Good food, Good friends, Bad laughs

Ludo sat in the library in the late evening in front of the massive marble fireplace that he was pretty certain had never once been lit before. Big Sam had always been odd that way, having so many things but never really using them, like this library for instance it held probably at least a thousand books yet Sam hadn’t even touched the majority of them, instead he preferred to obsess over only one, ‘The Beautiful and the Damned’ which Ludo was currently flipping through as he sunk down in Sams old grand armchair while the fire blazed onward. Sam had probably read this damned thing a good dozen times but Ludo really didn’t get it.

“What a whiny bunch of baloney.” He said as he tossed the book into the flames. Suddenly the library doors burst open.

Ludo shifted a bored icy iris over to the two of his underlings that entered in to the library, dragging a fighting monster behind them.

“I told you I don’t have any information!” The coyote protested before he was brought directly in front of Ludo’s arm chair. Jack stiffened when he realized whose feet he had just been thrown at.

“Hello Jack, been a while.” Ludo greeted a devilish smile stretching across his face.

“Ludo? What – what the hell is with this forced escort?” Jack demanded trying his best to hide his fear. Ludo chuckled.

“Sorry about that Jack. I told them to be nice about it.” He said and Ludo’s lackeys sniggered in response. “But you know, I realized that after our last meeting I had some more questions and you did say that you would sell me more info on the girl. As I recall you said you didn’t have a problem with that.” Jack shrugged as he picked himself up off the floor and began to brush himself off.

“Sorry there Don but turns out that that offer is off the table. I got in enough trouble thanks to her and I ain’t aiming to get in any more she’s off limits.” Jack replied. Ludo’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“That why you’ve been so hard to find lately, someone looking for you to settle a score?” Ludo questioned, but Jack immediately raised a hand in protest.

“No I ain’t answering that.” He argued. “Look I’m sorry you went to all of the trouble to find me, but I’m out of the info business. I got nothing to sell so if you excuse me I got to get back to hiding under my rock… though if you found me I think I’m gonna need a better hiding place…” Ludo’s smirk dropped into a frown as Jack continued to ramble.

“Well …I was trying to be nice, but you know I realize that that angle really doesn’t seem to work well in my favor, so instead of giving you cash for information like how I was going to, I’ll make you a different offer….your life.” Ludo then said in a dead flat tone. Jacks eyes widened in surprise as if he finally realized the dangerous situation he was currently in.

“Don’t get me wrong Jack, I like you even if you are a monster. You’re someone that works the same way I do. You use what you have to take what you can get, so give me what I want and I’ll let you go back to you’re…rock.” Ludo explained and Jack swallowed hard.

“I uh, really do appreciate that offer. It is quite generous but I don’t have anything-.”

“YES YOU DO!” Ludo shouted silencing Jack in mid protest. He then took a moment to get his rage under control.

“Look I have come to learn that the girl is trying to run. There must be something you know, someplace that she is trying to get to.” He demanded.

“I- I don’t know.” Jack stuttered out and Ludo sighed before he pulled a revolver out from behind his back.

“I gave you a fair chance there Jack.” He said as he cocked the hammer and Jack tensed as he tried to back away, but Ludo’s lackeys were quick to catch him and hold him still. Ludo got up out of his arm chair before slowly sauntering forward and placing the gun to Jacks head.

“Are you sure you want to go out this way Jack? Dying for a brat that you don’t give two shits about?” He asked darkly. Jack remained silent from utter shock as Ludo continued to stare down at him. “Last chance Jack…”

“Wait.” Jack then manage to get out from behind his quivering lips. “I may have something.” Ludo paused, the sinister smile claiming his face again.
“That’s better.” He said as he lowered his weapon.

“I- I can’t guarantee that this info has anything to do with her, but it may be worth looking into. Jack continued and Ludo was silent as he deliberated.

“I’ll buy it.” He then said much to Jack’s relief and also dismay.

“Her body guard asked me for this address a while ago, it’s a little place out in that country.” Jack began to explain and Ludo’s grin grew bigger.

“Sounds promising.” He said.

It was now almost midday and Frisk had still not gotten out of her bed. She ignored the sunlight streaming in through her window and angrily turned to face the wall instead. She knew that her nonappearance at the breakfast table would probably stir up some questions from the others, but she was sure that Sans could handle answering them on his own. He was good at lying after all.

