Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

There was a skeleton on stage. Just the presence of another monster in an otherwise human establishment made Carmine wary. He sat in a booth near the back of the dimly lit restaurant. His usual entourage had been ditched so that he could enjoy his evening alone. It was sweet that his underlings cared about him enough to always be underfoot, but sometimes Carmine needed space. A mob boss had to blow off some steam once in a while.

Carmine had specifically picked a sleazy lounge on the human-side of Ebott so that he didn’t have to worry about maintaining appearances while getting shitfaced. Except low and behold, there was another monster here where they definitely didn’t belong. 

Since coming up to the Surface, monsters had struggled to find their place in a world built by humans. It was an unspoken mutual decision that monsters had their own segregated spaces and community so that tensions with the humans didn’t flair into another war. While it was illegal to deny a monster services based on their species, it was rare that any would walk in the door of human business willingly.

That was the exact reason Carmine had come here – for privacy. He wanted to get drunk, see whatever humans considered ‘entertainment’, and be left alone. The odds he’d run into another monster, much less a gorgeous skeleton, were nil. Yet here they both were.

The lounge singer had walked up onto the small stage right after Carmine started on his second bourbon of the evening. He’d nearly sputtered his drink back into the snifter in shock. The first thing he noticed was the skeleton’s smooth almost luminous bones. The second were the ridiculously tall pink heels that the other easily sashayed around in. Even without the heels, the monster easily had at least half a foot on Carmine. A midnight-colored dress that sparkled in the low light hung off his frame, seductive and backless, exposing a pale swaying spine. 

Despite the feminine accoutrements, the voice that came out of the other’s mandible was deep and masculine. He introduced himself with a sultry grin as Lux, before sitting down at the piano. Carmine couldn’t keep his eyelights off him.

Lux crooned with a smoky purr, singing about lovers lost and time wasting away. It might’ve brought Carmine to tears if he hadn’t been busy hungrily eyeing all those bones on display. It was mesmerizing. The ice in Carmine’s whiskey melted, the drink left forgotten and forming rings of perspiration on the table. Only halfway through the set did it occur to Carmine that Lux was using subtle magic to prevent his phalanges from clacking on the piano’s ivory keys.

The realization doused Carmine’s desire enough to make him think a little more clearly. Magic like that required talent and power. A monster like Lux couldn’t have existed unknown in Ebott without making waves. 

Carmine should leave. He should go, apologize to his brother for slipping away from his keepers, and start an investigation into how a monster like Lux hadn’t come to the attention of the Monster Families. That would be the smart thing to do.

Then their eyelights met across the sea of mostly empty tables. Stars, those eyelights were beautiful. They glowed with violet colored magic. He sputtered as Lux winked and blew him a kiss that made him feel hot under the collar. His tie was roughly yanked loose to help him cool down. 

It all had to be some kind of ploy, Carmine wasn’t much to look at. His bones were thick but broken and mended crooked in too many places to count. His brother Patches always said he was handsome in a broad and stocky kind of way, but that was just a polite way of saying short and thick. There was absolutely no way a pretty thing like Lux would give him a second glance.

Carmine was so deep in his own skull about the whole situation that he didn’t notice the end of Lux’s last song. The lukewarm applause of meaty human hands brought him back to the present. He scowled around the room, obviously this audience didn’t appreciate true monster talent. 

By the time he looked back to the stage, only the piano stood there. Lux had made a quick exit. He slammed a gold coin on the table before staggering up to the bar. His dark red eyelights and sharp eye teeth made the bartender flinch back.

“Where’d he go?” Carmine growled, having some fun.

“Just left out the back.” The cowering human pointed toward a dark hall that passed by the kitchen. Carmine started down it, only catching a glimpse of Lux’s heel as he disappeared through a door at the end of the hall. The door clicked shut behind him.

Carmine was being reckless, but he knew better than to follow a stranger into an unknown area. The door was cold against the side of his skull as he listened for trouble on the other side of it. A lifetime of shady back-alley dealings made him careful not to walk into an obvious trap.

“Here’s your fee, freak.” An unfamiliar voice said, barely audible through the door.

“This isn’t what we agreed on. You promised me twice this much.” Lux protested.

“You’re lucky I’m paying you at all. I can take whatever I want from you, whenever I want. Remember?”

The threat made Carmine’s magic boil in his bones. He burst through the door without waiting for another word. Like Hell he’d let anyone speak to Lux that way. Steam started to pour off him in the cold air of the alley.

He sized up the situation in an instant. Lux was backed up against the wall of the opposite building by an oily human in a two-bit suit. Lux’s dazzling eyelights narrowed as Carmine barreled towards the son-of-a-bitch that stood between them. A nasty grin spread across Carmine’s skull as the human turned to face him; the skeleton was eager to teach him some manners.

The sneer on the man’s face made him even uglier. Lux’s delicate phalanges reached out to grab his sleeve, as if trying to hold him back. However, his hand was removed by a jerk of the human’s arm.

“Don’t touch me!” He spat.

Lux pulled back, looking resigned. A pitiful stack of bills had been dropped on the grimy cement at his feet. Instead of addressing Carmine, Lux crouched in his ridiculous heels and carefully gathered the money up.

“Another creepy skeleton? What’s your problem?” The man demanded.

“My problem is that you didn’t pay the monster his money.” Carmine shifted back and forth on his feet, looking to get a good angle in case this came to blows.

“That’s not your business.”  The man took a step back.

“Call me an entrepreneur. I’m always looking for new business opportunities.” Carmine saw Lux cover his mouth out of the corner of his eye socket, but he swore there’d been a flash of a smile. “Pay the lady what he’s owed or I’m gonna shut you down.”

Carmine clacked a fist against the bone of his palm threateningly. The man backed up as the skeleton advanced. It was easy to maneuver him further away from Lux and towards the darkest part of the alley.

“You don’t know who you’re messing with.” The man yelped.

The steam of Carmine’s magic billowed off his bones as the human reached for something behind his back - probably a gun. Carmine couldn’t believe that this nobody was trying to get a shot off at the head of the Snowdin Syndicate. Crimson magic crackled around him, ready to make the guy into a smoking scorch mark.

“It’s been a while since anybody fought over these old bones, but it’s not a cute look.” Lux’s voice broke the tension. Purple magic surrounded Carmine’s soul. The human was similarly contained. Lux’s hands stretched out in front of him, keeping Carmine and the man locked in place with gravity magic. “Are you done swinging your dicks around or do I have to keep you grounded?”

Carmine’s eyelights locked with Lux’s own. The other skeleton’s cheekbones flushed, but there was a steely edge to his expression. Carmine tried to move, testing Lux’s control. Lux’s phalanges curled inward. A heavy force pulled Carmine to his knees. Who the fuck was this skeleton?

“Antony, get out of here. We’ll talk later.” Lux said silkily. “I can take care of this.”

The human, Antony, was released from the magic. He shook himself off like a wet dog before turning towards Lux.

“Never do that shit to me again or else.” Antony pointed a shaking finger at Lux’s chest. It was more fearful than angry. Then he turned back to Carmine who was still held vulnerable on the ground.

“Watch your back, Dusty.” A hot glob of spit landed on Carmine’s cheekbone. His soul pulsed with rage as it oozed towards his chin and the asshole stormed out of the alley. The bastard was lucky that Lux was holding Carmine back or else he would’ve been pummeled into a meat sack.

Carmine breathed deep, waiting to see if Lux really was going to ‘take care of him’. As abruptly as the gravity magic had taken hold, it vanished. The two skeletons suspiciously watched each other. After a long minute, Lux sighed and leaned back against the alley wall.

“You shouldn’t have done that.” His voice was tired.

“I was trying to help.” Carmine gruffed. Cold seeped into his kneecaps from where he was still kneeling. His slacks were ruined and that was only half the reason his brother was going to kill him for being so stupid. “Why’d you let a human talk to you like that?”

“It really is none of your business. You’ve helped me more than enough.” Lux’s jaw pursed tightly.

Carmine stood up slowly. He couldn’t judge what Lux’s next move was. Usually, he was too perceptive for his own good, but something about Lux was completely screwing him up.

“Us monsters gotta stick together. We’re all we got on the Surface.”

“Sweetie, you seem to have the wrong impression. I’m not some damsel in distress. My manager and I were just having a contract negotiation. It only went tits up when you stuck your boneheaded skull into it.” Lux wrapped his arms around himself.

“Manager, huh?” Carmine scoffed. “He was acting like a pimp. You can do better than that.”

“You don’t know me.” Lux gritted out. “But you have ruined my night, scared off my meal ticket and implied I’m a prostitute. How does that help me?” Lux clenched the center of his chest as if he was trying to hold himself together.

Carmine felt like he’d been dunked in a barrel of ice water. Lux was right. He was so used to getting his way, to everyone going along with his plans and desires. When was the last time somebody had the balls to stand up to him like this? 

The incident from six months ago had made Carmine even more over-protective and hair-triggered than before, especially around humans. He’d treated Lux like one of his own, but they were strangers. Carmine cautiously approached, but Lux didn’t notice. Even though it was a cold winter night, it felt warmer the closer Carmine got. Magic beaded at Lux’s temple. His breath was shallow and his eye sockets were closed.

“You’re right. Sorry I was such a jackass.” Carmine hesitated before taking off one of his many rings. It was a fat gold band studded with small rubies. His brother said it complimented the color of his magic, but Carmine didn’t care much about fashion. All he knew was that Lux could sell it and it would more than make up for the cash he’d lost out on tonight. He put it in Lux’s hand and curled his phalanges over it.

“Hope that makes up for the trouble I caused. You’re something special.”

Carmine reluctantly let go of Lux’s hand. He only came up to the middle of his ribcage, so he could feel the way Lux trembled. Heat poured off him feverishly. Something was wrong, but Carmine was pretty sure that Lux just wanted him to leave.

“You ever need a favor done, come by Grillbz Bar on the monster side of town. Ask for Carmine.”

Lux didn’t respond. Carmine turned away, grunting to hide how weirdly hurt he was. What a waste of an evening. He was even more wound up than before. 

A hand on his shoulder stopped Carmine in his tracks.

“Or you can do me a favor right now.” Lux panted, his tone unmistakable. Carmine’s soul swelled with desire as Lux wrapped around him from behind. He tilted his skull up, Lux looked down at Carmine with hazy eyelights. Something about Lux’s touch made Carmine relax.

“These are some mixed signals you’re sending me. Aren’t you mad?” Carmine asked.

“Furious.” Lux purred and rubbed his hips against Carmine’s spine. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t fuck.”

Chapter Text

Carmine choked. A red blush tinted his entire skull. He grabbed at Lux’s hands, stopping them from undoing his tie.

“What here?”

Lux laughed. “Don’t tell me you’re a romantic. If you really want to take care of me, let me suck you off.”

Carmine was dizzy with how quickly the mood had changed. Lux was the embodiment of ‘blowing hot and cold’. Delicate phalanges trailed lightly from the collar of Carmine’s black button-down shirt to his broad waist. The magic in Carmine’s bones was aroused and eager for release, it had been so long since anybody had shown any interest in him

It wouldn’t be his first quickie in an alley either. But Carmine couldn’t imagine Lux kneeling on the grimy cement. A beauty like him was meant to be surrounded by other beautiful things. Carmine definitely didn’t deserve to touch something so lovely. He cleared his throat.

“I usually like to buy my date dinner first is all.”

“Then it’s a good thing we aren’t dating,” Lux pressed his bone smile to the side of Carmine’s skull like a kiss. “Come on, Handsome. The least you can do is let a ‘lady’ get lucky.” He playfully tugged on Carmine’s belt.

Carmine groaned, good sense overwhelmed by Lux. He was a mob boss, not a saint. All the touching and sultry whispers made his ectoflesh form around his thighs and up to his rib cage. Usually he was the one who had to pursue partners. With looks and reputation like his, nobody was gonna touch his bones (or boners) without some wining and dining first. To be desired by Lux, who wanted none of that, was new and exciting.

“Alright,” Carmine said. “But my clothes stay on.”

Lux’s hands stilled. He’d already begun working on the belt buckle. Carmine gulped, afraid he’d just ruined the moment.

“Don’t worry.” Lux murmured. “I don’t need to open the whole package to have fun.”

Lux squeezed Carmine’s bulge through his slacks. Carmine moaned and bucked. He reached behind to clutch Lux’s hip, searching for some balance. Lux cleverly undid the buttons of his fly and reached into his pants. Carmine jerked forward as Lux palmed his cock.

“Please.” Carmine begged. He wasn’t proud to be undone by a simple touch, but Lux made his soul drip with desire. It had been so long and never like this. Lux pumped his girth skillfully, twisting around his shaft and rubbing the weeping slit with every stroke.

“So sensitive,” Lux teased. “But don’t come yet, I need you down my throat.” His grip tightened around the base of Carmine’s cock.

“F-fuck! Lux!” Carmine grunted. Magic leaked down his shaft and over Lux’s hand, he was so close to losing it. Just when it felt like too much, Lux took his hand away.

“No, don’t stop.” Carmine didn’t recognize his own pleading voice.

Lux laughed. “Maybe you’re not such a tough guy after all.”

Lux spun them around so that Carmine was pinned up against the wall. Just as Lux began to bend his knees, Carmine had a moment of clarity. His coarse hands gripped Lux’s arms, keeping him off the ground.

“Wait. You’ll ruin your dress like that.”

Lux paused. Those endless violet eyelights regarded Carmine with surprise. A small genuine smile made Lux look even more beautiful. It was real in a way that made the rest of Carmine’s night feel like a dream.

“If you’re more worried about my dress than getting your dick in my mouth, I’m not doing it right.” Lux chuckled, but for just a moment he seemed unsure. It was the only bit of vulnerability that Carmine had detected in Lux. This gorgeous skeleton was acting like nobody had ever been sweet on him before.

Carmine shrugged off his suit jacket. He spread it on the ground without a second thought. The expensive maroon fabric would at least cushion Lux’s bones and protect his fancy dress.

“You’re the only thing on my mind, trust me.” Carmine huffed. He cupped Lux’s face and pulled him down into a filthy kiss. His tongue stroked hungrily into Lux’s mouth. Lux shuddered and swayed in closer. Carmine rumbled in pleasure. For all that he lacked in the looks department, Carmine made up for it with passion.

Lux was panting when he pulled away from their kiss. Purple magic blossomed on his cheekbones. A triumphant smirk twisted the corners of Carmine’s jaw. His hand found Lux’s wrist and held it possessively.

“Are you always this considerate before you get your dick sucked?” Lux asked.

“Nah, I just know how to appreciate a pretty thing like you.” Carmine replied.

The blush on Lux’s cheeks deepened. “Stop the sweet talk, you don’t have to charm me.”

Carmine frowned. He meant every word, but before he could say as much, Lux sunk down to his knees on Carmine’s jacket. His dress pooled around him like a spill of starry night sky.

Their eyelights met again as Lux took Carmine’s cock into his mouth. Carmine lost control. He managed one thrust into that hot, wet suction before Lux’s hands pressed on his pelvis. The lithe skeleton was strong enough to hold Carmine in place even without gravity magic.

Fuck if that didn’t do stuff to Carmine’s soul.

Lux hummed around his dick. It felt amazing. Carmine’s hands settled on Lux’s skull searching for some purchase, some small bit of control. Lux ignored his floundering and set the pace, bobbing up and down Carmine’s shaft.

Carmine whined. He’d never been put in his place like this. Even though it was his dick getting sucked, Lux seemed to be enjoying it just as much if not more. The other skeleton was expertly coaxing Carmine’s soul towards climax.

The orgasm building up inside him was the most intense sensation Carmine had ever felt during sex. He hadn’t known it could be this good. Stars, he hoped that Lux felt it too. Just as he was about to tip over the edge, Lux’s phalanges tightened around the base of his cock again. He pulled his mouth away from Carmine with an obscenely wet pop. Carmine sobbed, overwhelmed and at the other skeleton’s mercy.

“Almost, you’re being so good.” Lux crooned and dipped a hand underneath his dress, between his own thighs. Carmine watched with wide eye sockets as Lux got himself off. He wished he could see Lux’s ecto, see the ways he liked to be touched.

“Yes, Lux. Stars – you’re beautiful.” Carmine encouraged. The compliments came too naturally for him to stop. He needed Lux to know how he felt.

Lux didn’t protest this time. Instead, he panted and writhed and kissed the head of Carmine’s cock. He was just as overcome as Carmine.

“I want to see how pretty it is when you come.” Carmine growled, cock twitching. Lux wailed and shook. His rattling bones were music to Carmine. Before he could truly appreciate it, Lux choked himself on Carmine’s cock. He was swallowed entirely from tip to symphysis in wet tight magic. Carmine’s vision blurred as his dick shoved down Lux’s throat, coming hard.

He sagged back against the wall, beyond thought, only able to focus on taking deep breaths. Lux pulled away, gentle this time. Carmine slowly came back to himself as Lux tucked his dick into his pants and did up the buttons. He blearily saw Lux lick his own hand clean and sigh contentedly. Carmine could barely move. He felt – heh – boneless.

Lux stood up, towering over Carmine again. Carmine couldn’t put his finger on it, but something about Lux’s posture was more relaxed now. He looked like how it felt when you finally got to take off clothes that were too tight after sucking in your gut all day.

Carmine closed his eye sockets as Lux embraced him. Teeth clacked against his zygomatic bone. It was too tender a gesture for a tryst in a dark alley.

“The best things really do come in small packages.” Lux said softly. There was a moment of silence. Then Lux stepped back. “Don’t come back around here or you’ll get me in trouble.”

Carmine forced his eyelights to focus, but he couldn’t decipher the expression on Lux’s face.

“Lux,” Carmine said. He shook his skull, trying to clear the fog from his brain. “Why does it sound like I ain’t gonna see you again?”

Lux looked away. His long arms wrapped around his small waist. He took another step back.

“It’s just better this way, Handsome. Besides, I know you won’t miss me too much. My mouth isn’t that special.”

“That’s not true.” Carmine protested. Usually, he was good at convincing people to go his way, but his style of flattery and intimidation wasn’t worthy of Lux. “Gimme a chance. I can keep being good for you.”

It was too desperate. He felt like his soul was hovering unprotected outside of his rib cage and it dropped, smashing into little pieces, as Lux walked away. The other skeleton stopped at the mouth of the alley. It gave Carmine a glimmer of hope.

“I had fun.” Lux looked over his shoulder with a small tired smile. “Thanks for treating a lady right. Goodbye, Carmine.”

One second he was there and the next he was gone. The alley was empty, except for one heartbroken skeleton. Carmine cursed. He bitterly realized that Lux could also take shortcuts.

That meant there was no way to follow him.

The only proof that Lux hadn’t been some apparition born of his own pathetic loneliness were the indentations left on Carmine’s dirty jacket. He picked it up and sullenly put it back on. His phalanges smoothed out the rumpled lapels.

It was time for him to go home. He’d wanted a night to himself, but the idea of heading to another bar to get drunk had lost all appeal. Carmine walked out of the alley alone into the night.

Chapter Text

The increasingly urgent knocking on the bedroom door made Lux burrow deeper into his pillows and warm blankets. It really was cozy. For once the incessant ache in his bones hadn’t woken him up before his alarm. The pain was still there, like always – but his sleep had been unusually deep and uninterrupted.

“Brother! Are you alright in there?” An animated voice shouted through the door.

Lux groggily shoved up his pink sleep mask. A bright winter sun shone through his tiny window, making him squint. He fumbled for his alarm clock, bringing it up to his face. Lux stared uncomprehendingly at the arms of the clock. It was a quarter past ten in the morning so he must have turned it off. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept in. No wonder his brother had come to check on him.

Before Lux could reply, the door crashed open with a bang. Lux would’ve jumped out of his metaphorical skin if he wasn’t used to his brother’s antics. Poppy didn’t know his own strength.

“Whoops!” Poppy looked at the door that was now hanging crookedly on its hinges, a boot-shaped dent in the center of it. “I can fix that.”

“Darling, was that really necessary?” Lux sighed and patted the edge of the bed, inviting his brother to sit down. “Remember that noise complaint we got last week?”

“Sorry, I got worried and my hands are full!” Poppy carried a baking tray in both of his oven mitted hands. The smell of baked goods made Lux perk up, the broken door and fear of their landlord temporarily put aside. He loved the food his brother made. It was one of the favorite things that they had discovered in this new world.

The tall skeleton sat down on top of Lux’s blankets and proudly displayed twelve muffins which only looked slightly singed around the edges. It was quite an accomplishment considering that the old oven in their small kitchen was more temperamental than Lux’s bones. Poppy had picked up a baking habit since their escape to the Surface. It soothed him to be in the kitchen and that’s where he increasingly spent more time, except for when he was working at the diner.

“Here - have a muffin. We’re running low on ingredients so I had to get creative.”

Lux eyed the pastries curiously. They were brown and smelled like chocolate. One bite revealed the secret ingredient – beans. It wasn’t unpleasant. Poppy’s intent to nourish along with his creativity permeated the food with magic. It was much more flavorful and satisfying than the plain pellet rations that they had lived off of for so many years.

