Here we are again! And just like that, we're through with the filler and we're back to the main story line. Though it was nice to do little random blurbs for a bit and get away from the heaviness.
Now, this is still a series of blurbs in order to move the story along. I'm hoping the short sections will make it easier to digest. It was definitely easier to write that way.
Alrighty. Please enjoy.
Chapter 28
Part 1: We All Gotta Start Somewhere
When his eyes opened, it was to a darkened sky, nearly completely blackened with soot and ash. The air around him was just as heavy, thick to the point that it was impossible to breathe.
His lungs were smoldering and with every attempt at a breath, a round of painful coughing greeted him.
But he couldn't sit still even in a place like this. Especially in a place like this!
He had to keep moving!
He forced himself into standing, his coordination suffering greatly as his head and the world spun in different directions.
There were faint muffled sounds all around him. Screams and cries filled the air, making it even thicker. Everything muddled together and he got the feeling that he was wading through a seemingly endless puddle of sludge pooling out in every direction from where he stood.
Until one piercing scream penetrated the madness and struck his ears, forcing him to focus.
"DADDY!"
The screams continued, but that one voice stuck out more than any other sound.
He had to go! He had to find the owner of the voice! He had to-
"NO! STOP! PLEASE!"
Another voice! Familiar just like the other! He couldn't just leave them either!
He began forward, his progress slowed as he fought to move normally through the sludge surrounding him. All around, those voices and screams got louder and more pronounced. He headed for the smaller voice first. He was defenseless and in need of his help.
He could see the owner of that voice in the distance! He was frozen in confusion and in fear, whipping his head around and trying to understand just what was going on.
He was alone! Why was he alone!? Where was his-
"NO! YOU CAN'T! STOP!"
Another pull from the other voice. And when he looked, he saw her! Being held back by dark shadows as she tried forward toward the owner of the first voice. She didn't seem as if she realized he was there at all, her full attention on the smallest one.
"PLEASE NO! MY BABY!"
The child began to cry, bringing both hands to his eyes as he stooped down to a crouching position.
"Mommy!" He called, "Daddy! Where are you!?"
He had to keep moving! He had to get to the child! He had to protect him! He had to save him. He tried to call out and alert the child to his presence- let him know he was coming, but his voice wouldn't carry through the sounds of other people's suffering.
The child stopped crying and lowered his hands from his much older face. Splintering cracks spread across his face as he stood up slowly to reveal he'd added a good few feet to his height.
"Dad . . ." He said calmly in a significantly lower tone, "It's too late."
Behind him a shadow appeared. The same kind that held his wife back and prevented her from rushing forward. The shadow took on a distinctive shape: Humanoid with two arms and two legs. The arms opened and invited the boy in and, with a spiteful look, he accepted, willingly choosing to be taken.
His wife sobbed, screaming her protests as she continued to fight.
The shadow embraced the boy and almost instantly, he was consumed by that darkness, tendrils of the stuff snaking their way through him and around him.
From behind him, the shadow smiled wildly, a jagged rip where a mouth should be. With the boy in his possession, he looked back toward him with nonexistent eyes as if challenging him to come claim his son back from him.
With that same deranged quasi-expression, a hand reached out. In that hand, the shadow held a pitch black dagger. He slowly raised the dagger pointing the tip back toward the boy's chest as he held him from behind.
His eyes went wide as he watched. And as he tried forward, he found that it was still impossible to move. He turned his head over his shoulder and found two more shadows, gripping onto him and holding him back.
Again, he tried to call out, and again, no sound could escape.
It did offer the shadows the perfect opportunity. With his mouth opened in silent screams, the tendrils of darkness found their way up his arms, across his face, and shoved themselves into his mouth, spreading throughout his body from the inside. They coated his throat and stretched into his ribs, looking to reach his Soul.
But even so, his attention never left his son. As he fought and screamed, he was forced to watch as the shadow made its presentation.
The dagger took on even more darkness and became longer, becoming a short sword, a thick pointed blade aimed right toward his son's Soul.
With a swift motion, the shadow plunged the weapon directly into the boy's chest, and the boy's body went stiff, his eyes wide and his mouth opened as red and black blood oozed from it. His eyes began to leak the same oozing blood and after an agonizing moment, his body slackened, but did not become dust. Instead, it seemed to fuse with the shadow, becoming one with it and strengthening it.
He froze as he watched, even the screams of his wife became muted and muffled as he tried to make sense of what just happened.
His attention was still glued to that shadow as the body of his son was consumed by it. When the shadow looked again, he was finally able to see its terrifying glowing human eyes.
One, a sickening shade of crimson.
The other, a fiercely determined blue.
When Nyala returned home, it was to a quiet house. It looked as if no one had been in it for a while. The flowers that Corbel brought over that fateful night were withered, and brown as they bowed their heads toward the table in a sign of surrender.
The rest of the room seemed abandoned and dull. The air was stale and hadn't seen a duster in almost a month.
She sighed deeply before pushing her way inside and removing her shoes.
She honestly didn't know what she was expecting. Her husband would still be working late hours no doubt and he'd probably taken to sleeping at the lab. He'd done it before.
Well, there was one easy way to figure out where he was.
For a moment, she grabbed at the cell in her pocket, but hesitated as she thought more on it. She hadn't told him about the phone and he most likely wouldn't respond if she called from an unknown number . . .
Besides, she wasn't completely certain she wanted him to know about it. It was her private connection to her son. Somehow, just that thought made her want to keep it solely for that purpose.
She would call using the house phone instead. Maybe suggest they meet somewhere for dinner or just a walk or . . . Something.
She missed her husband and yes, he was being a bit frustrating, but the conversation she had with her son helped her get into the mindframe of talking through their situation.
It was time for them to reconnect.
Traveling to the kitchen, she picked up the house phone and dialed the phone to her husband's office in his lab.
