#Grillby's Jukebox (music) | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

bigsoftmarshmallow · 1 month ago

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Okay, here it is (warning, it's a bit long, but I felt that it needs to be in order to get the point across):

I thought of this narrative device that I’m calling the “Haunted Jukebox,” which pertains to a specific object that plays the “Playlist of the Soul.” (Something else I made up, but it’s basically just the explanation that I’ll be giving you, but specifically refers to the actual playlist rather than the device.)

Both are based on a couple of fanfics that I remember reading a very long time ago. The first one that this idea takes the most prevalent inspiration from, was a crossover between Supernatural & Undertale where Grillby had this magic jukebox that would play the song in a person’s soul or something like that. So, for Papyrus, it’d play "Bonetrousle" & for Sans, it’d play "Megalovania." Then, when the Winchesters came walkin’ in, the song “Wayward Son” by Kansas came on.

The other one was this Naruto fanfiction on Fanfiction.com. I don’t exactly remember what it was about, but I do remember a plot device in it. Itachi apparently left Sasuke his iPod & I guess it was cursed or enchanted or haunted or something because it would always just suddenly start playing a song at any given moment that would fit immaculately with the current situation.

For the moment, I’ll explain it by using Danny Phantom as an example.

Imagine that there’s an old diner, Imma call it Heartsong Diner, in Amity & it has a supposedly haunted jukebox with a similar thing going on to the above.

If you press ‘random,’ it will just play whatever’s pertinent at the time & the songs change depending on what’s happening (if something very significant is happening in the middle of a song, there will be a record scratch sound & suddenly a new song is playing that fits what’s happening to-a-T), but if you push the ‘personalize’ button, it’ll create a playlist full of songs that matches your soul or personality & the circumstances surrounding your life right now.

Now, the songs can result in comedy, or pump you the heck up, or scare the crap outta you, or cause you to become introspective.

Regardless, costumers love it, though there are plenty of times when people get uncomfortable because the songs reveal things to them that they hadn't realized before or just didn't want revealed. Or put words to things that they hadn't been able to describe or were simply not spoken about. It's also been the source of a lot of people discovering aspects about themselves that they hadn't before. There are even times when it'll play exactly what a person needs to hear most when they're having a difficult time. Or even in certain situations, warnings of consequences that fit a bit too well with something they planned to do later in the case of particularly bad people, which I’ll call “Cautionary Ballads.” At times even almost seeming to respond to conversations. Like, imagine that someone was talking about someone’s mom (maybe Paulina’s) who just so happens to be… a bit of a slut, when the jukebox busts out with "She's a freak -Aaw!"

And at some points even seeming to be able to predict the future. Though, by & large, depending on whether or not it has a sense of self of its own, it ultimately just seems to want to help.

There's even a usb port & if you put one in, it'll download your personalized life playlist. If you do so again later & some things in your life have changed or you have changed, the jukebox will alter the playlist it created before to better suit your current situation. Some people even consider it a form of musical therapy as it can often instigate deep self-reflection.

Weird thing is, it wasn't always a usb port. Before that, it was a CD player that would just pop out a CD full of songs & give them to people. And before that, it gave cassettes & before that, vinyls. It's super weird because the owners say that one day the port just changed. As if it changed magically to fit the new technology. But no one actually saw it happen.

Like, let’s take for instance, if this jukebox appeared in the world of Danny Phantom. The first time Danny walked in there after deciding he was gonna protect Amity, "I Need a Hero" turned on. Danny initially tensed up, but when he realized that no one seemed to be looking at him, he relaxed. The song later changed to "Ghost" by Mystery Skulls & Danny internally freaked out.

There was one time when the trio went there & Sam was having gushy feelings for Danny, then suddenly Katy Perry's "E.T." comes on & Sam freaks the fuck out demanding that someone change the song with a face as red as a beat while Tucker's laughing & going, "No! Turn it up!" The song couldn't be changed, but Danny didn't really react & spent the song being really nice to Sam. Sam is sure he's just being clueless, but the truth is that he'd known about Sam's crush on him for a long time & was just waiting for her to get to a point where she's comfortable telling him on her own because he's into her too.

Another time, the Fenton family were out for dinner there (mostly to see what the jukebox was all about) when Vlad showed up to try & woo Maddie. Next thing they knew, "Every Breath You Take" by the Police starts playing. This was after Maternal Instincts, so Vlad & Maddie are hella uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Jack comments how there must be some sorta stalker nearby, Jazz is trying to stifle her laughter, & Danny is absolutely busting his gut, smashing his fist against the table & crying tears of laughter.

Yet another time, the Fentons confront Phantom in the parking lot of the diner & from the open door they hear a male cover of "Diamond Jack: The Villain I Appear To Be."

One time, Danny was fighting Spectra & Bertrand nearby & when their fight moved to the diner, the song "Invisible Touch" by Phil Collins began to play. Bertrand could be seen bopping along to the music, obviously liking it, while Spectra just rolled her eyes.

During Reign Storm, "Hail to the King" by Avenged Sevenfold played during the battle against Pariah before eventually playing "Storm the Castle" as played by Jonathan Young. Like, literally, it was playing in the background as the battle was raging, the diner had been destroyed at the time & it’s like the thing just decided, "Might as well have some epic boss music."

After Reign Storm & the diner was rebuilt, the next time the Golden Trio go there, the jukebox starts playing "Ceaser" by the Oh Hellos as well as several other songs about heroes being crowned king. The entire time, Danny felt anxiety sinking into his stomach but wasn't entirely sure why.

When Dan was masquerading as Danny & the Trio went there, "Monster" by Skillet came on & Dan went quiet. He seemed to be deep in thought about something as he listened before snapping out of it.

The day after Urban Jungle, the Golden Trio went to the diner & as soon as Danny stepped foot inside, Natewantstobattle's rendition of "Let It Go" started to play. Danny was like, "Really?" & Tucker was losin' his absolute mind. Sam couldn't stop snickering either.

In a more angsty timeline when the Fentons are eating out there again (having determined they can't make the jukebox stop what it was doing & that it wasn't hurting anyone), the Fenton parents begin talking to their kids about something regarding their work. Whether it was what they plan to do to Phantom or something they've done that crosses a line for their kids regarding ghost hunting. Jazz tries to tell them it's wrong, but Maddie goes on a tangent about how ghosts aren't people, so it's perfectly moral. "I Have Questions For You" featuring Jacob Lee suddenly starts playing in the background. And Danny almost seems to have a breakdown.

The jukebox itself appears to be damn near indestructible too & no one knows how it has access to so many damn songs that don't even appear on the available playlist. Forget figuring out how it can play songs from the internet or has a usb port when it's been there since the 60s. Hell, half the songs it plays are from the effing future!

From what I’m seeing, this idea appears to be a mix of a whole bunch of music-centered tropes. Including but not limited to, the ‘Source Music’, the ‘Suspiciously Apropos Music,’ ‘“I Am” Song/“I Want” Song’ or ‘Image Song’ (songs that are specifically meant to more deeply explore a character, therefore adding more depth), ‘Mocking Music’ TV tropes. Also includes ‘Dark Reprises’ when pertinent. Explanations of these tropes can all be found on TV Tropes.com.

