Chapter 12: Childish

"Blue."

I wanted to whip around and shake some sense into Liam, because of how stupid it was that he'd mention her and how she was one of many people who weren't in our lives anymore.

But there was no way he could remember. That was in a past timeline.

So I lay there, silent, wanting to probe and ask him who Blue was. I wanted to see if he remembered even the tiniest fraction of the previous timeline. But he had already been through so much in just one day. He needed time to adjust. And maybe, just maybe, I would ask about the last timeline.

The translucent features of Chara appeared in front of me, the spirit opting to lay down after several minutes. Her voice was quiet but oh-so loud in the silent room, "This was Azzy's bed. I don't think it's been touched since... that day."

I offered the most comfort I could give in just a smile, my voice low enough that Liam wouldn't be able to hear me, "I know, Chara. I know."

Twisting onto her back on the bed, the spirit glared at the ceiling above, working hard to keep from crying. Her voice was no longer quiet, but it didn't matter since no one else was aware of her presence, "Do you think that maybe...maybe we can have what we did in the last run?"

I forced my knees as close to my chest as I possibly could, my voice still low, "You mean with you and Asriel?"

Chara didn't do anything for a few moments, but she eventually managed to nod.

"God," I let out a big sigh, my voice almost inaudible, "I sure hope so."

I shoved my sleeves back up to my elbow as they slipped down, tightening one more bolt on the strange machine that was before me.

Standing up, I wiped my brow on my sleeve, clearing away any sweat that has made an appearance.

Mettaton gave a smile my way, busying himself with his work, "Good job, Darling. Now that the machine is done, we can start on the programming."

Sighing, I crossed over and leaned onto Mettaton's work desk, crossing my arms over my chest, "I feel like this is taking way too long."

Chuckling, Mettaton set his papers full of codes and formulas down, "Well you want this to be done in high quality, yet?" Earning a nod from me, Mettaton continued, "Quality work takes time. Now, tell me what's got you frowning. You've been very quiet all morning."

I gnawed on my bottom lip, trying to find some excuse other than the feeble one that left my lips, "What? Nothing's wrong."

Mettaton put his hands on his hips, almost smirking, "Darling Frisk, you have never been a good liar. Out with it. Does it concern this little project of ours? Nightmares? Boy troubles? It can't be too bad."

I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, noting that I was due for a haircut, "It's not really boy trouble, per-say... It's just that a friend of mine, Liam, managed to make his way down here yesterday. He—It's—It's just complicated and too long and confusing to explain."

His smile drooping slightly, Mettaton reached over and grabbed a fruit snack to munch on, "More complicated than building a machine that's meant to bring back your best friend's father from an unknown void?" Getting another nod, Mettaton arched an eyebrow, "Well, Darling, that must be quite stressful for you."

A small smile played on my lips as I closed my eyes, scenes and moments from the last timeline playing out on the backs of my eyelids.

My voice was quiet as I opened my eyes again, "More stressful than you would ever believe."

Mettaton stood quietly, with probing eyes, before clapping his hands twice and vaulting into action, "Darling, I've deducted that you could use a night of fun. Come with me and we'll get you a nice outfit for tonight."

I stood dumbly, watching Mettaton stuff papers away as the work mood dropped instantly.

With Mettaton looking at me expectantly, I felt uncertain, "You can't be serious about this. I—I dunno."

Mettaton only shook his head, before taking my hand in his and dragging me along behind me, "Darling, do loosen up. It has been work work work with this machine of yours. And correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe we've had a proper night out as friends."

I tugged uncertainly on a strand of my hair, before my voice came out in a sigh, "And just what are we doing?"

Laughing unexpectedly, Mettaton answered in an excited voice, "Singing! It's karaoke night tonight in several establishments, so it only makes sense that we attend. Who doesn't love karaoke?"

My feet dragging on the floor, I tried to infuse my voice with the same cheery tone that Mettaton spoke in, "Yeah, karaoke is a great idea."

