Night was already etched and watered on the dark canvas above, it wasn't even noon; January had short days. Even so, they didn't feel short. Not last week, with all the rumblings of celebration and fanfare. The sun had slowed, the sky cleared, the air weighed. Like his mind slowed and he could see clearly. Maybe the clock helped him feel out the time he hadn't to spare.

Leaning comfortably on an out of season fountain, he kept his head dangling up toward the skies. It felt like he was traversing an uneasy bridge, rotted woods and tired ropes that could collapse any moment. Worst of all was the way back was scarier than forward, planks already falling behind him. Straight was the only option, the only he had. Obviously he had jitters strong enough to be ripped in tatters, this was his only shot. The planet could explode after that day, he wouldn't care. He had psyched himself up, but he'd also resigned that if he didn't get anywhere, he was ready to let it go at last. Go back to drinking soda and staring at the clouds with Susie… And Noelle too.

He was glued there, wearing two layers of sweaters and watching the monsters of Hometown go about their pleasure and sometimes business… In short, he was early, and this was how he wasted his time. Either that or snake.

Checked his wrist to see it was about two before six when his ears picked a familiar trot out of the crowd scrolling past. Ambling in the same, always hurrying pace.

Kris thought he got her confused, hence he had to check his eyesight. It was her, but she looked less formal than normal, a lot less so. Camel colored pinafore dress worn over a milk-white turtleneck sweater, that was only visible around her arms and neck, and a pleated green and red scarf over it that held her hair softly around her face, button nose and all. Like a golden macchiato in a holiday cup. She was cute normally. In that dress she was adorable. An angel, with curved horns and cloven hooves. Cherubs could eat their hearts out.

‟—I said, Did I make you wait?!"

‟Huh?! No, not at all."

‟Gosh Kris, only had to say it thrice before you responded! I wonder what goes on through that head of yours sometimes."

He stood straight, matching her eyes comfortably, smirk involuntarily sprouting from his mouth, ‟Sorry, just that your getup left me speechless… Didn't you tell me to 'not expect anything'?"

‟First of all, I don't sound like that.

And this is just something I put on when I go out. Don't get that excited about it." - She started walking side to side with him.

‟Well I've never seen them before, makes it a bit suspect."

‟Because youand Susie always drag me off after school or come straight to my house! I don't even have the time to get dressed."

‟Well, that's unfortunate… because you look fantastic."

‟Here we go again…" - The deer faintly rolled her eyes in almost a murmur.

‟What's that supposed to mean? I meant what I said."

‟I-I'm sure you did, but it still feels a bit… over the top? Whenever you say it."

‟…Over the top? You think I was acting when I gawked at you so hard I tuned out everything you said?
Just believe me and accept the compliment."

‟I-I'd like to, but it's hard to believe this is any special. My mom picked this outfit out last year… two years ago now." - Again, she spoke with a low thrum of red on her cheeks, which could have been the cold for all he knew.

‟Also, did I hear wrong or do you wear your school clothes at home?"

‟They're not school clothes, it's just my home wear."

‟You go to school in your home wear?"

‟Yeah! It's really convenient when you can go out for a quick errand and get back home without changing. And they're presentable just about anywhere, so I don't have to worry much.

…And before you ask, I don't wear just one pair, and I do wash them!" - He wasn't going to ask, but he got the sentiment. He'd been asked if he washes his ‟one sweater" enough times for him to consider sticking numbers on them until people get the message.

‟Seems convenient, I just wear pajamas."

‟You know, I get why people call you a slob."

‟They're the comfiest clothes you can wear."

‟… Sis would agree with you there. She does the same thing, no matter how many times mom told her off for it."

‟Trust me, I've seen her."

He slowly relaxed while they walked and talked, blending into the crowd like just another couple, like it could be true from afar. If not for him being human, they would practically be invisible. It was like Christmas had never ended, memory of snow still lingering on his brows. He enjoyed being with her between the cold streets and busy skies. Her closeness enough to toast his core snugly.

‟I-I-I'm not sure about this, Kris…" - She uttered, whole body tense, hands whimpering from the amount of pressure put on the poor things. Her face was reflecting the white, frigid sheen like a mirror.

‟You don't have to be that tense."

‟I'm just not u-used to this…" - She said as Kris watched his reindeer friend push her other skate on the ice, with the same absolute uncertainty as the first.

