Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

After a long and exhausting day at work, Spamton dragged his feet on the way home. Yet another tiring day of trying to teach new things to teenagers who absolutely refused to listen to a single word he said. And on top of that, the coffee machine had broken down that very morning! The life of a teacher was far from… fun.

And right now, the only thing he truly wanted was to go home and throw himself into the four arms of his ant monster husband. Just imagining the gentle embrace of his beloved, and being able to bury his face in that soft, snowy fur… A goofy smile spread across his face at the thought, just as he opened the door to his house.

He was immediately greeted by a charming, delicious smell of… crepes? The moment he stepped inside. The professor hummed to himself as he hung up his coat and freed his feet from his shoes. Without a word, he slipped into the kitchen, and—taking advantage of the fact that the monster hadn’t noticed him yet—wrapped his arms around his waist from behind, burying his face against his back.

“Oh, hello Spammy! I didn’t hear you come in! How was your day?”

“Hrrrmph.”

Tenna chuckled at the reply, flipping the crepe in the pan. With another one of his hands, he managed to gently pat-pat his human.

“Tough day, I’m guessing? Come on, sit down! I’m almost finished.”

Reluctantly, Spamton let go of the insect monster and dragged himself over to their table. He sat down on a chair and, a few seconds later, Tenna placed a generous stack of crepes in front of him, with a bottle of maple syrup right beside it.

Spamton took the chance to study his companion carefully. There was… a lot to say about Tenna. First of all, he was an ant monster—his whole body snow-white, but covered in wonderfully soft, comforting fur. He had four arms, a tall frame… and mandibles, which he used only very rarely. He was also a major television star, hosting a show that had become hugely popular! He had offered several times to bring Spamton on, to invite him on stage… But Spamton always refused. Teaching was already stressful enough—he didn’t need more! And he didn’t like being in the spotlight.

Another thing: Tenna usually wore red clothing, but when he just wanted to relax—and especially when he wasn’t working—he would only wear pants. Not that there was much to see on his body anyway. But the human didn’t mind one bit, because like that, he could snuggle up and enjoy the softness of his companion’s fur.

“Do you want to talk about it? Or would you rather I tell you about my day?”

Tenna asked, after serving himself a crepe. Spamton only grimaced in response, and the TV host didn’t wait any longer before describing his own day… which had gone far better than Spamton’s. He… almost envied him for it.
Once the “meal” was over, the couple settled onto the couch. Spamton had demanded his spot on the ant monster’s lap and in his arms, and Tenna hadn’t refused him. With one pair of arms, he cuddled his human, and with the other, he held a book he was reading. His head rested against the hair of his beloved.

“Ten, I have a question… You don’t have eyes, so how do you… see?”

“I don’t need eyes to see! It’s probably… magic?”

Spamton frowned, but didn’t press further. Monsters were just so… fascinating. And Tenna was also a very good source of curiosity. Every day, the professor learned something new!

“Okay… And your… antennas? Are they your ears? You move them a lot when I talk to you, or when there’s noise outside. Or maybe they’re, uh… your nose?”

This time, Tenna burst out laughing as he closed his book, giving his full attention to Spamton. Oh, what an adorable little curious human… He could just cuddle him until the end of time!!!

“I do have a nose! And my antennas are more for… sensing other people’s emotions!”

Tenna nuzzled the tip of his snout into the professor’s neck… and gave a biiig sniff against his companion’s sensitive skin. Oooh, Spamton just made an adorable little sound! A tiny squawk!! His antennas lowered, brushing through the silky hair of his human, then gently grazing the little guy’s ears.

Spamton squirmed a bit, trying to escape all the contact, but… he didn’t really want to leave Tenna’s warmth, nor the cuddle. The monster rubbed his face against his neck again, just to hear his husband’s giggle once more. He loved him! Oh, how he loved him! He wouldn’t trade this life for anything! Tenna stopped playing with his human as Spamton reached out a hand to delicately pluck the… flower that had just magically sprouted from his monster’s… nose??

“Another one? At this rate, I’ll be able to make a bouquet;haehaehae!”

