You felt refreshed in a way when you woke up. It was all so refreshing in a way, you'd almost forgotten about the other Chara. She said she was a Reaper, but that seemed wrong. It felt like she was lying, but seeing how she was in your timeline, the thought that her role was to rip people's souls away and end their mortal lives almost seemed fitting. Something felt eerie about it. Shaking your head, you pressed your palm to your face and sighed.

Your face was still heated slightly and you grimaced. "Damn unstable body... making me look sick when I'm not."

You stood from where you laid, stretching as you looked around. The lights were on around you, but the house was dead quiet. Looking around, not even Hades was nearby. "I guess they're not quite home yet..." You mused.

Shrugging, you snagged the remote and flicked on the television. The usual channel was on, the toaster of the Underground standing behind a desk mid report. He was familiar, but you were still missing many memories with Mettaton, so there was a sense of thrill watching him again. "Breaking news from Snowdin," he announced, tone low and serious. "Fire has broken out at the local bar and eatery, Grillby's, killing a total of three trapped patrons. Owner Grillby has yet to be found. Shortly following the dust of several local monsters was found around neighboring building, no evidence yet found supporting a culprit. Please stay within your homes and lock your doors until this menace has been contained."

Your eyes widened as you launched from your seat. "Fire?! Dust?! Shit! I-I have to go help! I have to find them!" You stuttered. Throwing on your coat and putting on your shoes, you ran out into the rain of frozen crystals, heading towards the town. "SANS!" You called, hugging your torso to conserve heat. "Papyrus! Frisk?!"

Your face drained of color, worry pressing you faster and faster. "Undyne! Grillby? Hell, Is Hades even there?!" You yelled.

Frightening quiet responded as the air around you grew warmer. You stood before the burning Grillby's that you'd just been in with your friends. "No!" You cried. "This can't have... they have to be alright! Guys! Please answer me! Guys please I'm scared!" You begged.

"You..." A broken voice growled. "Don't you dare act innocent after what you've done..."

You turned, surprisingly hopeful, towards the new voice. "Please!" You begged. "You have to help me find my friends! They were here and I-I went home but when I woke up people were dead and the building were on fire and-"

The breath was knocked from you as your body flung backwards, fire burning your flesh and clothing as you smashed against a brick wall. You cried desperately, but no one came. Blinking away salty tears, you looked up at you heated assailant.

"G-Grilby?!" You gasped. "What're you-"

"I try not to be rash." He interrupted, adjusting his glasses as he looked down at your trembling body. "Even when you gave me that... off vibe... the first time we met. You were too quiet, too thoughtful for a human. You are so different from the other one. That showed us kindness, saw the innocence of us monsters but you... you just-"

"Grillby stop! I don't understand! What did I do wrong?!"

"What did you do wrong?!" He barked, fiery blue tears falling down his ashen face. "You killed them! I had to watch them burn knowing they were trapped and you just laughed! I was stuck there, listening to them scream in pain as flames consumed them... but that wasn't enough... you kept going."

"Grillby I can explain! Please just-" You were cut off was pure heat rose shrill screams from your throat. Your flesh seemed to bubble as you were sandwiched between the wall and Grillby's attack. "Please stop!" You plead. "It hurts so much..."

You stood shakily, tears running down your face. You tried to run, but failed as the thick snow tripped you. Your chest hit the ground and frigid snow released a sick hiss from you as yiu tried to protect your exposed nerves. You tried to turn towards him, but his heel dug into your spine. It felt as though molten iron was being poured over your back slowly and your shrieked.

"Stop!"

"What do you think they said?!" He barked. "You burned down my home and killed my friends! You killed innocent people and you dare ask me to spare you?" He scoffed. "Well I may be a monster, but demons deserve no mercy."

You felt every grueling second was flames consumed you, curling your flesh and shredding it with its aggressive claws. You couldn't hold back the tearing screams that ripped your throat. All you could hear was begging. Begging for it to stop. "Please make it stop! It hurts! I can't... please! Please spare me! Please-"

"Kid!" He cried, tone different.

"No!" You bellowed. "Don't please!"

"Kid wake up!" He ordered, startling you.

"What?" You writhed in pain, tears streaming endlessly from your raw eyes.

"Wake up!"

You were dissolved in sobbing, every nerve of your being singed and sensitive to even a gentle breeze. He grabbed your arm, yelling orders at you repeatedly and you shrunk away from the shooting pain.

""

Your eyes shot opened as you struggled through your labored breath. The tears in your eyes blinded you, but the blur of blue before you was proof enough. Frisk stood next to him, eyes wide with livid fear. "Kid! Hey, are you there? Earth to (Y/N)! Say something!"

"I-It hurts..." You shuddered, grabbing your arms and curled into a tight ball. You looked around, relief washing over you. You were no longer in front of Grillby's. Your skin wasn't set ablaze and no one was dead. Everything was as it should be.

"(Y/N).... Y-Your skin it's.... changed!" Frisk stuttered, pointing at your with trembling hands. You lifted your arms slowly, the sting of pain still thick under your skin, but Frisk was right. The scars of burning littered your skin and you sucked in a surprised breath.

"My skin is scarred." You gasped. "W-What happened?"

"You're asking us?!" Sans sputtered. "We just walked in and you were mid night terror! How are we supposed to know?!"

