CHAPTER 3: FIXING THE WOUNDS

(THIS CHAPTER FEATURES MEDICAL AND SQUEAMISH THEMES. PLEASE BE AWARE)

Drake doesn't know how long he slept again for. It felt like he may have just closed his eyes for a good ten or fifteen minutes. Truthfully, that's all he felt like he wanted to do now. Ever since nearly dying twice under the span of two hours. That's the odd thing about the Underground, Drake found. One couldn't really tell time here easily since you couldn't see the sun or the moon. It's just shrouded down here in mystery.

Yet somehow, these monsters are able to tell the time. Sure; they had watches and clocks to tell the time. But, what if one were out in the open road right now as they were? Striding along the dirt path away from Clearport which was his first location he ended up in. A nice little quiet town that he was lucky enough to end up in. Reflecting upon that, he realizes he really is glad to be alive. Sure, he had accepted his fate for a brief moment during that fall from the ice place, but once he saw there's a whole nother world down here? He quickly changed his mind because a part of him is afraid of death.

He doesn't know what to expect or find in death. Peace? Painless end? Happiness? Maybe to join his parents once again on the other side. They wouldn't have wanted that for him. He's only nine after all. He had so much more to experience and live for. If it's one thing these monsters had shown him, it's that there are a LOT more things to experience.

Drake had been rather quiet along their journey. Asgore picked up on this. He could hear the soft breathing of Drake behind those big ears of his. It's good he's taking it easy now after his whole ordeal. It gave Asgore a bit to think about too. Now that he had Drake - a human, what was he going to do with him? How is he going to live in a world like this? He could just send Drake past the barrier and let him be on his merry way… but there's just too many unknown variables here that Asgore just wasn't comfortable with. What if something happened to Drake as soon as he crossed the barrier? What if something happened to Asgore just standing near the barrier with Drake crossing it? The barrier is a VERY unknown magic.

It's somewhat understood, but it's still powerful magic if even boss monsters like himself couldn't pass it. He couldn't fathom the idea of an unknown magic for a human child. It's never happened before. For now; he supposed he'd just keep a close eye on the boy. That's all anyone could do.

They are still about another 30-40 minutes from Hotlands, and would most likely not reach the Citadel until 8:00. Hotlands and The Citadel are about an hour apart which is why it took Asgore so long to get to Clearport. Thankfully, the town is just a walk away from Hotlands so; it would soon become a little more toasty in the air which should hopefully dry up Drake's clothing once they arrive. He could feel how wet it was still on his cloak and fur. It wasn't a huge improvement, but little by little it is drying. Asgore didn't want the human to become sick. Which is why Asgore is trying to hurry along by himself to the town where he could meet his old friend. The two had memories together when his friend used to serve in the royal army. But with the war gone and done, all he could do is find a simple place to settle down and work as an Innkeeper. For tired and lost monsters, of course.

How is he going to convince him to let Drake stay? Sure, it's his kingdom as the Underground is his clam one could say. But Asgore would never force anyone to do anything they were uncomfortable with. Call it a bleeding heart moment. No wonder everyone called him King Fluffy. It wasn't an insult to him by any means. It just means he's soft and fluffy with people, right? Which is why he's so comfortable carrying this human onto his back. Humans who he had been in war with for almost two centuries. The war is a very costly one that both fought in the Underground and above the Surface.

Someone that even his old friend had run-ins with and lost good people to. Asgore felt terrible about putting this upon his friend's shoulder, but he didn't have much of an option and Asgore didn't have medical knowledge of Drakes' situation. So, Asgore thought of the only thing he could. Take him to the Inn and have him patched up. Asgore noticed Drake whining a bit in pain here and there. Either his leg was hurting further or he's very uncomfortable about something. He turned his head a bit to focus on the groggy human.

"How are you feeling, Drake? We're almost there. Just another twenty or so minutes." Asgore reassured him, hoping that Drake's mind could ease with getting help. Drake opened those dark blue eyes of his that resonated like the oceans of his magic. Mysterious, unexplored, nerving. At the same time, fascinating. Just waiting to be discovered and see what secrets lie beyond those eyes of his. He would rub his face with his left hand to wake himself up a little bit using the knuckle to carefully rub away the sleep. He seemed a little more attentive now at the very least.

