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“I just really hate your face.” Is what Error said one day when Ink asked why he looked at him like that in fights.
Error always hated Ink and nothing would change that.
Ink just looked at him and sighed. What did he expect? For Error to have suddenly changed his mind? Yeah. Not happening anytime soon.
“Though I know that won't surprise you. But, to me, your skin is one giant wart, and your laugh's one big snort, and you stink, so in short, I despise you.”
Ink rolled his eyes and put up his hands in mock surrender.
“Okay, okay. I get it. You hate me.”
“Nope. I'm continuing. You disgrace the monster race, 'Cause you're more of a mosquito. I would rather have the dentist and drill, then this swine in the swill, and if you were a bill, I would veto. No, you wouldn't even make it that far. I'd make sure no one would accept you.”
Ink left before Error could continue. Error really didn't have to go that far. An “I hate you.” Would’ve sufficed.
Error relaxed in his beanbag chair. Finally, some peace and quiet. Error started making a doll. It was one of Ink. One he could take his frustrations out on.
He couldn't remember exactly how Ink's outfit was so he opened a one-way portal to Ink's Doodlesphere. That was such a stupid name.
“And if the world was perfect, you would be gone without a trace. But since the world could never be that great I'll just hate your stupid face.”
He said as he looked at Ink through the portal. He started humming a bit. It was good to keep his mind occupied while he did this. He looked back at Ink and felt himself smile. He felt some sort of fondness for the little artist. He was just so cute.
Error suddenly paused, his mind coming to a hult.
“Oh no… nooo!” He whined. This couldn't be happening! Not Ink! Anyone but him!
He looked at the doll. He couldn't work on this anymore!
Over the next few weeks he just tried to ignore his feelings. He even avoided Ink. But nothing was working!
So now he found himself sitting across from the half-finished Ink doll. Maybe he could pretend it was Ink. How hard could asking someone out be? He had done way worse things!
Error took a deep breath and started.
“I just really like your face.”
He stared at the doll, like it was going to respond.
‘You don't have to look so happy.”
Error could just imagine the smug look Ink would have. Ink would be so proud of himself, for making “the big bad destroyer” all sappy.
“I'm not really into love that you flaunt, in some glittery font.”
Error waved his hand dismissively. He wasn't going to be shown off like Ink quote on quote “tamed him.” But… the thought someone would want to actually show him off, like he was actually wanted made him feel… warm.
Like he was curled up next to a fireplace in winter, drinking hot coco with a cat on his lap and Ink by his side.
“But if that's what you want…,” He started out, slightly mumbling. “Make it snappy!”
Error's face felt like it was on fire. He was basically melting.
“I just feel so out of place. Well, except for when you're near me. When you're gone, I'm like a plant with no root or a song that's on mute”
He had been avoiding looking at the doll, as if it was actually Ink. But he took a glance at it. Ink's smug face appeared in Error's head again and he could practically hear his voice.
“Aww, is that really how you feel about me, Glitchy? How cute~”
Error felt rage bubbling up inside him.
“Don't you dare call it cute! You should fear me!”
Strings grabbed the unfinished doll and threw it across the Antivoid, where Error would never have to see it again.
“And if the world was perfect, you would've never invaded my space! But since the world's obsessed with saying, "Psych!” Now I like your stupid face!”
He started humming again, trying to calm down. Why did he even like him!? It made no sense! He was just a-
Soulless bastard… That's what Error called Ink. And he didn't even stop there! He continued on and on about how no one would love him!
When he saw Ink cry he finally broke out of whatever angry haze he was in. He… he didn't know Ink could actually cry. He just thought Ink would take it like every other insult Error threw his way.
Error felt guilt rise up in his throat like large waves during a windy day but instead of apologizing or something he just ran! He ran like the coward he was. He left Ink, crying and alone.
He sat on a cliff in Outertale. The stars twinkling above.
“I just really miss your face…”
Error hugged the plushie of Ink. It somehow looked sad despite it being inanimate.
“Though, by now, I must disgust you… I had tried to be the stubbornest mule 'cause I knew life was cruel.”
He had denied his own feelings at almost every turn. He convinced himself that it would go away. Ink could never really love him. All Ink ever felt was from those paints. If Error actually ever told him he would probably laugh in his face.
“So I guess I was foolish to trust you but I wait here just in case. Though I know I'm being senseless.”
Error let out a shaky laugh. It was ironic, wasn't it? Out of everyone he could love… it just had to be his worst enemy. The one person that hated him.
“How could I have ever been so naive, and wear my heart on my sleeve? When I knew it would leave me defenseless.”
Error's voice broke, tears starting to ruin down his face.
“And if the world was perfect, you would be here in my embrace.”
He squeezed the doll in a hug. He wanted Ink to be here so badly. He thought ignoring his feelings would make them go away. But instead he started longing for him more as time went on.
