Gloomy Sunday
Frisk awoke to find herself feeling uncomfortably warm under Sans’ covers. It was still dark out and way too early to be awake yet, but as she tried to shift out from under the blankets she found that she couldn’t move. She then opened her eyes groggily and saw that two boney arms where keeping her firmly in place. She realized then that she had fallen asleep and that Sans must have only just crawled into bed a little while ago. She turned her head over her shoulder and sure enough there he was, his skull nuzzled right in to her upper back. He looked to be well unconscious. His jaw was slightly slack with a trail of drool leaking out the side of his mouth, his grip was tight around her abdomen, and Frisk flushed noticing that the positions of his hands were dangerously close to the underside of her breast and upper thigh.
As Frisk tried to struggle to loosen his hold on her she noticed that Sans’ bones were slick as he was sweating off the alcohol that he had consumed in his sleep. His breath also felt hot on the back of her neck and smelled strongly of whisky. Frisk grimaced as she finally managed to wiggle free. She then turned back to him, a scowl prominent on her face as she intended to wake him up and give him an earful, but then her expression softened somewhat when she saw how absolutely exhausted he looked laying limply over the mattress. Whatever it was that he was hiding from her seemed to be taking quite the toll on him and Frisk felt her heart lurch at the sight. Though she was still angry at him, she decided it would be best to let him rest and allow him at least some solace away from the demons that seemed to be eating at his mind.
Frisk then leaned over and tucked Sans back under his covers before placing a small kiss to his temple, hoping that it might prove to be an effective charm to keep any more nightmares at bay. He mumbled something sleepily and Frisk couldn’t help but smirk just a tad at that. She then got up out of bed relishing in the cool night air. She decided she would just start her day a little earlier than normal as she walked down the hall to take a shower. She knew she wouldn’t be able to get back to sleep as she felt too heated and slightly grimy thanks to Sans’ night sweats. As she let the water run down her back she couldn’t help but wonder exactly how a skeleton could sweat in the first place, and now that she thought about it she realized there were a lot of oddities about the two brothers that didn’t exactly make sense when it came to their physical makeup, but ultimately she shrugged it off and chalked it up to magic. She’d just have to remember to ask Sans about it sometime, but then again maybe that would be too personal or maybe he would tease her for being ignorant. Frisk decided then to forget about it for now as she focused instead on washing her hair.
Sans groaned as he began to rouse from his alcohol induced slumber. He was no longer able to ignore the migraine pounding at his poor skull any longer, though he still tried desperately to cling to the relief that was sleep for at least a little while more. In his effort he found himself reaching across the blankets blindly trying to find Frisk’s gentle warmth as she was no longer cuddled against his chest like she had been last night. He knew that if he could just surround himself with her soft embrace and focus on her heart beat again then sleep may just be a possibility still. Yet as he continued to search the bed with his outstretched arm he found that only the cold sheets seemed to be within his grasp.
Sans then reluctantly cracked open a blurry eye socket hoping to locate his missing soft and squishy sleeping partner more quickly. To his dismay he instead found that Frisk was nowhere to be seen. The other side of his bed lay empty. Sans felt a distinct pang of disappointment ring clear in his soul at her absence before he registered an irritated sounding forced cough coming from behind him. Sans made himself role over, confused at the sound, and when he squinted his still sleepy sockets he found Frisk's image come into focus. She was fully dressed in her grey vest and trousers, her hair brushed neatly as she looked down at Sans with a somewhat indifferent expression. Sans blinked a few times as he registered that she had most likely been awake for a while now which also made him wonder how long had he been out for?
“Good morning.” She said, though her tone sounded a little cold to really pair well with the words that she was speaking and Sans found himself grimacing. Shit she was mad at him. He tried his best then to pull on a charming smile though the throbbing behind his skull made that task almost all but impossible.
“Heya sweetheart.” He replied in an attempt to play to her softer side. Frisk’s eyes only narrowed at the pet name and sans winced realizing that she wasn’t going to budge for his sweet talk.
“Here.” Frisk said instead passing him over a hot mug. Sans gaze shifted to the sea tea that she held out to him.
“I’m guessing you’re not really feeling all that well after last night.” Frisk countinued accusingly. “Anything you want to talk about? Like perhaps why you were drinking yourself silly?”
Sans only took the offered hangover cure silently, not wanting to admit to his indulgences. Frisk huffed to herself as Sans sipped at the hot drink, his pinpricks shying away from her as he refused to answer her question. She had expected as much.
