Archive of Our Own ^beta

 It was a night like any other night. You were cooking dinner with the Papyrus types and the alternative version of you in the kitchen. The alternative version of you was Classic’s girlfriend, and everyone called her Ginger. She was a swapped version of you and your brother, older and into technology over your farm experience. You two got along better than you and your brother. Frankly your brother was a sexist ass. Without that, you got along just fine besides a little apathy. 

Your nickname was Peppermint, and you liked it. You’re the one who suggested it based on the microsong you really liked in your home universe:

Can I have a peppermint?

You can have a peppermint

That's too hot for me!

Bleh! Hey! Aaah!

I don't like the peppermint!

You don't like the peppermint? (No!)

It's too spi-icy!

Well, why'd you ask me for a mint?

I don't know

When did the spiciness begin?

I don't know

Is it all because of me?

I don't know

Am I sleeping on the couch?

Yeah

You thought it was so stupid, and you loved it. Your mom would make you replay it over and over again because she thought it was hilarious. It made you think of home. 

 Where you came from there weren’t any monsters, so it was quite a shock when you showed up in their basement surrounded by skeletons. But you were an open minded person, and when they started talking to you your fear subsided. As long as you could communicate your differences, things would be fine. 

 And then you fell in love. At first you had a crush on both Fell brothers, but Edge didn’t seem romantically interested in you back, and Red asked you out first. So you pushed away your feelings for the other brother and committed yourself wholeheartedly to your new relationship. 

 6 months later, and here you were. Happy, cooking with all your friends for the people you love. 

 Red was amazing. He was caring, and a good listener. He was protective in just the right way, and made you feel safe. Everything about him attracted you to him. You were fulfilled. 

 Dinner was served and you ate without issue, no one argued this time and it was very nice. Like everyone was a big family. Then dinner ended and you began to clean up. 

“i gotta talk to you…” Red touched your arm, stopping you. You swallowed. That didn’t sound good. You nodded, and followed him to the entrance area. 

 There was a moment of awkward silence while you waited for him to say what he wanted. But it didn’t come. Eventually, you furrowed your brows and decided to break the quiet yourself. 

 “So…What did you want to talk about?” 

 “i…don’t know how to say this, but…” he looked away, “we can’t be together anymore,” Red said, and he couldn’t look you in the eye. 

Your world instantly shattered to pieces. 

“You…you’re breaking up with me?” You whispered in disbelief. 

“it’s not you, doll. i just caught feelin’s for somebody else…” Red began to sweat. You couldn’t stop the tears from falling. 

 “Who?” You asked hollowly. 

 “t-toriel.. over at the embassy.”

 Toriel…The one that Red said you didn’t have to worry about. The one that gave him googoo eyes and special pies and lingered too long with her touches…You bet she made him laugh, made him…made him happy. 

 “I…understand…” you said softly, unable to keep the hurt from your voice. Before he could say anything else, you turned around and ran up the stairs to your room, slamming the door unintentionally. There, you rocketed to your bed, drew the covers over yourself, and let yourself sob in earnest. 

 Why weren’t you ever good enough?

-

 Edge heard the door slam and came to investigate. At the bottom of the stairs, he discovered his brother with tears in his eyes. 

 “Brother, What Happened?” Edge asked seriously. 

 “...i broke up with her, edge…” Red sniffled. Edge took a moment to process the information. 

 “Why?” There had to be a good reason. Peppermint was…well, she was amazing! Edge could see no reason for this to happen. His brother truly found someone worthy of him. Unless…Edge judged her wrong, and she hurt him…Edge found himself balling his fists at the idea. Then, Red spoke. 

 “i like her bro, honest i do, but i like toriel more. toriel makes the same jokes as me and…and she’s a monster too. she gets me,” Red thought about Toriel and grinned to himself, lovestruck.

 Edge blinked, then pinched his nose bone. 

 “...You’re An Idiot.” Edge finally said. “If You Can’t See What A Jewel Peppermint Truly Is, You Were Not Laudable Enough To Have Her.” 

 “but bro…you can’t choose who ya love.” 

 Edge thought about that. 

 No, you really can’t. 

