Chapter Text
He sighed as he closed the portal behind him. Something was off, really off. The feeling only got stronger as he headed towards the house Ink called his home. He had a feeling something had been off this morning. He should have called instead of believing Ink over Tekst. And the loud sounds coming from inside only confirmed his suspicions.
But he had needed a full day of rest. It had been a whole week, of being around way too many people. It was a wonder he hadn't somehow crashed. But he was feeling normal again.
Or as good as the new normal was letting him. Despite being back for six months now It was still not anywhere near how it had been before his little vacation to the afterlife.
He took another deep breath, as he listened to the sounds coming from the house. It could mean one of two things. And he hoped it wasn’t the same as two months back. Ink had been going through enough emotional turmoil lately.
He gave a light shudder as he remembered the normally bright room being covered in coats of thick black ink. The scream of pain he heard as he rushed up the stairs. His boyfriend's face stuck in that jack-o-lantern smile, with black tears streaming down his face.
If he closed his eyes he could still see the way ink collapsed when he came back to himself. He clenched his fist. It had taken everything not to wrap him up in a hug. It would have hurt, and only have made things worse.
He stood in front of the door and debated teleporting in, but decided against it. Didn’t need to get an attack thrown at his face today. He opened the door or tried to at least, but it got stuck. He pushed a bit harder, enough that he could slip through the opening. The door was pushed shut, the second he let go.
He glanced around the room and saw every surface of the room covered with different unfinished works. Canvases with half-finished sketches, different types of yarn work, paper craftworks, plants, sculptures, clay figures, and even more things he couldn’t name.
It was usually a mess, finding materials everywhere. But not covering the ground until there was no place to walk, not this unlivable. He didn’t even see a way for ink to move around by jumping from wall to wall. The sounds he heard from outside seemed to come from the kitchen.
Summoning his strings, he used them to fly over the mess. He grabbed a hold of the doorpost as he looked inside. Loud music was blasting from inside. All the counters were littered with different bowls, glasses, pans, and other appliances. It looked like Ink had started cooking and baking dozen of different recipes and not finished any.
And right in the middle Ink was working on a cutting board. He managed to find somewhere to stand and checked over his boyfriend. Ink seemed to half throw something on a bit more haphazardly instead of his usual outfit. Some brown shorts and a white T-shirt with different art stains of god knows what. And more worryingly scarf nowhere in sight
Ink's eyes were shifting way too quickly through its symbols. Different spirals kept popping up, as he was mumbling to himself.
But he breathed a small sigh of relief to see that his eyes weren’t very cloudy. So this was most likely not a swallowing too much ink situation. And he had a feeling he knew what it was.
Ink had ever since his death, tried to keep the balance. And lately, he had the feeling Ink was trying to tip it into his favor instead of his own. So the forces that be, were probably trying to make Ink create, no matter how he felt about it.
It was one of the worst feelings when the multiverse decided it had enough. And everything becomes so loud, so demanding. The only way for the painfully loud voices to stop, for him, was to destroy. Ink had told him, it was similar for him. Over the years both of them became good at fighting the instinct. But occasionally, it grew stronger and could overwhelm them.
The last time it took hold of him, he was destroying universe after universe, not really realizing which one he did. Popular or not.
Ink in contrast could start making so much, to fill the void up. It often happened when protecting alone wouldn’t be enough. And it could get really bad if all his colors were used up. Ink would forget to eat and drink. And just become a machine that just kept churning out artworks.
Ink only had one that was so bad in the time they became friends. And to see his then-friend look at all the art he had made with such a sad frown on his face. It had ached something in him.
Ink did like to get feedback on his work. But never seemed to hate or even dislike anything he made. But then, well he never saw ink look so sad.
When he asked what was wrong with what he had created. Ink had called them ‘soulless’. In the months after, he had been destroying those artworks and universes one by one. Slowly as to not upset the balance and send ink into another spiral. Ink never mentioned it. It had been their little secret
Now Ink was fighting that instinct, to go out there and make new AU’s. And seemed to be in a creative manic spiral. Listening to the creators to make something, but not being able to finish anything.
He knocked on the wall, Ink didn’t seem to react.
“Ink?”
Still nothing. He huffed, trying not the be insulted at being ignored, He used his strings to clear some space in front of the counter. Then jumped to the now free floor, putting his hands down
“Squid!”
Ink stilled for a second, then slowly looked up. Yellow flooded his eyes and face way too quickly.
“Ruru~! Good to see you! How was your rest?”
Ink's voice was a tad too loud. And he hid a flinch,
“Been fine, you’ve been busy”
Ink nodded happily, but there was a hint of purple in there too. And now that Ink had stopped cutting whatever he was working on. He was swaying lightly, he could also hear bones rattling just below the music.
He frowned and looked to the side,
“You mind if I turn that off?”
Ink turned his head towards the music player, confusingly looking toward it. After a few seconds, he shook himself out of his thoughts
“Oh yeah, that’s fine.”
There was a hidden strain in there, and he had a feeling Ink had put on the music to drown out the noise of the creators. But considering his confusion, it had stopped helping, and he hadn’t realized it was still playing.
Using an attack he quickly turned off the music. Ink"s eyes shifted through more symbols, and he came up with an idea.
“What are you baking?” Ink looked back at him, eyes blinking fast quickly.
“Uhhh..” Ink looked down at his hands.
“...cake?....” Ink started very confused. Eyes cycling a couple more times through his symbols, then looking up happily
“A strawberry chocolate cake! “
He kinda doubted that was what it started as, but he could see a way to quell some of Ink’s restlessness.
“Want me to help finish it?”
The of Ink slammed his hands on the table. Eyes turning to stars.
“You serious?! Yes!, yes, please! Thank you Error!”
Ink’s face flushed a happy bright yellow And despite the circumstances, he couldn’t help but give a small smile himself
Baking meant getting dirty, and if he hated something it was creating. But getting Ink to actually finish something, would probably quiet the voices for a bit. And he was willing to suffer through the unpleasant bits.
Ink’s tired swaying had become happy bouncing, as he took off his jacket and scarf, dumping them through a portal back to his home, not wanting to get them dirty.
“So what can I do for you Squid?”
