Quick note to get this started! Frisky Bisnuu is 12 and Goatson is 13! /me You feel your sins crawling on your back. If this is too squicky or triggers anyone let me know k?

"Don't you have anything better to do Frisk?" Asriel asks with a pained smile. Frisk stares at the young boss monster with the same unwavering expression they have worn throughout their entire journey; letting their silence answer the question for them. Again Frisk attempts to speak to Asriel only to receive the same response they had gotten for the past few hours.

"Don't you have anything better to do Frisk?" At this point Frisk assumes that Asriel knows that no, they don't have anything better to do. At least, not anything as important as Asriel, but once more Frisk sighs and walks back towards the Ruins. Meeting every last monster one more time. Stopping into every shop, inn, house, and restaurant just to see if any of them had something different to say. To see if any of them would drop a hint as to how to save their friend. Frisk rode the ferry back and forth enough times that they had lost count. Nothing. Frisk returned yet again to where their journey had begun taking great care not to step on the leaves. This time Asriel heard their footsteps.

"Don't you have anything better to do Frisk?" Asriel asks again. Those same eight words hanging in the air like a metric ton of failure to Frisk. Nothing has changed. They can't save Asriel despite their determination. Despite saving every single monster in the Underground they cannot save him. The code words were meaningless. The blueprints were meaningless. It seems like everything in this world is conspiring against Asriel's happiness…but Frisk refused. One more try. It has to work this time.

"Asr-"

"Don't you have anything better to do Frisk," Asriel says cutting off Frisk. The words just as before form a question, but his tone this time is a command. A command that they refuse time and time again. Stopping just before the end. Resetting. Trying just one more time to save him, and every single time just before stepping out into the sunlight again they try. They fail. They reset. They refuse…to give up. Until now. This is the final run. No more resets. No more quitting just before the sunlight. This time they will go above ground. Toriel. Sans. Papyrus. Undyne. Alphys. Mettaton. Asgore. Everyone. Everyone.

"Asriel," Frisk spoke before he could cut them off again, "I'll be back." As Frisk spoke they turned back towards the ruins letting the sight fill them with determination. I'm going to get everyone above. Then I'll be back for you. You've stayed yourself up until now Asriel; just please, hang on. They ran this mantra over and over in their head. Each step filling them with determination. Even if this is the end. Even if they can't save him. They will come back for him.

Without realizing it Frisk found themselves at the entrance to the barrier. Breathing in the air from the Underground one more time they walked forward into the light their friends following them into the sunlight. Papyrus running ahead of them gleefully cackling all the way up the stairs. When they emerged the sun was there to greet them.

"Oh my…" Toriel whispers in silent awe.

"Isn't it beautiful everyone?" Asgore inquires to the rest of the group.

"Wow…it's even better than on TV! Way better! Better than I even imagined," Alphys exclaims with passion normally reserved for Mew Mew Kissy.

"Frisk you live with this!?" Undyne asks incredulously. "The sunlight is so nice…and the air is so fresh! I really feel alive," she exclaims flashing a wide grin.

"Hey Sans, what's that giant ball," Papyrus asks with slight apprehension.

"We call that "the sun" my friend," Sans responds with a chuckle.

"THAT'S THE SUN!?" Papyrus yells excitedly, "WOWIE! I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M MEETING THE SUN! Hello sun!"

"I could stand here and watch this for hours," Asgore says with a content sigh.

"Yes it is beautiful is it not," Toriel responds agreeing with her ex. "But we should really think about what comes next…" she speaks her face full of worry.

"Oh right," he responds remembering where he is. "Everyone. This is the start of a bright new Future. An era of peace between humans and monsters," his voice fills with hesitation, "Frisk…I have something to ask of you." He looks down at Frisk very nervously. "Will you be our ambassador to the humans?"

"No," Frisk responds seeing the guilty look on Asgore's face, "at least not right away. I will be happy to be your ambassador, but only when I am wholly ready to take on the responsibility."

"RIGHT! In the meantime I'll go make a good first impression for you Frisk!" Papyrus shouts sprinting down the mountainside.

"Welp. Someone's gotta keep him from getting into trouble," Sans says walking off with a wink, "See you guys."

"Man do I have to do EVERYTHING?" Undyne asks with her usual bravado. "Papyrus wait up," she calls out as she follows the overly excited skeleton down the mountain.

"Hey Undyne! Wait up!" Alphys calls trying to run as fast as her stumpy legs will carry her; leaving only Frisk, Toriel, and Asgore.

"Uh," Asgore tries to break the awkward silence between the three, "Should I do something?" The only response is an angry glare from Toriel and even more awkward silence… "Well I gotta go!" Asgore quickly makes his exit down the path. Only Frisk and Toriel remain looking out over the forest.

