Finding common ground
The next morning Sans found himself at the kitchen table as perusal. His brother was cooking breakfast while humming a pleasant tune, and Joey was also present much to Sans distaste. Instead of his usual cup of morning coffee Sans was sipping at a sea tea as he was nursing a major hangover thanks to his indulgences the other night, but other than that the morning was just as any other….well except for one detail, Frisk had still not made an appearance yet.
“I WONDER WHAT IS KEEPING FRISK? SHE IS NORMALLY NEVER THIS LATE FOR BREAKFAST, IT MAY GET COLD IF SHE DOES'NT HURRY UP.” Papyrus said a look of concern briefly flashing past his eye sockets. Sans shrugged in response.
“She probably just wants to take advantage of her time off and sleep in for once.” He said, lying through his teeth as he knew the real reason why she hadn’t come out of her room yet, which most likely had to do with the conversation that they had been having the other night and his very very poor response to her more then surprising statement. Sans internally cringed at the memory.
He hadn’t expected it, for her to just come out and say that out of the blue. Sans didn’t really remember exactly how he had replied as the shock sort of short circuited his inebriated brain leaving him flying on auto pilot, but he knew that he had basically said something along the lines of “gee that’s swell” before bolting out of the room.
“SANS THAT IS WHAT YOU WOULD DO LAZY BONES! FRISK WOULDN’T JUST LOUNGE AROUND AND WASTE THE DAY LIKE THIS, IT IS UNLIKE HER.” Papyrus responded, his voice laced with worry again.
“Bro everybody needs some down time every once in a while, just let her rest for a little yeah?” Sans said, hoping to subdue his brothers fretting and allow Frisk to have a moment of privacy.
He knew that if she wasn’t coming out of her room then she wanted to be left alone. A twinge of guilt formed in his soul at the thought. She must really be upset if she wasn’t even able to show her face at the table and it was his fault. He knew he needed to go and talk with her and sort everything out, but with so many prying eyes around that wasn’t so simple a task. He would have to wait for a more private moment, maybe when it was dark again. Though he didn’t really like the idea of making her wait so long, he also had to admit that he still didn’t have any idea as to how to respond to her. Even now when he was sober, and after he had spent the majority of the night thinking about it, he still had no clue what to say.
“Hey I can go and check on her if you want?” Joey suggested, and Sans’ easy smile twitched at his offer.
“Sorry there pal, but you’re booked for the day.” Sans then said, and Joey tilted his head in confusion.
“Turns out I got that audience with Asgore you wanted so badly, so you’ll be tagging along with me.” Sans explained smartly, a smug smile growing on his face as he watched Joey blink in surprise.
“Wait really? He’ll see me?!” Joey asked.
“Yup, I got a call earlier this morning.” Sans replied as Toriel had kept to her word and had contacted him when she was able to finalize the details with Asgore. “Turns out you’re a real lucky duck pal.”
“JOEY, YOU’RE MEETING WITH THE BOSS, WHATEVER FOR?” Papyrus asked confused and Joey fumbled a little as he tried to come up with an excuse, but Sans beat him to the explanation, already having a story in mind.
“Well Ms. Tori felt bad about him having trouble finding work Paps, so she thought she would arrange a little... Interview for our new friend here, see if he can get a job in the Pansies.” He clarified. Papyrus’ eyes immediately lit up at the idea.
“WOWIE! THAT SURE WOULD BE SWELL JOEY, THEN YOU CAN COME OVER TO VISIT WHENEVER YOU LIKE!” He exclaimed.
“Uh yeah, that’s a nice offer Papyrus, but first I gotta make a good impression.” Joey said as he absentmindedly scratched at the stubble on his chin.
“OH NONSENSE JOEY, YOU’LL DO GREAT.” Papyrus said enthusiastically.
“Heh, yeah pal, Asgore really isn’t the judgmental type when it comes to appearances. You goat nothing to worry about.” Sans added.
“SANS DON’T START!” Papyrus scolded sternly when he registered the pun.
“Alright, alright.” Sans said, raising his hands defensively. “We gotta get a move on any way.” Sans then finished the last of his sea tea before folding up his paper.
“common slick, we got a busy day ahead of us.” He added turning to Joey, as he knew the sooner he left the apartment the sooner he would get rid of his new roommate. Joey only nodded before he rose from his seat to follow Sans out the door.