 He felt a swell of determination. He shook his head one final time at his brother, and ascended up the stairs. You can’t choose who you love, and Edge knew in his soul that he loved you. 

-

 There was a knock at your door, and you didn’t want to find out who was on the other side. So you let them knock. And knock. And knock. 

 KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

 KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

 KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

 You sighed. The only one who would do that is a Papyrus type. Probably come to comfort you. 

 It was useless to resist. 

 “Come in,” you said weakly. But they heard anyway, and swung the door open. 

 It was Edge, surprisingly. He closed the door softly behind him. You groaned, and buried yourself in your blankets and pillows further. Edge made quiet steps to you until he was close enough to sit at the edge of your bed. 

 “I Heard What Happened,” Edge rubbed your back through the blanket. You reveled in the relief his comfort gave you. 

 “It’s ok Edge, you don’t have to be here. I’ll get over it…” You sniffled. You probably looked horrendous right now. You were glad you were under all the blankets. 

 “I Consider You A Close Friend, And I Want To Be Here For You.” 

 “All I’m going to do is cry, why would you want to be here for that?” You can hear the sob in your voice and feel embarrassment. 

 “I’ll Be Here For You No Matter How You Feel,” Edge assured, and you felt an overwhelming wave of affection and melancholy hit you. You sat up in your blanket coffin.

 “Can I have a hug?” You asked, and you felt his arms encircle your blanketer form and you snuggled into his hold. 

 You let yourself cry. 

 Edge doesn’t know how long he held you for, but soon your sobs turned to hiccups, turned to mournful moans, and finally turned quiet. Edge carefully let go of you.

 “How Would You Feel About Watching Sad Animal Movies?” Edge offered. He knew when you were depressed, you liked to cry all your feelings out and get it over with. 

 “Promise you won't think I’m ugly?” You asked, shifting in your blankets. 

 “Never,” he answered honestly. You slowly freed yourself from your fabric prison. Your face was puffy and red, covered in snot and tears, but your sorrow was beautiful to Edge. You looked like a goddess of misery. Edge wanted to be there to bring you back to your former glory…maybe even as his Queen. “I Regret My Actions In The Past That Have Led To Your Heartbreak.” 

 “What do you mean?” You glanced at him, confused. 

 “If I Had Spoken Up About My Feelings, Perhaps We Would Have Been Together, And This Mess Would Have Been Avoided, Because I’d Still Be With You.” 

 “Your feelings? What do you mean?” 

 “I Mean I Adore You, Peppermint. I Loathe My Brother For Breaking Your Heart. I Wish Your Heart Were Mine Instead.” 

 Your heart beat faster. Edge liked you? You liked him too…But you didn’t want to hurt him.

 “I-I have feelings for you too, Edge. I had a crush on you before Red and I started dating, but I pushed it away when I got in a relationship. That’s why I don’t want to see you hurt. You deserve more than a rebound relationship.”

 “Nyeh Heh Heh, You Assume The Great And Terrible Edge Will Be Unsuccessful In Winning Your True Feelings!” You couldn’t help but smile at him. He was so endearing. You thought for a moment. You did have genuine feelings for Edge. 

 “How about this: give me two weeks to get over Red, then we’ll go on a date,” you smile at him a watery smile. 

 “Deal! Now, Plague Dogs, Shiloh, Or War Horse?” Edge asked, holding up DVD’s. You point to one and he popped it in the player. You scooched over so he could sit next to you, and let yourself start to cry again. Edge just held your hand through it all. 

 Edge stayed with you through your breakup woes. He brought you food when you weren’t leaving your room or eating, he got you to vent through old hobbies, and he was an understanding ear for your broken dreams of a loving relationship with Red. 

 You felt your heart begin to flutter again, but felt shame for hopping from one brother to the other so soon. But…Red hopped from you to Toriel immediately, would it really be bad of you to do so after two weeks? He certainly couldn’t say anything. 

 So you opened your heart to the possibilities. 

