"Oh god..."

Aofil struggles up a hand over their face to shield them from the sun sneaking a very intense peek through the window beside them. It slashes at a very sharp angle, and with a very sharp intensity. The shadow created by Aofil's hand helps to reduce the beating in their head, but they still hear and feel every single heartbeat of their own.

That was some damn strong whiskey.

Where are they? Oh yeah, right. At the Dreemurrs. Seems pretty big for a guest room, but that might be because they get a lot of monster visitors. Aofil's not complaining though, the bed they're in is bigger than theirs back home…

Luckily a flash of sharp pain shoots through their head before they can elaborate on the thought. Aofil groans again, and with a fair amount of difficulty, rolls away from the happy and joyful sun that Aofil doesn't share with in the slightest.

What's the time? Nine o' clock says Mettaton's arms on the MTT branded clock on the wall opposite the bed. So it's not too late in the morning. Less than eight hours of sleep though. Asgore sure likes to talk. Good thing he suggested they continue in the garden. The night air did probably help a fair bit. He probably also did it so that Toriel and or the kids wouldn't hear him and Aofil talking.

What did they talk about? Aofil struggles to think through the thumping echoing in their skull. Something about… the weather? The stars? Gardening?

Aofil pushes their palm against their forehead. The whiskey itself perhaps? How did he describe it again?

Smooth like Toriel's, and then something, but with a hard and smokey flavor, like Toriel's gaze if she heard what he said the first time.

Man, he must've went hard on it.

Aofil removes their palm, but instantly presses it back to quell the seemingly never ending thumping. They must've gone hard on it as well. Despite the immense pain surging through them, Aofil eye's shoot wide open. What if?

They sit up and lift up their other arm. They're still wearing their shirt.

"Oh thank god..." Aofil sighs with relief as they fall back down into the bed. Hopefully they managed to keep their mouth shut about it as well. Their tongue can handle alcohol better than Tylior, and have done so plenty of times before, so it shouldn't be a worry.

Aofil also woke up in a bed, and not in a laboratory. There's no one guarding them as well, so it's probably safe. Too be fair, Aofil needs to do something extremely horrible to be shunned by Toriel or Asgore, so it's not really a guarantee that Aofil still woke up in their house.

Only one way to find out if it really happened. Aofil grunts through their teeth as they sit up and swing their legs over the bed. On a stool next to them is a towel and some clothes. Jeans, and a short armed shirt.

Toriel will believe that Aofil didn't see them, so that's fine.

"I knew I should've fixed the stairs..." Asgore grumbles with a sigh from what seems to be the kitchen as Aofil makes their way down the stairs. The creaking from underneath Aofil isn't doing them any favors either.

The sun again smiles through the kitchen window. It reflects on what seems to be everything in the room, and Aofil again lifts their hand for some shadow. With his legs crossed Asgore is reading the newspaper. It's a large one, much bigger than any human ones. Aofil doesn't catch the headline of the paper Asgore's reading before he lowers it, "Golly morning."

A second later Aofil needs to take support on a nearby chair. Suppressing a laugh while also trying not to move or do anything in particular only worsens the pounding in their head. With an audible smack they force their palm against their forehead again.

"How're you feeling?" Asgore asks a bit worried. Aofil sits down in the closest to a human sized one they can find.

"I'm fine, it's just," they catch a glimpse of Asgore and again has to force their laugh to stay inside. Even if it means feeling like the thumping is gonna bulge their head outwards.

Asgore peers at Aofil from behind the pair of sunglasses Aofil gave Toriel so many years ago, "Do you want anything? Tea, perhaps?" with some effort he reaches over the table for the kettle, "Golden Flower still fine?"

Aofil nods carefully, "Yeah, I think I can manage."

Asgore reaches behind his shoulder and manages to hook a teacup from the cupboard with his claw, "So, did we ever come to a consensus over the whiskey?"

"No idea. Is there even anything left of it?"

Asgore searches his mind thoroughly, and almost overfills the teacup. He realizes in the last second, and saves his lap from a waterfall of scolding tea, "I honestly can't tell. Not that I've looked for it."

He tries to spot it through the window, but he's forced to abandon his search after a second or so. He shakes his head carefully, "I'll look for it once the sun has calmed down."

Aofil blows on their tea, "All these years and the sun still hurts?"

