"Hghk--"

Chara is taken by surprise, their one hand still on their forehead as Frisk steps forward and suddenly they're being pulled into a hug, they're being trapped, they're being smothered, they're--

Their grip on Frisk's hand tightens to the point of being painful, fingers wrapping around Frisk's like their life depends on it.

In a way, it kind of does.

They drop their head, pressing their brow against Frisk's shoulder in wordless copy.

"......"

It's too hard to make words for this moment.

But I thought you were gone, too.