Chapter Text
A year.
It had been a year since the monsters had reached the surface in this world.
Another world.
He would have considered it absurd if it wasn’t for the fact that it slapped him in the face to prove him wrong. Of course, he and his brother had only been here for a few months, and yet they’d already gotten so used to the… lax atmosphere. No one here wished for them dead other than a few bitter humans who had yet to change with the times. They would die with their generation; it didn’t matter what they thought. He would long outlive them.
What did matter though, was the sudden shock that came with their invitation to this event. Himself and his alternates had been here for a few months, and yet they’d been invited to the event - the anniversary of this world’s release from the Underground. The entire week had been filled with minor parties, a carnival downtown, and a parade to celebrate. Now they had to do something more formal. The mayor insisted that the ex-royals do something - likely for coverage from the press and to show their higher status, which they had shed.
The man had never been more famous than with the inclusion of monsters into society. Ebbott was always such a small town, after all. So of course, he pushed to have the royals attend a ball he hosted; inviting as many high powers as he could. He bit back the urge to groan at the reminder. The mayor reminded him of those in his own world - he acted like his old lieutenant. Always trying to claw his way up, but never really realizing he was terribly outclassed.
What he hadn’t expected, was for the “former” king and queen to invite their own people to the event as well. He hardly considered himself one of “their” people. He and his brother weren’t even from this world! But the queen favored this world’s Sans, and by some sort of strange extension he didn’t quite understand, that meant the rest of them were invited as well.
Red had already spoken his piece - he wouldn’t be going. Ash wasn’t going either; he didn’t do well in crowds. Neither would Stretch, but only because his brother couldn’t stuff the lanky monster into a suit even if he tried, and boy did Blue try.
He was forcing his brother to go, because despite Rus’s anxious behavior, people in this world actually liked his personality more than he thought. It would be good exposure, and who knows, maybe Rus would gain a friend… as estranged a concept it was, it wasn’t as difficult to think of here in this world.
“Rus, if you don’t stop pulling on your tie, I will tie it tight enough that it won’t come off.” Nox flicked his brother’s hand away from his neck as the taller skeleton whined.
His brother immediately dropped his hand away from his tie; the two of them wearing the same deep purple colored suits, tailored and handmade by him specifically for this event - and knowing Rus’s hesitance to be mildly uncomfortable - it would be the last time he’d wear it. It wasn’t as if he would allow his brother to wear the same suit twice in the presence of royalty though, “former” or not.
“Heh.” Sans came around the corner from the dining room, a bottle of ketchup in his hands. “Ya’know, you don’t need to dress so formally right?”
Easy for him to say, he’d gotten an okay from the former queen to wear what he was now - a pair of loose fitting slacks, a mock-tuxedo t-shirt, and sneakers. It made him want to cringe. “You’re going to be wearing that to your own species’ freedom celebration?” He did cringe.
“Nah.” Sans replied, shuffling through his pockets before pulling out a simple, pale blue, and plastic mask before shadowing it on his skull. “I’m gonna wear this too. It’s a ‘ masquerade ’ ball. You’ve got a mask, don’t you?”
He paused and Sans smirked, knowing that he wasn’t informed about that last minute addition. “Do not worry!” Papyrus came around the corner from the stairs. “We have masks for you as well! We have one for everyone! They’re color coded!”
And they were. Nox and Rus had purple ones, his own being decorated with black lace and a single feather protruding out of the side, while Rus’s had a few painted black and white, curling designs. It matched them well, Papyrus no doubt picked them based on personality.
Boss, Poplar, and Blue came from seemingly nowhere, joining the group with their own outfits. Blue for Blue, peach for Poplar, and maroon for Boss. Sometimes he wondered if this coloring was on purpose…
“Well we don’t have time for bone-doggling!” Papyrus cried, his grin turning bright. “Let’s go!” And everyone else followed after, climbing into cars and driving to the venue - one that had been rented out by the mayor.
By the time they reached the country club, the sun was setting; lights reflecting off glass surfaces and classical music pouring gently out of the windows and doors. It was elegant and classy. Maybe it wouldn’t be a dreadful evening and he could enjoy himself.
