Run away, away with me

by GS2000

Summary:

Tomorrow's Christmas. Asriel is up late as always, when he hears something tapping against his bedroom window.

Chapter 1: Voices in the night

LATE DECEMBER.

PAST MIDNIGHT.

Asriel sat alone in front of his computer, the faint light from the monitor illuminating the room. He had, through careful trial and error, optimized the perfect setup to be able to stay up extra late without waking his sibling or alerting his mother. He tapped the keyboard absent-mindedly, slightly bored. He’d been up past midnight for a while now, and perhaps it would be for the best if he went to sleep: tomorrow would be a long day, the family was gonna visit the neighbors and-

TAP.

Asriel jumped slightly in his chair. He looked frantically around the room, his eyes adjusting to the dark after being pulled from the monitor’s light. He tried to locate the source of the noise to no avail. Was it outside the room? Had his mother caught on? Had he made too much noise without noticing? Kris could be bargained with, but his mom… She would certainly not be happy to find him up this late, especially in front of the computer and ESPECIALLY the day before-

TAP.

This time, he saw it, and recognized the noise. A tiny pebble struck his window, making some noise against the glass. Someone was trying to get his attention. He quietly moved to the window, and slowly opened it. This someone had to be one to know of his late night antics, someone who wanted to meet up at this hour. Of course, he knew it could be no one other than-

TINK.

One last pebble struck him on the forehead. He reeled back, grabbing the windowsill to not fall down and stifling a word he probably should not say around Kris. He looked to the window, and saw a girl on the street covering her mouth both in surprise and in a vain effort to stifle a chuckle.

It had to be Dess, of course.

Dess beckoned him to come down, doing an exaggerated wave. Asriel responded in kind, and quickly put on a jacket and some clothes - masterfully avoiding waking his sibling - and headed out the window.

If Toriel could see him now, staying up late would be the least of his worries. After closing the window, he stepped on the cold, wet shingles of the house's roof, and made his way down slowly. Once at the edge, he jumped like he had done many times before, and landed in a particularly snowy patch of garden, landing with a muffled CRUNCH . Dess helped him up.

“Before you say anything, I SWEAR I didn’t do it on purpose.” - said the girl, still giggling.

“Like I’m gonna believe that! You’re still laughing right now!” - Asriel replied, wiping some snow off his pants.

“What, you want me not to? It was still funny!” - Dess smiled softly at Asriel, who did the same.

“So… what’s the occasion?“ - Asriel asked.

“Well…” - Dess put on the most cutesy and annoying voice she could muster - “I weally missed my golden boy!” - Dess hugged Asriel tightly, shaking him around.

Asriel hugged Dess back, and lifted her into the air to return the favor - “I missed you too Dess!”

“Fahaha! I always forget you’re strong… for a nerd!” - Dess tapped Asriel on the shoulder.

Here, backed against the pale moonlight, Asriel could take a good look at the Holiday girl. She was tall and slim with chestnut coloured fur, and her horns and hair were dyed deep red and black - they were blue and blonde otherwise, which would make her the spitting image of her mother, and she could not have that. She was dressed in her usual garb: some old and ripped jeans, an oversized flannel shirt and a t-shirt of her own band: the Blood Crushers Tribute, who she was the lead guitarist of.

Beneath this exterior hid one of the most earnest people Asriel had had the fortune to cross paths with. Dess was bold and reckless most of the time (she was the one to drag him and their siblings into trouble), but she was always the first to help others, and stand up for them. She was fearless to a fault, and a rebel at heart. But, most of all, she was herself. She was so unapologetically herself, so defiant against those who’d push her or anyone down, that she inspired others to be themselves too. She was with you, whether you wanted to or not.

Asriel could not help but smile. She was perfect.

Dess’ voice got him out of his own thoughts - “Earth to Azzy!” - Dess laughed - “...Wanna go on a walk?”

---

The whole town was asleep. Most houses had put up some manner of decorations outside - from lights to ornate trees - and the ones sleeping eagerly awaited the next morning.

Dess reached into her pocket and took out a lighter and a half-empty pack of cigarettes. She lit one, and offered the pack to Asriel. Asriel took one, and she lit it for him once he put it on his lips. He was not a fan of smoking, and would never do it on his own - not that Toriel would allow it - but he’d picked up the habit when hanging out with Dess. He took a drag of the cigarette, and stifled a cough.

“So, I assume the Holiday household must be excited for the big day tomorrow” - Asriel asked.

