Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The screams.

They never sound the same.

Sometimes it’s people laughing and playing, like at a park.

Other times it’s people screaming in terror for their lives.

You shoot up from your bed in a cold sweat, panting as you looked at your surroundings. You were home. It was okay. The pale eggshell wallpaper and honey wood flooring encased you in a box of slowly filtered moonlight, let in by the lone window of the circular room.

It took a moment for you to realize the screaming in your dreams was your alarm clock, screeching on your bedside table. You turned it off as you moved to get dressed sliding out from under the covers and slipping your boney feet into your plush house slippers.

You slowly made your way out of the room, catching the glimpse of your family photo from the corner of your eye. The photo had 5 people in it two female skeletons and three male.

You meandered into the bathroom, slowly closing the door behind you. You flicked on the light, years of muscle memory knowing where it was.

The light flicked on filling the room with a yellow hue. You stared at yourself in the mirror above the sink. The bags that you had underneath your eyes were heavier than usual, darker as well. You rested your forehead against the cool glass for a moment.

Heh. Moment.

Something you had learned to live by.

Especially when they were so fleeting like they were now. With the unrest and violence and sicknesses running amok.

You shook slightly. All you wanted was for your family to be safe and happy. Even if that meant pouring yourself into your studies during the waking day and coming back to the farm by night and doing strenuous chores, more so than you were meant to do. Then going to bed at midnight to rise at four in the morning. Like you were doing now. You started the shower and got in, dragging your wash cloth over your smaller bone structure. You made sure to clean well so you wouldn’t have to deal with gritty dirt in your cracks and crevices. You got out, dried, and dressed yourself for your morning chores. Putting on a long sleeve flannel shirt and a leather jacket over it with a bandanna around your neck for you to put on your nasal cavity for when you had to mess with soil or other airborne substances. And to finish it off, you had a cowboy hat that kept the sun from beating down on you.

You headed out of the bathroom and down the hall, footsteps quiet as your father and brothers were still asleep. Passing their doors lead you to the stairs at the end of the hallway that emptied into a small spillway hall that bordered the kitchen.

The night was still very much present outside with the sun making no efforts to rise yet. You grabbed your trusty bow and arrows and crook as you walked outside, the cool night air wrapping its crisp tendrils around your face and cheeks.

Looking up at the sky yielded a navy blanket with countless stars. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and honestly you hoped it would stay that way until later today. No rain meant you got your jobs done faster.

You looked over your list for what you needed to do today.

- Feed the chickens, cows, pigs, horses, and hellhounds and chicken-cobras.

- Change the bedding in the pens and move the animals to their day pens.

- Take the buggy to the general store and drop off milk, eggs, cheese, apples and grain.

Then you had to come back and get another shower and eat, then head back to school.

And this was just the morning.

You honesty weren’t looking forward to dealing with the chicken-cobras.

You headed to the main barn and opened the doors, being greeted by the horses and cows. They took no time at all as you corralled them to the day pen and fed the hungry creatures. They neighed and mooed as they munched away, leaving you to fill their bedding.

Everything went off with no issues, that was, until the chicken-cobras. They had the bodies of chickens, with their talons being slightly longer than that of a chicken. Their necks were long and stretched from their bodies for about a foot, and their heads completely void of anything but the downy gray that was their feathers and their black eyes on the side of their heads. And their horrible black elongated noses. When it opened it had teeth on the inside and it hissed. Like the most terrifying of cobras.

The roost house was quiet like it was most nights. The chickens and chicken-cobras slept soundly. You gently rouse them with a bribery of food, and they happily honk and cluck their way to the outside as you gathered any eggs and replaced bedding as needed.

Satisfied with your work, you took a small break, watching as little yellow and white puffballs ran around through the new hay and underfoot. You smiled. The babies were so cute, though you rarely had to wonder what having your own would be like due to your little brother Whip. Whip was a spunky seven year old boy with large owlish glasses and freckled cheekbones. You were certain he would be a heart breaker when he was older. Despite his nerdy appearance, he was a natural born troublemaker. Always getting into places and things he shouldn’t be and being chased down by the chicken-cobras.

Speaking of which- you were pulled from your thoughts by your sense of hearing. Or, lack there of. There was no noise. Not even the chicks were peeping. You looked through a small slate in the side of the coop, and there in the field, 50 yards away in the tall grass sat a mangey looking dog creature. Its yellow eyes starved and it’s frame gaunt, and it was slowly creeping towards the pen. You quickly grabbed your bow and arrow and drew it back, readying it for when you got out to shoot.

It felt like ages.

Hours, months, years. But it was seconds.

In three boot steps you’d be outside. In five it would be dead.

It began to run for the pen.

You stepped.

40 yards.

You stepped.

The chickens began to cry.

30 yards

The cool wind began to pick up as you met the threshold of the coop.

You stepped.

20 yards.

The creature was closing in as you lifted your bow, turning your body to aim at it.

10 yards.

You watched its bright yellow eyes dart around as it watched the frantic chickens. And fired.

’Fwooopt!’

It stuck right in its eye that you had been staring into moments before. It dropped like a sack of flour, the dry dirt underneath it puffing up a small cloud as it hit the earth. You drew your bow back again and fired into its head, making sure it was dead.

It was the kindest thing you could do.

Noise seemed to flood back to you as the rapid clucking and honking seemed to be at an uproar due to the stress and excitement that the creature had caused.

You looked back to the house as a light flicked on, filling the dark blues of the early morning with a naked yellow of a beautiful afternoon. The light came from your father’s room. You began to sweat.

‘Did he wake up from the chickens or did he wake up on his own?’

You shook it off. No time to think about it. Or… anything really. You ran off to retrieve a shovel and wheelbarrow, finishing your chores and taking care to dispose of any contaminated dirt and the creature’s corpse.

———————————————

The man snored peacefully in his bed. The moonlight filtered in, illuminating the empty side of the bed. That side was untouched, a single long stemmed lily lay on the pillow next to him. It’s delicate white petals seemed to sparkle in the light, dancing to a secret waltz that only it could hear.

A skeletal woman clad in a gentle blue dress and smokey fog leaned over the man, her soft smile was all he could focus on. She leaned in and cupped his jaw to plant a chaste kiss on his lips as she had done so many times before.

The man shot awake. His arm had come up to grasp at the woman, their never ending game of chase always pausing, and the woman always getting away.

His deep morning voice cut through the silence of the home.

”Lilith, my love. I will have to see you tomorrow night again, won’t I?” He placed his fingers against his mouth where her kiss would fall. Dragging himself upright to a sitting position, his neck rolling back to stare at the ceiling. The intricacies of the details picked out by his late wife when they built their home together. Their personal structural nest that housed their things and children.

“Lilith. You would get along so well with our y/n.”

He wondered over to the window and watched as you went into the coop and out a few times, feeding and changing the bedding.

He waited a while longer than watched you exit the coop with a bow and watched as a rabid dog creature ran to the chicken pen hoping to get lucky.

His breath hitched as you fired, sinking the arrow into the creature’s eye. He felt his shoulders slump in relief as it dropped.

“And you would be proud of her too, just as I am.”

His stony demeanor was graced with a ghost of a smile as he returned to his bed, flicking the light on.

He had better go help you with the corpse to make sure the pyre would burn hot enough to properly dispose of it.

He stripped off his pajamas shirt and pants, trading his pants for a pair of well worn blue jeans and boots, before turning to find a shirt. His phone on his bedside table began to ring. His brow furrowed.

“It’s 5AM. Who could be calling at this hour?!” He hummed, exasperated.

”Helvetica household, Cobalt Helvetica speaking.”

Cobalt was a strong, stoic man and it took a lot to shock him. To leave him breathless. Or it did until he heard the man speak on the other end.

“Ah, Cobalt Helvetica, just the man we wished to speak with.”

His eye lights went out as his brows raised.

”General, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

Chapter Text

“General, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

Cobalt felt a sudden chill despite it being a hot summers’ night.

”I think you know why I’m calling, soldier.” Came the cool, gravelly voice from the other side.

“Cobalt, it’s time you repay your debt. We have been tracking an enemy unit and they appear to be en-route to your farmstead. So I want to set up a camp there to catch them off guard or head them off before they can capture the area.”

Cobalt began to sweat. Cobalt blue beads appearing on his head.

“Firstly, I’m not a soldier anymore. I haven’t been for a long time, you know that. Second, if I allow you to do that then I want you end the conflict without violence. Or keep the violence away from my house and kids.” Cobalt stared at the wall in-front of him with a cold glare.

“And  everyone earns their keep here. So your men shouldn’t be surprised if I put ‘em to work.”

His eyes cast over his family photo, his eyes lingered on his wife and children. His daughter in particular.

”Lastly, I have a daughter here. She’s about the age of some of your soldiers and younger than others. She is second in command around here. If I’m not available, everyone answers to her, including you.”

There was a beat of silence, followed by another. Then a long whistle.

”Damn Cobalt, you’re really busting my balls here.”

The man on the other end clicked his tongue.

“But we can make it work. We will see you at noon then.”

Cobalt closed his eyes in a formed frustration. “Very well.”

He put the phone down as the line went dead.

He rubbed the bridge of his navel cavity, wishing away this headache that had already began to build.

He looked to the empty side of his bed at the lily.

“Well Lilith, it seems after all these years Gaster is still a hard ass. If I’m not mistaken, the whole lot of them are coming.” His shoulders slumped.

“I’m sure they would have loved to see you again, too.”

He finished dressing and tidying up his room, flicking the light off, the pale moonlight all but encompassing the room.

“I love you, my dear. I will see you later.”

He quietly closed his bedroom door.

The room seemed to smile.

——————————————

You wiped your hands on your jeans, cleaning the ash from your palms as you stoked the fire under the dog’s corpse.

Your own dog, a hellhound, sat by you, its skeletal tail slowly swaying side to side. It looked up at you with glowing blue eyes, its pink and blue flames short in length. It gave a whimper.

You gave it a small frown, but pet it on the head.

‘It’s okay. It doesn’t get easier, but I can forgive myself because it was suffering.’ You thought.

You pet the hellhounds head again and began to walk to the house to alert your father to the pyre, so it wasn’t completely unattended. The hellhound bounded away to the barn.

You take note of the sky growing to a lighter shade of blue, though it didn’t make the stars any less bright.

You kick your boots off before you head into the house, entering the kitchen from the side door. You looked to see your father at the stove, cooking food and your older brother, Jett, at the table drinking some coffee. Jett’s hardened expression softened as he greeted you. His white eye lights scanning the local paper just moments ago.

“Hey there baby bird, g’mornin.” He hummed to you.

You nodded at him with a, unbeknownst to you, cute smile and a wave.

You knocked on the table twice.

“Give me a second chickadee. I’m trying not to burn the flapjacks.” Your dad hummed to you over your shoulder.

You huffed slightly and shifted your weight on your hips, taking a resting pose to wait for your dad to be done cooking.

”Alright. Alright.” He laughed.

“I and hear you sighing and huffing back there, now what do you need to tell me?”

You began to sign to your dad that you were headed to drop the produce off to the general store and the pyre was going. You had caught another coyote.

”Ah. I did see that. The poor thing looked so sick I couldn’t even tell it was a coyote. Good shot too. I thought it had snuck up on you for a moment there.”

You sign to him again, saying how you can’t be too careful even for stuff like that, but you had seen it hiding before it got that far.

You jump when Jett slams his fist on the table. “You let her go out alone again with all them rabid dogs and shit out there?!” Jett’s bright blue magic flared up, the smell of hot sea salt and water filled the air.

“Pa! I thought we all agreed to a buddy system!”

“Now I know you’re mad Jett, but your sister can handle herself just fine.”

”So could I and we all know where that got me!” He gestured to his knee under the table.

Your fathers deep cobalt blue magic sparked. The smell of milo and freshly tilled soil wafted into the air.

You knocked on the table and both of their heads snapped to you.

You began to rasp out.

“S-sorry Jett. I … know you’re upset.. but let’s not fight. I just wanted you… to be able to rest.”

Jett’s eyes widened as did your fathers.

“B-Baby bird! You don’t have to talk! We know it hurts you!” Jett stood up sharply, the blankets and pillows he had on his stool to prop his knee fell to the floor.

”Yeah chickadee, it’s just the early hours and stress! Please don’t wear yourself thin!”

It was your turn to scowl.

”We’re all….. worn thin. If we can’t…. Start communicating better…. Shits gonna go ass up very… fast.”

They looked at you in stunned silence.

You pointed at your dad.

“You don’t call me…. Chickadee unless…. Something is wrong. What happened?”

You watched as your dads eyes looked away as he began to plate food for Jett.

”I got a phone call this morning from an old friend of your mothers’ and I. He’s a general in the army and they plan to bring some troops here to the farm and camp here to wait out enemy forces.”

You feel your sockets go dark.

”What did you say to them?”

He wouldn’t look you in the eyes.

You scowled.

”F-father!” You reprimanded.

”I know, I know! But I already set ground rules. Not to mention I didn’t truly have a choice. I had a debt to repay…”

He looked out the window at the glowing red sunrise.

”And this is the repayment.”

You signed to him, your throat hurting from the talking.

*When will they be here?*

”Noon today.”

You sighed.

*Do you want me to stay home?*

“No! You head on to school. Jett and I got everything covered. Besides, I don’t want anything happening to Whip should he be left unattended.”

You nodded, getting a drink from the tap.

*Alright. Let me head to town then. I’m taking my nightmare so I can hopefully be back in a timely manner.*

You nodded to them as they wished you well as you headed outside.

———————————————

You hitched the cart to a huge skeletal steed. It stood 12 feet high and had a mane made of black vines with a tail to match. You couldn't help but smile when your hellhound bounded up to the cart and jumped up, placing its paws on the side of the brown wood, whining.

You slapped your thigh a few times and your dog jumped up into the cart along side you. Flicking the reigns, the horse moved forward. You were off.

The journey into town had been uneventful. The trees lining the roads to town held very little wildlife aside from an occasional bird or squirrel. The dust from the dirt road flew up into the air, flittering in the beginnings of the day.

Soon the dirt road turned to bricks as you entered town. It was small and quaint, but it was home.

“Hi!”

”Howdy!”

”Morning Helvetica! How’s your brother doing?”

You waved and gave a thumbs up to the towns people as you passed, drawing to the rear of the grocery store.

You got to the store and knocked on the back door, starting to unload the milk crates first. The heavy door swung open and the shop keeper gasped in surprise.

”Y/n Helvetica! It’s so nice to see you! Its been a hot second my goodness!”

You couldn’t help the silent laugh that escaped you.

*Its nice to see you too, Martha.*

“Girlie I’m going to hafta bend ya over my knee if you keep neglecting to come visit! Your brothers too!”

*Yes Martha. Sorry about that. The farms been busy with the amount of work we’ve been doing. That and me getting ready to graduate school here in two weeks.*

The shopkeeper was shocked, then a huge grin spread across her face.

She squealed, “Ooh! That means we’re gonna have a big marriage celebration soon then!”

You felt your face flush with embarrassment. Though if people didn’t know how to look they’d never see it. Your magic was pure white, with little flecks of rainbow that shifted in the light depending on how it moved. Your father wept when you got your magic as a child, but he also couldn’t stop smiling. He said you had your mothers magic, save for the smell.

Though you were certain with a mirror present, there would be rainbow all down your face and neck.

”Martha! Is the produce delivery in yet?!” A man shouted, a bit louder than necessary.

“Yes Mike!”

Martha looked back at you with a smile. “Sorry about him. He’s been stressed out ever sense a bunch of military men rolled into town last night. The group came in and pretty much wiped the store clean!”

She leaned closer to you, her half lidded expression teasing you.

”And they’re all pretty cute too, word on the street is they’re just your type~.”

You began to walk backwards and remount your cart the rainbow now very visible as it flooded down your neck and to your shoulders.

*Aaaand I will see you next month Martha.*

She began to laugh as she took one of the last crates into the store and you began to leave with the cart.

’A marriage celebration, huh? A nice thought but I don’t know if it would actually be a possibility.’

Here in Fonston, it was customary that women were paired with a male of the institute’s choice. They would then marry and breed, to hopefully have healthy children and boost the skeleton population. Though in your opinion it didn’t need any more boosting, especially with all these large meat-headed men around.

The sun had now risen fully, bathing the land in its golden hue, breathing life into the sky in the form of white whips of clouds. You were lost in thought but quickly snapped out of it as two military officials stepped out to block your path.

They dawned grey uniforms with matching grey berets. One had a red arm band on his upper arm, and his undershirt was the same crimson red with black boots. He had sharp teeth with a singular golden tooth and a crack running down his left socket.

The other had a purple arm band and the same purple shirt with black boots. He had two cracks in his left socket. His teeth were almost normal, though his fangs were a little larger than normal.

Well.

They were both massive. Come to think of it, as you looked around, all of the soldiers were huge.

You stood about 5 foot 5 inches tall. These two were easily 10 feet tall and thicker than trees. And there were some who were taller!

You felt your own sweat begin to form.

You looked over the cart at the two towering men.

You sighed. ‘At this rate I’m going to miss breakfast and I fricken’ earned it today!’ You pouted, unaware the look transferred to your physical face.

You began to sign.

*May I help you?*

The red one began to chuckle.

“Ah. I wasn’t expecting that. The pouty little man sitting on his literal high horse is a mute.”

Oh god damn it.

*I need to pass.* You kept your look as neutral as possible.

”Nu-uh. No can do buddy.” His large arms were crossed over his torso. He shook his head.

*Why not?*

He looked you up and down with a cruel smile.

“Cuz I said so.”

You huff, your magic running to your face, you feel your temples burning in hot anger.

”Hey Milord- check it out, the puny boy is getting all steamed up!” Jeered the red clad skeleton.

The purple skeleton, Milord as you now knew, rolled his eyes. Though his mouth turned up slightly at the corners.

“Honestly Red, such an easy target isn’t worth the bullying, even when they can’t use their own voice to defend themselves. Though the steam is pretty funny.”

You looked up and sure enough, the cool air of the morning mixed with the sweat on your body and your sudden spike in temperature had started to form steam.

As Milord finished his sentence more steam and magic billowed off of you. They burst out laughing.

Red reached up and wiped a fake tear from his eye.

“Ahh~. Anyway dude, go fuck in the direction of off.” Red waved his hand at you to dismiss you.

You drew in a breath of fresh air and felt your anger melt away. You would just have to take the long way home. You had started to turn your cart around when you heard him laugh.

“That’s right pussy. Turn around n’ go the other way.” His gravelly voice lowered. “Ain’t like yer gonna get through there anyway.” He sighed a laugh like he had just finished telling a great joke.

Your neutral expression turned back into a scowl as you whipped your head back to stare him down.

‘Well you could have kept your fat mouth shut. But now I’m going to hafta teach you why you don’t fuck with the Helvetica’s.’

You jumped down off of your wagon, landing without causing a big plume of dirt to waft up into the air.

“What little bitch boy, come back for more?” Red raised a bored bone brow at you, a huge unlit cigarette hanging from in between his sharp maw. You could see Milord stiffen as you approached. You began to sign.

*Look here shit head. I don’t have time for your antics. I got shit to do. So how about this- A little wager. If I win I get free pass. If I lose, you guys get these.*

You pulled out a case that you usually sat on or stood on to drive the cart. And inside were chocolate bars with green flecks in them with a lighter brown bottom. Coffee flavored healing bars. The wrapper held a beautiful ‘H’ on the front in black fancy lettering in front of a white circle.

The duo’s eyes bugged out. They glanced at each other. Then back at the crate and finally at you.

Red spoke first. “We get the whole crate if we beat ya?”

You nodded. The duo turned around and whispered with each other before turning back and Milord frantically hurried away before returning a moment later with a much taller man. He stood 12 feet tall and had a certain presence that he couldn’t be pushed around. He wore a black uniform and a beret with a red band on the bottom, while his undershirt and boots were a deep crimson red. His left lapel was covered in medals. He had cracks in his skull as well. One leading down from both eyes and a crack running up from his left socket to the top of his head.

”So you, a civilian, wants to make a wager with my men?”

You look the man in the eye and nod your head.

*I need to pass. My home is this way and I’m late getting to school. So I figured a wager for passage.*

He nodded slowly and eyed you and then your cart. His eyes stopped on your bow and arrows.

”You shoot?” He hummed looking down at you. One of his red eye lights were fuzzy, like it couldn’t fully form.

His tooth pick grinded slowly in between his teeth.

You nodded.

“Are ya a good shot?”

You bobbed your head around to decide before giving him a ‘yeah. I’m okay at it’ sort of look, having your hand flatly as you did so.

”Then that’s the competition. Shooting. I’ll judge. His one good red eye light hovered over the two guards. Pick someone to compete with ‘em. Make it count.” He began to walk away. Before stopping and staring at you over his shoulder.

“Oh and you there boy? Good luck. You’ll be needing it. Meet back here in ten minutes.”

He smirked and walked away. You looked at your bow that he had handed you.

It’s alabaster wood specked with hints of color and gentle engravings that you had taken care to make over a period of a year. You waited by your cart for a moment, enjoying the warmth of the sun on your bones. It was lulling you to sleep due to the four hours a night you ran on.  Suddenly the warmth disappeared and you looked up. A huge man blocked out the sun. He stood the tallest you’d seen yet. 14 feet tall. His demeanor was cold and aggressive. He stood over you with his arms crossed over his chest. His eye lights non-existent.

“You challenged ‘us’ to a shooting competition? Oh please peasant, don’t be so daft!” He snorted.

”You are not much to look at anyway Tiny Tim!” He huffed and wondered away, grumbling under his breath, something about his brother and the competition being laughable.

‘Rude ass.’ You glared after him.

You checked the time on the nearby clock tower of the bank. 7 AM sharp. You sucked in a breath and growled.

‘I’m barely gonna have time to bring the cart back to the house at this rate. Hurry up you slow asses!’

As if the stars heard you, people began to flood around the small exit to the farm.

Slowly a crowd of soldiers began to form as three targets were placed down the road. A good 200 yards away. You grabbed your bow, as you assumed it’s what you’d be shooting with.

Another large shadow moved in front of you. This man was large, same as the last. (Both a whopping 14 feet tall.) Though he stared down at you, his own dark grey suit accented with orange. He had freckles that left a slight orange haze on his cheekbones and his black sockets stared into you.

“The general told me to give you this for the competition.” He hummed, bored sounding.

He took your bow and gave you a much larger one, along with the proper bolts for it. It was black and slender, the sleekness melded all the way to the cord. It was nearly taller than you! It was five feet long and 2 across. You grabbed the string and pulled it back. Yup. It was stiff.

You expected nothing less than the best for extra strength military grade bara weapons.

You nodded as you brought the large bow to the front of the road. The laughter of the soldiers falling on deaf ears as they laughed at the ‘little farm boy’ going against a top notch archer. You watched as a man in a grey and yellow uniform approached to your right. You waited for the general to speak.

“Alright maggots! This boy here” he pointed at you.

“-believes he should be allowed to pass our check point to get back to his house. While I agree with that, Red and Milord didn’t.”

The crowd jeers the duo. Your eyes flick over to the both of them to find them shrugging it off. Red with a laidback smile and Milord with a look of disinterest.

“The boy offered a wager. He offered a crate of very valuable and high quality chocolate, which as you all know, is incredibly rare to come by when in the military.”

The crowd broke into ‘oohs’ and more jeering.

“So I accepted on the terms that if they win, they can pass through. If we win we get a crate of high grade chocolate. Without further ado, Aster! If you will take your three shots.”

The large man in the yellow uniform stepped up.

He had a crack running up the right side of his face from his socket and green freckles adorned his face. He seemed to be fairly young, but a hell of a shot. If that wasn’t completely evident by the bullseye eye just hit on his first target.

You watched as his shoulder blades tensed under his grey jacket. How his chest filled with air and how he held it steady. And with a flawless presentation, let it fly for a second bullseye. You felt your soul skip a beat.

You found this man; Aster, was it? So undeniably attractive.

You frown slightly.

‘Sorry there hun. I really need passage back home. It’s already late in the morning. Not that I wouldn’t love to do this again sometime.’

He was close to you now, aiming at the last target. Again. He breathes in, pulls back, and lets it fly. Bullseye.

All the soldiers whoop and cheer and the tall, but filled out man, smiles a shy smile, green making its way on his face as he rubs the back of his neck.

You meet his eyes as he passed and you gave him a subtle nod.

It was your turn.

The general stepped up and stared down at you.

“Your turn boy.” He leaned down close to your ear.

”Though there ain’t no shame in backing out now.”

You keep your face straight and load your bow. Though you do use your sweet, mature sounding morning voice on him.

You give him a gentle; ‘heh’. “Not even in your wildest wet dreams there General.”

You could swear you could hear him choke as you walked away. The bow was heavy, sure. But how would you protect your family by only knowing one tool of the trade?

You raised it as you normally would, drawing back the string. The jeering and laughter was all deafened to you. What you could hear was the rustling of the leaves in the trees and the quiet sounds of the early morning insects.

You breathe in.

Aim.

Fire.

And exhale as you split Asters first arrow down the center.

The gentle breeze cools your face as you raise your bow again, carrying with it the damp sent of rain in the air.

You breathe in.

Aim.

Fire. And exhale as you split Aster’s second arrow down the center.

And you move onto the third. You’re aware of the surface of the ground, even underneath your boots. The small misplaced bits of pebbles and the clumps of overgrown weeds growing from the cracks in the bricks. You felt at home in your soul.

So much so that you couldn’t feel the stares of all those behind you.

You inhale.

Aim.

And fire.

With a sharp zip the arrow flew into asters third arrow, splitting that down the middle too.

You had tied with him.

Exhale.

And you turned to give the large orange skeleton from earlier his bow back.

Everyone was quiet as you came back to your senses. Shock and awe spread through the crowd, with some giving out glares.

Slow applause came from your right. You turned to see another yellow matching suit and a familiar face in it.

It was your oldest brother, Buck. He had a coy grin and he looked like he was holding back laughter.

“Really song bird? You could’ve just told them your last name and they would have let you pass.”

The red General spoke up. “Private Helvetica! What is your relationship with this boy?”

Buck lurched forward and looked like he tried to hold his breath. But he failed miserably. He burst out laughing.

“Ahahahaha! This isn’t my little brother!” He gasped in and began clutching his side as he continued to laugh.

”They’re my little sister!” His arms wrapped around his torso as he doubled over.

”Come on y/n, take ya damn hat off and summon your hair like you’re supposed ta.” You do take off your hat, only to smack your brother in the face with it.

He left you and your family alone to struggle without him for the last three years. He had made your father cry on multiple occasions, not to mention poor Whip, who wondered where his older ‘bubs’ went.

You don’t wait long at all as you grabbed him by his collar and threw him down onto the ground in a puff of dirt before lifting him up and throwing him into the back of your cart with an ‘umph’!

In your anger, your hair had formed. It was (h/l) and (h/c). The catches of rainbow still ever present.

You smoothed down your hair and made it dissolve, putting your bow dirty hat back on. You look at the general, who you now assumed was your dad’s friend.

*I’m stealing this one. Father will be expecting you at noon.* Your brother groans as the hellhound jumps into the cart and lays on top of him. You scoot the crate of chocolate over with your foot.

The General stopped it with his foot and gave a curt nod.

“No problem. Get home.”

You tilted your hat to him and began to mount your horse, only to be lifted by a pair of strong hands. You looked behind yourself at a man who hulked over some people. He held your waist in his hands, and lifted you all the way up and sat you gently on the large steed like you were a doll.

His large paws had encompassed your hips and waist. He honestly could lift you with one hand.

His uniform was gray with a black undershirt. He had one red eye that looked over you with a certain fondness and a large gaping hole in his skull.

*Thank you.* you signed. His smile seems genuine as he blushes a slate color. He gave you a small wave as he watch your trailer pull away.

You hoped you’d see him again too. 

Chapter Text

Red felt sweat run down his face as he watched your cart disappear down the road.

He felt the tingle of his magic across his face. The person he thought was a dinky, draft dodging farm boy, had actually been a young woman. A young woman who had damn near beaten out Aster with her shooting skills and had flipped a 7 foot 300 pound man over her shoulder. And she was small to boot. Though she didn’t even panic when the psychopath had snuck up behind her and handled her like that either.

“Whadda woman.” He trailed off.

“Private Red!”

Red quickly snapped to attention.

“Sir!”

The general wondered over.

”Private. Pick four other soldiers.”

Red’s eyes darted around.

”Uh- why?”

”Do not disobey direct orders!”

The general paced in front of him. His back straight and his one good eye light pinning him down.

Red swallowed nervously. If there was one person Red couldn’t read, it was the general. He also knew whatever he was picking had a 50/50 chance of being good or bad.

’Shit.’

But whatever it was, he wasn’t about to put his brother through it.

“Sir! Stretch, Blue, Aster, and G!”

Red was still. Watching the General pace.

“Those four, eh?” He shrugged.

“Alright. So you and Edge,” Red’s eyes widened. He had purposely avoided saying his bros name so he wouldn’t be picked. He was innocent!

”Along with the four you just mentioned- will now be that girl’s personal helpers. You will all do what she says when she says to do it and I will give her full authority to dress you all down. It’s the least we can do for causing the farm trouble.” The general had a wide, cruel smile.

”And before you say your brother is innocent, I saw him harassing her before she went to shoot.”

Red felt the anger shoot up. “Wait just a damn minute old man! You didn’t know they were a woman either!”

He shrugged. “She clued me in when she went to take her shots.” A slight red tint began to glow on his face. He shrugged his shoulders.

“No matter. It was a request of her father in the first place. So either way, you would probably be doing it.”

Red glowered. “It ain’t like she ain’t got a man already to do it for her.”

The general paused his pacing. Staring red down.

”Actually she doesn’t. Her father tells me she's entirely dedicated to the family farm and that she’s blown off any and all advances from any potential suitors.” His smile full of sharp teeth seemed to grow sharper. “Rather brutally too, should they not take ‘no’ for an answer.”

The general stared down at Red, his eyes half lidded.

”Son, now you can’t tell me you’re not interested in a potential mate. If she spends more time with you and realizes you aren’t a complete jackass, she may actually like you.”

Red felt the confusion rush back to anger. The heat of his magic began to billow smoke, the scent of burning firewood became very prominent.

“So let me get this straight. You made me choose my own competition in a bid to see if you couldn’t rope me together with the farmer’s daughter?!”

The general began to laugh. “Sure. Still had to punish you for agreeing to the wager without even running it by me first.”

”If i’da known that, I woulda chose the freak shows instead of the aster brothers.”Red growled out.

Though it wasn’t as if he cared for the farm girl. If anything, Red believed that Edge should have her, maybe if he was fortunate enough, they could share.

”I dunno son, those two may give you a run for your money with the good cooking they do.”

Their eyes collectively looked at the giant skeleton with the hole in his head as he stared down the road after your cart, the cart having long sense disappeared from view.

“Besides I think Axe is already smitten.” Hummed the General.

“Course he is. Anything that treats him kindly or his brother he’d probably fuck.”

Red jumped as Axe’s one large red eye snapped to him.

”Watch… your… mouth… Red… I might just… have to… fuck you… for getting the chocolate bars… for us… in the first place. That was… pretty knife of ya.”

Red sputtered in terror and disgust. “WHAT THA FUCK AXE! HELL NO!”

The general burst out laughing.

“Sorry private Axe. You’re dismissed. Go pack the kitchen with private Crooks and be ready to leave at eleven hundred hours.”

Axe’s head bobbed in a slow nod and he walked away. Each step sending up a plume of dirt before slate colored fog appeared and Axe vanished inside of it, leaving nothing behind but the smell of damp moss and iron.

———————————————

The cart thundered down the dirt road as the nightmare lead the cart, the skeleton on back of the horse leaning down enough so the blistering speed of wind didn’t push them off.

’I’m later than a mosquito in winter!’ You bit your bottom lip.

’And no doubt I’m going to catch lip for it. Either from Pa or Mrs. Georgia.’ Your face contorted into a grimace.

You sharply pulled back on the reigns pulling the horse to a stop, having arrived at the farm. You lept down from your horse and undid the cart as Buck got up from the cart, following the excited hellhound as it spun in rapid circles and yapping on its way to the door. It’s blue and pink flames burning in long waves and its tail waving rapidly.

“Pa’s gonna ring my ears, ain’t he?” Buck turned back to you. His salmon colored magic covering his face in shame.

*I don’t think so. I’ve already done that part. Jett might. But I think he’ll only put you to work.*

You pinned him down with your white eye lights.

*Only after a home-cooked meal though. He missed you, ya know.* You gave him a tired smile.

*Everyone did.*

He smiled. “Heh, thanks sis.”

“BUUUUUBS!” A high pitched squeal followed by a quick blur bowled Buck over, sending him to the ground in a huff of dirt.

Buck couldn’t help but laugh. “Hey lil’ spark! It’s been a hot second.” He lifted the dangly seven-year-old off of his torso and laughed as Whip began to hit him with his ‘kitten punches’.

“You’re not allowed to ever leave like that again you hear me Buck Helvetica!”

Buck moved his face to and fro, avoiding the baby-bones’ swipes.

”Well I’ll be damned. It takes a lot of nerve to be showing that ugly mug round these parts.”

Jett limped over to the duo, glaring down at Buck. He used a finger and lifted Whip off of Buck using his light blue magic.

“Whip, get off the ground, you’ll get your nice clothes all dirty.”

*Make sure you’re ready to go in ten minutes, I need to grab a shower.* You stated, bypassing the duo and running inside.

The three boys were quiet for a moment.

”What happened to your leg? I’m pretty sure you had one last I saw you.” Buck stared down at Jett’s knee, his pant leg folded up to cover it as Jett leaned on a crutch.

”We got a rabies problem here at the farm. I wasn’t careful enough and a coyote bit me on my leg and my leg started dusting off. Sis had ta’ cut it off before it got to my thigh. Thankfully it stopped and I got better a few days later.”

Buck’s eyes went wide. “Your leg started to immediately dust?”

Jett looked down as he heard Whip sniffle. “Sis saved me. She’s the backbone of this place nowadays with me being a cripple n’ all.” They looked to the house as the door opened and you came outside, your boots having been replaced with nice flats and your jeans and jacket for a sun dress.

*Whip, load up. We’re headed out and we’re late.*

You turned to your brothers.

*Be safe, and be helpful. I’ll be home later as per usual.*

You made sure the cart was steady before loading Whip in the back and hoping up on your large nightmare.

You missed the look of astonishment on your siblings faces.

You steered the cart and looked at your brothers over your shoulder. You gave a wave.

And off the cart shot.

”Whoever she’s matched with is going to be tested by god.” Whispered Buck.

”Or be a gift from god.” They both jumped as their dad had appeared behind them.

He smiled at Buck before patting his shoulder and pulling him into a hug.

“Let’s get you fed and then it’s work time. We need to prepare for a literal army.”

———————————————

Your cart flew down the dirt road, a thick plume of golden dirt flying up behind the cart. The horses hooves made a thunderous noise as they hit the ground.

Whip squealed in delight as the cart bounced, sending him airborne. He landed with an ‘umph’! His high pitched laughter still loud enough to be heard over all the ruckus.

You smiled to yourself. At least someone was having a good day.

You steered the cart down the same road you just came from and slowed as you rode back into town. The army men had all dispersed and appeared to be hauling boxes to their supply trucks. You heard a few wolf whistles as you passed by the men.

One shouted out as you passed by. “If you’re free Friday night, you wanna ride me like you ride that horse?!”

You shook your head and laughed silently. Your laughter only getting worse as a new General different than the one from earlier dressed the soldier down.

“Private G! That is absolutely no way to treat a lady! Drop and give me 50!”

You saw the soldier drop to his face and start doing push ups. A man dressed in a black uniform with a blue and orange undershirt standing over him. His eye lights were blue and orange, and his teeth had a slight gap in them. He also had two cracks in his skull, one going up from his socket on the right and one going down from his socket to his mouth on the left side.

His face was set to a disapproving scowl as he glared down at the private, tapping his foot as he silently counted his push ups.

Whip’s small voice spoke up. “What’d he mean by that sis?”

You turned to look at Whip and shook your head.

*He was being silly. Being in the army makes em’… b-onely.* Whip concentrated on your hands and a look of confusion passed over his face. Than a scowl.

“WAS THAT A PUN?! SISTER THAT WAS AWFUL!” He stomped his little foot as a few pops of white magic flared up, his high pitched voice cracking.

You laughed again.

*Sorry baby brother. You know I can’t resist messing with you. You’re too cute.*

“I’m not cute.” He pouted, crossing his arms over his chest.

He hunched over, his round glasses slid down his nasal ridge.

You smiled at him and raised an eyebrow. *If you stick that lip out any further, a bird will shit on it.*

You watched as his pout turned to confusion and then laughter.

“Ew!” He giggled.

