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It's multifandom, kinky, and queer as fuck.[/url]\n\n[url=https://kimberlyeab.carrd.co/]Visit my website to see where else you can find my work, follow my socials, or support me on Patreon![/url]", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Noelle has a secret: she's into BDSM erotica.

Hopefully, none of her partners find out...

Wait, why is Kris using her Kindle?

----------------------------

Cover art by Dead Bunny, so many thanks to him for bringing this fantastic piece to life!

Contains: Story Bits

---------------------

Hey, y'all should join my Discord! It's multifandom, kinky, and queer as fuck.

Visit my website to see where else you can find my work, follow my socials, or support me on Patreon!", "writing": "A tension permeated throughout the room, being so thick that it would probably require a knife in order to be severed. It was an unease which seemed to infect every moment, a toxin that tainted these last few sacred interactions together.\n\nFor Noelle, this tension came in the form of a pit within her stomach. Something which had completely hollowed out her appetite, making it impossible for her to do anything but poke at the breakfast of yogurt and berries which Ralsei had prepared for them.\n\nAs she looked at her partners, she could see that they weren't doing much better, idly prodding at the pinkish meal with an equally foreboding look upon their faces. And as she glanced at Ralsei, she could see the hollowness in his eyes, could sense it tugging at the fringes of his forced smile.\n\nNot one of them had spoken in a good long while, words feeling pretty inadequate to get the concept across.\n\n``I...'' Noelle began. ``I had a lot of fun.''\n\n``Same,'' Kris replied, nodding.\n\n``Ditto,'' Susie agreed, looking down at her spoon as she allowed herself another sample of yogurt. ``I... I'm just bummed that it has to end, you know?''\n\nAnd there it was, the elephant in the room. All it needed was acknowledgement in order to make its presence known.\n\n``Yeah,'' Ralsei murmured, shaking his head. ``Distance sucks.''\n\n``It really does,'' Kris said, sighing. ``At least there are only a few more months until summer break starts.''\n\n``And then we'll be in your hair for a few months instead of only a couple days,'' Susie chided as she flashed a toothy smile at Ralsei. ``You'll be sick of us by then.''\n\nRalsei smirked. ``I can't wait.'' He idly glanced past them and towards the door as if he could peer through the wood and at the dark fountain that lingered beyond. ``When do you need to be back by?''\n\n``Mom wants us home for breakfast,'' Kris said. ``So, we'll need to head back in a little while.''\n\nSusie nodded. ``It's been a lot of fun, dude.''\n\nRalsei rubbed at his cheek with the back of his hand, almost looking strong in the face of everything. But his composure had started to fray, his complexion twitching as he sniffled, obviously fighting back against the misery of this moment.\n\nKris placed their yogurt aside and slid over, pressing themself against him. ``Hey, hey, hey, it's okay.''\n\n``I know, I know,'' Ralsei said, though his words felt like they were spoken for the benefit of the others and not himself. It sounded more like the words of someone who was trying to reassure themself about a lie. ``I'll just miss you guys, that?s all.''\n\n``We'll miss you too,'' Susie said, coming over as well and pressing herself into his other side. She reached up and started to stroke his mane. ``I... we'll... I know the distance is hard but in a few years these two will be done with school and we can head back to Hometown.''\n\nRalsei sobbed though nodded regardless, continuing to rub tears out of his eyes. For a moment, it seemed that he was finally going to lose his shit, teetering upon the brink. Thankfully he seemed to collect himself at the last minute, returning to his sniffling instead.\n\nNoelle came over as well, sliding into a position in front of him. She reached out and took his free hand within both of her own, squeezing it tightly. Her thumbs brushed across his knuckles, stroking them tenderly.\n\nRalsei seemed taken aback by this but his shock quickly subsided as he offered Noelle a warm smile. ``Live for the moments we do have together,'' he whispered, winking at her with one of his reddened bloodshot eyes. ``Right?''\n\nNoelle smiled. ``Exactly.''\n\n``Summer isn't that far away,'' Ralsei told himself, closing his eyes and drawing in a long deep breath. It seemed to help, if only a little. ``Summer isn't that far away.''\n\nThat statement seemed to lift the siege, bringing about just a smidgen of control back to the current atmosphere of the room. At the very least, Ralsei's tears dried up and a more genuine smile soon overcame him.\n\nRalsei snorted. ``I'm so losing my shit when you three are gone for real.''\n\nSusie smirked and kissed the top of his head. ``I know you will, hun.''\n\n``I love you guys,'' Ralsei whispered, looking at Kris and then Susie. ``I hope that you know that.''\n\n``Love you too,'' Kris replied.\n\nSusie nodded. ``Love you lots.''\n\n``Love you,'' Noelle quickly added, grinning at him. ``I had a lot of fun these last few days. It's honestly been really nice to get to know you a little better.''\n\nRalsei looked at her, seemingly shocked by this confession. Still, he couldn't help but nod in agreement. ``Yeah, it's... it's been really nice to get to know you a little better too, Noelle. I can see why Kris and Susie love you so much.''\n\nNoelle drew in a breath at that, glancing at both her partners. Those words made her poor little doe brain fizzle, filling it with pride. She smiled at Ralsei before bringing his paw to her mouth and giving it a kiss.\n\n``And I can see why they care so much about you,'' Noelle replied.\n\nFor a moment, not one of them spoke, obviously not trusting themselves to do so. It felt like any syllable, so much as even breathing funny would expedite the process and bring them that much closer to the end.\n\nNoelle wanted this moment to last an eternity, desiring nothing more than to let this warmth and comfort and tender affection become her entire existence. And she had a feeling that there wasn't a soul in the room who wanted anything else aside from that.\n\nBut all good things had to come to an end eventually and there were few moments as good as this one.\n\nA faint chiptune soon pierced the silence, coming from Kris' satchel. \n\nThey groaned and reached into it, pulling out their cell phone. ``It's eight in the morning.''\n\nRalsei frowned. ``Time to head back?''\n\nKris nodded and drew away, getting to their feet. They were reluctantly followed by Susie, then Noelle, and finally Ralsei himself. Together they made their way towards the palace's doors, moving as slowly as they could.\n\nEvery second mattered and every moment was so very important. They needed to draw this out, delaying the inevitable just a little longer, making the end that much slower to arrive. Though in the end there was only so much time that could be wasted before each of them stood beside the door.\n\n``You three enjoy the rest of your spring break,'' Ralsei beamed, once more rubbing at his eyes. ``And make sure to say hi to all of our friends for me.''\n\nSusie grinned. ``Will do.''\n\nNoelle turned to face him, dipping forwards and giving him a little peck upon the lips. There were no more voices within her head, nothing to stop her from enjoying this affection fully. \n\nThis sudden kiss seemed to take Ralsei aback, making him blink repeatedly, clearly left in a stunned stupor. Yet, he soon responded with a kiss of his own, dipping forwards in order to repay her kindness.\n\n``Thanks for helping me learn some new things about myself,'' Noelle said, blushing.\n\nRalsei grinned, looking oddly bashful as a fresh pink promptly flooded into his cheeks. ``You're very welcome, Noelle.''\n\n``And thanks for all the good food,'' Susie added, waving at him ``Going to be hard to go back home after that.''\n\n``Oh, come now, I know all three of you are very good cooks in your own right,'' Ralsei teased, winking at her. ``And you don't even need to rely on cauldron magic to manage it.''\n\nKris smirked and rested their hand upon the door. ``And thanks for all of the amazing sex, Asriel.''\n\nEveryone went silent.\n\nFor a second, Kris looked confused, glancing from them one after another. ``What?''\n\nThen it clicked as their eyes immediately widened. ``Fuck...''\n\nRalsei blinked, obviously stunned by such a confession. \n\nSusie was also silent. \n\nBut Noelle?\n\nWell, Noelle cackled, thrusting a finger at her partner. ``I fucking knew it!''\n\n[hr]\n\nWaking up at six in the morning felt bad. It felt a whole lot worse when it was now nine and the lack of sleep was already starting to catch up with you.\n\nNoelle felt like a zombie as she lurched into Toriel's home, lumbering over to the sofa and face planting upon it.\n\n``Welcome home kids,'' Toriel beamed from the kitchen. ``There's a full pot of coffee ready just in case you need it.''\n\n``Thanks, mom,'' Kris murmured, heading to the kitchen themself.\n\n``Mind grabbing me a cup?'' Susie asked.\n\n``Me too?'' Noelle added, hoping that her voice made it past the couch cushion plastered against her face.\n\nKris made an affirmative response that barely felt like a word.\n\n``So, did you kids have fun in the Dark World?'' Toriel asked, turning to face them with a mixing bowl in hand. She was whisking something together. ``I really need to find an excuse to head back there someday and catch up with Ralsei.''\n\n``Tons,'' Susie said as she moved over to the dining room table, thudding into one of the seats. ``Ate good food, caught up with friends, and just had a lot of fun chilling.''\n\nKris lumbered out of the kitchen and headed over to the dining room table themself, placing three large mugs of coffee down upon it. Fittingly, each vessel bore an orange tabby cat who seemed just about as exhausted as Noelle currently felt. \n\n``Thanks, babe,'' Noelle called\n\nKris kept one of the mugs for themself, taking a generous sip from it.\n\n``Dude isn't that scalding?'' Susie asked, a mix of pride and worry lingering in her voice.\n\nKris groaned, letting a contrail of steam out of their mouth. ``Don't care.''\n\nNoelle got up as well, making her way over to the dining room table and taking a seat. She grabbed her mug and blew upon it, helping herself to a sip. The alluring warmth of stimulating caffeine was like a bucket of cold water, managing to jolt her awake.\n\n``Do you need any help, Miss Sueno?'' she asked, looking at the matriarch.\n\nToriel shook her head. ``I think that I should be okay but you'll be the first to know if I need anything.'' She placed the mixing bowl down and glided along the countertop, moving over to a frying pan which she placed upon the stovetop. ``So, how is Ralsei doing?''\n\n``Busy being a ruler,'' Susie said.\n\n``Shame that no one would believe you if you were to put your relationship with him on your resume,'' Toriel teased, shaking her head. ``Because being advisors to a Prince seems like it would be a rather nice addition to any potential employers.''\n\nShe picked up a squeeze bottle of oil and spritzed a little into the pan before turning up the stove to a modest setting.\n\n``What's on the docket today?'' she then asked, turning to look at them.\n\nNoelle hummed. ``I need to talk to my mom at some point.''\n\n``My condolences,'' Toriel ribbed, some legitimate worry creeping into her otherwise soft eyes. ``I would not wish a difficult conversation with Mayor Blizzard upon anyone. Let alone someone like yourself, dear.''\n\nNoelle didn't know what to honestly reply to that with. It was the truth, plain and simple. Maybe in the past she would've tried to defend her mother. But now that she had an in depth look at how other families worked, she knew that there was little to be said in defense of Carol Blizzard and her unique method of mothering.\n\nThankfully, she was saved from having to say anything as there was soon the sound of footsteps moving down towards the living room. One set was pretty heavy while the other was far lighter, coming down together as one.\n\n``Morning,'' Asriel grumbled, yawning.\n\nToriel smirked. ``You stomp down the stairs like your father.'' \n\n``Oh hey, look who's finally showed up,'' Chara teased, waving at the trio as they made their way over to the coffeemaker. ``Was worried that we weren't going to see you for the rest of this vacation.''\n\nNoelle was about to reply but something caught her eye, causing her sentence to fade away. \n\nChara's shirt was too big and left one of their shoulders exposed, revealing that there was a large bandage plastered over top of their skin. It was sizeable, covering a pretty decent amount of flesh, at least several inches of it.\n\n``What happened to you?'' Noelle asked.\n\nChara snorted as they poured themself a cup of coffee. ``Mountain biking accident.''\n\nNoelle glanced from them and towards Asriel, seeing that he nodded resolutely. ``Took a nasty spill while we were working our way through some of the forest trails south of town.''