"Human... It was nice to meet you."
"It was nice to meet you."
"Goodbye."
Frisk and Chara ran together through the fire, the burns grazing against their skin. They hissed in the worse kind of pain, but when it came time, they stood firm, their head held high.
*You firmly tell Asgore you don't want to fight him. His breathing gets funny for a moment.
But still he struck.
"They... Asgore... Will kill you."
*You know he does not want to.
Frisk forced themself to take a deep breath as they stood beside the Save Star, its light washing over them but offering no warmth. The Save Star in Judgment Hall never offered any warmth... They looked down at their hands, turning the palms upwards. As always, the blood and burnt skin was gone but they saw it anyways in their mind. And Chara saw the scars and the promise they had made.
The fingers curled together tightly into fists and they swallowed. Chara filled Frisk with the warmth the Save Star failed to provide. And with it... determination.
One.
They made their way back out across Judgment Hall and to the edge of the garden.
*You tell Asgore that he's killed you once before. He nods sadly.
Two.
*You eat the Butterscotch Pie. The smell reminded Asgore of something...
Three.
Five.
*You tell Asgore that he's killed you five times before. He nods grievously.
Seven.
*You firmly tell Asgore to STOP fighting. Recollection flashes in his eyes...
Ten.
Twenty.
How many times?
"You've killed me too many times to count." Frisk said, their voice trembling...
*Seems talking won't do any more good.
Their Soul shattered.
*All you can do is FIGHT
But they refused.
The orange light of Judgment Hall enveloped them once again and they took a deep breath. They looked out across the shadowed, stone forrest before them. Sans' judgment this Reset already felt like forever ago. Frisk could feel Chara's anxiety heightening with each death; the tension like a string in their chest as Chara ran out of things to say and warmth to give.
But they could do this.
They would.
They had to.
They just had to keep moving forward.
To stop the Resets this is what they needed to do. If they wanted to stop with The Barrier unbroken, they had to Save him; Asgore. From Flowey... From himself...
A way for him to not die and for Frisk to stay. There had to be something. That key combination of words that could get him to stop the Fight early and to prevent Asr... Flowey from striking him down in one blow. Something they could say... They just had to find it. If anyone could find it, it had to be Chara.
Frisk, though they would not admit it for Chara's sake, had thought it would be easier. They had only tried this seriously in the first timeline. After that, Asriel had cornered them into battle and they hadn't needed to pay attention to this. Saving Asgore had given way into Saving Asriel. They had thought their options this time would have lasted them longer than they had...
And they had reasoned that, with Asgore hating what he was doing as much as he did...
But even so, in the back of their mind, Frisk also saw themself: holding a knife, as Sans repeatedly killed them... wanting to stop but seeing no other way to quit.
Frisk could feel Chara going over the situation at hyperspeeds. It all made Frisk dizzy to think about and sad that the only Frisk could do was reach out and send Chara a wave of warmth. Chara practically growled in frustration. They were growing increasingly more irritable as time went on.
"Maybe we should take a break." Frisk offered.
*A few more times!
Frisk gave what was almost a sigh and looked down at their feet. Frisk was sure Chara hadn't slept since their own timeline and it concerned them. They weren't sure how that worked but Frisk was sure, even for Chara, that couldn't be good. Even if physically Chara didn't need it, it just couldn't be good!
*Three more times!
*And then we can take a break...
*A short one.
Frisk nodded and the two went forward through the hall, Sans still long gone even if it had technically only been a few minutes.
*Asgore attacks!
Going in. Failing.
So many times, too many times...
Frisk's Soul...
Chara stepped forward, Frisk's eyes seeping gold as Chara abandoned the Save Star and made their way into the garden.
They had to stop him. They just had to stop him! They'd been here so many times before, but.. There had to be-! There had to be a new angle! Something left to say!
The pie. The words. None of it works...
All they can do is Fight.
Frisk flinched in the back of their own mind with each blow Chara struck, Chara letting out their own guttural shouts. But they had to, they reasoned. They just needed to listen. Something new...
And soon, he was on his knees in front of them again. His voice was deep and rumbled like thunder but it cracked brokenly, striking their tender heart like lightning. But they listened... Searching... Searching for anything in his speech to give them what to say.
"Truthfully... I do not want power. I do not want to hurt anyone. I just wanted everyone to have hope..."
"Take my soul, and leave this cursed place."
