Work Text:
It was cold. Colder than usual, since winter was right around the corner, wasn't it? Susie sat in the alleyway, her dad kicked her out of the house after a fight, like always. Susie just held her head down, she already drank all the free milk earlier today.
Damn, it was cold. Susie was beginning to shiver, which was stupid, she's been through so much yet can't handle a simple breeze? To be fair, it was a lot more than a simple breeze, but still. Stupid. She snarled, clicking her tongue. Not at anyone specifically, just the situation. It was just embarrassing. There's gotta be a better place to stay...
Kris's house? Nah, the reason she went to the apartment anyways was cause of Toriel freaking her out. Then...
Noelle...? God no. She'd rather die than have to face her weirdo mom again. Plus, Noelle didn't seem like the type to sneak the "bad girl" into her house. What about...
Ralsei. Yeah, Ralsei! That can work. He even made Susie a room in Castle Town, it's about time she put it to use. And it's been a hell of a night without Ralsei around, she kinda missed... bullying him.
Getting up with a start, Susie made her way to the school. Wow, sneaking into school, Susie's quite a changed man, folks. Surprisingly... maybe, the door wasn't locked. She was able to walk right in, shut the door behind her. The air from outside quickly cleared, leaving Susie in the dark of the school. The squeaky, plastic, floors, the smell of cleaning supplies and probably mold (Probably, because she hasn't yet found the mold and unfortunately can't eat it but it's really there, promise). Susie shivered, yeah, this was better, but still not the best kind of place to rest.
Kinda sucks the best person Susie knew had to live in school ... Hey, who gave him that title anyways?! Whatever, the door to Ralsei was literally right in front of her. She took a few steps forward, they echoed throughout the building (wondered if any school ghosts could've heard it), and jumped into the supply closet.
As Susie descended, she felt the magic of the darkness graze her body, swapping her entire look into her badass-forme S. Wind flew through her hair as she spun in the air, landing neatly on the ground. She pushed herself up quickly and turned to see the town. It looked better than usual, only because her squad-member was running through to greet her.
"Susie, Kris! Oh dear, I wasn't expecting you two for-"
Ralsei jolted up in surprise as he realized there was, in fact, no Kris accompanying Susie. A rare sight, she understood. Susie grinned so wide it hurt, sprinting to the goat and spinning him in the air.
"A-ah! Susie!! Haha!"
"Hahaha!! What? Scareda heights!?"
She teased and brought her head back to look Ralsei in the face. His face was beaming, as usual, cheeks tinted a soft red and one hand over his mouth, covering his dorky smile.
"I-I'm just so happy to see you! I wasn't- I didn't expect it at all!"
Ralsei looked a bit out of breath, but it just made Susie happier, he's always so weird. She dropped him down and dug her hands into her pockets.
"Yeah, yeah. Don't get used to it, I just needed a place to crash for the night, that's all."
"Aww, Susie! I'd love to keep you for tonight! I... was actually thinking of things to put in your room, hehe..."
Ralsei looked down bashfully, Susie couldn't help but snort.
"Man, of course you were!"
She pushed her hand into Ralsei's hair, giving it a good ruffle. He giggled and backed away a bit, preparing to walk with Susie to the castle.
The two of them made way through the town, coming to the conclusion that they'll have a sleepover. In Susie's room. To her despise. She groaned shuffling into her pink and black room, Ralsei dutifully following behind.
"Ok, well, since you have to sleep here for some reason... you can take the bed. Just, uh, gimme a spare blanket or somethin'."
She awkwardly smiled, averting eye contact. Ralsei still had that stupid expression on his face, pausing for a moment.
"Oh, Susie, I don't mind sharing... if you'd like."
"The hell are we gonna share a blanket from bed to floor, dude."
"...I mean the bed."
Oh, duh. Susie knew that. Her face got a little hot, making her turn away in shame.
"UH. I mean- If you're ok with it... um, OK."
Holy shit she sounded so stupid. It was obvious Susie was flustered, Ralsei let out a chuckle. God damn it, Ralsei. He hummed happily and made his way to her bed.
"Hold up, I gotta change outta these spikes first, dude."
Susie held up her wrists and scooted to her closets general area.
"Ah, of course! I'm sorry, Susie, go ahead and get ready for bed. Perhaps I could find something too..."
He put his hand to his chin and promptly exited the room. Susie heavily exhaled, she must've been holding her breath that whole time?? She shook her head and began rummaging through the clothes that were ripping each other to shreds in her closet (bad as hell). Eventually landing on a dull purple shirt with some holes as well as some black shorts. Throwing them on, Susie hopped into bed, opting to take a chance to get comfortable before fluffy boy got back. The bed really did feel like a dream, soft and fuzzy. And yet it appeared rough and spiky, like it was pretending to be something Susie would like.
Sitting on this dream, she finally had a moment to think. Her friendships were moving faster than she could've ever imagined; having a sleepover with Kris the night before and now sharing a bed with Ralsei?? Not to mention getting along well with Noelle and Berdly. She's really gone soft, huh. There's only one cake-making, puffy, toothpaste boy to blame. Ralsei, ever since they met, entranced her with his cute face and kind words. Having a real friend, especially one like him, let her relax. He just always knew how to put a smile on her face, as much as it embarrassed her. But at the same time, it was so great... watching Ralsei be himself. Teasing, giggling, raging, making really bad jokes. Even though some of those were flaws, it just drew her closer to him. It ate up her fear of letting people in. He was like a tapeworm that broke through her thick scales and infested her heart, that was the only way to make it sound badass and not corny.
Finally, her door opened. Ralsei walked in shyly, like usual, sporting a pink-and-white striped pajama set, not like usual. It suited him.