\n\nOh, he had always had such a terrible poker face. Even Noelle could tell that he was lying.\n\nKris grinned, obviously picking up on this as well. ``Oh, which trails were you taking?''\n\n``What was the name of it again?'' Chara asked, blowing upon their cup as they helped themself to a sip. ``I think it was called Jacob's Pass?''\n\nSusie lifted a brow though something promptly clicked as she joined in upon this developing inside joke. She shook her head, scoffing. ``I thought they closed Jacob's Pass like five years ago.''\n\nNoelle smirked, deciding not to remind Asriel and Chara that Jacob's Pass was also to the north of town.\n\n``H-hence why we took a nasty spill,'' Asriel quickly said.\n\nKris smirked. ``Gasp! You were violating the law, Azzy? I would never think that you'd do something like that.''\n\nThere was suddenly the sound of a pan sizzling as Toriel poured some of the batter inside. A thin smile crept onto her lips as she worked, the glint of something mischievous lingering at the very edges of her persona.\n\nWas Noelle the only one to notice that?\n\nCould it be that she knew exactly what was...\n\n``What can I say, at least a little bit of Dess is still rubbing off on me,'' Asriel chided, taking a seat at the table.\n\nChara came over and placed down a mug of creamy coffee in front of him before taking the seat directly next to him. They slowly sipped their black coffee before leaning over and resting their weary head upon his shoulder.\n\n``Honestly, I feel like a little bit of an ass,'' they said. ``I was the one who goaded him into doing it.''\n\nAsriel placed his hand over top of their own, giving it a squeeze. ``Was fun though.''\n\n``Tons,'' Chara replied, grinning at him.\n\n``You know, Asriel, dear,'' Toriel called from the stove. ``Me and your father used to have quite a few mountain biking accidents back when we were your age.''\n\nAsriel's eyes widened. ``Oh?''\n\nChara snickered, grinning at Noelle as they whispered under their breath. ``Busted.''\n\n``Is that so?'' Noelle asked, looking towards Toriel as well.\n\nToriel nodded. ``I'm just hoping that you used proper first air techniques.'' She smirked and wagged a finger at her child. ``After all, the mouth is full of all sorts of nasty germs and I'd hate for Chara to get an infection.''\n\nKris and Chara snickered uncontrollably while Asriel just seemed utterly mortified by this piece of advice, blankly staring off into the distance.\n\nToriel smirked and shook her head. ``You are aware that your parents were in their twenties at one point, correct?''\n\n``I mean logically,'' Asriel replied, sounding defeated and oh so hollow. ``Just... didn't realize that you and dad used to do that sort of stuff.''\n\n``Well, I won't bore you with the graphic details,'' Toriel teased, waving him off before reaching for a spatula. ``But just be aware that your father also had a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth that had their uses from time to time.''\n\nAsriel groaned. ``Let's stop talking about this.''\n\n``Personally, I think this is a very productive conversation to be having,'' Kris ribbed, grinning with an overly catty glee. ``Let's keep talking about it.''\n\nAsriel lifted a brow. ``Do you want to fight fire-with-fire, little sib?''\n\nKris pursed their lips together.\n\n``Does anyone have a recent photo of Ralsei that I can see?'' Asriel asked, glaring coldly at their sibling.\n\nNoelle snickered and Susie covered her face with a hand, rippling with laughter while doing her best to hide it. Which was a very bad job, considering the sheer number of sputtering cackles which escaped her.\n\n``I do,'' Susie finally said as managed to get her shit together.\n\nKris sighed. ``Did everyone know about this?''\n\n``Know about what?'' Toriel asked, looking over her shoulder. ``I think that Ralsei is a very handsome young man and the two of you are a rather cute item when you're together.''\n\n``T-thanks, mom,'' Kris whispered.\n\nSusie placed her phone down upon the table and slid it over to Asriel and Chara.\n\nAsriel looked at it for a moment but merely smiled back at Kris, flashing those canines with all of the carnivorous glee that he could muster. This was a hound who had just sniffed out fresh blood. He didn't say so much as a word, letting the implications do the speaking for him.\n\nChara looked at it then looked at Kris before looking down at the phone once more. They then whistled to themself. ``Suddenly things are making way more sense.''\n\n``What does that mean?'' Kris yelped.\n\nChara shrugged and flashed a catty little smile. ``Just noticed that you guys have a top-loading washing machine is all.''\n\nNoelle giggled. ``Easy for someone to get stuck in.''\n\n``Kris did need a lot of help getting out of it growing up,'' Asriel ribbed.\n\n``Now, now,'' Toriel stated, pointing at her son with a spatula. ``It isn't very nice to make fun of your sibling for being shorter than you.''\n\n``That's not what he's making fun of them for,'' Susie replied, snickering.\n\nToriel nodded. ``I just wanted to make sure.''\n\n``Oh, is that the game that you want to play?'' Kris asked, drawing in a breath and leaning over the table, glaring coldly at Asriel. ``I'm not the only one with skeletons.''\n\n``Is that so?'' Asriel asked, leaning forwards as well.\n\nKris smirked, flashing their own lesser canines. Yet, they were no less intimidating as they practically glimmered with ravenous intent. ``Monsters outnumber humans by what? Twenty-to-one?''\n\n``I think it's thirty-five-to-one,'' Noelle said.\n\nAsriel flushed and scratched at his chin. ``I uh... I'm not familiar with that specific statistic.''\n\nChara just grinned, absolutely devouring this.\n\nKris nodded. ``Thirty-five-to-one and you just happen to be dating a human.'' They scoffed, pointing at Chara. ``A nonbinary human who just happens to also be a complete and other goblin.''\n\n``Golly what are the chances?'' Chara asked, smirking at Kris before grinning with bratty glee at Asriel. ``I think they've got you there, big guy''\n\nAsriel groaned. ``Et tu?''\n\nBut anyways change of subject,'' Kris said, batting their lashes one last time at Asriel before shifting their attention exclusively towards Noelle. ``Do you want to head right to your mom's place after breakfast?''\n\nThe change of subject was jarring, rapidly shoving Noelle away from the prior mirth and into something far more anxiety inducing. It seemed that Kris realized their mistake immediately as they promptly winced while also receiving a heated look from Susie in turn.\n\nThough they were right, Noelle really did need to think about this.\n\n``I think that I want to see my dad first,'' Noelle said, biting her lip. ``See if he has some last-minute advice to help shore myself up.''\n\nSusie nodded. ``Do you want us to come with you?''\n\n``Nah.'' Noelle sighed, rubbing at her arm. ``I should probably talk to my mom alone, I... I need to do this myself. I can't always rely on you two to fight my battles for me.''\n\nSusie frowned but didn't shoot down the idea.\n\n``What are we talking about?'' Chara asked.\n\nNoelle glanced at them. ``I'm telling my mom that I'm planning to swap from a political science major and go into creative writing instead.''\n\n``And her mom is a controlling freak,'' Susie grumbled.\n\n``Who happens to be the mayor of this town,'' Kris added.\n\n``And is trying to shape Noelle into being her successor,'' Asriel finished, reaching over and patting the top of Noelle's hand. ``But that doesn't matter because you got this.''\n\nNoelle frowned and looked down at her coffee, watching the way that the cream swirled around in little splotches of lighter brown. She brought the beverage to her lips and took another sip, hoping beyond reason that it would help settle her.\n\nYet, that was impossible.\n\nShe closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, playing out a hundred unkind scenarios inside of her head. They came one after another, predicting every single way that this could possibly go wrong, every single means by which she would be disowned.\n\nCarol was a lot of things, very few of them redeeming. But... but she was still Noelle's mother. And she wasn't ready to sever that tie unless it was strictly necessary.\n\n``I...'' Asriel drew his hand away. ``I know that Dess would've been proud of you for doing this.''\n\nNoelle's eyes widened as she looked at him.\n\nAsriel smiled. ``She never liked how your mother was grooming you for this. Always wanted you to be your own person. I know that if she were still here, she'd be rooting for you.''\n\nSusie placed a hand upon Noelle's shoulder, dragging a reassuring thumb across her coat. Kris was also there as they leaned into her side, nuzzling against her arm and offering what little support that they could.\n\n``You got this, babe,'' Kris offered.\n\nToriel sighed. ``I'm sorry to break up this tender moment but uh... breakfast requires some outside assistance from the many idle hands in my dining room.''\n\nEveryone stirred.\n\n``Let me help with the eggs,'' Chara said, springing to their feet.\n\nKris grinned. ``I can chop veggies.''\n\n``I'll help with whatever,'' Susie said as she pushed herself out of her seat.\n\nAsriel gave Noelle one last look, saluting her with his coffee while offering her a warm smile. Though his attention soon turned towards his mother. ``Dibs on the dishes.''\n\n``I'll help Azzy with them,'' Noelle offered, looking at Toriel.\n\n``Thank you,'' Toriel said before giving Noelle the warmest smile imaginable. ``Oh, and dear, if your mother is a stubborn witch, I just want you to know that I'll always have room in my heart for one more daughter.''\n\nNoelle felt her eyes water.\n\nToriel winced. ``Too much?''\n\nNoelle shook her head.\n\n[hr]\n\nIt felt strange to walk through Hometown alone, reminding Noelle a lot of High School when she used to venture home with nothing but her earbuds for company. Her pace was brisk as she moved ahead, the sound of hyperpop keeping her going.\n\nShe walked past one home and then another as the terrain of the town transitioned from houses and towards storefronts and shops. A few people recognized her, waving. She would of course wave back. Though they seemed to know that she was on a mission, not trying to strike up an idle conversation.\n\nIn the distance, she spotted a familiar flower shop, just past an equally familiar convenience store. She was just about to pass the latter when a figure exited the former, stepping forward without looking both ways. \n\nNoelle cried out as the two of them nearly collided. She stumbled to an abrupt stop in front of him.\n\nThe gentleman looked strange, foreign, not belonging to this town. At least as far as Noelle could tell. He was a horse who was tall, lanky, and oddly handsome. He seemed young, maybe only a little older than herself.\n\nIt wasn't unheard of for new blood to filter into Hometown but it was still an oddity when it actually happened.\n\n``Sorry,'' the horse quickly said as Noelle popped out her earbuds. He offered her a wave, looking rather sheepish. ``My bad.''\n\n``It's okay,'' Noelle said.\n\nHe ducked away with paper bags in hand, walking briskly towards the residential parts of Hometown.\n\nWhen Noelle turned back around, she saw the shopkeeper leaning against the wall next to the convenience store's entrance.\n\n``Hey,'' he said, nodding to her.\n\nNoelle smiled. ``Hi, sorry I can't really chat, I'm...''\n\n``Don't worry, I know,'' the shopkeeper quickly interjected, holding up his boney hand. ``This isn't really the kind of story I usually end up in anyways.''\n\nNoelle blinked. ``What?''\n\n``Just here to give you something,'' he said, tossing her a bottle of brownish liquor.\n\nNoelle caught it and looked it over before glancing at him. ``Huh?''\n\n``Trust me,'' he said. ``I know how these things go.''\n\nThat's all he said as he slipped back inside, closing the door behind himself.\n\nNoelle blinked, looking down at the bottle and then at the shop door before finally looking over her shoulder to see the horse dip around the corner. In the end, she simply shook her head, slipping the bottle inside of her purse. At the very least, it seemed to be a couple shots of a pretty decent rum.\n\n``What the fuck was that about?'' she finally asked herself, continuing ahead regardless.\n\nIt was only a couple more metres before she was outside of Rudy and Asgore's shop. There was a police car parked outside though this wasn't nearly as alarming as it would've been back in the city.\n\nNoelle slipped inside, causing the little bell above the door to jingle.\n\n``Carol is so fucking paranoid,'' a husky voice chided, scoffing with disdain. It belonged to Undyne who was leaning against the counter. ``Like, I get caring about safety but dumping that much money into cameras for a town like this, it's...''\n\nAsgore peeked out from behind her, waving. ``Oh! Hello, Noelle.''\n\n``Shit,'' Undyne hissed, turning and offering her a nervous smile. ``How ya doing, kid?''\n\nNoelle waved to the two of them, noticing that there was a small bag that rested between them. She didn't know what exactly was inside but it seemed to be some sort of brownish-grey plant matter.