A rear-view mirror adjusted on him, ‟And who pissed in your eggnog?"

‟I was looking out the window. I can't?" - He turned from the forest to the driver.

‟Fine, but don't let any humbug spill on my backseat."

‟Dessie~~, you promised to be niceee~!"

‟I'm joking with him… Cheer up Kris, your face'll get stuck like that."

‟Stuck like what?" - He wasn't making any expression.

‟Nerd."

‟Pffft! You can't say that, sis!"

‟Deeeess~~!"

‟I'm Joking, geez!"

How long has it been since he got on a proper car trip? After Asgore quit the force, he'd thought his family trip days were over and done wasn't a long trip, they'd be there in an hour, but just sitting in a car was weirdly nostalgic. Of course, it was a bit different from the voyages he was used to. The driver, for one. The car wasn't making sudden stops or failing to go at green lights… but again, his mom never rolled down the window for a smoke break. Most surprising thing was how tidy and organized Dess's car was; he suspected it would have gone through more owners than car-washes. But the leather was shiny like new and it smelled like air freshners.

He wasn't sitting in the back alone, he had a partner. Who was, in contrast to him, sitting upright with the seat-belt tucked over her. His very own girlfriend, in the same canvas pinafore and scarf she wore on their first date. 'Double date!', Asriel's words, not his. But as they'd both found out, your older siblings' car's backseat wasn't the most amorous of places. Any time their hands would even get close to each other, they'd both awkwardly make eye contact and pull back. Like she had cooties or something. Only sometimes they glanced and smiled at each other. The awkwardness would shake off as the day went on, right?

His loop was broken when albums poured out from the armrest console.

‟You two pick one that strikes your fancy, mkay?" - Asriel said, head raising completely above the headrest to look at Kris.

‟A-Alright…"

They shared a moment, and he gave some to his backseat buddy.

Trying to look at them, they were the most bizarre covers he's ever seen… he had no idea if Asriel brought his abundant music taste to the car or if Dess liked it too or if it was an art student thing to like albums with unreadable titles.

‟…Never knew you liked metal, Dess." - Catti only liked old-school rock she pounced from her dad, and Susie said metal makes her head hurt… so he found it unusual Dess liked it.

‟Oh? I didn't, got introduced to it."

‟Yeeaah, it's a very interesting sound…" - Asriel seemed less than thrilled with it.

He was making small-talk while ruffling through, ‟Introduced you? Someone from college?

‟Yeah! S-Someone from college!" - Weirdly enough, Noelle perked up, looking hurried for some reason. He saw Dess roll her eyes with a grin on her spotless face.

‟Azzy, get a bit of Blood Crushers on. Then we'll get the Christmas Tunes going."

‟A-Aye Aye…"

For as tough on the ears as it was, Noelle seemed to like it… somehow.

‟Awww~! They're so cuuute~~! Kris, we need to saaaave them~~~!" - His furred brother bleated excitedly, ready to spill over the protective guardrail.

What he was pointing to, was goats. Not goat-monsters… Goats. common goats. At the zoo. Looking maybe a bit startled by him. One was chewing grass loudly.

‟I think that's illegal."

‟But, Kris! They're our faaamilyyy~~!"

He chuckled a little at how hewas so naturally bunched in as family with the four-legged goat. From time to time, he still wondered when his horns would grow in… Or where that pink headband had gone.

‟I think that one looks like you, Az." - Dess reached over and pointed, at a particularly dumb looking goat.

‟He does~! Heey, CAN YOU HEAR MEEE~~!?"

‟I don't think they can hear you." - He patted his brother on the back.

‟No, they're hearing him, alright. Everyone this side of the state's hearing him."

‟I'm-I'm not that loud, am IIII~~?"

‟There's a reason they always choose you to announce events, Az."

Dess took a short sip of her doebuck's, ignoring the obvious glances of passersby. Asriel was already tall, and she was even taller than him before taking her horns into account. Not just that, but it was the first time Kris had seen her in anything except plaid shirts and trousers… Shocking make-over, if he was honest. It was the kind of thing that would turn heads. Low-cut loose shirt, frilly skirt and leggings, brown-lensed glasses, and of course the boots… almost pitch-perfect actress on an off-day getup. Those menorahs she called horns made her even more extravagant on top of it. And with them she was taller than anybody around. Even he got a bit awkward around her.

He turned his head and spotted a short blonde girl rushing with cotton candy in both hands.

‟…Here, you two!" - She was out of breath, and still with a smile on her face.

