One World, Many Souls

by Halloween Witch

With a quick use of Sans' magic, we had returned to our home on the surface. The lovely three-story home sat quietly among the trees under the moonlight. Sans always loved to teleport just outside the door and glance at it before walking in. He was a little less lazy since coming to the surface. So much to learn. So much to do. So much to love. SEQUEL TO "TWO WORLDS, TWO SOULS"

40. Confidential Feelings

One World: Many Souls

Chapter 40: Confidential Feelings

Frisk's Point of View:

"Holy shit… I can't believe we're doing this…"

"Are you sure you're ready to say anything? We can wait longer if you want. I don't mind."

"Azz, seriously, I'll walk out if you ask me one more time. I need you to help me calm down. And besides… its beyond time we told them…"

Three years… that's how long I'd been dating Asriel Dreemurr.

Over the course of those years, we'd graduated college with degrees, started working in our fields. Asriel was working in the castle learning to become a king. I was fully delved into my work of writing and composing music before posting finished products of it on the internet for people to listen to. It took a few years to get money to start rolling in, but I was getting a decent flow of it with subscriptions and patrons who wanted music as soon as it came out. I had people sign on with me to collaborate and so forth. A steady stream of work at all times where I struggled to go see my family.

Granted, it was more from how busy I was rather than a lack of trying. Gram had been kind enough to let me move into the mansion so I could free up another room at Angel's place for the kids. She needed all the room she could get with five kids under one roof. Regardless, I also needed my own space to work on my own. I actually hoped to get an apartment soon to begin juggling more responsibility.

I struggled, however, with what we were planning to do… finally reveal our relationship to some of family members.

I was scared shitless… We'd always been close friends and family in the past… but this was different, we weren't the same as a normal couple. Asriel was the prince, future king of the monster people that lived above and shared territory with Angel on Terians land. By dating him and showing a true interest in being his partner, I was basically trying to prepare myself for first, if Toriel and Asgore would accept me… and second… trying to wrap my head around being queen…

While I didn't think there would be many people who would oppose it… certainly not our family members who have always been close friends… nor the monster people who I got along with very well… but the responsibility… I knew that with past mistakes that I'd made… that could affect their decision. Asriel was a package deal. It was like Papy's situation where he had a kid before he married Lilly that she accepted.

Except… I'd be adopting a whole nation full of kids instead of one…

I knew my past would come up to haunt me during the meeting. It was the one thing holding me back, making me sick. My issues with Luke would be a negative in the situation… and I was still recovering from that, even if it had been near five years ago since that all ended. I made sure to keep in touch every now and again with Jade Masato to thank her for her help and to check on Luke's status in jail.

He was just as sour as ever. Five years into his sentence. His brother wasn't in any more. He had no one to rely on inside. He refused to reform. I actually heard from Jade a short while ago that due to a handful of fights in the prison, his twenty-year sentence had been extended by another ten. I wouldn't see him or his family again until they were turning grey.

I tried to shake my head as the thoughts came to me. I struggled to ignore them while walking with Asriel down the hallways of the castle to where Angel, Sans, Asgore and Toriel were gathered. It was a rare day off for them that I knew Angel was brining over the kids to see Toriel and Asgore. They loved children, and saw them as an extension of their own family.

"Frisk. Hold on a sec."

My fast pace walk was slowed, but I struggled to turn back to face my boyfriend. I was honestly really wishing to get the meeting over with because of how much I feared that I wouldn't be worthy just due to that one, tiny, massive issue that happened in my life…

Asriel I felt pull me back toward him. I couldn't even bring myself to fight him. He carefully looked around before tucking us behind a pillar. Out of the eyes of most people, a deep kiss was given to me. In leu of the situation, my heart thumped loudly at the action and I clung to my boyfriend. Hands carefully moved over my body in an attempt to sooth me, make me feel loved.

The loud lip puckering sound the escaped when he pulled away echoed off the walls. I fled to hid my face in collar of his neck. Still, the hands didn't stop their moment over me and I tried to calm down from the fear and let his kindness and love take over.

I heard him chuckle in my ear. "That's better. I was worried that they'd feel us before we even got there. You're going to be fine. We're going to be fine. Okay?"