\n\n``Pretty good,'' Noelle answered, allowing herself a thin smile. ``Were we bitching about my mother?''\n\nUndyne sighed. ``Yeah.''\n\n``Well, no need to stop on my account,'' Noelle teased, coming over and leaning against the counter. ``What has she been up to this time, that has you so stressed?''\n\n``Paranoid about security like usual,'' Asgore stated, shaking his head. ``Apparently a few of the high schoolers spray painted the Founder's statue and she wanted to ensure that it doesn't happen again.''\n\nNoelle cocked a brow. ``The one that doesn't have a head?''\n\n``Exactly,'' Undyne said, letting out a frustrated little growling sound. ``That thing is already trashed beyond repair. I don't know why we're wasting money on taking care of that when we've needed new telecom equipment for like three years now. I'd just like to stop sending faxes and join the rest of the modern world, thank you very much.'' \n\nThat was apparently all that needed to be said on the matter as she then reached into the little baggie on the counter and pulled out what appeared to be a mushroom cap, looking it over. ``How much of these should me and Alphys take?''\n\nAsgore hummed. ``Start at a gram for your first trip then adjust your doses from there.''\n\n``Wait are those...'' Noelle began.\n\n``They are,'' Undyne quickly answered, grabbing the baggie and slipping it into her pocket. ``Alphys seemed interested in trying them out so I thought I'd pick up a bag.''\n\n``Well, I can promise you that I have some of the highest quality ones in town and the only legal ones at that,'' Asgore teased before focusing his attention on Noelle. ``Were you looking for your father?''\n\nNoelle nodded.\n\nAsgore smiled and motioned to the door that led into the back of the shop. ``He's out in the garden.''\n\n``Thanks, Mister Dreemurr,'' Noelle said.\n\nShe slipped behind the counter and headed into the back, seeing the various coolers which were filled with all sorts of flowers. There were also a few UV lights set up, supplying some greenery with life, along with a few dark boxes which sat next to a desk with various ledgers resting upon it. These were probably used for mushrooms if Noelle had to guess.\n\nNoelle ignored them all as she headed out back, stepping into a proper garden. It was a gorgeous and almost industrial operation with countless rows upon rows of flowers in bloom. She spotted her father who was in his wheelchair, enjoying a glass of iced tea as he lingered next to a table.\n\nRudy perked up and looked at her, flashing a beaming smile. ``Oh hey, sweetie, back from your little Dark World vacation?''\n\n``I am,'' Noelle said, coming over and taking a seat at the table as well. Her chair was obviously a seat meant for Asgore, practically feeling like a throne as she inhabited it.\n\nIt seemed that she had caught her father in the middle of breakfast as there was a half-eaten muffin on his plate.\n\n``How are you doing, honey?'' Rudy asked.\n\n``I'm good,'' Noelle said, biting her lip. ``I just wanted to come by and ask you about something.''\n\n``Oh yeah?'' Rudy asked, looking her in the eye. He must've been able to pick up on the seriousness of her request as his expression slipped, just a little. ``Is everything okay?''\n\nNoelle nodded and allowed her gaze to flinch away from his, instead settling on the table as she taped a single finger against the glass. It was an instinctive and almost rhythmic beat, something meant to distract her and make the poison pill that much easier to swallow.\n\n``What...'' Noelle sighed. ``What did you tell mom when you broke the news to her that you intended to leave her?''\n\nRudy went silent, deathly silent. It seemed that even nature cooperated with him as there were no birds chirping, no breeze billowing by, not even the sound of traffic from the street outside. This was a conspiracy from the Angel themself to make this moment as awkward as possible.\n\n``What did Kris do?'' he finally asked, sounding deathly serious.\n\nNoelle perked up and snapped her gaze back to him, frantically waving her hands. ``No, no, no, I... I... this isn't about us breaking up or anything.''\n\n``Oh, thank fuck,'' Rudy chided, shaking his head. ``Sorry, sorry, almost went into terminator mode there for a sec. Thought I was going to...'' He sighed in relief. ``Never mind.'' He drew in a breath and let it out slowly. ``So, why do you ask?''\n\n``I'm thinking about finally breaking the news to mom that I intend to change majors,'' Noelle explained, resting her cheek against her palm. ``And I want to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.''\n\nRudy nodded and looked off to the side, seeing the sea of flowers that were planted in his backyard. It was a beautiful sight, the buds practically glimmering as the last essences of the morning dew hadn't quite evaporated yet.\n\n``It was shockingly easy, if I can be completely honest,'' Rudy finally said, letting out a hollow note of laughter. ``I waited until you were just about to head off to university.'' He looked at her with a strained smile, pained even. ``I'd known for a while that I wanted this but I guess I held off because I wanted you to have a somewhat normal home life after our little all-star passed away.''\n\nOur little all-star...\n\nDess had always hated that nickname.\n\n``I'm sorry that I put you through that,'' Noelle said. She promptly winced as she realized what she had just said. ``Sorry, sorry, that's...''\n\n``I put myself through that, sweetie,'' Rudy interrupted, offering a reassuring smile as he nodded to her. ``But yeah, I uh... I went to your mother's office and told her that I had something that I wanted to talk to her about. I think...'' He sighed and looked down at the table. ``I think she knew what was up because I actually managed to get her to stop working and give me her undivided attention for once. It was honestly a little unsettling.''\n\n``Holy shit,'' Noelle whispered, snickering. Though her note of laughter was more than a little strained. ``That is pretty serious.''\n\n``Honestly, it was a Defcon One kind of situation,'' Rudy ribbed. ``Still, I was honest and I told her how I felt. I told her that I hadn't really loved her the way that I once had. I told her that I had felt abandoned by her while I was sick. I told her that Asgore had been there for me. And I told her that while I still loved her, I didn't think that I could ever love her as much as I promised to when we first got married.''\n\nHe chuckled, shaking his head. His gaze was glossy, lost, obviously back to those memories from his not-so-distant past.\n\n``She...'' Rudy sighed. ``She said that she knew. She even...'' He frowned. ``She even apologized for her part in all of that. Said that she knew that she wasn't the woman she promised to be either but admitted that she didn't know how to change.''\n\nNoelle looked away from her father, imagining that scene now. It felt appropriate for them, fitting that things would not end with a bang but a whimper.\n\n``She told me that she had felt many of the same things since we lost December,'' Rudy said, his lips quivering at the name. ``And that she wasn't there for me because she couldn't handle losing another loved one. It was... it was rough. It was really fucking rough, sweetie.''\n\nHe wiped his eyes.\n\n``It sounds like it,'' Noelle replied.\n\nRudy nodded. ``But in the end, we both came to terms with the reality that we'd moved in separate directions with our lives. We agreed to split amicably and I still talk to her pretty frequently.'' He forced a laugh and looked at his daughter. ``Now if you want a story about a messy divorce, you should go talk to Asgore about his. It sounds like Tori had one hell of a throwing arm.''\n\nNoelle snorted. ``I think I'm good.''\n\n``I guess the moral of the story is that your mother might be stubborn and she might fight you on this...'' Rudy began, pausing to tear a little crumb off of his muffin and toss it into his mouth. He chewed upon it as he spoke. ``But she'll come around eventually. At least, I hope so.''\n\nNoelle nodded. ``Me too.''\n\n``She's...'' Rudy worked his jaw. ``She's a difficult woman, hun, but she does care about you and she does want you to be happy. The important thing is to make sure that you show her that your version of happiness is not always the same as her version of happiness.''\n\nNoelle nodded.\n\nHer version of happiness is not your version of happiness.\n\nIt was logically sound but a concept which had never sounded so daunting to discuss. In all her years of living, Noelle had never been able to accomplish something of this magnitude. It sometimes seemed that oceans would come and go before Carol would be talked into accepting someone else's point of view.\n\n``I... I hope that helps?'' Rudy said, sounding more than a little unsure of himself.\n\nNoelle nodded. ``It did... a little.'' She smiled at her father. ``Thanks, dad, I uh... I appreciate the help.''\n\n``Anytime, sweetie,'' Rudy replied. ``I just want to make sure that my little girl is happy.''\n\n[hr]\n\nThe house loomed over Noelle, being a towering monument of intimidating white walls with windows that looked like demonic eyes staring down upon her. This abode felt like a specter, emitting a wave of unease which weighed down heavily upon her as she slowly lumbered across the yard that led to her former front door. Each step felt like she weighed twice as much as she usually did as she endured this short trek.\n\nMemories swirled within her mind, some happy, though many not nearly as pleasant to recall.\n\nThere was coldness and warmth, kindness and fear, longing and regret. It was a maelstrom within her psyche and it didn't feel like anything would dare pierce this status quo and grant her even the illusion of relief.\n\nThis was the last chance to run, the final moment for her to flee. Surely, she could tough out her major for a little longer. Maybe she could just finish it and then never do anything with it. Hell, there was even the possibility that working in politics and being a writer on the side was an achievable and totally reasonable goal to have.\n\nNoelle shook her head.\n\nNo... no this was her life and she was going to be an adult about it.\n\nShe finally came to the front door, resting her hand against the wood. It was probably just her imagination but it was like the building stole heat from her, sucking it out through her fingertips like some sort of structural vampire who feasted upon her very warmth.\n\n``You got this Noelle,'' she told herself.\n\n``You do not,'' she told herself back.\n\nNoelle drew in a deep breath and lifted her hand, letting it linger right above the door. A second went by, then two, then three, each adding to that tension inside of her stomach. Until finally, it grew too much to bear as she brought her knuckles down upon the wood, knocking three times in quick succession.\n\nThen she waited, practically holding her breath as the silence seemed pretty keen on suffocating her. She could run, flee, sprint in the opposite direction. Surely everyone in her life would understand. After all, not one of them had a single nice thing to say about Carol.\n\nYet, before she could even think about retreating, the lock to her childhood home audibly clicked open, snapping in place like the hammer on a revolver. Her heart stopped as she saw the door swing open and Carol Blizzard, her mother, looked out upon her.\n\nMayor Blizzard seemed just as tired as usual with weathered wrinkles lingering under her eternally heavy eyes. There wasn't a smile upon her lips but a stoic neutrality which made her seem so needlessly serious. At the very least, there was no additional grey in her hair, compared to last time, with only a few stray accents colouring her otherwise short blonde mane. \n\nOddly, she was in a bathrobe. It was the only thing that hung to her slender, yet foreboding, frame.\n\n``Hey mom,'' Noelle greeted, curious about this but not questioning it too much. Maybe her mother had an earlier workout than usual. A rarity but not something which was completely out of the ordinary if her work required it. After all, everything in her life could be adjusted for the good of her work.\n\nA thought which only left Noelle a little bitter.\n\nCarol nodded. ``Noelle.''\n\n``Am I interrupting something?'' Noelle quickly added. ``I can come back later if you need to take a bath or something.''\n\nHer mother looked at her and then glanced over her shoulder. ``It's cooling down. I have some time to spare.''\n\nShe took a step away from the door and ushered for her child to come inside. It was an offer which Noelle reluctantly took.\n\nNot much had changed since she'd last been here, the space still seeming as sterile and unlived in as always. It felt like the model of a home, an exhibition of what a house should've looked like. There was furniture and art but all of it had a quality that made it feel like it was pretending to be a place that monsters actually lived in. \n\nThe interior was extremely chilled, kept well below an average room temperature as the air conditioner rumbled away. It was just one more factor that removed this space from possibly feeling homelike.