‟Oh, thanks~~!"

‟Thanks, Noelle."

‟You're welcome!"

Height and Fashion sense, Dess. He'd give her that. But Noelle won in every other category. He couldn't really explain why either.

‟Hm? Something on my face, Krismass?"

‟You're just really cute."

‟?! S-Shut up! Gosh! I thought you had something serious on your mind!"

There was a black-haired girl with an irritated smile looking down at the exchange.

‟Here, billy-goats~!" - He was holding some cotton dressing, hoping to allure the goats closer.

Dess shook her head, ‟Az, that's forbidden."

‟Wait, is it?… Aww, crud. Guess I'll have to eat it myself…" - Asriel pecked weakly at the plasters of cotton in his hand. Of course, it stuck to his fur. Like every other time he'd eaten cotton in his life.

‟…Hey, Noelle, why don't we goand meet our siblings, too?" - The older sister said, with a wolfish grin.

‟D-Do we really have to?"

‟Kris, don't you want us to see the deer?"

‟Uh, sure?"

‟See, N? Even Kris wants to see them. Don't be a spoilsport~."

‟F-Fine."

Asriel came with, too; but not before waving goodbye to his extended family. Their extended family.

‟Aren't they cute? Say Hiii, Noelle!"

It was becoming clear this was some sort of ancient Holiday ritual. It probably had something to do with Noelle being uncomfortable around animals. The deer, conversely, were seemingly placid. Had a big tree and some water in their habitat. They also smelled better than the goats.

The short-tailed girl waved her head, ‟No, they're weird."

He had to chime in on their family dispute, ‟Aren't you supposed to be reindeer?"

‟Right on, Kris! See, even he gets it. Come on, N. Why're you making such a faaace?" - She played with sweet Noelle's cheeks like Cookie dough for a short second. Then, like a teapot overheating, she spoke up.

‟…We. Are. Gyftrot! Not deer, and not reindeer!"

Dess took a step back, no more distressed by the volume, ‟I haven't seen Gyftrot written anywhere?"

‟You write it with your signature! It's on your driver's license! It's on your birth certificate!"

Kris and his brother just awkwardly looked at each other. Dess, seemingly satisfied, went to calm her down before people started gathering.

‟Pfuh! Alright! Alright, I'm sorry N. I apologize. I was joking, you don't gotta get so worked up about it."

‟…Fine, I forgive you. You should really grow up, sis."

She ruffled her sister's poofy hair for a second, then looked to the enclosure, ‟…To be honest, I don't see what's so bad about them. They're cute."

‟You're not making me look at them again!"

He was still confused, looking at the supposedly common animals, ‟…Wait, why do some of them not have antlers?"

‟Those are females, Kris." - Dess said, taking a cursory look in the same direction.

‟Wait, girls don't have antlers? So… how do you—"

She stopped a chortle with her free hand, ‟(—Took you long enough.)" - Dess whispered, ducking her head to his level.

‟W-wait… would that— would,—" - His face was grabbed by two shaky hands and his body twisted around after it.

‟Kris, don't listen to her! Reindeer females do have antlers!" - Noelle had a pleading tint in her face. This had a deadly importance to her.

‟…A-Alright."

‟Reindeer, you say? And here I thought we were Gyftrot."

Asriel stepped up between the stare-down, with cotton candy in his mouth, ‟Can you be a bit nicer to her, Dess? Antlers or not, you both look great~!"

‟…It's good you said that, Azzy. I'm keeping mine trimmed once these fall off."

Noelle, looking up at her sister, ‟Wait, seriously? Your antlers are amazing, Dess!"

Kris wished to disagree. Dess's antlers were wonderful and alluring. But Noelle's cute little things were just the right size. Much more convenient too, imagine trying to cuddle with those in the way.

‟Yeah, yeah. Everyone says that. But I can't wear shit with these on my head. No hats, no wig, no helmet, nothing. It's a bother to even get my hair right with these… Last month they got lodged in a door frame."

‟Pff-Pfahahah! That's just because you're too tall sis!"

‟Tsch. Whatever. Not like I'm that keen on ' wanted to see how they looked. You know, when they're not chipper or cracked or broken." - Kris does remember. Dess's horns were always a little misshapen or rugged looking, one year one of them just broke off. She'd strut around with just one, head constantly resting at a weird angle with a pissed expression. Made her even scarier.

Imagine if Alphys was a teacher back then.

‟My god, I'll be glad to be rid of 'em. Azzy will be too."
‟He will?"
‟He will?"
‟I wiill~?"

