YOU (Undertale/Deltarune AU)

2

Lancer opened an eye. He didn't know how, but he sensed something had gone horribly, horribly wrong. Usually, he'd shake it off and go back to sleep, but this felt different. He sat up and got out of bed. He didn't usually sleep at nights anyway. When the insomnia kicked in, he'd just wander round the castle until he felt like trying to sleep again.

Lancer didn't know how he managed to sustain so much energy on so little sleep, but he did. Susie questioned it. Rouxls Kaard questioned it. Some of the guards even questioned. He never had a definite answer. Nobody ever said it to him, but he'd overheard them on his walks.

"Somebody needs to get that boy some emotional help."

"Get him emotional help? The only thing that's going to help him is getting him the Hell away from that bastard he calls a father."

"Shh. Someone could hear you."

"I'm not wrong. We all know it. The man is crushing his sons innocence. Sure, Lancer thinks the world of him. But maybe he doesn't see it. His fathers a monster."

"Personally, I think it's about time we promote Rouxls Kaard from Lesser Dad to Greater Dad."

"I'll tell you one thing. I wish someone would teach that tyrant a lesson. Of course, the marvelous Mister Society would do it himself, but I don't have an army with me. He does."

Those words had stuck with Lancer ever since he heard them. As he listened to his footsteps echo among empty halls, he thought about them. His father threatened to kill him in front of his only friends because he'd said he wasn't racist. Maybe he wasn't such a good dad after all. But the bit about Rouxls was wrong. Lancer only called him Lesser Dad because he acted less like his dad. He didn't think Rouxls any higher or lower than his real dad.

"Lancer?"

Lancer remembered being told nicely by the old court magician when he was so much younger, that if you spoke of the devil, he shall appear. He never knew what it meant until he grew up.

"What are thou doing awaketh at this hour?" Rouxls Kaard had wandered up to him. He was fully clothed and his hair was tied up in a ponytail. He looked more tired than Lancer.

"I couldn't sleep."

"Thinking about the Lightners?"

"No. I just couldn't sleep." Lancer looked af Rouxls, who looked like a mess. Truthfully, he always looked like a mess. Just that night, more so than usual. "Why are you up?"

"Thine father and I have been having a... talketh." He hesitated, and Lancer noticed, but he didn't say anything. "About the Lightners. He says the puzzles needst redesigning. I reckoneth I'll be having closeth to no sleep for the next couple... forever."

Lancer then noticed a bruise on Rouxls's face. Immediately, he felt that twang of guilt in his stomach he felt whenever he heard or saw his dad yelling at Rouxls. He always did it for something that was Lancer's fault.

He'd been overthrown for five seconds, but the second the Lightners were gone, Lancer was thrown off that throne and into the shadows casted by the angriest man on the Earth at the moment. A couple of people had died that day.

Lancer has disappeared to where Ralsei lived, and spoke with him about random trivia for a while. He snuck back in when he was sure everyone was asleep. Rouxls must've gotten the heat of his father's anger whilst he was gone, and now he felt horrible.

"Are thee okayst?" Rouxls asked, "I know thine father was a bit harsheth earlier. If thou need to talketh about it, I'll always be there. I can taketh a few moments off my worketh if thou needs to get something off thine chest."

"Thanks, Rouxls." Lancer said, avoiding eye contact. "I think I just need to take a walk. Besides, you said it yourself. You're gonna be really busy redoing every puzzle in the kingdom. I don't wanna get in the way. I do enough of that anyway. See you."

Lancer knew exactly where he was going. If Rouxls was out of reach, Lancer would go to one other place, with one other person. But before he could leave, he felt like he had to apologise for letting him face the wrath of his dad. But when he turned around, Rouxls was parading himself down the hallway.

How did he do it? How did he always stay so cheerful? He was so vain all the time, despite being insulted by so many people. He always had himself on show even if nobody was watching. He constantly tried new hairstyles, always had time to spend with his admirers, never skipped leg day and somehow managed to stay as gay and as fabulous as ever without ever seeming tired of being the perfect person.

His fans were right. He was a hunk. Lancer wanted to know how to have that level of self esteem and still not be a complete and total dick. Lancer wanted to be the man Rouxls Kaard was when he grew up.

"Did thou want to say something, Lancer?" Rouxls turned around suddenly. He must've felt Lancer watching him. Lancer was caught off guard and suddenly had no idea how to respond.

"I-" I wanted to let you know I'm sorry for letting dad hurt you and I promise I'll never let him do it again and I'll take my own punishments and thank you for being nice and you're now promoted to Greater Dad love you bye. "No, why?"

"I just feel liketh thy are repressing something."

"So are you, but I don't ask."

Lancer started walking away again before he even realised what he said. Now he could feel Rouxls watching him.

Dick move, Lance, dick move.