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15:
All of You
Sans and Frisk
(Third POV)
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Something was different about Frisk, something lighter.
The change was slight, but Sans couldn't ignore the shift as hope gripped ahold of his soul. He couldn't help but hope.
Ever since Frisk gave them, she was more open with him. She still hid things. But every time the beauty could, she would cling to him and smile at him so lovingly, poor Sans almost melted into a puddle of bones.
But what changed?
Sans didn't know, but Frisk had a different air. An air of peace, an air of freedom.
After resting a few days later, she stuck to his side for hours. Like she was no longer unsure of who she was, she was finally comfortable in her skin. Sans smiled at her when she laughed, wishing he could just hold her hand. He prayed that this was the end of his loneliness to just be an actual couple.
But then, Sans' skepticism reared its ugly head. Sans wanted to hope, but he couldn't help the damned doubts in his mind. Sans hoped that his waiting was over. However, he walked on the cautious side. Sans was hopeful before, only to lose her once again.
No matter what he did, it always ended with his soul breaking into pieces, trapping Sans in an endless cycle of misery.
Sans didn't want to give his hopes up just to be crushed if Gaster found a way to win. That would be feeding into his mad father's plans. Honestly, it was better to be careful until the end to avoid disappointment.
But Frisk made it hard to not hope.
He looked over at her with a heavy sigh as they traveled closer to the Lab, watching while she cuddled his jacket closer to her nose. Just like many times before.
He smiled slightly as he moved toward her side, Asriel and Papyrus following close behind but away enough that the pair had some privacy.
Sans wasn't the only one that noticed the change:
Asriel smiled at the pair, feeling the warmth of hope as he watched his best friend move to Frisk. He didn't know where this would end, but he needed to hope. Asriel knew Sans was still skeptical, no matter how much he wanted to wish freely, so the goat would hope enough for both.
Asriel's turned into a slight grin as he heard San ask an interesting question, sure Papy mirrored the sly grin:
"You sure like that jacket, dove. Who gave it to you?" He popped a cigarette between his teeth as his hand itched to hold her hand, but he didn't move a muscle, fearing startling her.
Frisk shifted her gaze from the jacket to him, startled at first at the sudden break of silence. Then, she smiled a secretive smile as she lifted her hands slowly into the air, holding his gaze with every movement.
Seeing her expression, Asriel wondered if Frisk saw precisely how her words affected him.
'I don't know for sure, but a close friend did.' Frisk finished her statement with a wink before running to the double doors to the Lab, leaving the skeleton standing there with a stunned expression laced to his sharp features while the other males tried, and failed, to hold back a laugh.
That was all they needed; they knew that she remembered. Of course, they didn't know how much, but it was enough to know whoSans was to her, who everyone was up to this point.
When the realization finally stuck in for the skeleton, a bright grin danced across his teeth. Sans' canals rang as his soul drummed against his ribcage as he stared at her back. He couldn't rip his lit sockets away from her, knowing that their happy conclusion was closer.
And that thought birthed a desire so strong that it was almost impossible to fight.
Sans had to kiss her.
But before Sans could act on that urge to kiss her senseless, the doors flew open to a lowly lit hall. And then, a booming voice echoed through the walls, followed by a softer voice.
He was starting to really hate that voice, Sans decided as his jaw locked, crossing his arms over his chest:
"Hellooooooooooo darlings~! Welcome to the show!"
"M-m-mettaon! You'll s-scare her! Come in, guys."
Frisk blinked rapidly, unsure what to do. Out of habit, she looked over her shoulder at Sans. The skeleton nodded slowly with a tight smile, urging her to go in before he growled as he watched the girl disappear.
"Bro, I hate your boyfriend sometimes." His brother laughed nervously, patting his shoulder as he passed.
"I'm sorry, brother. He's just excited to see her again."
