Winter was in full swing now. It was hard to believe that it had been half a year since the monsters had returned to the Overworld to join up with humanity again. It was…going better than anyone had expected (although Papyrus had been certain that everything would work out just fine). Monsters had become the major topic of most media sources. The Underworld, you had learned, was really much bigger than you had seen. There had been whole cities under there that you didn't get to visit and so that meant there were monsters in other countries as well. Compared to humans, though, monsters remained 1/500 which was a smaller then you had expected but you hadn't known all of the information about monsters.

The monsters, however, all knew you. Many of them had wanted to visit you personally but hadn't been able to due to various reasons. As ambassador you had to meet up with many leaders of many countries. Your head swam from meeting so many famous people. You had to speak at a podium standing next to your makeshift family in front of the U.N. The whole time your hands had shaken and when you had finally finished and answered all of the questions you could, you had to flee to reorient yourself. Toriel had come to comfort you which had helped some, but then Sans began to crack jokes about the humans that had you giggling and Toriel –seeing your reaction- had joined in until the three of you were crying with laughter and Papyrus was screaming.

It had been a relief to go back home.

Ebbott had grown larger in the past six months. It was well on its way to a decently sized town that reminded you of where you had gone to school. Toriel had a small private school where she was teaching monsters and the humans whose families had decided to try to live in a town full of monsters. You went there full time along with the monsters you had made friends with along the way in the Underworld including Snowy and Lans, the little monster kid you had met in Waterfall. Apparently their overwhelming affection for Undyne had shifted over to Papyrus instead and often Lans could be seen following the skeleton around admiringly. Papyrus had let it go to his head (much to nobody's surprise) but he adored children and was a great role model.

Undyne and Alphys now had two homes. Apparently while in town, one of the wrestler's at a local gym had seen Undyne suplex a car (luckily abandoned) just because she could and had been so impressed he had demanded she give him lessons. The wrestler –though going through Training Hell- was quickly becoming one of the best in the country. Undyne was making a name but the trip to the city could be a hassle. Between Mettaton, Alphys, and quite a bit of gold (given to them by Asgore because he now felt that he didn't need so much) they had built another home within the city. It had caused quite a stir with the humans in the city. Feelings were still very much mixed about having the creatures there (especially with all of their….colorful shapes and designs) but humans were nothing if not adaptable. Even when they didn't want to be. You often considered worrying for all the monsters that didn't live in the cultural boundaries of Ebbott but you knew they could take care of themselves. Hopefully with little bloodshed.

In reaction to his friends living so far away, Papyrus decided to finally fulfill his dream of getting a car and driving down the highway. He hadn't realized at first that you actually needed a license before he could drive or that there were speed limits he had to abide by so he had soon been pulled over by police. He had gotten off with a warning and was directed to the nearest place to get a license.

You still weren't sure how he was able to legally acquire it.

He actually wasn't that bad of a driver after being given tips. He even got a convertible so that Asgore could ride with everyone. He always looked so happy to drive down the highways and you were glad he had achieved his dream. Even if he didn't have the hair he had (for some reason) imagined he would have. Sans, in response, had gotten a moped. It was acid green and the fastest little bike you had seen in your life. You were 100% certain he had altered it because there was no way he and his little bike could appear in some of the places it did. Or maybe he could take his bike through his shortcuts? You had tried to ask him before but his answer had been vague. You liked to ride with him on it, though you preferred to be the one to drive it. If he drove it, he would take shortcuts left and right and would scare the life out of you in some of the places you ended up. You never knew where you were going to end up. He seemed ceaselessly amused by the death grip you had on his waist when you rode with him.

Winter in Ebbott was mild in the beginning and quickly became horrible. The trees you lived under (because monsters apparently liked building around their environment when they could) was able to block quite a bit of the snow but the roads needed to be cleared often. The humans who lived in Ebbott soon learned the benefits of being friendly with monsters that had magic. You, especially, were grateful for Toriel and her magical flames. Sans's jacket was now officially coming in handy. The extra material of it, combined with the weight, usually served well to block against gusts of wind. All you really needed to do was wear a turtleneck and a scarf to protect the parts above the hanging neckline. Toriel did well to provide such material meaning she insisted upon you being layered like an onion). She had informed you that it was to make up for not giving you supplies to weather the elements in the Underworld. In retrospect you were rather glad that she hadn't because you couldn't imagine lugging around a snow jacket with you across Hotland. You had spent much more time there than in the snow. You didn't mind her doting though. It was more comforting than annoying.

You had awoken bundled up in a cocoon of blankets this morning. The room was a bit chilly but the contrast between the dry heat under the covers and the nippy air had you strangely energetic. You buried your face in your pillow and rubbed your legs along your sheets enthusiastically. It felt good to shake the sleep from your limbs and now your blood was really pumping. You ducked your head under the blankets and with one long luxurious stretch (while keeping all of your limbs well-covered) you were ready to face the day.

