...

...

What.

You were standing by the front door, waiting for Sans as he got dressed for your special romantic night out after his graduation, when it opened behind you, almost making you fall out onto the driveway.

You caught yourself at the last second, jumping up and spinning around, backing up a few steps into the house in the shadow of the giant man in the doorway.

...

Why was everybody so goddamn tall?!

Completely different to Sans's rounder, squarer, bulkier frame, this man loomed almost two heads over you with long, slender limbs. His face was impossible to make out in the silhouette of the light from outside but you could make out two large cracks in a skull and a single white dot eyelight staring down at you with equally as much surprise as you looked up with.

He was not wispy, no, but... definitely not as thick as Sans. If Sans was an oak, this man was a willow.

...

He continued to stare with a dumbfounded expression. Was... was he wearing a suit...?

"U-uh." Was all you could spit out, like a dumbass.

...

"Who are you?" His voice was sharp, deep, and bore a striking resemblance to Sans's in the tone, but has a softer raspier quality to it that betrayed age.

"...I-I'm y/n." Better. You took a little breath, and another, smaller step back. "Who are you...?"

... He stepped into the house, the door closing behind him.

Now that he was in full view, you could clearly see his face for what it was. A longer, rounder skull, with two vicious cracks in the head and chin, one eye socket drooping closed and completely empty. The working one was narrowed in suspicion, and a hand came up to straighten the edge on his...

Oh! He wasn't wearing a suit. It was a large, black lab coat of sorts, over a pristine white shirt... and on the left shoulder was some kind of silver slab badge.

"I'm Gaster." He said. "This is my house."

...

Oh.

...

...

Fuck.

You swallowed, feeling a tiny bit faint.

This... this was... Gaster, the royal scientist... well, that explained the silver 'slab badge' on his shoulder and the 'black lab coat of sorts'.

Those were his royal scientist insignias.

"Y-you're Gaster?"

"Yes." He said, impatiently. "Who are you?"

"... Sans's girlfriend." You took another step back. You were this close to bolting.

...

But... Gaster's entire disposition changed when you said that magic word.

His narrowed socket blinked open, and even his droopy socket lifted a tiny bit in surprise. Though whether or not he could see through it was up for debate.

"... Girlfriend?" He repeated, as if he couldn't quite believe his ears. ... Ear holes...?

You swallowed again, and nodded.

... Why did he look... confused?"

"Where is he?"

"His room. Getting ready."

... He opened his mouth a little, teeth blunter like Papyrus's, but shut again as he thought... In fact, he definitely bared more resemblance to Papyrus physically.

"... You're his girlfriend." Gaster said, again, tilting his skull, and this time you couldn't help but feel just a little offended as you nodded again. Was that really so strange? Or was he not expecting someone like you? Sorry to disappoint. A tiny sour taste started in your mouth.

"He actually went and got a girlfriend?"

"... Yeah."

...Gaster rubbed the back of his skull with a long, gloved hand, brows pulling together a bit in thought.

"... Always thought he was... just too lazy to have a relationship." He said, mumbled.

...

...

...

Ahah.

What?

That was a joke, right?

"... Heh. One would... think so." You agreed, really hoping that was a joke.

"And you said Sans was getting ready, correct?" His hand left his skull. You half expected him to put it in his pocket like Sans always did after that motion. "Ready for what?"

"... We're going on a picnic." You said.

"Oh. To celebrate graduation?" He relaxed a little. You weren't sure why, so you nodded again, nervous around a new person... and still mulling over the fact that apparently Sans's crazed obsession with you was so out of character that even his father didn't see it coming.

"I hope I won't be holding you two back too much by talking to him for a little while. It's been some time since I've seen him." He said, bowing his head a little apologetically, a move that made you stammer and shake your head.

"No, no, go ahead. He should be done about now anyway." You could wait. Who were you to get in the way of Sans and his dad having some time together? If the amount of time you'd been around Sans for was anything to go by, it was that the skeleton son did spend a lot of time home alone.

"Pleasure to meet you." He said, as he passed.

/

Sans was getting dressed, planning to try and look nice for you. He wasn't used to dressing 'fancy', but he still had all of the materials necessary for it. His closet was stocked with fancy shirts and jackets, and in his drawers there were dress pants. He decided to go with a classic white button down and a black pair of pants, hoping it wasn't too much, but that it also impressed you a bit.

All he wanted to do was make you smile.

He had just finished getting dressed, when there was a knock on his bedroom door. He assumed it was you of course, and his soul instantly did a small flip. He was excited to show you... he just hoped he got a good reaction.

"c'mon in."

He turned around as the door opened, a smile on his face, but it dropped once he realized it wasn't you.

...

"...dad?"

There he was. Gaster, standing in his doorway after what, almost two years at this point? He hadn't seen him in that long, yet he still looked exactly the same.

Like a douche.

