Noelle stared back at Kris, her face unreadable. Did she like being what? The question brought up a mixture of emotions within Noelle, being embarrassment, confusion, and maybe just a little bit of curiosity. What would it feel like to be pet?
"I…I don't…know? I've never…tried it." Noelle mumbled out. Kris was blushing really hard, a lot harder than her. How was he so flustered-he asked the question! She saw his hand twitch and the mental image of him scratching her head softly with his nails rang in her head.
Oh wow her face was redder than his now.
Oh wow the floor was super interesting all of a sudden. Noelle stared downwards, trying to ignore the image that just popped in her head. She didn't want head scratches. She didn't want them- especially not from Kris, that would be dumb, so…so…so dumb.
…
"...Can I-" Kris started.
"Yes!" Noelle immediately answered, before covering her mouth. Kris stood awkwardly as she cleared her throat, her voice coming out as a meek whisper. "I mean yes." She murmured, looking somewhat mortified.
She didn't understand what was happening to her. Ever since she started interacting with Kris again, there's been this thing in the back of her mind. A little speck of something that was growing frighteningly fast.
The more time she spent with him, the more time she wore that damn sweater, the louder this thing got. It told her to do things, things that she couldn't help but listen to.
Like inhaling the scent of his sweater, stare at him when he isn't looking, or even think about him in ways that she…didn't with other people. Even Susie.
No. Stop it. 'Stop being gross, Noelle! Think about something else-think of the worst thing you can think of!'
…
Berdly with nipples.
Ah. That did the trick.
Noelle blinked, realizing that Kris was saying something. How the turns have tabled.
"Do you want to go visit Castle Town?" Kris repeated, seemingly knowing she hadn't heard him. A perk of an expert, she supposed.
Noelle frowned, crossing her arms and giving Kris a stern stare. "Kris, you aren't planning on breaking into school, are you?" She asked, and Kris smirked at her.
"You have the keys, right?" He asked, and she paused, before biting her lip.
---
"Are you sure about this?" Noelle asked, playing with her new sweater. The both of them had showered, (thank god Toriel had animal shampoo.) and Kris was wearing another pair of brown jeans along with a near identical sweater to the one she wore, only with blue and purple stripes instead of green and yellow.
Kris held the school master key that Noelle had a copy of, most definitely due to her being…the entire student council? He quickly unlocked the front doors, opening them and letting Noelle hurry inside first, before heading inside himself.
It was dark inside, and Kris hummed, realizing he had never seen the school with the lights off. The two walked to the storage closet, sharing a look with each other.
They nodded, and Noelle opened the doors, before the two of them jumped inside.
As they fell, they felt a wave of power wash over them, before their outfits sparkled, changing as they entered the dark world.
The two of them performed a flip, landing on their feet. "W-Woah! That was fun, hehe!" Noelle laughed, and Kris grinned, looking at her, only to gasp in surprise.
Noelle was now wearing a white cloak that fit loosely around her robe, sporting a white hood and a see-through veil that luckily didn't obscure her face. "Woah…" he breathed, utterly enchanted.
Noelle stiffened, her blush even more pronounced through the veil. "D-Don't say it like that! What are you woahing at!?" She asked, and Kris walked up to her, bringing his hand up to her face. She froze like a deer in headlights, her breath hitching.
Kris moved the veil out of the way, making Noelle notice it. The both of them noticed that the veil was made of tiny snowflakes, and Kris's eyes widened. Noelle bit her lip, before she reached forward, swiping Kris's hair out of his face. The boy flinched, but she saw it.
He was staring at her again. His eyes were so intense, so meaningful. Kris nearly flinched away, but he stopped himself, instead allowing her to gaze at his uncovered face. He blushed purple, and Noelle couldn't help but smile at the sight. Krismas really was adorable.
Woah.
Where did that come from?
"Guys?" Ralsei shouted from the town, startling the both of them and snapping them out of their trance. Kris's hair fell, and so did Noelle's veil. Kris took a step away from her just as Ralsei walked into view.
"Oh, there you are! It's been so long since I've seen you two!" He cried, pulling them both in for a hug.
Both Kris and Noelle laughed, momentarily forgetting what just happened. "Wha-Ralsei, it's only been a day!" Noelle teased, and Ralsei blushed, his glasses and goat horns reminding Kris so much of Asriel. That was going to take a while to get used to.
Ralsei hummed, still slightly embarrassed, letting go of their embrace. "Sorry, I just…haven't ever had friends to miss before." Ralsei admitted, looking off to the side. Noelle smiled sweetly, before grabbing Kris's hand and smiling at Ralsei.
"C'mon! Let's go say hi to everyone, Kris!" She said, only for Ralsei to hum.
"Um-before you can do that, you…need to uh…bring them here." He mumbled, ready to explain what exactly Darkners are, only for Noelle to nod.
"Right, all the stuff in the unused classroom!" Noelle said, surprising Ralsei. She turned to Kris, tilting her head. "Do you want me to get it or do you want to?" She asked him, and he smiled, pointing back at the entrance to the dark world with his thumb.
"I can handle it, you can stay here. I'll be right back!" He called, turning and dashing out towards where they came from. A few seconds after Kris left their sight, Ralsei turned to her.
