Chapter Text
Asgore smiled as Frisk hopped out of Tori’s car.
Frisk gave a wide grin and signed hello.
“Hello child, are you ready?” Asgore asked tenderly.
Frisk nodded vigorously, then turned and unbuckled Flowey. They signed to him, “Are you ready?”
Flowey rolled his eyes, “Sure whatever, Frisk. It’s better than sitting at home all day.”
Frisk smiled and waved at Toriel, signaling her that she could drive off.
“Don’t let anything happen to them, Asgore,” Toriel said sternly. Then she drove off. Leaving Asgore with his mouth hanging open. Asgore sighed. He had been hoping that they could talk, he still felt that ache each time he saw her.
“Well then children, let’s get planting!” Asgore said, putting on a smile. He’d dwelled on Toriel for far too long, it was time he moved on, they had a new life now, and he should be happy about that, instead of worrying about Toriel.
He bent over letting Frisk climb onto his back. Asgore held Flowey’s pot in his hand. Then walked around his brightly colored house and pushed open the fence gate into his carefully curated lawn.
He set Frisk down and let them run off to the new flower bed he’d bought for his new seeds. Asgore walked over and handed Frisk a bag of seeds.
“Now, today we’re planting hollyhocks. They come in a variety of colors and grow to be quite tall,” He bent down and booped Frisk on the nose, “One day these little seeds will grow even taller than you, little one.”
Frisk giggled.
“Now take a seed and use your finger to dig a hole about a quarter inch deep. Then put your seed in and cover it back up.” Asgore said modeling the actions.
Frisk watched with their head slightly tilted to the side. Before trying it themselves.
“Now, make sure that the plants don’t go too close to each other, otherwise they will have to fight for resources. Try planting your seed here.”
Flowey sat on the edge of the wooden border of the planter with a look of angry disinterest.
“Flowey, would you like to try?”
“I don’t have hands, old man,” Flowey sighed.
“Oh, well, that’s alright, I’ll plant yours for you,” Asgore said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
He turned back to Frisk only to find that they’d moved on to their fourth plant, “Oh my, you’re a fast learner little one, maybe one day you’ll have a garden all of your own.”
Frisk gave a large bright smile, and signed, “I like flowers, like you, Flowey,” Frisk used the sign for F quickly followed by the sign for “bloom” to refer to Flowey. Asgore found the sign name cute, though it starkly contrasted Flowey’s general attitude.
“Frisk, seriously? Don’t get soft on me, ” Flowey groaned, turning away.
Frisk giggled again, “But you’re my friend! Even though if you are pretty grumpy.”
Flowey just sighed reluctantly and patted Frisk’s head with his leaf.
“Now, how about you go fill up the watering can, Frisk? We want to give these small ones something to drink,” Asgore asked.
Frisk stood and began to walk off, but halfway to the door, Sans interrupted them by walking through the open gate.
“Sup Asgore, Paps made some of his spaghetti for you and Gaster to share for dinner this week,” He looked around lazily, taking in the garden’s beauty, then saw Frisk.
Frisk ran up to him and hugged him.
“Hiya kiddo, how are ya’?”
Frisk buried their head in Sans’s jacket, then looked up and signed, “Good, me and Flowey are planting flowers.”
Sans nodded “That’s nice kid, how about you come over after you’re done? Alphys has planned another movie night.”
Frisk grinned and nodded. They reached up and made grabby hands at Sans. Sans sighed playfully, “Alrighty kiddo,” He lifted Frisk with his blue magic and floated them around, then with a mischievous look in his eye, he lifted Flowey as well.
Flowey started yelling immediately, “Hey, put me down, you smiling freak! I’ll enact my revenge if you don’t set me down right now! I’ll burn your house down I’ll-”
Sans interrupted him abruptly dropping him on the ground, then he met Flowey’s gaze and said with a nonchalant shrug, “What? I thought you wanted’ down?”
Flowey’s eyes practically burned with hatred.
Sans just gave Frisk and Asgore a look and winked at Flowey. He set Frisk down gently and asked, “Anyhow, is Gaster home? I gotta talk to him for a sec.”
