AN: Another chapter done! Without any spoilers, I will say that the next chapter is my favorite by far so be looking for that in the next couple days! For now though, enjoy!

Also, Frisk's routine is loosely based off a scene in the movie Burlesque. Its also the song she's supposed to be singing during the performance. If you google I Am A Good Girl it should be the first option that pops up just in case any of you were curious

Chapter 14: Give Me Malice

Tonight was the night. Frisk's true stage debut. She'd been working her ass off and she felt ready but there was a constant pocket of nausea in her stomach even though Sans had promised her he'd do everything in his power to keep her from the other Johns but if he lost, tonight was the night she experienced what the nights here were really like. She wanted to vomit but pushed herself harder to stay determined.

"I wanna do it again," she said, panting heavily, sweat pouring down her forehead.

"Frisk," Mettaton said with a sigh, "Honey, we've just done it five times." The two were in the practice room on the third level of the club. They weren't allowed to use main stage until dress rehearsal later that night.

"I think you'll be okay until tonight." Mettaton looked paler than usual today although he was working Frisk hard, she felt like he was holding out on her and today, she wasn't afraid to call him out on it.

"You're just saying that because you don't want me to go on. Mettaton, I want to run it again." Mettaton narrowed his eyes at her. Frisk had three full blown routines to do. Her part in the opening number, backup in another and then her own solo act and she wanted to rehearse them all again now on top of a second, mandatory rehearsal and then the show?

"No," he snapped, "I'm saying that because I'm a seasoned dancer and if you waste all your energy now, you'll blow it tonight. Stakes are high tonight Frisk. You have to trust me."

She sighed and nodded, knowing he was right. Mettaton's whole demeanor softened and he walked over, tugging her into his arms.

"You need to relax, darling. It's going to be fine. You're going to nail it tonight." He knew that wasn't exactly what was bothering her but nothing he said could prepare her for that so he just said, "And tomorrow morning we can watch shitty romance movies and eat tubs of ice cream while we cry on the couch." This made her laugh and hug him tighter. There was a gentle knock on the studio door and a blushing Papyrus peaked his head inside.

"Uh, Mettaton? You're needed downstairs." Metta nodded and Papyrus ducked back out. There was look of pure love and adoration in Mettaton's eyes after Papyrus left and he put both hands on Frisk's shoulder, still staring at the space Papy had just occupied.

"Go ahead and eat something and don't forget to stay hydrated, go it? Dress rehearsal is at four, hair and makeup at six, costumes at seven. Show starts at eight. Okay?" She nodded and tilted her head. Something was on her mind that she thought about often and her curiosity was getting the better of her.

"I got it, but can I ask you a simple yes or no question before you leave?"

"Whatcha got for me darling?"

"You're in love with Papyrus... aren't you?" Mettaton was slightly taken aback. He was expecting a more relevant question than that but a small smile crept onto his face. Never one to lie to Frisk, he said, "Yes." But she wasn't done yet.

"Then why hide it? Why not go for it?" She was so optimistic... but she was too young to understand. She hadn't gone through what he had.

"Frisk, its complicated. In this business..." He sighed and slightly shook his head. "It just wouldn't be smart, so no matter how hard it gets, I have to be strong for both of us, okay? End of discussion." Papyrus was a hard on to talk about... but Frisk understood to drop the subject and nodded. Mettaton kissed both of her cheeks before slipping out, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

The stage was pitch black as Frisk laid on her back in a lounge chair, heart beating out of her chest as she waited patiently for the lights to glow down on her. She was lost in a haze, this being her dream of course but knowing the consequences. Still, she didn't back down. She'd made her choice. Finally, an array of lights filled the darkness and an upbeat temp pounded in her ears. She stayed on her back as three girls danced around her, then popped up into a sitting position, swinging a leg over either side of the chair. She wore the leotard Toriel had fitter her for, silver high heels on her feet. The first few lines of the song left her lips with ease and she jumped up, kicking the chair backward with her heel. She began doing each step with perfection when the unthinkable happened. She fell. Thank goodness it was during a musical break.

