Work Text:
When they were 17, Grillby and Muffet were best friends. Their parents were the biggest fans to put it lightly, but they never minded. Besides, what were a bunch of old people really gonna do? Ebbott City was for everyone.
When they were 17, the two would do a lot together. Whether it was Muffet skating while Grillby biked, or the two doing TikTok dances and karaoke at the same club every week.
Muffet has always been very outgoing. She’s a loud girl, abrasive and unapologetic. Muffets’ the kind of girl to do dangerous stunts while singing at the top of her lungs and fight back when people tell her to shut it. Whilst a fiery spider, she is a kind soul to those who can win her hard earned trust.
Grillby, on the other hand, was the opposite. He was shy and soft spoken, stumbling over feet as often as he did his words. He would apologize for even looking in your direction. A timid flame, you would never know he had a love for song and dance. A small one that is, as the want to start his own bar was much stronger.
When they were 17, the unlikely pair went snuck out on a warm summer morning to go watch the sunrise before they had to go to work. Rumors of a war were starting to kick up and it was their jobs to start making supplies in the event of it happening. It was scary, terrifying even, but maybe- just maybe- it was only that. War or not, the sunrise was always there to greet the world. Monster or human. Man or woman. The sun shone on them all.
It was one of these mornings that the pair became inseparable. The two monsters sat by a small pond on the stony shore. Muffet was looking out at the horizon, the sun just about to break through and the last glimmer of starlight fading away. Grillbys’ flames lowly illuminated the area, providing just enough light for the shallow waters of the pond to reflect the warm orange back.
"The rumors are getting worse…”
“I know.”
“…I’m beginning to think it’s not a rumor.”
“…I know.”
Muffet turned to Grillby, an unusual worry in her eyes. “They called Cora and Walton to the base a few days ago, I think they’re being shipped out.”
“They’re a strong pair. They’ll be fine. It might be a precaution.”
“It also might not be. Grillby…”
“Hm?”
“What’s going to happen to us?”
“I…I don’t know, Muff.” He wrapped an arm around her, comforting her to the best of his ability.
“I just…I can’t keep making bandages. It takes so much energy and magic for the silk, I feel my stats dropping. And how much longer will you be forced in the forge for your flames? Your light is so dim sometimes, I worry for you! This is just…so- just so…” Her hands made little circles as she tried to gather her words in a way that correctly portrayed her thoughts.
“Inequitable?”
“Yes!” She picked up a nearby stone and threw it as hard as she could with an angry huff. “This is so inequitable! I thought Humans were supposed to be more tolerant now, then they pull this shit!? I just…ugh!” She buried her head in her hands.
“You know what is tolerant?”
“Hm?”
“The sky. The sky never judges us. It shines down just the same.” Grillby smiled at Muffet and gestured to the sun, which started to slowly rise.
The sun bathed the horizon in a warm orange and yellow, a light blue overtaking the darker shade of the night and leaving some beautiful lilacs and pinks. Muffet looked on in a relaxed awe, a small smile forming. Like the night sky had been washed away by the sun, so had her worry and fear of the near future.
Grillby couldn’t help but stare. Though, not at sunrise, but at Muffet. The way her frown had melted away into a smile, the worried creases smoothing out and her eyes all focused on the daily beauty. The warm colors worked beautifully against her cool toned skin and hair and by fate was she beautiful. She's the most beautiful woman in the world. He’d honestly been crushing on her recently but unwilling to say a word of it. Not only had their parents made it very clear that they will never be, but the other fact of that they’ve been friends for a long 3 years now. As well as he was a little scared of her. But if only he had the sparks enough to say that he loved her. Those three small words would change it all though, yet he wished to utter them even just once. I love you…
“Excuse me? Mind repeating that?” She had quickly turned with shocked and wide eyed look.
“Repeat what?”
“What you just said. Say it again.” She demanded, turning the rest of her body to him.
“Oh, uh, The sky-“
“Not the fate-damned sky, you wick. What did you say?”
