Chapter Text
The coronation of Asriel Dreemurr is the news event of the century, you think.
After all, it’s only been ― what, fifteen or so years since monsters emerged from under Mt. Ebott? They’ve begun to intermingle with humans, the shock and awe have settled… and now here monsterkind is, accepting a new leader.
It’s bound to cause a lot of buzz. The whole thing is witnessed by a lot of important people, and although you’re far from the only human in attendance, you have to wonder why you were actually invited.
You remember when you were young, watching on TV as the monsters marched into Ebott City. With a human child at the front, leading them all fearlessly, they suddenly became a part of reality. Your eyes were wide, unable to tear away from the screen, dazzled by creatures you’d only ever seen in storybooks. Robots, ghosts, talking skeletons, and all manner of other beings paraded themselves on full display.
You also remember having to do a double take when you saw the prince of monsters sitting in your government class on the first day of college several years ago. Most of the time the two of you didn’t speak aside from lending each other a hand with assignments, borrowed pens, group work, copying notes when one of you had been out sick, that kind of thing. As casual as it was, it was probably the only real friendship you had during those years. You were too laser-focused on your work to do any of the other usual college things.
On the one hand, it means you didn’t waste your days constantly drunk or hungover, and didn’t have to do the walk of shame after countless one-night stands. On the other hand, it also means you’re a little clumsy around other people and sometimes fuss a lot over small mistakes.
On possibly the most important hand which dwarfs all other hands, you got a formal invitation to Asriel’s coronation.
Sitting among a bunch of strangers was a surreal experience, even though you’re thrilled for Asriel. Apparently he was waiting to finish his studies before he felt like he was ready to be any kind of a leader, and you’re pretty sure his father, the former King Asgore, was crying through the whole ceremony. To that note, his mother, former Queen Toriel, appeared to not be quite so dry-eyed herself. Frisk was by their side the whole time, as was… someone else.
You don’t follow monster royalty as much as you maybe should; the other person, who bears some small similarities to Frisk, is also a human. That’s about all you know. Maybe they’re Frisk’s sibling? is the only thing your mind can come up with as everyone files into a bigger room when the ceremony is over. Try as you might to wrack your brain, you can’t come up with any kind of name or title for this person.
Maybe that’s why it’s so embarrassing when you find yourself standing next to them while Asriel goes to pose for pictures.
Surely you can’t just not say anything. Your brain is telling you to say something. This person is very attractive, with their chocolate-brown hair pulled back into a loose ponytail… very elegant, with their hands clasped behind a pin-straight back, and… very mysterious, with their half-fake smile plastered on as they observe everyone with intense crimson eyes.
If you’re going to say something, it had better be something impressive.
What comes out instead is a squeaky, out-of-the-blue, “U-um, hi!”
Their eyes shift to you only for half a second before returning to the crowd. Their smile doesn’t change at all, and in fact you’re certain you’ve failed to capture their interest. “Greetings.”
Oh. Well. This conversation seems fated to die on the vine. They’re clearly not willing to engage in conversation with some weird stranger who blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. Think, (Name), think! Do better!!
“I’m, uh, really happy for Asriel.” Hopefully that’s a good start. If they’re in any way close to Asriel, at least that should get something flowing here. “He’s always been a nice guy, you know? H-he cares about people. So he’s gonna be a great king! I, um, I hope they’re listening to what he says instead of just taking a bunch of pictures,” you add in as a weak joke.
If you’re not mistaken, they just scoffed. “They are all the same. How hideously vapid.”
You got this off the ground, it looks like. This person isn’t speaking as much as you are, but if you can keep the momentum going, this won’t be quite as awkward. This is more than you usually talk, anyway… you’re trying so hard to be a bit more social, you hope you’re not crossing any boundaries. “Hehe! I… guess that’s just how reporters get w-when they’re chasing a story. You’ve, um, gotta admit, the whole world is probably watching right now. I-I know Asriel’s a little shy, but at least he’s doing okay under the pressure. That m-might help once he starts to do all the stuff that, um, you know―”
“My apologies,” the other person abruptly cuts in, “how do you know him, again?”
