Friend or foe
Asgore fiddled with the small self-standing portable mirror that he normally kept in his office desk drawer as he struggled to focus on his reflection while attempting to center his tie. He had called a meeting between the other leaders of the monster organizations in Ebbot city and the Pansies for this afternoon, in light of the threat of the Gambino’s rising empire, which was currently affecting them all. He was hoping to form an alliance, and if they all agreed, then the monster run organizations would have a chance at fronting the Gambino’s advancements for at least a little while, but that was only if things went well. He furrowed his brow in annoyance when again his tie didn’t sit straight after he had finished trying to fix the knot.
“Oh damn it all.” He huffed out frustrated, before he undid the uneven garment hanging under his shirt collar to try again.
“You were never really any good at that.” a voice giggled from the entrance way. Asgore immediately turned to the sound. His eyes wide with surprise when he was confronted with Toriel, standing just inside his office.
“Toriel! Uh, what brings you here?” He managed to ask. He was entirely confused by her presence, but also a little bit delighted as well. Toriel walked forward bringing herself directly in front of him. She then reached forward and shyly grabbed one of the loose ends of Asgore’s tie.
“May I?” She asked, and Asgore nodded as he was sure that if he tried to speak his answer, his voice would betray him and break under the weight of his nervousness.
Toriel then proceeded to expertly loop the satin black fabric over itself, before tightening the centered knot snugly under Asgore’s bearded chin and flattening his collar.
“There, now you are ready for your meeting.” She said happily, pleased with her handy work. Asgore cocked his head to the side at her statement.
“You know about my meeting today?” He asked, surprised that she had somehow managed to find out about it.
“Yes.” Toriel answered a little sheepishly. “It was why I decided to come visit you today. It seems that you can take the women away from the mobsters, but you just can’t take the mobster out of the women.” She then said with a slightly forced laugh.
Asgore just stood silent as he waited for Toriel to continue. He had known her long enough to understand when she had something on her mind that she needed to talk about. Slowly Toriel’s smile slipped away as it was replaced with a more serious visage.
“Asgore.” She then spoke, her voice also betraying her inner turmoil. “Arn’t you angry with me at all?” She asked him. Asgore was shocked by her question as he quickly rushed to answer her.
“Of course not Tori, how could I be angry when I was the one who pushed you away?” He stated adamantly. Toriel only shook her head in response.
“You were not the only one at fault here Asgore ….I admit that before, I believed that that was the case, but now I realize that I am also as guilty it seems.” She said sadly. Asgore’s eyes furrowed in grief as he didn’t understand what it was that was plaguing her so.
“Please Toriel, tell me what is wrong?” He asked her. Toriel turned away from him before pausing by his desk as she built up her nerve.
“I met with Undyne the other day.” Toriel then said, and Asgore stiffened before his shoulders slumped in defeat, already knowing what was implied by Toriel’s statement.
“Toriel please, don’t hold that against her. She is not very good at controlling her temper. I’ll have a talk with her, I promise this won’t happen again…” He began, but Toriel again shook her head, cutting him off.
“No no, it was good that she confronted me.” She explained. “She made me realize that my own actions weren’t any better than yours. They were selfish and also misguided by my own grief and anger. Asgore I still do not condone what you did, but I am also guilty…even if I believed that what I was doing was right at the time, I realize now that simply running away was a cowardice thing to do. I should not have left the Pansies in such a state, it was my responsibility as their first lady to provide support during that trying time, and keep the organization from falling apart….I should have kept you from falling apart.” Toriel paused, her eyes down cast in guilt and shame as she finally admitted to her mistakes. Asgore remained silent he had no idea what to say his jaw locked firmly in place by his shock.
“I want to offer you my assistance again, I believe that I am ready to atone for my sins, and if you will have me I would like to repay my debt to the Pansies and stand by them once more to fight our way through this war with the Gambino’s.” Toriel continued.
