Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

When Sans roused from sleep, it was dark. Very dark.

And for some reason, he couldn't move his arms. A tad troubling...

He tried wriggling, with little success and blinked blearily. Everything was blurry.. The only plus was the pleasant warmth behind him.

“ g-grillbss..zz..?”

Sans voice was raspy and barely above a whisper. He tried again to move, but something kept pulling his arm back down before they got far. Make that decently distressing..

“..g-grillby.”

He called louder this time, jerking around. The skeleton managed to roll himself over. He could feel the heat against his face now, but he still couldn't see much of anything.

What was going on?!

Thoroughly panicked, Sans started to thrash about, pushing with all his might against his confines.

“ grillby? ..p-pap-!?”

Suddenly his hand smacked against something. An awfully hot something.

Grillby awoke with a start, head snapping to where he'd been struck.

“..Sans..?”

Grillby saw the skeleton's form, struggling beneath the blanket, and pulled it back quickly. He couldn't say he was expecting what he saw.

Sans stilled.

“...g-grillbz?...s'at you..?”

He sounded uncharacteristically timid, which was concerning.

“I'm right here, Sans... Let me help you...You've tangled yourself in your..Erm.. My shirt.”

“..oh.”

Somehow during the night, the skeleton's arms had slipped back into their respective sleeves, while the neck-hole had migrated above his head. The fabric

was twisted around him tightly, too.

A joint effort between San's restless sleeping, and the ill-fitting nature of the shirt, no doubt.

Grillby was quick to rectify the problem, however. Sans looked relieved to see him when he did.

“Are you alright..?” the elemental asked.

Sans nodded, “ yeah, sorry about that. did I get your face?”

“Just my shoulder,” Grillby indicated with a pat to the area, “I'm fine.”

“ good.”

“You sounded very.. Panicked... Were you.. Having a nightmare?”

Sans shook his head, and moved to sit up – making sure to roll up his sleeves in the process.

“ i thought i was,” he said, “ you know, one of those paralysis ones?”

Grillby nodded.

“ think that's why i panicked a bit back there.. heh.”

“As long as you are.. Okay now.”

“ yeah,” Sans chuckled, looking down at himself “ gonna have to stop borrowing your shirts though, i think.”

“Oh,” the elemental replied.

He would later blame his next words on the fact he was still waking up, sleepiness dulling his inhibitions.

“That is a.. Shame.”

Sans gave him a puzzled look. Grillby worried for a moment that his comment had been in poor taste. But a smile of realisation struck Sans pretty quick.

“ ….oh?”

His eyes narrowed smugly, while his grin grew. And Grillby found himself filled with a different kind of regret.

“ so that's why you offered it to me..i get it now.”

“I offered it ..Because your shirt was filth-” Grillby tried to redeem himself, but Sans wasn't listening.

“ this is part of your thing for small monsters, heh.”

Grillby spluttered. It was too early for this.

“I do not have a.. Thing for small monsters..!” he said indignantly.

This is what he got for that 'fun-sized' comment a few months back...

“.. dunno grillbz, you like me,” Sans said, leaning back into his pillow, arms behind his head, “ and i'm pretty small. that's some damning evidence right there.”

His eyes were closed, but he knew by the way the bed shifted, Grillby was making his way over. Exactly as planned.

“And yet just last week... You said you were.. 'Big-boned',” Grillby said, crawling on top of Sans.

The elemental's body completely covered him from view.

He leaned in closer to the skeleton's face, tilting his head.

“So which is it.. Sans?”

Sans could not look more pleased with the turn of events. He opened his eyes.

“ well obviously, you have the hots for small, and chubby monsters,” he said, trailing off as Grillby drew even closer, “ and i just so happen to be blessed with both qualities...”

“Maybe.. I just like you.”

If either monster had a nose, they'd be touching.

“..nah,” Sans grinned dismissively, “ .. you definitely have a thing.”

His teasing awarded him a gentle kiss beside his mouth, shortly followed by several more down the side of his jaw, and towards the top of his spine.

“ s-see..? what'd i tell ya?”

“You don't have to keep talking.. After I kiss you, Sans,” Grillby informed him – a graceful loser if nothing else.

His hands started to wander, slipping under Sans' borrowed shirt.

“ what.. ? ..you want me to sing insteah!... ”

Damn. Always the ribs.

Sans moaned softly as deft fingers worked higher.

“ Those noises work just fine.”

