Chapter Text
Your eyes flickered open, the light of the dim night-light illuminating the dark, allowing you to at the very least, see the ceiling.
But you couldn't see the lamp, not at all.
Because there was something obstructing your vision.
Your eyes moved to the right, lips curling into a soft smile. You could barely, just barely see the face of the person you've known since the day you met the town of Hometown.
Their familiar face, iconic cocoa-coloured hair, and that sweater you know all too well.
Kris laid on top of you, seemingly in a deep sleep. You didn't know if you could wake them up even if you tried, not that you would want them to lose more of their seven hours of sleep.
It was probably your fault that they are currently on top of you, considering your weird sleeping positions. But it’s not like you're not gonna take advantage of this.
Your arms, which were on your sides, moved to stretch themselves across their back, before you pulled them in a tight hug.
You wished this could last forever, for eternity. Their warmth radiating and infecting you with a genuine smile.
But you know nothing lasts forever. No, you are the person who is most familiar with that.
You sighed, awkwardly pushed them to the side, closer to the wall so you could maneuver yourself out.
Their body stirred, maybe they weren’t really in that tight of a sleep, you just hoped that they didn't woke up right now.
Fortunately for you, it seemed like they relaxed once they finished moving, settling on laying on their side.
Phew, that was a close-call, you didn't know an excuse to say if Kris awoke then and there. You knew how grumpy they could get, how cute they looked when they were agitated with you.
Even though you liked their expression, it was better if you didn't disturb them now.
You sat up on the side of the bed, your feet stepping on the cold floor. Your legs moved to search and feel for the soft carpet slippers you oftenly use.
Scouring left and right, you found nothing. It was strange, you could've sworn you placed them right next to the bedside table...
You moved your legs under the bed, and felt something fuzzy. It must be your slippers, right?
You reach down to grab it, for whatever reason. Why were you trying to grab something that you should be wearing on your feet?
Oh well, too late, you already had it in your hand, and it definitely wasn't shaped like your slippers.
“...Hm? What is this?” you asked, to no one in particular.
You squinted your eyes, trying to focus your vision on the thing.
“Hey, this is the Kris Plush I lost a while ago! So this is where it went...” You quietly whispered to yourself.
So under the bed was where it was all along? But you were pretty sure you lost it in the living room, during a movie night.
You snickered to yourself, “Tenna would be so mad we replaced him with a newer, much more advanced TV.” You thought out-loud to yourself. “Well, he's probably getting character development in Castletown. Not like I've been there in a while, hope he's doing well.”
Thinking back to Castletown, you haven't went there since you got your body back. Is this some sort of self-imposed banishment? You thought about the darkners, about Ralsei too. You wished Susie and Noelle were treating them well while you were gone.
You sighed once again, remembering the plushie that you are now embracing tightly to chest.
Deciding to hide it once again, you placed it behind the pillow, somewhere you know you placed it there.
You sat on the floor, trying to look for your slippers with your hands. You reached and reached, even touching the wall on the other side of the bed.
Tired, you looked to the right, near where the birdcage used to be, the red wagon being left as the only thing remaining in the corner.
Wonder where Kris put that birdcage anyway? Not like there space to place it in in their house anyway.
Your eyes moved lower, to the foot of the bed. There was something there. Your eyes narrowed, and you reached out to take it.
“...Oh Angel, so that’s where it was.” You found your slippers, it took an unusually long amount of time to find them but you thought it was worth it.
Wait, did you just... swear to yourself? Being in Hometown, the residents must be rubbing off of you, especially Toriel who is extremely religious.
Whatever, not like it was a problem anyway.
You stood up, pushing your feet into the carpet slippers, and voila—everything was perfect.
...Except, it wasn't.
You walked to the window, pulling up the lift to feel the cold night’s autumn breeze. It felt nice, refreshing even.
Something about that can make your body relax, your mind stop overthinking, and forget about your problems.
But you can't always forget about your problems.
You can remember vividly what the old man said in the church’s dark world on that fateful week.
“Unless you learn face your problems head on, these bullets will do you in!”
