Toby Fox owns Undertale and all associated characters.

Chara zipped her suitcase closed and stepped back with a relieved sigh. Packing for a week-long trip to Paris wasn't easy, and she was grateful to finally be done with it. She put the full suitcase next to the one by the doorway, then stepped back and took a seat on her bed.

Chara's thoughts turned to Kid. While he had seemed pretty excited about coming, this would be his first time going on a trip like this. She wasn't sure if he was really prepared for it, and even if he was, he'd have a lot more trouble packing than anyone else.

Maybe she should go over and check on him. If he needed a hand, she could lend it. If not… she let a grin stretch across her features. They could always find something else to occupy the time.

She strode out of her room, debating whether or not she should call him, and finally decided it would be better if it was a surprise. She made her way downstairs, barely sparing a glance to Frisk who was reading on the couch.

The mechanical girl poked her head into the kitchen to see Toriel rolling dough on the counter, humming softly to herself.

"Hey Mom," she said, getting the Boss Monster's attention. "I'm going to Kid's place for a bit, I just want to make sure he's ready for the trip next week, okay?"

"Alright dear," Toriel replied. "But do not be too long."

"I won't," Chara replied, smiling. "Thanks, Mom."

Chara knocked on the door of the large brick house a second time, a worried frown creasing her features.

This wasn't like Kid at all; usually he'd have told her if he was going out somewhere, and if he was home, he'd have come to the door already. Normally, it wouldn't bother her too much, but after the whole ordeal with Overwatch a few months back, she couldn't help but worry he might be in danger.

When he still didn't come to the door, she hesitantly checked the handle and, finding it was unlocked, opened it. Maybe she could find some clue as to what had happened. She'd only taken a few steps when she heard noises coming from the living room. Turning her attention there, it was only a moment before she reached the source of the sound.

Kid was lying on the floor, curled up into a ball, his visor discarded a few feet away. His entire body was shaking with the force of his sobs, and the carpet below his head was stained with tears. Chara's eyes widened and instantly she was kneeling at his side, her hands on his chest.

"Kid? Kid, what's wrong? Are you alright?"

The reptile opened his eyes slowly, turning his head slightly to look up at Chara, tears still flowing freely from his brown eyes.

"Chara? He managed. "Y-you're real, right? I didn't make you up too?"

"Of course I'm real." Chara replied as soothingly as she could manage, though she couldn't hide the confusion in her voice. "What's wrong?"

Kid closed his eyes again, unable to reply as he began crying even harder.

Unsure of what else she could do, Chara maneuvered herself into a sitting position, then gently pulled Kid up, and held him close to her. Her metallic hands gently rubbed his back. He pressed into her, his chin resting on her shoulder.

"Mom… Dad…" He finally managed to choke out. "My sister… they're all… all…" He broke down again, even more violently than before, his shuddering cries echoing through the empty house.

Sympathy welled up in Chara and tears threatened to form in her own eyes as she felt her soul break a little on hearing Kid's grief. She'd known this would happen someday, though she wished she could have prevented it.

She held Kid a little tighter, knowing there was nothing she could say to make the pain go away. She continued to attempt to soothe him, rubbing at his back, and rocking back and forth slightly like Toriel would do when she was upset.

They stayed like that for a time.

Finally Kid cried himself into exhaustion, slumping limply against Chara. The robot held him closer, making soft noises into his ear hole, but otherwise remaining silent.

"It just… it happened so fast," Kid whispered brokenly. "One day they were complaining that they were feeling sick, and the next morning, they were all..." He shuddered. "I just… couldn't believe it."

"Kid, I… I'm so sorry."

Kid sniffed loudly, burying his head in Chara's shoulder.

"It hurts, Chara," the boy whimpered, his whole body shaking though he had no tears left to shed. "I don't know… I don't know what to do."

"It's okay, we'll figure something out. I won't leave you alone."

"I don't understand," Kid mumbled. "Every day there's been food, and the place always stayed clean and… and..."

"There were several Monsters who agreed to take care of you," Chara explained quietly, stroking the back of his head gently. "Most of them moved away, but-"

She stopped as Kid froze, then raised his head away from her shoulder to stare at her, his eyes rimmed with red from crying.

"You… knew about this?"

His voice was stunned, disbelieving. Chara could deal with those, but she hadn't expected the trace of… anger in his voice. She instinctively tried to pull him closer, only to give a hurt gasp as he pulled away, jumping to his feet.

"You knew about this and you didn't tell me?" His voice was shaking with emotion and Chara found her words catching in her throat as he glared at her. She barely managed to choke out;

"Kid, I-"

"How could you?!" Kid shouted, and Chara flinched away, her eyes wide. "We're supposed to help each other! We're supposed to be there for each other! How could you hide something like this from me?"

Each word tore into Chara's soul like a weapon. Any hope she had of replying was shattered as Kid curled his lip into a snarl, the grief and pain in his eyes now wholly replaced with anger.

"Was it funny? Were you laughing at me while I went on about my parents, while you knew they were gone? Was it all a game to you?"