"Mmm? Oh.. uh.. M'okay, I guess. M'leg still really hurts bad. An' I'm cold too." Drake hoped he didn't come across as too 'complainy'. The last thing he wanted was to sound like a burden or annoying. But these are valid complaints to Asgore. He knows that Drake is under a lot of uncomfortable feelings right now. They'll get better. He knows it. They'll fix him up. They just had to travel just a tad bit longer. He could tell that they were approaching the crossway between the Illustrious Sector and Hotlands as the river of the east had split away into another direction where it would follow back into Waterfall no doubt as these three sectors were strangely interconnected with one another.

Grass. Water. Fire. Three elements of a neighboring section of the Underground. The Underground seemed massive to one who just arrived, but once someone lived in it long enough, it's quite a decent size. Not too giant, but not too tiny either. There's places to go and things to see. That's how monsters saw it anyway. There's always something to discover in the Underground. He had hoped that Drake could explore too if that is something he'd like.

"I know, Drake. We'll get you help, okay? I know someone in the town that we're going to. He and I used to be.." He would stop for a moment. Should he really tell Drake about the war? Or, at the very least mention it? It would be good for Drake to understand their situation and why monsters acted the way they did. But this is already putting a lot onto his shoulders just by arriving as it is. He'd tell him later. Asgore continued. "...Allies. But, we are good friends now that everything is over." He would just subtly mention. Drake still didn't understand what Asgore was talking about at all. What did he mean by that? By "Everything is over." Drake adjusted himself so he could talk to Asgore more directly.

"Wait, mister Asgore? What did you mean by that?" Drake inquired curiously. It sounded bad. Drake didn't understand why Asgore was being cryptic to him. Drake just wanted a straightforward answer instead of beating around the bush. Drake didn't understand why monsters were so afraid of humans. The earliest situation had given Drake that feeling like something had happened to where monsters didn't like him or were afraid of him. Those murmurs and talking earlier on the hill. They didn't sit right with him.

"Please, mister Asgore tell me. What's going on.." Asgore had hoped that Drake would leave it as that, but, if Drake truly wanted to know. Then, it's for the better that he understood. This might save his life or save him from saying the wrong things.

"..." Asgore didn't want to remember it all. Drake would be told more in depth later. That is all he would tell Drake. He exhales a breath. "If you're really sure you want to know Drake." Drake would keep looking over at Asgore where his head is peering over Asgore's shoulder.

"I do. I really want t' know. Why are monsters afraid of me?" Drake would inquire, seeming bent on getting an answer to this.

"Alright. Then, I will briefly tell you. I do not wish to remember the war anymore. But; this may be good for you to know to keep you safe." Asgore would begin. "A long time ago, our kind and your kind were once friends and allies. We were a species of knowledge and at the same time, curious. We learned many things from one another. We learned from their magic, and they from us. Their technology, and so on. Most of the magical towers and devices you see were once of human design. Credit is given where it's due I suppose." Asgore sighs. "But, that didn't last long unfortunately. Humans decided they wanted to take more and thus a terrible war began between both sides. In the end, we lost. So; we moved to the Underground where we are today." Asgore knows that he shouldn't tell him about the barrier just yet. How could he? Telling a human that the barrier requires a human soul to pass through it. It just wasn't the right time or moment. He wouldn't mention the soul part, atleast. Or ever, for that matter. He didn't like the idea of terrifying Drake.

Drake seemed to understand a little bit at the very least. He couldn't fathom what the monsters had to go through. Centuries is something Drake didn't understand. Too hard of a concept to grasp. But, it sounded long. Drake felt bad about what they had to go through. No wonder why those monsters earlier were nervous about him. They were scared that he'd attack them, or something. Not like Drake had any reason to. He isn't someone like that. Sure; the situation caught him off guard and maybe he DID become scared of them. But, is that so wrong to admit sometimes? Placed from one situation to the next in terms of from a boring life to a weird one. Drake wasn't sure what to say to Asgore. What could he say? The only thing that came to mind.