Practically diving into his closet, Mettaton exclaimed, "That's the spirit Darling! Now we just need the perfect outfits, a tad bit of makeup for fun, and then we can go out and dazzle everyone!"

Watching Mettaton root around in his closet, guilt crept up and placed its hands around my throat, making me realize just how time consuming the mission to bring Gaster back had become.

Thinking even more on it, I couldn't recall the last time the robot had put on a performance for his adoring fans.

I was yanked from my thoughts when Mettaton shoved an outfit into my empty hands, "Try it on and tell me what you think! Oh, and please do be sure to show yourself off to me once you're dressed."

Having been herded into the bathroom to try the outfit on, I actually took a good look at what had been shoved into my unsuspecting hands. Looking the outfit over now, I couldn't even begin to imagine myself dressed in it.

Mettaton had picked out high-waisted leather pants, a black top that seemed more like a bra, and a buttonless flannel to top it all off.

I couldn't help huffing in disbelief, and my cheeks seemed to be on fire as I put the outfit on so as not to hurt Mettaton's feelings.

With the new outfit donned and my sweater and shorts on the ground, I felt so incredibly naked.

But as naked as I felt, looking in the mirror I found that I both looked and felt incredibly... pretty.

Well, I could be considered pretty if you managed to ignore the reddish-brown scars scattered here and there for...various reasons.

Nervously forming a small braid in my hair, I shook my hair out and turned towards the bathroom door. Taking a small breath, I forced myself to walk out to Mettaton before I could think twice.

Mettaton turned around to face me as soon as he heard the door opening, and his jaw practically dropped.

Once his initial shock was over, Mettaton's face split into a wide grin, "Darling, you look astonishing! Okay, now all we need is a touch of mascara, some heels, and ta-da~ We'll be ready to go!"

Chewing on my bottom lip, I crossed my arms to try and cover my bare skin, "I dunno. This outfit just isn't—This isn't really my style, I can't walk in hells, I just—I dunno."

Immediately registering my doubt, Mettaton had a slight frown on his face, his voice soft, "Darling, you are absolutely gorgeous. It is absolutely okay to try new things and not like them. If you want another outfit then that's okay, we'll find another outfit."

Glancing down at the outfit, I weighed the options and was torn between wearing it to please Mettaton or not wearing it to keep myself comfortable.

Before I could become more self-conscious and dwell on it, I shook my head. "No, I'll wear this one," my words came out in an anxious sigh. Raising my eyes back up to Mettaton, I offered a smile, "Instead of heels, how about some flats? And just the mascara. And maybe a haircut?"

Mettaton's eyes lit up, and he flew into action without a word.

"I don't wanna do this anymore. How about you just sing and dazzle everyone, and I watch? It'll be just as fun as if I were the one singing!"

Mettaton gave me an encouraging smile, "Oh hush Darling, these are just some last minute nerves. Don't worry, everyone gets them."

Gently pushing me inside the bar, I was a mixture of being grateful and ungrateful. Grateful for being inside of the warmth instead of Snowdin's blustering cold, and ungrateful because of all of the eyes that were now on us.

I pulled the flannel closed tightly in front of me, feeling heat rise to my cheeks, "It feels like everyone in the Underground is here."

Mettaton lead me forwards through the crowd, getting us to the counter where Grillby was, "Frisk, Darling, loosen up. Tonight's going to be a night of fun and music! No one here will care about how you look or how you perform."

Crossing my arms tightly over my chest, I frowned, "Then what was the point of dressing up? Or even coming?"

Mettaton closed his eyes momentarily, before opening them and giving me a forced smile, "To have fun, Frisk. To lighten up and take a break." Glancing up at Grillby, Mettaton broke out into a large smile, "Grillby! I haven't seen you in ages! Why don't you be a dear and get me some of that white cake vodka while we catch up?"