Ink started looking around the counter space, picking up different bowls and pans. Before suddenly grabbing a box with a cake printed on it from beneath three measuring cans. And handing it to him.
He took it carefully, trying to avoid the sticky fingerprints all over it. But grimacing as the icing coated his fingers as their hands brushed together.
“That’s the one I am making! Can you do the wet ingredients, then I go do the dry ones after I finish with the strawberries “
He gave a nod
“Sure thing Inky”
And Ink beamed, going back to cutting up the fruits in front of him... This time it was a little less frantic, Still a bit too quick for his liking. But he knew he shouldn’t rush this. And with some careful maneuvering, he got around the counter, to grab what he needed.
After staring at the box with a glare for a few minutes, He let out a few curses and grumbles. Pulling out his glasses and putting them on. As he read the instructions he went over to grab everything from Inks fridge. Double checking if things weren’t expired, knowing his scatterbrain of a boyfriend.
When he closed it, he noticed that Ink was staring at him. Focussing on his face. Then he realized he was staring at him because of his glasses, he felt his face flush and quickly took them off.
Ink had seen them before why did he have to act like it was the best thing he had ever seen? He deliberately kept his gaze away as he cleaned off some measuring cups, and started adding the wet ingredients together.
Bringing his attention back to his boyfriend after he started searching for a mixer. Only for Ink to look quite lost.
“What is the last thing you did Kiki?”
Ink looked back surprised, back to the bowl he was holding, then up again.
“Added the flour…but I feel like I am forgetting a step”
He grabbed the box and wandered over to stand next to him. So he grabbed his glasses again. Giving a little warning glare to not say anything.
“So you did the flour and sugar?” Ink nodded
“Added the coca?” Ink shook his head, glancing around the room. Then back in the bowl.
“Got butter in here?...should that be?” He quickly scanned the text.
“Is like two steps down, but don’t think it’s gonna be a huge problem” He muttered, turning the box a bit more so Ink could read it. Who took the box gently and read it over, nodding along as he read it over.
“Okay, glad to not have ruined another batch”
Handing the box back. He got some of the batter that was stuck on Ink's fingers on his own as they lightly brushed. And he flicked it at him. Making Ink laugh and dodge out of the way. And he went to grab the mixer and went back to his own bowl.
He stirred everything together until it was good and ready. As he pushed the bowl next to Ink’s, so they could add them together. As he started to search for some chocolate, and as he was rummaging through the cabinets, he noticed something on his hands. There was still some dry icing on his hands.
From when his hand had brushed Ink’s
….
…
…
Their hands had touched.
…
…
…
And he hadn’t even realized
He turned around quickly staring at his boyfriend's back, who was happily kneading what had at this point become a dough.
He felt his body tremble, as he took a step closer. Because this couldn’t be happening. It wouldn’t have so suddenly just been over. For months they had to be careful with every interaction. Noticing how many of their routines now involved touching. Fuck only after losing it all, had they both noticed how big his progress had actually been.
That when they fell back into their routines, they had to work around the casual touches now.
He hadn’t helped bake anything since he came back. This should have been similar. He should have flinched away, been struck by pain…he wasn’t. All they had to do…? Was it just waiting? That just didn’t feel right.
And maybe he did glitch? Maybe he had just brushed the icing. He really shouldn’t be getting his hopes up. But he hadn’t felt that pushing sensation that had accompanied their interactions ever since that miserable first kiss. The feeling had weakened greatly over the last month. But it had been there before. He was getting his hopes up, but he couldn't stop himself.
He was just two steps behind Ink now. And his love raised his head,
“Everything alri-”
Ink stopped talking as he reached forward and wrapped his hand carefully around the other's upper arm. Just below the t-shirt sleeve. Feeling those bones for the first time in over half a year.
“Er-ror?”
Ink gasped and then he had frozen up, and so had he. Just that one moment of contact. It was still prickling as if he had slept on it. But it didn’t hurt, and it didn’t seem to hurt Ink either.
Throwing all caution to the wind he let go and Ink let out another surprise gasp.
He took the last two steps forward and warped his arms around Ink’s chest, Pulling him close against his body. Burying his face into Ink's shoulder. There was a clatter as he yanked Ink's body back, the bowl of ingredients falling over the floor in front of their feet.
For a few seconds, they just stood there, both of their chest heaving with scared quick breaths. His arms tightened as no pain came. Feeling those familiar ribs between his arms and chest. Struggling to hold in his tears.
A trembling hand reached up and rested against his arm…stroking up and down
Once
Twice
Then grabbing on tightly. Scared to let go. Ink’s breath grew labored and quick. Both their bones rattled as reality seemed to settle in over them.
His voice stuttered a bit, but for once it wasn’t the glitches.
“Got you…I’ve got you…”
The sound Ink let out was between a sob and a dry laugh. And then wetness hit his arms. He opened his eyes, raising his head a little. Just able to see yellow-blue tears roll down Ink's face, dripping down his chin. Then feeling them against his arms.
He squeezed a bit tighter. Fighting hard against his own tears.
“Ssshh..it’s okay…It is okay…No need for the waterworks Kiki…if you continue…I will start as well”
A laugh seemed to get punched out of Ink. Along with another sob. A second hand came up to hold onto his arms. In response, he nuzzled softly at Ink's neck. His own face felt warm at feeling that familiar body heat again.
Another sob tore out of Ink's throat. Then Ink started tugging desperately at his arms, making him loosen his grip lightly. Just enough for Ink to turn around. He caught a glimpse of the tears-stained face. Eyeshapes in the form of a soul and a teardrop. Yellow, blue, pink, and purple are all mixed into one.
Inks hands reached up and grabbed his cheeks, feeling it leave behind some more batter, and was pulled down roughly into a kiss.
The last time they kissed, it had burned so bad he had screamed. But now…now all he could feel was inks teeth against his own Just like he remembered how it should feel. Warm and welcome. But also, so very hungry.
Inks magic teased at the seam of his teeth. And for once he didn’t hesitate to open them. Consequences be dammed, as his own hand came to rest against Ink's cheek. Stroking that ink stain that seemed burned into his love's bones.