Just as soon as they arrived together, they had all left one another’s company. Blue was overly excited to explore the place and meet new people, their cover story of “cousins” doing surprisingly - and a little disturbingly - well to explain their similarities to Sans and Papyrus. Boss was eager to meet this world’s Undyne for the first time, so he walked away with Papyrus to greet her. Although Poplar was adamant on staying as far away as he could from their Undyne and Alphys, he settled for speaking with the bunny monsters who apparently ran the inn and shop in Snowdin. Sans was already speaking with Toriel, and somehow, when he turned around to look at his brother, the skeleton was already being dragged away by an overzealous Frisk. The child was spilling with questions, as this was the first time they were interacting with the main cast as something more than just a passing greeting.
Now, he was completely alone, entirely unsure of what to do. Usually in this setting he was playing guard; and despite that his eye lights continued to flicker back and forth between windows and exits out of habit, he knew that it wasn’t his job tonight. They already had guards. They didn’t need his help.
He hadn’t felt more at a loss for a while.
He could… relax? How did anyone do that without coffee or alcohol - and he refused to drink alcohol here in the open, even if their champagne did look tempting. It seemed as though the habits from his old world were a little harder to break than he thought they were.
Again he scanned the room, until a familiar figure approached him. The man was obviously a monster, as no regular human reached the height of seven and a half feet so easily. But it was the fluffy white fur, floppy ears, and horns that caused him to be immediately recognized by anyone who looked his way. He wondered why humans bothered with a ‘ masquerade ’ party if all the monsters were easily distinguished, even with the majority of their faces covered. Hell, some monsters barely had a face!
“Howdy! You must be one of Sans and Papyrus’s cousins. Nox, right?” Asgore spoke with a gentle smile, nearly shocking Nox by his kind demeanor if it wasn’t for the constant nagging reminder at the back of his mind that this was not his world.
“Correct.” He replied. “It’s an honor to finally meet you, your majesty.”
Asgore gave a hearty laugh. “Hohoho! There’s no need to be so formal! Today is a day to celebrate. Despite the invitation saying to dress formally, this is a gathering amongst friends.”
Including them? Nox couldn’t help but glance at the huddled group of humans, all of which were obviously avoiding the monsters. Their attire and gems gave their high status away. They hoarded their items more greedily than the dragon monsters he’d seen in New Home, as if someone wished to steal them in the first place.
Still, “Thank you,” He stopped himself from adding ‘ your majesty ’ at the end, just barely. “I am… unused to attending these types of events.” While it wasn’t entirely a lie, he simply wasn’t used to not working while being here.
“That’s no problem at all, friend!” Friend? He would have nearly choked on his drink if he had one. “You could always start with conversation - or perhaps a few minutes on the dance floor?”
Again with the surprises - he should get used to them soon - he looked towards the dance floor, seeing a few couples and a small group of friends on the shinily tiled center. It was right in front of the stage where the musicians performed and so out in the open. The paranoid bug that often kept him alive in his own Underground was becoming increasingly annoying now that it wasn’t as necessary.
“Do you not prefer dancing?” Asgore asked, seeing as Nox had been staring at it for quite some time. “Or is it that you ‘ cannot dance ’?”
“I can.” He replied without thinking. It might have been a severe mistake.
“Then you should join them!” The former king ushered him forward, a bright grin on his furred face. “Do not worry about finding a partner, look! There’s someone there!”
“Wait -” What was he supposed to do in this situation? “I don’t believe they are looking for a dance.”
“Nonsense, they seem a bit lonely. Why don’t you keep them company?”
Before he could even protest, the king was gone, off of the dance floor’s white, shimmering tiles. Now that he was closer, he could see his own reflection in them, and the small specks of peach-colored minerals embedded and glazed over with each unique floor plate. He had only admired the craftsmanship of the floor for a second, and yet by the time he’d realized that he was looking down at all, he’d seen someone’s moving reflection sauntering towards him.
His gaze returned forward; seeing someone else wear the same shade of royal purple that was plastered around his world was… disturbing. But he felt more conflicted about the pride welling in his chest - it was the same purple as the sash he wore on his uniform for the first time. Why did colors have to evoke so many emotions?