“Hah... Were you talking to me or Susie when you said that?” You smiled a pained expression.
The only response you got was a fierce wind entering the room. You really hoped Kris didn't mind the cold, since you forgot to tuck them in with the blanket earlier. And it would be risky if you tried now.
You lamented your situation, “I... I haven't apologized to them yet, have I? Even though it's been months... ” You looked at your hand, which dangled on the apron of the window.
The night was quiet, the crickets that seemed to annoy you every time at this hour must've finally exhausted their last chirps. You were thankful of this, for you finally have your peace and quietness.
Or so you thought. Now, in silence, you felt like the crickets were the only ones listening to you, and since they were gone, you feel all alone now.
It was stupid, why do you only see the importance of something once it's gone? Is this another punishment for you because of what you did?
You laughed to yourself, “Really, huh? Kris was very hostile to me when I moved in, and at most wanted me to sleep on the floor. If they could have, they would've made me sleep outside! Hehee.”
You took a glance at the sleeping human, their peaceful face resting on the pillow, their blanket covering their feet up to their knees.
Your face twisted into a hurt expression, your brows furrowing. It was so dumb, it made you want to lay down next to them and snuggle with your head nuzzled into their shoulder.
Deciding to look at the stars in the night sky, you looked away from them. “Now... I-I don't really know anymore. Guess they got used to me now.”
“Why did they get used to me? I thought they hated me. And I don't think someone who hates someone else would willingly sleep in the same bed as them.”
...You waited for an answer.
But the constellations gave you none.
“...” Solemnly, you continued watching the sky, no sign of clouds to cover this breathtaking view.
And, as if on instinct, you pointed to a cluster of stars. Ones that seemed to look like a tail of some sort.
“Hey, that's the Big Dipper! That means this is Ursa Major, people also call it The Great Bear, but I can barely see the vision. This is one of the more distinctive constellations, which is more visible in spring!”
You excitedly looked into the sky, sharing the parts of the night's beauty with the trees—uncaring if anyone listened to your ramblings or not.
“If this is Ursa Major, then- hey! Ursa Minor is there!” You pointed to another spot in the sky, “The Little Bear, huh...”
Your eyes moved to the ground, “Heh, I feel like a kid again.” You chuckled to yourself.
You exhaled a breath, “Guess I should get real, now.” You took a few seconds to breathe, before moving to your problems.
“So, Kris.... They still hate me, don't they? I should probably go and... die in a hole if they hate me that much.” Your eyes gazed at their peaceful sleeping face.
“...No, I should walk into the woods and never come back, dying’s not even a punishment at this point.”
“But that would probably stress them out, because that would be like what happened to Dess.” You face showed conflict between your ideas and thoughts.
“...Whatever, I'll decide next week. But, If I can, at the very least, tie up some loose ends and help make Kris realize their worth, I'll postpone it.”
You closed the window, and quietly went back to the bed. You resisted your desires to snuggle with them, maybe for the best.
| × |
Sunday, the last day of freedom.
Not for you, though. You don't go to school, nor do you work on days other than Saturdays.
Kris has school tomorrow, they never really liked it, you remember when you still possessed them, they would always sleep through class.
And you couldn't really blame them.
While you were lazing around on the sofa, scrolling through the internet, you saw Kris in the kitchen. Curiously, you stop what you're doing to watch them.
It looked like they were microwaving honey toast, but they were impatiently opening the microwave every two seconds.
You decided to walk up to them. “Kris? I think you should wait a minute, and stop... checking every few seconds?”
They didn't look at you, just listened and grumpily stopped. “Mmgh- fine.”
One second passed.
Kris’s hand tried reaching out once more but you stoppped them by grabbing their wrist. “Noo~ Kris, you have to be very patient.”
They pulled their hand back, “Don't treat me like a child.” Their tone had a flavor of offense and frustration within.
The both of you waited by the microwave silently, Kris standing by the number pad and you leaning on the counter on the other side. Much to your discontent, no further words were exchanged between the two of you.
When the microwave finally ringed, signaling that the honey toast was finished, Kris wasted no time devouring the slices of bread.