"M' sorry tha' you guys had t' go through tha'. I.. I would never hurt anyone, I promise." Drake's eyes closed a little from the thought of a monster being hurt because of him. It's happened in the past before of him hurting people because of him not being careful.
He'd look down at his hands clutching to the cape. Sigh. Drake just hoped he wouldn't mess up getting help from Asgore.

Asgore smiles a little from Drake's unnecessary apology. It wasn't anything that Drake did wrong, of course. It's nice that Drake thought of sympathy for the monsters. There hasn't been a human like that in a little while. Humans were typically known to be uncompassionate towards monsters. Afraid of what they didn't know. Except, these humans DID know monsters for hundreds of years. So; that's no longer a justifiable excuse. So; this one being an odd one of the bunch is a welcome change of pace. "Ah.. there isn't any need to apologize, young Drake. We've sort of.. accepted this is how it's meant to be. Life finds a way, young Drake. We'll find a way out eventually." Asgore replied.

"Wait, so you can't leave?" His voice is shocked to hear this.

"Unfortunately, no. We were trapped here by the humans by a magical barrier casted by them. It's our sentencing for losing."

"Oh.. that's really awful." Drake couldn't believe it. First there was a war between monsters and humans for a long time, and now they're stuck in a mountain? Drake felt his heart ache at the idea of being trapped here too. Then again would he actually want to go back out to a world where humans could do such a thing? How could he actually trust his own kind now? After everything that's happened in these last few months, it's clear that humans weren't below doing such things. Maybe monsters weren't as bad as they seemed.

"We'll preserve! We always do." Asgore assured and stopped for a moment glancing at a three signed post. He knows where to go. It's just to make sure that he's not forgetting anything. Asgore had a great memory! Most of the time, anyway. Three signs with scratching into the posts.

...Waterfall

...Hotlands

v…Clearport

Yeah, they were going in the right direction. That's a relief. The town is adjacent to Hotlands so, they were just about arriving into the town now. A small smile. "We're here. Welcome to Yeshfiah. Strange play on words." Drake had to think about it. 'Yeshfiah'? How did that make any-

'Yes-fire'. Oh… He got it. Funny. Drake giggled a little. "Heheh…What a funny name." Drake's amusement even gave Asgore a laugh too.

"It quite is. I always enjoy coming to this town. It's a pitstop before going into the actual Hotlands. I thankfully know a place to go to the Citadel quicker than doing the puzzles there. I'm afraid we don't have time for that as it is getting late." They enter into Yeshfiah. The town was WAY warmer than Clearport sometime ago. Drake could actually feel the shivering beginning to stop now. Perfect timing too because honestly, Drake was getting a little exhausted from that pained chill in his bones. The townsfolk themselves also looked to be a part of the climate.

Some were literally made of fire. Some were reptilian. Some even looked like dinosaurs. But, there were also a number of humanoid monsters too. They all just looked.. Normal. In a monster way, of course. There was even a couple who looked like mice. He hoped he wasn't staring too much, but this is just too cool and curiosity inducing to pass up! Drake is shocked by the number of monsters.

Instead of the grassy and river filled currents of Clearport, it's hot and sweaty. Lava flowed from the sides of the mountains into a lake of molten rock. Underground sure was weird when it came to its climate areas. Dark, brown rock falling off here and there. Machinery inserted into the sides of the mountains as if they were feeding off of the lava flows. "Wooaah.. Look at this place. This is so awesome!"

Drake's cheeks grinned in excitement. He couldn't believe such a wondrous and mystical place existed. Steam hissed from the machinery in the rocks as if they were still active. Sipping on the lava and then stopping to let the lava flow again. The lava flows themselves were very interesting to watch. Distracting himself from the fact that there were also many monsters staring at him too whispering amongst each other about the human. It didn't seem Drake either noticed or cared. He kept watching those machines.. curious.

"Hey Asgore? How come there's weird things in those rocks?" Drake inquired, pointing out to the sides of the mountain. Asgore took a moment and looked at where Drake was pointing.

"Oh! Those? Those are the core pumps. They give life to the core that's deeper in the Hotlands." Asgore answered proudly.

