The doorbell on Aofil's door has been ringing for over a minute, but they keep on ignoring it. They know who it is, but they've no interest in speaking with him. The ringing continues for another minute, and is eventually replaced by heavy knocking. The knocking fades, and are replaced by some rattling from the handle, and from the lock. An angry voice yells something from outside Aofil's door, and another tries to explain the situation as best it can.

Aofil recognizes the voice, and its quick wit that rapidly disarms the angry voice. It used to bring such happiness to them, but now? Now it's a voice from another past that they have to leave behind. The rattling of the lock continues while Aofil scrolls down on their phone. Pictures of apartments and houses fly past the screen. Anything that seems viable has the same words next to them.

"Monsters in the neighborhood," in a green font. It's something positive, they're something positive. The monsters are good, for everyone.

For everyone, except Aofil.

They're alone in this. They were naive to think that they would ever get away from this. They really are an idiot. And now they have to do it all over again. Find a new city, a new house, a new life. Will they ever be able to settle down? Do they have to go further and further away until they reach the sea? What happens then when the monsters come to the beach?

Shit, there are monsters in the water as well! So nowhere is safe! Fantastic!

"Goddammit!"

The rattling from the lock on the door stops for a second. When it starts again the tone is different, very different.

Aofil returns to their phone. Just keep scrolling, there has gotta be something they can afford that's not surrounded by monsters? Are they already forced to leave the country? But how much time will that give them? A couple more years? More or less than what they had this time? There can't be that many monsters though? Eventually it has to stop pouring out from that damn mountain, right? And monsters don't grow up that quickly.

What's this though? A whole slew of modern looking apartments without that green text next to them. There's some red text though stapled next to the offerings. It's bright red, but it makes Aofil smile.

"Monsters need not apply. Human applicants only."

With eyes widened in surprise and interest, Aofil leans in closer, as a wave of relief washes over them. The apartments are nice, but where's the catch? Very good looking. Reasonably priced, now that's a surprise. Normally you'd have to pay an arm and a leg for these. Wait a second, Aofil has already payed an arm, so they only have to offer a leg. Aofil scoffs, they really needed to see this today. Too bad these weren't available the first time they had to this, but hey, seems like now's a turning point for Aofil. Half a year or so until they're available though, but that's fine.

"That's fine," Aofil repeats for themselves. They've lived longer than that all by themselves, so half a year won't be a problem. They just have to go back to noodles and tea for the time being. But that's worth it if they

Where are they located though?

"Monster City."

The phone glides slowly out of Aofil's hand, and they sigh.

"Fuck."

The lock on their door turns, and it opens. Aofil doesn't care who it is, right now they kinda wish it was a robber.

"You didn't lock your door."

Yes, Aofil did.

Something is thrown at Aofil. They look out from their hand and down on the floor next to them. It's their shoes. They look at the thrower, who has a mixture of pride for hitting Aofil from that far a distance, and concern, because they had to do it. Aofil shakes their head sternly.

"What are you doing here, Tylior?"

"It's Sunday. It's lunchtime. Let's go."

"I'm not hungry."

Aofil's stomach rumbles, as if summoned.

"Doesn't matter," Tylior snaps his fingers towards the door, "We need to talk."

"That's what I've been doing this entire week, Tyl! I'm exhausted, just leave me alone."

"Yeah, I know you've been talking this entire week. Aof. You're a teacher."

"Was," Aofil corrects viciously.

"Are," Tylior deflects, "You still got a couple of weeks left."

"Just don't."

"You also made a promise, Aof," Tylior is quick to remind.

"You serious?" Aofil asks with disbelief and an eyebrow raised high, "Are you ten or something?"

"And how old are you? Five?" Tylior retorts with an even higher eyebrow, "Going home and locking yourself in your adult room instead of discussing like the adult you act to be."

The fuck is he talking about? Aofil bursts out from their chair, knocking it over with a loud crash, "You think I'm like this because of some goddamn prank or something? You've no idea what I've been through!"