Not many monsters were using the open-air rink, even though it should've been peak time. Apparently, clientele drops after Christmas. And luckily, hockey matches were Sunday. Kris was holding onto the coast, which was the waist high stoppers encircling the ice. He'd come here to practice not falling on his face… and hopefully stop her from doing it too. He did chuckle at the skates Noelle wore, like little helmets on her feet with the skates jutting out forward and back… they looked more like miniature skis.

‟See, you got on. It wasn't that hard."

‟I-I guess, maybe I was—" - Celebrating her hard won victory, the horned blond immediately shot her hoof forwards and up forgetting ice was slippery, flailing as her body toppled back and she landed right on her butt with a plop.

Because of his position, he got an angle perfectly linear with her knees and down her mellow skirt. Not that it was something he ever thought about, but Noelle's panties weren't exactly what he expected. They weren't red, green, white or even pink, like he wasn't expecting because he had never thought about it, but instead were an eggnog yellow, with off-white polka dots dappled over them. In contrast to how tightly they hugged her form, giving ample view of the curvature of her thin waist and supple bottom, they were surprisingly childish. Kind of thing worn by girls that are too young to understand what being a couple even is. Noelle wasn't mature in regards of underwear. Or fashion, once he looked her up again. Not that he was, but it was like a small victory in his head, knowing even she wasn't perfect. Of course he cocked his head back from her skirt in an instant, and helped the poor girl up. Giving him no chance to notice what he'd seen. Inexplicably though, she kept giving him some side-eye.

‟You saw, didn't you?"

‟Nope. Nothing."

‟You can be honest, Krismas. I won't get mad."

‟I think they're very cute."

After saying this Noelle used her free hand to hit him in the arm as hard as she could muster. Which was weaker than Susie's play punches.

‟Ow! You said you won't get mad!"

‟I didn't ask you to be that honest, Kris! Ew!"

‟Alright, fine, I'm sorry."

‟If you had told me we'd go skating, I would've worn some pants instead!"

‟Pants? I don't know if pants fit you."

He got hit even harder.

‟Suit! I meant 'Suit you'!"

‟You were looking down there when you said that!"

After waiting out her impotent rage, he cleared his throat, ‟Anyway, once you've calmed down, we can do some skating."

‟I-I mean, I-I don't know if I'm any good at this…" - She said, both hands on the outside boards with her back to the rink.

‟Come on Noelle, it gets fun once you get used to it."

‟… Sorry for being such a wimp, Kris, it's just a very weird feeling not being able to stay still on my hooves …" - The deer used all her strength to support herself while looking as far down as she could.

‟It's alright, don't worry, we'll start low." - He glided to her side, with one hand on the boards.

‟First up, try not to look down, that's uh, normally important, but doubly for you."

‟Because of my horns?"

‟Yeah, as cute as they are, they don't help with keeping balance."

‟First I can't wear a helmet because of them, and now this… I'm starting to think this isn't a sport I'm made for…
And, uh, thanks."

Kris then continued to go through all the basics. After only twenty minutes the precocious doe was already walking along the outer layer of the long rink. Her steps were greatly uneven, and she still kept a hand on the coast at all times, but she learned to do it, and faster than him.

‟You know, I was afraid you'd have some kind of aptitude for this."

‟Gosh, me? This is the exact opposite of what I'm used to doing. And why'd you be afraid?"

‟Couldn't show off if you were better than me." - Not like Kris could do spins or twirls or anything, he only had confidence he could skate fast forwards and backwards and not crash into a wall.

‟Fah, Fat chance. I can barely hold on."

‟You know, we can try going faster."

‟I don't know if I'm ready for faster."

‟I'm sure you are, try grabbing my hands." - He held his arms aloft.

‟W-with both hands? What if we both fall on top of each other?"

‟You can't go any faster than that while holding onto the railing…"

She extended her arms apprehensively, checking in his eyes three times if he was sure. She had fir green nails on, and her hands were soft on his. Once he took them in, he steadily slid over, and left the coast with her following.

‟Like this, I can catch you if you fall forwards, and hold you if you topple back"

‟I don't know about this Kris… aren't you gonna prank me again?"

‟Prank? How!?"

‟I mean, aren't you gonna speed up and drag me with you? Or spin around until I get really dizzy? It just… I feel like you'll do something like that." - They were still, just keeping balanced on the ice. Her hands were squeezing like to test if he was there.

His smile dropped, ‟I'm not going to do that."

‟I somehow doubt you won't." - She said it with the same smile she said everything else.

‟Noelle, when was the last time I even pranked you?"

‟Uhh, it was… actually, I , I don't think I remember." - Kris knew, it was when he cannoned mice into her in the Cyber world. The Dark World wasn't even a prank.

