Hours later, Encre's POV

Ugggh, my head...What happened...?

I glance around, finding myself in a bedroom I don't recognize. I find my body covered in bandages with fresh clothes on me. Not just that, but fancy clothes that I swear that it looks like jewels are in these clothes. Then my memories return and my grip tightens on the blankets, recalling all the hate-filled words as I got beaten into the ground....How am I alive...? My body starts trembling at the memories of my clothes getting ripped and the beating pausing as he sees me....somehow....Only to call me a worthless freak and continue...His vicious shouting explained why...Disgusting, worthless, doesn't deserve to live, freak, beneath all others, broken goods, marked mess, etc. Marks mean a lot to vampires so my scars from my abuse are essentially a pile of shit that disgusts them....At least, that's what I understood from the hateful shouting.

"Why would my son ever disgrace himself by associating with you? Marking you would be the worst mistake of his life!"

Since when has Fallacy wanted that? Eh, probably just nonsense blinded by hatred. But...

Fallacy seems fine with my scars but he has only known of it on my neck...Yet that's a sensitive subject to vampires too given what I know. How would Fal react to my true conditions? Does he even want to mark me as the angry shouting mentioned?

"Oh thank goodness you're awake!"A voice says

I glance over, seeing a lady resembling Felicia enter.

Could this be another relative? What could she want?

I make sure to take in her appearance. I see both Felicia and Fallacy getting traits from her actually. Blue triangles surround red eyes and long locks of black hair form with red at the tips. Golden teeth and fangs shine in a smile at me. This must be the grandmother.

"I've had a few people watching my ex and heard of his plan to get you. So I got you away to recover here while I handled him. I'm sorry that you became the victim of my ex-husband. He just can't accept change and everyone else suffers. You do not deserve this for making my dear children and grandson happy, which I must thank you for."She says

"T...Thank you...."I say

She claps her hands and a meal is placed in my lap carefully. She leans on a cane with a smile, stepping closer to me.

"Want to see something cool?"She asks

"Umm..."

"Put your hand out."

I do as told and she drops a small orb into my hand.

"Squeeze it and toss it up to see what element it releases. It will be connected to someone who loves you."She says

I squeeze it tight and toss it up, watching it glow and release blue flames in a heart shape before fading. Didn't take a genius to make the connection.

So that confirms it...He's the best king around...He cares for me and connects to me as a person, not for entertainment...

"How lovely."She says

Then there are rapid knocks at the bedroom door.

"Grandma! Let me in! I want to see Encre too!"I hear Jasper whine

I glance at her as she giggles.

"Right, I wasn't the only one coming to handle my ex for you. It was like a family reunion."She says

What...?

Then she leans closer to me.

"I saw every bit of your horrible condition. All those scars and cracks of yours. But don't worry my dear, I will make sure nobody mistreats you again. I will make sure someone understands and treats you with the utmost care that you deserve. And trust me, you'll enjoy getting treated so well.~"She whispers

I stare at her in shock. She saw every bit of me and isn't disgusted? Why does she care so deeply about this? About me?

"B-But I-"

"But nothing. It's already happening, my dear. There's nothing to stop now."She says, then snaps her fingers.

The doors swing open and three people fall in after pressing against the door: Fallacy, Felicia, and Jasper. Jasper got up first and zipped beside me, examining me carefully.

"Eat up so that I can hug you! I am so glad that you're ok!"He says, breaking into tears

I set the tray of food aside and reach out to him. He leaps onto me, hugging me against the pillows with all that he can as he cries into my chest all of his fears and concerns. He keeps repeating that he could smell my blood and never wants that again. Most of it became too hard to understand through his crying though. I move my arm the most I can to rub his back gently. Then I find Felicia hugging my other arm, sitting beside me in bed, and smiling at me with relief in her teary eyes. I lean against her a bit, glancing up to see Fallacy placing a hand gently on my cheek.

"Fal, dearest?"His mother says

"Yes?"He says

"May I have a word with you?"She asks

"But I-"

"Fallacy."She says sternly

He sighs, stepping away reluctantly. He follows her out of the room.

Wait, she isn't going to tell HIM, is she? I don't want him to know! Not after what he said! It isn't even his issue to know!

