Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A memory is a fickle thing. It can be forgotten or be remembered at the drop of a hat. It can be as precise and flowing as a movie or it can be a slide presentation of images taken minutes apart. When you grow up side by side with someone, your first memory of them isn't meeting them. It's something weird.

Asriel had known Dess since she was born, with their respective parents being friends far before the two kids were ever born, almost every event starred his neighbor and best friend. The fact that he was the older of the two was something he didn't frequently mention, save for just the right time to properly annoy her when the moment struck. Despite all this time between the two, the first memory he could properly recall, one he could describe and see in his mind's eye was far from a pleasant one.

It was the summer and it was someones birthday, probably Catty's given the size of the turnout. He hardly had any recollection of the day itself, beyond that it was sunny and hot enough that the birthday party was water themed- wait, that couldn't be right, the Cattenheimers hated water- that wasn't important. What Asriel remembered most was that everyone was there, including his neighbor that he called his best friend, Dess Holiday. Or Deth, as he was more likely to say at that time.

Asriel instantly recognized the face of his friend, running up to excitedly say howdy to Dess once again. He was met with violence. She had already prepared her own greeting for monster, and it was a fully loaded water balloon sent with all the force a five year old could muster right into his happy, smiling face.

Dess laughed. Asriel cried. Dess was sent home from the party early. Asriel would never get the image of her laughing out of his head. Dess was forced to give an apology hug the day after. Asriel had prepared revenge in the form of biting her ear when she hugged him. Dess laughed.

The first proper memory that Dess was able to recall that was about Asriel was a strange one to her. Bad days always seem to drag on and this was no exception. A tantrum in the morning from being forced to wear what her mom said were 'proper' clothes. School all day long about boring things she could never care about, stupid math problems she couldn't understand that made her feel like the stupid one. Dad forgot to bring a snack for the walk home from school. Every crayon she tried to draw with broke. It was the worst day of her life!

So of course Dess started screaming when she was told that the Dreemurrs were coming over for dinner. The tiny girls heart sank and all the screaming her tiny throat could conjure did nothing to sway her clearly uncaring dad. Her stubborn mind knew today was bad and knew it would only get worse the more she had to do.

Dess could hear the noise of chatting and cackling adults through the walls and it was ruining her every attempt to focus on her very hard work. She was busy drawing a picture of every person who wronged her that day screaming in pain as she stepped on all of them. A very normal way for her to deal with negative emotions, which she knew by the fact she would hide these pictures in the basement as soon as she was done so no one would find them.

The tiny doe was rightfully a little isolated, as recommended by her own parents due to having an "irritable mood" whatever that meant. But wouldn't you know it, that goody little goat came up to her bound to rat on her for what she was doing. Dess snatched that drawing away from those prying eyes as quick as she could.

"You didn see any'ing!" Azzy blinked, locked in a very low-stakes staring contest. Dess slowly saw the couple of colored pencils that he held in his hand.

"Do you wawa to dwaw wif me?" This was a test, Dess was sure of it. The only correct choice was to say yes. She nodded and Azzy quickly hopped up onto the couch next to hear, right by her side. She pushed her previous work to the side while staring him down, but Azzy was intent on grabbing a free piece of paper and started drawing.

Dess had no idea what to draw now, she wasn't finished with her previous work after all. She could only start scribbling, and as soon as she did, of course. Her crayon snapped. She couldn't remember if she was closer to screaming or to crying. Something bumped her hand. Her hand gripped that broken crayon with such strength, ready to finally release all that pent up anger inside her-

"Dis wan nawt hawd t' bweak" Asriel handed the colored pencil over to Dess, who was too confused to do anything but stare at him. He slowly grabbed her unmoving hand and put the utensil in it and went right back to his own drawing in silence. The girls anger slowly dissipated, whisked away by the kind gesture.

Dess didn't say anything, she only went to start coloring once more. She looked at the pointless circle she broke her crayon over and realized what she wanted to make now. She wanted to draw her best friend, and that's exactly what she did.

Chapter Text

The screeching sound of the alarm pierced the ears of both monsters, awakening the pair from the peaceful dreams that settled in their heads. The incessant begging of the alarm would not be sated by the tired groaning of either monster, but by the lone arm of Dess who had reached over to the bedside table. She fumbled at the phone screen, ever louder with the closed distance as she struggled to find the magic "shut up" button.

Asriel, the vine of a monster currently wrapping himself around the reindeer shaped tree had helped Dess set up a special alarm for her that required the girl to do basic math in order to silence the infernal cry of morning. One she had forgotten about entirely until now. One she was busy cursing under her breath over as the prompt of "seven times five" would not accept the obviously correct answer.

beepbeepbeep

"No- no Dess, seven multiplied by five."

beepbeepbeep

"That's what I put in!"

beepbeepbeep

"That's seventy-five"

beepbeepbeep

"Yeah!"

"Seven."

beepbeepbeep

"Mhm."

"Five times."

beepbeepbeep

"That's what I DID IT'S JUST BROKEN!"

beepbeepbeep

"thirty-five."

beepbeep-

"What the-"

"Remind me tonight. . . mess with settings." Asriel's eyelids fell down quickly, slipping back into much needed sleep, or so was thought. Dess could hear the echoing whispers of the damnable clock still bouncing within her brain. Now well and truly fueled by her hatred for arithmetic she had more then enough energy to properly drag herself out of bed. Asriel seemingly had other plans, nearly making her trip as his arms had snaked around her waist throughout the entire ordeal, her leg pinned underneath his own.

"Babe, I gotta get ready." The pleas from Dess fell on deaf ears. She figured she might as well flick them, make sure they still work. Asriel responded by only tugging back with his sleepy muscles, keeping the doe well and firmly planted on the bed. Dess began prying herself from of the grasping brambles that were her boyfriends claws, each plucked from its place earning a tired whine as if she was pulling thorns off a living vine. Asriel was mumbling something to the pillow by the time the doe had finally freed herself with a grunt from the force needed to yank her leg loose.

Dess had gotten quite familiar with the unrelenting grip Azzy had when it came to snuggling in bed, or more so when trying to leave it for any reason whatsoever, and had long since worked past the guilt he preys on with those needy noises of his. She had to get ready for work, and he needed the extra sleep after staying up late studying for his midterms. A shirt that didn't smell of sweat and the same jeans she'd worn for the last 4 days was enough for the girl to be considered acceptable work clothing,

Lights were flickered on despite the abundance of spring sun outside, as was the unspoken convention that had been brokered with the strange roommate that shared the college dorm with the two. The introduction of Dess- who had about halfway moved into the space- left the new trio "contentious". Or at least that was the word they chose to use to describe the situation. All things equal, everyone was getting along as best as they could.

The fridge was frequently found full of flavorful leftovers- And was the first place Dess would ever face to start a morning feast. For today's breakfast, she favored the Filipino wrapped in foil they had a few nights ago. The fawn treated the contents as finger food, digits frolicking as she had felt feverishly famished. The fried revelry of the female was forced to an abrupt finalization, unfortunately.

A second hand had begun invading the contents Dess held, and the familiar presence of warm fluff against her back came like a siren, seducing her back to the comfortable peace of bed that she had barely escaped from. The large plush arm around her front almost worked in it's goal of distracting from the fact that her leftovers were currently being taken from her.

"Hands off, freeloader! This MY brekkie!" The thief was too busy stuffing his face full over her shoulder, no care for the crumbs now coat her shirt. Dess began keeping her sustenance as out of reach of him as she could manage, a struggle as his longer arms meant more reach than her own. The girl guarding her food had to result to dirty defensive tactics. Dess proceeded to give herself a face-full of scraps and wrapped the aluminum around her muzzle like a mask to prevent any further robbery.

Asriel had thoroughly given up in his fight, content to use his pants as a napkin so he would be guilt free in grabbing handfuls of his girlfriends fur to cling to. Dess on the other hand was busy ravaging the remains as though it would vanish from reality if she didn't swallow everything right that second. With an unceremonious burp and a lick of her lips she finally removed the wrapper from her face, tossing it to the trashcan- and missing horribly. She would have happily walked over to correct that mistake but the mess of fluff behind her was once again straining against every step that wasn't further into the pit of fuzz.

Damn this immovable hunk of cuddle-meat and his inability to let go, I am a full on adult and I will prove it by finally being on time to work! For once!

"Az, please, I need to actually get ready-"

"Just five more minuuuUUUU-"

"Five minutes? Dude, I can feel your-"

"That's not important!"

"Better not be!" Dess trailed off and there was no response, only the tightening of arms that refused to ever let her go again. "Fah! Fine, but it's on the couch, so no funny business!"