It was Grillby's turn to be smug. He did give the skeleton another kiss though, this time on his clavicle.

Sans sighed pleasantly, sliding his arms from under his head, to rest either side of it.

“ alright.. you win that one.”

It was less effort after all..

Grillby continued for a little while, fiery lips working slowly across the bone until he reached the other side of San's neck. Then he drew away.

“..Is this still.. Okay?” he asked, tone having completely changed.

Grillby had gotten quite good at switching seamlessly between gentleness and playful dominance.

Sans nodded. He admired the 180 quality quite a lot.

“ very..”

“ Nothing is hurting..?”

Sans shook his head reassuringly.

“ i'll tell you if it does, grillbz...”

Grillby smiled, a sense of relief filling him.

“..barely even gotten started, anyway,” Sans goaded, only one eye open.

Grillby knew very well what Sans was doing, but was happy to indulge him. Truthfully, they were as bad as each other.

“..Well.. If you are patient,” his air of authority returned, “.. I promise to show you.. A good time.”

Sans grinned broadly, the lights in his eyes glowing.

**

Grillby was a monster of his word. Without a doubt.

But Sans was also still a little shit, and took equal pleasure from fiery fingertips, as he did egging the elemental on.


“.. c'mon grillbz... enough of the warm up, m'practically freezing up here.”

The skeleton was over-exaggerating, but it didn't stop him from even making the effort to raise his rib-cage – a place distinctly lacking in Grillby's touch.

The bartender was intent on taking his time though, only ever gracing the area in passing. After all, the closer to a monster's soul, the more sensitive to touch they were.

And he'd found with Sans in particular, that was best saved for when the skeleton was more worked up.


“Patience is a.. Virtue, Sans..”

Though, Grillby would be lying if he said he didn't have another reason for being so sparing with his hands.

His eyes were fixed on Sans' chest area - acutely aware of the still fading burn marks present. He pressed gently against Sans vertebrae below, lowering his

rib-cage back to the bed.

Sans moaned softly, savouring the heated touch.

“... w-well... you make being virtuous difficult..heh.”

Grillby blinked, feeling a distinct stir in his soul.

“ so... if you think about it, you kinda owe me.”

If the cheeky tone was coming from anyone else, sprawled out submissively beneath him, Grillby would think it was a total mismatch. But it was Sans,

unabashed and openly admitting his want for touch.

Grillby loved that, he truly did. The prospect of a monster so willing to receive, so open with being vulnerable, so trusting despite the dangerous nature of his

flames.

It made the elemental feel warmer than he already was, and happy, and whole, and just... ridiculously in love with the fat little skeleton who waltzed into his

bar so many years ago.


Grillby's expression however, was telling a completely different story.

“...uh.. grillbz?”

Sans looked on worried.

It caught Grillby's attention, his eyes snapping up from Sans' ribs.

“...did you wanna stop?” he asked, lowering his arms from above his head.

“..I'm.. Sorry..”

“...hey, if you're not feelin' it, you're not feeling it,” Sans shrugged, though inside, he was concerned.

Had he taken the teasing too far, perhaps?

Grillby looked conflicted, he sighed deeply. His flames flickered unevenly.

“It's not that I'm not.... 'Feeling it'..” he said, “.. I feel very fortunate being allowed to.. Explore your body.. Like I do, in fact.”

Sans grinned, feeling bashful, but also flattered.

“I am just...” Grillby frowned, looking down at his hands.

Sans waited patiently for him to find his words.

“Still worried... That I might hurt.. You.”

Sans felt his heart sink, guiltily.

“..grillbz..”

“I can't get it out of my head... Your HP...And the marks I left on you... Last time..”

Silence hung over the pair a moment before Sans spoke.

“ but that was my bad.. yeah? .. we talked about that, last night.”

“I wasn't trying to... Make you feel.. Guilty,” Grillby frowned, looking quite guilty himself.

“.. didn't say you were, grillbz,” Sans replied, flopping himself back onto the bed, “ know you're not like that.”

Grillby watched the skeleton curiously.

“ … have you ever heard of a hickie, grillbz?”

Grillby blinked, confused.

“It's another name... Humans use for a... Love-bite, isn't it?” he answered slowly, unsure of the conversation's new direction.

Sans just grinned at him, unreadable beyond that.

“.. yeah,” he said, “ s'kinda hard to leave that sorta thing on a guy like me – having no skin or capillaries to break and all.”

