Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Nathan was standing in the lobby of his failing hotel. It was quiet for once, not because there were usually people asking for rooms no, because there was always some ghost screaming or talking or something. It was deathly quiet now. He was staring up at the chandelier in deep thought. Thinking about all the events in his life that lead up to this. Here he was running a haunted hotel with no money to show for it, and no family to talk about it with. The ghosts are not good talkers, they mostly make threats or mention they’ve had it worse. 

His life really was one big shit show after another. He wasted so much money on a college degree that never lead to anything, his sister hasn’t spoken to him in ages, he got this hotel in an easy card game from a man he now realizes was just trying to get rid this problem. Nathan let out a long sigh. He really couldn’t do anything right could he? 

“Hey uh the TV next to the speakeasy stopped workin’, you should get on that.” A ghost that looked a farmer missing half his face interrupted his thoughts, looking very annoyed. Nathan groaned before putting on a smile “Will do!” Before he could say anything else the ghost left, walking through the wall. What he wouldn’t do to be able to do that.

A walk, he needed a walk outside. A moment to himself, away from the ghosts and monsters that reside in the hotel. Just a long breather. Out with the nature surrounding the hotel, and hopefully less ghouls to make him feel so much worse about himself, where all his effort had taken him.

So he decided to take a walk until he feels better, and he walked for a long while. He took out his phone and searched through his contacts wondering if he should call someone. Mom and dad were probably busy with something more important, Aunt Rose Would probably laugh at him saying how she was right about him being a failure from the start, he had no friends to think of, and Katherine…

His finger hovered over the call button. She would be upset with him he knew. He wasted so much on this hotel, on his life. She would probably tell him to give up on this. He really should, but what else was there for him? What else was there in his life besides this? Should he really bother his little sister for something like this? He put his phone away, this walk wasn’t working. None of his ideas ever worked. All of this was useless...

As he was turning around he heard something, it sounded like rocks being thrown at each other. It didn’t sound like an animal was making that noise, and he didn't think ghosts could pick up rocks. He moved to investigate, if it was a person hiking in the woods he should warn them of the super natural things in the area. 

As he got closer to the noise he noticed a deep pit in front of a tree. Hearing the noise coming from within it he looked down only to freeze. Down at the bottom was a little boy who couldn't be any older than nine, and that was pushing it. The boy was wearing an odd pilgrim like outfit, complete with buckled shoes and knee high socks. Nathan would have thought he was just another ghost if it wasn’t for the fact he was physically dropping rocks on the ground.

Suddenly very glad he decided to take a walk Nathan bent down on his knees. The boy looked up seeing his shadow, he showed no emotion in those sunken eyes. Nathan only got more worried.

“Hey, bud.” He spoke gently, reaching an down towards the boy in the pit “What are you doing down there?” He kept his voice calm. The boy looked at Nathan’s hand in confusion, then slowly reached up to take it. Nathan immediately tightened his grip and started to pull, startling the kid. “There we go, safe and sound.” He set the kid down, pushing him slightly away from the edge of the pit. 

Now that he could get a closer look at the kid Nathan took notice how deathly pale he looked, his hair seemed matted in some places, and he was covered in grime and dirt. “What are you doing?” The boy finally spoke “Why did you release me from the ground prison?” Nathan’s concern for this kid only kept growing. Why was he speaking like that? “Because that can’t be a comfortable spot.” Nathan said hoping his worry wasn’t seeping through. “Now do you mind telling me where your parents are, bud?” 

Nathan didn't know what he was expecting the answer to be, but the blank look the kid gave made his heart hurt. “Ah never mind, how about I bring you to the Undervale?” Nathan reached out his hand again. The boy’s eyes widened “You are the caretaker of the building now?” He asked quietly. Nathan nodded hesitantly “Did you know the past owners?” The boy looked back at the pit “I did.” 

