Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Home
The alarm marked the end of classes and the beginning of the summer holidays. A flock of children rushed to the exit in a joyful brouhaha.
Like every day, only one child, wearing a blue and pink striped polo, didn’t hurry to get out. The reason for this was their mom, Toriel, cleaning her teacher’s supplies on the big desk in front of them. One of the many advantages of having their mother as their main teacher: they didn’t have to run after the school bus like the others.
The teenager pulled their long brown hair back into their original ponytail, then turned around to check if the big blue suitcase was still waiting in the back of the classroom. It sure did.
Obliging, they stood up to grab its handle and dragged it toward the entrance door with determination, and quite some strength in their arms, as it was surprisingly heavy.
“Please, Frisk, do not hurt your back.” Toriel lectured them gently. “I would rather not go to the hospital before the beginning of our holidays.”
“I’m fourteen years old, Mom. I can pull a suitcase without dislocating my shoulders.”
“I know you can. But be careful anyway.”
They shrugged before realizing they barely made it to the middle of the room. Oh well. Frisk took the problem the other way around. They jumped above the suitcase and pushed it all the way to the entrance, on all four.
They unexpectedly bumped into a pair of blue scaly feet. Surprised, Frisk stood up immediately. A huge smile brightened their face when they recognized Undyne, who just appeared in the entrance, a pink suitcase full of anime stickers by her side. Frisk used their suitcase as a springboard to jump into her arms, much to their mother’s disapproving stare.
Undyne caught them midair like they weighed nothing. Frisk hugged the fish lady tightly, happy to see her.
“Look at that! You've barely taken two inches since last year, punk!”
“Or you’re the one shrinking. Maybe you’re getting old.” They taunted maliciously.
“No way!” She screamed. “Did you grow up some guts too since last time? Or maybe it’s the hormones kicking in. Be careful, last thing you know, you’re going to grow a beard like Asgore.”
She choked them again in a hug, then energetically noogie their head, making Frisk growl and struggle to escape her grip. Eventually, they give up, hanging limply in her arms. They were happy. They didn’t see their friends since last Gyftmas, as Toriel and them moved out of New New Home soon after, the place where most monsters were living now. That decision had been hard to take, for Frisk just as for Toriel, but it was the price to pay so their adoptive mother could follow her dream to be the first teacher of the first school accepting monsters and humans alike. They kept in touch with the others, of course, but it wasn’t the same anymore.
July and August vacations would be the occasion to reconnect with the people the teenager considered their family: Undyne, Alphys, Mettaton, Asgore, Papyrus, Sans… Frisk had been unable to stand still those last two days and insisted they leave right after class. Besides, Undyne, in town for business at the embassy, was also going home today, and Frisk, frustrated they couldn’t spend more time with her, hoped the journey back to Mount Ebott could repair it.
Frisk threw an impatient look at Toriel, taking her time to clean the blackboard, covered with notes of the last grammar lesson. They knew she was doing it on purpose. The teenager wiggled in Undyne’s arms and pathetically shook his legs to ask her to put them down.
“Mom…” They whined. “We’re going to be late to take the train!”
“I’m coming, I’m coming… I’m simply sad to leave this classroom for two long months. It’s like emerging from a dream.”
Frisk bit their tongue to not answer they for sure didn’t feel the same. School was long, boring, and they hated doing homework, especially when Sans was too tired to help them do it, which happened more and more those last weeks.
Of all of them, Frisk missed Sans and Papyrus the most. Even if the skeleton never said it out loud, leaving town had been complicated, for Sans especially, very close to his mother since they reached the Surface. Papyrus had been louder about it, complaining from the moment he knew to the very last moment they hopped on the train. Sadly, he didn’t win that argument.
Frisk tried to cheer them up by calling them every day, and started a routine of video calling them in the evening to do their homework with them. Papyrus’ way of solving problems was original, but definitely helped understanding maths and geometry easier, while Sans took care rather of the “boring complicated stuff” like Papyrus called it, mainly science, grammar, … Sans had always been patient with them and never refused to explain things they didn’t understand again. Somehow, he was so good at it that Frisk could do all the things by themselves after that. Everything looked easier when Sans explained it. The teenager didn’t dare to ask him if he had worked in science earlier in his life, but it wasn’t hard to tell as Sans lightened completely that day they asked him about quantum physics.
Undyne grabbed the handle of Frisk’s suitcase, despite their slightly offended stare, and they finally left school to walk to the train station. It was only a few minutes away from the school. They decided to go on foot, so Toriel didn’t have to park the car at home again.