Chara could feel Frisk's Soul tremble and it served to drive their hand forward even though it would all end badly regardless.
ME/R/CY
"After everything I have done to hurt you..."
"I promise you..."
"I promise." Chara had said.
"For as long as you remain here..."
Frisk was going to be able to stay.
They just had to find a way!
"No. That's just a fantasy, isn't it?"
Chara stayed rigid in place, holding their breath.
"Young one, when I look at you... I'm reminded of the human that fell here long ago... You have the same feeling of hope in your eyes."
"You are the hopes and dreams of humans and monsters..."
Chara couldn't stop the gold eyes from closing, from hiding away as their head lowered darkly...
"I'm sorry... I couldn't give you a simple, happy ending... But I believe your freedom... is what my son... what Asriel would have wanted."
Asriel...
They could feel the air shift and split with magic and the pain rippled through them. Chara bit their bottom lip, the taste of blood on their tongue as they covered their ears, but too late. They had already heard the telltale sound that indicated a monster crumbling into dust- It was suffocating them. There was an intense pressure in their chest. They heard his Soul shatte-
LOAD
Chara took a deep breath and took a step back from the Save Star.
Chara, please, let's stop for-
"One more."
Frisk was silent but did not stop Chara from moving forward. Asgore's words were echoing through Chara's mind... An idea was forming.
Asriel...
Yes, they had an idea.
*You eat the Butterscotch Pie. The smell reminded Asgore of something.
*You firmly tell Asgore to STOP fighting. Recollection flashes in his eyes...
They stood, the flames dying down around them and they lifted their head high as they spread out their arms.
"Stop fighting!" They demanded. Asgore's fingers trembled and Chara could feel frisk watching intently. It filled them with Determination. "Listen to me! This isn't what your child would have wanted! What your son, Asriel, would have wanted!"
Asgore froze and Chara lost the air in their lungs as hope fluttered in their chest.
"No..." Asgore said, his deep voice so low.. broken... "But it is what Chara had..."
Chara couldn't feel their limbs, the pit of their stomach was hollowing out as Asgore lifted his trident; flashing orange.
ME/R/CY
The Soul-
Chara gasped, crying out as they covered their mouth and leaned forward beside the Save Star in Judgment Hall.
Chara!
Chara pressed their hands harder against their mouth as they struggled to breath, the tears immediately springing up and tracing down their cheeks.
He knew.
He knew.
And did he know what Chara had done? Did he-? Had he put pieces together? Did he-? Did he suspect-? Did he blame-?
Chara stood up straight, forcing a deep breath as gold eyes flashed red and they raced towards the garden.
"I won't fight you!" They shouted before Asgore had even had time to notice they were there. He halted in his tracks, mid-hum, and looked up. His expression fell in shock and horror as he realized who was speaking to him, or at the very least, what... A small, human child. Their expression fierce and tear stained and the red eyes on fire as they shouted once more: "I won't fight you!"
His head lowered and his face was masked in darkness.
"But we must."
Chara felt like screaming. Covering their ears and screaming at the top of their lungs. Everything said to run, but they could not. This was not the solution, either. They could not just avoid him. Frisk deserved to have a home they didn't have to be terrified of being ripped away... And Asgore deserved... The emotions were too strong, choking them. The rebellion in their chest- Chara had indeed put their hands up against Frisk's ears as they gritted their teeth.
"Then you're going to have to come and get me!" Chara screamed, lowering their hands and staring directly at him. "You're going to have to come and get me!" Asgore stood unmoving. He still would not relent. Chara's heart was breaking. Dad...
Asgore's head lifted quickly, and Chara's heart raced in realization that their mouth had echoed their thoughts aloud. They took a step back, not knowing what to do. Asgore reached out for them, a look on his face that terrified them. A realization of his own, a hope, even... They turned to run but quickly they screamed as a firm hand grasped their shoulder-
Time began to snap back-
"Wait!" He begged, but-
LOAD.
Chara fell back onto the ground, gasping for breath as they shook on the ground.
Frisk was silent, warm and supportive, but Chara could feel Frisk's stark surprise. Chara closed their eyes and sank back down onto the ground, giving themself a minute or two... Maybe.. maybe a bit more than a minute or two... The ground was cold and painful beneath them but it was firm and solid and just what they needed. Frisk slipped into control, allowing their breathing to even out a bit in comparison. Soon, Frisk lifted them up off of the ground. Chara made no protest as Frisk escaped out into the hall. Chara curled up in the back of Frisk's mind, thankful for the silence.