"...You look nice," Gaster complimented him, making him feel uneasy. He couldn't remember the last time his father had actually given him a proper compliment.

Hell, he couldn't even remember their last conversation.

"...why're you here?" He asked, not wanting to beat around the bush. He wasn't ready to give his father the benefit of the doubt, so h was fully ready to question him. He was probably back for some business meeting that just so happened to be in town. Or hey, maybe there was some seminar going on that he had to attend.

"For your graduation. I'm proud of you."

...

...Bullshit.

But Sans didn't wanna argue. Not on today of all days, since it was supposed to be a special one. He was excited for his date, so he wasn't gonna let anything ruin that.

"...oh. uh... thanks."

He couldn't remember the last compliment, so of course he didn't remember how to respond to them.

The air in the room felt awkward, and nobody knew what to do next.

"...So, I uh... see you've gotten a girlfriend."

...Shit. What had he said to you? ...What did you say to him?

"...oh, yeah, uh... yeah. y/n. mhm," He agreed, awkwardly. He didn't really know how to talk about relationships with his dad, since this was his first real relationship. He had never had this kind of attraction to anybody other than you... it was addicting.

But, heh, you already knew that.

"...Wanna tell me a bit about her?"

...

...He was so painfully awkward, it was making Sans non-existent skin crawl. He was trying so hard to do the 'dadly' thing, and the amount of effort it was taking him was way too apparent. It would be natural for most parents, but not Gaster, since he was never around to figure it out.

But hell, he would humor him.

"...like what?"

"How'd you... meet?" The fact that paused was enough to make anybody cringe. But hey, it was a start.

...But the question alone was a bad one for him. He couldn't tell him the truth... not the whole truth, anyways.

He would know how much of a creepy stalker his son was.

"...well, i saw her around school a lot, but i guess the library."

He showed you who he was at the library, so... close enough.

"Oh really? Why is she so special?" He asked, sounding genuinely interested for a moment.

...He felt his face turn blue as he thought about all the things that made you special.

The way your eyes twinkled when you talked about something you were passionate about... the way your nose wrinkled when you didn't like something... and the way you said his name... all of these things made you special in his eyes. Made you completely perfect.

...His.

Sans started to rub his face, feeling how warm it was.

"...sh-she's just really sweet... and..." He stopped, feeling a bit choked up.

"...And?" Gaster encouraged him.

...He swallowed.

"...makes my soul feel funny," He admitted, his voice softer than before.

"...Ah," Gaster hummed, a knowing look on his face. His expression was soft, and Sans suddenly felt very small.

...He wanted to get out of the situation.

"...w-well she's waiting downstairs, so i should probably... go," He said, desperate to get out of the current situation.

"What are you taking on the picnic?"

"just some sushi in a chillbox and a few sandwiches. she likes sushi." He wasn't about to mention the fact that you were anorexic to his father. Especially not when he was a scientist... he might try to evaluate you.

"...Wouldn't you rather go to a real restaurant?" He questioned, which Sans didn't really blame him for. It did seem like a lot of foods that you would find at a restaurant, and it was his graduation night, so a fancy dinner was traditional... but he wanted to lay on a blanket and stare at the stars with you.

"we prefer more casual events. restaurants are a bit too much." Especially with all the people and food around. You wouldn't be comfortable enough to eat or even talk properly.

"I see... Well, have a nice time," Gaster said, making Sans smile a little.

He was trying, and that was all he could ask for.

"we will... thanks for coming. we can talk a bit later, right?" He asked, not knowing how long his dad would actually stay in town. It was very rarely ever more than a week.

"Yes. I'll be here for a few days."

That meant three, and Gaster always stuck to a schedule.

His dad would be home for three days. Rare.

He gave his father a smile, and much to his surprise, he pat his skull. He did it awkwardly of course, but still... he had never experienced that kind of gesture from his father. One of affection.

Guess he had daddy issues.

"...s-see you," Sans said, hoping he would get the hint that he needed to get to you.

"Yes. See you."

Sans watched as his father walked out, and towards his study.

...Now he could focus on you, and the date.

/

You were... pretty nervous, now. Waiting at the bottom of the stairs, rolling on the balls of your feet in your little dress, wondering what was taking quite so long. Was Sans being told off? How long had it been since they'd seen each other? Did Sans know Gaster was coming? Did he come here just for his son's graduation...?

... And your insecurities, of course, kept blaring that they must be talking about you. You squeezed your eyes shut, biting your lip, trying to cut them out. Trying to cut out the thoughts that Gaster must be mentioning the funny little weird looking girl downstairs who said she was your girlfriend but is clearly too good for a son like mine...

"w-wow."

Sans's voice, like always, cut through the insecurities like they were just... nothing. You opened your eyes and glanced up.

... Oh.

You felt your face going pink.

Sans 'ported straight down the stairs to right next to you- he was wearing a smart shirt and jeans, obviously ironed, a combo that left him looking remarkably handsome and fresh. The fact that he'd put in the effort to actually iron them was already enough to make you feel a little lightheaded.