A little nervous, Frisk took the lead. They didn’t like the idea of walking in the neighborhood with Toriel and Undyne for too long. Not by shame, but by fear. Here, like in many cities of the country, people struggled to accept monsterkind.
They knew that too well since Asgore made them ambassador of monsterkind. It was only honorific, but they used to talk in front of humans before. At least until they realized not all humans could be convinced, and that some of them were ready to commit horrifying things to get rid of monsters. Frisk managed to escape two terrorist attacks. The last one left some scars, as Frisk got badly injured. After that, Toriel and Asgore fought in their hospital room until Asgore agreed not to expose the child so much, while Sans was trying to spare them from the screams and proposed playing video games to distract them.
Reluctantly, Frisk had to obey. No one really asked for their opinion anyway, except Sans, who pleaded to let them help monsterkind on easier tasks, like showing support to monsters who decided to settle out of Ebott City. It actually helped, despite still a lot of inequalities. At least, they weren’t considered animals anymore, like in the beginning.
Five years ago, excited, Papyrus almost got shot for imposing his presence on a group of hunters around Mount Ebott, despite Undyne’s quick thinking to stop him. The first humans they met. Since, monsters built their own capital all around Mount Ebott, far away from the city where Toriel and Frisk were living today. A lot of monsters, wary of humankind, preferred to settle together to face the novelty. The city was opened, though, and a lot of humans moved in to support them. It became a tourist attraction as well, which Frisk didn’t like. It felt like a lot of them came to “visit the zoo” instead of really caring for monsters.
Like often, problems didn’t last to block their way. Two young adults wearing black clothes started to follow them around. Frisk noticed them a few minutes ago and chose to ignore them, but they obviously didn’t like that, as they suddenly passed them, violently jostling Toriel on the way, before stopping a few meters ahead to block the sidewalk. Frisk tried to walk around them, but one of the guys grabbed their arm and pushed them backwards.
“We don’t want any problem.” Frisk pleaded, firmly. “Let us go.”
“Or what? You’re going to complain to the courthouse of giant goats?”
Frisk gave their mom a sorry look. Despite her evident disgust, Toriel stayed dignified and just clenched her fists. There was nothing to say, anyway. If they attacked or defended themselves, other humans would show up to record and use it as an excuse to tell monsters were dangerous. Outside of Ebott City, monsters better not rebel against discrimination.
Well… Except when your name is Undyne, of course.
“Eh, punks. Can’t read the room? The kid asked you to get your ass off our way. Do it now, or I’ll do it myself.”
“Undyne, please don’t taunt them.” Toriel warned in a whisper. “They’re not worth it.”
“Yeah!” One of their assailants bragged. “Follow the advice of your giant mutant goat if you don’t want us to make sushi out of your debauched face, stupid bitch.”
He spat at her feet. Undyne took a step back, then met his eyes, furious. Frisk, anxious, put a hand on her fist, turning paler and paler, a sign she was getting ready to summon some spears. Undyne was loyal to the royal family, and firmly believed in justice. That sneaky taunt aroused her nerves of steel. However, her anger wouldn’t help their case.
She calmed down as Frisk pleaded her with their eyes, then took the lead, protective. She pushed one guy with her shoulder, forcing him out of the way. The other, smirking, put a hand on her butt. Undyne froze. At the speed of light, she grabbed his arm, pulled him above her head, and threw him on his friend, knocking him down.
Damn it.
Toriel disapproved, but hurried Frisk to move. They ran away under a shower of insults and death threats, sadly way too familiar. They decided not to talk about that accident again. What for? They wouldn’t change all humans anyway. Monsters had no choice but to accept; some of them refused to let them live in peace until better days.
Like nothing happened, they resumed small talking, pulling the suitcases behind them.
When they reached their destination, the speaker announced their train was about to arrive. They didn’t have to wait long before boarding the futuristic-looking vehicle. It looked like small glass capsules tied between them, which offered intimacy and a nice view on the beautiful landscape. Toriel booked tickets for one of the smaller ones, with eight places. It seemed they would be the only ones using it, however.
Undyne played Tetris with the suitcases for a while, trying to make them fit on the empty seats, then settled around the small table where Toriel and Frisk already sat. They relaxed as the train started moving, and started talking. The trip would last more than six hours, and with someone as energetic as Undyne, it was best not to get bored right away.
“How has home been since last year?” Toriel started, smiling again. “Any improvement?”
“We inaugurated the police station two months ago. It’s really just another name for the Royal Guard, though. We hired all our old sentries and guards, and they’re doing the same thing.”
