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Kyle has been looking forward to this all week, ever since Sans messaged them if they’d like to visit a cat café with him and today is finally the fourteenth. It’s not only been too long since she went to a cat cafe, but Kyle also has a certain soft spot for Sans.
She’s a bit nervous about going to a new place, meeting strangers, having unfamiliar menu items, etcetera. But he’d been so excited when he asked and knowing that he’ll be there the whole time does take the edge off a bit.
Not just that, but the promise of getting to pet cats does lessen a lot of the nerves. She already looked online to check out their menu, but got distracted by all the pictures of cute kitties they have. All of them have tea-themed names, which is just super adorable and they also have a wide ‘varietea’ of drinks.
Sans likes to be very punctual, so she’s a bit early as well. A fresh Februari breeze grazes past her face, but the fluff of her appropriately themed cat-sweater keeps her warm. When she arrives, he isn’t there yet, which gives her a little time to gaze at the cats playing behind the window. A brown, rather small cat is watching with a hunter's gaze at how another cat’s tail is sweeping from left to right. Kyle recognises the kitten as Mint from the site, she’s even cuter in real life.
Someone kneels down to pet the kitten and she instantly recognises them as Sans. His face lights up with a gentle smile that only seems to grow when she raises her hand to wave at him. It seems he was able to claim a table close to the window, where the noise of the café is a little less loud and you get a premium view to people-watch.
As soon as she enters, he greets her with a tight hug. “YOU LOOK GOOD TODAY.” Sans pulls back and takes a short moment to study them.
“THOSE PANTS REALLY SUIT YOU.”
Kyle looks down and sees that she’s wearing one of her favourite pairs. Knee length, denim shorts with pockets deep enough to stuff an entire bottle of ice tea in them. The perfect balance between fun and practical. She feels a warmth simmer in her chest at the genuine compliment. It’s nice to know that Sans also likes them.
“Thanks… your scarf looks good as well.” They’re not sure why of all things to mention she picked the one item he’s always wearing. Probably because it does look good on him. The blue is the exact same as his magic, so it really suits him, not to mention how it perfectly frames his face.
Before she lets her mind ramble on about how handsome Sans is, she goes to sit down. Sans sports a little blue dusted over his cheekbones, but doesn’t say anything about it. In fact, he’s very attentively looking at the beautiful grey cat that's curiously gazing at them. Its yellow eyes get accentuated by its long fur and the elegant whiskers that stick out from its cheek. This cat looks like it could definitely model for pet magazines or maybe just straight to the runway. There’s a certain poise it possesses while it raises a paw and gives it a few licks.
“THAT FUZZY SIR HAS BEEN EYEING YOUR SEAT FOR A WHILE NOW, BUT DO NOT WORRY, THE MAGNIFICENT SANS KEPT HIM AT BAY FOR YOU.” Sans half-jokes, half-boasts at Kyle and she can’t help but laugh.
Her laugh gets cut short when she startles at the sudden presence behind her, noticing the waitress right before she starts to speak. “Welcome to Kittea café, I see Earl Grey has already welcomed the two of you.”
The lady smiles politely after glancing adoringly at the cat. “What can I get you?”
Sans seems to notice how Kyle’s body language shifted to something more closed off as soon as the waitress appeared. It’s not the first time that has happened while he’s here, in fact, she started out like that with him as well. Though she warmed up to him pretty quickly, considering his upbeat and caring nature.
It’s hard to not feel safe when there’s an excited skeleton always including you and keeping track of your social battery.
Before they have the chance to uncomfortably choke out an answer, Sans steps in. “SHE’LL HAVE A CAPPUCCINO WITH VANILLA SYRUP AND I’LL HAVE…” he browses through the menu for a few seconds before he closes it, having made a decision “A MANGO LEMONADE.”
Of course he knows her usual order from the top of his head.
“Coming right up!” The waitress chirps before walking off again.
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO FORCE YOURSELF WHEN I’M HERE.” Sans says as he reaches over to squeeze Kyle’s hand. It’s supposed to be a friendly gesture, but she can’t help her heart from skipping a beat. The matching friendship bracelets he gifted her a while back jingle and scrape gently over the table as he gives her hand a comforting squeeze.
Earl Grey jumps up on the table, walking in a small circle and accidentally whipping his fluffy tail repeatedly into Sans’ face. The cat seems smug for some reason now that finally all attention is back on him and Kyle can’t help but let out a snort at the sight.