Feeling a flash of guilt deep in my stomach, I took a step back from the bar, trying to stop thinking about how I was going to ruin this night that was supposed to be fun for Mettaton.

As my eyes flitted over the crowd of people in the establishment, my gaze landed on a familiar face.

Weaving through the crowd, I found my place in front of Liam, "Hey. What are you doing here? I thought you were staying with Toriel?"

Liam didn't even try to give me a smile, only stuffing his hands into his jacket pocket, "Toriel said it'd be good for me to get out of the Ruins and take a look around. The skeleton brought me."

Looking around the restaurant, my sights landed on sans, who was talking to another Monster.

Smiling, I looked back to Liam, "Why would Sans bring you? He hates karaoke so much."

Liam froze, fists seeming to form in his pocket as he looked me over. His voice came out slowly, his eyes a stormy gray, "Really? On the way here, he was talking about how much he loved karaoke night. Said he sucked at singing, but still had fun messing around. He said he tries to come most Fridays."

Chara's translucent features were barely visible as they appeared behind Liam, her voice sharp and her features slightly panicked as she spoke for the first time that day, "Past timeline, that was a past timeline. You're mixing things up!"

Swallowing a few times in quick succession, my mouth seemed incredibly dry, "Oh? I guess I misheard him. We actually haven't talked much about our interests, so I don't know where I got that from. It's whatever though."

Liam narrowed his eyes, before becoming overly relaxed, "Yeah, it's whatever. Anyways, what's the deal between you and your skeleton?"

I almost laughed, playing with my fingers, "What? He's not my skeleton."

Liam laughed this time, running a hand through his wild hair, "Yeah, I know, he's only your best friend." As Liam's laugh died out, he added with acidity, "It's not like you'd marry him or anything."

My smile dropped instantly, and I recognized that analytical look within Liam's eyes. I let my hands fall to my sides, my voice quiet, "You remember, don't you? You remember the last timeline."

Liam shoulder past me, his voice flat as he made his way to the bar counter, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Turning to follow Liam, I stopped as a familiar voice sounded behind me, "hey kid, what are ya doin' here? i thought you had that thing with the robot."

Turning around once more, I pulled the flannel shut again, "Oh, hey Sans. Yeah, Mettaton thought we needed a break, so he brought me to karaoke night."

Sans' eyes widened fractionally, before he looked everywhere except for me, "kid, what in the ever-lovin' hell are you wearing?"

I looked down at the outfit Mettaton had chosen, and I smiled, "This? Mettaton thought it'd be perfect for a night out. I wasn't entirely comfortable with the decision at first, but I think stepping out of my comfort zone was—"

"yeah, you are not wearing that," Sans took my hand in his and pulled me to the bar counter where Mettaton was chatting animatedly with Grillby.

Seeing us approaching, Mettaton smiled, "Darling, you're just in time! We're up next for the stage! Now, the song will be just a bit mellow, but afterwards we can sing something that's fun and energetic. Maybe even sexy?"

Sans almost didn't let Mettaton finish speaking, before he spoke sharply, "what the hell do you think you're doing, letting frisk walk around in something like this?"

Mettaton arched an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips, "Why do you have a problem with it? Unless our little Sansy here has a crush and is getting all hot and bothered?"

Sans had placed a grin on his face, which was now incredibly tight, "ha ha ha, you're so funny mettaton. i can't believe i missed all of those comedy nights when you performed."

Mettaton smiled, taking a sip of his drink, "Oh Darling, I'm just hilarious. I can't believe you've missed out on so much."

Sans took Mettaton by the arm, pulling him off to the side to keep their conversation somewhat private.

With a low voice, Sans began speaking with Mettaton, "look at her. she's a kid. she doesn't need to be wearing stuff like this."

Frowning, Mettaton glanced over at me before looking down at Sans again, "Frisk is a young lady, and I believe she is old enough to wear whatever she desires. On another note, no one here is going to try and woo her, so you can calm down, she's yours for the picking."

