Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hometown was quiet and peaceful at night, a fact Susie deeply appreciated after months of sleeping on benches and in alleys. Life was exhausting, but she was getting by.

School was far from her strong suit, but she enjoyed spending time with her only friend, Kris. They were a bit odd and didn’t talk much, but their presence made things a little more bearable. As for the rest of her classmates, Susie’s "contributions" in class mostly consisted of napping at her desk and swiping lunch money from the more timid kids.

Now, sitting in the deserted park, Susie took a moment to soak in the stillness. The place was completely empty—just her and her beat-up backpack. She laid down on the battered park bench, shifting around to make herself as comfortable as possible.

The pleasant silence didn’t last long. A sharp beam of light cut through the darkness, landing directly on Susie’s face. She groaned, squinting against the harsh glare of a flashlight.

“Hey, punk, wake up!” a gruff, authoritative voice barked.

Susie sat up, shielding her eyes as she glared at the source of the interruption. It was Undyne, Hometown’s police officer. Her sharp features and wild grin were unmistakable, even in the dim light. She rested one hand on her hip, the other holding the flashlight steady.

“What do you think you’re doing, sleeping here? You know this park’s closed at night,” Undyne said, tilting her head a bit.

Susie crossed her arms and leaned back against the bench. “None of your business,” she muttered, staring defiantly at the officer.

Undyne raised an eyebrow, clearly unfazed by Susie’s attitude. “None of my business? When you’re passed out in the middle of the park like you own the place? Yeah, sure, not suspicious at all,” she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. She lowered the flashlight, but her sharp gaze remained fixed on Susie. “You’re lucky I didn’t slap you with a trespassing fine, punk.”

“Go ahead. Not like I’ve got anything to lose,” Susie shot back, her voice tinged with bitterness.

Undyne’s grin faltered slightly, and her expression softened—just a bit. “Look, I’m not here to ruin your night,” she said, crouching slightly to meet Susie’s gaze. “But sleeping out here isn’t safe, especially for someone your age. What’s going on? Why are you out here anyway?”

Susie hesitated, her usual bravado wavering under the officer’s scrutiny. “I don’t need your pity,” she muttered, avoiding Undyne’s gaze.

“Who said anything about pity?” Undyne replied, straightening up and crossing her arms. “Just trying to make sure you don’t end up in a worse spot, kid. Call me crazy, but I’m not a fan of finding people in ditches or worse. So, here’s the deal: you’ve got two choices.”

Susie frowned, already dreading what was coming. “What choices?”

Undyne pointed her thumb over her shoulder. “One, I haul you down to the station and we figure this out there. That means paperwork, questions, and a whole lotta sitting around.” She paused, letting the weight of that option sink in. “Or two…” She lowered her voice slightly. “You crash at my place for a few nights while we figure something out. Your call.”

Susie blinked, caught completely off guard. “Wait, your place?” she asked, suspicion creeping into her tone.

“Yeah, my place,” Undyne said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Don’t get any ideas, brat—it’s not permanent. But at least it’s got a roof and a bed that’s not a busted park bench.”

Susie hesitated, her pride warring with the tempting offer of a real place to sleep. “Why would you even do that? Don’t you have, like, actual criminals to deal with?”

Undyne shrugged. “Hometown is more dull than you've been lead to believe, and let’s just say I’ve got a soft spot for stubborn kids who think they can take on the world alone. So, what’s it gonna be?”

Susie stared at her for a long moment, then sighed heavily. “Fine. Whatever. Just for a few nights.”

Undyne grinned triumphantly. “Atta girl. Come on, grab your stuff. And don’t make me regret this, punk.”

With a reluctant groan, Susie slung her backpack over her shoulder and followed Undyne out of the park. The older woman led the way with her flashlight, her confident stride making it clear she wasn’t about to let Susie out of her sight.

For the first time in a long while, Susie wondered if maybe—just maybe—things might get a little better.

After a long walk through the quiet streets of Hometown, Susie and Undyne finally arrived at a modest two-story house tucked away at the end of a cul-de-sac. To Susie’s surprise, it was… cute. Strangely adorable, even.

The pastel exterior, painted in soft blues and yellows, was the last thing she would have associated with Undyne’s brash and commanding personality. A wooden wind chime shaped like a fish swayed gently in the breeze near the front door. Susie couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

Undyne unlocked the door and stepped inside, flicking on the lights. “Come on, punk, wipe your feet and don’t track mud all over the place,” she said, kicking off her boots with practiced ease.

Susie followed hesitantly, her gaze sweeping over the interior. The living room and kitchen were connected, separated only by a single wall with a flat-screen TV mounted on it. The walls were painted in pastel pinks and blues, and the furniture was cozy but simple. A few fish motifs were scattered throughout the decor—throw pillows shaped like fish, a small ceramic fish on a side table, and even a rug near the kitchen entrance with fish patterns woven into it. There was also a black piano stuffed in the corner of the room.

Next to the door, a coatrack and shoerack stood neatly in the corner. Susie noted a pair of worn red boots and a black leather jacket hanging there. She slipped off her own battered boots and stuffed them onto the rack before following Undyne into the living room.

Undyne plopped down on the couch in front of the coffee table, gesturing for Susie to do the same. Reluctantly, Susie sank into the cushion, her backpack clutched tightly to her chest.

“So,” Undyne began, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees. Her sharp grin softened slightly. “You gonna tell me what’s really going on, or do I have to guess?”

Susie glared at her for a moment, defensive as ever. “I told you, it’s none of your business.”

Undyne let out a deep sigh and leaned back, crossing her arms. “You know, you’re starting to sound like a broken record. I’m not asking to pry, kid. But you’re here now, and I’d rather not spend the next few days playing twenty questions to figure you out.”

The silence stretched for a few moments. Undyne didn’t press further, just watched, her gaze steady but not harsh. Finally, Susie let out a heavy sigh.

“Fine,” she muttered, slumping deeper into the couch. “If you really wanna know… I’ve been homeless for a few months now.” She paused, her hands tightening on her backpack. “My mom isnt around and my dad left recently. Just… took the car and never came back. And with him gone, there was no one to pay the bills. We got evicted, and, well… here I am. I don't wanna get into it more than that, for now.”

Undyne’s expression softened further, though her jaw tightened as if she were biting back a response. “Damn,” she finally said. “That’s rough, kid. I’m sorry, you shouldn’t have to deal with that.”

Susie shrugged, trying to seem indifferent, though her voice wavered. “It’s whatever. I’ve managed this long, right?”

“Yeah, and look where that’s gotten you,” Undyne said, her tone matter-of-fact but not unkind. “Sleeping on park benches isn’t exactly living the dream, is it?”

Susie didn’t respond, just looked down at her backpack.

Undyne sighed, pushing herself up from the couch. “Alright, enough heavy stuff for now. Let me show you where you’re crashing.”

Susie followed her up the staircase to the second floor. The hallway was just as unexpectedly homey as the rest of the house, with soft carpeting and more pastel-colored walls. Undyne gestured to the first door on the left. “That’s my room. Bathroom’s the next one down. And this,” she said, opening the door at the end of the hall, “is the guest room.”

The guest room was simple but comfortable. A twin bed with a neatly made quilt sat against the right wall, a small desk, chair and wardrobe in the corner. The window was framed by light, flowy curtains, and a potted plant sat on the windowsill.

“You can put your stuff in here,” Undyne said, stepping aside to let Susie in. “Make yourself at home—well, as much as you can, anyway.”

Susie nodded, stepping inside and setting her backpack on the bed. “Thanks,” she muttered, barely above a whisper.

“Don’t mention it,” Undyne said. She hesitated for a moment, then added, “If you need anything, just holler. I’m right down the hall.”

“Yeah, sure,” Susie said, already sitting down on the bed and staring at the floor.

Undyne lingered for a second before heading to her own room. “Goodnight, punk,” she called over her shoulder.

“Night,” Susie mumbled.

As she laid down, staring at the ceiling, Susie couldn’t shake the weird feeling of being in a place that actually felt… safe. It was almost unsettling. But for the first time in a while, she thought she might actually sleep soundly through the night.

Chapter Text

Susie woke up to the kind of peace she hadn’t felt in what seemed like forever. The bed was warm, the pillow soft, and for once, there was no cold wind biting at her face or the hard surface of a bench beneath her. She stretched, feeling well-rested for the first time in months, and let out a yawn before getting up.

The smell of something cooking wafted through the air as she made her way downstairs. The scene she walked into was, frankly, bizarre. Undyne, wearing an apron, was in the kitchen, wielding a spatula like a sword and flipping eggs over a pan set to an alarmingly high flame. The room was already warm from the heat, and Susie wasn’t entirely convinced the smoke alarm wouldn’t go off any second.

“Morning, punk,” Undyne said without looking up from the pan. “Sleep alright?”

“Uh… yeah,” Susie replied, scratching the back of her neck. “Best I’ve had in a while.” She hesitated before adding, “Thanks.”

Undyne shot her a quick grin. “Don’t mention it. Now sit your butt down. Breakfast is almost ready.”

Susie shuffled over to the small dining table and slumped into a chair. She watched as Undyne expertly—or maybe recklessly—plated some slightly burnt eggs and toast. The toast was just shy of charcoal, but Susie wasn’t about to complain. Food was food.

Undyne set the plate in front of her with a flourish. “There you go. Eat up! Only weaklings leave the burnt parts.”

Susie raised an eyebrow but dug in anyway. It wasn’t half bad, all things considered.

“So,” Undyne said casually, leaning against the counter. “What’s the deal with school, huh? You always look like you’re heading to the gallows when it's brung up.”

Susie froze mid-bite and frowned. “It’s whatever,” she muttered.

“Uh-huh. Sure. Spill it, punk.”

Susie sighed, shoving another forkful of eggs into her mouth to buy herself a moment. “Fine. My grades suck, alright? Like… failing-suck.”

Undyne’s brow furrowed, and she pushed herself off the counter, stepping closer. Undyne’s expression shifted from casual to concerned in an instant. “Yikes. How bad are we talking?”

“Bad enough,” Susie admitted, avoiding eye contact. “I’m probably not even gonna graduate at this rate.”

Undyne crossed her arms, her sharp gaze pinning Susie in place. “Look, I don’t care if you’re planning on college or not. You gotta pull yourself together. Finish school. You’re not gonna get anywhere if you don’t at least do that."

Susie shrugged, brushing her off. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll figure it out.”

Undyne didn’t look convinced but let it slide. For now.

After breakfast—burnt toast and all—Susie grabbed her backpack and started the walk to school. The cold morning air was a stark contrast to the cozy warmth of Undyne’s house. She stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets, mulling over the morning conversation. As much as she hated to admit it, Undyne had a point. It was her senior year, and she needed to get her act together if she had any hope of graduating.

When she arrived, Kris was already waiting by the parking lot, their usual blank expression firmly in place. They barely glanced at Susie as she approached.

“Hey,” Susie said, falling into step beside them.

Kris gave a slight nod but didn’t say anything.

Susie rolled her eyes. “Nice to see you too.” They walked in silence for a bit before Susie decided to break it. “So, uh… I’m crashing at Undyne’s place for a few days.”

Kris raised an eyebrow but didn’t look particularly surprised.

“She caught me sleeping in the park,” Susie explained. “Dragged me back to her place. Made me breakfast. Told me I need to get my shit together.”

Kris finally looked at her, their gaze still unreadable. “She’s not wrong,” they said simply.

“Yeah, thanks for the vote of confidence,” She kicked a loose pebble on the sidewalk, watching it skitter ahead of them. “Undyne said I should, like, do better in school or whatever. Maybe she’s right. I dunno.”

Kris shrugged. “Maybe. You could ask someone to tutor you or something. Noelle probably wouldn’t mind helping.”

Susie blinked, caught off guard. “Noelle?” She thought about it for a moment. Noelle was probably the smartest kid in class and seemed nice enough, but Susie still had her doubts. “Nah, I don’t wanna bother her. Besides, you really think she’d wanna help me?”

Kris shrugged again. “Can’t hurt to ask.”

Susie chewed on that thought as they walked into the school building. The idea of asking Noelle for a helping hand wasn’t exactly appealing, but then again, neither was flunking out. Maybe it was worth a shot.

---

Class was as uneventful as ever. Susie and Kris walked into the room, Alphys nervously fiddling with her notes at the front. The small dinosaur woman glanced up and gave a hesitant wave. “O-Oh, h-hi, class… um, g-good morning,” she stammered as a few students shuffled into their seats.

Susie slumped into her usual spot at the back of the room, Kris sliding into the seat in front of her. Neither made much effort to acknowledge the lesson as Alphys started scribbling on the whiteboard, her nervous chatter fading into the background. Within minutes, both of them had dozed off, leaning over their desks in a half-snooze.

The sharp ring of the bell jolted them awake. Kris sat up lazily, rubbing their eyes, while Susie stretched and let out a low groan.

“That didn’t feel long enough,” she muttered.

Kris shrugged nonchalantly. “Guess now’s your chance to talk to Noelle.”

Susie frowned. “You’re really not gonna let this go, huh?”

“Nope,” Kris said simply, leaning back in their chair.

Susie sighed, glancing across the room at Noelle. The deer was diligently jotting down notes, her neat handwriting starkly contrasting Susie’s usual scribbles—or lack thereof. “Fine, I’ll ask her,” she mumbled, pushing herself up from her seat.

She approached Noelle, her footsteps heavy as she stopped by the desk. “Hey, uh… Noelle,” she began awkwardly, scratching the back of her neck.

Noelle looked up, startled, her pencil slipping from her fingers. “O-Oh! Hi, Susie!” she stammered, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Susie shifted uncomfortably. “So, uh, Kris said you’re, like, super smart or whatever, and I was thinking… could you help me out? You know, tutor me or something?”

Noelle’s eyes widened, and she straightened in her seat. “You w-want me to tutor you?” she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and excitement.

“Yeah, if you’re not too busy or something,” Susie said quickly, trying to sound casual.

“No, no, I’d be happy to!” Noelle replied, her voice a little too eager. She cleared her throat, attempting to compose herself. “Um, we could start tomorrow after school? At the library?”

Susie nodded, relieved at how easy that was. “Yeah, that works. Thanks, Noelle.”

Noelle gave a shy smile. “N-No problem, Susie.”

Susie turned and headed back to her seat, plopping down beside Kris. “She said yes,” she said, leaning back with a smirk.

“Told you,” Kris said, their tone unreadable.

The rest of the period passed in idle conversation. Susie and Kris swapped chatter about Dragon Blazers, debating tactics and throwing out ridiculous hypothetical scenarios. It wasn’t long before the school day ended, the final bell ringing out.

---

Susie and Kris walked out together, the afternoon sun beating down on them. They split up at the crosswalk, Kris giving a lazy wave as Susie headed back toward Undyne’s house.

When Susie stepped inside, she immediately noticed the absence of the fiery police officer. The place was eerily quiet, save for the faint creak of the floorboards beneath her boots. “Guess she’s at the station,” Susie muttered to herself, tossing her bag onto the couch.

Her eyes wandered to the dresser in the living room. Curiosity got the better of her, and she walked over, glancing at the neatly arranged display on top. There were military medals and ribbons, their colors slightly faded with time, as well as a few framed photos.

One photo caught her attention. It was old and torn, showing a fish-monster lady with curly red hair and a blue angler-monster man with sharp yellow teeth. They were holding a baby with wide, curious eyes. Susie squinted. Undyne's parents perphaps? she thought, piecing it together.

Next to it was a more recent photo of Undyne at the police station, standing proudly beside Napstablook, who was half-hidden under a police cap. Another showed a teenage Undyne with Gerson, the older monster’s warm smile frozen in time, next to them was what seemed to be an angry dummy-monster.

Susie’s gaze drifted to the dresser drawer. She hesitated, then slowly pulled it open. Her breath caught as she saw the contents: a box of ammunition and an assortment of guns and rifles, all meticulously arranged. She quickly shoved the drawer shut, her heart racing.

Just as she stepped back, the door flew open, and Undyne barged in, a bag of takeout in one hand and a confident grin on her face.

“Yo, punk! Lunch's here!” she announced, kicking the door closed behind her. She didn’t seem to notice Susie’s guilty expression as she set the bag down on the coffee table.

Susie blinked, composing herself. “Uh, yeah, cool,” she said, sliding onto the couch pretending nothing had happened.

Undyne plopped down beside her, pulling out containers of steaming food. “Hope you’re hungry. This stuff’s the good kind of greasy.”

Susie nodded, her thoughts lingering on the dresser and the fragments of Undyne’s life she’d just glimpsed.

---

Susie shoved a forkful of noodles into her mouth, savoring the surprisingly good takeout Undyne had brought. Sitting across the table, Undyne leaned back in her chair, watching Susie with a curious grin.

“So, punk, how’s school gonna go from here?” Undyne asked, propping her elbow on the table and resting her chin in her hand.

Susie hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. “I, uh... I talked to Noelle today. She’s gonna tutor me.”

Undyne’s eye widened slightly, and then a broad smile spread across her face. “Noelle, huh? Good call! That kid’s sharp as a spear! You’re making moves already.” She gave Susie a solid pat on the back, the force of it nearly knocking her forward.

“Augh! You’re gonna make me choke,” Susie muttered, rubbing her shoulder but smirking despite herself.

Undyne chuckled. “Guess that’s what I get for being proud of you, huh? But seriously, that’s good. Stick with it, and maybe you’ll surprise yourself.”

Susie nodded, chewing on another bite of food. After a moment, she looked up at Undyne, her expression softening. “Uh... thanks. For, y’know... letting me stay and everything.”

Undyne waved her hand dismissively. “Eh, don’t sweat it. You’ve been through enough already. Besides, you’re almost an adult. I figure you’re gonna need a place to crash while you figure stuff out, and this house is as good a spot as any.”

Susie blinked at her, momentarily at a loss for words. “Wait, you mean... I can stay? Like, for real?”

Undyne nodded, her tone serious. “For as long as you need to. No strings attached. I’m not gonna toss you out on the street, not when you’re trying to get your act together.”

Susie leaned back in her chair, trying to process the offer. It almost sounded too good to be true. “You’re serious?”

“Dead serious,” Undyne replied, leaning forward. “But there are a few rules if you’re gonna live here.”

Susie narrowed her eyes slightly, her shoulders tensing. “What?”

Undyne smirked, raising a finger. “First, if you’re gonna be out late, I don’t wanna worry about you wandering the streets. Be home by 11. That’s not negotiable.”

Susie figured the curfew was pretty generous, she nodded slowly. “Okay. I can do that.”

“Second,” Undyne continued, raising another finger, “the kitchen’s yours—take whatever you want. But if you’re gonna use dishes, you better clean ‘em up when you’re done. Got it?”

"Yeah, yeah." she replied dismissively.

“Third,” Undyne said, leaning closer and narrowing her eye, “no funny business. That means no stealing, destruction of property, disturbance of peace, or anything else that’s gonna get me hauling your butt out of trouble. You cause chaos, you deal with me. Clear?”

Susie held up her hands in mock surrender. “Crystal clear, officer.”

Undyne leaned back, crossing her arms. “Just one more thing. If you need anything—anything at all—you come to me. Don’t keep it to yourself, alright? I’m here to help, punk. That’s the whole point.”

Susie stared at her for a moment, a rare flicker of vulnerability crossing her face. “...Alright. Thanks, Undyne.”

Undyne grinned again and reached over to ruffle Susie’s hair, much to her annoyance. “Don’t mention it, kid. Now, eat up before that food gets cold. Tomorrow’s a school day, and I don’t want you skipping.”

Susie grumbled something under her breath about being treated like a little kid but couldn’t help the faint smile tugging at her lips. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she had some kind of footing, and even if she wasn’t sure what the future held, she wasn’t alone anymore.

Chapter Text

The morning sun spilled through the windows of Hometown High School, and Susie yawned as she trudged through the hallway, dodging her fellow students. Her first stop was her locker, where she half-heartedly stuffed her books inside before grabbing what she needed for her morning classes. The day felt like it was dragging already, and it had barely started.

First period was math. Susie slumped into her chair near the back of the room, twirling a pencil in her fingers as the teacher droned on about equations she didn’t care to understand. Kris sat a few rows over, as silent and still as always, while Noelle sat near the front, diligently taking notes like the model student she was.

Susie spent most of the period doodling small dragons and swords in the margins of her notebook. When the teacher called on her to solve a problem, she blinked at the board like it was written in an alien language.

“Uh... pass?” she said, earning a sigh from the teacher and a few chuckles from the class.

The next class wasn’t much better. English had always felt like a waste of time to Susie, especially when they were analyzing poetry or old plays. Today, they were discussing Romeo and Juliet, which Susie couldn’t even pretend to care about, too many complicated words and senseless drama to keep track of. She slumped in her seat and let sleep take her away.

By the time lunch rolled around, Susie was more than ready for a break. She grabbed her tray of questionable cafeteria food and made her way to the table where Kris was already sitting. She dropped her tray down with a loud thud and slumped into her seat.

“Yo,” she called, tearing into a piece of bread.

Kris gave her a small nod of acknowledgment, their expression as unreadable as ever.

“So, get this,” Susie said, still chewing her food. “Yesterday, I was poking around Undyne’s place, don’t look at me like that. I was bored, okay? And I found a dresser full of, like, military stuff. Badges, ribbons, the works. Oh, and guns. Lots of ‘em.”

Kris raised an eyebrow but said nothing, their chewing slow and deliberate.

“I mean, she’s in the police force and all, so, it makes sense,” Susie continued, waving a hand. "But, I'd only expect like two or three, she’s got enough firepower to take down a small army."

Kris shrugged slightly. “Yeah she's just... like that, I guess.” they said in their usual monotone.

Susie chuckled. "I think I get what you mean."

Kris didn’t offer much of a response, so Susie turned her attention back to her food.

---

The rest of the school day passed in a blur of boredom and half-hearted attempts at paying attention. When the final bell rang, Susie was one of the first out the door, eager to get to the library and get that tutoring session over with.

Noelle was already waiting at a table in the back, her usual organized self with notes, textbooks, and highlighters neatly laid out.

“Hey,” Susie greeted, dropping her bag onto the floor and slumping into a chair.

“Hi, Susie!” Noelle chirped. “Ready to get started?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Susie muttered, pulling out her notebook. She flipped it open to reveal pages filled with messy doodles and the occasional half-written word.

Noelle blinked at the sight but quickly recovered. “Oh, it’s okay!” she said with a reassuring smile. “We can just use my notes instead.”

“Thanks,” Susie muttered, relieved. “You’re a lifesaver, Noelle."

They started with English, focusing on Romeo and Juliet.

“So, the story is about two kids from feuding families who fall in love,” Noelle explained, flipping through her notes. “It’s romantic but also tragic because it doesn’t end well.”

Susie frowned. “Yeah, I know they die at the end. Seems kinda dumb, doesn’t it? Like, it would've been way easier for them not to get involved in all the drama. It can't be that hard to find other people."

“Well, they’re young and in love,” Noelle replied. “They don’t really think things through.”

“Yeah? Sounds like me in class,” Susie joked, earning a giggle from Noelle.

They worked through some key scenes, with Noelle patiently explaining the motivations of the characters while Susie occasionally cracked jokes.

“Okay, so,” Susie leaned back in her chair. “Romeo sneaks into the party, sees Juliet, and goes, ‘Whoa, I gotta ruin my life for her,’ and that’s it? They’re suddenly in love?”

Noelle laughed. “Well, there’s more to it than that, but, I guess you’re not... entirely wrong.”

Susie smirked. “Figures. Maybe I should’ve tried that with my grades—fall in love with them and just hope it works out.”

Noelle giggled again, her cheeks pink. “I think you’re smarter than you give yourself credit for,” she said after a moment. “You just need to focus a little more.”

Susie shrugged. “Eh, maybe. Thanks for putting up with me, though. Most people wouldn’t bother.”

“It’s no bother,” Noelle assured her. “Same time tomorrow?”

“Yeah, sure,” Susie replied, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "See ya, Noelle."

Noelle smiled and gave her a small wave. "See you!"

---

Once Susie got home, she kicked off her shoes and tossed her bag onto the couch. The house was quiet, and Undyne was nowhere in sight.

“Undyne?” she called out, but there was no answer.

Shrugging, she grabbed a snack from the kitchen and wandered into the living room. Her eyes fell on the dresser again, and she couldn’t resist sneaking another peek at the photos.

Just as she was about to approach the dresser, the front door slammed open, and Undyne stomped in.

“There you are!” Undyne said, her voice booming. “How do ya feel about a sparring match?"

"Huh?" Susie stared back blankly.

“Dont think that I've forgotten all the times and reasons you've been sent to the station, kid. I know you've got a knack for delivering knuckle sandwiches." Undyne said, leaning on a side table. “But all that strength? It’s got no direction. You ever think about learning how to fight for real?”

Susie raised an eyebrow. “You mean, like, martial arts or something? I don’t need lessons to knock someone over.”

Undyne grined, sharp and challenging. “Yeah, yeah, you’re strong—for a punk. But brute force only gets you so far. If you wanna be truly strong, you gotta learn control. Come on, I’ll show you.”

Susie blinked, caught off guard. “Uh, yeah, sure. Let me just—”

“Now!” Undyne barked, already heading out the door.

Shrugging, Susie followed, and regrettably had to leave her sandwich behind.

Undyne led Susie to an open lot near the edge of town. The area was secluded, surrounded by trees, and the ground was soft enough for sparring. Undyne dropped her jacket onto a nearby tree stump and turned to Susie with a mischievous grin.

“Alright, here’s the deal: no cheap shots and no whining when you lose,” Undyne declared, cracking her knuckles.

Susie smirked, rolling her shoulders. “Lose? Me? You sure you’re ready for this, sardine?”

Undyne raised an eyebrow. “Confidence is good. Overconfidence is how you end up on your butt. Let’s start with the basics.”

“Lame,” Susie muttered, shifting her weight impatiently as Undyne adjusted her stance. “Can't we just go straight to the good part?”

“Patience,” Undyne said firmly, giving Susie’s shoulder a light tap to correct her balance. “If you rush in without thinking, you’ll just end up flat on the ground. Like this!"

In a flash, Undyne demonstrated, sweeping Susie’s legs out from under her in a practiced move. Susie landed with a grunt, blinking in surprise.

“Hey!” Susie protested, scowling.

Undyne laughed, offering a hand to help her up. “You weren’t paying attention, brat. Let’s go again.”

Susie groaned but took Undyne’s hand, hauling herself to her feet.

As the session continued, Susie began to catch on. She was a natural when it came to strength, and Undyne could see the raw power behind her movements. At first, her swings were wild and uncoordinated, fueled more by frustration than skill. But with each correction from Undyne—“Plant your feet! Keep your hands up!”—she began to channel her aggression into something more refined.

“You’ve got a mean right hook,” Undyne said with a grin after dodging one of Susie’s swings. “Now let’s see if you can actually land it.”

Susie gritted her teeth, smirking as she feinted left before jabbing right, catching Undyne lightly on the shoulder. “How’s that for landing it?” she quipped, her confidence growing.

“Not bad,” Undyne admitted, stepping back and rolling her shoulder. “But don’t get cocky! I’m just getting warmed up!”

The two moved in sync, trading light blows that were more about technique than causing real damage. Undyne didn’t hold back—her strikes were fast and deliberate—but she was careful not to overwhelm Susie. She adjusted her intensity to match Susie’s growing skill, pushing her just enough to keep her on her toes without breaking her spirit.

As they sparred, Susie felt a strange mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. Her muscles ached, her breath came in short gasps, but for the first time in a long while, she felt in control of something.

By the end of their session, the Sun was already beginning to set. Susie’s hair stuck to her face, and she wiped it away with a tired grin. “Guess I’m not as bad as you thought, huh?”

Undyne chuckled, lightly rubbing a bruise on her forearm. “Not bad at all, kid. But don’t get too full of yourself. This is just the warm-up!”

Susie let out a laugh, genuine and unguarded, and collapsed onto the grass, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. Undyne joined her, sitting cross-legged beside her and looking equally worn out.

“You’ve got potential, Susie,” Undyne said, her tone more serious now. “You’re strong, yeah, but strength isn’t everything. Discipline, control, knowing when to strike—that’s what makes someone truly unstoppable.”

Susie nodded, still catching her breath. She didn’t say much, but the faint smile on her face said enough. For once, she didn’t feel like a failure or a misfit. She felt... capable.

---

Back at the house, Susie flopped onto the couch, groaning dramatically. “I don’t know if this ‘control’ thing is for me,” she said, kicking her legs out onto the coffee table. “My legs feel like jelly.”

Undyne, leaning against the doorway, tossed her a water bottle. “Jelly legs are good. Means you worked hard. You’ve got some potential, brat. Stick with it, and maybe you’ll even be able to land a real good hit on me someday.”

Susie snorted as she cracked open the bottle. “Oh, it’s on next time, fish face.”

“That’s the spirit.”

Chapter Text

Undyne was busy at her desk in the police station, rifling through a stack of paperwork. It was a quiet Thursday afternoon, the kind she usually spent catching up on reports and patrolling the small town. The faint sound of birds chirping outside made her itch to get back out there, but for now, she was stuck at her desk.

That was until a sudden, loud *crash* jolted her upright. The noise came from just outside the station, and without hesitation, she leaped from her chair and dashed out the door.

On the sidewalk just a few feet away, a bike lay toppled against a tree. Next to it was a small lizard lady, trying to untangle herself awkwardly from the handlebars. She looked up in alarm as Undyne approached, her face flushed with embarrassment.

“Hey, are you alright?” Undyne called out, jogging over. The lizard woman looked up and immediately froze, her glasses slightly askew.

“O-oh! Y-yes! I mean, no! I mean, uh...” she stammered, flailing her arms slightly as she tried to get her footing.

Undyne knelt beside her, offering a hand. “Here, let me help you.” She hoisted her up effortlessly, brushing some dirt off the woman’s coat. “That was a pretty solid crash. You’re sure you’re not hurt?”

“I-I’m fine! R-really! Just a little, um, clumsy,” the lizard muttered, her voice barely above a squeak. She adjusted her glasses nervously and glanced down at her overturned bike. “T-this happens, uh, more often than I’d like to admit.”

Undyne grinned, her sharp teeth gleaming, “Well, that’s one way to make an entrance. I'm officer Undyne, by the way.” Giving the woman a firm handshake.

The lizard fidgeted her coat with her free hand. “I-I’m Alphys. I, um, teach at the school. You probably, uh, haven’t heard of me...”

“Oh, you’re a teacher?” Undyne said, lifting the bike upright and inspecting the damage. The front wheel was bent, and the chain had come loose. “Wait a minute. Do you teach Susie by any chance?”

Alphys nodded, her hands wringing nervously. “Y-yeah. She’s, um, one of my students. "

Undyne’s grin widened. “Not giving you too much trouble i hope?”

Alphys shifted awkwardly but managed a small smile. “W-well, she’s, um, not so bad. J-just needs a little, uh, guidance.”

Undyne tested the bike’s handles, then straightened up. “This thing’s pretty beat up. How far’s your place? I can carry it for you if it’s close.”

“O-oh, it’s, um, not too far,” Alphys said quickly, her face turning redder. “B-but you don’t have to—”

“Nonsense,” Undyne interrupted, already hefting the bike onto her shoulder with ease. “Lead the way, teach."

Alphys nodded meekly and began walking, glancing nervously at Undyne every few steps. After a stretch of silence, Undyne decided to break the ice.

“So, uh, you’re a teacher, huh?” Undyne asked rhetorically, shifting the bike onto her shoulder.

“Y-yes,” Alphys stammered, clutching her hands tightly. “I, um, teach chemistry and history at the high school. It’s… it’s rewarding, b-but, uh, challenging too.”

“Bet it is,” Undyne said with a grin. “Especially with kids like Susie and Kris, huh?”

Alphys chuckled nervously. “Oh, w-well, um, Kris isn’t so bad. They’re… q-quiet, you know? But Susie… she’s, um, a bit more—”

"A handful?” Undyne supplied with a laugh.

Alphys nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Y-yeah. But, um, I-I think she’s been improving recently. I've heard N-Noelle’s been helping her with, um, tutoring, and it seems to be, uh, making a difference.”

Undyne’s grin widened. “Good to hear. I’ve got the kid staying at my place for now. She’s tough, but she’s got potential, you know?”

Alphys’s eyes widened. “Oh! Y-you’re looking after her? That’s, um, really nice of you!”

Undyne shrugged, a hint of pride in her voice. “Eh, she’s a good kid deep down. Just needs someone to give a damn, you know?”

Alphys nodded again, her initial nervousness beginning to fade. “That’s, um, really admirable, actually.”

“What about you?” Undyne asked, shifting the conversation. “Any funny stories from your classes?”

Alphys hesitated, then let out a small giggle. “W-well, there was this one time… Kris drew a, um, ‘masterpiece’ on the chalkboard while my back was turned. I didn’t notice until the whole class burst out laughing…”

Undyne tilted her head, clearly intrigued. “What kind of ‘masterpiece’ are we talking about here? Nothing vulgar I hope.”

Alphys flushed, her fingers fidgeting nervously. “Oh, um, w-well… It was, uh… a really elaborate drawing of me… riding a dinosaur… fighting a giant robot.”

Undyne barked out a laugh, nearly tipping the bike off her shoulder. “No way! That’s awesome! You’re telling me Kris drew you as some kind of action hero?”

“Y-yeah,” Alphys mumbled, rubbing the back of her neck. “I-it was kind of, um, impressive, actually. But, uh, I had to erase it because it, um, distracted the class…”

“Man, that’s a shame,” Undyne said, grinning. “If I were you, I would've found a way to frame it. Bet it looked badass!”

Alphys let out a small laugh, her nervousness melting a little more. “I-I guess it was kind of cool…”

Alphys smiled timidly, but the warmth in her expression was genuine.

By the time they reached Alphys’ modest home, the atmosphere had relaxed considerably. Alphys fumbled with her keys before opening the door and gesturing inside. “T-thank you, um, for helping me. I-it’s really nice of you.”

Undyne set the bike down near the porch and gave her a thumbs-up. “Anytime. And hey, If we run into each other again, update me on how Susie’s doing in class, yeah? She’s got potential. Just needs the right push.”

Alphys nodded, a small but genuine smile on her face. “I-I will. And, um, it was, uh, nice meeting you.”

“Likewise,” Undyne said, turning to head back to the station. She gave Alphys a quick wave over her shoulder. “See you around, teach!”

As Undyne walked away, she couldn’t help but feel good about the encounter. Alphys seemed a bit nervous, sure, but she clearly cared about her students. Maybe, just maybe, this town had more good eggs than she’d thought.

---

The sun hung low in the sky as Susie and Kris wandered behind the school, the faint sound of cars humming from the distant main road. Susie stretched her arms above her head with a yawn, her jacket creaking as she moved.

“Man, Noelle’s not so bad,” she said suddenly, leaning against the brick wall. “I mean, I still don't like studying, but she actually got me to understand, like... something.” She hesitated before continuing. “I even managed to pull a couple of Ds—and one whole C!”

She laughed, though it came out more nervous than proud. “Never thought I’d say this, but I guess... I’m glad you told me to ask her. So, uh... thanks.”

Kris tilted their head slightly, the faintest smile playing on their lips. They slipped their backpack off one shoulder, unzipping it with their usual deliberate pace.

“What are you digging for?” Susie asked, raising an eyebrow.

Without a word, Kris pulled out a series of brightly colored spray paint cans, their clinks and rattles breaking the quiet.

Susie blinked, her eyes lighting up. “No way. Are those—?” She reached for one of the cans, but stopped mid-grab, her grin fading as Undyne’s voice rang in her head: No funny business.

She leaned back against the wall, crossing her arms. “I dunno, dude. If Undyne finds out, I’m dead meat.” She ran a hand through her messy hair, pretending to laugh it off, but the hesitation lingered in her voice.

Kris’s expression barely changed, but the subtle downturn of their mouth seemed to be enough to convince Susie.

“Fine, fine! But if we get caught, I’m pinning the whole thing on you,” she said, grabbing one of the cans with a grin that betrayed her excitement. “Alright, what’re we doing? Some kinda mural? A dragon? Oh! How about we write something really deep, like... uh, ‘Live, Laugh, Love’?”

Kris gave her a flat stare and pointed at the wall.

“‘Berdly sucks’? Classic,” Susie snorted. “Alright, let’s do this.”

They crept around to the back of the school where the wall was blissfully bare. Kris handed Susie a can of red paint, and she shook it with gusto, the metallic rattle echoing in the quiet.

Susie got to work, the words “BERDLY SUCKS” taking form in bold, messy letters. Kris joined her, pulling out a green can and adding a doodle of what looked vaguely like a dragon—if dragons had stick legs and crooked horns.

As Susie outlined the last letter, she paused to admire her work. “Not bad. Bet Berdly’s gonna flip when he sees—”

“Hey! What the hell do you think you’re doing?!”

The voice cut through the air like a whip. Susie froze, the can slipping from her hand and clattering loudly on the pavement. She whipped her head around to see Undyne standing just a few feet away, arms crossed, her piercing glare making Susie’s stomach churn.

“Oh, uh, hey, boss,” Susie stammered, trying for an innocent grin. “Fancy seeing you here.”

Undyne raised an eyebrow. “Fancy seeing me here? This is where you go to school! What’s your excuse for vandalizing the place, huh?”

Susie glanced at Kris, who stood perfectly still, their face a mask of calm. “It’s, uh... it’s not vandalism! It’s, uh, abstract art!”

Undyne let out a sharp laugh, shaking her head. “Abstract art my ass! Both of you—station. Now.”

Susie groaned, dragging her feet as Undyne scooped up the spray cans. Kris followed without protest, hands tucked into their pant pockets.

---

The station was eerily quiet as Undyne leaned back in her chair, glaring at the pair sitting across from her. Susie slouched low in her seat, trying to avoid Undyne’s fiery gaze.

“I can’t believe this,” Undyne began, her voice steady but cutting. “Susie, I let you stay at my place, and this is how you repay me? By defacing school property?”

Susie winced, rubbing the back of her neck. “I didn’t think anyone would...”

“That’s the problem! You didn’t think,” Undyne snapped. She shifted her attention to Kris, her glare just as sharp. “And you—your mom’s hearing about this.”

Kris let out a soft groan, their neutral mask slipping just enough to show faint irritation.

Undyne leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "But you’re both lucky. Instead of slapping you with a fine, I’ve got a better idea. Tomorrow, you’re gonna repaint that wall and clean up your mess. And on Saturday? You’re working a shift at the town fair. Maybe some hard work will teach you two a thing or two about responsibility."

Susie groaned, slumping further in her chair. "C’mon, do we really—?"

"Yes, you do," Undyne snapped. "Or I can rethink the fine idea."

Susie exchanged a resigned look with Kris. "Alright, alright, we’ll do it."

"Good." Undyne’s voice softened, but only slightly. "Now get outta here. And next time? Think twice before pulling this kind of stunt."

The two stood and shuffled out of the station. As they stepped into the cool night air, Susie shot Kris a glare.

“This is your fault, y’know,” she muttered.

Kris smirked faintly, shoving their hands deeper into their pockets.

“Yeah, yeah,” Susie grumbled, kicking a pebble down the sidewalk. “Guess we better get ready to be the fair’s newest suckers—uh, I mean, employees.”

Chapter Text

The library was unusually quiet, even for a Friday afternoon. The soft hum of the overhead lights buzzed in the background as Susie leaned on one elbow, her pencil tapping a lazy rhythm against the table. She stared at the math worksheet in front of her like it was a personal enemy.

“Okay,” Noelle said, her voice patient as ever, “if X equals twelve, what’s the next step?”

Susie groaned, dropping her pencil and letting her head fall to the table with a dull thunk. “Next step is me ignoring X and pretending it doesn’t exist.”

Noelle giggled softly, “Not quite. Remember what we did with the last problem? You divide both sides by four.”

Susie lifted her head just enough to look at Noelle. “Yeah, I remember. I just didn’t wanna say it, so I could give you the satisfaction of being the math genius.”

Noelle’s lips twitched into a small smile, though her cheeks tinged pink at the praise. “Well, thank you for that! Now divide both sides by four, you’ve got this.”

Grumbling under her breath, Susie picked up her pencil again. She stared at the numbers for a few seconds before scribbling an answer, then slid the paper toward Noelle with a flourish. “Boom. Math’d.”

Noelle glanced at the paper and nodded approvingly. “That’s right! See? You’re getting it.”

“Yeah, sure,” Susie said, leaning back and stretching her arms over her head. “One day I’ll be the world’s first math wizard. Gotta dream big, right?”

Noelle chuckled softly. “I don’t know about wizard, but you’re definitely improving. Last week, you didn’t even know where to start.”

“Don’t remind me,” Susie complained, though her lips quirked into a small smile. “Seriously, though, how do you not go insane doing this stuff all the time?”

“I kind of like it,” Noelle admitted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “There’s something satisfying about solving a problem and knowing you got it right.”

Susie gave her a skeptical look. “Satisfying? You and I must have very different definitions of fun.”

Noelle’s hands fidgeted with the edge of her notebook, her voice growing softer. “Well… speaking of fun, um… I’m doing something for the fair tomorrow.”

Susie tilted her head. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”

“I’m supposed to bake some cookies and a cake,” Noelle said, glancing at Susie briefly before quickly looking down at her hands. “It’s for one of the booths my mom is organizing. She asked me to get it all done tonight.”

Susie’s eyebrows shot up. “Whoa. That’s a lotta pressure.”

“It’s not too bad,” Noelle said quickly, her voice faltering slightly. “I’ve done it before, it’s just… kind of a lot to do alone.”

Susie smirked and raised an eyebrow, leaning forward on her elbows. “You’re asking me to help, aren’t you?”

Noelle’s cheeks flushed, and she stammered, “I-I mean, only if you want to! I-it’s totally fine if you’re busy, or if you’d rather not—”

Susie cackled, cutting her off. “Relax, Jingles. I’m messing with you.” She leaned back with a grin. “If it means I get to steal a few cookies, I’m in.”

Noelle blinked, then smiled shyly. “Really? You don’t mind?”

“Nah,” Susie said, shrugging. “Besides, I need to practice my taste-testing skills. Never know when that might come in handy.”

Noelle giggled softly, the tension in her shoulders easing. “Well, thank you. That means a lot.”

“Don’t mention it,” Susie said, already shoving her worksheets into her bag. “Let’s get outta here.”

Noelle carefully tucked her notes into her satchel while Susie crammed her papers haphazardly into her backpack. As they stepped outside, the late afternoon sun cast warm golden hues across the town.

“Hey,” Susie said, shoving her hands into her jacket pockets. “How hard is baking, anyway? Like, am I gonna need a calculator or something?”

Noelle giggled. “Not quite. It’s mostly measuring and mixing. I’ll handle the math, don’t worry.”

“Good,” Susie said with a mock sigh of relief. “Wouldn’t wanna accidentally burn your house down because I don’t know fractions.”

Noelle laughed softly, her voice warm. “I’ll keep an eye on you. We’ll be fine.”

