Author's Note:
The use of italics will be a bit different from my earlier fics. Here, it will be for Chara's speech to make conversations more readable. Especially for later, should the whole family be gathered.
Uuuugh. Where... Am I?
They woke up! They're really awake. It's really you this time, isn't it, Chara? Calm down, Asriel. Just stay calm. T-this is my big chance. I must be calm for both of our sakes. I can not afford to mess up this time.
"Oh! You've fallen down, haven't you... Are you okay?"
I... Can't... Move... Am I... Dead?
"D-dead? N-No. Of course not!" Try some pie, alright? Mom made it for me... But, you can have some of mine. If you, you know, want to."
They are still laying hurt upon the ground. I sneak a peak as they hesitantly reach out to the pie and break off a small piece. After slowly chewing four times, they reach out again, enthusiastically grabbing a larger chunk from it, until only half the slice remains.
Before they finish chewing this second piece, I turn away again. If they were to look towards me now, I wouldn't want them to simply see me as a random monster and panic. After they finish this handful, I can hear a small bit of energy returning to their voice.
... Why are you being... So nice to me?
Those words remind me so much of someone I once knew. Maybe... The truth is... he wasn't the greatest person. That's right. You know who I'm talking about, don't you? ME. But now? That sadness. I know that loneliness. That's the suffering you were fighting to stop, wasn't it, Frisk?
It seems I inherited your responsibilities. If you're listening. I'm... I'm going to do a great job, OK? No matter what I do. Everyone will be there for me. So, wherever you are, whenever you are, please do not worry about me.
Lost in thought, I suddenly remembered that Chara had asked me why I was being so nice. It would be rude to leave the question hanging any longer.
"I just want to, okay? You don't need a reason to help someone. Please, finish the pie. Then we can see Mom when you are ready, alright? I am sure she will help you."
Forgive me Chara. I actually have a bit of a selfish reason. I don't want to be a flower again. I can hardly believe this. We've just met and I am already lying worse than I ever did as Flowey. Those words may have been true had I only said them the first time we met. But now? "I just want to" and "You don't need a reason?" That's not what I feel. That's not what I feel at all.
I want you to be happy, and I'm sure Frisk does too. Their last words, they weren't meant for me, they were meant for you. After spending seemingly an eternity as a deceitful flower, constantly misleading others with half-truths and double meanings, I can usually pick up on these sorts of things. As much as he disgusts me, I must admit, my time as Flowey was educational.
I leave Chara be for now, still simply sitting off to their side. Immediately before biting into their third handful of Mom's pie, they ask me a question I did not expect.
Hey, aren't you going to ask me about myself? My name? Or what I'm doing here?
"Nope!" I enthusiastically reply. Surprised, their chewing stops.
"Of course, I would like you to tell me. But, if there's some things you aren't comfortable talking about or would rather keep private, I understand. There's… certain things I'd rather not talk about, too."
Things… like Flowey. Maybe one day. But, not yet. It's still too soon for me. Chara exhales slowly.
"So, uh, if you don't want to tell me, I don't mind. I won't push anything you don't want me to, okay? Just, well… If you ever feel the need to talk about anything. No matter how small or how big it seems. I'll be here for you. I'll always be ready to lend an ear. I promise."
Silence. To be honest, I'm not surprised by this response. They were such a shy child when we first met. Perhaps, that was part of why we got on so well. But, after everything that's happened, I'm no longer certain my compassion was responsible for our friendship. What if it all started because I was curious? After seeing where my curiosity drove Flowey, I'm… I'm not sure what to believe anymore.
A few moments later they get back to their pie. This must be the last handful. It doesn't last very long at all. That's good, it's a sign it must be working. After finishing the last piece, Chara yawns. Their head falls gently to the floor as they close their eyes.
As they try to sleep, I sneak up behind them. They must be so exhausted after all this. They look so peaceful while at rest. A warm smile makes it's way across my face. Part of me wishes no more than to simply lose myself staring at them. Still, it's probably not a good idea to leave them here like this.
"C'mon. We have to see mother. Here, get up…" I whisper as I gently try to prop them back up.
Ha ha ha. That tickles.
"Uh, I'm sorry?"
N-no. It feels nice. So warm and soft.
That's a relief. I probably should tell them the truth about me soon. Maybe not the whole truth. But at least the monster part.
You're not really human, are you?
I gasp in shock as they quietly chuckle. T-they know already? But how? I was so careful. They couldn't possibly have seen me. I made sure of it.
I'm glad though. You are so much nicer than any human I've met.
Chara places their arm across my shoulder. It seems like they will lean on me until we get Home. This didn't exactly follow the plan I had laid out. But, it still worked out in the end.
With help from Mom's pie, Chara seems to be in much better shape than the first time this happened. The last time they fell, they were hurt so bad that they had tears streaming down their eyes by this point. And I… well, I said something I probably shouldn't have. They refused to speak to me the rest of the way Home, and the entire next day that time. Eventually, I apologized and everything was all good again.
I know they accepted my apology and we became great friends. But, looking back, I'm not entirely sure if they ever truly got over what I said that day. At first, I thought it was just our little inside joke. But they NEVER passed up an opportunity to re-use those few careless words against me. And, crybaby that I was, they had PLENTY of opportunities. I suppose it's good we avoided that fiasco this time around. Then, I remember something very worrying concerning our immediate well-being.
The wounds from the war with humans still live on in the hearts of many in this timeline. There may very well be a few monsters who wish mankind ill. In the first timeline, I had escorted Chara after completing my birthday ceremony. At that time, I required only the occasional smile and nod if someone looked at us oddly.
But, the ceremony hasn't happened yet in this timeline. Officially speaking, my desires currently carry no more weight than that of a commoner this time. Having seen what losing Chara and myself did to Dad, I begin to doubt if my words alone will be enough to shield us from those who have suffered such great losses.
My heart begins to race. Is this excitement, or fear? Having been bereft of both emotions and change for so very long, a part of me welcomes this sensation, whatever the origin. Still, I must calm myself until I can get Chara back Home.
I also have to remember to not call out their name until they tell me it. Otherwise, I'll have a lot of explaining on subjects that I'm not ready to discuss just yet. I should keep my next message simple as, once again, we take our very first steps into the Ruins.
"Let's see Mom. Together."
