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Error's fear been getting worst, Or maybe he just feels like it been.
He was used to the dread that come along with physical contact, and he learned how to fight without touching anyone.
But it's got to the point that he's too worried about touching someone on accident that He hasn't been able to leave the Anti-void in who knows how long, he knows it been a long while, but time is meaningless in the Anti-void.
Here in the oblivion, he's safe, with nobody in this white nothingness there's no risk of touch.
Just the idea of one hand starts the overwhelming nausea and dizziness that makes him tremble and vision blur.
And the fact that half the time touch makes him unconscious becuase he crashes, makes the dread unbearable, he never knows what happens in that time he's rebooting, and considering almost everyone in the Multiverse despise him, it couldn't be good.
He tries not to dwell on it, because he'll never know and he'll just end up driving himself even more insane then he already is wondering about it.
He's just so glad that no one knows how to get here, because if the other outcodes or Blueberry could, they probably would've checked on him, either thinking he's up to something big to destroy the Multiverse, or in Blues case, actual concern.
Unfortunately the only exception is that stupid Parasite.
He still has no idea how, many have tried to get there to- honestly probably kill him, but they could never figure out how.
Fresh was able to though, and he've never given any explanation on the how, but at least he didn't have to be concern about him helping someone else to the Anti-void, the Parasite seems to find just as much amusement as he does, that no matter how hard everyone else tries they can't figure out how to get here.
But the point is Fresh is the only one he has to worry about here, so It's just good he doesn't seem to have any interest in killing him, and at this moment, doesn't feel any emotions, so he won't be worried about him or someshit either.
The voices didn't seem happy that he hasn't been doing anything, they loved talking with him don't get them wrong, but so much time in oblivion with nothing happening gets boring real fast.
which is why when they all heard a familiar accent break through the Anti-void they were pretty happy besides Error himself.
"Ayyyyy broski! How's it hanging!?" Error flinched from the sudden noise.
"Hadn't seen yo in a while, wanted ta check up on ya, Some-o da others lookin for ya too" Yeah he suspected as much.
"Well good thing they can't bother me here" He eyed Fresh trying to get a feel if he'll consider helping them find him, but he never could get a read on The Parasite.
"What yo been doing bro? not much in disco place, have you been spying on Universes like ya do with Undernovela?"
Error groaned, there's no real reason to lie, but he doesn't want to talk either. "Not really" He give a short answer.
Fresh's smile wavered the slightest bit, Error would've missed it, had he not been over conscious of The Parasite, too concerned Fresh would get in his personal bubble.
"Have ya been talkin with the..." he paused, he wasn't sure what to call them, He knew they were the creators but that didn't mean Error did, but calling them voices sounds like their just in the Glitch head which isn't the case. "Askers?" He finally questioned.
Error lightly smiled at that. only he and Blueberry ever called them that, the voices were always such curious cats, always asking out of line personal questions, not that he minded most of the time, it beat the silence.
"Yeah, they sure are happy you're here" Fresh actually frowned at that, though he brought back his fake smile extremely quick.
"Oh yeah, why's dat? Ya getting bonely or something?"
"No, they're bored" They both fell into silence.
If Error didn't know any better he'd think he could feel the unease coming off the Parasite.
"Why don'ya do something than? Go destroy some place? Dat could be fun for yo all"
Error just stared at him silently, Fresh cocked his head at the lack of reaction.
"What have ya been doing beside talkin with them?" He asked instead of waiting for a response.
"None of your business" there wasn't any bite to it, which made Fresh raise a brow.
That makes him think Error hasn't been doing anything at all, which he doesn't know what to think of, though that would explain why the creators were bored too.
Fresh sat on the white void floor near where Error was already sitting. Error noticeably tensed.
They both analyzed each other briefly.
"What are you doing here?" Error groaned.
"Told ya, wanted ta check up on yo"
"Not like you care" That was true.
"Was curious where ya been"
"Curiosity killed the cat"
"But knowledge brought it back"
From anothers view you'd think they were having a staring contest.
"Do you fear anything Fresh?" The Parasite twitched at the odd question.
"Ya want some kind-o weakness ta use against ma?" The Glitch rolled his eyes.
"That would be nice, but no, I wondered if you would know how it felt, how it feels to me"
Fresh scanned the distant between them. Was Error referring to his Haphephobia?
"Probably not in da same way" Now it's Error trun to raised a brow, that implied Fresh could feel some form of fear.
"Do you ever avoid things that could hurt you?" Fear is painful in every way.
There was noticeable hesitation. "I guess so" he replied simply.
Error considered that before adding. "There's a lot less risk here"
"No one ta touch?" Fresh query.
Error hummed in acknowledgement.
"Have ya ever tried ta face yo fear? N I don't mean hanging with others, I mean like actually touching them"
"Blueberry did try to help before I let'd him go"
"Sure, but was dat voluntarily? or was ya forced ta?"