As they walked toward Noelle’s house, the easy rhythm of their conversation filled the air.

---

The soft hum of a bee mingled with the earthy scent of soil and sweet perfume inside the flower shop. Asgore stood at a row of sunflowers, carefully tilting the watering can in his hand. Golden petals stretched toward the sunlight streaming through the windows, casting a warm glow across the room.

Asgore hummed softly to himself, content in the rhythm of his work, when the cheerful ding of the shop doorbell interrupted the peaceful quiet.

“Just a moment!” he called, setting down the watering can and dusting off his hands. He turned toward the door, his gentle smile widening as he recognized the visitor.

“Undyne!”

Standing in the doorway, Undyne gave him her signature toothy grin. She was dressed casually in a gray shirt and joggers, her red ponytail swaying slightly as she shifted her weight. Both of her sharp eyes sparkled with a familiar fire.

“Hey, old man,” she greeted, stepping inside and closing the door behind her.

Without hesitation, Asgore walked over and pulled her into a warm embrace. Undyne stiffened briefly, not one for hugs, but relented and patted him on the back.

“It’s good to see you,” Asgore said, stepping back. “How have you been?”

“Good, good, I was running some errands and figured I'd drop by,” Undyne replied, glancing around at the vibrant flower arrangements. “The shop looks great. Still got the green thumb, huh?”

“I do my best,” he said with a chuckle. “Come, sit down. I was just about to make some tea. Would you like some?”

“Sure, but none of that ‘experimental brew’ stuff,” Undyne teased, raising an eyebrow.

Asgore laughed heartily. “I’ll stick to the classics this time—yellow flower tea.”

He disappeared into the back room, leaving Undyne to wander the shop. She ran a hand over a row of potted cacti, smirking at their spiky resilience. Her eye caught a bright arrangement of tulips nearby, and she traced the edge of a crimson petal absentmindedly.

Asgore soon returned, carrying two steaming cups on a small tray. He set them down on a table tucked into the corner of the shop, motioning for Undyne to sit.

She pulled up a chair and took the cup he offered her, savoring the warmth in her hands. “Thanks,” she said.

They sat in companionable silence for a moment before Asgore broke it with a kind smile. “So, how’s everything? Still keeping the peace in town?”

Undyne smirked, setting her cup down. “You know it. Keeping everyone in line with pure intimidation. Business as usual.”

Asgore chuckled. “And how’s Susie? I’ve heard from Kris you’ve been… well, looking out for her?”

Undyne exhaled through her nose, leaning back in her chair. “Yeah, it’s been a wild ride, I’ll tell you that. I know I’m not her mom or anything, not trying to be, but I’ve been doing what I can, you know? Giving her a shot at… bettering herself.”

“She’s lucky to have you,” Asgore said softly.

“Thanks,” Undyne replied, scratching the back of her neck. “I mean, it hasn't been perfect. Yesterday, for example—she and Kris got busted tagging graffiti behind the school.”

“Oh dear,” Asgore said, though his expression held more amusement than alarm.

“Yeah, I caught them red-handed,” Undyne said, shaking her head. “Had to bring them both to the station. Told them their punishment is working a booth at the fair tomorrow. No funny business, no slacking off.”

“Fair enough,” Asgore said with a chuckle. “Are you working the fair as well?”

“Security,” Undyne confirmed, taking a sip of her tea. “So I’ll be keeping a close eye on her. If she tries anything, I’ll be all over it.”

Asgore smiled, his gaze softening. “Undyne, from what you’re telling me, it sounds like you’re doing a wonderful job. You’re giving her structure, care, and a second chance. That’s no small thing.”

Undyne blinked, her confident smirk faltering for a moment. “I don’t know, half the time, I feel like I’m making it up as I go.”

“We all do,” Asgore said with a knowing nod. “But it’s not about being perfect. It’s about being there. And from what I’ve seen, you’re more than there for Susie. That’s what matters.”

Undyne’s shoulders relaxed slightly, and she looked down at her cup. “Thanks, Asgore. That actually… nice to hear.”

They sat in silence for a while, the gentle hum of the shop wrapping around them like a blanket.

“You know,” Asgore said after a moment, “I'd say Susie’s been good for Kris too. They’ve opened up a bit since she came into their life.”

“Yeah?” Undyne asked, raising an eyebrow.

Asgore nodded. “Kris is still reserved, of course, but I’ve noticed them smiling more. Laughing, even. Susie brings out a side of them that I wasn’t sure I’d see again.”

Undyne smiled faintly. “Yeah, those two are trouble together. The good kind of trouble.”

Asgore chuckled. “If the occasional graffiti is the price we pay for their happiness, I’d say it’s worth it.”

Undyne snorted. “Don’t let them hear you say that. They’ll think they can get away with anything.”

They both laughed, the kind of easy laughter that can only come from years of friendship. For a moment, it felt like the rest of the world melted away—just two old friends, sharing tea and the weight of their lives in the quiet refuge of a flower shop.

---

The walk to Noelle’s house was filled with light conversation and playful teasing, but when they reached the gate, Susie stopped in her tracks, her jaw going slack.

“Uh… Noelle?” Susie gestured to the massive, three-story house in front of them. “You forgot to mention you live in a damn castle.”

“It’s not a castle,” Noelle said quickly, her face turning pink. She toyed with the edge of her dress, not meeting Susie’s eyes. “It’s just… big. My mom likes to, um, make an impression.”

“A big impression,” Susie muttered, staring at the sprawling property. “This place has gotta be the biggest house in town. How many rooms do you even have? Ten? Twenty?”

“Only five bedrooms ,” Noelle said softly.

Susie gawked. “Only? You serious?”

Noelle giggled nervously as she pushed open the wrought-iron gate. “It’s really not as fancy as it looks. I promise.”

“Sure,” Susie said, stepping onto the pristine driveway. “And I bet you’ve got a butler too, huh? Oh, wait—don’t tell me. You’ve got a whole staff. Do they call you Princess Noelle?”

Noelle gave an exasperated sigh, though there was a small smile on her lips. “We don’t have a staff, Susie. And no one calls me that.”

“Shame,” Susie added, smirking. “You’d look the part.”

Noelle’s face heated up, and she quickly turned away. “A-anyway, let’s just go inside, okay?”

They walked up the driveway, and Noelle unlocked the door, pushing it open and holding it for Susie.

Susie stepped inside and froze again. “Angel...”

The living room was massive, with a vaulted ceiling and large windows that let in streams of sunlight. A plush red couch sat in the center, flanked by matching armchairs, all arranged around a sleek coffee table. Above it, a flatscreen TV was mounted on the wall, and to the side, Susie noticed a wine cellar built into the wall, a high-end disc player, and several decorative vases perched on shelves.

“This is what you meant by ‘not fancy’?” Susie asked, raising an eyebrow.

Noelle fidgeted. “It’s just home, you know? It doesn’t feel that special when you live here.”

“Sure,” Susie said, though her voice carried a hint of disbelief. She glanced around again, taking in the immaculate decor. “Man, this is nuts. Undyne's whole house could fit in just this room.”

Noelle gave her a small, shy smile. “Well, um, you can leave your backpack on the couch. The kitchen’s this way!"

Susie hesitated before tossing her backpack onto the couch and following Noelle. The kitchen was just as impressive as the living room—gleaming countertops, modern appliances, and cabinets painted in a soft cream color. The backsplash tiles were white with subtle hints of blue, and the whole room smelled faintly of cinnamon and vanilla.

Noelle moved to a cabinet and began pulling out supplies, setting bowls, measuring cups, and utensils on the counter. Then she went to a hook by the door and pulled down a white apron with small snowflakes embroidered on it.

She hesitated for a moment before tying it around her waist over her forest green dress. The way she fussed with the ties, making sure they were neat, made Susie bite back a laugh.

“Here,” Noelle said, pulling another apron from the hook and holding it out to Susie.

Susie stared at it. “You think I need one of these? I’m not exactly the ‘neat and tidy’ type.”

“That’s… kind of the point,” Noelle said, her voice light. “Trust me, you’ll need it.”

Susie snorted but took the apron. As she tied it on, she couldn’t help but glance at Noelle. The apron suited her, maybe too much. Susie quickly looked away before she thought too hard about it.

“So, what’s the plan, boss?” Susie asked, crossing her arms.

Noelle smiled. “We’ll start with the cake. I already know the recipe, so I’ll tell you what to do.”

Susie gave her a mock salute. “Yes, ma’am. Just point me at the sugar, and I’ll get to work.”

Noelle giggled softly and began gathering ingredients from the fridge—eggs, butter, and milk—while Susie found the flour and sugar.

“Okay,” Noelle said, placing a mixing bowl on the counter. “First, we need two cups of flour. The measuring cups are over there.”

Susie grabbed the cups and poured the flour into the bowl. A small puff of it escaped, coating her hands and the counter.

“Oops,” Susie muttered, brushing at her apron. “Guess I’m off to a great start.”

Noelle stifled a giggle. “It’s fine, just… try to keep it in the bowl.”

As they worked through the recipe, Noelle guided Susie through each step. They measured out sugar, cracked eggs (Susie managed to get some shell in the bowl, which Noelle fished out), and mixed the ingredients together.

At one point, Susie accidentally turned the mixer on too high, sending a spray of batter across the counter.

“Whoops!” Susie said, grimacing. “Guess I don’t know my own strength.”

Noelle covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. “M-maybe turn it on slower next time.”

“Hey, you’re the one who gave me all this dangerous machinery,” Susie shot back, grinning.

As they continued, the kitchen filled with the sounds of clinking bowls, the hum of the mixer, and occasional laughter. Susie found herself enjoying the process more than she expected.

“You know,” Susie said as she stirred the batter, “I didn’t think baking could actually be fun. But I guess you make it less boring.”

Noelle glanced at her, her cheeks turning pink. “T-thanks. I’m glad you’re here.”

Susie gave her a toothy grin. “Yeah, well, don’t get used to it. I’m not signing up to be your personal baking assistant or anything.”

Noelle giggled, nudging Susie’s arm lightly. “You say that now, but we’ll see.”

By the time they poured the batter into the pan and slid it into the oven, the kitchen smelled warm and sweet. Both girls had flour dusting their hands and aprons, but neither seemed to mind.

“Alright,” Susie said, leaning against the counter. “What’s next?”

Noelle smiled, a little more confident now. “Cookies.”

The floury chaos in the kitchen was in full swing as Noelle carefully measured out ingredients for the cookie batter. Beside her, Susie leaned over the counter, licking a smear of chocolate off her finger while smirking at Noelle’s focus.

“Okay, next up is sugar,” Noelle said, glancing up from the recipe card. “Uh… half a cup.”

Susie grabbed the sugar jar, her clawed hands not exactly made for delicate work. As she tilted the jar over the measuring cup, a small avalanche of sugar spilled onto the counter.

“Dammit,” Susie said, laughing as she tried brushing the excess into the cup with her hand.

Noelle gasped softly. “Susie! You’re wasting it!”

“Oh, come on. A little sugar on the counter never killed anyone,” Susie teased.

“Still…” Noelle pouted, though her lips quirked upward in amusement.

Susie’s grin widened. She scooped a pinch of the sugar and held it out like she was about to throw it. “Bet you wouldn’t even notice if I—”

“Don’t you dare!” Noelle squeaked, flinching back with her arms up in defense.

Laughing, Susie relented and dumped the sugar into the bowl. “Relax, nerd. I’m all about precision.”

Noelle sighed but couldn’t hide her giggle. Together, they mixed the ingredients, Noelle taking the lead with instructions while Susie stirred the dough with surprising enthusiasm. The occasional bump of their elbows and shared glances between laughs made the atmosphere light and warm.

That warmth, however, vanished when the front door creaked open.

A sharp voice called out, “Noelle, I’m home.”

Noelle froze mid-stir, her wide eyes darting toward the sound of hooves clopping on the floor. Her shoulders tensed, and she quickly set down the mixing bowl.

“Uh, my mom’s back,” Noelle whispered.

Susie straightened, her normally relaxed posture stiffening at the sudden change in Noelle’s demeanor.

The clopping of hooves grew louder until a tall, poised deer monster stepped into the kitchen. Carol Holiday’s icy blue eyes scanned the room, taking in the sight of her daughter and the tall reptilian girl standing beside her. Her expression was unreadable but carried a frosty edge.

“Noelle,” Carol said, her voice calm but sharp. “I didn’t realize you had company.”

“I-I’m sorry,” Noelle stammered, lowering her gaze. “We’re just—um, we’re baking for the fair tomorrow.”

Carol’s gaze shifted to Susie, who quickly straightened even more, her usual bravado replaced with a nervous attempt at respectfulness.

“And you are?” Carol asked.

Susie cleared her throat. “Uh, Susie. Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

Carol raised an eyebrow at the informal address but said nothing about it. Instead, she glanced back at Noelle, her tone as cold as ever. “You know the rules, Noelle. No friends over without letting me know in advance.”

“I-I know, Mom,” Noelle said quickly. “It just… happened last minute.”

“Hm.” Carol’s eyes returned to Susie, studying her for a moment before giving a curt nod. “Well, I hope you’re being helpful and not just playing around in here.”

Susie bristled slightly but forced a grin. “We’re getting a lot done. The cake’s already in the oven, and the cookies are almost ready to bake.”

“Good,” Carol said simply. She turned back to Noelle. “Make sure it stays that way. I have work to finish, so don’t make a mess.”

“Yes, Mom,” Noelle said, her voice almost a whisper.

Without another word, Carol turned and walked out, her hooves clopping against the polished floor as she headed upstairs. The faint sound of her office door shutting was the only indication she was gone.

Susie exhaled, slouching slightly. “Man, she’s intense.”

Noelle bit her lip, glancing at the floor. “Sorry about that,” she mumbled. “She’s just… like that sometimes.”

“Hey, no big deal,” Susie said, waving it off. “Parents, right?” But she couldn’t shake the memory of how small and quiet Noelle had seemed in her mom’s presence, so unlike her usually open and bright self.

Noelle forced a small smile and nodded. “Let’s just finish the cookies.”

They resumed their work, though a subtle tension lingered. Noelle handed Susie the whisk, and the two folded chocolate chips into the dough. Susie cracked a joke about adding “extra chaos” to the mix, earning a soft laugh from Noelle.

Once the cookies were shaped and placed on a tray, they slid them into the oven alongside the cake. Noelle let out a sigh of relief, wiping her hands on her apron. “Now we just wait.”

“Sweet,” Susie said, leaning back against the counter. “What do we do in the meantime?”

Noelle brightened slightly. “Um, I have a couple of Dragon Blazers games we could play while we wait.”

Susie’s eyes lit up. “Hell yeah! You know I’m down for that.”

Noelle left the kitchen and returned with a small stack of game boxes, her expression softening as Susie eagerly rifled through them. The two settled in the living room, sitting cross-legged on the plush carpet as they booted up an older console.

Laughter filled the room as they navigated through battles and levels, Susie’s competitive streak clashing with Noelle’s strategic approach. They teased each other playfully, the earlier tension melting away into something easy and genuine.

Eventually, the timer beeped, signaling the baked goods were ready.

The two returned to the kitchen, carefully removing the trays from the oven. The smell of warm cookies and freshly baked cake filled the air, making both of them grin in triumph.

Noelle handed Susie a small jar of sprinkles while she prepared icing for the cake. Susie took the jar and began liberally sprinkling the cookies, her heavy-handed approach earning a fond look from Noelle.

“You’re going to run out before you finish!” Noelle chided gently.

“Yeah, but look at these bad boys,” Susie said, holding up a cookie practically buried in rainbow sprinkles. “Perfection.”

Noelle rolled her eyes but smiled, focusing on carefully spreading frosting over the cake. Her movements were precise and delicate, and Susie couldn’t help but watch her for a moment. The way the light caught the soft waves of her hair, the way her dress swayed slightly as she moved—

Susie quickly looked away, shaking her head. “So, uh, how’s it lookin’?”

Noelle glanced over, tilting her head. “Almost done. What about the cookies?”

“They’re, uh, super sprinkled.”

Noelle giggled, her laugh like a bell. “Perfect.”

Once everything was finished, Noelle packed the cookies into containers, giving one container to Susie, and stacking the rest neatly for the fair. The cake went into the fridge, carefully tucked away.

“Well, that’s everything,” Noelle said, brushing her hands off on her apron.

“Cool,” Susie said, slinging her backpack over her shoulder. “Guess I’ll head out, then.”

“Thanks for helping,” Noelle said softly, walking with her to the door.

“Anytime,” Susie said, giving her a toothy grin. “And thanks for the cookies. Totally worth it.”

Noelle smiled shyly, opening the door for her. “See you tomorrow at the fair?”

“Yeah, see ya,” Susie said, stepping outside. She gave a quick wave before heading down the driveway.

As Noelle watched her go, a faint blush dusted her cheeks. She shut the door quietly, leaning against it for a moment with a small, content smile.

---

Susie stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets as she turned the corner to her house, the container of cookies tucked under one arm. The sky was fading into deep purples, the last hints of sunlight barely holding on. She could see her place up ahead—the porch light glowing warmly against the chipped wood.

As she approached, a familiar figure caught her eye. Undyne was coming down the street, grocery bags in her hands.

“Hey, boss,” Susie called.

Undyne glanced up, her visible eye widening in recognition. “Oh, hey, punk!”

They met at the porch steps, Undyne eyeing the container Susie was carrying.

“Whatcha got there?” Undyne asked, grinning.

“Cookies,” Susie replied, holding the container up like a prize. “Baked ’em with Noelle today for the fair.”

Undyne raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. “No kidding? You baked? And they turned out edible?”

Susie smirked. “More than edible. Wanna try one?”

Undyne didn’t need to be asked twice. She plopped her bags on the small porch table and grabbed a cookie. Biting into it, her eyes widened. “Kid, these are amazing!”

“Told ya,” Susie said, dropping into one of the two porch chairs. She grabbed a cookie for herself, the sweet, buttery taste still making her grin even after hours of smelling them bake.

Undyne sat down next to her, kicking her feet up on the table. “So, besides your culinary work, how was your day?”

“Eh, pretty good,” Susie replied, leaning back. “Baking’s harder than it looks, but it was fun. Noelle doesn't mind it that much when I screw up.”

“She’s a good egg,” Undyne said with a nod. “Always polite. She's nervous around me, though.”

Susie laughed. “Yeah, that sounds about right. She’s nervous around a lot of people. But she’s got guts, y’know? Even when I mess with her, she doesn’t, like… run away or anything.”

Undyne gave her a sly look. “Mess with her, huh? That why you’ve been spending so much time with her?”

Susie rolled her eyes but a small smile crept onto her face, “Shut up."

Undyne chuckled, taking another bite of her cookie. They sat in a comfortable silence for a moment, the cool evening air settling around them.

After finishing her second cookie, Undyne set the container down and turned her attention back to Susie. “Listen, kid. About yesterday, I’m still not thrilled about the whole graffiti thing.”

Susie shifted uncomfortably in her chair but didn’t look away.

“I get it,” Undyne continued. “You were just messing around, but that kind of stuff has consequences. It’s not just about me getting mad or getting you to make up for it—it’s about learning when to draw the line, y’know?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Susie muttered, rubbing the back of her neck. “I get it. Sorry about that. Won’t happen again.”

Undyne studied her for a moment before nodding. “I know it won’t. And hey, tomorrow’s your chance to show me you can step up. You put in the work, help out at the fair, and maybe I’ll think about letting you off the hook.”

Susie smirked. “Oh, come on. You’re just looking for an excuse to keep me out of trouble.”

Undyne laughed, a sharp, genuine sound that made Susie grin.

They both grabbed another cookie, the container now nearly empty. The tension from the previous day seemed to dissolve, replaced by the easy camaraderie that had built up between them over time.

“Y’know,” Undyne said after a while, her voice softer, “I might give you a hard time, but… I’m glad you’re here. You’ve got a lot to offer, Susie. And not just cookies.”

Susie blinked, taken aback by the sincerity in Undyne’s voice. She shifted in her seat, suddenly finding the cookie in her hand very interesting.

“Uh… thanks,” she mumbled.

Undyne grinned, leaning back in her chair. “Don’t get used to it, kid. You're still at my mercy, after all.”

Susie snorted, finally looking up. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t worry, I won’t let it go to my head.” She added, sarcastically.

They sat together a while longer, finishing off the cookies as the stars began to dot the night sky. When the chill in the air became too much, they headed inside, the echoes of laughter and shared snacks following them.

Chapter Text

The town fair was already alive with the sound of cheerful chatter, carnival music, and the occasional pop of a balloon as kids played games. It was a crisp Saturday evening, and the sun was just barely beginning to dip below the horizon, casting warm hues over the bustling fairgrounds. Susie and Kris made their way through the crowd toward their booths, both dragging their feet slightly. The air smelled of popcorn, fried dough, and a hint of sawdust from the wooden stalls scattered across the grounds.

Susie groaned as they reached their assigned spots. The ring toss booth, her punishment, stood out with its overly colorful sign that read: “Ring Toss! A Perfect Score Wins the Grand Prize!” in bold, glittery letters. The “grand prize” consisted of cheap stuffed animals and other novelty toys hanging limply on the wall. Beside it was Kris’s station, the balloon darts booth, which was equally flashy with its red and yellow banner.

Susie tugged at the hem of the bright red shirt she’d been forced to wear, under her usual jacket. It was part of their uniform for the evening, emblazoned with a tacky slogan that read: “Fair Fun for All!”.

“Man, this shirt is hideous,” Susie muttered, rolling her eyes. “As if working here wasn’t bad enough.”

Kris, in their usual quiet manner, simply adjusted their own shirt and started setting up their station. They pulled out a box of balloons and darts, placing them neatly on the counter. They glanced at Susie, offering a small shrug that said, It could be worse.

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Susie grumbled, leaning against the counter of her booth. “It’s just... this whole thing is dumb. This punishment for a little graffiti? Seriously?”

Kris gave her a look, raising an eyebrow as if to remind her that they were both equally responsible for the incident.

“Okay, fine. We're guilty. But still,” Susie huffed, folding her arms. “Why couldn’t they give us a cooler booth? Like, I don’t know, manning a dunk tank?”

Kris’s lips twitched into a small, amused smile as they began inflating balloons.

Susie sighed and turned her attention to her booth. She untangled the stack of rings on the counter, trying to make it look presentable. It wasn’t long before she heard the sound of boots clicking against the pavement, and she glanced up to see a familiar figure weaving through the crowd.

Undyne, dressed in her police uniform, walked toward them with her usual confident stride. Her uniform was neat and professional, complete with a badge pinned to her chest and a radio clipped to her belt. She had a pair of sunglasses pushed up on her head and wore a grin that was equal parts intimidating and reassuring.

“Well, well, well,” Undyne called out as she approached. “Look at you two, hard at work already! Or, at least trying to look like it.”

Susie groaned. “Oh, great. Just what I was missin'.”

“Aw, c’mon, kid,” Undyne said, crossing her arms and giving Susie a playful smirk. “You’re doing your civic duty. You should be proud.”

“Yeah, sure,” Susie muttered, rolling her eyes. “Real proud of being stuck at the lamest booth at the fair.”

Undyne laughed and leaned on the edge of Susie’s counter. “Hey! It’s really not that bad. Just try not to scare off the customers.”

Susie snorted. “No promises.”

Kris, who had been quietly arranging darts at their booth, glanced up and gave Undyne a small wave.

Undyne nodded at them. “And you—keeping things in line over there, huh? Good job, Kris.”

Kris gave a slight thumbs-up in response, their expression unreadable as always.

Undyne’s gaze shifted back to Susie’s booth, and she frowned slightly. “You two need help setting up? This place looks like it’s barely holding together.”

Susie hesitated, not wanting to admit that she was struggling with the setup. “Uh... Nah, I got it.”

“Uh-huh,” Undyne said, clearly unconvinced. Without waiting for permission, she stepped behind the booth and started rearranging the rings and prizes. “Here, let me show you how it’s done.”

“Hey, I know what I'm doing!” Susie protested, though she didn’t stop Undyne from taking over.

“Relax, it’ll only take a second,” Undyne said, adjusting the display so that the prizes hung neatly on the wall. “There. Now it actually looks like a booth someone might want to play at.”

Susie muttered something under her breath but couldn’t deny that it looked better.

Undyne grinned, stepping back to admire her handiwork. “See? Easy. You’re welcome.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Susie said begrudgingly.

Undyne turned to Kris’s booth next, giving it a quick once-over. “Not bad, Kris. You’ve got this under control.”

Kris nodded, their lips twitching into the faintest smile.

Undyne adjusted her sunglasses and straightened her uniform. “Alright, I’d better get back to patrolling. Try not to screw this up, okay? And don’t make me come over here because someone’s complaining about you slacking off or being rude to customers.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Susie said, waving her off. “We’ll be fine.”

“Good,” Undyne said with a grin. She gave them a thumbs-up before turning on her heel and heading back into the crowd.

As she disappeared into the sea of fairgoers, Susie let out a long sigh. “Man, she’s way too enthusiastic about this if you ask me.”

Kris shrugged, their expression calm and nonchalant as they continued inflating balloons.

Susie leaned against her counter again, crossing her arms. “Well, at least it’s just a few hours. We can survive that, right?”

Kris glanced at her, giving her a look that seemed to say, If I can do it, so can you.

Susie huffed but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. “Alright, fine. Let’s just get this over with.”

With the booths finally set up, the fairgrounds seemed even busier than before. The sun was a bit lower now, painting the sky in streaks of orange and pink. Strings of lights blinked to life, casting a warm glow over the fair and giving it a cozy yet bustling atmosphere. Kids were running around with cotton candy and sticky faces, and the faint sounds of laughter and carnival music filled the air.

Susie leaned on the counter of her booth, her chin resting in her hand as she stared out at the passing crowd. A stack of colorful rings sat neatly beside her, waiting for the next contestant. So far, only a few people had wandered over, and most of them had either failed miserably or given up halfway through. The prizes—a collection of stuffed animals, plastic toys, and other cheap trinkets—remained untouched.

A group of kids approached her booth, their eyes lighting up at the sight of the prizes.

“Hey, let’s try this one!” one of them said, pointing excitedly.

Susie straightened up, grabbing a handful of rings and placing them on the counter. “Alright, here’s the deal. You get three tries for a dollar. Land a ring on one of the poles, and you win a prize.”

The kids fished around in their pockets, producing a crumpled dollar bill. Susie took it, then gestured toward the rings.

“Knock yourselves out,” she said, leaning back again.

The first kid grabbed a ring and squinted at the setup, aiming carefully before tossing it. The ring spun through the air and landed with a soft clink—right on the edge of the pole before sliding off.

“Aw, come on!” the kid groaned.

Susie smirked. “Close, try again.”

The next two throws weren’t any better, with the rings either falling short or bouncing off the poles entirely. The kids looked increasingly frustrated as their chances dwindled.

“These games are rigged!” one of them said, crossing his arms.

“Yep,” Susie replied, unbothered. “Welcome to the fair.”

The group muttered among themselves before walking off, disappointed. Susie watched them go, stifling a yawn as she leaned on the counter again.

Next door, Kris seemed to be having a similar experience. They were standing behind their balloon darts booth, lazily handing darts to a bear monster who was attempting to pop a balloon. The sound of darts hitting the board—but not the balloons—filled the air.

“Man, these things are garbage,” the bear complained, inspecting one of the darts.

Kris shrugged in response, their expression as blank as ever. They leaned on the counter, watching him take another shot. This time, the dart grazed the edge of a balloon before bouncing off harmlessly.

“Seriously?” he muttered, tossing the last dart onto the counter in frustration. “This game sucks.”

Kris simply nodded, unfazed.

Susie glanced over, smirking at Kris’s calm demeanor. “Having fun over there?” she called out.

Kris looked at her, then held up a single dart, letting it drop onto the counter with a soft thud.

“Yeah, me neither,” Susie said, shaking her head.

The fairground was busy, but their section of the games seemed to be one of the quieter areas. Most people were more interested in the food stalls or the rides, leaving the game booths relatively empty.

Susie sighed, tapping her fingers on the counter. “Man, this is so boring. I’d almost rather be back in class. Almost.”

Kris glanced at her, raising an eyebrow.

“Okay, not really,” Susie admitted. “But still. How long do we have to do this for?”

Kris held up their watch, pointing to the time. They had only been at their booths for an hour, with several more to go.

Susie groaned, slumping against the counter. “Great. I’m gonna die of boredom before this thing is over.”

As if to prove her wrong, another customer approached her booth—a middle-aged monster holding a toddler. The little girl’s eyes lit up at the sight of the prizes, and she tugged on her dad’s sleeve, pointing at a pink stuffed bunny.

“Alright, let’s give it a shot,” the dad said, pulling out a dollar and handing it to Susie.

Susie straightened up, grabbing a handful of rings and placing them on the counter. “Here you go. Three tries to win a prize.”

The dad handed a ring to the toddler, helping her aim. She threw it with all her might, but it barely made it halfway to the poles, landing on the ground with a soft clink.

“Good try, sweetie,” the dad said, picking up another ring. He tried his luck, but his aim wasn’t much better. The third ring missed completely, bouncing off the poles or falling short.

“Well, that’s how they get you,” the dad said with a good-natured laugh. He picked up the toddler, who looked disappointed but didn’t cry. “Thanks anyway.”

“No problem,” Susie said, waving them off. As they walked away, she leaned on the counter again, yawning.

Kris, meanwhile, was dealing with a group of teenagers at their booth. They watched with mild interest as the teens took turns throwing darts, none of them managing to hit more than one balloon. When the group left empty-handed, Kris glanced at Susie, giving her a look that said, Same here.

“Man, this shift really is gonna be the death of me,” Susie muttered, slumping onto the counter again. She glanced at the crowd, spotting Undyne patrolling in the distance. The sight of her sunglasses glinting in the fading sunlight made Susie roll her eyes.

“At least she looks like she’s having fun,” Susie muttered. She sighed again, resting her chin in her hand as she watched the crowd go by.

It was going to be a long night.

---

Undyne strolled through the bustling fairgrounds, scanning the crowd with an experienced eye. The fading sunlight mixed with the bright glow of string lights, and the sound of laughter, music, and the occasional popping of balloons filled the air. She adjusted her sunglasses slightly and tugged at her utility belt. While her job was just to keep the peace, she couldn’t deny that the cheerful atmosphere put her in a good mood.

As she rounded a corner near the food stalls, she caught sight of a familiar figure standing near a chili fries cart, balancing a small tray of fries and a soda in her hands.

“Alphys!” Undyne called out, her voice carrying easily over the crowd.

Alphys jumped slightly, nearly tipping her fries, but caught herself. She turned, her face lighting up when she recognized the voice. “O-oh, hello, Undyne!”

Undyne walked over with a grin. “Fancy seeing you here! You enjoying the fair?”

Alphys adjusted her glasses nervously, holding onto her tray. “Y-yeah, I thought I’d come out for a bit. You know, um… get some fresh air. It’s pretty nice out tonight.”

“Fresh air, huh? And chili fries.” Undyne pointed to the tray, smirking. “Great choice.”

“They’re, um, really good. A little spicy, though,” Alphys said, glancing at the fries. “D-didn’t expect to see you here either. I mean, I guess it makes sense, w-with you being on duty and all…”

“Yep, keeping the peace!” Undyne said, puffing out her chest dramatically. “Making sure no one gets into any trouble. Not that I think this crowd could if they tried.”

Alphys laughed softly. “Y-yeah, this place seems pretty tame. The biggest danger might be someone slipping on spilled soda.”

Undyne snorted. “True, true. Hey, mind if I keep you company for a minute? Everything seems to be in order for now.”

“O-oh, sure!” Alphys said quickly. “There’s, um, a bench over here.”

The two made their way to a nearby bench, sitting down with a comfortable amount of space between them. Alphys carefully balanced her tray on her lap while Undyne stretched her arms over the back of the bench, looking completely at ease.

“So, how’s the science world treating you? The one outside of teaching it to highschoolers, I mean.” Undyne asked, glancing at her companion.

“Oh, um, it’s been good,” Alphys said, perking up a little. “I’ve been working on a new project lately. It’s, um… kind of a silly idea, but it’s been fun.”

“What's it about?" Undyne asked with a grin.

“Well, it’s, um… a sort of virtual pet program,” Alphys admitted, blushing slightly. “You know, like those little handheld toys from a few years ago? But this one’s more advanced. It, um, learns from how you interact with it and evolves over time.”

Undyne’s eyes lit up. “Whoa, that sounds great! Like, it’s got AI and stuff?”

“Y-yeah,” Alphys said, fidgeting with her fork. “It’s still in the early stages, but I think it has a lot of potential. I-I just hope people like it…”

“Are you kidding? People would love that!” Undyne said enthusiastically. “I’d totally get one. Imagine a little robot that you can train to do tricks.”

Alphys laughed, her cheeks warming. “Y-you think so?”

“Definitely,” Undyne said firmly. “You’re smart, Alphys. Don’t sell yourself short.”

Alphys ducked her head slightly, her smile shy but genuine. “T-thanks, Undyne. That… means a lot, a-actually.”

They sat in companionable silence for a moment, the sounds of the fair bustling around them. Undyne leaned back, watching a group of kids excitedly run past with oversized plush prizes.

“You ever come to these fairs when you were a kid?” she asked, glancing over at Alphys.

“Not really,” Alphys admitted. “I-I was more of a stay-at-home type. I’d spend most of my time reading or playing video games.”

“Figures,” Undyne said with a chuckle. “Bet you were top of your class, too.”

“W-well, yeah,” Alphys said, her blush deepening. “But it wasn’t all that exciting. I, um, kind of wish I’d gone out more. These fairs seem… nice.”

“They’re alright,” Undyne said, shrugging. “I used to love ‘em as a little kid. Mostly for the food, though. Cotton candy, funnel cakes… my dad had to practically drag me away from the food stalls.”

Alphys giggled. “I can picture that.”

“What about now? Got a favorite snack?” Undyne asked, nodding toward the chili fries.

“These, I think,” Alphys said, smiling. “Though I might try the funnel cake later. I’ve, um, never had it before.”

Undyne clutched her chest theatrically. “Never had funnel cake? That’s a crime!”

Alphys laughed, her nervousness melting away. “Well, maybe I’ll fix that t-tonight.”

“You’d better,” Undyne said with a grin. “It’s life-changing.”

They continued chatting, the conversation flowing easily. Alphys found herself relaxing more and more, and Undyne couldn’t help but enjoy the teacher's company.

Eventually, Undyne stood, stretching her arms above her head. “Well, I’d better get back to patrolling before someone accuses me of slacking off.”

Alphys stood as well, holding her tray carefully. “I-I should probably get going too. But, um… it was really nice talking to you, Undyne.”

“Same here,” Undyne said, her grin softening. “Don’t be a stranger, alright?”

Alphys nodded, her smile shy but warm. “I-I’ll try not to be.”

Undyne gave her a casual salute before heading off into the crowd, her spirits lifted. As she walked, she couldn’t help but think that running into Alphys had been the best part of her night so far.

---

Susie slumped in her chair, propping her chin up with her hand as she idly spun one of the plastic rings from her booth. It landed with a dull clink against the bottle necks, bouncing off harmlessly. She sighed and leaned back, glaring at the pretty empty fairground in front of her booth.

A few feet away, Kris leaned lazily against the counter of their balloon darts booth, poking at a balloon with a dart in their hand. They glanced over at Susie with their usual blank expression, raising a brow.

“What?” Susie asked, glaring half-heartedly.

Kris shrugged, letting the dart fall back onto the counter.

“Man, this sucks,” Susie groaned, dragging her hand down her face. “I knew it was gonna be lame, but this is next-level.”

Kris nodded in agreement, gesturing vaguely to their own booth.

“At least you’ve got pointy things to play with,” Susie said, pointing at their darts. “All I’ve got are these stupid rings and bottles.”

Kris smirked faintly, but before they could reply, a cheerful voice called out, breaking through the monotony.

“Hi, Kris! Hi, Susie!”

Susie’s head snapped up, and her eyes widened slightly as Noelle approached them, her usual bright smile lighting up her face.

“Noelle?” Susie said, sitting up straighter. “What’re you doing here?”

Noelle came to a stop in front of their booths, clasping her hands together. “I just dropped off the cookies and the cake at the food stand! My mom said everything looked perfect.”

“Oh yeah, I remember now,” Susie said, leaning back casually. “Told you those cookies were gonna knock everyone’s socks off.”

Noelle giggled. “Well, I couldn’t have done it without your help. Thanks again, Susie!”

Susie rubbed the back of her neck, looking away. “Yeah, whatever. No big deal.”

Kris’s gaze flicked between the two, a knowing glint in their eye.

“So, um,” Noelle continued, glancing at their booths, "I didn’t know you guys were working at the fair!"

Susie stiffened, shooting a quick glance at Kris. “Uh…”

“Punishment,” Kris said flatly, not missing a beat.

“Kris!” Susie hissed, glaring at them.

Noelle tilted her head, confused. “Punishment? For what?”

Susie groaned, slumping forward against her counter. “Ugh, it’s nothing. Just some dumb graffiti thing. Undyne caught us and made us work these booths for the day.”

“Oh…” Noelle said softly, her expression flickering with concern. “You didn't mention that to me yesterday."

“Yeah, well, I just didn’t wanna ruin the mood by talking about it,” Susie muttered.

Noelle’s expression softened. “Well… at least it doesn’t seem that bad. And I’m glad I got to see you here, nonetheless.”

Susie blinked, caught off guard. She glanced at Noelle, who was smiling at her warmly, and quickly looked away, her face heating up. “Yeah... Same, I guess.”

“So, are you stuck here all night?” Noelle asked, glancing between their booths.

“Pretty much,” Susie grumbled. “Gotta stay here until Undyne says we're done.”

“Oh…” Noelle’s smile faltered slightly. “I was hoping to go see some attractions with you two, but… I guess since you can’t leave...”

Susie winced. The disappointment in Noelle’s voice made her feel weirdly guilty, even though it wasn’t her fault.

Kris, however, perked up. They gestured subtly toward the other side of the fairgrounds, where Undyne was chatting with their teacher, Alphys.

Susie followed their gaze and frowned. “Huh?”

Kris pointed at Undyne again, then at Susie, miming a walking motion with their fingers.

Susie squinted. “What? Just use your words this time, dude.”

Kris sighed and leaned closer. “Undyne’s busy. She probably wouldn’t notice if you closed your booth for, like, half an hour.”

“What?” Susie said, sitting up. “No way. She’d totally kill me if she found out.”

“Not if she doesn’t find out,” Kris said with a shrug.

Susie opened her mouth to argue, but before she did, she glanced at Noelle. The deer girl was looking around the fairground with a wistful expression, her hands clasped nervously in front of her.

Susie hesitated. She wasn’t seriously considering this, was she? It was a dumb idea. But then again… seeing Noelle standing there, looking all lonely, made her chest tighten in a weird way.

“Ugh, fine,” Susie muttered, standing up.

Kris gave her a thumbs-up, their smirk widening.

Susie stepped out of her booth, grumbling under her breath. “You better not snitch, Kris. I mean it.”

Kris mimed zipping their lips and waved her off.

Noelle blinked, surprised. “Wait, Susie, are you—”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming,” Susie said, shoving her hands into her pockets. “But we gotta make this quick.”

Noelle’s face lit up, and she smiled brightly. “Okay! Thank you, Susie!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Susie said, unable to hide the small smile tugging at her lips.

The two of them quickly scurried away from the booths, leaving Kris behind with a victorious smirk on their face.

Susie and Noelle weaved their way through the bustling fairgrounds, the distant hum of laughter and carnival music blending into the chatter of the crowd.

“Alright, I’m risking Undyne’s wrath here,” Susie said, shoving her hands into her pockets. “So you better pick something good. We’ve only got time for like one thing before she catches on and sends me to the shadow realm or whatever.”

Noelle chuckled softly but immediately began scanning the attractions around them. The spinning Ferris wheel lights glittered in the distance, booths with prizes and games lined the walkways, and the aroma of fried food hung heavy in the air.

Her gaze landed on a looming, dark structure at the edge of the fairgrounds. Its front was covered in eerie decorations—bats, cobwebs, and flickering lanterns—and a crooked wooden sign read “The Haunted House” in dripping red letters.

Noelle’s eyes lit up, and she pointed excitedly. “That one! Let’s go to the haunted house!”

Susie blinked, caught off guard. “The haunted house? Really?”

Noelle nodded, smiling brightly. “Yeah! It looks fun.”

Susie smirked, crossing her arms. “Didn’t peg you for the spooky type, Princess. What gives?”

Noelle’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn’t waver. “I actually really like horror movies,” she admitted. “I know they’re cheesy, but… I don’t know. There’s something fun about being scared when you know it’s not real.”

Susie raised a brow. “Huh. Well, guess I learned something new about you today.” She grinned, baring her sharp teeth. “Alright, haunted house it is. But don’t come crying to me if you freak out in there.”

Noelle giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. “I think I’ll be fine, but thank you for the concern.”

They made their way to the attraction, joining a short line of people waiting to enter. The sound of muffled screams and eerie creaking noises filtered through the exit, and Susie couldn’t help but notice that the group leaving looked thoroughly spooked—wide eyes, shaky laughs, and one kid clinging to their parent’s leg.

Susie leaned down slightly, smirking at Noelle. “Still think you can handle it?”

Noelle puffed out her chest slightly, her determination cutting through her nervous smile. “Of course!”

“Alright,” Susie said with a chuckle. “But if you start screaming like a baby, I’m never letting you live it down.”

A worker dressed as a creepy butler opened the entrance door and gestured them in. The two girls stepped inside, greeted by dim, flickering lights and the faint sound of ominous whispers.

The first hallway was lined with dusty portraits, their painted eyes seeming to follow them as they walked past. Susie rolled her eyes at the obvious trick. “Pfft, this is nothing. Bet Kris would be laughing their ass off right now.”

Noelle walked beside her, her steps careful and her hands clasped tightly in front of her. “It’s just the beginning,” she squeaked, her eyes darting to the shadows in the corners.

They turned a corner, and suddenly, a loud screech echoed through the hallway as a ghostly figure burst out from behind a hidden panel in the wall.

Noelle let out a startled yelp and instinctively grabbed Susie’s arm, clutching it tightly.

“Whoa!” Susie exclaimed, jerking back but quickly catching herself. She looked down at Noelle, who was clinging to her without realizing it. “Uh, you good there, Jingles?”

Noelle blinked, realizing what she’d done. She immediately let go, her face turning a bright shade of pink. “S-sorry! Reflex!”

Susie smirked, flexing her arm playfully. “Guess you do scare easy after all. Don’t worry, I’ll protect you from the big, bad ghosts.”

Noelle huffed, trying to regain her composure. “I-it was just unexpected, that’s all.”

They continued down the hallway, this time walking a bit closer together. The next room was filled with eerie, animatronic dolls sitting in a circle. Their glassy eyes seemed to follow the girls as they passed, and suddenly, one of them turned its head sharply, letting out a high-pitched giggle.

