The hour was late, drawing close to Midnight now and the celebration for Tabatha's return was only just winding down. Toriel had left some time ago with Frisk, but the others were only just getting ready to leave. Tabatha was yawning as she came out of the upstairs bathroom, beyond ready for bed. She had already gotten into her pajamas and let her hair down and was heading for her room when she heard someone on the stairs. Twisting, she was surprised to see Undyne coming up, her expression far more serious than she had ever seen it.
"Hey," the redheaded monster greeted, giving a two-finger salute. "You headin' to bed already?"
"Been tired all afternoon," the human yawned in reply. "You and Al going home."
"She's out in the car already, but I had something I wanted to ask you before we left."
"Go ahead."
Undyne paused and drummed her fingers on the banister, clearly searching for the right words before she shrugged and just said what was on her mind.
"Has Paps talked to you recently?" she asked. "He's been meaning to tell you some stuff and...y'know."
"You mean about his feelings for me?" Tabatha tucked her hair back behind her ear and shifted her weight onto one leg. "Yeah, we've talked..."
"Good," the fish monster affirmed. "He's been keepin' that in way too long, the goober. Now I get all that stuff about you maybe not wanting to declare anything in terms of a relationship that Papyrus was going on about—"
"Hold up, he told you?! Then what did you ask me for?!"
"Just double checking." Undyne's grin revealed her teasing but she sobered up a moment later and folded her arms. "Anyway, I get being unresolved on your feelings or whatever, but just be careful, okay? 'Cause if you hurt my buddy then you'll have me to answer to, punk. Papyrus is too good to be treated badly."
"Undyne, if I hurt his feelings on purpose, then I would gladly let you pummel me because I am clearly possessed and in need of immediate rescue from whatever evil thing has taken me over," Tabatha stated sincerely, one hand over her heart and the other aloft like she was making a vow. A smile broke through a second later and the two shared a laugh. A quick honk from outside broke up the moment and the guard captain gave her friend a light noogie before racing back down the stairs and hollering a goodbye to the skeleton brothers and Asgore. The brunette smoothed down her disturbed hair and continued her way to bed, her mood a tad brighter than before.
Sans too had been yawning and ready for sleep when the two girlfriends had left but he was feeling wide-awake now: Asgore was the only guest still in the house and he'd pulled both brothers into the relative privacy of the kitchen to give them some news—and it hadn't been good.
"SO YOU MEAN TO SAY THAT WE ARE NOW AT RISK FOR BEING FOLLOWED OR CONFRONTED BY TABATHA'S STEPMOTHER AS WELL?" Papyrus repeated, his tone quite worried and concerned.
"Brian tells me it is not the first time that a friend was convinced to reveal our dear friend's location," the king confirmed grimly. "I know you are both capable of defending yourselves and will protect Tabatha against any and all threats you can, but you should still be cautious. If Lyssa Strong finds your home, it will become far more difficult to avoid her."
"why only tell us though?" Sans asked, a little confused. "if Tabatha's the one she's after, don't you want to warn her too?"
"Considering she only just left the hospital today, I wanted to give her time to have a proper homecoming and some time to readjust to normality," Asgore admitted. "As friends who share the same roof as her, I thought the news might best be delivered by you so you could work together to make plans should things turn out for the worst."
"WE CANNOT KEEP OUR KINDLY HUMAN IN THE DARK," the younger of the brothers affirmed. "AND SUCH CONTINGENCIES WILL BE VITAL TO DISCUSS AS A HOUSEHOLD. HIS MAJESTY WAS WISE NOT TO BRING THIS UP WITH HER WHILE SHE IS READJUSTING. WE WILL NOW HAVE TIME TO DISCUSS WHAT SORT OF THINGS ARE RISKS AND HOW TO REDUCE THE RISKINESS INVOLVED!"
"you gonna tell Tori about this as well?" the shorter skeleton followed up. "we gotta keep Grillby in the loop for sure..."
"I am not sure whom else should be told about the situation for fear they will be involved and bring harm to themselves trying to defend our dear human." The large goat monster folded his arms. "And without the ability to take legal action against her as of yet..."
Papyrus raised his hand a little like a schoolboy before he realized how silly it looked and put his hand down.
"I, UM, ACTUALLY STILL DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY TABATHA CANNOT GET LEGAL PROTECTION FROM HER STEPMOTHER," he admitted uncertainty. " WHY CAN THE HUMAN AUTHORITIES NOT KEEP HER AWAY IF SUCH TREATMENT IS AGAINST THEIR LAWS?"
