Author's Note:

GMU here, I've got a new chapter hot and ready for everyone interested in the story. I thank everyone's who reviewed and followed my story so far. It really got me motivated to write the next chapter. So here it is

Please read it and enjoy...

Chapter Two: A Breakfast Date and a Character Building Moment

I woke up in a daze…the ceiling confusing and unfamiliar.

What was I doing? Why was I here? I don't remember spending time at anyone's hou-

Everything came flooding back and I groaned waking up the other inhabitant in the room. Frisk moaned and groaned and moved around in her sleep as she slowly woke up.

"Whhhhyyy." Her voice was teeny as she forcibly woke herself up. She threw off the blanket leaving her in her pj's. She brushed back her messy matted hair with both of her hands. I could see a hint of drool at the edge of her lip.

Not exactly an angel when she sleeps huh?

I sniffed at the noxious odor that seemed to be emanating from the door of the room. I had a horrified suspicion that was Papyrus making his food and I felt like my death by food poisoning was soon approaching.

"Uh…Frisk?" Her eyes opened wide at my hesitant greeting and she stood straight up, planting her feet on the cold floor. She shivered as her feet made contact, and with her eyes closed put her feet within some type of slipper. Her mouth opened in a yawn, covering it up with her left hand.

"W-What o-oh heeyyyy buddy…" She drawled out a sleepy greeting and I remained confused as she placed her hand on my head. She patted it, and I didn't know how to feel about this. I grabbed her hand once she started to touch my face.

"Stop it." To wake her up I grabbed her face patting it a few times to wake her up. Based on her look the expression on my face was not amused.

"Mmm sorry…" She mumbled with embarrassment. I let go and then the door was kicked open.

"GOOD MORNING HUMANS! IT'S A LOVELY DAY OUTSIDE! DO YOU WANT SOME BREAKFAST PREPARED BY THE GREAT PAPYRUS!" I felt ill at the thought and scrambled to think up of an excuse.

"Uh, actually I'd like to eat out." at his expression I added my finishing consolation. "We should try out the food the Underground has to offer right? We have our mission to befriend the monsters from Asgore and we should get out onto the world as fast as possible right? Besides you should always leave the best for last." Frisk looked amused, while Papyrus looked suitably convinced.

"WHY THAT MAKES AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF SENSE HUMAN! NOW I SHALL LEAVE YOU SO YOU CAN CHANGE!"

Of course…

We were now entering Snowdin which was apparently one of dozens of small towns dotting the snowy area of the Underground, though it was the largest and the most well known. Apparently around a thousand monsters lived here while the rest were half the size and off the beaten path.

For the cold weather I wore a green and blue striped sweater with a thick sans-esque jacket on top of that. A set of thick grey pants added to my hypothermia protection. Little Friskus wore her usual sweater on top of a jacket of the same color, and had dark brown pants to keep out the cold or protect her from nicks against sharp things.

sans was accompanying us with an odd look on his face. The awkward silence was frankly suffocating and I really wanted to leave. Both remained silent and I really hoped one of them would say something, say anything or I would scream.

"i…" The skeleton was the first to begin. "sorry…about the things I said." He did sound genuinely apologetic about it. "i was confused, angry, it blinded me. you don't want to hurt anyone…i can tell."

The only girl in the group tightened her hood to block out the cold. "It's fine…I deserve it."

Yikes man. That is some serious issues.

"maybe…but i should be better." I pressed my fingers together unsure of what to say.

"Um…breakfast?" I ignored the stares from them, and I looked around for something to eat. That was about when I smacked into someone.

"Oww…" I looked to find that I had bumped into Monster Kid. Honestly a part of me expected that he would be older. The kids eyes lit up and upon closer inspection he was older than before. But I would put him around 15 years old, and about the same height as me. Possibly taller but I couldn't tell.

"Hey?" I waved politely hoping he would leave.

