Author's Note: Oh boy here we go again. I haven't written any form of fanfiction since like high school so bare with me if there are errors. I personally like slow builds for relationships so in the beginning a lot takes place in reflecting about Frisk's time in the Underground.

Things That Go Bump in the Night

Chapter 1: Under the Covers

I was 14 when I fell down into the Ruins.

Not everything made too much sense to me at the time. I couldn't remember my life before the fall. I awoke trusting and even a little gullible, but as I progressed I made relationships with unforgettable monsters. They weren't the typical monsters children would believe hid under their beds or in their closets. No, these monsters, though intimidating, were my family almost from the start.

I spent close to a year in the Underground. When I first fell down, I was so confused and terrified. I wanted to believe there was an easy way to return to the surface. At first, fear of what I was missing on the surface is what drove me to want to escape the Underground, but after learning about what the monsters experienced in the Underground, I felt I owed it to them to face my fears and save them.

I thought my fear was Asgore, and then I even believed it was Flowey, even after turning into Asriel. I realized after it all ended however, it was my fear of isolation that drove me to save my friends. I don't know how far I would have gotten if it wasn't for them… Toriel, Sans, Papyrus, Undyne, Alphys, and everyone else… They are my determination.

The year I lived in the Underground could have arguably been one of the best years of life.

When Toriel took me into her home, she showed me a form of compassion I had never felt before. She guided me and made me feel so safe and secure. Some times I wonder what would have happened if I stayed with her in the Ruins.

"My child…"

Those words alone helped me change my outlook. I would lay in bed at night, a butterscotch-cinnamon pie near my bed that Toriel would sneak into my room to leave me when she thought I was sleeping. As much as I loved being in that home with her, I'd look out the window of the bedroom and see the vast darkness that was the cavernous sky of this world. I'd look up and wonder, "will I ever see stars again, let alone the sun or the moon?"

I would forever be Toriel's child. Today, she is still considered my mother despite that time I faced her in front of the exit to the Ruins she was about to destroy. Her love is what showed me that I did not need to fight my way through this world; instead, I could express peace and meet other understanding monsters just like her.

Upon exiting the Ruins, I met the brisk wintery environment of Snowdin that would become my favorite 'home' I lived in for majority of my time underground. What made Snowdin so special to me? It is where I met my favorite skeleton brothers and where my other newfound friends would make their way to, such as Undyne.

Sans and Papyrus were not at all what I was expecting to find outside of the Ruins. Besides Toriel, I assumed any monsters I would cross would be just like the Froggets and Whimsuns. Even a ghost like Nabstablook I believed would be waiting for me.

"don't you know how to greet a new pal? turn around and shake my hand"

I remember being so scared and taken aback by those words Sans spoke when we first met. I couldn't even speak, I just slowly turned around grasped the hand of the hooded figure behind me. When I shook his hand, a slow weezy noise vibrated from our grasp. My face turned red and he yanked his hood down from his face, an exposed skeletal grin beamed as he witnessed my reaction to his whoopy cushion prank. At that moment, I knew to not be intimidated by monsters whose looks may not be as approachable as Toriel's.

Sans' spaghetti and puzzle loving brother Papyrus continued to confirm my beliefs that even if I was to be hunted down by powerful magic wielding monsters for being a human, that didn't mean I didn't have my own power of persuasion.

After Papyrus captured me for a third time when he was still trying to take me as his guest- I mean hostage, he left a note stating:

"IF YOU'RE JUST LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO STAY... JUST ASK! YOU DON'T NEED TO FIGHT ME! -YOUR HOST, PAPYRUS"

When I first entered the brother's home I was surprised of how cozy it felt. After the misinterpreted 'date' I went on with Papyrus, I decided to take him up on his offer and ask to stay with them.

"WELCOME HUMAN TO YOUR NEW HOME, I HOPE YOU'RE HUNGRY FOR MY FAMOUS SPAGHETTI DINNER" Papyrus exclaimed as we walked into the kitchen together. I giggled, I was most definitely hungry after not eating anything since Toriel's pie, which was… Wow already a day ago.