"Simply put, there is not enough evidence for Tabatha a restraining order," Asgore explained gently. "When one submits a form to their courthouse asking for one, there is a hearing that takes place where both sides tell their version of the story. Because Tabatha has no actual witnesses and only her word against another very convincing story, no human judge has been able to award her the order."
"BUT DIDN'T WE SEE THE ABUSE?" the guardsman trainee pressed. "WE WERE WITH HER WHEN HER STEPMOTHER FOUND HER AGAIN. SHE EVEN CHASED ME! SURELY THAT WOULD BE EVIDENCE ENOUGH FOR THE COURT."
"i asked about that some time ago," Sans interjected with a sigh. "while it would be helpful to share our eyewitness accounts, we as monsters are less likely to be taken seriously on a legal basis. while we're technically supposed to have the same status as humans, the actual laws determining that status haven't been finalized to be loophole-free. our testimony could be overturned through some way we're not ready for and it would be safer for anyone who comes forward with stories if we can be assured of a victory."
Papyrus made a frustrated sound and folded his arms, a rare frown set on his skull.
"THIS IS RIDICULOUS!" he grumbled. "IT SHOULD NOT BE SO DIFFICULT TO KEEP SOMEONE FROM BEING HARMED BY THEIR FAMILY!"
"I'm afraid these things happen all too frequently," Asgore remarked sadly. "I have heard many tragic stories...and I want to ensure that Tabatha does not become one of them. I will strive to find another solution, but until then we must do everything possible to keep her safe. Do I have your word on this?"
"like you have to ask," the older of the brothers immediately replied.
"WE WOULD HAVE DONE SO REGARDLESS," the younger added. "AND SO YOU WILL HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR WITH THIS MATTER FOR THE GREAT PAPYRUS HAS GIVEN YOU HIS SOLEMN VOW, YOUR MAJESTY."
"Thank you. Thank you both," the monster king fervently said, taking both skeletons by the shoulders. "I should not have doubted."
The remainder of Asgore's stay was brief as he gave them his farewells and well-wishes, promising to keep them updated on his progress. As he left the house, the brothers stood together in the entry hall, side by side.
"SANS?" Papyrus questioned, getting a hum for a response. "DO YOU GET THE FEELING THAT SOMETHING VERY BIG WILL HAPPEN SOON?"
"it's been a long time coming," the stocky monster replied. "might not be soon, but it's pretty close now."
"I'M WORRIED HOW SHE'LL REACT TO THE NEWS."
"let's give her a few days, like Asgore said. then we can find a way to break it to her gently."
The next afternoon, Tabatha stood outside the door of Grillby's. She was dressed in her waitressing uniform, hair pulled into a bun instead of its usual tail and was fidgeting a little from nerves.
Why are you so nervous? she asked herself, smoothing her hair unnecessarily. It's just Grillby. I've literally told him everything about myself and he is still cool with me.
And yet her hand still shook when she pulled open the door.
The fire elemental in question had his back to the entrance of his bar when the brunette first walked in, but once he had finished stocking one of the shelves with fresh alcohol, he twisted around to see which of his employees was clocking in. When his invisible gaze landed on Tabatha, he froze, expression unreadable in the flames of his face.
"Heya Grillby," the young woman greeted her boss, wincing at how her voice broke a little halfway through. "Uh, so...as you can see, I'm back. Out of the hospital and all that. I know I'm not on the schedule for tonight, but I figured I'd drop by and see what I could help out with."
Still no response from Grillby. Tabatha's smile wavered a little and she stared down at her shoes, rolling her weight onto one foot.
"I, uh, I'm sorry for not giving you any notice about all this; kinda decided to drop by really at the last minute." Her voice shook as she tried to repress her emotions and continued studying how her shoes reflected the light. "Plus it's been...forever since I actually worked. I can understand if you really didn't need me tonight—"
The young woman's rambling was cut off when warm hands clasped her shoulders and pulled her into sudden embrace. The tender heat made it beyond doubt that it was the bartender who had his arms around her, even if there weren't orange flames flickering in her periphery. Tabatha squeezed her eyes shut, holding back tears.
"...I'm sorry," she mumbled pathetically into his shoulder.
"Don't be," was Grillby's reply, his rich voice soft and gentle. "I am beyond glad that you are well. Come, let's talk."