And Frisk walked...
Walked without aim.
Just walked.
To sit idly would let their mind wander, to close their eyes was a laughable idea.
They just walked...
Their shaking limbs relaxed as they got into an elevator and the sweet AC blew over them. And then, they were out again, they walked. Walked and walked... Calming themself and Chara down as best they could.
They could already feel Chara's thoughts stirring up, trying to pick up a train of thought and something to say.. How to continue. But it only lead them back to what had happened and they buried their face. Frisk took a deep breath for the both of them and Chara let their mind drift thoughtlessly again.
The air was thick with moisture and the world was a gradient of blue and black hues.. Water splashed beneath their feet and Frisk gave a big jump, getting their legs wet and muddy.
They came to a stop as Chara moved closer and Frisk held their breath, the sound of the music box faintly echoed through the corridor and Frisk could feel Chara straining to listen. Frisk reached up and touched The Locket around their neck. Chara came even closer and Frisk perked up as they shifted to let Chara in control.
And Chara walked, but this time it was with a clear destination in mind, and their fingers still gripping The Locket.
The statue sat pitifully in its spot, the red umbrella protecting it, much too late, from the pattering would-be rain. Chara reached up and touched either horn, the points were worn and still wet and gritty between their fingers. Mud trailed down their hands and Chara lowered their head.
"It really was a foolish decision..." They whispered, letting go of the horns and their hands hanging limply at their side.
Chara?
"Putting the statue here. It was foolish..."
..., Frisk knew that was not what they were actually thinking about.
Chara lifted their head, looking at the faded monument, the sound of the music box digging into them.
"You asked what it was like... to stay." Chara reminded. Frisk 'nodded'. Chara closed their eyes. "Too much." They breathed. "Intimidating... I couldn't accept it was real. Why... should it have been real?"
Their fingers returned to The Locket around their neck and their voice cracked as they continued...
"But then... the thought of it actually being real.. scared me more than the thought of it being torn away." Chara reopened their eyes, looking up at the dripping water. "I couldn't stay. You remember that timeline, after... that one...? You fled to give them something back.. And I... I did the same back then, with them. I ate the flowers."
Frisk was silent, their mind conjuring up the look on Toriel's face.
"I don't deserve to be here." They had told her, and they had seen she had heard something similar before. Even then Frisk had wondered, had thought of Chara...
"I... I wanted to give them all the sun..." Chara said, choking up as they did. They were blinking furiously, and while Frisk sat thinking of timelines ago in the basement of Home, Chara was even farther back. Standing before The Barrier for the first time with Frisk, Frisk's determination flooding through them. Frisk's wanting drowning out everything else. Wanting this to be their home. The Monsters to be their home. To stay. To get to the surface. "I'd really wanted to give them all the sun!"
Chara, I..., Frisk was cut off by the briefest flash of a memory that wasn't theirs.
They only occasionally got things from Chara. Little blips here and there. Chara was too good at hiding it from them. But now... The flashes continued. Little things. Hands reaching out, taking little yellow flowers from white paws and putting them to their lips. One. Two. Three. One for each of their new family. A smile on their face even as their brother looked on with fear. Promises. And a memory of the sun... The sun rising instead of setting as they stood there, one, with their brother..
Frisk had seen that memory before, deep in the darkness of True Lab, when everything had shattered. But now, Frisk began to realize, this was being consciously given to them. And Frisk watched, even as they felt cold at how the memory would end they offered Chara only warmth.
And the memories continued even if still calculated and guarded by the giver. But the fact it was being given... That Chara was opening up to them at least a bit... filled Frisk with determination.
And so the memories tumbled in... Farther and farther back...
Fireside readings, pitiful drawings, knitted sweaters, mouth watering pie... The warmth of a family. The warmth of a home that Chara had already shared with them; tucked comfortably and safe next to your brother after a nightmare. And even more... Ill-thought out pies, a smile that sent them running. Intimidating...
New and some familiar... The memories they had seen before, in their fight to Save Asriel.
"Chara? That's a nice name..."
The fall.
But beyond.
Frisk gasped in surprise as the memories didn't stop and their heart raced. Chara did not respond, only letting the memories play in short bursts, not wanting to show it all but at the same time...
Fields of flowers. A child all alone. No one to call for help to... and when it was ever offered...
