#skeleton reader

~~~

While Axe checked you over, Edge grabbed Red by the back of the neck and stormed down the main hatch, loudly yelling at the rest of the crew to mind their own business as they scurried out of his way. For the most part, Red's protests went unheard as he was dragged down the steep steps. Blue, on the other hand, had hesitantly approached Papyrus, whispering something before they too turned and headed past the hatch, disappearing through a pair of doors into the upper levels of the ship. 

The clearing of a throat had you tensing and pressing closer to Axe. Black had once again gotten closer than you were comfortable with, standing only a couple paces away. “AS HEARTWARMING AS THIS IS, IT IS QUICKLY BECOMING LATE AND THE LADY STILL NEEDS ADEQUATE DRESS. MY BROTHER’S COAT IS HARDLY A FITTING SUBSTITUTE.”  

Rus chuckled beside him. However, when he made to comment, a look from Black had him looking down instead. 

Axe narrowed his sockets. “Don’t know where you’re planning on get’n somethin. Ain’t exactly swimmin in extras and you’ve refused to mend mine so I could give it to her.”  

Black scoffed. “YOU FAILED TO MENTION IT WAS FOR YOUR MARKED. YOU HAVE ALSO YET TO COMPLETE THE TASK I ASKED OF YOU. I DID NOT SEE THE POINT IN TURNING IN YOUR FAVOR WHEN MY OWN HAD BEEN UNMET.” 

“Been busy.” 

“AS WE’VE ALL.” 

Something shifted in the air, both of their eyelights brightening. Rus glared, moving closer to his brother. It took Crooks placing a hand on Axe’s shoulder for the two to back down. 

“Petty bastard.” 

“WHEN IT SUITS ME.” With a flourish of a hand and a half step back, he indicated the direction of the doors, continuing to meet Axe’s gaze. “NOW, I BELIEVE WE SHOULD ATTEMPT TO FIND SOMETHING MORE SUITABLE UNTIL NEXT WE MAKE PORT. SURELY YOU CAN AGREE IT WOULD BE IN EVERYONE’S BEST INTEREST.”  

“Fine, but we’re not leadin’.” You could hear the creak of Axe’s teeth. 

“OF COURSE.” With a tight turn, Black nodded, marching forward with Rus trailing behind with a wink. "AS YOU WISH." 

Axe refused to move at first, tugging his empty socket and prompting a sighing Crooks to nudge you both. "I Know You Don’t Like Him, But He Is Fair.” 

“Bastard never does anything fer free.” 

“And Yet, He Has A Point.”  

Neither you nor Axe was reassured but allowed him to guide you forward regardless. Crewmen brave enough to linger eyed your group with various degrees of emotion. When a dog monster growled, another was quick to slap the back of their head, nervously hunching at a glare from both of your skeleton friends. You tried not to show your fear or your growing limp as you passed, hoping Rus' long coat hid what you couldn’t. It didn't seem like a good idea to show weakness around others. The watchful eyes and aggressive postures spoke volumes to your already heightened nerves. Entering the ship did nothing to ease your discomfort.  

It felt cramped and pressing despite having more than enough space and light. Unlike the previous ship, several lanterns lit the expanse leaving no ominous shadows or darkened areas. You could easily see all the doors lining the walls as well as the beautifully carved and decorated windowed doors marking the end of the hall. Rus waited near the last door on the left.  

It was calm and warm, but you couldn’t shake off the feelings of danger. 

“Ya c’n go inside Darlin. Milord’s wait’n.” Rus stood to the side, motioning you inside the now open door. 

You looked to your companions. While Axe kept his eyelight on Rus, Crooks’ soft smile and nod gave you enough of a boost to cautiously cross the threshold. It smelled of lavender tinted with something you couldn’t quite place, the overall size relatively small. What looked like a narrow modified canopy bed connected to the wall was on your right. In front of you, under a single window, was a rather lovely desk intricately carved with polished knobs. To your immediate left was an open decorative chest shoved in the corner. Everything was of exquisite taste and quality, from the bedding and carvings on the furniture to the upholstery on the chair at the desk. The few trinkets left out were of fine gold or silver with glistening jewels. 

