Disclaimer: I don't own Undertale

Continuity: Post Pacifist Run with hints of Genocide and other Runs

Cover: Sans drawn by: Fortisselle DevaintART, girl found on Pintrest artist unknown

Title: Absence of Fear, by Jewel

Absence of Fear

Chapter Three: Anime Date Night

X -x-x-x-x- X

I woke up to my alarm blaring and sighed heavily, untangling myself from my butt length hair - I really need to get a haircut - and sitting up. I pressed my phone off and looked at the screen real quick, realizing I slept in my contacts AGAIN. I was gonna end up blind before I learned anything. Another sigh and I quickly let my eyes adjust, checking my messages to see I had...

What the fuck - FIFTY new texts?!

I gasped and scrolled through them, seeing they were all from this new number I had added in my phone the night before.

Papyrus. The skeleton monster.

"Ohhhkaaay..." I breathed. "Eager much, honey?" I shook my head in disbelief, discerning the messages went from asking questions about cooking, asking how I was doing, apologizing for bothering me so much, worrying that he had made me angry, was I still alive, then finally; you must be too shy to answer me back because you like me so much!

I licked my dry lips and got out of bed, shuffling to the bathroom. I debated whether or not to reply to the guy. I mean, on one hand he seemed harmless and on the other he was like a total stalker. The real problem is he was one of Alphys' friends and I didn't want her to get upset. Yeah, she was also my boss but honestly I was more worried that she would get hurt rather than her firing me 'cause I didn't like one of her pals.

Okay, it wasn't that I didn't like Papyrus; I didn't know him! And sending a stranger you just met the night before FIFTY texts through the night isn't the best first impression. Neither were the looks his brother was sending me all night. Now that guy gave me the creeps. One minute he was yukking it up and the next he was giving me death glares through empty eye sockets. What was his problem?

And would he be mad if I blew off his brother? The one he threw teenagers around for...

I gulped. I really wish I hadn't watched that damn video. I wouldn't be so uncomfortable if I hadn't. He would just be some scary skeleton monster with fangs and unknown magical powers. Yep.

I sucked my bottom lip and put my hair behind my ear. "Oh, hell...YOLO, right? Or some crap..." I mumbled in my still half sleep state and sent a quick reply.

Niki: Hey sorry about about that. I was asleep. I have to get up early for work. I'm not mad

I sat the phone down and went to brush my teeth when it rumbled immediately. "Geez, man..." I put paste on my brush and began with one hand while reading my new text with the other.

Papyrus: Human! You are alive! I am so relieved!

I couldn't help the smile that came to my face. I finished with a spit and replied.

Niki: No worries. I do need to get ready for work, so ttyl?

I began brushing my hair into a ponytail to get ready for a shower, and the next reply I got was like ten happy emoji's. I giggled and pulled my hair up, took my shower, got dressed, ate an energy bar and drove to the clinic.

Alphys greeted me like she did every morning but this time her smile was a bit wider. "Hi, Niki. We've got a few patients to check up on this morning."

I blinked. "Oh?" Yes, this was a monster clinic but monster's didn't get sick very often or hurt as much. That being said, with recent hate crimes from humans, we did see an increase in injuries. Alphys told me that magic can heal injuries, as well as good old fashioned TLC, which we were here to provide.

I went into the first exam room and cringed when I saw what was clearly a very young monster with a big bruise on their head. I looked back at Alphys and she encouraged me on to examine them. I stepped in and gave my best smile. They looked up and began shaking when they saw me. "Hey, no...it's okay. I'm a resident here..." I soothed in a soft voice.

They looked behind me to Alphys and she stepped in. "A resident is a doctor in training, Jethris. She will check you out today."

The monster kid calmed a little as I came to inspect their injury. They were a strange type of monster, almost like a chicken mixed with something else, except they had no arms. They were so small and fragile looking and the wound covered half of their head. I sighed got out my flashlight. "Okay, follow the light, Jethris." They did and I didn't see any problems with their pupils or reaction. No other problems with reflexes seemed apparent and now it was time to check their vitals.

