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Chapter 9

Advice

"Are you still fighting with mom?"

The words echoed inside Asgore's head as he quietly sat by himself at the living room. He stared at the dim reflection of himself on the turned off television. He saw a boss monster, looking confused and utterly distraught at how things were going. Sure, the Human Monster Peace Alliance was going well, albeit with a few hiccups but that was honestly the least of his problems. Where Asgore was building bridges to help things further along for the sake of his people, here he was, desperately trying to maintain one from falling apart. He let out a deep sigh as he rested his head in his hands. Asriel's statement echoed once again in his ears, reminding him of how much progress he had made, which wasn't much. He felt terrible for not being able to give Asriel a proper answer earlier and it ate him up completely. He didn't want to lie to his son, much less make him a promise he didn't know if he could even keep even though he badly wanted to. He wanted things to be right again as much as his son did but the problem was that he didn't know how. He felt horrible inside. Even now, now that he and his people were free from their underground prison, he was still far away from the happy ending he wanted. To be with his family; to live like everything was right in the world.

Yet it was as if fate had other plans for him.

He sat there, silently brooding and mulling over his thoughts, trying to just come up with anything at all to go on. The sound of the door opening behind him was what pried him away from his train of thought. "Frisk?" he asked. He saw the human enter the living room. "What's wrong, young one?"

"I can't sleep…" Frisk answered. He seated himself across Asgore in one of the recliners. "You?"

"Much less the same, I'm afraid." He shook his head and relaxed. "Too much thinking is keeping me up." He saw Frisk eye him, a concerned look on his face. "How's your brother?"

"He's fast asleep as could be, thankfully."

There was a short silence between the two of them, feeling contented to just let the quietness hung in the air. The large goat monster had his eyes closed, deep in thought. Eventually however he opened his eyes and broke the silence. "Frisk, can I ask you a question?"

Frisk perked up. "Sure, what is it?"

"Be honest. What do you think of me?"

The human's brow rose. "What do I think of you?" he asked.

"Yes. I want to know what you think of me, Frisk; me as your stepfather, me as a friend, me as a king...and me as Asgore."

"Well…" Frisk decided to answer the question. "It's a bit weird to be calling you my Dad, since you know-you're a monster and all that—but to be frankly honest, you're probably the best Dad I could ever ask for." Frisk looked away, trying to brush away the memories that came into forefront of his mind. "Even better than my real one, I should say…"

The statement caught Asgore's attention but decided to stave off his questions for now. He let Frisk continue. "You were my friend first before I started calling you 'Dad' and when you were—still are, mind you—you were a great one. A monster I could talk to, and always turn to for advice. You always knew what to say and when to say it. Asriel is lucky to have you as a father." Frisk smiled at him. "I'm glad I could call you that, though at times I feel like I shouldn't."

"Frisk, I'm lucky to call you one of my own. If anything, I should be the one feeling that. You're too good to me." Asgore chuckled. "Without you, none of this would ever be possible. You're like a blessing to us monsters."

The human waved his hand dismissively. "Don't put me on a high pedestal. I was just doing the right thing, and that's what matters the most."

"I suppose so."

"As for a king, you're doing your job right. You're leading your people well and doing your hardest to make everyone's lives better. You couldn't ask for a better leader."

And that right there was what struck Asgore to the core. "Am I though, Frisk? Am I a good leader? Even after all I've done?"

"What do you mean, Dad?"

"I'm sure you know, what I'm talking about." Asgore hung his head low, unable to look the human in the eye. "I've killed people. I've killed children…" He shook as he spoke. The latter of the statement almost coming out as a whisper. He looked at him seriously. "I nearly killed you."

"But you didn't." Frisk had to bend the truth a little. It was a white lie anyways. "You had your reasons and they were perfectly good reasons."

"No, they weren't! I was a coward!" Asgore blinked, realizing his words came out more forcefully than he wanted them to be. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shout." He sat back down, regaining his composure. "I was a coward, Frisk. My actions were rash and in the end, I had to suffer the consequences." The boss monster rubbed his right temple. "My people had to suffer the consequences."

Frisk nodded. "Well there is no denying that." His brow rose. "Do you regret it though?"

"Every single day of my life." Asgore's expression was hollow. "There isn't a day that goes by that I think about what I did and wish that I could change it."

"That's good. It shows that you are keen on changing for the better. We all have things that we regret. We all have pasts that we would like to forget. But just because we do, doesn't mean we should let it define who we are now in the present. I know what you did, Dad, but I'm willing to look past that because I know in my soul that you're a good monster." Frisk smiled at him sincerely. "That's why I call you my Dad."

