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Blue was always a little bit different from the boys his age.
Where other boys liked to roughhouse, dirtying themselves with mud and sweat, Blue preferred order and cleanliness. He preferred to be put together, always greeting others with a bow and flowery language. He’d always been one for the arts as well, one of his many dreams being to star in a play.
But what interested him the most…Was dancing.
Of course, boys weren’t supposed to dance. They weren’t supposed to do ballet, or wear tutus, or be feminine, or anything that Blue liked. It made him more than a bit of an outcast from his peers, subject to many harsh nicknames and rampant teasing. Blue had learned early on that he had to hide that part of himself. Had to hide his interests, shove them deep down inside of him where nobody would find them.
But, Blue was never much of a good liar.
He couldn’t shut some part of him away forever. Not when it made him so happy. So he did it in secret.
There was a mountain, not far from his house. It was off limits to everyone, but especially to children. He’d heard many stories about the location. That children would fall and never be seen again. That evil monsters hid underground, reading to snatch up any human they saw.
Truly, Blue didn’t believe any of them.
And so, every weekend, Blue would sneak out, a pink tutu and ballet shoes in his bag. They’d put on the garments and dance to their hearts content on the mountain, away from the world that told them they were wrong for their joy. He would imagine himself as the star of a play, blue wings on his back as he spun and twirled. He imagined the flowers as his audience, cheering him on after every performance. The wind glided his movements, the flora fueled his daydreams. It was peaceful. It was nice. So nice, until that one faithful day.
It was a day like any other. Blue was lost in his own mind, his dance graceful and reserved. He’d only snapped out of it when they heard an unfamiliar voice on the mountaintop with him. His eyes shot open, eyes darting around the area. He couldn’t let anyone see him like this, especially not if they were from his school!
“I’ve gotcha now, ya dang criminell!” He heard, bushes on the other side of the hole rustling. The…Hole? He hadn’t even realized how close he’d gotten to the hole this time around, actually. He usually tried to stay a far bit away from it, but he was so close now that he could fall in if he wasn’t careful. He’d been so wrapped up in his fantasy that—
Someone popped out of the bushes, startling Blue. He flinched, feeling himself slip closer into the crater.
The boy who popped out couldn’t have been much older than him. He had scruffy blonde hair, with freckles that covered his face and a big smile on his face as he held an old antique gun. He wore a cowboy hat and a tattered brown vest, the shirt underneath his vest being yellow with white stripes. He hadn’t even been looking at Blue, Blue realized, the boys eyes darting around looking for nothing in particular.
“Y’hear me, criminells! Y’better come out quick and nicely, or…” The boys eyes finally seemed to rest on Blue, a confused look on his face. Blue realized he must look like a deer in headlights right now, frozen from the pure shock of seeing another soul on a mountain he’d subconsciously proclaimed as his and his alone. The blonde lowered his gun, taking a step closer. Blue’s warning of getting too close to the hole died in his throat. “I, ah, um,” He stuttered, trying to find something to say. The unknown boy took another step.
“Hey now, who’re yOU—!” The blonde took one more step, tripping, and with that, fell into the abyss of Ebott. Blue let out a yelp at the sight of the boy falling into the mountain, unconsciously moving to come to his aid. He peered into the hole, panic flowing through his veins.
What was he supposed to do? He’d get in trouble if his parents knew he’d came up here, but he couldn’t just let another kid rot down there? Would the kid have even survived the fall? And he didn’t have his phone on him, could he even rush back home in time?
He leaned over, trying to see if the boy was still alive, but its depths were too dark to see anything.
“Are you okay?!” He called. He got no response. Dang it, dang it, dang it—
He leaned in further, trying to see if he could even get the slightest peek, or hear him better, or anything, or—
He felt his hand slip.
With a gasp, he felt himself plummeting into the mountains core.
He shut his eyes tightly, gritting his teeth for the eventual fall. He just hoped if he died, it would be quick.
𓇢𓆸
Blue didn’t know what time it was when he woke up. All he knew was that he had a horrid, throbbing headache pounding through his skull, and when he looked up to the sky, that it was night. It’d been the afternoon when he fell. Just how long had he been out?
A terrible feeling settled in his gut as he stared into the dark sky. He knew it would be pointless to try and climb up. He’d only tire himself and inevitably fall again, he was lucky he hadn’t died from the initial fall, really. He assumed it was thanks to the soft yellow flowers beneath him, they must have cushioned his fall.