‟I want you to at least trust that I've grown past that."

A long, almost ashamed sigh went out from the girl he was holding, ‟Alright Kris, sorry for doubting you like that. It's just… force of habit at this point."

‟I can't say I don't deserve it… and I do hope you trust me, because I'll be trusting you to tell me where to go, I can't see anything like this." - He looked over his shoulder to emphasize his blind spot.

‟Huh?! You'll skate backwards?!"

‟And you forwards. Don't let me fall."

‟K-Kris, we'll crash into something!"

‟Not if you're here to guide me. And I've done it before, it's not even that hard."

‟… Wait, you've, you planned this out?" - She looked at him with an surprised glare.

‟Yup."

‟… I don't know if I should be glad or angry that you confessed so easily."

‟I'm ready whenever you are,"

‟Give me a bit of time…"

And after a bit of time, they were off… At a very leisurely speed, barely above what Noelle was making tapping the ice. But they were moving, and they could make laps through the middle of the rink, empty as it was. Noelle lost her balance a few times, but each time she did, she held on tight and at worst landed on her knees or he had to hoist her back up. Her falling didn't unbalance him much, and he somehow wasn't scared of not seeing where he's going, his only problem was her eyes reflecting the white off like phosphor. The only time he almost tumbled was from that. This was the first time he really was thankful the Soul was with him, alone he'd probably be on his back all evening.

‟You believe me now?" - He said the fifth, slow lap they had done around.

‟… I guess I believe you a bit more." - At this point, Noelle's hands were spent, they couldn't grip too much. He couldn't stop himself from feeling how small they were compared to his.

‟I won't let you fall, alright?"

‟I know."

‟… You want to go faster?'

‟Uhm, do we have to?"

‟We don't. It's up to you." - Noelle's face froze in surprise for a short second, this was a new possibility for her.

‟… In that case, we can go a bit faster."

And a bit faster they went… or would have, if not for something running through the middle of the rink at incredibly, blindingly fast speeds. Something that wasn't wearing skates, instead just sliding on its belly. Something that may or may not have been a little white dog chasing food. It bumped Kris over, almost knocking him off-balance, while he freed his hands to regain it. Then tried to turn around to see what just hit him. He heard and then saw Noelle tumble forward, hands scrambling about, until she managed to catch onto the only thing around… her partner. Head to his chest, hands looped under his shoulder blades, and legs trailing over the smooth ice.

‟You, you okay?"

‟I'm good… Just, that scared me…" - He noticed her hands were slightly shaking, from either effort or fear.

‟You think you can stand up?" - For as much as he could enjoy the situation, his head was dangerously close to her horns.

‟I… I don't think I can." - She tried to bend her legs to propel herself up, but she just couldn't put any weight on them, it's hard to think she'd be able to balance easily after that anyways.

‟Well… that sucks, I think I can… get us out." - Now he realized they were basically stranded in the middle of the ice.

‟M-Mhm."

He tried to go forward and then realized the very cute girl sticking to him didn't make it easy, and then he found out he can't do it backwards either owing to the weight grabbing at his front… He hoped on the stars Noelle felt nothing against her stomach or chest while he thought. The only way to move again was to get her legs off the ground. May the Angel forgive him, for his motives were pure.

‟Alright Noelle, I need to get you up a bit. Sorry."

He went down, and gripped her butt with his hand. He could feel how soft and firm it was even through her dress, and a primal part of his hindbrain started whispering horrible, horrible thoughts while he closed his eyes. He slowly lifted her up, until her head was at his collar, and her feet could wrap… well, he should've expected that, but now they were flush against each other. Even when she was holding herself on him, he was still surprised by how light she was. Enough that it wouldn't be too hard to lift her whole weight with both hands. It was strange she never took off with the wind, or got crushed by the snow. She felt softer than a winter flower. Shakily blooming through harsh weather… she was shaking?

‟Hey, you scared?"

Instead of an answer, he felt a short nod over his sweater.

‟What, scared of falling?"

He didn't get an answer.

‟…"

He walked silently, making short, heavy steps while keeping his feet straight. Thoughts blew through his mind, and a brittle answer took root.

‟Scared of… me?"

He felt a sharp inhale. He knew he found her out… It hurt. He wanted to use his other hand to stroke her hair or tell her he won't ever do anything anymore, or many other saccharine acts his mind tried to justify, but he focused on not looking down at her and falling over.