"Hey you guys aren't kids right? I mean neither am I really…I just like striped shirts but still…" Frisk and I shook our heads, and his question made me realize I had no idea how old she was. The small monster bounded over to us with excitement. "My name is Monster Kid!" I gave him a grin, and then we told him ours names in exchange.

"You know we're human right? Why are you being so friendly to us?" I wanted to know why he was friendly despite this knowledge.

"Because you haven't hurt anybody. And you don't push me away like the adults usually do…" He sounded a little sheepish as he finished his sentence.

"You're a pretty cool kid aren't you?" MK beamed and his sheer exuberance made me look away. A quick glance of Frisk and I could tell she was a little happier than a few minutes ago.

MK shuffled closer and whispered. "Hey um…do you think it would be cool if you guys could come along with me to meet Undyne?"

That could clear up any misunderstandings and I don't mind befriending the boisterous (terrifying) fish monster.

"Uh," Frisk gestured me to go on ahead. "Sure just give us some time to get breakfast and we'll be there." Monster Kid beamed a second time. Frisk waved goodbye and the small monster skipped off. I stiffened as Frisk grabbed my hand tightly, the girl pulling me to some place. I relaxed as we reached what looked like the Snowdin Shop but expanded into a full on restaurant.

Frisk held on tighter as we drew closer and a part of me wanted to retract my hand out of embarrassment if nothing else. Maybe I should ask…

"Umm could you let go?" Frisk gave me a smile and shook her head. Her grip only tightened and I did my best to ignore the hammering in my chest.

"Do you want me to let go? You're holding on pretty tight?" I grumbled but couldn't deny that it felt kind of…nice. She poked my nose with a cheeky grin and I groaned.

Cheeky little…well not little…

"We're here!" I took my hand back as Frisk opened the door to the restaurant/Shop. She froze as a realization came to her. She sagged and rubbed her belly with the saddest expresion I had ever seen. "We don't have any money!"

Oh jeez that look can easily be weaponized!

My eyes glanced toward sans and he gave me a wink before tapping Frisk's back. "no problem there buddy i've got a skeleton of money." He held the G in his hand and I held back a snort at well, the honestly terrible joke. Her expression practically lit up the room and she quietly thanked sans before gently taking the money out of his phalanges.

The store section looked very much the same as in the game but it opens up into a full on diner, reminding me of a Denny's. I coughed politely as the bustling shop stood still at our arrival. I turned to sans hoping he could break the ice, but he was gone.

I'd never felt more awkward in my life as the about two-dozen monsters looked on curiously. I looked over to Frisk for guidance and she pointed to her lips in a smile.

Ok sure.

I smiled hesitantly toward the monsters and greeted them. "Uh h-hi?"

Rather awkwardly I would say…

Their initial nervousness faded away at my response and I was greeted with polite and almost happy tones. Much better than the silence of before.

"Hey there!" My eyes darted over the form of the bunny shopkeeper as she came up to us. Frisk took a few steps forward, pushing her frame into me. I ignored it as best as I could, my hungry stomach urging me to go on. The bunny placed both of her hands on her hips giving us a friendly smile. "You folk look like you need some food in your bellies."

My stomach rumbled in response and Frisk chuckled.

"I've got a good seat right over here." The bunny women showed us to a small booth fit for four people. Frisk gestured to the seat and I sat down, my peace was lost quickly as she brushed up to me with a wide grin. The little mix for as close as she could and I flushed as the bunny girl gave me a knowing look.

"Good thing I gave you the private booth huh?"

God dammit Frisk why can't you be a normal girl…person. I have no idea what her pronouns could be. But…whatever

"Please don't." Frisk leaned forward and I practically smacked my head into the table as I felt her…assets on my back. "Frisk I would like for you to keep a minimum distance of half a meter."

Frisk pouted. "No…how about 1 centimeter?"

I quirked a brow. "25 centimeters."

She snapped her fingers with her counteroffer. "5 centimeters?"

"12 centimeters?" She ventured.

Hmm…

"Fine go ahead." My heartbeat slowed down as the space between us grew to a more reasonable amount.