The screams continued and became more intense as his wife witnessed what became of their son. When he was gone, the screams eventually died down and became pained moans and cries.
In the aftermath, he couldn't breathe, he couldn't think, he couldn't move. His boy . . . His son was gone. Killed right in front of him while he was trapped here. While he watched it happen.
Now, the only thing he could hear, the only thing that registered was the crying of his wife. Her pain, her suffering. There had to be something he could do for her.
When he turned his attention, she was blanketed in the same darkness, covered from head to toe in the stuff, she was being consumed as well! Dragged into the ground!
He tried a step forward but couldn't break free from his restraints. He was still being held back by tendrils upon tendrils of darkness and shadow.
He screamed for the darkness to let them go, that it'd already taken too much when it took his son.
He tried, but the darkness continued to choke him from the inside, stoppering any sound before it could be made and preventing him from doing anything to stave off what happened next.
As he was fighting and losing against the shadows, more and more of him being devoured every second, he was powerless to stop it when that darkness overtook his wife, covering her and entering her mouth as well. It choked her as well, reaching in and filling her with shadow. The last he saw of her were the bloody black tears oozing from her sockets as she was dragged into the ground.
He couldn't even call out to her as his vision began to go dark and his own body was filled. At that point, he didn't even care. Everything he loved was gone, taken away by the shadows and lost to nothingness. If he let the shadows take him as well, at least there was a chance that he'd be taken to wherever they were.
He couldn't even close his eyes. They were pinned open, steadily being filled with the dark.
He could feel it oozing from him now, dripping down from his sockets and down his cheeks.
He awoke with a start, a scream in his voice as he came to find consciousness once again.
He heard something fall and shatter onto the ground. When he came to his senses, he realized it was the mug of coffee that he'd made to get him through the night. After expelling the contents, the shattered pieces skid and spun and rocked to a stop on the floor.
It was one of his favorite mugs. Corbel made it for him when he was a child. It still had the indentations in the handle from his son's tiny fingers and streaks in the designs from when he tried to paint it.
Damn it . . .
But, of course, that wasn't the only thing that called for his attention. The sound that woke him. The sharp piercing sound of intermittent rings.
He turned his attention to the phone on the far side of the desk. Only select people had that number, none of whom he could ignore.
The King and Queen if ever they need a direct line and could not contact him from the lab's main line.
Corbel in case of emergency.
And her . . .
Shaking himself awake and doing his best to shove the images of his nightmares aside, he reached out to take the phone's receiver in his still-trembling hand.
"Hello." He spoke in a forced calm, still trying to steady his nerves, "You've reached Dr. W.D.-"
"It figures you'd still be there." Said an exasperated voice from the other end of the line. "When's the last time you've even seen the inside of your home?"
"N-Nyala . . . ?" He nearly gasped, "Dearest . . . Where have you been? You just disappeared one day and didn't come back . . . I thought that you had . . . That maybe you weren't . . ."
"Don't be stupid." She nearly groaned, "After everything we've been through up until now, you really thought I'd leave now because of a stupid fight?"
"Well, after everything that happened . . . After what Corbel said-"
"Let's not discuss this over the phone, Honey. It's late. Come home."
Gaster sighed, looking back at his work and at the spilled coffee that was beginning to stain the floorboards.
"Right away."
The days carried on as normal. Sans continued at the lab and Corbel continued avoiding it. Even though they'd recently had the conversation about him resuming his PT sessions, Corbel still was having trouble getting himself to do them.
If things didn't change soon, Sans thought he might have to resort to more drastic measures.
So he was pleasantly surprised one afternoon when he was gathering his things to leave for the day. He entered the atrium and noticed a figure sitting on the countertop near the leftmost side of the room.
"There you are!" He called, snapping Sans out of his thoughts.
"Corbel . . . ?"
"Hey there!" Corbel grinned, "I thought you were supposed to be off half an hour ago!"
"Remember? I told you that . . . We're extending hours this week . . . In order to catch up with . . . What are you doing here?"
Corbel shrugged, his grin spreading.
"I need an excuse now? Maybe I just wanted to see you before meeting up with Undyne and the Blooks."
Sans stopped for a moment. Corbel and his friends had been planning a get-together for Corbel's birthday ever since before the incident, but hadn't been able to solidify anything until now. Now, it was just an opportunity for the four high school friends to catch up.
Corbel talked about it so casually, but this was the first time he would see Undyne since that night she attacked Sans. Doubtless, Corbel would confront her about the encounter.
Still, the young Skeleton smiled, holding out his hand.
"C'mere." He invited.
After another second, Sans approached, setting his things on the countertop next to Corbel.
"You can come closer, you know." Corbel chided, taking Sans' arm to pull him closer and situating him to stand between his legs. He rested both forearms on his shoulders and leaned in so their foreheads touched.
"Actually, I did have another reason to come talk to you."
His actions were flirtatious and his tone was low, but Sans knew there was a hint of seriousness in his voice as he spoke.
"What's the matter?" He responded with a matching tone.
"Well, I'm sure you already know that I'm planning on talking to Undyne about . . . About what happened."
"Yeah."
"Well . . . I wanted to run something past you beforehand. Just . . . I want your honest opinion, 'kay?"
"Okaaay." Sans answered, feeling a wave crash over him, making him a little nervous about what was coming.
"Well . . . I was thinking . . . And this isn't just about Undyne or my parents . . . I've been thinking a lot that I . . . I'm getting a little tired of this sneaking around thing. You're my boyfriend . . ." Corbel hesitated for a moment, a smile pulling at his face and a pale orange coloring his features as he thought it over. It was as if he needed to say it out loud in order to convince himself. He repeated it with a more solid voice, making a firm statement.
