July 27th, 2022: Earth

Chara held open the door of the restaurant open for Kid, allowing the yellow-scaled reptile to exit the building they had just dined in. He grinned down at her gratefully, before he exited properly.

Chara shook her head in amusement before following, letting the door swing itself shut behind her. She took the opportunity to look over the young Monster while she could. He had grown a little over the years, and was now a few inches taller than her. Not only that, but the scales around his mouth had darkened to brown, giving the impression that he had a goatee.

It had surprised her when she first realized that, but she couldn't say she was disappointed.

"You know… it feels like it's been forever since we last went on a proper date," Kid mentioned, pressing against her as she caught up.

"Well, you were busy with the exams, and then your soccer practice," Chara told him, nudging him slightly as they walked side-by-side down the street. "I suppose I can't fault you for that."

"I'm glad highschool is over now," the Monster grumbled, narrowing his eyes behind his ever-present visor. "I mean, it wasn't so bad before, but… since you stopped coming…"

Chara shuddered, her gaze going down. An arm went around Kid, squeezing him gently.

"I'm sorry…"

"Hey," Kid nuzzled gently at the top of her head, mussing her hair a little. "Don't be like that, I totally get it. I know how hard it is for you to be with Humans now… it's totally fine."

A small, grateful smile graced Chara's lips.

"You could have always dropped out and come home schooled with me and Frisk," she teased.

"I thought about it, believe me," the reptile grumbled, pulling his muzzle away from her. "But… there's some things I can't do at home."

"Mom's a really good teacher," Chara glanced up at Kid a little. "But I guess she wouldn't be able to do much in the field you're interested in, huh, Mr. sporty boy?"

Kid laughed, the sound lifting Chara's spirit a little.

"Not really," He agreed.

"How is that coming for you, anyways?" Chara asked curiously.

Kid chewed on a scaly lip quietly for a few moments.

"Well, I was talking to my coach… and there still aren't really any official Monster teams, and right now… they're not letting Monsters into the normal leagues. They're worried that we'll have an unfair advantage.

"But!" he continued hurriedly, offsetting the angry growl that he had known Chara would make. "My coach says I'm pretty good at this stuff… he actually suggested that I try coaching kids to do this myself!"

The robotic girl blinked in surprise, her tail twitching unconsciously behind her.

"Do you think you'll go for it?"

The Monster nodded after a moment's hesitation.

"I think so. I do really like soccer and… well, teaching it could be fun! Maybe I'd get my own team!"

The robot squeezed him gently with the arm around his torso.

"Good for you," she told him sincerely. "I'm glad you're able to do something you enjoy." Her voice was a little distant, And Kid frowned in concern.

"What about you?" he asked, pausing for a moment as a particularly loud truck went down the road. "You're technically graduated now too… what do you want to do?"

Slowly, a sly smirk crossed Chara's features.

"Oh, I have an idea or two," She purred, picking up her pace and tugging on his shirt. "But not here. Let's go to the old skate park, okay?"

"Sure thing!"

"Been awhile since we been here too, hasn't it?" Kid mentioned, surveying the old skate park where so many sparring matches had taken place. Time had not been kind to it, the protective coating that had kept the wood safe from the elements had worn off, and many of the wooden structures had begun to rot.

"It's seen better days, hasn't it?" Chara sat on the edge of the old skate bowl that had often served as an arena. "I guess keeping it in good repair hasn't been a priority for the city."

"Maybe we could get uncle Mettaton to get it fixed up?"

A soft laugh carried through the warm breeze from Chara's lips, her synthetic tones causing the sound to carry.

"Wouldn't that be something? The most powerful and wealthy person in the world fixing up an old skate park? Though I guess the rich do tend to have a few… eccentricities."

"Just a few?" Kid teased, settling beside her and nuzzling at her neck gently, earning a contented sound from the robot, who closed her eyes.

"Probably more than a few when it comes to that robot," Chara allowed, enjoying the feel of his warm scales against her cool metal. Kid hummed against her, then pulled away for a moment. Chara turned her head towards him, only to let out a surprised cry as he kissed her properly.