Sans' grin seemed to tighten ever-more painfully, and his voice came out dangerously, "she is a child."

With those words, I wished so very much that I could hide behind my hair and make a quick escape, but my hair was cut above my shoulders and I couldn't walk out on Mettaton's night out.

Instead of trying to hide, I could feel my face set in stone and I grabbed a microphone, quickly choosing a song to perform.

Animal by Neon Trees started playing, and Sans and Mettaton payed no attention to who was going onto the stage.

"Here we go again, I kinda wanna be more than friends, so take it easy on me I'm afraid you're never satisfied."

Mettaton glanced up at the stage, a smile beginning to form, but went back to his argument with Sans.

"Here we go again, we're sick like animals we play pretend. You're just a cannibal and I'm afraid I won't get out alive. No I won't sleep tonight."

The arguing pair finally looked up as the music began to swell.

"Oh oh, I want some more, oh oh, what are you waitin' for? Take a bite of my heart tonight. Oh oh, I want some more, oh oh, what are you waitin' for? What are you waitin' for? Take a bite of my heart tonight."

Mettaton elbowed Sans, who looked torn between being proud of me or being upset with me and Mettaton.

I ignored them.

"Here we are again, I feel the chemicals kickin' in. It's gettin' heavier, I wanna run and hide, I wanna run and hide. I do it every time, you're killin' me now! And I won't be denied by you, the animal inside of you."

The angrier and more upset I felt, the more flourish I let into my singing and performance, until just like that, the song was over.

Trying not to breathe too heavily, I got off of the small makeshift stage, ignoring the applause and making a beeline towards Sans.

Shoving the microphone into his hands, I ignored his surprised expression, "I'm sorry if that was too childish for you. Have fun now."

"frisk—"

I ignored Sans, slipping into the crowd and making my way to the door.

Mettaton was still out performing for his fans, even though it had been quite a few hours later.

Wiping my hands off, I stood up to cross over and look at Mettaton's papers, which explained the programming of the machine we had been working on.

Chara looked over the papers with me as well, frowning, "Hey, Frisk, I don't understand this. Do you?"

A smile tugged on my lips, and I looked over everything again, "Yeah."

Chara seemed to roll her eyes at me, "Yeah right. You're not really the science-nerd type here, Mettaton is."

I smiled fully as I took a seat at the computer, "That's true, but I do understand this. I took a computer programming class while I was in my freshman year. It's just telling the machine what to do in a language that it can understand."

Chara hopped up onto the desk, not smiling, yet not frowning, "Huh. That's pretty neat, actually. So how long will this take?"

I shrugged, my fingers flying over the keyboard. Entering the first few commands, I tried and failed to calculate how long it would take to finish everything, "This might take an hour or few. It just depends on any improvements that can be made or weaknesses that need to be fixed. All in all though, we can get Gaster back tomorrow. Or tonight!"

Chara began to smile, before pressing her lips into a tight line, "Hey, I know you've been working hard and all, but I don't think we'll be able to bring him back. Not with science only."

My smile didn't waver as I continued typing, "I know."

Narrowing her eyes, Chara adjusted herself as she sat on the desk, "What do you mean by that?"

After finishing up a few more codes, I gave Chara a response, "The machine can't run on codes and commands alone; they can't possibly recreate the ability to teleport someone from one location to another, especially when the location they're in is in it's own realm of existence between two other existences." Taking a small breath, I smiled, "So, I'll be using my soul to infuse the machine with magic."

Chara was silent, staring at me as if I had three heads. "What?" Realizing that I was completely serious, the ghost slammed her hands down on the desk, "You can't do something as stupid as that. It has never been done before. You could die! You're only sixteen—"

Typing furiously, I tried to focus, before I couldn't. Jerking out of my chair I pulled on my striped sweater over the flannel and bralette, my voice rough, "I am sick and tired of people telling me that I can't wear certain things, or do certain things. I'm done with it."