When she was supposed to sing again, she quickly rolled onto her stomach, placing her elbows on the stage and laying her chin on the back of her hands, kicking her feet up one at a time like the fall was part of the routine. The crowd was living for it. From that point on she abandoned almost all her steps and started making stuff up on the fly. She took the stairs down into the crow and stepped up on to a bar stool, then the bar with Grilby's help. She took one of the bar goers hats and placed it on her head, tipping it as she jumped down. Seeing Sans in the crowd, she quickly trotted over to him and placed herself in his lap, putting her newly obtained hat on his head and dipping herself backward, jerking back upright as she grabbed that hat once more and held it in front of their faces as she pecked his lips. It wasn't a full-blown kiss but it was all she had the courage to do. Even as small as it was, it was exhilarating all the same.

She stood up and bowed where she was standing, the whole house going absolutely crazy. After winking at Sans, she scurried backstage so the other act could begin. All of the girls embraced her and congratulated her, but Mettaton pushed them all aside to get to her. He was practically screaming and picked her up, spinning her around.

"Oh, my gods, Frisk! That was the greatest thing I've seen next to videos of myself! I am beyond proud of you..." He kissed both of her cheeks again.

"Mettaton!" the stage manager called, waving him over. "Two minutes!" Mettaton ruffled Frisk's hair. "I love you sweetie!" he cooed, "I'll see you upstairs."

For some reason, as Frisk stood half naked on the stage for everyone to see, she wasn't nervous. That same little voice in the back of her head told her she didn't need to be. When her body guards lead her downstairs and she opened the door, she wasn't surprised to see Sans. As soon as the door was shut, she ran to him and jumped on the bed, pressing herself close to his chest only he didn't embrace her back.

"You're making it really hard to stay mad at you kid," he whispered, lightly pushing her backward. She frowned.

"What do you mean? Did I do something wrong?" He gently cupped her face.

"That stunt you pulled earlier? It can't happen again." He tucked her hair behind her ear. "You need to be more careful." Frisk just looked confused.

"But- I thought you liked me..." He sighed a bit, running a hand through his snow-white hair.

"I do. I do like you but-" he chewed the inside of his cheek as he tried to come up with an appropriate response. "I'm not good for you, Frisk." There was so much he longed to tell her. Things she needed to know. "And on top of that, the outside world wouldn't exactly agree if they found out how old you really are."

Frisk shoved at his chest and stood up, storming to the door. When she realized she couldn't exactly leave she growled in frustration and whirled around to face him again. She was tired of people treating her differently because of her age.

"I thought you didn't care what others thought?!" Sans put his hands up defensively, trying not to upset her any further.

"I don't," he said calmly, "But you do and once again, I'm not that good for you. I'm not saying we can't be friends; I'm just saying you need to be careful."

"Oh, you're no good for me huh? I'm a burlesque whore who dances for money. Who is supposed to sell herself for money." She kept putting emphasis on the for money part. "Are you sure I'm not the one whose bad for you?" Sans stood up and took her face roughly between his fingers, pinching so her lips puckered.

"Lose the god damn attitude. Never once did I say I didn't want you. I said we shouldn't. That doesn't mean we won't." Frisk completely melted, bringing her hands up to curl against his chest. Finally, Sans lowered his lips onto hers and kissed her deeply, scooping her up and carrying her back to the bed. He laid down and nestled her into his side. She smiled up at him with tired eyes. Mettaton was right. She'd used too much energy today.

"Make me a promise," he whispered in her ear, "You tell no one about us; not my brother, not Mettaton, nobody, and I promise in return to keep you safe."

Frisk just nodded.

"No baby girl... say it."

"I promise," she cooed sleepily which satisfied him. He pecked her lips and rocked her until she fell asleep in his arms.