A walkthrough to skeletal love !
Chapter 3
Words count: 3 572
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Pushing open the doors to the library- or Librarby- you took a deep breath in. You were going to be okay. You had your badge (you found it after snooping around in old Y/N's room) and you knew your usual tasks. After all, when you went to the Librarby while playing the game, you could sometimes see Y/N doing their shift.
Walking in, you saw someone else behind the desk. They seemed to be some kind of…what the fuck were they actually? At first glance you could've mistaken them for a human. They were certainly humanoid, had the right amount of limbs and lacked a tail or horns. But what made you doubt things was the mask covering their face. It was a sleek, flat, oval and white thing, with no holes for the eyes or anything else. A smiley face was scribbled upon the surface and you swore you'd seen it as something else a second before. They wore some sort of costume that would fit better on a stage for an old play than…well a public library. Taking a deep breath you quickly made your way over there.
Immediately as you got close, who you assumed to be your coworker perked up and waved in your direction. Once again, the mask's drawings changed to open the mouth.
“Y/N, as punctual as always! It is my greatest pleasure to greet you on this fine morning!”
Woah. The rich, smooth and deep voice that reached your ears was NOT what you expected. The tone they used was full of theatrics. Dramatic in a way that made you feel as if you were in some sort of piece (and you sort of were). Just where did this character come from??? You'd never seen any NPC like them in the game! Then again, most of the time you barely interacted with characters other than the main ones. There were just too many to focus on already. But maybe if you'd gotten bored enough from the game- yeah no that would never happen.
Realizing it must be rude to just flat out stare at a coworker you're supposed to have been working with for at least a year, you waved back at them.
“Oh hey- uhm-” Crap you don’t know their name! “I guess it is a beautiful day! Haha…ha…”
You weren't sure what you were blabbering about at this point, so you simply quickened your pace and found your way over to your seat.
This didn’t seem to even phase them.
“You are most certainly right! Ah! The beauty of nature's rebirth is always enough to inspire my very spirit! It would almost be enough to bring me to tears!”
Woah. Okay. So it wasn’t just the tone. You nodded in their way. They reminded you that the events of the game took place in Spring, so it was normal that you only were at the start of it. It also explained the wind this morning. The ride had chilled you to the bone. Dang it, you weren't a skeleton. The pun couldn't work. Fuck your life.
Your displeasure seemed to have translated over to your face since your coworker- you really needed to find out about their name- leaned in. You quickly leaned back, hitting the back of your chair. While the expression on their mask was nothing but friendly, it could be kind of creepy this close. The lines changed instantly, almost like the storyboard of an animation, to show an open mouth and they slowly tilted their head.
“You're pondering about something,”
You closed and opened your mouth, hesitant to talk as you were waiting for the rest of their sentence. Nothing. You glanced at the rest of the workplace. No one else was there. Yeah, the number of people coming to borrow books on a Monday must’ve been around 0.
They weren't moving, despite the awkward silence. So you put your hand on the mask, and slowly pushed their head away from you. Was this rude? It wasn't their real face. Or maybe it was?? Hey they got in your space in the first place! They didn't seem to mind, letting themselves be pushed.
Wincing as you did it, you answered.
“You are right. I am…thinking about things. I just would prefer it if you didn’t get too close uuuhh…”
“Cyno.”
You blinked, your brain shock circuiting. How did they know you couldn't remember their name?
“If my memory does not fail me, this is the first time you harbor the desire to know the way people refer to me!”
“...what?”
“You never asked for my name. And when I tried to tell you told me and I quote “Don't care, didn't ask, weird face.””
Ah. You had nearly forgotten how rude Y/N could be in the game. It didn't surprise you but it certainly did not help your case.
“Well I had a change of heart! I realized how rude I had been with…kind of everyone I interacted with. And I'm trying to better myself! So I hope we can start over?”
You offered them your hand, putting on a nervous, albeit hopeful smile. Their mask- face? Pick a side Y/N. Their face had changed to a blank expression, and they went oddly quiet. You were really starting to miss the silly smile from before. The silence stretched on to an uncomfortable degree before they finally perked up and quickly shook your hand. Woah. They had a stronger grip than you expected!
