A/N: I figured I should probably go ahead and post the first official chapter so y'all can get a feel of how this story will go. In case it wasn't obvious, because it probably wasn't, Tori in this story is human (just named after a monster). It will become important to know in future chapters. For now, however, enjoy chapter 1!
CHAPTER ONE
It was another boring day at the department store where Frisk worked. She was technically an apparel associate, but her managers seemed to have her on loan to whichever department needed more help each day. This day, she was in fabrics and crafts. There was so little to do that just passing the time seemed like an endeavor. She'd helped a few customers—humans and monsters alike.
She liked helping the monsters in this section better. Monsters in general were nicer than humans anyway, but the ones that came to the fabrics and crafts section were the motherly types that liked to talk to her about the things they were making. It made Frisk happy to hear about their great-great-grandchildren and the sweaters they were going to get for holidays or birthdays.
Unlike humans. Humans could have the sweetest voice in the world and still say things that cut right down to her soul.
She worked the overnight shift, and when nights were slow like this night all she could think about was her warm, comfortable bed just waiting for her. She wanted to go home. She was contemplating making up a headache or stomach ache when a monster she'd never met came rushing up to her.
He held out a swatch of red fabric, soft like worn cotton, and made a gesture like he was asking if she had any of it. She was a little surprised to see bony phalanges.
The skeleton was unlike any monster Frisk had seen before. She hadn't exactly studied their kind, but she had paid attention when she went out. There seemed to be as diverse a population of monsters as there were races of humans. It was intriguing. Still, all the monsters she'd seen up to that point were furry, slimy, or made of pure fire. She'd never seen one that looked so…human. Or, rather, human-esque.
It was obvious from just his face that his bones didn't match up with the human anatomy she'd studied in high school. The first, most glaringly obvious, difference was that this monster's skull had eyelids of some sort. Little lights in their eye sockets danced around and seemed to Frisk to be pupils of some kind. His lower jaw also seemed attached to his upper, creating a round face rather than the usual skull-shape she was used to seeing on a human skeleton.
She found a fabric that appeared to match and held it out to him. He looked relieved and nodded.
Another thing she found interesting was his size. Most other monsters were either a lot larger or a lot smaller than humans. This one seemed to be the size of a typical full-grown human man. He was only a few inches taller than her five-foot-six. He dressed in black basketball shorts and a baby blue hooded jacket that was zipped up to his chin. The hood was over his head, no doubt trying to hide his skull from the general population, and his hands stayed in his pockets for much of the encounter. The furry trim around the edge of the hood provided more coverage for him to hide. She had almost laughed at the pink, fluffy slippers he had on his feet, along with tall crew socks.
"What are you making?" she asked as she cut the fabric for him. She hadn't expected him to answer verbally. She had learned Monster Sign Language years ago so she could talk to the mute monsters around her.
Sans lifted a brow bone. "A scarf," he said softly. His baritone voice shocked her for a moment; it wasn't at all what she would have expected out of such a small monster.
She recovered quickly and smiled. "For anyone in particular?"
Sans shifted his weight from foot to foot as she rolled up the fabric and put the bulk of it aside. He wasn't sure what this human was getting at. He just wanted to buy the damn fabric and leave.
He'd encountered prying humans before. They all wanted to know the same things—how was he able to walk without muscles? How did he eat? Why did he even have a voice if he had no larynx? Why did he wear clothes if he was just bones; it wasn't like there was anything to hide.
At least this one hadn't asked those questions yet.
There was something in her oval face that made him want to answer. Her hooded brown eyes, not much more than almond-shaped slits in her face, seemed genuine.
He took a second to look her over. She was just a little shorter than him with chestnut brown hair that matched the color of her eyes. It was cut short, ending just above her shoulders. She wore it down today with a purple headband holding it back from her face. She wore the department store's customary uniform—a purple and blue striped shirt with black pants. Her olive skin tone and the shape of her eyes made him wonder what race of humans she was descended from. She didn't really look like the majority of humans he'd met.
"Yeah, uh…" he rubbed the back of his head, uncertain if he could trust her.
She smiled softer that time. "It's okay. You don't have to tell me; I'm just nosy."
His dark eye sockets met hers, and she could see the lights in them become a tiny bit brighter.
