The Garden, Finale

	Tap tap tap. Asgore tapped his foot, in beat, in rhythm. Counting down every second until his date would show up. It had only taken him a few days to follow the advice given and to find a date, but those were days filled with worry and anxiety. He was nervous in his nice shirt and tie, though not because it was a new person, a new face, a new someone in his life, but because it wasn’t Toriel.

He was worried that he wouldn't love her because it wasn’t Toriel. He was scared that he would love her because she wasn’t Toriel. Endless meetings flashed through his head, him slipping up somewhere in the middle each time. A stutter here, an awkward movement there, something was going to go wrong, he could feel it coming up.

	He looked around the semi-crowded building, taking a nervous sip of the ice-water that the waiter had provided. It was a new corner in town, a combination of a fancy diner and a night club. A well stocked bar, live music, good food and nice labor. It was the perfect place for a date, several couples, varying from young and old all either enjoying their meals or dancing with their lover in their arms. He felt out of place, a seven foot monster sitting in a seat two sizes too small, or so it felt. He wished he was smaller.

	Just then, the door opened, his date walking into the dimly lit welcoming area. She was the old librarian from the Snowdinn Library, the sign lovingly naming it “Librarby.” She was a simple woman. She loved books, and a warm cup of cocoa during a cold night. She opened her own library in town, the typo still remained, Librarby still written in red letters on a yellow sign. Humans came and learned some of the history about monsters, since none remained on the surface.

	She wore a simple dress, freshly ironed and of a simple, light orange dress. It was very modest, the frill ending far below her knees. She looked around, before finding the not-easy-to-miss King of All Monsters sitting at a table for two.

	Sitting down, she joined him, taking a sip of her own water. Her name was Meredith, a very not simple name, but it rolled off of the tongue nice enough. He greeted her, pulling her seat of for her, pushing it in without mistake.

	He put on a polite smile. “Howdy, Meredith.”

	She smiled back. “Oh please, Asgore. Just call me Merry.”

	That was a simple name, “Okay, Merry, how are you doing this fine evening?”

	“I’ve been doing well. Nothing much has been going on,” she chuckled, “Libraries aren’t the most exciting places.” She spoke simply, maybe Asgore was worrying about nothing.

	“Excitement is better in small doses, or at least it seems that way,” he said, chuckling. “And a good book can be the be the most exciting thing you can find.”


	“Oh I know!” She sighed wistfully, “Books are… they’re just…”

	“Great?”

	“No-no, that’s too simple,” she said. “Simple is boring! Sometimes you need something to spice things up, do stuff for no reason. A rising action, a climax, a resolution! Something has to happen for a story to be ‘good.’”

	“I’ve had plenty of ‘somethings’ in my long life, let me tell you.” And his life hadn’t been to ‘good.’ Or ‘grand’ or ‘exquisite’ or ‘entrancing,’ or any other word that ‘isn’t too simple.’’ ’It was elongated, grueling. He didn’t want excitement or change. He wanted something simple, a bit of normalcy in the craziness that was life. He wanted just a calm day, gardening in the sun, sipping on tea with someone he cared about. Someone he loved and longed for.

	His wants and thoughts were interrupted, the waiter walking up, offering each a menu, “Good evening, what would the lovely couple wish to drink?”

	“Water’s fine, thank you,” she said, sifting through the choices for dinner.

‘Oh, now she wanted simple,’ he thought, picking up his own book, “Iced tea, please.” The waiter scribbled down the order.

	“Ok, I’ll be back momentarily with your drink, sir.” He left the two, she had her nose buried between the pages. She began to talk, not sure if it was meant to be at him, or if she was just talking to herself. He caught a few words, mainly complaints, “Cambria? What kind of menu has Cambria as the main font, it’s not appealing. The color of the font doesn’t even complement the color of the page! What kind of restaurant…” Needless to say, he lost attention. He looked around, not knowing exactly what he was looking for. Then he saw her.

	He couldn’t believe it, there she was, her stark white fur sticking out in the crowd, the opposite side of the restaurant. She was sitting with what looked like a bear, though she seemed not all too interested in what he was saying. Her dress was simple, yet still elegant, a nice light green, just colorful enough to catch the eye. It rested just at her knees, flowing up to her top, her shoulders bare, sans the straps. She wore minimal make up, her fur looked perfect. God, she was beautiful.

