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5… 4… 3… 2… 1…!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The crowd would cheer as fireworks go off, lighting the night sky with their flashy patterns and colors. Humans and monsters alike celebrated in unity as the grand light show marked the end of the old year, and the start of a new one.
Hiding away from the large crowds in a spot much more secluded, a pair of teens would be pulling away from a tender kiss, their hands gripping firmly onto the other's as they stood together in private.
"Happy New Year, my darlin' golden flower."
One of the humans would lightly headbutt their partner in response, "Happy New Year, my dear 'lucky' Clover."
The couple would chuckle lightheartedly, leaning against one another with a sigh as they turn to watch the distant light show.
"Man, can you believe it? Another year has come and gone already."
"I know… the days seem to go by so quickly when spent together with you."
The two blush; warm smiles adorning their faces as their eyes reflect the glow of the fireworks. They sit in silence for a while, simply enjoying the other's company as they held hands.
"…Say, remember when you first confessed to me? You were so nervous, I swear you were gonna pass out from how hard you were blushin'…!" The yellow-eyed teen snickered.
"Hmph, like you are one to talk. If memory serves, you could hardly get a word out yourself." The red-eyed teen nudged the other's shoulder roughly. With a smirk the cowpoke would shove them in return, and the pair would proceed to playfully shove and wrestle each other, laughing as they eventually wind up laying in the snow together with big smiles on their faces.
"…I love you, Chara."
"I love you too, Clover."
They look up into the night sky once more, watching the fireworks blending with the stars while they continue to talk.
"Honestly… it was probably one of the scariest things I'd ever done. To think we had both planned to confess on the same night… and that you'd beat me to the punch."
"Indeed, for a cowpoke who can be rather quick on the draw, you were quite the slowpoke that night when it came to saying what you wanted to."
Clover chuckles then sighs in response. "Haha, yeah… I was plannin' on doin' it fer a while. Took me by complete surprise when you said it first… I was so afraid you wouldn't feel the same way."
"Ha, that is funny…"
"How so?"
"…Because I had also been planning to confess to you for quite some time…"
"You're overthinking it, Chara." A Temmie would try to reassure the nervous human as they paced around the room.
"But Bob, what if… what if they do not like me in the same way I do them? Clover is so nice and friendly to everyone, while I… I am nothing like them… how could they possibly hold any feelings for a lowly creature such as I…"
"Sheesh, you're gonna have a heart attack at this rate if you keep this up…" Bob sighed, walking up to Chara and grabbing onto their leg. "Stand still for a bit, will ya? All this pacing around isn't gonna do you any good."
"Right, apologies…" Chara goes and sits down on the nearby couch, picking up the Tem and placing him next to them. "I am just… I want there to be more between us, but I am afraid to ruin what we already have…"
Bob leans back, getting comfy on the couch as he pulls out a box of Temmie Flakes, snacking on them as the two talk. "Dreemurr, you don't got anything to worry about. I've seen the way you two interact; the kid likes you too."
"I know… I know you are saying that to reassure me, but I just find it hard to believe…"
"You gotta face your fears eventually Chara, every year it's the same thing… if you keep putting it off then nothing will ever come of it, and you could potentially lose your chance with them. This HAS to be the year you confess."
Chara's cheek redden, and they reach to grab a nearby throw pillow and scream into it, hugging it close to their chest and resting their chin on it once done. "…It is not that easy, Bob…"
"I see therapy has been doing you good." The human shoots him a glare. "Right, sorry. You know I can't fully understand what you're feeling, all that lovey-dovey stuff just isn't my cup of tea… but what I DO know is that it isn't good for you to keep torturing yourself will all those bottled up feelings. It's better to just take the risk and get it over with."
The young teen grumbles, pulling some chocolate out from their pocket and taking a large bite. "…I hate it when you are right."
"I'm always right, you dork."
"Shut up… if you were not so tiny I would smack you with this pillow." They sigh, placing the pillow down and standing back up. "Right. Well… we will need a plan. If I am to finally do this, then I must do it right.
The Temmie jumps up, knocking the open box of flakes over in the process. "Now that's more like it, let's do this, then!"
Chara stares at the spilled over flakes, and Bob slowly turns to look at the mess as well. The two remain silent for a solid minute before Bob finally speaks up. "…Right after… I clean that up, of course."
"Please do."