“..Right,” Grillby answered slowly.

“ so when you think about it... those marks you left, are kinda the equivalent of a love-bite.”

Grillby frowned.


“I don't think that's a.. Fair comparison.. Sans..”


“ ..no?”


“Love-bites... Do not endanger lives...”


The harshness in Grillby's tone was obviously directed at himself.


“ dunno.. if you did it over a major artery maybe..”


“..Sans.”


Grillby was clearly frustrated with the skeleton making light of his actions, as he himself was unwilling to let go of what he had done.

“ look... all i'm saying is that i liked them, and that's how i see it.”

Grillby looked surprised.

“You... Liked them...?”


He sounded so unsure – the marks had been so prevalent, and dark...

Though when Grillby really thought about it...The love-bites he'd seen, were also often dark and prevalent.


Sans nodded reassuringly, “ would have said something if i didn't..”

Grillby felt his throat tighten, and his expression fell. He went to speak, but Sans stopped him.

“ and hey... maybe i should have said somethin'.. towards the uh, end back there, and maybe you should have gone a little easier... but, i don't regret any of it.”

Grillby smiled softly at the skeleton's words, honestly feeling a little better. When he spoke again, his voice was more curious, than concerned.

“Didn't they... Hurt, though?”

Sans shook his head, “..nah. not in a bad way..”

The elemental frowned, “Pain is bad... Sans..”

The skeleton chuckled, “ i guess it was less.. pain, and more like.. just really hot and intense.”

He paused a moment, and then winked.

“ pun intended.”

Grillby tried his best not to be endeared.

“And you like... Hot and intense..?”

Sans nodded with a dopey grin.

“ yeah.. it's like, being that close to... something people would normally consider dangerous and getting a taste of it, but also always knowing that i'm safe, because you're the one controlling it.”

Grillby felt his soul swell.

“..and those marks you left are like a.. reminder of that.”

A warm glow shone from Grillby's chest, revealing his soul.

“..Sans..” he said, almost too softly to be heard over the crackle of his flames.

“ so.. small monsters and sweet talk, huh?”

The elemental leaned downwards, and then pulled Sans up into his lap.

“..Yes,” he replied, gently nuzzling at Sans' temple.

The petite skeleton in question, revelled in the heat against his exposed bones, deeply satisfied.

“..and if you're really worried... could always open the dating hud..”

Grillby pulled back some, uncertain.

“I wouldn't want to.. Pry like that,” he said.

“..psh,” Sans dismissed, “ as long as i don't have to keep track the stats, doesn't bother me.”

Grillby still looked hesitant, but after a moment, relented.


“Maybe just for now.. As a reference.”


“ sounds good to me.”


With that, Sans opened up the Dating HUD. Grillby was relieved to see his HP was still 1, and felt a new wave of arousal wash over him. His soul pulsed

between his and Sans' bodies, catching said skeleton's attention.

“ heart set on somethin' there, grillbz?”

He looked smug. Grillby reminded himself this was coming from the guy who got his jollies from word-play, though, and so, wasn't too phased.

“Your puns are getting.. Sloppy,” he deadpanned.

Sans shrugged, “ i do have a tendency to get overwhelmed around hot people.”

“And you accuse me of having.. A thing.”


“ s'cuz you do,” he said, tell-tale grin intact.


Grillby merely hummed in acknowledgement, moving to kiss his jaw.

“ you are a nggg.. graceful loser, grillbz,” Sans conceded with a moan, sinking further into Grillby's lap.

“Thank you, Sans,” the bartender replied, trailing gentle kisses down to Sans' clavicle.

“ you sure you're gonna be alright..?”

Grillby hummed again, and lowered Sans small body back onto his bed.

“..Yes, absolutely.”

Sans grinned.

“ cuz if you're not... i'll know.”

“You will..?” Grillby paused his actions, curious.

“ well yeah – cuz you're pants will be on fire.”

Somewhere far-off, the elemental swore he heard a badumm tsss.

Grillby sighed unable to hold back his smile, while Sans fared slightly better at not laughing at his own joke.


“ But all my clothes are.. Fireproof, Sans..” Grillby said playfully.


The skeleton looked disappointed for a moment, then shrugged.


“ guess that ruins my plans to see a naked flame.”

Grillby's soul pulsed. Sans observed, grin widening.

“..little hot n' bothered there, grillbz?”

Suddenly his own chest began to glow. It was bright enough that both monsters had to turn away for a moment. And when they returned, Sans' soul was

there.

