Chapter Text
Reaper sat on his bed as he adjusted the camera. "Ok, recording...now. It's been a few days since my last recording. A lot has happened. I told the other Gods about the pregnancy. It went as well as I suspected. Asgore didn't want to give me any time off. I brought over Mahoa, the Alphys that has been treating me, and she listed various reasons why I needed time off. He did not like listening to a mortal, but after hearing her testimony approved of a maternity leave. Two months. A month before the birth, and a month afterwards." Reaper sighed. "I hope the Soulling is born on time, and not early, like their Descent."
He grabbed a piece of paper. "On a more positive story, Goth drew this." Reaper pointed to the crayon drawing. "Ever since he heard that the Soulling is going to be born as an egg, he is convinced we should have a nest." The drawing was an egg inside of a bird nest built from twigs. " Mahoa and Life still can't figure out if the Soulling is going to immediately hatch after birth, or if it'll take a few days to hatch. Mahoa Shoujo is currently building an incubator for us." Reaper smiled.
"The Lusttale variant, Boutiquetale, has been so helpful. Ribbons has been making maternity outfits for me and has been helping with better supplements. I think you'll like him. He has the same dry humor that you have. I really hope you meet him. He's been helping out with tracking down gossip. It's honestly amazing what Monsters will talk about with a tailor or a Lust Variant. It does make me think we can track Ink."
"Geno, I hope you see the egg. It would actually make all the comments you made, of me being a bird brain worth it." Reaper laughed.
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"Daddy! I made a nest for the baby!!! They'll be safe here!" Goth yelled at his father. He ran in the room with a bundle of twigs in a wooden box.
Reaper looked at the pile of sticks. Even for a bird
... It was questionable. But Reaper put on his supportive parent face. "Oh Goth! That looks so good! But maybe when they're a toddler! I think that might be too much for a fresh egg or baby!"
"Really? I thought I did a good job..." Goth looked disappointed.
"Gothy! No! It's really good! But a fresh egg needs more soft things, like feathers and cotton! To keep them warm and not .... Poked."
"Oh! Ok! I got blankets I don't use!" Goth chirped.
"That's perfect! Blankets are great! They can smell your scent on the blankets! Gothy! You're such a good big brother!" Reaper cooed out.
"Really Daddy? I'm a good big brother? Even though the baby isn't here yet?" Goth asked.
"Of course! I can already see how much you love them! And loving them is half the requirements to be a great older sibling!" Reaper reassured Goth.
"Awesome!" Goth paused for a moment. "Daddy, can I ask a question?"
"Absolutely my baby bird. What's your question?" Reaper responded.
"If Mommy's not here... Can I ... Help with the baby's name?" Goth shuffled his feet.
Reaper was slightly caught off guard. But he recovered. "I think it would be fair if you can veto, or say no to a name... The Soulling is your sibling after all." Reaper swallowed, "are there any names you like for your sibling?"
"Um... I want a nickname I can say easily. Like I'd feel silly if I can't say the name or nickname.... What kind of big brother would I be, if I say my little brother or little sister's name?" Goth stated.
"That's more than fair Goth. I'll make a list of names for the Soulling. If your mother is not back, before the birth, you'll have a vote. And I know your mother will agree on your vote." Reaper tried to assure Goth.
"Really? Mommy would like a name I chose?" Goth asked.
"I know your Mom would love anything you chose. But I, also have a vote. There's no way I'm naming a child something like Monster Truck." Reaper laughed.
"Duh! That's so lame Daddy!" Goth laughed.
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Reaper opened the portal to Boutiquetale and floated through. "Hey Ribs!" The Death God waved at Ribbons. "have you found any leads yet?" Reaper asked. Over the last few weeks, he visited Ribbons on his time off. Partly to get more of his supplements, and to chat with Ribbons on Intel and gossip.
