"You're thinking too much about the ball." Edge stated, drawing Sans out of his thoughts. "Stop it. There's nothing to worry about."
An uneventful day had passed lazing around the Palace and keeping mostly to themselves as they waited for the ball to commence. Finally their wait was done. The servants had fetched Sans's bed to accommodate the families of nobles who had only come for the ball rather than the banquet that had taken place the day before. The two had done rock-paper-scissors to decide who would get the bed and who would be doomed to the couch. Sans had fortunately won the first time and every subsequent round Edge demanded for a rematch. Now they stood in the bedroom. Edge had his outfit sprawled on the spacious bed and was sorting the pieces while Sans lingered by the closet, leaning against the expensive-looking furniture.
"you're not taking in count the unexpected." Sans challenged.
"Before, yes. Now, however, it's a different story." Edge said as he fished through his luggage to pull out a rather snazzy suit. "Initially, I figured I was going to get distracted by Undyne at some point and you would be left to fend for yourself. However, I don't intend to speak with her during this thing so I'll be by your side the whole time. You won't have a chance to screw up with me around."
"i guess that's somewhat comforting." Sans supposed, though it did nothing to quench his worries about being out of place in terms of his attire.
He didn't quite like that the taller skeleton got to wear a suit while he was meant to continue wearing what he already always wore. Apparently, his alter ego wasn't fond of dressing up for posh events and while Sans couldn't say he was either, he loathed feeling out of place and always did the bare minimum to fit in. However, the bare minimum wasn't an option here.
"As for your clothes, don't worry about it." Edge added after a moment.
"how did i give it away?" Sans asked, surprised.
"Your eyes have been constantly drifting to your own clothes." Edge stated, "You were also fixated on the outfit I brought."
"you know…" Sans mumbled, assessing the skeleton, "i never really got how you were this good at reading people. i mean, there's only so much body language and examining can tell you about another monster."
"Very true." Edge conceded and began unstrapping his breastplate. "It's why it helps so much that you wear yourself on your sleeve."
"i don't!" Sans protested.
"You do." The other maintained. "You've got a terrible poker face. You're honest and good; two things that further prove you're not from here."
He set the piece of armour on the ground carefully. Next he tugged on the belt around his waist and Sans turned away to allow him some privacy as he knew the pants would soon follow. He folded his arms as he faced the wall and pouted at the declaration.
"Don't be offended, I was trying to complement you." Edge snickered and Sans flinched and gritted his teeth in annoyance. He was probably doing his deduction thing on purpose now. "You're probably excellent at hiding your thoughts in your universe, but you have to be better to survive here."
"so how do you do it?" Sans asked. "i refuse to believe it's just because i allegedly wear myself on my sleeve."
Edge considered his answer for a moment which annoyed Sans all the more. "Well, understanding someone's personality and paying attention to what they say and do is also very indicative." He eventually answered, "Take, for example, when you were accusing me of being evil because I killed a child without any remorse." Sans stiffened a bit. He wasn't sure he wanted to delve into said example, but he nodded all the same. "I got heated and eventually called you out for your hypocrisy as you had done the same thing. I knew because of how focused you were on the detail that the person I had killed was a child. More than that, the way you manifested your anger was personal – almost as though you were yelling at yourself more than at me. I didn't say it then, but I knew how much your actions tormented you with just that."
"heh. clever." Sans huffed softly.
"Sorry." Edge apologised. "I didn't mean to ruin your mood. It was just the first thing that came to my mind."
"it's fine. i asked." Sans conceded.
"You can turn around now." Edge said.
Sans did so without second thought and then froze when his eyes fell upon the other. He stopped for a moment to admire him. At first he thought the colours would look silly on him. After all, the suit was burgundy, his dress shirt was black, and his bow tie was silver. And yet, he looked handsome. One might even venture further into flattering compliments, but Sans decided to hold himself back and settle on the very tamed but accurate "handsome".
"Do I dazzle you that much?" Edge teased and only then did the smaller skeleton realise he had been staring.