“Okay, that’s just creepy,” Susie muttered, shoving her hands into her jacket pockets.

“I kind of agree,” Noelle whispered, glancing nervously at the dolls.

They pushed through to the next section, only to be met by a dark, foggy room. A faint green light illuminated the mist, and distorted whispers seemed to come from nowhere.

“Alright, where’s the jumpscare?” Susie said, looking around warily.

Before she could say anything else, a hand shot out from the fog and grabbed her shoulder.

“GAH!” Susie yelled, stumbling forward.

Noelle shrieked as a ghoul-like figure emerged from the mist, letting out an otherworldly wail. The two girls bolted for the next door, laughing breathlessly once they were out of the room.

“Okay, I didn’t see that hand coming,” Susie admitted, shaking her head.

“Neither did I,” Noelle said, clutching her chest as she tried to calm her racing heart.

They navigated a few more spooky rooms—a mad scientist’s lab with a cackling skeleton, a hallway where the floorboards creaked and shook, and a mirror maze where shadowy figures darted just out of sight. Each scare left them more on edge, and they eventually burst out through the final door. They were, finally, free.

Susie and Noelle stumbled out of the haunted house, still catching their breath from the final scare. Laughter bubbled up between them as they leaned against the fence near the exit, the adrenaline slowly wearing off.

“That was… ridiculous,” Susie said, wiping at her face. “I can’t believe you dragged me in there.”

“You were the one who agreed,” Noelle countered with a grin. “And you can’t tell me you didn’t have fun.”

Susie chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. It wasn’t that bad, I guess.” She stretched her arms behind her head. “But I should probably—”

Before she could finish her sentence, her eyes widened as she spotted a familiar figure in the near-distance. Undyne, clad in her full uniform, was patrolling close to the haunted house, her sharp gaze scanning the area.

“Shit,” Susie hissed, ducking low and grabbing Noelle’s arm. “We gotta hide. She’s right there!”

Noelle blinked in confusion, looking in the direction Susie was pointing. “Oh! Uh, over here!” she said quickly, spotting the ferris wheel nearby. There was an open seat on the ride, and the conductor was about to close it off.

Without thinking, Noelle took Susie’s hand and pulled her toward it. “Come on!”

They darted across the fairgrounds, weaving between groups of people until they reached the ferris wheel. The conductor raised an eyebrow but let them hop in, securing the safety bar just as Susie cast a nervous glance behind her.

The ride started moving, lifting them slowly into the air. Susie let out a long exhale, leaning back in her seat. “Man, that was close.”

Noelle giggled, pressing a hand over her chest. “I didn’t think we’d make it in time.”

Susie smirked, shaking her head. “You’re crazier than I thought, dragging me onto this thing.”

“Hey, it worked, didn’t it?” Noelle replied, her smile bright and mischievous. “Besides, I'd say it’s kind of nice up here.”

They both sat back, finally catching their breaths as the ferris wheel climbed higher. The warm glow of the fair lights stretched out below them, mingling with the deep orange and purple hues of the evening sky.

“That was seriously close, though,” Susie said after a moment. “If Undyne caught me sneaking off…” She shuddered dramatically. “I’d be a goner.”

Noelle laughed softly, resting her hands on her lap. “Well, she didn’t. So you’re safe! For now.”

Susie snorted. “For now. Knowing her, she’s probably patrolling every inch of this place.”

As the ferris wheel reached its peak, the two fell into a comfortable silence, the view taking their breath away. The sprawling fairground glittered below them, and beyond that, the quiet town stretched out under the fading light of the sun.

“It’s beautiful,” Noelle said quietly, her voice soft and light.

Susie glanced at her, intending to agree, but her eyes lingered. Noelle’s expression was serene, her cheeks still faintly pink from the adrenaline and the cool evening air.

“Yeah,” Susie murmured, her voice almost a whisper. But she wasn’t looking at the view.

Noelle turned her head slightly, catching Susie’s gaze. “Hm?”

Susie blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. “Uh—nothing. I mean, yeah, the view’s nice.” She rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly, glancing away.

Noelle tilted her head, a warm smile tugging at her lips, deciding not to press further. Instead, she turned back to the view, her eyes sparkling in the fading light.

The ferris wheel began its descent, and they both sat quietly, the moment hanging between them.

By the time the ride ended, Susie was fidgeting in her seat, glancing around nervously. As soon as they stepped off, she spotted Kris’s booth in the distance.

“Alright, I really gotta go this time,” she said, glancing at Noelle. “If Undyne catches me, she’s gonna kill me for real.”

Noelle giggled, clasping her hands behind her back. “Thanks for coming with me. I had a lot of fun.”

Susie gave her a crooked grin. “Yeah, me too. Just, don’t tell anyone about me screaming back there, alright?”

Noelle laughed, waving her hand dismissively. “Your secret’s safe with me!”

Susie hesitated for a moment, then gave her a quick thumbs-up before bolting toward her booth.

Noelle watched her go, her smile lingering. She turned back to the ferris wheel, her heart still fluttering as the lights twinkled above.

---

Susie hurried back to her booth, practically skidding to a stop as she ducked under the counter. She grabbed the stack of rings on the table, doing her best to look busy as she cast a quick glance around.

“Phew,” she muttered under her breath, grateful that Undyne didn’t seem to be anywhere nearby.

A moment later, though, her heart nearly stopped when she spotted the familiar figure of her guardian striding toward her and Kris’s booths.

“Hey, how are ya holding up, punks?” Undyne called out, her hands planted confidently on her hips as she stopped between the two stalls. Her uniform caught the glow of the string lights overhead, and her grin was as sharp as ever.

Kris gave her a small thumbs-up while Susie tried to look as nonchalant as possible. “Uh, y’know, just peachy,” Susie said, leaning against the counter.

“Yeah?” Undyne said, raising an eyebrow. “Not much action over here, huh?”

Kris shook their head, pointing to the nearly full prize shelves to emphasize the lack of winners.

Undyne chuckled. “Well, guess that’s how these fair games usually go. Anyway, I figure you two can close up shop in about an hour or so. Doesn’t seem like there’s much point in keeping it goin’ if nobody’s showing up.”

“For real?” Susie said, trying not to sound too eager.

“Yup,” Undyne confirmed with a nod. “You did your time, and hey, no major disasters. Proud of ya.” She gave Susie a firm pat on the back before stepping away. “I’ll be patrolling around, so don’t slack off too hard, alright?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Susie muttered, rolling her eyes but cracking a small smile.

Once Undyne was out of earshot, Susie let out a long sigh of relief. She leaned over the counter to glance at Kris’s booth. “Man, she’s in such a great mood today. That’s not very common.”

Kris smirked faintly, leaning their elbow on their counter.

The next hour dragged on, with only a handful of fairgoers stopping by their booths. Most just passed by without even glancing at the games, clearly more interested in the food stands and rides.

Susie drummed her fingers on the counter, her chin propped up on her other hand. “I'm so over this,” she muttered. “How do people even stay awake doing this stuff all day?”

Kris shrugged, tossing a dart idly into their game board. It bounced off with a faint thunk, landing on the table.

Finally, the clock ticked closer to closing time. Susie stretched her arms over her head, groaning as she stood up. “Alright, time to pack it up. Thank God.”

Kris began collecting the darts and locking up their prize case, while Susie stacked the leftover rings and wiped down the counter. The fairgrounds were starting to empty out, the crowds thinning as the night settled in.

As they finished closing up, Susie leaned against the edge of her booth, looking out at the glowing lights and the quieting bustle of the fair.

“Not gonna lie,” she said, glancing at Kris. “Today wasn’t the worst. I mean, it sucked, but it could’ve been worse.”

Kris nodded in agreement, slinging their bag over their shoulder.

“Ready to head out?” Susie asked.

Kris gave her a thumbs-up, and the two of them started walking together toward the fair’s exit.

The cool night air was refreshing after the long day, and the faint sound of laughter and music lingered in the distance. The two walked in companionable silence for a while, the streetlights casting long shadows on the pavement.

When they reached the corner where their paths split, Susie paused and gave Kris a small wave. “Alright, see ya soon, freak.”

Kris raised a hand in farewell before turning down their street.

Susie watched them go for a moment before continuing toward home. As she walked, her thoughts drifted back to the day—Noelle’s laughter in the haunted house, the "view" from the ferris wheel, and even the dull hours spent at the booth.

A small smile tugged at her lips. Yeah, it hadn’t been such a bad day after all.

With that, she stuffed her hands in her jacket pockets and strolled the rest of the way home, ready to finally crash and call it a night.

Chapter Text

The towering skyscrapers of the city stretched endlessly into the dark sky, their neon lights casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the endless expanse. Electric signs buzzed faintly, and the streets below were illuminated by glowing panels embedded in the ground. A large Ferris wheel loomed in the background, its soft blue and pink lights spinning slowly against the backdrop of an artificial sky dotted with glitching stars.

Susie wandered through the streets, her boots clicking softly against the glowing panels beneath her feet. She didn’t know how she’d gotten here, but the city felt familiar, as if she’d walked these streets a hundred times before. The air buzzed faintly with electricity, a low hum that settled into her chest and made her restless.

She glanced around, her gaze darting to the towering Ferris wheel in the distance. Something about it felt… important. She took a step forward, then another, her pace quickening as the wheel seemed to call to her.

And then, out of nowhere, a soft glow appeared in the distance. It was faint at first, just a flicker against the dark backdrop of the sky. But as Susie approached, it grew steadily brighter, its warm hue cutting through the cool blues and purples of the surroundings.

She stopped in her tracks, squinting at the light as it descended toward her.

Her breath caught in her throat. It was... Noelle?

But not the Noelle she knew. This Noelle wore a flowing white cloak that shimmered faintly, catching and refracting the neon lights around them. Her antlers glowed softly, the light rippling like water. And behind her, a pair of feathered wings spread wide, their soft radiance standing in stark contrast to the angular, electronic landscape.

Susie blinked, her heart pounding in her chest. “Noelle?” she said, her voice quieter than she intended.

Noelle smiled, her expression warm and serene. “Susie,” she said softly, her voice cutting through the city’s faint hum like a bell. She stepped forward, the edges of her cloak brushing the ground.

Susie’s claws flexed nervously at her sides. “Uh… What’s with the wings?” she asked, her voice thick with confusion. “You trying to go for some kind of… angelic cosplay?”

Noelle giggled lightly, the sound soft and melodic. It made Susie’s chest tighten with something she couldn’t name. “No,” she said, tilting her head. “I’m here for something more important.”

Susie frowned, trying to keep her usual edge despite the strange warmth creeping into her chest. “Important? Like what? You planning to lecture me about something? Because I—”

“You,” Noelle interrupted gently, stepping closer.

Susie froze, her eyes widening. “Me?”

Noelle nodded. “Who else?”

Susie opened her mouth, but no words came out. She stared at Noelle, who seemed entirely unbothered by the awkward silence. Noelle’s gaze was steady and unwavering, and it made Susie’s skin prickle with unease and... something else.

“You don’t have to hide,” Noelle said, her tone as gentle as her wings looked.

Susie stiffened, heat rising to her face. What was she talking about? Hide what?

Noelle chuckled softly, stepping even closer. She reached out, her hand hovering just above Susie’s claw. “You don’t have to do it all by yourself, you know.”

Susie stared at the outstretched hand, her throat dry... Huh?

Noelle didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, she leaned in, her wings folding slightly around them both. The warmth from her presence was almost suffocating, and Susie’s heart pounded so loudly she was sure Noelle could hear it.

“You’re not as scary as you think,” Noelle whispered, her voice barely audible.

Susie’s breath hitched. She wanted to step back, to crack a joke, to do something—but she couldn’t move. She was rooted to the spot, frozen under Noelle’s soft gaze.

And then Noelle leaned closer, her face mere inches away.

Susie’s eyes widened as Noelle’s hand brushed against hers, and the world around them seemed to blur and fade. All that remained was Noelle’s light, enveloping them both in a cocoon of warmth and stillness.

Susie’s heart raced, her mind a jumbled mess of thoughts she couldn’t make sense of.

Noelle smiled again, her voice gentle and steady. “You’re not alone, Susie.”

Susie’s breath caught, and just as Noelle leaned in further—

She jolted awake, gasping for air.

Her room was dim, the faint morning light filtering through the window. She blinked rapidly, her heart pounding as if she’d just run a marathon. For a moment, she lay there, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing to process what had just happened.

What the hell was that?

She sat up, running a clawed hand down her face. The dream had been so vivid, so real. She could still feel the warmth of Noelle’s wings, hear her voice, see that soft, steady gaze.

Her tail thumped repeatedly against the bed, betraying the nervous energy coursing through her. It doesn’t mean anything, she thought firmly. Dreams are weird, they don’t mean anything.

But even as she thought that, her heart wouldn’t stop racing.

She flopped back onto the bed, pulling the blanket over her head. Just a dream, she repeated silently, as if saying it enough times would make it true. But no matter how hard she tried, the images refused to fade.

The way Noelle had looked at her. The warmth in her voice. The way her hand had brushed against Susie’s claw.

Ugh, what was wrong with her? Susie's face burned as she buried herself deeper under the blanket. Get a grip, Susie. It was just a stupid dream. It doesn’t mean anything.

But deep down, she wasn’t so sure.

---

Susie trudged along the sidewalk, her hands stuffed deep into her jacket pockets. The wind nipped at her face, and she hunched her shoulders, trying to shield herself from the cold. It was Sunday, and she was bored out of her mind. No school, no fair, no one to hang out with. Her thoughts drifted as she kicked a pebble down the pavement.

Man, it’s getting colder, she thought, glancing at her thin purple jacket. The fabric was good for spring or fall, but it was doing nothing against the creeping chill of the late autumn air. She made a mental note to ask Undyne if she had any old jackets lying around when she got back home.

The familiar sight of Kris’ house came into view, and she picked up her pace. At least that nerd might have something fun to do, she mused. She climbed the steps and rang the doorbell, shoving her hands back into her pockets while she waited.

The door creaked open, and Kris stood there, their usual blank expression greeting her.

“Yo,” Susie said, grinning. “Toriel home?”

Kris shook their head and gestured for her to come inside.

“Sweet.” She stepped in, immediately enjoying the warmth of the house. “Man, it’s freezing out there.”

Kris shrugged and motioned for her to follow them upstairs.

As they climbed the stairs to Kris’ room, Susie glanced around at the familiar surroundings. Toriel kept the house neat and cozy, and the faint smell of cinnamon lingered in the air. They entered Kris’ room, and Susie flopped onto their bed, sprawling out dramatically.

“Ugh, I’m so bored,” she groaned. “Tell me you’ve got something fun to do. Or, like, a secret stash of cookies or something.”

Kris shook their head with a faint smile, sitting down in Asriel's desk chair.

“Lame,” Susie said, but her tone was light. She sat up, leaning back on her hands. “Guess we can just… I dunno, talk or something.”

Kris raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything, as usual.

Susie rolled her eyes. “Don’t give me that look. I can talk, y’know. I’m great at it. You should try it sometime.” She smirked at them before continuing, “Anyway, the festival was… okay, I guess.”

Kris tilted their head, silently prompting her to elaborate.

“Well,” Susie said, rubbing the back of her neck, “the shift sucked, obviously. But, uh… the time with Noelle was nice. We went to the haunted house and Ferris wheel, y’know? It wasn’t all that bad, wish you could've joined us.”

Kris shook their head and gave her a knowing look, Susie frowned.

“What, you didn't wanna come?”

Kris just shrugged and smiled slightly, adding a slow wink.

Susie blinked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Kris shook their head again, their smile widening ever so slightly.

“Whatever, weirdo,” Susie muttered, though she couldn’t stop the faint smile that crept up her face. She quickly changed the subject, rattling off about how boring the rest of her shift had been. Kris listened quietly, occasionally nodding or giving small reactions that encouraged her to keep talking.

They were in the middle of debating whether the ring toss or balloon darts booth had been more rigged when the front door opened downstairs.

“Kris! I’m home!” Toriel’s voice called out, unusually cheerful.

Susie and Kris glanced at each other.

“Sounds like she’s in a good mood,” Susie remarked.

A moment later, Toriel appeared at the doorway, her face lit up with a giddy smile. “Oh, Susie, I didn’t know you were here! How lovely to see you.”

“Uh, yeah,” Susie said, scratching her head. “Just hangin’ out. You okay, Ms. Toriel? You seem… extra smiley.”

“Oh, I’m perfectly fine!” Toriel said, clasping her hands together. “I just had a lovely trip to the grocery store for some ingredients. Speaking of which, would you two like me to bake a pie?”

Susie perked up immediately. “Hell yeah! Your pies are, like, the best ever.”

Toriel chuckled warmly. “I’ll get started, then. You two behave yourselves.” With that, she headed back downstairs, humming a tune as she went.

Susie stretched out on the bed again. “Man, your mom’s the best. How come you never brag about her pies?”

Kris didn’t respond right away, their gaze fixed on the doorway.

“Hey,” Susie said, sitting up. “What’s with the face? You good?”

Kris sighed and leaned back in their chair, arms crossed. “She’s always like that after grocery shopping,” they muttered, their tone unusually sharp.

Susie raised an eyebrow. “And that’s… bad?”

Kris frowned. “I think I know why.”

Susie tilted her head, waiting for them to continue.

“It’s Sans,” Kris said flatly. “He runs the store. And every time she comes back from there, she’s like this. Giddy, smiling, like… like she’s got a crush or something.”

Susie blinked. “Wait, Sans? That short, skeleton guy with the shitty jokes?”

Kris nodded, their expression darkening.

Susie snorted. “I mean, I don’t like him that much either. But he is kinda funny, sometimes.”

“He’s not funny,” Kris said, their voice tinged with irritation. “His jokes are so bad they physically hurt. And he’s weird. The last time I talked to him, he mentioned Mom and called her ‘a pretty humorous lady’ in this… this tone.”

Susie blinked, then smirked. “So, what, you’re scared your mom’s gonna get a new boyfriend?”

Kris stiffened, their jaw tightening. They didn’t answer.

“Whoa, hit a nerve there,” Susie said, holding up her hands. “Relax, dude. He"s probably just being friendly.”

Kris shook their head, muttering something under their breath.

Susie decided to drop the subject. “Wanna play Dragon Blazers or what?”

Kris nodded, their expression relaxing slightly. They set up the game, and the two of them got absorbed in a heated co-op session, battling dragons and looting treasure.

After a while, Toriel’s voice called up from downstairs. “Children! The pie is ready!”

Susie practically leapt off the bed. “Finally!”

They hurried downstairs, the smell of freshly baked pie filling the air. Toriel had set the table with plates and forks, and the pie sat in the center, golden and steaming.

Susie dug in eagerly, savoring every bite. “This is amazing,” she mumbled through a mouthful of pie.

“I’m glad you like it, dear,” Toriel said with a warm smile.

After finishing her slices, Susie stretched and stood up. “Alright, I better get going. Thanks for the pie, Ms. Toriel.”

“Of course, dear. Come by anytime,” Toriel said, waving her off.

Kris walked her to the door, giving her a small wave as she headed down the steps.

“See ya tomorrow, nerd,” Susie called over her shoulder.

Kris smirked and closed the door.

As Susie walked home, the chill in the air was now bothering her less than before. She stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets, a small smile playing at her lips.

When she got back to Undyne’s house, she could already hear the TV blaring from the living room. She kicked off her shoes and stepped inside, finding Undyne sprawled on the couch, one arm draped over the backrest and the other holding the remote. A familiar action-packed scene played out on the screen—probably one of those ridiculous thrillers they both loved so much.

“Oh, you’re back,” Undyne said, glancing at her. “Where'd ya go?”

“Kris' house, Toriel made us a mean pie,” Susie said, slumping into the armchair opposite her. “she knows what she’s doing, that’s for sure.”

Undyne smirked. “She’s a pro. You better savor that, kid. It’s not every day you get a homemade treat like that.”

Susie leaned back, rubbing the back of her neck. Now’s as good a time as any, she thought, remembering her earlier mental note. “Uh, hey, Undyne,” she started, her tone a little hesitant.

Undyne’s sharp eyes immediately caught the shift in her voice. She muted the TV and turned to face Susie fully. “What’s up?”

“So, like… it’s getting cold out,” Susie said, trying to sound casual. “And, uh, my jacket’s kinda… not really cutting it. You got any old ones lying around?”

Undyne raised an eyebrow, then grinned. “Oh, you mean you’ve finally realized that flimsy thing isn’t built for winter? Took you long enough.” She stood up, cracking her knuckles. “Alright, stay put. I’ll see what I’ve got.”

Susie waited, leaning her head back against the chair. She could hear Undyne rummaging around in the other room, muttering to herself as she searched.

A few minutes later, Undyne came back holding two jackets. “Alright, so these are what I’ve got. They’re from way back in the day, so no promises they’ll fit.”

The first jacket was a faded red leather piece with a few scuffs and scratches, clearly worn through the years. The second was a simple gray jacket, a little torn at the sleeves and along the hem, like it had seen its fair share of rough days.

Susie stood up and grabbed the leather jacket first. She slipped it on, but it was immediately obvious that it was too tight around her shoulders and arms. She tried to roll her shoulders and grimaced as the seams strained.

“I mean… I could make it work,” Susie said, though her discomfort was written all over her face.

Undyne crossed her arms and gave her a flat look. “Susie, you look like you’re about to bust out of that thing any second.”

Susie grumbled but took it off, reaching for the gray jacket. This one was a little roomier, but it was short enough to leave her midriff exposed, and the torn sleeves weren’t doing much to keep her arms warm.

Undyne snorted, trying to hide her laughter. “Yeah, that’s not happening either. You look ridiculous.”

Susie shrugged. “I don’t mind. It’s fine.”

“Nope,” Undyne said, cutting her off. “We’re not doing this. Come on, we’re getting you a proper jacket.”

“What? No way,” Susie protested. “I don’t need—”

“Too late!” Undyne grabbed her by the wrist, dragging her toward the door.

“Undyne, seriously, I can make these work!” Susie tried to dig her heels in, but Undyne wasn’t having it.

“Listen, kid,” Undyne said, glancing back at her. “You’re living under my roof, right? That means I look out for you. And that includes making sure you don’t freeze your snout off this winter.”

“But—”

“No buts!” Undyne opened the door, practically hauling Susie outside.

---

The walk to the clothing store wasn’t long, but Susie spent most of it trying to convince Undyne to turn around.

“Look, I don’t want to take advantage of you or anything,” she said, her voice tinged with guilt. “You're already letting me stay at your place, eat your food—”

“Susie,” Undyne interrupted, her tone firm but not unkind, “you’re not taking advantage of me. You’re part of my crew now, got it? And part of taking care of my crew is making sure they’re not freezing to death. So, drop it.”

Susie sighed, but she stopped arguing. She stuffed her hands into her pockets, glancing at Undyne out of the corner of her eye. Despite being leaner than Susie, Undyne carried herself with a strength that made her seem even taller than she already was.

They arrived at the store, and Undyne immediately started scanning the racks. Susie hung back, feeling awkward as Undyne pulled jackets off hangers and held them up for inspection.

“Hey, what about this one?” Undyne called jokingly, holding up a bright orange puffy jacket.

Susie grimaced. “Yeah, no. I’m not looking like a traffic cone.”

Undyne laughed and tossed it back on the rack. As they continued browsing, Susie’s eyes landed on a simple black jacket hanging near the corner. It wasn’t flashy, but it looked warm and sturdy.

Undyne noticed her lingering gaze and smirked. “Go on, try it.”

Susie hesitated, but she grabbed the jacket and slipped it on. It fit perfectly, snug but not tight, and the fleece lining was warm against her skin.

“Well?” Undyne asked, raising an eyebrow.

“It’s… okay,” Susie admitted, trying not to sound too pleased.

“Great. We’re getting it,” Undyne said, taking the jacket and heading for the register before Susie could protest.

---

On the walk back home, Susie kept glancing down at the jacket, fiddling with the zipper. “I, uh… I’ll pay you back for this,” she said, her voice low.

Undyne snorted. “Don’t worry about it.”

“No, seriously,” Susie insisted. “I’ll figure something out. Maybe-”

Undyne stopped walking and turned to face her, a wide grin on her face. Before Susie could react, Undyne reached out and gave her a playful noogie, ruffling her hair.

“Listen, kid,” Undyne said, her voice softer now, “you don’t owe me anything. I’ve got your back, alright? Stop beating yourself up over it.”

Susie grumbled, trying to fix her hair, but she couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips. “Fine. But I’m still gonna find a way to pay you back.”

Undyne laughed. “You do you, Susie.”

Chapter Text

Thursday dawned cold, a biting chill hanging in the air. Susie tugged the collar of her new jacket up, grumbling to herself as she made her way to school. She couldn’t deny the jacket was warm, even better than she expected, but every time she felt that warmth, it reminded her of Undyne’s generosity, a kindness Susie hadn’t repaid yet.

It wasn’t like Undyne was pestering her about it. In fact, she’d made it clear she didn’t expect anything in return. But for Susie, that didn’t matter. She wasn't some mooch, she thought, shoving her hands deeper into her pockets.

By the time she got to school, the guilt gnawed at her worse than ever. The bell rang as she trudged into the classroom, dropping heavily into her seat behind Kris. She slouched in her chair, letting out a sigh loud enough to catch their attention.

"Yo," she muttered, kicking the back leg of their chair in order to get them to turn around.

Kris turned, their expression as unreadable as ever, but Susie could see the slight tilt of their head—a silent, What’s up?

"So, I’ve been thinkin’," Susie started, leaning forward so their classmates wouldn’t overhear. "This whole thing with Undyne… it’s driving me crazy. Like, she gets me this nice ass jacket, and just expects me to not pay her back? At all?"

Kris raised an eyebrow, their blank stare showing neither agreement nor disagreement.

"I mean, she says it’s fine, but it’s not fine," Susie continued, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice. "I gotta do something, but it’s not like I got cash lying around."

Kris gave a slight shrug, clearly waiting for her to continue.

"Wait... I got an idea." Susie glanced around the room suspiciously before leaning in. "Y’know that Sans guy we were talking about the other day? The one that runs that crusty grocery store?"

Kris’s expression immediately soured.

"Yeah, yeah, I know you don’t like him," Susie said, waving a hand dismissively. "But think about it, he’s always working alone. Bet I could convince him to give me a small job or somethin’. Just a couple shifts. Easy money. Undyne never even has to know."

Kris stared at her for a long moment before giving her a noncommittal shrug.

Before Susie could elaborate on her plan, a familiar voice broke through the classroom noise.

"Yo, Kris! My dude!"

Jockington’s unmistakable drawl cut through the air as he slithered over, his trademark cap as blue as ever. He leaned on Kris’s desk, his snake-like eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Listen up, man. Tomorrow night. My place. Party of the century, dude. You have to come. There’ll be music, food, the whole deal! Everyone's going!" He shot a quick glance at Susie, his grin faltering for a split second before he forced it back. "And, uh… you can come too, Susie. But only if you can bring some of, y’know…"

Susie raised an eyebrow. "Some of what?"

Jockington grinned wider, leaning closer as if sharing a secret. "The stuff."

"The… what?"

"The stuff, dude!" Jockington mimed drinking from an invisible bottle. "Adult hydration. Liquid courage. The sauce."

Susie snorted. "Yeah, no. That’s not happening. Undyne’d kill me if I even thought about sneaking booze around."

Jockington shrugged, unbothered. "Suit yourself, dude! But Kris, you’re still in, right? Don’t leave me hangin’, man."

Kris gave a faint nod, more out of politeness than enthusiasm, and Jockington slithered away, humming a tune.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Susie leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Yeah, there’s no way I’m pulling that off. Not unless I’ve got a death wish."

Kris turned to her, their expression as neutral as ever. Then, with perfect timing, they said, "Noelle’s going."

Susie blinked. "What?"

Kris nodded, their face unreadable. "She told me before class. Said she’s sneaking out to go."

"You’re kidding me," Susie said, sitting up straighter. "I don't believe you."

Kris shrugged. "That’s what she said."

They gave her a small, almost imperceptible smile.

Susie narrowed her eyes on them. "You’re serious?"

"Yep," Kris lied.

For a moment, Susie said nothing. Then, slowly, a grin began to spread across her face. "Okay, I gotta witness Miss Candy Cane sneaking out and partying it up with my own two eyes. But only if I can figure out how to get 'the stuff’ past Undyne. Otherwise, forget it."

Kris tilted their head, as if silently saying, I figured.

"Man," Susie muttered, shaking her head in disbelief. "If she really shows up..."

---

The school bell rang, echoing down the hallways of the old building, and students began pouring out of classrooms, ready to leave behind another dreary day. Susie grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder with a huff, her mind already focused on her next move. If she was going to figure out this party situation, and deal with her own personal debt to Undyne, she had to act fast.

As she stepped out into the brisk afternoon air, she jammed her hands into her pockets, making her way toward the edge of town where she knew Sans' store was located. She wasn’t thrilled about talking to the guy, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

Meanwhile, Kris lingered in the now-quiet hallways, leaning against the lockers and waiting for someone. Their calm, unhurried demeanor betrayed none of the scheming they were currently cooking up.

A few minutes later, Noelle emerged from her classroom, her usual neatness slightly ruffled from a long day of lectures. She adjusted her scarf and shifted the books in her arms, clearly lost in her own thoughts as she walked toward her locker.

Kris stepped forward, cutting off her path with a smoothness that could have been mistaken for coincidence—if it wasn’t Kris.

"Noelle," they said, their tone light but deliberate.

She looked up, startled. "Oh! Hi, Kris. You scared me for a second there."

Kris tilted their head, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of their lips. "Going to Jockington’s party tomorrow night?"

Noelle blinked, her face immediately scrunching into an expression of mild horror. "What? No! Absolutely not."

Kris didn’t move, their unreadable stare locking onto her.

She continued, shifting uncomfortably under their gaze. "I mean… my mom would never let me go to something like that. And even if she did, it’s just… not my kind of thing, y’know? Loud music, rowdy people… it’s not me."

Kris leaned casually against the lockers, unbothered by her protests. "Might be fun. Ever tried it?"

Noelle furrowed her brow. "Well, no, but—"

"Teen rebellion," Kris interrupted, their voice as monotone as ever.

Noelle’s face flushed, and she looked around nervously. "Kris, that’s not—I'm not the type to… ‘rebel.’"

Kris shrugged. "You could try it out, just for the night."

Noelle hugged her books closer to her chest, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You don’t get it. My mom would kill me if she found out. She already worries enough about me as it is. I can’t just sneak out to a party. It’s reckless!"

Kris studied her for a moment, their expression unreadable. Then, with perfect timing, they dropped their trump card.

"Susie’s going."

The effect was immediate. Noelle froze, her face turning a deep shade of pink. Her grip on her books tightened, and for a moment, it seemed like she’d forgotten how to breathe.

"She… she is?" Noelle finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kris nodded, their smirk almost imperceptible.

"I…" Noelle stammered, her eyes darting away from Kris as she processed this information. "I mean… I don’t… it’s not like I…"

Kris raised an eyebrow, saying nothing but watching her squirm.

Finally, Noelle let out a soft, resigned sigh. "Maybe." she squeaked, her voice so quiet it was almost inaudible.

"Cool," Kris said, pushing off the lockers and walking away as they deemed the conversation was over.

Noelle stood there for a moment, her face still flushed and her heart racing. She clutched her books tightly, her mind spinning with a million thoughts, none of which she could seem to pin down.

---

Susie trudged through the streets, her new jacket shielding her from the biting wind. The chill nipped at her legs, but she was too preoccupied to care. She shoved her hands into her pockets, her claws lightly scraping against the lining as her mind churned.

The bell above the convenience store jingled as she stepped inside. The warm, stuffy air hit her like a wall, and the faint smell of stale chips and cleaning supplies filled her nose.

The store was dimly lit, and the faint hum of a refrigerator filled the quiet space. Sans was slouched behind the counter, his skull tipped back, and his eye sockets closed in what was unmistakably a nap. His perpetual grin remained, even in sleep.

Susie shuffled awkwardly toward the counter. She cleared her throat, then knocked on the counter lightly.

“Hey, skeleton. You alive back there?”

Sans stirred, his head tilting forward lazily as his eyelights flickered on. “Eh, alive’s a stretch. But I’m awake now. What’s up, kid? Lookin’ for snacks? Maybe some of that bone-appétit soda from the fridge?”

Susie groaned. “Okay, first off, that was terrible. Second, no. I’m actually here to ask if you’ve got any, uh… work. Like, a part-time gig for me or something.”

Sans tilted his head, his grin widening slightly. “Work, huh? Didn’t peg you for the 9-to-5 type.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not,” Susie said, crossing her arms. “But I need cash, so here I am. Got anything or not?”

Sans tapped his finger on the counter as if considering her request. “Hmm… tell ya what. You stock the shelves, mop the floor, and make this place look less like a disaster zone, I’ll give ya 10 bucks an hour. Deal?”

Susie blinked. “That’s it? No, like, customer service or whatever?"

“Kid, I’m not about to let you scare off what little business I have. Besides, you’re not much for smiling, and customers seem to like that for some reason.”

Susie rolled her eyes. “Alright, deal. Can I start now?”

Sans gave a lazy shrug. “Knock yourself out, kid. Back room’s got boxes of goodies waitin’ for ya. Don’t break your back or nothin’, you’ve only got one.”

With that, Sans pointed her toward the storage room, and Susie headed to the back.

The room was cramped, filled with shelves of snacks, canned goods, and cleaning supplies. She grabbed a couple of boxes labeled CHIPS and carried them back into the aisles, setting them down carefully before beginning to stock the shelves.

As she worked, her mind wandered back to Jockington’s party. How was she supposed to get alcohol? No one in town was going to sell it to a teenager, not even a laid-back monster like Sans.

Her eyes flicked toward the fridge at the back of the store, where rows of beer bottles glinted under the fluorescent light. She paused mid-shelving, staring at the bottles as an idea began to form in her mind.

What if…?

She glanced over her shoulder toward the counter. Sans was slumped forward again, his head resting on the counter as if he’d already fallen asleep.

Her plan began to solidify. Tomorrow, she’d work another shift, wait until Sans inevitably dozed off, and sneak a few bottles into her backpack. Then she’d leave the money she earned on the counter. It wasn’t stealing if she paid for it, right? She grinned to herself.

For the next few hours, Susie stocked shelves, mopped the floor, and organized the cluttered aisles. Customers trickled in and out, and each time the bell jingled, Sans would snap awake, make a bad joke, and ring them up.

At one point, a guy came in asking for soda, and Sans replied, “Sorry, pal, we’re running a clearance sale on that. As in, we’re cleared out.”

The customer groaned, and Susie shook her head.

Eventually, she finished everything there was to do. She walked up to the counter, her boots squeaking slightly on the freshly mopped floor.

Sans handed her four crisp ten-dollar bills. “Nice work, kid. Don’t spend it all in one place, unless it’s here. Then, by all means, go wild.”

Susie stuffed the money into her pocket. “Yeah, thanks. See ya tomorrow, I guess.”

Sans gave her a lazy wave. “Don’t work too hard. Oh, and bring your sense of humor next time. Place could use it.”

Susie rolled her eyes but left the store with a small smile. As she walked back to Undyne’s house, she felt the weight of the bills in her pocket and the plan forming in her head. Tomorrow, she’d get what she needed, without breaking any rules. Well… not technically.

---

Susie pushed the door to Undyne’s house open, the warm air greeting her as she stepped inside. It was quiet, too quiet, which meant Undyne wasn’t home yet. She kicked off her boots and tossed her jacket onto the hook near the door before padding into the living room. The TV was off, and the faint hum of the fridge from the kitchen was the only sound.

She must still be at work, Susie thought. That was good. She had something she needed to take care of.

She climbed the stairs untill she reached Undyne’s room, hesitating for a moment before pushing the door open. The room was surprisingly very tidy, some clothes neatly folded on a chair, a few books stacked on the nightstand, and her workout gear tucked away in a corner.

Susie stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room. She spotted a pair of black workout pants neatly draped over the back of a chair. Perfect. She pulled about 20 bucks she’d earned earlier out of her pocket, folding it neatly before sliding it into one of the pockets.

“Alright,” she muttered to herself, straightening up. “That should cover the jacket.”

She couldn’t help but grin a little as she stepped back, her conscience finally clear. Undyne would never know, and that was exactly how Susie wanted it.

As she turned to leave, something caught her eye, a calendar hanging on the wall above Undyne’s desk. It was neat, but packed with scribbled notes and highlighted dates. One box in particular stood out.

“Night shift,” Susie read aloud, squinting at the handwriting. It was marked for tomorrow night.

Her grin widened. “Perfect,” she said under her breath.

If Undyne was working the night shift, that meant she wouldn’t be home to stop Susie from sneaking out to Jockington’s party, or stop her from bringing 'the stuff'.

Susie glanced back at the pants she’d stashed the money in, feeling a small surge of pride. She’d taken care of her debt, cleared her conscience, and now she had a free pass for tomorrow night.

She left Undyne’s room as quietly as she’d entered, shutting the door behind her. Now all she had to do was stick to her plan, and everything would work out fine.

Chapter Text

The sun hung low in the sky, painting the town in hues of orange and gold as the school bell rang. Students poured out of classrooms, some laughing and chatting, others eager to head home. Among them, Susie stood near the bike racks, her towering frame impossible to miss. Kris lingered nearby, waving their hand in a lazy goodbye.

"Later, nerd," Susie said, waving back with a toothy grin before slinging her backpack over one shoulder. It sagged heavily, but not because of school supplies—Susie had only brought one book today, knowing she'd need the extra space for tonight’s plan.

The clock read 4:05 PM when Susie reached Sans’ convenience store, the bell over the door jingling as she walked in. The air inside smelled faintly of cheap instant noodles and cleaning supplies. Sans was already leaning over the counter, his skull resting in one hand, an air of eternal laziness about him.

"Yo, bonehead," Susie greeted, smirking. "Ready for another thrilling shift?"

Sans looked up, his one visible eye half-closed. "Kid, I'm always ready for excitement," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Try not to burn the place down, huh?"

Susie snorted, clocked in, and got to work. For the next few hours, she went about her usual tasks: stocking shelves, sweeping the floor, and ringing up customers. But every time Sans leaned back in his chair and let out a soft snore, Susie’s real mission began.

She glanced around to make sure the coast was clear, then casually wandered to the beer section. Her large hands moved quickly, slipping bottles into her backpack one by one. It wasn’t easy to make the clinking of glass sound innocent, but Susie had gotten good at it. Whenever Sans stirred, she immediately grabbed a mop or wiped the counter, feigning the image of an perfect employee.

Meanwhile, across town, Noelle was preparing for the night in her own way. Steam rose from the bathroom as she stepped out of the shower, wrapping herself in a fluffy bathrobe. Her hair, still damp, clung to her shoulders. She made her way to her bedroom, the floor creaking under her light footsteps.

She plugged in her curling iron, letting it heat up while she sat on the edge of her bed. Her phone buzzed with a text from Berdly. “See you tonight, m'lady?” it read. She rolled her eyes and tossed the phone aside, more focused on the daunting task of getting ready.

Noelle leaned over her desk, rubbing a small dollop of mousse between her palms before working it into her hair. She picked up the curling iron and began sectioning off strands, letting each one fall into soft, bouncy curls. The process was slow, but Noelle found it calming, her nerves temporarily eased by the rhythm of curling and brushing.

When her hair was done, she moved to the mirror, laying out her makeup supplies in a neat row. She traced a subtle line of eyeliner along her lids, adding a small flick at the end for a touch of drama. A hint of rosy blush on her cheeks and a swipe of glossy pink lipstick completed the look.

Satisfied, Noelle stepped back and assessed herself in the mirror. “Not bad...” she murmured, a small smile tugging at her lips. But now came the hardest part, choosing what to wear.

Her wardrobe was a battlefield within minutes. Clothes were strewn across the bed, draped over her chair, and even tossed onto the floor as she sorted through options. “Too plain… too formal… too cold…” she muttered, rejecting outfit after outfit. Finally, she settled on a combination that felt just right: a black fitted shirt over a simple plaid skirt, paired with a white cardigan.

Noelle slipped on the cardigan and gave herself one last look in the mirror. The cardigan was cozy, its softness comforting, but she knew she’d take it off once she got to the party. Finally, she put on a simple silver necklace adorned with a small snowflake pendant.

She added a pair of knee-high black socks and her favorite boots, she didn't wear them often because of her hooves, but tonight was special dammit! Checking the clock, she realized she’d spent nearly two hours getting ready. She grabbed her phone, ignoring another text from Berdly, and headed downstairs very quietly, as to not alert her mother. Her heart raced with a mix of excitement and nerves.

---

Back at the store, Susie was nearing the end of her shift. Her backpack was almost bursting at the seams, stuffed with bottles. She glanced at the clock, 7:50 PM. Perfect timing.

"Hey, Sans," she called, walking up to the counter. "Shift's over. Gimme my cash."

Sans opened one eye, reaching lazily into the register. "You did good, kid. Try not to spend it all in one place."

Susie pocketed the money with a smirk. "Don’t worry, I’ll save some for snacks or something."

She started to walk away, then paused. "Oh, wait. I gotta mop up this one last thing in the back. Be right out."

Sans waved her off, already leaning back in his chair. Within moments, his snores filled the store again. Susie moved quickly, heading to the farthest aisle and grabbing her backpack. She crouched low, sneaking behind the counter. Pulling out a handful of bills, she tucked them under the cash drawer.

"Consider it rent..." she muttered, glancing at Sans, who remained blissfully unaware.

Satisfied, she stood and made her way to the door, careful not to let the bottles clink too loudly. The bell jingled as she slipped outside, the cool evening air hitting her face. She exhaled deeply, her heart pounding with a mix of adrenaline and triumph.

By the time she reached Undyne's house, it was 8:00 PM sharp. The streets were quiet, and the lights inside the house were off, just as Susie had hoped. Undyne’s shift had started at 7:30, so there was no risk of her spotting the contraband.

Susie adjusted her backpack, feeling the weight of the bottles press against her back. A grin spread across her face. Tonight was going to be one hell of a party.

The streets were quiet, dimly lit by flickering streetlights as Susie approached Undyne's house. Her backpack stuffed to capacity with clinking bottles, hung heavily off her shoulder. She checked her phone, it was just past eight, plenty of time to get ready before heading out. No way was she going to show up to a party in her usual worn-out jeans and white shirt.

Kicking open the door to her place, Susie headed straight to her room, dropping the backpack onto her bed with a thud. She stood there for a moment, scanning her small, cluttered space. It wasn’t like she cared about making a grand entrance, but showing up to the party in the same old outfit she wore every day felt... boring.

She turned toward her dresser, its drawers slightly crooked and overstuffed. Pulling open the top drawer, she rifled through her disorganized pile of clothes. Most of it was plain T-shirts and old jeans, the kind she wore every day, but there had to be something that felt a little more special.

