All Business ( Deltarune Fanfiction )

All Business

          Jaget University is the perfect school for the bright Asriel Dreemurr. Far away from Hometown, sure, but who could pass up a good education for something a teacher's salary could pitch in for? Student life is nothing to write home about, but that was never the primary concern of the perfect son from an imperfect marriage. Was he unhappy? Sure, but he's working on it here, his family having his back. Stressed, tired from constant late nights studying the intricacies of biology, and far from looking forward to today's events, and tomorrow's, and next week's.

          The alarm on his phone rings for 3PM, and Asriel scrambles to shut down the timer, setting it back within his jean's pocket. With that same hand, he reaches up and wipes his tired expression clear. This fails. More coffee. A fridge, presumably for the express purpose of storing grounds, was graciously installed within the double dormitory to allow for such luxury conveniences, in addition to the ever-modern heating system and indoor plumbing. A stimulant-producing device is of course a given, though. Replace the filter, partially fill up the jug, and scoop in a bit of the brown powder he gets closer to eating straight-up by the day, and Asriel can finally get something done!

          That something being leaning on a nearby counter and waiting for the coffee to finish. We'll skip Asriel's every thought during this for time, considering a lot of them contain things pertaining to his recent tasks.

          As the humming of the coffee machine stops, the sound of a mug being filled starts. A mundane essential task made almost insufferable, and the only way to make insufferable tasks tolerable. He takes the mug by the handle, careful not to let it splash, and takes it towards work station.

          Despite the good grades, Asriel was never the organized type of guy, wouldn't color code a gradient, so logically his workplace is a disaster. A disaster he knows how to navigate perfectly. Now that the sun won't be directly shining in his eyes, he opens some nearby blinds, maybe one of the few people who really took the concept of natural light to heart. In an impermanent solution, the coffee is set upon the windowstill. Shifting and vibrating with every touch on the desk. Carefully yet plenty quickly, Asriel abducts and removes an, admittedly late, vintage Polaroid camera, albums in tow. For now, it goes on the ground, coffee taking its spot.

          This is time set aside for work. His roommate is a weirdo with a Saturday class about this time, and even though it's not all too long of a class usually, time is time. Asriel switches tabs to his coursework, lifting up his coffee with one hand, prepared to start when—

          A soft buzz sounds through our goat's pocket, something her absentmindedly takes out to check. A text from "Nonbinary Gremlin (Kris)". "available now be quick," it reads. Middle of the day is strange from them, but maybe they just want to chat, or need some instant advice. If it's that latter one, Asriel can't afford to spend another second on their research.

          Asriel heads to his contacts, laptop still on, and takes an at this point much needed sip of coffee. Dialing his younger sibling soon afterwards. He gets a response before the first ring even finishes. First up to speak is Asriel, just an extra bit more energetic, getting to speak to them.

          "Heya, Kris. Anyone listening in?"

          "Nah."

          The Kris the older Dreemurr came to care for. Asriel keeps a level head, chill with his speech. Kris has been needing it lately.

          "Nice, nice. How're your friends doing? How's mom and dad?"

          "Susie's kind. Mom seems to be fine. Dad is down, always."

          "And how about—"

          "Making myself some chocolate milk. One second."

          Knowing Kris, they can still hear him. Ever since they got a phone, every call has been on speaker. Something about the noise originating from too close to their ear, maybe the screen pressing against it, has been a sensory issue for them.