You jumped when the door closed behind you. Axe nor Crooks had made it inside. It had your stomach rolling with nerves. You did not anticipate having the others closed out. Having Black now between you and the only exit made it worse. His eyelights were too bright. 

Didn’t Rus call him a lord...? 

Your chest tightened at his approach, making sure to lower your gaze. 

“TRUE TO MY WORD, THAT HORROR’S GARMENT HAS BEEN MENDED. HAD I KNOWN IT WAS FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS, I NEVER WOULD HAVE HELD ONTO IT.” In his hands was a large linen shirt, neatly folded and dark in color. Holding it out, he offered it to you. “PUT IT ON. I WILL ADJUST IT AS NEEDED AFTER.” 

You froze, intently focusing on the simple article of cloth. Was he expecting you to do it here and now? In front of him? Wasn’t it bad enough you were laid bare in front of all those on the deck, or stars, when you pressed yourself against Blue? At least Axe had good reason to see you. Multiple! To willingly undress now in the presence of a man other than your husband...  

By the angel, what would Axe think of all this? 

Black must have noticed your silent panicked uncertainty when you didn’t immediately take it. Clearing his throat, something in his tone changed. “I SHALL, OF COURSE, REFRAIN FROM LOOKING WHILE YOU DO SO. YOU MAY LEAVE MY BROTHER’S COAT ON THE CHAIR WHEN YOU ARE READY.” 

It was hard not to squirm. While that was greatly appreciated, it still felt uncomfortable. Could you trust his word? You hardly knew the man. Perhaps things may have felt different if the room wasn’t quite so stifling or the door hadn’t been shut so suddenly. 

Luckily, heavy thumps in the hall distracted Black enough for him to hand you the garment himself, squinting at the door behind him. He was just about to speak again when another set of thumps sounded, this time shaking the door. Growling, he finally turned when the muffled voices following the noise got angrier. 

You really didn’t want to do this right now. Not here. Not with all the uncertainties surrounding you.  

Taking a slow breath in, you let it out. The sooner you changed, the sooner you could be rid of these unsettling feelings. With unsteady fingers twitching against the fabric as you took one last glance at Black’s back. 

One more breath. 

The sound of your rattling bones was louder without the security of the coat. Placing it on the chair, you did your best to quickly dress.  

The feeling of fabric against your bones was surprisingly comforting as you pulled it over your head. True to Axe’s size, the shirt almost went to your knees. It was so large the fabric pooled on your much smaller frame and reminded you of the nightgowns you used to wear back at the manor. 

If only it wasn’t so short. 

Though your more private areas were covered, it was not good for a lady to show so much… leg. You tugged at the hem, the sleeves threatening to engulf your hands.  

“I’m dressed, my lord.” 

A calculated breath was your only answer before his eyelights found you, fuzzy with a slight warble. You had to second guess if you had seen them correctly, for the next moment they were back to their bright and sharp orbs. Getting closer, they traveled over you as he hummed, the heel of his boots clicking as he circled. If you had hair, it would have stood on end at the subtle brush of his hand against your back. 

“AS I EXPECTED.” 

You startled, yelping when he came around to lightly grip your hips. Instinctively, your hands came to your chest from the forwardness, sockets wide. He paid no mind, eyelights intent on the bunched fabric. He only let go to pull a satin rope from his pocket. 

You squeaked again when he reached around you to wrap it around your waist. 

“MUCH BETTER. HOWEVER," His gloved hands touched your elbows, slowly moving up your arms to grasp your hands for inspection. “YOUR MAGIC. IT IS MUCH TOO THIN…” He turned them over. “Hmmmmm. Knowing Him…” 

Your chest clenched. He was close enough you could feel his ambient heat and wisps of breath. 

Before Black could say or do anything else, his door nearly burst off its hinges, a very aggravated Axe forcing it open. Black pulled you into him with a snarl, eyelights vanishing with the click of his teeth. Stuck in a headlock was a disgruntled Rus, resigned to the hold around his neck. 

