Toriel took note of the dark circles under Doctor Alphys's eyes and prepared a smoothie for her. The smoothie bar had some… interesting ingredient options. Toriel stuck with banana, coconut flakes, and a small scoop of peanut butter. It wouldn't be as filling as a home-cooked meal, but hopefully the drink would keep the smaller monster from keeling over while she attached wires to each of the skeletons' bone attacks.
"You didn't have to do that." Alphys sounded guilty when Toriel set the plastic cup down on her desk.
"And you did not have to help my children." She smiled. She and Alphys did not always see eye to eye—for more reasons than their respectable height difference—but it was difficult not to care for someone her children regarded so highly.
"I haven't done anything yet." Alphys held the cup between her hands, but didn't drink.
"No one expects you to produce instantaneous results." No matter how much Toriel wished that could be the case. "We can leave for the time being, if that would allow you to work in peace."
The children, Sans, and Papyrus were making quite the racket downstairs. Their banter could be heard over the clash of Alphys's anime swords. Toriel had been worried that they would break the toy weapons at first, but Alphys assured her that Undyne had put them through far worse.
"Th-thank you, Toriel." Alphys smiled gratefully. "And, um, thanks for trusting me, too. I w-won't screw up this time."
That wasn't the most comforting sentiment, but it was the best that Toriel could expect from Alphys.
Despite many protests from Chara, Frisk, and Flowey, who were all enjoying the mock fight, Toriel was able to corral her family towards the cars. The children wanted to ride with Papyrus, which wasn't a surprise. The red convertible was far more 'swag' than her gray minivan.
Though even if it were not, she had the suspicion that her children would still conspire to leave her alone with Sans.
He wacked his skull while climbing into the passenger seat.
"Ow," he grunted. "This height thing isn't all it's cracked up to be."
Toriel stifled a laugh. It was still odd to see her dear friend in his brother's body, but his puns and voice were a familiar comfort.
"Perhaps you will grow to appreciate it."
She smiled and turned the key in the ignition. Papyrus had already taken off at a modest speed ahead of her. Frisk or Chara—it was impossible to tell at this distance—turned around in their seat to wave.
Sans was oddly quiet. It was a testament to his nervousness that he didn't pun back immediately.
"Oh dear. Do not tell me your jokes are in short supply."
He laughed a little more at that one. "Sorry, Tori. It's hard to reach your level."
"I suppose I still have a few inches on you." She would've winked, but she was keeping her eyes on the road. One could never be too careful in these human machines. "Did you return Papyrus's phone to him?"
She heard rather than saw Sans slink down in his seat. "Heh. I knew you caught me red-handed."
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him flex his gloved fingers. Oh, that was a good one.
"I just wanted to keep you updated, honest," he continued. "My bro fell asleep with my phone, and it was pretty late to drop the whole bodyswap bomb on you."
That was fair. She would've driven straight to Alphys's house regardless of the hour if she had known the truth.
"I am not upset, Sans." She flicked her blinker before making a turn. "If anything, I am worried about your self-perception."
"What, 'cause I called myself a lazy orb? I was just messin' around."
"Mmm. Well, for what it is worth, I was not. Your words can have a great effect on yourself." She wished she could look him in the eyesockets while she spoke. He was so dear to her. She wished she would be a little kinder to himself.
"I'll keep that in mind," he replied after a moment. That was the closest to a promise she would receive from him.
"...So," he spoke up again. "Did the kiddos actually eat all the pie?"
"They did." She chuckled. Once it had become clear that he would not be home before their bedtime, it had been difficult to restrain them. She swore Chara and Frisk each had their own stomach. "Do you actually intend to whip up some meringue?"
"Dang it, I was going to make that pun." He sighed. "I'll crust have to bake up another one."
She laughed so hard she snorted. "Your jokes are always ful-filling!"
"I dunno. I think I better stick 'em back in the oven. They're filling a little half-baked."
Oh dear. She had to hold in her laughter, or risk tearing up and losing sight of the road.