"What's the core?" Drake inquired as they'd be almost at their destination. A little lesson couldn't hurt. Asgore would be more than happy to explain to Drake.

The core. The only thing that is giving life to all monsters right. Now. The one thing that Asgore would truly say is their defining factor in all this when it comes to living in the underground. Without the core, they'd all die. The core pumps artificial magic into all things that are reliant on technology. Food included. Food can be made from magic which is why they've been able to survive down here for so long. Food that tasted real. Food that gave nutrients that monsters needed. Things didn't always have to be grown down here. The core is the one machinery that Monsters actually built themselves with a tad bit of human help. But, the core gives endless energy. Everything is powered by the core. But, in order for it to run…

"See those pumps at the top of the machines?" The young boy would nod.
"They are intaking heat from the lava by collecting the lava in its containers, and then those nodules at the side of the machine push the lava it collects back to the core. The core is what gives us technology usage and food. Without the lava it intakes, it would grow cold and cease to work. Heat is what makes it run. It sounds simple, doesn't it? However, our scientists deeper in the Hotlands help it run fully as it's more scientific than that. Sometimes even I don't understand it fully. But, what I do know is that monsters need that core to run every day and every second. It's how we've survived all these years. If you'd like, I can show it to you one day. It would be quite a treat, I'm sure!" Asgore grinned widely.

They stop again. They're here at the Starry Bound Inn. Where Asgore's friend works. It had large brown bricks that were in the wall. As if they were taken right out of the mountain and molded into the building. There's a blinking sign stretching up with the lettering of the establishment into it. The white text is surrounded by a black background with the yellow bulbs acting as the 'stars'. It looked rundown on the outside, but maybe it's nicer on the inside. "I'll do the talking, Drake. Don't worry about Phobane. He'll understand, I'm sure." Asgore hoped that Phobane, the Innkeeper would understand the situation surrounding Drake. Asgore takes a good inhale to prepare himself and enters into the establishment.

It's certainly nicer on the inside than the out.. There's a dark blue carpet on the floor leading up to the reception of the Innkeeper. The walls were painted a black color with a few paper notices pinned by a thumbtack onto the wall. He couldn't make out what they said. The ceiling is dusty too. Did Phobane only run this place? He didn't see anyone else by the reception or outside. It's awfully silent inside. Given it's an inn. Another form of a hotel, right? Another monster having his elbow placed onto the wooden surface. Seeming to be bored of the very few customers coming in. The monster himself had four arms on the top of his shoulder sockets and two more besides his hips. Drake could make this out due to the height difference by riding onto Asgore. He's trying to keep hidden, but it isn't easy. Four eyes also plastered on the monster's face. Yellow in color. His skin is a deep shade of blue. He can't tell if he has scales or skin or not.. Best not to ask. Phobane wore a simple shirt similar to Drake's. Although his is just black. Phobane seemed to like darker colors, didn't he?

Phobane peered up and stood in a more normal position. His smile was a little crooked but, one in a friendly greeting. "Asgore! My friend! It is good to see you." He would lean forward to talk easier with Asgore. A small chuckle left the kings tone.

"As it is to you, Phobane. I am glad to see that your Inn is doing well." Phobane snorted.

"As if. I can't complain though. It's still running and monsters come in here and there." He would shrug. "Ah.. nevermind me, Asgore. What brings you here if I may ask? I am going to assume this isn't a pleasantry visit."

Asgore sighs. "Yes, I am afraid. I am sure you've heard of the rumors speculating in Clearport as of recently."

"Pfft. Yeah. I've heard about it. I even just had two monsters 15 minutes ago check into the hotel to GO to Clearport to go and see the human. I wouldn't be surprised if the human is still there. Rumors sure fly fast in the Underground." Asgore grimaced.

"About that.. I have the human on my back currently."

"You WHAT!?" Phobane's four arms pressed against the wooden surface of the counter. Drake decided this would be the best time to introduce himself. Tilting his body to the side, the human would nervously give a silent wave. "H-Hello there.."