You didn’t know if you could physically handle any more stress.  

“BY THE ANGEL, YOU WILL REPLACE THAT LOCK IF YOU HAVE BROKEN IT!” 

Axe’s voice was low, grin tight as he took in the scene. “Don’t appreciate the closed door, Black. Hell ya think yer doin’ in here?” 

Black placed you behind him, grumbling a growl. “AS I STATED EARLIER, I HAVE GIVEN HER SOMETHING TO ADEQUATELY COVER HERSELF UNTIL WE CAN PROCURE SOMETHING MORE FITTING.”  

Axe narrowed his sockets at Black’s squared shoulders. For a split second, you could see the red orb of his eyelight flick over the man in front of you before it focused on you.  

“Sure that's all ya were doin’?” 

The fabric of Black’s gloves creaked. “IF YOU MUST KNOW, I WAS INSPECTING HER MAGIC FLOW. I’M NO EXPERT, BUT EVEN I CAN TELL IT’S RUNNING LOW. A MORE IMPORTANT QUESTION WOULD BE, WHY HAVEN’T YOU—” 

“I’ve been doin’ exactly what I need ta be. Don’t need ta explain myself either.” Rus stumbled into the room when Axe unceremoniously released him to motion to you. “Now, if yer done?” 

With a snarl, Black pointed a finger. “NOW SEE HERE YOU–” 

Instinctually, you reached out, stopping just before Black’s arm. “My lord, I!” You faltered at his abrupt attention, pulling back to dip your head in respect. “I thank you for your kindness, but I should return to my lord husband before any more misunderstandings occur.” 

His eyelights stuttered. “I, I BEG YOUR PARDON?” 

There was a beat of awkward silence before Axe broke into heavy laughter, the loudest and deepest you’ve heard from him. It was enough to warm your cheeks as he beckoned you out and away from the room. Black gaped, slack-jawed and sputtering as you passed. You were already being guided onto the deck by the time he was able to call out one last time from his doorway. 

“AXE! YOU WILL… THAT… YOU WILL EXPLAIN YOURSELF!” 

Axe only laughed harder, closing the doors behind you. 

The sun had mostly set by the time you stepped out into the humid sea air. You would have done anything in the past to be able to look up, out, and around but Axe was swift in guiding you down the main hatch. You didn’t want to linger longer than necessary anyway. 

You didn’t have Rus’s coat to hide under. 

You were grateful for the darkness once you were under. The lanterns were farther spread, some empty of light altogether. It helped ease your mind against the wandering eyes. Most gathered under the brightest lamps, playing cards at makeshift tables, drinking, and socializing while others lounged in hammocks hanging interspersed between the canons. While some watched you pass, Axe was surprisingly good at slipping through the darkest areas to avoid the unwanted attention.  

The closer you got to the front of the ship, the fewer people there were until you came upon barrels and crates stacked near and around an area quartered off by familiar heavy sheets. You could even recognize the stack you and Blue had hidden next to, the sheet on that side still halfway pulled down. Axe was kind enough to hold the flap for you to enter. 

Finally, you were able to relax the tension out of your shoulders and pained joints. You wanted to climb back into the hammock and rest your aching pelvis, maybe snuggle against Axe and his warmth. The way he moved about though had you gingerly sitting on his stool, setting it upright from where it had been knocked over. 

You wondered when that had occurred. What happened after you had been taken? 

... 

A quiet curse had you looking back at Axe as he re-fastened the makeshift wall. There were a few more rips in it than you remembered. If he had any sewing supplies, you would have to mend them. It was the least you could do as thanks. 

You let out a slow breath, peering down at your clenched fists. They were cold and stiff on your lap. Black had been interested in them. The lot of them had been interested in general, but he had seemed so focused. 

Your voice was soft, hesitant as you summoned the courage to speak. “Axe? I have so many questions, but I’m afraid… I don’t know if I’m allowed to ask.” 

Axe chuckled. “Don’t gotta be afraid with me, Dove. It’s good ta ask questions around here. The more ya know the better, good or bad. Don’t let anyone tell ya otherwise.” 

