A Burning Secret

Coming Clean

Three weeks had passed since Grillby's outburst towards Sans. He never meant to lose his temper so aggressively towards the skeleton, but his emotions were a swirling storm that he was struggling to control.

Grillby tried to contact Sans on several occasions, but it was all in vain. Of course Grillby wasn't surprised, why would Sans even want to look at him after how he reacted?

Since that night Grillby had been struggling to deal with his emotions. He knew he had to figure out what he actually felt and what he really wanted before properly speaking with Sans. He knew he had to come clean, after all it was the only way he could explain his explosive behaviour.

Grillby couldn't deny that he held some feelings for the smiling skeleton. That smile constantly plastered upon his face, his care free attitude...even those puns. 

-

One night after closing up Grillby decided to go to Sans' house. He needed to talk to the monster and try to clear the air between them.

Grillby pulled a black suit jacket on over his work shirt, along with a hat, gloves and a scarf to pull up over his nose and mouth. Normally he wouldn't wrap himself up so much, but snow was starting to fall so he needed to protect himself.

As Grillby made his way through Snowdin his mind began to wonder. What was he even going to say to Sans? His train of thought was quickly interrupted as the snow grew heavier. The gentle snowflakes hissing against Grillbys' flames, causing the monster to flinch and quicken his pace.

When he reached the skeleton brothers home he hesitated before knocking. He realised that this was the first time he had ever called to their house. The only times he interacted with Sans or Papyrus was in his establishment.

The front door suddenly swung open and a grinning Papyrus stood there, wearing a 'kiss the cook' apron and an oversized chef's hat. The smell of burning food wafted out from the kitchen, causing Grillby's nose to wrinkle. "Good evening Papyrus." Grillby said in a low tone, offering the tall skeleton a nod.

"Oh Grillby! Hello!" Papyrus grinned, but his expression was full of confusion. "Um...I don't mean to be rude Grillby...but why are you here? Have you forgotten where you live?" Papyrus asked innocently, honestly taken aback to see the elemental monster standing on his doorstep.

A low, husky chuckle rumbled up Grillby's throat as he gently shook his head. "No no, nothing like that Papyrus. I'm actually here to see Sans." He confessed, feeling rather awkward all of a sudden.

"Oh wonderful! Maybe you can help him!" Papyrus suddenly beamed, reaching out to grab onto Grillbys' arm to yank him into the house. When the door was closed Papyrus turned to Grillby, he was still smiling but looked very concerned.

"I don't know what's wrong with him lately...he's barely come out of his room for the past three weeks." Papyrus sighed heavily, his smile slipping. "And whenever I suggest that he goes to see you he just grumbles and says he isn't in the mood."

Grillby visibly flinched as he felt his stomach tighten. He never intended to hurt Sans so much, but in the spur of the moment a few weeks ago, Grillby just let his emotions fly out.

"I'm just making some dinner, so you can go talk to him and then we can all eat!" Papyrus insisted, inviting Grillby to dinner with no opportunity to decline.

"Thank you Papyrus." Grillby nodded and made his way up stairs, once Papyrus directed him to Sans' room.

Grillby stopped in front of the door, sighing softly as he tugged the scarf down from around his mouth. He lifted a hand and swallowed hard, cursing himself for being so anxious. He gently rapped his knuckles on the door and waited.