\n\n``How was the trip down here?'' Carol asked.\n\nNoelle stirred, remembering that her mother was still a person even if her home didn't feel like a home. ``It was good. Asriel drove us down.''\n\n``Let me guess, he went the speed limit the entire way?'' Carol asked, offering a thin smile.\n\n``Yeah,'' Noelle replied, hating that her chuckle sounded so strained, brimming with a nervous energy. Why couldn't she talk to her mother like an equal. ``Didn't even go ten over.''\n\n``I don't know what it is about the Dreemurr men. Though I guess I can't fault either of them for caring about safety,'' Carol chided, shaking her head. ``It's an endearing trait.''\n\nShe moved towards the kitchen and Noelle followed her. Like the entryway the space felt artificial, like she was in a simulation or the Ikea version of a kitchen. The only thing that stood out as even being remotely imperfect was a pair of plates with crumbs upon them which rested upon the island. That and two empty wine glasses which were placed in the sink with a splash of red lingering in each.\n\nStrange of Carol to let two days worth of dishes build up before loading the dishwasher.\n\n``Stressed about a project?'' Noelle asked.\n\nCarol stirred, looking surprised. ``No, everything is running about as smoothly as usual. The batch of interns that we got this year are proving to be surprisingly capable.'' She stood next to the island, resting against it. ``So, I don't even have that headache to contend with.''\n\nNoelle nodded and tore her gaze away from the wine glasses. She instead came over and rested against the island as well. Though she ensured that she took up a position on the opposite side from her mother, needing that no man?s land in order to feel safe. ``That's good.''\n\n``There's a post next summer if you're looking for a co-op placement,'' Carol explained, offering a thin smile before glancing to the stairs leading to the second floor. ``I know that your grades must be more than good enough for it.''\n\n``Yeah totally,'' Noelle replied, taking the opportunity to rub at her arm.\n\nShe could do this. She could totally do this.\n\n``How are your... partners doing?'' Carol asked.\n\nPartners, the word was said unsteady. It was like that very alignment of letters was a concept brought about from some far-off alien language.\n\n``Kris is excelling at all of their classes and Susie is thinking about applying for college next year,'' Noelle replied, trying to shore up her smile. ``Apparently she wants to get into cooking.''\n\n``That's good to hear,'' Carol said, nodding.\n\nThe two of them let the sentence falter, the conversation surrendering itself to an awkward pause. It was obvious that Carol wanted to get back to her bath and then probably return to slaving away at whatever proposals and emails she decided to fill her evening with.\n\nAnd Noelle, well she just wanted to get back to Kris and Susie and her friends.\n\nRip the band-aid off, it'll hurt less.\n\n``I was wondering if I could talk to you about something,'' Noelle said, biting her lip as she teetered upon the brink. There was one last chance to back out, one last opportunity to save herself from plunging into this potential abyss. ``It's... it's kind of important.''\n\nCarol glanced to the stairs once more and then back to her child, nodding. She tried to seem reassuring but the warmth fell flat. ``What is it, dear?''\n\nNoelle worked her jaw, trying to figure out the best way to convey her point. She was honestly surprised that Carol seemed concerned, even more so that her mother was not rushing things. That fact made her father's story ring out inside of her head.\n\n``I'm thinking of changing majors!'' Noelle blurted.\n\nCarol frowned. ``I see...''\n\nThat was honestly about what she'd expected.\n\n``I'm... I'm not really enjoying my current political science major and I don't think that it's honestly the best fit for me,'' Noelle explained, looking down at her hands.\n\nCarol nodded. ``Well, the first two years can be used in other fields. I know a lot of your coursework is transferable to something like business management or monster resources. Maybe they're not as...''\n\n``I'm getting into writing,'' Noelle cut in, looking up at her mother. ``I'm thinking of switching my major to creative writing and trying to make it as an author.''\n\nCarol scoffed. ``No, you aren't.''\n\nNoelle blinked. ``What do you mean, `no you aren't'.''\n\n``You're having a phase, Noelle,'' Carol replied, narrowing her gaze as she flicked a wrist towards her. ``You're seeing how easy the Dreemurr child has it and are getting cold feet about how much work people, with actual jobs, have to do in order to see their dreams come to fruition.''\n\n``This... That's...'' Noelle shook her head. ``Kris works far harder than I ever did in order to make their dreams come to life. Do you have any idea how much time they spend on...''\n\n``My daughter wanted to be a political science major and I don't intend to let her...'' Carol cut in.\n\nNoelle huffed, glaring at her. ``You wanted me to be a political science major, mom!'' She shook her head and prodded herself in the chest with a finger. ``I was never given a choice on the matter. You literally sat by my side while I picked out my coursework and ensured that I only selected the classes that you wanted me to pick.''\n\n``I'm not just going to let you throw your life away,'' Carol grumbled.\n\n``Throw my life away?'' Noelle asked, laughing as she gave her head another tired shake. That statement was just utterly flabbergasting, almost making her speechless. ``If anything, I'm finally learning to live my life.''\n\n``Noelle, I...'' Carol huffed. ``I get that your workload can be stressful but you've already progressed well into your second year. Think about how much time and effort went into this. Are you really just going to throw it all away.''\n\nNoelle went silent for a moment, looking off to the side.\n\n``If you'd like, maybe we can discuss some minors that you could explore that might help you work through some of these creative urges that you're clearly having,'' Carol stated, shaking her head. ``If anything, being creative would be a fine skillset to help foster and develop in our field.''\n\nVoices came to Noelle, flying through her grey matter one after another. There was Kris, Susie, Catti, Rudy, Ralsei, Asgore, Toriel, and Asriel. One by one they told her the same thing, each of their memories propping her up, filling her with courage, fortifying her strength.\n\n``Plus, there's nothing to stop you from telling your little stories during your off time while pursuing a more reasonable career,'' Carol stated. ``There are many perfectly good hours that aren't dedicated to work.''\n\nShe could do this.\n\n``I honestly think that you just need to spend a little less time listening to Dreemurr while they're trying to sell you a bridge,'' Carol continued.\n\nShe!\n\nCould!\n\nDo!\n\nThis!\n\n``No,'' Noelle said.\n\nCarol blinked. ``What do you mean `no'?'\n\n``No, I am not going to just hide this part of me and become like you,'' Noelle stated, thrusting a finger at her mother. ``I am living my life the way that I want to live it and if you don't like that then that is your problem.''\n\n``I knew I should've made you live in dorms instead of moving in with those two...'' Carol began.\n\n``With the people that I love?'' Noelle asked, actually laughing at that.\n\nCarol scoffed. ``If you loved them then you wouldn't make them fight for your affection.''\n\nNoelle felt an angry pit take shape within her stomach. This hollowness was ice cold and slowly filled with a rather vile poison. \n\nHad her mother really just?\n\n``I love them both and they both love me,'' Noelle said.\n\nCarol scoffed. ``If that were true then they wouldn't be trying to ruin your future.''\n\n``They're allowing me to be me in the present,'' Noelle replied, glaring at her mother. ``And they've done more to help me grow than you ever did.''\n\n``This is...'' Carol shook her head. ``This is ridiculous. You've put so much effort into this and now you just want to throw it all away. I understand that living alone has provided you with some freedom but this is too much. I think...'' She motioned with her hand, clearly not trusting her words. ``How about you take a semester off and return home, that would surely help reorient you and give you some time to rethink things.''\n\n``No,'' Noelle said.\n\nCarol scoffed. ``You're being brash.''\n\n``I'm being me,'' Noelle replied, slapping her hand down upon the countertop. The blow hurt but she didn't let it be seen, gritting her teeth through the pain.\n\n``You're being inflexible and stubborn,'' Carol retorted, her hackles visibly rising.\n\nNoelle almost laughed at that, shaking her head at the audacity of such a statement. ``I'm being stubborn?'' She then actually did laugh, bellowing with the darkest mirth imaginable. ``I'm being inflexible?''\n\nCarol narrowed her gaze.\n\n``That's rich coming from you,'' Noelle replied, pushing away from the island and then taking a step back. She paced in place, heading back and forth as she ran a hand through her hair. It was hard to pick which argument she wanted to make in response to a statement like that. ``You've literally controlled my entire life. You picked out which classes I took, which hobbies I pursued, and which friends it was okay for me to have. There wasn't a moment where I was allowed to be who I actually wanted to be.''\n\nCarol was silent though her nostrils flared. Her gaze narrowed and it seemed that there was a sharp comment just lingering upon the very tip of her tongue, looking for an excuse to come free.\n\n``But I should thank you,'' Noelle chastised, snapping to the side and looking at her. ``Because you taught me how to be flexible. You taught me how to listen to the concerns of my loved ones and be there to listen and help them through it. The lack of empathy and respect that you showed me growing up, taught me to show empathy and respect to others.''\n\n``Noelle...'' Carol began.\n\nNoelle held up her finger. ``So cut me off, disown me, and punish me for acting out. Just know that I have people who love me and I'm doing things that make me happy. I've lived a richer life over the last few months than you have over the course of your entire freaking life.'' She cackled as she motioned to the sterile room around her. ``Like, is this really the future you wanted for me? A house which is way too big for a person who is far too alone. You might be happy being alone, but I'm not.''\n\n``Carol...'' a new voice called, coming from upstairs.\n\nCarol tensed.\n\nNoelle looked at her and then towards the stairs, feeling that pit take hold within her stomach once more. It was yet again filled with a toxic essence, so cold and insurmountable.\n\n``Who is that?'' Noelle asked.\n\nThere was movement as this new voice came towards them from the hall, heading down the stairs and making himself known. It was the very same horse monster from the convenience store, dressed in a matching bathrobe to Carol. A bathrobe which had once belonged to her father.\n\nHe was young and handsome and...\n\nOh...\n\nTwo wine glasses... Two dirty plates...\n\nOh god...\n\n``Who is that?'' both the horse and Noelle asked at once.\n\nCarol sighed and massaged her temples between her forefinger and thumb. ``Anthony, this is my daughter, Noelle. Noelle, this is... Anthony... he's my...'' She closed her eyes, barely whispering the phrase as she let out a heavy sigh. ``It's complicated.''\n\nAnthony and Noelle looked at each other.\n\n``Hi.''\n\n``Howdy.''\n\nThen something clicked for Noelle, something that she absolutely didn't want to think about. It smothered her in a blanket of bad thoughts, besieging her psyche so utterly. There was something about Anthony that looked so familiar, that reminded her of life back in the city.\n\nThen it clicked and Noelle never regretted a thought more in her life.\n\n``Wait...'' Noelle whispered, looking at him. ``Aren't you a political science TA for Dr. Keynes' class?''\n\nAnthony nodded. ``A lot of us fourth year students are.''\n\n``You're a fourth-year student?'' Noelle asked, shaking her head as she did the math ``But I'm in my second year. Doesn't that mean...''\n\nCarol groaned.\n\nHe was only two years older than her.\n\nNoelle reached into her purse and grabbed the bottle of amber liquor, looking at it and hearing the shopkeeper's words ring out within her head. Was he a prophet, a soothsayer, some sort of extra-dimensional being who could read spacetime?\n\nShe laughed as she cracked open the bottle and took a purposeful pull from it, chugging several ounces at once.\n\nThis was honestly the only rational thing to do in this most irrational of worlds.\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "A tension permeated throughout the room, being so thick that it would probably require a knife in order to be severed. It was an unease which seemed to infect every moment, a toxin that tainted these last few sacred interactions together.