You picked at the hem of the shirt, smoothing it down as much as you could. “Is that true?" Axe simply grunted. Collecting yourself, you forced yourself to ask the questions burning your mind. "What is a Banthos? What does it mean to be one? And what did Black mean when he said my magic was too thin? I don’t have magic. I’m not… I’m not even a monster.” 

It was hard not to flinch when, from your peripherals, you saw him stop. His voice had become more serious but thankfully still soft.  

“The hell yer not. Listen, I don’t know what you’ve been told, where ya come from, or what ya been through. But you’re as much of a monster as the rest of us. You’re made of magic and hope just like me.” He came over to place your hand in his scarred one, taking a knee to look directly into your sockets. “We’re the same. Dust and all. It don’t matter about anything else. As fer your magic,” he rubbed his face with a frustrated sigh, “let me worry about that. Just know ya got it and I’m gonna make damn sure ta get it where it needs ta be.” 

You didn’t know what to say to that, but it sent a comforting feeling to your chest. He was always so warm. It reminded you of your mother.  

Nodding, you were about to ask about your first question when footsteps interrupted you. Axe stood, moving between you and the flap.  

“AXE, IT IS GETTING LATE. I HAVE TAKEN THE LIBERTY OF PREPARING SANS’ ROOM FOR THE LITTLE MISS. I HOPE YOU HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN.”  

Axe only slightly relaxed at the sound of Papyrus’ voice, not moving but calling out to the other skeleton. “I can take her when we’re ready. Just got a few–” he bristled when Papyrus entered and smiled down at you, hand twitching at his side –“more things ta take care of.” 

“AND WHAT MIGHT THAT BE SO I MAY HELP?” When Axe only grumbled, Papyrus took it upon himself to continue. “WELL, WHILE YOU FIGURE THINGS OUT, I SHALL MAKE SURE TO GET HER SAFELY TO HER NEW LODGINGS.” 

You both tensed. “Papyrus. Paps. At least let things settle before ya drag er away. You saw Sans. I don’t trust him.” 

Papyrus looked a little sheepish at the accusation. “I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN, BUT I HAVE FAITH THAT THIS WILL WORK. I MYSELF WILL KEEP AN EYE ON THINGS IF I MUST. He Means Well. NOT THAT, THAT IS AN EXCUSE FOR HIS TERRIBLE BEHAVIOR.” He came forward to place a hand on Axe’s shoulder, humble and pleading. “WON’T YOU AT LEAST TRUST ME?” 

You couldn’t place the look that crossed Axe’s face from the question, the red orb of his eyelight quaking until his free hand brushed the edges of his empty socket. “That’s cheat’n…” There was a heaviness to the silence.  

When Axe’s shoulders sagged, Papyrus gave him back his space. “All WILL BE WELL. I’M SURE OF IT.” 

You were uncertain as to what you needed to do, but before you could stand, Axe nudged you back down. With the reluctance of a stubborn cat, he then went about gathering items he had deemed yours, going so far as draping his favored blanket over your shoulders. When all was said and done, you were left with a surprisingly intricate box full of puzzles, Axe’s blanket, and an affectionate nuzzle to your neck.  

It was with a heavy heart and a glowing face that you eventually followed Papyrus back out into the darkness. 

You did your best to keep up with his long strides, missing Axe’s purposely slowed gait. You could feel the grinding strain on your pelvis and lower joints with each step. You focused on the clack of your feet to keep your mind off the aching. Papyrus was already several steps ahead of you when he got to the steps.  

Blessedly, he turned to wait for you. 

It was embarrassing how out of breath you had become from such a short distance, especially when you knew you didn’t technically need to breathe. You were even more so when Papyrus cocked his head to look you over with a contemplative hum. 

His smile was kind. “MY APOLOGIES MISS. I KNEW YOU WERE IN ROUGH SHAPE, BUT I HADN’T REALIZED…” He glanced up the steps. “PERHAPS IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR ME TO HELP.” 