*And if I say you’re cute, you’re cute. So you’re stinkin’ adorable. You got that mister?*

He huffed and rolled his eyes. But a small laugh escaped.

You slowed the cart as you neared a larger building. It was made from wood with a grey stone foundation. It had a school yard next to it with swings and a metal slide. Not to mention the sand pit at the bottom.

*We’re here. Go inside and I’ll be back for you at the end of the day. Be good and learn lots! Try to behave for Mr. Lato, okay? You wouldn’t want him spanking ya or for dad ta’ spank ya’ either.* You dropped down from the cart and gave Whip a hug, fixing his shirt and glasses.

*And most importantly, have a good day. I love you.*

You gave him a gentle smooch on the forehead.

“Sis!” He quickly squealed as he wiped his forehead off. His face contorted into a frown. He looked away with a small blush. But then wrapped you into his own right hug.

“I will, I promise!” You squeezed him again and waved him off. His giant teacher waited for him at the schoolhouse doors. He gave you a wave as you remounted your horse and began down the road to the high school.

You undid the cart from your horse and set the horse in the pasture next to the school so she could graze.

You fixed your dress and shoes before heading into the building.

Mrs. Georgia was a royal pain since the first day you started school. She always taught girls that they should be submissive to their husbands and have as many babies as they could, as that would be their job in the ‘real world’.

But you couldn’t see yourself loaded down with kid after kid with nothing to show for anything. What would you even have to gain from that sort of lifestyle, especially when you didn’t even choose your own mate?

You fought with Mrs. Georgia on everything. Everything. Submissiveness, sexism, misogyny. You name it, you guys probably didn’t share the same opinion on it. And judging by the match-makers cart and midwife’s cart that sat outside the school, you would be having words today as well.

You sighed as you walked into the smaller building, the dark wooden floors contrasted by the pink and chocolate walls that lined the way to classrooms. The rooms being the same baby pink as the hall. You went into the last room  and sat down in the back right row. There were only 9 desks, because your class only had 9 girls. You being one of them. Fortunately the class hadn’t started yet and your classmates ignored you as you sat down. Though it never stopped you from taking in the other hens, as female skeletons were called.

Rosemary, Piper, Bridget, Beth, Adeline, Ester, Heather, and Eve. Then there was you.

They were all cooing amongst themselves. Talking about which men they had taking a liking to over the course of the year. You couldn’t help yourself as you listened in. They were sitting right next to you after all.

“Oh! That boy, what’s his name, Allen! He is too cute! He asked me out on a date yesterday and I think we’re going pretty smooth!” The jovial girl, Piper gushed happily. Her magic was yellow and smelled of pineapples and bananas.

“Allen? Isn’t that the mortician’s son?” A girl with Cinnamon brown magic hummed with apprehension.

“Oh come on Heather! He’s honestly amazing! Who cares if the family job is a bit… odd. He’s nice and knows how to treat a lady!”

Another girl scoffed. Eve.

“Oh please. Leave it to the heat crazy hen to chase down the low class choices.”

Her hair was straight and long and a deep purple, nearly black. Her magic smelled like grapes. Well, technically it was wine. But you know. Mashed potatoes are still potatoes.

“What do you mean low class?!” Piper stood up, her normally happy attitude vanishing instantly. The sudden jolt of her movement knocking the apple she had on her desk to the floor as she challenged Eve’s accusation.

The air was tense as the two girls glared each other down.

”I’m talking about how much money his family makes. If they don’t have enough money to take care of themselves, how are they supposed to take care of you and your babies? That’s their job and they would be a horrid mate option, especially if they weren’t in the top 10 percentile for their wealth.”

Eve scoffed as she looked away, a smug smile on her face. Though 10 percent is still too low for me. If they want my babies, they had at least be in the top 5, or better yet, 3.”

You pinched the bridge of your nose as you squeezed your eyes shut and sighed.

“As if you’re even worth that much! You and your little squiggle squad looooove to act like you’re the stars gift to earth! Well news flash, you’re not and no body who makes that much money is gonna pick up a random hen from out in the middle of nowhere! You’re just jealous I found someone I actually love and who loves me and it’s not just for my looks! Because you may look great, but your personality is pig shit!”

Your eyes widened slightly as you heard Piper screech at Eve. Piper hardly ever yelled. Let along ever got mad.

You winced as you heard sharp footsteps coming down the hallway. The familiar sound of Mrs. Georgia’s pumps slapping the hardwood floor.

‘Piper, for the love of the stars, please sit down and have some patience.’

Eve’s face looked like she smelled the latest insult.

“Excuse me?! I’ll have you know I’ve been scouted to move to St. Calibri to be with ‘my’ mate! He’s a wealthy businessman and only the most elite can afford such luxury!” Eve’s lips were curled back into a snarl, her fangs bared at Piper.

”Oh yeah? And how old was he and how much did your daddy get for your dowry? Let me guess. A single jelly bean, a paper clip and a half chewed stick of gum?”

Eve gasped. “You insufferable heifer! My mate is 25! He isn’t that old! And my dad said he got a handsome amount that’s he’s happy with!” She stomped her foot down, sending a puff of wine scented air around.

”Ew! You’re 18! And he’s 25? He totally sold you out!”

”He did not! I love my mate!”

”No you love his money!”

A sharp throat cleared the air, the smell of freshly juiced peaches filled the air. Mrs. Georgia stood there in her pink glory. Her peach pink hair held together in a fluffy updo, her long dress that sat at their ankles showed her peachy orange pumps.

“Now now ladies- I hope you aren’t using any more of that fowl language under my roof.” Her sweet honey southern accent bled through with a tone normally only reserved for you.

“Piper, sweetie, I know you and Allen have been going out and getting cozy for a while, and Allen there is a completely acceptable mate. But Eve is right. The Gothic’s macabre family job may not bring in enough financial support for you to have the ‘best’ of the best for your whelps.”

She stepped into the classroom and laid a stack of papers on her desk. Her large stomach leading the way.

“Eve’s father Mr. Bank ensured that Eve had an institute approved mate. So she and her whelps will be well cared for.”

Piper’s magic flooded the room again. “Allen is amazing! I don’t care that the family job is odd! It’s a job that needs done! And I'm not marrying him for money! I never wanted money!”

“Marriage? Oh honey pie, no.” Mrs. Georgia gave a laugh.

“You don’t marry your mate. If they turn out to be no good, you just toss em’ and move on.” She shook her head with a giggle.

“Marrying for love is silly. We need to ensure we have enough young for skeletons to be strong.”

Piper looked down at her desk, dejected. You gently wrapped your knuckles on her desk and signed to her.

*I think is beautiful to marry for love. Who cares if you don’t have lots and lots of money. If you really love Allen, go for it. He’s approved by the institute. I saw his name on the list. His family does our town a great service. Dust collecting and resting is no easy feat. While an uncomfortable topic, it’s so important. Especially when it becomes you who has to visit him for a loved one. And I’ve spoken with him a few times. I think he’s a good person. Not my type, but when it boils down to it he’s great for you in every way. Personally I think he could use someone as great as you to bring some light to his life.*

Piper wiped her eyes. “Th-thank you y/n.”

Piper spoke up.

“My decision on Allen is final. I choose him!”

You gave a gentle smile.

It was already pretty messed up to have a list of boys you could pick from. And it was even more messed up for someone to tell you the choice you picked wasn’t good enough even though your choice passed all the bars.

Even more so when you were treated like a simpleton for chasing after something you wanted.

Mrs. Georgia rolled her eyes but wrote it down anyway.

Her eyes turned to you.

“Y/n! I know you haven’t had the best luck in mate finding, so I’ve been asking around~ and I got you a date with the doctors son!” She wiggles her eye brows at you and slid an offer paper to you as your class mates gasped. You also hadn’t noticed the two new women enter the room.

You didn’t even bother reading it.

You shook your head. *Mating isn’t my priority. Not to mention I don’t like ‘em that way. It’d be wrong to.*

Mrs. Georgia’s smile fell to a scowl.

“Honestly Y/n! I didn’t even pick this one. This is how I know you’re just being stubborn!” She seemed to stomp her foot.

Your heavy eye lights followed Mrs. Georgia as she walked back up to the front of the room next to the two other ladies. “These are Mrs. Binner, she pointed to the matchmaker skeleton. and Mrs. Charter. The midwife.

“Y/n, The male that Mrs. Binner chose for you is in every way satisfactory. Their family makes good money, and the man is smart and handsome.”

She narrowed her eyes at you. In a still smiley glare.

“So why, pray tell- did you want to reject him this time?”

Yep. This hadn’t been the first time they suggested the doctor’s son to you. The Neue’s as they were properly called, weren’t bad people. Not at all. They were good company and made wonderful food. They were even pretty decent people.

You could see the sweat form on Mrs. Georgia’s skull as she seemed to realize the mistake far too late. You had made another wager that if you had a valid reason to reject the next mate offer, you could graduate then and there and not have to bother with any more mating jargon.

*Not that the Neue’s aren’t good, but it may come as a shock to you. The Neue’s and the Helvetica’s are related. My father and Nathaniel’s father are brothers. Cobalt and Cerulean. Or in their older days of being the town terrors, the blue brothers. Probably breeding with a cousin would cause issues that I don’t want.*

You rose from your seat as you stretched. The other girls flinched as your spine popped.

*Besides, I think that Bridget would be a great match. Her skills with plants and love for learning would do wonders for the Cerulean pharmaceuticals company. Not to mention be quite literally life saving during the hard winters we can get out here.*

You walked over to your stuff on the wall.

*I also believe this is the day you admit defeat and pass me early. You already know I’m married to my own job. While it’s preferred we have a mate by the time we leave, it’s not a requirement.*

You held out the contract you had made up and it had actually been signed by the head master of the school and two other staff members.  Wether they didn’t believe you and thought you were bluffing or just didn’t want to deal with you anymore, you didn’t know. But you also didn’t care.

Mrs. Georgia stared down at it, reading it over with a glare.

*You said you’d do it, unless you’re not a woman of your word anymore?*

You knew just the buttons to push. Threatening her with a lack of southern etiquette or telling her she was lacking southern charm would usually make her buckle. And this time was no different. She begrudgingly took the contract and signed it.

“Fine. I suppose you can go now.” She huffed.

You handed the offer letter from the Neue’s to Bridget and wished her luck before heading outside with some pep in your step. You got your horse out of the pen and attached it to the cart, preparing to head back into town to wait for Whip to get out of class.

——————————————

You rode back into town and parked your steed outside of the local saloon. You walked into the building and took a seat at a booth near the door where you had come in. It wasn’t quite eleven in the morning. You brought out your satchel and pulled out your book.

It had graphs and charts of all of the weather since the beginning of the year. It helped to track drought and floods and cold and whatever else Mother Nature threw your way. If you didn’t account for the weather, the crops may not grow as well as they otherwise would have had you kept track of it.

You looked out of the window of the now busier street, the road filling with soldiers who began to flood into the saloon and surrounding eateries. It was lunch time and you happened to agree. Missing breakfast and having not eaten since last night left you feeling famished.

You went back to your book after you checked on Fern. Your horse. Fern had been a rescue from a different farm that hadn’t been kind to their critters. She was considered wild and your father had wanted to dust her after she kicked at Whip. Though you had insisted that you would work with her and get her under control.

Thus the wild nightmare known as Fern, became your faithful steed.

A throat cleared next to you.

You glanced up so see the Red general from earlier and the orange one, joined by one in yellow.

”I thought you were late for school.” Hummed the Red general.

You smiled and gave him the contract.

*I made it on time, but as of today I’ve graduated. My educational merits have been met and they only wanted to match me with someone to mate with.*

The other two took the contract to look at it as well.

*They couldn’t find a viable mate that met either of our standards, so they let me go.* You shrugged.

The orange clad General smiled.

“Is it alright if we sit with you? All the other tables are full.”

You nodded.

The yellow general spoke up.

His voice was smooth and deep. Unlike the orange who had a higher tone of voice.

“Not to mention you’ve become quite the talk of the town.”

You scooted over more near the wall, sitting your bag on your lap. The Red and Orange generals sat across from you while the Yellow one slid into the booth next to you.

The yellow one looked down at your book. “What’s this you’re working on?”

*Weather tracking for the farm. It helps with knowing how much water to use and when to harvest. I’ve done this for the last 4 years and it’s helped with crop output ever since then. Fonston hasn’t ever starved or had too little since we’ve started doing this.*

You slid him the book and he began to flip through it, his eyebrows raised in interest.

“You’ve even managed to track snow storms and twisters. Color me impressed.”

You couldn’t help yourself. *I thought your color was yellow.*

The generals blinked a few times. Then laughed.

“I suppose you’re correct.” He looked down at his yellow shirt.

“We’re color coded based on the soldiers and squadrons we command. I’m yellow, and yellow is ranged combat. We do long ranged magic attacks as well as physical.”

You glanced at the other two.

“Red is close range magic and physical attacks.” Hummed the rougher one. He picked up a glass of water that had just been sat on the table and took a sip.

”Orange and blue soldiers are the backup for both the red and yellow! Orange soldiers are specialized in long range while blues are great at close!”

You nodded. Thought you had to think back. You were certain there had been other colors.

Yeah! The one who lifted you up on the horse! He had a black shirt. And the purple one that had made fun of you with Red.

*What about the other colors? I saw one in purple and one in black. I’m also certain I’ve seen other colors as well.*

You tilted your head. Unbeknownst to you, quite owlishly.

”Great observations.” Hummed the yellow man.

“Well- Black shirts are the chefs. They make the food for the army. They also catch, kill, and clean the meat they use themselves. “

You nodded.

”Purple is intelligence. We send these guys in as scouts to see if there’s any danger in the area.”

Another nod.

”Then there’s green which are medical. They keep everyone healthy and heal them should they get hurt in the field.”

”Then finally magenta. They are the special forces. They are put to use in high stress situations. But they are incredibly efficient.”

*That’s pretty neat. It also sounds like a lot of jobs. Good thing it appears that there’s someone for everything.*

“Naturally. The army wouldn’t function as nice as it does if it didn’t have as many jobs. Everyone in their place makes it work wonderfully.”

You nodded as your plate was sat down in front of you.

Fries and a breakfast burrito.

You picked up a fry and popped it into your maw, quickly scribbling down some more weather notes.

*If I may ask, I don’t believe I’ve caught any of your names.*

The red general spoke first.

“Right. Sorry ‘bout that. We’re pretty used to people already knowing our names that we forget to introduce ourselves sometimes. My name is Fell.”

”Oh my! Sorry about that sweetie. I’m Swap.” The orange one smiled as he continued to eat his food.

”And I’m WingDing. Though our last name is Gaster, as we’re related. Cousin’s… if you will.”

*So earlier you said I was the ‘talk of the town.’ How so?*

You popped another fry in your mouth, watching as WingDing ate his own food. A fruit salad.

”It seems a reputation proceeds you. Some of the townsfolk say you’re a bit of a hard-ass.”

”Dings!” Choked Swap as he smacked him on the forearm.

“Have some tact!”

You smile a cheeky grin. *It’s fine. I am known to be stubborn. A hard-ass for sure, but I’m also a hard worker. I find great joy in what I do because I know it helps people. My friends and family won’t starve come the winter. Knowing that makes the early mornings and late nights all the more worth it.*

You look out the window as some eateries begin to empty.

*Knowing my hard work is going to a good cause helps me keep going.* You shrug as you eat another fry, this one dipped in cheese.

You close your eyes as the fry crunches in your mouth and the warm cheese melts away.

Swap had the biggest grin across his face, smiling at the cute display. He could picture it now. His precious sons with an even more precious wife. He would have to get her to loosen up more and get his sons a good reputation with her. He knew he would be an amazing grandpa!

WingDing stared at the large wooden clock that sat mounted high on the saloon wall. Its silver Roman numerals stood out against the dark gloss of the large wooden slab it sat on.

The time was eleven hundred hours. Time to rally the troops and move out.

”Thank you for the delightful company Ms. Helvetica, but I’m afraid it is time for us to take our leave.” He slid out of the booth and brushed any crumbs from his uniform.

”Though I’m certain we will see you again tonight, yes?”

*If I don’t show up past sixteen hundred hours, send a search party. Or assume I fell asleep in the hay somewhere.* You gave a gentle smile as you waved the trio away.

—————————

The rest of the day went by quietly. You were left to make your predictions for the coming days and check how accurate the others had been.

Soon the sun grew high in the sky, casting cool shadows across the land. It was time to pick up Whip.

You paid your tab and went outside to mount the horse and cart, making sure Fern had enough water as you watered her mane to prevent her grassy vines from drying out. You listened to the world around you. The trees swaying in the breeze and the leaves rattling as the cicadas sang. Beautiful. You would love to take a nap in a hammock and bask in the sun, but alas, there are still plenty of things to be done. Like going and picking up your baby brother.

Your cart flew down the dirt road to the schools. The trees passed in a golden blur, the wind whipped through your hair and kissed your face. You smiled as you relaxed, enjoying the moment. You slowed your cart as the school came into view. The students gathered in groups talking, playing, or simply walking home.

You ignored the hushed whispers of the girls from your school, sharing with their older sisters and mothers what you had done. Your stunt with your contract, no doubt.

You ignored them in favor of spotting Whip, his little brown nap sack bouncing as he ran to the cart, squealing all the way. “SIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSS!”

You got down to greet him with a big hug as he leapt into your arms. You laughed.

*How was your day, bubs?*

“It was great! We learned about lots today! And Mr. Humboldt brought his sheep!”

*How neat!* You stood up as you dusted off your dress.

*You ready to head home, honey pie?*

“Yep!” You ruffled his hair as he climbed back onto fern, only to be stopped by a firm grasp on your wrist and a snarl.

”Ms. Helvetica! What on earth did you do!”

You turned to see one of the male teachers that taught at the boy’s school.

“Embarrassing your father like that, have you no shame?!”

You raised an eyebrow, replanting yourself on the ground next to Fern.

*Whaddya mean?*

The skeleton in front of you was known to be very traditional. Well, more traditional than everyone else. Any sort of change that came and went scared the man. If he didn’t like something you did, he’d let you know. And he was giving her the ‘what for’ now.

”With the shoot out and the betting! And you’re a failure of a woman for not taking a mate! You’re a stars-damned embarrassment to your father, to this town!” His face was glowing with rage, his mothball scented lavender magic pulsing from his body.

You narrowed your eyes.

“No! You’re an embarrassment to the Helvetica name!”

’Don’t do it.’

”I even guarantee you-“

‘Don’t you dare say it.’

”your mother would be ashamed to call you her daughter!”

You didn’t hesitate. You grabbed the teacher by his shirt collar and let your fist fly.

With a sickening crack, his thin frame glasses flew off his face, shattered to pieces. He stumbled backwards as you advanced forward to him and lifted him up by his shirt front before marching him over to the detention crew, who were cleaning the horse pens.

They held hoes and shovels covered in horse excrement. Their eyes wide as they moved out of your path, watching as you dragged the blinded teacher over to the muck hole and threw him in head first. Your eye sockets blackened with rage.

You spat on him.

”Don’t you ever bring my mother up! You have no right to say how she would be or how she would feel! You didn’t know her so don’t talk like you did! She was just as much as a hard worker like the rest of the Helvetica’s! Like the rest of us!”

You bellowed, jerking your thumb at yourself and Whip.

”She was up busting her ass just as much as everyone else and Stars knows you didn’t approve of her like you don’t approve of me! It ain’t no secret you wanted to bed her you know! You put out the highest bid on her probably because you thought you could ‘fix’ her when there wasn’t anything to ‘fix’!”

You dragged him out of the pit.

”If you ever disrespect me again I will make your life hell.” He looked away with his eyes closed, seemingly in pain.

”And if you try to use Whip to retaliate, I will kill you. Do you understand me?”

He whimpered as you tightened your hold.

”I said; Do you understand me.” You snarled, shaking him.

He sobbed out a choked; “Yes.”

”Yes what!” You bared your fangs.

”Yes Ma’am!” He looked away with terror on his skull.

You threw him back down in the pile of horse muck.

“That’s what I thought.” You turned back to your cart.

In a single leap, you mounted Fern.

And with a flick of the reigns, you were headed home, the townspeople who had seen the whole ordeal shocked and shaken, immediately beginning to gossip and prattle about what just occurred.

Chapter Text

Your knuckles were sore. Sore from the tight grip of the reigns in your hand and sore from breaking Mr. Goudy’s glasses.

You felt bad about the ordeal. You truly did. Now you knew for sure you were gonna catch lip from your dad, but this would be completely justified. You scowled to yourself as you continued to gallop through town and back out the other access road to the farm, all of the soldiers from the morning long gone.

‘Too bad I couldn’t have held my temper. Though the only thing I suppose i’d change would have been Whip seeing the confrontation.’

You were brought out of your thoughts by a sniffle.

You looked back to see Whip with his chin to his chest, silent sobs choking his throat.

You stopped the cart and hopped down from your spot.

*What’s wrong bubba?*

He continued to sniffle and sob. Little hiccups filtering in.

”Was it my fault?”

*What! No! Not at all. Mr. Goudy…* you trailed off, looking for the right words to explain.

*Mr. Goudy is easily upset by the changing times. He prefers things in their proper places. And if something doesn’t fit somewhere he will try to make it fit. And when it won’t fit he tries to force it.*

He sobbed again. “No.. I mean mama.”

You pause for a moment.

Then you tilt his chin up to look at you.

*Never in your life should you blame yourself for mom dying. Ma and Pa used to be in the service. And when Buck, Jett and I were baby bones, we used to live in Lucida. Ma was still a soldier then, as was pa. But when they found out you were on the way, we moved.*

His eyes darted to the side, still unconvinced.

*Look, ma was a hard worker to the very end. And she loved you more than you could possibly know. She was so happy when you were born. Her injuries were from her time in the service. Those are what did her in. Not you.*

His voice was small.

”But I hurt her too.”

*No. If anything, you gave her HoPe. When she felt weak, she would think of you and she looked and felt better after. You never were and never will be a burden.*

You pulled him into a tight hug, his sobs and sniffles calming considerably.

*Where did you even get the notion any of that was your fault?* You study him as he shifts in his seat of hay. His bag long forgotten to the front of the cart.

”Mr. Goudy… He told me it was my fault that he couldn’t be with mama anymore. He always says things like that.”

*And you didn’t think to say anything to dad?* You felt the anger that had melted away come racing back, like a tsunami to an unsuspecting beach side.

*If we didn’t have a time limit, I’d go back and beat his ass. Sadly is almost past 4 and we still got chores to do.*

He still didn’t look up, lip trembling.

You wrapped him in another hug.

*I love you very much. Mr. Goudy is an ugly person, inside and out and ma woulda punched his throat too. Probably even killed him. If he ever gives you any more lip you tell me or dad.*

“I’d probably tell you because dad is scary when he’s angry.”

You couldn’t help but laugh. What Whip said was true. Your father is a lot more mellow now, but when he was young he was, as the elders say, full of piss and vinegar. He was quick to anger and was only quelled by the toasty tiger that was your mothers warm heart and zest for life.

But back in the day however, you could recall tales from your uncle Cerulean. He had said how your dad had once hit the sheriff because the sheriff spat on him. And even then it wasn’t even because the sheriff disliked him, rather that he wasn’t looking where he was spitting. Your father called bull and decked him and had to spend the night in the slammer because of it.

Yep. Quick to temper. But now a days, his anger was cold and silent, but that was the only warning you got. He rarely shouted, but sadly for you, you felt that rare sight may be seen today when he finds out about all this bullshit. (And the fact you flipped the system of the corrupt school in your favor.)

You sighed as you got up. *Alright. Let’s get home bubby. We wanna be home before they come looking for us.*

You cast a glance up at the deep blue sky, the white puffy clouds growing even taller in the distance, the bottoms turning deep grey.

*If we’re lucky we can go watch the clouds. Looks like a storm is moving to the north, and if my predictions and observations are correct, there’s a chance of strong weather forming.*

That seemed to brighten Whip’s mood.

”Really?!” He beamed up at you, his tears fading away.

*Yup! So hunker down and just enjoy the ride. We’ll be home in a Lightning’s flash.*

His sockets narrowed.

“I can’t tell if that was a pun, but I think it was clever so I’ll let it slide.”

You laughed at his serious, nearly adult like demeanor.

*Thanks Mr. 7 going on 70.*

You booped his nasal ridge as you hopped out of the cart and back to Fern.

*Hang tight! We’ll be home soon!*

The cart kicked up burning dirt, the color of the setting sun. The cart sped away, shrinking with the horizon.

Thunder rumbled in the distance as a pair of yellow eyes flickered after them, its agitated state worsened by its prey escaping.

It felt nothing, thought nothing.

Yet its skinny legs gave chase through the thick woods.

It would eat.

It would feast.

It would taste his dust.

—————————

Your cart pulled into the long driveway, bumping and bucking as the horse slowed to a trot.

The property was filled with soldiers skittering this way and that, hauling boxes and other materials to and fro.

”Woah!” Whip’s eyes had formed little white stars as he watched the hustle and bustle of all of the soldiers.

”You didn’t tell me they were coming here!” He turned to you with wide eyes.

*It was a surprise for me too. Though I know you would have not been able to focus on school. You woulda been too excited.*

He sighed but nodded. “I guess that’s right. But how neat! It will be like having 1,000 older brothers!” Any reservations he had were gone as he chirped that, fist pumping.

*Honey, I know you’re excited, but you gotta stay out of the way. They’re here to work, not play with you. But I’m sure if you asked one nicely, you may be able to shadow them for a bit. But if they say no, that’s it. No begging or whining.*

He looked sad again.

*I know it’s hard, but I’m sure if you asked nicely, someone will answer any of your burning questions.*

You turned back to unhitch the cart.

*Now run along and change out of your school clothes. Pa won’t be too happy to find they’ve been dirtied more so than usual.*

You gave a tired smile as he nodded and sprinted away, shouting greetings to all the soldiers long the way.

”So. Wanna tell me why I got a call from the school?” Your father was leaning on the wall of the stable, cobalt eyes locked onto your form.

You felt pin and needles run across your shoulders as you jumped.

*Not particularly.*

”Y/n.” You felt the shame crawl up your back.

*Father.*

“Look chickadee, I know finding a mate isn’t something that you care to do, but gambling your way out of school wasn’t the way to go about it.”

*They were trying to get me to be mates with Nathaniel!*

His face wrinkled. “As in Nathaniel Neue?”

*Yeah. As in my cousin and your nephew Nathaniel.*

“Ew. And none of the other candidates were good?”

*I don’t mesh well with any of em. Don’t care for the way they are or what they stand for. Not to mention I feel like I’m being forced to be a breeding mill for some asshole who’s forcing me to abandon my family. No one wants to add to this family, they just want to take me from mine.*

You hadn’t realized your magic had manifested until your dad waved the vapor away. His look softened.

”I… wasn’t aware you felt that way, chickadee.”

You looked up at him, eyes shiny and sad.

*Is it truly too much to ask to stay around? I treasure this place. I… don’t really know anything else.*

Cobalt’s eyes fell as he sighed, shoulders slumped. He hated this.

What he was about to say.

*Aside from that, my education is fine. I finished top of my grade. All my credits are in order. The only thing I don’t have that they do, is a man.*

There was a beat of silence before she shakily sighed again.

*Also, there’s a 50/50 chance the sheriff shows up.*

The relaxed atmosphere shifted into one of anxiety and concern.

”Why!” Your dad made a quick advancement towards you.

You held your hands up and walked back. *Context is key! Besides Mr. Goudy started it!*

Cobalt narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest as he glared down at you.

”You have five minutes to tell me what happened. If I'm not satisfied, I'm going to march you down to the station myself and you’ll spend the night in jail.”

You swear your hands had never moved so fast.

*I was picking up Whip from school when Mr. Goudy came over and started talking smack. I tried to leave and he called me an embarrassment to the family. I can accept that! But then he brought ma into it! I-*

You were stopped by him raising a hand, pausing you.

”Hold on, Goudy came over and started bitchin’ at ya?”

*Yes! I promise I didn’t do it because I wanted to! He said the ma would be embarrassed and ashamed of me! So- so I snapped.* You looked away in shame, your hand movements getting smaller, as if you were quiet.

*It’s still kinda a blur. But I punched him in the face, broke his glasses, threw him in a pile of shit and threatened his life on top of humiliating him in front of a majority of his co-workers and student body…* Your shoulders raised as you lowered your head, waiting for his reaction.

*He was also giving Whip a hard time, telling him how it was his fault for ma’s death. I only found out after the fact, not during or before.*

Your hands were slow and movements small. *Please don’t send me to jail.*

He sighed.

He hated himself for what he was about to do.

”Damnit Y/n.” He took his own hat off his head as you placed Fern in her stall that led out to her own personal pen.

He shook his head.

“After all this time you’d think Goudy would give it a rest. Fucks sake.”

He looked back up to you, locking his eyes on your face, clearly full of shame.

”Here’s the deal. What the school did wasn’t right. The institute and the school are two separate entities. While the school wanted to wash their hands of you, the institute ain’t so easy to shake. If they catch wind of you without a mate, they’ll come down here.”

He squeezed his eyes shut. As you whipped around, eyes wide.

”If they come down here they’ll take you. And what they’ll do to you will be far worse then what the school could ever do to you.”

your hands rose with a new unsteady shiver. *What do you mean?*

“It means I have to step in before they do.”

*Dad! You wouldn’t!* You bristled.

Cobalt was sweating. Barely anything could shake the man, but holy shit- this was terrible.

”We have no choice. If the institute gets involved, they will pick your mate and ensure you are well tied down before they remove themselves from the situation.”

He put his hands on your shoulders, leaning down to look in your eyes.

“Y/n. I cannot express the importance of the following. You need to have a group of males from the soldiers picked by the end of the week. Chances are Goudy will retaliate, and I suspect he’ll use the institute to do it. It wouldn’t be the first time.”

*Pa…*

He grabbed your hands to silence you. His sad blue eyes looking down at you. He gathered you in a hug, and for the first time, you understood just how…afraid… terrified- he was.

“I would not do this to you in any other situation, but-“

He pulled back from you, looking at your eyes again.

”Honey pot, you’re in danger!”

—————————

He picked the muck from between his bones, seething. That bitch! That- That Helvetica Hellion! He knew he should have just called the institute by the third denied datemate application. If Lillith had been his wife, he was certain Y/n would be on the straight and narrow! But no! Mr. Marigold hadn’t seen him fit enough for his daughter, citing he was too old and had a poor temperament. He was only 32 at the time, while she was 18! Only a 14 year gap, when in the face of everything, was that really so long for skeletons who had a life span of 5,000 years?

No!

He blew his nose into a hankey, brown crud flying into it.

He growled and picked up his black rotary phone, sliding the buttons and selecting his numbers.

His lavender eyes narrowed, a smile crossed his face.

‘I’m going to ruin them. Down with the Helvetica’s!’

A woman’s voice picked up.

“You have reached The St. Calibri’s institute for Skeleton Preservation. Our business hours are from Monday to Friday, Eight A.M to Five P.M. Please hold and a representative with you soon!”

A new woman picked up.

His smile grew brighter.

”Yes, hi there dear, I’d like to submit a report of a rouge, uncooperative, non-traditional hen.”

—————————

Cobalt sat in his chair in his study, the Generals  surrounding him in their own chairs. Glasses of whiskey on the rocks glowing in the amber light of the fireplace.

”Oh my stars! I’m surprised that Grody Goudy is still being an ass. You’d figure he’d stop by now.” Swap took a sip of his beverage, swirling it around a bit.

“That is quite the problem. I thought it couldn’t be that simple. A simple contract wouldn’t free her like that.” WingDing drank his own cup.

“What am I to do? The institute is going to be breathing down our necks. That is truly the worst case scenario.” He dragged his hand over his face. Leaving it to pinch his the bridge of his nasal ridge.

His eyes glanced over to the photo of his late wife, her white hair and eyes on display, a baby Y/n in her arms with her sons on either side of her. He had taken the photo himself.

He studied her face. The rainbow freckles shown brightly, glowing with happiness. He groaned.

”I’d rather her hate me til the day she dies, if it means the institution won’t get involved.” He studied his half full cup of whiskey, before giving it to Swap who happily downed it with an “oh yes!”.

“We’re fucked.”

Swap hummed.

“Not entirely. I know it’s a far cry, but we could ‘auction’ our sons. It wouldn’t matter who she picks, because the school failed and she doesn’t feel compatible with their original options, we find the one who most matches her most compatible datemate candidate.”

He cast a glance at Cobalt.

”Any Idea who that is?”

Cobalt seemed to sink into his chair with a groan of discontent.

”Her cousin.”

”Okay. Do you know how the cousin is?”

”Kind, adventurous, hard workin’.”

”Anything else?”

Swap was writing these things down on a small notepad.

”Where the hell did ya even get that?” Growled Fell, as his face flushed red from his glass of Whiskey. He eyed the note pad before shrugging and laying back into his chair.

Cobalt hummed. “Family oriented. Has a bit of a mouth on him. But he’s fair.”

He wrinkled his nose at the ‘has a mouth’ part. Cobalt eyed him.

”You have to remember, she was raised with brothers with no female figure for a long time. She likes the informality and freedom of speech.”

Fell’s face flushed a little darker. “Yer’ tellin’ me. She had me blushing with words alone. I didn’t hear the end of it from Mr. PocketDog down there.” He nodded to the window where the night shift Generals were on duty, watching over dinner. His eyes glared at the Purple General, Swapfell.

Said general’s lazy grin and half lidded gaze still predatory. He would dress down any soldier for the slightest mistake. Though Fell never stopped him. “The slightest mistake can and will cost you dearly.” And honestly, he agreed.

Especially when applied to the current situation at hand.

—————————

You stared down at the floor of your shower, watching the days dirt and grime fall down the drain, as well as any food you had previously consumed.

Your body couldn’t function.

You couldn’t function.

You couldn’t believe how badly you had fucked up.

You had grabbed an old book on the institute and the ‘breeding program.’

Your mind was like white fog. The water of the shower acting as white noise.

After your talk with your father, you headed inside.

You had gone to your room, giving a polite greeting to the literal armada of Generals in your living room.

You had hurried up into your room before pausing and seeing your fathers door ajar. You didn’t have to stay out of his room, rather he encouraged you to go in sometimes when you needed a quiet and safe place in the house.

You looked down the halls and to the surrounding doors, before heading inside, the door slowly sliding open across the plush carpet. The afternoon sun lighting the room in a soft orange light. You walked over to your mothers side of the bed.

*Sorry mom. I messed up.* you sighed. The curtains swayed softly in the still room. You looked at the lily on the bed and then down to the adjacent bedside table.

The top had a photo of your mom and dad together in their younger years, their friend in the foreground holding up two fingers as your mom and dad kissed in the back. You recognized the third person as a younger General Swap, bright orange and blue freckles and a bright cheery smile.

Under the bedside table was a pile of old books. Your eyes silently scanned the titles.

“How to be a good mom.”

”How to keep your husband enticed while pregnant.”

You felt your nose wrinkle in distaste.

”How to care for a Pygmy child.”

”The Institute and the Revolutionary Breeding Program!”

You picked that one up. The other two books having been romance novels your mother seemed to read on repeat. You remembered them from when you were a child, her siting with a book each month and using a little piece of paper with a wheel on it to read it.

When you had asked her *What it was for* she had told you, “It’s mommy’s fun puzzle!”

You breathed out a laugh. And collected those two books too. Maybe you would enjoy them like she did too in your spare time. That you also had more of now that your dad grounded you and said you would do what he told you to do over the next week. (A lot of it seemed to be getting to know the soldiers that now occupied the farm.)

You took the books back to your room and opened the book of the institute.

”Welcome to your introduction of The Institute for Skeleton Preservation, or TISP.

TISP is here to ensure the safety of the skeleton population, making sure it’s strong and plentiful! (While weeding out the bad apples!)

A good hen picks her sires to breed and continue on the population, while the undesirables get left to rot!

Remember: A hen is only as good as the product she consumes!

And she can only produce as good of product as she herself is.

Your magic turned cold. Your eyes widened.

Hens, sires- people! To the institute, people weren’t people, but objects.

Objects to be made into the ultimate object, till the institute deemed them a person.

A person with superior features and strong instincts.

The institute was a eugenics program.

They didn’t care for the quantity of the skeletons at the moment, well then when this old ass book was written and now. They only cared for the quality.

Your mouth felt dry.

So what made you so special? Why not take the cream of the crop females only? Why keep the defects like you around?

You flipped through pages upon pages.

Manuals and standards for how to act and behave.

Manuals for the best breeding positions to create female skeletons- (which was just old wives tales, you were sure of it.) but most jarringly, reporting fellow hens.

‘If a hen doesn’t find a good mate by the time they are of age, the surrounding community is encouraged to step in and report her. She will then be taken into the loving and caring facilities where she will be shown the joys of family and motherhood, whilst being paired with her ideal mate. The couple with be constantly monitored, as they are required to live in house until the birth of their first child, in which case they will be evaluated and cleared to leave the facility should they pass. But should they fail, it’s nothing a few more babies won’t fix!’

