Butting heads
Over The next few days Frisk was an anxious mess as she waited for Mettaon to contact her about the details of the meeting with Alico. Sans had started easing his way back into work again, but he still wasn’t fully recovered quite yet, so he only worked for a few hours at a time and the jobs that were assigned to him usually required little to no physical exertion.
Frisk's schedule was still sparse however, and now that Sans was well on his way to being fully mended, she found that she didn’t have a lot to do as he didn’t need her to look after him as much. In fact Sans had grown very distant from Frisk as of late. She had noticed that he wasn’t as open with her as he had been before, and now he was very insistent that he take care of himself. He would now re dress his own wounds, even when Frisk knew that he still struggled quite a bit with re bandaging his ribs. She knew from personal experience how difficult it was to get the bandage tight enough without straining or twisting the damaged area, but even when she offered a helping hand Sans was adamant that he could do it himself. It confused Frisk to be honest, but she suspected that it may be a pride thing, or maybe Sans was just tired of being cooped up in the apartment and was anxious to get back to a full work schedule? Somehow however, Frisk really didn’t buy that explanation as she was sure that Sans would be perfectly content with the idea of staying comfortably on his couch for as long as he possibly could.
Frisk had now just finished cooking up a late lunch for Sans and herself. She decided to keep it relatively simple as she made grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup. She also hoped that the offered meal would encourage Sans to warm back up to her, and help him to get out of whatever rut he was currently stuck in, as she knew that tomato soup was his favorite. She had even made sure to include an ample helping of ketchup on the side of Sans’ plate as an added incentive.
“Hey thanks kid, looks great.” Sans said when he made it to the table.
“How did work go today?” Frisk asked pleasantly as she took her own seat across from him. Sans shrugged.
“Not too much to report on, still just menial tasks.” Sans replied as he dunked the corner of his sandwich into his ketchup.
Silence then surrounded the two as they both continued to eat their lunch. It wasn’t like their usual comfortable silence either, and Frisk huffed inwardly in frustration as she tried to come up with another topic of conversation. It seemed though that every time she offered something up, Sans would only reply with a curt answer or short response that ultimately left the chat in a dead end. Eventually Frisk gave up and focused on her meal, giving in to the uncomfortable quiet.
Sans peered over at Frisk from his plate. In truth he had something that he needed to talk to her about, something that had been eating up the majority of his thoughts for some time now, but he was reluctant to do so. She probably wasn’t going to like what it was that he was going to say, but it was for the best. Sans wasn’t exactly sure how to initiate the conversation, so he cleared his throat in an effort to break through the silence and get Frisk’s attention.
“Um, hey Frisk, I um actually have something important to talk to you about.” He began, and Frisk perked up in interest.
“Oh, ok then.” She answered. Sans rubbed at the back of his neck while he worked up his nerve.
“So things are uh, getting a bit more dangerous around these parts as of late, with the Gambino’s and all…” Sans said chancing a look over at Frisk, who was still listening to him intently. He sighed inwardly, deciding to just get this over and done with quickly.
“Look kid, I’m gonna be frank with you. Grillby’s may not be the safest place for you anymore. I think that until things get sorted out you should go and stay with Toriel out in the countryside.” He explained. Frisk stiffened in her seat, and then her brows furrowed angrily.
“No.” She replied flatly, and Sans clenched his jaws at her stern response. He had known that she wasn’t going to like the idea, but he wasn’t just going to back down on his decision.
“Frisk listen ….” But Frisk cut Sans off before he could finish making his case as she swiftly got up from her seat and brought her dishes over to the sink.
“I’m not going.” She repeated with her back turned to him. Sans sat in silence for a moment, before his own sockets narrowed in annoyance.
“The Gambino’s know you’re here Frisk.” He stated harshly. “It will only be a matter of time before they try something.”
“They know you’re here to, and you’re not leaving.” Frisk shot back.
“Kid that’s different –“
“No it’s not!” Frisk argued. “I am just as much of a Pansy as you are Sans! This is my fight to!”
“Frisk please, Ludo has a personal vendetta against you. He won’t stop until he gets even.” Sans tried to explain. Frisk just let out a huff in response.
“So what?” She said. Sans felt his anger start to build.
“So what? Kiddo, do you not understand what he’s capable of?” He snapped.
“Of course I do!” Frisk shouted back. “I had a front row seat to see firsthand what he’s capable of, and then I almost got to see it happen again with you!” Sans sat shocked for a moment as Frisk continued to seethe in front of him. He hadn’t meant to bring up those old wounds again.