"You're my boyfriend! And I think I'm ready for everyone to know. So . . . I want to tell them about us. I want to tell them everything. Well, everything that isn't strictly on a need-to-know basis. I just . . . I wanted . . . If I'm gonna come out to the entire Underground about this . . . I want you to be okay with it too, you know? I want you to be comfortable about it and I don't want you to have to-"
Corbel was cut off mid-sentence when Sans stole a kiss from him. It was the most effective way to get the Skeleton to stop thinking so much and it was also close to the only way Sans was going to get a word in.
He lifted his arms and reached out to loosely wrap his arms around Corbel's waist. He held on to his own wrists to secure the embrace and, as he pulled away, he released as long breath, his own smile spreading.
Once again, it worked like a charm.
"Corbel." He began softly, "I don't care who knows about us. You could tell everyone, or no one and it wouldn't make any difference to me. I told you: everyone important enough for me to tell already knows. Everyone else is just a plus."
Corbel hummed. He did remember that conversation, even if it did happen on a fuzzy night where he could barely tell fiction from reality. But today wasn't one of those days and Sans was saying it today. So, he was okay with it and Corbel had the okay to make their relationship public.
"Okay then!" He grinned, "It's settled. From here on out, as far as I'm concerned, you're mine now and I'm not giving you up."
Sans chuckled, tilting upward once again.
"Sounds good to me."
They kissed a second time, solidifying the agreement and indulging themselves in the bit of time they had together that day. The whole week had been a little hectic and they didn't even get the opportunity to talk, much less spend any time together.
"So, is this what Gaster's paying you to do now?" Called a voice from the entrance to one of the hallways.
The two abruptly ended the kiss and, in their surprise, pulled slightly away from one another as the voice caught up to them.
"Hey, Maltez!" The both of them acknowledged simultaneously, turning their heads to see him.
"Hey! Gaster!" The small monster greeted, "Long time, no see! How the heck are you!?"
Though a smile, Corbel shrugged. "I'm okay. Still working on stuff. But I'm alive so . . ."
"Well, you're out and about, so that must be good news! It's good to see you again . . . And good to see that you guys made up! You look like you're in much higher spirits, Serif."
"Yeah, well . . . What can I say? For good reason, I guess."
"I hear you on that! Well, Corbel, what brings you here? If you're looking for your dad. He's below. I think working on something down in the lower levels."
Corbel shrugged with one shoulder, seemingly nonchalant about the thing, but Sans could feel the grip over his shoulder tighten slightly.
"Eh, no." He answered, "I just came by to break this one out."
Maltez turned to look at the wall where the simple black clock hung. "I guess it is about that time. Well, do you want me to go get Doctor Gaster anyway and let him know you're here?"
"Actually," Corbel butt in, "Don't worry about it. We've got somewhere we need to be. So . . . Thanks, but no thanks!"
Sans snuck a look back toward Corbel a slight frown pulling on his features.
"Oh, I'm sure we can spare a minute or two just to say hello." He pressed.
"No, no. Don't you remember? He have to get going ASAP if we don't wanna be late."
"Ah!" Maltez jumped back in, "Is it date night?"
Corbel pretended to be surprised, his eyes going wide at being caught. That lingering blush in his cheeks from before was genuine, however. He nodded sheepishly.
Maltez nodded as well in response, "I see. Word to the wise, Serif." He added with a wink, "Probably best not to keep him waiting, especially if you want the rest of the night to go well. Heh, in that case, I'll leave you to it! Have a good weekend, Serif. Good to see you again, Gaster! I'll tell the others you said hello."
"Thanks, Maltez!" Corbel called after the smaller monster as he turned to take his leave.
When he turned his attention back, he found Sans' disapproving expression almost glaring at him.
"What!?" Corbel shrugged, his arms still draped over Sans' shoulders, "It worked."
"You know you're gonna have to face him eventually, right?"
"Yeah, I know." He sighed,slumping a bit, "But . . . not today. Today is already full enough. Can we . . . Can we go now?"
Sans sighed, pulling Corbel closer so his head could rest on his chest for a quick moment. "Well I still have to finish getting my things. You did kinda show up out of the blue, after all."
"Out of the blue what . . . ?" Corbel asked slowly.
"Out of the wild blue yon-der . . . ?" Sans sang with a smirk. His expression shifted when there wasn't a response from Corbel. "C'mon! It's common knowledge that the sky is blue, isn't it?"
"It is. Still, it's not a very popular term. Used occasionally, yes, but never in a positive context. Literally anything else would be better."
"Ugh, fine. How about, 'from the depths of Hell' because that's what it feels like when perfectly good jokes fall flat."
Corbel sighed now, leaning over to rest his skull atop Sans', "I'm sorry, Stargazer. I know it's annoying. I just . . . I want you to be safe, you know? If I didn't do it, then someone else would point it out and that would just be awkward all around."
"Yeah, I get it. And thanks for keepin' me straight and all. It's just that . . ."
"But, I don't want you to feel like I'm limiting you or anything!" Corbel jumped in again, "I'm being too nitpicky, aren't I? Do you want me to stop?"
Sans could feel it when Corbel's grip once again tightened in his lab coat, nervous for the answer.
"That's not it. Not completely."
"But it is part of it, isn't it? I'm sorry! I didn't mean to . . . and now I've ruined the mood too."
"Hey, hey! Calm down . . ." Sans began again, helping Corbel down from the counter so he wouldn't land wrong and mess up his legs. "Look, Daydreamer. How about we just get outta here for now. I think this place is depressing both of us."
"Yeah . . . Meet me outside when you're ready. I'll walk you home."
"I'll be out in just a few minutes." Sans tried, offering Corbel a smile and trying to turn the mood around again, "Wait for me?"
Corbel looked back to Sans, the pull on the corner of his mouth having no real mirth to it.
"Yeah." He repeated.
"Hey." Sans sighed, "Don't worry so much, okay. We're okay. Okay?"
Corbel nodded silently.
