Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kris had been in this darkness before. It was a familiar occurrence every so often to dream of this place. A cool, dark place where water rose from murky pools upwards into the unknown. The soothing noise of flowing water was overpowered by the ever present ticking of an immense lavishly ornate clock at the epicenter of the dreamscape. Even in the dark Kris could make out its face. For the last few visits it crept ever closer to midnight. Now it was just past eleven thirty.

They approached the clock, something else was different. Its glass case no longer showed a swinging pendulum, but instead, a shimmering field of stars. As they got closer something else emerged from the stars, a black shadow, its silhouette mirroring theirs. Before they could even form the question, the shadow simply whispered. “Soon, very soon.”

Then they woke up.

They found themselves in the back seat of a van. By instinct,they peered out the window to see an ocean of golden leaves stretching out for miles along the road. It was impossible to tell how long they were out.

“Did you have a good nap?” Asked a gentle voice from the front. It was from Kris’s latest foster mother, Toriel. Her choice to adopt them was a surprise to just about everyone save her. The idea of a human moving to an all monster town reeked of being a last ditch effort for the foster center to be rid of them. Not that it mattered all that much to Kris.

“Are you okay back there?” She said, a hint of concern slipping into her voice. Kris gave her a lazy nod showing her they were still alive. “Good. We are almost there.” She gave them a warm smile before turning her attention back to the road.

As if on queue, a sign proudly declaring “WELCOME TO HOMETOWN” in bold serif letters flew by the window. The seemingly endless forest began to clear as the van approached the small town. Along the main street were several dozen monsters of all shapes and sizes. It was like Halloween arrived early and came to stay. Although quite a few monsters looked more cute than scary, if not downright silly. 

The van turned off towards the north of town where the buildings slowly became more residential, and the forest started to engulf the road again. They traveled up the road until they came to a large wrought iron gate. Kris could just make out the arched roof of an immense manor peaking out from the treetops.

“Oh Kris, that’s not our house. The mayor’s family lives there.” She chuckled. “They do happen to have a daughter that is about your age. We could visit them, provided we schedule things right.” There was a hint of exasperation in her voice towards the end. The van turned once more onto another road leading up to a solitary cream-colored two story house. “Now we are home!” Toriel said, parking her van in the driveway. The moment the doors unlocked Kris began the almost ritualistic task of gathering their things from the trunk and bringing them into the house.

As Kris brought their suitcase into the house they took in the quaint, almost rustic living room. The furniture was clearly a few decades old, to say nothing of the ancient CRT television to the right wall. The living room opened into a kitchenette with a large table situated against the left wall. Leaving a clear path for them to head upstairs. The haul was somewhat arduous for the two of them, but after a few minutes all of Kris’s few worldly possessions were in their new room.

Toriel dusted off her skirt in exhaustion. “Well! I think that will do for now. If you’re confident you can handle the rest I will be downstairs making dinner. Okay?” She asked. To which Kris gave a short nod to her. A conflicted pang of hesitancy shot through her as she stifled the urge to hug her new ward. They were so different from what she was used to, but she was determined to break through their walls. Fortunately, she had her secret weapon in the refrigerator, and all it needed now was to be heated back up. For now she’d let them have some time to settle in.

It was clear to Kris the room had been reworked to accommodate a second kid. Apart from the extra bed, one side was decorated with stars, moons, shelves filled with trophies and family photos. Kris’s side was far more spartan, mirroring its counterpart in only basic structure. Vacant shelves, an empty nightstand, all they were given was barren. To say nothing of the computer desk their so-called brother had.

Not that they expected it to be any different. This wasn’t their first time like this. Though having such experience with constantly changing foster families did have its scant few perks. Like knowing how to pack and unpack quickly. Within a few minutes their clothes were sorted into the closet and drawers without issue. The real time eater was setting up their drawing supplies. Doubly so given the lack of space for them. They could use their “brother’s” computer desk, and why would he mind? He wasn’t going to be home for a while.

Another twenty minutes passed, and it was set up. The keyboard skewed off to the left, Pencils and fountain pens to the right alongside the mouse, and drawing pad dead center. All was right with the world. They even considered drawing a little, until they heard Toriel’s voice from downstairs.

