Sorry for the delay. Lots of things happened and it was just a hard week.
I make updates over on deviantart (as well as inappropriate jokes) so if you want the full scoop check my status updates over there.
Also, I've noticed drinking shows up a lot in my writing. Heavy Drinking is not a lighthearted issue. Sans is just a freaking troll. Plus is legal with monsters soooo :b well, here it is. Not in Skeledad. Not like it stopped him…
Lol.
Asgore stiffened a little.
Frisk felt a small pang of worry and maybe a little shyness, but she pushed it away.
Asgore turned around slowly.
"F-frisk?"
"…Hi."
When Asgore smiled the biggest smile in the Underground, she felt herself doing the same.
And when he got down on his knees and opened up his arms, she couldn't resist that as well.
She bounded over and accepted his hug request, burying her face in his fur. It smelled the same as his house, with a tiny hint of his fire magic.
"Little one, I never though… I'd see you again." Asgore sniffed.
"…told ya." Frisk looked up. She was aware her tail was wagging but she didn't care.
"Yes, I know." Asgore ruffled her hair with his giant paw. Frisk noticed that he was no longer holding back like he used too. Maybe he could sense she had grown stronger and slightly more confident? Or maybe the saying about absence making the heart grow fonder was true after all.
"Uhhh…" Sans was standing awkwardly in the doorway.
Asgore looked up, and the light in his eyes faded.
The two stared at each other for a short while, and Frisk felt a bit of iciness in the exchange.
What… why? Oh… I think I know… Asgore knows he hated humans… Frisk swallowed.
Maybe Sans coming along wasn't the best idea…
"… Hello Sans." Asgore said tightly, still maintaining his usual demeanor with bitterness swept under the carpet.
"…heya. Long time no see, eh?"
"Hmmm…" Asgore looked at her again.
"Is he your friend?"
Frisk nodded.
"Yeah. Actually, the only reason I'm still alive his him. On multiple occasions…" Frisk looked back over at Sans, and he gave a wink.
Good call.
Asgore's gaze returned back to the skeleton, and it was slightly warmer.
"Well, for that I must thank you. A friend of Frisk's is certainly a friend of mine."
Frisk breathed a sigh of relief, and she was sure Sans did too.
She knew not to mistake Asgore's kindness for weakness.
"So, what is it you are here for?" Asgore asked casually.
Frisk pulled away, brushing little white hairs from her shirt. She wondered if Sans had to do the same after getting a hug from her.
"To see you. I missed you. I forgot to come here sooner…" Frisk rubbed the back of her head.
Sans took a few steps forward until he was beside her. He still looked wary. Frisk was unsure if it was leftover from the Undyne incident or his… past with the king.
She was sure Asgore knew about Sans and his hatred of humans by the way Asgore's eyes fixed on him, watching his every twitch.
"It's alright, little one. I'm glad you've come at all. Have you fared well? Oh dear, your poor ear…" Asgore leaned in a little closer, looking at her scarred ear.
Frisk flicked it to show it functioned in full.
"Nothing much. I've actually accumulated a lot of scars and stuff but I'm still alive, I guess… that's a plus." Frisk chuckled nervously.
Asgore frowned.
"It still isn't very good, though I guess you have a point. My, is your hand hurt?"
Frisk held up the hand, bulky wrapping and all.
"Yup. Broken."
"Who treated it?" Asgore looked it over.
"Doctor Alphys. The royal scientist. The wrappings messy because I did the last wrap myself though…"
Asgore smiled.
"She was always a good monster, that one. I'm glad you've both met and have both made a good friend. I always thought you two would click."
"Yeah, I guess. Hey, why are you wearing… tacky stuff?" She wasn't used to seeing summer wear.
"There was a leak above my closet. I am currently washing most of my clothes and the rest are drying. I do keep the house nice and warm, though. I must look quite odd considering what you've seen outside." The big monster laughed.
"So… just like the old one, huh?" Sans chimed in. His eye lights were scanning the kitchen.
Asgore's smile wavered slightly.
"Yes, I suppose it was homesickness. Anyways… would you two like to stay the night? I suppose if… Frisk's friend wishes to stay he can sleep in the same room since there are two beds, but…"
Asgore's brow furrowed.
