#edgeberry

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Fang let out a soft mrew when Edge picked him up. The one-eyed, ragged-looking cat immediately started purring as he cradled him to his chest.

Everything else he wanted to keep in their safe house was packed away, but he simply wasn’t sure what to do with Fang. On the one hand, if they had to abandon Underfell and take up residence in Underswap permanently, he didn’t want to leave the cat behind. On the other, he couldn’t imagine continuing to live in Underfell without him. More than that, though, bringing him to Underswap would feel too much like giving up on his own ‘verse.

He pressed his mouth to the top of the cat’s head, as he’d done when he was a child. “You’ll stay here with us,” he murmured to the cat, “But make yourself available if we need to evacuate. I don’t want to leave you behind.”

“boss, are ya givin’ instructions ta the fuckin’ cat?”

Flushed, Edge turned his head to glare at Red. “He’s certainly more likely to listen to them than you.” As if on cue, Fang started to squirm, tired of being held, and Edge released him to prowl the house. Red watched him race away.

“so, he’s stayin’ here?”

“He stays with us,” Edge said placidly. “It wouldn’t be right to keep him in an empty apartment, all by himself. And I can’t ask Paps and Blue—”

“yer bonefriends, ya mean.”

“—I cannot ask Paps and Blue to look after him,” he said, talking over Red even as the flush across his cheekbones darkened. “Are you ready, or do you have a stash of mustard to collect from somewhere?”

He patted a nearby box. “nah. got it here. ‘s a good vintage.”

Edge sighed, deliberately withholding a smile. He could not let Red know he found that stupid joke even slightly amusing. “And Slim?”

“last i saw, he was makin’ a backup ‘a his new collection.”

Edge nodded. It had taken weeks—and plenty of help from their softer counterparts—to acquire not only an mp3 player, but the equipment he needed to digitize any physical media he managed to find. Thankfully, the music files themselves were much easier to bargain for in the softer ‘verses, and he’d already managed to amass a respectable number of songs. Nothing like what he’d lost, but it was a start. All of his equipment would be stored in their safe house, but Rus had agreed to house a backup of his collection as well. Just in case. “Let me know when he’s—”

His phone pinged. ready, it said. Slim came down the stairs shortly after, hood pulled up and head down, so they could only catch glimpses of his skull and eyelights. At the foot of the stairs, though, he lifted his head just enough to meet Edge’s gaze and give a little nod.

Edge looked from one brother to the next, hands on his hips. “Let’s get started then.”

The belongings they treasured but didn’t need on a day-to-day basis were few in number, but Red and Slim needed to take several shortcuts to transfer them from the house to the machine. For his part, Edge was kept busy ferrying them from their cave to the Swap brothers’ basement. He managed a few boxes on his own, but when he paused to stretch his arms after a particularly heavy box, Blue came bounding down the stairs with an excited, “You’re early!” and nearly threw himself at Edge.

With a soft oof, Edge caught him up in a hug, then gave him a quick kiss. “I am. Where’s your brother?”

Paps cleared his throat then, making his away down the stairs at a more sedate pace. “here. heya, precious. we weren’t expecting you until noon.” He paused in front of him, arms spread. “do i get a kiss too?”

Blue pulled away, grinning while Edge eyed Paps. “That depends. Are you going to help, or—”

Paps pulled him in, and Edge allowed himself to be kissed. He looked between the two of them, soul warm and eyelights soft. He could hardly believe he’d been so lucky. Still in Paps’ arms, he reached for Blue, running his fingers over his coronal suture. Before any of them could say anything, though, the machine activated behind them, and Red stumbled through, arms full. He sighed loudly, seeing them. “so that’s why the boxes are pilin’ up. cripes, boss, can ya keep it in yer pants fer five minutes?”

