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“… It can be traced back centuries that human parental figures are often shown to have more empathy for their children, compared to animal species… however in light of recent events… it is evident that [monsters] on average [have] stronger empathy… care… (and) kindness for children, even not their own, whereas [some humans] lack the appropriate… parental love for their own children.
… While magic is still a misunderstood science in [a human’s] perspective, it is clear that monsters are biologically advantaged with longevity and the obvious magical abilities. However, their magical biology has many downsides in terms of their emotional capacity. Whereas humans can withstand intense emotional distress, monsters… [cannot]. However, there are instances that have been recorded throughout monster history that have shown monsters showing similar symptoms to human psychosis and mania. Though there have not been any cases in the past century, records show that… these “manic” monsters were the result of… supposed [grief and guilt] that resulted in the monsters becoming full of Level of Violence (LoVE). Through further historical research from monster records, it has been determined that to [our] shared horror, monsters and humans gained LoVE through violence, and gained Experience Points (EXP) through murder. The higher LoVE and EXP, the higher “corruption” a SOUL experienced, and the higher mania. [This discovery] can assist doctors, psychologists, and even police in investigating human mania, paranoia, psychosis, and numerous mental disorders through scientific and biological explanation.
Through this deeper understanding of both monster and human biology and psychology, humans and monsters can work together to facilitate a better understanding of mental and emotional capacity between biology, psychology, and now, magic.”
Dimitri et al. Emotional Capacity And Capability: The Similarities And Differences Between Humans And Monsters (p. 9-17), 20XX, Ebbot University.
“you’ll do great, kiddo,” Sans assures, grinning down at his child. “hey, after all o’ this, we’ll go to grillbs.”
“EUGH,” Papyrus groans from behind the two of them. “WHY DON’T I COOK US DINNER, AND WE CAN GO FOR NICE CREAM INSTEAD?”
You giggled nervously, holding yourself still as Sans and Papyrus continued to fuss over you. “Um, I don’t mind. I want fries, though. I like fries.”
“Hey, so do I!” Max exclaimed from another room. He was already ready. “We should get both!”
“MAXIMILIAN, STAY OUT OF THIS!” Papyrus laughed kindly. “I NEED TO CONVINCE Y/N TO GET ON MY SIDE!”
You immediately turn to stare up at Papyrus, your wide eyes shining. “I’m always on your side Papy!”
Papyrus’ smile only widened as he picked you up, his cheeks flooding a bright peach. “DAW, THANKS, Y/N!” He looked up at you, his sockets filled with unfamiliar but welcome warmth and love. “I PLEDGE THE SAME! NOW LET US GO!” He exclaims. “YOU LOOK ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL IN YOUR OUTFIT!”
You giggled lightly, clinging tight to Papyrus’ hands. “You and Sans helped make me look nice, Papy.”
Sans grinned from below you, hugging Max to his side. Seems Max had come in despite Sans’ warnings. “it’s fun to dress up when everyone else does.”
You beamed to yourself, watching as Sans winked up at you, as Papyrus smiled down at Sans and Max, as Max clung tightly to Sans, who he didn’t trust to call a dad just a few weeks ago.
Warmth filled your SOUL. Happiness and contentment were feelings you never had to chase. Not anymore.
Not with these people you had the honour to call family.
You were all walking down the hall when Papyrus’ phone rings. He gasps loudly and fumbles with it. It slips out of his hands countless times, only for him to catch it and fumble it again. You can’t help but begin to laugh, which causes Max to start guffawing.
Sans shushes the two of you between his giggles when Papyrus finally manages to catch his phone and answer the call.
“YEEEEES? PAPYRUS SPEAKING!”
“O-oh, P-P-P-Papyrus!” Aunt Alphys squeaked into the phone. “Th-The- our seats are re-ready! You a-and Sans and M-M-Max got-gotta get here now!”
Your face immediately dropped. “W-wait!” You grabbed his leg, and for good measure, grabbed Sans’ leg too. You looked up at them pleadingly, using your “human cuteness” to try and persuade them to stay. “Can… can you please come on stage with me?”
Papyrus sighs, his grin falling just a smidge. “SORRY Y/N,” he says, leaning down to give Y/n’s hair a careful little pat. “WE’D LOVE TO BE UP THERE WITH YOU, BUT THE PRESS WANTS TO SEE YOU DO THE SPEECH ON YOUR OWN.”
Sans smirks. “i’ll betcha a nice cream you cry.”
You’ve already started tearing up, however. “I’m not gonna cry!” You twist your little hands into the bottom of your outfit, and into Sans and Papyrus’ hearts. “I-sniff! I won’t!”
“Awww, it’s okay N/n,” Max coos, kneeling down to give you a big hug. “You’re gonna do that whole speech, and we can be actual siblings!”
That stopped your tears pre-emptively. The idea that you and Max would actually become real-life siblings made you happy beyond words. It made your chest tingle, and your face smile all by itself. “Ooh, I like that idea.”
Sans and Papyrus, unbeknownst to you, both sigh in relief at the threat of your crying being extinguished by Max’ s quick thinking.
“Aw, that’s really sweet,” Undyne’s voice says through Papyrus’ phone. All four of you looked over to the giant, chunky block of technology snuggled into his hand. You listened to Undyne with rapt attention. You found her really cool. “It’s so nice that you guys are so loving to each other.”
“…”
“…”
“NOW GET YOUR BONY BUTTS OVER HERE, STAT! THE PRESIDENT’S BEING ANNOUNCED!”
