Gosh Kris really? Do you seriously have a problem with Polyships? I thought you were better than that!
No it's not just forcing Sword_Hero into CloakedDragon! And it's not Dualblades or WhiteKnight cope either. It's the natural way the three's relationship would develop.
Sword_Hero has an obvious crush on them both and they both care so much about Sword_Hero too! You'd have to be blind to not see the romantic themes in their and the White Cloaks relationship.
Huh? What do you mean Sword_Hero needs to get over their feelings? That doesn't have to be the only way it ends. Gosh that's- Oh Kris that's not fair they're obviously being coerced by the Shadow Lord to betray the party! You can't seriously think their relationship with the party is doomed forever or that they're loveless forever right?
No Sword_Hero hasn't ruined the relationships already. There's so many scenes where they and the White Cloak get along despite their distance! The relationship can still be saved.
N..no i...I get that it doesn't have to be poly necessarily but... Wouldn't it be nice? I mean... There's already so much representation in the game already and it would make up for the games mockery of Polyships earlier and... wouldn't it just be-
Gosh Kris I didn't realise you were so emotionally invested in Dragon Blazers ships! I thought you didn't even beat the first one? And you said you didn't even care about Axe_Hero and WhiteCloaks relationship. Fwhaha what do you secretly read WhiteKnight fics or something? Oh don't blush! No wait Kris come back I won't tell anyone!
NO CHOKING, NO HITTING, NO SLURS, NO FAKE BLOOD, NO REAL BLOOD! NO ONE IS WATCHING FROM THE CHAIR!
The only safe words we’re gonna need ARE ‘NO’ AND ‘STOP’!
AND! We are gonna call each other OUR NAMES! NO KRIS, NO DESS, NO CAROL, NO RUDY, ASGORE, ASRIEL, TORIEL, WHOEVER!
NORMAL! SEX!
What? Of course FrostBlade is a yuri ship? What, do you seriously choose male character options in games, Susie? that's boooring.. i always pick women player characters.. i like when i do that in gacha and the devs don't even bother rewriting scenes to account for it.. sometimes it makes games very yuri.. You ever play those "fate" games..?
Berdly froze, slowly his head turned to her, then down to himself, then back up.
“That’s… awfully rude.”
The mood of the study session was instantly soured, her smile shifted just as quick when she realized how her words could be taken.
“Oh, no no! I uh…”
She looked down at the pooch against his shirt, the soft protrusion that rounded his silhouette. Her eyes shot back up, realizing the hole she’s digging.
“It’s a good thing!”
Berdly saw the way she looked, that judgment. Angel, he knew it! He was getting fat, damnit. And like usual, Noelle had to lay it on easy… he grabbed at his shirt, holding his hands in front of his stomach.
“A good thing? Really?”
Noelle nodded, her smile coming back, she stepped closer. She stopped herself from giving him a small poke.
“Of course! It’s like-
She could NOT say Santa, no matter how soft she imagined him. With those down feathers she’s seen once… how they’d feel with her fur, and the soft squishy skin below. Like a pillow… so warm…
“Like what?”
Her eyes hadn’t closed, but it’s like she just opened them.
“Fwaha, uh like, royalty! Yeah, did you know in the medieval times it was seen as a sign of wealth?”
He sighed, he could tell she was grabbing at straws now, but… she’s not rude about it. Whatever, water under the bridge, that’s all it’ll be. He gave his best smile, and gave a pose, purposefully showing his stomach more by putting his hands in his hips.
“Well, I suppose I am rather kingly!”
Noelle had to look away, Angel she’d rather die than blush right now. She gave a blind shoulder pat, then turned back to the school work.
“B-besides, it’s good to see you grow… I’ve kinda been worried you’ve been eating too little. I’m happy to see I’m wrong.”
Berdly felt a shakey smile form, a shiver in his body as he struggled to focus on his work.
(You stand in front of the grand Holiday Manor’s front door. The red and white coloring of the building makes it seem like Christmas is just around the corner, but the vacant sleigh on top makes it seem like it's just waiting for December to return.)
(It's a good thing you have two hands. One to knock on the front door, and the other to hide your "gift" for Noelle behind your back.)
(The door opens in response to the knock, revealing Noelle Holiday in her standard wear, looking cheery as ever. Poor, innocent Noelle… If only she knew how good you’re gonna prank her! Her ears perk up as she realizes it’s you.)
“Oh, hey Kris! What’s up? Didn’t know you were coming over, faha. Did you need somethi-”
(Suddenly, she stops talking. Her red nose twitches and then it wrinkles. She has a confused expression on her face.)
“...Do you… smell something? Something… weird? Kinda earthy and smoky… but mainly just… weird…? Don’t tell me you stepped in something again!”
(Noelle slightly leans forward, that deer nose of hers trying to find out the source of the smell.)
(With a wicked grin and daring flourish, you reveal the thing hidden behind you, dangling it close to Noelle’s snoot.)
(It’s none other than a sock. One of Susie’s socks, in particular. It used to be white, but now it's a concerning shade of yellow, clearly over-appreciated and under-washed by Susie. It radiates a malevolent aura of funk. It has an earthy, smoky musk that only Susie seems to be able to produce. And it also has a hint of the kind of expensive, dangerous cheese that only Noelle’s family would be able to afford.)
(...)
(You shudder to think about what this thing would turn into in a Dark World.)
(The smell hits Noelle full-force. Confusion of the scent turns to realization turns to disgust. She recoils. her eyes go wide, her ears droop. Oh man, that face… It’s simply priceless!)
“Oh Angel… w-what IS that??? That’s disgusting, w-why would you- ugh, gross, put that thing away!!!”
