Something smells... fishy...
"Hey don't worry about it Nice. I insist, it's already been paid. Nothing to worry about." I assure the blue bunny that insisted on paying for his drink. He was later than usual, but nothing bad, he was busy at work and couldn't drop by sooner.
"But.. I didn't pay." His ears drooped and he looked to the ground.
"Someone else did for you buddy, don't worry."
"You're sure?"
"Absolutely." I nod in a straight face. A moment's beat and I break into a smile again. "Go enjoy your drink ya silly." The bunny smiled again, hopped onto his heels and waved goodbye before traveling out the door. He didn't seem bothered by the cold which confused me since he wasn't wearing a coat.
"wow, who paid for 'im?" I give Sans a side glance.
"B.P," I mutter before plopping into my seat.
"burgerpants?" He sounded astonished, I turn to him and nod.
"Yep. Is that not a normal thing?" I ask worried for B.P. I didn't know a lot about monsters so I didn't want him getting into trouble on my account.
Sans shrugged, thought about it for a second then shook his head. "its fine, its just never thought i'd see the day where b.p.... wow. he's got it bad."
"I ship it~" I sing-song. Sans chuckles and slides his hand across the counter then bent it at the elbow to lean his cheek against the boney knuckles looking at me.
"y'know, undyne and alphys always say that. 'ship it' but they never explained what it means." Curiosity burned in those pinprick eyes.
I grin wildly my eyes half lidded, "Oh boy. You have a lot to learn."
He gulps and his gaze flickers away for a second but looked back to me when I spoke again.
"Okay, so I always just sort of knew what it meant but I searched it up on urban dictionary and it explained it better than I ever could." He tilts his and keeps his gaze on me urging me forward. "Basically it's a word used to endorse romantic relationships. Usually used in fanfictions and fangirls/guys and such."
He blinks and thinks for a second. "so, ship as in relationship. clever." He grins His eyes brighten and he looked as if he was about to say something but was interrupted by the 'ding' of the door, said door slamming into the wall and a very proud and intimidating blue fish like monster standing in the doorway.
Blinding red hair high in a ponytail, Some bangs escaping in the front flowing in front of their face. They had a large sharp toothy grin, an eye patch. Yellow catlike eyes er eye. they had a black leather jacket and a lighter shirt underneath, they wore light jeans and brown boots that went up to their knees. Muscles that look like they could probably rip me apart without breaking a sweat. The energy given was feminine, but I don’t want to be rude.
The crackle in the air felt intimidating, I tilt my head to look at them, I looked between Sans and them wondering if there was a connection I should be seeing. The tall one took two long strides over to the counter. Sans, who hadn't changed his lazy demeanor, looked up at them with a different smile than the one he gives me or any of the customers.
"hey 'ndyne." He drawls, not even moving his arm from under his head to properly greet her or anything. The mountain of intimidation seemed used to this and laughed out loud.
"When Paps said you got the job I just HAD to come over to congratulate you! Proud of you. Actually getting off of your ass to do something." The voice was loud and had an edge to it that reminded me of danger, but it also came with a sweeter twinge to it.
When they walked up to the counter I noticed for the first time they werent alone. A smaller and cuter monster with glasses walked up, they looked feminine as well. This one wore a white button up shirt with flowery sleeves and the ends of the shirt were full of patterns, they wore darker jeans and flat footed converse that looked like they were custom made. I waved a hello, then got a shy wave back.
Stammering the smaller monster pulled onto Fish persons pants then shakily pointed a claw to me. I had my arms crossed and I leaned across the counter towards them. My knees bent and resting on the seat of my chair.
Sans and the fish person were talking, mainly it was the visitors voice but Sans cut in a couple times. So when the smaller monster directed their attention to me, I felt a little out of place. Sans shifted in his seat and actually sat up, he looked at me with a worried smile. The persons smile faltered and they looked me up and down. They openly frowns and their single eye narrowed. My gaze flickered to the wall behind them but back to their face and I gave them a smile trying to reassure that things were cool.