	She turned, their eyes meeting. He blushed, quickly turning away and hoping she didn’t notice his gawking. He took a quick glance, she was still looking at him. He offered a small smile, and she returned it, her hand going up in a small wave. A small, shaky wave. Was she as uncomfortable here as him? No, that couldn’t be it. She had already moved on, a long time ago. Right?

~~~

	Toriel couldn’t stand her date. His ‘humor,’ his way of talking, his demeanor. He dressed nicely, his fur clean, his hygene top notch. But, if she heard anymore of his ‘Political Know-How” she might ‘accidentally’ singe his stupid brown fur.

	He wasn’t necessarily mean, per se. It was just that his humor was completely satirical and sarcastic. Sometimes, Toriel couldn't even tell if he was being serious or not. She hoped that she would lighten up, or that he would turn out to be a nice guy by the end of the date.

	She looked at her menu, her date talking about walls and how ‘Thaaaaaaaaaat’s politics!’ She so wanted to yell out, ‘No! That’s not at all how politics work! It’s an intricate system of checks and balances, making sure not one person could control the lives of others.’ Something to put him into place, to shut him and his wise mouth up. Get into an argument and show him what for. But she kept her mouth shut, hoping that the date would at least sail smoothly.

	Taking a sip from her glass, she looked around the diner. Couples were spending time together, loving each other, loving the food and the music. The music was some odd rock band, playing quietly on the stage on the far side of the club part of the place. The music sounded quietly through the dining area, songs of love and want filling the patrons’ ears. It was rather off for dinner music, but fitting in perfectly with her mood.

	Her eyes caught his white coat, his horns recently buffed and golden beard trimmed neatly. Asgore. Seeing him here made her bitter-sweet mood all the more bitter, wishing the buffoon she was sharing dinner with wasn’t that bear. Their eyes met, him looking away quickly. She continued her stare, knowing he would turn back. He did, her prediction on the nose, their gaze seemed to last for a fraction of a second and for an eternity all at once. She put up a shaky hand, which he smiled at. Sighing, she took another sip of water and let the music flow through her her. She was hoping he was having a better time than she was.

	Asgore turned his head back to the menu, now he couldn’t get his mind off of Toriel. She was absolutely gorgeous, and in the most simple of ways. He tried to focus on the music, but that was of no help, the sad tones and morose lyrics just fueling his thoughts further.

	“Hello?” his date huffed.

	He shook his head, as if coming out of a trance, “Wh-what?”

	“I asked you a question.”

	“Oh, s-sorry. I was just… listening to the music is all.”

	“Sure,” she said, obviously not happy with his behavior. “Uh huh.”

	“What?” He cursed himself.

	“I saw you ogling your ex. Is that the only reason you agreed to go on this date?”

	“N-No! Of course not!” he said, desperately trying to save his sinking ship.

	“Uh huh, yeah, sure,” she said, storming off from the table. He got up, reaching a hand out to keep her from going, trying to say something, but the words just simply didn’t come out. He watched as she left, the door jingling as it shut. Covering his face, he sat back down, sighing. Stupid, stupid stupid, he thought to himself. “Guess I do mess everything up,” he said, burying his face in his hands.

	Toriel watched as he sat, sullen and sad. She oh-so wanted to run to him and pick him up, offering her strength to his. The other half of her heart had some awful happiness off of seeing him. Some cruel form of bliss from seeing someone else fail. Her thoughts and conflictions were interrupted, a sharp, sudden pain at her thigh. She nearly leaped out of her seat, the chuckling face of the bear.

	“What the hell is wrong with you?!” she seethed, trying her best to hold her composure.

	“What? You’re cute when you’re upset,” he said, snickering. She stammered and blushed, opening her mouth to speak, though being interrupted, “Oh, ‘bluh bluh bluh.’ You’re such a hothead, I just wanted a little bit of fun.”

	“Why I never!” She nearly yelled, grabbing her purse and leaving, not turning back to look at her ‘date.’  He probably said something, something stupid and in his form of humor, but she didn’t care. She simply didn’t care.

	Asgore watched as she stormed off, wanting to deep-fry her date for making her run off. He didn’t deserve her, not at all. The King sighed again, wanting to follow her and comfort her, hug her from behind and make her feel alright again, but he knew that he shouldn’t. She wouldn’t want that.

	His attention turned, the bar becoming ever so enticing. He shrugged, having nothing better to do and meandered over to the nearest bar stool, sitting down and sinking into the cushion on top. A cat monster with the nametag ‘BP’ in lazy handwriting walked over, polishing a shot glass.

