Chapter Text
Rus sat on the old warn out couch in the living room of Fell's small apartment, Red sitting snugly on his lap, his eyes glued to the space show he had put on tv.
The hoodie clad skeleton idly rolling a lollipop around between his teeth as he watched his edgy friend run about the small space getting ready. He'd called Rus last minute hoping he could babysit, that his work wanted him to come in and he couldn't get anybody else at the late hour. Rus had been happy to help out his friend.
This actually was not the first time Rus had babysat either, Fell would often rant to him how he had a hard time getting people to babysit for him. The lanky skeleton was perplexed at this at first, Red was a good kid and rarely caused him trouble. But then he really thought about it. Rus had a feeling it was because of the brothers appearance, even by monster standards they were intimidating, not to mention their apartment complex was in a shady part of town.
None of these things Fell could really help though. In a way he was a single 'parent', caring for his young brother all on his own and working a job that in all honesty should pay better for all the times it forced Fell to come in at a moments notice. People and monsters alike would judge him without bothering to know him and this became painfully apparent over the last few months that they had known each other, that he and his bro were Fells only real friends.
So Rus had become Reds go to babysitter, to help out where he could and if he was busy his bro Blue was more then happy to take over. (Though Red would complain about how Blue would try and get him to exercise and only eat 'healthy' foods.)
Not to mention he was cheap, his payment being ten bucks in order to get a pizza. To be honest Rus would of babysat for free but Fell practically demanded that he accept some sort of payment for his 'services'. So the pizza had sort of been the compromise, Rus could help his friend out and Fell didn't feel like he owed him anything. Not to mention who didn't like free pizza?
"Okay you two. I'm off to work." Fell addressed the two skeletons on his couch. "Money is on the counter. No staying up late and Rus you can actually sleep on my bed if you want until I get home. You know I won't mind."
Rus gave a lazy nod, though it was ten times more likely he was just gonna pass out on the couch like he always did. "You got it boss." he joked, slouching back into the cushions.
Fell just leveled a gaze at the other, but decided to ignore him as he bent down and pecked a small skeleton kiss on the top of Reds skull.
"ewwwwww, gross" Red stuck out his tongue but the smile on his face and the small giggle that escaped him said otherwise.
"I won't be home until really late so see you in the morning." Fell made his way to the door, turning just before he left "And don't forget to finish your homework. Don't think I didn't notice." And with that he was gone.
"UGH!" Red dramatically slumped back against Rus in agitation, causing the tall skeleton to chuckle.
"Ah don't worry little dude, I'll help you out. Besides the faster we get that done the faster we can drown ourselves in pizza and soda, totally ignoring the rules as we stay up late watching sci fi movies."
Red couldn't help but beam at that, jumping up and running off to grab his school work. He was ready to have a night of fun.
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When Fell finally returned home he was exhausted from a long night of work. It was 3:34 in the morning and he'd have to get up in four hours to get Red fed and off to school.
Walking through his front door he was greeted by a familiar sight. Rus was lightly snoring, curled up on the couch with a pillow hugged tight to his chest, blanket on the floor as the room was lite by the still on TV.
Fell couldn't help the soft smile that crossed his face as he shook his head in slight exasperation, Rus was always to lazy to even drag himself to a proper bed. As the edgy skeleton quietly made his way over to his snoozing friend, first turning off the TV before grabbing the fallen blanket off the floor, draping it over Rus's sleeping form.
Absentmindedly tucking it around the other skeleton, Fell started to lean down to give him a goodnight kiss. Only to stop himself moments from making contact when he realized what he was doing, eyes going wide in horror.
The tall skeleton pulled away sharply, face flushing a bright red. He had almost kissed Rus. I was just going through the motions. That's all. Like when I tuck in Red at night and give him a goodnight kiss.
At least that is what he told himself. He was just tired is all...
