Cristle

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My eyes fluttered open, taking in my surroundings. I was in my pajamas, in my old room.

But...

Wait a minute.

I got up from the bed, looking around. There was frost collected at my window, like it always was underground. But... I wasn't underground anymore, right?

My eyes drifted to the calendar, which had been marked until a particular date.

April 12th. Just a couple weeks until Uncle Papy's birthday. I still don't know what to get him.

So, the human, the barrier, did none of that happen? Was it all just a dream?

Looking around me, I answered all of my rushing questions with a shrug. Apparently. A crash came from inside the house, startling me. Papa and Papy should both be asleep by now. I opened the door, silently scurrying across the living room floor. Turning a corner, I was devastated at what I saw.

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Sans

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No more resets, eh kid?

I sat in the corner, chugging down my ketchup. I haven't had a bottle of the stuff since...

I sighed in thought.

Why? Why would Frisk reset? Cristle may have been a glitch, but I loved her to death. Now... knowing I'll never see her again...

There really is no point in holding back, is there?

My eyes glazed over the kitchen, light from the fridge starting to hurt my eyesockets. I was getting migraines from drinking, has it really been that long? Staring blankly at the bottle, I sighed and finished it off.

At the kitchen entrance, there was a light blue and white blob. I squeezed my eyes, trying to focus on it for an image.

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Cristle

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He swayed from side to side dazily, eyes not focusing on anything. I came out from the corner, almost whispering, "Papa?"

The skeleton concentrated on me, sockets widening. "c-cristle? but i thought..." Tears seemed to start emerging from his sockets. "Is something wrong?" I slowly walked a little closer. I had never seen him cry before, I was worried.

He glanced at the ketchup bottle before tossing it to the side, next to a pile of already empty ones. The skeleton hid his face while I started counting them. "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9..." I froze, looking at him. Ten. He's never drunk that many. Ever.

Papa started crying, trying to wipe his tears away before looking at me. "angel, i'm so sorry. i'm so, so sorry."

I walked in front of him, giving a big hug. I know my Papa. I know he's really worried about something. And whatever it is, I'm gonna help him with it.

He hugged me back, accidentally pushing my face into his jacket. "i'm sorry. a lot of stuffs going on right now, and i shouldn't have done that. it was stupid. can you please forgive me?", Papa asked in between tears. I hugged a little harder and nodded on his jacket.

His tears started hitting my pajamas as he mumbled, "thank you. thank you so much." As the hug started to break, I looked up at him. The skeleton chuckled, running a hand through my hair. "can we... not, tell papy about this?" I nodded with a little smile. I know that it's a secret, but I kinda respect that. Papa smiled slightly and 'kissed' my forehead.

"did i wake you?" I froze for a second before nodding. He wrapped his arms around me, quietly saying, "aw, i'm sorry." I giggled a little as he picked me up bridal style in his arms, carrying me to my bed.

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Sans

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I gently put my beloved daughter down on her bed. Right before I walked off from her room, the little girl called, "Wait!"

I froze, turning toward her with a smile.

"Aren't you gonna sing me a lullaby?"

My smile never left at the request. To be honest, I kind of saw it coming. It was our little routine, after all. I sighed a little, mumbling, "the things i do for ya." Nonetheless, I tucked her in, starting with a little song I heard a while back.

Oh, how the gentle wind,

Beckons through the leaves,

As autumn colors fall.

Dancing in a swirl,

Of golden memories,

The loveliest lies of all.

I kept my voice quiet and low for her. My angel seemed to like it though, smiling happily as she slept once again.

Closing the door behind me, I sighed lightly. I... can't believe I did that. I can't believe I let her see me do that.

What kind of father am I supposed to be, I can't even take care of myself properly. Humming the tune to the kitchen, I cleaned up my mess before teleporting to bed. Staring at the ceiling, I listened to the wind outside. It was calming, in a way. Seemed to let me drift to some sort of peaceful sleep, at least.

Shame it didn't last.