Chapter start

Error woke at early dawn.

The new morning light had begun shining through the small openings in the 'roof' in streams. The destroyer sat up, curling his tail underneath him, and let out a loud yaw. His pinpricks shifted to the boys still cuddling beside him. Both still fast asleep.

Checking them over to make sure they're ok he saw nothing was wrong or worrying he turned and examined the cavern he had chosen. Now that light had flooded in, the luminous shroom like corals were no longer shining brightly. Instead they gave off a muddy colored gray that left a dreary glow around them. Error scowled in slight disgust, he'll need to spruce this place up; make it more attractive and colorful for the boys. He couldn't allow them to live in such a drab place. His boys deserved only the best after all.

The boys also needed.

Errors eyes suddenly widened in realization. They needed important things, like food. They hadn't eaten since they were in that other universe. And honestly it was only a small portion of food. Error himself didn't need food. He live through years of starvation and hunger pains like it was nothing. His body was practically built for it now. But Null and Void aren't. They both need food to survive.

But what are they going to eat?

Error couldn't help but panic a bit at that thought. With out access of magic, he couldn't simply steal food- and even if he could open portals what good would that do? This multiverse was more primal; relying on instincts and raw materials. It wasn't like there was a Grillbys he could pop into. The only solution to this problem he found himself in, was to hunt- like the Fell Sans was doing yesterday. Raw meat shouldn't be good for them, but at the same time they were completely different species now. Their bodies are most likely made for it, but he couldn't just make assumptions.

Sighing heavily, he leaned towards the boy's. He reached a hand to Null and gently nudged his cheek with his nuckle. His son twitched a bit with a small groan yet didn't stir. "Null. Wake up." Error cooed softly, nudging him again. This time Nulls eyes flutter open. He lifted his head and glanced around in confusion before looking up at Error. "Daddy?" He breathed out in worry. Error gently strokes his skull to soothe him. "Null, I'm going to leave the cavern for a while." He started. Nulls eyes grew wide with slight fear but Error quickly reinsured him. "I'm not going far, just outside to find some breakfast. If you need me, just yell. I will hear you." Null nodded, knowing to trust his dads judgment.

Error turned and slipped off the make shift bed before swimming towards the entrance. He glanced back to see Null shifting to get comfortable again. "I'll be right back, don't leave the cave." He call to his oldest softly. Null nodded again before yawning and curling around Void. With a small smile and a wave of his tail, Error was out of the cave and into the open reef. The morning sun shining from behind warmed his bones.

Hovering above the entrance for a moment he swerved his head around, trying to decide which way to go. He could see a small clearing full of different shimmering fish near his left. Waving his tail, he casually glided over. He took it slow, trying to scope out the best fish to catch instead of rushing in.

Error could remember, a long, long time ago, he read a book about marine life. It was back when he actually had time to sit back and read a entire book. But for the life off him he could not remember what it said about what was edible and what was toxic. A nagging feeling tugged at him. The image of him bringing something toxic to the boys and having them eat it, was the most terrifying thought. He pushed those doubts to the back of his mind. If he did catch something like that, his magic wound react to it negatively, insuring the safety of the boys.

He stopped at the edge of the clearing, propping himself up with his arms. His pinpricks followed several different targets. Error focused in on one large muddy looking fish swimming along near the bottom. With pure accuracy and little hesitation he propelled himself down. Fish darted away as quick as they could at the sight of him. His main target had little time to react before it was slammed to the sandy floor below. Error quickly crushed its head, making sure it was a quick ending. The muddy fish thrashed in his grip for only a moment before going still. Seeing it up close and in his hold Error noticed the fish was actually a lot smaller than he thought. He glanced up to see if he could catch another maybe but the other fish were now long gone or hidden in between the corals.

With a sigh he looked back down at the dead fish. He needed to make sure it was ok before bringing it back to the boys. Using his claw, he gently ripped a bit of meat from its side. Hesitating for a second he flicked the meat into his mouth. It was surprising good. Sweet almost. His magic had no reaction to it at all, which was also a relief.

He turned to swim back, fish in his grasp when something caught his attention.

