[CLOSED] a moment of loss and a lifetime of pain. a moment, and everything's gone.

[powerofmabel]

Who: Mabel, Dipper, and Frisk
Where: Frisk's room, and then outside the mansion.
When: Not longer after Chara goes home.
Rating: G
Summary: After Chara goes home, the Pines twins make it their solemn duty to cheer Frisk up.
The Story:

After Toriel's announcement, Mabel and Dipper knew what the consequences would be. They had been here with Frisk and Chara long enough to know that this would have a devastating impact on Frisk, so even though they were both hurting- after all, they'd been through so much with Chara over the years- Frisk needed them more.

And, besides, there's no point in all three of them being sad.

Winter is starting to draw to a close and with it, the snow. And while most people are thoroughly exhausted by the winter wonderland outside, the best snow is the snow that could up and vanish at any time. Or at least that's Mabel's belief.

Armed with their winter clothes and Determination, Mabel and Dipper arrive at Frisk's door and knock excitedly, with Mabel taking the lead.

"Friiiiisk! It's us! Your favorite twins."

Comments

[determinedest]

They're suppose they're awake, at the moment, because their eyes are open and they're regarding the empty wall opposite them without seeing it. There's not much to be said for the difference - between being awake and being asleep, between being alive and being not. There's simply the endless hours and the lack of anything to occupy their time.

The ache hasn't really subsided, they don't think; it's merely dulled.

A hum of warm red drifts between their cupped fingers, a soft music in a heart who has sung its music to two SOULs now. Two. Both gone.

A hammering on the door. A silence in their head, impossible to ignore.

Maybe it's moments. It feels like hours, before they're able to banish the lethargy in their muscles, the stillness that sits them there with a SOUL bobbing in their hands, conjure enough strength to swing their legs off the edge of their bed and stand, and open the door to regard the visitors with vacant eyes, and absolute silence.

[krmvgivv]

"Hey, Frisk." Dipper gives them a worried smile when they open the door. They look... pretty bad. Which isn't remotely surprising. Dipper remembers how messed up he was when Mabel left, and that was only for a week.

It's not impossible Chara will come back. But it's certainly not the most likely scenario.

"We, uh, wanted to see how you're doing."

[powerofmabel]

"And invite you to help man Fort Pines one last time before spring." Mabel's enthusiasm, usually boundless, falters just a bit when Frisk opens the door. She folds her arms behind her back and shrugs her shoulders, trying to look small and nonthreatening instead of looming large and uncontrolled.

[determinedest]

The words arrive sluggishly; it takes altogether too long to string together what is being said, and what they ought to say in turn. A low, ponderous blink droops their heavy lids, as though they might start drowsing at any moment. It's like cleaving through water - no. Not water. Like something denser.

Like mud. Whatever's just been said tumbles end over end until finally they seize upon something that sounds close - close enough to what has just been said. Until it creeps out in a slow mumble.

"...Ford?"

[krmvgivv]

"...Fort." Dipper's expression falls. "Ford's still gone. But we're not going anywhere! Unlike the snow. Which is why we thought it was a good time to go out and play in it."

[powerofmabel]

"And then warm up with some hot chocolate and build a blanket fort!" She hesitates and then reaches out to squeeze Frisk's shoulder. "What d'you say, Frisk? Some good old-fashioned fun with your favorite twins?"

She is trying so very hard.

[determinedest]

They’re trying really hard, aren’t they? There’s a hand on their shoulder; maybe if they didn’t feel like everything is caught in some dense mire of fog, they’d be able to do something about it.

There’s nothing. Nothing but the iron clench of their jaw, and the hot lump in their throat that feels like it’s glued their mouth shut. They can lower their head, jerk it in a tiny nod, but words are all but impossible at present.

But the twins are here to have some fun. They should help them, shouldn’t they? They should help them have some fun. It’s the one thing they’re supposed to do.

[krmvgivv]

"You'll feel better if you go outside." Has Frisk even been eating? Dipper knows how easy it is to stop taking care of yourself when you're this miserable. They can't bring Chara back, but maybe they can help Frisk feel a little better. Or at least distract them for a little while. "Come on. You should grab a coat."

[powerofmabel]

Mabel tries to gently push her way inside the room, so she can get the coat (or a coat), instantly stepping into caretaker mode once she sees a problem she can actually fix- Frisk has no coat, Frisk needs a coat, Mabel will get the coat.

"Here. I'll get it for you."

[determinedest]

They already have a sweater, don't they? They've braved Snowdin with little besides what they were already wearing, and the constant motion kept the chill from properly settling into their bones. But if Mabel wants to get the coat, she should...she should be allowed to. They shouldn't stop her, right?

"I have a sweater," says Frisk, ineffectual, pulling at the edges of the stitching that's been worn and worried after days of feverish picking and plucking. "It's okay."