A day in the life of some very good friends...
The market is bustling with farmers and vendors when you arrive, and you smile and wave to those friendly enough to greet you as you pull into your usual spot. The gates aren't open to the public yet, but the place is jumping as everyone rushes to arrange their stalls, tents, or various areas where they sell or trade their various goods. You get straight to work unloading your crates of flowers and honey jars in your designated spot, glancing over periodically to check if your friends have arrived yet.
You had been coming here for years now, but there were no humans or monsters who fascinated you more than the two skeletons who sold their produce across the walkway from you. Their fruits and vegetables were bigger and tastier than everyone else's, in your humble opinion. Whether that was because of the mutually beneficial arrangement the three of you had, or because of some mysterious magic they casted on the produce, you weren't sure. But either way they were good farmers, and good friends, and good guys in general.
You had their share of the trade ready and waiting in the back of your truck- a crate of honey jars and a jug of apple cider, plus a bouquet of fresh flowers. The cider was made on the apples they had given you a few weeks ago, as well as honey and spices to give it the zing Sans especially seemed to love. The skeletons had tried the drink at the annual barn dance when you had brought it one year, and begged you for more. Now you made it just for them, since they were you most enthusiastic customers. Not that you would tell them that.
A smile tugged at your lips as you ran your fingertips over a few petals in your crate, adjusting everything to look pretty as you tried to pretend you weren't eagerly waiting for the boys to arrive. While your feelings were in no way a mystery to you, it wasn't something you wanted the entire community to know about. Even if you had started dressing nicer and nicer as time went on... or leaving them secret messages that only you understood.
It had started so innocently. A few yellow roses, half-opened and a little wilted that hadn't sold that weekend, tucked into your new friends' pockets as a parting gift. Yellow roses meant friendship and you thought it was very fitting, so you continued to give them the little gifts every weekend after that. They seemed bemused but accepting, wide toothy smiles and friendly banter their usual responses.
Of course, as you got to know them, your feelings changed and so did your flowers. Over the few years now, you came to know their little quirks and routines for their market visits. Sans was sleepy and slow, but still hardworking, and told the silliest puns. The amount of flower and honey jokes you had heard from him was criminal, and you were sure you had heard them all by now. They still made you laugh, though. He was so relaxing to talk to, and good with his hands- that wasn't an experienced dirty joke, mores the pity, but an observation of his mechanical prowess. He had fixed your truck many times, a beautiful Ford F100 that had been left to you by your grandfather and had been getting worse for wear before you let Sans under the hood. Now it ran like a dream.
As opposite to his brother as he could get, Papyrus was tall and bright and energetic, loud voiced and excited about pretty much everything. You would never think he was the younger brother, with the way he lectured Sans and groaned at his jokes as if he was much too mature for such things, when you knew very well now that he enjoyed a good pun or two himself. He was sun-bleached and freckled, with 'tan lines' on his strong, thick bones from not wearing a shirt in the sun. He often came to market in only his overalls and big red boots, and you would be lying if the glimpses of bone weren't nice to look at.
In fact, both skeleton boys were quite good-looking. Human standards didn't really work in this situation, but their features were pleasant and expressive and had grown on you over time, and you had really come to like hanging out with them. So, with Victorian Floriography book in hand, you had upgraded their weekly yellow roses to white camellias, a move easily explained away but that had secret meaning for you. Soon enough, camellias were replaced by gardenias, and today you were ready to change it up again. You had ordered the seeds specially and had been nursing the flowers carefully in your greenhouse, a surprising amount of effort to go to for a personal message that only you understand, but there was a thrill that came with being so forward with your feelings. Even if no one else understood, you did.
It's all you can do not to spin around and jump up and down waving when you hear their truck pull up nearby. Your heart does the energetic moves for you, fluttering and dancing wildly in your chest and prompting a shy grin as you peer over at the two guys who are climbing down from their gleaming vehicle. Looks like Sans had been tinkering around again, if those shiny trimmings are anything to go by, and the low purr where there's usually a growling engine. You glance down quickly at your outfit- pastels and denim were always your go-to, and your peachy button-up, denim skirt and soft white smock are perfectly respectable. It's already got smudges of dirt, but that's the nature of working with nature, isn't it?
They call your name, and you look over with a smile, waving happily as Papyrus sets down a heavy-looking crate and comes over to you, brushing his hands off and offering one to you. His skeletal hand is rough and calloused, even though you know he wears gloves, and you give it a firm shake and grin up at him. Pleasantries are exchanged, Sans comes over, and you exchange news about your week. It's all you can do to pay attention to what they're both saying without looking like you're checking them out. No matter how many times you see them, their novelty hasn't worn off, and you have to admit to yourself that they're both very good looking. Papyrus has a few new freckles seen you've last seen him, pale orange and scattered over his shoulders and cheekbones, giving him a charming, boyish look. Sans looks like he just rolled out of bed, as usual, his flannel buttons tastefully undone and showing off a generous amount of collarbone. You can't tell if he genuinely does not care about his appearance or if it's deliberate sloppiness, like a messy bun that takes ten tries to get right. Neither answer would surprise you.
The day goes on pleasantly. The skeleton boys eventually head off to take care of their own produce as the markets start to open. Regular attendees of the markets and a few tourists flow through the stalls, touching and testing and trying out the various products available. The hustle and bustle reminds you of the city, and gives you a nostalgic vibe. You had enjoyed you city life, but it was just so expensive and you had eventually caved under your family's requests to take on the farm left behind by your grandfather. Keeping a flower shop open in the city was a constant battle, but here you were free to grow and do what you wanted, and it was enough to make your life comfortable. Your regular customers were from the local hospital and nursing home and churches, and of course Valentine's Day was a big deal, as well as the odd wedding or funeral. And your honey was a big hit, something you were especially proud of.
