"Chara, I can't believe you.." Toriel scolds as she drives back home.
"Ma, I'm telling you!" Chara insists. "It wasn't a prank! I...I d-don't know what it is, but I can't help it!"
"How do you expect me to believe that?" Toriel frowns.
"...I..F..Frisk can back me up on it! Frisk would never lie to you!"
"...Only if I hear it from Frisk," Toriel sighs. "But until then, I'm assuming it was intentional."
Toriel drops Chara off in front of the house. "I have to get back to work..just go inside and clean yourself up."
Chara sighs and gets out. They walk inside and lock the door behind them.
"What'd you do?" A voice says from behind them. Chara jumps and whirls around. It's just Sans.
"...None of your concern, Trashbag," Chara growls and starts to shove past him.
"Nope, Tori told me to talk it over with ya," He grabs their shoulder.
Chara snarls. "I said it's none of your business! I'm already in a bad mood, leave me alone."
He doesn't let go. "Kid, just tell me what happened."
"No!" Chara refused again.
"Come on,brat," Sans repeats, annoyed.
Chara snarls. "Fine. If it'll get you to shut up."
"Guess it's storytime, then," He teleports them both on the couch. He's literally that lazy. "First off, why does it look like you got thrown in oil?"
"...I had a panic attack.." They mumble.
"...You. You had a panic attack." Sans raises a non-existent eyebrow.
"..Yeah."
"Uh...why?"
"...Humans are assholes." Chara says simply.
"Yeah, I've noticed."
"Shut up.." Chara sneers slightly.
"That still doesn't explain the black stains." Sans crosses his arms.
"You've seen it," Chara shifts. "Where, uh, black...liquid pours from my eyes and mouth...?"
"Oh, that."
"Yeah..."
"And this got you in trouble how?" Sans asks.
"The principal thought it was a prank.." Chara says with a sigh.
"Uh-Huh." Sans nods and leans back. "...What exactly did the kids say to make ya break down like that?"
"...Why do you care?" Chara scowls.
"Dunno," Sans replies with a shrug. "Just curious as to what would make a murderer have a panic attack."
Chara sneers. "You don't get to know." They stand and walk to their room before Sans can even respond.
Sans chuckles and leans back.
Chara flops on their bed, agitated. They get ready to shower and walk to the bathroom.
When Frisk and Asriel get back home, Chara's sitting on the couch and drinking tea.
Frisk sits next to them. "You...doing okay, Chara..?"
"Better.." Chara sighs.
"I'm really sorry...I...I wish I could've done something.." Frisk looks down. "Those kids had no right to do what they did to you..."
"Don't be sorry.." Chara shakes their head. "I...I deserved it, anyway...hah.."
Frisk frowns. "Chara, no you didn't. You don't deserve to be treated poorly. You deserve happiness, like everyone else."
"...But why would...why would I deserve happiness..?" Chara looks down. "...I...I haven't done anything to deserve it."
"Chara," Frisk takes their hand. "Everyone deserves a second chance. Everyone is worthy of happiness. Even you."
Chara suddenly looks up and glares at Frisk. They rip their hand away. "No! You don't understand! I'm...I'm a demon, Frisk! I'll just hurt you...Leave me alone...I..I don't...I don't..."
Chara holds back tears. They won't cry. Not again. Not now, in front of Frisk.
Frisk pulls Chara into a hug. "No. Chara. No. You are worthy. I care about you. Asriel cares about you. Please, just...let me help.."
Chara bites their lip. They wouldn't cry, they wouldn't cry...
They cry. Normal tears.
Asriel sits down and joins the hug.
Chara cries harder. They know they shouldn't be. They need to be strong...they have to smile..
Chara starts to laugh. Loudly.
Frisk frowns. "...Chara...?"
Chara keeps laughing. Tears only fall faster...but they can't stop, they have to be happy...for everyone...
Frisk hugs tighter. "Shhh-Shhh, Chara-Chara, please..."
Chara can't stop laughing..they won't stop...
The laughter escalates into loud sobs. Chara hugs Frisk tightly, gathering their sweater in their hands.
"I...I'm s-sorry...I'm sorry..." Chara apologizes in between sobs.
"Shh.." Frisk rubs their back.
Chara's sobs get softer, and they lean their head on Frisk's shoulder.
-
Toriel walks into Chara's room the next morning. She kneels down next to their bed and shakes them awake.
"Chara..?"
Chara groans and rolls over. They open their eyes.
"Sans explained what happened..." Toriel sighs. "Do you think you'll be able to go to school today..?"
Chara sighs and nods. "But...will you be able to take me..?"
Toriel nods slowly. "Of course.."
"Thanks.." Chara says, sitting up and stretching.
Toriel stands and walks out of their room.
Chara sighs, staring at themselves in the mirror across from their bed (which they still thought was really bad placement). They hadn't gotten a good night's sleep in weeks. And all the stress from school wasn't helping. They felt nore tired than ever. And sleep deprivation wouldn't make their anxiety any better.
Chara sighs again and climbs out of bed. They pull on a pair of leggings, a pair of shorts, and their usual green and yellow striped sweater. They quickly run a brush through their hair. They take a last check in the mirror before grabbing their backpack and walking downstairs.
It was one of those rare days wete Toriel would be home all day, so she made breakfast for them. Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie-Toriel's classic.
When Chara arrived downstairs, Frisk was already halfway done with theirs. Sans was sitting next to Toriel and cracking jokes. Toriel laughed at all of them. Chara sighs and sits down.
"Morning, Chara," Frisk smiles brightly.
"Morning.." Chara yawns.
"Are you..feeling better?" They ask, concern in their voice.
"I'm...better.." Chara shrugs, taking a bite of pie.
"That's good to hear." Frisk smiles.
Chara sighs and slowly keeps eating. They yawn, even more exhausted than usual.
