• • •
Chara stared at the flashing TV with great disinterest.
The colors flickered and reflected off Mettaton's shiny body. He was covered in sequins, strutting about the stage like a hot pink disco ball. The whole show was basically an expressive automaton posing theatrically in order to gain gallingly loud screams from his fans.
Chara doesn't get it and isn't sure if she ever will. She personally couldn't stand his aggravating robotic voice and insanely long legs, but everyone else seemed to love him. Due to that fact, Chara felt an underlying need to try and enjoy his productions too, but that didn't seem to be happening.
Chara fiddled with the white adjusters of her brand new black hoodie. She'd found it near the bottom of the bag Frisk had given her, along with jeans and a pair of black socks.
The thought brought her hand to her right cheek. The obvious bruise had long faded, but there was still pain active underneath.
She was horrible, yet Frisk showed her kindness... after giving her multiple, unpleasant, but justified strikes. Perhaps it was her way of physically apologizing for physically hurting her. If that were true then it also means she doesn't regret what she said, and Chara doesn't blame her.
She's sick of the way she always feels whenever thinking of Frisk, and she's tired of being tired of it. Her brain rambles with self-loathing and sometimes Chara just needs it to end. Usually it won't, and it builds up, becoming much, much worse until she's in tears.
Chara turns to lie down on her back, eyes to the ceiling. It's vast and white above her, blank, just as she is.
The door opens, there's a rush of cold air before it's closed and overshadowed by warmth. Chara had been whisked away by her mind, unaware of Frisk, who walked over to her.
"I'm glad you decided to change, they look nice on you," she said fondly and Chara flung herself upward, nearly hitting Frisk on her way. She faced her lookalike with a shocked expression, cheeks deepening in shade.
They look nice on you, replays in her head. A compliment? For her? Frisk is either unwell or delusional.
Chara should respond, but she can't. Her mouth is screwed shut, and all she can do is dart her eyes aimlessly around the room as Frisk comes to sit next to her. She's still forcefully occupying her own attention when Frisk rests a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey."
Chara flinches. She recoils as if Frisk's hand is engulfed in flames. It burns through the black cotton and scathes her.
That same hand had cracked across her cheek with intended vengeance and hate. That hand was misused against its will, forced to slay monsters until it was caked in dust, trembling.
"I brought you something," Frisk's other hand held a baggie secured with a purple ribbon. The small bag stored about four brownies, tiny, beaming spiders decorating the plastic.
"They're from Muffet's new bakery up here. We stopped by and I figured you might want some," Frisk says, and Chara promptly shakes her head.
"No!" She yelled, and at the sight of Frisk's raised brows quickly clears her throat. "No, I won't— I won't take anything else from you," Chara wavers, her voice jittery.
"Chara, what—?" The door creaks open once more, Sans and Papyrus murmuring to each other as they enter. In their hands are numerous grocery bags.
It's as if the second their feet touch the wood flooring, they enter another realm.
The tension is evident. It's easy to spot Frisk's concerned expression and Chara's lack of interaction. Her eyes are glued to the couch, and her hands are a quivering mess.
Sans is quick to walk up to Frisk, running a hand down her back.
"Hey," he's careful not to sound cynical, but Chara hears the distrust loud and clear. She doesn't have to look up to know his eyes are fixed on her, analyzing the situation, finding ways to blame her.
"HELLO OTHER HUMAN!" Chara regrets ever leaving her room. "I'M SURE YOU ARE ALREADY AWARE THAT FRISK WAS GONE THIS MORNING! YOU SEE—"
"I needed to do some shopping. You were still asleep by the time I left," Frisk explains, and Chara doesn't vocalize her gratitude. Instead, she lifts herself from the couch and mumbles an "alright" before attempting to escape back to her quarters.
Of course, she's denied the luxury of seclusion.
"HUMAN CHARA!"
"It's just Chara."
"CHARA! THE GREAT PAPYRUS WOULD LIKE YOU TO ACCOMPANY HIM!" Chara feels a strong desire to increase her speed.
"IN OTHER WORDS: PLEASE STOP WALKING TOWARDS YOUR ROOM."
"No."
"Chara," she pauses, that voice could stop her in the middle of a crowded street.
"Hey now, if she's not up for an outing don't force her," Sans chimes in, earning a glare from Frisk.
Chara nearly loses her balance when Frisk continues: "You should try to get along with them since you'll be seeing each other everyday for a while."
A strained "I'm sorry?" is all she can muster.
"Sans and Papyrus are.. moving in," Frisk reveals with much less enthusiasm.
Chara doesn't hide her grimace.
Papyrus is nothing but noise and his brother is all scowls. Overall, the two put her on a place of unavoidable discomfort.
Of course she's acutely aware of how badly she'd hurt Sans alongside Frisk, but his attitude stops her from feeling any ounce of regret.
