Strike a Pose (Mettaton x Reader)

Chapter 3

"So, (Y/N), where do you work?" the celebrity asked me, a polite but natural smile on his face.

I glanced at my hands nervously as I folded and unfolded them. "I'm a hairdresser at Phantasm Salon." The founder was a ghost, hence the name. I was about to ask 'what about you,' but I knew. It was obvious based on everything about the room we were in. MTT-brand items lined the walls, Mettaton vinyl records sat next to a sparkly pink record player, and even a life-sized cardboard cutout of the guy stood in the corner.

"The one down the street?" He hummed in thought. "I might stop by." He mumbled something under his breath, but I couldn't understand. I didn't want to ask about it, so I didn't.

"Oh, no! You don't have to!" I waved my hands violently in front of my face, my eyes wide.

He smiled and shook his head, dropping the subject.  I could assume that he wouldn't come to the salon, being a celebrity, but his reaction would hint otherwise. "How long have you known Frisk?" he questioned.

"Oh, probably as long as you have." I rubbed the back of my neck. "Can't believe they saved monsterkind in like, a day."

Mettaton chuckled. "They make friends so easily, don't they?"

I nodded my head in agreement. "They do. I actually tried fighting them for knocking over my painting, but it was just a misunderstanding." I was starting to feel slightly more comfortable since I knew Frisk and was comfortable with them, but there was still a shake in my voice.

The robot laughed, stretching his arms above his head. "I challenged them to a dance battle, but I'm sure you know that."

I giggled because yes, I did. "Yeah, I saw it on TV. That's when you first showed off your new body, right?" I closed my eyes, remembering the night 4 years ago that everything happened.

He tilted his head up confidently. "That's right, darling. Can you imagine what it would be like if they never flipped my switch?" His battery was very inefficient but Alphys made it better and better over the years. Now he just has to recharge it at night.

I'm jealous that he doesn't have to eat for energy, but alas.

"That sounds weird," I chuckled. "It sounds like you're saying they turned you on." After a second of silence I realized that it didn't sound like that and how weird I just made it.

Mettaton's cheeks were slightly pink. "Would you like to rephrase that, darling?" He laughed.

"I think I'm good," I sputtered, covering my face.

"Hey, it was funny," he reassured me, patting me on the shoulder.

I checked my phone for the time anxiously. "Isn't the show starting in 10 minutes?"

He sighed, brushing some of his hair back with a gloved hand. "Yes, I suppose so. You might have to get going. One moment, though."

Mettaton glanced at my lips and back up at my eyes. My vision blurred for a second as I ruminated on what choices I've made in my life that could possibly lead me to this moment. "Is there something wrong?" I asked, barely able to speak.

He reached out a gentle hand and swiped my lower lip with his thumb. His hand was soft and slightly warm, not what I expected from a robot. "Your lipstick is smudged, darling. We can't have that," he said, wiping the excess on his pants. "Is it coral blue #2 semi-gloss lipstick?"

"Actually, it's coral blue #3–" I cut myself off. "I-I mean... yeah." I laughed awkwardly.

The robot laughed too, standing up. "Well, I think it's time that you find your seat. I hope you enjoy the show!"

"I will," I replied with a smile, bowing my head in respect as I made my way to the door. "See you."

"Bye bye, Whiskers."

My ears perked up, but by then I was already out the door. Why did that nickname sound so familiar? I tried to place it while walking back to the door to our seats. I met up with Frisk and Papyrus on the way there.

"HELLO, (Y/N)!" Papyrus greeted me in his usual loud voice. "YOU LOOK SO NICE TODAY!" He began walking by my side.

"Thanks Papyrus, is Alphys okay?" I asked him, recovered by now.

Frisk butted in, answering for him. "Yeah, Paps just needed my help with her eyeliner because he's too clumsy."

The tall skeleton pouted as much as he could without lips. "I WOULD LIKE TO LEARN HOW TO DO MAKEUP BUT I DON'T HAVE SKIN."

I laughed, patting him on the back playfully. "I can help if you'd like, cosmetology is my career."

Papyrus beamed. "THANK YOU (Y/N), YOU'RE THE BEST COSMOLOGIST I KNOW!" He held up a gloved fist in excitement.

"Cosmetologist," I corrected. "Cosmology is the study of the origin of space. Same thing, though."

"SAME THING," he repeated.

We had to separate because Frisk and I were sitting away from Papyrus, but either way we filtered into our seats in time for the show.

"Selfie!" Frisk exclaimed once we sat down, snapping a picture of the two of us.

"Wha-" The phone's flash blinded me, taking a picture of my surprised face and Frisk's tongue sticking out. "Frisk!"

"Aren't you excited?" They shook my arm, a huge grin on their face.

"Calm your ADHD for one second, Frisk," I scolded, pushing them off of me and ruffling their hair jokingly. "Of course I am."

Giggling, they pulled a fidget spinner out of their pocket and played with it mindlessly.

I tsked, watching the stage. There were only a couple minutes left until the show started.

All we could do was wait for the curtains to open.

Finally, they did, revealing Mettaton in his iconic black and pink, sitting on a luxurious pink chair. "Hello monsters and humans alike! How are we doing tonight?" his robotic voice boomed.