Meanwhile…
"This year. This year I'll do it fer sure." Clover would be standing in front of a full body mirror and adjusting their hat as they finish getting dressed up in their iconic cowboy outfit, a glimmer of determination in their eyes as they say the affirmation out loud in their totally real southern accent.
They can't keep hiding their true feelings—not forever. They needed to find the resolve to actually do it, but they couldn't possibly do it alone… they needed help. Luckily for them, Clover knew someone who was a master when it came to flirting, and probably knew Chara better than anyone...
"Frisk! Boy am I glad to see you! Thanks for comin', pardner." The two humans would meet up outside of the local diner, making their way inside.
* It's not often you ask to meet with just me, usually you insist on having Chara tag along.
"Right, that… that's actually what I've been wanting to talk with you about." Clover admits sheepishly, the two sitting down at some booths by a window.
* Oh? What do you mean?
Clover would shyly look at Frisk, who would have their eyebrow raised curiously at them. "Ah, w-well ya see… um, how do I put this…" They nervously tap the table with their fingernails as they try to muster up the courage to speak. "I… I kinda…"
They go silent for a few seconds, then shake their head and firmly place both hands down on the table, standing up. "I… I wanna ask Chara out…!" They could feel their cheeks warm as they blurt it out, a mixed feeling of relief and embarrassment filling them as they bashfully sit back down.
Frisk would chuckle, a patient, understanding smile on their face as they look to their blushing friend.
* You want my help confessing?
"If it's not too much to ask… I-I just wanna make sure I do it right, I've never confessed to anyone before…" They twiddle their thumbs nervously and look down as they speak. Frisk nods, and gives the cowpoke an affirming thumbs up.
* You can count on me, buddy. I'll gladly be your wingmate.
Clover would sigh in relief, their eyes lighting up as they look to Frisk with a grateful smile. "Oh thank you Frisk, you have no idea how much this means to me."
Shortly afterwards the server would arrive, giving the two their menus and taking their drink orders before leaving. The pair would pause to look through their menus, and once the server would return with their drinks, they place their orders.
As they wait for their food, and even after they received their meals, the two humans would discuss the cowpoke's plan to confess; brainstorming ideas together as Frisk gave Clover advice and tips on their mutual friend.
This WILL be the year they confess. Whether Chara will feel the same is a whole other matter, but for now, Clover just needs to lets their feelings be known. They can only hope Chara will feel the same way…
Later that evening…
Some time had passed and the sun began to set, Chara and Bob would be finishing up their planning for the day when they heard the sound of the front door opening.
"Oh Frisk, welcome home." Chara would look to the entrance as the other human walked in. "How was your time with Clover?"
* It was nice, we went out to eat at QC's. You should join us next time.
"Really, that whole time you were at the diner? Was Clover too indecisive with ordering or something?" The red-eyed child teased, causing Frisk to chuckle.
* No no, we just spent a lot of the time chatting, it's rare I get to have any one-on-one time with them, so I wanted to make the most of it.
"Hm, I suppose that makes sense. We often are all together as a… squad? Team…? I never really considered what to call ourselves." Chara would ponder, and a glint of mischief would appear in Frisk's eyes as they grin.
* A throuple!
"Absolutely not!"
Frisk would laugh and remove their shoes, walking in to the living room to sit with the two.
* What have you been up to while I was gone?
"Oh, we were just…" Chara hesitates to answer, a slight blush of embarrassment on their cheeks. They then wave their hand dismissively. "It is nothing you need to concern yourself with, Frisk. It is private matters."
* Private, huh? That just makes me want to know even more!
"Well too bad! I refuse to tell you!"
* Oh come on, how bad could it be? Tell meee!
"FRISK, do not tickle me!?"
The children would fight as Bob sat off to the side, watching them in amusement. After a bit of roughhousing the two would both tire and stop. Chara would fix their messy hair, then sigh as they turn to look at Frisk, who would be looking at them with a smirk.
"Fine, fine… we were discussing plans to… to further my relationship with Clover."
* No way… you want to ask Clover out??
"Shut up…!" They blush and look away as Frisk chuckles.
* That's great, Chara. I'm sure you two would be an amazing couple!
"Scheiße…" Chara huffs, looking back to their friend with a serious expression. "You better not say anything to them about it if you value your life. This confession needs to be perfect."
* Don't worry, I won't say a word, promise…! If you want my help with anything let me know, I'd be happy to help.