Grillby sat in a state of disbelief.

“.. Your own pun, Sans?”

The skeleton shrugged sheepishly, actually surprised himself.

“ guess so.”

“Then speak for.. Yourself.”

Sans took a breath, no doubt preparing to do just that – but Grillby stopped him, knowing the lovable smartass too well.

He kissed Sans front on, and Sans reciprocated as best he could with only a set of teeth.

Naturally in tow, their souls met shortly after. Heated Orange engulfing Scarred Blue.

Sans squirmed at the contact, needing to pull away from the kiss. Grillby backed off right after, eyes shooting to Sans HUD stats.


HP: 1, Crime: normal, Egg. 


“Sans.. Are you alright..?” he asked anyway.


It took the skeleton a moment before he answered.

“ yeah, haha..sorry,” he said, breathless but content, “ just sensitive .. wasn't joking about waiting a year.”

“Would you like to.. Stop?”

Sans shook his head.

“i'm not virtuous remember?”

Grillby felt more at ease. He smiled softly.

“I do.. Recall.”

He leaned back down slowly, his soul ready to brace against Sans' once more, but the skeleton stopped him.

“ though uh, slow might be a good plan.. for now.”

Grillby's smile grew, and his soul swelled.

“Of course.”

***

“You are welcome to.. Return my shirt later,” Grillby grimaced, watching as Sans removed his own from the floor.


“ insatiable,” Sans chucked, pulling the grubby garment over his head, covering most of the new marks he now sported.

The elemental knew he was fighting a losing battle, and decided not to dignify the skeleton with a response.

“ probably wouldn't have enough time before you have to open the bar anyway, right?” Sans joked.

“It's only seven-thir-”


Grillby stopped himself, flames burning brightly in embarrassment. What had he just decided?

Sans grinned back at him – though not smugly. His expression was more akin to a puppy, all dopey and starry eyed.

Soul-Sharing really did quite a number on the guy. And for that, Grillby was thankful.

“ you like to be ready early though, huh?”

Grillby blinked.

“..It's nice not to be..Caught off guard.”

Sans nodded with a quiet hum of a agreement.

“ yeah, i respect that.”

***

The pair made their way downstairs shortly after getting dressed.

“Are you hungry at all?” The elemental asked, once inside the kitchen.

Sans shook his head, “ you'd think - after burning all that energy, but nah, i'm good grillbz.”

“Alright,” Grillby nodded, “I'm going to set the tables, then.”

The elemental then made his way over to where he kept the restaurant's napkins and tableware.

“ no worries.”

Sans in the meantime, found his regular bar stool, and made himself comfortable out front.


“SANS, THERE YOU ARE!”


Sans' eyes widened in surprise. Grillby nearly dropped the plates he was holding.

There was only one monster that shrill voice could belong to.

“ morning bro,” Sans called, turning to the front door.


On the other side, Papyrus waved.

In the kitchen Grillby hastily put the plates safely back on the counter, before moving to the dining room to let Papyrus in.

Despite deciding to have no part in exposing his relationship with Sans, the elemental found himself feeling strangely nervous.


“Sorry Papyrus... Let me open the.. Door for you..”


“THANK YOU, GRILLBY, AND GOOD MORNING. I DIDN'T KNOW YOU OPENED THIS EARLY.”

Well, crap.

Grillby's hands faltered with the door knob. He turned to Sans with concern.

The skeleton shrugged unhelpfully.

Grillby was on his own. He sighed, opening the door for the taller of The Skeleton brothers.


“Good morning to you.. Too, Papyrus,” he greeted politely, allowing him to step inside, “I do not open until lunchtime on Saturdays... But I like to take my time.. Getting ready.”


“THOUGH I DETEST YOUR FOOD, AS A FELLOW COOK, I ADMRE YOUR WORK ETHIC, GRILLBY!” Papyrus replied, smiling broadly at the fire monster.


“..Thank you,” he replied, uneasily.


“I DO NOT THINK MY LAZYBONES BROTHER WILL BE MUCH HELP TO YOU, HOWEVER. HE IS A BOONDOGGLER THROUGH, AND THROUGH.”


Sans shrugged again; he had no intention of refuting the truth.


“I am.. Aware,” Grillby began carefully, “But he does not work for.. Me so I do not.. Expect him to help.”