"Ready to order now honey?" There was a teasing twinkle in the shopkeeper's eye and I said yes to her question. The older monster passed a menu to each of us and I hummed as I thought of what to get.

Cinnabunny definitely…I want to give it a try.

Eggs and ham? How they'd get that down here? But yeah I'll think I'll have some of that. They have orange juice too? I told the last as such or what I wanted and she took Frisk's order next.

"I want the pancake with hash browns and chocolate milk." The rabbit scribbled the order into her notebook and bid us a brief farewell.

I leaned my head back against the cushions and sighed. Frisk leaned in slightly l, a curious look etching her face. She seemed to want something and I wasn't too sure what it was. It's not like I would know being shit at social interactions due to Aspergers, deciphering someone's thoughts isn't the easiest task for me.

"Do we want to be friends?" My head twisted to meet her eyes and I didn't have any words to the blunt nature of Frisk's question. After a few moments I got my bearings and replied back.

"That's a pretty abrupt way to ask someone." Frisk shrugged turning her body and dropping an elbow onto the table, supporting her face with her right arm.

"Meh…I think it's better just to get it out in the open. And I think you need a friend or two right now." She wasn't wrong. And frankly being friends with a beautiful woman wasn't a half bad situation…

Why's she blushing? Did…did I say that out loud? Oh dear, that is…actually kind of great. She's really cute when she blushes and stutters like that.

"So I…" I trailed off scratching my beard and swallowing some saliva. "I guess that's my answer Frisk. In fact I think I'll say it right here." I lifted up my hand and with a raised eyebrow she took it.

"Um?"

"It's ice to meet you. I never thought I'd become friends with such a frisky person though." Her eyes lit up at the weak puns and she laughed.

Huh, I made a pretty girl laugh…yay me?

"Meh…tibia honest bonefide bone puns are more my style. Though Papyrus is probably going to have a bone to pick with me for that."

Hehehe…

Her smile become softer though her eye began to dart nervously back and forth across my face. It still looked like she had questions. It was a little nerve wracking actually; I'm not used to be being put on a microscope by one person this much. Maybe she wanted to get to know me more personally? Like if I have any family, my interests etcetera.

"So you want to get to know me is that right?" She nodded with her eyes sparkling. Kind of off putting actually, I'm not the most interesting person. Then again if she's been RESETing for so long getting to know a person for the first time again might be more exciting.

I suppose I could oblige her desire.

"Right well I'm Brandon as you already know." The small comfortable smile on her face, made me wonder if she was the Stepford smiler type. "I'm a Mexican American from the sunny state of California. I have two young brothers, two parents and a number of cousins, uncles, aunts and grandparents." I saw a brief flutter of sadness in her eyes at the mention of my family.

"Got it, anything else? You know likes, dislikes?" My body perked up on its own as her interest became clearer.

"Right well…I like science a lot. Specifically in biology as well as more mechanical sciences." A smile pulled at my face and my feet moved of their own accord as my excitement grew. "In fact I'm currently going to community college so I can transfer to a UC and become a genetic engineer! I want to learn more about the building blocks of life. To create and mold it to my will! I could make bacteria that clean up oil spills, wipe out malaria, make drought-resistant plants. Turn chickens into dinosaur like creatures!" By manipulating Hox genes and reviving atavistic traits like teeth or tails.

Why are her eyes so big and wide? I blinked away, and felt my body stiffen as my nose booped Frisk. I had ended up invading her space in my outburst by accident. I sat back down with a small clearing of the throat. "Uh sorry about that I just…I'm really passionate about science."

Frisk waved me off, understanding on her face. "Ehh don't worry bout it. You're a lot like a certain lizard monster." She whispered with a conspiratorial tone. Her smirk was positively wicked. "In fact I think it's rather cute how your gush about what interests you."

So Frisk is just as much a flirt as the Fandom portrayed her as. But it was a bit of a fresh of breath air. Someone flirting with me is a new experience even if I know she's only messing with me. But it didn't stop the red flowing into my ears…

"So how about you?" Her expression darkened at my sudden question and I internally slapped myself, as I must have hit a hard topic. She looked guilty as she read my expression.