"Sorry Reaper, Ink hasn't dropped by in a few weeks. He might have found a new muse. But there are rumors that he is fighting with someone." Ribbons said. "There have been several sightings of Ink fighting a black boned Skeleton, dressed in black. But the thing is, I'm not sure if it's one Skeleton Monster or two. There have been conflicting reports on the fighting styles." Ribbons shrugged his shoulders. "It could be, the Skeleton knows multiple fighting styles, or it could be at least two different Monsters. Honestly most of the witnesses run away before getting a better look."
"Huh, black bones are kinda rare... What about the fighting styles make you think it might be two different Monsters?" Reaper sat down on a chair.
"Whoever Ink is fighting, causes a lot of property damage and chaos... It seems like the reports involving the string weapons, the Skeleton is out for complete destruction. But the reports with sludge tentacles, it seems more like the goal is spreading fear. There are more survivors." Ribbons sighed. "It would be useful if anyone filmed the attacks, but survival is more important." He huffed out.
"Hmm Whoever Ink is fighting must be pretty strong." Reaper commented. "I wonder if they'd be any easier to track down."
"Are you crazy? The Skeleton has no Mercy! I don't care that you're a God, you're pregnant!" Ribbons said in exasperation.
"A God with Death Touch. I'm sure I'll be fine." Reaper said with confidence.
"And whoever the mystery Skeleton is, they're a long range attacker! Much further than your scythe can reach! Do you think you can bridge the gap and touch them? Reaper, this isn't about you, or even Geno. This is about the Soulling! You're not the only one on the battlefield!" Ribbons hissed. "Your boss is an asshole for making you fight mortals while pregnant. That's one thing, *God business* and all that. But going after a Monster that has made Ink run from battle? What if they hit your abdomen? Cracking the eggshell?"
Reaper sat in silence. The reality weighing in. "But what if either of them know anything? Ink is my only lead. And if I find the mystery Skeleton, then I'd probably find Ink." He tried to reason.
"Look, I understand that you want to find Geno. And I don't want to sound morbid. But at this rate... What's the harm in you waiting a few more months to go out actively looking for him? You're doing so much in recruiting Monsters like me to gather information. Let me, your brother and everyone else, do more of the leg work." Ribbons said. "You have a job no one else can do right now, taking care of yourself, so your Soulling can grow."
"Fine! I won't actively search!" Said in exasperated. But internally he thought, that nothing would stop him from questioning the Mystery Skeleton if he ran across him by chance.
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Ribbons buried himself in fabric research. What would be the limits to the Death Touch? From what Reaper told him, Goth appears to have inherited the Death Touch. Ribbons wondered if the Soulling would inherit it as well, and if they did, would the eggshell count as the body? Or would the eggshell act as a barrier?
Reaper was vague on who watches over Goth while he worked. But it seems they are not a part of the Death Family. And not immune to the Death Touch.
Childcare for Goth was not an issue when he was a baby bones, because Geno was around. But he isn't here for the upcoming Soulling.
Ribbons was broken from his train of thoughts, by the knocks on his door.
"ITS ME BROTHER! MAY I COME IN?"
"Sure thing Paps." Without the Multiverse visitors, there was no need for nicknames. The door opened to reveal the local Papyrus, known as Corset. "What brings you in?"
"SANS, I'M GLAD YOU FOUND A PERSONAL PROJECT AGAIN. ITS GREAT TO SEE YOU WORKING ON SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT... BUT AREN'T YOU DOING ENOUGH ALREADY?" Papyrus points to the piles of blueprints and fabrics.
"Paps, I want to do this. It's both a fun challenge and rewarding. I think making a pair of *Death proof* gloves would be a great way to show off my talents." His wrist gave a delicate twirl.
"WHILE I ADMIRE YOUR DESIRE TO FLEX YOUR INTELLIGENCE, I THINK *A* ITS RECKLESS, LIKE HOW WOULD YOU TEST IT? AND *B* WHY SHOULD YOU CARE WHAT THE MULTIVERSE THINKS OF YOU? AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS OUR HOME." Papyrus huffed.
