"Alright, this is where we say goodbye." Sans smiled. Frankie looked nervous. "Kiddo, what's wrong? I thought you loved school."
"I do, but Frisk is still sick…" Frankie murmured.
"Hey, you're gonna have lots of fun anyways, alright?"
"Right." Frankie nodded. "I guess…. at least I still have Ella."
"There you go!" Sans nods. "I'll see around lunchtime."
"Okay! I love you."
"Love you too, kiddo."
Class was fun. He and Ella sat together and worked on their different projects. When Lunch time finally came, Frankie was glad because he was starving. He and Ella were the last to come out of the classroom. Frankie was dismayed to find, not Sans waiting for him, but Brendan. The taller boy was leaning against the wall with a smirk on his face.
"Hey there, little freak baby. I saw you and your daddy in the hall today. Still too little to quit telling him you love him?" Brendan chuckled.
"Brendan! Go pick on someone your own size!" Ella cried, her voice rising in pitch as she spoke.
"You stay out of it, nerd." Brendan hissed. Frankie stared up at Brendan defiantly.
"You don't scare me, Brendan." He whispered. "And you don't make me angry either. You never will. You'll only ever make me feel… pity."
"That's it, little whimp. I'll make you afraid of me." Brendan cracked his knuckles, and before Frankie had time to react, the older boy grabbed his arm and threw him against the wall. Frankie let out a cry as he felt his shoulder blade crack. "You don't mess with me, runt. GOT IT?!" Brendan shouted. Frankie groaned, gripping his arm, trying not to move too much. He was sure it was just a little crack, but it was very sore.
"Got it." Frankie hissed.
"Good." Brendan raised his fist threateningly, and Frankie and Ella watched him sulk off. Just at that moment Sans came rushing around the corner, dragging his mop cart with him.
"Frankie! Sorry, I'm- Oh god! Kiddo, what happened?!" He let go of the cart and rushed over to Frankie.
"He was-" Ella began.
"I fell." Frankie groaned, wiping away tears of anger and embarrassment. Ella let out an exasperated sigh.
"It's alright, kiddo. Let's get you to Toriel's office. She can get you all fixed up. Ella, do you want to help?" Sans asked.
"Of course." Ella nodded. With Ella and Sans' help Frankie made it to Toriel's office.
"Oh! Franklin!" Toriel gasped. "What happened, dear?"
"I fell and hit my shoulder." Frankie replied. "I think… I think it's cracked."
"Let me take a look." Toriel let Franklin sit up on her desk where she examined his little trophy for "talking back". "It's just a little crack on the edge here. It should heal pretty quickly." Toriel said. "I will put some medical tape on it to keep it from getting jostled around too much, but besides that you should be fine."
"Thanks, Tori." Sans said. He turned to Frankie with a nod, "You hurry to the cafeteria, kiddo. I've gotta talk to Tori for a minute."
"Okay."
"Here, Frankie!" Ella said, "I'll carry your lunch for you."
"Thanks, Ella, you're the best."
"Is there something wrong, Sans?" Toriel had a way of reading people. Sans' nonexistent eyebrows furrow.
"It's Frankie. He's been actin' weird lately and… well, you have more experience with kids n' stuff, so I figured I'd talk to you 'bout it." Sans takes a seat across Toriel's desk. Toriel's expression softens,
"He has been acting weirdly? How so?"
"He's been eating less, and he's been kinda… down, I guess." Toriel nods,
"Have you talked to him about it?" Sans shakes his head,
"I asked him what was wrong this morning, and he said he was worried about Frisk not being here." Tori frowns.
"Perhaps something is going on that he did not tell you about. I think you should talk to him, Sans, it might help. I am sorry I cannot offer you much advice…" Sans shakes his head,
"That's alright, Tori. I'll talk t'him later." Sans forces a smile onto his face, standing up, "Thanks." Toriel nods, smiling softly as he walks out the door. Sans lets out a deep sigh as he makes his way back to the janitor's closet. There wasn't much to do now, lunch wasn't for a couple hours, and the halls were already clean.
