I pull the covers over my head.
"Why did you have to pick this movie, Frisk?" I ask. "This is way too much."
Frisk snuggles closer.
"It's not that bad." They say. "Just squeeze my hand and it will be okay."
"I've been squeezing your hand." I say. "It's still too scary."
They pause the movie, so I take the blanket off of my face.
"Why did you want to watch this?" I ask Frisk. "You don't like scary movies."
"Chara does." Says Frisk. "I thought they deserved a treat."
"Frisk didn't pick this movie for me." Says Chara, smiling. "They picked it because they knew it'd scare you."
"Why scare me?" I ask.
"Because whenever you get scared," says Chara, nudging me, "you cling to Frisk really tight and won't let go!"
"Huh?"
"Frisk just wanted an excuse to snuggle up to you!" Says Chara.
I look at Frisk.
"That's why you picked this awful movie?" I ask.
"No! Not at all. Of course not. Maybe."
"Frisk, you can't trick people like that!" I say.
"But you're so soft and fuzzy!" They say. "And it worked, didn't it?"
"Frisk! You actually-"
"I was kidding." Interrupts Chara. "This movie was my idea, not Frisk's. I was just teasing you."
"Oh."
"But Frisk has spent a lot more time watching you than watching the movie." Says Chara.
"I can't help it." Says Frisk, putting their hands on my face. "I can't tear my eyes away from you, Asriel…"
I sigh.
"Can we watch something less scary?" I ask. "Please?"
"All right." Says Chara.
Chara starts looking for another movie. Frisk clings to my side.
"You're like a leech." I say. "You latch on and won't let go."
"No, I'm more of a barnacle."
I throw off the covers and sit up.
"It's boiling in here." I say. "Whenever you pet me too much, my fur gets hot."
"I know." Whispers Frisk. "And I love it."
"Stop drooling on my shirt."
"No."
Chara shows me a different movie.
"Yes." I say. "That looks great."
"I thought you might want something sweet and sappy." Says Chara.
"Thanks."
The doorbell rings. We pause the movie and hop out of bed. Mom must be home early. We run out to the front door to let her in.
But Mom isn't there. It's Sans. Chara steps away—they get shy around new people. Frisk gives Sans a hug.
"I missed you." They say.
"hey, guys." Says Sans. "uh, is your mother home?"
"No, she went out for groceries." I say. "She won't be here for another half hour."
"She left me in charge, because I'm the cutest." Says Frisk, still holding onto Sans.
"all right." Says Sans. "can i wait here until she gets back?"
"Sure." Says Frisk. "Wanna watch a movie with us?"
"uh… nah, that's okay." He says. "i'll just sit down."
We bring him to the kitchen and I get him some ketchup.
"thanks, asriel. you're a good kid."
He downs most of the bottle and sinks onto the table.
He seems subdued. He's not normally this quiet.
"Where's Papyrus?" I ask.
His shoulders sink.
"yeah… that's actually why i'm here." He says. "i wanted to speak to toriel about it."
He puts his head in his hands.
"Sans? What's wrong?" I ask.
"i don't actually know where papyrus is."