Scowling, Edge pulled away from them to bicker with his brother. Between the five of them, though, they made quick work of the boxes, and soon enough, everything had been transferred to their new safe house. It wasn’t much. Just a studio-style apartment in Hotland. The kitchen was barely large enough for a microwave and a hot plate. For now, a mattress and a few scattered pillows were the only pieces of furniture present. It wasn’t a living space, but if everything went as intended, it would never have to serve as one. And, after several weeks of searching and bickering and falsifying paperwork, it was finally, officially theirs.

Paps’ arms folded around his waist, and he rested his chin on his shoulder. “happy, edgelord?” Blue took his hand, his fingers warm.

Edge looked between the two of them. “It’ll do,” he said simply. To Slim and Red, he said, “Can the two of you find something to do for the rest of the day, or do I need to think of something to keep you occupied?”

They exchanged a look. “yer kiddin’, right? after that many shortcuts, i’m due fer a nap. how ‘bout you, bro?”

In response, Slim flopped dramatically onto the mattress, arm folded over his sockets as if he’d fainted. Edge snorted. “Fine. I suppose you’re entitled to some rest. It was a busy morning, and you were both up early. For once.” Pulling free of Blue and Paps, he urged them toward the door, following behind them. “I’ll be back later, then. Keep me updated,” he said over his shoulder.

“on our nap?”

“You know what I mean, runt.”

“uh-huh. an’ where’re you goin’—” He pulled the door shut on his brother’s question, as if he hadn’t heard it.

Blue grinned at him, and Paps tried to silence his laughter. “What?” he asked.

“nothing. nothing at all.”

“Just glad we can finally have you to ourselves,” Blue added, falling into step beside him as they walked away from the safe house.

“yeah. considering we’ve been dating for nearly two months now, we haven’t actually had many dates.”

Edge winced. “Apologies. It’s been…” A nightmare. “…busy. In my ‘verse.” And any spare time he had had been sunk into finding the apartment.

Blue caught his hand and pulled him forward, away from Paps. “But you’ve got time now?”

“I cleared my schedule. Barring an emergency, I’m all yours today.”

Blue’s smile went impossibly wide, and stars danced in his eyelights. “Yeah?”

Paps cleared his throat. “that’s the plural ‘yours’. he’s mine too, bro.”

“Can I have him first?” Edge snorted but couldn’t find it in himself to even feign offense.

“sure. i think i’m due for a nap too, actually. i’ll see you two back at the house?”

“Perfect!” Blue took his hand and started to lead him back toward Snowdin. Paps snickered and offered Edge a teasing wave as he was pulled away.

Noting Blue’s pace, Edge smirked and asked, “Are we going to be late for something?”

“Hmm? No?” Realizing he’d been pulling Edge along at a near-jog, Blue blushed and slowed. “Sorry. I’m just excited, I guess.”

The naked admission—that Blue was excited just to spend time with him—made Edge’s soul warm. “I see.” He edged closer, freeing his hand so he could put it around Blue’s waist instead. “Well, if you have nothing specific in mind, then we’re already on our date, and we can simply…enjoy.”

A soft flush spread across Blue’s cheekbones, and he swallowed. Still, he smiled. “Right,” he said, leaning into Edge’s hold. As they walked—more sedately, now—Blue lifted his head and asked, “Hey, Edge—you’ve never really seen our ‘verse, have you?”

He quirked a brow-bone. “Of course I have. I’ve been all over the place the last couple months, searching for a suitable dwelling.”

“No, I mean…you’ve never just taken a walk through Waterfall and listened to the echo flowers.”

Edge cocked his head at the mention of echo flowers. “Why would you want to listen to the flowers? All they do is—” He stopped, realizing that these flowers probably didn’t mostly scream and beg for mercy. “Never mind. I think…I think I’d like that. Will you show me?”

A broad smile spread across Blue’s face. “Of course!”

