#underswap!

The snowy forest near Snowdin town was quiet. Snow drifted down, coating everything in white and making it difficult to discern anything except for a short figure wearing a red hood. A short skeleton with a crack running down his right socket was trudging through the snow. The red hoodie he wore stood out in stark contrast with all the white surrounding him. He stomped forward, his face scrunched up into a scowl as he grumbled under his breath.

“Stupid fuckin’ laundry..”

Earlier that day, Sans had attempted to do something useful at the house and did his laundry. Well.. Tried to. The end result was less than satisfactory to say the least. The clothes he had put in the laundry were all dyed bright red, including his favorite jacket. He stared at the bright red mess in horror, trying to figure out why his clothes had turned out that way. The skeleton quickly  realized that he had somehow managed to mess up the magic in the washing machine, perhaps unequal amounts? He didn’t know, he didn’t specialize in magic powered washing machines. Luckily he hadn’t done his brother’s or placed a whole load of his own clothes as a pair of shorts were spared. That, of course, didn’t make him less upset about the situation. He growled as he kicked a nearby pinecone, continuing his trek.

A quick walk through the forest would help calm him down.. Or at least that’s what he had hoped. Sans had put on his jacket despite it’s color but was beginning to heavily regret it. He couldn’t help but feel as if it were painting a bright red target on his back. The color stood out ridiculously against the rest of the forest and that only made him feel uneasy. Sure, black would have stood out as well but not as much as beacon signal red. The skeleton sighed as he continued his walk before pausing suddenly. He whipped around, his left eye flaring red with magic as he took in his surroundings. Noticing the broken twig a few feet away as he peered about suspiciously. Did he do that? No, no, he distinctly heard it snap behind him. Paranoia flared as he cautiously backed up before turning to face forward, steps quicker.

Sans had to get out of here. He couldn’t help but feel something or someone following him and lurking in the forest behind him. There was another snap of a twig making him bolted, running away as fast as he could. The short skeleton moved as far and as fast as he could manage, panicked. He moved so quickly he didn’t see the branch hanging down low from one of the trees as it snagged the back of his jacket. The sudden jerk practically flung him out of his jacket, his momentum making him crash onto the floor with one arm still in his jacket. Sans heard the footsteps approaching now as he wobbled upright to face his stalker, magic eye glowing brightly.

But what was there wasn’t what he was expecting as a tall skeletal fox with a hoodie stood before him, ears shifting slightly. The short skeleton stared, suspiciously as the fox seemed to study him before taking a step forward. Sans jumped wriggling his other arm free from his hanging jacket as he stood up, shaking but ready for a fight. He grit his teeth as the other seemed to stop short, digging into his pocket. What was he doing? Did he have a weapon? Was it a ruse? Slowly the fox pulled out a familiar yellow bottle, hefting it in his hand before offering it to the shorter skeleton. Sans stared at it blankly, hand reaching down to feel his pockets where his mustard bottle had been. Oh..

The taller skeleton inched forward slowly making the other flinch, red eye glowing. He paused, seeming to think better on his advance and instead opting to place the bottle on the ground before stepping back. Sans glared at him as he stepped closer before snatching the bottle off the ground as quickly as possible. The action didn’t seem to ruffle the fox at all as he continued studying the shorter skeleton before shuffling over to where his jacket hung. The other watched the fox carefully as he took the red garment down before returning over to him. Sans was beginning to think this creature wasn’t much of a threat as the fox offered him his jacket back, hand stuffed into his pocket.

What was he being paranoid over a harmless fox for? The short skeleton huffed as he reached a hand to accept his jacket back, still cautious, “Thank--”

His hand groped air as he blinked before looking up to find the fox had moved his jacket slightly, making him miss. He frowned, reaching for it once more as it was moved out of his reach. Miss. And again. Miss. And just one more for good measure. Miss. Sans practically roared as he went to grab at his jacket only to once again miss. He wobbled, off balance as he face planted into the snow for the second time today. The skeleton shot up, red eye glowing with irritation as he glared up at the other. The fox had the most amused grin on his face as he studied the short skeleton before wiggling his jacket like taunt.

Sans snapped, “That. Is. IT.”