"So, Noelle, how do you feel about Kris?" He suddenly asked her, and she flinched, looking at him, her smile wobbling.
"W-What? H-How do I feel about Kris?" She repeated, before laughing nervously. "Oh-well he's my best friend, hehe. I think he's-um…funny." She mumbled, her veil doing nothing to hide her growing blush.
Ralsei looked at her, hiding his smirk with his scarf. "Funny? Not…anything else?" He asked, earning a panicked glance from Noelle.
He…didn't know, right?
He didn't know about those thoughts-those embarrassing, primitive thoughts. As if to mock her, she inhaled softly, smelling the scent she had grown fond of (addicted to). Even as a cloak and veil in the dark world…Kris's sweater still smelled like him.
Noelle laughed nervously to herself, looking downwards as a shaky smile spread on her face. She wasn't a pervert, right? This felt perverted. To…like one's scent.
Noelle shook her head. Stop thinking about it, Noelle. Stop thinking about it.
…
She couldn't stop thinking about it.
Luckily for her, dozens of sparkles suddenly rained down from above, making her gasp. Ralsei smiled, and Castle Town glowed before…
"Aw yeah, Lancer's back in action!" Lancer cheered, laughing like a gremlin. He ran over to Noelle, giggling when he rolled around her like a ball. "Noelle is back! Noelle is back! Noelle is back!" He proclaimed over and over again, earning a series of giggles from Noelle.
A second later, Kris walked back into Castle Town, smiling at Noelle. "Looks like Ralsei has those subjects he wanted." he said, earning an excited grin from the prince.
"Thank you so much, Kris! The both of you, actually. Because of you two, my Castle Town actually has Darkners living in it! I seriously can't thank you enough!" He proclaimed, before pulling the two in for another hug.
Noelle returned it with gusto, while Kris just stood there awkwardly. Ralsei didn't mind though, pulling back and smiling at the two. "So, what do you guys want to do first? It looks like there's a bit to do here now, and I…also have a surprise for you, at the castle. That can be saved for last, though!" He told them, and Noelle hummed, looking around.
Their enemies from the previous dark world were now staying at Castle Town, speaking excitedly with one another while exploring their new home. A few of them even came up to the heroes and profusely thanked them for freeing them from King's rule and giving the Darkners a new place to live.
Noelle smiled back, but felt a small amount of guilt behind her smile. 'After we destroyed their home in the first place…' she thought, but ignored it in favor of following Kris, who headed towards Seam's shop, which was nestled in the top left corner of the town.
Kris moved the tent flap aside, stepping in the shop and being greeted by the familiar stuffed cat. "Ah, hello, heroes. To what do I owe the pleasure?" They chuckled, and Kris hummed, before looking at Noelle, then back at Seam.
"We beat him. The prisoner. He gave us these things." He told the shopkeeper, who gazed with intrigue at the Jevilstail and…
A whisper suddenly wormed its way into his mind, frigid and unsettling.
'The forbidden path begins with ice magic.'
What did that mean? He remembered Jevil saying something about it, but-
"Impressive, impressive! You actually managed to beat him! I'd say the rewards were more than worth it, especially this." They rasped, grabbing the dark crystal in their giant paw. "This is a Shadow Crystal. Not much is known about them…but legend says if you gather five of them…something interesting might happen." They chuckled again.
Kris hummed, before Seam waved him off. "It's of little importance right now. I'll keep this and any others you find right here. If you do happen to gather five of them, come visit me." Seam finished, before gesturing to the Jevilstail. "Don't underestimate this, either. This is quite the powerful piece of armor too." Seam said, and Kris nodded, swiping it off the table.
"Thanks, Seam." He thanked, with Noelle waving at him from behind. They laughed, waving back, and watching the heroes leave.
Kris, Noelle, and Ralsei explored the remodeled Castle Town, running into a multitude of familiar faces, even the jigsaw guy they gave that singular Dark Dollar to. However, their exploring grew dull quickly, and Ralsei began to bounce on his feet.
"I-I'm sorry to rush you, but…can we please go to the castle? I'm so excited to show you what I made!" He cheered, and Kris shrugged as Ralsei rushed ahead, heading straight for the castle.
Before Kris could follow after him, Noelle grabbed his hand. The feeling of her hand in his was becoming more natural to him, and he could tell it was the same for Noelle. She was less and less embarrassed about it every time after all.
"Kris? B-Before we go…can I ask you something?" She asked, and he turned to her entirely, nodding. She exhaled shakily, looking down with a nervous smile. "A-Alright. This might sound weird, but…just hang with me." She warned him, before looking up at him, cheeks crimson.
"Kris, could you…s-scratch my head…w-while we walk? You don't need to, haha!" She laughed nervously, holding her hands out.
Scritch scritch scritch
Noelle gasped softly, feeling his hands touch the top of his head. He had taken off one of his gauntlets, and was using his fingernails to gently massage her scalp. Almost instantly, Noelle melted, pushing herself into his touch.
"H-Hahh…that feels…really nice…" Noelle murmured, her leg twitching. Kris swallowed, looking around. They were lucky nobody was around. Kris looked back at Noelle, seeing her staring at him softly, her lips pursed slightly and eyes filled with fog.
