Chapter Text
Apocalyptic
That was the only way to describe the scene before her, fountains of unending darkness springing from the earth dotted the horizon. Lumbering giants of malice and fear incarnate reaching their wicked hands up from the crust of the ground as cries filled with fear and confusion filled the town. For the first time in a long time, a true smile crept across her face. Drowning out the sounds of world’s destruction for but a moment was a rapturous laugh she had long forgotten she could even muster.
Before her, or rather, below her stood a group of “heroes”, failures, pathetic and weak in her eyes as they steeled themselves. A monster girl, brandishing a chipped and scuffed hammer was the first to step forward, clear as day she was running on fumes but even still, that girl could find the strength to step just a little closer. Before a word was able to leave her lips, that girl was felled. Falling to the ground in a steadily growing pool of her own blood.
Her curiosity peaked, distracted for just a moment by the sight before her. Monsters don't bleed, not like this. The girl should have turned to a pile of dust moments ago, but here her corpse remained, unmoving but still whole. Cut off from her train of thought by a roar to match her own, a figure…no, another monster it seemed was now staring DOWN at her. An icy glare, one filled with hate, pain, confusion and so much more bore straight through her as if she wasn't even there. Then something cold knocked against her head hard, sent back down to the crackling and splintered ground below she scrambled for balance, her visor was broken and covered in a layer of frost. Frost kept creeping along her crystalline armor, slowing her movements just enough to be unable to dodge the next strike, delivered to the exact same spot as the first.
Snow was falling, raging in a storm as her vision was blurred without the visor’s protection. Panic, that was a new feeling. A feeling of dread washed over her as she finally got a clear look at the beast above her, an Angel? Cloaked in tattered white raiments, pale blue wings of ice fluttered behind them, the Angel’s face was being obscured by snow swirling around the two.
But that did not stop this feeling of murderous intent pouring off The Angel from reaching her.
Fear, that was also new to her. Scrambling for her sword she slowly stood on now frosted ground, but before she could swing back at The Angel, something sharp and painfully cold pierced the arm she held her weapon with, knocking her back down as she groaned out in pained annoyance.
Again and again, these pains kept raining down on her. Spears of ice began locking her in place, even as she tried to stand again her legs were swiftly impaled, essentially stapling her feet to the ground, cracking her armor. She couldn’t tell which cracking sounds were coming from The Angel’s wrathful magic or her swiftly failing armor. Shards of darkness falling from her body being rapidly replaced by a creeping coffin of ice, try as she might, she could not bend her form as she was able to in the past.
She was used to the cold wasn't she?, comforted by darkness’s cold embrace for so many years should have made this insignificant, shouldn’t this be nothing to her? Her panicked thoughts of rationalization and fear were cut off as The Angel began to slowly descend down to her.
Realization hit her harder than the storm surrounding her, she finally saw the face of The Angel clearly. Two antlers, one snapped in half. Platinum hair, slightly curled at the ends flowing in the icy wind. And a piercing glare, one that faltered for just a moment ,giving way to shock and confusion for just a moment before that that look of disgust and rage took over again.
She knew this face, how could she have forgotten it, clarity washed over her for just a moment, seemingly freezing that moment in time just long enough for her thoughts to settle on a single word. “N…Noe-” But even a frozen moment was too short for her, as another icy pain spread at her core, with the last of the mobility left in her body she was able to look down to see that familiar hand pressed to her chest, along with a shining spear of ice boring through her before an unfamiliar darkness slowly stole her vision.
She was sitting up in her bed again, gasping and shaking on the sweat soaked sheets below her. Clutching her chest tight, she could feel her heart beating again. It was just a dream, just another nightmare, it had to be, she thought. Raising her hand to her lips she bit down on her thumb, not hard enough to bleed, but hard enough for that dull ache of pain to slowly ground her again.
Steadying her breaths, she turned to sit and grip the edge of her bed. Taking a few more deep breaths, she stood up slowly and turned the lights on again. It was blinding for just a few more moments as her vision adjusted. Taking the dark grey bath robe sitting on her desk chair and slipping it on over her pajamas, she opened the door to her room and quickly shuffled her way to the bathroom nearby.
The feeling of cool water splashing against her face calmed her down fully. She didn't know what time it was, it couldn't have been past 6am by her guess so she at least knew her mother was awake or was about to be. So, in a hushed voice she began the daily reassurance to herself in the mirror. Something someone in a similar boat as she had been in taught her to do, the start of something she had been doing for almost a year now.
