[[ℍ𝔼𝔸𝕍𝔼ℕ'𝕊 𝔾ℝ𝔸𝕊ℙ]] 𝕊𝕡𝕒𝕞𝕥𝕠𝕟 𝕩 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕣

[10] An Imperfect Mirror

Toriel smiled at the site before her. Kris was ecstatic, holding the small, red horned headband. Their own horns.

They laughed and smiled, clapped and danced. It was a wonderful display. They ran around the house, yelling about how they were now a 'true Dreemurr'. How peculiar. They always were one.

They jumped off the couch and ran to hug their brother and father.

Toriel took one last look before setting her pie down onto the counter, freshly baked. Still piping hot.

She took a sigh, and began to walk away. Hoping that Kris would be too invested in their new gift and other family. With a heavy heart, she made her way upstairs. Standing in front the usually locked door.

With a shaking hand, she wrapped her large paw around the doorknob, hesitation filled her SOUL.

She slowly pushes the door open, fearing any noise would worsen the already fragile air.

There, in her own bed, was you. Much younger, much frailer. Fast asleep under the protection of the quilts. Toriel took great joy,  for the first time in ages, you held a look of peace.

For several weeks by now, you had been frighteningly ill. Plagued with no strength, horrible fits on coughing, and SOUL-shattering headaches. The headaches...

They were what you complained about the most. You cried and sobbed, begging your mother and father to get it to stop. They did all they could, used every ounce of healing within them, but it was a fleeting sense of peace.

You screamed, claiming that something was piercing your skull.

It was pure agony.

For nights on end, Toriel and Asgore would sleep upon an air mattress, leaving you their bed. You needed it more than them.

Toriel deeply feared what had taken you so violently. It was a special kind of hell to have to sit and watch her own child suffer such horrific things. All the while knowing there was no way she could help. You had been to the doctor several times already, they kept saying they didn't know. They had no records in either the monster or human database about anything like this.

It even seemed that sunlight alone worsened your state. So the curtains were always closed, only a table lamp illuminated the room. The door remained locked,  for it was too risky, who knew what else could be brought in. And Kris...

Kris...oh dear sweet Kris...

They always asked questions, questions that burned the heart.

"Where's [Y/n]"

"Is [Y/n] okay?"

"Can [Y/n] play today?"

"...Mama...Is [Y/n] coming back?"

Such a small, naive child. They knew you were ill, yet could never fully comprehend it.

Nor could she, her husband, or her elder son either. It was a mystery.

Toriel carefully walked towards the bed, almost shedding a tear. Even if it didn't last, at least you had one moment of true rest.

She brought her paw to your forehead, feeling for a fever.

None.

A miracle, it was.

She remained there, now beginning to use her healing magic. Hoping to delay the pain for just a little longer.

Toriel may have not known how much longer you would endure this. Or why you were enduring this, but she would be there for her. Even with a rocky marriage, and two other children to care for, she'd be there.

Downstairs, Kris had an epiphany in their small mind.

"Papa?

"Yes, my child?" Asgore's kind voice answered.

"When will [Y/n] get their horns?"
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🤭🤫