He shook his head and forced himself to look away as a blush manifested on his cheeks. He also tried to think of a joke to defuse the situation but none came to mind. Sans felt embarrassed with himself.
"Alright, what time is it?" Edge asked and glanced around the room until his eyes fell upon a clock. "It's almost seven. Let's go."
He lead the way out of their room and Sans was surprised to find that even the corridor in front of their quarters, which was usually empty, was full of monsters. They varied drastically from species and genders but they all wore extravagant clothes the colours of which were the expected shades of red and black. However, this time some monsters had delved beyond and opted for dark purples and blues – though Sans wasn't sure they really counted as colours because the shades were often so dark they were practically black.
With that said, he kept his eyes mostly to himself and followed Edge closely as they weaved through the palace and monsters, heading towards the ball room. The room in question was far bigger than the banquet hall almost ludicrously so. Sans was fairly certain it was possible to fit a smaller castle into just this one room. Instead, it was packed with finely dressed monsters and buffet tables. Edge pushed further into the crowd and Sans had to stick very close to him so as not to get lost. A servant crossed in front of them baring a trey of champagne glasses and the taller skeleton smoothly snatched two, handing one to Sans. They continued moving until they reached a relatively clear spot somewhere near the middle of the room, near the wall on the left.
"there are a lot of people." Sans commented.
"It's a ball." Edge pointed out.
Sans rolled his eyes and shrugged the comment away. He glanced at the crowd. There were so many people who all seemed so busy with their own discussions that Sans felt a little less out of place in terms of his clothing. He was fairly sure no one would take notice of his casual appearance and that brought him a certain comfort.
"so…" Sans mumbled after an extended silence. He examined his champagne glass before peering at the taller skeleton, "you're drinking tonight?"
"Yup." Edge confirmed and took a generous gulp of the bubbly liquid.
"what happened to your vow of eternal sobriety?" Sans teased, nudging him with his elbow, "didn't you say you were too busy to get drunk?"
"At the time you offered, yes." Edge confirmed without batting an eye, "Currently, however, the answer is different." He finished the rest of his champagne with another big gulp and caught a nearby servant's attention. "Is there any wine floating around?" He asked as he handed them his empty glass.
"I-I believe so." They stammered nervously in response.
"Find some and bring it here." Edge demanded.
The servant nodded anxiously and disappeared into the crowd of well-dressed monsters.
"I'm going to get wrecked." Edge declared with a deadpan expression.
"that seems entirely irresponsible." Sans chuckled. "count me in."
The servant returned a few moments later with the wine Edge requested and more. He offered three different bottles of red, one of white, and additional cocktails popular with the guests. Unsurprisingly, Edge demanded they give them everything they had found and so one of them went to fetch a small table on which to put the beverages before leaving. Sans laughed at the insanity of the taller skeleton. Clearly, he was intent on blowing off a lot of steam. However, just when they were about to drink, Undyne happened upon them.
It didn't seem as though she meant to, though she did seem to be looking for someone – perhaps Edge himself. Nevertheless, when she caught sight of them, she immediately made her way to them. Sans was also awed by the attire she wore, but made an effort not to stare as he had with Edge. She wore a black crop top and high waist dress pants only leaving a tasteful ribbon of skin exposed. She had also let down her hair which draped over her bare shoulders and had applied makeup that accentuated her eyes and cheekbones.
"Pap, I've been looking for you! I need your help!" She declared.
"Can't. I'm busy." He declared chugging a glass of red wine.
"You can get fucked up later, I need you as my wingman." Undyne pressed and the request alarmed Sans. The last thing he wanted was to be left alone, even if no one seemed to be paying attention to him. "Alphys keeps spooking the babes I hit on. None of them want to indulge because they're afraid of dying. I need you to do your thing."
Edge stared at her blankly. He didn't seem to be considering her offer and Sans was starting to feel relieved. "Fine." Edge agreed and Sans choked on the champagne he was sipping in surprise. So much for the earlier promise of spending the ball by his side. "I'll be right back, Sans. Don't drink all the wine."