"I love you." Sans whispered, taking Corbel's hands to gently kiss his fingers.
Corbel's smile pulled a bit more.
"I love you too."
They parted completely and turned to do their own things. Sans to put his lab coat away and grab the rest of his things from his locker, and Corbel to head outside and wait.
Sans' smile faded the moment he turned away. Even in the way he said that just now, he knew something was wrong. This went beyond just saying something and having to be corrected. Beyond his looming meeting with Undyne. Something was seriously eating at Corbel. Something he wasn't telling him. Something that was only triggered when his father's name was mentioned.
Whatever it was, he'd rather get it out of him sooner than later. It seemed as if he still had some work to do after all.
Part 2- Show and Tell
The walk back to Sans' apartment was surprisingly quiet. Corbel seemed completely lost in thought with his hands shoved in his pockets.
Sans tried to turn the conversation several times to distract him, but each time, the conversation fell flat all over again.
Eventually, he had to stop. He stopped walking altogether and waited for Corbel to notice. When he did, he apologized for spacing out.
"What's the matter?" Sans pressed, "You've been out of it since the lab. Was it something I said?"
"No! No!" Corbel answered, ripping his hands from his pockets and lifting them defensively. "It's not you. There's just . . . A lot on my mind is all."
"So, lay it out! Talk to me. Maybe I can help."
Corbel halted, thinking it over. How could he bring something like this up with Sans . . . This would affect him almost directly! How could he possibly . . .
Then again, they did just made a promise not to keep secrets from each other.
And maybe having Sans' opinion on the issue would help him sort it out in his own mind as well.
"Alright." He breathed.
"There we go!" Sans smiled, relief evident in his expression. He must've really been worried. "Lay it on me."
Corbel turned his eyes away for a second as he steadied himself.
"There's something I've been thinking about for a while. And . . . Talking to Maltez today, I think I've finally come to a decision."
"Hm? What decision is that?"
Corbel took his time answering, wringing his hands together nervously and continuing to avoid eye contact. His breath shortened as he fought to steady those nerves.
"Sans . . ." He answered extremely slowly, "I'm . . . not going back to the lab. I'm quitting."
Sans had to admit, he didn't see that coming. It was as if the wind had been ripped from his lungs. It was a few long moments before he could breathe or blink again. And even when he could, he didn't know how to respond to the bombshell Corbel just dropped.
On one hand, he wanted to be supportive of Corbel's decisions. He wanted him to know that no matter what, he would be able to openly discuss these things with him. That he understood and would continue to help him with whatever endeavor he took on.
On the other hand . . . he really didn't understand at all!
What could he possibly say that Corbel would want to hear at a time like this . . . ? Anything that wouldn't be a complete lie like "Good" or "congratulations" or come out as accusatory like "why?" or "what are you thinking?"?
As the moments passed, the apprehension rose in Corbel's stance and in his eyes. Though he still had yet to make eye contact, Sans could sense those nerves stirring and becoming more and more tumultuous.
He had to say something.
"I . . . I mean, you're . . . I guess . . ."
Sans nodded, letting the news sink in. Corbel peeked then to try to get a read on Sans and his jumbled lack of response. That reaction was the exact reason Corbel didn't want to say anything.
"O-okay." Sans finally answered, seemingly more in control of what he wanted to say, "You're not coming back to the lab. That's what you decided. Can I . . . May I ask what made you come to that conclusion?"
"Just ask 'why'. Ask your questions. No need to tiptoe around for my sake."
"Okay. Why!? I thought that after you were cleared from PT, you'd be back and we'd work together again! I've been looking forward to that for months now. And now . . . Is it because of what happened? Because of the doc?"
Corbel sighed. "Yes. For more reasons than just the obvious. Yes, I'm still pissed at him for that night . . . but really that was only the final straw. I've been considering leaving for a long time now . . . You're the only reason I stayed. Because I really enjoyed working with you. You made the rest of it bearable."
"'The rest of it'?"
"I have no business being a scientist." Corbel admitted, "That's my dad's calling, not mine. And yeah, working there got me through school, which was a plus, but even then, it was just because it's what he wanted me to do. Did I ever tell you why I took the job at the lab in the first place?"
Sans remained silent, but shook his head in answer.
"I started off resenting my dad then too. He was neglecting his home and his family. He was coming home late or not at all. Worrying my mom and standing her up on date nights. I never saw him and neither did she. And it was causing a lot of strain at home. It pissed me off to no end. When it reached a boiling point, we decided in a family meeting that I'd work as an apprentice in the lab in order to keep tabs on him. I put him on a schedule and set guidelines he had to follow in order to make sure he got home at a decent time.
"It was never because I liked science. I mean, I did when I was little and maybe I was trying to dig into that side of me again to help me enjoy the work at the lab, but it was never really what I wanted to do with my life . . . because I knew that no matter what I did, I would only ever be 'the son of renowned Royal Scientist Dr. W.D. Gaster'. I was expected to take over for him when he was done . . . I am expected to take over for him. And not only take over, but carry on and improve on his work. I'm meant to surpass him. It's an immense amount of pressure for something that I never wanted to be. I don't want to be anything like that asshole! Especially after seeing what he's turned into. What he keeps turning into!"
Sans drew in a sharp breath and lowered his eyes to the ground, listening. He was going to ask "then why didn't you get out sooner?" But he already knew the answer to that. Corbel already told him the answers.
"I know what's expected of me . . . and I reject it. The title of Royal Scientist should go to someone whose passions and priorities align with the job and that's just not me. I refuse to be so married to my job that I lose sight of the ones I love, that I endanger my relationships for the sake of work."
"But isn't that what's happening anyway?" Sans asked in a low voice, "The relationship with your dad is in jeopardy."
"What 'relationship'!? The one where he refuses to accept me or my decisions? Where he'd rather talk down to me and to you because he doesn't approve of our relationship than try to understand!? The one where his way is absolute and any attempt to stray outside of his little perfect box is rejected!?"
