Chapter Text
My stomach turns into knots as Pap and I walk through the snow to the river, cutting right through Snowdin. He beams, waving happily at one of his school friends standing outside their house. “I can’t believe you talked me into this.” I grumble as we wait near the riverbank for River Person to show up.
He frowns at me, hands on his hips. Jeeze, he was dramatic. “You need to see your friend. This is important.”
A boat comes into view. One never has to wait long for River Person to arrive, strangely.
“Yeah,” I sigh and adjust my grip on the bag that held our suits and shoes before stepping onto the narrow boat. “I like Alphys, I just don’t like crowds.”
“Too bad.”
I scoff lightly at him, “Hotland, please.” I tell River Person. They don’t turn their hooded face as they hum to themselves, shoving away from the bank with their oar. “Tra-la-la!” The bright signing grates on my nerves immediately and I resist the urge to grumble again.
Papyrus nudges my arm with his elbow. “It’s one night. You’ll make Alphys happy, and you’ll get out of the house.”
I feel tired already. I open my mouth to complain but he adds, “And I’ll get out of the house, too.” Damnit. He shouldn’t be that good at making me feel so guilty.
“You’ll get away from my terrible cooking for the night, also.”
He chuckles at that and we spend the rest of the boat ride in comfortable silence. Water laps at the purple cave walls, dimpled and pitted from the magma that had filled it thousands of years ago. I’m nearly asleep when the boat bumps softly into the river bank.
Pap steps off the boat first and as River Person floats away, they call, “Tra-la-la! Remember to take a break every-so-often!” I pause at that, looking over my shoulder at them as they disappear into the cave. That was weird.
I dismiss it and we climb the carved steps leading from the river bank up to Hotland.
“Can we stay a few days?” Papyrus asks when we pass the narrow walkway leading to the lab. I tear my eyes away from it as we walk up the next bridge to the elevator. “I don’t know. The apartments’ basically empty now.” I reply flatly, hitting the call button.
“Please, Sans? I really want to see my friends again.”
I close my eyes so I don’t groan, opening them again when the elevator chimes brightly. “Monsters saw us leave Snowdin,” I tell him as we step into the elevator. “Someone’s going to wonder why you aren’t in school.”
“And school suddenly matters to you?” he grumbles.
“I’ll think about it, okay?” I finally concede. The light that sparkles in his eyes tells me I was going to have to give a half-assed excuse for him missing school.
The long walk to our old apartment is exhausting, but I manage to get there with only a few uncontrolled yawns. “We should have come up yesterday so we could sleep before the party.”
Papyrus scoffs at me and takes his suit from the wardrobe bag. “You’re so tired all the time because you don’t get out of the house!”
I shrug and throw the bag over the couch, watching him scurry happily to his old bedroom down the hall. Quickly, I change into my own suit, tossing my clothes over the wardrobe bag. I adjust the tie around my neck, frowning at myself in the mirror in the kitchen. I don’t like the way I look dressed up.
I went with simple black suits and white shirts, Pap insisted on a colored tie. A dark orange one for him and a dark blue for me. I didn’t argue, I wasn’t going to wear the thing again regardless. But if he didn’t grow too much he could use his suit again for one of the formal dances at the end of the school year.
Pap peeks out of the hall as I fumble with the cheap cuff-links on my sleeves. “Ready to go?” I ask, finally clasping them. “Uh, can’t get my tie done.” He admits sheepishly, stepping into the living room with the tie hanging limp in his hand.
I give a small chuckle and gesture him closer. I can see his socks under the hem of his pants, so much for getting another use out of the suit. He has to bend down so I can toss the tie around his neck and adjust the length. “Don’t forget the king is going to be there. And the royal guards.” I remind him. “So try to keep your enthusiasm curbed.” I smile, remembering his uncontrolled excitement when he first saw the royal guard when he was four. He’d ran right up to one of the massive dogs and pet them, causing them to fall over on their back in full armor and demand belly rubs. On duty.
He rolls his eyes and stands up straight when I finish the knot. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll try not to embarrass you in public.”
I snort at that before checking the time on my phone. We’d have to hustle to get to the castle in time. “Crap, come on. We’re running late.”
*
The golden hall at the far end of the castle is brimming with monsters when we arrive. Tables are set up, covered with linen and shimmering lights hang suspended between the massive pillars on either side of the hall.
Pap hauls me through the crowd, waving excitedly when he spots someone. (He can easily see since he stands a full foot taller than most of the monsters around us.) “ALPHYS!” He cries out and my heart leaps to my throat. I stumble as he pulls me closer and I can hear her voice through the general rumbling.
“O-oh my goo-goodness! You’re so-so tall, Pap-Papyrus!”