Her leg twitched again as she laughed shakily, trying to keep her composure. "Ha…W-What is…happening to me?" She whimpered, and Kris swallowed thickly, his face bright purple. He felt like he was sinning.
He wanted to grab her. He wanted to hold her. He wanted to squeeze her. 'Mine.' a part of him growled, and he wrapped his arm around Noelle's back before he could stop himself, massaging her side too.
Noelle gasped, her entire body shuddering. Kris hastily pulled his hand back, but Noelle grabbed it. "No." She breathed, and Kris swallowed as they tip toed on the line of what was and wasn't…inappropriate.
"N-Noelle?" Kris asked, and she realized that she had instinctively guided his hands back to her head and side. Her eyes widened as she saw her own hand pressing his to her hip, and felt her soul practically leave her body.
Yet she didn't stop. She didn't falter, simply looking Kris in the eyes. She knew this was wrong. She knew this wasn't what friends did. However, she couldn't stop her next words. She didn't want to.
"Kris?" She panted, and her begging tone made the boy shiver. "You smell really good." She blurted, changing what she was going to say at the last second.
'Was I just going to tell him to k-keep going?' she thought to herself, despite being very aware of the answer. His hands on her fur, burning at her skin…grabbing at her like she was a treasure.
She had never felt like that before. She didn't know why, but Kris doing that lit something in her. Something that had been dormant for years. Noelle's eyes softened, and she licked her lips, mind filling with fog again.
'This is bad…' Noelle thought to herself. 'I should stop this…I should…Kris…smells so good…' Noelle thought, and Kris flinched as Noelle neared him, half lidded eyes closing as she drew closer and-
Inhale
Kris froze as he heard Noelle smell him, her nose against his collar. He felt her shudder against him, a shaky breath leaving her. He blinked, unable to even formulate a response. How does one respond to that? Thank you? He debated on saying it, but decided against it.
"Noelle?" He squeaked, his voice cracking hard. Kris wanted to die right then and there. Noelle didn't move an inch, simply making a tiny noise to indicate she had heard him. "Y-You're…still um…s-smelling…me." He mumbled, his eyes wide.
Noelle swore she could hear glass break. The fog in her mind cleared up, and she realized what she was doing. She yelped, jumping a foot in the air and quickly making distance between the two. "I'm so sorry I'm so sorry I'm so sorry I'm so sorry I'm so sorry-" she repeated, covering her red face with her hands.
WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HER!? She was going to die. She was going to die of embarrassment. How could she even show her face to Kris again!? She just SMELLED him! Oh my god she was a pervert!
She hesitantly looked up at Kris to see that he was still staring at her, eyes just barely visible behind his bangs and wow was he purple. Shame flooded Noelle and she felt tears stung at her eyes as she lowered her head, trying to turn away from Kris to hide herself.
Kris caught on immediately, because of course he did. Stupid, caring, amazing Kris. Why did he have to do this to her? Make her feel these things? Again. He made his way over, sliding in front of her.
"N-Noelle?" He asked, and she squeaked, before hesitantly looking at him. He swallowed nervously, before exhaling, trying to calm his nerves.
Then suddenly, it came to him. A surge of confidence. Kris looked down for a second, hesitating, only to narrow his eyes. He wasn't going to waste this chance, especially if it was going to make Noelle feel better.
Without another word, he held out his hand. Noelle blinked, before looking down at it and grabbing it. Kris closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, before he pulled her towards him. Noelle's breathing stopped as he pulled her close, leaning over her. His hair draped over their heads, creating a curtain just for them. Some privacy.
She saw his eyes shift from hers, to her lips, to her neck, then back to her eyes. Before she could ask what he was doing, he struck. He gently held her head, pulling her close to him. For a second she thought he was going to kiss her, then-
He buried his face in her neck, and Noelle's soul lit on fire. He inhaled deeply, paying back what she had done to him twice over. Noelle knew he was doing this to make her feel better. She knew it was just that.
Yet…
The way he held her.
The way he cradled her with his arm beneath her back and his other hand gently holding onto her head to keep her in place…
It was so tender. So caring-loving. For a moment…Noelle couldn't help but wonder if this embrace meant a little more than she originally thought.
It was then that Kris pulled away, his hair falling back over his face. However, Noelle reached up, brushing it out of the way again. They were both silent and breathless, cheeks flushed and eyes half-lidded.
"You have…really pretty eyes, Kris…" Noelle mumbled out, yet she was staring at his lips. Kris's next breath was shaky as his eyes studied her entire face, from her big doe eyes, to her little buck teeth.
"Noelle…can I-" he whispered, already lowering his head. She reached up, gently grabbing onto his card cloak to pull him down.
The moment their lips brushed against each other's, they heard Ralsei's voice. "Guys? Where did you two-" he started, before locking eyes with the two, staring at Kris holding Noelle in a lean. He covered his mouth, cheeks flushing pink under his white fur. "Oh-sorry!" He whispered.
Kris closed his eyes, all of the hope building in his heart vanishing. He had gotten so close…so close to just…one single kiss. That's all he wanted…and now he was never going to get it.