He looked to the side of them, and remembered how he’d gotten down here in the first place. The blonde boy, face down in the foliage, still seemingly out cold. Blue inspected him, luckily finding no injuries past a scratch or two on his person. That was a comfort at least. At least he wouldn’t be rotting down here alone…
Getting on his knees, he lightly shook the boys shoulder, trying to wake him up. To his shock, the boy stirred, raising his head wearily.
“Whuh…Whuhappen…” He murmured, looking around dazed. He looked up at Blue, squinting so he could focus on his face better. He blinked hard a few times, before shaking his head roughly.
“Hey! Yer that kid I saw at th’top!” He said with a smile, moving to sit on the flowers instead of lying face-first in them. “Hey, why’re ya down here too? Well, I guess it’s not like ‘m down here on purpose either, I guess…” The boy looked up at the sky, the sane thing Blue had done just minutes earlier.
Blue couldn’t help but be taken aback at how cheerful Yellow seemed, even though he knew their situation just as well as Blue. Where Blue had stared into the night sky hopelessly, silently ruminating on the inevitability of his situation, Yellow seemed to be idly counting the stars, a gentle, carefree look on his face.
“Wh-Why were you on the mountain?” It felt like a dumb question, but Blue was so lost for words that he wasn’t sure what else to say.
“Oh! I jus’ wanted t’play cowboy ‘s all!” He grinned, showing off his chipped tooth. Probably from the fall, Blue thought. “Wasn’t payin’ much attention. My ma always did scold me for that.” The boy laughed, before blinking. “Hey, wait a darn minute. Why’re you here?”
Blue felt his stomach twist, realizing the situation he was in. The other boy could clearly see he was wearing a tutu on, that was bad enough. He would probably make fun of him, like all the other boys do. Laugh at him, say that skirts weren’t for boys. His face twisted into a grimace, looking away from the other. No hiding it now, was there?
“I…I was dancing.” Blue admitted shamefully.
Blue waited for the other boys response. A mocking laugh, or a look of disgust, probably. He was used to it, but still—
“Hah!” He laughed, but there was no mockery. More…Genuine. “Guess we’re in th’same boat, huh! At least ya got a better reason than me…” Blue looked back to Yellow, sporting that usual big grin on his face as he rubbed the back of his head.
He…He didn’t care? He wasn’t judging Blue?
A light warmth bloomed in Blue’s chest, a comfortable smile resting on his face. He didn’t care. He wasn’t judging. It was nice.
“I reckon we should prolly stick together ‘til we find a way out, huh?” He said, standing up suddenly. Blue followed suit, nodding. “That sounds nice, yeah.”
The boy held out their hand, beaming. “Th’names Yellow! Pleasure t’make yer acquaintance!” Blue took his hand in his, shaking it lightly. “My name is Blue. It’s nice to meet you, Yellow.”
𓇢𓆸
It’d turned out that the rumors had been right, somehow. Well kind of. There were monsters down here, to Yellows amazement and Blues surprise. But barring the exception of one incredibly disturbing flower who lied about friendship pellets, none of them seemed all too dangerous. In fact, they’d met a rather nice goat lady named Toriel, who’d helpfully guided them through the ruins to her house.
The two liked Toriel. She clapped at Blues routines, playing along whenever Yellow wanted to play the role of a heroic cowboy. She made them pie, making Blue cinnamon and Yellow butterscotch respectively. Yellow was a bit of a messy eater, leaving Blue to have to wipe his face with a napkin after he was done eating all-too-often.
“I don’ need that! Cowboys are s’posed t’be messy!!” Yellow would fuss, pushing Blue away from him. Blue huffed, puffing out his cheeks as he insisted on wiping the other boys face. “Cowboys are supposed to be gentlemen! How will you look like a gentleman with pie all over your face?”
Yellow thought about it for a second. “Gee, I’unno…How many people d’ya need to save from train tracks t’balance out the pie, huh?” He questioned, tilting his head. Blue couldn’t help but break into laughter, snickering at the question. “I’m not quite sure, but let’s skip the trouble of figuring out, okay?”