The translucent girl stormed after me, glaring, "Well I am just so sorry that I'm trying to prevent your death. You know, you came down here, you made these people get attached to you, you made them love you, and now you want to throw your life away just like that and forget about them? I'm not having it; Toriel has been through too much already!"

I looked up at Chara, speaking quickly, my voice low to prevent it from breaking, "I have done this before, in case you can't remember. And don't you dare tell me about how much anyone has been through down here, because I have been through everything. Everything. And I am just so sick and tired of being treated like a child! I know I can be childish, I know that. But life's too depressing to be so serious all the time. So please, just shut up and leave me alone!"

Whirling around, I ignored the painful stinging in my eyes.

Chara had continued firing back at me, but I had ignored the girl, eventually managing to zone out and let my feet take me down the familiar path to Waterfall.

As soon as I had arrived at that welcoming door in Waterfall, I turned the knob and quickly stepped in.

I smiled as the door shut behind me, my voice echoing slightly in the Void, "Hey Goopster, I'm back. I have some things I think you'll like too!"

The scientist popped up by my side, amused, "Goopster?"

Smiling at the scientist's amusement, I settled down in my usual place by the coffee table, "Yep, Goopster. 'Cause you're just so...goopy."

Looking around, I felt more at ease in the Void.

I had brought in various items from previous trips in an attempt to make it all feel homey.

There were some chairs, a table, a dresser, a lamp, some pillows, and even a couch.

Of course, it was a bit of a struggle to bring everything in, but the happiness that had crossed Gaster's features was more than worth the trouble.

Gaster sat down beside me, clearing his throat as he was no longer amused, "Frisk, what you had explained earlier to that ghost of yours was, quite frankly, concerning to me." Pausing, Gaster took a moment before continuing, "I know you desire to do this for Sans, but—"

With the mention of Sans' name, I was no longer smiling and my voice went flat, "No. I'm not doing this for him."

The scientist beside me offered a small smile, "Perhaps you're doing it for me. But you can't deny that you're doing this for him as well." Silent for a beat, Gaster mulled over his thoughts before choosing to speak again, "From what I have observed—from what I've heard you speak of—You were in love with my son. Yes?"

My heart jumped to my throat before freezing like a criminal caught red-handed, and my stomach seemed to sink lower than ever before.

After a beat of silence, I sank into the couch, mumbling out a "Yeah".

Offering a comforting hand, Gaster continued, "And these emotions remain, even in this new timeline."

Nodding, I shifted my sitting position as my cheeks burned uncomfortably. My voice seemed to come out weakly, "I didn't—My feelings for him weren't like this. Not at first. I'm sorry. I don't know if they just came back or if they developed or—Sorry."

The older skeleton gave me a reassuring smile, "You are fine. I am comfortable with your feelings for my son; it's a blessing, of sorts, if you ever desire to make an advance. However, you are surely aware that his feelings may not be...reciprocated."

Digging my nails into my thumb, a small smile managed to grace my lips, "Yeah, I know that. It's just a little crush, I'm sure." Clearing my throat quite quickly, I perked up, "Other than that, I have the incredible news of being able to bring you back! Which, can happen by this time tomorrow!"

Instead of receiving the overjoyed reaction that I had been hoping for, Gaster couldn't even seem to bring a smile to his face.

Finding that my concern was starting to grow, Gaster was prompted to give an explanation, "I am delighted that you have worked so hard to bring me back into existence, but that fact that you would be required to bare your soul and expose yourself to harm is...I do not have the desire for you to do something like that for me. I would be happy to remain in the Void if it meant that you would not be put in harm's way."

Frowning, I slowly got to my feet, "No, I haven't—This isn't—Look, I did not spend over half a year trying to bring you back, only for you to refuse to come back."

