“Toriel sees Reader as the child she never had. Only more so after she encounters Reader regressed for the first time.”
WHO’S READY FOR SOME TORIEL ANGST??? This ficlet is more like “children who died” than “child she never had,” but I INSTANTLY had the idea for it upon reading the prompt. I’ve never written anything for Toriel before, so I hope y’all like it!
Ship: Toriel & GN!Reader
Word count: 303
Applicable Tags: Implied/Referenced Character Deaths, Reader is a Teacher, Teacher Toriel, Post-Undertale Pacifist Route, Reader Is Not Frisk, Reader Is Not Chara, Toriel Needs a Hug, Regressor Reader, Carer Toriel, POV Second Person
Your classroom was finally cleaned for the evening, with each toy and writing utensil neatly put away. As you were about to leave and lock the door, you couldn’t help but feel pulled towards the bookshelf in the corner. It hosted a variety of books by human and monster authors alike, and the golden binding of one of them caught your eye. You pulled it out and examined the cover. Well, no one else is around. It shouldn’t be too much of an issue if I give it a read.
You settled into the beanbag next to the bookshelf, opened the cover, and read the paragraphs underneath the illustrations to yourself. As you did, you found yourself easing into that younger mindset that you usually reserved for when you were home after you graded all the homework as a way to destress. You found yourself excited for each turn of the page, the childlike happiness comforting you.
The door to the classroom opens, and you hear soft, padded footsteps. “I am sorry to bother you, but I seem to have left my records in one of the classrooms.” Toriel, the principal and founder of the school you worked at, looks at you. You look back at her with wide eyes, not flinching out of your regression, as the Boss Monster was known for her motherly nature. Toriel stops for a moment as if her heart skipped a beat. She blinks twice, then moves to kneel next to you. “I- uh, see you have made yourself quite at home. Would you like me to read to you?” She catches herself. “I am sorry if this is too forward. You just reminded me of… someone.”
“I-It’s ok!” You shift in the beanbag, allowing for some space for Toriel. “You can read to me,” you smile.
Liked this and want more? Check the full Regressuary fic on my AO3 here!