Having stayed with Toriel for a good while, the two had grown closer than Blue had ever thought they would. Blue would play the damsel in distress in Yellows cowboy playtimes, while Yellow quickly became Blues biggest fan, clapping and cheering whenever Blue would dance for him. Toriel made a passing comment about how well they worked together, Blue found himself unable to disagree.
There had never been any real plan. They didn’t mean to fall in the underground, after all. But Blue could always see something in Yellows eyes, that he didn’t want to stay here forever, that it was a temporary arrangement. Blue wasn’t sure how he felt. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he’d hoped to just stay here until a rescue team came to find them. He knew it was unlikely, nobody even knew they went to Ebott in the first place, and if they did, they’d all think they died on the fall down. Really, he’d just been shoving the thought out his brain so he wouldn’t have to deal with the reality of the situation.
It’d been around a week of them there, after Toriel had tucked them in for the night, turning on a dim lamp, kissing their foreheads and leaving them to sleep, where Yellow had directly brought up the idea of leaving at all.
“I think we should leave,” Yellow brought up rather abruptly, not sugarcoating his words even a bit.
“And why is that?” Blue questioned.
“There’s a whole world down here, Blue! Well, a whole underworld, I s’pose.” Yellow reasoned, reaching his arms up and spreading them for effect. “And we’re never gonna get home if we keep dilly-dallying here. Even if Missus Toriel is real nice, and makes a mighty fine butterscotch pie…”
Blue expression saddened. It was true. His parents were probably worried sick, terrified and wondering where their little boy was. Blue didn’t know much about Yellows family, having never met him before their time inside of the underground, but from what Yellow described, they seemed pretty tight knit. Blue could always see a sort of longing in the other boys eyes when he talked about his parents, something no amount of pie could fix.
“It’s nice here though.” Blue murmured, “And it could be dangerous outside.”
Yellow hummed. “Could be.” He rolled over to look at Blue, a small smile on his face. Even in the darkness of the room, Yellow seemed to brighten it. “But we’ll never know if we don’t try.”
Blue turned his gaze away, letting his head fall to the other side of his pillow. His hands gripped the bedsheets, words stuck in his throat that he couldn’t get out for the life of him.
“You can leave without me, you know.” Were the words he settled on. It was true. Yellow had a better reason to want to get out, after all. His family would probably miss him more.
“Nah, I can’t.” Yellow shook his head, as if it was the simplest thing in the world. “Remember, we promised t’stick together. A cowboy never breaks his promise.”
Blue turned back to look at Yellow, the genuine look in his eyes making it impossible not to believe him.
“I think I’m scared.” Blue admitted. “What if more monsters are like that Flowey creature. What if you get hurt…What if…”
Yellow shifted uncomfortably, his expression slightly somber. Only slightly. “I know ‘s possible that’s true, that flower guy scared th’pants offa me…” He perked up again, and Blue found once more that his happiness was contagious. “But remember what Missus Toriel said? We won’t hafta fight everyone! We jus’ gotta talk it out! And you use real purdy words, so I know y’can do that.”
A soft blush peppered Blues cheeks, and he was suddenly happy at the darkness of the room. “Huhu, maybe…”
Yellow brows furrowed, still sensing Blues unease. “Hey, how ‘bout this. Since we’re already gonna be sticking together, I’ll make sure t’protect ya if anyone tries givin’ us trouble, ‘kay?” Yellow raised his hand, holding his pinky out.
“Seriously?” Blue asked, a bit incredulous. “We’re thirteen, isn’t that a bit old for pinky promises?”
“No siree! C’mon, it’ll make y’feel better.”
Blue playfully rolled his eyes, sticking out his pinky and locking it with Blues.
“Alrighty then, I promise t’protect ya, through thick n’ thin.” Yellow said with an affirmative nod. “I promise to protect you, too.” Blue responded. Yellow raised a brow.
“Heh? Yer not gonna hafta do that, Blue!” He said, finger still interlocked with Blues.
Blue pulled away, shrugging. “I want to.”
𓇢𓆸
The two left the next day. Toriel held the two of them in a tight, warm hug, and neither of them could stop the tears from pricking in their eyes at the goodbye. The duo promised to visit sometime, and Toriel promised that there would always be pie waiting for them if they returned. Yellow found it odd she said if and not when.
Snowdin was a nice town, though, Blue probably would’ve found it nicer if he wasn’t constantly shivering from the cold. Yellow hadn’t been having much of a problem, wearing multiple layers, and Blue couldn’t help but envy the other a little.