"Right. Thank you, Frisk. I will consider your offer…" Chara stands and picks up the Temmie, holding him under their arm. "…Help yourself to anything if you are hungry; Bob and I have already eaten. Asriel called earlier, they will be late coming home tonight."
Frisk would smile, and nod their head in understanding.
"Right. Have a good evening, Frisk." They go to leave the room, and Bob calls out to Frisk as they leave, extending his arm out to wave at the human. "Bye Frisk!"
Frisk waves bye to the two as they leave, sighing contently once they are left alone in the room.
* Well then… this is gonna be interesting.
The days would pass on by as normal for everyone, with the friends spending nearly every day together and getting into the occasional shenanigans. Soon the days would turn to months, and before they knew it the winter holidays were upon them, and the end of the year was close.
"I am running out of time, Asriel…" Chara would sigh as they walked through the snow with their brother. "The planned day of my confession is fast approaching."
(Yeah yeah, I'm aware… it's all you've been talking about the past few weeks…) The young boss monster would think to himself before responding, "Golly, you've really been stressed out about this, huh?"
"How could I not be? This will be a very big event… life changing, even. It is… intimidating."
"Is it really? You two already get along so well, you might as well have been a couple already. I don't think you got anything to worry about." Asriel would point out to his sibling.
"That is-" They blush slightly, "…It is different. We are merely friends currently. To get into a relationship, it… it may involve us doing things we have not done before… like… hand holding…"
"How scandalous! Such acts of PDA should never be allowed!"
Chara would lightly punch their brother's shoulder. "Don't be a smart-ass, that is my job…!"
"Haha, I bet you two will be so head over heels for each other, you'll give mom and dad a run for their money!" Asriel would tease.
"Shut up!? Hey…! Get back here, Asriel!" Flustered, Chara would give chase to their brother who had begun to run off ahead of of them, laughing joyously as he fled from his sibling's wrath.
Meanwhile, Clover would be walking down the street carrying a bag of groceries, on their way back home from buying supplies for baking. "I sure hope this will be enough… it was mighty nice of Frisk to lend me those recipes from the Dreemurrs fer this…" They would sigh under their breath.
Just then, as the cowpoke was approaching an intersection, Asriel would run by in front of them, snapping Clover back to attention. Their head would quickly turn to the direction of the young boss monster, failing to notice their red-eyed friend who was chasing right behind him.
Chara, who was determined to catch up to their brother, noticed Clover a little too late to stop as the humans suddenly collided, both being knocked down into the snow.
Asriel would run up to the two, a look of concern on his face. "Golly, are you two alright?"
Both would give the fluffy boy a thumbs up.
The humans would sit up, looking to each other to make sure the other was okay before the realization fully hits them both.
"Ah, Chara!"
"Clover!?"
"Are you okay?" They both ask in unison, worried they might have hurt their friend.
"Oh, I'm alright, I'm used to havin' a few tumbles." Clover would answer with a nervous chuckle, rubbing the back of their head.
"That is a relief… I am fine as well." Chara would respond, their expression softening.
They would look to the ground, noticing the dropped bag of groceries. "Oh, were you out shopping?"
"O-Oh, yeah, just uh… gettin' some stuff for the holidays, you know how it is…" Clover bashfully responds, quickly grabbing the bag and going to scoop up any items that fell out.
"Here, let me help you—ow!" The two bump their foreheads as they both reach for a tin of cocoa powder. They reel back slightly in pain while Asriel watches, holding back his laughter.
"Golly, butting heads like that… you two must really like each other!" He teased, making the two humans blush.
"H-Huh?! What do ya mean by that, Azzy?!"
"We are not goats, it does not work like that!?"
Asriel chortled, wiping a tear from his eye. Just then, he'd get a message on his phone; he grabs it from his pocket to read it. "Sorry Chara but it looks like you'll have to head back on your own, something important came up I gotta tend to. See ya!" Phone still in hand he'd run off, leaving the two humans on their own.
"Asriel, wait! You cannot just leave after—verdammt… Asriel, I will get you back for this!"
Clover would finish picking up their dropped supplies, looking to their peeved friend with a gentle smile. "Hey, I can walk with ya if you'd like, I'm in no rush to get back."
"That is not—I mean... I suppose I would not mind the company..." Chara responds, sighing in frustration. "Apologies for the inconvenience, Clover."
"Don't worry about it, I'm always happy to spend some time with you, Chara."