"I don't want them staying here."
"I know this is already a really.. bizarre situation, but it's not up for debate," Frisk asserts, but her eyes read something completely different. Chara took it as an apology, one she didn't accept. Still, she nods.
Sans must've seen her shortage of genuine acceptance. His expression is dark behind Frisk.
"The decision has been made, afraid there's not much you can do about it, bud."
What I'd give to hack all your bones to dust, she thinks, but it doesn't make her feel any better, probably worse.
"Whatever." She turns to walk away once more, but her arms are suddenly looped in long, bony ones.
"GREAT! NOW THAT WE'VE EARNED YOUR ACCEPTANCE, LET'S GO!" Papyrus says, elated, and begins dragging her towards the front door.
"Papyrus, I'm not wearing shoes."
• • •
Jolly music was faint under the loud screams of excited children. As they stroll through the balloon archway, Chara gawked at the many tall structures.
Rollercoasters tower everything in sight. Carts full of humans and monsters zip down the rails at terrifying speeds. She feels sick just looking at them.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK, CHARA?" Papyrus tries.
Chara really doesn't want to be here. It's nothing but vomit inducing rides and cavities.
"Take me back," Chara near demands, monotonous.
"YOU SHOULD LEARN TO GIVE THINGS A CHANCE," he replies, the suggestion bringing Chara to silence.
No one is willing to give me any chances, she thought, why should I start handing them out to everything else?
Despite her mind she knew that wasn't true. If Frisk wasn't willing to give her a chance she'd likely be living with Toriel and Asgore. Still, Frisk let bonehead one and two reside with her as well. Even with a glimpse at her apologetic eyes, there was still the prospect that Frisk continued to resent her, that she wanted Sans and Papyrus' company because being around Chara alone was unbearable.
Chara can't condem her, but she also can't help the frown that crosses her face.
"HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR ROOM?" He asks, and Chara decides to respond.
"It's alright," As a matter of fact, her room is the one thing she doesn't have a problem with. She's allowed to be alone, to watch the trees wave, or just close her eyes and lie still without judgement.
"I NOTICED YOU WERE WATCHING METTATON'S SHOW! IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITES, DO YOU THINK—"
"I hate his show."
"REALLY? THEN WHY—?"
"Nothing else on." The lie slips off her tongue and Papyrus is quiet, adorning the expression of a human with furrowed brows.
Good, she doesn't want his kindness, or anything to do with him, really. After their encounter during the shopping trip, Chara finds herself increasingly frustrated by his presence. Actually, she isn't entirely sure it's even that.
She hopes the two of them will just be wandering aimlessly through the carnival, breathing in caramel apples and other confections, but of course that wasn't the case.
They pause in front of a ring toss, a small, red staircase of soda bottles neat before her. Chara forces herself not to scowl.
"WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE?" Papyrus notions the line of stuffed animals hanging above the bottles.
"I don't care," she mutters, but scans the selection anyways. She lingers on a cobalt bear, it's dark, a downer compared to all the other choices.
Perhaps that's why it has her attention, it's familiar.
She looks at it for too long, Papyrus has already paid for three white rings. Due to his long appendages, he's able to extend and drop the rings over bottles, winning easily. It's cheating, really, but the human manning the store can't call him out on it.
Papyrus points to the blue bear and it's soon in Chara's arms. She doesn't thank him, but the words run through her brain.
"WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT IT?" He inquires as they saunter off. There's not much to like, it's a pointless, stuffed plaything. Chara will likely get bored of it in a matter of days. Her eyes land on it again, taking in the hue with a subtle downward curve of lips.
"Don't ask me stupid questions."
- - -
Papyrus is insistent on Chara enjoying herself. He leads her to yet another time waster.
As he gives the female monster two tickets, Chara peers at the ride from behind him. Life-sized teacups are speedily spinning in circles, screaming and thrown up arms a factor in every occupant.
Needless to say, Chara did not want to be anywhere near that, but Papyrus is already dragging her towards one of the monstrous cups. It's lilac, tattered, and has wavy pink stripes with white dots on every curve. There's a large, sliver table in the center that Papyrus has a firm grip on. She mimics, but isn't sure what it's for.
The ride starts up, and the teacups move leisurely. It's slow, but quaint. Chara looks up at the setting sun, purple sinking into orange and pink. As they rotate peacefully, her eyes flutter closed.
Chara is jerked backward.
Papyrus, with his secure hold on the table, began turning it rapidly. Chara nearly fell sideways from being yanked roughly by the speed.
She hates it, every second. It's just like it, being removed from Frisk. Ruthlessly tugged in every direction, no control, helpless.
Chara grabs at the wheel, attempting to prevent Papyrus from having them spin even faster.
