Ace in a Hole: Collaborative Shenenigans

Chapter 9

The next time Alastor visits, it's halfway through the day. Sans is on the floor, surrounded by enough beads and strings to rival the floor of a kindergartener. Sans never realized how clunky he was with his hands until he had to carefully thread a string through beads with letters. It's actually kind of pathetic. If he were in a competition with children, the six-year-olds would smoke him.

It's way more fun than Sans thought it would have been. More so for the anticipated outcome than the process. But fun nonetheless. Sans never had friendship bracelets before. Didn't think they really would mean anything.

It's stupid. Sans really shouldn't be getting giddy over the idea of Alastor actually wearing a friendship bracelet to show all of hell that he and Sans were something more. But he is. Sans is so happy he can barely keep down his grin.

A demon intruded into his house, attacked him, and Sans was so happy it wasn't even funny. He's not sure how he managed to pull that off, but there he was, a grinning mess on the floor as he worked on the little piece of jewelry.

It's reassuring to know that Alastor is just as invested as Sans is. That Sans isn't alone in this crazy, unusual need for someone that he hasn't had before. Just thinking about the next arrival leads to a smile he can't tamper down.

He had therapy that morning, and honestly? It went really well. He spoke about them finally meeting in person, the little scuffle, and how both decided to finally become official friends. His therapist seemed to be wearing a finally smile as she clapped her hands together and congratulated him. Sans officially had made a human friend. One that was a serial killer and demon, but Alastor was already being punished for that.

It's ironic how comforting it was to know Alastor was a twisted fuck. He had covered that briefly with his therapist. She didn't necessarily believe Alastor was a demon or a killer, still, but she was willing to do a thought experiment with Sans about it. Enough for Sans to talk out that the idea of him being a killer was actually... securing, to know. Because Sans didn't have to doubt, guess, or overthink. Alastor was just a killer, plain and simple. And Sans could read him just fine. They were opposites, yet were on the same coin. A twisted dance to an audience of none but themselves.

And that, his therapist had pointed out, could be comforting to certain people. Sans included. One would rather stick with the evils they knew rather than the unknown. She then pointed out how all of this was just a thought experiment, and how there were many unconscious things going on that Sans might not be able to articulate just yet. But, she made sure to add, to cherish what he's gotten so far. Sans is making so much progress lately, and she's proud of him. He is too. Even if the rope he's grasping is rotten, at least he's grasping it.

Alastor arrives in a quick color show of red, appearing on the other side of the living room. He's in the exact same outfit as yesterday, and in his hands, he holds a single coffee mug with the words 'oh deer' printed on the side. They had spoken once, briefly, over the radio about times that would work for physical visits and decided on a fun little sleepover the next day. Since Alastor couldn't visit back to back easily, and his visits had a time limit, they figured it'd be best if he built up power and just spent the night. Much to Sans' amusement, Alastor begrudgingly agreed to having a sleepover. And to wearing the bracelet Sans made him, as long as Sans wore a matching one. Which Sans was completely fine with. The thought of Alastor wearing a bright pink, unicorn sparkle bracelet made him want to cackle.

Sans two, Alastor zero.

And by the way Alastor's eyes narrow at the sight he arrives at, Sans thinks he's made an excellent decision.

"Woah, nice mug," Sans says. "That fucking fits you so well. I love it."

"Good! I made sure to bring it up. I wanted to show you it since no one in the hotel seems to appreciate good humor," Alastor says. He sets the cup on a nearby table, clearly intending to steal more of Sans' drinks later, and stares at the mess surrounding the skeleton. "I see you've been busy."