With that, the two other two males were left alone. Asriel snickered lightly as he patted his skull, trying to soothe him before they went in with them. Otherwise, the goat monster feared what Sans would do to the pink-loving robot for ruining the moment.
Mettaon was talented at that, he mused with a small smile before opening his snout:
"Mettaon sure knows how to ruin a moment, huh?"
Sans growled deeply around his used cigarette, flicking his butt to the ground as he stomped it under his boot. He fought a raging headache but ignored it. Nothing would hold Sans back now.
But, man, he really didn't want to deal with the loud robot right now. The price of freedom, the skeleton mused before turning his sockets to the prince with a deep scowl:
"If he teases her, Papyrus will be single. I swear to the stars." As laughed in response, shaking his head, amused at his mumbled threat.
But they both knew the older Skeleton brother wouldn't do anything to the ghost-possessed robot because that would only hurt his beloved little brother. Likewise, Asriel knew there were two people in Sans' life that he would never hurt or cause any more harm to. And these two people were his brother and his beloved sweetheart.
So, really, As knew the threat was harmless, just his anger at getting interrupted before he could do anything. Asriel smiled sweetly:
"Whatever you say, G. Come, let's go in before—"
"Sans, I need to talk to you."
The two males turned to find Error heading towards them at that stutter.
The sight made the skeleton frown; a bad feeling started to bloom in his chest. Error's tone didn't seem right. Something was very wrong; the skeleton just knew it. He knew he had to find out what, but deep inside, everything was telling him to just turn and run to Frisk. Leave Error to deal with the problem.
But Sans knew he wouldn't, not when the two skeletons just bonded. He didn't want to break his fragile trust in him. So, with a deep sigh, he nodded towards the black skeleton before turning to his soul brother:
"As, go ahead of me and make sure that robot behaves until I come." The goat obeyed with a hesitant smile and nod as he left the two skeletons alone to discuss the mysterious wrong.
Sans' sockets followed Asriel before turning back to Error's frowning skull. The gnawing feeling of wrongness grew as he stared into his sockets:
"Alright, Error. Let's hear it."
Error breathed a long sigh as he scratched his tears-stained cheekbones, trying to find the right words, but he knew there were no words to ease him in. So, he just got to the point. He wasn't the type to be gentle. The trait faded the day he turned into this, so why try now?
"Gaster made me an offer the other day."
That simple statement sent Sans' bones to tense lock; his sockets were wide and glowing bright. Then, without thinking, a growl escaped his throat as his fists curled at his sides.
"And did you agree to it?"
Error fought a proud grin at Sans' low growl, happy that their newfound pact didn't cloud his own protectiveness. He had hoped that it would. He knew he was still dangerous, no matter how he wanted to be otherwise.
Error's mind was weak to the mad former scientist's influence. He needed to know that Frisk was safe from his strings. Because Error knew his love for her would be the perfect thing to tap into.
Error scowled deeply at that thought, hating the old man. Then, closing his sockets, he answered firmly:
"No, but I don't know if he will get in, Sans."
"What are you saying, Error?" He asked lowly; his hands started to glow as he prepared to fight if he needed to.
Sans didn't want to, but he would be damned if anything would stand in his way now. However, he felt dread clawing at his gut while the black skeleton smiled dejectedly:
"I need you to dust me if he gets to me, Sans." That halted the white skeleton's anger, dimming his lights instantly.
He did not see that coming. Sans straightened up. His sockets grew even wider as he stepped back slowly. Sans knew he could and would do it, but to hear Error ask him to dust him was very jarring. Has the glitch changed?
"Error, I…."
"Don't worry about it," Error shrugged, smiling coolly, "I wore out my welcome. I'm hoping it won't come to that since I know how Frisk feels about killing, but please. For her."
The other skeleton breathed deeply, pinching his nasal cavity. But he just grinned back at the glitch and nodded, trying to break the tension in his own bones. He never thought another monster would ask him to kill them, especially not the glitch in front of him. Sans was unsure how he should react to that, but he was proud of his change.