A small blue shell- or at least that's what he thinks it's called- stuck out through the sand. He had seen some in a tropical AU where the monsters were sent to an island instead of underground. He remembered going there a few times and laying in one of the hammocks near the beach. Watching the waves was the only peaceful thing he could experience since he couldn't go to Outertale anymore. Ink eventually found out and set up patrols to attack him if he showed up again. But in the little while that he did chill there the Toriel passed by 'collecting them for decoration' she said.

Error swam up to the shell and picked it up with his unoccupied hand. Smooth and shiny, he could see why it would make a good decoration. Maybe he could hang some by his threads on the ceiling to spruce up the place like he thought about earlier.

With the fish and the shell, he turned and darted back to the cavern. He drifted down into the cave. Null and Void were waiting inside. Null, failing to fall back asleep, decided to sit up and wait for him. Void seemed to have just woken up. Groggy eyes darting around in confusion only to sparkle in joy and excitement at the sight of his daddy.

Error chuckled softly, floating down to them. "I've caught some breakfast." He hummed while lifting the fish into view. Void let out a delightful 'Oooh' while grabbing at it. Null cringed at the sight, shrinking back away as Error placed the meal in front of them. Error raised a brow, taking note of this reaction. Error gently used his claw to cut little chunks out of the fish for Void, who happily took each piece and nibbled on them happily. Null, scooted closer, hunger overruling his disgust in the dead thing.

When Void had enough Error handed it to his oldest who took it hesitantly. Liking his teeth nervously, he glanced at his brothers delighted face as he munched on the pieces. If Void liked them, then it couldn't be bad... right? Glancing up at his daddy, who gave him a reinsuring nod, Null took a bite. Eye sockets widening, he gazed back up at Error with a look that said 'this is actually really good'. He couldn't help but chuckle as Null took another, much larger, bite.

"This is a sea-shell." Error started, placed the shell in front himself and catching the boys attention from their meal. "These shells, as far as I can remember, hold these weird mushy creatures. But when the creatures die, they leave these pretty shells behind." Both boys looked up in wonder. "There's a clearing beside the cavern that probably has more burrowed in the sand." Void cooed as Null picked up the shell, flipping it curiosity. "After you two eat, I'll bring you over there so we can dig some more up and make this place more... pretty." He smiled down as the two nodded excitedly before going back to their fish.

While they ate, Error summoned his strings. Using just his hands he weaved the strings into purse like shape. He needed a bag to carry the different shells and for future items. Seeing the boys were done with their meal, Error slung the purse around his torso and scooped up the boys.

The morning light had fully risen by then, the warm glow shining down as they exited the cave and glided to the clearing.  The fish had reoccupied the clearing, darting around them with ease.  The boys giggled happily as they were set down in the sand to dig up shells. Null and Void sat there for a moment, nervous on what to do. Error had to nudge them on and out of his grip to convince them it was ok. After a while, they began to collect different shells. It instantly became an exciting game. They swam sloppily from spot to spot, picking up shells and coral they saw as pretty.

At the end of the day, Errors bag and lap was over flowing with shells of all shapes and sizes. He smiled at how hard working they both were.

"DA!" Void screamed up to Error from his side. Letting out a small questioning, "Da?", for good measure. Error cringed at the sudden yell but smiled and looked down at him. "I see you void, don't yell ok? Daddy doesn't like that." He muttered out the last part to himself.

"Lo'k!" He squeaked, happily raising a heart shaped shell. Error hummed in approval as he took the shell and examined it. It looked as if it had suffered a break years before and the crack had smoothened over time. Error tried to hand it back, but Void shook his head and huffed, "For Da!". Meaning-or what Error could only assume- void was giving it to him. Gently patting his youngest skull he hummed, "Thank you, you little terror." Void beamed in pride at the complement as he swam over to his brother.

Error blinked Dow at the gift. It was adorable that the boy think he needs gifts. He doesn't really. He doesn't deserve really anything in his own eyes. But since one of his had given it to him, he'll keep and cherish it. Error summoned a few more strings. Winging them in a tough braid, he tied the SOUL shaped shell to it before tying it around the end of his tail in two loops.

He gazed up to the boys, content as they played and dig up shells. Content with this new life and new home. That's just what this was now, isn't it? Home. He couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. It isn't much but we'll make it.

We'll make this home...