[[DISCONTINUED]] •Stargazing• | ~Greyster <3~

Pals

It had been 4 days since the attack and everyone had recovered. Gaster had been bedridden longer than the others but when he was back up on his feet he was more or less fine. Papyrus had healed fully and was rushing around energetically as per usual. Chara had a few scratches on his face that hadn't fully healed, but nothing major, and Jessica also bore some rough bruises that hadn't yet disappeared, but she went about her day alright, so it obviously wasn't anything too bad.

Everyone was taking it easy for a couple hours, talking, cooking, reading, just relaxing in general.
Yet, despite their gleeful interactions, worry hung in the air. Everyone seemed on edge since the attack. No one knew who they were or why they came for them, but they were definitely trouble.

Chara was showing his knife skills off to a mildly concerned Asriel in the kitchen, Sans was entertaining Toriel with some of his jokes, Papyrus was cooking a large pot of spaghetti beside Chara and Asriel, Gaster was curled up on the sofa, reading a book, and Jessica was sitting in an armchair, scribbling something down in a notebook. Asgore had left a while ago, his reason untold.

Something nagged at the back of Gaster's mind all morning, and when he tried to brush it off, it came back, nagging and nagging until he gave in. He sighed, placing his book down and standing up. He strode over to where Jessica was sitting and tapped her on the shoulder.

"We need to talk."

Jessica frowned up at him for a moment before closing her notebook and getting to her feet. Gaster turned on his heel and walked briskly to the front door, Jessica following, a puzzled look on her face.
He opened the door and stepped out into the cool morning air.

"Walk with me."

Jessica fell into step beside him, struggling to keep up with his pace.

"What's wrong, Gaster? What do you need to talk about?"

He sighed, slowing his walk and turning his head to her, hesitating a moment before speaking,

"after we got caught in the rubble... After the fight in the arena... You've treated me like an old friend, or something.. Why? I tried... I tried to kill you, insulted you, hurt you... Yet you still spend time with me like we were buddies from the start.. Why?" His voice wavered and broke slightly at the end of his sentence. Jessia took a deep breath before responding,

"because our fresh start was in that rubble when you forgave me for what I did. That was the moment we left what happened between us behind and began again, right? I treated you like a friend, and you treated me like a friend, so I'd say that makes us pals, does it not?" She gave him a soft smile.
He cocked his head to the side as he always did when he was confused, then he shook his head slowly, a smile forming on his face.
"I suppose it does."

Jessica grinned, moving closer and hugging him. He hugged her back tightly. It was a brief hug, yet one full of kindness, shared by two friends...

Or perhaps a bit more than friends.