I rest my head against the pillows, knowing that I can't do anything to stop it. I just try to comfort the two crying vampires.

Meanwhile, with Fallacy

We go to another room and she sits down, sipping from a teacup as a servant pours me a cup as well. The doors shut once the servants leave and she starts giggling.

"So, you have fallen for the little artist?"She says

My face burns up.

"MOM!"

"Don't try denying it since I already used the tradition. It proved that you do by releasing your blue flames around Encre."She says, taking a sip

I frown, shaking my head.

"That's not good. Encre is terrified of fire."I say

"Whose fire does he fear though?"She asks

"Fire itself."I reply

She giggles as if I told her a joke.

"Are you sure? Or is it just Asgore's flames that he fears? He smiled at the sight of yours when I did the tradition with him. You have good tastes, son. He has a nice smile, is polite, and has this cute charm to him."She says

She approves...?

She sets her cup down with a gentle clink.

"But I'm sure you aware of the scars on his neck at least."She says, staring me dead in the eyes.

"So? Why does that matter?"I snap

She smirks, lifting her cup back up for another sip.

"No reason, I just wanted to test your reaction. You passed."She says

I groan, shaking my head. She's as sneaky as Felicia with her tricks and certainly taught her or Jasper this. And she never runs out of tests to give me. Then she pauses with a frown.

"Actually, there is a reason. I caught him shouting sickening things at Encre and saw the poor boy's condition. He didn't care if the marks were made against Encre's will or not, he considered it proof that he was pure filth. I do not doubt that his words have poisoned Encre's mind and is certainly insecure now. He may be unsure how to act around you since most of the insults were aimed at his bond with you. I wanted to make sure you didn't share his beliefs." She explains to me

"Of course I wouldn't."I say, clenching my fist at the thought of what he could've said or done to Encre.

"Fal dearest, listen very carefully. I've never seen a soul as precious as his and I don't just mean figuratively. He has suffered through so much and it certainly isn't over. I expect you to treat him correctly and not get ahead of yourself. I've seen your face in the papers attracting more attention to him, allowing more trouble to come his way."She tells me

"How is that my fault?"I ask

"Shoving his friend in snow and hugging him in front of the entire kingdom does attract attention, dear."She says

I sigh, shaking my head.

"You and I both know that the world isn't quite ready for what you seek and there are plenty who will try to hurt it or manipulate it. Hurt or manipulate him. So please, think. I expect you to treat him with the respect and care that he deserves, the kind that doesn't attract trouble to him. So I'd keep a close eye on him if I were you."She says

"So...you don't have a problem with my feelings for him?"I ask

"Nope. Pursue a relationship with him, I don't care. It makes you happy after all. I just want to make sure you consider his happiness or safety enough to refrain from grand declarations that will attract unwanted attention to him."She tells me

I smile wider.

"Now, shall we return before your son does something drastic with your sister to him?"She suggests

I nod and we return to the bedroom, finding Jasper and Felicia with stacks of blankets.

"Where's Encre?"Mom asks

"Mmmf? Hmmmph!"Muffled sounds come from the bed

I see at least four blankets wrapped in burrito or cocoon shapes where Encre was as Jasper was adding a fifth. If keeps shifting and wiggling as he nervously smiles.

"We wanted to provide him comfort and security!"He says

"We will protect him!"Felicia says

"Mm mmph mph-mmmph mm!"Encre says, unable to be heard clearly beneath it all

"Just relax, Encre! The pillows are there to comfort you! You need warmth and comfort to recover!"Jasper says

"Both of you, come here."Mom says

The three leave the room as the door shuts. Encre stops shifting, sighing.

"Want to get out of there, Encre?"I ask

He nods so I start trying to find where Jasper tied or folded the blankets.

"Be prepared for what you'll see, Dad!"Jasper shouts through the door

"Let's go."Mom says

I get the top of the cocoon to open layer by layer. Then I see his face peek out. His poor skull is heavily bandaged yet his eyes shine so brightly.

"Fallacy...?"He says softly

My face burns up, feeling my soul pound.

He is so...cute...

"I...can't move..."He says

"Want me to unwrap you?"I ask

"No...It's cozy and they mean well...Don't want to ruin it and upset them..."He says

I smile.

Always thinking of others...

"Alright then..."I say

TBC