"Hey, where'd Sans and Pap go?" Rus questioned as he returned

Grillby looked up as Rus moved to sit across from him this time around, "Oh, I believe something came up with Frisk and they needed to leave immediately."

Rus narrowed his sockets and scoffed, "Course they did," he grumbled.

Grillby smiled softly, "They're good boys. They're always the first to jump to the aid of a friend."

"Yeah," Rus' expression softened, "Guess that's true."

"May I ask you something Rus?"

"Sure," Rus answered.

Grillby leaned forward on the table and crossed his arms over the wooden surface, "Can I ask why you don't like me?"

Rus blinked roughly before he quickly broke eye contact and glanced out the window beside their table, "I, uh… Misspoke. I don't… Not like you? I don't really know you. How can I not like you if I don't really know you as a person. That'd just make me a dick."

Grillby laughed quietly, "You certainly have a way with words."

Rus scratched the side of his head and gave a sheepish chuckle, "I told ya I wasn't good at this whole socializing thing. Y'know, back where I'm from, it's just me and my bro. I didn't have ta worry about making new friends cause I already knew everyone."

Grillby placed a hand on his chin as he listened, "If you don't mind me asking, how did you get here? Sans never really… Explained how an alternate version of his brother just appeared."

Rus scowled softly, "It's a long story… In the short of it… I'm not sure either. Just kinda happened…"

Grillby raised a fiery brow, "Is that why you're in that lab all the time? Are you trying to figure out how to return home?"

Rus nodded, "Yeah. I've been working on a machine that I'm hoping can teleport me between this timeline and my own. It's, uh… More difficult and time consuming than I originally thought." Rus rubbed the back of his skull, "Anyway, I've been talkin' about myself a lot. What's your story? How do you know the skelebros so well?"

Grillby chuckled, "Well, when we still lived underground, I owned a bar in Snowdin. Sans was a regular there. As much as his brother enjoyed to cook… He never really learned how to properly. And I don't think Sans knew either. With as much time as we spent together, we grew to be good friends. After being granted our freedom, I opened a restaurant on the surface that is welcome to both monsters and humans."

Rus sipped his latte and nodded, "Oh, that's cool. You're kinda like Muffet where I'm from. She had a cafe in Snowdin. Made the best pastries and coffee," he smiled warmly at the memory.

A soft, blue haze flared up in Grillby's flames, "Were you two close?"

Rus gave a small nod, "Yeah. Probably as close as you and Sans are."

"I see," Grillby trailed an idle finger along the grooves of the table, "Well, I hope you are successful in returning to your family and friends."

Rus blinked and turned his skull to look at Grillby, "Really?"

Grillby smiled, "Of course. You must feel so lost and disoriented here. It's only natural for you to want to go home. Why would I not want that for you?"

Rus gave a light shrug, "I-I dunno."

Grillby reached across the table and placed a hand over his, "You have to do what is in your best interest, Papyrus."

Rus glanced down at their hands with wide sockets, "You called me Paps…"

"Yes. That is still your name, isn't it?" Grillby questioned.

"Well, yeah… But isn't that confusing for ya?" Rus asked.

Grillby chuckled and patted the top of his hand before pulling his own away, "Not at all. Many humans here on the surface share the same names. Yet they are all different. You both share a name, but that does not make you the same person."

Rus began to fidget with his coffee cup as he thought this over, "So… You don't see me and Paps as the same?"

"Not at all," Grillby announced cheerfully, "You're very different. Sans' brother is quite loud and confident. You're a little more reserved and anxious."

"I'm not anxious," Rus huffed.

Grillby chuckled, "You can't hold still or maintain eye contact. You also take little comments as a personal attack and immediately feel the need to defend yourself. You're always on edge and you either want to fight or run away. Also your hand is quite sweaty."

Rus blinked roughly at Grillby's sharp observations, "Way to call me out like that," he grumbled, sinking a bit into his sweater.

Grillby smiled softly, "I don't think it's a bad thing. I actually find your nervous nature quite endearing."

"What's endearing about bein' a ball of nerves?" Rus scoffed.

"Well, it makes you interesting. I'm never sure what goes through your mind. Like at the party. I thought you were upset about being disturbed outside, but then you relaxed and opened up. I made me want to learn more about you and how to read you." Grillby explained.

Rus hummed a bit to himself, "Sooo… Ya just wanna talk to me as like an experiment or somethin'?"

Grillby blinked, then quickly shook his head, "N-No, that's not-"

"S'fine. I get it. Some guy from a whole nother universe drops in and acts funny. It's kinda like goin' to a zoo. Ya just wanna keep watching and see what might happen next," Rus said flatly.

"Papy-"

"Rus. Just Rus. Look, I gotta go. I still have a lotta work to do-"

"I like you, Papyrus." Grillby interrupted as his flames turned a dark blue.

Rus was dumbfounded as he froze from standing up, "W-What?"

Grillby sighed, "I like you. A lot. I know we still don't know each other that well, but since that party, I haven't been able to get you out of my mind. I've been glued to my phone, in the hopes of getting a text from you. I really… Just want to get to know you better. I want to be close with you. In a genuine way. Not because you are something different. But because I feel a connection with you that I haven't felt with anyone else. I'd like to keep seeing you. And to see where things go between us."

Rus opened his mouth to respond, but the words wouldn't make themselves known. The skeleton collapsed back into his seat slipped his hand under his beanie to rub his skull.

"W-Well?" Grillby asked nervously as his flames grew a darker blue.

"I-" Rus murmured, "That's… A lot to process…"

"I understand…" Grillby spoke softly, "If you would like to leave now-"

"No," Rus interjected, "I just… I dunno… This is weird to me."

"What's weird about it?" Grillby questioned.

Rus shrugged, "It's not like… I'm a likable person. My looks are okay… Ish… I just… Why though?" he asked with deep orange cheekbones.

Grillby gave a sympathetic smile, "I don't believe that is true. I can't put my finger on it at the moment, but I believe you are something quite special. At least to me. And if you don't mind me saying, you are a very handsome skeleton."

Rus scratched the side of his head as he felt his face heat up more, "You want to pursue these feelings… Even though I might leave and not come back?"

The fire elemental gave a small nod, "I mean it when I say that you should do what is best for you. But if you leave, I'll never have a chance to know you. I want to take the opportunity while I still have it."

"You could get hurt-" Rus warned.

"Yes. But I'm willing to feel that pain if that means I will have memories of you to cherish then none at all." Grillby told him.

"Why are you such a smooth talker?" Rus whined while he rubbed his face in the palm of his hands.

Grillby laughed and winked at the skeleton, "Years of bartending and watching both failed and successful pickups can teach you many things."

Rus rolled the orbs inside his sockets, then gave a small snort, "Takes more than a few sweet words to win over a broken soul like mine."

Grillby grinned, "Then come bowling with me tonight. I promise you, you won't be a third wheel. If anything, that position will go to Asgore."

Rus rubbed the back of his skull and glanced off to the side, "I'll think about it…" As Grillby began to look defeated, Rus gave him a wink, "You've been desperate for one anyway, right?"