She raised her gaze to him once again, now her eyes were alight with a strong resolve. Asgore was paused in astonishment, before a smile of disbelief worked his way onto his face. He lifted his hand, wanting to reach out and stroke Toriel’s cheek as he had longed to do since the day that she had left him. Toriel stepped away however, before he could, blinking in surprise at his action.
“Oh Asgore, I’m so sorry. I did not mean to cause a misunderstanding.” She then said awkwardly. “I-I wish to return to the Pansies, but I do not think I am ready to ….” Asgore’s smile faded again as he slowly retracted his hand.
“No, no.” He then said, waving of Toriel’s apology. “It was my fault. I jumped to conclusions, please forgive me. I did not mean to make you uncomfortable.” He stated tactfully, while hiding his disappointment.
“The Pansies will be honored to have you back.” He then finished. Toriel nodded in thanks and appreciation, but she still felt guilty for the blunder.
“I am willing to start immediately if you wish.” She said. “I have been preparing myself for this meeting, and am quite confident that I can assist you in convincing the other gangs to form an alliance with us. That is if you would want my company.”
“I wouldn’t dream of anyone else’s.” Asgore replied, accepting her offer.
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Frisk cocked her head to the side in question, encouraging Joey to explain himself further as she stood with her arms crossed firmly facing him in the alley way. Joey huffed and scuffed his shoes over the cobblestones briefly.
“Look doll, I don’t feel exactly right coming to you about this. I know it’s risky for you as well, but see I’m at the end of my rope here.” Joey paused and glanced at her sheepishly, Frisk waited for him to build up his nerve to continue.
“You see, I need some help it seems. The Bannaccis have ended up signing on with the Gambino’s thanks to those soul smokers of theirs, and well work really isn’t too pretty anymore, and definitely not what I signed up for. To put it plainly, I want out.” He said. Frisk blinked at him in surprise, not expecting anything like this at all.
“How exactly am I supposed to help you?” She asked.
“Well, I know that this is a bit of a long shot, but I was hoping that maybe you could get me an audience with Asgore, or one of your monster pals at least.” He said. “I know that the Bannaccis and the Pansies haven’t exactly been allies in the past, but I figure if you put in a good word for me then maybe they could give me some protection, or perhaps a way out of the city.”
“You’re in real trouble aren’t you?” Frisk asked, her brows furrowed in concern. Joey averted his gaze, clearly betraying how uncomfortable he felt about asking her for help. She knew then how desperate he really was.
“Look if you can’t do anything then its fine. I don’t want you to have to go out on a limb for me…” Joey began, but Frisk cut him off before he could finish his nervous muttering. She grabbed him by his wrist and tugged him further into the alleyway.
“Let’s talk more on the roof tops. It’s safer there.” She said as she led him to the back wall. “Just follow me.”
Frisk then hopped up on a dumpster, before jumping and grabbing on to a low hanging rail. She then shimmied her way up ward using a narrow ledge of a boarded up window as a foot hold, before grabbing on to the base of an old corroded fire escape landing which looked to be in serious need of some attention. She swung herself up to its platform from there. Joey looked up at her from the ground impressed.
“Uh….. I don’t think that I’m gonna be able to do that.” He said as he tried to trace the route that Frisk had taken with wary eyes. She smirked down at him before she released the rusted ladder of the fire escape from its fastened clamps. The metal screeched a little from its lack of use as it slid downward, before the ladder planting itself right at Joey’s feet.
“How’s that?” Frisk asked him smugly from her perch. Joey nodded.
“Yeah, that works fine.” He said as he began to climb up toward her.
When they made it to the roof where Frisk had previously been watching the market, she decided to probe Joey further. If she was really going to bring him to the Pansies then she had to know what it was that he was running from.
“So, what has you so spooked? She asked him. Joey averted his gaze again and cleared his throat briefly, clearly still a little prickly about the subject.