“Papyrus said that you should at least get up for lunch. Toriel will be coming over to join us to.” Frisk then said before she began to turn away.
Sans glanced at the clock at her mentioning of lunch and his sockets widened in surprise. Wow, he sure had slept late today. Lucky for him he didn’t have anything on his schedule until later in the afternoon when he was supposed to meet with Asgore, but he supposed that a quick lunch first wouldn’t hurt any, especially since he had nothing but alcohol in his system and some food would surly help with his hangover.
“By the way Sans, you should really take a shower first before Toriel gets here. You reek of booze.” Frisk then said harshly before she walked away and exited his room.
Sans winced at her less then amused tone. He sighed to himself after she had gone. Whelp, he couldn’t deny that he probably deserved that, and Frisk was right after all. Sans found that he did in fact stink a bit after taking an experimental sniff of his under arm. Yup, definitely ripe enough for a shower.
Sans struggled to pull himself up out of bed. Even after he had slept for so long he still felt drained. Sans groaned as he made it to his feet before dragging himself toward the bathroom. The hot water felt good over his acing bones and the steam helped to clear his head. He just stood there in the shower for a while letting the water run over himself before he realized that he should probably get himself scrubbed up. He still had to keep up a good impression with Toriel after all, as she was Frisks mother and now also technically his boss.
Sans grabbed some soap and also borrowed frisks loofah before he started to lather up his skull and ribs, scrubbing away the grime and stench of stale booze from yesterday. After he rinsed and repeated for good measure he stepped out of the tub and dried himself off with a towel. He then bent over the sink and looked at himself in the mirror.
Tired and empty sockets stared back at him and Sans huffed disappointed with what he saw. He looked beat down, not exactly the best face to be pulling when the first lady of the Pansies was coming over for a visit. Sans then quickly fixed his expression into his practiced charismatic lazy grin. He still looked tired however, but at least that wasn’t necessarily out of his character.
He got dressed into fresh clean clothes and even pulled on one of his gimmicky ties that Frisk had gotten for him, the piano key one to be precise. He knew that Toriel surprisingly enjoyed bad jokes much like himself, so he could potentially use the tacky item for a quick comedy routine if things got tense, and he also knew that it might help his standing with Frisk if he could remind her of her affections for him. Killing two birds with one stone so to speak.
Sans then exited the washroom and rounded the corner from the little hallway to the living room. Papyrus was busy preparing what looked like a pretty extravagant lunch. Sans guessed that was probably why his brother had let him sleep late today, as Papyrus was quite adamant about getting him up at a reasonable hour.
“Heya Paps, smells good.” Sans said announcing his presence as he sauntered into the kitchen. Frisk was already at the table sipping at a mug of tea. Sans glanced her way hoping that she may notice his tie but she merely averted her gaze. Sans sighed to himself, well it had been worth a shot.
“IT’S ABOUT TIME THAT YOU GOT UP!” Papyrus chastised while he continued his fevered working pace before his sockets almost bugged right out of his skull when he noticed the horrendous thing hanging from his brother’s neck.
“SANS HONESTLY YOU’RE WEARING THAT WHEN THE FIRST LADY IS COMING OVER? DON’T YOU HAVE ANY SENCE OF SELF RESPECT?” Papyrus then screeched.
“Heheh, I think I look rather sharp.” Sans replied with a taunting grin while he made a show of straitening his tie and Papyrus grimaced. “But I see if my look doesn’t play to your tastes.” Sans continued running his fingers over the keys as if he were actually playing the instrument. He then flicked his pinpricks over to Frisk . He could see that she was trying very hard to ignore him, but there was a smirk pulling at her cheek.
“SANS YOU ARE HERE BY BANNED FROM THE KITCHEN UNTIL LUNCH IS READY! GO BE LAZY ON THE COUCH!” Papyrus demanded. Sans smirked and shrugged in response.
"Well if you insist bro, but uh don’t grow to miss me I’ll be right Bach.” Sans said with a snicker.
He heard Frisk snort as she tried to continue to suppress her laughter, earning a disapproving look from Papyrus. It helped Sans to relax as he sat back on the sofa. If she was laughing even just a little then she really couldn’t be that mad at him. Sans sighed as he closed his sockets for a light midday nap before Toriel showed up for lunch.He managed to doze for around twenty minutes before he was rudely awoken by a screeching Papyrus nagging him in his ear socket while poking at his skull.
