Understay - an Undertale Fanfic

Understay X - The Power of Determination

The door hissed open, letting the stifling heat rush over them. Frisk was starting to adapt to the various temperatures; as wild as the differences were, they didn't change thanks to the lack of weather. It was still enough to make him sweat, though.

"Do you think we can return to Mettaton's studio?" he asked, wiping his brow.

"I doubt it would be safe." Asgore frowned gently. "Even after I showed your changes, they seemed angry. I can understand why, of course..." he sighed, drooping a little. "I betrayed their trust by cancelling the war. I'm not sure they believe in me any more."

"Dad, you did the right thing." Frisk gripped his hand, smiling gently. "Humans are still kinda bad, but it's been so long we don't even have magic. I'm sure humans are ready to forgive monsters, and if Snowdin's anything to go by, monsters can be reminded of the unity we broke. All they need to do is meet me, right?"

"I suppose..." Asgore frowned as he considered this. "I don't imagine it will be easy, but I'm sure you can do it. Would you care for an escort?"

"It'd be more convincing if I don't have one."

"No? But it will be dangerous..."

"Nothing can be as dangerous as you or Undyne." Frisk smiled, nudging Asgore's leg. "I'll be fine, Dad, I promise." Asgore smiled.

"I'll hold you to that promise." he chuckled softly. "For now, let's go home." Frisk nodded, taking Asgore's hand and walked out of Hotland, into Waterfall. He looked up at the sign, giant letters scrolling hurriedly past him. Their neon light soon faded into the darkness, the gentle hiss of Waterfall's namesake coming into earshot. Asgore rolled his cape into his spare arm as they stepped into the waters, the gentle splash sending ripples out and over the roots of an Echo Flower. Frisk smiled and quietly approached, curious to hear the message.

"... can only end well." he heard. The Echo Flower mustn't have been close enough to catch the whole message. Asriel pouted, a little disappointed.

"That could be anything! I wanted to know what people thought about us..."

"So you listened to an Echo Flower?" Frisk teased. "Waterfall's opinion of us is pretty positive, I don't think it'll be a problem."

"Is Asriel talking to you?" Asgore interrupted, walking closer. Frisk looked up as the Echo Flower mimicked the question.

-----

"Yeah, he just wanted to know what  this Flower heard."

"Anything interesting?"

"Just somebody saying it can only end well. I didn't hear what he was talking about."

"If you ask me, he was talking about you being in line for the throne." Asgore smiled warmly, picking Frisk up and resting him on a shoulder with a chuckle. "With your Determination and concern for our cause, I'm sure monsters shall benefit from your benevolence."

"Thanks, Dad." he smiled, getting as comfy as he could. There was something prodding his lower back, and shuffle as he might, it wouldn't stop.

"Mind your tail." Asriel commented off-handedly. "Dad used to do that all the time to me, I learnt pretty quickly."

"Right, thanks." he shuffled a bit, and the nagging subsided. "... wait, tail?" He reached back, gingerly probing - and sure enough, he found a small, furry tail, no larger than his hand, poking out from under his shirt. "... huh."

"Hm?" Asgore glanced over. "What is it?"

"It's nothing, uh, just... finding my tail."

"I see." Asgore kept walking, smiling to himself. He was proud, and Frisk could tell. Frisk smiled, shuffling a little on his impromptu seat. Asgore's adopted son was definitely getting some family resemblance.