... But the way he was looking at you.

It just...

... He was staring at you like you'd stepped straight out of his dreams.

You flushed even further under those bright, fuzzy, adoring eyelights and his own light blue blush, looking down and tucking some hair behind your ear, wondering if just maybe, for a second, you could feel pretty. After all, it was just you and him, right? And he thought you were pretty. S-so maybe...

Fuck, you felt like a dumbass teenager.

"... Wow yourself." You pushed out, trying your best to continue a conversation.

"i just put on a nice shirt." He rubbed the back of his skull, his breathing going a bit funny as the soft, endearing blue glow on his cheekbones began to spread and get more intense. "y-you..."

He couldn't even finish his sentence.

Unable to contain it anymore, you stood up on your tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his teeth... You could feel the warmth radiating off of him. In times like these, when he was almost knocked out by you simply wearing a pretty dress, you could forget everything else, and look into those eyelights and see the harmless doofus who really was in deep, buried beneath all the layers of unhealthy obsessiveness.

His hand immediately (probably instinctively) came to your waist, and he leaned into it, softly pressing back.

So warm...

...

"Ready to go?" You asked, momentarily proud of the clearly dumbstruck expression he wore.

"m-mhm." Was all he could mumble, still looking into your eyes like he couldn't see anything else.

You picked up the basket and took his hand, readied for the teleport. You didn't miss his litttle struck intake of breath just before the jump.

...

He'd taken the two of you to a pretty, grassy hill. In the distance you could see the city lighting up the horizon of the almost-night sky with a warm orange glow that you knew would only get brighter as the sun finally vanished. You spent a sweet moment just holding his hand, overlooking the view, listening to the grass rustle, wondering if any of those twinkling lights you could see was your house, or a house belonging to someone you knew.

... Then you turned, spreading the picnic blanket on the ground, and took a seat, sighing. It was quite warm, for this time of night.

Sans sat next to you, still wearing that cute smile.

...

"... y-you just look so nice." He stammered, suddenly. You turned to him, the outburst surprising you. He was staring again, glow of his own eyelights almost lighting up his whole face in the growing dark of the evening. "i can't get over it."

... You smiled, cheeks burning up again.

"Thanks. You look great, too." ...

...

T-too embarrassing change subject!

"Whatdya pack? I didn't peak." You asked, looking at the basket between you.

"well-" He flipped open the lid, and brought out a small chillbox, made of a blue material, with two clasps on the front. "sushi, of course."

You giggled as you took it. "You ever make anything else?"

He snorted in response, an unfiltered, happy sound. "i made sandwiches too, don't be mean."

"Your speciality. Sandwiches and sushi."

"and puddings." He winked.

"Should get a cookbook." You pointed out, popping a piece of sushi into your mouth. Mm... he never did fail to make them exactly how you liked them.

"maybe." He rummaged about in the basket and brought out two little sports bottles, the insides opaque. "there's also some smoothies, if you're thirsty."

You couldn't help the smile that wove it's way onto your face at how thoroughly he thought this whole thing through. "Awesome." Was all you said, taking one and sipping it.

Of course, it was just the right balance of fruity, sweet, and still a little tangy. You verbalised your happiness at it's perfection with a low hum in the back of your throat.

"You're always really good at making smoothies, too." You pointed out, sipping some more, but taking a few breaks so you didn't get brainfreeze.

"s'my speciality." He said, grinning, taking the other. "don't even actually have to cook."

You giggled, and he joined in. You felt so warm and fuzzy on the inside... just sitting here with him, under the stars, eating snacks and drinking smoothies, not worrying about what people would think or what was going in your body. Just, for once, completely relaxing and letting go.

With your old stalker, of all people.

... And... for some reason...

That word didn't seem to taste quite so sour on your tongue anymore.

/

You lied back on the blanket and he did as well, his head touching yours. You liked being close to him... it felt safe, when it used to feel terrifying.

You felt loved and appreciated.

"...so you know that one?" He asked, pointing up at a group of stars. It happened to be the one constellation you did know, thanks to elementary school.

"Big dipper."

"mhm..." He confirmed, drawing a line with his finger before landing on a specific star. "that just there is the north star."

It was bright, big and beautiful.

"...Nature's wonderful. I really like stars."

"...how come?" He questioned, sounding genuinely interested. You knew how much he liked stars as well, so it didn't come as a surprise that he asked you that question. You knew he probably had a super deep reasoning for liking stars, but... you just thought they were pretty to look at.

"They sparkle. Like fairy lights that don't die," You said, feeling a bit embarrassed by how lame your answer was.

He chuckled, apparently amused by your answer.

"most of the stars up there right now are already burned out."

...Well that just made you feel stupid.

"...Mhm. Still. It's pretty."

You liked to watch the sky at night.