The pair smile at each other and begin to make their way towards the Dreemurr residence, walking side by side as the snow lightly fell around them. Chara's eyes would eventually drift down to the cowpoke's hands, and the bag in which they carried.
"…Would you… require any assistance in carrying your bag? It seems rather full."
"Hm? Nah it's alright, I'm pretty strong."
"Suit yourself..."
They decide not to push it, their eyes lingering on the hands for a moment longer before looking up, their gaze meeting with Clover's. "…!?"
"O-Oh, sorry—" They blush and look away. "I just… I was thinkin'… do you… maybe…" They trail off, and before they can continue speaking Chara would speak up;
"Clover, would you like to do something together?"
The cowpoke's heart would flutter at the question, and Chara themself seemed surprised by their own sudden boldness.
"I… y-yeah…! Yeah, I'd love to hang out!" Clover beams, excited at the thought. "Wanna head back to my place? I uh… kinda need to drop these off before we can do anythin' else."
"Of course. Let us get going, then."
"Awesome!"
And so the two made their way to Clover's home. Upon entering and removing their winter gear, Clover would get to work putting their groceries and baking supplies away. Chara would notice a note left on the dining table, picking it up and giving it a read.
"Hmm… it seems Martlet is away for the day. It will just be the two of us here."
"Oh, yeah, she left earlier today to visit her sister Kestrel. Hope ya don't mind."
"Not at all, just means we are free to do as we please." Chara smiles, putting the note back down. "Do you have anything in mind?"
"Ah, w-well… I kinda wanted it to be a surprise, but…" Clover pulls out a bunch of ingredients and places them on the table. "I was hopin' to try and bake a pie fer you, as an early Gyftmas present… b-but maybe you can help me make it?"
"You… you were going to make a pie… for me?" Chara was touched, their cheeks warming as they smile. "I… do not know what to say… thank you, Clover. I would love to bake it with you."
The cowpoke grins, fetching everything the young teens would need. "Great, let's get to it then!"
One montage of baking a chocolate pie later, and the two would be sitting on the living room couch together, watching holiday specials on the TV as they waited for the pie to settle.
"Ugh, these Hollstark specials are all the same: so predictable and cliché. They are basically the same story under different skins." Chara would complain as the movie played.
"Heh… yeah, you can tell they're just lookin' to profit off the holidays with these cheap romance films."
"Let us change the channel before I die of boredom."
"Agreed."
They both reach for the remote sitting on the couch between them, their hands touching for a moment before they both quickly pull them back.
"Ah, sorry—"
"No, it is my fault, I…"
They both look at each other, seeing the visible blush on their faces. They stare, heart rates quickening as they slowly, slowly reach their hands out, the tips of their fingers touching before they awkwardly intertwine.
"…It is warm."
"Y-Yeah…"
"…"
The pair go silent, hearts pounding in their chests as they hold hands. Thoughts swirled in their heads as they wondered what to do next. They had plans; ideas about how they would go about their confessions, and yet… here, right now, it felt like all of that could be thrown out the window.
"Is this… okay…?"
"Yeah, it's… it's n-nice."
"…"
"Chara, I… th-there's been somethin' I've been meanin' to… I mean… what I mean to say is, uh…" Clover stumbles over their words, struggling to get to words out. "I… I really enjoy your company, a-and um…"
Butterflies… Chara felt sick with how nervous they felt. Was this… did Clover really feel the same, after all? Their face reddened at the thought. Why else would the cowpoke be acting this way…? This wasn't part of their plan, but perhaps this was the opportunity they needed.
"…S-So, I guess what I'm tryin' to say, is… well…"
Before Clover could say anything else, Chara would suddenly grab onto both of their hands, gazing intently into the cowpoke's bright yellow eyes as they confess,
"Clover, I… I really like you…!"
"…Eh?"
Clover is stunned silent, simply staring in disbelief at their friend with their mouth agape and eyes wide with shock. Was… did Chara just confess to them?!
"I… y-you…?"
"No… it is more than that, I… love you, Clover. I really, truly love you, and I want to have a relationship with you…"
"C-Chara… oh, Chara…" Clover begins to tear up, overjoyed at the revelation that their crush felt the same after all. The cowpoke would go in for a hug, squeezing Chara tight. "I l-love you too…!"
Chara's breath catches in their throat, happy tears forming as they hug Clover back with soft, shaky laughter. They hold each other close, feeling the comforting warmth of the other along with their rapid heartbeats.
