Work Text:
“Kris, I'm exhausted.” Noelle complained, flopping back against the couch. “This activity isn't even worth that much! And it isn't like Alphys will seriously make you re-take the grade.”
“...I know. But. I wanna make a good impression… on my mom. And, Azzy, when he… comes home.” Kris said, staring at the books and sheets of paper before them on the table.
“It's eleven at night, Kris… you can't get any real studying done this late. I need to head home soon, anyways…” Noelle said, glancing at the clock.
“...won't be time to study before school tomorrow. But… thanks anyways. You helping, means… a lot, to me.” Kris said, looking up from their work and smiling slightly at Noelle.
Noelle's heart leapt, and she blushed, surprised by how straight-forward Kris was being. She'd grown to treasure those little smiles, the ones Kris only gave to the people they really trusted, and them telling her she meant a lot to them on top of that…
“But… it's okay. You gotta… head home. I know, how your mom… is.” Kris said, looking ashamed that they'd kept Noelle so long. “I'm gonna… keep working, on this.”
“Kris…” Noelle said, worried. You look exhausted too…
As she watched them work, clearly tired and constantly blinking away sleepy tears, Noelle smiled softly. They're so cute when they're tired like this. I just want to… actually, this is the perfect opportunity!
A mischevious look on her face, Noelle walked over behind Kris and pulled their chair away from the table, turning them to face her.
“Hey, what… gives?” Kris asked, miming annoyance, but used enough to Noelle's personality and their own dynamic to know she had a good reason.
“You look exhausted, Kris! You'll never get any work done like this… you have to go to bed.” Noelle said, before reaching down and grabbing their hand, pulling them out of the chair. She tried her best not to blush, but she was sure it showed at least a little bit. Kris stared at her, unamused.
“Noelle, come on.” Kris said, staring at her.
“W-what!?” Noelle turned away, walking towards the stairs and pulling Kris with her. “It's important to get a good night's sleep!”
“I'm… hyaaaaaawn… ” Kris said, plodding along as Noelle tugged on their hand. “...alright, okay. I'm… a little, tired.”
“Exactly! You gotta get to bed, Kris!” Noelle grinned. And I get to tuck you in, and watch you fall asleep, and… ah, jeez, what the heck am I doing!
Pulling a tired Kris up the stairs to their room, Noelle looked back at them, watching them sleepily rub their eyes and yawn, trodding up the stairs following her. Reminds me of when we were younger… they'd always get so cuddly and clingy when they were tired. I remember them hanging off of Asriel's leg, or Dess having to pick them up and carry them home, faha. Sometimes, they'd fall asleep against me, and Dess would always call me a little charmer… I miss that. Little Noelle didn't know what she had! Sure, we've been getting closer again, but Kris is still pretty withdrawn… I don't know if they would want to… um, well…
“Noelle.” Kris said, deadpan.
“Eep - yes, Kris, what?” Noelle said, quickly turning to face Kris, startled.
“You've been standing, outside my… bedroom door… and gripping my hand… for a minute, now.”
“Um, well, I… C'mon, Kris, you gotta get to bed!” Noelle said, shoving Kris into their room and following behind them, closing the door once they were both inside.
“Mmm… okay. Goodnight, Noelle…” Kris said, before flopping face first into their bed.
“Jeez, you really were tired, huh.” This is my chance! Noelle thought, excitedly. “You can't sleep like that, though, Krismas! C'mon, get under the covers, at least…”
“...only if you do too.” Kris said, muffled by the blankets that their face was buried in.
“W-what? Kris!?” Noelle exclaimed, shocked. Kris remained silent, but looked up at them, a slight blush on their face and a pleading look in their eyes. They… they must be really tired, that's all! They'd never say something like that otherwise.
Noelle stared down at them, her mind spinning. But… do they really want me to? Is this another mean prank? They… Ah, screw it! I won't get another chance like this!
“Um, I… faha, if you insist, Kris…?” Noelle said, sitting on the edge of the bed next to Kris. As soon as she entered their arm range, however, Kris lunged. Before she could even realise what was happening, Kris had yanked her down onto the bed, and pulled her arm over their torso, grabbing it tightly and holding it. With their other arm, they shuffled the covers out from under them and pulled them over the pair.
Facing each other in the bed, Noelle's widened eyes met Kris's awkward, blushing expression for just a few seconds, before Kris rolled over to face the wall. “Don't… say anything yet. Please.”
Noelle couldn't have said anything even if she wanted to, shocked by Kris's forwardness. Why… now? I mean, it wasn't unusual for them to act like this before… but… they haven't tried to get close to me in years. But… maybe…
“Kris…” Noelle said, and her childhood friend stiffened in her arms, clearly afraid of rejection. “Did you… miss this too?”
Noelle felt Kris breathe out, quietly, and then in again, their chest rising and falling against her touch.
“...yeah. Missed you, and… Azzy and Dess. I've… been, lonely.” After a moment without any response, Kris awkwardly released Noelle's hand, expecting her to pull away. But… “You… missed me too?” Kris quietly added, afraid they'd misheard her, or that their lonely mind had made up signs where they weren't there.
“Of course I missed you, Kris! I know that we kind of drifted apart, and… it was sort of my fault, but…” Gripping Kris's hand in her own, she held them tighter to her chest. “I really missed you.”
“Noelle… haha. I'm, pretty stupid… huh?” Kris said, laughing self-deprecatingly.
“Jeez, Kris…” Noelle sighed. “Yeah, a little. But I like you anyways - um, you know! Like, like -” Noelle stammered, trying to make up for the slip of the tongue - but Kris just laughed.
“Noelle, it's ok. We can talk more tomorrow… but I'm, actually… haaaaahhhn… really, tired. But… I'm happy, right now.”
“Yeah… me too.” Noelle smiled, holding Kris happily. I have to text my mom, and I don't wanna sleep in my day clothes… but I can wait for Kris to fall asleep first. They deserve this… and I want this, too. Maybe… I wonder if they feel the same as I do? Do they miss me the same way they miss Dess and Azzy, or… maybe…?
Well, right now, I don't want to worry about that. I'll just enjoy what I have. Noelle thought, watching Kris, who had rolled onto their back and was breathing softly, eyes closed. They're adorable. I want to keep them in my arms like this forever, happy and peaceful… Part of me is glad Azzy isn't here right now. I know Kris misses him, but… it's nice seeing Kris being a little lonely. I can be there for them, like this. I won't let them be alone any more, if they'll have me.
Feeling Kris's chest rise and fall with their breaths, watching their expressions change as they dreamed, Noelle felt her heart warming. So vulnerable next to me. So soft, so pretty… I could just… Noelle thought about kissing them, right then and there. But…
No, there'll always be a better time. The first time we kiss for real… I want them to know. I want them to know… that they're mine.