Chapter Text
Chapter 3
(What happened when Y/N left the mountain)
Chara's POV
I don't understand how they couldn't trust them! I'm alive because of all these people right now! If it wasn't for them, I'd be dead! I mean, sure! Some of them tried to kill me, but they didn't! Why do they want to take me away from them!?
My chest feels tight, and my vision is blurry from the tears in my eyes. I don't want to leave, I wanna stay right here with Mom and Dad and everyone else! My breathing gets heavier as Dad crouches down in front of me, trying to get my attention.
"My child, I need you to calm down," Dad says, taking a deep breath, holding it, then letting it out. I shake my head at first. I don't need to calm down! I might never see them again, and he wants me to CALM DOWN! My breathing picks up, and my hands go to my head, gripping my hair slightly, pulling it in frustration.
I feel skeletal hands grip each one of my hands as they try to wriggle their way into having me hold their hands instead of my hair. I try to fight them off by shaking out of their hold, but they stand strong. When they get hold of my hands, I look around to see Sans and Papyrus on each side of me, both looking at me in worry.
Dad puts one of his hands on my cheek to get me to look at him, "Try breathing for me, Chara." He starts to take deep breaths again, and this time, I try my best to mimic him, but it comes out shaky, and I'm not able to hold it as long as he can without hiccuping. I feel Sans and Papyrus let go of my hands and start to rub my shoulders, which helps a little in calming me down.
"come on, kiddo, you got this," Papyrus reassures me as my breathing starts to even out.
I look at Dad, a pleading look on my face, "Please, Dad," I say as my eyes start to water again ", I don't wanna go."
"And you won't have to," Dad says, his thumb rubbing my cheek slightly before letting go of my face, "But first and foremost, we need to talk to your sibling. They care about you just as much as we do, they only want what is best for you."
"But...what if they say no?" I hang my head low, knowing just how stubborn my older sibling can be at times. I feel Sans let go of my shoulder.
"THAT IS A POSSIBILITY." I turn my head towards Sans as he starts speaking, "BUT THEY SEEM LIKE A PERFECTLY REASONABLE PERSON, I HAVE LITTLE DOUBT THEY WOULDN'T AGREE TO SOME SORT OF PLAN TO HAVE YOU COME BACK AND FORTH FOR VISITS."
"You think so?" A bit of hope arises in my soul at the possibility of being able to come back.
"I KNOW SO." I see Sans' smile, which in turn makes me smile. Yeah! Sans hasn't been wrong in the past! Sib could agree to a plan, they know I'm just as stubborn as they are, so even if they said no, they'd know I'd just come back here anyway! I've already done it once, and I'll do it again!
"There is no longer a need to panic" Mom's back! She must have talked to Y/N about me staying! I turn my head to look at her, but I don't see my sibling anywhere.
The others seem to notice too, as they swivel their head around looking for them. Suddenly, Dad stands up with a growl.
"Where is the young one, Toriel?" He demanded, Mom and Dad hardly get along, and they wouldn't at all if it wasn't for me.
"Unimportant," Mom says with a straight face and a wave of her hand, "we don't need to worry about it anymore. I dealt with them." Dad snarls at Mom, and I can hear a slight rumble from her in return. Mom hates getting angry around me in case it frightens me, but right now that's not the thing that's scaring me.
I cling to Papyrus's leg after he stands up to get a better look around, "Where did they go?" I whisper to him as he rakes his hand through my hair. His brows knit together, and he scans the area again, probably in search for my missing sibling.
"i'm sure they didn't go far, kiddo," he says with a slight waver in his voice "they've only been gone for a few minutes at most. unless they were under the influence of something, they couldn't have gone far." Papyrus puts emphasis on some of his words while looking past me. I turn just in time to see what he's looking at, to see Sans mouthing the word 'subtle' before he starts looking around frantically, he spots something and takes off running down the mountain.
"Sans!" I yell out, "Where are you going?!" I start to run after him before Papyrus grabs my arm and pulls me back.
"he'll be back, kiddo, don't worry about him." He holds onto my arms to keep me in place as I struggle to get out of his hold.
"But where is he going!? What did Mom mean!? Where is Y/N!?" I step forward slightly to start tugging on Papyrus's shirt, but he's fixated on the area where Sans took off.
