Frisks past
Frisk sat at the kitchen table across from Sans as they waited for Mittsy to arrive. Both parties sipped at their drinks silently, keeping mostly to themselves. Frisk sat with a citrus tea and honey, and Sans with his traditional mug of instant coffee. Sans cleared his throat awkwardly as he struggled to come up with some form of conversation.
Papyrus had to leave earlier than usual that morning for a job, leaving Sans alone with the kid. He found himself actually thinking that it probably would have been better if instead of Papyrus, he had been called to work early, even though he hated working mornings, or really any time of the day for that matter. But, Papyrus was so much better with Frisk then he was, and she was obviously more comfortable with his brother then she was around him.
Sans felt himself wishing that Papyrus had at least stayed for breakfast. That way he would have been here to help Sans out of this uncomfortable quiet. Sans thought that he could have maybe bounced a few puns off of his brother to lighten the mood. The kid always seemed to like that. He was always able to pull at least a few good giggles out of her. Sans scanned the room looking for some means of material for a quick comedy routine to break the ice, when Frisk beat him to the punch, or rather the punch line.
“Hey Sans?” She suddenly asked from across the table, fidgeting slightly with her tea cup.
“Uh ya, what’s up kid?” Sans replied, his gaze drawn back from its search.
“What did the tea cup say to the coffee cup?” She asked, her eyes still firmly locked on to the table top. Sans paused for a moment as he cocked his head to the side. Was she actually setting up a joke?
“Don’t know what?” Sans replied, his grin growing wider in interest.
“I haven’t seen your ugly mug around here in ages, oh well I guess it’s better latte then never.” Frisk replied shyly. Sans sat stunned for a few seconds actually impressed with her poor pun.
Frisk fidgeted more noticeably, her cheeks turning a slight pink when Sans didn’t respond. That was stupid. Why did she even think that was funny? Suddenly Sans let out a hearty round of laughter and Frisk’s gaze shot up toward him in slight surprise.
“Haha, that’s a tea-riffic pun there pal. I have to say that I’m impressoed with your sense of humor, you got me really frothing with laughter.” Sans said, between his heavy boats of chuckles. Frisk also started to laugh along, glad that she had managed to at least break through the tension with her weak attempt at a joke.
After their laughter had subsided some, casual conversation came relatively easily. At first there topics were fairly simple and ranged from work to the weather, as what was expected of normal small talk. Sans would throw in a few more puns here and there, and Frisk would laugh wholeheartedly at them. As they continued to talk Sans noticed that Frisk was beginning to become more open with him and he also noticed, to his surprise, that she was actually starting to trust him as well.
Sans wasn’t sure if he should feel happy about this, or if he should feel concerned, as the kid seemed to forgive and forget a little too easily for his liking. He knew that while dealing in this business it was better to be suspicious and guarded around people, rather than risk yourself trying to be pals. But, the kid was determined if nothing else to see the good in everyone, even in low down criminals like himself. He made a mental note to keep a good watch on her, and also make sure to keep tabs on the other people she dealt with, in case anyone that had managed to gain her trust actually wished her harm or had other ill intentions.
“You know kid, your piano performance the other night was actually pretty good.” Sans said, continuing the casual conversation as Frisk scratched at her ear bashfully.
“I’m really only a beginner.” She replied shyly. Sans shrugged.
“But your basics are strong, plus Undyne has already offered to teach you a few things. You uh, really thinking about taking those lessons?” He asked. Frisk’s light smile fell slightly as she thought of Undyne’s offer. She had sort of gotten ahead of herself last night, and had accepted without really thinking it through.
“Well, I would like to.” She replied slowly. “But, after I leave the Pansies, I doubt she will still want to teach me.”
Sans scratched at the back of his skull. He knew he shouldn’t meddle. It was a good thing that the kid had decided to leave. She would be safer that way, but maybe she didn’t have to leave forever? Just until the human gangs had stopped looking or her, then maybe she could come back for the occasional visit. Papyrus would be heartbroken after all, if she never came back, not to mention Mittsy, and Sans knew that even Undyne had become somewhat attached to the kid. Sans sighed inwardly. He knew that the idea was dangerous. Even if she just stayed in contact with them, Frisk was putting herself at risk, but he supposed it was her choice whether or not she wanted to see them again, not his.