"Kris?" Noelle asked, and he looked down at her, sadness visible in his eyes. The moment had passed. Kris smiled at her, but she could see how shaky and crushed it was. It was his fake smile. The one she had grown to loathe so much.
"Let's go, Noelle." He whispered, helping her upright, before he turned to Ralsei, who flinched. Ralsei turned, hurriedly leading them to the castle. Noelle stared as Kris began to follow, her hands over her heart.
'He…he looked so sad when…' she thought to herself, before lightly touching her lips, feeling the buzz of his warmth lingering. It almost felt like a dream. Both his lips, and what just happened.
Swallowing, Noelle swiftly caught up to Kris, walking behind him. She whispered his name, and he turned his head slightly to indicate he was listening, but…he didn't even look at her. She felt a pang of pain in her heart, but carried on without falter.
"Are we…going to talk about that?" She asked softly, and Kris didn't even show a reaction. He just looked back forwards and shook his head. She barely even noticed it, it was so soft. She bit her lip, a sick feeling welling up in her stomach, contrasting the butterflies that had just bloomed there.
What happened? Just moment ago, Kris was…was going to…
Kiss her.
There was nothing else that could have been. She felt their lips nearly make contact, perhaps a simple brush against each other, but the moment they were interrupted, Kris…shut down.
He wouldn't even look at her.
And that smile…to show so much hurt with a smile was something she didn't even know was possible, yet he did it. She wanted to blame Ralsei. She wanted to be upset at him for ruining that moment, a moment that she…might not ever get again.
But she was only upset at herself. She gazed at the ground as they walked, remembering how every chance she got…she squandered. Noelle gripped her robe in her hands, not even noticing as her eyes began to water.
She didn't notice as her tears dripped past her veil, landing on the ground with a near unnoticable plat noise. Ralsei didn't hear it. Kris didn't hear it. Only Noelle did, and it made her breath hitch.
She was crying again. Of course she was. It almost felt like there wasn't a time that she wasn't crying. Noelle gripped her robe tighter. She hated how her instinctual reaction to everything was to freeze up, like a…ha…a deer in headlights.
Noelle gripped her robe even tighter.
Noelle hated how she could never find the confidence to say how she felt, no matter the situation. She always just smiled and went with it. Yet the one time, the one time she wanted something-anything from someone-from Kris…they were interrupted.
Now Kris didn't want to speak to her. Hell, he didn't even want to look at her. She ruined it. She ruined everything.
Noelle gripped her robe…tighter still.
Noelle hated. Despite her kindness, her gentleness…Noelle hated just like everyone else did. Noelle got mad just like everyone else did. Noelle cried, screamed, and laughed…just like everyone else did.
But she wasn't allowed to show it. She was the nice girl, the smart girl. She had her role, and she played it.
…
Noelle hated who she was.
---
When the three arrived at the castle, Ralsei could tell that tensions were high. Every time he glanced backwards, Kris had…a smile on his face.
However, it wasn't his normal smile. The soft one that he only used around Noelle. It was bigger, spread across his face as if painted there. It felt…wrong. Ralsei could feel the negative emotions pouring from Kris, and he felt at fault for it.
'I really messed up…I should have waited a minute longer.' he thought to himself, playing with his hands nervously. He nervously smiled at Kris and Noelle, opening the castle doors.
"The part I want to show you is upstairs. Follow me, guys!" He said, walking up the stairwell on his right. Kris and Noelle followed silently, and Ralsei fumbled with his scarf, his nerves alight. He didn't just ruin their friendship, did he?
Once they made it to the top, Ralsei turned around, gesturing to the two doors next to each other. One was blue, and the other was yellow. "I made you two rooms! I-I hope they're to your liking!" He told them, blushing nervously, and awaiting their responses.
Kris's eerie smile never left, and he gave Ralsei a hollow thumbs up. Ralsei tried to subtly peek past his bangs to at least catch a glimpse of his eyes, to no luck.
Noelle smiled as well, though hers was a bit more genuine. "I love them, Ralsei! Ooh-the wings!" She gasped, pointing at the white wings that had been painted on the wall around the door.
She instinctively looked at Kris to garner his reaction, but…he was already going into his room. She frowned, her ears flattening against the sides of her head and her lower lip wobbling. Ralsei frowned, watching Kris enter his room without a word, before turning to Noelle.
"I-um…is…Kris okay?" He asked, already knowing the answer. Noelle sniffled, plastering a smile on her face and trying to giggle, but it came out as a choked out sob.
"H-He's just being Kris, don't…don't worry!" She told him, and Ralsei's frown only deepened. He took a step towards her, and Noelle dropped the act entirely, placing her head in her hands. "I…I don't know, Ralsei." She admitted, her voice breaking.
She slid to the ground, back against her door. She lowered her head, resting it in her arms. Ralsei lowered his gaze, watching her begin to break down in front of him.
"I-I keep m-messing things up!" She suddenly cried, words muffled by her arms. "I just-!" She started, grabbing her face. "-keep-!" She moved her hands to her hair, brushed by Kris after her shower, tangling her fingers in it and pulling.