“SANS THAT IS QUITE ENOUGH SLEEP FOR ONE DAY. MISS LADY BOSS IS GOING TO BE HERE ANY MINUTE.” Papyrus scolded. Sans held back his groan as he forced himself to sit up. Unfortunately his power nap left him feeling more exhausted than ever.
If it wasn’t for his little brother basically picking him up by his underarms, Sans was pretty sure it would have taken him an eternity to drag himself to the kitchen.
“JUST SIT THERE AND TRY TO PAY ATTENTION!” Papyrus continued with an exasperated huff when he plopped Sans in his kitchen chair.
Sans really didn’t protest and yawned instead, though he did register another stifled snorted giggle from Frisk next to him. He turned an unimpressed socket toward her and found her smiling tauntingly back at him apparently taking a little joy out of him being reprimanded by his brother.
Toriel arrived soon after everything was prepared. Now that he had been given ample notice Papyrus took the liberty of going a little bit over the top. The table was set in the finest linens that the brothers owned, which normally only came out once a year for Christmas. He had turned the radio to the classical station turning the volume low. Even though it was midday and still plenty bright outside, papyrus brought out a bunch of candles, scattering them around the space and throwing a blanket over the living room window to get a sophisticated atmosphere as he had put it when Sans had questioned him about what exactly it was that he was doing.
When Toriel knocked on the door Papyrus swiftly moved to answer it. He took a moment centering his tie before gracefully pulling the door open.
“WELCOME MADAME TORIEL!” He declared while giving a low bow. Toriel startled a bit at Papyrus’ dramatic appearance, but then a kind smile took over her expression.
“Oh my how charming.” She said as she stepped through the door. “Thank you Papyrus what a magnificent greeting …..and what a magnificent lunch you have prepared.” Toriel continued as she surveyed over the skeleton brothers now elaborately decorated living space.
“OH NONSENCE MISS. LADY ASG- ER I MEAN MISS TORIEL.” Papyrus replied smoothly. “IT WAS NO TROUBLE AT ALL.”
Papyrus then took Toriel’s coat before escorting her to the kitchen to join the rest of the party.
“Heya Tori.” Sans said waving lazily from his seat while Frisk got up to give her mother a hug.
“Why hello Sans.” Toriel replied while returning Frisks embrace.
“Frisk dear, i'm so sorry I couldn’t come sooner. How are you doing?” Toriel then asked looking back to her daughter concerned.
“I’m fine mom honest.” Frisk said while sending Toriel a reassuring smile. “Asgore stopped by the other day and said that he would make sure to take care of everything.” Toriel’s worried expression then quickly feel into one of relief.
“Good I’m glad, but please do not hesitate to ask if you need anything.” She replied.
Everyone took their seats after that as Papyrus served lunch. An absolute feast was displayed before them with three different pasta dishes taking up all of the table space, and also what looked like a massive homemade pizza presented in the middle of it all as a center piece. Toriel, Frisk and Sans looked over the display in absolute disbelief, but oddly all of them felt like they really shouldn’t be that surprised by this.
Papyrus posed proudly over his culinary accomplishments after he had laid out the last pasta dish.
“VOILA A FEAST FIT FOR A KING…OR A QUEEN…OR WELL A LADY BOSS! He then declared.
“Oh goodness.” Toriel said as she surveyed over the vast amount of food. It looked delicious but she wasn’t sure how the four of them were going to be able to finish it all.
“It looks magnificent Papyrus.” She said instead of voicing her slight criticism not wanting to hurt the young skeletons feelings. Frisk and Sans also added on to her praise, clearly the both of them felt the same way as she did.
“You’ve uh, really outdone yourself Pap.” Sans said while scooping himself a rather large portion of the primavera farfalle. He was a little disappointed to find that despite his efforts not even a dent was made in the heaping serving bowl. Frisk also followed suit, grabbing a large slice of pizza to go beside her already full plate of tortellini.
“Yeah Papyrus this is …really something.” She said as she tried to imagine how her stomach was going to handle all of this heavy food.
Papyrus just beamed back at all the praise clearly so happy to have stunned his friends and family with his cooking skills.
As everyone sat and ate happy conversation and jokes came easily. Sans wasted no time in delivering a multitude of puns and one liners related to his gimmicky tie, delighted to see that Toriel found the garment as entertaining as he did.