Now a monster's vitals were of course different from a human's. They didn't have blood pressure or even a heartbeat, probably because they didn't have hearts...or any other kind of organ a human had. But the way it was explained to me, what did they have was something called HP, which was short for Health Points almost like a video game. I remember giggling when I first heard it and my teacher gave me quite the stern look. HP was a serious matter and I soon learned that. When a monster's HP bottomed out, they died or "dusted" as they called it. They literally turned to dust. Which worried me that humans could kill these creatures without any evidence. All it would take is a cleaning crew. Made me wonder if any law enforcement task units would be created to search for evidence of such things. 'Course that would require study, instruments that could detect monster remains and the biggest pain of all; money. I figured it would be a good long while before changes like that were made. After all, Alphys and all her friends seemed shocked at me being in monster medicine...so...I wasn't all that hopeful.

I took out an HP Meter and scanned Jethris with it. It read 10/24, indicating they had lost more than half of their HP. I sighed and showed it to Alphys. "Well? What do we do next, Miss Moretti?"

We were acting so clinical but the answer sounded like a fairy tale. We had to give the little monster a dose of magic. Eventually monsters healed on their own, but the lower the HP the slower they healed, and having an injured HP put them at risk for further damage. For instance, if a monster had an HP of 1 left they would be susceptible to any injury. Even something as simple as stubbing their toe could do them in. Quite a terrifying notion. Which is why clinics like ours were needed. We increased the healing time, made it go faster.

I went into the cabinet and took out a vial of medicine. They would need at least three small doses to recover fully so I set the proper milligram dosage and handed it to them, which they took on their tail feather instead of an arm. "Thanks..." Jethris shyly replied and I nodded.

Alphys nodded at me. "E-Excellent. I didn't even have to tell you the amount to prescribe. You're doing really well, Niki."

I smiled. Yes, the whole magicthing was hard to understand at first but honestly what I handed the kid looked like just a vial of drinkable medicine. There were a few cases that required a shot directly into their...souls really, but that was a few months back and I was glad we hadn't seen any new patients that needed that kind of attention. Anyway, this magic didn't seem like what I thought magic would be.

Which reminded me. "Alphys, is it true some monster foods have healing properties?"

"Well, yes. But only if they have magic in them. The monsters have to put their own magic in them to work. So when we cook human food it isn't the same."

"So why aren't we just serving food?" I asked with a little chuckle.

She turned to me. "Niki...t-times have changed a b-bit. Most of our food i-isn't as fast acting as we need it to be. The medicine works quicker. See...our food heals humans faster than it does us...we need something s-stronger to recover HP."

I gasped. "Your food can heal humans too? Oh, man...don't tell any humans this...they'll be clamoring for your stuff like mad."

"Yes...we've realized not to put magic in the food we sell to humans anymore...too risky."

I nodded sadly. The next two patients were minor injuries and I noticed none of these patients said how they were damaged. I knew the answer and it made my stomach sour. "Hey...you said you have to put your own magic into the food you make...does that mean all of our medicine is your magic?"

She chuckled softly. "Heh...mine and the o-other doctors on staff here. Magic replenishes itself naturally so we have an unlimited supply, really. We also have people come in to d-donate all the time."

Oh, like a blood drive. That makes sense. "That's wonderful. I'm glad it's all natural."

The rest of the day went on as normal, a few bruises and scrapes and one very happy rabbit couple that were expecting twins. Monster pregnancy was another enigma. Apparently it was created by both parties merging their magic somehow. Then they chose whoever to carry the literal bundle of magic until it was ready to come out. It didn't take as long as a human pregnancy. About three months versus nine. Also it wasn't always the female that carried. The male could as well if that's what they decided. Also same sex couples could create a baby together if they wanted. I thought that was pretty freaking cool. It made me wish humans could be like that.

The clinic closed at night due to funds unable to keep it running 24/7. It also gave us time to have lives so to speak, if only a few hours every night. After a long but nice day, it was time to do just that.

"S-So I wanted to ask...do you think we could watch that Yu Yu Hakusho soon? I looked it up and it seems interesting. I know Undyne would love it..." Alphys tentatively asked.

"Looked it up, huh? What did I tell you about no spoilers?" I teased.

She blushed and rubbed her neck. "I couldn't help it...but I don't know everything..."

I nodded with a smile. "It's okay. Back when Once Upon a Time was on T.V., I looked up spoilers all the time on FaceBook. I totally get it." I put away some supplies.

"Well? U-Um...could we watch it someday?" She blushed further.

I laughed. "It's 112 episodes, Alphys...It would take a while..." I shook my head. "But, yeah I could get my DVDs out." Yeah, right. Out. Like they don't sit on my shelf every stinking day.