For Noelle, this tension came in the form of a pit within her stomach. Something which had completely hollowed out her appetite, making it impossible for her to do anything but poke at the breakfast of yogurt and berries which Ralsei had prepared for them.

As she looked at her partners, she could see that they weren't doing much better, idly prodding at the pinkish meal with an equally foreboding look upon their faces. And as she glanced at Ralsei, she could see the hollowness in his eyes, could sense it tugging at the fringes of his forced smile.

Not one of them had spoken in a good long while, words feeling pretty inadequate to get the concept across.

``I...'' Noelle began. ``I had a lot of fun.''

``Same,'' Kris replied, nodding.

``Ditto,'' Susie agreed, looking down at her spoon as she allowed herself another sample of yogurt. ``I... I'm just bummed that it has to end, you know?''

And there it was, the elephant in the room. All it needed was acknowledgement in order to make its presence known.

``Yeah,'' Ralsei murmured, shaking his head. ``Distance sucks.''

``It really does,'' Kris said, sighing. ``At least there are only a few more months until summer break starts.''

``And then we'll be in your hair for a few months instead of only a couple days,'' Susie chided as she flashed a toothy smile at Ralsei. ``You'll be sick of us by then.''

Ralsei smirked. ``I can't wait.'' He idly glanced past them and towards the door as if he could peer through the wood and at the dark fountain that lingered beyond. ``When do you need to be back by?''

``Mom wants us home for breakfast,'' Kris said. ``So, we'll need to head back in a little while.''

Susie nodded. ``It's been a lot of fun, dude.''

Ralsei rubbed at his cheek with the back of his hand, almost looking strong in the face of everything. But his composure had started to fray, his complexion twitching as he sniffled, obviously fighting back against the misery of this moment.

Kris placed their yogurt aside and slid over, pressing themself against him. ``Hey, hey, hey, it's okay.''

``I know, I know,'' Ralsei said, though his words felt like they were spoken for the benefit of the others and not himself. It sounded more like the words of someone who was trying to reassure themself about a lie. ``I'll just miss you guys, that?s all.''

``We'll miss you too,'' Susie said, coming over as well and pressing herself into his other side. She reached up and started to stroke his mane. ``I... we'll... I know the distance is hard but in a few years these two will be done with school and we can head back to Hometown.''

Ralsei sobbed though nodded regardless, continuing to rub tears out of his eyes. For a moment, it seemed that he was finally going to lose his shit, teetering upon the brink. Thankfully he seemed to collect himself at the last minute, returning to his sniffling instead.

Noelle came over as well, sliding into a position in front of him. She reached out and took his free hand within both of her own, squeezing it tightly. Her thumbs brushed across his knuckles, stroking them tenderly.

Ralsei seemed taken aback by this but his shock quickly subsided as he offered Noelle a warm smile. ``Live for the moments we do have together,'' he whispered, winking at her with one of his reddened bloodshot eyes. ``Right?''

Noelle smiled. ``Exactly.''

``Summer isn't that far away,'' Ralsei told himself, closing his eyes and drawing in a long deep breath. It seemed to help, if only a little. ``Summer isn't that far away.''

That statement seemed to lift the siege, bringing about just a smidgen of control back to the current atmosphere of the room. At the very least, Ralsei's tears dried up and a more genuine smile soon overcame him.

Ralsei snorted. ``I'm so losing my shit when you three are gone for real.''

Susie smirked and kissed the top of his head. ``I know you will, hun.''

``I love you guys,'' Ralsei whispered, looking at Kris and then Susie. ``I hope that you know that.''

``Love you too,'' Kris replied.

Susie nodded. ``Love you lots.''

``Love you,'' Noelle quickly added, grinning at him. ``I had a lot of fun these last few days. It's honestly been really nice to get to know you a little better.''

Ralsei looked at her, seemingly shocked by this confession. Still, he couldn't help but nod in agreement. ``Yeah, it's... it's been really nice to get to know you a little better too, Noelle. I can see why Kris and Susie love you so much.''

Noelle drew in a breath at that, glancing at both her partners. Those words made her poor little doe brain fizzle, filling it with pride. She smiled at Ralsei before bringing his paw to her mouth and giving it a kiss.

``And I can see why they care so much about you,'' Noelle replied.

For a moment, not one of them spoke, obviously not trusting themselves to do so. It felt like any syllable, so much as even breathing funny would expedite the process and bring them that much closer to the end.

Noelle wanted this moment to last an eternity, desiring nothing more than to let this warmth and comfort and tender affection become her entire existence. And she had a feeling that there wasn't a soul in the room who wanted anything else aside from that.

But all good things had to come to an end eventually and there were few moments as good as this one.

A faint chiptune soon pierced the silence, coming from Kris' satchel.

They groaned and reached into it, pulling out their cell phone. ``It's eight in the morning.''

Ralsei frowned. ``Time to head back?''

Kris nodded and drew away, getting to their feet. They were reluctantly followed by Susie, then Noelle, and finally Ralsei himself. Together they made their way towards the palace's doors, moving as slowly as they could.

Every second mattered and every moment was so very important. They needed to draw this out, delaying the inevitable just a little longer, making the end that much slower to arrive. Though in the end there was only so much time that could be wasted before each of them stood beside the door.

``You three enjoy the rest of your spring break,'' Ralsei beamed, once more rubbing at his eyes. ``And make sure to say hi to all of our friends for me.''

Susie grinned. ``Will do.''

Noelle turned to face him, dipping forwards and giving him a little peck upon the lips. There were no more voices within her head, nothing to stop her from enjoying this affection fully.

This sudden kiss seemed to take Ralsei aback, making him blink repeatedly, clearly left in a stunned stupor. Yet, he soon responded with a kiss of his own, dipping forwards in order to repay her kindness.

``Thanks for helping me learn some new things about myself,'' Noelle said, blushing.

Ralsei grinned, looking oddly bashful as a fresh pink promptly flooded into his cheeks. ``You're very welcome, Noelle.''

``And thanks for all the good food,'' Susie added, waving at him ``Going to be hard to go back home after that.''

``Oh, come now, I know all three of you are very good cooks in your own right,'' Ralsei teased, winking at her. ``And you don't even need to rely on cauldron magic to manage it.''

Kris smirked and rested their hand upon the door. ``And thanks for all of the amazing sex, Asriel.''

Everyone went silent.

For a second, Kris looked confused, glancing from them one after another. ``What?''

Then it clicked as their eyes immediately widened. ``Fuck...''

Ralsei blinked, obviously stunned by such a confession.

Susie was also silent.

But Noelle?

Well, Noelle cackled, thrusting a finger at her partner. ``I fucking knew it!''

[hr]

Waking up at six in the morning felt bad. It felt a whole lot worse when it was now nine and the lack of sleep was already starting to catch up with you.

Noelle felt like a zombie as she lurched into Toriel's home, lumbering over to the sofa and face planting upon it.

``Welcome home kids,'' Toriel beamed from the kitchen. ``There's a full pot of coffee ready just in case you need it.''

``Thanks, mom,'' Kris murmured, heading to the kitchen themself.

``Mind grabbing me a cup?'' Susie asked.

``Me too?'' Noelle added, hoping that her voice made it past the couch cushion plastered against her face.

Kris made an affirmative response that barely felt like a word.

``So, did you kids have fun in the Dark World?'' Toriel asked, turning to face them with a mixing bowl in hand. She was whisking something together. ``I really need to find an excuse to head back there someday and catch up with Ralsei.''

``Tons,'' Susie said as she moved over to the dining room table, thudding into one of the seats. ``Ate good food, caught up with friends, and just had a lot of fun chilling.''

Kris lumbered out of the kitchen and headed over to the dining room table themself, placing three large mugs of coffee down upon it. Fittingly, each vessel bore an orange tabby cat who seemed just about as exhausted as Noelle currently felt.

``Thanks, babe,'' Noelle called

Kris kept one of the mugs for themself, taking a generous sip from it.

``Dude isn't that scalding?'' Susie asked, a mix of pride and worry lingering in her voice.

Kris groaned, letting a contrail of steam out of their mouth. ``Don't care.''

Noelle got up as well, making her way over to the dining room table and taking a seat. She grabbed her mug and blew upon it, helping herself to a sip. The alluring warmth of stimulating caffeine was like a bucket of cold water, managing to jolt her awake.

``Do you need any help, Miss Sueno?'' she asked, looking at the matriarch.

Toriel shook her head. ``I think that I should be okay but you'll be the first to know if I need anything.'' She placed the mixing bowl down and glided along the countertop, moving over to a frying pan which she placed upon the stovetop. ``So, how is Ralsei doing?''

``Busy being a ruler,'' Susie said.

``Shame that no one would believe you if you were to put your relationship with him on your resume,'' Toriel teased, shaking her head. ``Because being advisors to a Prince seems like it would be a rather nice addition to any potential employers.''

She picked up a squeeze bottle of oil and spritzed a little into the pan before turning up the stove to a modest setting.

``What's on the docket today?'' she then asked, turning to look at them.

Noelle hummed. ``I need to talk to my mom at some point.''

``My condolences,'' Toriel ribbed, some legitimate worry creeping into her otherwise soft eyes. ``I would not wish a difficult conversation with Mayor Blizzard upon anyone. Let alone someone like yourself, dear.''

Noelle didn't know what to honestly reply to that with. It was the truth, plain and simple. Maybe in the past she would've tried to defend her mother. But now that she had an in depth look at how other families worked, she knew that there was little to be said in defense of Carol Blizzard and her unique method of mothering.

