The Garden, Chapter 5

Sunlight shone through the room and fell upon Frisk’s sleeping eyes. She yawned and got up, stretching her arms and back. She took a deep breath.

Smells like breakfast.

Asgore was in the kitchen, the sound of food sizzling filling the air. Frisk walked in, taking a seat at the table. Asgore’s food smelled amazing, eggs, bacon, pepper; seemed like a perfectly good omelette. The old King noticed his adoptive daughter sitting and watching him, swinging her legs idly on her bar stool.

“Good morning, Frisk!” he said cheerily, “I was just about to wake you. Breakfast will be ready very soon.” The human smiled and nodded. Asgore may not be the best cook, but he at least tries, and knows how to do certain foods really well. He can make a killer piece of toast.

He smiled as he worked, the egg just about fully cooked. He took a big whiff, sighing at the smell of cooked food. The food sat for a while as Asgore grabbed two plates with a pair of forks to match. Using one he halved the omelette and put the bigger of the two on Frisk’s plate.

He sat at his chair, fork at the ready. Frisk had already begun eating, her stomach grumbling. In what felt like no time at all, she polished off her plate, Asgore was impressed.

“Was it that good?” He chuckled, “Should I make another?”

“It was that good,” She said, amazed, “When did you learn to cook so well?”

A flash of sadness appeared in his eyes, “You learn eventually after being alone for a century or two.”

Frisk’s face flushed of color, “Oh… I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s alright, Frisk,” he interrupted, smiling, “You had no idea. Anyway, do you want another?”

“I would love another, but I’m full.” She got up and hugged her goatdad, “Thanks, dad.”

He ruffled the human’s already messy hair, “Go get yourself all cleaned up while I finish,” he said after a bite, “What do you want to do today?”

Frisk thought for a second, then shrugged, “Have you ever had grade A surface burger, all messy and filled with preservatives?”

Asgore looked confused, “Well no, no I haven’t.”

“Then that’s what we’re doing.”

~~~

Toriel sat in her usual rocking chair, the same one she had in the ruins. She wasn’t sure if it was creature comforts or a want of the past, but her new house on the surface is an exact replica of the home she had before underground. Same layout, same furniture. She wasn’t even sure why, but she included Asgore’s room in the mix, though it was still ‘Under Renovation.’ Maybe it was just her wanting the past, maybe it was because she didn’t want to exclude it, maybe past her thought of it as a good spot for a guest bedroom, but it stood there, immediately to her right every time she exited her room.

Despite the cozy fire and comfortable chair, and her favorite snail book, she still felt uncomfortable. The empty house seemed to taunt her, Frisk has barely been away for more than a day, and she already felt the empty nest syndrome crawling back up. The clocked ticked, it wasn’t even three o’clock yet. She sighed and closed her book, taking the glasses that were balancing on her nose, she needed to do something. But, what could she do?

There was a knock on the door, rousing her from her thoughts. She hurried to the entrance, unlocking the door and opening it, Sans the skeleton was standing on her welcome mat.

“what, no ‘who’s there’?” He said, his smile gleaming.

Toriel chuckled, “Sorry Sans, I didn’t realize it was you.” She motioned for him to enter, “Come in, come in!”

“heh, it’s no problem, tori, just pulling your tail.” He looked around, noticing the lack of Frisk in the room, “where’s the kid?”

“Oh, she’s with Asgore for the weekend.” She looked at her phone, “She has kept me updated though.” She laughed, showing Sans the picture of the Nice Cream napkin saying ‘Are those claws natural?’ “I’m glad they’re having fun.”

“no hard feelings between you and old king fluffybuns?” he asked, taking a seat on the couch.

She winced slightly, “I… wouldn’t say that. There’s some small tension.” She chuckled wearily, “It’s almost funny. When I came back I expected him to stop at nothing to try to get me back. Flowers, tea, letters, chocolate, you know, but… he seems almost… scared of me.”

“i would be scared too, a big fluffy goat monster with fangs and horns.” He feinted a small look of fear, “i’d better leave before the real ‘tor’ror begins.”

“That one was a bit forced.”

“yeah, i know.”

“But seriously, it would be so much easier if he was a love drunk old dolt that I get mad at and could send away but he’d be back as soon as I turned around. Now… I’m somewhat scared for him. He seems numb, and numbness isn’t a lack of feeling, it’s blocking it, bottling it up until you can’t hold it anymore,” She looked up at Sans, her eyes worried, “And I’m afraid of what would happen when he does eventually snap.”

Sans sighed, “i dunno tori, seems like he’s got your goat.” She looked at him angrily, “ok, that one was an accident. heh, but i don’t think you have to worry too much now, seems like frisk is keeping him happy at least for right now.”

She nodded, smiling faintly. Her phone buzzed, another text from Frisk. It was a picture, Asgore and Frisk sitting in a booth, holding burgers as if they were royalty, pinkies raised with straight backs and lips. Toriel giggled, Asgore looking incredibly goofy with his overly pompous look, Frisk trying her best to look snooty with her signature straight face. Sans peeked at the screen, chuckling at the picture, “see, i think he’ll be fine for now.”

It was her turn to sigh, “I know, I know, but I am a mom at heart, I always have to worry.” Her mood a bit better, “Anyway, what brings you here to my abode, and where’s Papyrus? It seems like you two are usually inseparable.”

“pap is having a cooking ‘lesson’ with undyne,” he put emphasis on ‘lesson’, “and as much as i love ketchup, i don’t enjoy being splattered with tomato remains. as for why i’m here, i was feeling a little ‘bone’ly and wanted to visit an old friend.”

Toriel laughed, “Sounds like a good enough reason. So how has your life on the surface been?”

They went on for a while, going from topic to topic, how the whole teaching gig is going, Papyrus’s endeavors as a chef and how he was “actually improving,” at least that’s what Sans said. How Frisk is doing. In their chit chat, hours managed to pass without them realizing it. The clock struck seven, reminding Toriel what she had to do.

“Goodness! Sorry to cut this short Sans, but I have to go pick up Frisk.” She rushed and gathered her purse and keys, hurrying to the front door.

“no problem at all, tori. glad we had the chance to talk.” The two left her house, Toriel making sure to lock it on the way out. She opened her car door, biting her lip as a thought came to her mind.

“Hey, Sans…” she said, looking over at the skeleton.

“what’s up.”

“I know you hate keeping promises, but-”

“you want me to keep an eye on asgore.” She nodded, an apologetic look in her eyes. He winked, “don’t worry, i’ll put my best socket to use.”

“Thank you so much, Sans. It means a lot.”

“hey, what are friends for?”