Lux smiled and licked the tips of his phalanges appreciatively after the last bite, not wanting to waste any of it. Poppy huffed at his rude manners, but Lux knew he was secretly pleased. The least Lux could do was show Poppy how much he appreciated his cooking.

“Thank you, Poppy. That was scrummy.” Lux patted Poppy’s boney knee. Although he had only been sitting up for a few minutes, his body already felt the strain of holding one position for too long. Lux laid back down on his nest of pillows trying to keep the discomfort minimal.

His brother set the muffin tray on the rickety milk crate that served for a nightstand. Poppy’s uneven eyesockets drooped. “How are you feeling?”

“Just the usual soreness, but better rested than I’ve felt in a while.” 

“You were out late and slept even later. It reminded me of how it was before. I thought it was a bad pain day.” Poppy picked up a pillow and squeezed it, not meeting Lux’s eyelights.

Lux grimaced. He completely understood how his brother had reached that conclusion. There had been years of late nights at work which left his bones aching even more in the morning. During the worst times, it was agony to even get out of bed.

It had taken lots of experimentation to create routines that kept his chronic pain mostly managed. All of that had been upended when they escaped their Underground, leaving behind their home. They’d only been able to bring what could fit in their inventories.

“I’m sorry, love. I didn’t mean to worry you.” Lux apologized. Guilt dragged his eyelights down to his lap where Poppy couldn’t see the stress in them.

“These humans are working you too hard. Did the lab give you the day off because they kept you so late?” Poppy asked. The innocent question pierced Lux’s soul like a knife. His guilt intensified even more.

“Yes, I had to stay late to file some paperwork. They don’t want to pay overtime, so the lab supervisor told me to stay home today.” The lies came so easily, each layered on top of the next. 

“I was so tired that I shortcut straight to bed, but I guess it was too much magic for my body to handle.” At least that part was true.

This was what Lux hated the most about their new home, all the half-truths he relied on to keep his brother safe. When Lux was fired from his job as a lab tech several months ago, he’d hidden it in hopes that he could find another job quickly without worrying Poppy about their already meager finances.

This universe was supposed to be their fresh start – a new lease on life. Lux had been determined not to let his brother down, but his condition made it hard to hold down a job. Humans had no sympathy for people or monsters with chronic illness, you could only call out so many times before getting the boot.

He had no job right now, besides for the shows that Antony arranged. Lux blinked. Then it all came back to him in a rush. The lounge, the almost shoot out in the alley – Carmine.

His soul fluttered. Only his many years of acting kept the blush off his cheekbones. Stars – he was in so much trouble.

“You should keep resting, I can go get some groceries before my shift.” Poppy offered. 

They usually went to the supermarket together; it was safer that way since they lived on the human side of town. No human had ever confronted them, but there were snide looks and rudeness. Lux wouldn’t risk losing Poppy to a human after having made it this far.

Except Antony had stiffed him last night; they didn’t have any grocery money. In fact, it would be lucky if Lux managed to scrounge up enough to cover their rent for this month. Lux held onto the blankets tightly to hide how his hands were shaking.

“That’s alright darling, I shouldn’t lie in bed all day. I’ll do the shopping while you’re at the diner. How about we relax and take a stab at the crossword before you go?”

 It wasn’t a very subtle deflection, but Lux knew it had worked when Poppy smiled excitedly. They hadn’t had a chance to do their usual morning tradition of looking at the newspaper together since Poppy had started taking more shifts at the diner while Lux kept up the appearances of employment.

“Marvelous! Stay right here and I’ll fetch it.” Poppy leaped away, stomping as if they didn’t have anybody living below them. Lux winced, but didn’t say anything. He knew it was a rough adjustment to move not just from a house to an apartment, but from one universe to an entirely new one.

The crossword in the human newspaper was much more difficult than the one back home. Lux and Poppy didn’t understand half of the clues or references. It was mostly an exercise in futility, but Poppy was unwilling to admit defeat.

As he valiantly struggled to fill out a few more words, Lux idly scanned the headlines. There usually wasn’t much monster news published in the Ebott Chronicle. The MTT Weekly actually had the latest news for monsterkind. However, it wasn’t delivered to the human side of town and even then, they couldn’t afford a subscription.

“A ten-letter word… A fundamental force between opposites…” Poppy tended to think out loud.

“Attraction,” Lux replied absentmindedly.

“Brother!” Poppy moaned. “At least give me a chance to crack it.”

Lux was about to rib his brother back, but one of the headlines caught his attention. He brought the paper up to his face. Unfortunately, his reading glasses had not survived their trip.

ILLEGAL MAGIC MATERIALS SEIZED: MONSTER EMBASSY SAYS ‘NO COMMENT’

Magic and magical components are highly regulated by the local government since prohibition laws are in effect. However, Ebott PD reports an influx of black-market magic materials which may have monster origins. A recent sting operation resulted in several arrests and seizure of magical contraband. 

Monsterkind returned to the world after breaking through a magical barrier on MT Ebott three years ago. Although relations between humans and monsters have slowly improved, this could prove a major setback for future diplomacy. Representatives of the Monster Embassy only replied ‘No Comment’ when questioned about their intentions to address these illegal dealings. 

This was another reason Lux especially avoided using magic since coming here, besides for the physical consequences. Humans had strange notions about magic and how it should be used. Since magic was innate to monsters, the materials in question could be anything that was monster made. No wonder there was a black market considering how strict the regulations were. Lux just had to be careful to keep himself and Poppy above any suspicion. He didn’t want any attention from human or monster authorities. 

“I’ve had it! I’ll take this to the diner and see if any of the humans can solve it.” Poppy huffed and folded the crossword up small enough to fit in the back pocket of his trousers. “Are you sure you don’t want me to get the groceries? The shadows under your eye sockets could use some more beauty sleep.”

“Thank you, dearest,” Lux rolled his eyelights. It was just like Poppy to poke at his appearance to get him to stay in bed. “But I’ve got it handled. Now go to work so I can stretch out all the kinks in my spine.”

“As if any amount of stretching could make you less kinky.” Poppy scoffed and stood up.

Lux laughed and threw a pillow at his face. For a moment it felt like it was just another day back home. His brother always knew how to make Lux smile. Poppy caught the pillow and shook his skull fondly.  

“Take it easy, brother. I love you.” Poppy plopped a kiss on top of Lux’s skull, putting the pillow back in place.

“Break a leg, darling. I love you too.” Lux felt his smile tremble, but he held it determinedly until Poppy shut the door behind him. 

Poppy was the only thing in his life that Lux hadn’t fucked up. Despite every hardship life brought them, Poppy was always kind. Lux had spent his whole life protecting his brother so that kindness wasn’t crushed by the cruelty of the world. One rough night wouldn’t change that. They’d done the hardest part already by escaping their universe, now Lux just needed to pull it together.

Lux pushed the blankets off so he could begin his stretching routine. He couldn’t be useful if his joints locked up from pain and excess magic. Something fell off the bed with a heavy clunk as Lux wiggled all the way out of his cozy nest.

It was a ring, a thick gold band studded with dark red gemstones. Lux gaped. The jewelry nonchalantly gleamed against the aged floorboards.

Right – right, Carmine’s apology. He’d given Lux his ring. 

It had to be fake. There was no way a monster would give away such an expensive piece of jewelry to a stranger to make up for an inconvenience. Only a soft touch with deep pockets could afford to throw away gold like that.

Lux left the ring where it fell. If he picked it up, it would feel too real. Then he’d have to reckon with what else had happened last night. 

He pulled a candle out of his inventory and lit it. The wax was halfway gone and the wick was so short that it took a few tries for the flame to catch. It was relaxing, an old familiar comfort that helped eased the tension in his bones just enough that he could start moving. 

He gritted his teeth at the initial flair of pain as he bent and twisted his joints. The excess magic in his ley lines was already beginning to get stiff. The more he moved, the more mobility he would have throughout the rest of the day. Most days Lux found the routine almost meditative, but today his eyelights kept catching on Carmine’s ring.

Lux couldn’t imagine that Carmine was a sap. Even though this universe was so different from his own – a Sans was a Sans. It had been obvious from the very moment that their eyelights met in the lounge. Skeleton monsters were a rarity, so Carmine was obviously Lux’s counterpart in this universe.

It was just his luck that one of the monsters he had spent the last year avoiding would attend his show. Lux had winked at Carmine to mask his nerves and then booked it as soon as his set was done; intent to get his money from Antony and shortcut away. 

Damn that pathetic excuse for a human. Lux regretted their arrangement every day he had to work to pay off his debt. The bills hadn’t stopped after Lux lost his job in the lab. After several months of being late on rent the landlord had threatened Lux with eviction. He’d hid it from Poppy. Even though his brother had a part-time job as a server, Lux didn’t want to ask him to take on anymore work. 

So Lux had made a desperate decision. Borrowing some money from a sketchy loan shark with questionable connections had been the least of Lux’s worries at the time. Antony had only clarified the rate of compounding interest on the loan after Lux used the money to pay rent.

Lux had seriously considered returning to stripping just to get ahead. He’d done it in the Underground as a member of the Avant-Guard and he was good at it. However, most humans found his entire appearance a turn-off and working with monsters would risk bringing attention to his and Poppy’s universe hop. So he took odd jobs instead, but never earned enough to pay off the loan and keep a roof over their heads. Each day he slipped further down the financial sinkhole.

When Antony found out that Lux had a background in entertainment, he’d arranged some shows for Lux around Ebott on the condition of receiving a managerial fee. Even though Lux really would have rather unleashed his magic and flung Antony into the sun, he could not afford to say no. He’d been singing at bars and lounges for paltry wages with no way out ever since.

Then Carmine charged in and almost ruined it all. Lux was sure that Antony would’ve shot and dusted Carmine without hesitation. The human mafia had strong connections in this city. One monster wouldn’t have been missed.

Lux’s soul had thrummed with the magic he’d barely touched for years. The outpouring of magical energy engorged his artificially aroused soul and flooded his already overfull ley lines. From experience, Lux had known that he could ignore the swell of arousal but it would leave him feeling weak and unsatisfied.

And of course, because life really liked to kick him when the chips were down, there was Carmine – a handsome tough guy with a thick dick who seemed to think Lux was worth something. 

Stars – he really had a type. 

It didn’t bother him that they were technically the same monster. Bawdy questions and lewd conversation were a normal part of his universe’s culture, so Lux had been asked more than once if he would fuck a clone of himself. The answer had always been yes. Lux was hot after all. Except that hadn’t prepared him for the reality of last night. 

Carmine was not Lux’s clone. Where Lux was lithe and cautious, Carmine was broad and brash. The colors of their magic hinted that their soul traits weren’t the same either. While Lux preferred to hang back and let things play out before making a move, Carmine’s rude demands almost got him shot dead. It would’ve served Carmine right for rushing to the defense of a total stranger.

Carmine’s arrogant confidence had made Lux act out-of-character. As Antony reached for the gun, Lux reacted without thought. The gravity magic had worked so easily, so naturally. Lux missed magic so much. If Lux wanted to lie, he could claim his motivation was a misplaced sense of self preservation, but that was an awfully convenient excuse. 

And it wouldn’t explain the blow job.

It was hot – unreasonably hot. There hadn’t been enough time for Lux to show off his well-practiced techniques. It obviously had been a while for Carmine, considering how much effort Lux had to put into keeping him from coming immediately. Lux would’ve found that frustrating, but there was something about the way Carmine squirmed and grunted under Lux’s mouth that made him soaking wet.

Lux didn’t let himself linger on the memory of how it had felt kneeling on Carmine’s jacket. It was a moment of weakness. They wouldn’t ever cross paths again. 

At some point Lux had stopped stretching, too lost in thought for it. He sighed and picked up the ring. It was heavy. Some small part of him wanted to find Carmine and give the ring back. Then forget that they had ever met. Another part of his soul longed to keep it. 

Instead, he wearily blew out the candle and put it back in his inventory. He got dressed and tucked Carmine’s apology into the pocket of his black trench coat. Lux had groceries to buy and an empty wallet. His desires didn’t matter. It was time to go see Antony.

Chapter Text

Carmine grumbled under his breath as he kneeled down in the flower bed and examined the roses for signs of spotting or pests. The canes of the bush were frail compared to the size of the heavy red blooms. It was a temperamental transplant, just like him. He’d struggled to keep it alive since bringing it with him to the Surface. All his other specimens had wilted and died in their new environment.

“You gotta buck up,” he muttered to the rose and patted the earth around its roots, checking the moisture in the soil. “You’re the last one standing.”

Carmine leaned back and looked at the other roses in the flowerbed. Now his greenhouse was full of Surface roses. He’d never imagined that there could be so many different colors, shapes, and sizes of the same plant. Sure, they all had their own fancy names and particular appearances, but in the end they were all still roses. The Surface was full of surprises like that.

He wiped sweat off his brow bone with dirt-stained phalanges and immediately noticed the ring missing from his thumb. The absence of the fat gold band was making him feel some kind of way. There were deep shadows beneath his eye sockets on account of the fact he couldn’t sleep after his visit to the lounge last night.

His old bumpy skull was full of Lux. Each moment with the other skeleton was seared into his memory like a brand. Whenever he’d been about to nod off, he’d remember the twinkle of the sequins on Lux’s dress or that demure smile as Lux watched Carmine take off his jacket or how achingly hot it was to be held down under Lux’s surprisingly strong hands.

Stars – his head was really done in. He’d never felt this way about anybody before. He’d had casual flings with monsters who were willing to screw a disfigured bastard like him, but there were never any feelings involved. Anything more than that was off the table on account of his soul mark.

When his soul mark appeared on his 16th birthday, both he and his father had been disappointed. It was a single word - ‘Sans’. His own name tattooed onto bone. His father, Gaster, speculated that because he was artificially created in the lab and not naturally birthed from a soul his ability to create a soul bond was corrupted. Thus the ‘faulty’ soul mark.

Gaster had experimented to see if he could remove it and force the mark to reform correctly. It was painful and unsuccessful. Sans was summarily written off as a failed experiment. Gaster couldn’t stand anything less than perfection after all.

It was fucking messed up. He knew that now, but that was all a long time ago. Back before he dropped his old name and started going by Carmine instead. He was over it. All that mattered was that he dusted the bastard before the sicko wrecked his brother too.

The scar on his clavicle was all that remained of the original soul mark. It dictated that any romance was fated to failure. Not all monsters got soul marks, but soul bonds were a given in any long term relationship. So he was resigned to the fact that he couldn’t soul bond, much less have a soulmate.

But now there was Lux… They couldn’t be soulmates, but Carmine’s soul was yearning for him - even after Lux had made it clear that their tryst wouldn’t be repeated.

“A guy like me should just be happy getting to touch something beautiful every once and awhile, right?” Carmine said to the rose in front of him. The tip of his fingerbone reached out to trace the edges of the blood red petals.

After finishing his inspection of the other roses, he gathered his shears and spade and went to rest on the bench in the center of the greenhouse. He breathed in the scent of his flowers and tried to clear his mind. The Snowdin Syndicate needed a leader with his head on straight, not a chump panting after some tail. Although, now he was imagining what Lux’s tailbone would look like…

“Fuck me.” Carmine groaned. So much for cooling off.

After his restless night, he’d cut his losses and come out to the greenhouse at sunrise. His brother had been out last night too at some kind of fashion show and still wasn’t back yet. The longer it took, the less inclined Carmine felt to tell him about Lux.

Carmine had thought that he and his brother were the only skeletons in the entire Underground. Considering that Gaster made them both, Lux had to be related to the scientist as well. But how had Lux remained hidden all this time? Why was he out in the open now? Maybe he had a secret alliance with one of the other Monster Families. Could this be the opening move of a power grab?

Carmine closed his eye sockets and focused on his breathing. Just the thought of Lux being involved in a plot like that had the magic boiling in his bones. He wanted to believe that the Monster Families had gotten past all the feuding and scheming against each other. Family was everything in the Underground. That meant that up on the Surface all previous grudges were put aside since it was monsters versus humans now.

Monsters didn’t have enough power to waste on internal politics when most humans wished that they’d pack up their inventories and return to the Underground. Lux hadn’t seemed to be playing an angle, but it was impossible that he had survived up to this point without a family connection. In the end, Lux was an unknown element and what you didn’t know could dust you.

“Brother!” Patches’ voice startled Carmine from his thoughts. “Come out here. I won’t ruin another pair of shoes mucking around in the dirt.”

Carmine rolled his eyelights and wiped his hands on his pants. He took one more whiff of the nearest rose, willing himself to at least appear more put together than he felt. Then he went to greet his brother at the greenhouse door.

“You’re such a priss, Pat. We grew up in a glorified hole in the ground, the dirt ain’t gonna hurt you.” Carmine groused.

His brother, Patches, stood tall in the middle of the greenhouse doorway. His brown patent leather loafers were planted firmly on the gravel path which led up to the main house. Even though he must’ve had just as little sleep as Carmine he was as energetic as always. Carmine was jealous that Patches could function on no sleep for days at a time.

“Really, brother? Gardening in your robe and slippers again?” Patches chided before pulling out a pack of cigarettes from the pocket of his sweater vest.

“It’s comfy and ain’t nobody out here but us.” Carmine said, wisely ignoring his brother’s smoking. It didn’t hurt them like it did humans, but the scent reeked. Which was why Patches could only smoke outside the greenhouse and away from Carmine’s roses.

“And it’s a good thing too, because you look like shit.” Patches critically eyed Carmine and his haggard expression.

“You really know how to lift a guy’s spirits, Pat.” Carmine’s tone was exasperatedly fond.

“If I hadn’t run into the dogs searching for you last night - after your reassurance that you would relax while I was out - perhaps I could find it in myself to be more complimentary.” Patches snarked before taking a deep inhale of smoke.

“Ah.” Carmine grimaced; his brother’s mood was making a lot more sense.

“Yes – ‘Ah’. I leave you alone for one night and you give your guards the slip.” The burnt ash of the cigarette fell onto the gravel between them.

“I can take care of myself. Besides you got your own life to live now, you don’t gotta worry about me so much.” Carmine hedged.

“I would worry less if you stopped risking your life unnecessarily.” Patches said flatly. “Where were you?”

“I didn’t lie to you. I was relaxing, just not at home. I got antsy and went out for a drink.” Carmine stepped through the greenhouse door and closed it behind him.

“The hounds would’ve tracked you down at GrillBz or Muffet’s.” Patches took a last puff before dropping the cigarette and grinding it under his heel.

“It was some human dive.” Carmine said, not meeting his brother’s gaze.

Patches’ shoulders tensed and rose up. “And you thought that was wise? Going out alone and surrounded by humans?”

“You’re blowing this out of proportion.” Carmine tried to backpedal. He hated that he’d ruined Patches’ night out. As the older brother, Carmine had always been worrying after Patches when they were growing up. But recently their roles had reversed and he didn’t know how to take it.

“My concerns are perfectly proportional given that you nearly dusted in similar circumstances not even six months ago!” Patches snapped and took out his cigarette pack again. Before he could open it, Carmine covered the top flap and his brother’s hand in his own.

“I just don’t understand. We’re on the Surface for stars’ sake. You could do anything – retire, let one of the pack take over, put yourself first for once and live your life.” Patches didn’t pull back from Carmine.

“The Syndicate is my life.” Carmine said tiredly. It wasn’t the first time Patches had brought this up since Carmine had almost died and it wouldn’t be the last. His brother was stubborn like that.

“Grillby, the dogs, and the bunnies took us in when nobody else would and called us family. That’s a life debt. I’m happy that you got your clothing business now and that you don’t got to be in the dirt with the rest of us. But there’s no moving on from this for me. My life is my family.”

Patches' shoulders drooped in defeat, but Carmine didn’t feel any better for having won their argument. He was so proud of his brother and his accomplishments, even if that meant Patches wasn’t an active part of the crew any more. Carmine tugged on Patches hand and looked him deep in the eye sockets.

“And that includes you, always.” Carmine meant every word. Patches let out a shaky frustrated sigh of acceptance.

“You deserve to be happy.” Patches said quietly. Carmine didn’t reply because the truth would just upset them both. Guys like him didn’t get happily ever afters or soulmates. The best he could do was make sure that his family was taken care of.

“I’d be happier with some breakfast in me. Come on, I bet we can find some eggcellent leftovers in the kitchen.” Carmine grinned and started up the path towards the main house.

“Carmine!” Patches strode after him. “No puns before coffee.”

They raced each other, Patches hot on Carmine's heels. It wasn't much of a challenge given how much taller the younger brother was. Carmine huffed as he stayed just few steps ahead. It was hard to believe that he used to spend most of his time chasing Patches around as a babybones.

It took a few minutes to get up to the house, a large structure made of brick with dark wood trimmings. Its bay windows looked out over the back of the property which rested in a glen near the base of Mt. Ebott. The city could be seen from the windows of the second floor, but it was a fifteen-minute drive away.

Monsters had one advantage on the Surface and that was the conversion rate between gold and human currency. After emerging from the Underground, Carmine had quickly figured out that full time city life was not for him – it reminded him too much of his childhood in the Capital. So he’d bought a manor that could house his entire crew just in case they ever needed to lay low.

Carmine burst through the back door into the kitchen with Patches right behind him. It had been silent when Carmine went out to the greenhouse, but the rest of the household was awake now. Their chef, one of Dogamy and Dogaressa’s pups, was putting together some fancy plates.

