Letters to the Future #7 [Asgore]

#6 Mettaton -> http://pastebin.com/cJShjfYA
Ao3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/7992136

Letters to the Future

[ASGORE]

Howdy.

It's been ages since I've last written a letter. Do I still remember how to write at all? Will I be able to read these already incomprehensible scratches in a year or two?

Perhaps, perhaps not. But I already know these words by heart.

Nearly a year has gone by since the barrier was finally broken. In the end, it wasn't fury, revenge, or resentment that opened up the way to the surface, but the kindness of a stranger, who has grown to love us and our kind more than words could possibly describe. Monster kind is now free to roam the world once more, slowly but surely rejoining human society. The differences are manifold, though somewhat expected; it has been a long time, after all. Still, the basic elements of diplomacy have remained the same and after a slightly awkward start, things quickly settled on the right track.

Golly, it's been so long since I've seen the sun. The Underground has been our prison and sanctuary as well, and we made due with what we could, but there are just some things that weren't the same. The soft evening breeze, the rays of the setting sun, the sounds of wildlife in the forest, all of these have never left my dreams in the many years we've spent isolated.

There is so much I could speak of, yet most of them are a matter of history already. Treaties, bills, rules and laws, we've run a fine course of securing a future from every possible angle. Our kind is recognized, we can own land, property, and businesses, and all of this in just under a year. The merit isn't just mine though. Papyrus and Mettaton have both worked tirelessly to garner support with their boundless energy, everyone has been very patient and understanding throughout the whole procedure, and of course I can't forget about my right-hand; Ambassador Frisk.

Frisk is a very thoughtful child. Even when we're not in the middle of official matters, they still visit at least every other day and often end up sleeping over here as well. The usual direction is to have them go to bed early, but there's a very closely guarded secret of both of us often breaking that promise. Sometimes I forget myself and feel like I'm looking into a faded mirror to the past, only to flinch when they call my name. They say a surprising lot of things, especially considering how quieter they are every other time. They smile and laugh, but they also look away and sulk sometimes. I can tell there's a lot more they want to say, but can never find the right moment, or the right way to push the words forward.

They aren't the only one to feel like this. There's much I would like to discuss, both nice and sad, but they're difficult topics to approach, especially since family is a touchy question for both of us. And yet despite things that remain unsaid, the silence often just brings us closer. Their affection is something I never realized how much I truly missed. Even with that sting of the past, it's still a pain worth bearing.

Tori is a different question. I'd be lying if I said that everything is in the past now. That stands for the good and the bad, just as much. Frisk has done their best in trying to mend things, but even with their best intentions, this isn't something that can be fixed with a hug. We've both said and done things we aren't proud of, nor wish to think about. The relationship between us is still strained, but at least passable. I can't really ask for more than that, right now. There's still so much we would need to talk about, things that should be said, some kind and perhaps even hurtful things, but that will not happen for a while. I've tired of fighting battles. Perhaps before we are to heal anything, it's better if we sort out everything within ourselves, first.

Undyne checks on me so often, I could consider her an on-duty bodyguard. She's grown into a very fine and powerful individual, yet retained so much kindness in her heart, that I wasn't at all surprised when she moved in together with Alphys. She asked me once if I feel like there's less on my shoulders, now that the barrier is gone.

I had to be honest with her. I think she understood, though she also seems more worried for me, than ever.

A long memory isn't always the best thing to have. While we were trapped, I spoke of the surface many times. Children and adults both listened to my tales of even the most mundane things with bright interest, and the thought that they could one day see all of these things for themselves, always left them hoping that the barrier would fall. And yet I also remember everything else. The first minor conflicts, the growing resentment on both sides, the fear and lashing out, the first skirmishes, the atrocities and the great engine of war itself.

Every day I wake up in cold sweat and spend an hour vigorously scouring through every newspaper available, just to check for any telltale sign of problems to come. It is nothing, but a sense of paranoia, yet it's how I stay aware of everything, at all times. Every day without problems lets me believe in an age of peace more and more. Perhaps one day I can accept that the world has changed and only for the better. When that happens, maybe I can let go and be the groundskeeper for Toriel's school full-time.

But before that, there is another matter at hand. A very personal project, to be precise. Human record-keeping is nothing short of amazing, able trace whole lineages, based on minimal information. While nothing is definite, the experts I've consulted believe they've already found two possible matches. Frisk figured it out, though I shouldn't even be surprised by that. They are a shockingly crafty child. We haven't discussed it too much, but to my surprise they asked if they could come along as well, when the time comes. They refused to elaborate much, but apparently, there are things I might not know about.

They really are a good kid. It's no wonder they remind me so much of the past. Of what we lost.

I find that in my older years I ramble so much more than ever before.

After so many years, monsters have cleared the greatest obstacle ever to have existed and returned triumphant. Though the road forwards from this point on is uncertain, it is a King's duty to guide his people.

I've lived in a labyrinth of appearances and lies for too long. There's still so much to do and yet rather than dread, I relish in these duties now.

We all now carry the future of both humans and monsters.

And we will stay determined.

-     -     -

[there is another letter, half-buried between the rest...]