Pathways

A pair of boot prints led away from the hole where Flowey had been dug out. They had not gotten far, when a sharp gust of wind caught them both by surprise. The ledge that Flowey had been sitting on suddenly broke and fell toward the ground below. The debris crushed several trees and rolled down the hill. Frisk scrambled to get away from it, having to make extra efforts to shield both himself and Flowey from the wind.

The village of Snowdin came back into view. Just as well, the wind was dying down, and the temperature was getting milder. Frisk stopped to catch his breath, before moving on. He intended to take the ferry, but the ferry operator was not there. He made his way in a different direction.

Frisk carried the flower pot down the pathways near the waterfall. He took occasional moments to view the fake stars in the fake sky, while passing by the echo flowers. The walk was long. Frisk took his time, and both were quiet for a large part of the trip.

The icicles hanging from Flowey's petals had mostly melted. Eventually, he broke the silence. "So... remember when I threw those bullets at you? And told you those were 'friendliness pellets'? Remember that?"

"Yeah."

Flowey gave a soft chuckle. "Yeah... I got you pretty good, that time."

"You did." Frisk walked slowly down the path. "You know what? I learned something important from that too. Wanna guess what it was?"

"That this world is kill or be killed."

"Nope. That's not it."

Flowey tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

Frisk walked down the winding path, maintaining his grip on the flower pot. "Here you were, a cute flower, pretending to want to help me. Then you tried to injure me. No big deal, I guess." He stopped to illuminate the pathway, and then carried on. "But then, I met other monsters. They were really scary looking, and sometimes I was afraid of them." He continued walking, bypassing several echo flowers, making his way toward the other side of the lake. "But when I got to know them, I found out they weren't like that. They were often really friendly and helpful."

"So... what do you mean exactly? What is your point?"

Frisk stopped. He held out the flower pot in front of himself. "What I learned is that... sometimes, things aren't the way they seem." He looked at Flowey, his expression flat. "That's not what you wanted me to learn. But that's what you really taught me." He held the pot closer to himself again as he continued walking. "That's also why you shouldn't give up either. You understand what I mean, don't you?"

"No."

"In other words, maybe you think you can't be yourself again. But maybe that isn't true after all."

Frisk reached the end of the path. He decided to sit down, and sat the flower pot beside himself.

"Frisk... I think I see what you're trying to do. But you don't understand. I'm a flower. I don't have a soul."

"You've played around enough with other souls. Don't you think it's time you had one of your own?"

"That's not possible anymore."

The sound of running water and occasional dripping permeated the environment.

Eventually, Frisk let out a sigh. He gazed straight ahead. "Haven't you learned anything yet? I know you have determination. I did things nobody thought was possible with determination." Slowly, he glanced over and looked at Flowey. "I believe you can too."

An annoyed expression crossed Flowey's face, as he looked back.

Frisk huffed. "You keep saying this is the way it has to be. That nothing can change. But you know what? That's just a story you keep telling yourself. That's all. Sooner or later, maybe you will see things differently."

After several minutes, Frisk stood up slowly, picking up the flower pot. He made his way in the direction of the ferry. This time, it was available.

After the ferry ride, the two made their way through Hotland. They went through the resort, then trudged down the long path overlooking the city. He stopped once more, to take in the view, making sure Flowey got a good look too.

"What are you going to miss most about this place?"

Flowey looked over the buildings, unemotional. "Nothing. I've seen it all. Why would anyone miss it? It's nothing but a giant tomb."

"That's fine. Let's go then. You need to see the surface."

Frisk continued the journey, making his way past the city to the palace.

"So... I have just one question," asked Flowey. "How did you know where to find me?"

"Let's say I have friends in high places."

Flowey snorted. "That's not a very good answer."

"Best I could do."

Frisk got back to where the barrier used to be. He turned to face it, letting Flowey get one last look.

"It's my turn to ask you something."

"What?"

"Do you want me to call you Flowey? Or do you prefer your real name?"

Flowey didn't answer.

"It doesn't matter to me either way. I'll call you whatever you want. What matters to me is that you understand someone cares about you."

He crossed the opening where the barrier had been, reaching the other side.

