-

Rus would never really know what happened. Maybe the machine malfunctioned. Maybe he punched in the wrong code. Either way, instead of Undertale, he found himself transported to a universe he wasn’t familiar with.

The machine wasn’t in Snowdin, wasn’t in any version of the brothers’ basement. It was still in Hotland, still in the hidden laboratory. And when he stumbled out, looking for help, he was snatched up by a sympathetic seeming Knight-Knight.

Things went downhill quickly after that.

A mana dampener was snapped around his neck before he could so much as think of teleporting away, and a nightmarish version of Napstaton—Mettaton?—purred over his pearly white bones. He kept expecting someone—Blue or Sans or Alphys, hell even Red—to appear, to save him.

But nobody came.

Just as real panic was starting to set in, a Spider monster that bore a striking resemblance to his Muffet came to pick him up. Relief washed over him. Muffet was a friend of his. A close friend. Surely, she couldn’t be that different from one universe to the next. And this Muffet, shorter and more curvaceous than his, didn’t look Fell at all. Her hair was festooned with ribbons, and she walked with a little bounce in her step that reminded him of Blue. And her smile when she saw him was all gentle reassurance. “Oh, dearie~. What a mess you’ve gotten yourself into, ahuhuhu. Don’t worry. We’ll get you straightened out soon enough.”

She led him through the back alleys of Hotland, and any lingering fears he had were assuaged when she brought him to her bakery, decorated lushly in shades of pink and purple. She plied him with spider donuts and cinnamon skulls—?!—and assured him that he’d be safe here, with her. “When I heard what that robot and his cohorts had found, I simply had to go get you. I hope they weren’t too rough…?”

He was busy shoving a cinnamon skull into his mouth when she asked—he hadn’t eaten since before he’d landed in this ‘verse, and his soul howled with hunger—but he washed it down with tea, scrubbing the frosting from his face as he said, “well. they weren’t—“ He cleared his throat, trying to keep from squeaking. “let’s just say i’d rather not go back, okay?”

She giggled. “Understandable. Don’t worry, dearie. I’m certain we can keep you safe here.” She eyed the donut still on his plate. “Don’t let me interrupt—I do love a man who enjoys my cooking.” He obeyed but ate more slowly now—less like a half-starved animal. She introduced herself more formally, then laughed when he told her his name. “Oh, dearie~. You tease! Really, now, what’s your name?”

So, he offered his nickname instead, and she seemed to accept that, sipping her tea. She hummed, stirring sugar into her tea. “Papyrus will be so happy to have a companion,” she said, patting his knee. “He’s been so lonely.”

His sockets widened. “papyrus is—he lives here? with you?”

He couldn’t believe his good luck! A friendly face and one of his own alternates under the same roof. Stars, he’d be home by dinner time, so long as his alternate knew where to get parts for the machine.

Muffet, somehow, misread his elation. “Don’t worry, dearie. I know he has a bit of a reputation, but he’s got a soft spot for sweet-pieces.” She winked. “It’s gotten him into trouble in the past.” She patted his knee again. “He’s a little rough around the edges, but I’m sure he’ll warm up to you in no time.”

He blinked, and his soul dropped. Of course his luck wouldn’t be that good. Considering Muffet was in Hotland, this looked to be a non-Swapped Fellverse. He shouldn’t be surprised that this version of himself would be an uptight asshole like Edge. Still, he would need his help, and even if he didn’t like Edge, he knew the edgelord wasn’t the type of skeleton to just leave one of his alternates in peril. This Papyrus couldn’t be any worse.

He forced a smile. “hey, i can be charming! i’ll have him eating out of my hand in no time.” He’d yet to succeed with the edgelord but never mind that.

She smiled over her teacup. “I like your confidence.” A bell tinkled from the bakery’s front entrance, and she winked. “Here’s your chance.”

He blinked, and before he could gather himself, a skeleton walked into the bakery’s kitchen and went over to the sink. He was—

Rus swallowed. He was washing the dust off his hands. “Job’s done, boss. Ya wan’—“ He turned and fell silent, but not for long. “What the fuck is—?”

