Learn To Love.

Chapter 5

"Red! Breakfast is ready!"

Red groaned and looked at the door to see Sans peaking in, apron on and spatula in his hands. He was grinning- but then again, he was always grinning.

"Ugh... I'll be there in a second."

"You better be! I made pancakes."

"Chocolate chip?"

"Of course."

Blue closed the door behind him and Red scrambled out of bed. Holy shit he loved chocolate chip pancakes. He dragged on a pair of sweatpants, forgoing his jacket and descending the stairs in his simple red shirt.

Papyrus and Gaster were already sitting at the table when Red made it down. Papyrus had picked up a pancake and was eating it like a taco. Gaster was using a fork like a civilized skeleton.

"Mornin, bro," Pap said with a mouthful of pancake.

"Good morning," Gaster signed after he'd put his fork down momentarily.

"Mornin pops, mornin' Paps," Red said, earning himself a small smile from the eldest skeleton and a groan from Papyrus. He took a seat, leaving an empty seat between himself and Papyrus for Blueberry.

"Good morning, Red," Sans greeted as he came out of the kitchen. His pink apron had little frills around it, with darker pink text that said "don't be afraid to take whisks" and flowers on it. He had a plate with more pancakes on it, which he deposited in front of Red.

"Thanks, Sansy," Red said, and Sans grinned. Did he cheeks heat up a little? Probably not, and besides, Red was too busy slathering his pancakes in syrup to really think about it.

Breakfast was always nice. So was lunch- and dinner, for that matter. Eating had always been a chore back home, but here it was pleasant. Papyrus flicked crumbs at him across the table while Gaster tried to look disapproving, but he broke and smiled. Sans came back sans apron and sat down, clapping his hands and giving all the others a look.

"How are they?" he asked.

"If they were a person I'd fuck them," Papyrus said, and that earned him a stern shoulder slap. Red laughed, and he got one too.

"They're good," Red amended, "just like they always are."

"I'm surprised you can taste them underneath all the syrup," Sans commented with a mischievous look. "What do you think, sir?"

"Very good, thank you," Gaster said. Red nodded in agreement.

His father was looking better everyday. The deep, jagged scars on his face were finally beginning to heal, and while he'd never be back to one hundred percent, he'd be able to speak again. He hadn't had an episode in months.

The meal was dragged out as long as possible. The warm morning atmosphere was intoxicating, Red sort of wished it could last forever. Eventually, though, Papyrus stood up and gave the two Sanses (and the confused Gaster) a clank on the head before he pulled on his hoodie and headed out for sentry duty. Red would have to leave in an hour to go help Muffet, but he just had to put a jacket on and he'd be fine- cleaning dishes didn't require much of an outfit.

Gaster excused himself, and then it was just Red and Blueberry. Red helped the cook clean up like he always did.

Sans was busy cleaning the skillet when Red coughed. He was blushing, so he kept his eyes on the soapy water.

"So uh... I've been thinkin' about that thing you mentioned..." he began, "about... y'know..."

"Mmm?" Blue hummed, kind of half listening like he did at times. Red took a deep breath.

"So I guess... if you want to, still, we could date."

Red jumped when he heard the pan Sans had been cleaning clatter to the floor. He turned and saw the shorter skeleton staring at him with his single eye glowing bright enough for two.

"Oh- oh! Of course!" he tittered, hurriedly grabbing the pan and slamming it into the cupboard. He had a barely suppressed grin on his face, which Red soon found on his own as well.

"So is that... a yes?" he asked.

"Yes!" Blue said before he wrapped his arms around Red's shoulders and gave him a big old bear hug. He buried his head in the crook of Red's neck and squealed a little bit, which made Red snort. His face was bright red- then again, when Sans pulled away, his was equally as blue.

"A-and of course- we can go as slow as you want to. We don't have to kiss, or hold hands, not until you're comfortable with-"

Red closed the gap between their teeth and gave him a quick peck.

He didn't even need to go to the surface to see stars- they were all right there in Blue's eye. There was still a deep, empty feeling in his soul, but he pushed it aside. It wasn't his brother- it was Blueberry. And said blueberry squealed again and gave him another kiss- gentle and sure, but giving. Red pulled away with a laugh and Blue immediately withdrew- he was still smiling. So was Red. He felt giddy, like there was a swarm of butterflies in his ribcage. He was excited.

"Okay! O-okay, uhm- well- I don't really know what to say," Sans said quickly, holding one of Red's hands with both of his. "But! I'm really happy! I've only read stories and watched shows about dating before- I've never dated anybody- so I don't really know where to go from here- we should tell Papyrus!"

"I told him last night," Red said.

"I guess we're not telling Papyrus, then!" Blueberry said. "What'd he say?"

"He said it was a good idea."

Blue smiled harder and took a step back, releasing Red's hand. "Oh- oh man, I don't really know what to say... thank you?"

Red barked out a laugh, completely unprepared.

"Thank you?" he choked, doubling over. " Thank you?"

"Yes! For being my boyfriend!"

"You don't say-" Red was laughing too hard to continue. Sans was giggling, and soon the giggles turned into a barking laugh. Red hadn't felt so fuckin light and happy in years- maybe in ever?

It was a good feeling.