You wake up with drool pooling on the mattress and your arm numb from having it pinned under you. You push yourself up, blinking tiredly, rubbing at your cheek to dry it. Hopefully Toriel wouldn't notice…
Sitting straight you stretch, popping a few bones in your back. Yawning, you swivel around on the huge bed and set your toes on the cold ground. Just as you're about to jump off, seeing as you were just a bit too short to fully set your feet on the ground, you pause when you smell something in the air. Butterscotch and cinnamon?
In confusion you slowly slip off of the mattress and crouch down, staring at a plate of pie you almost just lept into. Toriel must of set it down here once the pie cooled down, turning off the lights while at it. Reaching out and picking the plate up, you could still feel the lingering warmth, meaning you hadn't been napping for as long as you feared. Flipping the switch to light the room once more, you leave with a fork already digging in.
You pad quietly down the hall in your socks- Toriel had also taken your shoes off and tucked you in properly while there to deliver the pie. When you reach the living room, half the pie already gone, you are met with a very adorable sight.
Frisk is curled up in Toriel's lap, wrapped in her fluffy arms, looking at the book she held in front of both of them. She was reading slowly, out loud, for the child, a smile on both of their faces. You set your half eaten plate on the table.
Toriel was… good for Frisk. For you. You didn't want to interrupt them. In fact, the more you stayed in this home the more you wanted to stay. Yeah, maybe you didn't know Toriel well, maybe she was a monster, but she was nothing like the monster you and Frisk lived with.
If Frisk stayed with this women, they would finally have someone close to how a mother should be. You were too old to have what Toriel could provide… It was already too late for you to have a mother this good. Frisk though, the kid was just in 3rd grade. They could still grow up with that figure in their life and never have to think of what they went through. You're mom couldn't be how she was for you with Frisk. For you, that women was a mom. She cared for you, loved you, made you food and smiled widely when you showed her you crappy drawings. For Frisk… Not once did your mom act like that. Frisk was born into a broken family, and it was too late to fix it by the time the kid grew up enough to start remembering things.
"Oh, my child, i'm happy you are here to join us." Toriel beamed up at you, waving you over. "I'm reading the Snails book I mentioned to you, to Frisk. The child finds it just as interesting as we do." Frisk nodded, agreeing with a goofy grin. It was either the facts, or the slimey pictures that piqued the kids interest.
"How far are you two?"
"Fact 23," Frisk signed. Toriel watched the kids hands before frowning.
"Please forgive me if this is rude, but what is it you do with your hands?" Frisk blinked to Toriel, and then to you. You step in, gaining Toriel's attention. You'd have to be the one to explain this.
"On the surface, if a kid can't talk or can't hear, they sign, what Frisk does with their hands. It's… a whole other language. It so they can still communicate with us." The more you spoke, the more Toriel's eyes begin to shimmer.
"Really?" She asked excitedly.
"Yeah. Since Frisk grew up not talking, me and them learned sign language so we could still converse."
"A language for those you can't hear or speak… What if a child is sightless?" You tilt your head, tapping your chin.
"They can speak just fine. But, oh, that'd be… brail, i'm pretty sure."
"Brail?"
"Our words and letters are transcribed into bump patterns. People who are blind can feel it and still read." You weren't an expert on these things, but since you were the one there for the mute Frisk, you kind of learned about the other disabilities of other kids. Though, being Blind, Deaf, or Mute wasn't really a disability. You had met a number of people who lived like anyone else who had sight, could hear, or speak. Maybe you should describe it as an...obstacle?
"The surface is so amazing…" Her eyes practically sparkled at the knew knowledge.
"_, can you ask her?" Frisk's moving hands caught the woman's eyes and she watched them intently. You frowned and opened your mouth, but shut it when Toriel looked to you in wonder.
"Ask her what?" You sign back.
"About...You know." Of course you knew. No matter how much you adored Toriel, how much you believed she was going to be some kind of… miracle, you know you both couldn't stay. It wasn't right. You had college to finish. As soon as it was over you could raise Frisk instead. You raise the kid and send your mother to rehab and maybe finally get the courage to get into contact with your father. You had been there for the kid, and it was your responsibility to be with them till the end. You felt a bit guilty that you had thought minutes earlier Toriel could be both of your quick fixes for family life.
