Chapter 17
Asriel's heart sank deeper and deeper as Chara told him what had been weighing so heavily on his mind. There was no way Chara meant anything he said. Asriel could not have been hearing Chara right. There had to be some mistake. Although his brother had yet to be in his life for a year. Asriel already could not imagine a world without Chara.
Sitting across from each other at the foot of Asgore's throne, Chara very carefully, very slowly, and very quietly shared his idea with Asriel. It was the worst thing Asriel had ever heard, but he listened to Chara without interrupting. When Chara finished, he looked at Asriel expectantly.
"I . . . I don't like this idea, Chara," Asriel said as he gripped the video camera. His throat tightened. His eyes burned. His paws shook. He didn't want to put another thought into anything Chara had just said.
Chara frowned, and his brows furrowed. "Asriel . . . , you're crying."
"Wh-what? N-no, I'm not. . . ." Asriel wiped his eyes and indeed felt tears, but he still denied it. "Big kids don't cry."
"But they can still be sad," Chara stated, his eyes never leaving Asriel's.
"Yeah, you're right," Asriel agreed, not that sad could even begin to describe what he was feeling in that moment.
For a moment, the two sat in silence. After a moment, Chara sighed. Speaking far too softly, Chara whispered, "You doubt me."
Asriel didn't think about his response. He just shouted, "No! I'd never doubt you, Chara. Never!"
As much as Asriel didn't want to think about what Chara's idea meant, he didn't want to upset Chara further. Asriel vowed to himself that no matter what, he would make Chara happy. If this was what would make Chara happy, then Asriel was willing to go through with this no matter how hard it would be.
Chara at first seemed surprised by Asriel's declaration. Then he closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and exhaled slowly. Opening his eyes, Chara said, "We will be strong. We will free everyone."
"Y-yeah!" Asriel said, forcing himself to repeat Chara's words. "We'll be strong! We'll free everyone."
Jumping to his feet, Asriel stated, "I'll go get the flowers."
Then he felt his finger slip onto the camera power button. Heart stopping, Asriel checked the recording light. When Asriel saw that the light wasn't blinking, he sighed in relief. It appeared that the camera did not record any of that. The last thing Asriel wanted was for someone else to ever hear what the two had talked about in the garden.
"No, Asriel, wait," Chara said. Without waiting to be asked, Chara explained, "We have guests here tonight. If we're to do this, we should wait until after they're gone. Maybe until the next time King Dad and Mother go on one of their royal trips. We don't want to get caught, Asriel."
Relief making the burden roll off his shoulders, Asriel tried not to sound too eager as he agreed, "Yeah, it might be a good idea to wait for a little while."
If we wait . . . maybe Chara will change his mind.
As if sensing Asriel's unease, Chara said, "Everything is going to be okay, Asriel."
Wanting to show Chara that he was confident in the idea, Asriel smiled and said a little too loudly, "Okay? Chara, we're going to free everyone. This is the best thing that's ever going to happen in all Underground!"
Chara was sick to his stomach all throughout dinner. He had finally shared his plan with Asriel. What Chara expected was resistance from Asriel, perhaps even an argument.
But Asriel . . . was rather accepting of the plan. When Asriel first stated that he didn't like the idea, Chara thought Asriel was going to try talking Chara out of it. Instead, Asriel quickly came around and acted excited at what this plan could do. Perhaps he was right to be excited. This could mean so much for everyone.
When Renart commented that the children were quiet, Asriel stumbled over his words. It was up to Chara to come up with an excuse. He didn't remember what he said, but it was satisfactory enough for the adults.
When Chara suggested that he and Asriel begin to follow through with his plan after their parents went away on another trip, he did not anticipate Asgore announcing at dinner that same night that he and Toriel would be returning to Hotland with Gerson and Renart to check in on a new development. Chara's heart skipped a beat. Palms growing sweaty, Chara wiped his hands on his pants and tried to swallow through his dry throat. Things were falling into place for his plan too perfectly. Chara should have been happy, but instead he hated that the stars were aligning.
It was at this moment Chara realized that as good as an idea his plan was, there was a small but strong part of him that did not want to go through with it.
He loved his new family. He loved his new life. He loved the monsters trapped Underground.
Yet it was because of this love that no matter if he had second thoughts, Chara could not back out now that he had already spoken his plan. Not when Asriel so readily agreed. Certainly not when the perfect opportunity had gift-wrapped itself to him.
Chara's life barely mattered, but his death would mean freedom for an entire race.