They were ferocious, like a hungry beast that has been starving for a couple of days. One bite and almost half of the entire sandwich was gone.
After they were done demolishing that honey toast, their face had crumbs all over, and a suspicious amount of breadcrumbs on the floor aswell. You're going to have to clean this up before Toriel gets home from choir practice.
You wonder why Toriel has choir practice on Sunday, the only day when she has free-time off, but you choose to replace that thought.
You took a napkin that was previously in one of your spacious pocket holes and cleaned the crumbs off Kris’s face.
Immediately, when they felt something on their cheek, Kris snatched the napkin. They stared at it for a moment in their hand, before using it to clean themself. “I told you not to treat me like a child, I can clean myself.”
A chuckle escaped your lips, “Faha! Sorry then, Kris! It wasn't my intention to make you feel like a kid at all!”
In the end of cleaning themselves, they shot up a remark that was strangely true. “Mmmm, you sound like her when you laugh like that—Noelle, I mean.”
“Huh? Oh, I guess I do, haha!” You decide not to ask about Noelle and brush off the comment.
You sniffed the air, and something wasn't right. Kris no longer smelled of apples. Did Toriel forget to buy shampoo? No, because you just saw it earlier when you went to the bathroom.
“Hey, Kris?” You garnered their attention.
“Mmhm?” They responded.
“When was the last time you took a shower?” You rested your forearm on the countertop.
Even though Kris is basically an adult, and they made it clear that they didn't want to get baby'd around just because they haven't reached the age, yet, you still worried.
They're basically mature now.
But you also don't remember the last time they took a bath, and you don't want them to get made fun of because of their smell. It seemed like you were the only one who didn't mind how they smelled at all times.
Sure, they hate you and some other stuff regarding you—despite that, you still wanted the best for them.
It took a second or two before they responded. Probably deciding if they should answer you “Around... a week and a half ago?”
That shocked you, a week and a half? In this weirdly sunny weather? Is this how they live without you observing them? You can't believe you didn't notice beforehand.
“...You should take a bath, like right now preferably.”
They scoffed, “Why do you care?”
“Because it's like, blazing hot? Even though the season right now is Fall? Come on, Kris, please?” You pleaded.
Kris hesitated, before conceding this to you. “Fine, but just because you have a great argument.”
They walked past you and up the stairs. Seems like they're going to get clothes.
You pushed the door to the bathroom open, flicking on the light switch. You decide to ready the water for the bath tub for them.
| × |
You sat in the tub, waiting. You splashed water on yourself as you hugged your knees, back pressed against the wall.
It seemed like now was a perfect moment to get closer to Kris. But your ideas were never great, this idea in particular was worse than any of Susie’s bad ideas.
The door opened once again, the sound of it closing following afterward, some soft footsteps on carpet in your direction.
It continued until they reached the shower, where the two of you met eye-to-eye.
“...Do you really think I'm going to hop in the same bath tub as you?” They said.
“Uhmm... Yes-”
“Don't answer that, it was rhetorical.” Kris sighed, facepalming like they have a terrible migraine.
Awkward silence stretched between the two of you, the soapy water rising up to cover almost all of your legs—Knees just sticking out of the water.
You moved your legs, placing space between them—for some reason, Kris looked away as you did this?
You gently patted the newly freed spot, water splashing. They seemed to understand your gesture well, but you needed to make sure.
“Sit rii-ight here, is that okay?” you asked.
They stared at you, even though their eyes were covered by their messy hair, you could feel the piercing glare through the strands.
In response, you tried to look friendly, and is there any better message to convey friendliness is other than a smile? Your lips curved into a smile, not too forced, not too expressive. Just the perfect smile.
They furrowed their brows, “Alright, then. But don't blame me if I leave before I'm finished cleaning myself.”
Your teeth showed, a bright grin escaped your mouth. This must be Kris warming up to you, and you were pretty happy with this development on its own..
They moved to the free space between your legs, facing away from you.
They were now hugging their knees, like you were before they entered the room. They had their back turned away, probably to not see your form.
