Chapter Text
You absolutely loved puzzles. Papyrus’ weren’t exactly challenging like the Sudoku, video games, and other types of puzzles you were used to doing on practically a daily basis, but puzzle definitely weren’t what you were expecting when he declared he was going to capture a human.
The electric field puzzle had spiked your fear until Papyrus unintentionally gave away the path, and the rest of the puzzles had been pretty harmless too. With everything else you encountered, Frisk, oddly, didn’t want to solve any of them. They would just smile and extend their arm towards it grandly, and waited patiently for you to figure out each one.
When you inquired as to why Frisk had no interest in solving the puzzles, they’d simply answered, “I’ve done them before.”
“You’ve done all the puzzles?” You found that hard to believe. You half teased with your next question, secretly hoping they would admit to it, “Or maybe you’re just a psychic, hmm?”
Confusion clouded their face. “What’s a psychic?”
“Someone who can see into the future. They know what’s going to happen before it happens.”
Their little arms crossed against their chest, their face screwed up in concentration as they considered the definition.
“Don’t hurt yourself, kid.” Sans was suddenly behind the two of you.
You both jumped at his sudden appearance. His forever grin grew a little more. “Wow, your bones almost jumped out of your skin,”
You rolled your eyes. “Wouldn’t that be great? Another two skeletons to deal with.”
“Heh, it’d be something.” His attention fell beyond the two of you, at what you assumed was yet another puzzle. “I wanted to say thanks for playing along with my brother. It’s really cheered him up to see two humans.”
“Well, it’s actually been pretty fun.” You weren’t lying to placate Sans when you said that, either. If you had been told before falling into the Underground that you’d encounter giant, talking dogs that towered over you and were always looking to be pet, and that a loud skeleton monster would create puzzles for you to solve, you’d have leapt into the hole much earlier on your own free will. This place was full of unexpected joys.
“Papyrus is cool!” Frisk chimed in, bringing you back to the conversation.
“Yeah, my bro is pretty cool.” Sans agreed. “He said he found your dog, by the way. Playing with the other dog he’s always yelling at by one of his puzzles.”
“Sounds like Spot,” You muttered. If there was trouble, he somehow always found his way into it, and usually managed to push you towards it as well. “At least he’s alright.”
“Oooo, Nice Cream!” Frisk shouted, running over to a bunny monster standing by an ice cream cart.
You laughed at Frisk’s nickname for ice cream. “Frisk is too cute sometimes.” You commented, mostly to yourself.
“They’re pretty happy, huh?” Sans met your eyes.
“For waking up in a strange place without anyone around that they know?” You said sarcastically. “Yeah, they’re doing a pretty good job at being happy.”
He shrugged. “Maybe their life isn’t much better up there.”
You hadn’t considered that. Then again, you hadn’t expected the monster world to be so kind. Frisk had been running away from something when you saw them before falling down.
“Maybe you’re happier down here too.” He pushed.
Frisk’s footsteps made soft thumping noises in the snow as they skipped back over to you. Their now sticky hand tugged on your shirt as they handed one of the sweets up to you. You turned to them and took the ice cre- wait, no. The label clearly said “Nice Cream”. Well, it was still cute even if Frisk hadn’t made it up.
“You just met me, Sans, how could you know whether I’m happier down here?” You asked as you opened up the Nice Cream, reading “You look nice today!” on the inside of the wrapper.
Frisk stopped licking away long enough at their ice cream to say “He left.”
You twisted your head back to where Sans was standing, annoyed to see he’d just suddenly disappeared. You spun around in a circle to see where he’d went off to. But there wasn’t a single footstep left beside yours or Frisk’s.
“Well, that was rude.”
Frisk giggled and started walking while they finished the ice cream. “He does that sometimes.”
“Of course he does.” You bit into the ice cream, surprised at the melon flavor. It looked like vanilla.
The two of you solved a few more puzzles and encountered yet more dogs (unfortunately none of them yours) and monsters, before finding a bridge. You hesitated before it. Even Frisk looked nervous.
It was the only way across though. You reached down for their hand and took it firmly in yours. “It’s gonna be okay, Frisk. We’re just going to walk slowly, and take our time.”
Frisk wasn’t reassured. You were awfully shit at making the kid feel better. You crouched down beside them. Frisk wasn’t the usual, so maybe you should approach this without assuming what was worrying them.
“Alright, spill. What are you worried about?” You tried to look serious but friendly. “I know it’s not just the bridge.”
They looked surprised at your actions. They stared you down as if waiting for you to pop up and say you were just kidding.
“I made you a pinky promise, right? I’m not going to do anything to anyone.”
Frisk nodded slowly. “You did pinky promise.” But they still didn’t look sure.
