The day had finally arrived. At long last, Aster and Gaster had exchanged rings and vows under the canopy of a united world. There were still plenty of adjustments to be made in their new home, but that could wait–especially with a wedding at hand!
Aster was radiant, left beaming from the love that lay nestled within him. The pair had chosen to uphold a very powerful, and sentimental tradition from his world: the exchanging of souls, the ultimate emblem of unity and respect. Now, Gaster’s heart would be with him always, aglow with all of the sentimentality that the years together had nourished. At last, he could say that his life felt perfect, like nothing more could ever go wrong. Given all that he and his husband had conquered to make it this far, the skeleton could acknowledge that it was a well-earned victory.
The reception and ceremony were as bombastic as they were sweet, and what followed was a brilliant night of celebration. Of course, with all of the mingling and partying came another special moment among many: the two newlyweds would share a dance. Well into the festivities, the ambiance of the party grew warm, music slowing to a cozy rhythm. Of course, all eyes fell on the couple, who graciously took the chance to step on the dance floor before their guests.
Gaster was more than eager to lead his husband by the arm to center-stage, a familiar experience made newly exhilarating by the setting. Performers from the circus had all taken up their instruments, the strong and steady sound of a violin cutting in to signal the next song. Grillby, dressed in all of his finery, held the instrument aloft, sliding the bow over the strings with a dutiful, experienced hand. The rest of the orchestral band followed suit as the two took their first steps, surrounded by the many monsters that cherished them.
With hands intertwined, they began to dance.
The ringleader was content to slowly lead his partner, easing their feet along in time with the music. Far be it from him to admit it, but he had taken a great deal of time to practice, just for this special night. For Aster, he would not settle for less. He could feel the other’s soul beat with trepidation in his chest, causing a smile to blossom on his face.
“Are you nervous, love?”
Aster felt his cheeks grow dark, but he smiled and followed along. He carefully pressed himself against Gaster, feeling their souls hum in unison. Slowly but surely, the skeleton’s nerves settled as everything around them disappeared, until his eyes fell on his partner alone.
“Just a little,” he admitted, quietly stifling a laugh. “It’s more…nostalgia, I think.”
He was made to twirl with a little spin, mesmerized as his other half moved in a flourish. Gaster kept the distance between them sparse, whispering a teasing inquiry against Aster’s ear.
“Reminiscing about our first meeting, perhaps?”
“Perhaps.”
The two locked eyes, sharing a mirth that was as secretive as it was joyous.
Enamored, Gaster continued, “Love…I am lucky to call you my husband. So very, very lucky.”
“It’s more than luck,” Aster mumbled in return, letting his lips gently brush Gaster’s in a tender kiss. “It happened because I love you.”
“Too true.”
The music swelled. The two settled their foreheads together, ignoring how silly they might have looked as they continued to keep time with one another. This was their moment, and nothing would ever change that.
“I must say, though,” Aster added, watching Gaster’s eyes light up in the process, “If being lucky is having me by your side, then you’ll be lucky for all eternity.”
“That would make me the happiest being alive.”
“Is that a promise?” Aster giggled, expression softening as he caressed the other’s cheek, feeling his partner’s hands shift to better accompany their steps. “I told you, I’d be the one to make your face light up like the stars. I always knew I’d see it happen.”
Perhaps, in harder times, there had been misgivings about how far their relationship could go. They were often marked as liabilities to those who occupied their worlds–who could have ever imagined that a love like theirs could bridge the gaps between worlds?
“We did this together. We’re stronger for it.”
“This is our reward for keeping faith in one another.”
The skeleton blushed at Gaster’s sentiment, gaze flickering to the members of the troupe. Their conversation had been too quiet to overhear, but his fluster was understandable. He’d have to integrate into a larger family than ever, now. Meanwhile, a glance back at Gaster revealed mischief in the ringleader’s eyes, that same sense of childish delight spilling forth in his murmured words.
“Don’t let go, alright?”
Before Aster could reply, Gaster gracefully pulled his husband down into a dip, the skeleton’s arms wrapping around his neck. The monster was a showman at heart, and couldn’t resist leaving the skeleton with one last kiss to the final notes of the song. Applause rang out around them; it was a performance to remember.