That was the power of the Angel, he mused with a dulled sense of amusement. No one could hate her for long:
"I won't go easy on you, you know that, right?"
The skeleton chuckled quietly as he slowly backed away, back into the shadows, and grinned. The glitchy being felt freed, if only it was a little bit. Finally, after years of falling to endless sins, Error had the chance to atone. And honesty, it felt heavenly. But he kept that feeling to himself as he answered.
"I was hoping that you'll say that. No one messes with a Sans' loved ones. Now, she's waiting for you, Sans. Don't waste a moment."
Error faded from view with one last wink, leaving Sans alone in front of the Lab's doors with a warmth rushing through his non-existent veins.
Despite the dark feeling Error's request birthed, Sans couldn't help the excitement he felt at the thought of her finally regaining her memories. He fell even deeper into her spell over the months of getting reacquainted with her. And Sans knew there was no escaping it. But, underneath the eager excitement, a slight twinge of dread was borrowed in his soul.
What all did she remember? Did she remember all the horrible things he did to her over the timelines? Sans once more shuddered at the memory of his crazed self in Horror.
How could Frisk love the monster that locked her in a cage, so he was the only one she would see and love? How could she love the twisted soul that killed her a million times but then fell so deeply in love that he became obsessed with everything she was? How could she love the monster that got her killed?
Those questions gradually echoed after one other as he turned his blackened sockets to the long hallway, birthing doubts deep in his chest.
The immortalized twenty-year-old knew it was silly to worry about her not loving him like she had many times before, especially with all he had seen—how Frisk acted toward him, but he had this bad habit of doubting all the good in his life. He could thank his so-called father for that.
He sighed, pushing the doubts away for later before making his way down the hall. Mettaton's booming voice echoed to him as he stepped into the bright light of his makeshift stage:
"Okay, darling. Now for your second question, would you kiss your tall and handsome skeleton friend?" The feminine male required, his black eyes staring pointedly at his scowling self, clearly unafraid of him.
Why must he always have to be over the top?
"Metta! C-c-come on, d-d-d-don't ask her that, especially when he's standing right there!" The yellow dinosaur-looking monster screeched through her stutter, staring at the flowing question board with the same blush that Frisk's cheeks held before pointing to Sans with an apologetic expression.
The board read like this, only making Sans' cheeks glow with a heated yellow tint:
Would you kiss Sans the Skeleton?
Yes
Oh yes
Oh, hell yes
OH, HELL YES!
"Oh shush, Ahplys, don't act like you aren't dying to know. Now, human darling, the audience is waiting~" Mettaton sing-sung, ignoring Sans' hissed threats as his cameras zoomed onto her face.
The robot was so lucky that his brother was there, sweating the same nerves as the other two. Moreover, Sans would die before he would bloody his hands in front of his Angel. Otherwise, Mettaton's robotic body would be an empty shell surrounded by his ghostly body's dust. He growled deeply, moving to Frisk's side.
"Dove, you don't have to answer that if you don't want to." He stressed to her, leaning close to her ear.
He would be lying if he said he wasn't curious about her answer, but the ancient monster knew how shy she was. He doubted he would get one, yet one he would like…
But then, she surprised everyone.
She turned to him with a shy smile as her hand came slamming down on the D button, ignoring the echo of gasps as the smirking robot wrapped an arm over the blushing girl's shoulders.
Poor Sans was too frozen in shock to care or move when his sickeningly sweet voice drowned out the sounds of the other males' howling laughter and Alphys' high-pitched squealing:
"Well, well, beauties, there you go! Of course, she would love to kiss the dark, but darling, Sans the Skeleton! I don't blame you, lovely. They're quite irresistible." The show robot paused to wink over his shoulder at his skeleton, making him glow with orange cheeks.
