"Boys!" a deep raspy voice echoed unnaturally. Gaster ushered his guests into the house and slammed the front door shut. "BOYS!" he yelled again and led his friends over to the sofa. If his were normal childen, Gaster wouldn't have to shout so loud. The house was quite small, and the walls were not the thickest. However, since they were his children, such loudness was necessary.
It wasn't long before two small skeletons exited their rooms and peered over the bannister guarding the shallow open corridor of the upstairs to see what all the fuss was about. Seeing their father with two other people had them curious and they hurriedly raced down the stairs to greet them.
"Sans, Papyrus," Gaster began. "This is Grillby and his nephew, Jaded." He introduced the strangers. Grillby was tall and dressed smartly in a white button up shirt with the top button undone and black fitted pants. Jaded was also tall, but looked to be around age five. He wore a casual blue t-shirt with a purple stripe around the centre and a pair of jeans and grey trainers. The two of them were fire elementals, glowing brightly. Grillby shone a rich orange while Jaded was a soft blue, a slightly lighter hue than his t-shirt. "Grillby is a good friend of mine and you'll be seeing him around a lot more often as he and Jaded have just moved to Snowdin." Gaster continued. "Now, why don't you two take Jaded upstairs and play while I talk with Grillby." He suggested, and his sons grinned.
"Okay" Sans beamed, excited at the prospect of making a new friend.
"LET'S GO TO MY ROOM." Papyrus offered, "IT'S BIGGER."
"Sure" the other skeleton child shrugged and turned to walk back upstairs, brother in tow.
"Jay?" a deep, crackling voice spoke. Jaded looked up at his uncle. "Go on. Don't be shy now."
Jaded fidgeted but got up off the sofa and followed the skeleton brothers.
"WELCOME TO MY ROOM NEW FRIEND!" Papyrus declared. "MY NAME IS PAPYRUS! IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU!"
Jaded shifted his weight back and forth as he stood by the closed door of Papyrus' bedroom. "N-nice to meet you." He glanced around the room and noticed how full it was. Against one wall was a red bed in the shape of a racing car. A cluttered desk with a bunch of action figures and a rock with sprinkles on it was opposite the bed and beside a large window with orange curtains overlooking a small back garden housing a worn looking shed. In one corner stood the second skeleton brother next to an overflowing closet whose doors seemed to be only just closed. Jaded looked to the skeleton by the closet and gave a small smile. He waved timidly.
"Sup." The young skeleton grinned. "I'm Sans. How're you?"
"I-I'm fine. It's nice to meet you Sans."
"SO, FRIEND, ARE YOU EXCITED TO LIVE IN SNOWDIN?" Papyrus asked.
The fire elemental nodded. "It's a little colder than I'm used to, but I guess my flames will grow warmer after a few days."
"Where'd ya used ta live then?" asked Sans.
"I lived in New home with mama and papa before moving to Hotland with uncle Grillby. He's got a new job now, so we moved here." Jaded explained nervously.
Papyrus looked confused. "WHY DON'T YOU LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS?"
Jaded shifted. "They… um… They fell down."
Sans frowned but Papyrus still looked confused. "FELL DOWN? WHAT IS THAT?"
"Papy, I don't think Jaded wants to talk about this." Sans said. He was correct, the child had become quite sad and looked as though he wanted to escape the room as soon as possible.
"WHAT?" Papyrus looked at Jaded. "OH, SORRY NEW FRIEND! I DIDN'T MEAN TO MAKE YOU SAD, IM SORRY." He apologised and Jaded relaxed a little.
"S-so… can I ask when your mama will be home? I've only met Mr Gaster before." Jaded asked with caution, hoping the subject wasn't as bad as his family was.
"Oh, we don't have a mum." Sans shrugged.
Jaded gasped, "I-I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean to"
"What? Oh, she didn't fall down. We just don't have one."
"But… how?"
"WE WERE BORN SCIENTIFICKY!" Papyrus declared.
"Bro, its scientifically."
"THAT'S WHAT I SAID. SCIENTIFICKY."
Jaded laughed at the brothers. "You two are strange." He giggled.
Meanwhile, downstairs in the living room, Gaster and Grillby were having an interesting conversation about tea. Yes, tea.