Like his Waterfall, this part of the Underground was cool and dark, but there the similarities ended. It smelled of cool water and water lilies and cattails, clean and sweet and earthy by turns. The soft drip of running water echoed through the caverns, and the waterfall itself was a distant roar. Phosphorescent fungi and moss lit the space in shades of blue and green. It lit Blue beautifully, his magic and color scheme perfectly suited to their environs. Edge was tempted to steal a kiss but refrained. Though the space felt dark and private, he couldn’t help but feel there had to be eyes on them.

Blue seemed unconcerned by the possibility. Stars danced in his sockets as he tugged Edge along the path. “This way!” In another time, Edge might have found his openness disquieting, but now he couldn’t help but find it charming.

They stopped at a secluded pool of water, off the beaten path and surrounded by Echo flowers that only murmured back the sound of cave crickets and croaking frogs. Blue kicked off his shoes and sat at the side of the pool, allowing his feet to dangle in the water. Edge eyed the pool skeptically, but Blue just grinned up at him, waiting. With a sigh, he sat beside him and unbuckled his boots, setting them to the side. He rolled up his pant legs, giving Blue a look as he did, and dangled his feet in the water. It was warmer than expected, probably fed by an underwater stream that ran close to the lava pools of Hotland.

Blue leaned against his side, looking up at the ceiling. Edge followed his gaze. “Do you think that’s what the stars look like?” Blue asked.

Edge was quiet for a moment, looking at the phosphorescent fungi high on the ceiling. “…no.”

Blue laughed. “I’ve seen pictures. Papy has an astronomy book. I just…I can’t really imagine it. Looking up and seeing….” He trailed off.

After a moment, Edge said, “I’ve always wondered what it would be like to see the sun rise.”

“Really?”

Edge had been braced for teasing, but Blue’s smile was open and eager. His shoulders lost some of their tension and he nodded. “Yes. I’ve heard it’s…nice.”

Blue’s hand found his, squeezing. “I want to see the sky.” The subtle tremor in his voice caused Edge to move closer and drape an arm over his shoulders. Blue curled into his side. “Do you think…one day…?”

Edge’s sockets shut and he rested his chin on Blue’s skull. “I don’t know,” he said, voice soft. “Perhaps.”

Blue didn’t respond for a moment. “Thank you,” he finally said.

Edge blinked. “For what?”

“Being honest.”

Edge pulled back so he could meet his sockets, wondering how many times someone had offered a comforting lie in response to that question. He ran a thumb over Blue’s cheekbone. “It’s good to have hope,” he said, “but false hope is another matter. I won’t lie to make you feel better.”

“Good.”

They sat in silence for a while, just gazing up at the false stars, their feet dangling in the water. Blue was warm beside him, and Edge was stunned at just how comfortable this felt.

But, being who they were, they could only remain still for so long. “C’mon,” Blue said, standing. “There’s more I want you to see.”

They followed the meandering path, hands brushing with every other step. Soon enough, the cool of Waterfall deepened to a pervasive chill. Edge smirked a little, looking down at Blue. “I believe I’m well enough acquainted with Snowdin.”

Blue just grinned. “Are you?” He pulled away to walk backwards in front of Edge.

Distracted—worried Blue might trip over something—Edge replied dismissively, “Of course. I appreciate the differences every time I come here.”

“But you’ve never taken the time to enjoy them.”

“I don’t even know what that’s supposed to mean.”

“Have you ever built a snowmonster or made snowangels? Gone sledding?”

Edge stared at him. He knew the words—they were common enough references in the human movies and books that made their way underground—but the question still stunned him. “I….” He cleared his throat. “I can’t say that I have, no.”

Blue beamed. “Can I show you?”

After a beat, Edge nodded.

That’s how Edge found himself running through one of Snowdin’s clearings, deep in the pine forest outside the town, dodging snowballs while he scooped up enough snow to make his own. Blue ducked behind a tree to hide from him, but his muffled giggles gave him away. Grinning savagely, Edge added more snow, until it wasn’t so much a snowball but the beginnings of a snowmonster, then crept to the tree. He stood silent, waiting, until—

Blue peered from behind the tree, and Edge dropped the massive ball of snow on his head, earning peels of laughter. “I win!” Edge said, still smiling wickedly.

