"Go away!" Asriel yelled at door and the mound of various items barricading it.
"Asriel," Asgore's muffled voice said from the other side, "open the door," he demanded.
"I said leave us alone!" Asriel turned away from the door to look at Chara. Asgore said something but Asriel wasn't listening. It had been a full day but Chara still had the same vacant, dead expression. The talking outside stopped for a moment. He sat down beside them and took their hand in his own. With his other hand he brought the blanket up to their chin.
"My child," Toriel's concerned voice pleaded. Asriel tensed up. "Please open the door."
"I don't want to talk to you," Asriel said, the harshness gone from his voice. At least it wasn't his dad.
"I just want to make sure you are okay," She said.
"I'm fine." Asriel said, hoping it would be the end of it.
"I just want to see you. You ran out yesterday and I have not had a good chance to look at my own child yet." Asriel felt a bit weak.
"... no." Asriel repeated.
"What about Chara, are they-"
"Mom, I said- ...what?" Asriel was stunned. What about Chara?
"How are they doing?"
"Uh…" Asriel moved his other hand so that both were holding Chara's own cold, limp hand. He didn't know what to say.
"Are you both hungry? Shall I bring you two something?" As if to answer, Asriel's stomach growled. He realized he had not eaten anything for at least a day. Chara probably more. Sure Asriel could manage for a while, but they might be starving for all he knew.
"Okay," Asriel said "I'll let you in."
"Thank you, I will-"
"But dad isn't allowed to come near. Got it?" Asriel added. There was no response. "Did you hear me?" Asriel said a little louder.
"Of course, my child." Asriel didn't say anything more. He held Chara's hand for a few moments longer before finally standing up. He slowly went over to the door and began to shove things out of the way. The heaviest thing to move was the fairly large wicker box that held his many extra pairs of clothes. This was what he was mainly relying on to keep people out.
Hesitantly, he put his hand on the door knob. He took a deep breathe before he turned it and cracked open the door. Through the open space, he could see no one. He wasn't being lied to. His father was gone and his mom must have been in the kitchen. Asriel closed it and sat down, back against the wall, until he heard his mother's voice again.
"I've prepared some-"
"Just set it by the door, I'll get it eventually," Interrupted Asriel.
"My child…" Toriel's voice drifted off. The sadness in her tone made Asriel's fur stand on its end. "Can I not come see you? You ran out not so long ago and now you hide yourself in your room. I just want to make sure you are okay." Asriel immediately felt weak. He shouldn't be so hostile to his own mom.
"Okay... I'll open the door…" Asriel pushed himself up and slowly turned the knob. The door swung open and Toriel walked in.
"Thank you," Toriel said with a sad smile. She walked over and put a metal tray of food by Chara's pillow. It was a creamy soup. It smelled heavenly. There were also glasses of water and a pair of...
"Hey mom, what are those?" Asriel said, pointing to something on the tray.
"Asriel," Toriel said, surprising him by saying his first name, "could we talk outside for a moment."
"Uhh…"
"It will only be for but a moment. I promise you nothing will happen to Chara while we are gone."
"... fine, but only for a second." Toriel extended a hand to him. He reluctantly took it and followed her out the door, letting go when Toriel shut the door behind her.
"My child," Toriel said suddenly sounding very serious, "I need to tell you something very important." Her smile had vanished. Asriel didn't like what he was seeing.
"M-mom?" Asriel said nervously "What's going on?"
"The flowers on the tray. I need to tell you about them."
"But what-"
"Listen. I will let you decide what to do, but I need to tell you this. If you were to break up the petals of the flower, it will create a very dangerous and potent poison."
"What?" Asriel almost yelled.
"Shhh," Toriel said, putting a finger to her son's lips, "Not too loud. Now listen, it makes the person very drowsy. If you use enough they might just go to sleep and not wake up. Be warned however, I am not completely sure how this affects monsters, and humans are often affected by things in different ways." Asriel ripped the hand away from his face.
"Stop it!" Asriel yelled. She was sounding eerily similar to Gaster.
"One more thing-"
"No!" Asriel put his hands over his ears.
"It is tasteless," the sound still came through clearly, "Chara could not possibly know-"
"Why are you doing this? What did Chara ever do to you?" Asriel said, throwing his arms down. He might have expected something like this from his own dad, but his own mother of all people?
"I am not doing anything. However, I suggest you make a decision soon. You and I both know your father is very impatient." Toriel cocked her head to the side. "And frankly my child, the human is making you weak. I would not be a good mother if I did not address a problem such as this." Asriel was speechless. All he could do was stare. Her expression didn't soften in the slightest. Without another word, she turned and walked away.
Asriel couldn't snap himself out of it. In a haze, he fumbled his way back into the room, too stunned to even put the barricade back up. He put his hands on the bed to keep himself stable.
His eyes drifted to the two golden flowers. Suddenly he grabbed them with both hands and ripped it to pieces, threw it on the ground and stomped it to bits. Then he kicked the mushed plant remains under the bed, out of sight.
Asriel grabbed the chair that was strewn some place on the floor and sat down. It was like the weight of the world had fallen on the chair. Asriel had his head in his hands. He tried not to think about the flowers, but the idea wouldn't leave his mind. The flowers were still there. He needed to distract himself.
Oh, of course, he needs to feed Chara. He scooted the chair up closer to the bed. He put one hand under Chara's head and lifted them into more of a sitting position. With the other, he slid the metal tray across the blankets so it was easier to reach. He moved his hand to pick up the metal spoon and pulled out a healthy amount of soup.
He brought it to Chara's lips. Nothing happened. Of course not, what was he thinking? ... Asriel pushed the spoon through their lips. He pulled up on the spoon and slid it out. The spoon was clean. Asriel smiled, but it was quickly extinguished when he saw the soup was dripping out of their mouth in a stream. He quickly threw the spoon back onto the tray then whipped it back to Chara's chin, closing their mouth completely.
Asriel grimaced as thoughts swam through his head. This was not good at all. Were they not even well enough to eat? Chara was going to starve to death at this point. Or worse, what if they ended up choking-
Asriel gasped. He saw Chara's neck move a little bit as he heard a gulp. He moved his hand away and their jaw went slack again, but no soup dripped out. Asriel was practically shaking. He used his thumb to wipe away the smudges of soup around Chara's mouth. He gave into an urge and pulled them into a hug.
For the next hour or so, Asriel fed Chara the entire bowl of soup. It was slow and tedious. Sometimes it would take a couple of minutes before Chara swallowed but at least they were eating something. More importantly, they were still alive… in some form.
With the bowl completely cleaned out. Asriel set the tray aside on the floor. He never cared so much for keeping his room clean, especially now. He sat down on the bed and pulled something out of his pocket he had been working on for a while now.