"Then tell me, please!" Tylior throws his arms in the air, "Wow! I don't know what you've been through because you haven't told me anything. What a surprise!"

"Maybe because I don't want to relive the darkest moments of my life," Aofil taps the sides of their skull with both their hands, "Ever thought about that?"

"I've been there for you every step of the way, Aofil. And you know that. You're mad at me because of something you insist on not telling me. That's fine, and I've respected that. I haven't pried beyond what you've been comfortable sharing. I know that you have a past, and I know that it is bad. And that's fine, we all have our skeletons in our closets."

He has no idea how bad his choice of words are! Or do he?

"But," Tylior marks with a ferocity that Aofil's never heard from him before, "You can't hold against me what you refuse to say. You're mad at me, and you expect me to understand, but you don't trust me enough to explain to me why. And that," Tylior eyes harden on Aofil, "That, Aofil, is fucking respectless. That is not fair to me. I should be furious at you for thinking so little of me, even after everything I've done, even after everything you've had me through. You're full of shit, Aofil, but I'm willing to look past that, because we're friends. But, here's where I have to put my foot down, and only meet you halfway this time. That's not me being unfair, that is me demanding a healthy friendship, where we both trust each other enough to be at equal footing."

Aofil takes support on the table, and with their other hand they pinch their forehead, "Tylior, when have I ever lied to you? Honestly?"

Tylior explodes into a series of flails and desperate laughs. He regains himself after a few seconds, and throws his hand towards Aofil, "You're leaning yourself on an arm that's supposed to be fucking broken, Aof! Goddammit, what the hell is happening?"

Aofil returns their arm to their side, but it's too late.

"Put on your damn shoes, Aof," Tylior opens the door and holds it open, "Let's go eat."

The two don't say a word on the way to the subway, on the subway, and from the subway. What is there to say? Small talk? No, what they have to get through between each other is too big to be filled with small talk. They need to do it public as well, so that their emotions don't get in the way.

After some walking after their subway stop Tylior motions with a nod towards a nice little restaurant on the waterway.

"It's packed full, Tyl."

"I got us a reservation, Aof. Don't worry."

Aofil halts, "What do you mean? Reservation? What if I didn't come?"

Tylior rolls his eyes and shakes away the question, "I know you, Aofil," while putting a hand on Aofil's shoulder, "I know you more than you know."

Aofil swats away the hand, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know, really," Tylior admits with a chuckle, "Just felt like I was supposed to say that."

"Yeah, well it's a bit creepy. I could've just as well called the police for you breaking into my apartment."

Tylior starts walking again, and Aofil catches up, "Like I said, you didn't lock your door. I mean, you did, but not after your landlord opened the door for me."

"How?"

"She knows Sevoltne."

"Right?"

The two arrive at the back of the line to the restaurant, "And she knows me as well, Aofil. How many times have I visited you? She also knows who I am because her son is in my class."

They advance a couple of places in line, "Have never seen him in my building."

"Was just as surprised as you were when I met her for the teacher parent talk. Her son lives with his father because of some medical thing I didn't really catch up on."

They arrive at place two in the queue, "You can always say that you know how to pick a lock, Tyl. That would also explain why my chocolate usually disappears and its wrapper ends up in the trash. On top of the trash as well, almost as if it's to provoke me."

Tylior turns to Aofil with a smile, "No idea what you're talking about."

"Then I guess we live in a very small world."

"When one of the royal heirs of the monsters come visit and asks for your name, then I'm surprised we even need airplanes to travel across this apparent pebble of a world."

"Sorry, no tables left," apologizes the waiter as Aofil and Tylior reaches the end of the line.

"Tylior and Sevoltne," Tylior states, "we have a reservation," and flashes his identification.

The waiter moves their eyes to Aofil. He hangs on them for a couple of seconds before deciding that it's better not to ask, "Certainly, right this way."