"Yaaaayyy!" Dess couldn't help but think of a kid being told they could have dessert for dinner the way he responded. Suddenly her hooves had no ground to stand on, her boyfriend carrying her over to the spot agreed upon, despite her begging to not be tossed around like a doll. A sleep deprived Boss monster was apparently not something to mess with.

By the time Asriel had finally set the doe down he was already spread out on the communal hangout cushions, leaving Dess to sprawl atop. Her head found its home resting on his chest, angled as best as she can to balance comfort for herself and to avoid slapping his snout with her antlers. As much protesting as she put up, Dess knew there was no better place to rest than nestled up with her partner. It still felt crazy to even say such a thing after all those years. . . Days now happily left in the past. Her fingers flew through that long, soft fur on his chest like the wind through a glade. Only now did she properly registering Azzy hadn't even bothered to put on a shirt. An arm of his came swinging around the girls back, resting over her body with a hand over her hip. She didn't mind, she was busy enjoying the sound of his heartbeat, so strong and steady. It matched well with the gentle breeze his breath made over her hair, rustling those strands. Every moment with him was a moment of endless peace. It was far too easy to get used to mornings like this.

The sound of sharp knocking rocked Dess awake, blinking the crumbs out of her eyes. A second passed before her entire body started, the realization she fell back asleep shaking her whole being into action, shocking the boy she slept atop of into the same state of wakefulness.

"Are you two about done in there?" The cool voice came muffled through the doorframe of their roommate. Dess had no time to respond, and no more cuddles to give- A hasty tap to her phone revealed she had only three minutes left to be a ten minute walk away.

"GODDAMMIT AZZY, I DIDN'T GET TO DO MY MAKE-UP, I- AAAAGGGHHH!" Dess all but shrieked her man into standing upright, who had little more to do than watch her scramble across the floor to grab everything she needed- keys and shoes before she swung the door wide open.

"But Dess-" Azzy had no need to say anything else, as the girl was already spun around, stomping with haste towards the clingy complainer. Her arms wrapped around his neck as their lips met, soft and tender like slipping into clean bedsheets after a shower. A kiss fleetingly loving before she could let him sink his claws in deeper or she might not even leave.

Before a single word was said, Asriel was left with nothing but a closed door to stare at, standing awkwardly in the middle of the cramped room. All that was in his mind was the words he practiced, day aftr day, just incase. It didn't matter to him if the only one who'd hear them were him and the door.

"Goodbye, Dess. Be safe. I love you." He didn't get to say goodbye when it mattered the most. He wasn't making that mistake again. Silence was his reply.

"You're pathetic." Asriel turned and was met with Chara's sick grin, eyes piercing right through his soul. The cool and calculated voice was as mocking as it was playful. Asriel was surprised every day that Dess and they we're not fast friends given the shared interest of ragging on him.

"Yeah." He had no time for a witty comeback- his head had yet to recover from a study session that lasted until two in the morning, and he was busy missing his girlfriend. Chara was almost upset he wasn't playing their game, and he could hear it in their voice

"Stronger men would argue against such a claim." Who needs strength. He had Dess.

"Okay. I'm going back to bed, it still smells like her."

Chapter Text

It had been awhile since Dess had a lazy Saturday morning. No baseball practice, no school, no plans- only sleeping in and staying cozy in her room as long as she wished. She was however unfortunately woken up much earlier than she would have wished by the clatter of tiny hooves stampeding over to her room. The knocking at her door was just as frantic as it was reserved- meaning it was Elly.

"Come in!" The groggy doe practically cleared her throat of the gravel as she spoke, eyes slowly blinking out the crumbs as the light from the morning found its way inside. Dess was greeted to the small silhouette of her baby sister standing in the door frame. Her entire body was seemingly illuminated with a holy glow, all the more matched by the pair of angel wings she continued to keep a hold of.

"Dess! I found another glitch! Come look!" being such a cool older sister was never easy. Always something to do. Dess was silently reassuring herself for the fact she was all but literally being dragged out of bed for probably the same thing she's been shown 5 times but in a different place. The teens morning mind was far from fully functioning as she almost stumbled from under the sheets with an exaggeratedly loud yawn. She was, for all intents, ready to go. Noelle was standing still, blocking the doorway. She'd have normally run back to her room by now.

"Something up Elly?" Her hand muffled her second yawn before she scratched at stray tufts of fur sticking up from her muzzle.

"Why are you wearing Azzy's sweater?" There was a long period of silence that the tiny fawn couldn't entirely sit still for. Dess hadn't realized that she had been wearing the pilfered top since she fell asleep the night before, and so of course woke up in the same. It took the girl far too long to register the simple fact, and now that she looked down to see Noelle wasn't lying, she had to find a way to explain that didn't show her hand. The silent blinking back and forth as Dess was caught all but ruined any bluff she might of had.

"Oh, uuhhh caaause it's extra comfy. Why do you think he wears it all the time, huh?" Great work Dess! Properly reflected like a professional, get her thinking about a different question, and before you know it, you're fiiiiine. Reality struck harder than a baseball to the stomach.

"When did he give you his sweater?" I stole it.

"Heeeeee lent it to me during school cause I was cold!" You stupid doe, deflect! "Was the glitch in-"

"But he wears that all the time!" And wearing it feels like you're constantly being hugged by him.

"He has more than one!" When did I start being interrogated by a child.

"But that's his favorite one!" She knows. Dess lowered herself to be at head level with Noelle, quickly putting a hand on her shoulder. Lovingly, of course, though it might not have appeared that way to anyone but Dess with how tight her grip was. Other monsters might be frightened by the act, but the sweet angel Noelle knew she had nothing to truly fear, not from her big sister.

"Elly." Her voice dropped an octave. This was her attempt to be threatening, but Noelle always thought it just made her sound like shes trying to make fun of Azzy's voice. "If you tell him I have his sweater then-"

"Don't worry Dess! You're secret safe with me!" The chipper attitude from the buck-toothed baby was a ray of light on the girl filled with the gloom. Dess had hardly begun to understand her own feelings towards that goat, much less the impulse that told her to steal his sweater the last time the Dreemurrs hosted dinner. She had no need to say thank you, her expression said that enough.

Noelle had no further need to torture her sister, grabbing her hand and now dragging her sibling across the hall as had been expected. Dess blinked as her eyes adjusted to the light of the rest of the house proper now, not noticing the looming figure who had just come down the stairs.

"Well Dess! Guess I finally found Azzy's lost sweater!" Noelle turned to see the face of her older sister, frozen in father-induced fear. Dess saw the smile stretching across her face, the hand over her lips to keep down a grim giggle at the girls pain. What Dess couldn't see she could feel in the air- a happy grin of parental torture.

"Guess I should go give him a call, tell him where it ended up!" Dess couldn't move. Every little family revelation broke the to cool to care persona she had worked so hard to maintain. That no one in the Holiday house would ever think even existed. Her racing mind was snapped into reality by the clacking sound of the landline being taken off of it's receiver.

Noelle watched in glee as she was witness to her older sister speeding down the hall like it was track day to body slam her dad into the wall. The entire hallways up in laughter, save for the desperate screaming from the fretting teen.

"DAD PLEASE NO, YOU'LL RUIN MY LIFE-" Dess was mocked by her fathers laughter only increasing. The phone remained in his hand, though the girl had placed her entire palm onto the receiver to keep it unusable.

"I'm your father! Ruining your life is one of my most important jobs!" Rudy had no intention on spilling her daughters beans, but the opportunity to mess with her was far too great. The moment he had freed the grasping hand of Dess and dialed a single number, it was over. She was on her knees before him.

"Please please please please I-I'll do your chores for a week-"

"Two weeks-"

"DEAL!"

"FAHAHA!" He really didn't think she'd go for it.

"PLEASE!"

"I accept!" Rudy's gentle hand of peace came down to rest on his poor exasperated daughters head, ruffling her hair in a quiet comfort. Dess collapsed onto the floor, the pounding heart in her body ready to rip through it.

A soft chill fell over Dess's panicked body, and the laughter that was plaguing her ears slowly abated. The slow, rhythmic sound of hoof-steps heading down stairs made the girl start once more. Her head jumped up to see her mother finally come round the hall and face her. Carol's face was stern as ever, despite the humorous position Dess had fallen into. The mother's eyes twitched down to see her eldest daughter wearing that distinctive green and yellow sweater.

She snickered, covered her mouth out of politeness, and continued her treck down the stairs, followed shortly by her husband. One would think Dess would feel relieved, but the poor girl wanted to curl up into a ball and be forgotten. Why did her entire family have to know just how much she couldn't stop thinking of that fluffy neighbor?

Dess was wrought out of her aching by the a shadow over her vision. Her eyes slowly opened to see Noelle standing over her, looking right down with a giant, happy grin.

"I should have extorted you more like dad did!"