Even as I hid, kisses were still peppered into my hair. His warm embrace nearly crushed me to him, but it felt somewhat comforting. Deep down, I knew Asriel was worried about this almost as much as I was. My boyfriend hid it a lot better than I did.

But… he didn't have an ability like mine either…

With a deep breath, I slowly pulled back from him. His strawberry eyes held concern as he watched me. "Sorry… I'm better now."

"Alright then. Let's do this."

"Okay."

Trying to hold back the fear and the nerves, Asriel and I held hands as we walked down the empty corridor. We passed a few people who looked on at us, but paid us no heed. If I was ever feeling low, it was common for them to see the two of us holding hands, even in adulthood. Asriel was my everything when I recovered, along with my other friends. But he held a special place after he saved me, freeing me from Luke's control and pulling me out of the building where all those terrible memories were held. Even burning it down…

All for me… I couldn't help but feel the strong feelings I felt for him then. They only grew up until that point. I just hoped that we could continue to grow them further.

"Prince Asriel, Mistress Frisk."

Guards greeted us before we made it to the courtyard. We were both bowed to before we stepped outside to where lush flowers grew in. Asgore mostly had it filled with new flowers that he'd gathered from the surface, but he did keep a separate garden filled with the yellow flowers he always grew in the underground. Out of kindness for his son did it keep it separated due to that being the same flower that was used as a body for him as Flowey.

In the center of all the gardens that slowly cascaded around to a center paver covered area, that was where Angel and Sans were watching their kids with Asgore and Toriel. Undyne and Alphys also seemed to make their way out there. The kids were all playing in groups. The eldest, Eras, Arial, Impact (who I guess my sister was watching while Papyrus and Lilly were working), and Zakhar all were playing tag with one another and using their magic lightly under the watchful gaze of their parents. The next youngest set, Calibi, Constantina, and Maxim were enjoying a puddle of water that they were splashing in, getting themselves all wet. The youngest two, Valeryia and Jokerman, were in the arms of their mothers'. Being too young and enjoying a nap under the warm early summer light I'm sure felt good for the young ones.

"Ah! Son! Frisk!" We were quickly met by Asgore who was removed from much of his ceremonial armor on a day off. He spotted just a basic flower themed shirt, pink and white in color mind you, and a set of jeans that fit him. His large hands had been used to corral the oldest children and keep them to a small playing field where they wouldn't get hurt. He motioned for Sans to take his place so he could greet us, which my brother did with ease. "How are you two?"

I knew that Asgore took notice of how our hands were connected. I'm sure he wanted to ask just how I was feeling or if everything was alright.

"Yeah, we're doing good." I felt Asriel give my hand a squeeze. "But we did have something we wanted to talk to you about."

"Oh?" Asgore looked surprised by that, turning his head back to look at the others only a short distance behind him.

Angel on the other hand, didn't look all that surprised. With a smile, she rose from her chair. "I'll watch the children. You all enjoy your chat, okay?"

Angel then moved to situate herself on the ground by the eldest of the young ones. Sans and her sat together where I saw her whisper to him. If Sans didn't know, he'd be finding out soon.

"Please, come over and sit with us!" Asgore dusted himself off quickly before leading us over to where Sans and Angel had been sitting only moments ago. The table was occupied with Toriel, Undyne and Alphys who held her youngest that took a nap. Asgore took his once empty chair and we all sat together.

But I never let go of Asriel's hand, and everyone noticed it.

"Well now, its lovely to see you both!" Toriel smiled, directing her attention at me. "Frisk, how goes your musical career? I heard you were signing a contract with a few other creative people to perform an entire album! How exciting!"

"It is." I felt a bit of ease as we didn't start off the bat with the topic that I was worried for. "The collaboration is going great. Most of the songs have been written, and even Angel said she'd help with a song or two that we've written. She had offered to sing a couple while our partners have other singers for the rest of the album to get them a spot on the up-and-coming charts."

"That's cool!" Undyne grinned bright at me. "What's the most popular one ya got punk?"

I actually had to bite my lip from how excited I was to tell her. "You're mom's song."

Her eye actually went wide at that. "What? Yer shitting me?!"