‟After I get all this weight off my head, you won't have to give me a thirty minute neck massage every night."

‟T-Those massages really weren't a bother, Dess…"

She turned to him, grin on her face, ‟Oh, I know. But now, you could give me other kinds of massages instead." - Just to emphasize it, she twirled her finger slowly on his chest. Asriel's face became a light pink. Noelle didn't seem much too happy at the display.

Kris, with some cotton candy in his hand, ‟Let's go see the monkeys."

‟W-huh?! Why do you wanna look at monkeys?" - Noelle questioned from his side, ambling there wordlessly, ‟Isn't that… Isn't that weird to you? Looking at your ancestors?"

‟I mean, we already saw your ancestors, let's check up with mine."

‟…Kris, monsters aren't actually related to animals. We're not even mamm—"

‟So you don't want to see the monkeys?"

‟I wannaa see the monkeeeeeys~~."

Noelle, almost tired of everything, ‟…We can go and see the monkeys…"

‟Look at him go!" - There was a rhesus monkey peeling a banana, barely conscious of the four teenagers cheering it on.

‟That's so coool~~ He's taking the peel off! Look at his tail wag! He's happy—"

‟…They are kinda funny looking." - Noelle admitted, watching with arms crossed.

‟I still think I prefer you over those, Kris." - Dess mentioned mockingly.

‟Aww, that's so sweet, Dess. I also prefer you over common deer."

‟Such a charmer, you. Too bad I'm taken." - She then pointed her carton cup at Asriel. He was cheering on a monkey, so the gesture lost some of its effect.

Noelle took him aside for a quick second, ‟(December gets enough compliments as-is, Kris! Don't feed her ego!)"

For a second, he wondered how what he said might have been construed as a serious compliment… Then he remembered what Dess currently looked like. And he caught on a bit.

‟(Don't worry Noelle, I think you're prettier.)"

‟(…Y-You better.)"

He pecked her on the cheek to prove it. Asriel was still watching the monkey demolish that naner, but a black-nosed girl rolled her eyes at the sight.

‟Hopeless, you two. I'm almost jealous."

‟Pfeheh… thanks, Dess. But I'm not giving him away."

Was Noelle… gloating?

Another clear, dry, day. The sun was shining bright enough to make one forget it was winter… Except the fact it was absolutely freezing. Most nobody sane would have a picnic at this time of year. But luckily, they all had natural fur thick coats that let them stay comfortably in the cold. Asriel not so much, but he managed. And then Kris, who had three sweaters on. But, their out-of-season frolicking meant the outdoor eating area was deserted. Of course, it was the zoo's sanctioned picnicker's ground, so they still saw the animals and guests forty feet out.

Before they even sat down, Kris remarked, ‟Noelle, I know you like Christmas but… even the picnic blanket?"

The picnic mat was made up of red and green squares.

‟I-I didn't even realize…"

He rolled his shoulders up, ‟It reminds me of your sweater vest."

‟I actually thought she packed a change of clothes in the trunk. Wouldn't have guessed it was this." - Dess sat down, expertly dodging any angles that'd let anyone see under her short skirt and into her leggings.

‟I just like the pattern! There's nothing wrong with that!" - The Christmas monster said, giving him a good view of the scarf with the same pattern.

The other doe put her hair behind her pierced ear, ‟Yeah, nothing wrong with it, except that it makes you look like a grandma."

To that, Noelle just turned her red nose up. In a proud and strangely dismissive manner. Almost like she was above such discussion. Maybe the teasing stopped working now that she had a boyfriend.

Dess scoffed at the gesture, ‟…So, what's the grub?"

‟I'm glad you asked! Don't be too excited now~! …We've, made… Sandwiches~~~!" - Asriel picked one, wrapped in foil, and raised it to the sky like he was presenting it to the Angel itself.

‟Cool."

‟And not just thaaat! Driiinks~~! Aaaand, Mom also made us some Cinny-B.!"- With similarly exagerated movements, Asriel took out a great circular hunk of aluminum.

‟Wait, a whole pie? She expects us to eat all that?!" - The actress seemed a bit taken aback.

‟…Idunno, maybe…"

‟I volunteer to help."

‟Krismass, you'll get sick." - A finger pointed from a deer kneeling down to his left.

‟…Okay, mooom—"

‟I'm not your mom, I'm your g-girlfriend. And your girlfriend doesn't want you to end up in a food coma." - Her tone made him look at her. Loud bees buzzed in his stomach seeing her care about him like that, as much as it pissed him off he couldn't eat the pie.

