The Castle . . .
Queen Toriel met with someone. Someone she had heard about. She had Asgore right next to her too. "You must be a Kudera." Yet, even though it was human . . . it didn't feel like it. "What an interesting . . . human."
"Cut the crap," Kudera said in monster to them. "You both know I'm no human any more than you are."
"So, you are monster," Queen Toriel said, not surprised he confessed. It would be hard to hide that power level. "Sans the Skeleton is married to Frisk now. You can't have her."
"I never wanted a pathetic human," Kudera said. "I hate humans. I despise humans. All of the monster domains do."
"All?" Asgore interrupted. "What do you mean?"
"Why do you think there are still domains that deny the use of the OJS?" Kudera said. "Don't want them involved in our kingdoms. In how we treat our humans. The relationship between monster and human will never change."
"How can you be a monster?" Asgore said. "And the power. You're . . . you are the boss monster, Kendali? You survived?"
"Yes, but instead of living Underground, we were imprisoned in human bodies. Our magic sealed away. Until you broke your barrier," Kudera informed them.
"Frisk is no longer an option, she is married peacefully to one monster," Toriel said gesturing him away. Having someone so against humans consorting with them will not be good.
"I don't care about her. I took her for the contract, so that I could kill the other suitors to save your kingdom. You see, monsters have never betrayed each other. We fight each other, but we don't betray each other," Kudera said. "I had come to tell you how to save her, but I got word one of your guards already know, so I didn't bother to waste my breath. I am not here about her. I am here about joining us."
"I knew it," Toriel whispered to Asgore. "We will not join with any other kingdom to try anything to overthrow the humans. Haven't you learned anything?" she growled at Kudera. "Never."
"Then you're content in this cute little area you have in a mountain?" Kudera said, gesturing around. "Why do you think Initiative is giving you part of its land. Why do you think they demand so much proof of loyalty, when all of our kingdoms are out there, whole?" He gestured to Toriel. "Queen Toriel. Your kingdom share was taken by Initiative, and they don't plan on ever giving it back."
"That's not true," Asgore said from beside Toriel. "They do. They have helped us so much."
"With their own commerce. Their restaurants. Their delivery services. They are making money off of your kingdom because you are still trapped. You give them plenty of reason to help. You satisfy their human greed!" Kudera banged the wall. "For sixteen years, we have slowly been gaining our magic back, but we are still stuck in these reviled forms. Once humanity knows that we are getting our magic back, they will wipe us out again! And you are just going to sit back and take it?"
"Even if what you say is true," Toriel said, "our citizens have been happier. Every day more we make incredible progress. We will earn their trust. The humans will not attack you as long as you work with them."
"This world is lawyers and contracts, things work slow," Asgore added. "They will not simply attack all at once anymore."
"Fine. Let me rephrase this," Kudera growled. "If you don't join with us, you ally with the humans, and we will not just sit back and take it. Are your residents still great fighters, because my kingdom fights well. So do the others."
"Someone attacked Frisk. Someone who wanted to use a barbaric marriage for her!" Toriel accused him. "Then, you suddenly show up? No!"
"The Underground will not wage war against the humans."
"Then you are traitors to the monsters." Kudera stood up and spat toward them. "Disgraceful. Allying with humans. You'll regret this!"
Waterfall . . .
"Well, bubbling. You want me wrapped around just in your energy again?" Frisk teased him.
"Yeah." Aw, that wasn't lusting enough. She's really good at this. Don't lose it yourself. Sans gestured to the water. "Hop on in, Lovely." Lovely? That's not lustful either.
Frisk cleared her throat. "Umm."
Ooh. He was doing fine. "Something wrong?" Sans asked.
Frisk just gave him a stuck up look. She couldn't say anything though. Surely, what she wanted to say was 'turn around so I can get undressed'. But, nope. No, he had control this time. "You sure you can handle that?"
Okay, good comeback. "I don't know, Babe. Won't know until you try." Okay. It was funny at first, but now Sans really did wonder what she'd do. They were ACTing. ACTing yesterday. ACTing today. But, dangit, it couldn't all be ACTing. Papyrus had to be wrong. She wanted him to come with her. That couldn't have been an ACT. And actually kissing so exposed a way a skeleton would? That couldn't have been an ACT.
Frisk jumped into the water, fully clothed squishing any hope Sans had of having her show her whole body to him. I'm getting too wrapped. This is just ACT. Tomorrow, we'll be back to friends. Then back around again. "Think you forgot the removal of the clothes," he tried to joke. "Can't bubble you with them on. Got to cover every crevice."
"Well, I felt dirty earlier, so I figured I should wash up everything," Frisk said.
ACT. Sans kind of wished she wasn't as good at it. He watched as she went underwater and came closer to him. She had her dress, panties and bra off. Sans ducked down. "Forgot something." When he bent down, his chain got wound up in hers. Which was right near the edge of what he could possibly see in the water.
Frisk took her hand and tried to unwind them, but it just pulled him closer.
"Think gravity's got a different idea?" He tried to help, bumping into her hands too. Her cheeks were getting red. She can't fake that. Flustered at least. He went ahead and lied down on the ground. Maybe he didn't get it wrong?