"I couldn't accept it was real."
All alone...
The memories cut off and Chara opened their eyes. Frisk wrapped their arms around them. The two stayed in silence, the music and sound of pattering rain surrounding them as Chara swallowed down tears.
Thank you..., Frisk said finally. Thank you for showing me. For.. trusting me. I'm sorry. You were all alone.
Chara shook their head, swallowing down more tears.
"I had a grandmother." Frisk paused in surprise.
...Was she nice?
Chara laughed, but it was broken by the tears they were still refusing to let form.
"No. She was cruel." Chara breathed out sadly and closed their eyes again. "But she was doing what she thought was best for me. To protect me..."
More memories shot through Frisk's mind, and they began to realize... The Underground was not the first time humanity had taken everything from Chara. And their grandmother had served to remind them of it at each turn, instilling her own hatred of humanity into the child.. Believing that would be the only thing that would keep Chara safe... when she was inevitably gone as well. And gone too soon.
"She... loved me more than anything." Chara realized. "She just didn't show it very well."
Chara gave a soft, ingenuine smile.
"Harsh. Manipulative. Scared. Mistrusting. Hateful. She turned me into her... and then I took it one step further."
..., Frisk wasn't sure how to counter them but they wanted to.
"I only remember her smiling kindly once, and it was as she told me I had to always be able to stand on my own. It was also the only time she ever let me see her sad." Chara lifted a hand to their eye and wiped at it as they sniffled. "We can't afford to be sad. We can't afford to be open. We can't afford to show we care. To even care at all. Crying doesn't solve anything so big kids don't cry..." Chara laughed again, bitterly, as they wiped at their other eye. "And now I cry all the time."
Frisk mentally squeezed Chara in a hug.
That's okay. I do too.
"Yeah."
... Thank you..., Frisk said again. They could feel that Chara was still uncertain that they should have shown Frisk anything.
"It wasn't important." Chara decided.
It's important to me. You're important. I wanted to know more about you.
"And now you know..." Chara whispered. "And you know.. you have a lot more of a reason to hate humanity than I do."
They took your parents..., Frisk countered sadly.
"But maybe they deserved it, too. I don't know... I don't remember them. That's my point." Frisk didn't have anything to say again.
I'm still glad you showed me..., They stated. It's still important. Chara sighed.
"Yeah."
And it was. Even though it had been painful for both, Frisk was glad Chara had shown them something. That they trusted them enough...
And Chara was glad to had told, too. To be open, to be honest, even if they still kept some feelings hidden at all cost... To unburden at least some of it... It felt like a weight slipping off of them. And they didn't feel afraid... because...
"You're important to me, too, Frisk." Their cheeks were burning even though they had said it several times before. "I love you."
Frisk was radiant beside them, Chara could feel their beaming smile.
"But..." They turned away from the statue and looked back towards the way they came. Back towards New Home and Asgore...
"No." Frisk said sternly, slipping more into control. "Break. We're done for today." Chara sighed and closed their eyes.
But then what?, Chara asked.
... I don't know. Frisk admitted. But we'll figure something out.
Chara nodded but they didn't feel as determined as they had been before.
"I'd really wanted..." Chara'as voice trailed off. They couldn't say it again, especially since all they heard was Frisk's voice with their tone and they hated it. Because Frisk had really, really wanted that too: the sun.
They walked together through the Underground, planning on heading to New Home and taking a much needed nap. Both of them. Frisk insisted. Chara only sighed in resignation... but they were, in fact, incredibly tired. Not just physically. Chara fiddled with The Locket as they went, dreading New Home's dusty atmosphere.
But they didn't make it to New Home. Instead, they came to an abrupt stop.
Sans was there at his station, the one in Hotlands where he had his illegal hot dog stand. They honestly hadn't expected it. Either of them; Chara or Frisk. They couldn't remember a time they had encountered him after their Judgment. At least until their fight with Asriel. It felt strange.. It felt... new.
But there he was, resting his hand against the side of the station, bending down so they couldn't see the front half of him as if he were digging for something or perhaps putting something away. Chara leaned forward, both physically and mentally, trying to see if they could sneak past him without them noticing, but he was already standing up and unfortunately.. noticing them. He came to just an abrupt a stop at the sight of them. Chara stopped breathing for a moment as their eyes met, and they realized... the red eyes had to be unmistakably apparent.