“What’s the occasion?” Carmine swiped a strawberry off a tart and popped it into his mouth.

“We have guests!” The puppy barked, tail wagging agitatedly.

“Who is calling this early in the morning?” Patches asked.

A rabbit maid scurried through the kitchen door before the chef could answer. Their ears perked up to full attention upon seeing Carmine and Patches.

“Boss Carmine, Master Patches! Madam Dreemurr and Representative Frisk are waiting for you in the drawing room.” They chirped and grabbed a tray of food before hurrying back out.

“Well, ain’t that swell.” Carmine grumbled. Surprise visits were never good. He’d consider telling Patches about Lux later. Now he had bigger fish to fry.

Chapter Text

Patches dragged Carmine upstairs to get changed before greeting their guests. His younger brother had always been invested in decorum and that extended to their appearances as well. Carmine honestly wouldn’t mind schlepping around in a robe and slippers all day, but he was happy to oblige Patches. Even if Carmine didn’t care about fashion, he knew that it was important to some of the other boss monsters.

So, Carmine shrugged into a button-down shirt and burgundy brocade waistcoat. His usual black trilby hat sat jauntily on his skull to hide its unnatural ridges and the permanent droop of his brow bone above his right eye. It also showed proper deference to their visitors’ positions of power.

The brothers met again on the stairs as they headed back down to the main floor. While Carmine dressed in dark neutrals with red accents, his younger brother gravitated towards a much lighter color palette. Patches had changed into a blue diamond-checkered sweater vest over a white shirt and beige pleated pants that swelled so wide at the bottom that it resembled a skirt. An elegant long strand of pearls completed the look.

Patches gave Carmine’s outfit a once-over and nodded in approval. He’d made most of Carmine’s clothes in the guise of practicing his sewing skills. Carmine had mostly worn dressing gowns and pajama pants until Patches really put his foot down about setting a better example for the crew. The clothes were snazzy, but what Carmine really liked was the care that Patches put into making them comfortable.

They entered the drawing room together, Carmine a step ahead and Patches at his back. Toriel Dreemurr sat on a sofa that bowed under her weight. She exuded quiet strength that only fools would mistake for shyness. The former queen of the Underground eschewed modern fashions for traditional monster robes which suited her new role as an ambassador for monster culture. The only concession to human fashions was the designer handbag tucked beside her. It was comically small for such a large monster.

A human child, also disproportionately small, sat on the arm of the sofa. Their short legs swung back and forth, full of energy. Wisps of brown hair stuck out from their flat cap. The human had grown since they last met, but Carmine was still taller than them for now.

Although Frisk’s face wasn’t very emotive, their energy brightened when they saw the skeleton monsters. Carmine spread his arms open wide for a hug before taking two steps into the room. Frisk hopped off the sofa and launched themselves into Carmine.

Carmine grunted on impact, but couldn’t hide a genuine grin.

“Nice to see you too, squirt. Hi, Tori.” Carmine gave Frisk a squeeze and then let them down.

Patches sighed at his brother’s casualness, but that didn’t stop him from accepting Frisk’s next hug. “You’ve outgrown those clothes. Stop by my shop and I’ll make you a new outfit.” He fussed over Frisk who nodded in agreement.

When they finally let go of Patches, Frisk pointed at the top of their own head and then raised their finger only slightly to point at Carmine’s hat. They raised one eyebrow to imply that they were almost the same height now.

“Yeah, yeah. You’re not much of a squirt anymore,” Carmine conceded.

Even though the kid was mute, they were a very efficient communicator. They wrote in a notebook for more complex messages. It was a shame that Gaster had never taught his sons how to speak “in hands”, his native sign language. Carmine would like a faster way to talk with the human. But that was just one of the many ways the former royal scientist had failed them.

“Hello, Carmine.” Toriel said with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Why couldn’t the flower ride its bicycle to school?”

“Tell me, I’m all ears.” Carmine chortled and took a seat on the couch across from her.

“We don’t have ears!” Patches sat down beside his brother with a disgruntled moan. Frisk patted his knee consolingly.

“Because it lost its petals .” Toriel announced and looked around to gauge their reactions.

Frisk stuck their hand out and shook it back and forth, judging the play on words only so-so. Carmine busted up laughing while Patches held his skull in his hands.

“That’s a real rib tickler. Have you tried it on Asgore yet?” Carmine wiped away a tear. The lack of sleep meant that Tori's bad joke hit directly on his funny bone.

“No, I wanted to test it on you first.” Toriel smiled triumphantly.

“You’re gonna knock his fuzzy socks off and after that you can thank him for me. That mulch he sent did the trick.”

Carmine and the former King liked to share gardening tips whenever they got together, but it happened a lot less often these days. Toriel and Asgore had officially given up their crowns since coming above ground. They still were in charge of the Royals, a Monster Family from the Capital. Except now their job was to run the Monster Embassy and play at being politicians instead of keeping the other Monster Families in line with an iron paw. It kept them both very busy, especially since they had adopted Frisk.

Even though things were different on the Surface, they weren’t so different that the Monster Families had given up their enterprises. It seemed like everyone was committed to playing nice since humans only tolerated the existence of monsters. Old feuds had been left Underground, but there was no forgetting their old reputations.

“He’ll be glad to hear it.” Toriel said. “I am happy to see that both of you are doing well.”

Carmine just kept grinning. He felt like shit, but there was no reason to correct her assumption. It was better to come from a position of strength when dealing with the Royals.

“I take it that this is more than a social call?” Patches asked.

Toriel nodded and pulled out three newspapers from her purse, while Frisk presented a fourth. Frisk held the newest edition of the Ebott Chronicle. The others were old copies of the MTT Weekly from the past year. Carmine immediately recognized the dates at the top of each one. The headlines were months apart but all similar: Monster Reported Missing.

“I assume you keep current on the news.” Toriel said and tapped the headline on the front page of the top paper. Carmine already knew what it said.

“Sure do. What’s this got to do with the monster disappearances?” Carmine tilted his skull to the side, eye sockets shadowed under the brim of his hat.

“Asgore was already suspicious about the influx of black market magic items, but the mayor of Ebott recently informed the embassy that the materials the police confiscated were of monster origin.” Toriel said, expression carefully neutral.

“I assume you don’t mean magic stuff made by monsters, like a Cinnamon Bunny?” Patches asked.

“They found monster parts – hair, scales, claws, teeth.” Toriel looked directly at Carmine. “Do you or your family know anything about this?”

“What?” Carmine’s grin slipped. He almost laughed, but he could tell Toriel was dead serious.

“What.” The word was a growl in his throat. 

“You think we’re involved in this.” Anger swelled in his soul. “After all we been through you should know better, but the past is never buried.”

“Even up here on the Surface I’m no better than a traitor. Who can trust a family killer after all, right?” Magic began to rise like steam off his bones as his temper ran hot. Patches got a firm grip on his shoulder to keep him grounded as a safety measure in case his LV spiked beyond control.

“Explain your meaning, quickly.” Patches demanded. “Or do you want to start another feud?”

“I needed to see your genuine reactions.” Toriel said. Every inch of her posture exuded the power of a Boss monster and the pride of the Royals. There would be no apology.

“We’ve been betrayed. I intend to find whoever it is and crush them. Three monsters have disappeared in the last year. We have to assume that they’rel kidnapped and being harvested for parts.”

“And that reminded you of our father.” Patches said bitterly.

“Frisk and I are interviewing all the Families. But you must admit, the circumstances are similar.” Toriel tucked the newspapers away.

“What a laugh,” Carmine exhaled deeply through his nasal cavity. “Experiments like us could never do that to another soul. Whoever did this is going straight to Hell. Same as my old man.”

Carmine settled back into his seat, but his hands were still tight fists.

“This situation is more important than sparing your feelings. Now that we’ve established that you have no knowledge of this plot, we need your help with the investigation. We’re being allowed to handle this for now, but the Mayor was clear that if we can’t stop the flow of illegal goods the humans will step in.”

“Why not have Mettaton investigate? He has access to more sources via his newspaper than we do.” Patches asked.

“We can’t risk this becoming front page news. This needs to be handled quietly and efficiently. You’re the best monsters for the job.”

Frisk held up a hand. The conversation paused around them. They positioned their notebook so only Carmine could read it.

You got me through the Underground and I brought you to the Surface. I trust you. Toriel is scared that our new family is going to be torn apart by this. The Dreemurrs are too high profile to handle the investigation. They’re afraid because they aren’t in control anymore. We can’t afford to mess this up and you’re the best at skull-king around : )

Carmine chuckled reluctantly. “You got me there, kiddo. I can be dead quiet when I need to be.” He took a deep breath and relaxed. His soul was still thrumming with magic, but Frisk’s trust tempered his LV to something manageable.

“It’s lucky that you got such an eloquent kid, Madame Dreemurr. We ain’t underground anymore – you don’t got the right to make demands. I’ll do it, but you’ll owe me a big favor.” His eyelights burned bright. Nobody pushed around the head of the Snowdin Syndicate, especially not the former queen.

Toriel studied him for a moment. Her large dark eyes, which were usually kind, turned shrewd. She was the boss of the Royals for a reason.

Patches sat tense beside him. Neither he nor his brother liked being scrutinized. It reminded them of darker times when they had been treated as nothing more than experiments.

“Then it’s a deal.” Toriel put her large paw out. Carmine stared at it for a moment. A deal with the Royal Family was no joke.

He took her hand in his and gripped down, hard bone sinking into soft fur. Their eyes met and they shook. It was a deal. No magic bound them, only their words. That’s all they had in this world, family and the merit of their promises. If neither held up their end of it, their word and reputation would be ruined. Not that Carmine had much left to his, but his pride wouldn’t let him back down now.

Chapter Text

Lux sat with his ankles crossed and feet tucked back under the rickety chair so that his legs wouldn’t bounce with anxious energy. This was a skill he had plenty of practice in, honing his worry into a picture of calm poise. Carmine’s ring sat on the desk in front of him. He had placed it there a moment ago with a sting of regret as he saw Antony’s eyes light up with greed.

The loan shark was about to pick it up, but then hesitated. “It ain’t no magic ring, right?” He asked, squinting suspiciously at Lux.

“No, it’s just an expensive piece of jewelry,” Lux lied.

Monsters were inherently magical beings and anything they created was therefore also magical. Food, toys, jewelry, technology – if it was shaped by monster hands then it was magical. Not all monster-made materials had magical effects though, and intent had to be consciously willed into an object unless its maker was feeling extremely emotional.

Lux hadn’t felt any special power from the gold band, but he hadn't put it on either. It always paid to be careful. Antony didn’t need to know any of that though. All that mattered was that he understood how valuable the ring was and reward Lux accordingly.

Antony pulled out a stained pocket square from the front of his rumpled suit jacket and used it as a barrier when he finally picked the ring up. It was one of the few smart things Lux had seen him do. Antony preferred to talk with his fists or make threats. He was a garden-variety bully made dangerous by his mafia ties.

Lux’s soul felt funny, seeing Carmine’s gift in Antony’s hand, like it was being squeezed tight. It was a beautiful ring even if it wasn’t Lux’s usual style. He would probably never be given such a lovely token ever again.

When there were no immediate effects from the ring, Antony smiled and brought it right in front of his nose for a closer look. There were no identifying marks, no engravings. Lux had already checked for those.

“Almost a shame it ain’t. Might be worth more to some folks, since magic prohibition is really starting to be a pain in the ass.” Antony said.

Lux just nodded. He didn’t really understand much about Ebott City’s recent crack down on magic. Humans, like monsters, could use magic, but needed conduits to channel its energy. Since monsters were made of magic, they weren’t limited in the same way. Monsters showing up on the Surface while humans were working to end the “dangerous” manufacturing of unsanctioned magic conduits had caused some conflicts. However, the Monster Embassy had signed an agreement that monsters wouldn’t trade or sell monster-made magical items to humans in order to keep the peace.

All of these events had happened before Lux and Poppy traveled to this universe. That was all the information Lux had been able to learn about the recent history of humans and monsters without asking any revealing questions. There was only so much information he could glean from old newspapers.

His one and only visit to the Ebott City Library looking for more details had been cut short by a human librarian pointing to a ‘ID Required for Book Borrowing’ sign. Monsters did not have IDs, especially not a monster like Lux from an entirely different universe. So that was the end of his research. 

“Lux, you know how to keep me happy.” Antony chuckled. “This smooths over that misunderstanding we had at the lounge last night. Especially since you scared off that other boney bastard and nabbed this pretty piece off him. I’ll even give you an advance on your next gig.”

Lux blinked. His hands clenched into fists on his lap. Years of acting kept the panic from his face. He knew that any hint of desperation would be like blood in the water. Antony had made the assumption that Lux intended - that he fought Carmine off and stole his ring. But surely that was worth much more than what the human was offering.

“I want more than an advance, Antony.” Lux purred, projecting confidence he didn’t feel. “You would’ve had a rough time if I didn’t save your ass. That’s worth my debt being settled for good.”

Antony leaned back in his chair behind his small desk, his smile hardening. He yanked out the top drawer and stuffed the ring and pocket square into a mess of trash and trinkets. He slammed it closed and Lux winced.

Then he opened the second drawer down and pulled out a ledger. He dropped it with a heavy thunk on the desk. The leather cover was scuffed as if it was regularly tossed around. A lick of his fingers helped him turn the pages, until he found what he was looking for.

“A bimbo like you shouldn't try acting smart. This isn't a negotiation. In fact, I was meaning to tell you that my interest rates have gone up.” He turned the book around so Lux could see the latest number written on the page that was just for accounting Lux’s debt. Lux swore.

“That’s five times what I borrowed! I’ve been working for you for months.” Lux protested, voice growing louder with each word. “You’re trying to take me for a ride, but I’m not just a pretty face. I won’t let you take advantage of me like this!”

Lux slammed his palms on top of the desk emphatically. Magic sung in his bones, begging to be set to use. The anger swallowed him up like a wave. Except it left him shaking and cold as soon as Antony grabbed his wrist.

The man violently tugged Lux up and out his chair. Lux yelped as he was dragged forward, awkwardly sprawling over the desk. Antony’s intent to harm was easily felt as Lux’s HP began to lower.

“You should thank me for all I’ve done for you,” Antony hissed.

Lux was shaking. He had forgotten, forgotten how much power humans had over monsters. If he still had low HP, any human would be able to take him out in one hit.

Antony smirked. Lux hated that he was perceptive enough to know that this shitstain was a sadist. The pain he caused was cruel, and that was the point. The only thing he cared about was getting off on the distress of his victims. That’s what made him only a low-level loan shark. He was more eager to bust kneecaps than to settle debts.

So Lux had to make letting him go more appealing than breaking his bones. He hated himself for what he was about to do. He knew what would make Antony stop.

Lux gave in to the fear, the sheer powerlessness he felt. The tears he allowed to well up in his eye sockets and streak eyeliner down his cheeks stung, not with sadness but with bitter anger. The shame of it all made it easier to sob, not for the reasons Antony wanted. That didn’t matter though; Antony didn’t know the difference. Either way, he had won.

“I’m sorry. Please let me go.” Lux begged, making his deep voice tremble on purpose. It was nauseating to see Antony’s expression shift from threatening to a condescending smirk.

“That's more like it. Don't forget your place again, doll.” Antony shook Lux once before finally releasing his wrist. Lux whimpered and cradled it against his chest. The bone ached and felt chalky to touch.

“Never forget, it’s you who needs me. I’ve been helping you out of the generosity of my own heart by setting up these music gigs. There’s no reason I gotta do any of that.”

Lux nodded and stayed quiet. In the privacy of his own skull, he imagined spitting in Antony’s face. This man wouldn’t know generosity even if it was sucking his small prick.

“If you hadn’t worked with me, your debt would be huge. Big enough that you’d have to start worrying about sharks even bigger than me.” Antony leaned back, oozing smugness.

“What do you mean?” Lux asked. His voice was smaller than he meant it to be. No bravado left to protect himself.

“At a certain point, when your debt outweighs your usefulness, I have to inform my superiors. That’s business. Then you’ll have to worry about more than money. Bet they’d go after your brother first and then the diner that’s been letting him work under the table.”

Lux froze. It felt like the room was spinning around him. He had never told Antony about Poppy. How did he know about his brother and the diner?

“Aww, you thought I’d just let you waltz out of here after taking out a loan that big? As if I’d trust a monster.”

“Leave my brother out of this. Your business is with me.” Lux pleaded.

“Well, that’s up to you. If you keep doing gigs and bringing me pretty pieces like that ring, eventually we’ll be square. The longer it takes you to pay me back the higher my rates will go.” Antony relaxed back into his chair, sated by his power play like a scavenger bird who had stolen a kill from an actual predator.

“Geeze, you look awful.” Antony’s tone was gleeful. He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a few wrinkled bills. The money was dropped on the desk, forcing Lux to risk reaching out for it.

“Don’t say I never did anything for you.” Antony laughed as Lux scrounged like a kicked dog for his dirty pocket change. The sound of it rang in Lux’s skull as he rushed out of the dinghy office and down the stairs to the street below.

Lux sat on the curb of a quiet street, his shallow breath and racing thoughts dragging him down further into the sense of overwhelming helplessness. Skeletons didn’t need to breathe; it was a reflexive motion that helped circulate their magic. Except it still felt like he was drowning.

The tips of his phalanges buzzed with erratic magic. The energy sparked and crackled beneath his clothes and along his spine. It was ready for a fight that wasn’t going to happen. So it zapped uncomfortably through his aching bones with nowhere to go.

Lux wished that they landed in any universe but this one. How was it that even without the looming threat of genocide hanging over his head, somehow life here was harder than back home? Lux imagined escaping to a new alternate universe. He and Poppy could start over again. Make a new home again. It was too easy to imagine the sad resignation on Poppy’s face when they got uprooted a second time without explanation.

That was only a fantasy though. The machine was broken beyond repair. Even if Lux could find the parts needed, there wasn’t enough time. It had taken years to get it working in the first place.

There would be no running away from this.

His chest ached as if his soul was being squeezed. Like it was the ring held tight in Antony’s hands. He tried to focus on the other things he could feel, the sounds he could hear. Anything to anchor him in the present, but none of it could distract him from how badly he had fumbled his bid for freedom.

His vision blurred. Lux realized with surreal detachment that this was a panic attack. It was the first panic attack he’d had since they escaped to this universe. His trembling hands clung to his kneecaps as he curled in on himself.

No matter how bad things had got, Lux was comforted because his brother was safe here. The most immediate threat was a universe away. Now that precious equilibrium was threatened, all because he’d been too sick and stupid to find a job.

The sensation of buzzing static washed through his bones. The world around him was far away, but he was trapped in place. It took an incredible effort to withdraw the candle from his inventory. He always had it with him. There was no way he could light it in this condition, but he clung to it like a life line. His phalanges dug into the wax. The faint sent of jasmine was soothing and familiar.

The mantra he always fell back on repeated in his mind: Poppy was alive. Lux was alive. That meant there was still hope. 

Slowly he came back to himself; feeling the cold pavement seeping up through his trench coat, hearing the distant beep of car horns, seeing the purple stain of his tears on his phalanges. He had arrived at Antony's office just before noon. Now the sun was low in the sky, threatening to dip behind the horizon.

There was no magical escape, nobody coming to his rescue. He would find a solution because there was no alternative. There had to be a way to pay off his debt and keep Poppy safe. He was just too tired to figure it out right now.

Exhaustion made it difficult to stand, but he managed it somehow. The candle was tucked into his coat pocket. He wasn't ready to put it away yet.

Lux unsteadily made his way back home, stopping for groceries on the way. When he got to the register he thrust Antony’s crinkled bills into the cashier’s hand, too tired to care about being rude. It was late evening by the time Lux dragged himself and the bags of food up to their third-floor apartment. He had no energy to put the bags away or cook dinner. All he could manage was writing an apologetic note for Poppy before crawling back into his bed.

Lux hugged a pillow to his ribs. Only this morning it had felt so warm and cozy, but now he just ached. It was so quiet, so empty. He never thought he would miss late nights at the club, but at least he’d never had a moment to truly feel lonely amidst the crowd or on the stage. He  sacrificed all that, only to fall painfully short when it came time to build the life he had dreamed of. What would his old friends think of him? He meant to live well in honor of their memory, but he’d failed.

A fitful night’s sleep barely improved Lux’s outlook. It was still early when he finally gave up on getting any more rest. His bones and soul still hurt, but he had to get up and pretend to go to his lab job so that Poppy wouldn’t suspect that something was wrong.

He stretched his arms above his head far enough that his spine popped with a grunt. Stretching would help, but it felt impossible to do much more than attempt to get out of bed. The blankets were shoved off. Lux hoped that the chill in the air might motivate him to move. Instead, he just stared up at the ceiling.

Stars – he wished that he would have woken up and found another ring in his bed. Lux laughed bitterly. Luck had never visited him twice in the same way. Carmine probably wouldn’t even give him a second look after being brushed off so dismissively. But at this point he would take anything to free him from Antony’s clutches.

Then he remembered.