Before she could finish, she just…sagged. The final words never left her mouth, and Ralsei stared at her, feeling like he just watched a puppy die.
Her hands left her hair, and she glared down at the ground, eyes filled with years of unspoken emotion. "I'm sorry. This isn't your problem." She whispered, and Ralsei jolted.
"A-Ah, I don't mind! W-We are friends after all, and…friends help each other, don't they?" He asked, smiling at her.
"Friends help each other, don't they?"
Some friend she was.
How long did it take for her to even talk to Kris, let alone help him? Noelle's breathing sped up at the realization that Kris may never talk to her again. That alone was enough to send her into another bout of tears and sobs, but what really hit her is how she may…not even do anything about it.
"Noelle." Ralsei spoke, and she flinched, before looking up at him, past her arms. Her veil was now wrinkled and even, her eyes reddened from crying. "Friends help each other." He repeated, tilting her head. "Don't they?"
She blinked, before her eyes widened. What was she doing? Why was she sitting here and sulking when Kris needed her?
Noelle pushed herself up to her hooves, taking a deep breath and rubbing her eyes, before-
Kris's door opened before she could even take a step, and the boy walked out, nodding at Ralsei. He still had that damned smile on his face. "The room is nice, Ralsei." He told the boy, who stammered over his words.
"O-Oh, thank you-"
"Kris." Noelle interjected. Kris suppressed a flinch, before turning to look at her. She bit her lip, her nerves about to stop her from speaking, before she steeled herself, glaring determinedly at Kris.
She stepped towards him, not allowing him to run away this time. She grabbed him, pulling him into a tight embrace that he wouldn't be able to escape from. "Please don't go…" she whispered. Kris had dropped his smile, staring up at her in shock.
"I just…want to talk. W-We can…show each other our rooms?" She murmured, and Kris stammered over his words. Noelle sighed, before she smiled at Ralsei. "Thanks, Ralsei." She said, and he nodded at her. Noelle looked at the both of their doors, before heading for hers.
Kris was tense the entire time, keeping his head down in a mixture of shame and fear as he hesitantly followed her into her room. "I-I'm sorry Noelle, I-I don't know what c-came over me-" he stammered out, and Noelle sighed, sitting down on the large christmas tree shaped bed in the corner of her room.
"That's not what I meant, Kris. I mean-I do want to talk about it, but I'm not…mad. It was actually…kind of hot-b-but that's not what I wanted to talk about!" She said, whispering the words quietly enough for Kris to not hear it.
He tried his best to not look at her, but he couldn't avoid her forever. Finally, he turned to her, finding her already staring at him. He blushed, looking away, and Noelle felt her own face heat up upon realizing that all those times he had blushed, he had been…
Oh my god he carried her on his shoulders!? Kris, you sly dog…though she couldn't say she was too upset, considering the…phase she went through a year ago. Kris was…very on her mind at the time.
Noelle blushed, shaking her head. That never happened. Nope. "Listen, Kris…I just don't want you avoiding me or-or putting on that fake smile…you wouldn't even look at me earlier." She said, and Kris winced, looking away.
"I'm not upset, I just…want to know the truth. D-Do you…like me?" She asked, and Kris looked away with a blush on his face, telling her everything she needed to know.
Noelle lowered her gaze to the floor, nodding silently. Okay. That…was news. It made sense. Ugh, the kiss on the cheek-damn it Noelle! That must have really messed with his head.
"Noelle-I can't…I made a mistake, okay? I shouldn't have-" he started, and Noelle stood up, taking a step closer to him, her face hovering close to his. His face flushed purple, and he took a step back, with Noelle taking another step towards him. "N-Noelle? What are you-" he began, and Noelle trapped him against her door, her arms beside his head.
He shivered, his hair parting to reveal his dark purple face. "Do you really think that? You think that was…a mistake?" She asked, and Kris hesitated. "Kris?" She whispered, and he swallowed.
"Do you want to kiss me?" she asked, and he stammered out gibberish, fumbling for the doorknob behind him. However, Noelle grabbed his hand, stopping him. "Because…" she breathed, and he shivered at feeling her breath on his face.
"I really…really want to-"
THOOOOM!!!
Both Kris and Noelle flinched as the sound of something happening outside in Castle Town echoed throughout the entire dark world. The two shared a look, exiting Noelle's room just in time to see Ralsei rushing up the stairs, looking at them with a panicked stare.
"Ralsei, what was that!?" Kris asked, and Ralsei idly noted that he looked better. They just have really talked in there. Ralsei swallowed thickly, before looking at the two, fear as clear as day in his eyes.
"I-It was…another dark fountain forming. Someone opened another dark world." He explained, and Noelle gasped. She looked at Kris, who looked back at her. The memory of what had just happened played through his mind, and he fought off a blush, nodding at Noelle.
"I…we can talk about…that later. I think it's uh…time to save the world again?" He asked, and Noelle stared at him for a second, before devolving into a fit of giggles.
"H-Heh…yeah, I guess we do. W-We should go look for that fountain…any idea where it is, Ralsei?" She asked, and he sighed, shaking his head.
"No, I…don't. However…I do know the general location. It's in your hometown." He told them, and Kris nodded, heading for the staircase downwards.