Papyrus squeaked nervously, quickly hanging up on the two and leaned down to give you a quick, cheerful smile. It was full of nerves, but it was also full of pride. “Y/N, MY CHILD,” Papyrus said, “YOU’RE GOING TO BE AMAZING! YOU WILL DELIVER THE PERFECT SPEECH, AND YOUR ADOPTION WILL NOT BE CONTESTED ANYMORE!”
Your eyes shone with excitement and an almost deranged longing at the thought. “I’m going to do the most perfectest speech.”
Papyrus chuckled and gave you a quick pat on the head. “SEE? THERE YOU GO! NOW YOU’LL DEFINITELY DO WELL!”
You nod, your heart full of resolve and your SOUL full of kindness.
Max gives you a big beaming grin. “Can’t wait to see you on stage, Y/n!”
Sans gives you a wave as Max holds onto his hand. Papyrus makes sure to press his teeth to your forehead before he puts his hand on Sans’ shoulder. Sans gives you a lazy wink, but his smile is wider than usual. “good luck, kid.”
The three of them disappear and you sigh, still trying to get your head around it. But no matter! You shake your head and stare down the hall with determination, your fist clenching tightly over your chest.
You’re going to do this, and do it well.
For your happily after ever after. For your family.
So you stomp down the hall, towards the stage where you’d gone before during rehearsals. You can hear the mister secretary, but you can’t really see him due to the numerous personnel working to make the presentation go perfectly.
Which reminds you that you have to do this perfectly.
You continue to stomp towards the hall, to mister secretary so he can bring you to the stage entrance.
However, a man you don’t recognise steps in front of you, smiling down. “Oh, hi there!” The man exclaimed, bending over to look you in the face. His smile was uncomfortably wide. “You’re Y/n Serif right? You’re going to be giving that giant speech today!”
You smiled nervously, clenching your fists tight. You wished you could hold the hem of your top, but you didn’t want to rumple it. That would ruin all of Papy’s hard work. “Y-yes… I am.”
The man’s grin widened. “That’s so cool! I’m the event planner,” he introduced himself, holding out a hand. “Jameson, at your service.”
With a quick nod, you shook his hand. “Uh, right! Nice to meet you, mister…” you glanced down at his chest, where he had on a nametag.
… except, it didn’t say Jameson. It said Smith, and it wasn’t a staff tag, it was a reporter tag.
… weird.
“Oh, by the way,” Jameson quickly tittered, leaning down further to whisper into your ear. “There’s a button, right by the mic. You can’t miss it; it’s big and red.” He leans away to give you that same, uncomfortable grin. “When you press it, a bunch of streamers are going to explode! So press that for me, will you kiddo?”
You nod slowly. “… sure, mister.”
His grin looks weird, and his eyes go dark almost, and he nods once, pats you roughly on the back, and almost disappears, which is weird because since he was a reporter, he should be staying nearby to talk to the more important people, like mister president or mister secretary.
But you can’t see him by the time you turn around, and there’s already too many other people. So you take a deep breath and turn back to look for mister secretary.
When you see him, he looks relieved to see you.
“Y/n! You’re finally here. Just in time.” He kneels down and gives you a much nicer smile, his usually cold brown eyes nice and warm behind his glasses. “Are you ready?”
You nod, no doubt your nerves showing through your shoddy excuse for confidence. “I’m ready.”
He looks a bit hesitant at first, but then there’s a sudden burst of cheers from the stage, and he shakes his head and gives you that same nice smile. “Alright.” He gives you a small push, exuding warmth. “You can do it.”
And you step forward, meeting mister president as he steps behind the curtain. He smiles at you, too, and gives you a cheeky wink and a thumbs up. “Break a leg, kid.”
You chuff out a laugh and nod, stepping out into the lights.
“-and I hope that with this new age, monsters and humans alike will be able to come together,” you took a shallow breath, making sure to still talk well, “to celebrate our new friendship.” You finished your speech perfectly, giving the crowd a nervous, winning smile. “Thank you!”
And right after your enthusiastic thanks, the crowd erupted into cheers of joy.
Papyrus, Sans and Max stood from their seats, clapping for you relentlessly, their faces bright with gleaming and proud grins. After them, the rest stood to cheer for your speech.
Aunt Undyne and Alphys, Frisk and Flowey and Nana Tori and Asgore. The few humans who helped with your adoption process. The many monsters who came to celebrate the new bond between their people and humans.
You felt tears well in your eyes.
Everything was perfect. Today was perfect.
Now, it was time to press that big button.
With an excited grin, you wave to your family, who all excitedly wave back.
Then you press it.
You’re blown backwards, right onto your back, your head cracking on the ground. Something in your chest snaps, and you can’t even scream. Agony burns in your body, coursing through you in one, relentless, never-ending wave.
The heat is blinding. It is unbearable. Your skin catches on fire, and it doesn’t relent. Your throat is raw, but you cannot hear anything over the ringing in your ears. You can’t hear anything over the ringing in your ears and the loud beating of your heart and the screaming of your mind.
You don’t know how long it takes for you to finally stand. Your body is in agony, but it doesn’t feel like it’s yours. All you know is-
Your family.
The heat comes from them.
There’s screaming. You can hear that much. So much screaming, shrill over the strange deafness in your ears. You walk around the pedestal and stare.
There’s nothing.
A giant dark spot in the middle. Splatters of meat and bones, a putrid smell of something burning, hair and- flesh that you don’t even want to think about.
There’s dust.
You don’t know when you get to where your family were. All there is are piles of dust and- and three small upside-down hearts. There’s upside down hearts behind them as well, but-
But they don’t matter. Not like these ones do.
Your eyes burn. They burn so much.
Your body burns.
And over the ringing in your ears and the burn of your skin, you feel your body vibrating with a piercing shriek, grieved and agonised, as your SOUL darkened with the guilt of destroying your family.