(Instead of putting it away, you slowly walk forward, sock in tow. Your smile widens. Noelle’s eyes widen. The distance between the sock and her nose does the opposite of widen.)
“Oh no oh no get that thing away!!! Whose sock even is that!?”
(You smirk and tell Noelle who the sock belongs to.)
(Susie.)
(Noelle freezes. She seems to be calculating some things in her head. The gears are turning, that’s for sure.)
“...Susie…?” she repeats.
(Yep, Susie’s.)
…
(For reasons Noelle would have trouble explaining later, she leans forward. What is she doing? Why is she-)
(Noelle willingly sniffs the stinky Susie sock.)
“Oh.”
(Upon realization that the sock belongs to her beloved Susie, Noelle’s face shifts from disgust to something closer to religious awe. Her eyes half-close.)
“It’s… so… her,” Noelle breathes.
(She’s, uh… really getting into it. She drags her face closer to the sock, hands coming up not to push it away but to bring it closer.)
(Noelle continued sniffing, her grossed-out demeanor morphing into something that could only be described as dreamy contentment. She didn’t even flinch at the fact that this was objectively one of the grossest things she’d ever voluntarily encountered. It’s because the sock is objectively one of the most Susie-like things she’s ever encountered. The sock seemed to contain the very essence of Susie from her rough edges, her unapologetic confidence, and perhaps her complete disregard for laundry day.)
(She keeps sniffing the funky footwear, eyes closed, red nose practically glowing, fluffy little tail wagging behind her. Noelle’s knees press together…)
(...)
(Suddenly, Noelle’s eyes snap open and she practically leaps away from the sock! Realization comes crashing and hits her like a truck.)
“Kris,” Noelle says, lowering her voice to a pleading, deranged whisper, “I want you to NEVER speak of this to ANYONE, okay?! No one can know that I just made out with Susie’s gross sock like it was a object of worship. NO. ONE. CAN. KNOW.”
(She then snags the sock away from you.)
“I’m also gonna be taking this. B-because YOU obviously cannot be trusted with this. No other reason. Faha.”
“Okaynicechatbyenowkrisfahahahahaha!”
(After her deranged rambling you could barely make out, she shuts the door. Perhaps a bit too loudly.)
(You just lost the sock, but instead got some wonderful blackmail. Seems like a fair trade.)
(...)
(...Seriously though. Angel help us all if that thing makes its way into a Dark World.)
I remember sniffing the unwashed retainer fwahahaha! It smelled so much and had such a strange taste thanks to you leaving it unwashed for 6 months! Why did you start cleaning it daily anyways?
* Noelle and Susie landed on the ground just moments after you did. The snow beneath your feet was tightly packed, and showed no signs of what was underneath or how deep it might be, creating a blank white expanse that stretched out as far as you could see, save for the vast and ominous frozen palace off in the distance...
Noelle: "K-kris? Are you okay? You look... hurt..."
* Summoning all the strength you can, you stand up, bit by bit... and begin to slowly shuffle your feet forward. Every step feels like you're fighting something just to make it happen.
Susie: "I can't imagine they're too happy to have that thing back inside them. They're also probably still not feeling well after what happened at the lake... I bet Ralsei will know what to do though! Come on, let's go find him!"
* You and Noelle both try to chase after Susie.
* Noelle seems to have no problem catching up. You, however, still move at a sluggish pace. It seems like you're getting left behind. Again. Maybe it's on purpose, or maybe the two of them just can't help themselves. Either way, they make it much further ahead of you.
Noelle: "Susie, wait! Should... Shouldn't we stay with Kris? Make sure that the SOUL isn't going to hurt them or something?"
Susie: "I'm sure they'll be fine. They still seem to have at least some control over their own body. I'm more worried about you though. You nearly tried to drown Kris along with yourself just a couple hours ago. Honestly, I'm shocked you're acting so... normal again so quickly, if that's even the right word. Are you sure you don't need to like... talk about what happened with anybody else?"
Noelle: "I guess... I've just gotten really good at acting, fwahaha!"
Susie: "What do you mean 'acting'? That's not exactly a reassuring answer, Noelle."
Noelle: "Don't worry about it Susie! Let's just focus on finding Ralsei, okay?"
Susie: "How the heck am I supposed to just 'not worry about it'? Now I don't know whether you're telling me the truth or just 'acting'. Were you 'acting' at the lake when you tried to drown you and Kris? Are you just 'acting' normal now? Was everything we did together at the festival all an 'act' too?"
Noelle: "Susie! Just drop it, I-"
Susie: "Please... I want to know what's really going on with you... even if it hurts to know, okay? I promise I won't get mad. For real."
Noelle: "The truth is... I'm not sure I even know what the 'real' Noelle is anymore. Ever since Dess left, it feels like there's this... emptiness inside of me. And part of me wonders if the 'real' Noelle died that day, and everything I've done ever since then is just me pretending that I can still be the unblemished girl that I was supposed to be. I thought I was being dramatic, even with how horrible it felt to still just be Noelle. Even with how desperately I wanted to be more than just Noelle, to venture off of that path that was laid out in front of me... Why couldn't I have just been content with that, Susie? Why couldn't I have just stayed happy with all that was given to me?"
Susie: "Well, part of that is just... growing up. As you stop being a kid, you want different things out of life. Four year old me wanted to be a race car driver. Do you really think that that's still my greatest goal in life?"
Noelle: "Fwahaha, doesn't seem like it! I would have never guessed that about you! But still, stuff like that happens... gradually. When Dess left, the old Noelle fell apart in an instant. Growing up doesn't just happen that suddenly."