Gaster stood with me, putting a bony hand on my shoulder, "Dear child, you are only sixteen. You have your entire life ahead of you, and to risk that for an old scientist such as—"

I shrugged Gaster's hand off, briskly crossing over to the door I had entered in, "Respectfully, I'm not a child. I was in my twenties, I believe, in the previous timeline. And before that timeline, I had been seventeen for quite a while. Now that I'm sixteen again and we add my previous age, I would be around thirty-six or thirty-seven. So while I may act as if I am the age of sixteen that I currently am, I am far older than that."

Frowning, Gaster reached out for me, "Frisk."

Throwing the door open, I began to step out, "Like I said, respectfully, sir, I'm not a child."

As I was fully in Waterfall, I stepped off to the side, sinking into sitting position.

I was tired.

So tired.

Things never went as planned.

I worked tirelessly on the machine to bring Gaster back, but now Gaster didn't want to be back. Chara and Mettaton helped and supported me with everything to bring Gaster back, but they didn't want me to bring him back. A night out didn't go as planned. Sans wanted me to get more comfortable in my skin and in the Underground, but freaked when I wore something that made me feel good about myself. And don't even get me started on Liam, who made it painfully obvious that he remembered the previous timeline, even though he denied it.

Sliding my hands up my cheeks and to my eyes, I rubbed my face quite harshly to try and fight the exhaustion taking over.

Resting my head on my knees, I closed my eyes.

Tired...

"You're driving that skeleton crazy."

I didn't look up or open my eyes, even as Liam sank down next to me.

"You were always so tired. You didn't really show it though. You tried to hide it."

My mouth remained shut. It felt like it would take too much energy to make the words come.

"And you were also kind of a bitch. Not that you meant to be bitchy, but it happened sometimes. Either way, Blue always loved you. She practically scolded me whenever I said anything that wasn't praising you."

A smiled flickered on my lips, but I kept my eyes closed and my forehead on my knees.

"I don't like you right now. I kind of hate you."

A smile definitely graced my lips then. Liam was the same honest Liam that he had always been.

"But, I don't have anything against the skeleton. Who, by the way, has been looking all over for you."

My smiled went away, and I opened my eyes to find Liam's intense gaze on me.

"So should I tell him you're fine and just need space, or are you going to put him out of his misery and go home?"

Closing my eyes, I shrugged.

It took too much energy to even open and close my eyes, let alone shrug.

Liam was quiet for a few moments, before shifting beside me, "Honestly, I never understood the relationship between you two. Always sort of back and forth. Never straightforward."

Finally, I took a deep breath that seemed to leave me all too quickly, "You and Selena weren't really straightforward for a while either. Don't judge."

"You finally speak," Liam commented as he stood up. Holding out a hand, Liam voiced another thought, "I really wanted to be an ass to you since you fucked everything up, but it doesn't seem like you can take much of that right now."

Taking Liam's hand, I pulled myself up, "No. You should be an ass. I deserve it."

Walking was slow, as I felt like I could barely put one foot in front of the other.

Everything just felt so heavy.

Liam decided to break the silence that had fallen. His voice was so quiet that I wasn't sure if he had spoken, "What happened?"

Heavy.

"Me," I exhaled.

Talking took my breath away. Made it hard to breathe.

Liam seemed to know that I was in a mood, so he didn't push any further.

As the beginning of Snowdin quickly came into sight, Liam sighed, "He said he had gone to see if you were at the 'escape' he had shown you. I don't think he'll check again. If you need some time, you can go there. I'll just tell him I saw you in Waterfall somewhere. Let you have some space."

I hummed in response, thankful that Liam didn't seem to fully hate me.

"You seem tired," the boy commented.

My breath hitched, my chest heavier than before, "I am."

A fraction more of Liam's hostility melted, and he lowered his voice, "Do you need to talk?"

Because it took away my ability to breathe, I didn't want to speak, "I—Can't."

Liam caught the tone in my voice, his voice soft, "Not now?"

Nodding, I looked up to face Liam and gave him a small smile.

