Chapter Text
Evening radio was Mike's passion.
The lighters this darkworld is meant to tend to are nothing if not squares. The patriarch is a total drag, the kids a little too young to appreciate anything good. Mike left daytime radio to the shadowguys.
But Toriel was an altogether different story.
She would read by the gramophone late, when everybody else was fast asleep. Mike would play slow jazz and crooning until she fell asleep in her easy chair. On his favorite nights, when she was lush with wine, and him a few shots of bourbon, he'd swing just low enough not to wake the kids, late into the AM
Mike liked Toriel. He really did.
He didn't have the attachment to the little ones that Shuttah had. That delight at having buttons pressed by little hands that didn't know they were making memories to begin with, let alone preserving them. He definitely didn't find Asgore as amusing as Missy did. But he liked entertaining Toriel.
He liked the way she danced with herself. Especially those nights she was alone in the house. He liked that she would sing along, responding to every call, a ho for every hi-de.
It was what Mike lived for. He always felt a little crash whenever she turned in for the night.
After about ten "Oh, just this last song, I love it!"'s from Toriel night, Mike stumbles out of the station tired and congratulating himself on a job well done. Shuttah greets him just outside the door.
"Already headed to drink? You're a lush- but good! That's where I need you. Missy and our new friend are already there.
"New friend?"
"Oh! I've spoiled you. A television woke up on the couch just last night.
"… A TV." Mike stops in his tracks.
"Yes! And he's a gas. I bet you'll like him, calls himself Tenna."
"A gas."
They made their way to the little bar, really just a few bottles of liquor and wine squirreled away by Missy and doled out by a few shadowguys. Shuttah and Mike duck into the tiny space and Mike almost steps back and all the way out at the sight of the absolutely massive man taking up the far left seat. Lo and behold, an idiot box is sitting there, drinking a Shirley Temple and chatting up Missy.
Mike immediately did not like the man.
He was babbling some bull about his plans for programming. something about cartoons he thinks. His voice is loud and clear as a bell. A very very sharp bell.
His entire face is a screen and it lights the whole place up like Christmas. Too bright, too sharp. All the place's cozy atmosphere completely demolished by a talking idiot box.
"Oh, you two! Tenna was just talking about what he wants to do when he gets set up." Missy stands and steps aside so Shuttah and Mike can approach. Shuttah sides up to Tenna, Mike stays put.
"You're the radio!" Tenna waltzes right past Shuttah and up to Mike. "I listened a little bit earlier. I'm already a fan!"
Tenna's screen is so close and so bright it takes a second for Mike's vision to adjust. "A fan, huh?" Mike feels his voice crack with irritation.
"A huge one! You're such a showman, It's so entertaining!"
"I didn't know I was such a pull. I like the focus to be on the music. The personality is just a compliment."
"Well it's a great one." Tenna's head follows Mike's as he sits and is handed a glass of cognac. "My favorite part of the show!"
"If I didn't know any better I'd say you were trying to flatter me." Mike knows Shuttah and Missy can tell he hates this guy with how much they're trying to not get involved. What he doesn't know is if this Tenna kid knows.
"Is it working?" Tenna leans forward cheekily, trying to be cute. Mike refuses to flinch even as his screen blots out his vision.
"It isn't." Mike downs his drink. "You were talkin' about programming?"
The change in topic lights Tenna up like Christmas. "Well, there has to be cartoons and kid's shows, for little Kris, they're growing, that kind of thing is important! Tenna swirls his drink, trying to expel excess energy. "And Asriel. I think older kids these days like music, So I'm experimenting with music television!"
That makes Mike pause. "Really now?"
"yes! That kind of thing's really popular these days. I was actually hoping for your input on it, since you're such an entertainer."
"You want my input on how you're going to replace me?"
"Hey!" Missy cuts in, "What about late night? You said you had ideas for Asgore and Toriel?" She leans against Mike and waves her drink between the two. She's not subtly warning Mike to be civil.
"Yes!" It's insane how goddamn bright that screen is. "That's part of why I wanted to listen in on you!" Tenna leans in close to Mike. "I want to do late night, a talk show!"
"Late night?" Mike frowns. His spot? Toriel's time to unwind? When he did his best work? He clears his throat. "I mean, only person who's up late is Toriel, and I don't think she's up for TV." Mike smiles into his glass as he watches the wind leave Tenna's sails. "Maybe something earlier? For the kids?"
"Well!" Tenna perks right back up. "I also want to set up a game show! Fun for the whole family, right? I think the kids will love it!"
Mike smiles. As long as he stays in his own damn lane.
"But that's all why I need to talk to you! You're so good at what you do. I'd love some pointers, I really would!"
Mike has to admit the praise gets to him. Mostly due to how clear it is the kid actually means it. "… Maybe we can talk sometime."
Tenna's screen goes pink with delight, and canned applause chimes from his speakers. "Wonderful! I can't wait!"
"Alright lovebirds, less yapping, more drinking." Missy shoves more drinks into Mike and Tenna's hands
The rest of the night goes smoothly. Mike has to admit that Tenna fits in. Him and Shuttah get on like a house on fire. Visual medium solidarity, Mike assumes. It's Missy who decides to wrap it up for the night. Asgore would be up gardening early, so she needed her beauty sleep. Shuttah follows suit. Mike only lingers when he notices Tenna hovering as he puts on his jacket.
"Yeah?"
"Oh- Just-…" Mike could swear the guy was a few inches taller five minutes ago. "Will you really help me? I want this to go well- I really want them to like me."
Mike huffs a breath. Tenna means he needs them to like him. Mike knows the feeling. It took a lot of personal grieving for him to accept he wouldn't be everyone in the family's cup of tea.
"My help can't do everything. I can try, But the best advice I can give you is twofold." Mike steps closer, getting a good look at just how needy Tenna seemed to be for a guiding hand. "You're gonna burn out if you try to please everyone. And…" Mike pulls the half finished Shirley Temple from his hands. "Start drinking real liquor."