"All right, what do we got here?" she muttered, pushing aside a faded graphic tee and a sweater that had seen better days. Her fingers brushed against a black fitted shirt buried near the bottom. She pulled it out, holding it up in front of her. It wasn’t flashy, but it hugged her in all the right places, and paired with a different set of jeans, it could work.

"Guess this’ll do," she said, tossing the shirt onto the bed and digging into the second drawer for pants. She grabbed a pair of dark jeans, the kind without holes in the knees, and held them up, nodding in approval. They were better than her usual scuffed-up pair. She swapped her outfit quickly, glancing at herself in the mirror. The black shirt contrasted sharply with her scales, and the jeans fit well enough to feel like she’d put in some effort.

She ran a brush through her hair, tugging at a few stubborn tangles. Susie didn’t usually fuss over her appearance, but something about tonight made her want to at least try. Maybe it was the thought of showing up and not looking like she just rolled out of bed.

Her backpack sat waiting on the bed, still stuffed with bottles. She opened it, pulling out the single book she had lugged around all day and tossing it onto her desk. "Don’t need you slowing me down," she muttered at the book before zipping the bag back up.

Slipping the backpack over her shoulder, Susie headed out into the cool night. The walk to Jockington’s house was uneventful, the sound of her boots echoing faintly against the pavement. The streets were mostly empty, save for the occasional hum of a passing car. She stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets, her thoughts wandering.

As she approached Jockington’s house, the faint thump of bass grew louder with each step. By the time she reached the driveway, the music was loud enough to vibrate the ground beneath her boots. Colored lights flashed through the windows, and laughter spilled out into the yard.

Susie smirked to herself, stepping up to the front door. She rapped her knuckles against it, knocking loud enough to be heard over the noise inside. For a moment, there was no response, and she raised her fist to knock again when the door suddenly swung open.

Jockington stood there, his usual wide-eyed, toothy grin spreading even wider when he saw her. His gaze immediately dropped to the overstuffed backpack now hanging from her hand.

“Susie!” he exclaimed, throwing himself up dramatically. “You absolute legend! You made it!”

“Yeah, yeah, calm down, snake boy,” Susie replied, rolling her eyes but smirking. “You gonna let me in or what?”

“Let you in? Susie, for you, the door is always open!” Jockington stepped aside, bowing low and gesturing grandly for her to enter.

The house was packed. People were crammed into every room, some dancing in the living room while others shouted over the music in the kitchen. The air was thick with the smell of snacks, soda, and the faintest hint of alcohol. Susie followed Jockington as he slithered through the crowd, leading her to the food and drinks table, which she guessed was just the dining table that was moved over into the living room.

"Behold!" Jockington declared, waving his body toward the table like he was presenting a priceless treasure. "My sacred table of sustenance!"

The table was piled high with an assortment of snacks: bowls of chips, scattered bags of candy, and a large, suspicious-looking punch bowl that practically screamed spiked. A stack of red plastic cups sat beside it, and a few random bottles of liquor were scattered around, some already opened and half-empty.

“Yeah, great,” Susie said, shrugging off her backpack and setting it on the table. “Guess it’s time to upgrade the ‘sacred table.’” She unzipped the bag and started unloading bottle after bottle, lining them up neatly.

Jockington’s eyes lit up as each new bottle appeared. “Susie, my queen, my savior! You've really outdone yourself!” he exclaimed loudly.

"Don’t get all mushy on me," Susie said, smirking as she zipped the now-empty backpack shut. “Just don’t drink it all in one go.”

Jockington grinned, giving her a thumbs-up with his tail, “You have my word… for now.”

Rolling her eyes, Susie turned back toward the crowd. The music pounded in her ears as she weaved through the throng of people. She spotted a coat rack near the front door and headed for it, slipping her jacket off and hanging it neatly next to an expensive-looking white cardigan. She stuffed her empty backpack underneath the rack before stepping back and stretching her arms.

"Alright," she muttered to herself, surveying the crowded house. "Let’s get this party started."

And by “get this party started,” Susie meant finding Kris. The thought of wandering around the party aimlessly wasn’t exactly appealing, and she reminded herself that, besides Kris and Noelle, she didn’t have many friends. Sure, she could crack jokes and play it cool, but deep down, she didn’t vibe with most people. Kris and Noelle? They were different. They got her, and she liked to think she got them too.

Still, as she pushed her way through the crowded house, doubt nagged at the back of her mind. What if Noelle didn’t show up? Kris had insisted she’d come, but Noelle wasn’t the type to jump headfirst into chaotic parties. It just wasn’t her scene. Too loud, too messy, too unpredictable.

The music thumped loudly, almost shaking the walls as Susie moved from room to room, scanning each one with sharp, quick glances. The living room? Packed with people dancing wildly, the air thick with heat and the smell of sweat. The hallway? A long line of partygoers bickering over who had cut the line for the bathroom.

Finally, she spotted Kris in the kitchen. They were standing at one end of a makeshift beer pong table, laughing quietly as they lined up a shot with a red plastic cup. Across from them, a group of strangers cheered and jeered, eagerly watching the game.

Susie smirked, shaking her head before raising her hand to wave. “Kris!”

Kris’s sharp eyes caught hers instantly. They grinned when they saw her, tossing the ball to one of the strangers and excusing themselves from the game with a small shrug. Weaving around the table, they walked over to her with their usual calm, unbothered air.

“Hey,” Susie greeted, her smirk widening as Kris came closer. “Mission was a success.”

Kris tilted their head, a single brow raised in question.

Susie crossed her arms, leaning slightly toward them. “Neither Sans nor Undyne have a single clue,” she said, clearly proud of herself. Her smirk turned into a full grin. “Flawless execution.”

Kris gave her an approving thumbs-up, their grin widening just enough to show their amusement.

Susie leaned back, letting the victory settle in before her thoughts turned to something, or someone, else. “So, what’s up with Noelle?” she asked casually, though her tone betrayed a hint of genuine curiosity. “You said she’d be here, but I haven’t seen her.”

Kris leaned against the edge of the counter, tapping their fingers lightly on the surface as they thought. “I think I saw her when she got here. But, not since.” they replied, their voice calm but certain.

Susie’s face lit up for a split second, her excitement barely contained before she coughed, shrugged, and stuffed her hands into her pockets. “Oh. Nice. Guess she actually came, huh?”

Kris tilted their head ever so slightly, their expression unreadable but clearly amused by her attempt to play it cool.

Susie shifted her weight, trying to sound nonchalant. “Well, whatever. We’ll probably bump into her eventually.”

Kris straightened up, giving her a pointed look before gesturing toward the drinks table.

Susie hesitated, rubbing the back of her neck. “I mean, I wasn’t really planning on drinking tonight.”

Kris simply raised an eyebrow, their silence somehow louder than any words.

She sighed, rolling her eyes. “But, I guess one drink won’t hurt. Y’know, in the spirit of the party or whatever.”

Kris nodded, their smirk widening as they turned and led the way toward the drinks table. The crowd shifted around them like a living organism, partygoers laughing and shouting over the blaring music as Susie and Kris maneuvered through the chaos.

When they arrived, Susie immediately noticed something was off. The drinks table, which had been fully stocked just minutes ago, already looked like it had been raided. Some of the bottles she’d brought were gone, and the ones that remained were scattered haphazardly across the table.

“Figures,” she muttered under her breath, shaking her head.

Reaching out, she grabbed one of the beers she’d brought, her fingers brushing against the cold glass. She scanned the table quickly and spotted a bottle opener someone had conveniently left nearby. Picking it up, she popped the cap off with ease, the sharp hiss of carbonation filling the air.

Meanwhile, Kris grabbed one of the red plastic cups and poured some cola into it. Their movements were slow and deliberate as they reached for a bottle of gin, carefully adding a splash to the soda before swirling the cup in a practiced motion.

Susie raised her bottle slightly, her usual smirk creeping back onto her face. “Alright,” she said, her tone light but sarcastic. “To not completely regretting this party.”

Kris smirked back at her, clinking their cup against her bottle in a silent toast.

They both took a drink, the sound of the music and the chatter around them filling the brief silence. The cold beer was crisp and sharp against Susie’s tongue, and she allowed herself a moment to relax, leaning slightly against the table.

Still, in the back of her mind, she couldn’t help but wonder where Noelle was.

---

The steady thump of bass from inside Jockington’s house was enough to make Noelle hesitate on the front step. She adjusted her white cardigan nervously, smoothing it over her shoulders before letting out a deep breath. Alright, Noelle, she thought. You can do this. It’s just a party.

She knocked lightly on the door, the sound barely audible over the music. A few moments later, it swung open, revealing Jockington in all his dramatic, energetic glory.

“Noelliooo!” he exclaimed, practically vibrating with excitement. “Welcome, welcome, to the gathering of the year! Scratch that, the century! Come in, come in!”

Noelle gave him a polite smile, stepping inside as Jockington ushered her in with exaggerated body gestures.

The house was already bustling, with people chatting in the living room, music pumping from a speaker, and snacks strewn across various surfaces. Noelle slipped off her cardigan and hung it on the coatrack near the door, feeling a tiny bit exposed in her black shirt and plaid skirt but reminding herself that it was fine.

Just as she turned back toward Jockington, another familiar voice greeted her.

“My dearest Noelle!”

Her stomach dropped just slightly as Berdly approached, arms spread as if he were about to give a grand speech.

“Oh, uh, hey, Berdly,” she said, managing a polite smile. She wasn’t thrilled to see him, Berdly wasn’t exactly the party type, but she wasn’t revolted either. He was... Berdly. Loud, kinda awkward, self-absorbed, but ultimately harmless.

Berdly clasped his hands together, his voice rising dramatically. “It is an honor to share this magnificent evening with you! Truly, no gathering could be complete without yours truly and, of course, you by my side.”

“Yeah, uh, thanks!” Noelle replied, her smile tightening. She glanced around, hoping to spot someone, anyone, to rescue her.

But Berdly, oblivious as ever, pressed on. “Now, my dear Noelle, I must enlist your assistance in a most vital task! Come, come!” He gestured grandly toward the living room.

Before she could protest, he grabbed her arm and began leading her through the crowd. Noelle stumbled slightly, muttering a quiet “Oh, okay, I guess we’re going…” as Berdly dragged her toward the TV.

Once there, he crouched down, pulling a tangled mess of wires and controllers out of a bag. “I’ve brought my finest gaming equipment!” he declared. “We shall set up a competition so grand, so intellectually stimulating, that these partygoers will bow to our superior skills!”

Noelle shifted awkwardly, unsure how to respond. Normally, she loved gaming, but tonight… not so much. She’d come here to relax, not to get roped into one of Berdly’s over-the-top plans.

“Um, Berdly—” she started, but he cut her off.

“Ah, yes, I know what you’re thinking!” he interrupted, waving a hand dramatically. “But fear not! With my unparalleled expertise, this will be the highlight of the evening!”

Noelle sighed inwardly. As much as she wanted to tell him she wasn’t up for this, she knew Berdly’s "me me me'' way of speaking made it nearly impossible to get a word in.

Thankfully, salvation arrived in the form of Catti.

“Hey,” Catti said, appearing seemingly out of nowhere. Her voice was as low and monotone as ever, but her timing was perfect. “You wanna come with me?”

Noelle turned to her with wide, grateful eyes. “Oh, uh, yeah! Sure!” she said quickly, practically leaping at the opportunity.

Catti raised an eyebrow slightly but didn’t comment, motioning for Noelle to follow her.

“Wait, but Noelle—!” Berdly called after her, but she was already gone, slipping through the crowd behind Catti.

Catti led her into the dining room, or rather what had been left of the dining room. The actual dining table had been moved to the living room, leaving the space mostly empty except for a cloth mat spread on the floor. A small group of people sat on the mat, chatting and laughing as they sipped drinks.

Noelle’s eyes lit up as she recognized a few of them. “Oh! I know some of these people, they’re from my cross-country tournaments!” she whispered excitedly to Catti, feeling a small wave of relief.

Catti nodded, gesturing for Noelle to sit with her. They joined the group, settling onto the mat as the conversation flowed around them.

Noelle couldn’t help but feel a bit more relaxed here. She exchanged greetings with her old cross-country acquaintances, the familiarity grounding her amidst the chaos of the party.

“Punch?” Catti asked, holding up a cup filled with the mysterious red liquid that had been the talk of the party.

Noelle hesitated for a moment, glancing at the cup. She wasn’t much of a drinker, but she also didn’t want to come off as uncool. “Okay!” she said, more to herself than anyone else, and took the cup from Catti’s hand.

Without giving herself time to overthink it, she tipped the cup back and chugged the punch in one go. It was surprisingly sweet, with just a faint bite that made her wince slightly. She lowered the empty cup, glancing at the group to gauge their reactions.

Catti raised an eyebrow again, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Noelle let out a small laugh, feeling a strange mix of nerves and excitement. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Noelle’s laughter blended into the lively chatter of the group as she sat cross-legged on the mat, leaning comfortably against Catti’s side. The dining room was alive with conversation, drinks being passed around, and the soft thrum of music filtering in from the living room. She was just beginning to feel at ease when, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a familiar figure in the hallway.

Kris.

Her face lit up instantly, and her gaze drifted to their left. Sure enough, Susie was right beside them, her broad frame and relaxed stride unmistakable. Noelle’s heart gave an involuntary flutter, though she wasn’t entirely sure if it was the lingering effects of the punch or just her usual reaction to seeing Susie. Either way, it felt warm.

“Kris! Susie!” she called, raising a hand to wave them over.

The two stopped mid-step, Kris tilting their head curiously while Susie leaned in to mutter something, a grin spreading across her face. Kris shrugged, and the two of them made their way over.

Susie reached the group first, towering over everyone seated on the mat. “Well, well, look who’s already making friends,” she teased, her sharp teeth flashing in a grin. Noelle rolled her eyes, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.

Susie plopped herself down beside Noelle without a hint of hesitation. Kris followed, settling into the circle with their usual quiet ease.

Introductions were made, and the group quickly accepted Kris and Susie into the fold. The chatter resumed, now with Susie adding her signature dry humor and Kris contributing the occasional deadpan comment that had everyone in stitches.

It wasn’t long before the conversation shifted. Jason, the cheetah with sandy blonde spotted fur who seemed to be a ringleader of sorts, clapped his hands together. “Alright, this is fun and all, but you know what would make it better?”

“What?” someone asked, already smiling.

“Games,” Jason said, his eyes gleaming. “We should play something!"

“Like?” Carly, a parrot girl with bright red feathers, chimed in.

Jason leaned back, his grin widening. “Truth or dare!"

The suggestion earned a mix of cheers and groans, but no one outright objected. Before long, the group shifted into a looser circle, drinks in hand, and the game began.

The first few rounds were lighthearted. Jason dared Carly to text her crush, which she did with minimal embarrassment, earning a response that made everyone cheer. Kris was asked a truth, “What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done?” and they responded with something that is never to be repeated out loud.

Susie, naturally, picked dare and ended up having to balance a plastic cup on her head while doing a handstand against the wall. She pulled it off with surprising grace, earning a round of applause and a satisfied smirk.

Then it was Noelle’s turn.

“All right, Holiday,” Jason said, his tone playful as he turned to her. “Truth or dare?”

Noelle hesitated. Normally, truth was her safe zone, but tonight she felt a little braver, a little bolder. The buzz from the punch was warm in her veins, and with Kris and Susie beside her, she felt oddly invincible.

“Dare!” she said, sitting up straighter.

Jason grinned, clearly pleased. “Perfect. Chug this.” He reached behind him, grabbing a cold bottle of beer and holding it out to her.

Noelle stared at the bottle, her confidence wavering. “The whole thing?”

“In under a minute,” Jason clarified, shaking the bottle slightly for emphasis.

The group erupted in cheers and chants, urging her on. Noelle’s eyes flicked nervously to Susie, who was watching her with an amused look on her face.

“You got this, Noelle.” Kris said simply, their tone calm but encouraging.

Susie leaned in, her grin widening. “Yeah, unless you’re too chicken!” she teased sarcastically, clearly trying to sound ridiculous.

Noelle narrowed her eyes at her. "I’m doing it.”

She grabbed the bottle, twisting off the cap with a satisfying hiss. The group cheered again as she brought it to her lips and took her first gulp.

The bitterness hit her immediately, the fizzy liquid stinging her throat, but she forced herself to keep going. The circle’s encouragement turned into a steady chant of her name, and Noelle couldn’t help but feel a rush of determination.

About halfway through, she pulled back, coughing slightly. “This is awful...” she groaned, her face scrunching up.

Susie chuckled, leaning back on her hands. “Yeah, beer’s pretty gross. But hey, you’re halfway there.”

Noelle took a deep breath, steeling herself. She tilted the bottle back again, powering through the rest of it despite the taste. When the bottle was finally empty, she slammed it down on the mat with a triumphant gasp.

“Done!” she declared, her voice a mix of pride and relief.

The circle erupted into applause, and Susie reached over to give her a high five.

“Not bad, Bambi,” Susie said with a grin. “Didn’t think you had it in you.”

Noelle couldn’t help but smile, though she wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know how you drink that stuff. It’s horrible.”

Susie shrugged, her grin softening. “Yeah, whatever. But seriously, don’t overdo it, okay? You don’t wanna be the one passed out on the couch by nine.”

Noelle nodded, grateful for the warning. “Don’t worry. I think I’ll stick to punch from now on.”

Kris gave her a small thumbs-up, their expression calm but approving.

As the game moved on, Noelle leaned back, a quiet sense of pride settling over her. She’d stepped out of her comfort zone tonight, and though beer wasn’t her thing, she couldn’t help but feel a little accomplished, and more than a little happy to have Susie and Kris by her side.

The game of Truth or Dare had started to wind down, and the group was settling into casual conversation when a new voice cut through the din.

“Noelle!”

She blinked and looked up, her slightly tipsy brain taking a second longer than usual to register who it was. Berdly was standing just outside the circle, his arms crossed and his expression caught between annoyed and confused.

“Why did you leave me back there?” he asked, gesturing vaguely toward the living room where the TV was set up. “We were just about to set up a legendary match! I even had the controller assigned—”

Jason interrupted him, throwing up his hands in mock exasperation. “Bird boy! You want in on the real game? Let’s make this interesting!”

Berdly blinked, his train of thought completely derailed. “What… real game?”

“Seven minutes in heaven!” Jason announced with a dramatic flair, earning a mix of groans, laughter, and cheers from the group.

Noelle immediately stirred from her relaxed stupor, her heart thudding in her chest. She wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or just the mention of the game, but her face felt hot, and she suddenly wanted to shrink into herself.

“Oh, this is gonna be good,” Catti muttered beside her, a little too loudly. She leaned toward Noelle, her voice low but teasing. “Hey, if it lands on Kris and Susie, they can make out in a closet again.”

Noelle’s face scrunched up in discomfort, her cheeks flushing. “What? That’s not—wait, again?”

Noelle bit her lip, glancing sideways at Susie and Kris, who had clearly overheard.

Susie groaned, leaning closer to Kris and whispering, “Dude, if we get chosen, it’s just gonna fuel all those stupid rumors about us.”

Kris gave her an exaggerated kissy face and said with a smirk, “Rumors?”

Susie burst out laughing, shoving them away playfully. “Ugh, you’re the worst!”

Meanwhile, Jason had grabbed the empty beer bottle from Noelle’s earlier dare and set it in the center of the group. “Alright, everyone in the circle! Bird boy, that includes you!”

Berdly puffed up his chest indignantly. “My name isn't bird boy! And furthermore, I—”

“Sit down!” Jason cut him off, grabbing his arm and tugging him into the circle. “You’re playing whether you like it or not.”

Berdly huffed, reluctantly sitting down cross-legged between Jason and Kris.

“Alright, here we go!” Jason spun the bottle with a flourish, the glass neck whirling across the mat.

The group collectively leaned forward, watching as it slowed, wobbling before finally landing on Kris.

“Woooo!” Carly cheered, and several others joined in, clapping and hollering. Kris raised an eyebrow, their expression unreadable as usual, but they gave the group a mock bow.

“Guess it’s my lucky day.” they deadpanned.

Jason smirked and grabbed the bottle again, spinning it even harder this time. The room seemed to hold its breath as the bottle spun and spun before finally coming to a stop, pointing directly at Berdly.

The circle erupted into laughter, cheers, and gasps.

Berdly froze, his feathers practically standing on end. “Wha—NO! This has to be some kind of mistake!”

Kris, however, leaned toward him, their face breaking into a mischievous grin. They gave Berdly a slow, exaggerated wink, followed by the same kissy face they’d given Susie earlier.

“C’mon, Berdly,” Kris said, their tone light and teasing. “Let’s not keep everyone waiting.”

Berdly spluttered, his face flushing crimson. “Y-you can’t be serious!”

But Kris was already standing, grabbing Berdly’s arm and hauling him up. The group cheered louder, some laughing so hard they could barely breathe.

“No take-backs!” Jason shouted, pointing toward the small storage closet at the end of the dining room.

Kris guided Berdly toward the closet with an exaggerated sense of ceremony, even giving the crowd a mock wave as they passed. “Don’t worry, we’ll make it magical.” Kris said with a grin, earning another round of laughter.

Once inside, the door was shut behind them, and a couple of people quickly barricaded it with a chair for good measure.

The group outside dissolved into giggles, already speculating about what might be happening inside.

“Think Berdly’s crying yet?” Catti whispered to Noelle, her lips twitching into a grin.

Noelle, still feeling the warmth from her earlier drink, let out a laugh despite herself. “Probably!”

Inside the closet, Berdly was pressed awkwardly against a stack of boxes, glaring at Kris. “This is all your fault!” he hissed.

Kris leaned casually against the wall, their arms crossed. “Oh, totally.” they replied sarcastically.

Berdly groaned, burying his face in his hands as muffled laughter echoed from the other side of the door.

As the group chatted and laughed around her, Susie tried to focus on the general buzz of conversation, but her gaze kept drifting back to Noelle. She was leaning on Catti’s shoulder, whispering something in her ear that made them both laugh softly. Noelle’s face was flushed, not just from the alcohol, Susie guessed.

Susie didn’t know why it bugged her so much. Noelle was allowed to talk to other people, obviously. Catti was cool—maybe a little too cool. Quiet, sharp, a little intimidating in a way Susie would never admit out loud.

But the way Noelle seemed to light up around her tonight? That was new.

Before Susie could stop herself, she blurted, “Hey, Noelle!”

Noelle turned her head, her golden bangs brushing against her flushed cheeks as she smiled at Susie. “Hmm? What’s up?”

Susie fumbled for something to say, her tail flicking behind her. “Uh, how’d you even get past your mom to come here?”

Noelle’s eyes widened, then she grinned, clearly eager to share. She leaned forward, her cup sloshing slightly in her hands as she hiccupped. “Oh, that was easy!”

Susie raised an eyebrow. “Easy?”

“Yeah!” Noelle said, her voice taking on an exaggerated confidence that was undercut by her hiccupping. “So, like, my mom—hic!—she works all day. Super long hours, and when she gets home, she’s just, like, totally wiped. Doesn’t even look at me.” She gestured dramatically with her free hand, nearly spilling her drink before catching herself.

Susie chuckled. “Sounds about right.”

“So!” Noelle continued, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper that wasn’t all that quiet. “She locks herself in her study as soon as she gets home. And then, like, after that, straight to bed. No detours. So I just—hic!—snuck downstairs, grabbed my stuff, and poof!”

She spread her arms wide, her grin practically glowing with pride.

“Poof, huh?” Susie said, smirking despite herself.

“Yep!” Noelle said, leaning in closer. “She has nooooo idea I’m here. None. Zero. Zilch. Nada.” She punctuated each word with a dramatic wag of her finger.

Susie shook her head, a laugh bubbling out of her at Noelle’s behavior. “You’re unbelievable, you delinquent.”

Noelle gasped, putting a hand to her chest in mock offense. “Excuse me? That’s uncalled for!”

Susie snorted. “You’re gonna get yourself grounded one of these days, young lady.”

Noelle waved a hand dismissively, leaning back and hiccupping again. “Pfft. I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.”

“Uh-huh,” Susie said, rolling her eyes but unable to hide her smile.

“Anyway,” Noelle said, her voice softening slightly. “I’m glad I came, this is fun!”

Susie blinked, caught off guard by the sudden sincerity in Noelle’s tone. “Yeah?”

Noelle nodded, her smile turning a little shy. “Yeah. It’s… nice to hang out like this. With you. And Kris. And, y’know… everyone.”

Susie rubbed the back of her neck, feeling an odd warmth spread through her chest. “Yeah. It’s… nice.”

Their eyes met for a moment, and something unspoken lingered in the air between them, something warm and electric that made Susie’s tail twitch nervously.

Before Susie could figure out what to say next, Catti leaned in, her voice breaking through the moment. “Timer’s at three minutes. Think they’re still alive in there?”

The group laughed, and Noelle turned back to Catti with a giggle, but Susie stayed quiet, her thoughts spinning.

She didn’t know what was going on with her tonight, but watching Noelle laugh, flushed and happy, she couldn’t shake the feeling that it was more important than she realized.

As the timer hit zero, everyone turned toward the closet, already laughing in anticipation. Kris and Berdly emerged looking surprisingly at ease, chatting like old friends.

“Guess that wasn’t so bad.” Kris remarked, giving a casual wave to the group before heading off toward the living room, Berdly in tow.

“Wait, hold up!” Susie called after them, narrowing her eyes. “Where ya going?”

Kris didn’t even turn around, just lifted a hand in mock acknowledgment as they disappeared into the crowd.

Catti snickered and whispered something inaudible to Noelle, earning another fit of laughter.

“All right,” one of the strangers said, clapping their hands together. “Next spin!”

The group cheered, huddling closer around the bottle. Noelle, sitting cross-legged, looked tipsy but happy, her cheeks still flushed from the alcohol.

The bottle spun, a blur of motion under the harsh light. The crowd leaned in as it slowed down. Catti sipped her drink with a smirk. Susie leaned back on her hands, watching lazily—until the bottle landed on Noelle.

The group erupted in exaggerated oohs and aahs, and Noelle immediately quieted, her face going from pink to deep red in seconds. She laughed nervously, waving a hand. “Oh, come on, it’s not that big of a deal.”

“Not a big deal until it’s your turn!” Catti teased, nudging her.

The bottle spun again, and Susie found herself staring at it, her lazy posture gone. Her claws dug slightly into the mat, and she wasn’t sure why she felt so tense. The bottle slowed, each name flashing in her mind as it passed.

Then it stopped.

On her.

The group cheered, laughing and clapping, but Susie felt her stomach drop. Her heart pounded, and suddenly she wasn’t sure how to move.

“Ohhh, this is gonna be good,” someone teased.

“No backing out now!” Catti added with a grin, pushing at Noelle’s shoulder.

Before she could protest, the others were on their feet, grabbing both her and Susie and shoving them toward the closet.

“Hey, wait a sec—!” Susie started, but it was too late.

The door slammed shut, leaving the two of them in the dim, cramped space surrounded by shelves of cleaning supplies and random junk.

Susie awkwardly shoved her hands in her pockets, her gaze darting around. She focused on a mop in the corner like it was the most fascinating thing in the world. Her tail flicked nervously behind her.

For what felt like an eternity, neither of them spoke.

Then, Noelle giggled.

Susie turned to her, frowning. “What’s so funny?”

Noelle leaned against the wall, widely grinning up at her. “Not so tough now, huh?”

Susie groaned loudly, rolling her eyes. “Oh, shut up.”

Noelle laughed harder, her giggles echoing in the small space. “Come on, big bad Susie, scared of a little closet time?”

“Pfft, as if,” Susie retorted, though her voice lacked its usual edge. She sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “You’re lucky I didn’t just leave you here.”

“Sure you would,” Noelle teased, her grin softening into something warmer.

They fell into a comfortable back-and-forth, light bickering. At some point, the tension melted away, and Susie found herself relaxing for real.

“You know,” Susie said after a pause, “I really thought you weren’t gonna come tonight.”

Noelle tilted her head, surprised. “Why not?

“I dunno,” Susie admitted. “You’re always so busy with school and extracurriculars... and I guess this doesn’t seem like your kind of thing.”

Noelle smiled, a little sheepishly. “Yeah, well, I figured it was time to do something fun for once. I mean, I love a good schedule, but… it gets to be a lot, you know?”

Susie nodded. “Yeah. I get it.” She hesitated, then added, “I’m glad you came, though.”

Noelle’s eyes softened, her cheeks still rosy from the alcohol. “Me too.”

The silence that followed wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was charged with something Susie couldn’t quite name.

Then Noelle spoke again, her voice a little quieter, more tentative. “Hey, Susie?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you…” Noelle hesitated, then took a breath, her confidence bolstered by the alcohol. “Do you wanna dance with me?”

Susie’s breath hitched embarrassingly, her claws tightening in her pockets. “I, uh—”

“It’s okay if you don’t want to,” Noelle said quickly, her smile nervous but hopeful.

“No, it’s not that!” Susie blurted, her tail wagging wildly behind her. “I just—uh, I can't dance. Like, at all.”

Noelle’s smile returned, brighter this time. “That’s okay! It's nothing complicated.”

Susie stared at her for a moment, then sighed, a small, reluctant smile tugging at her lips. “Fine. But don’t laugh at me if I step on your feet.”

“I promise,” Noelle said, beaming.

As if on cue, the timer went off, and the door swung open to the sound of cheering and .

Susie blinked, momentarily blinded by the light, but before she could react, Noelle grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the living room.

“C’mon!” Noelle said, her excitement contagious.

Susie stumbled after her, her heart pounding for reasons she couldn’t quite explain.

Noelle pulled Susie through the crowd, her grip tight on Susie’s hand. The people around them chattered, laughing and dancing, but Susie had her eyes straight ahead. They weaved between the guests, passing by Kris and Berdly in the corner. They were messing around with some consoles, but Susie barely noticed. Her gaze flicked down to their hands, fingers interlaced.

It felt warm, the way Noelle’s hand fit in hers.

They reached the center of the room. Noelle stopped, looked around, then turned to face Susie with a soft smile.

"This good?" she asked. Her voice was low, but Susie heard the hint of excitement in it.

Susie nodded. "Perfect."

The room was dim. Some light from the TV flickered across Noelle’s face, illuminating her hair in a soft glow. Susie couldn’t look away. It felt like it was just the two of them in the whole world. Noelle’s smile was brighter now, her cheeks flushed from alcohol.

Suddenly, the song changed. Upbeat, pop music started blaring through the speakers. Noelle grinned.

"Come on!" she said, tugging Susie a little. "Let’s dance."

Noelle started swaying, and Susie followed, laughing as they moved together. Noelle’s arms were loose, her body free. Susie caught her hand, twirling her around. Noelle spun, laughing louder now, her whole face lighting up.

Susie couldn’t help but smile. She pulled Noelle back in, their hands still locked. The rhythm of the music guided them, and they moved like they’d been dancing together for years.

For a moment, Susie forgot about everything. About the party, the people around them. All she saw was Noelle. All she heard was her laugh.

But after a few more spins, Noelle slowed down, her breathing a little quicker than usual. She stumbled slightly, and Susie caught her by the waist.

"Whoa, hey. You okay?" Susie asked, concerned.

Noelle nodded, but her eyes were a little unfocused.

"Yeah… just… a little dizzy," she admitted, her smile still there, though a little wobbly.

Susie raised an eyebrow. "Need a break?"

Noelle nodded again, this time with more urgency.

Susie gently led her away from the crowd, still holding her hand. They stepped toward the hallway. The sounds of the party started to fade.

Noelle leaned into Susie a bit as they walked, her face flushed but still glowing.

"You're fun to dance with!" Noelle said, her voice still giggly.

Susie chuckled, giving her a playful side-eye. "Yeah? I thought you were the expert on dancing."

Noelle grinned, laughing. "I am! But you make it more fun."

Susie’s heart skipped a beat. She didn’t know how to respond, so she just kept walking. They reached the glass panel doors leading to the backyard. Susie opened them, and cool air washed over them both. It was quiet out here, the party noise muffled.

Noelle took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing. She really needed the fresh air.

Susie stood next to her, looking out into the backyard. She wasn’t sure what to say. It was nice, standing next to Noelle like this. It felt... right.

“You sure you’re okay?” Susie asked after a beat.

Noelle looked up at her, and for a moment, their eyes met. "Yeah... Just need a second!"

Susie nodded, still holding her hand. "Good."

Noelle smiled softly. "Thanks for looking out for me."

"Anytime," Susie said, her voice a little quieter now. She wasn’t sure what she was feeling, but it felt nice to be here with Noelle. To be this close.

They stood there for a moment, both of them lost in the quiet of the backyard. It was peaceful. Noelle leaned a little closer, and Susie felt her heartbeat speed up. It was... strange, this feeling. But she liked it.

"Sooo," Noelle said, breaking the silence. "What now?"

Susie grinned, squeezing her hand. "Well, we could go back inside… or, we could stay out here and just hang for a bit."

Noelle grinned, eyes twinkling. "Heh! I vote for hanging out here."

"Yeah, me too." Susie breathed, a little quieter now, her heart pounding in her chest.

Susie closed the glass panels and they both sat back against them, looking up at the sky. The stars were bright that night. And for a moment, the whole world felt still.

“You know…” Noelle started, her voice soft and a little slurred as she swayed slightly.

She turned to face Susie, her smile a little lopsided but still as radiant as ever. “I only came to this party because I heard you were going.”

Susie froze. Her eyes widened for a split second before she quickly tried to play it cool, standing straighter and scratching the back of her neck.

“Oh. Uh...” She felt a strange warmth creeping up her neck, and for a moment, she was at a complete loss for words. “That’s… huh.”

Noelle giggled at her reaction, her eyes sparkling as she leaned a little closer. “It’s true!” she insisted, her voice bubbling with drunken confidence. “I mean, it’s not like I’m a big party person or anything. I just heard you were coming, and I thought…” She trailed off, her cheeks darkening as her smile softened.

Susie’s heart thudded hard in her chest. She rubbed the back of her neck again, looking anywhere but at Noelle.

“Yeah, well…” she began awkwardly, her voice a little quieter. “Guess I can’t really say anything, ‘cause, uh… I kinda only came because you were gonna be here, too.”

Noelle blinked, clearly caught off guard. “You did?"

“Yeah.” Susie huffed out a nervous laugh, shifting on her feet. “I mean, I don’t usually go to stuff like this either. But… I heard you were coming, and I thought it’d be nice to hang out, y’know?”

She hesitated, her face growing redder by the second as she continued, “It wasn’t easy, either. I had to get a job at Sans’ place just to get Jockington off my back about bringing booze. Then I had to sneak the stuff in my bag without Sans finding out, which was... not fun.”

She trailed off, finally glancing at Noelle, only to see her staring at her intently, her expression soft and unreadable. Susie’s gaze darted away immediately, her embarrassment reaching its peak. “I don’t know, it’s dumb, I guess. Just thought it’d be worth it.”

Noelle was quiet for a moment, and Susie could feel her gaze like a physical weight. Then, finally, Noelle spoke, her voice softer and warmer than before. “Susie… that’s really sweet of you. I—”

Noelle’s face suddenly twisted, and her eyes widened as she clapped a hand over her mouth.

“-have to throw up.”

Susie winced. “Uh, okay, uh—come on!” She grabbed Noelle by the arm, hauling her upright and practically dragging her back toward the house. The urgency in her movements cut through her earlier awkwardness, her focus now solely on getting Noelle to the toilet before the inevitable happened.

The line for the bathroom was annoyingly long, but Susie wasn’t about to wait. “Move!” she barked, cutting in front of a group of people without hesitation. A few protests rose up, but she ignored them, shoving the door open and pulling Noelle inside before slamming it shut and locking it.

She guided Noelle to the toilet and knelt down beside her, gently holding her hair back so it wouldn’t get in the way. “Alright, let it out. Better here than out there,” Susie said, her voice surprisingly soft.

Noelle groaned, clutching the rim of the toilet as she leaned forward. “I’m so sorry…” she murmured between shallow breaths, her voice trembling slightly.

“Don’t worry about it,” Susie replied, her tone casual but kind. She kept her grip on Noelle’s hair steady, her free hand resting lightly on Noelle’s shoulder. "Just let it out, and you’ll feel better.”

Noelle shuddered, her body tensing as the inevitable finally happened. Susie winced but didn’t flinch, keeping her steady and whispering the occasional reassuring word. She couldn’t help but think how surreal it was, being here like this, but at the same time, she didn’t mind. Not one bit.

“You’re good,” Susie murmured after a moment, her voice softer now. “Just take your time.”

Noelle sniffled, wiping at her eyes as she leaned back slightly, her breathing still a little shaky. “Guh...you’re really nice, Susie. You know that?” she said weakly, her voice tinged with a mix of exhaustion and sincerity.

Susie’s cheeks flushed, and she glanced away, rubbing the back of her neck. “Yeah? Well, don’t get used to it.”

Noelle let out a tired giggle, her smile weak but genuine. “Too late!”

The commotion outside the bathroom began as a faint rumble of voices, but it quickly escalated into shouting, running, and what sounded like Undyne’s unmistakable voice booming over the crowd. Susie and Noelle froze, their eyes widening as the reality of the situation hit them like a truck.

“Shit,” Susie hissed, her claws digging into the bathroom sink. Her mind raced at a million miles per hour, trying to process the disaster unfolding just beyond the door. “Undyne’s here. Of course she’s here. She’s gonna kill me.”

Noelle squeaked, clutching her knees to her chest as her face went pale. “Oh no,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “If they call my mom... if she finds out...” Her breath hitched. “Susie, I’m dead.”

Susie glanced at her, the sight of Noelle’s panic cutting through her own terror like a knife. “Hey,” she said, her voice low but firm as she crouched in front of her.

Noelle’s tense gaze met Susie’s.

“We just... We stay here, okay? Don’t move, don’t make a sound, and they won’t find us. Nobody’s gonna know we’re here.”

Noelle nodded shakily, though her hands were trembling. “Okay...”

They both slid down to the floor, backs against the wall, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder. The bathroom was stiflingly quiet compared to the chaos outside, where yelling, frantic footsteps, and even the occasional crash filled the air. Susie’s ears twitched at every sound, her heart pounding so loud in her chest she was sure Noelle could hear it.

“Why does this always happen to me?” Susie muttered, more to herself than anyone.

Noelle let out a weak, nervous laugh. “Maybe it’s karma for sneaking in alcohol.”

Susie shot her a sideways glance. “I guess karma’s a fish.” she grumbled, though her lips twitched into something resembling a smirk.

Noelle giggled again, this time slightly more relaxed, but the tension didn’t dissipate entirely.

Minutes dragged on like hours. The noise outside gradually began to die down, replaced by an eerie silence that made Susie’s stomach churn. She couldn’t tell if it was better or worse than the shouting.

Finally, unable to take it anymore, Susie stood up and unlocked the bathroom door. She cracked it open just enough to peek outside. Her gaze swept across the hallway, lit only by a lone lightbulb. The house was practically empty now, save for a few discarded cups and bottles scattered on the floor. The front door was wide open, and there were no signs of flashing lights.

“I think they’re gone,” Susie whispered, turning back to Noelle.

Noelle hesitated, her brow furrowing. “Are you sure?”

Susie opened the door a bit wider, scanning the hallway one more time. “Yeah. Everyone’s gone. Looks like the cops bailed too.”

Noelle let out a shaky sigh of relief, though she still looked like she might collapse at any second. “Okay. But... what do we do now?”

Susie held out her hand to Noelle, helping her up from the floor. “Well, we get the hell out of here.” she said, her tone firm but her face still pale.

Noelle took her hand, gripping it tightly as she stood. “Let’s just hope we don’t run into Undyne on the way out,” she muttered, managing a nervous laugh.

“Yeah,” Susie said under her breath, her eyes flicking toward the front door. “Let’s.”

Susie and Noelle hurried over to the coatrack, weaving past discarded cups and the faint lingering smell of spilled beer. Susie immediately spotted her jacket and slung her backpack over her shoulder with a practiced motion. Meanwhile, Noelle sifted through the cluster of coats and scarves, her fingers tugging at hangers and lifting jackets with increasing frustration.

“It’s not here,” Noelle groaned after a couple of minutes, stepping back with her hands on her hips. “Someone totally stole it. Who steals a cardigan?”

Susie looked at her, then at the coatrack, and frowned. “Uh... maybe it got kicked under something?”

They both crouched to peer beneath the rack, but the floor offered no answers, only a few dust bunnies and a stray plastic cup.

“Great..." Noelle muttered, standing back up and brushing off her skirt.

Susie shifted awkwardly, glancing at the other coats hanging on the rack. Suggesting Noelle take one of those felt... wrong. That was just more stealing, wasn’t it? She scratched the back of her neck, feeling the awkward silence stretch.

“Here,” she finally said, shrugging off her jacket.

Noelle’s eyes widened as Susie held it out to her. “What? No way,” she said immediately, shaking her head. “Susie, you need that way more than me! You’re cold-blooded, you’ll freeze without it!”

Susie scoffed, holding the jacket closer to Noelle. “Yeah, but you’re in a skirt. I’ve got pants. You’ll be way colder.”

“I’ll be fine!” Noelle insisted, folding her arms. “You’re not giving me your jacket.”

“Wanna bet?” Susie shot back, her tone sharp but playful. Before Noelle could react, Susie stepped forward and draped the oversized jacket over Noelle’s shoulders. “There. Now it’s your problem.”

Noelle blinked, staring down at the jacket in surprise. “Susie…” she started, her voice softer now.

“Don’t even try giving it back,” Susie cut her off, already heading toward the door. “I’ll just throw it on you again.”

Noelle hesitated for a second, then sighed and adjusted the jacket. It was big on her, the sleeves hanging well past her hands, but it was warm and smelled faintly of Susie. She gave a small, defeated smile and followed Susie out the door.

The chill of the night hit them immediately. The cold was sharp and biting, and their breath puffed out in little clouds as they stepped onto the porch. Noelle instinctively tugged the jacket tighter around her, glancing over at Susie.

“See?” Susie said, stuffing her hands into her pants pockets and pretending not to shiver. “Told ya you’d need it.”

Noelle tilted her head, studying Susie with a thoughtful look. “Thank you.” she said after a moment, her voice warm despite the chill.

Susie shrugged, her eyes darting away. “Yeah, whatever.” she mumbled, but the faint flush on her cheeks betrayed her.

They stood there for a moment, side by side in the cold, before Susie cleared her throat and gestured toward the road. “C’mon. Let’s get outta here before Undyne circles back.”

Noelle nodded, her smile growing as they started walking, her hand brushing against Susie’s as they moved.

Susie and Noelle walked side by side down the quiet street, the crisp night air brushing past them. The silence between them was comfortable, punctuated only by the crunch of gravel under their shoes. When they finally reached Noelle’s house, the gates were slightly ajar, creaking faintly as they pushed them open.

“Guess I left it like that when I snuck out...” Noelle said softly, a sheepish smile tugging at her lips.

Susie gave her a small smirk. “Smooth move, princess.”

They made their way to the front door, but as Noelle began searching her pockets, her expression shifted. Her hands patted down her skirt with increasing urgency.