He couldn't do much but that. With only one hand free to balance him, and one handling the most fragile thing in the world, he walked silent, trying not to enjoy the moment too much. At least it took long enough that he felt her calm down.

‟You better now?"

‟I'm- I'm good, sorry for that Kris." - She looked up at him, with her beautiful eyes and face. And he didn't have any horns ready to bonk his nose.

‟No, don't worry… it happens."

‟… I wish it didn't."

‟Me neith…" - And looking down into her eyes and seeing her blush like that stuck to his green and yellow sweater… let's say he was already hunching forward for a couple of reasons and that was more than enough to send him

crashing.

Good on His reflexes though, because he placed a skate in front of Him at an odd angle, making his body rotate and his fall to change momentum, landing backwards (or close to), instead of on His face. Small problem with the plan was that he was hitting the back of his head first.

‟Kris, are you okay!?" - She was looking down on him with her hands on his collar when he opened his eyes one by one.

‟I'm… good, you?"

Noelle deflated like she was pulled loose and her eyes shut for a few moments… Even someone like him had taken a few scraps before, it wasn't particularly bad, maybe he'll get a bump there, big whoop. He does know that if she was crushed between him and the ground when they fell… let's not think about it, he avoided the danger.

‟… Hey, Kris?"

‟Hm?"

‟Can you… let me go, now? It, kinda hurts…"

‟Hm? … Oh! Sure." - He didn't realize that by reflex, he put his hand over her shoulder and held her tight, as anyone would… the notion that thatwas enough to hurt her made him mentally step back. Did he put that much force into it? He must've.

His brain zeroed in uncomfortably on the exact moment where she unfurled her hands from his shoulders, but still had her hips on his… and he thanked every god there was that he somehow got through it all without pitching a tent.

‟What happened with 'I'm not gonna let you fall', big man?"

‟I… I tried my best? Do I at least get half points for effort?"

‟Hmm… Alright, you get half points.

This was fun Kris, I'm glad you took me." - The innocent smile she gave him, looking straight into his eyes, almost like testing her own limits… he was blushing hard, and she knew it too.

‟Alright, alright… Let's get the heck outta here! This white light is starting to hurt my eyes."

‟You too? Gosh, it's annoying."

Bundled closely together, they toured through Hometown, from grand chain-stores well outside their price-range, to small homely shops still outside their price range. Window shopping, an everlasting wintertime tradition. Being together made the night feel bright and the time like it ran through their fingers. Eventually, on a corner connecting two streets, one busy and one sparse, they arrived at a quaint purplish cafe.

The store's backdrops ranged from crushed black, to muted purples, to pretty and pleasurable pinks, and its owner fit in perfectly, like the building was made around her. The windows were tall enough to let the muted beige of the evening seep in, and the few tables inside and out were just wide enough to eat from. Kris had changed his mind about the spider bakery after he saw the cute, and only kind of creepy, woman who gave the place its name.

His deer friend was visibly straining herself trying to keep a calm demeanor and not let the dopamine of looking at mountains of sugar and carbs show on her round face. Huddling down her expression visibly changed when she looked from the mouth-watering frostings to the small writing of the price tags.

‟Kris, aren't these a bit expensive?" - Most don't expect someone like Noelle to be miserly, but Mrs. Holiday gave money out on a need-to-have basis. Dess made sure people knew.

‟I'll pay for it. Don't worry."

‟There's better things to spend your allowance on, you know?" - Looking up at him while her face was still locked on the cooled counters.

He shrugged, ‟I spend most of it on sweets anyway, this isn't any different." - It was his Christmas fund, but she didn't have to know.

‟You know, they say a penny saved is a penny earned…"

‟You can teach me after we order. Chose something already?"

‟I'm still thinking, gosh." - She kept looking across the counter from one end to another.

‟Spider cake? Seems like you'd like it." - All of the pastries were generally purple, and the names weren't descriptive so it was hard to tell what spider cake would taste like, or even what it had in it. Not like it was actuallymade of spider.

‟Yeah, I was actually thinking of getting that… but the pudding seems great, too…"

‟You can just get both."

A low wince escaped her, ‟I can't…"

‟You can let go, I won't tell anyone."

A short, and momentful silence dawned on her. ‟No. I really need to watch myself."

He just stared placidly, before a small light bulb lit over him, ‟You can get one, and we'll share the other."

‟Hnnng…
Fine!" - Like she was free from her fetters, she rose up to his eye level.

After recoiling slightly at the price, and again at the shopkeeper's odd laugh, he paid for them and some drinks. They sat inside, where it wasn't damp and cold and loud and busy.