"Corbel . . . have you ever told your dad that you don't want to be a scientist?"
Something in the tension building up around Corbel cracked, ". . . what?"
"You say that there's this unspoken expectation, but have you ever talked to your dad about what you wanted to be when you grew up?
"That night, before your dad came home, we were looking at the old photo albums and your mom told the story of that time you wore your dad's lab coat to school for show and tell. How you wanted to be just like him when you grew up. If what you told me is true as well, then your dad was busy at work for a lot of the time since then. It showed a lot in the pictures as well; he was in fewer and fewer of them. He's been so involved with work that the communication between you has broken down and is in need of repair. But have either one of you taken the chance to try to reestablish that connection?"
Corbel stopped.
"Have you talked to your dad about what you wanted to do with your life since you were a child? When you took the job at the lab, did you tell him that you didn't want to be a scientist? When you were having doubts about staying, did you tell him about it? Does he have the slightest idea how you feel about any of this? I think that in his eyes, you're still that little boy looking up to him and wanting to grow to be like him because that's what he remembers. He's been working hard to give you something to look up to, because he doesn't know any differently. You talk about high expectations and the stress to live up to them, but did you consider that you might be putting those same expectations right back on him on top of the expectations that come from just being the Royal Scientist? He's got the entire Underground looking up to him and at the top of that list of monsters that he's trying to impress is you."
"You're . . . standing up for him?"
"Someone has to! You're not giving him a chance! And you refuse to talk to him!" He didn't want to say that he was being just as stubborn as his old man about this, because again, he already knew that wouldn't play out well. "Look, it's not like I agree with him or anything. And yeah, I'm upset too about what happened . . . And I'm not saying don't leave the lab, because it seems like that's really what you want to do. I mean, I'll definitely miss you being there, but that's beside the point. What I'm saying is, before things fall apart completely, just talk to your dad. A heart-to-heart if you will. Tell him how you feel about being a Royal Scientist."
"Apprentice."
"Apprentice Royal Scientist and how that's not what you want. I know I sound preachy, but I really think it'll do you both some good. If, after that, you still want to cut ties with him . . . I won't mention it again. I won't force it on you and I won't try to advocate on his behalf. I'll respect your decision and I'll support you, but please . . . just talk to him first. Let him know what's going on."
There was a moment of silence between the two. Corbel kept his eyes lowered, his hands fisted in his pockets as he listened to Sans. A lot of it was difficult to hear and there was a part of Corbel who instantly wanted to jump to the defensive. The arguments "How could you choose his side?" and "Well, it's not like he made such a valiant effort to talk to me!" waited just below the surface, but he did his best to hold them back. He knew Sans was only bringing another side to the argument. He really was just trying to help Corbel see the whole picture, adding other opinions and outside influence on the situation.
Sans reached out to take Corbel's hand, tearing him out of his thoughts and leading him along to continue the walk home.
"I understand why you didn't want to talk to him today. Especially if all of this was swimming around in your head. And considering you still have your friends to meet up with, that's a lot to deal with in one day . . . and I'm sorry I kinda brought it all out anyway, but I'm glad you could talk to me about it. I hope I was able to help at least a little bit."
Corbel remained quiet, tightening his grip around Sans' hand a little as he kept step beside him.
"You really did." He answered in a soft voice, "Actually, I need to apologize to you. I'm sorry I put all of that on you. That was years of pent up frustration you didn't ask for."
"But I did ask for it. You were frustrated and brooding and I wanted to help. I wanted you to get whatever was bothering you off of your chest. And that's exactly what you did. So, thanks."
Corbel's grip tightened even more. "Thank you, Sans."
Part 3- High School Reunion
Corbel left Sans at the front door to his studio with another word of thanks and a promise to call later to let him know how it went. He wanted to bring Sans with him, but considering just who it was he was meeting, it was best if Sans stayed out of eyesight.
"Good luck out there. And can you tell the Blooks I said hey?"
"Will do . . . I'll give you a call when everything's over . . . Depending on how things go, would it be okay if I . . . Crash here afterward?"
"Of course. And not just if things go south. If they go well, I want you to come tell me about it anyway, 'kay?"
Corbel smiled softly, "'Kay."
With a quick kiss and final words of luck, the two parted and instantly, Corbel's nerves began to flare again, a mix of emotions swirling inside of him. It seemed like it'd been forever since he last saw his friends. The last he saw of them was from the hospital bed back in the lab when he was in the first stages of recovery. He was excited to see what they were up to.
And then, there was the elephant in the room. Undyne . . .
Corbel wondered how the evening would play out with her. He was anticipating a confrontation or an argument, but he really didn't want to go into this with that mind frame.
As he walked closer and closer to Waterfall, he tried to swallow those nerves and press onward. This was a reunion with his best friends! Not a meeting with a board of directors!
He let out a long breath as he approached the designated meeting spot, the quiet place between Undyne's house and the Blook residence and snail farm. It was their meeting spot since they were little. Where they would gather to play or begin their walk (or float) to school. The shallow pit between the houses held some of their best stories always provided comfort whenever Corbel saw it. It was welcoming and familiar and, in a way, it gave him a sense of home.
Those nerves dissipated at the sight and Corbel couldn't help but smile.
He sat at the edge of that pit and hung his feet into it. It was still surprisingly deep for a "shallow" pit. Even full grown, he couldn't reach the bottom, though it was not too far below his feet.
"oooooh. oooh noooo.. i kept you waiting, didn't i?"
"No you didn't, Blook." Corbel smiled, turning his head over his shoulder to see his friend, "I just got here a few minutes ago. C'mon, let's wait for the others."
Napstablook floated over to take a space next to Corbel. They stayed quiet as they followed Corbel's gaze. It was a comforting silence that Napstablook was an expert on. Without saying a word, they added effortlessly to that nostalgic feeling of home, exuding it just by being there.