Thankfully, she was saved from having to say anything as there was soon the sound of footsteps moving down towards the living room. One set was pretty heavy while the other was far lighter, coming down together as one.

``Morning,'' Asriel grumbled, yawning.

Toriel smirked. ``You stomp down the stairs like your father.''

``Oh hey, look who's finally showed up,'' Chara teased, waving at the trio as they made their way over to the coffeemaker. ``Was worried that we weren't going to see you for the rest of this vacation.''

Noelle was about to reply but something caught her eye, causing her sentence to fade away.

Chara's shirt was too big and left one of their shoulders exposed, revealing that there was a large bandage plastered over top of their skin. It was sizeable, covering a pretty decent amount of flesh, at least several inches of it.

``What happened to you?'' Noelle asked.

Chara snorted as they poured themself a cup of coffee. ``Mountain biking accident.''

Noelle glanced from them and towards Asriel, seeing that he nodded resolutely. ``Took a nasty spill while we were working our way through some of the forest trails south of town.''

Oh, he had always had such a terrible poker face. Even Noelle could tell that he was lying.

Kris grinned, obviously picking up on this as well. ``Oh, which trails were you taking?''

``What was the name of it again?'' Chara asked, blowing upon their cup as they helped themself to a sip. ``I think it was called Jacob's Pass?''

Susie lifted a brow though something promptly clicked as she joined in upon this developing inside joke. She shook her head, scoffing. ``I thought they closed Jacob's Pass like five years ago.''

Noelle smirked, deciding not to remind Asriel and Chara that Jacob's Pass was also to the north of town.

``H-hence why we took a nasty spill,'' Asriel quickly said.

Kris smirked. ``Gasp! You were violating the law, Azzy? I would never think that you'd do something like that.''

There was suddenly the sound of a pan sizzling as Toriel poured some of the batter inside. A thin smile crept onto her lips as she worked, the glint of something mischievous lingering at the very edges of her persona.

Was Noelle the only one to notice that?

Could it be that she knew exactly what was...

``What can I say, at least a little bit of Dess is still rubbing off on me,'' Asriel chided, taking a seat at the table.

Chara came over and placed down a mug of creamy coffee in front of him before taking the seat directly next to him. They slowly sipped their black coffee before leaning over and resting their weary head upon his shoulder.

``Honestly, I feel like a little bit of an ass,'' they said. ``I was the one who goaded him into doing it.''

Asriel placed his hand over top of their own, giving it a squeeze. ``Was fun though.''

``Tons,'' Chara replied, grinning at him.

``You know, Asriel, dear,'' Toriel called from the stove. ``Me and your father used to have quite a few mountain biking accidents back when we were your age.''

Asriel's eyes widened. ``Oh?''

Chara snickered, grinning at Noelle as they whispered under their breath. ``Busted.''

``Is that so?'' Noelle asked, looking towards Toriel as well.

Toriel nodded. ``I'm just hoping that you used proper first air techniques.'' She smirked and wagged a finger at her child. ``After all, the mouth is full of all sorts of nasty germs and I'd hate for Chara to get an infection.''

Kris and Chara snickered uncontrollably while Asriel just seemed utterly mortified by this piece of advice, blankly staring off into the distance.

Toriel smirked and shook her head. ``You are aware that your parents were in their twenties at one point, correct?''

``I mean logically,'' Asriel replied, sounding defeated and oh so hollow. ``Just... didn't realize that you and dad used to do that sort of stuff.''

``Well, I won't bore you with the graphic details,'' Toriel teased, waving him off before reaching for a spatula. ``But just be aware that your father also had a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth that had their uses from time to time.''

Asriel groaned. ``Let's stop talking about this.''

``Personally, I think this is a very productive conversation to be having,'' Kris ribbed, grinning with an overly catty glee. ``Let's keep talking about it.''

Asriel lifted a brow. ``Do you want to fight fire-with-fire, little sib?''

Kris pursed their lips together.

``Does anyone have a recent photo of Ralsei that I can see?'' Asriel asked, glaring coldly at their sibling.

Noelle snickered and Susie covered her face with a hand, rippling with laughter while doing her best to hide it. Which was a very bad job, considering the sheer number of sputtering cackles which escaped her.

``I do,'' Susie finally said as managed to get her shit together.

Kris sighed. ``Did everyone know about this?''

``Know about what?'' Toriel asked, looking over her shoulder. ``I think that Ralsei is a very handsome young man and the two of you are a rather cute item when you're together.''

``T-thanks, mom,'' Kris whispered.

Susie placed her phone down upon the table and slid it over to Asriel and Chara.

Asriel looked at it for a moment but merely smiled back at Kris, flashing those canines with all of the carnivorous glee that he could muster. This was a hound who had just sniffed out fresh blood. He didn't say so much as a word, letting the implications do the speaking for him.

Chara looked at it then looked at Kris before looking down at the phone once more. They then whistled to themself. ``Suddenly things are making way more sense.''

``What does that mean?'' Kris yelped.

Chara shrugged and flashed a catty little smile. ``Just noticed that you guys have a top-loading washing machine is all.''

Noelle giggled. ``Easy for someone to get stuck in.''

``Kris did need a lot of help getting out of it growing up,'' Asriel ribbed.

``Now, now,'' Toriel stated, pointing at her son with a spatula. ``It isn't very nice to make fun of your sibling for being shorter than you.''

``That's not what he's making fun of them for,'' Susie replied, snickering.

Toriel nodded. ``I just wanted to make sure.''

``Oh, is that the game that you want to play?'' Kris asked, drawing in a breath and leaning over the table, glaring coldly at Asriel. ``I'm not the only one with skeletons.''

``Is that so?'' Asriel asked, leaning forwards as well.

Kris smirked, flashing their own lesser canines. Yet, they were no less intimidating as they practically glimmered with ravenous intent. ``Monsters outnumber humans by what? Twenty-to-one?''

``I think it's thirty-five-to-one,'' Noelle said.

Asriel flushed and scratched at his chin. ``I uh... I'm not familiar with that specific statistic.''

Chara just grinned, absolutely devouring this.

Kris nodded. ``Thirty-five-to-one and you just happen to be dating a human.'' They scoffed, pointing at Chara. ``A nonbinary human who just happens to also be a complete and other goblin.''

``Golly what are the chances?'' Chara asked, smirking at Kris before grinning with bratty glee at Asriel. ``I think they've got you there, big guy''

Asriel groaned. ``Et tu?''

But anyways change of subject,'' Kris said, batting their lashes one last time at Asriel before shifting their attention exclusively towards Noelle. ``Do you want to head right to your mom's place after breakfast?''

The change of subject was jarring, rapidly shoving Noelle away from the prior mirth and into something far more anxiety inducing. It seemed that Kris realized their mistake immediately as they promptly winced while also receiving a heated look from Susie in turn.

Though they were right, Noelle really did need to think about this.

``I think that I want to see my dad first,'' Noelle said, biting her lip. ``See if he has some last-minute advice to help shore myself up.''

Susie nodded. ``Do you want us to come with you?''

``Nah.'' Noelle sighed, rubbing at her arm. ``I should probably talk to my mom alone, I... I need to do this myself. I can't always rely on you two to fight my battles for me.''

Susie frowned but didn't shoot down the idea.

``What are we talking about?'' Chara asked.

Noelle glanced at them. ``I'm telling my mom that I'm planning to swap from a political science major and go into creative writing instead.''

``And her mom is a controlling freak,'' Susie grumbled.

``Who happens to be the mayor of this town,'' Kris added.

``And is trying to shape Noelle into being her successor,'' Asriel finished, reaching over and patting the top of Noelle's hand. ``But that doesn't matter because you got this.''

Noelle frowned and looked down at her coffee, watching the way that the cream swirled around in little splotches of lighter brown. She brought the beverage to her lips and took another sip, hoping beyond reason that it would help settle her.

Yet, that was impossible.

She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, playing out a hundred unkind scenarios inside of her head. They came one after another, predicting every single way that this could possibly go wrong, every single means by which she would be disowned.

Carol was a lot of things, very few of them redeeming. But... but she was still Noelle's mother. And she wasn't ready to sever that tie unless it was strictly necessary.

``I...'' Asriel drew his hand away. ``I know that Dess would've been proud of you for doing this.''

Noelle's eyes widened as she looked at him.

Asriel smiled. ``She never liked how your mother was grooming you for this. Always wanted you to be your own person. I know that if she were still here, she'd be rooting for you.''

Susie placed a hand upon Noelle's shoulder, dragging a reassuring thumb across her coat. Kris was also there as they leaned into her side, nuzzling against her arm and offering what little support that they could.

``You got this, babe,'' Kris offered.

Toriel sighed. ``I'm sorry to break up this tender moment but uh... breakfast requires some outside assistance from the many idle hands in my dining room.''

Everyone stirred.

``Let me help with the eggs,'' Chara said, springing to their feet.

Kris grinned. ``I can chop veggies.''

``I'll help with whatever,'' Susie said as she pushed herself out of her seat.

Asriel gave Noelle one last look, saluting her with his coffee while offering her a warm smile. Though his attention soon turned towards his mother. ``Dibs on the dishes.''

``I'll help Azzy with them,'' Noelle offered, looking at Toriel.

``Thank you,'' Toriel said before giving Noelle the warmest smile imaginable. ``Oh, and dear, if your mother is a stubborn witch, I just want you to know that I'll always have room in my heart for one more daughter.''

Noelle felt her eyes water.

Toriel winced. ``Too much?''

Noelle shook her head.

[hr]

It felt strange to walk through Hometown alone, reminding Noelle a lot of High School when she used to venture home with nothing but her earbuds for company. Her pace was brisk as she moved ahead, the sound of hyperpop keeping her going.

She walked past one home and then another as the terrain of the town transitioned from houses and towards storefronts and shops. A few people recognized her, waving. She would of course wave back. Though they seemed to know that she was on a mission, not trying to strike up an idle conversation.

In the distance, she spotted a familiar flower shop, just past an equally familiar convenience store. She was just about to pass the latter when a figure exited the former, stepping forward without looking both ways.

Noelle cried out as the two of them nearly collided. She stumbled to an abrupt stop in front of him.

The gentleman looked strange, foreign, not belonging to this town. At least as far as Noelle could tell. He was a horse who was tall, lanky, and oddly handsome. He seemed young, maybe only a little older than herself.

It wasn't unheard of for new blood to filter into Hometown but it was still an oddity when it actually happened.

``Sorry,'' the horse quickly said as Noelle popped out her earbuds. He offered her a wave, looking rather sheepish. ``My bad.''

``It's okay,'' Noelle said.

He ducked away with paper bags in hand, walking briskly towards the residential parts of Hometown.

When Noelle turned back around, she saw the shopkeeper leaning against the wall next to the convenience store's entrance.

``Hey,'' he said, nodding to her.

Noelle smiled. ``Hi, sorry I can't really chat, I'm...''

``Don't worry, I know,'' the shopkeeper quickly interjected, holding up his boney hand. ``This isn't really the kind of story I usually end up in anyways.''

Noelle blinked. ``What?''

``Just here to give you something,'' he said, tossing her a bottle of brownish liquor.

Noelle caught it and looked it over before glancing at him. ``Huh?''