"Of course! If it's not trouble… and don't worry about Sans. I keep him in check."
Sans put his hands up.
"I promise not to touch your kind of adoptive child tonight. In any harmful ways."
"Child?"
"Come on, look at you two. He's your goat daddy."
"… don't say it like that. It's creepy."
"Don't worry, if it was like that he would no longer exist."
"I suppose I've always been fatherly to those that need it…" Asgore was staring at Sans now. Probably because of his casual, passive aggressive threat. And maybe because of the weird protective thing Sans had developed as of late.
Sans coughed. Asgore cleared his throat.
"Well, I am in the process of cleaning up for dinner now. I'm sure your… friend... will like to be shown around and you would like to be situated."
Frisk flicked her ears in approval.
"Yeah…"
Asgore smiled warmly and ruffled her hair lightly again. Frisk wasn't used to the affectionate action coming from someone other than Sans but it was welcome.
"Don't be shy, little one. No need."
Frisk grinned nervously before following Sans out of the room.
She met up with him in the hallway outside her former room.
"…you sure were in a hurry." Frisk noticed.
Sans looked away.
"… he's giving me both the dad treatment and he knows that I used to hate humans. He ain't trusting me anytime soon."
"I'm sure you'll get his trust. He's real nice."
"Pffft, I think I'd turn into a cat before that'd happen. Especially with… recent events." Sans rubbed his nose, hiding guilt.
Frisk sighed.
"What happened to putting the past behind you, Sans? That counts as past too. Besides, he doesn't know. And he doesn't have to."
"Well… man, Frisk, you make some really poor life choices sometimes. I hope you know that. Most people would take the healthy route and get away from the dangerous wolf skeleton. But nooooooo… ya' aren't as smart as you should be."
"I'm smarter than you." Frisk joked.
"True. Anyways, seeing you two interact like that… sorta made me happy. I remember how you said you never had a father figure in your life before. It's good you've found one now." Sans played with the corner of his jacket, old regret edging his voice.
Frisk blinked, feeling the familiar stone of guilt and sorrow in her gut. Sans was jealous.
"I never thought of it like that before… I guess… but you know, with a little work I'm sure he could be like a father figure to you too. From what I've heard he was like one to most of his former subjects. Sorta like Toriel… they look pretty similar, you know."
Sans snorted and covered his mouth.
Frisk raised a brow.
"What?"
"…do you not know?"
"What?" Frisk whined.
Sans let out s few stray laughs.
"… wow. Just wow. Toriel and Asgore used to be married. They made a baby. Asgore was Toriel's goat daddy first." Sans burst out laughing.
"What?! How… oh my god. How did I not know!" Frisk threw her arms up.
"Cause you're stupid."
"I am not! I just… don't think like you. Everything has to be about intercourse with you."
"Is that a bad thing?"
Frisk narrowed her eyes and smirked.
"It is if I tell Asgore."
Sans's smile faded.
"No. Nada. No consento. He already thinks there's a thing going on between us, he doesn't need anymore reason to suspect that."
"… he does?"
"Yes. That's what I mean by dad treatment. Actually… I get that a lot. Everyone in town thinks we're a deal. We are done talking about this. I'm going to the bathroom." Sans turned heel and walked down the hall, dropping the bag on the floor.
Frisk felt a prick of embarrassment and curiosity at why Sans just floored it. He didn't look too happy… was she that bad?
Frisk picked the bag off the floor and entered her old room. It had gained a chill from being closed off.
I guess it's a reasonable assumption… especially since we've cuddled before… platonically. But… we do sorta look like a couple, don't we? Huh. Frisk put the bag on her bed.
She actually wasn't mentally cringing.
It's not like we are. It's just a little more emotionally dependent than most normal friend relationships because we both needed someone to lean on… but it's not in a romantic way. If I were a guy and or he were a girl it wouldn't look like it is.
Frisk looked at the wall, deep in thought.
Though, I suppose a relationship like that wouldn't be horrible. He's a complete idiot, but I guess there's some charm to that. If he were a good looking human I'm sure I'd be all over that… heh. Though looks never really mattered much to me. Which is why no one other than sweethearts like Rocky would ever be interested. Sans is probably weirded out by the idea. And I'm weirded out by the idea of a skeleton with a wiener. I still can't imagine… ew.