"Are you hurt?!" Frisk asked. "Someone has to know why these scar popped up all of a sudden!"

Frisk jumped to his feet, looking around frantically. "Wait, should I get a first aid kit? Does this even count as an injury?!"

You sighed and grabbed Frisk, shaking your head. "Frisk, calm down. I'm okay. It doesn't hurt, I'm just covered in scars. Everything is fine." You cooed.

"No it's not! We don't even know how you got those scars! What if it happens again?" He pressed on, determined to prepare himself.

You flushed, unsure what to tell him. Truthfully, you were just glad your skin hadn't combusted in your sleep while registering Grillby's damage. You couldn't tell Frisk about your body falling about, but he looked so torn apart about a few scars. "Well, uh, Frisk... um.... it's because.... well I-"

"It's probably a ripple effect from the glitch." Sans supplied, shrugging nonchalantly.

Your gaze flew to him as well as Frisk. Relief filled your veins, but you were also just as confused. "What do you mean?" Frisk asked.

"You heard everything about the glitch last reset kid. There are probably still some ripples, merging last timeline and this one to restore order." Sans explained.

Nodding aggressively, you gave Frisk a serious look. "Oh yeah, ripple effects. After that little mess up I'm sure that this would happen a few times."

"Oh..." Frisk mumbled, "that would explain your random broken rib... and the nightmares."

"Yeah!" You cut in. "That must be it! In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if I possibly even kept getting these random injuries for a little while. The ripples and all."

Frisk sighed, sitting on the couch and curling against your body. "I guess it makes sense... I just... I don't like seeing you hurt."

Frisk sniffled and you could see the tears brimming his eyes. Smiling gently, you wiped his tears and held him close and caressed his hair calmingly. "Don't worry Frisk, no matter how hurt I get, I'll always be by your side."

"But I don't want you to get hurt at all!" He protested.

"And I want a million dollars. I guess we both have to live without those luxuries." You retorted, a sly smile on your face.

He giggled, resting his head against your chest as he stared at the ground. "Heh, funny. But I'm serious (Y/N). Seeing you so scared... it hurts knowing I can't help..."

Sans sent you a glance and you released a slow breath. He nodded and blinked, his left eye blazing a soft blue glow. You flinched just slightly and looked down at Frisk as Sans lifted him in his magic. "What the- hey! Sans put me down!" Frisk ordered.

"Sorry kiddo, but it's bedtime for you, and I'm sure Paps is ready for bed too so y'all can stay another night together." Sans shrugged.

"(Y/N) doesn't have to go to bed!" Frisk complained.

"(Y/N) just woke up. It'll be a bit before she can fall asleep."

"Besides," you muttered quietly, hoping they wouldn't hear your sarcastic remark. "I wouldn't want to wake you via nightmare."

"That's what I'm worried about!" Frisk whined. "What if you have another nightmare and a ripple hurts you?"

"Then I'll deal with it."

"I HAVE ANOTHER SOLUTION!" A loud voice boomed, launching you from the couch and on to your feet.

"Papyrus! How long have you been there?!" You asked in a wary tone.

"The Whole Time!" He boasted, expression proud. "Anyway! I Have Another Idea!"

"What is it Paps?" Sans asked.

"Why not join Frisk and my Sleepover?" He suggested, eyes glimmering with hope.

Your color drained in fear of waking them while your body was releasing magic and revealing wounds. "I don't know Papyrus... I don't think your bed is big enough for three people. Heck, it's barely big enough for you and Frisk!"

"I have planned for that too! We shall hold our sleepover here, in the living room, instead! The living room is much more spacious, and the sneaking of late night Spaghetti will be much easier!"

"Even if it in here, I can't!" You insisted.

"Why not Taller Human?" Papyrus pondered, a twinge of hurt in her curious eyes.

You felt your heart twist as you looked into his innocent gaze and tried to think of a not so innocent excuse. "Well... uh, Papyrus-" You stopped, gaze landing on Sans. Grabbing him, you pulled him between you and Papyrus and put on your best act. "You see Papyrus, I just can't be in your sleepover and leave Sans all alone on the 'sleeping alone' side of things! I'd hate for him to be lonely!"

Sans shrugged. "Easy, I'll join ya them." He said indifferently.

You froze in disbelief, forcing a smile as you looked at him. "Oh, thank you Sans... How. Wonderful."

"YAY!" Frisk cried. "I call the other side of the couch!"

"I shall retrieve the pillows for the pillow fort!" Papyrus declared, rushing upstairs.

Sans flopped into a chair, almost instantly falling asleep. Frisk pulled your from your seat and you were put to work quickly, stacking pillows expertly to make a fortress of cushion. Hades cawed as he perched the fortress, watching you intently as you draped sheets over the structure and crawled beneath its warm walls.

Papyrus and Frisk sat giddily waiting for you, Sans barely visible beneath a pile of pillows. You smiled gingerly sitting with legs crossed as Hades moved to your shoulder.

"So..." You pondered, switching focus between the two people before you almost bubbling over with excitement. "What do we do first?"

The snickered between the two of them quietly for a moment before clearing their throats and turning to you, trying not to break the shaky solace on their faces. "First activity! Spooky stories!" Frisk declared.

You laughed, stroking Hades. "Here we go..." You mumbled, thoughts of your scars and inevitable fate slipping away in the bubbly atmosphere that consumed you. "Yeah... here we go..."