So, yeah. I just really like this idea.

One thought I had was basically a Dorf with their Wives when either the song "God Bless The Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts or "Love Like You" as sung by Caleb Hyles, comes on & he can't help but find himself resonating with them.

Sorry for the lateness! I didn't really get on Tumblr at all during my days off. I... got consumed by Echoes of Wisdom, as well as assisting with deep cleaning the house. I... really want to be home still playing. >_>

Very interesting device you made there! I really like it. As someone who loves and is often surrounded by music, I would love this Jukebox, especially if it would be spooky and tell me of the future, of fates, of possible outcomes, etc.

************************************************************************

For each of the Ganondorfs and Demise, here are the songs that would play when they interact with the "Haunted Jukebox," reflecting their fates, personalities, and struggles:

Wind Waker Ganondorf:

Song: "Mad World" by Gary Jules

Why: This Ganondorf is deeply melancholic and reflective on the loss of his people, the desolation of Hyrule, and the futility of his quest for power. His desire for peace within a dying world contrasts sharply with his violent methods, and the haunting tone of this song echoes his tragic narrative and the broken world he inhabits.

Ocarina of Time Ganondorf:

Song: "Paint It Black" by The Rolling Stones

Why: Ocarina of Time Ganondorf is consumed by ambition, vengeance, and a desire to conquer Hyrule. The dark and aggressive tone of the song matches his mindset as he manipulates the kingdom and corrupts the land. "Paint It Black" resonates with his intention to dominate, reshape, and darken everything around him.

Twilight Princess Ganondorf:

Song: "Sympathy for the Devil" by The Rolling Stones

Why: This Ganondorf is regal, charismatic, and cunning, viewing himself almost like a god. The song captures his dangerous charm, his belief in his own righteousness, and the way he relishes manipulating others. It reflects his embodiment of evil with a flair of sophistication, as he believes himself beyond reproach.

Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf:

Song: "Monster" by Skillet

Why: Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf is unrelentingly powerful and thrives on his monstrous persona. The song aligns with his acceptance of his inner beast and his embrace of his role as a force of destruction. It taps into his unyielding hunger for power and his self-acknowledged status as a villain.

Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf:

Song: "The Sound of Silence" by Disturbed (cover of Simon & Garfunkel)

Why: Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf is a character marked by loneliness and isolation, driven by ancient pain and resentment. The slow, sorrowful melody mixed with raw, powerful vocals symbolizes his internal darkness, the centuries he has spent waiting, and the silence that has consumed his mind during his long imprisonment. The deeper meaning reflects the decay of the kingdom and his quest for revenge.

Demise:

Song: "I Am the Fire" by Halestorm

Why: Demise is a raw, primal force of destruction and power, embodying the very essence of wrath and conquest. The song speaks to his nature as a relentless flame, burning everything in his path. Its fiery, intense lyrics reflect his quest for domination, his hatred for the gods, and his inevitable legacy of hatred that transcends generations.

Each of these songs encapsulates the essence of their personalities, their ambitions, and the fates they either carve or endure.

BONUS:

Here's a song that captures the emotional and relational dynamics each Ganondorf and Demise might evoke in a romantic relationship:

Wind Waker Ganondorf:

Song: "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri

Why: This version of Ganondorf carries deep sadness and regret from his past. A romance with him would be a tragic but enduring love, filled with unspoken words, distance, and longing. The song captures the melancholy and timeless nature of a love that persists through hardship and separation, reflecting his internal loneliness and yearning for something better amidst his destructive actions.

Ocarina of Time Ganondorf:

Song: "Toxic" by Britney Spears

Why: A relationship with Ocarina of Time Ganondorf would be intense, dangerous, and all-consuming. The pull between attraction and destruction would be strong, with manipulation and dominance playing major roles. "Toxic" captures the feeling of being irresistibly drawn into something harmful but thrilling, reflecting his dangerous allure and the toxic power dynamic in the relationship.

Twilight Princess Ganondorf:

Song: "Take Me to Church" by Hozier

Why: Twilight Princess Ganondorf is regal, arrogant, and darkly charismatic. A relationship with him would be passionate but deeply spiritual in the sense of devotion and control. "Take Me to Church" speaks to the intensity of love, worship, and the sacrifices one makes for someone who exudes overwhelming power and authority. It reflects the almost godlike presence he maintains in a romantic connection.

Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf:

Song: "Heathens" by Twenty One Pilots

Why: A romance with Hyrule Warriors Ganondorf would be wild, unpredictable, and possibly dangerous. "Heathens" reflects the sense of venturing into forbidden territory, loving someone who exists on the edge of morality and civilization. The song’s dark, rebellious tone aligns with the nature of loving a man who thrives on chaos and destruction, with a relationship that feels like you're always dancing with danger.

Tears of the Kingdom Ganondorf:

Song: "Demons" by Imagine Dragons

Why: In this version, Ganondorf is haunted by centuries of isolation and darkness. A romance with him would involve trying to love someone plagued by inner demons, constantly torn between affection and the weight of his own bitterness. "Demons" reflects the complexity of loving someone who is deeply scarred and might not be able to fully escape their darker nature, despite the love they feel in return.

Demise:

Song: "Animal" by Neon Trees

Why: Demise embodies primal, untamed energy. A romantic relationship with him would be raw, intense, and dominated by passion. "Animal" reflects the unrestrained, almost feral nature of loving someone so powerful and destructive, where the connection is more about raw desire and overwhelming attraction than anything soft or sentimental. It's about giving in to a love that is as dangerous as it is irresistible.

Each song reflects the unique challenges, intensity, and emotional tone of a relationship with these powerful, dark figures.

#mallowresponse #legend of zelda #ganondorf #ganon #demise #skyward sword #hyrule warriors #wind waker #tears of the kingdom #ocarina of time #twilight princess #ai use #use of chatgpt

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thornwolfy235 · 6 days ago

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WIP 2 - Dancing

I'm going to post a bunch of WIPs in a row now. maybe with a little feedback I'll get the gumption to finish one of them.

A bit of info on them first. I wrote all of these in an effort to deal with an exceptionally bad break-up (might as well call it a divorce, we lived together for 6 years). A lot of these are "how it should've gone" type stuff. I was never able to decide if they should be a full chapter by chapter "novel" or just a bunch of oneshots within the same universe and make a collection of them in order or whatever. Maybe I'll drop them to Ao3 as well. They are all xfem!Readers with my blorbos Grillby and Gaster (though most have no anatomy mentioned, so you can safely read no matter what gender you are). I'd appreciate a glance through if nothing else.

This one is of fem!Reader in a developed poly relationship with Grillby and Gaster (returned from the Void). Reader is very self-conscious about dancing, and the boys help her out. Again, female pronouns are used, but it's not heavily gendered so anyone can read with minor mental substitutions.

