Chapter Text
Today was special.
It was the one year anniversary of Clover coming back from the dead. It also meant they were one year older at least, though they hadn't really kept track. Other than the time in the jar, they knew they were at least 9. Heck, they were sure that if their friends knew, they'd be celebrating. Not that Clover was.
It had been a tiring trek through the forest, but they could see… a house. Attached to it was a road, beyond the edge of the trees now in sight. That was something, because at least they'd maybe able to get some food. Clover did feel guilty about it, but they half hoped that whoever lived there was wasteful. It was nearing night anyways so they wouldn't get caught, at least they hoped. Just had to wait it out.
A few hours passed, and Clover had merely been waiting in the treeline up until now. Even as darkness covered the sky, they hesitated. This part was always scary. Their stomach, however, wouldn't wait for their fear to subside, and after a short internal struggle they just went for it. Swiftly sneaking along the side of the house and opening the lid of the trashcan outside, they were about to start looking when they notice red eyes staring at them-
Clover turned to see those eyes glowing from behind long bangs. Human ones. The two humans stared at each other like deer in headlights, the dull red eyes of the older one contrasting with the bright yellow gleam of Clovers eyes.
The taller one broke the silence with a shout. "MOM!”
----------------------------
Clover was very, very confused. Instead of being yelled at, they had been brought inside by this tall goat monster. Toriel, that was her name. They vaguely remembered her from their first time in the Ruins. She was still intimidatingly tall, yet they felt as if they could place their upmost trust in her.
"My child, may I ask your name?" she asked, voice soft and kind.
They hadn't used their voice in a long time so it took some amount of effort. But they managed, voice cracking.
"....Clover"
"That is a lovely name,” Toriel remarked, a gentle smile on her face.
“Do your parents know where you are, Clover?"
"...I really hope not..."
They didn’t mean to answer like that. That was rude. But even still, the very idea that their parents could know where they are makes their chest feel tight. They can see Toriel’s face, her expression now unreadable. But they could tell she was mad, they were rude about their parents and now she's mad at them for being a rude little ch-
Their train of thought was interrupted by a warm fuzzy paw on their shoulder.
"Clover, do not worry, I have no intention of sending you back to whoever let you wander so far alone, especially if this is how you feel about going back to them. For now, you need a place to sleep do you not?”
Clover’s stomach growled, making Toriel blink.
“And a warm meal most likely! How long have you
been wandering?"
Clover looked to the side. "...Today makes it a year, I think..."
Toriel’s expression once again shifted to that unreadable look for just a moment, before returning to soft eyes.
"My child… I do not have room to keep you forever, but for now, my eldest is off at college, and I shall search for a volunteer to take you in. Now, are you allergic to anything?"
"Not to anything I know of..."
"Splendid! Kris, would you please go run a bath for our guest while I get them something to eat?"
They watch the taller human from before, Kris, as they wordlessly got up and strode to the bathroom, the sound of water running filling the cozy house in no time while Toriel heated up some leftovers.
Though something sat in Clover’s mind ever since they got here.
"Miss Toriel?” Clover broke the silence, unsure of how to ask. “Does uh.. Kris not like me?"
"Oh, don't worry!” Toriel reassured. “They don't talk much, and you are actually the first human they've seen in person, so they may need time to adjust, alright?"
"Okay… Thank you, Miss Toriel."
It didn’t take long for the leftover food to heat up, and they went to the table. It might of not been the best food, and reheating food always made it worse, but Clover devoured it regardless. Feeling much better, they made sure to thank her.
"Miss Toriel I think that's the best food I've ever had ever!"
They threw up their arms to emphasize how good it was.
Toriel laughed at that, interrupted as the bathroom door opened, Kris walking out just as silently as before.
"Bath’s done."
"Oh just in time!” Toriel clapped her hands. “Thank you Kris! Now, Clover, you can get changed in the bathroom, and I'll wash your clothes and hat for you, alright?"