Aster felt like he was melting. With his soul safe inside of Gaster, he knew his feelings would be all too evident. Of course, the moment was only interrupted by Ink on the sidelines, who paused his snickering long enough to wolf-whistle at the pair, making their friends burst into well-meaning laughter around them.
Admittedly, even the married couple could share a pair of silly grins at that.
Gaster rose to his feet after helping Aster settle on the couch, mumbling a few comforting words before crossing over to their shared dresser. He took stock of his partner’s medications without batting an eye, well-versed in the routine they’d established in the month since they’d properly moved in together. It didn’t take long after that for him to return to the skeleton’s side, presenting him with pills and a drink to down them with.
“It’s alright love. I’m right here.”
Gaster kept his hand on Aster’s back as he straightened, murmuring to him and winding his palm against his partner’s spine on soft circles. The skeleton coughed into his sleeve, keeping a shaky hand to his chest as he made quick work of the medicine, downing it all in one gulp. All that remained was to wait, minute by minute, for the ache in his chest to subside.
“Thank you dear, I’ll be alright.” Aster tested a deeper inhale, wincing slightly as a jolt of pain thudded in his ribcage. “Don’t you have work to attend to, though…?”
“Hush. I’ll stay until you tell me to go.”
Aster was offered a hand, and he gladly took it, holding onto the other like a lifeline. He managed a smile, albeit one that spoke enough of the dull throb plaguing him, wishing it would hurry and pass.
This was the start of their lives under the same sky. With a new beginning came many changes, and adjustments. Chara had been excised from the skeleton’s body quite suddenly, so a period of illness was inevitable. Recovery was out of sight, but it too would come in due time. In the meantime, they would make do with what the present afforded them.
“One day,” Gaster started, making space as Aster leaned against him, “You’ll look back on all of this as a bad memory. Just hold out a little longer, until your body gets used to it.”
“I can’t wait for that day to come. This is exhausting.” The skeleton chuckled, more so as he glanced up to see a frown forming on the ringleader’s face. “I am nothing but bones, dear, you’ll have to forgive me for being fragile.”
“Not you too. Ink’s terrible sense of humor is rubbing off on you.”
“Well, we’re both cynical enough for it, no?” Aster grinned, features scrunching up as he let slip another wheezing breath. “I’m patient enough. Looking forward to getting better isn’t a bad thing.”
“Of course not.”
Gaster could tell the medicine was slowly taking effect, the other’s raspy breaths growing lighter. Until Aster could get back on his feet without trouble, Gaster would sit here and guard him. It was the least he could do.
“Some day soon…this will all be behind us, like a bad dream. Maybe then it’ll be time for the next step. Maybe…someday soon, I hope.”
That’s all Gaster could think when he felt blood bubbling up his throat. He could feel his own consciousness suffocating under the weight of it.
Gaster coughed wetly into his hand, dropping the porcelain cup in surprise. Weakly, he looked up at Aster. And what he saw chilled him straight to the bone.
Aster, grinning maniacally with boring red eyes. His eyes sparked with malice and glee.
No, it… It can’t be..?’
“What? Don’t think that this would’ve lasted! How can he even stand you?” Echoed Aster’s voice, chillingly and distinctly someone else’s.
Gaster tried to speak, to protest or curse, but he only ended up gargling on his own blood. His hand shot up to his throat, clutching at his failing words. Lower, a cold amulet rested against his chest.
“Oh dear, save your strength! Hah! What a joke.” Turning and waving a final goodbye, decidedly not Aster left Gaster for dead.
Gaster grasped at his red heart locket in a last-ditch attempt to anchor himself as his vision started going dim.
The day had brought little but the patter of rain outside the space the two shared, the fresh scent of damp grass coaxing itself into Gaster’s home. Admittedly, he would have enjoyed the soothing weather a bit more, were he not three days deep into an awful cold. Between a slew of back-to-back performances, and his many eager attempts to impress his new beau, Gaster had certainly overworked himself, right down to the bone. It was no wonder that he hadn’t been exhausted sooner; either way, he was facing the consequences now.
As the ringleader took pause from reading an old, worn-down book at their shared table, his eyes wandered, following Aster’s back as he busied himself in the quaint kitchenette. He hummed out a tired breath, heaving a sigh to keep a cough down at the back of his throat.
