Work Text:
The wind in the floral dark world began to swirl and colorful petals were tossed elegantly around in the air. If the lightners were around, they surely would’ve felt it—Ralsei probably would’ve been irritated. Though it didn’t matter. Flowery wasn’t looking for the pesky lightners, wherever they had run off to. He was looking for his glorious King!
The head flower descended in his whirl of petals and wind, shimmering under the light. He had intended on creating a grand entrance to impress Asgore, but he frowned when he opened his eyes to no King in sight.
“[My King!] Where is King Asgore?” Flowery muttered to himself. He tapped his chin in thought and spun on his heels. He began to fly again, heading towards the castle where he hoped Asgore would be.
•••
The aforementioned king was hunched over a desk in his quarters. He was donning his armor, cape, and crown, which was a bit uncomfortable to try and work normally in, but he wasn’t paying attention to that.
Asgore had finally found his old notes from when he was an officer. He had finally been able to piece them together again! And no one would interrupt him, or say he was drawing out the problem, or whisper about how he was going crazy!
He muttered to himself, eyes roaming over messy handwriting. He reorganized the order of the papers, then huffed, running a paw through his ginger hair. The contrast between it and the blond it was in the light world always took a bit to get used to, but it didn’t matter now. He clenched his jaw, fangs grinding together as he was coming close to an epiphany, but his train of thought was interrupted when he heard the calls of a special flower.
•••
“[It’s me, Flowery!] Oh, King Asgore!” Flowery drawled as he flew into the castle, scattering petals around with every step. The golden flower waltzed over to the monarch, placing his hands on his broad shoulders.
“[What a predictable creature] Working again, my King?” Flowery sighed dramatically, rubbing Asgore’s shoulders. “Don’t you want to take a break? You’re in here all the time,” the flower whined, trying to pull Asgore’s focus away.
“[The diner] Why don’t we go to the diner, share a meal? My treat!” Flowery offered, wiggling his eyebrows. “You deserve it for working so hard.”
•••
The king was less than enthused with this, and instead stared at the wall, lips twitching to almost form a scowl. He rubbed his eyes, then looked down at his notes as he stroked his beard. “Maybe later, Flowery. I’m in the middle of something rather important.” He sighed heavily, briefly reaching back to touch Flowery’s hand on his shoulder.
Asgore’s ear flicked before he made a dismissive gesture towards the flower, and he shifted his posture. His back was hunched as he leaned closer to the table, not wanting to pick up a page and possibly lose track of where to put it. He really regretted not putting dates on these when he had the chance! All he had was his memory to piece them together.
•••
Flowery frowned and sighed heavily. He tapped his foot against the ground for a few moments, before sliding the papers to the side and sitting on the desk where they used to be. The flower laid on his side, grinning up at the Flower King.
“[This guy’s your best friend] C’mon, Goregore! It’ll be just like old times. You, me, and a rootbeer float made from real roots. [Try my flavor] entertain me for a few hours for dinner,” Flowery pleaded again, batting his long, blond eyelashes.
•••
Asgore froze as his work was moved. His jaw dropped and he looked damn near distraught. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. He could still fix it. Even if he’s spent all day and night trying to do so. He could still fix it.
The Flower King stood up, ignoring Flowery for a few moments to quickly move his papers back into their respective spots, only a bit more crowded together than last time due to the flower’s presence on the table. When he finally looked down at Flowery, his expression softened.
“If I go to the diner with you, may I please get some work done for a few hours afterwards, without interruptions?” The goat asked, shoulders slumping.
•••
Flowery’s face broke out into a wide grin. “[Say that again] Of course, my King! I’m just asking for a few hours of your time.” The flower slid off of the desk and stood in front of Asgore, smiling up at him. “[The boys] A relaxing hang out is just what you need.”
Flowery took the King’s hand and led him out of the castle eagerly. “[Try my flavor] Want to try out my flight travel? It’s much faster than walking, Goregore,” Flowery offered.
•••
Asgore gave Flowery’s hand a light squeeze, then looked at his face when he made the offer. “I would not mind that, Flowery. Though I.. I do believe walking is beneficial.” He muttered in response.
“Whatever’s most convenient for you.” He hummed, folding his other arm behind his back in a regal manner.The king yawned, then promptly adjusted his crown.
•••
“Jarona! [Mysterious wind],” exclaimed the flower as he threw his other hand up, summoning a powerful gust of wind towards the two. They began to fly now, and Flowery held onto Asgore in case he was nervous (Though, truthfully he just wanted an excuse to touch him).
