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Cold days suck.
Like, really suck.
They are the worst.
They suck so much that a certain someone couldn't help but wonder why there even had to be cold days to begin with.
Why?
They were so caught up in their own thoughts that they didn't even notice the small slice of butterscotch-cinmamon pie on the white plastic party plate in front of them.
“Kris, honey? Are you alright?” A gentle, yet slightly concerned voice spoke to them, their mother. “My child, you're not sick are you?” The voice spoke again.
Kris snapped out of their daze and shook their head, proceeding to eat the pie in one bite. Their mother didn't know if it were just a human thing, or if there was a genuine chance of Kris choking on their food if they kept doing that. Aside from the fact that humans can safely eat monster food, those books she borrowed from the library don't go into much detail about human eating habits.
Kris loved pie.
Especially the pie their mama makes.
So nice and warm.
Always makes them feel better when they're upset or can't sleep.
They don't like cold pie.
Kris was snapped out of their daydreaming again when they felt a sort red fabric being wrapped around their neck.
A scarf.
“C'mon Kris. You gotta remember to wear your scarf when it's chilly outside.” Another voice said. It was different, yet had the same gentle aura that their mother’s voice had. “Seriously, Kris? You know how you get when you don't wear proper winter clothes when it's cold outside.” He said, despite his young age, he seemed mature, or at least tried to be.
“Asriel? I believe your father and uncle Rudy might wwant some help loading up his truck. Would you be a dear and ask them if they need any refreshments?” Toriel asked her eldest. While it was a request, you couldn't really say “no” to her.
“Sure thing, mom.” Asriel replied, making sure the red scarf was set up nice and tight around Kris’s neck before walking away.
Kris liked Asriel.
Though everyone calls him Azzy.
Asriel likes to act mature, but he says some weird stuff sometimes.
Azzy always says that they sleep like a puppy.
Do other humans sleep like puppies? Kris can't help how they sleep.
Kris has seen a few dogs before, well, dog monsters.
They looked so fluffy.
Kris frowned when they looked at their arm, no fur, only skin.
Fur was nice and warm, why didn't Kris have any? All they had was their hair, but it didn't feel the same.
It felt like everyone else had something to help them feel warm during the colder days.
Kris might have been a warm-blooded creature, but it doesn't really help them feel warm when they needed it.
At least the red scarf feels nice.
So nice, that they didn't even realise that they had gotten up.
Lost in their thoughts again, Kris bumps into someone.
Someone who was basically an older sister to them in everything but name.
“Hey! Watch where yo-” The young doe had begun to yell until she turned around and saw who it was. “Oh… Hiya little Krismas! Whatcha doing on your own? Azzy run off without ya? You poor thing.” She smirked, her tone was bordering genuine concern with a hint of teasing.
“If you're wondering where Elly is, she's just washing her hands… still. She always takes way too long in there.” She says, a tad annoyed at how overly hygienic her little sister was. Though it was mostly due to Elly’s weird mumbling about how she'd get eaten by ICE-E if she doesn't wash her hands perfectly ten times in a row.
“Where'd she even get that nonsense from? If some little bugger at school is infecting her young mind with that crap, I swear I'll-” She said, mostly to herself than to Kris, before being cut off.
“December! Didn't I tell you to watch over Noelle?” Another voice called out, stern but familiar. An older doe holding the hand of an even younger doe than December. She seemed a bit upset that she was left alone.
“Oh… Sorry Elly. I figured you were a big enough girl now to wash your hands on your own. Right Mom?” December apologises, though a tad spiteful to her mother.
“But Dess… I-I ICE-E… h-he…” Noelle muttered, still scared of the idea of that thing sneaking into her room at night and eating her because she didn't wash her hands properly, before she was cut off by the quiet human child in front of her.
“... Isn't real…” Kris said in their typical monotone, mumbling voice.
Noelle was surprised, now she actually looked like a deer-in-headlights.
