They didn't hear from Napstablook for a while. Frisk wasn't worried, though. They were probably still convincing their cousin to help Chara. Frisk could wait. They weren't going anywhere, and neither was Chara.

They spent their days like they always did: learning from Mom, doing chores, exploring the Ruins. Flowey would've called it boring, if he'd bothered to show up. When was the last time Frisk had seen him? They wondered what he was up to. Chara had been confident he'd annoy them forever.

Who cares? He wasn't any fun, anyway, Chara said.

Frisk frowned. He wasn't the nicest, but they still hoped he was alright.

If he didn't want to be found, though, he wouldn't be. Frisk had to respect that.

Today they were swinging their legs in the stream, feeling the cold water wash away the dirt between their toes. They wished they could go swimming, but Mom didn't like them to swim by themself. Maybe she'd come with them later today, after she finished her business.

(She'd still been in the house when Frisk had left. Was her business… in the basement?)

Probably, Chara said. She'd probably tell you if you asked. You've been good.

Yeah. Asking would be better than sneaking around. After what had happened last time, they never wanted to go behind Mom's back again.

"Wow! Look at you! You haven't changed a bit!"

Frisk turned around, nearly losing their balance and falling into the stream. Flowey had popped out of the dirt behind them.

"Flowey! I was worried about you!" They grinned.

"You? Worried about me?" He gave an ominous, toothy grin. "That's hilarious! In fact, I only came back because I was worried about you!"

Frisk's grin dropped. "Mom still hasn't baked me into a pie, if that's what you mean."

Flowey laughed. "No, I know you're perfectly content to play pretend with that old hag—I mean, Toriel." He didn't actually look sorry about his rude words. "Anyway! As your friend, I thought it would be polite to warn you. The Royal Guard knows a human is here."

"Huh?" Frisk asked. Chara seemed confused, too.

"Ugh! You're so stupid!" Flowey threw his head back, so he was flopped in the dirt. "The Royal Guard hunts humans! Didn't your precious mom tell you anything useful?"

I've never even heard of a Royal Guard, Chara said. If there was one, I'd definitely know.

Frisk was more likely to trust Chara than Flowey, but… on the other hand, Chara hadn't believed that Dad would kill humans. And Mom wouldn't lie about that.

A lot might've changed since you… Frisk's thought trailed off. They blushed.

Since I died. You can say it. Chara sounded annoyed. I still think he's just trying to scare you.

Frisk sighed. Flowey looked… intrigued. He quickly covered it up with disdain, though.

"You sure think a lot for a kid with no common sense," Flowey muttered.

"I'm safe here," Frisk said firmly. "Mom won't let those Royal Guards or whoever get in here."

Some things made more sense now, though. The only entrance to the Ruins was in the basement. Chara was certain of that. If someone was trying to get in, it made sense that she'd send Frisk out to play while she took care of it.

The water dripping off of their feet felt cold as ice. Mom might be in trouble because of them.

Mom's strong, Chara insisted. She can take care of herself.

"Someone doesn't look so confident now, huh?" Flowey smiled smugly.

Frisk ignored him—they were already running back home, shoes forgotten on the bank.

A/N: for those worried about what Flowey was up to, he was spreading the news of the human in the Ruins. In case that wasn't obvious that that was his fault lol.