“Yeah, I heard Papyrus had a job. He screamed so loud to tell me my headphones broke.” Frisk laughed.
“Yeah.” She said with a half-smile. “Nothing too dangerous, for now. We’ll see how it goes over the years. For now, I named him responsible for city cleanliness and parking tickets. It’s boring as hell, but somehow, he loves it. He’s actually great at this, especially in making people feel guilty so they don’t park wrong again.”
“What about Sans?” Toriel asked innocently. “He got hired too?”
Undyne looked away, embarrassed, then shook her head.
“I asked him, like everyone else, but he never showed up. I kept him as a sentry because I felt bad, but to be honest, it has been quite some time since I last saw him. He’s only around when Papyrus drags him outside by force. I’m worried he’s hiding something. He’s always hiding things, sure, but with his depression, maybe we need to try harder.”
“He didn’t take our departure really well, did he?” Toriel guessed. “He’s as stubborn as a mule. He could have just asked to come for a few days, and we would have made space!”
“Well, he’s not the only one moody. Asgore…”
“Stop. I don’t want to hear it.” Toriel growled, irritated. “His pseudo-melodramatic discourse on abandonment doesn’t reach me. Putting some distance between us was for the best.”
Frisk's shoulders dropped. Was it really for the best? For her, maybe. Her mom and “dad” relationship never really interested them, after all. They saw Asgore maybe once a month before they moved out, and not at all after that. It seemed unfair they had to pay the tribute as well.
However, what they learned about Sans was worrying. In what state would they find the skeleton? Why did he pretend everything was alright during their evening video calls if it wasn’t the case? Of course, like Undyne said, Sans had always been secretive about his life and feelings, including to his own brother, but Frisk thought they had gotten over it those last five years.
Since they promised to stop the resets, their relationship went better and better. It used to be tense, to the point Frisk felt uncomfortable, but they talked it out, and even if Sans showed them several times he didn’t forget what they did -how could they?-, he forgave them in the end. After all, everyone was alive and well, now.
Then what was happening?
With the sweet movement of the train, Frisk lost his train of thought. They felt their eyelids close unwillingly, until they somehow fell asleep against Undyne’s shoulder. First surprised, the fish lady put a hand around them, making a much more comfortable pillow.
“Ladies, Gentlemen, and others, our train is arriving at New New Home, our terminus. Please make sure you don’t leave any belongings behind as you exit the train. We wish you a pleasant day.”
Frisk blinked, confused, then stood up, a trickle of saliva at the corner of their lips. Well, the trip had been much faster than they thought. Mainly because they slept through the entirety of it. They weren’t the only one. Undyne was as fresh as they were, her head resting on top of theirs.
Toriel put away her e-reader and gathered the Uno cards dispersed on the table. If Frisk didn’t hear the fish lady scream in anger like every time she was playing, they were obviously exhausted.
The teenager stuck their face against the window. The train was crossing the huge bridge overhanging the capital. The train station had been built at the entrance of Mount Ebott, not far from the spot where they fell into the Underground. The big place in front of it had their name, a gift to thank them for freeing all monsters.
Frisk smiled, excited by the familiar sightings. Their soul filled with joy and determination! Finally, they were home!
“Did you sleep well, Frisk?” Toriel mocked gently. “I know Undyne is technically a fish, but I don’t think drool is her favorite element. You should have seen her face when she tried to clean your mouth, it was funny.”
“Please, mom…” Frisk flushed, embarrassed.
Hearing her name, Undyne jumped awake. She looked around, still drowsy, then stretched like a cat. Her eyes met Frisk’s, and she immediately looked away. Frisk’s cheeks turned redder.
“Well, at least you didn’t vomit on her like when we first took the train.” Toriel added, mischievous.
In a whine, Frisk pulled the hood of their hoodie over their head, trying to hide. Undyne patted their head to tell them she didn’t mind, laughing. She then looked at her phone, eyes widening in panic.
“Uh oh. Thirty-five texts from Al’. She’s going to kill me.”
“Oh, how is she doing?” Toriel asked, smiling. “Do you enjoy your new life together?”
“It’s still a little weird to sleep in the same bed now, but it’s nice. And to tell the truth, it’s official now. I’m not free anymore.”
She lifted her hand and agitated her engagement ring in front of them. It was pretty, all golden with a nice blue gemstone on top of it, the same color her scales were. Frisk smiled widely.
“You didn’t even tell us!” They screamed. “I’m so happy for you! When is the wedding?”
“Wow, slow down, punk. You know how she is. We’re going slow. She almost had a panic attack when she proposed to me. I think she’s not ready for the big event yet.”