Chara could feel their cheeks burning... in embarrassment or shame they weren't sure. Maybe a bit of both... It was the first time since they had tried to use themself as a scapegoat and he looked so uncertain. Their breath when it picked up again was shaky and uneven, but Frisk was there, soothing them. And their eyes seeped gold.
But it was too late. He had seen them. He had seen them, Chara, in the red eyes. It was too late to run and despite Frisk's comfort they were still a level of tense and they could see Sans was too. It was too late to run for sure. They could Load, but...
Their tense expression softened, their lips parting in realization as they stood up straighter, cowering less before him. They could suddenly see it in his face.. That was the expression of someone who knew they'd been dying.
Dying a lot.
He knew about their Loads... So of course he knew. About the endless loop they were currently putting themself through.. and not having any frame of reference as to why.
Again.
Chara opened their mouth wider, but their voice caught in their throat and they closed it again and looked down.
Frisk had promised not to talk about everything until it stopped... but... Chara lifted their head again and they feigned determination as they stood straight and pressed their lips together. Frisk had promised not to talk about everything, but that didn't mean they couldn't ask him what he thought about now...
Chara hardened their expression and made their way over to the station. They had no room to hesitate. If they hesitated they'd lose their nerve. Sans slipped behind the station, and it offered just enough emotional distance for Chara to see it through. They slammed their hands against the top of the counter.
The sound of their hands against the wood drifted back into silence as Chara forced themself to meet his gaze, the amber eyes unblinking. It only seemed to unnerve Sans more, as he had no clue as to what they wanted, but Chara couldn't back down.
"sorry, kiddo. the shops not open, but if ya wanted somethin' to eat, i'm sure paps would love to have another go around." They examined him a moment, trying to read into what he was trying to say. He knew they were dying... and he his first words were suggesting to go to Papyrus. Chara couldn't help but smile sadly...
"I'm not here for a hot dog, and I don't think Papyrus can.. help me in this." Their voice faltered and they felt again that this was a bad idea, but it was their bad idea and they had to see it through. "I need just a moment of your time."
Sans hesitated again... but then he sat back into his chair and tried to look relaxed.
"well then. slide over your nickel. the doctor is in."
It was as if they were exchanging pauses and hesitation more than words. Chara half frowned in confusion, the nickel throwing them off.
"what's up, kid?" Sans prompted as they took his joke too seriously and too long to answer.
Chara's stomach turned and Frisk pushed a wave of warmth their way. Chara could feel Frisk's curiosity but also their alert presence, ready to pounce if Chara did something damaging to themself like they had last time... But they stood back, letting Chara keep control... The trust... Chara didn't understand.
And they also didn't understand...
"How do you... show Mercy to somebody who doesn't deserve it?" Chara asked... forcing themself with extreme difficulty to keep Sans' gaze. Sans raised a brow and Chara broke and finally looked away. He couldn't understand what they were thinking about. Not with being told everything. "Never mind. Forget it." They mumbled. "But..."
ME/R/CY
"How do you give somebody Mercy who won't accept it?"
They looked back up, their eyes pleading with him for an honest answer.
"i..." Sans seemed utterly surprised and he didn't seem able to find the words. Just as Chara expected...
They looked down again.
"He doesn't stop... He won't stop." The image of Asgore's head lowered, his shattered expression whenever he turned to greet them and realized what they were, his broken father's heart... Chara closed their eyes tightly, the pain flooding them and Frisk could do nothing to counter that. "How do we make him stop? We-" Chara gasped loudly, the familiarity of the question hitting them. They looked up, eyes wide. "That's your question!"
Sans blinked...
"uh... i'm sorry, you lost me."
"That's your question!" Chara repeated. "How to make us stop! How to make Frisk happy? What do they want?" They twisted in the direction of New Home. "What does he want? How do we make Asgore happy-?" They lifted their hands to their temples, rubbing at them as they stared unfocused at the ground. "No. I know that." They chastised themself. "I know all that."
Asgore was just like Frisk... he wanted to give everyone hope. To make them happy. But if they ever got that... Flowey came. Flowey ruined it.
Chara's head dropped...
This conversation was absolutely pointless.
"This is impossible..." Chara whispered.
No, it's not! We just have to keep trying! We just need to take a break! And start again later!, Frisk pounced on the doubt but Chara was unmoved.
They were being logical, they reasoned.
Chara looked up, their insides eating them up.