“Oh… oh, um!” Your face immediately turns red, and you can feel heat rising in your cheeks. Maybe you haven’t affected them as much as you were aiming for. “W-we were in college together these past few years. I mean, we were never really… that close or anything… we, uh, were in a lot of the same classes, though. I-I talked to him for a while at the unofficial graduation party. He was, um… he was a little drunk, but…”
For a second time, you’re interrupted. “Do not softsoap things. He was a lot drunk. His first course of action after stumbling into the house was to water Father’s newest plant by vomiting into its pot.” Their smile grows a bit tighter, a bit colder. “The papers would have crucified him if the paparazzi sharks had been allowed to descend upon him.”
You can’t help but laugh again, trying to smother your giggles with a hand over your mouth. Although this person is obviously not easily impressed by anyone around them, they’ve got dry wit on their side. “Hehe! I-tt’s a good thing none of them found out, then.”
Silence falls between the two of you again, aside from a small hum of acknowledgment from them. After a moment, you clear your throat and speak up again. “S… so, uh. I’m sorry if this is rude or anything, but, I-I don’t really follow the news too much, and like I said, Asriel and I aren’t super close or anything, um, so, how do you―”
“He is my brother,” they say coolly, an answer to a question you didn’t even have to ask. “My name is Chara Dreemurr.” You’ve barely opened your mouth to speak when they add, “I am adopted.”
Well. That much would be obvious to anyone with half a brain. If a human and a monster are siblings, one of them would have to be adopted unless they were half-siblings or something.
“O-oh, uh, I wasn’t… going to ask that. But it’s… it’s good information to have!” You try a smile, although to be honest, you’re starting to feel a little insecure. You were trying to keep things from being awkward by talking to this person you ended up standing next to, and you think maybe you’ve just made things even more awkward. They don’t seem the type for small talk. “I-it’s nice to meet you, Chara. I just realized I didn’t even actually introduce myself, so, um… I’m… I’m (Name).”
They nod, and return to watching the party around them. It seems like if you want to keep this going, the ball’s going to be in your court most of the time.
You swallow anxiously. “I, ah, I was really surprised when Asriel s-sent me the invitation! This is a pretty big event, and I… I would’ve thought only important people would be here.”
“Yes, I would have thought so as well.” Chara’s eyes give you half a second of contemplation before slowly returning to the crowd ― an unmistakable sentiment that they don’t really think you’re significant enough to be here either. However, this time before you can even let another silence build up, they actually continue the conversation on their own. “Has anyone ever told you that you apparently have the tendency to prattle on about nothing?”
Your face heats up again, and you’re fairly sure you’re blushing all the way down your neck. “Y… yeah, I’m sorry! Parties like this aren’t really my thing, like… like a-all this formal stuff, you know? It makes me nervous. I-I always feel like I’m doing something wrong or saying the wrong thing, and… and I just, um… I guess I just… I-I just talk a lot when I’m nervous.”
A mirthless laugh vibrates past their lips. “Yet you attended a completely optional celebration. After you graduated, you had no obligation to interact with any of those people again. You even spoke quite a bit with Asriel, you said.”
All you can offer is a shrug. “I… didn’t do much socializing while I was actually trying to earn my degree, s-so I figured going to that party would… pff, make up for it or something. It was n-nice to see Asriel there… even though we didn’t really hang out together outside class, he’s… he’s probably the closest friend I made at college. Plus… I d-don’t know if you’ve ever noticed, a room full of drunk college kids is a lot less pressure than a room full of monster royalty and… and media coverage and junk.”
“Mh. I wouldn’t know, myself. The logic checks out, however.” It’s another moment, but astonishingly, Chara takes initiative again. “The morning after that celebration, Asriel mentioned that a friend had driven him home. Would that, by any chance, have happened to be you?”
“Oh… oh, yeah, it was. H-he was getting ready to call a taxi… I thought that was a waste of money,” you laugh. “I mean, I knew he lived, uh, a little too far to walk… just not far enough that he should have to p-pay someone to drive him. Since I hadn’t really been drinking, and things were getting… uhh… a little too rowdy for both of us, I just figured I’d leave a little early and… and take him home.”