Frisk grumbled when the thought of Sans yet again surfaced in her mind before she threw the covers off of herself and sat up. She perched on the edge of her bed for a while as she starred at the floor as if she were trying to burn a hole through it. She didn’t want to think about him anymore, she was tired of thinking about him. Frisk sighed dejectedly it was no use, he just wouldn’t leave her thoughts alone.

In truth she really wasn’t angry, though she wished she was it would be easier to face him if she was angry. She was instead feeling quite vulnerable and she hated it. It was the feeling she got when she was kicked while she was down, the awful gut wrenching knot of anxiety twisting in her stomach, the sting of disappointment, and the overwhelming fear that she had somehow said or done something wrong and had ruined everything, all mixed together and swirled around endlessly within her soul.

Frisk groaned as she finely pulled herself up off her bed before stumbling over to her end table to get dressed for the day, hoping that the action would prove as a distraction away from her tormenting mind. A soft knock then sounded on her door after she had finished sorting out her short locks, and Frisk already knew who it was before he announced himself.

“UM FRISK, HELLO ARE YOU AWAKE? IT IS PAPYRUS. I JUST THOUGHT THAT PERHAPS I WOULD CHECK ON YOU? I BROUGHT OVER LUNCH IF YOU ARE HUNGRY SINCE YOU MISSED BREAKFAST.” Papyrus said, his voice muffled from behind the door. Frisk sighed as guilt then joined in with the rest of the mayhem of emotion running amuck through her being. She knew that she had made him worry, but she had just wanted to let herself sulk for once.

“Come on in Papyrus.” She said.

The door creaked open and Papyrus slowly moved inside. He was carrying a tray full of sandwiches as well as some cookies and two glasses of milk. He looked around hesitantly, his brows knit together with slight worry even though he tried to appear as if nothing was wrong, flashing a supposed to be pleasant smile at her. Frisk felt the guilt sharpen.

“GOOD MORNING FRISK, OR I SUPPOSE IT IS GOOD AFTERNOON, WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE SOME SANDWICHES?” Frisk smiled lightly and nodded going over to her bed and taking a seat, before patting the spot next to her.
Papyrus smile brightened a tad at her invitation as he made his way over and promptly placed the tray between the two of them.

“IT IS A BIT UNHYGIENIC TO EAT IN ONE’S BEDROOM BUT I SUPPOSE JUST THIS ONCE I’LL ALLOW IT.” He said as he settled himself and picked up a sandwich. Frisk giggled and did the same.

“Thanks Papyrus it’s really tasty.” She said after she had taken a bite. She had meant for it to sound more enthusiastic, but it seemed that she just couldn’t muster up enough optimism to make it sound convincing. Papyrus noticed her less then ideal tone rather quickly and turned to her.

“FORGIVE ME FRISK IF I AM PRYING, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT YOU ARE RATHER UPSET ABOUT SOMETHING?” He questioned.

Frisk looked away and fidgeted with her hands in her lap. She shouldn’t unload her burdens onto him.

“I’m ok Papyrus I was just feeling tired this morning.” She replied. Papyrus placed down his sandwich entirely unconvinced by her excuse. He cleared his throat.

“YOU KNOW FRISK, I FIND THAT WHEN I AM IN A DULL MOOD IT OFTEN HELPS TO TALK ABOUT IT, AND IF YOU WISH I COULD LEND YOU AN EAR…METAPHORICALLY…I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I AM A GREAT LISTENER.” Papyrus suggested and Frisk couldn’t help but smile at his proudness.

She wanted to take him up on his offer, but she wasn’t sure how to .She knew she couldn’t just tell him that she was upset because his brother left her hanging high and dry, confused and embarrassed after she had so foolishly blurted out her feelings without thinking, and now she didn’t know what to do. She took a deep breath.

“I’ve… met someone.” She began carefully, and Papyrus perked up. He was silent for a moment.

“MET SOMEONE?” He questioned, and then it dawned on him stars bursting forth in his sockets. He clamped down on his smile as he cleared his thought getting his excitement under control.

“I SEE…” He stated simply. “THIS SOMEONE … DO YOU FEEL STRONGLY ATTACHED TO THEM?” He asked, and Frisk nodded her cheeks taking on a pink hue.