``Trust me,'' he said. ``I know how these things go.''

That's all he said as he slipped back inside, closing the door behind himself.

Noelle blinked, looking down at the bottle and then at the shop door before finally looking over her shoulder to see the horse dip around the corner. In the end, she simply shook her head, slipping the bottle inside of her purse. At the very least, it seemed to be a couple shots of a pretty decent rum.

``What the fuck was that about?'' she finally asked herself, continuing ahead regardless.

It was only a couple more metres before she was outside of Rudy and Asgore's shop. There was a police car parked outside though this wasn't nearly as alarming as it would've been back in the city.

Noelle slipped inside, causing the little bell above the door to jingle.

``Carol is so fucking paranoid,'' a husky voice chided, scoffing with disdain. It belonged to Undyne who was leaning against the counter. ``Like, I get caring about safety but dumping that much money into cameras for a town like this, it's...''

Asgore peeked out from behind her, waving. ``Oh! Hello, Noelle.''

``Shit,'' Undyne hissed, turning and offering her a nervous smile. ``How ya doing, kid?''

Noelle waved to the two of them, noticing that there was a small bag that rested between them. She didn't know what exactly was inside but it seemed to be some sort of brownish-grey plant matter.

``Pretty good,'' Noelle answered, allowing herself a thin smile. ``Were we bitching about my mother?''

Undyne sighed. ``Yeah.''

``Well, no need to stop on my account,'' Noelle teased, coming over and leaning against the counter. ``What has she been up to this time, that has you so stressed?''

``Paranoid about security like usual,'' Asgore stated, shaking his head. ``Apparently a few of the high schoolers spray painted the Founder's statue and she wanted to ensure that it doesn't happen again.''

Noelle cocked a brow. ``The one that doesn't have a head?''

``Exactly,'' Undyne said, letting out a frustrated little growling sound. ``That thing is already trashed beyond repair. I don't know why we're wasting money on taking care of that when we've needed new telecom equipment for like three years now. I'd just like to stop sending faxes and join the rest of the modern world, thank you very much.''

That was apparently all that needed to be said on the matter as she then reached into the little baggie on the counter and pulled out what appeared to be a mushroom cap, looking it over. ``How much of these should me and Alphys take?''

Asgore hummed. ``Start at a gram for your first trip then adjust your doses from there.''

``Wait are those...'' Noelle began.

``They are,'' Undyne quickly answered, grabbing the baggie and slipping it into her pocket. ``Alphys seemed interested in trying them out so I thought I'd pick up a bag.''

``Well, I can promise you that I have some of the highest quality ones in town and the only legal ones at that,'' Asgore teased before focusing his attention on Noelle. ``Were you looking for your father?''

Noelle nodded.

Asgore smiled and motioned to the door that led into the back of the shop. ``He's out in the garden.''

``Thanks, Mister Dreemurr,'' Noelle said.

She slipped behind the counter and headed into the back, seeing the various coolers which were filled with all sorts of flowers. There were also a few UV lights set up, supplying some greenery with life, along with a few dark boxes which sat next to a desk with various ledgers resting upon it. These were probably used for mushrooms if Noelle had to guess.

Noelle ignored them all as she headed out back, stepping into a proper garden. It was a gorgeous and almost industrial operation with countless rows upon rows of flowers in bloom. She spotted her father who was in his wheelchair, enjoying a glass of iced tea as he lingered next to a table.

Rudy perked up and looked at her, flashing a beaming smile. ``Oh hey, sweetie, back from your little Dark World vacation?''

``I am,'' Noelle said, coming over and taking a seat at the table as well. Her chair was obviously a seat meant for Asgore, practically feeling like a throne as she inhabited it.

It seemed that she had caught her father in the middle of breakfast as there was a half-eaten muffin on his plate.

``How are you doing, honey?'' Rudy asked.

``I'm good,'' Noelle said, biting her lip. ``I just wanted to come by and ask you about something.''

``Oh yeah?'' Rudy asked, looking her in the eye. He must've been able to pick up on the seriousness of her request as his expression slipped, just a little. ``Is everything okay?''

Noelle nodded and allowed her gaze to flinch away from his, instead settling on the table as she taped a single finger against the glass. It was an instinctive and almost rhythmic beat, something meant to distract her and make the poison pill that much easier to swallow.

``What...'' Noelle sighed. ``What did you tell mom when you broke the news to her that you intended to leave her?''

Rudy went silent, deathly silent. It seemed that even nature cooperated with him as there were no birds chirping, no breeze billowing by, not even the sound of traffic from the street outside. This was a conspiracy from the Angel themself to make this moment as awkward as possible.

``What did Kris do?'' he finally asked, sounding deathly serious.

Noelle perked up and snapped her gaze back to him, frantically waving her hands. ``No, no, no, I... I... this isn't about us breaking up or anything.''

``Oh, thank fuck,'' Rudy chided, shaking his head. ``Sorry, sorry, almost went into terminator mode there for a sec. Thought I was going to...'' He sighed in relief. ``Never mind.'' He drew in a breath and let it out slowly. ``So, why do you ask?''

``I'm thinking about finally breaking the news to mom that I intend to change majors,'' Noelle explained, resting her cheek against her palm. ``And I want to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.''

Rudy nodded and looked off to the side, seeing the sea of flowers that were planted in his backyard. It was a beautiful sight, the buds practically glimmering as the last essences of the morning dew hadn't quite evaporated yet.

``It was shockingly easy, if I can be completely honest,'' Rudy finally said, letting out a hollow note of laughter. ``I waited until you were just about to head off to university.'' He looked at her with a strained smile, pained even. ``I'd known for a while that I wanted this but I guess I held off because I wanted you to have a somewhat normal home life after our little all-star passed away.''

Our little all-star...

Dess had always hated that nickname.

``I'm sorry that I put you through that,'' Noelle said. She promptly winced as she realized what she had just said. ``Sorry, sorry, that's...''

``I put myself through that, sweetie,'' Rudy interrupted, offering a reassuring smile as he nodded to her. ``But yeah, I uh... I went to your mother's office and told her that I had something that I wanted to talk to her about. I think...'' He sighed and looked down at the table. ``I think she knew what was up because I actually managed to get her to stop working and give me her undivided attention for once. It was honestly a little unsettling.''

``Holy shit,'' Noelle whispered, snickering. Though her note of laughter was more than a little strained. ``That is pretty serious.''

``Honestly, it was a Defcon One kind of situation,'' Rudy ribbed. ``Still, I was honest and I told her how I felt. I told her that I hadn't really loved her the way that I once had. I told her that I had felt abandoned by her while I was sick. I told her that Asgore had been there for me. And I told her that while I still loved her, I didn't think that I could ever love her as much as I promised to when we first got married.''

He chuckled, shaking his head. His gaze was glossy, lost, obviously back to those memories from his not-so-distant past.

``She...'' Rudy sighed. ``She said that she knew. She even...'' He frowned. ``She even apologized for her part in all of that. Said that she knew that she wasn't the woman she promised to be either but admitted that she didn't know how to change.''

Noelle looked away from her father, imagining that scene now. It felt appropriate for them, fitting that things would not end with a bang but a whimper.

``She told me that she had felt many of the same things since we lost December,'' Rudy said, his lips quivering at the name. ``And that she wasn't there for me because she couldn't handle losing another loved one. It was... it was rough. It was really fucking rough, sweetie.''

He wiped his eyes.

``It sounds like it,'' Noelle replied.

Rudy nodded. ``But in the end, we both came to terms with the reality that we'd moved in separate directions with our lives. We agreed to split amicably and I still talk to her pretty frequently.'' He forced a laugh and looked at his daughter. ``Now if you want a story about a messy divorce, you should go talk to Asgore about his. It sounds like Tori had one hell of a throwing arm.''

Noelle snorted. ``I think I'm good.''

``I guess the moral of the story is that your mother might be stubborn and she might fight you on this...'' Rudy began, pausing to tear a little crumb off of his muffin and toss it into his mouth. He chewed upon it as he spoke. ``But she'll come around eventually. At least, I hope so.''

Noelle nodded. ``Me too.''

``She's...'' Rudy worked his jaw. ``She's a difficult woman, hun, but she does care about you and she does want you to be happy. The important thing is to make sure that you show her that your version of happiness is not always the same as her version of happiness.''

Noelle nodded.

Her version of happiness is not your version of happiness.

It was logically sound but a concept which had never sounded so daunting to discuss. In all her years of living, Noelle had never been able to accomplish something of this magnitude. It sometimes seemed that oceans would come and go before Carol would be talked into accepting someone else's point of view.

``I... I hope that helps?'' Rudy said, sounding more than a little unsure of himself.

Noelle nodded. ``It did... a little.'' She smiled at her father. ``Thanks, dad, I uh... I appreciate the help.''

``Anytime, sweetie,'' Rudy replied. ``I just want to make sure that my little girl is happy.''

[hr]

The house loomed over Noelle, being a towering monument of intimidating white walls with windows that looked like demonic eyes staring down upon her. This abode felt like a specter, emitting a wave of unease which weighed down heavily upon her as she slowly lumbered across the yard that led to her former front door. Each step felt like she weighed twice as much as she usually did as she endured this short trek.

Memories swirled within her mind, some happy, though many not nearly as pleasant to recall.

There was coldness and warmth, kindness and fear, longing and regret. It was a maelstrom within her psyche and it didn't feel like anything would dare pierce this status quo and grant her even the illusion of relief.

This was the last chance to run, the final moment for her to flee. Surely, she could tough out her major for a little longer. Maybe she could just finish it and then never do anything with it. Hell, there was even the possibility that working in politics and being a writer on the side was an achievable and totally reasonable goal to have.

Noelle shook her head.

No... no this was her life and she was going to be an adult about it.

She finally came to the front door, resting her hand against the wood. It was probably just her imagination but it was like the building stole heat from her, sucking it out through her fingertips like some sort of structural vampire who feasted upon her very warmth.

``You got this Noelle,'' she told herself.

``You do not,'' she told herself back.

Noelle drew in a deep breath and lifted her hand, letting it linger right above the door. A second went by, then two, then three, each adding to that tension inside of her stomach. Until finally, it grew too much to bear as she brought her knuckles down upon the wood, knocking three times in quick succession.

Then she waited, practically holding her breath as the silence seemed pretty keen on suffocating her. She could run, flee, sprint in the opposite direction. Surely everyone in her life would understand. After all, not one of them had a single nice thing to say about Carol.

Yet, before she could even think about retreating, the lock to her childhood home audibly clicked open, snapping in place like the hammer on a revolver. Her heart stopped as she saw the door swing open and Carol Blizzard, her mother, looked out upon her.

Mayor Blizzard seemed just as tired as usual with weathered wrinkles lingering under her eternally heavy eyes. There wasn't a smile upon her lips but a stoic neutrality which made her seem so needlessly serious. At the very least, there was no additional grey in her hair, compared to last time, with only a few stray accents colouring her otherwise short blonde mane.

Oddly, she was in a bathrobe. It was the only thing that hung to her slender, yet foreboding, frame.

``Hey mom,'' Noelle greeted, curious about this but not questioning it too much. Maybe her mother had an earlier workout than usual. A rarity but not something which was completely out of the ordinary if her work required it. After all, everything in her life could be adjusted for the good of her work.

