{Handplates chapter reference: you ever seen somebody ruin they own life}

Both Gaster and you rushed to the throne room. You were slightly falling behind due to your condition, but you tried your best to keep up.

Your entire body was tense, hoping, no, praying that this was all just a misunderstanding. Or...wrong information.

Gaster didn't even have the time to properly put on his lab coat as we finally reached the door.

'Your majesty!', called Gaster out and you walk up behind him, looking over his shoulder.

Asgore was sitting motionlessly in his throne, his shoulders hanging low and his entire body hunched over. You immediately stood still, looking at him with shock, still hoping that all of this wasn't true but the way Asgore sat there gave you the answer that you didn't want to even think about.

The answer that no one was prepared to hear.

'I heard. I...I'm sorry.', signed Gaster, a hurt expression on his face as his eyes flickered in various colors.

Asgore suddenly spoke, his voice echoing through the empty hall: "There is no justice...only strength. You said that, when we were first trapped down here."

Gaster tried to intervene, walking up to Asgore but he just continued talking: "Do you still believe that?"

Gaster hesitates.

'I...what I've seen...evidence suggests that it does still...hold true but-'

"I want her out.", said Asgore coldly, nodding in your direction.
"I cannot stand looking at her right now."

Your eyes widen in shock, immediately retreating and disappearing into the hallway to listen to the conversation from there instead.

Asgore's voice still echoed through the halls, but from here more faintly.

"Asriel told me what happened before he died. Humans killed him, Gaster. He didn't even fight back. All he wanted was to honor a human he loved's dying wish, and now they are both gone. Humans killed him. Does that surprise you?"

You can hear the pain and anger in his voice, your own heart clenching a little as you hear his words. You didn't know what Gaster's reply to all of this was, but you knew whatever he was trying to tell Asgore, probably didn't reach him right now.

"Gaster. You said, thanks to [Y/N]'s and your discovery, you figured out that with enough human souls, a monster could become powerful enough to break the barrier. Is this true?'

Your breath hitched in your chest as you heard Asgore's words. His voice was cold as ice, a tone you have never heard from him before.

"Do you think we can live in peace with humans?", he asked, his voice sounded angered.

"Tell me honestly."

You could hear Gaster's voice as he desperately tried to explain himself but without being able to see his signs, you couldn't truly tell what his answer was.

"Then that is it. There is only one way forward for our race.", said Asgore with a confident voice.

You hear Asgore's footsteps and how Gaster hurried after him.

Suddenly you hear fire magic swirling and how someone aggressively turns around, their clothes rustling loudly with that movement: "I know who I am!"

You flinch as you hear Asgore's outburst, not knowing if you should step in or leave it be. You decide to stay in the hallway.

"I am the father of two dead children, who's lost everything to humans over and over and over again. My land, my people, my home, my belongings, my freedom, my family..." He shouted, his voice sounding desperate, close to breaking.

You could feel Asgore's pain and sorrow and couldn't help but tear up a little.

"It is time for it to end. There is no justice, only strength. How many more times does this have to happen? How many more times can we LET this happen?"

Gaster's voice sounded desperate, as he tried to find the right words and reason with Asgore.

"How can you say that, how can YOU say that to me? Just because you have your precious [Y/N] now? Look me in the eye and tell me you don't want all humans dead, Gaster. After everything they have done to you. Done to me. You can't. You want it just as I do."

Gaster tries to remain calm, his voice sounding steady and clear, but Asgore seems to not react.

"There is no justice, only strength. Get [Y/N] out of here. I never want to see her again, but if she is that important to you-"

Gaster still tries to protest against what Asgore says, struggling to reason with him through his blind rage.

"I have an announcement to make."
.
.
.
Gaster suddenly comes around the corner, his eyes flashing in several colors, seemingly alarmed.

His face was ridden with guilt and shock, tears in his eyes.

"G... what-" Before you could say more, he grabbed your hand and lead you out of the castle.

'We need to get out of here. Right now.'

.

.

.

After Asgore's announcement, life drastically changed for you. You weren't targeted by monsters but everyone started avoiding you.

You moved in with Gaster, both to ensure your safety but also to monitor your declining health.
Your condition only seemed to get worse at this point.

Toriel had disappeared and no one knew where she has gone off too.

Gaster was torn between his love towards you and his loyalty to the king and his best friend, Asgore. He occasionally visited Asgore, who had fallen into severe depression.

Both the suffering of you and his best friend did a great number on him, wearing him out everyday as he tried his best to support the both of you and be there whenever he was needed.

Sometimes you wished you could help him but Asgore did not want to see you anymore as the pain was too great.

You knew that Asgore regretted his decision almost immediately but the damage was already done. And even if you wanted to, you were in no condition to leave the house.

Your headache constantly plagued you and as soon as you overexerted yourself, you fainted. It was difficult to even set foot outside of Gaster's house at this point.

"How is he?", you asked almost immediately as Gaster entered the house.

He let out a big sigh: 'As bad as always...if anything, it just gets worse.'

He looked sad as he thought about Asgore. He walked up to you and sat down next to you on the couch, pressing a soft kiss against your cheek.

'I wish there was more I could do for both of you..'

You gently grasped his hand.

"You are doing more than enough. Don't worry, okay?"

Gaster teared up slightly.

'[Y/N], despite everything, you are still so optimistic...how do you do it?'

He stopped signing as tears trickled down his face, falling into his lap.

"G...", you say softly and cup his face, gently wiping away his tears.

"Please, don't despair. I know this is hard but...with everything that has happened, I learned that there will always be hope. Something to hold onto...because, if we don't hope...what is left?"

You tear up yourself.

The truth was, you were scared. Scared of what may happen in the future and if anyone in the Underground can actually further withstand all of this darkness and despair.

It was getting difficult.

'You are my hope, you are the only thing that keeps me going...'

You look at him with a saddened expression as he took both of your hands and pressed your knuckles against his teeth to kiss them.

'I don't know what I would do without you if you weren't here to point me to the light and hold onto hope...'