I guess I could pay Riley a visit. He shuffles down the hall to the library, once inside, he hears Riley's familiar snorting laugh. Then he hears Iro,
"So my friend called me and asked if I could come over… and I said: 'I would if I could… but i'm kinda booked right now!" He turns the corner to see Riley doubled over in laughter and Iro proudly holding up a book to create emphasis on the pun he just made. Who made you the pun master?
Sans clears his throat.
"Oh! Hi, Sans!" Riley manages to say through her laughter.
"Hey, Sans!" Iro says, his sharp teeth exposed in a wide grin.
"Heya." Sans replies, narrowing his eyes. Iro chuckles,
"I was just telling Riley some jokes! Have you heard her laugh? It's great!" Riley snorts,
"You two should have a pun-off or something. I think Iro here might even be as good as you, Sans!" Sans forces a smile onto his face, We'll see about that…
"That'd be a ton of fun. A skele-ton." Iro says, causing Riley to laugh. He did not. That's my pun. Sans has to keep himself from glaring.
"I wouldn't wanna be dragon you behind me, I think we all know I'd win." Sans retorts, crossing his arms. Iro smiles at this.
"It's going tibia close one, that's for sure." Iro counters.
"If you say so, but I think I'd beat you easily. I couldn't patella you a fib-ula." Needless to say, Iro steps back after that one. Riley is almost in tears, snorting and laughing.
"Wow, when Riley said you were good, she really meant it." Iro laughs. Sans glares,
"Yup. Anyways, Riley, are you coming to Spaghetti Night?" Riley's green eyes light up.
"Yeah! I'm really excited to see everyone again!", She pauses, "Can Iro come too?" Sans stiffens, looking over at the dragon monster, who chuckles, shaking his head.
"That's not necessary, I wouldnt want to intrude!"
"You wouldn't be int-" Sans cuts Riley off,
"Well, he said he didn't wanna intrude, guess that settles that." Riley probably frowns under her scarf, "Uh… alright. Well, uh. Maybe next time, Iro. heh." Sans gives Iro a curt nod, his stare cold. Iro doesn't seem to notice this.
"Anyways, Riley. I was wondering if you'd wanna get coffee again some time?" Sans asks, staring at Iro. Riley nods,
"Sure! Sounds great!"
"Good morning, kiddo." Sans smiled. "What do you want for breakfast?" Frankie sighed. He wasn't hungry, the idea of going to school today made him feel a little sick. He knew Frisk would be better by now, but he was still afraid that Brendan would find some way to find him alone- someway to hurt him again. His cracked bone was healing quickly, but it still ached- reminding him of yesterday.
"Nothing." He sighed, throwing his backpack down on the couch. Sans looked up from his coffee suddenly.
"Nothin'? What? Why not?"
"I'm not hungry." Frankie replied.
"Maybe not for breakfast food…" Sans grinned, "But we have some left over spaghetti! I'll go heat it up for-"
"I don't want any." Frankie said. Sans stopped in his tracks.
"W-what? Kiddo, you're always hungry. What's wrong?"
"I'm just not hungry."
"Okay… well…" Sans picked up his coffee again. "I'll pack you extra lunch then." Frankie didn't respond. School… he loved school, he didn't like Brendan. Sans was still looking worriedly over at him as they headed out to the school, Frankie dragging behind and looking forward reluctantly.
When they reached the school Sans said goodbye to head over to the Janitor's closet, and Frankie, fearfully, had to make his way through the hallways alone. It's gonna be fine. Once I make it to the classroom I won't have to worry about it anymore.
Of course, it was just Frankie's luck to literally run right into Brendan while turning a corner. "Ouch! Oh, sorry!" Frankie gasped.
"Hey, loser! What did I say about messing with me?!"
"I-it was an acci-accident!" Frankie gasped. "I didn't… I didn't see you!" A teacher came around the corner just at the right moment. Frankie let out a sigh of relief as Brendan hissed,
"Don't do it again, freak!" A little human girl with light brown curls approached Frankie as soon as Brendan disappeared.
"Hey… ummm…." She looked really shy, she must have been a grade younger than him. "Frankie, right?"
"Yeah." Frankie nodded, still a little shaken.
"I…" She spoke so softly Frankie could hardly hear her. "I saw you yesterday when you fought with Brendan, you see, and... umm… I thought you were very brave."
