Gaster spends more time around Karma but more questions just seem to come up then answered.

Karma is wary but slightly hopeful this time it will be different.

———

Daemons Multiverse

Gaster stood back by the door, watching as the babybones sped around the room. The speed they were moving at reminded him of Papyrus but the deep contemplation of items was pure Sans....He was getting attached and they had only been here minutes! If his children saw him he knew they would make fun of him going through 'empty nest syndrome' as the humans called it.

When the other suddenly stopped he took a chance to get closer, smiling at the photo they were eyeing.

"This is the last photo I had of my children before their Daemons settled. You can see the slightly blurry image of both of theirs, who couldn't help but want to change"

A noncommittal hum was given before they jerked back at seeing him so close. He disliked the distrust on their face, making him fear just what they had gone through. While having the barrier down was wonderful, the new horrors that most monsters were introduced to were numerous.

He had no idea why humans would mistreat their offspring but learning of the numerous cases was saddening. It was one of the many reasons he was happy to stay away from them, even if his children tried to encourage him to explore other AU's.

"Would you like some food? I have plenty to shar-"

"No thank you, sir"

Gaster was a tad unsure where to go from here but spotted the promised item on the table.

"You can help yourself to the sweets laid out"

Oh dear. That glare was rather fierce. What had he done wrong now? He could see them grow uncomfortable with his staring so went to the kitchen, deciding on making a meal for them both, even if they didn't eat it.

' I can't see or hear their Daemon, Gaster'

That thoroughly unsettled him. He knew how Grey was more sensitive to these things than him, making his worry increase. About to open his mouth to ask if the other was alright, a small wing smacked his face, making him glare at his Daemon.

' Look at their wings! You can tell how uncomfortable they are. Do not make it worse'

Discreetly looking in the living room he could see they were right, making him feel thoroughly chastised. He really should get out more and interact with others, he didn't realise his already abysmal social skills had gotten worse.

He switched his full focus on his meal prep, deciding to make some simple sandwiches. It was the easiest and quickest option, without being away from the babybones for long.

Finishing the meal he took it to the living room, putting a plate on the table and sitting on the couch.

"Help yourself. I hope you don't mind chees-"

"It's fine, sir. You didn't have to"

He frowned, just realising he had never given his name, being much more concerned with getting them to shelter.

"No need for that. You can call me Gaster. May I have yours?"

He could see surprise appear on their face before it was swiftly hidden.

"I prefer Karma"

"Well it's nice to meet you, Karma. I hope we can get along"

Silence settled in the room, with only the sound of him eating being heard. He could feel Grey shift on his shoulder in agitation. Looking up he knew the source, as Karma hadn't touched anything he had made. He wanted to say something but It was rather late, so he wouldn't push for now.

Standing up he thought what the best option would be. He doubted they would go with him to another AU for help, so gaining their trust seemed like the best option.

"I have a spare room you can use upstairs for the night. Would you be willing to stay?"

He patiently waited while they shifted in place, glancing at the front door in contemplation. Greys talons dug in his shoulder, displeased at the lack of instant agreement. Thankfully Karma agreed, before Greys talons pierced his clothes...yet again.

Gaster showed them to the room, scrutinising to see how he could improve it if they stayed longer. They pushed past him like earlier, making his hand twitch to give them comfort. He barely resisted and instead stood back, moving his arms behind him to resist temptation.

"There should be everything you will need in the draws to your right and the bathroom is the last door along the corridor....do you need anything at all?"

He was stared at in confusion, making him grimace at how pleading his tone grew. He needed to leave before he tried mothering them like they were his child.

"I'm good, G-Gaster....Night"

The door was soon slammed in his face, making him wince at the noise.

"..good night, Karma"

'Cheer up. At least they are safe here. We can sort the rest tomorrow'

" I hope you are right, Grey"

-

Gaster hardly slept that night, as all his thoughts were on Karma. He had been tempted to have a sneak peak into the room, to make sure they were ok, but Greys warnings of not pushing boundaries rang in his mind.

When it was around breakfast time he jumped out of his bed, eager to see how his guest was. Knocking on their door he waited for an answer but only silence greeted him.

"Karma? I am about to make breakfast. Do you have any preferences?"

The silence dragged on, making him itch to open the door.

'They are probably sleepy. You remember how hard it was to get Sans to get up in the mornings'

Gaster reluctantly agreed but could not help but feel something was off. He swiftly made an assortment of foods, with his alarm increasing the longer no one appeared.

"I'm checking on them"

He teleported upstairs, pushing their guest door open. He froze at seeing the bed empty, as well as no signs of the babybones.

"GREY! HERE NOW!"

As soon as they settled on his shoulder he teleported to the Lab, checking all of the cameras to try and find them. He was relieved when he spotted them still in Snowdin, making small snow figures in the snow.

"It hasn't even been a day and I already feel like I've aged decades"

'At least things won't be boring'

Grey was right about that.

The following days felt like nothing had changed in his daily life, even though Karma was still Underground. After that first encounter he was never able to be in the same room as them, let alone bring them home.