“Care to dance?” They stood in front of him, hand held out, and although their tone was polite, he could see the slight tease in their smile.
He wasn’t sure what compelled him to accept; perhaps the familiar atmosphere that surrounded them. One that reminded him of their new home. “Very well.” He muttered in response, taking their hand before flipping it over and placing a mock kiss to the back.
Their smile - for some odd reason - evoked the need to break their temporary composure. There was something about their confidence that seemed… out of place. Abnormal or unused.
But they didn’t falter. Their mouth only twitched upward slightly. That wouldn’t do.
Another song began, so he took their hand in his, and took the lead. He could tell almost immediately that they hardly knew how to waltz as he did. Had anyone else been leading them, they might have tripped and fallen, or perhaps looked even more like an amateur; but it was him. He was the one who was leading - honestly, whether they liked it or not - but he was almost shocked by the trust they put in him to lead their first dance.
It was… familiar.
Why was it familiar? It was almost like they’d known him for months and trusted him not to make a fool of them.
The two of them moved in time together: one step forward for him was one step back for them. A step to the right was a step to the left. Before he knew it, Nox was practically performing a waltz with them, that smile never leaving - if anything, it turned a tad giddy. They were enjoying themselves and so was he. It was a strange thought that crossed his mind, but why were they so excited to dance with him? He’d never met them before - yet it almost looked as if they had been waiting for this day - despite the mask that covered the majority of their face.
“Do I know you?” Nox finally asked as he twirled them around.
Their body stiffened in his grip as he pulled them back to their beginning dance position. That was more than enough of an answer, but they spoke anyways. “No.” Their voice stayed steady, but had he not had a trained (nonexistent) ear, then he wouldn’t have heard the way their tone wavered.
Not very convincing, but he was curious as to why they lied. Lies were harmful where he came from, but he didn’t get to question them before the tables suddenly turned.
They switched positions. They were in the lead, and their once never-wavering smile turned nervous. Nervous, but knowing. The song had yet to end - they’d been dancing for what? Three minutes? - he hadn’t been led in dancing for years.
He almost slipped up when they suddenly began copying his movements from before. Watch and learn . Their eyes nearly sparkled the phrase like it was written in the stars, and for a moment he couldn’t breathe, despite his lack of lungs.
Stars , what was going on?!
One step back. One step left. Suddenly they were spinning, their feet moving in time as they swayed. Did they actually learn all this in the few minutes he’d danced with them!? Admiration for their quick learning began to swell in his chest, but something was a bit off-putting. Again, it was that feeling - the almost ethereal moment he’d had - something was wrong with him.
The way the tiles caused light to reflect underneath their feet, the way the chandeliers highlighted their hair and skin, the way they looked at him through that mask, the word nearly slipping through their mouth: ‘finally’ .
Finally? He was so confused, but he hadn’t been pulled out of his trance until the stranger suddenly pulled away. The music had stopped. His brother called his name. The human gave him another knowing smile and placed a gentle kiss on the back of his skeletal hand. Then, in one swift motion, they pulled a folded paper out of their pocket and turned, managing to slip it into his as they bolted from the scene like a phantom.
“Wait!” This was too suspicious and the alarm bells in his mind were going off. His chest was tight with anxiety, but as he reached for their hand to drag them back, his brother’s voice interrupted him.
“Oh my god.” Rus didn’t even stutter, but the smile that flashed across his face caused confusion. “Did you just get romanced by a stranger?”
“ROMANCED!?” Nox had let his volume slip and he could feel heat rising to his skull. “What are you talking about? They’re suspicious! They slipped a note into my pocket and-” As he pulled it out and unfolded it, Rus could only gasp in delight.
“ I’ve got no glass slipper, so I only leave a note. I am all aglow, my sweet prince. You are what makes life divine, for this is love. ” Rus’s bottom jaw dropped after he finished reading his brother’s note.
Nox was rimrod stiff - completely shocked and - and utterly embarrassed. His face flushed with his purple hue of magic as Rus smiled at him.
“Suspicious, huh?”
“NOT ANOTHER WORD!”
There was a long pause as Rus waited for his brother’s face to de-color, but it seemed as though that wasn’t going to occur any time soon.