“I think Undyne would understand, especially in light of your circumstances. She can come off as a tough nut, but she really does have a soft spot in there somewhere.” Sans replied. “And I already know for a fact that Grillby wouldn’t mind you visiting occasionally.” He continued. Frisk perked up at his comment, and met his hesitant gaze with her own surprised one.
“Really? They wouldn’t mind?” She asked. Sans continued to scratch at the back of his neck. Maybe he shouldn’t have brought it up. Maybe it would be better if the kid just left with a clean break at the end of the month. His brother would get over it, Mittsy would understand, and Undyne would just be Undyne, and claim that she never liked Frisk that much anyway, even though Sans knew that she did. But, when he turned his glance back in Frisk’s direction, and saw her hop filled expression, well he couldn’t just tell her no, now could he?
“Uh, of course not kid, and hey, once you get good enough maybe you could even play the bar on music night. I could put in a good word for ya.” Sans said. Frisk cocked her head to the side.
“You play?” She asked. Sans shrugged.
“I dabble a little bit, not in the ivories though. I’m more of a brass man myself.” He said with a sly wink.
“What instrument?” Frisk asked in interest. Sans chuckled.
“I’ll give you a hint.” He replied. “What is a skeletons favorite instrument?” He continued, flashing Frisk a playful smirk. Frisk furrowed her brows in concentration as she thought of an answer to his riddle.
“A trom-bone!” She exclaimed excitedly when she came up with the solution.
“Bingo.” Sans replied, his grin growing into a big smile. Frisk giggled.
“I’d like to see you play sometime.” She said with an honest laugh. Sans felt a light dusting of blue slowly make its way across his cheekbones at her comment.
“Heh, well next time we all go out for a movie night, maybe I’ll treat the group to an impromptu concert instead.” He replied sheepishly.
Suddenly Frisk’s eyes widened as she remembered something that she had forgotten to do when they had gotten back home from the night before. She then swiftly hoped of her chair and made her way over to the couch. Sans cocked a brow bone in confusion as he saw her digging through one of her pillows.
“Uh kid? What are you doing?” He asked.
“I forgot to pay you back for the ticket and snacks at the movies.” Frisk replied as she made her way back to the kitchen and handed Sans a few crumpled bills. Sans stared at the offered money for a moment before he raised his hand, denying the cash.
”Kiddo, it was my treat. You don’t have to pay me back.” He replied. Frisk tilted her head to the side and pursed her lips. She didn’t like the idea of owing money to anyone, even if they assured her that it was a gift. Then Frisk got an idea.
“Ok, well then the next time I’ll pay for your ticket at the movies.” She declared. “It’s only fair.” Sans chuckled lightly as he felt the dusting of blue settle more heavily over his cheekbones. The kid sure was persistent.
“You don’t gotta do that.” Sans replied. “Besides, didn’t you tell me you were saving up for something?” He questioned. Frisk nodded as she placed the bills back in her pocket.
“Mind telling me what for?” he asked. Frisk paused. It wasn’t like what she was saving for was any big dangerous secret, but she suddenly felt unsure if she should tell Sans. Maybe he would think it was dumb. He might tease her.
“Someday, I want to get a little cottage.” Frisk answered as she fiddled with the end of her shirt sleeve nervously . “Nothing too big, something small and cozy just for me.” Sans listened intently, surprised by Frisks response.
“It would have a big yard, and a garden. It would be somewhere out in the country, or maybe in a small town.” She continued. “Somewhere away from the city, where it’s quite and safe.”
“That sounds like a nice dream kid.” Sans replied. Frisk smiled softly back at him.
“Thanks.” She said.
“I used to live in a place like that a long time ago with my mom.” Frisk continued.