“W-what? But Kris! You… you told me he was!” Noelle stuttered, not sure what to believe right now.
Noelle's mother just sighed. She knew what Kris was like and saw it as harmless. Besides, she knew they'd make it up to Noelle if things ever went too far.
“Krismas. I should've known…” Dess sighed, she didn't even have the wiffle bat on her at the moment, she's just come to expect this by now.
“Dess. Let's meet up with Toriel and see what everyone else is up to, let the little ones sort this out.” Carol puts a hand-hoove (hooved hand?) on her older daughter’s shoulder. It was best to give the two some space.
Dess just nodded, though gave Kris a look that basically told them that “Noelle better be the happiest little doe on Earth when she gets back or Angel help you”.
Kris got the memo.
It was still cold.
It's like Auntie Carol just has some sort of passive ability to make the air around her lower in temperate verso slightly.
Uncle Rudy seemed like the total opposite, always bringing the brightest of smiles out of everyone.
Kris also felt warm around Dess for some reason. Though they could tell that Azzy was always the happiest around her.
Then there's Noelle.
Little Elly.
Kris liked messing with her.
Why? Kris doesn't know. Is it a human thing?
But Kris never meant to make her cry. They hated seeing tears.
They hated seeing Noelle's tears.
Kris always felt warm and fuzzy around Noelle for some reason.
Did she give them some weird deer disease? If so, Kris couldn't make it stop.
“... I'm sorry. Noelle.” Kris said, still in that mumbling voice.
A few sniffles escaped Noelle's nose. Part of her felt hurt, but she should already know better that she'd expect this from Kris.
“Krismas…? You meanie…” She gave them a small playful shove.
Kris didn't retaliate. They knew Noelle wouldn't do much to them, if at all. They'd let her have that at least.
The young human child turned their back to Noelle, before looking back over the shoulder, silently begging Noelle to follow them.
Noelle just nodded. She liked walking with Kris.
There was a small trail that went around the small forest that the Holidays owned.
The walk was pretty silent. But that was to be expected.
Were all humans this silent?
Did they all like to play pranks on others?
Noelle thought humans were scary, but Kris was… well, Kris.
Sure, they scared her whenever they got the chance. But she actually… liked it?
It was a weird feeling.
Maybe it was because Kris knew to never take it too far? And that they'd comfort her and try cheering her up if things escalated?
Despite everything, she felt safe around the human. She didn't really understand why, but she didn't need to.
The breeze was rather chilly, even for Noelle. Her fur did help in protecting her from the cold, but she was worried about Kris and their furless body. Were they going to freeze?
“Krismas? Are you sure you're okay? You're s-shivering!” Noelle finally broke the silence, concerned for her friend. From what she knew, humans were warm-blooded, so it must be pretty cold for it to make Kris shiver.
Kris shook their head. They didn't know why, but deep down, it was like they had a primal drive to look strong in front of others, to make it look like everything was okay.
Noelle wasn't entirely fooled.
The young doe slowly moved towards the human, watching her step on the uneven terrain. Part of her wanted to hug them, to help keep them warm, but the other was just telling her to stay back, that way she wouldn't die of embarrassment or catch some sort of human disease.
Her steps were slow and steady, worried she might trip and hurt herself.
Not just for her sake, but for Kris’s as well.
Unlike her, Kris will leak a strange red liquid whenever they get hurt enough. Aunt Toriel said it was called ‘blood’, and that only those with human ancestry have it.
Noelle didn't know what ancestry meant, but she didn't bleed, neither did the rest of her family, so she isn't part human.
She was slightly relieved at that. She didn't want to be leaking weird red stuff anyway.
The breeze got stronger, and both kids stumbled. The scarf around Kris’s neck became loose.
The human clutched the scarf tight.
Noelle regained her footing, and approached Kris again.
However…
She slipped.
The young doe fell onto Kris and knocked them off balance.
Kris landed face-first onto the ground, smashing their nose.
Their scarf had come undone and had blown away onto a nearby stone.