“And that should do it,” Gaster muttered.

You looked over from where you were working on the next section of a mural (a snowy scene in honor of Snowdin Town) above Grillby’s alcohol shelves to watch one slightly-droopy skeletal Monster unfold from the uncomfortable crouch he had been in behind the ancient jukebox. He sometimes reminded you of a tree; thin, all limbs, and impossibly tall. He stretched (only adding to the tree imagery), sighing as his spine popped. “How long do you think this repair will last?” you asked with a smirk.

“Not long enough,” he replied, giving the jukebox a stern look. “There are days I wonder if it breaks down just to mock me. Former Royal Scientist, and I can’t even keep a simple music player in working order.”

“I’m sure it would be happier if we could get the right parts for it. Now if only we knew what those were,” you said, turning back to your work. If you could just get the highlight on this pine branch right, you’d also be a lot happier…

Gaster mumbled something, making you snicker. As much as he grouched, you knew he’d happily play handyman as often as needed for Grillby’s sake.

‘Grillby’s’ had been in business on the Surface for just over a year, and his beloved, cobbled-together jukebox remained a staple in the corner just as it had in the Underground. You believed the shell was mostly that of a Rock-Ola Luxury Light while the interior mechanism was Frankenstein-ed from a Wurlitzer OMT-CD changer and several car stereos, but it was made from so many countless odds and ends that had found their way into the Underground that it was impossible to know for sure. Honestly, it was no surprise when it didn’t work and a miracle when it did. Grillby adored the thing and would never replace it nor let it be gutted and retrofitted with something more modern (sentimentality generally won out over practicality with him), which meant you, Sans, or Alphys were tasked with reviving when it inevitably broke down every few weeks. It had been slightly better behaved since Gaster’s…‘return’ four or so months ago, but it still liked to kick up a fuss, finding ever more creative ways to stop functioning, seemingly just to keep the skeleton on his toes.

The mural was a recent idea. Grillby had always felt that top of the shelving was too bare, but was reluctant to put anything up there that he would have to regularly dust. You’d suggested some pictures, Gaster had jumped in with the idea of a mural, and then somehow your Monster beaus had convinced you to get up on a ladder and do it yourself. You could handle the height as long as you didn’t look straight down. At all. (Your knees still shook when you remembered you were not standing on the floor and it took a few moments of deep breathing to get them to stop.)

“I believe I have this beast in working order, for now at least,” Gaster answered grumpily.

The “‘Fire’ Exit” opened, and Grillby came in with another tray of pint glasses from the dishwasher. “How are things coming along out here?” he asked, setting it on the bar to put the glasses away.

“It certainly is finicky,” Grillby said fondly. “And how about you?” A warm hand gently tapped your leg.

“Fine,” you answered shortly, thought it was not actually ‘fine’ in your opinion. You added a touch more yellow to the mix for the highlight and went to try again.

A sudden, loud scraping sound made you jump, dropping your paintbrush and palette in favor of clinging onto the ladder for dear life. “Sorry, sorry!” Gaster yelped, the noise stopping as abruptly as it had started. You felt pressure on your back and on your arm. Glancing at your arm, you found one of Gaster’s summoned hands gripping your bicep. What you felt on your back was probably another, the pair helping to keep you steady. “Sorry,” he said again, sheepishly this time. “I was attempting to push the beast back into place since I still can’t lift it. I should have warned you first.”

You blew out a long sigh. “Please tell me I didn’t scream.”

“You didn’t scream,” Grillby said far too cheerfully.

You looked down and immediately wished you hadn’t as a wave of vertigo hit you. You shut your eyes and went back to clinging. “Sorry for dropping everything on you,” you said once you were sure your voice wouldn’t squeak. “Nothing got on you, did it?”

“All’s well. I caught them,” he answered. You carefully looked down again, making sure to look at him and not the floor. He had indeed somehow caught both the brush and the palette without a drop of paint on him or anything else.

“Reflexes of a cat,” you muttered.

He shrugged, grinning. “What can I say; bar tricks keep me in practice.” The smile waned, flames dipping slightly. “Why don’t you take a break? You’ve been working on that for a while.”

You looked back at the mural and sighed. “In a bit. There’s just a few more things I want to get right before stopping for the night.” You held out a hand for your things back.

“You said that before Wings got here, and again just before he started working on the jukebox. You really should take a break. Give your eyes and your hand a rest, hm?”

“Just this one highlight, please? I almost have it right.”

“I’m holding your brush and paint hostage. Come down. You’re taking a break,” Grillby said flatly.

“…Meanie.”

“Yes, I am truly the cruelest Monster in existence,” he said with a merry crackle.

Slowly, one rung at a time, you came down the ladder, Gaster’s summoned hand still reassuringly on your back. You could’ve melted the moment your feet touched the floor. “Oh, terra firma, I’ve missed you so,” you sighed lovingly, gazing at the worn planks.

The elemental snorted, giving your hair an affectionate ruffle as he handed you your brush and palette. “Go wash these while I help Wings get the ‘beast’ back where it belongs.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Or I could go back up and finish that section off now that I have everything back,” you said with a mischievous smirk.

“You won’t. Your legs are still shaking,” Grillby said over his shoulder as he rounded the bar counter.

You watched the two Monsters dance. They moved easily, elegantly through the steps of some form of ballroom dance – foxtrot, maybe? – as though they had done it hundreds of times before. Maybe they had, now that you thought about it, forgotten during the time that Gaster was…‘missing,’ but now remembered. Grillby’s flames were vibrant orange and yellow, laughing as Gaster spun him out, then back to his chest. Gaster caught him and nuzzled his cheek, his own colored with a soft lavender blush. There was a pang in your chest. You wanted to dance, too…

You huffed, because of course he was right, and went to the bathroom to wash/scrape the paint off of yourself and everything else.

((needs stuff))

But you couldn’t. It just wasn’t a thing that was possible, at least not with them. You would just end up looking like an idiot and ruining their fun. It would be better to just keep quiet. At least you still could enjoy their happiness.

The song ended and the next began. They kissed before parting to give each other a silly, theatrical bow, still riding high on their shared fun. And then Gaster turned to you, holding out a hand. “May I have the next dance, starshine?” he asked, giving you a bow of your own. Grillby looked you expectantly, still grinning wildly from his own.

Crap. You forced a smile as you waved the hand away. “No, I’m fine. You guys can continue.”

“Nonsense! There’s no need to be left out,” he laughed.

Except you shouldbe. Dancing wasn’t something for you to do, but denying him would disappoint him, and accepting would only prove him wrong. No matter how you answered, you were going to let him down. “I’m…still shaky from being up on the ladder. Legs are tired from holding me up for so long, you know?” you tried dodging the invitation again.

“Is that so? Are you sure you aren’t being shy?” Gaster teased, flexing his outstretched hand in a beckoning motion, unaware of your mounting anxiety. “It’s just us, dearest. Come, dance with me.”

“I-I don’t know how to,” you said, feeling your expression falter. You saw Grillby’s flames dim out of the corner of your eye, catching your mood-shift.