Liam's features softened, before he looked away, "Just—You're not pulling that bullshit where you're hurting yourself, are you? 'Cause if you're doing anything to hurt yourself in any way, Selena would kick my ass for not helping you."

I managed something that resembled a small laugh, before shaking my head.

Liam stopped walking, not quite believing me, "Stats. And soul."

It took me a moment to muster some strength, but I managed to pull up my stats and coax my soul out.

Frisk Breanna Saunders

16 years, seven months, 1 day

HP: 22/22

ATK: 2

DF: 2

EXP: 45

LV: 2

The girl remembers. She has been through indescribable horrors. But she is still kind, still caring; that certain tenderness is there in her soul, and she loves people so very deeply. She is working hard to make things right and move on. But she is tired. This girl is so very tired, and she needs her people.

Seeming to be content, Liam went on to inspect my soul, able to recall the information he had learned in the previous timeline.

Taking it in myself, my soul was that brilliant cherry red, and it gave off a radiant glow. The only issues to be found were a few healing bruises, and two deep cracks running off of the heart-shaped soul, as if it were a cracked mirror.

"Different," came the mumbled response from Liam. Looking up at me, Liam placed his hands in his jacket pockets, "It's different from last time. Healthier. But the colors..."

Hugging my arms to myself, I took a heavy breath, "In the last timeline, there was an incident in an alternate reality."

Liam took the small explanation I had given him, allowing me to tuck my soul away.

The remainder of our walk was in comfortable silence, and Liam gave a small wave goodbye as he made his way up to the skeleton brothers' house.

Then it was just me.

The snow crunched satisfyingly underneath my feet, and the wind was whispering gently in my ears.

I was unable to figure out if I was content being alone, or if I was upset.

Either way, my chest was heavy, and I was so exhausted that it almost hurt.

I felt alone. There had seemed to be a chatter that would come from Snowdin but now I was past that, and I was getting closer to the Ruins, where it was considerably quieter.

And I was alone.

Turning off of the path abruptly, I followed the path that seemed to be too obvious now that Sans had shown it to me.

Although I had memorized the direction of the path, I hadn't memorized every root and dip in the path.

I had tripped over a root or crack in the path more times than I would care to admit, but I had made it to that breathtakingly beautiful cave with the brilliant glowing azure that was sprinkled everywhere.

Approaching the edge of the cave where the ground slowly gave way to the water, I let out a deep breath, and dropped to my knees.

Sluggishly, I took off my shoes and repositioned myself so my feet were in the cool water.

The water felt nice.

It was kind of startling because of how cold it seemed, but it helped.

It helped wake me up a bit. Even if my chest was still heavy, the water somehow seemed to help.

Blowing out a small breath from my lips, I sat still for a moment, mumbling to myself, "You know what, if it helps, it helps."

Wanting to feel a little bit better, to feel a little more awake, I decided to just hop in.

And as tired as I felt, I knew it'd be a bad idea to hop in with all of my clothes on since I would have to go through Snowdin again afterward.

Wrapping my fingers around the hem of my sweater and flannel that was on underneath, I pulled the shirts off with one movement. Drawing my feet out of the water, I shimmied out of the pants as I couldn't seem to stand up quite yet.

Starting with my feet, and then slipping in up to my thighs, I began to hesitate because of how cold the water seemed to be.

Instead of over-thinking it, I just hopped right in, pinching my nose as I went fully under before I could think twice.

When I resurfaced, a sharp gasp left my mouth as the coldness surrounded me, and I laughed at how startling it was.

Treading water, I realized that the water really wasn't as cold as I thought it to be, which was pretty surprising with the location being near Snowdin and being underground. If anything though, the water felt more like a pool's water.

Letting out the sigh that had bubbled up in my throat, I leaned back and let myself begin to float.

With the brilliance of the glowing cave, and with how at peace I felt floating in the center of it all, I opted to close my eyes.

I felt at peace.

As at peace as I felt though, I knew that I was going to be so very tired no matter what I did. I also knew that it would be best if I just got home and into bed.