The Angel smiled nervously while the robot held her close, but her eyes were trained carefully at the male that stole her heart. Sans was still frozen to the same spot, staring at her blankly as a slow grin danced across his teeth.
Why did she feel like she was in trouble?
"Stay tuned, beauties and gentlemonsters. You never know what will happen next with the skeleton and the new princess!" Metta winked before the lights dimmed to a warm hue, the crew quickly disappearing.
Then, as Frisk fidgeted, Mettaton turned a mischievous gaze on the short young princess:
"It seems like you two have a lot to talk about, so how about you meet us in the next room when you're ready?"
After that, in a rather anime-ish fashion, he pushed the sputtering princess towards the still skeleton, vanishing with the others instantly. The bubbly robot left the couple no choice but to face each other.
Oddly enough, however, Sans would be grateful to the flamboyant ghost—not that he never would admit it to him. Mettaton already had a big head.
Sans chuckled softly as Frisk continued to panic, shaking his head. She had to know this would happen. And yet, she was as shy as a tiny kitten. He sighed slightly, moving to her nervous form with his hands stuffed into his pockets, soul jittering.
"Kitten, look at me."
Frisk's eyes flashed to his, a glow of recognition behind them. But Frisk didn't move; she just stood there. At that moment, the skeleton remembered why he once called her his 'little bird.' Frisk was fragile yet so strong, so free, so beautiful.
Another shaky breath escaped his hyoid, but a gentle smile came over his teeth as one of his hands absently brushed her flushed cheek. If he was disciplined enough, Sans would hold back. But, without him thinking, a tiny whisper filled the silent room, turning it into a dulled roar:
"We don't have to talk about everything right now, but did you mean it? That you'd kiss me?"
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If words could melt someone, Frisk was sure she would be a puddle mess of human on the metal floor right about now.
That simple statement had her knees feeling like jello. Just hearing the hopeful tone of Sans' growl made her soul melt, her hand tenderly pressing against the bony one on her cheek. With a low hum, she leaned her forehead against his:
"Don't you know, Sans? I don't lie when it comes to you." She matched his whisper, staring into his sockets while she smiled when another wide grin stretched over his teeth.
"Is that so, sweetheart?"
The flower giggled as his finger tucked a loose brown strand behind her ear. He knew it was the truth. As much as she wanted to play it coy, Frisk hid from him. Yes, she knew she had to finish her mission before she could voice the truth and gather all the memories, so Frisk knew the entire story. Her heart screamed at her to wait.
But this blooming flower couldn't hide how she felt anymore. It was too difficult. And honestly, Frisk was tired of hiding this giddy feeling—not now that she knew what love was:
Frisk never thought about it before. She didn't have the chance to. But, with the monster of her dreams, Frisk couldn't ignore the warmth he births within her. The heat she read about in many romances while she was still the fearful girl on the surface and dreamt about experiencing—but doubted she never would.
Then Frisk fell into this magical world where everything changed. She changed. And then, she finally felt the warmth she had always dreamt about.
She was falling slowly; there was no way for her to fight it. No, she didn't want to; since she first remembered this funny, childish skeleton, her life made more sense.
Even when he had no face, only the familiar tone to pull at her heart, she felt something within her call out for him. But when the harsh lights of day chased all her dreams away, that something faded into an aching emptiness she could never fill.
He was the missing piece she always was unconsciously searching for. She smiled again before rushing to the next stage. The unanswered answers and unsaid words hung in the air for later.
They both wanted more, maybe a chaste kiss, but they knew it wouldn't be wise. But the pair held onto the small confession of a desire to keep them fighting.
The pair were both filled with determination.
When they finally reached the bright room, the pair were greeted by a new, bigger stage sitting in the middle of the room. Frisk gulped a bit. She had a bad feeling about this, watching as the tall robot ordered his crew around the set. She didn't know why, but she felt that the male was planning something for them, and they wouldn't like it very much.
