"I'm fine" I said for what seemed like the millionth time.
Toriel was asking me again at the end of the day ever since I went with her after getting to the surface.
It was once a week at first. But now, it became an everyday routine for her.
I was doing fine if I do say so myself. The talks as an ambassador is doing great in my opinion.
I didn't think I was being particularly unfair to any of the parties involved.
Everyone seems fine with the decisions being made.
I didn't do that much mistakes or damage...
To anything really...
I was so preoccupied by my job that I didn't really have time to wreck something..
I think.
Did I do something wrong?
It was eating me. She looked at me with something akin to concern.
But what if I was reading her wrong?
What if she didn't want me to tag along? Like maybe she was just trying to be nice?
"You seem tired, my child." Toriel said again.
We were sitting at the couch after the meeting with the humans that had been going for more than ten hours.
We were drinking tea and just taking a break before we went to bed that night.
It wasn't the first time she said this. But it was the first time it seems that she wasn't going to let it go and watch me go to my room.
Am I being kicked out?
I nervously glanced at her. She looked like she wanted to have a serious conversation.
I considered my options.
I think Alphys and Undyne would take me in for at least a day.
Maybe Asgore, too.
Papyrus would probably do so since he already did when we were still on the underground but..
Sans wouldn't.
I didn't particularly have any money since being an ambassador basically took all my time and it wasn't like I was getting paid for it.
Sure, it was a job.
I like it a lot.
But if I was getting kicked out of the house I needed to at least limit my time talking peace treaties and get a paid job after. It was taking more than ten hours a day not to mention the tasks for the day like writing the proposals and checking with monsters.
I mentally groaned. I'm not sure I could managed this and work a part time job.
"All you did these past few weeks are work, eat and sleep." Toriel paused wanting eye contact.
I kept my head down.
Was I supposed to do anything else? Did I forgot something?
It was the only things that I knew I was supposed to do.. They were the only things I did even before falling in Mt. Ebott.
I kept thinking about what I was forgetting when Toriel put a hand on my shoulders. She looked at me worried.
I must have done a bad job with the talks when I kept zoning in and out of conversations.
I realized I was being selfish and so dependent to Toriel.
And then it hit me.
"I'll do the chores." I said proudly.
I'm not that oblivious and absent minded but I did kinda forgot that Toriel did most of the household chores. I must have been a very useless roommate for a long time.
Toriel gave me a confused look. "I can cook! But not that good as you. Also I only know a few dishes." I said sheepishly.
"My child-" I continued, ignoring her.
"I'll tidy the house. I'll buy groceries. Wash the dishes. I can do all of that. I'll also do the laundry. " I said in one breath.
Toriel had this look on her that felt like she was pitying me. It was the same look she gave me at the Ruins high doors.
I flinched when she reached for my head. This made her stopped.
"I can be useful Toriel." I let out a whisper.
I can't deal with this again. I don't wanna be alone again.
Being alone with my thoughts is just so scary these days.
Specially after getting to the surface.
"Oh my child" Toriel said softly, cupping her mouth. She looked sad.
I knew it.
She's kicking me out.
"You just have to tell me what to do. I'll do it" I said again louder. I shut my eyes wishing her to agree but not wanting to see her disagreeing.
I don't know what to do with myself if she didn't.
I counted for like five seconds when she pulled me into a tight hug. I can feel she was crying.
"Please, Toriel" I begged, not knowing what else to do. I sobbed.
"I-I can do anything" I hugged her back and buried my face on her.
"Shhh" she said petting my head. She seemed to be getting sadder the more I spoke.
But I tend to blurt out my thoughts whenever I'm nervous and I'll be damned if I didn't give my all into convincing her that I can be useful to her.
It wasn't a surprise. Not really.
She was just lonely in the Ruins. That's why she tolerated my presence. But now that we are on the surface with everyone here. She realized how much work and stress it was being with me.
"Please..." I said full on sobbing now.
Toriel wasn't doing anything else other than hugging and petting me while sobbing herself.
Must be hard to kick me out for a gentle soul like her.
It's all my fault. "Please don't kick me out."
She hugged me tighter and softly laughed. "I am not kicking you out my child." I sniffed.
"You're - - you're not..?" I took a glanced at her. Not wanting her to see my disgusting face. She smiled.
"I'm not implying that you're not doing anything on the house. I'm sorry if it felt that way." she explained wiping the tears on my face.
I buried my face on her chest again relieved and embarrassed at the same time. "But I wasn't really doing anything in the house either way..." I argued.
"Yes, my child" she sighed. She put a finger on my chin and nudged it up making me face her.
"All you do is work. You don't do anything else. Work is good and all but I can see you're over doing it"
I looked at her confused.
If I didn't finish this ambassador thing sooner, the monsters and humans will get disappointed and angry. I said so to Toriel.
"Peace treaties are supposed to be long. Everyone is different and setting boundaries that makes everyone happy are hard and time consuming work, my child. I'm sure you understand"
I nodded completely agreeing. Still..
It didn't mean that I should just make everyone wait for me.
"Even if it wasn't an important and hard work, you're still overworked. I love you so much to hate to see you waste your time in this work. You barely got out to take a breather or meet your friends." she squished my cheeks.
I stared at her flabbergasted. "You're doing a great job. But please take time for yourself too."
"Frisk" I blurted. I just can't get over the fact that she said that she loves me again even after getting here.
She smiled. "I knew that you'll tell me your name sooner or later"
She hugged me again. "Frisk, my beautiful child"
I took a breathe, preparing myself for the question I always wanted to ask her.
"Can I call you mother?" I hold my breath waiting.
It was a stupid question and something I shouldn't have asked but I really, really wanted to call her that even before I go out of the Ruins.
She gasped and hugged me again affectionately. "Of course, Frisk"
I let out my breath, "I love you, mother"