"Understood. We'll find it as soon as we can, Ralsei. Come on Noelle, it's time to go." He said, and the girl nodded, following them.
They made their way out of the castle, and Noelle gasped upon seeing the towering pillar of darkness standing tall in the distance. "T-There it is! I didn't know we'd be able to see it from here!" She gasped, and Ralsei nodded.
"Every dark world is connected. Other Darkners can travel between dark worlds as well, but only if they're working with Lightners." He explained, and Noelle nodded. She was a little confused, but they were at the exit of the dark world now, so they didn't have time to talk.
"Alright. We'll see you when we see you, Ralsei. Hopefully soon, in the next dark world." He said, saluting the Darkner, who grinned, doing the same. Noelle waved at Ralsei, only for a figure to burst into the room, running over Ralsei and turning him into a comical splat on the floor.
"Hehe! Let me come with you guys! Here, I can fit into the blue boy's pocket! See?" Lancer laughed, before running at Kris and swan diving into his inventory. Kris blinked, before Rouxls Kaard walked into view.
"I tooeth, will accompanye you, heroes of lightst!" He cried dramatically, before entering Kris's hammerspace the same way that Lancer did, despite Kris's…less than enthusiastic face.
"Ha. Great." He murmured, before stepping back into the ray of light. Ralsei quickly peeled himself off the floor, waving at the two.
"Bye guys! See you soon!" He said, before they were fully bathed in light.
---
Both Kris and Noelle were forcefully pushed out of the closet, the former falling flat on his face as the latter landed on her hooves, exhaling softly. "Oof! That was fun, Kris!" She giggled, before noticing he was still lying on his face, not even making an effort to get up. He mumbled something into the floor, and Noelle rolled her eyes with an amused grin, grabbing Kris's arm and helping him up.
"Thanks. I said yeah, it would be if I didn't have all this floor in my mouth." He grumbled, and Noelle giggled again, before walking forward.
"C'mon, silly! We've got a dark fountain to find!" She said, turning the corner…
"The hell's a dark fountain?"
And promptly walking into the unbuttoned purple jacket of Susie. She flinched, taking a few steps backwards, before she looked up to see the grinning form of Susie gazing down at her, though she couldn't tell from the way her hair shadowed over her eyes.
"S-Susie!" Noelle squeaked, the familiar feeling of butterflies floating in her stomach coming back in full force. "H-Ha-it's n-nothing! J-Just…playing…pretend with Kris?" She tried, giggling nervously and looking anywhere but her face.
Susie subtly looked past Noelle, glaring directly at Kris, who stood small, hunched forward, afraid. Susie grinned, showing off her sharp, yellow teeth. Noelle thought it was directed at her. It wasn't.
"Heh. Well, ain't that cute. The little human's got an…imagination. Who would have thought." Susie chuckled deeply, and Noelle blinked, her blush lightening a bit.
'You don't even know the half of it, Susie. He's got such a brilliant mind…I just wish he knew it.' she thought to herself. Susie's grin turned into a snarl when Noelle looked away, and Kris flinched.
Multiple threats of having his head bitten into rang through his mind. He shivered in fear as Susie tensed her hands, her large, sharp claws visible. He remembered how many times those claws had dug into his shoulder or his neck, how many times he had been slammed into a wall or a locker.
Sometimes she would even take him outside and push him into the dirt, where nobody could see. She wouldn't even hit him, just whisper horrible things into his ear. Things that he…grew to believe, over time.
Most of them involved his mother, or his father. However, some of them…some of them involved Noelle…and how she would never love a disgraceful burden like him.
…He wished she just hit him instead.
He didn't know how Susie knew about his feelings, but she did. Now they were here, and Noelle was blushing like a goddamn school girl.
He wanted to tell her. Tell her that Susie was a no good bully that only wanted to hurt him. He wanted to tell her all the things Susie had said to him, but…
He didn't. He couldn't. Looking at the two, Noelle looked so excited. She may not have said it, but her face said it all. She wanted to hang out with Susie. Not him. She…liked Susie.
Not him.
Kris barely even registered the step he took. Susie turned to face him, ready to make an excuse so that she could go verbally wail on Kris until he walked his sorry ass home, but it seemed that was already the plan, as he stepped past Noelle and Susie.
Noelle blinked, turning to face Kris. "Kris? Where…are you going?" She asked, making him pause. He barely looked back at her, and Susie grinned.
"...doesn't matter." He whispered, before continuing. A worried look grew on Noelle's face, and she tried to follow after him, only for Susie to grab her wrist.
"Woah, what's the rush, huh?" She asked, and Noelle blushed, feeling the claw on her wrist.
"B-But K-Kris-" she started, and Susie waved her off with a puff of air from her nostrils. She grinned at Noelle, a real grin this time.
"C'mon, you already hung out with that freak all day-"
"Don't call him that." Noelle interrupted. Susie paused, looking down at Noelle to find her…glaring at her. "Kris isn't a freak, Susie. He's my friend, and I won't tolerate you talking about him like that." She said, a will that Noelle didn't even know she had shining true within her. Then it vanished without a trace, and she became a soft blushing mess again.
