Chapter Text
Karl and Ant had heard from Dream about a safe level that could be accessed by sitting on any wooden floor and saying ‘welcome’. Dream told them there was only a 16% chance but he also said that there was no other known risk with the no-clip.
Karl and Ant wanted to try it. They were willing to try.
Karl packed some weapons and almond water into his backpack while Ant packed up some medical equipment. Foolish and Sapnap had decided to join and eventually Callahan and Ranboo were getting dragged into joining.
The group packed their stuff up and was about to head out until Red ran up to them. “I’m coming too.” He said flatly. “Alright. Just stick with us.” Sapnap hummed, clenching his hand around his axe. Velvet nodded stiffly, “I know.”
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Most of the group found themselves at the wanted destination after hours of attempts. Karl had been the second to last to get in so he took a welcome break from sitting and saying ‘welcome’ repeatedly. Karl looked at Ant and Velvet who were sharing a bottle of almond water. He then looked at Sapnap who was stealing from a nearby store in this mall looking level. It smelled how Karl expected.
Like a mall. Without the mild twinge of sweat and people. It weirded Karl out to be in a near silent mall.
Suddenly a gasp erupted from a nearby hallway and Karl saw a short figure dip behind a wall. “Who are you?” Sapnap asked, dropping the hoodie he stole and chasing after the figure briefly until he stopped when the person spoke.
“Wait!” The person shrieked. Their British voice seemed to quiver nervously.
“Give me a good reason why I shouldn’t whack your head off!” Sapnap barked. The person stepped out into the open and pulled their hood down, revealing a long haired person with a beanie on. Suddenly Ranboo appeared in the level.
“Aimsey?” Ranboo asked. Sapnap looked confused. “Ranboo?” The person replied, looking up. “Ranboo!” Aimsey yelled, running over. “We all thought you drowned but we couldn’t find your body!” They whined, burying their face into Ranboo. The much taller wanderer wrapped their arms around Aimsey. “How did you get here too?” Ranboo asked.
“I was with the others and we were messing around at a playground. I jumped off the swing and ended up here instead of landing on the ground” Aimsey explained, pulling away. Ranboo chuckled. “So what do you go by currently?” Aimsey asked. “He/They.” Ranboo replied with a masked smile. “How about you?”
“I use any. I don’t care.” Aimsey laughed. She suddenly turned and called for someone. “Boomer! I found Ranboo!”
“Boomer?” Ranboo asked. “Yeah! He’s cool! I met them in Level 7.” Aimsey explained.
“Are you sure it’s safe?” Boomer asked. “I wouldn’t tell you it was if it wasn’t.” She replied.
“Do you two want to join us? We can’t guarantee true safety but we can assure you guys that it’ll be safer with us all than safer without.” Ranboo hummed.
“Sure!” Aimsey grinned. “Ranboo. Dream won’t be happy that you are inviting people into his group.” Sapnap replied.
Karl could tell Ranboo wanted to say something about The Outsiders but they didn’t. They said nothing. Good. If Sapnap found out, he’d tell Dream. And if Dream found out.
That would end badly. Karl shivered at the imagined feeling of a knife slicing his throat. Karl wanted nothing to do with that. The group began walking through the level. Aimsey and Boomer seemed to almost lead the group. “I need to go to the bathroom. Karl, you’re going to be my look out.” Sapnap hummed.
Karl looked at Sapnap for a moment before shrugging. “Alright. We’ll be back.”
Sapnap and Karl walked down a corridor. The two entered a bathroom but Sapnap leaned against a sink. “I need to talk to you.” Sapnap hummed. “Why? Did I do something wrong?” Karl asked.
“No. I just wanted to have some time alone with you. One on one. Just, you know… the two of us.” Sapnap trailed off nervously. “Oh alright? Any particular reason?”
“You’re funny and sweet. I enjoy hanging out with you!” Sapnap chuckled. Karl giggled softly, leaning against the sink next to Sapnap.
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//////TW: SH mentions and wound cleaning///////
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“So if you don’t mind me asking, why do you never roll your sleeves up? I’ve seen others in the group with their sleeves rolled up but not you.” Karl asked.
Sapnap seemed to cringe at the question. “Poor choices as a teenager.” Sapnap sighed.