“I’M GLAD AT LEAST ONE OF US IS ENJOYING THE FACT THAT I’M BREATHING IN FUR.” His comment is a bit cheeky, but there’s a clear affection laced in his voice.
“It’s not my fault that Earl Grey decided you could use some more hair.”
“ARE YOU IMPLYING THAT I’M BALD? BECAUSE YOU WOULD BE CORRECT.” Kyle bursts out laughing at Sans’ shenanigans. She’s already completely forgotten about the stiff discomfort she felt only a few moments prior.
By the time she gathers her breath again, the waitress is walking their way holding a tray of drinks.
A nice cup with cat-shaped latte art gets placed in front of her and she gives a polite ‘thank you’ to the worker. Sans receives his drink as well before the lady walks off again.
Kyle looks at their drink with a thoughtful expression. “How do they even get shapes like this?” The ears are pointy, but even more impressively sharp.
“YOU CAN’T POUR IT LIKE THIS, SO THE BARISTA WILL HAVE TO DRAG THE FOAM AROUND WITH THE BACK OF A SPOON.” Sans happily explains while using his free hand to mimic a drawing motion.
“How do you know that?”
“I AM A SKELETON OF MANY MYSTERIES.” As far as Kyle know’s that’s only sometimes true, usually he’s an open book. Especially when it’s about informative topics. “OKAY THAT’S NOT TRUE, I WAS REALLY INTO LATTE ART FOR ABOUT A WEEK UNTIL I REALISED I DIDN’T KNOW ANYBODY WHO DRANK COFFEE. THOUGH, I MIGHT PICK IT UP AGAIN IF YOU’D BE INTERESTED IN COMING OVER FOR A CUP EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.”
“Yeah, I’d like that.” It’ll be nice to have an excuse to visit them whenever, though it’s not like she ever needed a reason. “If you’re making coffee I can bake something to go along.”
Sans lights up at the promise of homebaked goods. “YOU KNOW I’LL NEVER SAY ‘NO’ TO YOUR FRESH BANANABREAD.”
“And Paps surely wouldn’t mind me bringing more sweets.” That guy seems to have a second stomach just for desserts and candy. Last time Kyle brought a tupperware box full of cookies he snatched it and actually ran off with it. That was probably the first and only time she’ll ever see Papyrus run.
“JUST MAKE SURE HE DOESN’T EAT TOO MUCH SWEETS BEFORE DINNER, I HAVE A HARD ENOUGH TIME GETTING HIM TO EAT VEGETABLES AS IS.”
The rest of their time together at Kittea Café passes filled with laughter and stories. Kyle even learns about Sans’ latest interest in origami, which surprised her at first, but it’s actually really fitting for him. The pictures he showed on his phone from his latest creation were really impressive. Paper flowers in all kinds of colours standing proudly in a vase.
After Sans insists on paying for today's outing, the two of them are standing outside. Kyle waves one last time at Earl Grey who proudly stands on the table they’d just been sitting at.
“SOCIAL BATTERY CHECK?” Sans asks her as he buttons up his jacket. Both of them know he doesn't need it for staying warm, but he likes the fashionable garment nonetheless.
“Hmmm, fifty percent.”
“IN THAT CASE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO ON A WALK BEFORE I BRING YOU HOME?”
Walks with Sans were always so peaceful, so that was a true no-brainer. “I’d love that.”
The two of them started on their walk. The sun is slowly lowering in the sky, but her rays are still warm and bright. Sans leads them down a dirt road that trails through the neighborhood park. He’s happily rambling on about his latest cooking adventures while Kyle gazes at the shimmering lake. Despite the cold, there’s a few birds washing themselves in the water. Do birds feel cold at all? Or does the water completely get repelled by their feathers?
“...KYLE?”
“Oh I’m sorry, I, uh, got distracted.”
“THAT IS ALRIGHT, I WAS ASKING IF YOU’D LIKE TO SEE THE BIRDS FROM UP CLOSE. YOU’VE BEEN ADMIRING THEM FOR A WHILE.”
They think for a moment, because while she’d love that, she doesn’t want to scare off the birds as they go about their day.
“WE’LL STILL KEEP A COMFORTABLE DISTANCE OF COURSE.” Sans manages to assure her like he can read the worries on her face. Somehow it’s always easy to be with him.