He checked every night and morning to see if the spare bedroom was occupied and monitored the cameras religiously. He was lucky if he would get a glimpse of them and he would have been impressed, if Gaster wasn't constantly worried if they were ok.

It felt like a spectre was living with him with such few signs of life. He started to leave food out in certain locations, once he realised they would not come to him anytime soon.

' They aren't a stray cat, Gaster'

"I know but how else can I help?"

He was resigned to this odd routine but was pleased that some of the food had been eaten.

Today he was checking over the CORE, when a voice startled him.

"What are you up to?"

He almost summoned his magic but stopped himself, when he noticed it was just Karma, floating behind him. They were watching him with a shrewd gaze, patiently waiting, but something felt wrong.

......... You feel your sins crawling on your back ........

He could see Greys feathers puffing up in fear but Gaster managed to keep his voice even and his hands steady.

"Would you like to learn more about the CORE?"

"...ok"

He calmly explained what he was doing and why, managing to smile at the eagerness on Karma's face. They still stayed out of reach and the odd pressure in the room stayed, as if waiting to drown him at any second.

As soon as he stopped talking they instantly vanished.

"✌︎💧︎☝︎⚐︎☼︎☜︎💧︎ ☞︎☹︎🕆︎☞︎☞︎✡︎ 👌︎🕆︎❄︎❄︎✏︎"

'I wish you would curse normally..'

"I am not making that mistake again! Sans got me in way too much trouble, with repeating things he heard me say, to Toriel"

Now that he calmed down from the scare, he flickered through the cameras, finally finding Karma sitting in Hotland. It made him shudder in relief at seeing them safe. He had at first thought they had dusted, with how quick they disappeared from his sight.

This babybones was going to be as much of a trouble maker as his sons, he could already tell.

While a rather stressful day, it had ended up being a turning point. They no longer hid from the cameras and popped into the Lab at random intervals. He had grown unsure of what to talk about, without getting too personal, so he shifted through his son's old items for some inspiration.

He was surprised to find so many unused colouring books in Papyrus room but knew how helpful this would be. So as well as dropping off food he started leaving crayons and the books. He even put some in the Lab, hoping to encourage them to spend more time with him.

He had searched on the Multinet for any news on missing children but was having no luck. He grimaced at the thought of having to go outside to get help, knowing it would be a fight to make Karma do anything. They were super stubborn, just like humans with the DETERMINATION trait.

-

He was so absorbed in his work that he was confused when Grey nudged him, to gain his attention. He shut his mouth when he heard scribbling, making him look towards the corner of the room.

Karma looked very happy to be colouring in, giving him the perfect opportunity to look them over. He was glad they looked to be in good condition, even if he still hadn't managed to CHECK them yet.

He smirked at how hard they were concentrating, quietly cooing at their cuteness. He wished his sons had stayed smaller for longer.

When they looked up his smirk fell at the pure terror on their features. He was worried if they were even breathing before they suddenly disappeared, just like before.

Days passed with no sign of the babybones making him over think the whole interaction. It was Grey who gave him the idea to look at the cameras, to see just what had startled them.

Going frame by frame he paused when he saw that his eyelights had gone purple, when he had looked at them. It took heightened emotion for that to occur but he was more worried why this would affect Karma. Did they meet an alternate version of him? He hardly knew any of them, as most tended to have unfortunate accidents with the CORE.

He would have to ask Grey to alert him when it happened, so he could try and suppress it. Hopefully this didn't ruin the trust he had built with Karma.

Another week passed with no sign of them, fueling his frustration. He summoned his hand constructs, trying to throw himself into finding everything he could about the child online.

He was startled when he felt one of his constructs brushing against something soft and turned to see Karma, staring at them in curiosity. He loosened his hold on that construct, allowing it to be pulled closer to the babybones. He cautiously sat down, trying to make as little noise as possible, watching this interaction.

Not many knew how sensitive his constructs were. Gaster was able to sense the magic of others they interacted with, making it very useful in Fights and when he had to look after his sons.

He was glad he only felt curiosity when they touched it and turned back to the computer, keeping an eye on Karma at all times.

When they stood up and started walking away he could see them about to trip, making him use the construct to grab them before it dissipated. The unnerving stare from Karma was back but something felt different about it this time.

-

Karma had lots of time to think and watch this strange Gaster. Even when they couldn't see him, they still left food out and plenty of books for him to have. He couldn't imagine XGaster bothering with any of that, making the tension in his body slowly relax.

Their magic also felt much nicer than the last one and their Daemon looked kind. Perhaps he would give this one a chance. He hadn't rushed into this like the last few times, so was hopeful this wouldn't end badly. He was unsure if his mind could take more disappointment.

~~~~~

Gaster: *Leaving food and toys scattered around the Underground*

Grey: I know your 'plan' worked last time but this is a step too far-

Karma: *Seen happily playing and eating the food left, on the cameras*

Gaster: I knew my social skills weren't that bad!

Grey:...how is this working?!