I've finished the first draft of the complete story and I'm chuffed that it took less than 50 days from when i started. Took about 5401 total minutes of editing, which makes up for 3.75 days on non-stop work if you care about that kind of data.

Chapter 9: Pruning

Chara became accustomed to the constant aroma of flowers and soil in Asgore's apartment. He cared for many of his plants above the shop, smiling as he tended to them like they were his children. His pet project appeared to be a set of seven flowers, one in each colour of the rainbow. Asgore's bulk was larger than a wrestler. Yet, he was gentle in his every manner and action.

It rubbed Chara the wrong way as she watched him tie together another bouquet. Slumping over the table opposite him, she rested her chin atop her crossed arms. "Why do you keep making those?" she finally asked him.

Asgore ceased his humming. He looked up in surprise. "I beg your pardon?"

"The flowers. You're always making bouquets with them."

"It's always good to prune the flowers every now and then," Asgore smiled. "Making bouquets is a good use of the heads."

"But you never sell them," Chara pointed out. "You just give them to Kris to take home."

"Oh…" Asgore darted his attention back to his work. "There's… nothing wrong with a father giving his son a bouquet or two."

"Except that it's more than a bouquet or two, and they're not for him. You're making them for Toriel." Chara waited for a response and received none. "You know she just throws them in the trash, right?"

Asgore halted amid tying a blue ribbon. He hung his head. "She does? Oh… I had hoped…"

"Kris told me about why you guys divorced. It's been years, but she still treats you like dirt. So, why do you bother giving her flowers, still?"

Ever since she first arrived in Hometown, Chara had plenty of opportunities to see Toriel and Asgore interact while their children were home. Asgore would always smile and attempt to make small talk. Meanwhile, Toriel acted colder than ice. She barely gave him more than a few curt words before turning her back to him.

In the face of silence, Chara wondered if she had been too blunt. Frisk warned her that she was often abrupt when she spoke to others. She considered apologising when Asgore released a sad, heavy sigh.

"To tell you the truth, I've always hoped that she and I could make amends. I thought if I raised the money I lost and showed Tori how much I still love her, she might take me back."

Chara lifted her head. "Asgore… Not to hurt your feelings, but I'm pretty sure you're wasting your time." He nodded, apparently knowing that already. "You should give up on Toriel and go find someone else who appreciates you."

"I doubt there is anyone else out there quite like Toriel."

"Why should you look for someone like that? Look, Toriel is a kind friend and a great mom. But she's a bitch of an ex-wife. You deserve better than the way she treats you."

"I just want my family back together…"

Chara stared down at the flowers. "I don't think that's going to happen. Asriel's already left home and Kris is graduating next year. Even if you and Toriel patch things up, nothing's going to be the same as it used to be." She slumped back into her arms. "At least you can still talk to your family whenever you want." Chara never had that much after she was adopted. Even now, she had people she wished she could see once again.

"You might as well go find someone who'll be happy to be with you," she added. "You wouldn't be alone anymore, that way."

Ages passed before Asgore spoke. "I suppose you're right," he murmured. "Maybe I am holding onto the past too much." He ran his hand over his face, fingers combing through his beard. "But… I'm not sure what to do anymore."

"Does Hometown have any singles' nights at the bar?" Chara offered.

"Not that I know of… What would you do?"

"I dunno. I've never dated before. You could always ask Asriel."

Asgore laughed. "Goodness! Imagine asking my son for dating advice. Golly, I might have to." Chara smiled. It was nice to see him in better spirits again. "Thank you, Chara. I believe it's been long past-due that I spoke with someone about this."

"Eh, sometimes it pays to be a pessimist," Chara shrugged. "My friend, Mew, always said I was good at keeping my head on straight." Then Mew Mew would detach her head and spin it on one finger for a laugh. Chara puffed through her nose. She missed that dummy.

"Is something wrong, Chara?" Asgore asked.

She woke with a start. "Huh? Oh… Nah, it's nothing."

"This friend you mentioned… I don't believe I've heard much of your friends back home. What sort of people are they?"

Monsters who have done it tough in the world and had enough of being pushed around. A group of kindred souls found each other and claimed the surrounding neighbourhoods as their own. People knew them as the Spectres. The name worked particularly fitting since many of the gang's top members were ghosts. If you were angry with the world, you could find a place among them. Chara had found hers. Humans made her life hell. Monsters never did her wrong.

"They're the type who don't care about where you've come from," Chara answered. "As long as you have their backs, they have yours."

Asgore smiled. "They sound like wonderful people."

Chara fought the urge to scoff. Yes… wonderful. As wonderful as people could be when their primary business included stealing cars, lifting shops, and running illegal gambling dens. It was dirty work with the Spectres, but it paid well and kept Chara fed and off the streets at night. She could never let Asgore, Frisk or anyone else know about all that, though. She stood to lose everything if they ever found out.

"So what?!" Mew Mew yelled. "That makes it okay to just leave behind the people who care about you without saying anything?"

Chara excused herself to the bathroom so that Asgore couldn't see her face any longer. She locked the door and allowed her tears to run free. If she lost Frisk and Kris, what would she have left? She had ruined her friendship with Mew Mew. She couldn't bear to ruin her family as well.

If only she could cut away her past completely… Then maybe she'd be able to grow into something good.