Chapter Three: Calm Before the Storm
After Asgore's snap, it was impossible to sleep peacefully on the bed (except sans ).
The king's hateful face was haunting the dreams and nightmares of everyone. Frisk and Toriel were the most frightened
Frisk felt very guilty towards Asgore: she knew she should have passed more time with the former king. She didn't have any excuses,
she promised to Asriel to take care of his mother AND his father !
Ever since she met him for the first time, Frisk saw in Asgore a sweet, gentle king who didn't want to hurt anyone,
nether less they are Humans or Monsters.
But now, Frisk sees the perfect opposite ! Asgore doesn't want to talk to anyone besides Asriel,
he gets angry easily and gets ready to fight anyone who stands against him.
It's been one week and everyone in school noticed that Asgore has changed, the director, thinking that Asgore was facing
another sort of depression and that the school is facing dangerous events, has suspended the school until he gets better
and so the children's parents forget about the « rumors » their children told them.
Even though the fact that Asgore has changed she is a little scared of him, Frisk still wants to treat Asgore as if he was her
adoptive father and to hang out with Asriel… That's it ! She made the decision to go to Asgore's house to cheer them up.
Frisk hooped of her bed and stared at her MTT clock (given by Mettaton for her birthday ): it was 11:00 A.M.
The idea to see her dad smile like before filled her with DETERMINATION.
After her trip to the shower, Frisk headed to her room to wear some fresh clothes when a voice called her from the living room :
« Frisk, my child ! Breakfast is ready, you have slept long enough ! » The little girl knows that if she wants to go to Asgore's house, she has to get past Toriel.
But that just got her more determined, she decided to give a visit to Asgore and Asriel and she WILL give them a visit !
As she walks towards the living room, the Human was wondering how she could convince Toriel to let her go to Asgore's but too late,
she was already in the living room, with her adoptive mother. Toriel greeted her with a welcoming smile as she put over the table a slice of butterscotch pie.
Toriel: *smiles* Good morning my child. Did you sleep well ?
Frisk: Good morning mom. Since last night, it wasn't so hard to sleep… But what about you ? You seem to be very tired… Are you feeling sick ?
Toriel: Don't worry Frisk, it's nothing, really… I'm just thinking about?
Frisk: About dad ?
Toriel: *sighs deeply* Yes… About Asgore… I'm so confused… This night was very frightening, ever since Asriel's death,
I never saw Asgore being so furious with me. I remember clearly all the things he said, with those eyes…
Frisk: Do you have any news of sans ? How is he doing...? Dad really did a number of him last time...
Toriel: Oh, he is no more in danger, he just a a « ton of difficulty » to breath, like says, which means a little…
Frisk: Even after he almost died with his SOUL crushed he keeps throwing bad puns…?
Toriel: *laughs* I guess that's how he is!
Frisk: Well…That's a relief!… Say mom, I have something to ask you.
Toriel: Mmhm ? What is it my child ?
Frisk: I want to go to see dad and Asriel.
Toriel inhaled sharply like she was desperately trying to breath. Frisk knew this won't be easy…
Toriel: Why… Why do y—
Frisk: Because he needs comfort. And don't say that he doesn't need any because he's an adult.
We made the mistake to not take care of him like we should have, and look the aftermath ! If we leave him like that,
he might close his heart to everyone and he'll end up hurting or even killing people… I know that dad has done regretful things,
but as a flower, Asriel's actions were much more horrible than anyone else, and I think he needs help too to take away his guilt.
If Asriel deserves a second chance, I don't see why his father cannot have one too ! You can refuse to let me see them, but I will still do it…
Toriel was surprised by Frisk's will. She isn't the child she found on the RUINS. Even in a child's body,
she have the heart of a grown adult who can take care of herself like she did on her journey in the Underground.
Toriel: *sighs* Mind if I come with?
Frisk: *smiles and hugs Toriel* Sure! But be careful with your words this time!
Toriel: No promises…
Flashback:
The same day when Asgore made a pact with Chara, Toriel was convened by the school's principal.
Asgore was convened too but he was nowhere to be seen. Toriel was curious why the principal wants to see her.
When she knocked on the office's door, she heard a female voice « Come in. » and came inside. Infront of Toriel was the principal:
a middle-aged human woman with long blond hair who was seated comfortably.
When she noticed Toriel's presence, she adjusted her glasses and welcomed her by a friendly smile.
Director: Oh, miss Toriel, I was waiting for you. Come and sit down, I have something to talk to you.
Toriel: *nods* Of course. *sits on a chair in front of the desk* How can I help you?
Director: Well, I've heard that earlier, you had an argument with our groundskeeper, mister Asgore Dreemurr…
Toriel:*cringes* Oh… Is he coming here as well?
Director:*sighs* I would have liked that, but I was unable to find him. I think he left the school.
