Chapter Text
It's funny how your life can change in one moment. Everything in your life is normal one minute, then bam, it's all turned upside down. At least, that's how it felt for you. For you, your moment was when Monsters returned to the surface.
Over a thousand years they were trapped under that mountain until one little boy released them all. However, in doing so, he unknowingly released a surge of magic into the world that changed your life in a single moment. You don't even remember it happening. You'd gone to bed a human, and looked human, but woke up looking like a monster.
According to what you were later told after the appropriate freak out, this was due to the powerful surge of magic which came from the barrier being broken. This surge apparently caused any human with a specific type of soul, along with any sort of monster ancestry to change. It confused the soul, and body into morphing into something more akin to a monster than a human. Even the soul itself which kept its trait, flipped upside down like that of a monster's.
It was shocking to wake up this way, but what was even worse was that the city of Ebott didn't know what to do with you, or any of the others changed. Your newly found bodies, and magic went haywire. It was incredibly hard to control, and no one knew exactly what to do about it. An entire year after the emergence of Monsters passed before Humans knew what to do with the lot of you that they not so cleverly coined Inverto.
All Inverto, including yourself were ushered into these little isolation facilities, or detention facilities as you're calling it. They needed to keep you away from the population as they figured out what to do with all of you, and your unstable magic. It took them a while, but eventually they realized that monsters were the answer. Monsters could teach the Inverto, help them learn their powers. The only problem is, you needed to be placed with a monster both willing to help, and who had a similar type of magic.
This is why you've been stuck in this detention camp for four years. Apparently, there was very little information available on the type of monster, or inverto you'd become, and there was only a few monsters who could help you. At the time, they weren't willing, or able.
Kind of sucks that there's only a few skeleton monsters left in existence huh?
So, you were stuck. One of the very few who ended up that way with wonky magic, and kept at this detention facility, deemed too dangerous to be let into the public. However, like it was mentioned earlier, sometimes life throws you a curveball.
You hadn't expected them to want you. Hadn't expected them to ever agree to take you, but they did.
And you couldn't be more grateful.
Well, eventually you'd be grateful. At the moment you're a bit cheesed as you sit, and listen to your representative tell you that you're being placed. Why now? What's changed? They weren't willing to take you four years ago, when it was decided that monsters were the answer to the inverto problem. They left you to rot in this camp. Didn't they understand they were the only ones who could house you?
You'd changed into a skeleton, and needed to be with skeleton monsters, how could they not understand that at the time?
You're quiet as your representative drones on. He's telling you that you'll have to follow their rules since you'll be living in their house, and that you'll be required to make monthly reports on your status. It wasn't anything you hadn't heard representatives tell other Inverto's before they were placed. You've been here a while after all, you've seen quite a few people leave. You wonder how they're doing. Hopefully well.
"Did you hear me, Felicity?"
You snap back hearing your name being called. Your representative, Frank is watching you, looking frustrated,
"Felicity-"
"Lissa." you interrupt, and Frank sighs,
"Lissa," he corrects himself to your nickname, "Did you hear me? Do you understand?"
"Understand that they're suddenly willing to take me? Yeah, I got it." you nod, and pick at your phalanges a little, "I just don't see what changed? They getting paid, or something?"
"That I don't know, you'll have to ask them. Listen, Lissa," he leans forward in his chair a little, and lowers his voice, "I get you're frustrated, who wouldn't be after being locked in here for four years, but give them a chance. Maybe they weren't in a position to take you back then, and now they are. Why not go in with an open mind, and if not for that then do it for the fact that they're your only chance. They're the only skeleton monsters left, so they're the only ones who can take you. Okay?"
He's right, and you know he's right, but it doesn’t quell how upset you feel. Sighing through your nose, or lack there of you nod,
"Okay."
Frank smiles gently, "Thank you. I'm sure they'll try real hard to earn your trust, and I'll be a phone call away if you need me. They all understand that your needs are their responsibility. You can't get a job until you're deemed safe to the public, so they understand that they'll be financially supporting you until you are. They've got a room ready for you, and are going to get you today if you're ready."
