It's not the same as it is with Chara. Tentative, careful, always asking, always making sure it's all right to be touching and holding and doing what they're doing and if they're doing it right. Like the both of them are too fragile. Asriel's different. He's wholly earnest, like maybe he's never had to think about someone taking a hug and turning it into a trap, pinning your body through with rib bones like a butterfly stuck to corkboard, or fingers digging into a fistful of your hair to show you your place.

It's easy and earnest. Like nothing's wrong. He lets himself just be like that for a moment, and maybe this is what it was like, growing up with him, with the Dreemurrs. Problems can be solved with a hug, with a slice of pie, with an apology, with kind words. It's all going to be okay, because everyone said.

Words sticking in their throat, their jaw working silently for a moment, before they finally peel out, quietly.

"It's okay."