But the human didn’t stop there. With a cocky, teasing smile, he used his other hand to gently scratch under his companion’s neck. Almost immediately, the ant-man’s whole body went… limp, and he let out a small sigh of contentment. Spamton’s fingers grew bolder, scratching at the base of Tenna’s antennas.

“Spaaaam, if you keep doing that, I’m just gonna… fall asleep while keeping you prisoner in my arms!”

“And what if that’s exactly what I want? A little nap with my big husband, nice and warm, completely unable to escape from his fluffy arms because I don’t feel like moving at all and I’m already settled in? What are you gonna do about it?”

The human replied with a sly smile, while the monster chuckled, and—still holding his husband—lay down on the couch, keeping Spamton close against him.

“Then we’ll rest together, naughty little human that I love and adore ~”

They were happy, and for them… that was more than enough. They were each other’s paradise, a light, a lifeline. And no matter how childish they sometimes acted… neither of them would ever want to change their relationship for anything in the world.

But alas, fate is sometimes cruel. And one day, the couple was forced apart because of the war. Spamton refused to fight and hid at home… And Tenna? He had no news of him at all. His little heart nearly burst when he learned that the monsters had eventually been sealed away beneath a mountain…

Spamton no longer felt like doing anything. Each day without his monster was… empty. Devoid of meaning. His house was filled with an icy silence—no one waiting for him. No one to talk to, or to listen. No one to chase away the troubles of the day with a little kiss on the forehead. He felt empty.

Until the day when… his phone rang.

And he was offered a deal—an ember of hope.

Chapter Text

The deal was as far-fetched as it was simple. The voice on the phone had told him — had promised him — a way to see his beloved monster again someday… But it would take time. Spamton didn’t want to wait. He wanted that stupid, huge, fluffy ant-monster back at his side — to be trapped once more between those four massive arms, as if that whole damned war had never happened.

So yes, the human had been hesitant when he heard that strange call. Because… the barrier clearly wasn’t going to fall overnight, and the sudden surge of hatred toward monsters was still too raw, too strong. Who knew how long it would take? He’d probably be dead before it happened, and Tenna would come home to find their house empty and cold, without him inside.

And yet… he wanted to see Tenna again. So badly. A part of him was willing to accept anything — just to hold on to the hope of seeing his partner once more. The man on the phone had given him a few hours to think.As for the deal itself… well, Spamton was not to leave his home until further notice. Confined. The voice would provide him with everything he desired and needed — food, water, books, electricity… anything at all. Time would be frozen for him; he would not age, while outside, the world would keep moving on.

But… in return, he would be temporarily erased from everyone’s memory. His family, his friends, his students, his coworkers — everyone would forget him, until the day the door of his house opened again.It was a difficult choice. Because… if it really worked, if years, even centuries passed, his family would be gone, long dead. He would have no bearings left, nothing familiar…But he would have Tenna again. Tenna, who would not have forgotten him, and whose mere presence would heal his broken heart. His social life, or the love of his life, the one a war had torn away from him?

Spamton thought long and hard. For two full hours… until he finally picked up the phone when his strange benefactor called again.And the human accepted the deal — though his voice trembled slightly as he did.And so, he ended up confined to his home.

He read countless books, wrote letters to… himself, to his family — letters they would never read. To Tenna, too, putting into words all the things he missed about him. He also… tried to get better at cooking, and even gave exercising a shot! Not for long, though — his frail body quickly protested.

Spamton also noticed that he couldn’t get sick, nor could he be seriously injured. An interesting discovery, but one he didn’t abuse. He just had to find ways to keep himself busy! Easy enough, right? After a few months, the phone rang again. It was the same voice as before — but this time, it offered to help him “sleep a little longer,” because, as it said, “time flows much faster in the gentle land of dreams.” The human didn’t hesitate much and accepted once more.

—------------------

Spamton didn’t know how long he had slept, but when he finally left the comfort of his bed and dragged himself into the living room… the television suddenly flickered on, revealing a news anchor with a wide, slightly nervous smile. She brushed a strand of brown hair behind her ear before speaking.