“Dinner is ready!” She called. Kris reluctantly made their way back downstairs. Upon reaching the bottom they were met with the sweet aroma of cinnamon and butterscotch.  The delicious scent radiated out from a freshly warmed up Pie. Toriel had already started cutting up the pie, serving it onto a plate and topping it with a swirl of whipped cream. 

“I had to pre-make it yesterday because of the trip, but it is still made with love all the same.” She said, gesturing towards Kris’s seat. They obliged, and took a bite of the pie.

Kris nearly melted as the warm creamy sweetness spread across their taste buds. Underneath the rich core of the pie was the firm crunchy crust. If anything, re-heating it only made it more to Kris’s tastes. Bite after savory bite, they ate away as if it was the first good meal in ages. In truth, it was more like months. Kris didn’t look back to Toriel until they had devoured all but the outer edge of the slice. When they finally looked back up they saw something they thought they’d never see again.

She was beaming at them. Her mouth upturned into a gentle smile. Her eyes and posture relaxed. Kris could practically feel the joy radiating from her. She didn’t need to say it, but she did anyway. “Welcome home Kris.”

(Maybe, just maybe.) Kris thought to themself. (This time will be different.)

Chapter Text

Kris returned to their new room after some post-dinner TV watching. The old CRT still managed to hold a decent picture. Still, they felt the pull of sleep after a few hours of being a couch potato.They climbed into their new bed. The sensation of fresh sheets against their skin was almost alien to them. The plush comfort of the bed sent them drifting into sleep in record time.

They dreamt of darkness, but this was an unfamiliar one. It felt older, and far more grim. A sense of dread sat in the pit of their stomach like a boulder. Despite it, they walked forward. Towards the only feature in the absolute dark. A gargantuan pillar of rippling energy. At its base someone was waiting for them. They didn’t recognize the person’s silhouette, and yet for some reason it felt familiar. As if they knew this stranger. 

As they drew nearer the dread drained away into something else entirely. The features of the figure became more apparent. She was a monster girl who towered over Kris by at least a head and a half. Wild locks of plum hair flowed down past her shoulders resting on a black sleeveless jacket. Each of her powerful arms were adorned with two spiked bracelets. Her entire outfit screamed rebellion, disorder, and power. In spite of her appearance, or perhaps because of it, Kris felt oddly safe approaching her. As if she could pick them up and carry them off to safety.

They finally stood next to her, staring at the roiling pillar… no that wasn’t quite right… fountain, in silence.

“Hey Kris…” She began. Her deep voice trembled with vulnerability. “Can I tell you… A stupid dream I have?”

They turned towards her, seeing her face in profile, or at least the parts of her face that weren’t covered by her long bangs.

Her features were clearly draconic in nature, but they were rounded and smooth.

“No matter what. I…” She continued. “I want to keep being friends with you and -” Her lips moved, but the name of whoever she was talking about was silenced. “I want tomorrow to be the same as yesterday. And the next day to be just the same as that. That in the end we can always go back to the way things were before.”

Kris didn’t know what to say to her. It was rare for Kris to make friends to begin with, never mind one that actually wanted to stay around them. If anything their mind was swimming with a thousand questions, but not a word could come out of their mouth.

“You don’t have to say anything back Kris. I… I know you’re thinking the same thing. Aren't you, dumbass?” She said, trying to fight back her own dread.

Then she turned to Kris, and in spite of their fear, she smiled. A radiant smile of jagged yellow teeth curving up along her freckled snout. To anyone else such a smile would have only scared them more, and yet, They felt like everything would be okay. Even the absolute darkness around them seemed like it was banished for a moment. As if in imitation, something deep within themself resonated with her. A red heart, their soul itself floated out of their body and bathed everything in white light.

Then they woke up.

Kris jolted up from their bed in a state of pure mania. They darted over to their desk, uncapping their fountain pen and throwing open their sketchbook to a fresh page. There was no time to sketch nor any need to, the image of the girl’s smile was seared into their brain. It was only a matter of bringing it into the world.