"everythings gonna be okay, kid. it has to be."
I don't understand. Mom and Dad are shouting louder and louder at each other, but I can barely think. Did they just leave me here? Sure, I wanted to stay, but I didn't want to lose them!
I lean into Papyrus and bury my head into his shirt.
They'll come back.
...right?
Chapter 4
(What was going through her head when speaking to Y/N)
Alphy's POV
"So I've heard." The human says as they take a drink from their bottle, I never thought I would end up this close to a human before. Chara is alright, but still a kid at the end of the day, but their sibling is so cool! I feel like I can be myself around them! Suppose that's due to how their soul sounds, making me feel a lot calmer around them than just any human.
Thank the stars for that! I wouldn't be talking about Undyne without that trust. Not many get to hear me geek out about my sweetie!
As I lift my bottle to my mouth, I hear them chuckle. When I look to see what they laughed at, I see them staring at nothing in a daze with a small smile on their face.
"W-what's so funny?" I stutter out, knocking them out of their own little world with a shove to their arm. They shake their head a few times before looking at me in a slight daze. Man, humans can be weird, that they can just...not work sometimes? That their brains just shut everything else down in favour of exploring itself. I guess I should be flattered in a way, they feel comfortable enough to completely relax around me, but a part of me is concerned about how willing they are to drop that guard.
"Oh, nothing, just thought about something that would annoy Papyrus." They say with a slight chuckle, something that would annoy Rus? What could they be thinking of? I take a moment to wrap my head around what they could have thought up before it hits me.
PUNS!
Stars! If I didn't think that bonehead and the human were soulmates before, I sure as hell thought they were now! I neeeeed to tell 'Dyne about this later! She is going to freak when I tell her about how our newest ship is doing!
Gotta play this cool, I can't reveal anything yet! They gotta have their moment! I steel myself before I start to talk, "Why are you t-thinking of p-puns at a time like this! While I'm pouring out my soul to you about the love of m-my life, you are thinking of jokes!"
The human chuckles again before responding, "Okay, okay, I'm soooo sorry, please continue talking about your clownfish." Clownfish? Huh, I actually...really like that nickname for 'Dyne. She's my little clownfish!
"H-Hey! She is my beautiful little clownfish and d-don't you forget it!" I point my finger at the human jokingly, and a warm smile spreads across their face.
Yeah, I like this human. Can't wait till Sans starts dating them!
Chapter 5
(When Y/N asked for Sans to be their second hand)
Toriel's POV
This human is very interesting, clearly very family-oriented if the interactions they have with my child mean anything. Wanting to take on a very important and crucial role, just so the said child can continue to have their childhood, is very admirable, if a little worrying.
Chara has assured me in the past about their sibling, clearly looking up to them a lot, but I can't help being critical of them, especially right now. In order for them to become an ambassador, they would need something or, if my intuition is correct, someone, in return. That in itself is a worrying ask while monsterkind is in a vulnerable spot.
Regardless of that, I ask, "What would you need?"
The human squared their shoulders before speaking, "I would need someone who knows what they are talking about. I don't know anything about being an ambassador, and I know even less about monsters as a whole. I need someone right by my side like a second hand, so I'm not making a fool out of all of us, but this needs to be someone I trust to have both mine and monsters' best interests at heart."
I have to admit that the human certainly has a way with words, they pull straight from their soul, a weakness for some, but not all. "You speak as if you have someone in mind." I eye the human warily, already having a feeling about who they are going to ask for.
"I do, in fact."
"If I give this person to you, you would represent us and do your best for monster-kind? You would be considered one of us, you would be looked at with scrutiny by other humans. Are you willing to potentially give up your humanity?" If this human is as weak-willed as I think, they will back off and allow my child to take on this position instead.
They raised an eyebrow in slight disgust, "Didn't you offer the same thing to Chara?" I deflate slightly to show them that I don't mean harm. I only mean for this to be a sort of mock test, as it were. I can't be showing favour to them just yet, especially in front of my men.