"Well…" She twiddled her thumbs and I could practically see the gears turning in her head as she made up her mind. "I…mmm" she bit her lip before coming to a conclusion, letting out a deep breath. "I don't really have as much or any family as you do." Why does the Fandom have to have their head cannons proven correctly? "I lived in an orphanage in a really bad place. I didn't have much of any life and the people who took care of me…weren't good people." Her eyes widened at the last bit like it was something she didn't mean to say.

Before she could utter another word I stopped her, and going against my shy nature grabbed her hand. "You don't have to say anything else. We can talk about something else! L-Like uh my favorite color is green what's yours?" My questioning was panicky and nervous my guilt clouding my logic. Her melancholy was stopped in its tracks by my half-assed reversal, a completely dumbfounded and amused look rising up.

"O-Oh it's blue." She fidgeted a bit under my scrutiny and I felt a little better that she was just as awkward as I was. "Um…if it's fine with you my favorite food is pie." My lips twitched in an almost grin at the mention of the confection.

"Well I don't have a favorite food but I do really like spaghetti." She nodded and inched a little closer. I would have said something but at this point there's nothing I can do to stop her.

"Well you kids seem to be getting along." The shopkeeper had brought two plates with each of our respective orders. I held back the saliva, as I hadn't eaten since yesterday. I dug into the well-cooked food, and shuddered as the food practically melted in my throat, it dropped down and I was invigorated in an instant.

"Yahh!" Frisk answered for us with a fluffy pancake hanging from her mouth. Her look reminded me of a puppy and I glanced away to finish the filling food.

"Good, call me if you need anything else!" The bunny monster left us to attend to her other customers though a tap from Frisk stopped her. Her nose was wrinkled and she cocked her head to a centrally placed wrinkly brown fruit in question. The bunny smirked at Frisks look. "Well I thought since this was a date that this fruit would match the occasion."

Date…oh it's a joke…wait.

"We're not on a date lady." The monster women shrugged and sauntered away with a bemused look. Frisk had a blank and passive expression on her face and I rolled my eyes at the older monsters antics.

"You done?" I stared down to find my breakfast had been inhaled in my haste and I nodded, scratching an itch on my arm.

Huh?!

Within moments Frisk had wrapped her right arm around me, picking me up and leaping off of the table in a show of athletic ability.

I squirmed but Frisk only tightened her grip on me before… OH GOD JUMPING OUT OF AN OPEN WINDOW!

"ONWARD TO WATERFALL BEST BUDDY!"

NOOOO!

"I hate you sooo much right now." I mumbled into a patch of soft tall grass keeping my distance from Frisk as she settled down.

After her run we had ended up in Waterfall, which was larger and wetter than I was expecting. It was a rather good thing these sweaters were magic or else I'd be soaked.

"Meh…it's not so bad best buddy." A broad grin showed her excitement despite nearly giving me a heart attack.

"How…how are you running so fast." Oh let me guess.

Handwave.

"~Magic~" We both did the hand wave with a small smile and my nausea started to die down. But now I had questions on magic, actually can I use magic? I mean I've fallen down into the Underground it should be possible right?

I picked myself up from off the ground, being careful to not slip on a wet patch of grass. I mulled over how to word this but decided to just go right out and say it.

"How do you use magic?" I gave her a hopeful expression and her hands curled up. Frisk didn't look mad, just caught off guard.

"Oh! I didn't expe—." She coughed and nodded in affirmation to my query. "It's pretty simple but since this is new for you we'll start small OK?" I stepped forward with a small bounce in my step.

"Yes."

Frisk beamed at my readiness. "Now lift up your hand." I obeyed her instruction, my hand palm up as well. "Concentrate as best as you can. Focus all your energy, all your hopes and dreams into the palm of your hand and breathe out."

That sounded simple enough…

Okay breathe.