"Papyrus, stop!" She cries, but the wind is quick and overpowering, she can hardly even hear his laughter.
Chara sinks into the plastic seating, clawing at the edges of the teacup in order to keep still. She shuts her eyes tight, but the blackness only makes it worse.
- - -
Chara is a stumbling mess as they leave, clutching Papyrus' arm. She doesn't want to hold him, but she needs something. Something to ensure she won't fall through.
"WOW, YOU SEEM DIZZY. DID YOU HAVE FUN?"
"No," Chara snaps. God, she wants to throw up. Everything is hazy, but she doesn't miss Papyrus' look of disappointment.
• • •
Papyrus had spent the rest of the afternoon winning prizes for her.
When he suggested getting on a rollercoaster, she refused and had him get on alone.
It was late, and Papyrus proposed they get on the Ferris wheel.
Chara looked to the massive amusement ride, deciding. Due to the arrival of the moon, all the lights had been cut on. It was decorated in golden bulbs, gleaming.
The wheel rotates rather slowly, and each component was kept upright, so there would be little to no movement.
"Okay, but after this we're leaving."
"FINE BY ME!"
And that's how Chara found herself over 500 feet above ground.
She looks down into the carnival, everyone like ants as they scurry to their destinations.
"DID YOU ENJOY OUR TIME OUT?" Papyrus questions with a smile.
He seems eager to hear her response, to know his grade.
Unfortunately for him, Chara wouldn't grant him higher than a D.
"No, this was a waste of time," she retorts, turning to look out the window.
The sky is indigo, stars sown abundantly beside the faded clouds. It's tranquil under the night's atmosphere, except for a few distant yells.
Chara soon finds herself nerved by Papyrus' lack of words. Her gaze shifts to the large quantity of prizes crowding at her feet. They're of all varieties; different animals, colors, sizes, you name it. The dark blue bear that now matches the sky is snug in her hold.
Chara eyes them for a little while longer, then looks to Papyrus, who's also decided to partake in the stargazing. There's a pain in her gut that she can't shake. She doesn't know what it means, but she knows she wants to speak.
"Papyrus," Chara initiates, and he's facing her almost instantly. There that heat goes again, and suddenly she wants to flee. Chara takes a breath.
"Why do you bother with me?" She swiftly interrogates, then proceeds focus on anything but him. "You really should just leave me alone." Her voice fades upon the words' release, and she regrets ever opening up. As the doubts rise, they're instantly buried.
"EVERYONE NEEDS A FRIEND! YOU'VE BEEN ALONE SINCE YOU ARRIVED, AND YOU'RE ALWAYS UNHAPPY," Papyrus explains, and Chara feels her eyes widen.
Unhappy, the word invades the base of her mind, and her survey flickers to the toy in her arms, the blue seemingly darker in shade.
Chara fears he may be right.
"I'm not a good person, you should just stay away from me."
"I BELIEVE YOU CAN BE A BETTER PERSON, ALLOW ME TO ASSIST YOU!" Chara feels a recognizable prick in her chest. She remembers how Papyrus was the only person to ever believe in her back in the Underground. His actions were incredibly foolish, and he paid the price for it. She can still feel the roundness of his head under her foot. Still, he was willing to help her, knowing, promising she could be a better person.
With a second glance at the many awards he's won, the same fuzzy sensation from when he soothed her in the shopping district returns. This time without shame.
"Can you really help me?"
"OF COURSE, CHARA." There's a moment of quietude, Chara staring at the floor. It's minutes before she looks up, her crimson orbs staring intently into his.
"How?"
Papyrus beams.
• • •
Frisk and Sans are conversing in the living room when they arrive at the house, and it's definitely not simple small talk.
"GREETINGS FRISK AND BROTHER, WE'RE BACK!" The relief that washes over Sans' face is like nothing Chara has ever seen. She wants to narrow her eyes at him.
Frisk smiles softly at the two, and Chara is gently pushed towards her. She glances at Papyrus with a glare, but is aware of what she must do.
Awkwardly, she walks up to Frisk, ignoring Sans who looks near disgusted by her mere existence.
There's a yellow stuffed animal in her grip and she holds it out to her. For a moment, nobody moves and Chara feels herself growing antsy. A look of confusion crosses Frisk's face, and Chara leans forward, dangling the prize in her face.
Frisk immediately understands. She retrieves the brownies from that morning and they exchange.
"Thank you." Chara stumbles over the phrase, then, is quick to spin around and leave, pretending to brush aside Papyrus' grin.
• • •
Author's Note
YAASS DAT INTERACTION!
Papyrus is such a sweetie I swear—
Chara is finally going to get some help, and I've blatantly hinted at how Papyrus plans on assisting her. Heck, the title is a hint!
I hope you enjoyed today's chapter! Stay tuned for the next one hopefully to be published next week~ :3