"Asgore.. Please tell me there is a REALLY good reason why you have a damned human on your back!" Asgore figured this wasn't going to go well. Humans were a very sore subject to Phobane and the last thing he wanted is one in HIS establishment. Asgore would press his hand against the counter where he leaned in.

"Please keep your voice down, Phobane. I need to ask you a favor." Phobane didn't like the sound of this. "I need.. You help the human. He is injured currently and you're the only one I can think of that can help him. And if you could, spare him a room for tonight. Worry not Phobane. I will pay extra for him. I just need to keep him here for the time being and rest. He's been through a lot today and I can't stay here. I need to.. Go back to Toriel and check in with her. I'm supposed to be back home with her by now, but I cannot do that without keeping him hidden first. I will be back for him.." Asgore finally had a plan in motion and he just needed to talk with Toriel first.

Phoebane stared at the human for a few moments, furrowing his eyes at him. Phobane clearly didn't like humans. Drake understood why. The war, right? Asgore said this monster fought alongside him as an ally and he used to be a doctor too.. So, why shouldn't he help him? Phobane seemed to be weighing his options at this point staring at the sign next to him. Drake isn't sure what it said, but it's clear to him it was enough to make him sigh aggravated.

"200 G and I'll help you." Phobane answered. Asgore sighs knowing full well this is the only opportunity he's going to get with this. Phobane surely hadn't changed much in the years following after the war. It wasn't easy on any monster, but Phobane still had an establishment to run and he's not going to let anyone cheap him out. Even Asgore here. Deciding to take the help where Asgore could get it, he would begin to brush aside his coat and plucks off his belt a pouch where a handful of small, shiny yellow coins could be seen being placed onto the counter one by one. A pile of coins being seen being taken by Phobane and stashed into the register where a 'ching!' noise is audible.

"I am sorry it came to this, Phobane. But I need you, right now." Asgore said, his tone serious.

"Yeah, I'm sorry that you decided to go soft on humans, Asgore." Phobane replied and would leave the counter area and turn the corner, opening a door and closing it behind him. Only for another door to their right to open and out came the monster himself. Approaching the entrance he would flip a sign from 'open' to 'closed'. Meaning no other monster could bother him or Asgore. Turning around, the monster looked at the pair. Phobane would motion one arm for the pair to follow him into the elevator where all three would squeeze inside. Asgore having to duck under the top doors due to his horns being too long. The door itself would close in front of them and the elevator itself began to arise up towards the third floor of the Inn.

"Why, Asgore? Why now?" Phobane began. It seems that Phobane is one of those monsters who haven't forgiven humans. Asgore stared at the floor solemnly. Seeming to know the reason as to why he's doing this.

"You know why, Phobane." Asgore answers. Phobane stared back at the goat monster. Pressing a hand palm against his face where a nose should be.

"Dammit Asgore. That isn't a good reason! I've fought beside you all these years and now you bring a human to me when you KNOW how I feel about them." Asgore's eyes furrowed at Phobane. The look itself made Phobane nervous. It must've been a look of utter and dead seriousness. Something that usually isn't seen in Asgore. The look on Phobane's face tensed up uneasily. He said something he shouldn't have, and Drake doesn't know what that is, but Drake isn't going to ask either if it made a hardened monster like Phobane uneasy.

"Sorry, Asgore. That's not what I meant.. I just.. Whatever. Just please do what you need to do with the human and go. This is the only favor I'm repaying for you for a while." Phobane remained silent for the rest of the ride. A ding noise approached their destination and out the three left the elevator. Same scenery. Black carpet. Dark blue walls. Old bulbs on the side of the walls. Phobane would take out a pair of keys and would make his way towards the end of the hallway where a door labeled 'room 33'. Is inscribed on the side of the wall in a plaque. The keys of the Innkeeper jangled with the right key to open the door and pushed it open for them to enter.