“…Pardon?” Gaster’s face fell as he straightened, clearly puzzled by your response.

“Then I’ll teach you!”

Your smile left completely. “You can’t,” you said softly, hugging yourself.

Grillby, however, knew where your thoughts were heading. Worriedly, he put a hand on your shoulder. “Sweet spark, no. Whatever he told you, you know it isn’t true, and you knowit isn’t what we think.”

Gaster’s eyelights darted to Grillby and back. “Starshine, what’s wrong?”

You took a breath, trying to force down the hurt inside you. You reached up to grip Grillby’s fingers. “It’s just something my…my ex-fiancé told me.” The silence stretched between the three of you. You didn’t want to admit what was wrong to them; it was stupid, it was pointless, it didn’t matter…

You started talking to fill the silence. “H-he said he knew how to dance, and in lots of different styles, too. I always wanted to dance with him, but he told me we couldn’t because I didn’t know how. So I asked him to teach me, but he said it wasn’t possible. We couldn’t even go to a class or something together because I…He told me I was too short, said he couldn’t dance with someone so much smaller than him, even if I know how to. And whenever I asked if we could just do that hug-and-sway thing, he’d just dismiss as not actually dancing. So we just…didn’t dance,” you said without looking at them, feeling the tears welling up. You’d meant stop talking there – surely they’d think the rest of the story was pointless and whiny and you were dumb for still being hung up on it – but the words kept coming. “A-and after…a-after he cheated on me and then tried to keep both of us, h-he would tell…t-tell me how he would dance with them.” You bit your lip hard, hoping to keep it from trembling. You were ashamed of yourself; ashamed of the memories that still haunted you, ashamed that they still hurt as much as they did, and ashamed for ruining Gaster’s and Grillby’s good mood.

Grillby pulled his hand from yours to wrap his arms around you. “Oh, spark, is this why you’ve never –”

“What a preposterous thing to tell someone! You couldn’t dance with him?!” Gaster cried, flinging his arms out in disbelief as he began pacing, agitation making it impossible for him to stand still. “Not to mention rude and callous! And then this-this imbecile bragged about dancing with someone else?! The more I find out about this person, the more appalled by him I am!” He whirled back to face you. “How did you ever put up with this behavior for so long?!” You cringed guiltily, the first tears escaping.

“Gentle, birdwing. She’s hurting,” Grillby said softly, tucking you under his chin as though he could hide you away from the memories.

“Well, of course she is! What a horrid thing to have been told by someone you love! You can’t dance – Everyone can dance!” Gaster charged on before Grillby’s words sank in. His gaze locked onto you, sharp eyelights fuzzing at the edges, posture softening as he took in the look on your face. “Oh! Oh, starshine… I’m sorry for yelling. It was not directed at you. There is no reason at all that you couldn’t learn to dance, even from me. Stars, I don’t even mind if you don’t want to learn. We can just…‘hug-and-sway,’ as you put it. To be together and happy is what matters,” he said gently as he came back to you.

“But I’m so much smaller –”

“That doesn’t matter, either. Grillby is shorter than I am, and we just had a lovely dance.”

“And I’m shorter than him! It…i-it just wouldn’t work, okay?!” you snapped before curling in on yourself, eyes fixed firmly on the floor, humiliated by your outburst. “I-I’m sorry for getting upset. I shouldn’t have said anything. J-just…forget about it.”

“Now, none of that! Anyone can dance with anyone. Come,” Gaster said sharply, clearly done with your self-depreciating. He held out a hand to you again. You looked at it as though it might bite you.

Grillby gave you a gentle squeeze. “You’ll be okay, spark. I learned how to dance from Wings as well.” He lowered his head and whispered into your ear, “He likes using fancy words, but he is a good teacher. He’ll take care of you.”

Gaster shot the elemental a look. “I may not have ears, but I’m not deaf,” he said, though his tone was considerably softer than the authoritative bark it just was. “But he is right, star,” he continued, gaze moving back to you. “I want nothing more than for you to enjoy this. I do not expect perfection, nor will it make me happy. Seeing you happy is what will make me happy. I’ll even refrain from using any ‘fancy words.’ So…may I have this dance?”

You shouldn’t – it could only end badly – but you hesitantly stepped out of Grillby’s arms and put your hand in the skeleton’s. His fingers closed around yours and he led you to the center of the floor. You were shaking, feeling like the entire world was watching you, judging you. You wanted to hide from those imagined, spiteful eyes. You couldn’t do this. You weren’t coordinated like Grillby or graceful like Gaster. You weren’t elegant. You could barely walk straight on a good day. You were a klutz – you had the bruises you didn’t remember getting to prove it. You were going to fail, you were going to let them down, you were –

Abruptly, thin, boney arms wrapped around you, pulling you into a tight embrace. Your glasses were taken from you before a hand pushed your face into the soft sweater before you. You inhaled the slight ozone-and-old-book smell that always seemed to cling to Gaster as a choked gasp escaped you despite your efforts to avoid crying. You twitched with nervous energy, everything screaming at you to just spare everyone the trouble and the misery and run, but the skeleton held you still, steady. A soft kiss was placed on the top of your head. “Breathe, little star. I have you, and Grillby is but a few steps away. We are here with you. All is well,” he murmured into your hair.

“I-I can’t do this. I’m just an embarrassment waiting to happen, I-I’m going to ruin everything. I’m ruining everything right now!” you mumbled into his sweater, fingers digging into the soft fibers.

“You are not ‘ruining’ anything, and you aren’t an embarrassment, I promise,” he said calmly. “Let’s see…You are going to feel awkward and clumsy for most of this. You are going to trip over your own feet and likely mine. You are going to lose count or tempo with the music at some point. You are going to miss at least one cue I give you. In other words, you are going to do just fine for a beginner. You will make mistakes, and they will be the same mistakes everyone else who was learning to dance has ever made.”

A warm hand touched your shoulder. “If you’re feeling self-conscious, would it help if I left the room?” Grillby asked softly. You peeked out from Gaster’s chest to look at the elemental. His flames burned a dull red-orange, and though he was currently blurry, you knew his head was tilted with concern.

“No…no, don’t go. I-I just…I’m just going to be a mess to watch,” you said, returning to your hiding spot.

“I believe that would fall into the ‘clumsy’ category,” Gaster teased gently, rubbing small circles between your shoulder blades. He held you tight, keeping you grounded, until you were finally able to look up into his face. He was smiling, eyelights large and fuzzy, full of love and understanding. “Are you alright?” You took a shaky breath but nodded. “Listen to me, starshine, if you really do not want to try dancing with me, I won’t force you. I do think it would be good for you to try, but I won’t make you if you are that uncomfortable with it,” Gaster said, wiping away an errant tear with his thumb.

You sighed. “No…you’re right. I should try. A-and I do want to dance, I’m just…scared.”

