AHA I'm excited to share this fic with y'all! The romance is slow burn, fair warning. Without further ado:

I gained official custody of Frisk exactly a year ago today. There were multiple reasons, first and foremost being that I loved that kid. I would do anything for them. We met three years ago, during the incident we title: Freak Accident or Fate? That's another, rather lengthy story involving a stick of bubble gum, an umbrella, and a very annoying dog. Since that day, I've gotten to know the kid better and better, and grown to love them. They're so genuine and kind. They told me everything, including the tale of their parents and how both never wanted them, and were going to send them into the foster system when they got their divorce. But I put my foot down. Frisk wasn't going to some random stranger who would try to label them and fit them in some box or stereotype. So I adopted them. Are they my sibling? Child? It doesn't matter,

as long as I am their guardian.

*Knowing that Allie will always be there for you, it fills you with determination.*

"Frisk! Slow down for the love of e-everything!"

I was panting heavily and they just bounced back down the trail to where I was stooped over, hands on my poor aching knees. I was only 23. This shouldn't be happening so early in life.

Frisk seemed to read my mind.

"It's the mountain air. Thinner then home."

I nodded at the kid's wisdom.

"Then have mercy, good soul, on these poor lungs."

They giggled, but slowed to my pace.

"So why camping up here? Mt. Ebbot?"

They shrugged, looking at the peak above us.

"Curious, I guess."

"Me too."

I hefted my heavy bag, and shot them a mischievous glance.

"You know what they say about this mountain?"

Frisk looked sideways at me, a question written on their face.

"Monsters. They live just under the surface, trapped by a magic spell, and only break free to. catch. naughty. children." I leaped at them, catching them by suprise. I tickled them, and they screamed-laughed a surrender.

"Stop! Allie, have mercy! I promise to be good!"

I laughed and released Frisk, who was out of breath with a huge grin on their face.

I gestured up the track.

"Well, come on. Mountain isn't going to climb itself."

After a few minutes in comfortable silence, Frisk asked,

"Allie, do you believe the stories? About the monsters?"

I pondered the question. It would be ignorant to dismiss the question as childish nonsense, but also stupid to confirm it, as we have no proof, or records or anything. Just an old folktale.

Frisk was still looking at me, head cocked to one side.

"All lies and stories have a kernel of truth. It's what makes it believable."

"That doesn't answer my question."

I sighed and ran a hand through my long hair.

"Honestly, I don't know. People couldn't imagine what was going on in chemical reactions, or things too small to see, like the bacteria in your gut," I poked them in their stomach. Frisk giggled. ",before it was discovered and proven. So anythings possible." I gave her a small grin, and a wink.

"All that science. That's my degree finally coming into play."

They smiled back.

"Well Ms. Masters in Organic Chemistry, let's see if you can science your way to the top of this mountain."

And Frisk set off, determination in every line of their body. They were one sassy ten year old when they wanted to be.

They walked ahead of me, exploring the track, sometimes pausing to look around or smell a flower. They looked so content and happy. I wanted this moment to last a lifetime. Just the two of us, free from the baggage of our pasts, and together, on our anniversary of Adoption Day. But life is a funny thing, delighting in turning people's worlds upside down.

"Allie! Look at this!"

Frisk had darted around a bend moments ago, just in front of me. I smiled and called,

"What is it?"

Usually the phrase, "look at this.", indicated a pretty flower or lovely bird.

"I-I don't know!" Their voice was too high, too scared.

I frowned, alarm bells now clanging in my head. I hurried around the bend to find Frisk staring into the abyss of a wide hole.

"Frisk! Get away from the edge!" I rushed forward, dropping my heavy camping pack on the ground as I did. But as they moved to turn around, a thick vine caught their ankle. They teetered, a look of terror on their face.

Then they fell.

I screamed. My mind went into blurred state where my actions were purely survivalistic instinct. I remember lunging forward, grabbing Frisk too late to save them, and death waiting patiently for the our unavoidable impact with the ground.

Air whistled past us as we dropped, down, down, down.

*Knowing that Allie would always try to rescue you fills you with determination*

I was dead. I had to be. But does death hurt this much? I hadn't thought it would. I pried my eyelids apart, groaning. Ow..my wrist could have been on fire, and the pain wouldn't have been worse. Suddenly a horrifying thought struck me.

I scrambled up, looking desperatly around the bed of golden flowers that probably saved my life.

"Frisk! Frisk!"

My voice cracked in terror. I spotted them now, lying among the flowers, not moving.

"Oh god!"

My shaking hand touched their small wrist, searching for a pulse. It was feint but there, like the fluttering of butterfly wings.

"Oh thank the heavens!"

I had to get them out of here. Get them help.

I gathered their small form in my arms, much the same way I would when they would fall asleep on the couch and I moved them to their bed. I winced in pain at my wrist, but didn't drop Frisk. I couldn't. I had to keep them close. I limped patheticly, past a huge door. A huge door? People lived down here! Maybe help wasn't far away? Or...? I shook my head. This was no time for negative thoughts.

"Howdy!"

I started, looking wildly around, eyes landing on a flower. with a face. and voice.

"I'm Flowey! Flowey the flower."

In spite of myself, I raised an eyebrow, resisting the urge to say, "no! really?". I just said,

"Hey, um, Flowey? I need some help here with my sibling. They need medical attention."

But, the flower's overly friendly face melted into a grotesque, evil smile.

It laughed in my face.

"Help? d!"