Lux abruptly sat up in bed. His hands clenched in front of his chest. Carmine hadn’t just given him a ring. The night had been so intense, the morning meeting with Antony so disastrous, that Lux had forgotten. The hot-tempered skeleton had also offered Lux a favor.

If Carmine could give away gold like it was nothing, he must be loaded. If he had offered a favor, surely that implied some interest in meeting again? Lux could work that to his advantage. He had charmed his way into monsters’ beds and manipulated them to his own ends before. It wasn’t something he enjoyed, but when it was a matter of protecting his brother there was nothing he wouldn’t do.

He had traded his own health for his brother’s happiness and given up the only life he knew so that Poppy’s wouldn’t be cut short. This scheme would cost much less than that. Maybe there would even be some pleasure to be found in the deception. Angel knew that Lux hadn’t had any in this city before meeting Carmine in that alley.

Lux had his solution. Carmine wouldn’t know what hit him. 

Chapter Text

Lux shivered on the corner of a cold, dark street on the monster side of Ebott City. The walk here from his apartment had taken an hour. The weather on the Surface was more intense than the magically driven elements in the Underground. Even though Lux had lived in Snowdin for years, the chill of winter bit into his bones. His little black dress wasn’t strictly appropriate for the weather either, but Lux needed to look and feel his best if he wanted to pull off his plan.

That’s why he waited several days until the end of the week to make his move. It would’ve been too desperate to throw himself at Carmine the day after they met while looking a mess. His encounter with Antony had really taken it out of him. The chronic pain caused by his excess magic flared due to the stress. His wrist still wasn’t totally healed, but Lux couldn’t wait any longer.

Across the street was a small row of businesses. Only one was open - GrillBz. The bar was brightly illuminated from the inside and monsters cast dark silhouettes on its windows. A few inebriated patrons stumbled out the front doors pushed from behind by an achingly familiar fire elemental. The monsters groused and moaned at Grillby, but the bartender just crossed his arms and glared silently until they slunk away.

Lux covered his mouth, stifling a gasp. For some reason, he hadn’t let himself consider this very likely possibility. Probably because he would’ve hesitated if conning Carmine also meant meeting the alternates of the friends he had left behind.

Of course Grillby would be here - just not his Grillby. Lux knew this wasn’t his former flame, but Stars it hurt to see this alternate version of his former lover looking so vibrant and full of life, not suffering from the side effects of the injection. There were obvious differences. His Grillby’s flames were neon orange and this monster burned black. Somehow he still cast light like a halo in the dark. 

Lux missed him. He could still remember what it felt like to be embraced by those hot flames. The memory didn’t bring any warmth with it though.

All the bravado Lux had gathered around himself melted away, leaving him even colder than before. It wasn’t fair. Back home their futures hadn’t been bright. They had still been trapped in the Underground. 

Despite that there had still been hope, love, and community. Except it was all twisted to an evil purpose beyond their control. So Lux did what needed to be done. He saved Poppy’s life but that meant they left everything else behind.

Lux and Poppy had stayed away from other monsters in this new world to protect the secret of their origin. The distance had also allowed Lux a chance to forget everyone that they would never see again. Except, in an instant, the previous year he spent in hiding from his loss was wiped away. The denial was gone, replaced with grief that he didn’t know what to do with.

The bartender didn’t notice the skeleton watching him across the street. Once the drunk monsters completely disappeared from view, Grillby shook his head and went back inside. Lux was once more left alone on the outside looking in.

Lux shook himself, allowing the sadness to sink deep within his soul so that none of it appeared on his face. He needed to focus on the future, not the past. This was his last chance to save himself and Poppy. None of his feelings could get in the way of that.

Carmine was the only monster who Lux could afford to care about tonight. He was Lux’s ticket to freedom. All Lux had to do was seduce Carmine so deeply that he wouldn’t think twice about giving Lux a mountain of gold or notice a few valuable items going missing while they established their relationship.

Lux took a deep breath and stretched his neck. Tension faded away on his exhale, leaving his body relaxed and ready. It was no different than getting prepared for a show.

His pink heels clicked confidently as he walked towards the bar. Lux’s phalanges were steady as he opened the door. No matter how familiar the monsters inside might appear; they were just strangers with unknown motives, an audience like any other. This was a performance and he would act like his life depended on it.

Passing through the doorway felt like stepping out of the machine again. On the other side was a new place that was strangely recognizable. The bar was lit with glow globes as much of Ebott City was. The light they emitted was usually cold, the magic oddly sanitized – all intent removed. The globes were a human invention so it only made sense. However, the light of these globes was warm and the magical energy that powered them welcomed Lux inside.

It was nothing like the dance club that Lux used to spend his nights at, sometimes on stage and others on the floor. The thrumming beat of the bass and flashing lights felt more like home than his and Poppy’s lonely house at the edge of town. Somehow this bar from a universe away also eased Lux’s soul.

The booths, tables, and bar were full of monsters. The energy was lively, most of the customers engaged in conversation and a jukebox emitted tinny melodies. Lux was thankful that he didn’t see any more of his friends’ alternates. Although nobody was making a fuss yet, Lux’s presence was drawing attention. Some of it was the usual flush of arousal, other eyes lingered on him with suspicious curiosity. 

It felt like he was in the spotlight. That was where he liked to be. Lux put on his most sultry smile and slinked up to the bar.

Lux leaned against it and made eye contact with Grillby. His soul trembled in his chest, but his smile was fixed in place. The bartender did not outwardly react to Lux’s appearance, besides for a nod of acknowledgment. He couldn’t immediately come over since he was in the middle of preparing some drinks. So Lux had the opportunity to look his fill.

The longer he stared, the less this monster resembled the one he had known. His torso was completely covered in a dark blue button-down shirt and an immaculately white vest. There was no mesh, no tight jeans, and no flirty belts or zippers anywhere on his person. This Grillby’s body language was languid, but had none of the sense of rhythm that Lux remembered. 

The revelation was bittersweet. This really wasn’t his Grillby and although he was attractive, Lux didn’t feel the same pull towards him. Given Grillby’s ability to continue on with serving other customers and the lack of come-ons from the other bar patrons, Lux knew that his condition wouldn’t impact them. Up to this point he had only theorized that the pheromone-like magic his soul radiated as a result of the injection would not affect the monsters of this world. Since they were not injected with the same serum, there was nothing for the unnatural arousal magic to “pull on” in the others’ souls. 

It was a relief that Lux wouldn’t have to navigate a bunch of horny monsters in addition to seducing Carmine. Lux did wonder about why Carmine had reacted so strongly to him given this new information. Maybe there was something different about Carmine that allowed him to feel the draw of Lux’s artificially aroused soul.

Grillby finally made his way back around to Lux. His glasses glinted as he gestured to the wall of booze behind the bar, inviting the skeleton to order a drink. Most of it looked much more expensive than what Lux was used to. Lux had never been in a bar so classy or free of dubiously sticky surfaces.

“Nothing for me, Hot Stuff.” Lux simpered.

The flirtatious tone was an unintentional reflex. Lux winced. Grillby quirked a fiery eyebrow in what could either be amusement or derision. It was difficult for Lux to read him. His intimacy with his own Grillby made him second guess if he was truly interpreting the monster in front of him or half remembering his old friend.

Lux swallowed down the awkwardness. Instead of retreating, he leaned over the bar and crooked a finger at the bartender. It was an invitation to get closer so that Lux could whisper in his metaphorical ear. Grillby stood still for a moment before inclining his head obligingly.

Lux’s eyelights drifted down Grillby’s body, another habit he’d have to get over. Lux always liked to appreciate his lovers’ bodies and to let them know it. Except that Lux’s gaze faltered when he saw a gun tucked behind the bar.

Guns were human weapons. They didn’t belong near monsters. A bullet was almost a guaranteed death blow for them. Lux didn’t know anything about guns, but he could tell the barrel had been sawed short. Why would Grillby have a weapon like this near to hand?

It had never been more obvious how different this place was from his home universe. His soul pulsed nervously. The quiet crackle of Grillby’s flames kept him grounded, but Lux couldn’t take his eyelights off the gun. He was out of his depth, getting involved with Carmine might be a horrible mistake.

But better a shark he could lead around by the nose, than one that was eager to take a bite out of him and his brother.

“I’m looking for Carmine. He said I should ask here.” Lux murmured. Grillby pulled back. 

“You’re in the right place.” He hissed through a flaming mouth, voice quiet but clear. Then he pointed over Lux’s shoulder towards a darker corner of the bar.

Lux turned around and there he was. Carmine was sitting at a table tucked into the far back corner of the bar with a group of monsters playing cards. A single red velvet rope marked the spot as a VIP area.

The other skeleton hadn’t noticed Lux yet. He was smoking a cigar, whiskey near to hand, and laughing so hard it looked like he would bust a gut if he had one. His deep red eyelights rolled upwards as he regaled his card partners with a story.

Now that Carmine was pointed out, Lux couldn’t believe that he hadn’t immediately spotted him. His focus on approaching the bar kept him from noticing the table that was apart from the rest. Carmine looked different here, like he was in his element. Even from across the room Lux was drawn in by his magnetic charm.

The skeleton Lux had seen across the sea of tables at the human lounge was worn down, well on the way to getting sloshed. Then in the alley he was arrogant and spoiling for a fight. The magic that billowed off his bones was intimidating. It all had made Lux wet with want. 

When Carmine tried to convince Lux to meet again, he sounded resigned even as he begged. Like he already knew that asking for what he wanted would be pointless. He’d looked so dejected as Lux gave him a last look over his shoulder before shortcutting away.

“Pok’er? I barely know her!” Carmine guffawed and slammed his hand of cards on the table before pulling his winnings towards him.

All the other monsters around him groaned, either at the joke or their losses. But Lux couldn’t help chuckling. He was a sucker for a bad sex joke.

A clink of glasses on the bar top drew Lux’s attention back to Grillby. A tumbler full of mellow brown whiskey and a pretty red cocktail served in a sugar rimmed martini glass were placed in front of him. The bartender gestured for Lux to take them.

Lux flushed in embarrassment. “It’s not that I wouldn’t like to, but I don’t have any gold to pay you.”

“It’s on the house.” Grillby crossed his arms, waiting for Lux to give in.

“That’s generous of you, but I can’t accept it.” Lux didn’t want to give Grillby the wrong idea, especially considering his unintentionally flirtatious approach.

“Then it’s on Carmine. We’re business partners after all.” Grillby smirked.

Lux didn’t stomp his foot, but it was a near thing. He was here to swindle Carmine. A free drink shouldn’t matter at all. But there was something sincere about it, the way that Grillby offered without Lux offering anything in return. It made him feel guilty for what he planned to do. If Carmine and this Grillby were business partners, they were probably friends too. 

If he protested any louder, Carmine might notice him. Lux wasn’t ready for that yet. He studied the drinks instead.

“Is that a cosmo?” Lux asked, looking at the cocktail.

“You could use something sweet,” Grillby drawled.

Lux frowned, “Do I seem sour to you?”

“No,” Grillby held up the silver container he’d used to mix Lux’s drink. “Just a little shaken up.”

Lux laughed. He didn’t mean to, but it was such a surprise to hear a pun coming from Grillby of all monsters. His Grillby had not enjoyed puns at all. Lux shook his head and took a sip of his cosmopolitan. It was light and fruity with just a hint of sourness to offset the sweetness of the sugar.

“It’s delicious.” The compliment was genuine. Lux was much more used to alcohol delivered via jelly shots. This was much better.

Grillby tilted his head back in smug appreciation. Lux let a beat pass before continuing.

“I guess I can muddle through the rest of my night now.” Lux winked. 

For a moment, Grillby didn’t react. Lux worried that maybe he had misjudged his sense of humor. Then the fire elemental hissed out a high-pitched laugh. His black flames flared taller in amusement.

“Hey, Grillby! What’s got you sputtering like an old radiator?” Carmine shouted across the room.

Lux turned around. He watched as Carmine’s red eyelights landed on him and widened. Carmine’s easy grin froze in place.

Lux’s soul pulsed. A faint blush of purple magic rose to his cheek bones. It was exactly as he had planned it, but somehow he had forgotten one important detail. 

Carmine was smolderingly attractive.

Tonight he had no jacket on, just a white button down with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. Leather suspenders draped over his broad shoulders. A black hat sat at an angle on his skull, the brim dipping over his right eye socket. 

His sudden attention pinned Lux in place. This was Carmine’s territory and Lux had willingly stepped into it. The heat that blazed between them made it hard to remember who was predator or prey.

It was suddenly imperative to close the distance that separated them. Lux told himself that he just wanted to get the re-introduction over with. He carried their drinks over to the table, stopping at the velvet rope.

The rest of the monsters at the card table sensed Carmine’s mood shift. They watched Lux cautiously, unsure of what was about to happen next. Lux didn’t know what was going to happen either.

A tough looking bunny monster who had been lounging in the shadows came to stand at Carmine’s shoulder. Her casual but alert posture was common for a bouncer. Lux wondered if she was here to protect Carmine or just the VIPs in general. Nobody else moved.

“My hands are full,” Lux held up the drinks. “Won’t somebody help a girl out and get the rope for me?”

None of the monsters made a move, instead they looked to Carmine. Their deference made it clear that he was the most powerful monster at the table. He watched Lux with a hungry expression and nodded in approval. His card mates relaxed as the bunny bouncer unclipped the rope and let Lux pass.

“Lux.” Carmine said, voice delightfully raspy.

Lux swayed his hips as he walked towards his target. He felt powerful. The dress he had picked hugged his body. Silver metal details glinted across his chest and shoulders. It scooped open in the back, leaving his shoulder blades and a portion of his spine exposed. This was one of the few dresses he had from his own universe. In comparison to fashions of this world, the clinging material was absolutely risque. 

He set the whiskey in front of Carmine. A single phalange lingered on the glass, circling the rim of it.

“Hi, Handsome.” Lux purred in his naturally deep voice. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Heh,” Carmine grunted. “Not that you aren’t a sight for sore eyes, but I thought we were one and done.”

A dog monster snorted at the implication, but the monster sitting next to him jabbed him in the gut. The rest of the table held its collective breath, waiting to hear what would be said next. Lux ignored them. He was focused on only one monster tonight, despite the distractions of his past. The closer Lux leaned into Carmine’s space the easier it was to forget it was an act. Of course Lux would only have eyes for the monster who commanded the attention of the room.

“I did too,” Lux admitted. The best deceptions were seeded with bits of truth. “But I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

Carmine’s hands clenched, as if he was restraining himself from reaching out to touch, to confirm that Lux was really there. Lux wished he wouldn’t hold back. He wanted to see Carmine wild and reckless again. 

Lux held Carmine’s gaze as he took a sip of his red cosmo. His tongue visibly cushioned the delicate glass from hitting his teeth. Carmine’s eyelights shrunk as he took it all in.

“Get the lady a chair,” Carmine growled. “I swear – whenever there’s finer company around you all forget your manners.”

A fish monster sitting on Carmine’s left hurriedly stood up, offering Lux their chair. Lux shook his head with a sweet smile, denying the offer. He already had the perfect seat in mind.

“There’s no need for that.” Lux gracefully lowered himself down across Carmine’s lap. He felt the stout skeleton tense like a livewire, but he didn’t push Lux off. His pelvis rested on top of Carmine’s thick femurs.

“I’d much rather sit here.”

Carmine’s hands shifted. One wrapped possessively around Lux’s waist. The other squeezed his hip bone. He lifted his face up so he could speak directly into Lux’s acoustic meatus.

“Careful. I’m a simple skeleton. You act all friendly like this and it gives a schmuck like me ideas.” Carmine huffed the words hot against Lux’s skull, too low for anyone else to hear.

Lux only smirked in reply. The other monsters watched them closely. Lux knew it was a provocative scene, especially when it appeared that Carmine was whispering sweet nothings in his ear without care for their audience.

“Don’t let me interrupt your game. We can talk more after you’re done.” Lux relaxed further into Carmine’s hold, making himself comfortable.

“Yeah, Carmy,” the dog monster who snorted earlier piped up. “The game was just getting interesting, be a shame to leave now that your ‘friend’ is here.”

Carmine squeezed his hip bone again before letting go. Lux’s gambit had paid off. The elation of it, of his successful approach, of Carmine’s closeness, made his soul flutter inside his ribcage. He hadn’t felt this excited in a long time.

“It’s your money, Doggo. If you’re so eager to be parted from it, I won’t stop you.” Carmine snarked back. “If you’re in, ante up.”

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Lux appeared relaxed on Carmine’s lap but he stayed alert. He was keen to learn more about the other skeleton and the best way to do that was to see how he interacted with the other monsters at the table. A subtle nervous energy felt like it was beginning to build up between them and they hadn’t even played the first hand of their new game.

Seven other monsters and Carmine withdrew gold from their inventories and stacked it up for the initial buy-in. It was a reasonable amount by monster standards, but Lux hadn’t seen so much gold in one place since coming to this universe. 

The dog monster who had challenged Carmine to keep playing shuffled the deck without looking. The cards flicked between his paws so fast they blurred together. When he was satisfied with showing off, Doggo dealt the other players and himself five cards. 

The game was on.

At first Lux scrutinized the other players, trying to figure out their relationship to Carmine. They were all familiar with the skeleton, but none of them seemed to be of equal standing with him. The deference in their mannerisms was subtle but unmistakable.

It reminded Lux of how fresh recruits to the Avant-guard used to treat him back home. They knew that Lux had the political sway to make-or-break their careers and wanted to stay on his good side. The guard had a very small presence in Snowdin, but Lux had been in charge of deciding who would be sent to the Capital for further training.

It was obvious that Carmine called the shots around here. There was an underlying tension at the table. This wasn’t just a group of friends cutting loose on a Friday night. On the night they met in the alley, he had quipped that he was an entrepreneur. Lux wasn’t so sure that’s all there was to it though.

After several rounds of betting, Lux noticed the tension rising. For all that the other monsters were trying to bluff, their frustration was showing. Several folded, but Carmine remained nonchalant. Sometimes he raised and other times he called. Even as the pot got bigger, Carmine acted like the stakes meant nothing to him.

His hand of cards wasn’t bad, but his win wasn’t a sure thing either. The longer the game went, the more Lux understood. Carmine was sharp. He knew the odds, but more importantly he knew the monsters he was playing. He was an expert at calling bluffs, intimidating less confident players into folding, and goading hotheads into raising.

It was getting late and the last game of the night. The number of players slowly whittled down as gold piled up in the pot. A few of those who folded lingered, curious to see the outcome of the game. Eventually it was just Carmine, Doggo, and one other monster left in play.

“Angel dammit!” The third remaining player exclaimed angrily. He put his cards down and stood up. He swayed in place, clearly more than a little tipsy. “You just had to be a show-off tonight. Usually, you let us win some back, Boss.”

“Not my fault you ain’t ballsy enough to see it through,” Carmine’s deep red eyelights glinted warningly in the low light. “Go cool off before you say something you regret.”

The bunny bouncer unclipped the rope and guided the monster out of the VIP section. Lux watched as Grillby took over. The fire elemental snapped and crackled until the monster left the bar, stumbling out the front door.

“Well, it looks like it’s just you and me,” Doggo barked amusedly. His tail wagged in what could either be excitement or anxiety. “It’s your move, Carmine.”

“You been offal quiet this whole game, Lux. How about you take over?” Carmine’s voice was deep and inviting, like he wasn’t luring Lux into some kind of trap.

“That’s not how the game is played,” Doggo yipped. Carmine waved his hand dismissively.

“My table, my rules. What will it be Lux? Should I raise or call?”

Lux’s soul pounded. There was so much gold on the table. Why was Carmine putting him in control? It had to be a trick.

“Handsome, I’m touched.” Lux wiggled, aiming to be flirtatiously distracting. “But I don’t know the first thing about cards.”

Doggo barked sharply. Lux flinched, not expecting the sudden noise or aggression. Carmine tensed underneath him.

“Stop poking at the Boss like that.” Doggo said seriously. “He may have an ugly mug, but Carmy is family. Don’t disrespect him in his own house.”

Lux blinked. Then shook his skull as if he hadn’t heard right. What?

“Shut up.” Carmine spat angrily. “Don’t speak for me.”

Doggo bared his teeth. Tail wagging faster. Lux looked at the bouncer, but she didn’t move to intervene. Her eyes were on Carmine.

Lux didn’t know what to do. Had he unintentionally offended Carmine? The other skeleton was suddenly tense and warm under Lux’s pelvis. It felt like if Lux wasn’t in his lap he might have lunged across the table at the other monster.

Why was Doggo speaking up on Carmine’s behalf? How were they related? Why did Doggo call Carmine ugly?

The room suddenly felt far away. Panic was ebbing up around him. Lux was under water again. He reached for his drink to stall for time and calm down but it was empty. The glass rattled in his shaking hand.

Lux tried to take a deep breath. But it was a shallow gasp instead. He didn’t know why this was happening. He was okay. He was okay.

“Lux?” Carmine asked. “What’s the matter?”

Stars. Not now. Lux couldn’t lose his composure now. Everything was riding on Carmine being attracted to him, but who would want to be with a hysteric mess like him? 

The delicate stem of the cocktail glass slipped from between his fingers. It fell in slow motion. When it hit the ground it shattered into a hundred sparkling shards. Each piece reflected an angle of Lux’s panicked face.