One of the two chunks of golden metal resembled a valentine heart. It even had the hole at the top of one of the arches for where the chain would go. He put that one away and shifted his attention to the lumpier, deformed piece. Asriel looked up and scanned the floor.
For the next couple of hours. Asriel managed to find the small hammer he was looking for. Sitting next to Chara, he kept chipping away at the metal, forming it to look more and more like the other piece until to drifted off to sleep.
He rubbed the sleep from his eyes when he finally woke up. Chara hadn't budged an inch, of course, their eyes were closed. Asriel pushed himself up with the intent of getting them more food. As he walked to the door, he slipped on something. He threw out his arms to try and catch himself, but he ended up banging his elbow on the hardwood floor.
He sat up, rubbing his elbow, scanning the floor for whatever made him trip. He paused when he was a piece of paper- no, a letter. Asriel reached over and grabbed it. Surprisingly, it hadn't been crinkled at all from being stepped on. Asriel slowly opened it and pulled out the folded paper within.
He unfolded it. All the letters were perfect; machine precision. Already, something about it felt off. Asriel read the letter.
Dear Prince Asriel Dreemurr,
I am hereby giving you notice of your next scheduled appointment.
Asriel gulped, a part of him already knew who this was. He kept reading.
I am ready to begin a new phase of tests on the human specimen. Modifications to the instruments are underway and will be ready and operational in approximately two days. Bring them at the normal time. I recommend you follow directions and refrain from showing resistance, similar to the last time.
Sincerely-
Asriel didn't read the name and threw the paper across the room. Asriel pulled his knees up to his chest. He was sweating. Not again. He physically crawled back away from the letter until his head came in contact with the bed. Then he felt something brush against his hand.
He brought it up. His eyes widened as crushed bits of yellow petals slipped through his fingers. He quickly brushed them off and shut his eyes. His breathing was very heavy.
He couldn't take them back. He couldn't. It's too much. The screaming… No, Asriel absolutely could not.
Asriel opened his eyes. Two days. What the hell was he supposed to do in two days?! He wanted to run away again, but the doctor was just going to find him once more. He probably wouldn't even make it out the door, his dad and the guards would be watching the exits now. However, if he stayed, nothing was going to protect Chara. Not even he could do anything…
His eyes slowly moved to the floor as something crawled through his brain. Chara has been through so much. They hurt so much. The tests, the experiments, the monsters of the underground, even Asriel himself hurt them relentlessly when they first came here… Before that, who knows exactly? Asriel only knows that it hurt too. Something had to be done.
Asriel was staring at the broken petals at his feet. There had to be another way… there had to. Yet, as he sit there, waiting for a better option to come to him, nothing came to him. Nothing except… tasteless. All he could do was stare… just go to sleep and not wake up.
Chara wouldn't even have to know. Know that he broke his promise, and hurt them one last time… No. Absolutely not. He couldn't poison Chara. Not them. Just not them.
Asriel bolted up and ran out the door of his room. It was a crazy idea, but it was all he had. Not them. Not them.
Asriel practically ran all the way to the ruins himself. He couldn't keep still on the boat ride. He sprinted into the open chamber. The dim light shown from above, the patch of flowers was just barely visible.
It would happen. It would. He would just find another, like the ones that hurt Chara, one of those people would fall down here. He would have no mercy for the likes of them. They would have their death coming.
Asriel would drag them back to the capital himself and kill them in front of everyone. Then he would free everyone. With a soul, he would be stronger. He could do anything! Chara would be okay, because Asriel would finally be strong enough to protect them; from the others monsters, his parents, Gaster, even the other humans if he had to.
Any minute now. Asriel stood, waiting, staring up at the hole at the top of the high cavern. He found Chara when he came down here before. Another would come. Asriel began to tap his foot impatiently. Any minute now. He waited.
And kept waiting. Yet the reality of the situation slowly trickled into his head as the minutes stretched to hours. The light at the top was getting dimmer. Asriel always wanted to know what that was about. He would find it… just as soon as he got the chance.
"Well?" Asriel yelled up to the outside world, refusing to give up, "What are you waiting for?" The response of total and complete lack of sound only prompted Asriel to ball his fists. "Are you scared of me?" He growled, "Huh?" He said, pointing straight up. He was about to shout more, but for some reason, he just couldn't. He slowly let his arm drop to his side, but he still kept watch.
Time continued to pass, slipping through Asriel's fingers like sand, no matter how hard he tried to keep hold of it. Finally the thing Asriel kept trying to force out of his mind was able to really dig itself in. He was just trying to live a desperate fantasy.
Asriel let himself fall to the ground. He didn't even attempt to stop himself. The weight of the world crashed down hard. His entire body hurt, but he didn't care. He couldn't even cry.
"Chara," he whispered out loud, "I'm sorry," his eyes closed, "I'm so sorry." Soon he would get up, go back, and do what needed to be done. They would be lost, but at least here, they were still fine. Still alive. Just a few more minutes.
...
It was late, and the flowers had been gathered from the garden. He had a tray with more soup. He had already mushed the petals in with water to make a fine paste that he stirred into the cream himself. As he was making the trek from the kitchen to the bedroom, he still waited. He was taking his time. It was still possible a better solution could come.
Seeing the doorknob was painful. Balancing the tray on one hand, he reached for the knob. He had his hand on it, still waiting that extra second. Nothing. He pulled it open and walked in. He almost dropped the tray right then and there.
"H-hi, As...riel…" Chara said, their voice shaky and drowsy. It looked like they were struggling to keep alert. Asriel bit down on his lip.
"Ch-chara," Asriel said, quivering. He swallowed and prepared to speak again. "Are you feeling okay?" That sounded better. Why did they have to be awake for this?
"I'm re... really hungry," they said. Asriel tensed up.
"I…" Asriel took a shaky breath, "I brought you something," his voice broke on the last syllable.
"Thank… you." Asriel couldn't move, or even look at them. "Asriel?... A-are you okay?"
"Fine," Asriel quickly responded, "Never better." He forced his leg to move forward, then the other. Step by step, almost against his will, he made his way over the bed. He tried to quell the shaking in his hands as he set the tray down beside them and sat down in the chair.
All he had to do was leave, to just run out with the tray before Chara ate anything. He could see them, talk to them, be with them. He still had a whole day… but he couldn't. He knew he couldn't. If he turned back now, he would never have the courage to do this again. It would only end in more hurting. Asriel didn't have the right… did he?
"Hope you like soup," Asriel said, trying to sound cheerful. He pulled out a spoonful of the creamy liquid.