“He’s really more of a ‘who’,” Muffet said, stirring her tea. “He says his name is Rus.”

The Papyrus shook his head. “No. Hell no. I don’ know what the fuck ya think yer doin’, but I ain’t havin’ any part ‘a this.” He gestured to the two of them, scowling.

She didn’t seem bothered by his outburst. If anything, she seemed amused. “There’s blood on your face, dearie.” He blinked, then touched his cheek, and when he saw the blood staining his phalanges, he swore again and used a dishtowel to wipe it away. “Why don’t you get cleaned up, and we can all have dinner together?”

“That what he’s for?” the Papyrus asked, still glaring. “Ya gonna eat ‘im?”

“Don’t be ridiculous—I’m not going to eat him! How absurd. And you are being inexcusably rude to our guest. I think you should apologize.”

“Yeah, well, I think you should send ‘im back ta whatever auction house ya bought him from. Fuck’s sake—ya don’ even like sweet-pieces! Whaddaya wan’ with ‘im anyway?”

“I can think of a few uses for him….” She squeezed his knee and offered a flirtatious smile. “Is that the issue? Are you jealous?”

Papyrus stared at Rus, and Rus could feel his sins crawling on his back. He swallowed and tried to think of something to say to this version of himself. But the words died in his throat. This Papyrus was taller even than him, and he was broad at the shoulder, with thick bones that bespoke his strength. Even without the spiderweb of cracks across his socket—the dead eyelight—and the positively menacing projections pouring off him, he would have been intimidating. As it was, Rus could barely hold his head up as he looked him up and down.

A sudden Check caused Rus to wince. The other Papyrus scoffed. “Hope yer not planning on playing too rough with ‘im. Only got 5HP. Ain’t gonna be up ta yer usual games.” Something flickered in his eyelight, and his brow-bones furrowed.

She just took another sip of tea. “Don’t be ridiculous, dearie. I still have you, don’t I?”

He scoffed and turned away. “Not tanight ya don’—‘m headed out.”

“Really, now, Papyrus. There’s no need to be jealous. I’m perfectly willing to share~.”

“Not in’erested,” he said, storming down the hall and into their living quarters.

Muffet grinned at him. “Well,” she said, smoothing out her apron. “That went better than expected.”

-Are you sure about that?

-I swear for the Angel that if you ask me one more time I will make Twist take you to your morning runs.

Blackberry was pleased to see his partner's eye lights shrink in fear for a second before they returned to normal and he shrugged.

-Another reason to try not to get out of bed. - He gave an amused wink.

-Well, you have to get to it first!

Black patted the mattress he was sitting on. He saw the other skeleton hesitate once more before moving forward and sitting next to him. He looked at him with the same lazy smile as always, but Black had learned to read it very well and could see the signs of tension. He found himself wondering who was more nervous, him or Comic.

The two face each other

-So... how do we do that? - He said looking away first and staring at the rug.

-I think we should lie down first.

-Yes of course!

Black had already pushed the blankets to the foot of the bed, so he just pulled his legs up and lay down. His head had barely touched the pillow when he sat down again.

-Oh! I didn't even ask if you had a side of preference! - the monster in Fell's verse exclaimed.

Comic who had crawled to the other side of the bed froze in a pose half kneeling half lying down.

He had been the one to invite him to his bed, the least he should do was ask about Comic's preferences... right? At least that was what he supposed (he was sure he had read something like that in the manual he had picked up from Blue).

What kind of boyfriend was he?!! Not even worrying about your boyfriend's preferences or tastes! His mind started to run at something he should have done, or that he could still do...

The monster of Tale verse blinked and then sat down, stretching out his hand and placing it on your partner's shoulder, interrupting your little mental panic attack.

-Hey! You know me. I am a skeleton. I have no sides!

The coarse pun broke his line of reasoning and he snorted, unsure whether he thought it was funny, corrected or just ignored the other skeleton. The solid weight of the other skeleton's palm anchored him and he relaxed, realizing that it was Comic there with him and that he had no reason to be so apprehensive.

-Look, it's okay if you're not ready yet, dear. We don't need to do that, I'm fine with...