“Sans please stop.” She laughed as she clutched at her sides. Between the shorter brothers humor and Papyrus’ cooking she felt like she was nearly about to burst. “You must really have quite the collection of those, but I must say I believe the fish shaped one is my favorite.” Sans smirked and tossed Frisk a sly wink noticing the slightly proud smile she was trying to smother when Toriel praised the gift that she had given to him.
“Heh, I see your point, but really tuna fish and pianos have more in common then you might think. There’s really only one major difference.” Sans began shooting Toriel with a challenging brow bone. “Care to make a guess as to what it might be?” He then questioned.
Toriel paused as she pursed her lips in thought, clearly trying very hard to find an answer to Sans' riddle. Papyrus rolled his eyes and dug into his pasta, not even bothering to complain as he already knew that he was the minority of the group when it came to Sans’ humor.
“Hmmm, I’m afraid I do not know. What is the difference between a piano and a tuna fish?” Toriel asked. Frisk also looked over to Sans curiously wanting to know the answer as well. Sans shrugged.
“Well you can tuna piano but you can’t tuna fish.” He then explained. Toriel snorted and Frisk giggled at the punchline. Papyrus only groaned under his breath waiting for this unpleasant conversation to end.
Soon everyone was completely stuffed. They all sat back in there chairs feeling slightly uncomfortable with how much they had eaten, though also a little disappointed as there was so much food left over despite their best efforts. Papyrus surveyed over the still half full serving dishes as he realized that he perhaps had gone a bit overboard with the quantity of food.
“I SUPPOSE I MAY HAVE MADE A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH.” He admitted sheepishly, but the other three where quick to protest.
“Not at all Papyrus, I just with my stomach was bigger.” Toriel said as she shifted to try and make herself more comfortable. Frisk nodded her head enthusiastically along with Toriel’s comment.
“Yeah I’ve never in my life eaten this well Papyrus, thank you so much I could die happy.” She added patting her stomach to emphasize her point.
“It just means will be eating like, heh, lady bosses for a few days more that’s all Paps.” Sans said reassuringly
“I GUESS YOUR’RE RIGHT!” Papyrus replied straitening up in his seat. “IT JUST MEANS THAT TOMORROWS LUNCH AND DINNER ARE ALSO PREPARED FOR. NYEHEHEHE, IT HAS BEEN A SUCCESSFUL PARTY AFTER ALL. ANOTHER TRIUMPH FOR THE GREAT PAPYRUS!” Toriel chuckled lightly glad that Papyrus’ spirits weren’t dampened in the slightest.
“Say Frisk, you are free for the rest of the afternoon are you not?” Toriel then asked turning back toward her daughter who was currently fidgeting to try and loosen her vest.
“Yeah I don’t really have anything planned for the rest of the day.” Frisk replied. Sans flicked his pinpricks over to the two women not exactly thrilled as to where this conversation was going. Toriel smiled at Frisks answer.
“Splendid, then why don’t you and I go out for the day? It has been so long since we spent any quality time together! We could go on a shopping trip! Oh I have been meaning to take you to a few of the boutiques around town. Every time I go out I always find something that I think you will like, but I am never sure whether or not to buy it! What do you say?” Toriel asked excitedly. Frisk perked up at the offer to get out of the apartment for a while, but before she could agree Sans spoke up.
“Do you really think that’s such a good idea at the moment?” He said looking directly to Toriel. Toriel paused confused for a moment at Sans question.
“What do you mean? She asked him. Sans strummed his fingers across the table top not really wanting to remind everyone of the unfortunate events that had just come to pass, but also knew that they could not simply be ignored either.
“I mean the Gambinos have gotten bolder. I don’t think it’s a good idea to let Frisk out in the open so much, at least not for a little while.” He explained. Frisk expression shifted as her smile ran away from her face when she was reminded of Joey’s demise. Toriel noticed and immediately narrowed her eyes at Sans
“Frisk will not be unprotected. I will be with her.” She then stated firmly, but Sans was not convinced.
“They have the smokers, Tori it isn’t safe.” He said plainly not backing down. Toriel’s purple irises glinted with annoyance at Sans’ instance. Frisk and Papyrus looked uneasily between Sans and Toriel, caught off guard by the sudden tense atmosphere, now seeming to spark between the two of them.
“I do believe that I am quite capable of taking care of my daughter Sans.” Toriel than said, reminding the shorter skeleton brother of his place.
Sans grin grew taught, but he bit back the urge to argue that fact by bringing up the past events where Toriel did not exactly make the most ideal choices as Frisk’s guardian. He knew that it would be a low blow and he also knew that it really wouldn’t help his standing much with either the first lady or with Frisk. Reluctantly he buried his anger away and replaced it with an easy grin as he settled back in his seat.