"No one your age should know that word. Also screw you." Noelle giggled. The consternation on the girls face began to slowly weaken to a smile, the infectious laugh of her little sister finally sinking in. At least Elly was enjoying herself.

Chapter Text

Asriel cursed under his breath as his flashlight flickered once again. He fumbled angrily with the light, removing the batteries for a moment to ensure there wasn't anything trapped inside. Hands shaking with rage made for a loose grip, and one of those batteries slipped free. The silent thump the charge made when it fell into the cold soil was unheard thanks to the frustrated scream that slipped free from the monster above.

Claws dug through earth as the boy grasped desperately in the dark for the only thing that could now get him home safely. Or achieve his goal. Every breath from Asriel was forced through grit teeth, a wheezing hiss in and out as he struggled to keep himself remotely composed. He never could when he was thinking about her.

Dess was his every thought now. Where could she have gone? What happened to her? When could he see her smile again? Asriel's hands finally felt the cold touch of metal on his hand, his spiraling train of thought suddenly stopped at the closest thing to a happy thought he'd had in weeks. He didn't waste a second, not even bothering to check if the tiny thing had picked up any dirt before slotting it in it's place. A silent prayer to the angel was sent as his eyes closed, trying at that button one last time. Steady, bright light was his reward.

Asriel expressed his thanks as a groan, a relief that at least one thing could go right. He could keep looking. Eyes swept as that controlled beam of light aided in his search, every second an exercise in attention. If he for even one second zoned out while looking, he could miss something. He couldn't take that chance, even if it was exhausting. Even if his grades started dropping because the only time he could sleep was in class. Even if hes legs were so sore that he winced with every step.

It was still early into the night, and this was the most productive time he had. Asriel had started to realize that walking around the forest at night wasn't worrisome at all. The problems only arose when he was too sleep deprived while out. When every stray pair of branches sticking out of a brush get confused for antlers. It only becomes worse once the tears mix with the memories, when every shape looks like her, when every tree trunk is the same shade of fur.

Asriel stopped moving. There was something he heard, distant, quiet, he couldn't risk stepping on a branch or he might not hear it again. Was it her?

"DESS!" He waited. He had to, if it was her last plea for help, he had to listen. Nothing. He waited. He lost track of time how long he waited. But he couldn't move. Maybe it was a squirrel- He heard it, head twisted, and suddenly he was sprinting in the direction. That sound grew louder every second amidst the cracking branches he stepped on or the bushes he rustled as he flew past. Every step it became clearer. Every step it became louder. Every step his heart sank deeper and deeper into his chest.

His brief hope had fallen, his energy with it as realization dawned on him. The sound he couldn't place, somewhere between a puttering engine and a printer on its last legs. The trees he began to recognize even if their leaves had all long since fallen. The way the air began to feel too thick to breathe. The way every other sound faded. All that was left was the grating noise from hell.

Slowly, the giant doors of the shelter came into Asriel's view. All he could think when he saw those doors was the last thing she had said to him. "Don't go to the bunker." Every day he ignored that warning, it was always the place he'd stop at the end of the night. How had he not heard this noise from it before? His question was answered, that sickening groan in the air fading to an end, leaving only silence in it's stead.

Exhaustion had finally caught up with the teen. Asriel collapsed onto the floor with a gasping breath, the desperation that flooded his body having run to a sickening end. He could hardly keep himself upright even on his hands and knees, arms shaking. He couldn't hold it in anymore.

It started with a scream that was carried through the entire forest. A pitiful, aching cry that no one else could hear. The saltwater followed, stinging his cheeks as it flowed from his eyes that refused to stay open. Another scream more disheartening than the last, his voice choking into a grunt as the phlegm in his throat demanded to be cleared.

It was unsustainable, what he did every night to look for her, but he had to do it. Someone had to have hope she was still out there. That she was okay. He had to, no matter how many tears it took to find her. However much he had to endure for her. If he had to scream until he couldn't speak again to get her back, he would. He lost track of the time he spent wailing, weeks of pain and he still wasn't done. He began to wonder if a day would even come where he could think of hear without feeling something inside him break.

Those crimson doors all but silently called to Asriel, bringing his head up to stare in fear and wonder at what was inside. One paw at a time he stood himself up, shuffling slowly, achingly towards that beacon of dread. He was guided forward, the flashlight he had long since dropped leaving him a solitary spotlight, sharp red doors broken up by the shadow he cast over it.

Cold metal greeted Asriel's fingertips, something next to ice as the frigid night had commanded. He had tried it every night, but still he pulled that handle down and pushed. No click of a latch was heard, but Asriel pushed anyways, praying that this time, finally, the doors would part. That he would look in and she'd be there, waiting for him. That he'd give her the strongest hug he'd ever given.

It wasn't intentional at first, but slowly Asriel put more and more of his weight against the door. He wanted it to open. He needed it to open. He needed to make that horrible thing break. One stray thought was all it took before he slammed his fist against the door. But it was only pain. It was nothing compared to the maelstrom inside. So he slammed his fist again, and again, and again. He put every last ounce of energy into his efforts, his entire body exerting in every swing, as if bloody knuckles and dented steel would bring back the love of his life. As if he could do anything. He didn't stop until he heard his bones crack.

Asriel yelped, back against the unmoving doors, holding his now broken hand. The injury didn't even make him cry, nothing made him cry now except for her. A girl that couldn't hear him. So why did he start talking to her?

"I- I wish you were here. Every night now I have this dream. You're sitting on your bed, practicing on your guitar and-" He sniffled. The tears weren't through with him yet. "and you're quietly singing along, trying to be quiet enough that I can't hear you and start singing along. But I- I just listen, and by the time you finish, you realize I was listening. You- hah, you start cussing me out over it, calling me weird for just watching you."

His body finally fell, legs shaking for so long they had finally given in. Asriel felt empty, his heart broken and body drained. But he insisted on talking to himself, like she was there right next to him.

"It always ends the same way. I stand up, walk over, and I hug you. That's- that's it! I just, I hu-ug you. I get to wrap my arms around you, feel the way your chest moves as you breathe, the way your fur catches on mine. . . I get to feel your arms around me. Feel how warm you are. . ."

All Asriel felt before he fell asleep was the cold.

Chapter Text

Cold winter Sunday's with nothing to do meant one thing for two certain monsters: Crappy B movie marathons. Dess had the collection and the projector in her bedroom, and Asriel had taught her how to acquire free digital copies extremely legally. For all his parroting of right and wrong, the fluffy monster had no qualms when it came to this very punishable act. Dess of course inquired many times, and always had to stop herself from giggling as he nerdily explained his way out of feeling any remorse for his actions, no matter if he had a point or not. She didn't care, anything that brought him out of his moral shell was a victory to her. Especially when he'd stutter trying to explain to Kris or Noelle how they got all these movies.

The little siblings were of course included for as long as they could be. Noelle would drop first, either too grossed out by a particularly stretchy special effect or whenever she had enough being scared and finally needed something to soothe her nerves that wasn't crying into the fur of whichever teen was closest. Kris would always get bored shortly after, either by not understanding what the others were quietly giggling about, or from not having the added entertainment of a screaming Noelle to revel in.

Dess had no worries on these nights- she had no need to make sure her little sister was safe with the constant chatter of their families below, safe from torment at the hands of her neighbor. But another neighbors hands would slowly find its way around the shoulders of the girl next door, pressing the two closer. The quiet solitude of the girls room made for a good get-away for the teens. What was bickering commentary about one characters stupid decisions that had to happen for the plot to move forward, to discussions on how cheap the blood gushing effects were turned into a surprising silence. It was rare for Dess and Azzy to truly get time alone- but their habit of horror proved to have become an effective method of getting just that. Time without expectation or responsibility, without Pressure or assumptions. Just flashing lights, schlocky gore, gratuitous nudity, and a kiss or two between the poor editing.

Their chests moved in sync, rising and falling, even when the does head rested on the others. Dess felt all too inclined to snuggle up close and rest her body on her boyfriends, after all that fur felt all too comfortable to ever deny. Asriel felt much the same, every day he felt her pressed against him his heart danced a samba that he was sure she could hear.

Pictures and colors and sounds from the screen lead to one of the two getting a little too lost in thought, and suddenly, a question came to the doe. She debated first, if she should even utter it, if it might be too weird, too dark. Then she looked up. That bright white face of Asriel's was a mosaic of reflected light, a happy rainbow of color dancing. He felt her move, and his face turned to meet, eyes locked on eyes. This was typically the queue for a kiss in these moments, but this time the doe just smiled and turned back around. If there was anyone to match her weirdness, it'd be him.

"I got a question for you, fuzzball." He snickered. So it was that kind of question.

"Shoot." Dess smiled.