Seemingly understanding my look, they huff and smile at me, "I want you guys off this mountain almost as much as you do. I've grown to care about the monsters here, and I'm so excited to see what you guys can really do on the surface! I'd be honoured to join you if you'll have me." The human bows, not mocking, not incentivised, but out of pure respect. They must have watched the General or Captain when they bow to me, and are mimicking them. It's almost cute in a way. The bow they are mimicking is one of high respect, only done to those in high power to show you mean no harm.
I smile. I see my child beaming at their older sibling. I very much see where they get their manners from. "Very well. Who is it that you want?" Out of necessity, I need to hear them say it then I can get the paperwork processed for the transfer. It will be hard without the General, but it makes perfect sense for them to take her with how close they have gotten as of late.
"Sans."
Oh?
Well, that was certainly a surprise.
It's very rare someone catches me off guard, but this is quite the shock. I suppose the pull of souls is a lot stronger than I think if this human already feels a connection with the Captain. Judging by the expression on his face, he didn't expect this either.
I suppose I could let him go, just to see how this story will play out.
Oh, this will be fun!
Chapter 6
(What happened after Y/N walked away after hugging Sans)
Papyrus's POV
seeing my bro annoyed or even angry is what i live for most days, but seeing him flustered couldn't be more hilarious! a chuckle is pulled from me as i see him turn bright purple from the human hugging them, then walking off, this is something i'm gonna hold over his head forever!
not like that's gonna be hard given how short he is, nyeh heh heh!
"STOP LAUGHING!" whoops, the laugh accidentally made it's way out my mouth, which is clearly annoying Sans. he must already know i'm mocking him in some way, i put my hands up in surrender before talking.
"alright, alright, but it's not my fault you look like an oversized grape right now." i paused to look him up and down. "matter of fact, make that a normal sized grape." Sans hits my arm and turns away from me, which i knew was coming, honestly? deserved. but he really needs to come to terms with his feelings. "sooooo," i see Sans side-eyeing me, knowing i'm about to say something embarrassing. "when's the wedding?" i grin as he sputters a bit before kicking me in the tibia.
"THERE IS NO WEDDING! STOP BEING RIDICULOUS FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE!" Sans growls, dear stars, this man is hopeless!
"come on bro, i know you like them!" maybe a more direct nudge will do it. he blushes a bit more.
"I RESPECT THEM! I'D EVEN GO SO FAR AS TO SAY I ADMIRE THEM, BUT I DON'T 'LIKE' THEM, PAPYRUS. TWO PEOPLE CAN GET ALONG WITHOUT TRYING TO GET IN EACH OTHER'S PANTS, A QUALITY YOU NEED TO LEARN UNFORTUNATELY." He rolls his eyelights at me. what he's saying isn't false by any means, i had a lot of different reputations underground, one of which involved a lot of hook-ups. what can i say? get a few drinks in me, and i'm feeling SOMEONE up.
Not like relationships were very advertised, if you had one, it had to be on the down low. wasn't ideal but it was better than nothing at all.
i shrug, "fair, buuuut" i throw my arm around my brother's shoulder and pull him in, "if you ever need any advice on how to woo them, you can come to your little bro," i pitch one of his cheekbones teasingly, Sans slaps my hand away and pushes me, knocking me to the ground with a thud as i laugh at him.
"I DON'T, AND WILL NOT, NEED YOUR HELP, THANK YOU." sarcasm dripping off every word as he stomps away to whatever he was doing before i called him over.
we'll see bro. we'll see.
Chapter 7
(After the confession)
Sans's POV
"I NEED YOUR HELP."
"called it!"
I blink at my brother, spinning around in one of the chairs in my office, wondering what he could be talking about. I think about it for a second before shaking my head. It doesn't matter right now.
"NO, REALLY....I-I NEED YOUR HELP, PAPY." If my stuttering wasn't a sign, then the nickname was definitely one. I don't use the 'Papy' nickname unless I am in desperate need. My brother stops his spinning suddenly and springs up, getting his first good look at me. I know I must look like an utter mess after that awful attempt at getting Y/N to accept my confession.
For once, I'm glad about Her Majesty butting in, as it would have made it difficult to pull myself together enough so I could walk away to break down after the inevitable rejection I was sure to face.
My brother looks at me, and I see a range of emotions flash over his face, fear, shock, loss. It would be amusing if everything didn't hurt.