"Toriel," You say, stepping closer to set a hand on her paw. "How do we exit the Ruins?" The woman stared longingly into your eyes. Looking… almost as if you had hit her. Her mouth opened with a silent plea, and then it clicked shut.
"...I have something to do. Stay here." Then she picked up Frisk, setting the child down in her warm seat with her book. The two of you watched the women hurry off, disappearing somewhere into the parlor.
"Sorry." You ruffle the kids head of hair.
"Sorry? For what? We'd have to leave eventually kid. Remember, we gotta go and save your friends." Frisk nodded slowly, standing. They took one last glance to the book before pointing off to where the women left.
"She's gone down stairs. You go ahead, I'll be there in a minute." You nod slowly, wondering if you should protest at all. Yet, by the kids frown and glistening eyes you take it they want to be alone. Frisk… Was mature for their age. They grew up a bit too fast. Sometimes, like this morning, it was good for the kid to come running to you, but they rarely did it. Was it… Your fault?
"If you need me, tell me." You run a hand through Frisk's hair, letting it sit there for a long moment before dropping it back to your side. "I'm your big sister for a reason." Frisk sniffles and nods, but doesn't sign anything else.
With a deep breath, you turn and hurry off.
By the front door you find your bag and boots. So you slip the shoes on and shoulder the bag before you decide to make your way down the eerily dark steps. You had noticed them before, but never really thought anything of it.
Reaching the bottom, you're greeted with a dark stoney hallway, like how the Ruin was built, but with Toriel standing at the end of where the light from up stairs reached, her back facing you.
"You wish to know how to return 'home', do you not?" Her voice echoed around you, and something about her tone sent a child up your spine. "Ahead of us lies the end of the Ruins. A one-way exit to the rest of the Underground." She paused. "I am going to destroy it."
….
Wait. What?
"Toriel, you can't-"
"No one will ever be able to leave again. Now be a good child and go upstairs."
"Come on-" But she's already fast walking further in. You sigh, wanting to go after her, but Frisk hasn't showed up. Which… This got you thinking.
Why did Frisk always look so heartbroken around Toriel? They played this part out so many times… Did something happen to goat mom? Did Frisk never see her again or… or something worse? What if… What if to stop Toriel from destroying the exit Frisk-
The thought halted in your mind and you felt your blood run cold.
Frisk would never do something like that. They were just a kid!
...But this kid was very mature for their age.
You take a quick look over your shoulder before sprinting forward.
Maybe you could change the outcome that has Frisk so scared.
"Every human that falls down here meets the same fate." Toriel had paused again farther down in the hall. "I have seen it again and again." Her voice was lower now, duller. She sounded so put out. "They come. They leave. They die."
"They... die?"
"You naive child… If you leave the Ruins, They… Asgore," The name was spit out with venom. "Will kill you. I am only protecting you and your sibling, do you understand?" Her breath hiccuped at the end. "...Go to your room." Then she was off again.
You couldn't turn back though.
Turning back meant being stranded here forever. Turning back means never having the chance to fix anything. Turning back meant running from your problems. You couldn't do that. If you hadn't in the past, you couldn't do it now.
You moved forward.
"Do not try to stop me. This is your final warning." This time when Toriel walked forward, you followed just on her heal.
Finally you two come up to a door and she stopped just before it, you only a little ways back. She wouldn't face you still, and you could see her shaking a little.
"You want to leave so badly?"
"Toriel-"
"Hmph. You are just like the others." She kept cutting you off. "There is only one solution to this. Prove yourself… Prove to me you are strong enough to survive!" Just as you're waiting for your chest to burn, she glances to you over her shoulder. Yet, it's not at you, it's to someone behind you. "...Wait. ...Why are you looking at me like that? Like you have seen a ghost. Do you know something I do not? No… That is impossible." Slowly, you point your own head in the direction and you see Frisk leaning on a wall behind you.
"Frisk…" You say softly, but you can't say anymore as your chest erupts in heat and a green glow showers your front.
Toriel… Is blocking the way, her paws glowing red.
You think about talking, but her stare pierces you and the words stick in your throat. Instead, her response is to raise her paws, letting actual fire balls float out of them. Then, their suddenly flying towards you. You scramble to duck and dodge, but a couple skim your skin.