Sans perked up immediately in interest. He had been curious about this subject since the last time that Frisk had mentioned it. He had wanted to ask more questions about Frisks mother being a monster. But he also didn’t want to push her. Frisk had been very adamant that she didn’t like talking about her past. Sans cleared his throat as he decided to take the risk and ask anyway, hoping that this was Frisk’s version of an invitation to address the sensitive subject.
“You uh, mentioned a little about your mother before… can I asked what exactly happened?” Sans said delicately. Frisk paused, the light smile falling immediately into a frown. Sans winced, debating whether or not if he should retract the question.
“It’s not something I like to remember.” Frisk replied slowly, to his slight relief. “I already told you that she took me in off the streets.” She began. “I stayed with her for a few years after that, and for a while things were really good.” The small smile returned somewhat, but now it held a certain heaviness, it was no longer happy. It was melancholic at best.
“She taught me lots of things when I was with her.” Frisk continued. “She taught me how to read and how to write, as well as basic math and science. She even got me a few music books and lessons for the piano.” She said. “She told me once that it made her very happy that she was able to teach me. She said that if things were different in her own life then she would have become a school teacher.”
“And I was so happy to learn.” Frisk said. “I never thought that I would actually be able to get an education. I remember from when I was living on the streets, I would see all the school children walking home through the market in the afternoons after their classes had ended, with their pretty book bags and uniforms.” She continued smiling lightly at the memory. “I remember that I always wanted to be one of them, but moms lessons were the next best thing. I probably learned more from her then I would have learned from any school to be honest.”
“Sounds like she was a real swell lady.” Sans said with a courteous grin.
“She was.” Frisk responded, her own smile growing a little lighter. “She used to bake for me, and she would buy me toys and clothes too. She would read me stories at night, and sing me lullabies.” Frisks continued. Her voice grew soft as her mind took her back to those happy times, far away from all the struggling and hardships that she had now come to accept as reality.
“I really thought that I had found a place that I could actually call home, but I was wrong.” Frisk said . Sans quaint, smile faded at the same time as Frisks happy memories did.
“I guess it all started when she decided that she would take me to the market with her one morning. Frisk continued. “I was really excited because I usually got a treat if I was good, or if I helped her carry things.
“ I remember whenever we went out in public together, people would always look at us funny. They would stare or mumble or shake their heads. It scared me at first, but I got used to it after a few trips." Fisk said. “Mom never let it bother her, and if it did she never let it show. She would just hold my hand a bit tighter and we would continue on our way like those people weren’t even there at all. Though that day things were different.” She continued, her brows furrowing slightly in anger as all traces of her smile completely fell away from her face.
“It turns out that on that day in the market, some of the foot shoulders from one of the human gangs of Ebott were skulking around looking for trouble, and they decided to make me and my mom there targets.” Frisk sneered. “At first they just followed us around, chirping at us, saying some pretty mean things that at the time I didn’t really understand.” She continued .
“Things like what?” Sans asked, though he was pretty sure he already knew the answer.
“Basically how wrong it was for a monster to be raising a human child. How she would end up corrupting me in some way, or how she was just raising me until my soul was ripe enough for her to eat.” Frisk spat. “They tried to scare me but it just made me furious. I remember I almost lunged at them, but mom held me firmly to her side and just continued to ignore them." She said. “I really wish they just left us alone. If they had then maybe things would’ve turned out differently." Frisk said, her voice suddenly taking on a sad tone.
“One of them must have gotten bored, and decided to up the ante, when he wasn’t getting the reaction that he wanted. He decided to grab me.” She continued. Sans felt a pang of anger shoot up his spine. That was just so typical of people, wasn’t it? They would rather see a child starving on the streets then, God forbid, in the care of a different race. What a twisted and backward world they live in.
“When I screamed mom snapped. I don’t really remember too much, just trying to get away and then there was fire.” Frisk said. “I’m pretty sure she used magic because the men suddenly became very frightened and turned tale after shooting a few empty threats at us.” Sans eye sockets grew dark at this. Using magic in public was banned and often met with serious consequences if the law caught up with you. Frisk and her mother were also only simple civilians at the time, which meant that they probably had no protection from any gang.