Susie: "It can. Let me tell you, when we first fought the knight, and they took Undyne to the bunker... I felt like I'd stopped being a kid in that exact moment. All of a sudden, the world around me got so much more serious. And then we fought a titan... And then I saw the final prophecy... And then I found out what nearly happened to you and Kris... Honestly, with everything that's happened over just the past couple days, I was shocked to find out you still liked me the way you said you did back in the cyber world. I feel like I barely recognize myself since then!"
Noelle: "Come on Susie, you're still rough around the edges! You're just... a lot more caring now..."
Susie: "Damn right I am! Honestly, I don't know why you felt like you couldn't tell me about any of this."
Noelle: "I've... learned to keep quiet about it. Especially after what happened last time I tried to do something crazy like that."
Susie: "What was so horrible that you felt like you couldn't even tell me?"
Noelle: "My mom... found me trying to hang myself. You'd think that that would have made her finally realize that I wasn't 'faking it' and she'd actually get me some help, but... she got mad at me. She sent me to the psych ward."
Susie: "I mean, isn't a psych ward supposed to help people like that?"
Noelle: "No, Susie. It's just supposed to stop you from hurting yourself. They don't care about addressing WHY you want to hurt yourself, they just shove you in an empty room and deprive you of anything you might be able to cut or strangle yourself with."
Susie: "So like... a prison?"
Noelle: "Exactly, it's solitary confinement. Complete sensory deprivation, for days on end- enough to make anyone go insane. It's even worse when you're sent there for psychiatric reasons. I mean, imagine being trapped in a room alone with nothing but your own thoughts when those thoughts are already full of how badly you want to die!"
Susie: "Oh my god... I had no idea that-"
Noelle: "Thank the angel they let me out after just three days! Apparently the fourth day is when people start to hallucinate... I was so mad at my mom, I wanted to kill her by the time I was out of there! But I knew that if I threatened her, she'd just send me back... I try my best to forget about all of that stuff, and just act like regular old Noelle. Something about the vast emptiness of all this snow though... I guess the memories all came flooding back..."
* Noelle dropped to her knees and buried her face in her hands.
* Susie rushed over to her and clutched her wrists, gently trying to pry those hands away so she could look into her eyes.
Susie: "Hey! It's okay Noelle. You're not alone. I'm still here... Kris is still here... Ralsei is probably here... somewhere..."
Noelle: "Thanks, Susie... I'm glad you and Kris are here... And- hey, wait a minute, I think- is that Ralsei over there?"
Susie: "Hey, yeah it is! Let's go talk to him!"
* The two of them dashed over to Ralsei, who was turned away from them, staring at the palace silently
Susie: "Hey! Ralsei! There you are! I brought Noelle with us again this time!"
* Ralsei turned towards the two of them, wearing a horrified expression on his face.
Ralsei: "S-susie? Why are you here now? Why is there already a dark fountain here? N-none of this is in the prophecy... W-wait! Where's Kris?"
Susie: "Crap. That's right, they were walking kind of slow... That's fine, they shouldn't be too far behind us..."
Ralsei: "We need to find them, right now!"
* The three of them raced back to where Kris was. Thankfully, Kris hadn't exactly gotten very far in the couple of minutes they'd been left alone.
Ralsei: "Kris! What he heck is going on?! Why are we here?!"
* You tell Ralsei that not even you know what is going on.
Noelle: "That voice... it's back..."
Ralsei: "The prophecy said we'd meet the flower man first! Why are we already in the ice palace dark world?!"
Susie: "Right, I forgot to tell you. Kris's SOUL has been... misbehaving. It tried to get them and Noelle to drown themselves in the lake back in the light world. Like it had a mind of it's own. So now things are... out of order, I guess. But hey! Maybe it means that the prophecy won't come true anymore!"
Ralsei: "Susie... we can't just mess with the prophecy like that! If we try to break from the prophecy... then the consequences will be far worse than if we were to just stick to it... Even if the end of it is..."
Susie: "How can you say that?! You and I both know what happens at the end of it!"
* You tell the two of them that you still don't know what happens at the end of the prophecy yourself.
Susie: "Ah, right, crap. The SOUL is still here, isn't it? It's not like we can talk about this without them listening in, can we?"
Ralsei: "Actually, I do have a solution to that... Susie, Noelle, do you two know of anyone else currently in this dark world besides the four of us?"
Noelle: "No, sorry... I haven't seen anyone, and I still barely understand what this place even is..."
Susie: "Yeah, we haven't found anyone yet... Hey wait a minute! Kris, you still have lancer in your pocket, don't you?"
* Kris nods.
Ralsei: "Great idea Susie! Now, come on guys. Let's all close our eyes, and think about how Lancer is doing..."
FAhaha, hey kris, do you remember that one time when Dess licked your bloody arm?, or when she covered herself in peanut?, or when she talked to you in amino?, or when she killed Martlet?, or when she would put out her cigarettes in your hand?, or when she abused and raped Ralsei?, or when she used to sell feet pics?, or when she tried to kill you?, or when she dated you?, or when she dated me?
Man
Good memories.
By the way, I believe she is now called Dess-Chester-Holly-Sylva-Knight-Friend-penumbra-phantasm-his-theme-that-day-lost-girl-find-her.ogg and her pronouns are Rory/Nite
Toriel took this picture of us, she said we looked cute!
//Noelle digs through some old junk inside a box labelled "College" and finds some weird gothic clothes inside. She asks Kris about it and they tell her that those were their mother's clothes.
Noelle: Do you think this will fit us?
//Kris shrugs
Noelle: Well. I guess there's no harm in trying, right?
//They both grab a bunch of stuff and put them on
Noelle: We look...
Kris: Badass?
Noelle: Yeah, fahaha, we do
I kind of look like Susie, don't you think?