You nod along to everything Frank says, but do have one question,
"What are their names?"
Frank opens the file in front of him as he starts talking, "Well, from what I'm told it's a very full household, but they assured us there was room for you. Um, let's see...the ones who came to get everything in order for you after the last call from me was a Sans, and Papyrus Serif."
You stop picking at your phalanges, and give him a dubious little look,
"As in the fonts?" Frank tilts his head, and you just shake your head, "Nevermind. Yeah, I'm willing. They'll get me out of here today?"
"Yes. They're here now actually, waiting in another room."
Jeez, talk about fast tracking. Usually the inverto was given a couple of days, but these guys seemed to want you today. Guilty much?
"Can I meet them?"
Frank nods, "Yes, I'm sure that's fine." he stands up, "Come with me." Standing after Frank, you follow him out of the small meeting room the two of you were in, and make your way through the facility.
You'll be glad to be done with this place. It wasn't that you were treated badly, and you were given as many comforts as possible, but you weren't allowed to leave, ever. It was like a pretty jail where you were given what you needed, but still unable to go whenever you pleased. That's what sucked about it. You could only have visitors under specific conditions, and the only one who continued to meet those conditions was your baby sister who came to see you once a week for the last four years. She luckily hadn't changed. In fact, you were the only one in your family who had changed. They couldn’t tell you why either. Just one of life's mysteries apparently.
Walking through the facility you head towards a waiting room a little bit further inside. This is one of the rooms you're only allowed in if supervised, or with your representative. As such, it's one of your only few times seeing it since being forced here.
Frank stops outside the room, and gives a quick knock before just opening the door. He blocks your ability to see around him, so you can't see who's in the room,
"Hey there, she wants to meet you before agreeing. Is that alright?"
A booming voice that startles you replies,
"CERTAINLY! IT MAKES SENSE THAT SHE'D BE NERVOUS GIVEN HER CIRCUMSTANCES. WE'D LOVE TO MEET HER!"
"Thank you." Frank nods, and turns to you as he opens the door further, "Go ahead, and introduce yourself."
Returning his nod, you tentatively step inside to find two skeleton monsters, one sitting, and one standing inside. The one standing is tall, definitely around six foot one, with a longer angular skull, round gentle sockets, and an equally soft smile just for you. The other sitting was short, around five foot one, with a round chubby cheeked skull, wider sockets that you could see pretty white lights floating inside, and a tired smile. You blink at them, the purple lights inside your own sockets flickering over the two skeletons.
The taller one comes towards you with an outstretched hand, and on reflex, you take it to shake his hand,
"HELLO, YOU MUST BE FELICITY! I'M PAPYRUS, AND THIS IS MY OLDER BROTHER SANS." he motions towards the shorter one, who has gotten up off the couch, and is headed your way. You nod,
"Um, yeah, but it's just Lissa. I'm not fond of being called Felicity." you murmur, and Papyrus taking his hand back smiles wider,
"I'LL REMEMBER THAT!" he turns to his brother, "COME SAY HELLO ALREADY SANS."
Sans taking his sweet time, eventually comes to stand beside Papyrus, his head only reaching his younger brother's shoulders. His eye lights dart across your face, and you suddenly feel oddly nervous, but stand your ground. His smile relaxes after a moment, and he holds out his hand,
"sans. sans the skeleton."
"If you don't have a skeleton then what are you?" you blurt out without thinking. Oh well, it would've been an opportunity missed if you hadn't.
Sans snorts while Papyrus tsks, but at least you know now that Sans can take a joke,
"never heard that one before. nice one."
"I try." you shift a little awkwardly, and decide that it might be best just to get it out into the open, "So, any reason you're willing to take me?"
Papyrus tilts his head, "BECAUSE WE CAN'T JUST LEAVE YOU HERE! YOU NEED HELP TO LEAVE, AND WE WISH TO GIVE IT!"
Okay, that doesn't really answer your question. Going to ask again, you're stopped by Sans speaking, who's smile is just a bit too tight,
"we're financially stable, so we can make sure you get what you need." your attention turns to him, "although, i gotta warn ya bud that it's a real full house.