“Heh, you know it.” - Dess took a long drag of her cigarette, and exhaled smoke tinted white by the moonlight - “Mom could barely get Noelle to bed. She was practically bouncing on the walls! And also, for a change, dad has made waaay too much fruitcake, so I guess that's on the menu for the next few weeks.” - she looked at him - “How about you guys? I assume Kris is looking forward to it too.”

“Yeah, they actually went to bed early on their own. Said they wanted to ‘fast-forward’ to tomorrow, haha!” - Asriel looked to the moonlit sky - “Mom and dad are also excited. It’s one of the few things we can all get together to do still, with everyone being as busy as they are now…” - Asriel grabbed Dess’ hand - “And, of course, I’m always looking forward to doing stuff with you.”

“Me too Azzy” - Dess said - “Me too…”

Something was off.

“Dess?” - he asked - “Is… everything alright…?”

Dess looked into Asriel’s eyes, and for a second, he could see worry in her face. She quickly caught herself, and forced a smile. - “Yes. Don’t worry.”

“Did something happen? Did…” - Asriel quickly caught himself - “If there’s anything wrong, you know you can tell me, right?”

Dess was still holding tight to his hand - “I know Azzy, I do.”

The night’s chill felt harsher than before. Asriel's mind raced. Dess was not invincible, as much as she wanted everyone to see her as such. She tried to put on a front a lot of the time - for Noelle, for Kris, even for Asriel - but deep down she was still vulnerable. Both of them knew and trusted each other, so this… this was different. It was terrifying.

Asriel tried to think back to their conversation. Maybe it was about her family? She’d had no qualms to complain about her mom before, so maybe not. Was it something he had done? Was she mad at him? He went back over his words, tried to find something he could’ve said. He didn’t know. He didn't know what to say.

“I’m sorry Dess, I didn’t… I don’t-” - Asriel muttered.

Dess quickly turned to Asriel. Her eyes were wide, wider than he’d ever seen, glassy and brimming with tears. She grabbed both his hands, squeezing hard and not letting go.

“Asriel, let’s run away from here. Anywhere.” - Her voice broke - “Run away with me. Please.”

Notes:

It's been about 9 years since I've written anything like this, but this ship pulled me back in, so I hope you'll forgive the rust! I'm still getting my bearings, so please feel free to tell me any tags or anythng that needs to be added. Also, any comments are appreciated! I should have the next chapter ready shortly.

Chapter 2: Into the darkness

Summary:

Dess is afraid. She is afraid of the dark, afraid of having no one with her. Afraid of having another follow her path.

Asriel’s cigarette landed on the snow, its faint light being snuffed out. A freezing wind rose, howling through the empty streets. Dess and Asriel stood still, hands clasped together and looking into each other’s eyes.

“D…Dess…” - Asriel’s eyes were wide-open. Dess could feel tears brimming from hers -  “What…”

“My dad’s been teaching me how to drive. We could take his car, be gone by morning” - Dess said, her voice barely audible between sobs - “We could go somewhere far away. You’re smart, we’d figure something out!”

“Dess…”

“I have a bunch of rations and some stuff back at my home, we could take it with us.”

“Dess.”

“We-”

“December.”

Dess felt strange hearing her full name coming from Asriel. Only her mother used it normally, and she much preferred her given nickname. She stopped trembling for a moment.

She looked at Asriel. She’d seen him cry many times - she teased him about it constantly - but she’d never seen him like this. His was a pained expression, worried and confused in equal measure. It was almost as if the sadness in his eyes did not match the rest of his face.

“Dess I… don’t know what to say” - he said, breaking the silence - “All of this, right now… I don’t know if I could…”

“Azzy-”

“Dess. Please, answer me. I love you, you know that, right?” - Dess nodded slowly - “You know I care about you? That I care about you being happy, and that I want to do everything I can to make you happy?” - He was trying to keep his composure, but he had a hard time choking back some tears. Dess couldn't help but smile, and nodded once again. - “So please… Can you tell me what’s wrong?”

RUSTLE .

Suddenly, Dess let go of Asriel's hands, and there was no cold wind to graze her palms.

A rustle in the leaves, within the forest line right behind them. No wind to move the branches. She had heard it. She was certain.

“Dess?”

She looked at Asriel. He was tall and well built, already matching his mother’s stature at his age. Although Dess’ horns had begun to grow in earlier - something for which she had relentlessly teased him - his already rivaled that of his father. He was wearing a dull green jacket with a flower patch (one they’d made at summer camp many years ago) with a worn shirt below belonging to a certain band: the Blood Crushers Tribute, where he was the lead vocalist (and only other member beside Dess). His tracksuit pants were wet from wading through snow.