“Well uh …I’ve always known that getting into this business I’d have to get my hands dirty in some respect.” He began to explain. “But see, I never expected that the Gambino’s would be able to buy out the Bannacci’s loyalty like they have, and well…” Joey then cleared his throat again, a look of actual horror crossed briefly over his eyes as he turned away from Frisk in shame.
“There ruthless Frisk.” He then said. “And it’s not even aimed at other mob members, cuz everyone who gets involved in one organization or another, they all accepted that risk you know? It was like an understanding if you killed a guy from another organization in a struggle. It was understood as part of the business. It was accepted by both parties, because we all signed the contract to live our lives to the code of kill or be killed. But the Gambino’s, they go after civilians. They go after people who never made that choice, who never signed that contract and it ain’t right. I can’t just go after innocent people like that.”
Frisk nodded sadly in understanding as anger sparked in her soul. She had heard about the recent attacks on the monster civilian neighborhoods under the protection of the Pansies. The Gambino’s were flaunting their power, trying to intimidate the monster gangs in to submission, and all at the price of the innocents who should have never been involved in the murderous game that they were playing.
“I just….I just want out.” Joey continued. “Before they want me to do something that I won’t be able to live with myself for doing.” He was silent after that, still refusing to meet Frisk’s eyes.
“I might be able to help you.” She said, gaining his attention back. “I know some people that have some authority in the Pansy organization, and I might be able to convince them to take you on … but I can’t grantee that.” Frisk clarified while holding Joey’s gaze with a serious stare. “Your connections with the Bannacci’s may be seen as to much as a threat to them, and my friends are good people but…”
“But there also mobsters.” Joey finished for her.
“Are you sure you want to take this risk?” She asked him, fixing him with a very concerned gaze. He let out a dry sounding chuckle in reply.
“I really ain’t got much of a choice as it stands doll face.” He said. Frisk nodded and smirked back at him, deciding to let the flirtatious comment slide this time.
“Ok well, I can talk to them tonight and meet you back her to give you a verdict ….”
“No.” Joey said sternly. “I- I can’t go back. Their already suspicious of me, and I’m pretty sure that the answer will be no if we go about it the safe way. I need to speak to your friends in person.” Frisk stiffened.
“If I bring you back with me, they might just kill you.” She said, her voice small and fragile. Though she had never really liked confronting this reality, she knew that the Pansies were mobsters. They had most likely taken many human lives, and Sans was not an exception to that truth. Joey nodded, expecting as much.
“I’m uh, going all in on this round.” He said while attempting to pull on a charming smile, but it quickly fell apart thanks to the very serious topic at hand.
“If you do take me back with you, will you be put in danger?” He then asked her, and Frisk shook her head.
“No, I might get into a bit of trouble. I’ll probably get yelled at ….a lot, but they won’t hurt me.” She answered. Joey studied her face, not breaking away until he was absolutely sure that she wasn’t lying to him.
“Ok then.” He said, standing up and taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. “I’m ready to meet with your friends.” Frisk also stood up.
“This way then.” She said as she began leading Joey over the rooftops, back toward Grillby’s and the skeleton brother’s apartment, this time taking a bit of an easier route.
Instead of the living room, Frisk decided to take Joey in through her bedroom. She helped pull him in from the window to her tiny living space. He knocked a few of her plants off of the sill as he struggle to shimmy his way through. Joey was a panting, disheveled mess when he had finally made it inside.
“Sorry about the flowers.” He said, and Frisk waved him off as she picked up the plants.
“It’s ok, they’re tougher then they look.” She said. Joey awkwardly made his way forward while looking around at Frisk’s little bedroom.
“Umm, it’s a nice place you’ve got.” He said.
“Thanks.” Frisk replied as she made her way to exit the room.
“So uh, your friends… are they here now or…?” Joey began to ask.