“I’m sorry Frisk.” He said as he turned his gaze away. “You’re going and that’s finale.”
“You can’t make me!” She spat back.
“Yes I can.” Sans answered calmly. “You’re my underling, and what I say goes.” Frisk was actually stunned by his comment for a moment, before her anger broiled into a full on rage.
“You’re such a fucking hypocrite!” Frisk shouted as she slammed her hand down on the counter. “And Sans snapped his head back up at her foul language. “You said that you wouldn’t treat me like your employee! You said that things didn’t have to change!”
“Well that was then and this is now.” Sans replied curtly. Frisk then began to feel desperation settle heavy in her stomach as she realized that Sans was really serious about his decision.
She couldn’t go, not only because he didn’t want to, but because if she got shipped out to the countryside then there was no way that she would be able to make her meeting with Alico, and if she didn’t get that information then she might as well kiss the next five years of her life goodbye.
“I can’t.” She then said, and Sans raised a brow bone as she no longer sounded angry with him, but now she sounded almost afraid.
“Kid it won’t be forever.” He said as he offered her up a smile as a means of a truce. “Just until things calm down a bit and then you can come back, and things will be just like how they used to be.” Frisk only shook her head.
“I – I can be useful to you.” She stammered, trying to find a way to change Sans’ mind. “I can help you find out who the monster working for the Gambino’s is.” She blurted out.
Frisk then bit her tongue when she realized what she had just let slip out. Sans sat in stunned silence as he processed what she had said. Then his sockets narrowed threateningly when he realized her blunder.
“How do you know about that?” He asked her darkly, and Frisk averted her gaze as she starred hard at the floor.
“Frisk?” He questioned, and though his voice was calm Frisk could sense his anger lurking right behind his words.
“I overheard.” She answered meekly.
“Overheard?” Sans repeated. His tone more than encouraging her to elaborate.
“I …. Purposely overheard.” Frisk corrected herself as she began to tug on her shirt sleeve nervously from under Sans’ heavy stare.
He was quiet for a moment, and then let out a frustrated huff as he pinched the bridge of his nasal cavity between his phalanges.
“Kiddo, tell me you didn’t.” He sighed, and Frisk rushed to defend herself.
“I just wanted to help!” She stated. “You never tell me anything that’s going on! How am I supposed to do my part as a Pansy member if you keep treating me like an outsider?” Sans then slammed his fist down on the table, effectively shutting her up.
“I don’t tell you things because it isn’t your place to know them! God dammit Frisk, do you know how much trouble you could have gotten yourself into if you had been caught eavesdropping?!” He shouted. Frisk didn’t respond as she continued to look shamefacedly at the floor. Sans let out a huff when he realized he wasn’t going to get an answer out of her.
“Fine. It doesn’t matter now anyway.” He said as he got up from his chair. “You’re still going to go stay with Toriel. I suggest you start packing. I’ll be arranging it with Asgore tomorrow, and calling her to pick you up in the afternoon.” He continued as he began to make his way to his bedroom.
“I can’t leave Sans.” Frisk then said, practically begging him at this point, and Sans stopped in his tracks before he let out a sigh. “You don’t understand.” She pleaded.
“What is it that I don’t understand?” Sans asked her wearily. He was getting tired of fighting her at this point. Frisk bit her lip as she knew that she couldn’t tell Sans everything, but she needed to make him understand that she could not leave the city.
“I have a meeting with Alico.” She said, and Sans turned back toward her, his brow bones furrowed in confusion.
“Asgore told me that he suspended your negotiation work until further notice.” He stated, but Frisk only shook her head.
“Asgore didn’t make the meeting.” She replied and Sans was silent, before he slowly took a few steps back toward her.
“Then who made it?” He asked her firmly, and Frisk turned away.
“I can’t say.” She responded. Sans grin grew taught across his skull as he brought himself closer to her. Frisk tried to back away, but she ended up bumping into the kitchen counter behind her.
“You can, and you will tell me what is going on.” He demanded. Frisk stubbornly shook her head.
“I gave them my word.” She said quietly, but Sans was in no mood to let her off the hook that easily.
“I don’t care.” He responded sternly, and Frisk shrunk further in on herself.
“I signed a contract.” She then said, and Sans eyes snapped open in surprise.
“What were the terms?” He ordered.
“I meet with Alico, get the information about the monster working for the Gambino’s, and the other party remains nameless. If I don’t deliver, then I repay the debt by working it off for five years.” She explained solemnly. Sans took a step back, before he leaned his weight on the table top in disbelief.