"Would you, uh. Actually like a pie? If I baked you one?" His voice was a touch nervous. "I mean, I'm not half the baker you are. Wouldn't want to disappient ya."
She nearly choked on her laugh. That one was horrible. She loved it.
"Sans, I crust that I will enjoy whatever you bake… within reason." She had to add that caveat, or risk biting into a slice of ketchup pie.
He chuckled at that. "Alright. Just don't say I didn't warm ya."
After all of that, she still had not broached the subject that the pie was intended for. Though if he had truly read her texts with Papyrus, he likely knew.
She wanted to ask him on a date. Perhaps it was silly to feel so self-conscious about that at her age. They already lived together, for stars' sake! But she had not been on a date in over one hundred years. She wished she could channel the confidence she'd projected in front of her children.
They thought she was a "hot mama." The thought was both flattering and mortifying.
"So, uh… you got any plans for the weekend?" Sans asked. "The kiddos are headed to Fluffybuns' house, right?"
"Yes." She instinctively gripped the wheel a little tighter. That was silly. Asgore was their father, and she was long used to them spending time with him.
"And I think my bro is still having his date with Mettaton tonight."
Of course, Toriel had heard all about Papyrus's plans. His pop star boyfriend had finally returned from tour today. Papyrus had the date circled on the kitchen calendar.
"I hope he is not too distressed by…"
"Wearing my bones around? Nah. He'll be fine. He knows the old calculator loves 'im no matter what he looks like."
Toriel smiled. "They are both very lucky to have each other."
"Yep. And I'm lucky to get a family discount at the slopes."
Toriel blinked. Everyone knew about Mettaton's ski resort. It was a popular attraction for both humans and monsters, since magic allowed the snow to remain even during the warmer months. Toriel took Frisk and Chara there on occasion. Sans had never joined them, though.
"Do you, now?" she asked.
"Well, no. But since Papyrus is the manager, and I'm borrowing his body, I think I can cut us a deal."
She laughed before the implication set in.
"If you want to," he said quickly. "I just, uh. Know it's something you like. And since I won't die if I crash into a tree right now…"
"Sans." A conveniently placed stoplight allowed her to look at him. "Are you asking me on a date?"
Skiing wasn't the date she would have planned. She expected to lounge with him at the house, put on a cheesy movie, or perhaps if they were feeling daring, go out to karaoke night at Grillby's. His idea excited her, though. It had been snow long since she enjoyed winter sports with anyone but her children.
Plus, it was a bit of a relief that he met her botched invitation halfway. Perhaps he had some 'game' after all.
Sweat dripped from his skull. He tugged on the collar of the anime shirt he'd borrowed. ...Alright, so he did not have game. She found his nervousness endearing anyway.
"Well. I was really hoping to have a real date on me. Like, uh, the fruit. That pun doesn't really work without one…"
She bit her cheek to keep from laughing.
"Oh, in that case, I will have to say no. I couldn't possibly accept an invitation without the proper pun backing it," she teased.
His face went pink, rather than his typical light blue. "Man. I knew I was just setting up to get owned."
She laughed, her soul fluttering. He was such a doofus. How had she ever been nervous about sharing her feelings with him?
The car behind them honked, and she was forced to turn her attention to the road. They were almost home, anyway.
"I am only teasing, Sans. I would love to 'shred the slopes' with you."
She would really love to watch him wipe out, but he was already nervous enough. She would save the rest of her teasing for later. Hopefully while he crashed face-first in the snow.
"Really?" He sat up straighter. "You weren't joking. We're actually going on a date."
"It does take some time to sink in, does it not?"
She was going on a date with Sans. While he looked like Papyrus. That might be… somewhat strange. Well, at least she had not been planning to kiss him on the first date, anyway.
Oh dear. First date. She was certainly getting ahead of herself.
"Huh. Cool." He chuckled nervously. "Having any regrets yet?"
She pulled into their home's driveway and was finally able to look at him again. His grin didn't waver, but his shoulders were scrunched up to his cheekbones.
"No, Sans." She hoped her affection shone through in her smile. "No regrets at all."