Sans slowly sauntered his way down the hallway before heading toward the staircase to the bar below, which was already busy with patrons. Joey paused at the top of the stairs when he heard the chatter and laughter of monsters wafting up from the tavern. Sans turned back to him and quirked a brow bone.
“What’s the hold up?” He asked.
“Um nothing really, but do you think that it’s ok to be heading out that way?” Joey said as he shuffled nervously in place. Sans chuckled.
“Well I know that you have more of a preference for sneaking in and out of young girl’s bedroom windows and all, but the front door also works perfectly fine.” Sans replied with a shit eating grin. Joey frowned in response.
“I mean since I’m human, and well isn’t this the main watering hole of the Pansies? I don’t think they’ll take too kindly to my type down there.” Joey clarified and Sans shrugged.
“You worry too much pal. I mean sure they’re probably not gonna like ya, but they aren’t gonna jump up and skin you alive either, at least not while I’m there. Just don’t give them a reason to pay you any attention.” He said
“I’m pretty sure being human in a place like this is enough of a reason.” Joey grumbled and Sans smirked.
“Huh, ya I guess your right about that one buddy.” He replied smugly.
Joey followed closely behind Sans as they descended into the busy bar below. He didn’t want to admit it, but he knew that the shorter skeleton was his only real protection in this place, and he wasn’t entirely confident that Sans wouldn’t just throw him to the wolves if given the chance. He kept his eyes down cast, not wanting to be confronted by the suspicious stares that he could already feel glancing his way as the laughter and chatter slowly died when his presence became noticed. He could feel his heart rate beginning to speed up at the sounds of angry whispers circling around him as the patrons tried to decipher what a human like him was doing on their turf.
Joey managed to keep fairly calm as he knew that he would only have to endure this for a little bit longer, just a short walk to the front door and then he would be free of the threat hanging heavy over him like a rain cloud. Sans however, seemed to have a different idea in mind as he suddenly veered off course sauntering instead over to the bar top. Joey froze confused for a good few seconds as he tried to figure out if he should just run to the exit or keep following Sans. In the end he ended up scrambling after the skeleton as he was pretty certain he wouldn’t make it past the hordes of monsters on his own. Sans settled back in his usual seat, and Joey reluctantly joined him on the stool next to his.
“I though you said we had a busy day ahead of us?! What are you doing wasting time?!” He hissed at Sans under his breath.
“Relax slick, your appointment with Asgore isn’t for a couple of hours, we got plenty of time.” Sans answered easily, his grin growing wider. Joey blinked a few times in silence as his frustration steadily started to build.
“Then why were you so insistent on leaving!?” He demanded. Sans chuckled, obviously finding delight in Joey’s discomfort.
“I was feeling a little thirsty.” He replied before waving over to Grillby. When Grillby approached he immediately gave Joey a once over before turning directly to Sans and raising an eyebrow.
“Oh heya Grillbs, this here is Joey, he’s one of Frisk’s friends.” Sans said answering Grillby’s silent question.
Grillby’s other eyebrow then shot upward in surprise, before he turned back to Joey and proceeded to look him over more closely. Joey shifted in his seat, a little uncomfortable at the fire elemental's intense stare.
“Uh pleased to make your acquaintance.” He then said before offering Grillby a hand in greeting.
Grillbys didn’t make a move to accept Joey’s gesture however, only his stare shifted downward to Joey’s extended hand. Joey felt himself start to sweat as the flame elemental continued to stand stoic before him. He was just about to retract his hand in regret and embarrassment, when Grillby suddenly accepted his offer and shook Joey’s hand in return. Sans smile shrunk just a tad at Grillby’s verdict, but he supposed that his friend’s judgment was correct. Even if Joey was a pain in his side, he wasn’t a bad guy after all.
“Heya grilbs I’ll take a gin. What do you want pal?” Sans said, interrupting Joeys sigh of relief.
“Oh uh I’ll just have a rum on the rocks please.” He said Grillby nodded and then swiftly turned to retrieve their ordered drinks.
“Yo Sans!” A bird type monster shouted from the other end of the bar. His cheeks and tip of his beak painted red by the amount of booze that he had been drinking. “Did you go out and adopt another pet?! Just how many humans are you planning on taking in? I thought that this was a monster only bar!”