Not liking what that entailed Nathan kept a brave face, still holding out is hand. “Don’t worry, I will make you some hot chocolate when we get there.” At the confused look of the kid he added “It’s a delicious drink that makes you feel safe.” The kid looked fascinated in response and grabbed hold of Nathan’s hand.

They started back on the trail to the hotel. Nathan kept his grip tight on the boy, feeling relieved he took such a long walk through the forest. He couldn't imagine what would have happened if this kid was left there for however much longer he would have been. “Say buddy I never caught your name.” The boy looked confused again, Nathan had a feeling he would be seeing that expression a lot on the kid “Is it possible to throw names?” Nathan chuckled “No I was just asking you what your name was.” The boy looked at Nathan with suspicion “Tell me your name first new building owner.”

“It’s Nathan!” 

After a moment of silence the kid finally answered  “...Mine is Abaddon.”

Chapter Text

The rest of the trek back to the hotel was filled with Nathan trying to get more information about Abaddon. He was failing miserably, but at least the kid seemed calm.

Abaddon answered everything with either a blank look or an incredibly vague sentence. From what Nathan could put together this kid didn't remember his parents, or age, he lived with the past owners for a short time before running away because they “threw him in the water” whenever he was bad.

Nathan, the bleeding heart he was, held Abaddon’s tiny hand tighter.

“Well bud we are almost there!” Nathan cheered as he saw the tall building getting closer. “When we get there, don’t be scared by all the… eccentric characters. They mostly just want the TV channel changed.” Nathan tried to explain in a way that wouldn’t scare the kid.

Abaddon tilted his head “You mean those magic boxes with the tiny people trapped inside?” He stared at Nathan curiously. Nathan sighed with a smile and nodded “Yeah, those things.”

They made their way to the entrance. Nathan let go of Abaddon’s hand to open the door, holding it wide for him. The kid glanced between the entrance and Nathan for a moment before taking a full step inside. Instantly Abaddon was looking around the lobby “This place has changed.” The kid noted with an amusing amount of seriousness. 

Abaddon was running around the room, grumbling about some missing bone collection. Once he lifted a vent to stick his head inside Nathan decided he should start doing what he was supposed to do. “Hey Abaddon, do you still want some of that hot chocolate?” He called out. That grabbed the boy's attention as he quickly lifted his head. “You mean the magic drink of saftey?” He ran towards Nathan who stifled his laughter. 

Abaddon seemed to already know where the kitchen was as he ran in there, pulling Nathan's arm with him. Once was let go to put the concoction together Nathan grabbed two mugs from the cupboard and started heating the milk. He grabbed a stool when he noticed Abaddon was trying to watch what he was doing.

“Do you like marshmallows?” Nathan asked reaching for the small bag he had. “What are those?” As Abaddon spoke Nathan handed him a small marshmallow. Nathan stuck one from the bag in his mouth, and after watching that Abaddon shoved the one given to him in his own. 

The sweetness hit him full force and after a minute of chewing he spoke “That morsel was… pleasing. I demand another.” Abaddon made grabby hands for the bag as Nathan held it out of reach. “You will get more with your hot chocolate, I promise.” Abaddon huffed as Nathan set the marshmallows on the highest shelf in the pantry and started going through it. 

“So is there any food you like?” “Freshly killed squirrel.” Abaddon answered quickly arms now crossed as he pouted. Pausing his search for what foods he had Nathan turned to Abaddon “Will some PB&J do?” Unsurprisingly Abaddon gave him a blank look. “You’ll have to try it.”

Once the milk was hot enough for Nathan’s liking he poured in the cocoa packet and stirred. After mixing it nicely he poured it in the two mugs. Satisfied he turned to grab the marshmallows only to see Abaddon took the opportunity to steal the bag of puffy treats while his back was turned.

The kid was sitting inside the pantry stuffing his dirt covered hand in the bag and chewing happily. Nathan sighed “Abaddon,” he spoke in a disappointed tone “What are you doing?” The kid scoffed “You can not order the great  Abaddon! I will do as I please.” In response Nathan just sighed “Well you can’t have the marshmallows with hot chocolate now.” 