Undyne beamed giddily. "Fuck yeah, that's the Papyrus I know!" She laughed and smacked his back aggressively playfully, "Thanks for helping me get laid."
And Sans watched them disappear into the crowd as though they had been swallowed by a beast. Suddenly, he felt very alone and exposed. He worriedly thought about the possibility that someone might approach him and try to start a conversation despite the disinterest he had noted earlier. Though Edge insisted he stop worrying and thinking too deeply about it, it was much easier said than done. The smaller skeleton anxiously began downing the alcohol at his disposal in a vain effort to calm his nerves. However, he continued to practise conversations in his head all the while hoping not having to put his pretend into practise.
"Sans." A low, rumbling voice trembled through him.
Sans glanced up and loathed to behold Asgore. He wasn't quite sure how he hadn't noticed the titan as someone of his size shouldn't have been able to sneak up on him or anyone for that matter. And yet, he still had likely because he had been so distracted with his anxiety.
"hey." He said meekly, wondering if he had uttered the right thing.
"You're alone. I'm surprised." He said reaching down for one of the many glasses of wine. He picked the one containing the white wine. "Your brother has had you obediently by his side almost defensively. It's difficult to approach you."
"eh…what can i say?" Sans replied hoping the response wasn't taken as literal as he quietly meant it. He really had no idea what to say to him. With any luck, this conversation wouldn't last for much longer and Edge would return.
"I suppose you're right." Asgore hummed in agreeance. "I don't quite understand how he's gotten you to be so quiet. You usually laugh at my toasts. Perhaps this one was better worded."
Sans recalled how the toast "to those who lived" had initially sounded like the beginning of a speech meant for a marriage. "it wasn't." He said bluntly. "i felt like you were about to marry someone."
Asgore smirked and sipped his wine. "You're insufferable."
A silence fell upon them and it wasn't quite as heavy as Sans imagined it would be. Somehow, it was almost light. The tension he had initially felt was mostly gone, though he still wished for a speedy end to this interaction.
"I hate these gatherings." Asgore declared lowly. "They're a waste of time."
"so cancel them." Sans suggested. The king glanced at him and he wondered if something about his response was out of his alter ego's character. He really hoped it wasn't the case.
"If only." Asgore sighed, "Fortunately, all that's required of me is a brief appearance. I'll be heading back to my quarters soon."
"tired already?" Sans teased, but Asgore grimaced at him.
"I'm inviting you." Asgore bluntly said.
Sans wasn't sure what that meant. "…to your room?" He asked uncertainly. Asgore grimaced further.
"Yes." He answered.
Sans shifted awkwardly and swirled the remaining liquid in his glass anxiously. He clearly felt there was something he was missing about the offer and he hesitated to ask. His doppelganger would have known exactly what was going on and that thought made him all the more nervous.
"Undyne has also expressed wanting to join us." Asgore added, "Though she seems a bit preoccupied by chasing skirts with Papyrus."
Sans stared at Asgore for a moment as he tried to piece what was being insinuated. Slowly but surely, the puzzle pieces fell in place and he blushed so violently it was physically painful. When Asgore's eyes met his once more, he actually laughed at the sight of him.
"I've never seen you bashful before." He said, amused. However, Sans could hardly focus on that as he anxiously wondered if his alter ego was romantically involved with the king. Was he expected to play the role of his lover? Would he give himself away by not doing what the other Sans would have done?
"must be the alcohol." Sans excused.
"Regardless, come." Asgore requested, "The others are already waiting."
The…others? Sans repeated, processing the information and implication. The royal orgy is actually a thing!?
"o-oh…um…" Sans stammered, far too overwhelmed by what had just been revealed. "i…um, i can't. papyrus doesn't want me to wander off."
"He doesn't seem to be preoccupied by your current whereabouts." Asgore noted. "Do what you will. You know where my quarters are if you change your mind." He seemed to be leaving when he stopped himself to add: "One last thing. I do expect you to inform me about where it was you disappeared off to for months on end."