“Your name is December Holiday, today’s date is…” she forgot her phone in her room, she could skip that part today. “Doesnt matter. You’re free, you’re home…you’re alive.” a flash of her sister’s icy, hate filled glare gripped her thoughts before she shook it off “Noelle is alive…thank Angel she is.” She sat down on the closed toilet, and began her next task.
She meticulously checked every inch of her dark brown fur for signs of that darkness, signs of crystalline growths. She knew they couldn't be there, not here, not in the Light World but still, she checked. Satisfied with her inspection she filled the glass next to the sink with cold water and took slow, steady gulps. She brushed her dark brown hair, clearing the ragged bed head she suffered from, and checked her face over one last time in the mirror. Still herself. Once she was done, she felt she could finally walk out of that room.
She made her way to the kitchen next, greeted by her mother, Carol Holiday, already sitting at the table slowly sipping coffee and reading something on her phone. A bowl of still steaming oatmeal and a glass of orange juice sat on the table next to her. “Good morning December.” Her mother’s tone was still sharp, but noticeably softer than when she first came back. “Morning Mom.” December could feel her mother’s gaze for a moment before she corrected herself “Good morning Mom.” she said as she sat herself down at the table, in front of her breakfast. “And thank you, for making breakfast again.” Before she disappeared, this would have been exceedingly rare, her mother preparing breakfast for her. Always out of the house before anyone else, besides her father maybe, would have been at least awake by that point, Always too busy. Maybe it was because December started waking up when her mother did now (even if she REALLY wanted to sleep in), maybe it was her mother softening just a bit over the last year, but she really did appreciate this.
Halfway through her breakfast, Carol slid over a small plastic cup. Inside were an assortment of pills and tablets.
She hated this part of her morning the most. December wasn't stupid, she knew none of the pills were anything bad for her. A couple of dietary supplements, one for nausea, something to help her photosensitivity, one anti-depressant. It wasn’t the pills contents that she hated, it was the feeling of them sticking to her throat that she despised. One by one, in between gulps of juice she took them all as her mother watched carefully. Even when they were gone, she still felt like SOMETHING was stuck to her throat. “December” her mother said, and she knew. Opening her mouth for a moment, she showed that yes she did in fact take them all.
A soft sigh of relief left Carol as she suddenly hugged her daughter “I have to leave for the day, preparing this year’s festival for next week and its going to be extra difficult given the town’s...changes” letting go of her daughter she looked down at her, hoping that she wasn't scowling like usual. She had been trying to be better for her, she didn't want to lose her again. It was going to be a longer journey for them all, but she had to keep trying, even if she slipped into her old habits sometimes, she had to keep trying.
“Noelle has plans with Kris today, something about preparing THAT place for the festival.” She really tried not to say the name of THAT place, trying to dance around that subject to not unnerve December. “But…Asriel is back in town later today I'm sure you know. So if you need company today, you may call him over.” She turned to leave the kitchen before stopping at the door, a small smug smirk tugging at the corner of her lips “but please, lock the front door if you are going to-”
“MOM!” December shoved her face in her hands, blushing furiously and letting out a groan. Memories of a VERY awkward encounter burned in her brain. A small chuckle came from her mother as she left the room.
Pulling herself back upright in her chair, left alone in the kitchen she quietly finished her oatmeal. As she cleaned the dishes she smiled softly, thinking about Asriel again. They had been talking again this last year, thankfully that boy was more than forgiving to her even if it took a while for him to build up the courage to do so. She thought she didn't deserve him at first, especially after all she had done, especially after all the time she had left him alone but even still, she was happy he was back in her life again.
Her tail was fluttering fast as she recalled the moment she became lucid again, Asriel holding onto her frail and thin hand as she lay in that hospital bed, holding onto her like it was the only thing that mattered.
He looked tired, eyes puffy from countless hours of tears. She remembered the look of relief plastered on his face as he noticed that she was awake again. It was only one word, her name that left his lips when their eyes met again, in that adorably soft voice she had forgotten about for so long, she cried. She cried harder than she had in years right then and there, Asriel was gentle, slowly sitting her up to hug her as gently as he could, afraid she might fall apart in his arms. And even if she did, she knew he could keep her together in that embrace. Her face buried in his collar as she sobbed out apologies and regrets, her voice raspy and weak, hardly even audible to herself. She remembered the look on his face when she finally stopped crying. And it was as if all the darkness plaguing her thoughts were swept away, she felt the light return to her as she wrapped her arms around him tighter than she knew she could.