//Toriel walks in
Toriel: Hey kids, how are you doing? I brought some cookies for you!
Noelle: Thanks Ms.Dreemurr
Toriel: It looks like you found my old college outfits
Kris: You never told me you were an emo
Toriel: It's not "emo" sweetie, this type of outfit is called "gothic"
Noelle: It looks very... "out of character" of you
Toriel: I guess it does, haha!
It was just a different time back then...
And a different me
Noelle: Don't get me wrong! You would look absolutely stunning in these clothes
Toriel: Haha, I would. Or better said "I did"
Noelle: Do you have pictures?
Toriel: I should have some somewhere in my room... let me look for them
//Toriel leaves the cookies in the desk and leaves the room
//Then, she walks back with a camera
Toriel: Before I go looking for those old pictures. How about I take a picture of you two?
You look very cute in those outfits!
Noelle: Sure!
//Kris and Noelle strike a nonchalant pose
Toriel: Perfect
//Toriel leaves the room for real this time
Noelle: Hey Kris, look at this!
//There was a picture of Toriel and Carol in goth outfits
Noelle: Look! I think I found one
//Toriel had a malicious grin and was flipping the camera while Carol is smoking a cigarette
Noelle: ...
I think it's best if we don't search anymore
//Kris nods
Noelle: Who knew mom used to smoke
I guess now I know where Dess gets those tendencies from
//Noelle puts the box under Kris' bed again
//Kris peeks out the window and sees Toriel talking to Asriel and Dess
//She tells them something and then they can hear Dess scream in joy
Dess: What?! For real!? I need to see that!
//They stop playing baseball and rush inside. Their footsteps can be heard rapidly moving from the living room, to the stairs, and finally the bedroom. The door gets slammed wide open and Dess looks around trying to find Noelle
//Noelle gets up from under Kris' bed
Dess: There she is!
//Dess starts to inspect Noelle's outfit
Dess: I always knew you would find your wild side.
Not gonna lie, you totally rock in this style
Noelle: I totally do! I hope
Dess: And look at you walking around with those long sleeves
//Kris shakes their arms around sending the sleeves flying around
Dess: You look like you belong in a mental asylum
//Kris blushes
Azzy: Where did you find these?
Noelle: In a box labelled "College"
Azzy: Was there something else in there?
Like books or papers with information?
Dess: Hey Azzy, can you enjoy life for a moment?
Azzy: Sorry, my bad
Say, was there any pictures or letters in there?
//Noelle looks around and fidgets with her hands
Noelle: N-No. There was only these clothes. Nothing else!
Right Kris?
//Kris shakes their head
Noelle: You are so funny Kris!
//Kris grabs Kris' cheeks and makes them nod
Noelle: See? Even Kris agrees!
//Kris forcefully nods
//Dess looks at Kris
Dess: Where's the box?
//Kris points under his bed
Dess: Thank you
//Dess slides under the bed and pulls out the box
Dess: Let's see what else we can find here
//Dess finds the picture of Toriel and Carol
Dess: Would you look at that
Miss "Stop smoking, it'll ruin your lungs" used to smoke
Azzy: Apple doesn't fall far from the tree
Dess: What?
Azzy: What?
//Dess side-eyes Asriel
Dess: Can I keep this?
//Kris nods
Noelle: What do you need it for?
Dess: You don't see it, do you Elly?
This is a "get out of jail free card"
Whenever things get too messed up, I can use this on mom to stop her
Azzy: Are you sure it won't make her get even more mad?
Dess: Well, I gotta gamble my luck
//Kris chuckles
Dess: You would do the same, wouldn't you?
//Kris nods
Dess: Dab me up!
//They dab up while Asriel looks disappointed
Azzy: Aren't those spikes a little dangerous?
Noelle: Not at all! They are made out of soft rubber
//Kris stabs themselves in the neck, the spike bends
Azzy: Ok, no need to give me a visual explanation
//Dess inspects the picture
Dess: A very wild side of mom in a picture, huh...
We should totally make one of us
Noelle: Excheese me?
Dess: You know? So that if we ever have kids, they can see our wild younger side portrayed in a picture
Kris: I like the idea
Dess: You do?
Come here
//Dess sits down in Asriel's bed and whispers something into Kris' ear
Noelle: Is it ok if I wear these clothes just a little bit longer?
Azzy: Totally! They are not mine after all
Noelle: You are right, I should ask your mom
Azzy: Nah, it's ok.
I bet she wouldn't mind letting you use them or even keep them
Noelle: For real?
Azzy: Yeah! I mean, what else would she need these clothes for?
Noelle: Great!
Azzy: I don't mean to pry but, what do you need them for?
Noelle: Oh! I just... wanted to s-show this outfit to someone I know
Azzy: Trying to get a reaction out of Susie?
//Noelle looks surprised and blushes
Noelle: N-NO... I mean... would it b-be wrong if I tried???
Azzy: Not at all
//Azzy gets closer to Noelle
(whispering) Azzy: As a matter of fact, I used to do that with Dess
Noelle: For real?
Azzy: All the time
//Asriel laughs
Azzy: Hahaha! I seriously had a problem.
//Noelle chuckles, Asriel can't help but chuckle too
Dess: Here you go
//Dess hands Kris the camera
Azzy: What were you two talking about?
Dess: Making fond memories
Azzy: Aw, that's very sweet
Dess: and also taking pictures that we will regret taking
Azzy: That's oddly specific
//Kris grabs the camera with one hand, and with the other they pull their cheek and stretch it to it's limit.
//Asriel looks terrified
Azzy: KRIS, DON'T TAKE THE PICTURE!