Blue shook the snow from his sockets. “Not yet, you don’t!” He dodged away when Edge tried to grab him, coming to stop on the other side of the clearing. Edge went to follow but slowed when he saw the blue bone floating inches above Blue’s hand. It spun in lazy circles while Edge’s steps slowed and finally stopped. His bones felt chilled, but Blue’s smile hadn’t changed at all.

“Blue?” he eyed the bone, not understanding.

The twirling bone slowed its spin while Blue regarded him. “Don’t you ever fight for fun?” he asked, head cocked. “It’s not all kill or be killed, is it?”

His knee-jerk reaction was denial, but in fact, he and Undyne regularly wrestled with each other and that wasn’t always for training. Slowly, he nodded. “Sometimes. Never with magic, though.” He eyed the bone.

Blue brightened. “You’ll like it—I promise!” The bone started to spin faster once more. “It’s about showing the other monster what you can do—without hurting them.”

Edge smirked, starting to understand. “So, you want a chance to show off, is that it?”

A faint flush colored Blue’s cheekbones. “I mean—a little.” The blush deepened. “But I want to see what you can do too.”

Warmth flooded Edge’s soul. “Do you, now?” Slowly, Edge eased into a fighting stance and watched Blue track the movement. For the first time, he was aware of the grace in it—the beauty of it, as well as the power. From the way Blue watched him, he seemed well aware of—and appreciative—of both. Edge’s soul swelled, preening at the attention.

Blue’s grin was broad and open. “I’ll go first,” he said.

“First?” Edge cocked his head, confused, until he remembered Paps’ first experience with Fell-verse combat. “Right,” he agreed, “you first.”

The bone twirling above Blue’s hand spun faster now, then—with a little twist of his control hand—it flung forward, whirring toward Edge. It was simple enough to dodge to the side, but the bone didn’t dissipate. Instead, it hovered at a distance behind and above him. He waited for it to complete its arc, but Blue cleared his throat. “It’s your turn.”

“Your attack isn’t finished.”

Blue beamed. “It’s a two-part attack!”

He said it with enough enthusiasm and pride that Edge knew he was meant to be impressed, so he offered an appreciative nod. “And you’ll just…wait to use it until I finish mine?” Blue nodded, and Edge hummed in thought. On the one hand, it was impressive to hold an attack like that. But on the other, it was a very poor strategy for a fight. “Why not just use it now?”

“Because it wouldn’t be fair.”

A fair fight. His soul twisted strangely. “I see.” He didn’t, but he was trying to learn. He raised his control hand, but all of his regular attacks were meant to take an opponent down with brutal efficiency. He had nothing crafted in the spirit of fair play.

So he improvised, pulling his control hand up and into a fist—as if scooping something out of the air—and summoned a line of red bones. They rolled through the snow, rising and falling to give the illusion of wave-like oscillations. Giggling, Blue leapt high; the bones passed under him harmlessly, fading out just a fraction of a second before he hit the ground. Edge had a moment to appreciate the grace of it—how perfectly they’d coordinated their movements—before he heard Blue’s attack cut through the air toward him. Without looking, he summoned a bone club, twisting to strike the attack from the sky in a shower of red and blue sparks.

His soul beat hard, feeling the power of the blow vibrate through his phalanges. Blue pumped the air with his fist. “That was awesome!” The stars in his eyelights spun, and he readied himself for Edge’s attack, bouncing on his toes.

Edge was beginning to understand the appeal of Tale-verse combat.

He drew himself up tall and straight, preening. “You’ll have to do better than that if you want to best me,” he said, flexing his control hand.

Red bones appeared at Blue’s back, ends sharpened to points, spinning lazily. The buzz of his magic was just loud enough to catch Blue’s attention, and just as he turned, Edge crooked his fingers, sending the barrage straight at him.