“I think I may have messed it up though.” She said sadly.

“WHY DO YOU THINK THAT?” Papyrus asked concerned.

“I think I scared him. I told him …well I think maybe I said something too soon.” She explained sheepishly and Papyrus frowned.

“TOO SOON?” he asked and frisk fidgeted. “FRISK, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS TOO SOON IF IT IS THE WAY YOU TRULY FEEL I DO NOT THINK THAT YOU HAVE DONE ANYTHING WRONG BY BEING HONEST. HOWEVER IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT NOT EVERYONE WORKS THE SAME WAY. SOME PEOPLE JUST NEED MORE TIME TO SORT THEMSELVES OUT.” He encouraged and Frisk looked back to him a glimmer of hope sparking behind her eyes.

“Really?” She questioned and Papyrus smiled and patted her head.

“OF COURSE!” He replied. “BESIDES IF JOEY REALLY IS THE GENTLEMAN THAT HE CLAIMS TO BE HE WILL ANSWER YOU SOON ENOUGH. I DON’T THINK A NICE PERSON LIKE HIM WOULD KEEP A GIRL WAITING, IT MUST BE BECAUSE OF HIS FINANCIAL SITUATION. PERHAPS HE JUST WANTS TO MAKE SURE HE HAS SECURED A POSITION IN THE PANSIES BEFORE HE MAKES A MOVE”. Frisk blanked for a moment.

“Joey?” She managed. Papyrus smirked.

“NOW FRISK THERE IS NO NEED TO BE EMBARRASSED IT WASN’T THAT HARD TO DEDUCE WHO YOUR SPECIAL SOMEONE IS CONSIDERING HOW CLOSE THE TWO OF YOU ARE.” He explained proudly. “BUT DO NOT WORRY I WILL NOT LET A SINGLE WORD SLIP FROM BETWEEN MY TEETH. I AM AN EXCELLENT SECRET KEEPER YOU CAN COUNT ON ME!” Frisk deadpanned for a full second before she was finally able to reply.

“Oh uh, yeah Papyrus looks like you figured me out. I should know better than to try and sneak anything by you.” She said. Papyrus puffed out his chest proudly.

“THAT IS QUITE ALRIGHT FRISK, I FIND IT ADMIRABLE THAT YOU TRY.” He replied. “NOW HOW ABOUT WE FINISH OUR LUNCH IN THE LIVING ROOM AND MAYBE BREAK OUT A GAME OF SCRABBLE?” Frisk smiled and nodded.

“That sounds good.” She said.

Sans parked the Buick on the side of the rode across from Grillby’s. He took a deep breath before he slid out of his seat and on to the curb. The sun had just set, the sky a hazy purple as the stars began to make an appearance, leaving the night air feeling fairly chilly. Sans shrunk down a little further into his thin warn out trench coat, soon he would have to exchange it for his warmer winter attire. He began sauntering toward the warm orange light pouring out of the bar windows. Once he was inside the familiar atmosphere immediately chased away his shivers, but he knew he couldn’t stay and partake in the merriment even though it was very very tempting to simply take a seat at the bar counter.

He tore his pinpricks away from it as he instead made a b line toward the stairs. He knew that he was looking for a distraction, but he refused to allow himself to play that game again. He had promised himself that he would talk to Frisk as soon as he made it home tonight, but the closer he came to the apartment the more nervous and unsure he felt about this whole thing.

He still hadn’t decided what he was going to say to her. They had only really been a couple for maybe a little bit more than a week now, wasn’t this all moving just a tad too fast? Though he supposed he had harbored feelings for her for much much longer than that. He also knew that Frisk hadn’t really had much experience with this sort of thing, and it was entirely possible that she had simply jumped the gun. She could have just been reacting to the feeling of the spark of new affections, not that he would fault her for it, those feelings could be rather intoxicating and he himself had made that mistake before, but he knew it was wrong of him to assume that. There were really no time limits or guidelines to this sort of thing, but still to talk of love now, this early? He wasn’t sure if he was feeling all that up for this conversation if he was being entirely honest.

Sans decided to check in with his brother first in the main apartment to see if Frisk had shown her face at all today. It would help him to get a better read on the whole situation.