“No, no, no...” she muttered under her breath, before looking up at Susie with wide eyes. “I forgot my keys!”

Susie blinked, then let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping. “You serious?”

Noelle winced. “I didn’t mean to! I must’ve left them on my desk or... somewhere.”

Susie rubbed the back of her neck, her voice much softer than expected. “Alright, it’s no big deal. You got a backup plan or what?”

Noelle paused, thinking hard, before her face lit up. “Uh, there could be another way in, follow me!"

Susie raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue, trailing after her around the side of the house. The backyard was quiet, bathed in pale moonlight. Noelle stopped and pointed up toward a slightly open window on the second floor.

“That’s my room,” she explained. “I must’ve left the window open when I left.”

Susie tilted her head, eyeing the window. “Alright,” she said, sizing up the wall. “I’ll get up there and open it all the way.”

“You’re really gonna climb up?” Noelle asked, her voice a mix of surprise and awe.

“Unless you’ve got a ladder lying around, yeah,” Susie replied with a grin. “Just hang tight.”

She approached the wall, noting a sturdy drainpipe running up the side and a trellis covered in ivy. Testing the pipe, she found it steady enough and started her climb.

“Careful!” Noelle called up, hovering nervously below.

“Don't worry,” Susie shot back, her tone light but focused. She climbed with surprising ease, using the trellis for footing and gripping the pipe for balance. With a final push, she reached the window, leaning inside to open it fully.

“Alright, your turn,” Susie said, glancing down at Noelle and extending a hand.

Noelle looked up, her expression a mix of determination and fear. “Me? Climb that?”

“You’ll be fine,” Susie assured her, her voice surprisingly gentle. “I’ll pull you up. Just trust me, okay?”

Noelle hesitated, but Susie’s calm confidence reassured her. With a deep breath, Noelle grabbed the trellis and began to climb, her movements wobbly. Susie’s hand reached down, firm and steady, and pulled her up the rest of the way.

“Almost there,” Susie said, guiding her hand.

Noelle managed to swing a leg over the windowsill, tumbling into her room with a muffled yelp. She landed in a heap on the carpet, her hair slightly askew.

Susie leaned in from the other side, laughing softly. “Graceful.”

Noelle huffed, pushing herself up. “Hey, I made it, didn’t I?”

“Sure did,” Susie replied, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Noelle straightened her skirt and turned to Susie, still perched on the ledge. “Here,” she said, slipping off the jacket and holding it out.

Susie took it, slipping it back on carefully, while still holding on. “Thanks.”

For a moment, they just stood there, Noelle still catching her breath, and Susie leaning casually against the sill. Then, without warning, Noelle stepped forward and hugged her through the window, wrapping her arms tightly around Susie.

Susie stiffened, her breath catching, but quickly relaxed. She patted Noelle’s back with a free hand, her voice low. “It’s nothing. Really.”

Noelle pulled back, smiling up at her. “It’s not nothing. You didn’t have to help me, but you did. So… thank you.”

Susie rubbed the back of her neck, looking away. “Yeah, well... just don’t forget your keys next time, okay?”

Noelle giggled, her eyes soft. “Goodnight, Susie.”

Susie gave her a small nod, her smirk returning. “Night.” With that, she climbed down the way she came, dropping to the ground with ease.

Noelle leaned out the window, watching as Susie glanced back once before disappearing into the shadows and heading back toward Undyne’s house.

Chapter Text

The next morning, Susie trudged down the stairs, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. The faint sizzle of something cooking reached her ears, accompanied by the occasional clang of a spatula against a pan. She rounded the corner into the kitchen to find Undyne at the stove, flipping pancakes with a level of force that felt excessive for breakfast preparation.

Undyne glanced over her shoulder as Susie slumped into a chair at the kitchen table. “Morning, punk!” she called, her grin wide and toothy.

Susie muttered a half-hearted “Mornin’” and stretched in her seat, trying to wake up fully.

Undyne turned back to the pancakes, her tone taking on a suspicious air. “So, how’s my favorite troublemaker doing? Sleep okay?”

“Yeah, I guess.” Susie said, her voice thick with disinterest. She grabbed a fork from the table and fiddled with it, trying to ignore Undyne’s almost too-casual demeanor.

Undyne flipped the last pancake onto a plate and set the spatula down with a clang. “Crazy night last night,” she said, her voice laced with something that made Susie pause. “Got a call about this big party. Underage drinking, loud music, the expected.”

Susie froze but quickly tried to play it cool. “Oh yeah? Sounds... wild.” she said, her voice intentionally nonchalant.

Undyne leaned back against the counter, arms crossed, her grin never wavering. “Yeah, it was. Had to shut the whole thing down. Ran off a bunch of kids, confiscated some booze. Pretty exciting.” She paused, letting the words hang in the air for a moment. “You know… almost felt like I recognized some stuff at the scene.”

Susie’s fork clattered to the table. “Uh… really?”

Undyne pushed off the counter and strolled over to the table, standing directly across from Susie. Her eyes bore into Susie with an intensity that made her shift uncomfortably in her chair.

“Yeah.” Undyne said, her grin sharpening into something more predatory. “Got something you’d like to share with me, maybe?”

Susie’s blood ran cold. “What? No! I wasn’t… I mean, I didn’t—”

Undyne’s gaze bore into her, the smirk still plastered on her face. “Susie.”

Susie groaned internally, realizing there was no escape. After a few moments of awkward silence, she sighed heavily and muttered, “Alright, fine. I was there, okay? I went to the stupid party.”

Undyne straightened up, her grin triumphant. “Knew it! Thought I recognized your jacket and backpack lying near the door.”

Susie’s head shot up, her eyes wide. “You… you actually caught that?”

“Of course I did,” Undyne said, grabbing the plate of pancakes and setting it down in front of Susie. “Didn’t take a genius to figure it out.”

Susie sighed, poking at the stack of slightly burnt pancakes with her fork. “So… what now? You gonna kill me or something?”

Undyne sat down across from her, crossing her arms. “Nah, I’m not that dramatic. Look, I get it. I was a dumb teenager once, too. Wanted to party, blow off steam, all that stuff. But sneaking out without telling me? Not okay, punk.”

Susie glanced up at her, guilt flashing across her face. “Yeah… I guess I shouldn’t have done that.”

Undyne nodded, “Damn right you shouldn’t have! But I’ll give you this, at least you came clean.”

Susie relaxed slightly, though the tension in her shoulders remained.

“Did you drink?” Undyne asked suddenly, her tone and gaze sharp.

Susie hesitated, her mind racing. “Uh, no. Nope. Didn’t touch that stuff.”

Undyne squinted at her, studying her face for a long moment before shrugging. “Alright. I believe you. You don’t look hungover, anyway.”

Susie exhaled a quiet sigh of relief, internally thanking her past self for only having one beer.

Undyne leaned back in her chair, a smirk creeping onto her face. “You’re lucky, though. If I’d caught you with booze, we’d be having a very different conversation right now.”

“Yeah, I, uh… bet.” Susie muttered, avoiding her gaze.

Undyne tapped a finger on the table, her smirk fading into a more serious expression. “Look, Susie, I get it. You wanted to have some fun. But you’re living under my roof, and I’ve got rules. No funny business, got it?”

Susie nodded, her voice quieter than usual. “Got it.”

“As punishment, you’re staying in this weekend.” Undyne said firmly.

Susie winced but nodded again, she wasn't in the mood to complain, she was just glad Undyne didn't know about the alcohol. “Alright... fair enough.”

Undyne smirked and stood up, ruffling Susie’s hair as she passed. “Good. Now eat your damn pancakes before they get cold.”

Susie rolled her eyes but dug in, grateful that Undyne hadn’t completely blown up on her. Still, she made a mental note to avoid any more close calls in the future.

As Undyne absentmindedly slid her hands into her pockets, her fingers brushed against something crinkly. She pulled it out, and her eyes lit up. “Twenty bucks?” she exclaimed, holding the bill up.

Susie glanced over her pancake, casually chewing as she tried to hide her smile. Perfect. Her plan had gone exactly as she’d hoped. She hadn’t even known if Undyne would notice it, but seeing her excitement made it all worth it.

“This must’ve been from last week!” Undyne grinned. “I should’ve checked my pockets sooner, looks like it’s time for a grocery run.”

Before Susie could say anything, Undyne was already heading toward the door, slipping on her boots. “Don’t burn the house down while I’m gone, punk. I’ll be back in a bit!”

“Yeah, yeah.” Susie muttered, waving her off with a fork in hand.

The door slammed shut, and Susie waited for a moment, listening to the sound of Undyne’s footsteps receding before pulling out her ancient, barely-functioning phone. The screen flickered slightly as she opened her messaging app and shot off a text to Kris.

Susie:
im grounded
undyne found out abt the party
stuck inside all weekend

She leaned back in her chair, half-expecting a "sucks to suck" or something, but Kris’s reply came almost immediately.

Kris:
undyne home rn?

Susie sighed, already sensing where this was going.

Susie:
nah she just left for groceries
why

The three little dots popped up. Then vanished. Then popped up again. Finally:

Kris:
cool. omw.

Susie’s eyes widened, and she immediately slammed out a reply.

Susie:
no dude DONT seriously
i dont need any more trouble if she comes back early

For a minute or two, nothing. Then, her phone buzzed again.

Kris:
too late :) almost there.

Susie groaned, dragging her hands down her face. “Of course you are...” she muttered. Tossing her phone onto the table, she slouched in her chair. The last thing she needed was Kris waltzing in and making things worse.

Her mind raced. Maybe she could lock the door? No, Kris would probably just figure out another way in. They were annoyingly resourceful when they wanted to be. She thought about trying to stop them at the door, but knowing Kris, they'd probably talk their way past her, or just stand there and stare until she caved.

She drummed her claws on the table, sighing. "Guess I’ll just have to hope Undyne takes her sweet time."

---

Undyne pushed open the door to Sans' shop, the faint jingle of the bell overhead catching her ear. She gave a lazy wave toward the counter, where Sans leaned against the register with his usual relaxed slouch.

“Hey Sans.” she greeted, her voice distracted as she grabbed a shopping basket and started down the nearest aisle.

“‘Hiya.” Sans replied, not even bothering to look up from whatever book he was thumbing through.

Undyne browsed through the shelves, grabbing the basics: bread, milk, a few cans of soup. As she turned a corner, she paused, spotting a familiar yellow figure a few feet away.

“Alphys!” she called out, a toothy grin spreading across her face as she waved.

Alphys jumped slightly at the sound of her name, almost dropping the can of instant ramen in her hand. She turned to see Undyne approaching and adjusted her glasses nervously. “O-oh, Undyne! Hi! Uh, fancy seeing you here!”

“Yeah, just restocking on groceries.” Undyne said, glancing into Alphys’s basket. It was piled high with soda, ramen, and a box of microwavable pizza rolls.

“Y-yeah, same here!” Alphys stammered, clutching the basket closer to her chest.

They started chatting as they walked through the store together. The conversation eventually shifted to Undyne’s morning.

“So, I had to ground Susie today.” Undyne said, her tone a mix of exasperation and amusement.

“G-ground her? Why?” Alphys asked, her ears perking up with curiosity.

“Turns out she snuck out to some wild party last night. I got called over there for underage drinking and everything.” Undyne shook her head, though there was a hint of pride in her voice. “She’s lucky I didn’t catch her there in the flesh. Still, I grounded her for the weekend. Gotta keep her in line, you know?”

“H-heh, yeah, that sounds... intense.” Alphys said, fidgeting with the corner of her basket.

Sans, who had been casually eavesdropping from his spot at the counter, chimed in without looking up. "Heh, Susie’s been workin’ part-time here for a bit, you know. Wasn’t sure if she’d show up today.”

Undyne froze mid-step and turned to look at him. “What? Susie’s been working here?”

Sans shrugged, finally glancing up. “Yep. Been a solid worker too, when she shows up on time. Thought she might’ve mentioned it, but I guess not.”

Undyne frowned, crossing her arms. “She didn’t say a word about it. Weird... I mean, it’s great she wants to make some money, but why wouldn’t she tell me?”

“Maybe she’s just tryin’ to do her own thing.” Sans said, his tone as casual as ever. “Kids that age are all about independence, right?”

Undyne considered this, her expression softening slightly. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. If she wants to keep it to herself, that’s fine. Still, she’s not coming in this weekend. She’s grounded, remember?”

Sans waved a hand dismissively. “Eh, doesn’t bother me. The place’ll survive.”

Undyne chuckled, giving him a pointed look. “Glad to see you’re so invested in your employees.”

“What can I say? I’m a model boss.” Sans replied with a grin, going back to his book.

Undyne rolled her eyes but smiled, continuing her shopping alongside Alphys.

They both approached the counter where Sans leaned lazily against it, a toothy grin on his face as he rang up Undyne’s items. The store was quiet, save for the occasional creak of the old floorboards and the low hum of the refrigerator in the back.

Undyne dumped her basket on the counter and leaned one elbow on it, flashing Alphys a grin. “Y’know, it’s kinda funny how we keep bumping into each other lately. You stalking me or something?”

Alphys almost dropped her basket at the comment, scrambling to set it down next to Undyne’s. “W-what? No! Of course not! I-I just… shop here a lot. Yeah, that’s all!” She pushed her glasses up nervously, her face growing warm.

Undyne laughed, loud and unbothered. “Relax, I’m just messin’ with you.” She smirked, glancing at Alphys’s basket. “Stocking up on the essentials, huh?” Her gaze lingered on the stack of ramen cups and the two-liter soda precariously balanced on top.

Alphys rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly. “Y-yeah, well… cooking isn’t really my strong suit, so, uh… I just stick to what I know.”

Sans chimed in without looking up, his grin unwavering. “Hey, if it works, it works. Just don’t let her talk you into eating any of that ramen, Undyne. Pretty sure some of those cups have been here since before I was born.”

“H-hey!” Alphys protested weakly, but Undyne chuckled, brushing it off.

As Sans finished bagging their items, Undyne turned back to Alphys. “But seriously, it’s kinda nice seeing you around so much. You’re good company.”

Alphys blinked, her mouth opening slightly as if unsure how to respond. “O-oh, thanks! I mean, uh, you too! You’re, um… really pleasant to talk to.”

Undyne raised an eyebrow, her grin softening into something a little less teasing. “Y’know, we should actually talk more. Like, not just when we run into each other. What do you think?”

Alphys stared at her for a moment, clearly caught off guard. “T-talk more? You mean like… um… like friends?”

“Yeah, like friends!” Undyne said, laughing lightly. “Unless you were hoping for something else.”

Alphys nearly tripped over her own feet. “N-no! I mean, yes! Friends! That’s… that’s great!” She adjusted her glasses again, her tail swishing nervously behind her.

Undyne chuckled again and pulled out her phone, the screen slightly cracked in one corner. “Here, let’s swap numbers. That way I don’t have to rely on fate to keep running into you.”

Alphys fumbled with her phone, nearly dropping it before managing to unlock it and hand it over and they exchanged numbers.

As they finished up and headed out of the store, Undyne turned to Alphys at the door. The cool evening air hit them, and Undyne adjusted the bags in her hands. “Anyway, I’ll text you later. Maybe we can figure out a time to hang out. You can show me all that weird science stuff you’ve been working on.”

Alphys nodded quickly, holding her grocery bag tightly. “Y-yeah, absolutely! I’ve got some really cool projects I’ve been working on, and I’d love to show you—uh, if you’re interested, that is.”

Undyne grinned. “I wouldn’t have said it if I wasn’t, Alphys. See ya around.” She gave her a casual wave and started walking off, the confidence in her stride leaving Alphys standing there for a moment, still clutching her phone like it might disappear.

Alphys exhaled slowly, her heart racing as she turned in the opposite direction. This definitely wasn’t how she expected her grocery trip to go, but she wasn’t complaining.

---

Susie lounged on her bed, lazily tossing a pillow into the air and catching it as Kris sat cross-legged on the floor, leaning back against her desk. The cheap phone Susie had tossed aside earlier buzzed softly on the desk, but she ignored it. Her gaze shifted to Kris, and a smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth.

“I still can't believe you ditched me for Berdly last night.” she teased, letting the pillow land on her face dramatically before flinging it across the room.

Kris looked up from examining one of Susie’s random trinkets on the floor and raised an eyebrow, their face a picture of faux innocence. They tilted their head slightly, one hand coming up in a questioning shrug.

“You heard me!” Susie continued, sitting up and pointing a clawed finger at them. “You totally left me for bird-brain. What, was he that fun or something?”

Kris tapped their chin thoughtfully, then leaned forward, mimicking writing something in the air.

“Oh, you’re takin’ notes on how to piss me off better next time?” Susie said, rolling her eyes but grinning despite herself.

Kris smirked back and leaned back against the desk, finally deciding to speak. “Well, it didn’t exactly seem like you needed me last night. Pretty sure you and Noelle were glued together the entire time, I saw you two dancing and everything.” They raised an eyebrow meaningfully.

Susie felt her face heat up and immediately waved them off. “I was just, y’know… keeping an eye on her. She’s not exactly a party animal.”

Kris’s expression was absolutely deadpan, but the slight twitch of their mouth betrayed their amusement. They slowly clasped their hands over their chest and fluttered their eyelashes, mimicking a dramatic swoon.

“Oh, come on!” Susie groaned, chucking a small pillow at them. Kris ducked, their smirk widening.

“Anyway,” Kris said, their tone casual but teasing, “while you were doing… whatever that was, I had to deal with Berdly calling the cops.”

Susie froze, mid-stretch. “Wait, what?”

Kris nodded, their hand miming a phone call with exaggerated precision, their expression switching to an uncanny impression of Berdly’s smug face.

Susie burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. “You’re telling me he called the cops? What, did someone spill soda on his consoles or something?”

Kris shook their head, their grin fading into something more exasperated. They leaned forward and began gesturing wildly: one hand pointing at an invisible phone, the other making a small explosion motion.

“Okay, okay, slow down,” Susie said, still chuckling. “What the hell happened?”

Kris huffed and leaned back again, crossing their arms. “Jockington,” they finally said, the word dripping with disdain. “Apparently, he and some of the others were pulling off ‘dangerous’ party tricks.” They air-quoted with their fingers. “Berdly freaked out and decided to ‘save the day.’”

Susie howled with laughter again, doubling over. “Oh my angel! What, did he think the cops were gonna hand him a medal or something?”

Kris sighed dramatically, rubbing their temples. “I tried to explain to him that calling the cops on a party he was still at was, y’know, a terrible idea. But by the time I got back to him with snacks, he’d already called them.”

Susie smirked, shaking her head. “You know what? That’s what you get for ditching me. Karma, baby."

Kris shook their head, a small smirk appearing on their face. “I tried to find you after that,” they said. “To warn you. But I couldn't find you anywhere.”

Susie snorted. “Yeah, probably ‘cause I was in the bathroom, holding Noelle’s hair back while she puked her guts out.”

Kris raised both eyebrows, clearly impressed.

“Yeah,” Susie said, leaning back on her hands. “She was a total mess. But, y’know… somebody had to help her out.”

Kris’s smirk softened slightly, and they nodded.

Susie chuckled again, shaking her head. “No seriously, Berdly calling the cops? That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all week. Serves you right for hanging out with him instead of me.”

Kris shrugged, their grin returning as they pointed at Susie, then at themselves, then gestured broadly, as if to say, “Well, you’re stuck with me now.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Susie said, rolling her eyes but unable to hide her grin. “Guess I don’t have much of a choice, huh?”

Not long after, Kris decided to leave, and it was for the best. If Undyne had caught them at the house she'd probably never let Susie step foot outside again.

She stretched out on the couch, flipping through channels with an air of boredom. The sound of the TV barely registered as her eyes wandered to the dresser across the room. She hadn’t paid it much attention since she had first snooped around, but now her gaze lingered on the military medals, as well as the framed photos on top of the dresser.

Undyne stepped in, grocery bags in each arm, kicking the door shut behind her with a grunt. “Hey, brat! Whatcha watchin’?” she called, making her way to the kitchen.

Susie shrugged, her attention reluctantly shifting from the photos. “Dunno. Some fish thing.”

Undyne poked her head out of the kitchen, smirking. “Fish, huh? That better not be a dig at me.”

Susie rolled her eyes. “Yeah, sure. Totally planned it that way.”

“Smartass.” Undyne muttered with a grin as she disappeared again.

The clatter of bags and the rustling of groceries filled the air for a few minutes. Susie laid her head back against the cushions, flipping idly through the channels again. When Undyne finally emerged, she plopped down on the couch beside her, groaning as she stretched out her legs.

“Man, I’m beat. Grocery shopping is such a drag.”

“Then why’d you go?” Susie asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Because I didn’t feel like living off canned beans all week, and I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate it either.” Undyne shot back. “Also, I found twenty bucks in my pocket, so I figured, why not?”

“Lucky you.” Susie replied, smirking proudly to herself. She shifted slightly to make more room for Undyne, and they sat in comfortable silence for a while, the sound of the TV filling the space between them.

Susie’s gaze drifted back to the dresser. Her curiosity gnawed at her until she finally broke the quiet. “Hey, Undyne?”

“Yeah?”

Susie nodded toward the photos. “Who’s in those pictures? The ones on the dresser.”

Undyne glanced over, her expression softening. “Oh, those? Heh. Didn’t think you’d care about that old stuff.” She stood up, grabbed one of the frames, and handed it to Susie. “Here. These were my parents.”

The photo showed two tall fish monsters with kind eyes and warm smiles. Susie stared at it for a moment, then looked up at Undyne. “They look nice.”

“Yeah, they were,” Undyne said, her tone quieter than usual. “At least I'm told, not that I remember much. They passed away when I was a baby.”

“Oh.” Susie shifted awkwardly. “That… sucks.”

“Eh, it’s alright,” Undyne said, waving it off. “I mean, it definitely wasn’t fun, but what can you do? I bounced around foster homes for a while after that. Some were okay, some were... less than great.”

Susie frowned.

“But, it was what it was.” Undyne continued with a shrug. “Then, I met Gerson.”

She grabbed another photo and held it up, this one showing the older monster with the walking stick.

“I was about twelve or thirteen when I ran into him,” Undyne explained. “I needed cash, so I offered to mow his lawn or pick apples for him. He said yes but made sure to stand there the whole time, pointing out every little thing I missed. Drove me nuts.”

Susie smirked. “Bet you told him off.”

“Damn right I did!” Undyne said, laughing. “He just poked me with his stick and said, ‘Do you want the money or not?’ So I had to shut up and finish the job the way he wanted it done.”

Susie chuckled. “Sounds like a headache.”

“Oh, it was.” Undyne said, grinning. “But he let me sleep at his house whenever I didn’t want to go back to whatever foster home I was stuck in. And he was a retired general, so he had all this discipline and structure that he basically drilled into me. At the time, I thought he was annoying as hell, but looking back… it helped. When I volunteered for the army later, I was ready for it, thanks to him.”

Susie nodded slowly. “So, he kinda became your family?”

“Yeah.” Undyne said, her smile softening. “Pretty much.”

Susie looked at photo a bit more closely, “What about the dummy-monster? The one in the picture with you and Gerson?”

Undyne’s expression shifted instantly. Her shoulders tensed, and her usual confidence seemed to waver, “Not important.” she said, her voice tight.

Susie blinked, taken aback by the sudden change in tone. “Oh. Uh, okay.”

Undyne stood up abruptly, stretching her arms. “Anyway, enough of this trip down memory lane. I’m starving. You want lunch?”

“Yeah, sure.” Susie said, watching her disappear into the kitchen. She leaned back against the couch, her mind still lingering on Undyne’s reaction.

Weird, she thought. Undyne’s usually so open about everything. Wonder what that was all about.

But she decided not to push it. Instead, she turned her attention back to the TV, letting the sound of pots and pans clanging in the kitchen drown out her thoughts. They soon ate together in moderate silence, and the rest of the day passed without much commotion, though, Susie’s thoughts still lingered on the dummy.

Chapter Text

Undyne woke up to the familiar blare of her alarm clock, a shrill and relentless sound that she swore got louder every day. She groaned, rolling over and smacking the snooze button with more force than necessary. Morning sunlight filtered through her blinds, streaking the room with pale golden light. It was Sunday, strangely her busiest day of the week, and she already felt the weight of it pressing down on her.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed, rubbing her face with both hands before pulling herself upright. Her body ached slightly from the sparring sessions with Susie she'd been having lately, a reminder that she wasn’t invincible, no matter how much she liked to pretend otherwise.

Padding into the bathroom, Undyne splashed cold water on her face, brushing her teeth while staring at her reflection in the mirror. She pulled her hair into its usual high ponytail and shrugged on her standard uniform: her work button-up, matching blue slacks, duty belt and her badge pinned over her heart.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee hit her as she stepped into the kitchen. She’d set the timer on the machine the night before, a rare stroke of foresight. She poured herself a mug, black and steaming, and took a long sip, savoring the brief moment of calm before the chaos of her day.

Her routine was almost complete when she reached for her bag on the counter, intending to grab her wallet to check if she had enough cash on-hand for lunch later. Her hand froze mid-air when she realized the wallet wasn’t where it should be.

“Where the hell...” she muttered, setting the bag down and rummaging through it. She pulled out her keys, her phone, and a couple of loose pens, but no wallet.

Undyne frowned, her brow furrowing. She distinctly remembered putting it in her bag yesterday. It wasn’t like her to misplace things, especially something as important as her wallet.

She began retracing her steps, moving from the kitchen to the living room. Maybe she’d left it on the coffee table? No. The table was clear, save for a few coasters and an old magazine.

Her search grew more frantic as she moved upstairs, checking her nightstand, the bathroom counter, even the top of her dresser. Nothing.

“Dammit!” she hissed under her breath. Her mind raced with possibilities, and one unsettling thought began to surface: Susie.

Ever since she had taken Susie in, things had been... mostly smooth. The kid had her rough edges, sure, but Undyne thought they were starting to get along. Still, old habits died hard, and she simply couldn’t ignore the possibility.

She didn't want to jump to conclusions, but the thought nagged at her, persistent and insidious. She couldn’t shake it.

Her gaze shifted toward Susie’s room. The door was slightly ajar, and she could see the faint outline of her sleeping form under the blankets. Undyne hesitated. She didn’t want to wake Susie. Not yet, at least. But the suspicion lingered, sour and uncomfortable in the pit of her stomach.

With a heavy sigh, she decided to let it go for the moment. Maybe the wallet would turn up later. Maybe she was just overthinking things.

She grabbed her phone and keys, opting to skip breakfast in favor of getting to the station early. As she stepped out the door, though, she couldn’t help but glance back at the house, her mind still swirling with uneasy thoughts.

---

Undyne pushed open the front door, the creak of the hinges echoing through the quiet house. It was late, the orange glow of the setting sun casting long shadows across the floor as she stepped inside. She tossed her keys onto the counter with a clatter and leaned against the doorway, letting out a long, tired sigh.

Her day at the station had been grueling: back-to-back calls, endless paperwork, and a couple of small disputes in town that had left her nerves frayed. But none of that compared to the nagging thought that had plagued her all day, her missing wallet.

It still hadn’t turned up, and no matter how much she tried to push it out of her mind, she kept circling back to the same uncomfortable suspicion.

Susie.

Undyne shook her head as if to physically dislodge the thought. She didn’t want to think that way, not about Susie. The kid had been through enough, and Undyne had promised herself she’d give her a real chance here. But… the doubt was there, stubborn and still gnawing at the edges of her conscious.

Deciding to check one more time before bringing it up, Undyne headed to her bedroom. She methodically searched every drawer, every shelf, every possible hiding place. She even got on her hands and knees to peer under the bed. Nothing.

Her frustration bubbled to the surface as she stood up, running a hand through her hair. She paced the room for a moment before taking a deep breath.

She walked to Susie’s door and knocked firmly.

“Punk? You in there?”

A muffled groan answered her. “Yeah, what?”

Undyne pushed the door open to find Susie sprawled on her bed, one leg hanging off the side as she flipped through a comic book.

“Hey.” Undyne started, leaning against the doorframe. “You, uh… seen my wallet anywhere?”

Susie blinked and lowered the comic, her expression shifting from bored to mildly confused. “Your wallet? Nah, why?”

Undyne hesitated, her fingers gripping the edge of the door. “Well, it’s missing. I’ve looked everywhere, and… I just thought maybe you might’ve seen it.”

Susie sat up, frowning. “I haven’t. Why would I?”

There it was, the opening. Undyne could feel the words forming in her throat, but saying them felt like stepping into a minefield.

“Look,” she said carefully, her voice quieter now. “If you did take it, it’s okay. I’m not mad. Just… give it back, alright? We’ll call it even.”

Susie froze, her eyes widening. For a moment, the room was completely still. Then, like a dam breaking, the disbelief and hurt came pouring out.

“You think I took it?” Susie’s voice cracked, a mix of anger and something far more vulnerable. She stood up, the comic falling to the floor, forgotten. “Seriously!? After everything? You think I’d steal from you?”

Undyne’s heart sank. “Susie, I didn’t say that—”

“Yeah, you did!” Susie’s voice rose, her fists clenching at her sides.

Undyne stepped forward, hands raised in a placating gesture. “I’m not accusing you, okay? I just—look, you’re the only other person here. It’s not like I’m blaming you, I just…”

“Just what?” Susie cut in, her voice trembling. “You think I’m some kinda lowlife who’d steal from the only person who actually gives a shit about me?”

“That’s not what I meant!” Undyne’s voice rose in frustration, but the second she saw the look in Susie’s eyes: wide, glistening and full of pain, her anger evaporated.

Susie shook her head, her jaw tight as she grabbed her jacket from the back of a chair. “You know what? Forget it.”

“Susie—”

But Susie was already brushing past her, storming through the hall, down the stairs and out the front door. The slam echoed through the house, leaving an aching silence in its wake.

Undyne stood there, frozen. Her chest felt tight, like someone had grabbed her ribcage and squeezed.

She sat down on the edge of Susie’s bed, burying her face in her hands. “Dammit...” she whispered, the word breaking under the weight of her guilt.

For a long moment, she just sat there, staring at the floor, her mind racing. She replayed the conversation in her head, over and over, each time feeling worse.

Finally, with a heavy sigh, she got up and trudged back to her bedroom. She wasn’t even sure what she was looking for anymore. Closure, maybe. Redemption, if she could find it in the form of that stupid wallet.

She opened the top drawer of her dresser, rummaging through old receipts and random knick-knacks. And then, there it was.

Her wallet.

Undyne stared at it, her heart sinking like a stone to the bottom of the ocean. She picked it up, flipping it open to confirm that everything was still there, It was.

She dropped it onto the dresser and leaned forward, bracing her hands against the wood. “Idiot.” she muttered under her breath.

The guilt was suffocating now, pressing down on her chest with the weight of every wrong assumption she’d made. She had to fix this. She couldn’t let Susie think, for even one second, that she didn’t trust her.

Grabbing her keys, Undyne left the house, the wallet still sitting on the dresser as she slammed the door behind her.

---

Susie stormed down the dimly lit streets, her hands shoved deep into the pockets of her jacket. The cool evening air bit at her face, but she hardly noticed. Her thoughts were too loud, swirling around in a chaotic mess that she couldn’t seem to untangle.

She kicked a stray rock down the sidewalk, watching as it skittered into the gutter. “Figures,” she muttered to herself. “Why wouldn’t she think I did it? That’s what everyone always jumps to, let's blame Susie!”

She tried to tell herself it didn’t matter, that she shouldn’t care. People had been accusing her of things her whole life. Broken vases, stolen lunch money, fights in the hallway, it didn’t even have to be her fault. She’d always been the scapegoat, the delinquent.

And for a long time, she’d been okay with that. She’d leaned into it, even. If everyone was going to hate her anyway, she might as well give them a reason to, right?

No. This… this was different.

Undyne had given her a home. A place to belong. For the first time, Susie had started to think that maybe, just maybe, someone actually believed in her.

And then, just like that, it was ripped away.

Susie tightened her fists in her pockets, her nails digging into her palms. She could still hear Undyne’s voice in her head, calm and steady, like she was trying not to make a big deal out of it. “If you did take it, it’s okay. I’m not mad. Just give it back.”

It wasn’t the words that hurt. It was the implication. The doubt. Undyne didn't trust her.

Susie blinked rapidly, trying to fight the stinging in her eyes. She didn’t cry, not anymore. Crying didn’t solve anything, and it sure as hell didn’t make people trust you.

“Idiot.” she muttered, kicking at another rock. It bounced harmlessly off the curb. “I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up.”

Her feet carried her past the school, its windows dark and uninviting. She thought about how much had changed in the past few weeks. Her blossoming friendship with Noelle. Kris’s weird but oddly comforting company. Even little things, like actually trying to pay attention in class, had started to feel… normal.

And Undyne had been at the center of all of it.

A pang of bitterness welled up in her chest. She’d told herself she wouldn’t let her guard down again, not after everything that had happened at home. Her parents hadn’t trusted her either. How could they? She was the loud kid, the “problem child.” Every slammed door and broken plate had been her fault, even when it wasn’t.

They’d stopped caring about what she did a long time ago. And she’d stopped caring about what they thought, she knew that they were bad people.

But Undyne wasn’t like them. She wasn’t supposed to be.

Susie clenched her jaw, a lump forming in her throat. It wasn’t just that Undyne had accused her. It was that she’d cared so much about proving she could be better, be trusted. That she wasn’t just some screw-up.

She stopped at the edge of the park, the faint glow of the streetlights filtering through the trees. Her chest felt tight, like she couldn’t quite catch her breath. She hated this... feeling vulnerable, exposed.

“Should’ve just stayed under the radar,” she muttered. “What was I thinking, trying to have—” Her voice broke, and she swallowed hard. “Whatever.”

The bench came into view, nestled under the same tree where she’d slept for months after getting evicted. She stared at it for a long moment, her footsteps slowing until she came to a stop.

It felt like a lifetime ago, even though it had only been a month or two. She remembered the ache in her back from lying on the hard wood, the way the cold night air had made her shiver. She’d felt so lost back then.

And now… now she wasn’t sure what she felt.

Susie sank onto the bench, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees. She stared at the ground, the shadows of leaves shifting across the pavement.

She didn’t know how long she sat there, lost in her thoughts. But for the first time in a long time, she let herself feel the weight of it all—the frustration, the anger, the hurt.

And underneath it all, a quiet, desperate longing for things to be different.

---

The streets were quieter than usual, the crisp night air filled with nothing but the occasional rustling of leaves. Undyne adjusted her jacket as she scanned the park, her eyes narrowing in determination.

Her steps slowed when she spotted a familiar figure slumped on a bench under a tree.

Susie.

Undyne’s shoulders sagged in relief, the tension in her chest easing ever so slightly. But as she approached, her heart clenched again. Susie looked smaller somehow, curled in on herself, her head bowed low.

“Susie?”

Susie stiffened, her head snapping up at the sound of Undyne’s voice. For a moment, neither of them moved. Undyne saw the glimmer of something raw in Susie’s eyes before the younger girl quickly looked away.

“...What do you want?” Susie muttered, her voice rough.

Undyne hesitated, standing a few feet away. She’d rehearsed what she wanted to say on the way here, but now the words felt clumsy and inadequate.

“I…” Undyne rubbed the back of her neck. “I’ve been looking for you. I wanted to talk.”

Susie let out a bitter laugh, leaning back against the bench. “Talk? What, you got something else to accuse me of stealing?”

The words hit Undyne like a punch to the gut. She opened her mouth to respond, but Susie didn’t give her the chance.

“Figures, right?” Susie continued, her voice rising. “I mean, why wouldn’t you think I did it? I’m just some hoodlum who breaks stuff and gets into fights. Why not add ‘thief’ to the list?”

“Susie, that’s not—”

“Don’t.” Susie snapped, standing abruptly. Her fists were clenched at her sides, her expression a mix of anger and hurt. “Don’t try to make it better. You don’t trust me. Just admit it.”

Undyne took a deep breath, willing herself to stay calm. “You’re right,” she said quietly.

That seemed to catch Susie off guard. She blinked, her anger faltering for a moment.

“I messed up,” Undyne continued, her voice steady but filled with regret. “I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. And I definitely shouldn’t have accused you like that. I found my wallet, Susie. It was in my drawer the whole time. This wasn’t on you.”

Susie stared at her, her jaw tightening. “So what? You’re here to say sorry and expect everything to be fine?”

“No,” Undyne said firmly. “I’m here to apologize because I screwed up, and more importantly, because I care about you, Susie. I shouldn’t have doubted you.”

Susie scoffed, crossing her arms. “Care about me? Really? You thought I stole from you, after everything you’ve done for me. I didn’t even ask you to buy me this stupid jacket, but I still went and got a job so I could pay you back for it! That’s where the twenty bucks in your pocket came from, by the way.”

Undyne blinked, visibly taken aback. At least now she knew why Susie had kept her job at Sans' a secret from her. “That was... you?”

“Yeah, me.” Susie snapped, her voice breaking slightly. “I busted my ass sneaking shifts at Sans’ so I could pay you back. And then you turn around and accuse me of taking money from you? Do you even know how that feels?”

Undyne’s expression softened, guilt etched into her features. “Susie, I…” she began, but her words faltered. She ran a hand through her hair, her usual confidence crumbling. “I didn’t know that you went through all of that trouble for me. And you’re right, I shouldn’t have thought that. Not for a second.”

Susie looked away, the anger in her eyes dimming into something more vulnerable. “It’s not just about the money. It’s… it’s that you thought I’d do that to you.”

The raw sincerity in Undyne’s voice made Susie’s throat tighten. She looked away, her fingers tugging at the hem of her jacket.

“You have every right to be mad.” Undyne said, stepping closer but still giving Susie space. “And if you don’t wanna come back right now, I get it. But I need you to know that I’m not gonna stop believing in you. Not after everything you’ve been through. Not after everything you’ve done to prove you’re more than what people say about you.”

Susie’s eyes burned, and she quickly blinked back the tears threatening to spill. “You don’t get it.” she mumbled.

“Then help me understand.” Undyne said gently.

Susie hesitated, the weight of her emotions threatening to crush her. But then the words spilled out, unfiltered and raw.

“Do you know how many people have looked at me and just… expected the worst?” Susie’s voice cracked. “Teachers, my father, my mom… even my friends back in the day. Everyone just sees this big, loud kid who’s good for nothing but causing trouble. And yeah, maybe I deserved it sometimes, but…” She trailed off, her hands trembling. “You were supposed to be different.”

The admission hung heavy in the air, cutting straight through Undyne’s defenses.

“I know.” Undyne said softly. “And I let you down. I didn’t think about what it would mean to you, and I’m so, so sorry, Susie.”

Susie finally looked at her, and Undyne recognized the hurt in her eyes—the kind that came from years of being dismissed, overlooked, and misunderstood.

“I’ve screwed up too.” Undyne continued. “More times than I can count. And it doesn’t excuse what I did, but I’m gonna do better. Because you deserve better.”

The sincerity in Undyne’s voice made something inside Susie crack. She exhaled shakily, running a hand through her hair.

“I don’t wanna feel like this anymore.” Susie admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Undyne stepped closer, placing a hand on Susie’s shoulder. “You don’t have to,” she said. “We’ll figure it out together. I promise.”

For a moment, they stood in silence, the tension between them easing ever so slightly.

Susie sighed, finally letting herself relax. “I guess I can forgive you...” she muttered, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “But only because you’re a big sap.”

Undyne chuckled, relieved to see even a hint of Susie’s usual bravado. “Deal. And hey, let’s make a pact. No more hiding stuff. If something’s wrong, we talk about it. Okay, punk?”

Susie nodded, her smirk fading into something softer. “Okay, boss.”

As they began walking back toward the house, the weight between them felt lighter, their steps falling into an easy rhythm.

And for the first time that night, Susie allowed herself to believe that she wasn’t as alone as she thought.

Chapter Text

Monday morning arrived quietly, the soft chirping of birds barely audible over the dull hum of the neighborhood waking up. The sunlight filtered through Susie’s curtains, streaking her room with a golden glow that made her groan and bury her face deeper into her pillow. It wasn’t the alarm that woke her; she’d smacked it silent five minutes ago. But the day wasn’t going to wait for her to drag herself out of bed.

“Damn school...” she muttered, throwing the blanket off with a huff. She stretched lazily, her joints popping as she got to her feet. Her tail trailed behind her as she shuffled to the bathroom, still half-asleep.

She flicked on the bathroom light, squinting at the sudden brightness. Splashing cold water on her face helped a little, though she still looked as tired as she felt. The events of the weekend drifted through her mind as she reached for her toothbrush. Yesterday had been… something.

The fight with Undyne felt sharper now, standing out in her memory like a jagged edge. She hadn’t meant to blow up like that—or maybe she had, just not to that degree. She worked the toothbrush over her teeth harder than necessary, her jaw tightening at the thought of Undyne’s accusation. And yet, she couldn’t ignore how Undyne handled things afterward.

She leaned over the sink, spitting out the toothpaste and rinsing her mouth. It was so strange, the way Undyne had actually come to find her, apologized, and tried to make things right. Susie rubbed at her cheek absently, her gaze dropping to the water swirling down the drain. It wasn’t something she was used to.

Her dad wouldn’t have done that. If she’d gotten mad and stormed off when they were still living together, he wouldn’t have bothered looking for her. No calls, no texts, no yelling for her to come back—nothing. Half the time, it seemed like he was glad she was gone. She bristled at the memory, gripping the edge of the sink tighter.

By the time she dragged herself back to her room, her mood was already sour. She yanked open her dresser, pulling on her usual clothes without much thought. Her jacket lay slung over the back of her chair. She paused, her fingers brushing the leather. It hadn’t crossed her mind yesterday how much effort she’d put into getting this jacket, not just because she wanted it, but because she wanted to show Undyne that she could pay her back. And Undyne had appreciated that.

Undyne was different. That much was obvious. It wasn’t just the apology, but the way she gave a damn. Even when Susie was pissed and yelling, Undyne hadn’t lost her cool. She didn’t yell back or dismiss her feelings. That was… new.

The corner of Susie’s mouth twitched as she pulled on the jacket. She slung her bag over her shoulder and cast a glance around her room. Everything felt heavier this morning, but not necessarily in a bad way.

She trudged downstairs, her boots thudding against the steps. The smell of coffee lingered faintly in the air, though the kitchen was empty. Undyne must’ve already left for work. Susie grabbed an apple from the counter, biting into it as she walked out the door.

The crisp morning air hit her face, waking her up fully. She adjusted her bag strap and took another bite. It was just another Monday. Nothing special, nothing different. Except now, there was a faint, unfamiliar sense of reassurance tucked away somewhere deep inside her.

Susie trudged up to the school’s parking lot, her boots crunching on the asphalt as she finished off the last bite of her apple. Her gaze landed on Kris, who was casually leaning against a lamppost near the school entrance, their bag slung lazily over one shoulder. Their usual blank expression was firmly in place, but Susie caught the faintest hint of amusement in the way their head tilted when they noticed her approaching.