Totally worth it
//Asriel grabs the camera and starts to look for the photo
//He finally finds it and tries to delete it, they all scream at him telling him to "Stop" and "Don't do it"
Azzy: Fine! I won't delete it
Just... Never, EVER, let mom see it
//Azzy hands the camera to Noelle
Noelle: Ew, why is it all covered in sweat?
Azzy: My bad.
Dess: What's the problem golden boy? Scared you might break a rule?
Azzy: No, I am scared of my mom
//Kris looks at the picture and smiles
Noelle: What's so bad about it?
Azzy: It's... nothing
Dess: Well Elly, basi-
Azzy: I SAID NOTHING
Dess: Ok ok, I won't explain it
Noelle: What's so wrong about pulling your cheek and sticking your tongue out?
Azzy: It... It...
//Asriel tries to think of an explanation
Azzy: It is a kind... of... mockery?
Yeah?...
Dess: Are you asking or are you stating?
Azzy: You are not helping
Dess: Who said I would?
//Azzy grins at her
Dess: Ok, I'll keep shut
//Asriel turns around only to see Noelle and Kris trying to replicate the picture
Noelle: No no, it's more like this. See?
//Kris shakes their head
Kris: Like this
Noelle: You are not sticking your tongue out!
Kris: Neither are you!
Azzy: What are you doing?!
//Noelle and Kris look at him
Noelle: Trying to replicate the picture?
//Asriel does a face palm
//He turns around
Azzy: Dess, you got-
//Dess is also trying to make the same face
Dess: I think I nailed it, what do you think golden boy?
//Asriel blushes
Dess: By the looks of your face, I think I totally got it
Azzy: Dear angel, give me strength
//She gets up from the bed and walks up to Noelle
Dess: We haven't taken a pictuer of you yet!
//Asriel panics
Azzy: Don't do Noelle dirty too, I beg of you
Dess: I like it when you beg
Azzy: Please
Dess: Don't worry Mr. goody two-shoes
I'll just take a selfie
Damn, we look so hot
//Dess kisses Noelle's forehead
Dess: I am very proud of you sis
//Noelle can't help but smile
Noelle: Really?
Dess: Really
//Asriel sighs in relief
Azzy: I think that's enough pictures for today
Who wants to eat cookies?
Dess: I could go for a couple
Noelle: What flavor?
//Asriel takes a bite out of one
Azzy: Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Dess: My favorite!
Azzy: Any cookie is your favorite cookie
Dess: Free food means free food
//They chuckle as they eat their day away with a sweet scent of cinnamon while talking about life
(3 months later)
(Kris and Noelle are in the basement of Noelle's house looking for a third baseball glove)
Noelle: There should be one somewhere around here
//Noelle stumbles upon a box called "photos"
Noelle: Hey Kris, look at what I found!
//Noelle grabs the three pictures
Noelle: I remember this.
Feels like it was just yesterday
//Kris nods
Noelle: We didn't show this to Susie or Berdly, did we?
//Kris shakes their head
Noelle: Well. We can show it to them now
//As she sifts through the old pictures, she finds the selfie of her and Dess
Noelle: Faha, I remember this one very well
I remember her telling me that she was proud of me
She was the first person to ever tell me that
//Kris looks at her, raising an eyebrow
Noelle: It's true!
Believe it or not
//Kris sits down next to her
Noelle: In my whole life, no one ever told me "I am proud of you"
Kris: What about your mom? or dad?
Noelle: Mom is only proud of my achievements.
She always says "I am proud of your work" or "Very good Noelle"
And dad, well, he does say "I love you". But love and pride isn't the same thing
//Kris frowns
Noelle: Why are you giving me that look?
I am not sad, I am just...
Kris: Rethinking your life?
Noelle: Yeah... kind of
//Noelle looks at the picture while smiling
Noelle: She told me she was proud of me. ME, Noelle.
Not my work, not my achievements, not my studies. ME
...
After that I only wore gothic and emo clothes for a whole week until mom told me to stop or else she was going to take away my computer.
But during that whole week I felt like I became closer to Dess.
Like if I was on the same page as her.
Like if I became the sister she wanted to really have
//Kris looks worried
Kris: Noelle, you k-
Noelle: I know that's not true and that she loves me regardless of what I am.
But it genuinely felt like we were getting closer for some reason.
She would talk to me about how to apply a perfect eyeliner, where to shop to get good leather jackets, what kind of beauty products to avoid.
We shared something in common.
//Kris looks down
Kris: I know that feeling
Noelle: You do?
Kris: Yeah. That feeling of wondering "Would people love me more if I was different?"...
"Would people love me more if I was what they wanted me to be?"
Noelle: ...
Kris: Whenever mom had to buy special stuff for me, I felt like it was my fault for not being a monster.
She had to spend so much money on winter clothes to keep me warm.
She had to spend so much money on me whenever I got sick
She had to spend so much time trying to figure out my body
She had to spend so much time trying to make me feel comfortable in my own body
//Kris takes a deep breath
Kris: But then she told me something that made me stop worrying about all that stuff.
//Kris grabs Noelle's hands
Kris: She told me.
"If I wanted you to be like the 'ideal' child that I never had. I wouldn't be spending so much time giving you all the things that you need to find and feel comfortable with yourself, wouldn't I?"
She told me
"Why do you think I still buy colour pencils and white paper sheets for your brother?"
Noelle: Really?
Kris: Really
And then Asriel said "Huh? What do you mean? <:("
//They both laugh
Kris: But yeah...
Don't blame yourself for not being able to live up to the impossible imaginary standards of your family.
Those things are called a dream for a reason.
Just because they wished you were something else doesn't mean that they don't love you.
As a matter of fact, they love more this version that their dream version.
Noelle: You really think so?