This isn't a joke. Toriel is… Actually trying to burn you.
Fear grips your heart.
"Toriel-" You start, but you shake your head. Instead, you move to grab for your bat. You can show her your tough, and then she'll let you and Frisk out.
"Nn!" Frisk's noise makes you jump.
Right… You promised Frisk you wouldn't hurt the women.
… Plus, you aren't sure you could even strike her if you wanted to. It's one thing attacking a couple guys who deserve it for beating on your sibling… but it's another hitting a goat mom who's just trying to protect you.
What are you supposed to do?
More fireballs fly by you, the pattern changing up every other attack, but you don't move forward or away. A couple hit you, and they hurt.
They burn. They sting and they light your clothes if you're not careful.
"What are you doing?" She suddenly asks, anger lacing her words as she swings her arm, releasing a row of flames. You jump over them, spinning around a couple more. "Attack or run away!" You give the women a look. "What are you proving this way?" She throws more, but you see they're slowing down. You duck under one, but run into another.
It.. doesn't hurt as much now.
"Stop it. Stop looking at me that way." Toriel takes a deep breath, but you see her glare wavering. "Go away!"
When you see her hand hesitate, that's when you take out your bat. She eyes it, looking to you fully. She's about to send out another attack, and you raise the bat,
And you throw it to the side.
The last bit of will to fight you disappears in her eyes and she looks so… wilted.
"I… Know you want to go home…" She says softly, looking to the ground.
When she does this, a white glow catches your eyes. Looking down as well, you see… two things floating in front of you. They pulse below your green soul, both begging for you to touch them. One reads Fight, but the other one reads Mercy. You don't know what they are, but a gut feeling leads your hand to gently run its fingers over the Mercy button.
"But please… go upstairs now."
Mercy
"I promise I will take good care of both of you here."
Mercy
"I know we do not have much, but…"
Mercy
"We can have a good life here."
Mercy
"Why are you making this so difficult?"
Mercy
"Please, go upstairs." The pain racing over her features makes you hesitate to hit the button again. The look almost makes you usher Frisk to return to their room, you right behind them. But...
Mercy
"...Ha..Haha… Pathetic, is it not? I cannot save even a single child." Your heart pulled and you felt yourself choke up.
...Mercy
"...No, I understand. You two would just be unhappy trapped down here. The Ruins are very small once you get used to them. It would not be right for either of you to grow up in a place like this." She paused, trying to gain control of her wavering voice.
Your hand was shaking over the button. You were happy to see it fade away.
"My expectations… My Loneliness… My fear… For you, my children… I will put them aside." As your soul sunk back into your chest… You still didn't feel whole. "If you truly wish to leave the Ruins… I will not stop you. However, when you leave… Please do not come back." You had to bite the inside of your cheek to not cry. "I hope you two understand." Then, in one fell swoop, she scooped you into her arms. Frisk ran over, freely crying, burying themself into Toriel's chest when she opened the hug up for the kid as well.
The hug was everything you expected and more. Warm, motherly, comforting, fluffy, and a bit damp. But... That was because all three of you were silently crying now.
"Goodbye, my children." She then released you two too soon. As she began walking off, Frisk hurriedly grabbed your attention and began signing. Getting the message, you took a deep breath in and-
"We love you Mom!" You're yell echoed down the hall, and you heard yourself say those four words over and over again.
Toriel's footsteps freeze for a moment, and you're sure you feel her gaze on your back, and then there's silence again. It's quickly broken by both you and Frisk sniffling. Without words, you take up Frisk hand, squeezing it, and then leading them off through the door.
The hallway beyond that is long, but the longer you two walk, the more it brightens up. To the point it's almost as lit as Toriel's house just before you walk through the archway at the end of that one.
Then, It's all pitch black except for another spot light and another patch of grass, just like the one you two found at the place you fell. And Again, this spotlight has no one or thing under it, so you lead the kid past it.
You push the two heavy doors at the end open, and you are immediately greeted with coldness.
"Frisk-" You start, but the kid is already pushing at the stone slab, helping close it behind you two.
Outside is… Much different than how you expected it to be. You expected cave like walls and ceiling, more… underground trapped feelings, but instead you're staring into a thick forest of real trees, and a walkway dug into the snow that coats everything your eyes can see.