A few tranquil minutes passed and neither of them spoke until Corbel released a soft laugh.
"It really is a nice pit, isn't it?" He mused, looking back up at Napstablook.
"it's the same pit as always." They responded, "it's constant and unchanging. sometimes i come here when i hit a wall with music and just lie at the bottom of the pit. it's a good napping spot."
"I bet it is. I might just have to follow your lead next time I'm feeling stressed. Just lie in a pit for a while and not think about anything."
"the living room floor works too. it's blook family tradition. but it might be incredibly boring too for someone whose life is as exciting as yours, i don't know if you will like it."
"Actually, it sounds great. Thanks for the tip. I'll have to give it a try."
Another ten minutes passed and again, the two friends sat in silence.
Without a word, Corbel slipped into the pit to walk along the bottom. Napstablook followed, floating just a few feet away.
"It seems so much smaller now." Corbel hummed, "Remember when we would have enough room to set up two bases and play capture the flag? Undyne and Metta won every time . . . Now, I don't think we'd be able to set up one big enough for all of us."
"well, if you need more space, i don't have to be in the base. that way everyone else can fit."
Corbel chuckled at that. "We're not gonna build a base. And if we did, there's no way we're leaving anyone out."
Before Corbel knew, he'd made several circles in the pit.
"Man, where are they . . . ?"
Napstablook made a low humming groan, one that Corbel immediately recognized.
"Where is he?" He pressed.
After another moment or two, Napstablook looked downward toward the bottom of the pit.
"oooh, well, we actually came here at the same time but . . . h-he's waiting to make his big entrance . . . but that can't happen until everyone else is here. i'm sorry . . ."
Corbel huffed, his eyes narrowing. With a long breath, he raised his head, speaking above the pit.
"Mettablook!" He called aloud, "I know you're here! Just come out already!"
A few more quiet moments.
"Metta!"
"Ah! It seems I am being summoned! What poor soul is in need of rescuing!?"
"Metta, just get out here!"
"By your powers combined, I am the Mysterious, the Magnificent Metta-Man!"
From somewhere beyond their line of sight, a spectral, translucent figure floated into view over the lip of the pit.
"How long were you gonna just sit there making us wait, Metta!?" Corbel called up.
"Oh, well, what's a star without a little anticipation, Corbel-dear? Make the audience long for your presence and right when they're about to go crazy with that longing, give them a taste of your majesty!"
Corbel scoffed at the excuse and shook his head. Soon, the motion turned into a chuckle that grew into full laughter.
"Well! Glad you find my painstaking efforts at art a personal source of amusement." Metta huffed, seeming offended. But even as he said it, he said it with a smile.
"That's not it!" Corbel laughed, wiping at his eyes when tears started to form, "It's good to see you again, Metta."
"Likewise, Corbel-dear. I'd give you a firm hug to celebrate our glorious reunion, but the unfortunate lack of arms, hands, and corporeal form makes that an impossibility."
"Well, that never was an issue before. Don't worry. Your words and the dulcet tones of your voice more than make up for it."
"I knew there was a reason I liked you. You always did know how to treat a blook."
"Speaking of," Corbel said, his smile changing slightly as he switched topics, "You guys remember Sans, right? He was my lab partner and I brought him around a few times?"
"Of course, we remember. In fact, we were just talking about him last night, weren't we, Blooky?"
"you haven't brought him around in a long time . . . are you still friends with him?"
"We happened to pass by him when we last went to visit you, but he seemed absolutely frazzled, so we opted not to bother him. But I have to admit, I do miss having his wit and humor around. How has he been, Corbel-dear?"
Corbel waited to make sure Metta was finished before responding.
"Well, when I last saw him, he seemed to be doing well. He told me to tell you guys he said hello. Actually . . . There's something I wanted to talk to everyone about, but not everyone is here yet. Have you guys . . . Have you seen Undyne?"
"she's been working hard with the royal guard. she patrols waterfall, making sure the walkways stay clear."
"We should warn you though." Metta continued, his voice lowered as if trying to keep a secret. "It seems there was a . . . A bit of an accident during training. Her eye was damaged while she was sparing. She's been wearing an eyepatch ever since. I just thought you should know now so it isn't much of a shock when she arrives."
"I see . . ." Corbel sighed, "Well, I hope that she will be okay enough to . . . She does remember that we agreed to meet today, right?"
"I certainly hope so. Though, it is starting to get late. I wonder whatever could be keeping her!"
"Calm down. Keep your panties on. I'm right here."
Immediately, Corbel's breath stilled when he heard the voice. Undyne approached with heavy steps toward the pit. Corbel stiffened, his hands tightening into fists.
Undyne stepped closer . . .
. . . And continued walking, continuing past them and toward her house.
"Later guys. I'm gonna go shower and change. I'll be back after that."
Undyne disappeared after that, leaving them with a very generic parting.
Corbel let out the breath he'd been holding onto, releasing it in a slow stream of air.
Maybe, if he was this nervous about seeing her again, he should-
"umm . . . corbel? a-are you feeling okay?"
At the concerned tone in Napstablook's timid voice, Corbel seemed to snap back to his senses.
"Huh? Y-yeah. Why do you ask?"
"You were just about rattling with trepidation, Corbel-dear." Metta pointed out, "What's the matter?"
"Oh! Nothing. I'm fine. Thanks."
He went silent again after that, shoving his hands in his pockets and going back to pacing the bottom of the pit. Of course the Blook cousins took notice, and even though they didn't say anything about it, they each had a theory about what was going on.
Things went quiet for a while longer and all three took to lying flat on the ground as they waited.
Eventually, there was a shuffling from above them. The shuffling became heavier and more deliberate steps like before.
Corbel, with his eyes closed, drew in and released a deep breath, centering himself.