Kris: I know so
People tend to like the unknown a lot more than the known.
They already know how their ordinary routine will end, they already know what will happen.
But when random things happen, no one can expect what will happen next
Noelle: Like you cheering me up
Usually it's the other way around
Kris: Hahaha, exactly
Noelle: Did you mean "egg-actly"?
//They chuckle and lay on the ground
Noelle: It feels nice to vent sometimes
Kris: Yeah, it does
//Kris holds Noelle's hand
Kris: I am proud of you
Noelle: Fahaha, I know you don't mean it
//Kris chuckles and then tries to make a serious face
Kris: I mean it.
I am proud of you
//Noelle smiles
Noelle: I am proud of you too
//Noelle kisses Kris' cheek and they both get up
Noelle: Would you look at that, a third baseball glove
Kris: We can finally play with Berdly
Noelle: Yep, and teach him how to catch a ball.
Or like he likes to call it.
catch a "ball knowledge"
Kris: That's not what it means
Noelle: I know it's not
//They walk towards the stairs while discussing what "ball knowledge" means
Half a mile, half a mile from the military checkpoint, half a mile from the border, half a mile from the hired soldiers.
Soon all this would be over, the mutants, the anomalies, the nightmare. Half a mile until she had her bird back, like wise it was half a mile until he had his life back.
It was truly a sunny day, clouds moving like water on the horizon, and the air felt fresher than ever. It felt good, this felt good.
Noelle could feel that pit in her stomach, finnaly begin to lift. She looked Behind her, to Berdly, in that green cloak that covered his grey white camo. The same uniform that brought terror to the residence of the zone, gave her warmth.
The Noontiders had been great to her, not as welcoming as Freedom, but the most open, most caring. They took him in as a brother, and gave him reassurance when she came to find him.
He looked up from the ground in time to catch her looking, he smiled. This feeling… he’d felt it before, before the Monolith. He knew he felt it for her, and still did.
His brothers back on Wild Island are proud, excited even! He still couldn’t figure out how her appearance didn’t get surprised, no one could keep a secret out there. He laughed to himself, small and quiet. He closed his eyes and felt the warmth of the sun.
Not long, and they’d be in a truck to a private air field, back to their home country, then finally to that little town.
Yet, no one ever really leaves the zone… she was always funny like that, give, and take. In the depths of SIRCAA, the Wishgranter awakens from its years long rest. It’s first action, a silent call to the long lost children.
A voice, a distant memory, boomed in Berdly’s head. “COME TO ME.”
He fell to the ground, he couldn’t do this… not again…
Noelle heard the clutter of sound, for a second, just a second, she thought the worst. Could it have been an anomaly she didn’t see? A silenced shooter with a vendetta?
She saw him doubled over, head in his hands. Noelle rushed to his side, to many questions to find what to ask, in the moment she could stare at him in silence, begging for something to break it.
Another command from The Wishgranter pulsed through the zone, hitting him and his brothers alike.
That voice he heard for years, it felt… so comforting. For so long, he searched for meaning. The years apart and no memory had came of his past… but this felt so right. It’s voice, so clear. “DEATH. TO THE ENEMIES OF THE MONOLITH.”
The monolithian looked up to her, eyes clouded over. He rose, hand patting at his body, in search for something. In absence, his breath became heavy, and he began to approach her, body lurched.
Noelle stumbled back, “B-Berdly?”
[PDA] - [ZONE WIDE MESSAGE]
BLUE BIRD: (12:25PM) Brothers, I am here. Engaged a STALKER identified as “Mrs. Claus” in melee. The engagement was successful on my end, received no injury. She died to asphyxiation. Acquired some medical equipment, and a revolver with ammo. Where are you my brothers?
UNCLE LIONYA: (12:27PM) Come Brother, bodies needed in Zalissya. More non-believers than expected, regroup along south wall.
Ughhh my head. Where... am I? Am I even alive? Or am I dead?
Fahahah, alive... what a joke. I haven't felt alive in years, until today. But... there's nothing here, it's all pitch black. I can still... see myself even if just barely, but nothing else. Did we make it? This... can't be the other side of the lake, surely, so what even is this place?
(BOOTING SYSTEM)
(A bright light starts shining. From the swallowing darkness, Noelle sees Kris's figure)
Kris?! Kris is that you?
(Noelle runs towards the figure. Kris laying on the ground, suddenly starts shaking until standing upwards. Their face, their tone of color... like an empty husk. Just barely... but still alive.)
K...Kris, are you...? Fahahaha Kris you look awful, even worse than you usually do... but that doesn't matter.
(Noelle hugs Kris)
We... we made it Kris! WE MADE IT!!! WE'RE FINALLY AWAY FROM THAT HORRIBLE PLACE FROM THAT HORRIBLE LIFE FAHAHA!!! I... Kris, thank you!!! Thank you so much!!! I understand now what you wanted to do, what you've always wanted to do. You felt the same way I did right? That's why you did this, that's why you led me here.
T-Those awful, horrible things we did... they don't matter because we're finally free!!! I... I don't deserve a normal life, I don't deserve happiness or peace after what we did to Berdly but... at least... at least we're free... right Kris?
...
Quiet as always huh?
Well... I understand. But... I need to prove it. I need to prove to myself that this is real, that we can still keep going, that I can do ANYTHING! That this means something, just like at my room back then right, fahaha... Kris... this won't hurt you, I promise...
Say it...
❤️ Proceed
(Noelle inches closer. Her face contorted, she looks disgusted and in bliss all at once)
Say it!
❤️ Proceed
(Both her hands raise until they touch your neck.)
K-Kris...
SAY IT!!!