Tongues quickly rolling out one, by one. Each of which Ink happily devoured. His own tongue fighting so hungrily against his own. Their chest pressed together, their legs tangling together from how much they tried to pull each other closer.
They tumbled onto the ground with painful grunts but neither stopped their hungry kiss. As tears rolled over their cheeks, trying to pour in all of their longing.
Beneath his hands, he could feel Ink’s magic rushing. He knew what was coming, and he growled and pressed closer. Hopefully conveying.
Don’t stop
Let it happen.
Give it to me.
Give me all of you.
The familiar taste of ink hit his tongue. There was still a grossness factor to it. But now it was largely overwhelmed by the fact that it was just able to happen again. And he licked up every single bit that spilled between their mouths. With happy little grunts and groans. Then let his face fall in inks neck.
His boyfriend was now sitting on his lap. Arms looped around his neck and back. Legs warped around his waist, and he was trembling. He tangled around him just as tightly. His own arms held tightly onto Ink’s back, Bringing his legs up to further case him against his chest.
Fuck Ink was trembling so hard. He stroked his hand down the other's spine, trying to calm him. As his own soul hammered faster than ever within his own ribcage.
“Ruru..?” Ink’s voice was thick with tears, and he squeezed a little tighter
“Right here Kiki” Warm hands were gliding over his back. And he was really happy he decided to take off his coat earlier. One of the hands balled into a fist, holding on desperately. It felt so right to hold him close once again.
“Is…is this real?”
He sounded so scared, so fucking scared, and it just made him hold on tighter. Tight enough to hurt his hand, for it to probably bruise Ink's bones.
“I….I didn’t go mad…right?...this isn’t the universe trying to trick me into creating something…right?”
A couple of tears fell, landing against inks shirt.
“Dunno, how that would work Squid…but no…unless we both went mad”
Another sniffling laugh.
“With our track record, we just might have…”
He barked out his own laugh, and gently pinched inks hip bone, making him laugh and flinch away. So he kept doing it. Wanted to hear that laugh more now that he could feel it against himself.,
“What’s that Squid?! Would an insane person make you laugh?”
“Aahh, Nooo, stooop~! “
Ink let out a high shriek as he continued to giggle trying to fight back, but he crushed Ink against himself, making it hard to move
“Trying to undermine my sincerity, aren’t you?!,
“So-orry! Pl-please! S-stop “ Another high burst of laughter, that he could feel through every part of his body, his own face falling into an easy grin
“RURU!” he stopped his teasing fingers, and Ink was panting hard, giving him a soft glare.
He simply raised an eyebrow, and Ink kissed him, quickly and sweetly. Then resting their foreheads together as he tried to catch his breath.
“Thanks, Ru”
He trailed his hands back up Ink’s spine until he was holding onto his back. Giving a quiet hum as he stared into Ink’s eyes. The one teardrop shape had also transformed into a soul, and they were just shifting through all the colors.
Ink's hands raised up again, this time he felt them gently trace over the tear marks on his face. Until they hid the frames of his glasses. He blinked, having completely forgotten he had been wearing them.
Ink’s hands gently took hold of them, and with a quiet hum, took them off. Reaching up, and putting them somewhere on the counter, out of danger.
But he quickly returned his hands thumbs stroking soothingly beneath his eyes. Eyes raking up and down. Still, a slight tremble in the other's smile.
They both leaned in for another kiss. Half-hooded eyes keeping eye contact the whole time. He didn’t wanna miss a shift in those colors, wanted to see how hard he was affecting him.
.
Their first kiss had been desperate, trying to convince themselves and each other that it was real. Afraid it would be taken away just as quickly as this little miracle had been given.
But that hadn’t happened, and now both of them were gonna take their time and enjoy this next kiss. He felt a tongue tease at his teeth, he slowly opened up. He had wanted to return only one. But his body didn’t seem to fully cooperate and summoned three of his tongues.
Ink hummed happily as they invaded his mouth. His hands lowered till they held onto his shoulders. His own hands reached up to hold the back of Ink's head softly guiding them into a soft push and pull.
Ink’s mouth still tasted of the ink he puked up. But underneath that was the taste, that made ink, well ink. It always reminded him of artificial fruit flavors, this time it was strawberry with banana. It also always did taste kinda chemically, but it didn’t bother him, he was sure he himself was a bit static-y.
His half-open eyes were still locked with Ink’s. The Pink flush on his cheeks slowly gained more and more colors.
Then there was a desperate little noise, and the hands on his shoulders tightened. In response, he pulled Ink as flush against him as he could. Summoning his final two tongues to tease at the edges of inks mouth. Not able to do more than kinda lick at Ink’s skull. Until, after a few minutes they both pulled away.
Breathing is a bit labored and quick. Ink’s eye lights fully pink. And with a trembling smile, his boyfriend hid himself in his neck. And he gently petted the other's spine once more.
“I don’t wanna forget this….” Ink mumbled and he nuzzled the side of Ink's neck.
“You won’t” He breathed out with the utmost confidence This was too important, he just knew he wouldn’t forget.
“But-”
“You won’t” he interrupted. Giving the collarbone a little kiss, which made Ink let out a little surprised gasp.
“...C-could…could you…do something…to ease my mind…that i won’t forget…”
He gave a nod “Anything”
He felt Ink swallow, and his face became a little warmer
“C-could you…mark me?...”
Ink's voice trailed off and became very quiet, and he felt his own eyes widen in surprise, pulling back to look at his boyfriend's face. Which was covered with a pink-blue-ish blush.
“I…you didn’t like it when we tried last time”
Ink nodded. They had only tried once. About a week or two before his death. It had been a spur-of-the-moment thing. They had been making out, He had asked if he could try. Ink agreed but he hadn’t enjoyed the feeling of being marked up.
Ink had said that had liked seeing the mark, but he didn’t like the pain of getting one. He rather tries something different to try and get a similar effect. Like drawing on each other's bones, or hiding one of the thousands of bracelets he had made on his person.
Even if the possessive side of him was disappointed. Ink managed to hold up so many of his boundaries. He’d survive without biting and marking up his lover, it wasn’t the end all be all.