"Come join us, Red!" He called, "The water's great!"
A few moments later, blue scales, bright, slightly damp red hair and an absolutely huge grin peered over the edge of their pit.
"It's it now?" She chuckled, her own webbed hands inside the pockets of her jeans, "Well, that's rich! Since when does the indomitable and forever busy Mr. Corbel Gaster have the time to waste with the likes of us?"
"Oh, Undyne-darling. Don't be so crass. All of our lives have been exceedingly demanding as of late. And poor Corbel has had it especially rough."
"Eh, it's alright, Metta." Corbel smiled, the expression easier to pull off with his eyes closed. "I don't need any excuses. I'm sorry it took so long to get together like this. I've missed you guys."
"Oh, well, we've missed you too. It really has been too long. And, may I say, it's definitely a relief to see you walking around after the fiasco at the Ruins."
At that, Corbel opened one eye and focused it toward Metta. "It's been that long!?"
"Sure has." Undyne grumbled, "Not that you've noticed."
"but that's not fair, undyne." Napstablook moaned.
"No, what's not fair is how much we've been snubbed. I swear, it's almost like he doesn't care."
"What makes you think I don't care?" Corbel frowned, focusing both eyes upward to finally look at Undyne. He could see several cuts scrapes and bruises, some old and healing, others fresh and newly bandaged.
But the most noticeable difference was definitely the thick gauze that completely covered her left eye. She had her hair swept over that side of her face to hide the bandage, but at that angle, it was impossible to miss.
Damn, that looked bad.
Undyne noticed the slight twinge in Corbel's expression when he saw her.
Seconds later, he gave a small grin, pointing to his right eye and the cracked bone scarring his face.
"Hey look! We match!"
Undyne's grin spread and she even released an amused scoffing laugh.
"Heh. I guess we do. Man, what a crazy pair we make."
"Yeah we do!" Corbel smiled right back. "That looks pretty bad, Red. You okay?"
Undyne shrugged teetering her hand, "I've been better. Sparring accident, you know? Only happens to the best of us. You should see some of the dogs, missing ears and all. Anyway, it's been kinda rough trying to get used to seeing out of only one eye. It's led to quite a few new scrapes."
Corbel nodded, keeping his thoughts inside. Undyne was lying. Not many others would be able to tell. She said it with such conviction. But Corbel knew. Even if Sans hadn't told him what really happened, he would have been able to tell by how much she was talking about it. How many extra details and examples she gave. The longer she spoke, the bigger the lie.
So, she wasn't going to blame Sans outright, even though they both knew what happened. Corbel had to admit to himself that just that on its own was odd. It was the perfect opportunity for her to turn this to her favor, to convince him that Sans was bad news and to urge him to stay away from him. Instead, she was going out of her way to shift blame away from Sans . . . ?
What the heck was going on in her head?
"Scoot over, punks and make room." She demanded as she sat over the edge of the pit and pushed herself into it, sliding down the side and coming to a stop at the end of the line of friends. From there, she took a spot to lie down and join them.
It really was a much needed visit and it was so easy to fall back into their old rhythm. It was like they were taken right back to their high school days and they were only hanging out after school.
They talked about everything and nothing at all. They shared stories of their journeys, new friends and projects. They pitched and bounced ideas off of each other and talked through the different possibilities of each idea.
When Corbel mentioned that he was considering leaving the lab, there was a collective nod from the others.
"Somehow, I always figured that would be the case." Metta commented.
"I'm surprised it took this long actually." Undyne commented, "Even before the accident that place was starting to get to you."
"Was it that obvious?"
"it was like the life was starting to drain away. if you didn't have a good reason, i'm sure you would have quit sooner."
"A good reason, huh?"
"Blooky means your lab partner. You must have really cared about him to have held on as long as you did."
"Well, it was more than that." Corbel explained. "I couldn't just leave Dad hanging after he pretty much handed me a job on a silver platter. Plus, it helped me through college." Another thought entered his mind at the mention of college. "Oh yeah! That reminds me! I'm gonna be graduating at the end of the semester! If you guys can, I'd like for you to be there."
There were sounds of surprise and congratulatory remarks from his friends as they processed the news.
"That seems really soon, doesn't it?" Undyne speculated, "This is your master's right?"
"Yeah. It wasn't easy, but I got confirmation back from my application and I've finished my thesis. After next month, I'm done."
"Well, congratulations again, Corbel-dear. I'll do my best to shift my schedule around to make sure I'll be there."
"i'll be there too . . . since it's you, i know it isn't a burden."
"I invited you. Of course it isn't a burden!"
"What about you, Undyne-darling?"
Undyne was quiet for a moment, a contemplative expression on her face as she seemed to consider a few things.
"What!? You think I wouldn't be there to cheer on my favorite sidekick!?"
"With a hesitation like that, from you, I wasn't really sure." Corbel answered.
"Of course I'll be there! I was just thinking about trying to get the time off. There's a whole process to it and you've gotta put it in so far in advance so they have time to staff around you. Plus there's all the paperwork and getting that approved too."
"oohh… that sounds like a lot of work . . ."
Corbel hummed. It sounded like another lie to him.
"Well, if that's the case, you should put that in as soon as possible. The semester ends December 12th. You've got a little over a month."
"10-4." Undyne answered.
The day wore into evening and the friends agreed that it was probably time to go their separate ways. They'd done everything they could for the day and needed to prepare for the next day.
As they began to split off, they made promises that meetings like these shouldn't be postponed for months and they needed to get back to doing a once-a-month deal starting with Corbel's graduation. Corbel and Undyne waved to the Blooks as they floated away.
That left the two of them.
And an awkward silence.
Corbel breathed, gathering his nerves.
"So . . ." He began, the tone in his voice shifting, "You wanna tell me what's really going on with you, Undyne?"
Undyne's brow raised as she also shifted, shoving her hands in her pockets once again.