Okay creepy killer weed with a thirst for human blood. I have. to. be. dreaming.

I felt a tug on my chest, and an orange, cartoonesk heart appeared, hovering just in front of my chest. A deep red heart did the same for the comatose Frisk. Defiantly dreaming.

It summoned a spinning white circle around Frisk and I, coming closer and closer. I'm sure it meant to kill us, but didn't get that far because just then a fire ball appeared, knocking it out of sight. Dreaming. For sure.

"What a dreadful creature, torturing two poor humans in need of assistance. I am Toriel, Care taker of the Ruins."

A huge, furry monster with a long purple robe and a kind face stood before us. My savior.

"Thank you." I choked out.

Monsters. Underground. The stories.

"The Ruins are full of puzzles, but..." She seemed to consider Frisk.

"Your child seems in dire need of help. I shall postpone the tuToriel," she gave a self satisfied smile, "and take you directly home."

I stood flabbergasted. A pun loving monster? I shook my head rapidly, trying to clear my head.

I said stupidly,

"Am I dreaming?"

The goat like monster shook her head, smile fading.

"I'm sorry, young one. I forgot myself. You must be rather shellshocked. Let me take the child." She saw my look, and noted the protective nature of my posture. "It is fine if you do not wish me too, but I want to help." This monster had saved me, and her face seemed so kind. She had even cracked a pun. Besides, I was out of options. I would collapse of exhaustion if I tried to carry Frisk anymore. I limped forward and Toriel took the small form of Frisk. I was their guardian. And they were not leaving my sight.

"Lead the way."

*Toriel's offer of help. It fills you with determination.*

3 weeks later

Frisk made an excellent point. Why would we ever want to leave? I had everything, everything being food, drink, friends and Frisk. The topic came up one night, as we sat around the table, eating pie.

"So you do not wish to leave the Ruins?"

Frisk just giggled.

"Why would we, mom?"

My heart sang when they called Toriel that. I could have never been Frisk's mom. I was their best friend. Their sibling. Their companion. Their guardian (legally and figuratively). Not their Mother. Toriel was what I couldn't be for Frisk. That didn't make me jealous at all because Toriel was my mom now too. Toriel was everything my biological mother wasn't.

(I'm sappy. I don't pretend not to be.)

Frisk and I had quickly learned about humanity's wrongs against monsters, the fight for freedom and the desire for humans souls to shatter the barrier. We also learned about Fights, in a more practical manner, with a mock fight with a dummy. But the Froggits were cuties and the Moldsmols were just plain flirty. The monsters were easily befriended.

Everyone adored Frisk. Their determination and kindness drew people to them. Like they had drawn me in, all those years ago. Toriel told us sadly about the other six humans who had wanted to leave. And their soul colors.

That night after Frisk had gone to bed, Toriel and I were having a cup of tea by the fire.

"Allison." The furry monster leaned forward intently and continued gravely.

"You know how I told you about human's soul colors?"

I nodded,

"Mine is bravery..."

Toriel pressed forward.

"Asogre needs Frisks soul to break the barrier, not yours. They have already collected an orange soul thus far."

"W-what?"

"They need all seven colors."

I couldn't meet Toriels eyes. I muttered,

"Not Frisk..."

She studied me intently.

"If it came down to it, you were going to sacrifice your own soul."

She didn't ask. she stated it.

I nodded.

I clenched my teeth together, anger washing over me.

"They're not getting Frisks soul. What ever happens. I will die before a hair on their head is touched."

"I know." Toriel said quietly.

We sat there together for another quarter hour, staring into the flames, each with our own thoughts.

My soul told everyone around me that I was brave. It told me that I could do it. Bravery is, after all, not discounting fear, but recognizing that fear shouldn't stop you from your goal. And my goal was keeping Frisk alive.

*Allie's bravery fills you with determination*

Sorry for the language but those damn gossiping spiders! I found out later that the "anonymous tip" that had given away our safe home of 5 months was actually a spider telegram that made its way from the Ruins to Hotland and the rumor of humans living in the Ruins circulated there until it hit the attentive ears of the Dog Squad and it was all over. Toriel woke me hurriedly and thrust a backpack into one hand and a heavy, long coat into the other.

"Hurry my children. A raid will be taking place on our home and you must not be here!" A sleepy Frisk was given a similar coat. They said slowly,

"Mom...did you make these for us?"

"Yes my child. There were going to be Chistmas presents but under the circumstances..."

She stood there looking very small and helpless even for all her magic and height.

She trailed off, and sniffed loudly. Frisk, with tears on their face, embraced Toriel. I joined them, my own cheeks wet.

She gave a small laugh devoid of her usual humor.

"Is it not funny how life works? The only humans who wished to stay...and Asgore found you anyway."

We walked in silence to the door.

"The raid will be here very soon. You must be far away from here when it happens. Find my friend from the other side."

"How will we know who it is?"

"He never told me his name, but his brother is called Papyrus."

We stood another couple of seconds in dead misery. Then Frisk ran forward and threw her arms around Toriel on last time.

"Goodbye Mom."

"Goodbye my child."

But she looked up and met my eyes, and I nodded. We both knew what I had to do ahead of us. Frisk's soul must be protected at all costs.

"Mom, call us okay?"

I also embraced her. One last time. Then she released us and said briskly,

"Go! they must not be able to catch your fresh scent."

I nodded, and scooped Frisk up in my arms.

"Just like old times bud."

They giggled.

And we left home. Probably never to return.

*A feeling of sadness hangs over you, but you stay determined*