How did snow even get under here?
The light was much better on your eyes, a lot like Toriel's house, but more.. Natural. Natural how, you weren't sure.
You look down to Frisk, taking in the puffiness around their eyes and their red nose. You sigh softly, running a hand through your own hair.
Man… That was a thing that just happened. You just fought, like an actual fight, with an old goat mom. She was now probably… crying, huh? Jeez, you, this, all of this just seemed awful.
"Is this.. What got you so sad? Do we.. never get to see her again?" Frisk slowly looks up to you and give a half hearted shrug.
"Depends. Sometimes it turns out good, sometimes it turns out bad." You nod, crossing your arms to get more heat to your body. You both might be wearing warm clothes, but definitely not warm enough for a snowy forest.
"Before we start off again, here," You pass them your bag, and turn around. Crouching, you reach your hands behind you. "I'll carry you on my back, my bag on your back." You glance to Frisk, happy to see a smile begin splitting their cheeks. They loved when they were carried, always said they liked feeling taller.
They climbed on without hesitation, your bag snug on their back. Hopefully, being squashed between you and a full bag would bring them extra warmth.
"Then, let's carry on!" The kid laughed, pointing a finger forward in a way to say, 'Onward!'.
Your boots crunch in the snow for every step, your breath coming out in warm, visible, puffs in front of your face. The silence of the forest is.. Peaceful in a way. As if they knew what Frisk and you had just went through and were trying to be kind.
"Nn-Mm." The kid bounced on your back, their golden hand gesturing down to your feet. Looking, you see a tough looking branch in the middle of the path. You just about walked over it without taking notice.
"You want it?" They nod. Crouching down, you try to lift it. You can manage it, but you know it's way too much for the kids. Instead, you lay it back down and stand before Frisk slides off your back. "Let's look for a different one. We could totally find a better walking stick." You tilted your head just in time to catch Frisk's pout, which makes you laugh at the sight. You continue forward, bouncing them up on your back, making them giggle and wrap their small arms around your neck. "Wanna hear a joke? What's brown and sticky-"
Snap
You freeze in place.
Slowly, very slowly, you look over your shoulder to see the heavy thick branch shattered. Your heart drops to the pit of your stomach and you immediately turn forward, quickening your pace. Someone or something had just broken it, and you wanted nothing to do with whatever did it.
You feel someone following you both. For a second, you swear you even hear footsteps. Without stopping, you whip your head back to see if you can see anyone, but not a soul was there.
Coming up to a weirdly built bridge with large posts across it, you feel a cold shiver run through you and suddenly, you can't take another step forward. You inhale sharply when the hairs on your neck stand up and you know someone is behind you.
"Human," The voice is deep, making you shiver again. At this point you can't tell if it's because of the cold or not.
Frisk suddenly turns around on your back, jerking you slightly. You stumbled to fully turn round so the kid doesn't fall off of you. You keep your eyes down, not really ready to face whoever owned the voice.
A hand, a pearly white hand, is stuck into your view and nervously you take it.
Two things happened immediately. First, you realized the hand was actually very bony. No, literally it was bones. Secondly, a loud fart noise reverberated through the quiet and your lips curled in as you tried not to laugh at it.
"Heh, the old whoopee cushion in the hand trick…" The voice paused. "Wait a sec… Have you heard it before or something? You turned around before I said to...Weird…. Whatever. You're a human, right?" At that, you finally rose your eyes.
They didn't move too far up.
Two black sockets, with pinpricks of white, stared into you, a large smile that was a bit odd looking stretched over a knocked up skull. It was tilted in a tired way towards you. You blink slowly, guessing that the… Skeleton was about the height of Frisk. Maybe an inch taller.
"I'm Sans. Sans the skeleton." Your guess was right. Though, it was kind of obvious.
His pinpricks looked you over, and his brow bone dipped in confusion. How he did that was beyond you. He said something under his breath, sounding like 'you're new', but it was just barely audible, you could be mistaken.
"I'm _, the human," You say, then shift the kid on your back. "And this is Frisk, also a human." The large smile on the skeleton's face widens a bit at your dripping voice every time you said human. You both were as obviously human as he was a Skeleton. At least, in your opinion.
