Chapter 5

To say that the Skele-house was… chaotic … would be an understatement.

The tall one, Papyrus, was very energetic. It was like watching a hyperactive puppy on a sugar rush. It was almost endearing, in an odd way. He switched between fawning over Undyne and “the tall human”, as he called Piper.

The small skeleton was even weirder. He kept looking at Piper weirdly when he wasn’t pestering Grillby about “having him work in his house instead”, with the fire monster giving him patient yet exasperated looks. She found that rather amusing, especially when he shooed Sans away.

“So, you and grillby seem to be getting along.” Sans sat on the couch next to her. “Haven’t heard him talk this much like… ever….”

Piper shrugged. “Ya just gotta make him talk. It’s not hard.”

“I dunno… he barely talks to me, and I’m one of his best customers.”

“You don’t pay your bill...” Grillby retorted.

“Eh. Whatever.” He drank from a ketchup bottle like it was a bottle of water. Piper was disgusted by the display. “What are you even doing down here?”

“Yes. tall human! Why did you come to the Underground?” Papyrus leaned over the back of the couch. Their positions made Piper feel trapped, and she pulled her knees to her chest.

“Her business is none of her concern…” Grillby piped up sternly. “Stop crowding her…”

“Did she tell you why?” Sans pressed, a not so subtle grin spreading on his face.

“Yes…”

“Then why can’t she tell us? I, the Great Papyrus, am a great listener!”

“Because she doesn’t know you… you met literally half an hour ago… “ He crossed his arms. “I believe she would appreciate it if you two gave her some space… You are practically on top of her…”

Undyne nodded from her seat. “Yeah, you Nosey Nancies. A girl can have secrets of her own. Chill.”

Papyrus huffed and sat down. “Yes… It was quite rude of us… I apologize, tall human- I mean, Piper.”

Piper nodded. “It's okay… I just don't like a lotta pressure…”

Grillby came to her end of the couch. “You and Undyne must go… Too much time has already passed…”

“Couldn't agree more.” She got up and put on her now dry socks and boots. The snow had soaked them badly during the walk, and they'd gotten wet again during the fight. “Hey, fish stick. You ready?”

Undyne smirked and hopped up. “I've been waitin’ on you. Who knew humans heal so slow?”

“Not my fault I'm not like you.” She handed the coat Grillby gave her back to its rightful owner. “Here. I won't be needing this in Waterfall.”

“You will get cold out there…”

“I'll survive,” she said. “It's not too far from here. Bein’ a little cold never bothered me.”

Grillby hesitantly nodded and took the coat back. “Alright… but please… be safe…”

“Can't make any promises on that. But I promise not to die before coming back to your diner. I owe you for a burger.”

He chuckled softly and shook his head. “You humans… are always so strange…”

“We try.”

“Alright, you two!” Undyne slung an arm over Piper’s shoulders and grinned. “Quit yer flirting! It's time to go!”

Piper nodded, a light blush on her cheeks. “Lead the way then, fish stick.”

The Fish monster laughed, heading outside. The skeletons watched curiously, their gazes full of curiosity. They glanced at Grillby, who also watched the girls go, though they could tell that something about this bothered him.

Piper waved goodbye to the boys as she and Undyne got onto the main path. Undyne grabbed her wrist and yanked her along before she could see Grillby give a small wave back.