So, it was money related? Is that it? You suppose that's understandable. Curious of what he meant by a full house, remembering Frank mentioning that earlier, you ask,
"Yeah, Frank mentioned that. What does that mean?"
"means there's fourteen of us including paps, and i, living at the house." he points to you, "adding you makes fifteen."
“And you’re all skeletons?” you’re baffled. Sans chuckles,
“yup. there’s a skele-ton of us.”
That was terrible, and by the smirk working its way onto Sans’s face you can tell that he knows you think it was bad. It seems Papyrus feels the same way since he tsks again, and sighs loudly, but doesn’t say anything. He just gives Sans this look like he’s done with his shit before turning back to you,
“WE HOPE THAT’S NOT A PROBLEM. I KNOW THERE’S A LOT OF US, AND THE HOUSE WILL BE VERY FULL, BUT YOU CAN LOOK AT IT AS THAT YOU’LL NEVER BE LONELY! ONE OF US WILL ALWAYS BE HOME IF YOU NEED COMPANY.”
Papyrus seems pretty worried like he thinks you’ll say no to his help. As if you want to stay here. You were just hoping they’d tell you why they made you wait four years, but hearing that there’s so many of them living there you guess they didn’t have the room before. That, or they weren’t financially stable enough to help you since one of the stipulations for taking an inverto was that you could provide for them. Honestly, even thinking that makes you feel like a pet at the pound, but at this point you kind of are.
“It’s not a problem.” you reassure, and Papyrus visibly relaxes.
“GOOD! WE WOULDN’T WISH TO OVERWHELM YOU JUST AS YOU GET OUT OF HERE.”
It was kind of him to worry, but you’re pretty sure you won’t be having an issue. Sans shuffles a bit,
“got any questions for us, bud?”
You shake your head, “No, not at the moment.”
“IF YOU THINK OF ONE, DON’T HESITATE TO ASK!” Papyrus informs you with a genuine enthusiasm you don’t see often enough these days. You’re finding it very hard to be annoyed with him for leaving you to rot here for the last three years.
“I will.”
“EXCELLENT. WELL, LET’S GET YOU OUT OF HERE THEN.”
Fucking bless.
As odd as it sounds it’ll be weird to leave this place after five years. Not that you’re sorry to see it go, and so quickly too. This isn’t what you expected when you woke up this morning, but stars if it’s not a good surprise despite your hesitations on your new caretakers.
Sans, and Papyrus go to speak with Frank who has all the paperwork ready for your release, while you head back to your room to pack all your things. Well, what few things you have. It’s not like you were allowed to have many things in here, but what you do have should suffice for now until you speak to Sans about getting you some new things. Like clothing. Stars you’d love some new clothes. The ones you have aren’t really well tailored to your skeletal figure, and sort of just hang off you. Not a cute look.
One duffle bag later, you’re ready to go, along with your laptop, and a few knick-knacks from home including a picture of you, and your little sister Evelyn. Heading out, you don’t even look back. There’s nothing left in this room that interests you, and nothing in this facility that you want to say goodbye to. Sayonara, you hell hole.
You quickly make your way through the facility, and find your two new caretakers waiting for you with Frank where you’d left them. Papyrus without any prompting hurries over, and offers to take your duffle bag. Not wanting to argue, you hand it over, and he smiles taking it,
“DO YOU NEED ANY HELP GRABBING THE REST OF YOUR THINGS?” he asks, and you blink,
“This is all my stuff.”
Papyrus stops, and his smile falters as he glances at the meager bag in his hand. He hums in a saddened way, his voice dropping in volume as he murmurs,
“I SEE. WELL, WE’LL CHANGE THAT.”
He seems to decide on something right then, and there since his beaming smile returns. You have to admit, he has a very charming smile, and it’s pretty infectious since you find the corners of your own mouth twitching up into a smiling position. You try to fight it, but after a moment you just let it happen, and return his smile with one of his own. It ends up being worth it since you get to watch his face light up seeing you smile. That was cute.