When they finally let your hand go, you continued to shake it a few seconds after in the air. You didn’t even have time to properly stop it when they slapped you on your back, almost making you fall in the process.
They loudly proclaimed, “To this new friendship! Ah! I knew the gods must’ve blessed us with their blessings! Today is a day I never thought would've come!”
Coughing, you quickly nodded. They were really too much. But you also knew that if you had met them while playing- weren't you still playing already? Whatever! If it had been during one of your playthroughs, they would've been a favourite. Though they really don’t know what personal space is.
Afterwards, you sat back down, albeit a bit shakily and began to get into work mode. Even though the library opened at 12, there wasn’t anyone until 4pm. While you took care of a patron's request you found yourself wondering why the original Y/N came in this early. There really was no need to wake up at 6:00 for this. Granted, you did need that time to get ready and convince Red to drive you to work. But you wouldn't need to every morning. When an old man called you over to know which book was where you pushed the question to the back of your mind.
By 7 pm you finally clocked out. Cyno, in a very extravagant manner, gave you “the most popular way to reach my person”. Their phone number. They meant their phone number. Smiling, you took it and watched them run outside. You briefly hesitated to ask where they were going to be so urged but decided to keep your mouth shut. You weren't close enough for this. Until today you didn’t even know their name! With a sigh you headed out of your workplace as well.
The rush of the fresh air upon your face was almost washing away all the exhaustion of your day. You felt yourself relax. You quickly resolved yourself into walking back home. It may have been a bit far from the house but you couldn't risk giving too many favors to Red. Knowing this jerk he would use every little thing you gave him over you.
Walking did you good. It gave you time to really think about everything that had happened since yesterday. You were stuck in a videogame. This was your reality right now. And while certain aspects seemed to still exist, albeit bugged like the game window, others had completely disappeared. You could feel a headache coming in. At least you were stuck in a game you knew like the back of your hand. It could be worse. Yes.
…and yet it could've been so much better because why were you stuck as the freaking antagonist?! It just wasn't fair! What had you done to deserve this?! Yes, it was true that at some point you wanted to be a bit more like them. You envied their capacity of saying no and the strength they had to get themselves out of an abusive situation. They didn't take shit anymore. That much was true. But you had to admit they had isolated themselves to a point where it was sickening. They only went to two places, the library and the house. And they didn’t have a single friend in either of those places because they drove everyone away!!
Back home, you weren't crawling under the number of friends you had but you still had people you could count on! You weren't sure if you'd be able to take one more bewildered look from your coworker just because you said “thank you” when they gave you a pencil. And this house…
You slowed in your steps without noticing.
It had always been an almost comforting place in the game. But remembering the looks thrown your way during dinner, how you'd been panicking and freaking out while feeling invisible- you didn’t want to go back there. To witness the painful contrast between the colors and life and sheer money in the skeleton's stuff and then eat grey cereal- GREY CEREAL! WHO IN THE EVER LOVING FUCK HAS GREY CEREALS!?
Stop. You were going insane- you certainly looked insane. Crying- when did the tears start coming?- and throwing a tantrum in the middle of the street. You were being selfish too. You had read fanfictions where the main character would literally get abused by the skeletons. Them being reasonably cold to a roommate who's been many times an asshole shouldn’t be a surprise. But you didn’t do anything! You shouldn't pay for someone else’s actions- SHUT UP. That’s your life now until further notice. Focus on not getting kicked out and going back to your original life. But you hate it here!
“Then make it into something you like. You don’t have to love it, but since you'll be living here for at least a year you should get comfy.”
You paused as those words came back to you. Betty's words. You’d been freaking out after moving into your University's dorms. You had trouble breaking the ice with your roommate and you terribly missed home. Law school wasn’t for the weak so you barely even had time for yourself since you weren't sure how to organize yourself. In a night of distress you had decided to call your best friend. Crying and sobbing how you just wanted to quit and work at Target if it meant never having to do this again.