"Why should I explain myself? It seems you already know. Didn't your boyfriend tell you?"
Corbel hesitated for a moment. She already knew they were together . . . ? Or was that a jab as how much time he spent with Sans versus the time he spent with her?
Either way, there was no need to refute the accusation.
"He did. He told me you forced him into fighting. And you took your own eye out in the process! A 'sparring match' my ass."
Undyne shrugged, "I was testing him-"
"You nearly KILLED him!"
"He nearly killed YOU!"
"Oh God, we're back to this . . ." Corbel growled, "Undyne, I'm an adult! I can take care of myself! I. Don't. Need. You. To. Fight. For. Me. We've been over this before! I don't need you butting into my life because you don't like my partners! You don't get to make decisions like that for me, got it!? What I do with my life and who I choose to date is NONE of your business!"
"It becomes my business when there's a threat to your life!"
"Okay, first of all: No it doesn't! And second of all: THERE'S NO THREAT! There was absolutely no reason to attack Sans! Especially not if he told you he didn't want to fight! Especially if he didn't do anything to you first! Is THAT what they've been telling you in the Guard!? Attack first, COMPLETELY UNPROVOKED, I MIGHT ADD, and then ask questions when they're on their last HP!?"
"So, this is the reason you agreed to meet up today? So we could do this now?"
"You're damn right! No avoiding the question, Undyne. Why did you do it!? This isn't like you at all! You keep saying that you're trying to protect me or some shit, but this is going WAY too far!"
"Did he send you to fight his battles for him then?"
"That's not what this is! This is about you answering for your actions! You attacked my boyfriend! Why? And don't say that it's somehow for my sake!"
"It's been a long day and we're both tired. Let's do this another time, Puffball. What'd'ya say?"
"Don't call me that!" Corbel hissed.
Undyne halted, her one eye widening for a moment at the demand.
"What?"
"Never call me Puffball again! You've lost that right." Corbel sighed once again, trying to calm himself.
"You know what? I don't care. I don't care why you did it anymore. I don't need you dodging the questions or making up excuses and lies. I thought maybe we would be able to talk this out, but I see I was mistaken. Now, graduation is next month and Sans will be there. If that's a problem for you, then I suggest you don't come. Until you can get over yourself, leave us the fuck alone, got it!?"
"You're really willing to throw everything we had away for him, Puff!?" Undyne snarled.
Corbel ignored her as he turned.
"And now you're gonna ignore me!? I'm your best friend!"
"Then start acting like it! I love Sans, okay!? That's not changing. As my 'best friend,' don't be a fucking bitch about it and let me live my life!"
"Even if it means he ends up betraying you and ruining everything you and your family have worked for!?"
Corbel frowned at that. "What are you even talking about!?"
"There's something about him, Corbel." Undyne confessed, "I don't know what it is, but ever since the beginning, he's given me a bad feeling. Like he's hiding something. Something huge! And I'm not the only one who sees it! But it looks like you're too close to the situation to see what's really going on. When we fought, something happened and . . . I don't know what it means, but I'm pretty sure Sans isn't who he says he is! I don't trust him, Puff, and I can't sit on the sidelines and watch when he hurts you again!"
"He isn't going to hurt me, Undyne! Even if you don't trust him, I do! I know him in ways I never knew I could know anyone! And he knows me in ways no one ever has. He . . . He loves me!"
"I admit, he plays the part well. At first he didn't fight at all, but once I told him to fight like he was protecting you, he changed his tune. And that . . . he's got what it takes to fight if he really has to. I can respect that. But that doesn't excuse everything else!"
"What 'everything else'!? What has Sans actually done to merit you hating him so much!? The cave-in was an accident! The rejection was SO long ago and . . . Well, neither of us was ready back then. He hasn't done anything to hurt me and you have no proof that he will! And even if you did, you don't get a say in who I choose to love! My relationships are my business!"
Undyne frowned at that.
"I never wanted it to come to this." Corbel pressed, "You are my closest friend. My best friend. And I love you like you were my sister. I don't want to lose you! But if this keeps up, I can't be around you anymore . . . So . . . Lay off, Undyne . . . Lay off or else, that's it. Lay off or else I'm through with you. "
For once, Undyne remained absolutely silent. She didn't refute and she didn't fight back. She let Corbel speak and when he was done, she let him go.
Corbel watched her for a moment and when she didn't respond, he nodded and took a few steps backward.
"I'll see you later."
Using a bit of his magic, Corbel summoned a large bone underneath where he was standing. Once atop the bone, he raised its level until he was level with the edge of the pit. He stepped off and walked away toward Hotland.
"Bye, Blooks!" He called back. It didn't take a genius to figure out that they had been listening in. They'd even turned invisible to keep attention away from themselves. In the last moments before he left, they re-materialized, watching after him and fearing for the stability of their group of friends.
The walk back to Hotland was slow, a million and two thoughts swimming through Corbel's head as he shuffled along.
That whole thing with Undyne . . . It could've gone a lot worse. Still, it wasn't like her to actually back down like that.
Maybe that was a good thing. Maybe she was taking this seriously. If she valued their friendship, she would take it seriously.
He released another long sigh, using the time to clear his head. After a few moments, he dug in his pocket and pulled out his phone, using the shortcuts to dial.
"Hey, Daydreamer!" A sleepy voice answered.
"Hey . . ." Corbel answered, "I woke you up again, didn't I?"
"Don't worry about it. It's you, so I don't mind." Sans groaned, probably shifting to sit up, "So, what's up? How'd it go?"
"You know, I'm not really sure . . . I talked to Undyne, but it ended in a really weird note."
On the other end of the line, Sans hummed in thought.
"Why don't you come over? We'll talk more when you get here, okay? I'll make you some tea."
Corbel felt a small smile pulling.
"Thanks . . . I'm on my way."