Dess’ knees buckled.

She fell to the ground, sobbing. Asriel rushed towards her, kneeling down beside her.

“Dess! Are you alright? I’m sorry, I didn’t-”

“I’m sorry Azzy. I can’t tell you.” - she forced out the words between sobs. A pained smile adorned her face.

How could she tell him? How could she say anything? How could she still speak? How could she knowingly lead another down the same path? But it didn’t matter, anyway. No one would believe her. She could scarcely believe herself.

Or that’s what she told herself.

SCRATCH .

She jolted back up, knocking back Asriel. She’d heard it again. The noise, from the trees. The same noise… She’d made a mistake. A terrible mistake. It was as if her previous fears had been washed away, as now a much greater one emerged. She frantically looked around. The streets were empty and the forest was dark. Asriel sat on the ground, rubbing his newly bleeding nose.

Asriel. Not him, please. Anyone but him. He couldn’t. She could not let him. She could not let it-.

“Alright Dess, I get it. You cannot tell me…” - his voice shattered her thoughts for a second. His eyes had changed once again, and she could almost swear they shined in the darkness - “So I’ll go with you. To wherever you need.”

As he laid on the ground, Dess looked at him. Asriel was, in many ways, the complete opposite of Dess. Gentle and polite, not the brightest sometimes, and too naive for his own good. But he was radiant. Radiant, like a beacon in the night, a guiding star. One who shone his light on each person he met, who would never turn down helping anyone. Most of those in town had a story of him cheering them on, helping them out, pushing them onwards. His heart was bright, and this light he shared with the world. He gave himself to others, and basked in their happiness. How could anyone give out so much, shine so bright? How could anyone love the world like he did?

Dess began to shake once again. He was perfect.

She had to save him.

“Azzy I’m…” - Dess walked over to where Asriel laid slumped on the snow - “Sorry, it’s been very stressful lately, alright? Just… forget all of this.” - She offered her hand.

Asriel took her hand and stood up - “You’re a terrible liar and you know it.” - Asriel avoided his girlfriend’s gaze - “Was it... something I said?”

“My goodness Azzy, no!” - Dess cupped Asriel’s face - “It’s just… You’re amazing Azzy. You’re funny, strong, caring and I… I could not burden you with any of this. I could not live with myself if I did.”

“For you it would not be a burden! Nothing is!” - Asriel grabbed her hands - “But I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want. Just please, tell me if there’s anything I can do to put you at ease. Anything .”

“...”

“...”

“...Could you… walk me home?”

In the forest’s edge, a pair of blinking lights, with no one around to see.

---

Asriel and Dess stood before the gate to the Holiday household. It was by far the biggest one in Hometown, and the most decorated for Christmas. Colored lights and ornaments hung from every tree and wall, blinking.

“We’ll see each other tomorrow, won’t we?” - Asriel broke the comfortable silence they’d shared on their way home. - “I’ll come earlier if you want.”

“Yes.” - Dess replied, unsure - “Asriel...”

“Yes Dess? What’s up?”

“There is something I wanted to ask of you.”

“Of course Dess! Anything.”

“Find me.” - Dess’ eyes looked deep into Asriel. A selfish plea for help.

“Of course I will, Dess. Always.”

There, basked in the multicolored lights, they leaned into each other and kissed, tearing up. For a moment, everything was warm and bright. There was fear and uncertainty, but they had each other. Tears raced down their cheeks as they pulled each other closer. They wanted, needed to be closer. Just closer, and everything would be alright. Everything would be alright in the world.

But it could not last forever. Nothing could, nothing would. They stepped away from each other, and looked into each other’s eyes. No words were spoken. None could do their feelings justice.

Dess walked towards the gate. She gave Asriel one last look - “Promise me you’ll find me.”

“I promise, Dess. I love you.”

“I love you too, Azzy.”

Asriel turned back and headed home.

---

Dess was very proficient in getting in and out of her house without anyone knowing. She knew the location of every gaudy noisemaker and jingling decoration her parents had put up over the years, so she was free to come and go without anyone noticing.

She headed into her room. A beaten up whiffle bat was on the floor, alongside a worn out backpack. She picked up the bat and gathered some stuff off the floor and into the backpack. She exited her room, giving the dark-colored door with multiple no trespassing signs taped to it a last look.

She headed to the house’s front door, stopping just before the kitchen. In the stillness of the night, she could hear the gentle ticking of the clocks on the walls, and her dad’s snoring. Everything was alright.

She opened the front door.