…If you could manage to convince yourself to leave the warm nest you called your bed.

Even though it was stuffy with even your head hidden, the heat made you drowsy and you zoned out. You weren't sure how much time passed before you woke up again and popped your head back out to gasp fresh air. You lay on your pillow and stared at the ceiling, still not quite working up the needed motivation to face the cold. You were fairly certain that you had dozed off at least three times before a soft knock popped your little bubble of sleepiness. You turned your head as Toriel opened the door enough to peek in. You smiled at the sight of her, already in a great mood. She appeared pleased to see you awake and already smiling. It wasn't often you were able to sleep in. Toriel had to cancel school because of the snow fall last night and because she had wanted the children –monster and human alike- to experience a "snow day".

"Good morning, my child. I am glad you are awake. Breakfast –or should I say 'brunch'?- is ready."

You perked up at the thought of food as your stomach growled (you also needed to pee) but getting up to fight the chill still didn't appeal to you.

"What is the matter, Frisk?" Toriel asked and then teased, "Are you getting 'cold feet'?" Your mouth twitched and you bit back a snigger. You then began to laugh more realizing how terrible Sans had made her. You rolled over to muffle your giggles in your pillow. A weight dipped the edge of your bed and you peeked through your hair to see Toriel grinning at your merriment.

"You cannot give me the cold shoulder!" She said and her wiggling fingers found your sides. Unexpectedly a shriek tore from you and you thrashed to escape her tickle torture. Laughter erupted out of you as you tried to avoid hitting her. She giggled as you fought until you cried mercy.

"Mom!" You burst out with a slight plea in your voice. You could barely breathe with all of your movements but you were still laughing.

Toriel relinquished you cheerfully and brushed your hair back out of your face. You panted and your eyes were damp but you were grinning. Her smile and eyes softened. "What is it, my child?" She asked. Calling her "mom" always made her so happy.

Well your covers were officially gone and you were too hot to want them back anyway. You sat up and stared at Toriel until she opened her arms in offering. You happily accepted. Out of everyone you loved Toriel's hugs the best. She always smelled of paper and the wispy cent of her magic fire. Her fur was pleasant and soft and her body was warm –unlike all of your other friends' considering they were either cold-blooded, kind of slimy, or literally all bones. The only person who could come close to matching her hugs was Asgore (he was so large that he could sweep you up and hold you close every time. He sometimes carried you on his shoulders even though you were far too big by human standards to do that anymore. You loved it). The only reason they weren't tied was because Toriel's hug in the Ruins before you had left had been the first real hug you had ever received.

With that as a basis, nobody could top her hugs.

Toriel chuckled and placed a kiss on the top of your head. One of the best parts about being so small was the ability to be fully encompassed in your surrogate parents' hugs. "Well, someone is in a good mood today! Any reason why?" You shook your head. It was only your birthday. Nothing special or out of the ordinary. Toriel gave you one last squeeze before releasing you so that both of you could stand. The carpeted floor was nice on cold days like this but you still put on your slippers. They matched Toriel's much larger ones.

"Come then, before our food grows cold." She said and led the way out into the hallway. Your house was set up much like the one in the Ruins only this time there were more rooms and the garden was in the backyard rather than out front. The rooms were left over from when Toriel had hosted school in the house but now they were all used as either spare bedrooms (for your friends and/or ambassadors from all over) or entertainment rooms. The garden, in truth, was mostly yours. You shared Asgore's but at Toriel's you experiments. The garden wasn't as pretty or as organized but you were showing some green thumb skills. You grew fruits and vegetables with Toriel and flowers with Asgore.

The dining table was still monster sized and thus fairly tall. Most monsters didn't have a problem but tiny people like you (and Sans. And Alphys) all needed cushions to lift you up. You firmly refused to use a booster seat. Also, much like Sans's and Papyrus's couch, the chairs were equally tall and you had to climb up into your seat. Toriel had made breakfast grilled cheese sandwiches with apple juice. Your stomach howled with joy.

You ate ferociously as Toriel chuckled at you. "So child, what are your plans for your first 'snow day'?" It wasn't really your first snow day but you weren't going to tell her that.

You took a few moments to chew and contemplate. This morning (which you were already late for) you were going to play with the other children down in the park. The lake where you used to hide had frozen over (and if it was still too thin, you had plenty of ice monsters to help freeze it) and it would be great for skating on. With your allowance you had already bought skates as a present to yourself (hey, you were allowed to splurge a bit! Not all of it was needed for college!). Originally all of you kids had agreed there would be NO ADULTS ALLOWED but then you had the idea to invite the human children from the nearby town. You thought that it would be a good idea to let the kids interact so that the still-wary human parents would feel more relaxed. The walk wasn't long and both Ebbott and the neighboring town shared the lake so you and your friends (and whatever monster parents that wanted to come) could walk to their side. That way both the monsters' and the humans' parents could talk.