A thought which only left Noelle a little bitter.

Carol nodded. ``Noelle.''

``Am I interrupting something?'' Noelle quickly added. ``I can come back later if you need to take a bath or something.''

Her mother looked at her and then glanced over her shoulder. ``It's cooling down. I have some time to spare.''

She took a step away from the door and ushered for her child to come inside. It was an offer which Noelle reluctantly took.

Not much had changed since she'd last been here, the space still seeming as sterile and unlived in as always. It felt like the model of a home, an exhibition of what a house should've looked like. There was furniture and art but all of it had a quality that made it feel like it was pretending to be a place that monsters actually lived in.

The interior was extremely chilled, kept well below an average room temperature as the air conditioner rumbled away. It was just one more factor that removed this space from possibly feeling homelike.

``How was the trip down here?'' Carol asked.

Noelle stirred, remembering that her mother was still a person even if her home didn't feel like a home. ``It was good. Asriel drove us down.''

``Let me guess, he went the speed limit the entire way?'' Carol asked, offering a thin smile.

``Yeah,'' Noelle replied, hating that her chuckle sounded so strained, brimming with a nervous energy. Why couldn't she talk to her mother like an equal. ``Didn't even go ten over.''

``I don't know what it is about the Dreemurr men. Though I guess I can't fault either of them for caring about safety,'' Carol chided, shaking her head. ``It's an endearing trait.''

She moved towards the kitchen and Noelle followed her. Like the entryway the space felt artificial, like she was in a simulation or the Ikea version of a kitchen. The only thing that stood out as even being remotely imperfect was a pair of plates with crumbs upon them which rested upon the island. That and two empty wine glasses which were placed in the sink with a splash of red lingering in each.

Strange of Carol to let two days worth of dishes build up before loading the dishwasher.

``Stressed about a project?'' Noelle asked.

Carol stirred, looking surprised. ``No, everything is running about as smoothly as usual. The batch of interns that we got this year are proving to be surprisingly capable.'' She stood next to the island, resting against it. ``So, I don't even have that headache to contend with.''

Noelle nodded and tore her gaze away from the wine glasses. She instead came over and rested against the island as well. Though she ensured that she took up a position on the opposite side from her mother, needing that no man?s land in order to feel safe. ``That's good.''

``There's a post next summer if you're looking for a co-op placement,'' Carol explained, offering a thin smile before glancing to the stairs leading to the second floor. ``I know that your grades must be more than good enough for it.''

``Yeah totally,'' Noelle replied, taking the opportunity to rub at her arm.

She could do this. She could totally do this.

``How are your... partners doing?'' Carol asked.

Partners, the word was said unsteady. It was like that very alignment of letters was a concept brought about from some far-off alien language.

``Kris is excelling at all of their classes and Susie is thinking about applying for college next year,'' Noelle replied, trying to shore up her smile. ``Apparently she wants to get into cooking.''

``That's good to hear,'' Carol said, nodding.

The two of them let the sentence falter, the conversation surrendering itself to an awkward pause. It was obvious that Carol wanted to get back to her bath and then probably return to slaving away at whatever proposals and emails she decided to fill her evening with.

And Noelle, well she just wanted to get back to Kris and Susie and her friends.

Rip the band-aid off, it'll hurt less.

``I was wondering if I could talk to you about something,'' Noelle said, biting her lip as she teetered upon the brink. There was one last chance to back out, one last opportunity to save herself from plunging into this potential abyss. ``It's... it's kind of important.''

Carol glanced to the stairs once more and then back to her child, nodding. She tried to seem reassuring but the warmth fell flat. ``What is it, dear?''

Noelle worked her jaw, trying to figure out the best way to convey her point. She was honestly surprised that Carol seemed concerned, even more so that her mother was not rushing things. That fact made her father's story ring out inside of her head.

``I'm thinking of changing majors!'' Noelle blurted.

Carol frowned. ``I see...''

That was honestly about what she'd expected.

``I'm... I'm not really enjoying my current political science major and I don't think that it's honestly the best fit for me,'' Noelle explained, looking down at her hands.

Carol nodded. ``Well, the first two years can be used in other fields. I know a lot of your coursework is transferable to something like business management or monster resources. Maybe they're not as...''

``I'm getting into writing,'' Noelle cut in, looking up at her mother. ``I'm thinking of switching my major to creative writing and trying to make it as an author.''

Carol scoffed. ``No, you aren't.''

Noelle blinked. ``What do you mean, `no you aren't'.''

``You're having a phase, Noelle,'' Carol replied, narrowing her gaze as she flicked a wrist towards her. ``You're seeing how easy the Dreemurr child has it and are getting cold feet about how much work people, with actual jobs, have to do in order to see their dreams come to fruition.''

``This... That's...'' Noelle shook her head. ``Kris works far harder than I ever did in order to make their dreams come to life. Do you have any idea how much time they spend on...''

``My daughter wanted to be a political science major and I don't intend to let her...'' Carol cut in.

Noelle huffed, glaring at her. ``You wanted me to be a political science major, mom!'' She shook her head and prodded herself in the chest with a finger. ``I was never given a choice on the matter. You literally sat by my side while I picked out my coursework and ensured that I only selected the classes that you wanted me to pick.''

``I'm not just going to let you throw your life away,'' Carol grumbled.

``Throw my life away?'' Noelle asked, laughing as she gave her head another tired shake. That statement was just utterly flabbergasting, almost making her speechless. ``If anything, I'm finally learning to live my life.''

``Noelle, I...'' Carol huffed. ``I get that your workload can be stressful but you've already progressed well into your second year. Think about how much time and effort went into this. Are you really just going to throw it all away.''

Noelle went silent for a moment, looking off to the side.

``If you'd like, maybe we can discuss some minors that you could explore that might help you work through some of these creative urges that you're clearly having,'' Carol stated, shaking her head. ``If anything, being creative would be a fine skillset to help foster and develop in our field.''

Voices came to Noelle, flying through her grey matter one after another. There was Kris, Susie, Catti, Rudy, Ralsei, Asgore, Toriel, and Asriel. One by one they told her the same thing, each of their memories propping her up, filling her with courage, fortifying her strength.

``Plus, there's nothing to stop you from telling your little stories during your off time while pursuing a more reasonable career,'' Carol stated. ``There are many perfectly good hours that aren't dedicated to work.''

She could do this.

``I honestly think that you just need to spend a little less time listening to Dreemurr while they're trying to sell you a bridge,'' Carol continued.

She!

Could!

Do!

This!

``No,'' Noelle said.

Carol blinked. ``What do you mean `no'?'

``No, I am not going to just hide this part of me and become like you,'' Noelle stated, thrusting a finger at her mother. ``I am living my life the way that I want to live it and if you don't like that then that is your problem.''

``I knew I should've made you live in dorms instead of moving in with those two...'' Carol began.

``With the people that I love?'' Noelle asked, actually laughing at that.

Carol scoffed. ``If you loved them then you wouldn't make them fight for your affection.''

Noelle felt an angry pit take shape within her stomach. This hollowness was ice cold and slowly filled with a rather vile poison.

Had her mother really just?

``I love them both and they both love me,'' Noelle said.

Carol scoffed. ``If that were true then they wouldn't be trying to ruin your future.''

``They're allowing me to be me in the present,'' Noelle replied, glaring at her mother. ``And they've done more to help me grow than you ever did.''

``This is...'' Carol shook her head. ``This is ridiculous. You've put so much effort into this and now you just want to throw it all away. I understand that living alone has provided you with some freedom but this is too much. I think...'' She motioned with her hand, clearly not trusting her words. ``How about you take a semester off and return home, that would surely help reorient you and give you some time to rethink things.''

``No,'' Noelle said.

Carol scoffed. ``You're being brash.''

``I'm being me,'' Noelle replied, slapping her hand down upon the countertop. The blow hurt but she didn't let it be seen, gritting her teeth through the pain.

``You're being inflexible and stubborn,'' Carol retorted, her hackles visibly rising.

Noelle almost laughed at that, shaking her head at the audacity of such a statement. ``I'm being stubborn?'' She then actually did laugh, bellowing with the darkest mirth imaginable. ``I'm being inflexible?''

Carol narrowed her gaze.

``That's rich coming from you,'' Noelle replied, pushing away from the island and then taking a step back. She paced in place, heading back and forth as she ran a hand through her hair. It was hard to pick which argument she wanted to make in response to a statement like that. ``You've literally controlled my entire life. You picked out which classes I took, which hobbies I pursued, and which friends it was okay for me to have. There wasn't a moment where I was allowed to be who I actually wanted to be.''

Carol was silent though her nostrils flared. Her gaze narrowed and it seemed that there was a sharp comment just lingering upon the very tip of her tongue, looking for an excuse to come free.

``But I should thank you,'' Noelle chastised, snapping to the side and looking at her. ``Because you taught me how to be flexible. You taught me how to listen to the concerns of my loved ones and be there to listen and help them through it. The lack of empathy and respect that you showed me growing up, taught me to show empathy and respect to others.''

``Noelle...'' Carol began.

Noelle held up her finger. ``So cut me off, disown me, and punish me for acting out. Just know that I have people who love me and I'm doing things that make me happy. I've lived a richer life over the last few months than you have over the course of your entire freaking life.'' She cackled as she motioned to the sterile room around her. ``Like, is this really the future you wanted for me? A house which is way too big for a person who is far too alone. You might be happy being alone, but I'm not.''

``Carol...'' a new voice called, coming from upstairs.

Carol tensed.

Noelle looked at her and then towards the stairs, feeling that pit take hold within her stomach once more. It was yet again filled with a toxic essence, so cold and insurmountable.

``Who is that?'' Noelle asked.

There was movement as this new voice came towards them from the hall, heading down the stairs and making himself known. It was the very same horse monster from the convenience store, dressed in a matching bathrobe to Carol. A bathrobe which had once belonged to her father.

He was young and handsome and...

Oh...

Two wine glasses... Two dirty plates...

Oh god...

``Who is that?'' both the horse and Noelle asked at once.

Carol sighed and massaged her temples between her forefinger and thumb. ``Anthony, this is my daughter, Noelle. Noelle, this is... Anthony... he's my...'' She closed her eyes, barely whispering the phrase as she let out a heavy sigh. ``It's complicated.''

Anthony and Noelle looked at each other.

``Hi.''

``Howdy.''

Then something clicked for Noelle, something that she absolutely didn't want to think about. It smothered her in a blanket of bad thoughts, besieging her psyche so utterly. There was something about Anthony that looked so familiar, that reminded her of life back in the city.

Then it clicked and Noelle never regretted a thought more in her life.

``Wait...'' Noelle whispered, looking at him. ``Aren't you a political science TA for Dr. Keynes' class?''

Anthony nodded. ``A lot of us fourth year students are.''

``You're a fourth-year student?'' Noelle asked, shaking her head as she did the math ``But I'm in my second year. Doesn't that mean...''

Carol groaned.

He was only two years older than her.

Noelle reached into her purse and grabbed the bottle of amber liquor, looking at it and hearing the shopkeeper's words ring out within her head. Was he a prophet, a soothsayer, some sort of extra-dimensional being who could read spacetime?

She laughed as she cracked open the bottle and took a purposeful pull from it, chugging several ounces at once.

This was honestly the only rational thing to do in this most irrational of worlds.

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