"By the way, Flowey. Think you'll want to meet your real parents again?"

"...no."

"Then we won't." Frisk moved slowly outside. Probably not a good idea anyway, he thought. Let sleeping dogs lie.

The moon cast a dim glow on the trees outside of the opening where the barrier used to be. The air was calm and fresh. Not far from the opening, a small group of monsters were chatting around a crudely-built vehicle. They quickly took notice. "Hey, it's Frisk!"

Frisk smiled and dipped his head. "Where are you guys going?"

"We're going to see the city! It's our first time on the surface. We're so excited!" Another chimed in. "I mean... we're going now, but we're going to wait until it's daylight before we really cruise around. "

"Be careful out there, okay?"

"We will. Hey, Frisk... what were you doing in the Underground?"

"Had to pick up a few things." Frisk looked at the vehicle. "If you're going that way, can I ride with you?"

The vehicle rolled down the dirt road, bumping along and leaving a large dust cloud in its wake. As the city came into view, the sun also appeared over the horizon, blanketing everyone with its rays. Flowey initially had to shield his eyes. Frisk held onto the pot tightly as the vehicle tumbled toward its destination.

"This is gonna be great!"

Flowey looked around at the landscape. The sun's warmth hit his petals, blanketing him. They were soothing to him in a way he had not experienced in the Underground. He swayed as the vehicle bumped along the road.

"It's been a while since you've been up here, hasn't it?" Frisk held onto the pot. "Don't worry. It won't be like last time."

Flowey looked at him. He could feel his determination. He could also feel something else.

She was there too. He could tell. She had never left him.

Normally, it brought a sense of comfort. Even when he couldn't see her, it still helped him feel that maybe he wasn't alone after all.

But somehow, this time, it just didn't feel the same. He felt uneasy. Hadn't he seen it all already? What was different now?

This was a mistake, wasn't it?

Go back, Flowey. So you can be together again. Don't worry about these people.

Flowey looked around at the trees and bushes, the squirrels and birds, the rocks, the dirt. The small towns that were coming into view, as well as the city. The clouds in the sky. It was a perfect day.

He remembered Frisk's offer to take him back to the Underground. Frisk had better make good on the offer.

"What are you thinking, Flowey?"

Flowey looked up. "Huh? Nothing."

"Yeah. There's a lot to do up here, you know."

"Uh huh. I can't wait."

The small house came into view. Frisk asked the monsters to stop. He exited the vehicle, carrying the pot and the equipment inside. Huffing, he set the pot down on the kitchen table. He paused to catch his breath, winded from the long journey.

"This is it? So... I'm just supposed to sit here on the table?"

"Yeah... it'll have to do for now. I'll find something better for you though, okay?"

Frisk thought some more. He wished he had thought farther ahead. His thinking was interrupted by a knock on the door.

He walked over to the door. It was seven in the morning. Who could it be? Throwing the door open, Papyrus didn't hesitate to greet him.

"HI FRISK! I BROUGHT YOU A PRESENT FOR BREAKFAST!"

"Thanks, Papyrus. What kind of present? Is it breakfast spaghetti?"

"NO! BREAKFAST LASAGNA!" He thrust the large tray into Frisk's hands.

"I can't wait to try it." He stuck the tray on the kitchen counter. "How's the surface?"

"IT'S GREAT! GETTING UP HERE WAS REALLY HARD! I HAD TO MOVE A WHOLE LOT OF MY THINGS! BY THE TIME I WAS DONE, MY KNEES WERE WEAK! MY ARMS WERE HEAVY! SO I MADE A WHOLE BUNCH OF... WELL, I'M SURE YOU CAN GUESS!"

Frisk smirked. "Yep. I think I can."

"I LOVE DRIVING AROUND!"

"So they let you have a car, huh?"

"YEAH! I WANTED ONE I COULD DRIVE. BUT... THEY GAVE ME A SELF-DRIVING CAR! NOW I JUST HAVE TO PRETEND TO DRIVE, AND I STILL LOOK COOL! TECHNOLOGY IS AWESOME!"

"Yeah. Those are great."

"IS... IS THAT..." Papyrus caught sight of the flower on the table. He squealed, raising his bony hands up to his face. "OH MY GOSH!"