“I know, and that’s alright.” He kissed your forehead before the summoned hand that had stolen your glasses gave them back. He looked to Grillby. “Skyfire, would you find us something in three-quarter time? I think a waltz would be the easiest place to start.” Grillby nodded and went hunting through the jukebox’s song list while Gaster turned his attention back to you. “Now, left hand on my shoulder, or upper arm if that is more comfortable. Your right hand stays in my left, while my right hand goes around your back,” Gaster instructed, guiding you into position.

((needs events))

Gaster sent you out in a spin, and you found yourself laughing along with him. Your anxiety and stress were simply gone. You felt free and pretty and…and elegant. You were dancing!He brought you back and pulled you close, leading you through a few more steps before dipping you. He had turned you just right so you could see Grillby when he tipped you back. The elemental gave a little cheer, clapping his hands before holding them close to his chest as he practically vibrated with happiness, his flames a beautiful yellow.

Gaster brought you back up, bright, fuzzy eyelights meeting yours just as your vision blurred. For the second time that evening, a summoned hand stole away your glasses as he pulled you close, cradling your head to his chest as your tears soaked into his sweater. You sobbed, clinging to him as though he might suddenly abandon you. “It’s alright, starshine. I have you,” he cooed, tightening his grip on you.

Heat pressed against your back as Grillby put his arms around you and Gaster both, trapping you between their bodies. “We’re here, sweet spark. Everything’s okay,” he murmured, kissing the back of your neck.

“I-I’m s-sorry! I’m s-so sorry! Wh-when did – I-I can’t –” you mewled only to be shushed by them both.

“You are not in trouble. Let it out,” Gaster soothed, rhythmically petting your head.

“We aren’t going anywhere,” Grillby promised, kissing your neck again.

You took several heaving gasps, trying to get the tears under control, but it didn’t do much other than make you feel light headed as well. “I-I don’t under–I-I’m happy, I am, why am I crying? Why can’t I stop?! I-I feel…f-feel…I-I can’t –”

“Glad, sad, mad, or bad?” Grillby asked suddenly.

“What?” Gaster asked, completely baffled.

“Later,” Grillby waved Gaster’s question away. “Sweet spark, look at me. Look at me.” It was hard to pull yourself away from Gaster’s chest, wanting to stay small and hidden, but at the elemental’s firm tone you managed to twist around to look at him. Dull orange burned a little brighter. “There you are…Do you feel glad, sad, mad, or bad?” He had to repeat the question once more before the words finally got through to you.

“G-glad. I-I got to dance w-with someone who loved me,” you stuttered. You swallowed hard. “And…and I’m sad that…it t-took so long t-to do it. A-and…” Your lips curled into a snarl. “M-mad that m-my…that he made me f-feel like I couldn’t…” The grimace fell away as quickly as it had arrived. “A-a-and bad that I-I’m still letting myself b-be controlled by th-the past...”

A cool hand brushed away your tears. Startled by the contact, you looked back up at the tall skeletal Monster. “All perfectly valid things to feel,” Gaster said softly.

Shame came to the forefront of your mind. “It’s been more than a year since he left, and I’m still letting him control me…I-I thought I was doing better…I thought I had moved on…”

“It is hard to unlearn things you have been taught to believe. You may have been separated from him for over a year now, but you were with him for six before that and engaged. He was important enough to you that you were going to spend your life with him. Of course the things he told you are going to linger,” he answered, curling down to kiss you. “You have been doing better, starshine. You haven’t been set off by any of your old triggers for several months now. When something small cropped up, you were able to work through it on your own. And for the big ones, like this? You have let us help you with them. As with any sort of pain, recovery takes time, and you are going to have set backs. You work through them, you learn, and you heal. If anyone here knows that, it’s me.”

He gave you a sad smile, which you returned weakly, knowing full well the twists his own ‘recovery’ had taken, and that they likely weren’t over with, either. You stood on your toes to kiss him (which he still had to lean down to meet, the frickin’ tree). “Thank you…a-and you’re right.”

“I always am,” he teased, taking your hands in his and squeezing them.

Grillby rested his chin on your shoulder. “I’m sorry I didn’t catch this sooner, sweet spark. I thought your aversion to dancing was simply due to self-consciousness or disinterest. In both cases, I didn’t think pushing the matter would be useful. I didn’t realize the problem ran deeper than that.”

“Don’t be sorry. I-I wasn’t exactly sharing anything with you, either.”

“Hmm…Why didn’t you tell me? We could’ve been dancing all this time.”

You stiffened. “I-I’m sorry, I-I-I should’ve known better,” you stammered, anxiety rising again.

“Shh-shhh, I’m not scolding you. I’m not angry, or even disappointed. I want to understand why you felt you had to hide this.”

“I-I…I was scared you’d turn me down, too,” you admitted.

“When have I ever turned down something you’ve wanted to try?” he asked, nuzzling you.

You sniffled, pressing your cheek harder against his. “I-I know…I don’t…I-I don’t know why I thought you might with this…Besides, i-it just…it wasn’t important enough to ask…”

You felt his jaw tighten, and you realized there was the echo of an old struggle in those words. “Was it that, or was it because you didn’t think you were important enough to ask?”

Sighing, you leaned your weight back against him. “You’re…not entirely wrong. Everything…everything with you was – is – so different from what I was used to. It was…amazing to feel listened to, and feel thought about and appreciated, and I was afraid of messing that up by asking something…something that you might think was dumb, or be told the same thing again a-and just have…have something he told me get confirmed by you.” You took a breath, closing your eyes. “A-and if he was right about something as insignificant as dancing, then he might be right about the other things he told me, more important things, things that…” Your voice quivered. “…that would make me unworthy of you. Th-things that might make you decide to leave. And as our relationship grew, and then Gaster got added in, I just…buried the desire to dance and forgot about it because it wasn’t important enough to wreck things over.”

“But dancing was important to you. And it would have been important to me as well, because you are important to me,” the elemental said. “I wish…I do wish you weren’t so worried about what I’d think if you asked me things, but I also understand the fear. You were told to repress your wants and feelings or be judged for them for so long. I understand how those thoughts can get ingrained in your mind.”

You hummed in agreement. “I-I’m sorry that I still have stuff to work through.”

He kissed your temple. “But you are working through them, just like Gaster said. That’s the most important thing. But if you really feel you need to make it up to me, you can give me this next dance.”

(needs events)

“You’re a natural! A few more lessons and we could go to a dance hall!” Gaster called.

You whirled to face him. “Oh, please, no!” you squeaked in horror. Both Monsters burst out laughing.