“If you do this I will personally beat your ass Y/N. I am not kidding,” she had said with a firm tone.
“Listen to me. I refuse to let you throw away a chance that some would kill to have. I know this is overwhelming and weird and you hate it there. It's school. Everyone hates it there. But you're studying to do more than half of this country's population will ever do. So you're gonna tough it out, get your degree and take us to a trip to the Bahamas once you get that big brain job money!”
You chuckled at the memory. You had yet to take her on that trip. But soon, after all, you were almost done with…University. SHIT. If you were stuck in the game, that meant time was still passing in the real world! Yes, it passed faster down there, but months here would still translate into at least a day in the real world. And you couldn't stay there forever! You had tests and Betty was about to get married! You couldn't miss your friend’s wedding! You couldn't miss your whole life! You HAD to get out of there!
This time, you didn’t let panic sweep you away. Betty was right. Even though this was not University, the context was similar. Nothing was ideal. But you had to make it work. Because the objective you had to work towards was too important to lose sight of. With a more determined onlook you started walking once again.
It was 8 pm when you got to the house and you were TIRED. All the skeletons had come home and you could hear a few of them chatting (or screaming) in the kitchen. Huh. Must’ve been Papyrus and Boss trying to cook together for dinner. You’d throw something together once they would be done. You started going to your room- Yes. It would be better to take up the time to socialise but you needed rest goddammit.
“So, how was work?”
You could almost hear the smirk in the voice. Whirling around you found yourself face to face with a certain tall skeleton in an orange hoodie. A cig in his mouth- no, it was a lollipop when you took a closer look- Stretch was leaning against the wall, his head tilted while looking at you.
“Heard that Red had to drive you to work?”
“Y-yeah. How did you know?”
He let out a raspy chuckle and you felt yourself shiver. Fuck. Get a grip Y/N.
“He ran to tell Bun and I about it. First time I've seen that fat bastard not use his teleportation. Heh. He kept on going about how you were acting all nice and stuff.”
While telling you this, he started to walk to put himself right in front of you. You noticed that he subtly leaned to look into your eyes.
“But I guess he did mention something interesting,” you’re not sure why but you felt yourself stiffen up, maybe because you knew how observant the judges are? Did they know you weren't from here? If Stretch noticed your change in posture, he didn't mention it.
“So, busted car eh? That sucks.”
Ah. You had to keep in the sigh of relief that threatened to spill out. You nodded.
“Yeah. It really does. Plus now I owe Red a favor.”
“Oooof, sorry to tell you this kid, but you might be in trouble. You should've asked Blue or Papyrus, the Librarby is on their way to work and they get off earlier than you so they can drive you back too. You might have to wake up earlier but I know they wouldn't mind.”
While his tone was teasing this was genuine advice. And frankly you might just do that if only to never have to walk back home on your own two feet. This wouldn't be forever. Just until you could get yourself a bus card.
Still. Something was a bit fishy.
“...Why are you helping me like this? I've been nothing but cold towards you guys. You're not gonna hold this over me afterwards right?”
You really wanted to delude yourself into thinking your tone had been firm, but the laugh Stretch let out led you to believe you were more around the whiny range.
“Nyeheh- let's just say we both had a change of heart. Seems like you're trying to be more open, who am I to close those doors? Anyways, MTT is gonna be on so Imma get going. Do whatever you want.”
And just like that he teleported away. Huh. Almost instinctively your head went towards the living room. Blue was there. Papyrus was in the kitchen with Boss. A choice to make.
Blue was the easier route and you weren't ready to deal with the headache that probably was a negative level of affection Boss. You quietly made your way towards the couch where Blue was sitting. While getting closer, you realized he was hunched over something. A book. He seemed really focused. For a moment you thought about asking later. You didn’t want to bother the poor guy. You shook your head. No. You needed this. Be selfish Y/N. Your reputation is so abyssal you don’t need to worry about disappointing anyone.
“Hey Blue! Uhm, can I ask you something or am I bothering you?”
The short skeleton immediately looked up, his eyelights fixing themselves on you. In the game it was cute. Now? You wouldn't lie, this was unnerving.