"Asriel, could… I a-ask you something?" They said, the rare ghost-smile on their lips. Asriel would have gulped down the entire bowl of soup without hesitation if they gave the word.
"Yes… Chara?" He said, hanging onto their every subtle expression.
"When you found me… w-why did you not kill me?"
"I…" Asriel started, trying to find the words. This was something he had often debated with himself. The argument that had gone on far too long. "I just... knew that I couldn't do it…" Asriel reached his hand into his pocket, fishing something out. "It took me a while to realize, but I just hate it when bad things to happen to you... " He couldn't keep his hand still as the chain dangled from his grasp. He took the golden heart-shaped locket and put it around Chara's neck. "But… I'm no good at it. From the start I was so... and now…"
"I-it isn't… your f-fault," they said, their eyes, less red than before, looking into his. "I know y-you tried to get me a-away from Gaster…" they slowly brought a hand out from under the covers and held Asriel's cheek. He was too stunned to react. He could feel the lump in his throat, and the stinging of his eyes. "Just… thank you… f-for being here. Y-you're like a… brother to me."
"A brother?" Asriel said, trying to hold back the tears. No, he wanted to say, I'm nobody's brother. Brothers don't kill their siblings. He made himself hold the spoon up the Chara's lips. He still had a last chance to- Chara opened their mouth and sucked the spoon clean.
Asriel wanted to scream. To kick. To fight and kill something when the bowl was empty, but all he could do was to put it down and act like all was well and normal.
"Goodn-night, Asriel… I'll s-see you in the morning…" Chara said, putting their head down on the pillow. Asriel reached into his pocket, and pulled out the second locket. It was still lumpy and uneven, but he put it around his neck anyway. A reminder.
He leaned over and sprawled himself over their chest, clutching them in a sort of hug. The angle was awkward, but that was the last thing from his mind. He should have waited another day.
A tear ran down his cheek as he felt the slow rise and fall of their chest, and the rhythmic beating of their heart. In the morning it would be gone, and all he could blame was himself. At that moment, Asriel fully understood the name of his people. He was a true monster.
...
Asriel woke up, but his mind still felt like it wanted to crawl back to the darkness of sleep. He was on the floor, he must have fallen over at some point. He slowly pushed himself into a sitting position. He kept his head low. He didn't want to look at the bed, or the person, or rather, what was a person, resting on top of it.
He sat in silence, his face in his hands. He wished he was dead. Then his ears twitched as some sound broke the silence. It was faint, very faint, and now it was gone. Asriel listened closely, maybe-
"Hunnghh…" a very weak voice groaned. Asriel's breathing picked up. He was hyperventilating. He closed his eyes and slowly pushed himself up.
He was standing now, the bed right in front of him. One, two, three, he counted to himself before forcing his eyelids to open.
"Oh god…" Asriel gasped. They were as pale as when he first found them in the elevator of that hideous laboratory. A trickle of blood was coming from their nose. They were tossing and turning their head, eyes shut in what looked to be pain. Asriel grabbed their hand. At least they were no longer cold… but instead feverishly hot. Asriel pulled back.
"Chara?" Asriel called, still in a haze. They managed to look back. Their eyes were bloodshot red.
"It… hurts…" they moaned. Asriel staggered back. This couldn't be happening. He turned and ran out the door.
"Mom!" Asriel yelled, searching the living room and kitchen. "Mom!" He yelled again.
"My child," a distant voice called back, "What is wrong?" Asriel ran back into the living room, Toriel ran to him and kneeled down. "What happened?" She said, worriedly.
"You said they wouldn't feel anything!" Asriel yelled suddenly. "You said it was painless!" Toriel's expression became hard.
"I did not say that."
"But you-"
"I warned you that I did not know what would happen to a human." Asriel's eyes went wide. He threw the hand off his shoulder and ran back to his room, slamming the door behind him. He ran back over to Chara.
"Chara… I-I…" Asriel stammered.
"Everything hurts…" they said, barely keeping their eyes open. Asriel came closer, grabbing hold of a hand that couldn't keep still.
"Y-you're gonna be okay, just… hang in there okay?" Asriel forced a smile.
"The machine…" they said, shutting their eyes tightly. Asriel's façade faded.
"The what?"
"Please… turn it off… it hurts," Asriel gaped in horror. He grabbed their other hand.
"Chara, you're here. You're safe…" he had a hard time with the last word. "Gaster isn't here, okay? He isn't going to-" Chara managed to pull their arms from his grip. The rolled their body away from him, curling up into a ball.
"No, no… no…" they whispered. "No more… please stop…" Asriel was lightheaded. He tried to grab their shoulder and shake them out of their haze but Chara only pulled back further.
This wasn't supposed to happen. It was supposed to be painless, but he was only causing them more. A part of him told him to get on his knees and beg for forgiveness. He was so weak as to resort to poison. He just wanted them to be okay…
Where did everything go wrong? Asriel covered his eyes. He couldn't go back now. Gaster would tear them to pieces. It needed to end. Quickly and mercifully. He could just hold a pillow over their head… no. No! Asriel was hyperventilating.
"Chara," Asriel said, not moving his hands. He wasn't even sure they were listening, "Just hang on… it'll be over soon." Just a bit more time and the hurting would stop. Oh god, he didn't want to think about it. Chara's body was so weak, just one more day. Then it would be over…
It was like Asriel was forcing himself to think these things. He just wanted the world to stop. He clutched the locket around his neck with on hand. One more day. More flowers.
Asriel came close to screaming many times as he fed them more soup as night approached. At least Chara had stopped that haunting moan of pain. Asriel put the empty bowl on the floor. It was beginning to pile up, but he didn't care.
Asriel didn't allow himself to go to sleep. He just kept watch of them as they dreamt. Every time they moved around trying get comfortable, Asriel felt it. It looked impossible. Chara could only keep still for a few minutes. Their eyes were always closed as if they were trying to shut something out. Nightmares? No relief, not even in sleep. Asriel couldn't help but feel responsible for this too.
Asriel reached over and held their head up. He swapped out the pillow for one with a fresh case. The old pillow was stained with specks of blood. Asriel looked at his hands, then back to the pillow. He tossed it away on the other side of the room.
It was then that Asriel realized something. Chara didn't even move when he held up their head. He looked at them closely. They still occasionally moved around, but they were beginning to slow down. Something was rising in Asriel's chest, he pushed it down. At least they looked more and more peaceful as time went on. That was what he was reminding himself.
Asriel's eyes opened. He had been sleeping. Shit! He quickly got up but stopped abruptly. He could hear them breathing. It was loud. Asriel wore a look of disgust as the terrible wheezing rang in his ears.
