Chapter 5: Picnic at Waterfall

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The night went as quickly as it came, and I was gently awoken the next morning by Gaster telling me that breakfast was ready. Imagine my surprise considering I was always doing the cooking. I rolled out of bed as dressed in one of the dresses Gaster had got me when I arrived, throwing on a jacket and pulling my pseudo hair to the side. I could just remember wearing clothes and feeling it on my skin, instead of bones. By this point the memories of flesh were becoming fleeting. Once I was done getting ready for the day I stepped out and was greeted by two very energetic children.

"Ari! Ari!" Papyrus said, which was all he could manage to call he, as he held his arms out asking to be picked up.

"Good morning baby bones." I said endearingly, cuddling the small monster.

"Arial, Dad said we're going to Waterfall for a picnic today, is that true?" Sans asked excited as I nodded, before Gaster came over and smiled.

"Would I lie about something as such?" His slightly warbled voice said. The longer I was with him the more I understood him. Sans was so excited as the group ate breakfast. He asked if I had ever been to Waterfall, and then proceeded to tell me all about it. I was definitely excited.

"Oh! I should probably go pick up Asriel and Chara.." I moved to stand, but Gaster stopped me.

"I called them and told them I was taking the family out. Toriel said she had to get the children fitted for new clothes anyways." He explained. I nodded. In all honesty I was relieved. I loved taking care of Asriel and Chara, but I really wanted something less stressful that day.

After breakfast Gaster and I prepared the picnic. I made a pasta salad similar to what I would have made as a human. I think I accidentally started Papyrus's addiction to pasta somewhat early. Gaster also prepared some hot "cat"s, whatever they were. Honestly they looked like hot dogs made to look like cats, they were pretty cute. Once we had everything packed, Gaster went and found some good family games he had locked away.

"My wife and I used to play these all the time." He said, a familiar state of nostalgia on his face.

This was the first time he had mentioned his wife however. By the expression on his face, the way his eyes dimmed slightly, as if remembering something very painful, I didn't push. He would talk about her if he wanted to.

With all that the group of us left the Capital and took the river boat to Waterfall.

I was in awe.

I grew up with the stars shining above every night. I had seen Northern lights, and meteor showers, and so many things, but nothing like this. Nothing like the cavern of crystals that had unfolded around me as we stepped into Waterfall.

"Do you like it?" I heard the warbled voice of Gaster speak.

"It's amazing, I've never seen anything like it!" I said smiling widely. I felt a tug on my dress and looked down to see Sans trying to get my attention to show me something. I chuckled and looked at Gaster as the smaller skeleton excitedly dragged me along.

"Arial, come look!" He said excitedly as he showed me a massive waterfall within the cavern. I smiled as we sat down by the waterfall, and I pulled Sans onto my lap, making him laugh happily in excitement.

"Arial, what happened to your family?" He asked softly. I hesitated at that.

"I... I don't have one anymore... they disappeared a long time ago..." I said softly, the reality seeping back into my mind. "But I have you, and Papyrus, and your dad now. You three are my family, and I couldn't be happier!" I hugged the small skeleton and he hugged me back.

"I'm happy you're our family now." He said holding me closer. "We don't have a mom... and I know you're not our mom... but... well, you're the closest thing, you know?" He said, and I noticed movement beside me. Gaster had sat down as Sans finished talking. I noticed his expression change. That was the second mention of the missing skeleton woman, er... at least I think she would be a skeleton. I really don't know. I smiled and hugged Sans.

"I understand." I said smiling softly. With that, Sans, Papyrus and I began playing with the echo flowers, and Gaster joined for other games before lunch.

Once lunch was over, Gaster asked the kids to go play for a moment, which confused me.

"I just wanted to relax for a moment." He answered my unspoken question. "Is that alright?" He asked softly, I nodded and stayed with him, as we sat against the cavern wall.

The silence was calming, and everyone else who was there seemed to have the same idea, besides the children of course.

"Arial?" He asked softly, as I looked over.

"Yes?" I asked, adjusting myself.

"We've known each other for almost two months." He pointed out. I was surprised. I hadn't even realized that much time had passed. I smiled.

"I've been here for two months... wow." I said, relaxing.

"Would... would that be an appropriate amount of time to know someone before..." He trailed off, and I saw nervousness in his eyes.

"Before what?" I asked.

"Before one could... request that another individual joins them... on a... date?" He spoke stiffly. I had noticed quite a while back, when he's nervous or uncomfortable, he tends to speak really proper. It was something I found adorable.

"I don't see a problem with that, that time frame seems acceptable." I said, smiling widely.

"Then... perhaps would you mind... accompanying me to dinner one night? We could leave Sans and Papyrus with Toriel and Asgore. Asgore offered to take them when I spoke to him about it." He said.

"You talked to Asgore about asking me out?" I asked, smirking at Gaster's now very apparent blush. Green, hmm.

"I... well... yes, I wanted advice on the subject." He said calmly, and I smiled.

"I'd love to have Dinner with you Gaster, thank you for asking me." I said smiling widely. Gaster then pulled me close to him, resting me so my head was on his collar bone. That is until I heard rustling in the bushes, followed by a familiar laughter.

I looked at Gaster, and we both smiled and moved sneakily behind the bushes, before hearing Sans's voice from within.

"I told you Papyrus! Dad loves Arial, she'll be our mom in no time!" He exclaimed in hushed excitement, before being yanked out of the bush by a blushing Gaster. I picked up Papyrus, chuckling at the two.

"Mama! Mama! Mama!" Papyrus yelled excited as I shook my head. "Sans..." I said, before Gaster cut me off.

"I don't think there's any stopping him now." He said, chuckling.

I suppose, even still, that very day was one of my favourites in the underground.


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Ah, finally. College is now over, and I'm free to write again. Updates will be every second day, unless otherwise changed. And now for the question of the day!

What should Gaster and Arial's date be?

And I hope you guys have a glitch free day :)

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