"And so, as I was saying," Gaster concluded, "jasmine has a much more pleasing aroma than darjeeling." His words were carefully articulated in his echoing voice, as if he were lecturing a class.
Grillby smiled as his friend seemed lost in the attempt of proving that Jasmine tea was better than Darjeeling. He shook his head and shivered slightly. He had yet to get used to the chill of Snowdin and though it wasn't unpleasant, the cold was still quite strange. Gaster, having noticed the shiver, broke from his little speech and chuckled.
"Cold, my dear?" he asked.
"A little." Grillby admitted, and watched as the skeleton summoned a fluffy blanket with his magic.
The blanket was lifted around the pairs shoulders and settle neatly, shrouding the two. Grillby leaned into the warmth and snuggled into Gaster.
"Thank you, G," he sighed. "You spoil me."
"Huh? Oh…" Gaster smiled softly and lifted an arm around his partner, holding him close.
They sat there like that for quite a while, peacefully enjoying the silence, when the sound of laughter broke the quiet. It was muffled and came from upstairs.
Gaster laughed. "It sounds like they are getting on well."
"Yeah… Hey Gaster?" Grillby asked.
"Yes dear?"
"When do you think we should tell the kids?"
"Tell them what?" Gaster questioned, confused.
"That we're together. That we're engaged." The bespectacled fire elemental said.
Gaster thought for a moment. "Tomorrow." He asserted.
"Tomorrow? Why tomorrow?"
"Why not? We did say we would wait until after they met, and they seem to like one another. Lets make an outing of it. We'll go to Waterfall for the day. Visit the stars. My boys love that spot, and you told me Jay does too."
"That sounds like a great idea G." Grillby smiled.
"Of course it is," Gaster seemed to puff up like a peacock. "It was my idea after all."
Grillby batted his arm playfully. "Now, now Gaster. Don't act all cocky." He laughed and was soon joined by the skeleton.
The next day, Grillby and Jaded walked happily to the skeleton household, Jaded wearing a bright smile on his face and tugging on his uncles arm to hurry up. He had swiftly become friends with two skelebros and couldn't wait to see them again.
"Calm down Jay," Grillby laughed at the child. "We're almost there." He loved seeing his nephew so joyful. Ever since his parents fell when he was four, Jaded rarely wore a smile, preferring to stay closed off from others. Sans and Papyrus must be his first friends since the young one came to live with Grillby those three long years ago.
Up ahead, the home of Gaster, Sans, and Papyrus came into view. Grillby allowed Jaded to run up ahead and knock excitedly on the door. He jogged a little to catch up as the door opened to reveal the small family; who were all bundled up in coats and scarfs, ready for the day's outing.
"Sans! Papy!" Jaded yelled and attacked the brothers with a hug. "I can't wait to go to Waterfall. Can you?" he jabbered on. It was such a rare sight for Grillby and he wanted to enjoy every second of it as he felt the urge to make sure every moment in his nephew's life would have him this ecstatic.
"Gaster," Grillby greeted his fiancé warmly as he reached the porch, placing a hand on Jaded's shoulder. The child quietened, still bearing a huge grin. "Are we all ready to go?"
"I believe so, just let be retrieve the picnic I made and we'll head off." Gaster confirmed. He was wearing a smart black coat with his usual grey turtleneck sweater. With his magic, he carried a basket with a blue cloth folded on top as he slipped a gloved hand into Grillby's fiery one. "Come along boys." He directed, and the couple led the trio of children away from Snowdin.
It was about a half hour's journey to Waterfall and the children chattered noisily all the way, not at all bothered by the long walk.
"Jaded is very talkative today dearest." Gaster mentioned as they walked.
Grillby sighed contentedly, "I know. I'm glad. You know how quiet he is, I just hope this lasts. Your boys seem to be a good influence."
"All the more reason for you to move in." Gaster said, hope in his voice.
Grillby looked at his partner with a stern look. "G, we've talked about this. Not until we're married."
"Dearest, it would mean the world to me if you moved in with me. Jaded could be around the boys, you wouldn't have to worry about bills, we'd be together more. The transition wouldn't be as sudden for the children…"
"Gaster, you know my views on the matter. No."
"But dearest, you know it would be better if we lived together."
