The Path We Walk

Ch.33 Calm Before The Storm

I wake up to light streaming through my window. I hear Dil's soft breathing. I slowly sit up and swing my feet off the edge of my bed. I take a moment to stretch a bit and I hear a *Pop* before getting up. I scratch my skull and go and get ready for the day. Grab clothes, go shower, moisturize, do hair, brush teeth, and change. Done with the daily ritual, I go to Dil to try to wake him up. "Dil, wake up bud. Time to start the day. It's time to go get breakfast." I say, and he perks up at the mention of breakfast.

"Food?" He asks groggily. I pick him up.

"Yup, let's go downstairs to see if anything has been made already. If not I'll put something together." I tell him as I walk out my room.

I make my way down the hall and stairs, through the living room. I hear some noise from the kitchen as I enter. I look to see it was actually Horror rummaging through the fridge. I don't interact with Horror as much as I like, because he doesn't really remember me. And, I do try to have conversations with him even if he doesn't reply. I try to keep my movements loud and obvious as I head towards the pantry. "Morning Horror." I say. Horror jumps slightly and looks to me.

"Oh... Hello... Aster." Horror says, before going back to his search. I stop what I'm doing to take a moment to process what he just said.

I turn to him. "Horror, did you just remember my name?" I ask. Horror let's out a gasp and looks back at me.

He seems to be as surprised as I am, but soon a genuine smile crosses his face. "Ya... Aster... I... did." He tells me as I start smiling too.

"Well this calls for a celebration. I'll make belgium waffles, eggs, and bacon. Sound good?" I tell him. He nods happily.

I get to work. Dil sits on the counter next to Horror as I mix batter, crack eggs, and set the everything up. I grab a package of bacon and start to cook everything up. As I'm cooking Horror grabs plates, condiments, and silverware setting the table. After I'm about halfway done people start trickling in. "Something smells great!" Killer exclaims walking in.

"Ya, I'm cooking up a little something. Horror remembered me, so we need to celebrate!" I tell him.

"That's great! I was thinking he would soon, since it usually takes a few months before he can." Killer says.

"What takes a few months?" Cross asks walking in. Killer turns to him.

"Horror here remembered Aster! We're doing a little breakfast party!" Killer says.

"Cool. Need any help with anything?" Cross asks me.

"Nope. Got everything covered. Horror Bear here took care of it for me." I tell him. Everyone looks at me in surprise.

"Horror Bear?" Killer asks. I blush.

"I've been trying to think of a nick name for Horror for a while and Bear seems to fit him best. He's big, cuddly, a napper, and will attack you if you piss him off. I know that he wouldn't be able to remember it if I just called him Bear, but calling him Horror Bear should be ok. Sorry if you don't like it Horror. I don't have to call you that," I say sheepishly.

"It's... fine... I... like... Bear... Never... really... liked... Horror... but... it... stuck. " Horror says. This was probably the most I have ever heard him talk.

"Well then I'll be sure to call you Horror Bear from now on. Maybe after a while we can just call you Bear. I wouldn't want anyone to call you Horror if you don't like it." I tell him. Horror, no Bear, nods.

"What's with all the positive emotions? You all are never this happy this early in morning." Nightmare says coming from the shadows.

"Horror Bear here remembered Aster!" Killer exclaims.

Nightmare looks to me and blushes. He clears his throat. "Well, that is excellent. I assume the breakfast preparations are in celebration?" Nightmare says.

"Yup! I'm getting together a nice breakfast for everyone to celebrate." I say smiling.

"Very well. After it is finished be sure to send some to Reaper, Error, and the children. They all stayed the night in the infirmary," he tells me.

"Already planned on bringing Error and Reaper food. But it's good to know that Error had plenty of company. Anything happen while I was asleep?" I ask.

"Wine changed his bandage, but that's it. He seems to be doing well. You did an excellent job with his care." Nightmare tells me. I blush.

"I just did the best I could. I just wish I could have done more." I say.

"Hey! You did more for healing Error than any of us could, so don't sell yourself short. You did a good job." Cross tells me. I hesitantly nod.

"Alright, but I'm still gonna do what I can to heal him. He has quite a road to recovery." I say. I'm just about finished with the food.

"Killer, Cross, can you guys go get the others for breakfast. Nightmare and I will take the others in the infirmity their food." I order.

"We will?" Night asks.

"Yes, we will. Take these, they're for Reaper and Error." I tell him, and hand him a couple plates. I balance four myself. My time helping Grillby at his bar is definitely paying off.

I make my way through the halls with Nightmare following behind me. Once I reach my destination I push the door open with my foot. "I come bearing gifts of food!" I exclaim. I hear a couple thuds.

Now in the room I see the thudding was Goth and Palette falling to the floor from their bed. Gradient and PJ we're still out cold in their own. Error was just sitting in a dead asleep Reaper's arms. I head over to the kiddos, while Night goes to the other two. I set their plates down by their bedsides. Palette and Goth immediately go for their food and start to devour it. Pj is slow to wake up, but the smell of food called to them. Gradient is still out cold. Reaper is now awake and trying to feed Error, who's refusing. I walk over to them. "Come on Error, you need to eat to get your magic back up. You'll be stuck healing longer if you don't. I even put chocolate chips in them and chocolate sauce on them for you." I tell him. Error perks up at the mention of chocolate.

"Ya Error, you love chocolate. Eat the chocolate chip waffles." Reaper says, as he brings the fork closer to Error. Error hesitates.

"If Aster wanted to poison or hurt you they wouldn't have healed you. Just eat the waffles." Nightmare says.

And with that Error takes a bite. While I was pleased that Error was eating, I didn't expect what happened a few bites in. I heard a *Crunch* sound. Nightmare sighs. "NoT AgAiN." Error says. Error had eaten the ends of his fork.

"He'll be ok, right?" I ask nervously.

"It's fine. He's done this multiple times without issue. His destruction magic allows him to metabolize anything. We've even tested this with random non-magic objects." Reaper says.

"NeVeR EaTiNg A SoCk AgAiN. It WaS DiSgUsTiNg. ThEy GaVe Me a DiRtY OnE On PuRpOsE." Error says irritated. I try not to laugh.

"We need to get going to breakfast. Expect us in about an hour for a meeting. We still need to plan out the mission and I want to cover all the bases. Oh, and make sure Gradient is up." Night says.

"Sure. No problem." Reaper says, with a thumbs up.

Nightmare and I head back to the kitchen and hear the others in the dinning room. The sounds of talking and laughter could be heard. We enter to see everyone at the table eating. Nightmare heads to his seat, while I take a moment to admire the view. I go and sit down between Cinnamon and Sniper. Things are about to get pretty wild, but I'll do my part to make sure we make it out ok. This is my new family and I want to keep it.