"Hometown suddenly comes up in one of these movies. The whole town is about to go down in a sick bloodbath one way or another-" Asriel was already smiling with her, shaking his head from the thought exercise.

"Golly that sounds just peachy!" Dess snorted- Oh good, he's in just the right kinda mood for this.

"How does it all end? What kinda big scary monster rises from the depths and takes us all with it? In fire, and blood, and really really bad scream takes that no one can bother spending the time to re-shoot." Asriel couldn't interrupt her, letting Dess guide him through the vision of a hometown falling to a B movie script with C-tier casting and direction. With Asriel lost in thought, the doe was left to watch him in the corner of her eye, seeing how his eyes darted while hes brain was suddenly in creative overdrive.

His head slowly hung low, clearly debating something with the voices inside his head, until with a somber tone he spoke.

"Burgerpants goes all scream on us and uses that stupid ICE-E mascot costume to take us out one by one in some sort of twisted revenge fantasy."

Dess was taken with so much shock she didn't even realize she started drifting away, until Asriel softly tugged her back against him by the shoulder. Not only did he just throw his second best friend under the bus as the most likely hometown serial killer, but he also said it so nonchalantly, like it was just a fact. The silence of surprise lingered in the still air, and slowly the soft spoken boy turned his head.

"Sorry, was- was that too much?" Asriel was witness to watch his girlfriends wide eyes narrow, a big, sickening grin on her face that curled into a menacing chuckle. The boys momentary worry faded as quick as it came, quickly laughing with her.

"Oooohhhohoho my god Azzy, you got something good going on up there! I was ready for some kinda monster movie or alien invasion given your nerd ass, but- damn" How did this stupid nerd manage to keep impressing her.

"What! You gave me the reigns, I rolled with it! Not every B-movie is a monster movie!"

"Yeah, but dude that was inspired, I- DUDE WAIT-" Asriel was all but shaken as she practically jumped on top of him, excitement sinking into every motion.

"Whose the final girl!?"

"You, obviously" They both grinned. The only right answer- the lovers both thought at once. Slowly however, a playful frown grew on the girls face.

"You know what that means, right?" A tilted head was her only response, those floppy ears dangling from the display. "It means you gotta die. . ." Asriel's face twisted into a look that screamed he was upset at the very notion.

"Whu- I don't have to die!" Even he realized he was on the defensive as he spoke, this was no good.

"Of course you do! The final girl's boyfriend like ALWAYS dies! It's horror movie law!"

"What- I- no!" Dess wasn't doing enough to hide her smirk as she teased on, but no way in hell would he let her win, not this time. "One, that is not a rule! Plenty of boyfriends have survived! Two, every death in these movies happens to sinners, and I go to church and even confession, I'm faaar safer than you!" Mockery and quiet giggling from the girl was following his every word, bringing a pout out of of the boss monster. "And finally, since when did you care about the rules!?"

"As soon as I realized I could use them to mess with you~" Dess was almost surprised, she could hear a little growl come from him. "I'm sorry Az, but you've got red flags all over you!" The last time Asriel glared at her like this was when she personally used his shirt as a mud rag after baseball practice just to get a rise out of him. His bark had no bite, and Dess knew she could use this to her advantage. Slowly she got up on her knees, now a head above the still sitting monster, and she had one thought on her mind.

"How often does the boyfriend die to save the final girl?" Asriel's expression slowly softened, his mind bouncing from one movie to another. His eyes locked on hers, he couldn't stop staring. Taking in every detail of that beautiful, smug, confident face so close to his own. So close he could feel hear breath falling over his face.

"N-none come to mind-" Dess moved even closer, one hand on the boys thigh, the other on his shoulder as the space between them shrunk to nothing. But that wasn't what was on her mind, far from it. She knew she had him wrapped around her finger, but she needed to hear that devotion.

"Would you die for me, Az?"

"Yes" Dess wanted to savor that moment, to make him say it again, to really enjoy the fact she didn't even finish her question before he answered. Asriel said exactly what he needed to. It helped of course, that it was the truth. No time was wasted, the poor boy didn't even get to breath before the two sunk into each others touch.

Dess smashed her lips to his. The force she put into the action would have been enough to knock Asriel back if he didn't match her energy. Their eyes had long since shut, grasping hands did all that was needed in terms of way finding as the two became lost in touch. The pair of them has certainly begun to be more adventurous with their time, both becoming big fans of planting kiss after kiss on the other until someone got the nerve to let some tongue slip through. And no one would ever believe that it was Asriel who broke that ground first.

It wasn't long before Asriel had fallen flat on the floor, the doe clambering over the mattress of a monster, finding him just as comfortable as she laid down atop him. Those big hands of his quickly had their fun exploring Dess, and she enjoyed every second of it, the way he treated her with equal parts reverence and desperation. It couldn't last forever or go any further and they both knew it, even if the sounds of screams and gore drowned out the adults and children below. But they were bathed under the dim light, properly absorbed in the company of each other, happy, free, and together.

Chapter Text

"The hell are you doing here!?" Dess spoke in a hushed whisper, though she wasn't the most careful, she was outside, after all.

"What- You said-" Asriel had to speak up to carry his voice both across the tree branch he was stuck on and over the Holiday house fence.

"I said 'Let's hang', not come to my house-" Dess held her head in her hands trying her best to keep her annoyance quiet. Of course she was annoyed, her boyfriend was stuck in a tree trying to climb over the fence and now whining like a cat about it.

"But we always get together at your house!" Asriel was on the defensive like usual, hands clutching the branch he sat on so tight he was worried he might snap the thing. He was so bad at this, he'd seen Dess do it multiple times, how could it be this difficult and nerve-wracking?

"Or the lake! Or the graveyard! Or your house!" Enough sneaking around through the high security compound that was her mothers control of domestic security and eventually they'll get caught. Dess at least knew to play it safe and only sneak out once everyone was asleep, though she was quickly losing control of her volume.

"I wanted to surprise you!" Asriel would take every opportunity for cute gestures, this being no exception. It was not uncommon for them to backfire or go unnoticed. This however was a new level of failure for him, as the screaming and flustered monster displayed.

"Just let me get the stupid gate for you!" She felt like she was dealing with Elly at this point with how scared he was. Sure the spikes were a little scary, but as long as you either commit to one direction you're not gonna even catch them. Stupid goat was caught in his own fear.

"But you do this all the time!" They're the same age, they grew up together, they do all the same sports so Angel help them he could too! . . . As soon as he got over how wobbly the branch was. And how scary those decorative spikes looked. And how high up he was.

"Yeah so your clumsy ass doesn't have to! For a goat you can't climb for shi-"

"I'M NOT A GOAT!"

Carol groaned. The bickering noise of the teenagers outside only seemed to get louder, and she had a meeting at seven in the morning she had to make. Could they not have done this any earlier or any quieter? Why she even let this charade go this far was beyond her. She knew every time December left the house, that girl was anything but subtle. This was it, this was finally the time her eldest would get the punishment she needed. Bedsheets parted as the stern mother rose, the unhappy sneer she had become accustomed to using when dealing with her rebellious brat plainly visible to the other occupant.

"Oh let them be, gingerbread." That voice tugged on the woman's heart and stopped her in her path of administering justice. The same voice that called her to step back every time it came to December. The reason she had to deal with the yelling teens keeping her from sleep.

"This has gone on long enough! I don't care who she decides to date, but sneaking out almost every night is too much, especially when they're this horrible at it." It was one thing to go against her back, it was one thing to allow your kids to have their rebellious phase, it was another to always have to be the one doing damage control to your family name because of it.

"FAHAHAHA!" His laugh brought a smile out of her. It always did no matter how many times she heard it, no matter how ear deafeningly loud it was. But she couldn't stop herself from looking out of their window, watching the two young lovers argue loudly now. At least her daughter seemed to be winning.

"It's normal for kids to sneak out, helps them grow up!" So what if he had a point? It's good for children to learn actions have consequences just as well. Something it seemed like December never even began to understand.

"She's anything but." Rudy snickered, and Carol turned to look at him getting out of bed to join her at the window, both enjoying the sight of the kid stuck in the tree, and their daughter trying and failing to explain how to get down without getting hurt.

"No one said it was fast." Carol's eyes flicked to her husbands, watching his smile bounce and shift in delight at the antics of the two below. Catching her eyes the two had a moment of proper eye contact, smiling at each other. Until the mother recognized that look on his face, that meant he had a stupid question.

"If we were their age, wouldn't you sneak out to see me?" Carol met his crooked smile with a cold glare.

"No, I'd make you wait." His laugh filled the room to the point Carol wondered if it might have scared the kids below- until she heard their "conversation" outside continuing all the same.