He enjoyed her innocent reaction to eating spider cake as much as the unusual and untraceable taste of spider croissant. Then they settled down. Him with a soda, and her with some brown tea (because they didn't have milk).

‟I ate the thing and I'm even less sure of what it's made of."

‟I don't think you'd find much anyway, Krismass, you finished it in two bites!"

‟I was hungry, and it was good."

‟Yeah, it was…" - She said, digging a fancy spoon in the purple pudding sat at the middle of the table.
‟If you're so curious, why don't you ask the shopkeep?"

He took one look over his shoulder, saw the baker and shopkeep's eight black eyes close in a waves with a hand over her face as she chuckled a quiet ‟ahuhu~".

‟I think she'll never tell… and she could eat me."

‟Come on, she's not that scary."

‟You say that, but I have my doubts."

‟It's silly that you're scared of monsters, Kris."

‟There're some scary monsters out there." - Some monsters that could kick his ass came to mind. All of them girls.

‟Pfahaha, It's good to know that the road goes both ways, at the very least."

‟Heh, yeah.

I mean, Undyne could probably bench press us both."

‟Yeah, but Undyne doesn't hurt anyone that's not a criminal." - She said, taking another spoon of the pudding and slightly melting along with it.

‟I know, but still, just the thought is scary, you know?"

‟Mhm. It really is." - She had a guilty expression on her face that he didn't understand then.

They parched through inane topics like what Catty and Bratty are up to, Berdly's most recent obsession, what Dess was like at home. On and on, like old friends catching up over coffee. Like a gentleman, he didn't mention he didn't get a single bite of the pudding. He was enjoying himself… time was in the back of his head, and for as nice as the atmosphere was, they were close to leaving, and he'd need a lifeline… which turned out to come, when Noelle's phone trilled.

‟Oh, let me see." - She then took out a smooth white thin slab that illuminated her face.

‟Is that your phone?" - She had a smaller, green flip-up with bells on it before.

‟Oh, this? It's… mom gave it to me for Christmas."

‟Ooh, what's it do?" - He cooed as he shimmied his chair around to her side, glancing at the bright screen.

‟Thing is, it does kind of everything!" - She finished writing to someone, and looked up to him curiously.

‟Everything?"

‟Yeah, it can make calls and send texts, obviously, but you can also set your calendar, take photos, listen to music, search the internet… and I'm sure it does more, but I've barely figured it out."

‟… Wait, does it not have a keyboard?" - She was just… putting her fingers on the screen. Which was something you shouldn't do with screens.

‟Nope! You just put your fingers on the glass to do stuff! Anyone can use it!"

‟… Sounds great. Should I even ask how expensive it was?"

‟…Pfah, I think you shouldn't. I almost freaked when I heard."

With an easygoing smile, she turned her head back to the flat phone, and when he got a good look at her face illuminated by the screen so close. He picked out not how cute she was, but that… her eyelashes were just a bit longer than normal, or her fur was slightly brighter than it maybe should have been. The kind of thing he wouldn't have noticed from afar, and wouldn't have noticed from up close, If it weren't for staring at Catti do her makeup for hours on end. As it dawned on him, it made his core warm, he's never seen her with makeup before. The idea set a plan aflame. He hunched a bit closer, and spoke in a low, hushed voice.

‟(Hey, Noelle?)"

‟(What? Why are you whispering?)"

‟(… Are you wearing makeup?)"

‟(! I, I, I am… I-I put some on when I go out.)" - She jumped in her chair, not realizing how close he was, but she kept looking into her phone.

‟(… Maybe that's true, but I've never seen you get your nails done before.)" - Them being two rows apart didn't stop him from staring, and he was sure this was the first time she had anything on her fingers.

And the scared reindeer just stood there, silent, one hand sitting on her thighs and face turned away that he couldn't see find anything out, he got even closer and he could feel the heat in her ear.

‟(I don't know much, but even I know you can't just remove that stuff.)" - He didn't get a response, per-say, but he was close enough to see the top of her ear, which was twitching to relieve tension, start becoming a redder beige.

‟(So, do you know what that tells me?)"

‟(I-I haven't seen you wear a watch or use perfume before, e-either…)" - She murmured in protest, quiet enough that it was more a breath.

‟(I'm happy you noticed. I was trying to look good. For you.)" - He whispered the words even closer into her ear. Literally into it.
‟(What did you dress up for, Noelle?)"