Asgore nodded, “he’s probably still in his room, or eating breakfast. If he’s still sleeping in, it is probably best if you wake him.”
Sans nodded and walked inside with Frisk trailing afterward.
Asgore sighed and looked up at the sun. It’d only been a few months back on the surface and it still felt surreal, the sun on his face, the clouds above, the green grass. It all felt like a dream. He looked over at Flowey and saw him staring up too. He looked… sad. Asgore was about to ask him, but Frisk came back out and interrupted him.
“Well done little one, pour some on your little seeds. Now you’re going to need to be careful. You don’t want to drown them.”
He helped Frisk pour the cool liquid on the plants. “Good, now if you want you can water the rest of the garden as well. I think I’ll head inside and make some tea for you.”
Frisk gave a thumbs up and began to water the surrounding plants.
Asgore stood slowly and walked inside. The cool air hit him as he entered inside. The surface was much warmer than the underground had been. He’d been slowly acclimating but he still liked his house cool.
Asgore got out his kettle and filled it up with water. He searched his cabinets for his favorite blend but found nothing. He scratched his head. He was sure that he’d had some. Then walked off towards Dr. Gaster’s room, hoping he’d know what happened to it.
As he approached, he heard him speaking, “Yes, yes. I will be attending lunch with your brother, 1- no, Sans. I presume you’ll once again be busy?”
“Nah, I might just make it this time. Paps was kinda insistent that it was important ta ‘spend time with you’.” Sans replied the last part was said with just a hint of disdain in his tone.
Gaster just sighed. “You don’t have to. I’m sure your brother would understand. I understand why you wouldn’t want to see me.”
“Nah, I’ll come. it’ll make Papyrus happy.”
Asgore heard the odd sound that indicated Sans teleporting. It was like the sound of suction and popping at the same time.
Asgore blushed when he realized that he’d been eavesdropping. He shook himself and knocked on the door, “Gaster, are you in there? I was wondering if you know what happened to my favorite blend of tea?”
“Ah, Asgore, I believe that I may have had the last of it. I must apologize for not notifying you sooner.”
“It’s fine, Gaster. I just wanted to know if I’d accidentally misplaced it again, without Tori around…Anyhow, thank you. Would you like any tea? I’m making some for Frisk and Flowey.”
“No, I’ll pass. I’ve already had some coffee for breakfast.”
“Gaster, you know better than that. You need to eat more! Coffee isn’t a meal.”
Asgore was called back into the kitchen by his kettle whistling. He walked back into the kitchen and grabbed the chamomile and lavender blend.
As Asgore made the tea, he mused on the conversation that he’d overheard. He’d always found Gaster and his sons’ relationship strange. Papyrus seemed fond of him, but Sans seemed distant and almost angry at Gaster whenever they spoke. Asgore wondered if it had something to do with the boys having to grow up without him for a time. If maybe Papyrus had missed him, but Sans was upset that he’d disappeared. But how could they miss him? They’d forgotten about him? For that matter, where had they found him? If even Asgore didn’t know about Gaster, where could he have been? It was all so strange. But that was their family life. It wasn’t Asgore’s business. Yet, he couldn’t shake the questions.
Asgore opened the sliding glass door to the backyard and brought out the tea platter. He found Frisk lying on the grass and Flowey talking in a hushed tone. He sounded upset. When Asgore walked over, Flowey stopped talking immediately.
Frisk sat up and looked over at Flowey, and then saw Asgore. Frisk smiled and walked over to grab their cup, and Flowey’s.
Flowey bent over to drink his and Frisk blew on theirs.
Flowey spat his out once the heat settled in his mouth, “Ah! Hot, hot, hot!”
Frisk stifled a laugh and waved their hand over their tongue, mimicking Flowey attempting to use his leaf to cool off his tongue.
Frisk stopped, picked up their watering can, and poured some into Flowey’s mouth. Flowey gulped it down and gasped.
“Did you forget that tea’s supposed to be hot?” Frisk asked.
Flowey glared, “I just like tea, it reminds me-” he looked over at Asgore and cut himself off.
“I didn’t know you liked tea Flowey, I’ll have to make you some next time you come over! Do you have a favorite blend?”
Flowey looked down, “No I don’t.”