"I'm not, here, look!"

Pulling out my phone to show her the status of the video I made of playing Natasha von Undying's piano melody. Over the years, and after getting Undyne's permission to post it publicly, so many people were a fan of it. I had Undyne name the song that she cherished from her mother so much. She named it "Waterfall". Named after the city she was born and raised in, and where all those powerful emotions were brought to the surface of such a well written song.

"Look here Undyne!" I pointed to the different statistics. "It's gotten over one point five million views! And look here! Over six-hundred thousand people liked it!"

"What the f-"
"U-undyne!" Alphys spoke out over her wife before a certain word could be said. "T-he ch-children!"

"Ah, shi-shoot." Undyne quickly corrected herself before her wife would speak again. It was one of the few times I saw Alphys actually glare at Undyne in all of my life. "Sorry Al…"

"At least you know now." Toriel was quickly to glare at the fish woman before turning back to the two of us. "But it seems your career is going well. I'm glad you're doing so great. Are there any upcoming plans you can tell us of?"

I had to bite my lip to keep from squealing. Asriel could only chuckle when he saw me truly relax and was able to pull his hand from mine after another good squeeze. "Are you allowed to tell them yet?"

"I can tell them the basics." With a bright gleam to my eye, I turned to Alphys in general. "Al, you know that the new Mew Mew: Kissy Cutie is coming out next year, right? Where they're redoing it and adding in more features from the manga?"

Her face lit up and the woman nearly bounced in her seat if it wasn't for the little one she carried. "O-oh yes! I-I saw it was d-due for its p-premier in January!"

"Welp… The company reached out to me, knowing that I'd watched a fair bit of the show with one of its biggest fans and asked me to help redo the music for it, and create a handful of new songs."

Alphys at that moment couldn't contain herself. She squealed loudly, and Toriel quickly took the toddler from her before she was stirred too much. Alphys jumped from her chair to race around and hug me tightly.

"O-oh my goodness! I-I can't w-wait!" I was crushed under the weight of the beautiful lizard friend I had. It was actually quite comical how the small woman smothered me in her arms, mostly against her large bountiful breasts. Even though she was small, she was a curvy woman. It was hard to miss one of the things that Undyne probably really loved about her wife…

"A-al… c-can't… breathe…"

I patted her for air. Alphys quickly jumped backward as I breathed deeply with my airway no longer obstructed. Before the woman could say a word, I laughed so hard. I fell back in my chair, ending up leaning against the arm of Asriel who let me recover there after nearly being smothered.

I felt so much better, getting to joke once more with those that I deemed family. My earlier nerves were much more settled and no longer riding on a high. The bright smile that everyone showed me was evidence of that. It was peaceful… I… honestly hadn't felt so calm in a while when considering coming there to talk with everyone. They must have felt how terrible I felt and steered the topic to bring me back into good spirits.

"Now then…" Toriel gathered our attention again once we'd calmed down a bit. "Are you ready to tell us what you wanted to?"

My mood settled a bit, but hadn't entirely damped by fear yet. Still riding on the high and love of family, I quickly nodded to Asriel so we could get it over while I was still in an okay mood. I hoped that I wouldn't ruin it…

"Mom, Dad, Undyne, Alphys… Frisk and I are dating."

A sharp intake came from the older parents, while I just barely saw the jaws drop from Alphys and Undyne.

"Truly?!" Toriel nearly squealed and leapt from her seat.

"My golly goodness son!" Asgore laughed loudly. "That's excellent! How long?!"

"About three years."

I started to feel nervous about this once more at this point. Asriel I knew could feel my hesitance and quickly reached for my hand to hold it. He held my hand tightly before everyone, they could see how my fingers turned white under their gazes.

"Frisk and I didn't say anything since we wanted to see how we would be as a couple before anything. She knew that I would have to become king one day and that anyone I married would be my queen. Part of the reason we didn't say anything before this was Frisk being worried about how you would think of her as a possible queen. She's scared that she's not fit to be a leader after the whole Luke fiasco when we were teens. Sometimes she doesn't think she's fit to be my partner. However, I finally convinced her to at least talk to you guys and see what you thought. You know more what this country needs, what it thinks, and how it's heart beats."