“No, they aren’t back yet but they will be soon.” Frisk said. “You should stay here until I get a chance to talk to them first. It’d probably be a good idea if I can ease them into this situation.” She continued, while suppressing the grimace that tried to work its way on to her face when she thought about exactly how she was supposed to explain this turn of events to Sans. She already knew that he was not going to like this, not one little bit.
“Oh yeah, good idea. I’ll uh, just stay put then.” Joey said as he nervously shuffled in place, before gradually taking a seat on the end of her bed. Frisk smiled at Joey encouragingly. she could practically taste the fear radiating off of him.
“Don’t worry they can come off as intimidating, but they’re nice people. Umm, Papyrus is really pleasant actually, he will probably warm up to you rather quickly, and well Sans ….” Frisk paused as she tried to think of something positive to say. “He likes bad jokes, so if things look grim try for humor.” Joey only cocked his head in slight confusion, but then nodded in understanding.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He replied.
“I’ll be back soon.” Frisk then said before she made her way over to the main apartment, shutting her bedroom door behind herself. She took a seat on the sofa while she battled for control over her nerves. This was definitely not going to be easy, but she was determined none the less to help Joey. She owed him one after all.
Time ticked forward, even slower than it had been that morning, but now Frisk dreaded every second that slipped away, bringing her closer and closer to a most likely very unpleasant confrontation. She sat bouncing her knee impatiently while waiting for the brothers to get home. She hoped that Papyrus would be the first to arrive as she was pretty sure that she could get the younger brothers sympathy fairly quickly, and if Papyrus was on board, then it would be much easier to convince Sans…although she was already honestly certain that even with the younger skeletons help, Sans was still going to pose as a challenge.
A few more minutes passed in relative silence, before Frisk heard footsteps making their way down the hall, before a key turned in the lock of the front door. She held her breath for a moment as she snapped her head to the direction of the sound, silently praying that she would be lucky for once.
To her disappointment however, as the door opened it was revealed that it was Sans who had made it home first.
“Heya sweetheart.” He greeted her affectionately, with a tired looking smile as he steadily made his way into the room. Frisk furrowed her brows a little in concern. He looked pretty warn out, more so then usual as he sluggishly sauntered toward her and the couch.
“Long day?” She asked him as she stood from her seat. He chuckled dryly at her question.
“Yeah, guess I’m out of practice with this whole work thing.” Sans replied, before he gently reached out and settled an arm around her waist, pulling her in for a brief embrace, while he placed a quick peck to her forehead. Frisk blushed, still a little unused to the tender gestures that he would surprise her with.
“Well if that’s the case, why don’t you lay down for a while and rest a bit before Papyrus gets home? I’ll put the kettle on for some coffee.” She suggested, deciding that she would try to buy herself more time to allow the younger brother to be present when she revealed that she currently had a mobster hiding in her bedroom. Sans shrugged in response as he continued to hold her and nuzzle his nasal cavity into her hair, taking another moment for himself to block out reality with her sweet sent.
“That does sound very tempting.” He then said as he eyed the couch with almost a look of longing. Frisk smirked, happy that he had taken the bait.
“Go on, you relax.” She encouraged, pushing him slightly toward the couch.
“Heh, well if you insist.” Sans said, not fighting her in the slightest as he prepared to make himself comfortable, but then a loud crash sounded from down the hall. Frisk felt her heart instantly drop into her stomach as Sans stiffened and straightened up.
“What the hell was that?” He questioned out loud, before he quickly began making his way back towards the door. Frisk stumbled over herself as she attempted to cut him off.
“I’m sure it was nothing, probably someone getting too rowdy in the bar downstairs.” She said, hoping that Sans would buy her excuse.
“No, it came from your room. Frisk stay here and lock the door, I’m gonna go see what’s up.” He said, leaving the apartment without missing a beat. Frisk scrambled after him.
“Wait!” She called out desperately, trying to think of a distraction.