“...The barrier that had once sealed away the monsters has been broken — they’re back among us! We’re all a little… confused to see them again, because let’s be honest, we’ve kind of… forgotten them, haven’t we? The history that ties us to them goes way, way back! And the strangest part? It’s a small child who came to deliver the news! They claim to be the monsters’ emissary and assure us that they only wish to… live alongside us once more — that there’s no reason to be afraid. Haha… And actually, they’re here with us! Frisk, right? Would you like to say a few words?”

The reporter lowered her microphone toward a child wearing a striped shirt. The child looked a little shy at first but soon began to speak — explaining how the monsters had become something like a second family, that some of them might be a bit odd or eccentric… but that none of them wished anyone harm. They said humanity should give them this new chance — and finally let the war rest for good.

Spamton’s eyes stayed glued to the screen, his mouth hanging open. The broadcast showed images of different monsters trying to make friends with humans — some of them even laughing together! As if… the hatred from all those years ago had never existed.

But that wasn’t what held Spamton’s attention. No. Oooh, no. All he’d heard was: “The monsters are back.”

They’re back.

He’s back.

He… he’s going to see him again?

Spamton quickly pinched his arm to make sure he wasn’t dreaming — but the sharp pain confirmed it was real. Tears began streaming down his cheeks as he rushed to change clothes and comb his hair in a hurry. His hands trembled, his whole body shook. This was really happening!

The door of his house burst open as the former teacher stepped outside. It took him a moment to get used to the sunlight — it almost burned his eyes, ouch! And then… he ran. He pushed humans and monsters , searching — desperately searching — for the most important person in his world, the one for whom he had accepted that strange deal… Please! Oh, please! Monsters were supposed to live for a long time — please…

“...Spammy?”

And then — it was as if the entire universe fell silent. No breath, no sound. Just a human standing before a tall, ant-like monster who stared back at him, visibly stunned. Both stood motionless, keeping their distance, their minds struggling to register the other’s presence. Tenna didn’t move — unsure whether he should start crying or rush forward to throw his human into his arms.

“Is… is that really you, Spammy? Or is this just another hallucination my mind’s playing on me…? Of course it is. It has to be… You can’t be alive — not after all this time…”

The monster began to sob, tears streaming down his face as his chest tightened painfully. Haha… how foolish he was! So, so foolish! He loved that human desperately — but humans had such short lives. There was no way his human could have survived this long, especially without aging! So why was his mind torturing him like this now? …He had to move on, no matter how hard it was. He had to let go.

“Hey, Ant.”

Spamton started walking toward his monster — slowly at first… then faster, until he broke into a run, gathering momentum before throwing himself at the ant-like creature and knocking him to the ground. The human quickly ended up on top, one hand on either side of his husband.

He leaned down until his nose brushed against Tenna’s snout, a faintly teasing smile forming on his face even as he blinked back a few tears.

“Do I still look unreal to you?”

Then he closed the distance between them, pressing a flurry of kisses over the monster’s tear-streaked face. Tenna gasped beneath him, stammering something incoherent before all four of his arms wrapped tightly around his beloved, pulling him close.

“I-I-I missed you. You have no idea how hard it was to live without you, Spammy! I thought about you every single day. There was even a moment when I almost… but I didn’t! I couldn’t bring myself to do it…”

They were ridiculous, lying there on the ground. A few people passed by, but no one dared to interrupt or say a word. And really, they weren’t bothering anyone, were they? Spamton sat up a little, gently brushing his monster’s cheek. Tenna leaned into the touch, his antennae trembling slightly.

“I missed you too, Ten. Way too much… But you know what? I don’t regret making that weird deal to see you again! Honestly, I’m even… surprised it actually worked.”

“A deal…? What do you mean? Oh, Spam — don’t tell me you sold your soul, or that you’re suddenly going to die in a few hours! I can’t lose you again… please…”

The monster started sobbing again, and… the human couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Oh, how he’d missed that sound! Well, he could understand, of course… but it was obvious Tenna had watched or read far too many tragic stories with bad endings.To reassure him, Spamton gently rubbed one of the monster’s antennae — which made the ant-like creature immediately let out a soft, cheerful chirr.