~~~

Asgore and Frisk sat in Asgore’s living room, sipping on tea. It was nearing the time that Toriel was going to pick up the child, so they spent last few minutes just enjoying the company along with their tea. Frisk admired her new teacup, happy that Asgore bought it for her. She drank the last bit of tea left, her phone buzzed.

She looked up from the screen, “Mom’s here.” Asgore nodded, putting down his cup, the steam still rising lazily. The two walked to the exit.

“Do you have everything?” Frisk nodded, “Are you sure?” She giggled, nodding again. He smiled, kneeling down and giving his child a big goodbye hug. “Don’t be a stranger alright? Just give me a call any time you want to come over.” She nodded, her face buried in his shirt. With one final squeeze and a kiss on her brow, he opened the door and watched her walk away. She turned around and waved before she got in the car. He smiled, putting his hand up as she climbed into Toriel’s car. He watched as the two most important people in his life drove off.

He took a deep breath and smiled, walking back into his home. His gaze turned to the piano.

~~~

Frisk sat in the backseat, looking back at the small home that was Asgore’s. She had a lot of fun just spending time with him, and he obviously loved to have her around.

Toriel looked at the forlorn child, sighing quietly. “You want to spend another day, don’t you?” Frisk nodded. Toriel smiled, as she signaled a turn. The car turned around in the vacant street.

They arrived shortly, Toriel parking the car. “I’ll be right back, I need to talk to Asgore.” Frisk responded with a simple “OK,” and Toriel walked up the door, knocking twice lightly. She waited, though there was no response. She tried the handle, which fortunately wasn’t lock. She pushed the door open, the sound of a piano greeting her. She looked over, seeing her old husband playing away at his old piano, the piece slow and sweet.

She didn’t want to interrupt, so should stood and listened, swaying slightly to the beat. He had no idea he had an audience, his attention put entirely on the keys. Toriel couldn’t see his face, but she could tell he was smiling. He looked truly happy.

Several minutes passed, Toriel enjoying the soft tones of the piano, until the ending drew to a close, the chords ringing into nothing. As Asgore raised his hands off the keyboard, Toriel gave him a small hand of applause. He looked back, shocked to see her standing there.

“Tori- erm, Toriel! I… um didn’t hear you come in.” He stuttered, a light blush on his cheeks.

She smiled, “I came in to tell you that Frisk wanted to stay another night. Just bring her back when you can, maybe even a day later. She really wants to spend more time with you.”

He tried his best to match her smile, “Oh! Oh of course! She can stay whenever, as long as it’s ok with you.” He rubbed his neck, trying to match her eyes. They didn’t look angry, but looked somewhat happy, almost joyful.

“Of course. Anyway, I’ll leave you be.” She opened the door.

“Maybe you could come over one of these days, play a little bit of music. Frisk would most likely love to take lessons. I’ll make some of that pie you love.”

He couldn’t believe his ears, “Uh… yeah! That sounds lovely. Thank you, Tori.” He realized his mistake, “Toriel! I mean, sorry.”

She laughed at his blush and bashful behavior, “It’s fine, Asgore. I’ll tell Frisk to come in. Have a goodnight.”

“You too!” he called as she left. Things were beginning to look up for him.