Frisk blinked blankly.
Oh well. He's intolerable anyways.
Frisk left the room and looked around the house a little, memories from what felt like forever ago but in reality was probably a month or two ago swarming her brain. How long was she down here anyways?
Frisk pulled out her phone and sat in the big chair by the fire waiting for Sans. It was covered in Asgore's white fur. She missed how she sank into the cushions.
Sans finally returned after she scrolled through a couple pages of memes and Papyrus.
"I can't believe you actually left the little fleabag at home." He commented.
Frisk looked up.
"…don't remind me. I hope he's okay…"
"I hope he gets in the garbage disposal."
"Sans! You do not think like that! You like him too!"
"No, I tolerate him." Sans plopped down on the arm of the chair like he owned it.
Frisk winced at the wrapping on his knee. It looked even worse than the wrapping on her hand considering how bulky it had to be to avoid even the slightest touch sending him into agony.
Frisk scratched behind her ear and continued scrolling through memes, feeling at home. Sans leaned over to look on. His phone was most likely dead or at home. What she liked to call in the "Sans condition".
Frisk bristled a little when she felt his fingers rub the tip of her ear ever so slightly, running them along the scar. Her eyes darted between him and her phone screen, but she kept silent.
Besides being unexpected, it wasn't that bad.
Frisk settled back into the chair and ignored it for the time being.
Asgore called in a few minutes later.
"Oh, Sans? Are you allergic to anything that I should know about?"
"Uhhh…" Sans looked up, looking kind of dazed. Was he falling asleep?
"…I'm a little lactose intolerant. Not too much that I would care though."
"Wait, you are?" Frisk looked up at him.
Asgore hummed something from the other room.
Sans rubbed his chin.
"Yeah. I'm too lazy to actually care though."
"You say that about a lot of things and most of those things are things that are very much worrying about."
"What? You think imma commit suicide with milk or something?" Sans raised his browbone.
Frisk frowned.
"Not funny Sans."
"Okay, okay, sorry. Heh… I can't believe humans are stupid enough to eat cool looking laundry detergent."
He was glancing at the picture currently on the screen.
Frisk felt humiliated for being a human at the time.
"I can't believe it either. And I have the feeling you would actually be one of them stupid enough to do it."
"If I'm hungry I'm hungry. But I just wanna squish it. I like squishy things."
"I've noticed."
Frisk made a mental note to get Sans a chew toy and probably borrow a metal chest plate from Undyne for extra protection.
The room was silent for a few more moments, save for the clunking made by Asgore in the kitchen and his carefree humming.
"… Frisk. I've been meaning to ask. I found an empty box of milky bones this morning in my room."
Frisk stiffened.
"…must be from Rocky?"
"Are you eating dog treats?"
"…no. Ask Grillby. I didn't eat the dog biscuit Rocky got me."
"No, I don't care. I just wanted to say share some next time."
Frisk looked up at him in surprise.
"Huh? S…ure?"
Sans broke into a laughing fit.
"Got ya, ya sick dog. Ya nasty."
Frisk slapped his arm and then pushed him off the chair for good measure.
Asgore picked this moment to enter the room with a plate in his hands.
"My, Frisk, I'm relieved to see you do not stand for a boy's antics. Reminds me of a certain someone I knew long ago. Except I was a very well behaved and mannered child." Asgore said the last sentence while looking straight at Sans on the floor.
Sans poker faced.
"… I didn't do anything. She ate milky bones."
"Sans! Shush!" Frisk threw her arms out, forgetting her phone was in her hands. It fell from her grip and hit the floor with a sickening thud.
Frisk felt her eyes bulging out of her head.
"…uh oh."
"…I've never seen a phone like that before. It looks nice." Asgore said awkwardly.
Frisk bent to pick it up while glaring at the skeleton on the floor across from it.
She flipped it over and found the corner of the screen cracked, but it was still on. Thank the phone gods.
Sans got up and bent his head over to glance at the phone.
"…hey. It still works."
"You aren't going to be that lucky." Frisk said coldly. "Unless your skull will maybe fix itself with a few cracks."