“Kid what did I just say? Go back to the apartment and lock the door!” He demanded, his tone serious, but Frisk darted around him and blocked his path.
“Just wait for one second.” She pleaded, Sans raised a very confused eyebrow at her.
“He’s a friend.” She then said, and Sans’ sockets narrowed.
“He who?” He questioned. Frisk’s tongue tied itself into a knot as she tried to come up with an answer that wouldn’t make him angry.
“Umm.” She fumbled, and Sans huffed unimpressed.
“I’ll just go and see for myself.” He said as he pushed passed her to her get to her bedroom.
“Sans hold on please!” Frisk called, trying to get in front of him again, but Sans held her back and out of the way as he roughly shoved open her bedroom door.
By the base of Frisk’s window, Joey was bent over a broken flower pot. It looked like he was in the middle of trying to clean up the mess, before he found himself frozen and looking into the hollow dark eye sockets of a grinning skeleton type monster. Sans also stood stunned in the doorway, not really sure what to make of the scene.
“Uh sorry, I just thought that I should close the window.” Joey then said.
His comment seemed to snap through the tension, and Sans immediately called his magic forward, his eye bursting to life as he swiftly surrounded the intruder in his extended hold, before slamming him roughly down on the floor. Joey let out a grunt of pain when he made contact with the hard wood floorboards.
“Oh buddy, you got a hell of a lot of nerve.” Sans growled, before taking a heavy step forward toward the would be assailant, but Frisk dashed around him again and held out her arms in a defensive stance, not allowing him to get any closer.
“Sans stop.” She demanded, and Sans was taken aback a bit by the urgency present in her voice. “Let him go!” She continued.
“Kid are you crazy!? He just broke in to –.”
“I told you he’s a friend.” Frisk stated adamantly. “He didn’t break in, I let him in. I brought him here.” She explained. Sans was silent as he looked her over. He grit his teeth together in his building anger.
“Why.” He asked her plainly, and Frisk shuffled a little under the weight of his very stern glare.
“He needs help.” She stated meekly. Sans let out a frustrated huff in disbelief, before turning to the still pinned mobster behind her and giving him a once over.
Sans hadn’t even met the guy formally yet, and he already knew that he didn’t like him. By the quality of his clothing, he seemed to have been doing pretty well for himself, which probably meant that he was high up on the food chain in whatever organization that he was involved with.
“Alright pal, who are you and where are you from.” Sans ordered, easing up on his magic a little to allow the mobster to answer him. Joey sighed in relief as the pressure began to dissipate.
“Joey, Joey Moretti.” Joey managed out. “I used to be affiliated with the Bannaccis.” Sans raised an eyebrow when he heard the name of the human gang.
“They’re not exactly friends of ours. What makes you think that you’d be welcome here?” Sans continued darkly, but frisk was quick to intervene when she noticed his tone growing more menacing.
“Sans please, just let him go he isn’t a threat! We can all talk this out like civilized people” She urged. Sans grumbled under his breath, not at all wanting to comply with Frisks request. He let out a growl in annoyance, before he flung the mobster over to Frisk’s bed and released him. Joey hit the wall roughly before he crumpled over the mattress.
“You. Stay. Put.” Sans said to Joey, emphasizing his words with sinister black sockets. “And you …” He then continued, turning his angry gaze to Frisk. “You come with me. We have to have a chat.”
Frisk didn’t even get a chance to protest as Sans grabbed her wrist roughly and tugged her along behind him out of her bedroom to the empty hallway. He then released her, and took a few paces away from her, his shoulders tense with his hands shoved firmly into his pockets. Frisk swallowed thickly as she waited for him to speak. She could already feel how furious he was as he faced away from her, his anger obviously continuing to build.
“I thought we agreed that you weren’t going to be pulling anymore stupid shit like this kid.” He said in a dead flat tone. Frisk willed up her nerve as she unknotted her tongue to answer him.
“I couldn’t just leave him….”