Keep in mind that every hen is a good hen! They are the ones who make life and give love. They are also the ones who will one day capitalize over all of society. But for now them learning to care for their own whelps and raising their own daughters will be satisfactory.

Your eyebrows furrowed. ‘What the fuck?’

…

’What the fuck!’

It was used as a manual to shape society from the ground up and as a indoctrination into the weirdness that was this- this-

this scheme where people were no longer people, but mere pawns.

You had a feeling that this book was full of lies and sugar coated as to what they would do to you.

You had underestimated how badly you had messed up.

The water was ice cold now, though you stood still.

The cold didn’t hurt as much as the knowledge that your life was over did.

You slowly turned off the water and stepped out, wrapping your fluffy towel around your torso. Your movements are slow as you try and put more clothes back on. Due to your grounding, you were only allowed to dress feminine and had to appear that way too.

You looked outside at the farm, the rolling fields of green unripe wheat flowed and swayed with the wind. Especially with the thunderstorm in the distance, its angry black clouds rumbling in discontent, small flickers of lightning between clouds.

You sighed. You did have more free time now.

And you ‘did’ promise Whip that you would watch the storms together and teach him about them.

A little while couldn’t hurt. You finished dressing and cleaning up the bathroom before heading back to your bedroom and throwing the window open, grabbing your notebook and a few spares for recording and drawing purposes.

You loved storms like these. They were beautiful, loud, proud and free. Everything you wished to be and more.

You crawled out of your window and onto the roof, sitting with your stuff. You began a time log in your journal.

‘5:23 PM/ 17:23’

‘Storm with high anvil shape from the top- located 10 miles ~ 16,000 Meters N/NE of Fonston, heavy rain and Cloud to Cloud Lightening (CCL) currently present.‘

You watched the storm for a bit, ignoring the stares from curious soldiers down below you. You measured the storm again after 10 minutes had passed.

‘5:33 PM/17:33’

’Storm appears to be stationary. The clouds on top of the storm seem to be getting bigger.‘

You took notice of how the atmosphere around you felt. Aside from the tension of todays earlier events, there was something new. Something heavy. The air was still and thick. Sticky, even.

‘Current conditions on Helvetica Farms- 5:35 PM/17:35

Air is hot and humid. But the wind is oddly still.’

You watch the storm, the blurs of the soldiers passing by going unnoticed by yourself. Until two soldiers following Whip around showed up at the base of the house below you.

Whip gasped, betrayal seeming to spring onto his face.

”You started storm watching without me!”

*Sorry little brother. These storms wait for no one. To try to ask it so wait for you would be a-storm-nomical.*

His face recoiled as did the soldier in grey and blue.

”No! That was horrible! A drop in the ocean!” Whip stomped his food, sending a cloud of dirt flying away into the slowly picking up wind.

“What- like a ‘rain’ drop?” The tall orange clad soldier next to the blue one you recognized from earlier in the day, as he had given you his bow in the competition to shoot with.

Whip and the blue soldier’s head snap to him, both with scowls.

“Brother! I Absolutely Taught You Better Than That!”

”Better than what, bro?”

“Than To Pun In Front Of A Lady!”

You smiled and gave a silent laugh.

”Well, sorry. Pundon my puns.”

”That Didn’t Even Make Sense!”

”Blue! Make him stop!“ Whip groaned, grabbing onto the much larger males pant leg.

*What til’ he finds out about Pun-Day. The last Sunday in May.* The Orange skeleton’s eyes seemed to widen and sparkle. You watched as a vortex of orange magic flared up from his feet and he appeared next to you, sitting quietly on the roof.

”Pun-Day huh? Do tell.” You gave him a smile and a gesture to wait a minute. He nods.

”Indeed Little Me!” He gave him a curt nod before following Whips instructions to go inside and into what rooms before you felt a new presence sitting next to you as Blue and Whip joined by climbing onto the roof through the window. You had gone back to documenting the weather.

‘5:40 P.M./ 17:40’

‘Helvetia Farms- The wind has now changed direction and seems to be picking up speed. The air is still warm, which is concerning. The wind is still hot and sticky, but the scent of rain is ever present.’

‘5:41 P.M./17:41

’Storm Located N/NE moving S/SW at roughly 25mph/40kph.

My hypothesis is this can be determined by the direction of the wind and sound of thunder and its frequency. Maybe as well as how fast the wind itself moves?

Heavy rain still appears to be present and CCL as well. No CGL or Cloud to Ground Lightening present yet! Though highly likely!’

You looked up to keep watch, some soldiers on the ground doing the same.

”So.. about that ‘Pun-Day’. What is it?” The orange clad skeleton hummed, an eyebrow raised at you.

You smiled.

*Pun-Day is celebrated here in Fonston. It takes place the last Sunday of every May, but the Saturday before hand is a day without speaking. Nothing. Because when Fonston was first established, it’s people spoke one variant of font. Then more started to move in and no one could understand their neighbors. No one took the time to try to understand.*

Both Blue and… *Hang on a moment, what’s your names? I don’t believe I caught them.*

“I’m Orange, and my bro over here is Blue. Isn’t he just the coolest?”

You nodded.

*I’m y/n. Nice to meet you both too!*

Blue nodded to you as he held Whip in his lap. “I would say it would be more of a pleasure if the topic were different.”

You couldn’t help the silly grin that crossed your face.

*I assure you. There’s something in it for everyone. Let me continue.* They both nod.

*So In the beginning Fonston had issues. Fights broke out and people were often mad. Then one day tragedy struck. A woman and a man had fallen in love. Their families didn’t speak the same font.*

You watch as Blue leaned in closer, Whip intrigued too.

*When the man went to ask his beloveds family for their blessing, the family became enraged and attacked and killed the man, citing that they had been insulted to the highest degree.*

Blue covered his mouth with a gasp as well as Whip looking on with awe.

*The woman cried and said that it wasn’t so, and that they loved each other very much. Days passed and the woman’s grief did not subside. So I’m the end, she went out into the old cemetery to her beloved’s grave, and with her it’s rumored she took a gem. And on this gem she wished. She wished for a place where people were not needlessly killed due to ignorance or hatred, or from something they purely didn’t understand.*

Orange had wide eyes. Still listening.

*With the gem clutched to her soul, she laid down on his grave and fell asleep. Only to dust by the daylight. They say when her mother found her, her mother cried as her daughter’s dust flew away with the wind. Though they realized for the first time, they could understand.*

Blue had to wipe tears away.

*They were able to understand the sadness. The grief. Then the mother spoke. ‘All they wanted to do was love, and we took that away.’ The mother of the son spoke up.

‘We took it because we couldn’t understand… so you truly believe that just a while longer of listening would have changed things?’

The two women joined hands. ‘I don’t know, but let’s try now. For them!’ The women decided together that they would help Fonston to be a better place. Where all could get along and be heard and understood.*

“So then why Pun-Day?” Whip hummed, eyes teary.

*To celebrate the fact we can now all communicate and understand. Because to not be able to is painful and communicating is a necessity.*

*Also if you talk on Dark-Day, you go to jail and a hen has to come sing to you to get you out. You then have to go on a date with her. Hen’s don’t get penalized because the legend says it was two mothers who started to try to be better and began repairing relationships.*

Orange’s eyes Sparkles with excitement.

“A day in jail where I don't have to do anything and get a date with a hot girl? Where do I sign up?!” You silently laughed as Blue bopped Orange on the skull.

“I will not allow you to become a delinquent so our poor father has to see his baby boy become a criminal! You will woo your hen normally and not from the dirty side of the jail cell!” Blue scowled as Whip giggled.

You turned back to the storm.

‘6:00 P.M./18:00’

‘Storm Located N/NE moving S/SW at roughly 25mph/40kph.’

‘The heavy rain once visible on the horizon isn’t any more. It’s stopped, but the clouds are still angry and oddly green tinted. I’ve only seen green with storms with balls of ice that fall from the sky.’

Your eyes bounce up to see a bolt of white lightning slam down from the sky, sending a loud boom through the area. That was roughly a mile out.

You jumped as Whip Screamed and covered his head, throwing himself into Blue’s chest. You narrowed your eyes, your eyes could be playing tricks on you, but you couldn’t be sure. The flat base of the clouds began to shift and spin.

And then drop.

You turned to the duo and began to sign.

*You need to warn your generals now! Let them know that the storm has produced a twister and has great chances to produce hail along with it. They go hand in hand. Tell them to move their men into shelters into the barn or into the old chocolate factory. Anything is better than outside!*

You turned to look out into the field, and sure enough, the black mass of churning dirt was growing with pressure and intensity as it drew nearer, headed straight for Helvetica Farms, as well as the rest of Fonston.

Chapter Text

You turned around and cried out to both of them.

“Go now!” And Orange disappeared in a puff of orange as you shoved Blue in through the window along with Whip.

You turned to look back as you gathered your stuff. It bared down. It was half a mile away, but closing in fast.

You threw your journals into your room and started to go in when you saw the three generals (who were on break) run outside and start shouting orders. You were fascinated. You had never seen people be so calm in the midst of panic.

It reminded you of… of then. When you were little.

When the sounds of screams filled your ears.

Snapping back to reality as a someone grabbed you and yanked you inside of your room, throwing you both to the floor.

The screaming was the twister.

You looked up, surprise filling your features, the mildly unfriendly, sharp skeleton from earlier who had called you ‘Tiny Tim’ lay under you.

You stared a bit before you blinked and began to get up, noises from anywhere drowned out. You were then tapped on the head.

You looked up only to see his jaw move again, then a sharp glare when you didn’t respond.

You flinched when glass shattered behind you, sending a shower of shards down your back. A large white ball smacked you on your head, causing you to hiss in pain and begin to rub your skull.

You picked it up, the large ball of ice was roughly the side of a golf ball.

’Pretty neat!’

You had little time to study it as you were dragged up by your wrist, the pointy male lifting you into his arms and hurriedly rushing down the halls of your home, and reaching the kitchen. Your father quickly spoke to the Red and black soldier who carried you.

The noises and voices were still lost to you.

—————————

Cobalt sat with the generals, a soft silence filled the room as they listened to the wind pick up outside.

Fell looked back to the window.

”I forgot how nasty these storms can get here. This one looks like it’s gonna’ get pretty bad.”

He lifted a bored eyebrow as he looked out, the landscape backed by a yellow sky with a dark storm in the center, the sides blocked by other parts of the house and a large tree and parts of the barn.

The thunder rumbled in the distance.

“Not that i’m judging, but why are my kids on the roof with yours?” Swap looked out over the roof, seeing his sons listening to you as you talked, seemingly telling a story.

Cobalt leaned over to peak, as did WingDing and Fell.

”She does a lot here on the farm. So much so there wasn’t anything I could ground her from but her chores.”

He shrugged as he continued.

”She likes to watch the weather and has actually been pretty good at predicting it and giving warnings. I think if her work were to be investigated, a lot of it would hold up. Farmers everywhere would benefit from what she does.”

They watched as Blue wiped his eyes on his sleeve, and you began to write in your book again.

Only for the four of you to jump when a ‘crack’ of lightning hit off in the distance.

They watched your body language, and how you grabbed Orange by his shoulders and signed rapidly to him and Blue.

”What’s going on?” Fell asked in a hushed tone, as if they could hear your hands through the walls of the old blue farmhouse.

They watched as your eyes seemed to widen and your urgency picked up.

”Go now!”

You had used your actual voice, they heard you. You didn’t ever speak unless you felt you had to.

So whatever it was that had you concerned must be bad.

They watched as Orange disappeared in a puff of orange magic, his vapors blowing away in the fast moving wind.

Then watching as an orange glow appeared in an empty space next to Swap, Orange quickly stumbling out of the new puff of honey and sweet potato scented magic cloud.

”Dad! It’s urgent! Y/n says there’s a twister headed here to the farm and to get all men indoors.”

For those who knew Orange, he hardly ever addressed Swap as ‘Dad’ or ‘Father’. But when he did it was because he needed to convey information quickly. He was usually serious and the information accurate.

“I saw it too! It’s about a mile north, but moving in quick!”

Swap nodded. “Alright. Go inform the other Generals on the other side of the property, they may not know until it’s too late! Go warn them and say it’s direct orders from General Swap.”

He nodded and began charging his magic.

”Be careful, son.”

He gave a tired grin. “Always am.”

And he disappeared in a puff of smoke.

The other Generals had shot up and quickly dressed as they listened to Cobalt.

”Take them to the barn, bring them inside, and there’s an old campsite with cabins in the very back of the farm if someone is all the way out there. Use any strong structures as shelter. Get ‘em’ to safety!”

The men all ran down the stairs, Fell was the first outside.

He saw the small figure of the tiny skeleton girl on the roof, looking out at the storm. Her eyes frozen in a familiar stare that he had seen some of his men with. The 1000 yard stare, where they could only see the horrors of war. Their friends falling one by one on the dust fogged battlefields.

She wasn’t moving on her own.

’Shit.’

He saw his youngest son, Edge.

“Private Edge! You and Red will be on house duty! Go get Y/n off the roof and to safety! Her father is inside, you’ll take orders from him!”

Edge didn’t scowl or argue, he just moved. His tall legs running past and into the house.

Edge asked Cobalt where y/n’s room was as Cobalt helped more soldiers nail towels to the window panes.

“Upstairs last room at the end of the hall! Go!”

Edge raced up the stairs and through the halls, pass more soldiers and finally into the room. He watched as Blue comforted the small farm whelp, casting a worried glance outside.

“Edge! I can’t save them both! Whip is stunned and he locked his bones and I can’t undo it!”

Blue squeezed his eyes shut but began to build his magic to heal Whip.

“Edge, Hurry!”

Edge reached out of the window sill and grabbed the small - tiny- hen by her wrist. The sky behind her yellow on the outskirts, while the mass of black dust swirled ever closer.

“You need to come in! It’s dangerous!” He watched as her chest rose and fell, though her eyelights were gone.

‘Well I tried to warn her.’

He shook his head and tugged her in, the surprising weight of the sack of books she held as well as herself bowling him over. He huffed as she landed on his torso, fighting away the vibrant red blush that threatened to make its appearance, a hint of caramel apples accompanying it.

Her head lay against his chest, and one leg on either side of him. Her full weight was on him, and it felt like a weighted blanket- her soul sound and smell providing comfort. This would be nice, if not for the fact their lives were in danger and a twister was coming this way.

He looked down at her, her sockets were still black- iridescent tears streamed down her cheeks. She didn’t know she had been crying.

”Are you alright?”

He watched as her bone-brows furrowed and her eyelights began to glow faintly again.

“Of course not.”

She tilted her head like a cute heck-puppy.

He scowled and scooped her up, hoping to prevent the blush from getting any brighter.

The blush soon went away as he jumped as a large piece of hail broke the window that had been opened, crashing through the glass and showering them both. He gasped as a shard of glass embedded itself in her shoulder. He quickly turned and ran.

”Let’s go Blue! We haven’t much time!”

”Right!”

They both raced through the house, being joined by the other soldiers as the noises outside grew louder, the hail hitting the houses’ outsides making it sound like they were under fire.

Edge cradled the hen to his chest as he ran to Cobalt, Cobalts face was one of hard concern as he saw the white magic staining her shoulder.

Cobalt pointed the men to the farthest corner of the house away from the windows. “Get close and keep your heads low! Make room for as many as you can!”

The wind seemed to grow louder and louder and the pressure in the house seemed to grow heavier.

The boards shook as the soldiers braced themselves.

Edge felt someone’s arm wrap across the back of his neck, bending him down farther.

He looked over to see his older brother, Red. His thick arms around him.

And in a moment where the wind felt like it was trying to take the breath from his lungs, it made him feel safer as he bent downwards.

Edge would never admit it, but it was moments like these where he knew he could count on Red that made him feel safe, even in the most extreme scenarios.

—————————

His tiny bones rattled as he struggled to move. The large paws that held him did provide comfort, but they could never beat the comfort of his sister.

He shifted, though was still unable to move. He couldn’t help but whimper as tears made their way to his eyes.

”I wan-t my s-sister…” His small fists grabbed ahold of Blue’s uniform, causing Blue to sooth him. “Shh- it’s okay little buddy! It’ll be over soon!” Blue raised Whip to his chest, leaning down as the walls shook, dust from outside poured in through the floor boards as plates in the cabinets rattled. The air pressure made Whip feel like his head was going to explode! He just wanted everything to stop.

He covered his ears and his hot tears flowed freely.

—————————

This felt too familiar to you. Huddled in a cramped space with your family as you had to go into hiding to escape the chaos outside. You had been so afraid then… especially after what they did to you.

The huge soldiers over top of you brought back some of those same memories again and again, On loop.

You wanted to cry. It was all so much. Then your vision flickered up. You caught sight of him through all of the bodies that sat on the floor- Whip, and he had his hands covering his ears, his white magic flickering and popping with stress.

Your heavy eyes looked up into the face of your rescuer. His eyes were squeezed shut, his own ears being covered by his hands as he formed a cage over you. You felt a bit better here in this strange man’s lap.

Your eyes darted back over to Whip.

A strong feeling washed over you. A feeling to push forward, no matter the cost. Your own safety and peace of mind didn’t matter to you like Whip’s mattered. You turned out of the stranger’s hold and onto the carpet, crawling before getting up to stand. Your own white magic pulsing off of you.

‘I’m right here, bubs.’

You passed in between the huddled soldiers as their array of eyes looked on, watching your tiny form move with purpose.

The piece of glass rubbed your shoulder in an annoying way. You reached up and pulled it out, throwing it into a nearby drawer of an antique nightstand. Making sure to shut it so it didn’t go airborne.

You heard the gasps of some men when they saw the large piece- but you had definitely had worse done. It would heal in due time, with enough food and magic. Also rest- but often times you hardly slept.

You closed in on Blue and Whip, placing a hand on the small of Blue’s back.

Blue jolted as you touched him, seemingly startling him.

You leaned down close to his face. “What’s the matter… with him?” Your voice could hardly be heard over the howling winds, but when Blue looked at your face, his own lit up the encompassing dark in a faint sky blue light.

”H-he locked his bones! His magic isn’t co-operating and I can’t heal him!”

Blue seemed to catch his breath as you moved under his arm and sat in his lap, taking Whip in your own arms.

“S-sissy?” His eyes opened to look at you, the white eyes that were usually about the size of a dime seemed to fill his whole sockets.

Blue felt you go rigid in his hold.

“Sissy… it hurts!”

You didn’t hesitate. You quickly lifted Whip

from

Blue’s hold and began to head for the front door.

”Y/n! No! Stay where you are it ain’t safe!” Your dad sprung up from his place, making a grab for you.

It always feels slow.

The hard decisions you have to make in life.

You can stay inside with Whip and let his magic awaken and hurt a lot of people or you can go outside and risk only your own person. But you also would have to face the elements. With how much the house was groaning and moaning, it sounded like the twister was getting closer, but it still wasn’t here yet. It seemed to be going slower, which worried you.

Any slow twisters you documented had always caused much more severe damage than one moving fast.

You saw your fathers eyes flash in terror as you flung the door open, looking left and right.

To the left was the driveway and the open field with the cobra chicken pen. Also the incoming tornado that stretched to the sky, its stovepipe shape grinding into the land and flinging would be husks of corn to and fro.

To the right was more farm buildings. A tool shed and the sheep pen. And then the old green house and after that the ‘chocolate factory’ that was a small cottage. To the right was also where a majority of the soldiers were sheltering.

You turned left, aiming for the open field. You began to charge your magic.

The scent of (favorite smell) built up around you, the wisps of magic lapped against your bones. You felt lighter as you approached a large sized mud puddle in the middle of the driveway.

You and Whip would be okay, you were sure of it.

You heard the screen door bang open as your father ran after you, followed by Blue, Red, and Edge.

Their cries were lost in the wind as you cast your shield, a dome of sparkling white draped over you like an umbrella.

You jumped and landed in the puddle.

Thought as you contacted the puddle you reached deep into your magic wells, thinking about the middle of the young, green wheat field.

You felt the familiar feeling of the water encompassing you and the world tilting and shifting as you exited the new puddle that lay in the middle of the wheat field.

You kept the shield up, looking down at Whip. The warp had been too much and thin tendrils of magic began to wrap around him.

“I’m right here! It’s okay!” Your voice called to him, seemingly cradling his ears.

His eyes snapped open as a shrill scream left his small body. His soul rose from his chest as the scent of watermelon lemonade filled the area, his soul turned a beautiful sunset orange- casting the same bright light in the area before shooting up in a beam.

You braced yourself.

You knew due to the stress and fear, his magic would be powerful. But you hadn’t expected a literal fire work.

The orange magic acted as a second sun, bathing the land in its golden hues, turning the approaching twister a bright red and painting the clouds in pinks and oranges.

The miniature sun floated before wisps and tendrils of magic began to lick out at the surrounding air.

You saw it before you heard it. The orb developed rings as the center grew hot white.

You still gripped Whip.

You braced yourself as you saw the orb fall apart, the orb released so much power.

You felt it as the wind gripped and ripped at your dress, the heat of the light and the overwhelming taste of fruit on your tongue.

You formed a mini shield around your head as the final transfer of energy happened.

’KaBOOM!’

The grass in the field bent down from the force of the wind, the orange rings shooting out in a circle, cutting through the approaching twister as it barred down on the duo, pelting the shield with rocks and debris.

The winds slowed and the horrid noise from the twister stopped as it dissipated into plumes of snake-like dirt that flowed in the still air.

You watched as the clouds above where the orb had been  formed a perfect hole, letting a gentle stream of light down on the two of you.

You couldn’t help but laugh.

“W-whaaa..? Sis- what happened?”

Whip opened his eyes- once white- were now the same sunset orange as his magic.

Your voice was quiet as the sound of gently falling rain began to tap the grounds and grass around you.

”You got your magic and saved the day.”

You giggled and gave him a smile.

”How do you feel?”

“Tired, but also kinda… satiated? Like I just ate a good meal but I didn’t overdo it…”

You sighed in relief.

”Dad was right to name you Whiplash. It feels like I get it with you every day.”

You pat his head as he laughed.

You turned around to look at the house, seeing your dad break from Fell’s and a purple general’s hold and race across the field to the two of you.

”Can you stand?” You hummed lightly.

”I… think so.”

You sat him up and lifted him up to his feet, following suit.

Buck popped out of the chocolate factory along with Jett, who used his crutches to push through the crowd, followed by the large skeleton who had lived you up and- a larger yet skeleton following behind him.

You got Whip steady as the thumping of your dad’s boots raced up to you.

”What were you thinkin’! The two of you coulda been hurt badly or killed!”

You sighed.

”I know.”

”You should have listened to me when I told you to stay in the house! I coulda taken him!”

Your neutral features turned into a scowl.

*And then what-? Kill all the soldiers by knocking the house on em’? You saw how strong his awakening was!*

Whip looked down at the ground and sniffled slightly.

”Am I in trouble?”

You sighed and patted his shoulder and hugged him.

“No. Pa and I have been butting heads all day today. Sorry for not handling it in private. I’m just happy you’re feeling better physically. Let’s get you fed so you can rest, whaddya say?”

He nodded as Cobalt huffed, but pulled his son into a hug.

While Whip couldn’t see, you signed to your dad.

*Not a word to him. If you want to hash it out then we will after he goes to sleep, and in private. You can be mad but I made the best decision with the information I had. He would have leveled the house and a lot more people would have been hurt. Now I’m going to get started on cleaning up the place. It looks like you got visitors.*

You pointed to the end of the driveway as one of the very few cars in Fonston flew down it. It was the constable, followed by the doctors wagon and a few concerned neighbors.

*Yeah. I’m not dealing with that shit. Have fun.*

You pat Whip’s back as you walked to the edge of the field and back to the dirt driveway.

Jett and Buck immediately met you both and looked you both over.

Whip stared at his hands before looking up at his two older brothers.

”I got my magic!”

He popped his magic in little pops of orange, as he had practiced while his magic was still white. Little fire works of  lemonade scented orange sprang up before a jet of water squirted out of his palm and sprayed Buck in the face.

Whip’s eyes bugged out.

”Ah-! I’m so sorry! It wasn’t on purpose! I swear!”

Buck stared down at him, then laughed.

”It’s alright, I know you didn’t mean it. It must be part of your special skill set. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a skeleton that can make water though.”

A curious crowd of soldiers gathered around as did some generals. WingDing looked at Whip’s hands, studying them for a moment.

“I don’t believe he can make water, so much as he can pull it from the atmosphere and whatnot. It’s possible that he could even use this with other elements.”

Whip’s eyes seemed to grow shiny. “So how do we test it?”

He looked up at WingDing with his eyes bright.

”Could you teach me?”

WingDing smiled.

”Of course. The best method of safety is education.”

You smiled as you turned to go to into the house, leaving Whip with Buck and Jett.

‘Let the boys have boy time.’

You felt the tension melt from your back, only wincing as you felt the wound on your shoulder pulse in an ache. You lit up one of your hands in your magic and began to heal the wound as you grabbed the broom from the closet, sweeping the living room clean of the dirt that had settled on the hardwood floors.

You let your mind wonder for a while as your hands absentmindedly worked. You remembered the events of the day. Seeing the handsome archer with green freckles and the large cook that helped you on your horse. Then the two brothers that seemed to interact so lovingly with Whip.

Orange’s laid back attitude made it seem like he was approachable and fun to be around- especially with his love of word play. Blue’s more friendly personality made it seem like he would be a good father, as he was a natural with Whip.

Then there was the mean pointy man from this morning who had held you so protectively in his lap, using his own body to shield you.

You honestly wouldn’t mind being underneath these men… they’re sharp teeth biting into your collar bone or neck to put you back in line after you decided to go against the grain. Or maybe as a pure greeting too.

You shook your head, blush forming on your face.

’What the hell am I thinking! I only just met a majority of them today and I don’t even know half of their names!’

You smacked yourself on the forehead.

’Get it together Y/n!’

You looked around the still dirty house.

‘I’ve still got work to do.’

You continued to work for the next hour, cleaning up loose glass from each room and sweeping the floors.

You had finished moving the furniture back into place, a large plush chair that your father sat in and read, while your mother occupied the other and knitted or read. The fireplace that sat as the backdrop remained untouched, as the nights were too hot for it. You backed up to look at your handy work and smiled with a nod of satisfaction.

’It’s been about an hour and a half. I should probably start on food so I can set around to putting Whip to bed.’

You turned only to jump as you bumped into someone’s stomach. You looked up. It was the skeleton that had helped you onto your horse.

He stared down at you with one large Red eye. His expression was tough to read.

You stepped back to see him better.

*May I help you? It’s only right after you were so kind to me today.*

He stared down at you, his one socket half lidded.

”I wanted… ta bring you this.”

It was small in his hands. Most things were.

But it dwarfed you in comparison.

”We made… dinner for you and… your folks. Thought you might… want to try a bite…”

Your eyes widened as you took the giant bowl.

“You’re also… awfully small…. Ya should eat more… take care of herself’…”

You bit your lip. It smelled so good.

But his words also ate at you.

It was no secret you were small. Hell. Even Whip was damn near bigger than you and he was 7!

Even for a hen, you were small. Your uncle and other doctors found nothing wrong with you. You had normal magic output, normal functioning capacities- hell even for what they new about the magic laden body- you were normal!

But still so small.

You looked away with a blush.

*Thank you. I’ll call Whip to eat so we can get him squared away.*

He gave a slow wave of the hand.

”He’s already… been tended to… The general’s like children and view him… as one of their own… they fed him and put him to bed with… yer’ Pa.”

You nod, having a sneaking feeling you aren’t getting out of this giants watchful gaze.

”Your Pa actually… asked me to… come get you and… bring you to his study for a meeting… after you ate.”

You couldn’t help it. Your patient face has morphed into a scowl.

*Course he did.* You shook your head.

*I’ll eat afterwords then. If I eat I won’t be in any mood for whatever he wants to bust my chops about.*

You turned to place the large bowl in the fridge, only to have the large man step in front of you.

His eye seemed to glow as his frame blocked out any of the light in the room.

He took your bowl in one hand and scooped you up with the other, coving the distance to the couch with two large strides sitting you on his lap.

”You work too hard… and your Pa is worried about you. It’s almost like you… can’t see that… someone really cares about you.”

He pushed your warm bowl to you and offered you a spoon.

”So please… eat. I won’t be able ta’ sleep tonight… if I don’t see ya… eat.”

you couldn’t help the surprise. Any anger that you thought you would get from him had never appeared. Just concerned doting.

You bit your lip slightly as you stared up at the huge man. His eye soft around the edges as he held the spoon to you.

And you weren’t exactly in a position to refuse. He had made it out of the kindness of his own soul and he didn’t have to bring you anything to begin with. Yet this stranger though of you after all the excitement of the day.

*Alright. Only for you though since you helped me onto my steed earlier.*

You took the large spoon (that was honestly the size of a ladle) and sipped the food from it. You honestly hadn’t expected what you tasted. It was a delicious stew that’s flavor seemed to burst in your mouth and gave you a warm fuzzy feeling in your soul.

The large man tensed as he saw tears fall from your eyes.

”Uhm… are you… okay?” His large hand cupped your upper body as his thumb wiped your tears away.

You sniffled as you spoke around a mouthful of food. “This is really good!”

And you immediately turned to scarf down the whole bowl. It hadn’t occurred to you how hungry you were.

You missed the large heart in the man’s eye socket as he heard your cute voice complement his cooking and turn to devour every last drop.

A few moments passed in silence as you ate and finished your food. You looked up in embarrassment.

*I am so sorry you had to see that. I guess I didn’t realize how hungry I was.*

You looked away sheepishly, rubbing your arm.

”Don’t… apologize. I take it as a compliment… of the highest degree.” He leaned back on the couch, his eye relaxed, but still focused on you.

*Thank you for the food…*

you paused to think of his name, only to realize you didn’t know it.

You smacked your forehead. *Look at that. Me being rude. Sitting on your lap and eating your food, and I don’t even know your name.*

You cast him a small smile. *I think we skipped a few steps there.*

His head lifted in a gentle laugh. It was a floaty tone that rumbled your body. But in a pleasant way.

”My name… is Axe. Yours is… Y/n, right?”

You nodded. *I assume my father told you?*

He shook his head.

”No… your brother, Buck. He likes… to brag about you… to the rest of us… to make us… jealous.”

Your shoulders shook in a silent laugh. *That sounds like him.* You look to the old grandfather clock on the wall, face falling.

*Though I think if we spend much longer here now my father will come looking and tan my hide.*

You slid out from his hold.

*I’d better get moving then.*

You turned back to watch as he rose from the couch, following you.

“Your father… said it’s a… serious matter. He wants a… handful of us… to attend. Myself… included.”

You feel the seething anger beginning to build across your temple, though the anger wasn’t for Axe.

You give a slow nod.

*Let’s go then.*

—————————

You arrived to your fathers office, staring up at the door as you knocked your specific knock to let him know it was you.

Axe stood behind you, waiting patiently.

“Enter.” You grabbed the small door knob, pushing it and going in, only for Axe to grab the larger one and open that door after you. You had forgotten about those features, honestly. All the doors in the house had two knobs. One for your taller family members and guests to use, and one for you and (at the moment) Whip to use.

You entered his study, seeing the generals, and a handful of soldiers standing at attention against the wall, Axe going to join them, falling into line next to the other Black shirt.

Your father sat at his desk. You felt your anger rush back.

*What is this?* You narrowed you eyes at him.

”Take a seat chickadee.” Your dad’s tired voice floated over.

You wrapped your arms over your chest, as if to hold yourself from the cold.

*I’m fine standing.*

He shook his head and snapped his fingers, sending you floating into a large fluffy chair against your will.

It was humiliating to you. Your feet didn’t even touch the floor and your head barely poked above the arms of the chair. It made you feel powerless, though in this situation it served as a reminder that you were just that. Powerless.

Your father sat behind his desk, staring down at you as he rubbed his temples. He squeezed his eyes shut as he began.

“Today was a bit chaotic. We’ll start there. I know that the whole datemate situation doesn’t make you happy, but at this time we’re out of options.”

His tired, blue eyes looked down at you.

”I just received confirmation that the institute is getting involved, and come Monday morning they’re sending an inspector out to interview you. You’ll need to be dressed in your best and be presentable. No pants, no boot, no hat, and you’ll definitely need to have your hair formed.”

His magic hadn’t let you go. You couldn’t move, but you were seething. How could he do this to you! You just wanted to live a quiet life and work the farm. That’s it! That was all you wanted. And now your own father was feeding into the institute’s propaganda.

He was just as bad as they were.

He waved his hand over the the soldiers.

”As you know, your mother and I were once in the military. We met the Gaster’s there and have been friends since then. Though time passes as it does and these are the general’s sons, along with a few other men they put a good word in for.”

Your eyes fell upon the men, none of which looked at you.

”It’s Friday today. Saturday tomorrow, and Sunday the next day. That’s two days.”

He dragged his hand down his face, the sound of bone on bone could be heard.

”You have two days to pick a suitable mate from these men. At five PM on Sunday night, I wanna hear who ya picked. If you don’t pick anyone…” his voice trailed off as he looked at you.

“I will pick for you.”

He turned in his chair, still holding you in place.

”Gentlemen, if you would introduce yourselves please. Just names will do.” He told the younger men.

General Fell stared at Red and nodded at him. Your marrow in your bones was boiling. He started the first row.

”Private Red.”

”Private Edge.”

“Private Milord.”

“Private Mutt.”

The second row started.

”Private Blue!”

“Private Orange.”

“Private Sans.”

”Nyeh-! Chef Papyrus!”

And then the final row.

“Chef… Axe.”

”Chef Crooks!”

“Private G.”

“P-private Aster.”

”Private Polaris.”

”Private Ursa!”

You recognized a few of the men, but a majority, you didn’t.

Your eyes flicked back to your father.

”Thank you gentlemen.”

His gaze flicked back to you.

“Over the next few days, all of these men will be at your beck and call. Not to punish them, but to keep track of you. They have the authority to order you about and tattle on you if you act out of line. If you give them a hard time, they’ll let me know.”

‘Act “out of line” and “a hard time”?! What the fuck!’ You used your own magic and sprang out of his hold, causing him to stumble and his hold to slip.

It was no secret that you were small. You were reminded of it everyday. You lived in a society that you were not made for. One that didn’t value your person if you didn’t act the way society wanted. Even more so when you literally didn’t fit in it.

But being small had its perks. You were fast, nimble. And you were harder to grab.

You sprung up from the chair you sat on, kicking your leg up and flinging off your flat shoe. You darted behind the large chair as he made another motion to grab you as you flung the shoe, catching him in the face with it, taking your other off and throwing it right after, the toe of it flying into his eye socket. He gasped and yelped. Then everyone seemed to move.

You knocked over the large chair as WingDing made an advancement to you to grab you again. You snarled as you darted between his legs and yanked him to the floor, knocking over Fell and Swap too.

“Oh! Little Y/n! Please stay still, we’re not trying to hurt you, we’re trying to help!”

You hissed at him in response. Your feral side, the side that was pure instinct- coming out.

The soldiers didn’t move even as they watched you grab a night stand and chuck it at your fathers head. He ducked just in time for it to shatter to pieces. Splinters of wood and small trinkets that had been in it exploding behind the desk he sat in.

Though they were impressed. Usually the feral parts of them didn’t come out unless they felt strong emotions or were about to go into heat. And they assumed this was a result of emotion, as she had completely ignored the group still standing at attention, despite them taking up a lot of room.

They watched as you seemed to come back, your eyes having re-rounded to orbs instead of the cat like slits that they had been.

You huffed and turned on your heal, going to the door and slamming it shut, rattling the walls after you. Swap got up to go get you, only to be stopped by Cobalt.

”Let her go. I told her what she needed to know. I knew it’d piss her off. Give her time to cool off.”

Swap seemed hesitant.

”Are you… sure?”

”Positive. You shouldn’t be the target of her anger. I’m honestly surprised that she only tripped you and didn’t do anything else.”

”The night is yours to do what you wish with.” He waved them away, still rubbing his eye.

Fell nodded, brushing himself off.

He turned to look at the soldiers.

”Go get some rest and be ready to rise at a moments notice. She will need to be monitored constantly. Figure out the watch groups amongst yourselves.”

The group chorused back. “Yes sir!”

”You’re dismissed.”

The men filed out, one by one, then dispersed into groups.

—————————

You bristled awake as an urgent knock sounded at your door. You sleepily stumbled out of it to find you had slept in late. The sun had already risen.

‘Shit! My chores!’ You fell out of bed and hit the floor with an ‘umph!’

You hopped as you untangled yourself from the blankets, then finally opening your door. Outside stood Jett, leaning on his crutch. His face pale with terror, even for a skeleton.