 It was movie night, a week had passed. You stared at the empty seats available to you. There was one next to Red, absolutely not. There was one by Edge too, but was it too early to sit with him? You weren’t even dating yet. Maybe you could, but would that make it awkward? Maybe you could still sit as just friends? The last seat was in the middle of everyone. You and attention didn’t go together, and considering how everything was making you cry lately…

 Before you could think too hard, Edge caught your eye and patted the spot next to him. Problem solved. You moseyed your way to Edge and sat down a respectful distance away from him. 

 As the movie progressed, you found a wandering arm creeping over your shoulder. You smiled to yourself and nuzzled into his hold. 

 Before long, you found yourself cuddled against a tall sharp skeleton, who was surprisingly comfortable. He was carding his hands through your hair, making you sleepy and unable to pay attention to the movie. It was so nice. 

 You felt your body floating in a tingly euphoria, a happiness you hadn’t felt since before Red broke up with you. He had been withdrawing for a long time, how had you not noticed? You were blissfully naive. 

 Speaking of Red, you glanced at him out of curiosity. 

 And caught his eye. 

 He was staring at you and his brother, eyelights scanning over the hands in your hair and your body pressed up against Edge. There was something alarming in his eye, something you had never seen directed at you before. Something dangerous. 

 You glared back. How fucking dare he. He can’t let you be happy? Let his brother be happy? What was going through that hollow skull of his? 

 Red blinked, and the look was gone. He turned back to the movie. 

 Edge watched as this went down, feeling you tense beneath his claws. Edge couldn’t decide if his brother’s feelings were the result of misplaced protectiveness for Edge, possessiveness of you, or jealousy, but he didn’t like any of it. He’d have to have a few words with his brother. 

 Both of you pointedly went back to enjoying each other’s company, maybe moreso. It was pleasant contact between the two of you. 

-

 The two weeks passed, and you felt better. You weren’t healed yet, but you felt lighter and able to focus on other things. Edge helped you through your entire breakup, even the ugly parts. Part of you wondered why he wasn’t with his brother, but then you remembered Red had a new relationship to fawn over. A lover to comfort him. He probably wasn’t that torn up in the first place, having lost love for you. 

 You were getting dressed for the day when you hear:

 KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

 You quickly finish sliding your dress on and open the door. Edge stood there, flowers in hand. 

 “Would You Consider Accompanying Me On A Date Tonight?” He handed you the beautiful bouquet. You smelled its wonderful perfume and sighed dreamily. 

 “Nobody’s ever brought me flowers before,” you smiled at him adoringly, you knew Edge would be a thoughtful datemate, but so romantic? It touched you. “Of course I’ll go with you, nothing would make me happier.” 

 Edge lit up like a christmas tree. His smile was so big and bright, you wanted to engrave it on your soul so you could look at it when you were upset. It made you happier just looking at it. 

 He cleared his throat and straightened himself. 

 “Right. Please Be Ready At 7PM Sharp, In Something Casual But Nice. What You Have On Will Do.” 

 “Ok. See you then, Edge,” and before you could think better of it, you reached up and kissed his cheek, making him blushed heavily. 

 “Yes–Well–Good Day!” Edge sputtered, turning around and marching down the stairs. You giggled to yourself. He was so cute. 

 But in the hall, stood Red, a witness to the whole event. He glared at you, marching until he stood below your face. 

 “i know your game! you’re just trying to make me jealous! you hurt my brother and i’ll–” He started, but you didn’t let him finish. 

 “How dare you! What in your goddamn mind makes you think I would ever hurt either of you? YOU hurt ME, Red. I thought you loved me at one point? How could love turn to hate so quickly? Let me be happy Red! Let Edge be happy! Go be happy with Toriel!” You shouted, drawing the attention of the other skeletons that were out and about. 

 Red began to sweat as the judgemental stares of the other skeletons bore into his bones. Good, you thought. They all had different opinions on your breakup, but Red was being a jerk. Even they could see that. 

 Edge quickly ascends the stairs once more, summoned by your yelling. He takes in the scene quickly, and marches toward his sweating brother. 

 “YOU AND I NEED TO HAVE A TALK,” Edge snarled, reverting back to the booming threatening voice he had when he first arrived. 

 You almost felt bad for Red, but then you remembered what he implied. You glared at him once more before turning your attention to Edge.