Their lips press into a line and they looked back to Sans who looked nervous. He gestures to me with the hand that he wasn't leaning on, he had his smile back on as well as a calm exterior.
"oh, this is ____ she's my boss." He introduces me, the one who was pulling me apart limb from limb in their mind blinked and licked their sharp threatening teeth. "____ this is undyne," He gestures to the intimidating person then turns to the shorter monster who hid behind Undyne. “she and alphys are lettin me crash with em for the time bein.”
I tilt my head and lift my hand in a wave. "Hey, nice to meet ya both! Your smile is terrifying, it's awesome." crap, didn't mean to say that out loud, aw well.
Undyne blinked, or winked, hard to tell. She looked at Sans who was keeping his laughter in, one hand over his skeleton mouth; smothering his laughter somehow. Undyne looked at Alphys who also looked at me confused as all hell. I continued to smile not letting my accidental moment haunt me.
Undyne breaks into a large face breaking grin, she lets out a laugh that echoed throughout the entire empty cafe. Sans finally lost it and laughed along with. Alphys let out a breath, and I continued to smile even when Undyne slammed her hand into my shoulder.
"You know what, you're all right. And here I was worried you'd be a dick boss and I'd have to hide your body."
"Yeah, I'd be worried too!" I laugh a little too hard and hold out my hand for her to shake which she takes in her large scaly hands and her grip in the handshake makes me worried for my bones. I wince at the pressure but waved it off.
"Okay, Sans." He looked at her confused. "Don't mess this up."
"ha." He rolls his pinprick eyes and sits back down into his seat, when did he get up?
"Lazy ass" She murmurs under her breath and turned to Alphys, talking to her about some stuff.
"Could've called him lazybones. But y'know." I shrug, Sans holds up his hand palm facing me and hoping I was right I slapped my own palm into his as a high five, we didn't even look at each other. We set our hands back onto the counter, I was mentally congratulating myself for not messing that up. Not knowing Sans was doing the same.
"Pfft. Whatever." Undyne narrows her eye at me, I just smile. "Alright, babe. Wanna get something while we're here?" She turns back to the smaller monster, I awwed in my head, these two are a couple.
Alphys looked unable to say anything so she just nods and looks up to the board skimming through for something that sounds good. And Undyne does the same.
I chewed on my lip and stood up from my seat and leaned against the counter with a smile waiting patiently for their order.
"Punk, You got any... Creamer flavors for monsters?" I smile weakly and shake my head.
"But I am having someone come in to help me make custom made creamers. You got any you'd like to try?"
"OH, um... would it be weird for a... fish flavor?" Fish... Fish? FISH?! Sure why not. I'm sure its sold somewhere....
"Yeah, I don't see why not. For now however you see something you like so far?"
She looks back at the board skimming then nodding. "Yeah! I want to try a mocha, with cream." She bends down to Alphys who whispered into her ear and sent me an apologetic look which I responded with a smile. "And Alphys here would like a cinnamon muffin and a small coffee with milk and sugar. Can she put the sugar in herself orr." I nod and pull out a mug then filled it halfway with coffee and a set it onto the counter, I noticed Sans got up and went into the kitchen. I turned to the fridge that was against the wall under the counter on my left side of my body. I open it and pulled out a small glass container of sugar and a silver jar like thing that pours out milk. I set on the counter next to the cash and change that sat there. I turn around and saw Sans walking out of the kitchen with a muffin in hand in a napkin, which he put down next to my mug. I almost turned to make Undyne her drink when I saw a mug in front of her as well, when did that happen? Sans?
I moment of confusion was gone as soon as it came. I put the money into the register and sat into my chair, taking notice that the monsters across the counter had done the same. Alphys shakily took scoops of sugar and dumped it into her mug, then poured some milk in, stirred it then took a sip smiling at the taste. Her shaking had slowed as she focused on her coffee. I scooted over the milk and sugar, mentally deciding I'd put it up later.
We all sat in a comfortable silence for a bit when Undyne checked her watch then bent down to kiss Alphys' cheek making the smaller monster blush heavily. She jumped and almost spilled her coffee.