“What is it?” You prompted again.
Frisk looked down at the ground as they talked, their chin tucked against their chest. “’M afraid you’ll get angry anyway… You’ll forget.”
“Hey,” You whispered, waiting until they looked at you again. “You can trust me, Frisk. We’re going to walk across this bridge together, and I am not going to get angry.”
“…Okay.” They mumbled, accepting your hand again as you stood up and walked towards the bridge. That wasn’t the most reassuring confidence in you, but it would have to do. Frisk was shivering a little too much after being out in the snow for so long. You couldn’t stick around and wait for better answer.
You were about halfway across the bridge, with no signs of trouble. Maybe Frisk really was just afraid of heights.
“HUMANS!” And there it was. Papyrus was standing on the other side, pointing directly at you two. Sans stood beside him, watching. “This is your final and most dangerous challenge! Behold! The gauntlet of deadly terror!”
Suddenly weapons descended on ropes, aiming directly at you and Frisk in the middle of the bridge. Frisk’s hand gripped tighter around yours, and you could sense their nervousness skyrocket. A cannon, spears, fire, d- Wait.
“Ar-ARE YOU SERIOUSLY DANGLING MY DOG FROM A ROPE RIGHT NOW?!” You hollered at Papyrus, running forward, dragging Frisk behind you, to get closer to Spot, who was wagging his tail like he didn’t have a care in the world. There was another dog dangling beside him, also looking very much at ease.
“Yes! He is one of the most dangerous things around here, perfect for the gauntlet of deadly terror!” Papyrus declared. “Now if you could please move b-”
“Get him down now, Papyrus!” You snapped, reaching the edge of the bridge and pushing past him, looking for source of the ropes.
“I- well- AHEM!” Papyrus posed dramatically. “Of course! That trap would’ve been too easy, not fair at all for capturing humans! I’ll have to go about it with another puzzle!”
He ran off, and as he disappeared, the ropes lowered, Spot and the white dog landing safely in the snow. The white dog yapped and wandered off, while Spot greeted you and Frisk. You sighed in relief and knelt down to hug him, kissing the top of his fluffy, snow covered head. Frisk was standing over the two of you, patting Spot’s back.
“Sorry, Frisk,” You mumbled into Spot’s fur. “Guess I got a little angry, huh?”
Frisk was smiling when you looked up at them. “”S okay. It wasn’t the bad kind. It was funny.”
Another wave of relief washed over you at their response. Thank goodness Frisk didn’t classify that moment. You couldn’t help yourself after seeing your dog like that.
“C’mon, Spot.” You chided, grabbing his leash. “You’re not getting away this time.”
Sans was still standing beside the bridge, watching. You scowled at him. “You let your brother just do that to dogs?”
Sans shrugged. “The dogs didn’t seem to care.” He raised a hand and pointed at Spot. “By the way, I spotted your dog.” Wink.
You couldn’t resist your lips twitching up in a smile, despite how annoyed you were. Damn him for always managing to find your weak spot.
Frisk sneezed, remind you of how cold it was out here. “Hey, funny guy. Is there a warm place anywhere we can stay?”
He considered the question, then nodded back towards the bridge. “I’ll show you. I know a shortcut.”
You weren’t too interested in going back across the bridge, but since Frisk didn’t seem to have any objections, you followed him.
Suddenly you were standing in front of small house, decorated with Christmas lights. Warm light spilled out from the windows.
Sans pushed open the door, gesturing for you to come inside. “Welcome to my humble abode.” He crooned.
Frisk went inside without hesitation, flopping on the couch like they were used to it. You followed, letting Spot off the leash. He barked excitedly and ran around in circles, leaving wet paw prints everywhere.
Dammit, Spot. “Sorry, I’ll clean it up.”
Sans shrugged. “We’ve had worse. Don’t worry about it.” He walked up the stairs to the floor above you, calling down. “My brother might show up. He’ll probably make you spaghetti.” Then a door shut, and it was just you, Frisk and Spot.
“These skeletons are pretty nice, huh, Frisk?” You asked, ignoring the fact that just earlier Papyrus had pointed weapons at you two. When you didn’t get a response you turned to Frisk, finding they were already fast asleep.
You gently tugged off their wet shoes and socks, placing them near the door. Spot watched as you pulled the blanket over Frisk, then sat beside them , stroking their hair softly. He settled down at your feet. Despite only knowing Frisk for a day, you felt so much closer to them. As you’d known them for months.
Laying your head back on the couch, you wondered why the brothers, especially Sans, had taken to you humans so easily. They greeted you like strangers, but seemed to act familiar in conversation. Maybe that was just how monsters worked. Toriel had been that way, after all.
You felt your eyes droop, and finally let yourself give in to a little rest.