"…s-sure." Sans nodded.
Asgore nodded in return and finally left. He watched him head towards the door and exit the room. He only dared to breathe again when he was out of sight. He definitely deserved another drink. Rather than reach for the wine, he took one of the cocktails and only noticed then how much he had been trembling with both fear and anxiety. Sans was unsure the king had noticed, though he had no reason to believe he wouldn't have said anything if he did. Nevertheless, that was in the past now.
Sans glanced around the room looking Edge. He had been gone for a while now and the smaller skeleton didn't want those who had noticed he had spoken with the king to have taken said interaction as an open invitation to follow suit. Maintaining a façade and pretending to be someone he knew next to nothing about had been difficult enough with the king. He wasn't sure how long he would last if the unassisted conversations continued.
A few minutes later, he noticed movement from the corner of his eye. After a quick peek, he saw that one of the bourgeois guests was making their way towards him. He stiffened and nervously prayed to any cosmic force willing to listen to prevent a conversation from taking place. Maybe the monster was just intending to pass by. Unfortunately, his hopes were shattered when the stranger in question perched themselves in front of him and cleared their throat, demanding his attention.
"what?" Sans asked.
The monster wore a smug expression and placed their arms akimbo. "Sans the skeleton." They said, "I had heard the rumours, but I hardly believed you really returned up until this point."
Sans shrugged his shoulders. The monster wasn't giving him much to work with in terms of forming a comeback. "good for you." He settled with.
"Well?" They asked expectantly. "Where did you disappear to?"
Just as they finished their question, Sans caught sight of Edge and Undyne emerging from the crowd. Edge went from a look of surprise upon seeing the other monster to total anger. He stomped over and shoved them away.
"Why the fuck are you talking with him!?" He demanded from the stranger. His words were slurred and the smaller skeleton then knew that he was drunk. He must have had more to drink while he was away with Undyne.
"I-I'm making conversation!" The other retorted, aghast by the manhandling.
"Oh my gooood!" Undyne drawled excitedly. She was clearly as drunk as Edge. "Papyrus is going to smack a bitch!"
"There's nothing wrong with making conversation—" The other tried, but Edge didn't care.
"There is when you don't have permission!" Edge snapped and pushed the stranger away. "And I don't recall giving it to you so fuck off."
"Punch him right in his stupid rich face!" Undyne cheered, pumping her fist in the air.
"How dare you!" The other exclaimed angrily, "You ought to show me some respect! Do you not know who I am!?"
"I don't give a shit and neither does the law." Edge stated, poking the other's chest harshly. "If I remember correctly, and note that I am intoxicated, we have laws concerning property and consequences when said property is threatened by another."
"Oh! He's getting judicial!" Undyne shouted. "Shit's going to go down!"
"S-Sans isn't property." The other tried to say assertively, but he was evidently intimidated by this point.
"He is. He's mine." Edge argued frightfully. "And I feel that you're posing a threat to my property. Given our loosey-goosy laws, this is enough of a basis to legally kill you. So if your life means something to you, you're going to fuck off."
"Murder blow!" Undyne yelled and then imitated an explosion.
The other monster frowned deeply and said nothing. They simply held Edge's gaze for a short minute before silently conceding and leaving. Undyne guffawed loudly and shouted insults their way as they left. Finally alone, Edge turned to Sans and stumbled to him. He gave him a hug.
"I'm sorry you're not property you're an independent skeleton boy and I respect you I just wanted him to leave." Edge slurred rapidly in one breath while Sans tried to keep him up. He stank of liquor and booze to the point it was a bit nauseating. "Also, sorry I left you for so long."
"it's fine, just please stand up on your own." Sans whispered to him. His arms were losing strength and he wasn't going to be able to keep the other from crushing him very soon. Edge complied and jumped back as he did so. "looks like you had fun with undyne."
"Boy did we!" Undyne shouted and slung her arm around Edge's neck, "I'm going to have an orgy with a bunch of hot babes!"