“Yes you could have, AND you should have!” Sans cut in sharply, while he spun around to face her again. “God dammit Frisk! I leave you alone for one god damn second and when I turn back around your taking in wayward mobsters like they’re stray kittens! Do you think we are running some kind of shelter here?! He’s from the Bannaccis for crying out loud! How could you have possibly thought that this was a good idea!” Sans voice had raised as he vented out his frustrations. Frisk flinched a little at his volume as Sans was almost yelling at her at this point.
“How do you even know that you can trust this guy huh?! Last I checked the Bannaccis signed up with the Gambino’s! How do you know that this isn’t just some ploy to get you out in the open so Ludo can get his hands on you?!” Sans continued furiously.
“If he wanted that then I would have already been taken!” Frisk shot back, tired of playing the role of punching bag. “Look I already know that you’re mad. I knew that you were going to be mad the moment that I decided to bring him here.”
“Then why the hell did you?” Sans spat.
“Because I owe him!” Frisk answered firmly. Sans sighed angrily as he pinched the bridge of his nasal cavity, willing himself to calm down. He was having just the worst day today.
“What do you mean you owe him?” He asked.
“He stuck his neck out for me a while back. He was the one that warned me that my work for the Pansies was getting attention. He was the one who told me that the human gangs were looking for me. If it wasn’t for him I might have ended up dead without even realizing that I was drawing attention to myself! He could have just sold me out if he wanted to, but he didn’t.” Frisk explained.
“So what, he’s calling to collect?” Sans said with a sneer. Frisk rolled her eyes, getting really tired of his attitude.
“No.” She replied flatly. “He’s desperate. He wouldn’t have come to me if he had any other option. He just wants to get out.” Sans continued to stand unimpressed in front of her.
“Sans…” Frisk then said tempering her tone. Just talk to him please, I know that he isn’t a Pansy member, but he was the closest thing that I could call a friend when I was on my own.”
Sans then let out a frustrated huff, realizing how trapped he inevitably was in that moment. He wasn’t sure if Frisk had caught on yet, but Sans had. He already knew that he wouldn’t be able to deny her what she was asking of him. In fact, he was pretty sure at this point that he could deny her nothing. She already had him wrapped around her little finger and she hadn’t even realized it.
“Fine.” Sans said dully. “I’ll talk to him, but other than that I’m not making any promises. If things get to risky then that’s it, he’s gone understand?” Sans declared, trying to fight for at least a little control. Frisk nodded firmly in response.
“That’s all I was hoping for.” She said.
Joey sat on the edge of Frisk’s matters as he waited for her and her incredibly frightening skeleton friend to return. He heard them arguing out in the hall. He couldn’t really make out what it was that they were saying, but by the tone of Sans angry voice it didn’t sound too good. Joey let out a breath of nervous air as he began to twiddle his thumbs while he waited. Suddenly the heated discussion going on in the hallway stopped, and for a moment everything was quiet again. Then the door to the small bedroom was firmly pushed open as Sans stood with very annoyed and almost disappointed looking eye sockets trained right in Joey’s direction.
“You should have run while you had the chance pal.” Sans drawled dully as he stepped in to the room. Joey tensed at the threatening words, before Frisk sharply jabbed Sans in the ribs with her elbow. Sans flinched a little at the hit before rolling his eyes in her direction.
“What? If he had then I wouldn’t have to deal with any of this nonsense, now I’m stuck with this bozo.” Sans continued with a shrug.
“Not funny Sans.” Frisk scolded harshly.
“Who said I was trying to be funny?” He shot back, before eyeing Joey once again.
“So slick, what’s say you and I booshwash a bit and maybe you can elaborating a little more on exactly what it is you want from me and my friends.” Sans suggested. Joey nodded as he stiffly stood up from his seat.
“Sounds peachy.” He replied while trying to keep up a confident smile as he followed Frisk and Sans to the door.