“Wonder how it even snows down ‘ere.” Yellow wondered, sitting on a bed in one of the only warm places there, an inn, idly twirling his unloaded gun in his hands. “Was never real good with that science-y mumbo-jumbo in school though.”
Blue shrugged, currently leaning against a table. “I’m not sure…But if monsters are possible, anything is, right?” He offered. “I guess so, huh…”
Blues attention shifted to the weapon in Yellows hands. Even though he’d never used it to hurt anyone, he was clearly skilled with it. Blue had never been exposed much to guns, at most seeing them in history books during social studies. He couldn’t help but be a little curious.
“So, where did you get your gun from?” Blue asked, tilting his head. “My parents would never let me hold something like that.”
“From m’pops!” Yellow answered, flashing a prideful grin. “It’s one ‘f his old ones that he got from some old war or somethin’ like that. ‘M technically not s’posed t’touch it, but…” He trailed off, looking a bit shy all of a sudden. Blue smiled, raising a brow.
“Okay, I admit! I stole it from ‘im, okay? I know it’s not right, but I jus’…I really like it. Felt like it fit me.” Yellow explained, hands up in an exaggerated surrender. Blue couldn’t help but chuckle, covering his mouth with his hand. “It’s okay, I think it fits you rather nicely too…” He said, reaching out to playfully tip Yellows hat over his eyes. “And after all, you’ll always be my favorite cowboy. Even if you break the rules sometimes.”
Yellow felt his face heat up, his cheeks reddening as he pushed his hat up back on his head, revealing star struck eyes. “…Ya really mean that?”
Blue felt his own cheeks heat up at the sight, and he couldn’t stop himself from turning away, his own blush obvious. “Yes, I…I do.”
A big, dopey grin spread on Yellows features, as he quickly grabbed Blues hands, taking his own hands in his. “Then I’mma be the best cowboy y’ever did see! Promise!”
Blue couldn’t stop himself, grinning as well, Yellows infectious happiness spreading to him as well. He giggled, leaning in close to Yellow, a gentle, happy warmth in his chest, like he could feel it in his very soul. “And I’ll be there with you all the way.”
Yellow laughed, his hold on Blue staying firm as he began spinning around, laughing all the while. Blue spun with him, the reality of their situation suddenly meaning nothing in the face of the joy they felt with each other. Distantly, Blue hoped that it could stay like this forever. Just the two of them exploring the underground, unaffected by the world around them.
He knew it would never be that easy, of course, but it was nice to dream.
𓇢𓆸
The waterfall was unlike anything either of them had ever seen before, the iridescent glowing colors enchanting them both, but especially Blue, the glittery surroundings a ballerinas paradise, according to him.
The surroundings of the waterfall, while beautiful, were a bit more puzzling than Yellow would have liked. Blue had to help guide him through many of the obstacles, his precise jumps and graceful movements steering them in the right direction.
“‘M real sorry fer slowin’ ya down, Blue.” Yellow sighed, tapping his foot as he tried to understand how a bridge seed was supposed to work. “Thinkin’ ain’t…Exactly my strong suit, ‘least that’s what everyone says.”
Blue shook his head, holding one of the unsprouted seeds over his head. “I don’t think that. You’re pretty smart if you ask me.”
Yellow huffed, following suit as he picked up one of the seeds. “Not smart like y’are.”
Blue hummed, placing the bridge seed into the water, sitting on his knees as he watched it drift in the water. “But I’m not tough like you are, either. That’s nothing to take for granted.”
Yellow frowned, ungracefully dropping the seed into the lake, sitting next to Blue.
“I think we compliment each other, see?” Blue pointed at the flowers, noting how when their petals touched, they bloomed into a strong, solid bridge. Yellows jaw dropped in amazement. “Your strength, my elegance, they compliment one another well.”
“That so…” Yellow murmured, tensing when Blues head rested on his shoulder, quickly relaxing afterwards. “I know so.” Blue assured him, closing his eyes.
The two sat like that for a while, Blue taking a nap on Yellows shoulder. Yellow didn’t mind it, trying to stay as still as a statue.