"Sorry I took so long, haha... I just- um. Oh! I like your pajamas, Susie!"
He played with his glasses and trotted to the side of the bed. Susie felt a knot form in her stomach, did the weather really make her sick already? Stumbling a bit in the sheets, he maneuvered under the blanket, next to Susie.
"Heh, thanks. I'm sure you wish you coulda had pajamas as sick as these, right!?"
"Hehe, they actually look a bit, um, broken."
"Yeah, cool rips. Gives off more threatening vibes. I got a reputation to keep."
Ralsei giggled into his hand, making it really hard for Susie to keep her cool act up. He was always doing that stupid hand thingie when laughing. It was just annoying, that's why she felt a laugh of her own bubbling up. He's just... a little dweeb.
Eventually he settled, smiling softly while laying on his side and playing with his hands. Susie kept her position, one arm over her stomach and the other stretched above the goats head, and a leg scrunched up. A wave of awkward silence flowed through the room. Was it awkward? It kinda felt awkward. Maybe it was just Susie.
Ralsei was the first to break the silence, "Susie...?"
Her heart jumped a bit, yet she hummed in response, trying to be normal.
"Do you... Well, you would remember. When we went through that funfair in cyber city?"
She snickered and turned to Ralsei.
"Oh yeah. You kept whining about me beating up the people in the stands, for no reason."
"You were using healing magic!! You don't beat people up with it, I don't even know how you did that!!!"
They broke into a fit of giggles, their noses almost touched once or twice. Not that Susie was paying attention.
"I know it's selfish of me to say... But, I wish I could be there with you, at the festival. It's actually something I've been thinking about, quite a lot. Haha..."
He gave a solemn look. Guilty? It was hard to read in the dark. Susie furrowed her eyebrows.
"How's that selfish? I've been thinkin' about it too, man."
"I-I just... I know I could never really be there. I feel bad... I don't want to leave you. But the only way to stay is forcing you to stay with me... Does that make sense?"
"Hey, don't threaten me with a good time."
"Susie..."
She snorted, Ralsei let out a sigh, smiling. The reptile shuffled, moving to her side to look at Ralsei better. The bed, as well as the goat, shook a bit from the force.
"You're so kind..."
Ralsei leaned forward to Susie's neck, his horns touched the bottom of her chin. Susie swallowed. He quickly pulled back.
"Sorry!! I didn't ask, um, is it ok if I-?"
"No, yeah yeah! It's fine, I mean. Heh, I don't care."
He shoved himself back into Susie's neck. She could only breathe.
"It's... embarrassing. Haha..."
"What is?"
"I keep... thinking about what it would be like to be a lightner. To do your homework. To be by your side. I think about it a lot more than I should, I think."
"... What do you think it would be like?"
"I..."
He cut himself off. Susie could feel her face burn, her stomach was churning. She really was getting sick.
"It would be nice."
She exhaled softly. The thought of pulling Ralsei closer crossed her mind, but he was too delicate, too soft, what if her spiky fingers hurt him? Her fears caused Ralsei to take the initiative. Grabbing her shirt, he pulled himself closer, nestling his face in the crook of her neck. She opted to laying her hand on his side.
She wanted to say something, so many thoughts crossed through her mind. But she wouldn't dare open her mouth to speak. She could feel herself starting to sweat. Maybe it's not sickness, she's just not used to the affection Ralsei smothers her in. Still doesn't explain the burning up and stomach pain, though. Once again, all she could do was breathe.
"You make me feel so many emotions, Susie. Emotions I never thought someone like me could feel."
Susie really didn't know what to say to that. What kind of emotions? Obviously he just meant platonic stuff, yknow like, all the fun stuff they've done together. She could relate to that. But the cracking in his voice, the way his hands shook slightly while they clung to her...
"It's silly, isn't it...? T-tell me to stop. Haha."
She felt her jaw clench automatically. Ralsei... him and his worthiness talk. What gave her, or anyone else, the right to control him? Why couldn't he just let himself feel? Susie gingerly grabbed Ralsei's face, pulling him back to look at her. She held him with her palms, making an effort to keep her claws away as to not accidentally hurt him.
"Never stop."
Grumbled with a lot more anger in her voice than intended, but Ralsei got the message. His eyes were wide and unmoving. She could've sworn his face got warmer in her hands.
"S-Susie..."
"No. We're not doing this again. I don't care what you think you are but you matter, and you deserve to feel every damn emotion you can."
"But, I can't-"
"Yes, you can. It's okay. No one will be mad at you. You just gotta- cut yourself some slack, man."
His face got damp under her touch. He brought his hand above her's and paused. Susie swallowed hard. She didn't mean to make him cry. He's been crying so much today, she just- She can't keep watching him tear himself apart. Was she being too rough with him?
What would Ralsei do? If the roles were reversed? What does he do to comfort people who are crying? Susie scrunched her face. She gently pulled herself closer, placing her chin atop his head, letting him compose himself in her arms.
"You... you're amazing, Susie..."
He sniffled softly, curling up as he lay in her arms. This action made Susie tighten her grasp on Ralsei.
"Says you."
She spoke quietly, gently, as gently as she could anyways. Ralsei exhaled.
As sad as it was, the fact she was holding him so tight made it feel okay. Ralsei stopped shaking, he stopped talking, he relaxed. Susie brought a hand up to Ralsei's head, tracing circles to comfort him. Looks like he exhausted himself. Good thing Susie chose this night to stay with him.
She felt her eyes grow heavy. What time was it by now? It didn't matter. Susie nuzzled her head into Ralsei's and shut her eyes. Dozing off with the boy in her arms. Maybe Susie wasn't so bad at comforting people, or being gentle, only if it was Ralsei.