Knives ran up and down his skin. It was hard for him to breathe, just listening. He wanted to cover his ears, but that didn't seem any better. It was cowardly.
"What am I doing?" Asriel said out loud, not sure if Chara could hear. He wasn't even sure who he was talking to. "Why am I doing this?" His eyes focused on Chara again as they moved their head to look at him. They were mouthing something. Something was rising in Asriel's chest again. A pressure.
"Wa…" Chara managed to sound, "Water…" Asriel blinked, feeling a little more in touch with reality.
"R-right," Asriel stammered before quickly leaving the room. A part of him was relieved that he left the room. He hated that feeling. When he filled the glass with water, he made sure to add ice. Maybe that would help them somewhat.
Asriel pushed open the door. A few times, Asriel had almost dropped whatever it was he was holding, but not quite. This time, he panicked, and threw the glass across the room. It shattered on impact, water and glass flew in all directions. Some sharp bits came dangerously close to Chara, but Asriel was too distracted to notice.
All he managed to do was miss the floating skeletal hand hovering above Chara's chest. Asriel held up his hand- no! He thrust it down again. No, stupid! Not when it's so close to Chara! Instead, Asriel ran for the hand to try and grab it. It flew away from him at the last moment. His legs hit the bed, and he stopped himself just short of crushing Chara.
Asriel turned. Something grabbed the side of his head and shoved him. He fell back, hitting his head on the wall. The world was spinning. Asriel pushed himself to his feet and staggered a few steps before regaining his balance.
He was about to make another grab when he was suddenly face to face with the hand. The hole in the center was usually completely hollow, but Asriel found himself not being able to move as he stared into utter darkness.
Something was looking back at him. He got the impression it was not happy. At all.
But before Asriel could even process the situation fully, the hand receded away, floating back through the open door. Asriel ran after it, but when he stumbled into the hall, it was nowhere to be found.
He was going to try and follow it, but the wheezing pulled him back into the moment. It seemed Gaster was gone, but for how long, maybe forever, maybe a few minutes as more and more hands were being created to swarm the castle.
Asriel closed the door and ran back to them. They had a cut on their cheek. Why did he think it was a good idea to throw glass at something next to them? Could he do anything right? Asriel tried to use his sleeve to wipe off the blood as best as he could.
At least they didn't appear to be awake. This was one more thing he could hide from them… Asriel took some time to clean up all the glass and dry up all the water with a towel. He never really had the patience for this sort of thing, but he made sure to be extra careful this time. Just in case Chara gets up for some reason and cuts their feet. Or maybe they would slip and hit their head.
Asriel plopped down into the chair when he was done. What was he doing exactly? What was he trying to achieve and why? He was doing things so Chara wouldn't get hurt but at the same time doing the exact thing he was fighting. He was killing his best friend to protect them. But what if Gaster was gone? That thing might think Chara would be dead and move on to something else. Maybe that too was just a fantasy.
Asriel just sat and listened to the wheezing. The awful wheezing. It would be over soon anyway. He got up for more water, making sure to close the door fully, instead of leaving it open ajar.
"Hey Chara, are you awake?" Asriel asked when he got back into the room with a fresh glass of ice water. Their eyes flickered open and looked back in response. He helped Chara sit up and out the cup up to their lips. They drank slowly. Asriel had pull the cup back as Chara went into a fit of coughing. They looked miserable, but they motioned for more water. Asriel set the half empty glass down on the floor by the head of the bed.
Then it was back to something that felt eerily familiar. Asriel sitting next to Chara as they continued to fight to hold on. A couple of hours had passed and the wheezing hadn't sounded any better. It was that time again. Time for more flowers. Asriel got up and was about to leave when something broke the monotonous breathing.
Chara's breathing was sounding a bit erratic. Asriel turned. Chara's eyes had the look of pure dread. Eventually, the breathing suddenly stopped entirely.
"Chara!" Asriel yelled, grabbing their hand, "Chara, what's wrong?!" He knew this was coming, but a part of him never actually imaged it happening. Chara's mouth was agape, it looked like it was trying to suck in air. They coughed, red mist spurting into the air. Asriel was stunned. They coughed again, and again. Sounds of desperate gasps punctuated every cough as Chara spasmed underneath the covers. Asriel felt completely helpless. They just kept coughing and coughing. It sounded like their throat was being ripped apart. Asriel felt something rise in his own chest.
Then Chara went limp. Asriel's eyes were wide in utter horror and disbelief. There was an endless moment of silence. Then he saw it, their chest began to rise and fall once again. Asriel, shaken to the core, stood up without even knowing. He couldn't even register the fact that he had walked all the way to the garden and back. He was walking back into the room with more flowers before everything seemed to start back up.
He looked down at his jittering hands and the flowers inside it. The feeling. The pressure in his chest, he couldn't keep it in. He gripped the flowers tightly and ran out of the room. He threw the awful things into the fireplace and blasted it with an explosion of orange and yellow.
Asriel crumpled into the floor, knees to his chest, illuminated by the embers of the dead plants. Asriel screamed into knees. The sound was muffled, so only he could hear it. Tears were streaming down his face.
He couldn't do it. He couldn't! What difference was there between him and mad Doctor Gaster himself. Both of them were hurting Chara for no reason. Making them suffer until death takes them. He would do something else, anything else. He would fight to the death if he had to. He didn't have the right not to. That is… if Chara managed to survive the night…
Asriel, after what felt like hours, pushed himself up and, once again, walked back to his room. He sat down in the chair and let himself crash his head onto the bed. Chara, asleep, didn't even notice the soft impact. Please don't die, Asriel thought to himself, I'm so sorry. I did this to you. Please don't die… Almost against his will, the fatigue pulled Asriel back to the uncertain darkness of sleep.
It always feels terrible. Waking up and having to check. Asriel almost wanted to shut his eyes again and pretend. That way he knew they were still there, in his mind. Coward. Chara would either look better from no poison, or they would be dead. He looked at the form laying on the bed.
Their head was turned away, but their chest was rising and falling. Asriel let himself exhale. Their throat and breathing sounded much better. Maybe they could tell him themselves.
"Hey Chara," Asriel said, quietly in case they were asleep, "Are you feeling better?" No response, they must be asleep. Asriel was about to leave to get food for the both of them when he stopped. Chara groaned something. They were so quiet, Asriel could barely hear it. "Did you say something?" He asked, not even sure he heard anything.
Slowly, Asriel approached them. He gently slid a hand under their head and tilted it toward him. Asriel almost threw up. Blood was all over their mouth, dripping from the corners. It was on their clothes, and the bed was stained red.
Asriel reeled back, mouth open, hands on his forehead. They had gotten worse? But he didn't put the flowers in their food this time. How was this possible?