“I didn’t realize magic was such a taboo thing at the time.” Frisk continued. “I remember I laughed and jeered at them as I watched the men run away, but when I turned back to mom she looked utterly terrified. I remember asking her what was wrong but she didn’t say anything, she just grabbed my hand and pulled me behind her as we made our way out of the market and back home.” She said.
“Luckily that incident didn’t come back to haunt us, I guess it was actually a good thing that those guys were in a gang because it meant they didn’t go to the cops, but after that day things weren’t really ever the same.” Frisk said sadly.
“Mom got very quiet and sometimes she would just stare off in to space for hours.” She continued. “I remember she looked really sad a lot of the time, even when she was smiling and telling me that she was fine, but at night, when no one was looking, I would hear her crying from her room.” Frisk said.
“It was about a week later when she woke me up early one morning and said that she needed to take me somewhere." She said. “She had packed me a suitcase. I was so confused at his point so I asked her where we were going, all she told me was that it was someplace safe. After that she didn’t talk at all.”
"When we got there the sun still wasn’t up." Frisk continued. “I remember I recognized the building, and even though I was still confused, I remember feeling dread when I realized we were standing in front of an orphanage.” She said. “I didn’t want to believe it though, and I remember tugging on mom’s sleeve trying to get her to leave with me, to go back home. But she refused.” Sans felt his shoulders sag as he figured out what Frisk was telling him. This monster woman, who had taken her in, and had given her a taste of an actual home, was abandoning her. Yet, despite this the kid seemed to still call this lady her mother. That confused Sans. Did Frisk really still see this woman as her mother figure? Even after she had left her all alone?
“She hugged me and told me that this was for my own good, and that a nice human family would come to get me soon, and that I would be safe with them.” Frisk continued. “Then she left.” Frisk was quiet for a while as she took a moment to get her anger and her hurt under control. She could tell that her eyes had gone glassy from revisiting the unhappy memory, but she angrily blinked back the tears. She refused to cry in front of Sans.
“I um, stayed there for a year.” She continued. “I thought that she might come back for me, but she never did, so then I ran away again, and now here I am.” Frisk finished shyly, not sure if she wanted to chance looking back to Sans quite yet, as she was sure the emotion was still raw on her face. She really didn’t know why she had decided to tell him about all of this, heaven knew she hated remembering it, but she guessed that if the two of them were ever going to trust one another then they would have to be more open with each other. Frisk decided that she didn’t mind taking the first step. She just hoped that now that Sans knew all of her secrets, maybe, just maybe he wouldn’t be so suspicious of her anymore; And perhaps, they could even be friends?
Sans sat silently at the kitchen table, not sure what to do or even say. He took a sip of his coffee in an effort to give him a moment to think, and to also possibly provide him with some level of comfort. It had gone cold.
“That’s not a real happy story there kid.” Sans finally replied. Frisk let out a light forced laugh in hopes of distracting him from the awkward tension that was now forming between them, as well as from her state of mind.
“Ya… sorry.” She replied. “I guess that really isn’t what you want to hear first thing in the morning.” she continued, as she sheepishly rubbed at the sleeve of her shirt.
“I’m glad you told me anyway.” Sans continued as he got of his chair and made his way around to Frisks side of the table.
“I know it wasn’t easy for you to say it out loud.” He said before placing a hand gently on her shoulder and giving it a light squeeze.
“Look, Frisk.” He said suddenly, averting his gaze guiltily to the floor.
“I haven’t really been that great to you since you got here.” He began. “And I want to apologies for being a real numb-skull to ya.” He said, flashing her shy, apologetic smile. Frisk eyes widened in slight shock before she immediately turned to face Sans.
“You don’t have to apologies for anything.” She exclaimed sternly. “You had every right to be suspicious of me I was a stranger in your home. After all if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have gotten to experience such great things.” She continued, not breaking her determined stare that she held over Sans.
“I got to go shopping with Mittsy, go to the movies with Papyrus, and play the piano with Undyne, and that’s all because you let me stay. All of you have been nothing but good to me.” She replied firmly, refusing to budge on the matter.
