You hadn't expected this to go the way it had, but life was funny like that wasn't it? Throwing twists and turns at you making you into the person you are now and even going as far as to throw you into this situation. Though now you don't think you mind too much.

Error was different when he got comfortable, still narcissistic and really keen to talk about himself and what he's accomplished. But still different. He was funny too though his humor was a little strange. He seemed to like puns but they didn't always land right. That was the funniest part of them, the fact that they were so bad they just didn't land properly to even be considered a joke.

His normal laugh wasn't as scary as his evil one, but it still insanely glitched and it was hard to even consider it a laugh. He seemed to think he was so funny too especially when you caught yourself laughing at his "jokes". But again not because of the actual jokes just because of how bad they were.

Outertale was beautiful, and it was even nicer now that you had a friend by your side. You think you'll fondly remember this place. Though your mind always did loop back to Chara. They'd enjoy this place too, think it's fascinating.

"I'll be right back." Error's sudden voice brought you out of your thoughts of your sibling making you turn to look at him.

"Where are you going?" You gazed curiously at him, he glanced away seeming embarrassed suddenly.

"Don't ask too many questions, I'll just..be right back." Error narrowly avoided answering you but before you could try and get at least one shard of information on where he was going he was just gone with a small little pop noise in his wake. Did he just..teleport?

Oddly that wasn't the craziest thing you've seen error for but still shocking you don't think you've ever seen him just teleport. Was that just a him thing or could all skeletons do that? You guessed it didn't matter too much. You comfortably sat on your knees against the oddly cool grass of Snowdin.

You're more comfortable now, gazing up at the starry sky for what felt like the 100th time. But you think you prefer staring at the endless night sky of this reality than the endless white of the anti void.

I wonder when error will be back.

You hummed a bit to your own thoughts playing with his scarf still wrapped around your neck.

"(Y/N)!" This voice was new. Frantic sounding almost but yet there was something familiar about it. You turned your head to look around, wondering where the voice had come from.
"(Y/N)!"

There it was again! Repeating your name with a sense of urgency. You stood up now peering up at the sky as if maybe the voice was coming from there. Are you going crazy? Oh maybe this is the cracking point you befriended your captor actually enjoyed his company for a while and now you're hearing voices! This was it wasn't it?

"Wow, you're so far away." The cheerful voice was at your side and you jumped in retaliation backing away to see another skeleton similar to how your sans looks except, well he was different too.

Wait, I've seen him before! Those knitted dolls in the anti void, I saw one that looked just like him.

You blinked to the thoughts as you adjusted to the bright yellows and blues that appeared upon the skeleton before you. He seemed almost regal, just like you thought back when you had seen his little doll.  With a gold band to act as a crown, you also noticed this time the button holding his cloak together and the latch on his belt said DS. You wonder what that meant. (Though you were too startled to even ask. Despite the fact you felt safer around him for some odd reason. It was like he emitted positive feelings.)

"Ah! I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you." The skeleton, you think you'll label as DS like his buttons and buckle say, DS seemed so genuine with his words. He held his hands out in an attempt to try and comfort you but you were too baffled to even realize that's what he was doing.

"Who-" your voice caught in your throat as you instinctively held onto errors scarf.

"Oh! Ah, that's very rude of me just to jump in knowing your name but you don't know mine." Dream pointedly bowed as a means of deep apology, his hands together as he did so. You just didn't know what to do just gazing at him.
"You can call me dream."

His name made you freeze. Did-did CORE frisk manage to reach out to Dream for you? Part of you wanted to leave and see your sibling again but yet, well error wasn't so bad now and he was so lonely you wanted to help him. Do at least something good.

"Dream?" You echoed his name back to him as he stood back to his full height gazing at you curiously. Like he could tell you were slightly distraught.

"I'm here to help! Don't worry! I was only able to visit because there was an intense positive feeling from you!" Dream was trying to console you but you were too lost in your own thoughts to really hear or care what he was saying or doing.