Think about it…what do I want? What are my hopes and dreams for the future?

As I focused a strong surge lifted up my spirits. I felt free and hopeful, all those negative emotions set aside for this one goal. Finally one hope, one Dream together sprung up from the deepest recesses of my SOUL.

I want to learn more.

"Look…" Frisk's voice was soft and I opened up my eyes. I marveled at the warm purple glowing light in the palm of my hand. It resembled a small glowing star, or maybe a flame? Its form seemed to shift back and forth. My fingers tried to grip the flame, but they slid past the mass less object. Frisk snapped out of it and pointed to the light. "Now uh focus that energy into and out of your chest." This time it came much easier and instead of a flame a purple colored heart floated from my chest.

"This is amazing." Frisk rubbed her chin as she examined my SOUL, and her right eye started to glow. I stood in place, curious to see what she was doing. For an entire minute I was completely still until Frisk let out a humm of approval.

"Not bad for a beginner. You've got 68 HP, a DEF of 1, and an ATK of 2." For a brief instant Frisk sounded like her goat mother, and it was rather adorable. "Now I want you to use CHECK me. That's among the simpler Magic's to learn and it'll be good experience."

Check? Oh right that…

"Come on…I don't mind you looking." I snorted as her tone turned suggestive and focused on something else.

Right let's CHECK! Wait wha?!

That was easier than I expected. Now let me see…

* FRISK — ATK 4 DEF 3

* Fallen Angel.

* Feels broken inside.

I flinched as did Frisk and the CHECK on her ended abruptly.

"You don't need to say a single word. Let's just pretend that nothing happened alright?" Frisk nodded and glanced away as she looked at something behind me. A large shadow blocked out the light and I twisted on my heels, lowering into a terrible combative stance.

I felt the blood drain from my face as the just over eight foot tall figure of Undyne towered over the both of us. Fortunately for the integrity of my pants she wasn't wearing her helmet, leaving me with a nice view to look at instead of a terrifying faceless monster.

My unease faded quickly as three familiar faces popped up from behind the Royal guard captain. On Undyne's right a beaming Monster Kid was giving us a silly grin. On her left were the two royal siblings (in another timeline) each of them with a confused look on their face.

Frisk flushed and became excited as she made eye contact with a smirking Chara.

"I guess you're really getting to know each other now huh?" There was a sarcastic lilt in Chara's voice as she replied. I nearly bit out an angry retort until I looked into her eyes.

Her eyes are really pretty like shining rubies…

NO FOCUS!

"Uh…Hi?" I winced as my voice cracked, and I had the brief urge to deepen my voice. I nearly winced at the sour look on goat-boys face, as I may…or may not have been checking out his sister…

"...So you're the humans right?" Undyne was boisterous and loud with no tone of unsubtle menace behind it. In fact she seemed outright friendly to us.

"Howdy!" Frisk freed herself from her previous stupor and skipped over to our resident fish warrior. "I'm Frisk, and this is…" I kept my cool when Frisk placed her arm over my shoulders, pulling me into her space. "Brandon!" I waved and held back a panicked feeling at Undyne's wild grin.

"Names Undyne! I'm the captain of the Royal Guard if you haven't heard." We nodded as a sign of us listening and she continued with her introduction. "Monster Kid told me he wanted us to meet. Saying you guys are were 'awesome and cool' and that he'd love it if we hung out." Monster Kid nodded his head with each sentence that Undyne spoke.

"It's nice to meet you," I say. "I've never really met someone who isn't human so uh I hope I don't offend you by mistake."

Maybe that was a little much.

Undyne grinned. "It's nice to get some respect around here but you don't need to worry. Unless you break the law you should be fine." She pointed in the direction of the inhabited section of Waterfall. "So punks if you want to hang out my house is right over there." We followed her clawed finger and I gave her a thumbs up.

"Hey I thought you'd get to hang out with them now." MK protested with a small pout on his face.

