A drop here, a drop there (a one-shots/snippet book)

What You Deserve (Undertale)

"...Frisk," A small voice broke through. Frisk waited for for them to continue, but hearing nothing, they twisted to face their desk where the other Frisk was situated in.

The miniature Frisk had climbed on top of the nest that Frisk made with their sweater, sitting with their head down and arms around their knees. In their shoulders was a tiredness that seemed to seep into their very bones.

"I'm sorry," They sniffled. The miniature human unfurled slightly, and they continued with their hands. [I was–] They faltered for a second, [I was hurting. I shouldn't have taken it out on you.]

They made a fist and did a circling motion on their chest, [I'm sorry.]

Frisk was still smarting from the words exchanged, soul throbbing from an ugly truth they were forced to face and accusations that hit too close to home. But Frisk was never one to hold grudges. They pushed themself up to lean against their headboard, head turned toward the other.

"...It's okay," Frisk said after a pause, because they understood that people tend to lash out when they're hurting, and the other was hurting so very badly.

The other Frisk's motions turned forceful and fast. [No, it's not! I hurt everyone around me, I shouldn't have hurt you too. You didn't do anything wrong.]

Another one of those bitter smiles again, "You didn't kill them. Unlike me. You didn't deserve it. You have your happy ending, so...don't waste it."

They dropped their gaze, shoulders dropping too, and Frisk had never thought that they would ever look this...defeated. Frisk chewed on their words in the silence left and, slowly, they swung their legs off the bed.

The Little Them didn't raise their head when Frisk approached, nor did they flinch when Frisk sat on the chair in front of them. "Do you regret it?"

Mini Frisk's lower lip trembled as their eyes flicked to the family photo, expression filled with pain and longing. It was answer enough, and Frisk smiled sadly.

"Then I forgive you."

Their head snapped up, looking at Frisk in disbelief. "I'm not–" They spluttered with wide eyes, "I'm not asking for forgiveness!"

Frisk was still smiling, "We've been killed or attacked by most of the friends and family we have now, yet we still had it our hearts to spare them." When they tried to say something, Frisk continued, "Yes, you also killed them, and that is awful. But everyone deserves a second chance. So like I had forgiven them for my deaths...I forgive you for theirs."

The other Frisk furiously shook their head. "No, Frisk. Just–Just live your life! You have what you deserve, and you can put all this behind you. Forget about me."

"Well, I don't want to," Frisk said, insistent. They can't just leave the other like this, miserable and alone and grieving. "Besides, what's gonna happen to you? I can't just leave you alone."

"Yes, you can. You have to." Little Frisk's eyes trailed somewhere down and to the side, empty and hollow, "I'll just...disappear. Nobody here will remember me, or even know I existed. How fitting, really..."

Frisk's stomach dropped, and they leaned forward, pleading, "No, I won't let you. Please, don't."

Little Frisk stared up at them silently, and when they spoke their voice was small, more tremble than word. "Why?... Why don't you hate me? I told you–I told you that I killed them. Many times."

Frisk sighed, gaze dropping to their desk as they lightly scratched at the wooden surface with a dull nail.

"I kinda hated you, a little," They admitted, "I saw myself in you. You're a possible future of me, and I can see the possibility of becoming what you described. I was scared...so I hated you. But."

"I haven't killed them, and now I never will. And you," They looked up with a smile, "You're here, in a timeline where everyone is alive and free. Don't you see? This is your second chance. You regretted, and I say that you have been given what you deserve. So...don't waste it."

Then Frisk continued quietly, softly, "So I forgive you. And I hope, that someday you'll forgive yourself, too."

At the words, Little Frisk's breath hitched. And they collapsed on themself, trembling in the effort not to cry, but soon losing the battle. Their shoulders shook with each wet sob, pain and grief clear with every shaky breath.

Frisk knew that a single conversation won't magically absolve the heavy weight of guilt on their other self's shoulders, knew that they would continue to think themselves undeserving for a long time to come, but this, this was a start. They are the same, both Frisks.

And if they can forgive, Frisk thought as they gently cradled a hand around the other, who desperately clutched against their wrist, then someday Little Frisk can do the same.

_____________

"Mom?"

"Good morning, my child. Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah...I did. Mom, there's someone I want you to meet."

"H-Hi, M-...Miss Toriel..."