"But Frisk deserves to stay." They looked up at Sans once again, willing him to understand even without them telling him everything. "Frisk deserves to stay, Sans. This is just impossible! It's an impossible choice! They're just a child!"
.
"chara, you're just a kid, too."
.
Chara, you're just the same!, Frisk countered. Chara stopped short, but... Still they pressed forward. Their point still stood. They leaned in across the station, their eyes desperate.
"You're the judge. If you told him... If you talked to Asgore..." They could see Sans' metaphorical heart breaking. His entire stance dropped and the lights in his eyes, while they didn't disappear entirely, did, in fact, darken.
"the king isn't going to listen to me, kid... not one person he barely knows over the hopes of the entire underground."
It clearly pained him to say it, and for that, even though Chara felt the despair seeping in, they also felt they liked him a bit better for it. It didn't help them in the slightest, but at the very least they knew he understood. And that he did, in fact, want to help.
He just didn't see anyway he could...
This was impossible. This really was impossible! But there still had to be a way! Something they weren't seeing! They had failed in everything else! There had to be a way!
Their grip on The Locket was merciless as their mind raced. The back of their eyes were starting to sting and they realized they were on the verge of crying again.
"hey..." Sans leaned in. Chara blinked and tried their best to focus on him through their blurred vision. "have a mint. free of charge."
He offered them a cylinder object and Chara sniffed and reached to open the lid. They didn't want it, but they knew it was all Sans had to offer. And besides, maybe it would help with the growing ache in their stoma-
Chara gasped as they jumped back, whatever object that had been in the can flying towards them. It hit their arm and they flailed to get it away from them. When they had calmed down enough, the affronting, fake snake lay lifeless on the ground and they stared at it in continued shock. They glanced over towards Sans who was cringing, seeming not to be sure if that had been for the best...
He'd...
He'd pranked them.
They'd been in the middle of a serious conversation and he'd...
Chara heard Frisk attempt to hold back a giggle and it only made Chara smile wider.
"You think your so funny!" The tone of their voice helped Sans relax and he offered them a smile.
"well the laugh in your voice seems to agree that i am."
Chara laughed out right at that. And they didn't stop. Frisk couldn't hold back their laugh either and they leaned up against the station to support themself. The tears were still in their eyes but this time it was because they were laughing so hard.
"You're a jerk." They told him. But they were still smiling. Sans just shrugged and sat back in his chair.
"i've been called worse." Chara hummed in agreement, but something caught their eye. At his feet was a box full of similar junk; whoopee cushions, buzzers, things they weren't sure what they would be used for. Chara looked away but the realization was already working its way into their mind.
He'd come here... Because they were dying... And all he could do, at the end of it all, was offer them that bad laugh.
"it's getting late." He told them. Chara's smile fell and they felt Frisk grow colder. "you should get some rest... i... i'm sure papyrus would love to have you for the night."
Chara stared at him, reading him, even as Frisk grew radiant again, joyful.
Good food, bad laughs, friends and family...
"He once said, or... maybe he didn't say it anymore, but he once said he thought I would enjoy the couch." They admitted softly. Sans' smile grew a bit more genuine.
"well then. it's settled." He offered them a hand. "we should get goin'."
Chara glanced back in the direction of New Home, the hesitation still there and their stomach still turning. They closed their eyes tightly and took his hand.
The world spun beneath them, and then it was solid ground again.
"SAN-! HUMAN!" Chara and Frisk opened their eyes, already offering him the greatest smile that they could.
Papyrus lifted them up, telling them that their hang out had been superb BUT now that they were friends with both he and Undyne! And that Undyne was also staying in Snowdin! They could all have the most fantastic sleep over the Underground had ever seen!
Frisk laughed, and Chara... Chara was growing determined again. They were going to do this. Frisk and Asgore deserved their happy ending! Deserved hope! Family! A home!
That was what they wanted.
Chara noticed Sans in the corner of Frisk's vision, watching them, still nervous but seeming happy to see Frisk smile.
As if.. that was what he wanted, also.
That too, filled Chara with determination.
Frisk was right.. They needed to stop. They needed to rest. All of their thoughts were running together. They weren't able to think everything through.
They'd get to the bottom of this. Together.
Author's note: I'm at this weird place where I am excited to write everything when I get to it but then end up kinda hating it once I'm done and I'm just like... okay.
And oh shit, we're over 200k.
Some one shot, huh?