Asgore chuckle shakes the table. He then pushes his hand towards his forehead, "Oh..." he moans. Aofil should feel bad, but seeing Asgore with those sunglasses, and with this hangover. There isn't a single thing that could sour their mood.

But speaking of sour, the tea. Damn, it's been a while. A very long while. It's almost as if Aofil tasted it for the first time. They swoosh it around in their mouth. Some subtle smoke follows their pleased exhale, and they find themselves a bit more comfortable with their head.

Their arm though? How will it react? Aofil has a believable reason for feeling ill now. If they do force up some determination, perhaps they can give it to Alphys so that she can test it. In any case, they can still enjoy the tea while it lasts. So why not?

"Anything else, Aofil?" offers Asgore, "Cereal, bread, fruit?"

"Cereal, please."

Asgore again leans back and grabs a bowl and a spoon. His chair is surprisingly quiet during the drastic shift of weight. He then swings his finger in front of two different kinds of cereal.

Aofil picks the one that isn't MTT branded, nor with Mettaton swimming around in a sea of chocolate.

"So," Asgore flips open his newspaper again after handing Aofil the cereal, "are you gonna stay here?"

Aofil stops mid pouring of their cereal. They glance up at Asgore who himself glances over from his paper, "I don't know..."

Asgore's smile shines almost as bright as the sun, but it hurts infinitely less, "No need to rush the decision if you don't want to, Aofil. I just want you to know that the door's open for you when," he clears his throat, "if, you feel like it. The same from Toriel, I'm certain of that. Just give either of us a call, alright? We'll sort things out for you."

Aofil nods, and continues with their cereal. Asgore returns to his paper, but his smile doesn't fade.

Among the sound of large pieces of paper being flipped, and cereal being crunched, Aofil still finds enough focus to think about it all. What the pastor said, what Asriel said. Tylior, Toriel, everyone. When they sat on the bus they knew that this might've happened, yet they didn't plan anything for it.

Why not? Aofil asks themselves. Because they hoped that it wouldn't happen? In that case they're stupid. Perhaps they had already made the choice? In that case, they're also stupid.

So which flavor of stupid is it? The bitter one that lingers from the past? The one that tastes of what did happen? Or the other bitter one? The one that tastes of determination flowing and forcing Aofil's mind to places they never want to go?

Which one brings the most sweet? That is the real question.

Aofil knows the first one. The sweetness of not being burdened. They can always run, they can always not get involved. It's easy, it's safe. It might not make them completely happy, but it won't make them completely miserable either. Being not completely miserable is a pretty good state to be in, considering what can happen if their curse blossoms further than what Aofil is able to control. Do they love their friends enough to not endanger them?

The second taste is just like the next sip of tea Aofil takes. Yes, it's sweet, but also very sour. It's also a risk. If their curse still is what they think it is, then it could shatter their friends, and themselves. Like if Aofil dropped their cup down onto the floor. Pieces and tea everywhere, and they would be the only one to blame

Aofil drinks another mouthful to quell the thumping reemerging in their head. The tea soothes, and their arm is still too. Seems like Alphys is the next stop then. She's the only one Aofil knows that might have any idea how to, or at least try to, understand what their curse actually is. Determination is her strong suit. She did make Flowey, so something reverse wouldn't be that far off?

Aofil's conflicted expression catches Asgore's attention, but he doesn't pry further.

Maybe she won't be so keen to experiment further, now that Aofil thinks about it. She's their only shot though, so she'll have to forgive Aofil for insisting.

After finishing his paper Asgore folds it up and offers it to Aofil, who politely declines. Asgore then throws the paper onto an empty chair next to him. He then removes the sunglasses and blinks deeply to adjust his eyes. It seems to work, "Anything on the agenda today? Need help booking a ride home? I could call Papyrus for you."

"Haven't planned that far ahead," Aofil answers while halting the last spoon of cereal. They chew and swallow it quickly, "I was actually thinking of visiting Alphys and Undyne. You think they're home by now?"

Asgore's brow furrows as he thinks, "Should be? She, Alphys that is, I think has the day off today. Undyne mentioned something about them taking a day out shopping. Can't remember if it was today or tomorrow though," and pats his pants, "If you give me a second I could call them for you."

Aofil lifts their bowl, and Asgore throws his thumb towards the sink while his other hand is struggling to convince his phone to get out of his pants pocket. He dials the number quickly and puts the phone under his ear, "You want me to tell them you're coming, or do you want to surprise them?"