And it'd probably be best if I stopped worrying Sans.

Opening my eyes, I took in the cave one more time, before flipping over and making my way back to shore.

When I was close enough to shore that I was able to stand, I shed my wet undergarments and threw on my striped sweater and pants, using the flannel as a little makeshift bag.

Slipping my shoes back on, I made my way back through Snowdin and to the house.

And I was tired.

So very tired.

I had been relieved of that exhaustion momentarily, but now it was back full force, and it felt like I could barely take five steps forward.

By the time I was on the doorstep to the house, it felt as if all breath had been pressed out of me.

Pushing the door open, I stepped inside the home and immediately slipped my shoes off.

I vaguely noticed that Sans and Liam were sitting in the kitchen having a small discussion, and that their discussion had ceased when I had stepped into the house. I was fully aware when Sans had gotten up and began to make his way to me though.

Dropping the flannel with my wet underthings on the ground, I mumbled, "Tired. Don't."

Forcing my feet to move, I barely made it to the couch before my legs gave out beneath me.

I sat still for a minute, seeing Sans and Liam in my peripheral vision, before I jerked my legs up onto the couch to lay down.

So many simple actions, but so little energy.

"frisk," Sans began, kneeling down beside the couch.

I shook my head, laying down fully and facing the back of the couch.

Lance spoke quietly to Sans, "She needs a little bit of time. Something else happened after she left earlier. I don't know if it had to do with the timeline or—"

There was a sharp inhale, and Sans' voice was low, "timelines? you know about the timelines?"

Several beats of silence.

Liam began to speak slowly, seeming afraid of saying the wrong thing, "You...don't know about—No, you don't remember the timelines."

Sans' breath came out in a sharp exhale, "no, but now that you're the second person who seems shocked by that fact, i'm assumin' that i should know."

Liam faltered at that, but was quick to recover, "It's different this timeline. I don't think any of us were supposed to remember... Has she told you about anything that happened in the last timeline?"

"nothing," Sans let out. After a moment, he began speaking again, "i only know that we were friends or somethin', and that she had met my—someone i knew. and—" Sans cut off uncertainly, before deciding to continue, "i know there was a war. i remember grillby and frisk talkin' about it." With those words leaving Sans' mouth, Liam winced, prompting the skeleton to continue, "you remember though. can you just...elaborate for me?"

Liam's voice was firm, "No." When Sans insisted, Liam's voice raised slightly, "I have a lot of respect for you, Sans, but I have to say that I respect Frisk more. Even if I don't always agree with her decisions; even though I hate her right now. I'm sorry, but my answer is no."

Finally blocking out their conversation, I closed my eyes and willed sleep to overtake me.

My hand reaching up to grasp the necklace Grillby had given me, I ended up flinching in surprise.

Eyes snapping open, I jumped up into sitting position, startling the two other people in the room.

Lifting the necklace up and over my head, I studied the petals in my hand. More specifically, the one that was now a bubblegum pink color and emanating warmth.

"Frisk?"

"frisk, what's wrong? are you okay?"

One for Sans, one for Asriel, and one for Melody.

Sans was blue. Asriel was green.

The name left my mouth in a breathless whisper.

"Melody."

Oh my god, I haven't updated in like two months, I am so so sorry, I feel horrible..

I was trying to write a little each day, but as always, as I've said many times before, I just didn't really have the inspiration.

BUT

Now I'm back, and I am going to try really hard to get chapters out because I don't want to disappoint anyone who reads this even though I literally have no idea why anyone would read this.

Okay, shitty apology over, I am going to begin typing again right now.

Please remember that I love you all immensely, and I love to hear from you.

I literally have no life or friends, so I'm just here all the time and it absolutely makes my day when I hear from any of you. Whether it's a really thoughtful comment or just you telling me about your day or something.

Okay okay, I'm gonna stop bothering you and go now.

Until Next Time, Lovelies~