or digital, please.) I'll be doing this until July 6th~ So just tell me what exactly you want drawn and I'll post it in my Art Book (you can find this on my page) and I'll DM you when I get your drawing done. :)

If you have any questions about this, DM me and I'll get them answered as soon as possible! <3