Asriel's long speech was met with silence. I couldn't help but lower my head as everything was laid out on a platter. My insecurities, my lack of strength, I knew they would be my downfall. Asgore and Toriel needed someone stronger than me. I wasn't fit. I wasn't right.

And that's where the fear came back. Like an elastic it snapped back in place. I was captured among its clutches. Frozen in place, I couldn't move.

That was until I heard Valeryia cry.

The little toddler screeched awake that Toriel held in those moments. I couldn't look… I couldn't. No… I… I…

I knew I wasn't fit-

And that was when I felt a heavy weight on my shoulder. My head shot up and I sucked in a deep breath. My lungs were on fire, my entire body a shaking mess.

"My child… you need to stop beating yourself up for something that was not in your control."

And there was a momentary stillness that came over me as her words entered one ear, took a moment to process, and then out the other.

"My dear child, Frisk." Toriel sighed before her large paw like hand came up to my face, holding the fleshy mass of my cheek. Her hand felt warm against mine. "We have never blamed you for what happened with that boy. It was against your will and you have spent many years in atonement. The fact that you have spent so many years thinking of our people and if you would be a suitable ruler and nothing else, and even the time you put into studies of politics should your sister ever call on you. I see that as the beginning stages of a wonderful ruler."

"W-what?"

I honestly was so stunned that I couldn't speak while processing the words Toriel said to me. I couldn't resist looking between the faces around me. Asgore, Undyne and Alphys all shared similar looks to each other, all with that same loving look that also was asking me "seriously?". Turning to Asriel next, he showed a similar look, but it was more along the lines of "I told you so."

"Punk, you'd be an awesome queen!" Undyne was the first to comment, leaning over the table to make sure I heard her. "The entire kingdom loves ya. You and Angel are special to us all. They wouldn't have any issues with you. In fact, I bet you're the only person I bet they'd accept for the next queen."

"Y-yeah Frisk." Alphys chimed in. Her daughter was back in her arms and much calmer in those moments, but hugging her mother tightly while she calmed. "T-there's actually a l-large p-part of the m-monster kingdom t-that's h-hoping f-for you t-to marry A-azz."

"What?!"

Okay, that made me turn over to my boyfriend quickly to see a much more mellow, nervous look to him. He watched me carefully with a hesitant grin.

"You knew about that? It's true?!"

He slowly shrugged at me. "Sur…prise?"

"But please, young Frisk. Hear us." Asgore came over next to kneel before me like his queen. He gave a soft look to Toriel. I watched her hesitate for a moment before she did give space and allow him to get in close and follow his wife's example. A hand landed on my head and ruffled my messy locks. "We have never thought anything ill of you. You saved our son and brought him back to us with the help of your sister, saving us all as well. How could we ever hate you? And to be lucky enough to have you as a daughter and prepare you to be the next queen? Why, I think that would be quite the honor."

"R-really?"

"Francine." The sharp tone of my sister cut through the air while my sister gave me an irritated glare. If it wasn't for how nervous I was, I would have bitten her head off for what she called me. "Do you honestly think that Tori and Asgore would be saying these things if they didn't mean it? They have to think of the future of the monster people as well. It's an important responsibility and the reason why you were so hesitant to speak to them about this. Don't you think it's time to accept it? Clearly you want this if you came to them. Clearly, they want it from how willing they are to accept you."

I carefully looked from her to the current king and queen of the monster kingdom before me to our friends, family, and then my boyfriend. Asriel smiled, but hesitated as he sat there. I could feel some hesitance from him as he watched me.

It then only hit me that he was nervous for this too…

Asriel and I had been through so much. Friends for seven years, dating for three. During most of those years, it had been mostly a focus on myself. Helping me as I took so long to recover from Luke. Even years late, he was still affecting me and I was letting him. But… Asriel stayed through all of that. He wouldn't have stuck around if he didn't see a reason for staying. Right?

I had to be strong for him. I only just finally came around to the idea of… asking if I could learn to be a figure head for the monster kingdom. Just looking at the faces around me… did they really think I could do it?

