Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chara wasn't above killing.

Now like then. Killing six humans. The whole village. Or, the whole underground.

What they wouldn't get behind though, was senseless murder.

They had a goal back then. Harvesting souls to break the barrier. Then, it shifted a bit, take revenge on the village, because how dared they attack Asriel. And at last, now, the underground's slaughter was meant to make them stronger. That kid they were following, and them, Chara, too. They knew that need more than anyone, so, it made sense. That's why they assisted, on top of not having a choice in the matter. That's why they convinced themself they were okay with it. Because they had to be okay with it, since they couldn't interfere anyway. They convinced themself it was okay, that everything was okay in this situation. That this was a valid goal to pursue, no matter the means to the end.

Or, they thought it was. They thought that was the reason, getting stronger. That this was why this human child they got bound to, brought back to life by, was killing so mercilessly.

Chara didn't like killing the monsters. But if there was a reason for their resurrection, it must've been that. To get stronger. And Chara liked being stronger. The way it felt. The relief it brought. It didn't matter if they liked how they did get that strength, at least no one would be able to ever hurt them again.

Or so they thought.

Turns out being forced to not only witness but assist in the genocide of the species that took you in after your own disgusted you of life not only one time, not two, but– just, no matter the actual number, too many times, two was too many times, and that kid had done it more than two– it was a kind of torture no amount of LOVE could toughen you up or numb you against.

And still. No matter how many times that kid decided to slaughter everyone again and again, Chara was forced to watch, everytime. Watch and comment it and assist it. Assist it on their own, since Flowey bailed on them. He was scared of the human, so Chara was left with it.

It was disgusting, really. The way it came crawling back to them, had them fix everything again just to see it torn to shreds yet again. Using them to repair a world it'll have fun tearing down yet again. Using Chara. Using them like an it. Using them like some tool, some insignificant thing that couldn't do actual harm, even if they had that kid's soul hostage. But it didn't seem to care about that. It might be as soulless as Chara was.

No. Chara really wasn't sure if they were the demon between the two of them anymore. Humans really were rotten. Wether it be some perverted sentimentality, an absence of empathy, a hatred for monsters or Angel forbid simple curiosity that drove that damned child to slay over and over, it didn't matter.

Chara might be soulless in the literal sense. But that kid was a whole other breed of soulless. And honestly, Chara was growing sick of it. They had no body but they felt sick. They were supposed to have control now, didn't they ? So why did they feel more and more powerless every reset that went by ? What did they expect from that human ? A change ? Was that why they stood by and watched, every time, still narrating the slaughter ?

But that kid was human. There was one thing they were on top of everything Chara could call them : that was being determined. They were rotten, perverted, a power hungry sadistic genocidal maniac, human scum. But they were determined.

But, you know what ?

So was Chara. So was Chara, when they were alive. They had died, yes. Were pretty determined themself to do so, too. But that was the thing. Chara had been determined too. And they still were. After all, they were human too. And now, they'd been brought back. By that kid's human soul, determination.

And that kid's soul ?

No longer their own. No– no longer its own. It didn't deserve to be considered a person. Ever since the first slaughter, that soul landed in Chara's hands. That soul, and all its power. All its unfathomable power. Its determination.

Determination. The power to undo death. To undo the death of the one who owned the soul.

As yet again, Chara stood there, face to face with that dusty little killer, what was left of the world making their ears ring, they knew what they had to do. It was time for a change.

"Let's set a new term to this deal, shall we now ?"

If they were honest, they didn't know if they wanted to throw up at the expression the kid made. Part of them relished in the surprise that fell on the other's face, feeling for once again in their miserable existence, powerful. In control.

But then, as a grim satisfaction at that new change morphed the child's expression, Chara just wanted to rip out their own hair. That damned morbid curiosity. Some twisted motivated factor it was. Had Chara just played right into their hand right then, given them‐ it, no, rewarding it with a change ?

They had to stay calm though. As the world reset around them, this time from their own hands, they reminded themself that at last, this time and forward, they truly and always were and would be the only one in control.

Chapter Text

A flash of light. The feeling of falling. Air brushing against their face, heart beating like crazy, a scream locked in their throat and chocking them, eyes wide open as if unable to close and relieve them of the sight of the floor coming closer and closer by the second.