“Fair enough.” He said with a shrug. “But maybe some added security wouldn’t hurt. I know a few of Dogo’s team are free. An escort might not be a bad idea, of course it’s completely up to you.”
Toriel’s brows furrowed at Sans’ appeal, but she did have to admit that perhaps with all of the chaos and unpredictability concerning the Gambinos lately, extra body guards would not be a poor choice to include.
“Very well.” Toriel agreed. “If they can be here in twenty minutes I won’t deny the extra precautions.” Sans smile then turned a tad bit more genuine, glad to see that Toriel had realized his point.
“Great I’ll give them a call.” Sans said standing up to head down to the bar to use Grillby’s phone. Frisk watched Sans with wary eyes as he left. It was rare when she would see him angry like that.
-----
Toriel and Fisk made their way down the main street of the shopping center that ran parallel to the market square. They were followed fairly closely by a few members of Dogo’s pack, GD and LD, but Toriel had been clear that she wanted some quality time with her daughter so the two dog monsters lingered a few paces behind to allow her the space that she requested. The shops here were definitely of a higher caliber as Frisk surveyed all of the finery that was displayed proudly in all of the shop windows. Toriel immediately began to get excited as she pointed out all of the clothing and jewelry that she thought would look just darling on Frisk. Frisk smiled along, but also gently dissuaded Toriel from being too impulsive with her purchases, reminding her mother that she really didn’t need all of the glittery things shining behind the glass of the store windows as she was sure that Toriel probably would have tried to purchase the whole city block if kept unchecked.
“Oh Frisk just look at this! Isn’t It just lovely?” Toriel beamed while gazing at a particularly puffy polka dotted gown that looked over stuffed with a big parasol like tool petty coat adorned with bows and ribbons. Frisk grimaced at the sight of the atrocious thing. It looked like a party balloon decorated with frills.
“Maybe we could start with some more practical items first.” Frisk then suggested leading her mother away from the fru fru stores to the more common and plain looking ones. “I was thinking I really do need some more casual where to be honest she continued.
Toriel glanced back a little sadly at the dress shop as she was sure that seeing Frisk trying on dresses would be so much more fun, but she did have to agree with her daughter that it would be best to start with the basics. After all Frisk only really had one nice everyday outfit, and when she wasn’t wearing that she would just throw on her old street clothes. Toriel shuddered slightly at the thought as she really did hate it when she would see Frisk wearing those old rarity trousers and over sized threadbare dress shirt. Try as she may however, she could never quite convince her daughter to simply throw the decrepit things away. Perhaps if she could supply a few more wardrobe choices for Frisk then she wouldn’t have to see her daughter wearing those street clothes so much, or even at all if they simply got forgotten in the back of Frisk’s closet hidden behind all the nicer and newer clothes that Toriel was determined to buy for her.
“That sounds like a very good idea.” Toriel then agreed now heading more willingly over to the lesser looking boutiques.
When they entered the store a female sheep type monster with three eyes came out of the back to greet them wearing a plain mint green long skirt and white buttoned up blouse with a matching mint colored bow pinned in her woolly mane. Her welcoming expression turned uneasy, however, when she looked from Toriel to the two large male dog bodyguards lounging bored by the entrance, and then shifted again to confusion when they settled on the human girl standing by the elegant goat monsters side. Frisk was fairly use to this by now as she had been living in the more monster populated area of the city for a while, and she already knew that her presence around these parts was considered an oddity.
Toriel payed the clerks questioning glances no mind as instead she promptly introduced herself as well as her daughter making it clear to the sheep monster that if there were any further concerns on the matter then they would simply take their business elsewhere. The store clerk quickly fixed her nervous façade to one of pure hospitality when she realized who Toriel was and immediately extended that hospitality to Frisk as well. Frisk simply smiled in thanks before Toriel began explaining to the sheep clerk what it was that they were shopping for.
The clerk nodded enthusiastically before ushering the two to the fitting area where she quickly offered Toriel a seat in a plush brightly patterned upholstered chair before also offering her some tea and refreshment. Toriel accepted gladly and then the little sheep monster was off. She flitted quickly around Frisk taking her measurements before she darted through racks and hangers murmuring to herself as she quickly collected a load of clothing that fit Toriel’s specifications into her hoofs.