The angry muttering and seething looks of the people and monsters in the line crawl up Aofil's back. They feel something tingle in their arm as well, so they take a pill, just to be safe.

Tylior and Aofil are seated at the edge of the waterway. A nice breeze flows from the water. Boats and monsters navigate carefully around each other on and inside the glittering water. It's a nice view, even Aofil can admit that much.

"A tall glass of spirits with some monster dust sprinkled inside to start things off?" Tylior asks while browsing the menu.

Aofil can't stifle their scoff, "That what you had during your young days on the countryside?"

Now it's Tylior's time to chuckle, "If there had been monsters at that time I would've probably."

Aofil nods, "Hm. I think I'll just have something light."

"Two bottles of vodka then. No glasses."

"Yeah," Aofil lowers the menu, "sounds like a plan, actually. What with everything that has happened this week."

"Sevoltne recommended a wine so I'm thinking I'll order that for us," Tylior closes his as well, "Sounds good?"

"A monster recommending a human drink. Why not? She and you are getting along pretty well."

"Yup."

Aofil closes the menu gently, "I'm sorry about what happened, Tyl."

"It's nice hearing that from you, Aofil. Believe me, it really is. I never believed that you really felt like that, but there was this nagging part at the back of my head that didn't want to just go away. Hearing you say it has silenced it now, thanks. I also knew that you had a bit of an episode after that presentation. I could see it in your eyes," Tylior waves his hand over his own eyes, "They became a bit red."

A chill goes up Aofil's spine, and they struggle to find a comfortable position, despite the lounge sofa they're sitting in being one of the most comfortable seats they've ever had.

"All this time, until yesterday, actually, I thought it was just my imagination. Just my mind tricking me, but in a good way. Turns out it was actually real and my best friend's eyes shift color when they're angry," Tylior ends his sentence by looking out over the water. His face is furrowed, contemplating. He knows, but he's having difficulty accepting it, "Who knew?"

Tylior sighs with the wind, "I know that we humans used to know magic, what with us erecting that barrier and stuff, but I don't think I know that we still have it. I know it, but I don't know it inside me," he turns to Aofil, "Am I making any form of sense?"

"Actually, you do. To me, at least. I went through it as well, but unlike you I was kinda," Aofil interrupts themselves to let Tylior order the wine from the waitress. When she's out of audible distance they finish their sentence, "forced."

"How do you mean, exactly?"

"I'm not sure I can explain it exactly. Because I don't think I know it exactly. There's been so much stuff that's happened to me, but that I'm not sure is even real."

"Do you trust me enough for the short summary?"

Aofil sighs, "I guess I do," and looks at their arm, "I know the monster royals, and their closest friends. I've lectured for Frisk, for Undyne, for Alphys as well."

Tylior can't really believe his ears, "The scientist?"

"She still is one?"

Tylior nods, "Yeah. Wow, you've really been hard at work sticking your fingers in your ears."

"She was very hesitant before about continuing. I guess seeing real science changed her mind. Did you know that they called magic science? You should've seen her face when I told her what atoms were."

Tylior struggles to keep his jaw from hitting the floor, "You're not pulling my leg here, Aofil? Because seriously..."

Aofil scratches their head, "You asked for the truth, Tyl."

"Yes, I know, but what you're saying, it's like," Tylior stops as the bottle of wine is placed on the table He beckons for Aofil's glass and fills it up, "It's like you were best friends with them or something."

Aofil swirls the wine in their glass before sampling it. It's a good one. Fruity, yet with a vintage aftertaste, "Oh, and I've had Undyne and Alphys naked and showering together in my house as well."

The loud choking from Tylior startles the nearby tables. A couple of heads turn, but only for a moment. The pillow next to Aofil is stained by the wine, but Aofil turns it around before anyone else notices.

"Aofil," Tylior manages to force out of him in between gasps of air, "Knock it out."

"They used a lot of shampoo and body wash. Scales takes a bit more cream to get clean, or so they've told me," Aofil finishes by taking another sip of wine.