Chara jerked. He didn't really think…

"Of course not!" she managed, trying to hold his anger fuelled gaze, though she might as well have been trying to stare down Sans. "I would never-"

"Just stop." And just like that, Chara's throat closed with a whimper. "I don't want to talk to you anymore."

The tears that had already been forming in Chara's eyes began to trickle down her face and she let out a strangled sob as Kid whipped around, stalking away in the direction of his room. Her vision blurred and she hung her head, her shoulders shuddering. She did not see the other figure who appeared in the room, halting Kid's movements, though she did raise her head when she heard another voice.

"Oh no…" Napstablook murmured, looking between Chara and Kid a few times before his gaze settled on the boy. "Kid, um… I don't think you should leave like this… It's not her fault…."

Kid stared at the ghost for a moment, his anger momentarily replaced with confusion.

"Hey, I know you! You're Mettaton's cousin, right? What are you doing here?"

Napstablook's gaze lowered to the floor, his form shifting slightly.

"Um, this wasn't how I was gonna introduce myself… um… I'm Napstablook and I… sorta… live here?"

Kid blinked in bewilderment.

"What?"

Napstablook faded slightly, though he didn't go fully transparent.

"I've been living in the attic," the ghost admitted. "I'm the one who's been making you food, and listening to you when you talked…" his voice trailed off as Kid just stared at him open-mouthed.

"Oh no… I'm sorry, I would have told you about it, but the other Monsters said you didn't believe your family was gone… they said it would be better if you figured it out on your own… oh no, I messed this up didn't I? Um… you can be mad at me if you want… but you shouldn't be mad at Chara. I don't think she's been laughing at you, and you've been a lot happier since you guys got together…"

Kid didn't respond, apparently trying to comprehend what was happening. Chara had risen to one knee, and was looking between the two, wanting to do something, but fearing Kid's angry gaze upon her.

As the silence stretched on, Napstablook visibly sagged, then turned away.

"Ummm, I guess I'll just let myself out then…"

"Wait."

Napstablook looked back at Kid who's mouth was moving slightly, though no other words were coming out yet. Finally, he found his voice and spoke quietly.

"Whenever I talked to my parents… I always felt like someone was listening. I never felt… alone. That… that was you?"

The ghost nodded hesitantly.

"Umm, for the past two years, anyway. I'm sorry…."

Kid sighed, the exhalation deflating him completely. He slumped up against the wall, staring out into nothing.

"I'm such an idiot," his voice was no longer sad or angry, just tired. "I should have known about all this."

Napstablook hesitantly hovered a bit closer to him.

"I don't think you're an idiot… losing everyone like that is really hard. But… you still have people who care about you now, right? We can help… if you want…"

Kid looked over to Napstablook, then to Chara, his eyes turning sad as she flinched, half expecting that glare to be back. He looked away again.

"You guys, I… I need to be alone for a bit. I don't know what…"

"It's okay," Chara managed, standing, but unable to look at Kid. "We get it. Take all the time you need."

Kid didn't say anything, just lowered his head and trudged into his room, shutting the door behind him.

"Are you sure this is alright?" Napstablook asked, following nervously behind Chara as she walked up the steps to the front door of her home. "I don't want to be a bother…"

"It'll be fine," Chara replied dully, trying in vain to banish the vision of the betrayed look on Kid's face from her mind. She opened the door and stepped inside, barely noting the scent of baking filling the house. Napstablook hesitated on the threshold, then hovered slowly after her.

They went through the dining room instead of the kitchen, Chara hoping to avoid Toriel. Unfortunately, her mother had apparently joined Frisk on the couch, reading over his shoulder. Both of them looked up as the two approached.

"Oh, hello Napstablook," Toriel said in surprise. "I have not seen you in a while, how have you been?"

"Oh…. it's been alright," the ghost mumbled. "I'm sorry about this, but Chara offered to let me come here while we wait. Oh no… I can leave though, if you want..."

"Please, do not trouble yourself," Toriel replied, smiling gently at Napstablook."You are always welcome here."

"Oh…" Napstablook faded slightly in embarrassment. Then, Frisk spoke up.

"So, what are you guys waiting for, then? Chara, I thought you were going out to see Kid."

Chara's hands curled into fists, and she walked stiffly towards the stairs, ascending and disappearing from view without a word. Toriel and Frisk both looked after her in bewilderment, then turned their attention to the small ghost, who faded even more from their attention.

"What was that about?" Frisk questioned in concern.

"Oh, um… I'm sorry, but I don't know if it's my place to say…" Napstablook shifted uncomfortably. "But… something happened, and now we're just… waiting for Kid."

"Did those two have a lovers spat?" Frisk asked.

"Umm, sorta?"

"Frisk, I believe you have already involved yourself more than enough in their relationship," Toriel stated firmly. "Whatever you are planning, don't."

"Aw, come on, Mom, you know I'm…" his voice trailed away at the look Toriel was giving him and he sighed.

"Fine, fine. I guess they probably don't need my help at this point. They're almost nauseatingly cute together as it is, though they're still not as bad as you and Dad."

"I shall take that as a compliment."

While mother and son lightly teased each other, Napstablook slowly floated after Chara. After what had just happened, what he feared would come next… listening to their interaction loving was too painful for the little ghost to bear.