Papyrus is beaming when I find my footing again, I turn and smile at Alphys. “Hey, Al. You look nice.” She did. Really. The black dress hugged her sides and complimented her shape as it fell all the way to floor, her tail barely poking free behind her. The small plunge at her neck dropped just under her collar bone but her claw hovered under her muzzle to hide the rarely exposed scales. I pull her into a half-hug and she giggles awkwardly. “You-you look nice, too. Al-all dressed up. The both of you!”
I step back and she holds her face in her claws, a yellow blush burning her cheeks. “Th-this attention is going to du-dust me, I—”
She’s interrupted by a deep, hearty chuckle. A large paw settles on her shoulders and she jumps. “Now, now, Dr. Alphys, we cannot have a new Royal Scientist without a proper celebration!” My bones prickle in some undetermined emotion as the king stands over us. Nearly ten feet tall with horns curving toward the back of his neck, thick white curling fur, and an aura of ancient magic, he would be downright terrifying if he weren’t such a well-known softy.
“Dr. Sans, what a wonderful surprise! How have you been?” Asgores tone brightens considerably and before I can react my hand is engulfed in his massive paw in an enthusiastic shake. “I-I’ve been good, you remember my brother, Papyrus?” I shift his attention to Pap, noticing Alphys’ quickly falling smile at the kings’ obvious excitement.
“My goodness, you’ve grown! I remember when you were barely a foot tall.”
“He’s still just as interested in the royal guard as ever.” I add, giving an apologetic expression to Alphys when Asgore nods approvingly. Papyrus’ cheek bones flush dark orange. “Well, you should go speak to the captain of the guard, Undyne after the ceremony. She’s the tall fish with red hair, over there by the dogs.”
“I-I WILL!” Pap answers loudly, earning a good-natured chuckle from Asgore.
The smile is slowly returning to Alphys’ muzzle when Asgore adds, “At-a-boy, the royal guard is a very prestigious job. I admire youth with ambition. Speaking of,” his tone turns fatherly when he looks back down at me. “I would love if you returned to the lab, it would certainly speed up research if we had more minds like yours working down there. Plus I’m certain Dr. Alphys misses you.”
I try to laugh off the suggestion but it falls flat with all three of them staring so intently at me. I chuckle again and shrug, “Yeah, well, maybe I’ll think about it?” I say non-committaly, already regretting the hope that sparked in their eyes.
“I sincerely hope you do return.” Asgore says warmly. Music begins to play softly and I’m saved from further conversation when he chirps, “Oh! I do believe that’s our cue, Dr. Alphys, if you’d join me?”
“S-sure.” She replies, scurrying after him without looking back.
My hands clench in my pants pockets as the crowd shifts to watch Alphys and Asgore cross the large golden hall, stopping to stand in the middle. The back of my neck prickles as I sense Papyrus leaning closer to me. “Did you mean it?” He asks, unable to keep the hope from trembling happily in his voice.
“That I’d think about it? Yeah, but don’t get your hopes up.” I whisper dead-pan.
He sighs and I can feel the disappointment roll off of him. After a long moment I turn to comfort him but he’s gone. “Shit.” I murmur.
My heart kick-starts in my chest and I scan the crowd, slipping past monsters before I even realized I was moving. Distantly I hear Asgore speaking loud enough to be heard throughout the hall, but I don’t hear his words.
Fucking hell, why am I so short?! I think furiously to myself as I search for Papyrus. After I bump into a fourth monster I pause. Where would I go if I were him? I smack myself on the forehead angrily and screw my eyes shut in frustration. Ugh! I’m an absolute asshole.
I wobble suddenly. It felt like every ounce of energy fled from my chest and disappeared into the floor. Someone catches me across the shoulders with an arm and my pupils roll as my vision struggles to focus. “SANS?!” My brother’s voice is painfully loud in my ear.
I shake my head as my leg muscles slowly remember how to support my weight. “Are you al-alright?” A warm palm briefly touches my face. My vision finally focuses with several rapid blinks and I see Alphys leaning over me.
I manage a smile and stand, pulling away from Pap and hiding my trembling hands. They exchange a worried glance as I laugh it off. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Just can’t stand the excitement tonight.”
“UGH! HE’S FINE!” Pap yells in relieved frustration.
Alphys flusters a little, “Ma-maybe you sh-should sit down?”
“Don’t worry about it,” I tell her. “Sorry I interrupted the ceremony, but I’m glad I found Pap.”
Papyrus frowns and Alphys tilts her head strangely. “W-we haven’t sta-started the ceremony.”
“And what do you mean you ‘found’ me?”
“Y-you should re-really sit down, Sans.”
“Oh, Dr. Sans! What a wonderful sur… my goodness, are you all right?” The color fades from the room as I realize something impossible has happened. “Sorry, uh, little sick to my stomach. Don’t stop on my account.” The words tumble from my mouth as I turn and push my way through the crowd.