As I watched Papyrus toss together ingredients wildly into separate pots for the noodles and tomato sauce, I listened to him excitedly ask me my preferences for living situations. Most of the time I'd only be able to fit in a "Yes" and "Umm"

I did not even notice when Sans was standing near the kitchen table, seemingly enjoying my attempts to speak to the towering skeleton. At this point in my journey, I was not particularly confident nor experienced enough in Papyrus' conversation patterns.

When my eye caught Sans' I swore his left eye changed color, even if just for a millisecond.

"what's wrong kiddo? you nearly jumped out of your skin." Sans' grin widened.

Papyrus stopped speaking finally, a small look of worry passed over his face and he stirred a little slower, curiously listening.

"I.. I swore that you weren't… Nevermind, I must be tired." I replied, not sure what to believe. After all, Papyrus was able to turn my very soul blue and produce bones out of the ground when we fought, who knows what sort of powers the older brother possesses.

"HUMAN, WHY DID YOU NOT SAY ANYTHING EARLIER, IF YOU ARE INDEED TIRED, YOU NEED TO REST." Papyrus turned around and wagged a finger in my direction.

"yea… you must be bone-tired" Sans added-on. Papyrus let out an audible groan.

I couldn't help but yawn after I chuckled at Sans pun, thinking about how it also had been over 24 hours since I got any sleep. Papyrus quickly pulled out a chair for me at the kitchen table as Sans sat across from me, and he set plates of spaghetti in front of me and Sans.

"EAT DINNER NOW HUMAN, I, YOUR SKELETAL HOST, WILL FIX UP THE COUCH SO THAT IT IS SUITABLE FOR YOUR SLEEP" Papyrus strutted out of the kitchen, ready to start his quest.

Papyrus' spaghetti did not exactly look the same way I remembered spaghetti to look, but I had enjoyed every bite of it after not eating for so long.

As I dug and swirled the noodles around my fork, I could feel Sans staring at me. I don't know why but I could feel the heat rise in my face as I became more and more aware of every move I made. Why did I feel like I should care how I eat in front of him?

A thought hit me in the gut harder than this spaghetti. I've only known these guys for less than a day, yet here I am, eating their food and sleeping on their couch. I got so lucky having Toriel offer her home to me, but these skeletons weren't exactly the same maternal figure that she was. I mean, sure they were helping me and being nice but… I am just a kid. I heard a very small voice in my mind say "you're too trusting, you're in over your head"

"hey kid."

I looked up, realizing I hadn't taken a bite out of my dinner for a little too long of a time. I quickly went back to twirling my fork and taking another bite.

"are you sure you want to sleep here?" Sans asked.

I swallowed, could he read my mind? I didn't want to say anything rude, as I hoped Sans wasn't implying that he didn't want me here any more. "I do, but um if that's a problem I'm sure I could stay at the Inn tonight…"

Sans expression changed slightly as he raised his eyebrows up. "oh. sorry. i meant the couch."

I felt a little relieved. "Oh, haha. What's wrong with the couch?"

He somehow blushed a light blue across his cheeks for a moment, I didn't realize at the time though that was Sans' way of blushing however. He got up from his chair and walked over to the stove to place his dish, instead of making an effort to reach the ridiculously tall sink. He shoved his hands in his jacket pockets and looked over at me "that couch just has a lot of loose coins in it, i don't know how comfortable it would be for a human compared to a skeleton."

"Oh I see." I felt a smile form on my face as he walked out of the kitchen, "I guess that makes cents."

He stopped in his tracks to turn around, grinning wide again he replied "well, if you change your mind, just let one of us know."

We both took a moment to laugh before I started to ponder on his words. Was he implying something?

"HUMAN! YOUR BED IS PREPARED FOR THE EVENING," Papyrus noticed Sans and I still baring grins on our faces, "SANS, WHAT'S SO FUNNY?"

"oh nothing Pap. i think it's time for me to hit the hay" and with that Sans turned out of the kitchen. I walked out to the living room, noticing that I didn't see Sans even go up the stairs. How tired am I?