Toriel: *shakes her head and whisper* Great job so far Asgore… Is leaving the school like that your duty as the groundskeeper?
Director:*narrows her eyes* And using violence against another staff member, in front of the students? Is that your duty as a teacher? If I was him, I would have done the same thing: searching for comfort somewhere else.
Toriel: E-excuse me… I don't know what came over me… *clears her throat* I suppose want to know why I acted like that?
Director: Not really. I don't have the right to get involved in other's business, but it doesn't mean I can't prevent you two from throwing fireballs at each others.
Miss Toriel, since we met you and I are great friends, with your and Frisk's help, we managed to open this school where monsters are allowed.
But you must try to contain yourself when mister Dreemurr is near you. Everytime, I see the same scene:
you push him away and he gets depressed. If the children keep seeing this, they will follow your example and would target our groundskeeper,
thinking that if you attack, that would mean that he deserves to be hated by everyone.
I don't know what happened between you and mister Dreemurr and I won't ask anything about it,
but you need to stop doing it for the students's sake, and for mister Dreemurr's sake as well.
Toriel: In my defense, Asgore is always trying to talk to me about something very unpleasant.
He never leaves me alone, and to be honest, it's starting to be really annoying…
Director: So you want me to forbid him to have contact with anyone in the school, so you get confortable ?
Toriel:*widens her eyes* Wha- no! We're in school, not in a dictatorship ! That's not what I'm saying !
Director: *stays calm* But that's what you want.
Toriel:…
Director:*sighs deeply* My apologies miss Toriel…
Toriel: No, I'm the one who must apologize. I will try not to hurt Asgore… But it will take some time…
Director: *smiles* I understand. But if you want to apologize to someone, I think that mister Dreemurr
deserves to receive your apologies much more than me.
Toriel:…Alright…
Director: Well, I'm glad we had this conversation. You're free to go. Have a nice day, my friend
Toriel: Thank you… Have a nice day as well…
She was supposed to apologize to Asgore…This can't be good. After they finished their breakfast,
Toriel and Frisk headed towards Asgore's house. When they knocked on the door, it was Asriel who opened the door to greet them.
When he saw the two guests, his feeling were mixing between joy and surprise.
Asriel: Oh! Good morning Frisk, and you too mom! What brings you here in the morning?
Frisk: To see you course! So you how were your first nights?
Asriel: It was a-ma-zing! I was sleeping so well that I didn't want to get out of bed!
Frisk:*giggles* I'm happy that you're being well, you deserve it.
Asriel: *blushes* Thank you Frisk…
Toriel: Asriel… Has Asgore- your father awoken?
Asriel: Yes… He is in the kitchen right now. He is cooking breakfast.
Toriel: I see…
Asriel: *gestures to the living room* Come! Make yourself at home!
Since it's the first time Toriel came inside Asgore's house, Toriel was looking all over the living room:
It was exactly like New Home back in the Underground, but… It's all in grey… No happiness is found in this house, except Asriel's room which is colored of green…
And of course, golden flowers… When she turned around, she saw him:
Asgore was carrying two plates with scrambled eggs with bacon beside it.
When he put them on the table, he noticed that Asriel wasn't alone. When he recognized the two guests,
like Asriel he was surprised but his blank expression masked it.
Since he was wearing a shirt, there were still a burn mark on his left arm, sending shivers in Toriel's mind.
Even thought he wasn't exactly pleased to see his ex-wife after that night, Asgore forced a tiny smile in order to warm up the ambience.
Asgore:…Howdy…
Toriel:…Good morning Asgore…
Asriel: Frisk and mom came to see us, is that okay with you dad?
Asgore: Of course, they are welcome to stay. *turns to Firsk and Toriel* I have some breakfast and tea left in the kitchen, do you want some?
Asriel: Well, I have something to show to Frisk in my room.
Asgore: What about your breakfast Asriel? It will cool down if you don't eat it.
Asriel: It will be fast dad.
Asgore: Alright. *turns to Toriel* What about you?
Toriel:…I think I will take some tea…
Asgore remained silent and walked away towards the kitchen warming up the tea. Asriel took Frisk's hand and went into his room. He can't believe he did something like that without thinking.
*With Asriel and Frisk*
Frisk: What's wrong Asriel? You must know that it's already dangerous leaving those two alone.
Asriel: Chara.
Frisk: *widens her eyes* They- They are—
Asriel: They are back, with dad as a puppet… They somehow managed to stay in this world and got inside dad's mind...
Frisk: Chara have something to do with what happened last night ?
Asriel: Yes and no: They just gave dad some new powers but I don't know if they have influence on his actions… If anything goes wrong…
Frisk: Asriel…
Asriel:*shakes* I know Frisk, I'm just getting paranoid, like always…
Frisk: *hugs Asriel* You really should learn to stop getting depressed like that…
Asriel: *hugs Frisk back and blushes* I'm sorry…
Frisk: It's okay… And to tell you the truth, I'm the one who must apologize…
Asriel: Huh? Why?