She smiled bright and clapped her hands together. "Oh, good...that's...good. Heh. So..."

She was so awkward and there was no reason for her to be. At least not around me. That's when I remembered and figured now was a good time to breach the spaghetti skeleton subject. "Hey, um? I got some texts from Papyrus..."

She brightened at the mention of his name. "Oh, really?"

"Yeah...fifty of them." She laughed a little. "No, I'm serious. Friggin' fifty."

She blinked a few times. "Oh. Ohh. Um. Heh. He's very...passionate...about...life in general. He's harmless, Niki, I swear. Please don't be mad at him..." She looked sad now, just as I suspected and I sighed heavily.

"No, I'm not mad. Not at all. Just...I dunno...cautious? I don't know the guy..."

She nodded, a bit of her smile returning. "He is a total sweetheart, trust me. He wouldn't harm a fly." She paused. "He actually tries to catch them and set them free. Takes forever, according to Sans."

I bristled at that name. And she noticed. "Oh. Yeah." Now it was my turn to be awkward and nervous.

She patted my shoulder. "Don't let Sans scare you either. He wouldn't hurt you..." She faltered a little then cleared her throat. "Anyway, are you gonna reply to Papyrus?"

I shrugged. "I guess? I'm not really sure what he wants from me, though. I don't know that much about spaghetti..."

Alphys giggled. "He just likes making new friends." I smiled a little and pulled out my phone. Oh, well. Now or never. I quickly sent out a text.

Niki: Hi there. I'm off work now :)

If this morning was any indication, it wouldn't be long before - oh, wait there goes my phone buzzing. I giggled as Alphys leaned in to read my new text with me.

Papyrus: Human! Hello! How was your day? Did you treat many patients?

Alphys had a big stupid grin on her face. "He's a sweetie. You'll like him, I promise. Everyone does...e-even if he annoys them. It's like this special power he has." She shrugged and went back to putting away things as I typed my reply.

Niki: Yeah we had a few. Nothing too serious tho

I guess it wasn't so bad. I liked texting buddies. Most of my friends were exactly that. I was a bit of a homebody and didn't go out to socialize much. Going out with Alphys and her friends last night was my first time in a long time. Usually, I'd be curled up in my bed with my tablet reading fanfiction...or uh, a real book...but usually fanfiction. Such a nerd.

My phone buzzed back.

Papyrus: Oh, that's good! I'm glad no serious injuries had to be treated. You're done for the day?

Niki: I sure am (happy emoji)

Papyrus: Great! Do you have any plans for the night?

Oh. Now I felt nervous again. What exactly was he gonna ask of me? My stranger danger kept creeping back up in my stomach and I swallowed. "Um, Alphys? Did you want to watch Yu Yu like soon or...?"

She turned to me. "Hm? Why? You wanna bring it over tonight?"

I felt awful using her like this, and I was totally encroaching on her life; her and Undyne's. I mean, that chick barely knew me and I was gonna impose on her like I was fearing Papyrus would do to me. I was an awful person. Suck it up, I thought and I shook my head. "Uh, no. Just ask Undyne when would be a good time and I'll bring it over."

She grinned wide, unaware of how I was just totally gonna use her to escape my own fears and took out her phone. "S-Sure! I'll ask her now."

Great, my mind guilted. I texted back.

Niki: I'm not sure yet. Why?

A few seconds. Man, he can type fast!

Papyrus: Because Undyne has offered me to come over and watch anime with her! Perhaps you would like to join us?

My stomach went cold. Just then Alphys came over with, "She said tonight would be great! What time do you wanna come over?"

Wait, what was happening right now? Yeah, Alphys was my friend and we'd gotten close in six months but I JUST MET her girlfriend last night, who apparently wanted to hang out with me along with her other friend Papyrus, who JUST MET me. Were all monsters like this? Just immediately latch into someone and be like "OMG we just met and now we're BFF's!" Kind of like that dog in UP.

Monsters were weird...if not pleasantly so. But it didn't sound logical that every single monster would be this sickeningly sweet, which is why I was cautious. Sans certainly wasn't... But...Alphys was expectantly smiling at me and I did like her at least. I could give it a go just this once. "Well, I guess when you guys are ready...Did you know that Undyne invited Papyrus over too?"