Frisk watched a little nervously as the sheep approached her with a rather large pile of clothing, before she was then guided into the change room behind a heavy curtain.
“Just start with these please, and see if you like any please.” The sheep lady said pleasantly.
“Make sure you come out to show me dear.” Toriel added sweetly while she sipped on her tea.
Frisk sighed to herself, letting her smile fall away from her face when she was sure she was hidden safety behind the curtain. She grabbed a simple blouse to start with. She honestly wasn’t really feeling very up to this at the moment. She still hadn’t had any real time to herself yet to sort out all of the craziness surrounding her, or to deal with losing Joey, and though she knew that her mother’s heart was in the right place trying to cheer her up with this shopping trip, all Frisk really wanted to do was sit for a while in her room alone and maybe just stare out of her window.
Frisk finished pulling the garment on and allowed herself one more deep somber breath before she fixed her expression back to its casual state as to not worry her mother any further. It wouldn’t be that hard. It was only one afternoon and it had been a while since she had gotten to spend much time with Toriel. She was sure that she could endure until the end of the day, and when she was back home again behind closed doors then she would allow herself sometime to grieve properly. Frisk smiled as she stepped out from behind the curtain, giving Toriel a turn so that her mother could better see how the blouse looked on her.
The whole ordeal ended rather quickly much to Frisk’s relief. She made it through the huge stack of clothes that the sheep monster had provided and simply agreed with all of the choices that her mother made, not really in the proper mindset to argue. Toriel ended up buying her a few new blouses of varying colours and styles, and a couple of long, waist belted skirts, claiming that Frisk’s wardrobe needed to be more feminine. She also purchased a rather frilly nightgown. Frisk had almost protested the lacy looking thing as she really didn’t see why she had to worry about what she wore to bed, but her mother had insisted, stating that it was just not proper for a young lady of her age to be wearing a borrowed oversized shirt to sleep. Toriel had also decided to get a pair of simple black penny loafers, which Frisk had to admit that she liked as now she wouldn’t always have to wear her heals when she was supposed to get dressed up.
As they were leaving the store however, something caught Frisk’s eye. It was just a plain black long sleeved dress that looked to fall just at knee length, with a white rounded color that buttoned snugly around the neck. Frisk didn’t know why but she felt immediately drawn to the garment. In fact it was the first piece of clothing that she had seen all day that she didn’t feel indifferent to. Toriel noticed her looking at the dress.
“Oh my, it is a little …. Gloomy looking don’t you think dear?” Toriel questioned taking in the rather plain black cloth. “Wouldn’t you like to try on some of those dresses across the street instead?” Frisk only shook her head no.
“I like this one.” She stated. “I think I want to get it if thats ok?” Toriel only smiled and promptly agreed. Though she was sure that she would much prefer to see her daughter in the more fun and brightly colored gowns displayed in the window across the street, she still felt glad that Frisk was finally asking her for something she wanted.
“Of course it is! Here I’ll have the clerk wrap it up with the rest.” She said.
“Thanks mom, I appreciate it.” Frisk replied, and then she suddenly felt a little guilty for not being entirely committed to today’s shopping trip. “I um, I’m sorry if I seemed a little distracted today.” Frisk then continued while she scratched at the side of her face. “It’s just that…” Toriel was quick to wave a dismissive hand silencing Frisk’s attempt at an apology.
“Not at all dear, please do not feel sorry. I understand, you have had a trying last few days I only wanted to help you feel better.” Toriel continued as she cupped Frisk’s cheek affectionately Frisk smiled and nuzzled her face further into her mother’s furry paw like hand.
“Say why don’t we take it easy for the rest of the afternoon? We could go to a little cafe and simply chat a while, what do you think?” Toriel then asked.
“I like that idea.” Frisk agreed. The two then walked out of the shop and down the street toward Muffet’s bakery, GD and LD carrying Toriel’s bags as they followed grumpily behind
-----------------------
Sans parked the Buick down the street outside the gate of Ebott’s cemetery. It was oddly quiet here, especially since this designated patch of land for the deceased existed right next to the continuous hustle and bustle of the rest of the busy city streets. The sun was slowly sinking in the early evening sky. a few crows perched on a bare spindly tree by the stone wall that surrounding the cemetery puffed up there black feathers against the cold late fall air and cawed, alerting there fellow feathered friends of a possible intruders presence . Sans paid them no mind as he begun to saunter toward the black rod iron gates marking the entrance to the cemetery.