Sans just stood stunned at Frisks determined resolve. The blue blush returning to his cheek bones once again. Slowly a smirk started to spread its way across his face. Again the kid wasn’t letting him apologies, Jeez she sure could be stubborn huh?
“Well all in all buddy, I still want to apologies, Sans replied “Heh, you could say it would really take a load off of my back bone.” He said with a wink and a grin as he extended his hand toward Frisk.
“So whaddya say, pals?” Sans continued. Frisk stared dumfounded at his open palm for a moment, before her eyes lit up like stars and she eagerly moved forward to accept his offered handshake.
“Friends.” She replied happily flashing sans a sweet smile. Sans sighed inwardly as he took in her happy face, what the heck was he getting himself into?
A moment later, Mittsy arrived at the skeleton’s apartment, and rapt on the front door. Sans jumped slightly as he quickly withdrew his hand and went to go let her in.
“Heya Mittens.” He greeted her casually.
“Hello Sans.” Mittsy replied, smiling back and returning the gesture. Sans then hesitated in front of the door for a moment, not able to bring himself to let the mouse monster through. Maybe this was a bad idea after all. Maybe he should change his mind about Mittsy taking the kid out with her. What if she actually convinced Frisk to stay? If that happened Frisk would eventually find herself in a whole lot of trouble. It was only a matter of time till the other gangs found out who she was, after all this wasn’t a matter of if, it was a matter of when.
“You gonna let me in bone head or are we just gonna stand in the hall all day?” Mittsy said with a smug smile as she raised an eyebrow at him. Sans grip on the doorknob tightened briefly, before he released it and finally stepped to the side, allowing Mittsy to enter.
“Ya sure,” Sans replied as his shoulders fell forward, giving in to Mittsy’s request. “Kid’s all ready for you.” He said as he gestured to Frisk at the kitchen table by tossing a thumb over his shoulder in her direction.
Mittsy smiled brightly when she saw Frisk sitting at the table and quickly moved across the apartment to go and greet her, but as she passed Sans she placed a hand momentarily on his tense shoulder.
“You worry too much Sansy.” She said quietly, flashing him a sympathetic smile. “ Everything is going to turn out fine.” Sans let out a breath, and also let himself relax.
“Heh, thanks pal.” He replied with an appreciative smile. Mittsy was right after all, there was no point in him worrying about this until the kid had made her choice. If she still wanted to leave like she had originally planned then no harm no foul, and if she wanted to stay? Well… if it came to that maybe he could make use of that little bargain they had made when she had first came to stay with them. Granted Sans did not feel like he had held up his end of the deal for the pact to still be in effect, but he knew that the kid still thought so, and if he knew anything about Frisk, it was that she was a women of her word.
At that thought Sans felt a sharp pang of guilt stab at the side of his skull. He didn’t want to manipulate Frisk like that, but he knew that it was for her own good, and hopefully it wouldn’t even have to come to those kinds of measures. Frisk was smart after all; she knew it was a big risk to stay with the monsters. She knew what she had to do in order to survive in this city.
Sans forced on his best smile as he watched Frisk follow Mittsy out of the apartment. Maybe he should just be straight forward with the kid when she got back. She was a big girl, she could handle it. Heaven knows that she had been able to make it through a hell of a lot more than the average Jane doe in this city.
The kid had also finally let him in; she had told him all of her secrets. Maybe he should return the gesture and do the same, sit down and have a real heart to heart with her. Sans grumbled as he sat on the couch and buried his face in his hands. Or maybe he could just get Papyrus to do it? His brother was way better at dealing with these sensitive matters then he was anyway. Sans huffed at himself disregarding that thought as soon as it crossed his mind when he realized how selfish and cowardly it was. No, the kid deserved to hear it from him. He owed her at least that much.
Sans let out a heavy sigh when he had finally come up with a decision. As soon as Frisk got back from her job with Mittsy, he would tell her that she couldn’t stay. He would make her understand, and if it came down to it he would use her honest nature against her and bring up their bargain, and force her to go. He knew it would probably mean the end of there just beginning friendship, but if it meant that she was kept further out of harm’s way, well then that was a sacrifice that he was willing to make.