Joey stiffened in his seat at the bird’s chirp as Sans rolled a lazy pin prick over to the rowdy monsters direction.
“Heh, don’t get your feathers all ruffled friend, this ones just visiting.” He replied smartly, and a few of the other patrons snickered at Sans snappy comeback. The bird monster however scowled in return, not at all amused by the skeletons good natured lark.
“Yeah well isn’t that what you said about the last one? Said she would be out after a month wasn’t that the agreement? And look how that turned out the vermin’s still here!” The bird continued to screech.
Sans and Joey both then turned their attention more fully toward the rambling drunkard.
“Easy there Pauly, she’s one of us and you know what they say about birds of a feather.” Sans replied in an attempt to settle the other monster down in a peaceful manor. The other patrons didn’t chuckle at his joke this time as they were too focused on the building tension. The bird monster however appeared not to give Sans’ warning any mind as he merely huffed in response.
“One of us yeah right, that’s probably the best joke you’ve ever told Sans HA!” Pauly laughed. “If you ask me Asgore shoulda threw her out on her ass a loooooong time ago. That or maybe he should just sell her over to the Gambino’s and buy us their mercy.” Joey straightened up at the birds comments and was about to stand from his seat, but Sans reached back and placed a heavy hand on his shoulder, dissuading him from doing so, his own sockets going dark in the processes as he held them pinned on Pauly.
“Friend, I’ve been trying to play nice here but I am really not liking what you are implying, so I’m gonna be more direct. If you keep going the way you are now you’re gonna have a bad time.” He warned, a chilling lilt to his tone.
The rest of the monsters in the bar went silent at the presented threat while they observed the scene more closely. Even Grillby had placed down his polishing rag as he waited to see if he would need to retrieve his metal bat.
“I’m not implying anything!” Pauly retorted. “I’m saying it out loud and crystal clear, all you know what I’m talking about, all of you are thinking the exact same thing!” He continued turning toward the rest of the room trying to rally some support. Unfortunately for him however no one complied.
“Ah you’re all just a bunch of cowards, afraid to anger Asgore or his lackey here!” He snapped as he glared at Sans, who was now about ready to get up off of his comfortable bar stool and slam the feather brains beak into the bar counter, but before Sans could do just that another patron stood up. The rest of the bar snapped their attention over to Doggo as he slowly stalked forward from his seat among his pack to the offending bird monster. Doggo then grabbed Pauly by the back of his collar before dunking his beak roughly into his beer glass.
“The girl is a Pansy member, which means that she is one of our own, and any talk of selling her out to save our own skin is traitor speak. Hell, I know most of us here have a price on our heads, does that mean we should start selecting members to sell to the coppers so we can get better funding?” He began to lecture as he held the birds head down. Pauly tried to struggle to break free, his beak completely submerged in his beer glass.
“I suggest you quit your squawking, finish your drink and get the hell out.” Doggo barked before finally releasing his hold on Pauly.
Pauly’s head shot up as he gasped for breath, but he didn’t stay up for long before he fell off of his bar stool and passed out cold on the floor from his over indulgences mixed with exhaustion. Doggo then turned back around and made his way back to his seat, shooting Sans a nod as he did so. Sans almost missed it as he was still processing what exactly had just happened.
After Doggo sat back down among his pack the bar fell back into its regular swing. Easy chatter again filled the room and Grillby continued on with polishing his glassware in-between pouring drink orders.
Sans swirled his gin around as he leaned his weight over the counter top. He slid a pinprick over to Joey who was still sitting fairly stiff as he carefully sipped at his rum. Sans debated briefly if he should just let the guy off the hook already, after all even he could admit when he had taken a joke too far. He finished his drink off in a single swig before planting the glass firmly on the bar top.
“Whelp that just about hits the spot, let’s go.” He said, and Joey was eager to follow suit as he too very quickly finished his drink and stood from his seat. Sans couldn’t help but smirk at his readiness as he led the way through the bar toward the exit, but not before buying a round of drinks for Doggo and his pack.
“Just put it on my tab Grillbs.” Sans said as he walked away. Grillby only sighed not really all that surprised as he began preparing the tray of beverages for the table of dogs.
