I wake up in the Void, the dark walls familiarly abysmal of colour. I'm greeted by Gaster's looming face, the melted cracks painfully visible. I hastily wipe my eyes, trying to erase the dried tears that haunt them. I force a smile onto my face, making a slight fist with my right hand. Gaster merely shakes his head, handing me a tissue.
I let out a heavy sigh. "How did you know?"
"I can tell." He simply answers, offering me a small, albeit forced, smile. "I also own the uncanny ability to sense souls. This is what I wish to teach you. If you're willing, that is." He hastily adds, giving me a side glance.
"Yeah." I nod, crumpling the tissue, dabbing my eyes. The flimsy material rubs harshly against the sensitive skin, leaving slight, red marks in its wake.
"Splendid." Gaster's scarred face breaks into a grin. "I had assumed that you would approve of the exercise; Much like Sans, you prefer to drown your feelings in either drink or work."
I give him a somewhat blank stare, curiosity embedded into my subconscious. "How'd you know that?" I ask, my voice slightly hoarse.
"I, erm.." Gaster glances sideways slightly, then back at me. "Being in the Void allows me to sense the.. Emotions of my creations." He tilts his head slightly. "Other than Papyrus; During his experiment, he accepted the genome that would allow him to read souls in a.. Peculiar way. It decided to reverse, leaving him immune to soul reading, or as I like to call it, motiskenisis." Gaster finishes, his expression slightly sheepish. I flinch slightly, disliking being labeled as a 'creation'.
His face twitches back into one of indifference. "Apologies. I tend to get carried away; It's one of my flaws."
"It's fine." Even I'm surprised at the strange softness of my tone. "Why.." I clear my throat. "Why have you been absent for so long?"
"This particular lesson took an unusually large period of time to plan. Though simple, it requires strenuous amounts of preparation, and it may take a while for the recipient to fully learn." Gaster answers, glancing at me. "However, you and Sans were made.. To be particularly prone to developing this feature. Sans learned it without much trouble, and I expect you'll do the same."
"Nice." I reply.
"So." Gaster smiles at me, snapping his fingers. A textbook materializes in front of me, automatically flipping to page 394. (Ayy slight Harry Potter reference)
"Soul reading." I read aloud, glancing up at Gaster, my expression curious.
"Yes. Study the book, then tell me once you're finished." He instructs. I watch as he seemingly melts into the abyss of the void, his black cloak sweeping the floor. I turn back to the book, reading the paragraph.
It takes me a decently long while, but eventually, I manage to finish the novella length lesson.
"Uh.. Gaster!" I call into the Void, only feeling slightly ridiculous. "I finished!" As soon as I utter the last word, he melts back into existence, startling me.
"You're finished? Already?" He asks, surprised. I nod in confirmation, offering him a small smile.
"Yeah. Why?" I ask, my voice back to normal, for the most part. The only noticeable difference is the abnormal lack of sarcasm that usually coats my words.
"I had anticipated that you would take longer to complete the task." He struggles out, glancing somewhat sheepishly at the black of the ground.
"Well, it's fine though, right?" I ask, my tone speculating. "I mean, I may not have even gotten it. Don't we need to test it, first?" I suggest.
"Well, every inhabitant of the Void lacks a necessary component needed to test out your newfound power." Gaster begins, glancing back at me as he explains, his eyes noticeably lighting up with a flare of passion. "A soul." He finishes, his melted eyes dramatically widened.
"So.." I prompt for him to explain, or at the least, suggest an alternative use of time.
"Once you get back to the Underground, as soon as you have.. Readied yourself," He pauses to glance at me, as if to tell me not to push myself. "You shall find either a criminal or a willing participant to be the first test subject of this ability."
"So.. There's nothing else for me to do here? You're going to send me back?" I ask, my eyes widening. An inexplicable sense of betrayal rushes through me, though I'm not sure why. It isn't as if Gaster has done anything; All he's done is help me.
"Yes." He simply answers, his eyes devoid of emotion.
"Fine." I say back, forcing a pained smile onto my face. "Do it, then."