"I-I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking about your feelings." I took a deep breath before reaching out to hold the two large hands that were close to me. "I… I want to be with Asriel, a good partner for him. I want to be a good political figure for the monster kingdom. I want to show them that I won't be as foolish as before."

"Oh Frisk… you've long since paid your dues for that mishap in your teens." Toriel's words were soft as her gaze focused on me. It was strange to see her and Asgore on such a similar page together. "We would be honored to prepare you for becoming the princess, and later on Asriel's queen."

"But we can also wait before announcing anything." Asgore added in quickly. His hand still on my head was large and prevented me from actually seeing my sister behind him when she moved out of the way, no longer needed. "Perhaps we give it a year or so? See how your work along with studies with us would go before saying anything to the people? It would give you time to adjust and perhaps make you feel much better about the idea."

"Yeah… I like that idea…" It certainly settled my nerves, but I did face my boyfriend to see what he thought. "Azz? What do you think?"

"The only thing that matters to me is you." Asriel gave me that sideways smile with adoration in his eyes. "I waited a long time for you, I can wait a bit longer for you to feel okay with this. It isn't an easy roll you're stepping into. But I hope you'll stay with me."

"I do. I really do." With shaky breaths, I nodded to them, trying to push away the past and accept the future. "Let's do this!"

Witch's Note:

Well now, ain't this a chapter? XD It shows Frisk finally doing what she wants. And we see she has a very involved career with music. She's doing so well for herself as Asriel prepares to take the throne, and everyone is beyond okay with their relationship.

What a weight off her chest!

It makes me relieved too. Look at how happy she is, and clearly the monster people want her to be there as their queen. One of the only few humans who had accepted them in the beginning. So Frisk... may eventually become queen.

How exciting!

So now, let's go ahead and move onto reviews, since we got most of the crowd here today!

Shadow8Phantom: I can see the points you're making there, Shadow. That is a name that pretty far out of the box. But, yes, they did name their kid, Jokerman. That is his font. But there are ways for him to get around it in the form of nicknames and what not depending on what the situation is. He could simply be called "Jay" for short. Though I know his family won't. They will probably call him Joker.

Any of the kids will possibly go through bullying for their names. Eras has a name that sounds like razz. Arial is basically like Ariel the Disney princess. Calibri and Constantina are probably the most normal sounding, but kids can still be cruel. The only thing perhaps protecting them is their family name, but that can also only get them so far. Impact would be just as bad, even though the fandom loves him and he wasn't my own creation. Can you imagine someone with that name? And Undyne and Alphys' three kids names aren't exactly normal. Zakar, Maxium and Valyeria.

And I have to say I've never seen Undertale Yellow. Where did you see that? I'm interested in watching it.

Thechaosmaster: Trust me Chaos, it's been months that we've been eager to say that one. Jokerman was by far the funniest birth yet that we've written. It was just a perfect moment when the name was chosen to go along with it. The situation leading up to it, and it was our own way of having a child of Sans' show off his comedian personality into almost like a legacy.

But we'll have to see if that's it for Angel. We don't know yet if it is or not. Hopefully? Maybe? For Sans' sake, I hope so.

Not A Shady Guy: Glad to see you back Shady. It's been a crazy couple of weeks. Racist women and babies born on April first, it's been a hot second. And yes, this latest chapter has been one of our favorites thus far. I've been so eager to post it, as well as Mystic Girl as you know.

MysticBoywastaken: (This message has been intercepted and not seen or noticed by the party of Halloween Witch and Mystic Girl. Instead, coming back on the screen it shows you.) Watch your words, I almost didn't make it time for the girls to see this. It won't be long now. If you deciphered the code I sent you, you know exactly when we will be striking. We will get those women, mark my words.

(The screen goes blank before you, and it looks as if there is no evidence of anything being there, besides whatever systems you all have up and running. Only off in the corner does the code remain on a black sticky note in white font coloring, sitting there, hauntingly. You can't delete it.)

And now with another chapter done, we move on some more. The next chapter is a cute one, but some serious topics come up so… yikes…

Love you all and see you next week! And happy holidays to you all! If you celebrate Christmas, we'll be celebrating it too in two days!

Halloween Witch and Mystic Girl