"Nice to meet you both. I'm actually supposed to be on watch for humans right now." You take a step back immediately. It was reflex since you had Frisk on you. "But," He immediately followed up. "Y'know… I don't really care about capturing anybody."
"Capturing humans?" You frowned heavily. That did not sound good. "That's a thing?"
"Yeah," He says. "Now my brother, Papyrus," Sans… Papyrus… weren't those fonts? "He's a human-hunting fanatic."
"Awesome." You spout dryly.
"Hey, actually, I think that's him over there." Seeing Sans look off somewhere behind you, you whip around. "I have an idea. Go through this gate thingy."
"Oh! That's what these poles were for? … I think they're a bit to spaced out."
"Yeah," Sans says, shrugging at your side. "My bro made the bars too wide to stop anyone. Again." You snort at the add on. The skeleton moves around you, waving his bony hand for you to follow behind. However, you don't move.
This guy was leading you straight to a human hunting skeleton. He just.. Wanted you to follow him? Really? You weren't stupid. Or ballsy enough to risk Frisk.
Sans stops on the other side of the bridge, turning to look to you, raising his brow bone.
You need to ask how he does that.
"Come on kid." You purse your lips.
"Look. If your brother really hunts humans-"
"You'll be fine." He says, cutting in.
"- I can't risk Frisk." You continue without skipping a beat. You nudged the kid a bit, looking to their half lidded eyes. Frisk looked ready to fall asleep.
"... You both will be fine." He says again. He gave you a look, a reassuring one, you think.
You're about to protest again, and if he wouldn't listen you'd bolt, but Frisk rose their hand into your sight.
"It's okay." They sign. "Nothings going to happen." When their hand drops, you sigh loudly.
"Alright. Fine." You trudge after Sans, who's laughing to himself about something.
"Quick," He blurts when you three have come to a sort-of clearing with only a couple things in it. "Behind that conveniently-shaped lamp." The lamp Sans gestures to is obviously for Frisk. So, you walk over and slide the kid off. Taking the bag from them, you decide to dart behind the wooden desk off to the side.
Crouching down, so you don't sit right in the snow, you lean your back up against the lower siding.
...
Why was there Mustard, Ketchup, and Relish staked behind this station? You know what, you really don't want to know. This obviously wasn't a food stand of any sort. So whatever it was doing here was for a reason you were sure you'd find too weird. You didn't need anything else weird right now.
Peeking around, you can see Frisk, Sans, and someone suddenly run in.
"Sup, bro?" Sans says leisurely, but the other skeleton, who looks almost the complete opposite of Sans, looks annoyed.
"YOU KNOW WHAT 'SUP', BROTHER!" The loud voice makes you jump. How did that tall skeleton have the lungs for that voice when he didn't even have lungs? "IT'S BEEN EIGHT DAYS AND YOU STILL HAVEN'T RECALIBRATED. YOUR. PUZZLES!" Jeez, more puzzles? You almost groan out loud. "YOU JUST HANG AROUND OUTSIDE YOUR STATION!" The tall skeleton animatedly waves to where you were hiding. You were surprised he hadn't noticed- wait. He can completely see Frisk right now, right? He's practically staring at the kid. They weren't hidden from him at all!
"WHAT ARE YOU EVEN DOING?!"
"Staring at this lamp." Oh… no… "It's really cool. Do you wanna look?" Was Sans… seriously trying to sell Frisk out right now?!
"NO! I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT! WHAT IF A HUMAN COMES THROUGH HERE!? I WANT TO BE READY!" The skeleton is now stomping in place. He reminds you fondly of how Frisk would get if they threw a tantrum.
They may act mature for their age, but they were still a kid, and still your younger sibling.
"I WILL CAPTURE A HUMAN! THEN, I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS…" Now he was posing, a makeshift orange cape on his back flaping a little in the imaginary wind. "WILL GET ALL THE THINGS I UTTERLY DESERVE. RESPECT...RECOGNITION… I WILL FINALLY BE ABLE TO JOIN THE ROYAL GUARD. PEOPLE WILL ASK TO, BE MY, 'FRIEND?' I WILL BATHE IN A SHOWER OF KISSES EVERY MORNING." His rant was oddly cute.