Frisk leaned in and signed, “He likes golden flower tea.”
Asgore nodded solemnly. Tea preferences were a very serious matter to him.
“And Frisk, I’m not a regular flower, don’t water me again.”
Frisk smiled knowingly and patted Flowey on the head.
“Now, you two, do you have anything else you want to do this afternoon? I have all day with you two until Sans comes to pick you up for movie night,” Asgore said with a broad grin.
Frisk nodded and rushed inside. Flowey just sighed as Asgore picked him up.
He muttered to himself, “I hate this stupid pot. Getting carried everywhere is humiliating.”
♡♡♡
The three of them cuddled up on the couch as Asgore read them one of his children’s books. Flowey had chosen it. Reading it was bittersweet. It had been one of Chara and Asriel’s favorites, reading it again… it felt like they were there, but he knew they were gone.
Asgore closed the book and found Flowey had fallen asleep during the story. Asgore smiled. It was strange seeing the small flower look so contented. It was odd. Flowey at times seemed nothing more than a child, but at other times he was a bitter adult, which made caring for him difficult.
The doorbell caught his attention, and he attempted to stand without waking the children, but Frisk was a light sleeper and got up when Asgore accidentally nudged them. They walked over to the door, gripping onto Asgore’s shirt tail. Asgore opened the door and found Sans and Papyrus standing there.
“GREETINGS HUMAN FRISK! FEAR NOT, FOR WE HAVE ARRIVED! PUNCTUALITY IS THE FOUNDATION OF ANY EVENT, AND I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, HAVE PUT THE UTMOST CARE INTO ENSURING THIS EVENT WILL BE THE GREATEST OF YOUR WEEK!” Papyrus announced with his usual enthusiasm. Asgore noticed that he was wearing his new glasses. They made his resemblance to Gaster even more prominent. He would have to ask about where he got them sometime.
Asgore looked down at Frisk, “Do you want me to wake Flowey?”
Frisk shook their head, “No, he’s sleepy.”
Sans reached out to grab the human’s hand, “C’mon kid, we don’t want to be late.”
Frisk waved goodbye to Asgore and walked out the door. Frisk hopped in the front seat of Papyrus’s car. Asgore smiled as they drove off and he caught a glimpse of the bumper stickers, which said things like “Coolsghetti” “Mr. Popular” and “Best bro”.
Asgore made his way to the couch and found Flowey still sleeping. Asgore smiled and draped a blanket over the little flower.
Asgore walked over to Gaster’s room and knocked on the door. Gaster opened the door and adjusted his glasses.
Asgore waved, “Hello, Gaster. I was just checking in on you. I was so busy with Frisk and Flowey today that I didn’t get to see you much. Did you enjoy lunch with Papyrus?”
Gaster looked away. “It was pleasant. He told me all about his newest puzzles and made sure I ate enough. I suppose he is reminiscent of you in that regard.”
Asgore nodded, “Did Sans come? Papyrus was telling me the other day how unfortunate that he was always busy when you two had plans.”
Gaster looked away and adjusted his perfectly straight glasses. “Ah, yes. He did attend, though he said very little, he fell asleep halfway through.”
“Gaster, is something bothering you?” Asgore asked, noting the distant look in Gaster’s eyes.
“No, I’m fine, Asgore,” Gaster said, meeting his eyes.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something. You don’t have to answer but I must ask, were where you? Your sons didn’t remember you, and I didn’t know of any skeletons in the underground until those two showed up at my home.”
Gaster sighed, “I suppose you would like answers. However, the truth is… rather strange. I fear it would be difficult to explain well.”
Asgore nodded, “I understand,” he turned away and started to walk to his room.
Gaster sighed, “But I could try. Just remember, everything I’m about to tell you is true. No matter how improbable it sounds, I’m only speaking the truth.”
Asgore nodded and followed Gaster into his room. The room was almost spotless; it was meticulously organized, all except for his bed. Which was a mess, covered in disordered blankest and papers. It looked as if he hadn’t bothered to clean it in weeks.
Asgore sat in his desk chair, but Gaster chose to continue standing and paced the room as he spoke.