He holds out a warm, bony hand for Kyle to grab and the smile he gives her feels brighter than the sun that kisses her face.
She silently places her hand in his and Sans starts walking towards the lake at a slow pace. One of the birds looks up at them, but none of them really care about the couple coming their way. Kyle tries to pick up her train of thought again, but how can she with the warm ridges of Sans’ hand pressing into hers? If he had skin, he’d have callouses from his hard work, but instead his bones have a polished feel from all the friction. The texture is very unique, but strangely soft.
She looks up once the skeleton beside her stops walking and only a little space away are the birds flapping about. From this distance she recognises them as hummingbirds. Brown feathers with red necks and small black beaks. A sign of early spring and good fortune. She might’ve missed these little treasures if Sans hadn’t led her here.
Kyle turns to face Sans, wanting to thank him, but she stops when she sees he’s already looking at her.
“What’s wrong sans?”
“I-I NEED TO APOLOGISE FOR SOMETHING.” For some reason his gaze averts to the ground for a few seconds. As if he’s unsure about what to say.
That’s… very unlike him. He pulls his hand out of hers and Kyle can feel him shutting her out while she tries to find any hint to what he’s talking about written on his face.
“I SHOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN UP SO MUCH OF YOUR VALENTINES DAY. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SPEND A ROMANTIC DAY LIKE THIS WITH SOMEONE YOU LIKE. IN THE WAY THAT…” He takes in a deep breath, as if whatever air he had in his lungs wasn’t nearly enough. His eyes soften and his back straightens while he slowly breathes out. “IN THE WAY THAT I …LIKE YOU.”
His words echo through her head as her face starts to light up like a thousand fireflies dancing through the night sky. Her eyes lock onto his and see the gentle admiration he’s hidden within them. Kyle melts a little under the weight of it, but she knows she can’t leave him waiting in an endless silence.
She’s not as brave as he is, so instead of spelling it out, she laces her pinky finger around his. “I am.”
In an instant he grows a blush that matches hers, a bright blue beaming underneath the starry eyes in his sockets. It’s beautiful and oh so much like him. It almost looks like magic crackles at the tips of his bones, but it might just be the shimmering opalescence of the setting sun.
For who-knows-how-long the two of them stand there. With the wind whipping past their faces and the soft chirping of spring birds in the background. After a while Sans steps closer, caressing Kyle’s hand as he carefully laces their fingers.
“C-CAN I GIVE YOU A KISS?”
“You don’t have lips.” It’s a nothing statement, both of them already know that he doesn’t, but it’s something she’s been wondering about.
“AS IF A SMALL DETAIL LIKE THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH TO STOP THE MANGIFICENT SANS.” He affectionately scoffs. “THE IMPORTANT QUESTION IS IF YOU’D WANT ME TO TRY.”
“Y-Yeah.” Kyle feels her hands tremble, but Sans quickly calms her down with the caress of his thumb. Her eyes squeeze shut and she holds her breath as Sans leans in close.
She jolts a bit when she feels his breath against her cheek, it almost tickles and she can smell the faintest hint of mangoes. Soon the gentle scrape of his teeth presses against her. The gesture is so sweet and gentle that she can’t help but melt into the touch.
It feels more intimate than she was prepared for. Kyle feels her face heating up at the contact, hoping that Sans doesn’t notice her sudden spike in temperature. Even though he would be the last person on earth to judge her.
Slowly he pulls back, leaving only a buzzing sensation where his mouth just was. “Wow…”
His eyes literally sparkle at her and she feels like she’s wearing that exact expression as well. “MY KISS LOOKS GOOD ON YOU.”
Kyle isn’t even thinking about how you can’t see a kiss, especially if that kiss is just a press of teeth. That’s definitely the flirtiest thing Sans has ever said and she’s a little taken aback by it. Mostly because of the way her heart is definitely skipping at least two beats at it. “I-In that case you can place another one.”
He seems to mull the idea over in his head before he raises her hand to his face and uses the back of it to caress over the plush marble of his cheekbone.
“I THINK I’LL SAVE THAT FOR OUR NEXT DATE. I WANT TO SAVOUR THESE MOMENTS AFTER ALL.” He winks playfully and the promise of having more dates at the horizon makes her feel giddy.