“I’ll see you at 7,” you said, shutting your bedroom door behind you. 

 From there, your confidence left you, and you slumped to the ground with a choke of your breath. All these feelings reopened just because he was an ass to you. What a selfish jerk. 

 You couldn’t wait until your date with Edge. 

-

 7pm rolled around and you picked anxiously at any loose threads you could find on your dress. You had no idea what was in store for you and that excited you. 

 KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

 You opened the door. There was Edge, right on time. He looked very elegant and refined in his sharp black button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and black slacks. He offered you his elbow, which you took demurely, looking up at him through your lashes. 

 “I’m excited,” you disclose as if you’re sharing a secret. “I’ve never been on a date like this before.” Red never took you on dates, unless you counted movie and anime night. Sometimes you hung out at Grillby's, but that wasn’t really a date. Not like this. It made you feel like you were something, someone special and worth the effort. 

 He crinkled his eyes at you and smiled as he led you downstairs and to his black convertible. 

 “Only The Best For You,” he stroked your hand with his unoccupied thumb.  

 “You don’t need to go so far to impress me,” you assured. 

 “I Want To,” he explained softly, leaving no room for argument. You bit back a smile and got into the car after he opened the door for you like a true gentleman. He got into his seat and you took off down the winding road towards town. Soon a lighthearted conversation broke out. 

 “So what’s it like being promoted!?” You gushed at him, hearing about the news yesterday from Black. Edge chuckled. 

 “I Am Quite Happy, My Dear. I Believe I Am Well Suited To This Position,” Edge preened. You smiled. You were proud of him for making it all the way up to Sheriff of the Ebott Police Department. 

 “I’m glad, you deserve it. You deserve all of the good things in life,” you pat his shoulder. 

 “You’re The Best Thing I Could Ever Think Of,” he says sincerely, and you blush. “You Make Every Day Special, Peppermint. I Wouldn’t Live Nearly As Happily Without Your Presence In My Life.” 

 You didn’t know what to say to that. It was touching, mind boggling. To think he had these strong feelings about you and you never realized. You decided to be honest. 

 “I like you a lot, Edge. I always have. It’s nice to be able to express my feelings toward you.” It was Edge’s turn to blush red. You giggled quietly to yourself. 

 “I Feel The Same, Peppermint,” he replied, and you bit down a besotted grin, instead turning to look out the window. A comfortable silence took over the car ride until you entered the city and pulled up to the restaurant. 

 It was a cozy Mom and Pop Italian place, and you were hyped to go inside. You loved Italian, it was one of the things you and Edge bonded over in the beginning. You loved the homage this paid to that. 

Edge came around and opened the door for you, offering his arm for you to hold, which you accepted. 

You found yourself in the restaurant, being sat by what looked like Mom herself.

“Edge! You brought a girl!” The elderly woman clapped in delight. Edge blushed. 

“You Are The Only One I Trust To Not Disappoint On The Quality Of Your Food On Such An Important Occasion,” he explained, making the woman titter and wave him away, giggling at the compliment. You smiled at him, you enjoyed seeing this side of Edge. Edge introduced you and the woman, who you learned was named Catalina. Once sat, she excitedly waddled to grab your drinks. 

“You must come here a lot,” you commented, amused. Edge chuckled.

“I Come Every So Often, Catalina Is Just Very Good At Remembering Things.” 

Catalina came back with your drinks and replied:

“Not many skeletons come into my restaurant! Especially such gentlemanly ones!” She laughed, patting Edge on the back fondly. “Now, how did you meet Edge?”  

 “Amore Mio, let them have their date!” A male voice called from the back. 

 “Lorenzo you leave me be!” She shouted teasingly, but winked and moseyed to the back of the house. 

 The rest of the dinner went smoothly, both of you having a wonderful time. Edge positively glowed under your attention, and you relished in being the one to affect him in such a way. You felt incredibly lucky to be around him. 

 The meals were delicious. Edge and yourself shared a tiramisu with two spoons for dessert, courtesy of Lorenzo. 