Fell chanced a glance down at the other skeleton. Red eyelights taking in the peaceful soft expression the other wore. The smooth curves of his face. The light snores that became almost whistles.
He is sorta cute when he's sleeping...
The older skeletons face somehow managed to turn even brighter as he violently tried to shove those thoughts away. Nope nope nope. Rus is just my friend and nothing more. The almost kiss didn't mean anything!
By this point Fell had started to power walk as fast as he could away from Rus, quickly entering his room and shutting his door. He leaned back heavily against it, before slowly lowering himself to the floor. Conflicting emotions running through his soul as he tried to make sense of his feelings.
They had always been there. Those feelings. Ever since that first day he had laid eyes on the other monster. He had thought it was nothing more then the ache of wanting a friend, But now...
It was something more, something deeper. It had become harder to ignore and now there was no denying it. He didn't just like Rus... He liked liked Rus...
"Fuck."
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Rus awoke the next morning surrounded by warmth and the smell of something delicious invaded his nasal cavity. With great effort he started to pry his eyelids open, in an attempt to wake up.
Immediately regretting it as the morning sun from the windows assaulted his vision, making him moan in annoyance before turning towards the back of the couch. Attempt two went a lot better, the tall skeleton managing to even sit up, blurrily looking around the apartment as he gave a loud yawn. Rus really didn't want to get up but he couldn't exactly stay at Fells the entire day.
Finally getting fully up, the lanky skeleton shuffled his way towards the kitchen.
Fell was at the stove flipping pancakes, while Red was sitting at the kitchen table head on his hands. The look on his face told Rus that the little skeleton also just got up and would rather not be. That was partially his fault though, he did let Red stay up a whole two hours later then he was suppose to. He sure was a great influence.
"Morning guys."
"mornin..." Red slurred out.
"Good Morning Rus, I'm surprised you managed to get up on your own! Pancakes are almost done if you want to join us for breakfast."
"Sure." Rus gave a lazy nod as another yawn escaped him, making his way to one of the empty chairs.
The rest of the morning went by in a flash. After breakfast Rus offered to do the dishes as Fell took Red to the bus stop. He couldn't help by notice the pleased expression on the edgy skeletons face or the light blush that had overtaken his sharp features when he had patted his friend on the back when he offered a 'no prob.'
He decided not to think to much about.
When Fell returned, Rus had just finished putting the last dish on the drying rack. He needed to head home soon, he had afternoon shift at work today and needed to get ready.
Walking into the living room the hoodie clad skeleton found the other still loitering by the front door. "Heya Fell, sorry to take off early on ya man but I gotta get home. Got work today." Fell just nodded.
But as Rus reached for the doorknob, his wrist was suddenly grabbed by Fell. In shock the skeleton looked over at his edgy friend, who was now sporting that same light red blush from earlier. "Fell?"
"Ummm..." The normally composed skeleton stuttered out, only adding to the confusion on Rus's face. "Be... Before you go. I wanted to ask..." Fell began to mess with his glasses, a nervous habit.
Rus just waited patiently for Fell to continue. He had never seen the other so nervous about anything before.
"Would you..." he tried again "Will you..." Fell growled in frustration at his own hesitance before he finally forced the words out. "RUS WILL YOU GO OUT WITH ME!"
The younger skeletons lite up like a christmas light, his face turning a bright orange. He had not been expecting this. Sure Rus had developed a small crush on his friend but he never thought it would ever go anywhere. "Like... like a date?"
Fell only nodded, eyes now looking anywhere but Rus. Face a bright red to match Rus's orange.
"Sure Fell..." Rus couldn't help but nervously mess with hoodie pocket. "I'll go out with you." He replied with a shy smile.
Suddenly Rus was enveloped in a tight hug, that promptly ended before the skeleton could even register that it had happened. Fell was just looking away in embarrassment that he had even let himself slip from his normal tough demeanor.
Rus could tell, things were about to get interesting... DATING START!