They're actually enjoying this.

"If you're such good friends, then why did you leave?"

And right back down it goes.

Aofil's smile disappears as quickly as it formed, "I brought Asriel back to life."

Luckily Tylior wasn't drinking, otherwise the wine would've leaked out of his jaw as it smashed the floor underneath him.

"And in doing so I learned too much about the monsters, and too much about myself," Aofil continues, "I actually have an allergy to magic. My soul is broken, it can't handle determination without leaking all inside me. Do you know what determination is?"

"I've heard the monsters talking about it. Like, our souls made manifest?"

"Kinda, I'm not so sure either. It tastes horrible though, that's for certain. And when I have it running through me, thoughts flood my mind, terrible thoughts. I get mad, my cheeks turn red, and my eyes as well. It's a curse of mine, and because of it I can't go back to them. It's why I can't be with you either, Tylior, not when you and Sevoltne are together."

"Because her magic rubs off on me?"

Aofil nods, "Yes. Even now I can feel it tingling inside me from all the monsters around us. My anger medication helps, and I'm so thankful that it does. Otherwise," Aofil sighs, "otherwise I would've been in the loony bin."

With a conflicted hand scratching the back of his head, Tylior sinks down in the sofa he's on, "Damn," he says while exhaling a thoughtful sigh, "explains a lot."

"Like why I refused to tell?"

"I guess? Kinda? I'm not fully convinced, to be honest. But you were honest with me, so I guess I can't ask for more. I'd still like to know how you met them in the first place."

"Screamed in fear and then hit my head on a rock."

Tylior watches very carefully for any shift in Aofil's face. For the smallest smirk to form after that ridiculous statement, but nothing happens, "Right then. Fair enough."

"Anything else?"

"I'm sure plenty, but nothing right now," Tylior scoffs silently, "But I guess when I'm finished digesting this you'll already be long gone."

Aofil runs their finger around their glass, "Yeah, I guess."

"Nothing I can say that might change your mind?"

"Don't think so. With monsters joining our school, it's only a matter of time before my allergy overwhelms me. My pills only hide the anger, it doesn't remove it."

"Then I won't bother."

"Thanks."

"Are you still going to that interview?"

Aofil nods, "Yeah, I am, tomorrow afternoon. Got the tickets on Friday. It's at the monster city as well, so that's gonna be fun to see, despite everything."

"You sure?"

"About me feeling fine about it? No. But, you're still my friend, and I still love my job, so I'm not gonna blow it just because I'm moving away, or because I might feel like shit afterwards. I'm comfortable enough to sacrifice a day or two of my life feeling like my soul is gonna explode."

Tylior doesn't join with Aofil's worried chuckle.

"No really, I am," Aofil states again, seriously, "seriously."

"If you say so."

Tylior raises his glass, "It's been good, Aofil."

Aofil meets Tylior's with theirs, "Sure has, Tylior. I hate to have it end like this," and moves the glass to their lips, "Heck, even for it to end."

"Will you visit?"

"You've no clue how much I want for that to happen."

"You're a good person, Aofil. You'll see this through. I'll have a banana pie ready for you the next time we meet. I'll make sure to swat Sevoltne away from it as well."

Aofil looks out over the water again, and Tylior joins them, "I remember telling Undyne that despite everything that has happened, I was glad that they resurfaced."

A boat stops for a small talk with a large fish monster.

"And you wish that you could still say the same?" Tylior asks after another sip of wine.

"I guess I do, Tyl." Aofil nods to themselves, "I guess I do."

"You ready to order?" asks a waiter patiently with a pen and notebook ready at hand.

Tylior looks at Aofil, who gives their blessing, "Yes, we are."

Author's Note:

Surprise! An extra birthday chapter! f you want, the One Falls anthology has a channel in the Fanfic Paradise Discord server ( discord. gg/sXVXy7w). I frequent it daily, so if you fancy, feel free to join. Be seeing you there!