‟…Alright, fine."

‟See? It's not hard to be responsible." - A short freckled smile escaped her gold locks and he had to look away, red.

‟(They're so adorable it's a crime, Az.)"

‟(Riiiight? They're so cuuute~!)"

After Asriel had contained the rest of the pie in the picnic basket, where nobody dare sneak more, he took a rest right on Dess's lap. Who didn't seem to mind as she was having a cigar after the meal. She even started lightly scratching his fur with her free hand while he almost seemed to fall asleep. Kris thought it a bit odd. For being a couple, the two hadn't done many couple-like things up until then. Maybe they felt the same kind of awkwardness he and Noelle were feeling.

‟…So, which one of you confessed?" - Dess asked, apparently more talkative with a cigar between her thin fingers.

‟…It's a bit complicated. I guess Kris did."

‟Complicated? It's not rocket science, sis."

‟…Well," - She turned to Kris, who sitting cross-legged to her right, ‟(C-can I tell her?)"

After a light nod, Noelle continued, her face reddening merrily, ‟Well, Kris had confessed he likes me about three—" - He held a hand up, ‟Five times before I finally agreed…"

‟Sheesh, you two. Talk about sappy."

That was rude, the last half a year of his life, reduced to 'sappy', ‟Well, how did you two get together, then?"

‟It's not a long story. So I was at a party and saw—"

‟Y-You promised, Dess…" - Asriel piped up, concerned. Face barely showing any worry under the bliss he was in.

‟Stop treatin' 'em like kids, Az. They're only a year under you." - His girlfriend, though, seemed less obliged to listen.

‟But, th-they're still, you know?… Kris doesn't kn—"

‟Shut it, four eyes. I'm telling it." - Dess then blew a ring of smoke into Asriel's face. Which was unpleasant enough to make him yelp in displeasure, but not so much that he moved his head any.

‟Anyways. I was at a party when I saw Asriel, I thought it'd be great and stuff, it was the first time we met in a year… and he was drunk. Like, drunk-drunk."

Asriel protested, hands fanning the smoke, ‟Hey! You were drunk too!"

‟I was a bit tipsy… You, on the other hand, were about to do a keg stand." - Kris didn't even know what that was, but it sounded like something his mom would faint if she heard he'd even think of doing.

‟Of course, we talked, we hugged. Then I basically took care of him for a while, made sure he didn't get himself in any trouble and pass out… Then I don't remember what happened, after that we banged in my dorm."

The introvert boy didn't react, his face instead frozen in shock at the thought. Looking at Asriel being very much ashamed of the story. Like the last cries of protest from a devout choir boy who loved his mom.

‟S-sis?! YOU DID WHAT?!"

‟It's not that abnormal, N."

‟O-on the first night?! December!" - Noelle, on the other hand, seemed actually shaken.

‟…It's not like I was doing it with anyone that asked, geez. I knew Azzy, we had a good mood going on." - Dess took a grab of her smoke and mumbled something about her mom.
‟Besides, that's not even the good part. Listen up.
Next day, I woke up, and I found thisguy still in my suite. Making breakfast. For both of us.
So I asked him, half-asleep, 'What, are you my boyfriend?', and he, hung-over, goes 'Only if you want me to be'. I was like, 'Cool.'"

Then the raven-haired girl stubbed the filter into the grass nearby, and chuckled sweetly, looking down. Asriel, despite everything, had an innocent smile painted on his face.

‟And that's how it went… As I said, it's not rocket science."

Noelle, who had her hand on Kris's, almost as a defensive reaction at what she was hearing, seemed to battle something in her mind for a long time. Kris, in the meantime, was only worried about his brother's potential drinking problem. And of course, at what Toriel would have done if she had heard any of that…

Eventually, the star student straightened herself and spoke clearly, ‟…I should be really really mad that you think that that is an acceptable basis for a relationship, December… And, I really would be, if your boyfriend was anyone other than Asriel." - She took the time to soften herself up, ‟It's like you did something very stupid… but you got super lucky, and it all worked out for you two…"

Then she deeply sighed again, anger physically coming out. Kris realized he should be angry too, but he was just proud of them.

‟…See Azzy, I told you they'd get it."

‟I-It's still embarrassi—"

Asriel's protest was interrupted again, but instead of smoke, it was a loving peck on the mouth.

‟Shut up."

‟Mkay~."

…They'll be alright.