"Oh!" Toriel clapped her hands together after you told her your plan. Her face glowed with pride. "That sounds like a wonderful idea, Frisk!" You blushed, glad that she liked the plan. "Do you need me to come along?" You shook your head. You were certain you could diffuse any situation that may come up (and you had already made a SAVE last night just in case). Anyway there would be other monster parents there to keep an eye out. "And what about after?" Toriel prompted.

You finished off your sandwich. This afternoon you had plans to ride with Papyrus, Sans, and Asgore to go to Undyne's wrestling match. The woman was still extremely powerful (being able to suplex a bolder just because she could) but that just made it more of a challenge for the humans who wanted to face her. Fans of wrestling everywhere were coming to the nearest big city to watch people go at it with Undyne. She's won every match so far. As long as she doesn't seriously injure or kill someone, she could continue with her new gig.

Undyne loved it.

She didn't have wrestling matches often (usually being just a trainer) so this was the first official match you were going to. You and Papyrus were going to help with her "pre-match warm-up" which was actually a full-on exercise regime for the two of you. You weren't going to go all-out today considering you wanted to feel your body afterwards.

Toriel didn't look happy to hear Undyne was training you. You hurried to assure her that it was only to keep healthy and strong rather than learn how to fight. You didn't even want to fight anyone.

After Undyne's matches (which should end by early evening…or earlier if Undyne is feeling particularly vicious) the lot of you –including Alphys who was to meet you at the match- were going back to their house to eat dinner and watch anime.

"You have a busy day!" Toriel exclaimed and ushered you to your room to get dressed. She followed after you and you took off your jacket to remove your shirt. You shivered in the chill of the room but the sun's rays were doing well at keeping the room a steady temperature. "Oh, Frisk," you paused as you were pulling down your pants to give her a questioning look, "would you like me to wash your jacket? I mean…" she picked up the blue coat, "Sans's jacket? You are returning it again tonight, right?"

You shook your head about getting it washed but nodded about returning it. It wasn't dirty and Sans never cared even if it was. The two of you had developed a schedule of sorts for the jacket. You wore it for a number of nights (it didn't matter how long) and then you would decide to return it to Sans for about three nights. The reason you had given, when asked, was that you didn't want to consider it really "your" jacket when you borrowed it. Sans, Toriel, and Asgore were the only ones that knew the true reasons why you borrowed the jacket (though you suspected Papyrus knew and understood but he's never said anything so you're not certain) so they knew that when you said it wasn't "your" jacket it was because it would lose its "power" to block nightmares.

(You never told anyone else that the other reason you let him have the coat back was because you missed how it smelled after he wore it. That was a little too personal.)

Toriel gave you a concerned look as you finished undressing and went for your clothing in your closet. So many striped shirts to choose from. "Will you need to sleep with me, my child?"

Though Toriel still didn't know what your nightmares are about (maybe you'll tell her someday) she always offered her bed on the nights they were expected to come. She and Asgore both had extremely large beds so there was never any trouble for room. The nightmares didn't stay away when you had company in your bed. One time you had slept in Papyrus's bed (he had claimed that, as your best friend, you deserved to sleep with him on occasion and not Sans) on a night you had returned the jacket you had kicked out in a fit and injured the both of you by slamming your knees together. You knee had been bruised and swollen for a week and Papyrus had to readjust his patella before he could walk properly. He still limped slightly for two days but he had taken it with as much good humor as a skeleton could have when his brother kept cracking knee jokes. The comfort of having someone there when you awoke was a relief though.

You tugged on some snow pants and a woolen shirt (blue with yellow stripes. Handmade) and nodded sheepishly at her.

Something relaxed in her face. "Alright." She said. "Now hurry! I'm certain your friends are waiting!" You did begin to hurry. You put on all of your clothing before rushing to the door. You decided at the last moment to just continue wearing Sans's jacket for the day.

Before you dashed out of the house, though, you paused and looked at Toriel. "What is it, my child?" She asked. Your hand was already on the doorknob and the cold wind made you both shiver.

"What will…you be doing?" You asked shyly. You wanted to spend some quality time with her as well on your day off.

She flushed a tiny bit with pleasure. "W-well….I was….going to do a bit of shopping. And then…I do not know. Perhaps I shall do some grading!"

That didn't sound like fun. "Do you…want me to come with you?"

"Oh! No, no, no, Frisk!" Toriel said quickly (too quickly?) and shook her head. "Please, go have fun. I will see you later! The shopping emmust/em get done."

You guessed that she had a good point. Still…You walked over and took her hand. "Come to Undyne and Alphys's later?" You half-pleaded. You wanted all of your friends and family together for at least one night. Even if it was just watching anime.

You could see Toriel's heart melt, probably able to read your reason in your face. "Yes, alright. I will be there." Her mouth twitched a bit and you blinked. Was she hiding something? "Now go, child. Your friends are waiting!" She wound your scarf securely around your neck and gave a gentle push out the door. "Text me when you leave with the boys!" She called after you as you took off running.

You waved and disappeared into the forest.