“Hey, calm down, big guy! I’ll tell you everything later, promise. But I didn’t give anything, and I’m not going to die either. I just… got a little strange but kind help to see you again.”

Tenna still didn’t look entirely convinced, but he decided to trust the confident smile his partner gave him. They stayed there for a while — lying on the ground, cuddling, talking, crying… Neither wanted to let go. But eventually, and reluctantly, Tenna loosened his embrace, and Spamton helped him sit back up.

“How about we go home…? And I’ll get you a nice, hot bath, because good grief, Tenna, you stink ! Have you stopped washing yourself underground or what???”

Spamton teased him with a little nudge, then took one of Tenna’s hands and guided him home… and Tenna had to hold back tears again at the sight of their house. It had been… an eternity, yet nothing had changed! (There were way more books now, and… what are all these board games?)

The human quickly prepared the bathtub, still as large as ever (they had had it custom-made back in the day)… and the monster refused to be left alone. With a playful little grin, Spamton agreed to help the giant ant, scrubbing his back vigorously with a brush, and his arms too… He rolled his eyes when Tenna asked if he could wash his “hair” as well, even though he didn’t have any.

“You just want me to rub that spot, don’t you? Geez, next you’ll want me to massage your paws too, by any chance?”

“It’s such a kindly offer, I’m not going to say no!”

Tenna giggled while Spamton feigned indignation… but it was all just playful teasing, the kind of things they loved to do together. The monster melted under his human’s fingers as he massaged, uh… the scalp, helping him wash. The bathwater turned brown while his beloved’s fur regained its whiteness. Spamton, of course, noticed the scars left by the war that marked his tender husband’s body, and a wave of anger washed over him. He hoped the humans who had done this were all burning in hell right now.

Once thoroughly clean, the two of them settled onto the bed, and Spamton snuggled back against Tenna. Just… a little longer. He had missed this so much! And anyway, he had no work at the moment… so… The monster finally used his two hands to massage Spamton’s shoulders, grumbling a little about how tense his human was, while one hand lifted to touch Spamton’s black hair.

“Your hair was white before..”

“Yes But it turned black not long after I shut myself away at home… Don’t look at me like that, I’m fine! A lot better now that you’re with me again. Sorry if you don’t like it…”

Suddenly, the monster caught the former teacher’s face in his hands, turning it toward him with the most serious expression he could manage.

“Spammy. I love you, and I’ll always love you, no matter what you look like, alright? And besides, black suits you so well! You could be full of wrinkles, covered in warts, and I’d still adore you. I’m the one who’s become… ugly. You saw them, didn’t you? My fur hides it, but I’m covered in scars, haha…”

He had almost lost a pair of arms, too! Luckily, he’d managed to defend himself, and… another monster had even sacrificed themselves for him. Tenna pushed the memories away from his mind — the war was never a joyful subject.

“Ant. Look at me, please?”

It was now the human’s turn to cup the monster’s face in his hands and pull it closer to his own. A mischievous gleam shone in his eyes as a teasing smile spread across his lips.

“You’re as beautiful as the day I lost you. And your scars? I’ll kiss them until you love them, if I have to. Non‑negotiable.”

…And with that, the human pressed a gentle kiss to his mouth, making the monster shiver before joyfully kissing him back… until they were both out of breath. But it still wasn’t enough to be perfect. Tenna could feel his beloved’s hands wandering over his body, making him squirm a little when those slender fingers started to tease his sides and ribs. Spamton loved making him feel good, making him smile and laugh, right? But so did Tenna! It went both ways!

“I love you, little human~”

And Tenna pounced, covering his beloved’s face with fluttering butterfly kisses before moving down to his neck. Which, of course, made Spamton laugh and try to push his face away — but the monster held on tight, still showering him with kisses despite the playful protests.

“I love you, Ten.”

Finally, the human said, catching his breath and snuggling against the ant-like monster, his head resting against Tenna’s chest to listen to the steady beat of his heart.

Later, the human, of course, found a small job… as a mail carrier, while Tenna gradually returned to his TV show. He wasn’t as popular as before, but that was more than enough for him!