When he finally saw the pair slowly walking to the stage, Mettaton smiled sly and turned to them with his arms wide open. The smile grew more devilish as the minutes went on:
"There're my stars! Now, we don't have much time. We must hurry to prepare you for your debut." He told them, not bothering to explain as he clapped his hands.
With that, Frisk and Sans were dragged in separate ways by two pairs of monsters, Sans' protests following her.
She didn't get a good look at Sans' monsters, but for Frisk, there was a female cat-like and repetitive monster pair who chatted her ear off as they worked their magic on her ratty-looking self.
"We will totally impress Mr. M, Catty, with this." The reptile one hissed excitedly, pulling her dark yellow dress off her. The pitiful thing had seen better days; the bright yellow hue slowly dulled over time.
She guessed it was the price of traveling as the cat giggled bubbly while she guided Frisk to a tub.
"Yeah! Maybe he would, like, totally promote us, Bratty!" They both squealed loudly at the mere thought, causing the poor flower to flinch at the volume as they returned to their work.
They buzzed for a few hours, pulling at her hair and applying light makeup on her face. Then, finally, the girls stepped back to check their work. And they seemed proud as a smile spread. The one dubbed Catty pulled her to a mirror, leaning down to her ear.
"Take a look. I think we, like, totally outdid ourselves this time. Not bragging, but damn."
And she was right. Frisk looked beautiful, like a real fairy. She sucked in a big breath, letting her eyes roam her reflection, as she noticed that she wore a comfortable but gorgeous dancing dress. It mirrored her old sweater; pink and purple mingled together beautifully while some red peeked through the blouse.
The girls giggled behind her as her eyes moved to her face, seeing minimal makeup. But to add a pop of color, there was bright red painted over her lips, making them look like a rose against her skin. Frisk was beautiful, something more than her abusers thought her to be.
She smiled small before the friends dragged her back to Mettaton, giving the flower one last smile. She waved excitedly before shyly turning back to the tall robot who didn't bother hiding his delight:
"Well, my girls did well with you, my dear. Now, let's see how your skeleton fared with my boys." He kissed her cheek, pushing Frisk along up the stage's stairs to wait for Sans.
Frisk's stomach flipped with nerves as her orbs looked over the room, watching while the show's crew laughed as they worked. She didn't know what the challenge would entail, but she had a feeling that the robot had another plan for them.
Even her friends and brother were smiling with secrets behind their eyes.
If Frisk thought about it, it started back in the Ruins. She remembered that Asriel knew her before she even knew him. And as they would explore the Ruins, her mother gave her a few hints about a funny skeletal monster who always made her laugh. She was talking about Sans. They knew all the time but didn't tell her anything. Why?
She sighed deeply, sitting on the edge, trying to calm her mind before Sans returned. But she couldn't wrap her mind around that she had forgotten a lot. She didn't know how to think about that.
I'm sorry, Frisk. Unfortunately, we couldn't tell you anything. You had to remember on your own, just like all other stories.
The other brunette had to crack a smile at that small sarcastic statement. Before Frisk could offer a response, a tap on her shoulder woke her from her mind:
"My darling, look. He's back. And my, my, he truly looks like a prince." He purred, pointing to the shadows with a sly smile.
She was starting to really dread his plan.
Her eyes flashed from Mettaton to the entering group; Frisk froze in a shocking position with her eyes widened when the males stepped aside, revealing a nervous skeleton. He looked so uncomfortable in the yellow royal suit, but he still was handsome. And then, he saw her:
All the tension and nerves disappeared upon seeing Sans. Instead, a fiery yellow blush replaced them as a genuine smile spread upon his teeth. But his sockets were the thing that stuck out the most to her. They held such a heat, Frisk wondered how she could still stand. She felt like the only one he could see, like she was a treasure.
Like he did in her dreams, always in her dreams, until now…
"You're stunning, dove." Sans voiced. His usually gravelly voice was so soft that it was barely above a whisper, making the flower blush as he made his way to her.