 You walked out of the restaurant hand in hand, and he led you down the road until you come to a game store. You raised your eyebrows, but Edge just smiled at you and opened the door, gesturing to you to continue. 

 “Hey Edge!” The man at the counter greeted, his bright red curly hair and beard unruly but clean. “The party just started in the back. You’re right on time.” You found it funny how everywhere he goes, they all know his name. 

 Edge nodded gratefully with a “Thank You, Mike,” and put a hand on the small of your back to guide you to the back rooms. There you found a group of people setting up board games, and you grinned excitedly at Edge. He knew you wanted to play board games, but playing with the other skeletons always resulted in the table being flipped. 

 “I Thought We Might Play Together,” Edge explained. You nodded, and were quickly introduced to everyone. From there, you helped set up the game Risk. 

 You’ve never played Risk either. Your family had, when you were little, but when you were old enough to play, no one wanted to play with you. Nobody really wanted to be around you unless you were useful. But not Edge. 

 You picked a color and soon the battle broke out. You and Edge quickly formed an alliance to defeat the other players. Every time you found yourself at a disadvantage, Edge would come to rescue you. 

 The fight was grueling, and you dueled the other players until closing when you had to put the game away, incomplete. You stuck your hand out for the opponents to shake. 

 “You’ve got a very strategic mind!” Daniel, the green player, complemented. “You know how to pick them, Edge.” 

 “I had a lot of fun,” you said bashfully, grabbing Edge’s hand for comfort. Edge took your hand happily, stroking the back of it with his thumb. 

 “Of Course, Peppermint Is The Very Best In Every Way. I Am Pleased Others Can Recognize Her Greatness,” Edge replied, making you blush deeply. You didn’t want to tell Edge that he was wrong, that you weren’t that great. You were afraid he’d see that one day, and he’d find someone who does meet his standards, just like his brother did. So you just smiled tightly, ignoring the cold feeling of insecurity. 

 As you return home, you reflect on how well the date went. You had a really good time with Edge, you connected well together and you truly felt like this was the start of something that would last forever. It was built off a strong friendship, it only made sense. 

 He walked you to your room like he was escorting you home, stopping at the threshold of your door. 

 “I had a fantastic evening, Edge, thank you,” you bite your lip, looking up at him through your eyelashes. “I want to have more dates with you.” 

 Edge smiled brightly, cupping your cheek with his hand. 

“I Had A Wonderful Evening As Well.” You thought for a moment he would kiss you, but he hesitated. Instead, you decided to take the lead. You pulled him down by the collar into your own kiss. You sighed pleasantly into it, your lips gently pressed against his teeth. He held you close to his body as he deepened the kiss, your tongues tangling as butterflies filled your stomach. 

 You separated, staring at each other in equal bewilderment. It was strange how just one kiss could get you panting. It was like being in school all over again. 

 You smiled shyly at Edge, giving him one more chaste kiss to the cheek. 

 “Goodnight, Edge,” you said, as you closed the door. You waited for him to leave before you squee’d, dancing and spinning around your room. You had such a good time. You couldn’t wait until your next date. 

-

 Edge strolled downstairs with a pep in his step and a grin on his face. He was planning to prepare himself a coffee to get some work done before bed when he spotted his brother at the kitchen table with his head in his hands. 

 “Brother?” He asked cautiously. 

 “...waddaya want boss?” He muttered dejectedly. 

 “You Look Upset. Would You Like To Talk?” Edge replied, setting his coffee plans aside. 

 “ain’t nothin you can help with. i asked toriel out, she said she has feelings for me but she’s getting back together with asgore. says we could keep it secret if we wanted to. i don’t want to be a secret bro,” Red said with a sorrow in his voice. Edge sighed, sympathizing with him. 

 “I Wouldn’t Want To Be Anyone’s Secret Either, Brother. You Have To Decide What Is Right For You,” Edge patted Red on the back. 

 “...yeah,” Red replied, determination creeping into his demeanor. He nodded, getting up from the table and marching to his room. 

 Edge went about making his coffee, and a piece of him laughed at his brother for his stupidity. If fate existed, it had a sick sense of humor. But he’d have to thank it. Especially since it got Edge to you.