"what happened?" My, what a loaded question. I let out an exhausted sigh before making my way to my desk to sit down and put my head in my hands. I just needed a second to process what happened.
Running my hands over my face, feeling a slight dampness on them, I'd hoped I had rubbed off most of the tears before walking here, now I pray no one saw me. "YOU WERE RIGHT." I hate to say it, but he is.
"h-heh, come on, bro, you never say stuff like that...you're starting to scare me a bit here." I sniff a bit, looking up at my brother through my fingers. Seeing fear really start to take over his face, his hands are slightly in front of him, as if he's trying to decide if he should hug me or not.
I slump back into my chair, it creaking in protest at the movement, I sigh through my nasal. "You were right, I did need your help to woo them." My voice is quieter than it usually is. I can't keep up the 'I'm fine' act around Papyrus, he knows me too well. It's better to just tell him.
"I told them how I feel."
"and it didn't... go well?" I look at him, slightly annoyed.
"NO, ACTUALLY," I sit up in the chair, my voice returning to its uppercase form, "IT WENT SWIMMINGLY ACTUALLY! INCREDIBLE, WHY, I AM CRYING TEARS OF JOY FROM THE ASPECT OF MY FEELINGS BEING RETURNED!" sarcasm lacing my words, as I gesture around wildly and growl at my brother, stupid question, stupid answer!
Papyrus hold his hands up in surrender, "alright, alright, i get it!" he takes a few steps back, looking around on the floor before opening his mouth again, "what um...what happened?" he winces, scared that he's asked something insensitive, he has, but its Papyrus, I expect this out of him.
I slump back into the chair, swinging it slightly from side to side as I begin to remember how the confession went. Pain strikes in my soul as I do, "I-I DON'T KNOW WHAT WENT WRONG!" Stuttering always got on my nerves, but this time I can't help it.
"I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING SO WELL! I LAID MY SOUL BARE FOR THEM TO SEE, I TOLD THEM ALL I ADMIRED, EVERYTHING I ENJOYED ABOUT THEM, EVEN WENT SO FAR AS TO SAY I HAD NEVER FELT LIKE THIS BEFORE." I feel my eyes start to water, recalling the look on their face as I said those three little but powerful words, "I EVEN SAID...THAT I WAS IN LOVE WITH THEM." A slight hiss fell from my brother's mouth, but I dared not look up to see whatever face he was making, instead, I continued. "I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA, RIP OFF THE BANDAGE AND GET IT OVER WITH! NO NEED TO DRAW IT OUT BUT...WHEN I LOOKED INTO THEIR EYES, THEY WERE LACED WITH HESITATION. I THOUGHT IT WAS NERVES AT FIRST, BUT WHEN HER MAJESTY MADE AN APPEARANCE, THEY MADE A HORRIBLE EXCUSE ABOUT WHY WE WERE SO CLOSE, AND I COULDN'T GET AWAY FAST ENOUGH." One of my arms lies on the armrest of the chair while the other hand rubs at the temple of my skull, "HONESTLY, IT WAS EMBARRASSING ENOUGH THAT I CONFESSED TO THEM, BUT NOW HER HIGHNESS PROBABLY KNOWS ABOUT IT." I glance upward to see my brother also slumped in the chair across from me, staring up at the ceiling, many emotions on his face.
"so, what now?" I ponder his question for a bit. This not only affects me but also the friendly relationship I DID have with Y/N, as well as the relationship between them and my brother. I know he isn't taking this well. He was the one pushing me the most to confess once Alphys told me exactly what I was feeling. Honestly, I wish I had just been kept in the dark, maybe then the pain in my chest wouldn't be so agonising. The water in my eyes finally spills over, and I allow myself yet another brief moment to cry.
"I DON'T KNOW." I blubber out as I wrap my arms around myself. I hear the wheels of the chair my brother was sitting on spin rapidly as he stands up and hurries towards me, wrapping his arms around me, hugging me close as I cry into his hoodie. My brief cry in the corridor was quiet, short, and muffled, but this? This was a loud, mournful sob. I felt weak, pathetic, but this was all I could do right now as I grieved what could have been in my mind.
I should have known they wouldn't love me back.
I'm a monster after all.