That wasn't the first time Chara lived through such fall. Though now, the goal from it was way, way different. They weren't seeking their own death, but seeking to prevent other's.

Only issue, like the first time, they slammed into the ground right on their knee. Which hurt an awful lot.

Chara yelled out sharply, breath taken out of their lungs the second their body touched the floor. All their limbs felt like dull, white noise. They took uneaven and quick breaths, taken aback by how overwhelming feeling things again was after all this time being incorporal. It didn't help how sudden and how much all the physical feelings hit them either. But they had to be quick. It didn't matter how they felt, how their leg ached, how they wanted to scream, how they were trying to stop screaming, how overwhelmed they were, they had to act fast.

Their body just didn't answer to them, moving ridiculously slowly and sending pained signals at every inch moved.

Chara groaned, frustrated, pushing through the ache, sitting themself up. Angel, were they embarrassed by the fuss they were making over this. They weren't supposed to succumb to such pain. They just– they simply weren't. Not now, not ever.

Examinate your surroundings.

They took a look around. Alright, it was expected. The place they woke up at when the kid first fell. Golden flowers that had grown after Chara died, they presumed, because those surely hadn't broken their first fall, back then. They glanced at their knee. Okay. It was fairly scrapped, was definitly going to bruise, and their old scar was still there despite them technically having willed themself a new body, but they'd manage. All they needed was to not have a broken knee. Which they didn't seem to have this time, so that'll do. Thanks, the new golden flowers. Or, something.

Chara's eyes fell on the other kid, that had fallen face flat onto the flower bed. Their focus locked onto that thing in an instant. It was trying to push its shaking arms to raise itself up. And it looked so, so pathetic doing so. Shaking, whimpering. Chara felt nothing but pure disgust.

Before the kid could do anything, Chara launched forward, knocking the kid on their back and grabbing their throat. Shock deformed the usual stoic expression normally plastered on the little killer's face.

"Now listen close, you little freak," Chara spat, trying to compose their own expression in that one signature creepy face they knew they had. They put more pressure on the kid's neck, morbidly satisfied as they saw them start to squirm and try to claw at their hands. Ah, finally fearing for their life, were they ? (Wasn't it. It. Stop humanising it.) Chara just grinned. "What is it ? I'm not respecting fighting rules ? Where's your first turn ? Your other turn ?"

Chara just slammed it on the floor, earning a choked complaint. It sounded like music to their ears. They laughed.

"Oh so suddenly it's not funny anymore, now, is it ? Being threatened with death out of nowhere ? Having no possible escape ? Sounds familiar ?"

The kid's lips moved, trying to form words. A word. When Chara made out what it was, their smile completely vanished. If they had their knife, god knew they'd have stabbed it right in that thing's neck for daring to even think of pleading with them. So, they just settled to yell at it and punch its face.

"Mercy ?! MERCY ?! Are you SERIOUS ? What kind of sick joke is this ?!" They grabbed the kid by its hair, fuming, cheeks and face all red from anger. They hated how they were unable to stay composed like they wished they would, incredulous giggles escaping them and cracking their intended to be intimidating demeanour. "You don't even get to say this ! Not after– what is WRONG with you ?!"

They slammed the kid into the ground, going back to beating the crap out of it. When the other started fighting back, which should have been expected in retrospect – why would something who caved its path through violence not jump at the opportunity to attack the one trying to bring consequences ? –, Chara felt even angrier.

It wasn't supposed to play out like that. They weren't supposed to be kicking at that kid, be kicked back, in a stupid childish human fistfight.

They were in control. They had ownership on the soul now. They were the consequences. They were the unmoving force at the end. They were the one thing that couldn't be overpowered. They were in control and this was their say that mattered now, they actions mattered and their choices would prevail and this kid would NOT repeat that senseless slaughter.

Chara would either beat the hell out of the kid until they either complied with them out of fear or until they died and didn't come back.

Chara would win this. Chara would NOT be just another boss in that thing's eyes. They would NOT be a stupid cog in the machine. That kid had no LOVE yet. But again, LOVE didn't help if Chara didn't go by monster fighting rules.

