Glowing Flames

Darkness

Grillby waited. Every day. He was used to Gaster arriving late, but it has been 2 weeks. He still remembers the last thing he has heard from him. "See you tomorrow then?"
And he agreed. He called him his friend. He couldn't wait to hear him again. He always loved listening to Gaster. When he talked he was indecipherable, no matter how much he tried to understand him, but his words are accompanied by those fascinating hands, signing what he says. Grillby was so worried when Gaster came in with these holes in his hands. Oh how he wished he could have been more than just a bartender at that moment. Maybe then he could have helped. But now he was his actual friend, and he didn't even come here. It's fine though. Grillby could wait. He has been doing exactly that for 165 years now. And yet he couldn't help but feel lonely, now that his only friend wasn't even there, even though he told him he would. He has been doing his job like usual, serving customers every day, pretending like there is nothing wrong. He was always very good at keeping his calm, even when he didn't feel well. Every time he heard the door open, he would look up from whatever he was doing, hoping to see the royal scientist standing there. But he wasn't there. No matter how long he kept the restaurant open, he never came. Thinking about that made Grillby's flame dim a little. Being here so late in the evening made him tired. He put his arms on the counter, and buried his head in them. He just wanted Gaster to come back.

He seemed to have dozed off a little, because he was awoken by the sound of the door opening. When he realised what woke him up, he knew immediately who it was. Only one person would still be up at this hour to visit him. He jolted up, his gaze immediately set on the door. And there he was. Gaster. His friend. When he saw him, he happiness caused him to suddenly fire up. There was no sign of that weak little flame he was before, the sight of Gaster just made him so incredibly happy. But that happiness was quickly washed away when he saw Gaster's expression. Guilt. And fear. He hesitantly walked to the counter, and sat himself on the stool right infront of him as Grillby just stared at him. There was a moment where Gaster tried to seem as collected and calm as he always did, but he failed. His posture told him how bad and exhausted he actually felt. Gaster looked at Grillby with still the same expression, waiting for him to say something. He was expecting to be sent away. Grillby didn't sign anything. He was still trying to figure out what Gaster needed right now. As he opened his mouth to speak, Grillby interrupted him.

"Good evening Gaster. I am glad to see you finally made your way here."
He wanted to say so much more. He wanted to tell him how much he missed his voice, how happy he was that they are friends now, he wanted to ask what was wrong, he wanted to help. But he couldn't.

Gaster looked at him, now with an even more guilty expression. He didn't deserve this kindness. He has done terrible things. The first thing he did when they became friends was not appear the next day when he said he would. He really wanted to come here, yes. There was nothing he wanted to do more. But he just couldn't bear to look at him, knowing what he has done. He was such a terrible person. He didn't deserve Grillby. He didn't deserve to be here. He was so ashamed of himself that he just couldn't come here. And now that he did, he felt even worse for letting Grillby wait like that. But Grillby was still here. Even after the 2 weeks he didn't show himself at all, he was still right here, waiting and listening. He felt so terrible about himself.

"I'm so sorry Grillby. I wanted to come here, really, but I just.. couldn't. I'm sorry. I can understand if you uh- don't want to be friends with me anymore. It's okay. Just tell me, I can take it."
Oh how Grillby wanted to hold him. If he could, he would have burnt all these bad thoughts to ashes, and told Gaster how much he loves him, and how he deserves the whole world. Why would he ever think he wouldn't want to be friends with him? He knew how sorry he felt. It was clearly visible. He didn't need to see him glow to know how he felt. He never did. Observing him was enough.