Frisk: I did nothing to help your father… I just watched far away, not hanging around with him… And also…
I left you alone in the Underground… Sometimes, I think that I don't deserve being with you all...
Asriel: Don't you dare say something like that! You risked your life so many time that I can't even count !
You saved us all ! You even saved me, me who got lost and who wanted to make you suffer… You have done so much good that every monster loves you…
Because of you, we are free... Because of you, a bright future is waiting for us… I can never thank you enough for saving me…
Frisk: *tears forms* Thank you Asriel… But it's Asgore who saved you...
Asriel: He saved me from being alone forever, but you,*touches her cheek* you saved me as well, you made me feel like myself once again…
Frisk: Since when have you become such a gentleman ?
Asriel:*shrugs* I'm not, and don't ask me.
Frisk: Sure, of course…
Asriel: Whatever… We should go back, like you said we shouldn't leave mom and dad alone.
Frisk: Right…
*Back to Asgore and Toriel*
Since the two friends went to Asriel's room, Toriel and Asgore haven't said anything. Asgore was eating his breakfast and Toriel just sipped the tea given to her.
Golden Flower tea, Asgore's favorite. The last time she tasted the tea her former husband was so talented at preparing was some centuries ago,
before the era of tragedies. Toriel couldn't convince herself to talk to him without referring to the period when Asgore declared war on humanity.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Asgore, finally, has decided to talk.
Asgore: How is sans doing? Is he alright?
Toriel: Oh, no worries, he's doing well. He just needs some rest.
Asgore: *looks away* I'm not worrying…
Toriel:*rolls her eyes* Sure you do, Dreemurr
Asgore: Hmph…
Toriel:… *sees Asriel and Frisk coming* I didn't know you enjoy surface food…
Asgore: *chuckles* Did you really think I eat only monster food until now?
Toriel: Well, when I saw you eat at lunchtime in school, that was only original food from the Underground.
Asgore: That's because, for an unknown reason for the entire world's scientists, the school's surface food are tasteless.
Frisk: *laughs* That's right mom. I don't know why either but in every school I went, their food were awful!
Asriel: *shivers disgusted* Is that really so disgusting?
Asgore: Well, you can compare it to my butterscotch pie.
Frisk and Asriel contained their laughs with their hands clutching their mouths and Toriel couldn't help but let a few giggles escape.
The fact that he managed to make Toriel laugh gave some comfort inside Asgore's heart. But…
Asgore: Next time I see sans and Papyrus, I would apologize for last night.
Frisk: I'm sure they will gladly take your apology, *looks at Asriel and winks* Asgore.
Asriel:(I don't like this side… She didn't called him « dad »… Is she messing with me or what ?) *blushes madly and looks away* I-I agree with Frisk.
Toriel: In my opinion, I think that you should apologize to everyone, including us Asgore.
Asgore: And why is that, « Tori »?
Toriel:*blushes but glares at Asgore* You know what I'm talking about Dreemurr,
you ruined your son's first night and you set a fire in Undyne and Alphys's new house !
Asriel: I don't really mi—
Asgore: *growls* Maybe because some goat woman didn't shut her mouth… Like you are doing now.
Frisk: Mom, dad, this is not the time for—
Frisk wanted to say more but Asriel silenced her by holding her shoulder and shaking his head with a defeated sigh.
He mouthed « It's too late, there's nothing we can do I'm afraid. » She should have seen that coming...
Asgore: Why should I even apologize to YOU? Even though I'm immortal, I wasted four months of my life saying I was sorry for my past mistakes,
but you didn't even CARE ! All you did was throwing fireballs at me and accusing me for killing *looks at Asriel* Asriel's replacements !
Toriel: *grits her teeth in anger* Don't you DARE calling them THAT!
Asgore:*stands up * And what would you do if I dare?
Toriel:*stands up as well* I'll make sure you won't be able to use that loud mouth of yours !
Asgore: …
Toriel: …
Asgore: If you're not afraid, come join me in Hotland, where the CORE is in sight, and let's make an end to this comedy…
I will be waiting for you starting tomorrow… Toriel…
After these words, Asgore has disappeared, leaving Toriel, Frisk and Asriel in his house, speechless.
Asriel fell his head on the table, using his arms for support, completely hopeless. Frisk was so shocked that her red eyes were sightly opened.
And Toriel, who was still angry, gained her senses, as she remembered what just happened, she wishpered « What have I done? ».
Rain is dropping, the Golden Flowers are dying, this is a sight of an incoming tragedy…
Yes, in this story, Asgore/Toriel isn't the only ship, Asriel/Frisk also! Sorry for those who doesn't ship them...
Until next time!