A Second Chance: An Undertale Story

1 - Grief

Asriel stood upon the hill that he had once met his fate on. Even after all these years, a gravestone stood upon it. The name of their childhood friend, their sibling, was carved into it. It was almost dreamlike with the sun just over the hill, bathing the entire sky in a bright, afternoon glow as the crisp autumn air blows through the goat monster's sleek white fur. Gently sitting down beside the grave, Asriel took a long time trying to find the right words to even say. What could he even say? After all those years it felt wrong to be here. They should be here with him, enjoying the sun, the air, and the world.  Very gently wiping his eyes, keeping himself from the tears, the prince finally spoke.

"Happy birthday, Chara. I uh... brought some chocolates. I remember how you always liked the cream filled ones". Gently laughing to himself, he places a small box of chocolates beside the gravestone. For just a moment, he felt his hand shaking. It was the first time seeing his friend's grave. Even after all the timelines, all the resets, he never faced their grave before. Not even Flowey could get through the barrier.

Asriel continued to sit in silence for a few long hours. Part of his mind pretended Chara was right beside him. Their laugh, their smile, it never faded from his memory. Some monsters called it creepy. He always found it endearing. It rang through his head, their voice almost like an old song that warms your heart whenever it plays. Swallowing down his fear, Asriel did his best to keep speaking. "Everyone on the surface, free... your dream came true. Everyone's dreams are coming true." The goat rubs at the back of his neck.  "Mom's teaching students,  Dad gets to give his subjects the world they always wanted... even got a few new friends living fantastic lives." Gripping tightly to his jacket, Asriel let out a long, shaky breath as he looks down at the grave.  "All I wanted was to have you by my side... Chara... you were family too. No matter what you felt." The poor prince felt his regenerated heart breaking all over again.  It took him a while to get used to feeling again. With so many new things to regret, it was hard to even breathe at times. Tears were already starting to roll down his face as he began to quietly sob. "... You were our hope. My dream was you being family with us..." The tears rolled down from Asriel's eyes,  dampening the for on his face. He never really had a chance to grieve before, and now that he finally could, the feelings were overpowering. There was nothing holding his emotions back. His chains were finally gone, and he was allowed to just cry. 

The prince lost track of time as he cried over the grave of his long dead friend, before finally going to wipe his eyes. The sun was now setting. He had arrived at their grave when the sun was still high in the sky. He couldn't help but laugh to himself. "Yeah yeah, I guess I always was a crybaby. You don't gotta rub it in..." Taking a moment to catch his breath and finally compose himself, he stood tall by the grave, placing his hands in his pockets. "I was given another chance. So I'll live,  Chara. I'll live for you. I'll love for you.  I won't ever forget you" After one last look at the grave, he finally stepped away and started to head home.

Not too far from the gravesite, Asriel found his mother, Toriel, looking around anxiously. Asriel knows it's probably because of him, having been gone from the house for so long. Catching her attention, Asriel waves to his mother. "I'm here, mom. It's OK..." Though as soon as he spoke, he was almost immediately scooped up into her arms.

"Oh honey, I've been looking everywhere for you! You didn't leave a note and..." Toriel was going to begin ranting worriedly. Asriel understood why, but he tries to ease her tensions.

"It's ok mom." Toriel's grip kept her son from moving. Asriel felt as his lungs could barely take in a breath. "Maybe a bit lighter on the hugs, yeah..?"

Toriel raised an eyebrow at her son but gently lets him down onto the ground. "You should've told me you were visiting them. I would've come with you."

Asriel gently shakes his head, speaking softly. "I needed to see them myself. You've had time to grieve. I guess I'm still going through the motions."

Seeing her son's red stained eyes, she gently runs a hand against his head. "You don't need to do it alone, Asriel. We're all here for you." Her touch gently dried up a bit of his tear stained for before Asriel gave a little nod.

"I know mom. I know. I've been alone too long not to..." Asriel utters, standing with his back straightened now. He wants to seem somewhat ready for the times to come. Maybe to set his mother at ease. "I just need a bit of time. Can we go home..?" In response, Toriel gently nods and began to bring her son home.