"It seems that everyone is quite eager to set off," Toriel says wistfully. "Frisk…" she begins apprehensively, "you came from this world right? So you must have a place to return to. Do you not? What will you do now," she asks hopefully.

"I have somewhere I need to be," Frisk says noticing the pained expression on Toriel's face, "but once I am done can I stay with you?"

"What do you mean Frisk?"

"I can't explain, but please realize that if I didn't think this was a good idea I wouldn't do it," Frisk says looking hopefully up into Toriel's teary expression.

"O-of course Frisk, I believe in you. Whenever you are done with this…thing. Call me, and I will be sure to have a Cinnamon-Butterscotch Pie waiting for you," she says reaching down and patting Frisk on the head. Frisk hugs Toriel tightly, and eventually takes their arms from around her waist and look up into her eyes. Their look saying all that needs to be said. Toriel walks down the cliff leaving them alone at the top of Mt. Ebott. The warmth of the sun fills Frisk with determination. They know what they must do.

As they walk through the now deserted Underground a sense of unease comes over Frisk. It is as if they are treading upon sacred ground even if they know they just walked down this path no more than an hour ago. This was loneliness. They could call for help, but no one would come. That's why they were here. So that when he called for help they would come. They would comfort him, and so Frisk pressed on through Waterfall. Grabbing an umbrella they pay their respects to the lone statue long dry from the umbrella they placed there so long ago. Listening to the rhythmic pitter-pat of rain on their umbrella calms Frisk, and the feeling of loneliness gives way to hope. They start running as fast as they can. Faster. Faster! Refusing to let Asriel lose his soul alone keeps Frisk's legs moving. Eventually the door to the Ruins comes into sight and Frisk slows down catching their breath, but still walking briskly towards the patch of golden flowers. Please still be there Asriel!

"Asriel!" they yell seeing the familiar green and yellow shirt still keeping watch over the flowers.

"F-Frisk," he asks unsure if he heard their voice at all breaking down into tears, "I thought you went above. I thought you left…I-I…"

"Shh," they said hugging him tightly, "it's okay Asriel. I told you I'd come back didn't I?"

"But you shouldn't be here," he spoke between sobs, "I told you to go. Why did you come back Frisk?"

"I think that should be obvious Asriel," they said smiling, "I care about you more than anyone else."

"You know how this ends Frisk." He said pulling away from their embrace, "I can't stay like this much longer. I'll become a flower again…"

"I'll stay with you," Frisk grabs his hand, "I'll stay with you until you pass on. No matter how long it takes. I'll stay."

"No, you can't! Everyone else needs y-" he is cut off by Frisk hugging him one more time.

"Asriel please stop," they say with tears in their eyes, "they know I'll come back. Just like I did for you. They'll be okay. Besides you need me more than they do right now."

"You really are special you know that," Asriel spoke looking into their eyes and making contact. Frisk and Asriel look away from each other quickly each trying to hide a small blush.

"Well we can't just stay here. Let's go home for a little bit." Grabbing Asriel's hand Frisk set off towards Toriel's house.

"Wait where are we going?"

"You'll see Asriel," Frisk said with a wink. Grabbing the umbrella in their other hand monster and human set off for home. Frisk lead Asriel by his hand through the spike maze, then the leaves, and through the rotating room until a very familiar cottage is visible in the distance. Frisk hears Asriel's gasp and tightens their grip on his hand giving him a firm nod.

"Here Asriel you sit by the fireplace. I'll see about getting us something, okay?" Frisk asks gently as they head into the kitchen. Pulling out their phone they text [To: Toriel- I'll be here longer than I thought can I have the recipe for Cinnamon-Butterscotch Pie? Thanks, Frisk.] They settle on grabbing two glasses from Toriel's cupboard and fill them fresh spider cider from the dimensional box while waiting for a response.

"Here you go Asriel," Frisk says handing Asriel a cup.

"What is it," he asks taking a sip.

"Spider Cider," they say nonchalantly. Almost immediately Asriel does a spit take.

"Why would you do that," he asks while Frisk starts to laugh. At first he is a little annoyed at the joke seeing as it came at his expense, but something about Frisk's laughter was infectious…enchanting. Soon enough the pair was rolling around on the carpet in uncontrollable laughter all thoughts about Asriel's impending doom forgotten. Their laughter ends when Frisk's phone receives a text from Toriel with the recipe.

"Okay, you go get cleaned up Prince I can't handle my cider," Frisk says sticking their tongue out at him, "I'm going to make us something to eat." Asriel nods and heads to Toriel's room to wash up. Meanwhile Frisk goes about making pie. Thankfully Toriel seems to have gone shopping before heading to the Core so the fridge is stocked with everything they need. Frisk puts the pie in the oven and waits at the kitchen table for it to finish baking.