Somewhere in the back of their mind, they bitterly noticed they were doing just what they hated. Acting human. Fighting like a human. With no respect of the opponent, dealing blow after blow after blow with no fairness. But that was the only way they had a chance of wining, and that human didn't deserve an ounce of their respect. They weren't sure they had the power over saves and they sure as hell were not going to risk discovering if that were the case or not by losing to that kid.

Wait. They couldn't kill it either. If it died and dialed back...

Chara screamed in frustration and pinned down the child, blocking their airways again to have somewhat the upper hand. To have control over their stupid life.

"Alright." They huffed. "Now you are going to listen to me."

The kid said nothing, struggling with Chara's grip on their neck. Chara repeated themself, yelling louder, voice cracking much to their own dismay. "Listen to me !"

The kid locked eyes with them.

"As you can see, there are new terms to the previous deal. I own your soul. I alone have the power to reset, truly so. And honestly– it is not enough. Clearly, you cannot be trusted with the option in paths. So as of now, I will tag along. I will make the choices. I get to keep the soul even as you live. You will stick behind me and watch."

Let's see how you like it, scum.

Only Chara knew they wouldn't manage emotionally hurting that thing by sparing monsters right in front of their eyes. They'd probably look silly.

Pathetic even. Like they called Asriel when he offered a more optimistic view of the world than theirs.

Chara shook their head, grunting, shoving the thought away. Don't focus on the past. Focus on that thing. Use big words. Adults use big words. Big words instill fear. Fear instills respect, and respect brings obedience. Chara just had to be scary enough and then they'd get their way. Show no weakness.

"That is the deal. And you do not get to bargain with me. You already sold your soul. And remember : I am the one who can dial back." They claimed, even if they didn't know just yet. They'd try the second the kid wasn't looking. For now they just had to be threatening enough. Like that, they'd be convincing. That's how it worked.

"If you go out of your way to slaughter everyone again, I will not hesitate to trap you in nothingness until the end of times. I am not joking."

The kid just stared.

"Understood ?" Chara spat, gripping their throat tighter.

The quick nod they got brought their grin back.

Finally. Something going their way.

"Good." They got up, dusting themself, not giving a hand to the coughing kid who was rubbing their neck. "And if you ever try to double cross me," Chara coldly glared. "I will kill you with my own hands, and make sure you are trapped somewhere for long enough that you beg me to end you and don't come back. Are we clear ? This is my lead now."

Another pained nod.

"Good. Forward."

Chara started walking. The other tried to follow, wobbly on their feet, all black and blue from the fight that just ended.

Chara had suffered their share of bruises and scratches too, but they were used to making it seem like they weren't hurting. They only hoped their twisted knee wouldn't make their slight limp too obvious if they walked fast enough. Couldn't show weakness. Especially not if that risked the thing thinking it managed hurting Chara.

The kid complained a bit at every step it took, whimpering in pain. Too bad. Chara had no empathy for it. It'd have to suck it up, it out of every child ever.

"Can we slow down...?" Its pathetic voice begged.

Chara huffed. "No."

They didn't slow their pace. Good if it hurts it. It deserves it. Plus it'll lose easier if it lost HP already. Can't risk it be at full health.

"Can I just explain myself ?" The child tentatively asked.

Chara whipped around, fumming. Would that thing ever stop angering them ? "I beg your pardon ?"

The kid stood there, fidgeting with its shirt's collar. "I want to try to explain myself. About the... about..."

"About the unnecessary murder sprees you keep going on for nothing more than kicks and laughs ?" Chara sharply suggested, crossing their arms.

The kid shrugged. "Would you believe me if I..." it glanced in Chara's eyes and averted its own, mumbling the rest, intimidated.

"If ?" Chara took a step forward. Something inside them really, really felt good about feeling scary. It really did give power. Power that Chara wasn't letting go off of now. Not in front of that kid.

"It wasn't really me. I don't think so." The kid repeated.

The other just laughed, unsure of what else to do. "Once again. I beg your pardon ?"

Were they hearing this right ?

The kid seemed gradually frustrated at having to repeat itself, which was highly ironic. It had no right getting frustrated.