Without so much as a warning, he picked you up and draped you across both of his arms. You almost dropped your box, squeaking in surprise as he ascended to the deck. Your mind and tongue had stopped working from the suddenness. Though Axe had carried you once before and had moved you a few times, you didn’t quite know what to think of this stranger picking you up so nonchalantly. It was as if it was the most normal thing in the world for him, smile just as polite and kind as before. 

With him carrying you, it took little time to cross the rest of the way back through the double doors and down to the end of the hall. Standing in front of the windowed doors, you were only jostled a little when he turned the knob. He used his boot to kick it open the rest of the way with a bang, making you flinch when the glass shook precariously. 

You thought you saw a flash of blue, but when you looked, there was nothing there but a railed raised platform with an extravagant-looking bed, windows lining the entirety of the back wall. 

You shuddered. It smelled overwhelmingly of snow and cold rain. 

Scrunching his nasal ridge, Papyrus walked around a heavy round table with a scattering of papers and a lantern. Stepping onto the platform, he carefully set you down, turning to furiously rip the blankets off the bed to ball and fling them across the room with a fwump. 

“FORGIVE MY IDIOT OF A BROTHER. I WILL BE HAVING A TALK WITH HIM ABOUT APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR LATER. FOR NOW, I’M AFRAID THIS WILL HAVE TO DO. AT LEAST THE BED IS EXCEPTIONALLY COMFORTABLE.” He put his hand down to pat the mattress. “IT IS A GIMBAL BED, MADE WITH LARGER MONSTERS IN MIND SO YOU WILL HAVE PLENTY OF SPACE AND WON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE TIPPING OF THE SHIP.” 

When you didn’t move, he gently ushered you to sit before making his way to the windows. It was so dark now that the light from the lamp effectively turned them into mirrors. You were grateful, too afraid to look through them. To your relief, Papyrus closed the many curtains for each once. Once done, he gently took your box and stood at the end of the bed, bowing slightly from the waist. 

“I WOULD STAY TO HELP YOU SETTLE, BUT I UNFORTUNATELY HAVE OTHER DUTIES I NEED TO TAKE CARE OF AT THIS TIME. BUT DO NOT FEAR, I WILL MAKE SURE SOMEONE WILL BE BY IN THE MORNING TO BRING YOU SOME TEA AND BREAKFAST AND TO WELCOME YOU.” Walking away, he stopped to place your box on the table and extinguish the lantern. “SLEEP WELL MISS.”  

With a wave, he picked up the bundle of discarded blankets and walked out the door, closing it behind him. 

… 

It was frightening, alone in the dark.

Her sweet voice echoing through the mic as she sung along to the music, she’d tried to drag you into it. Her infectious excitement almost got you on stage.

But when you’d scanned the room just before saying yes to the karaoke contest, you’d clammed up. Instead using the excuse, you still had some of your drink left before she rolled her eyelights and dropped it.

She grinned at Red from her highlighted spot and his fanged maw grinned back.

“You really like her, huh?” Your voice just loud enough to be heard over the music, Red seemed to startle, entranced by your sister.

He looked at you, a friendly smile on his face, small beads of red tinted sweat appeared on his skull. He didn’t know that you knew how desperate he was to impress not only your sister, but you. Confiding in your younger sibling about how important family was to him and as you being the eldest, felt that your ‘approval’ was important.

His clawed fingers clenched around the glass, letting out a small chuckle. You felt your eyebrows pinch and his chuckle died quicker then hot coal dumped into water.

“er- uh! yer, i do, really- i do.” He thumbed at the collar of his shirt, pulling it away from his sternum then smoothing it back down, his jacket was absent; wrapped around the hips of your still singing sister. You could see his eyelights flick over your shoulder to her, incapable of pulling his gaze away for more then a second.

His brothers, cousins- you didn’t know, you’d hardly met them beyond a few encounters with dropping your sister off at Red’s home, all lingered somewhere around the club.

You noticed Noir come up to the bar to converse with Edge, who seemed to realise he’d lost his brothers attention, especially when you caught him scowling down at his elder brother before turning away.