Abaddon glared at him “Why so?” “Because they are covered in dirt and it will ruin the magic of hot chocolate.” Nathan explained like it was obvious. Abaddon shimmied out of the pantry still holding the bag “Dirt soils the spell?” 

Nathan placed the mugs on the table “Come here bud. Next time you can have it with some marshmallows if you don’t eat out of the bag.” Abaddon only hummed in thought as he moved next to the table, putting the bag down. He stared at the mug in front of him. 

Nathan noticing his hesitation grabbed his own mug and drank it waiting for Abaddon to copy him. After scrutinizing it, probably trying to figure out if it really was magical, and glancing at Nathan, he took a small sip. His eyes widened in fascination as he took a bigger sip “This is an incredible power.” He whispered. He cleared his throat and stared at Nathan “Your gift has pleased me, therefore I propose an alliance.” Abaddon said between sips of his drink. “I will protect you from any demon that dare threatens you!”

Nathan smiled “Oh you don't need to do all that.” Abaddon looked at him in shock “Do you not wish to have an alliance?” Nathan shook his head “I would love an alliance, but I don't need anything in return. As long as you stay safe we are all good.” Nathan ruffled the kids hair, only to get grime all over his hand. He really needed to give him a bath.

Abaddon stared at him with bewilderment. “Stay safe?” He looked at the mug in his hand and then glanced back up at Nathan. This kid was going to be the death of him. 

Nathan got up “Do you want to try a PB&J?” He changed the topic, putting down his mug next to the sink to wash his hands. Abaddon nodded “Does it also have magical properties?” “Only if you believe it does.”

Nathan started grabbing the needed ingredients. He heard Abaddon scurrying around the kitchen and when he looked back he saw Abaddon downing the rest of his hot chocolate he left by the sink. He sighed “Why don't you sit at the table.” He suggested. 

Nathan turned back around to start putting the sandwich together. When he was done and turned back around, within the few seconds it took to make the PB&J Abaddon was sitting right on the edge of the table, about ready to topple off. 

Nathan was quick to grab Abaddon, noting how light he felt in his arms. “Woah buddy! That was a close one.” He set the kid down carefully “I meant to sit on the chair. The table wasn't really made for sitting.” Abaddon huffed “Well how was I supposed to know?” Nathan sighed for what felt like the hundredth time. This kid was going to be a handful. 

Wait, why was he thinking like that? Why hasn't he called the authorities already!? They would be able to handle this situation much better than him! Abaddon deserved to be in a safe welcoming home with people that knew what they were doing, not a decrepit haunted hotel with him!

First he was going to make sure this kid ate and bathed. Then he was getting him the help he needed.

“Well now that you know, can you please go wash your hands so you can eat your sandwich?” Abaddon gave him his signature blank look. 

He hoped giving him a bath wouldn't be as hard.

Chapter Text

Nathan was tying the last of the bandages around his bleeding arms. That kid sure could scratch. 

The bath didn't go as smoothly as he hoped. It was like trying to bathe a feral cat. He could only get Abaddon to take off his over shirt, shoes, and socks with a promise of returning them which Nathan was fine with. If the kid was uncomfortable Nathan wouldn’t force him.

The bath tub was stained with dirt, mud, and whatever else Abaddon was stumbling around in from the forest. That was going to take a long time to clean out. Nathan groaned, just another thing added to his growing list of chores that needed to be done. 

Speaking of, Abaddon was currently in another room eating some plain yogurt and drawing with crayons Nathan got to calm him down. He knew leaving the kid by himself was a bad idea, but since when did Nathan make good decisions?

He rolled back down his sleeve and took out his phone, ready to call the authorities and get this kid the help he needed. His chest hurt, but this kid needed proper help, not some wack job that can’t even keep his own family around. As he was about press the call button he heard laughter coming from beside him. He looked up to see a few ghosts looking at his phone.