*Jett? What’s wrong?*

He grabbed you by your shoulders.

”Pa was wrong! The Institute had enough interest in ya to come down here early! They’re here!” He made sure to lower his voice.

”I’ll distract her, but you got five minutes to get dressed and be presentable. She’s demanding to speak with you.”

Your own eyes widened as you quickly rushed back to your dresser, grabbing your mothers hand-me down jewelry.

Jett picked up your blanket and placed books in the false box spring of your bed.

Too much reading was bad reading, after all. You only needed your handbooks and parenting books. That was it.

He made your bed and went to your door, opening it.

”It’s eight in the morning now. I don’t think she’s gonna wait any longer than five minutes.”

He breathed in and out.

”If worst comes to worst I promise I’ll do all I can for you. I’ll be waiting too.”

And with that he shut the door.

You raced to get ready.

Chapter Text

You rushed around your room retrieving your makeups and powders, careful not to knock over anything that was in your small area.

You found a porcelain white tea length dress with a waist wrap in a pale blue. Tiny yellow stars dotted the deepest parts of the deep blues in the porcelain dress. You were certain this dress had once belonged to your mother.

You found the matching heels and slid them on as you opened your door, grabbing your bow and arrow bag as you exited. You slowly walked down the hallway and down the stairs, keeping your posture straight as your heels clicked down the hall.

•Click click click click click•

You descended into the kitchen from the stairs and made your way into the living room where an incredibly tall woman sat. Her hair was dark and her eyes were an amber yellow. She looked down at a clipboard from her glasses as she sipped tea from a cup that Jett had gotten for her.

Her eyes flicked up to your form.

”Ah. Ms. Y/n. I see you like to keep your guests waiting with bated breath. And here I thought I would be dealing with a heathenous rebel.” She looked down her nose to you.

Jett and your father both sat in their proper seats, sweating nervously.

They understood this woman had the power to change their lives as they knew it. From taking you away to telling the government their establishment promoted young ladies to be scandalous. This had happened to other places and they were forced to shut down. The owners were also forced to pay exorbitant fees and, in rare cases, the owners faced jail time.

You smiled sheepishly.

*My apologies. We had quite the exciting day yesterday. I had to make sure all of my…* you paused to look to the side.

*-affairs were in order.* You placed your hands in front of your torso, waiting as she loudly scribbled on her clipboard with a large feathered quill.

“So I’m going to assume you’re not deaf, yes?”

*No miss. I can hear, it’s just hard to speak.*

Her eyes looked over your father’s form as he seemed to shrink under her gaze.

”Why is that?”

*Its an-*

”Silence. I am not asking you.”

She cut you off as her eyes narrowed at your dad.

”Why can’t she not speak? It was already written in her medical records that she’s too small. But otherwise healthy. So why has it not been documented that she can’t speak?”

Cobalt’s eyes darted away.

“She can speak, it’s just hard for her to do. It’s a side effect from an injury from when she was little. We were in the Siege of Coronet when Old Centry fell in the war. The enemy was after women and children, in hopes to put a dent in our numbers. Sadly both my wife and daughter were injured.”

Her face softened slightly.

”And who and where is your wife?”

”Dusted quite some time ago. Her name was Lilith Marigold.”

Her eyes widened and her demeanor seemed to change.

”My apologies. Your wife was a hero amongst heroes.”

Her eyes darted down to her clip board as she wrote more information in.

You all waited in a tense silence, the room filled by the sharp scribbling of her quill.

”Cobalt and Jett, is it? I’m going to have you give us ladies some peace to talk. I wish to speak with y/n alone.“

They both cast uneasy glances at each other, then to you.

“Now.” Her features were set to a scowl.

Jett worked his way to his foot, and began to hop away on his crutch, Cobalt following after, casting one last scared glance your way before disappearing outside into the golden morning.

*Forgive me for not asking earlier, but what is your name?*

She continued to write in her notes.

”Mrs. Courier. I take care of survey and investigation work for the Institute.” She let go of the quill as it continued to scribble on the paper whilst floating in the air.

”And I am here to ‘survey’ the kind of place you live in.”

She sipped her tea again, the cup in her large claws looked dwarfed, despite it being the size of a large bowl for yourself.

”So our informant reported you to us, citing your aggressive and unruly behavior. Stating you had struck him and threw him into a pile of horse fecal matter, as well as threatening his life. Not to mention gambling and betting, as well as fraternizing with men without supervision, which makes you seem like a floozy.

You felt your own magic wanting to form, but held it tight.

She looked up at you with the cup in her claws, watching your face or eyes for lies or half-truths.

*As a hen I have the right to defend my family. And I felt threatened in the moment as well as he- a grown man- was bullying my baby brother. I didn’t take kindly to it and took care of the situation as I saw fit.*

You held your arms in front of your torso and huffed.

The quill continued to scribble.

”So what of the betting?”

*I’ve done no such thing as betting. Wagering and bets are different. A bet is pure chance. A wager, - my wagers- are biased to myself in my favor. I never make them unless I know I will win. It’s social engineering. We learn about it in school, so what does it matter if the way I do it is different?*

The bright orange quill paused as Mrs. Courier glanced at you from her notes. Then it continued.

”I suppose that is an… interesting way of looking at it. Though for someone who doesn’t want a relationship, you’ve been caught hanging around men. The informant stated that you were spotted throwing a large man around as if he were a sack of flour, and playing in a competition with a group of military men.”

Your face fell into a scowl.

*Mr. Goudy is reporting bullshit at this rate. Anything his mind can cook up in that coconut he has for a skull. The man I flipped was my brother who ran away from home to join the army a few years ago. And the competition was because some of the soldiers assumed I was a man. I can’t wear ‘fancy’ or ‘cute’ feminine clothes when I work the farm. It’s impractical and unsafe.*

She hummed. “I can see your point there, dear.”

She stood up as you took her offered tea cup and put it in the kitchen sink.

”So convince me why you love this farm so much? It’s hard work day in and day out, not to mention the rather…”

A large pink pig ran outside of the window, Whip chasing after it and squealing as they ran to a giant puddle of mud. The pig turned around and chased Whip in a circle before catching him by the back of his shirt and throwing him into the puddle, soaking his white shirt in a clay brown.

Mrs. Courier’s face turned into a face of disgust.

“Rather overtly chaotic and uncleanly environment.”

She shook her head to clear the sight of the mud covered child away.

She turned to you.

”So please, why don’t you give me a tour?”

Her disposition seemed kind and patient. Her posture seemed relaxed. But underneath it all you knew she was harshly nitpicking and judging your every word, thought, and opinion.

You also didn’t have a choice but to comply. Should you deny her, you had a very good idea of what would happen.

You kept your composure and nodded, leading her to the door.

*Despite Helvetica Farms seeming unkempt, I assure you when it’s quiet here it’s quite lovely. It’s actually one of the popular places for the townsfolk to get married when they have the marriage ceremonies.*

You opened it, watching as soldiers went to and fro, carrying debris from last nights storm. Some were hauling logs from downed limbs and others cleaning up dead and ripped up plants. You winced as you saw a majority of the windows, their glass missing out of them and the soldiers outside were helping to clean up and put in new ones.

You put your palm to your face and walked to the building to the back first, deciding to skip the house entirely.

*Helvetica Farms has two major responsibilities. One is making sure Fonston has enough food for the winter months. To do this-* You motioned out to the sprawling fields. Still young and green, but definitely getting taller. *We plant anything and everything here. In the ones nearest to us, we have wheat and then the field across from that one is corn. We also grow things like milo, soy beans, tomatoes, and plenty of other fruits and vegetables.*

You walked up to the small cabin, the woman following you from behind, seemingly sizing up your waist and hips.

You knocked on the cottage door, and upon not hearing anyone, went inside.

*Our second responsibility is the manufacturing of Helvetica Chocolate Healing Bars. We have a lot of pride in making them. This is overseen by my older brother, Jett. I usually tend to the animals and ensure the produce gets delivered to the town every month.*

You led her inside, sweeping your hand to and fro as you showed her the vats and flavors and whatnot.

You’re sure you saw her eyes light up as you gave her a small chocolate bar.

You led her around, showing her the stables full of nightmares, avoiding showing her Fern as you were certain the horse would menace you for treats and be upset upon you not having one to give her.

Your plains puppy could be very finicky.

You showed her the sheep and watched as she walked on your opposite side to avoid the heard of chicken cobras that seemed to glare at her, as they lowered their heads and raised their wings and hissed.

Some of their gray babies copied and did the same.

*Sorry about them. They’re kinda jerks to everyone.*

You lead her to the back of the farm through a path of trees, ensuring that you were watching your sides and back. The bushes seemed to rustle and the grass whistled. The symphony brought to a morning crescendo as the cicadas joined the choir.

*This is the camp. When we have an ‘off’ season or we’re less busy, my pa- my father teaches wilderness classes to the young boys of the town so they know what to watch for and how to survive if an emergency were to happen.*

She looked down at you, bone brow raised.

”What type of emergency?”

The winds picked up, blowing thin strands of your hair away. It sounded like screams. The grit of the dirt in your flats felt like heavy dust.

Your mothers half melted-face flashed in your mind.

”Ms. Helvetica?”

You jumped.

*Sorry. The emergencies would be things like natural disasters or horrid injuries to themselves or others. Knowing how to light a fire and keep yourself warm are important here in the winter.*

“Your family really seems focused on winter preparations.”

You nodded.

*Dad says it’s important. Told me once that when he and mom had just moved here Fonston was recovering from being frozen over. It was a blizzard so bad that it killed the lands and over half of Fonston.*

You shrug. *Dad also says that’s why Goudy is messed up. Says his first wife was my mother’s older sister. Rose Marigold. Apparently Goudy loved her and turned different after she passed away. To the man he is now.*

The two of you walked in silence as the quill scribbled. You inspected the exteriors of the cabins to see if the debris had caused damage here too. Thankfully it hadn’t.

“It’s truly tragic. Mayhaps he cares for you and only wants you to consider your own safety.” She looked over her papers.

”Ms. Helvetica. It seems your list of offenses runs deep. 18 to be exact.”

You furrowed your brows as you looked at her.

*So what will you do?*

She gave a grim smile.

”Whilst I am sympathetic to your point of view, I am afraid you’re a bad influence on other hens. Not to mention I see it in repeated pattern. You treat males as if they’re your equals.”

She looked down at you.

”They’re not. They are plentiful and meant to be disposed of should they not fit the bill.”

She straightened her blouse.

”I am of the opinion I should take you in for hen rehabilitation.”

Your eyes widened. Ok. You knew you were… rough. But you didn’t think you were that bad!

Hen rehabilitation was the worst punishment one could get from what you had read. It entailed the hen in question going through ‘positive reinforcement’ training and being paired with a strict male of the institute’s choice. They would keep you in line. They would make sure you were in line. Especially after you had their welp.

“Let’s go back and pack your things. We should get you checked in before nightfall. Orientation takes a full 24 hours after all.”

She began to walk back to the house, probably to tell your father of her decision.

The bushes rattled and the trees cast long shadows into the undergrowth of the farm.

You raised your bow.

Its yellow eyes darted around rapidly, then stuck on the approaching, unsuspecting Mrs. Courier.

It seemed that fate hated you.

Mrs. Courier turned around, pausing as she saw your bow aimed at her. She froze in fear.

Fate may not favor you, but it didn’t ‘always’ hate you.

Red smoke that smelled of burning wood began to fill the area, a voice bellowing out.

”You crazy bitch! No! What the hell are you doing?!”

Red’s massive frame towered in front of you. Blocking your shot as the coyote darted out to Mrs. Courier’s back.

But this was a time it did.

You leapt up, planting a foot on Red’s hips and jumping to his shoulders, wrapping your legs around his head and squeezing his head between your thighs to hold yourself up.

You re-stretched your bow.

You aimed.

Mrs. Courier guarded her large stomach.

You breathed in.

The coyote bumbled as it ran towards her, even in a disoriented state, it was fast.

You fired.

She let out a terrified scream that melded in the air along with the coyote’s screeching from having a bolt in its chest.

You jumped down from Red’s shoulders and ran over to the coyote, shooting it again as a group of soldiers came running into the area, weaponry summoned as they did a sweep.

The coyote went silent as you planted the final bolt, the soldiers gathering information from Red.

General Fell ran into the area, followed by Milord.

”Private Red! What happened! I thought your orders were to stay covert!” The man stalked up to Red, glaring down at him.

”It ain’t my fault!” His face was flushed red, his eye lights fuzzy.

”I thought she was going to shoot the investigator! Honest!” He leaned in further, sniffing the air around Red’s shoulders.

”Are.. Are you drunk?!”

Red purred as he sighed, a dopey smile appearing on his face.

”No, bu’ I wish I was.” He gave a soft chuckle, eyes locked on to you visuals as you studied your prey.

”Get it together, man!” Fell quietly hissed to Red as Mrs. Courier made her way over.

Red quietly whispered under his breath as he made himself scarce.

“Whadda’ woman.”

—————————

You were snapped from your thoughts as footsteps made their way over.

“Ms. Helvetica. What happened?”

Fell glared down at you, Mrs. Courier stood with her hands balled into fists.

You sighed and began to speak, your hands full with your arrows as you drew the contaminated area around the feral creature that would need to be dug up and burned.

”Rabid coyote.”

You continued to dig at the ground.

”It went after Mrs. Courier.”

Fell crossed his arms.

”So why did Red say he thought you were gonna shoot ‘er?”

”Cuz the coyote was running up on her and she was far away. She also gave me upsetting news that I have to go to the headquarters in St. Calibri for hen rehabilitation.”

You watched as he winced.

”So did you try to shoot her?”

”No. She’s just doing her job, same as me. I can’t fault her for it. She’s just following orders.”

Fell’s shoulders slump slightly.

”Alright, I’ll take your word for it.” He closed his eyes and rolled his neck, making his bones pop slightly.

”What about you Mrs. Courier?”

She quietly nodded.

”I-I agree. Let’s go back to the house. I’m rather parched.”

She seemed to blink as she hurriedly walked towards two awaiting soldiers, her clipboard and quill floating behind her.

You shook your head.

’She says they’re disposable, but goes running to them when she feels like she’s in danger. What a hypocrite.’

You sighed as you wiped dirt from your hands onto your nice dress, the garb being long ruined by the creatures blood.

You frowned. You had liked this dress, too. It wasn’t often you got to dress fancy. And it was even less often when it was for something you wanted to do.

Maybe you could wash it out and salvage it, and maybe one day, wear it out on a date.

You smacked yourself in the forehead.

’For shame. We don’t and won’t have time for that. Especially not when I have to go get a husband in St. Calibri.’

You frowned to yourself as you looked up at the deep blue sky.

‘My life is over and it felt like it never even started.’

—————————

The walk back to the house was tense.

Soldiers stood on each side of you and Mrs. Courier, their weapons drawn. Though again, it was soldiers you recognized. Red stood to your right, marching as he was told in order to protect you from any dangers that may be out there.

And to your surprise, he looked serious. His eyes scanning the parameter as he marched. His cheeks seemed slightly flushed.

You looked away at the others around you. Blue and Orange were in the back of the formation, blue had a mace with a large star on the end of it, while Orange had a bo staff with a vine of leaves wrapped around it. Red’s own weapon was a large brass knuckle with spikes on the end. He also had matching knee pads and boot wraps for kicking and kneeing his opponents should things get physical.

The pointy man stood on your left, between yourself and Courier. His sockets were dark, void of any eye lights. He seemed to look straight forward, that was- until one of his red eye lights lit up in his socket and stared down at you.

”What.”

He re-angled his saber in his hand as you jumped.

*Nothing. Just looking at my surroundings- Sorry.*

You looked away with a fierce blush. You hoped it wasn’t too vibrant.

He grumbled something under his breath, shaking his head as he nudged you to keep walking.

The house drew nearer as the formation marched on.

It felt like you were being corralled to your doom.

Mrs. Courier practically ran inside the house, followed by some of the men. Orange and Blue broke off and walked to the barn, assuredly to grab your father.

Your shoulder was nudged by a strong hand.

“Let’s go inside. It’s not safe for you out here.”

The saber had disappeared from his hand in a puff of cherry scented vapor.

“Let’s get this over with, y/n.” He cast a gentle glance down at you, a surprising look for the man.

He bent down to your ear.

”I am sorry for my earlier treatment of you. I…-“

He looked to and fro before whispering to you.

”I know what it is like to be different… not quite right. Should it come down to it I will bid for you, as will my brother.” He nodded to Red, who leaned against the doorframe as more soldiers passed in.

Red looked down at you, and nodded.

“We’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”

You stared at the ground with a frown, clenching your fists.

*Not that it’s isn’t appreciated, but you guys don’t even know me…*

You couldn’t help your lip tremble.

Or the way your soul shook and quivered in pain and fear.

*She’s going to take me away…*

You wiped your eyes on your sleeve as the tall man ushered you to the door, Red following you suit.

You felt like the air in the room was sucked out as you sat in the chair, blood and dirt still in your nice dress, hair a mess.

There was a very real possibility of never seeing your family ever again.

Your fathers heavy boot steps fell onto the floor, as he made his way to stand behind your chair.

The room was silent, as the large group of men from the study last night sat around you. Eyes locked onto the giantess who sat on the sofa, hands shakily grasping another cup of tea, so kindly provided to her by Jett.

She took a sip, and her shakes soothed.

”I am sure you all are wondering what my decision is. However in light of recent events, I fully believe a different arrangement can be made.”

A shadow eclipsed you, the light from the windows fading away as Axe’s large form knelt down to study the blood soaking your clothes. His nasal ridge scrunched as his large red eye shrank slightly and snapped up to you, watching you for signs of pain.

You gently patted his hand as he sat besides you on the floor, waiting for Mrs. Courier to speak.

”My original decision was to take her for rehabilitation. The effects of exposure to motherhood, forced or not would force her into a brooding pattern to where she would need more welps to care for. She would fall into being a good mother very fast.”

You heard a low feral growl come from Axe, his shoulders rose ever so slightly as he leaned forward, his body looked as if it was ready to snap to a different position.

A protective position. You rubbed his back, trying to sooth him.

”Though after today I have another proposal.”

She ignored Axe as she looked to your father.

”The institute has done research on other Pygmy hens, such as y/n. While females are wonderful themselves for being carriers, Pygmy’s are mega carriers. They can produce multiple babies at once and have a much higher chance of doing so. Out of a test group of 10 with the same experiment repeated 6 times, it was determined that Pygmy’s have a 50 percent increase of having multiple babies at a time.”

Your fathers shoulders straightened.

”So are you still going to take her? We’re you going to take her anyway because she’s a Pygmy skeleton?”

”Originally yes. But her actions are proven to be too reckless and dangerous to have her near other hens at the institute.”

She snapped her fingers and the Quill dropped, along with the floating board. She slipped it into a nearby drawer, the glass from the window glittering in the light as she shut the board and quill inside.

Her voice dropped to a whisper.

”I am indebted to her. I cannot take her back to the institution on the account that she saved my life from that wretched creature. So I am trying to give you the most… kind treatment.”

She grabbed the quill and board and snapped her fingers again, as you and your dad’s eyes widened.

”So my offer is as follows. All the men in this room that are unrelated to her will now be in her harem. They will see to it she is bred within a years time. Failure to do so will result in detainment and institutionalization.”

You felt the air in the room change even more. Magic scents and colors and vapors flooded the room.

“Though it won’t be without added benefits. All those who join the harem will be granted permanent pardons from the war, as well as their own lands to live on and do as they please, along with free range employment endorsements.”

You froze at that.

They were offering these men things of value.

Money, a large home, free range of the job market, and finally.

You.

They were offering you.

Chapter Text

You froze in your seat. Back straight and eyes locked onto the woman in front of you.

Off the top of your head, you remembered that those in the room were all present at last nights rather… tense meeting.

A large skeleton in a tan uniform with a light, but dull blue shirt spoke up, his smile strained.

“So what if no one accepts? What’s the incentive to make sure we stayed with her after the whole thing and didn’t just leave her?” If you recall correctly, his name was Sans.

He tilted his head down as he narrowed his eyes at the woman.

Mrs. Courier ignored his rude body language.

“Simple. Your case worker will report once a month. Should any of you not be accounted for you will be hunted down by the institution and taken into custody. You will then be dusted for abandoning your family.”

Your eyes widened, and you thought they couldn’t go any more wider.

”Isn’t that a bit too cruel?”

Mrs. Courier sat up straighter.

”It is. But if the father wished not to be there in the first place, then we will make sure he cannot be.” She sipped her tea again.

”What about the hen and the welp? If there was one.” You trailed off, trying not to stare at Axe, his large Red eye fuzzy as it stared at you. His grey-blue magic settled like fog on his nasal ridge and cheekbones.

”The institute will step in and she will be provided for for a year while she grieves. Then a new sire will be provided for her.”

Sans rolled his head to the side.

”Yeah. But that still doesn’t give us direct enough incentive to stay.”

”Oh?” She raised an eyebrow and sat her porcelain cup down, a dark smile crossing her face. She waved her hand in the air as a large stack of papers fell into her hand.

”Then how is this for ‘incentive’ Mr…?’

”Sans.”

”Ah. Yes. Well Mr. Sans, I see that you all have siblings who you seem to value.”

She nodded her head to, if you recalled correctly, chef Papyrus.

”Should one of you try to leave, the •both• of you will be dusted. Even if the other is a devoted father and sire to Ms. Helvetica.”

Sans eye lights disappeared as his sockets went dark, Papyrus’s large form shrank down behind Sans, citrus filling the air as orange whisps of vapor appeared around Papyrus’s shoulders and arms.

”Though I thought the possibility of not having to fight in the war anymore and not having to leave your family behind would do well enough for you too. As well as being able to have whatever job you wished.”

Edge cleared his throat, speaking up from behind Red who was sweating buckets.

”I thought only aristocratic families could pick their jobs.”

Mrs. Courier’s expression turned into one of mirth.

”So you meat heads are not as dumb as I may have taken you for.”

Edge’s eye socket twitched.

”Should you sign these documents, they will make you aristocrats. You will receive a financial boost, a rather lavish home bragging enough space to give all of you your own rooms, as well as guests, and rooms for your young when they are old enough. As well as a finished, secure nesting room.”

She looked at the group and then her eyes snapped to you.

”Again, big enough to house all of you.”

You felt the magic creep up your neck and face.

All of you… sharing a nesting area?!

The thought of you being nude as you lay sore after a night of… with all of them laying around nude after as well…

’No! To nest implies they’ll even sleep with me.’

You shook your head, trying to chase away your thoughts.

’They didn’t say yes or anything, that’s not even promising they will.’

You managed to get your magic to melt away, only to choke when someone spoke up.

”We’ll sign it. Me n’… my bro… anyway.”

It was Axe.

”B-brother!” A massive skeleton who hunched over in the back of the group gasped like a fish out of water, seemingly searching for words.

The noise of winter snow blowing came from Axe’s maw, seemingly calming down the much larger chef Crooks.

He let out soft sleigh bell chimes.

They both nodded, Crooks making his way to the front and sitting next to Axe, who was writing his name down on the long parchment paper. His signature glowed in his blue slate magic before turning gold, then black. It was a magical contract that he had just bound himself to.

”H-hey! you d-didn’t have to… do that!”

You got onto your knees to see over the side of the chair better, only to be met nasal to nasal with Axe, who plucked you off of the couch and placed your small frame into his lap.

“We didn’t have… to. But we decided we… wanted ta’.”

He smiled down at you, his face growing happy and his red eye light turned into a heart.

He pulled you into himself as Crooks finished his signature, the glow of his pale mauve magic and gold lighting up the room. He scooted closer to Axe as he handed the board back to Mrs. Courier.

The only thing you could really hear was Axe’s chest rumbling. The vibrations making your body lull into a tired state. But if you pushed past the exhaustion and the loud purring, you could hear other noises. Some that sounded like wooden wind chimes, another that sounded like cicadas, and so on and so forth.

The purring was all you could focus on as you began to drift to sleep, the last thing you saw was a Red with the parchment in his hand, signing it, Edge standing behind him, tapping his foot as he waited.

The weight of Axe’s arm was the last hole in your bucket of staying awake. You leaned into the side of his arm and subconsciously turned into his chest, falling into a deep sleep.

—————————

Axe stared down at you.

For the first time in an incredibly long time, the constant hunger in his soul was satiated. He felt full and content. Not in the way he did when he ate heaps of food, but in the way one would when settling down to rest after a good days work.

He sighed as a smile crossed his face. Your mouth hung slightly open, and your h/c hair flooded his arm with strands of the magic, curling and waving like a hypnotic sea.

Your petite hands grasped at his uniform, unconsciously wrinkling the clothing.

He couldn’t care less. He had the most wonderful thing in his arms right now.

A future where he and his brother wouldn’t be separated, nor starve. And all the opportunity for his family to grow. The way he saw it, anyone else who signed the contract would be more protection for you and any welps the two of you could have. But for now, he would wait. You were a miracle sent from the stars themselves. Made from stardust even.

He would have to do his best to not mess stuff up. He had a hard time remembering stuff current day. The hole in his skull was absolutely no help, but he knew with the beautiful intent your soul gave off, he and Crooks would be in the best of care. Maybe one day their old man could come and live with them! He was great with children, after all.

Axe moved a strand of hair from your face, tucking it back behind your cheek.

”I’ll do… my best ta’… take care of you. Of… everyone. I promise.” He whispered as he hugged your sleeping form.

Mrs. Courier cleared her throat, pulling her lights away from the sappy display.

”So now that you all have signed the contract, the institute will ensure your pardons from the war. Your soul ceremony will take place in three days time, sponsored by the institute, of course.”

Axe adjusted you to soothe you as you turned in his arms, brows furrowing in your sleep.

He resumed his purring. The only other people to like his purring were his father and brother. His mother was long gone at this point.

A lot of things were gone.

His mother.

His father.

Their home.

Their food.

Their family and friends.

He could smell the rot in his nasal as he passed by half rotted farm animals and the gun powder that covered the clothing of the men who had just picked the three of them up from the rubble of their fallen home.

He jumped as a gentle hand rested against his cheekbone.

His eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room, the sun long set and the fireplace going. A blanket was draped over his shoulders as a cup of hot cocoa was sat next to him.

“What did the horse say to the farmer?”

Your small voice cooed from his arm, your touch not leaving his face.

He looked down at your sleepy form, a sweet, knowing smile on your face.

He raised an eyebrow in response.

”Haaaayyyyyy…”

You trailed off the end of the word to make it sound like the sound of a horse.

He blinked. Then blinked again. Then gave a chuckle.

”You noticed my… long face… eh?”

He was perplexed by your face that you had made. He was used to seeing it. One of pity, but from you the expression was different.

One of knowing. One of empathy.

*You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to or aren’t ready, but I have those memories too. They’re foggy and some details are scrambled or missing…*

You sat up from your original lounging position.

*But it’s still haunting. I’m here if you ever need to talk.*

Axe sighed as he pulled you in for a hug, not letting you go.

”Thanks… little lamb.”

The two of you sat in a comfortable silence, the only noise being the firewood that popped in the hearth.

*How long was I out for?* You rubbed the sleep from your eyes.

Axe hummed. “Not a clue.”

”You two have been asleep since this Ten this morning.”

The light from the kitchen dimmed as it had done when you had ran into Axe just last night. This time though, it was his brother, Crooks.

“It’s just after nine at night, as of now. I took the liberty o-of making the two of you some of my famous stew…”

He gave a large bowl to his brother, and was hesitant when he began to lower one for you. Dull pink sweat began to collect on his brow.

”Uh-uhm. Mistress… is beef stew okay? Would you like something e-else? I am sorry I did not ask-“

*Calm down, hun. I don’t know what that lady told you, but I assure you, whatever you want to make is okay with me.*

You gently took the (still rather large) bowl of stew and sat it on the nearby coffee table to cool slightly.

*I appreciate the fact you even thought to bring any food for me. Thank you…?*

You waved your hands as if to trail off.

*What’s your name, dear?*

The look of awe seemed to melt slightly as he sighed. “It’s Crooks.”

*Like the cane?*

He frowned and shook his head.

Your small smile fell to a frown. *Don’t tell me it’s due to your appearance.*

He sighed and slouched.

”I’m afraid so.”

You patted the spot next to Axe and yourself as he brought his own bowl from the kitchen. He slowly sat down as you got up and pulled a thick, plain covered dark blue book from the bookcase with a glass sliding door on it. It also had a lock on the end to prevent it from being opened.

Their eyes widened.

*What. Did you think I actively listened to the institute about reading materials?* You waved your hand as you levitated your book. *Honestly, fuck that noise.*

You walked over as Axe laughed and spat his stew out, being joined by nervous, but still giddy giggles from his bro.

*So I think ‘Crooks’ is a super mean name. If you wouldn’t mind, you guys kinda remind me of something I read once.*

You walked back over and sat between them.

”Whatcha… got in… mind?”

You put the book in your lap, opening its pages to a beautiful drawing of the planet Jupiter.

*Planets!*

You show the two the book in your lap as they ate.

“Jupiter is the solar system’s largest planet. It’s a gas giant and scientists theorized that the large red spot on its surface is a never ending raging storm. It has around 80 to 90 moons as well as countless satellites.”

Crooks cleared his throat. “N-not that this stuff isn’t fascinating, but why bring this one up?”

*As I said earlier, I think crooks is super mean. And I think you both are just misunderstood. I don’t know everything about you, but I truly think no one does. Just like space and the planets in them.*

Your eyes cast up at Crooks, then you look away in a blushing mess.

*If it’s alright with you, I think Jupiter fits you as a name. It’s beautiful, mysterious, and the biggest planet in the solar system, large, like you.*

You paused for a moment, then in your own embarrassed panic, quickly began to sign. *Not that it’s a bad thing but I’ve never seen someone so big! You’re the biggest of the skeletons I’ve ever seen and-*

He grabbed both of your hands in one of his own large hands, the grip firm, but gentle.

He sniffed causing your gaze to shoot up from the floor. “Honestly mistress- it’s a wonderful name. I love it, far better than Crooks.” Mauve tears gathered at the corners of his sockets, the same dusty pink across his cheeks.

He still had your hands, so you softly spoke.

”If you are certain you like it and it’s okay, then Jupiter it is. And please don’t call me mistress. I will never command you to do anything I would never do myself. Please call me y/n.”

Your name rumbled from his mouth in a soft breath.

”Y/n.”

His eyes blinked the tears away.

”I like it. It suits you.”

It was your turn to blush.

You turned your head away.

“Thank you.”

He let your hands drop as he picked up his bowl and continued to eat.

”You should eat soon, you don’t want it to get too cold, not to mention you haven’t eaten all day.”

You took the book again, flipping through its pages.

*One more planet for your brother and then I’ll eat.”

He gave you a suspicious look, his eyes narrowing at you ever so slightly as he raised his own spoon to his mouth.

”If you’re certain.”

He took a bite.

His voice was loud and stern. ”Only after one planet. If you don’t eat I’ll!-“

He paused in his words, eyes wide with fear. He quickly shrunk in on himself. His cheeks lit up as did your own face.

*You’ll what?* You gave him a patient smile.

He seemed to look to and fro, before puffing up again.

”I’ll spoon feed you myself!”

You felt your face get warm. Somewhere deep in your mind, you absolutely wouldn’t mind it. Being bossed around when you ‘misbehaved’ and disciplined when needed.

You swallowed hard, face glowing.

*Just one more planet and I promise I’ll eat.*

You missed the smug smile from Axe to Jupiter, as you turned back to your book, Jupiter’s own skull lighting up in its dull pink.

You flipped the pages and landed on the one you were looking for.

Mars.

You sat back between the duo, starting to read your page to them again.

“Mars is the fourth planet from the sun. It appears Red due to the Iron oxide in its surface. Despite its color, Mars is actually pretty cold!”

Jupiter spoke up.

”So why this one for Axe?”

You looked at Axe for a moment, both of your white eyes locked onto his one red orb that settled on you, seeming relaxed.

“Because it reminds me of his eyelight. It’s honestly beautiful. I think the two of you are beautiful in your own ways, too. Like space and the planets and all the stars you can see out here…”

You stared down at your hands, a feeling of pride swelling in your chest.

”It gives me hope that I may find true happiness in this life, despite being forced to do things I don’t want to do.”

You stopped as you whipped around to look at them.

“Sorry. It’s not- I…”

Axe smiled.

”Mars… I like it. If the name Mars gives you hope, it gives me hope too.”

You blink.

*You’re not mad that I insinuated that I didn’t want to be with you?*

Your look of shock morphs into panic as you rapidly sign.

*T-Though that’s not it at all! I promise- I just don’t like being made to feel like I’m hurting others! It’s nothing to do with you I swea-“

You were stopped by Jupiter’s large hands closing over yours as he scooped you up and placed you on his lap, Mars laughing as he picked up your large bowl, dipping the spoon into the stew.

“We… know. We can feel it… in your intent…”

You opened your mouth to speak again, only to have the larger spoon slip food into your maw. You couldn’t help but moan at the nice flavors hitting your tongue.

Jupiter buried his face in your neck.

”Now now, y/n.. You promised you’d eat after the last planet you showed us.”

His voice dropped a bit lower, a gentle warning growl coming from his chest.

”Less talking, more eating. We need to make sure you stay well fed and healthy. Not to mention the institution encouraged us to punish you if we feel the need.”

”And we won’t… have a problem… doing that if… we need to.”

Your face was an array of colors. You opened your mouth as another spoon came to you, and ate quickly. Loud purrs came from the chests of both men next to you.

It was strange and foreign. You had only met these men about two days ago and with these two it already felt like you knew them for ages.

Dare you say it, you were sort of glad these two signed the contract. You had a feeling they would be around for a long while.

—————————

The campfire crackled as Sans stared up at the sky. Countless stars glittered and shined, making him forget the cool night air biting at his cheekbones.

He enjoyed the stars. A lot more than he enjoyed the dramatic re-telling of Red ‘saving’ the life of the interviewer from their angry new fiancé.

Red stood up, acting out the scene with his hands. “N’ I stood in front of her and told y/n that she was crazy and to not do it, but she pushed me aside and shot at the broad anyway!” He stepped forward, chest puffing up slightly. “So that’s when I lifted her into my arms and held ‘er, and she calmed at my scent.”

He gave a smug grin as his captivated audience began to ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’.

Sans couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

Didn’t they see what he saw?

The institute stepped in and forced them all to marry a spoiled, feral girl with no sense of safety or discipline. Not to mention she seemed mentally unsound based on their little show in her fathers office.

Sans eyes wondered to his right, watching his brother as the tall jovial man kept plating out large dishes of his famous ‘friendship spaghetti’ for his fellow soldiers.

He sighed as he watched his father take a plate of the pasta from Papyrus, the two skeletons having a positive conversation.

He would never say it out loud. Never in front of Papyrus or his dad, but boy howdy, he wished he had you to himself for five minutes.

He wanted to make you cry.

To hurt.

He didn’t want you.

He didn’t love you.

He wanted to drive home the only reason he signed the contract was so Papyrus could finally live the life he deserved. The Army was no place for his gentle giant of a baby brother.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose.

Maybe his old man could retire too.

He wasn’t doing this for himself. And he sure as hell wasn’t doing anything for you.

Not a damn thing.

Only Paps.

Because his bro was the coolest.

He deserved only the best.

And if he had to use you to give it to him, so be it.

—————————

The wind whistled through the tree branches as the lights of the street lamp cast long, dark shadows across the streets and lawns. It did well to conceal the emaciated creature that wondered down the empty streets.

—————————

The skeleton angrily paced back and forth in his house, fists clenched into balls.

”I can’t believe this! It’s outrageous!”

His shirt was disheveled and his glasses askew.

”I reported her and put a bid on her and they hadn’t even considered my own bid? Preposterous!”

His fangs gnashed down as his face contorted to a snarl.

”And they’re going to marry her off to a group of men instead of just one?! How is that even ethical!”

His skull grew red with anger as he swiped crunched up wads of paper to the floor from his typing desk.

”If she wants to live a life of sin and debauchery, then I’ll make sure the whole town knows! No! The whole of Fonston and St. Calibri!”

He threw blank pieces of paper into his typewriter, stocking it with ink as well.

”I’ll ensure the town bicycle won’t ever be touched again!”

—————————

He sat at his desk for ages, long into the night. The noises of darkness long being drowned out by the rapid clicking of the writer. The shadows of evening turn into the inky black of night, perfectly providing shelter for the creatures that call the dark of night, home.

The deep black sky begins to glow a soft navy, the thousands of stars providing minimal light for the predator eyeing its prey.

Goudy licked his teeth with a red tongue, the same red magic coating them as if he had just finished eating a lamb alive. His eyes were shrunken as he breathed heavily, grabbing his papers out of the typewriter.

”I’ll show her what happens when she can’t be a good girl!”