“I…” Ink started, fingers trailing down his arm, until they reached his hands. Then Slowly ever so slowly intertwining their fingers together. Which made his soul beat almost out of its chest. Despite having had their hands all over each other this one thing still felt so much bigger.
There was a soft squeeze which he returned.
“I know….But…I still want to. I want more than words written on my scarf…I…want that proof…something that can only happen because we touched”
Ink still didn’t meet his eyes. There was a pretty big flush on the other cheek, mostly colored blue and pink but it gained a hint of orange. He felt his own face heat up, as his eyes scanned the other's neck,
“Okay…” he breathed out.
Ink’s eyes shot up.
“Really?” He sounded so hopeful. And his own soul tried to beat out of his chest. When he gave a nod. Looking away from the sheer intensity of that gaze
“Where?
He asked if anything to make that gaze stop. He felt Ink pull back a bit, and when he glanced back. He saw Ink’s eyes darting around with a flushed nervousness. Seeing that made him calm down a little.
“A-ah…my neck…I guess…”
He gave a little nod and leaned closer. But then Ink pulled back and he looked back up surprised. Ink’s eyes widened realizing what he did.
“A-ah…sorry Error…I…” At this point, Ink’s whole face had become pink, and he pressed a kiss against his cheek before he could spiral too far.
“It’s okay..” He pressed another a bit lower And he heard his love’s mouth close with a click.
“Just…let me know if it becomes too much…okay?”
A little nod, and he pressed a kiss against Ink’s jaw, then one against the topmost vertebrate. Ink's hand tangled into the bottom of his shirt. The other hand also reached forward, but kept on kind of hovering between them.
He pressed a kiss, a vertebrate lower, Bringing one hand up to where Ink’s neck met his skull, gently guiding him to turn throat. His other hand tugged Ink's shirt out of the way, and then gently wrapped around Ink's spine just below the ribs.
He felt ink freeze up, and he held still himself. Before removing the lower hand and moving it up, gently resting against the scapula instead. And his lover seemed to relax more. He kept kissing down until he reached a little over halfway.
Placing a second kiss, and whispering.
“Here?”
In his own mind, it seemed perfect, Just high enough, that it could be partly obscured by the scarf if he so wished. But not low enough that Ink would not miss it if he glanced into a mirror.
He felt Ink swallow.
“If you think it’s best?” he sounded unsure but also was breathing slowly and deeply. Not something he was used to from his Squid.
His own heart hammered, but still tried to keep a calm voice. Ink seemed nervous enough as it was. And he nuzzled the other's neck softly.
“I can keep go-”
“NO-! “ Ink yelled then stuttered and pulled away., turning completely pink once more
“I..i just…you know how I am with this….stuff. It’s all the same to me...I mean to say..i…uugh. What I mean is..”
“Kiki…..breath”
Ink’s head fell forward burring himself back into his shoulder with a groan. And he kept on petting the other's back soothingly. He was no stranger to Ink’s troubles with emotions. The intimate kind especially.
“You’re okay..”
He breathed against his love's skull. They stayed quiet for a few seconds. Then Ink mumbled softly
“It’s weird to want stuff like this…and at the same time still feel…I dunno. It’s not scared? Abrasive?....something like that....”
He pressed a kiss against Ink’s cheek once more.
“You are allowed to change your mind Inky”
“I know! Like I said I want to….I really, really do…honest. Dunno why I suddenly pulled away…”
Even without seeing his face, he knew Ink was pouting, so he continued to pet his back soothingly.
“Emotions are weird Inky, we can just not dwell on it and try again if you want. Or we can sit and figure it out. Whatever makes you more comfortable in the end.”
Ink shifted around a bit, before pressing closer.
“Drop it and try again…don’t think I have enough paints to last me an emotional rollercoaster”
He gave a nod, gently guiding his love's head back again. As he started kissing back down his neck, until he reached, the same spot... But he decided against pulling back this time. Just kept giving soft closed-mouth kisses against the vertebrates. One hand gently stroking down Ink’s spine. Making him relax a tiny bit.
But he could practically taste the others nervous. He opened his mouth and Ink took in a sharp breath but instead of closing his teeth over the bones, he brought out two of his tongues and started licking them and the sensitive magic between them.
Ink’s breath stuttered out of him
“Er-ror?”
He pulled back just enough, letting his breath ghost over the now wet bones.
“Just…trying something...see if you enjoy it okay?, if not…I’ll stop”
Ink gave a tiny nod, with another sharp intake of breath. And he continued the kiss and lick at the artist's neck It wouldn’t turn tender like ecto would. But he did see Ink’s magic react, the paints swirling towards the points he made contact with misty clouds of pink and purple.
He could feel Ink slowly relax more and more into his arms. Even craning his head to the side more. Ink’s bones tasted a bit like paper he thought distantly. But most of his attention was on the bone beneath his tongue. After a while ink softly asked
“Higher?”
And he did without question, not able to hide his smile, as Ink let out another gasp. Giving the spot the same amount of attention. Then slowly he opened his mouth, resting his teeth against the points he was gonna mark and holding still.
Ink's body tensed again, but not by much, and mumbled a quiet.
“Go ahead”
And he closed his eyes. Focusing on his intent, he bit down slowly and carefully. Trying to pour all his feelings into this bite.
How nervous he was feeling, But also how excited he was. That he loved Ink so much and he was fucking ecstatic that Ink dared to trust him this much. Loving the way Ink just fitted into his arms so perfectly, and that soon everyone would know he was his. That no one could question it, not even Ink himself.
Ink’s breathing quickened beneath him, slowly getting more and more labored. He felt himself growing concerned. And he planned to pull away. But then felt a hand on the back of his head pushing him closer instead.
A surprised noise left him.
“Pl-please…m-more”
Ink’s voice was sounding surprisingly wrecked. Part of him wanted to pull back and check, but the grip on his head increased. And he felt a hungry flare rise up. Ink wanted him to mark him up. Show the world that he was his, so he was gonna give it all that he got.
He bit down a bit harder. And Ink let out a noise between pain and pleasure, that made the heat on his face rise higher and higher. He was pretty sure that along with the love, he was pouring that possessiveness right into Ink.
That feeling of
Love you
Mine
Love you
Mine
LOVE YOU!
MINE!