"I don't think it's really me that chose to... like, I don't think I'm the one that chose to kill them that many times. Or to kill them at all ? I think someone– no, something pushed me to do that. Does that make sense ?"

The only answer Chara gave was pushing it to the ground. "EXCUSE ME ?!"

No way. No way in hell was this little crap pulling this with them. Was that just taunting ?

"I'm the one who had to watch as YOU did everything. I'M the one who watched. You did it all. Are you seriously blaming me right now ? Seriously ?!" Chara grabbed the kid's collar.

It raised its hands in a protective manner, trying to speak. "No, no, that's not what I meant, Chara–"

"Do not."

"What ?"

"Do not speak my name." It didn't deserve to. Chara did not want to be acknowledged by some filthy human. Everytime they were acknowledged by one of their peers, it never ended well.

"Can I just explain myself, please ?"

"Oh, you already did enough–"

"I mean try to do it in an understandable way !" It cut Chara off.

"Are you calling me stupid ?"

"What ?!" The kid opened wide eyes. "No ??? I literally never–"

"Why do you even think I would listen to you ?!" Chara returned the cutting off favour. Unfortunately, they didn't stun the kid into silence with their comment, quite the opposite.

"We're the same, okay ?!" It rose its voice.

And that stunned Chara. From shock, then anger. "The same ? The same ?! No the hell we are not the same, I would never kill– I mean, never for the same reason– never for no reason–"

Oh Angel, they were stumbling on their words. Like a stupid, stupid pathetic little child. Stumbling on their words like an idiot because yes, they were similar to the other kid. And they hated that. They hated realising that, they hated it, they hated it so much.

They dropped the other kid, taking a few steps back, kicking the floor. Kicking the flowers. Why kick the flowers ? They could kick the kid, they deserved it, they were the reason– no, no, it was the reason Chara felt this way, Chara would not call it a them, it was human, it deserved to be called an it, if it used Chara like an it, they'd return the favour and not consider it like a person too.

It saw them coming towards them again, fists clenched with intent, and took steps back. "Okay. Okay. Let's– I didn't mean it like that."

"I do not care what you meant."

"Just let me explain !"

"No."

"Please ?"

"No way."

Now the scene looked ridiculous. Chara walking after the kid in blue and pink, it walking away from them, hands up, trying to pacify them. That made Chara feel belittled. Thus angered them more.

Then the kid remembered it had a stick and tried to threaten Chara with it. "Listen to me for a second !"

Chara just tried to rip the stick out of the other's hands. The other was quick enough to put it out of reach, and push Chara back.

"Give me this." Chara ordered. "Or else– or else–"

They had to find something quick. Something that would make the other afraid.

"I'll give it to you, just– please listen to me before. I promise I'll give it to you."

Chara stopped. They promised ? Maybe they could try and listen, then, no ? Promises were–

No. No, no, no. Promises meant nothing. Grown ups broke them all the time. Humans broke them all the time. Promises meant nothing. Promises were just a random fallacious concept people threw around to use others, to enforce their will upon others, to earn trust before using the other like some thing.

"Please ?" The kid showed their pinky.

Chara hated how that stupid childish part of them had made them curious enough to calm down and actually want to give listening a shot. They wanted to grab that pinky and twist it, but they were more curious. Gritting their teeth, they stopped trying to land a blow on the other.

"Alright. I will hear you out."

The other let out a sigh of relief.

"No way am I going to touch you, though. Put that away this instant. It is childish and stupid, and it means nothing." Chara added to be clear. "I only chose to listen to you because I feel like you will be a thorn in my side if I do not."

They hated how they could tell the other wasn't fully convinced by that explanation. For good mesure, they tried beckoning the other to speak by sternly taking a step forward, raising a brow, trying to tower over them by the ever so slight more height they had.

"I didn't mean that you were making me kill or anything." The kid mumbled.

"Yes. You did that yourself. With your own hands, by your own devices."

The kid shifted uncomfortably. "Yes, but... not really, either. Like, I know I did it. I won't say I didn't, not to you, it'd be stupid."

Chara scoffed. Yes. It would be utterly stupid.