It was only a moment before she slowly wrapped her arms around him in response, holding him close while they kissed. It was more than just the physical contact, their lips mashing together and their tongues slipping out to play with each other… their feelings, the love that each held for the other… all of that carried through. Chara closed her eyes, reveling in the sensation of being with the one she loved.

All too soon it ended, And they both pulled away from each other, slightly out of breath and laughing softly, their love reflected in their eyes as they gazed at each other. After a moment, Chara pulled her arms away from Kid and began to go through her pockets, a smirk gracing her pale lips.

Kid cocked his head at her curiously. The robot couldn't help but shiver a little at his brown-eyed gaze.

"Chara?"

"Kid," she started. "Do you remember what you said to me all those years ago, on that hill, under the stars?"

The boy blinked slowly, a concentrated expression crossing his face. Chara sighed. Of course. It had been so casual, so natural… it probably hadn't impacted him the same way it had her.

"When you basically proposed to me?" She prompted, a hint of fond agitation in her synthetic voice.

Another moment, then his expression cleared.

"Oh! That!"

Chara snorted and shook her head, smacking the reptile gently, the action leaving a small ringing sound.

"Dammit Kid!" She admonished, though there was no real anger in her words. "Is 'Oh, that' really all you have to say?"

"I dunno, it didn't seem like a big deal." Her boyfriend had the decency to look a little sheepish however. Chara let out a little groan.

"I almost had a nervous breakdown after that!"

"What?" Kid started in surprise, his eyes doing a worthy impression of dinner plates. "Why?"

"Why do you think?" Chara shot back. "I didn't know you felt that strongly! You hadn't even told me you loved me yet!"

Kid ducked his head a bit.

"I thought it was obvious…"

"I'm not a Monster, Kid." The robot reached out, lifting up his chin so he could look her in the eye. "I can't see these things as well as you do. But we're getting off topic."

With her other hand she pulled something from her pocket and held it up for her boyfriend's inspection. It was a large, round clasp made of gold and dotted with gems that matched Kid's scales. The reptile sucked in a breath, staring at it in awe.

"It's so pretty!"

Chara couldn't help but laugh at that.

"Yeah," She agreed once she had herself under control again. "It is. Kid… School's over for us. We can do whatever we want now. I don't know what I can do anymore… things are so much different than what I thought they would be but… I need you."

Her eyes were full of emotion. Hope, love and a tinge of fear and desperation.

"I can't imagine life without you," she said softly. "I have no idea how you've managed to accept me through all these years, but I'm so grateful for it. I want to make that official… to be your… your wife."

Kid was silent, and just as Chara was about to voice her concern, he pressed into her, kissing her passionately again, almost making her drop the circlet.

"I don't want to live without you either, Chara," he murmured against her lips, causing shivers of delight to run through her. "I know what that's like… and it's not really living." He pulled away and grinned broadly at her.

"Let's do it!" he declared.

Chara let out a happy laugh and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. After a few moments, she untangled herself and grinned widely at him.

"Then let's see if this thing fits, hmm?"

"Where does it go?" Kid asked, eyeing it apprehensively. "I mean…"

"Just trust me."

Chara got up and pulled Kid to his feet as well. Then she stepped behind him, pushing him back when he tried to turn to face her. She unclasped the ornament, then tested it on his tail between two of the spikes near the base. Gently, she closed it and clasped it so that it would remain shut. Then she stepped back to admire her handiwork, her own tail swishing in anticipation.

Kid craned his neck around to try and get a look at it.

"It's weird having something there," he mumbled, before brightening. "But if it means we're together… I'll get used to it! It's great!"

He let out a happy laugh, bouncing a little in pure excitement. Chara very much wanted to kiss him again, but first…

She pulled a ring out of her pocket, too large for her fingers, but not by much. It too was gold, with a small red gem encrusted on it. She moved her tail, whipping it up so that it was easily accessible. Then, as Kid watched, she slid it down the limb, almost to the same spot where Kid's was.