Red bones buzzed just past his skull as he dodged to the side, missing him by millimeters. Another slid just past his nasal aperture as he bent backward, and a third he caught in one hand, using it to swing himself up and over the remaining projectiles. He caught himself on his hands, using his momentum to spring backwards and land on his feet. He struck a pose, grinning broadly. It was a stunning display, and Edge found himself appreciating the flush of magic splashed across Blue’s cheekbones. But he only had a moment, before Blue returned the volley of bones, and it was his turn to dip, dodge, and deflect. As he readied his next attack, he took a moment to appreciate the way Blue’s eyelights traced over his body, lascivious and admiring.

It felt good. To use his magic—his combat magic, no less—cooperatively. It seemed more like a dance than a fight, each of them leading and being led by turns. Both of them crafting their attacks to showcase their strengths and to give their partner the opportunity to do the same. It was heady, and Blue clearly felt it too. Their “fight” brought them closer and closer each turn, until Edge found himself close enough to catch Blue by the waist and pull him close.

Blue grinned up at him, hands pressed to Edge’s chest. Stars danced in his eyelights, and his mouth was flooded with mana, the node at the hinge of his jaw glowing brightly. Edge cupped his face in one hand, smoothing his thumb over Blue’s mandible. He bent down and kissed him, mana lines prickling.

He broke away, murmuring, “Thank you.”

“For what? The kiss?”

“No.” He gestured to the clearing, to the mounds of disturbed snow, the glimmer of spent magic still in the air, sparkling. Everything clean and clear and dust-less. “For this.” If he’d ever taken joy in his magic, it had long since been overshadowed by horror. Blue had done something he’d never even considered possible and returned some of that joy to him.

Blue’s smile widened and his hand found Edge’s. He laced their fingers together as they started the walk back to Snowdin. “So it was a good date?” he asked.

“It was a very good date.” Though he didn’t have much experience with dating, he couldn’t imagine a better one.

As they walked, though, and as they drew closer to Snowdin, Edge started to feel a touch of unease. Blue was obviously strong and skilled. He’d known that before, but now he was sure of it—the kind of cooperative combat they’d engaged in required more skill, not less, than the brutal matches he was more familiar with. So, again, he wondered why this ‘verse’s Alphys wouldn’t allow Blue to join the guard. What, exactly, did Alphys believe she was protecting him from?

"Blue.” He stopped abruptly, and Blue slowed to look at him.

“Edge?”

He shut his sockets, taking a deep breath. And cursing himself for this. “Will you promise me something?”

Blue’s brow-bones lifted. “Um. Okay?”

“If anyone ever tries to hurt you, don’t fight fair. Fight to win.”

“…Edge…”

“It’s only a fair fight if both parties are playing by the same rules,” he said. Blue just looked up at him, unconvinced. “Please,” he added after a moment. “Indulge me.”

Blue sighed. “This isn’t necessary, but—if it will make you feel better—then, okay. I promise.”

Some of the pressure on his soul eased. “Thank you,” he said, and they resumed their walk.

Blue’s hand caught his, and Edge squeezed it, affirming the hold. “You know,” Blue said, smiling sweetly, “I think I like it when you ask me for things.” The words were casual, but his tone was teasing. “And you know I’m happy to indulge you.” Blue squeezed his hand, and mana flooded his cheekbones. Memories rose up—of that night in Rus’ kitchen, of Blue’s hands on him while he tended his wounds. Feeling warm and languid and—well. Indulged.

 He cleared his throat but didn’t let go of Blue’s hand. “I will. Keep that in mind.”

Giggling, Blue simply said, “Good,” as they stepped into Snowdin proper. It was snowing lightly, and Edge held out his free hand, admiring the purity of it as flakes collected in his palm. Not a spec of ash or dust to be found.

A moment later, Paps appeared at his side, hands stuffed into his pockets. Blue leaned around Edge to get a better look at his brother. “Papy, you’re here!”

“am i too early?”

