Just One Night

Worries

When the two goat monsters had finally come home, they found Chara curled up on the recliner, a few books littering the ground at her feet. Curiously, Asgore picked up the books. Monster history, literature, and even a book about souls. He looked down at the sleepy human speculatively. Why would she be so curious about souls? He shrugged off the question and handed the books to his wife before picking up the tired human. The monster brought her back to his son's old bed and frowned. They would have to order a larger bed.

Settling her comfortably in the tiny bed, he covered her small frame underneath the sheets and kissed her forehead tenderly. He had missed caring for a child, and he relived the happy moments with this human girl. The stress and demand of his people had always made it especially hard to spend time with his family, eventually leading to his separation from his beloved wife. He loved his family with everything he had, but when his son and daughter died all those years ago, his soul nearly shattered and their relationship had been broken.

Even now he was still fighting to keep his promise to be there for his family, to keep the affections of his wife. Although they were soul bonded as well, it would not stop her from separating and living her life with another. It brought tears to his eyes remembering the last fight they had before she walked out of his life, presumably forever. It had broken him, he had become lost and depressed when they separated, but instead of focusing on his depression he spent all of his time rallying the hopes of the monsters that one day the barrier would be destroyed. He threw himself into his work and fortunately it had paid off, but even that caused his wife to resent him more and more.

He never wanted to kill the children that fell down the mountain, but they wanted to be free. The monsters had suffered for centuries, not knowing the sunshine and stars, not knowing what the world was besides the cave system they were stuck in. He felt cornered and trapped, with no one by his side he felt utterly alone, the weight of their future on his shoulders. He was thankful to his son for shattering the barrier, but his heart hurt for the fact that he would be stuck as a flower for the rest of his days.

Toriel broke his thoughts with a gentle paw on his shoulder, "Come on, let us go to bed. It has been a long day.."

"You're right, Tori. But I can't help but feel as if everything is my fault. Even now I can do nothing for our people. What kind of ruler am I?" He whispered, afraid to wake up the sleeping human and the burrowed flower.

Toriel grabbed his paw in hers, "Come. We will discuss this away from the children."

He nodded and allowed her to pull him out the room and further down the hall into their room. Instead of the large bed they once shared, the two had separated beds, he did not want to force her into his bed after everything that had happened. The goat father would wait until she was ready for drastic changes. She would be the one to decide their future.

The goat mother sat down on his bed and patted the spot beside her. Taking the invitation, he sat down beside her and looked down at his folded paws. She was the first to speak.

"I understand your fears. I worry for our people as well. We can do nothing but negotiate with the governing humans and put our faith into our daughter. She needs our help, yet we can offer her nothing. Asgore, I fully agree with your concerns, but we must have faith that our people will overcome these obstacles. After all we can't stay like this forever."

He nodded and let out a weary sigh, "You're right. I just fear for our future. Every day the humans grow more restless and more violent. It is starting to wear down my resolve. Should we even bother with the humans any longer? My biggest concern is what will happen now that our daughter is married. How will she fare in the humans' world being part monster herself?"

Toriel quickly quieted. Her mind became frantic with worry and she started to shake. Her child would now be forever tied to a monster, but that wasn't what concerned her. How long would it be until an extremist targeted her child? How long will she suffer under scrutiny for her choice in mate? Could she ever know peace now that she was a monster herself?

Asgore gently took her paw causing her to look up in shock. He usually refrained from touching her unless she explicitly told him otherwise. But here he was, holding her hand in silent understanding and sending her as much comfort as he could muster. Tears leaked from her eyes and she flung herself into his hold. While the goat mother cried, he rested his head atop hers and shed tears for not only their future, but their daughter's.