Over the next few days Mom didn't let them out of her sight. Frisk didn't mind. Being around Mom was better than being alone with a panicking Chara.
I'm not panicking, Chara huffed as Frisk helped Mom overturn a mossy log. I'm just worried about Mom. Someone must have tricked her to make her think Dad would…
Chara still couldn't let it go. Frisk couldn't blame them. Chara just wanted Mom and Dad to be happy.
Mom seemed happiest when she wasn't thinking about Dad, though.
"Look, Frisk!" Mom grinned, patting their shoulder excitedly. "A Hercules beetle!"
She pointed to the inside of a fallen log, where a beetle with the longest horn Frisk had ever seen was burrowing under a small pile of red leaves.
"Is that a monster?" Frisk whispered, half-hiding behind Mom's leg. Most of the monsters in the Ruins were nice now that they were used to Frisk, but Frisk had never seen one like this before. It was too big to be a normal beetle, right?
"No, my child." Mom chuckled. "These creatures live on the surface, too. Well, they did when I was a child. I hope that has not changed."
She crept forward, her net held in one hand, her other cradling a tiny flicker of fire magic. Frisk followed, eager to see Mom in action. Besides, they had nothing to be afraid of—giant bugs or otherwise—as long as she was around.
They held their breath as Mom flicked an ember from her palm. It burned itself out before reaching the ground, but it was enough to startle the beetle from its hiding place.
Quick as lightning, Mom struck with her net. The beetle's horn caught in the webbing; its legs struggled uselessly. It made Frisks's stomach squirm too. Not because the bug was gross or scary, but because it was sad.
"I have still got it," Mom said with a grin. "If we can find three more of these, I can cook us a wonderful supper."
Frisk forced a smile. They had to eat. It wouldn't be any different from eating snails. Mom would make sure that the beetles didn't suffer needlessly.
"Chara always loved Hercules beetle stew," Mom said quietly after trapping the bug in their bucket.
"They did?" Frisk was surprised that Mom brought up Chara, but they were even more surprised that Chara hadn't said anything about the beetles themself.
I don't have to babysit you all the time, Chara said.
"Yes. I hope you will enjoy it as well, though I do not expect you to share all of Chara's tastes." Mom smiled softly.
"I'll love it," Frisk said. They did share all of Chara's tastes, at least when Chara kept them company. Frisk was sure Chara wouldn't miss out on their favorite dish.
Bribing me with food. You're a real jerk, Frisk.
Mom was too busy laughing to notice Frisk's smile.
"You are awfully confident about this, my child. Thank you for your faith in my cooking."
There were a few meals Mom made that Frisk didn't like, but for the most part they'd eat anything. It was all made with love.
They decided that was worth sacrificing a few more beetles for.