Why was this happening now? Why couldn’t he just - breathe? What was he doing? Who was he kidding?

“I’m out,” Carmine put down his cards.

“Carmine –“ Doggo’s ears pressed back against his head.

“Never defend my honor again, Cousin. I can take care of myself. Enjoy your money.” Carmine shut him down. The dog monster let out a nervous whine and bowed his head.

“Come on, Lux. Let’s go back to my office.” Carmine said. The broad skeleton waited for Lux to get up so they could leave the table.

Lux tried to stand, but his trembling limbs refused to move. He couldn’t say anything either. It felt like his magic was frozen.

“I got you,” Carmine murmured. “Hold on.”

Lux didn’t understand what was happening until Carmine scooped him up. Strong but crooked arm bones supported his knees and upper back. The shorter skeleton carried Lux like he weighed nothing. Lux would’ve been embarrassed if he wasn’t numb to everything.

The bar was empty now. The VIPs were the last monsters left besides for Grillby and the bodyguard. There was no audience, the show was over. Lux knew he wouldn’t be invited back for a repeat performance after this fuck up.

So Lux gave in. He didn’t protest or insist that he was fine. He would let himself be held like this once, so he could imagine what it would be like to be cared for by Carmine. His skull rested on Carmine’s shoulder, eye sockets swimming with tears. It was unfair that it felt so good.

Carmine carried him behind the bar. Grillby opened a door that Lux had not noticed before. It was inconspicuously tucked into a shadowy corner, next to a mop and bucket.

“Get me a cup of ice, G.” Carmine told the bartender and took Lux back into the small room.

There was just enough space for both of them. The space was mostly filled by a desk and chair. An old green banker’s lamp illuminated a typewriter and a glass ash tray. Everything was cast in a warm low light.

Lux didn’t resist as Carmine carefully sat him down on the top of the desk even though he immediately missed the other skeleton’s warmth.

“Sorry, sweetheart. It’d be an awkward fit to get us both behind the desk. I don’t usually let other folks in here.” Carmine kept his voice low, like he was afraid that Lux might break.

They were of an equal height like this. Carmine’s concerned red eyelights met Lux’s gaze. Lux looked away, mortified that the other had seen his tears.

“Need anything else?” Grillby offered a cup of ice to Carmine from the doorway. The bartender knew not to intrude without an invitation.

“Nah, I got it from here. Thanks, G.” Carmine took the cup. “You can close up, I know you wanna get home.”

Carmine turned back towards Lux, but Grillby stood there a moment longer. Black flames crackled in a contemplative expression as he regarded the two skeletons. Then he smiled, softening the bright light he cast off. Only Lux saw it though. Grillby nodded to him and closed the door.

“Here – give me your hands.” Carmine said. His raspy voice was quieter than Lux had ever heard.

Lux felt exposed. His wrist was still tender from where Antony had grabbed him. The purple tint of his magic welled up between the microfractures like a bruise. Even though it was several days old it hadn’t healed yet. What would Carmine think?

Carmine reached out to take Lux’s hands. If he saw the injury, he didn’t say anything about it. He took some ice cubes and put in the cradle of Lux’s metacarpals. Rough phalanges wrapped around Lux’s slender ones, cupping them to prevent the ice from slipping out.

Lux waited, but nothing else happened. Carmine stared down at their joined hands, his breath deep and even. Without meaning to Lux’s breathing slowed to meet the other skeleton’s rhythm. Melted water dropped onto the floor.

“How does it feel?” Carmine asked, still quiet.

“It’s cold.” Lux said. The words came without thought, the block on his magic melting like the ice.

“Good. What else can you feel?” Carmine encouraged.

Lux blinked. He could feel Carmine of course, the desk, the fabric of his dress. But why did the other skeleton care?

“Is this a sex thing?” Lux asked, too confused to pretend he knew what was happening.

“No,” Carmine snorted. “It’s a grounding technique on account of you’re having a panic attack.”

“Oh.” Lux hadn’t ever been soothed like this before. “Why the ice?”

“Gives you something outside of your feelings to focus on.” Carmine squeezed their hands around the ice.

“You –“ Lux swallowed. “You threw away a lot of gold on that card game for no reason. I would’ve been fine. You could’ve won.”

“Maybe, maybe not. Doggo might’ve had better cards.” Carmine shrugged.

“No, you knew you were going to win. That’s why you asked me to call or raise, you already knew you’d win either way.” Now that the panic was receding, Lux could see it so clearly.

“ We would’ve won,” Carmine corrected. “I was cocky and wanted to show off. Sorry about that -  and Doggo. All the guys have been over protective lately.”

“But why did you fold?” Lux pressed. “And why did he think I was insulting you?”

“Because I care more about you than winning some pissy poker game.” Carmine huffed. “I must’ve made a pretty bad first impression if that’s how you think of me.”

“No!” Lux protested, but it still didn’t make any sense. Carmine was brash and proud, but Lux liked him. Even if Lux had to play Carmine to pay off his debt, he wished that he didn’t have to. Not that there was much chance of that happening anymore. Any moment now he was sure that Carmine was going to brush him off.

 “I do like you, that’s why I came back.” Lux admitted and it was true.

Carmine looked away. A blush of magic on his cheekbones. He let go of Lux’s hands. Lux swayed forward unintentionally, already missing his touch.

“When you said ‘Handsome’ – the guys probably thought you were ribbing me about my looks.” Carmine sighed. His expression darkened.

“What about them?” Lux asked. Carmine was short but not unattractive.

“You haven’t really got a good look at me yet.” Carmine chuckled bitterly. “Once you see how bad my skull’s been done in, I doubt you’ll like me that much.”

Carmine bowed his head and took off his hat. He put it on the desk next to Lux. A moment passed before he looked back into Lux’s eyelights, like he needed to brace himself for Lux’s reaction.

Lux hadn’t seen it in the darkness of the alley when they first met. The hat had covered it up until now. Now he could see the ripples of Carmine’s skull. It was almost as if the bone had melted and then hardened into uneven ridges. Carmine’s right eye socket was stuck part way shut. The brow bone drooped down.

It was so different from the false perfection of Lux’s bones. They had grown long, strong, and smooth due to the injection. There was something so real and appealing about Carmine’s self perceived imperfections. They spoke of a hard-won life. It was something to be proud of, not hidden away.

“Does it hurt?” Lux asked.

“Nah, just narrows my vision a bit and it’s ugly.” Carmine said despondently.

“It’s not ugly.” The ice had completely melted away, leaving Lux’s hands free. He slowly reached out, giving Carmine time to move away.

Carmine stayed still. Lux’s hand cradled his cheekbone.

“All those other guys calling you ugly - I think they’re just jealous.” Lux purred. 

Carmine barked out a self-conscious laugh, obviously unconvinced. Lux cut it short by wrapping his legs around Carmine’s waist and pulling him in close. Then Lux kissed him.

Lux kissed Carmine roughly. He pressed his tongue into Carmine’s mouth, past his prominent cuspids. The sharp teeth dragged against Lux’s ecto. The stimulation made Lux salivate.

Carmine’s hands gripped the edge of the desk, but Lux wanted them on his bones. He rolled his hips. Carmine groaned.

The unexpected vulnerability of the moment made Lux want to be closer to Carmine – to be as close as they could get. It was a heady sensation, different from the artificial arousal of his soul. 

He needed Carmine.

Chapter Text

“Touch me.” Lux panted. He stared deep into Carmine’s eyelights, not shying away from what he saw there. 

An equal mixture of disbelief and arousal clouded the rough skeleton’s usually smirking face. Lux wanted to wipe away all of his insecurities, to see the powerful and passionate monster who was buried under the self-doubt. Words weren’t enough to dispel Carmine’s distorted perception of his appearance, so Lux would demonstrate his attraction enthusiastically.  

“You don’t owe me nothing, Lux.” Carmine rasped. “So if you’re putting it on to make me feel better, do us both a favor and stop.” His hands remained stubbornly planted on the desk like he was tethered in place, resolve tested but not broken.

This wasn’t an act. Lux had approached Carmine under false pretenses, but this was true. All Lux wanted was to forget everything outside of this cramped office, everyone else outside of this moment. He only wanted Carmine.

His ecto bloomed. The chest of his dress filled out as his tits formed. His stomach, hips, and thighs all swelled into place. The pliant hot purple magic was eager to be touched. It glowed brighter at the points where the energy concentrated - his eyelights, his joints, his pelvis.

Lux caressed Carmine’s hand with his own. The tight grip eased slightly, allowing Lux to coax Carmine’s phalanges away from the desk. He guided their hands between his femurs. Carmine groaned as Lux’s taught magic rubbed against their joined phalanges through the fabric of his dress. 

“Does this feel like I’m faking it?” Lux challenged. “Did it feel like I was ‘putting it on’ in the alley?”

Carmine took a deep breath and shook his head, “No. I couldn’t forget it - been thinking about you every damn minute since you walked away.”

The last of Carmine’s hesitation snapped, finally he moved. His hands tucked up under Lux’s dress and skimmed along his thighs. The rough texture of Carmine’s bones dragged over his smooth ecto like a match, igniting a fire deep inside Lux’s soul.

“You gotta let me take care of you this time.” Carmine pressed his bulky frame into the crux of Lux’s hips. The stocky skeleton’s cock bulged in his pants. His eyelights flared as he pushed Lux’s dress up, exposing his leaking dick and slick pussy.

Lux gasped, suddenly self-conscious. Even though skeletons could form whatever genitalia they liked, Lux always accounted for his partner’s preferences. He didn’t know what Carmine wanted. His thighs clenched, trying to close his legs but Carmine’s solid bulk kept him spread open.

In his own universe, monsters injected with serum needed regular sex to ease the effects of continued arousal. If a monster ignored the symptoms, their soul could burst. It was just easier to stick to one set of genitalia since sex was rarely more than that need for release. Foreplay wasn’t necessary. Fucking was always tinged with desperation, fast and dirty. 

Lux only ever summoned both when taking care of his needs alone - when there was time to indulge and be sensual in a way he couldn’t ask for from a casual partner.

“Angel above – you really are perfect,” Carmine growled.

Lux’s head spun as Carmine wrapped his hand around Lux’s cock and jerked it slowly. It twitched as excess magic dripped from the slit making the bones glide easy over and over again. Lux ached, needy in a way he hadn’t ever felt before. 

His thighs relaxed and Carmine slid his other hand into the slight give between their bodies. Metacarpals pet over Lux’s wet folds. A deep and needy whine escaped his mouth and as his skull fell back onto the desk.

“Carmine!” Lux begged. His hips hitched up, seeking out Carmine’s fingers for more. Two thick knobbed phalanges sank into his pussy and pressed him open.

Lux’s magic leaked everywhere. It dribbled down his jaw from his open mouth. It ran down both of Carmine’s hands. His soul pulsed so hard his bones were thrumming.

They’d just started, but Lux was falling apart. Then Carmine’s fingers pet up inside him, rubbing over the most sensitive part of his inner walls. They insistently traced a pattern so deep inside his magic that Lux choked on his own breath. His pussy clenched around Carmine’s fingers and he thrust his cock desperately into Carmine’s hand.

“That’s it, baby. That’s how I make you come,” Carmine sounded wrecked even though Lux hadn’t done anything for him yet. He held Lux in place by his cock and pounded his pussy.

Lux’s eyelights blew out, wide and unseening. Euphoric sensation overwhelmed his body. The moment hung infinite between them. Lux’s soul sang with bliss and he shouted as his magic surged. Slick gushed down both of Carmine’s wrists, but he didn’t stop pumping until Lux reached out with a trembling hand.

Lux clung weakly to Carmine’s wrist, still seated on his thick phalanges. His chest heaved. Carmine kissed up from his clavicle and along his spine.

Sex wasn’t like this. It felt good, like scratching an itch you couldn’t reach yourself or having a cool glass of water on a warm day. There was nothing intimate about sex in his world because it was a necessity. 

But like this – under Carmine – Lux felt desired, worshipped even. Lux was so overcome he hadn’t made an equal effort to get Carmine off, but the other skeleton didn’t seem to care. It felt like all of Carmine’s focus was on Lux – like his only priority was making Lux feel good.

“Are you alright?” Carmine asked, still fingers deep inside him. “I can feel you’re trembling.”

Something in Lux snapped. How had he lived his whole life without this? It was his turn now. His turn to drive Carmine wild with desire. He gripped Carmine’s wrist tighter.

“You’re good with your hands,” Lux said, smiling silky smooth. “But I want the whole package this time - get your dick out already.” 

Carmine let go of Lux’s cock and fumbled at his fly with one hand. His magic bobbed through the opening of his pants. Lux watched avidly as thick red ecto pushed into Carmine’s metacarpals. It looked just as delicious as Lux remembered it. 

Lux rocked his hips excitedly, using the phalanges still sunk in his pussy to pleasure himself. Carmine tried to start pumping again, but Lux’s hold was too strong for him to move his arm. He choked out Lux’s name when he realized that he was stuck.

Carmine let go of his dick and reached for Lux’s cock instead. Lux tutted and pushed his hand away. If Carmine’s voice was less gruff, the disappointed sound he made would be a whine. His eyelights were bright, confused and vulnerable in a way that made Lux even wetter.

“Don’t be greedy. It’s my turn now,” Lux crooned.

Lux took both of their cocks in his long graceful fingers. He worked them slowly, just like Carmine had done for him. Red magic rubbed deliciously swollen against his own purple ecto. His hips rolled, balancing on the edge of the desk, and thrust their cocks together.

He couldn’t help admiring how they were different in this way too, but still complementary. Where Lux’s own cock was slender and slightly curved, Carmine’s was shorter and girthy enough that Lux’s phalanges couldn’t fully wrap around both of them. Lux couldn’t wait to feel the stretch of Carmine in his pussy, but he would help Carmine take the edge off first. He wouldn’t be satisfied if Carmine blew his load as soon as he sunk his cock into Lux’s wet, fluttering ecto. 

Carmine hunched over Lux held tight between his thighs. Hot, soft noises were rung from the back of his throat as Lux worked him over. His pants were undone just enough for his cock to be freed and shirt rucked up around his ample red gut. The unevenness of his eye sockets was pronounced by his heavy lidded eyelights. His mouth hung open, sharp cuspids on display as he panted.

This strong and cunning monster was undone by Lux’s touch. Lux had never felt more powerful as he focused on fulfilling Carmine’s desires. His pussy was swollen and his cock throbbed. Even his tits were hard from rubbing against his dress. Everything about this was sensual and intimate and made Lux come alive.

“Lux, I –“ Carmine moaned. He thrust helplessly into Lux’s grip. Their wet ecto slapped loudly against each other.

“What is it, Handsome?” Lux gasped as Carmine pressed heavy on top of him, pushing his back flat on the desk.

“I – Can I?” Carmine begged, words failing.

“You’re so good for asking,” Lux praised. He had never imagined that Carmine would explicitly give him control over his release, but it felt right. 

Carmine’s eye sockets went wide. Whatever he was about to say turned into a stunned exhale of breath. It was obvious that he wasn’t used to being put in his place. Carmine was usually the most powerful monster in the room, so it made sense that he would be dominant in his sexual encounters too. Lux had turned the tables on him and it seemed like Carmine was enjoying it.

Lux was too.

“Come on me.” Lux demanded.

Carmine managed two more thrusts before he shuddered and came. His magic spurted hot over Lux’s cock and up across his stomach. Lux’s magic pulsed. Carmine’s release dripping down between his thighs drove him to climax.

Lux grit his teeth together as his spine arched up. Magic splattered onto Carmine’s gut. His breath stopped as he shook with the intensity of it. He felt high, sated in a way he had never known. For one blissful moment, the ache in his bones was overshadowed by the pleasure.

Lux gasped as Carmine pressed a filthy kiss to his mouth, breath returning just to be stolen away. Carmine caressed Lux’s hips. Lux didn’t think as he draped his arms over Carmine’s shoulders, drawing him in even deeper. They kissed over and over.

Then the cellphone in Lux’s inventory buzzed. 

Lux shook his head, not sure what it was at first. Then it happened again. Lux didn’t want to stop, but he had to. Hopefully it would be quick. He reluctantly pushed Carmine away so he could sit up and pull out his phone.

“Hold that thought,” Lux pouted coyly trying to keep the mood light.

There was only one monster in this universe who had his number. Lux would never make his brother wait. Poppy would only text this late if it was important. Carmine made a curious noise, but Lux put a finger up to his mouth to stifle any questions.

🌸: I’ll be staying over at a friend’s house tonight. Please do not be concerned! I am participating in cultural exchange by attending a human ‘sleep over’. There is food in the refrigerator – I will see you tomorrow.

🌸: My phone will be off since we are going to the cinema first and I do not want to interrupt the film. Break a leg at the lab XOXO

Lux blinked and tried to make sense of it. His mind was reeling. Since when did Poppy have human friends? How did he know it would be safe? He hit the call button in a panic. 

It rang through. He clutched the phone and tried to figure out an appropriate response. Then Carmine fully pulled away.

Lux put the phone down, but Carmine had already pulled up his pants and was stuffing his shirt back down into them. Before Lux could say a word, he grabbed his hat from where it had fallen on the floor and set it on his skull.

“Carmine – “ Lux started.

“S’alright. I can see you’re busy. What is that thing?” The brim of his hat hid his eyes.

“A phone.” Lux said, realizing he had made another mistake. There were no cellphones in this universe.

“Huh. Never seen one like that before.” Carmine came around the desk and sat down in the chair. He picked up a half-burnt cigar from the ash tray and lit it with a spark of magic.

Lux held back frustrated tears and stared down at his lap. Why was it that he was always being pulled in so many different directions? Was it too much to ask to have one night for himself? 

Carmine’s release was cooling on his thighs. Their moment had ended while Lux was distracted and the abruptness of it left him unexpectedly cold. He pushed his dress back down to cover up his needy ecto. His body hadn’t gotten the message yet.

When he turned around to face Carmine, all of that endearing vulnerability was gone. It felt like Lux was back on the other side of the velvet rope, not sure what would happen next. He sat awkwardly on the desk, spine twisted uncomfortably.

“I’m sorry. It’s not you. It’s -” Lux faltered. He didn’t want anybody else, even Carmine, to know about his brother. It wasn’t safe. “It’s my manager. I have to go.” 

“Right.” Carmine nodded, but his tone was cool. It held none of his earlier passion. He took a drag on the cigar. “You got transportation? It’s not safe to walk alone so late at night.”

A lie would be easy. Lux would just say that he would teleport, even though he didn’t want to risk using his magic unnecessarily. Carmine wouldn’t know.

“I could use a ride,” Lux said instead. He was tired and disoriented by the sudden shift in the evening. An hour walk home in his heels to an empty apartment was the last thing he wanted.

“You can take my car. It’ll just take a minute.”

Carmine dialed the phone on his desk, hooking his still wet fingers in the numbered holes and dragging them around in a circle. He let it ring once and then hung up before it connected. 

Lux would lean forward and take Carmine’s phalanges into his mouth for a thorough cleaning, but it didn’t seem like the other skeleton was in the mood for it. Carmine hadn’t looked him in the face since putting his clothes back. He feared that he really had messed it all up beyond recovery.

“My driver is bringing the car around front, she’ll meet you at the curb.” Carmine grunted.

Lux played with the hem of his dress to conceal his rising anxiety. He was disappointed that Carmine wasn’t going with him. It seemed like Carmine wanted him out of his sight.

If that was the case there really was nothing left to lose. 

“When can I see you again?” Lux asked, hoping that he could fix this. 

Carmine finally looked up at him. His eyelights were small pinpricks of flickering uncertainty. “You want to see me again?” He echoed - like he wasn’t sure he had heard Lux right.

“Yes, of course!” Lux said. “Isn't it obvious?”

“No, I assumed you’d had your fun slumming it with a sad sack of bones like me. I don’t usually get asked for repeat performances.” Carmine admitted.

Lux put both his hands on the desk and leaned across it, into Carmine’s space.

“When I call you Handsome, I mean it. Those other fools don’t know what they’re missing.” Lux held Carmine’s gaze. “When can I see you again?” He repeated his question.

Carmine looked deep into his eyelights. Lux didn’t know what he was looking for. In this moment, he was being completely honest.

“I’m busy with work right now – got a big project going on.” Carmine said.

Lux held onto hope. That wasn’t a no.

“Give me your number and I’ll call you.” Carmine stubbed out his cigar. He pushed a notepad and pen across the desk.

Lux picked up the pen. Nobody in this universe had his number besides Poppy. Carmine had already seen his cellphone, so there was no use in pretending he didn’t have one. Since the cellphones worked in this universe, he guessed that a landline also powered by magic would be able to reach them. 

He would just have to wait and hope that Carmine would want to see him again.

“Don’t be a stranger,” Lux said and wrote down the number. Then he kissed the corner, leaving a light imprint of his teeth. “I’ll be waiting.”

He handed the note back to Carmine with a wink. Color rose on Carmine’s cheek bones. Their fingers brushed together, but instead of lingering Carmine pulled his back. 

“Have a good night, Lux.” Carmine murmured. He tore off the note and stuck it in his pocket. “I’m glad you came to see me.”

