Chapter Text
God, it was just so loud.
No matter how tightly Kris plugged their ears with their pillow, the incessant music from downstairs could not be drowned out. At the very least, they couldn’t make out what their mom and that strange janitor were saying, which was a small victory.
In its cage in the corner, the SOUL pulsed with its usual defiant red glow, waiting for its next chance to strip its host of all of their body autonomy. Throughout this whole Dark World journey, Kris had grown to hate the thing slightly less. It never seemed to act out of pure malice, and it had saved their life - along with Ralsei and Susie - when it lit up back in the Sanctuary.
Still, anything was better than being a puppet. As Kris had spent more and more time detached from the SOUL, they had managed to become a bit better at functioning without it, no longer needing to hunch over with every movement.
“hey, tori. why didn’t the skeleton go to the prom?”
A frustrated groan. As Kris had let their thoughts drift, their grip on the pillow had loosened, allowing ten words too many to slip through.
They needed to get out of here. Go somewhere. Anywhere. Anywhere besides… here. Somewhere they could be locked away from… whatever was going on downstairs. Somewhere that their existence seemed to mean something. Somewhere they could see their friends. Ralsei. Susie. Heck, even Lancer was the right type of fun.
Luckily, Kris had a place to go to that fit that description perfectly. Slowly, they rolled out of bed, doing their best to drown out the music. They took a look at the SOUL in its cage, as it continued to glow defiantly.
Kris had never attempted to go to the Dark World without the SOUL. Was it even possible? In addition, what if their mom found it if she decided to check on her child?
Oh, who were they kidding? If she found it, she would likely be so drunk she wouldn’t even be able to tell what it was, and if for some ungodly reason Sans found it, from what Kris knew about him, he’d probably just shrug and go back to dancing.
With their mind set, Kris gave the SOUL one last glance before making their way over to the window, flinging it open. They didn’t attempt to be sneaky about it; with how loud the music was, it wouldn’t be necessary. They climbed up over the windowsill, and unceremoniously fell onto the grass below.
The trudge through Hometown at night was uneventful for Kris. With Undyne still missing, it wasn’t as though anyone was going to stop them. Without the SOUL, walking that distance was certainly tiring, but nothing they couldn’t handle.
Eventually, the school came into view. This was the part Kris was the most concerned about: getting in. They’d break in if they had to - they needed to escape - but they’d prefer to sneak in without exerting themselves too much. Maybe there was an unlocked window somewhere?
As Kris approached the main entrance to the school, they stopped. To their surprise, the door was flung wide open, and a familiar claw mark was embedded on the doors.
Susie had the same idea as them.
The knowledge that their best friend would be in there with them gave Kris the last bit of motivation that they needed. They made their way into the school, and one short walk down the hallway later, the supply closet stood in front of them. They flung it open, and the familiar expanse of darkness greeted them.
This would be the moment of truth. Would Kris be rejected from the Dark World due to not having a SOUL? Would this entire plan of theirs all be for nothing?
There was only one way to find out.
Kris took the leap, jumping into the closet. They expected to be met with some kind of barrier, sent back into the real world where they currently had no place to call home… but it never happened. They felt the familiar sensation of their armor materializing over them, and they stuck the landing to the entrance of Castle Town.
They were here. Ralsei was here. Susie was here. Everyone they’d met throughout this journey was here. Before they could take their first step towards the town square, a low rumble shook them, and a hole suddenly appeared right in front of them.
A few seconds later, Lancer popped out of the hole. “Where have I landed myself this time?” He looked around for a bit, eventually noticing Kris standing right in front of him, prompting him to look up at them. “Ho ho ho! Blue Person makes their triumphant return!”
“Where’s Ralsei?” The words came out of Kris’ mouth without thinking. Ralsei? Sure, they really wanted to see him, but it wasn’t as though he was the only one they came here to see…
“Toothpaste Boy is in the castle with Susie! They were talking about-“
“Oh Lancer Sweetie Pie Where Are You”
Lancer turned around in his hole, where he saw Queen approaching him. “Girldad?”