No one would take ink from him again. Not even his own body was gonna keep Ink at this much distance again. Not if he could fight it. They were gonna stay together like this forever.
Ink’s other hand was scrambling against his back, sometimes petting, sometimes grabbing tight. He was pretty sure he had felt the nails scratch through the shirt at his bones.
But he was snapped out of everything when he started tasting marrow.
His eyes widened but he had sense enough not to suddenly pull back and let go. So he slowly relaxed his jaw and summoned all his tongued to lick, over and under the abused bones.
Then he slowly pulled back to look at the damage.
His face lit up with dark blush at what he saw.
Ink was gorgeous like this.
His T-shirt was pulled down so his shoulder was bare and panting harshly. Eyes half-lidded, but swirling with rainbow colors and little soul symbols. Even the slight tears in his eyes.
And then there was the mark.
Oh, it looked so good, it was hitting him right in all his possessive tendencies. There was a perfect circle of where he had sunken his teeth in. Part of it held the blue sheen of his own magic.
But the wound was also colored yellow and pink. Ink’s current emotional state.
“Looks that good?”
His eyes snapped up to Ink’s, Who’s smile turned teasing, and he made a dry swallow.
Ink giggled and sat up straighter again. The hand that had held him to Ink’s throat, came down to gently stroke his cheek. Then seemingly wiping the corner of his mouth.
He saw the little bit of blue on Ink's finger before he took it into his own mouth. He felt his whole face burn up.
“Ink! What the fuck! Gross!”
Ink just laughed, dismissing him entirely, and dropped his hand tracing over his new mark. And he couldn’t help but go back and forth between his love's face and him tracing it.
“Is it always supposed to feel like this?”
He shook himself out of his stupor.
“What?”
Ink stroked over the mark again, seeming to press it a bit harder.
“Getting one of these…It felt so different from last time…is…is this how it is supposed to feel? Cause…cause that. I want more of that…But..”
Ink’s eyes dropped down, not looking at him anymore, but he could still see Ink’s smile growing every time he pressed into the mark.
He raised his own hand, settling it right next to Ink’s and pressing the mark together. Ink looked up back up Staring into his face with wide surprised eyes.
“I think…it might be a special moment kind of thing. Takes both you wanting it, and me giving. Last time… wasn't like that..was more…”
“Trying for the sake of trying,” Ink finished
He gave a nod, and Ink’s eyes widened slightly as he breathed out
“It only works, if our emotions align”
He closed the gap between their teeth with a small kiss.
“Makes it more special?… Don’t you think?”
Ink’s smile grew, then his eyes dropped down toward his neck
“Could….could I try?”
His face gained color again. And he was sure he heard his body buzz. Even if he didn’t feel it.
“You sur-”
“Yes!” Inks said leaning closer, before backing away with a flush.
“I... I wanna try making you feel like I did! I … I really want to try! “
He felt himself nod and Ink’s smile grew, and before he could comprehend. Ink was leaving kisses on his neck. his hands dropped down and hold onto Ink's arms.
Ink’s breath felt warm against his neck, his soul started beating fast out of his chest. And he felt a tongue join the action just like he himself had done.
His hands held on tighter and he feared he might even be leaving bruises. He didn’t know how long Ink kept kissing and licking at his throat. But it felt longer than when he had done it.
He felt his ribcage brush against Inks with every shuddering breath. The way Ink’s hands held onto him so tenderly. Like he was precious, The solid weight of him on his lap, it was making his head spin.
But then he could focus on the teeth he could feel against his throat. His body shivered, and he felt a wave of glitches pass over him. They stung lightly but luckily didn’t return.
It took him another long embarrassing moment to realize that Ink was waiting for some sort of signal, that he was okay.
So he moved his hands up to his love's shoulders, closing his eyes he breathed
“Okay”
He felt another hot puff of air, and then slight pinching pressure, that slowly, increased. That pain was familiar in a way. In a way, his body normally behaved. But he could also feel something different. It was weak at first, just a shimmer of it.
It was kinda familiar, and after a few seconds, it clicked as to why. It felt like Ink’s healing magic. Something so intention and emotion-based. It was often quite weak. But it was similar. But there was a uniqueness to it. Like it’s its own flavor. And the more he relaxed into it. The more he could feel it. Learn how to pick it apart.
As it slowly draped over him, like a warm crochet blanket. His rapid breathing slowed, as the pain crew. Gently he caressed the others back up and down. He felt a shudder going down Ink's back. And he let out a high-pitched sound, as Ink's teeth dug in deeper. For a second he could feel ink’s ecto body appear, then just as quickly disappear.
There was a fire in the action too, something hot and burning. Ink pressed himself a little closer, and he moved his head to the side, giving Ink all the room he could wish. As he tried to untangle these emotions that were being poured into him.
His face flushed as his bones began to ache pleasantly, His hand gently pressing into Ink’s back, hopefully letting him know how much he was enjoying this experience.
Eventually, Ink slowly pulled away with a darkly flushed face. When their eyes met his. boyfriend's mouth twitched up for a second. It felt like he saw thousands of emotions swirl inside those ever-changing eyes.
He reached his hands up to said face and pulled him into a firm kiss. Holding him close for a few seconds.
“Thank you, Kiki” He whispered against his teeth as he let go, and Ink’s smile was a bit wobbly. And he turned his throat a bit
“So tell me…how does it look?”
Ink stared at it. Then whispered.
“Gorgeous”
He preened at the compliment. Reaching up to touch it. Feeling the slight dend in his bones. It would heal with time, and might even become a bruise for a day or two. Not long. But there was something terribly exciting about having Ink so clearly mark him up.
It was a statement in itself. Cause nobody else would ever be allowed that close to him.
Inks hand hovered between them so he took it and brought it up to his neck just beside the newly made mark. The flush on Ink's face got a lot darker. He simply raised an eyebrow at his boyfriend. And after a few seconds of hesitation, he felt Ink’s thumb press slightly into it.
He had to swallow a moan, but couldn’t suppress the shudder. Inks glanced up, their eyes holding for a second. And Ink did it again with a little smile on his face. And he glared after holding back another moan.
He leaned forward and stole another quick kiss. When he pulled back, Ink was smiling brightly.