Gaster hesitates. "I understand that you may be feeling vulnerable at the mome-"
"Vulnerable?" I interrupt, sending him a glare. "I've been rejected by the only one I've ever really had feelings for. We're.. 'Just friends', if you remember, since you've apparently been stalking me!" I shoot at him, my wide, doe like eyes welling up with tears.
"I haven't been stalking you," Gaster tries to assume a professional stance, his gaze growing cold.
"Oh, you've been observing me? Or- Or some kind of smart-sounding scientific term?" I automatically say, glaring.
"Look, (Y/N), I'm not sure what's caused this particular outburst," He gives me a look of partial disdain. "But there's no reason to relay your feelings onto me- Or anyone, for that matter." Gaster's gaze softens, his melted eyes suddenly kind. "But we're not the ones you should be talking to. You need to work this out with Sans. Yell at him, if you must, but don't be a.." Gaster hesitates. "Bitch to others."
I glance at him, wiping my tears. A small smile finds its way onto my now red face. "You said bitch." I smirk, a teasing look covering my face. Gaster squirms, resuming his professional stance.
He takes a breath. "Purely because-"
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. I was being one." I interrupt with a wave. A look of indignance crosses his face, followed by partial guilt. (Haha CROSS get it cause he's a SANS- ill go home)
"That's not what I mea-" Gaster begins.
"Nah, it's good. Send me home. You're right-" I smile at him, my newfound confidence seeping into my expression, slight trickles at first, quickly turning into a river. My smile grows, and I nod slightly.
"So you're ready to be sent back?"
"Yes." I firmly state, smiling. "Yeah, I am."
Gaster mutters something unintelligible, and my vision clouds with black. It feels as if cold water is pouring into my ears, seeping into the innermost parts of my skull. I take a heavy breath, my lungs somewhat contricted, as if something decently heavy's sat on my chest. Cautiously, I blink, and when I open my eyes, my vision's faded into complete darkness. Incoherent mutters fill my consciousness, and I subconsciously close my eyes again. My world drowns out with black, nothing remaining but the flurried thoughts in my head, and even those seem distant. A sense of calmness overwhelms me, all the unnerving emotions fading away..
I fall into the welcoming embrace of unconsciousness, the world thankfully sparing me from the undoubtedly haunting dreams that would've otherwise plagued my sleep.
-oOo-
I wake in my bed, the slightly tear stained sheets crumpled around my frail body. My memory is hazy, a faint pounding evident in my head. Then it hits me; I was out drinking last night. A piercing memory comes back to me, hitting me like a knife to it's victim; Last night, I lost one of my best and only friendships with the only person I've every truly liked; Sans.
I inhale sharply, the cold air rushing quickly into my lungs. I push out my breath tossing my head back in regret. In my peripheral vision, my clock blares the shocking time; Noon. I comb a stressed hand through my hair, letting out a sharp breath through my nose.
"Great!" I state loudly, feeling slightly ridiculous speaking to an empty room. I let out a heavy sigh, collapsing onto my bed. I've half a mind to go back to sleep, to simply forget everything that's happening and, during the night, drench my feelings in drink, as I did during the resets. I mentally scold myself for thinking such, and desperately try to convince myself that that's the wrong thing to do, and I know it is, but although the knowledge is clear as day, it burns like the sun through a magnifying glass.
Regretfully, I force myself dressed, lazily slipping on a black hoodie with pants of the same colour. My phone buzzes erratically, my purse lighting up. I teleport it into my outstretched hand, my magic taking more strain than usual.
99+ Notifications from Bonehead, X, Ace. My breath hitches in my throat as I read the first name. I avoid clicking the notification and instead type my passcode, not wanting to risk it opening up the conversation with Sans. I click on the one from X first, wanting to see the shapeshifter's undoubtedly amusing view on the situation. (Omfg 'shapeshifter's' autocorrected to 'aftershaves'.)
X: Heyyyyy u good? Like, probs not, but it's polite to ask, right?
X: Fuck, or is that insensitive? Doesn't matter, don't frogging care.