"Hmm," Sans tap his chin with the tip of a bone, and briefly his eyes connect with your's. You can't tell if he's smirking or if it's been the same smile that he's had plastered to his face the whole time. "Maybe this lamp will help you."
"SANS! YOU ARE NOT HELPING! YOU LAZYBONES! ALL YOU DO IS SIT AND BOONDOGGLE!" You decide your new favorite word is boondoggle.
But only if this Papyrus guys says it.
"YOU GET LAZIER AND LAZIER EVERYDAY!"
"Hey, take it easy. I've gotten a ton of work done today. A skeleton." Both you and Frisk simultaneously snort and cover your mouths, trying to stifle all your laughter. Bad puns were your kryptonite.
"SANS!"
"Come on. You're smiling."
"I AM AND I HATE IT! SIGH…" He said that out loud. What's up with monsters saying 'Z's when they're pretending to sleep, or actually saying 'sigh'? "WHY DOES SOMEONE AS GREAT AS ME… HAVE TO DO SO MUCH JUST TO GET SOME RECOGNITION."
"Wow, sounds like you're really working yourself… down to the bone." You had to bite the inside of your cheek to stop any of your harsh giggles.
"UGH! I WILL ATTEND TO MY PUZZLES… AS FOR YOUR WORK? PUT A LITTLE MORE, 'BACKBONE' INTO IT! NYEHHEHEHEHE!" The tall skeleton then scurried off.
You wait for a moment, to make sure he really had left, and then when Sans says it's okay for you two too come out, you let out all of your pent up laughter as you stand. You have to use the counter of the station you hid behind for support.
"Oh- oh wow," You make it over to Frisk, who has tears of laughter in their eyes. You were so happy they had your humor. "That was great!" Sans is grinning at the two of you, his hands stuffed deep in the pockets of his blue jacket.
"You two oughta get going. He might come back, and if he does…" Sans winks. "You'll have to sit through more of my hilarious jokes." You give a nod. You go to hand Frisk your bag, but they hold up their hands.
"Where's your bat?" You blink slowly, and then, it hits you.
"Oh no! Come on!" You click your tongue, running a hand through your hair in annoyance.
"Uh, what?" Sans says, looking at the two of you in confusion. Mostly though, they were on Frisk's hands.
"My, ugh, bat. It's this base ball bat that I practically treasured. I… lost it." You then look to Frisk. "Never picked it back up. Dang… Do you think we needed it?" Frisk hums to themself, but then shrugs.
"I don't think so."
"Well, bah. Fine. Maybe she'll take it for me." Frisk nodded in agreeance.
"Kids, what's the holdup?" Sans looked between you two again. He was very lost in your exchange. "Look, there's nothin to be afraid of. It's just a dark cavern filled with skeletons and horrible monsters." You rolled your eyes, but smiled as you shifted the bag into Frisk's hold. Crouching down and letting them climb back onto you, you turn to Sans when you're up at your full height.
"Right. I think that's the most reassuring thing i've heard in awhile." You say. His grins widdens.
"You're welcome." You give a nod, and then a wave when you can unhook your hand from Frisk's ankle. Just as you turn to leave and continue through the snow, Sans deep voice echoes out again.
"Hey, hate to bother ya," You pause, looking over your shoulder. The skeleton is tapping his finger bones against his skull. "But can you do me a favor?"
"Depends on the favor, really."
"I was thinking… My brother's been kind of down lately… He's never seen a human before. Specially not two of them, and seeing both of you might just make his day." Then, seeing your hesitation he immediately plugs in, "Don't worry, he's not dangerous. Even if he tries to be."
Going face to face with a human hunting skeleton, whose brother swears he's not dangerous. In any other situation, this would be a trap. The skeleton is obviously just trying to help his brother out by supplying the two humans for the guy to capture.
...But this wasn't any other situation.
"Alright. But you promise no funny business?" He grins and nods, putting a hand to his chest.
"I swear on my soul." You purse your lips, but nod. "Thanks a million. I'll be up a ahead." Just as he turns, something pops into your head.
"Hey," He stops, looking over his shoulder to you.
"Yeah kid?"
"You're a real comic, sans. I found your jokes pretty humerus, tibia honest." Then with that, you turn and walk off with a bounce in your step.
Happening upon a save star, you tap it.
The three amazing puns you just made fill you with Kindness.