Error regarded that before answering, it's ironic the Parasite is the one to consider it a possibility that he was forced, since he has no concept of personal space.
"A little of both I guess, I genuinely did want to overcome it, but he did pressure me at times, it got tiring"
Fresh frowned. "Wouldn't it be more exhausting ta be scared all da time?"
"Yeah..." That's why he hasn't left the Anti-void in so long went unsaid, but they both could hear it lond and clear.
"Well it go through phases of being a bit more tolerable right? Heard most things goes like dat, Once ya feeling a bit better maybe ya could try again? maybe with someone else?"
Error couldn't help but laugh."Who? Everyone hates me, Blueberry just wanted to fix me, I rather stay here and drown in my own misery then give them the satisfaction"
Fresh was silent as he considered that. "Too bad ya wouldn't trust ma da help, We wouldn't even need ta leave dis here Void"
Error eyes widened at the possibility, it was true he didn't trust him, but at the same time he did have the belief the Parasite had no interest in actually harming him, if he did he could have countless times over the years by now.
And even now it didn't seem like the intention was to get him to agree to Fresh's help, it was more just general that he should seek help.
"You wouldn't understand why it's so hard for me"
Fresh laughed with clear mock amusement. "Why is it so difficult for ma ta feel? It comes so easily to Everyone else"
Error eyes widened at the statement. Sounds like irritation to him, annoyance that he can't do something everyone else can... Just like him with touch.
"That's not the same, You can't get emotions?" He noted more as a question.
"Ya prob can't fully get over a fear either, but yo can try" That's accurate, he suppose in both cases it's something that seems impossible.
They both observed each other before Error shifted closer to the Parasite.
They both tensed at the motion, but neither said a word as Fresh raised a brow and Error started to shake.
"Would you-" Error trailed off.
Fresh cocked his head but slowly stretched a hand towards the Glitch.
He stiffen further as his glitches got worse, but hovered one of his hands close to the Parasites.
"Ya don't have ta" Fresh reminded.
Error scoffed "I know"
He steadily connected their fingers one at a time, he had to take a deep breath before lying his full balm on top of the others.
It was the lightest touch, but it felt like his hand was set ablaze, though he think the soft blue gloves the other wore actually was helping make it bearable, it was less full physical contact, yet Error still had to constrain himself from yanking away.
Fresh wasn't much better though, He had to stop himself from fully intertwining their hands, he never quite noticed before how interesting the Glitch color scheme was, he's all the primary colors.
And having their palms against one others he realize how small Error hand was in comparison to his own, he swore he felt something twist in his ribcage at the thought that Error was so much smaller than him in general, he could wrap the Glitch in a full shielded embrace if they could.
Error slowly slip his fingers through Fresh's. He didn't return the grasp, much to Error's relief.
They sat there in silence holding hands for awhile.
And the more time that passed the calmer Error became, And that's when he noticed Fresh fingers has many cracks thought out them, He'd assume that he probably has them across his whole hands too, but he wonders if they cover beyond that, he does drain the lifeforce of each host, so each body in a way is slowly dusting.
Fresh thumb lightly rubbed Error's making him gasped and jerk out of the hold.
"Oops- Sorry" Fresh responded immediately and shifted slightly away.
"I-it's f-f-fine" He tried, just hoping he wouldn't crash.
He wrapped his other hand around the one that Fresh touched, it still felt like it was on fire, but it wasn't as terrible as he convinced himself in his head. Though that's probably just because the Parasite let him take the reins.
Fresh put a hand behind his neck as he started. "Uh- maybe I should-" "No don't leave" Error interrupted.
Both their eyes widened, as even Error was shocked he just said that with zero hesitation.
"I-I-I mean- Y-You can if you want" Error mumbled as his face flushed.
Fresh was confused, he thought he messed up the touch, but Error still wanted him there?
"Ya want ma ta stay?"
Seriously? He's making him say it!? "Y-Yes"
And now Fresh has to wonder why he feels warmth in his chest because of it.
"Alright" The Parasite replied simply, making no move to get up.
Error eased.
The Parasite studied him. "Was it painful?"
"Yeah, but..." he paused worried he shouldn't add the next part "It was also kinda nice"
"I agree!" Fresh exclaimed.
Error raised a brow. "You do?"
Fresh cocked his head. "Yeah bro, Don usually get soft touches like those"
Oh- Yeah both of them probably only really get physical contact when they're being hit.
"Maybe we could do that again?"
Fresh eyes widened. "Whatevs yo want brah!"
Error groaned. "But what do you want?"
Fresh was quiet briefly, he wasn't really sure, the only thing he ever really wanted was to stay alive, but the idea of sharing that affection again did sound appealing.
"I think- it would be totally radical ta try again at some point"
Error couldn't stop the smile that took over his face.
"Guess We'll keep in Touch than"
"If we Feel like it homeslice"
They both give each other stone looks before bursting out in laughter.