“Lancer Were You Seriously Digging Holes Around The Entire Town”
Lancer looked down in shame. “I-I’m sorry, Girldad…”
“Without Me”
“Huh?”
Queen grinned at her adoptive son. “If We Work Together We Can Double The Amount Of Holes Dug” She finally noticed Kris, who still hadn’t moved. “Kris Cross Apple Sauce What A Pleasant Surprise”
“Blue Person is here to see Toothpaste Boy!”
Queen’s visor displayed the word “true” as she nodded. “Your Friend Is In The Castle”
Kris nodded once. “Thanks.”
Queen laughed regally. “Now Lancer Let Us Commence: Operation Dig Dig Dig”
“Roger, Girldad!” Lancer waved goodbye to Kris. “See ya, Blue Person! If you ever want to carry me around in your Pants Hole again, I’m only one hole away! Or a hundred! Bye!” He disappeared down the hole a second later.
“Toodles” Queen leapt into the air, swan diving into the hole with pinpoint accuracy, and she was gone in a blink. Kris smiled to themselves, even though no one could see it. That was what they wanted when they were thinking of an escape. They finally took their first steps, heading towards the castle.
As Kris made their way through the square, they looked around at the various Darkners that populated the quaint little town. Even if they weren’t alive back in the Light World, they were alive here, and that’s what mattered to them.
Eventually, Kris found themselves in front of the entrance to the castle. They pushed open the door, and the first thing they saw, naturally, was the cauldron.
Less than a second later, they found themselves enveloped in a fluffy hug.
“Kris!!!”
Ralsei was seemingly waiting for them to enter the door, and he didn’t waste a moment. Kris instinctively returned the hug; Ralsei was simply too soft to resist, though there was a bit more to it than just that.
Susie made her way over more calmly, placing a steady hand on Kris’ shoulder. “Hey there, ya big dork.” She flashed a toothy smile. “Guess we had the same idea, huh?”
Kris reluctantly let go of Ralsei, nodding slowly. “Yeah.”
Susie’s expression softened, leaning her head down a bit. “Hey, you doin’ alright?”
Kris took a deep breath. “I-I don’t know.”
Susie gritted her teeth. “I know today’s been… a lot. Can’t even sleep at your own house after all of that.”
Ralsei frowned. “Susie told me about what happened when you two got back to your house, Kris. I’m so sorry about that.” He clasped both of his paws over one of Kris’ hands, giving it a firm squeeze. “You’re always welcome to spend the night here whenever you need to, okay? I’ll always be here for you.”
Kris blinked away a tear. “Th-thanks.”
Susie snorted. “Well, you came here to spend the night, right? You look like you’re about to pass out.” She broke into her widest grin yet, all of her yellow teeth on full display. “Why don’t you get Ralsei to tuck you in?”
Ralsei blushed, hiding his face behind his ears. “S-Susie!”
“What?! I’m just messin’ with ya. But seriously, Kris. You should get some sleep. Don’t worry about me. I’ll just go find Lancer. Well, like… dig some holes, or somethin’. Know where he is, Ralsei?”
Ralsei smiled. “I believe you and I both know that Lancer could be anywhere at any given moment.” He winked. “But you can always find Chef Lancer at the Bakery!”
Susie smirked, turning around. “I’ll find him eventually. Or maybe he’ll find me. Nighty night, Kris.” She opened the door that led back outside, giving the pair one last look before closing it behind her.
Ralsei sighed, his gaze drifting to Kris. Not to be rude to her, but he was waiting for Susie to leave, so he could be alone with them. He could see it in their movements, and the way they had returned his hug felt so… natural and unforced.
“Kris… it’s really you, isn’t it?”
Kris managed a weak smile. “It’s me.”
“Oh, Kris…” Ralsei took them into another hug, gentler this time. “I’m so glad…” He suddenly gasped, letting go of Kris as his paws flew to his mouth. “W-wait! Kris, you came to the Dark World without a SOUL?! You know how dangerous that is!”
“It was worth the risk to see you.”