“Actually, your timing’s perfect! I need to go to Alphys’ for training.”

Edge glanced at him, suspicious. “You didn’t mention that earlier.”

Blue just looked up at him and shrugged. “I forgot,” he said, which was definitely a lie. "Anyway, she said she found a new anime series she wants to show me and I told her I’d show her how to make cinnamon rolls, so I probably won’t be back until late.”

Edge made a soft sound at the back of his throat. “How…convenient,” he said, crossing his arms. Blue just grinned, again walking backward so he could face the taller skeletons.

“you gonna have dinner with her, then?” Blue nodded. “okay, we won’t wait up for you. have fun!”

“You too!”

Edge snorted as Blue started jogging toward Alphys’ house. Paps glanced at him. “what?”

“Nothing. He’s just very…considerate.”

Paps stiffened a little, but then his shoulders eased and he snickered. “he is being a little obvious, isn’t he?”

“There isn’t a trail of rose petals leading to your bedroom, is there?”

Paps laughed. “no. that sounds like….” He paused. “wait. would you like that?”

“No,” he said, voice choked by laughter. “I don’t want—of course not!” They walked together for a few steps, chuckling with shared amusement. Then Edge said, “Though I do hope you put fresh sheets on the bed,” and Paps stumbled.

“i. uh. yeah. i did. not that i was expecting—i mean, we don’t have to use them or—”

Edge chuckled again and slipped his arm around Paps’ waist. “And was that the only preparation you made for our date?”

“no. i, uh…i showered.” He rubbed the back of his neck, looking at Edge.

Edge nodded. “I can work with that,” he said loftily. “Since you made no other preparations, I propose—”

“little early for that, don’t you think?” Paps grinned.

Ignoring him, Edge said, more firmly, “I propose we do something simple. Dinner and a movie. Does that suit you?”

“yeah, that ‘suits’ just fine,” he said, echoing his words as he relaxed into his side. “you got a place in mind?”

Movement caught his eyelight, and he looked up, to see Muffet staring at them from a few houses down. Paps followed his gaze and went still and stiff beside him. He swore softly as she started purposefully walking their way. Edge turned toward him. “Are you alright?”

“yeah. i just. i haven’t seen her since….” Underfell. Of course.

“Do you want to go?” he asked. It wasn’t fair, of course—this Muffet had done nothing wrong, Paps had no reason to be afraid of her—but Edge had more concern for the comfort of one his partners than for a stranger’s feelings.

“no,” he said, voice small, “she’s a friend. i….” Edge just tightened his grip around Paps’ waist. Part of him would prefer to keep his hands free, but this confrontation called for him to provide comfort rather than protection.

They quieted as she drew closer, and Edge searched her features, trying to prepare himself. But her expression was difficult to read. She stopped a few paces away, looking between the two of them, noting the way Edge kept his arm firmly around Paps’ waist. Then her gaze settled on Paps, and she raised her hands to sign, “Is this why you’ve been avoiding me?” One of her hands not occupied with signing gestured to Edge. “Did you think I’d be jealous? Or hurt?”

“i.” Paps swallowed. “hi, muff. this is….” His voice faltered.

“Edge,” he said, holding out his free hand. It was the wrong hand for shaking, but he wasn’t going to let go of Paps. Not now.

She eyed his hand, then took it in two of hers. With the other pair, she signed, “It’s good to meet you. I’d have loved to meet you earlier.” Turning back to Paps, she signed, “Papyrus, you didn’t have to hide this from me. I know what we were. I—” Her hands stuttered, then with both pairs—for emphasis, he imagined—she signed, “I’m happy for you. Really. I hope…I hope you don’t feel as if you have to choose between your relationship and our friendship.”

Paps shifted beside him. “i. i’m sorry,” he said, “i know. i knew you wouldn’t be upset. i don’t know why i….” He bit off the words. Edge understood; it was difficult to lie to a friend, even when the truth would be impossible to explain. “i’m sorry. i hope…i hope you can forgive me.”

