Forgiveness

Frisk eats quietly at the dinner table with Toriel. As she eats, she sneaks a glance at Toriel, who's just staring at her food. Frisk looks away, Maybe he was right. Maybe I shouldn't have told her, not since I can't save Asriel just yet. She's all heartbroken now, and I made her that way. She looks behind her and sees Asriel standing behind her, he's staring at Toriel. Frisk looks away from him as well, Am I really helping them by doing this? I couldn't just leave him underground. At least with this situation, Asriel shares my soul, so he can actually feel again. That has to count for something..

She sighs and sets her fork down. Toriel looks at her, curious, "Frisk? Are you all right, my child?"

Frisk nods, tears filling her eyes and sliding down her cheeks. Toriel's eyes widen lightly, "Why are you crying?"

Frisk gasps and wipes her face quickly, "I-I'm not!"

Toriel's eyes soften, "Frisk, what's wrong?"

Frisk shakes, trying to stop her tears, but they just keep flowing. She covers her face, suddenly sobbing, "You're sad now!"

"Is this about Asriel?" Toriel asks, standing slowly. She moves over to Frisk and kneels beside her. She gently takes Frisk's hands from her face. Frisk looks at her through tears. Toriel smiles softly, "I am sad, but that isn't your fault, my child. Anyone would be sad to hear their son is alive, but trapped where you can't reach them. That doesn't make the one who found them at fault. I do not blame you, I am not mad at you, so please, don't cry."

"But.." Frisk whimpers, "I want to save everyone.."

"That is a task much greater than I can imagine, and you've nearly done it. Don't be upset, you did your best." Toriel holds Frisk's hands reassuringly.

"She's right, you know." Asriel says softly.

Hearing Asriel's voice makes Frisk sob even more. Toriel sighs and stands, hugging the child close to her. She lifts Frisk from her chair and holds her, rubbing her back soothingly, "Don't cry. Don't cry, it'll be okay.."

Tears form in Toriel's eyes as well. Asriel stares at Toriel with saddened eyes, "Mom.."

That night, Toriel tucks Frisk into bed and kisses her forehead, "Sleep well, my child."

"Mom..?" Frisk speaks softly.

"Yes?" Toriel smiles gently.

"Will you and Asgore ever get back together..?" Frisk asks.

Toriel blinks in surprise, "Oh, uh.. I.. I'm not sure.. Why do you ask?"

Frisk looks away, "You're Asriel's parents.. Did you split up because he died?"

"It wasn't.. All because of that.. I loved Asgore very much.. Asriel, too.. No, it wasn't because of Asriel's death." Toriel shakes her head, tears welling in her eyes, "Asgore.. Lost himself.. He wanted revenge, I understood that, but I tried to tell him revenge wouldn't solve anything. Then I found out what he was planning, with the human souls. He was murdering innocent children, and that's why I left him. I didn't recognize him anymore."

Frisk stares at Toriel for a few moments before responding, "He still loves you. He wants you back. He knows he was wrong, he told me he didn't want to hurt those kids. He was just scared.. And alone.. He misses you."

Toriel chuckles softly, "Of course, the old fool. I know all that. I just.. Forgiveness isn't always easy. We can't all be like you."

"No kidding." Flowey sighs, sitting on Frisk's bed, "Kid'll forgive a spider for eating her. Oh, wait, she already did that."

Frisk laughs, "Muffet didn't eat me."

"What?" Toriel asks, confusion covering her face.

Frisk quickly shakes her head, "Nothing."

Toriel sighs, "Good night, my child."

She turns and heads for the door. Frisk sits up, "You should forgive him. I have."

Toriel stops and looks back at Frisk. She smiles lightly, "I'll think about it."

She leaves the room then and Frisk sighs, lying back down. She pulls the cover over her shoulders and closes her eyes, "Good night, Asriel."

"Good night.. Frisk.." Flowey replies softly.

Frisk opens the door and Sans and Papyrus are there. They smile at her and Sans waves, "Sup, kiddo?"

"Hello, human!" Papyrus adds, waving enthusiastically.

Frisk smiles wide and flings herself at the skeleton brothers, hugging them, Sans around the waist, Papyrus by the legs, "Sans! Papyrus!"

Papyrus laugh, patting her head, "You are right to be happy to see the Great Papyrus!"

"Chill out, bro." Sans pats Frisk's head as well, "I think she's the great one."

"The Great Papyrus agrees!" he replies.

Frisk laughs, "It's great to see both of you!"

"We have guests?" Toriel smiles, coming to the door, "Please, come in. Would you like to stay for dinner? I'll make spaghetti."

"Sold!" Papyrus steps over Frisk, entering the house.

Frisk releases them, laughing. She grabs Sans's hand, "Yeah, stay!"

"Sure thing, kid." Sans winks.

"So, spaghetti?" Sans asks Toriel.

She nods, "Isn't it your favorite?"

"Sure." Sans replies, looking around, "Nice place. Should have stopped by sooner."

"Oh, you had your own place to sort out, we don't mind the absence." Toriel states, going into the kitchen.

"Mhm." Sans continues to look around, "Real nice place, much nicer than mine and Pap's."

"Our home is great!" Papyrus calls from the kitchen, where he's helping Toriel prepare the spaghetti.

Sans chuckles, "Didn't say it wasn't."

"Good!" Papyrus replies, "Because it is very great!

Frisk smiles, "I'm so glad you guys are staying for dinner. I've missed you. You guys have to come over more often."

Sans smiles back at her, "Will do."

She continues to smile up at him and he frowns suddenly, "Hey, kid.. Tell me.. You wouldn't happen to.. Be carrying another soul, would you?"

Frisk's smile falls, "Wh-what..?"