"But also... it was like something was like. Pushing me to do it ? Like– nudging me in that direction. I listened. Dunno why but I kept listening. It felt more... natural to listen ?"

"More natural ?" Chara spat the last words with venom in their voice. "You are a human. Of course pointless violence is natural to you."

"You're human too though" the kid observed.

Chara gritted their teeth. "That is unfortunately correct, to an extent. However I am nothing like you. I do not pointlessly murder. And I certainly would not repair the world I destroyed just to tear it to shreds over and over."

The kid looked down. "I'm... uh... sorry, I guess ?"

"You guess ?"

Angel, did Chara wish they could rip that kid apart.

"Like– I'm... I guess I'm good at following directions" it mumbled. "That's what I felt like I was doing."

"When you slaughtered ?" Chara needed clarification here, because holy hell.

"Yeah...?" It scratched at its hair. "Like I was... following orders or something. I didn't have a reason not to. Maybe that's why I kept going along with it...? I dunno. I just... I don't know." They mumbled. "I'm not good at... being. More at doing stuff. Acting."

"By ACTing, you mean killing ? Fighting ?"

"No, more... like, just acting. Doing... actions. 'Being' me, like... I dunno what that is. It doesn't matter. I just do stuff."

"Okay, why are we getting heavily side tracked here ? I do not recall asking you who you are. That is none of my concern." Chara reminded them. Ah– it.

The kid sighed. "That's my point... it doesn't matter." They shoved their hands in their pockets. "Do what you want, I'll follow. I'm good at this. I don't really care."

And they genuinely seemed like they meant it. What infuriated Chara was the lack of hopelessness. The kid was truly just unbothered. Like this was just a game to them. Like they weren't really there. Like nothing mattered to them.

Angel. To it. It. It. Chara needed to stop. Monsters had softened them.

"Good." They snapped out of their thoughts, stern. "That is settled, then. From now on, I pick what to do. You will follow behind. I cannot get rid of you, that is true. But you cannot get rid of me either."

The kid just shrugged, and hummed.

"Your soul is mine."

A nod.

"I dictate your fate."

A nod.

"It is up to me whether or not I let you have a good ending."

A nod.

"I will not let you have one after you have done, even if this time I reach a better outcome."

A nod.

God. Chara did not know how far they would need to go to signify to the kid they were in control. And that honestly scared them. So, made them angry.

They stopped talking, scoffing. Grabbed the kid's wrist and tugged, starting to walk forward, ignoring the pained complaints from the kid and that their knee sent them.

They'd lead the march, and they'd manage to understand that kid. They'd need to do so if they wanted to grasp control of them, truly.

But for now, they had to settle with only physically bossing them around. Dragging them like the puppet they'd made themself into, by selling their soul so carelessly.

Chara stepped through the doors, where in the corner of their eye, they caught glimpse of a strange looking yellow flower.

Both parties were stunned, looking at each other with recognition, or confusion.

Flowey, who'd initially seem about to retract in the ground upon hearing footsteps, had frozen upon noticing the newest change. Looking through the human's eyes with his own that felt eerily familiar to the other. This time, they could see it. Flowey wasn't just seeing through the kid. Wasn't just imagining them through the kid. He was actually seeing them here, after all. Next to the kid, in the flesh again.

"Chara ?" He called them out.

Oh, once again, Chara wishes their name was not uttered.

Chapter Text

Chara didn't move. Didn't answer.

"Chara, that– it's you. It's really you ! You look like you, you– how–"

Flowey's eyes displayed an emotion Chara wasn't sure they wanted to try and even understand. A desperation this deep... unnerved them. To say Chara was violently uncomfortable was a severe, severe understatement.

Flowey was about to come closer, when he took in the other human's presence. He recoiled upon recognising them. "You." He just mumbled.

The kid shrugged.

Flowey then blinked, looking back and forth between the two, now trying to puzzle it together. "Wait... how..."

He didn't get to finish his question. Footsteps echoed, footsteps Chara knew all too much by now.

Flowey retreated in the ground the moment Toriel's face peeked out of the entrance.