Notes:

Thanks for the encouragement on the previous chapter! I feel like I definetly still need to get better at pacing and at writing angst, but I needed to get all of this out of my head before I lost steam. Hopefully I did it justice and you enjoy it! Thanks again!

Chapter 3: The day it happened

Summary:

The day it happened.
1225.

BEEP . BEEP . BEEP . BEEP . BEE- .

Asriel turned off his alarm clock. He’d barely gotten any sleep after his night outing with Dess, and even lifting his hand had been a titanic effort. He’d set his alarm way earlier than anyone else in the house should be waking up. He’d have to leave a note for his mom. She’d had to understand. He needed to see Dess after what had happened. He needed to-

“ Hnnng… Big bro…?” - on the opposite side of the room, something stirred within a bed.

Oh no.

“ Shit- ” - Asriel instantly caught himself - “Sorry Kris, I… just need to… prepare some stuff with mom before we go get the presents, okay? Just go back to bed.”

“What time… is it?” - Kris rolled over - “You’re not gonna open the presents without us, are you?”

“What? Of course not buddy! I...” - Asriel paused for a second - “Look, I need to go check on Dess. We had a talk yesterday and I need to speak with her. I’ll be back before we all go get the presents, ok?” - if there was something he knew about Kris, is that they’d always be down for a scheme. Asriel smiled - “Could I count on you to keep this a secret between us?”

“ Hmmm… Okay…” - Kris pulled the covers back over themselves - “But you owe me one…”

Asriel sighed - “I’ve lost count already. Thanks Kris.”

After getting home, Asriel had climbed back up to the roof using the family car as a platform, and had scurried into his room through the window. Once inside, he’d immediately fallen asleep with his dirty clothes on. Now that he was (mostly) awake, he could see they were wrinkly and not in the best condition, but he paid that no mind. He needed to get to Dess’ house as soon as possible.

He carefully stepped outside his room, walking slowly and skipping the particularly creaky plank that had ruined many of Kris’ midnight snack runs before. Slowly but surely, and reassured by soft snoring coming from his parent’s bedroom, Asriel made his way into the kitchen, without even noticing the faint cinnamon smell coming from it.

Once he’d made it down the stairs, he froze.

Damn it, Asriel, why didn’t you just go out the window like before?

Toriel was standing in front of the stove, mixing some batter in a big bowl while humming to herself. Of course she’d wake up before everyone to bake something special for today. Luckily, she hadn’t noticed him yet. If he just stepped back upstairs, he could-

CREEEEEAK.

Great. Another plank to watch out for.

“Asriel?” - Asriel tried to pretend to not have heard, and slowly turned to head upstairs. Maybe she wouldn’t notice - “Asriel Dreemurr! What on earth are you doing up this early?” - She came closer, so Asriel had no other choice but to face her.

“Um… I wanted to... Help you bake?” - he smiled.

“Mhmmm?” - Toriel scanned him up and down - “I do hope that’s not what you plan to wear to the Holidays’ home.” - she said sternly, and looked back to the stove - “Asriel, please go upstairs and change, we’ll be going over in a few hours and-”

“Sorry mom, I need to go now.”

“Hmm? What do you-” - Toriel turned back, and got closer. Her expression changed suddenly, and she crossed her arms in an all-too-familiar pose - “Young man, what is that?”

“What? Uh, I-”

“Do I smell SMOKE ?” - she raised her voice a fair bit - “Asriel Dreemur. For your own good, I hope you have not been SMOKING behind my back.”

“Mom, please-”

“I can’t believe my own son would do such a thing. You’re gonna go upstairs and get some clean clothes, and after we go over to the Holidays’ house, me and your dad are gonna have a long talk with you.”

“Mom, listen to me!” - Asriel didn’t realize how much he’d raised his voice. He stepped back once he saw the shocked look on his mother’s face - “We can talk later, but I really need to go to the Holidays’ right now.”

“Right now? Son, we’re all going to go later.”

“I need to speak to Dess” - as soon as he said her name, Toriel tilted her head.

“I see. I figured it’d been her.” - Toriel turned back to the stove - “Fine. If that’s what you want, you can go ahead without us” - Asriel tried to respond, but his mother continued before he could say anything - “But we’re all gonna have a chat about this later. Dess included.”

“Alright. Thanks mom.”

“And you better change your clothes when you come back.”

Asriel rushed out the front door of the Dreemur household. The sun was still rising, bathing Hometown in a serene amber glow. There was a small bit of snow in the air, and some houses already had light shining through their windows.