Edge frowned in contemplation. "Isn't it just a threesome?" He asked mostly to himself, "You're only going to be three in total."
"unless she's joining asgore." Sans pointed out.
Undyne stiffened and her eyes widened while Edge just seemed puzzled. "Wha…?" He asked, "Do you mean the royal orgy? That's not a thing…"
Undyne gestured to her neck to signify he should drop the topic. Sans wasn't sure he wanted to. It wasn't like there would be real consequences for him, but he supposed it wasn't fair nor kind to let his alter ego suffer the repercussions of his shenanigans once he returned.
"yes." He simply said.
"Anyways," Undyne eagerly changed the subject, "let's get fucking smashed! Sans, you look too sober! Chug something!"
Sans glanced at the cocktail in his hand tentatively. "i'm not sure i should." He said looking at Edge. "pap—boss," he remembered, though he wasn't sure if it changed anything as he hadn't remembered to refer to him as such until now, "is pretty out of it."
"Since when did you get a stick jammed right up your skeleton ass?" Undyne sneered, "Don't be a loser and get drunk with us."
"Do it." Edge pushed as well, "This is the only time I'll get drunk with you." Sans worriedly looked down at the alcohol. As much as he wanted to, he didn't want to muck things up and get found out. "Don't worry. I'll protect you."
"What? From creepy folk who want to get all handsy?" Undyne snorted, unaware to what the other was actually alluding. Though Sans didn't doubt he would also include that in his definition if it happened to be the case.
"Live a little." Edge goaded further.
Sans smirked and shook his head, glancing down once more at his beverage. If he got drunk and things went south, it could mean his death. He would never be able to go home. Then again, there was no guarantee he would actually be able to go home anyhow. After all, he had no idea if he was going about fixing the MaWoIn machine in the right way. He shrugged and chugged what remained of his beverage. With the future so uncertain, he might as well just, as Edge had beckoned, live a little. Hopefully he would suffer nothing worse than a migraine come the following morning.
"Yeah! That's the spirit!" Undyne hollered with a boisterous laugh. "Geez, this is the first time I recall you needing some convincing to get drunk. That time away must have been soul searching for you."
"i do feel illuminated." Sans nodded, holding in a belch.
"Well, drink more!" Undyne exclaimed and shoved another cocktail in his hands, "Who knows, maybe by the end of this night we'll also be friends!" She paused for a moment before laughing at herself, "What the fuck am I saying; best case scenario I'll just hate you a little less."
"that's the spirit." Sans mumbled and then drank.
He drank many more beverages, initially keeping count but slowly losing track of the numbers. He supposed it didn't really matter. Before long the world was spinning and everything around him was distorted. But as disorienting as that was, at least everything seemed brighter and joyous. Sans had never laughed quite as much as he did with Edge and Undyne and the two other monster girls that had randomly joined them – the two seemed to have simply appeared out of thin air.
Nevertheless, Sans had fun. And hours later, he found himself stumbling back to his and Edge's room with arms slung around one another for support. However, they still stumbled everywhere. He hadn't realised the fun had ended, but he was content even if most of what had transpired currently eluded him.
"you're so heavy." Sans laughed.
"Not my fault you're so small…" Edge mumbled in response.
They struggled to open the door to their quarters. They struggled so much, in fact, it had Sans in a fit. Soon his eyes were watered with laughter so much so he couldn't see. Edge, fortunately, was able to guide him inside having him bump into a minimum of things. They went into the bedroom and Sans threw himself on the bed. As soon as he was horizontal, sleep began to overcome him. His eyes were drooping shut and he knew it was time to go to bed. However, Edge sat on the bed and drew him out of his drowsiness but only for a short moment.
"hey, i get the bed tonight." Sans reminded with a lazy smile.
"Oh yeah." Edge muttered as though he had truly forgot. "Well," he shifted and turned towards Sans, "Goodnight." Then he leaned down and kissed him briefly before standing up and wobbling away.
Though he was initially surprised and flustered by the gesture, Sans's exhaustion took over and before he knew it he was asleep.