Papyrus moves to place his hand almost onto your back, but doesn’t touch you, and just sort of let’s it hover near you. Nice of him to be aware that maybe you wouldn’t like to be touched. Honestly, with him it’s fine. There’s something about him that’s genuine, and it’s just your upper back, so nothing naughty, or anything there. If someone thinks there is then they might need to get some help.
To show it’s fine, you lean back, and allow your upper back to rest against his hand. Papyrus seems to understand immediately since he relaxes his hand, and easily urges you towards the front door with Sans and Frank following behind. There’s no hesitation once there, and just like with your room, definitely no looking back.
The moment you’re outside you take in a deep breath of air. It’s not like you haven’t been outside since coming here, but this is the first breath of fresh air knowing you’re no longer trapped here. The feeling is incredible, and it's a high you’ll ride probably all the way to your new home. It’s a lovely sunny afternoon outside, and the scent of spring is everywhere. You wish you could bask in the warmth the sun gives for a moment to truly enjoy your newly found freedom, but with Papyrus still urging you along, you don’t stop. Basking in the sun can come later, you suppose.
He takes you across the parking lot, towards this bright red mustang convertible that must’ve cost a pretty penny. Financially stable? More like well off it seems. It kind of feels like they could’ve gotten you ages ago, and that frustrated feeling wells in your belly again. Well, your non-existent belly seeing as you no longer have one. Papyrus stops at the car, and removes his hand from your back to place your things inside the trunk of the vehicle. As he does this, Frank comes to say goodbye to you,
“Take care Lissa. I hope everything works out well, and I’ll be talking to you again in a month’s time to get a progress update.” he hands you his card which you take, “If you need anything though, or if something happens, you call me right away, alright?”
“Alright.” you give him a nod, “Thanks Frank.”
“Any time.” he grins, and holds his hand out for you to shake. You take it, and give him a smile in return. Frank was always good to you, and he actually did work very hard to get you placed all this time. You’re glad his efforts have finally paid off.
Letting go, you turn from Frank, and get into the backseat of the car. Papyrus is already in the driver’s seat, while Sans gives Frank one last goodbye before getting into the passenger side. Once Sans is inside, Papyrus starts his car, and you watch as Frank gets out of the way allowing Papyrus to back out. As he drives away, you give Frank one last wave before turning around to face the two skeletons in the front seats, and once again not bother looking back.
You’d like to say that the drive was a quiet one, but it’s not. You’re silent, and watching the scenery go by outside your window while Sans, and Papyrus chat. Which apparently means arguing in their case. The two just seem to bicker, but honestly it's mostly Sans riling up Papyrus over seemingly little things while the taller monster tsks loudly, or begins to lecture his older brother. At first it was kind of entertaining, but after a while, you got bored of it, and did your best to tune it out.
You're actually pretty good at tuning everything out it seems since you barely register when Papyrus tells you that you're almost there. It sits at the back of your mind, and has you nearly jumping in the backseat realizing you're pulling into a driveway. A pretty long driveway by the looks of it. Maybe the live farther in, and- holy hell that's a big fucking house.
Leaning forward in your seat, you try to gaze up through the windshield. You can see Sans watching you from the corner of your socket, but ignore him to look at this house. It's huge! You knew fifteen people would be living here, but for some reason it never clicked that the house they'd be living in would be this large! Refraining from making a comment on the size, you lean back, and just wait for Papyrus to park which actually is a bit insane since there's so many other vehicles here! Do most of them have cars? This is crazy.
It appears he has his own spot since he heads right for a particular one, and parks there. Each of them having a certain place to park would make sense since so many of them have vehicles. Not waiting to be told, you open the side door, and hop out. Papyrus is quick to follow, and without a word goes around to pull your bag from the trunk.
"not what you were expecting huh?"
Now, you jump, and your skull whirls to look at Sans who has apparently come to stand beside you. Watching him for a few seconds, you return your attention to the house,
"It's...bigger."
He chuckles, "has to be with fourteen people living here. well, fifteen with you now."