“You stupid little girl.” He growled under his breath, and Frisk furrowed her brow at the comment, but did not dare to speak out against it as she was nowhere near brave enough to challenge Sans when he was this furious.
“Heh, I guess you’re really not giving me a choice here.” Sans continued with a dark sounding chuckle.
“Fine have it your way pal. You can stay till your meetings over, but right after that you are going with Toriel regardless if you get the info or not, and if you fail don’t come back to the city.” Sans cautioned as he threw an ominous glare over his shoulder at Frisk. “I won’t let you screw yourself over like that, so if this meeting doesn’t go as planned you will run and you will hide and you will stay the hell away from Ebbot, capiche?” Frisk didn’t respond as she continued to stare at the floor, while she desperately clutched at her sleeve. Sans continued to hold his dark sockets over her, before finally huffing in anger and turning away.
“I’m gonna go lie down.” He then said as he left Frisk alone in the kitchen.
She remained there stiff and silent for a while after he had gone. It took her a few moments to get her nerves back under control as she knew that if she made a move she would probably end up bolting across half of the city thanks to how much adrenaline was currently coursing through her veins, but she finally managed to steady herself as she let out a slow wobbly breath. She then turned around to the kitchen cupboards, before she grabbed the kettle, a mug, and a tea packet. She added some honey to her mug as she waited for the water to boil, and then she sat back down in her seat as she sipped at her beverage now alone.
She wasn’t really sure what to do with herself after what had just happened. She was honestly still having trouble processing it, but she knew that she couldn’t make that promise to Sans to run away if things didn’t go as planned. She wouldn’t tell him, but she had given Mettaton her word, and she had no intention of going back on it. Even if Sans hated her for it, she would be the one to pay the price for her actions. Frisk would never let anyone else ever take on that burden again.
-----------------------------------------------
Sans was an emotional wreck after he had learned of Frisks little secret plan. He was furious with her, and at the same time terrified for her. What the fuck had she been thinking signing a contract? And the absolute worst part of it all was that Sans had no idea who she had made the deal with. Frisk was adamant about keeping her silence as it had been part of the apparent negotiation. For all he knew it could have been with someone even worse than Ludo, it could have been with the god damn devil himself!
But, even if Sans did know who it was, it wasn’t like he could do much about it. Frisk had already agreed to the terms and had signed her name away. The very best possible scenario that Sans could hope for at this point was that Alico had the name of the monster working for the Gambino’s. Sans chuckled darkly to himself at that realization as for the last few weeks finding out who that monster was had been the most important thing to him, but now when he realized what that information might cost him, he really didn’t want to know anymore.
Sans grumbled as he pulled himself out of bed from another sleepless night. He felt guilty about yelling at Frisk, but honestly how else was he supposed to react to news like that? He wanted to help her, he wanted to make sure that this meeting had the highest chance at being successful, but Frisk refused to tell him anything. He had tried numerous times to talk to her again, to convince her to let him in on this operation, but she insisted on being a stubborn little brat, and rejected all the attempts that he made.
What hurt the most was now Frisk was pointedly ignoring him. Whenever he tried to even just say hello she wouldn’t respond. It stung, and it made him all the more frustrated. She was the one who had gone behind his back! She was the one who had broken the rules, and yet she was the one giving him the silent treatment?! How the hell did that make any sense?! Sans grumbled as he made his way out to the living room. Papyrus was humming a happy tune in the kitchen as perusal, and Frisk had her eyes locked in a book about flowers while she sat on the couch.
“Morning.” Sans said emphatically in Frisk’s direction, but she only buried her head further into the book’s pages.
Sans grumbled in irritation as he rolled his eyes and shoved his hands in his pockets, before he sauntered away. Fine if that’s how she wanted to play then he would indulge her. He would find out who it was that she had made the deal with on his own whether she wanted him to know about it or not. He would personally fix this mess that she had gotten herself into, even if she was going to fight him on it every step of the way. Sans sneered at her from over his shoulder as he passed by the couch, before he fixed his face into his usual happy mask. Yup, he wasn’t going to let her take on this burden alone no matter how much she fussed, kicked, or screamed in protest.