You pulled your gaze away from his and he relaxed a fraction, a flicker of a memory of your sister surfaced.

“Opal- your eye contact is SO intense.”

You hummed, looking over at your sister as your fingers paused the braids you were making with your scarf around your head, your white skull disappearing under the silky gold fabric.

“Y’know monsters and humans get nerves over eye contact, yet you’re pinning them down like a small animal anytime you talk to them.” She leant against your dresser; half dressed for the day out you both had planned. Her phalanges tapped a rhythm against her ilium.

“Well,” guilty you searched for an excuse reason for your intense behaviour and came up short. Instead, you gnawed on your tongue, your fingers resuming the braiding.

She raised her eyebrows, a look of ‘gotcha’ triumphing her expression, “Red especially!” Her white eyelights tracked the movements of your phalanges as you worked on the braid.

That’s where you frowned, pinning your sister with a look, “you know perfectly well why I’m hard on him.” She shot you her own look and you huffed, realising you’d done exactly what she’d just accused you of.

She rolled her eyes, pushing her hip off the dresser to walk behind you, her fingers taking over the work of braiding as you watched her in the mirror. “I know, I know,” she soothed, herself mainly, you guessed, “he is trying! A-and so am I.” She stuttered out.

“Birdy-” you started.

She cut you off, “Opalll.” She near whined out, “give him a chance? He’s so sweet, he got me this necklace I’ve been eyeing the past month.” She shrugged a shoulder, gesturing to the tear drop pearl necklace hanging around her neck, resting beautifully on her sternum.

“Just, the eye contact, its pretty intense.” She added on, you snorted, rolling your eyelights playfully as she finished the first braid.

“I can’t help it.” You replied, your hand curling as you rubbed the underside of your jaw, your hand moving down to adjust the gold chain around your neck. The bright gold glinted in the warm light of your room; the offset of your warm toned jewellery compared by the silver accents your sister wore.

You both enjoyed wearing different coloured scarfs around your heads, styling the long fabric into looks to match your design, you usually chose to braid the fabric. It was trendy, joining in on hairstyling was a tad bit difficult as skeletons.

She hummed as she gathered your scarf into sections, “you don’t have to mask around them, y’know?” Her voice taking a softer tone, one that made your eye twitch uncomfortably.

“Yeah…” You sighed out, looking down at your crossed legs, tucked up and onto your stool.

You’d been shocked, yet comforted, when you’d been diagnosed as autistic. It was weird, out of your teen years and sitting by yourself in the doctor’s office as he went through the diagnoses, what it all meant, what they could do.

Your eye had twitched again when he explained that there wasn’t a ‘cure’ for it.

You weren’t sick. Or ill, or broken or-

“Hey! All done.” Your sisters cheery voice broke through your thoughts, her hands tucking in a few stray flying pieces of fabric as she finished.

You smiled at her in the mirror, fixing your shirt to pull higher up your neck, moving the braids over your shoulders and off your sensitive bones.

“Thanks birdy,” you stood, smiling down at her.

She smiled back, but the little twinkle in her eyelights had you pausing. Her smile morphed into a gremlin smirk, her arms wrapping around your torso before you could dodge her.

“Ugh, okay,” you groaned, your arms awkwardly lifting into the air as she poked her tongue up at you. You tolerated it, for the period she deemed she must ‘hug’ you, showing her love, or whatever, ugh.

Your bones prickled as she let go, “thanks,” she whispered, smoothing down your rumpled clothes as she stepped back out of your bubble.

“Hrm,” you grunted, giving her a side eye as you pulled on your shoes, “you needed it,” was all you said before you ushered her to go and get ready.

Your hand clenched around the sweating glass you were drinking from, you didn’t really like it, whatever it was. Your sister had hailed down the bartender and ordered two of the same, the music rumbling too loudly for you to catch it before he was sauntering off.

Your flat look was met by a giggle from your sister.

The same flat look that now graced your face as Red sweat beside you, looking for words to fill the gap you’d dug.