My heart races, sweat breaks out over my skin and I stumble my way to the nearest wall. I brace one arm against the cold marble and slowly catch my breath. Looking up I see monsters moving toward the center of the hall and soon the loud rumble of Asgores voice carries over the crowd.
I can feel the trembling in my spine begin to worsen, and just as I start to think I’m going to come undone I see the temporary bar set-up across the hall as the crowd continues to move forward. With a shake of my head I shove away from the wall and make my way over.
The tall fire-monster behind the folding table acting as the bar tilts his head curiously. A pair of glasses sit on his flaming featureless face, serving as a point of reference for his eyes (which he doesn’t have). I don’t bother with trying to understand and quietly ask for a drink to hide the shake in my voice.
He tips his head in what I assume is a nod and pours a honey colored liquid into a clear glass, leaving little room. I steady my hand and throw back the alcohol. A hot shudder passes through me and for a second I think I can make out a smirk on his flickering face. He raises the bottle questioningly and I nod, accepting another brimming glass.
My head starts to spin after I down it but the ease sinking into my muscles is worth it. When he raises the bottle again in question I decline. He offers soda instead and I chuckle, nodding as I finally slide into a seat. I turn so my back is against the wall and I rest my elbow on the table, looking out over the crowd.
Now I can clearly hear Asgore, though he sounds nearly done with his speech, and I can think a little more calmly about what happened.
“…cellence and remarkable character displayed by our Dr. Alphys, I have chosen her to fill the long empty roll of Royal Scientist!” I swallow a mouthful of soda before joining the crowd in applause, hoping its enough to cover the smell of alcohol on my breath when I see Papyrus spot me.
I pretend not to notice him until he’s much closer, feigning an easy up-tilt of my chin in recognition as his long strides bring him to the bar. His sockets narrow uneasily at the bartender, who’s busying himself with another customer.
“Are you okay? You took off so quickly I couldn’t follow you.”
I shrug. “Yeah, just needed something to drink.” I lift my soda can and take another drink.
Pap stiffens and groans quietly in disapproval. I jerk my chin toward Undyne standing near the edge of the crowd, he turns as she sticks her fingers in her mouth to whistle loudly over the applause. She’s dressed in her usual armor, but her helmet is tucked securely under her arm. Her wild red hair temporarily tamed with a tight braid that circles her skull.
“That’s the captain of the guard. She just got promoted recently. I’d go talk to her about what it takes to join if I were you.” I tell him with a smirk.
He falters for a second, looking back at me nervously. “Just be yourself, Pap.” I encourage. He quickly, anxiously licks his teeth and stands up straighter before marching confidently over to her as the applause dies.
I smile when he sticks his arm straight out for a handshake, tilting his head back as he grips and shakes her metal-gloved hand firmly. I can’t hear their conversation over the murmur of the crowd, but her face stretches into a broad smile as he talks animatedly to her.
The full effect of the alcohol sinks through my thoughts, fully relaxes my muscles and I find it even harder to keep my eyes open.
I blink blearily and sip more of the soda, hoping the sugar and caffeine might keep me awake. Just as I turn to ask the bartender for coffee he sets a steaming mug of it in front of me. “You got a creepy anticipation of your customers.” I mumble, struggling not to slur my words.
He shrugs lightly, glancing back out over the crowd as monsters being to mill about. “You wouldn’t…happen to be Grillby? The owner of the bar in Snowdin?” I ask after sipping the perfectly bitter cup.
He nods once, the golden light of the hall reflecting off his glasses.
“Huh, haven’t been in there yet. I’ll definitely go when I get back.”
He nods again mutely.
“S-Sans!” I turn with a broad smile when I hear Alphys’ voice. “Y-you lo-look better. I hav-have good news!” Her cheeks glow with excitement.
“Better than being made the Royal Sscientissst?” I’m having issues with my s’s. I make a note to avoid them for a little while and drink more coffee. She nods earnestly. “Yes! As-Asgore told me I-I can hire any-nyone I want to! I would lo-lo-love for you to come back to the la-ab! We can work on-on whatever you’ve been res-searching lately.” She adds the last sentence much quieter than her others.
I give a small sigh, feeling my shoulders slump a few inches. “How ‘bout I think ‘bout it, Alph?”
She chews her bottom lip to control the smile pulling at the edges of her short muzzle and grips one of her scaly hands with the other tightly near her waist. The action reveals the short plunge at her chest and I can’t keep myself from glancing once…twice over the glimmering scales. I distract myself with another drink of coffee, finishing off my mug.
Guess whatever happened earlier didn’t damper her enthusiasm about my returning to the lab. No matter how much I didn’t want to go back I couldn’t ruin her night.