“Satisfied?”
Ink nodded. Arms raised around his back once more and pulling him into another hug. Ink tugged his face over his shoulder and he did the same. Glad to be holding Ink close.
“I ain't letting you go for the rest of the day, you know that right,” he muttered
Ink laughed and he could feel the rumble of it through his chest.
“Honestly…same. But…is that safe?…shouldn’t we…you know… try and tone it down so you don’t overload yourself?”
He squeezed Ink tighter
“If this is just a one-time thing, I ain't fucking missing out by toning it down ”
Ink nuzzled and kissed his jaw. Then he let out another laugh
“There is batter all over your face”
He returned the gesture with a kiss of his own, and a little growl
“And who’s fault is that?”
Ink let out another giggle, and then a deep happy sigh
“I missed this…”
The arms around him squeezed him gently.
“Me too…”
They happily stayed like that for a couple of minutes. Hands gently trailing over backs, hips, arms, their bare bones. With little nuzzling kisses placed here and there. It was almost sickeningly sweet, but fuck it. They hadn’t been able to do as much as hold pinkies. He was gonna indulge all he could for as long as he could.
But the kitchen floor was getting uncomfortable, he opened a small portal beside them to peek into Ink’s room. Happy to see it wasn’t such a mess as the rest of the house.
“Ruru?”
He smirked, and pulled back, placing a quick kiss on Ink’s teeth. And then opened a bigger portal beneath them. Making them fall through right onto Ink’s soft bed.
Ink let out a shriek when they fell, holding on for dear life. Then he angrily sat up and straddled him further pushing him into the bedding.
“What the Hell Error!! “
And he laughed loudly.
“That’s for dragging me into all your portals squid”
Ink gave a pout, and wriggled himself lower, until he was laying on top of him, instead of sitting.
“If you wanted to cuddle, you should have said. No kisses for this clever trick.”
He said while burying his face into his chest. Laughing softly at his boyfriend's slightly childish antics. And raised a hand up to pet, and then softly trace Ink’s skull. Ink let out a soft sigh and buried himself further in.
“Your soul beat…it sounds different…I think”
His hand stopped moving. Staring down at his boyfriend.
“Explain?”
“The beat…is different? Last time…it was… one, two, one, two a pause. One, two, three? And now it is more like..a quicker one, two three, one, two, three. And a longer pause? That… is not normal for souls right? I mean I know yours is not like normal souls..but for it to change?.... Are you alright?”
He could hear the worry creep in. And he craned his neck forward to place a kiss at the top of his skull.
“Dunno if it is or not…just know that the beat is irregular. Sci made no mention of it after he checked me out. So doubt it something serious”
He felt Ink’s arm tighten
“I didn’t like how much you were glitching after the check-up”
“Not much to be done about it, I sure as fuck didn’t like it either. But rather not die a second time because of something stupid”
Ink let out a sad hum.
“How are you doing with the voices by the way?” He asked Ink softly
And Ink let out a sad laugh
“Of course you noticed.”
He rolled his eyes
“Be hard not to Inky”
“The creators have quieted down. For now, I still...feel them. But…then again. They always seemed to leave me alone, when we do stuff like this”
He blinked a couple of times, a hand trailing down Ink's arm until he found his hand, intertwining their fingers softly
“You never told me that”
He felt Ink shrug.
“Didn’t want you to feel obligated to hug me if you were having a bad day”
He felt his soul squeeze in gratitude. But also regret.
“I am willing to fucking help you, you know that right? I can deal with a bit more discomfort than normal. If it helps, I know how terrible it can be when the pressure to do our job becomes too great”
Ink stayed quiet. And he had a feeling that Ink indeed knew. But still felt like this was his own responsibility. He didn’t expect this to resolve in one day. But he could work on this. They work on it together.
He nuzzled to the top of his loves head
“If they still screaming at you tomorrow,. I help you create some SU’s”
Ink shot up, staring at him. A mix of excitement and worry on his face.
“You don’t have to I know-”
He cut him off with a kiss
“YOU have been doing my job, when I was gone. YOU have kept doing my job to keep the balance even after. Because my glitches were so bad that leaving the Anitvoid was a fucking pain. I think I can return the last six months, no fuck, that's wrong, I've only been back six. So that means EIGHT months of work, for ONE fucking day Ink. I don’t like creating any more than you like destroying. But I am willing to do it for you. Just as you are for me. I am sick and tired of seeing you run yourself so fucking racked okay?”
There were some blue tears gathering at the corner of Ink's eyes. And he gently encouraged the other forward to bury his face back into his neck. He noticed the surprise gasp and felt Ink shift away. Ink’s face heated up, and he realized he pulled him to the side ink had left the mark.
“It’s alright Kiki. You have been wonderful, let me return the favor okay? “
Ink was shaking and he felt a slight nod. And he gently traced his hands over Ink's ribs. Trying to follow the patterns of where he thought the tattoos were.
“Ruru…I…sorry…didn’t mean to worry you..”
He kissed the side of his boyfriend's face
“No harm done, you know I love it when you only pay attention to me. But not at the cost of yourself,
“I’ll try…to be better”
He pulled back. Cupping Ink's face in his hands, staring into Ink's eyelights. A pink teardrop and a blue upside-down triangle.
“I Love you as you are, But your consideration is really appreciated”
Ink's eyelight shifted, to a star and heart. And he was pulled up into another soft kiss. He let his eyes close as Ink pressed closer and firmer. Letting himself be pressed back into the soft blankets.
Fingers were tracing up and down his cheeks, as their tongues met once again. Most of the Inky taste was gone, only leaving that artificial flavor that was so Ink. It had shifted as the colors had. It now tasted like watermelon.
His own hands kept trailing up and down Ink's ribs and spine. Stroking the bones through the thin t-shirt. Trying to make Ink let out more soft sighs. He wasn’t trying to rile him up. No, he was trying to find that perfect spot that would make Ink sink into him as if they could do this all day.
Fuck he wouldn’t mind if this is all they did the whole time they could still touch. Minutes ticked by with nothing more happening. Either their tongues were softly sliding together and sharing hot puffs of breath. Or they kept giving each other soft little pecks on the mouth and cheeks.