He took his finger and started to stir the water, watching her reaction.
"Hey," Frisk complained, yet her voice shivered, "that's not fair. We're tied up here. What kind of chain you got?"
"I don't know, but I think it's heated a certain way to cause a reaction with other chains it likes," he half joked. She almost got it out, so he crouched closer to her. Then, he pulled her up slightly, stealing a kiss.
"No, wait, wait!" Frisk tried to back away as he pulled her up more. "Sans, this isn't funny."
"I'm not laughing," he said seriously. He yanked his chain away. "Just caught on the top. You knew that."
Frisk was silent.
"Failing the day now, Frisk. This is supposed to be your specialty," he remarked. He moved her back down to the water, taking her necklace off. "Now how you gonna make up for that failing? Let's see." He started to take off his vest. "Should I put my finger in, or should I just jump in with you?"
Trapped. "If I say finger in, you'll say I'm failing again. If you jump in with me . . ." Frisk looked away. "I don't want to ACT anymore, Sans. I don't really have to tonight. It won't be half as good, but . . ."
Sans jumped in. He wasn't missing the opportunity.
"You forgot your clothes?" Frisk looked around, but Sans caught her from behind. He already took care of those, and she was about to go . . . laxed. Her whole body was as limp as a ragdoll. He brought her down deeper into the water with him. Then he felt it. Just like she did.
She was completely bubbled. Head to toe in nothing but his energy. He moved back up to the surface with her, knowing humans couldn't hold their breath forever. Right up against her, as she gasped for breath, he held on. "I'm tired of ACTing too, Frisk. This outfit ain't me. All these innuendos? Well, some are me," he said. "But I'm just this too. A fumbly, bumbly funny skeleton."
"With incredible energy," Frisk managed to speak. She laughed. "I don't need you in any of this either. Jean jacket. Blue coat. It doesn't matter." She chuckled. "Make a pun?"
"Can I bone you?"
Frisk started laughing and he stole another kiss from her. "You're still a friend, no matter what happens between us, Sans. You get that, right?"
"Yeah. Took a long time before I figured it out," Sans admitted. Longer than it really should have. "Plus, you know, promising to help you leave doesn't exactly . . . inspire leaping."
"No, I guess it didn't." Frisk laid her head on his shoulder bone. "But leaping doesn't exactly help me leave. I want to be happy, but I want you to be happy. In the end, it doesn't matter. I just want to stay by your side, whatever you . . . choose."
"I choose you, Loving Wife."
"That's . . . Jattemoon, isn't it?" she asked him.
"Yeah," he confessed. "And Jattehoon is Loving Husband."
Frisk chuckled. "You cheater, that's not fair."
"Well, I'm not always fair. That takes the fun out of everything. And, we are in a fun little position? What do you . . . what do you want, Frisk?"
After some physical activity . . .
"Maybe I am closer to Luster than I want to admit, but so are you."
"I'm not just addicted to your energy," Frisk corrected him.
"Yeah, you're addicted to my jokes too. Can't get enough of Ol' Sans. Or little Sans."
"I just can't get enough of my Sans." Frisk kissed him for a few more minutes until she didn't feel him anymore.
Sans got up and picked her up. "Hey? Do you think the monsters on the bridge had a fun time watching us?"
Frisk froze. "What?!" She looked up toward the bridge. No one was there. She hit his shoulder lightly. "Sans, don't tease like that."
"Honestly, like I would let anyone see you? I didn't even on our announcement day. Although?" Sans looked at her with a twinkle in his light guiders. "Maybe I should have another special day with you? Show you off a little?"
Frisk just relaxed deep in his arms. She just wanted to relax there all-
"Aw shit, Papyrus! We're gonna be late for supper and that won't be good." Sans looked at their clothes. "Oh, dang. I'm gonna have to tell my Brother-Father-In-Law about this. I can't hide it."
"Brother-Father-In-Law?" Frisk asked.
"Yeah, Frisk. You've figured out where Papyrus' energy had gone, haven't you?" Sans asked her.
So, it wasn't her imagination. "Yes," Frisk admitted, "but I . . . it's just that . . ."
"Don't matter. Don't worry about it. Don't think about it," Sans assured her. "Don't feel all weird around him, or like you're doing your own passed on dad a disservice. It's . . . just an energy feeling." He scratched his elbow. "Although that feeling is always trying to keep you protected, even from me. Eh. Let's just get to my room, get some clothes on, and we'll get to supper."
Sans and Papyrus' House . . .
He's gonna know. I should just tell. After all, they weren't even in the same clothes anymore. Frisk was in some regular clothes. He was in some of his favorite regular clothes. Frisk's hair was naturally fused almost completely blue. Why even try to pop in by the front door?
Papyrus wasn't stupid. He'd know. Even if he pretended not to know, he'd know. Sans walked down the stairs with Frisk. "So, are the yummies ready?"
Oh yeah. Papyrus looked at them brightly. "Welcome home! It's all ready." But to Sans telepathically. You did not, Sans, what?! What the? Different clothes, from the stairs, no! You didn't?