"You remember Flowey? I just brought him in."

"I DO! FLOWEY! I'M FLOWEY'S BIGGEST FAN!"

Flowey's eyes went wide. He quirked a brow. "Yes... Papyrus. Nice to see you again."

"FLOWEY! CAN I HAVE AN AUTOGRAPH?"

"Uhh... sure." Flowey looked around nervously.

"THANKS! I'LL ADD IT TO MY COLLECTION!" He chewed nervously on the ends of his fingers. Then, he stood up straight. "I'M SORRY FRISK! YOU'RE MAKING ME WANT TO STAY. BUT I CAN'T! I HAVE LOTS OF DRIVING TO DO. THAT AND LOOKING AT THINGS THAT ARE PROBABLY COOL!"

"Hey, Papyrus. Why don't you take Flowey with you? Show him around a little."

Papyrus quivered. "WITH MY NEW CAR... AND FLOWEY... I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, WILL BE THE BEST TOUR GUIDE EVER!" He quickly scooped up the flower pot. "FLOWEY! I KNOW YOU JUST GOT IN THE HOUSE! I'M HERE TO GET YOU OUT OF THE HOUSE AGAIN!" Soon he was gone, and sped off in his new vehicle.

Frisk puffed. Exhausted, yet relieved, he collapsed in one of the arm chairs.

The car hummed pleasantly down the freeway. Flowey sat in the passenger seat. He was buckled in.

"AND SEE... THERE'S A DEPARTMENT STORE! AND THE CITY HALL! AND THAT'S A POLICE STATION! AND THAT'S A SUBWAY STATION! AND THAT'S A PARK OVER THERE. AND, OH! OH! LOOK OVER THERE? SEE THAT?"

Flowey craned his head and strained his eyes. "No."

"IT'S THE CEMETERY! IT'S RIGHT NEXT TO MY FAVORITE SPAGHETTI PLACE!"

"Uh huh..." He was slowly taking in his surroundings. "You know what would be funny, Papyrus?"

"WHAT?"

"Let's say..." Flowey grinned. "Let's say you fell asleep, and the car drove into a group of people standing there minding their own business."

"THE CAR WOULD NEVER DO THAT! THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT SO AWESOME! YOU JUST SIT BACK AND RELAX LIKE YOU'VE NEVER RELAXED BEFORE! NYEH HEH HEH!"

"Okay..." Flowey looked glumly at the passersby.

Papyrus looked over to a group of lanky teenagers standing on the corner. He squealed with excitement.

"HEY! I KNOW THOSE PEOPLE! I'M GOING TO SAY HI!"

He had the car stop next to the corner. He beeped the horn and gave the teens a big clumsy wave. "HI GUYS!"

The teens walked up to his car. They gaped at him, big dopey grins on their faces. They were just as excited as he was. "HI PAPYRUS! WOW, NICE RIDE!"

"I KNOW! ISN'T IT AWESOME? I JUST GOT IT!"

"WE'RE SO JEALOUS! WE SHOULD TOTALLY HANG OUT SOMETIME! WE STILL NEED TO START YOUR FAN CLUB!"

Papyrus blushed. "I... I FEEL SO SPECIAL! I MEAN... I'M ALREADY SPECIAL! BUT THIS JUST ADDS TO THE SPECIALNESS!"

"WOW! WE TOTALLY GET YOU!"

Flowey watched the exchange, noticing how the teens' expressions almost perfectly mimicked Papyrus'. He rolled his eyes and groaned, and his face slumped down into the dirt.

"WELL, CAN'T CHAT NOW! GOTTA RUN AND DO COOL THINGS! LATER!"

"BYE PAPYRUS!" The teens waved at him awkwardly as he drove off.

Papyrus draped an arm over the passenger seat. "SEE? I'VE MADE LOTS OF COOL FRIENDS TOO! YOU SHOULD GO OUT AND MAKE FRIENDS! COOL ONES!"

The tour lasted throughout the day. Flowey strongly considered flattering or manipulating him, but strangely was just not in the mood for that this time.

The sunlight on his petals was welcome, anyway.