She smirked, tossing the apple core onto the ground without a second thought. “Hey, freak.” she called, stuffing her hands into her jacket pockets. “What, you waiting for little old me? How sweet.”

Kris shrugged one shoulder in response, their expression not giving much away, though Susie swore she saw the corner of their mouth twitch upward.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” she muttered with a grin, stepping closer. “Come on, let’s get this over with before Alphys gives us another one of her lame speeches.”

The two of them walked side by side toward the school’s front doors. Kris didn’t say anything, as usual, but Susie didn’t mind the quiet. They had their own way of communicating, Kris’s silence and Susie’s stream of sarcastic comments somehow balanced each other out.

The hallways were mostly empty, save for a couple of stragglers rushing to get to class. Susie glanced at the clock on the wall as they made their way toward their homeroom. “Yep, definitely late...” she muttered.

When they pushed open the door to the classroom, the faint sound of Alphys’s nervous muttering greeted them. The little yellow lizard was halfway through explaining something about ancient civilizations, though her voice trailed off when she noticed them. She adjusted her glasses and pointed toward their desks. “Uh, y-you’re late,” she said, fidgeting with her notes. “J-just… just get to your seats, okay? W-we’re in the middle of—uh, yeah. Just sit.”

Susie gave Kris a sideways glance as they walked to their desks near the back of the room. Noelle, who was sitting in front row, turned in her seat as they passed by. Her eyes lit up when she saw them, and she gave a small wave.

Susie blinked, caught off guard for a split second, but quickly recovered. She raised her hand in a casual wave back, trying not to make a big deal out of it. That’s when she noticed something new: Noelle’s hair was braided today, two neat plaits framing her neck. Susie had to admit it wasn't a bad look.

Kris nudged her as they reached their desks, and Susie shook her head slightly, snapping herself out of it. She slumped into her seat with a groan, Kris followed suit, sliding into their chair with their usual nonchalance.

Alphys resumed her lecture at the front of the class, her voice barely louder than the hum of the overhead lights. Susie leaned back in her chair, arms crossed over her chest, and let her eyes drift shut. History was her favorite subject, when Noelle talked about it. When it was Alphys? Well, it was the perfect time for a nap.

By the time Susie opened her eyes again, the bell was ringing, and Kris was poking her arm to wake her fully. She stretched, yawning loudly, and glanced around. Noelle was already packing up her things, her braids swinging lightly as she moved. Susie found herself watching for a moment too long before shaking her head and stuffing her books into her bag.

“Ready for round two?” she muttered to Kris, who just shrugged, a faint smirk playing on their lips. Susie rolled her eyes, slinging her bag over her shoulder. It was just another Monday, though she had a feeling it might not stay that way for long.

As Susie and Kris gathered their things, ready to leave the classroom, Susie caught sight of Noelle standing near the door, fidgeting with the strap of her satchel. She was looking their way, clearly waiting for them. Susie raised an eyebrow and nudged Kris with her elbow.

"Looks like someone’s got somethin’ to say." she muttered, smirking slightly.

Kris tilted their head in acknowledgment, their expression unreadable, as usual. The two of them made their way to the door.

“Hey, Jingles.” Susie said as they approached, her voice casual. “What’s up?”

Noelle perked up at the greeting, offering a small, warm smile. “Oh, hi, Susie! Hi, Kris! Um, I was wondering...” She hesitated for a moment, clasping her hands in front of her. “Would you guys want to study together after school? We’ve got that math test at the end of the week, and I figured it might be easier if we worked on it together.”

Susie groaned internally at the mention of math. She could already hear the lecture Undyne would give her if she bombed the test. Her grades weren’t stellar, but she knew she had to keep things from totally falling apart. And math? Math sucked.

Kris glanced at Susie, clearly leaving the decision to her.

Susie sighed, stuffing her hands in her jacket pockets. “Yeah, okay. Math’s not exactly my strong suit, so… guess some help wouldn't hurt.” she admitted, her tone begrudging.

Noelle’s smile brightened. “Great! Thanks, guys. Oh, um, one more thing, would you mind if we stopped by the hospital first? I want to visit my dad for a little bit before we head to my house.”

“Yeah, no problem.” Susie said with a shrug. “Long as I don’t have to talk to any doctors or nothin’.”

Noelle smiled softly. “Don’t worry, it won’t take long. Just a quick visit.”

Kris nodded, giving a small thumbs-up.

“Great! I’ll meet you guys after school, then?” Noelle said, waving as she turned to head toward her next class.

Susie nodded and watched her go for a second before rolling her eyes at herself. There was nothing more she hated than studying, but refusing Noelle was always rough, for some reason. “Guess we’re doin’ this...” she muttered, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

Kris shrugged, their smirk barely visible as they started walking toward their next class.

“Don’t look at me like that.” Susie grumbled.

Kris didn’t respond, just stuffed their hands in their pockets and kept walking, their silence saying more than words could.

Susie sighed. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. Let’s just get to class.”

The rest of the school day passed by in a blur for Susie, her notes only half-heartedly scribbled as she counted down the minutes to freedom. By the time the last bell rang, she was one of the first to pack up and meet Kris out front.

As the two loitered near the school steps, Kris casually leaned against the railing, idly staring at the passing students. Susie tossed her bag onto the ground beside her and cracked her neck.

“Wonder what’s takin’ her so long...” Susie muttered, her hands shoved deep into her jacket pockets.

Kris shrugged, glancing at the school doors just as Noelle emerged, waving enthusiastically.

“I'm here!” she greeted, jogging over to them.

“Hey,” Susie replied with a nod, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “You ready?”

Noelle smiled brightly. “Of course! Thanks again for coming with me. I won’t take too long, I promise.”

“Yeah, yeah. Lead the way, Jingles.”

The three of them set off, walking at a leisurely pace as the crisp air nipped at their faces. The journey to the hospital wasn’t far, and soon enough, they were stepping through the glass doors into the brightly lit lobby.

Noelle approached the receptionist desk, where a large, imposing monster with a single eye and sharp, jagged teeth loomed over a clipboard.

“Hi, I’m here to visit my dad, Rudy Holiday?” Noelle said politely.

The receptionist glanced up, her eye narrowing slightly before nodding. “Hello Noelle. Room 203, go ahead.”

“Thank you!” Noelle replied cheerily, motioning for Kris and Susie to follow.

Susie and Kris trailed behind as Noelle led them down the hallway to a private room. When they entered, Rudy was propped up in bed, looking a little tired but still managing his usual easygoing grin.

“Noelle!” he exclaimed, his arms opening wide.

“Hi, Dad!” Noelle chirped, running up to hug him tightly. “I just wanted to see you for a bit before I go study with my friends.”

Rudy hugged her back, his laugh warm and gentle. “Study, huh? Sounds important.” He glanced over Noelle’s shoulder, noticing Kris and Susie awkwardly lingering near the door. “Oh, you brought company!”

Kris gave a small wave, and Rudy’s eyes lit up. “Hey, Kris! Good to see you again.”

Susie shifted uncomfortably as Rudy’s gaze landed on her.

“And you must be…” Rudy trailed off, his smile widening. “Susie, right? I’ve heard a lot about—”

“Dad!” Noelle hissed, pulling away and giving him a sharp look. Her cheeks turned pink as she hurriedly cut him off. “That’s enough, okay?”

Rudy chuckled knowingly, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright, I’ll behave.”

Before the moment could grow more awkward, a commotion outside the room caught everyone’s attention. Kris and Susie exchanged a glance before peeking out into the hallway.

There, they saw Undyne in her police uniform, leaning heavily on Bratty, the blonde alligator girl who was always in that alleyway uptown.

Undyne grimaced as she limped forward, her voice gruff as she addressed the receptionist. “I was out patrolling when some psycho threw a flash grenade at me. It all happened so fast I couldn't even raise my head to see who it was. Came outta nowhere, blinded me, and I took a tumble. Pretty sure I sprained my damn ankle.”

Bratty chimed in, her tone dramatic. “Yeah, like, I heard this crazy pop, and when I ran over, she was, like, totally on the ground!”

Undyne scowled but didn’t correct her.

Susie’s eyes widened, and before she knew it, she was rushing out of the room. “Undyne!”

Undyne turned, surprised to see her. “Susie? What are you doing here?”

“It’s not important,” Susie replied quickly, her brow furrowed. “What happened? You okay?"

Undyne waved her off, her usual bravado somehow still intact. “Relax, kid. I’m fine. Just a little stumble, that’s all.”

She took a step forward to prove her point but immediately winced, her weight shifting off her injured foot.

The receptionist gave her a sharp look. “You need to be examined, Officer. Let’s get you into a room.”

Susie stepped closer, her concern embarrassingly evident. “Should I stay? Y’know, in case you need anything?”

Undyne shook her head, her expression softening slightly. “Nah, I’ll be alright. You’ve got places to be, right? Go do your thing.”

Susie hesitated but finally nodded. “Alright. Just... nevermind, I'll see ya later.”

Undyne smirked, giving her a thumbs-up. "Bye, brat.”

With that, the medical staff ushered Undyne into a nearby room, Bratty still hovering by her side. Susie stood there for a moment, watching them go, before Kris nudged her arm gently.

“Right.” Susie muttered, turning back toward the room where Noelle was waiting.

A few minutes later, they were walking out of the hospital, Noelle leading the way toward her house. The air was tense for a moment, but Susie quickly brushed it off, focusing on the fact that she’d survived yet another bizarre turn of events.

As they walked down the quiet streets toward Noelle’s house, the hospital fading into the distance behind them, the tension still lingered in the air. Susie had her hands stuffed deep into her jacket pockets, her brows furrowed. Kris walked beside her, their usual calm demeanor unreadable as ever, while Noelle trailed slightly ahead, her steps light but her gaze occasionally flicking back to the others.

Finally, Noelle broke the silence, glancing over her shoulder at Susie. “Hey, um… is everything okay? You’ve been kinda quiet.”

Susie blinked, caught off guard. “Huh? Yeah, I’m fine.” she muttered, kicking a stray pebble down the sidewalk. “It’s just… I don’t get it. Who the hell would throw a flashbang at Undyne? Like, where would they even get something like that here?”

Noelle slowed her pace, falling into step beside Susie. “It is pretty strange,” she admitted, her voice thoughtful. “Stuff like that isn’t exactly easy to come by...”

Kris nodded silently, their gaze fixed ahead, though Susie could tell they were just as intrigued by the question.

Noelle tapped her chin as they walked. “I mean… the only people in town who’d even have access to those are the police, right?”

“Yeah,” Susie agreed, her frown deepening. “And it sure as hell wasn’t Undyne, why would she throw one at herself? And Napstablook? No way. They wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

Noelle nodded fervently. “Exactly! Napstablook’s way too meek for something like that. They’d probably apologize for even thinking about it.”

The three of them lapsed into silence for a moment, the mystery hanging heavy over their heads. It was clear something weird was going on, but there wasn’t enough to piece together anything concrete.

“Well...” Noelle said after a while, her tone lighter as she tried to shake off the unease. “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see if anything else comes up.”

“Yeah...” Susie muttered, though she didn’t sound convinced. She shoved her hands deeper into her pockets, her thoughts still spinning.

Before long, they reached the gate to Noelle’s house, its bars gleaming faintly in the afternoon sunlight. Noelle fished out her keys and unlocked it, pushing the gate open with a small creak.

“Here we are!” she said cheerfully, glancing back at them. “C’mon, let’s head inside. My mom’s still at work, so we’ll have the place to ourselves.”

Susie and Kris followed her in, the topic of the flashbang lingering in the back of their minds as they stepped onto the cement pathway leading to Noelle’s house.

Inside, the trio settled into the cozy living room, the soft hum of a clock ticking in the background as they worked through math problems. The coffee table was littered with open notebooks, pencils, and erasers, and Susie couldn’t help but groan quietly every now and then when a particularly tricky equation stumped her. Kris, as usual, was composed, occasionally scribbling something down before leaning back and waiting for the others to catch up.

After a while, Susie glanced at Noelle, who was diligently solving an equation. Looking for any excuse to steer the conversation away from math, she asked, “So, uh… how’s your dad doing?”

Noelle paused mid-scribble and tugged at the sleeve of her Gyftmas sweater. “Oh, he says he’s doing fine,” she replied with a small smile, though there was a faint edge of worry in her voice. “But… I don’t know. I’m still a bit worried about him.”

Susie frowned but stayed quiet as Noelle continued.

“He told me he’s getting more tests done soon,” Noelle explained, “the doctors haven’t figured out what’s wrong yet.” She hesitated for a moment, then added, with forced cheer, “I’m sure he’ll be fine, though! My dad’s a tough cookie.”

There was a brief pause, the weight of the topic hanging in the air. Then Noelle perked up as if determined to change the subject.

“Oh, I forgot to mention!” she smiled brightly, sitting up straighter. “I’ve got a cross-country tournament tomorrow. If you guys come to watch, you’d get to miss 6th and 7th period!”

Susie raised an eyebrow, glancing at Kris. “You mean we could ditch math and science?”

Kris gave her a subtle grin and nodded, clearly sharing her enthusiasm for the idea.

“Well, count us in,” Susie said with a smirk. “No way we’re missing that.”

Noelle giggled, pleased with their response. Then she turned to Kris, her expression curious. “Oh! I almost forgot. My mom mentioned something the other day, she said your dad’s planning to run for mayor next year?”

Kris shrugged and nodded slowly. “Yeah, he’s… giving it a shot, I guess.” they said, their tone neutral but tinged with skepticism.

“You don’t think he’ll win?” Noelle asked, cocking an eyebrow.

Kris leaned back against the couch, looking thoughtful for a moment before replying, “Maybe, but I dunno. Your mom's been mayor forever. No one’s come close to beating her, mostly ‘cause no one really tries.”

“Well, if anyone could give her some competition, it’d be your dad, he's very friendly with everyone in town! ” Noelle said encouragingly.

Kris just gave a faint nod, leaving the topic to drift away.

After a little more math work and idle chatter, the three decided to call it a day. Noelle walked Susie and Kris to the door, waving as they stepped outside.

“See you tomorrow!” she called with a smile.

Susie and Kris waved back, starting down the sidewalk together. They walked quietly for a bit, the cool November breeze brushing past them, until they reached the path to Kris’s house.

“Later, freak.” Susie said casually, giving Kris a wave as they turned up toward their house.

Kris gave a small nod in reply and headed up their driveway while Susie continued down the street, her hands stuffed in her jacket pockets as she rounded the corner toward Undyne’s place.

Susie stepped into the house, kicking her shoes off at the door and shrugging off her jacket. The lights were already on, and she spotted Undyne sprawled on the couch, her injured leg propped up on the coffee table. She had an ice pack pressed against her ankle, which had been carefully wrapped in a protective bandage.

Undyne glanced up at her entrance and smirked. “Oh, hey, punk. You’re home.” she said casually, as if nothing had happened earlier.

Susie raised an eyebrow and walked over, standing in front of the couch. “Uh, you okay?”

Undyne waved her off with her free hand. “Pfft, I’m fine. Just need to...” She scoffed and gestured toward her leg. “Rest for a few days, I guess. And take some meds. But that’s it.”

Susie frowned, crossing her arms. “You sure? ‘Cause that limp earlier looked pretty bad.”

“I said I’m fine,” Undyne repeated, though her tone wasn’t harsh. “Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

Susie sat down on the other end of the couch, watching her for a moment before asking, “Did they, uh... catch the lunatic who threw that thing at you?”

Undyne sighed, her expression darkening slightly. “Napstablook’s been looking into it, but... no witnesses. Nobody saw the creep actually throw it, so it’s a dead end for now.” She clenched her jaw, frustration flickering across her face. “Whoever it was, they knew what they were doing. Coward ran before anyone could get a good look at them.”

Susie exhaled sharply, leaning back into the couch. “That’s messed up. Can’t believe someone pulled that on you.”

“Yeah, well,” Undyne muttered, setting the ice pack down on the table, “it’s not the first time some idiot’s tried something. Comes with the job.” She glanced over at Susie and gave a small smirk. “Don’t worry about me, kid. I’ve dealt with worse.”

Susie didn’t look entirely convinced but decided to let it drop. After a brief silence, she said, “Alright, well... if you need anything, just tell me, okay?”

Undyne leaned back into the couch, crossing her arms. “Hah, don’t think I will, but thanks anyway.”

“And groceries,” Susie added. “I can get groceries for us. You’re not supposed to be walking around, right? So, I’ll handle that.” Oh right, she hadn't seen Sans since well... you know. She'll just have to deal with that later.

Undyne chuckled softly, reaching over to ruffle Susie’s hair. “Thanks, punk. Appreciate it.”

Susie swatted her hand away with a half-hearted glare but didn’t say anything else. She grabbed the remote and flipped through the channels until she landed on some cheesy action movie.

The two of them settled into a comfortable silence, the flickering light of the TV casting shadows across the room. Susie glanced over at Undyne occasionally, noting the way her shoulders seemed just a bit less tense now.

As the movie droned on, Susie found herself feeling strangely at ease. Whatever had happened today, at least they were both still here, still together. And for now, that was enough.

Chapter Text

Susie jolted awake to the piercing screech of her alarm clock, groaning as she slapped the snooze button. The noise stopped, but the damage was done, she was awake. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she glanced at the clock. It was the usual time, but her body protested every movement as if it were far too early. With a resigned sigh, she swung her legs off the bed and got up.

She trudged over to her dresser and yanked out her usual clothes, throwing them on in the same half-conscious daze as every other morning. Brushing her teeth came next, and after that, she halfheartedly wrestled with her hair, taming it just enough so she didn’t look like she’d rolled straight out of a dumpster. It wasn’t perfect, but it was passable.

As she stepped into the hallway, something caught her attention. The house was silent. Too silent. Susie frowned, sniffing the air. No smell of coffee. That was weird. Every morning, without fail, Undyne was up before her, the smell of coffee wafting from the kitchen and the sound of her stomping around filling the house.

Curious, Susie wandered toward Undyne’s room. She hesitated for a second, then gently pushed the door open.

Undyne was still asleep, sprawled out on her bed like she’d been dropped there from a height. Her leg, the injured one, was sticking out from under the blanket, and the ice pack from last night sat abandoned on her bedside table. Her breathing was slow and even, her usual energy was nowhere to be seen.

Susie raised an eyebrow. Huh, guess she really was wiped out from yesterday. It wasn’t like Undyne to still be in bed when Susie woke up. Usually, she was already up and moving around, even on weekends. Susie closed the door quietly and headed downstairs, shaking her head.

Maybe Undyne's injury had done more to her than she let on.

She shrugged it off, grabbed her bag, and stepped outside. The air was crisp, and the walk to school was as uneventful as ever. As usual, Susie found Kris waiting near the entrance, standing casually with their hands in their pockets, staring off into space.

"What’s up, weirdo? Missed me?"

Kris turned their head slightly, blinking at her with a neutral expression before shrugging lazily.

“Yeah, thought so.” She gave them a teasing nudge with her elbow as she walked past. "Alright, come on."

Kris trailed after her without a word, the two of them stepping into the building just as the first bell rang. For once, they weren’t late.

The classroom was already buzzing with chatter, but Alphys barely glanced up from her desk when they entered. "J-just in time..." she muttered, adjusting her glasses. She pointed toward the back of the room. "T-take your seats, please."

Susie and Kris made their way to the back, sliding into their usual spots. Around them, the other students continued their conversations, but neither of them paid much attention.

Susie leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms behind her head. She glanced at the chalkboard, where Alphys was scribbling something about historical trade routes, but her mind was already elsewhere. In front of her, Kris looked equally uninterested, slumped in their seat with their chin resting in their hand.

The hour dragged on, with Susie occasionally glancing at the clock and tapping her pencil against the desk. She took a few notes here and there, begrudging scribbles that barely made sense, but for the most part, she just zoned out. It was history class. Nothing exciting ever happened here.

She decided take a look towards the front of the class, where Noelle seemed to be diligently writing down notes, that seemed to shake her memory a enough to realize her and Kris were gonna be getting out of school earlier today for that tournament thing Noelle ran...what was it again? Track, right? She was almost sure that Noelle had actually called it something else, but she couldn't remember what for the life of her.

The rest of the school day blurred by in a mix of half-hearted note-taking and occasional stifled yawns. Before Susie knew it, the bell for fifth period rang. As students shuffled into their seats, Noelle excused herself about halfway through the class to go prepare for the cross-country tournament. By the time that bell rang, she was more than ready to get out of the stuffy classroom.

She and Kris headed out together, following the directions Noelle had given them earlier. The two of them turned right, walking toward the forest that stretched next to the school. As they approached, it was impossible not to notice the sudden influx of unfamiliar faces milling around. Kids from out of town stood in groups, their black-and-yellow P.E. uniforms standing out against the reds and whites of the Hometown school. Cars from other districts were parked along the gravel lot, parents and coaches chatting while the kids warmed up or stretched nearby.

“Didn’t realize this was gonna be such a big deal...” Susie muttered, eyeing the unfamiliar students as they walked.

Kris simply shrugged, stuffing their hands into their hoodie pockets as they followed the flow of people heading toward the forest.

It wasn’t long before they reached the clearing Noelle had mentioned. Sure enough, there was a large open space with set-up bleachers, a clearly marked starting line, and a long path that twisted and disappeared into the dense trees. The finish line was off to the right, not far from where they stood. Susie tilted her head, taking in the path that stretched endlessly into the woods.

“The whole forest?” she muttered to herself, incredulous. “Who in their right mind signs up to do that for fun?”

Kris glanced at her with an amused glint in their eye but didn’t say anything. They both scanned the crowd, quickly spotting Noelle standing near the rest of the Hometown team. She was dressed in the school’s red-and-white uniform, her blonde hair pulled up neatly, and she had a matching red gym jacket draped over her shoulders. She noticed them almost instantly, her face lighting up as she waved them over excitedly.

“Hey, you guys made it!” Noelle said, smiling brightly as they approached.

“Of course we did,” Susie replied with a casual shrug. “Not like we’re gonna pass up missing class to watch you suffer.”

Kris gave a small nod in agreement, earning an eye-roll from Noelle, though she was clearly more amused than annoyed.

“Anyway, we’re running on a three-mile course that loops around the forest,” Noelle explained, gesturing toward the path. “Our school is going first, and then the out-of-town kids will run after us.”

“Three miles?” Susie echoed, her disbelief evident. She glanced at the path again, imagining herself trying to run that distance and shuddering. “You’re insane, Holiday.”

“Maybe... but I swear it's really not as hard as it sounds!” Noelle admitted with a laugh, her cheeks turning a bit pink.

Kris and Susie wished her good luck, but before Noelle headed off, she hesitated, her expression dimming slightly. She subtly pointed toward a nearby group from the out-of-town school, where a red parrot girl lounged against a tree, chatting with some of her teammates.

“See her?” Noelle asked quietly, glancing back at them.

“Yeah?” Susie replied, narrowing her eyes. The girl did look vaguely familiar.

“She’s wearing the same cardigan I lost that night,” Noelle said, shaking her head. “It’s probably nothing, but it’s kind of weird, don’t you think?”

Susie stared at the girl again. She vaguely remembered her from the party, but the name didn’t quite come to her. Whatever, it didn’t matter. Everything about this felt suspicious, but she didn’t want to add to Noelle’s worries.

Before Susie could voice anything, though, a loud horn blared, signaling the hometown school’s team to line up at the starting line.

“That’s my cue!” Noelle said, snapping back to her usual upbeat self. She gave them both a quick wave. “Wish me luck!”

“Don’t die out there,” Susie called after her, smirking as Noelle jogged off toward the starting line, her ponytail bouncing with every step.

Kris and Susie watched as the runners began to gather at the line, their focused expressions a stark contrast to the casual atmosphere of the spectators. Susie crossed her arms, still glancing toward the girl in the cardigan. Something about this whole thing didn’t sit right with her, but for now, all they could do was wait and watch.

The race horn had blown, and their school’s runners had vanished into the forest. Kris and Susie sat together on the bleachers in a pocket of relative silence, watching the spectators mill around. Susie’s eyes, however, weren’t on the crowd. She was fixated on the parrot girl.

It was strange. Too strange to be a coincidence. Sure, white cardigans weren’t exactly rare, but something about this just felt off. Susie grumbled under her breath, her thoughts circling back to the party. Casey, Carla? Whatever her name was, had definitely been there that night. Could it be her that stole Noelle's shit? It wouldn’t be impossible.

Just then, Susie noticed the parrot girl break away from her group, heading toward the school. That was odd. The next race was in, what, twenty minutes? Maybe she was heading back to use the bathroom or something. But something about the way she slipped between the trees and onto the school parking lot made Susie’s instincts buzz.

Susie’s brow furrowed, and before she’d fully thought it through, she got up from the bleachers. Kris looked up at her, puzzled.

“Where are you going?” Kris asked flatly.

“Gotta piss.” Susie said over her shoulder, already walking off. She waved them off lazily, and Kris just shrugged, going back to people-watching.

Susie trailed her from a safe distance, slipping through the trees and following her toward the school. She watched as the parrot girl entered the building and disappeared into the hallway. Susie followed, her boots echoing faintly against the tiled floors. Sure enough, she turned a corner and entered the bathroom.

Perfect.

Susie waited a moment, glancing around the empty hallway. Sixth period was in full swing, and the place was practically deserted. When she heard the faint sound of a toilet flushing, she moved.

Stepping into the bathroom, Susie let the door close behind her with a quiet click. The parrot was washing her hands at the sink, the sound of running water masking Susie’s entrance. She didn’t even glance up when Susie stepped inside.

Susie’s eyes scanned the room. Empty stalls. Just the two of them.

Her lips curled into a grin, wide and full of fake friendliness. “Hey. Carla, right?”

She glanced up, startled, her hands still under the tap. “It’s Carly, actually. Do I, uh, know you?”

“Not really,” Susie said, shrugging. She leaned against the door casually, but her grin didn’t waver. “We met at Jockington’s, though.”

“Oh, yeah. Cool?” Carly said, her tone unsure. She turned off the tap and grabbed a paper towel, starting to dry her feathered hands. Then, without missing a beat, she started heading toward the door. “Well, I guess it was nice chatting, but I gotta—”

Susie slammed her hand against the door, holding it shut just as Carly started turning the knob. Carly froze, her shoulders stiffening.

Susie's grin widened, this time with a sharper edge.

"I like your sweater."

Carly turned her head slowly, her expression uneasy.

“W-What?”

“Where’d ya get it?”

“What do you mean?” Carly’s voice cracked as she spoke, her eyes darting around the room.

“Don’t play dumb,” Susie said, the grin slipping into a flat, unimpressed stare. She stepped closer, towering over Carly, who was now visibly sweating.

“Look,” Susie said, her tone sharp. “This doesn’t have to turn into a big deal. Just hand it over, and I’ll call it quits.”

Carly let out a shaky breath, backing up a step. “Is this about… the party?”

Susie made a sound somewhere between a scoff and a snort.

“Something like that.”

Carly stared at her for a long moment, her mouth opening like she was going to protest. But then she let out a frustrated groan, yanking the cardigan off her shoulders. “Ugh, whatever! Your little friend can have it back.” She shoved the cardigan into Susie’s hands, muttering bitterly, “It’s itchy anyway.”

Susie immediately knew that was a lie. The material was soft, cozy, and exactly the kind of thing someone wouldn’t give up willingly.

She snickered, stepping aside to open the door. “I don’t want to hear about this again,” she said, her eyes narrowing. “And I’m sure you don’t either.”

Carly ducked her head, muttering something under her breath as she scurried past Susie and out the door. Susie watched her go, Carly’s footsteps echoing faintly as she hurried down the hallway and disappeared around the corner.

Satisfied, Susie glanced down at the cardigan in her hands. Noelle was going to be thrilled.

Grinning to herself, Susie tossed the cardigan over her shoulder and made her way back outside, her mood significantly lighter.

Susie plopped herself back down onto the bleachers beside Kris, the cardigan draped casually over her shoulder. Kris glanced at it briefly, raising an eyebrow, but they didn’t say a word. Instead, a faint smirk tugged at their lips before they turned their attention back to the clearing.

Susie leaned back, her eyes sweeping across the crowd. It wasn’t long before she spotted Carly again, now back with her group near the trees. The parrot girl was talking to them, her arms flailing in animated dismissal while they seemed to press her with questions. Susie snickered under her breath, satisfied.

Minutes ticked by, the hum of the crowd growing louder. Then, out of the corner of her eye, Susie saw movement in the trees. Students emerged from the forest, their breaths visible in the crisp air as they sprinted toward the finish line.

It only took a second for Susie to recognize Noelle in the lead.

Her eyes widened in surprise before a wide grin spread across her face. Without thinking, she shot up, grabbing a very confused Kris by the front of their shirt and yanking them upright.

“Get up! It’s Noelle!” she hollered, cupping her hands around her mouth. “Go, Holiday! You got this!”

Noelle’s face was flushed, her hair bouncing with every step, and her breaths were uneven, but she was determined. She pushed forward, her stride long and quick, and to Susie’s amazement, she crossed the finish line first.

Susie cheered louder than anyone, clapping so hard her palms stung. Kris gave a few quiet claps beside her, a small smile tugging at the corners of their lips.

Noelle, however, collapsed straight onto the grass, her legs splayed out in front of her as she leaned back on her arms, panting heavily.

“C’mon,” Susie said, grabbing Kris by the sleeve and dragging them down the bleachers. They wove through the small crowd gathering at the finish line, heading straight for Noelle.

Noelle looked up at them as they approached, her chest still heaving. Her face was red, not just from exertion, but from the rush of people congratulating her.

Susie crouched down beside her, offering a genuine toothy grin. “Not bad, Holiday." She held out a hand.

Noelle blinked up at her, then giggled tiredly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Thanks, Susie.” She took the hand, and Susie pulled her up to her feet with ease. Noelle wobbled a bit, but managed to steady herself.

It wasn’t until then that Noelle’s eyes landed on the cardigan still draped over Susie’s shoulder. Her gaze froze, and her brows shot up.

“Uh, S-Susie!” she stammered, pointing at it. “How did you—how’d you get that!?”

Susie shrugged nonchalantly, plucking the cardigan from her shoulder and holding it out to Noelle. “Don’t worry about it.”

Noelle’s mouth opened and closed a few times, her face quickly flushing even redder. “But—Susie, I—I mean, you didn’t—”

“Shh,” Susie interrupted, pressing the cardigan into Noelle’s arms. “Just take it, alright? No big deal.”

Noelle hesitated, looking like she wanted to say more, but the firmness in Susie’s tone made her falter. She hugged the cardigan close to her chest, a flustered smile tugging at her lips. “Okay… Thank you,” she murmured.

Susie smirked. “Yeah, yeah. Go sit down before you fall over or something.”

Noelle nodded quickly, mumbling something about needing water as she shuffled toward her team. Susie watched her go, her grin lingering. She stuffed her hands into her pockets, glancing over at Kris, who was already giving her a knowing look.

“What?” Susie said, raising an eyebrow.

Kris just shook their head, their smirk never fading. They turned and started walking back toward the bleachers, Susie trailing after them with an exaggerated huff.

---

After getting showered with congratulations from her team and gulping down a bottle of water, Noelle wandered over to the smaller bleachers on the right side of the clearing. She flopped down next to Jockington, who looked just as exhausted as she felt, his scales glistening slightly from the effort of slithering such a long course. They sat in companionable silence, both catching their breath.

From the higher bleachers above, Noelle’s sensitive ears picked up on a very hushed conversation between two monster girls that clearly wasn't meant to be heard by anyone else. She glanced up and immediately recognized them from school, though they weren’t in uniform, so they were likely just here as spectators. She didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but when she heard her name come up, her ears instinctively twitched toward the sound.

“Holiday's got some rugged taste. Have you seen her new girlfriend?”

“No, I haven’t! Who?”

“I don’t know... she’s like some big scary lizard girl. I totally saw her bringing Noelle her stuff and congratulating her.”

“Well, that doesn’t have to mean anything! They could just be friends, y’know...”

“Yeah, but, last Friday, they were glued together at Jockington’s party the entire time! And, don't tell anyone this... but I totally saw them sneaking into the bathroom together!”

The last remark was followed by a flurry of giggles that made Noelle’s heart leap into her throat.

She let out an involuntary squeak as her cheeks turned bright red, her embarrassment so intense that her nose had started to glow faintly. It only ever lit up like that when she was truly mortified.

Jockington turned his head toward her, his eyes widening. “Woah, Noelle! You must’ve really worked yourself up back there! I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so red!”

“Nope! I’m fine! I swear!” Noelle blurted, her voice an octave too high as she waved her hands frantically.

“Alright, then!” Jockington replied, still looking a little concerned but deciding to leave it at that.

---

Susie leaned back on the bleachers with Kris, her arms crossed as she glanced at the forest path where the runners from the out-of-town school were starting to gather. After a moment, she scowled. “Yeah, no. I don’t wanna stick around and watch these out-of-town assholes run. Waste of time.” She stood up, stretching her arms above her head. “Told Undyne I’d grab groceries, anyway.”

Kris raised an eyebrow at her but didn’t say anything, waiting for her to continue.

“You wanna come with me?” Susie asked, looking at them.

They shrugged, their usual silent agreement.

“Let’s get outta here,” Susie said, hopping down the bleachers.

The two headed toward the local store, Susie kicking a stray rock along the way. As they walked, her mind wandered. She thought about what she was going to say to Sans. Would he know she had technically stolen from him? Well, not stolen-stolen, but still... kinda? She groaned internally.

She sighed loudly. “Man, I’m gonna have to keep that job, huh?” she muttered more to herself than Kris.

Kris glanced at her, tilting their head slightly in question.

“Ugh, nothing,” Susie grumbled. “Just, I dunno. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm not gonna keep freeloading off Undyne forever. She’s cool and all, but... I’m gonna be a legal adult soon. I’m gonna need some cash laying around for, y’know, life stuff.”

Kris gave her a small nod, seemingly understanding, but didn’t comment further.

A few minutes later, they reached the store. Susie pushed the door open, and to her surprise, Sans was actually awake for once, leaning lazily on the register.

“Hiya,” Sans greeted, his usual grin plastered on his face. “Haven’t seen you in a few days, kiddo.”

Susie rubbed the back of her neck, her tail starting to wag nervously. “Uh, yeah... sorry about that... got caught up with, uh... studying? Yep. Studying.”

Kris gave her a sidelong glance, clearly unimpressed with her save attempt. She was never really good at lying.

Sans chuckled, his grin widening slightly. “Studying, huh? That’s a new one." What? How did he know what kind of student she was? "Anyway, what brings ya by today?”

“I’m just here to shop,” Susie said quickly, eager to change the subject. “But, uh, I’d like to keep the part-time gig, if that’s cool.”

Sans shrugged. “Sure, whatever.” Then, with an exaggerated tone of mock mystery, he added, “I must say, you’re kinda like a good luck charm. Last time you were here, this mysterious wad of cash just showed up behind the counter. And I don’t even remember ringing anyone up beforehand.” He finished with a flat wink, his eye sockets narrowing slightly.

Susie’s stomach dropped. She froze for half a second, the memory of her little cash retrieval flashing in her mind. Sans couldn’t possibly know... could he?

“Uh... haha, weird,” she said, trying to brush it off as casually as possible.

Sans didn’t respond, just kept grinning, and that made her shiver slightly. Did this guy ever stop smiling? It was really starting to freak her out. Though she quickly recovered, motioning for Kris to follow her into the aisles.

They browsed in relative silence, Susie grabbing what she figured was probably needed for groceries: some bread, milk, eggs, and a few other basics. Kris, on the other hand, gravitated toward the snacks, picking up a couple of chocolate bars and tossing them into the basket without hesitation.

“You’re paying for those.” Susie muttered, earning her a faint smirk from Kris.

They checked out without much trouble, and Susie handed over the cash, her tail flicking anxiously as Sans rang them up. As they started to leave, Sans called out to them casually.

“Oh, Kris. Tell Tori I said hi, yeah?”

Kris froze for a moment before glaring at Sans and slamming the door behind them on their way out, earning a soft chuckle from the skeleton.

Kris just shook their head, shoving their hands into their pockets as they started walking back toward the main road with Susie.

Kris walked beside her in their usual quiet, hands shoved deep in their pockets, but their expression seemed oddly thoughtful, more so than usual.

Finally, they turned to Susie, their face neutral as ever, and they announced something flatly.

“I think I’m gonna ask out Noelle.”

Susie’s entire body tensed, her heart plunging to the very pit of her stomach like it had been tied to a weight. Her steps faltered slightly, but she caught herself before Kris noticed, if they noticed. She blinked hard and turned to look at them, baffled.

“What? You’re gonna ask out Noelle?” she repeated, half to confirm and half to process the absurd statement.

“Yep,” Kris said simply, their tone devoid of any hesitation or doubt.

For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, Susie felt utterly defeated in that moment, like someone had socked her in the gut. But it wasn’t like she cared about that, why would she? Still, her thoughts were all over the place, and it took her a second to pull herself together. She swallowed whatever weird feelings she had and forced herself to speak.

“Well, uh... if that’s what you really want,” she said, fumbling for words as she bumped them on the shoulder, trying to sound casual. “Then I think—uh—yeah, you should... shoot your shot!”

Kris tilted their head, the tiniest smirk playing at their lips.

“You really wanna ask her out?” Susie asked again, squinting suspiciously at them.

“Nah.”

“What!?” Susie nearly shouted, spinning to face them.

Kris paused, their smirk widening just slightly, and they brushed some bangs out of their face, their eyes glinting with mischief. “Just wanted to see how'd you react,” they said, their voice smooth and teasing as they gave her a wink.

Susie stared at them, utterly dumbfounded. It took her a second to realize her jaw had dropped slightly, and she quickly snapped it shut with a scoff. “You’re such a freak...” she muttered, shaking her head in disbelief as she turned back to the road.

Kris didn’t respond, just shoved their hands deeper into their pant pockets, their smirk lingering.

By the time they reached Kris’ house, Susie was still trying to sort through her jumbled emotions. She waved them off without turning around. “Whatever, bye.” she said, her voice gruff as she started walking toward her own house.

Kris just raised a hand in silent farewell, their expression unreadable as they headed inside.

As Susie approached Undyne's house, the weight of the grocery bags digging into her hands, she reached for the doorknob—only for it to swing open before she could touch it. Startled, she took a step back and found herself face-to-face with none other than Alphys.

"Uh... what are you doing here?" Susie blurted out, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. That probably wasn't an appropriate way to address one's teacher, but really, what was she doing here?

Alphys looked equally surprised to see her. “Oh! Uh... I w-was just...”

Before she could finish, Undyne’s voice boomed from the living room. “Oh, hey, punk! Miss Alphys didn’t have her last class period today, and we were on call, so I figured, why not invite her over to chat?” She grinned widely, her voice as loud as ever despite the distance. “Not much else I can do while I’m stuck in here with this damn leg!”

Alphys adjusted her glasses nervously, gave Susie a small nod, and turned back toward the living room. “W-Well, I should be going now,” she said, her voice soft. “Take care, Undyne!”

Undyne waved a hand lazily from her spot on the couch. “Later, Alphys! Thanks for keeping me company!”

Susie watched, still dumbfounded, as Alphys hurried past her and down the sidewalk, her tan coat flapping slightly in the breeze. For a second, Susie just stood there, staring after her, trying to process the unexpected sight of her nerdy teacher casually hanging out at her place.

Shaking her head, Susie stepped inside and kicked the door shut behind her. She set the bags down on the coffee table with a heavy thunk.

"Uh, I got groceries."

Chapter Text

Two whole weeks had passed since the flashbang incident, they had given up on finding a culprit, considering there were no direct witnesses. But Undyne’s ankle had finally healed up enough for her to get back to work. She was eager to get moving again after being stuck at home for so long, and today, she had decided to surprise Kris and Susie with a ride home.

Leaning against the side of her police car, she crossed her arms and muttered under her breath, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. “The hell’s takin’ them so long?” she grumbled, eyes flicking toward the front doors of Hometown’s school.

Right as she was about to give up waiting, the doors finally swung open, and Kris and Susie emerged. She grinned and waved them over.

The two of them stopped for a moment, clearly surprised to see her, before making their way down the steps and toward the car. As they got closer, Susie took one look at the police cruiser and snorted.

“What’s with the cop car? Tryin’ to make me look like a delinquent?”

Undyne smirked. “What do you mean, make you look like?”

“Hey!” Susie barked, laughing as she yanked open the passenger door and climbed in.

Kris, wordlessly as ever, slid into the back seat, giving Undyne a polite nod before shutting the door behind them.

Before Undyne could get into the driver’s seat, a voice rang out from nearby.

“Undyne!”

Undyne froze mid-step, her head snapping toward the source of the voice. A figure emerged from the shadows of the schoolyard, short and feline-like, her tail swishing lazily behind her.

Susie and Kris both craned their necks to see who it was.

Undyne squinted, her brow furrowed. “Hello, do I… know you?”

The doll chuckled, her voice carrying a strange, unsettling echo. “Not surprised you don’t recognize me,” she said, almost playfully. “I’ve switched vessels since we last saw each other!”

The words seemed to hit Undyne like a brick. Her expression darkened, her body tensed and her eyes widened. 

“…Mad Dummy?”

The doll smirked, her eyes gleaming. “I prefer Mew Mew, nowadays. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

Undyne’s jaw clenched. “Yeah. It has.”

"To be honest with you, I wanted to get everything over with as soon as I came back to this nasty town, but I wanted to be fully fused and adjusted to my new body before I faced you directly again," Mew Mew took a step closer, her voice dropping into something more sinister. “You and I have unfinished business.”

The tension in the air was palpable, thick like a storm about to break. From the car, Susie and Kris exchanged a look.

“Oh, this is gonna be so good...” Susie muttered, leaning forward.

Kris nodded silently, their eyes completely fixated on the scene outside.

But to their surprise, Undyne let out a slow, steady breath and shook her head. “You win,” she said firmly, her voice calm but heavy. “I’m not doing this.”

Mew Mew’s smile faltered. “What?”

Undyne extended a hand toward her, a clear gesture of truce. “It’s over. I'm not fighting you over something that happened years ago.”

For a moment, there was silence. Then, with a sharp motion, Mew Mew slapped Undyne’s hand away. “COWARD!” she spat, her voice dripping with venom. “You’re half the monster I used to know!”

Undyne’s expression didn’t change. Slowly, she turned away and walked to her car.

“Undyne!” Mew Mew shouted, her voice rising. “Don’t you dare turn your back on me!”

Undyne ignored her, sliding into the driver’s seat and slamming the door shut.

Inside the car, the silence was almost deafening. Susie looked at Undyne, then at Kris, who just raised an eyebrow.

“Uh, everything okay?” Susie finally asked.

Undyne didn’t look back at them, her grip on the steering wheel firm. “Yeah. Don’t worry about it, punk.”

She started the car, and as they pulled out of the lot, Susie glanced back at Mew Mew, who was still standing there, yelling something inaudible as they drove away.