"U-Undyne!" Her tiny voice squeaked out. She turned to her fishy girlfriend who was sporting the largest grin I have ever seen on any fish.
I giggle and checked the time as well, is it really 6 o'clock wow. Undyne whispered something into Alphys' ear, then Alphys turned red. Undyne took this to snatch her mug, chug the still hot coffee, slam it onto the counter. At some point Alphys set down her own empty mug and hopped off the stool she sat on. Undyne shuffled her out the door, yelling at Sans that they're gonna be late home tonight. That their going on a date. Sans waved them goodbye with his usual smile then rested his head on his bent hand, the same position he was in when they walked in.
I stretch to the ceiling, then laid my hands back onto the counter watching them leave with a smile. I turned to Sans who switched his attention to me, a question in his eyes.
"Well, we can talk about your hours. Days off, etc. Whenever, closing is 10:00 pm, I know its a later time than usual cafes but there are more people than you'd expect that would like a late night drink. Me being one of them." that got a laugh.
"oh, actually. i was wondering if.. i could have sundays off? a bunch of friends and family of mine use that day of the week to rekindle and hang and stuff." he went all serious tone, his voice losing confidence as it goes.
"Aw man, that's the busiest day of the week." I chuckle, Sans shoulders deflate but it was so minor you'd have to be looking for it to find it. "Well, I'll miss your help. Sure, I can handle it by myself. Have Sundays off." I smile. Sans looks back at me a happier grin on his face.
"thanks."
"No prob. Okay, I need you to check your schedule for the rest of the month so we can find out good hours for you to work and whether or not I'll be there. You might have to work alone some days. Is that fine?" I ask worriedly. He shrugs and thinks for a second.
"yeah, sure."
"Cool."
I hmmed and leaned against the counter, my arms crossed and my head resting on them. My eyes drifted closed and my breathing slowed.
-----
Sans watched curiously, he kept wondering why you were different. Why you were acting like this, so kind and nice. So, laid back. All the human adults he's met have been like Luke, So far, he hasn't found a single one that's been kind. Sure, maybe a couple wouldn't act out against them. Wouldn't say mean things. But they didn't step forward when others did.
Sans leaned against the chair, or his chair. He furrowed his eyebrows in thought. Why were you like this? And don't think he didn't see the whole dark thing with Cat Guy earlier. Is it something he should be worried about, your last employer? What happened there. Sans shrugs and looks outside the front windows, the sun setting already because of the daylight savings thing.
The roads darkening into something eerie, the lights from the last remaining shops still open shining onto the brick road out in the chilly air. Sans slumped in his spot, changing his view to look at you, sleeping against the counters breathing softly. He smirked as he thought of a way to wake you up.
"oh this'll be good," he whispers as he reaches his hand through the shortcut he ripped through the air and pulled something out. Hesitating, He looked at you again. then shook his head. You're his boss, he'd probably get yelled at or fired even though he just got hired if he did something like pulling out an air horn to wake you up.
After all, he's a monster and you're a human.
'i need to stop thinking we'll be friends. only human friend i'll get is frisk... not my boss.' He closes the hole in the air and tapped your shoulder.
"hey, can't sleep on the job.." Wow he's a hypocrite. "yo, boss." He shakes your shoulder, trying not to touch you more than he should. When you snap your head up and spread your arms forward. Your eyes half wide with sleep. You quickly took an intake of breath that sounded like a snort slash snore. You blink a few times and wipe any drool that might or might not have been on your chin and rubbed your eyes.
"Crap, sorry. Didn't mean to fall asleep. Usually, I don't do that." You apologize then laugh halfheartedly. Your mask fell and he saw a scared, tired, girl before your eyes brightened and you put a smile on your face. Sans seemed confused and almost asked what was wrong before he stopped himself. Its not his place, you wouldn't care about his problems. He's just the employee, nothing more.
You stretched your arms, popping them slightly then twisted your back. trying to get that one spot that never seems to pop. After a sigh of defeat, you look up at the clock slowly ticking down.