She blanched. "Oh...y-yeah...she told me she might...but I didn't know it was confirmed...did he say it was?" I nodded. "O-Oh...well, if you're uncomfortable..."

"No-no!" I assured her. "It's fine. Heh, I can get three people to watch Yu Yu now instead of two." I grinned like the wicked fangirl I was.

So the event was set and after I shed my scrubs and got into another simple outfit at home (orange tank top, jeans and kitty hoodie again), I was headed over to Alphys' apartment. My sweet babies were nestled into the set next to me. I had only grabbed one DVD. I doubted we'd get past the first three episodes, so that was a safe choice. Plus they may not like the series after these episodes. Honestly, the series doesn't pick up until Yusuke gets brought back to life. In my opinion anyway.

The thought that they may not invite me back to watch the rest both relieved and saddened me. I was such a mix of emotions that I wasn't sure what to feel. Did I really want this? Was I just doing this to be nice? Was it smart to ingratiate myself into their lives? I sighed heavily and pulled hair from my face. Again, I really need to get that cut.

I pulled into the apartment complex and parked. I grabbed my stuff and went to the number they told me. As I walked to the door, I took note of all the "For Rent" signs that were up in windows. I'd hate to find out that all these were empty 'cause Alphys and Undyne moved in but...I knew it was probably the case.

I walked up the steps and rang the bell, hearing multiple shouts from two voices. Papyrus apparently was already here. The door opened and Undyne was there to greet me with a huge toothy grin. Yikes, her teeth were sharp looking. "Hey there, sugar. You got the goods?"

I laughed. "What is this, a drug deal?" She gave me a stern look like, 'I ain't playin'. I gulped and held out my precious cargo.

"Hmm. Looks...old," she said as she glanced the cover.

I pouted. "It is...but worth it." She moved aside to let me in and I threw a look at her from behind my shoulder. "And uh...don't dis my boys." My tone was serious and she raised an eyebrow.

"Yep. You are definitely an anime dork like Alphys."

I giggled, tilting my head like an anime character. "And what does that make you?"

She shrugged and shut the door. "A cool anime fan."

"Did somebody say cool, because I am the epitome of it!"

I turned to see Papyrus come out of the kitchen wearing a "Cool Dude" hat with a "Best Chef Ever" apron tied to his waist. I had to hold in a laugh. The rest of his clothes were the same. Now that I thought of it, he was dressed as an anime character.

"How's that food comin', Paps?" Undyne asked as she sauntered into the kitchen to check.

"I did just as you asked, Undyne." He turned to me. "Human...er, Niki!" I smiled as he remembered my name. "Are we going to watch that DVD?"

I nodded. "Yep. This is my favorite anime." I shyly handed the box to him as he inspected it.

"Oh! Then I thank you for sharing it with us." He looked like he was giving me a smile, though it was hard to tell, really. I nodded as he gave back my DVD. "We are making lasagna. It's like a spaghetti cake!"

I smiled. "Yes, I know."

He brightened even more, if possible. "Do you know how to make that too?"

"It's Italian food." I winked. "My grandma has a killer recipe."

He blinked as his face fell. "Oh, we better not try it then if it kills people."

Laughter ensued from the kitchen. "You fool!" Undyne gasped in hilarity. "It means she has a great recipe!"

I swear his skull turned a noticeable shade of orange/red. "I...I knew that! NYEH HEH HEH! Just a joke I was making! I'm new to puns! I'm not like my brother after all, making them all the time!" He chuckled nervously as the girls in the other room continued to laugh. "Heh, heh...ah. Oh, well." He shrugged. "You should cook us some of these recipes your 'grandma' made. I would love to try them."

"Uh, well...maybe someday. We'll see." His mood lightened after that.

An explosion rocked the kitchen and I screamed. Papyrus ran in and yelling ensued. I was debating if I should go in there but I decided not to...that was safest. Alphys came out with a sheepish grin. "Eh heh...you like pizza? I just ordered some with my phone."

I looked around and chuckled a little. "Emoji?"

She giggled with a nod. "Emoji."

I sighed and sat down on the couch while Undyne and Papyrus kept arguing. "Sure. I love pizza...any pizza. Uh, what happened in there?"

Alphys shrugged. "Undyne thought it was taking too long so she set the oven really high and left it uncovered...heh. She sure is fun sometimes." I get the feeling Alphys really meant that with the way she blushed.

"Would you like some help cleaning up?"