The elemental was standing firm on his stance not to get between the brothers. It was Sans responsibility to tell his brother about them, and he wasn't about

to make any unnecessary connections for Papyrus.


“THAT'S VERY REASONABLE OF YOU, GRILLBY. IT DOES LEAVE ME RATHER CONFUSED AS TO WHY SANS IS HERE BEFORE OPENING, THOUGH.”


Well.. At least not intentionally.


Grillby opened his mouth, but closed it quickly after. He then turned back to Sans.

A million questions, and possible outcomes were running through his head; all the while silence filled the room.


How was Papyrus going to react?


Would he be angry? Protective? Demand more answers?


Not knowing the monster that well, any option seemed viable of a loving brother.



“cuz i spent the night,” Sans answered.


Grillby spluttered. Papyrus looked further perplexed.

The tall skeleton raised a bony finger to stroke his chin thoughtfully.


“YOU... SPENT THE NIGHT?”


“ yeah, we're dating.”


Sans expression didn't change, while Grillby felt like he was going to pass out; cast in the deep end without a life-raft.


“..DATING?!” Papyrus exclaimed, turning his attention to Grillby.

The elemental swallowed. Hard.

“........Yes..”


A moment passed, where Papyrus seemed to be processing the situation.

Grillby held his breath.



“WELL THAT'S FANTASTIC NEWS!”


Before he could do anything else, Grillby found himself swept up in a bone-crushing hug. Literally.


“ I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE A BROTHER-IN-LAW!”

“you won't have one for very long if you keep that up,” Sans chuckled.

Papyrus stopped abruptly, lowering Grillby back to the ground.


“ YOU ARE RIGHT, SANS. MY APOLOGIES. GRILLBY. SOMETIMES I DON'T KNOW MY OWN STRENGTH.”


Still stunned, Grillby simply offered a weak nod of assurance, swaying on his feet a little.


“SO IS THAT WHY YOU WERE ASKED TO BORROW MY DATING MANUAL?!” Papyrus directed at his brother, looking ecstatic.

And just like that, Grillby suddenly felt all better. He too turned to chubby skeleton, a smug smile forming on his fiery lips.

“Dating.. Manual?” he repeated.

Sans' eyes were wide, and for a rare moment, he wasn't smiling.


“ u-uh well you see..”


Grillby didn't even know he was capable of being embarrassed. Let alone completely, and adorably flustered as he was now.

“ I SHOULD HAVE SUSPECTED SOMETHING LIKE THIS,” Papyrus exclaimed, hands on his bony hips, “HE WAS ALWAYS PARTICULARLY FIXATED ON THE CHAPTER

ABOUT 'FLIRTING'.”

“Oh.. Really?”


“ i think that's enough now, paps ”


Perhaps skeleton's could blush after all, a faint blue tinted Sans' cheekbones.

“No please... Do tell,” Grillby teased, eyes fixating on his partner.


Despite the smug air to his voice (payback was sweet), Grillby was also fighting a growing urge to smother the petite monster.

To think how casual, how care-free the slow build of their relationship had felt. When in reality, Sans had been consulting a dating book of all things, to win Grillby over.

He could feel his soul swell.

“I COULD GO ON FOR HOURS, HONESTLY,” Papyrus said, “BUT I ACTUALLY HAVE SOME QUESTIONS OF MY OWN!”


This caught both Sans and Grillby's attention.


“Like.. What, Papyrus?”


“WELL FOR STARTERS, HOW LONG HAVE YOU TWO BEEN DATING? I WOULDN'T BE A GOOD BROTHER IF I DIDN'T KNOW YOUR ANNIVERSARY!”


Grillby went quiet. He looked towards Sans who shifted uncomfortably.


"OF COURSE, IT CAN'T HAVE BEEN THAT LONG! I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS AM VERY OBSERVANT AFTERALL!”


Sans took a deep breath. Grillby looked on.

“ a couple months after... we left the underground,” he said after a moment.

Papyrus's expression fell.


“....OH.”


Sans felt terrible.

“...THAT'S... QUITE A WHILE,” he said.

"..yeah."


A silence hung over the three monsters for a moment. The hurt between the skeleton brothers was palpable.

Grillby couldn't handle it.

“ The reason.. For that is-”


“ i didn't want to tell you,” Sans interrupted.

His eyes were glued to the floor, while his bony fingers fiddled with the strings of his hoodie.

He didn't need to look at his brother to know he was heart broken.

“ not until i was sure, we were serious.”