“K-Kris!” Ralsei’s blush returned, and he gave himself a few seconds to calm down. “W-well, I’m relieved you’re safe, but… I-I forbid you to leave the castle tonight without an escort! For your own safety! P-Prince’s orders!”
Kris chuckled softly. “I didn’t want to leave anyway.”
“That’s… good to hear, Kris.” Ralsei got another step closer to them, examining their face. “Susie was right, Kris. You look exhausted… would you like to go to your room?” Kris nodded once, and Ralsei began to lead the way.
The walk up the stairs and down the hallway to where the Fun Gang’s rooms were was quiet. Kris trailed closely behind Ralsei, feeling safe whenever he was around. It was almost as if he emanated some sort of calming aura around him, and given that he had the ability to use magic, perhaps that wasn’t too far-fetched. The pair eventually reached Kris’ room, and Ralsei politely held the door open.
The room had an obvious change that Kris noticed immediately. “The wall’s back?” Indeed, the previously removed wall that separates their room from Susie’s had been put back into place.
Ralsei nodded. “Yes, that was done just before you arrived here. I figured you would value the privacy.” He laughed behind his paw. “Though, if you ever want to have another tea party, then Lancer is more than willing to bulldoze the wall again.”
Kris grunted once, making their way over to their bed, sitting on the edge of it. “We can do that again some day.”
Ralsei tilted his head thoughtfully. “Speaking of tea… would you like some right now, Kris?”
“Only if you make some for yourself, too.”
“Kris, it would be ready faster if I jus-“
“Ralsei.”
Hearing Kris say his name like that, Ralsei blushed yet again, but he managed to give them a warm smile. “A-alright, Kris. If you insist… I’ll be back soon, okay?” He turned around and left the room, closing the door gently.
Left alone, Kris stood up once more. With how tired they were, their armor felt heavier than usual. Taking it off was something they’d never really considered before, but sleeping in it did not sound comfortable at all. It took a bit of effort, but they eventually managed to slip out of all of it, the individual parts falling to the ground with a clang. The regular clothes that Kris wore under the armor were surprisingly comfortable, much to their delight. They shoved all of the armor in the closet without much care, and made their way back to their spot on the edge of the bed.
Right on cue, there was a soft knock on the door. “Kris? I’m back.” Ralsei entered the room a second later, holding a small tray with two teacups on it. “Sorry I took so lo-“ He froze. “Oh!”
“What’s wrong?”
“N-nothing! Just… I’ve never seen you without your armor on before… you, um… look… good!” Ralsei nodded, mostly to himself, as he made his way over to the bed, plopping down on the edge of the bed right next to Kris.
Each of them took their cups, and Ralsei set the tray off to the side. They drank in silence for a while, letting themselves bask in the rare moment of calm.
Ralsei set his cup down for a moment. “Kris, I hate to pry, but… are you sure you’ll be okay spending the entire night without a SOUL? If you’re without it for too long…”
“I’ll be fine.” Kris finished off their cup, reaching over to put it on the tray. “I’ve done it before.”
Ralsei sighed, finishing off his cup as well. “I trust you, Kris, but… please make sure you’re being careful, okay?”
“I will.” Kris yawned, flopping backwards onto the bed, shuffling over to the pillow. “I’m tired.”
“R-right!” Ralsei hopped off the bed, allowing Kris to fully pull the covers over them. “If there’s anything at all that you need, please let me know, Kris.” He waited a few seconds for a response that never came. “Kris?”
Ralsei leaned over the bed a bit, to find that Kris was already asleep. The exhaustion from everything that had happened today had finally caught up to them, and they finally had some well-earned rest.
Ralsei reached out for the blankets, pulling them all the way over Kris. Susie’s words from earlier echoed in his mind; he truly was tucking them in. He blushed at the thought, and he was thankful Kris wasn’t awake to see his furiously wagging tail.
With Kris taken care of, Ralsei took a few steps backwards, ready to leave, before changing his mind to do one more thing. He walked back over to Kris, and leaned down, giving them a quick kiss on their exposed cheek, before sheepishly scurrying over to the doorway, giving them one last look before shutting the door quietly behind him.
“Sweet dreams, my knight…”