"No way! You're our guest!" Undyne came back in. "I'm making the oven self clean. Open the windows. It's gonna stink."

Alphys shook her head with humor and did as she asked. "Well...let's pop in that DVD while we wait for pizza."

Papyrus jumped up and down. "Excellent! A new show with a new friend!"

I gasped. He already thought of me as a friend? I wasn't sure how to feel about that... But I got up and put in the disc, hoping they wouldn't find this old anime too lame.

We managed to make it half way through the ep when the pizza came. Alphys paid for it and came back with three pies. One was a veggie, the other was olives and bacon and the third was extra cheese. Interesting choices. Papyrus chose the cheese, Alphys the veggie and Undyne took the third.

I chose the cheese because out of all three, that looked the best. I'm a sucker for cheese.

"Human! You enjoy the same pizza as me!" He grinned wide at me and I smiled back.

"Yup. Cheese pizza is my favorite."

"ME TOO!"

We finished the episode and I went around the (coffee) table asking for opinions. "Well, what did everyone think?"

Undyne went for another piece - the last piece (did all monsters eat this much?) and sat back. "Not sure yet. It seems good; kinda funny. I'm willing to give it a shot since you said it was a fighting shonen anime." She took a massive bite, enveloping the slice in half. "It better be anyway!"

I nodded furiously. "Oh, trust me. It is. So much face cramming."

Alphys giggled. "Let's keep watching."

I reached for another slice - I had only eaten two so far - and there was just one left, thanks to the skeleton eating just as fast as the fish. My hand touched Papyrus' as he was reaching for it too and I pulled back quickly as my finger met his gloved hand. "Oh, um...uh...sorry. Y-You can have it." I felt my face get hot. I'm not sure why I was getting so flustered.

He looked at me curiously. "Not at all, Niki. You may have it. I have eaten enough already! After all, what kind of friend would I be if I didn't let you have enough food?" And he laughed.

"Are you sure? I don't really need it..." Thanks to my schedule I didn't have time to eat as healthy as I would like. Plus...I enjoyed dairy and meats too much. My bottom side was paying for my preferences in spades. Seriously, my butt had gotten so big, it was embarrassing. Especially since my chest wasn't matching up. I looked like a pear, at least in my opinion. But Papyrus insisted, loudly in fact, so I took the final piece, feeling like a big fat cow.

Oh, well. It was a really good pizza.

We finished off the next two episodes and I realized it was nearing nine at night. They all seemed to like it enough and Alphys was already asking to see the rest. Papyrus agreed. "I would love to see the rest of this interesting story!"

Undyne shrugged. "Yeah, I'll keep watching it."

I smiled, happy that my babies had been well received. I took the disc out and put it back in the box. "Well, this was fun! If you want to see the rest, I'd be happy to show it all to you...it'll take awhile though, hehe."

"Niki, we should get together and watch it every night!"

"Papyrus, she has a job, you know..." Undyne shook her head in what looked like exasperation.

"I know that, Undyne! I was offering anyway."

I thought about it. Tonight had been really enjoyable and I felt my insecurities melt away with the hours. They were all so different from each other, yet nice. Honestly, the worst part of the whole experience was the stinky oven cleaning itself. "I guess if you guys really wanted to watch it every night, I could manage."

Papyrus gasped loudly. "Did you hear that?! She likes me! She really likes me!"

"Ho boy," Undyne muttered and I looked back and forth between them.

"Um...yes, Papyrus. I like you," I said genuinely.

"HO BOY." I looked in the direction of that outburst seeing both girls tittering behind their hands. I looked back to Papyrus, confused what was so funny and paused at his expression.

He eerily looked down at me. "Do you like puzzles, human?"

I stuttered. "I guess...yeah?"

He gasped again with a hand to his chest. "You are madly in love with me, aren't you?!"

My air stopped moving. "Wha...WHAT."

"It is so obvious! You like spaghetti! Your favorite pizza is also my favorite! You like puzzles! You admitted you like me and did that thing humans do...what is it called...blushing?-when your hand touched mine! Clearly you are harboring feelings for someone as cool as me! AND your whole family is Italian and loves such cuisines! It was like WE WERE MADE FOR EACH OTHER!"

I was unable to form sound as his tirade continued.