Very carefully, he raised his head, turning to Grillby. He looked uncertain, waiting for confirmation from the elemental.

Grillby felt his soul swell again, but nodded quickly. They could celebrate later.

Sans' smile finally returned. It was small, but there. Then he turned to Papyrus, who remained silent, while furiously blinking tears from his eye sockets.

“ i wouldn't want you to get excited and invested, over something that wasn't going to last.”


In the back of his mind, Sans' lamented the irony in his words.

“...OH,” Papyrus said again, slowly.

He gave a big sniff, and reached up to wipe under his eyes.

“ YOU WERE.. WORRIED ABOUT ME?”

Sans nodded slowly.


“ but,” he added, “ i've been realising lately that... i should look into a better way of.. showing it..”


The stout skeleton spared a glance in Grillby's direction. The elemental beamed back proudly, causing his smile to grow.

Papyrus looked utterly shocked. He surged forward, scooping his big brother up in a hug.


“THE DATING MANUAL SAID DATING CAN CHANGE A PERSON, BUT I DIDN'T REALISE IT WOULD BE BY THIS MUCH!”


Sans laughed in surprise, a tad winded.

“IF THIS IS WHAT 6 MONTHS HAS DONE, MAYBE IN A YEAR YOU'LL START PICKING UP YOUR SOCKS TOO!”


“ that's a lot of pressure to put on grillbz, bro.”


“I BELIEVE IN YOU GRILLBY!”

Before the elemental could respond, he too was pulled into the brotherly embrace.

“T-thank you... Papyrus,” he replied as evenly as he could, being crushed against the tall skeleton's chest.

“THIS IS ALL SO EXCITING!” Papyrus exclaimed, swinging the pair back and forth with relative ease for someone who had no muscles to speak of.

Sans gave Grillby an apologetic smile. He was tempted to say 'look what you married into' but.. That felt a little soon.

Monster Marriage was a whole other ordeal.


“..yeah..”


Is what he settled with instead. The look Grillby gave him back, told Sans that was the right decision.

He leaned his head over to Grillby's flames, resting it there. He felt Grillby do the same, nuzzling against his skull.

For the first time, in a very long while, Sans was filled with a sense of relief, and weightlessness.

“LOOK AT YOU BOTH ENGAGING IN SUBTLE PHYSICAL AFFECTIONS! THE DATING MANUAL STATES THAT THAT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN TWO MONSTERS REALLY

CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER!”


Sans grinned broadly at the observation, the faint blue dusting returning to his cheeks. While Grillby's flames crackled loudly.

Papyrus gently lowered both monsters to the floor, and took a step back.

“I ALSO READ THAT SUBTLE PHYSICAL AFFECTIONS WORK BETTER WITHOUT A THIRD PARTY.”

“ thanks, bro.”


“Thank you.. Papyrus.”

Grillby straightened his bow-tie a little, reminding himself he still had to work today.

Papyrus stroked his chin thoughtfully, looking over the pair.


“THOUGH WITH YOUR DIFFERENCE IN HEIGHT THERE MAY STILL BE A CHALLENGE...”


Sans opened his mouth to speak, eyes narrow and grin smug.


“Don't... You even dare.”


Grillby was too quick however. Sans' feigned dismay for a brief moment, but then shrugged.

Papyrus remained oblivious.


“SO NOW THAT YOU'RE SURE THE RELATIONSHIP IS GOING TO LAST, ARE YOU GOING TO TELL EVERYONE?”


Before Grillby or Sans could answer, Papyrus gasped loudly. He slapped the sides of his face.

“FRISK IS GOING TO BE SO EXCITED!” The lights in his eyes sparkled, “OH WE HAVE TO TELL THEM! AND QUEEN TORIEL OF COURSE, AND UNDYNE AND ALPHYS AND-”

As the excitable skeleton continued to list of names, Sans turned to Grillby.


“ would you be up for that?” he asked.

Grillby took a moment to think. It did seem like a natural progression of things. He didn't know Frisk or any of those monsters particularly well, but, that was

part of being in a relationship, right?


“I think... It would be a good.. Idea,” the bartender replied, “ Are you ready.. For that?”

He watch Sans' grin grow wide, and immediately knew what was coming.


“ 'll burn that bridge when i come to it.”


“IS THAT A YES?” Papyrus chimed in excitedly.

“ sure, bro,” Sans chuckled, “ why not?”


“HORAY!”