Crap. Oh, crap, Chara had not had the time to anticipate this. Nor had they planned how to even explain anything, think of any words, to warn Toriel of the human–

Oh, who were they fooling, they were mostly distraught because at last they were truly seeing their mother again.

And their mother could see them very well this time.

None of the three entities in the room budged. Toriel, frozen at the entrance, mouth open with a greeting that died in her throat. Chara, stuck in place, brain filled with way too many words at once, a disgusting static-ish feeling coursing through their every vein. And the kid, still behind Chara, unmoving, awaiting someone to beckon them to do whatever.

Chara's body betrayed them, their bad knee shaking under their static weight. They winced. That small movement greenlit Toriel to start talking. Or, try to.

"My child...? Is this really you ?"

Chara's words died and rot in their throat. Yes ? No ? They couldn't answer truthfully. They were "Chara", that they knew for sure. But if they were Toriel's child, that same Chara... they didn't know anymore. They didn't think so.

Was Asriel Flowey ? That question seemed easier than the previous one. It seemed like a similar situation to Chara's. Before at least. Was the Chara of right now the same Chara as a LOVE 20 Chara ? Were the both of those the same if the first had memories of being and knowing what being the second felt like ?

Toriel didn't need an answer, though. Neither did she know of her child's internal struggle. The little aborted sound Chara made instead of talking served as one enough to her. She let out a complaint and walked to Chara, ensnaring them in a full body hug with no other warning. A very tight one too.

Chara yelped and squirmed for a second.

They didn't want a hug. They didn't want a hug. They didn't want a hug.

They couldn't breathe. The kid saw this. It'd think Chara was some weak child that needed its mom. Chara was strong. Didn't need anyone.

Toriel knew they didn't like hugs. Not like that. Not without warning. She knew it distressed them. They knew that. She knew that. They knew she knew. She was disregarding that. She was knowingly disregarding that.

Chara whined, trying to pry her off. This felt wrong. This was wrong.

"Mom. Mom, stop– Toriel, let me go. Let me go !" They progressively highering the level of their voice, gripping their mother's fur too tight. Tugging. Pulling. Anything for her to just get the memo. They wanted out.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry Chara, please, please, just give me one moment. Please."

Chara just went limp, defeated. No reason to try and fight off anything when they were constricted like this. At least this was Toriel, and not anyone or anything else. There was this that somewhat eased it. And... they at least owed her this. For all the pay they'd caused her. They'd agree to bypass their repulsion of touch if it comforted her to hold her dead but now alive child. It really was the least they could do, their death being their very fault.

If the kid gets any stupid idea from this, I'll snap its legs, they promised themself. They weren't some idiot softy. Their mom was just...

Their mom was just...

Angel, this low LOVE made them unable to think of any insult without feeling that stupid, stupid guilt. They craved the detachment it offered. Even though they had known what dialing back so far would entail. They weren't about to start causing a rampage to feel the craved numbness, it'd be oh so hypocritical and counterproductive to their new mission. But god. Feeling that heartache was too much. They wished they could numb it out somehow. It felt violent. It made them want to be violent.

Any moment now. They counted the seconds, trying to refrain themself from audibly whimpering. They hated physical touch, Angel did they hate it. It didn't help that Toriel was shaking like she was crying. Which she most likely was. If kids weren't supposed to cry, adults should even less. Crying was weakness. But... Chara had no right to deny Toriel's own to cry. She was an adult. Adults did whatever they felt like.

And the kid was watching it all. It just pissed Chara off more. They needed out right now.

"Alright. It's over now. Let me go, mom. Toriel." Chara tried to be firm. They were only satisfied by 80% at their performance, which they wished they could pinch themself for. Not now thought.

At last, Toriel pulled back. Chara took a breather, doing their very best to look everywhere but the goat woman's puffy eyes.

Toriel rubbed her face, sniffling. "I apologise. I know you didn't like... don't like hugs like that. I just... I never thought I would ever..."

Chara shifted their weight from one foot to the other, frowning. "I know. So did I." They spat.

Me especially. Thanks to that little freak behind me.

"I have... so many questions, Chara. So, so many."

"I know." Chara muttered. "Not now, though. There are..." they glared behind at the damned child. "...more pressing matters to deal with."