#wip #my writing #undertale #unfinished #grillby x reader #gaster x reader #grillster

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multiverse-of-souls · 3 years ago

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TAG DUMP 4: Grillby tags

Soft embers (Grillby),

Days he wished nobody had ever seen (Pre-game verse ~ Grillby),

In the warm light of the bar (Main verse ~ Grillby),

A dream achieved for all those who couldn’t (Post-game verse ~ Grillby),

No dusting in the bar’ I’m not cleaning it up (Underfell AU ~ Grillby),

He’s got a little sparkle in his step (Outertale AU ~ Grillby),

Why not put on a show! (Dancetale AU ~ Grillby),

He fought for what he thought was right (Deltarune AU ~ Grillby),

Quiet like a mouse' Bite like a wolf (Swapfell!Gold AU ~ Grillby),

Crackling embers (Aesthetics ~ Grillby),

The jukebox is ‘broken’ (Music ~ Grillby),

Does he even speak? (Lyrics ~ Grillby),

I never want to be alone again (Musings ~ Grillby),

Would you willing burn it all down (Headcannons ~ Grillby),

#Soft embers (Grillby)#Days he wished nobody had ever seen (Pre-game verse ~ Grillby)#In the warm light of the bar (Main verse ~ Grillby)#A dream achieved for all those who couldn’t (Post-game verse ~ Grillby)#No dusting in the bar’ I’m not cleaning it up (Underfell AU ~ Grillby)#He’s got a little sparkle in his step (Outertale AU ~ Grillby)#Why not put on a show! (Dancetale AU ~ Grillby)#He fought for what he thought was right (Deltarune AU ~ Grillby)#Quiet like a mouse' Bite like a wolf (Swapfell!Gold AU ~ Grillby)#Crackling embers (Aesthetics ~ Grillby)#The jukebox is ‘broken’ (Music ~ Grillby)#Does he even speak? (Lyrics ~ Grillby)#I never want to be alone again (Musings ~ Grillby)#Would you willing burn it all down (Headcannons ~ Grillby)

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skelemira · 2 years ago

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can i get a uhhhhh Grillby telling a tired y/n to get some sleep pwease

Absolutely you can, anon! I freaking love writing these ones, I have a lot of experience telling my friends to go to bed *stares at @lemon-lucid and @queeniesdomain*.

Anyway! Not sure if you wanted it to be romantic or platonic, but I'll try to write it ambiguously where Reader could just be a friend living with Grillby.

Mutual Exhaustion

Grillby wiped down the counter, waving at Sans as he left. With Sans gone, he looked around the empty bar, enjoying the soft jazz floating through the air from the jukebox. He absently noted that it sounded a bit staticky, so he probably should take a look at it later on. Something about the soothing music and the rich colours of the wood he was polishing just exacerbated the exhaustion he was feeling front the long day of work, and he finally set down the rag. It was clean enough, and Sans, despite his supposed laziness, always helped him turn over the chairs and mop. Well... He used his gravity magic to push the mop around, at least. Either way, it meant he could finally go upstairs and spend some time with the cute little human up there.

He locked up and headed upstairs, the thought of maybe watching a movie or playing cards with you spurring him through his exhaustion. Each step felt like walking a mile, but it got easier the closer he got to the door. The closer he got to seeing you.

When he finally pushed open the door, though, his eyes immediately went to you.... and closed with a sigh as he saw you in front of your computer, completely conked out. You tended to be a bit of a workaholic, taking on requests like crazy until you collapsed from exhaustion. Then when you were forced to take a break from work, you would deep clean the entire apartment and claim that it was relaxing for you. But the bags under your eyes told a different story.

The best days were when you both had a day off, and he could wrangle you into actually relaxing with promises of cuddles and snacks and movies.

But right now he had to do his Duty. So as much as he had wanted to spend time with you, he knew that the more important thing right now was getting you to bed.

You jolted awake as Grillby smoothed back your hair, startling him as well, but as soon as recognition sparked in your eyes, you reached up to give him a hug... and missed completely.

You totally misjudged where he was and almost fell flat on your face, but thankfully Grillby was slightly more awake and barely caught you.

Unfortunately, this didn't tip you off to the fact that you were exhausted. Instead, you seemed even more determined to stay awake, even though your eyes weren't totally focusing on him and you practically had a death grip on his arms to keep yourself upright.

When you slow-blinked for so long he thought you actually fell asleep, that's when he decided to just pick you up and carry you to bed. You protested, but your voice was so weak it didn't really do much to help your case.

He set you down on the bed, holding back a chuckle at how you seemed to sink into the mattress for a moment before remembering your protests.

"W...wait, Grillbs... If I'm... If I'm gonna... I'm gonna bed then at least... Let me.. uh.. my.. my glowy... thingy.... work thing."

He raised a fiery eyebrow, desperately trying not to laugh. "Given that you can't even remember the word laptop, I think that's a hard no, bunny. Get some rest." With that, he tucked you in and went to lay down next to you, hoping to keep you from trying to get up to go back to work. Not that you could, of course, seeing as your eyes could barely open. But it wouldn't stop you from trying if he wasn't there.

So he pulled you close and listened to your breathing slow, feeling your delicate heartbeat lull him into a peaceful sleep as well.

Well I hope you liked it anon!! Thank you so much for requesting! And just a reminder that you can make multiple requests!

#undertale #undertale grillby #grillby #grillby x reader #romantic #or #platonic #tired reader #tired Grillby #fanfiction #drabble #writing #Undertale fanfiction #self insert

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aikoiya · 3 years ago

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DP - The Haunted Jukebox

I remember reading this one Naruto fanfiction once a long time ago. I don’t exactly remember what it was about, but I do remember a plot device in it. Itachi apparently left Sasuke his iPod & I guess it was cursed or enchanted or haunted or something because it would always just suddenly start playing a song at any given moment that would fit immaculately with the current situation.

I also remember another story involving a crossover between Supernatural & Undertale where Grillby had this magic jukebox that would play the song in a person’s soul or something like that. So, for Papyrus, it’d play Bonetrousle & for Sans, it’d play Megalovania. Then, when the Winchesters came walkin’ in the song “Wayward Son” by Kansas came on.

I’m just sayin’ that I really like this kind of trope & would be totally stoked if Danny Phantom had something similar. Just as sort of a gimmick.

Though, I also think that it'd work very easily in most other media.

Like, maybe there’s an old diner, Imma call it Heartsong Diner, in Amity & it has a supposedly haunted jukebox with a similar thing going on to the above. Like, if you press ‘random,’ it will just play whatever’s pertinent at the time & the songs change depending on what’s happening (if something very significant is happening in the middle of a song, there will be a record scratch sound & suddenly a new song is playing that fits what’s happening to-a-T), but if you push the ‘personalize’ button, it’ll create a playlist full of songs that matches your soul or personality & the circumstances surrounding your life right now.

Costumers love it, though there are plenty of times when people get uncomfortable because the songs reveal things to them that they hadn't realized before or just didn't want revealed. Or put words to things that hadn't been spoken about. It's also been the source of a lot of people discovering aspects about themselves that they hadn't before. There are even times when it'll play exactly what a person needs to hear when they're having a difficult time. Or even in certain situations, warnings of consequences that fit a bit too well with something they planned to do later in the case of particularly bad people. At times even almost seeming to respond to conversations. Like, this one time, someone was talking about Paulina's mom & the rumors of her indiscretions, when the jukebox busts out with "She's a freak -Aaw!"