“Hey, Blue? I know yer sleepin’, that’s why ‘m sayin’ this, actually…” Yellow could hear his heart beating in his ears, his palms sweaty. “But I think yer a real nice guy, and…When we get outta here, I think…”
He trailed off, shaking his head. “What am I talkin’ about…I’ll just tell ya when th’time comes up, yeah? Don’t wanna work up m’nerves for nothin’! Hah!”
𓇢𓆸
The Hotlands seemed like the opposite of the Snowdin. Much less homely and significantly hotter, leaving Yellow constantly sweating. Blue compared it to something like a big city, one of the ones that his family would vacation to sometimes, to which Yellow had gasped, saying he was happy that he’d never been to one if they were all as hot as like this.
Fighting had never been much of a problem for the two, or more so, a lack of fighting. Harmful enemies were nowhere near a rarity down here, but like Toriel had said, most could be talked down. And if push came to shove, Yellow would grab Blues wrist and run like the wind, hiding out until the monster gave up and left them alone. It was foolproof, according to Yellow, though Blue couldn’t help but worry how effective the strategy would really be.
His fears were realized when they’d been unlucky enough to be surrounded by Pyropes, their heat far too much for the boys to be able to think properly. Every bomb only increased the sweltering hotness, the duo worrying they might pass out before they could spare any of them.
“Yellow!” Blue called out as Yellow was hit by a piece of shrapnel, blood pouring from scratch on his cheek. “Are you okay?! We still have some nice cream left over!”
“‘S okay, Blue! ‘M, agh, right as rain!” Yellow insisted, a nervous smile on his face. “Rain would be great right about now, actually…No, no, eyes on the prize, Yellow! Keep tellin’ ‘em to heat up, Blue! I can take th’hits!”
Blue wanted to argue, but they didn’t have the time for that right now. He just hoped they’d leave them alone before anything too bad happened, they hadn’t been able to bulk up on items in a while, so if Yellow got too hurt—
“Gh-!” Yellow grunted in pain, and Blues eyes shot back to Yellows directions, his stomach sinking at the sight of him being blown back from an explosion, the blast leaving him weak on the ground. “YELLOW!” Blue shouted, running to his side.
Blue positioned himself in front of Yellow, protecting him with his body, trying to tune out the mischievous giggling of the Pyropes. “Yellow! I-I knew you needed some help, come on,” Blue rifled through his pockets, pulling out and shoving a half-melted snowman piece in Yellow’s mouth. Yellow chomped down on the snow, most of his bruises magically healing themselves.
“‘M sorry Blue, I just, I didn’t…” Yellow stammered, “I didn’t want ya to get h—“
Another blast rang out, though instead of hitting Yellow, it struck Blues back, a pained cry escaping him. He fell into Yellows arms, and it took all the bravery Yellow had to not start sobbing right there and then.
Carrying Blue in his arms, Yellow shoved his way past the many Pyropes, uncaring for the many burns it left on his clothes. He ran as far as his legs could take him, ducking behind a large building as he shakily searched through their inventory. Blue winced when he was gently set down by the cowboy, his back stinging heavily.
“Blue, Blue oh geez, ‘m so sorry, this is all m’fault..!” Yellow frantically pulled out multiple cinnamon bunnies, presenting them to Blue. “Yellow, I’m okay, it’s— gnh, it’s just…”
“‘S not jus’ anythin’!” Yellow shouted, tears threatening to spill over. “Ya got hurt cuz’a me, why did ya protect me?!”
Blue looked away. “You could have died. If…If they’d hit you again, if I didn’t heal you…”
Yellow flinched at the word. They’d rarely actually discussed the notion of either of them dying. It just never seemed like a real possibility, not to Yellow. It seemed like a predetermined conclusion, that they’d get out together, maybe with a few cuts and scratches, but ultimately alive and in one piece. “Th-That’s…”
Yellow couldn’t stop himself from crying, soft hiccups racking his body. Blues gaze turned to him, taking Yellows hand in his, the cinnamon treat resting between both of their palms.
“I know you want to protect me, but I have to protect you, too.” He said, taking the pastry from his hand. “Remember what I said? We compliment each other…Neither of us can do it all alone.”
Yellow sniffled, nodding wearily. He scooted closer to Blue, pulling him into a hug while Blue ate the cinnamon bunny. “‘M sorry fer bein’ such a baby, Blue…”
“Don’t apologize for that. I was scared for you, too.”