“Are you going to look for them?” He finally asked.
Another long pause.
“Why should I?”
“No reason.” Rus only shrugged, watching as his brother pocketed the note again, face still slightly purple as he walked toward the drink table in hopes to get ahold of himself, or give himself an excuse as to why he was so flustered. Rus recognized the handwriting though - even if Nox hadn’t. After all, he’d read (Y/n)’s writing before.
+ + + + + +
Oh my god.
Oh my god. You actually did it.
You pulled off your uncomfortable dress shoes as soon as you got home, and you flopped onto your couch, letting out an uncanny squeal. You did it! You did it! You did it!
In your own special, insanely elaborate, and well thought out, planned way; you confessed your love to Nox. Not only that, but you’d had the most wonderful time dancing with him. Perhaps you’d been watching too many disney movies lately, but it was ethereal - a dream come true - almost. All that was left was for him to, hopefully, fall in love with your mysterious character, and in turn, you.
You’d never been more daring than when you put that mask on.
The confidence it gave you; the reassurance that no one would know it was you - that Nox wouldn’t know it was you - was a huge relief. You hadn’t slipped up at all. Okay, maybe you nearly did when he asked if he knew you, but you didn’t even stutter when you replied!
Yeah, okay, you were a train wreck compared to him. He was so organized, and sure, a little chaotic every now and then, but he was always so composed. You’d known him for only a few months and yet you’d managed to fall for him so hard. Maybe because of the way you contrasted each other.
For now though, you’d celebrate. Not even bothering to take off your formal clothes, you headed for the kitchen. Breaking open your fridge for a tub of victory ice cream (which also doubled as failure ice cream, just in case), you put on your most sappy playlist and replayed the events of the night.
You’d been invited to the event, luckily, so you weren’t crashing it. On the other hand, you’d shown up with so many jitters and an hour early, to make sure that you blended in with the crowd at least a little bit. Your nervousness had sadly been so clear, that Asgore had approached you and asked what was wrong. Filled with anxiety, you’d accidentally given him a word-vomit run down of what was going on. When you explained, one: who you were, and two: what the situation was, he took pity on you.
Agreeing to corral Nox into your area so you could put your plan into action, he helped you calm down. A few breathing exercises and bad jokes later, you fastened your mask into place and waited for your big moment. You’d watched a lot of the scene unfold from afar, staying behind a group of pretentious, high-class humans who the mayor had invited, until Asgore gave you a large smile from across the dance floor, and you made yourself known.
You hadn’t expected it to be so easy to coax Nox into a dance, but when he suddenly placed a kiss on the back of your hand, your mind screamed. Nearly choking on your own spit, you had to remind yourself that you were a different character tonight.
Tonight, you were a stranger. Which yes, had hurt just a tad when you really thought about it, but for now, you were celebrating. No bad thoughts! Only good memories!
Speaking of good memories; the way his expression subtly switched to shock when you took the lead was priceless . You hadn’t been taking classes, not officially, but let’s just say that your broomstick made for a pretty good dance partner every now and then. So when Nox had decided to lead the dance first, you could do nothing but trust that he didn’t let you slip up.
Then Rus came into the picture.
You’d heard him call for Nox from the edge of the dance floor, and you had to make yourself scarce. You could place a spell of mystery on one person easily, but two was a little difficult, and it was best to keep your distance from the others.
You’d spoken as little as you could, in fear that he’d recognize your voice, but all you needed was to smile and act like everything was Normal and Totally Fine. He didn’t seem to question a thing until the very end. You’d bolted back to your old hiding place, blending in with the other humans from the crowd and watching from afar as he opened your note and his face flushed a purple so bright that you could see it from almost across the room. It filled you with a certain type of satisfaction to know that he could indeed be flustered, and by you no less.
Then you rushed home the moment he turned around and headed for the drinks table, giving Asgore a thumbs up from the corner of his eye.
Letting out a dreamy sigh, you finished your ice cream and pulled yourself out of your uncomfortable clothes, switching them out for warm pajamas and climbing into bed.
Tonight was a good night.
Tomorrow would no doubt be better.
After all, Rus had some questions for you in the morning.