Schoolgirl Crush (for bleatingheart)

[boneidle]

[In the past few months, Sans had developed a morning routine, and it went like this.

Every morning he woke up with his eye sockets closed and started to mentally talk himself down. The reset had probably come in the night. There was no use holding false hope or getting worked up about it, it was just the way the world worked. He was going to get up and find himself in his old room down in Snowdin, back before a certain kid (and a certain amazing monster) had ever even entered his life.

And then he opened his eye sockets and found himself in his new room, in the modest house he shared with his brother on the surface, and the rush of relief that flowed through him threatened to rattle his bones apart.

Feet dangling over the edge of his bed, Sans sighed and scratched at his jawbone. He really couldn't keep going on like this, could he? The stress of waiting was going to give him a heart attack, all the more impressive given that he didn't have a heart. What was worse: to spend his whole life dreading a reset that would never come, or to embrace freedom and be caught off guard when he lost it?

Sans glanced at the calendar hanging on the wall. It was up to date, but only because Papyrus had come and flipped the old month up a few days ago. He mumbled under his breath as he thought.]

Lessee, it's Saturday... Papyrus was gonna hang out with Frisk and Undyne... They don't need me at work... so what am I gonna do with myself today?


((Hope this looks good to you! I left it as open as I could, so Toriel can enter the scene however you like. Phone call, text, visiting in person, whatever works!))

Comments

[bleatingheart]

[ The honest laugh and the look upon his features didn't help the blush on her face subside in the slightest.

But at least they seemed to have moved past... that mishap. She was relieved and at the same time, a little disappointed. Had she not frozen the way she had, they probably still could have been...

Well, it did not matter now. It would seem extremely odd if she were to reach out and take his hand now after that. And the mere thought of doing so was enough to make her ears burn, anyway.

Jokes were a much more comfortable alternative. Her large feet fell into a steady rhythm of walking side-by-side with Sans again. And his following no less than four puns was almost too much to handle. What started off as a chuckle she hid behind a raised paw ballooned with each food pun until she couldn't hold in the loud chortle and howls of laughter that finally fell free from her in a rush. ]

S-Sans! From the way you are cooking them up, I may just artichoke! I cannot ketchup!

[ It did not matter how many passersby looked at them like they were crazy and weird. She always had a good time with Sans and she was not afraid to show it. ]

[boneidle]

[Toriel's laughter was truly infectious. True, the majority of the passersby gave the pair odd looks, but several others found themselves chuckling along or at least smiling as they passed. And of course Sans's grin only grew with every laugh he coaxed out of her. The awkwardness was buried under the strength of that unbridled joy.]

Sorry, I just can't help it. When I see a chance to pun, I just...

[He let a beat go by, to heighten the anticipation, and then...]

... must-ard.

[He playfully nudged her with his elbow, then decided to let up a bit so she could catch her breath. A quick glance at his phone confirmed that they were still on the right track, and their turn was coming up soon. He hadn't forgotten his promise: He had a city to show her.]

[bleatingheart]

[ At this rate, she was not going to be able to catch her breath!

But oh, being breathless in this way was certainly something she did not mind. She felt so light---like floating on a cloud.

It was rather remarkable, considering how embarrassed and worried she felt just before the jokes were back in full swing. Laughter was certainly a powerful thing.

And he just kept on bringing the puns. Toriel had to pause for a moment to clutch her stomach until the chortles of laughter finally began to subside again. ]

Goodness, Sans, you certainly have a gift.

[ And one he deemed fit to share with her, amazingly enough. ]

[boneidle]

[Turnabout was fair play--Toriel often made Sans feel breathless too. Even though he technically didn't need to breathe, as such. That was just how powerful she was.

And there were few joys in life as good as bringing her that laughter, that light, joyful feeling, and knowing he was able to lift her mood.]

Heh, I don't think there's a lot of monsters or humans around who'd agree with you on that one. I'm pretty sure my bro would call it more of a curse.

[As they came toward Brook Street, Sans glanced to the left, their path toward the bookstore. He didn't want to interrupt their conversation, so as he turned, he reached out to gently touch the small of Toriel's back, guiding her in the proper direction. Hopefully that would go over better than if he took her hand again.]

[bleatingheart]

[ Toriel huffed. She knew that punny humor was not for everyone. Even Frisk would get a little bit exasperated with her at times when she would use them excessively. ]

Nonsense! They lack good taste in jokes, that is all. But at least I am fortunate enough to relish in what they are missing out on.

[ This time, thankfully, she did not completely freeze in shock or jump out of her skin when she felt his bony hand gently turning her in the adjacent direction. And a good thing that he had, or she would have blindly kept going forward. Toriel did not get out much with a child to take care of and teaching classes five days a week and the city was very new and foreign for the most part.

Still, even that light sensation upon her back was enough to set butterflies into a frenzy within her chest. She hoped that it did not show too much in her face. ]

[boneidle]

[Sans chuckled at Toriel's smooth return volley, his own chest filling up with warmth. How had he ever gotten lucky enough to meet this amazing woman, so perfect for him in every way he could see? Yes, it was unlikely that things would ever grow deeper than this, but this alone made him happier than he could ever remember being.

Swept up in a small wave of emotion, feeling a bit as if he was walking on air, Sans took a moment to figure out his reply. The warmth crept into his voice as he looked--or rather, gazed up at her.]

I think I'm the fortunate one, Tori. A pun partner like you just can't be beet.

[Belatedly, the skeleton realized that his hand was still resting lightly on Toriel's back. But her faint body heat felt nice through the soft blouse, and she didn't seem to mind it, so he left it where it was. They weren't far from their destination now, so he might as well enjoy the contact while he could.]

[bleatingheart]

[ She didn't miss that warm tone in his voice, which in turn warmed both her face and her heart simultaneously.

Such a charmer, indeed. Sweet and funny in the same breath, even!

Perhaps those butterflies simply were not going to calm down, after all.

Chuckling under her breath, she glanced away shyly. ]

Do not be silly, Sans. You've clearly outgrown the competition.

[ He was not moving his hand even well after they had turned, she noted. But Toriel did not mind. For such a small hand, the feeling of his joints resting along the small of her back was both firm and reassuring. Her nerves did not calm, but there was a giddy, almost childlike happiness mixing in with them.

My, she was certainly in to the roots, was she not? ]

[boneidle]

That's tree-ly kind of you to say. Honestly, I find these joking sessions simply di-vine.

[Somehow, it was easier to be honest with Toriel when he cloaked the truth in pun clothing. Almost too easy. Sans needed to be more careful. It was hard to remember when she was so close, looking so happy to be there with him.

He was almost tempted to keep walking when they reached the bookstore, so nice was the feeling of his hand at her back and the rest of her by his side. But he stopped, reluctantly pulling his hand back and turning toward the small shop with its wooden door and eclectically stuffed display window.]

Here we are! After you, Tori. [A tiny wisp of blue magic wrapped around the doorknob, pulling the door open for her to step inside.]

[bleatingheart]

[ Toriel couldn't resist giggling even more with the two-shot pun he returned. It really seemed as though he always had a good one at the ready! She would certainly have to work on hers.

The destination almost came too soon.

How silly a thought, considering she had just been fretting not long ago about the awkwardness that came with recognizing her feelings regarding him.

As he opened the door to the quaint shop with a little 'magic touch', she smiled in gratitude through a demure blush and stepped inside, remarking as she passed him. ]

My, how gentle-bonely of you! Thank you, Sans.

[ Toriel always did appreciate good manners, after all. ]