Does this mean I have to go back now?

This whole time you wanted to return home and see your sibling but somehow now the idea of leaving error made you almost sad. Is it because you felt for him? Felt sorry for him? Or what if this meant you had to go to the save haven. You'd never see Chara or Papyrus or sans or anyone really ever again.

"Do you...know someone named CORE frisk?" You hesitated with your own question fiddling with the ends of error's scarf.

Dream gazed at you, his thoughtful expression almost hard to read. What was he thinking? There was a long pause of silence that made you anxious. When was error going to be back? Would he be mad you were talking to Dream? He was so hot and cold with his feelings it was hard to actually determine if he would be mad at you or not.

"This is more serious than I thought." Dream didn't sound as cheery as he did a moment ago. He seemed solum and serious now. He raised a hand to thoughtfully cradle his chin as he looked down at the grass.

"What?" You took a partial half step back. What did that mean? More serious than he thought? Dream looked up shooting you an apologetic smile for making you anxious. Or he thought he made you feel such a way.

"It's nothing you need to worry about. I'll make sure you stay safe!" Dream seemed like what was his normal self again. What do you even say? What do you even do? You're stumped. Though you're glad that there's an effort to make you feel safe.

I wonder if he's talked to Chara. Does he know ink? Or sans?

You pressed your lips together debating if you even wanted to ask about ink. Eventually you decided you'd ask all your pending question. With the idea of Chara on your mind you had to. You had to. For their sake to know how they were doing. How everyone was doing.

"Chara, everyone at home, how are they doing?" You blurted the question now without a second thought to it. You just had to know. Dream seemed to glance away heavily considering how he should go about saying this.

"Everyone misses you. They're worried about your well being, Chara wants to come with us to help get you out of this situation but I'm afraid it's far more dangerous than I originally thought." Dream was truthful. After all what's the point in lying? Actually he doesn't think he can lie to be fair but he didn't want to avoid the subject at all either. You had a right to know what was going on with your friends and family.

"Oh," your words fell quite and your gaze fell to the floor. You worried everyone with your brash decision to try and save them? That's not what you wanted. You at least wanted to hear that they were doing fine not rallying a real recuse party to save you. It felt bitter sweet knowing now.

"I-...wish I had more better news. But don't worry we'll save you." Dream nodded in his own sense of determination. You slowly lifted your gaze from the floor.

"We?" You echoed back again. It was just like talking to CORE frisk. There was so much on your mind you were having a hard time even beginning to understand what was going on.

"Ink and I, we'll make sure you're returned to your AU, safe and sound!" Dream pressed his hands against his chest nodding to his own words. (Though he neglected to share that it was more serious than just saving you. If CORE frisk visited you then theres something else at play he doesn't know about.)

That should have eased you. That should of brought you peace but the truth was it didn't. You didn't know how to feel. You were just drowning in that sea in all your nightmares all over again. Unable to fight the current unable to keep yourself afloat. You half wanted to just sit back on the ground and cover your face. What do you even do in this situation? With everything you just heard? You thought maybe things weren't so bad now that you were friends with error but what was so dangerous?

"You shouldn't stay too long, I don't think error would appreciate that since you aren't who he's looking to get revenge on." You sighed softly through your words meeting dream's gaze again. Dream seemed to think about that for a moment, looking around surprised suddenly that error left you alone in outertale for so long.

"Oh! You'd be right then huh? I wouldn't want you to get in trouble because of me." Dream smiled for you nodding once again, does he do that often as self affirmation?
"I'll check on you again when I can, don't worry you won't be stuck like this for too much longer."

Dream gave a polite little wave. You found yourself waving back at him. Even if you were still thrown for a loop.

"Wait!" Your mind clicked making you jump forward to stop Dream from leaving.
"Can I ask a favor."