“I hope I get over this soon,” he groused, propping his chin up on an elbow. “It’s not like me, I promise. I’m sorry to have made you go out and tell the troupe on my behalf.”
“It was no trouble,” Aster hummed back, “Everyone wished you well. They’ll be just fine without you tonight.”
“I know, I know. But I can’t help worrying.” The ringleader huffed, a little apologetic grin playing on his lips. “I hope herb hunting with Alphys wasn’t too overwhelming for you.”
“Oh goodness,” Aster chuckled, “She’s a bit of a character, isn’t she? But a very interesting one. We managed to get everything just right for your medicine, don’t worry.”
“Thank you. I’m grateful to have you here to dote on me.”
The skeleton didn’t reply.
Silence passed, only to be broken by the shrill of the kettle, whistling its spout off with urgency. Aster smoothly removed it from the flame, watching steam spring forth as he poured its contents into a dainty cup. He blinked once, then again, feeling a strange separation from the movements he was making. Perhaps he was simply tired in his own right; he had been picking flowers in the morning rain, after all. At the very least, it was simple enough to mix the other’s medicine in with his usual choice of tea, stirring faintly as the liquid took on an oily, yellow sheen. No surprise, given how much of the concoction he’d added.
“Alright, here you go.” Aster turned back with an even meter to his voice, gently lowering the tea and a plate of cookies in front of Gaster. “Golden Flower tea, just how you like it. Give or take a few additions.”
“Thank you, really. You’re too kind for milling around me like this.”
Gaster sighed, looking down at the cup with the faintest hint of regret, knowing how cloyingly sweet the medicinal herbs made everything taste. “Sweet additions don’t really belong in chamomile,” he mused, but said nothing, wishing only to show his gratitude to the skeleton before him.
“Would you like to sit with me for a bit? You must be exhausted after being out all morning.” He stared up at Aster’s distant expression, feeling a pang of guilt tug at him. It was no surprise that the poor man looked so out of it. “You don’t have to leave when it’s still pouring.”
“I won’t leave.”
“Alright then. Take your time.”
Gaster nodded without glancing back up at the other, feeling his eyes on him as he downed the drink in the span of a few moments. It was small enough to warrant it, and the less of that awful medicinal taste to coat his tongue, the better.
Minutes ticked by. The rain continued. Aster kept standing.
Gaster finally let his gaze flicker up, finding the skeleton with his back turned away, one bony hand gripping the chair opposite to him, and a few fingers tapping with impatience against the wood. The ringleader nearly spoke up, a strange unease creeping up from deep within him. It was only then that the taste finally hit him; not the sugary aftertaste he’d expected, but an acrid, foul bitterness, welling up in the back of his throat.
“Aster, I…” He eked, a wave of dizziness washing over him as he lifted his head. He froze, his eyes settling on the face of the skeleton that had turned to him at last.
He was met with a wide smile… and red eyes.
"You know I’d never leave you alone, right Gaster?. The monster let out an amused laugh, cupping his cheek in his hand. “Even if you look ready to keel over right now.”
Gaster might have whispered something in turn, confusion keeping locked him in place, all while the pounding of his heartbeat grew louder in the back of his skull. He wanted to get to his feet and recoil in that instant, but found it hard to even grip the table. Why were his hands so shaky?
“It’s such a shame, isn’t it? Getting poisoned by the monster of your dreams, and all. You really made it easy.” The creature cackled, mouth spreading in a sharp-toothed grin. “And no matter how much he’ll plead and beg for forgiveness, no one will listen! He’ll still be the one to have killed everyone’s beloved ringmaster.’
“What?” Gaster managed, bewilderment etched into his face. “What are you…?”
“Oh, and now you’re making a mess everywhere! You have awful table manners, you know.”
The thing in front of him continued to burst into giggles, Aster’s face taking on strange, uncanny expressions, too wide and animated for his reserved face. Gaster tensed, heaving out a breath as his eyes descended, the thud of something distant within himself matched with another noise, one that had been drowned out by the panic within him.
A constant, incessant dripping.
It only took a glance to know what it was, even as his thoughts went numb. Bright scarlet, pooling over an emptied cup, spilling over the tables edge and onto his lap.