Then he wrote another number and slid it over. “This is my business number. Somebody else might answer the phone, but if you’re ever in trouble that’s the best way to reach me.”

Lux clutched the note. It was unexpected. He hadn’t thought that he would get anything in return after ruining their evening.

“Thank you.” Lux wished he could say more. “I hope the next time we pull out the ice it is a sex thing.”

Carmine laughed. It warmed Lux’s soul.

“Good night, Handsome.” Lux said goodbye and exited the room. He resisted the temptation to look back over his shoulder and see if Carmine watched him walk away.

The bunny bouncer was waiting for him in front of the restaurant. She opened the back door of the car for him before taking the driver’s seat. The seats were comfortable, soft leather. Lux relaxed back into it.

“Where to?” The bunny asked.

Lux gave directions to a neighborhood about ten minutes away from where he actually lived. If the driver was surprised to be on the human side of town she didn’t show it. When they came to a stop in front of a much nicer apartment building than his own, Lux let himself out. 

He stood on the curb and waved until the car pulled away. Once Lux was sure the car was gone, he walked the rest of the way home. He’d texted his brother several times on the ride over, but Poppy hadn’t replied. He’d never turned his phone off before.

When he arrived at the rundown building, Lux took off his heels before slowly climbing up the three sets of stairs. The apartment was dark inside. No Poppy to be found. It made him anxious even though it wasn’t a surprise.

Lux had no appetite. Instead, he stepped out of his dress and collapsed into bed. He took his candle out of his inventory and set it on the milk crate nightstand. His fingers pressed against his mouth as he drowsily memorized the way Carmine fit against him. Eventually the gentle light of the candle lulled him to sleep, filling up the lonely space as it had many times before.

Chapter Text

Carmine sat alone at the bar. It was late on a week night, so only a few regulars remained. Grillby was polishing glasses and putting them away.

He’d been nursing the same snifter of bourbon for the past hour as he thought about everything that had happened. It was hard to believe that he’d only met Lux a little more than a week ago. Then the very next day Toriel had shown up with an offer he couldn’t refuse.

The investigation hadn’t turned up anything yet. He’d set the dogs out to make some discreet inquiries and get information to make profiles for each of the missing monsters. There had to be some connection between them all. Once that clue was found, he was confident that the whole tangled mess would unravel and lead him straight to the culprit.

After tracking down the kidnapper’s location he’d inform the Dreemurrs so they could take care of the clean up. It was one thing to track down the kidnapper and an entirely other thing to do the Royals’ dirty work. As far as Carmine was concerned, his end of deal was delivering actionable information.

His LV was high enough. He didn’t want to raise it anymore unless it was absolutely necessary. It already made his temper and magic run hotter than before. LV was generally avoided by most monsters due to that and the more obvious reason.

Level of Violence didn’t just twist up your insides, it made your outsides ugly too. The more scars a monster had, the more monsters they had killed. That was why most folks gave Carmine a wide berth once they got a good look at his skull.

The ridges of melted bone actually weren’t LV scars, but everybody assumed that they were. Carmine didn’t care to correct them. His appearance was an important part of the Snowdin Syndicate’s reputation. Rumors spread that he must have something on the Dreemurrs since they allowed such a despicable killer to live.

The first time he’d heard that one he laughed so hard that he’d cried. It was fucking ironic. The King and Queen felt so goddamn guilty that the Royal Scientist Gaster had abused his own kids under their noses that they had helped Carmine where they could, but they’d never admit their mistake publicly. That was the Royals for you. 

None of them would ever reveal the truth. Nobody else needed to know why Carmine killed his father. So only his family and the few who knew the truth behind Carmine’s scars treated him like he wasn’t a sociopath. 

Except for Lux.

Lux didn’t know anything about Carmine’s past, but the scars hadn’t phased him at all. The other skeleton hadn’t recoiled in disgust when Carmine exposed himself. Instead his pretty violet eyelights lingered on the scars with curiosity and compassion.

If he thought too hard about it, Carmine might lose it and start sobbing into his drink like a sap. Nobody had ever asked if his scars hurt, not even Patches. It didn’t feel like Lux had fooled himself into seeing ‘the real Carmine’ under the scars. 

No, Lux had looked at Carmine, scars and all, and seen something he wanted.

Then Lux had touched him. Carmine had never been taken like that, used like that. He had been on top the entire time but Lux had been calling the shots. It made his soul pound just remembering it.

All this time he thought he was incapable of soulbonding, that his broken soul mark had condemned him for a companionless life. But there was no denying it now. His soul yearned for Lux. Could it be that Gaster was wrong? He’d been wrong about a lot of things but Carmine had never thought to question this.

If he was honest with himself, Carmine didn’t deserve a soulmate. Especially one as lovely as Lux. Lux deserved to be with someone better than a dusty mob boss.

“A gold for your thoughts, Boss?” Grillby’s sibilant voice interrupted Carmine’s downward spiral.

Carmine looked up from his nearly empty drink. The black fire elemental was one of his closest friends. That’s the only reason he’d risk starting a conversation like this.

“G, how do you think it feels when you meet your soulmate?”

“Is that what you’ve been sighing into your cup about?” Grillby hissed, the flames around his mouth pulling into a grin.

“Shut up. Never mind I asked,” Carmine grumbled. Before he could get up, Grillby poured him another drink and one for himself.

“I thought you were a confirmed bachelor.” Grillby said. He replaced Carmine’s lukewarm liquor and set the other glass beside him, settling in to talk.

Carmine shrugged, but he didn’t leave. “Stuff happened. It’s got me rethinking things. That’s why I’m asking you.”

“Well, there’s an easy way to find out. Ask Lux to get naked and look for a mark. Considering how he was hanging off you the other night, I’m surprised it hasn’t happened yet.” Grillby took a sip of his drink and the flames on his head flared.

“I didn’t say it was Lux!” Carmine sputtered.

Grillby crackled and raised a flaming eyebrow. Carmine grimaced and held his skull in his hands.

“Is it that obvious?” He groaned.

“Probably not to most. But I know you. You don’t relax around monsters that aren’t family. I left you two alone because I thought it was a done deal. Only a soulmate would make you dumb enough to be alone with a stranger and have no back up.”

Grillby had a point. When he took Lux into his office Carmine hadn’t thought about the potential danger of the situation. The only thing he’d cared about at the moment was making sure that Lux was safe.

“Yeah, well-“ Carmine didn’t want to think too hard about that. “What’s with everybody thinking I can’t handle myself lately? I’m not the Boss for no reason.”

“You almost died six months ago.” Grillby stared Carmine down.

Carmine froze. He didn’t want to think about that either.

“It’s not that you’re weak. We almost lost you. Family looks after each other and we all dropped the ball. If the dogs and bunnies are overzealous, it’s because they’re trying to make up for it.” Grillby’s glasses glinted in the low light.

“But it was my fault. I made the call. I trusted the humans to keep their word. If anybody is sorry, it should be me.” Carmine argued, leaning forward. “I didn’t understand how different they run stuff up here. I get it now. Everybody is out for themselves. Humans don’t give a shit about promises or honor.”

He was panting by the end of his tirade and halfway out of his seat. Grillby didn’t say anything for a moment. The bartender could tell when Carmine’s LV was acting up. The two old friends paused, letting each other cool down.

Carmine conscientiously took a deep breath and started counting. Somewhere around twenty he felt less on edge and slumped back down in his seat. Grillby picked up their conversation naturally.

“Where does Lux fall into all of this?” Grillby asked.

“I don’t know. He’s a cagey fucking minx.” Carmine laughed with fond exasperation.

“One second he’s all over me and the next he’s pushing me away. He’s in some kind of trouble too, but I’m afraid that if I press it he’ll take off.”

Grillby listened and waited as Carmine chewed on what he was about to say.

“He doesn’t know who I am, G. If he knew that I was running the Snowdin Syndicate on top of everything else, he’d probably be scared off for good.”

“But you think he’s your soulmate? Even if he could leave you so easily?” Grillby prompted.

“It’s complicated. My mark was messed up even before my Pops decided to burn it off. I was made in a tube in a lab! So maybe the magic is affecting us differently or something.” Carmine was still trying to piece it all together. It didn’t make a lot of sense.

“Soul marks are a mysterious magic. Nobody knows why they appear when they do. It’s not a guarantee of mutual desire either. Matching soul marks only indicate the possibility of a profound connection between the monsters who accept the bond. A bond denied will cause the mark to fade away.” Grillby finished the last of his drink.

“You know a lot about this, huh?” Carmine said ruefully.

“I’m a bartender, not a therapist, but monsters tell me about their problems all night long. I’ve been told I’m a good listener.”

“So how do I know if he’s my soulmate?” Carmine did his best to make it sound like a request for advice and not whining.

“If he had a corresponding mark that would be the easiest way to tell. Have you considered that if your origin in the lab ‘messed up’ your soulmark that Lux might also have a similar issue? You may not be able to confirm it by marks.”

“Well then what do I do?” Carmine threw up his hands.

“You have to be honest with yourself about your feelings.” Grillby said seriously.

Carmine groaned and pushed his knuckles into his sockets. Of course it all came back to that. He had a hard enough time even acknowledging his feelings, much less being honest about them.

“Are you drawn to him?” Grillby continued. “Does his absence make you ache?”

Grillby looked away from Carmine. “Would you do anything to be in his presence just one last time?” His voice was a soft hiss, tinged with grief.

“G…” Carmine didn’t know what to say. He knew that Grillby had a daughter, Fuku, but he had never known that the fire elemental had lost a soulmate.

“That’s how it felt for me. She illuminated every part of my soul. I’d do anything to hold her again, to hear her laugh one more time. It gets easier to manage the longer she’s been gone. I hate myself for it.”

Carmine reached across the bar and squeezed Grillby’s hand, trying to be of some comfort. “She’d want you to be happy. You got family. You got Fuku. You got this old sad sack of bones too.”

Black flames wisped up around his phalanges. The fire didn’t burn him though. Sometimes Carmine forgot how much older Grillby was. He had lived on the Surface as a child before the monsters were sealed in the Underground, but the bartender rarely spoke of it.

“I am happy most days, but I still mourn her. That’s the risk you take, Carmine. Soul bonds run deep.”

Their conversation lapsed into silence. Grillby cleaned his own glass while Carmine finished his drink. Was he ready for a commitment like that? He’d never been in a romantic relationship before. There’d been on and off flings throughout his life, but since coming to the Surface none of that held any appeal to him.

Since the barrier broke, he’d immersed himself in establishing the Snowdin Syndicate above ground. It gave him a sense of purpose, a reason to keep going. His job was to look after his family. If he was removed from that role, what was left?

He didn’t have any personal accomplishments to speak of. He’d never finished school. He didn’t have much of a social circle because he’d been raising Patches. When he’d tried to branch out his father had taken the opportunity to experiment on his brother. Then his scars put most friendly socializing out of reach.

Every achievement was marred by some tragedy. The only part of his life free from regret was his rose garden.

So what did that make him? A murderer turned gardener with empty nest syndrome? If it wasn’t so pathetic, it’d be funny.

Then there was Lux. He was gorgeous, sharp, and could charm anyone he met. It was obvious the other skeleton had some troubles, but that didn’t explain why a talented monster who could twist anybody around his finger would want somebody like Carmine. 

The only reason that made any sense was that Lux also felt the connection, the draw of a soulmate. Why else would Lux pursue a chump like him?

Each time they met made Carmine’s feelings more intense. The energy blazed higher between them with every touch. Carmine wanted more, needed more. More of Lux’s caresses, more of his private soft smiles. Carmine wanted to know everything about him.

It was dangerous to want so badly.

Chapter Text

It didn’t make any sense. Carmine glared at the information pinned up on the corkboard in his home office. All of his regular to-do lists and reminders were pulled down and stuffed in an unceremonious pile on the floor to make space for the profiles of the missing monsters. The dogs had done good work and gathered a truly comprehensive amount of detail. Carmine had read and reread each file, but the connection he was looking for wasn’t there.

Grillby had kicked him out of the bar after Carmine spent the entire night burning the midnight oil searching for the missing piece. The fire elemental came back to open in the morning and found Carmine still at his desk. He was told to go home and rest with some flamey hisses and pops.

Carmine went back to the manor, except his mind was way too wired to fall asleep. Something was wrong. The facts weren’t adding up.

All the missing monsters were totally unrelated. They were diverse types of monsters and various ages, though none of them were striplings – thank the Stars. Carmine used different colors of ink to underline significant information such as where they lived, their occupations, political ideologies, family ties and known associates. He was going to use string and pins to tie any similarities together, but there were zero overlaps.

Carmine’s eyelights stung and his sockets felt gritty. This wasn’t going anywhere. He knew that, but when his teeth sunk into something it was almost impossible to let go. At this point he’d welcome sleep, but each time he nodded off it was only a minute before he startled awake.

The only positive thing that had come out of this pointless exercise was that there were also no obvious connections between the missing monsters and Lux either. What little he knew about the mysterious skeleton was scribbled on notecards and added to the board alongside everything else. It wasn’t definitive, but it eased a little of the tension in his soul.

He didn’t like considering if Lux would sell out other monsters to humans. Angel knew he’d done shady shit to survive. He couldn't judge, but the idea threatened to sour the tender feelings that were beginning to grow in his soul. That was why he’d held off on contacting Lux since their meeting at the bar. The niggling doubt that this was all a setup had crept up on him as he waited on the dogs’ report.

He’d needed some distance, just in case everything was about to go tits up.

Now there was no reason not to call Lux besides for the fact that he’d been up for over 24 hours and his own cowardice. If Lux wasn’t part of the kidnappings, then he was genuinely interested in Carmine. That was almost more intimidating than the alternative.

Carmine knew how to conduct himself in matters of business, whether he was playing it clean or dirty. Matters of the heart were totally foreign to him. That he even considered pursuing this meant that Lux was special. His phalanges absently pressed up against the upper part of his sternum, the manubrium – the place where his soulmark had been before it was scorched off.

They’d only met twice. So, it followed that he should ask Lux out on date. Carmine had gone on dates as a prelude to fucking before, but he and Lux had already fucked. Their relationship was out of order and Carmine didn’t know what the next step was.

A boney knock on his office door shook Carmine out of his thoughts. Patches came in without waiting for an answer, so Carmine had no time to disguise how tired he felt. His brother offered him a hot mug of coffee and squinted when Carmine’s phalanges trembled as he took it.

“Thanks, Pat.” Carmine grinned, pretending not to notice his brother’s accusatory stare. He took a long sip of coffee, trying to stave off whatever reprimands were coming his way.

“Must I be the one to drag you out of this office? You haven’t slept and you’ve hardly eaten.” Patches leaned over his brother, hands on his hips.

Carmine slumped further down in his chair. This at least was familiar routine.

“It wouldn’t be the first time, but I put on some weight since then. Do you think you can lift a skele-ton?” Carmine winked.

Patches groaned in exaggerated frustration, but his posture also relaxed. If Carmine was making bad puns the situation wasn’t too serious. He carefully did not look at the corkboard. That was one of the new boundaries in their lives. Carmine did not share family business and Patches did not seek it out.

Carmine’s soul sank a little at the reminder of how his brother was growing up and leaving him behind. He would always be relentlessly proud of Patches’ achievements, but part of him missed having his brother at his back. Patches would be able to figure out the discrepancy in the files easily – he was a master of logic puzzles. Carmine wouldn’t strain their relationship by asking for his help though.

“You’re probably right I should take a break,” Carmine admitted. “I don’t even know what time it is.”

“Almost noon and the car dropped you off around sun up.” Patches did his best to sound admonishing instead of worried. Carmine appreciated the effort. His brother knew that coddling just made him more obstinate.

“Yikes.” Carmine rubbed a hand over the ridges on his skull. “No wonder I’m feeling stiff – I gotta stretch or something.”

“Will you please just take a nap?” Patches pinched the bridge of his nasal cavity, actually annoyed by Carmine’s intentional obtuseness.

“No, I feel too jittery to sleep.” Carmine explained. His expression lightened as he had an idea. “How about we unwind – play some pool, go for a drive, something like that? Can’t remember the last time we took a day off together.”

Patches grimaced.

“What? You’re too cool to shoot the shit with your big brother?” Carmine prodded.

“No! Of course not,” Patches denied. “It’s just that orders are piling up at the shop and later tonight there’s a social function I’d been planning to attend. Mettaton is hosting a very exclusive dinner party and it’d be a serious snub if I don’t make an appearance. I’m sorry.”

Carmine found it hard to hide his disappointment, but he did it anyway.

“Don’t be sorry for your success. It was just a spur of the moment idea, no skin off my back.” He winked. “Get it, heh?”

Patches did not acknowledge his joke, still appearing conflicted. “Are you sure? I could skip the dinner and make my apologies later.”

Carmine scoffed. It was just like his brother to sacrifice the party rather than letting his orders sit any longer than necessary. He swallowed the last of the coffee and pretended to yawn.

“I’m already starting to feel sleepy, must be all this jabbering. Go have a swell time at your party. Show’em what a snazzy get-up really looks like.”

The corners of Patches jaw quirked into a crooked, genuine smile. “Let’s find time later. When things are less busy.”

“Yeah, whenever works,” Carmine agreed. “Now get out of here.”

Patches didn’t seem to totally buy Carmine’s sudden recovery, but he wasn’t pressing it either. He left with a promise to make plans soon. That left Carmine alone in the office again.

He stared at the phone on his desk. The thing was – he wanted company, but there was nobody to call. If he called Toriel she’d want an update on the investigation and there was nothing to share. He and Alphys hadn’t talked in a while either. She had been drowning in research since coming to the Surface, deciphering the similarities and differences between monster and human magic.

There was Lux, but even Carmine knew he wasn’t in the right place to make that call yet.

Eventually he made himself get up and go for a walk. Nobody deserved to be subjected to the mood he was in. He aimlessly roamed the halls of the manor. There was a sense of despondency settling around him that could easily turn to resentful anger if he wasn’t careful.

He wasn’t upset at his brother, Tori, or Alph. No, this negativity was directed inward. After all, it was his own fault that he couldn’t keep up anymore. Back in the Underground he’d raised Pat, grown the Snowdin Syndicate into a major player, and took the hits that no one else could to protect them. But now that things were good and life was easy, he was fumbling around like a bonehead.

In the end he found himself in the greenhouse, surrounded by his roses. He halfheartedly picked out a pair of shears from his toolbox, but instead of pruning anything he sat down on the bench in the center of the garden. His sockets slid shut almost immediately. It was the perfume of the flowers that finally lulled him to sleep.

When he woke up several hours later the sun was low in the sky.

He was still tired and a little sore, but he was thinking more clearly. If company was what he wanted, then he had to go get it. It was as simple as that. Denial and excuses wouldn’t help.

He went inside and returned to the office. The note with Lux’s number was tucked into his cigar box for safe keeping. His excitement grew with each spin of the phone’s dial. Carmine knew exactly where he wanted to take Lux on their date.

Chapter Text

Carmine was almost bursting with nervous anticipation as he waited for the call to connect. The telephone number Lux had given him looked whacky – it was ten digits long. The humans had built their magical telephone infrastructure so that depending on the size of the place you lived in, your number was five or six digits at most. At least that was how Alphys had explained it when they got to the Surface. 

He wondered how many telephones would exist in a system with a sequence that long. Lux’s phone had to be custom-made since Carmine had never seen anything like it before. Maybe Lux had made it himself. The other skeleton was sharp for sure, but Carmine didn’t know if he was booksmart like Alphys.

It was a good thing that the numbers were just a way to meld technology and magic together. There weren’t any wires to worry about or else this definitely wouldn’t work. Dialing a number brought the recipient to the mind of the caller and that concentrated intent directed the call to a tower that would amplify the magic in order to connect them.

Even Carmine could admit that humans were pretty crafty when it came to magical innovations.

The phone rang three times before the call was picked up.

“Handsome!” Lux greeted, his voice low and throaty.

Carmine felt heat rise on his cheekbones. There was something intimate about having Lux’s voice in his metaphorical ear. He tugged at the collar of his shirt to keep cool.

“Hey, Lux.” He replied. Then his brain stalled, even though he knew exactly what he wanted to ask. An awkward silent beat passed as he tried to get the words out, but Lux beat him to the punch.

“I’ve been waiting for you to call. I thought you might have lost my number.” Lux said it playfully. 

Carmine winced. Almost a week had passed since their last meeting at the bar. He felt guilty for putting Lux on standby for so long, but he couldn’t just come out and apologize for holding off because he suspected that Lux was involved with the monster kidnappings.

“It’s not that I didn’t want to,” Carmine admitted. “I can get wrapped up in my work sometimes is all.”

That was as close to the truth as he could get.   

“Well, did you miss me at least?” Lux teased.

Carmine choked on air. He held the receiver away from his jaw to disguise his surprised sputtering. Stars – Lux could make him feel like such a stripling. It wasn’t like he hadn’t flirted  before. It just usually didn’t affect him because he knew it wasn’t going any further than a casual fling.

Playing it cool was impossible when it came to Lux. Every exchange between them felt important. This was potentially his soulmate and he wanted to make a good impression.

“Carmine are you there? Is the connection bad?”

“No, it’s fine!” Carmine reassured him and screwed up his courage, “I did. I did miss you.”