Toriel got to her feet, nodding and composing myself. "You... you are right, my child. For now, it... it is best we make our way back home. Before, though..."

She stepped towards the child.

"Greetings, small one. May I ask you your–"

Chara grabbed their mother's robes. They were nowhere near strong enough to physically immobilise her, but the contact made the goat woman stop.

"Toriel. Do not come closer to that... that thing. It is dangerous." They warned, eyes as cold as ice. They were all stiff. So much so that it strained their whole body.

Toriel's own eyes were warmer. Oh so warmer, glowing with sad little flames. "Chara... I know you always were... weary of your own kind. However this is a child, like you. They are wounded."

"I know it is wounded." They spat, then laughing humourlessly. "I made sure it was neutralised."

Toriel looked at them weirdly. Sadly, with care, but with a hint of disappointment and incredulity. "You have... harmed them ?" Her voice was but a whisper. "Why ?"

"It is dangerous. You do not know what it is capable of. I do. Believe me, you do not want to know what I know. I simply ask of you to trust me when I tell you : this human, this– this thing is worst than any human I have ever met."

And that said a lot.

Toriel was taken aback by their whole tirade. She was at loss for words for a few seconds.

"Chara. I... do not know how you came back, nor where you were, and even less what your history with this child here could be. But both of you need tending to."

"This thing does not deserve your mercy." Chara strained. "Not yours. Especially not yours, mother."

Toriel looked at them without a word. Chara almost felt like shrinking, their confidence wavering. She wasn't even being threatening. She never, ever tried to threaten them. But the hint of disappointment... somehow it was worse. The only reason Chara doubled down was their burning anger.

"It is of my advice to let this thing the way it is. We have to bring it back with us to make sure it doesn't harm anyone, but to ensure it will not harm us too, we should avoid tending to its wounds."

"Chara, this is a child. A child like you, mind you. They look even younger, too. I... doubt they could do any harm."

Oh. Oh, she had no idea. However Chara did, and the memories coupled with the ability to feel again just blocked the words in their throat.

"And besides. If they had wanted to cause harm, wouldn't they have already ? I bet they are simply just horrendously confused and scared right now. Especially if you... attacked them."

"Mom, no." Chara hated the way their voice cracked. "It's dangerous. That thing, it–" they were cut off.

"Chara. Chara, please. They are a human child, like you, not a thing." She pleaded.

Chara was nothing like it. The fact their own mother compared them to a thing like this made them physically wince, mouth opening in shock despite them. It hurt. It hurt right through their chest, right through their very soul. Which they wanted to rip out and crush for imposing on them such horrible sensations. Their stunned silence was processed as listening by their goat mother, so, she went on, oblivious to the violence of how her statement was recieved. She couldn't know.

"I just got you back. I am confused, incredibly happy, but... I... I would hate having our reunion be done over an argument. I ask of you, please. Please, drop this. Let us... just go home." Toriel sounded so, so exhausted.

Chara looked down, fists clenched. No. They couldn't let this go. She didn't know. She didn't know what this thing was capable of. What it would do if left unattended.

Toriel sighed, and knelt down to their level. She slowly extended her paw, hovering it about their head. Seeing they didn't duck away, she very lightly and gently brushed through their hair like she used to all those years ago.

"Chara. I have everything under control, I promise."

Chara did not believe a word of it, feeling bile at the back of their throat. They were supposed to have control. Not anyone else.

But they sucked it up, and listened their mother. As long as she did not attack the child first, and as long as Chara was around to watch, she would be safe. That was enough for now. And, if Chara couldn't have control for now, she seemed like a good second option.

"Alright." They whispered, defeated.

Toriel gave them a smile. A tired one, but a genuine one.

"Thank you" she whispered back. They hummed their welcome, heart not set to it.

Then she got up. She approached the other kid, who looked about to take a step back, looking at the goat woman weirdly, before simply staying in place. Toriel whispered them something too, which Chara didn't care to focus on as they stared through the child as a warning. Then she picked the child up, positioned it so she carried it with one hand as it rested on her. She then shifted to Chara, offering them a hand.

They took it, internally hating that this murderous freak of a human got to be carried simply because they'd been rightfully kicked at.