"Thank you Papyrus, for making dinner and letting me spend the night." I gave a slight bow of my head to show my thanks. Papyrus wouldn't admit it, but being able to feel this useful and appreciated filled him with joy.

"YOU ARE WELCOME HUMAN. SLEEP TIGHT AND DO NOT LET THE BED BUGS BITE!" Papyrus began to turn towards the stairs but then he noticed I had outstretched my arms towards him.

I don't know what urged me to hug Papyrus, but something told me from Papyrus' perspective, it would be appreciated more than I would understand.

After Papyrus ascended up the stairs, a smile plastered on his face, I looked closely at my surroundings again. Papyrus brought extra pillows down along with a few quilts to keep me warm on a cold night in Snowdin. My fingers brushed over the fabrics and collapsed onto the couch. After adjusting some of the blankets I sat up on my knees to look out the window and rested my arms and chin on the back of the couch.

I didn't understand how it could snow the way it did in the Underground, but as I watched the snow swirl around and land all around outside, catching the light of the lamp posts, I felt very content. This was a different view compared to the one at Toriel's home, but it encouraged me to continue to find a way out of the Underground.

I felt my eyes droop, I couldn't remember my life on the surface, but I could feel what I hoped to be the future. Part of me wondered if I left, would I miss this place. Looking back, I realize now that it wouldn't be the place I'd miss, but the monsters themselves…

My sleep was restful for the most part. I dreamt of being in Toriel's house, except it was slightly larger, as if there was need for more room than just the two of us there. My newfound skeleton friends were in the dream too, acting very similar to how they were during dinner. However, there was a slight change in the way Sans looked at me, before he looked to be studying my every move, in the dream however he looked…

I felt very, very cold. Enough to wake me from this strange dream, I didn't move right away however. I looked around the room groggily, squinting my eyes as it was still dark inside the living room.

Something caught my eye though: a small blue glowing orb seemed to be floating in the far corner of the room. I froze and my body tensed. I felt a familiar fear creep down my back. Like after watching a scary movie right before bed. I only could squint at the light, too afraid to move my body. I felt cold however, as my blankets had slid down my body while I slept.

After about a minute of watching the unchanging light, I felt safe enough to move. I opened my eyes a little wider and began to sit up to get a better look but as I did the light disappeared.

I felt a pang of fear jolt in my chest. It gave me the feeling of being watched. Was I? I starred intently at the dark corner, trying to get my eyes to adjust and see if there was anything over there. Even after the dim light from outside the window allowed me to see most outlines of the room, it didn't reach that corner.

I felt my heart beat a little harder and I held my breath. I slowly dragged each leg from under the blankets and unto the floor. I stood and froze. Should I really investigate? What if there was something the brothers weren't telling me about? What if it was safer for me to pretend I didn't see anything and kept my eyes closed?

It was too late now. Almost like I was on auto-pilot I felt one foot place itself in front of the other. My socks skidded softly on the hard wood floor, each step making my hands sweat and shake more and more.

My ears honing in on that corner, trying to hear any evidence that I was not alone in this room.

I watched my hand slowly reach out in front of me as I crept to the shadow, my eyes widening, searching for any shape or form of a person.

When I reached the shadow I froze, fear stacking itself like a pile of rocks in my legs.

I held my breath and didn't move a muscle, didn't even shake involuntarily any more. I stared into the darkness, my eyes widening even more as I swore I could sense another figure standing there, giving off energy.

I swallowed. This was it, time to see what was hiding. I weakly pushed my arm into the darkness, watching as it disappeared, I half expected it to be grabbed or bitten. I flinched and drew my hand back. Heart racing I reach again, realizing I just touched the wall. I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I started laughing, God I was really stupid sometimes.

I took a few steps back, sighing. As I turned on my heels, I heard an audible click from upstairs. I felt the hair stand on my neck again.

One of them was watching me. Were they in the corner? Or just watching me from the top of the steps? Or maybe I'm just being paranoid…

I lay back on the couch, now staring at the steps until I couldn't fight the weight of my eyelids any longer.

Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed this first chapter. Still working out how to keep everyone in character as much as possible and figure out the overall direction this is going in. I appreciate feedback!