There was so much red in their mouth. Chara twitched. There was a gurgling sound and their chest… it stopped moving. Oh god, what was happening?
Asriel slapped himself. He needed to focus, or Chara was going to drown. Asriel darted back to them, lifting them into a sitting position. He was only vaguely familiar with how to do this. He was behind them, wrapping his arms around their stomach. He locked his hands, putting them below where he thought the 'diaphragm' thing was. It was always a bit different for monsters, but humans? What if he messed up and only made things worse?
No, he had done enough of that. He counted two three and pulled sharply upward, digging his thumb into the skin. Chara doubled over. Asriel's eyes widened. He had made it worse. Then Chara coughed, then again, violently. Crimson liquid spilled out and onto the sheets. They gasped. Had he done it? Chara coughed and gasped a few more times, but it sounded more natural.
They slowly brought their body back up. Asriel gently set them back down onto the pillow. He smiled at them. He did it! He saved them! He saved their life. He… the smile faded.
Chara was looking back at him. They were sputtering and shivering. Shaking and shuttering. They were wincing tears. Their mouth was open like they were trying to say something. Asriel had to force back the sensation pulling at his eyes. He didn't save them. The poison wasn't wearing off. He just kept them alive for now.
He put a hand on their forehead. It was hot, but they were shivering. He tried to smile at them. There were no words to console them. Chara, even in their current state, could definitely tell how forced it was.
Asriel's eyes ran up and down the sheets. They were so filthy. He couldn't let them live in this.
"Ch-chara," Asriel said in a shaky voice, "I'm g-gonna have to change your sh-sheets and blankets, ok-kay?" Chara managed to nod back. Asriel put his arms underneath Chara's back and knees. He lifted them up. It was shocking how easy it was. They used to be so heavy. Used to be.
Asriel set them down, back to the dresser, laying a mostly clean blanket over them as he slowly removed layers and layers of dirty sheets. He could almost feel Chara breathing down his neck as he tried to work as fast as they could. It was probably very uncomfortable for them.
He set them back down on the bed when he had finished. The sheets were a lot more wrinkled and uneven than before they were changed but at least they were clean. Asriel also got a bucket from the kitchen that Chara could spit into if they needed.
Getting them to drink was much more difficult. They would often cough it back up. It was long and painful, but eventually, they got a glass of water down. When Asriel pulled back, Chara seemed to fall back asleep immediately.
Only when they were asleep did Asriel allow his self-loathing and regret to rise to the surface. He often hit the floor over and over again as if it were himself. Chara was too exhausted to hear the sounds. The sounds of a murder.
Asriel's knuckles were all dusty and stung badly. There were dents in the wooden floor. He had finally run out of steam for that day. Maybe tomorrow would be better. For both of them. Or was this too just a fantasy?
The next day they were still alive, eating and drinking with help, but they were somehow even more pale. They coughed and spit into the bucket on a few occasions. The day after that, Asgore stopped by the room. Asriel was about to shout him out, but the King didn't even enter.
"Chara," Asgore said, his face and tone neutral, "Stay determined." Even he could see how much pain they were in. Even Asgore. But Asriel couldn't wallow in his self-hatred for very long as he had to help Chara get through another terrible coughing fit. It happened again the next day. Twice.
Even the normal breaths sounded like they were fighting a war all on their own. Asriel had to change the sheets and blankets again due to their inner fluids being forced to the outside. It was quite literally on Asriel's hands.
The next morning, Asriel did his normal routine. Wake up, look over, and hold his breath for that spark that Chara was still alive. They were awfully still.
"Chara," Asriel called. No response. He jostled their shoulder. Sluggishly, they turned their head to look at them. Asriel felt weak. They still had their pale skin and red eyes, but something was missing. They looked so tired.
They slowly managed to reach an arm out and hold Asriel's cheek. Asriel smiled. They did too. Then Asriel realized their chest wasn't moving. His smile faded.
"Chara…" He said worried. Their lips were mouthing something. "Chara, what is it?"
I… l o… v e... They mouthed. Their arm went limp.
"Chara?" Asriel asked, shaken. They didn't move a muscle "Chara?!" Asriel yelled, grabbing their shoulders and shaking them. "Chara!" He yelled again. His eyes were wild. "Chara! Wake up!" He kept shaking them. "Please don't go!" He grabbed their head, trying to make them look back. Their eyes were pointed at him, but not looking. Just like when Gaster had sucked the life out of them.
Asriel's vision was cloudy. "Chara wake up! Come on! Wake up!" But no matter how he tried to shake them, they didn't move. Asriel pulled them close, tears streaming into their shoulder. "Oh god!" He screamed, "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry! I killed you! I'm sorry..." his words were lost in random sounds. He had made their last few days on this earth torture. How could he do such a thing.
Just then, a strange light filled the room. There was red everywhere. Asriel didn't care. He couldn't tear himself away. He stayed sobbing. Until he heard a strange noise. It sounded like something was cracking.
He finally looked up, still clutching them. He gasped. A colorful display filled his view. Red. Not the sickly red of blood. But a gentle, relaxing shade that slowed his breathing. Vein-like tendrils wound their way through the open air. Swaying calmly pristinely. All leading to what looked to be the center of the universe.
Asriel couldn't move. He felt weaker in the presence of such a thing. It was Chara's soul, hovering above him.
Asriel froze. Lines and cracks shot through the veins. It was approaching the center. Asriel's reflexes kicked in. He reached for it. It vanished suddenly.
Did he do something wrong? What did- Asriel doubled over. He couldn't think. There was a distant presence, but he couldn't tell who. His chest felt warm. The sensation wove through his arms and limbs. He felt lightheaded; it was too hot.
Asriel felt as if he were being pulled in all directions. The world was turning into a blur. He could hear voices, but they were far away. The heat only continued to build. It was coursing through him. Hotter. More heat. The world continued to become more and more out of focus.
The heat was unbearable, but it only continued to build. The presence was getting close, more real, yet still distant. It was familiar. He reached out his arm, but it grabbed at nothing. Asriel's eyes snapped to the limb. It was hard to see but it seemed longer. Much longer.
He wanted the insufferable heat to end. Yet a thought crept into his brain. The heat reminded him of Chara when they were sick. Chara must have felt something like this. The poison, the machine, the other humans from the surface… how did Asriel know this? The presence was so close now.
An overwhelming sense of dread clouded Asriel's already incoherent thoughts. He could see and hear things he had never witnessed like they were his own memories. They were fragmented and incoherent; coming and going to be processed. A part of him thought to hide from it. He felt like the visions could tear him apart if they found out. The poison. Poison that he used. He murdered Chara. He had to keep the knowledge secret. He wanted to bury it.