“‘M sorry fer makin’ ya worry ‘bout me, Blue…”
Blue smiled, patting his back. “Just don’t apologize at all, okay?”
The duo knew they had to leave soon, it was an inevitability. They weren’t sure those Pyropes were done trying to fight them, even though they’d ran away. But for now, they enjoyed each other’s company, a deeper understanding between the two of them.
“Yellow?”
“Hmn?”
“I…”
The words died in Blues throat. He felt like such a coward for holding them back, but it didn’t feel right. Not when he didn’t even know if they’d get out of this alive.
“I...I think we should start moving. We have to find somewhere to sleep.”
“Ah, right! I think I saw a hotel somewhere ‘round here…”
𓇢𓆸
There was a sense of finality in New Home, its dull grays and blacks contrasting everything they’d seen before. Neither of them were fond of the place. Blue felt a deep dread growing inside of him, while Yellow couldn’t help the constant nervousness that seemed to follow him through the area.
They’d heard of the name Asgore a few times throughout their journey. Only in passing, like a horrible secret to be whispered, but they’d heard.
He was the king of the underground. He resided near the barrier.
He killed humans.
The thought sent a chill down both of their spines. Still, Yellow stayed confident they could talk it out with him. They’d done with everyone else, what would be the difference here?
Blue wasn’t so sure.
The kings home was…Offputting. Nearly an exact replica of Toriels. It reminded Blue of how they were at the start of this journey, how close they’d gotten over the time of this.
How soon it could end.
Blue had never been very paranoid, but it felt like this house was haunted. Maybe it was. Maybe by the other humans Asgore had murdered.
If so many others had died, what made him think that they stood any chance? Sure, there were two of them, but they weren’t that strong. Not against someone like him.
If they stepped in there, faced him, there was no way they wouldn’t…
But they had to sleep somewhere. So this would be where. Yellow called it the calm before the storm, before they finally got out and back into the outside world. Blue smiled back, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
They’d decided to create makeshift sleeping bags with blankets and pillows, sleeping in the living room as opposed to the bedroom. It felt odd to have the same layout as Toriels home, but without the fragrance of sweet pastries. Blue missed the scent. Yellow did too.
“So whaddya think this ol’ Asgore guy looks like?” Yellow questioned, his hand resting on his palms as he laid on his stomach, facing Blue. “I bet he looks like a devil! With big sharp teeth!” He put his hands above his head, mimicking the shape of horns, grinning mischievously.
“Don’t say that!” Blue huffed, crossing his arms. “That’s not funny.”
Yellow put his hands down, deflated. “Sorry. Y’seemed nervous so I…” He tipped his hat over his eyes, ashamed. “Sorry.”
Blue stayed quiet, the silence uncomfortable. “No, you’re okay. I’m just on edge, I suppose.” He admitted, “What if we…”
He didn’t need to say it. They both understood.
“Don’t think like that, we’ve gotten this far, y’know?” Yellow offered a smile. “I reckon if we jus’ stick together, we’ll be all peaches n’ cream!”
“You don’t know that.” Blue countered. “What if he doesn’t listen to us?”
“Then…Then we’ll make him listen!” Yellow said.
“Yellow.”
“What, Blue?” Yellow asked, incredulous. “We…We’re gonna hafta meet the guy if we wanna get out. And I know we’re gonna get past him, I jus’ know it.”
“What if…” Blue gulped, “What if we…Didn’t get out?”
Yellow raised a brow. “What’re ya on about?”
“I mean, I mean what if we stayed down here?” Blue said, wincing at the way Yellows expression morphed into a look of shock. “I-I just…There’s no guarantee we’ll convince Asgore. I don’t want either of us to die. I don’t want either of us to be forced to kill anyone.”
Blue looked down at the gray carpet, avoiding Yellows quiet stare. “I like it down here. I like being down here with you.”
“We’ll still be friends if we leave. I won’t leave ya.” Yellow offered.
“I know.” Blue answered. “But it’s safer if we stay down here, isn’t it? If we don’t have to face him.”
“But I don’t wanna stay down here.” Yellows brows furrowed, some mix of anger, yearning, and sadness fueling him. “‘Ve liked it down here fine! N’ I lo—liked, I liked meetin’ ya, yer prolly the bestest friend ‘ve ever had, but I wanna go home!”