"I think I got an idea. Hop back in bed, sugarplum, I got this handled." He was already moving to the door before his wife could put up any argument. She did anyways, as was her nature.

"Like you handled last Christmas dinner?" She watched as he tiredly stumbled out the bedroom leaving the door ajar only so she could hear his retort.

"A fruit only fruitcake was a stroke of improvised genius and I won't hear any different!" Carol on shook her head, she could hear him quietly laughing to himself as his voice faded down the stairs and out of earshot. She was left to ruminate herself on just what to do with her wayward daughter, staring down as she was miming some action to him. Suddenly, the yard was lit with light from the kitchen, and all was silent.

The show had begun, as a wry smile curled on her lips as both teenagers jumped into a quiet panic. December was just about to combust from the curse of silence seemingly cast upon her, when suddenly Carol could make out a booming voice below.

"GODDAMN LOUD ASS RACCOONS NEED TO BE TAUGHT A LESSON!" Oh the look on their face was priceless, and the look of fear on her child's face was sweeter than any Christmas treat. But what was seemingly spurned in the girl only got better, witness to the fastest scaling of the fence she's ever seen- and the panicked face of the poor Dreemurr boy being tackled backwards off of the tree. The pair came crashing down to the ground, drawing a sympathetic groan from Carol. And there finally in view was the main attraction- her gem of a husband swinging her kitchen katana wildly pretending that the teens were nowhere in sight, continuing to ramble about mysterious raccoons. It wasn't long before he stumbled back inside, shutting off the kitchen light.

Rudy had walked back up to join Carol at her peeping window, both silently watching the pile of flannel. It wasn't long until it moved, silently assuring each other the coast was clear before sulking off to go make mischief in the night. The girl quickly left her mothers watchful vision, the boy of her affections being dragged behind, hand in hand. A huff of exasperation left the tired woman, breath fogging up the glass. The entertainment was over, only questions remained.

"You think she'll be okay?" The pensive mother got a hand on her shoulder, and looked over to that warm smile of her loving husbands.

"If she's anything like you? She'll soar."

Chapter Text

It had been a long day at work, Asriel had spent the entire day spinning his wheels. No matter what there was always something breaking, and he was the first one anyone at his office went to for problem solving. It was exhausting. He was supposed to of been making progress on his own portion of work, but instead all his energy was used on helping his coworkers. This was hardly anything new, and he even loved to help, but the action left him feeling drained every day.

Coming home was more than a relief from the woes of work. For Asriel it meant coming home to his girlfr- Wife. Over a year and he still wasn't used to it, despite how much he loved to call Dess by the title. Honestly, with her penchant for rebellion and distaste for social expectations he was surprised she ever said yes. And today, Asriel wanted nothing more than to hug his wife and squeeze out all his worry and stress. Swinging open the door to his abode, he stopped in his place to take in the scene before him.

She rearranged the furniture. . . Again. The fourth time this month. The careful, wary paws of Asriel slowly walked through the house, careful not to stub a toe or catch the corner of a table like he did last week. Blaring music was the signal of his woman's whereabouts, making his cautious way towards the art room. Dess was sitting inside staring pensively over a messy canvas, with a leg tapping to the rhythm of the punk sound emanating from the speaker behind her.

Asriel couldn't stop himself from taking the view in, both of Dess and her work in progress. The doe was wrapped in a loosely fit black robe that Asriel had quickly realized was the best thing he'd gotten her to account for the baby belly. The dark dress was contrasted by the pair of Christmas tree socks he remembered being her mothers last birthday gift to her. Dess was already glowing, but her eyes studying her own work with passion made her look all the brighter.

Her painting in progress was an assortment of colors each clashing against the other yet never becoming a slurry of just one shade. The acrylic paint that was caked over itself in layers was enough to turn it into an elevation map of Mt. Ebott, though admittedly the prettiest one Asriel had ever seen. The absurd brightness of it was what caught his eye the most, a change to the normally darker pieces that had come to adorn their walls.

"Cheerier than usual, any reason for that?" The monsters voice was barely audible over the music, and Dess would have jumped in surprise if she hadn't been checking the time eagerly waiting for the moment he'd come home.

"More colors doesn't mean happier. I thought you'd know that better than anyone, you rainbow using emo boy." Asriel chuckled, giving his wife a kiss on the cheek and a warm hand to rub at his shoulder as he stared appreciatively at her artistry.

"What are you calling this one?"

"'Everything a Name Means'." Asriel's eyes were brought to the does with those words, realizing just why she was so lost in thought.

"Still can't decide on a name for them?" The squeeze her shoulders got was comforting, but didn't do enough to dissuade her thoughts, stuck running through every possibility.

"I dunno why I can't." Asriel chose to change his plans, moving around to kneel before her, grabbing her hands to hold. He hoped that getting the painting out of her sight for a bit might help her mood.

"We could always do what my parents did-" Asriel looked almost pleading, but as soon as he mentioned his parents Dess was rolling her eyes

"No way in hell I'm letting my kid be named Ass-cember, they'll be bullied their whole life."

"I meant Dessriel!"

"Eh alright, that ones a bit better." Dess was trying to hide her own smile as she stared down at her husband, but his warm tired smile was sinking through all her brooding.

"We've come up with plenty of names, at least."

"We've got too many names. Dessriel, Day, Comet, Melody, god we have so many and like usual. . . I can't make up my mind."

"Well you've always been good at improvising." Dess scoffed, but the light behind her eyes told a different story. Asriel looked on with a warm smile, more than happy to help out his favorite person ever.

"Yeah. . . We'll know it when we see them."

"We will." Exaggerated groaning from the mother-to-be came out, and Asriel planted two kisses to make Dess better; One right on her forehead, and another on her belly. "Sooo. . . you moved everything around again?"

"Dude maternity leave sucks, there's nothing to do. You know how hard it is to play guitar like this?" Asriel's turn to roll his eyes.

"You're supposed to use it to rest, deer."

"Well I fixed the rickety leg on your bedside table, replaced one of the kitchen lights, and restrung my guitar, so-"

"That's it, you're getting forced into relaxation then."

"And how do you plan- OH" The does question was answered by Asriel suddenly scooping her up into his arms, lifting her off her feet. Dess would be complaining if it wasn't a struggle for her to get herself up these days. The two looked into each others eyes, and the vulnerability from hardly being able to do much but being safe in Asriel's arms always made her feel better.

"Golly Dess, you're light as a feather-" She slapped his face, and Asriel had the biggest shit eating grin on his face.

"You're the reason I'm fat, you have no right to be on me for that!" The proud father was already moving his way to their bedroom, once more careful with every step.

"No, I only made you round, there's a difference."

"OOoohh look at me, I'm big smart nerd, I know my woman geology!"

"Geometry" His correction earned him a flick on the forehead, but all Asriel could think about was his happy wife in his arms with a smile on her face. The bedroom had been reached by this point, and Dess was gently placed onto the mattress with a grunt from them both.

"Oh how gentle you are, Azzy."

"alright, I'm ordering in pizza-"

"Chinese."

"Chinese, and we're binging Forensic Files-"

"Ghost Hunters"

"Ghost Hunt- seriously?" The look on her face was enough to stop any further argument.

"Alright, whatever the baby needs."

Dess was happy and content to get her way, until realization hit of just what baby Asriel was taking care of.

Chapter Text

"Whatchya drawin'?" The ten-year-old Asriel used his arms to cover the parchment as soon as the girls voice came ringing through. Dess may have been his best friend, but if there was anyone who would tease him for his work of art, it was her.

"Nothing!" Dess looked down at the monster boy clearly hiding something. The strange look Asriel got was returned in kind, aggressively squinting at the girl. The ridiculous attempt at being intimidating brought a smile out of the girl, but his desired effect was still achieved.

"Okaaay. . ." Defeated so much it could be heard in her voice, Dess slowly walked away. Asriel quietly grumbled to himself as he turned back to his work, no longer hiding his mess of color and ink under his fuzzy arms. He took another look at the design- a magnificent beast with a goats head, wings of rainbows sparkling with dreams, and a chorus of stars at his beck and call. Slowly, that little brain got to thinking. If there was anyone he could trust with what he just poured his heart and soul into, it should be her.

"Promise you won't laugh?" The stomping of the fawns hooves back over made the boys instincts take over, quickly covering his work again.

"Yeah!" She was looking over his shoulder already, head dancing about to try and get a better view unobstructed by fluff.

"Say it!" Asriel wasn't taking any chances, moving his head to help hide anything the girl might be able to see until she swore.

"UGH! I promise not to laugh!" Asriel stuck his arm up, hand in front of the girls face, pinky out. Dess had enough, especially with him wiggling a digit at her, and bite his pinky instead. He pulled his arm away instantly, a shrill cry from the pain as he held the wounded finger in his other hand.