Sans sauntered up to the Buick parked on the side of the road before hoping into the driver’s side. Joey claimed the passenger seat, glad to finally be out in the sunlight again and not surrounded by angry monsters in the dimly lit bar.
“Buckle up.” Sans said as he started up the engine. “And uh, also put this on for me.” He added as he passed Joey a worn out canvas sack. Joey eyed the bag confused before turning to Sans.
“You’re serious?” He asked and Sans sighed.
“Either you do or I do pal.” He said and that was all the warning Joey needed as he accepted the bag and threw it over his head. Sans raised a brow bone a little in surprise. He had been expecting a bit more of a fight, but then again maybe that’s only because Frisk had made it so damn difficult the first time. He supposed not all humans were as stubborn as she was, but he also had to admit that that was one of the things he liked about her even if it drove him crazy on most occasions.
The first few minutes of the trip were painfully silent. Sans tried his best to just concentrate on driving as Joey tried to preoccupy himself by twiddling his thumbs while he sat blindfolded in the passenger seat. Soon however the uncomfortable quiet wore him down. Joey then cleared his throat.
“So….did uh, you mean what you said in the bar back there, is Frisk really one of you? I mean a legitimate Pansy member that is.” He asked. Sans shifted his pinpricks over toward him. It was a little hard to tell where exactly Joey was going with this, especially with that bag over his head.
“Yeah I meant it. If she wasn’t a member she woulda left a long time ago as it stated in her contract when she first joined.” He said. Joey was quiet after that and Sans’ curiosity began to grow.
“It seems to me that you weren’t expecting that answer.” He probed and Joey shrugged from next to him.
“Well to be honest no.” He said before he let out a brief chuckle. “It’s funny actually.”
“What is?” Sans asked.
“Well I take it that you know what her life was like, back before she joined up with you guys, you know when she was on her own?” Joey began.
“Yeah, she’s told me a bit about it.” Sans answered.
“Back when she did occasional jobs for the Banacci’s I actually offered her an in, but she turned me down, and then the next thing I know she’s gone. Then I find out she’s running with a monster gang. At first I thought she just got into some trouble or something, but it seems that she’s actually made a place for herself among all of you.” Joey explained.
Sans hummed in response, deciding to not elaborate about how exactly Frisk had come to originally join up with the Pansies. He was fairly certain that Joey didn’t need to know all of those details.
“I’ll tell you though, that furry guy with the snarl, I wasn’t expecting him to do what he did.” Joey continued with a laugh. “Do all of the Pansies see Frisk that way, as a comrade?”
“Well there’s always gonna be a stick in the mud like Paully, but for the most part yeah she’s basically a friend to everyone, Doggo’s one of her more surprising allies to be honest." Sans explained.
“Wow.” Joey replied. “She really is something else.”
“Heh, you can say that again.” Sans said, but mostly to himself.
“To tell you the truth I was planning on trying to take her with me away from the city.” Joey then said and Sans grip tightened just a little bit on the steering wheel. “I was hoping to also bargain for her freedom, before I knew that she was actually accepted here.”
“What’s stopping ya now?” Sans asked, keeping to his usual care free character, and Joey sighed dejectedly.
“Well the fact that she’s happy here for one thing. I thought that she was just being used as a pawn, but then her mother’s a monster, and not to mention one of the higher ups in the Pansies organization. You and your brother and all her other pals, they’re like her family aren’t they?” He asked.
“Something like that I suppose.” Sans replied.
“Yeah, someone like me who’s got nothing and no one really can’t compete with that.” Joey said and Sans actually raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“She wouldn’t be any safer with me honestly. I once thought that she would be, but that was just my own wishful thinking.” Joey continued. “You’ll uh, you’ll keep a good eye on her yeah? I mean I know it’s already your job and all, and I know I really got no standing to ask anything of you, but it would give me a little bit of peace to know that someone really is looking out for her in all this craziness.” Sans paused for a moment, a little impressed by Joey’s sudden sincerity.
“Sure, no problem pal.” He replied. Joey then sat back and breathed a silent sigh of relief.
“Alright good, uh thanks.” He said.
“The rest of the ride was fairly quiet after that, though it wasn’t anywhere near as uncomfortable as it had been at the beginning.
When they got to the warehouse Sans pulled up next to the building before hopping out of the driver’s side and walking around to open up Joey’s door.