Kris’s arm swept across the page with a focused intensity. The likes of which they’ve only come close to before. Lines flew into each other in sharp arcs contouring the girl’s form. They tightened their form even more to start hatching in grey values. 

Then came the hard part. The Pure black shadows. Kris raised their pen high above the page, angling the tip exactly how their old teacher showed them. With a controlled flick of their arm, ink splattered exactly where they wanted. They repeated it, again and again until everything was properly inked in. 

It was done. From mind to paper it was done!

Kris let go of the fountain pen, letting it clatter onto the desk. Their arms flopped to their sides in exhaustion.

“Worth it.” Kris groaned. Now that the rendition was made, a new drive urged them onwards. They had to find her. 

If there was one thing Kris trusted in this world it was their dreams. Occasionally they’d have visions like this, and without fail they’d eventually come to pass. This time, Kris was eager to speed things up. The prospect of having a friend who actually wanted to be around them was one thing, but she was clearly more. She felt important, more important than anyone they’ve ever met before.

Kris picked up the freshly dried drawing, carefully folding it to fit into their pocket.

“I will find you,” they murmured to themselves.

Chapter Text

Toriel came down the stairs hoping to get a head start on making breakfast, only to realize Kris had already made it for themselves.
They were eating a bowl of Asriel’s favorite cereal Hokus Pokus. (Yes this is an actual cereal that exists!) Strangely enough, they were eating the cereal separate from their chocolate milk. The foster center did tell her Kris was eccentric, but it was clear they left out a few things. Her main concern for now was simply their well being.

“There is no need to scrounge up breakfast for yourself Kris. I was planning to make you some pancakes if you had waited a little longer.”

Kris shrugged and rolled their head in an “oh-well” motion. Not elaborating on the matter.

She looked them over for a moment, wondering just how long they were up for. She could smell the apple shampoo they kept in the downstairs bathroom, so they’ve been up long enough to take a bath. Beyond that she couldn’t tell. There was only one question left, and she didn’t want to prod too much too soon. Instead, she grabbed a bagel from the freezer, some cream cheese and of course, brewed some coffee, giving Kris and herself some time to think.

“Did you have any trouble sleeping?” She asked, carefully probing to see if something was wrong.

“No.” They murmured. “Wanted to get up early.”

“Whatever for? It is Sunday morning.”

“I want to see the town.”

Toriel smiled excitedly. Of course they’d want to explore their new home. Maybe even meet some friends, too.

“Do you know any good places to…” Kris thought for a moment, searching for the right phrasing. They almost seemed embarrassed to ask. “...To meet someone around my age?”

Toriel could barely stifle a squeal. “I can think of a few places. I know a few of your soon to be classmates visit the library often. I could drop you off on my way to the church. Alvin needs some help with a couple of things.”

Toriel continued to ramble about her plans for the day, but Kris’s mind wandered back to their dream. She didn’t seem like the kind of girl who’d hang around a library. Hopefully someone there might recognize the portrait.

The library was something of a sanctuary for Noelle. It was quiet, warm, and was the only place where she could let herself relax these days, save for her brief visits to her ailing father each day. Today however, was different.

Today there was a human in the library.

She never saw one before, not in real life, anyways. They were always on TV, photographs, and in her books, but to see one, especially this one, unnerved her. It had an air of gloominess about them, with its barely brushed mess of dark brown hair hiding their eyes. It was hunched forward gait as if it were a predator hunting for something, or someone. It was like watching a dark nature documentary and she couldn’t look away. Too fascinated to flee, but too scared to approach.

Inevitably the human noticed her staring at them. With each step they drew closer to her, until they were right next to her.

“Hey.” They said in a low, monotone mumble.

"H-Hi there! You must be the new human in town. W-Welcome to Hometown."

"You know about me?" They asked, tilting their head to the side.

"My mom signed off on your adoption forms. She said you'd be coming here soon."

The human flinched back for a second, lost in thought for a moment. Then a realization struck them.

“You’re the Mayor’s daughter.”