"Mom?" he asks breathlessly while standing just outside the doorway of the kitchen. The way he speaks giving away the fact that he hopes she is not here.

"Don't worry Asriel it's just me," they say smiling noticing the lines under his eyes.

"Oh…where did you get the recipe?"

"Your mom gave it to me," Frisk replies nervously, "I was kind of hoping to surprise you with our favorite pie. I know I don't have fire magic, but I think it will turn out well." As if on cue the oven dings signaling the end of the cooking. Asriel lets out a low yawn.

"You okay Asriel?"

"Yeah, I'm guess I'm just a little tired," he responds scratching the back of his head.

"You sure that's all it is," they ask voice full of worry.

"Pretty sure Frisk," he says jovially, "I think I'm going to take a nap…let me know when the pie is cooled off okay?" With that Asriel heads down the hall into Frisk's room. They take the pie out of the oven and cut a generous slice out for Asriel. Grabbing a fork they carry the pie to Asriel's door and knock softly. Frisk is greeted by the sounds of pained moans.

"N-no! Don't! Please I can't be alone again! I don't want to be a flower!" Setting the pie down on the vanity Frisk rushes to his side.

"Hey Asriel! Asriel wake up!" Frisk yells jostling him in a fruitless attempt to wake him. They grab his ear and scream into it, "Don't go!" Something within Asriel responds to Frisk's plea and he wakes up.

"AH! Oh, it's just you Frisk…did you hear that," he asks downcast.

"Is it happening now Asriel?"

"I don't know," he sighs, "I don't know how much time w-, I have left. Hey don't look so sad we knew this was coming…I know is the pie cooled off?" he tries to change the subject.

"Oh, y-yeah right. Here you go," Frisk says trying to hold back tears takes a piece with the fork and tries to feed Asriel with it.

"What are you doing? I can feed my-" Frisk puts the fork in his mouth.

"You don't need to expend any more energy than you already are." They say with a smile. Then they notice the look of panic in his eyes. "What's wrong?"

"I can't taste it Frisk. I'm sure it's delicious but I just can't taste it," his voice is raw with emotion, "I couldn't taste the cider either…I think it might be over soon Frisk. I'm sorry."

"NO!" Frisk grabs Asriel and squeezes as hard as they can.

"Heh, you really are an IDIOT," Asriel says his voice shifting back into Flowey. His body following suit. Frisk can feel Asriel starting to shrink, but they refused to let him go… Somehow, just as soon as it started Asriel stopped reverting.

"What just happened?"

"I don't know, but I really am tired…" Asriel tries to hide a blush, "but I'm also scared to be alone right now. What if something like that happens again? W-would y-"

"Of course I'll stay with you Asriel. I already told you I would silly," Frisk says pulling up a cushion by the bed. "Can you hand me a sheet it's pretty drafty down here." Frisk winks trying to defuse the tension.

"Sure, here," Asriel says handing Frisk a sheet, "and Frisk,"

"Yeah Asriel?"

"Thanks," he says rolling over onto his side. Within minutes he's fallen back asleep, and they can hear peaceful snores coming from underneath the covers. All right…I'll just stay awake…I have to stay awake for Asriel…reluctantly sleep also overtook Frisk eventually.

They awake to the sound of ravenous munching, and crumbs falling on their face. "Mmmph…Asriel? Asriel!" Frisk shouts realizing that they fell asleep.

"I'm fine Frisk," Asriel says in between bites, "y'know this pie is really good. You sure you didn't add anything to it? Frisk…why are you crying? I thought you'd be happy I can taste again. Oof" Frisk throws their arms around him in a desperate hug.

"I thought I was going to lose you again."

"A-again? Frisk how many times have," he leaves the sentence hanging in the air unable to finish it.

"I lost count, but that doesn't matter now. You're still here. How do you feel Asriel," Frisk asks trying to change the subject.

"No," he responds setting the empty plate and fork down, "it does matter. At least to me. How many times Frisk?"

"Too many," they respond with a sigh, "I've watched you revert so many times. Each one worse than the last. This was the closest I had ever gotten, and now you're okay right?"

"Yeah, never felt better actually," he laughs nervously "but why Frisk? You had so many chances to just let it end, and be happy. Why do it? You only knew me for all of ten minutes before you reset again so why?"

"At first it was because I wanted to save everyone. I was being selfish. It wasn't about making you feel better, it was about getting a perfect run." Frisk hangs their head, "But over each reset I got to know you. Especially on ones like these where I came back to spend your final days with you. Then I realized something, I cared about you. I cared about you more than anyone else…So I tried again. And again. So I could be with the monster I was proud to call my friend more than just the end of his life."