He knew he shouldn’t be so attached to a jacket but it was his favorite. He also knew this was just a dumb fox messing with him but the look on the other’s face royally pissed him off. The skeleton wasted no time porting next to him as he made a grab for his jacket. This had obviously taken the fox by surprise as his eyes widened before reacting, moving out of the other’s way. Sans growled before pausing, blinking as the fox seemed to vanish and reappear a little farther away. Did that fox just..? The thought seemed to remain for only a moment as the taller skeleton held up his jacket before shaking it teasingly, smile wide and lazy. This fuckin fox.

For about twenty minutes the two moved about the forest in the douchiest game of keep away Sans had ever had the displeasure of participating in. It was stupid and impressive how the fox managed to flit about. Though the shorter skeleton kept up with him, the other still seemed to be just a hair ahead which only pissed him off more than he already was. What irritated him even more however was that lazy almost easygoing and laidback attitude the fox had. Teasing and taunting at him cheekily though slowing down enough sometimes for Sans to get close. Before long the shorter skeleton was exhausted having used a lot of magic.

Sans huffed, leaning against a nearby tree as the other observed him. What was he doing? Chasing after a fox over a jacket? What was he, an idiot? He rubbed his bones as he shivered slightly from the cold before feeling something warm wrap around him. The skeleton flinched at the sudden contact before recognizing his jacket, glancing up at the fox in confusion. The fox seemed a tad guilty as he gently lift the other’s hood to cover their skull. Sans blinked, staring at him suspiciously as he expected the other to yank the jacket away and start up another running session. Yet the fox made no move to do so as he merely peered down at him. The two stood in silence for a moment before the shorter skeleton noticed how dark it was getting.

“Shit, what time is it?” He dug into his pocket, pulling out his phone as he groaned, “Fuck, I gotta get home.”

The fox watched him curiously as Sans stuffed his phone back into his pocket. He seemed to remember the taller skeleton was still there as he glanced up at him. There was a shuffle and awkward silence before he spoke.

“Right.. So I’m goin home. This was.. Awful uhh..” He scratched his head, “.. Bye.”

Without another word he turned and headed home, familiar enough with the woods to know where to go. He walked for a little while too exhausted to port back to his house after his wild fox chase. Sans continued along before halting suddenly as he turned on his heels to glare at the tall skeletal fox still following him! The fox seemed to study him before chuffing lazily, unperturbed by the other’s glaring.

“Why are ya following me? Go.” The shorter waved at him to begone, only to receive a lazy stare, “Go the fuck away.”

When the taller skeleton made no move to leave he groaned in exasperation, throwing his hands up as he stomped away with the other following behind. They trekked for awhile longer, the house within sight before he stopped again, turning to glance back at the fox still following him.

“Ya gonna follow me all the way home, Stretch?” Sans snorted, grinning as the fox tilted his head, adorably, “What? Ya like me ‘er somethin’?”

He meant it as a tease but for some reason the other seemed to apprehend him with a level of seriousness he hadn’t seen before. The two stood there a moment, snow falling around them as the silence dragged on. Slowly the fox stepped closer to the small skeleton making him jump at the movement. Sans stood rigid, frozen on the spot by that curious look on the taller skeleton’s face and those fluffy ears that perked forward. He was close. Too close. What was he doing letting this dumb lazy fox get so close? The shorter skeleton blinked as the fox nuzzled their foreheads together, fluffy ears tickling his skull. Sans eyes widened as he felt heat rush and stain his cheekbones before shoving the other away.

“W-what the fuck?!?” He stuttered, face as red as his hood, “Seriously, the fuck Stretch?!”

The fox, or perhaps Stretch, seemed to take in his expression and question before a pleased lazy grin graced his face. The expression deepened the blush on Sans’ face and only helped tick him off as flipped him off, stomping back home. As they drew closer to the house he couldn’t help but  dread explaining the fox’s appearance to his brother, doubting the other would leave on his own. Though there was something else he was beginning to worry about as he grasped at the front of his shirt, feeling his battered, mangled soul flutter and pulse in his ribcage. What the fuck? Sans peeked back at the fox before staring down at the ground. What was this..?