“Just watch your step.” He warned as he led Joey toward the warehouse with a hand on his back.
“That’s a little hard to do when blindfolded.” Joey replied and Sans chuckled a little at his comment.
When they entered into the building Undyne was already there sprawled over the couch as she stared bored up at the ceiling. Her yellow eye shifted over when she heard the new arrivals enter in through the front door. She briefly looked over the human with the bag over his head before she hoisted herself up off the couch and stretched a little then she made her way across the room to Sans.
“Taking a break from a busy day?” Sans asked as she sauntered up to him.
“I wish.” She replied. “It’s been nothing but boring meetings all day long I would kill for a little action right about now.” Undyne then shifted her one good eye over to Joey who flinched, somehow able to sense her penetrating stare from under his hood.
“This the guy that’s friends with the punk?” She asked Sans.
“Yup, this is him.” Sans answered easily, Patting Joey on the shoulder. Undyne shrugged.
“Damn, I was hoping you brought me someone else that I could at least ruff up a bit. It’s no fun when they cooperate.” She said as she headed back toward the couch.
“Heh, sorry pal I guess that’s were you and me disagree, means less work in my opinion.” Sans replied and Undyne rolled her eye.
“You would say that.” She said as she flopped on the couch again. “Asgore’s in his office waiting for you. Fair warning though he isn’t in the best mood, the other leaders are proving to be difficult and keep trying to work in extra angles for their own benefit.”
“Huh, that’s unfortunate.” Sans said.
“Yeah, ticks me off. It’s like they don’t even realize the threat the Gambino’s possess, and they have all lost monsters to those smokers, so there’s no excuse for them to be trying to barter for more. I wish Asgore would just whap some sense into them already.” Undyne continued, her eyes narrowing in anger. “It’s bad enough that I have to play nice with Toriel, I wish I could let out some steam on those whiners.”
“Hmm, well I appreciate you sitting in for me, I know this isn’t your ideal assignment, but uh I’ll be able to take over again soon, just gotta handle a few more lose ends.” Sans said as he began to lead Joey forward to the staircase.
“Yeah, I’d say take your time, but I’m not sure how much more of this big wig talk I can take. I don’t know how you put up with all this nonsense, I’m about ready to pop.” Undyne replied.
“Heh, it’s not always easy.” Sans shrugged before he ascended to the next floor, leaving Undyne behind on the main level to enjoy what was left of her short break.
As they approached the office the annoyed muffled voice of Toriel could be heard wafting in to the hallway from behind the door accompanied by her fevered pacing.
“Oh the gall of those ingrates! Demanding that we relinquish parts of our territory for their co-operation, it’s ludicrous!” She exclaimed angrily.
Sans winced slightly. It seemed that the meetings were going worse than he had expected. He then turned to Joey and removed the sack from his head. Joey blinked his eyes a few times as they adjusted to the light again.
“You ready slick?” Sans asked as they continued to stand outside the office door. “Joey took in a nervous breath before he nodded.
“Heh good, just let me do the talking.” Sans said as he moved forward and rapped a knuckle on the great wood door.
The pacing paused for a moment only for the sound of Toriel’s clicking heels to move more purposely toward the doorway instead. When the door opened Toriel stood before the two of them, not in her usual floral cottage attire and sun hat, but instead in a sharp tailored purple blazer and pencil skirt. It seemed she was fitting quite well into her old roll as she almost appeared like a whole other person, though her stern expression softened a bit when she was confronted by familiar faces.
“Hello Sans.” She greeted with a tired but genuine smile. Her eyes hardened again when her gaze shifted over to the mobster standing next to him. “Joey.” She mealy said in acknowledgment with a bit of an aloof tone before she turned away to lead the two of them into the office.
Joey’s charming smile that he had pulled on in preparation to her welcome quickly fell away as he turned to Sans in question. Sans hung back a little as to quickly whisper an explanation for Toriel’s cold shoulder.
“She’s not exactly thrilled about being conned by your nice guy act.” He said and Joey winced, dread building on his already tense shoulders.
The two stepped forward, Sans taking the lead as Joey fell in step behind.
“Heya boss, heard things aren’t going so good with the other bosses.” Sans said as he threw a casual wave over to Asgore.