Sans rarely ever came to this part of town, and when he did he never stepped a foot inside the black gates as it was a sacred place for the human residents of the city where they buried their dead. It was always a strange concept to him, but to each there own he supposed, and even if he couldn’t really understand the ritual he definitely could understand to respect it anyway. After all grief and the sadness felt when loved ones were lost was an experience that both races had to endure in this world.
Sans then pushed the gate open, an unsettling screech of metal on metal permeated through the still and chilly air as the crows took flight, startled by the disturbance. Sans took a moment as he straightened out his tie. He was no longer wearing the gimmicky piano key one from earlier in the day. He had since changed into all black attire as was apparently tradition when humans where in morning and a sign of respect to the departed as well as the ones left behind. Sans scanned his soundings briefly noting the array of tombstones lined up neatly in rows. He passed by them causally, occasionally glancing at the names etched into the stone marking those individuals’ final resting places. It started to snow lightly as he continued. The small white flakes delicately drifted their way down to the ground, momentarily clinging to the cold surface of the grave markers before melting away.
Sans shrugged his thicker wool winter coat tighter around himself. He felt a little out of place here as he walked through the graveyard, though to his surprise the space didn’t really come off as eerie or foreboding, it instead held a certain tranquility and sans supposed it really wasn’t all that bad a place for someone to end up.
He spotted Asgore by an old oak tree atop a little hill near the center of the cemetery soon after. The large goat monster was also adorned in all black as he leaned against the trees gnarled trunk.
“Heya boss.” Sans greeted quietly as he strolled up next to Asgore with his hands lax in his coat pockets. Asgore nodded back in return.
“Hello Sans, thank you for joining me today.” He said before turning back to surveying over the little ceremony happening a few yards away. Sans also turned his attention over to the group of humans who were crowded around a freshly dug hole.
“That Joey’s family?” He asked as he watched the small group of people as they listening to the priest’s sermon while Joey’s coffin was lowered into the awaiting earth.
“Yes.” Asgore answered. “They are giving Joey his final sendoff. We will have to wait until they are finished I’m afraid. I hope you do not mind.” Sans shrugged.
“I don’t have anywhere else to be at the moment.” He said.
The two monsters then stood in silence as they both continued to watch the rest of the funeral ceremony take place. It was most defiantly different then how monsters said goodbye to their dead. A gloom held heavy over the little group and Sans could feel the sorrow in the air. He supposed that humans were more inclined to share their grief with one another then monsters were, who instead shared their memories of happiness that they had experienced with the one who had passed on.
Once the coffin was lowered and everyone had uttered there final farewells and best wishes to the family, the group began to disperse. Soon all who remained, who Sans assumed, were Joey’s immediate family. An older gentleman, most likely Joey’s father, stood with an empty morose expression over his Son’s grave, an arm wrapped around the shoulder of a silently crying women by his side, Joey’s mother. There was also a little girl holding the mothers hand, no more than seven years of age if Sans had to guess, and seemed to be a little confused as if she didn’t truly understand what was going on. A young man stood next to his father, Joey’s brother, younger by the looks of it. He appeared to be trying to act as stoic as his father, but unfortunately tears leaked through his firm façade.
Sans winced as he shuffled his feat in place. The guilt was starting to gnaw at him now as he continued to watch Joey’s loved ones grieve. Asgore remained enduring, his expression professional as he began to make his way down the hill toward the little family. Sans reluctantly followed behind him.
The group of humans turned to the approaching monsters immediately suspicious and clearly afraid. The mother grabbed her children and hugged them both to her side. Even when her son seemed to struggle in protest she refused to let him go. The father stepped protectively in front of his family, not allowing Asgore to get any closer.
“This is no place for your kind!” Joey’s father hissed threateningly as he glared at Asgore and Sans. Asgore nodded in agreement as he had already expected not to be welcome here.
“Yes and I do not intend to linger longer then I have to, but there is some business between us that needs to be settled. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Asgore Dreemurr.” Asgore replied and the family visibly recoiled at the name, clearly knowing exactly who Asgore was and what he was capable of without any further information.
“You are Antonio and Natalia Moretti correct?” Asgore continued before he reached into his jacket. “Your late son Joey was a friend of ours, and unfortunately I was not able to repay him for his help so I mean to pass this on to you. I do hope that it will help you and your family in these trying times. I also give you my condolences, and hope that this will be the last of your hardships.” Asgore then retrieved an envelope and passed it to Joey’s father. Who after staring down at the envelope in confusion for a moment hesitantly reached out and accepted the piece of paper.