It was such an odd feeling, so different from what they were both used to… but it also felt so safe, so right… like they could stay like this forever.
The newly formed couple stayed cuddled together on the couch, at some point having changed the channel to one playing holiday music. Right now, nothing else mattered to them; the entire world outside could disappear and they would be okay, because they have each other.
Elsewhere…
"You sure this is gonna work, Frisk?" Asriel would ask the human as the two sat in the diner drinking hot cocoa.
* Trust the process, Az. I had Bob tail after them, so we should expect an update soon.
Just then, as if on cue, Frisk would get a message on their phone. They look at it, a smug grin forming on their face before they turn the phone to their fluffy friend.
* See, what I tell you? All according to plan.
On the phone would be a message from Bob; a single thumbs up emoji with an image attached. It was a photo taken from outside of Martlet's house, looking through the living room window. There, cuddled together on the couch would be Chara and Clover; peaceful smiles on their faces as the two had apparently fallen asleep together.
Asriel would stare at the photo, smiling at it before squinting at Frisk with a frown. "…This is kinda stalker-ish and creepy…"
* Heh, perhaps. It'll be so funny when I show it to them later, though. Their reactions as I tease them with it will be priceless.
"You can be an ass sometimes, you know that Frisk?"
* Like you're one to talk, oh great God of Hyperdeath.
"Touché…"
"I will never forgive Frisk for that… so embarrassing."
Back in the present, Chara and Clover continued to look up at the night sky, even after the fireworks had concluded.
"Yeah, felt like I could die all over again when I saw they had that photo…" The cowpoke would blush. "…Ya gotta admit though, we did look kinda cute together on that couch."
"Hmph…" Chara would huff. "…Perhaps we did. I would have still preferred they not have made fun of us for it."
"Aw, you know how Frisk can be, Chara. They've been real supportive of us otherwise." Clover would reassure them.
"That is true…" They sigh, shifting their gaze from the twinkling stars above to the bright yellow eyes of their partner. "…Hey, Clover…?"
"Yeah?" They turn to look at Chara.
"Thank you..."
"What for?"
"…For loving me."
"Chara…"
Clover sits up, staring at them with a serious look on their face. "You ain't ever gotta thank me fer that." Their expression softens. "Don't forget, I wanted to ask you out too, silly."
"…Right, apologies." They sit up. "It was rather silly of me. I suppose I am still a little insecure even after all this time…"
"Aw, that's alright. I'm here fer you no matter what, insecurities and all." The cowpoke grins wide, and Chara can't help but smile back.
Clover then stands, extending a hand out to their partner. Visible on their finger is the promise ring they wore, glimmering in the moonlight. "I love you through thick and thin, Chara Dreemurr. Never forget that."
Chara's cheeks redden as they reach out and take Clover's hand, standing to their feet with the cowpoke's assistance. "Something tells me you would not let me forget anyway."
"Darn tootin' I won't! Like it or not yer stuck with me now." They stick out their tongue playfully.
Chara chuckles softly. "Well, there are certainly worse people to be stuck with."
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Clover would ask them, making a pouty face.
Chara merely winks in response, letting go of the cowpoke's hand and beginning to walk off with a smug look on their face.
"Hey… Chara?? Hello???" The confused cowpoke calls out to them, but Chara would keep walking. Clover then runs to catch up to their partner before walking alongside them.
"You gonna tell me or what?"
"Hmm… nope."
"Boo, so mean…!"
Chara laughs, and gently grasps onto Clover's hand while they walk. "Come on lucky, let us head home. I have therapy later today and do not wish to miss it."
Clover huffs, blushing slightly as Chara grabbed their hand. They then give it a squeeze in response. "Guess it has gotten kinda late, huh? Cold too…"
"Indeed. It does not help that we were laying in the snow for a good while." Chara looks to their yellow-eyed companion beside them, and gives them a kiss on the cheek. "…Seems there is no helping it, we will just have to snuggle under the blanket together for warmth when we are home." They wink.
The cowpoke blushes more, their eyes brightening as they start to pull their red-eyed partner along excitedly. "Well then what're we waitin' for? Let's go home!"
Chara chuckles and follows close, staring at their partner with love and adoration as they are pulled along through the cold winter night.
It was a perfect start to the new year, and with many more yet to come. The young couple had their whole future ahead of them, and they both planned to have the other remain in theirs for a long, long time…