The moon, chapter 12: Happiness

Kris sat up in his bed, hopped off, and shakily fell to his knees. It was as if his legs weren't strong enough to support him. Susie quickly came to his side, offering a hand to help him up. He took the offer, but instead of simply rising to his feet, he hugged her. With his body close to hers, she could feel every individual shiver he had. His shaking was severe, it more suited someone who was in forty below weather rather than in a warm, cozy bedroom. Getting used to the whole “getting hugged” thing, she returned his hug with one of her own. It was nice, but she was actually kind of concerned about the amount he was shaking.

“Alright, let's get you back onto the bed, feels like you're in no condition to be walking right now.”
Unsurprisingly, Kris obeyed without a word. Susie secretly wished he would talk more, because sometimes, with how he hides his face and emotions in general, it was hard to tell what exactly he was thinking. Maybe she didn't need to know. Maybe she didn't want to, either. Susie lifted Kris in her arms and placed him gently back onto the bed. He was still shaking pretty badly, though, so in an effort to try to calm him down, he sat down on the bed beside him.

“Aw, come on buddy, it's just me. No need to get all shaky.”
“...”
“...Really, though. What's wrong?”
No response, but it was clear that even if he was the talkative type in the first place, he didn't want to let on too much. That was fine with her, though. Just getting to sit there next to him was something she definitely didn't want to take for granted.
“Alright. It's fine if you don't wanna talk about that, but there is something I need to talk to you about.”
Kris turned towards her, paying a little bit more attention.
“I need you to start being yourself again. Your mom misses you, Kris. I had a talk with her, and from what I heard, you're like, a completely different person now. She cares a lot about you, Kris, even if she seems overbearing. I-”

Her words caught in her throat.
“I know how it feels. To be disconnected with everything and everyone, and just feel like you don't belong sometimes. Even with family. I used to be a lot like you, but... that's behind me now. The fact is, Kris, people out there care about you. Your mom and dad love you, dude. Whenever I saw your mom she was always talking about her quiet, polite little boy. I can't say for sure what's caused you to act like this lately, but it needs to stop. If you just run away from it all and seal yourself away, you'll only hurt everyone more.”

Kris felt Susie's hand touch his shoulder.
“So, please. Shake yourself out of this feeling, and come out to see your mom.”
Kris didn't respond for quite a long time, staying unmoving in his bed. Then, he nodded his head slowly, and spoke for the first time she's heard in a long time.
“Thanks.”
“Don't sweat it. C'mon, let's go.”

Susie got up, as did Kris. Seeing her friend's legs still shaking as he stood, Susie picked him up by his shirt and put him on her back. The size difference made it easy for her to carry him, and when he wrapped his arms around her neck to hold on, she barely noticed. She walked out of the room with Kris on her back, feeling just a little accomplished, but much more happy for her friend. She knew she'd be able to get that little twerp back on track.

The moment Susie reached the bottom of the stairs, Toriel got up from her seat and turned towards Susie with a look of shock. She let Kris off of her back gently, putting him on the ground in front of her.
“Kris. I think you have something to say to her.”
And he did. But what he had to say couldn't be said with words. Instead, with tears dropping onto the floor and open arms. Toriel gladly accepted the gesture, kneeling onto the ground and giving him a tight, sincere hug. Now it was Toriel that was shaking. Susie sort of just stood there, admiring seeing the two take part in such a potent expression of emotion. It took a while, but Toriel had the strength to pull away from her son.

“K-Kris... Why don't you go up to your room and get your coat. Let's go to the diner and have some nice hot chocolate, okay?”
Kris nodded twice, then ran back up the stairs. Toriel got to her feet and wiped a tear from her face, then looked at Susie.
“... I suppose I owe you an apology. And a thank you.”
“Nah, don't worry about it Miss Dreemur. Seeing you too hug it out was enough for me. Besides, I was glad to help.”
“Well, do come back if you want to talk more. I'm sure neither of us would mind having you over. I'm... sorry that I judged you so harshly.”
Toriel patted Susie on the shoulder with a smile of approval.
“I hope you become the best kid you can, Susie.”

It wasn't long before the three of them headed out the door, and into the cold winter air once more. After saying their goodbyes, Toriel and Kris were getting in the car while Susie was about to start walking away down the street. Toriel called out to her before she made it very far.
“Excuse me! If you'd like, you can accompany us on our way to the diner, maybe stay and have some hot chocolate?”
“I'd love to, but I don't have any money for that.”
“That's quite alright, I'd like to treat you to something anyway. Please come with us, I'm sure we'll have a good time.”
Everything that kept her in her comfort zone was telling her to decline. She didn't listen, and accepted her offer.

What followed was a mostly silent car ride, followed by a nice, relaxing day at the diner. Susie's presence in the store at such a busy hour put a few of the monsters on edge, but after a while of seeing her in her new attitude, it was as if they didn't notice her at all. Susie was able to hold conversations surprisingly well, and cracking a few jokes that every so often made even Toriel laugh. Kris, Susie and Toriel all sat in a booth together, Toriel telling stories about her boys and Susie listening intently, while Hazel served them hot cocoa and coffee.

At one point, Toriel even bought Susie one of those hot chocolates that had the whipped cream on top. By the end of the day she had forgotten the name, but she remembered that it was the best cup of hot chocolate she's had, and the only one that she truly savored, drinking it slowly. As the day went on, Susie noticed she was smiling even when there was nothing in particular to be happy about. She just felt... nice. Everything but those red leather booths, the soft music, the sweet drinks and the friends that accompanied her seemed to slip away.

Susie was the happiest she had felt in a very long time.

Hours passed like minutes, in the haze of conversation with everyone around her. Eventually, as the sun began to set, and as the patrons began to leave, only the three remained in the lobby, with Hazel still acting as their bartender until closing time. Once seven o-clock hit, the four of them walked out of the now darkened store. With winter being pretty much here, dark had come much earlier in the day than normal. Susie thanked Toriel for the day they shared together, and watched with Hazel as her and her son drove back to their house.

Now, Susie stood on the sidewalk with Hazel, who gave Susie a light jab on the shoulder.
“A real conversationalist back there, huh?”
“What? Nahh, I was just being nice to 'em.”
“Sure you were. I'll believe it when you wipe that goofy smile off your face.”
Susie pointed to her mouth.
“What, this thing? I think I'll keep it.”
Hazel giggled a little.
“Whatever you say. We should start heading back now, though.”
“Yeah, getting a lil' cold out here. You lead the way.”

With a surprisingly nice day behind her, Susie followed the rabbit as they walked down the snowy streets of the small town they called home.