You were calmer now as you grabbed his arm desperately to keep him here for a second longer. You had to relay a message to Chara to your friends. They had to know you're okay and hear it from you! Dream was shocked at your sudden energy, but smiled again regardless.

"Of course! What can I help with?" Dream eagerly gazed at you, tilting his head to the side. You let go of his arm realized now he'd stay.

"Can you tell Chara I'm okay, and that I love them and tell Sans and Papyrus not to worry too much and that I'm doing okay too? I-I'm sorry if that's too much but I don't...I don't want them to worry about me anymore than they already have." You looked away crossing your arms in the vain effort to hug yourself. Dream nodded again with an almost apologetic look across his face.

"Of course I'll tell them your message, I'll be seeing you again though and hopefully I'll have a message from them to you next time!" He tried to keep a positive out look on things and you weren't sure if that's how he was as a person or if it was for your sake. You don't think you mind all too much at least.

"Thank you, thank you so much." You sounded so desperate, but again you couldn't help it. At least now finally you could tell Chara you loved them one last time if things went south. Dream just smiled and once again gave you a little wave and a good bye. You found yourself returning the wave again, though this time with a soft goodbye.

Just like that dream was gone. You're not sure how he left or maybe you weren't allowed to know but he had left for sure leaving you alone in outertale.

You plopped back down against the grass staring at it now with your hands at your sides. You're not sure what to think. Or how to even react. You just sat there in silence oddly comforted by error's scarf. There was a light pop noise behind you but you didn't bother to turn around staring intently at the ground beneath you as if determined to burn a hole in it with just a gaze.

"Here." Error's voice suddenly filled the silence and you found yourself looking up leaning back partially as something was shoved in your direction. What was this?

You took the paper bag, feeling the weight in your hands as it seemed almost dipped in grease. You looked at error quizzically, he just sat beside you looking away.

"What's this?" You couldn't help but think aloud opening the bag to see some fries placed at the bottom of the bag in a paper board carton. It was so greasy! But it smelled so good.

"Grillby's." Error didn't explain any further than that. At least what it was but that didn't stop him from talking.
"I thought you needed more than chocolate for food."

Well he was right, it's been a while since he had gone out to get you actual food. Which had happened to be (F/F), your favorite. The idea of something more substantial than chocolate was definitely nice. You reached in to grab a fry uncaring to the grease as you examined it before popping it in your mouth happily chewing.

It may be greasy but oh man was it good! You think you've heard of a Grillby from Chara but muffets was the only restaurant you've ever really heard of. Papyrus loves it there something about honey being amazing? If you recall right, you're not sure.

"This is really good." You couldn't help but praise between each bite of fries you took, it really was good and now you felt a little better munching away on them. Error seemed like he was purposely avoiding looking at you from embarrassment but eventually he did again.
"Do you ever eat here?"

You offered him a fry while asking to which he held a hand out as a way of declining it, he just glanced away even if his head was turned to look at you.

"I used to. I think." He left it at that and you didn't press upon the subject anymore just munching away.
"Are you okay going home now?"

His curtesy threw you off as he asked the question looking at you once again this time more intensely. Well no you didn't want to go back to the anti void. Especially after talking to Dream and what CORE frisk had told you. Your code could corrupt faster but, you find it hard to tell him no.

"Yeah, I'm okay with going back." You smiled at him standing up even though you weren't through with your fries.

"You can...uh...finish those first if you want." Error scoffed as he spoke pointedly looking away now as you stood next to him. Oh, well then you guessed you'd stay here and finish your fries then huh?

"Oh, thanks." You couldn't help but smile more at ease around error now. He just huffed as you say beside him glancing at you from the corner of his eyes.

What is this weird feeling? Error wasn't sure, but he associated it with just being content to having a friend for now rather than another stupid captive. Yeah that's what it is. For now that's what it was.

The silence was comforting as you both stared up at the sky for the last time before heading on. Though again ignorant to the watchful eyes just laying in wait.

Yes, it had decided, you were the perfect host for now.