“she’s real sweet, tha kindest- an’ I mean it, girl i ‘eva met.” He surprised you by placing a hand on your forearm, your bones prickled. But for the sake of your sister, you didn’t flick his hand off.

You glanced at him out the corner of your eye, he wasn’t looking at you, his eyelights fuzzy as he gazed at your sister. “she’s ain’t scared o’ much, darin’ fer someone so small.” You hummed at that, your finger wiping away some of the condensation on the side of the glass. “her laugh is infectious, she cracks jokes better then me! even boss laughs.”

Your lips twitched up as you listened, your soul softening. You didn’t notice how he’d looked back at you, catching something you didn’t hear.

“she’s helpin’ us branch out, discover new things, explorin’ and all that. i ain’t neva met someone so bright as ‘er, she’s like a damn star.” His hand moved to your shoulder, your eyelights flicked to it as he continued, “and i’m real grateful yer given me a chance with ‘er. yer sister, she’s near everythin’ to me.”

Something ached within you, the love that poured freely from his mouth, so openly enthralled with Birdy that you could feel it.

“Red! Opal!” Your sisters voice cut into the lull of silence between you both as you absorbed his words.

She easily hopped into Red’s open arms, his hand leaving your shoulder to catch her much smaller body. His sharp teeth pressed against the top of her head, nuzzling softly.

She smiled up at him, her skull flushed from singing and the alcohol she was slamming down. She’d already made it through a handful of drinks as you nursed your first.

You looked at your sister, her head tilted to glance at you, a silent question present. You softened and slowly nodded.

She squeaked and grappled you into a hug, Red startled as did you, but he was quick to recover, his large arm wrapping around you to pull you in. The two of them embraced you as you froze, an awkward grimace of a smile on your face as you half stood half sat during their hug.

“Ohhh! You big goober!” Birdy’s voice cut over the music, she squeezed her face into yours, having pulled you down to do so. Red pressed another nuzzling kiss to her skull, his fuzzy eyelights looked to you.

You nearly jumped when his hand landed on your head, affectionately rubbing your scarf-wrapped head as Birdy continued to coo into your shared hug.

“BROTHER, WHY ARE YOU SMOTHERING YOUR DATEMATE AND HER SKELETON SIBLING?” Edge’s voice was your ticket out, squawking with embarrassment you prise yourself out of their arms.

Hopping back up onto your stool as you smooth yourself out, the shared loud laughter of Birdy and Red making your embarrassment grow. You shot her a withering glare, causing her to choke on her laugh and look away.

Even Red cowed at the look on your face, Edge merely blinked before his loud voice started again, “WELL, NOIR FOUND A BOOTH FOR AS ALL TO SIT IN, THEY EXPANDED IT SO THE REST OF US COULD ALL JOIN IN THE SAME ONE.”

Birdy clapped her hands, “perfect! Are we able to order from the table?”

Red stood from his stool, his hand loosely placed on her hip as Edge answered, “YES, THEY HAVE THIS WEIRD APP THINGY,” his voice disappeared under the music as he led your sister and Red away, all of them disappearing quickly into the sea of humans and monsters.

Without their voices or the distraction of you watching your sister, the heavy beat of the music filled your ears. The deep bass felt like it was attempting to vibrate the bones of your body away from you.

Your hands clenched around the glass, some small part of you wanted to go after them, but they didn’t ask you to come.

You were left with your dilemma, do you follow? Do you stay? Isn’t it too awkward now, trailing after them like a lost puppy, hanging onto the shirt of your sister like a lifeline in the club?

Nerves crept up on you like a shadow, keeping your rooted to the bar as if your drink was the anchor keeping you there. Watching the figure of your sister disappear into the crowd like the beam of the lighthouse fading in sea fog.

You pulled your gaze from the crowd, the prickle of anxiety dancing over your skin as you stared wide-eyed at your still not finished drink.

No one seemed to bother you for a bit, monsters and humans alike giving you a small berth of space.

Not until a figure shadowed you from the strobing lights of the club, you hadn’t noticed for a moment. Not until you tilted the glass, half considering downing it to get it over with so you could order something else, and the sweat that had gathered on the glass was hardly noticeable.

