Ink had gone through everyone, from Dream to Nightmare to Blue from Underswap, to see if any of them knew what had happened.

They did.

Dream had told Nightmare about what happened to Ink, and word spread quickly throughout the worlds of Ink's death. It pained Creation to see his AUs so distraught.

It had been weeks since Ink had died. About three, according to what Error occasionally said.

Ink usually stayed with Error, hanging around his opposite whenever he had free time... which, was all the time. It was as if Ink literally was Error's shadow.

There wasn't much to do in the afterlife. Any of his friends he had in life... well, none of them had died. So he had no one to go visit. But he found solace and comfort just tagging along behind Error, floating around him.

There were a few occasions in which Error would go to the Save Screen to talk to Geno, and Reaper would be there. Death would look straight at Ink but he never said anything.

Of course Death could see Ink. He was the Grim Reaper. That's what he had the ability to do; see dead souls wandering about.

Ink would always just hold eye contact with him for a while before listening in on what Geno and Error were talking about.

It wasn't like he could interfere anyway.

* * *

Geno couldn't believe it had been weeks since Ink's demise. It still made him upset every now and then. He knew Reaper probably saw him every now and again, but Geno wouldn't dare ask him about it. Even the topic of Ink seemed to put Reaper on edge, which, usually, was hard to do. Even for Geno.

Laying down in the single patch of grass in his Save Screen, Geno savored his moment of being alone. Death was at work (for once), Error was back in his void, and it wasn't like anyone else would pop in to visit. Geno had all day to himself.

...Or so he thought.

Just as his tired, non-glitched eye was fluttering shut, Geno heard someone whisper to him.

Well, it wasn't a whisper, but with how naturally quiet the voice was, it might as well have been.

"Gen," Reaper murmured. He was suddenly right there. Geno's eye flew open. He threw his fist into the air, hoping to punch the face of the god who just interrupted his one chance at rest, but Death moved quickly out of the way.

"Woah... feisty there, are we, sweet cheeks?"

Geno's face burned. He sat up groggily, glaring at Reaper. "Why aren't you at work?"

"Come on, sugar, you know I slack off on a daily basis." Death floated upside down, winking at Geno. The glitch groaned.

"Don't call me that... What do you want." Geno grumbled.

"Actually," Death's flirtatious voice toned down a notch, replaced instead with seriousness. Geno flickered a sidelong glance in Reaper's direction.

"What?" Geno asked, turning more toward Reaper.

"Y'know how Ink's kind of... been dead for a while?"

Geno was surprised Reaper brought it up. "Um... yeah..?"

"And you know how Error frequently comes down here to visit?"

Geno nodded, confused and slightly annoyed. "Jeez, Death, either spit it out or reap me."

"Don't flatter me, hun. Anyway, when Error visits you here... so does Ink."

Geno's head tilted. "...What? Death, I think you've finally lost your marbles." The glitch crossed his arms. Reaper shook his head.

"I see souls when they wander about the living realm, Gen. Ink always hangs around Error. I haven't told him, because I don't know how he'd feel about it, but..."

Geno didn't know how to reply to that, so he didn't. He turned away, thinking. Death floated above him like a dark cloud. A dark, annoying cloud.

"That's all you came here to tell me?"

"Well, I could tell you the idea I had to bring Ink back, but if you don't want me here, I guess I could leave...~"

Geno turned and glared at Reaper. "Don't be a smartass. What's your idea?"

"With enough power mustered," Reaper began, "I can bring souls... back. From the dead. Buuut there's a catch," he added.

Geno squirmed, already not liking where this was going. "Of course there is."

Death continued, "After doing something as magically stupid as reviving someone, my energy is seriously on low. So I'd have to book it out of the afterlife and have someone watch over me and make sure I get enough food and such."

The glitch beside Death narrowed his eyes. "I hope you're not expecting—"

Reaper cut him off. "I was hoping you'd be willing to take the time to do so," he chirped, smiling innocently at his friend. Geno deadpanned.

"..How long does your energy loss last?" Geno asked.

"Only a day or two. Though, they say people heal faster when around someone they love..."

Geno slapped a hand over Reaper's mouth. "Shove a sock in it or else I won't even consider taking care of you."

Death pretended to pout but really was smiling like a dork underneath Geno's hand.

* * *

Nightmare had taken the word of Ink's death relatively well. It actually made him feel guilty for how little he responded to the news. When Dream came into the library, eyes laced with fresh tears, Nightmare instantly suspected Cross had something to do with how upset his little brother was. He'd almost thrown a punch if not for Dream clinging to him like a sad leach.

Nightmare didn't know Ink very well. They'd hang out mutually with Dream every now and then, and of course Ink was always kind, therefore of course Nightmare was upset; exceedingly so since Dream was in tears, but there was some emotional blockage keeping Nightmare from feeling normal grief for Ink. It kind of made the older prince feel foolish.

On the other hand, Abyss was on the brink of breaking down. Not on the outside, of course, but Nightmare could feel the dread weighing on Abyss like a cold stone. He felt the negativity from everyone in the room.

After Dream had left, Abyss had covered his mouth and walked slowly back to the couch in the middle of the library. Nightmare noticed a few tears and Abyss asked for a hug, so, of course, Nightmare obliged with no hesitation. He hated seeing Abyss in pain. Abyss had been sitting there silently on the couch with Nightmare's arms wrapped around him for at least a good hour. He didn't want Nightmare to let go...

But their tea was getting cold.

—- END OF CHAPTER 19 —-

A/N:

(Don't mind my meme of a chapter title pfft)

I knooow these past few chapters have been a bit shorter by at least a couple hundred words but I'm so excited for the future of this story, I don't want to let writer's block effect my updates. I'm trying to get at least 1000 words per chapterrr~ And I tried to touch on a few different things here that were most important to the storyline... how do y'all feel about Afterdeath? :'>

Also

Please comment if you've read Carry On by Rainbow Rowell because I just got that book from Vintage Stock a week ago and I love it??? I 10/10 recommend???? Snowbaz forever???