He stared confused at her for a moment before he could feel my flames burning hotter…oh no…did he really just say his thought outloud? “I…I love you?”
“Oh stars…oh my fate, I’m not delusional. Do…do you mean it?”
“I- well I…you see, I…yes. I- I mean it.”
Muffet sat there wide eyed for a moment. Unblinking and in shock.
Grillby stands up quickly, stammering out an apology before Muffet grabbed him and roughly pulled him back down.
“No. No! You do not get to run away after you said that and meant it! You hear me Grillby Pyrrhus, I will knock your ashy ass into next week if you don’t sit down!” She threatened him with a fist to emphasize her point.
Grillby was shaking like a leave, flames low and sputtering. “I-I-I’m sorry. I didn’t m-mean to say it. O-out loud I mean! It j-just slipped out and- mmph!”
Grillby was cut off suddenly by a startling move from Muffet. The smaller spider had leaped up, crashing into Grillby as she kissed him hard on the lips. The heat was warm, but not uncomfortably so as she kissed him. After the initial shock, Grillby wrapped his arms around her and kissed her back. They must’ve kissed for forever, as they only pulled back once they ran out of air. Now, they stare at each other, panting and smiling.
“I love you too! I love you too…I- I’ve been so afraid to say!”
“You, afraid? That’s not the Muffet I know. You’re never afraid.”
“Well, I was! Oh stars above, I’ve been waiting months for this.” She hugged him tighter, pressing her face into his chest with the widest smile she’s ever had. “I love you, Grillby.”
“I love you too, Muffet.”
“What are we gonna tell our parents? They’ll kill us.”
“Nothing. Nothing at all. There’s no reason for them to know.”
“I love you, my firecracker.”
“Fire cracker? What’s that for?” He laughed softly as he rubbed her back.
“Because you have some spark in you yet.”
“If you say so, muffin.”
“Muffin?”
“Because, my muffin, you are the sweetest monster I know.”
“Oh dear, you sap, ahuhuhu!” She laughed bright and loudly, looking up at Grillby with a bright grin.
When they were 17…they fell in love.
When they were 17, they shared their first sunrise as a couple.
When they were 17, they knew nothing could ever separate them.
When they were 18, the war broke out…
When they were 19, they went underground…
When they were 20, Grillby disappeared without a trace…
When Muffet was 21 …Muffet lost all hope she’d find him again. She opened a business in his memory. For her firecracker. She opened a bar bakery combo just like they always planned. It was under the name “Muffet's” but the sold alcohol was always labeled as from “The Firepit”
When Grillby was 21, he was forced into an arranged marriage where he was meant to produce an heir to the bloodline. He was made to be a smith for the metal needed for the underground. He was forced to forget his dreams of the bar and the lovely spider of his dreams. His throat, burned by his father- Agni- when he dared to defy his wishes of a normal marriage life. He never spoke again.
When Muffet was 75, she attended her best friend’s wedding. She had a bad feeling about Walton, she always had. But Cora loved him, and how could she deny Cora. After the night of Cora’s wedding, Muffet cried. She cried as she always had every summer. She cried for the loss of freedom. For the loss of love. For the loss of hope. For the loss of a chance to ever experience this with Grillby. When Muffet was 75, she promised to never get married.
When Grillby was 75, He was allowed to sign divorce papers. He and his wife never loved each other as they should. Yes, Ashley was always a wonderful woman, but she wasn’t Muffet. Now that Volcan was an adult, they need not to be stuck in their arrangement. And besides, Ashley was already having an affair with a just as equally lovely rabbit woman. He only wished the best for her. When Grillby was 75, he promised to never marry another woman.
When Muffet was 150, she had to close her shop for 2 weeks when two human children fell down. They were strange. Slightly dusty and so so small. Muffet was 150 when the kingdom split apart because of two children who died to the hands of the queen. They deserved it…innocents had died that day.