"Frisk…"

"It's okay Asriel, I understand if you hate me for what I've done, but I won't regret this. Not when I'm so close to saving you." Frisk stares at Asriel with determination in their eyes, "For once you didn't revert back. I don't know why, but I'm taking that as a sign things are going to look up from here, ngh!" Frisk clutches their head.

"You okay Frisk," Asriel asks with concern momentarily forgetting the current conversation. He reaches out a hand and places it on Frisk's shoulder, rubbing it.

"Yeah, it's just a little headache," Frisk says with a chuckle, "guess I haven't been getting much sleep during all these resets."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm just tired Asriel," Frisk suddenly gets an idea, "hey since you're feeling better today do you want to go exploring?"

"Exploring?" Asriel scoffs, "If there's anyone who's seen all of the Underground it's us Frisk."

"Please? I promise it'll be fun," Frisk winks, "and besides it'll give me a chance to clear my head."

"If you say so Frisk, but if it's too much for you we're coming back," his face is full of worry.

"Alright Asriel, let's grab the rest of the pie first in case we get hungry." Frisk says throwing off their blanket. Making sure to grab the pie as well as an umbrella the duo set out of the ruins.

"Frisk where are we going, and why do you have an umbrella?"

"That's for me to know and for you to find out Asriel," they say walking slightly faster grinning all the while.

"Hey, wait up!" Frisk makes sure to keep stealing glances at Asriel when he isn't looking to make sure that he's okay. It also helps to reaffirm their belief that yes this is real Asriel is still with them; if only their head would stop pounding this would be perfect. "Frisk why are we going to Snowdin?"

"Simple, we aren't." Frisk replies sticking out their tongue.

"Not Snowdin…then where?"

"Just keep walking Asriel it's not far from here. Unless you aren't feeling well?" Frisk asks concern creeping back into their voice.

"No, I'm fine," he replies then speaks softly, "honestly I'm more worried about you and your headaches Frisk." Both of you pass the skeleton brother's home.

"Like I said I'm probably just tired Asriel," they can't hide the tone of their voice "I technically haven't slept in days, but it's all worth it now." Frisk brings Asriel close as they walk into Waterfall, and extend the umbrella.

"Looks like you're prepared," Asriel says with a lopsided grin.

"Of course I am silly. It's just a little farther now," Frisk says hearing the first few notes of a melancholy melody ringing out through the cavern. Knowing that their destination is close they grab Asriel's hand with their free one, and picks up the pace.

"Wait, I know this tune. Mom used to hum it all the time when I couldn't get to sleep," Asriel says hearing the song much clearer due to his long floppy ears. "It always made me feel so safe, but now…" Frisk notices the tears running down Asriel's cheeks and squeezes his hand making him look at them.

"Sorry I should have thought this through more. I-"

"Do you know how to dance Frisk?" He asks smiling through his tears. Frisk vaguely remembers something close to dancing with Mettaton while wearing a tutu.

"I think so, why?"

"Because you look sad. I don't like it when you're sad Frisk," he's still smiling despite the faintest tinge of pink on his cheeks.

"But you were crying just now…"

"This song just brought back a lot of memories that's all Frisk. I'm only crying because I'm happy I can still remember them, it's been so long since I've heard this song," he says gently patting Frisk's back. "Then I'd thought back to earlier. About how you've been through me going back to a flower so many times, and I wanted to give you a good memory. So that if I go back to being a flower you have something to remember me by."

"Asriel…you're gonna make me cry again," Frisk says wiping their eyes.

"That's fine as long as they're happy tears," Asriel takes their hand and places one arm around their waist, "just follow me okay?" Frisk nods and tries to follow Asriel's lead until accidentally stepping on his foot.

"Sorry Asriel, I've never danced like this before," they say trying to hide their embarrassment, "I keep looking at my feet, but no matter what I can't seem to get it right…"

"Frisk don't look at your feet. Look up here at me," Asriel tilts Frisk's chin up with his hand, "there you go, much better. Now I can see your face." He winks and sticks his tongue out. Frisk isn't sure why, but for some reason it is much easier to follow Asriel this way. They dance completely oblivious to the passage of time, the rain keeping the beat for them. Frisk notices how happy Asriel looks in this moment. His face and ears are relaxed, and for the first time in all of these resets the smile he wears isn't laced with pain. The smile seems to be coming from the depths of his SOUL even if that is impossible for Asriel. Frisk doesn't give it a second thought though. Seeing Asriel's look of true happiness fills them with determination.