"I should ask you on a date but-" he dramatically gasped again, "-we have already been on one tonight! Yes, that's it! This whole night was a clever ruse to date me! NYEH HEH HEH! I see through your trick, human! And since our first date has been so successful and we have found so much in common, you are now my girlfriend and we shall have more dates!"

The two lesbians on the couch were cackling at me and I was about to have a fish fry with a side of dinosaur tots.

"Wha..."

"I'm going to tell my brother this wonderful news!"

Undyne choked. "You're gonna tell SANS?!"

Papyrus nodded. "Of course I am! I want to tell the world of my wonderful, cool-but-not-as-cool-as-me girlfriend!" He hopped up and ran upstairs. "I shall return, girlfriend!"

The two girls kept laughing and gagging as I just sat there dumbfounded. I looked at them both with a squeak. "Help?"

Undyne wiped her eyes as Alphys cleared her throat. "Oh, don't mind him. It won't last long...I-I hope, anyway. He's done this a few times before."

"Yeah, like with Frisk. That was hilarious," Undyne added.

Frisk? A child? What the fuck? Did Papyrus even know what dating was? Before I could stop it, my mouth voiced my thoughts. "Why would Papyrus date a child?"

Both their smiles fell. Undyne was giving me an unreadable look...no, not quite unreadable..suspicious. "How do you know about Frisk?"

I scoffed at her accusing tone. "Uh, Alphys told me. Plus I saw it on the news. She somehow freed you from the Underground?" The details were foggy but according to the reports, Frisk was claiming there was a magic barrier around the mountain and she somehow broke it. Reporters and analysts instantly discounted it saying the monsters must have found her when she fell and used her to convince us they were harmless. This was during the trial. Everyone had testified how she had helped them get over their fear of humanity. It was sickening they had every reason to still be afraid.

Undyne didn't seem comforted by my answer. "How much of the news did you see?"

She figured it out. The way she was looking at me; She knew. She could tell that I'd seen the trial and basically knew all of them already. Yes, I recognized her from the coverage, all of them really. It was hard when I first met Alphys since I had seen her testify. But I honestly didn't expect to meet any of the other monsters and I had no idea they were all so closely intertwined. How was I supposed to know any of this?

I decided to answer in a half truth. "Some. It was kinda hard not to when you all first showed up. It was all anyone ever talked about."

She slammed her hands down on the table, cracking the wood. In fact, I think she broke the thing. "That doesn't answer my question!"

Papyrus came running back downstairs. "WOWIE! My brother was so overjoyed, he decided to come over and meet you! Can you believe that?! He is actually putting effort into something!"

Undyne looked shocked and for the moment was distracted from me. "WHAT. He...is getting off his ass and coming here? Whoa...he must be really..." she looked over at me, a wicked gleam in her eyes. "...overjoyed."

The doorbell rang.

Papyrus nearly jumped with glee. "Look how fast he got here!"

Okay, unless these two brothers live like in the same complex or Sans went 200 MPH there is no way he could be here that fast!

He opened the door to reveal the smaller brother who looked as if he could care less. His hands were shoved in his pockets, head leaning to a sloppy side, wide smile on his face. Wait, now that I think of it...he never really stopped smiling...weird...

"Brother! You didn't need to come over so quickly! You've already met my girlfriend!"

Sans peered in and took one look at me, then shrugged back at his brother. "So I have. What made you decide to date her, bro?"

"I already told you on the phone! Weren't you listening? We have so much in common and get along great!" he proudly explained with his hands on his hips. I was blushing mad from embarrassment.

Sans stepped in and looked at the two girls sitting across from me. "And I suppose you two are chill with this."

Alphys stuttered. "Oh, but this is like Frisk..."

I swear the guy grit his teeth. "Frisk is a child. She is not." His pupils?-rested on me and I felt a chill run up my spine as we made eye contact. It felt like he was staring straight into my soul.

And just like that, the moment was gone and he was leaning to the side with a lopsided grin as if he wasn't just eating my brain five seconds ago. "Welp, whatever you want, Paps."

"Excellent! I propose a date tomorrow with you, Niki! What do you say?"

The room just went frigid. Papyrus, bless him so, seemed oblivious as usual. It was in this moment that I realized I was alone in a room surrounded by monsters. Actual, "Mommy, there's a monster under my bed - I hear a scary sound in my closet," monsters. Monsters with powers. And two of them looked like they wanted to implode me.

If I said yes, it would piss them off but if I said no and hurt Papyrus... "I...can't! I have to work tomorrow!"