The three made their way to the main apartment where they settled in the living room. It wasn’t a pleasant conversation. It was tense, like if everyone had a weapon pulled on everyone else in an iconic western standoff film scene.
Sans kept his wary sockets pinned to Joey. He didn’t trust the guy, not only because Joey was a former Bannacci member, but also because he seemed to be dodging a lot of Sans questions when it came to asking what exactly it was that he was running from. Sans noticed that whenever he brought up the subject Joey’s lips would stiffen up, and then the mobster would quickly flick his gaze over to Frisk as if he was afraid of reveling something in her presence. Sans realized that if he was going to get anything out of Joey then he would have to question him in a more exclusive setting.
Frisks presence was proving to be interfering with his interrogation in more ways than one. Sans also had to admit that he was holding back because she was watching. He didn’t want to scare her, or show her the ugly side of himself that came with the business of his work, but if he wanted to stop running around in circles Sans knew that his only option was to stop wasting time and just get to the point.
“Hey kid, I think it’s about time that you hit the hay.” Sans said, still not taking his sockets off of Joey.
Frisk bit her tongue, stifling her protests as she silently agreed and stood from her seat. She didn’t like the idea of abandoning Joey, and leaving him to face Sans’ judgment all on his own, but she also knew that Sans had not been making a suggestion when he had told her to leave. Though Frisk knew that Sans was still very angry with her, she did have to admit that he was taking all of this fairly well, considering she had just surprised him with an unknown mobster hiding in her bedroom. She had enough faith that he wouldn’t be too hard on Joey, well at least she hoped that he wouldn’t be.
“Have a good night.” Frisk then said while making her exit.
Sans only grunted in response. He was still pretty miffed at her about making yet another mess that he was now in the process of cleaning up. Joey tensed when he realized that he was about to be left alone with the threatening monster sitting across from him. He cleared his throat and turned in Frisk’s direction.
“Uh thanks for doing all of this doll face. I really do appreciate it.” He said with a tone that displayed as much genuine gratitude as he could muster.
Sans sockets narrowed as soon as the comment left Joey’s mouth however. Doll face? He did not like that. Just how long had Frisk and this schmuck known each other anyway? Frisk paid Joey’s flirtatious remark no mind, as she offered him up a reassuring smile instead of scolding him, hoping that it would lend the mobster some courage for his face off with Sans.
“Any time.” She said simply.
When she was gone Joey turned back to face Sans once again. The skeleton still had him pinned in his dark sockets and kept him squirming there for a good few minutes. Then suddenly Sans got up from the sofa before slowly making his way over to the kitchen.
“You want a drink?” Sans asked as he dug an unmarked bottle out of the very back of the pantry.
“Uh please.” Joey replied politely as Sans returned to the living room with the booze and two glasses. Sans then placed one of the glasses in front of Joey and one in front of himself before he filled them both quite generously with liquor.
“So….” Sans then drawled, retaking his seat. “Frisk said that she use to work with you, that true?” He asked. Joey nodded.
“Yeah she used to be a favorite contact of the Bannaccis.” He replied.
“That how you two became friends?” Sans continued.
“Uh, well we weren’t exactly friends to be honest, more acquaintance like I suppose.” Joey said. “We really only ever interacted when she was making a drop off.”
“Huh.” Sans said. “So you weren’t even friends and yet you didn’t tell your boss about who the Pansies contact was? Surly you would have been rewarded for finding the girl that everyone else was looking for. Sounds like a wasted opportunity to me buddy.” Joey paused, not realizing that Frisk had already told Sans about him.
“Well I may be a mobster, but that doesn’t mean I’m heartless.” Joey answered coolly, realizing that sans was trying to bait him for more of a reaction.
“That why your running now?” Sans then said. “Your heart get in the way?” Joey pursed his lips in response.