“[The diner] We’re here,” said Flowery as they descended in front of the building. The lights were on inside, casting a golden glow upon the interior. “[My human] Kings first,” Flowery cooed with a small bow, holding the door open for Asgore.
•••
The king held Flowery’s hand a bit tighter, mostly because he was caught off guard by the winds. He let out a soft chuckle as they reached the diner, and nodded as Flowery held the door open. “How kind.” He said warmly.
Asgore rubbed his nose, glancing around the diner for a moment. It was empty, save for Green behind the counter, as usual. He waved to the chef, then stepped over to one of the booths, sitting down with a soft groan.
•••
Flowery plopped down in the seat across, setting his elbows on the table to rest his chin on his hands. He smiled and tilted his head as he looked at the tired King. He stretched his leg out, brushing his foot against Asgore’s shin.
“[Flowers blooms in your heart] Y’know, Goregore, they always love you around the diner. At this point, I think you could get away without paying! But don’t worry, I always have Flowery bucks just in case,” the flower said with a chuckle. He waved his hand up, and soon a waiter came over.
“[Don’t you like serving humans?] A rootbeer float, please! Extra root,” Flowery ordered for them both. “And two straws.”
The waiter nodded and scribbled their order down before walking off. Flowery turned back to the King and smiled.
•••
Asgore’s fur fluffed up a bit when Flowery ordered a singular Rootbeer with two straws. He chuckled, shaking his head. “Now why would I want to leave these poor workers unpaid? That’s just wrong, Flowery.” He drawled, folding his paws in his lap. His ears flicked.
The king blinked slowly at the flower before crossing his legs, pulling them back a bit to make sure he wasn’t taking up too much space. He then spotted the waiter bringing over the large Rootbeer float, and he tilted his head slightly. His nostrils briefly flared as he took in the scent.
•••
Flowery leaned forward towards the drink, lowering his head to wrap his lips around the straw closest to him. He looked up at Asgore through lowered lashes, grinning suggestively around the plastic.
“[Smile again] Isn’t this perfect, Goregore? So much better than that boooringgg work of yours,” the flower drawled, pushing his straw around with the tip of his slim index finger. He lifted the glass to the Flower King’s mouth. “[Suckle it up] Go ahead, my King! It’s just how you like it.”
•••
The king took the glass from Flowery’s hand, setting it back in the middle between them both. He was aiming for a sense of equality with sharing the drink as he adjusted it. He took his own straw, sipping from the cup.
Once Asgore pulled away from the cup, licking his lips, he folded his paws on the table. “You always seem to know exactly what I like, Flowery. It’s almost comical!” He chuckled, though the mirthful aura he was trying to exude did not form.
•••
Flowery grinned eagerly, leaning closer to the King. “[That’s my dreams] All I want is to make you happy, Goregore. [This guy’s your best friend] You don’t need Tori, or Kris, or anyone back there! Think of how awful they made you feel just for trying your best!”
The golden flower placed a hand over his heart and sighed solemnly. “[I’m only trying to help you] It just breaks my heart how ungrateful they all are! But we appreciate you here, Asgore. I can treat you like the King you deserve to be.” Flowery took one of Asgore’s large paws in his hands, pressing a kiss to the back of it.
•••
Asgore’s smile quickly faded at the reminder of his family in the light world. He thought back to Toriel, how she’d always dismiss his attempts to win her back. Kris’s newfound apathy towards everything, and how they rarely visited him anymore. Then, Asriel… he was in college, all grown up now, but.. even before he moved away, he was distancing himself. They were always arguing. Despite that, Asgore still yearned for even a few more minutes where he could see his family all gathered together. He missed the cozy nights where everybody would snuggle up on the couch to watch a movie. He missed the nights where Toriel and him would have to get up in the middle of the night to check for imaginary beasts living under the beds. He missed… everything.
The kiss to the back of his paw snapped him out of his spiraling thoughts, and he nearly recoiled when he noticed Flowery’s lips against his fur. The king took a deep breath, retracting his paw from the flower’s touch. He didn’t respond to Flowery, instead just taking a few more sips of the Rootbeer float.
•••
Flowery let out a nervous chuckle and tugged at his collar. He clasped his hands together, setting them down on the wooden table. “[It’s all yours] Don’t worry about the price, Gorey! [Leaf it to me!] I got us covered,” said the flower proudly as he pulled out his small wallet. He made sure Asgore could see the stack of “Flowery Dollars” inside, as if that would impress him.
Suddenly out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the lightners and Ralsei sitting at a table across the diner. They were near Green, who was still behind the counter.
“[No way, it’s your children] What are they doing here?” Flowery muttered under his breath. When he noticed Asgore raising an eyebrow, he grinned and turned his attention back to the King.