Not bothering to respond, you just nod, and begin slowly moving towards the walkway after an enthusiastic Papyrus who has already reached the front door with your stuff. Sans trails after you, maybe to make sure you don't get lost. It might happen. This place is that big it feels.
Papyrus waits at the front door for you with it thrown open. Going up the porch steps, you hurry inside so Papyrus doesn't have to hold the door open forever, although you get the feeling he wouldn't have minded if you took some extra time. He doesn't strike you as someone to get upset about stuff like that. Now inside, you take a look around at the open floor concept it seems to have. The living room is right in front of you, and you can see the kitchen just off to the left. There's quite a bit of space, and all the furniture and decor looked well placed as well as expensive. These guys really did have money it seems.
Sitting in the living room on one of the three couches were a few other skeletons who you're noticing look extraordinarily similar to both Sans, and Papyrus. Only one of them gets up off the couch while the others seem to stare a little. The guy walks over with a bright smile, and even from here you can see the freckles around his nasal cavity, and the cute little tooth gap he had. Don't even get you started on his pretty cerulean eye lights, or the chubby cheeks he had that were identical to Sans's. Even his height matched Sans’s. Talk about cute.
"IS THIS HER, SANS?" his voice booms much like Papyrus’s, but it sounds way more similar to Sans’s.
Sans nods, "yeah, but let's not overwhelm her right now, kay? let her settle in before all the introductions."
The new skeleton nods, but gives you a reassuring smile,
"TAKE YOUR TIME, AND GET YOURSELF ADJUSTED AT YOUR OWN SPEED."
Giving him a nod back, you decide to just follow behind Sans who is leading you towards the kitchen where you find you're not going to the kitchen, but a hallway beside it. From here you can also see the dining room that's right beside the doorway, also off to the left. You're trying to make note of everything, while also trying to follow Sans, who passes a few rooms before he stops at a bend in the hallway at the last door on the right. He pushes the door fully open, and motions inside. Not needing another prompt, you walk in to find a simple bedroom with a double bed, a dresser, and a desk. It was obvious this was a guest room, and not someone's bedroom. It had little life, and personality to it, as guest rooms tended to have.
Papyrus is already there, placing your bag on your bed. He gives you one last smile before gently telling you welcome, and that he'd see you later. Watching him leave, you're suddenly feeling weird about being left with Sans. For some reason, he doesn’t give you the peace that Papyrus did, but you still don't ask Papyrus to stay, and instead stand there silently as the tall monster leaves.
Sans is standing near the door, and doesn't move even as you take a seat on the bed. He puts his hands into his hoodie pocket,
"so, just a few ground rules to go over." he shifts a bit, "first is don't go into the others rooms when they're not there, and the same courtesy will be extended to you, as well as to knock before entering. it's just common courtesy."
"Okay." you murmur. He continues hearing your confirmation,
"second, sparrow gets the shower first in the mornings since we all have to share one shower, and bathtub. he's an early riser though, so it shouldn't be a big deal." this seems like an odd rule, "sparrow has a bad back, and needs the hot water first thing to help with his stiffness." Ah, that makes more sense, "third, some of the others are uh...not so nice." he looks tired despite the smile he's sporting, "if any of them step over a line, come see me, okay? i'll also give you my number, and you can text me at any time if you need me. i'll be there in the blink of an eye."
"Got it."
He shifts again, "and lastly which is actually the most important." he stops to make sure you're paying attention before continuing, "the basement is off limits unless, myself, or red escort you down there for whatever reason. got it?"
"Yup." although you're now curious of what the heck is in the basement, and who Red is.
That seems to be everything since Sans finally relaxes,
"great. thanks for understanding, bud."
"Sure, no problem." you reply, quietly.
An awkward tense moment passes between you, and Sans as the two of you just sit in silence. Finally, Sans starts backing for the door,
"well, i'll let you settle in. just come out, and meet everyone whenever you're ready, or if you're not ready today, you can do it tomorrow. it's your choice, but go ahead, and get comfortable. this is your room now."
He quietly leaves after that, shutting your door with him, and allowing you to finally be alone. Heaving a sigh, you give the room one last look before whispering,
"Welcome home, Lissa."