That was more than enough, he thought. And he suddenly rose from his chair while letting it scrape across the pink floor. Her ears raised once more, likely in confusion, and before she had the courage to look around, he gave her a hand.

‟Sorry. I've had my fun now… It's getting late, let's go home."

And slowly, she turned around to him confused, face returning to its light complexion as she failed to really form a reply or comment, and took his hand as she got up, and they briskly got out the store.

And only after forty steps, did she notice anything.

‟Kris… Shouldn't you let go of my hand?"

‟What? But I said we're going home?" - He said, with a quizzed look.

‟I know how to get home, I don't need you to lead me by hand."

‟Well, can we at least, keep going like this… until we're home?" - He asked and could feel himself shrink as the ground gave out. How was this the most embarrassed he was all night?

She slowed her walking, just as his heart quickened. Her eyes ran in thought, bolting from his face to the opposite corner of her sight, and occasionally to her hand being held by his. He wordlessly uttered a ‟please" when she couldn't hear. She had a wistful pained smile when finally she opened her mouth again.

‟I guess we could… until we get home, that is." - And her grip on him tightened comfortably.

‟… Thanks."

Their hands were the warmest things in the world right then. Sure, he'd touched her before, and more of her… but it wasn't that he could feel her, it was that he knew, that even for a fleeting moment, she wanted to touch and feel him like he wanted her. The inexplainable warmth of communicating through touch, and the happy silence. Her delicate hand and soft fur was all he needed to feel and he turned to her and saw her awkwardly smile at him like she knew even less what was happening. And with her face still red and her scarf over her dress and he swore he fell in love again.

‟You know Kris, you're right that you've stopped pranking me lately…" - She took the hair that kept falling onto her face off with her free hand, under the low light of the hometown they knew best.

‟Yeah?"

‟But, you've started to tease me… a lot."

‟I only do it because I think you like it." - And because he liked it.
‟What, should I turn it down?"

‟S-sometimes it's a bit difficult to keep up…"

‟Alright, I'll step off… I like talking with you normally the most, anyway."

‟… You know, that's exactly what I was just talking about."

‟I'm being honest when I say that, so it's not going anywhere."

‟…You used to be a lot quieter before… and less, dynamic…" - She was clearly indignant. He had to agree he may have pushed the envelope in some places.

‟Guess I found my voice."

They'd just turned the corner from the clinic, and the realization that slowly lowered onto him finally crushed his idyllic movie as he noticed the date was going to be over in a bit. He saw it like the visage was injected over his sight. He scrambled for a bit before the solution that he came up with made itself obvious.

‟Hey, Noelle, wanna go into the park?"

‟H-huh? Weren't we going home?"

‟Yeah, but the park seems fun!"

She sighed, ‟… I-I don't know Kris, I have to go to sleep in twenty minutes."

She looked to her silver wristwatch, and he could glimpse it was eleven and a bit. He was already overtime.

‟Come on! Just for a bit!"

‟K-Kris, please?" - He didn't actually see what her expression was, his eyes were on the lake at the other end of the street.

‟Oh, come on, It'll be fu—"

Just as he dragged his arm in, which in his monkey-reptile brain was supposed to somehow entice her into coming along, and saw her whole body being dragged by him, legs even scraping the asphalt as they slid along, did the cold wind slap him in the face. He saw her eyes scared of him and let her hand go. This was exactly what Dess meant, and Asriel had told him to not come off too strongly. And the girl in front of him was nice enough to even spell it out. And he still screwed it upsomehow.

Fucking idiot.

He retracted himself and tried to compose an apology.

‟I'm really sorry Noelle, I got a bit too excited, and I forgot…
We can go home like normal. Sorry."

He saw her holding her hand with her other. She exhaled and closed her eyes and looked relieved for a short still. Then she looked up to his eyes with a kind smile.

‟Kris, I told you to stop saying you're sorry, I know it's not your fault." - And it was his turn to be relieved, it was like the world stood off his shoulders.

‟You have no idea how much that helps, let's—"

‟You didn't let me finish… We can go to the park for a bit… if you want to, so much." - With almost upturned eyes and a guilty smile she corrected him.

‟I… I don't really want to, if you don't want to."

‟Pfah! You're a real gentlemen all of a sudden!"

She then took another step and looked him straight in his eyes, few flocks of her around her face just like his.

‟I want to go to the park. Good enough?" - There was a hint of mischievousness in her smile as she looked at him.

‟Y-Yeah, good enough."

And… after that, she softly stuck her hand out, and it took two beats too long for what she wanted to dawn on him. He took it shakily and she squeezed back. It was opposite day because he was the one blushing like a schoolgirl for a long moment. Under the soft brown lights, she might as well have been all there was.