Taking her eyes off the college flingers, almost to forget them, Noelle scooched over to him, ‟Hey, Kris?… Aren't you tired?"

‟No?"

‟D-Don't you want to sit down a little?"

‟We can lay down if you want to."

‟N-No! Don't you want to lay your head down?" - She patted her thighs and the thick boy finally understood what she was meaning to ask.

One part of him wondered if it was Dess's influence acting on her. Was she the tiniest bit jealous of her older sister? He'd thought Noelle was the one Dess was jealous of, but there was a real possibility of the opposite… The idea was adorable. That same part figured out that the deer girls liked sitting on their knees because they had no ankles. Meanwhile, the other part was wondering why he hadn't accepted yet because it was something He never knew he wanted until right that very moment… What was He waiting for? An invitation? He literally just got one! He swallowed a bit of his dignity and placed his head down.

Slowly, he rested on her soft thighs. It was the nicest and warmest pillow he'd ever put his head on. He could give it a standing ovation. By god.

‟I-Is it comfortable?" - He heard her voice a register higher than normal.

‟Yes."

‟A-alright… Kris, do you want me to co—"

‟Please do."

‟—Y-You're really excited about this, you know that?
I'm not going anywhere, Krismass lights! This is meant to calm you down, so try to relax a bit, alright?"

He lazed his breathing, and let the quiet and well-groomed soft fur take him. Eventually, he felt a pair of dainty fingers ruffle his hair. Slowly comb and test out his tresses, patting him curiously. In short order, the picnic fell to the wayside as all he saw above him was her, all he heard were her breathing, and the only feeling that mattered was her fingers gently raking through his scalp. All his worries had flown up in the sky and disappeared over the clouds. Like he was floating on sunshine… It was a conflicting sensation, on one hand he felt like drifting to sleep… on another, his raging erection kept him plenty awake. Her breathing got heavier and he was able to smell her body soap mixed with… something, that was very faint and came close to his head and made his nostrils flare up.

…

His world was shattered when a dazzling light hit one of his eyes, so bright it burnt. When he came to, he noticed his protective curtain was draped to the side by a manicured index finger. He started looking around helplessly, like a hermit crab without its shell. Glanced up and saw a brilliantly clear smile looking down at him with joy and he somehow got afraid she'd seen him bare even though he should be so happy in that moment.

‟…Don't push my bangs away." - He managed to get his voice not to crack saying it.

It was better if his eyes were hidden.

She seemed hurt by the comment, ‟Why not, Krismass? You look great underneath them."

‟Y-You think so?" - And there's the voice crack. Dess and Asriel heard it too.

‟Yeah… you're pretty handsome, actually." - Spurred on by something, she continued, ‟I like your face, Kris. You don't have to hide it from me…"

For a moment, it overwhelmed him. The hand in his hair and Noelle looking at him with sweet love and telling him that… It was too much in an inexplicable way. There was a given in his life, he'd known it since he was four. It was that nobody wanted to see his face. Obviously they didn't. He was a human, not a monster, like anyone else, and he looked weird. Besides that, he was lucky enough to be born with red,predatoreyes. He was never great looking, so his full mug at best made him scarier. There were reasons he kept it hidden, not just because he didn't want people to know his thoughts. The idea that anyone liked how his face looked without any sort of act… He got up from the soft pillows, pushing against the hand on his chest, and rubbed his face down. She won't see him crying.

He still wasn't used to that. Affection like that.

‟Yeah, Kris~! You look greaaat!" - Asriel was now sitting up-right, probably had been silently watching the two of them with Dess.

‟Besides, no matter how horrible you look, it beats the bowl-cut. Trust me."

‟…Thanks, guys. I'll think about it." - And besides, his hair was getting shaggy enough that any day mom'd come to his room with a pair of scissors.

‟Well, if you two are done, then I think that's everything…" - Asriel said.
‟Wait, NO! There's one more thing we gotta do!"

‟And that is?"

‟Commemorative Photo! We need to take one~! Alright, uhh… let me take out my phone."

‟Noelle's new phone has a millionpixel camera, take it with hers." - Dess piped up. Sometimes, they talked like she was his big sister.

‟Oh~~! Noelle, can you give me your phone real quick~?"

‟Sure!"

‟Great! Now, how does this, uhhhhh— … Alright, everyone make a pose!"

‟…You know you need to be in the picture too, right?"

‟Oh… I forgot." - Asriel, for once in his life put his hand on his chin, using that goat brain of his, then turned around, ‟Excuuuuuuuseeee meeee~~~!"