One hand was simply holding onto Ink's back, the other stroking down his spine. While Ink's hands weren’t letting go of his face. That was until unknowingly to both of them Ink’s shirt rode up a bit and he stroked the bare bone of his love's spine.
Ink let out a very surprised-sounding squeak, and pulled back, blushing madly. Tugging his shirt back down seemingly feeling embarrassed. Sitting back up and glancing away with a flushed face. He slowly raised back up onto his elbows
“You…okay?”
Ink gave a little nod, still avoiding eye contact. He decided gently rest his hands on Ink's upper arms rubbing them gently. Ink’s eyelights were quickly shifting through many symbols, most noticeably an exclamation point.
Ink never mentioned having had a problem with any kind of touch. But then again, he doesn’t remember ever seeing ink in a crop top. Maybe his spine was just super sensitive. Wouldn’t be the strangest thing.
Ink was looking panicked enough that he decided to drop it for now, and see if he could help him calm down.
“Sorry about that”
Ink shook his head,
“I-it’s fine…just…suprised thats all”
It seemed like a load of bullshit as Ink hadn’t really stopped his shaking. He gently tugged at his arms, and to his surprise Ink followed easily. Ink's head laid against his shoulder as he curled himself around his ribs.
Inks eyes seemed to linger on the mark, one hand coming up to trace his own. Still oddly quiet.
“I…just… too much I guess” Ink mumbled softly.
He paused at the admission, gently cradling Ink closer to himself. He understood that feeling perfectly. And he gently nuzzled the top of Ink's head, for now not making eye contact so his boyfriend could calm down.
“It happens Kiki. Anything I can do to help?”
Ink snuggled closer, rubbing his face against his shoulder like a cat would. With every breath seeming to calm down more.
“Can you just talk?”
He hummed,
“Did you check your phone today?”
Ink shook his head and his smile grew, he knew Ink would get a kick out of this news.
“Well, I got a text from Blue, so i am assuming you got it as well”
Ink shuffled around and pulled out his phone. The second it was unlocked he stole it out of his hands. Smiling as he saw that Blue had indeed sent the message to Ink as well so he wasn’t breaking a secret.
Ink tried to make a grab for it, but he just caught it in his strings and rose the phone to the ceiling.
“Uh-uh, no peaking, That’s no fun at all Kiki.”
Ink glared at him and crossed his arms and laid down on him again, seemingly trying to put all his weight on it. It was fine, he didn’t mind and wrapped one arm around his boyfriend. ,
“So, Blue gave us a status update Can you guess what it is about?”
One of Ink’s eyes turned into a question mark. And he was happy that this small discussion was already working on keeping Ink's mind off what just happened.
“Did…did he finally make it into the royal guard?”
“Wrong, sorry that would have been great for him though, you get two more guesses” And he held up two fingers
“Yeah he deserves it, but.. mmmm “ Ink looked around the room.
“Did he win that, ‘Best Sans in the multiverse poll’ thing that was going around?”
He laughed hard
“Fuck I had completely forgotten about that shit, Dunno, check that later, weren’t you up against him?”
Ink gave a shrug that implied he didn’t care so much either way as he lowered one more fingers
“Last chance to guess Squid”
His love closed his eyes and seemed to rack his brain deeply, and made all kinds of little vocal noises. That over some time he just had come to dub as thinking noises.
“Did his brother finally ask out, fell’s brother? “
He brought his fingers to Ink's forehead who went crosseyed following it, then he gave a firm push, making Ink bend backward.
“And wrong again, That was the closest you got through”
Ink rubbed at his forehead with a pout and sat up straighter again.
“Wait really?... I was close? Wait did he ask out someone else?! I was sure Stretch was having a crush on- “
He slapped his hand over Ink's mouth with a little glare.
“Hey no more guesses, you only had three you little sh- EW gross INK did you just lick me?!?”
He was surprised that no glitches sprang up from his angry outburst. Ink only stuck his tongue out at him. And he glared at his boyfriend, he didn’t want to think about how badly that could have gotten if that had activated his glitches.
He wiped his hand on one of the many blankets surrounding them.
“So do you wanna know or not”
He grumbled trying to get the gross feeling of his hand, while seeing Ink excitedly nod. Then his eyelight became an exclamation point.
“Wait!! Don’t tell me…?! “ A smile was growing on Ink's face, the eyelights changing into rotating stars. And he couldn’t help the grin of his own.
“Yup, he and Lust got into a relationship. A couple of months ago apparently”
Inks clapped his hands excitingly. Both had seen the pinning from their shared best friend. And his own case, both of those idiots during the Undernovella’s marathons. Sometimes those two were acting just like his beloved soap opera. It was only a lot more painful to watch it happen in real life”
“Oh, I am so happy for them. But why did they wait so long to tell us “
He chuckled, shaking his head
“Dunno, why didn’t you tell anyone, we were dating those first few months”
Inks eyes turned determined
“Because you didn’t want me….ooh…I see your point….that was insensitive of me wasn’t it?”
He raised his hand up so he could cup Ink’s skull again, placing a chaste little kiss on his nose ridge.
“Perhaps, at least they didn’t hear it”
Ink gave a nod,
“Can I have my phone back now so I can congratulate them properly before I forget?”
He chuckled again and lowered the phone, which Ink snatched out of the air, He unlocked it, but then he froze.
Gathering some blankets from around them, wrapping one around them and Ink snuggled up into his side as he texted with a smile.
“We really aren't going anywhere hmmm?” he asked with a laugh
Ink hummed.
“Wasn’t planning on. No. How about you grab some chocolate, and we then alternate between watching some Undernovella reruns and some art videos? You know….make this a proper impromptu stay-in date”
“Fuck, You read my fucking mind Ink”
He kissed just below Ink's eye, where a light flush still was. Opening a portal into a fell universe and took several bars of chocolate. Breaking off some pieces to nibble on as he warped his arm around his boyfriend's shoulders, pulling him closer to his side.
When he was about to pop the fourth piece into his mouth. His lover tugged on his arm, he looked down to see Ink look up with a little hopeful smile. He brought the piece to Inks' mouth who bit into it with a smile.