Aofil finds an empty spot to balance their bowl on without collapsing everything, "You sure that's a good idea?"

Asgore shrugs, "You did it with us," and jumps a bit when Alphys answers, "Hello, Alphys! Tell me, was it today or tomorrow you had your day off? No reason, was just wondering. Oh, today? Good, thank you. Enjoy it!"

"So, today?" Aofil asks as Asgore disconnects the call.

"Yes, today. They live just down the street. You can't miss it," Asgore stands up with what can only be described as an old man grumble, "Come, I'll walk you to the door. Don't worry about the dishes, I'll take care of them later."

Aofil nods, and follows Asgore to the hallway.

"Morning, Frisk," he wishes the human walking down the stairs rubbing their eyes.

Frisk opens their mouth to return the greeting, but just then Aofil comes into view. They halt their mouth mid opening.

Aofil smiles and nods to Frisk before fetching their shoes. They hear Frisk walk behind them towards the kitchen, and prepare for themselves what sounds like a bowl of cereal. Not the same kind though. The one's Frisk is pouring sounds a bit more, chocolate.

"Strange..." Asgore mumbles, "Frisk is usually welcoming of mornings."

"Maybe they had some whiskey as well?" Aofil tries to defuse.

"Don't even joke about those things. Toriel would have my head if that were the case."

"Then I'll refrain from telling her. You said Alphys and Undyne was just down the road?"

Asgore returns his narrowed eyes to their usual round self as he opens the door for Aofil, "Yes, just down the road."

Aofil offers their hand, "Thanks for letting me stay."

Asgore takes it, and pulls Aofil into his embrace, "Anytime, Aofil," he softens his grip, and Aofil takes a step back. Their hand is still firmly inside Asgore's though, "If you decide against coming back, do make an effort to visit every once in a while? We do really miss you, every one of us."

Asgore reluctantly lets go of Aofil's hand, "I'll keep that in mind, Asgore."

"Please do."

The door is closed behind Aofil, and they turn on their heel, and almost fall off them.

Wow! How didn't they see the garden last night? Damn, they must've been tired. It's gorgeous! Ir hurts them to look at it, but for all the good reasons. So many flowers, so many colors. Hedges and trees in even weirder shapes that what Asgore had at Mt Ebott. Papyrus' green head is smiling as always. The Delta Rune in all its glory.

Asgore's been busy, and it shows. Every single one of these would win any and all botanical competition no problem.

Sadly the gravel road ends at the street, and the hallway of spectacular is but a thing behind Aofil. They turn around to get another glimpse of it, and conclude that it wasn't a bad idea.

Down the road they head.

"You can't miss it," Aofil mouths with the closest they can come to Asgore's voice as they stand in front of what has to be Alphys and Undyne's house. It has too, there isn't another possibility in this world or any other that such isn't the case.

How to even describe it? Monstrous? Anime monstrous? Anime monstrous with a whiff of action movies? Anime monstrous with a whiff of action movies, and also looks like it could catch fire just by rubbing your hands together?

At least it doesn't have any pink legs on it.

Aofil lifts up a hand to knock on the door, and a camera shutter changes focus next to them. They smile to it, and then knock a couple of times. The door seems surprisingly normal, but among all the silliness it stand out like a soar thumb.

Or a healthy one, in this case.

"New visitor," the door addresses, because of course it does, "please provide your soul for identification."

"Alphys..." What the hell is Aofil doing? Arguing with a door? "Alphys knows me, I'm a good friend of hers."

"Your friend status cannot be found."

Aofil rolls their eyes and bangs their fist against the door, "Alphys, your door won't let me in!"

"Violence against passage detected! Deploying..."

The voice shuts down, and Alphys opens the door slightly, "I'm sorry, I don't kno..."

Aofil nods, "Been a while."

Alphys tilts her head, "Who are you?"

"You got some smudge on your glasses there, Alphys," Aofil notices.

Alphys fumbles them off her face and surveys the pair through narrowed eyes. With a couple of breaths she cleans them off on her shirt. Once she returns her glasses back, she recoils, "Aofil!"

"How have you been, Alphys?"

"I-I've b-been f-fine. B-but you!"

