Rus laid in his bed as he stared up at his cell phone. He had Grillby's number added into his contacts now, but had yet work up the nerve to send him a message. The events of the other night were still playing in his head.
His phone vibrated in his hands. Rus jumped and the device slipped and slapped him straight in the face. Rus grunted and picked his phone back up. He checked the new notification to see a new message from Sans.
Shortstuff: Wyd
Rus raised a bony brow to himself.
Stretch: In bed, u?
Rus rested his phone on his chest and stared up at the ceiling. There was a small flash of light across the room and he turned his skull to see Sans. Rus offered him a lazy half wave as the shorter skeleton made his way over.
"Hey buddy," Sans greeted, "Goin' to bed already?"
Rus shrugged, "I've been in the lab most of the day. Hands were starting to ache so I decided to take a break," he explained.
Sans hummed lowly, "You eaten today?"
Rus opened his mouth to answer, then hesitated. "I, uh… Can't remember? Maybe?"
Sans rolled the small orbs in his sockets before he tugged the covers off of the taller monster, "C'mon. Get dressed. We're goin' to get some grub."
Rus sighed and dragged himself up off the mattress. He pulled on his grey turtleneck and a old leather jacket he had found. Once he had his beanie in his hands, he followed Sans through a shortcut.
Rus squinted slightly as the two arrived in a warmly lit restaurant. There was a small roar of attention for Sans as the regulars acknowledged the shorter skeleton's presence. Rus stood by quietly as he waited for the conversation to die down. He took the opportunity to figure out where they were.
He turned toward the bar and froze as his sockets met with the burning embers of Grillby from across the room. A jagged smile formed in his flames and he offered a welcoming wave. Rus' mind went blank for a moment. He simply stood there like a deer in the headlights. Once he realized he was just standing there, he quickly looked away and grabbed the sleeve of Sans' hoodie.
"We gotta go," he told him quickly.
Sans looked up at Rus and frowned, "What? What happened?"
"I-" Rus felt his cheekbones hear up with embarrassment and he glanced off to the side, "I… Uh… I'm not hungry."
Sans scoffed at him and waved a dismissive hand, "Bull. Ya can't even recall if ya ate or not. Grab us a seat at the bar and I'll order us some burgers."
Rus sank a bit into his sweater as he shifted on his feet uncomfortably, "Can… We not sit at the bar?"
Sans gave Rus a concerned look. He glanced over at the bar, then back at Rus, "It's just Grillbz over there. C'mon. I'll walk ya over."
Rus groaned at Sans' insistence, but followed him reluctantly.
Grillby leaned against the bar as the two skeleton took their seats, "Sans, always good to see you," he brought his attention to Rus, who now had his face buried in his phone, "It's good to see you Rus," Grillby spoke softly.
"Oh. Yeah. Heya Grillby." Rus said, muffled by the collar of his sweater.
Grillby hummed softly and turned back to Sans, "What can I get for you?"
"Just two burgers and my usual," Sans told him.
Grillby nodded and moved off the bar before he disappeared to the back. Sans brought his attention to Rus and gave his ribs a small nudge. He was greeted with a small grunt from the other skeleton.
"What's gotten under your skin, pal?" Sans questioned.
"Nothing, I don't have skin to get under in the first place," Rus replied dryly.
Sans narrowed his sockets at him, "Uh huh. I know you usually don't like talkin' much, but you're at least friendly. What's with the cold shoulder towards Grillbz?"
Rus glanced at Sans. As soon as the two made eye contact, Rus' whole face darkened to a soft orange, "I… Did I seem rude?"
Sans' sockets widened before his giant grin returned, "I see what's goin' on now."
"W-What? Nothin's goin' on. What do you think is goin' on?"
"You like Grillby.~"
"WHAT!?" Rus yelped.
Sans' grin simply grew as Rus became flustered, "Why not ask him on a date?"
Rus glared at Sans from under his turtleneck, "No."
"I'll ask 'em for ya," Sans teased.
"NO!"
"No, what?" Grillby questioned as he returned with their food and a bottle of ketchup.
A cold sweat broke out on the side of Rus' skull. He glanced at Sans, who wiggled his bony brows at him.
Rus jumped across his stool to cover Sans' mouth, "Nothing!"
"... Okay." Grillby set the plates down in front of the two, "Well, let me know if there is anything else I can get for you boys."
"Actually Grillbz, I think-" Sans began to say, but his words muffled as Rus placed the shorter skeleton in a headlock.
"Sans, I swear to GOD-" Rus growled.
Grillby tilted his head as he watched the two wrestle in their seats, "Yes?"
"Nothing! I don't like you!" Rus snapped.
Grillby blinked roughly under his glasses before a small frown formed across his flames, "Oh, I see. My apologies. I'll leave you be." With that, the bartender left to check on his other patrons.
Rus blinked softly and with a soft pant, he released Sans, "...What just happened?"
Sans adjusted himself and took a swig of from the ketchup bottle, "Well, you freaked and hurt Grillbz' feelings. Don't worry though, I'll talk to 'em later."
"..." Rus groaned and just put his head down on the bar.
