Chapter Text
It was exciting. It was tragic. It was different for everyone. For Ceroba and Starlo, it was devastating.
A friend, someone who meant so much to them, gone. Not because anyone had killed them. They've willingly gone and given up their soul for monsters which they didn't even know the name of. Some monsters had the audacity to throw parties. Some monsters stayed home and did nothing. There was a small funeral held for Clover by some of the monsters they had an impact on like Dalv, Martlet, Toriel, Asgore, etc. However: Starlo and Ceroba did not go.
Ceroba stayed at her house and had bedrotted the rest of the day away as no one disturbed her. The monsters thought that giving her space after everything that happened in such a short time would be the best choice, so everyone went respecting it.
Starlo left to the saloon and had a concerning amount of the Adult Soda. He ended up falling asleep on one of the tables next to Ace and Mooch.
Next morning wasn't the same morning as yesterday. Yesterday, the air didn't feel so discouraging and the wind didn't sound so harsh. They say live in the moment, yet all Ceroba wanted was the opposite. To live in the past or pass away.
The fox had no energy to toss or turn in the bed. All she could think of were the reminders of her dark past and tragic losses in the battle with Clover and losing Clover shortly after. Even though she had been forgiven, she was still full of regret. Breaking Kanako's mask, trying to kill Clover, nearly killing her best friend, losing Clover, and even losing Chujin and Kanako still haunts her to this day. Yesterday turned her grief into anguish and it feels as if she has no one to turn to.
Starlo immediately feels the throbbing, agitating pain that destroys his temples. He raises his head from the table he fell asleep on, and suddenly, he feels awful. All of the memories from last night come as a blur to him, but he can recall Clover. He didn't want to. He was confused, shocked, scared, all of the above. Thinking of all of this seemed to worsen his headache. As he adapted to the scene around him, it looked like no one was present. Not even Dina. Lights were shut off, voices weren't heard, and noises weren't made. Nothing. It would feel peaceful if he hadn't drank so much last night. Now all that there was to do was to wait it out before seeing Ceroba or the others.
-
A few hours later, Starlo stood up after staying seated in the saloon. He slowly made his way to the door, and he had waited long enough for it to be not exactly dark, but not sunny either. Although some of the brain fog stayed due to his hangover, he made his way to Ceroba's house. Since the entrance was still broken after the Feisty Five broke into it, it was easy to walk in. Not like Ceroba had any energy to fix it.
He pushed the door open, and slowly closed it behind him. Carefully, he walked to Ceroba's room and lightly tapped her door.
"..'Roba?"
He swallowed. No response.
"Hey, 'Roba?"
No response.
"Ceroba, I'm comin' in, alright?"
He lightly pushed the door with his fingers and peeked inside. There was no one to be seen until he fully stuck his head inside to turn and see Ceroba lying on her bed with room for one extra person that has been unnecessary for a year.
"Star.. You came."
Star and Roba were the nicknames they gave each other. From childhood to adulthood, they always called each other by those names. When it was serious, they used their real names.
"Yeah, 'course I did. You doin' okay?"
His voice had some kind of tone to it. For once, it seemed like she had someone. Although Starlo was always there for her, when Chujin died, when she had lied about where Kanako went, and now after Clover's death, she still felt lonely. Nothing's been the same after Chujin. Starlo felt like he was seeing the same thing again. However, last time it was much worse. Ceroba wouldn't leave the house for weeks, would barely eat, and was noticeably weak. This time, she should be better by the end of the day or week.
"Star, to be honest.. I don't know how to feel." She paused. "All this.. I feel so many things but nothing at the same time. Numb."
"It's alright to feel that way. I ain't no therapist, but I'm here to listen 'nd help."
"Thank you.. Thank you Star."
An awkward moment of silence was present for a few seconds.
"Well, I'll be headin' out now.. Gotta get to my own bed, y'know. Hungover." He froze, realizing what he had just told her.
He promised her he would never drink again after one time he had way too much alcohol. She was concerned after having to carry him and take care of him as he was unconscious and throwing up. It felt like a nightmare, and she made him promise never to drink at all again. Although that was pretty stupid, she knew it was the only way to keep him from falling into an unwanted habit.
However.. She understood and actually let it slide. "It's okay Star.. I understand. Well, goodbye then."
"Wh.. Alright."
He headed for the door and walked out of her house. As he headed back to the Dunes, he wondered..
Does anyone matter? Does anything matter anymore?
He was irritated. Angry at himself for being unable to convince Clover not to give up their soul. Some of these monsters don't even deserve Clover's kindness. They threw parties. Celebrations of their death. Not a single ounce of grief or empathy for their life, but rather a selfish celebration for being one step closer to freedom. Honestly, Starlo would be fine living in the underground forever if it meant keeping Clover. He was mad at everyone.
Suddenly, he burst into tears. It was night time at this point, so he was able to get by without anyone seeing him. He fell to the ground and sat down with his knees up to his face. As he wiped his own tears and sniffled, all he could feel was anger and sadness. Since he had to go home, he stood up and walked home, sobbing and drowning himself in tears. Instead of asking for help, he resisted it and covered his eyes with his hat.
After what felt like forever, he was able to reach his home. His face had dried up tears staining his cheeks. Starlo let himself fall onto his bed, and slowly, he drifted off.
Every day after that became a routine. He would buy food for him and Ceroba for 20 gold every day and make sure she was doing well.
Eventually, she was able to get out of bed and start focusing on her hygiene again.
Slowly, their lives returned to normal, but something was missing from it every day. From then on, the two promised to be there for each other during hard times. It was ridiculous, because either way, they always supported each other.
As Starlo walked into the saloon and saw Ceroba with the Feisty Four, he smiled. There were card games laid out on the table, and for once, he felt like he was home again. Like times were normal, how they were before Clover. He loved Clover and dearly misses them, but it's time to try new things. After all, no one could stay like this forever. As he sat down next to Ceroba, he felt excitement and sadness at the same time. The excitement of a new time, and sadness from Clover's passing.
Now, it was time to go forward and stop lingering on old memories. It was crazy how attached you could become to someone after only knowing them for 8 hours.
However, now..
Starlo can't help but feel something unexplainable towards Ceroba. But it felt similar.
Could this be what he thought it was..?