“Heya bro.” Sans greeted as he shrugged out of his trench coat and rounded the corner to where Papyrus was doing the dishes.

“Did I miss dinner?” Sans asked.

“I SAVED YOU SOME IN THE FRIDGE.” Papyrus replied. “I HOPE YOU DON’T MIND BUT FRISK SAID THAT SHE WOULD PREFER TO EAT EARLY TONIGHT AS SHE WAS FEELING RATHER TIRED STILL.” Sans hummed in response as he went to the fridge to retrieve his meal. So she was still upset enough to not want to see him.

“I BELIEVE OUR FRIEND HAS HAD HER HEART RATTLED.” Papyrus continued much to Sans surprise as he turned back to his brother with wide sockets.

“Did she… say anything to you?” he asked trying hard to keep his tone even and steady. Papyrus looked downright guilty as he stared at the sudsy water.

“I PROMISED I WOULDN’T TELL ANYONE…” He began. “BUT BROTHER I AM WORRIED.” And Sans’ soul just about dropped to the ground. Frisk didn’t tell him, she wouldn’t do that, she wouldn’t involve his brother like this.

“I BELIEVE SHE HAS BEEN QUITE LOVE SICK OVER OUR RECENT HUMAN TENNENT AND I THINK SHE MAY HAVE BEEN REJECTED BY HIM!” Papyrus then continued turning to Sans with a very blubbery and over dramatic expression on his face. Sans deadpanned, his sockets blank in surprise.

“What…” He managed to say.

“WHERE IS JOEY ANYWAY? HE HAS TO FIX THIS RIGHT NOW!” Papyrus then stated as he immediately began looking for the missing mobster. “I CAN’T BARE TO SEE FRISK SULKING LIKE THIS, SHE DESERVES A PROPER ANSWER FROM HIM.”

“Heh, sorry Paps but uh, Joey split.” Sans then explained with a shrug. “Turns out Asgore didn’t have any work available.”

“WHAT?!” Papyrus screeched. “HE CAN’T JUST DO THAT, CHARM HER AND LEAVE HER IN THE DUMPS! WHAT A SELFISH, MORONIC, UNSPEAKABLE, HORRIBLE THING TO DO!” Sans winced as Papyrus’ words penetrated into his soul like arrows. Ouch.

“Well who knows, he might call.” Sans said, suddenly wanting to defend ‘Joey’s’ apparent lack of action.

“OH HE BETTER!” Papyrus continued as he turned back to the sink and continued to wash the dishes with much more of an aggressive vigor. Sans was surprised that he hadn’t managed to break any of them. “BUT NOT AFTER I GIVE HIM SUCH AN EARFUL!”

“She’s uh… She’s not still awake is she?” Sans then asked and Papyrus huffed.

“I'M PRETTY SURE THAT SHE IS. I DON’T KNOW ANYONE WHO CAN SLEEP THAT MUCH, WELL EXCEPT FOR YOU, BUT I THINK THAT SHE WANTS TO BE LEFT ALONE. SHE HAS BEEN PRETTY GLUM FOR THE WHOLE DAY.” He explained.

“I’m gonna go and talk to her.” Sans then said turning back toward the door.

“WAIT SANS!” Papyrus then called looking sheepish all of a sudden. “DON’T TELL HER THAT I TOLD YOU.” Sans smirked.

“Lips are zipped Paps.” He replied but Papyrus only scowled.

“SANS YOU DON’T HAVE LIPS.” He argued back.

“Huh, fancy that.” Sans said tossing his brother a wink before he closed the door behind him.

He walked slowly down the hallway toward Frisk’s bedroom before he paused right outside of her door. He stood there for a moment as he scratched the side of his skull nervously. He still wasn’t really feeling all that confident about this, but he was all out of time and excuses. It was time for him to face the music.

He knocked swiftly twice on her door.

“Knock knock.” He added hoping that she would take the bait. No one answered. Sans sighed.

He tried again.

“Sweet heart, please let me in?” He asked delicately. There was silence for a moment longer before he heard a shuffle of covers and the soft padding of bare feet across the floorboards then the latch unlocked before the footsteps retreated again.
Sans hesitated outside for a moment longer, unsure if that was an invitation for him to enter. After a while he decided to chance it as he slowly opened the door.