“[Smile again] Having fun, Goregore? Maybe we could keep this fun going, hm? Take a walk around the castle, chat with some Floradinns, go to the garden…”
•••
The king of flowers let out a sigh. “I suppose a change in plans wouldn’t hurt.” He looked up from the glass as he adjusted his crown. He then yawned, not noticing his child and their friends across the diner just yet. He then moved, sliding out of the booth before stretching, letting out a soft huff as his back cracked.
“Damn— I should probably stretch more.” Asgore muttered to himself beneath his breath. He then combed a paw through his ginger locks, looking back at Flowery.
•••
Flowery took the King’s hand and led him out of the diner. He hummed, then told Asgore to stay out while he took care of some business quickly. The flowery went back into the diner and approached the three. “[Hey, Raly]” he greeted and patted the prince on the head—he did not look amused.
“[Sorry to keep you waiting] I’ll be back my dear friends. [Your dad’s my best friend] I’m just busy right now.” The flower threw the children some Flowery Dollars before leaving again.
He returned to Asgore’s side. “[Mysterious wind]” he whispered, summoning a powerful gust which began to carry them back to the castle.
•••
Asgore flinched when Flowery appeared next to him again, and he quickly grabbed onto the flower’s forearm when the gales carried them. “Goodness! Warn me next time you do that again.” He huffed, slowly releasing Flowery.
“I may go back to my work once we reach the castle.” The monarch hummed, starting to fiddle with his paws as his ears flicked.
•••
Flowery frowned slightly as they touched down onto the castle grounds. He turned to look up at Asgore. “[No, no, no] Come on, you’ve barely taken any time to yourself! Staying cooped up in the castle isn’t good for your beautiful complexion, Goregore,” Flowery continued insisting.
He led him away from the castle door, opting to walk around the sides instead. He looped his arm around Asgore’s, and rested his head on his shoulder. “[Get a chance] Walk with me for a while, soak up that sun!”
•••
“Flowery, it’s important.” Huffed the flower king, stopping in his tracks. He looked down at Flowery, then shifts to stand in front of the man. “It’s important to me.” Asgore clarified firmly. “I’m doing this for both myself, and my people. My family, friends, and neighbors.. I can’t.. I can’t just stay here forever, no matter how much I want to.” He sighed, his brows furrowing as his expression hardened.
“I have to find whoever’s making these dark worlds. They—.. they’re going to pay, Flowery.” Asgore set his hands onto the flower’s shoulders. “I swear on everything holy, I will find them, kill them, and I will be the one to throw their body into the streets for all to see. They need to realize that they are not as powerful as they think they are. They will get what’s coming to them, Flowery. I will make sure of it.” Snarled the goat.
•••
“[Glue!] Ah, so you do want to stay!” Flowery exclaimed, ignoring the rest of Asgore’s words. He pressed his finger against his lips, shushing the King.
“[All according to—all according to plant] Well then, that’s just perfect! You don’t need to worry about all this other stuff! Just stay here with us—with me—in your own paradise,” said the golden flower as he took Asgore’s paws in his slim hands.
“[Forget it] The dark worlds aren’t your problem, so why bother? It’s not like you’re the one making them!” Flowery said, flipping his hair back.
•••
Asgore’s snout wrinkled in contempt as he was shushed and his problems were dismissed. “THEY ARE MY PROBLEM!” He roared, yanking his paws away from the flower’s hands, then grabbing his collar. He pulled him closer, snarling.
“YOURE NOT THE ONLY THING I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT, FLOWERY! I HAVE A FAMILY!! A FAMILY THAT I CARE ABOUT! AND NOT ONLY MY FAMILY, BUT MY FRIENDS! I HAVE FRIENDS, FLOWERY! I CANT DO THIS—!” The flower king’s voice cracked as his expression contorted into one of deep sorrow. His eyes welled up and he shook his head before burying his face down in his hands after releasing Flowery.
“I regret everything.” He sobbed. “I wish—.. I wish I was a better father— husband! I wish I had figured it out already!” He wailed, falling to his knees at Flowery’s feet.
•••
Flowery stumbled forward with a small yelp as Asgore yanked him forward. He looked up at the angry King, who was ranting passionately now. When Asgore suddenly dropped to his knees, Flowery gasped softly and looked down at him. The Flower King looked so…distraught. It was so unlike his usual demeanor.
Flowery kneeled down and placed a hand on Asgore’s shoulder. “[My king!] Asgore, I…I’m sorry, I didn’t realize this meant so much to you,” he said sympathetically. “[Flowers blooms in your heart!] You’re a great husband and father! It’s not your fault that they can’t see that,” Flowery tried to reassure him.