“I miss my house. I miss my mom n’ my dad, I miss not bein’ scared some monster ‘s gonna try n’ kill us all the time!” Yellow balled his fists, looking away from Blue. He felt a lump in his throat, his eyes burning. “I…I can’t stay down here, Blue. ‘M sorry, I jus’ can’t.”
A silence passed through them once more, heavier this time. Both of their thoughts were loud enough in their own heads to make up for it.
“I’m sorry.” Blue finally spoke up, his voice hoarse. “I just…I’m so afraid, Yellow. I know I’m being a coward, I know that, I just—“
Yellow placed a comforting hand on Blues arm, stopping Blues rant. He slightly awkwardly scooched closer to Blue, wiping the tears that’d spilled over onto his cheeks.
“‘M scared too, Blue. Ya didn’t notice? M’hands have been shakin’ ever since we got here.” Yellow said. Blue couldn’t help but notice how colorful he still seemed, a beacon of light in this dull, dull gray. He leaned into Yellows touch.
“But we can’t jus’ stay afraid, y’know? If we do that, this’ll all’ve been for nothin’…How could I call m’self a proper cowboy if I let us stay down here?” Yellows thumb drew circles on Blues cheek. Blue wanted to hold Yellows wrist, keeping him there so that he’d never leave. “I wanna get outta here with ya. N’ imma make sure that happens. I promise ya that.”
He pulled his hand back, placing it between them and sticking his pinky out.
“Really?” Blue couldn’t help but laugh. “Another pinky promise?”
“Worked th’first time, didn’t it?” Yellow grinned. Blue couldn’t argue with that.
They joined pinky’s once more. Blue hated to admit that it made him feel better, just the slightest bit.
They slept together soon after, having combined their makeshift sleeping bags into one big bag so they could rest next to each other. Even with all his worry, Yellows warmth comforted him deeply, allowing him to drift off into slumber. He dreamt of he and Yellow, in some odd, flower filled field, safe and happy. The flowers beneath them were a seemingly random medley of colors, cyan, orange, purple, and green, but all so soft and fragrant that he didn’t mind.
He wondered an odd thought, if maybe he and Yellow could become one with the flowers. Peaceful and happy, without any care or fears or responsibilities. It was a nice thought.
They headed for the king by morning, though it was hard to tell it was morning with how monotone everything was. The corridor leading to the throne felt like a burst of color compared to the grayscale outside. Yellow joked that it was a good sign. Blue couldn’t shake the feeling they were walking to their graves.
𓇢𓆸
For all they’d heard about Asgore, he wasn’t as outwardly scary as they’d thought. He even seemed fatherly, to a certain extent. The knowledge of what he did kept them both, or maybe them all, on edge, Yellow dead set on keeping Blue safe behind him, their hands grasped together tightly.
To his credit, Asgore showed them the border. It seemed incomprehensible to their eyes, an almost alive, pulsing mass of light and darkness. The barrier seemed so in reach that foolishly, Blue let himself feel hopeful at the idea of them leaving.
He snapped back into reality when Asgore pulled out a large red trident, firmly blocking their path, a regretful look in his eyes.
“Y-Yellow,” Blue muttered. “Ya remember what I said, don’t ya? We’re gettin’ out of this together. You n’ me.” Yellow reassured him, brows furrowed.
Blue looked down, Yellows hands were still shaking. Yet he still…
“You and I.” Blue responded. “Always.”
Asgore was fast. Horrifyingly fast. They could only just barely dodge his attacks, being hit or struck the majority of the time. They felt lucky that he had to focus on the both of them instead of just one, though it didn’t ease their nerves any.
Yellow took a majority of the hits, while Blue supplied him with items, and they both tried to talk him down. Blues heart hurt anytime he saw Yellow have to take yet another heavy attack, always jumping in front of Blue whenever he was about to be harmed.
Still. They weren’t making any progress. Asgore was barely even talking.
“Yellow,” Blue said, “We need to try something different. I-I’m running out of items, you’re hurt.”
Yellow wiped his face, smudging the blood that’d fallen from his nose after a particularly rough hit with the staff of Asgores weapon. “‘M fine, Blue-! Jus’ trust me!”
“You aren’t fine! Stop trying to take everything, you’ll—“
Yellow tackled Blue, diving them both out of the way of a slash. “Jus’ let me do this for ya, Blue!” Yellow shouted, climbing off of Blue. He turned his head back to face the other boy, some mix of desperation and determination in his eyes. Blue couldn’t help but feel the same desperation, his blood rushing fast, his heart thumping so hard against his chest he felt it might burst.