"Oh…. I'm not brave."
"Anyone can be brave." She gave him a little smile. "I was scared at first, but I came and talked… talked to you."
"Thanks." Frankie said. The Bell rang. "Looks like we have to get to class."
"Okay…" She paused, offering another smile. "W-will I see you at lunch?"
"Sure." Frankie nodded.
"Oh! Wow-! I mean… cool!"
Frankie had fun working with Ella on finishing up their Charlotte's Web poster board. He didn't know what their next subject in literature would be but he hoped it would be as fun as Charlotte's Web was. Lunch came pretty fast, and Frankie was extremely happy to see Frisk at the doors to the cafeteria waiting for him.
FRANKIE! I heard what happened! They paused and narrowed their eyes. Did you really fall or does someone need to get their a-
"I fell." Frankie replied. Frisk sighed, shaking their head.
"He did. I was there." Ella lied. Frankie smiled, grateful.
Whatever you say. I'm glad you're alright. Let's go find a seat. Frankie remembered he had promised that little girl he'd eat lunch with her. Where he would find her, he wasn't sure.
"Frisk, I promised a girl I'd eat lunch with her today." Frankie said.
"Ooh!" Ella laughed.
"Not like that!" Frankie said. "I want to introduce her to you all. She was really nice."
What's her name? Frisk asked. Frankie froze. He didn't actually know.
"I don't know…" He sighed. Suddenly, the little girl came skipping up to him.
"Hi-Hi, Frankie!" She carried a little sack lunch and was smiling. "I was hoping I'd fi-find you! Are- are these your friends?" She smiled, putting her hands behind her back.
"Yeah, umm.. This is Frisk, and Ella…. Umm… I don't actually know your name…?"
"Oh…" She smiled sheepishly. "My name's Wren. Wren Tailor. But it's just a silly name."
"I think it's a very nice name." Frankie said.
Let's go eat. Frisk signed.
"Alright. Come sit with us, Wren!" Ella said happily. Frisk led the way to a table in the corner.
"How old are you, Wren?" Ella asked.
"I'm seven…" Wren said softly. "My birthday's in Sep-september."
That's cool! Do you live around here? Frisk signed. Wren frowned.
"They want to know if you live around here." Frankie explained.
"Oh… yeah… me and my daddy do. My daddy's in the navy. We moved here this year."
"Cool!" Frankie smiled. "I guess we moved here this year too." Ella laughed.
"It's really cool how you guys… came here. My daddy was talking to the… the uhh… school librarian about how you all got here. I think it's really brave how you've all come and found homes here even though some people treat you bad. My daddy thinks so too."
"Ummm… thanks…" Frankie smiled.
"Anyways… what do you all got for lunch? My daddy packed me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich I think…"
"Same here." Frankie nods. "Sans always helps me make it in the morning."
I got peanut butter and cinnamon-honey. Frisk signed.
"I got a BLT!" Ella said excitedly.
"You all are really nice." Wren smiled. "I think we're going to be friends."
REVIEWS FOR CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
Fern of the Clouds: And this au has been dubbed by the goddess Fern...FRANKIE-TALE! i have fallen in love with this story.
That is actually pretty adorable! 3 We're so glad you like it! :)
StarBee24: I just can't wait for Frankie to get magic...then Brandon K and O
*grins*... mayhaps you won't have to wait too much longer... *shhh... secrets*
anthonyabc268: Great story it's very interesting I'm wonderin tho where's flowy or asrial will he show up
Thanks! Uh... no Asriel and Flowey won't be in the story.
GenuineGreenTea: Will I have the privilege of seeing sans give a monster hater a bad time?
~Master of Tea
Yesssss... ;)
I guest as much: It feels like you really nailed Sans' personality, and nice job characterizing both Brendan and Ella in one scene, that's pretty difficult to do, but I'm starting to see foreshadowing that Riley's gonna have a bad time... And the implications chill me to the bone.
Oh my gosh! Thanks so much! Uhh... about that...
I can't say. (*papyrus' voice* STOP PLAGUING MY LIFE WITH PUNS!)
Thanks soooo much for all your reviews! We really, really love hearing from you and really appreciate the encouragement! See you on the next chapter!
-mariahills-capsicle