Asriel didn’t admire the sights for too long, He made his way to the Holidays’, but didn’t have to go very far to hear from them.

---

“DECEMBEEER!” - a coarse voice echoed nearby the Holiday mansion. Asriel stopped in his tracks. Was that…? - “DECEMBEEEER! WHERE ARE YOU?”

A deer monster clad in a particularly ugly Christmas sweater came into view. Her icy antlers clashed with her panicked expression. She was running from one side of the road to another, looking all around her and intermittently yelling Dess’ name. Asriel had seen her many times throughout his life, and if there was anything consistent about her was her calm and cold demeanor.

But today was different.

“DECEMBEEEEER! PLEASE!”

The mayor. And Dess’ mother. Carol Holiday.

As soon as she noticed him standing there, she sprinted towards him - “Asriel! Is December with you?” - Asriel stuttered for a second. Dess was home, wasn’t she…? - “Asriel Dreemur!” - the woman shook him with an unexpected amount of force.

“Honey, please, don’t hurt the poor boy.” - a deep voice came from behind Carol.

Rudy Holiday, her husband, appeared from behind. He was sporting a hideous sweater matching his wife’s, and placed his hand on her shoulder. - “I’m sure she was just with Azzy here. You gotta let him breathe.” -  Rudy smiled warmly, despite his evident worry.

“Wha… what? About what?” - Asriel was still confused - “Where is Dess?” - Rudy’s eyes widened.

“That’s what we need to know!” - Carol replied - “She’s run away before, but… She’d never miss this day. And she took stuff with her! Please, have you seen her? Did she tell you anything?”

Gone…?

Oh no.

No no no no no.

“I… spoke with her earlier. But after that, we walked home! I watched her get inside!” - the eyes of the Holidays were fixated on him - “...She…”

Asriel was having trouble speaking. He knew he had to have been more insistent on Dess. He should not have let her bottle things up. He should have joined her. He should not have hesitated, doubted her. He… 

He couldn’t have forced her. He could have kneeled before her, offered his life, and she would have simply helped him back to his feet. She knew Dess. She knew Dess perhaps better than he knew himself. No way could she have let the golden choir boy help her out, or anyone close to her. She was strong. She could beat back the very stars if she wanted to. She could show everyone how strong she was.

Asriel’s hands trembled.

She didn’t have to. She didn’t need to stand alone.

But she was not here for him to tell her, her listening or not.

“Azzy?” - Rudy’s voice broke him our of his trance - “Did she say anything?”

“She…” - Asriel struggled to get the words out. What Dess had told her, how she’d felt… Was he alright with telling anyone else? Making them see Dess as vulnerable and fearful as she had been? - “She told me.. she was feeling very stressed… It was clear something was bothering her.” - Asriel slowly gave out the details, as best he could - “She wanted to get away. She was thinking of taking the car and driving away.” - he paused - “...with me.”

Carol’s eye twitched. Rudy began speaking before she could say anything - “Thanks, Azzy. I assume she didn’t tell you where she was thinking of going, right?” - Asriel shook his head - “The car’s still in the garage. She can’t have gone far.”

Carol rushed once more into the road, yelling out her daughter’s name. Rudy placed his hand on Asriel’s shoulder - “Thanks son. I’m sure she’ll turn up soon. Come on sweetheart.” - he looked down behind him, and followed his wife.

There, behind her dad, was the youngest of the Holidays, the smallest she’d ever looked. Noelle was wearing the same fake angel wings she’d worn every Christmas since she’d got them, and followed her dad as he guided her with his hand. But her gaze was locked onto Asriel’s. Big, round brown eyes. An indecipherable expression. Pleading. Crying. Mourning. Asking. Fearing.

Asriel was locked in place in front of the Holiday mansion fence, even long after the girl had disappeared from sight. The voices of other townsfolk echoed through the streets. As the town slowly woke up, so did the news of the disappearance of the mayor’s daughter spread. Dozens of voices cried out the same name, as Asriel felt numbness spread through every part of his body.

DECEMBER .

DESS .

DECEMBER .

DECEMBER .

DESS .

The numbness subsided, and was replaced by a jolt of the iciest cold.

Find me .

---

Asriel’s legs had taken off before his brain could fully comprehend where he was going. He raced through the streets southbound, past the multitudes searching. Faces and voices faded past, but he had no eyes for any of them. Only grim determination.

The forest.

Find me .

There was a place where Dess and him would go. A place to get away. A place where no one would go, no one would search. A place where they could enjoy each other’s company without worrying.