Undyne barely said a word as she dropped Kris off at their house. She gave them a simple nod before driving off, her grip on the wheel tight, her jaw set. Susie sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed, sneaking glances at her. 

This wasn’t like Undyne at all. Usually, she'd be rambling about her day, complaining about paperwork, or boasting about some ridiculous feat of strength she accomplished while on duty. But now? Dead silent.

By the time they pulled up to Sans' shop, Susie had already decided that something was seriously wrong.

"You good?" she asked, watching as Undyne rested one arm on the wheel, staring blankly ahead.

Undyne blinked, like she just realized Susie was still in the car. "Yeah, just… got stuff on my mind."

Susie wanted to press, but she could already tell she wouldn’t get much out of her. Instead, she just sighed and grabbed her bag. "Alright, well, see ya later."

Undyne nodded, and as soon as Susie shut the door, she drove off.

Weird. Really weird.

Now inside the shop, Susie was already stocking shelves, but she wasn’t paying much attention to the work. Her mind kept replaying the scene over and over. Undyne—who never backed down from anything, had straight-up shut down when that strange cat lady confronted her. Susie had fully expected her to start swinging right then and there, but instead, she’d walked away.

It didn’t make sense.

She glanced toward the front counter. Sans was there, leaning lazily on it, looking just as relaxed as ever. No customers were around at the moment, so he was free as always to be as unproductive as possible.

Screw it. Maybe he had some wisdom to share.

"Hey, bonehead."

Sans barely shifted. "That's me."

Susie turned, leaning against the shelf. "So like... have you ever had a moment when someone you know is acting way out of character, but you don't know why?"

Sans finally lifted his head slightly, tilting it toward her. "Eh, I guess I have. Why?"

She crossed her arms. "Well, shit. Earlier today, this random woman came up to Undyne and… she was trying to 'challenge' her, I guess? But Undyne wasn't having any of it. She got all quiet and just told her she wasn't gonna. They seemed to know each other too."

Sans gave a small shrug. "She's an officer, kid. She's not gonna fight some lady in the middle of the str—"

"Yeah, I know all that! But, Undyne seemed really weird about it. I think I remember she called her 'Mad Dummy'... And it's just that, she has this picture back at home of her, some old guy, and a… mad-ass-lookin’ dummy."

That made Sans pause. His eye sockets squinted slightly, his usual grin faltering just the tiniest bit.

"What old guy?"

Susie squinted, thinking. "I think she said his name was Gerson or something."

Sans let out a small breath. "Oh. Tori told me about him. He used to work at the school as a history teacher. Seemed to be a good guy, too bad he passed away."

Susie furrowed her brows. Something was definitely going on.

Sans stretched his arms above his head, cracking his joints. "Listen, I don’t mean to be in anyone’s business, but it wouldn’t be a wild guess if it maybe had something to do with him, right?"

Susie exhaled sharply. "Whatever. Maybe I'll just ask Undyne about it myself when I get back home."

Sans smirked, leaning back against the counter. "Good luck with that, kid. And speaking of 'getting back,' you should get back to work."

He winked, and Susie could swear she could hear an imaginary ba-dum-tss of drums somewhere in the distance.

She rolled her eyes and went back to unpacking boxes, but her mind was already made up.

She was gonna figure this out.

After giving it some more thought, Susie decided maybe asking Undyne directly wouldn’t be the best idea. It was obvious she was in a bad mood, and Susie knew that Undyne never really liked going into too much detail about her past. Pushing her now would probably just piss her off.

Still, there had to be someone who knew at least something.

Then, it hit her.

Napstablook.

They worked with Undyne at the station, so if anyone had any clue, it’d probably be them.

By the time her shift at Sans’ was finally over, Susie trudged over to the station, rubbing at her aching arms. It was late, and the place was quiet, just as she expected. Undyne’s shift had ended by now, so she wouldn’t have to worry about running into her here.

Napstablook was floating behind the front desk, their misty form hovering slightly above the chair. When Susie stepped in, their eyes perked up, blinking drowsily.

"Oh, hello… Is there anything you need to report…?"

"Nah, uh..." Susie hesitated for a second, then leaned on the desk. "I hope it's not too much to ask, but like, Undyne's been acting weird an—"

"Oh dear… Oh angel…"

Susie blinked. "Huh?"

Napstablook fidgeted in place, looking suddenly antsy. "I… I know what you’re talking about… I’ve been wanting to get this off my chest for weeks..."

Susie straightened up, suddenly on edge. "What? So you do know about what happened today?"

Napstablook shifted uncomfortably. "You could say that… Well, you see… Mew Mew is my cousin... She’s been staying with me while visiting town and…"

Susie’s eyes widened. "Wait, hold on—what? Weird cat lady? She's your cousin?"

Napstablook gave a tiny nod. "She and Undyne… have a complicated history… Angel… I don’t know if I should be sharing all of this…"

Susie crossed her arms, giving them a sharp look. "Hey, hey! No backing out now, dude. You’re being totally suspicious. And I think you owe me an explanation, since you already brought up that you know something."

Napstablook let out a long, wispy sigh. "Yes… You’re probably right… Sit down, I’ll tell you, I guess…"

Susie plopped into the chair across from them, leaning forward.

"You see…"

Susie groaned. "Do you have to do that after every sentence, dude?"

Napstablook blinked. "Do what…?"

She shook her head. "Never mind. Go on."

Napstablook paused before continuing. "Mew Mew and Undyne used to be good friends when they were young… They used to go around Mr. Boom’s house together to spar all the time…"

Susie shifted in her seat slightly.

"Well, Mr. Boom had some heart problems… and one day while they were sparring with him watching, he had a heart attack and passed away…"

Susie winced. "Damn."

Napstablook’s form flickered slightly as they hesitated. "They were both devastated… and after the funeral, they had a huge argument… They both claimed that the reason he had the heart attack was because the other had been too rough during the sparring match… That he panicked, thinking they might actually badly hurt each other…"

Susie frowned deeply. "That’s why they stopped talking? Because they both blamed each other?"

"Yes… But if you ask me, I don’t think that’s the case... Gerson watched them spar all the time, and he was never panicked about it before… It was probably just… very unfortunate timing..."

Susie tapped her fingers against the desk, processing everything. "Okay, but then why the hell is Mew Mew trying to fight her now? It’s been years, right?"

Napstablook sighed. "Yes, it has been a while… Fifteen years, to be exact… And well, Mew Mew has always been one to keep grudges… That’s just the way she is… I was also surprised when she told me her pla—"

Susie’s eyes snapped to them. "Wait. You knew about this?!"

Napstablook suddenly looked very uncomfortable. "Uh… Angel… Well…"

Susie narrowed her eyes, leaning in.

Napstablook let out a tiny, defeated noise. "Ah…! Yes, fine… I knew… And I also knew that she was the one who threw the flashbang at Undyne…"

Susie’s jaw dropped. "What!?"

Napstablook winced. "She told me afterward what she’d done… She stole my keys to get it… I was guilty about keeping it from Undyne… But she’s my cousin, I didn’t want her to get in trouble…"

Susie stared at them like they had just grown a second head. "Uh, dude?! That’s seriously messed up. And like… illegal?"

Napstablook shrank down slightly. "I know, I know… Please do not tell anyone… Surely you can understand…? Is there not someone in your life you’d lie for to get them out of trouble..?"

Susie opened her mouth, ready to snap back, but then…

She hesitated.

Her eyes flickered toward the corner of the room, her jaw tightening slightly.

Then, without another word, she pushed back her chair, got up, and walked straight out of the station.

She had a million thoughts swimming around her head. What would she do?

Tell Undyne? She had a gut feeling that she wouldn't apprehend Mew Mew for the flashbang, she seemed strangely on edge and guilty around her. If she didn’t arrest her for trying to fight her today, then she probably wouldn’t for that either.

Should she report Napstablook?

Nah, she wasn’t a snitch.

But... what now?

She decided to just walk home and think about it for a bit.

When she finally got back, she immediately noticed something strange. The front door was unlocked, the lights were on, but Undyne was nowhere to be seen.

Frowning, Susie glanced around the living room. “Undyne?” she called out.

But nobody came.

Weird.

Her eyes flicked toward the coffee table. Something was sitting there—an aggressively crumpled piece of paper.

Susie hesitated for only a second before stepping forward and snatching it up. She unfolded it, eyes narrowing as she took in the writing.

It was scrawled hastily, in glittery pink gel pen, of all things. The handwriting was awful, but the words were clear enough:

---

Hello Undyne!!

It seems as though you are STILL refusing to fight me, even after I asked you so so nicely!!

DW though, if you don't wish to battle me, I will respect that.

It's unfortunate that I can't just let everything go THAT easily though!!

I did some digging and found that little slimy LIZARD you have living with you is not officially registered under your guardianship... that doesn't seem very legal to me!! It would just be SO SAD if she got taken away from you, right?

Well, it doesn't have to be that way at all... if you meet me in the woods next to the school tonight at 9PM sharp, that is.

I just CAN'T WAIT to see you!!!!!

xoxo, Mew Mew

---

Susie’s grip on the paper tightened. She exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over her face.

Think. Think, think, think.

Undyne was nowhere to be seen, which meant she had probably already left. That wasn’t too surprising, Susie figured Undyne would rather deal with this alone. But that wasn’t happening.

Because there was no damn way Susie was going to just sit at home while Mew Mew threatened to take away the closest thing she ever had to a real parent.

Her eyes darted to the clock. 8:54 PM.

Susie shoved the note in her pocket and stormed out the door.

She was going to the woods.

---

Undyne pushed past low-hanging branches as she walked deeper into the woods, her red boots crunching against fallen leaves. The dim moonlight barely filtered through the trees, casting long, shifting shadows around her.

She scanned the darkness, her eye narrowing. Where is she?

“Mew Mew!” Undyne called out, her voice cutting through the still night air.

Silence.

She took a few more steps forward, gripping her fists tightly at her sides.

Then she saw her.

Standing in the middle of a clearing, motionless, with a sickly sweet smile stretched across her face.

Undyne stopped in her tracks, her expression twisting into a scowl.

"Really!? You should't have brought Susie into this."

Mew Mew giggled, raising a delicate hand to her mouth as if trying to stifle her laughter.

Undyne didn’t move, her body tense, her eye locked onto the other monster.

Mew Mew finally let her laughter fade, tilting her head slightly as she stared at Undyne, long and hard.

Undyne barely had time to react before Mew Mew lunged at her, fast and vicious. The smaller monster crashed into her, sending them both stumbling back a few steps before Undyne regained her footing. Mew Mew was already throwing the first punch, a wild swing aimed right at Undyne’s face.

Undyne blocked it with her forearm, but Mew Mew was relentless. She clawed at Undyne’s arm with sharp nails, raking down her skin before pivoting and driving her knee into Undyne’s side.

“Tch—!” Undyne winced, staggering from the unexpected force. Mew Mew wasn’t holding back.

Undyne gritted her teeth and pushed forward, shoving Mew Mew back with a hard shoulder slam. Mew Mew stumbled but quickly retaliated, ducking low before slamming her fist into Undyne’s stomach.

Undyne coughed at the impact, but instead of backing off, she grabbed Mew Mew by the front of her dress and threw her to the ground.

Mew Mew hit the dirt with a sharp grunt, but before Undyne could press the advantage, Mew Mew twisted her body and kicked Undyne’s leg out from under her.

Undyne barely had time to catch herself, slamming her fist into the ground to stop her fall. But that split second was all Mew Mew needed. She pounced, tackling Undyne and knocking her onto her back.

The next thing Undyne felt was sharp teeth sinking into her shoulder.

“Gah!” She gritted her teeth and grabbed a fistful of Mew Mew’s hair, yanking her back. “The hell is wrong with you!?”

Mew Mew snarled like a feral cat, baring her teeth before slashing at Undyne’s face. Undyne dodged, barely avoiding getting clawed across the eye.

Her patience snapped.

With a forceful shove, she threw Mew Mew off her and sprang to her feet. Mew Mew barely had time to react before Undyne drove her knee into her stomach, making her double over with a wheeze.

But Mew Mew wasn’t done yet. Even as she gasped for air, she lashed out with a sweeping kick, knocking Undyne’s legs out from under her again.

Undyne crashed to the ground with a loud thud, her back slamming against the dirt.

For a moment, both of them just lay there, panting, the cold night air burning in their lungs.

Undyne gritted her teeth and slowly pushed herself up onto her elbows, glaring at Mew Mew, who was hunched over, her breathing ragged.

“Augh! You're acting like a child! How are you still bitter?!”

Mew Mew’s face twisted in fury. Her breaths were uneven, her claws twitching at her sides as if she wanted to speak—but no words came.

Her lips curled into a snarl, frustration boiling over, before she suddenly launched herself at Undyne again.

“SHUT UP!”

Mew Mew’s furious scream cut through the trees as she lunged at Undyne again, claws flashing under the moonlight.

Undyne barely had time to brace before Mew Mew crashed into her, tackling her back down onto the forest floor. This time, Mew Mew didn’t hold back, she raked her claws across Undyne’s arm, leaving red welts in their wake.

Undyne growled, twisting her body to throw Mew Mew off, but Mew Mew clung onto her like a parasite. She sank her claws into Undyne’s shoulder, her grip vice-like.

“You thought you could just walk away from this?!” Mew Mew snarled, shaking her violently. “Like it doesn’t matter?!”

Undyne roared and finally managed to throw her off, sending Mew Mew rolling across the ground. Undyne scrambled to her feet, wiping blood from her arm before charging forward.

She swung a fist at Mew Mew’s face. Mew Mew ducked at the last second, but Undyne was ready for it. She caught Mew Mew in a headlock, twisting her arm tightly around the smaller monster’s throat.

Mew Mew gasped, struggling wildly, digging her claws into Undyne’s arm in a desperate attempt to break free.

“I already told you—it’s OVER!” Undyne barked, tightening her grip. “This won’t change the past!”

Mew Mew let out a strangled growl before suddenly driving her elbow back into Undyne’s ribs—once, twice—until Undyne’s grip loosened just enough for her to slip free.

She stumbled back, panting, before launching herself forward with a wild haymaker. Her fist connected with Undyne’s jaw, snapping her head to the side.

Undyne barely had time to recover before Mew Mew grabbed her by the collar and yanked her down, slamming her knee into Undyne’s stomach.

Undyne let out a sharp grunt but powered through it, grabbing Mew Mew’s leg and twisting it sharply. Mew Mew yelped and lost her balance, giving Undyne the opening to throw her to the ground once again.

Mew Mew hit the dirt with a heavy thud and barely had time to roll out of the way as Undyne’s fist came crashing down where her head had been.

She scrambled back to her feet, breathing heavily. Her pigtails were loose, her dress was torn, and there was dirt smudged all over her face. But her eyes still burned with unyielding rage.

Undyne wiped her mouth, spitting out a bit of blood. She shook her head, glaring. “You done yet?!”

Mew Mew hissed, baring her teeth. “Not even CLOSE!”

She rushed forward again, slashing wildly. Undyne blocked the first few strikes, but Mew Mew was fast—too fast. A sharp claw raked across Undyne’s cheek, drawing a thin line of red.

Undyne gritted her teeth and retaliated with a hard punch to Mew Mew’s stomach. Mew Mew coughed, staggering back, but instead of retreating, she lunged forward and bit down on Undyne’s forearm again.

“Oh for the love of—!” Undyne yelled in frustration, swinging her arm wildly until Mew Mew finally let go.

But before either of them could launch another attack, a voice rang out from the darkness.

“HEY!”

Both fighters froze, their heads snapping toward the treeline.

There, standing with her fists clenched, breathing heavily from running, was Susie. Her eyes were blazing.

“The HELL are you two doing?!”

Mew Mew scowled, her body still tensed like a cornered animal, but Undyne’s expression changed the second she saw Susie.

“What the hell are YOU doing here?!” Undyne barked.

Susie stomped forward, her hands balled into fists. “What am I doing here?! Oh, I dunno, maybe trying to figure out why you just ran off in the middle of the night to have a death match in the woods?!”

Undyne wiped her bloody lip with the back of her hand, breathing heavily. “You shouldn’t be here, kid.”

“Oh yeah? And what, leave you to get torn up by this freak?” Susie jabbed a thumb toward Mew Mew, who scoffed and crossed her arms.

“Freak!? How DARE you—”

“Oh shut up,” Susie snapped. “You’re blackmailing people with custody threats. You don’t get to act all high and mighty now.”

Mew Mew’s expression twitched, but she quickly covered it with a sickly-sweet smile. “I just wanted what was fair.”

Susie’s eye twitched. “Oh yeah? And what’s ‘fair’ exactly? Beating the hell out of Undyne because of something that happened forever ago?”

Mew Mew’s ears flattened, and something unreadable flickered in her eyes. She stepped forward. “You don’t know anything, brat!”

Susie didn’t back down. “Oh, I know plenty.” She folded her arms, glaring up at Mew Mew. “Like how you’re throwing a tantrum over something that wasn’t even Undyne’s fault. How she didn’t even fight back today ‘til you forced her to. How Napstablook told me you’ve been holding onto this stupid grudge since you were a kid—”

Mew Mew snapped.

“SHUT IT!” she shrieked, lunging forward.

Undyne reacted instantly, stepping in front of Susie, bracing herself. But the attack never came.

Mew Mew had stopped just short of them, her breathing ragged, her fists trembling at her sides. Her sharp claws twitched like she was itching to strike, but something in her expression had shifted.

She looked furious. But she also looked… lost.

For a long, tense moment, no one said anything.

Then, suddenly, Mew Mew let out a choked, frustrated growl and turned away.

“I hate you,” she spat, barely above a whisper. Her voice wavered just slightly.

Undyne’s expression softened, but her stance remained firm. “Mew Mew…”

Mew Mew didn’t let her finish. She stormed past Susie and off into the trees, her tail flicking angrily behind her. Within moments, she was gone.

The woods were silent again.

Undyne exhaled sharply, rubbing her face. “Goddammit…”

Susie, still processing everything, slowly turned to look up at her.

Undyne sighed heavily, running a hand through her hair. She looked exhausted—not just from the fight, but from something deeper. Something old.

“…It’s complicated,” she muttered once she saw Susie staring at her.

Susie folded her arms. “Yeah, no shit.”

Undyne let out a dry chuckle, but there was no humor in it. She took a deep breath, staring off in the direction Mew Mew had disappeared. The fight was over, but something about the way Mew Mew had stormed off didn’t sit right with her.

She wasn’t done.

And Undyne knew exactly where she had gone.

“…Come on,” she said suddenly, turning on her heel.

Susie blinked. “Huh?”

“I think I know where she went.”

Susie hesitated for a moment before following. “Where?”

Undyne didn’t answer right away. She just kept walking, her pace brisk, her expression unreadable.

Finally, as they made their way out of the woods and toward the dimly lit streets of Hometown, Undyne spoke.

“The graveyard,” she said.

Susie’s steps faltered. “The graveyard?”

Undyne nodded, eyes fixed ahead. “Yeah. The one next to the church.”

Something about the way she said it sent a shiver down Susie’s spine.

Neither of them said another word as they made their way toward the far edge of town.

As they approached the graveyard, the streetlights behind them faded, leaving only the dim glow of the moon to illuminate the worn stone markers ahead. The iron gate creaked as Undyne pushed it open, but before Susie could follow, Undyne turned to her.

“Stay here,” she said firmly.

Susie scowled. “Seriously? After all that, you’re just gonna—”

“I need to do this alone,” Undyne interrupted. There was something final in her voice, something that made Susie hesitate.

For a moment, Susie considered arguing. But then she saw the way Undyne’s hand curled into a fist at her side, the way her shoulders tensed like she was holding something back.

“…Fine,” Susie muttered, stepping back.

And with that, Undyne stepped into the graveyard.

---

The air was still. Not even the wind dared to move between the rows of headstones. Undyne walked slowly, her gaze sweeping the area, until she spotted a lone figure standing near the back.

Mew Mew was silent, her back turned, her long tail flicking absently. The glow of her eyes reflected against the polished surface of a headstone.

Gerson Boom, it read.

Undyne swallowed hard.

“…So this is where you ran off to,” she said.

Mew Mew didn’t turn around. “Where else would I go?”

Her voice was eerily calm, lacking the venom it had before.

Undyne took a cautious step closer, watching her carefully. “You’re still mad, huh?”

Mew Mew let out a dry laugh. “Mad?” She finally turned, her expression unreadable. “Undyne, I’ve been furious.”

Undyne’s jaw tightened. “Mew Mew—”

Mew Mew snapped, eyes flashing. “You gave up. You— You quit on me, Undyne.”

Undyne exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down her face. “I didn’t quit,” she muttered. “I—” She hesitated, glancing at the grave. “I just didn’t see the point in fighting anymore.”

Mew Mew’s ears flicked, but she said nothing.

The weight of fifteen years hung between them, heavy and suffocating.

“…You know he wouldn’t want to see us like this,” Undyne muttered.

Mew Mew scoffed, wrapping her arms around herself. “Don’t act like you know what he would’ve wanted.”

Undyne turned to her, eyes sharp but not angry. “I do. We both do.” She took a slow step forward. “You really think he would be happy to see us like this? Beating the hell out of each other in the middle of the woods over something that wasn’t even our fault?”

Mew Mew’s tail twitched, but she said nothing.

Undyne exhaled. “He wouldn’t blame us. And he sure as hell wouldn’t want us blaming each other.”

Mew Mew’s jaw clenched, her ears pressing back against her head.

“It’s not fair,” she whispered.

Undyne’s chest tightened. “I know.”

Mew Mew’s fingers curled into fists. “It’s not fair that he just— he died like that. Watching us. And we just—” She squeezed her eyes shut, sucking in a shaky breath. “We couldn’t do anything. And then you left me.”

“I left?” she repeated, her voice low. “You were the one that skipped town.”

Mew Mew flinched.

Undyne’s glare didn’t waver. “You were the one who left, Mew Mew. I stayed. I had to live with it. With the guilt, the whispers, seeing this grave every time I walked past the church.” Her voice hardened. “You think I ran? No. You did.”

Mew Mew’s voice wavered, but she didn’t deny it. “I didn’t know what else to do.”

The silence between them stretched, heavy with years of resentment and grief.

“…I didn’t, either,” Undyne admitted. She let out a bitter chuckle. “Hell, I still don’t.”

For the first time, Mew Mew really looked at her—her old friend, the one she had once trusted more than anyone. Undyne wasn’t just the same reckless fighter she used to be. She was older. A little wiser. A little more tired.

And in her eyes, Mew Mew saw something that made her heart ache.

Guilt.

“…I don’t want to hate you anymore,” Mew Mew murmured.

Undyne’s expression softened. “…I don’t think I ever really did.”

The air was thick, charged with something raw and fragile.

After a long pause, Undyne sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. “So. You still planning to blackmail me, or what?”

Mew Mew let out something between a scoff and a laugh, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “No. I’ll… I’ll call it off.” She hesitated, then muttered, “And…I'm sorry.”

Undyne blinked.

Mew Mew scowled. “Don’t look at me like that! I know it was a messed-up thing to do, okay? I just—” She exhaled sharply. “I didn’t know how else to get your attention.”

Undyne snorted. “Yeah. You’ve always been real subtle.”

Mew Mew rolled her eyes, but there was no real bite to it. Instead, she hesitated before shifting slightly closer to Undyne, her tail flicking behind her. “…So what now?”

Undyne glanced at Gerson’s grave, then back at her.

“…I dunno,” she admitted. “But maybe we can figure it out.”

Mew Mew was quiet for a long time before she sighed. “Yeah. Maybe.”

The years between them weren’t erased. There were still things left unsaid, still wounds that wouldn’t heal overnight. But as they stood there, side by side, looking at the grave of the monster who had once been like a father to them both…

It definitely felt like a start.

Chapter Text

Susie sat on the edge of their old, sagging couch, her legs too short to reach the floor. The whole house smelled like cigarette smoke and cheap perfume, the air heavy and stale. Light from the kitchen flickered against the walls, catching on peeling wallpaper and the cracks in the ceiling.

Her mother knelt in front of her, smoothing out the stiff, frilly pink dress she’d been stuffed into. The low-quality fabric itched against Susie’s skin, but she stayed quiet, only shifting slightly as her mother tugged her up straighter.

“Oh, don’t you look precious...” her mother murmured, running a hand over Susie’s wild bangs before reaching for the mess of her hair. Her fingers worked quickly, pulling it into a tight ponytail. Too tight. It made Susie wince.

“My little princess,” she cooed, tilting Susie’s chin up with a gentle, but firm grip. Her smile was wide, but something about it didn’t reach her tired eyes.

Susie’s gaze flickered to her mother’s face, and that’s when she noticed it, just beneath her left eye, a strange dark splotch. It wasn’t like the smudges of makeup on her shirt collar or the red stains on her lips. It looked… deeper.

Susie frowned. “Mama, what’s that?”

Her mother blinked, then let out a laugh—too loud, too quick. “Oh, this?” She hesitated for a fraction of a second. “Just some makeup, sweetie. Mommy is clumsy, sometimes.”

She smiled again, but it was tighter this time, and Susie didn’t have an option other than to believe her.

Before she could ask anything else, her mother clapped her hands together. “Alright! All ready.” She took Susie’s hands, squeezing them just a bit too tightly. “We’re gonna have such a special day, baby.”

Susie wanted to ask where they were going.

She never got the chance.

Because before she could open her mouth—

She woke up.

For a moment, she lay there, staring at the ceiling, the images blurring as reality settled in. The smell of cigarette smoke and cheap perfume had been so vivid, but now all she could smell was the faint scent of Undyne’s cheap coffee drifting in from the kitchen.

She sat up, groggy and disoriented, running a hand through her messy hair. The dream was already starting to fade, but the strange tightness in her chest lingered.

Shaking it off, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and got up. It was too early for this kind of stuff.

Padding down the hall, she stepped into the kitchen, where Undyne was standing by the coffee maker, pouring herself a fresh cup. She looked… tired. Not in the usual way, where she’d stayed up late watching action movies.

Undyne caught her staring and raised an eyebrow. “What? I got somethin’ on my face?”

“Nah,” Susie muttered, grabbing a piece of toast from the counter.

Undyne took a long sip of her coffee, leaning back against the counter. “You sleep okay?”

Susie hesitated. She could still feel the ghost of her mother’s too-tight grip on her hands, but she just shrugged. “Yeah, whatever.”

Undyne gave her a look like she didn’t quite believe her but let it slide. Instead, she set her cup down and crossed her arms. “So… I was gonna tell you last night, but I got back kinda late. Mew Mew left town.”

Susie blinked. “Really?”

“Yeah.” Undyne exhaled, rubbing the back of her neck. “Said her business here was settled.” She snorted. “I thought she might’ve wanted to stay a little longer. Guess she didn’t feel like stickin’ around after all.”

Susie frowned, thinking back to their fight in the woods, the way Mew Mew had snarled and scratched and screamed at Undyne. It was hard to imagine her just… leaving. But she supposed it made sense.

“Well, good riddance, I guess,” she muttered around a bite of toast.

Undyne chuckled. “Yeah. Guess so.”

There was a brief silence before Undyne spoke again, her voice a little more serious this time. “Listen… there’s something else I wanted to talk to you about.”

Susie looked up, chewing slower. “What?”

Undyne exhaled, glancing down at her coffee like she was trying to figure out how to phrase it. “It’s about… you. And, y’know, this whole living situation.”

Susie’s stomach twisted slightly. “What about it?”

This was it. She was totally getting kicked out, right? She knew that she had long overstayed the welcome, she was only supposed to sleep over a few days! Angel, she really didn't want to end up in foster care. Susie guesed that she could deal with shitty foster parents if she got unlucky with where they placed her, but what would she do if she had to move out of town and away from her fr-

“I wanna make it official.”

Susie froze. “Official?”

“Yeah.” Undyne leaned forward, resting her hands on the counter. “I’ve been looking into it. Right now, you’re not technically under my guardianship. It’s… a miracle no one’s come sniffing around about it yet.”

Susie swallowed.

“But I wanna fix that,” Undyne continued. “I wanna make sure no one can just decide to take you away or dump you in some random house with some random family. You’re stayin’ here.”

Susie stared at her, her mind racing. It was weird. She’d never let herself think about it before, about how temporary her living situation really was.

Undyne must’ve taken her silence the wrong way, because she quickly added, “Only if you want to, obviously. If you don’t—”

“No—!” Susie cut in, a little too fast. She coughed, looking away. “I mean… yeah. I want to.”

Undyne grinned, visibly relieved. “Good. ‘Cause I already started the paperwork.”

Susie snorted. “Wow. You didn’t even wait for me to say yes?”

“Pfft,” Undyne smirked. “I knew you’d say yes. I mean, who wouldn’t wanna live with me?”

Susie rolled her eyes, but there was something warm and unfamiliar settling in her chest.

“…So, how long does it take?” she asked, trying to sound casual.

“Dunno yet,” Undyne admitted. “I gotta go through a bunch of legal crap. Probably have to talk to some social worker. Maybe even go to court. But I’ll handle all of it.” She ruffled Susie’s hair roughly, making her squawk in protest. “You just focus on school and being a punk, alright?”

Susie huffed, swatting her hand away. “Yeah, yeah.”

There was another pause before Undyne added, quieter this time, “You don’t have to worry about it anymore, okay?”

Susie nodded, stuffing the last of her toast into her mouth to avoid saying anything.

Because if she did, she might actually have to admit how much this meant to her.

---

School sucked.

Not in the usual way, where Susie just didn’t want to be here, but in the way where her brain felt full—too much had happened in the last few days, and now she was expected to sit in class and pretend to care about algebra? Yeah, right.

She slumped in her chair, chin propped in her hand as Ms. Alphys droned on at the front of the room. In front of her, Kris sat perfectly still, eyes half-lidded like they were maybe asleep. She nudged their arm with her elbow.

“You dead, dude?”

Kris blinked. Slowly, they turned their head toward her, completely expressionless.

“…Perhaps.”

Susie snorted.

Alphys must’ve noticed them whispering, because her voice wavered for a second before she cleared her throat and continued. Susie figured she’d lay off before she actually got in trouble—she already had detention twice this week for forgetting to do homework, and she wasn’t really in the mood for a third.

The moment the bell rang, she shot up from her seat, stretching her arms above her head. “Ugh, finally,” she groaned. “I swear, I think my soul tried to leave my body halfway through class.”

Kris nodded solemnly, grabbing their notebook. “I saw it.”

“Oh yeah? Where’d it go?”

Kris shrugged. “Out the window. It waved at me.”

Susie barked out a laugh, following them into the hall. They walked together toward the lockers, the crowd of students shuffling past them in a half-asleep haze. She figured she should probably ask someone about all this guardianship stuff, but that could wait.

“Oh, uh, by the way,” she started, rubbing the back of her neck. “Undyne told me this morning that Mew Mew left town.”

Kris tilted their head slightly, a silent question.

Susie sighed. “Yeah, guess she finally got over whatever beef she had. Hopefully, she stays gone this time, I know her and Undyne made up or whatver but I still don't like her.”

Kris nodded, then pulled a notebook from their bag and scribbled something down before flipping it around to show her.

"Did Undyne kick her ass?"

Susie smirked. “Nah, but she shoulda.”

She paused. “…Actually, she kinda did.”

Kris nodded approvingly before tucking the notebook away.

They reached their lockers, and Susie spun her combo while Kris simply stared at theirs, waiting for it to magically open on its own (it didn’t). As she stuffed her books inside, Kris casually said with the smallest smile, “Azzy’s coming home soon.”

Susie paused. “Huh?”

Kris hummed in confirmation. “Winter break's soon. He should be back in a week or two.”

“Oh, yeah.” She leaned against the lockers, crossing her arms. “It’s been, like… what, months since he left?”

Kris nodded.

“…Weird. Feels like he was just here.”

She didn’t know Asriel that well—he’d been nice, obviously, but he’d left for college before she really got a chance to hang out with him. She’d mostly just heard about him from Kris, and they weren’t exactly unbiased when it came to talking about their big brother.

“You excited?” she asked, nudging Kris with her elbow.

Kris blinked up at her before slowly giving a thumbs-up.

Susie snorted. “Wow, that was convincing.”

They just grinned at her.

Before she could say anything else, the warning bell rang, signaling that they had about two minutes to get to their next class. Kris wordlessly grabbed their books, and Susie groaned, shoving her locker shut.

“Alright, c'mon."

---

Susie sat slouched at her desk, lazily spinning her pencil between her fingers as the teacher droned on about something she wasn’t paying attention to. Her eyes flicked to the window, watching as tiny snowflakes danced in the wind, barely visible against the gray sky.

Winter break wasn't far away. That meant no school, no homework, no dragging herself out of bed at ungodly hours. That part was great. But it also meant something else, Christmas.

She never really cared about Christmas much. Back when she was living with her father, it wasn’t exactly a big deal in her house. No tree, no lights, no presents, nothing like that. Just another day, really. Maybe her dad would be home, maybe he wouldn’t. Maybe there’d be food in the fridge, maybe there wouldn’t. It was whatever.

She wondered if Undyne liked to celebrate, she probably did, right...? Though, even if she did, Susie doubted it would be anything huge of a celebration.

But Noelle’s family? Oh, man. They went all out.

Susie had only been over to Noelle’s house a handful of times, but every time she passed by it during the winter, it looked like something out of a picture book. Lights wrapped around every window frame, a big glowing reindeer in the front yard, a wreath so huge it practically swallowed the front door. She imagined that the inside of the house must’ve been just as decked out—tinsel on every surface, a tree so tall it scraped the ceiling, maybe even one of those fancy little model villages with the tiny train running through it.

She could practically see Noelle in an ugly festive sweater, humming some Christmas song while helping her dad string lights around the staircase. Her mom, standing off to the side, inspecting everything with that sharp, calculating stare, making sure it was all just right.

Susie exhaled through her nose, shaking her head slightly. Noelle took this holiday seriously. Her whole family did. She remembered last year, how Noelle had bought everyone in class presents—even Kris, who had to be one of the hardest people in the world to shop for.

Susie didn’t know much about Dess, but Noelle had mentioned her a few times. And now that she thought about it, she was pretty sure she’d seen some old family photos in Noelle’s house once, pictures of Noelle when she was younger, always clinging to the arm of some older girl with messy hair and a cocky grin. All she really knew about her was that she was around Asriel's age.

Her fingers tapped absently against the side of her desk as she stared out the window, her mind still far away.

A loud THUNK suddenly jolted her out of her thoughts as a book was put down onto the desk in front of her.

“Susie,” Alphys stammered nervously. “C-could you please pay attention?”

Susie blinked. “…Huh?”

The class snickered around her. Kris, sitting a desk over, was staring at her with a blank but amused look.

Susie groaned, dragging a hand down her face. “Yeah, yeah, whatever.”

She slumped forward, resting her chin on her hand.Maybe she’d ask Noelle about all this later. Or maybe she wouldn’t.

---

The moment the lunch bell rang, Susie was out of there, making a beeline for the cafeteria before Alphys could call her out again. She stretched her arms over her head as she walked, trying to shake off the stiffness from sitting in class all morning.

She was just rounding the corner when—

WHAM!

Something soft but sturdy collided with her side, and she barely managed to keep herself from stumbling.

"Eek!"

A very familiar voice squeaked, and Susie looked down to find Noelle staring up at her, wide-eyed, holding a stack of neatly organized books that were now slightly askew.

Susie raised a brow. "Damn, you tryna tackle me?"

Noelle huffed, shifting the books in her arms. "Y-you're the one who came out of nowhere!"

Susie snorted. "Yeah? And you were just waiting to be in my way, huh?"

Noelle rolled her eyes, but there was a little smile tugging at her lips. "Well, since you're so curious, I was actually coming to find you!"

That got Susie’s attention. She blinked. "Oh yeah?"

Noelle nodded, suddenly looking a little… nervous? "Yeah, I, um—" she adjusted her grip on the books again, not meeting Susie’s eyes. "I wanted to ask if you were busy this weekend. Before break starts."

Susie scratched the back of her neck. "Uh, I mean… nah, not really. Why?"

Noelle hesitated for half a second, then took a deep breath and forced herself to look at Susie. "I was wondering if you wanted to, um… come over. To my house."

Susie stared. "Huh?"

"For… decorating!" Noelle blurted out, cheeks instantly going pink. "For Christmas! My dad always puts up all the lights outside, and we usually decorate the tree and the house together, but he can't this year obviously, and my mom never really— I mean, she doesn't really have time for it, so—"

She stopped herself, gripping her books tighter. "...Kris can come too, even though they always get themselves tangled in the lights. I just thought it might be fun," she said, a little quieter. "And, um… I figured you'd be good at putting the star on top...?"

Susie blinked at her.

And then, suddenly, it clicked.

Noelle wasn’t just asking for help decorating. She was nervous about it. Like she was waiting for Susie to say no.

Which must've been because... she wanted to spend time together... as friends!

Susie didn't know why Noelle would be so anxious about asking to hang out, obviously she'd accept.

Susie smirked, crossing her arms. "Damn, Noelle, if you wanted to spend time with me so bad, you coulda just said so."

Noelle sputtered. "Wha— I— that's not—!"

"But yeah, sure," Susie said, like it was no big deal. "I'll come over."

Noelle’s hands tightened around her books, her whole body going tense.

And then, relief.

"Really?" she asked, voice a little too hopeful, like she hadn't actually expected Susie to say yes.

Susie snorted. "What, you think I'm gonna pass up an excuse to mess with Kris while they're stuck on the ground untangling lights?" She flashed a toothy grin. "C'mon, you know me better than that."

Noelle let out a soft, breathy laugh, looking down at her shoes. "...Yeah. I guess I do."

For a moment, they just stood there, the hallway buzzing with students walking past them. Noelle still looked a little flustered.

Then Noelle cleared her throat, straightening up and hugging her books closer. "Okay! Um, great! I'll— I'll text you later, then."

Susie gave her a mock salute. "Lookin’ forward to it."

Noelle squeaked and immediately turned on her heel, speed-walking down the hall.

Susie watched her go, grin widening.

Yeah, that was real cute.

...Cute???

Susie shook herself out of it, whatever...

---

The afternoon sun was already dipping behind the buildings by the time Susie and Kris made their way out of school. The cold air bit at her face, but she barely noticed—her head was too full of everything that had happened.

The whole thing with Mew Mew was still rattling around in there, along with Undyne’s whole “legal guardianship” bombshell.

Wait... actually, why had it been such a bombshell to Susie? Undyne had already been taking care of her for a while, it really shouldn't be that hard to believe at all! And yet for some currently inexplicable reason... it was?

And Noelle—ugh, Noelle... She was trying not to think about that right now.

Susie let out a sharp breath, watching it curl into the air before shoving her hands into her jacket pockets. “Hey, uh…” She kicked at a stray pebble as they walked. “Can I, like, tell you somethin’ kinda weird?”

Kris, who had been busy stuffing their hands into their oversized hoodie, gave a lazy nod.

Susie hesitated for a second, but then scoffed at herself. This was Kris. They weren’t gonna laugh at her or anything. “So, uh. Undyne’s talking about, like… makin’ it official. With the whole being my guardian thing.”

Kris turned their head slightly, blinking at her.

Susie shrugged, trying to act like it wasn’t a big deal. “Y’know, like. Paperwork, court crap, all that stuff. Said she wants to be my legal guardian.”

Kris tilted their head slightly, unreadable as ever. Then they finally spoke. “Did she say when?”

Susie blinked. “Huh?”

Kris kept their hands stuffed in their hoodie. “When she’s filing the paperwork. When she’s talking to a caseworker.”

Susie frowned. “Caseworker?”

Kris nodded. “Social worker. You’ll probably have to talk to one, too.”

Susie stopped walking.

Kris took a few more steps before pausing and glancing back at her.

“What?” Susie’s face twisted. “No way. I don’t wanna deal with some random government guy asking me a bunch of dumb questions.”

Kris exhaled, watching their breath curl into the cold air. “That’s just how it works.”

Susie scowled. “That’s stupid.”

Kris shrugged. “They need to make sure Undyne can take care of you. That you’re not, like…” They waved a vague hand. “Being held hostage or something.”

Susie crossed her arms. “That’s dumb. If I was really being held hostage, I wouldn’t say crap about it.”

Kris raised an eyebrow. “Exactly.”

Susie groaned. “Ugh, whatever. What do you know about it, anyway?”

Kris gave her a look.

Susie blinked. Then it clicked. “Oh. Right.”

She wasn’t dumb, she knew Kris was adopted. It was one of those things that was obvious without ever being talked about. The Dreemurrs were a family of fluffy boss monsters, and Kris… obviously wasn’t. No one in town made a big deal out of it, and Kris never brought it up, so Susie never thought too hard about it either.

But now, Kris was looking at her like they knew exactly what was going through her head. It was kind of annoying.

Susie sighed. “Okay, fine. You’ve done the whole thing before. What’s it like?”

Kris tilted their head, thinking. “I was really young, so I don't remember much of it. Mostly boring. Lots of paperwork. A few meetings.”

Susie huffed. “Great. Sounds like a blast.”

Kris gave a small, amused hum. “It’s not that bad.”

Susie kicked at a rock. “Yeah, well. I just don’t wanna deal with some suit asking me how I ‘feel’ about stuff.” She made a dramatic face. “‘Ohh, do you feel safe at home? Does your guardian provide for you?’” She snorted. “Like, duh. If she didn’t, I’d just leave.”

Kris was quiet for a moment. Then, softly, they said, “It’s not a bad thing, y’know.” They kept walking, hands still stuffed in their hoodie. “It just means she cares enough to make sure you stay with her."

Susie turned her gaze to the sidewalk, watching the way her boots scuffed against the pavement. She hadn’t thought about it like that.

She sighed. “Whatever. It’s Undyne, she’s not gonna make a big deal about it.”

They walked in slightly awkward silence for a bit, before Susie suddenly decided she desperately needed to change the subject.

"By the way, Noelle invited us to decorate her mansion for Christmas." Kris nodded in response.

"...So, no comment?"

They shrugged. "I help her decorate every year."

"So, what, is this, like, a whole ritual for you guys or something?" she asked.

Kris gave a small nod. "Pretty much. Noelle’s family goes all out for Christmas. Always have. Lights on everything, trees in, like, every room, and a ridiculous amount of those little ceramic villages."

Susie snorted. "Sounds about right. Bet she starts blasting carols the second December hits, huh?"

Kris gave her a knowing look.

"Ugh." Susie rolled her eyes. "Of course she does."

Kris hummed in amusement, then glanced up at the sky. It was that dull, overcast gray that made it feel later than it actually was.

"They’re coming home soon," Kris said.

Susie blinked. "Huh?"

Kris slid their hands into their hoodie pockets. "Asriel and Dess. I told you earlier."

"Oh. Right."

Susie wasn’t sure why, but something about that made her stomach twist a little. She knew Noelle was excited, she’d seen the way her eyes practically sparkled whenever she mentioned Dess in conversation. Susie couldn't help but wonder what she was like. Was she a goody two shoes like Noelle? Would Dess like her? Susie guessed she'd find out soon enough.