And so that’s how it went. Things were normal when Papyrus was around, as both Frisk and Sans kept up their poker faces as to not worry the younger brother, but when Papyrus was away at work, leaving only Sans and Frisk alone in the apartment, it would become unnervingly quite as they each were playing the waiting game. Sans was keeping a very close eye on Frisk and she found it exceptionally difficult to escape from his sights, especially since both of them didn’t have work. Frisk knew he was waiting for her to slip up again, to reveal something about her secret contact, and honestly Frisk was starting to grow afraid that he might actually become successful as she had no idea when Mettaton was going to contact her, and she wasn’t even sure if the phone at Grillby’s was safe to use.
She debated about sneaking out and meeting with Mettaton personally to explain the new predicament that she was currently in, but she was sure that the short skeleton brother would follow her.
It was getting tiring to say the least, and Frisk was almost at her breaking point. She had already read through the flower and houseplant care book that Asgore had lent to her three times, and still Sans wasn’t giving her so much as an out. Man it annoyed her how patient he could be. She honestly just wanted to walk over to his smug form sitting nonchalantly at the kitchen table with his stupid paper and his stupid coffee, and scream in his ear hole to just leave her alone already. However, right when the idea was beginning to get too tempting for Frisk to deny any longer, a knock sounded on the front door of the apartment.
Frisk cocked an eyebrow, and briefly sent a questioning look over to Sans. He merely shrugged in response signaling that he hadn’t been expecting anyone. Frisk huffed as she got off of the couch to answer it, knowing Sans was too much of a lazy bones to be bothered. Though she didn’t mind all that much, at least it would provide her with a decent distraction.
When Frisk opened the door she froze. Mettaton was standing there in the hallway, smiling at her cheekily.
“Why hello darling.” He said in a phony pleasant tone. As soon as Frisk had managed to shut her gaping mouth, she quickly leapt out into the hall and began shoving the robot back toward the staircase.
“Hey! What are you doing?!” Mettaton demanded angrily.
“You need to leave now!” Frisk answered as she continued to push him.
“What? No! I came all the way down here to go over the details of your meeting!” Mettaton snapped back, before firmly pushing Frisk away from himself, and brushing off his crisp white suit. “The nerve! Even when I came here in person!”
“You don’t understand! You can’t be here!” Frisk tried to hastily explain.
“And why not?” Mettaton retorted.
“Hehe, well buddy that probably be because I’m here.” Frisk grimaced as Sans smug voice sounded from behind her. Mettaton stiffened where he stood as Frisk turned around to see the short brother lazily leaning his weight against the open apartment door.
“Don’t worry though, I know how to play the part of a good host so why don’t you come on in Mettaton?” He said, and though the message sounded friendly, Frisk and Mettaton both knew that it wasn’t a suggestion as Sans continued to hold the door open for both of them.
Frisk and Mettaton were now both sitting sheepishly on the green couch as Sans prepared some tea for his unexpected guest. Mettaton threw a nasty scowl over in Frisk’s direction when he saw that sans had his back turned.
“I should have known better then to make a deal with the likes of you!” he hissed under his breath. “Your word really is as worthless as dirt.” Frisk narrowed her eyes in response.
“I didn’t tell him that you were involved! You were the one who stupidly showed up out of the blue!” She whispered back.
“Has no one ever heard of a dramatic entrance before?!” Mettaton grumbled almost to himself. “Well excuse me for wanting to keep a close personal eye on my investment. I had a feeling that you couldn’t be trusted, and now I know that I was right to assume so!” He said as he rubbed at his temples. “Why is he hear anyway?”
“I live here buddy.” Sans said as he rounded the corner. His smug smile growing wider at the distressed look on the robots face when he had been caught talking behind Sans’ back.
“But Thomas my attendant, he said that this was Frisks address! He said that he delivered the flowers here!” Mettaton questioned confused.
“Well your attendant got it wrong. Frisk’s room is down the hall.” Sans replied smartly. “But I suggest we move on from your little mix up, and get down to some more serious business.” Sans then said as he passed Mettaton his tea. Mettaton took the drink, but turned his nose up at Sans in response.
“I haven’t the slightest clue as to what you are talking about.” He said. Sans chuckled and leaned forward in his seat, before fixing his dark sockets on the robot sitting across from him.
“Oh but I think you do pal.” He said darkly.
“Sans back off!” Frisk then spoke up, earning a look of surprise from both Sans and Mettaton.
“I’ve already told you that this doesn’t concern you.” She continued. Sans narrowed his sockets at her in irritation.
“Well seeing as how we’re all sitting here together in my apartment I beg to differ.” Sans shot back. “Now Mettaton I think that it would be best if we call this whole thing off, and then each of us can get back to our own happy lives.” Mettaton rolled his eyes at Sans comment.