He stood from his chair that he had been sat in for hours, popping his back as he stretched, walking to his front door.

”The whole world will know what type of person she is! Manipulative, disrespectful, disgusting!”

He spat as he threw the door open, walking his way to the news station that housed the daily press. It was 3am, so surely someone would be awake at this hour making that morning’s issue of the ‘Fonston Forum.’

He looked at the thick packet of paper in his hands, not hearing the slow-

•click•

Of claws on the pavement behind him as he angrily stomped down the sidewalk.

•click click click•

They got faster.

The world was painted in black and white. The sickly yellow of the animals eyes being the only thing that shone in the stringent darkness.

It closed in.

And lunged.

Its jaws snapped around Goudy’s leg, sending red magic and a cloud of dust up into the air, Goudy’s screams accompanied by the lights of nearby homes turning on.

Neighbors flooded their yards, watching as the dog continued to bite at Goudy, his large frame having collapsed onto the floor.

A gunshot rang out into the air as the coyote fell to the ground in a heap, its fur turning to cinders and smoke where it lay.

A man in a large trench coat and wide brimmed hat lowered his gun, a revolver, to his holster as his other hand lit up an otherworldly black. A deep purple light being cast. From his hand.

The man spoke up.

”You will need to get yourself medical aide for that dog attack, I fear it’s sick.”

Goudy’s chest rose and fell, his soul felt like it would beat out of his chest.

”Understand?” Came the cool, gravely voice of the tall, hunched over, trench coat wearing man.

He nodded fervently.

He raised his head and looked at the townsfolk.

”Which way to Helvetica farms?”

Chapter Text

The car’s engine rumbles to a lull as it turns down the pavement to a large mansion like hospital.

Its walls are painted white with a bright red roof. The lawn is manicured and all of the windows are dark with curtains drawn.

She steps out of the car, her long burgundy pump clicking gracefully as she stepped out of the car, fixing her skirt of her dress as proper ladies do.

She fixed her brown hair as she snapped her fingers, her notebook and orange quill floating besides her, it’s constant scribbling ceased.

She grabbed her bag and work badge and walked up to the main gate, the limo that had dropped her off driving away.

Mrs. Courier scanned her badge and walked through the front door. The waiting room was desolate, with it being Sunday and all. Nobody worked on Sundays.

The room had crème colored wall paper, the seats a maroon red finished with deep brown wood. The hardwood floor was a light ashen gray. It felt like a haunted house. Something that was once homely that wasn’t anymore, especially if you knew the truth of what lay beyond the heavily secured metal doors painted to look like wood.

She went in.

The light from the lobby immediately disappeared, the floors turned to black concrete as metal doors led into doctors offices.

She could hear whining through the doors if she stopped long enough to listen.

But a lady does not eavesdrop nor dwaddle.

she went through an other set of double doors, the only thing in this room was the elevator that led you straight up to the 5th floor.

The floor with the offices and the only floor you could access the 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st, and basement floors.

She rode the elevator up, the small room being big enough to fit a hospital bed and a few wheelchairs if it was needed.

With a quiet ding, Mrs. Courier stepped out of the elevator into another waiting room bordered by a hallway on either side and a third set of double doors. She went to the double doors.

She opened the doors, the wallpaper was black, the room dim as the window had been filled with black brick.

They didn’t want the young ladies having any ideas of escape or liberation.

Or any fantasies they weren’t supposed to be having.

The carpet was a fancy, expensive, one. Only the best for the institute and those who were made to reside in it.

She took a seat in her chair at the long table, the handles coming up and moving to cover her enlarged tummy, lifting it and giving her back a massage.

She couldn’t help the purr that escaped her mouth with a shameful moan.

She scowled as she searched for the button on the side of the chair, not finding it.

She gasped as the chair squeezed her belly a little more, and leaned back, the massage increasing ten-fold. Her back had nowhere to arch as a deep chuckle sounded from her right, a man in a dark blue suit with a thin handlebar mustache and orange eyes appeared.

“What do you think of your new chair, my love?”

She scowled as an amber blush spread across her face, her normally composed demeanor falling away.

“F-for the l-last time Reginald, you can’t k-keep using me for experimentation w-with ne-new products!”

She was a blushing mess as another hand rested against her pregnant stomach, pink magic enveloping her as the babies soul lit up through her ecto. It was tiny, but bright white, the two bumps of the heart were right side up currently, but hadn’t been when she had left for Fonston.

The man gave a faux pout and began to speak in a baby voice. “Are you saying I cannot give my lovely wife gifts?”

He clicked the remote and upped the setting of the massage chair.

She gnashed her teeth glaring at her husband, trying to hold back another moan.

“Not when I’m trying to attend an important meeting in public!”

The new comer with the pink magic gave a gentle laugh. She was a younger skeleton with long, straight, bubblegum pink hair, as well as eyes. That’s also what her magic smelled like. Bubblegum.

And uncreatively, it was also her name. Bubblegum, though bubble for short.

She gave a small giggle. “You two are funny.”

Mrs. Courier felt bad for the girl. She had been born here about 16 years ago and her mother dusted during birth and her father had been reassigned. The new hen hadn’t wanted her so she had been given back to the institute to be raised as breeding stock. And that she was.

”I’m so excited for when I get my sire and can start a family of my own~!”

She seemed to sway at the idea, a happy smile crossed her features as a pink blush gathered.

Mrs. Courier sighed. “I know you’re excited, but you’re still much too young. You’re 15.”

Bubble pouted. “I’ll be 16 next month! I can totally handle a baby!”

She waved her arms in exasperation. “I’m great with the babies in the nursery! I bet I could get a perfect score with a trial whelp!”

Her face looked desperate as she continued to beg for a chance.

’Oh sweetie.’ Mrs. Courier watched with a smile on her face, though she wanted so badly to scream at her and shake her. To have her wake up.

‘The institute damaged you beyond repair. We’ve lost too many good girls to the system and we’re losing you too.’

She saw a shadow move at the corner of her eye, a swish of a cloak.

”Bubble, ladies do not whine or beg. Cease your whining. You will have ample chance in a few years time.”

It felt terribly cruel to tell her that. But god forbid the council found out how Mrs. Courier felt.

Especially since the head of the institute stood in front of them, taking a seat at the head of the table.

”Are you nice and comfy there, Mrs. Courier? Feeling tired, may haps?” Mrs. Courier gritted her teeth in anger at her husband.

If her skull was only slightly amber, now it was fully lit up like a high watt light bulb.

”It seems I’ve been caught up in one of Mr. Courier’s contraptions, Madame.”

The tall black figure seemed to glide across the floor, the only noise being her cloak dragging on the plush carpet.

The tall woman came to rest at her side. “So it would seem.”

A long skeletal hand that dwarfed most males came up from the cloaked figures side. Its hand was completely black, like charcoal, with its fingertips being needle sharp.

Flecks of black dust seemed to creek from the tall woman’s knuckles, revealing small spots of glowing red before they too, turned black.

Mrs. Courier didn’t know why this was so frightening. Why Madame was so intimidating.

It must be how she moved, how she spoke. Her automatic expectation of Mrs. Courier seemed to weigh down on her soul.

Her smooth smokey voice captured her mind once more.

”How is my whelp doing? You know I think of you as my daughter Adiline.”

Mrs. Courier ignored the blatant ownership remark.

”My pup is doing good. It’s not caused any trouble as of yet but I suspect I shall start my final growth period soon.”

Madame’s large hand hung over Adiline’s stomach, her magic coming out in a blanket- like dome. The magic looked like a ball of fire, licking and dancing to and fro, but with the speed of shushy water. The black room even seemed to light up a magma red, the scent of burning roses filled the air.

”It seems you will whelp in a few weeks time. Though that’s not surprising since I can not imagine how stressful your last assignment was.”

Madame’s large form rose taller. A staggering 20 feet tall. She seemed to be looking for something.

”Speaking of which…” Madame’s hooded face turned to Mrs. Courier. “Where’s the girl?”

A low growl built in the room, the rumbling the floors and walls.

”Adiline, I expect only success from you. What happened.”

Black smoke rose from the ground, red cinders flickering in and out of existence.

It hadn’t been a question. It was a demand.

”The girl was nothing special. The match makers from her school kept trying to pair her with a family member and the complaint was from a rejected male. On account of insufficient evidence, I let it drop.”

Madame’s tense shoulders rose, then dropped ever so slightly.

“If it was error on her school’s part as well as a rejected male, then…”

Madame’s head turned to the side, the briefest sight of huge teeth being present.

”I suppose you’re excused for not being her back. What of the experiment though… I wished to see how multiple sires panned out.” Her shoulders seemed to slump more.

”I’ve handled that as well. She has fourteen men to choose from.”

Madame turned fast, seemingly happy at the news. “Have you proof, my girl?”

Mrs. Courier finally forced the chair to sit up, the mechanical whine of the gears humming down as she flourished her hand, providing a tube of paper. The page was slightly yellowed, as well as the fibers of the almost cloth page stank with multiple magics.

Madame unfurled it, reading the names. Her magic began to crackle and pop, the embers of flames and rose petals floating around the room.

”How exciting. Once you deliver your own baby, you will be the case worker for this household. I expect monthly reports.” Madame flicked her wrist, the contract disappearing in a wind of flaming rose petals.

On the inside, Mrs. Courier was screaming. She hadn’t wanted to do this to you, but she was trying to help you as much as she could, keeping you out of the institutes walls was the best she could do for you at the moment.

She feared it would be all she could do for you.

Madame began to choke a crackling laugh.

”Should this be successful, we will have found the secret to survival. To victory.”

Her bright red tongue licked her teeth, just for a moment, lighting a portion of her face. Her teeth seemed to stretch from ear to ear, keeping her mandible locked in a permanent, jagged toothed smile. Her bones were charred black, the permanent darkness seemed to swallow any light that came near it. Her sockets were blocked by an ornamental blindfold that kept her eyes covered. It was a deep purple with black lace that covered its surface, though a majority of the design was lost to time and tear.

Madame inhaled.

”This may go my way after all.”

Her tone turned to one of endearment.

”Adiline, my dearest. Do not fail me.”

Madame leaned down, her twenty feet turning to an easy ten. She was face to face with Adiline Courier.

“You do not wish to know what shall happen should you flunk this project, problem child.”

One of her long, spindly, claws poked at her stomach.

”I can assure you, you will not like the results of…”

She sniffed the air, inhaling a large breath.

”Failure.” She exhaled as a burst of smoke filled the room behind her. The billows of smoke forming her being separated from her baby and the baby disappearing into Madame’s form.

Mrs. Courier couldn’t help the ache of fear that began to build.

“Y-yes Madame, naturally.”

Adiline blinked and looked away. She no longer felt like a fully grown woman, but a heifer. An un-bred hen who had been enrolled in the institute years ago, and given Reginald as her sire. And Madame was still in her position as her case worker, who ensured she became a good girl.

A good hen.

By any means necessary.

She would protect this baby.

Madame would not take another.

“I must go tent to my own whelps now.” Adiline didn’t make eye contact. Madame ment all of the whelps she stole. “You’re free to go. You have a rather unique soul ceremony to plan, yes?”

Madame waved them away, only allowing Bubble to follow while coping how she was such a good big sister and would make an ‘excellent mother’ soon.

Mrs. Courier hated this. Hated her. Hated the way life was.

Reginald approached Adiline, a frown on his normally goofy face.

“My dear? Are you alright?”

He went to wrap his arms around her in a hug. She held up a hand, stopping him.

”You’re dismissed.”

”But my dear…”

Adiline bared her fangs at Reginald.

”I will strike you. Leave me, now. Go work on your gadgets and do-hickeys.“

Adiline got up from her chair, placing her hand on her lower back.

Reginald tried to wrap his arms around her again, only to be sent to the floor with a loud •smack•!

Adiline stared down at him, her amber eyelights narrowed into slits.

”I told you I’d strike you if you failed to listen. Get out of my sight and fix your chair. It only served to hurt my back.”

She grabbed the back of the chair with one hand and threw it to the ground.

She slowly stalked out of the room, the large door closing behind her. She didn’t spare a second glance at Reginald.

Her guilt wouldn’t allow it.

She kept her eyes forward as she traveled down the hall to a large steel door with no windows. The only thing it had on it was a word written in bright white letters.

’Security.’

She opened the door and closed it, locking it and putting a heavy wooden chair under the handle to prevent it opening.

The room, like the rest of the facility, was dark. Save for the exception of the wall of monitors. The screens shown black and white feeds, the nude forms of countless men and women on them.

Mrs. Courier didn’t pay the feeds any mind.

Or rather, she tried not to.

She knew the acts on the screen by heart, as she had been in their place at one point of time. The lewd cries and whorish moans unheard due to the system not being able to pick up sound.

She slowly approached the skeleton at the desk, her long hair tied in a bun. Her hair was a minty green, and her eyes white. She stared at the screen with a bored, neutral frown.

Mrs. Courier wrapped her arms around the guard’s shoulders, and snuggled into her neck, taking her smell of cucumbers in.

The guard jumped, squealing a shriek.

”Adiline! Don’t do that! You’ll make me labor early!”

The shorter skeleton woman scolded, rubbing her own stomach, the two small souls glowing at their mothers touch.

For the first time, Adiline smiled, her expression melting into one of exhausted happiness at seeing the female in front of her.

”I’m sorry Ethel. You know I can’t resist messing with you when you’re so focused like that.”

Ethel sighed, looking back at the screens.

”Are you here on business?”

Adiline pressed her chest into Ethel’s shoulders.

Ethel’s shiver didn’t go unnoticed by Adiline as the taller woman whispered into Ethel’s ear.

”You could very well say I’m here for pleasure.”

Her voice was low, her teeth sharper as she dragged her sharp tips over Ethel’s neck.

”Addy…” Ethel choked a whispered response, her hands gripping the seat of the plush office chair she sat in.

”I’ve missed you so much my darling.” Adiline snuck a kiss on Ethel’s lips. Ethel hungrily kissed back.

”And I you, my love.”

Ethel got up, their kiss not breaking. Her hands shakily found Adiline’s blouse buttons, undoing them to take her jacket off. Addy took Ethel’s collar, undoing the bow tie she wore with her uniform, her hair long being taken out of its bun, the green whisps falling into pools off her shoulders.

They finally pulled away for air as they heard someone walking down the hallway outside, quickly righting themselves from the passionate kiss.

The duo listened as the footsteps passed. They looked at the monitor that looked down the hallway. It was a case worker and a doctor, wheeling a young lady in a wheelchair to the elevator at the end of the hallway, probably back to her nest. Her stomach was huge and glowing on the camera. She was ready to give birth, most likely incredibly soon.

There was a bit of a small joke amongst the employees. The elevator at the end of the hallway was often given a nickname and title. The elevator at the end of the hall: where your life goes to end. Or the elevator of doom, because you never rode it back up to freedom. The institute claims they let go of their patients.

But Mrs. Courier knows.

She knows all too well.

Once you go into the double doors of the institute, you will never leave.

She wasn’t a patient anymore.

And yet she was still tied here.

She looked at the smaller, green skeleton next to her. When she looked at Ethel, it made her think of a beautiful day with rolling fields that went on forever. A beautiful place where she didn’t have to deal with the sadness that was the institute. Where she didn’t have to confront the fact that she actively ruined lives and tore families apart.

Or recognize that she was a horrid person.

She leaned in for another kiss with Ethel. Neither of them spoke as they continued to strip each other, their breaths getting heavy as the security room began to look like the rest of the monitors. Two people in an intimate action.

The only two differences were that their session of passion was consensual, and they were the only ones who were both women.

—————————

You sighed as you sat on a low, thick tree branch. It was in the milo field to the west of the house. A rather perfect place to watch the sun set. You watched as Whip squirted a small jet of water at Buck, then run away as Buck wiped his sockets from the cold liquid.

His laughter rang across the field like bells. You smiled as he ran around the huge tree and hid from Buck, who was peeking on either side of the tree. Jett sat up in the branches higher than you, his leg dangling down and hanging next to your head.

You couldn’t help your silent laughs as Buck had began to crawl around the tree after Whip, snatching the smaller boy by the waist and lifting him up high when he caught him. Whips screams of surprise turned to laughter as Buck laughed with him.

It was just like old times.

Like the times when you didn’t have the fact you’d be leaving your family over your head.

Jett’s cool voice started as the laughter died down, the four of you watching the orange and pink clouds change shape.

”So. You’re getting hitched in a few days.”

You frowned, but gave a nod.

”How ya feeling, baby bird?”

You let your neck crane back, your eyes connecting to Jett’s.

You couldn’t help the frown that formed.

”Life’s changing… entirely too fast for my liking.”

You stared back at the horizon, the golden sun blotting out a blackened storm in the distance, the black curtains of rain static.

The scent of rain was getting stronger. The cicadas must have also felt it, as they were louder tonight, too.

”I just wanted to stay with all of you.”

You pulled a knee to your chest, placing your face on it.

“I want to keep these moments alive for as long as I can.”

You looked down to the ground, the green stalks already a good few feet tall. You studied the soil, then the green leaves.

The air was quiet, the cicadas and rolling thunder filling the air. The sun’s rays were pleasantly warm.

“I’m sorry, guys.”

Buck looked up at you and scoffed.

”Why? You ain’t got nothing to be sorry for.”

You gave a strained smile as you sighed.

”Sure I do. I did some stupid shit and got the institute involved. Had I not tried to get out of it, we’d be home free and I wouldn’t have gotten innocent men wrapped up in all this shit, too.”

Buck let out a ‘tsk.’

”Song bird, I can assure you, you’re doing them a favor. I’ve seen battle and the aftermath of even more gruesome ones. The only thing our government says is men are good for is going to die in battle.”

He turned to look at you, his salmon eyes staring at you. “You’re saving their lives. And if they give you grief, let me know and I’ll box em for you.”

You couldn’t help but wrinkle your nasal. “Then why’d you leave?” Your voice was quiet. Buck still held Whip, he had long fallen asleep, the warmth of the sun lulling him to snoozing.

Buck snorted. “Cuz I was a dumbass with fantasies of seein’ the world outside of our little square of dirt. Furthest I’ve gotten was to Dauphin.”

Your eyes widened.

”Dauphin is still a whole new country! It’s about two thousand miles away.”

”You’ve been reading stuff you ain’t supposed ta’, haven’t you, ya lil nerd.”

You narrowed your eyes.

”Your head is at kicking height, watch your mouth.”

Your two brothers laughed.

Jett spoke up.

“I know you’re scared sis, but I honestly think you’ll be fine.”

Jett gave you a gentle smile, an expression that wasn’t often seen, especially since he lost his leg.

You stared back at the reddish sky, the storm in the distance growing closer and darker. The clouds flickering with lightening. The fireflies had also come out, their blinking dances over the fields and in the air.

”I’m not worried about me.”

The smile turned sad, but still persisted.

”The institute has determined I’m still a good breeding partner. So chances are if we struggle, it will only be for a few years.”

You sighed and gave a dry chuckle.

”The idea is that you guys don’t struggle at all.” You rolled your eyes.

”But sis-“ Jett cleared his voice and dropped it an octave, mimicking your father. “Struggling builds character.”

You three laughed again.

“Yeah. I agree with struggling, not suffering.”

Silence overtook all of you again. The peacefulness of it all was nice.

Though as of recent, it has been determined that you cannot have nice things.

”Sans, leave er’ alone!”

You all turned in time to see a large group of your soon-to-be- sires. It was Papyrus, Mars, Jupiter, Edge, Orange, Blue and Red, trying to talk Sans down as he angrily marched his way to you, the crops crunching under his boots.

Off in the distance, more figures were hurriedly running after the group across the field.

Sans stomped to the foot of the tree, staring up at you with his teeth set in a snarl.

His magic popped and snapped.

”You!” He roared, pointing a finger at you.

”Me?”

”Yes! I don’t know or care who you are or what the fuck you’re doing, but I want you to know that you’re a piece of garbage! If any man looked like you they’d be labeled unbreedable!”

You kept a straight face, listening to the angry man as he screamed up at you, seething. The smell of vanilla filling your nasal cavity and throat.

You stayed silent as he continued, his metaphorical hackles raised.

”You don’t deserve someone like my bro! He deserved the world and not some, some spoiled little feral who thinks she can get whatever she wants when she wants it!”

His magic snapped as he grabbed you, flinging you down from the tree, your hat falling away.

You gasped slightly as the wind had been knocked out of you.

“Nilla!’ that’s enough!” Red tried to grab him, only for him to smack him off, sending him to the ground.

Sans stomped over to you, placing his foot on your ribs.

”The only reason I signed that contract was so I can stay with my bro!”

He ground his boot into your sternum.

”You aren’t special!”

He ground it the other way.

”You aren’t the stars gift to skeleton kind!”

He did it a third time.

”And you sure as hell aren’t anything to me.”

And he spat on you.

Lovely.

The one thing you had promised yourself when and if you ever got married, is that you would never hit your partner.

And now that’s partners. Note the plural.

Though you didn’t have to. Buck had slammed his fist into Sans’ cheek, sending the larger man stumbling into the ground.

You couldn’t breathe.

The vision of the soldier on top of you as his hands had been around your neck, dragging his short claws across your throat. You felt like you were choking, only for Jett’s scent to flood your senses. That’s not what was happening. You were okay. You were safe.

Well. Safe enough as you watched your father, WingDing, and Fell arrive to pull Sans and Buck apart.

”What the fuck Sans! She didn’t do anything to you! That’s my sister, you know that!”

Sans Stumbled as his father pulled him away by his uniform collar. Cobalt holding Buck back as his salmon magic popped and snapped, trying to form his weapon.

”She isn’t shit to me! She’ll never replace her! She ain’t good enough-“

He was smacked upside the head rather harshly by WingDing.

“Silence yourself. You’ve acted a fool.”

You sniffed the air, mentally smacking yourself for not smelling it sooner.

It was alcohol. Sans was drunk and not in a happy place.

You got up and brushed yourself off walking over.

Sans swayed in his father’s arms, his eyes narrowed at you when you came closer.

”What are you gonna do? Punish me?” His face was set in a smug sneer.

Your anger hadn’t bubbled out yet. You wouldn’t let it. But you would punish him, and you knew just the way to do it.

Your eyes flicked to Papyrus, his form hunched in on himself.

”No. I’m going to punish Papyrus.”

You began to slowly stalk over to the large man, whose eyes were wide in terror at your statement.

”Mrs. Courier said you all loved your brothers. And I’m usually forgiving.”

You had your back to Sans, your small hand taking Papyrus’s much larger one, keeping one hand behind your back, resting it there.

”You can have your thoughts and feelings on the situation at hand, but I will not tolerate that level of disrespect ever again. And to make sure you understand…”

You turn to him with a sweet smile on your face, though the twilight lighting and the lightening flickering illuminated your eyes, making them appear much brighter and intimidating.

”I’m going to take Papyrus and beat him with a metal chain.”

You watched everyone visibly stiffen, and Sans’ eyes go wide and his lights go out. Blue tears gathering at the corners.

”N-no! Please! Please no!”

He began to shuffle towards you on his knees. You bare your fangs at Sans in a snarl.

Your eyes flick up to WingDing. “Take Sans to the Stable and make sure he cleans it top to bottom. Have him re-hay it too, would you?”

You wave your hand and dismiss them, stalking to Papyrus.

You don’t look at him for fear of breaking character. You keep your face cold. “Come along.” Papyrus gave a final look at his father and brother, Sans’ panicked cries echoing across the field as he struggled against his fathers and Fell’s magic hold.

The commotion grew quiet and then silent as you led Papyrus back to the farm. Small footsteps having joined you on your other side. Papyrus looked terrified as you looked at him. The scent of oranges filled the air as sweat trailed down his skull and neck.

You went into the little cottage, holding the door open for Papyrus to enter. He gave you a nervous look, but stepped in with a gulp, Whip following eagerly after.

You closed the doors and drew the blinds. You cleared your throat.

”Let me start off by apologizing and introducing myself. I’m y/n, though I’m sure you knew that.”

He nodded.

”Second, I’m sorry for saying I was going to punish you and beat you with a metal chain. That’s viciously cruel. It would be a horrid thing to do and it was a shitty thing to say. I’m sorry.”

Papyrus’s eyes widened and he sat up in his chair.

”Y-you’re not going to hit me?”

”I was never going to. I just needed Sans to believe I was.”

You hummed, bringing a platter of mugs over. You gave one to Whip and the other to Papyrus, sitting a f/c mug down for yourself. Papyrus raised an eyebrow at the substance you gave him.

”It’s Helvetica hot chocolate. I know it’s pretty warm outside, but I figured it may cheer you up.” You gave a small, tired smile. I know it cheers me up after an upsetting experience.”

He swirled the drink around and took a sip of it, his eyes lighting up. He took another sip.

”S-so if you don’t mind me a-asking, why did you need Sans to think you were going to h-hurt me?” He hunched in on himself, looking at you with a sad look.

Yeah… You felt like shit.

”One: I resolved to never ever, hit my spouse, ever. Two: it was the best punishment I could think of on the spot. I can tell he loves you to death. And three: he scared me. So I figured it was a fair enough trade. So he can go clean the barn and stew in his mistake while you sit in here with me and do your ‘punishment.’”

”Wait! I- I thought you said you weren’t going to p-punish me!”

You sighed and smiled.

“Depends. Do you think learning how to make Helvetica chocolate is a punishment? Because when I tried it, I sure thought it was.” Your voice dropped to a whisper. “I also didn’t know my way around the kitchen then.”

You shot him a wink and he lit up with a smile.

”The great Papyrus is always up for a great culinary challenge!” He cheered, pointing a finger skyward.

You laughed as he blushed.

”I’m glad to hear it. Whip will be your partner. I have to teach him too, after all.”

“Of course! The great Papyrus shall be a great help to the tiny brother-in-law!” Papyrus pat Whip’s head, causing him to laugh. You looked in the ice box, sighing when you saw you were out of some flavoring and milk.

”Okay. You two stay here. I need to go get some stuff for this to be successful.”

”Okay sis!”

”Nyeh! We shall be here, tiny wife!”

You paused and blushed. Then gave a gentle laugh.

”Alright. I’ll be back shortly.”

You opened the door only for a pile of men to fall in the doorway.

There were quite a few. If you had to guess, they were here to check on Papyrus.

You stared at them as they began to bicker.

“Get off a’ me! Yer’ heavy!”

Red Hissed at Blue, only for the hands under Red to start slapping the ground. The muffled voice from underneath gasped for air as Milord popped up.

“You both need to lose some weight! Holy fuck!”

Mars and Jupiter were crouched, their eyes wide at having been caught. Orange and a new skeleton you didn’t know both tried their best at a poker face, though their respective orange and lavender sweat gave away that they were nervous. Edge stood in the background, tapping his foot. He was joined by four others. One was the handsome archer and the other three were mysterious.

“I told all of you idiots it was a horrid idea!”

You couldn’t help it. Your laugh rang out.

It continued for a long while before you composed yourself.

“My apologies, everyone. No one is in trouble and no one is getting hurt.”

Red stared up at you.

“Thank fuck, doll. We thought Paps was done for fer’ sure.”

”No. Never. I find the fear of the unknown to be a pretty good punishment. But I will never raise my hand to any of you. I swear that on my soul, here and now.”

You looked away, the blush from you laughing so hard and Papyrus’s nickname for you still present.

”If you all want, we can make chocolate together. It may pay to have the recipe for in the future…” you coaxed.

A lot of them perked up.

The rest of the night had been filled with fun and teaching your future sires how to make Helvetican chocolate.

You had finally all been able to put names to the final five skeletons. The handsome archer with the green freckles was Aster. He was a fantastic shot and you discovered he wanted to be a doctor. His brother was G, the man that had asked you if you wanted to ‘ahem’ ride him. It had been a few days and that still made you laugh.

The other two were Orion and Ursa. Orion was the shorter brother, he had magenta freckles and half frame glasses. He was also pretty laid back as well. Ursa was the taller brother and had deep purple magic.

Finally the last one was Mutt. He wasn’t much of a talker, but he did love to sample the chocolate before it was done.

The teaching continued for a bit, before a knock on the door grabbed your attention.

You opened the door to WingDing, Fell, and your father, followed by a large man in a trench coat.

He was massive. He towered over the generals. The only person he didn’t beat was Jupiter.

Speaking of which, you heard him gasp.

You turned to see Mars and Jupiter staring at the man.

”Father!”

”Hey… pa. Nice to… see ya.”

You bowed slightly and motioned to the inside, letting the four men in.

“My sons.”

His voice came out in a rasp as he knelt down to scent them, rubbing his jaw bone against the tops of their heads as they hugged him.

Red smiled a genuine smile. “General Trocar! It’s good ta’ see ya!”

You smiled as Jupiter led his dad to the kitchen and began to show him the chocolate he made, offering him a piece that he happily ate.

You smiled and slowly backed out of the cottage, closing the door behind you. You sighed as the cool air of the night gathered on your bones.

The door opened and closed again, someone coming to rest besides you. You looked up to see your own father, his blue eyes staring down at you.

“I have to say, I’m impressed.” He hummed.

”With what?”

”How you handled the situation.”

You guffawed. “I told a whole family I was going to beat the hell out of their kid with a metal chain.”

He laughed. “That may not have been your best moment, but considering the circumstances and how it actually played out, it went pretty well.”

He jerked his thumb at the cottage, the jolly laughing and voices from the inside carrying through the evening air.

You sighed. “I wish I handled it better… but my temper got the better of me. I was so angry that I didn’t think about what I said…”

You dragged your hand across your face. The feeling of tears stinging your sockets building.

*I wanted to have a good relationship with them. I want to make sure they can at least trust me in a shit situation, and threatening to hit or beat their brother’s isn't and wasn’t a good idea.*

You bit your lip to keep it from trembling.

*I know I messed up. But I saw that day all over again and I just wanted to hurt him… I only said that because I wanted to make him afraid.*

You felt your tears fall as you sniffled.

Your dad frowned and wiped your tears.

”If you want we can gather them tomorrow and talk about it over a meal. Does that sound okay? Setting boundaries and ground rules may help a lot.”

You sniffed again, nodding as you hugged him, he rubbed small circles in your back, relaxing you as you smelled his magic. Freshly tilled soil and milo. It was always nice.

You calmed down, just sitting with your dad, watching the stars.

”You okay to go back in, chickadee?”

You turned to him and nodded.

The two of you got up, and walked back inside to join the impromptu festivities.

You didn’t notice the figure watching you from the thick trees, its eyes narrowed as his limbs twitched and snapped. It had started its hunt, and decided it had found its prey.

You.

Chapter Text

You sighed as you sat up from your bed, rubbing your sockets clean from sleep.

You looked out of your window to the lands below, watching as low burning lanterns cast a warm glow inside a few soldiers tents, the rest dark with sleeping soldiers.

There were only a few men wondering to and fro.

‘The night shift.’

You thought, yawning as you threw your blankets off and began to gather your clothes.

Jeans, jacket, bandana, hat.

Yup.

Oh wait.

Can’t forget a shirt!

Though you’re certain that a few of the men wouldn’t mind seeing you without one.

You blushed and grimaced as you brought your arms up to shield your ribs.

’Ain’t no one seeing my ribs today. They get dry bones.’

You stand silently at your dresser for a moment.

Then snort.

‘That’s a rib tickler.’

You giggle to yourself.

’I’m funny today.’

You quickly change into your farming clothes, despite you still being grounded and confined to your more feminine clothing.

It was your final day of freedom, after all. And in your opinion, you should spend it as you damn well please.

And how you please to spend it is one last day of hard, bone breaking work on the farm.

You slipped on your boots, making sure your jean cuffs were tucked into your shoes. You quietly made your way downstairs and into the kitchen. Like most mornings, it was dark. The moonlight filtered in through the lone window, bathing the kitchen on dark blues.

But unlike most mornings, the kitchen isn’t empty.

At the table, Sans lay with his head down and sockets closed. His jacket long removed and a half drank glass of water rested next to his hand.

Papyrus sat in the chair next to him, the giant’s head rolled back as his jaw hung open, a strand of orange drool hanging from the side of his mouth.

On the couch lay the form of WingDing. He must have come to keep his children company after last night’s…

’ugh.’

After you were such an ass.

You rubbed your neck in silent shame, but walked past the sleeping men and out the door, the screen door screeching shut as the rusty spring on the door creaked from use.

You had grabbed your bow and arrows, along with your shepherds cane. You used your cane to walk along, jabbing at the ground to ensure no snooks were underfoot.

Snooks could be nasty, after all. Though with the honking menaces that were the Chicken cobras, you didn’t often have to worry about snooks.

Snooks were these weird creatures with no arms or legs. At most, you had heard them described as long tails, with faces.

Often tan or yellow in color with large stingers in its mouth. Anyone bitten by a snook wouldn't be able to un-form their ecto-body for days.

An unfortunate fact you had to figure out after you had stepped on one as a younger lady just starting high school. You remembered how your teacher told you that you were too ‘muscular and mannish’, and you should stop working so you would have a more ‘attractive figure’.

That was honestly the first day of you being hell on wheels in Mrs. Georgia’s class.

Especially after you told her to: “Go choke yourself with a water sausage-” following the degrading comments about how you didn’t have a nice body type that men would like.

Men didn’t matter to you then.

And they don’t matter to you now.

You remind yourself of this as you heave a large bale of hay over your head and into the cow pen, watching as the large creatures gathered around the pile and began to feast.

You had a job to do. A very important one.

You kept walking around and doing your chores, cleaning up after and feeding the animals.

You made your animal rounds. The Cows, pigs, horses, chickens, and chicken cobras.

One of the large beasts waddled up to you, its long neck stretched in hunger as it reached for the feed in your gloved hand.

You gently gave the white creature the food, to which it happily honked and squawked as it gobbled the crumbs away. You looked up at the still darkened sky.

It didn’t feel like it had only been days ago that you had been standing in the same spot.

It didn’t feel like it had only been days ago that you had bet yourself out of school.

And it certainly didn’t feel like it had only been days ago since you had sorta messed up your own life.

And here you stood, back in your early morning routine, one last time.

A long whistle broke you from your thoughts.

Looking up, there stood the tall figure of G. You hadn’t had the opportunity to speak with him much yet, though he didn’t seem like a bad person.

”I know you had balls, but playing with those things? No thanks. They might take a hand off.”

He motioned down to the huge cobra chicken in your lap, the creatures head resting on your shoulder with it giving a small ‘honk’ as it slept.

You gave a shrug. *They're really just high maintenance hell hounds.*

G let out a breath as he guffawed.

“There’s no way you guys raise hell hounds here too. I haven’t seen a single one or a fire to even indicate there’s any here!”

You gave a nod to the door of the coop and watch as G turns around, his form freezing as a large, white, dog-like skeleton with fluffy fur of flames trode by, seven tiny pups following the giant dog around. None of the pups had horns yet, just long tails and were made of pure bone. Small puffs of flame exploded from their mouths as they barked.

*That’s their dad. His name is King. He is a mature hell hound as you can tell by the large horns on his head.*

You watched as one of the pups fell over and started to cry, unable to get back up.

*And you can’t forget the heck puppies. They’re considered heck puppies until they grow in their first set of mature horns.*

You both watched as King wondered over, using the scoop of his skeletal muzzle to flip over the beached pup.

”Ok. That was kinda cute.”

*They are pretty cute once you get to know them.*

The group of fluffy dogs wondered away into the trees, their ethereal glow of flame fading with the ever growing thicket providing them cover.

*So I assume you didn’t come to speak to me regarding Hell hounds and chicken cobras, did you.*

G’s yellow eyes glowed in the dark as he gave a small grin. “Ya caught me there, sweet cheeks.”

You raised an eyebrow at him as he raised his hands, as if to say he meant no harm.

”I was wondering, you know we’re getting married tomorrow… so who are you gonna consummate the marriage with first?”

You were taken aback.

‘Consummate the marriage..?’

…

You sat in befuddled silence for a moment.

Then it hit you.

’He wants to know who I’m gonna bone first?! What!’

G almost doubled over when he saw the array of facial expressions you went through. It was clear you hadn’t thought that far ahead. And here he was thinking you were someone who was thorough.

”Y-you know that it does matter who you choose to go first, r-right?”

He was containing his giggles, his cheeks turned slightly yellow, revealing his nearly invisible freckles that adorned his face.

It would be a nice thing to see.

If it wasn’t at your expense.

Your face flushed in an array of bright colors.

Your hands shook as you signed.

*I don’t know! W-what even possessed you to ask me that?!*

He couldn’t contain it anymore. You looked like an angry kitten as you puffed your cheeks out, your top fangs poking out of your top lips a tiny bit as you pouted.

You shook your head as you glowed brighter. *S-Shoo! I’m trying to work!*

His laughter began to attract attention of his fellow soldiers.

In your embarrassment, you began to wave your hands.

*Scram! Shoo! I’ll get it figured out!*

Though in your waving, your loyal, hand-raised cobra chickens narrowed their beady little eyes at G.