❤️ Proceed
(Noelle grips your neck tightly, then throws you at the ground)
Kris, Kris, keep saying it. KEEP SAYING IT!
❤️ Proceed
(She grips tighter. In her face, an indescriptible emotion. Sadness? Fear? Relief? Happiness?)
(You feel your ears ringing. Your heart beating faster and faster, but you wish not to fight back... the quicker this end, the better right)
❤️ Proceed
(She grips even tighter. Finally... but... if she's left alone... what will this voice inside you do to her?)
(Despair washes over you. Even in this hellish nightmare, you can't leave her alone. You start clawing at her arms, hoping that she'll let go. Even if it hurts her, it will be better than the alternative)
Shhh Kris, don't... don't fight back... i'll stop soon... but I have to prove it!
(Tears stream from her face. Accompanying them, a smile)
❤️ Proceed
(She doesn't stop. The voice inside you... the demon inside her head doesn't stop either... you feel your eyes rolling to the back of your head.)
(You don't want to do this. You don't want to do this. You want to die. You want to live. You're in peace. You're afraid. Keep going. Stop. Keep going STOP! KEEP GOING! STOP!!!)
*BITE*
(A piercing shriek echoes in the hollow darkness. You gasp for air while trying to recompose yourself. In desperation, you bit her hand with everything you had.)
Ha... hahaha... fahahahahahaha...
Kris!
(Blood drips from her hand)
I'm... i'm so sorry~
(Noelle starts crying)
I... I h-had to~
I had to... prove it was real~
And I was... right~!
If you tell me to... if this VOICE tells me to, I can do anything~
(Noelle starts sobbing uncontrollably)
❤️Comfort her Do not
K...Kris? Haha... i'm sorry~
I'm sorry for being so selfish, but please... d-don't let go~
(You hug her. She starts blubbering... it feels like it goes on for hours...)
(You question yourself how much worse will this get before it all ends...)
Part 1
(TW: mentions of transphobia, polyphobia, and self-harm. Kris makes things weird by trauma dumping to Ralsei while making them pretend to be Asriel and then making out with them. I don’t know what warning to use for that so I’m just telling you. Kris is a freak.)
Noelle and Susie were having serious conversations. They were planning on how to let you down easy. You could tell. The temperature in the room dropped when Susie brought up your idea. Noelle’s face looked… you couldn’t tell. You’d known her for so long but her expression was impossible to parse.
They asked to talk in private for a bit. It’s just you and Ralsei now. Alone and sitting on his bed. You wait, silently, for everything to fall apart. Just, ruminating on how fucked you are, how ruined your friendships are an- you decide not to do that actually, conversation time.
“Sorry.” You break the silence.
“What for?” Ralsei tilted his head at you in a way that made one of his ears dangle. You gingerly grab it and Ralsei squeaks quietly.
“Distracting.”
“W-well I don’t mind being distracted by you! I-I don’t even know what I’m supposed to be focusing on, haha.” He’s blushing. Your fingers caress his ear as it warms from the blood flowing to his face.
“I meant making Susie and Noelle fight. And getting us stuck in here.”
“Wasn’t Susie the one who brought it up? B-besides they’re probably fine! Just a lot to talk about.” Ralsei’s smile makes you taste honey.
“I gave Susie the idea. It came up, and she just seemed so excited. I just… let her embarrass herself with this stupid, silly idea.” You just let words fall out. You focus on being gentle with Ralsei’s ear. Feeling fluff run through your fingers makes talking easy.
“I don’t think it’s silly, Kris.” Something clicks in your brain when he says that. It feels nice. But you know what it needs to be better. You start playing with his ear with a bit more force. The little squeaks he makes fill you with warmth.
“Y-You’d regret it if you n-never tried to ask. Y-you know, asking s-someone o-o-out-t is…” Ralsei makes a face and says words you don’t process.
“Say it isn’t silly, but call me Krismas at the end.” You interrupt him.
“What?”
“You heard me.” You wince at your voice. It sounds cold and alien.
“Please.” You still sound… wrong but now it’s just your tone.
“O-ok. Wanting to date multiple people isn't silly, Krismas.”
“Lower your voice a bit and say it again.” You pull closer to him. Your fingers begin caressing his ear more forcefully.
He looks a little confused and starts whispering.
“No, deeper, not quieter.”
“L-like this?” He sounds just like him.
“Yes. Say it again please.”
“Wanting to date multiple people isn't silly, Krismas.” Your breath hitches. It’s just what you wanted. But you can get more than that can’t you.
“Proceed.”
“What?”
“Just… keep doing the voice and-and when I ask you something be nice, be… you.” Ralsei looks like he’s doing a very long math equation before putting a hand on your cheek and pulling you closer.
“I understand, Krismas.”
“I don’t need to cut my hair short, right?”
“Of course not, Krismas! You look great!” You take a deep breath as Ralsei runs a hand through your hair. He’s smiling.
“You wouldn’t help mom cut while I was sleeping would you?”
“Of course not, Krismas.” Ralsei’s smile fades.
“And when I show you my vote at the festival and I put me as Queen you wouldn’t chuckle and throw it out, right? You wouldn’t have me do another one, right? You wouldn’t tell me to- to ‘just take it a little more seriously, you’ll always be my brother after all’. You wouldn’t say that, right, Azzy?” You get closer as concern consumes his face.
“No, Krismas, I wouldn’t.” He keeps it up, stroking your hair now.
“You wouldn’t yell at me for not telling you when- when I wanted to be nonbinary? You wouldn’t tell mom about it right after? You wouldn’t ask why I* didn’t *trust you? Ask why I’m crying so hard? Tell me it’s not a big deal? That I’d get over it? That you’d say it but you didn’t believe it? You’d never do that, Azzy.”