“I know yer worried, but I need t’do this for ya.” Yellow huffed, trying to catch his breath, trying desperately to force the words out of his throat. “I…If I don’t get th’chance t’say this again, then ya need to know. Blue, I l—“
“WATCH OUT!” Blue yelled, pushing Yellow out of the way. Yellow fell to the side, colliding roughly with the ground. Yellow could do nothing but watch as Blue took an attack fully intended for him, could do nothing as he broke his promise.
The trident stabbed through Blues chest, a horrid, hoarse gasp escaping the dancers lips once it tore through his body. Asgore pulled the weapon out of the boy, as if it would make any difference, a sickening dull thud echoing throughout the room as Blues body hit the ground.
“BLUE—!” Yellow screamed, rushing to Blues side, scooping him up in his arms. Blue curled into Yellows chest, grasping his shirt tightly, hollow breathes racking his body.
“Blue, Blue— yer gonna be okay, j-just breathe, c’mon,” Yellow said frantically, a weak smile on his lips. Blue didn’t respond, or maybe he couldn’t, wheezing as he coughed up blood. The red liquid stained Yellows shirt, sinking into the fabric. Yellows breathing quickened. Blues breathing slowed.
“No, please, Blue don’t, why did ya…?” Yellows face fell, grasping on to Blue tighter. Hot tears spilled out of his eyes, heavy sobs racking the boy to his core. He could feel Blues grip on his shirt weaken, it made him sick. “Please, please don’t go…I can’t do this without ya…”
Asgore refused to tear his eyes from the sight. He watched as Blue took his last breath, watched as Yellows tears dropped onto his face, watched as Yellows begs and pleads for Blue to wake up morphed into incomprehensible sobs. He did not want to look, did not want to look at the mess he created, yet something forced him to keep looking. Maybe he felt an obligation. Maybe it was his own shame.
“I am sorry for your loss.” He said honestly. He knew it would happen some way or another, eventually. They’d been evasive, for sure. Asgore had heard rumors about how well they worked together.
But in the end, they were just children.
Asgore wasn’t sure what he expected. Maybe Yellow would begin attacking him, launching a flurry of anger filled attacks his way. Maybe Yellow would try to run, pounding his fists on the door, crying for someone to come save him. Maybe he would begin begging for his life, pleading for mercy. He’d seen all of those responses from the other humans. Each one weighed heavy on his mind, stopped him from going him from sleeping at night.
“Sir, please…” Yellow muttered, barely audible, his eyes not meeting the king. The begging route, then. Asgore did not want to respond to the humans inevitable pleas, but he readied himself to do so. How could you explain to a child that this had to be done? That this was the only way? How do you explain to someone who’s barely had a chance to live that they have to die?
“Please, jus’…Finish th’job.”
Any words Asgore had saved up died in his throat.
“It’s…’S my fault Blues dead. He didn’t wanna come here, he—“ Yellow hiccuped, body not having stopped shaking ever since the trident had struck Blue. “If I hadn’t been so stubborn, if I’d jus’ listened…” Yellows bottom lip trembled. Something within Asgore wanted to comfort the boy. Wanted to assure him that this wasn’t his fault. That it would have ended up this way regardless.
As if that would make it any better. As if it would mean anything coming from his mouth.
“Are…” The king trailed off, finding his words. “Are you sure?”
Yellow nodded, resigned to his fate. “I promised I’d protect ‘im. That he wouldn’t hafta worry ‘bout me…If I can’t even do that…” His voice broke, but he refused to let himself cry again, pulling Blue closer.
“I won’t fight or nothin’. Please.”
With a heavy heart, Asgore raised his trident, and fulfilled the humans request.
𓇢𓆸
Not much was spoken of the two humans who’d fallen together afterwards. They’d become another part of the age old story. A human falls, a human explores, a human dies. The only difference was that there’d been two of them this time around.
There was a sense of resignation in the way they all spoke of the two humans. They’d been nice company, but. They were kind, but. They’d never hurt anyone, but.
In the end, it would have never concluded any other way. They all knew their stories would end like this.
And somewhere deep down, subconsciously or otherwise, they’d both known it too.