Then Ink held up his own little piece bringing it to his mouth. He made sure to lick at Ink’s fingers as he took it. And Ink dove after them for a short-but well loving kiss. And then snuggling back into his side.
After a few moments of silence on which Ink was scrolling through his phone to find a video
“This isn’t gonna last…is it..”
Ink's voice was sad, and low, He closes his eyes and didn't dare to speak louder than a whisper
“Most likely not…”
Ink held him a bit tighter
“You know I don’t blame you for-”
He leaned down for a kiss, cutting Ink off again
“I know, we keep fighting, remember”
Ink gave a soft nod, eyes a pale blue and he nuzzled closer
“Let's just enjoy what we have”
Ink gave a smile, as he started a video.
Later, much later. He woke up, The deep sleep was struggling to let him go. It had been a while since he slept so soundly. Nothing had woke him up in the middle of the night. Or whatever time it was in the Antivoid
But then he realized that he wasn't at home, he wasn’t lying on his bean back. No, he was lying on a bed that he had also come to be familiar with.
Ink’s
Ink and he had been able to hug, they had been able to touch. And by all likelihood.
Yup, there was still a weight on him. Ink was lying on top of him, and one of his hands was tangled in his shirt. His own arm was wrapped around his boyfriend's lower back, holding him to his chest. Their other hands tangled together in a loose hold.
His body didn’t feel as calm as it did yesterday. The second he moved the glitches would most likely start once again.
And he hated that, so he laid still. As still as he could to be able to have Ink in his arms for just a few seconds longer. And by the silence in the room he had the feeling ink was doing the same.
His breathing sounded like he was awake, they lay there, completely still for a while. What was it five minutes? Ten? Fifteen? He didn’t know but he knows they gotta end this at some point.
“Morning Kiki” he breathed out. Making sure his chest still moved as evenly as it could
“Morning Ruru.” Ink’s emotions were always more muted in the morning, as he ran low on paints. But his voice was quivering, dreading the inevitable as much as he, most likely all up on his blues.
He was afraid to squeeze the hand still tangled with his own, to breathe too deep and let their chest start moving out of rhythm. Afraid of the pain he knew would come.
He kept his eyes closed and mumbled
“I love you so much…thanks for yesterday..”
Inks breath hitched and there was wetness leaking into his shirt.
“Love…you to…” The words were quiet, so very quiet. But he knew they would be added to the tally.
He braised himself
“Okay…let’s do this”
“Yeah…”
He counted to three and then removed his arm from around Ink. Immediately his body started prickling and burning badly. Ink pulled away now free from his hold. Shuffling to the other side of the bed a safe distance away. He struggled through the pain feeling the cool air hitting it as the blankets got taken off.
But it was over relatively quickly, his head was buzzing, as were his ears. But he had expected the glitching to last much, much longer.
He slowly sat up and stared at his hands in wonder. Glitches were obviously going down his arms and legs. They were buzzing like crazy, leaving little shocks of pain like always. But it was more bearable,
If he had to rate it, he had been expecting nines across the board. But right now it was at seven. Still painful, quite a lot so. But..fuck he could grin and bear this.
He looked back up to his boyfriend. Ink had been staring at the mark on his neck. And when iInk noticed him staring flushed and then quickly started chucking his paints.
Their eyes met. Ink took a last gulp and gave him a sad smile. His mouth opened, but no words came out.
After a couple of false starts. Ink shook his head, moving to the edge of the bed.
“Well, I am sure you need a minute or two, I make us some toast okay?”
Ink tried to do business as normal, maybe so that it wouldn’t hurt as much. It made his soul sink at the thought.
“Wait!” he managed to get out, just before Ink’s feet hit the floor.
Ink looked back up, A question mark in his eyes.
He started at his hands again and held it out. Ink looked back at it, tilting his head from side to side. Before eyes widened with exclamation points.
“You sure?”
He gave a nod. Ink's hand reached forward. Slowly, tentatively. When their fingers almost touched. Ink pulled away slightly as if scared. A flash of orange came over Ink's eyes, and he closed the distance.
He let out a wince, but before Ink could retract his hand back, he intertwined their fingers. And held on. He closed one eye and bared through the pain for a few more seconds and then let go with a slight hiss.
Ink held his hands to his chest. Upset that the touch had hurt him. But also didn’t seem to be rubbing his hand like he had done for the last few months and they accidentally brushed together. A smile broke over his own face
“Yeah…fuck…that hurt…but…if that is how it is when I am agitated…if I rest enough…I think I’ll be able to hold your hand again.”
Ink started at him, eyes little pinpricks
“You…you…really?”
He nodded. Shaking his hand still, trying to cool it down.
“Yeah…maybe rest two? or three days? just to be fucking safe. But I am pretty sure. This feels like…you know a really bad day from before…Then...Yeah I am pretty fucking sure we are able to just-”
He was cut off by the noise Ink let out. Ink's hands had flown to his mouth, and he could see that he was restraining himself to not propell himself forward and hugging him once more
The tears that were flowing out of his eyes had a happy yellow sheen to them.
“I…this is…” Ink laughed sounding half delirious.
Ink closed his eyes tightly hand pressing closer to his chest
“I am trying not to get my hopes up…”
His soul nearly broke in two at the words, As fucking lovely as Ink’s consideration for his condition was. Both of them wanted this back so bady
“Ink…” he said slowly, waiting until ink met his eyes again
Then said with all the conviction he could muster
“I am sure, we won this one battle”
Ink shook, then the smile that broke over his face was large.
“I wanna kiss you…but I can’t so I am gonna do something stupid”
Before he could even make a face. Ink started blowing kisses at him, and it made him huff out a burst of surprised laughter. But Ink didn’t stop, and the giggling, sound of pure happiness was addicting.
So maybe…just maybe, he blew a few back.
Maybe they sat there doing that for longer than was strictly necessary.
But after all this time, when he felt closer to normal than he had in so very very long. Who cares that he was acting a bit silly with his boyfriend.
They earned it. And they were gonna damm well enjoy it. He thought as he stroked over the mark Ink had given him. Ink flushing and doing the same.
He wasn’t gonna let go, not if he could help it. They might not be back to before exactly but they made it.
They finally fucking won.