X: W8 frogging is a word. WTfrog. Oh my god. My phone didn't autocorrect the word 'frogging' lol.
X: Soooo apparently 'frogging' means crocheting or some shit
X: Kay Grillby's coming over 2 meh idk where u are 'cause ur not responding please don't die be back in a bit
X: OMFG Grillby and I hit it off halfway!!!!!! So we bonded over Sans' asshole-ey-ness, anndddddd we're getting drinks later!!!!! Also he's ONLY 28 so no sugar baby shaming me kay? He is, tho, apparently immortal since he's a different type of monster and not actually living or something??????? Idk, wasn't rlly paying attention. Don't care tho, that means he'll be hot FOREVAH!!
I grin at X's no doubt accidental pun.
X: Ok imma go home 'cause i have work tomorrow kinda 'cause I already did everything. But MTT will be mad if I don't show up and do nothing.
X: Kay it's like 11 and u haven't texted back. You good? U dead?
X: 11:30 DID U DIE imma get Ace to spam u with messages and if that doesn't wake u up, im calling the 911 dudes.
X: Aka Undyne. She'll kick down dat door like a badass and FORCE your lazy butt back from the APPARENT COMA THAT YOU'RE IN
The message chain ends there. I quickly materialize a response, my fingers flying across the slightly sticky screen. I make a mental note to clean it later, though I'm fairly certain it won't happen.
You to X: IM BACK so I slept till 12, sorry. Feeling kinda overwhelmed and might leave my phone at home if I go somewhere. Sans has been texting me and i kinda don't wanna talk to him rn
I switch to the conversation with Ace quickly, a notification popping up that X has texted back. I smile, and decide to temporarily ignore it. The notification shows a blurb of text that reads:
X: BOUT BEEPING TIME u IDIOT I thought u offed urself or something out of heartbreak or some shit. Idk, what do normal people do with heartbreak?
I grin, swiping away the notification. I'll get back to him later.
Ace: KAY BEEYOTCH X TELLS ME U HAVEN'T TEXTED HIM BACK AND IT'S 11-FUCKING-30 I'll kill u if u're dead.
Ace: GET UP IF U HAVE UR NOTIFICATIONS ON SILENT I'LL KILL YOU
Ace: Omfg so X and I were talking and apparently he like Grillby :D NEW OTP RIGHT THERE don't worry honey, u and Sans are still my fave
Ace: Uh oh, X just told me ur troubles in paradise. Everything good? Want me to kick Sans' fat, boney ass?
Ace: I'll also prank him and tell him it's from u like a big prank. HUGE! Bulbous. Penis.
Ace: Get it, cause I was listing adjectives for big lol
Ace: Kay u haven't told me off on the revenge prank thing so I'll give u the benefit of the doubt and cut back on the prank and just assume ur recovering from a hangover.
Ace: I'm still going over to Sans' and lecturing him 'cause BOI NO ONE HURTS MAH FRANDS!!!!!!
I quickly formulate a response.
You to Ace: Go ahead and lecture him, but NO PRANKS also don't be too rough on him, he doesn't like me and that's not him fault.
I click send, flipping back to the conversations menu. I sigh, biting my lip. TIme to open the dreaded conversation.
I tap onto the conversation with the one I call 'Bonehead'.
A/N: KAY KAY KAY So I know I've been dead, BUT! I have an excuse kinda! So it's my spring break which means that my friends and I are binging Netflix shows and OMFG WE FOUND THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS I- Like, I read the books and LOVED them, and I had NO FUCKING CLUE THERE WAS A SHOW!
Thennn I realized how similar Magnus and X are, and when I was reminded Magnus is bi, I got inspired GURL!
So I got an idea for the next chappie, but y'all will have to wait until TOMORROW 'cause UR GURL NEEDS SOME SLEE- No I don't I never sleep.
But still, my friends don't want to watch The Mortal Instruments with me, so i'm doing that tonight SEEYA IN ALL NIGHTER HELL BOIS!
Anyways so I gotta go do that BYE and remember IT'S ALWAYS DAY SOMEWHERE! (Catchphrase in progress)