"It's for my brother. He's had this one red scarf since forever, but it's falling apart. He accidentally tore it in two yesterday. I want to make him a new one." He shrugged like it was no big deal.
"That's sweet," she said softly as she tagged his fabric and handed it to him. "I bet he's going to love it."
Sans looked at her for another few seconds before he took it. No off-the-wall, way-too-personal questions. No jabs about his lack of skin. He decided he liked her a little more than most humans he'd met so far. His mouth expanded in a one-sided smile.
"Thanks, Frisk."
Her eyes widened for a second. "How did you know—" she stopped herself and looked down to see her nametag sitting on the left side of her shirt like always. "Oh, duh." She laughed sheepishly.
"Nah, I'm just psychic," he joked. "I'm Sans, by the way." He held out a bony hand.
Frisk smiled wider and shook it without hesitating. "Nice to meet you, Sans."
He left after that, and she was pretty sure she wouldn't see him again.
But she did. She helped him a few more times in various departments throughout the store. Once it was pasta, and she nearly choked at the sight of how many boxes of noodles he was purchasing. Once it was a very specific anime movie that a friend of his had to have. The computer said they had it, but they had to look at the shelves for twenty minutes before they finally found it, all the while talking about movies they enjoyed.
Each time he came in he seemed a little more relaxed. He started to joke with her, telling her the worst puns she could imagine. Even when she was sure he'd hit the absolute rock bottom, he'd dig up something even worse.
"Ever hear about the guy who got hit in the head with a can of soda?" he asked one day while picking out some drinks for him and his brother. "He was lucky it was a soft drink."
"I've been reading a book about anti-gravity," he mentioned one time while looking for a book for one of his friends. "I can't seem to put it down."
"Bicycles can't stand on their own because they're two-tired," he said unexpectedly one time.
"I used to be addicted to soap," he said while picking out laundry soap, "but I'm clean now."
That one really got her. He smiled proudly as she laughed hard enough to make a patron at the end of the aisle look up.
Frisk had begun to look forward to his visits. Although she knew he was just a customer, she couldn't help but feel like maybe she was making a new friend. She still hated the way some of her coworkers and other customers talked to and about him.
One night, she heard a commotion going on near the front of the store. This happened all too often. Although she wasn't the only one in the store who supported the monsters and their right to enjoy a safe trip to the store, sometimes it seemed like she was the only one who would stick up for them. She had stopped humans from bullying monsters in her store too many times to count. No sense in stopping now.
She made her way to the front of the store and saw Sans standing in the middle of a group of four humans. Two of her coworkers cashiering looked on, not doing a single thing to stop it. Although she had stuck up for plenty of monsters in her time, she still started to panic at the thought of her friend in trouble.
She ran up to the group and all but pushed one girl aside.
"Hey!" she yelled and turned around to face the humans, putting herself in front of Sans. "Leave him alone!"
"Oh, look, it's the monster lover!" One person laughed.
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, my gods, Jeff, you're so damn original it kills me. Come on, guys, this isn't funny. Just leave him alone." She put her hands on her hips.
"That thing isn't worth it anyway," Jeff said with a huff, "let's just get out of here." He motioned for the others to follow. They went obediently, the girl that was shoved scowling at Frisk for a second before turning and walking away.
Frisk sighed and turned around. She had expected to see Sans afraid, as most monsters were when confronted like that. Instead, he looked angry.
"Are you okay?" she asked gently.
Sans looked at her, and it seemed his anger melted away. His brow bones softened and straightened out as he nodded. "'M fine." He said with a strange tone. "Thanks, Kid."
He could admit that he liked the small human girl better than he liked most humans, but he wasn't sure if he was ready to admit that she was a friend. Only friends would stand up for someone like him, and that felt like it was going too far. He decided he didn't really need what he'd come for and left.
She really hoped she hadn't embarrassed him. Either way, she couldn't say she regretted her actions.
Even if it did embarrass him, it didn't stop him from coming back.
It got to the point that Frisk wondered if he came to the store just to see her. It hadn't escaped her attention that he sometimes left without even buying anything. She really liked the idea, but at the same time thought it was probably a silly thought. She decided she'd just have to ask him.
"So," she started one night as they wandered the food isles. She was straightening the shelves of various pasta sauces and he was helping her. "You know you're basically volunteering to work for free right now, don't you?" she pointed out.