When Grillby was 150, he was unaware that humans fell underground. It wasn’t until a week after did he hear about it via the news. The kingdom split apart that day, and he knew he was controversial in his opinion. They were just children. They had no need to die. They were probably just scared…
When Muffet was 200, she housed a battered Cora overnight. It was the middle of the night when Cora came over, explaining that Walton had beat her. She refused to let Muffet go show him what she’s made of. He was just drunk, she said. He’s not himself when he drinks, she excused. When Muffet was 200, she had to watch her best friend come over weekly with a battered face and fractured limbs for her to try to heal. When Muffet was 200, she was filled with Rage.
When Grillby was 200, his parents passed away. He was confused and hurt. He was angry. For 200 years, they had made his life horrible, and now they were dead. They burnt out, like a candle that was left too long. When he thought about them, he was happy. When Grillby was 200, he was free.
When Muffet was 211, she had to protect Cora from Walton. Walton walked into her bar, demanding his wife and she didn’t hesitate to growl and threaten to call the guard. If not for domestic abuse and rape, than for trespassing. In front of the entire bar attendees, he left with a scorned look upon his face. Muffet walked back into the housing, and held Cora tightly. Her face was cracked and many joints severely damaged. In her arms, she held her best friend as she sobbed. In her arms, she held her godchild’s soul within their mother. When Muffet was 212, she became a protector.
When Grillby was 212, he became a grandfather. Or rather, a father again. Malakai was a spark, a tiny flame monster that fit into his hands. Abandoned by Volcan after his wife had passed in the process. Holding the small flame in his hand and feeding pure soul magic to it, he vowed never to let this child be harmed. When Grillby was 212, he was filled with DETERMINATION.
When Muffet was 220, She took Cora in for good. Papyrus, her eldest, was asleep in her own bed. His injuries wrapped tightly and healing food doing its best to bring back up the HP lost. Cora was sobbing on Muffets couch, horrifyingly silent as she held her ecto tightly. A weakly pulsing soul in the center. The only way Muffet kept her rage in check was because she had to take care of Cora. She had to take care of godchild. The guard was called and will be arriving in the morning for a statement, but tonight they can try to recover. When Muffet was 220, she became a co-parent to two little skeletons. When she was 220, she vowed never to let the younger child know about its father, nor to let either children know the full truth regarding Cora and Walton’s relationship and their forced conceptions. When Muffet was 220, she became a guardian.
When Grillby was 220, he lost a court case and lost full custody of Malakai back to Volcan. He was devastated. He knew in of his teachings with Volcan stuck due to the impact of his late parents. Now, he feared that Malakai would face similar fates to what he did. Thankfully, he has 50% custody and would be able to guide his grandson the best he could. When Grillby was 220, he became a guide.
When Muffet was 222, she lost her best friend. Cora, while on duty, was attacked and murdered. With a 2 and a 10 year old left behind, she stepped up. It was hard, but seeing Papyrus’s hurt face and hearing his broken screams was the hardest. Late nights of Sans crying for mamá broke her soul piece by piece. Forcing Papyrus into trauma and grief therapy, doing her best to parent, and making the post-mortem arrangements piled up on her. When Muffet was 222, she considered killing herself. But she didn’t. She lived. She made herself live. When Muffet lost everything, she made new. When Muffet was 222, she became a mother, and teacher, and a force of reckoning. No one would ever hurt her family again.
When Grillby was 222, the forge shut down. He was jobless, and somehow, he felt a twinge of pain in his soul. A cry for help he couldn’t answer. He never knew the origin. When Grillby was 222, he sold his parents estate so he could live on his own in a small apartment and got a job as a chef. When Grillby was 222 he started over.
When Muffet was 242, her youngest disappeared in a storm. To say she didn’t lose it would be a lie. Her eldest was destroying himself in efforts to find him. Her family was falling apart. When Muffet was 242, She lost everything again.
When Grillby was 242, he almost died in the snowstorm. He was traveling back from a delivery when it hit, and he barely lived. He thought he saw Cora again. When Grillby was 242, he was given a second chance.
