Ink emerges from the puddle of paint and gracefully lands on the grass. He stands in the middle of the field, looking a bit confused for a moment, before looking at the food I left out, and then at my bike. He smiles before sitting down with his back to me, his scarf slightly fluttering around in the cool wind. "I know you're there, Y/N..." He says smoothly. "You can come out now." With a little furrow of my brow, I crawl out of my hiding place and stand up. 

"...How did you know I was there?" I ask, walking over to him. 

"Well, it was just a hunch... plus you left your bike over there, so it was obvious," He points to my bike and smiles.  I laugh sheepishly and look to the side. 

"How did you travel through that paint puddle?" I ask, looking at him curiously. "It's like you disintegrated your body and just... floated through! How?" 

"Well... It's complicated." Ink sighs, looking at me.

"I'm listening." I say, turning towards him. 

"Well, have you ever heard of the phrase, 'Mind, body, and soul?'" I nod. "Great. So, some monsters are able to do this, and some aren't, it just depends on our magical abilities. So, our souls hold our bodies, and our minds, inside of them. When the ones powerful enough to do so need to, they find a weak spot in their destination. For all of us, our weak spots are different. Mine happen to be travelling through paint spills and the like, and Dream's are happy feelings, thoughts, and memories. Blue's, however, are normal, so he goes where he wants in a certain world, though he has to be near Dream or I to travel to a different universe. Do you understand?" I nod again, entranced by his words. "So, when we need to travel, we momentarily release our physical forms just for a moment, so we can successfully teleport to different places. It's harder for some monsters, but I find it easy to do."

"So your bodies are like... Holographs?" I ask, astonished. 

"In a way." He responds nonchalantly. 

I touch his arm. "You don't seem to be that way..." 

"Well, we're able to have physical forms, so we aren't actually holographic." He explains with a smile. I nod in understanding, and we sit in silence for a while, staring into the sunset. The sun sets low on the horizon, sending rays of gold and white across the sky. The blue mixes with red and creates a torrent of pinks, golds, and purples that spread  across the sky in a crescendo of beauty and grace nothing could compare to.  

My phone's ringtone interrupts our silence, making us both jump back in surprise. We laugh for a brief moment as I check the caller I.D. "It's Sans..." Ink nods in understanding and turns towards the sunset once more. Tapping the green 'Accept' button, I hold the phone to my ear. 

"Hello?" 

"HELLO, Y/N! THE MAGNIFICENT SANS IS JUST CALLING TO TELL YOU THAT HIS TACOS WILL BE READY IN FIFTEEN MINUTES, SO IT IS TIME TO COME HOME."

"Oh, Okay! I'll be home soon... Just let me get my bike." 

"ALRIGHT! THE MAGNIFICENT SANS WILL SEE YOU SOON, Y/N!!"

"Bye!"

I hang up the phone. "Looks like I gotta go." I frown, looking at the artist beside me. Ink nods with a slight smile and stands up before holding out his hand. I sit in confusion for a moment or two before getting the point and gently taking his hand in mine, allowing him to pull me to my feet. "Thanks." I smile, letting go of his hand.

"No problem. Well, I guess I'll see you later,  Y/N." He takes his paintbrush from his back and paints a swathe of colourful paint on the ground.

I nod and wave to him as I turn to grab my bike. I unlock my bike chain and turn around one last time.
"Bye, Ink--" I start...

...But he's already gone.

~~~

I wheel my bike up to the front porch and chain it up once more. I yawn and walk up the stairs to the door before entering my house. The lovely smell of taco ingredients instantly floats up my nose, making me feel at comfort.

"Sans, Papyrus, I'm home!" I shout, unzipping my jacket and taking off my boots.

"Hey, Y/N." Papyrus says lazily, holding up a peace sign.

My small skeleton friend's familiar face peeks around the corner with bright, almost neon-blue eyes. His face turns to a smile as he retreats back into the kitchen.

"GOOD EVENING, Y/N! I TRUST YOUR DAY WENT WELL?" He asks in his chipper, bouncy voice.

"Yeah, actually, it did!" I reply, pulling my beanie off of my head. It leaves my hair a static-y mess, which I quickly smooth down with my hands. "I went to the field and hung there for a while, and then I came home." I explain, leaving Ink out of the story (for now).

"TACOS ARE ALMOST DONE!" Sans shouts from the kitchen.

"Okay, Sans, just..." I hold back a snicker. "Let-tuce know!"

Sans peeks out again, an annoyed expression on his face. "Was that..." He asks, squinting.

"Pretty punny, huh?" I ask, holding back laughter. "Papyrus taught me some tricks!" I laugh loudly, soon being joined by Papyrus.

"Y/N!"

~~~

I burrow underneath my covers for another night of sleep, their familiar warmth hugging my body with comfort. I yawn and switch off my bedside lamp as I flip over. I let the sweet darkness of sleep take over my thoughts as the beginning drops of a spring rainstorm quietly pat against my window, the sound slowly but surely lulling me to sleep.

~~~~

A setting sun dips low on the horizon, casting arrays of color into the sky.

For a moment, I just lay still against the soft, dewy grass, watching the sky as it moves and changes to accommodate the night and all of it's glorious attributes. A small smile dances across my lips as I gaze upon this changing world, the way it adapts and waits patiently for each turn to shine.

The sweet smell of nature finds it's way to my nose as I look into the sky with wonder.

It's so peaceful.

"Y/N..." A familiar voice calls gently, catching my attention.

"Y/N...!" It calls once more.

~~~~

"Y/N!" Ink whisper-yells, shaking me a small bit. I open my heavy eyes and yawn.

"Ink...? What the hell are you doing here...?" I ask, rubbing my eyesa nd sitting up.

"A little bird told me you like stars... This is a once in a lifetime chance. Come with me." He gently pulls me out of bed and holds my hand as he paints a swathe of paint on my bedroom floor. My mind is still hazy with the after-fog of sleep as I stumble towards my artist friend. He jumps into the puddle of paint, pulling me through as well.

A cold sweep of air plays with my hair as I regain my balance, my eyes opening fully and my brain coming into full consciousness. A scenery full of stars is spread across the land in front of me, like glitter against a purple backdrop. I gasp in astonishment as Ink lets go of my hand and smiles.

"Welcome to Outertale, Y/N," He says curtly, gesturing towards the sky. "One of the creators' most popular works of art."

Suddenly, a bright star flies across the sky, leaving a translucent white trail of beauty as it streaks across the sky.

"Shooting star!" I gasp. "Make a wish, Ink!"

Ink smiles and closes his eyes with a slight smile, and I do the same.

"I wish that I could see all of the universes, in all of their beauty."

(A/N)

Hello, Glitterbugs!

Sorry this chapter took a while to write, I've had a lot on my mind lately. I hope you all had a happy holiday, whatever you celebrated.

I love you all!

(Another shoutout to morrow- because she's an amazing bean who gave me inspiration and I literally will not shut up until you go and follow her because she's the next Shakespeare)

Bai, Glitterbugs!

Have a good day/night/afternoon!

💜