“You know those people never answer for this place no more right?” A cowboy with a bullet hole through his head explained, still chuckling “Stopped tryin’ a few weeks after this here hotel was established, what with everyone tryin’ to get some ghost exterminators.” The other ghosts laughed along. 

Nathan sighed now knowing if there ever was an emergency he needed to call someone else, or deal with it himself. “That’s fine, I can drive Abaddon to the police station myself.” That only made the ghosts laughter rise in volume. “Abaddon? Oh I wonder how he’ll cause mayhem now.” “Another decade, another poor soul that has to deal with him.” They all said between giggles. 

Nathan was confused for a moment, but before he could ask the cowboy ghost spoke again “Them officers won’t help you. That demon child has done more damage to the town then any other monster here.” He smirked “You’re stuck with him until he hides in the forest again.” 

Nathan stood there to process the information he had been given. It made sense in hindsight that the ghosts knew him, it wasn't like they only appeared after Nathan gained ownership.

The bad behavior wasn’t a surprise to him, the kid clearly lacked manners, but the way these ghosts spoke about him made it seem like he was a deranged lunatic. And what did they mean by another decade? He shook his head “What do you mean hide in the forest again?” 

The ghosts looked at him surprised before one spoke up, a sickly looking woman “Every time he was punished he would go hiding the forest. I think the last time was when the past owners threw him in the lake.” 

That raised many alarm bells for Nathan. “Really? I thought it was when he was buried underground.” “No that was after he broke out of his chain in the attic again.” 

… Nathan felt like he was having a heart attack. As the ghosts were arguing over what Abaddon’s last “punishment” was Nathan ran to the room he left Abaddon in. His brain was stuttering at this new found horror. Abaddon, who looked so enchanted by hot chocolate, going through all of that. It took everything in him not to slam the door open, he wanted nothing more than to wrap him up in a blanket and hide him away from the world.

He looked inside the room and to his genuine surprise Abaddon was still in there. He was smiling maniacally still in the towel along with the temporary extra shirt Nathan give him and yogurt all over his face. He was smushing a yellow crayon against the paper, scribbling wildly. 

Hearing the door creak Abaddon’s head shot up. “Patriarch! Look what I have created with your small sticks!” He held up his drawing of what looked like him holding hands with a monster. “Wow, that looks great bud! This is fridge worthy!” Nathan said with a strained smile as he kneeled down to take a closer look.

“Fridge worthy?” Abaddon looked fascinated. Nathan didn't think he would ever get tired of that look. “Yeah! It means I will put it up on the fridge for the whole hotel to see.” He ruffled Abaddon’s hair, it was much easier now that his hair was clean. 

Abaddon swatted Nathan’s hand away, he looked down at the drawing in his hands “This is something worthy of being placed where all can see it?” He smiled “Yes. I shall make hundreds of these to spread my message!” It was hard for Nathan to take the kid seriously when he had yogurt smeared on his face and the too big shirt hanging off him.

Nathan’s poor heart broke. He couldn't imagine hurting him in anyway, what could this kid do to deserve such treatment? “I’ll find some more paper you can use.”

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Nathan sat in his office trying to figure out what to do. If he were to bring Abaddon to the police there was a chance of him going back to the family that was in charge of him, if they didn't put him in juvenile detention for doing what the ghosts described as “breaking every possible law he could accomplish” that is.

He worried what would happen if he kept Abaddon. He didn't have a good track record of taking care of himself let alone another person, not to mention a haunted hotel full of past murderers and perverts wasn’t a setting a possible traumatized child should stay in. 

Abaddon was currently crawling around in the vents after he had just gotten his old clothes back from the dryer, dirtying them once more. At least they weren't covered in billions of unknown bacteria from the forest. 

Nathan looked through bills and payments, idly wondering if he should buy Abaddon anything. Even if it was only temporary he needed some comfort items. Nathan made a mental note to figure out Abaddon’s interests. 