“Oh.” Karl gasped. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. I didn’t mean to bring up any bad memories”
Sapnap remained silent until eventually sighing. “Dealt with trash people and depression. That is a dangerous combination Karl.” Sapnap hummed.
“Yeah.” Karl nodded solemnly. “Karl. Have you ever done anything intentionally harmful to yourself?” Sapnap asked.
“I’ve punched walls. Does that count?”
“Well yes but not what I mean. Like a lighter or a knife.”
“No.”
“I have. It wasn’t fun Karl. After I would do it, it made me feel better but now? Now it's just constant regret. It sucks Karl. Never. Never hurt yourself like I did.” Sapnap muttered, wiping tears from his eyes. Karl quickly pulled Sapnap into a hug. “Sapnap, I’m here for you.”
“Do you think differently of me now?” Sapnap asked. “No! I just want to make sure you know that everything is going to be okay. Though I do have a question.” Karl replied.
“Yeah?”
“When was the last time you did it? Please be honest Sap, I won’t tell anyone.”
Sapnap’s hands clenched Karl’s bloodstained hoodie. When Sapnap started shaking, Karl knew the answer. “Do you want me to get some disinfectant from Ant?” Karl asked. Sapnap nodded stiffly. “Alright. I promise, I won’t tell. You can even listen to me if it makes you feel any better, okay?” Karl’s voice was soft and kind and he hoped it was helping calm Sapnap down.
Sapnap shook his head. “I trust you.”
Karl excused himself and walked to where the group had placed themselves. “Hey Ant, can I get a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a rag? Me and Sap just want to clean up any open wounds we have laying around.” Karl lied.
“Yeah sure.” Ant muttered, quickly going through his bag until he pulled a bottle and a rag out. Ant also handed Karl some bandages and a bottle of Almond Water. “Thanks Ant!” Karl smiled before heading back to the bathroom. Sapnap was sitting on the edge of a sink, fidgeting with his nails.
Karl walked up to Sapnap and showed the items.
Sapnap nervously rolled up his sleeves revealing the cuts that littered them. Karl opened the bottle of rubbing alcohol with a loud click. He poured some onto the rag and began gently rubbing at Sapnap’s arms with the soaked cloth. Sapnap tensed up, exhaling through clenched teeth. “It fucking stings!” the raven seethed.
“I know but it’s helping.” Karl chuckled. Sapnap seemed to smile softly, as if a weight was lifted off of him. Karl continued until the small yet deep cuts weren’t covered in dried blood before repeating the process on Sapnap’s other arm.
Once Karl was done, he bandaged Sapnap up and had him drink some almond water. “You’d be a good therapist Karl. you are just so easy to talk to.”
Karl just chuckled and Sapnap rolled his sleeves back down.
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Karl and Sapnap left the bathroom together to rejoin the group. “Okay lovebirds let's get going.” Red laughed. Karl and Sapnap shared a flustered look but the group began their journey again. They walked in silence. A silence so deafening; Karl swore he could hear everyone’s hearts beating. The silence was driving him mad. His head felt like it was full of buzzing bees and TV static.
“Karl?” Ant suddenly said. Karl looked up, realizing how the world seemed to spin. He felt lost mentally.
Ant handed Karl a bottle of almond water. “You have been rambling for the last thirty minutes about how you could hear bugs under the walls.” Ant sighed.
Karl looked around confused. “I was?”
“Yeah. You are going crazy Karl.” Ant hummed.
Karl looked at the bottle in his hands. He watched as the liquid sloshed around inside. He opened the bottle and drank some down. As the almond water pooled in his stomach, he felt the static leave his mind over the next few minutes. It was a relaxing feeling.
Karl nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard Tommy’s voice.
“Fundy! Me and Tubbo don’t need a fucking chaperone!” The teen was seen throwing his arms in the air. “You will get yourself killed if you don’t have one!” Fundy groaned.
“Did you forget that you were the one who got jumped by a hound?” Tommy asked the man. Fundy groaned in defeat. “Wilbur just wants me to make sure we are safe, Tommy!” Tubbo sighed.
Sapnap pulled his axe out at the sight of the men, holding onto it with a white knuckled grip. Sapnap yelled at the L'manburg members.
“What are you guys doing here?”