“Believe me, after this catastrophe I would love to do just that, but I have already arranged the meeting.” He said.
“Then cancel it.” Sans replied. Mettaton furrowed his brow, insulted that Sans would even suggest such a thing.
“I can’t just cancel on Alico! Do you know how many strings I had to pull to get an audience with him? If I do that my reputation will be ruined!” He screeched.
“Not my problem pal.” Sans shrugged back, and Mettaton scowled at him.
“Well I believe that it is your problem. If Frisk doesn’t go to that meeting then I will instate her contract, and she will no longer be an asset to the Pansies.” He replied smugly as he flaunted the folded document tauntingly in front of Sans’ face. Sans narrowed his eyes at the robot threateningly.
“And I don’t think that Asgore would be too happy to know that he lost his only human contact because of your negligence.” Mettaton added with a self-satisfied little snip of a smile. Sans clenched his jaw together tightly as he starred down at Mettaton.
“Mettaton I have no intention of backing out of this meeting.” Frisk then interjected. “Maybe instead of fighting each other we can help each other instead. After all we all want the same thing here.” Frisk turned her steady gaze over to sans.
“Please Sans, this is the only lead that we have, and you know that the Pansies are desperate for this information. I am the only one that can talk to Alico. He doesn’t like monsters, but I’m a human, I can get him to trust me.” She continued earnestly.
Sans inwardly sighed as he carefully searched Frisks determined stare for any faults. He already knew that he wasn’t going to be able to get her to change her mind.
“Fine.” He reluctantly agreed. “I’ll go along with your little plan, but only if you tell me absolutely everything.” Mettaton huffed as he crossed his arms in reluctance.
“This wasn’t a part of the deal, but I suppose I don’t have much of an option at this point.” He said.
With everyone now on the same page, Frisk explained the details to Sans. She told him how she had come across the information regarding Alico as a client of the Gambino’s, and though Sans actually agreed with Mettaton that the gamble was a risky one, he had to admit that the lead was worth looking into. It wasn’t like he had come up with any better ideas anyway.
“Alright well I’m on board with this on most points.” Sans said after Frisk had finished her explanation. “But I really don’t like how Frisk is so out in the open during this exchange. If she is meeting with Alico as a separate party from the Pansies, then she basically is going in there with no backup or outside protection from the gang.” Sans continued, stating his concern. “And who’s to say that Alico wasn’t the one who told the Gambino’s about the fact that the Pansies were using a human contact in the first place? He could very well already be playing the Pansies and the Gambino’s against each other without us realizing it in order to get a better priced product.”
“Well even so what’s your point Sans? Frisk still has to meet with him, she has already agreed to these risks.” Mettaton retorted.
“If you want me to cooperate, then the kid isn’t going into that meeting alone.” Sans replied firmly. “I want Alico to see that she has at least some protection in case he gets any wise ideas.” Mettaton rolled his eyes.
“Alright then, who do you suggest accompanies her?” He asked sarcastically.
“Well I’m free.” Sans said with a sideways smirk.
“Sans no, the whole point of me meeting with him on my own is so that the Pansies won’t directly be involved if word reaches the Gambino’s. If you’re there then it defeats the purpose.” Frisk argued. Sans only shrugged in response.
“Well then I won’t be a Pansy member either just tell him I’m extra security you hired because you’re afraid for your safety or something.” He suggested
“Will that even work?” Mettaton questioned suspiciously.
“Sure why not? Fancy pants doesn’t like dealing with monsters remember? So I’ve never even met the guy before, he won’t know who I am.” Sans explained
“This sounds too risky.” Mettaton added dryly.
“Tough.” Sans replied shooting Mettaton with an annoyed glare. “You want me to cooperate, those are my terms.”
“Fine.” Mettaton huffed. “But if things don’t go as planned, don’t come crying to me about it.
“Alright now that that’s settled, Mettaton why don’t you tell us when the meeting is?” Frisk said, cutting off Sans’ most likely smart response in hopes of deterring further arguments. Mettaton held his scowl over Sans for a moment more, before finally letting out a sigh as he prepared to reveal the details.
“You will be meeting at Alico’s hotel the bouton d'or in roughly four days. He is expecting you to join him for dinner, he said that he was looking forward to seeing you again after such a long time.” Mettaton explained and Sans’ eye sockets narrowed at the relayed message, not at all happy with the casual tone that it seemed to hold. Frisk only nodded in response.
“Ok then, we have some work to do.” She said.
“I’ll say.” Mettaton added smugly.