She sighed, one set of arms crossed over her abdomen. With the other set, she reached out and grasped them both by the shoulder. “You’re a very silly man,” she said to Paps. To Edge, she signed, “I hope you know what you’re getting into.” Her chelicerae softened. “And I hope you appreciate him. We’ll have to get together, you and I; I want to know more about the man that charmed our Papyrus.” She eyed them. “Now, I’ll forgive you—if you come to my café for dinner. Too skinny, both of you.”

“we’re skeletons—”

“And too skinny. I won’t bother you on your date—I have work to do. And no time for silly men.” Her chelicerae were relaxed, and her signs were loose and flowing, softening the insult. “You’ll come?”

Edge looked to Paps, giving a little nod to show that he was willing, if Paps wanted. The tension had leeched from his bones as the conversation continued, and he nodded. “okay. yeah. we’ll come to the café.”

“Good! Bring G. Your tab is suspended until you’re back in my good graces.”

Edge snorted, covering his mouth to muffle a laugh. “aw, c’mon, muff—that’s not fair.”

“You don’t see me for months and have the gall to talk about ‘fair’? Ha! You come to the café, you eat my food, and you pay your bill. What’s unfair?”

Paps looked to Edge for help, but Edge just cocked a brow-bone. “Seems fair to me,” he said.

“you haven’t seen her prices.”

She just shrugged. “I have a family to support. You want me to take food out of their mouths to give to you? No. You pay your bill. Now—” She clapped one set of hands together, as if signaling the end of the argument. “—I have things to do before we reopen for dinner. I hope this little misunderstanding has been cleared up?” She looked to Paps, waiting.

After a moment, he nodded. “yeah. yeah. it’s all cleared up. again, i’m so sorry—”

She waved away the apology. “Our world is too small to hold grudges.” She touched him on the humerus, squeezing. “I’ll see you later, Papyrus. You and your new beau.” With that, she raised her hand and wiggled her fingers in farewell, slipping past them with a bounce in her step.

When she was out of earshot, Edge asked, “Are you okay?”

Paps was still watching Muffet’s retreating figure. He nodded. “yeah. i am. i…it was easier talking to her than i thought it would be.” Then his sockets widened. “what about you? are you—?”

Edge waved away his concern. “I’m fine. Actually, she reminds me of Slim’s Muffet.” Seeing Paps’ expression, he said, “She was…very helpful tracking him down. I couldn’t have done it without her help.”

“how was it?” Paps asked after a moment, “working with her?”

“Tense, at first.” Fell-verse partnerships always were. “But it was obvious she cared for Slim, and that made it easier.”

“and you’re really okay going to the café tonight?”

Edge snorted. “I’d like to stay on her good side, if it’s all the same to you. We’ll need a very good excuse if you don’t want to attend.” He glanced at Paps, brow-bone cocked.

“no excuses. i think…i think i’d like that, actually.” His hand found Edge’s. “but i might need a smoke break or two.”

Edge nodded in understanding as they resumed their walk. “Take as many as you need. And if you need to leave entirely, just say the word.”

“thanks.” He squeezed his hand. “hope you brought plenty of g, though. i wasn’t kidding about her prices.”

Edge snorted.

  -

  Hours after the artificial lights had started to dim and the streetlights had come on, Red checked his phone. No new messages. He sighed, sharing a look with Slim, who just offered a small smile. Frowning, he texted Edge. status?

He waited. And waited. He drummed his fingers against his thighbone, still waiting. Finally, a message came through. S&R. Red sighed, but before he could reply, another message appeared. I’ll see you in the morning.

Reading over his shoulder, Slim pumped his fist, small smile blooming into a full grin. He held his hand out expectantly. With a huff, Red fished into his pocket, glaring at the phone. “yeah, yeah. here you go,” he muttered, putting 50G into Slim’s waiting palm.

A moment later, another message came through. Tell Slim he owes me half his winnings. And stop betting on my love life.