"Dess!" It was too late, she was already eyeing up Asriel's best work yet, while he was still nursing his new doe-inflicted injury.

"OH MY GOOOSH THAT'S SO COOL!" The excitement that Dess spoke with healed any pain Asriel had, suddenly meeting the girls energy. Every little worry that had built up in his head was gone, and only giddy excitement was left. "Wings made of rainbows!?"

"RAINBOW STARS MADE OF DREAMS!" Asriel was quick to point out every little detail he put in

"SIIIICK!"

"You really think so!?"

"Yeah! What is it!?"

"It's my final form!"

"Oh it have like, one of those cool final boss names too?"

"Asriel Dreemurr, God of Hyperdeath!"

"FFFff-" Dess contorted her face in every effort to stop a laugh from slipping through, much to the pain of Asriel.

"You promised you wouldn't laugh!" His face was on fire as Dess hid her own, failing to reign in control on herself.

"T-the name needs work, but I love it!"

"This is the third time you've borrowed my eyeliner this month, please just buy some for yourself-"

"No!" Asriel was hoping the argument was shut down as soon as it started, much more focused on applying the aforementioned makeup more than generously to account for his extra fur.

"Dude I'm getting tired of you constantly using MY EYELINER-"

"Can you just get to putting the wings on please?" He had to be getting ready, no spend his time on thinking about keeping makeup that's going to bring up questions from everyone.

"Gah! Fine, just like, be careful of doorways and don't sit down, they're kinda fragile."

"Okay, okay!"

"I kinda used Elly's for inspiration, so it's like a backpack, I'm gonna need an arm-" Asriel stuck his free arm out, letting Dess do whatever she needed. His face was all but pressed up to the glass, breath held to avoid fogging the glass. He couldn't risk making a mistake, no this had to be perfect.

"Other arm." His hand swapped the pencil and he gave up access, feeling the weight of the crafted rainbow wings on his back. He could barely make out the shifting colors behind him through the mirror, as most of what he could see was his own fluffy face and the makeup so diligently applied.

"You're set up I think, all that's left is your face!" Asriel barely paid attention to the smiling face of the fifth member of SMOOCH, platform boots included that left her the taller of the two for once. But she was right, all that was left was the facial make up, and he already took care of the black streaks across his cheeks.

Dess was ten seconds from blurting out her impatience before Asriel finally stepped away, looking at himself properly from a distance. The concentration on his face dissipated into a look of sheer giddy joy. It was pure disbelief, that the entire costume had finally come together just in time for Halloween too. Everything was perfect to him, the makeup and face paint was just right, the robe and gloves were exactly as planned, and the wings actually shimmered, a changing color based on whatever direction was faced.

"I'm not hearing a 'thank you for the wings, Dess'." She offered to help and she was always more crafty than he ever was. His mind was so stuck on finally being in the Halloween costume of his dreams, of his own making- so he blurted out the first thing that could.

"Dess I would die for you"

"FAHAHA! Yeah I'll take that. Let's get going, if we spend any more time together in your bathroom I think Tori will turn me into a pie."

Going outside of the bathroom meant showing this to everyone else. Not just to Dess, who'd helped him so much and helped him practice the eyeliner he wanted. But showing it to everyone, who'd see he put make up on. Who'd see big ridiculous rainbow colored wings and laugh at his ideas once again. And now his idea was all over his face. What did it matter if he thought it was cool, when everyone starts mocking him. A rough hand shook Asriel's shoulder, failing to drag his attention away.

"C'mon, what's the hold up?" Asriel was left staring at himself in the mirror, mind racing with thoughts of every monster in hometown having their own insult for him. Dess must have noticed the change on him, cause soon enough she was standing right behind him, looking right at him through the reflection on the wall.

"I. . . I didn't think this through. Do you have any of those removing wipes?"

"What?"

"I-I'll just use last years costume, I'm not sure-"

"WHAT!?" Asriel couldn't stand the look on the girls face, the confusion, the disappointment, he had to look away.

"Azzy I worked on these wings all goddamn month and NOW you're backing down!?" Why did he have to go this far? It was better when this was just something to do with Dess, not show the entire town how weird he was.

"Why can't I have picked something normal?"

"Isn't this what you've wanted to do since like, forever!?" She was completely right. And he still wanted to was the worst part. So many things pushing him to go, but all he could think about was what everyone else would say.

"Why cant I want something normal?"

"'Cause you're a freak!" Asriel gasped, head zipped to stare back at Dess through that mirror, her face so far away from his own, even if she was right behind him. "I'm a freak too! Why do you think I always talk to you? I just. . . never figured out how to hide it like you can." Her voice trailed off, and Asriel realized why that look in his own face looked so familiar. It was the same look Dess always had.

"How do you do it? Keep. . doing whatever you want when everyone calls you weird?" Asriel felt bad as soon as he asked, wincing at his own stupid question.

"I dunno, I'm just. . . used to it by now." Hardly much of an answer, but he figured that was all he'd be getting. "I just do what I want, I guess. So, do what you want." Asriel was left wondering now what it was that he wanted. No, he knew what he wanted. He wanted to dress up like his own creation since he was ten. However he also wanted to keep fitting in with everyone else.

"But everyone's going to see. They're gonna laugh, they'll see that I'm not-"

"No, it's Halloween, everyone is out there dressing up pretending to be freaks like us. If there's anytime to go wild and still blend in, it's today."

"Who'd ever want to pretend to be us?"

"Idiots." Asriel snickered, and before he knew it Dess was tugging at his arm.

"So you ready to show everyone how cool you are now?"

"Okay, fine, let's go."

Chapter Text

Time refused to move. Or at least the college student who looked at the clock felt that way. Asriel had been checking it every time he finished a paragraph of his classmates paper that he was expected to peer-review- And every other line he was wondering how they ever got into college in the first place. It was a grueling experience for a freshman English class, finding citation errors, grammar errors, and spelling errors in the same sentence and being expected to correct them all. He almost checked the clock again until a subtle noise beside him caught his attention.

His laptop was left open beside Asriel, tiny fans doing the best they could to keep up with the intense graphical draw Minecrap required. The ding he had heard, he quickly realized was an alert on the auto-mod system. Asriel had foolishly volunteered himself to help moderate his roommates server, which every day became more and more of a chore. There was someone new joining every day, which meant he was constantly babysitting actual children and thirty-year-old adults who never gained literacy or empathy.

As the only moderator Asriel had to do much on his own, which made for an absolutely hellish first week. Banning trolls, explaining how to play the game, settling disputes, and reminding gamers of a special little thing called empathy. One week of constant moderation between classes, sleep, and work would have burnt out anyone. Until he stumbled on a customizable automatic moderation tool. It was set to go off for any number of reasons- impossible movements, code injection, x-ray detection, anything under the umbrella- and condemn the suspicious user into a holding cell to await moderator action. Once Asriel had found a trick to make a note-block chime when someone was sent to "The Time-out Corner" (as he called it), it was nothing but a background thought in his mind. This, it appeared, was another such case.

Despite the loathsome burden that had been placed on Asriel of server moderation, he found himself more frequently than not enjoying the short time he had with those he caught. He would take a moment to look at what tripped his tool, talk to them and ask why they did it, what enjoyment they got from cheating, and read them a last-rites before wiping them from existence. At least as far as he was concerned. As for the strange habit of playing with his food, Asriel would never admit to anyone as long as he lived.

The exhausted lump of fur was more than happy to procrastinate his homework, and quickly slid his school-supplied device across the desk until it was right before him. Asriel was already hovering near the holding pen and took only one swipe of a mouse to look over at- a default skin. Classic. Though unlike previous victims, they were remarkably calm. No spastic jumping and punching, no looking around, just a default stance and the expected idle animation. Asriel quickly made up his mind it was a bot designed to spam chat, he finally looked over at the text box-

The Roaring Knight appeared.

Excuse me? Asriel blinked in surprise. Well of course they were caught by the auto-mod, they came in swinging with some sort of entry message editing he'd never seen before. His eyes glazed over the red alert text from the system about the catch, ready to ban on sight until he took one more glance at the numbers. Those are. . . my exact co-ordinates? His mind took a turn as he tried finding some way to make sense of just what this persons goal was. Announce yourself as some form of cheater, teleport to the only mods position, and then what? A jitter in the corner of his eye caught his attention, the text box filling with messages from the captured.

<The_Knight> yeah that works

<The_Knight> hey u ther?

<The_Knight> helooooooo

Fine. If you're in such need for a chat, let's have a chat.

<God_of_Hyperdeth> Well you didn't last very long did you

<God_of_Hyperdeth> How many different cheats do you have

<The_Knight> hell if i kno

How do you not know? These people usually track that stuff.