Undyne patted his head with apology in her eyes. "Yeah sorry kiddo but I still have some patrolling to do, and that other human wants to talk to them in private." Chara gave me a creepy smile, her eyes focused on me.

If anyone asks I did not squeal in fear! There's no proof you hear!

"Besides it means you can tag along with me on my patrol and I'll show you how it's done!" MK jumped up in excitement and I almost awwed at how adorkable he was.

"Yeah," he turned to us with a small smile. "Sorry dudes I want to help you out with the puzzles but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I can't miss it!"

"Nah it's okay we'll see ya when we see ya." A few seconds later and only the four of us were left. Chara eyes followed us with an unreadable look.

"So you're getting all buddy-buddy with a human partner?" I grit my teeth at the disdain in the fallen child's voice. "I didn't really expect you to be into small chubby and useless." My fists tightened up into balls at the insult, and I held back a sharp retort. I hated fighting and arguing with a passion, especially over useless shit. All it did was put me in a bad mood, and leaves me irritable and frustrated for no gain of any kind.

"You don't have to be so mean Chara." The red-eyed girl scoffed, her icy stare burning its way into my memory.

"Why shouldn't I? He's a fucking human Frisk. Who cares what he think?"

That…I've never wanted to punch a girl in the face this much before. Another first for me then.

"I haven't done anything to you! Why are you being such a bitch!" I clamped my mouth shut at the expletive, blinking away confusion at the uncharacteristic lapse. Frisk looked shocked and worried and she was right to be so as Chara pulled me into the air by my shirt.

Chara snarled with held back rage. "You said it yourself didn't you? You're a PLAYER, you've manipulated this world since day one. You used us like your little puppets for your own amusement!"

"Well excuusee me Princess! In my world this place is just a game. It's not my fault the multiverse actually exists, and I that I got dropped here." Her eyebrows twitched at my pissed off tone. "And for the record I only finished the Pacifist route, I've never even tried the opposite end."

"Well…if you were sooo innocent then why are you here?" She talked over me, and I felt white-hot rage start to boil over. "You're here because you almost certainly would have gone genocide one day so the world decided to take away y—."

I saw red.

"Fuck!"

I dropped to the ground, feeling dizzy and disoriented. I gripped my head, gritting my teeth as I got a pounding headache.

Wait…did I…

"You head butt me you stupid son of a b—." Asriel growled and shut his sister up, covering her hand with his paw. "Lem me tadlk Azz—mhmmm" any further words were cut off as Asriel tightened his grip.

The prince gave me a look and nodded understandably. I picked myself up, standing on unbalanced feet.

Chara brushed some blood from her lip staring me down with an intense look. "Lucky shot human."

I snorted condescendingly. "You do remember that you're a human right you self righteous cunt?" Frisk's jaw dropped and I had no damn clue where I got the balls.

"Ooo the human's got some fire in him." She was mocking me openly, her smile splitting her face.

"Fuck you!" She stepped forward and I stomped her foot hard.

"GAHH!" I smiled openly as I walked off to a small clear canal of water to cool off.

Watching Chara dance on one foot did put a smile on my face.

Bitch…

(Chara's POV)

"Fucking wanker…" I muttered hatefully as that tiny devilish dag stormed off deeper into Waterfall. Frisk turned on me immediately and—

OWW

"Bloody hell Frisk, what did I do?!" The slightly taller women tsked, a disappointed look sending a tinge of something into my…heart I suppose?

"Why are you being such a bitch?!" She looked completely pissed and I didn't understand why she was so angry. It's just some stupid human, like I said who cares?! "He hasn't done anything to you. He's just a victim caught up in problems of our own making."

"I don't care!" Frisk pursed her lips and squared her shoulders.

"I'm going to make you care. He's a good guy, a little shy and awkward but then I wasn't so different either. And he likes monsters."

"Only because of that damn game mate." I growled in frustration, as my Australian upbringing feared its bloody head. "He's almost certainly not going to give a real shit about any monster."

"You know…he was checking Undyne out." Not your best counter partner.