He found the first person passing by, which happened to be a mother with her child, and started teaching her how to operate a smartphone camera. Kris still wondered how he could just do that. He eagerly ran back and put an arm around Dess. His younger brother, photogenic as ever, did the first thing that came to mind. And with the ever-present photo smile.

‟Alright, thank you~! …Noelle, can you text me that picture? Oh, let me pack the picnic up!"

‟Right… actually, I don't have Asriel in my contacts, I'll just give it to sis and she'll…" - The keen-eyed cervid stopped and squinted at the screen closely. Then she zoomed in.

‟…Kris. Did you give me bunny ears again?"

‟…I thought it'd be a nice memory?"

‟…It… It is… but I'd have hoped for a more romantic picture, you know?"

In the end, it could be a little point of comparison between the two photos… They were, what? Five years apart? Six? Maybe she could put it on her nightstand? …Now that he thought about it, he could put it on his nightstand.

She then caught his hand brazenly, and wrapped her fingers through it, ‟I'll just have to make sure your fingers stay put from now on."

Her failed authoritative tone made him chuckle slightly. Which, in turn, made her even redder.

He heard eyes roll, ‟Get a room."

‟Alright," - December threw the trunk down, ‟I think that's everything."

‟Gosh, it really went by in a flash." - Noelle was looking down, bright still in the dim, ‟I'll miss you."

‟Aww, you don't gotta miss me, N." - Dess took her sister in a big old deer hug. Even lifting her off the ground, ‟Call me and I'll get back to you. I'll try to keep in touch this time." - They let go, ‟Especially if that fucker tries anything on you. Call me and I'm running back to kick his balls in."

‟Dess, please. Kris won't."

‟Guys change when they get girlfriends, N. If he tries anything, warn me."

Kris was three feet away. He wanted to object, but… there's not much he could really say.

Dess lit another cig as she waited with hands sprawled on the bonnet. It was already dark, not late but the night was out. And next Monday, two days from then, was the end of winter break. So the college students were cutting it real close. He saw the Energy Drinks and a thermos in the foot wells. Eventually, from down the street, a white pure ball of energy appeared waving.

‟Heeey~! I'm done!"

‟What's that in your hand?" - She pointed to the picnic basket.

‟Oh, this? Mom said we can keep it! And she packed some of my old clothes and some food in it too~."

‟Tory's a god damn saint, isn't she? See if you can fit in the trunk."

‟Nngh—There!" - He managed to pop it down. Somehow.

‟…Bye, Asriel."

‟Kris, don't say byee~! That makes it sound like we won't see each other again. It's 'see you later', okay?"

‟Alright… See you later, Asriel."

What happened next was a bit unusual. Asriel gave his little brother a proper handshake.

‟Call me if you need anything, alright?… Even if you don't, actually!"

‟I will."

‟Mhm! …See you later, Kris."

They hugged.

Like they were still 8.

‟Ready to go, Az?"

Asriel looked at Dess for a second, then two fingers deftly stole the cigar out of her mouth, ‟You promised, Dessie…"

Not a moment passed and she raised her eyebrow high, looking straight into his face. Like a monster lie detector, she asked dead-pan, ‟Someone's making you do this, aren't they?"

‟H-Huh!? No! It's just—"

‟Who is it? Toriel? …Or, Carol?" - She stood quiet for a few seconds more, ‟It's Carol isn't it? She's told you to 'help me', hasn't she? Like I can't take care of myself, is that it?" - Anger was building on her face.

‟Yeah, Dess. Carol cares about you, and I do too… That's why she asked me. And that's why I agreed to try and help you. Even if you don't like Carol, she still cares about you." - Asriel stood up straight, almost matching her height and looking into her eyes.

She swallowed the information down, clearly not happy with it. ‟Fine. Whatever. Just get in."

‟Mhm!"

And after enough waving, the black car turned a right and went out of sight. Leaving the two by their lonesomes in the night sky.

He sighed, enjoying the cold on his skin, ‟So…"

‟…Hey, Kris?"

‟What's up?"

She uncharacteristically swallowed, ‟Do you wanna… stay over at mine, f-for a bit?"

‟Like, right now?"

‟Mhm."

‟A-Alright"

He agreed, without thinking really. He felt His cheeks reddening with an unfamiliar glow.