“OH! HUMAN! HI!”
Woah. The volume level that reached your ears was uncomfortable. But you willed yourself into not wincing.
“ASK AWAY, THE MAGNIFICENT BLUE IS OPEN TO YOUR QUESTION.”
A smile slipped on your face. Yeah. Even to someone who was nothing but cold towards him, Blue was always as friendly as someone could be. Still you felt bad that you technically only talked to him to ask something, and trying to make amends now was better than never right?
“I…Okay. First of all I wanted to say sorry,” you paused, Blue tilted his head with a confused look. “I haven't been the nicest- no screw it. I have been a very bad roommate. To all of you. And I really want to change. To be better. But I don't really know where to start, so all I can say for now is sorry.”
Silence hung in the air for a moment to the point you started asking yourself if you had said something wrong.
Then Blue suddenly jumped to hug you, the book on his lap falling to the ground and you almost jumped out of your own skin.
“YES! MWEHEHE! I ACCEPT YOUR APOLOGY HUMAN! AND WORRY NOT, I WILL GLADLY TAKE UP ON THE MANTLE OF GUIDE IN YOUR QUEST FOR REDEMPTION!”
You chuckled nervously before realizing this was the moment you needed to ask for his help.
“Thank you so much! I uh- I also need to ask you a favor. I was wondering if you could drive me to work? My car is busted and- you don’t need to drive me back home but-”
His grip got even tighter and you started to wonder how such a small body could have so much strength. He didn't even have muscles!
“WORRY NOT HUMAN FRIEND! I DON'T MIND! PLUS IT WOULDN'T BE VERY SAFE TO LET YOU WALK BACK TO THE HOUSE THIS LATE!”
This was a relief since you couldn't feel your legs anymore. Though if this was because of all the walking or the way your blood circulation was being cut you couldn't tell.
After a few more seconds he finally let you get back down and you were never so thankful for being about to breathe again. You were about to go back to your room when Blue caught your hand. It wasn't a forceful grip, but it was clear he wanted you to wait.
“HUMAN, I THINK YOU SHOULD TRY TO EAT WITH US AGAIN. YESTERDAY WAS ALREADY A GOOD INTRODUCTION, BUT YOU WERE TOO BUSY TREMBLING IN YOUR CORNER,” ouch. His raw honesty hurt. “THIS TIME, LET'S TRY TO INCLUDE IN THE CONVERSATIONS!”
You pursed your lips. He wasn't wrong. But you had no energy. Still, looking into Blue's big eyes (or eyelights) you knew you couldn't back away now. You just had a big speech about how you wanted to integrate yourself in this house! With a sigh you nodded.
“Yeah. You're right. Let me just make something for myself and I'll join you guys.”
Blue quickly nodded and let you go, going back to his book that had been forgotten on the floor.
Your time in the kitchen was…interesting. You knew how to make dinner. But it was difficult when the ingredients were so few. You ended up making a struggle meal and looking towards the big table, saw an excited Blue waving towards you. Seems like he had saved you a place next to him, though still at the edge of the table.
You hurried to sit down as multiple eyelights focused on your form. It honestly felt like a walk of shame. Still you sat down and sighed out of relief. This was done. You did your best not to look at Blue's plate which seemed much more filled than yours. You shook your head. Yeah, you were starting to understand why the original Y/N didn’t come down to eat with them.
The dinner went a bit better. While the skeletons talked about subjects you knew a bit about due to your knowledge of the game, it still wasn't enough for you to add anything interesting. Blue tried to help you, giving you some opportunities to interject. All in all it was a very uncomfortable experience but last time was worse.
Soon enough you cleaned after yourself and went back to your room. But before then Blue waved at you.
“GOOD NIGHT HUMAN! I'LL COME WAKE YOU UP TOMORROW!”
Smiling at him you nodded, “Yeah, thank you. Good night to you too Blue.”
And just like that you got inside your room. Your body hit your bed like a rock and you easily went to sleep.
Blue was still a bit surprised as to how much your smile had changed. Or maybe it was just because it was the first time you smiled at him.