"Then he's a human with a fetish." I flatly and confidently countered her.

"He isn't Chara. He's nervous, confused and afraid. And let me be very frank with you. He's more afraid of you than he is of any of the monsters. Angry too, and that's against me and you." I scoffed and tried to walk the other way before that dang Pacifist grabbed me by the shoulder, forcing me to stay in place. "And who could blame him? We took everything from him, and you know that."

I don't care… He's a human; he'll turn on us at any moment just like everyone else. He'll ask for a little "favor" for being so nice. I can't trust him, I won't trust him. I…

"Come here…" The younger women dragged me along, and we stopped at a corner, where I could see the boy pacing near the water. He looked pretty angry, and I could see he was shaking.

"What exactly are—."

"Shhh!" I stopped when Frisk placed her finger on my lip. I tilted my head, straining my ears for a closer listen. The boy was muttering to himself and I held back my disgust.

"I don't understand how someone that hot can be so god damn mean. I haven't done anything wrong."

H-He thinks I'm hot? S-Shut up with that stupid smug smirk of yours Frisk, this only proves my theory. Br—the human was slowing down visibly, whatever possessed to stand up to me finally leaving his system. He was sweating visibly and there was a sick, green feeling settling in my stomach. He was staring at his reflection with his face contorting into a sad and depressed look.

"I…don't want to be here. I want to be back home. Frisk is really nice and so are all the monsters but…it's not the same." Frisk's expression has darkened and I felt…discontented. "I miss them…I might be an adult but I…this is too drastic a change for me. And getting to meet two lovely ladies doesn't make up for losing everything."

I-Is…is he crying?

I…shouldn't feel bad, humans aren't…humans aren't.

"Please…let this be just a bad dream…"

I froze.

I finally understood what I was feeling.

Guilt.

Am I…really feeling guilty for some random bloke now? And a human at that. But I guess…I have been heaping loads of shit on him for no reason.

"Can you at least try to be understanding?" Asriel spoke up and I looked down at my hands. My eyes traced the criss-cross of old scars adorning my arms like ugly tattoos. I pursed my lips, watching the sight of the human breaking down with what seemed like an iron weight in my gut.

"I…can only promise to try." I ignored my burning cheeks as my little cinnamon rolls beamed in happiness. My hand curled into fists at the noticeable strain, likely the memories of what they've done is still in the back of their minds.

It's my entire fault…I had a good thing going with the Monsters. They cared for me…loved me more than anyone and ever loved me before. Despite my quirks, my defects and mistakes. No matter what I…I did…they loved me. And what I did…destroyed any hope they had.

I had let my hate consume me…I had become what I hated most.

"I…" had a second chance here; the mistakes of the past never came to pass. No sacrifice needed to be made, no plan. I might never get my old life back, but this…might be enough.

And if I have a new start…I should reach out right? Maybe Frisk wouldn't have to be my only human friend. And he's—

"Nice." My head turned abruptly and I almost got whiplash. Frisk barked a laugh at my befuddled face. "Come on now Chara, I got a good read on his little SOUL when I was teaching him." I tilted my head, my curiosity conveyed through the simple body motion. "Well he's kind of a jack of all trades, he's got mainly Perseverance but he can use every magic cept Bravery and Patience which makes sense."

"Didn't think you had the will to disparage him." I said, cocking my hip with a smirk.

Frisk shrugged sheepishly. "It's not that bad…he's still braver than the average human, it's the Patience he's lacking in." If his pacing was anything to stand by, she's definitely right on the money.

"I'll think I'll go apologize…"

"That would be for the best."

I took a single step before fidgeting for a bit. I hoped I didn't regret this.

"Uh…would…it be okay if I took over his magic training for now?" Frisk blinked several times at my completely innocuous question. "I-I mean I have the most experience with magic and if he has five magical affinities. I reckon I can teach him a thing or two."

Don't give me that look Frisk or I'll…do nothing.

"Go ahead, nothing's stopping you."

Yeah…let's do this…maybe we can talk over tea later?