“But since the world denied me one last kiss, I'll just miss your stupid face.”
Why was humming always his go to? It kind of reminded him of him and Ink. Always dancing in some circle but never able to get close to each other. They were always just going to be enemies. Nothing more, nothing less.
Error heard footsteps. Ugh, couldn't he be left alone?
“Go away, Fresh. I'm not in the mood. Go find someone else to mess with.”
The footsteps came to a hult. Why was Fresh being so quiet? He was never silent.
“I'm not Fresh.”
Wait. No. No it couldn't be! Error turned his head at lightning speed. Ink was standing about two feet away from him.
“What are you doing here!?”
Error tried to hide the half-finished plushie. Maybe Ink couldn't tell it was him?
“You just suddenly ran away. What was I supposed to do other than follow you? You never run away.”
Error felt a bit of offense. Did Ink really think he would just run away? Even though he technically did.
“I didn't run away! It was… it was a strategic retreat!”
Yeah Error. Really convincing.
“Please, Error. I just want to talk.”
He just wanted to talk. Please, Ink had to be at least a bit upset at him for what he said. He shouldn't be so calm when he was just crying a few minutes ago.
“What is there to talk about? It's over, I ruined it.”
Ink and Error always had playful banter while they fought. It had always been a bit fun to come up with new insults but he had gone too far this time. He went way too personal with it.
“You… sound sorry for it. Do you regret it or something?”
Ink was shocked. Error never felt sorry for what he did. At this point Ink thought it was impossible for him. Maybe, just maybe Error wasn't that far gone. Maybe he had a chance with him.
“Well, yeah, of course I'm sorry, but-”
Ink cut him off.
“Look it's fine-”
Now it was Error's turn to cut him off. Error couldn't believe what he was hearing.
“No, no, don't forgive me! Why do you do that!? Why- why give me another chance to mess things up!?”
Ink didn't get the chance to stop his words. Words he had been waiting forever to say. He just couldn't take it anymore!
“Because I love you!”
They were out. Ink was prepared to be rejected, to be laughed at. Error would probably start spreading it around. That Ink loved his worst enemy.
“Because you, what!?”
Meanwhile with Error it felt like everything had stopped. His sight was slightly obscured by error signs. Those three little words out of the blue. Completely uncalled-for, especially from him.
“Why don't you hate me!? Why do you care!? Can't you berate me!? Isn't that fair!? Where is your glare!?”
Everything sped up. Error stood up and approached Ink.
“Don't you dare leave our problems and pain on the shelf! Because if you don't hate me, I can't hate myself…”
He felt more tears. He put his head in his hands. He couldn't look Ink in the eyes. He couldn't.
As they stood there, closer than ever, he came to a realization. He… he was right in front of Ink. His glitches weren't even freaking out. His thoughts went back to their fights. Error got close to Ink a lot. He was once even able to punch him. How didn't he realize before?
“But that's why I need you. You shatter my fear 'cause despite my misdeed, you are still right here.”
He looked at Ink. He was able to recognize the same longing in Ink's eyes as he had felt for him. How long had they been like this, longing for each other, wanting to be closer?
“Though it's stupid to date me, you're willing to try. And if you don't hate me, then why should I? Are you sure you don't want to give up on me?”
Ink just simply nodded and grabbed Error's hand. Error laughed, with tears running down his face.
“You're a moron!”
Ink and Error just talked. They even worked out a truce, so they could be together.
“So you think that we could work? Here I thought I'd been the dumb one, what?”
Ink playfully punched his shoulder and glared at him.
“I'm not dumb.”
“You kinda are. You're forgiving me for all I did wrong, you're unmuting the song. And, again, I belong to someone.”
Ink had a smile. A stupidly happy one.
“No! You can drop the stupid smirk!”
Error sighed.
“Though by now I guess you've earned that. Cause no matter how intensely I pout, your stupid face will win out. And I guess it's about time I learned that.”
Error rolled his eyes. He gave up fighting his feelings. It's not like he needed to anymore.
“Though we go together like a Chanel No. 5 and mace?”
Ink tilted his head as he asked. Him and Error were as different as night and day. Error just shrugged.
“At least it's not as dull as fitting like a glove. 'Cause you're a nightmare that I've not been dreaming of. But I suppose that when push comes to shove…”
Ink gave an expectant look. He was still waiting for his “I love you too.”
“Fine! I love your stupid face.”
You know what? Ink was perfectly fine with that response. He could wait for the “I love you too.” He heard Error hum as he looked up at the stars. He gave a fond look. This was perfect.
Error noticed how Ink was looking at him and pulled up his scarf to hide his blushing face.
“Your stupid face.” He mumbled into his scarf.
Ink started laughing. Error didn't seem to mind it anymore. It was actually pretty cute. He could get used to this.