Sans laughed softly. "I'm looking for something," he said. Sans had decided after a few days that avoiding the only department store in a several-mile radius because of one human was a little ridiculous, even for him. Besides, it wasn't like she was one of the ones who had harassed him. Had that been the case, then maybe avoidance was best. In the given situation, however, Sans had to agree with his brother: new friends—especially human ones—were rare for monsters in this area of Ebott. He might as well give it a try.
She raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" she asked curiously.
He shrugged slightly. "Not sure yet, but the pasta-bilities are endless." He gave her a grin as he tilted a bottle of spaghetti sauce in front of her.
She snorted. "Really, Sans. Tell me what you're looking for, so I can help you find it."
He turned to her with an almost hurt expression in his eye sockets. "What, you don't like my company?" She was sure he meant it more than his joking tone let on.
This was where she was going to let her ulterior motive slip, Sans thought. Damn; he had really grown fond of her.
She smiled reassuringly. "I really enjoy your company, actually. This job is really boring, though. You should be hanging out with your brother."
That wasn't exactly what he'd expected to hear. He decided not to let it show. He shrugged. "Nah, my bro's out doin' his own thing." He snorted an honest laugh at his own comment. His brother was out with his boyfriend at the moment.
She raised an eyebrow. "Why is that funny?" she asked.
She could have sworn his cheekbones turned a slight shade of blue.
"Nothin'," he said a little too quickly. "It's just, uh…no, it's nothin'." He shook his head.
"Okay," she said questioningly, "I don't get you sometimes. Are you just hanging out here then?"
He gave her a genuine smile. "Actually, yes. It's nice being with a friend instead of alone with my thoughts." Okay, so she was his friend. Big deal, right?
She nodded. That was something she could understand a little too well. "I get it," she said softly.
The matter wasn't brought up again. He was truly her friend and his company helped the time pass so much faster.
~L&M~
She had eventually given him her number so they could meet up and spend time together where she wouldn't get in trouble for slacking on the job. She met his brother, Papyrus, and instantly loved him. He was dressed impeccably in black slacks, a burgundy button up, and a black tie. His height worried her for about four seconds—he was at least two feet taller than his brother—but it was over the moment he pulled her into a hug and expressed how happy he was to meet his brother's friend.
He was full of passion and energy and so damn happy it was impossible to be sad around him. The way he talked about spaghetti made her understand the indecent amount of pasta Sans had bought. She thought it was even funnier when Papyrus would groan loudly at a particularly bad pun.
She'd met his other friends as well. Although she'd known his friends wouldn't all be human-sized monsters, she was still surprised at the variety of monsters she did meet.
She had to believe the old saying 'opposites attract' after meeting Undyne and Alphys.
Undyne was almost as tall as Papyrus with a beautiful aquamarine skin tone that almost seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. She liked to strut around and show off her sizable muscles, especially around her girlfriend. Her red hair was pulled back in high ponytail that seemed to Frisk could double as a whip. She let a short chunk of it fall forward onto her face, covering her left eye. It wasn't hard to tell why. Her left eye was also covered with a black eye patch. Otherwise her face was pretty with a deep purple right eye, flattened nose, and expressive gill ears. Frisk made the mistake of saying so.
"Pretty?" Undyne shouted. "I'm not pretty! I'm brutal!"
Frisk had nearly choked at the sight of Undyne's pointed teeth. Okay, maybe pretty was not the right word.
Alphys giggled. "You're brutally beautiful," she said with a smile.
Undyne grinned. "You got that right, babe."
Alphys, Undyne's girlfriend, was a little shorter than Sans and looked to Frisk like a lizard monster. She was shy, barely speaking at all throughout the entire visit. When she did speak, Frisk could tell she was smart. She also learned that Alphys was the one Sans had bought the anime for.
Meeting his friends made her wonder why he chose to spend his nights at the department store with her when he could be spending time with monsters like himself. She learned quickly not to question his motives. He just liked her presence, he said. Their friendship meant a lot to him, and she appreciated that. It meant a lot to her, too.
A/N: Thank you for reading! I'll be updating every Sunday, hopefully. I'll try to at least stay on a somewhat weekly schedule. Life is crazy right now, but I have a good chunk of this written.
Reviews are lovely!
And I'm on Twitter at sheewolf85