While Nathan was looking through the dreaded the electrical bill he heard the door open. Abaddon peaked from the cracked open door “This vessel demands another cup of yogurt.” Nathan smiled tiredly “There should be another cup in the fridge.” After a good few seconds of staring Abaddon nodded and ran off.

With a sigh Nathan went back to his boring bills with a small smile. Maybe he should grab some marshmellows from the store.

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When all the paperwork was finally over with Nathan finally stood up, his joints popped in protest. His mind felt heavy, this hotel was costing money more than gaining. He really wanted to see this hotel thrive, mostly because it would mean he did something worthwhile. 

He shook the thoughts out his head and started for the kitchen hoping to find Abaddon. On his way a horrid smell invaded his senses. It was heavy and metallic. The same scent of the bloodied mirror he put a sheet over to try and fail to cover it. 

He sprinted for the kitchen, following the smell, praying in his head that Abaddon was alright. “Abaddon!” He slammed the door open and in front of him was something out of a horror movie. 

Dead squirrels with bites taken out of them were stashed next to the pantry. In the middle of the kitchen was Abaddon covered in blood holding a very dead rat. “I couldn't find the yogurt.” 

Chapter Text

 A million thoughts ran through Nathan’s head as he processed what he was seeing. Abaddon was dreanched in blood, so much so Nathan was sure it didn’t all come from the rat in his hands, he was hunched over the mutilated rodent like it was his only possession. 

“Patriarch?” Abaddon titled his head as Nathan continued to look on at his ruined kitchen. 

After a long pause Nathan slowly backed out of the room and closed the door in front of him. He took a long deep breath, trying to figure out how to go about this. He knew the kid was traumatized from something in his past, his behavior spoke loudly enough to that, but Nathan doubted he could deal with something of this level. 

Maybe he should call Katherine, last he heard from her she just had another kid, she could probably help. But the thought of finally calling her hurt, he couldn't pinpoint why. He shook his head, he wasn’t going to bother her because he didn't try to help Abaddon himself. 

After a few more breaths and mental hyping up Nathan opened the door to the kitchen again. As he walked in he saw Abaddon was actively trying to place a chair in front of the pile of dead squirrels, the rat was missing from his hands as his a face was notably bloodier much to Nathan’s stomachs discomfort. 

Abaddon immediately turned around “Patriarch! I have decided to keep my catch next to where you place yours!” He said almost exitedly. 

Nathan would have attempted to act happy for him if he wasn't so nauseated. Instead he put a hand on his shoulder as gently as he could “Let’s not do that, okay bud?” 

Abaddon quickly moved away, face contorting into confusion once again though this time he looked a little angry as well “Why is that? Am I not allowed to feed?” Nathan shook his head incredulously “Your allowed to eat! Just not dead animals you find in the woods!”

“I did not find them dead, I was the one that ended their puny lives!” The blood covered kid yelled “That does not help your case whatsoever.” 

Abaddon scoffed “Well I was feeling the pangs of hunger and could not find the yogurt!” Something flashed in his eyes. It looked like a red glow, though it faded too quickly for him to figure out what it was. 

Already processing too much Nathan tried to calm himself down. Yelling at Abaddon, who apparently thought eating dead animals was a better idea than just asking Nathan for something else to eat, would accomplish nothing but make him distrust Nathan.

 “Just don’t put dead animals next to the pantry. It could get us very sick if we eat the food in there.” Abaddon titled his head again, face still holding mild anger. Nathan sighed “Bugs will come for the little guys and then find a way into the pantry. Trust me bud you do not want roaches in your cereal, I had to stay in bed for weeks.” 

This seemed get it through his head as Abaddon nodded with the seriousness of a war general. “I vow not to let these roaches get in cereal.” Nathan smiled “Attaboy! Just uh- come to me if you want something to eat.” Some part of him felt bad saying that, though he couldn't think of why. 

“Then may I have some more of that PB&J?” Nathan thought he was seeing things again, but as Abaddon looked slightly to the left of Nathan almost looking down, he looked shy. “Of course bud! Let's get you cleaned first.” Nathan happily scooped the boy up, silently cringing as the blood got on his sweater.