She watched him approach as her blush grew, not noticing the sly looks coming over the others' faces, lost in the moment. That is before Mettaton's voice broke the spell.
"Hello again, my lovelies! We are now at the talent part of our show. The beautiful human is rumored to be quite the dancer."
The flower gasped at that, turning a glare on her brother. The goat laughed nervously, knowing he was caught. Frisk was proud of her skills, but they weren't something she liked to brag about.
Yes, Frisk loved dancing, and she used the skills many times to get here. However, it was something that linked Frisk to her dark past. She didn't want to remember that dark beginning of her life through something she loved. She knew it might be dumb, but she didn't want anybody but her older brother to know about her hidden talent.
But now the whole Underground knew.
Frisk was about to jump on Asriel when Metta turned her face to his. Her protesting sounds filled the room. She was silenced by the male's giggle as he placed a finger to her lips, winking his right eye at the girl as he turned her to Sans.
"Stop thinking—enjoy this, dear. Don't focus on the show. Just be with your prince. Dance for him and only him." He whispered into her ear tenderly before pushing the innocent Angel right into the monster's arms:
The pair were shocked, just staring into each other's eyes as the sound of footsteps faded from the stage, only leaving the beating of two beaten souls. The pair were falling deeply into one another's spell. But they didn't seem to mind one bit.
After a long pause, Sans smiled shyly as he lifted the beauty back to her feet; he tenderly held his hand out for her hand, soothing a wild strand back behind her flushed ear with his free hand as the skeleton whispered breathily:
"Will you dance with this lonely monster, beautiful?"
The girl blushed deeper, looking both shy and happy, as she shifted her eyes to his glowing sockets, shaking her head yes as she took his hand.
He chuckled while he pulled her body close, dipping his head to her ear. Sans' voice matched her dreams. So much that there was no more room for her to deny it.
It was really him:
"I think we'll be SANSational, baby girl. Don't think. Just focus on me. I be-leaf you'll drive them nuts like you drive me." The ancient skeleton soothed her before the movements got bolder, freer.
Frisk giggled, obeying as she melted into the slow dance. She closed her eyes as she felt him lead them, letting his hands wander over her body chastely. Honestly, Frisk should've been shy at his touches, been nervous as their dance grew. But all she could feel was love rushing through her veins, leaving a burning fire in its wake.
The song was quite popular on the surface, but at this moment, it held so much more meaning, matching every movement, every swirling feeling.
As they swayed to the powerful melody, Frisk's smile grew with every second as her eyes stared into his wide sockets with the same intensity he always had for her:
Soon, the song gradually faded as slowly as it entered. Frisk danced beautifully like no one was watching, just Sans. He smiled as she spun back to him, her soft hand tracing down his cheek while they melted back together for their grand finale.
Sans picked her up in the bridal hold when the vocal melted into the ending. Their laughter mixed with the fading song as he spun her around, her leg pointed before settling Frisk on his lap as he sat on the stage's edge, pressing a chaste kiss to her cheek.
When he pulled away an inch, neither of them noticed when Mettaton signed off with his usual goodbye. The pair couldn't see anyone but each other, lost in their smile.
They were so close that both of their breath tickled their faces, lulling them even closer, but sadly, it wasn't time for that yet.
"U-um, I'm sorry t-t-to interrupt, but I didn't have time to p-p-properly introduce myself. I-i-i'm Alphys, the new scientist." Frisk's eyes moved to the dinosaur's nervous smile as she spread her arms open:
"And welcome to the Lab."
While Frisk smiled kindly, hiding her disappointment well, Sans only could mutter under his breath about getting 'kiss-blocked.'
After she finished saying hello, she turned back to her skeleton with a laugh, standing and reaching a hand to him. That pacified him for a while, laughing as she pulled him to their friends. But Sans made a vow that moment….
….When Sans could, he would reveal everything.