Sans's eye lights dilated and he took a few steps back.
Asgore burst out laughing as he set the plate of what looked like chicken onto the table. It smelled delicious, making her mouth water.
"Goodness have you grown! If I didn't know any better I would think you could be related to Toriel!"
Sans giggled.
"…I know her…" Frisk never thought of Toriel as the cold type, but then again she never seen the large monster in public.
Asgore's eyes widened a little.
"Oh… is she well?"
Frisk shrunk a little at the sadness in his eyes.
"…yes. She gave me that phone. And she treated me when I had a bad infection."
Asgore shuffled a little.
"Yes, she was always one to help those in need. Especially children. Come and sit little ones, while I get the rest of the food."
Asgore left hastily, leaving Frisk feeling guilty for bringing her up.
She understood now.
Sans reached over and pushed something fast under the chair before following her to the table. Frisk was used to sitting on the couch or floor by now, and felt a little awkward in the chair.
Frisk growled slightly when she felt Sans kick her foot. She ignored him until he kicked again, at which point she kicked back.
"Missed."
"Saaaaaaaannnsss, grow up!" Frisk whined. He'd already embarrassed her once with the… milky bone thing.
"Friiiiiiiiiissssskkkk, you sound like you could grow up a little toooooooo." Sans teased and kicked at her feet again.
Thank goodness Asgore returned carrying more food, and a pitcher of some sort of drink. Frisk sniffed the air and found it to be presumably fruit punch.
"If one of you would rather water or something else let me know." Asgore said before pulling over the bigger chair and sitting in it.
"No thanks." Frisk liked the fruit punch. It was rather sweet, if she remembered correctly. Hopefully Sans didn't find it too sweet.
"Naw, I'm good." Sans waved his hand.
He shot her a challenging glance before looking at the legs on the chicken.
Oh no he didn't.
"Frisk, you like the legs if I remember correctly, right?"
Sans's mouth fell open.
Frisk gave him a smug look.
"Yes, I do."
Asgore passed a plate with the legs, as well as the rest of the food.
Sans had the expression of sweet defeat.
"Since I'm a nice person I'll let you have one too." Frisk finally said.
"…naw. I just wanted to see how mad you'd get." Sans chuckled a little.
Asgore looked over at him.
"… be nice to Frisk. Even when I am not around. Just because I am not kind any more does not mean you can escape punishment young man."
"Hey, hey, I was joking! We mess around with each other all the time! Right, Frisk?" Sans looked at her pleadingly.
Frisk felt a bout of karma coming on.
"… you're mean to me."
"What!? I am not mean to you! I'm mean to just about everyone else save for Papyrus though, not you! I gave you the last chunk of cookie dough in the ice cream! Because you'd probably cry if I didn't." Sans added the last part under his breath.
"See! He made fun of me!" Frisk pointed at him with a horribly suppressed smile.
"You stole my blanket last night! And you always hog the couch!"
"You make bad puns."
"You breathe."
Asgore looked a little overwhelmed but didn't say a word.
…
Dinner and the consequent events went by without much of a hitch. Frisk and Asgore talked like nothing had ever happened, even the fight before she left. It hadn't even touched her mind.
She liked sleeping in a bed again. Once again, her hand. Especially with her crappy re-wrap.
Sans had a look of mischief on the other side of the room in the second bed, and she was getting suspicious. He would keep turning over and then turn back, smiling wider.
Eventually a familiar smell hit her nose.
Frisk sat up.
"Sans."
Sans hiccuped.
"Huh?"
"… where the hell did you get more alcohol. Give." Frisk put her hand out.
"Awwww, nooooooo…" Sans shoved something under the blanket.
"Now."
"Fiiiinnnneee." Sans handed over a startlingly large bottle.
"You have issues. And I'm serious. If you don't want to go to an alcoholic program I suggest you stop." Frisk swished the bottle around by the neck, shooting Sans a semi-serious look.
Sans sat up, eyes half lidded. Either he got a ton of this stuff or he was tired.
"I'm not doin' anything bad. M' fine."
