#my small take of underfell and these kids' interaction rlly

[74yungririe]

Underfell Chasriel

It’s never peaceful in the underground.

Not for long anyways. It’s what Chara cherishes during their days of solitude away from the royal family and monsters that go about. Which isn’t much.

A noisy bunch they all are. Too noisy, too violent.

Staring down from the cityview makes them feel like they're on top of the world. Funny, considering they aren’t royalty nor wanted. Being human has its ups and downs here. A lot of downs, actually.

Can’t have everything go your way, they suppose.

Still, the empty hall being nothing but monochrome has its moments. For one — the view of the underground never fails to distract them from their thoughts. Beyond the ugly cruelty and twisted dispositions lie the beauty hidden in the swamp-infested horrors. The tall buildings and smaller homes for all creatures expand farther than what Chara can see.

Chara’s sure nobody above would believe this amazing view would exist in a desolate place.

There’s nothing else to see besides the cityscape, otherwise.

But it’s not so bad.

Sitting on the cold ground, legs crossed, Chara breathes the peaceful silence. Rather lonely, but it’s not like they’ve had their peace to themselves all the time. Their predicament is an anomaly amongst most things in the world. It’s a treat, nonetheless.

They can always take the elevator and head down to the CORE. It’s not like they’ve done much. Sightseeing around Hotland wouldn’t be so bad either considering the few rogues around have stopped trying to kill them.

Would they risk it right now though? Chara’s lips purse together. Maybe not.

If anything, they’d suspect a monster (usually a Froggit or an annoying Migosp) to pop up and bother them again. That’s what usually happens when they let their guard down. At least it wasn’t like a year or two ago. The amount of times they’ve been a target to kill was a huge pain—

“There you are.”

Their ears perk at the familiar monotone. They look over their shoulder, a smile crawling up their face.

“Greetings, Asriel.”

Said monster scoffs back in return. Arms crossed over the familiar red-and-black stripe sweater as he leans against the wall. Red eyes glaring down at the nonchalant human child.

“Howdy,” he answers back sarcastically.

The brunette doesn’t mind his snarky behavior. Arrogance and irritation sketch over his expression the moment their gazes met. Yet, he pushes himself off the wall and struts their way before plopping down next to them. His black pants crease when he scoots a bit closer.

“Quit sneaking off without saying anything, idiot.” He says immediately.

Chara quirks a brow. Lopsided grin slapped across their face. “I did, though. I said I’d come here.”

His eye twitches.

“No, you didn’t!” Of course, they didn’t.

Chara doesn’t admit despite being caught, merely chuckling the lie away, as they pull their legs close.

“Yes, I did.”

“Do you take me for a fool?”

“Just a little bit.”

“God, you’re insufferable.”

“You told me that already.” Asriel groans at their bickering, to their amusement, stretching his legs out. “Training didn’t go well? Your insults have gone staler than usual.”

The goat kid bares his teeth at the jab. “As if. I did way better than my last training! Heh, the trainer couldn’t last against my blows this time.”

His lips curl into a devilish smirk. Arrogance huffs from his snout as his eyes gleam at the memory. Their attention falls to the golden locket around his neck that bounces along his motion.

Chara can imagine it already. Like the first time Asriel ’allowed them permission’ to watch his little sparring session. How magic proficient he was for a child that matches the peak of his rude attitude.

(…Though they were nearly harmed in the one-on-one training session from just being in the same room alone, Toriel forbade them from being around the room. He was strangely reluctant about it, but listened.)

Humming, “then what’s gotten you so prickly?”

Asriel’s brows furrow. And for a moment, they were prepared for the stream of complaints, about ’not being prickly’ and other interjections as his smirk drops.

Yet, he doesn’t.

Just the uncharacteristic silence accompanies his frown and his blank face. Those fluffy ears hide it from them.

“You’re really weird, y’know.”

That’s… not a first.

Chara tugs the front of their shirt, red with a black stripe like his sweater, a little. The gold chain grazes their arm below their shirt’s white collar. “And? You say that all the ti—”

“You came here again.” Asriel cuts them off. Eyes glued ahead.

The shift in topic is also strange. And he calls them weird. Confusion flashes in their eyes. “Because it’s boring staying at home.”

“Staying here isn’t any different either. It’s the same boring shit you see every other day,” Asriel rebuts, “what’s so interesting about this place anyways…”

“You act like you won’t be doing that once you become king.” The human snickers. They only received a growl in response before glancing back at the city. Reflecting on their own words, it releases the playfulness at the thought.