Grillby gave him a concerned look, but Sans dismissed it with a shake of his head.

“ maybe next time we do dinner at toriel's,” he suggested.

Having everyone in one place would require a lot less effort.

Papyrus looked conflicted about the suggestion. A part of him was very tempted to call Frisk as soon as possible. Hell, being a weekend, he could even get

away with an in-person visit.

But, even though Frisk was one of his dearest friends... He wouldn't do that to his brother.

“TORIEL AND FRISK ARE ALWAYS FREE ON WEEKENDS, AND I COULD MAKE SPAGHETTI SO NOBODY ELSE WOULD BE INCONVENIENCED AT THE SHORT NOTICE.”


It didn't mean he couldn't make very persuasive suggestions though.

“ that's pretty generous, paps.”


“ I AM WELL-AWARE, BUT THANK YOU.”


“ you're not open sundays, right?” Sans asked Grillby.


The elemental shook his head.


“I'm.. Free.”


“ SUNDAY NIGHT IT IS!” Papyrus exclaimed excitedly.

He then produced his cell-phone, dialling furiously.


“LEAVE THE REST TO THE GREAT PAPYRUS! I'LL INVITE EVERYONE NOW!”


“ thanks, bro. you're the best.”


Papyrus waved dismissively. It was hardly new information to the very humble skeleton.

There was a tell-tale crackle on the other end of the receiver. Papyrus turned his back to the pair.

“HELLO QUEEN TORIEL, IT IS I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS...”


“You're very lucky to... Have him,” Grillby said quietly.

It was miraculously fortunate, actually, that the two brothers were such polar opposites.


“ i know right?” Sans agreed with a grin, “ he is the coolest brother ever.”

Maybe one day he'd tell Grillby just how much he meant that.

“ ...WELL SANS AND I WERE HOPING TO COME OVER TO DINNER THIS SUNDAY. WE HAVE SOME VERY EXCITING NEWS..!”

“I certainly didn't... Imagine this morning going.. Like this,” Grillby commented.


".. NO HE HASN'T PICKED UP HIS SOCKS YET... BUT, THAT MAY BE A SUBJECT TO CHANGE..!"


A small part of the elemental was still trying to come to grips with everything that had happened in such as short span of time.



“....AND I'LL TAKE CARE OF THE FOOD – SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FEEDING EXTRA MOUTHS...!”



“ i know what you mean...” Sans nodded, “ s'actually a pretty good feeling knowing there's no more skeletons in my closet.”

Grillby narrowed his eyes at the skeleton, but remained silent. He had no words.

This only seemed to feed the expanse of Sans' grin, though. His cheekbones rode high enough to obscure his eye sockets.


“ it was getting pretty bonely in there,” he said with a snort.


“You're not allowed.. To use either of those.. At dinner.”


“ aw what.. who made you the rule maker?”


“ …HOW DID YOU KNOW IT WAS SPAGHETTI...?”


“If you try.. I'll finish your.. Punchlines, before you.. Can," Grillby threatened, doing his best to look serious.


“ in think you mean punchlines, grillbz.”


“ I will do.. It.”


“ well then.. i'll burn that bridge when in come to it.”


“I'm sensing a.. Trend here.”


Sans merely hummed, turning back to his brother.


“.. HOW DOES SEVEN O'CLOCK SOUND? THAT'S PLENTY OF TIME FOR FRISK TO BE INCLUDED TOO. I WOULD HATE FOR THEM TO MISS OUT ON QUALITY TIME WITH ME...!”


“.. EXCELLENT. WE'LL SEE YOU, AND THE OTHERS THEN..!”


Papyrus exchanged good-byes with Toriel before hanging up.


“SANS!”


Grillby jumped, a tad surprised.


“ yeah, bro?”


“.. I'VE BEEN THINKING!”


“ what about?”


“ OUR BROTHER ROAD TRIP!”


“ yeah?”


“ IF I KEEP UP MY PRACTISE HOURS, I SHOULD BE FINISHED AROUND THE SAME TIME AS FRISK STARTS THEIR SCHOOL VACATION.”


“ you'd definitely have to run it by toriel.”


“ WELL THAT'S WHAT SUNDAY NIGHT CAN ALSO BE FOR.”


“ alright. i can see the kid being up for that.”


“They seem quite... Drawn to adventure,” Grillby commented.


He hadn't seen a lot of Frisk since being freed from The Underground... Or really before then either. But he'd heard plenty of stories - not just from The

Skeleton brothers, but many other monster patrons.