"S-So…don't talk about him l-like that." Noelle stammered, and Susie gave her an unreadable look, before she shrugged.
"Alright. I won't anymore." She mumbled, and Noelle beamed at her, making the dinosaur girl blush lightly.
'Well…looks like you just earned yourself another session, freak.' Susie thought to herself, tapping her claws together.
---
Kris…didn't really know where he was going. He was just…going. He stared down at the ground, his intense eyes filled with…nothing. No pain. No sadness. Not even any anger. Just…nothing. He should have known it was only temporary. That fire he felt, the fire he thought…she felt. What was she going to say in the dark world? Before the fountain erupting interrupted her?
Kris exhaled softly, ignoring the wetness in his eyes. "Whatever." He mumbled, pretending he didn't hear how choked up it came out. God damnit. Why now?
As Kris continued, he felt himself stumble more, become less precise with his steps. Tears obscured his vision, and he bit his lip hard enough to draw blood. Looking up for a split second, he saw that all eyes were on him.
Kris froze, gasping sharply, before he slipped on his familiar mask. It was fine. He didn't care. This was who he was. This was…who he was.
Nobody asked him how he was doing when he walked past. Nobody stopped him, asking if he needed something to talk about. If Noelle had walked past…if Catti had walked past…hell, even if Berdly had walked past, they would have gotten something.
But not him.
He didn't care. Why would he? He didn't care about these people that he had grown up around were basically strangers to him. He didn't care that people only knew his name to whisper bad things about it. He didn't care that almost everyone he knew thought of him as some fucking burden.
He just.
Didn't.
Care.
By the time he was pulled out of his thoughts, Kris was…at the old bunker, south of town. How had he made it here? Kris sniffled, finally all alone. He stumbled over to the bunker doors, glaring at the mysterious set of doors.
He clenched his fists, thinking back to everything that had happened today. Everything had started off so…perfectly. Kris lowered his head, gritting and grinding his teeth together as his nails dug into his palms.
Blood dribbled from his hands, falling to the floor, unnoticed. His eyes bore into the ground, his breathing quickening. He finally allowed himself to feel the pain in full, and he cried out in a mixture of emotions, rearing his arm back and punching the bunker door with all his might.
He roared again, punching it with his left hand this time. Again. Another punch. Again. Another blow. Again. Again. Again. Again. Again. Again again again again-
"Kris?"
Her voice. So soft. So worried. He froze, his knuckles bloodied and battered. He looked down at them, seeing that multiple layers of skin had been split open, blood and torn skin accentuated his knuckles, making him wonder how long he had been standing here, punching this stupid bunker door.
Kris didn't move when Noelle made her way towards the bunker, didn't move when she spotted him…didn't move when she gasped in horror at the sight of his hands. "Kris!?" She whispered, and he unballed his fists, hearing an audible crack as his bones shifted back into place.
Noelle shivered at the sound, even more horrified. Before she could even ask, Kris turned his head to her, nothing but a blank, deadpan stare on his face. "I'm fine." He whispered, tear tracks visible.
He tried to walk past her, but she grabbed his wrist again, stopping him. He felt his anger rise as he stopped, still. "Kris?" Her voice shook. It hurt to hear it, but some small part in the back of his mind felt good at hearing it. Disgust at himself followed, and he shook his head.
"Not right now, Noelle." he whispered, and Susie walked into view, exhaling sharply.
"Did we really have to go all this way just for him?" She growled, before spotting the boy, as well as the blood that dripped from his hands. "Someone's throwing a pity party." She mocked, and Kris grit his teeth behind his lips, keeping his face a steady deadpan.
He walked past Susie, not even looking at her, but she placed her heavy claw on his shoulder, sharp claws digging into him. Kris froze, and Susie breathed on the back of his head, whispering quietly. "Yeah, that's right. Walk your loser ass home while Noelle and I get familiar with each other."
Kris clenched his fists again, everything that had happened today starting to boil over. He bit his lip again, trying to keep his cool. Then Susie chuckled darkly, whispering the last part even quieter. "See ya, flesh bag."
Susie turned around, walking back towards Noelle, who was staring at Kris, fear and worry ebbed onto her features. However, Kris didn't walk away. He didn't move a muscle. Flesh bag, huh?
Kris turned around, his bangs covering his eyes. Noelle exhaled in relief, and Susie turned her head, glaring at him. Before she could speak though, Kris opened his mouth.
"Do you…know why humans are stronger than monsters?" He asked, and Susie snorted, taking a step towards Kris, much to Noelle's worry.
"Susie-what are you doing?" She asked, only to be ignored. She then shot a look at Kris, who was glaring at Susie, his eyes glowing through his bangs.
"Oh, please, Kris. Tell me exactly why you think you're stronger than me." Susie asked, towering over Kris. He didn't flinch, holding his ground. He was too angry to be afraid right now.
Kris exhaled again, and the tension seemed to melt away from his body. All the stress and fury that locked his body up before was now gone. Kris then grinned-grinned up at Susie, his hair parting to make way for the manic look in his eyes.
Susie almost shivered at the look, something about it setting off alarms in her head. "Because…I can do this." He spat.
