They stand at the top of the stairs every day. They know what will happen if they go down. It’s been months, and they still have not left the Ruins.
Mom is just like they remembered, and they make bake together every day it seems. The fallen human is well-fed for the first time in what seems like such a long time. They’re warm, and have a collection of colorful sweaters that Toriel has taken upon herself to create; she’s even patched up the one Frisk fell down with.
They spend time outside Toriel’s home in the red leaves and with the shy Monsters. Most of the creatures recognize Frisk now, and the little human has even been giving them nicknames on the occasion. Sure, the creatures probably don’t understand, but Frisk likes it when they know someone by name and not ‘Froggit #4′.
They stand at the top of the stairs every day. Will he even be there? Does he remember? Did they wait too long? Did they mess this up? What if he’s angry? What if he forgot about them?
These thoughts keep the fallen child from their destination. That, and the knowledge of the absolute heartbreak it will bring to Toriel. Maybe it would have been easier to just leave the night they came back here, like ripping a band-aid off really fast. Now they’ve stayed too long and it doesn’t feel right to leave or to stay- they’ll still be disappointing someone.
For three months, the door to the Ruins does not budge.
Their SOUL hurts sometimes, like even it knows they’re prolonging something terribly important. They find themselves feeling less and less welcome despite the warm hugs Mom gives.
They stand at the top of the stairs every day. They take a shaky step down today.
The door to the Ruins opens.