Grillby groaned, "Five of us, in your home. It's small enough as it is. Where would Jaded sleep? Are you suggesting you make them share a room? Those rooms are tiny. I know you mean well, but at the moment we just can't."
"We can convert the attic. There's enough space. Move all the boxes to the shed outside, separate half for what wont fit. It could work."
"And what about any future children Gaster? What would we do then?" Grillby combatted, though it seemed as though he was grasping at straws. "Besides, the boys have only just met me and Jay. Don't you think it's too soon?"
Gaster sighed and hung his head. "At least think about it dear. I truly believe it would be beneficial." He knew he wouldn't get anywhere at this moment in time, but he did have an inkling that his partner was slowly coming around to his idea.
The group finally reached the star spotting hill. It was called a hill, but was more just a sloping mound of earth just slightly higher up than its surroundings. Many monsters would come to this hill on special occasions as it showed beauty whichever direction one looked. The echo flowers grew a short distance away, so the hill was quite peaceful, and the false stars in the cavern ceiling seemed to shine the brightest above this spot.
Gaster released Grillby's hand and took the basket from his magic and set it on the grassy earth. He sighed wistfully as he lay out the blue cloth, remembering the day almost a year ago that he proposed to Grillby on this hill. Remembering the date they went on the year before where the shared their first kiss. And a month before that, their first date. This hill was so special to him and Grillby, and now they would add another special memory to the list.
"Boys," Grilby called out. Sans, Papyrus, and Jaded were playing with the echo flowers nearby, giggling at the funnier messages that were left. At the fire elemental's call, the trio made their way up the hill to the adults.
On the blanket, Gaster had laid out a handful of assorted finger foods; sandwiches, cinnamon rolls, mini sausages, a few bags of crisps, and other snacks. The children sat down hurriedly and began to pick at the options. Gaster and Grilby sat with them, though the two grownups preferred to just sit beside one another and gaze at their children having fun.
When the picnic was almost over, crumbs littering the deep blue cloth of the blanket and pates almost empty, Gaster addressed the children with a relaxed smile.
"Sans, Papyrus," he began, "Jaded. We, myself and Grillby, have some important news."
Grillby chuckled, "oh G, stop being so formal all the time. You're making them think they're at school."
Gaster glared playfully at Grillby before chuckling. The children seemed confused at the pair's antics.
"Uncle Grillby? What's going on?" Jaded asked with a polite tone.
"Yeah dad, whats up?" Sans spoke.
"YOU TWO ARE ACTING ODD" added Papyrus, arms crossed.
Grillby laughed. "What we are trying to say is, Gaster and I are engaged."
The children stared blankly at the couple.
"WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?"
"It means," explained Gaster, "That Grillby and I love each other very much and want to spend the rest of our lives together."
Again, they were met with blank faces.
"It also means you're getting a new uncle, Jay, and a new dad, Sans and Papyrus." Grillby added. This bit of information seemed to be what got a reaction.
"ANOTHER DAD? NYEH HEH HEH! THAT'S BRILLIANT!" Papyrus exclaimed.
"Does that mean me, Sans, and Papy are cousins now?" asked Jaded.
"Cool" Sans commented.
"YAY!"
Grillby and Gaster looked at one another. This turned out exactly as they hoped. They shared a calm smile and joined in with the mini celebration the kids were having.
A few hours later, after the group had headed back to their homes, Grillby sat down to speak with his nephew.
"Jay dear?" Grillby began. "Can I ask what you think about Gaster being your new uncle?"
"I-It's great, I guess." Jaded answered, a little hesitation in his voice.
"But?" Grillby picked up.
"But if you're Sans and Papy's new papa, wont you be too focused on them? Will I have to be sent away?"
Grillby was shocked. "What? Of course not JJ." He scooped the child into a tight hug. "Why would you think that? You will never be sent away. Ever. I will never leave you Jaded."
"Promise?" Jaded sniffed, snuggling into his uncle.
"Promise." Grillby assured. "Say, what do you think about us living with Sans and Papyrus? Would you like that?"
Jaded nodded against Grillby's shoulder. "I would… papa." The child wrapped his arms around his uncle's neck and hugged tightly, not wanting to let go.
Grillby stood, taken aback at the seven-year old's statement. He regained himself a moment later and held Jaded ever closer. "My son…"
.