Frisk was sitting on her bed in her nightshirt hugging one of her pillows. She had a scowl on her face as she refused to look his way. Sans silently sighed to himself as he worked up his nerve to enter more fully into the room.
He cleared his throat again as he shuffled in place not knowing exactly where to begin, then he remembered the lighter in his pocket.

“So uh, things worked out with Joey. He’s going to be bunking down for a while at Toriel’s old place.” Sans began. “He asked me to say goodbye to you and thank you for your help. He also asked me to give you this.” Sans then held out the lighter hoping to gain more of Frisk’s attention, and Frisk reluctantly turned toward him in order to see what he was holding out for her.

Her face softened when she saw what it was. She knew how precious the lighter was to Joey and she suddenly felt bad that she didn’t manage to make her way out of her room to say goodbye to him that morning. Frisk reached out and took the little silver lighter out of Sans’ hand. She played with it for a little while as she averted her gaze again.

“He said that you should hold on to it for him until things calm down again.” Sans continued trying to maintain some form of conversation. Frisk only nodded in return.
Sans rocked on his heels awkwardly, not really sure what he should say next.

“Do you mind if I sit down?” He asked and Frisk shrugged in response. He claimed the spot next to her on the bed, really not liking the cold shoulder that she was giving him, but he supposed that he did deserve it in some regard.
Sans strummed his fingers on the end of the mattress before he let out a huff.

“Kid about the other night… I shouldn’t have left ya how I did. I know it’s not a good excuse, but well I wasn’t really in the right mindset and you kinda surprised me a little bit.” He began offering up a sheepish smile. “I’m uh, sorry if I made you upset.” He added. Frisked sighed.

“It’s fine.” She said in a dead tone and sans cocked a browbone.

“You ….don’t really sound fine.” He then said trying to probe her for more of an answer and Frisk was quiet for a little while.

“Sans what exactly am I to you?” She asked.

“What do you mean?” Sans replied confused.

“You know what I mean.” She shot back tired of playing his games. Sans cleared his throat as he tried to come up with an answer, he never really thought about this before.

“Well you’re uh, you’re really sweet.” He began. “And also somewhat stubborn too, um you’re headstrong I guess would be the better word.” Frisk rolled her eyes and Sans quickly decided on something better to elaborate on.

“You’re clever and smart, you don’t take any bull shit, and you’re loyal.” He continued. As he eyed her he could see her expression softening slightly, he kept going.

“You keep your word and you’re honest, which is a real rarity around these parts heh, you’re also very kind.” Sans said his voice turning softer as he inched himself closer. He could see a pink blush start to form across her cheeks even though she still stubbornly refused to look his way.

“You’re umm, really pretty as well.” He continued. “I like your eyes and how they sparkle when you’re happy and I like your hair.” He said as he reached out slowly to try and gently take a hold of Frisk’s hand. “It’s soft uh, actually all of you is soft… your skin feels nice.” Sans then delicately stroked a thumb over the back of her hand. Frisk moved it away however before he could take a hold of it fully.

“But you don’t love me.” She said. Sans clamped his jaw tightly not really sure how to reply. “It’s alright you don’t have to.” Frisk continued. “Papyrus said that it takes longer for some people.” Sans looked back at her surprised.

“I didn’t say that I don’t.” He replied and Frisk blinked.

“Well do you?” She asked and Sans’ jaw stiffened back up immediately.

“It’s not… It’s not that simple.” He said and Frisk cocked her head to the side.

“Either you do or you don’t, I don’t see what’s so difficult about that.” She retorted looking at him as if he wasn’t making any sense at all. Sans fumbled.

“There’s more to it than that.” He argued.

“Like what?” Frisk asked and Sans scrambled for a way to answer her.

“There’s just a lot of variables… things to consider.” He stuttered, his cheekbones tinting blue as he struggled.

“What things?” She asked still looking entirely confused.

“I don’t know, things like well, it’s only been maybe a week, and what if you want a house, or you know what if I need to get a good job, or there’s also kids… and just things like that.” Sans said a little spastically. Frisk just continued to look at him as if he were speaking gibberish.

“What are you talking about?” She said not understanding what he was getting at all, and Sans paused as he realized he wasn’t even sure what he was trying to say anymore.

