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]

[ Garnering a laugh from him only made that pleasant feeling bloom and spread further within her chest.

When it came down to it, was it really any wonder that she found herself attracted to such a monster?

Between another fit of giggle-chuckles that gave way to another boisterous laugh, she tried to catch her breath long enough to respond. ]

Then I suppose I batter keep it up, shall I n--

[ She hadn't expected him to suddenly take her hand. Even amidst laughter and jokes, the feeling of his bony digits taking hold of her large paw overshadowed everything and reminded her of her predicament with her feelings. Heat rapidly rose from her neck up, flushing her face.

Of course, it was not the least bit unpleasant--on the contrary. But as innocent as the gesture surely was, her heart had definitely skipped another beat before taking off like a shot and pounding in her long ears.

This would be a good time to mask over her flustered state with another joke before he became concerned, but she could not think of anything after her voice had cut off. ]

[boneidle]

[The instant her voice stopped, Sans knew he'd made a mistake. He glanced up to her lovely face, red with shock and (what must be) discomfort, and the heart that he didn't have stopped dead. Abort! Abort!

He yanked his hand away as if he'd been burned, moving a few paces ahead of Toriel and turning to face her. He pasted a grin on his face and hoped the rest of his expression wasn't giving away his panic.]

Haha, sorry! Did I startle you? Just didn't wanna lose track of you while we were, uh, cooking up those gags. [Sans pointed one thumb behind him.] Anyway, we're gonna turn left on Brook Street, so it's a couple more blocks.

[Turning away from Toriel again, Sans started down the sidewalk again, a little faster than before. Hopefully he'd salvaged things and hadn't completely ruined the day before it even started.

Like she would want to hold a cold, bony hand anyway. Stupid, stupid, stupid.]

[bleatingheart]

[ The heart that had leapt up from the shock abruptly plummeted when Sans swiftly pulled his hand away from her paw. And the warmth that flooded her was abruptly met with a chilling, icy wave of realization.

She thought to reach out and assure him that it was fine, but he was already hurrying in front of her. The damage was already done.

Yes, a wonderful job, indeed. Make your dear friend think that you are upset when you are not, all because you cannot contain this silly crush of yours and get flustered by the smallest things. Brilliant.

Stiffly, she dropped her half-extended hand back to her side. ]

It---it is fine. I am fine. My apologies.

[ ...It was also possible he noticed her turning red and acting strangely and was putting two and two together. He was a smart skeleton, after all. And she was certainly no good at hiding these feelings.

Regardless, she did not want to spoil the day ahead. With some effort, she managed an awkward smile as she picked up the lost pace. ]

How... how fortunate that you know the way, Sans! Peas do guide me. I carrot imagine what I would do without you.

[ Once her own joke caught up with her, she could feel the heat returning to her cheeks just as quickly as it fled.

...The pun was innocent-sounding enough, was it not? Why did everything have to gain a second and more suggestive meaning in her mind now? ]

[boneidle]

[Sans almost cringed at the awkward tone in Toriel's voice. He'd totally made things weird, hadn't he? He glanced back nervously as she caught up to him, wishing he had a lip to bite...

And then she punned at him twice in succession, and he felt the tension flow out of his bones like water. His laugh was a bit surprised but very genuine, and he lifted his eye sockets in that way Toriel liked. If they were still trading jokes and laughs, things must be alright.]

Don't worry, Tori, you're not gonna have to find out any time soon. I'll always turnip when you need me. All you have to do is call-iflower.

[Sans grinned and slowed his pace so that he was walking next to Toriel again.] Now let's keep gourd-ing, shall we? We've bean goofing around long enough. [Which of course was a blatant lie. He could never get enough of goofing around with her.]

[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. ]