He then promptly plunged his hand into his chest. Noelle gasped, the color leaving her face. Susie even flinched backwards, sweat forming on her face. "T-The hell!? What are you doing, freak!?" She shouted, and Noelle was too scared to correct her.
Kris growled in agony, his hand pushing through his chest and parting muscle and bone, before he felt it. He grabbed it tightly, feeling it throb in his hand, before ripping it out. Blood dripped from it, staining the grass beneath him red. He was lucky doing that didn't actually damage his body, because that hurt.
His soul pulsed in his hand, glowing with power. Kris chuckled, wiping his mouth with his sleeve, swiping the drool on his lips away. "You know what this is, right?" He asked, shaking the soul in his hand.
Susie took another step back, looking nervously at Noelle. "Hey, this weirdo's clearly lost his shit-can we go!?" She asked, but Noelle didn't answer her. She was too busy staring at Kris, wondering why he would…do something like this.
'He looks so angry…' she thought sadly. Despite his grin and his sudden burst of determined confidence, she could tell that Kris was only doing this out of sheer rage. She didn't hear what Susie had said to him, but it clearly angered him so much that he tore out his own soul.
She thought the soul came out naturally, floating out of one's body like a projection, yet Kris held it in his hand like a worthless toy, literally holding his own life in his hands and doing…this with it. Kris took a step forward, towards Susie, who actually took another step back.
She didn't know what he could do with that, and was frightened at the prospects of whatever the hell he had planned with it. Kris took another step forward, and Noelle noticed his face pale. Another step, and the boy crumpled, laughing softly to himself. He dropped his soul, which was beginning to lose color.
Noelle gasped as she realized what was happening, rushing to Kris and sliding to her knees. "Kris!? Kris!?" She cried. The boy continued his laughter, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Nelle…" he mumbled. "I'm…sorry for…everything today…" he choked out, and Noelle covered her mouth with her hands as he looked up at her. She could see it. She could see everything.
Everything he held in his eyes…all just for her. His beautiful, crimson eyes, shining as brightly as his soul. But…his soul wasn't shining anymore. It was a dull red now, and its steady pulsing had begun to slow down. Immediately, Noelle acted, gently reaching forwards and cupping his soul in her hands.
Kris gasped weakly at the sensation. Her gentle fingers on his very core…it felt incredible.
As softly and as gently as Noelle could, she brushed the leaves off of his soul, trying her best not to falter or shake. "I-It's going to be okay, Kris-I promise." She whispered, before she gently pressed her hands against Kris's chest.
His soul slid inside of him without struggle, and he gasped for breath as color returned to him, gripping at the leaves beneath him. Noelle breathed softly, closing her eyes in relief and covering her face.
Kris laid silently on the ground, regret strong in his mind. This had backfired on him. He craved so desperately to have the strength he needed, the power he desired to just…make a difference.
It didn't matter what he did, all roads led to the same outcome. With him lying, beaten on the ground. Maybe that was just his place in life. Maybe he was fighting for nothing. With that thought ringing in his mind, Kris pushed himself up without even a grunt. He got to his feet tiredly, hanging his head low.
"I'm…sorry, Noelle." He murmured, barely even audible. How many times had he said that today alone? "I didn't mean to make this about…me…again." He continued.
Noelle just…stared at him. He didn't show anything. He could barely feel anything. He was so tired. He just wanted to lie down and…go to…sleep…
Noelle seemed to know it was coming, as she stood up, catching him before he could fall. He was out before he hit her arms. Softly, Noelle brushed a strand of hair from his face, looking at him somberly. Specks of his own blood were speckled on his cheeks and chin, and he had a pained expression in his face, even now.
Slowly, Noelle shifted his arm over her neck, using herself as a brace. She stumbled forwards, carrying him as best as she could. "Wait, I thought we…were going to hang out." Susie called, and Noelle paused, not even looking back to face her.
"...Not today, Susie. You…should probably go study with Berdly." She responded. "He's…at the library by now." She finished, continuing her walk forward, before she paused. She glared down at the ground, before exhaling softly. Gently, she lowered Kris to the ground, making sure he was as comfortable as he could be.
Then, she turned around, glaring at Susie. "Actually?" She started, a laugh bubbling out of her throat. "No, Susie. You need to go study with Berdly. What are you, bottom of the class?" She asked, the words surprising even her. Susie flinched as if struck, a sliver of her golden eye peeking through the shadow that her hair cast.
"I mean, you barely pay attention in class, always so busy with causing disruptions instead of actually listening. At that point, why even come to school, right!?" She shouted, throwing up her arms in anger.
"C-Can't I study with…you?" Susie asked, feeling nervous like she never had before. Noelle laughed. Laughed. She laughed like Susie just told the funniest damn joke she had ever heard.
"Y-You want to study with me!? Here's an idea, if you want to study with me, then STOP BULLYING MY FRIEND!" She screamed, before she froze.
Oh my god.
It made so much sense now.
Why Kris seemed so closed off all the time.
Why he always seemed to despise himself despite all his qualities.
Why he flinched every time Susie drew near.
"What. Did you. Do?" She growled, and Susie frowned tersely.
This wasn't good.