Chara nods again. When you glance over, you notice that their eyes appear laser-focused on the crowd that’s continuing to form around their brother. “You drove off without escorting him inside.”
Your eyes follow their gaze. Oof. It looks like Asriel is starting to get sort of swamped by all the attention. “W-well, yeah. He was kinda wobbly, so I stayed parked to make sure he was safe, though. Somebody, um, came to the door and helped him inside… Queen Toriel, I… I’m pretty sure? She waved at me before I drove off. I-I’m glad he was mostly okay by the next morning.”
“Mother did get him inside, yes.” The light in their eyes switches to something sort of thoughtful. Then, their eyes close entirely. “If you insist on being present in his life, however, I must give you a warning. Which is… do not believe that your meeting the very bare minimum of decency makes you worthy of my brother’s friendship. Humanity has set the bar so low, it is buried six feet underground.”
You raise an eyebrow even knowing that they can’t see you do so. “I’m ― I’m sorry, you don’t think I deserve to b-be his friend? What are you talking ab―”
Chara doesn’t move at all. That smile is frozen on their face, suddenly wicked. “‘Your friend’ is beginning to become overwhelmed. I know you have noticed. Are you going to do anything about it? Or will his sibling have to step in?”
You keep your eyes on Chara for a long moment, then quickly push yourself away from the wall. “N… no, I got it. Uh, hey, Asriel!”
It’s as if your body moves on sentiment alone rather than you willing it, even though what you do isn’t what you anticipated you’d be doing right now. Before you know it, your arms are around monsterkind’s new king. “Sorry to interrupt, but I… I wanted to say I’m r-really happy for you!”
“Ah! H-hey, howdy, (Name)!” Despite his obvious anxiety, Asriel returns the hug without any hesitation. He looks sort of exhausted and you don’t blame him. “Thanks so much. It’s so good to see you! I’m glad you could make it.”
A camera flashes in your face, stunning you for a second. To your credit, however, you recover fast enough to not let it stop you. “Yeah, of course! O-oh, hey, um, Chara said they wanted to talk to you about something! A-are you, uhh, about done here?”
He tilts his head at you with curiosity in his eyes… and suddenly the light bulb goes off. He looks almost relieved as he realizes what you’re doing. “O-oh! Oh, yeah, I think so.” With that, he gives the reporters one last wave. “Sorry, everyone! I have to go see what’s going on with my sibling. Hopefully you got everything you needed, though. It was nice talking with you all; enjoy the rest of the party!”
One would be forgiven for thinking he’d just heard his mother call out for him using his full name, given the speed with which he hoofs it.
You’re about to head after him when there’s another flash. This one actually stuns you, allowing one of the journalists to grab you by the arm. “Excuse me, excuse me! (Name), isn’t it? How do you know Asriel?”
That only opens up the floodgates. “What a hug! Are you his girlfriend?”
“Has he been hiding your relationship?”
“Do you know, (Name), is it true he’s actually younger than his sibling? Shouldn’t Chara have taken the crown?”
“No, no, they’re adopted so they’re not eligible to be the heir!”
“But do you know what they wanted to talk to Asriel about?”
“They’re not a sociable sort, but were you really talking with them?”
“Chara never talks to anyone except Asriel and Frisk!”
“What were you talking to them about? Did they show you their knife?”
“We don’t have all day, (Name)!”
“Give us some answers!”
“Just tell us―”
When Asriel makes his way over to Chara, they’re snickering uncontrollably. Their eyes are open again and fixed on you as you try to disentangle yourself from the same flood of reporters that nearly drowned their brother.
“Phew, man,” Asriel sighs as he settles into the space where you were just a moment ago, “(Name) came just at the right time. It was starting to get bad over there. I mean, how many pictures do those people want?”
He doesn’t get an answer save for an endless stream of giggling, prompting him to look over at his sibling with a raised eyebrow. “Chara? What’s so funny?”
One thin finger lifts, pointing at your futile struggle. With their other hand, they mime wiping a tear from their eye.
“She fell for it. Now she is trapped.”
Thankfully, unbeknownst to you, you’ve also passed their first test.
The unfortunate part is that it’s far from their last.