Refuge

                                    

                                          
As the boiling liquid leaves the spout of the red teapot and enters Toriel's glass, its resulting steam carries whiffs of an enticing fragrance. One that brings the elderly monster back to a previous lifetime.
Golden Flower tea wasn't her first choice of beverage, but as she had expected, it was the only one available. Asgore was a monster of habit, and despite how much has changed, the many familiarities in his apartment are hardly subtle, such as the flourishing flowers on top of the windowsill.
After both Boss Monsters lost their two beloved children to the callousness of war, they found themselves unable to continue aging. Without a biological offspring, the two will stay alive for centuries to come. A dream to those with mortality- a curse to the unfortunate few without it.
Not only did they stop aging physically, but Toriel suspects she and Asgore have also stopped progressing as people, made evident by their unyielding habits and ancient lifestyle. A failed parent's grief wouldn't be enough punishment. No, they'd be forced to spend the rest of their eternal existence reflecting on their mistakes. 
Toriel thought she was finally relieved of such anguish. However, with Frisk's disappearance, it seems life isn't done subjecting her to its sick idea of 'justice.'
Once Asgore fills his own mug, he takes the seat at the other end of the table. While he fixed the tea, neither he nor his ex-wife exchanged many words, other than casual greetings and comments on the moody weather. The atmosphere of the cramped apartment weighs more than one of Undyne's fifty-pound dumbbells.
"You may want to let it cool for a bit," Asgore advises.
Toriel lifts the tea glass and takes a full sip, the scorching liquid having no effect on the pyromancer.
"Sorry," Asgore stammers. "Instincts, you know?"
Since the boss monster's unannounced arrival, Asgore has done a predictably poor job concealing his nervousness. Part of Toriel is surprised she doesn't share in his unease. After all, it has been seven years since they last spoke in person.
"How, um, how are you, Tori?" Asgore says before he tenses up. "Actually, never mind. That is a rather foolish question."
"How are you, Asgore?"
He furrows his brow.
"Me? I'm uh... doing well. Or at least as well as one can be concerning recent events."
In response, Toriel only nods. Asgore feels stupid for giving her yet another reminder of her missing child.
"Do you know why I came here?" 
To this, the king is at a loss. Plenty of guesses come to mind, but none seem more tangible than the others.
"No," he finally answers. "Nevertheless, I'm grateful to see you again."
He meant every word. Sure, finding his true love at the doorway to his residence came as a massive shock. But his induced anxiousness was quickly overshadowed by a surge of happiness welling deep inside of his gleeful heart.
For a moment, Toriel says nothing. The tea glass in her paw remains perfectly still.
"The six humans who fell after Chara... they were all wonderful."
Asgore's smile fades.
"But... I never truly got to know them. Any of them."
"Tori, I-"
"But Frisk is different. Extraordinary. Sometimes, I find it hard to believe how someone can be so selfless, so... pure of this world's cruelty."
She begins to tremble.