Then the thought was pushed back into the recesses of his mind as the visions filled Asriel's view. Suddenly, Asriel was no longer in the castle. He didn't even know if he was in the Underground anymore. The heat was gone completely, leaving him feeling drained of all energy.
He looked around. The room was so dark, it was hard to think of anything. Asriel quickly became aware of his arm. He looked up, it was pink and fleshy, but that was normal. What wasn't was the wires that cut into it, tied around a metal pipe of some sorts. The red and cut skin seemed to burn. Blood was dripping in a slow and steady stream. He tried to pull on it to break free but shut his eyes as fresh pain shot through the arm.
A muffled clunk echoed through the room. Asriel ripped his eyes away to look at the other side of the room. Light seeped through from somewhere above, illuminating a set of stairs that went all the way down to the floor. The beating in Asriel's heart started to race. Get away! Asriel wanted to yell but his jaw ached. He tried to pull back, but his arm flared up again. He winced. All he could do was wait for what came next.
Asriel... a distant voice called, Asriel! His eyes shot open.
"Chara!" Asriel yelled out loud.
Yes, Asriel. It's me! The happy voice of Chara echoed in his head.
"Y-you're still alive?" Asriel sputtered, close to tears.
I'm right here. Chara said again. A tear ran down Asriel's face. He wrapped his arms around himself, embracing them even if they were not actually there. You don't have to worry anymore. Asriel curled in on himself even more. He just wanted to stay there, with them, forever. His vision was getting more and more clouded with tears. He shut his eyes as more flowed.
Asriel jumped when he felt a hand on his cheek. His eyes flashed open, but there was no one there. It was his own hand and arm somehow. But he didn't do anything… Chara. Without a word, Asriel put his other hand over the other, leaning into the touch. He- or more accurately, both of them stayed holding each other for moments that were not nearly enough.
Asriel could hear footsteps from down the hall. He reluctantly looked to see the door swing open. It was his parents. Both of them. Asriel quickly wiped the tears from his eyes and stood up.
"Asriel, you…" his father trailed off. A rare look of shock shown on his face. Asriel looked down. He was taller. Much taller. He also appeared to wearing some kind of pure white robe. The dented locket was still around neck. His head felt a bit heaver. He reached up with both hands, feeling around to discover he had a pair of curved horns. Asriel looked back at his father, he could see eye to eye with him. Toriel stood, watching him intently.
"... I'm proud of you, my son," Asgore's voice broke the silence. Asriel clenched his fists. Proud? How could he be proud for making him… no, he couldn't think about it. Chara couldn't know.
Asriel, the voice of Chara said, What's wrong? Asriel didn't respond. He slowly approached his father. He stopped only a few inches away, not breaking eye contact. Asgore's apparent shock had faded back into his usually impassive, unmoving expression some time ago. Asriel was resisting the urge to kill him then and there. Asriel, what's with you? What happened? He still didn't answer.
"You have become stronger," Asgore said.
"I have." responded Asriel, bitterly.
"You know what you must do," Asgore said as if he held all the power. Asriel could feel something within him. A certain aura that permeated his entire being. It was warm and comforting. Not searing like before. It made him feel stronger. He didn't have to do anything his father said anymore. Chara, no doubt feeling his emotions, decided not to press for answers.
"How many?" Asriel said.
"Six more, then you must-" Asriel held his hand up. Must? He could walk away right now and nothing could stop him. Or was there? Something didn't feel right. Asriel looked at his hands, he felt like he could do a lot, but how much exactly?
Asriel recalled how utterly helpless he felt. Unable to even get near Gaster. The doctor had him completely restrained in only a few seconds. He felt stronger, but something told him it still wasn't enough. Gaster could still get to him and Chara.
But that wasn't it entirely. Something else tugged at his mind. He couldn't let it go. Chara never got a good look at the person at the top of the stairs. So much thrashing and screaming. Yet Asriel could recall every single hit and lash that landed on his- their skin. Asriel couldn't resist punching the door frame, making both his parents flinch.
How could anyone do that? How could… That was just one person. There were many more like them. Asriel grinded his teeth. A part of him seemed to shift uncomfortably.
That was a long time ago, said Chara, I don't think-
"I'll do it," Said Asriel suddenly. He pointed at his father, "But I'm not doing this for you, or whatever the hell you call your kingdom, understood?" Asgore didn't seem affected at all.
"My child," Toriel said startled, "I think you should know-"
Asriel yanked his hand out of the doorframe. Pieces splintered off, revealing a very large section of wood that was completely destroyed.
Asriel left immediately. There were so many people who hurt Chara. So many. He had to do something about it. It was all he could think about. It was all he ever thought about for the past few days. He was finally strong enough. At least strong enough for most. That giant-skulled creature with the dead eyes still made his skin crawl.
If Gaster could create life, if it even was life, then who knows what else he could do? He still needed more power. He could also tie up those loose ends while he was at it. He had to do this.
I know how bad you're feeling. Please tell me what's bothering you, Chara pleaded, I can feel it too.
"Chara," Asriel said, as he already entered the throne room. Distance felt much shorter to him now, "for so long, I couldn't do anything." There was a passage behind the throne. The walls gave away to uneven stone and rock. "But now that we're finally together, I think I can do it, Chara. I can finally protect you. I just have to do one more thing."
Asriel stepping into a massive open room. His field of view was filled by a glowing curtain of white misty light. This was the barrier that kept monsters entrapped in the Underground. However, Asriel had Chara with him. He knew it couldn't stop him.
"There are a lot of people," Asriel said. "People who hurt you, Chara. Who hurt us. You know it, you can feel it. We can stop them!" He was almost excited. First the ones out there, then the rest who would want to hurt Chara. No matter how deep in the earth, or how high above the surface. After that, he would be done. No more monsters and human stuff. This was the last thing he needed to do before he could finally relax. It would all be over then. Asriel walked again, approaching the barrier.
You're acting so strange. What do you mean by 'stop them?' I don't underst- Asriel reached a hand into the shifting mist. They both shuddered as a feeling of cold overwhelmed them. Asriel stepped forward. It was like walking into a blizzard. Everything was fighting against them, but the warmth inside him made him push forward.
Suddenly the light faded and they were on the other side, looking up a long, wide cave with a brilliant blue light at the end. Undeterred, Asriel kept moving.
When he was at the exit of the cave, he almost didn't stop. He took only the briefest moment to look out over the land that seemed to go on forever without reaching the walls of the cavern. Trees as far the eye could see. Far out on his left was a massive rock, a mountain, that pierced the infinite blue which seemed to stretch on forever without reaching the roof of the cave. He almost forgot, the surface isn't in a cave. It only took Asriel only a second to process, then he started a trek down a winding path from wherever he was to the flat land below.