The place where they had been sincere with each other for the first time. The place where they’d let down their guard, and confessed their true feelings.

The place where they’d shared their first kiss.

Find me .

Nearby the abandoned shelter there was a small clearing, almost hidden in plain sight. A fallen log sat on the ground, next to a very thoroughly used by now firepit. There was enough space to set up a tent for a nightly escapade, and not much else. They had spent many nights there, smoking, laughing, drinking… Feeling, loving, yearning…

Asriel remembered. Their first kiss. One fateful day he had mustered up enough courage to finally confess. They had gone to the clearing to relax after a long day, avoiding their families for a bit after school. It was then when Asriel took out a crumpled piece of paper out of his bag, and began reading it aloud. A poem, written by him, for Dess.

Dess’ roaring laughter didn’t exactly reassure Asriel, who instantly covered his face in embarrassment. The girl got closer, however, and asked for another reading. Asriel, confused, obliged, but saw his words interrupted after a few lines by a small peck on the lips. This flustered him further, of course, much to Dess’ amusement.

“I like you too, you dork!” - she’d said.

“R-really!? You do?”

“Of course.” - she shyly looked away - “I wasn’t sure you did… That’s why I never said anything.”

“What? How? - the boy asked, incredulous.

“Well, you have so many friends! And are good at so much stuff that I thought…” - the girl looked away, embarrassed - “... that I wasn’t good enough for you to like me…”

“W-what!? That’s ridiculous Dess! You're the coolest! I like you, I-I do! I do very much! I swear!” - Asriel stammered over his own words, which prompted some giggling from Dess - “Can I... ask for something?”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“Could we… kiss again?”

The girl was taken aback, but soon enough, both of them were locked in a kiss. For as much as Dess teased Asriel, they were both equally inexperienced here. Clumsy, awkward and probably more messy than a normal kiss should be. But for them, it was perfect. Neither of them would have changed it for anything in the world.

After all of this, Dess had taken her trusty pocket knife and carved both their nicknames onto the bark of the tallest tree of the clearing. “To make us official” she had said. Dess + Azzy 4 Ever.

Find me .

Awakening from his own memories, Asriel found himself nearing the clearing. She had to be there. She needed to be there. Soon they’d meet again, Asriel would hug her and tell her that everyone was worried. They’d go back and everything would be fine.

Asriel zoomed past the Shelter, and waded through the trees in the direction of the clearing. Branches scratched him and broke as he ran, and he was lucky to not lose his footing to the roots that breached the ground. A final jump saw him soar into the fated spot.

…

Some birds flew away, scared by the sudden movement.

The shelter’s monotonous droning could still be heard through the thicket.

The place was as they left it. No clues, no signs. No new plastic wrappers or cigarette butts. No marks of anyone having been through since they last were.

The trunk’s carving read the same as before.

…

Nobody came.

…

…

Find me .

…

…

…

---

Fallen leaves, littering the forest floor.

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS GIRL?

LAST SEEN NEAR HOLIDAY RESIDENCE, EARLY MORNING 

12-25-XX

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT POLICE OR XXXXXXXXX

CASH REWARD

Notes:

Sorry this took longer! I'm pretty proud of this one :) Tried experimenting with some stuff on this one, any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Also, of course, thank you for reading along and showing support my fic! I'm very glad this ship inspired me to get back into creating and engaging with this community. Thanks again and enjoy!

Chapter 4: I’m with you

Summary:

It's been some time since Asriel talked with Dess. It'll be some more time until he can.

YEARS LATER.

SPRING.

Outside of Hometown, a thing approached. Clad in metal and roaring, it rushed past the trees and headed for the town. It would not be long before it arrived…

“ ...’CAUSE I WANNA GET TO YOU BAYBEEE!! ” cried a group of discordant voices from the speeding car as it closed in on the town’s main road.

Four young adults sat cramped in an old and beat-up car, windows open to let the breeze do what the broken AC could not. It was a wonder the engine was still running, but it was the only car the single driver license holder between the four of them could be trusted with. A newly released song played on the radio, lyrics predictable enough for most of the passengers to sing along.