She was too good for him.

The lake and surrounding park had no lampposts, the entrance being the only place with the familiar yellow light. Instead, the moon and its twin on the lake gave off bluish dark light. The soft sounds of silence spread around the dirt road as they meekly trailed through. Without any speed, motive, or destination, just aimlessly strolling among that dim atmosphere. They were content enjoying each other in silence, the lockstep they shared being proof enough. She sometimes turned to him, with the same lightly reprimanded expression he'd once saw her with… it reminded him of when they snuck out together, all four in the dark, searching graveyards and old mansions. But the cold still pond wasn't a test of courage, it made his heart jump up all the same. Slowly, ever so slowly, they both lost their pace, until he was still and saw her stop a step forward.

‟Today was fun, Kris… it really was." - She longingly said, looking at the water they were walking next to.

He looked towards her, her eyes glistening like cyan were wistfully looking off into the distance. Like another forlorn feeling that he was privy into, but wanted to reject the meaning of.

‟I enjoyed myself too, in lots of ways." - He squeezed on her hand to show her, and to send a plea.

‟It was a win-win, then. I'm glad."

This is where she would utter some excuse and a farewell, and run off faster than he could catch. He could feel it, she'd done so before… right as he sees her honestly, she runs off like a gazelle fearing her life. A part of him was already prepared for it, a last goodbye under the moon. A last hurrah to end it like a bookmark for the end of this chapter in his life. He'd be left alone to figure it out and get over it and he was ready to. But he noticed she didn't seem to be hurrying to leave, she was still… there. Delicate hand still steadily in his. He wished for a moment he could know what she saw and what she looked out for. He took a step towards her, covering her sight with him. Seeing her in the dim blue of the moon fully.

Noelle's eyes glued on his figure, like she didn't understand what he wanted to do. She didn't pull away or open her mouth, she stood motionless. Deer in crimson headlights. Why is she not moving? Doesn't she know? Kris stared back, his red conviction clear through the night.

He rotated their hands up together, and stepped even closer. Close enough to feel her face breathing into his and feel her sweet smell in the cold of the night and her slight heat against him. She almost pulled back and tensed up, just for a moment, and though she pretended not to he saw it and felt it like a sick punchline… But she didn't pull back, she returned to watching him. Pupils betraying rapt curiosity, her mouth hung slightly agape trying to lip something he didn't have the mind to catch. He kept his face on hers and he felt her hot short breaths and her hand shake slightly in his and still remain locked with his.

And almost by instinct, he grabbed the small of her back, and pulled her flush against him. Her eyes were on his and he could hear the wordless expectation placed on him as his heart-rate kept climbing spirals and he gently pulled her even closer. He held her tight as he felt the anxiety that he could hurt her and bruise her and scar her. He thought that she didn't want this and understood the fear in her eyes and thought about pulling away and apologizing profusely as he eased his head down gently.

Their shadows became one.

He could feel every part of her he never thought about, her short hairs tingling his face, her little wet nose rubbing against him, and her lips softer than any velvet he'll feel. They were softly breathing through each other, both eyes gently closed. He didn't move from the kiss, he stood in it until he felt himself have to breathe and all the tension in him was gone when he pulled away softly and saw her eyes beautifully looking into his with the same want he'd held for years. But then the stupor had worn off and some unknown anxiety nestled into her as she looked down under him with a deep sadness.

‟I Love you." - He whispered it with a quiet conviction, not with rage or emotion or even wanting. A simple denotative statement.

‟… I know." - She muttered under breathlessly, like it's a fact she's had to contend for years. Like she doesn't want to be reminded. She looked down angry at herself. Her hand on his sweater curled into a fist of frustration and she looked to be ready to break something and cry.

‟You don't have to answer now." - He said with pity in his voice. Whatever Noelle's demons were, they were intense, and it obviously was his fault.

‟…I … I really don't know, Kris. I'm a mess right now." - She said, still biting her lip and tears almost forming. He still held her tight, and his hand was still one with her as the dim light let him see her face. All he thought about is kissing her again.
‟I just need some time—" - And as a reaction to the word, she brought her hand from his shirt to over her eyes.

‟— It's 12:25 already!?
G-gosh Kris, I'm sorry Kris, but I really need to get home right now!" - She said, hinging herself off of him, only sniffling once as she rubbed her face clean.

‟Uhh… I can walk you home?"