“I was the only surviving skeleton from the war. You and Toriel saved me and helped me recover from my loss and the pain of having killed someone. After a time, you implemented me as your royal scientist. I built the core and the soul containers. I was there for you after Toriel left. I stayed with you through your darkest moments.”
Asgore stayed silent for a moment, then spoke, “Why don’t I remember you?”
Gaster paused, then answered, “My creations were my undoing. I, ah, fell into the core. All memories of me got erased. Not even Sans and Papyrus remembered me. It was… an unexpected result.”
“May I ask how did Sans and Papyrus come to be? You said you were the only living skeleton. And well, they have always been odd, even for skeletons. Sans can teleport, and Papyrus can float. They have those handplates, and Papyrus has that scar. I had to teach them so much. Why?”
Gaster said nothing but looked down.
“Oh, my, I must apologize. I don’t mean to pry. It’s just all so strange.”
“It’s all right. I just need to find the words. That part… is not my story to tell. I’d ask Sans, it’s not my place to talk about their past.”
“Why Sans? Does Papyrus not know?”
“Oh, he’s aware, but he has a tendency to… ah, sugar coat, if you want the whole truth, you’ll want Sans to answer your questions.”
They sat together in complete silence, then Gaster spoke. “I may be able to get you to remember me.”
Asgore sat up straight. “How?”
“I was able to give Sans and Papyrus memories of their past. Though they were all through my perspective, I may be able to do the same for you. Would you like me to try?”
Asgore thought for a moment before nodding, “If you were my friend, I would love to remember you.”
Gaster nodded calmly, “then sit still, I’ll do my best.”
Gaster placed his hands on Asgore and let out a deep breath.
Within moments, everything came rushing back.
Asgore saw. He saw Toriel rescue Gaster; he saw Gaster becoming The Royal Scientist; he saw the two of them being friends, comforting each other, and caring for each other through the worst parts of their lives.
Asgore looked at Gaster in a whole new light, “Gaster…”
Gaster just nodded.
Asgore looked down. Before he’d just assumed that Gaster had always had the holes in his hands and the cracks in his skull, but those were all fairly recent, Asgore remembered seeing them for the first time. Where had he gotten those?
“Thank you, Gaster. You’ve given me a lot to think on. Good night, Friend.”
As Asgore walked out, he saw Gaster frown slightly.
When Asgore passed the living room, he found Flowey was awake and re-reading the small storybook. Asgore titled his head curiously. But he only had so many questions he could ponder at a time.
That night in his journal, Asgore attempted to find the right words to ask Sans. From the way Gaster spoke, it was a sensitive topic for him, and the last thing Asgore wanted was to upset Sans. He just wished to understand.
Questions swam through his mind as he closed his eyes. And fell asleep at his desk.
♡♡♡
Asgore woke up with a start and fell off his chair.
Falling asleep at my desk, I haven’t done that since the underground.
He stood up and walked over to the bathroom in hopes that he could ground himself. He tried to clear his mind from his nightmares. But the horror stuck with him. The guilt of his crimes. He closed his eyes to try and clear the image of the blood of those he’d killed on his hand.
But it remained.
Tears streamed down his face. He hadn’t wanted to hurt anyone, he’d just wanted to help his people. He hadn’t wanted to kill those children. But he had… He remembered their faces as they died, the horror, the pain, the fear… Asgore tried to hold in his sobs, but they came anyway. He’d hoped that coming to the surface would’ve fixed all his problems, but the guilt was still there.
He stood there for who knows how long before Gaster came in and interrupted his destructive thoughts. Gaster grabbed Asgore’s shoulder and gave him a knowing look.
“Asgore, I think it’d be best if we discussed your feelings, I don’t believe sitting alone has ever really helped you repair your emotional state, maybe we can talk about it over tea?”
Asgore met Gaster’s eyes and saw compassion and familiarity.
They sat in silence for quite some time before Gaster spoke again, “I apologize if my familiarity was disconcerting, it’s just I remember every time I helped you, this feels natural to me, if not for you.”
Asgore gave a tender smile, “No, you did the right thing, I could use some company.”
He and Gaster sat, enjoying each other’s company and feeling the warmth of an old friendship rekindled.