	He looked the king over. “Need a drink, little… er, big buddy?” The king asked for a Virgin Mary, he rarely if ever drank, and he just didn’t like the taste of it. “You got it, coming right up.” Asgore watched as the bartender grabbed the makings, tomato juice, tabasco, worcester sauce, a healthy stalk of celery and a carrot. In what seemed instant, the drink was prepared, Asgore taking the glass and taking a hearty sip.

	He had always loved Virgin Maries, they were insanely refreshing, and the tanginess was a great bonus, spicy foods being among his favorites. He dunked the carrot, taking a crunchy bite from the vegetable. He sighed as he set down the cup, looking in the crowd. Not a sight of Toriel.

	“Something on your mind, buddy?” asked Burgerpants, who was still polishing the glass.

	“Hmm?” Asked Asgore, “Oh, no. It’s nothing.”

	The barkeep set down his work, “That sigh sure didn’t sound like ‘nothing.’”

	Asgore chuckled, “I guess not. It’s just… a long story is all. Plus, do you really want an emotional boss monster you have to clean up for after?”

	Burgerpants motioned at the empty bar, “I’ve got plenty of time left on this shift. And you act as if I haven’t seen weirder.”

	“I would guess so,” Asgore laughed, “Well, I’ve been down in the low recently. I miss my wife, well I’m not sure if she’s my wife anymore, and wish we could be back together. But, I don’t think she’ll love me again. I tried dating to help get over her… but things didn’t go at all as planned. I just screw everything up.” He took another long drink, setting down the glass and looking at his reflection on the polished bar.

	Burgerpants took out a box of cigarettes, taking one for himself and offering one to Asgore, which he kindly rejected. Asgore noticed a ‘No Smoking’ sign next to the liquor cabinet, which BP was blissfully unaware of, “Listen, buddy. The world is shitty. Life is shitty. There’s no doubt about it, and you, having lived for a long, long time, know that far too well. But you gotta make the best of it. Every choice I’ve ever made has been a mistake. I’m 19, and for most of my life I went to highschool, dropped out, and worked at a deadend job under a boss I hated with every ounce of dust I was worth.

	Now look at me! I work at a high end, trendy bar in downtown on the freakin’ surface, where I get to bullshit all day and talk to random drunks. I get tipped for talking to random people and getting their drinks out quicker than they can down ‘em. Life can only go up, my friend, just remember that.”

	Asgore laughed, “I feel like every choice I’ve made in a while has been a mistake.”

	“That’s the spirit!” He said, the cigarette bobbing in his mouth, “You just gotta wait for the good times.” He squinting at the shot glass he had been polishing, “Hold on, I’ll be right back.” He went into a back door, leaving Asgore on his own. He swirled his drink, watching the red cyclone against the glass. He took another bite of the garnish, listening to the music.

	The sound of someone sitting down to his right made him turn, but the sight nearly made him spit out the food in his mouth. “T-Tori?!”

	She smiled a happy smile, “Greetings.”

	“I-I thought you left! What are you doing here?”

	“I saw you all by yourself and thought you shouldn’t drink on your own. Plus, I could go for a drink myself.” As if on cue, Burgerpants emerged from the back room, wiping his hands off with a washcloth, “Excuse me, but may I have what he’s having. But alcoholic please.”

	BP nodded, looking at Asgore, asking a silent question, which the King nodded to. The barkeep hastily made another drink, this time adding a generous shot into the mix, and giving it to the old Queen before whistling a tune and disappearing back behind his door.

	The two boss monsters were left together in adjacent seats, neither knowing when or how to make the next move. Toriel took a sip of her drink, a please look spreading across her face, “Wow, this is very good!”

	“Not at all as good as yours, Tori.” Asgore muttered, quickly realizing what he said. “Oh! Toriel, I-I’m so sorry! I don’t know wh-”

	“It’s okay, Asgore. It was a simple mistake. Plus, Tori’s easier to say anyway,” she said, taking another sip.

	There was a short pause.

	“And... thanks, that was nice of you.” Asgore smiled, taking a drink of his own. Another silence. He wanted so bad to talk to her, but had no idea what to talk about. His moment, and now he was speechless. So much time thinking about this encounter, and now it was impossible to even say her name right.

	He was afraid of making her upset, afraid of losing her again when she was so close. He had no idea what to do with his hands, putting them on the bar, below the bar-- should he try to wrap an arm around her? He dunked his carrot, taking another bit of the garnish. Crunchy food helped him get away from his nerves. I need to get rid of these nerves and this terror and this paralyzation, or else I’ll never move again...

	“So...  how was, um, your day, Toriel?” he asked, putting on the biggest grin he could muster.

	She looked at him top to bottom, her smile widening. “You’re really cute when you’re flustered.” He blushed, surprised, nearly falling out of his seat, and Toriel giggled. “Always have been.”