“Thinking about Azzy again?~” a teasing voice came from the door, followed by a short giggle. December’s face went flush red again as she willed her tail to stop shaking so damn fast. Noelle stood in the doorway, already fully dressed in something…different to her usual style. She wore khaki cargo shorts with a patch on the right pocket, probably from a band she had seen with Kris last month. She only assumed as much as her black tee shirt had a matching logo on it. A tour shirt by the looks of it, which band? December had no earthly clue, she couldn't make heads or tails on what chicken scratch that logo was supposed to say. Since when did Noelle get into music like THAT? How long was she standing there? Wait, was she also wearing a choker? Thank Angel their mother was already out of the house, Carol could tolerate a lot more lately but THAT would surely have gotten a good reaction out of her.
“Shut up” December said softly, pouting as she finished cleaning her mom’s coffee mug. Turning to face Noelle, after putting the mug in the cupboard, she shook her head "Didn't think you'd be up so early, mom just left by the way” she said as she dried off her hands.
“I know, but I've got a busy day too. Kris practically made a book of things we have to get finished by next week.” Noelle’s gaze went to the dishes in the sink, then the kitchen table before huffing and shaking her head. “Can you pass me a clean bowl Dess?”
As Noelle ate her breakfast, December went back to her room to get properly dressed. Checking her phone to see, good Angel, 19 missed texts from Asriel. She blushed softly as she pocketed the device in her ripped jeans, thinking to herself “that fluffy idiot~”. Slipping on a plain black tank top, a red and black lumberjack overshirt, keeping it unbuttoned. She pulled out her phone again to text back Asriel.
D: “I'm up, I'm okay dude. Had a nightmare again but, eh…i’ve had worse”
A: “You know I just worry Dess, do you…wanna talk about it?”
D: “Nah, one I've had at least a dozen times before. Recovered a lot faster from it than before so there is that”
She was sent a big heart emoji in response, causing her tail to flutter fast again
D: “Okaaaay save the big mushy stuff for when you get into town dummy <3”
D: “How long til your bus gets to town?”
A: “Oh, this one hasn't even shown up yet, I'm just waiting at the bus stop still. I think I should be back in Hometown by uhhhhh…. Noon at the latest. Assuming they dont fuck up being late and junk”
D: “Aughhhh, lame. Thats lame, your bus company is lame as fuck. Think you could beat the bus on foot?”
A: “Dess…”
D: “We will have the house to ourselves todayyyy~”
A: “On my way.”
She laughed to herself softly before putting her phone back in her pocket, grabbing her bag and slinging it over her shoulder. She had a lot to do before he arrived, a trip to San’s store firstly. Well, ok that was all she really had to do today, but she still wanted to THINK she was doing a lot besides waiting for her boyfriend to show up. Heading downstairs she saw Noelle getting ready to leave at the front door, looking at her phone with a soft smile, a pair of earbuds already in. She carried a guitar case in her other hand, one of Dess’s old ones. This was nice, she thought. Being able to see her sister genuinely smile like that again, being able to smile again herself. There were some lingering doubts in the back of her mind, but they only lingered for a moment before she saw Noelle waving goodbye, rushing out the door.
She checked the time, seeing Asriel had sent another 5 texts, Angel above she loved that boy more than she thought she could. She had to remind him how lucky he was the moment he got here. 8:35 AM. she blinked and looked at the time again, she assumed it was maybe 7 at the latest considering her mother was still at home. She had to thank her mom again later for staying home that late for her. She started to walk through the living room, making a stop at the fireplace. One last thing to do before she could go outside.
On the mantle was a clear glass bauble, inside was a dusty photo of the whole family. Taken before she disappeared, her father dressed as Santa, Noelle on his lap wearing a light blue dress, wearing angel wings and a big smile, playfully tugging at the fake beard on her father’s face. She was sitting on the floor, holding her first guitar she got as a present that very day, looking at it awestruck. Her mother was behind her dad, leaning over to place a kiss on his right cheek. She couldn't remember who took the picture, maybe it was set on a timer? It didn't matter. She placed a hand on the bauble, incredibly careful to not move it in the slightest. Lowering her head slightly and closing her eyes.
“I'm sure you saw dad, but Noelle is doing better. She's been smiling a lot again lately. Hell, even mom is being better at doing that too….im….im trying too. Fuck, its been hard sometimes, really hard.” She paused to take a breath. “But, I'm sure you'd be proud of us wouldn't you. Just, keep watching over us when you can. Especially mom.” She took her hand away from the bauble and rubbed her eyes a bit, she managed to not cry today. “Progress.” she thought before taking another deep breath, making her way back to the front door. Looking back at the empty living room, picturing that happy family in the photo one more time. She was going to be back very soon, she knew. But she couldn't help it, those memories helped her when she needed them.
It was going to be ok.
She was going to be ok.