They paused. Toriel was kind to them yes, and it sure was the first proper meal they've had in ages... but their hat. It was one of the few reminders they had of their time with their friends in the underground. They didn't want to part with it, even if they know they'll get it back. The quiet pain in their chest sparked up at the fear.
".......don't wanna...."
"My child, I cannot allow you to wear those clothes like this. It is unhygienic. I promise they'll be washed and dry by the time you wake up tomorrow, if that makes you feel better?"
The cowpoke took a moment to calm themselves down. She was right. They didn’t need to make a fuss, not to their current benefactor.
"...alright Miss Toriel...."
They went into the bathroom, getting undressed and handing their clothes through the just barely open enough door. While Toriel did pause a moment upon seeing the child’s bare arms, neither of them said anything about it. Instead she opted to simply grab the rest of Clover’s clothes, leaving them alone in the bathroom.
The bath was very bubbly and warm, like a constant hug. The smaller human could finally relax and not worry, perhaps do what they wish. The apple shampoo was left on the side of the bath, after all. And no one was watching, so what harm would it do…?
-----------------------
Toriel did not expect this. Not any of it.
First, a human showed up at their doorstep in the very late evening. No one should be out at this time of night, especially not a child like they were! Secondly, that human was so very young, and yet were so fearful of their parents! They claimed they were homeless for a year, and their weight did seemingly support that, which did not bring any peace to the worrying mother. And then third, the scars on that child's arm…
The thought made her feel very ill. Who on Earth would do that to anyone? A child so young shouldn’t-
"Eugh! This doesn't taste like apples at all!"
The young human’s voice echoing from the bathroom snapped her out of her thoughts, making Toriel walk over to knock on the door.
"My child! Please do not drink the shampoo! It is not meant to taste like apples!"
They laughed. Funny really, she remembered Kris doing the exact same thing.
Maybe humans were just like that, curious creatures.
She began a wash for Clovers clothes. Hat, vest, trousers, hol- Wait, why did the child have a revolver in their holster? Toriel certainly did not approve of it but… it did belong to the child. They will… ask about it later, yes... For now, they just looked for some pajamas Clover can borrow, though seeing how small Clover is, even the smallest ones they were able to find would be quite a bit too big.
The mother would have to make do.
----------------
Clover remained in the bath for a while, only getting out after Toriel reminded them that they do, in fact, have to leave the water eventually. They dried themselves off and dressed into the frankly far too big pajamas, running a hand through their extremely tangled hair before finally coming out of the bathroom.
"Ah, Clover, you are finished. Come here please so I can brush your hair"
They did really need a good hair brushing, and they didn't know how to do it themselves. But it'd hurt, wouldn't it? Though, they knew it needed to be done, and if not now, it'd only be done when it's even worse. So it was best to go over and sit in front of Toriel, bracing for the yanking at their scalp.
It never came. It never came?
"Miss Toriel? Why isn't it hurting?" Clover asked.
Toriel seemed confused. "My child, I am just brushing your hair, it is not supposed to hurt."
"It isn't? Are you sure?"
"I am positive,” Toriel affirmed. “That is, unless the person brushing your hair previously didn't care to take the time to do it properly, or didn-"
"Oh, that makes sense,” Clover interrupted, almost unfazed. “My parents always got mad at me for getting my hair in a mess..."
"I...see. I will have to apologize, I don't quite have anything your size, but I'll see about getting some more tomorrow, after all, you can't just wear a cowpoke outfit all of the time."
"Oh. Okay.."
They nearly fell asleep having their hair brushed. They were understandably very tired, failing to suppress a yawn.
"My child, it sounds like you are ready for bed. Let me show you where you will be sleeping.”
They let Toriel lead them by the hand to Kris’s room, letting themselves be tucked into Asriel’s bed, unaware of Kris staring at them.
“Kris, I apologize but you will have to share a bedroom with Clover here a while."
The smaller human barely noticed Kris’s silent nod.
"Sleep well my child." Toriel smiled, brushing their hair back in a soothing manner.
Clover simply nodded, eyes closed, soon falling asleep.