And at some points even seeming to be able to predict the future. Though, by & large, depending on whether or not it has a sense of self of its own, it ultimately just seems to want to help.

There's even a usb port & if you put one in, it'll download your personalized life playlist. If you do so again later & some things in your life have charged or you have changed, the jukebox will alter the playlist it created before to better suit your current situation. Some people even consider it a form of musical therapy as it can often instigate deep self-reflection.

The first time Danny walked in there after deciding he was gonna protect Amity, "I Need a Hero" turned on. Danny initially tensed up, but when he realized that no one seemed to be looking at him, he relaxed. The song later changed to "Ghost" by Mystery Skulls & Danny internally freaked.

There was one time when the trio went there & Sam was having gushy feelings for Danny, then suddenly Katy Perry's "E.T." comes on & Sam freaks the fuck out demanding someone change the song with a face as red as a beat while Tucker's like, "No! Turn it up!" The song couldn't be changed, but Danny didn't really react & spent the song being really nice to Sam. Sam is sure he's just being clueless, but the truth is that he'd known about Sam's crush on him for a long time & was just waiting for her to get to a point where she's comfortable telling him on her own because he's into her too.

Another time, the Fenton family were out for dinner there (mostly to see what the jukebox was all about) when Vlad showed up to try & woo Maddie. Next thing they knew "Every Breath You Take" by the Police starts playing. This was after Maternal Instincts, so Vlad & Maddie are hella uncomfortable, Jack comments how there must be some sorta stalker nearby, Jazz is trying to stifle her laughter, & Danny is absolutely busting his gut, smashing his fist against the table & crying tears of laughter.

Yet another time, the Fentons confront Phantom in the parking lot of the diner & from the open door they hear a male cover of "Diamond Jack: The Villain I Appear To Be."

During Reign Storm, "Hail to the King" by Avenged Sevenfold during the battle against Pariah before eventually playing "Storm the Castle" as played by Jonathan Young. Like, literally, it was playing in the background as the battle was raging, the diner had been destroyed at the time & it was like, "Might as well have some epic boss music."

After Reign Storm & the diner was rebuilt, the next time the trio go there, the jukebox starts playing "Ceaser" by the Oh Hellos as well as several other songs about heroes being crowned king. The entire time, Danny felt anxiety sinking into his stomach but wasn't entirely sure why.

When Dan was masquerading as Danny & they went there, "Monster" by Skillet came on & Dan went quiet. He seemed to be deep in thought about something as he listened before snapping out of it.

The day after Urban Jungle, the trio went to the diner & as soon as Danny stepped foot inside, Natewantstobattle's rendition of "Let It Go" started to play. Danny was like, "Really?" & Tucker was losin' his absolute mind. Sam couldn't stop snickering.

The jukebox itself appears to be damn near indestructible too & no one knows how it has access to so many damn songs that don't even appear on the list of available songs. Forget figuring out how it can play songs from the internet or has a usb port when it's been there since the 60s. Hell, half the songs it plays are from the effing future!

Not only that, but if the Fentons try to take it apart, it just seems to be a regular, old-fashioned jukebox with the barest hint of ecto-contamination, but that hint only seems to have been there since it came to Amity & reports say that it's been doing this shit since long before coming to Amity. Either way, they try to remove the contamination, but even that doesn't seem to stop it. They keep trying over & over until the manager of the diner demands their property back. Regardless, it just keeps doing what it's doing & the Drs. Fenton decide that since it's not hurting anybody & doesn't even seem to have an ectoplasmic signature of its own, they would instead just keep an eye on it. Observe it, if you will. When it reveals its true colors, then they'd take possession of it & try to stop it for good.

From what I’m seeing, this idea appears to be a mix of a whole bunch of music-centered tropes. Including but not limited to, the ‘Source Music’, the ‘Suspiciously Apropos Music,’ & ‘“I Am” Song/“I Want” Song’ or ‘Image Song’ (songs that are specifically meant to more deeply explore a character, therefore adding more depth) TV tropes. Also includes ‘Dark Reprises’ when pertinent.

#dp #danny phantom #music #suspiciously apropos music #I Am song #tv tropes #bumblebee speak #music therapy

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bythebonefire · 2 years ago

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🤍 + slaps some grillster in here

Send me a ship and I'll tell you... || Accepting!

Who cooks meals for the other?: I mean this is generally Grillby's role in most ships LMAO. He settles into that housewife role happily, and always makes sure Gaster actually eats proper meals. He probably packs him a cute lil lunch too. Maybe there’s even a note inside telling him he hopes he has a nice day!!! It’s all very domestic.

Who spams the other with memes?: Neither of them really seem like big memelords lmao. I feel like if memes end up in their text chain it’s “do you know what this means??” “No, I have no idea???” “It’s so strange isn’t???” “It really is!!”

Who likes to tidy around the house?: Both of them keep a pretty tidy house, but this again probably ends up in Grillby’s domain, especially because he’s very particular about how he likes things.

Who likes to play pranks on the other?: They don’t really strike me as pranksters either tbh, Sans was prankster enough for the both of them.

Who asked the other to move in with them?: Oh that’s a tough one. I feel like Grillby would be really hesitant to leave the apartment he and Sans shared. For all the painful memories the place carries--it was home. But I do think, especially since we’d talked about how the apartment was only intended to be a temporary place for him and Sans before they got their place outside the city, it might make it a bit easier. It was never meant to be a permanent home. I can kind of see Gaster tentatively bringing it up, and Grillby struggling over it for a long time--long enough that Gaster might assume the answer is no. But in the end, he finally agrees to it, and it’s another shaky step towards moving on with his life.

Who is in charge of the music during a car ride?: Oh always Grillby. You’ve said before that Gaster isn’t quite as much of a music lover as Sans was, so it seems like an area where he might kind of just let Grillbz take the reigns. Funny thing about that though, is that because Grillby is In Love With The Idea Of Music As A Theoretical Concept, he could really be putting anything on. 80s Indonesian punk rock is just as likely as showtunes which is just as likely as spa/meditation music which is just as likely as reggae.

Who is more likely to tickle the other mercilessly?: Are either of them... ticklish? I mean, Grillby might try with his ecto, but idk how successful he’d be...

Who needs to hold the other during scary movies?: Gaster does seem like he’d be the more skittish one, but I also don’t know because like... homeboy’s been behind the fabric of the space-time continuum is he really gonna be spooked by Michael Myers? Either way, they probably holdin’ hands.

Who has to help the other when it comes to technology?: Oh definitely Gaster, if our thread of him casually repairing Grillby’s jukebox is any indication lmao. Grillby is good about repairing some things, but when it comes to like... electronics, he’s a total luddite.

Who likes to get a bit frisky in public / an inappropriate setting?: I mean this is obviously Grillby lmao. But I can see the first time Gaster decides to get a little playful with a spectral hand outside of their house, Grillby’s like. Super proud of him. My little baby kinkster, you’re so precious. <3

Who wakes up first, and do they wake up the other or let them rest?: I feel like this varies, but frequently it’s Gaster. Unless the other one needs to be up, they probably let the other sleep.