Noelle was scared.
What did she do?
She didn't mean to.
“Kris?!” Noelle screamed, looking down at her friend, more concerned over their well-being rather than the insignificant socks of dust she just lost.
“Whatdididowhatdididowhatdididowhatdidido?” Noelle blabbered. She was finding it difficult to breathe properly.
Then…
Kris got up with a slight groan.
They didn't cry, but they certainly looked like they wanted to.
Their eyes were wet, but no tears fell.
Noelle just stared at their face for a solid moment. Then, she began to giggle.
Kris stayed silent, not sure what was so funny about them getting hurt. They didn't blame Noelle for what happened, the ground is just stupid.
“Hahahaha! S-sorry Krismas… it's just… your nose…” Noelle says through her giggles.
Kris reached up to touch their nose with their hand, Kris winced as the contact let out a mild sting.
“I'm sorry, Krismas.” The doe said, helping Kris up to their feet.
Though, she didn't let go of their hands.
Noelle was blushing everso slightly.
“Your nose…” She started.
Kris’s nose was now swollen, though it didn't bleed. That was surprising.
It was puffy.
It hurt.
But…
“... It's big and red… just like mine… fahaha!” Noelle giggled, her blush growing slightly.
Noelle couldn't help but gently press her nose against theirs.
It stung a bit, but Kris didn't stop her.
It felt… nice actually.
In that brief moment, they both forgot about the cold.
Kris forgot about the pain.
Forgot about the scarf.
Maybe they didn't need it anymore.
“It's like we match.” Noelle whispered.
Kris took that to heart.
Validation.
They had something in common with a monster. Their (debatably) favourite monster at that.
Kris couldn't help but smile, a genuine smile.
Did Noelle see it?
Maybe she did.
Maybe she didn't…
For what felt like hours, Noelle backed away. Her face as red as Santa’s hat.
“Imsosorrykrismaspleasedontthinkimweirdpleasestillbemyfriend.” Noelle mumbled again, thinking that Kris wouldn't want to be here friend anymore after that.
Why wouldn't they think it's weird?
Nuzzling noses wasn't something friends did. Her parents did it, sure, but they were married!
Did this mean Noelle had to marry Kris one day?
It's not like she disliked that idea. But she was way too young for that.
“It’s okay… Elly.” Kris mumbled in that same typical voice of theirs.
Noelle calmed down a bit, but then froze up again once she realises something.
Kris had never called her ‘Elly’ before.
That only made her blush flare up again.
“... O-okay, Krismas…” Noelle whispered, though Kris could still hear her.
“Umm… I don't mind if you… call me Elly… y'know? We're f-friends, right…?” She continued. Giving Kris those big ol’ doe eyes.
They nod.
“Okay Noelle.” Kris said monotonously, though had a cheeky grin on their face.
Noelle pouted, she should've known. Having a tender moment with this human was impossible.
Despite her annoyance, Noelle couldn't help but giggle.
Kris was one-of-a-kind. She'd never trade them for anything.
“I think we should start heading back, Krismas.” Noelle said, managing to regain her composure. At least as best as a 9-year-old doe could anyway.
Kris nodded.
The two start to walk back.
Despite the temperature not changing, and Kris not wearing the scarf, they were not shivering anymore.
Noelle was happy that she helped.
The two made their way back to their families. Obviously, Toriel was worried sick after she saw Kris’s nose.
When Kris told her that the scarf blew away after they fell, she understood. It was far too windy out there to get it now.
Though, luckily for Kris, Dess and Asriel had managed to find it sometime later. Though Kris decided to never wear it again.
Because they didn't need to.
Azzy said he had found some place safe to put the thing, but Kris never saw it again.
Maybe…
Maybe not all cold days are bad.
They liked this one.
They really liked this one.
They can't wait to have another cold day like today.
Noelle made cold days better.
Maybe one day, Kris and Noelle can make everyone enjoy a cold day.
Someday…
Someday…