"Good luck!"

I hope this this does well.

(My POV)

I looked at my reflection for the first time in a while.

I was always told I looked a lot like my dad and I could really see in my reflection. Though my head was slightly rounder and my cheeks fuller.

The same oval shaped head ending in a dull point, the bristly and unfortunately poorly kept beard covering my chin. I rubbed the unshaven hairs on my cheeks, raised my bushy eyebrows, wrinkled my long nose, and with my tongue licked my now straightened teeth.

Damn dentist…those embarrassing braces fucked with my roots, and one of my teeth was left slightly misdirected as it became misaligned.

I brushed my slightly wavy black hair to the right, and breathed out. My beard needed a bit of trim.

I was actually a fairly hairy person to my discomfort at times expect for this beard I was growing out. To be honest the only reason I had this beard was because it made me look older, I didn't have to shave as much, and beards were kind of cool. My laziness tended to ruin the potential effect of my beard making me look mature however.

I suppressed a snarl when I heard the footsteps from behind me. I knew it wasn't Frisk or she would have said something, and I couldn't be Asriel or the shadow could be upon me.

It had to be that b—Chara.

I stayed on the ground, and after a moments hesitation huddled around so I could see her face.

Chara had a different vibe coming off of her now. "G'day." My eyebrows practically flew off into space at the Australian accent that became more prominent. Chara always had a more serious and sophisticated air about her. Now, she wasn't as imposing and intimidating as usual.

"Sup." I huddled up on the ground and to my surprise she followed suit, wrapping her arms around her legs. I didn't tr—

"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry!" I flinched at the intense look in her ruby orbs. "I shouldn't have said what I said to you! I shouldn't have attacked you twice. God I blamed you for things you had no control over. I…" she trailed off and I doubled taked as she blushed.

"U-Uh wow I…" I didn't expect her to have a 180 change in view in a period of about ten minutes? She raised her hand to speak and I let her, though some skepticism remained.

"Ya alright with us us starting again? I think we can be good friends if…you want to be." Her hand dropped down and I looked into her eyes.

There was genuine guilt in her eyes. A blue feeling within told me she was being honest, and she wanted to make amends with me.

"Okay." For a brief moment it was like being blinded by the sun. Her smile was wide and almost creepy, but the relief and hope really lit up her entire face.

Both Frisk and her were quite beautiful in their respect but it was a different kind for each of them. Frisk was the kind of person you just wanted to hug and cuddle with. Her features were soft and she had a generally warm personality.

Chara was an…abrasive person. But when she was like this, I could another less frightening side of her. She was more muscular and in some manners more masculine than Frisk, but it didn't make her any less appealing. She was more a strong rock, someone to rely on in hard times. The kind of person who would make you feel safe and protected. Which sounded nice…

T-That isn't weird, is it? Wanting to be safe and protected despite being a guy.

"Ya okay bud? You seem a little rooted." Her australian accent is definitely something I like about her.

But…I did want to get to know her as a friend.

Chara jumped up, landing on her feet. She offered her hand, a more reasonable smile revealing small cute dimples on her cheeks. I took the hand, and she easily pulled me up with minimum strain or effort on her part.

"So let's get going." She stopped me, gently placing her hand on my chest. I took the time to trace the multitude of scars with distaste. Because those marks certainly didn't come from any monster.

"Uh mate I've already talked this out with Frisk. But we decided that I would take over your magic training. Since you have a pretty wide magic affinity I thought an expert like myself would be best."

"Okay, sure."

"Oh there's going to be a lot to teach you. In a few weeks you'll be a venerable expert in all things magic."

I frowned as I noticed a lack of something. That was when what was missing hit me. "Your accent is gone, and you aren't using your slang."

Chara rolled her eyes at my disappointment. "I won't always use my accent or slang Brandon."

"Aww but I thought your accent was cute."

Her ears burned red and she stuttered out a reply. "S-Shut up." But there was a small smile on her face despite my teasing.

It was only a start, but I think I can work with this.