When Muffet was 243, her life was flipped around again and again and again. Her youngest was back, pregnant and engaged. The fiance was a lovely, protective man, who she couldn’t have been happier to have called her son in law. Her eldest finally found a healthy love interest. She became a grandmother to a beautiful baby girl. And best of all…Grillby was alive.
When Grillby was 243, he got a strange call on an old phone he kept charged. He never knew why he decided to keep it charged, it just felt right. Full of memories from teenage years, he kept them alive. But when it rang- and didn’t stop- he went to find it. The name…the number…it couldn’t be. But when he answered, it was! It was her! Her eyes were tired, frame lighter, and smile torn. Her lovely purple skin had the smallest of wrinkles, the age mainly showing in the cloudiness of her furthest and smallest eyes and the greying roots of undyed hair. Muffet…his muffin…she was alive. And waiting. When Grillby was 243, he was given back the love of his life.
When they were 243, Domesticity came easy. The sons of Cora- now Muffets- were a wanted surprise. He accepted and loved them as his own, as Muffet did. And he loved the tiny baby girl that was now Muffets- and his, he supposed- grand daughter. But of course, Life wouldn’t be easy…at 243, Muffets health took a crash. She accidentally drank a poison mix, making them go to a hospital in the middle of the night after a bad fall. Physically, she’d recover. But after other concerning issues were addressed and tested, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. This was hard on everyone. But after years and years of waiting, he would not lose her again. He would love and protect his muffin with his life.
When they were 244, they were married. It was small, with just the boys and his grandson in attendance and officiated by the Queen. Muffet had a few days where she would talk to the air with her late friend, or where she couldn’t remember quite where she was. But it was only a few. More hurt followed this year, but good came of it too, he supposed. When they were 244, after a little over 200 years later, they were finally married. Husband and Wife, as they wanted to be since they were 19.
When they were 245, Muffet began to get worse. Half of her days were spent in the past. She always remembered Grillby though. Always. She always knew what they were to each other. And she always loved her sons. Their grand daughter was 2 now, and could kinda understand that Granny Muffet couldn’t remember her sometimes. Sans and Red were married now, and had recently had their second- and last- child. Slate’s birth was a scare, but he ended up being well as did Sans. Grillby was quickly feeling age approach him, achy limbs and injuries plagued him a little more now. But they were ok. They’d be ok.
When they were 246, Muffet's days were 75% non-lucid. She remembered them as being teenagers sometimes, which led to dangerous stunts of trying to skate again. On a lucid days, Muffet invites the family over for dinner and media sharing. It’s her way of sharing her memories that still exist. They’ve made their wills, leaving most of everything to Sans and Papyrus. Papyrus takes an active role in Muffet's care, Sans bringing meals and medication refills. They grow older.
They are 247. A human fell underground…but the child was peaceful. They were safe. It was scary, and reminded both of them of nearly 100 years ago when they kingdom split. But…this time…it was different. Old age was hard. Muffet couldn’t move on her own anymore, but refused a wheelchair- even more so when Lucid. Grillby carried her everywhere she needed to go now. His flame got dimmer over these years and his body aches. He reckons their time is soon. They cherish every day as if it’s their last.
They are 248. They are free. Grillby carried Muffet to the surface with the rest of the monsters. Her age was showing, scrawny and frail, greying hair and shaky limbs. It was still dark outside, but morning was coming. Everyone was confused, shocked, excited. The air felt cleaner, the temperature one of a sweet summer night. Crickets chirped and cicadas hummed from the tree lines. It was a non lucid day to this point. But as soon as they saw the sky, Muffet was brought back to now.
“Grillby…the sky.”
Grillby nodded in equal awe, sitting down off to the side of the crowd, Muffet in his lap. Now that he had his hands free, he could sign to her.
“All these years…we finally get to see it again.” He signed slowly, not wanting a single word to be missed.
“…I remember our first kiss. It was a night just like this…and the sun rose…and you told me you loved me.”