"There we go," she murmured, stepping closer and wrapping her tail lovingly about his own. "Now we match."

"I love you so much, Chara," Kid's voice trembled with awe, and he nuzzled at her face fiercely, drawing a delighted giggle from the robot.

"I love you too," she declared, before pulling him in for another kiss.

A quiet hum accompanied the little ghost as he floated about his home, preparing food for his son's arrival. A small smile graced his form, a smile of pride. Kid had graduated, he was considering a new life. He had never been so proud of the boy and yet…

The smile faded as he pulled a container wrapped with aluminum foil out of the oven and set it on top of the stove. He was proud, truly but…

Kid was growing up. Grown up really. Napstablook had entered his life because he needed him, but he didn't need him anymore did he? He had Chara, he had friends… maybe there wasn't any room in his life for this one little ghost.

Napstablook faded slightly at the thought, but quickly reformed when he heard the door burst open and claws tapping swiftly against the floor, indicating Kid's arrival.

"Dad! Dad!"

"I'm in here," Napstablook called, at about the same moment that Kid appeared. The reptile's eyes were bright with excitement and happiness, and he was practically vibrating as he approached the ghost.

"Dad! Chara and I got engaged!" Kid turned swiftly, showing off the clasp about his tail. The lights flickered and danced across the metal as he moved.

"Oh… that's nice," the ghost mumbled, trying to put some happiness into his voice, even as the crushing knowledge that he was no longer needed pressed down on him like an invisible hand.

"I know, right?" Kid enthused, unaware of his father's turmoil. "This is the greatest day of my life! We're gonna get married!"

"Oh… good… um, when's it going to be?" Napstablook asked, struggling against the despair. "The wedding, I mean."

"Chara's gonna talk to her parents," Kid informed him, briefly checking his visor for a moment. "But soon!"

Napstablook jerked in alarm, then sagged.

"Oh… really?"

Finally, Kid noticed his father's apparent distress and frowned, stepping closer.

"Dad… are you alright?"

"Oh… I'm fine…" Napstablook assured, though his soul wasn't really in it. "I was just a little surprised is all… oh no, I don't mean to be a downer…" Napstablook paused, then quickly changed the subject before Kid could investigate.

"Um… where are you going to live? If you don't mind me asking…"

Kid cocked his head in confusion, caught off-guard by the question.

"Here, of course."

"Ohhh… Okay...

"Dad, what's wrong? Aren't you happy?"

The Ghost raised his form up a little, managing a smile.

"I am," he assured. "I'm very happy for you, just... " He ruffled his form. "Oh, it's not important. I can find somewhere else to live…"

"What are you talking about?" Kid questioned, now thoroughly confused.

"Well, if you and Chara are living here… I don't want to get in the way…"

"Oh, Dad…" Kid stepped forward and pressed into the ghost as much as he could in a makeshift hug. The unexpected gesture caused a little gasp to escape the ghost, who faded a little at the contact.

"Is this what you were worried about?" The young Monster shook his head. "Dad, I don't want you to leave. I want you to stay here, with us."

Napstablook blinked slowly.

"Really?" He managed after a moment.

"Of course!" Kid pulled back a bit, looking directly him. "I love you, Dad. I don't want you to just… leave. Unless," Sudden doubt crossed his face. "Unless it would be too crowded for you?"

Napstablook shook his form firmly.

"No, no! It's not that, just… I didn't think you'd want me around… if you have Chara…"

"Never," Kid declared with a little smile. "You're my Dad."

It took a moment for that to sink in, but then the little ghost seemed to light up in delight. He reached out with his magic, wrapping it around Kid in his version of a hug.

"Thank you…"

Kid hummed happily, pressing as close to the ghost as he could without phasing through him.

"Now, if that's done… wanna help get some music ready for the wedding? There's a lot to plan!"

The only response was a flustered mumble and Napstablook faded from Kid's sight… much to the reptile's amusement.