Black shook his head quickly. He put his hand over Comic's and squeezed it. Was not it. He wanted... wanted this intimacy with the lazy skeleton. He was ready for this... he was just nervous and insecure.

Despite being so simple for thousands of couples, it was something he had never done and it made him apprehensive, but he trusted the other skeleton as much as he would trust his own brother. He knew that the other would respect him.

-Not. I want. It's just... - he looked at the Comic lights and he seemed to understand his unspoken words.

Comic then took his hand and pulled him to lie down. Black went along and stretched out on the mattress again. They continued to face each other in silence now with their heads resting on pillows.

-Toc, toc. - Comic broke the silence. Your voice was almost a whisper.

-Who's there? - A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth and he tried to suppress it.

-Owl says.

- Owl says who?

-Precisely!

He snorted.

- Come on, you can do better!

-Oh! It's a challenge? - the lights shone delighted - Well... toc, toc?

And so they exchanged "toc, toc" jokes and silly puns until Black gave up on being serious and giving in, laughing at his boyfriend's little improvised joke show.

The truth was, it wasn't much different than when he shared a bed with his brother (less jokes maybe), and yet it was a totally new experience to be sharing a bed with someone he loved too, but in a completely different way than he felt for Twist.

This realization made him relax and he lay on his back, staring at the ceiling while his laughter died.

-Toc, toc? - Comic's voice came again. A sweet whisper beside you.

-Who is it? - He replied with closed eyelids and still smiling.

-Olive.

Black turned to face the skeleton beside him who was smiling softly, your lights shining with love.

-Olive who? - he asked in a whisper, knowing the answer, but eager to hear it from the other skeleton's mouth anyway.

-Olive you.

Black felt his smile widen and his soul pulse. He was sure his lights were heart-shaped. Such a pun deserved one of his own.

-Toc, toc.

Curiosity and fun shone in the Comic lights.

-Who's there? - He asked expectantly.

- Keith.

-Keith who?

-Keith me.

Your smile became softer as did the white lights.

-Your wish is an order!

Comic leaned over the smaller skeleton, your teeth touching it gently and Black could feel the affection and care flowing from the other skeleton, even if he wasn't projecting.

The kiss was sweet and slow. When they parted, Black could have sworn he saw the white spots as tiny hearts. Sans stretched a little more and kissed his forehead before falling back on your pillows with a low "woof". Black chuckled.

The two exchanged another look full of soft feelings and confidence.

Seeing that the other had finally relaxed, Comic sat down to pull the covers over them. Black helped and in seconds they were snuggled under the duvets. They stayed a few more moments in silence just watching themselves and letting the heat (of the covers and their feelings) envelop them.

Black reached for Comic's hand under the covers and squeezed it when he found it, Comic pulled it out from under the sheets and without diverting the lights from Black's he took his clasped hands to his face and brushed Black's fingers against your teeth in a small kiss skeletons.

They fell asleep shortly after. Hands still clasped and small but sincere smiles on their faces.

Neither of them were projecting. It was not necessary, since they both knew what the other was feeling and if someone entered the room, they would also not need any projection to feel the love, confidence and security that the two little skeletons were feeling.

Notes:

I wrote this millennia ago, at a time when I became obsessed with this couple. In my mind they were perfect for each other.

I never wrote the full story, but what I remember was that Comic was going to live with the Twist brothers after his brother moved in with Red. Feeling abandoned he would start to fall more and more into depression and Twist would at some point notice and kind of "kidnap" him to live with them. With the help of the Comic brothers he would recover and fall in love with one of them.

I remember that there were two options, of Comic ending one or the other or with both in a polyamorous relationship (Comic would date the brothers who wouldn't date each other, they would just share Comic between them). In this story he ends up with Black.

I don't remember much of what I planned for these two, but I remember that their relationship would be asexual and a slow burn. It would take Black a long time to realize that his feelings for Comic are more than friends and Comic, knowing that Black has no interest in romance (or so he assumes) never thought to reveal his feelings and is sincerely satisfied to just be friends with Black.

To be clear, this is the first time that Black invites Comic to share a bed and sleep (and just sleep) together.