Even if Napstablook had returned with their cousin, Frisk wouldn't have been able to meet them. Mom kept Frisk busy with lessons and gardening and cooking—anything to keep them near the house. It didn't make much sense. The door to the rest of the Underground was in the basement, so the rest of the Ruins should be safe, right?
They didn't point that out to her, though. They felt safer around Mom than anywhere else.
Today they sat on the armrest of Mom's giant reading chair, practicing their knitting. Mom worked on her own project, a purple-and-yellow sweater that would be Frisk's size.
You'll want to fix that, Chara said when their needle slipped.
Frisk rolled their eyes. Chara could be really knit-picky sometimes.
Suddenly Chara burst out laughing. The sound in Frisk's head made them drop their red yarn and both needles. They fell in a heap on the ground, but Chara just kept laughing and laughing—happy laughing, not the sad chuckles or annoyed scoffs they often made.
Chara's real laughter was contagious. Frisk couldn't help joining in, even when Mom gave them a strange look.
"Did something tickle your funny bone, my child?" she asked while gently tickling their elbow with her claws.
"Just—" Frisk snorted with laughter, "thought of a funny knitting joke."
"Oh?" Mom blinked. "Would you care to share?"
Frisk hopped down and picked up the skein of yarn. Their needles had gotten hopelessly tangled, but it had been worth it.
"I'm glad I'm not knit-picky," they said with a grin.
Chara's laughter had started to calm down, but it reignited when they heard Mom wheeze.
"Knit-picky!" She howled and slapped her knee. Her whole reading chair shook with her laughter. "Oh, I cannot wait to share that one with—"
Her laughter cut off abruptly, leaving Frisk feeling hollow. They scraped at the edge of one knitting needle with their thumbnail.
"I'm sorry about your friend," they mumbled.
"My child, do not worry." Mom set down her project and knelt beside them, her warm arms enfolding them in safety. "I will see him again. This will all pass quickly, I am sure of it."
It was still their fault. If they weren't here, Mom and her friend wouldn't be in trouble. Even if Mom could take care of herself, she didn't deserve to lose her friend just to protect them. They should've been stronger, or stayed more hidden, or…
Or not existed at all.
Don't be stupid, Frisk. You've made Mom really happy. She… she deserves a kid like you.
Chara's voice was bittersweet. Frisk didn't know how to answer them.
"We will be just fine." Mom kissed their forehead, then picked up their yarn and needles. "Come, small one. I would knot have you get tangled up over a silly old lady like me."
They managed a small smile, but they wouldn't give up like Mom asked. There had to be a way to fix things for everyone.
They were determined to find it.