What are we doing here? Asriel could feel the urge to turn around and go back, but it wasn't from himself. That's how he knew he was heading in the right direction. He needed to do this, but he had to keep quiet as to why.
Suddenly, Asriel couldn't move his legs. What's gotten into you? Why won't you speak to me?
"Chara," Asriel said calmly, "stop that, we need to go."
And do what? Why are going there?
"Just trust me, okay? I know what I'm doing." Asriel tested his leg, but it didn't budge.
Can't we just turn around and go back? I thought you'd be happy that we can be together. Asriel grimaced.
"I am happy, but I need to do this, okay? It's important."
But Asriel-
"Chara, please…" Asriel still couldn't move. Chara said nothing to him. "... fine." Asriel put all his energy into moving his leg. He could feel it was resisting him, but it slowly moved forward. The slight movement turned into a small step. He focused on the other foot, it was harder this time, but he managed the second step. Then nothing stopped him from taking the third step, but he felt the feeling of discomfort grow. "Thank you."
...please don't take me back for long.
"Don't worry, It'll be over quickly." He was walking for a long time. The rocky path faded into dirt and grass. The forest was thick, he could barely see the sky through the trees. Most people would be completely lost, but not him, or rather, them.
Then he could see a clearing up ahead. He had the overpowering urge to shut his eyes. Memories of running filled Asriel's head. It felt like his left leg was broken but he still pushed it into an agonizing full sprint. Desperately trying not to be seen in the night. It was away from the place that loomed in front of him, just beyond the trees. Asriel forced his eyes back open.
"It's okay, nothing is gonna hurt you," Asriel said, tenderly. Chara didn't say anything back.
A part of him wanted to go back, but that was probably just Chara. He passed through the trees and was looking at a small group of buildings. He saw the grass melt into a cobblestone, leading into the distance. There looked to be a sort of open town square with a well in the center. Brick houses lined the rocky streets.
Are you sure about whatever this is...? Chara asked. Asriel could tell they didn't really think he would be swayed. Asriel nodded and walked forward down the road. It was only a few seconds before he heard yelling. He saw a lot of humans in the streets, most of them turned and ran away at once. Some approached cautiously, picking up sticks and random objects to defend themselves with. Asriel's hands were shaking.
"Don't worry, Chara," Asriel said, making his hands steady for them. There was a lot of yelling. Asriel raised his open palms. The inner heat surged and flames blossomed out. It was so much power. A part of him couldn't believe what he was doing.
He raised his hands up and the flames shot toward the sky. It coalesced into a giant tornado of spinning flames. Orange and yellow heat filled the air. This was it. Asriel, looking ahead at the humans who were too stunned to even move, thrust out his hands. Something stopped him at the last moment. All the fire faded. He tried to call it back.
Asriel! Chara screamed from within his mind, what are you doing?! Asriel struggled to move.
"Chara!" Asriel yelled back, "Don't try to stop me!" Asriel focused, flames sputtered in his palms.
No! You can't!
"Why are you trying to stop me?" Asriel yelled, more irritated, scanning the houses until he found what he was looking for. In the distance, he saw a run down building with boarded up windows. "Over there! That's where the other humans hurt you! The one on the stairs!"
But Asriel-
"They deserve to die! All of them."
No! I won't let you do this!
"They hurt you! I can't allow them to get away with that!" Asriel's eyes flickered to the humans in front of him, recovering from their daze. Many more were appearing, some with swords, others with bows and arrows. Asriel pressed harder. His hands flared up with fire for a second but died out soon after.
You're acting crazy! You can't just kill them!
"There were more, weren't they?" Asriel could feel how stunned they were. "It wasn't just that one, there were a lot more of them! Anyone who would do that to you should die!"
No, you don't underst- Something thin and sharp cut into Asriel's body, but it didn't mean anything to him.
"They're even trying to hurt you now! See? So just let me do this!" He screamed, gritting his teeth, trying to get his limbs to work. He could tell Chara was struggling. More things were being shot into him. He ignored it and kept pushing.
"I need to take their souls!" Asriel growled, "I still need to get stronger! Gaster will come back and you know it!"
This will only make things worse!
"I'm trying to protect you!"
I can't!
"It'll be over soon, I promise!" More sharp things were flying at him.
Asriel, please...!
"Chara just-"
I won't do it!
"Come on!"
No! I refuse!
"Fine then!" Asriel, done with talking, pushed with all he had but still nothing happened. He grunted and tried more and more to fire back at the weaklings in front of him. He put more and more effort into it, eventually forgetting about what exactly he was aiming at. All that mattered was the battle with Chara.
He gritted his teeth, fighting for just that little bit of magic. His memory dredged up weird images of parts of the castle. He ignored it and pressed harder against their resistance. He could feel sparks fall from his hands. He was almost there and- Asriel was overcome with a sense of dread.
No! Chara screamed in his head as he remembered standing in front of his parents. He was- where was he? When was this? Then he felt his neck be yanked hard. He couldn't breathe. His head slammed into the floor. He was about to cry out when a shoe crushed his skull into the floor. The floor muffled his screams. He knew what this was. He remembered it clearly.
Asriel, snapping back to reality, staggered back with a gasp. His eyes were wide, and his breathing was heavy.
"Chara, I'm…" Asriel tried to focus. "I shouldn't have come here." He turned around sharply and quickly headed away from the village. He was out of sight in only a few moments. "Chara, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have tried to make you do that." They were silent. "Chara? I know you're there. Please answer me."
This was bad. How did he not see this? Asriel thought back to when he spared that monster assassin just because he didn't want Chara to see him kill it. But now he just tried to force them to murder others. How could it not pull up painful memories of the other things he did?
It was hard to push the thoughts out of his head. He hit them when they first got to the Underground. He hit them many times. He chained them up… Asriel had to shut his eyes. And that was before he picked those flowers and… no, he couldn't think about that. They couldn't know.
I… they said finally, Please don't do that again.
"Chara?" Asriel said, surprised, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please just- oh god, what have I done?" He wanted to go some place far away from his parents, but now, he couldn't think of anywhere else. He was in the forest. Somehow, distances didn't feel nearly as short anymore. Why was he so tired? He didn't use that much magic. Barely anything at all.
Asriel… Chara said, feeling equally exhausted, I think we're hurt. Asriel looked down and gasped. He entire body was riddled with arrows. How had he not seen this? Glittering dust was spilling out in steady streams. He pulled one of the arrows out, but that only made more dust leave his body. He picked up his pace and ran.
"No, no no…" Asriel muttered, "Chara, what have I done?"