“Oh.” Lux sounded caught off guard, like he hadn’t expected that answer. 

“I wanna take you out somewhere. Figured we could go out on the town, maybe get a drink and cut the rug.” The words were coming out easier now that he had some momentum.

“Darling, are you asking me out on a date?” Lux asked delightedly.

“Depends on if you got the time for me, since I been wasting all of yours.” Carmine countered.

“Yes!” Lux laughed. “Just tell me when and I’ll be there.”

The husky quality of his voice made Carmine’s soul pulse. It reminded him of how Lux had sounded before. The way his voice was when he’d held Carmine’s wrist and ridden his fingers to climax.

“I could come pick you up right now.” Carmine glanced at the clock. It was early in the night and he didn’t want to wait any longer. There were voices and background noise from Lux’s end of the call, so he must be out somewhere already.

“I hate to say no,” Lux said. “My set is just about to start and I can’t back out.”

“Maybe I could come watch?” Carmine tried not to sound too eager. The first night they met he had been entranced by Lux’s singing just as much as his appearance.

“I wish you could,” Lux’s voice was softer. “But I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why’s that?” The blunt question fell out of Carmine’s mouth without a conscious thought. He contemplated banging his skull against the desk. Maybe it would knock some sense and manners into him.

“Don’t be pushy with me, Mister.” Carmine could hear the smile behind Lux’s reprimand. “I know you can’t wait to see me, but I have a job to do.”

“And I respect that!” Carmine agreed hastily. “Would it help if I promise to behave?”

“I’m less worried about you – it’s the crowd. The humans at this spot aren’t really interested in my act. They just want to heckle a monster who can’t fight back.” Lux explained. He said it matter-of-fact, like it was something that he was used to.

“You don’t have to stand for that.” Carmine frowned. “Why play at a joint that allows the talent to be disrespected?”

“It’s not my choice.” Lux’s voice sounded strained. It wasn’t hard to tell that this was a sore subject for him.

“I’d be more than happy to have another ‘conversation’ with that asshole manager of yours.” Carmine offered. Once again he was mystified why a monster like Lux was working for a human shit stain.

“And that would get me in so much trouble.” Lux sighed. “Antony still thinks that I ‘took care of you’ in that alley.”

Carmine could feel himself gearing up for an argument. He hated the idea of Lux being degraded and put at risk. Even if Lux was magically powerful that wouldn’t protect him from an entire gang of humans if things went off the rails. His manager wasn’t going to be of any use either since he didn’t care about Lux’s safety in the first place. 

Warm magic was beginning to well up in the ridges of his skull. It dripped down his spine uncomfortably. Carmine’s temper was rising and if he got any hotter he’d start steaming. He had to get off the phone before his LV made him say something he would regret.

“Then how about tomorrow night?” He asked, even though it’s not what he really wanted to say. It was best to wrap this up quickly. If he could take a breather and do his relaxation exercises then he could wrestle the LV back into submission. “I can pick you up at your place. Where my driver dropped you off.”

“Yes. I’ll make it up to you,” Lux promised.

“You got nothin’ to make up for,” Carmine grunted. “Break a leg or somethin’”

“Don’t worry about me, Handsome. Pick me up tomorrow at nine.” Lux said.

Then he hung up.

The phone receiver creaked in Carmine’s tight grip. He slammed it down. Anger bubbled hot in his marrow.

Even if Lux was in trouble, Carmine needed to respect that he didn’t want his help. It stung on top of Patches’ earlier rejection. Nobody wanted him around today.

The noise of his teeth grinding together did little to soothe his frustrations. It took concentrated effort to unlock his jaw. There was no reason to be so worked up when he had successfully called Lux and got his date. All he had to do was calm down and wait.

He was running on fumes. A nap on a bench in the rose garden didn’t erase being awake for 30 straight hours before that. He was mentally shot and his body wasn’t doing much better either. His spine and shoulders ached from hunching over for so long. He drew a deep breath in and held it for a beat before exhaling.

Then he started to count.

He made it to 12 when the phone rang.

Maybe Lux had changed his mind. The receiver was back in his hand in an instant. His counting was totally forgotten.

“Boss? Is that you?” One of the dogs was on the line.

“Who else would it be? This is my number ain’t it.” Carmine growled to cover his disappointment.

“Sorry,” the dog whimpered. “We gots a problem with a shipment. Wouldn’t bother you otherwise, Boss.”

“What kind of problem?” Carmine leaned forward, eager to sink his teeth into this new problem instead of sit with his feelings.

“A human. Looks like some gangster wanna-be. Should we take care of it?”

Carmine flexed his metacarpals, considering his options. They hadn’t had any humans stepping on monster turf since the disastrous fall out that had left Carmine near death. Maybe the humans were testing the waters to see if they’d let their guard down since then.

He could have the human quietly disappear or make an example out of him to send a message. This human had been sent out on a fool’s errand to steal from a Monster Family, so he wasn’t anybody too important. It was funny how humans treated each other like they were disposable.

The evidence board for the monster kidnappings caught his eyelights as he thought about his next move. An idea occurred to him. Maybe there was a third option that would be more amenable to all parties involved.

“Bring ‘im to me. I’ve got a proposition in mind.”

Chapter Text

Half an hour after the call Carmine stood in front of the garage. The structure was detached from the manor and large enough to be a modest cottage. It was built to house four cars plus room for storage. Only Carmine’s vehicle was parked inside since Patches drove his breezer to the party earlier that evening. His brother always preferred driving his convertible with the top down no matter the season.

The heat of the LV burning in his bones turned Carmine’s breath into white steam that dissipated into the cold winter night. The moon was hidden behind the clouds, but light still emanated from Ebott City in the distance. Its concrete and steel infrastructure rose above the horizon, disrupting the darkness like some kind of beacon.

When monsters first came to the Surface the city had been a symbol of hope. Its silhouette stretched up into the sky unstifled by the constraints of the Underground. The shape of it was an unspoken promise that now monsters could stretch out too, unlimited by their former hardships.

After living the reality of it, Carmine’s initial impressions had soured. Humans took the Surface for granted. They came up with stupid laws to regulate magic, trying to make it so only the ‘right sorts’ of people had access to it. 

The gossamer hope that life might be easier above ground shredded easier than a spider’s web. At least the Monster Families were all on the same page about that. They prioritized having a united front rather than trying to get one-up on each other.

The stillness of the night was interrupted by the sound of an engine. Carmine heard the approaching delivery van before its headlights came into view. When it jerked off the road onto the manor’s long stretch of the gravel drive, he pulled the garage doors open.

His skull rocked side-to-side, stretching out his ley lines in anticipation of what he hoped to be a productive meeting. Honestly, Carmine hoped that the human would be stupid enough to require a little knocking around. That way Carmine could have some fun and blow off some steam.

Deep breaths and counting wasn’t going to cut it at this point. He was in a mood and his LV wouldn’t settle unless he gave it an outlet. There were healthier ways to do it, but Carmine wasn’t going to say no if an opportunity presented itself. He just had to be careful not to take it too far and keep his LV from getting any higher.

The van pulled past him and came to a stop in the middle of the garage. When the engine cut he could hear a commotion from the back – a shouting voice and aggravated growling. Dogaressa exited the driver’s seat and slammed the door shut behind her. Her soulmate, Dogamy, opened the back loading doors with a snarl. The dog monster threw the human out of the van onto the concrete floor.

“Dusty dog fuckers!” The human shouted through the sack that was over his head. His hands were bound, but his legs kicked out wildly. One hit would have enough harmful intent to knock off a solid amount of HP.

Dogamy growled a warning, baring his teeth. The human couldn’t see the threat and kept struggling. It looked like Dogamy was about to snap and take a bite out of him. Carmine was ready to step in, but Dogaressa got to her soulmate first.

She put a firm paw on his chest and nuzzled at his neck. Dogamy panted heavily, but took a step back. Their matching collars glinted in the low light of the garage. They’d worn them for as long as Carmine had known them, since he and Patches escaped to Snowdin. Although Carmine had met other soulmates while living in the Capital, the Dogi were the first he really got to see interacting up close. They perfectly balanced each other and always knew what their mate needed.

Carmine’s grin twisted into a grimace. Would he ever get a chance to support Lux like that? There was an undeniable part of himself that already yearned to provide for Lux, to prove that he was worthy of him. They weren’t even going steady yet, but shouldn’t soulmates instinctually do that kind of thing? If Lux kept holding Carmine at arms-length, would that risk their potential bond disappearing before it could even go anywhere?

He’d rather not think about that.

So, he focused on the problem in front of him instead.

“Keep kicking like that and your legs are liable to be broken.” Carmine warned the human. He crouched and yanked the sack off his head.

The young man reared backwards when he saw a skeleton leering down at him. Carmine always enjoyed how much his mug scared humans. Something about his skull reminded them that they were just fragile sacks of meat.

Carmine grabbed the back of his shirt and dragged him further into the garage towards a folding card table and chairs near the back. The man was at least a foot taller than him, but Carmine was strong enough to haul him without any effort. Even though the man was putting on a good show of bravado, Carmine could smell the panic in the air.

“Get your dirty monster mitts off of me!” The man demanded.

Carmine heaved him into one of the chairs and then sat across from him.

“In case it wasn’t obvious – you made a big mistake crossing the Snowdin Syndicate.” Carmine flared his eyelights just to see the human flinch. “Better tell me who put you up to it or else you’re gonna have a bad time.”

The human looked down at the table and kept his mouth shut. Rivulets of acrid sweat soaked his hairline. Stubborn defiance was etched into his posture, holding off an inevitable breakdown. 

There was no escape. Nobody was coming to his rescue and they all knew it. It was only a matter of time before he realized that the only way out was through Carmine’s mercy and that was not given lightly.

Carmine let the silence build, allowing the tension to thicken until it was cloying. He savored the man’s fear, knowing that he was in control of it. His magic steamed off his bones in red tendrils.

“Look at me.” Carmine demanded.

The man trembled in place, head bowed. Carmine worried that perhaps this human wouldn’t suit his needs after all. The plan depended on finding a rat, not a mouse – somebody willing to risk playing the odds when their life was on the line instead of folding.

He waited a moment longer before he made his final decision. Unaware of the pending judgement that would determine his fate, the human scraped together the last bits of his pride. His head lifted up and back, putting his nose in the air with a defiant sneer.

Carmine grinned. This man could be useful afterall. The next step was to knock him down a few pegs, really illustrate who had the power here.  

“It’s a beautiful night,” Carmine mused. “It would be a shame if I had to cut yours short.”

That caught the man’s attention. He tensed and then lurched forward out of his seat, trying to get his legs under him and escape. Paws grabbed his shoulders and shoved him back down. The Dogi held their captive securely in place.

“You’re bluffing! You boney freak!” The man wrenched his body back and forth uselessly. “Everybody knows the minute a monster kills a human they’re gonna drive you back into the hole you all crawled out of.”

The muscles in his meaty neck strained with feral energy. He was like an animal in a trap, trying to stave off the inevitable approach of a hunter. His lips pursed. Spit flew through the air.

It splattered on Carmine’s cheekbone.

All four of them froze. The only thing that moved was the spit dripping down Carmine’s face. Their poses made a moody tableau, capturing the sense of the stillness before a storm broke. Even the human was horrified, sensing that he had crossed an invisible line.

Carmine wiped the spit away with the back of his metacarpals. His rings rubbed rough across the bone. His other hand reached into his inventory, the intangible space that held a few necessary items.

He pulled out a gun.

“Now you’ve got me there,” Carmine agreed congenially. “It’s a double standard for sure. Humans off each other all the time, but if I smoke even one of you with magic it’ll be war.”

The small revolver rested comfortably in his phalanges. The cool metal was a relief to his hot bones. Its barrel was shorter than most but still packed a punch – like Carmine. That’s what had attracted him to it.

He swung the cylinder out, showing off the gun’s five loaded chambers to the human. The blood drained from the man’s face when he saw the bullets. The implication sparked the idea of a horrifying conclusion.

Carmine pushed the cylinder back into place and then raised the gun into the air. His phalange squeezed the trigger. Four shots rang out in quick succession.

The whites of the human’s eyes were bloodshot with burst vessels. His mouth gaped red as Carmine lowered the gun. Carmine spun the cylinder which still held the single remaining bullet without looking. He walked around the table to face the human. Dogaressa and Dogamy maneuvered the man’s chair so that they were straight on.

The revolver’s muzzle jutted deep into the fleshy part of the man’s shoulder.

“So, I better make it look like another human did it.” Carmine said and pulled the trigger.

The human flinched, but the chamber was empty.

“Huh, let me try that again.” He pressed the gun into the man’s thigh. Then pulled the trigger a second time as the human found his voice and babbled fearful protests. His leg jerked hard in reflex, but there was no wound.

“No! No, stop. I can’t.” The man begged. “I can’t. They’ll kill me.”

Carmine listened with mock sympathy as he cocked the gun against the man’s other shoulder. His phalange rested on the trigger guard, a lingering threat.

“That’s quite the dilemma, cause as it is, either I kill you now or they kill you later. Maybe you need to rethink your options.”

“What options?” The man whimpered.

Carmine smirked. The bait was taken. Now all he had to do was reel him in.

“You could work for me instead. Be my man on the inside.”

“No,” the man shook his head in disbelief.

Carmine shrugged. He took his phalange off the guard and squeezed the trigger again. His LV sang in his marrow at the promise of impending violence.

The human screamed. The click of the gun striking another hollow chamber echoed through the garage. He slumped in his seat. The Dogi were the only thing keeping him upright.

“It’s your choice. No skin off my back either way, heh.” Carmine chuckled at his own joke. Nobody else joined him.

“But it ain’t a choice at all. They’ll kill me if they find out.” The man moaned.

“Seems to me you’re already playing the odds, pal.” Carmine held up the gun, reminding them all that there were only two chambers left. He depressed the trigger just enough that the gun’s hammer was half-cocked. Then he coolly pressed the muzzle of the gun to the man’s sweaty forehead.

“So why not bet on the chance that gets you out of here alive?”

Red eyelights met wide brown eyes. Bone clacked on metal. The man’s mouth opened as it clicked - empty.

“I’ll do it! Just stop, stop!” The man shouted brokenly.

Carmine lowered the gun, but his phalange was still on the trigger. He’d done it. He’d caught his rat hook, line, sinker.

“That’s what I like to hear. We’ll get you patched up and then we can discuss the details.” Carmine grunted.

The human swayed in his seat and shook his head nervously. “I’m just bruised, nothing that needs tending to.”

“Oh, yeah.” Carmine scratched along the side of his skull with the barrel of the gun, pretending at forgetfulness. “Thanks for the reminder.”

He aimed downward and shot the man in the leg.

The human screamed in shocked agony. Dogamy whuffed and let go of him as he bent over to clutch his bleeding calf. Dogaressa, the tougher of the two, tightened her grip.

“That’s to help sell your cover. Be grateful it ain’t worse.” Carmine cracked his spine to loosen up, tense from all the posturing. The empty gun was returned to his inventory.

Dogaressa and Dogamy watched him warily, but relaxed when he raised a brow bone at them. It wasn’t often he let loose like that. He gestured at the human crying on the floor of the garage and they pulled out a first aid kit.

A few hours later Carmine let his rat go. The dogs drove him back to Ebott with a promise that he would check-in with them soon or deal with the consequences. That left Carmine alone in the manor again, but he was finally tired enough to get some sleep.

He tucked himself into bed and drifted off imagining what it would feel like if Lux were beside him.

Chapter Text

Lux hissed out a breath as he carefully applied concealer to the scrape above his temple. The makeup stung as it filled in the shallow scratch, making the evidence of last night’s attempted assault disappear. Even though Lux’s reflexes had saved him from getting a bottle thrown directly into his face during his show, he wasn’t fast enough to dodge the shard of glass that had ricocheted off the wall behind him when it shattered.

Even though the wound was hidden, he could still feel it.

His reflection grimaced back at him crookedly in the cracked floor length mirror that was propped up against the bedroom wall. It was one of the many treasures which Poppy inevitably found when passing by trash heaps throughout the city. Beggars couldn’t be choosers, so many of their apartment’s furnishings were similarly found “second hand” by dumpsters or on the side of the road.

The multi-functional milk crate that Lux was perched on as a temporary seat in front of the mirror was another such find. He’d dragged it over to the mirror so that he could finally start getting ready for his date with Carmine. It had been hard to wait all day knowing that Carmine and the potential solution to his debt were so close but not yet within reach.

Lux’s good mood after his call with Carmine was what had ultimately ruined the show. He was right in his judgement of the crowd. The human audience had wanted to push around a monster on display who couldn’t afford to stand up for themselves. However, Lux had floated above the heckling for most of his set, distracted by daydreams of seeing Carmine again.

His lack of reaction frustrated the bullies who wanted to see him cower. So, they escalated beyond insults and rudeness. That’s how Lux had almost got a bottle smashed in his face.

It had the intended effect. Lux had shrunk in on himself, unable to leave until the show was over because Antony was there. If he stopped then the bastard wouldn’t pay him his cut afterwards. He’d thought that Antony might care that his cash canary was being threatened, but the shark had just laughed with everyone else when Lux flinched.

Lux took a deep breath and steadied his trembling metacarpals before applying dark, smokey kohl around his sockets. Back at home he could’ve easily spent an hour or two applying all sorts of practical and magical products to his skull. It was one of the few things that he had indulged in. Now his stock was running low and he didn’t have the means to buy more.

Every bit of makeup he used had to count - had to make Carmine want him even more so that Lux could get in close enough to take what he really needed. His soul seized unhappily at the prospect of stealing from the only monster who had shown him any kindness in this universe, but his and Poppy’s survival outweighed his guilty conscience.

He couldn’t keep working for Antony, allowing the debt to grow and exposing himself to danger at every show. No number of odd jobs could keep him and his brother afloat any longer. Carmine was a lifeline and Lux would clutch tight to him to stay above water.

A hesitant knock on the bedroom door interrupted his swirling thoughts. Lux looked skyward in supplication to the Stars. Of course, Poppy wanted to talk now.

They’d fought about Poppy’s sleepover with his so-called human friends when he finally returned to the apartment. Lux had admonished him for turning off his cellphone and being alone with a group of humans who could’ve easily hurt him. Poppy was upset that Lux believed his friends had ulterior motives and accused him of being jealous.

Even though they both apologized later, there was still a strain between them. Lux knew there were underlying cracks in their relationship that extended far beyond this. He’d done his best to smooth them over, but now they were emerging. It wasn’t just a scratch that could be fixed with some concealer.

Poppy had followed Lux’s lead ever since their uncle died, leaving them orphaned a second-time in the Underground. Even when they disagreed, Poppy still understood that Lux made decisions to protect them. Lux didn’t understand why Poppy would risk his new life for the company of some humans.

“Come in. I’m decent,” Lux called out.

The door swung open, but Poppy stood on the threshold as if unsure of his welcome.

“Well – that would be a first.” Poppy teased with an awkward smile.

The joke was an olive branch. Lux would gratefully take it for now. His brother was stubborn when he wanted to be and Lux would rather let the matter drop for now even if he was concerned.

“Don’t make me laugh,” Lux smiled back and watched Poppy’s reaction in the mirror. “I’ll ruin my makeup and have to start all over again.”

Poppy shuffled slightly further into the room. Lux could tell he was curious about it. That’s when he noticed that Poppy was also dressed in his usual work clothes.

“Isn’t it late for work?” He asked.

“I’m picking up some shifts because one of the other servers called out sick,” Poppy explained. “I could say the same thing to you. Although it doesn’t look like you’re dressed for the lab.”

Lux flushed, reminded of the lies he’d built up so Poppy wouldn’t know how fraught their situation truly was. If he had to keep track of another lie, he’d have trouble remembering how much Poppy actually knew. His brother would need an explanation if Lux's plan worked and he started spending more time with Carmine.

“I’m going on a date,” Lux admitted.

“A date!” Poppy cheered, all awkwardness forgotten. The lanky skeleton plopped onto Lux’s bed. His feet swung excitedly.

“You haven’t been on a date in years,” Poppy exclaimed.

“Yes – thank you for reminding me, dear.”

Lux had seen many monsters casually, but only a few had developed into relationships like Grillby. Most didn’t last long after discovering his unique condition. It was difficult enough for a monster to manage the threat of their own soul-bursting, but Lux’s chronic pain and busy schedule drove away all of his suitors in the end.

“So who are they?” Poppy asked eagerly.

“Just a monster I met through work.” That was the truth at least. “He’s taking me out dancing. Since when are you so invested in my love life?”

Lux quirked a brow bone at him, hiding a wince as the bottle scrape stretched and stung. Poppy had shown no interest in dating and usually didn’t want to hear the details of Lux’s own escapades. He was by no means naïve, but didn’t enjoy discussing sexual topics which had made it hard for him to make friends in their original universe.

“Well,” Poppy drew the word out as he searched for what to say next. “I suppose I’m happy to see you making connections! It’s been over a year since we arrived and all you seem to do is work. You deserve to have some fun for once.”

His genuine and heartfelt relief lanced Lux’s soul with guilt. He wished it were true, that his time with Carmine wasn’t driven by ulterior motives. The ley lines that controlled his voice swelled tight with unexpressed emotions.