The bright lights didn’t reach you; something was blocking them. You looked over your shoulder.

Someone.

Probably one of the largest monsters you’d ever seen was standing behind you, you blinked as you recognised him, Copper. Red’s eldest cousin, you’d caught his disappearing form a few times when you’d gone to Red’s huge home. But he’d never stuck around, seemingly just walking around a corner whenever you were there.

You’d summed it up to him maybe not liking humans, or maybe you made him nervous? Your sister had reassured you that maybe he was busy, sharing a secretive look with her boyfriend as you mentioned it.

You’d dropped it after the handful of times happening, really just summing it up that he didn’t like you. His cousins, Edge, Noir, Rus had all been friendly, happy to meet you as the sister of Red’s girlfriend.

Copper stared down at you his one dark red eyelight looked to small as he did, his empty socket half lidded. It gave him a mixed expression, yet it was the first time you’d seen him so up close. The crack that trailed up from his open socket was, to put it plain, nasty. The jagged, aggressive looking hole in the top of his skull was hard to notice from your seated position, but even then, this skeleton towered over everyone in the club.

What mostly caught your gaze was the golden false jaw he had; the pointed shark-like teeth that lined it glinted almost threateningly in the shadowed light he casted.

Both large wounds made you feel sick, but you swallowed passed it, your eyelights dragging away to look him over. His large, huge, maroon jacket was unzipped, revealing the cream sweater underneath. What fascinated you was the black fur lined hoodie that framed his head like a lion’s mane. The dark fabric of his jeans stretched around the swell of his thighs.

Dear stars.

His thigh was mid-level with the bar top. You gulped silently, if you lifted your arms, you could rest your elbows against the bar top whilst you stood. Even with your tad extra height.  

He shifted, eyelight breaking away from yours as he sat down in the stool. From the panicked expressions of the bartenders, you all thought the same thing, would that hold him??

The stool creaked as he sat, sinking pathetically under his weight. He blinked, at least he looked a tad embarrassed as he avoided the now grumpy looks of the staff. His arm rested up on the tabletop, his presence added to the berth everyone already gave you, this side of the bar now basically empty.

You didn’t notice, to busy staring and blinking owlishly up at the giant skeleton.

“don’t… like your… drink?”

You flushed, his voice was sinfully deep, a baritone so many octaves below your own that he easily rivalled the bass of the music. It felt inferior to even consider the bass deep now that you had heard Coppers voice.

He quirked an eyebrow and you bit back a squeak when you realised, you’d just been staring at him and letting him watch your face grow hotter and hotter by the moment.

“Not really,” your lips pulled, an awkward smile on your face.

His shoulders seemed to relax a smidge, a tightness you hadn’t noticed in the corners of his sockets reducing slightly as you replied. “so, what… do… you like?” Each of his words seemed carefully picked, as if he was plucking each of them from a book to cut out and glue together.

It was an effort you realised, for him to talk. Something eased in you, there wasn’t a sense of overwhelming dread as you responded, you didn’t realise that the fear of saying something wrong had disappeared.

“Sweeter drinks, this one’s- ehh, a bit to hard for my taste.” He snorted at your response, his huge, clawed hand lifting to gesture the bartender over.

You blinked, “um! Do you-” fuck, you internally thought, attempting to grapple yourself enough to spit out your sentence, “Elderflower and apple!”

The bartender gave you an odd look.

Shit, shit, shit.

“Do you have anything with Elderflower and apple? V-vodka, by chance?”

She perked up as she finally caught what you were poorly attempting to pass along, “yep! Want me to mix that up for you now?”

“Yes- yes please.” You grinded out, your phalanges squeezing the glass you currently had tight.

The bartender turned to Copper, “anything for you, sir?”

He half glanced at her, “same thing.” She nodded, disappearing down the bar to start mixing them for you both.

“Oh- you don’t have to get the same thing as me!” you jumped in, fuck, you hated feeling like this. Swimming into these interactions, unknown monsters, even worse, he was a hot and unknown monster!