‟Sorry, don'thavethetime! I promise I'll see you later!" - And she ran off like a gazelle, dressed figure disappearing away into the wild.

‟B-Bye to you too…"

But what he said rang on deaf ears as she was already out of his sight. No wonder she did cross country.

He wondered the quiet cold park. Almost thoughtlessly, he found the nearest bench facing the pond, and collapsed. Like for the first time in months he was allowed to breathe, his whole body went soft and his head lazily looked up and made contact with the night sky. He stood like that, getting all the stress and worries and anxiety and excitement out. He could skip and hop and jump and do a pirouette on the water… but he was too tired to even try. A slow and earthy happiness spread through his whole body, like all of it was on fire and everything felt soft and there wasn't anything bad in the world for a few minutes.

‟Good job out there." - The lake rang out in his own, echoing voice.

After a few, he placed his elbows on his thighs, for some reason his reflection was resting with His side on the bench, hand holding His head up.

‟So, that was mission accomplished, I presume?" - Soul said, with a cock-sure, half sardonic smile, like He was trying to get out of work early.

‟… First of all, she's a girl, not a checklist for you to finish.
And, no, we're not done."

‟I mean, hard part's done, right? You two kissed and all. Happy end~" - This was ended with some ironic ‟jazz hands", which Kris was confused how the Soul knew about, as he'd never done that in his life.

‟You didn't see how she looked after the kiss?"

‟I mean, obviously, but like… idunno, girlsdothat."

‟I think even you're smart enough to figure it out."

At the request, the Soul actually got up on His butt and started doing people math with His fingers, slowly counting emotions up and subtracting them.

‟…Susie?"

‟I mean, I imagine. That's all that comes to mind." - He couldn't take a guess, and he didn't want to think about it long enough to even gander any… but something involving Susie was the only explanation that made any sense.

‟So… what's the plan then?"

‟We wait."

‟Seriously, we wait? Close to her, or something?"

‟I mean, I'd like it if we could stay close… Obviously, I would. But it doesn't really matter.
We gave it our best shot, it's either a yes or no." - He exhaled and sunk deeper in the bench. That's what it all boils down to, almost depressingly. Of course Noelle would get the last call… but it still felt like all this work for a maybe was cruel. Why didn't he like Alphys or something, that'd be easier.

‟Damn… she still likes Susie… hasn't Noelle gotten bored of her already?" - He said, resting weirdly on the couch with His arms crossed. The Soul was animated almost in contrast to Kris's heaving movements.

‟That's not how love works, dumbass… You wouldn't get it."

‟You really like saying that to shut me up, old-pal."

‟Because you really like opening your mouth when you shouldn't, 'partner'."

‟Maybe because I only get to speak for twenty minutes a day."

‟Maybe I'd speak more with you if you were a bit nicer."

The Soul stuck His tongue out, then laughed a bit at Himself. Kris apparently found how low his reflection could sink.

‟…Hey Soul, thanks for the help today."

‟Hm? Don't mention it, not like I really tried to do much."

‟Well, I appreciate it either way. But can you cool it with the… pervert sex tendencies? I felt you wanting to strip her down whenever I got close to Noelle." - It's good that Kris was the soft hearted type and talked it out, or the Soul, barely knowing how to interact, may have pushed Noelle wayyyy too far… it was a horrible thought, he didn't know why he even imagined it. Hell would freeze over before he'd allow it.

‟Oh, the horny sex tendencies are mine now, are they, Kris?"

‟… Yes?"

‟Are they?"

‟Y, Yes?"

‟Aaare theeeeyyy?"

‟Where's this going, Soul?"

‟Where's it going is, I'm not the only one with a dirty mind between us, and I think you need to be a bit more honest."

‟Can you not say that with such a smug grin on your face?"

‟Nope."

‟Fine. But you still need to be careful."

‟Always am, Boss."

And as he stood there, looking at his Partner picking his ear, uselessly imitating another gesture he'd once seen not even realizing its purpose, he for the first time thought that their little arrangement couldn't last forever. It wasn't just that he sometimes didn't know who he was and who the other part was and even though he continually tried to make it clear in His mind it was getting harder to tell as the days passed. No, it was also a faint sense that the Soul needed space alone… to grow? Could he grow? Well, he'd grown well enough when they were together, but was that just him rubbing off on the Soul or what? Could that thing even survive alone? Would there be anywhere he could? How would he breach the topic? It was just another thing to worry about, added to the ever-growing list.

. . .

A tinge of lifelessness hit him as he realized he was starting to worry like an adult.