They watched TV, forgetting the time. Close enough to not feel apart, but not close enough to be uncomfortable. It was like a soft instrument lulling them to enjoy each other. It was a silent, wordless evening. A silly little game of being happy they were just together. She was leaning against him, comfy on his shoulder. Of course, he was doing the same, trying his best to avoid impaling his cortex on a stray antler.

‟Today really was something…" - She said, not moving her eyes.

‟Those two were a handful… I'm even a bit relieved they're gone."

‟Pfahah… If she was here, Dess'd kill you for saying that."

‟Promise you won't tell her, then."

‟Pinkie promise."

Then, he exhaled and the piano started playing softly again… College would come sooner or later… so they should enjoy their time together while life allowed… But suddenly, he felt a feeling on his crotch that made his knees bind together in surprise. Even more surprising, he looked to check it and it was her fingers.

‟W-What's this now, Kris? You're not even h—hiding it anymore?" - He might have not mentioned it, but he'd been pitching a tent since they were alone.

‟I'm sorry, I didn't—"

‟You don't need to apologize, I know it's technically a compliment… Besides, I've noticed it from time to time." - She said with a petite smile that made him feel like a giant idiot. Turns out he wasn't so slick

What she didn't do, though, was take her hand off it. His little friend bobbed as if to wave back at the attention.

‟Are you— is this what I think it is?" - He was trying desperately to not let the monster in his head take over.

‟…Only if you want it to be."

There was a possibility Noelle was doing this either out of a sense of duty or jealousy, ‟You're not, forcing yourself into this?"

‟Kris… I…" - She turned her head to look at him, ‟You're my boyfriend, I'm not forcing myself. I want us to…" - She let the end hang. Like neither of them were ready yet.

‟Alright, yeah." - He didn't mean to say that. He grit his teeth and felt his stomach churn in fear.

‟…I promise I'll be as gentle as I can."

A pout formed on her face, she took his head to force him to look at her straight, ‟Kris, I've told you. I'm not so fragile you need to wear gloves around me 24/7. You aren't going to kill me, alright?"

‟Y-You sure?"

‟Yes. I'm sure."

‟…Alright." - He'd try his best, but He wasn't hopeful. He felt a shadow hung over him.

She swallowed her fear away, ‟Saying all that… It's stillthe first time I've ever done this, so… please, take it slow?" - Against him, she smelled like hazel and faintly of sugarplum. She was warm. Like she just came in from outside. Light and she looked so proper in her long dress.

‟It's… my first time, too."

They shared a relieved smile. ‟I'm glad."

‟Me too."

‟Done!"

‟Alright, Kris… But, you might wanna—" - She had a pleasant, amused smile on her jowls. He followed her eyes down and…

Ah shit. God damn it.

He still had his old pendant under his clothes. 'Best friends forever!', him and Asriel drawn in green off his naked torso like he was a preschool gangster. Or an idiot.

‟Don't be like that, it's sweet! Did Asriel help you make it." - The fact that she wasn't even laughing made it worse.

‟Sh-Shut up!" - He threw it over his head, and hoped they'd both forget about it.

M rating Censor Box.

Much coitus was had

Ao3 has the full version.

A bath was out of the question, way too late for that. So wet wipes it was. He had to clean her too, as best he could, and around the dirty bits too. It was another intimate moment they'd had that night. Not as romantic as the others, but still meaningful. Laying there, naked and dry and somewhat comfortable. Between the moon and the plushies who were looking the other way. It was almost like a sleep over, that they'd had long ago. Except, well… a lot of things. Her clock told it was incredibly late.

‟I'm so sorry, Noelle." - He'd been apologizing for half an hour at this point.

‟I told you, it's fine." - She was turned to him, mirth chipped but smile still wide.

‟It's not fine. What if you got hurt?"

‟If I did, I'd have told you to stop." - She never once tried to stop or slow down his madness. It made him happy how much trust was placed on him, but more than that, annoyed at her lack of concern for her own well-being.

‟Why didn'tyou tell me to stop?! At some point I did hurt you!"

‟Because I was ready for it to hurt a bit. I can live with some pain."

‟But if you—"

‟Kris!" - After everything, that scared him. She was genuinely upset.

She then shimmied along the bed closer to him. In a way that left it obvious that her legs couldn't quite move yet. She got to a few feet from him, head on the same pillow, before she started speaking.