“Congratulations, my dear.” Toriel approved. “This is excellent news.”
The train arrived at the platform. It was crammed with monsters, as if all of them decided to gather that day. They recognized a lot of familiar faces, starting with Mettaton and his film crew, who seemed to cover their arrival. Asgore and Alphys were there too, talking on the side. But what caught Frisk’s attention was the big skeleton, stuck behind the crowd, bouncing and waving at them. Even through the glass, his voice was audible. Frisk stood up to wave back at Papyrus, but the crowd took it for them, and all the monsters started to scream and wave at them. Poor Papyrus drowned in a sea of raised hands and excited screams that followed them until the train stopped completely.
The door barely opened when Frisk got pulled out. They found themselves stuck in the middle of dozens of hugs and compliments. Monsters forced countless gifts into their hands, until that ice block that was way too heavy and made them fall on their butt, giggling. Blinded by the flash of the cameras, they thanked confusedly the monsters they recognized around them, all while trying to escape the crowd.
Two arms grabbed their shoulders and pulled them aside. Frisk barely understood what was going on when a mic got put under their nose.
“Frisk darling, what are your first words after that triumphal return on your adoptive lands?”
They blinked, confused, then looked at Mettaton, kneeled next to them, hugging them firmly against his metallic chest.
“Uh… Hi everyone?” They said, unsure.
“Incredible!” The robot screamed. “Oh, darling, I missed you so much!”
He threw his leg in the air and dramatically collapsed in the teenager’s hands. Frisk struggled to hold him.
“Enough! Enough, everyone!” A big voice toned with authority. “Let them breathe, please. I appreciated that you all came to welcome them, but I believe Frisk is tired from their trip. They will probably visit you all very soon.”
Despite the few complaints that followed, most monsters dispersed on Asgore’s orders, finally giving Frisk some space to realize what had just happened. Still in bewilderment, they picked up the gifts on the floor and walked toward Asgore and Alphys, who was already in the arms of her partner. Toriel smiled at them.
“Well, my child, what a welcome!” She laughed. “Are you alright? Not too shaken?”
“I’m fine!” Frisk approved. “It’s a bit weird, but I guess they missed me?”
“HUMAN FRISK!”
Frisk quickly shoved what they were carrying into their mother’s arm before a two-meter-tall bone tornado snatched them off the ground to whirl them around. The teenager hugged Papyrus back, both happy to see him and scared of crashing on the ground if they let go. When the skeleton put them down, Frisk struggled to keep their balance, then fell on their butt, laughing.
“Happy to see you too, Papyrus! And… Where’s Sans?”
They looked around, but the skeleton wasn’t there. Frisk expected him to shortcut behind him like usual, but he never did. Disappointed, the teenager tried to stand up, as Papyrus’ expression grew more worried.
“HE… HE WAS TIRED. BUT HE’S WAITING HOME, AND HE’S VERY HAPPY YOU’RE ALL HOME!”
Frisk frowned. It was a lie. If even Papyrus didn’t believe what he was saying, there was a serious problem. Was it because of the crowd? Sans had never been a big fan of those. They hoped so, at least.
Asgore helped them to their feet, before pulling them into a hug as well.
“I’m glad to have our little ambassador back.” He said with a big voice. “And our first teacher for humans and monsters, of course.”
“Yes, we got it, Dreemur.” Toriel hissed, as happy as ever to see him again.
Alphys waved at them on their right. Frisk excitedly congratulated her on her engagement with Undyne. She turned as red as a tomato before half-hiding behind Undyne. They wanted to chat more, but Papyrus cut the talk short.
“COME ON, FRISK! EVERYTHING IS READY AT HOME! THERE’S A ROOM FOR LADY TORIEL, AND A BED JUST FOR YOU, IN MY ROOM!”
The skeleton picked them up and put them on their shoulders, all why grabbing the handle of their suitcase without any problem. Were they the only one to find it heavy?
Since they technically didn’t have a home anymore here, they decided to spend the summer in Sans and Papyrus’ home. Asgore offered his place too, but Toriel rejected it before he could argue.
Frisk waved at the King, Undyne and Alphys, promising to come visit them when they could. Papyrus turned around toward the exit.
In the corner of their eye, Frisk saw a little golden flower, quietly hidden behind a pillar. The teenager smiled at it knowingly, but it disappeared almost immediately. They didn’t take offense. They knew that, in time, they would meet again.
As the town appeared in front of them, Frisk smiled widely, hanging onto the skull of his excited friend, already talking about everything that had happened in their absence. Those vacations, Frisk was sure of it, would be unforgettable.