That evening, after showering and changing into her lounge wear, Calliope knocked on the door to the Skelebros' room.

It was Russ who greeted her, dressed in his usual evening attire of a t-shirt and striped pyjama bottoms. He welcomed her into their room that smelt of men's aftershave, freshly brewed tea and-

"Is that chocolate cake?" Calliope asked, the decadent aroma filling her nose. She'd already brushed her teeth but, as her eyes fell on the sleek, glossy surface of the ganache covered confectionary in question, she knew she'd have to do it again.

"Heh, sniffed it out already hm?" Sam's voice came from the bathroom.

"Sato kindly let Sam use his baking appliances," Russ smiled, pouring Calliope a steaming cup of white tea and handing it to her as they both settled down in the comfy chairs in front of the window.

Outside, the last of the suns rays were draining slowly from the sky. It looked like it was going to be a clear night. Stars were beginning to appear and the crickets had already begun their nightly chorus.

"So, shall we eat cake before, after or during our talk?" Russ asked, sipping his tea as he crossed his long legs at the ankles. Sam came and perched at the end of his bed as there were only two armchairs in the room. He turned his light eyes on Calliope.

"That's up to, Calli."

Of course, she wanted it right away. As they sat and ate the indulgent dessert, Calliope took the time to go over everything she had planned to say. They had gathered in the Skelebros room to discuss the future of their team. It mostly came down to what Calliope desired to do. While she was in the shower, she had thought long and hard about what it was she wanted. It was all still so surreal to her. It had been almost a month since she had woken up from her petrification and, according to the Skelebros, almost 5 months since they first arrived in Japan.

Back in America, their shared apartment lay empty and the media had begun to investigate the prolonged absence of one of America's favourite hero teams. Of course, the news of Calliope's incident had reached all the major networks. And that's when the rumours and speculations had begun to spread. As usual, the Skelebros refused to speak to the Media and strongly suggested that Calliope avoid peeking at any of the articles that were beginning to surface. But of course, she couldn't help herself and had scanned through some late one night.

None were particularly cruel but some did hint at the fact that Calliope's quirk may be too unpredictable for her to continue as a hero. Other articles focused more on her supposed relationship with her two mentors. She cringed as she read how some journalists suspected a love triangle between them, or some form of unprofessional mentor/apprentice relationship. No wonder the brothers hated interacting with the media. She had closed her laptop soon after.

The conversation over the cake was light and cheerful. They joked over Calliope's victory over Sam and Papyrus shared stories about how he and his brother would play fight as children. Sam would always let his younger sibling win. At least that's what he kept saying while Russ shook his head laughing.

Soon enough, however, talk had to finally turn to more serious matters; the real reason why they had gathered together so late in the evening.

"I know it's been tough on you Calli."

"Tough being an understatement."

"But, as you know, our home is in America and we have to decide our next course of action."

Calliope looked from one brother to the next, her spoon toying idly with the few crumbs of chocolate cake left on her plate.

"What are our options?" She asked, placing it on the coffee table in front of her.

Russ hummed in thought and uncrossed his legs.

"Well, there are a few choices. The three of us can either stay here for a while longer and continue your training within UA, or we can travel back to America and finish your training there with Sam and I as your sole mentors again."

Calliope sighed as Sam continued.

"Or, you can always choose to go down your own path. You certainly proved you're more than capable."

Calliope frowned. Did he mean leaving the team and going solo? No, that was never an option for her. Growing up, Calliope had never known the love and support of a family. She had accidentally killed her own father and was disowned by her own mother. She had grown up in an orphanage and it was only thanks to the kindness of one of the carers that she had gotten on the right path towards an education at Juggernaut. Although, Calliope had often suspected that the carer was in fact scared of her and chose to send her away to the school in order to keep the other children safe from her quirk.

Regardless, it was only after waking up from her petrification and hearing all about how she had achieved a family-like unit with the Skelebros and a blossoming career as a pro hero that she finally found hope. Despite losing her memory of it all, to know she had once been truly happy and accepted was motivation enough to keep trying. Her mentors, her friends, her new found family hadn't given up on her so neither would she.

"What ever happens, I don't want to leave you." She spoke, trying not to sound weak. It didn't help that she wasn't wearing her visor and had to keep her eyes averted when she addressed them.

But even from her downward stare, she could still make out the two brothers exchange a glance with one another. They were both smiling affectionately.

"We're glad to hear that, Calli." Russ cooed, and he took her by the shoulder from across the table.

"I don't think Sam and I would feel much like a team without you alongside us anymore."

Calliope grunted a laugh, her head tilting heedlessly against his hand as it continued to squeeze her shoulder. When her cheek touched the back of it, he turned it over to cup her face gently.

"And for the record..." he smiled, his thumb caressing her jawline, "we don't consider you as our apprentice. Even after everything that's happened and even though you may feel like you've been hurtled backwards, you've come so far..."

She tried not to cry. Luckily, he withdrew his hand and sat back into his chair.

"You're our teammate and our friend. And over these past few months, we both agree that you've taught us just as much as we've taught you."

Calliope sniffed and wished she had her visor to hide behind. And when she felt Sam's cool hand on her arm, she couldn't hold back her tears any longer.

Funnily enough, this was one of the few times she'd actually cried during the whole ordeal. And this time, it was tears of happiness that she dabbed away with the napkin Sam had handed to her.

"You're an inspiration, Calli." Sam uttered gently. He was now perched on the arm of her chair, his hand placed softly on her head as she leaned against him.

"Whatever you want to do, we'll support you."

She nodded her head as it rested under his arm. Russ was still smiling opposite her.

"So cheer up!" Sam chimed, replacing his gentle embrace with an amicable shake.

"Enough of this soppy crap. Let's talk business, hm?"

Calliope gave a small laugh as she wiped away the last of her tears. Russ leaned forwards, his hands clasped in front of him.

"So, your orders please, Miss?"

Heaving a breath to steady to voice, Calliope told the brothers of her desire to remain in Japan a little while longer; she was not quite ready to leave everyone behind.

Her memory loss had taken her back to a very lonely and stressful time of her life. She had woken up from her petrification believing she was still 21 years old, friendless and about to take her final exams. Since waking up to discover she was in fact 22, popular and about to finish her apprenticeship with the pro-hero duo the Skelebros however, she had only felt love and support from everyone around her. She wasn't ready to leave that all behind so soon.

Of course, the Skelebros understood and reassured her that they were earning enough money from teaching at UA to extend their stay in Japan. As for their home in America, the rent on their apartment was paid off for the rest of the year anyway and Russ' old mentor Undyne the Undying had kindly offered to take care of the place in their absence. Their many houseplants would thankfully all survive.

"So, that settles it. We'll continue your training here at UA until the end of term." Russ declared cheerily.

"Sounds perfect; so long as I can still eat cake." Calliope retorted and helped herself to another slice. The cups of tea had been replaced by flutes of champagne. Sam had been keeping a bottle under his bed. It was meant to be for their last night, but it had lay forgotten after the farewell party. There hadn't been a cause to celebrate after that...

"Of course, so long as you promise to never get me in an arm-bar again," Sam smirked. He rolled his left shoulder as Calliope and Russ chuckled.

And the laughter and jokes continued late into the night, the chocolate cake didn't stand a chance.