Asgore sighed before turning around in his massive arm chair. He looked pretty beat as he had shed his outer layers, leaving him in his dress shirt with his sleeves rolled up, his vest already discarded along with his tie.
“No sans unfortunately things are not going as smoothly as I had hoped, but I do believe we will break through to them eventually.” He said a glint of optimism still shining in his tired looking eyes. Sans smiled in return.
“I don’t doubt it.” He said. Asgore’s eyes then shifted to the other visitor in the room before he moved into his more stern character. Joey stiffened a little as he cleared his throat nervously.
“So this is the informant that you have managed to find?” Asgore Asked as he continued to look Joey over.
“Yup this is him.” Sans replied as he gestured to Joey with a quick jerk of his head to step forward. Joey did so swiftly.
“Take a seat pal.” Sans instructed as he placed a hand on Joey’s shoulder and encouraged him to sit down on the awaiting vacant chair in front of Asgore’s desk.
Joey complied, and mustered up his best charming smile as he faced off with the enormous regal goat monster who was now looming over him.
“You were a former Bannacci member correct?” Asgore questioned, his honey colored eyes narrowing slightly.
“Um yes, I was but after the Gambinos took over I uh felt that it was no longer the right fit for me.” Joey explained.
“And you thought you could take refuge here?” Asgore continued, his stony stare unwavering.
“Well It was a little bit of a gamble on my part really. I have a friend who’s a member here and I risked asking her for a favor.” Joey answered and Asgore nodded, already well aware of Frisk’s involvement as Toriel had made that clear to him beforehand.
“Sans you trust this story?” Asgore then asked turning to the skeleton standing next to Joey. Sans shrugged in response.
“Well at first it seemed like a little bit of a stretch if I’m going tibia honest.” Sans began shooting a wink at Asgore whose expression then became even more tired looking as Toriel held a hand over her mouth in an attempt to stifle her snickers. “But I’ve kept my socket on him for a good couple a days and I think he has a respectable character. I’ll vouch for him.” Sans then finished.
“Aright.” Asgore nodded, satisfied with Sans’ testimony. “So you’re asking for a safe house and protection in exchange for information regarding the Gambino’s inner workings.” Asgore said turning back once again to Joey.
“Yes.” Joey replied. “That’s about the just of it.” Asgore then was silent for a moment as he contemplated his decision.
“I believe that sounds like a fair trade if the information proves valuable.” He then said. “So let’s hear what it is you have to offer.” Joey let out a nervous breath and bowed his head.
“Please understand, but I can’t relinquish anything until my payment is met.” He answered and Asgore’s eyebrows furrowed.
“I do not think that you are in the position to be bartering so.” He warned and Sans shuffled a little uncomfortably from next to Joey, wondering exactly what the hell kind of a stunt he was trying to pull. Joey however remained stoic.
“I’m sorry, I know I’m stepping out of line here but … the Bannaccis they were my family, my comrades were like my brothers, I have to be sure you’ll keep your word before I sell them out.” He stated and Asgore paused.
“I thought you were already branded as a traitor by the Bannaccis?” He questioned.
“Yeah maybe, but the only ones I betrayed were the Gambino’s, and I never swore my loyalty to them. Ludo was the one that branded me a traitor when I didn’t give him what he wanted.” Joey then said, anger leaking through his words as he hissed the new Don’s name. Toriel stepped forward then, sympathetic to Joey’s plight as it was her daughter that he had sacrificed so much for in order to protect.
“Maybe I can be of some assistance here.” She said gaining the attention of the room. Asgore raised an eyebrow but didn’t interrupt her as he trusted her judgment.
“You see as it stands now that I have retaken my position in the Pansies I have needed to relocate to the city in order to be closer to my work, which means I have an available location out in the country side that I believe will prove to be quite effective in hiding you. I can transport you there and when you are satisfied we can further discuss this information that you have regarding the Gambino’s.” She explained.
The party then turned to Asgore for the final verdict regarding Toriel’s suggestion. He sat silently, his hands folded on his desk as he deliberated.
“Very well.” He then stated. “I will give you a week to settle in, this way I will also be finished with my other meetings, and then we will have another chat. Is this agreeable to you?” Asgore asked and Joey nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes sir that is all I could ever hope for, thank you!” He said bowing his head, grateful for Asgore’s mercy. Asgore only nodded in response before turning to Toriel
“If it is alright with you, I will have Undyne take him to the location. I believe she would appreciate the fresh air.” Toriel nodded a knowing smile already on her face as she had noticed how much the underboss had been fidgeting during the last few hours.
