[He wishes that were easier to believe. Honestly, he's not sorry that his owner died. Just... he can't get that image out of his head anymore. The way his owner's lifeless eyes stared right through him, even though his head was dangling by just a few strings. His hands sliced off and laying beside him. It wasn't the kind of satisfaction he wanted.
It's not like he's never killed anyone before. This... shouldn't bother him as much as it does. Why does it bother him as much as it does? It's over, isn't it?
(It didn't feel like it was over. It didn't erase muzzles, collars, and dark cells. It never would.)
Asriel stops trying to use healing magic when Mettaton tells him to, and the healing he receives in return helps soothe some of his pain. Warm healing magic to help close painful, open wounds.]
... I wanted him to regret it.
[But he didn't. He never would now. Asriel would never really stop being an "escaped slave".]
I was so scared though... I really thought I was going to lose all of you.
[Mettaton's grip around Asriel tightens. He's struggling himself...it's hard to do this when he's still utterly shaken from his own experiences. It's not as if he wanted to be captured and forced to kill again.
Honestly...he wanted someone to tell him it was alright even if it wasn't. To hold him while he fell apart and began to cry about his situation and scream how unfair it was.
But he can't. He's the adult. He can't be weak. He can't give in.
And the more that he thinks that, the number he starts to feel. The more that feeling begins to take over, the less effective his magic becomes, so he just cuts it off after a few seconds.
He can't let Asriel see him hurt.]
I'm sorry. I'm sorry...I shouldn't have done this. I should have forced Chara away from this but I didn't push hard enough.
[He'd tried to push them before. Even when he didn't, they shredded him to bits. He was tired of it, so the effort he expended to push this idea from them was minimal. It's his fault.
[As weak and hurt as he is, he still notices when the arms holding him tight start trembling.
Asriel knew it was impossible for them to just brush this off and ignore this, not when it's defined their lives. And Mettaton apologizes and Asriel just, reaches out bandaged-covered arms to hug him too.]
's not your fault. Not you or Chara's. I'm just... I'm so glad we got to come home.
It's not gonna happen anymore, Mettaton. I'm not gonna let anyone try to take you away again.
His arms cease to tremble, not because he feels assuaged by what Asriel says, but because he has to stop. No more weakness. No more pity from this poor child.
Be a man for once in your life, you useless robot.]
cw gore
It's not like he's never killed anyone before. This... shouldn't bother him as much as it does. Why does it bother him as much as it does? It's over, isn't it?
(It didn't feel like it was over. It didn't erase muzzles, collars, and dark cells. It never would.)
Asriel stops trying to use healing magic when Mettaton tells him to, and the healing he receives in return helps soothe some of his pain. Warm healing magic to help close painful, open wounds.]
... I wanted him to regret it.
[But he didn't. He never would now. Asriel would never really stop being an "escaped slave".]
I was so scared though... I really thought I was going to lose all of you.
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Honestly...he wanted someone to tell him it was alright even if it wasn't. To hold him while he fell apart and began to cry about his situation and scream how unfair it was.
But he can't. He's the adult. He can't be weak. He can't give in.
And the more that he thinks that, the number he starts to feel. The more that feeling begins to take over, the less effective his magic becomes, so he just cuts it off after a few seconds.
He can't let Asriel see him hurt.]
I'm sorry. I'm sorry...I shouldn't have done this. I should have forced Chara away from this but I didn't push hard enough.
[He'd tried to push them before. Even when he didn't, they shredded him to bits. He was tired of it, so the effort he expended to push this idea from them was minimal. It's his fault.
His fault.
Mettaton can't stop himself from shaking.]
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Asriel knew it was impossible for them to just brush this off and ignore this, not when it's defined their lives. And Mettaton apologizes and Asriel just, reaches out bandaged-covered arms to hug him too.]
's not your fault. Not you or Chara's. I'm just... I'm so glad we got to come home.
It's not gonna happen anymore, Mettaton. I'm not gonna let anyone try to take you away again.
I promise.
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His arms cease to tremble, not because he feels assuaged by what Asriel says, but because he has to stop. No more weakness. No more pity from this poor child.
Be a man for once in your life, you useless robot.]
Thank you. I...truly appreciate you.
[True.]
I believe you.
[False.]
I know you won't let it happen anymore.
[False.]
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Mettaton's words barely reach him, but...]
I love you, Mettaton.
[Because even if he'll never be strong enough to protect him, he at least as to know.]
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[That...was the god-honest truth. He loves this small goat like they're family. At this point, they are family, are't they?]
But...
[He reluctantly parts from the young boss monster.]
I think you might feel better if you're home. Your siblings must be concerned...I should not have spurred you to walk over here.
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Can I sleep here for a little bit?
[His injuries may not be as bad now, but he's exhausted himself from being on that planet.
And... maybe he wants a little more reassurance that his family isn't going to vanish.]
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Of course you can. Let me find you some proper bed things, shall I?
[And he smiles. He smiles as if everything is fine, even if it's not. This is just another sleepover, right?]
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His fault. He can't ever forget. He made his family suffer, and he has to do whatever he needs to do to fix it.
He wishes he knew how to fix it.
By the time Mettaton goes looking for bedding and comes back, Asriel's already drifted off into a dreamless sleep on his couch.]