For someone so young, they certainly found interesting ways to keep busy.


“EXACTLY,” Papyrus agreed.


The tall skeleton could hardly wait for the following night now. He bounced on the balls of his feet.


“I SHOULD PROBABLY GET HOME AND START COOKING!”


“ you're not gonna call undyne?”


Papyrus shook his head, “SHE WOULD HATE TO MISS OUT ON MAKING THE SPAGHETTI!”


“ we should probably stock up on pasta then.”


“We?” Grillby sounded amused.


“ i guard the trolley,” Sans explained.


“ YOU SIT IN THE TROLLEY, BROTHER,” Papyrus corrected.


The shorter skeleton shrugged, shameless even under Grillby's judgemental stare.

“ i don't know many people who want to take home a skeleton.”


“THAT WOULD CHANGE VERY QUICKLY, IF IT WERE ME IN THE KIDDY SEAT.”


“ you're right, bro. it's a good thing you're too big-boned for that,” Sans grinned.


“UGH! THAT WAS TERRIBLE, SANS!” Papyrus groaned, as though physically wounded.


Grillby looked on sympathetically.


“ sorry, bro. gotta save the good stuff for tomorrow night. feelin' a little burnt-out right now– used all my best material on grillbz here.”


Grillby's flames rose, crackling loudly and making the room significantly warmer. He shot the skeleton a warning look


“ I APOLOGISE ON BEHALF OF MY TERRIBLE BROTHER.”


Sans snickered, nodding pointedly at Papyrus, who remained oblivious to his brothers' insinuations.


“ I, THE GREAT PAPYRUS, VOW TO BE THE PERFECT BROTHER-IN-LAW TO COMPENSATE.”


Grillby's flames lowered a little, satisfied for now.


“T-thank you.. Papyrus, that's a very.. Kind offer.”


“BUT OF COUR-”


Beep. Beep. Beep.


“WHAT WAS THAT?”


Papyrus asked, looking around for the sudden cut in of beeping.


Grillby raised his arm, rolling back his sleeve, revealing a wrist-watch.


Beep. Beep. Beep.


“.. Sorry,” he said, pressing several buttons on its side.


The beeping stopped.


“That's my alarm... To start getting ready,” he explained.


“ we should probably get going then.”


“SORRY TO HAVE KEPT YOU,” Papyrus added.


Grillby shook his head.


“That's.. Quite alright.. It's been an.. Eventful morning.”


Sans hummed loudly in agreement, nodding heartily. He didn't say anything though, so as not to push it.


Grillby was thankful.


“I should get a start on... Things, though.”


“WE'LL SEE YOU SUNDAY THEN?” Papyrus offered.


“..Yes..”


“ we'll swing by to pick you up,” Sans added, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his hoodie.


The brothers began making their way to the door. Grillby followed in step after them.


“I'D OFFER YOU THE FRONT, BUT IT'S A LOT OF EFFORT TO REMOVE THE BOOSTER SEAT.”


Sans stopped in his tracks, one leg raised comically in the air.

“Booster.. Seat..?” Grillby asked, curious.


“WITHOUT IT SANS COULDN'T SEE OVER THE DASHBOARD,” Papyrus elaborated, feeling helpful.


Grillby turned to Sans. The skeleton had pulled his hoodie over his skull.


“Sitting in the shopping trolley is.. Fine, but this... Embarrasses you?” the elemental questioned.


Sans opened his mouth, and then closed it again. He stuffed his hands further into his pockets.

Grillby was seeing a whole new side of Sans today. And he'd be lying if he said he hated it.


“MY LAZY-BONES BROTHER CAN BE QUITE INCONSISTENT.”


“That's.. Alright.”

Grillby slowly leaned down towards the stout skeleton. Sans looked up to meet his gaze, drawn by the heat. For once his face was blank.


“I like.. It,” the elemental assured quietly.

Grillby then pecked Sans' cheek, and the monster's grin quickly returned.


“ knew it..”


“I'll see you both... Sunday night, then?” Grillby asked, straightening himself up before Sans got any punny ideas.

“WE LOOK FORWARD TO IT!”


Sans simply smiled, and nodded, apparently having decided to behave himself.

He and Grillby shared one last look, before parting ways.

 For a moment he simply listened to the fleeting chatter of The Skeleton brothers, while processing the morning that had just unfolded.