Asriel was returning for a small break. He’d been invited by some old friends to a camping spot a few hours’ drive away, and thinking he could use the peace and quiet of nature, he’d agreed to go. He’d accompanied Bratty, Catty and another guy (what was his name again?) with their camping gear to the wilderness, only to find he’d been tricked into going to a multi-day music festival near the beach. Not what he’d bargained for, but he’d tried to enjoy his time to the best of his ability. And the endless socializing. By the Angel, the socializing…

Bratty, the gator monster, had apparently orchestrated the “white lie” as she’d called it. After his complaints, she’d told him it was “for his own good” and he could “meet new people” - he could have sworn she’d winked when saying this. She was a bit clingy at first and way too hands-on with him for his liking, but had been way too wasted most of the time to bother him. Perhaps she’d never let that one time at that party go…

Catty, the cat monster, had joined in almost instantly. He’d thought it strange, since as far as he knew Bratty could not stand her. Apparently the latter had just invited her to “help on the plan”, and she’d not even questioned it. She’d been nice to hang out with, although a bit overbearing. She was very outgoing -  maybe too much.

And last was the designated driver… Pizzapants was his name? He’d known him for a long while, but honestly his name always slipped his mind. He’d been his usually white-knuckled, bloodshot-eyed self at the festival, and had some trouble fitting in. He’d lamented his luck on “picking up chicks” to him many times, and all he could do was pat his back and nod. Apparently Bratty had only invited him because he was the only one of them with a license.

It’d been nice to be distracted for a bit, but he needed to go back. He was feeling quite homesick. And they’d just entered into the town’s borders.

“Uhhh… Dude!” - Asriel said to the driver beside him. No luck. Maybe the radio was a bit too loud? - “Hey man!”

The car came to a screeching halt. Asriel’s body hit the dashboard, turning off the music (the radio was probably busted now, too). Slowly, Pizzapants’ face turned to look at him, eyes wider than the car’s headlights, while he held onto the steering wheel with such force that one would believe it was trying to escape - “Yeah Azzy buddy?”

“I’m gonna get off here! I gotta do some stuff before I go home.” - he rubbed his face and opened the car’s door, heading for the trunk - “I’ll grab my stuff, you guys drive safely alright?”

“But Azzzzy!!” - the gator monster cried out from the back seat - “Are you really gonna leave us? We were gonna have a party later! It’d be fun if you came~.”

“We’re gonna have a party?” - Catty piped up beside her, much to Bratty’s visible annoyance - “OMG SO COOL! Azzy, you GOTTA come once you do whatever cool stuff you have to do!!”

“Haha, I’ll think about it.” - Asriel picked up his duffle bag from the trunk and waved goodbye to his friends before stepping off the road - “See you guys!”

The car took off at a speed it had no right to in its condition. Asriel sighed, and started heading into the nearby woods.

---

Truth is, he’d kinda appreciated the stress. Taking his mind off the usual was always a good thing, especially now that he was not gonna stay in Hometown for long.

Best not to think about it too much.

Asriel had combed every inch of the forest, enough to be able to find where he was going regardless of where he entered the thicket from. Despite the unusually hot and sunny spring, the forest’s canopy still managed to block out most of the sunlight.

He reached his destination in a few minutes, and was welcomed by a familiar drone. He couldn’t believe he could feel nostalgic about the racket whatever machine inside the shelter emitted constantly, but he’d grown attached to it. An acquired taste, he told himself.

“And there you are. Thanks, dad. I knew I could count on you.” - Asriel leaned down to pick up something near the shelter’s metal doors. A bouquet of flowers. Something slid out when he raised the bouquet; Asriel looked to the ground and found a couple of dollar bills. He groaned - “Damn it dad. Let me pay you for these for once!” - he sighed - “You can’t keep doing this.”

Asriel readjusted his duffle bag, and turned southward. After a few moments walking between the trees, he reached the clearing he was looking for.

“Hi Dess. Sorry I took so long.”

A small shrine stood at the foot of a tree. A small metal box contained some letters, photographs faded by the sun, some jewelry, a couple wooden guitar picks, some drawings.... Asriel had thought of sorting through the stuff, but he could not bring himself to. Besides the box, a bunch of wilted flowers laid on the ground, scattered.

The tree’s bark still had its carving. Dess + Azzy 4 Ever.

“I got whisked away to a music festival, of all things! A bunch of friends brought me over. Music was alright, but nothing special. Could not hold a candle to the Blood Crushers Tribute band, even if I do say so myself!” - he chuckled.

He stared at the box for a moment. The slight breeze rustled the tree’s leaves and made the papers in the box flutter.

“But! Don’t worry, I brought you something” - Asriel rummaged through his bag for a minute - “You see, there was this antique shop near the beach and… I found…” - he produced a small plastic cartridge with some text on foreign language on it - “This! A copy of the original release version of Smashing Fighters! The one with the glitch that lets you select the final bosses as characters on the title screen, remember? We got so mad when we found out ours had the glitch patched, hahaha! Kris asked for one of these for their next two birthdays…” - he looked at the cartridge, and blew some dust off of it - “The clerk said it was in mint condition, but I have my doubts… Here you go, Dess.”