‟You're right. It hurts. My spine and legs and lady bits hurt like hell. You were so intense you made cross county seem like a light jog. I can't even walk right now… I was scared I was gonna die a few times. But, despite all that…" - She exhaled deeply, right onto him. Then she extended her hand up daintily and he took it.
‟I'll be completely honest, I… really liked it. A lot… Like, I don't even get it myself. I've never felt anything like that before today… It was like, it was super scary, but I trusted you… so I kinda… knew I could get scared until I forgot who I even was… but I never got scared. I always knew I was… like, secure. You were always holding me tightly, so it wasn't…" - She had an embarrassed, clueless and uneasy expression on her face, like she had no idea what she was saying, ‟And… I wouldn't have expected that from you, so… it was,—,r-really… arousing."

‟That was… not horrible, to you?"

All she could give was a slow, self-conscious nod in the moonlight. It took him a while to process. Noelle liked that? The same Noelle that hated Pervy stuff? And got mad anytime he said the word boob? Same Noelle he was worried about touching the wrong way… enjoyed being roughed up like that?… It was hard to stomach. She liked being like that? He wanted to think she'd be lying to make him feel less guilty, but no way all of that was a lie. It was both embarrassing and relieving and kinda hot. He could just be happy she didn't hate Him. Happy He didn't scare her off and they'd still be a couple. He'd process everything else afterward.

‟B-But, I don't think my body can take too many of those so… let's restrain ourselves from now on, alright?"

‟Mine neither, honestly." - He felt like he couldn't move a damn muscle either.

But still, it gave him reason to think…

‟Noelle… Has anyone told you that you're a masochist before?"

She seemed confused, almost unfamiliar with the word, ‟N-No? Wait, is that what I think it is?"
‟M-Maybe? I don't really know…"

‟You're really cute, you know that?"

‟…Yes, Kris. You've told me enough times."

They ended up watching the stars go by, through her window. Faint blue illuminating them both as they chatted away the night. The clock told him they really should be going to sleep. But he'll worry about that tomorrow. Sunday was free, and he'd care about school after it starts. For now, they were alone, under the same cover.

‟You know, Kris… I'm surprised you were so… intense."

‟I was surprised too, but you were really sexy… I guess I lost control."

‟Not in that way!… I meant, like…
I thought, even though you liked me, y-you'd like human girls when it comes to, that." - Her tone was apprehensive, lower than before. Funnily enough, he'd thought the same thing, many times.

‟Sorry, never liked human girls. I was into monsters since I was a kid… deer, specifically."

‟Gosh, seriously?! Y-You're not just yanking my antlers?"

‟Mhm… Dess was my first crush."

‟Ngh… I'm… glad to hear that, Krismass." - He just realized what he'd said.

‟I mean— if not for her, I wouldn't have fallen for you, so, you know—"

‟Hmm… I guess I should thank her… For guiding you in the right direction." - Sassy Noelle always hit him out of left field. Like zesty eggnog.

‟…If it makes you feel better, you can tell me yours too."

‟…Do you really wanna hear that?"

‟I'm a bit curious."- How bad could it be?, he thought. Asriel probably. Maybe Asgore.

‟I-It was officer Undyne…"

There was a long silence after that. Doubt swelled in his chest for a long moment.

‟…Hey, Noelle?"

‟Yeah?"

‟Do you, like… do you like girls exclusively, orrr—"

He was cut off by an exasperated giggle, that slowly but surely turned into a jingling howl of laughter. So much so that Noelle had to roll on her side to let her wonderful voice out easier. He watched her confused.

‟W-What? Did I say something weird?"

‟D-did you say something weird!? Kris, we just had sex!
H-How in the heck, how can you ask if I—" - Her loud snickering cut her short. It was amazing how she was laughing, being so tired. He had to admit it was a bit humorous.

‟I-I guess, I already had the answer…"

But not satisfied with that, she put her hands on his face. Which he now realized she liked doing. And crawled even closer. Holding eye contact.

‟I exclusively like you. You big dummy. Nobody else."

He had to gulp, ‟Y-you really know how to make a guy feel… loved." - Normally, such a wimpy line wouldn't have left his mouth. But he was too tired to filter it.

‟Pfah… I feel like I'm trying to catch upto you, Kris. I thought I'd pamper you today, but then you surprised me. Big time."

‟Y-you really don't need to catch up to me—"

‟I want to."

His heart skipped a beat again. How could she make him blush like that, after all they just did?

Since they were so close, they kissed again. Just to reaffirm what didn't need saying. And then their conversation died down, along with their quiet breaths finally succumbing to a late slumber. He wished they could spoon to sleep, but that wasn't really possible for her… The thought got discarded.

Sharing this distance was more than enough.

More than enough.