<The_Knight> friend hooked me up

Oh because you didn't do anything yourself, you're no fun. In a second Asriel's hand was clicking through the tool menu with every intent to remove this clown permanently. He had enough time away, maybe it was time to head back to that assignment. His mouse quickly found its way over the button of fate but was stayed. His eyes darted back to toe corner, two messages sent instantly.

<The_Knight> so what r u up 2 tod

<The_Knight> Don't click that button.

How do they know it's a button? Every thought was a debate with himself, undecided on a course of action. Do what has to be done, ban and return to homework, or. . . Head on down the rabbit hole. Curiosity killed the cat. . . A button was pressed, and the menu was closed.

<God_of_Hyperdeth> How do you know it's a button?

<The_Knight> im a mod on nother server

<The_Knight> i kno how this shit works

Clearly well enough to instantly determine who the mod is as well. Asriel was now trying to wrack his sleep deprived brain around what this hackers intentions were, instantly teleporting to the mod, knowing they'll get trapped. What was their plan? Oh, another message-

<The_Knight> i wana talk

<God_of_Hyperdeth> Talk about what? And why?

<The_Knight> jus want some1 lik me 2 talk 2

<God_of_Hyperdeth> What a Minecrap mod? Find something on Leddit, don't go into random servers to do this bull.

<The_Knight> ew no thos peeple r weird

Asriel laughed, shaking his head at the idiot on the other side of the screen. He stared for a second, at that unmoving default skin stuck in a one-by-one box. He might not of played it much anymore, but at least he had his own avatar skin that he made.

<God_of_Hyperdeth> Bold words coming from you, party crasher.

<The_Knight> im not weird im a freak getit right

Freak. The young man rolled the word around in his mouth, playing with every consonant. It wasn't often someone used that word, not when it came charged with such otherness. The last time he heard anyone refer to them self with such a word was stuck in his head, and her voice-

No. Not now. Push that memory back down, down where it can't keep coming back up for air. Drown it out.

<God_of_Hyperdeth> Okay, fine. What do you want to talk about?

Can't believe I'm letting you win.

<The_Knight> i dont kno, anything?

How am I letting an idiot like you-

<The_Knight> wht r u doin?

Angel protect me, this is my best option?

<The_Knight> othr then mod stuf

Anything but stay stuck thinking about. . .

<God_of_Hyperdeth> Working on an English assignment.

<The_Knight> cool

Cool? What are you, five? Asriel was instantly at the keyboard ready to type a storm of a response, but paused with the next message displayed.

<The_Knight> colege been fun?

<God_of_Hyperdeth> How did you know it was college work?

<The_Knight> wild gues

<The_Knight> loks like i was right lol

A sneer crept up on Asriel's lips, his patience being tested by this mysterious hacker who seemed to already have his number. The pain only grew when every message was a scratch at the door he refused to open. A door with a name of a girl who used to text him every day just like this.

<God_of_Hyperdeth> Clever

<God_of_Hyperdeth> Here's a question back, then. A/S/L?

Occam's Razor. The most likely scenario the monster had figured out in his mind was that this was some kind of elaborate prank. It made the most sense, it would explain how they actually know about the mod tools, and he couldn't put it past Chara to mess with him this much. So now it was time to see if he could mess with them right back.

<The_Knight> LOL REALY?

<The_Knight> 5, yes, hell

A smile crept on his lips. Oh look I was right about something. The silence from the other room said enough as to his other answer, that this at least wasn't Chara directly messing with them, or he'd of heard that slow chuckle from their room.

<God_of_Hyperdeth> How incredibly honest of you. You know this game is rated 10 and up?

<The_Knight> 500*

<The_Knight> happy?

<God_of_Hyperdeth> Very

<The_Knight> so ur clases goin wel?

The idea of someone he knew messing with him fell out of the rat race of reason with that question. They actually just want to talk, huh? . . . Or they're fishing for my personal information. No, then they'd be asking the name of my childhood pet or something.

<God_of_Hyperdeth> Could be better could be worse. Stressed but that's not anything new.

A pause lingered in the conversation, leaving Asriel wondering just how he let some random person take him away into a pointless conversation that he would compare to the check-up phone calls he had with his parents. Waiting, and waiting, but no response came.

<God_of_Hyperdeth> So what are you doing beside being a pain in my side?

This time there was hardly any wait for a response. Curious.

<The_Knight> being a pain in ur side is my 1 goal

Okay, and I don't believe that for one second anymore. Who gets someone talking to them and asking honest questions then deflects that badly?

<The_Knight> soooo u seen any1?

<The_Knight> like dating

<God_of_Hyperdeth> Im not answering that

He never answered that question. There was nothing he could say about his situation that didn't leave a pit in his stomach.

<The_Knight> so thats a no

<God_of_Hyperdeth> Why are you so intent on talking to some stranger on the internet?

The lack of timely response was starting to grate at the already stressed college student. Grinding his teeth was a nasty habit he had picked up with the semester, and this nuisance who was now talking to him was pushing every big red button that he didn't want pushed.

<The_Knight> i made a deal with god 2 talk 2 u

Wow, that would have been poetic if it wasn't for your inability to spell the word "to".

<God_of_Hyperdeth> Big thing to say for someone with such a religious name.

<The_Knight> what

Oh you're kidding. They're just that oblivious aren't they.

<God_of_Hyperdeth> The Knight?

<God_of_Hyperdeth> From the prophecy of Deltarune?

<The_Knight> i nevr payed atention in church

You never did. A calamitous noise echoed through the room. Asriel had slammed his fist into his desk in some hope it would remove the thought he had. The throbbing pain of the hard wood that was truck radiated through his whole body. It was something else he could focus on, another way to help force all those thoughts back into the nothing, to the background where they belonged.

<God_of_Hyperdeth> ive had enough, goodbye

The pain in his hand did nothing to dissuade the shake in his body, the mouse he moved darting across the screen with haste to remove this reminder of his past far behind. He left his town to avoid this hurt, he wasn't letting it catch up to him here. The tiny quivering arrow finally found the final words he sought-

Ban User

click

Error: User not found

What?

click

Error: User not found

click

Error: User not found

click

Error: User not found

Asriel's claw had scratched a groove into the mouse from his frantic clicking, every move of his finger a vain attempt to expunge years of pain that came back in force. The dull ache in his hand from his outburst nothing to the gnawing teeth at his heart. All because of-

They were gone. Asriel closed the menu quickly and that isolation chamber was empty, no default skin, nothing, just an empty space where someone used to be. His eyes darted in investigation, the chat-box in the corner moving quite fast, with myriad of conversations from the server members and their odd conversations. Was it always this active? And none of them even mentioned him or his chat partner for the last couple of minutes. A strange question lingered. Why didn't he see a single other message during his conversation? Asriel was quickly scrolling up in the chat to look at their messages that had been pushed off the screen by now, and was stopped by one line in a clear bright yellow. Another message he had never seen before.

DEVICE_KNIGHT WAS LOST

He had no time to question it, as his eyes read the message just above, the last thing that was said.

<The_Knight> miss u az

A crack split the air. Asriel had clearly broken something with the force he slammed the laptop closed, but he was too busy stepping away to have any care for that. He had to distance himself rom whatever that was, whatever strange hack, whatever prank, whatever freak that was on the other side that brought every wounded memory back. His legs shook enough to make him stumble, his entire desk clattering as he fell to the ground. The deafening drum beat of his heart in his ears hid the sound of a door opening itself.

"Hey are-"

Chara's voice was met with a whimpering bleat of a goat, hands hiding the face of the frightened boss monster. Asriel's legs came to his chest, curling himself into a ball in an attempt to comfort himself. But the wounds that were re-opened continued to bleed. No comfort would be found in the unenthused voice of his roommate.

"I told you not to watch Genetics."

"Who the hell did you hire to mess with me in your server full of idiots?" His voice was weak. Pleading. He looked over at the human, noting the bed-head and bags under their eyes.

"That's a great idea, I'll get to work on it immediately. Could you perhaps go to bed? Your racket tonight has been too bothersome to remain unconscious through."

Deaf ears. Chara stayed watching, looking down at the monster that stared back up at them, keeping tears at bay. Anything to avoid thinking about what happened to him. To her. Maybe some banter would help.

"The people who join your server are goddamn freaks." Freaks.

"Apologies, I did post the address onto Leddit, so expect more." Wonderful, more experiences to twist a knife into my gut. The human began to walk away, hand on the doorknob to close the door behind them as they left, and finally one question from the night came ringing back.

"Chara, when was the last time you played Minecrap?"

"Oh, when I put the server up." The door was shut. Asriel was glad to have gotten one clear answer on this day, this was some elaborate test of theirs. What goal if any they had was beyond him, but at least he knew he was a test subject. Their choice of a psychology major made more and more sense each day.