It's okay, just calm down.
"I messed it up again, I'm so sorry."
We'll get through this, okay?
Each step was getting harder and harder. He could barely feel the pain, but he knew he needed to hurry. He had to take deeper and deeper breaths, eventually turning into ragged panting. Each step as he approached the mouth of the cave became a battle.
The barrier was much harder to cross. He could feel parts of him being blown away by the strange forces. He stumbled through, collapsing on the cold stone ground of the cave. It only pushed the arrows in deeper.
"My child!" screamed Asriel's mother, rushing over to him, with his father shortly behind. Had they been waiting for him?
"What happened?" His father asked, clearly unnerved. Asriel was struggling to keep his eyes open. "Look at me!"
"Chara…" Asriel whispered.
"Speak up. I can barely hear you," said Asgore, but Asriel wasn't talking to him.
"I'm such an idiot, aren't I?"
Don't say that, Chara said. Asriel could feel his form losing its cohesion. Somehow the lack of pain made it even more terrifying. Like the both of them could just disappear suddenly without them even knowing it. He saw in the corner of his eye, it was his mother.
"Mom, why are you crying?" Asriel said, drowsily.
"Please," she said in a shaky voice, "please forgive me…" Asriel tried to focus more. It caught his father's attention too.
"For what?"
Toriel's shaking hand reached into a pocket on her dress and pulled two things; a black wilted flower, and a vial with some sort of liquid.
"My child," Toriel said through tears, "My little angel. I found this in the fireplace and I… and I… knew you couldn't so I… poisoned Chara."
"What?!" Asriel exclaimed, his voice a cross between dangerous and completely helpless. "How did…"
"I snuck into your room on many nights a-and I slipped this into Chara's mouth." Toriel was completely sobbing. The objects fell from her violently shaking hand. "I am so sorry. Please forgive me. I am s-so-" Asriel shot up, ignoring the growing pull of the floor and clamped his hand around Toriel's neck.
"You did what?" Asriel screamed. Toriel grabbed at her Asriel's hands to try and break free but Asriel didn't let up at all. "You killed them?!"
Wait!
"Asriel, stop!" His father yelled. Asriel felt a hand on his shoulder. Asriel used his other hand and pushed in Asgore's general direction. He could feel the explosion wash over him, followed by the sound of something big and heavy hitting the ground.
"You bitch!" Screamed Asriel and pressed into his struggling mother's neck with his other hand. She could barely even gasp for air.
Stop it! Asriel didn't say anything, completely focused on what he was doing. He could start to feel his hands were resisting him.
I said stop! Asriel! Stop!
"No! She did that to you!"
Asriel!
"I had to watch you die, Chara!" Asriel still managed to press as hard as he could even though he was fighting Chara as his hands began to become powdery and dusty.
But it isn't worth it!
"Why do you keep saying that? Do you want people to keep doing these things to you?"
No, you don't get it!
"I know what it was like!" He remembered lying on the bed, coughing up blood. His throat was on fire. Even breathing hurt. His body felt even weaker than he did now. He was so tired, but not even sleep could help him. His skin was so hot, he had to keep shifting around on the bed looking for a spot on the mattress that was just a little bit cooler. His thoughts seemed to melt in the heat itself. "I almost lost you!"
But you didn't, Asriel, I'm right here!
"But now were both… you could still be alive if it wasn't for her!"
It doesn't matter what she did! Can't you see she regrets it? She can still be… Chara's voice trailed off.
"Still be what?"
...forgiven.
"Forgive?!" Asriel screamed. "You're so naive! She doesn't deserve that!"
But Asriel, you put the flowers in my food too, but I still forgive you. Asriel was stunned. His hands began to trembled
"W-What? Y-you knew?" Asriel stuttered.
I knew at the moment we started to share this body. When I found out, I was so confused and angry. It brought up some bad memories, but now I just... but I didn't tell you because, I know how much you blame yourself, and I didn't want to make it worse…
"Chara, I…" Asriel's grip was shaking. Something was welling up inside him again. "Why…" he asked, "Why aren't you angry?" He couldn't understand it. "I thought you hated people who did things to you!" He said, louder, more wildly. "You even hated me! You were gonna kill me at one point! So why are you doing this? Why are letting this slide? You were tortured to death!"
You're right, I was suspicious of everyone for a time. I felt like everyone deserved to feel as much pain as I have, but I've just… I don't want to live like that anymore. It has to stop somewhere. So please, don't do this...
It was at this time Asriel truly looked at the person he was holding in his deformed hand. Tears were spilling from her face. Her expression was fearful, it looked like she was just barely staying conscious. But Asriel could also see the sadness. She wasn't even trying to resist.
"Chara!" Asriel screamed, shutting his eyes tightly, "I'm sorry!" He let go and collapsed to the floor. "I did so many bad things. And now I got us both killed. I'm s-so sorry…" Asriel felt his crumbling limbs wrap around himself in a sort of hug. It wasn't his doing.
Don't think about it now. It'll only make it hurt more. One of his hands caressed his cheek as his fingers started to break away. Just be here. With me. It's the only thing that matters now.
"Ch-chara…" Asriel choked. A tear came to his eye as he let the feeling in his chest bubble over. "You n-never ma-made any s-sense to me…" Asriel sniffled as more tears flowed, "Please never change…" Asriel flinched when another pair of hands wrapped around his waist.
"My child," managed the raspy voice of Asriel's mom through her own sobbing, "I am sorry." She tightened her grip around him, "I am so sorry…"
"Mom…" Asriel said. Then something else draped itself around Asriel. He could barely see, his vision was so skewed as his eyes began to loose form.
"Asriel," his father said, "I should have never done that to you. I should have never made you…" Asriel tried to reach out and touch him, but he wasn't sure if he even had an arm to do so.
"Mom… dad… I-I don't blame you. And Chara..." The warm feeling in his chest swelled. It was so comforting. Then his vision faded completely. He still barely felt some link to the world.
It's okay, Asriel, Their voice said. Asriel held onto it. In what was left of his dream-like vision, Asriel saw a vague form of his human friend. Asriel managed to sluggishly put together his own imaginary image of himself. Chara approached him, putting a hand on his cheek.
You're my brother, Asriel. I love you and I always will.
"Brother…" some part of Asriel said in disbelief, not even sure where his voice was. "That's right…I'm your brother, and you're my little sibling right?
The image of Chara smiled before the two forms pulled each other into a hug. They stayed, unmoving, basking in each other's presence before everything faded to a comfortable, blissful darkness.
Authors Note: I hoped you all liked the story. I'm going to write down my thoughts at the end of the epilogue. Thank you all for reading. Please enjoy the last little chapter to wrap things up.