“I believe that is a grand idea.” She said as she handed Sans over the keys to her Fiat.
“Would you mind giving these to her on your way out?” She asked him.
“No problem.” He replied as he accepted the keys.
As Sans and Joey made their way back down the stairs the atmosphere surrounding them was definitely much more relaxed than before. The nervous energy that had previously hung over the two had now dissipated completely, now that their crucial business was over and done with for the time being.
“Hey Undyne!” Sans called when he made it to the bottom of the stairs. Undyne tilted her head at her name, but didn’t really make a move to pull herself off the couch. “Catch!” He continued as he threw her the keys. Even when she wasn’t paying full attention she caught them easily as she shot up an arm and snatched them out of the air.
“What are these for?” She asked now curious enough to get up.
“Thought you’d enjoy taking a little trip to the country side, my friend here needs a lift.” Sans replied shooting her with an easy smile as he jerked a thumb over his shoulder at Joey. Joey however stiffened when actually being fully confronted with Undyne for the first time. She was definitely much more intimidating when he didn’t have the bag over his head. Undyne raised an eyebrow as she sauntered over, her good eye fixed on Joey.
“Well I’m not really one for human company but at this point I’ll do anything if it gets me out of that office.” She answered, flashing Joey a toothy smile. He wasn’t sure if she was trying to be friendly or if she was making a threat. He decided he would play it safe and simply return the gesture hoping that this was just her way of making new acquaintances.
“I uh, really do appreciate it.” He said.
“Whelp the days a wasting, let’s get a move on chump.” She said as she tossed Joey his canvas head covering. “And don’t even think about trying to peek cuz I’ll know.” She warned a dangerous glint present in her one yellow eye as she trained it on Joey. A shiver ran up his spine when it locked on him.
“I wouldn’t even think of it.” He replied his smile cracking reveling his true nervousness. “Just um, if you wouldn’t mind I just need to talk with Sans for two seconds.” Undyne shrugged.
“Whatever, just don’t make me wait too long.” She said as she started walking toward the door.
“She’s not gonna eat me is she?” Joey then asked Sans when Undyne was outside of hearing range. Sans laughed at his question.
“Heheh, don’t worry buddy you’re too scrawny to satisfy her appetite.” He said. Joey then shuffled in place for a moment as he dug for something in his pocket.
“Look uh, I really do appreciate you covering me while I stuck my neck out like this.” He began and Sans shrugged.
“Don’t thank me pal.” He replied. “Honestly if it wasn’t for the kid that neck of yours probably woulda ended up snapped as soon as you set foot here, but you’re welcome regardless.”
“Yeah that’s true, actually if you don’t mind I have one more favor I want to ask of you before heading out.” Joey then said retrieving the silver lighter from his pocket. “Could you give this to Frisk for me? Just tell her it’s for safe keeping and I’ll come back for it one day, after things calm down a little and uh, when I’m a better man.” Joey then held the lighter out to Sans and Sans inwardly groaned at his request.
“Alright sure.” He replied albeit a little begrudgingly. “But don’t expect me to get your little dramatic speech right.” Sans then accepted the lighter and slipped it into his own pocket.
“Thanks friend it’s um, well it’s been interesting.” Joey said as he stuck out his hand in a gesture of farewell. Sans smirked in return.
“Yeah, real interesting” He said as he met Joey’s outstretched hand with his own.
Joey then pulled the sack back over his head and Sans passed him off to Undyne who shoved him rather roughly toward Toriel’s little Fiat. As he watched the car peel away back toward the city Sans couldn’t help but feel a weight slide right off of his shoulders. Now that he thought about it the last couple of day’s hadn’t been all that bad, Maybe a little stressful sure, but he realized that Joeys company hadn’t been entirely unpleasant. He supposed he would have to make a note to catch up when the week passed and when Joey was scheduled to finally spill the beans on the Gambino’s operation.
“Enjoy your down time while you can buddy.” Sans said quietly to himself as he turned to head over to the black Buick. “I’ll be seeing ya real soon.”