“Look pal, I know that you’re keeping something hidden and if you’re not talking because you want to keep in Frisk’s good graces, she ain’t here right now in case you haven’t noticed. Besides, what you really should be concerned about is staying in my good graces, because unless you start talking and tell me the real reason why you’re running then you arn’t gonna be able to run any further.” Sans explained harshly. Joey was silent for a few more moments while he fidgeted in front of Sans. It didn’t take him very long however, to realize that he really didn’t have much of a choice when it came to the skeletons request.
“I’m guessing that you already know that the Bannaccis have been bought out by the Gambino’s thanks to those smokers of theirs.” Joey began, and Sans nodded. “Well it wasn’t long before the Gambino’s learned of my past connections with Frisk. I didn’t realize that Ludo had placed a hit on her until after he showed up one night and began asking me how to find her. I was able to lie for a little, said I didn’t know where she was, but then he wanted me to make an appointment with her, like a trap to lure her out in the open. I tried to stall but Ludo called bull shit, and then gave me a deadline. That deadline was up about three days ago, and well, you know why they call them deadlines don’t you?”
“So you ran instead of handing her over?” Sans questioned, and Joey nodded in response.
“Why haven’t you told her all of this? Sans asked.
“It wasn’t her fault. I didn’t want her to feel like she was responsible for me, but I had to take the chance and ask for her help regardless. It was either maybe get killed by you Pansies, or definitely get killed by Ludo, and even if it was too much of a risk for you guys to take me in I knew at least you would have finished me off quickly, Ludo would have taken his time.” Joey explained.
Sans strummed his fingers over the armrest of the couch as he continued to study Joey’s expression. Dammit, he had been hoping that Joey had been hiding something far more incriminating, like maybe a murder or a betrayal, something that would have tarnished the heart of gold that the mobster seemed to own, but from the looks of things now Sans didn’t have a good enough reason to hate the guy, even though he really, really wanted to.
“Alright pal.” Sans said after letting out a weary sigh. “I’ll bite.” Joey blinked.
“Really?” He asked.
“Yeah, I’m as surprised about this as you are, but well you know what they say about being friends with your enemies enemy, and right now we could sure use all the friends that we can get.” Sans said. “But if you really want our help you’re gonna have to sweeten the deal a little.”
“Sweeten how?” Joey asked.
“You were working alongside the Gambino’s. That info could be useful to the Pansies.” Sans explained. Joey paused for a moment to deliberate Sans asking price before he sighed, giving in to his demands.
“Fine, but I’m only talking after you Pansies deliver on your end of the bargain, when I’m safe and sound and out of the city.” He said. Sans shrugged In response.
“That’s fair enough.” He replied. “Course it may be a day or two till I can get you an audience with Asgore, he’s currently swamped with meetings trying to figure out how to deal with the Gambino’s and their smoker busin ….”
“Whoa whoa, I can’t go back out there. I won’t last another day.” Joey began to protest. Sans chuckled in response.
“Relax pall, I ain’t kicking you to the curb…yet. I also gotta make sure of that goody two shoes character of yours before I take you to see the boss, but make no mistake buddy. I ain’t running no charity here. One slip up and you’re out on your ass got it?” He warned.
“So uh, that’d be no ifs ands or butts then.” Joey said. Sans just stared at him entirely confused for a moment until he realized that Joey had made a very poor attempt at a pun.
“Wow.” Sans replied to Joey’s weak joke. “Let me guess, she told you to humor me didn’t she?” Joey cleared his throat before averting his eyes sheepishly in regret and shame.
“She may have hinted at it.” He said. “I’m…really not too good at being funny.”
“Haha, no shit.” Sans laughed. He then leaned forward and picked up his glass. “Here’s to dealing with each other’s company.” He said, raising his drink in a gesture of cheers.
“Till we’re rid of each other?” Joey replied, following suit.
“Till we’re rid of each other.” Sans agreed. Both of them then leaned forward clinking there glasses in the middle of the coffee table.