"In here." Into the room they all go. The room itself is still painted a dark blue, but there's two large beds on either side. A night-desk situated in the middle with a dusty lamp sitting on top of it. A TV squared on the front of the wall next to them. It's not big by any means, but it's entertainment. A dial phone was placed on the desk too, although it looked like it was about to fall over the edge. Dusty too. Phobane walks past them and closes the curtain. The last thing that he needed was attention. It wasn't the good kind of attention either. Not the 'more customers spilling in' kind that he wants. Phobane would exhale a breath and turn back to the king who was setting down the young boy onto the strangely comfortable mattress. Drake looked up at Asgore nervously. Drake isn't sure that he wanted Phobane of all monsters to be his doctor since he seemed so mean. Asgore rubbed his back soothingly.

"A-Asgore I'm really not sure about this." He whispered to him. Asgore knows that Phobane can be a lot and words were said in a moment they didn't mean to. Phobane is loyal and fierce. Dedicated too. It's just through the years, Phobane's gotten a lot crankier it seemed. Asgore knows he had to calm Drake down as best as he could as he needed to let Phobane do his old job again properly. Asgore would whisper back.

"It's okay, Young Drake. I won't leave your side for now." Drake has heard about Asgore needing to leave him to go back to someone. Drake is scared of being alone, but he couldn't just force Asgore to stay. He had to be strong. He had to be brave. Drake's body quivered nervously. He nodded.

"Okay.. I believe you, Asgore."

Phobane sighs. "Alright, let's get this over and done with." Phobane would sit down at the edge of the bed where Drake would shift his leg for Phobane to look at and examine. He seemed to be knowing what he's doing as his hands are pressing along the edge of the reddened skin, four eyes furrowed at the injury. He seemed to have seen this before with him turning back to Asgore. "I don't know what your human did to do this to themselves, but, they're INCREDIBLY lucky it wasn't broken. It's misaligned badly. I only need to just reset it. Before we do, you are going to want to hold him down, Asgore. This isn't going to be pleasant." Phobane warned with Drake becoming increasingly more nervous.

"A-Asgore?" He would muster out as Phobane would lean forward to grab the blanket from the other side of the bed and tied it into a knot and handed it to Asgore.

"It's okay, I'm still here young Drake."

"Give this to him to bite. I don't want him waking up my customers." Phobane stated flatly where the one arm would hold Drake's leg in the air and the three other arms would begin to tie itself onto Drake's thigh to hold the leg in place so Drake didn't try to bend his knee at any time. Asgore would shift Drake onto his lap with his arms hugging around Drake to keep him clutched against his stomach. Asgore knows he's very scared, but it would all be over in just a swift moment.

"Take this, Drake. It'll be over before you know it." He gives him a corner of the blanket to fit into his mouth. He could feel his breathing pick up pace heavily. There wasn't going to be any sort of pain killers, so Phobane is going to have to do this in one swift movement. "Keep breathing, young Drake. It's going to be okay. It's okay… Keep your eyes on me, okay?" Drake didn't want to look at the scene that's about to unfold in front of him. He's never been good about the Doctors. This is just amplifying WHY he hates going to the doctor. Phobane is one of those doctors who were no nonsense, huh? Asgore's eyes kept focusing on him. Black pupils staring into blue ones. His arms hug tighter onto Drake, the bear hug WOULD be comforting if for not for this circumstance.
Drake's eyes welled up with tears as he could feel Phobane on the other side of his leg with two hands pressed on the side that the bone is misaligned. This is going to hurt…

SNAP

In a singular motion, all that could be heard in that room were a loud pitched wail of pain and misery. Thankfully by biting into the fabric of the blanket did the muffle of his screams not echo and wake anyone up… unless someone is on the other side of the wall in THAT room then they'd probably have heard it. Tears rolled down his face fast as he couldn't ever have prepared for that kind of pain that had just been inflicted onto him. His hands squeezed heavily onto Asgore's wrists, almost painstakingly so where he could traverse that feeling of pain onto Asgore where his own face said it all where even the sound of bone reshaping back into its socket wasn't a pleasant one to hear. Hiccups and sobs of endured pain kept going clutching onto Asgore where Asgore had smiled down at Drake in relief. His leg won't heal overnight, sure. But's a LOT better than what Drake would've suffered for months.

Placing the leg back down onto the bed with Phobane getting up. "Alright, I've done what you've asked me to do, Asgore. He'll be fine. He just needs to rest and the leg will stop being inflamed in a couple days. Do me a favor and don't ask me to do this again."