“Just answer the question.” He scowls, exasperated. Impatience hints through his fingers drumming on his lap.

In the back of their mind, they think about pulling his leg around the topic again. Risk the temper tantrum he’d likely cause for the sake of humoring themselves a little bit. Instead, their eyes trail back to Asriel before returning to the gray scenery. Building lights glowing from afar.

“...No reason.”

“...huh?”

“I had no reason. It’s pretty. That’s all.” They throw their head back as they continue, locking gazes when they notice him staring. “You also said you’d be quick so I thought I’d wait.” Since you’d whine about it, they think of adding but decide against it.

Asriel isn’t convinced. “That can’t be the only reason you came here again...” Yet, their statement pleases him nonetheless from the way his brows relax.

Chara prompts their chin on their palm, elbow supported by their knee. “About the underground being pretty or waiting for you?”

“Obviously the first one!”

Again, they snicker. It’s so fun poking at him.

They’re quick to cover up their little amusement once he glares at them for the umpteenth time. “Well, I don’t know what you wanna hear, but I’m not lying about what I said.” 

Their ‘adoptive sibling’ huffs, leaning back with his hands flat on the ground. The doubtful look he spares them doesn’t last for long before he’s back to observing the boring scenery he complained so crudely about. Furry fingers tugging on his long sleeves.

“Do all humans think the same way as you? Just being mindless like that…” Ah, he ends up complaining anyways.

“Then…” They hum thoughtfully. “Why’d you come looking for me?”

Something flashes in their eyes when they notice the jolt in his body. Tensing up from a simple question searching for a simple answer. His fur stands stiff along with the rest of his form and Chara’s drinking in poor attempts of acting casual. News flash: it’s a sight for sore eyes for all his pompous attitude caused.

Asriel makes a face. A stutter in his words unfitting of the rude prince before looking away, narrowed eyes and cheeks hidden by his ears. “Mom nagged me to find you since she couldn’t find you anywhere.”

Chara simply stares at him, unimpressed. Toriel isn’t around at this time of day. Usually out for errands and snail hunting if they recall. Stupid.

(Huh, his ears turn a light red too…)

“Dad’s not gonna be happy if he hears you’re slacking off.”

They counter back. An obvious bluff, as far as the eye could tell. The king still isn’t fond of them. Never has, never been. The few instances he has don’t compete to the care Toriel at least spares for the human. But right now, it’s all in good fun when they pretend to push themselves off the ground and tattle to their adoptive ‘father’ to add emphasis to their teasing lie.

Asriel deadpans. “As if he’d believe you, idiot. It’s not like you could tell him.”

They expected as much. “Yeah, yeah, I was only kidding.” Though the subtle peace has been ruined by his unnecessary poking, the idea of returning home and rolling in their bed sounds nice…

“Wait—!”

The sudden grip around their bare arm startles them out of the thought. Soft, warm, nearly ticklish if not for the strong hold keeping them seated on the ground.

Chara darts their surprise to the same whining goat from moments earlier. His face was just as flustered.

“Just…” Eyes remaining on his death grip around their arm. Teeth gritting together followed by a sigh. “...nevermind.”

They tilt their head. Brown locks fall accordingly, brushing along the ends of their face before plopping down again. “What? Something wrong?”

His vice grip relaxes and his hand falls back to his side. “I said it’s nothing.” His expression doesn’t match his words. “We’re here anyways, so we can just stay for a while.”

“But you said Mom—”

“—and I say we’re staying.” Asriel stresses, voice nearly echoing in the empty area. He gives a quick side-eye look and frowns. “I already came all the way here so it’d be a waste to go back now.”

Chara blinks at his squirming. Hand instinctively flies over the memorial gift around their neck. Craning their head closer, he’s quick to look elsewhere. Anywhere but them. 

Soft red coating his furry cheeks, unable to hold eye contact, his usual threats lighter than usual…

…Ah, they recognize that look. When he grumbles yet stays when he doesn’t have to. How pride prevents himself from speaking up despite the evident hints he gives away.

He misses them.

Chara’s grin mellows into a softer smile. They clasp their locket tighter, holding it close to their heart — their soul — while leaning back. Shoulders brushing with the young prince’s. He nearly jumps in place from gentle touch alone. Hehe, that doofus.

Behind the coldness and his rough attitude — even as he refrains from telling them it had nothing to do with their mother — Asriel’s fun to mess with.

“Whatever you say, dork.”

x—x—x—x

inspired by @yellow-h's cute doodle of them!!