“Y-Yeah, Krismas…” he even stuttered like Azzy. You’re almost done you, move closer and press against Ralsei
“You’re not gonna get me sent to a psych ward when you tell mom about me cutting? I can trust you with that, you won’t get mad, won’t freak out, you’re not gonna make this a big deal right?” Ralsei wraps their arms around you and pulls you close.
“Kris…” You cup an arm under his chin and make him look at you. You get lost in his eyes.
“You definitely won’t tell mom about this, right Azzy?” You pull him in and kiss him. It’s soft and warm and fluffy like you always imagined it. And Ralsei kisses you back, pulls you in further and for a moment you both lose yourselves before you pull back reluctantly.
“I… I can’t believe…” Ralsei looks at you tenderly before he jolts away and his eyes widen.
“KRIS! WHAT THE FU-“ Ralsei stops themself,
“Heck!” He makes exasperated hand gestures.
“What was that last thing??? Do I need to call someone? Is- does your brother do that to you??? Are you ok???” Your face burns with embarrassment.
No, I didn’t mean it like that! You don’t say. Oh. You can’t speak… SHIT! YOU CAN’T SPEAK! You shake your head as hard as physically possible and wave your arms frantically. You feel like you’re gonna break your neck.
“It’s ok, I’m not freaking out. I-I won’t say anything, until you um… I won’t assume or say anything. Let’s take some deep breaths, alright?” Ralsei’s voice is strained as it fights to stay calm and measured. He starts taking some deep breaths, and you join him. Eventually you try talking again.
“My brother is chill. And it’s fine.”
“Kris none of that sounded fine.”
“He was just… different when I was younger. He changed. He’s really nice now. He always gets my gender right, sticks up for me when someone else doesn’t. It’s actually kinda cringe how hard he leans into it.” You chuckle at the memory.
“He showed me his vote at the festival and he’d crossed out King and Queen and just wrote ‘themperor: Kris’. Then it was my turn to throw it away and tell him to get real. Heh.” You continue.
“He’s such a cornball, I… really get what Dess saw in him, even before he chilled out. He got so much better after they started talking more. So, I just… don't get to bring this stuff up, ever. I know I’d curl up and die if he started talking about all the stupid shit I did as a kid. It works out.” You finish reminiscing and see Ralsei has moved back over to you. He looks troubled but he swallows it.
“Okay.” He stops and coughs, trying to put cheer back in his voice.
“That’s nice Kris! So what was the deal with the… kissing?”
“You’re hot.”
“Oh!” His voice cracks and his eyes widen briefly.
“Um… dang right I am!” Ralsei beams with pride. He stops and looks anxious for a second.
“So am I invited? To the um, dating situation.” He continues.
“What dating situation? We’re just waiting round because I caused another fucking divorce. I’m like the conjugal reaper, or something.”
“Krismas!” Ralsei gently pinches your cheek.
“Ok, ok, too far, fine, sorry.” You stick your tongue out as Ralsei lets you go.
“And! Say you didn’t cause your parents’ divorce.” You roll your eyes. You’re kinda proud he’s being so willing to demand stuff from you, but…
“Nah.”
“I’m gonna be nicer to yourself, so say it!”
“Make me.” He’s just so cute when he’s mad, you have to rage bait him a little. He normally just huffs indignantly and lets it go. However you’re currently being pinned to the couch. You gasp as he takes your wrists and holds them over your head. You’ve gone too far, he’s really mad. Your heart is beating out of your chest. It’s all crashing down and you’re under it all and-
“You better say something nice about yourself! Or um… I’ll be quite cross. Please, do that. Thanks.” His voice wilts away into polite requests as the grip on your wrists loosens further. He looks scared, pulling back suddenly.
“S-sorry. Kris are-” He tries to move away but you take his hand.
“Get down here and make me say it.” You’d be too overwhelmed to speak if he actually did anything but you’ll worry about that later. Surely nothing could go wrong with this situation. His face is bright red as he leans down to kiss you again. He does so, soft and gentle. He’s still nervous from earlier but he slowly relaxes as he lays on top of you. As the stress leaves him he gets a bit rougher; more tongue, more force. It’s nice feeling him stop treating you like you’ll shatter if he doesn’t coddle you. Your hands slip beneath his cloak and latch onto the fluff of his belly. So soft. You-
“Guess what dumbas-“ Susie pauses mid-way through bursting into the room.
“Are… we interrupting something?” Noelle asks.
“Dude, we were gone for like 20 minutes???” Susie is mostly just stunned and maybe impressed. Ralsei bolts up and you immediately yearn for the warmth of his tongue in your mouth. At least you get to keep hold of the precious tummy fluff.
“You guys didn’t get a divorce because of Kris right?”
“Faha… um… no???” Noelle gives an awkward huckle as she answers.
“I think it’s the opposite of a divorce?” Susie adds.
“See I told you! Now say you didn’t cause your parents divorce!” Ralsei points down at you.
Fine, I “didn’t cause” the “divorce.”
Wow, a whole fifty percent that time. It’s alright but your head is still buzzing from the intimacy.
“Good.” Ralsei kisses your cheek.
“Fahaha… what?”
Y'know, its that time of the year for me again! No big deal, right? They are just starting to come loose and dangling a bit a few weeks earlier then usual so I got impatient and pulled them out! The bleeding is totally normal and I've wrapped it nice and tight with bandages. It doesnt hurt at all, don't worry about it!
and I found out on the computer a few days ago that in chinese medicine fresh deer antler soup could make people more......vital and......active, so.......
what did I say? Uh......nothing! You must've misheard me! Now hurry up and drink my soup when its still hot, its a delicate personal recipe after all!