Now as your crates of flowers disappear into the arms of your regulars, and the jovial conversations ebb and flow among those who stay to talk, you keep an eye on the objects of your secret affections. They always enjoy selling of their food for almost nothing, and you're not sure how they manage to afford to live with what little they're making. Regular customers exchange updates with them, leaving with crates and bags of fresh fruits and vegetables, and visitors flock to the monsters to chat and take photos, the novelty still alive and well despite monsters having been up here for years now. They accept all attention with friendly smiles, and Papyrus chats their collective ears off about what recipes would work perfectly with what was bought, while Sans waves and grins and tells jokes. For the small children who appear every now and then, he does magic tricks that leave them wide-eyed and giggling. Every interaction makes your heart melt and you smile grow bigger, and you can't wait for the end of the day so that your usual fun can begin.
Daylight wanes and stalls start to pack up. What are left of your flowers are starting to wilt, and you tuck a few dropping blooms in your hair and distribute the rest to your fellow sellers. You've done well for today, all of your regulars were happy with their batches of flowers, and you honey is all gone. You pack up your truck and wait, rocking on your heels and humming a tune, until a blissfully familiar voice joins in right next to you.
"Lazybones, I'm literally a few steps away," you tease Sans, turning to see him leaning against the truck. You hadn't heard him wander over, which means he literally teleported a few metres over to you. It's still crazy to you that he has that ability, but you're never shocked by his sudden appearances. "You looked like you did well!"
"yeah, someone just up and bought our whole box of sweet potatoes in one go, so that was great." The shorter skeleton grins his comfortable, friendly grin, and your heart flutters a little. "you ready for a drink? Bob's packing up in ten."
Bob's coffee van is a staple at the market and he always keeps it open after everyone else is finished, just for the sellers. It's been a tradition for a while now to go off and get a drink before you go home, and Sans likes to join you now and then. It's a nice little moment for you to hang out and relax together before you go home. Papyrus waves to the two of you with a big smile as you wander off, and you're tempted to ask him to join you, but at the same time you like having just a few moments alone with Sans.
He keeps you entertained as you line up to order, and when you're both cradling hot drinks and wandering back the long way, you can't help but watch him as you sip your hot chocolate. Walking in silence as the evening breeze tickles your skin, you have to fight the urge to slip your hand into his, or lean on his shoulder- he's only just shorter than you, and it's adorable. His eyelights flick up to meet your gaze, and you grin and look away, fighting down a blush. "So are you coming tomorrow too?"
"yeah, only a half day though. we gotta shop for the week. running out of bread and coffee." He sips his coffee, and you glance over in curiosity, always fascinated by the way food and drink disappeared when the skeletons consumed things. "you going for seeds again?"
"Yeah, I have an order to pick up in the next town. A few different types of daisies, and these roses that grow white and red together." No one ever delivers to your farm, so the online orders you place have to be picked up. It's usually a whole day affair and it really takes you out in your way, but you don't really mind the traveling. But you'd much prefer to hang out with the guys at the market again.
"oh, nice, is that for an event?"
"Nah, I just liked the colours."
He hums and nods, waving to his brother as the circle you've been wandering through the market comes to an end back at your trucks. "need me to look at your truck before you take the big drive?"
"Well, I have been hearing a rattling," you hedge, not wanting to make him do this for you again. He's already popping the hood before you're finished, and you stand back with a fond smile as Papyrus joins you. "Hey, big guy. You want your honey and stuff?"
He lights up and nods, hurrying back to grab the crate full of produce for you while you retrieve the honey, cider and flowers. The exchange is made, and you grab the carefully packed flowers for them with a racing heart. This is the moment you secretly declare your feelings again, with no expectation of reciprocation. Papyrus gingerly takes the bright flower, tucking it carefully into his overalls pocket. "Thank you, human! It's beautiful!"
"You're welcome! Now, if you want to keep that one for a few days, you gotta add lemon juice, sugar and a little bleach to the water, ok?" His admiration of the flower makes him look sweet- well. Sweeter than usual. You want to kiss him, but the flower is enough for now.
"everything seems ok, I tightened a few bolts but the truck is as perfect as I left it last time." Sans saunters over next to Papyrus and you quickly hand over his flower. Your fingertips brush, and you linger for a moment before stepping back, shoving your hands in your skirt pockets. His eyelights linger on you a little longer before dropping down to examine his gift. "oh, it's pretty... trying out new seeds?"
"Yeah, well, bulbs this time. Special order, just wanted to try them." Your nervous fidgeting is drawing their interest, so you decide to head off, leaving them with your declarations of love. "You guys are definitely coming to the dance in a few weeks, right?"
"We never miss the Harvest Moon ball!" Papyrus exclaims, hands on his hips and grinning proudly. He looks so strong and perfect in the golden light of sunset. "I've bought the perfect shirt for it too!"
"I bet you'll be the most dashing one there!" You coo, unable to help yourself. "I have my outfit all picked out! You'd better save some dances for me, both of you!"
They agree enthusiastically, and you part ways, sighing to yourself once you're alone behind the wheel. The sky is pink and gold as your radio crackles to life, and you hum along with the crooning love song on your way back to your lonely little farm.
"Hate to say that I love you
Hate to say that I need you
Hate to say that I want you
But I do..."
We have some flower language!
ROSE Yellow - Joy, Friendship
CAMELLIA White - You're Adorable
GARDENIA - You're Lovely: Secret Love
and finally
DAFFODIL - Regard; Unrequited Love; You're the Only One; The Sun is Always Shining When I'm with You
Bonus: song is 'Bad Habit' by Ben Platt