As he was silently mourning his future water bill for washing those clothes twice in one day, he realized something. “Did you just eat a raw rat?!” 

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After a few days they got into a routine. In the morning Nathan would make Abaddon some breakfast, then do his daily tasks of taking care of the hotel, sometimes asking Abaddon to look for anything broken or dirty he should fix. After that Nathan would try to spend time with the kid, though Nathan couldn’t understand him most of the time. At last when the sky was dark Nathan would try and fail to get Abaddon into more comfortable clothes, and after making sure Abaddon was alright in his room Nathan left for bed.

Abaddon’s odd behavior continued throughout his time in the hotel. Nathan often found himself searching the internet to see if half the words he said are true or if this kid was making stuff up. 

He clearly didn't grow up around technology, often fascinated by the TVs around the place, and frustrated when Nathan was paying too much attention to the “glowing box with strange symbols inside” in his hands to realize he was late to dinner. He once even tried to climb in the fridge to figure out if the light stayed on inside, Nathan invested in a child lock after that.

He also couldn't read. Anytime Nathan gave him a book for entertainment, since he couldn't wrap his head around movies, Abaddon would complain that scribbles and strange symbols aren't doing anything. It lead to Nathan often reading him stories. The way Abaddon would look away red in his cheeks anytime he claimed he “couldn't find anything to do” and was “bored enough” to ask for a story made Nathan think he liked it.

It was those moments that made Nathan feel something he hasn't for a long time, though he can’t name what it was. He often felt like he wasn’t doing enough for the kid, like every slight frown from him was a sign Nathan was doing this all wrong. When he smiled though, Nathan felt like it was all worth it.

But there were times Nathan questioned things about Abaddon, when he did things that couldn't be explained.

At first it was mild, Abaddon could most often be found crawling around in the vents. It was something Nathan tried to discourage him from doing, but it was the one thing Abaddon would not budge on. Somehow he never got sick from staying in there all day. 

Then it was the strange things he would catch Abaddon saying, especially when he was upset. One example was when he was trying to get some bones that were stuck in a vent, the grate fell on top of it, and after one tug the spine had broken into tiny pieces, crushed by the thing that held it. Abaddon yelled something, a word Nathan knew he wouldn't be able to repeat, collecting what was left of the skeleton muttering more words that Nathan soon found out weren't real. Not English at least.

There wasn’t many other things to note, until one night. Nathan had just gone to bed after checking in on Abaddon, when he awoke in the dead of night. He felt exhausted yet he didn't want to go back to sleep. So he decided to get a drink from the kitchen.

He tiredly left his his room, slowly dragging his feet on the ground trying to keep his eyes open enough to find his way through the halls. The darkness wasn’t helping him any as he stretched out an arm to feel out the wall. He yawned thinking of what he’d have to do in the morning before he spotted something at the end of the hallway. 

A figure shrouded in darkness, Nathan could only make out the faint glow of its eyes as it stared directly at him. He let out a less than manly scream that caused the figure to jump and sprint to him. “What happened? Is there an unseeable monster about?” A familiar voice called. After some quick breaths Natan wheezed “Jeez Louise bud you nearly gave me a heart attack!” He clutched his chest with one hand and Abaddon’s shoulder in the other.

Abaddon scowled “I would do no such thing! We made an alliance!” He crossed his arms.

Nathan sighed relaxing his grip “What are you doing out here in the middle of the night? Did you have a hard time sleeping?” Abaddon huffed “I have no need of sleep.” He turned away as if offended by the thought. Nathan frowned, seems the kid was having nightmares. 

“Well you can stay with me tonight bud, how does that sound?” Nathan stood straight holding out his hand. Abaddon looked at him curiously, searching as if Nathan had just told him a nonsensical riddle. After a few unnerving seconds Abaddon finally reached back out. “I suppose I will.”