With that, Phobane left the room and closed the door behind him leaving Drake and Asgore alone.

"Shhh-Shhh, there we are Drake. It's done now. All better." Asgore tries to comfort the crying child. He knows it wasn't an easy decision to make, but Drake will feel better soon and be able to actually walk. Drake spat out the blanket, sniffling and whimpering heavily. The pain still was there from the bone shift, but it's a LOT better than what it felt like previously. He felt like he could actually move his leg. Asgore sighs and begins to soothingly stroke Drake's hair. "I know this wasn't the best option we had, Drake. But; you feel a bit better now?"

Drake whined and nodded up to Asgore. "I-I.. Hic.. hic.. I don't EVER want to do that again either!" Not like Drake's injury was his choice. But the pain he felt? That had to be the WORST he's ever experienced in a long time. The extreme hyperthermia at the hospital a few months back almost compared to the pain of getting a bone replaced back into its socket. All he wanted to do now was just sit with Asgore and sleep. Since, Asgore would be leaving him soon. "Asgore? Y-You.. you said you'd be going soon, right?" Asgore frowned lightly.

"I'm sorry Drake that I cannot stay for long. I will come back for you, you have my word. I have to return home back to my family and check in with them as I am gone far longer than I should have been. I am going to do my best to see if I can convince my wife to let you stay with us for the time being. I do not wish to force you, but, I believe this is a very good option to keep you safe. You'll meet my son as well who looks to be about the same age as you." Drake sniffles a breath for a moment. He had a family? They sounded really nice. But, Asgore had been true to his word this entire time, so Drake had no reason to believe he'd go against it by not coming back for him. The child nodded.

"O-Okay.. I believe you, Asgore. Just.. Please come back for me." He pleaded with the monster king. Asgore smiles again.

"I promise I will. Rest for now, young Drake. I need to get going. I should be back by the time you awaken. Sleep well, Drake." Asgore slips the first bed's cover over Drake's body where he could be fully submerged into the blanket where the upper part of his head could only be seen. Turning off the light being submerged into complete darkness. "W-Wait! Asgore! I-I forgot to mention.. and .. it sounds stupid, but could you keep the light on? Please? I-I really hate the dark." Drake's voice quivered nervously. Asgore didn't see anything wrong with it.. He just figured the dark would be a better option to sleep in. But, he'd make sure to give Drake a comfortable living space. He would nod and turn the lamp back on for Drake to sleep in. He supposed that not all children liked the dark. He would stand back up and begin to head out the room.

"See you later, mister Asgore.." He murmured quietly before falling back asleep into the bed. Asgore closed the door gently behind him and exhaled a breath. Today has been.. A VERY eventful day. And it isn't over yet. Once he returned back to the Citadel, he'd have to talk to Toriel into letting Drake stay in Chara's old room. Nearing the month of her fall too. It's.. going to be quite a discussion with her and he knows that it wouldn't be an easy discussion since the wound on all of their hearts is still a fresh one. Asriel most of all. Her death was the biggest impact to his son and he doesn't blame him. But, he wanted to give Drake a shot to live peacefully and not have to worry about constantly looking over his shoulder. This would be good, he's sure of it! Deep in his soul he could feel that Drake just needed a second chance again.

Exiting the elevator, it would seem that Phobane has taken up his position behind the counter again, not really paying attention to the door since he's kept the Inn closed for the time being. "Please keep the inn closed until I return."

"Yes, I know, Asgore." Flat reply. He's not in the talking mood to Asgore. Fair enough. Exiting the Starry Bound Inn would Asgore begin to make his way back towards the Hotlands and the Citadel where he tried to play in his mind how the conversation is going to go. It's not going to be a pleasant one either, but Asgore didn't want to annoy Phobane as it is already, and maybe it would be good for Asriel too. To have someone at his age to play with? Sure, Asriel is nine as well, but Asgore knows this wound may also leave Asriel a bit hesitant too.

He wouldn't just force this decision on his son either. He'd be talking to him too once his discussion with Toriel is over. This is going to be a long night, isn't it?