"Y-yep. That's me. Oh uh, I forgot to p-properly introduce myself. I'm Noelle Holiday."

"Yes you sure are." They snickered ever so slightly. "I'm Kris."

“Like Krismaaaas?” She had practiced the icebreaker before, in hopes to reassure the human was welcome, but now it was more to soothe herself.

"Ugh, please no. It's spelt with a K." They groaned.

“Fahaha. I did spell it with a K.” She said facetiously.

Kris let out an annoyed grumble. Whatever tension was there before had been diffused. For a moment it felt like Noelle could actually let her guard down around them.

“So, can you help me find someone? I, uh… saw them yesterday and I’d like to meet her.” Kris asked while they fidgeted with their sweater sleeve.

"Sure. Hometown's not that big. Can you tell me what she looked like?"

Noelle’s curiosity grew into genuine intrigue as Kris pulled out a folded piece of paper. They carefully opened it to reveal a face both familiar and foreign to her. The drawing was of Susie, her wild hair and distinctly rounded reptilian snout were unmistakable. Still, Noelle never would have imagined she could smile like that. Then there was the outfit she was wearing. She thanked her lucky stars that the human couldn’t see her blush under her fur.

“S-Susie!?!” Noelle finally sputtered out.

“So that’s her name. Susie.”

"W-where d-did you see Susie dressed like that?" She asked before muttering, "and how did you get her to smile that way?"

"I only got a few glimpses of her from the car.” Kris stammered. “Most of it's from memory.”

"Oh." Her excitement deflated into disappointment. "I see."

"...Do you know where I could find her?" They pressed on.

"Uhhh... Well..." She thought for a moment. "I think I saw her walking towards the forest on the way down here. It's on the other end of the road from my house."

"Kay. Thanks." Kris folded up the paper and turned towards the door, but Noelle suddenly reached out and grabbed at their sleeve.

"W-wait! There's one more thing."

Kris reflexively pulled their sleeve out of her grip. She wasn’t holding on that hard but it was enough to startle them.

"Mom wanted me to give you our phone numbers. In case you need anything." She handed Kris a light blue sticky note with her mother’s number written in ink. Beneath it, in the corner, was her number hastily written in pencil.

“Thanks.” Kris said as they stuffed it into their other pocket. Then they left Noelle to herself.
Her thoughts swirled, trying to process the whole situation. Kris was an enigma to her, which only made them all the more fascinating.

Asgore’s shop was silent, save for the gentle spray of water out of his can onto the flower bed. He carefully made sure it was evenly distributed without oversaturating the dirt. The work was calming. It kept the yearning at bay, even for just a little while.Then out of the corner of his eye he saw a familiar looking sweater on an unfamiliar face. On the other side of the store’s window was them. The human Carol told him about. The one Toriel adopted.

They were his way back.

Wasting no time, Asgore dropped the watering can and exited the shop.
“Howdy there!” He called out to the lithe human. “You must be Kris.”

Their head snapped in his direction, clearly at how a stranger knew who they were. After a moment, Kris began to recognize him, but was still a little puzzled by their meeting.

“I see…” Asgore said, his shoulders sinking in disappointment. “Tori didn’t mention me. I can’t blame her. Still I’d like you to know, even if we’re not officially family anymore, consider yourself welcome to visit whenever you want.”

Kris gave him a wary nod.

“Uhh… so. What brings you around these parts anyways?”

“Did Susie go by here?” They asked, fidgeting with their sweater collar.

“Susie, huh?” He stroked his beard knowingly. “I think I saw her head down by the river when I was opening up the shop.”

Kris nodded eagerly, the corroborating accounts clicked satisfyingly together in their head.

“Is she still there?”

“Think so. You wouldn’t happen to need any flowers for her?” He teased them.

“Already got something.”

“Hahahah! I’ll just leave it to you. Good luck kiddo.” He gave Kris a hearty pat on the back, causing them to stumble forward a little before regaining their footing.

Asgore watched on as Kris wandered along the trail into the woods. He knew Kris was their way back in. Not a day in and he’d already helped them out with their crush.
Hopefully the kid had better luck than he did.