"Not when you get upset. And I'm not joking this time Sans. Seriously. You know I know a lot more about alcoholism than you think. And I don't want to see you go down that path- which you almost did. So no more sneaking drinks. Plus what if Asgore notices? Why does he even…" Frisk couldn't imagine saint goat dad as the party type.
Sans slumped a little.
"Oh… right. Sorry, I never… thought about it like that. I hope my horrible influence isn't bringing back any sort of bad memories or something… if anything bothers you just say so, I won't judge… seriously, anyways. I'll probably joke being the jackass I am."
Frisk hummed.
"Self aware as always. And don't worry. My mom may be an alcoholic but she never physically hit me or anything, if that's what you're thinking. It really wasn't that bad. At least she wasn't like some of the other people I saw at the bar…" Frisk shuddered, imagining what it would be like to be one of their children.
Sans's mouth tightened.
"Abuse can be emotional ya' know. And from what I can tell you have gone through it. You really could have been an outgoing, healthy, confident person. At least, I think. You threatening to crack my skull is a clue."
"That's called being pissed. And I don't think I want to be different. I like my sense of not wanting to die." Frisk chuckled a little and sat down cross legged on the floor. "But… thinking about my mom… what happens if we ever get to the surface together? I'd have to go back to avoid conflict… and I don't think they'd take lightly to my new… additions." Frisk thumped her tail against the floor for emphasis, feeling worry meet with her still full stomach.
Sans's face twisted into a snarl.
"You are not going back there if I can help it. Actually, I think I have a few words for both your mom and… sister, was it?"
"Sans, no. You know it can't be that way. I'd… now isn't the time to discuss what if scenarios…" Frisk stopped, seeing the look on Sans's face as one she didn't feel like messing with currently.
Sans sighed and calmed down a little. She was sure there was a tinge of blue in his eye previously.
"Yeah, you're right… About one thing. The other thing… this isn't a what if. It's gonna happen. Remember?"
"I don't know. I have a feeling, but I don't know if it's just a hope or an actual instinct…" Frisk looked down.
Sans leaned forward a little bit.
"Look, you've got intuition. You've just gotta trust it a little more. And I've got the instinct to believe you can find a way, no matter how absurd it is. You are a pretty weird human, after all."
Frisk smiled and pushed his face to the side playfully.
"Whatever."
This is so suuuuuuucccccckkkkkkkkkyyyyyyyy, especially for the amount of time it took. Like I said, I've had it hard. Hopefully we get back on track soon with longer, more story moving chapters. We've got a little UndynexAlphys coming up, then we move onward! The end is in sight, and it kind of scares me 0-0 don't worry, we've got a little longer to go. Not even close enough to give a possible range of chapters where the end would fall. Unless I pull some random thing outta my butt, we're set to go.
Updates will slow down as we hit the second semester, as well as because I am working on Springheart. I also did a few more art things over the weekend, and I'm working on the next HT asks. One is going to be rather long, but kinda cool, so stick with me people!
Anyways, some little hints thrown here about a possible (most likely because I've got so many ideas) sequel. Also, I've decided that above ground is not going to be based off of real world geography. It will be set up sort of like Fire Emblems world- different geography but same rules. Also, politics and stuff would be set up just like real world. America does exist here but is not made up the same way as it is in the real world. Full details are still pending, and I don't know if they will even end up being relevant. And I may overdo them anyways because any possible sequel would have to be after Springheart.
Whew. Too much rambling Xb
Reviews
Jaydomination: he's got a toasty house XD and he's just been chilling. Literally.
Iluvfanfic: yay
Lauralie20: oh he has. And he's not a happy goat dad XD but he knows Frisky needs some sort of protection.
And unfortunately no, I don't really know. I'm sure there are a few articles or tips on google, do some research and I'm sure you'll be fine :D
Alia Sooan: A new reader :D welcome! I hope you have enjoyed it so far, and continue to!
GhostieDragon: I really don't have an exact answer, probably around half of what Sans ate. Sans can eat a TON. Chara and the King could eat a whole lot as well. Chara is a balance of physical and mental connection, and the king is physically connected but also inherently mental because... well, you'll see. Unless you already know from Deviant Art ;)
Sorry formatting got kind of funny, fanfic is on crack again. Halp.
Now time to finalize the AHT's!