•••
The monarch shook his head, blubbering as he lowered his head closer to the ground. His back protested as his form wracked with loud, ugly sobs. Everything he had been holding in, everything he had been trying to keep together, had just come pouring out.
Sure, he has had times in his shop where he sniveled and quietly begged the Delta Rune for forgiveness, to help piece his life back together, but this was different. He couldn’t keep denying that he wasn’t the one at fault anymore. He couldn’t keep lying to himself about what he had to do to fix things. He couldn’t keep hoping things would get better.
Asgore was damn near inconsolable in this moment, bowing low at the feet of the very plant he loved taking care of, wailing like a child. He rested his paws behind his horns, gripping at his hair in distress. “I— I miss— I miss Toriel! I miss her! It’s not fair, Flowery— it’s not fair at all!! The kids don’t— they don’t—“ he choked. “They don’t even wanna LOOK at me anymore!”
•••
Flowery grimaced and pulled his hand away as Asgore wailed loudly. He really wasn’t sure how to handle this. He sat down beside him with a sigh and placed his hand on his back.
Flowery thought about Asgore’s personality down here in the dark world. He was always cooped up in his castle, muttering about finding answers about this world. Flowery never understood that—why was Asgore so hellbent on discovery? Couldn’t he just enjoy the world he created for his beloved flowers?
The golden flower also thought about how much Asgore loved his family. Hell, he was crying over them right now. Flowery frowned. As much as he wanted his King to stay down here, his heart was clearly in another place.
“[Go home] Perhaps it would be best for you to go to them, my king,” Flowery murmured. “[I’m sorry once again I kept a lady in waiting] I won’t keep you here.”
•••
Asgore leaned into the kind contact of his flower, groaning as he felt himself acquiring a head ache. He wrapped an arm around Flowery, starting to wipe his eyes and rub his face as he tried to swallow down his cries. “I wouldn’t… I wouldn’t know what to do once I got back up there.” He muttered, voice nasally.
The king let out a soft whimper, then sniffled. “What am I supposed to do?” He shook his head. “You’re—.. you.. you’ve been the closest thing to a friend i have, excluding ol’ Rudy.” He slowly sat up, eyes red rimmed and puffy. His nose twitched as he stared down at the blond haired plant. He then pulled Flowery into a tight hug.
•••
Flowery exhaled softly and returned the King’s hug, burying his face against his shoulder. “[No way, it’s your children] You should go to your kids at least! Kris, and that Asriel guy once he comes home,” Flowery said. “[Smile again] You can get past this, Goregore! All families have rough patches,” the flower tried to assure him.
Flowery stood and pulled Asgore to stand as well. He brushed off the King’s armor and stepped back with his hands clasped. “[Your dad’s my best friend] You’ll always have friends down here, Asgore, but you need to make things right up there first.”
•••
The king of flowers looked back over his shoulder at the glowing spotlight next to the door that led to his chambers. He gingerly touched the crown upon his head, then looked back at Flowery. He swallowed thickly, then fiddled with his paws for a moment.
“I..” he sighed. “Flowery, I’m.. I’m not sure if I’m ready to leave just yet for that.” Asgore mumbled, voice gravelly. “I’m not sure if… I’d like to leave.. you, yet.” He clarified hesitantly, ear flicking.
•••
Flowery smiled and placed a hand on one of Asgore’s paws. “[Heh, it’s so human] Well, I guess a little longer wouldn’t hurt. But you have to go back to them eventually, Asgore,” said the golden flower.
Flowery stepped aside again, letting Asgore see the path to his chambers again. “[My king] If you want to go back to work, I won’t bother you.”
•••
The flower king looked down at their joined hands, lips twitching briefly. “I.. wouldn’t mind if you sat with me while I worked. Besides I, uhm, might need a bit of time to really get into the headspace.” He chuckled awkwardly, rubbing his eyes.
Asgore cracked his knuckles nervously, then looked to his chamber door. “I’ll be in there if you wish to join me.” He hummed, then stepped away, retracting his hand from the flower. He entered the room, closing the door behind him.
•••
Flowery sighed as he watched the king leave. He clasped his hands behind his back, watching the doors to his chambers shut. As much as he wanted to take him up on his offer, he figured Asgore was saying it out of politeness. It would probably be best to leave the King be, for now. He probably had a lot to think about. Flowery needed to check on the other flowers, anyway.
“[Here I come San Frandisco!]” said Flowery as he summoned his wind to carry him away once again. The golden flower would go on to check on his friends and family, and stay with them for a while. Perhaps he was holding onto Asgore too much. Everything he needed was right here, even without the King.