Asriel slowly pulled himself to stand, a hand on the wall kept the balance his wobbly legs couldn't. One look at that machine on the center of his desk was all it took to determine his course of action. It was quickly pushed as far away from him as it could be, the paper he was working on before quickly shifted to a frontal focus. Pencil in hand and homework before him, the pain slowly subsided, fading back away into nothing more than a thought and a shortness of breath.

As much as he tried, Asriel's eyes glazed over every word. he must have read the same sentence five times now without even being able to say a word that was in it. He couldn't will his pencil to move, his mind couldn't focus on a single thing, but the dull ache in his hand. He looked to the digital clock on his nightstand.

12:27am

There was an itch in his head. A thought that remained no matter how much be picked at it. He didn't remember the last time he checked the clock, yet still it felt wrong. Time always passed strangely, but that wasn't it. That didn't scratch the itch under his skin. There was something that lingered as he stared at that digital clock, its bright glow staring back at him.

The thought lodged in Asriel was untouchable, the kind of thought you can never grab a hold of no matter how much you reach. The kind where you walk into a room and can't remember why you ever entered, the question you can never find an answer for until you go back to where you were. The kind that you felt so close to figuring out, something that-

12:28am

The change of the clock dragged him back to his time sensitive matter, the homework due tomorrow.

Time moved on.

Chapter Text

The hustle and bustle of the Ebott State University Student Center was always a bit overwhelming. Monsters and humans of every shape and size going to and from, a constant conversation level that demanded use of the diaphragm to be heard over, and there was always someone trying to get your attention. Dess made a point to avoid it as much as she could for that reason, as tempting as the sushi place that recently opened inside might have been.

It was in fact tough to get Dess to do much of anything beyond get to her classes- and that in itself wasn't easy. A natural loner, she only knew her roommate in the dorms, and would struggle to call herself familiar with them. There was one reason she would bother herself enough to not just leave her room, but even withstand the havoc of the student center on a Thursday night. Movie night.

Every week the student union hosted an obscure movie that they would put up to play in a lecture hall, usually drawing a small but dedicated crowd. Dess was counted among their numbers, though her habit of bringing an already popped bag of microwave popcorn was considered a little uncouth. Despite the people who would recognize her during the weekly events and wave or say hello, she would always take a seat in the back to avoid as much social interaction as she could manage. No one complained.

Settling into her seat Dess was more than ready for some quiet time with a weird flick she could make fun of under her breath, enjoy her treat, and be otherwise unbothered for an hour or two. Until he came along. A glancing look at the monster walking around looking for a seat was apparently interpreted as an invitation to take the seat next to her. An invitation she tried with every idea to turn back down. It was too late, he was already at her row, walking down past every open seat between him and her until he was standing just to her left.

"Howdy! I'm Asriel." The white furred monster extended a hand out to her, presumably to shake. Dess did not return the gesture. In fact she was too busy putting a piece of popcorn in her mouth. The boys hand faltered before quickly fumbling against his pockets, a desperate attempt to look casual about the denied greeting. A tiny speck of a smile crept onto her face from the adorable display of ineptitude, that Dess quickly hid with a greeting of her own.

"Uh, Dess." Asriel wasted no time in quickly sitting himself down after the introductions, even going so far as to brush off his seat with the back of his hand before doing so. Dess was enraptured with every little move he made, so awkward and stilted yet well practiced it was almost hypnotizing.

"This is my first one of these, actually! So, glad to of made a friend so quickly!" Oh my god and he's sad too. Dess was showing every bit of restraint she could to not make fun of the absolute dork beside her.

"So you're aware, I will be eating this popcorn loudly and be shit-talking the movie the whole time." Go away go away go away go away go away go away go away.

"That's okay! I'm really interested in film, so I don't mind! I might just talk back!." Goddamnit.

The screen rolled, and before Dess knew it she was fighting back the urge to laugh with every scene. The unlikely duo had gotten bored of openly questioning cinematic moves like leaving an ominous red square in the center for 5 minutes or the incredibly predictable plot with language that would make Shakespeare roll in his grave. They had resulted to quietly ad libbing their own movie atop the one being presented, leaving those within ear shot groaning plenty.

Each got a stern couple of words as they left, but that was it between the two. A basket of withheld laughs and a quiet goodbye from one reindeer, and only a wave goodbye from the goat-shaped one and that was all. Until the next week came. Dess would have waved him down, but she was in the same place as last week and Asriel spotted her instantly, with two bags of popcorn in her hands.

Chapter Text

The house was loud, and the room was quiet. Despite the argument that had begun in the living room and migrated to the master bedroom, the kids dual bedroom remained quiet- relatively. The scratching of crayons and other colored utensils that had kept Kris busy was drowned out by the fight on the other side of the wall. All that Asriel could hear beyond the background noise was the clack and click of his own computer.

The young monster was struggling to find something to do, clicking between online articles and applications that all failed to pique his interest even remotely. About a minute of silently humming a choir tune later, Asriel's search wound up accidentally opening the Minecrap. It was far from intentional, it was simply next to his browser on the task bar, but seeing as he was locked in on watching it slowly update in front of him, it felt as though his choice was made for him. A quiet sigh of self-defeat was all he had to say on the matter.

The process took ages to the poor boy, forced to sit and wait while his low-end computer patiently sputtered to life the most graphically-intense game he had. The achingly slow progress bar only moved all the slower when a loving parent would scream extra loud to emphasize their point. Effort was made to continue humming those church songs he knew by heart to lessen the strength of his parents voices.

Soon enough the screen was alight with flashing text and a scrolling background, and finally Asriel's mind could have a reprieve. Without even beginning he leaned his whole body in, quickly flipping through the menu to start a new game. His mind was paused before he could even start- wondering just then what worlds awaited him that he hadn't touched in forever. His eyes darted through the directory presented to him and to their associated names.

"New World"

"Kris gam"

"Asriel's Let's Play"

"Creative"

"Lan world?"

A flood of images and memories came with each name Asriel read, but his mind lingered on the final one in the list. It was the last time he even launched Minecrap, and it was half an experiment have an experience. He had brought his entire computer over to the Holiday's one summer day, and hosted a world that anyone in the house could join in on.

There were only three computers in total between the four of them, making for an awkward start. Asriel and Kris initially would swap every 10 minutes, but after Kris used their 10 minutes off the computer to scare Noelle as she was caving, the older brother decided to simply let Kris have full time on his computer within the world.

Asriel then was left to busy himself in other ways, and unsurprisingly for a love struck boy, sat next to Dess the whole time, questioning every single game-play and building decision she made. The only move he didn't question was when he watched her beat his own avatar to death as Kris had managed to set Noelle's dirt house on fire.

Without launching the world Asriel still had a picture of the house Dess made lodged in his mind. Every weird decision he questioned, and every annoyed response to his questioning which resulted in fence posts across the ceiling and multi-colored wool replacing every window. The abstract hovel of mismatched wood, uneven shapes, a ladder into a 3×3 room where sat a single cow, every choice she made as a spite to the acclaimed "master-builder" that Asriel kept calling himself. She tried to pretend it wasn't because he got to watch her fail a jump 5 times, laughing more and more at each failed attempt until she was finally victorious with 2 hearts left. She tried to pretend it wasn't petty revenge. Asriel knew better.

A mouse hovered over the selection, a boy ready to see the world again if only for a minute, to talk a walk down those fun memories made just last year. A stray thought crossed his mind before he managed to click anything.

I wonder when we'll be able to play again. Asriel let go of the mouse, and his heart began dropping with every thought that followed. It had been a month now since Dess was last seen, but she'd be home soon, right? Home and safe, and everyone could get back together again and all hop on the silly server. Maybe Asriel could actually build something in their world this time.

A shake of his head was all it took to make Asriel think clearly, get himself out of the thoughts spiraling down. It was only a month, she's fine, and everyone's just freaking out over nothing. It's Dess, she'll be fine. He looked back behind him, at the gray smudge that Kris was hard at work on. For the past hour. A heavy sigh left the monster as he looked at his little sibling, who hardly even registered his presence.

Both the children started when a sharp crack broke through the air, the sound of something shattering against the wall they shared. The voices on the other side grew silent. The two had become so used to the constant noise now, that the space it left felt all the worse. Asriel took one look back at Kris, only to find them shaking. He decided he had to do something.

"Hey Kris, how about some TV time?" They were up instantly, getting a smile out of Asriel. He was more than happy to of found a solution at least for now for the things eating at them both, even if it meant possibly getting in trouble. Every day there was something new, something extra to worry about.

It's okay. Thought Asriel. Dess will be back soon. . . And then we'll play Minecrap again, we all will. She'll come back.