"Who're you talking to, Alphee?" screams a voice through the door next to Alphys, "Is it Papyrus? Tell him that I'll give back his lawn mover when he's proven that he doesn't need it anymore!"

"Um, uh," Alphys stammers as she leans towards the door, "Aofil?"

The sound of a shower slows down to a couple of drops, "Never, ever, lie about that, Alphys!" before starting back up again, "Almost gave me a heart attack."

"Good thing she isn't lying," Aofil answers in Alphys' place. Loud enough so that Undyne will hear.

The shower stops again, but with no more drops. It's silent for a long while before a curtain is wrestled with from inside the bathroom, "Alphys?"

"Y-yes?"

"Who was that?"

"Not a lie," Aofil repeats.

Wet footsteps close in on the bathroom door. Alphys takes a step back just in time as the door is flung open. The handle and the lock explode from the frame, and the towel loosely wrapped around Undyne's hair flies off and hits the wall opposite the hall with a loud splat.

And her jaw hits the floor with an even louder thud.

"I can come back later once you're done showering," Aofil proposes while averting their eyes.

Before they have time to react Undyne charges at them, "Oh no you ain't, punk!" she wraps her arm around Aofil, pushing her towel covered torso against theirs, "You're staying here until you apologize!"

She bends her knees, "I'm gonna suplex you for every second you abandoned us! I'm gonna slam you so hard it'll topple Mt Ebott!" but doesn't lift Aofil up. She bends her knees again, and squeezes Aofil tighter.

Her grip pushes the air out of Aofil's lungs, "I'm gonna..."

Aofil manages to push her arms out so that they can breathe, "I'm gonna..."

"It's okay, Undyne."

"I," Undyne throws herself into Aofil, "Where have you been!" she cries, "I've missed you so much!"

Aofil returns the hug. The rough scales feels good against their cheek, "Same here, Undyne."

"Have you," Undyne quells a sniffle, "Have you at least learned how to fight better?"

"Um..."

"Ngah!" Undyne pushes Aofil away from her. Aofil stumbles, but manages to catch their footing, "Not a phone call, not a message, not anything! And to top it all off, you haven't even been training! Look at you!"

Aofil can't see any obvious flaws with their form, "What?"

"You're just so… Ngah!" Undyne summons a spear and throws it into the kitchen. It explodes against a cast steel pan with a pleasant ding. The pan ricochets off the wall and lands on the kitchen table, barely missing the Mikkarama figure. The figure wakes up and slashes its sword on the pan, again with a pleasant ding.

Undyne's heavy breathing heaves her entire body up and down rhythmically. Just as Aofil moves a hand forward towards her she swings around, "You," she spits out the mouthful of hair following her head, "You owe me lunch!" she points to Alphys, "Both of us! And not just any lunch!"

Undyne closes in on Aofil with heavy steps and lips pouted in contracted anger. Her quaking finger stops just a smidge away from Aofil's eye, "The best damn lunch you can think of!"

"Uh, sure."

Like a switch the anger from Undyne's face drains away. A flashy smile takes its place, and she bumps Aofil's shoulder with her fist, "Then let's go, Aofil!"

"U-Undyne?"

Aofil dodges Undyne's hair as she she turns her head to Alphys, "Yes?"

"Maybe some clothes?" Alphys proposes with her head angled down.

"Oh," Undyne realizes, "right. Wait for me then, it'll just be a minute, nerds."

She flies up the stairs with eager steps, leaving Alphys and Aofil averting their eyes as her towel falls off halfway up the stairs.

"You have a place in mind, Alphys?"

"M-maybe?"

"You want to get some nicer clothes as well? A lab coat isn't really the best attire for lunch."

Alphys chuckles awkwardly, "N-not really."

"Oh, and by the way. I have a favor to ask you."

"All done, nerds!" Undyne exclaims from the stop of the stairs. She leaps down and lands hard on the floor. It creaks as if in pain, but Undyne pays it no mind. With a raised arm towards the door she summons an eager grin, "Let's go!"

Alphys glances up to Aofil, "I'll ask it later," they reply, "You go fix yourself up."

Alphys nods and meanders up the stairs. Once out of sight Undyne beckons for Aofil to follow her outside. With a flick of her wrist she summons a spear, and tosses it to Aofil, who barely catches it.

"Be ready," Undyne summons one for herself, "you're about to make up for every training session you've missed!"

At least there's grass underneath Aofil this time.