“Look it doesn’t matter.” Frisk continued deciding to just let Sans off the hook already. “whether you feel the same way about me or not, it docent change the fact that I still love you, and if you need more time to think about whatever it is you need to think about then I can respect that. I mean it hurts a little but it doesn’t change the way I feel.” She concluded and Sans just stared back at her at a complete loss for words.

It absolutely shocked him how she could just make up her mind so easily about this particular subject, how the right answer always just came to her so naturally. It had always impressed him actually how she could just choose what path she wanted to take or what the right decision was, while he on the other hand was seemingly endlessly running in circles, never able to make heads or tails of anything without overthinking it somehow. She could just see everything so much more clearly then he could. He realized then as she gave him a small forgiving smile that in all of his contemplating and deliberating he had neglected to ask himself one very important question, probably the most important question actually.

How did he actually feel about frisk? The answer was so simple that he almost smacked himself.

He loved her, he knew that, he had always known that, and yet he had managed to completely bury that fact under so many other concerns and inquiries that didn’t even matter. Christ he was a moron.

Frisk huffed at his silence, but she supposed that she had already expected it.

“Look Sans how about we just forget all of this for now and just go back to where we -.”

“I do love you.” Sans then said cutting her off and Frisk snapped her head back toward him even more confused than before.

“I mean I…” Sans cleared his throat as he scratched at the back of his head. “Yeah I do love you.” He repeated as if testing the way the words felt on his tongue. Frisk blinked a few times in surprise before she narrowed her eyes at him.

“Is this a joke or something?!” She then demanded and Sans startled a little at her sudden anger.

“Wha – no!” He replied quickly but Frisk wasn’t finished yet.

“Because it isn’t funny Sans!” She then shouted, her frustration finally becoming too much to put up with as tears began to prickle behind her eyes. She looked away from him, absolutely refusing to show him how much he got to her. Sans instantly wanted to reach out for her, guilt immediately enveloping him. God dammit, why the hell couldn’t he get anything right?

“Just go away!” Frisk then said. Her voice leaking the hurt that she was trying to hide, but Sans didn’t budge, there was just no way that he was going to leave things like this.

“Sweetheart don’t, don’t say that.” He said trying to wheedle her to face him again. “I- I wasn’t joking honest. I was I – I’m just really really not good at this.” He finally managed to get out. Frisk continued to face the other way as she tried to hide her sniffling.
“Please, please don’t.” Sans continued feeling rather antsy all of a sudden. “Please don’t cry.” He almost begged. Frisk suddenly felt rather appalled that he would even think such a dumb thing.

“As if I’d cry over you, you you stupid!” She shot back as she bit back her angry tears.

Sans was more than a little surprised by her comment. He knew that it really wasn’t the right time but he couldn’t help but think that she was just a bit adorable when she was pouting like this, though he quickly brushed that thought away.

“Common sweetheart don’t be mad. I wasn’t joking, I really meant it.” He said trying again to get closer to her as he skootched up behind her. She stubbornly ignored him.

“I’ll say it again if you want?” Sans continued to coax. Frisk turned slightly in his direction at his offer and Sans smirked just a tad when he realized that he was holding her interest.

“I love you.” He repeated as he brushed a hand over her shoulder. She stiffened a little but didn’t pull away from his touch. He slid his hand down her arm and placed a small kiss to the nap of her neck. “I really really mean it.” He continued. Frisk then looked back at him but she still held him in a suspicious stare not entirely convinced.

“…Say it again.” She demanded, Determined to see for herself if he was being truthful. He chuckled a little under his breath. He’d say it as many times as she wanted to hear.

“I love you.” He replied easily, whispering it right in her ear with a charming grin plastered across his skull. He could see that she was trying to smother the beginnings of her own little smile as one corner of her mouth kept pulling at her cheek.

“Do you forgive me yet or do you want to hear it one more time?” He teased. She threw him an unimpressed eyebrow.

“…You’re still stupid.” She then said and Sans chuckled out loud this time.

“Yeah I know.” He said.

“And you’re dumb” Frisk continued, not yet satisfied.

“I know.” Sans agreed without a single protest. She was quiet for a little while before she turned around more fully toward him and leaned her head on his shoulder grumpily.

“... I love you to.” She then said.

“I know.” Sans replied before he placed a kiss to her forehead.