“Thank you,” Lux managed to whisper. He reached out to squeeze Poppy’s hand. Poppy squeezed back.

“I know that you don’t approve of my new human friends and that you’re worried that they’re using me somehow. But we have to take some risks to find happiness!” Poppy looked at Lux earnestly, trying to make him understand.

Lux’s tremulous smile twisted into a frown. “You need to remember that it’s dangerous to rely on others. If you trust too freely, you’ll only end up hurt.”

“I’d rather risk it than be alone,” Poppy said. “Uncle WingDings would agree with me.”

Lux pulled his hand back jerkily. That name was like a cold bucket of water being doused over him. They hadn’t spoken about their uncle in a long time.

“Well, he’s dead. I rather think that discounts any opinions he had.” Lux turned back to the mirror. The bitterness of the words left a bad taste in his mouth.

“He didn’t mean to leave us, Lux. You know that,” Poppy protested, leaning forward and trying to draw Lux back into the conversation.

“I don’t want to argue with you,” Lux’s hands gripped his kneecaps tightly. “You’ll be late for work.”

Poppy wilted, face falling in disappointment. Lux felt a ting of shame pull at him, but he still didn’t turn around. His brother should know better than to bring up taboo subjects like their uncle.

“I’m sorry I upset you, but Uncle WingDings loved us and I don’t know why you try to forget it!” Poppy got up and left the room.

Lux closed his sockets as the door shut behind his brother with a bang.

For just a moment he allowed his shoulders to tremble, let the anguish settle in his soul. If he pushed it down without acknowledgement the feeling would bubble up at the most inopportune time. As much as he was angry at their uncle, Lux also missed him fiercely. He missed Poppy too and the home they had left behind.

Since their uncle wasn’t here anymore it was Lux’s job to look after himself and Poppy – there was no one else left to do it.

That resolve gave him the focus he needed to let the pain fade away. He went over to his small closet to pick out an outfit. His hand hovered a little black dress. It was a fashion standard for a reason, but something about the dark color reflected the mood he had fallen into. That wasn’t what he wanted to be reminded of all night. No, he wanted something vibrant, something bold to give him a confidence boost.

He pulled out a bright red dress with a sweetheart neckline instead. It definitely wasn’t period appropriate for this universe, but he wanted to feel beautiful more than he cared about fitting in. He wanted to see Carmine’s eyelights flare with desire again.

When he stepped into the dress and pulled the cap sleeves over his shoulders, the skirt came down to midcalf. Then he manifested his violet ecto from clavicle to kneecaps. The chest of the dress filled out, revealing a tantalizing swell of cleavage. His thigh peaked through the skirt’s slit, giving him the range of motion he needed to dance freely.

He’d been told by monsters back home that the combination of purple and red was gaudy, but Lux hadn’t let their opinions inform his wardrobe. There was very little that was solely his, except for his appearance. The makeup, the dresses, the shoes – each part of his ensemble made him feel powerful.

As he took a final look in the mirror Lux was reminded of Carmine’s own self-consciousness. The melted ridges of his skull were hidden away under his hat with practiced nonchalance. From the way Carmine had solemnly revealed himself in his office, Lux could tell that he expected to be rejected based on his scars alone. The very least Lux could do was convince him that there was no shame in his scars.

It wouldn’t absolve him from swindling Carmine, but it had to count for something.

Lux used a shortcut to appear in front of the building the driver had dropped him off at before. The same car was waiting at the curb. Carmine stood on the sidewalk beside it, looking charming in a suit, a hat, and the most adorable bow tie.

He swayed forward as Lux walked towards him. His garnet eyelights traveled up from the tips of Lux’s shiny heels to his smokey expression. A blush of magic illuminated his skull.

“Hello, Carmine. It’s so good to see you.” Lux purred deep and leaned down to kiss his cheekbone. “You’re looking handsome.”

He spoke the words coyly against Carmine’s temporal bone. Carmine huffed, but it wasn’t an outright denial of the compliment so Lux would consider it a win.

“If I’m handsome then you’re a piece of art, cause my eyelights ain’t never seen a prettier picture than you.” Carmine countered, voice rough but slightly nervous. Like he wasn’t sure if Lux would enjoy him laying it on so thick.

Lux pulled back with a low laugh, delighted by Carmine’s sweet talking.

He hadn’t been sure if there initial meeting would feel awkward given the intensity of their last encounter in Carmine’s office. He had feared that Carmine would be stilted given how Lux had fallen apart during the poker game and then unintentionally brushed him off after they indulged themselves on top of his desk.

The memory of Carmine’s steadiness and warmth surrounding him had haunted Lux’s dreams every night since then.

“I got you something.” Carmine held out a single rose. The petals voluptuously splayed out into deep red ruffles that darkened to near burgundy at the creases. The thorns were trimmed off the stem so that it couldn’t prick their fingers. “I picked it myself.”

Lux blinked. Flowers weren’t common gifts back home. The Underground’s strained resources were focused on growing food for the ever increasing population. Flowers were frivolous things – having neither monetary or nutritional value.

He must have hesitated a moment too long because Carmine’s smile faltered.

“Sorry it’s not a full bouquet. I shoulda realized that one flower isn’t much of a gift. I can get you something better.” Carmine pulled his hand back slightly, as if to the put the rose away in his inventory.

“No!” Lux protested, finding his words. “It’s perfect.”

He reached forward and plucked the rose from Carmine’s unresisting fingers. Then he brought the flower up to his nasal cavity and inhaled deeply. Its fragrance wafted over him, earthy and floral. His sockets closed involuntarily, unexpectedly overcome by it. Somehow the smell reminded him of Carmine’s own distinct scent.

When his sockets opened, Carmine still stood there with dumbstruck look on his face. His jaw hung slightly open. Lux felt his own magic rising to his cheekbones.

He hadn’t meant to do that. His soul fluttered nervously in his ribcage, suddenly vulnerable.

Oh, damn his traitorous heart.

Now wasn’t the time for a crush. Lux already felt bad enough about taking advantage of a monster who had done nothing but give him pleasure and treat him with more kindness than he rightfully deserved. Why did he always make life more difficult for himself?

“Thank you,” Lux’s deep voice lilted over the words. “I’m sorry I didn’t get you anything.”

“Glad you like it,” Carmine finally got his jaw working again. “And I don’t need stuff, got plenty of that. What I don’t got is you.” He tugged his hat down a little and looked to the side.

“Anyway, let’s go. You’re gonna catch a cold without a coat on.”

He opened the passenger door so Lux could get into the car. Lux sat down smoothly – rose still held carefully in his phalanges.

“Don’t worry about me. You know I run hot,” Lux winked.

Carmine barked out a laugh and shook his skull. He closed the door and came around the to the driver’s side, giving Lux a moment to surreptitiously fan himself. He was running even hotter than normal – which meant that excess magic was building up in his ley lines. Between worrying about Carmine, Poppy, and Antony, Lux hadn’t been resting much or stretching consistently. Hopefully he’d find the time soon.

Carmine hopped up into the driver seat and started the car. The motor whirred to life as the magic and machinery inside it activated. It was quite different from the few other clunky vehicles that Lux had ridden in once or twice since arriving here. The seat cushioned his bones in lavishly upholstered tan leather.

It reminded Lux of why he had targeted Carmine in the first place. He seemed to be better off than “better off”. Back in his universe only royalty could boast such expensive tastes. What kind of business could generate this kind of wealth?

He needed to start asking questions to better understand what kind of situation he was getting into. Luckily enough, there was an obvious one that wouldn’t seem too intrusive.

“No driver this time?” Lux asked. The bunny monster who played bouncer and chauffeur before obviously wasn’t here.

“You mean Bonney? Yeah, I gave her the night off.” Carmine explained. “Besides, I can drive just fine. She’s just convenient to have around.”

“Why drive if you don’t have to?” Lux pushed a little more.

“Figured I’d rather have you all to myself – no interruptions.” Carmine’s metacarpals flexed on the steering wheel.

Lux felt his soul flutter again. He wanted to be Carmine’s center of attention too. His hand glided over to rest on Carmine’s bulky thigh; the solid femur bone covered in black wool slacks.

“I’m all yours, Handsome.”

Carmine’s dark eyelights met Lux’s own in the rearview mirror. He let go of the steering wheel and grasped Lux’s metacarpals with a squeeze.

“Careful sweetheart. Our night hasn’t even started and you’re already making me hot and bothered.” His raspy voice made Lux shiver.

“Do you want me to stop?” Lux asked.

“Stars – no. I just wanna take you out and get to know you better.” Carmine sputtered. “It’s hard to think when your hands are on me is all.”

Lux felt a real smile steal across his face. The corners of his sockets crinkled happily. Since when had anyone wanted to talk to Lux more than they wanted to get off?

“Well let’s have some fresh air for the drive so we don’t get too distracted.” Lux rolled down his window, letting the cold winter air in. It was refreshingly cool against his ecto.

Then he turned his hand over in Carmine’s grip so their palms touched. He tentatively laced their metacarpals together. The touch was less flirtatious than Lux was used to, but his soul didn’t seem to care. It pounded as they simply held hands.

“How’s this?” Lux asked.

“Real good,” Carmine replied. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

Chapter Text

Lux noticed the number of humans dwindle down as Carmine drove towards the monster side of town. Small flurries of snowflakes flew by Lux’s open window. The few that landed on him evaporated with a small hiss that he hoped went unnoticed by his date.

“You ever been to Blooky’s spot before?” Carmine asked.

“No, should I have?” Lux asked teasingly.

“It’s popular with the swing crowd, so it can get real busy. I think you’ll fit right in though.” Carmine explained.

A tower illuminated by spotlights grew closer. MTT Media Corp. was emblazoned across its marque in bold coral pink letters. It was by far the tallest construction in the newly developed area.

“And why’s that?” Lux’s eyelights widened in surprise as they pulled into the semi-circle driveway in front of it. Throngs of monsters dressed in vibrant colors waited behind velvet ropes, looking hopefully at the bouncers who occasionally gestured specific monsters forward and let through.

“’Cause you both got style,” Carmine grinned and got out of the car, leaving the keys in the ignition. A valet opened Lux’s door and Carmine swooped in to offer his hand.

Lux’s soul fluttered. He felt irresistibly tugged forward by Carmine’s confident energy. Their hands met and Lux stepped out of the car. He was so excited that it felt like he was floating six inches off the pavement.  As soon as he exited, the vehicle was whisked away by another valet - a morose-looking orange cat monster.

Monsters turned to look at them with curiosity and mounting jealousy as Carmine guided Lux past the velvet ropes and straight through the spinning glass doors. The bouncers didn’t even blink as they cut the line. They came out into an ostentatiously decorated lobby.

Lux’s eyelights sparkled as he took in all the glitz and glam. There was a fountain in the center. Monsters sat on its rim, laughing and talking over the gurgle of the water and the music that drifted in from the next room.

It all reminded Lux of his dance club. Not the décor, but the thrumming energy that zinged through the crowd was the same. He had no idea that a place like this existed in this universe.

He thought that he had lost this feeling forever.

“Upstairs is Mettaton’s media offices, but at night the first floor is Blooky’s spot. He’s got a band, a bar, a dancefloor - the whole shebang.” Carmine explained as he guided Lux further in. His rough hand settled easily against the small of Lux’s back.

A raucous beat, the thudding of drums, and the blare of brass instruments grew louder as they approached another set of doors. These were propped open to allow the crowd to drift in and out unimpeded. Lux eagerly walked forward, just barely managing to stay in step with Carmine as anticipation quickened his steps.

Beyond the doors was the dance hall. Down the center of the room monsters twirled and stomped in time with the music. Chandeliers of glow globes hung from the high ceiling, illuminating the party below, and swayed as the building shook with the combined force of the dancers’ movement. A full band sat on a raised dais at the far end. Tables were scattered in each corner so that dancers could rest or get refreshments without having to leave.

“So – what do ya think?” Carmine asked with a pleased glint in his eyelights.

“I love it!” Lux cooed. His hands involuntarily clenched in front of his exposed collarbones to contain the delighted exhilaration threatening to totally overheat him.

Carmine smirked up at him. Red magic dusted his cheekbones as he took in Lux’s happy expression.

“Glad I was right. I figured a gal who dresses as nice as you do would like to go out on the town.”

Lux laughed throatily and leaned down. His phalanges tugged up on Carmine’s bowtie, bringing their faces close enough to kiss. His eyelights intentionally lingered on Carmine’s mouth, but he didn’t move to close the scant distance.

“I was a bit of a party girl in my youth,” Lux said coyly.

“You’ll have to show me some of your moves.” Carmine’s voice rasped, like he was parched. His hand squeezed Lux’s waist.

Lux pulled back with a sultry look, letting go of Carmine’s bowtie. “I don’t think that style of dancing is appropriate for such a public venue. Maybe I’ll show you after we ‘get to know’ each other better.”

Carmine’s face fell as Lux withdrew without a kiss, but his eyelights widened as he heard Lux throw his own words back at him. His mouth hung open a little, stunned by how Lux could get him so riled up with barely even a touch.

“Then how about we get a drink first? So we can talk and get warmed up.”

“Sure thing, Handsome.” Lux agreed. He hadn’t wanted to dance right away either, although for different reasons.

Early on in this universe he realized how different the style of music and dancing was from his own. While he was more familiar with synthy EDM beats, the fashions here seemed to be from a time in the distant past. He’d seen humans dance during his shows sometimes. Of course he’d practiced what he saw, but he hadn’t had a partner.

These monsters danced similarly, but there were enough differences that Lux wasn’t confident to immediately go out onto the dancefloor. He needed more time to observe. Then he’d fake it ‘til he made it. And by ‘made it’, he meant charm Carmine sufficiently to overlook any of his missteps.

It was so busy that none of the tables were empty. Lux wasn’t sure if he could go the whole night standing, considering how his magic was acting up. He was only momentarily concerned, because as soon as Carmine approached a full table and jerked his head to the side, the monsters got up and left. Their expressions ranged from sneering to fearful, but none of them said a word of protest.

Carmine pulled out a chair for him.

Lux perched on its edge, ankles crossed and tucked back. Carmine seemed determined to be chivalrous tonight – holding open doors, pulling out his chair, prioritizing conversation over pleasure. It was as if Carmine thought he had to impress Lux and not the other way around. Even though he was obviously a powerful monster considering he seemed to always get his way like just now with the table and before at the poker game.

As soon as Carmine took his own seat, a waiter came over with a tray of bubbly champagne flutes. They both took one. The crystal clinked sonorously against their phalanges. Lux raised his glass and inclined it towards his date.

“To getting better acquainted,” Lux toasted.

“Cheers to that and how beautiful you look tonight,” Carmine added and stretched over the table to clink their glasses together.

Lux took a dainty sip of his drink. The tiny bubbles fizzed pleasantly on his ecto tongue. Carmine drained half of his in one gulp and flagged down the waiter for another.

That’s when Lux realized that Carmine was nervous. Despite his rough looks and cavalier attitude, sitting across the table from Lux of all monsters made Carmine flustered. It was as flattering as it was confusing. Just who was this monster?

“Since we’re getting to know more about each other, why pick this place for our date? It’s definitely not what I expected – in a good way.” Lux ended his question with praise because this was definitely the best place he had ever been taken on a date.

He had imagined that Carmine would pick a quiet spot. Somewhere without too many distractions and a laidback atmosphere. Although he’d dressed for a night of dancing, he’d assumed that it would be mostly slow dances – the kind that didn’t require much more effort than swaying back and forth.

“So far, you’ve only seen me in dingy bars. I don’t want you to think I spend all my time drinking in the dark,” Carmine chuckled in self-deprecation.

“Grilbz is the cleanest bar I’ve ever been in!” Lux teased, but hoped that he might actually learn something of value. “Then what do you do all day? You called yourself entrepreneur when we first met.”

It had been less than a month ago when they met in that alley, but it felt so far away from where they were right now.

“I didn’t think you remembered that,” Carmine ducked his head. The brim of his hat covered his sockets in shadow. He rotated the thin stem of the champagne glass between his thumb and fingers. It was incongruously delicate in his wide, rugged hand.

“I am in business – Guess you could call me a manager. I do a little bit of everything. Try to keep people happy and if I can’t, then I gotta resolve it.” Carmine shrugged and took another, slightly more moderate, sip of his drink.

“You must be good at it,” Lux complimented. There was something more to it than that and the flattery was calculated. It could usually loosen tongues since people loved to talk about themselves. “There are so many monsters working with you!”

He was thinking of Grillby, the card players, and the bunny who played as both bodyguard and chauffer. So many different types of monsters with seemingly no connections except their ties to Carmine.

“Business ain’t bad, although it’s got more complicated on the Surface.” Carmine hedged. “Besides it’s a family operation so most of them are obligated to at least tolerate me.”

“It can be complicated working with your family,” Lux sympathized. He and Poppy had served together in the Avant-Guard. It hadn’t been easy with Lux’s chronic pain and Poppy’s secret. His brother hadn’t even been able to pretend to have an interest in sex, not that Lux blamed him. It was a tough situation, but they supported each other through all the high and lows.

“Tell me about it!” Carmine groused, but his tone was affectionate. “My brother finally had enough of me and decided to branch out on his own. I’m proud of him, but it hasn’t been easy to lose him.”

Lux had wondered when the topic of their brothers would finally come up. Despite both being “Sans”, he and Carmine were so different. Would the same be true of their siblings? It was hard to imagine what a “Papyrus” from this universe could be like.

“What is your brother doing now?” Lux asked, genuinely curious.

“He’s a tailor! Patches has always been good with a thread and needle. He’s made most of my duds and more folks are coming to him for fancy wear.” Carmine boasted and gestured animatedly, any self-consciousness erased by his swell of pride for his brother.

Lux smiled. This was something they shared – their love for their brothers. No matter what else, Lux felt comforted that Carmine’s character must be inherently good if he cared for his brother so deeply.

“How about you?” Carmine asked.

“Me?” Lux repeated, unprepared for the spotlight to shift back onto him so soon.

“Yeah. It sounded like you also worked with your family.”

Lux hummed in agreement, unsure what to share. He couldn’t tell Carmine about Poppy. The best way to keep his own brother safe was to keep his existence secret. There was another experience he could share. Of course, Lux would have to talk about him twice on the same night after not saying his name for years.

“I worked with my uncle,” Lux started. “Just for a few years after I left stripes. He was a scientist.”

Carmine’s smile dropped.

“What did I say?” Lux stopped his story.

“Sorry, it’s nothing. My old man was a scientist is all. We didn’t see eye-to-eye on most stuff.” Carmine scratched at his permanently drooped eyebrow bone. “But he’s not around anymore.”

Carmine didn’t sound broken up about his father’s absence, but Lux decided to play it safe. “I’m sorry. Has he been gone for a long time?”

“Yeah. No need to be sorry though. With him out of the way I got to raise Patches myself. That’s how we eventually got adopted into our real family.” The sour look on Carmine’s face melted away when he talked about his brother.

Lux felt compelled by Carmine’s candor to share more than he planned to. It would be uneven not to give Carmine at least a little more of his history. Their connection had to be built on some solid ground.

“My uncle raised me after my parents died. I can barely remember them anymore.” Lux retained only a fuzzy memory of his parents. Their images were blurred by age and their voices, although happy, were only echoes in his skull.

Carmine watched him with knowing eyelights, as if he understood what Lux had lost. “So it’s just you two now?”

“No. He passed away before I was supposed to start college. I’ve been on my own since then.” That was mostly the truth with Poppy’s existence carefully edited out.

“That’s tough. Going it alone,” Carmine said.

“You know I’m stronger than I look,” Lux realized he didn’t want to continue on with this topic of conversation. It was creeping too close to the box of emotions he had set aside after his fight with Poppy. “Besides I can take care of myself.”

“I know you’re strong Lux, but it’s not weakness to rely on others.” Carmine held out his hand, palm up on the table. Lux took it. Their phalanges fit together perfectly.

“How about this, Handsome?” Lux murmured salaciously. “If you show me a good time tonight, I’ll consider letting you take care of me later.”

Carmine’s eyelights glinted and he squeezed Lux’s hand.

“Sounds good to me. So have you had enough time to learn all the moves or should we have another drink?”

“What?” Lux tensed. Had he been that obvious about watching the dancers while they talked?

“You’ve been listening to me, but your pretty eyelights haven’t settled on one spot since we sat down. Not to mention, your feet have been shuffling while your hand was keeping time.” Carmine laid it all out with a cheeky smirk on his face.

“Oh,” Lux blushed. He’d forgotten how keen Carmine was when it came to judging people, at least he wasn’t upset. “Sorry, I haven’t danced like this before and I’m a little nervous.”

“Don’t worry about it. Surface swing just caught on recently, but it’s still got all the old Underground moves. The whole thing goes a lot faster too. There’s a certain flair to it that you can’t pin down until you do it right.” Lux could tell that Carmine really was trying to reassure him, but he didn’t know how little Lux knew to start with.

“How will I know if I’m doing it right?” Lux asked hesitantly.

 “Well you could keep staring and trying to work it out on your own…” Carmine’s voice trailed off deliberately.

“Or?” Lux prompted.

“Or you ask for some help and I get to teach you.”