As he leaned down to place the gift on the box, he grabbed the wilted flowers next to it and put them in his bag. In their place, he put the new bouquet. A beautiful array of golden and blue flowers.

“So many memories, all of us fighting on the game, and also on the couch at times. Kris got too into it sometimes, but Noelle even more! Sometimes they were more entertaining than the screen.“ - Asriel looked to the blue sky above the clearing. He took a deep breath - “Last I heard, Elly was doing good. She’s been acing all her subjects, for a change.” - he chuckled softly - “I think she’s made some new friends, too.”

“As for Kris, they’ve been… alright, if a little… indifferent at times. They’ve… They don’t really talk to each other anymore.”

After two months of town-wide searches, the police and the townsfolk had come up empty-handed. December Holiday had been declared dead, and a service had been held for her at the church.

Asriel had refused to go. He later learned both Kris and the Holidays had done so as well.

“You know… Remember when we were talking about what we'd do after school? I think it was camping here, even.” - he looked at the fire pit, or what remained of it. It had not been used in years - “You remember the university I told you about? Well, what do you know, I decided to take my chances and they accepted me. I guess Toriel’s strictness did finally pay off! Next year I’m gonna be a college freshman.”

Asriel had a knot in his stomach.

“I guess.. What I’m getting at is… I’m gonna be gone. For some time. The university is far away, and I’ve been looking to make preparations to move into one of the dorms.” - words froze in his throat, having to be crushed into chunks before coming out - “B-but I should be able to get back soon enough! I’ve been looking at the calendar, and I think there’s a few weeks off in winter and summer and…” - his words trailed off.

“I-I promise I’ll come back alright?”

…

A cold gust of wind blew.

"I've not been very good at keeping promises so far, have I?”

Asriel fell to his knees before the box, his tears narrowly missing the contents within. He pulled himself away, staggering, and sat down on the grass.

He shakily grabbed a cigarette from the pack he kept in his jacket, placed it on his mouth and lit it up using his lighter. Asriel hated smoking. He loathed the smell of smoke, the coughing fits, the ash, the cigarette butts. But he didn’t allow himself to quit. It was one of the last things Dess had left him with. He could not rip that away, let that part of him, of them, die. So he breathed in, drank deep and exhaled a puff of smoke to the sky.

He was never not homesick. Not even when he returned to Hometown. Not even when he was among friends and family. It would never be the same, would it? For anyone. Him, Kris, Noelle, mom, dad, the Holidays… He asked himself this question constantly, but never answered it. He dared not.

“Sorry for being such a shit boyfriend.” - he finally broke the silence after a few minutes - “I couldn’t even do one of the only things you ever asked of me, and here I am, wallowing in my own self-pity in front of you.” - he chuckled nervously, still tearing up - “Crybaby, crybaby, I know.”

“Dess, if-” - Asriel purged the thought - “...wherever you are, Dess, I swear-”

Asriel got up, startled by the sudden flight of a flock of birds. The sun was beginning to set.

“Well, that’s on me for taking this long.” - Asriel rubbed his face, trying to wipe away his tears - “I hope dad’s shop is still open once I’m back, I really have to pay him for those flowers - whether he wants to or not.”

He looked through his bag until he found a small manual flashlight powered by a crank.

“I’m gonna make a few rounds before I go.” - he said, cranking the flashlight - “Who knows, maybe today’s the day. Maybe today I can fulfill my promise.”

Asriel looked around him, and walked to the edge of the clearing.

He looked back to the tree.

“I love you Dess. I miss you. ” - he said - “I miss you so much.”

Asriel walked into the thicket, following the trail of his flashlight. He heard the monotone droning of the shelter fade away.

---

…

 

…

…

…

SHELTER.

The shelter door nudged open

An icy wind came from within

“I...” a voice declared

And the door closed once again

Notes:

Thus, we reach the end of my first fic in 9 years! It's been a great experience, and I'm glad so many people have read it and enjoyed it, especially given that the whole plot was hastily written in my Notes app as I was lying in bed after insipiration struck XD. Just know that every Kudos and comment is dearly treasured <3 Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
As for the future, I have some shorter fic ideas I want to work thorugh first to practice and get out of my head. But I also have plans for something bigger, more long-form. Something that is a continuation of this fic. We'll have to wait and see ;)
Until then, have a great life, and thanks again for your support!
Dess + Azzy 4 Ever.