Grillby looked at her, giving her a soft and chaste kiss. “I did. And you kissed me. And then you yelled at me.” He shook his head in a silent laugh at the memory.
“I was too angry for my own good back then, dearie. You know that.”
“I always thought it was the right amount.” He hugged her and they looked out at the horizon, the sun making itself known.
The fiery oranges and reds rising through the sky, navy turning to purples and pinks. The monsters around them started to scare, unknowing of what was happening. None of them had ever seen it before. None except the 4 eldest here. The queen, the former king, Grillby, and Muffet.
Muffet's eyes teared up, an excited and eager grin in her face almost washed away 200 years as the familiar awe and excitement she’s always had when looking at these mornings all those years ago resurfaced. She couldn’t help herself from shakily standing and trying to walk towards the ledge.
“The sun…That’s the sun! Ahuhuhu!” She laughed loudly, more life in her than she’s had this last year. While trying to get closer, she collapsed, her legs unable to hold her anymore. Grillby caught her just before she hit the ground. A raspy, broken sound came from his voice.
“Th…su..n.” He coughed, old injuries flaring at his attempt to speak, his throat glowing purple before it settled.
In almost an instant, Sans and Papyrus had rushed over, concerned and scared for their elderly mother. But she just laughed. She laughed and laughed and laughed, just so happy to be able to see the sky again. To breathe surface air. To be here, with her husband and her sons and her grandchildren.
They were 248 when they were brought back to the surface.
They were 248 when the national emergency of monsters arriving was declared.
They were 248 when they were placed in temporary apartments while the Royalty and the human child who set them all free had lengthy diplomatic discussions for them to have a place to live in Ebott City again.
They were 248 when they laid down for their last night together.
They were 248 when Muffet knew she wouldn’t get up in the morning.
Grillby laid her down and tucked her in, laying right next to her after and holding her thin and frail body close to him. He kissed her goodnight, as he always did, and turned the lamps off. His flame illuminated the room with soft flickers of warm oranges and yellows.
“Grillby…this is it.”
He quickly looked at her and freed his hands, trying to speak, but she grabbed them with a surprising amount of strength and resistance, keeping them around her.
“No. Don’t…just hold me.” She tucked her face into his chest, a content sigh leaving her.
Grillby’s flames flickered, torn by fear and hurt, but also with acceptance. They’ve known it’s coming, they have for a long time. He didn’t want to say goodbye, he didn’t! They’d only just found each other again. He held her tightly, as tight as he could without hurting her.
“We have…have had a long life, firecracker. We have gone through so much. I’m happy with how it’s all ending…my sons are free…our grandchildren are free…they get to live under the same sky we did…Dearie…I’m so tired. I’m ready to go.”
“I…l..lov..yo..u…Mu..ff..” He tilted her head up, wanting to look into her eyes as he spoke for the last time. Told her he loved her one last time. He kisses her…a long soft kiss…for the last time.
“I love you too, Grillby.” She closed her eyes, snuggles up to her husband, and falls asleep.
She does not wake back up.
Neither does Grillby.
That night, their souls become young again. They hold hands, and dance in the sky. They laugh and sing and say I love you over and over again. They don't hurt…they are not sad…they just are. And when they are done, they see their friends and loved ones waiting for them. All young and happy, no pain in their eyes and souls, not damage done to their hearts. Cora is waiting for them. Malakai is waiting for them. Muffet's mom is waiting for them. All of their friends lost in the war, to age, to illness, to accidents, all of them. And when a robed skeleton who oddly looks like Papyrus holds out his hands with a cheerful smile, they take them, coming into the afterlife.
Grillby Fieri Pyrrhus
1998-2246
A gentle soul, loving husband, father, and Grandfather
Feel no evils, feel no pain. Blessed be. Rest in peace.
Muffet Tara Araneae
1998-2246
A passionate soul, loving wife, mother, and grandmother.
Feel no evils, feel no pain. Blessed be. Rest in peace.