Chapter Text
* (It was just a prank.)
* (It was just supposed to be a stupid prank, right?)
* You stand up from the floor and begin to walk towards the bathroom. Noelle’s pacing was keeping you up, anyways. Susie doesn’t stop you.
* The lights are all turned on in the hallways, even though Carol would hate that.
* (Anything to make her more comfortable.)
* The doorknob is as cold as ice, but you grasp it firmly anyways.
* You walk towards the sink.
* (There’s a stepstool just for you.)
* (You look at the thing they call “You” in the mirror. You can’t help but grimace.)
* (After all, that was your worst one yet. You just wanted to have a little fun. Maybe this time, it would bring you closer again.)
* (Why would it have? You should have known better. You should have known what was out there. You did, and you still led them out there.)
* (You thought you could protect them. That it wouldn’t dare come close. Why did you think that?)
❤︎ Wash hands
* You turn on the faucet and begin to wash your hands. You scrub and scrub, but the dirt won’t wash away completely. You wash your face. But as much as you rub, all you do is smear it.
* (You look at your face in the mirror. It doesn’t matter how clean it looks, it’s still dirty. Nobody except you can see it.)
* (You look at your hands. Just how many times do you need to hurt her with them before you’re satisfied? The first time wasn’t enough, was it?)
* You grasp the sides of the sink tightly and stare into the empty drain. You can still feel water dripping down your face.
* (And in the end, she will always forgive you. You know that. You exploit that.)
* You look back up into the mirror.
* (She struck you and apologized. She’s slapped you before and always apologized. She was rightfully angry, every time, and you still keep doing it. You want her to hate you, don’t you? It’s what you deserve.)
* (But she doesn’t. Haven’t you done enough already?)
* You reach up and ball a fist.
* (Are you going to destroy something of hers again? That’s just like you.)
❤︎
Kris plunges their hand into their own chest, and in one smooth motion they rip the SOUL out of their chest. They fall backwards off of the stool in pain, and stare at it in their grasp. Beating. Waiting. They stand up, carrying the SOUL towards the garbage can where they drop it in, place the lid on it, and lock it shut before going shambling to the sink.
The water runs and runs and runs. Kris continues to wash their hands for minutes on end in scalding hot water until their hands turn faintly red and fingers prune. But it never washes away. They bang their fist against the sink, doing nothing but hurting themselves in the process. They begin to sob heavily...
But Susie knocks on the door, sounding panicked, “Hey! Kris! Get out here, Noelle just fainted! I think she hit her head on the floor! I don’t know what to do!”
Kris stops immediately and steps off of the stool. They approach the garbage can and take the SOUL back out, stuffing it back in their chest as easily as they tore it out.
* You exit the bathroom and follow Susie back to Noelle’s bedroom. She’s laying on the floor, passed out with her arms spread apart and legs still hanging onto the couch.
* You ask Susie what happened.
“I was just laying in bed, trying to sleep. She said something was out there watching her, so I told her I would keep her safe, y’know? But she just kept pacing and...then she looked out the window. And whatever she saw made her just... pass out. I didn’t even realize anything happened until I heard her hit the floor.”
* You check Noelle’s vitals, moving her as little as possible. Everything seems to be normal and steady. She isn’t bleeding.
* (You silently feel grateful that the floor is carpeted and she landed on the softer part. It’s still going to hurt in the morning.)
* You tell Susie to keep her head and shoulders lifted up and to put her on the bed, but to not move her too much, especially the neck.
Susie nods, crouching down next to Noelle and doing her best to straighten her up. She gently cups her head as she picks her up and carries her to her bed. Susie gets in next to her and uses her own arm as a pillow for Noelle. “Like this?” she asks.
* (You give her a thumbs up, but re-check Noelle’s vitals anyway to make sure she didn’t just die. Still alive. You sigh with relief.)
* You tell Susie to make sure Noelle goes to the hospital tomorrow if her head hurts.
* You check out the window to make sure nobody is outside.
* (Nothing there but a tree gently swaying in the dark.)
* You close the blinds.
Susie still gently grabs Noelle’s hand with her other arm and holds it firmly, having seemed to calm down with the little help Kris can give.
* You reassure her that reindeer monsters have thick skulls made for headbutting.
Susie chuckles, “I’m sure she’s fine. I just can’t help but worry after everything that happened earlier.”
* You tell her you’re sorry.
“Hey, I told you it’s fine. We forgave you. I don’t mind the little pranks, just don’t pull any more stupid stunts like that again.” she scolds. But as if second guessing herself, she adds, “But, you know. We... care. About you. So don’t take it the wrong way.”
* (You can’t help but feel hurt, even though you deserve it.)
* You turn to leave, grabbing your change of clothes on the way out.
Susie calls them out, trying not to yell but being physically incapable of maintaining an indoor voice, “HEY! Where the hell are you going!? It’s like one in the morning! Don’t tell me you’re gonna go eat all the snacks while I’m stuck here!”
* You tell Susie that you’re going home.
“What!? I told you we’re cool, dumbass!” she barks back. But she can’t move. Can’t stop Kris.
* She can’t stop you.
* (You tell her you’re sorry. But you turn to leave anyway. You know you’re going to hurt them no matter what you do. If you leave, they’ll miss you. You’ll drift away again, just like you did years ago. But you want that, don’t you?)
* (If you stay, you’ll hurt them again. You gave her that concussion, didn’t you? But you secretly enjoy it. After all, they’re so much closer now.)
* (If they have each other, they won’t need you. You can leave. They’ll hurt for just a little bit longer, but they’ll forget. You can stare at them from a distance. You can love from a distance, where you can’t hurt anybody else.)
* You leave without replying. It’s better this way.
Susie tries to yell, but realizes if she does, she might stir Noelle. She can’t move, can’t make a peep, so she just sighs and does her best to go to sleep.
* The house is empty. You can feel the peppermint-scented chill of the air conditioner sending shivers down your back. No amount of dancing santas will salvage this mood.
* You leave her house and make sure to lock the door behind you.
* (You don’t have a spare key to the gate, but you can just slip through the bars like when you were kids.)
* (A few more steps and you’re finally home. You eagerly open the door.)
Toriel, who had been sitting in her chair and reading, looks up in surprise, “Oh, Kris! I thought you were spending the night with Snowelle and Snoozie!”
* (You don’t have the energy to cringe at her awful puns. You lie that you got homesick.)
“Oh, Kris...” Toriel sighs with a motherly affection that only her voice could manage, though Noelle could probably do it too if she tried. “Do you want any snacks? Perhaps some cookies and milk?”
* (You don’t deserve something so nice. You tell her you aren’t hungry.)
She smiles anyways, “Well, I’ll be right here if you need me. Goodnight, honey.”
* You pass her and proceed to your room. Your bed is warm and inviting right now.
❤︎ Go to—
Kris plunges their hand into their chest again, digging out the SOUL once more. Before it can invade anymore, they throw it into its cage and shamble into their bed. It’s cold and hard. They don’t make a bump. Not a peep. They simply...sleep, with nothing but the light of the SOUL left in the dark and empty room.