Asgore blinked, and looked at Frisk as if seeing him in a new light. The child's words sunk into him. "Those are very wise words for someone so young."

Now it was Frisk's turn to be surprised. "H-huh?"

"You sound just like Toriel," Asgore said wistfully. "Ah, Toriel…"

"You really miss her, do you, Dad?"

Asgore nodded in response. "I do, Frisk. I really do." He sighed again, shaking his head. "It just pains me to see how she's convinced herself to hate me." He chuckled wryly. "Her reasons are well justified however."

"Then you should convince her to see otherwise," Frisk replied. "But you have to forgive yourself first before you can ask her to forgive you.

The monster bowed his head. "I don't even know if I can forgive myself. Regardless, that's what I've been trying to do, and each time, she just shoots me down." The large monster looked utterly distraught. "I just want to hold her in my arms again…" Asgore stopped, now realizing who he was talking to. The contents of their conversation seemed rather inappropriate for someone as young as Frisk. "I-I'm sorry, Frisk. You shouldn't be worrying about your stepfather like this. You're a young child. You shouldn't burden yourself with the troubles of others."

Frisk crossed his arms across his chest. "Just because I'm young doesn't mean I can't sympathize. And besides, I hate seeing my friends and family be in trouble. I didn't go through all that trouble in the Underground just to see things fall apart."

The large monster nodded, appreciative of the human's resolve. "T-that is true. You truly are smart for your age, aren't you? Are all humans like this?"

Frisk chuckled as he propped his head on his right hand. "I'm one of a kind. I'm best experienced with no preconceived notion."

"Was that a Frisk flirt?"

"…Sorry, force of habit."

Asgore let out a hearty chuckle. Even Frisk laughed along with him. Asgore was glad that the rather gloomy atmosphere between the two of them was getting defused ever so slightly. Once he regained his composure, he then said, "What would you do, Frisk?"

"What do you mean?"

"What would you do if you were in my position?"

Frisk thought for a moment. "I suppose you should just be sincere to mom. Mom's the action type of monster, preferring to judge you by your actions rather than your words."

Asgore couldn't help but comment. "And judge she did…"

"Just focus on showing her you mean well. Azzy and I are both rooting for you. We both want you two to be happy again as much as we do," Frisk added. "We'll even help whenever and wherever we can."

The large monster smiled, feeling thankful. Then the thought of his son crossed his mind. "I'm just sorry for Asriel. This isn't what he deserves."

"This isn't what any of you deserve. After all the stuff you've been through, you guys need a break," Frisk replied. "You all deserve to be happy for a change. That's why Asriel and I have been thinking of ways to help you along."

Asgore smiled. "I commend the effort, but I don't think this is a matter kids like you should be dealing with."

"And I shouldn't be the human ambassador for monsters," Frisk countered flatly. "But I am."

"Point taken."

"Besides, Asriel feels responsible."

"He shouldn't."

"But he does. He's selfless like that."

"I wonder where he got that…"

"Who else? He's the heir to the throne isn't he?"

"Regardless, you children shouldn't be suffering like this."

"That's why we want to help fix it."

"I can agree with you on that. How odd, this is. I'm asking for advice from someone as young as you." Asgore smiled. "It all feels very surreal."

Frisk laughed. "Odder things have happened, I can assure you."

The large monster stood up. "I am truly in your debt, Frisk." He walked over and took a knee, proceeding to hug Frisk. "You are truly worthy of the name Dreemurr. You show the qualities of royalty."

Frisk more than happily returned the hug. "I do my best."

Asgore patted Frisk on the head. "I will take you up on your offer then." He then saw Frisk yawn at him. "Though, I do think you should get some sleep now. It is getting late after all, and it's definitely way past your bedtime."

"Yeah…I guess I should…" Frisk scratched his head, before lazily standing up. "I'm sure Azzy would be very happy to know that we can help fix your issues with mom."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Asgore said, directing Frisk back to their bedroom. "This problem is far more complicated than your homework."

"Fair enough…"

Asgore opened the door to the bedroom and was greeted with the sound of snoring, coming from the ball of white fur in one of the beds. His heart nearly melted seeing how peaceful his son slept. It made him realize just how important things were to getting the family back together. The large monster helped Frisk up to his bed, before tucking him in with the blanket.

"Goodnight Frisk," he said, giving the human a loving peck on the forehead.

"Goodnight Dad."


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