Chapter Text
It's laundry day for you and you're standing by the machine waiting for it to stop. You hear the dryer buzz and you pull out Gaster’s clothes, putting them into a basket; then move the already completed washing load into the dryer. Pulling out the lint catcher. You run your fingers across it and put it back into the machine. You turn the knob and press the start button. Looking down at the basket you notice one of Gaster's sweaters. Taking a quick glance at the door and the hallway, you grab the turtle neck out and put it to your nose, deeply inhaling the scent. You couldn't quite put your nose on what the smell was but you did know you liked it, a lot .
Leaning against the machine you slide down onto the floor and pull your legs up to tuck your knees to your chest, still breathing deeply through Gaster's sweater. Your eyes close and you lean your head back. After allowing yourself a few seconds of fresh air, you burry your face again and nuzzle the soft fabric. You can see why Gaster likes these sweaters so much, they must feel amazing to wear. Part of you wonders if they’re made out of regular acrylic, or if these are actually really expensive ones made out of some fancy material. Though the thought isn’t enough to entertain you long. Soon you begin to think about mundane things, like what to make for dinner, or what show or movie you might watch tonight. Maybe you’ll play video games? Or maybe you could watch a playthrough.
It’s while pondering these important questions that you miss Gaster popping into the room. You didn’t hear his footsteps, so obviously, the only way he could have appeared so silently was with a shortcut. When you open your eyes to see the unmistakable black slacks, you immediately sit straight and look up at him. He has a soft reassuring smile on his face, and he crouches down to better be on your level.
“Enjoying yourself? I was coming to take care of my own clothing… but it seems you have done that for me.” Gaster points to the basket you sank down next to.
“Uh, yeah. I wanted to get my load on to dry, and my timing happened to be good… your stuff had just finished drying.” You clutch the sweater to your chest, not exactly trying to hide it, but still feeling self-conscious about being caught with it.
“Well, I appreciate that. Thank you.” He reaches out and touches the sweater, gently grabbing a part of it with his index finger and thumb, “Do you like this?”
“Uh- yes. I do. It’s really soft and it smells good. Your cologne is really strong if it lives through a wash.”
You smile sheepishly, loosening your grip on it so Gaster can take it - but it seems he has the same thought. Letting go of it and moving to kneel on the ground with you. He still looks so much bigger than you, sitting does nothing to fix his height, comparatively anyway.
“It is quite strong. Though when I am using it every day it is no surprise that it becomes embedded in my clothes.” He places his hand in his lap while tilting his head curiously, “Would you like to keep that sweater? I have many others. Sacrificing one will barely dent my collection.”
“Oh, I
really
couldn’t. It was just an impulse thing.” You move the sweater as if to put it in the basket again.
“Dearest, I insist. You may have it. I would be
honoured
if you would take it.” Gaster leans forward to stop you. His hand gently takes your wrist, holding it in place firmly.
“You sure G? I mean… I
like it,
but why would you give it to me?”
“I was under the impression that human couples typically share clothing with their scent on them. If I am wrong, pardon me.”
“No! It is normal, like, really common actually. I just… I guess I wasn’t expecting it from you?” You tilt your head curiously while pulling the sweater close again, and Gaster lets your wrist go before moving to stand.
“I may be a little odd, my dear. But I am not completely out of touch with human courting practices.” Just the fact he
says
it like that, says he still has a long way to go. But, you suppose it’s just part of what makes him so loveably quirky.
“Silly old man.” You stick your tongue out at him with a giggle, and he returns the gesture.
“Silly little human.” He picks up the basket with apparitions and then turns to head out of the laundry room, “Feel free to remain on the floor, I am going to take care of my clothes.”
It’s after a few more minutes of sitting there and looking at the sweater, gushing to yourself how cute it is that he’d just…
give
it to you that you decide to get up and take it upstairs. It’ll make an excellent pillow cover or night shirt.