I did, Bro. Sans approached with Frisk. I bubbled her at Waterfall. Our clothes got wet.
Frisk smelled the food. "It looks so delicious, I can't wait to dig in." She took a seat.
You know me, I'm your brother first, Frisk's husband second, Pap. Remember? Sans sat down. I'm happy. Doesn't that count for anything with you? "Looks really good."
"Yes, well." Maybe I shouldn't have made it, you clearly have something else you'd rather do! Papyrus looked away. Why?
She's my wife. I know the energy is tough, Papyrus. You want to shelter her from the world, fine, but I'm not the world. "Catsup, Frisk?"
"No, thank you," Frisk said as she grabbed some spices and put it over her food.
Papyrus stubbornly ate.
Come on. Please, stop this.
Not saying anything, Sans.
Still feel it. Sans poked his food. It's not one way. I make her happy too. I'm not a charity case to her, she didn't just go with what happened to make me feel better! "Catsup, Pap? Or is it just too beneath you?"
Frisk gave Sans an odd look. She had no idea about the conversation they were having at that moment.
You're going to leave with her, aren't you? Papyrus looked at his food. I'm going to lose both of you.
Yeah. Years together was much stronger than instinct. Heck, a lifetime together. I don't know yet what we'll do. But she said it's gonna be together. And, I'm gonna rehave the announcement soon. This time, to show her off. For real. ACTing is over. Her place has been found. With me.
"I guess, everyone has to grow up sometime," Papyrus said.
Frisk just looked at him. "What?"
"Maybe we don't have to go too far?" Sans asked. "Frisk, do you think that, you could go to school closer to here?"
Frisk nodded. "Whatever makes it easier."
"Really?" Papyrus asked her. "You'd really do that?"
"Well? I don't really want to get that far from everyone," Frisk admitted as she took a bite. She swallowed it. "I got really close to Alphys and Undyne. I love Sans, and you mean a lot to me too, Papyrus."
See? She said she loved me like, like it was the most common thing in the world! So?
"Yes, I understand. You mean the world to us too!" Papyrus agreed. He looked toward Sans and nodded. She is a keeper, Brother. Forever. And . . . I know that you'll take care of her. He picked up a piece of his food. "And you are too."
Sans cheekbones and teeth couldn't have raised any higher. He finally broke through. "Thanks, Papyrus."
Papyrus raised his glass. "To the Skeletons! May we live long, prosper, and eventually grow in number."
"Yeah, but not that fast," Frisk said to Papyrus as she clinked her glass with his and Sans.
Six months later . . .
"I really, I got this." Alphys tried to hold her bag. "I got it." Undyne helped her anyway and she smiled at her, picking up the smaller bag. "Thanks."
"Yep. We ready?" Undyne asked Frisk.
"Almost," Frisk said. "A skeleton is missing."
"Well, he'd better hurry, moving in time will not be open forever," Papyrus warned. "Sans! Move it!"
"Getting there." Sans held a simple suitcase. During the time that he was checking the contracts for Frisk and learning how it worked, there had been a breakthrough for the Monster Kingdom. Toriel and Asgore had to make a difficult decision when Kudera shared information with them, and they rejected to go against the humans.
Not wanting their human allies to be left in the dark, Toriel and Asgore informed Initiative.
After hearing of the encounter, Initiative sent Frank Clipper, and for the first time, other humans including someone from the districts of Peacemaker and Civilian came to. They respected the Underground for telling them the truth, and real progress was finally being made. The Underground was promised their entire half back, which was half of Initiative. Progress was slow, and with building and streets already made, Initiative and the Underground simply moved forward and backward a little each day.
Monsters were starting to live in the buildings and houses of what Initiative had, while Initiative was using a compromising solution and learning to rebuild upward safely, so that their residents that were being moved away from Underground's property had a place to stay.
Day by day, progress was made in all areas, including education. By passing a test, a monster could be placed in schools. And with Toriel being so close to Frisk and Sans?
College placement came first.
There were two college factions now. One for those who were all human, and the other that compromised and now allowed monsters. So, more than Frisk were ready to go.
Sans, Papyrus, Undyne, Alphys, and a handful of other monsters were beginning college that day, having easily passed the college placements.
No more guarding. Each and every one of them could now have a future in something different. Whatever they wanted. Just like Frisk.
Best of all? With all the monsters starting to thin out across Initiative, Grillby separated from Mettaton and opened his old place back up.
Sans watched as Gloria opened the door with Flowey. "He's going too?"
"What do you mean am I going too?" Flowey complained from his pot in Gloria's arms. "You think I'm just going to let my Morning Glory leave without me? Never, ever." He rubbed up against her, vining around her arm. "She's mine 'til the end."
"Okay, okay, save the pollination for the bedroom," Sans said as he went toward Frisk. "Ready?"
Frisk nodded.
"Alright then." Sans looked around his house one final time. They'd still have it. Still keep it. Still have a place to come home to for the holidays. But even Papyrus was ready to move on. Move on from the darkness of the Underground into a new future.
With human allies beside them, but the other Monster Kingdoms now against them, he didn't know what the future held. But as long as he kept up his own hope and determination?
It'd be a future worth having.
The End