"Paps, I know you care about what the Multiverse thinks. Your self worth and eye for self image are... Magnificent. No harm in wanting a good appearance." Sans pushed up his glasses. "And it's more than just showing off. Honestly, I want to make these gloves to help out Reaper. Whoever is currently watching his other son, apparently isn't *death touch proof* so imagine trying to take care of a baby bones like that?" He sighed. "I empathize with the older child. I worry he might be stuck with so much responsibility, at such a young age. Especially since his mother disappeared. It was tough raising you. I was barely a tween, when we were orphaned. I just want to help the kid out too."
"SANS, YOU'RE ALREADY HELPING OUT WITH THE BLOOD AND BONE MARROW DONATIONS. I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU BLAMING YOURSELF, IF THIS SIDE QUEST DOESN'T PAN OUT." Papyrus gently said.
"Thanks Pap, I'll keep that in mind." He smiled at his brother.
"OH! I ALMOST FORGOT! I WAS HERE TO REMIND YOU OF YOUR DATE WITH GRILLBY!" Papyrus hits his forehead with the palm of his hand. "SERIOUSLY SANS! YOU NEED TO REMEMBER TO HONOR YOUR DATE NIGHTS! YOU HAVE TEN MINUTES! YOU CAN CLEAN UP YOUR WORK STATION LATER. I JUST WORRY ABOUT YOUR LT LEVELS." He sighed.
"Oh shit! Sorry Paps! Sometimes I get too hyper focused on a project..." Sans felt the creeping warmth on the edge of his ribs. "See ya after my date." Sans straightened his tie.
Papyrus shakes his head and has a light laugh. "HEY BROTHER ! CAN I BORROW SOME CUFFLINKS? I CAN'T FIND MY GOOD PAIR! I ALSO HAVE A DATE TONIGHT!" He went over to San's personal accessories drawer.
"Yeah sure thing!" Sans smiles as he shortcuts.
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Goth wanted his little sibling to be safe. He gathered up all of his softest items. From his extra blankets, to his stuffed toys. He spots a kangaroo plushie with a working pouch. Goth remembered a fun memory with his mother.
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Back when he was an older toddler, he recalled he was playing with the kangaroo. Having fun taking the little joey in and out of the pouch and giggling. Geno watched from the couch with a smile.
"Hey Gothy," his mother's gentle voice rang out. "Do you want to feel like a joey?"
"Really?" Goth got excited.
Geno zipped up the lower half of his hoodie. "Come here baby bird."
Goth ran up to his mother and climbed into the hoodie. He felt Geno's arms supporting him as Geno stood up, and started to walk around the room.
"Mommy!" Goth giggled, "kangaroos hop! Not walk!"
"You're right! Gothy you're so smart!" Geno praised his toddler. And hopped three times. "Oh that's enough hopping for now." He huffed, slightly out of breath. "You're getting pretty big Gothy."
"I'm big boy!" Goth chirped.
"That you are. Soon you're going to be too big for me to carry you. I'm going to miss holding you in my arms" Geno nuzzled his head.
"No! You carry me!" In Goth's toddler logic, he thought Geno was going to stop carrying him now.
"Don't worry baby bird, I'll be carrying you for a few more years. Don't worry." He cooed to his son.
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Back in the present, Goth examined the kangaroo. The pouch was large enough to hold a couple of oranges. He had used the toy like a bag a few times before. The little joey toy was more worn thin than the mother kangaroo plushie. It had been repeatedly squished with snacks inside the pouch. The button eyes are scratched, some patches of the fur are worn down. Goth placed the joey back inside the pouch.
Goth wondered if he could place the egg inside the pouch. He smiled at the idea of the egg and the joey together, tucked together safely in the mother kangaroo pouch.
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Error plopped onto the bean bag he recently stole. He was exhausted. The glitching black bones Skeleton eliminated a handful of unstable AUs. His instincts screamed that all AUs, except the original, are abominations. But the unstable ones are the most vile of the AUs. The code begging to be deleted.
The Anti Void's "ceiling" Collection of stringed up Souls is growing.