The fire monster guided the human to one of the tables and sat her down, silently offering to lend an ear when he sat across from her. That was all it took for the brunette to spill her troubles, detailing everything from how Papyrus had confessed to the reason she had been in the hospital in the first place. Grillby listened without comment the whole time, his emotions conveyed only by the way his flames flared and flickered with flashes of color. When Tabatha finally had her fill, she breathed out long and slow, feeling release of the invisible weight she'd been carrying without knowing. As she swiped at her eyes to remove any stray tears, the fire elemental sitting opposite her removed his glasses and rubbed at where the white flames of his eyes burned bright, a few cinders floating free.
"...never has one's surname been so appropriate," Grillby remarked softly, almost to himself. "To endure such things as you have and with such humility..."
"I didn't do it all by myself," the young woman mumbled, blushing a little. "I've pretty much had help every step of the way from my friends..."
"And that in and of itself is a different, quieter king of strength. And now I have something I would like to do for you, if you don't mind."
"I trust you, Grillby."
The bartender nodded and then took Tabatha's hands and held them between his palms, hers cupped as if trying to hold water. After a moment, there was a sudden rush of warmth and a small flame flickered into being above the human's hands, making her jolt a little in surprise.
"This is a type of magic that only my kind can do," Grillby explained gently. "Traditionally, elementals are protecters and guardians. While I prefer to tend to the emotional well-being of my patrons with my food, drinks and conversation, I am not without the ability to fulfill that classic role."
"What does it do?" Tabatha pressed curiously.
"You mentioned that you fear your stepmother is still in the city searching for you. This is meant to give you some security when you walk home at night: should you ever be in danger, all you must do is smother the flame and it will both reveal your location to me and create a wave of fire to drive off your attacker. I will then be able to come find you and protect you no matter where you may go. If you make it home without incident, then releasing the flame will tell me you are safe. I will have to rekindle it every time you leave, but it is a very effective enchantment."
"...you would do this for me?" Tabatha's tone was revenant and awed. Grillby nodded, his flames crackling in a chuckle.
"You are one of my valued employees as well as a dear friend," he insisted tenderly. "I would be most distraught if you were to be hurt again. And I'm sure everyone who comes on Thursday will dearly miss you being the opening singer for the night."
That made her laugh. Pulling her hands back, the brunette let the flame slip out of her grip and dissipate into the air.
"So what do you want me to do tonight?" she asked with a fresh smile and bright eyes.
Hello again. I'm back again. I've been hard at work, so I haven't had a lot of time to write and I'm thinking of changing the update schedule to be every two weeks for a while until I get back in the flow of things because I am just constantly exhausted nowadays. Most of this chapter was actually written during my work breaks or slow days whenever the wi-fi worked, so aplologies if it's a bit choppy. I might merge this chapter with the last one since they have similar content, but I don't have the time to do that right now, so have another (sorta) filler piece for the time being.
In the meantime, thank you everyone for the reviews! This is my most popular story in terms of feedback and I am so thankful for all of your comments every day!
TheGreatAndBeautifulMe: Hehe. You are not the first person who has told me they stayed up really late to read an update. It makes me happy that people are that eager to read my stuff. And I didn't know I had readers in France! Ma pitie sour parle francais (she helped me write that) and I have a cousin who is preparing to go to Paris for 18 months! You are really good at English for a High School student; I'm impressed! THE FRENCH-SHIP WILL BE UNSTOPPABLE!
flaming-couches: Those puns certainly tickled my funny bone! And I have the second job now, so it's just a lot of being tired from working nights all the time and people in my house being awake at 7AM and being too loud. But whatever: the money is coming in! And as for writer's block, one of my English professors once told me something that is #truth: starting a writing project is staring a lawn mower because it takes a few yanks to get it started! Anyway, hope you liked the new chapter!
SuperKitty4789: ( *• ̀ω•́ )b
MagicInTheStars: Jobs have been nailed! Your belief in me worked! Have another ball of happy!
TabbyCat: HMS Tabarus has sighted land! Paradise is within our grasp! XD
GoldGuardian2418: I take your analysis of Lyssa Strong as the highest compliment possible: that is what I call a successful sympathetic villain. And thanks for the reassurance (I tend to get really anxious when I miss deadlines)
Trainer Fiona: *has no flexibility but joins you in posing* No more fabulous than the fans who support me as you have!