And Asriel... well, Susie had never actually properly met him, but she had heard Kris talk about him.

"That’s cool, I guess," she muttered, trying to sound casual. "You, uh, talk to him much?"

"We text here and there."

"Mm." Susie wasn’t sure what else to say. She was under the impression that those two were very close, why didn't Kris say they talked often?

Kris didn’t seem to mind, though. They just kept walking, eyes ahead, like they weren’t thinking much of it.

She kicked the pebble again, watching it bounce down the sidewalk.

"...Do Dess and Azzy get along?" she asked after a beat.

Kris nodded. "Pshhh, they've been best friends since like forever. You should’ve seen Azzy’s face when he found out they were accepted into the same college."

"Huh." Susie considered that. "That’s kinda funny."

Kris glanced at her.

Susie snorted. "Man, what are the odds? Noelle’s sister and your brother?"

Kris gave a tiny shrug.

Susie smirked. "It’s just too convenient. What if they’re scheming? Like, secretly planning world domination?"

Kris tilted their head, considering. Then, very seriously, they nodded.

"Exactly what I was thinking."

Susie chuckled. "Guess we’ll find out soon enough."

Chapter Text

Susie grunted as she reached blindly through the attic, her fingers brushing against old cardboard and dusty fabric. The place was cramped, and with barely any light seeping through the cracks, she was mostly relying on touch to figure out what was what.

"Okay, uh… I think I got another one," she called down.

Kris, standing on the ladder below, reached up. "Hand it over."

Susie grabbed the nearest box, struggling slightly with the weight, and carefully passed it down. Kris took it with their usual eerie calm, setting it aside with the others.

Noelle, standing at the base of the ladder with a clipboard (because of course she had a clipboard), peered up at her. "That should be the last of the lights, but we still need the ornaments. They should be in the far left corner!"

Susie sighed. "No offense, but your attic sucks."

Noelle huffed. "It doesn't! It’s just… a little messy."

"You mean a labyrinth of boxes, cobwebs, and holiday junk?"

"That’s what an attic is supposed to be!"

Kris, who had been quietly stacking the boxes, casually added, "There's totally spiders up there."

Noelle stiffened. "W-What?!"

Susie grinned. "Oh, don’t worry. They’re probably just hanging out in your ornaments."

"Susie!"

Susie chuckled to herself and went back to feeling around for the ornament boxes. Her hand brushed something weird—soft, but also oddly stiff. She frowned, giving it a cautious poke. Then she felt something skitter.

Susie immediately yanked her hand back, nearly knocking over one of the precarious stacks of boxes around her.

"Okay, yeah, we’re done here," she announced, already climbing back down.

"But you haven’t grabbed the ornaments yet!" Noelle protested.

"I’m not about to fight an attic demon for a bunch of glass balls, Noelle!"

Noelle groaned, rubbing her temples. "Fine! I’ll go up there and get them myself."

Susie smirked as she hopped off the ladder. "Go ahead."

Noelle muttered something under her breath before cautiously making her way up. Kris and Susie exchanged a glance before Susie leaned in. "Five bucks says she screams in the next thirty seconds."

Kris held out their hand. "Deal."

They didn’t even make it to ten seconds before Noelle’s startled shriek echoed from above. Susie barked out a laugh, while Kris silently gave her an imaginary five-dollar bill.

Once Noelle very reluctantly retrieved the last of the ornaments (after insisting she wasn’t scared and then yelping every time so much as a dust bunny moved), they finally got to decorating.

Susie stood in the middle of the grand living room, looking around at the massive tree standing proudly in front of the window. “Y’know,” she said, crossing her arms, “this thing’s so big, I’m kinda scared it’s gonna come to life and eat us.”

Noelle, standing on her tiptoes to wrap a garland around it, rolled her eyes. “It’s not that big...”

“It’s huge, Noelle,” Susie argued. “Like, if this thing fell over, it’d take out half the house.”

Kris, untangling a mess of string lights on the couch, looked up and nodded solemnly.

“It would be funny, though.”

“No, it wouldn't!”

Playfully rolling her eyes, Noelle grabbed a box of ornaments and handed it to Susie. “Here, start putting these up instead of planning a disaster.”

Susie took the box and pulled out an ornament, a delicate glass reindeer. She turned it over in her hands before glancing at Noelle questioningly.

“...They are very breakable, so please be careful!"

She carefully started hanging the ornaments, while Kris, having successfully untangled the lights, began wrapping them around the tree. It was a peaceful rhythm, broken only by occasional bickering about spacing or Kris purposely making ominous buzzing noises whenever Noelle had to plug in another set of lights.

After a while, they moved on to decorating the rest of the house. Noelle, of course, had a vision.

“Kris, you can do the bannister garlands, I’ll do the mantle and stockings. Susie... could you do the outdoor lights?”

Susie squinted. “Why do I get stuck with the outside job?”

“Well,” Noelle said sweetly, “because you’re tall, and I don't trust Kris to do it without falling to their death... "

Susie sighed dramatically. “I knew I was getting scammed into hard labor.”

She threw on her jacket and grabbed the lights before heading outside. As she stood in the front yard, she stared up at the giant house. The eaves stretched high above her, and the cold air nipped at her face.

“…Oh, hell no,” she muttered under her breath.

Climbing a rickety ladder in the freezing cold was not her idea of fun. But whatever. She’d survived worse.

After what felt like an eternity of untangling and carefully stringing lights along the roof, she finally stepped back, admiring her work. The house practically glowed with warmth.

Stepping inside, she clapped her hands together. “Alright, I think I got everything set up outside without dying. That earns me hot chocolate, right?”

Noelle, standing by the fireplace adjusting the stockings, turned and smiled. “Sure! I’ll make some for all of us.”

Susie grinned. “Nice.”

As Noelle disappeared into the kitchen, Kris wandered over and looked at Susie. “…Bet you ten bucks she makes it perfectly but still apologizes for it being ‘not as good as usual."

---

The three of them sat in Noelle’s room, nestled in the warm glow of the fairy lights strung up along the walls. Their empty mugs sat on Noelle’s nightstand, the scent of hot cocoa still lingering in the air.

Kris was sprawled out on Noelle’s bed, lazily flicking at the decorative pillow beside them. Noelle sat cross-legged on the floor, sorting through a box of old holiday trinkets she had pulled out earlier. Susie was leaning back against the bed, absentmindedly rolling an ornament in her hands.

It was quiet. Comfortable.

Then Kris abruptly sat up. “Bathroom,” they announced simply before sliding off the bed and strolling out of the room.

Susie watched them go, then turned back to Noelle. “So,” she started, stretching her arms above her head, “we really just spent all day making your house look like the inside of a snow globe, huh?”

Noelle smiled, twirling a small wooden reindeer between her fingers. “A tasteful snow globe,” she corrected.

Susie snorted. “Yeah, sure.”

Before Noelle could come up with a retort, the unmistakable sound of someone unlocking the front door echoed through the house.

A loud clunk of the door opening. Heavy footsteps stepping inside.

Noelle froze.

Susie blinked. “Uh…? What’s wrong?”

Noelle’s hands clenched into fists as she whispered sharply, “I—I think that’s my mom.”

Susie furrowed her brows. “Okay? And?”

Noelle let out a quiet, frustrated sigh, whispering, “...She doesn’t l-like you! She—she doesn’t want me hanging around you...”

Susie blinked again, this time slower. “Wait, what?”

“I didn’t tell you because I didn't want to upset you, and it’s so not fair, and—”

They both froze at the sound of heavy hoofsteps making their way up the stairs.

Noelle’s breath hitched. “Crap, crap, crap!” Without thinking, she grabbed Susie’s wrist, yanked her up, and shoved her toward the walk-in closet.

“Wait—what—?!”

“Just get in!" Noelle hissed, practically pushing Susie inside before slamming the door shut.

Susie barely managed to stop herself from tripping over a pile of scarves. She stood there in the dark, heart pounding, listening.

The bedroom door swung open.

Noelle screamed... excitedly?

And then—

“ELLYYYYYY!!!”

Susie heard a loud thud, like someone tackling another person, followed by the sound of laughter and muffled words.

Cautiously, she pressed her ear against the closet door.

“What the hell— Dess?! What—what are you doing home!?”

“I live here, duh...” came the smug reply, accompanied by the sound of a playful noogie.

Noelle let out a dramatic whine. “You said your break didn’t start until next week!”

“Yeah, I lied,” Dess snickered. “What, I can’t surprise my favorite little sister?”

Noelle groaned. “I’m your only little sister.”

“Exactly.”

Susie exhaled slowly. Okay. Obviously not the Mayor. That was good. That was real good.

Still, she was just standing there in Noelle’s closet like an idiot. She had no clue what to do with herself.

Outside, Noelle’s voice was a little softer now. “I missed you…”

“Missed you too,” Dess said, her voice just as fond. “Man, you should’ve seen your face when I walked in. I thought your soul was about to leave your body.”

Noelle let out a short, embarrassed laugh.

Then, after a brief pause, Noelle suddenly stiffened.

“…Oh, uhm!”

Dess frowned. “What?”

Noelle hesitated. Then, very slowly, she turned toward the closet.

She awkwardly pointed at it.

Dess followed her gaze. Then she looked back at Noelle. Then back at the closet.

Without warning, she strode right up to the closet and flung the door open.

Susie, still awkwardly standing there, blinked as she met Dess’s gaze.

There was a long beat of silence.

Then Dess burst out laughing.

“Oh my Angel, Noelle!” she wheezed, doubling over. “...You were hiding your girlfriend in the closet?!”

Noelle choked.

“She’s not my—!” Her entire face burned. “We were just—she was just—I thought you were Mom!!!”

“Yeah, sure, whatever,” Dess cackled, wiping a real tear from her eye. “Noelle I'm so proud.”

Noelle groaned, pressing her hands to her face to cover her glowing nose in complete and utter mortification.

Susie, meanwhile, finally snapped out of her daze. “Uh, I'm n-” she said, stepping out of the closet, “We're not-"

Kris turned the corner, hands still in their pockets. “What’s going on?”

Before they could get an answer, Dess was already moving, wrapping them in a tight, sudden hug.

Kris stiffened but didn’t immediately pull away.

After a few seconds, Dess let go, stepping back with an apologetic grin. “Oh—sorry, Krissy. Forgot you’re not a hug person.”

Kris blinked, then just shrugged. “It’s fine.” There was even the faintest hint of a smile on their face.

Noelle relaxed, smiling at the sight. “Dess is home early,” she explained.

Kris perked up slightly. “Wait—does that mean…?”

“Yeah,” Dess grinned. “Azzy’s home too.”

Kris’s expression shifted almost instantly. “You ruined the surprise?”

“My bad,” Dess said, not sorry.

Kris gave her a long, blank stare before just nodding. “...I think I'll go home.” Without another word, they turned toward the door.

Dess laughed. “Yeah, figured you'd wanna. I’m coming with.” She glanced at Noelle. “You in?”

“Of course.”

Both of them turned to Susie.

She shrugged. “Eh, why not.”

And with that, they headed out.

As they walked, Kris slowed their pace slightly. “Mom isn't home… we should scare him.”

Dess immediately grinned. “Now that’s a plan.”

“Seriously? Kris!”

Kris nodded. “It's classic. Just freak him out a little.”

Noelle sighed. “Or… we could just say hi.”

“Boring...” Dess snickered. “Come on, Elly, where’s your sense of fun?”

Susie wasn't really listening to the conversation, her mind was stuck on what Noelle meant by her mom not liking her. On one hand, she wasn't surprised. Noelle's mom did seem pretty stuck-up at first glance, and well, Susie was Susie.

Well, she could suck it. Like Susie was gonna stop being friends with Noelle over something stupid like that, yeah right. As unbelievable as it might still be, if Noelle wanted them to be friends then they were gonna be friends, damnit!

...Though, it still wasn't an ideal situation. It's not like Susie wanted to have to sneak around Noelle's house like an intruder every time she wanted to see her. If Mayor liked her then it'd be way easier for everyone involved, but, oh well.

---

The walk to the Dreemurs’ house didn’t take long. Snow crunched under their boots, and Kris moved with a weird, focused kind of energy, clearly already plotting.

When they reached the door, Kris didn’t even bother knocking. They fished out the spare key from under the doormat, still there, like always. And quietly unlocked the door. Toriel in fact didn't seem to be home. Inside, the house was warm and smelled faintly like butterscotch.

Kris turned and put a finger to their lips. Quiet.

They crept through the hallway. Noelle tried to be sneaky too, but the floorboards creaked under her hooves, and Susie accidentally bumped into the table with her tail, making a soft thunk.

Kris froze, glaring at them both, but Azzy didn't seem to notice, there was music very faintly playing upstairs. Moving in sync now, the group tiptoed up, they stopped just outside the bedroom door.

Inside, they could hear Azzy humming to himself, oblivious. Sucker.

Kris quietly took out their phone and seemingly searched for something online. Then they silently shoo'd Noelle and Susie. They nodded and ducked out of sight.

Kris cracked the door open carefully, peeking inside.

Azzy was sitting on the bed, headphones on (blasting music), seemingly flipping through his old, long overdue to be returned, How-To-Draw-Dragons book.

Kris glanced back at their phone, turned up the volume to the absolute maximum setting and played the video. It was an awful sound of glass violently breaking. And without a word, they and Dess both rushed in.

Kris slammed the door shut behind them, loud enough to make Azzy jump out of his skin. Dess threw her hands in the air and shouted, “ROBBERY!”

Azzy screamed, a high, startled noise and scrambled backward off the bed, landing on the floor with a thud. He yanked off his headphones, heart hammering. His eyes widened when he actually looked up. “KRIS?! DESS?!”

Outside in the hall, Susie was choking on her laughter while Noelle covered her mouth, trying to stay quiet.

Dess glanced at what he was reading and scoffed, "Ugh, good thing we caught you before you broke out the lotion."

Azzy sputtered, “Augh, you—you suck!”

Kris smirked and offered him a hand up. “Welcome home.”

Dess ruffled his fur as he stood up. “Aw, we know you missed this.”

Azzy grumbled louder but didn’t push her hand away. He simply went to give Kris a smile and a good pat on the back.

A moment later, Noelle and Susie appeared in the doorway, both barely holding it together.

Azzy pointed at Noelle accusingly. “You were in on this too?!”

"No!" she yelled, though she couldn't quite contain her laughter. Azzy walked up and gave her a firm hug nonetheless.

He quickly saw the forth presence that was also there, and reached out a polite hand, "Susie, right?"

"Uh, yeah." Susie awkwardly shook his hand, "I hope you've heard nothing but the worst from Kris." Azzy chuckled lightly in response.

They all quickly settled into the room, Kris perched near the window, Noelle and Dess sharing the foot of Kris' bed, and Susie sitting on the floor with her back against the wall, legs stretched out in front of her. The excitement of earlier had mellowed into something quieter. Comfortable.

“Where's mom?”

Kris shrugged. “Still at work, I think.”

Azzy nodded. “She told me over the phone that she’s been taking extra shifts lately. Says she wants to make this Christmas extra special.”

Dess glanced over at Noelle. “What about Carol? ”

Noelle’s expression tightened. “She’s at work too.”

Dess leaned back on her palms, casually. “Figures.”

“You know how it is,” Noelle muttered. “And, please don't call her Carol..."

“What? It’s her name.”

“You know she hates it when you call her that.”

Dess smirked but didn’t argue.

Azzy cleared his throat to change the subject. “So... Christmas.”

Everyone looked at him.

“I was thinking... maybe we could all celebrate it together this year. I mean, we’ve all got time off, and it’s been a while since we were all in the same place.”

Dess sat up straighter. “I’m always down."

Kris nodded too.

Noelle smiled excitedly. “Ooo, that sounds nice!”

Susie didn’t say anything right away. She glanced down at her hands.

She wasn’t sure how Undyne felt about Christmas. Did she even celebrate it? Would she be working through it? Was it a big deal to her at all?

Susie didn’t want to assume.

Still... sitting here with everyone, hearing them talk about spending the holidays together... something about it made her chest feel tight. Not bad tight.

She didn’t say yes. But in her head, she quietly admitted she’d like that.

A lot.

Azzy leaned back against his desk chair, rocking it on two legs like he always did when he was thinking. He glanced over at Kris. “By the way… your birthday’s right after it, the 27th!”

Kris blinked slowly, like they’d forgotten. “Yeah.”

“So?” Azzy grinned. “What do you want this year?”

That made everyone look over.

“Yeah!” Dess added, pointing a finger at them. “C’mon, Krismas. Spill. You never ask for anything.”

Susie leaned her head back against the wall. “Yeah, dude! Wacha want?"

Kris made a small face, like they were trying not to smile, and shook their head. “I don’t want anything.”

Azzy groaned. “Classic.”

“Kris...” Noelle said gently, “you must want something!"

“I don’t need anything,” they replied, soft but sincere. “Just being with you guys is enough.”

Dess rolled her eyes. “Gross.”

Susie snorted. “Lame.”

But Kris smiled at that—just barely. And no one pressed them further.

Azzy shrugged, grinning. “Too bad! You’re getting stuff anyway. And I've already got something in mind."

“Yeah,” Susie added, throwing a loose pillow at them. “You don’t get a choice.”

As the room quieted a little, Dess leaned back on her palms, glancing at Azzy with a smirk.

“So. Why don't ya tell them about the time you tried to heat up soup in a toaster.”

“No! ” Azzy defended immediately, turning red. “I was half asleep, okay? I thought it was the microwave!”

“It was 3 PM." Dess retorted. “You actually shoved the can into the toaster slot and then just stood there waiting for it to cook. And, plus, we're not even allowed to have toasters!”

“…Did the can fit?” Noelle asked.

“Barely, ” Azzy muttered. “and, I told you it's not mine! It's Chara's!"

“A-huh. Anyway, It sparked,” Dess said. “We had to unplug the whole thing and throw it in the snow."

“Hey... speaking of snow,” she grinned, “remember when that guy Jerry tried to snowboard down the dorm stairs on a door?”

Azzy groaned "Ugh…”

“He made it, technically,” Dess said, “but then the door kept going and threw him out the front door like a Looney Tune. He landed in a bush and said he saw the Angel.”

“That’s because he probably died for a second,” Azzy muttered. “He had a whole twig stuck in his throat."

Susie was wheezing. “Please—PLEASE tell me there’s a video.”

“Unfortunately nah, his friend like, tried to record it but he forgot to press the button or something."

Noelle wiped a tear from her eye. “College sounds terrifying.”

“Fun,” Kris said flatly.

Azzy just looked up and sighed. “I was gonna tell the story about Dess getting locked in the laundry room in a towel, but now I’m rethinking it.”

“Oh, no you d—”

---

The sharp clack of Undyne’s red boots echoed across the cold marble floor of the town hall lobby. The building was half-lit, the glow of the fluorescents buzzing faintly overhead. It smelled faintly of paper and old radiator heat, exactly the kind of place that made her feel like she was about to fill out way too many forms. Again.

The monster receptionist at the front desk, a woman with a hand for a head, greeted her.

“Ah, Officer Undyne,” she said. “You’re here for your… guardianship documents?”

“Yep,” Undyne replied, tucking her hands into her jacket pockets. “Name’s Susie. You should already have the request on file.”

The receptionist nodded and rustled through a manila folder, then passed a small stack of papers across the counter. “Here you go. We just need a few more things from you, routine stuff. One of our child welfare representatives will stop by your house sometime this week to ask a few questions and make sure everything’s in order. They’ll also want to speak with Susie directly.”

Undyne’s brows twitched. “She gonna have to do an interview or something?”

“It’s informal. They just want to make sure she’s safe, and that the environment’s stable.”

“…Right,” Undyne said, taking the papers. “Thanks.”

“If you have any questions—”

“I’ll call. Appreciate it.”

She gave a small nod and turned to head back out, pushing through the front doors and stepping into the cold evening air. Her breath puffed out visibly in front of her as she walked down the stone steps, eyes scanning the quiet street before her boots hit the sidewalk.

The papers felt weirdly heavy under her arm. Not physically, they weren’t thick, but it was the idea of them. That something so simple could actually change things so much.

As she walked, her thoughts kept drifting back to Susie. The way the kid had seemed so much lighter these past few weeks. Still rough around the edges, still very much herself, but… now she was open. Laughing and letting people in, even if she didn't seem to realize she was doing it.

Undyne smiled faintly to herself.

She walked past Holiday manor, it seemed to be freshly decorated to the nines, as it always was this time of year.

Christmas, huh?

Undyne hadn’t really done anything for it in a long time. Not since Gerson was still alive.

She pulled her scarf tighter around her neck, boots crunching softly through a thin layer of frost as she walked. She should definitely get Susie something. Not just a gift-card or candy or whatever was easy. She'd have to think about it.

She didn’t know what that was gonna be yet, but she was gonna figure it out... eventually.

As Undyne turned the corner onto a quieter street, her pace slowed. Up ahead, walking in that familiar slouchy shuffle, was Susie.

She hadn’t noticed her yet, her hands were shoved in her jacket pockets, head tilted back like she was watching the soft grey clouds shift above the rooftops. Her hair caught some of the weak light from a nearby lamp, and her shoulders moved with the rhythm of whatever song she was probably humming to herself.

Undyne felt her own face twitch into a smile. Small, quiet, and absentminded.

It was nice seeing her like that. Like a kid who finally didn’t have to look over her shoulder every two seconds.

“Punk!” Undyne called out.

Susie jumped slightly, then turned, squinting before her expression eased. “Oh. Hey!”

They met halfway down the block.

“Didn’t expect to run into you,” Undyne said, hands still in her jacket pockets.

“Yeah, same.” Susie shrugged. “Was at Kris’ place. Noelle invited us over to help decorate… her whole house, before that. Which is, like, half the size of the town, by the way. Their siblings were there too.”

Undyne raised an eyebrow. “They got two siblings?”

“Noelle’s sister showed up early from college. She’s cool. Kinda loud. Azzy was there too.”

Undyne nudged her, amused. “Sounds like you had a whole party.”

Susie snorted. “Yeah, well. Hot cocoa and getting tangled in string lights. Real wild night.”

They walked a little farther in silence, the air sharp with the bite of oncoming snow.

“Undyne,” Susie said after a beat. “Do you, uh… celebrate Christmas?”

Undyne blinked. “Huh? Oh, uh…” She scratched the back of her neck, suddenly careful. “Not really. I mean, not in any big way. Toss up a wreath, maybe get some discount cookies."

Susie nodded slowly, like she’d been expecting that. “Okay, cool. Just… I was thinking. If it’s okay, could I maybe go be with the Holidays and the Dreemurrs again? But like, for Christmas. Y’know. Proper.”

Undyne looked at her. Susie wasn’t quite meeting her eyes.

“I don’t see why not,” she replied. “As long as they’re fine with it, I think it’s great!"

Susie finally looked up, a flicker of relief crossing her face. “Cool. Thanks.”

Undyne hesitated, then added, “Hey… just a heads up, I stopped by town hall today. Got your papers in order.”

Susie stiffened slightly.

“Nothing huge,” Undyne went on. “But a social worker’s gonna come by in a few days. Just to talk and look around the house. Make sure everything’s in order.”

Susie glanced sideways. “So like... they’re gonna wanna talk to me?”

“Yeah,” Undyne said. “But don’t stress about it. It’s not a test or anything. Just be honest."

Susie didn’t answer at first. She just kicked a pebble down the sidewalk.

“Alright,” she said eventually. “I’ll try.”

Undyne nodded, and they kept walking. The street ahead was quiet and familiar. And neither of them felt like they had to fill the silence.

Chapter Text

Susie sat on the couch, knees drawn up, watching in silence as Undyne pulled open the top drawer of the living room dresser.

Inside was a neatly disorganized mess: extra batteries, a flashlight, a screwdriver, and nestled among them, several handguns, each one secured but unmistakable. Undyne stared down at them for a moment like she was realizing just how many she'd let pile up there over the years.

“I shoulda moved these sooner,” she muttered, mostly to herself as she reached in and started gathering them up. “Just got used to living alone, I guess. Didn’t see a reason to bother.”

She set them aside in a stack, glancing at the hallway like she was already mentally picturing where the keys and lockbox would go. This was just a task to her now, one more thing to check off the list before someone came poking around their lives.

Susie didn’t say anything. She just sat still, trying not to make a sound, trying to look like she wasn't paying attention. But she was. Even if she didn’t want to be.

The sight of the weapons didn’t shock or bother her. She knew they were there since forever. But with Undyne carefully unloading them and saying things like “secure location” and “shoulda done this before,” she felt a bit queezy.

She wasn’t afraid. Not really. It just made her feel like things were shifting. Like the space she’d come to call home was suddenly under a spotlight, and they had to clean up fast before someone decided it wasn’t good enough.

Undyne caught her eye briefly, then softened. “Almost done,” she said, like she could sense the weight in the room but didn’t want to make a big deal of it. “Just locking ‘em up in my room.”

Susie nodded, and Undyne walked off, carrying the stack carefully under her arm.

The living room fell quiet again, except for the sound of the dresser drawer sliding shut.

Susie just sat there, staring at the window and the weak sunlight creeping in through the glass, and thought about how a house could feel like home even when you weren’t sure how long you’d get to keep it.

---

The knock came a little earlier than expected.

Undyne stood up from the couch and stretched once before heading for the door. Through the peephole, she caught a glimpse of soft brown fur, a sensible sweater, and calm, compound eyes behind thin spectacles.

She opened the door to reveal a pleasant-looking moth monster, middle-aged, with gentle antennae that twitched slightly in the cold December air.

“Hello there,” the moth said warmly, holding up an ID badge. “You must be Officer Undyne. I’m Maribelle, Department of Monster Youth Protection Services.”

“Hey,” Undyne said, offering a firm handshake and stepping aside. “Come on in.”

Maribelle nodded and stepped inside, brushing a bit of snow from her scarf. Her wings folded close to avoid brushing against the doorway. Her eyes scanned the space, calm and methodical, taking in the coat rack, the shoes by the wall, the slightly crooked picture frame in the hallway. Nothing judgmental, yet. Just observant.

Susie appeared in the entryway a moment later, her hands shoved awkwardly into her hoodie pocket.

Maribelle turned to her with a smile. “And you must be Susie. It’s very nice to meet you.”

Susie gave a stiff little wave. “Uh… yeah. You too.”

Undyne clapped a hand lightly on Susie’s shoulder. “We’ve got cocoa, if you want some. Or water. Or, uh...”

Maribelle chuckled politely. “Thank you, but I’m fine for now. I’d like to start by taking a look around the house. Just a routine walk-through, nothing to worry about. After that, I’ll have a few questions for each of you—separately, if that’s alright.”

Susie’s fingers tightened slightly around the hem of her hoodie. Undyne felt it, even through the space between them.

“Sounds good,” Undyne said. “Take your time.”

Maribelle smiled again, already pulling a little notepad from her bag as she walked past them toward the hallway.

Susie stood still for a second, then let out a breath like she’d been holding it in.

Undyne gave her a sideways glance. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” Susie muttered. “Just… didn’t expect her to be so polite. I thought she’d be, like… clipboard lady with scary questions.”

Undyne grinned. “She might still be. But hey—don’t worry. It's really nothing to be scared of."

Susie gave a tiny nod and watched the moth lady disappear around the corner, her soft steps barely making a sound on the old floorboards.

Maribelle returned after a little while, pen and notepad still in hand, her expression calm as ever.

"Everything looks fine so far," she said gently. "Just a few questions next, if that’s alright."

Undyne nodded. “Yeah, no problem.”

Maribelle turned to Susie. “Would you mind waiting in another room while I speak with Undyne? I’ll come get you after.”

Susie shrugged. “Sure.”

She got up and headed down the hall to her room. The door creaked slightly as she pushed it open, and she flopped down on her bed with a low sigh.

The silence in the room felt louder than usual. She stared up at the ceiling for a bit, arms crossed over her chest, then shifted to her side.

It wasn’t like she thought anything bad was gonna happen. Undyne was cool. She’d been taking care of her, like, actually taking care of her. But still… the idea of someone else deciding if she got to stay here or not made her stomach feel weird.

She kicked at the edge of her blanket, brows furrowed. She didn’t want to go back to sleeping on benches. Or worse. She'd heard the horror stories of foster care, and most of them were from Undyne herself.

Her gaze flicked over to the familiar corners of the room. The pile of hoodies in the corner. Her old beat-up sneakers by the wall. The half-crumpled bag of chips she meant to finish yesterday.

It didn’t look like a kid’s room from a catalog or anything. But it was hers.

After what felt like forever, though it was probably closer to twenty minutes, there was a knock at her door. Susie sat up quickly, heart skipping once.

“It’s me,” came Undyne’s voice from the other side. She cracked the door open just a bit, offering a smile. “Maribelle’s ready to talk to you. No pressure, alright? Just be honest. You’ll do fine.”

Susie gave a half-hearted nod and stood, brushing off her jeans even though there was nothing on them.

She made her way down the hall and stairs, the house feeling a little too quiet with each step. Maribelle was waiting in the living room, sitting calmly on one of the chairs pulled in from the dining table. A notepad rested neatly in her lap.

“Hi again, Susie,” she said with a warm, gentle smile. She motioned to the couch across from her. “Please, have a seat.”

Susie nodded and sat down, a little stiff.

“I understand Undyne’s already gone over your background with me,” Maribelle said, folding her hands atop the notepad, “but I’d like to ask you a few questions myself, if that’s alright. Just to hear it in your own words.”

Susie cringed a little at that, she had a feeling this was the part she’d been dreading. Still, she gave another quiet nod.

“Alright,” she muttered, trying not to squirm under Maribelle’s calm gaze.

Maribelle gave her a patient, understanding look and asked gently, “Could you tell me about your life before your father left?”

Wow. Okay. We’re digging straight into it, huh?

She shifted on the couch, biting the inside of her cheek for a second before speaking. “I didn’t… really see him much, honestly,” she said, picking at a thread on her pants. “And I liked it better that way.”

Her voice was steady, but her eyes stayed low.

“’Cause when I did see him, he was either passed out on the couch with a bottle, or yelling about something stupid. Like the TV being too loud, or me breathing too loud. Stuff like that.”

She shrugged, but it was stiff. “So, yeah. I tried not to be around much.”

Maribelle nodded slowly, jotting something down with her pen. Her voice stayed calm.

“Hm. And did he notice?”

Susie frowned. “What?”

“That you were gone.”

Susie blinked, then looked off to the side. “Oh. Nah.” She let out a short breath, more like a scoff. “He didn’t care if I was home or not.”

She scratched her arm, her voice quieter now. “But, if I made him mad enough, he would to kick me out.”

There was a pause.

“I'd just wait around a bit before coming back. So he’d cool his shit.”

Mirabelle’s pen paused for just a moment before continuing its steady rhythm on the page.

She looked up gently. “Did he ever get physically aggressive with you?”

---

It had been their first dinner in the new "lovely" home.

Susie had to drag over one of the couch pillows and plop it on the dining chair just so she could reach the table. Her arms barely cleared the edge as she sat, legs swinging above the floor. Across from her, her dad wordlessly shoved a loaf of cheap bread, butter, some wrinkled cold cuts, and a half-empty carton of off-brand milk onto the table. He didn’t look at her. He sat down, started slicing bread with the dull kitchen knife, piling it up, slathering butter with more force than necessary. His expression was tight. Angry. Focused, but not on her.

Susie didn’t know what to do. She stared at the bread. She knew she wasn’t supposed to pick up the knife herself. Mom had said so once. "You’re too little to use that, sweetie. I’ll help you." So she waited.

Her dad finally looked up and caught her just watching him. His eyes narrowed.

"Hell are you looking at?"

Susie flinched slightly. Didn’t answer.

He slammed his mug down, some of the milk inside sloshing out onto the table. He still had some milk left over on his dark blue snout, Susie maybe would've laughed at the visual, in any other context.

"What’s your problem? ...Not the life you dreamed of, eh?"

He waved a hand vaguely toward the grimy apartment walls, the peeling wallpaper, the flickering ceiling light.

"You think this is easy? Maybe you think it’s my fault we have to live in this fucking shithole. My fault your mother left, huh?"

Susie shrank down in her seat a little, not daring to speak.

His voice shifted into a mocking, high-pitched tone.

"‘You should stop drinking, Seb. Sometimes you really scare me, Seb.’"

He sneered, getting up from his chair, footsteps heavy as he rounded the table.

"Fucking whore took off without a word!"

Susie’s heart leapt. He was too close. Too angry.

She hopped off the chair, the pillow falling to the floor with a soft plop, and bolted.

Bathroom. That was closest.

"Get back here!" he yelled, but she was already in, slamming the door shut and fumbling the lock.

"Come back here right now!"

Her back hit the wall. Her breath felt too loud in the tiny space.

Outside the door, a frustrated grunt. The sound of pacing. Slamming. Muttering.

And then everything started to feel muddy.

The door. The light. The floor beneath her. It blurred, twisted.

And then—

"Susie?"

Her eyes flicked up.

Mirabelle was still there, still calmly writing something unrelated on her clipboard, unaware of the storm Susie had just disappeared into.

“Not really,” she muttered.

Mirabelle gave a small tilt of her head. “What does that mean? Not really?”

Susie scratched the back of her neck, her eyes darting to the floor. “I mean, not often. And I guess it was never that bad.”

Her fingers curled slightly into the hem of her jeans. “He didn't beat me or anything. Just, sometimes, he’d shove me. Or grab my arm too hard. Stuff like that. But only when he was wasted.”

She didn’t look up. “It wasn’t all the time. I swear.”

Mirabelle gave a soft, understanding nod, the kind that didn’t push, but didn’t forget, either.

“Now Susie, I don't want you to feel like I'm interrogating you, or that you've done something wrong.”

“Uh, you're not,” Susie replied, arms crossed loosely but voice steady.

“Alright, I’m glad, then. Just remember that what happened in the past concerning him isn’t something that you should feel afraid of sharing.”

“I’m not.”

“Then we’re on the same page.” Mirabelle glanced briefly at her notes. “May I ask about your mother? Where was she when this was happening?”

Susie’s jaw tensed. She hated thinking about her. She avoided it as much as possible. It annoyed her, annoyed her that she didn’t know where her she was, or what she was doing, or if she was safe, or why she didn’t take Susie wi—

“She ran away from my dad before I could remember much of her,” she said flatly. “And that’s all I know.”

Her voice left no room for follow-up.

Unfortunately, there still was.

"Do you think she'd ever want to reunite with you?"

Susie dodged the question: "Dad moved us here right after she left, so she doesn’t know where I am."

"That’s not really what I asked. Do you think she’d like to?"

Now Susie felt annoyed. "I don’t know. Is this even relevant?"

Mirabelle stayed calm, her pen pausing above the paper.

“I’m only asking because it helps me understand what kind of support system you had, or didn’t have. That’s all.”

Susie didn’t answer right away. Her eyes dropped to the floor.

“I guess… if she did want to, she would’ve by now.”

It came out quieter than she meant it to.

Mirabelle gave a small nod, scribbled something, then gently flipped to a new page. “Alright. Thank you for being honest, Susie," she paused.

"How did you take care of yourself after he left?"

Susie rubbed the side of her face, eyes flicking away.

"I, uh... slept on benches. And, um... shoplifted food."

She hesitated after saying it, suddenly unsure if that was something she was even supposed to admit. Was that gonna get her in trouble? Probably not. Maribelle didn’t look like she was about to call the cops or anything… hopefully. Well, 'the cops' were upstairs, if she wanted to she could just holler, but she didn't, so it was fine.

"It was only for like two months," she added quickly, trying to smooth it over. "So I was fine. In the end."

"Did you tell anyone about your predicament?"

"No."

"Why is that? Did you not have anyone to tell?"

She scratched the back of her head, thinking. Back then, her only real friend had been Kris… but she hadn't said anything to them.

"I guess I had a friend I could've said something to," she admitted. "But I didn't think it was that serious. Like, not serious enough to worry them about. I only told Undyne the night she took me in. That’s it."

Mirabelle furrowed her brows slightly, then jotted something down. "Do you have nightmares, flashbacks, or trouble sleeping?"

"Uh… " Susie really didn't feel like sharing all her business with this lady.

"I have dreams about it sometimes, but I wouldn't say they’re exactly nightmares."

Mirabelle gave a slow nod. "Have you ever talked to someone about everything you’ve been through?"

"Only Undyne, I guess. And uh… not very extensively." She shifted a little in her seat.

"Right. What has it been like living with Undyne?"

Susie leaned back slightly, thinking. "It’s been... good, actually. Weird at first, 'cause I wasn’t used to, like, rules. Or someone caring where I was. Or making dinner. But she’s cool. She lets me be myself, but also, y’know, she tries."

Mirabelle nodded thoughtfully, jotting down another quick note. “That’s good to hear. Stability can take a while to get used to, especially after what you’ve been through.”

Susie gave a small shrug, eyes flicking to the side. “Yeah. At first, I kept thinking it wasn’t gonna last. Like, I dunno, I’d mess it up or she’d get tired of having me around, but she didn't.”

There was a quiet moment.

“She helped me with some school stuff, checks in when I come home late…” That last part earned the faintest grin from Susie. “She’s... solid. Like if she says she’ll do something, she does it.”

Mirabelle glanced up from her notebook, meeting Susie’s eyes. “Do you feel safe around her?”

Susie didn’t hesitate this time. “Yes.”

Mirabelle nodded slowly. “That’s very important. Thank you, Susie. You’re doing well.”

Susie didn’t know how to respond to that, so she just kind of looked down at her hands. It was quiet again, but the kind of quiet that didn’t feel too heavy.

“Just one last section,” Mirabelle said gently, flipping another page in her notepad.

“Do you feel safe in her home specifically?”

Susie opened her mouth—almost let something about the gun drawer slip, but caught herself just in time. Probably not the best moment for a joke.

She cleared her throat and nodded. “Yep.”

Mirabelle asked gently, “Do you find it hard to trust people? Why or why not?”

Susie shifted in her seat, arms folded loosely.

“…Sometimes, yeah,” she admitted after a pause. “Not ‘cause I think everyone’s out to get me or anything. Just… when you're used to stuff falling apart, you kinda expect it to. So it’s easier not to get too close.”

She shrugged, like she hadn’t just said something heavy. “I guess it’s not that I can’t trust people. It just takes a while.”

Mirabelle gave a thoughtful nod, jotting something down.

“That’s completely understandable,” she said, her voice still even. “It’s actually really common for people who’ve gone through unstable or unsafe situations. You’re not alone in feeling that way.”

Susie didn’t respond to that, just looked off to the side, picking at a loose thread on her sleeve.

Mirabelle let the silence sit for a moment before continuing, “Well, would you say Undyne is someone you’ve come to trust?”

"Yes."

Susie glanced up, bit surprised by how fast the answer came to her.

"Good, I'm glad to hear that." Mirabelle gave a small smile. “Now, a few personal questions, do you know what you want to do after you graduate?”

Susie shifted uncomfortably. She didn’t like this one.

"Uhh... I don't see what that has to do with anything."

Mirabelle didn’t seem fazed. “Well, I'd like to know what kind of support system you'd need in the future. Would you mind answering?”

Susie grumbled a little under her breath. "Uh, I dunno. Until a few months ago, I didn't even think I'd graduate at all. My grades were really bad."

“So you don’t plan on college?”

Susie scoffed, half-laughed. "No."

“Then you’d like to work?”

"I mean... I guess."

“Do you have any career choices lined up?”

"...No."

Mirabelle adjusted her pen, then looked up again, gently. “Well... is there anything you're good at? Like a talent, or a hobby?”

Susie paused. Mmm...

"Uh..."

It hung there for a second too long. Mirabelle nodded softly.

“It’s alright if you’re not sure about it yet,” she said. “But I strongly advise you to start thinking about it as soon as possible. It can really help guide the next few steps of your life.”

Susie just gave a small shrug, not really agreeing, but not disagreeing either.

"Are you interested in staying in touch with anyone from your past?"

"No."

"Even if—"

"Nah."

Mirabelle gave a tiny nod and moved on without pressing further. "Alright then. Do you want to be seen by a counselor or therapist? Regularly."

Pheww. Absolutely not. Hours of talking about feelings and “trauma”? That sounded like hell.

Susie waved her arms in front of her. "Uh, I ain't like, depressed. I don't need it."

"Susie," Mirabelle said gently, "therapy isn’t just to treat depression. All kinds of people do it every day for all kinds of reasons. And I’d personally recommend it to you, knowing your situation and past."

Susie shook her head. "I don’t think so, sorry. I’ll be fine without it."

Mirabelle looked a bit skeptical, her brow furrowing slightly, but she didn’t push. If Susie was refusing, there didn’t seem to be a point in arguing it right now.

She wrote down one final note, closed her folder, and gave Susie a small, appreciative smile. "Thank you for being honest with me, Susie." She extended a hand, and Susie shook it awkwardly.

Undyne came down the stairs just in time, pulling her ponytail tighter as she spotted the two of them wrapping up. Mirabelle stood, collecting her folder and bag.

“Well, that’s everything,” she said with a polite nod. “I’ll be sending in my report within the next few days.”

Susie stood up too, arms loosely crossed. “So… does that mean everything’s approved?”

Mirabelle gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m not allowed to disclose any decisions prematurely, I’m sorry.”

Susie frowned a little. Of course not. Whatever.

Mirabelle gave one last polite smile before making her way to the door. Undyne showed her out with a quick thanks and a firm handshake, then closed the door behind her.

She turned to Susie, who was still standing in the living room, her eyes stuck to the floor like they’d been glued there.

“So,” Undyne asked softly, “how you holdin’ up?”

Susie didn’t answer right away. Her shoulders lifted and sank with a slow breath.

“I’m scared." she finally muttered.

Undyne didn’t say anything at first. She just stepped closer and gave Susie a solid pat on the back, maybe a little more of a thump than intended, but it was her way.

“Hey, punk. Everything’s gonna be alright, alright? You’re not going anywhere on my watch.”

Susie didn’t say anything, but she didn’t pull away either.

---

Later that night, Susie sat on her bed, staring at the wall like it might give her answers. Undyne had gone to shower, the house was quiet, but her head wasn’t.

She thought maybe she should tell Kris about the whole thing. About the visit, and how weird and heavy it had all felt.

She reached for her phone and dialed their number.

It rang. And rang. No answer.

That was strange. Kris always picked up. Always.

She hesitated a second, then called again. This time, it rang even longer before finally clicking to connect.

Susie perked up slightly—“Kris?”

But instead of a reply, there was chaos on the other end. Muffled voices, shuffling, unintelligible talking. And… someone crying? She couldn’t make it out, but it sounded bad. Something was definitely wrong.

“I can’t talk right now,” Kris said quickly, their voice quiet, but sharp.

“What’s going on?” Susie asked, already frowning.

Through the static and sobs, she could hear a feminine voice ask—"Who's that?"—somewhere behind Kris, clearly distressed.

Then the line cut out.

Disconnected.

Susie just sat there, phone still to her ear, heart dropped to her ass.

What the hell?