Their necks lowered as they all began hissing. One by one they proceeded to stand up and flap their feathered wings, hissing as slowly moving forward.

G backed up slowly.

”A-ah! Sweet cheeks! I was joking! Call em off! I’m sorry!”

One bit him on the cuff of his pants and he gasped, jumping as he darted out of the coop, running away with the flock of chicken cobras chasing after him.

It was your turn to laugh.

Your shoulders bounced in a silent laugh as you watched the mob of chicken cobras chase G, his fellow soldiers stirring from their tents as he made an obnoxious amount of racket. They all began to laugh as they watched the ridiculous display.

You shook your head and smiled.

The Chicken cobras would be back soon and maybe,

just maybe…

this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

—————————

The sun had risen into the sky, the golds of the morning bathing the land. The cobras were still honking away, the faint screams of G echoing across the property as he darted to and fro.

It didn’t stop you from doing your chores. Though hearing him in the distance ensured you didn’t forget what question he had asked.

”Who are you going to consummate the marriage with first? It does matter, ya know.”

And he was right. It did matter as it established the pecking order of the relationship.

Whoever you picked first would have say over everyone else unless it came to bloody blows and the pecking order was re-established.

You bit your lip as you thought about it, brushing out ferns joints and vine like mane.

You hadn’t had too much opportunity to get to know them. Though the highest contenders would probably be Mars and Jupiter or Blue and Orange. You had seen how wonderful Blue had been with Whip, keeping him entertained and talking to him, whilst doing his best to protect him in the storm.

But then again Orange just seemed to do whatever his brother did. Wether it was out of obligation or not, you didn’t know.

Though you remembered Edge during the storm as well. He had been rude to you at first, along with his brother Red, but Edge had used his own body to shield you from the winds and rain, and the broken glass. His brother Red right behind him, shielding him too.

Then there was Mars and Jupiter.

Oh man.

These two were honestly too pure for this crap.

But by far they showed the best qualities out of all of them.

The first thing Mars had done was help you onto your horse. He hadn’t needed to, but out of the kindness of his soul, he did. He then made sure you were eating and he spent time with you and allowed you to give him a nickname!

And names to skeletons were important. They were a verbal representation of your own self, especially since most were named from fonts.

A skeleton’s font usually said a lot about them. Their personality, how they act. But of course, sometimes that isn’t a good base.

Especially for Sans. You had done nothing to warrant his anger, and he assaulted you and nearly made you have a panic attack.

Though after yesterday…

You wouldn’t blame him for further acts of anger.

You wondered what would have happened had you put Jupiter in the same situation.

The sweet man had made you dinner when he didn’t have to, and talked with you for hours with his brother. He also seemed elated to get a new nickname.

And what if he and Mars were in Sans and Papyrus’s place last night?

The two hulking giants-

his larger boot and his force throwing you to the ground-

you felt your breathing fall short.

If it had been Mars and Jupiter in Sans and Papyrus’ place last night, you’re certain that you actually wouldn’t be standing here now.

Doing your chores.

Re brushing the same joint on Fern’s shoulder.

Over and over again.

She pushed her face into your cheek, causing you to sputter.

You came back to the present.

”Sorry big girl, just lost in thought.”

You moved on to her other joints, brushing the dirt and muck away, gently humming a soft tune for your steed as you prepared her for her last ride.

Someone cleared their throat behind you.

”Ahem. Ms. Helvetica.”

You turned around to see the purple soldier from yesterday. His skull flushed a slight purple as he stood tall. He had a thinner frame and stood at attention.

”I wanted to-“ his eyes darted away from your small form, the blush of purple going deeper.

”to apologize for the incident a few- a few days ago when Red and myself stopped you from leaving Fonston to go back to your home.”

The man you saw in passing who always held himself high, and walked with a certain gusto and authority, was shrunken in on himself. For once his cocky demeanor melted away to a face of shame.

Despite his rudeness and him joining in on bullying you, you couldn’t help but take pity on him.

”No need for apologies. You were plainly doing your job to a certain degree.”

You waved him away.

“But thank you. I’m glad you did apologize. It means a lot.”

Silence filled the air as you returned to brushing the vines out, pruning off dead leaves and trimming back split ends.

Fern would look beautiful and feel beautiful by the time you were done with her.

Boot steps came up behind you as Milord grabbed your spare brush and began to follow your rhythm of brushing. Ferns quiet whinny flaring out as she bumped her skull into Milord’s.

He gave a gentle laugh.

”Down girl. Let us finish your mane. We can’t have you looking surly tomorrow, can we?”

You froze a bit.

”Are there… preparations for tomorrow already?”

“There has been since yesterday evening, actually. We had to go into town and deliver stuff to the townsfolk. Invitations and orders for food and celebration items.”

You bit your lip.

”I’m sorry I’ve been putting you all through so much trouble.”

You placed your brush down as you grabbed your vine bands and bright pink hibiscus flowers.

”First I get all of you roped into my mistakes, then the Papyrus incident, and now I’m working you all down to dust.”

You shook your head as a bitter laugh escaped.

”What more can I possibly do now?”

Milord frowned as he watched your face fall.

”Honestly, my dear? Don’t be so hard on yourself. Not that we don’t enjoy serving in the forces, but there should be more to life than that.”

He looked out the open barn door, people passing by as they went about their day.

”I know my own father and brother deserve a quiet, nice life and you may very well be the answer to that.”

His eyes gazed down at you.

”I do not know how you properly feel, but please understand, despite how Sans acted last night, we all need you. You are the difference between our dust scattering in the wind of us seeing tomorrow’s dawn.”

He got down on one knee, taking your small hands from Fern’s braided mane and taking them in his.

”I will be honored to call you my wife.”

You couldn’t help the blush that built on your face.

”You have proven that you are extraordinary time and time again thus far and have outsmarted plenty a fool. You have a loyal man within me.”

You felt your eyes soften.

”Thank you, Milord. I will try not to disappoint you.”

You helped him to his feet and brushed the hay off of his pants.

”It will be hard to do, my dear.”

The two of you finished braiding Fern’s hair and cleaning the barn before you bid him goodbye, mounting your horse.

”I shall see you at dinner this evening, my dear.” He called up to you.

You felt an instant cold sweat build on your skull.

In all of your chores of the morning, you had forgotten about dinner.

You gave him a nod and began to trot away on your horse, only stopping to let the horde of Chicken Cobras pass back to their coop. One stopped to look up at you, it’s feathered butt wagging in happiness as it showed you a scrap of khaki fabric.

Your eyes widened slightly. You knew Chicken cobras had a temper and chased down whatever they wanted till they got it. Their bites and strength were no joke either.

You heard a voice boom from somewhere across the farmstead.

”Private G! Where are your pants?!” It was General Swap.

Your eyes went wider as you shooed the Chicken cobras away to their coop and closed the pen.

”It’s unprofessional to be out of uniform! And in the presence of your future wife no less! I suppose if you can’t be trusted to dress yourself I’ll have to ‘dress’ you down! Drop and give me 50!”

You heard the soldiers laugh (and some groan) as they began to count.

“1-2-3!”

You winced as you quickly trotted away.

—————————

The sun rose high in the sky, the rays beating down on you and Fern. You sat in the middle of the apple orchard, the large leaves of the canopy keeping most of the blaring sun off of your bones.

You watched as Fern drank from the small creek. The water that ran over the small rocks was cold to the touch as it ran down the near by mountain that skeletons had long ago emerged from.

You had finished your chores a long while ago. But honestly we’re looking for any excuse to not head back to the farm as you saw the institute mandated vehicles drive down the dirt road and pull into the farm.

‘Must be stuff for the soul ceremony tomorrow.’

You looked up at the sky, laying back on the ground letting your hair fall around your head in pools of magic, the small spots of sunlight reflecting your hair off of the trees like jewels in the light. The bouncing of the shadows of leaves turning the refractive lights every which way.

It was its own scene of peaceful chaos.

Just the right amount for you as you closed your eyes and let Fern graze.

You gave your eyes a break and just listened.

You heard the small creek.

The leaves fluttering.

The sounds of the grass being pulled up by Fern.

Cicadas.

The distant sounds of the busy farm.

Then a new sound.

Sniffling and rattling.

Along with the sound of something crying.

You sat up slowly, quietly picking up your cane. Whatever was there wasn’t familiar to you.

You had never heard such a noise from a creature before.

You rose to your feet and began to crouch your way through the trees and thickets, brambles catching your hair and clothes.

The crying grew louder as you approached the wooded corner of the farm, the barbed wire fence never being replaced here as your father said it ‘still held up and there was no use to fix something what wasn’t broken.’

You slowly peek out of the tall bushes and trees, and see it.

The odd little thing.

It was small and white with long floppy ears and tiny horns sticking up out of its head.

It wore a long, purple robe that was currently snagged in the barbs in the fence, the little holes dyed red with its blood, hence the reason for its cries.

It held several rotten apples from the ground in its robes lap, acting as a little sack.

You frowned as you stepped out of the bushes, making yourself known.

You knelt down to the little creature, lifting the wire from the top of him and pulling him back and into yourself.

You looked down at the child and it looked back up at you, fat tears rolling down his cheeks from watery green eyes.

You pat his head and gave him a gentle smile. It’s eyes seemed to widen as your hang began to glow and form a gentle mist that surrounded the child.

You closed the wounds on his back and in his paws, before taking the rotten apples from him, using more of your mist to retrieve healthy, bright red apples for the child.

Honestly the creature was pretty stinking adorable.

He made sounds that were short and rolling. Sometimes loud. You watched as his eyes lit up as he bit into a large red apple.

You reclaimed a seat that you could still see Fern from, and watched over the little one. Eventually after it ate another apple or two and gathered more, it pointed to the dark forest on the other side of the fence, a large, fanged smile on its face. You gently lifted him over the fence and sat him on the ground, giving him a small bundle of apples to eat on the way. You watched as the child turned and skittered about 15 feet into the clearing.

Only then did you see it.

In the deep greens and blues of the undergrowth stood a giant fluffy white-furred woman. Her red eyes a glowing contrast to the green as a white paw rested on her sons back, ushering back into the trees.

Her eyes glittered in the low light.

You’d seen skeletons with red magic, sure. But this was something enchanting.

With majesty, she stood and took a step to you, then looked after the direction of the tiny fluffy creature.

She gave you a gentle smile and and stepped back into the shade, the same purple robe trailed slightly behind her as she melded away into the greens and blues, then disappeared in the direction of her baby.

You let out a breath you hadn’t realized you had been holding in and slumped against a tree.

’What was that thing?’

’Did I just witness a mythical being and it’s child?’

’Was it a Bigfoot perhaps?’

’Though when your me anything is a Bigfoot.’

You were pulled from your thoughts by the thundering of hooves against the ground.

”Y/N! Pa says ya need to come back to the farm! Says that Courier lady is here to see ya!”

Buck and Jett rode up on horses, Jett had Whip on the back of his and Buck had… Sans.

’Why is he…? Never mind I don’t wanna know.’ You ran your hand through your hair, knocking leaves and twigs out of it.

”What the hell are ya doing all the way out here anyway, sis?” Buck wrinkled his ridge at you.

You looked away and at Fern, not wanting to look at Sans or be in his sight longer than you had to. Nor were you going to allow him to hear you speak anymore than you had.

*I finished my chores so I let Fern come out to drink out of the creek and gather apples for dessert tonight.*

You all turn to watch the horse for a moment as she sniffed the ground. Her braid and flowers still held wonderfully.

*You know she likes it out here and I don’t blame her.*

Fern continued to sniff the ground before landing on a rotten apple, her long maw opening as a deep viney green tongue dropped out of her mouth before wrapping around the apple, lifting it into her jaw before eating it with a ‘slurp’. She spit the seeds out.

You couldn’t help the soft chuckle as you looked at your two brothers and Sans, all of them wearing a disgusted face.

”You still have a weird ass horse, you know that?”

You shrugged with a light smile. *She’s technically a scavenger and a pollinator. She ‘scavenges’ apples off the ground and ‘pollinates’ the ground with the seeds since she automatically germinates them when she eats em.*

You looked back at Fern as she raised her head, looking this way and that, before raising her tail and letting out the worst, loudest, grossest fart you had heard in a while, before running with a scream of terror, kicking the air.

You smacked your forehead in embarrassment as the four boys behind you laughed. Their laughing only doubling as the nightmare ripped another fart and ran faster.

*Wow Fern. Way to ruin my argument. One could say it went ass up.*

Once you had called Fern, you grabbed Buck’s attention.

*So why is he with you?* Your eyes darted to Sans as he was listening to something Whip was saying.

”Ah. Well. His dad ordered him to come find you and ride back with you.” His voice grew louder as he talked in Sans’ direction. “He is also supposed ta’ apologize.”

Whip raised an eyebrow, looking between the three of you, only for Jett to pull him back and dismiss themselves from the conversation, citing that they needed to go wash up and help prepare dinner, despite it being only one in the afternoon. Well. You also needed time to make your apple pies.

You looked up at Sans, who was looking away from the two of you, clearly ashamed.

Then back to Buck.

“Okay then. We’ll be there in a bit.”

He nodded to you then walked over to Sans, clearly snarling something to him making Sans flinch away, then mounting his horse and galloping back to the house.

You watched his steed disappear into the horizon, the trees and cicadas felt like the only thing filling the air.

You sighed before starting with your small voice.

”I’m sorry about last night, Sans.”

You fiddled with the reigns in your hands, checking the stirrups of the saddle.

“I’m sorry for saying I was going to beat Papyrus. For the record, I’ve already told the rest this… but I will never hit any of you. I didn’t last night and don’t plan to ever. It wasn’t okay for me to say.”

A tense silence filled the air.

”I don’t expect a medal or anything. I truly believe everyone should be treated with kindness and respect. I want to get along with you, I really do, but I can’t do that if you won’t make an effort to just talk with me. Though I will admit that my comment yesterday was uncalled for.”

You finally looked up at him and startled as he stood in front of you, his large frame keeping you from seeing around him. His eye-lights were gone.

Though his facial expression wasn’t one of anger, but deep sorrow.

”I- I’m sorry. The way I treated you- I just-“

His large frame shuddered as he held his palms to his eyes, wiping fast falling tears.

A growl built in his chest as he sucked in a breath of air.

”You wouldn’t understand.”

He continued to palm his eyes dry as his tears continued to fall.

You placed a gentle hand on his arm.

”I may not be able to understand, but maybe having someone to listen to you would be helpful. I don’t have to say anything. Just listen.”

He sniffed as he looked down at you, eyes blinking away more fat tears. Sniffing as he straightened himself up.

“You ain’t nothing like her.”

He gave a watery smile.

”I’ll tell ya one day, but please- no matter how badly I mess up, please don’t take it out on Paps.”

You gently pat his arm again and find his large hand, squeezing it in your own.

”I’m sorry I’m not… whoever ‘her’ is… I can’t be. But for the record I will always treat you and your brother with all the kindness and love that I can.”

”No. Don’t apologize.” He sniffed.

He backed away from your touch.

“It ain’t you- I just- I just have a lot of thinkin’ to do before tomorrow.”

Blue, vanilla scented smoke began to rise from his feet in a shiny mist.

”I- I need to go.”

You jumped to grab him, crying out in surprise.

”W-wait!”

But your hand grabbed at his residual magic, the faint scent lingering in the air for a few moments before being blown away into the open air.

Well. It hadn’t gone poorly?

Though you couldn’t really tell how it did go.

He hadn’t shouted at you nor had he hit you.

But regardless of how it went, you were going to see him again, and sooner than you maybe would like. He seemed unstable- to put it nicely.

You ran a hand through your hair as you jumped to mount Fern. The horse only giving a soft snort in response.

You looked out over the groves and through the trees, your eyes wondering back over to the deep greens of the undergrowth.

If this went too bad… would going into the wild be a viable option?

You shook your head at the thought.

Besides your mother had always told you; “A good woman doesn’t run from their responsibilities or problems.”

Your fists tighten around the leather reigns as you begin to make Fern’s trots into gallops, before her hooves thundered home in a run, the spare apples having long been thrown in your nap sack.

Not to mention tomorrow was the big day and Mrs. Courier most likely wouldn’t put up with your absence any longer.

You started on the long ride home.

To the ending of your last day of freedom as you would now have to prepare for your soul ceremony tomorrow.

For your wedding.

Chapter Text

The horses gallop slowed to a trot as the farm came into view. The dusty roads and paths of the farm being decorated with wreaths of wood and leaves and ribbons of various colors, though primarily white.

it was also odd to see some normally tall patches of grass cut short by soldiers with scythes. The farm, in short, looked different. But still beautiful.

‘Wow.’

The horse drew to a stop as you pulled its reins, only for a throat to clear behind you.

“Ms. Helvetica, it’s nice of you to finally join the land of the living, considering you’ve done hardly anything to prepare for your own wedding.”

Mrs. Courier stood to your side, hands on her hips in a disapproving manner.

You stared down in wide eyes, the shock of seeing the usually homely farm turned beautiful was a bit of a surprise.

”Come on now! Put that beast away and let’s go get your preparations started! I honestly wouldn’t trust you to dress properly for something this important considering your…”

She eyed you up and down.

”Rather dinky appearance.”

You couldn’t help but wrinkle your nasal ridge. “My dinky appearance keeps me safe from outside elements. Though I doubt that after tomorrow I’ll wear my ‘dinky’ clothes any longer.”

You looked down a bit.

”I just wanted one more day of feeling normal before it all went away. At least let me have that instead of berating my appearance.”

The silence was palpable as you dragged your horse away and into the barn, Mrs. Courier’s heels clicking behind you.

”I… hadn’t thought of that. I’m sorry, Ms. Y/n.”

Whipping around, you turned to her in shock.

“Wha..?”

She closed her eyes and looked away.

“I shan’t say it again. Hurry it up and let’s get going.”

You gave a swift nod and closed Fern in her stall, the large lock clicking shut with a •thunk•.

Turning around, you began to follow Mrs. Courier to the house, having to keep a fast waking pace to keep up with her elegant but long strides.

It didn’t go unnoticed of G standing nearby in his dress top and his shredded pants, talking with his brother along with WingDings and Fell. Red and Edge stood nearby as well, laughing at G’s Misfortune in the form of the chicken-Cobras.

From your small following distance, you could see Mrs. Courier’s face contort to one of clear disapproval as her eyes caught G’s form. Her nasal ridge wrinkling as a silent sneer caught her lips.

”The audacity of some of these heathens.” She gasped out, crossing the threshold of the house, leading you to your father’s office that she had taken over due to your own room still being out of sorts from the storm, and, well…. Rather small.

She lead you to a raised square platform in the middle of the room, several other skeletons waiting for you.

They were all women, though the same stiff air seemed to stick to them, just like the same attitude and aura stuck to Mrs. Courier.

”Now Ms. Y/n. These people are my team of highly skilled seamstresses and beauty consultants. They will be aiding you for your soul ceremony. Now let’s see about getting you out of those dreaded work clothes and cleaned up!”

She snapped her fingers and everyone descended on you in a flash. You could barely register your clothes being removed from your form and the feeling of hot water rolling over your bones along with the scent of floral spices intertwined within the floating water.

Then a warm gust of air encompassed you, drying the water from your bones. You didn’t even have time to try to cover your newly nude form as a piece of satin cloth found its way to the front of your torso. Though it stopped before it wrapped around you.

You looked up at the other women in slight terror and confusion. It wasn’t every day that you were stripped down to nothing and bathed in under one minute.

Not to mention being stared at by everyone who looked up at you expectantly.

*I-is something the matter?* You tilted your head slightly to the side, asking the woman holding what you now recognize as a corset to your torso.

Mrs. Courier sighed.

”You need to form your body, dear. They can’t fit your dress properly without it.”

She waves a finger, more folded scraps of fabric floating into view.

”You also need to pick lingerie for tomorrow.”

She ignored your rather embarrassed, strangled squeak as she turned around, more fabrics that were folded panties floating in amber mist in the air.

”May I suggest something easy to remove? I don’t think you’ll get any sleep for quite some time with how many men you’ll need to consummate with.”

Your eyes scanned the folded articles, before picking one you thought looked nice and felt comfy.

The fabric felt cool in your finger tips and light as well.

Looking out the window, you hummed.

‘It may not be bad to have something easy like she is suggesting. This heat outside will be enough to fry you even in just bones.’

Her fingers snapped in front of your face.

”Ecto-body, dear. Now.”

You panicked, arms flailing as your bones become coated in your pearlescent, glittering magic. You felt your arms change first, then your chest. Your breasts being quite difficult to miss as they pillowed out from your ribs.

You felt the rest of your body form and tug, bottom lifting and thighs tightening slightly as the fancy socks are locked into place with straps connected to your undergarments.

You could still only wait as your body was dressed in a few fabrics, a corset wrapping around your waist and a long flowing skirt flowering around your hips and feet.

Though it had been fast, with a woosh, you had been turned to face a mirror.

The sun's golden rays lit you up in an ethereal glow. The dress seemed to hug you in all the right places.

You could hardly recognize yourself.

Your eye-lights seemed to glitter as the holographic rainbow caught your wild mane of newly tamed hair. The braid fluffy with new flowers and a head piece that held a veil.

As you looked on, a part of you felt beautiful. The women surrounding you all began to coo about how pretty you looked.

Though none of their opinions mattered to you. Not that the compliments weren't nice, but the only other person you would have ever hoped to share this moment with was long gone.

Your mother.

Cobalt had always said you were a spitting image of her, and judging by the photos on the walls, you had to agree. Her sockets had the beginnings of wrinkles at the corners. Her smile naturally upturned and kind.

She 'was' kind.

Loving.

Everything you hoped to be as a wife and more.

Though now she was gone, and you were here, looking into a mirror surrounded by people you didn't know and preparing to give up any semblance of a normal life.

All because it was the law that women had to take a husband for the sake of breeding more soldiers for the war cause. Though thinking about it, you had never been told what the war was about or who you all were fighting.

Just that there was a war.

And now to your knowledge, there were other things around that weren't skeletons.

Sentient things that walked upright and cared for their young as any good parents would. Dare you say it, but skeletons were not the only type of creatures that walked this cursed world.

You felt the fabric of your dress be pinned in places then removed, a flowy sundress being put in its place and your hair being let down and brushed out as to not reveal any of how you should look for tomorrow.

Mrs. Courier cleared her throat, bringing you back to reality.

"So. Ms. y/n. You need to be awake at 6 AM sharp. The ceremony will start at six in the afternoon and you will walk down the aisle at 7 tomorrow evening."

Her quill scribbled furiously behind her, the noise of the feather gleaming over the paper filling the void of silence.

"We will ensure you are ready and fed properly as to not feint or become sick with worry."

You wordlessly nodded, trying to stay focused as your eyes wondered slightly past her and to the window, the vibrant greens of the trees and browns of the bark seemingly glowing like gemstones in the lowering sun. The dark thicket that lay behind the towering trees seemed to call you.

*Yes. I will make sure I am up on time.* Signing out to her as you tried to keep your eyes from flickering back to the window.

To the forest.

To that woman and her baby.

You had to see them again.

The image of her ruby eyes seemed to bore into your mind.

*I have stuff I need to do. Should I show you out?*

"No, my lady. I need to discuss some things with your father. Other than that you are free to leave."

You gave a nod and started to head downstairs to the kitchen, throwing a *Thanks.* As you walked by.

You rolled your neck as you walked down the halls to the kitchen. The quiet footfalls of your own steps bounced off the walls. Despite the abundance of people around you and your soon to be countless sires, you kind of felt... lonely.

In a way to which no one knows you.

The real you.

Entering the kitchen, its empty.

You were sorta glad.

As you started washing and peeling your apples, you let your mind wander for a bit.

The ruby eyes flashed again in your mind. The shadows covering the purple gown and her fluffy white fur.

Her paws large and guiding. Nuturing.

Gentle. Even though the power she had just within those hands was clear.

Despite her elegant and gentle look, you were positive that she had to be a leader or a pillar of... wherever she lived. The forest?

Well. Obviously.

But not Fonston.

A creature like that wouldn't go unnoticed.

'Even if i could manage to meet them again... there's no promise that they would be friendly.'

You pushed your crust into your pie tins and sat them in the fridge to chill, moving on to your filling.

Your body rocked in a repeated motion as you prepared your pies.

The gentle clicking of your knife against the cutting board almost lulled him to sleep.

Almost.

He watched as your face scrunched up in various positions as you conversed with yourself over something... interesting..? He couldn't tell.

Nor did he care, really.

You were his ticket to a great life and not one in the 'service'.

He also had a bone to pick with you. His lavender eyes trailed your form as he watched you pull your pie tins out of the fridge and begin piling the filling in.

'Heh. Filling.'

You may be small, but stars be damned, he wouldn't deny that you did have a pretty good body shape. Especially with that dress.

If only the skirt were shorter, and you didn't have-

What the fuck was he thinking? He came here to request something of you. Not mentally undress you and watch you bake pie. Though the longer this took, the longer he didn't have to go back outside to whatever weird shit the others had planned.

The plan being to party into the night to send their 'freedom' away with a bang. But with a massive hangover being promised in the morning when that bitch would probably come to wake them up at the ass-crack of dawn?

No thank you.

And the 'freedom' they spoke of was bullshit too. The only thing he and all the other men were welcome to do was go be cannon fodder for whatever stupid shit they were fighting for.

Though despite him having been in an active battle situation, he couldn't recall seeing any enemies.

Just dust from their own side.

Empty uniforms brought back to be patched up and given to whatever poor bastard that decided to enlist to 'help the cause!'

What cause. There is no cause.

Just death and dust, with his only comfort being his older brother and sometimes, a very small sometimes, his shitty dad.

His eyes glanced back up to your form, ass in the air as you were bent down to put the pies in the oven.

And you were the way out of all of that.

The answer to all of his problems, so to speak.

He watched as you gasped and pulled your hand to your body and began to fan it, having burned yourself on the oven.

He hadn't meant to move.

But he found himself pressing his front against your back, pinning you against the sink as he took your small hand in his naturally larger one.

Your hands were soft, but not dainty. He could feel the harder bone on your palms and fingers.

He flipped your hand to where he could see the burn. It left a welt going in a straight line and three hang offs, matching the oven rack.

He turned the sink on, the water running at a lukewarm temperature as he rinsed your wound.

Something about your head resting on his chest as you winced in pain awoke something in him. A strange feeling. It was a... need.

A need to protect.

A need to be watchful.

A need of you.

Especially as he took in your intoxicating scent. The uncouth sweetness clung to his clothes and it seeped into his sharp maw, his mouth had been hanging open in concentration as he steadily worked to clean and heal your burn.

"U-uhm... Mutt, was it?" Her voice was like that of a bell chime, soft and sweet, yet confident in its sound.

Mutt considered not answering, but it would be awkward considering the position the two of you were in.

He gave a grunt of confirmation, hands busily working a cloth of water across your palm before pulling a roll of gauze from his pocket.

"T-thank you, Mutt."

You were met with silence. Only the sound of him dressing your injury could be heard. The smell of tabaco lingered as well as a soft hint of something floral.

The silence was permeating.

You cleared your raw throat.

"So M-mutt. I'd assume you didn't c-come here for nothing?"

Looking up at him earned you a half glare from the large man. His burnt amber orange eyes hooded by the purple bags that rested under his sockets. His mouth sagged in uninterest.

"I suppose you could say that." His hands continued to work in quick motions, one of them going into his pocket and grabbing a long, white, thin stick of paper, putting it between his sharp teeth before producing a small flame between his fingers and lighting it. A purple smoke began to float into the open air and upwards towards the ceiling. "Wanted to talk to ya about the pecking order of the pack tomorrow evening."

He took a long drag of the cigarette. His orange eyes caught you in a dark scowl. The laid back and bored expression having been a ruse. "Also wanted to talk to you about the way you handled the situation with Papyrus." With a wave of his hand your body levitated off the ground with a sharp jolt. He waved you forward and began to walk over to the couch and sat down, sitting you on his lap, still ensnaring you within his magic grip.

He took another drag of his stick.

"Now look here Darlin'. If were going to be married tomorrow we need to get along." He leaned back on the couch, taking you with him and he began to pet your hair, weaving the soft tufts between his phalanges. "However, I don't take kindly to my family being threatened in any sort of way. Even if they, Papyrus in this case, are cousins."

Another drag.

"Now, I consider myself to be a patient man, but had you pulled that shit with Milord..?"

You felt a deep vibration in his chest before you heard the carnal growl leave his teeth.

"I would make sure your folks wouldn't have found a trace of a speck of your dust."

His hand continued to play with your hair, fluffing it and raking his fingers through it.

"But you didn't hit him or hurt him in any way. I will give you that." He tilted his body as he leaned back further and shifted your body to lay against his own torso, snaking one of his large hands up the back of your legs and up your thighs as he supported your weight, moving you to lay against him.

You felt your soul pick up speed from fear.

"Though with how much of an asshole Sans was being, I can't entirely blame you. Your assumption that a lot of us love our brothers and will protect them at the cost of ourselves is correct. So to scare him straight like that..." He trailed off then a snort of a laugh escaped him. "Honestly it was the best course of action. He has an unspoken seniority over everyone else. We all respect him enough to listen to him, and when he isn't drunk and upset, he's one hell of a mediator."

He continued to pet your hair, his other unoccupied hand squeezing you against his body as that palm glowed deep orange. "I suppose this is what I wanted to ask of ya, Darlin." He leaned down to where your ear would be, his hot breath tickling your neck.

"I think it would be best for you to nest with Sans first and make him the head of the pack."

He wanted you to do... what? You felt your body tense, even under the magical hold that Mutt held on you. Then with a flash, you were able to move again as you launched yourself at his shoulder, latching on with your claws and biting him where his shoulder met his neck. You let out a vicious snarl and raked your claws down either side of Mutt's sides.

You expected him to throw you off or hit you.

What you didn't expect was the moan of pleasure he mewled out and the couch vibrating purr he began to emit. You couldn't help the expression of confusion you could feel on your own face. You charged up your magic, placing your palms on each of his shoulders, and shoving him hard as you zapped him. He disappeared in a flash of orange, the floral scent lingering from where he sat on the couch.

You felt the top of your head and your temples flare up in tempature. Not from embarrassment, but from anger.

How dare he poof in here and manhandle you like that and demand those things from you?!

You sniffed.

Then jumped up and ran back into the kitchen. How dare that fool of a man make you nearly burn your pies?! He had better hope you didn't burn them or you were gonna shove molten apple pie down his gullet!

------

Fortunately for Mutt, you didn't burn your pies. He sat at the table on Milord's left side, and on General swaps Right. A few generals you hadn't met were present at the table as well. Such as the one on Milord's right side. He looked like General Swap enough, though without the tooth gap and normally resting smile the happy man wore. This one had a more conniving aura to him. His red-purple eyes staring at Milord as he spoke to that section of the table, something about how he may get a horse to go into the stables at the newly built estate that had seemingly popped up over the course of three days on the opposite side of the town.

Even though you had been confined to the farmstead for the past few days, you still caught wind of what happened around the town. Fonston hadn't received any major damage from the twister that had blown through a few days ago. Just some branches down and some shingles off of roofs. Also, the more concerning paper from this morning. You remembered seeing it when you came back to get Fern's treats and some water. "Local teacher attacked by dogs, missing hours later." Goudy was gone and no one had heard from him for days now.

You chewed your lip as you served the plates. If there was one thing you were sure of, it was that it was rabid dogs that attacked him. But also, from what you knew, a single bite from those things meant death. Though more often than not, immediate dusting, as was evident with Jett's leg. You remembered his marrow chilling screams as you forced the bones apart, your father running with his old service rifle at the ready and aiming for the coyote that you had blown away with your magic. It happened at the same time, the separation of bone as the loud bang of the rifle rang out, killing the coyote. That had also been the day the three of you found out about the ongoing infection that currently plagued Helvetica Farms. The constant, extra work of killing and burning the bodies on top of losing valuable man power in the form of Jett was devastating. He was used to a lot of the hard labor and tilling the fields with the bull. But as to not make his leg any worse, you made sure to take up as much as you could whilst also looking after Whip.

Speaking of. He was happily chatting at the closer end of the table, excitedly talking to Mars, Jupiter, and Trocar. You watched as he waved his hand during a story, his happy face turning to one of shock as a small vine flew out of his palm and stuck to Mars' shirt. Whip flushed salmon as the trio laughed and comforted him. Mars giving Whip a kind smile. You watched as the large man leaned down and pat Whip on the head and muttered something to him, only for Whip to study his hands and flex them a certain way, creating a beautiful wreath of lily flowers.

He exploded in excitement, showing dad and getting a round of applause and congratulations. You couldn’t help the smile that made its way onto your lips. You hoped they would be that supportive of their own whelps when they had some, hopefully even more so.

You turned back to the plates, sitting one in front of Buck that was piled high with all sorts of good food, curtesy of Mars, Jupiter, and Papyrus. Though your mind wondered again.

’How could it be that they didn’t find any of Goudy’s dust? It’s plausible that the wind carried it away, but his clothes would have stayed. The only thing they found was a chewed up shoe according to the article. So if we know they instantly turn to dust when they’re bitten, and they didn’t find much or any dust and only a single shoe- does that mean Goudy lived?’

You stared out the window into the darkening sky, the bleeding reds and weeping blues of the evening were starting to meld into the inky darkness of night. You busily scrubbed at the dishes in the sink, trying to keep them from building up and becoming too much work after dinner.

The bright chatter of the dining room soon grew into a comforting buzz, melting away into the warm gold atmosphere of the kitchen, the image of your soon to be family and current family caught in time in the reflection of the window.

Time had slowed again as your eyes scanned the trees. The long golden beams of light from the house cast faint light into the woods, causing some of the shadows made by the thickets and branches to deepen.

But it didn’t hide the pair of red eyes that looked at you from the darkness of the shadows. Your eyes met and you jumped slightly, dropping the knife you had been scrubbing into the sink with a ‘splash’! You sighed as you began to dry the water spot on the front of your dress, though looking back up to see the eyes were gone.

Why… what was she doing here..?

”You alright sis? Ya seem awfully jumpy.” You pursed your lips as you turned to see Buck to your right, sliding a fork out of the silverware holder. He pressed it to your hand. “You haven’t sat down to eat yet. You’ve done enough dishes, go sit and I’ll take over.”

”U-uhm! No it’s fine, really. I just have a few more left, then I will.” You reached to put your fork away and get the sponge, only for Buck to snatch it away.

You huffed. “Gimme my damn sponge!”

He shot his hand up, holding the sponge over your heads.

”How are ya gonna get it back, short stack?” He narrowed his lights at you. “I think you’re straight out of luck and should probably go eat, pip squeak.” He gave you a smirk and held the sponge higher.

You quickly rushed his torso and wrapped your arms around his waist pinching his sides, tickling him. He let out a shriek. "Y-ya little snot!"

The smiles on the faces of those at the table went unnoticed as you began to scowl, though your mock anger was betrayed by the shit-eating grin on your face.

“I may be short, but it really means I’m ball punching height! Now give me that sponge or I’ll use that flimsy bowl you call a hat for one!” Speeding up your pinches, his laughter and squeaks grew louder and into shrieks.

"No! Get down ya thevin' banshee!" Buck lifted his legs to try to shield his sides and deter you from your continued assault in the form of the tickle attack, though despite his choppy movements the laughter that escaped him rattled the room.

You gave him your best chitter and hiss as you began to scale him, the giggles of the rest of the table growing louder.

"No- No! Hey-! Ah!"

You had managed to climb Buck, resting a clawed hand on the top of his skull and the other hand reaching up to the sponge, one foot propping yourself upright in the air using his shoulder.

"Pa! She's a gremlin! Come get er' off a me!"

Cobalt raised his cup to his mouth and plainly took a sip of his drink.

Putting more pressure on his shoulder and raising yourself higher made him straight up squeal.

"Pa!" Buck's voice had risen quite a few octaves, earning belly busting laughter from a good handful of the men at the table. Red was doubled over as he watched the infamous shit brick house Buck become a squealing mess just from being tormented by his little sister.

"I ain't helping you, son. You know how she gets when ya tease her like that. I let her smack ya around as a kid and im not about to stop it when ya both are adults." He took another sip of his drink. "Stars knows my back cant deal with breaking the two of you up anymore."

Buck squeaked again as you boosted yourself up. "Dad!"

Cobalt leaded back in his chair. "Dad who?"

"DAD! You traitor!"

Now the whole table was laughing. Whether if it was at Buck's expense or the exchange... It was still nice. The atmosphere felt lighter. Kinder. Warmer. Like this is what home was supposed to feel like. You could really get used to this. Though you knew it wouldn't stay this way.

You shook the thought away as your smile grew brighter. "Give me the sponge and your pain will end and we'll have clean dishes!" You made grabby hands for the sponge, the small yellow puff just a few inches out of reach.