I drop some gold on the table with a half-smile at Grillby, it was enough to cover whatever I drank and a little extra. He nods silently and I slide out of my chair. “Pap iss going to talk Undyne’s ear off.” I tilt my head toward them across the hall and Alphys snickers, following me.
Undyne wears the expression of someone caught in a conversation that’s either gone for too long or is going way over her head and is struggling to stay polite. As we get closer I realize it’s because Pap has asked several questions just after I got in ear-shot and hasn’t paused to let her answer any of them.
I smile and nudge him gently with my elbow. “Hey bro, I see you found Undyne. Congrats on the promotion, by the way.” I was getting better with s’s.
Pap beams, his sockets sparkling with admiration.
“Thanks, Sans. How’s the move been? Haven’t seen you since.” She asks, glancing sideways at Alphys with a bright smile.
I shrug. “Been okay, still getting settled I guess. Hope Pap hasn’t talked your fins off yet.”
Pap frowns at me, his eyes darting back to Undyne clearing saying ‘stop embarrassing me’, but I ignore him.
Undyne laughs loudly, throwing her head back. Alphys and Pap jump at the sudden sound, but I have enough liquor in my veins to be okay with the outburst.
“Oh not at all! I just didn’t know what to answer first! He’s quite…enthusiastic!” She pauses for a moment to find an appropriate word. Papyrus beams at the praise. “Yeah, he’s finally tall enough to be considered for a guard, right?"
Undyne blows a raspberry with a scoff. “Pssh, yeah, more than tall enough. But not old enough. Gotta be 20, at least to join.”
Papyrus dims a little at that but before any of us can offer any encouragement he perks up, pulling the dramatic person he’d recently adopted. His fists rest at his hips and he puffs his chest out. “WELL, THAT’S JUST MORE TIME TO GET EVEN MORE QUALIFIED!” He yells exuberantly.
I can’t help but smile broadly at his optimism.
“THAT’S the spirit!” Undyne booms, slapping him hard on the back with a shark-toothed grin.
Pap wobbles a little under the force of the blow but recovers with a jovial chuckle. I look at Alphys who’s claw has returned to hover delicately over the exposed scales on her chest. She smiles at the exchange, unaware of her modest gesture.
She glances at me and does a double-take, blushing when I don’t look away. “Wh-what is it?” She whispers, flustered.
I shrug casually. “Black really suits you.” I tell her, leaning closer so only she hears me. Her blush deepens as she struggles to hide the embarrassed smile that turns into a shy laugh and my own smile grows.
The rest of the evening goes by in a mild blur. The kind of swirl of color you get from happiness and ease uninterrupted from one moment to the next. The strangeness of my sudden collapse/foresight isn’t mentioned for the rest of the night and I’m thankful.
The hall is filled with the appreciative mumbles of good food and better company as a veritable feast is laid out for us. Everyone helps set up tables and chairs while the catering staff bring in their steaming dishes.
Alphys and I have a few more drinks, and Pap doesn’t mind. The rest of the royal guard join us, cramming around our small round table. Things continue to fade until dark, rich colors replace bright, washed out colors. There’s spouts of laughter and a few giggles, a reprimanding but light tone.
And I wake up on my back staring a familiar ceiling with no recollection of how I got there.
I blink several times before habitually reaching for my glasses which always rested on my nightstand. I roll from the bed and land with a loud groan on the dusty carpet. My skull spins before I realize I shouldn’t be here.
I sit up sharply and screw my sockets shut when the sudden movement makes my stomach flip. Holding a hand to my temple I remind myself we came back to the apartment in New Home for Alphys’ celebration. Of course I would sleep in my own room. But I wouldn’t sleep on the very edge of the bed, I always slept with my back to the wall.
I cautiously open my sockets and realize I fell asleep in my suit pants and shirt. My sleeves are folded haphazardly, one higher than the other, my tie is tugged half-way free and two of my top buttons are undone.
I grab the edge of the nightstand and haul myself upright, freezing when I see the rounded golden body of Alphys sleeping soundly with her back against my wall. Her dress is tangled up over her hip, bunched around her thigh that’s twisted with the bed sheet she struggled to pull to her chin. One of her claws lightly clutches the taught fabric at her chest and the other is thrown back by her face. Her glasses were caught by her horns sometime in the night and her chest slowly rises and falls with her soft breaths.
I’m not sure how long I stare before I my muscles begin to protest at the awkward position. Standing upright I realize my belt was still firmly buckled and my shirt still tucked in my pants.
My panic slowly subsides and I drag a hand over my face with a sigh of relief. Only thing worse than sleeping with your best friend would be not remembering it even happened.
I carefully nudge her glasses back in place without waking her and pull the comforter from its pile at the foot of the bed over her. She doesn’t even twitch.
I smile at her and drudge to the door. The smell and sounds of breakfast make my stomach growl in anticipation.