After he opened it a look of shock and disbelief crossed his face before he turned back to Asgore momentarily speechless.
“Wh- what is this? Some sort of bribe so well stay quiet?” He then demanded. Asgore only shook his head.
“Not at all.” He answered. “It is simply my best attempt at settling the debt I owe to your son. I hope that that amount will survive. Also know that if you ever require anything of me or my organization you are most free to ask.” Asgore then bowed his head in a sign of respect, before he also brought forth Joey’s little silver lighter.
“I believe that this also belongs to you.” He said.
Antonio faltered and took a step back as he reached shakily for the lighter. When he had it he looked at it in astonishment as it lay in the center of his palm . He was silent for a while but then his expression shifted to one of pure sorrow
“That, that stupid boy!” He then said his voice cracking under the weight of his grief as he clutched the lighter tightly. “I told him, I told him not to get mixed up in that world! I told him that we would make it just fine on our own strength as a family, but he just wouldn’t listen to me, to his old man and now…” Antonio turned his sad eyes over to his sons freshly dug grave before collapsing to his knees. His wife Natalia was quick to his side to support him as he began to cry. Their little daughter hurried over to join the huddle, clearly upset to see her parents in such distress, but the boy didn’t budge, instead he fixed an angry stare on Sans and Asgore as hurt tears stained his cheeks.
“My brother wouldn’t have done it! He wouldn’t have helped scum like you!” He spat. “He wouldn’t have died protecting monsters!”
“Jacob enough!” His mother scolded harshly. Her eyes were worried and scared as they flicked between her son and the skeleton monster who had now stepped forward.
“Your right kid.” Sans began. “Your brother was a good man he wouldn’t have thrown his life away for scum like us.” Jacob was silent but still undoubtedly fuming as he held the skeleton’s steady pinpricks.
“Then why?” He asked sounding almost desperate for an answer.
“He did it to save a young human girl who got herself into some trouble with another mob. Your brother wasn’t a criminal, not in my books at least, he was just a stand up fellow who was unlucky and in love.” Jacobs’s eyes softened at Sans’ explanation, and though his expression was still unbearably sad a little smile tugged at his cheek.
“That does sound like something he would do the goof.” Jacob then said mostly to himself as he wiped at his watery eyes.
Asgore and Sans then turned to leave, allowing the family their privacy.
“Thank you Sans for accompanying me. I believe that went fairly well.” Asgore then said when they made it back to the gates.
“No problem boss.” Sans replied with a shrug before he moved to loosen his tie. “Though if it’s alright with you I think I’m gonna call it a day.” He said. Asgore nodded approvingly in response.
“Yes, I also will turn in early this evening.” He agreed as he slid out of his regel character and rubbed at the back of his neck tiredly. “These sort of dealings always drain me completely.” Sans chuckled.
“Could say your heh, dead tired then eh?” He questioned and Asgore immediately frowned.
“Sans that was tasteless even for you.” He chastised.
“Heh yeah, guess I’m not in the right frame of mind to really be making jokes.” Sans admitted with a shrug. “Say… you suppose they’ll be alright?” He then asked looking back over his shoulder.
“I ... do not know, but as long as they support one another I believe they will make it through this. It is always hard to lose family.” Asgore replied, his honey colored eyes reflecting a look of understanding and longing. Sans hummed in response deciding not to say any more on the subject before biding his boss farewell.
Sans sat in his Buick for a few moments after that as he watched the now overcast sky start to darken. The snow had now started to fall more steadily as the road was covered in a light blanket of white. Try as he may however, Sans couldn’t get the image of Joey’s crying family out of his mind, or the sad look Asgore had in his eyes before they parted ways.
He couldn’t imagine what it would feel like to lose someone so close. Sure, over the years he had lost many many friends, and of course their deaths had all been hard to swallow, but losing a son, losing a brother….losing Papyrus, or losing Frisk? Sans forced himself to bury the thought away not wanting to travel down that dark road again. It didn’t matter anyway because that wasn’t going to happen, not on his life, he wouldn’t let it. He had already made that promise after all.
Sans then started up the engine and headed back for home. Frisk would be back from shopping by now and Papyrus would probably be just finishing making dinner. Sans realized that suddenly he really really needed to see them as memories of their smiling faces flashed through his mind. He wanted to spend time with them, and even though he had just been with them only a few hours ago, he felt like he hadn’t seen them in years.