"No! I know damn well that you've been busy all day and haven't eaten since this mornin'! I'm not gonna let you starve yourself over some plates!" The sponge got encased in slate magic and floated up to the ceiling.

"Aw nuts!" You frowned as the sponge floated away, looking around for the culprit. Though you didn't have to look very hard. Mars' large frame came into view, stopping right in front of you and plucking you off of Buck's shoulders.

"Mars!" You gasped.

Buck recoiled as the sponge fell into his face with a wet 'splat'. "Thanks Mars." Buck's words were muffled by the laughing and chatter of the table and the wet sponge lodged in his nasal cavity.

"If it's been... that long since you ate... It's been too long." He lumbered back to his seat and sat you in his lap, placing your much smaller plate in front of you. It was almost comically small. He began to put food on the porcelain plate, the wonderful smells from the food making your stomach audibly growl. Your face flushed in its opalescent hues.

It was true, you supposed. Between all the excitement between wedding preparations and finding those odd creatures in the forest, you hadn't eaten.

"You aren't... getting up from this spot... until you eat your food." He poked some food onto your fork and held it to your mouth. "Eat." The blush on your face grew brighter as you tried to take the fork, only for him to nudge it to your lips.

He wanted to spoon feed you.

Infront of everyone.

You looked up at his face. He wore a worried expression and a slight frown. His singular red eye light seemed to wobble around the edges. He nearly looked like he was about to cry. You opened your mouth and the wobbling softened and an even softer rumble from deep in his chest started as you ate from the fork.

As embarrassing as it was to be spoon-fed in front of your future father-in-laws, you already determined that you would go through any self-perceived humiliation just for Mars. Especially if it brought him comfort. Food seemed to bring him calmness. You couldn't and wouldn't say it was overtly odd. Everyone here grew up or lived through war time experiences, and you would be damned if you made any of them feel bad about what they went through. Especially since you went through your own struggles too.

And even if it was selfish, you did enjoy the large bear of a man doting on you. So far out of all your fiancés, Mars was your personal favorite. Not that you knew him better or anything, but interactions with him came off as more natural and genuinely loving. Really, you wish he had been an original candidate instead of the piss poor pool of suiters the school wanted you to pick from. He was caring, knew how to care for himself and was great with children. Nor was he a stranger to hard work.

And he was nice to you.

The major reason you hadn't picked any one off the main list was due to the fact they all relentlessly bullied you as children. Your small size and more masculine appearance led to many a misunderstanding. But you would be damned if you laid your head next to someone else's who had no regard for other people and how they treated them. But you would happily snuggle into Mars every night.

A part of your soul would be honored to do so. Your eyes flashed a look up around the table as the chatter resumed. In a brief moment, your eyes met Mutt's. Your shoulders drooped slightly as you ate another bite off of the offered fork. He stared at you with those tired, orange eyes. The slight purple shadows of exhaustion being ever present on his face. His eyes darted over to Sans, who was listening to Papyrus and Blue recall their tale of venturing into town that day and helping patch up roofs while Edge, Ursa, and G went to help with the construction of the manor you would all soon occupy.

You ate another bite from the offered fork. You continued eat throughout the dinner, just listening and not speaking, as no one spoke to you. (Though you weren't aware of the glares Mars gave off to the others at the table to ensure you ate uninterrupted.)

Eventually, dinner wound down and your pie was served, happily ate by everyone. The table was cleared of your brothers and fathers, only leaving you at the sink washing the last of the dishes as Blue dried them and Papyrus put them away. Honestly, you weren't sure as to why the boys hadn't left.

Though based off of the knowing looks from Mutt and G, you knew why.

You dried off your hands and stretched, stifling a little yawn. You watched them converse, before slowly making your way out of the room, only for Mutt to clear his throat.

You internally groaned.

"Darlin. We gotta talk with ya, you know." Mutt leaned back in his chair, Milord nodding in agreement.

"Yes, dear. We know it may be an uncomfortable topic for you, but it is important to speak of it. We need to know who you want to nominate as the head of the harem."

You sighed and rolled your head and neck side to side.

*Honestly? I was hoping to ask all of you for your own inputs. I don't feel like I know you all well enough to determine who would be the best in that position. It seems unfair to task someone with the responsibilities if they don't want them.* Your mind flashed back to the books you had been reading. In one of your text books, there was a chapter on harems. The male that was the head would have the responsibility of maintaining the group and handing out punishments to any males who disobeyed the rules and, the general overseeing of the group as a whole. So on top of his own children, (which each individual male was responsible for their own,) he had to manage everyone else and his own job and whatever else he had going on.

*I know the head male has a lot of responsibilities. I don't want to just pick someone and say 'suck it up' as I feel thats too mean. I know none of you asked for this, so lets try to make this easier on all of us. I would like to put important issues to group votes.*

You looked up from your hands that you had been looking at. You weren't used to being at the fore front of these sort of things. Or anything, really.

'If I'm technically going to be in charge, then I WILL assert myself here!'

With a bit of a gasp, you reiterated yourself. *Any important issues like this WILL be held to votes. We will not be violent and we will work to understand each other to the best of our abilities.*

With your best stern look on your face, you motioned to the table. *I want your opinions on who all of you want to be the head male. So, would anyone like to start?*

You felt hot in embarrassment. Sweet stars, why was this so hard to talk about?

The boys watched as you fidgeted in your spot, some amazed at the notion you wanted their opinion on the matter at hand. Though another select few wanted to pick you up and cuddle you due to how cute you were. Fortunately for them, they would only have to wait until tomorrow night.

Finally, the silence was broken by Milord.

"If I may, my dear. I would like to suggest that Sans becomes the head male. While I wouldn't mind the position myself, I fear that I would not do a very good job with such responsibilities."

You gave a nod, though Sans sputtered. "Wha- Why the hell would you volunteer me or even think I want the position?!"

"You are the one who usually keeps us all on our best behavior." Hummed Milord.

Mutt nodded. "Without ya we'd fall apart. Ya keep us all together. ya know."

Papyrus then leaned down and whispered something into Sans' ear, causing a blue hue to rapidly spread across the skeletons face. "Paps!" Sans backed away, only to see Papyrus glaring down at him with his hands on his hips.

Finally, Sans sighed. "Fine. I accept nomination as head male." His face was fully blue, desperately looking anywhere but at you.

Milord piped up again. "Does anyone else want to try to be head male?"

Everyone shook their heads. To your surprise, and slight hurt, even Mars said no. You couldn't help the twinge of sadness that made itself known in your chest, covering your soul like a wet blanket. He looked down at you, seeing the frown on your tired face. His large hand came up and cupped your cheek. He quietly whispered to you. "Its not that... I wouldn't want to... but my head wound makes me... forget things... Not a good... feature for the... head male to... have." You nodded in understanding, the hurt melting away.

Milord clapped his hands. "Okay. If that's settled now, then Sans will be the head male." Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Thank fuck. Now we can go outside and grab some drinks. I'm ready for a tall bottle a' mustard." Red gruffed, scooting his chair back and standing up, stretching. He leaned to the left as Edge took a swat at his skull. "You shouldn't say such vulgar things like that in front of a lady! If swap hears-"

"Ah- fuck him, bro. He aint gonna do shit. Let's just go get some drinks and call it a night."

Edge huffed. "Swap has the authority to drop us until tomorrow and you know he hates cursing."

You gave a small smile as the two squabbled.

*Alright everyone. Please be careful and have a good night.*

You watched as they all filed out of the house.

Giving a sigh as you wiped the table down and swept the floor free of any crumbs, you looked back out of the window.

In the inky darkness, the ruby eyes glowed from the darkness of the tree lines.

You looked around to make sure there was no one who could see you. A majority of the men were outside and in the back towards the camp, partying.

Some were also asleep.

But there was nobody around to see you open the door and walk out to the darkness of the trees and disappear into the thick bushes. You had grabbed your cane on your way out, knowing that a bow would be a poor weapon of defense in the thick woods and low branches.

You quietly walked for a good ten minutes, the sounds of the farm and party could be heard faintly through the trees. Though when you stopped to take a break, you found yourself in the middle of a small clearing, no more than fifteen feet around from the center where you stood. The white moon full and casting a blue glow across the sky.

The wind is still tonight. The stale scent of the hot day that it had been, lingered in the air as a gentle song of crickets flowed by.

Then the bushes parted slowly, the soft patting of large paws against the ground causing you to turn to see the large woman.

Her white fur seemed to glow under the moons gentle light. Her red eyes still captivating.

You couldn't help as you dropped your cane.

Here she was again. So close.

So soon after meeting her for the first time.

She walked closer to you and stood over your shorter form, before opening her mouth to speak.

"Greetings, my child. I am Toriel, queen of the Caprain people, and you..."

She trailed off, her red eyes flickering over you.

"You may just be the savior this world needs to fix this broken place."

The wind picked up, blowing some loose leaves over you and pulling your skirt forward, as well as making the trees rustle and sway.

The tall woman stood before you.

"My child, allow me to tell you a fable that has been passed down through my people for generations."

She looked up to the stars.

"Once upon a time, Monster kind lived under the mountains. There, food was scarce, and people were sad. They could not leave the mountain because of creatures referred to as, humans."

Chapter Text

The wind picked up, blowing some loose leaves over you and pulling your skirt forward, as well as making the trees rustle and sway.

The tall woman stood before you.

"My child, allow me to tell you a fable that has been passed down through my people for generations."

She looked up to the stars.

"Once upon a time, Monster kind lived under the mountains. There, food was scarce, and people were sad. They could not leave the mountain because of creatures referred to as, humans."

"They were known to be greedy and mean spirited. One day, conflict broke out between the humans and monsters, and as a result, the monsters were locked underground with a spell called a barrier. No matter what the monsters tried, they could not escape from their prison of stone."

She looked up at the bright moon.

"The monsters resigned themselves to such a somber fate. Learning to cope with the changes and new ways of life. The monsters grew old and their children did, too. Having their own and adding to the population of the underground. After some time, things were not so bad."

She looked down to her hands.

"Then one day, a human fell. The human was sad and confused, just as monsters had first been when they were locked away. The child was taken to the king of the Underground, where the king and queen cared for them."

Her hands clenched to fists.

"Then one day, the child fell ill, and died. The queen and king were devastated, for they had loved the child as their own. Though in the midst of their grief of the loss of the human, more tragedy had befallen the royal pair when their only son went missing. He had taken the human's soul and body to the human territory beyond the barrier. He came back, riddled with wounds and made it to his father, collapsing in his arms. That is where he took his last breaths."

Toriel stared into the distance, before her red eyes flicked back to you.

“The queen and king were heartbroken from losing their children. And as a result, the king declared war on humankind and began to make a plan to escape the underground with his people.”

”Then, another child fell. And the king slaughtered them without mercy.”

“Disgusted and outraged, the queen left him, abandoning her people and the violent ways of the king.”

”Soon, the king had killed and taken six human souls. Powerful sources of energy that held unfathomable amounts of magic for a monster to wield. Should a normal monster come into possession of one, they would dust where they stood. Then, the seventh, and final child fell. Instead of being slaughtered like the rest, they befriended the underground. They made everyone laugh, play, and hope. They gave them freedom.”

”Finally, after hundreds of years, the forgotten monsters had been freed by the final child fated to die by the kings cruel hands.”

”Though once freed, the humans didn’t trust the monsters and feared them.”

”One day, a hateful human took the underground’s savior- the last child- and killed them. “

You watched as she lifted a paw and wiped a tear away.

“Stricken by grief and the loss of yet another child, the queen sought out the finest monster magicians, and had them make a curse. For if the humans could not love each other, nor the monsters, then they would learn by becoming monsters themselves.”

”So they cast a spell, and overnight, the human population disappeared.”

“The queen’s reckless actions ended up causing another war. However, with no humans present and the underground monsters being more experienced with magic and fighting, the previous humans-turned monsters were killed off.”

She looked down at you before waving a hand for you to follow. She ducked into the thick trees, taking your small hand in hers as you felt the leaves of the trees turn soft around your form. The branches didn’t scratch you and the leaves made no noise. Though when the odd sensation stopped, you were on the edge of a cliff, overlooking flat plains for miles, with an odd structure in the distance.

” The extinction event of the human race was about two thousand years ago.”

She looked down at you then across the vast land.

” And that structure you see over there are the ruins of the city of Ebott. An old human settlement that has long ago become desolate.”

There was a long silence, only punctuated by the whistles of the grass as the wind blew through it.

You felt your breath catch in your throat. ”S-so what does this have to do with… me?” You couldn’t help the roundness of your eyes as you looked up in awe at the giant goat.

“I-I mean, why seek me out when there are plenty of other skeletons to pick from? I-I’m sure many are far more capable than me-“ you were stopped by her holding up a fluffy paw.

”Because, dear child, you are the only one who I’ve seen exhibit time and time again that there is blatant injustice in this world, and in the way that it is run.”

She looked down at you, something akin to hope glowing in her eyes.

”And I believe you can restore balance to this world.”

She leaned down closer to you.

“Especially with the help of those men who are so blind to the fact they need you.”

She took your small hand and lead you back to the bushes, pulling you through.

“I believe all of you can fix what’s been broken.”

She hummed, pulling you back through and to the edge of the farmstead. The bonfire and party still roaring into the night. You were almost sure you could see Milord on Mutt’s shoulders, being bounced up and down, laughing as they danced to the beat of a cheerful tune.

“My child, whenever you wish to speak with me, walk into the trees and say my name. I shall come if it’s safe.”

She placed something into your hand.

”Keep these with you, always. They shall be important.”

She raised her head as a twig snapped nearby, alerting you to someone’s presence.

”Keep them hidden. Good luck, my child.” With that, she backed into the bushes and melted into them, disappearing.

You stared after her for a moment before pocketing the items she gave you. Just then the bushes rustled and popped and strangely enough, it was Sans.

”Y/n? What are you doing over here? Shouldn’t you be asleep, I dunno, inside?” You tensed up.

”U-uhm-“ You quickly switched to your hands. *I was out for a walk. I couldn’t sleep.*

It wasn’t the complete truth, but also wasn’t a lie. Seeing the strange woman and not speaking to her would have been fuel enough to stay awake throughout the night, and you *did* go on a walk.

His eyes narrowed at you. “Alright. Then I’m sure you won’t mind me escorting you back inside.” He held his arm out to you, presenting his forearm for you to hook yourself onto.

You couldn’t help but tense even further. This is what men did when they wore their wives as a decoration of sorts. It showed the female off and flaunted her to others, with the blatant warning to not touch.

In your opinion, it was degrading. Not to mention that not even 48 hours ago, this man had assaulted you. You wrinkled your nasal at him whilst you studied his face. The shadows under his eyes seemed to be darker than they had been over the last few days. His eyes were dull and a layer of sweat seemed to coat his bones. Though surprisingly to you, he somehow didn't stink. Smelling like vanilla had its advantages.

He must not have liked your staring, as he cleared his throat. "So- ya gonna leave me hanging here? I know I havent been the friendliest to you and you probably have a bone to pick with me, but-" He glanced away as he offered his arm closer. "As head of the harem, I should do my job and make sure you get home safe." A slightly blue tint appeared on his cheeks and neck.

You felt your face heat with anger. *You'd be right, Sans. I'm not happy with you at all. You've done nothing but degrade and harm me and I've done nothing to you.*

His demeanor changed to a grimace and a frown. "You were gonna beat Papyrus!"

You began to walk back to the house, Sans' large form following along with you. *I never laid a hand on him. You know that. I'd never hurt him for someone else's fuck up.* You pushed a large branch out of your face. *And I didn't even have to hit you. My brother beat the hell out of you instead, if the bruises on your hands and skull are anything to go by, I'm guessing your superiors didn't let you heal up after that.* You missed his flinch. He followed after you, moving much larger bushes aside and thick branches up as he made a small path for the both of you to travel on. *I'd say you were punished enough. But really? The only reason you're gonna be the head male is because the others vouched for you. I didn't pick you for my comfort. I picked you for theirs.*

The both of you finally broke through the trees and began to walk up to the house.

*Honestly, I don't know what your problem is with me. It may not of occurred to you, but I didn't want this either. I wanted to just work on the farm and lead a quiet life.* You paused as you stared at the door in front of you. *I really just wanted more time with my family before I'm taken away. It's not even about the farm failing anymore...* You trailed off. *I just want to wake up and be able to see my dad in the mornings when I come downstairs. I want to hear my brother bitch about whatever the mayor is doing wrong today in the papers. I want to hear Whip scream when he chases the pig around.* A breathy laugh escapes you.

The ghost of a smile crossed your face. *I never wanted to be married to anyone because I never wanted to leave. Family is important to me, you see. I want my family to grow, not shrink and fall apart. And with the institution, that's how they make it feel.* You scowled. *It's fucking bullshit. The whole system! We're forced to do all this and for what?! To breed and die?!*

Sans lunged forward and clasped your hands in his. "Shhh! Stop talkin' like that! If someone sees you, you could get in trouble!" Sans wide eyes stared down at your small form, your own orbs glittered with fury. For the first time, he felt himself soften with you. He looked at your trembling shoulders and your wobbly lip as tears threatened to spill over. "L-look... I know I haven't been the kindest to you.. and for that, i'm sorry. I never should have done any of the stuff I did to you or acted like you were some inherently bad person. You aren't. But-" He looked away with a sigh. "It's hard for me to trust you because of... someone else, from a long time ago." Sans could see her hair in his mind. The purple pools of magic that would frame her face. Her lips and teeth that he had felt on his own jaws and body a multitude of times. Her curvy hips that were always adorned in the finest fabrics.

You watched as his eyes narrowed and his lights blurred. You gently squeezed his hands. "Y-you don't have to tell me if you're not ready... a-and thank you for the apology." You couldn't help the smile as his eyes refocused to you. "I forgive you." Your face turned serious. "Just this once. If it happens again there will be consequences other than cleaning out a gross horse stall." For the first time since you've seen Sans, a small, genuine smile crossed his features. "Okay." It was small and quiet, but enough to fill the air with a comfortable silence. You squeezed his hands a final time before letting them go. "Thank you for walking me home, Sans. Go get a shower and sleep." You turned and opened the door, pausing as you went in. "Have a good night, Sans."

He smiled. "I will. You have a good night too."

And with that, you shut the door to the house and slowly made your way back up to your room.

-----------------------------------------

Ms. Courier’s form seemed to quietly glide across the room of the inn that she chose to stay at over the shabby guest rooms in the farm house, despite being offered by the head of the house. She lay on the bed, documents spread around her. Order forms for the many white flowers and the different types for each man. Lavender, cosmos, tulips- you name it- it was probably there. She began to pack the documents away. Her hands ghosted over the papers, until the local paper caught her eye.

“Local Teacher Missing Hours After Early Morning Dog Attack!” ‘He hasn’t been seen since!’ The photo of the teacher was right below the headline. His rust-colored eye-lights were framed by thick, rectangular glasses. He had slightly pointed fangs on his upper jaw and a faint rust colored handlebar style mustache that rested below his nose. All in all, in his prime he probably hadn’t been too bad looking. But she recognized him.

A shiver of disgust ran down her spine. “Goudy.”

She remembered him from the Marigold case years ago. How he felt and acted entitled to both mistress Lilith and her older sister Rose. In Mrs. Courier’s opinion, it was a damn shame Rose had ended up with such a man. His strict demeanor and stiff attitude made him very volatile when large changes he didn’t approve of occurred.

She drew in a breath and clicked her tongue. Now that Rose and Lilith were gone, the next best thing was y/n. Granted the Marigolds came from old money. However, during her visit to the home, there had been no indication of being in contact with your maternal grandfather. (Though thinking back to him, she absolutely didn’t blame you there.) So why is Goudy still at it? The fact that he was showing erratic behavior and the last known interaction between the two of you was an altercation-. “I’ll need to hire extra security for the wedding with a kill on sight order for him, won’t I little one?” She sighed as she pet her stomach.

She leaned back on her bed with a sigh.

”I will have to convince them it’s because of the brutish woodlands around and that I and other pregnant hens wouldn’t feel safe without them. It’s better to have them and not need them. Don’t you agree?” She watched as her stomach glowed a gentle amber, the white of the baby's soul showing through the clothing.

She smiled. “I’ll take it as a yes. Look at you- not even born yet and already so smart.” She gave a breathy laugh as she curled in on herself, draping an arm over her midsection.

”I’ve failed so many times…” her eyes grew heavy. “I promise, my little one. I won’t fail with you.”

Im the dim light of the room, she fell asleep. Her mind filled with visions of her minty haired lover. Stars. How she wished for freedom. The freedom to choose and the freedom to hold her little ones and be with the ones she loved.

Mrs. Courier loved to sleep. As that was when her dreams became reality.

————————————————————————

Someone who didn’t like to sleep, however, was you. Especially when it brought you back to this place. The tall walls always seemed to stretch on forever, melting into a darkness you could never see past. The hallway underfoot was old and decrepit, the creaking boards seemed to scream when you walked forward. The house itself groaning with the stress of, what you speculated, was pure existence.

You felt incredibly small. It made sense, as the last time you were here you were probably about a hog’s height tall. Your soft, feathery hair framed your vision as you unconsciously walked on and into the darkness, passing the tall, crooked doors you knew wouldn’t open.

This house had always scared you. If you stared hard enough, the glimpses of a flickering fire light seemed to ghost over the wallpaper.

Reaching the end of the hall, there waited a staircase that fed upwards into more darkness or down into a further abyss. Your body went down.

One step.

Two steps.

The third step gave way and into the abyss you fell. The sound of the board splintering echoed in your ears as you seemed to fall for ages before the dim light of a salmon pair of eyes caught your attention.

Then a pair of neon blues. Sky blues. Then finally an iridescent white. Her hand reached out to grasp at you. It latched onto your arm, though her hands shifted to elongated claws and began to turn black as dust fell from them. Her face began to droop and melt, as if made of wax. Her eye-lights left her skull as her jaw hung open, magic stringing them together as a bone chilling screech rang through the dream.

You shot up in a cold sweat as your bedroom door burst open. You frantically looked around as your dad’s hunched figure looked over your bed, his form searching the room for any kind of danger.

Your panting gasps turned to just heavy breathing as you waited for your fluttering soul to calm. “S-s-sorry d-dad. No d-danger. Just a-a bad dre-dream.”

He continued to look over you, sniffing the air around your head and poking and prodding at your form as you sat, slumped over in your sheets. You looked at the time.

’3:59’ Huh. So almost 4 in the morning. No wonder you had woken up. This was around the time you usually got up to prepare for the day.

You groaned lightly as you wiped the sweat off of your brow. “Sorry for waking you, Pa. Guess it spooked me.”

The bed shifted as he lowered himself down to sit next to you, his large arm wrapping around you and pulling you onto his lap. He pulled the blanket around the two of you as he hugged you tight. "There ain't a need to apologize. You may be getting married today, but you're always gonna be my baby bones." He looked down at you, a gentle smile wrinkling the corners of his eyes. "I'll always come to help you, no matter what."

You laid your head into his chest as you hugged him. "Don't go getting all sappy on me now, dad. Save it for the wedding." You gently nudged him in jest, looking back up at his face to find tears already welling in his vibrant blue lights. You couldn't help the slight chuckle that left you. Glancing at the clock, it read 4:05. Your gaze turned back up to your weepy dad.

"Wanna take one last nap together? Stars know we'll need it for the shitshow today's gonna be." Cobalt nodded as he cleared his throat, though despite his best efforts, his words still strained. "I'd like that a lot, baby bird."

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The sound of the early summer morning could be heard outside. The cicadas chirped with the crickets and the leaves of the trees rustled in the wind. You looked at the alarm clock. 5:30.

'Well. A naps a nap.'

Sitting up, your dad's form had stayed wrapped around you, but during the night Whip had joined the two of you. He had somehow climbed into the bed and squeezed himself between you and the wall. You crawled over the duo and into the coolness of the room, slipping on your slippers. Looking back over their forms, Whip began to grab at the air, his brows scrunching. You gave him one of your large teddys that you had kept through the years. His features softened as your dad brought him to his chest.

You smiled lightly as you grabbed some fresh clothes to wait for Mrs. Courier's arrival. You quietly maneuvered to the bathroom and stripped from your pajamas, though when you removed your pants, you heard a clatter as something fell from your pocket.

In the soft, yellow light of the bathroom, something glittered on the floor. It was an odd shape. It had two curves on top that met on the bottom in an elongated point, and its color seemed to shift as if it held liquid on the inside. Though the object was overall, a brilliant yellow. You scooped it up, and it fit in the palm of your hand. Strange. It looked like a yellow skeleton soul. The second object was a small snail sculpture made out of a green stone. Its shell had intricate hash marks pointing to the center where a red, circular gemstone lay.

You ran a finger over it and the gem began to glow. You gasped in surprise and dropped it into the bathtub that had been slowly filling with water, only for a red light to fill the water and a visage to appear. It was a dark room with a burning fireplace in the back, framed by two, large, plush looking armchairs. In one of them, Toriel sat, knitting away at a ball of yellow yarn.

You moved to lean over the tub to get a better view, and only then did she seem to acknowledge you. "Ah~ My child. I see you figured out how the snail works! Very good!" She gave you a gentle smile. You couldn't help how your mouth hanged open in shock as you began to frantically stutter. "Y-y-your majesty! I- Wha- how?!" You lowered your voice as you heard the familiar creek of someone tossing in their sleep.

The woman gave a soft laugh. "It's called a Caprian Communicator Device or a CCD for short. It allows my people to speak with each other even if we are halfway around the world. All one must do is submerge it in water and it shall call. Very neat, right?" You couldn't help but nod. You blinked a few times before remembering the other stone. "O-oh! Uhm- your highness, what is this?" You held up the yellow monster's soul to show her. She gave a laugh. "Oh, please, my child- call me Toriel." She waved off the honorifics before continuing. "And that" she pointed at the yellow... thing. "Is one of the seven human souls you need to find in order to fix the curse." You paused as you stared at her.

"What curse?" You narrowed your eyes at her slightly in confusion. "Your majesty Toriel, I hardly have any information on how you want me to operate! You've given me a device that if I'm caught with, ill surely be punished severely. Assuming it's a magical artifact, the type of which hasn't been seen in ages- I'm positive id be arrested or even killed over it. So, the more you tell me, the better prepared I can be." Toriel closed her eyes. "Yes. You are correct, my child. However, the snail is considered technology. The 'yellow stone' is the true magical artifact." Her eyes locked onto your form. "That is a petrified human soul. Specifically, the soul of Justice. A soul prevalent in humans who felt connected to a great sense of right and wrong within the world. It's the previous artifact of the Caprian people, as their queen was said to be someone who made an effort to correct her wrong doings." She trailed off, looking somewhere off camera.

"There are seven of them. Yellow- for Justice, which you have. Green- for kindness, which may be in possession of the Lacertians. They live in the deserts to the south within the rolling dunes." You shook your head back and forth. What in the hell kind of fever dream were you listening to?! "Look- your highness- Toriel- I wanna help you- I really do. But I can't if I don't even know what I'm doing." You looked across to the door as light footsteps passed by and down the stairs at the end of the hall. You leaned down even closer to the water, whispering. "I'm supposed to be getting married today. If anyone heard me even suggest leaving Fonston, they'd lock me away for good. They'd consider me a loon!" You gasped in air, realizing you were spiraling.

After a few deep breaths, you calmly asked. "Whats even the point of this? How are these things going to- just fix everything?" You looked up from the small petrified human soul. Toriel held a sad smile. "My child, I can assure you, the petrified souls are needed. They will remind all of the monsters that we were once apart of one big family. We were all together, and honestly, not meant to be separated. If we can reunite the people, the world will change." You couldn't help but feel a small spark of something inside of you. You clutched your shirt where your soul lay. You understood why Toriel was a queen. The way she looked so promising and sure of herself... Her confidence and aura screamed leader. You gasped slightly.

Your gaze found her own that shown brightly in the dim light of her sitting room. "And you want me to get these-" you held up the soul- "and reunite everyone?"

She seemed to sit up straighter. "Yes, my child. I believe you can do this. You will have my help all the way through and my continuous sponsorship." She hummed as she got out of her chair and approached the screen. "I will not force you." Her eyes flicked up to look into your own. "Please. I need your help."

You paused. A queen. Someone in a high position of power was asking for your help. You- who most would consider a lowly farmer. You couldn't help but feel your mind race.

'Here I am getting ready to shower so I can get dressed for my wedding that I don't even want to have- and I have the opportunity of a lifetime in my bathtub right now.' Your eyes flicked back to the water that had now become chilled.

You began to pace. 'With how much time I've wasted, I'll have to go through with the wedding. There's absolutely no way I could escape without being detected and chased down. Not to mention if I did that- the institute could retaliate by punishing my family.'

You sighed. 'It'll have to be right after the men go to sleep. Chances are after....' Your face screwed up in disgust as you thought about what you would probably be doing tonight. 'After that- they'll probably be asleep and stay asleep for a considerably long time.' You brushed your hand over your face, glancing back at Toriel's pleading eyes. You sighed.

"Okay. I'll help you. But when it comes time for me to leave, you may need to help me then If I can call on you. I'm not entirely sure when I'll have the chance to leave- but I'll need to wait for an opportunity to present itself- not to mention for the excitement around here to die down." You watched as Toriel sighed in relief and her shoulders drop. "Oh, thank you my child! I promise you will have all the help I can give to you." You nodded. "Alright. Then let's end our conversation here. It's gone on long enough. Not to mention I don't even want to know what would happen if i'm caught."

Toriel nodded. "Once again- Thank you, my child. I will await your next correspondence." You plainly nodded, reaching down into the water and stroking the red gem, watching as the screen blipped off in another flash of red light. You sat back on your knees.

Holy shit.

"What did I just agree to?!"

You quickly sprang up from the floor and drained the tub, turning on the hot water from the showerhead instead. You finished stripping, hiding the CCD and the soul under the bathroom cabinet in an old, small wooden soap box. 'It'll have to do for now.' After making sure it was sufficiently hidden, you got into the bath, quickly scrubbing your form down.

You got out and dried and dressed in your more... intimate attire, then quickly made your way to your room with the soap box and deposited it into your old rucksack that held onto your farming tools during the day during your hard work. You threw the bag into the bottom of your closet and closed the doors.

Just in time, too. A knock sounded at your door accompanied by the now overtly familiar voice of Mrs. Courier.

"Ms. Helvetica. Are you awake and ready to be dressed?"

You quickly brushed the wrinkles out of the skirt of your slip. "Yes ma'am."

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The day had passed almost painfully slow. The makeup ladies and dressers having fussed over every little detail regarding how you appeared. You really didn't know why these many flowers absolutely needed to be in your hair. They were braided in by their stems and your braid was put into an elegant bun on the back of your head. They were eye-catching. The flowers popped as they appeared vibrant against your hair and the white of your dress. There was one for every color of the rainbow and more. About 14 if you counted right. Though at the end of the process, you couldn't deny it.

You were absolutely stunning.

You glanced out of the window and looked down into the driveway to the farm. There was a line stretching all the way down the road and behind the trees. Guests filed in from Fonston and you assumed- St. Calibri to attend as guests for your future husbands. The ceremony would start in an hour, even though an hour ago a judge of the law had come in and had you sign the marriage certificates with your (admittedly weepy) father to supervise. He had been dressed in his fanciest suit, with his fanciest hat and bolo tie to match. The center of the bolo tie had a cobalt blue gemstone as its center piece and a pocket liner to match.

You knew you couldn't look him in the eyes or else you'd start crying too. (And stars knew you didn't wanna spend another hour in the chair getting your face re-painted.)

The line of carts and cars alike had finally made it into the farmstead, a group of on duty soldiers directing them where to park and more soldiers escorting ladies to the sitting areas where they collected seats for themselves and their whelps.

You jumped as a knock sounded at the door and it opened. To your surprise and joy, it was Buck, Jett, and Whip.

Jett started first. "Heya sis..." His gaze was lowered to the ground. His light blue eyes burned with tears as he looked at you.

"Shit." He coughed into his arm, causing you to laugh as his thick accent came through. "Don't cry, bud. I haven't even left yet."

Whip squealed as he ran to you. "You look like a princess!" He opened his arms as he squeezed you in a big hug. Laughing, you pet his head. "I feel like one too."

Buck let out a whistle. "I ain't ever seen you not look like some vermin that crawled out of a dumpster. You clean up nicely sis." He gave you a dumb smile and a thumbs up. You gave him a blank stare as you silently continued to hug Whip. "If you're also gonna get hitched one day you really need to work on your compliments." You looked around. "Also where's pa? Isn't it close to time for me to go downstairs?" Jett sniffled. "Christ." He cleared his throat, tears still streaming down his face. "He and I are probably in about the same states. Uncle Dings and Uncle Swap are trying to coax him out of the bathroom by bribing him with a bottle of Dack Janials."

You sighed and shook your head. "Do I need to come to the bathroom and haul him out?" Jett hummed. "We considered it a viable option, but I think they have it handled. Courier is down there giving anyone and everyone hell. She wanted us to come up and bring you to the front door."

--

Jett watched as your posture straightened and your eyes seemed to glow. The setting sun cast an ethereal glow across your form and highlighted your gentler features. For a second, he could have sworn he saw his mother standing in front of himself. Though with a blink of his sockets, it was his baby sister. The one who had become so strong and survived so much up to this point. And now... he felt like he had to lead a lamb to slaughter.

--

You wondered over to Jett and took his outstretched arm as the four of you left to go downstairs. Reaching the foyer, your dad stood with his still tear stained cheeks. You gently laughed as you took a napkin from the kitchen that was damp with cool water. "If you keep crying like that, you'll be dehydrated the second you step out into the sun." You reached up to wipe his face as your brothers stood around you, silently waiting for your dad to address you all one last time.

Mrs. Courier had already lead Wingding and Swap outside, telling you all to exit when the music started to play.

Cobalt cleared his throat. "Sheit." This time you and all of your brothers began laughing. "Damn sis. Why didn't you tell us our accents were that thick?" Jett nudged you with his elbow. "What do you mean 'why didn't I tell you'? Ya'll listen to yourselves talk when you open your mouths." This got your dad to finally chuckle.

"Alright all of you. Our shitty accents aside, let's get down to it before they come drag us out." All of you went silent.

"All of you need to be on your absolute best behavior tonight. Manners need to be intact along with customer service smiles and all that fun shit. There isn't just our friends from town here. Its also a lot of big shots from the city that are here on behalf of the grooms." He stared at Buck and Jett. "There are also prospective ladies here that are available for courting. Be kind to them and nice to their folks. And you-" He looked down at Whip. "Cool it with the magic use. I get you're excited, but sometimes hens can get a little uppity about the clothes they wear. So lets try not to get anyone wet or mess up their hair-" He looked away, seemingly already exhausted. "Or stars forbid light someone on fire." Your eyes widened. Now there were stories from the last few days you clearly had yet to hear.

Finally he turned to you. "Babybird." He only got that out before his lips started to tremble. You felt your own eyes well with tears at the sight of your strong and stoic dad, ready to burst into tears. He gasped in a breath. "Aw Shit." You laughed as you wrapped your arms around his torso. "I love you too, Dad. I hope I don't have to call before I come over now." He recoiled like you just smacked him in the face. "Hell no. If you ever call before you come over, you may as well stay home till you learn your lesson."

You smiled and gave him another squeeze as Whip joined the two of you, followed by Buck and Jett.

Then the music started playing.

"Alright. Jett, you're out first. Then Buck you follow and then you Whip. We'll take up the back." The three of them nodded as Jett propped open the screen door so it didn't slam between everyone coming and going. Pachelbel's Canon was playing softly in the background as well as the sound of quiet murmurs filled the air.

It was finally time.

You watched as your eldest brother went first. Then Buck left. Then Whip. You heard the crowd coo and 'aww' at him as he went to join the two older ones. You gave one last look at your dad. A soft smile that met his eyes greeted you.

"You ready?" He asked softly.

You stared forward into the light of the yard. Your breath seemed to be stuck in your throat and your soul was beating fast. You nodded. "I'm ready as I'll ever be."

And he moved forward towards the door and out, offering his arm to help you down the stairs. You stepped out using his arm to guide you down and held onto him as the two of you began to walk down the isle of grass that had been laid with white flower petals with the colors of the other flowers mixed in sporadically.

The crowd gasped and cooed at your beauty. Women covered their mouths in awe and men looked on with interest. Some even did a double take to the men waiting at the alter and to you.

... You chose to ignore whatever that was supposed to mean.

Finally you reached the alter, taking in the boys and all their beauty. They all had matching suits, with the exceptions being their ties and accents. The colors matched their magic.

Your father lead you up to an awaiting Sans, who held out his hand to take your hand from your fathers. Cobalt guided your hand and placed it into Sans's without ever letting yours go. He smiled at you one last time, tears again in his eyes as he turned to go sit with his brother and sons, who you had seen on your way up the isle.