“That wasn't that bad, was it?” You asked, waiting for an affirmative answer.
“It was worse than when I learned Azzy was leaving for college two years ago.” They replied in a deadpan voice.
“C'mon Krissy! It can't be that bad! Don't say that!” You laughed.
They didn't respond, and you took it as them somewhat saying that you were right. And maybe in actuality that you were correct, but there's no way they would ever admit that. Only when hell freezes over will that happen.
You took the chance to free up the silence, and without their consent, you decided to start off with cleaning them, first up is their hair.
Taking your wet hands out of the water, you pulled them out of the water and started ruffling their hair with precision.
Strangely, they said nothing, you chalked it up with being in too much shock they couldn't move.
After you made sure their hair was soaked, you put the shampoo on your left hand, the right pre-occupied with—of course, the shampoo bottle you dummy. Why did you forget you were holding it for a moment?
Facepalm, but you accidentally hit yourself with the shampoo bottle. Well at least you didn't use the hand with shampoo on it though.
You put shampoo on Kris’s head, making sure theres no empty spaces. “Angel... why are you doing this?”
Your hands continued, “Hmmmm? Doing what?”
They continued, “You know, cleaning me?” Kris pointed out the elephant in the room.
They awkwardly shifted a bit, not too much to disturb your movements but enough that it was noticeable. Your wings, which were cramped, finally got some space to spread. You decided not to comment on this, despite your curiosity.
“Oh this? Sorry for treating you like a child and doing it without asking you, hehe! But it felt like I needed to do this, y'know?” You explained, Kris seemed discontent with that answer, but they didn't press further.
Now it was back to silence and cleaning, now you were cleaning them with the soap bar.
“Your... hand.” They said, you froze.
You looked over to your right hand, which didn't look organic, and it wasn't.
The hand was not yours, it was artificial. Even though you tried your best to ignore it, even though it functioned exactly like your original hand, it never felt that way.
It felt strange, out-of-place, as if it wasn't supposed to be there.
You looked over at Kris’s wrist, finding a strangely coloured yet fitting hand. It was yours.
“Why did you give your hand to me?” They raised it, placing it right infront of them and looking at it with intent that you couldn't see from the back.
“Well, a pianist can't play with only one hand! These come in a bundle, and if you don't have one, it can't function as it should!” You grinned at them, optimistic as always.
“...Why don't you just, regenerate your hand with your weird Angel powers?” They asked.
“Huh, I never tried that...” You remembered the time when Kris’s hand was cut off, and when you gained your destined Vessel, you somehow—through sheer willpower, displaced the Vessel’s hand and Kris suddenly gained the ability to use the replacement.
Even then, they were not kind to you, and Kris couldn't be blamed.
“So why don-”
“And I'll never will! It would be disrespectful to who designed this artificial one with such kindness and precision!” You said with such integrity and justice.
“...That's stupid.”
“We've been living together for five months, don’t you know that's kinda my thing?” You flashed another toothy grin, and it seemed like they could see it from behind them.
They huffed, “Guess you're right.”
Something about how they said that made you want to move your arms and cover them in a tight hug.
And somehow, against your desire once again, you resisted.
...
The rest of the bathtime devolved into silence and Kris being cleansed, then drying themself off with a towel.
When it ended, you decided to stay in the tub, asking them not to turn off the lights.
Surprisingly, they decided to honor your wishes, another sign of them warming up with you.
You took a handful of water, and poured it on your head. The bath’s water has gone cold, and the feeling on your scalp is like a free-trial of shortlived rest.
You sighed, the smile on your face deflating with it. “So they’re comfortable with me now.” You said to yourself.
The water kept coming, and you couldn't stop yourself from pouring it over and over.
“Tomorrow... I want to do another good gesture, to make them feel... appreciated.” A new, genuine smile tugged at your lips.
“Tomorrow.”
You stared into the shower curtain, before leaving the bathroom. Opening the door to the kitchen. The sun was still high, around noon or half an hour after.
Hopefully, if you're lucky, you can dress yourself up and clean up the breadcrumbs in the kitchen before Kris’s mom comes home.