Alphys made a noise. "No...you don't...Tomorrow is Sunday. The clinic is closed...remember?"

I gulped as my world went red. I was so stuck and I had nowhere to run. My options remained the same. I sighed heavily. "Um...sure, Papyrus."

He clapped his hands like a little kid. "How lucky am I!"

Undyne sat back on the couch. "Hey, I've got a great idea. Why don't we double date? You and Niki, me and Al? It'll be a blast..." She grinned like a shark at me.

"Oh, Undyne! A date with my girlfriend and best friend? That sounds wonderful!"

A low voice chimed in. "Hey, whad'ya know? Count your brother in too."

Papyrus gasped loudly. "Really, Sans? You mean it?" Sans nodded. "Oh, but...you won't have a date..."

There was a brief moment that perma-smile fell, just a little, then snapped right back into place. "Eh, I'm fine with bein' the fifth wheel. After all, every vehicle needs a spare."

Papyrus thought about it for a second then grabbed Sans in well, a bone crushing hug. "Oh, Sans! I'll forgive that lame attempt at a joke and accept! We shall all go out together! This will be the best date of my life!" He put down his smaller brother and opened the door with dramatic flair. "I shall go home to prepare for our cool date, Niki! Text me when you're ready to initiate it! NYEH HEH HEH!" And he ran out the door.

"Okay, um-" Undyne slapped my back before I could continue and I winced.

"Better get going home. It's pretty late." She guided me past Sans and out the front door.

"W-Wait! My DVD!"

"Ohhhh..." She squeezed my shoulder, hard. "I'll just keep that here for safekeeping. After all, we want to make sure Pap has a great day tomorrow, right?" She squeezed painfully with each enunciated word.

I looked to the doorway and saw Alphys giving me a silent apology.

"W-Wha..."

"Because if you break that goober's heart I'll make you pay in more ways than one." She released me and went back in, slamming the door.

Finally I could breathe and I lost my shit. "What?! She's holding my DVD hostage?! WHAT THE FUCK?!"

"You're a little firecracker when you're mad, ain't ya?" I turned towards that low voice again. He never left the apartment and my teleport theory was all but confirmed now.

I spun around, stuttering like an idiot. "I...that wasn't...I have no idea what happened in there."

He chuckled, shaking his head as he faced away from me. "I know exactly what happened in there." I sighed in relief. "I also know that tomorrow you're gonna find a way to let him down as gently as possible without hurting his feelings..." His skull began turning back to look at me.

The wind stopped blowing.

His right eye was totally black, but what caught a lump in my throat was the left; glowing with a black pupil surrounded by a blue iris. It was almost oddly pretty if not totally terrifying, especially coupled with how he was grinning at me. That was no smile. It was a death threat, much like how Undyne looked at me.

"...or you're gonna have a bad time."

I blinked and he was gone. Teleport theory definitely confirmed.

I blinked a few more times and sputtered out some air. "A bad time? What kind of veiled threat is that? What does that even mean?!"

So what have I accomplished in the last 48 hours? I managed to alienate my good friend's girlfriend and somehow made a date with another one of her friends and alienated his brother.

So two monsters liked me and two wanted to eat me. I guess 50/50 wasn't so bad.

I sighed heavily and walked to my car. How could I find a way to let Papyrus down without hurting him? He didn't really think I was his girlfriend, did he? My mind was putty trying to come up with a way to get out of this with my butt intact.

Not to mention my poor DVD's life was at stake. That was original release, dammit! I hit my head against the wheel and groaned. I wasn't going to figure it out sitting here in the parking lot. I needed sleep.

I started the engine and swallowed hard, the image of that blue glowing eye haunting me all the way home...

~TBC

A/N: A very late Christmas gift to all you lovelies! Sorry for the long wait. I can't guarantee my updates will be as fast as everyone else in this fandom, hehe. But I shall try my best! I am determined!

Anyway, to all of you wondering, "this is a Sans/OC and yet we haven't seen them interact for more than ten sentences!" Build up. Tension. Time and effort. Real life takes those things. Be patient. It'll be worth it ;)

I hope this finds everyone in a good place and that everyone had a happy holiday!

I have also posted this on Archive Of Our Own and tumblr. FFN will be where I update first, though so don't worry.

I am Just2Dream on AO3 and dezzydoesthings on tumblr. Check me out!