The song ended and a skeleton man in priest robes stepped forward. The robes were dark blue covered with white, tiny stars.

He began to speak.

"The starlight has always guided the calcian kind since the beginning of time. Even in the nights where the moon could not be seen, the stars were always bright." He waved his hand over your group. "The starlight has shown brightly enough to push together these skeletons in a show of good faith and love." He looked to the side and to a second priest who held an extremely large goblet. "The liquid stardust, please." The younger priest brought the older one the goblet.

"Skeletons are born from the love of two beings. And it is said that when the saint was born, with her she brought the dust of the stars with her. This substance is said to represent the cycle of love, and life." He gave the goblet to Sans and placed your hands on it. "You-" He pointed to you. "Will help your fiancés drink from the Goblet. Then at the end, you will drink from the goblet."

You silently nodded as the rest of the men stood in line.

You lifted the goblet as the priest started chanting something you couldn't understand.

Sans locked eyes with you as he took a drink of the strange liquid. His blue tongue licked his sharp teeth clean. You helped each man drink from the goblet, getting flirtatious winks and happy smiles and even a head nuzzle from Mars.

"Now- Ms. Helvetica. Please, drink from the goblet." Sans gently guided the cup up to your lips and you stared down into the black looking liquid. Though when the sunlight hit it- it turned a beautiful eggplant purple and somehow seemed to sparkle.

You sipped from the cup and felt the cold substance slide down your throat, a sweet undistinguishable taste coating your tongue. Overall, it was a pleasant flavor.

The crowd happily began to quietly chitter.

The priest spoke up, quieting the crowd once more.

"Now. Ms. Helvetica. Please present your aura." You nodded as you formed a beautiful cloud of white mist, the gentle flecks of color making the crowd ooh and aah.

"Gentlemen. Please use your auras to tie yourselves together, so you may never be separated by any force in the cosmos."

Colors raced around you, blowing the skirt of your dress forward quite a bit, and small strands of hair to and fro. Flower petals from the floor even blew upwards as the rainbow of colors did tricks and summer saults, messing with the people in the audience. The colors met with your ball of concentrated magic and began to dance around it and brush against it, then braid it into a long strand of color, then the long rope of color into a huge wreath.

Showers of white light particles rained down.

The priest smiled. "The Stars have seen this ceremony and blessed it! I give you Mr. And Mrs. Sans!"

The crowd burst into loud cheering and clapping as you saw your new fathers-in-law clapping and whooping- along with your father and Swap bawling their lights out.

Sans had his arm wrapped around your waist and you pulled into his side.

You missed the way he smiled down at you.

--

'I promise I'll become someone deserving of you.'

--

The night passed on in a blur. Next to all the food, drinks, conversation, and dancing- you found yourself hot. More than just temperature wise. You couldn't remember the trip to the new house as the carriage pulled by Fern and three other massive nightmare steeds pulled away from the farmstead as you sat in Mar's lap on the way home. Their excited chittering and arguing was drowned out by the effects of the alcohol... but you hadn't had that much- so what was the deal? You had literally only had two glasses of wine.

You could barely recall when Blue carried you across the threshold of the house and when Red took you into the nesting room and began to help you unlace your dress, Milord helping him so they could preserve the garment for when, perhaps, one of their own children wanted to use it when they were wed.

You also didn't remember snarling and pulling red down and telling he and Milord to rail you until you couldn't walk.

But man.

When you woke up to the house phone ringing the next morning in the midst of a group of nude skeletons, your body sure did.

You groaned as you found a random robe jacket from the ground and wondered to the phone, picking it up.

"Y/N Hel- Sans speaking, how can I help you?" Your once closed eyes and tired demeanor immediately left your pained form as your dad's frantic voice came over the receiver.

"Honey, we've looked everywhere, and we can't find him!"

"Pa! Slow down! Find who?"

"Whip! Whip's missing!"

Chapter Text

!CW!: This chapter has some fucked shit. Primarily dealing with death of babies. Please take care of yourselves!

You ran back into the room and recovered a new outfit from the shelves built into the circular walls.

How convenient.

A pair of arms wrapped around your waist as a sleepy Red purred into your shoulder. "Wha's wrong, Sweetheart? Come back to bed, 's early." He hummed, trying to pull you with him.

"As much as I'd like to, my dad just called and told me that Whip is gone. I'm headed there to investigate."

Red became more awake. "Gone?" His eyes lit up in the darkness of the room.

"Missing." You quickly slipped on a pair of boots you had snuck into the carriage against Mrs. Courier's orders to; 'keep those nasty boots out of that nice house'!

He immediately began to dress.

You raised a brow. "What are you doing? If you're tired, sleep. I'll be back as soon as I possibly can."

"And miss out on my new wife being an absolute badass? Not a chance, Doll. I'm comin' wit' ya."

The sound of a groan and a back popping filled the room as multiple pairs of eyes stared at you from the blankets in the large bed. Some of the skeletons were glaring through the darkness, an array of lights locked onto you. Some more awake than others.

”As am I.” Edge groaned as he sat up from the sheets, the blankets falling away to reveal a scarred rib cage with old gashes across it and chips missing.

You quickly adverted your gaze as your face heated up. Stars almighty- you were in a room with mostly naked men, and you were looking at em’!- you pulled your shirt over your own frame as a low chuckle sounded from your side.

”So yer’ embarrassed now, but last night you were so eager.” Quiet laughs rumbled the chamber.

”Ey’ Milord- what was it she said ta’ us last night?”

Why was it that every time you were around these men they turned into fools?

Milord’s deep morning voice came from across the room as he got his own set of clothes out of the shelves with his name on it. He gave a smug smile. “I believe it was something along the lines of; ‘fuck me so I can’t sit down for the next month and walk straight for the next three’.” Your face burst into an array of colors as you facepalmed with a groan.

"Okay- thanks for the recap- I'd rather not remember it!" You faced the wall as your skull lit up the area like a light bulb. You grabbed your hat off the top hook. "Besides, time is of the essence. Whip's missing. I'm headed over to the farm. If you want to come, hurry it up, I'm leavin' in less than three minutes."

Sans' exhausted lights stared at you from his spot on the bed as he began to slowly sit up, stretching. "No, you aren't. They have a whole army over there, and our dads. They don't need our wife, too."

You swore your neck cracked with how fast you turned to glare at him. "Oh hell no- I know I did not just hear you tell me I can't go find my baby brother." You bared your fangs at him. "Quite frankly, I don't give a dusty fuck-" you spat, your eyes and fists lighting up in your white magic, charging. "Who is out there lookin' for 'em! They're incompetent if none of them have found him by now!" You turned on your heel, headed to the door. Polaris and Ursa waited there next to Red and Edge. "Now. I'm only taking these four. The rest of you can go about your day and take care of shit here at the house. If you feel so inclined to still help, then ask the towns people if they've seen anything. If not, stay here and explore." You waved you hand over your shoulder as you turned to leave. "I'm headed out. I'll be back soon."

A deep growl cut through the room as the smell of vanilla filled the air. In a flash of blue light, Sans blocked your way. "Why do you always need to be so difficult? It's dangerous." The lights were gone from his eyes.

"An' that's exactly my point! Whip is out there with those nasty dogs. The more time I waste here fighting with you, the more the chance that he dies goes up. He was wearing shorts and a vest! The weather here isn't warm enough at night yet for him to be fine! Now move it. I got a kid to bring home." You pushed Sans aside and shoved past him, Polaris, Ursa, and Edge following close behind.

Sans got louder. "If you walk out that door I will punish you when you get back." He pointed a finger at you. You stopped in front of the door and looked back, eyes turned to slits. "You wouldn't be sayin' half the shit you are if you were in my shoes, and it Papyrus was missing instead. We both know that, don’t we?" And you turned on your heel and walked out.

------------------------------------

The air was thick with tension and the smell of arousal. Sans' large frame trembled in agitation, his eyelights long ago extinguished.

Red whistled. "Guess yer' gonna hafta come up with a creative punishment, eh 'Nilla?"

Sans growled, ignoring Red. "Everyone- get up and dressed. We’re following her and looking. The sooner the kid is found, the sooner we can get back home.”

He turned back to Red. “Keep an eye on ‘er, yeah?”

”Kay.”

--------------------------------------------

You slammed the door shut to the house on purpose, making sure to rattle the windows. "That fuckin' cock suckin', sweet talkin' shit-headed bastard!" You seethed. "Tellin' me I can't go find my baby brother. He is my kid- I raised that boy since I was eleven! I taught him magic- taught him how to walk and talk-! The fuckin' audacity!" You stomped over to the water hose that was attached to the side of the house next to a pen that was full of what appeared to be vegetable beds. You turned on the hose and uncoiled it from its chamber, and letting it run on the ground.

Ursa sheepishly walked up to you, clasping his hands together. "U-uhm- Dearest- What are you doing?" You continued to scowl at the ground as the puddle grew. "Makin' a portal, hun. Granted it takes a second, but It is faster than the fifteen minutes by horse."

Polaris wondered over. "...A portal?" He cocked an eyebrow. "Care to elaborate on that?" The scowl you wore eventually melted. "It's one of my weird abilities. If there's a small area of water that I can fit in vertically, I can use it to 'jump' from one point to another. The only catch is there's gotta be water at the receiving point, or it won't work." You hummed in thought. "I've always called it 'Water Walkin' but according to an old wrinkly book, calling it that is sacrilegious."

Red and Edge walked over as you turned off the hose and recoiled it around its spool. "So how do you know we'll arrive at the farm and not somewhere else?" Edge shifted as he eyed the ever-growing puddle. You breathed out a gentle hum. "Pa' always waters the field next to the house first thing in the morning, that way it soaks into the ground or gets dried up by the evening and doesn't stand overnight." You re-wound the hose on the spool. "Makes it to where it won't draw gross things like gnats or flies." You walked back to the puddle.

---------------------------------------------

Edge watched as your hands lit up and your lights burned brighter. Your beautiful voice cut through the air as the hum of your magic grew louder. "Boys, grab onto me either with my hands or by placing a hand on my shoulders. We’re headed to the farm with a shortcut."

The men shared glances with eachother. Ursa and Edge placed a hand on each shoulder, while Polaris and Red grabbed your arms. You felt your magic encompass you- it started in your chest, spreading up to your eyes then down to your wrists, waist, knees and finally, the soles of your feet.

With a large leap and a *snap!* of the air, you jerked the boys forward and all of you disappeared from the front of the house.

—————————

There was nothing like it. It wasn’t like a shortcut he could take. Red looked between his new wife. Her eyes shut as white magic leaked from her sockets like tears, colorful flecks of magic present in the globs of magic that seemed to burn off in a trail.

The place he was in exuded power, but yet, was so tranquil. It wasn’t like the pocket of tunneled darkness that he saw when going through the motions to shortcut.

This was strangely beautiful. The space around him was vast and white- yet still held a bit of darkness. Like a paper tube with the light coming from the sky blue portal that they had just jumped through. Ahead of them rested another sky blue portal with white, fluffy clouds and was shadowed by husks of corn on the sides. The bright yellow sunlight of the morning turning the adolescent corn an electric green.

It had felt like forever, but the wet sensation of the tension of the water breaking brought time from its slow drip back to its steady flow with the trip having been truly only a second of time.

The world seemed to take a gasp as the bird song and the cicadas chirps started up again, and the wind blew past his cheeks.

He blinked a few times and glanced down at his wife, her threads of magic dissipating into the air in wisps of fog.

His face turned slightly pink.

How in the Stars holy light had his life improved so much in less than a week?

‘Sweet angel above, how did I get so lucky?’

—————————

You felt the telltale tilt of your body straightening to pop your head out first to right yourself for landing.

The momentum of your body flung out of the puddle and the five of you landed with a small splash as the second puddle solidified again beneath your feet.

You wasted no time as you marched forward and to the open door of the house, walking inside the propped open screen door as soldiers cased the property in groups searching for Whip.

Cobalt, Jett, and a few of the generals stood over the dining room table, looking over a large map.

”It ain’t like he coulda gone far! He’s only a child, for stars sake!” Growled General Fell as he continued to stare the map down.

Jett scratched his head. “I dunno. He was known to follow sis’ around all the time and copy her. So maybe he picked up her habit of wondering the property.”

”Nonsense! I taught him better than that. Especially with the rabies problem we got! He wouldn’t be so dumb as to go off by himself.” Cobalt crossed his arms as he rolled his neck, the deafening sound of his bones popping filling the room.

You spoke up as you pursed your lips. “When was the last time ya saw im’?”

All of their eyes snapped to you and your group, your father visibly brightened.

”Ah! Chickadee! I didn’t expect ya to turn up!” Your dad made his way to you.

”You called and woke us all up by tellin’ me my baby bro was missing- I ain’t leaving here without finding him. So back to my question-“

You crossed your arms.

”When was the last any of y’all seen him? I have to admit, my last clear image of him from yesterday was him walking down the aisle before the ceremony. I’m sure I saw him again, but I wasn’t coherent enough to remember it.”

Your dad paused. “How did you lose memory that fast? You didn’t hardly drink a drop of anything strong.” He tilted his head.

”Honestly I don’t remember much past the soul bond ceremony. Really anything after…” your brows furrowed.

”After drinking that liquid stardust crap.”

The four men behind you collectively had shrunken, pinpoint eyes and sweat of different colors falling down their skulls due to the harsh glare your father sent their way. He could smell their claim on you, after all. Everyone could.

You also missed his hand signs to them as you continued to try to recall the night.

*I’ll have words with all of you later.*

”So past a certain point, I can’t be a viable witness. What about the rest of ya?”

You looked back up to your dad who had softened.

”I put him to bed last night. He had on some night shorts and a sleeveless shirt.”

Your brows furrowed. “So he has less cover than I thought he did. Assuming he had no shoes on at the time of his disappearance.”

You paced back and forth. “Did y’all check his room over to see if you could find anything?”

Cobalt nodded. “I went to get him up for breakfast, but he wasn’t there and that’s when I called everyone to look for him.”

You frowned. “Then I’ll start there. There’s gotta be something we aren’t seeing, especially if you were operating in a state of panic.” You turned to go to Whip’s room. “It’s a good place to start.”

You walked into his room. It was larger than yours and the room was cold with the chill of the night. The tall window was open, and the pane slid up. His bed was unkempt with the green sheets unmade.

You scowled at the sight of grass next to the closet and clear feet prints under the window on the plush carpet, along with scrape marks on the wall.

This was weird.

You sniffed the air.

It stunk of many people. Soldiers, your father, the generals, and Whip. One scent made you flinch lightly.

It was somewhat fresh, having been there sometime in the early hours of the morning. The scent smelled not of something good. But something rotten, like an orange that had been left out in a puddle of rancid water and left to the open air. It smelled of decomposition.

Ursa stalked over to the bed and began looking around that area while Polaris examined the window.

”Something’s wrong. I don’t think this is a simple case of the tiny brother-in-law running away.” Ursa frowned as he examined the room further.

“I think you’re right.” You hummed as you stuck your head out of the window and looked down. The room was on the ground floor and right outside the window was an old rose bush that had come to ruin. Your brows furrowed and you reached in. Your fingers brushed a maroon material. It was soft, but had a gritty texture. You pulled it loose and out came a large scrap of cloth in a flannel pattern. The cloth was tattered and worn around the edges and… gray in some spots. Dust. It was covered in dust, and you recognized this style of shirt. It also matched the stale scent that didn’t belong in the house.

Goudy.

What the fuck had he been doing here?

You eyes widened in terror as you looked down to see one of Whip’s house slippers.

Whip hadn’t run away. Goudy had snatched him in the middle of the night. You felt your marrow run cold.

”Um- guys?”

You picked up his house slippers and showed it to them.

”We have a bigger problem, and time isn’t on our side.”

Edge peeked in from the door, his gaze hardening at the sight of the tiny shoe. “Little brother must have struggled before he was taken judging by the marks up the walls. They were most likely made using his heels.”

You felt the chill leave your body as it slowly warmed to anger. The scrap of Goudy’s clothing in the bush must have meant he waited in that bush to strike, using it as cover in the night and didn’t even bat an eye at the long thorns that still adorned the branches. You felt yourself get angrier.

”That fucking piece of shit!” You seethed as you walked out of the room and up the stairs to your old room. Your room was still largely intact and the way you left it. Not many of your belongings had made it over to the new house, as a majority of the time had been used to build it and furnish it with large stuff. Smaller stuff forgotten.

You flew open your closet door and retrieved your working cane. It was two heads taller than you and hooked at the end with a large half loop. Looking the cane over, you nodded in satisfaction. “This’ll do.”

Ursa and Polaris shifted nervously behind you as Red and Edge looked by the door, least you decided to swing.

”U-uhm- dearest, what’s going on?”

You took a breath and calmed yourself. It’s not them you’re angry with and it’d be wrong to take it out on them.

”I know who took him. We know they’re not in the house but they are outside. We also don’t know if they’re still on the property.” You took a cloth and wiped your cane down to make sure it didn't have any breaks.

"The man who took him has always given us problems, and as of a few days ago, went missing after being attacked by a rabid dog. It was covered in the local paper." Your eyes narrow into slits.

--------

Ursa tensed as he saw his wife's eyes, and he was honestly pleased he wasn't on the receiving end of that scornful gaze. Her hand traveled in a short bursting pattern over the crook, wiping it and checking it for any sort of malformations. Seeming satisfied, she rested it on her shoulder and urged them out of the room.

She continued to brief them as they walked back to the living room.

"His name is Edward Goudy. He's a teacher at Whip's school and one of his teachers. Last I heard, he was giving Whip grief about our mom, who he is still obsessed with, despite her being... gone."

Her face scrunched a bit as she said that. Her eyes looking somewhere in the distance.

"He isn't normally of sound mind so when we find him, I highly doubt he's going to be nice. Be on the defensive and whatever you do, don't let him bite you."

I cleared my throat. "Dearest?"

"Yes, Ursa?"

"Uhm- why would him biting us be a problem?"

”Mr. Goudy contracted rabies. It’s transmitted through bodily fluids or in our case, magic. It usually results in immediate dusting, but for some reason Goudy didn’t.”

An uneasy silence fell over the group.

”So again, don’t let him bite you.”

We had just entered the kitchen, the five of us rejoining the group of men already standing around the table. Mr. Helvetica had a look of shock as he saw the crook's cane.

"What in the hell is that for?"

"Self defense. We have an intruder." She tossed the slipper and scrap of cloth onto the table, small flecks of dust falling off and floating back to the desk.

I thought the way he looked at us when he (and the rest of us) discovered our wife wasn't coherent last night was bad. But the look he gave to the scrap of cloth made it seem like he wanted to kill it on sight.

"So that fuckin' scum piece a' shit-" he snarled out making me jump slightly. "Has my boy?!"

I remember what dearest looked like in the office. Her sharper canines, sharper claws- her cat like slit eye lights. She was fierce and her strength was horrifying. I clearly remember the large nightstand being hurled through the air and smashing into the wall. Had it hit Mr. Helvetica it surely would have caused him damage.

And now thats what Mr. Helvetica looked like.

The air permeated with a blue haze as the smell of tilled soil and Milo filled the air. The walls began to shake with the force of the growl that Cobalt let out. "Goudy had best pray to the stars above that I don't find him first!"

His bones seemed to creek and crack as he stood taller, his own canines elongated.

"I want all of you out there and combin' the property. Leave no stone unturned. We meet back here at sundown."

He stalked past us and outside, flinging the door open with a loud bang against the wall. I stared at my brother our eyes wide in fear and trepidation.

What in the stars had we gotten ourselves into?!

----------------------------------------------------------------

"So, Dolly, what's the plan?"

“We case the property, find Whip, and serve Goudy the biggest ass whoopin’ he’ll ever receive in his life.”

Red let out a low whistle. “Tha’sa tall order coming from someone like you, Dolly.”

She stopped and paused, her nose ridge wrinkling. “What do ya mean by that?” A scowl covered her face as she paused mid step, popping a hip out and placing her hands on them.

Red’s eyes became half lidded as he leaned down. “Ya know- cause you’re short.”

She gasped. “How dare you! You rotten man I’ll show you short!” She immediately began pinching his sides. Not enough to hurt him, but enough to make him laugh from being tickled.

“Hahahahaha! Dolly- alright, alright- you win.”

She huffed and turned back to walking through the forested undergrowth, though as she did Red spoke up.

”Yer still short tempered though.”

In a rare case, his Dolly smiled at him. It was a small and tired smile, though one he had caused.

And his soul picked up speed. He knew it wasn’t from the excitement of the hunt.

”Doll?”

She hummed in response.

”Be careful, will ya?”

- .... .. ... / .-- .- ... -. .-..-. - / -- . .- -. - / - --- / -... . .-.-.-

The air was thick with tension.

The dark carpets of the institute failed to hide the loud clacks of high heels on the hardwood floor as Madame’s form seemed to slowly float across the room. She lumbered forth as she crouched down over one of her prized possessions.

A Pygmy skeleton with short, curly hair and cyan magic. She knew not her name or how many babies she had whelped, only that she knew they were getting closer to a cure.

With a long, gangly hand, Madame reached down and plucked the tiny creature from its mothers arms. It was incredibly tiny.

So tiny.

Tiny enough that it would fit in the void of her jaw.

Accompanied by the shrieks of its mother, it did.

Mrs. Courier’s hand raced to her mouth in shock and terror as she stared at Madame from the other side of a security monitor. Wrapped in her arms and in her lovers embraced, the two women froze as Madame locked eye contact with the camera, seemingly staring passed it and into their eyes.

As if she could see them.

————————————————————————

You quietly maneuvered yourself through the thick undergrowth. The scent of rot and decay grew more the thicker the trees became. Glowing, late morning light streamed down through the canopy, revealing the large particles of dust that drifted aimlessly in the air.

You quietly sniffed the air. “Goudy has been here in recent times, his scent is a few hours old at most.”

You paused to sniff again.

”And Whip is with him.”

Turning to red, you sniff at him.

”Be careful! If you see anything or anyone- don’t hesitate to say something or ask questions after you hit em. You may come out of this a few dust specks lighter if ya don’t.”

The only answer you received was a curt nod from him as the two of you descended deeper into the woods.

The branches turned thin and jagged, the twigs on the branches reaching and bending out life fingers grasping desperately for a sliver of light that only lasted for a few moments a day.

A glint of silver caught your eye as you marched through the trees. It was flat and shiny, though flimsy.

It was the interior of a Helvetica Chocolate bar. The contents were long gone. Though the dull material of the label part was different. Where it was usually yellow and brown, this one had been redesigned with white wafer paper with floral designs all over them. Or the flowers that were at your wedding. And this one had a yellow daisy on it, where the design was usually a silhouette of your dad with his hat tilted down.

A yellow daisy was on the label handed out to kids. So that meant Whip had to be nearby.

And it was just then your thoughts were confirmed as an ear piercing scream sounded near. Black birds flew from their roosts in the trees as you and Red took off, crashing through the bushes and brambles.

You hadn’t noticed when you lost Red along the way.

There was only the two males in front of you.

One unmistakably your baby brother who looked worse for wear. His Jammie’s were torn and he had several cuts and bruises along his small form. His face wore a pained expression as the second figure leered over him with his teeth dripping with a nasty brown color. His once excited red magic rotting from the inside out.

Goudy’s jaw was unhinged.

He grew closer to Whip.

You felt the familiar smoothness of your crook’s polished wood slide under your calloused hands, the wind providing little to no resistance as you swung it back, bringing the curve around Goudy’s neck and swinging him and sending his body flying back into a tree.

The impact had not been what you expected.

With a strained gargle and a garbled bunch of screeching, one last word rang through the clearing.

“rrrrRRRRROOOOOSSSSEEEEE!” His voice up-pitched as his skull popped off of his neck with a crunch and launched into the air, his body already disappearing in the small breeze. Then his skull hit the ground.

And with a poof, he was gone.

Goudy was dead and you had killed him.

‘That..’

’You didn’t mean-‘

No you could gal apart later. Right now, Whip needed you.

You gently wrapped your baby brother in your arms as he shook and cried silently, his face hurried in your arms.

And that’s how the local sheriff found you.

- .... . / -....- / .. ... / -.-. --- .-. .-. ..- .--. - . -.. .-.-.- / .-.. --- .- -.. .. -. --. / -. . .-- / ..-. .. .-.. . .-.-.-

Chapter Text

..-. .. .-.. . / -.-. --- ..- .-.. -.. / -. --- - / -... . / .-.. --- .- -.. . -.. .-.-.-

The skeleton groaned in agitation. “Come on you stubborn thing! I only put little cowboy hats on everyone- I didn’t think it would break the AU-“ He gave a slight pause as his eye lights darted away. “well- break it that bad!”

He bit his lip as black liquid dropped onto the flat plane that encompassed a small-scale version of that AU’s known universe, only to fizzle and pop out of existence causing the flat image to glitch.

He whined. “Oh, come on!” The skeleton built a bigger ball of the shiny liquid and encased the plane again. “Please fix yourself before he comes back! He’ll kick my coccyx in!”

The black goop began to swell and bloat in size before pausing and an array of beautiful colors shone under the thin layer of black. After a few moments, however, the bubble turned stark, blank white.

"Ohh yes! Come on! You can do it!" The skeleton made double fists and began to bounce on the heels on his feet, his eye lights turning into exclamation marks. Only for the bubble of white to burst in all directions and the small image of the world to glitch.

"Aw crumbs." The skeleton let out a dejected sigh. He jutted out his lip.

“Error isn’t gonna be very happy about this.”

”I’m not going to be happy about what?” The sound of static bloops filled the air for a moment, before fizzling away like a freshly opened bottle of soda.

The brown clad skeleton quickly straitened up and stopped in front of the large sphere that housed the known multiverse, as if his smaller form would hide the damage he had inadvertently caused.

”Oh! Uh! How underswap cancelled Under-Novella! Yeah! That’s right!” His eyes darted to the side. “Also how they tripled the price of their chocolate overnight! That’s unfair, I’ll tell ya what.-“

”Ink.”

Error’s voice was even. Steady. The amount of skips and stutters were at a bare minimum.

“I just tried to go to Underfell. Then Underswap. I even went to the original timeline and to Swapfell. So why did I end up in the same dystopian trash heap heavy time I left to go to a different place?”

Error’s yellow eyes stared daggers at the shorter skeleton.

“I will only ask once. W h a t  d i d  y o u  d o.”

Ink bit his lip and looked away as Error’s fingertips began to emit thin blue threads that seemed to evaporate at the ends.

”I’m waiting, Ink.” He growled.

Ink’s neck rolled as he groaned. “Uhh Okay! Okay! I found a rinky-dink little storm chasing AU that took place in a western type setting and thought it would be fun to give them little cowboy hats! I didn’t think it would cause problems! It wasn’t even really attached to the main timeline! Maybe Outertale if you squinted!”

Error’s eye twitched.

"That AU was a poly romance AU! It was connected to a version of every AU and you made it have problems!”

Small white rectangular boxes appeared around Error before they began to blink red to blue then black and dissipate, before restarting again. His body seemed to flick and glitch in the space where he stood.

“F-F-For S-tar-s F-UCK INK!” Error spat as he looked past ink and into the sphere where the multiverse had been housed. The once complex spiderweb of universes and pocket dimensions were now condensed into one large plane, with other AU’s slowly trickling down and falling into it like sand. Dusttale and Dreamtale following suit at a faster pace than the rest. Others that they could see were slowly orbiting or also just starting to become tethered.

Error stared in a horrific silence.

“Ink. We can’t fix a multiversal collapse and nexus formation.” It was barely above a whisper.

An AU cloud with a button and Scissors glided by as Error went to zoom in on the new multiverse as it appeared. More puffs of color appeared and flew by, all slowly being dragged toward the nexus. One with a Coffee Cup and a Wine glass with a thin red star etched into it and another of a Sans' type eye that swirled with magenta and blue.

The large sphere stopped on what appeared to be a nude skeleton. Lust Sans, as Error recalled. But it wasn't just him.

The Lust AU’s seemed to be in a large, dark building and attached to the walls using metal collars and chains around their necks and doing what they did best with females.

Error recoiled back slightly. “Ugh.” He scoffed in disgust. With a quick wave of his hand, the scenery changed in a blur.

Killer was wearing a dark grey cowboy suit and hat to match, his brothers red scarf tied around his deep grey hat as he held two revolvers in either hand, facing off against a fire elemental saloon owner.

And finally with a new swipe of his hand, Classic was sitting in the woods facing down a large, mangey dog. A coyote, he recalled from a visit to Outertale. (That copy of Papyrus loved animals and loved to learn about the creatures of earth, humans and all things disgusting and organic included.)

Error watched as Classic raised his hand and his blue eye lit up, and wordlessly bones shot up from the ground while more bones rained down from above, killing the creature instantly. Error didn't remember Classic being so cold.

Classic lowered his hand as Mutt (Or known to Error as SwapFell Papyrus) raised his hand and lit the corpse ablaze and burnt it to embers.

So. Wait. If their old AU's didn't exist anymore and the Nexus was their new home... by the barest minimum logic, shouldn't that imply the others outside of Undertale weren't glitches anymore? Error shook his head. Absolutely not. This was a huge glitch in the system and needed to be fixed.

Error flexed his hand as his blue strings shot out and around the plane, curling around the edges and pulling the multiverse apart as if it were a clump of unwoven, stuck together wool. It seemed to be working.

And for a moment it did.

Until the coagulated multiverse violently snapped back into place and plunged even more AU's into the Nexus and building onto its edges. Error's threads snapped, turning into white, blue, and red glitch boxes and puffing out of existence.

Error let out a shout and snatched his hands to his body as his sockets filled with a bright blue error screen.

Ink didn't feel many things, if at all, ever. But as he stared at Error, he had only one thought.

'I messed up.'

How could the two gods of the multiverse not be able to fix the damage they’d caused?

---------------------------------------

The trees and brush snapped and popped as footsteps thundered into the clearing through the dense woods. Red broke through first, having been just seconds behind his wife. He had seen the skull of the monster fly into the air, but not hit the ground, as the thick foliage obstructed the impact from view.

There on the ground in a heap was Y/N hugging her baby brother like he was the last lifeline she had in a storm. Though the pup wasn't much better. He hugged back tighter, his whimpers turning to sobs as he clung to his big sister who absolutely tore through hell to get to him and bring him to safety. Whip's clothes were covered in dust and old, rotted magic. The putrid smell went ignored by his sister as she pet his head.

"Shh.. Its okay. Sis's here." Her voice was quiet as she rocked her brother, and he continued to cry. A few stray tears made their way down the hen's face. Her eye lights finally looked up and Red couldn't help but feel his soul ache at the sight. He carefully approached the duo.

"Dolly? Are ya al' right?" He kneeled down to glance at the two. They both looked worse for wear. Y/N nodded.

*I'm fine. Just shaken. I'm worried about Whip. He's more important right now, not me.* Her hands went back to Whip as he whimpered at the loss of contact.

Just then, the bushes shook and a crowd of men broke through the trees. It was Cobalt, followed by Ursa, Edge, and Polaris; more men flooded from behind them. Soldiers and the local police force, sheriff included.

Cobalt's eyes fell on his two children.

Both covered in dust, one cowering and sobbing and the other looked ready to kill anyone else that dared sneeze in the child's direction. Though, upon meeting his daughters' hardened glare, she softened and rose to meet him in a kneeling hug as his large frame squeezed the love into his kids.

A low whistle came from the other side of the clearing. Cobalt's blue lights flicked up to the sheriff, the older skeleton stood over the pile of a mud-like dust. Old scraps of a red checkered shirt and shredded blue jeans and a set of broken glasses sat, grit-covered and broken.

Cobalt couldn't help the growl that worked its way up to his throat. "What is it, Sheriff Caslon? Got somethin' to share with the class?" His eyes narrowed at the Sheriff, blue eyes turned to slits as he pulled Whip closer, his daughter rising to her feet and wondering over to Red.

Red wrapped his arm around his hen. Edge, Ursa, and Polaris came to stand behind Red. The others gave the quintette a wide berth, knowing that sometimes newly bonded men could get really aggressive, really quickly if they felt their spouse was being threatened.

"Eh. Funny you should mention it, Helvetica. This pile of dust used to be a man."

"Yeah, no shit. That's Edward Goudy. He kidnapped my boy."

The sheriff looked up at him. "So you didnt bother to talk to him before you resorted to violence?"

Cobalt's magic fizzled up. "What in the hell is there to speak of? He took my son and was hurtin' him. There wasn't any need for words the moment he set eyes on ‘em.”

“Well, you know the man was disturbed. Maybe roping him into the marriage with your whore of a daughter would have pacified him.” The sheriff shook his head and chuckled.

The whole clearing fell into a deathly silence as your father stared down the sheriff.

“What did you just say?” His voice was level and cold.

“Aw come on Cobalt. Ya know it’s the truth. The whole towns been saying that.” He shrugged it off as if it wasn’t a big deal.

Cobalt couldn’t help himself as his temper flared. The devastated look of his daughter’s face mixed with shock was enough to set his body in motion.

He scooted his daughter and son into Red who wrapped his arms around them in a protective grip, though Red’s glare matched Cobalt’s in intensity and wrath.

Edge also looked like he was gonna blow a gasket. His teeth twisted as if he smelled a stinky gym sock soaked in curdled milk and left in the sun for three days.

Polaris and Ursa shielded her from view, cold glared set upon their features.

The dry dust of the forest floor sprang up with a small *puff* as Cobalt planted his foot and sprung forward in a punch, knocking the Sheriff flat on his ass. His hat flew off and the dirt beneath flowed up with a mix of dead leaves and grass. His head tilted back and a terrible snoring began to emanate from his open mouth, his sockets blank and devoid of orbs.

”Now everyone, listen up and listen well.”

Cobalt took a handkerchief out of his pocket and began to clean his bloody knuckles.

“There will be no speaking of my daughter and new sons in such a negative way. If any of ya call her names or throw shade the Serif’s way, Helvetica farms will stop production for Fonston.”

There were collective gasps, and an officer spoke up. “Don’t you think that’s a bit… drastic..? Sir?”

The officer was younger. About twenty-three. He had been graduated for quite some time and his wife was home and expecting their first child. Officer Lumios. A man with rounder features and bright lantern yellow magic. The next in line to replace the deputy after he was properly trained. (The deputy would replace the Sheriff when the time came for him to retire or if he dusted in the line of duty.)

”Not at all. I believe everyone will find a little kindness and empathy will go a long way. And if they ain’t got nothing nice to say, then plainly keep their god damn mouths closed.” The saccharine smile that Cobalt kept on his face seemed to drive the point home to the small group of people.

“And boys.” One blue eye pinned the quartette down. “Keep my daughter happy and healthy. Don’t you let a single soul talk down to her. You are her husbands. Protect her.”

”Yes Sir.” Edge softly said, rubbing his hand over his wife’s skull, her face gaining a faint rainbow.

Ursa hugged her from behind. “Absolutely. She will be well cared for in our custody.”

Polaris smiled and sighed. “Y/N has been amazing so far. We will take good care of her.”

Red gave a bigger smile. “Ya can count on us, sir.”

Cobalt gave a nod. “Good. Get home. I’m sure the others are eager to have you back and everyone is wanting to spend time together.”

Red nodded, scooping you up into his arms in a bridal carry.

Red looked over his shoulders at the others and they nodded, grabbing Red on various parts of his body. Red magic flowed up from his feet and swirled around in gentle wisps of vapor before the red hue became all-encompassing as a dome. You felt your stomach drop slightly and then it stopped. As it stopped, the magic and smell of a campfire faded away- and you couldn’t help the gasp that left you as you glance around the living room of the mansion you had just left earlier in the day.

*What?! How?!* It had been redecorated. knick nacks and books sat on the previously empty shelves and through the archway to the dining room, Papyrus sat, wringing his hands together as he shyly glanced at the set table covered with platters of food.

(Papyrus invites everyone to eat, and eventually Sans shows up and is cold to reader. He does apologize, even if its forced, most likely at the insistence of Papyrus. The day goes on and as afternoon sits upon the house, another police officer comes to the house and tells the group that reader is going to be arrested for murder. (Even though it was self defense. It is a result of the sheriff's ire and grudge.) The boys manage to make the police officer go away at the cost of having the reader be on house arrest instead. The reader gets angry at the repeated bullshit she's gone through and goes to shower. During her shower, she remembers the petrified soul and the snail and calls Toriel. Toriel informs reader that she could just leave and start her journey to get the other petrified souls. Reader agrees and begins to fill the bathtub with water and uses her water portal powers to start a portal to the farm, but Sans bursts in at the same time and grabs her. (They had been calling her for ages but she didnt answer, they thought she was going to hurt herself.) He grabs her and their powers activate at the same time, sending them to a random place in the world far from Fonston. They land in the middle of a desert with tall sand dunes and a scorching sun, with a tall thin, pointy spiral stretching into the sky.) Chpt End.
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