	His chest swelled, though he couldn’t tell if that was his heart racing too fast or his pride dying slightly. “Th-thanks,” he sputtered, trying to come up with a response. “Y-You look very nice yourself. That’s a… um,  great color on you.” His nervousness was obvious in his voice, but she didn’t mind..

	She smiled, “Asgore, there is one more reason why I came back to the bar.”

	The King looked up, “Yes?”

	“Would you like to dance?”

	His heart nearly burst, “Yes! I-I mean, of course, I would love to Tori.” He got up, finishing off his drink, “Just let me pay the tab and I’ll be off.” He dropped several gold onto the bar, counting up the price, along with a rather hefty tab.

	“No need for the cash, buddy” called Burgerpants’s voice from behind the door, “Consider it on the house.”

	Asgore laughed, “Golly! Thank you.” He looked at the money, “Then consider it a tip.” Asgore looked at Toriel, then at the dancefloor. It had been so long since he had danced, hopefully he wouldn’t make a fool of himself.

	Toriel took his hand, something that hadn’t happened in well over a century. He was almost in disbelief, walking with with clumsy steps to the small crowd on the dance floor. She looked over her shoulder, laughing at his sloppy steps and not-too-sure movements.

	The music was slow, perfectly slow as she took him into her arms, his shaky hands wrapping into hers. She led, pulling him close, and looking into his eyes. He couldn’t help but grin, becoming love drunk in seconds. He stared into her love filled rubies, his whole demeanor calming. His hands instinctively moved, tentatively wrapping them around her lower back. She was perfectly warm and soft, her hands laying atop of his. She fit against him like a jigsaw piece, her chest pressed snugly against his.

	He could feel her pulse, beating softly against his. They stepped in time, muscle memory kicking back in. It was a slow, simple dance, neither a waltz nor a quickstep, and they didn’t care. They were just happy to be in each other's’ arms, swaying slowly to the music.

	Asgore still felt slightly out of place, a little stiff, a step out of whack. But seeing the love in her eyes, the loving grip of her hands, everything made him feel like he snapped back into where he was supposed to be. He wanted so bad to lean forward, to press his muzzle to hers into a kiss, though he wasn’t sure if he should.

	As if reading his mind, she moved her nose forward, rubbing against his. Nostalgia overwhelmed him, memories of the Nose Nuzzle competitions all those years ago. He nuzzled back, a wide grin spreading on his lips. The time seemed right, her body language saying ‘Yes.’ He tilted his head just a little bit lower, pressing his lips against hers. They shared a kiss, a slight blush on both of their cheeks.

	Nothing of the night compared. Time seemed to be frozen, their souls meeting again and joining in a loving bond. He couldn’t believe it. She felt like the Toriel he knew, and even tasted like the Toriel he knew. Her same light perfume, her same beautiful voice. Her stark white fur and her lovely figure. She was the name that he loved, the one that didn’t love him back, but now she did love him. She loved him, and he could never be happier.

	She could never be happier, she had her old love rekindled, she no longer held these awful feelings in her heart and her mind. She felt free, she felt love flowing freely from his soul to his. She had her Fluffybuns back.

	The kiss broke, and they stood in each other’s arms. They swayed to the music as a unit, no longer apart. Asgore was no longer scared, for he loved Toriel and she loved him back. Toriel was no longer torn, for she had lost all resentment in her heart.

	The band onstage sang: “Who knows how long I've loved you,

	“You know I love you still,

	“Will I wait a lonely lifetime,

	“If you want me to,

	“I will.”

~~~

	Frisk sat on the couch in Toriel’s house. She didn’t know what to feel. It was getting late, and Toriel was on her date. Maybe she would come home with a man she loved, someone to make Toriel happy, remove the bags from under her eyes. Frisk didn’t know her own opinion, but she just wanted her family to be happy.

	That’s all that matters, for everyone to be happy.

	The main door opened, Toriel calling from the front “Frisk? I’m home. I have someone I want you to meet. I think you might know him.” The human jumped from the couch, walking up to see what her mom was talking about. The old Queen stood in the entrance, blocking Frisk’s view, “I think I finally found someone that would make a good father to you, and a good husband for me. Come on in, dearest.”

	She entered the house, her date now evident to Frisk, “Howdy, Frisk!” said Asgore. “I hope you accept me as your new ‘Dad.’”

	Frisk leaped into his arms, giggling and yelling gleefully. Asgore joined in, hugging the child. Toriel chuckled , “I think she likes you.”

	He laughed as well, “I think so too.” He wrapped an arm around Toriel as well, making her smile.

	For the first time in many a lifetime, the Dreemurrs felt whole again.