Who is always taking pictures of the other when they aren’t looking?: Grillby has a lot of cute candids of Gaster while reading or working or sleeping. :B

Who always forgets their wallet and never ends up paying for anything?: Where you keep your wallet, Gaster??? You are made of goop!!! Do you have pockets in the goop??? Where are your pockets, Gaster??? But for real, they both probably remember it most of the time.

Who can’t sleep because the other snores or moves too much at night? - If Gaster snores, I’m picturing it sounding like a jammed printer, and that makes me laugh. But idk, I feel like if there’s issues it may be because Grillby is very bright and that might take some getting used to if you’re sleeping in a room with him.

Who is better at video games, and do they let the other win or show no mercy?: Gaster would be better probably--Grillby is pretty helpless at video games. He probably doesn’t try tbh, if Gaster were playing something I think he’d just like to watch.

Who always gets up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and accidentally wakes up the other?: They don’t have to use the bathroom, so that helps. But probably if Grillby gets up, he’s more likely to wake Gaster since 1) sudden absence of warmth and 2) sudden light source moving around the room.

#multiverseofsouls #m: grillbz #long post ///

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erinharman · 3 years ago

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Question: Okay, let’s mix up serious questions with some silly ones. Do you have a favorite genre of music? And why is it? Just because you like it or is there something special about it?

Answer: Favorite genre? Hm... I hardly ever listen to music, guess I prefer classical music and some simple electro.

I’ve been fixing Grillby’s jukebox for quite a while, the thing just keeps breaking. For some reason music easily gets stuck in my head. When I saw Mettaton’s add with some funky tunes, I couldn’t get rid of the melody for months!.. What a nightmare.

#undertale gaster #grillster (implied)#wd gaster #ask #undertale ask

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jamestrmtx · 3 years ago

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Fairytale Complex - [Undertale | Sans x Reader]

[Gender Neutral, Frisk's Parent Reader | Slow Burn]

Chapter Twenty | Ooo I Ooo I Ooo I Ooo I (Part 2 of 2 | His POV) [First] | [Previous] | [Next]

Song Referenced

• • •

did he give you an exact date?

Unfortunately, no.

At first, I had at least until the end of the year, but…

CPS wants this resolved quicker than he thought.

guessin' you need to finish tourin' the underground first then, right?

Yes.

Would it be possible the day after tomorrow?

Or just… sometime this weekend?

I can go by myself, but…

Asgore won't allow that unless I'm with someone else.

Says I shouldn't be walking so far and so long alone if I haven't recovered yet.

you don't need to go alone, either way.

be it my job or not, I still wanna help out.

so the day after tomorrow's fine with me, bud.

we can discuss those details better when we drive over to tori's school tomorrow.

Are you sure?

And…

Does that 'we' imply you'll be picking us up?

100%

but yeah, i'll drive you guys there.

and pick up paps on the way, too.

it's easier for all four of us.

Mhm.

don't believe me?

Oh, I believe you.

I just don't think that's the only reason why you're picking us up, when I already have the address.

so what's the other one?

Don't get cocky, Serif.

I'm not gonna type that out.

It's a godsend Frisk will be with us, too.

'Cause I sure don't trust being alone with you anymore.

inna bad way?

Nah.

niiice.

pick you guys up tomorrow, then?

Yes.

We'll see you tomorrow.

And thank you in advance.

∆ Sticker | Happy Cartoon Bunny™ waving goodbye ∆

"You've changed, Sans."

He ignores that comment to view (Y/N)'s last two messages again.

While he doesn't know why that particular sticker bothers his mind so much, a few scrolls up to revise his chat history with the human reveal this is the first time they've shown any sort of informality or spontaneity in their typing. (Y/N) came off cold in their texts, though -- based on how they acted outside of a chat app -- that wasn't their intention, but more of an automatic way for them to talk with someone they didn't exactly deem trustworthy enough yet. He grins at that thought and feels his face warm up, something he confirms when touching his cheekbone, cold palm contrasting with that heat.

"You're wasting your time with that human," Drunk Bun says, snapping him out of his daydreaming.

They've sat themselves on the bar stool next to him and slam what looks like their tenth can of cheap, off-brand beer against the counter, crunching it down into more than half its size. He doesn't know how long they've stood there or why he's lost this much awareness of his surroundings. The bar's practically empty and calm now compared to before, though there's loud music blaring from the jukebox, playing an already overplayed song on repeat. There's no excuse for his distracted mind other than having lost himself while texting with the human, so he admits that fault with partial sourness, against accepting he's that smitten with them.

"You're changing for the worse," his company adds, narrowing their eyes at him. "Every time we come here to catch up, you mention something stupid about that (L/N) person, or just text the whole evening away with them. I... I've never seen you worry so much about someone so inconsequential." They scoff and cross their arms tight. "I may understand you caring after Frisk as a way to repay them for rescuing us, but (L/N) is completely useless. They've done absolutely nothing remarkable beyond creating a huge scene at that bus you were both on."

"Being harassed by a rando and faintin' after's them causin' a scene?" Sans asks, quirking an eye socket.

"Oh, screw off, bone boy -- You know what I mean. They've brought you nothing but trouble and needless responsibilities!" The bunny grits their teeth and slams their hand over the table, dragging eyes to their side. "I'm betting you can't go a day without texting them or without you doing something for them."

"You need to-"

Beep-beep.

The phone is snatched from his hands just as quick as that noise rings.

"Give that back."

"No." They keep the phone right above him, taking advantage of his shorter height. "Your fault for not putting a lock on it."

Drunk Bun scoots away and holds the phone tight as they fumble with it. Then, they stop to look at what he assumes is another text message from the human. A grimace shows on their face and they grasp the device tight, enough to make the screen complain and warn them over the pressure they're exerting against it. "Now this is beyond pathetic, Sans," they comment, letting out a loud, burst laugh. "Is this seriously the one you're sacrificing your entire personality for?" They give him his phone back, though not before hesitating when it's time to let go. "That human is-"

"Gimme a sec."

His attention falls on the picture displayed on screen, revealing (Y/N) and Frisk posing in it. The adult wears a suit and tie while the child has Toriel's school uniform on. The former's pose appears forced and awkward while the latter seems to be the reason the picture was taken with how excited they seem about their outfit.

Frisk wanted me to show you this.

It's what we'll be wearing for tomorrow!

There's a three-minute interval between that and the next message.

I know classes still haven't started there, but… They wanted to wear it, so I joined them by trying on something special for, well…

That job offer you told me about.

I don't know if I'll accept or not yet, but…

Thank you for the opportunity, and for believing in me.

∆ Sticker | Happy Cartoon Bunny™ giving a thumbs-up ∆

"You're grossing me out, honestly. What kind of look is that?"

It takes him a while to react, focus glued on (Y/N)'s messages.

"What look?"

"That lovesick look on your face." Tears form on their eyes -- almost abruptly, hadn't their voice shaken right before that. "I- I've been flirting with you for years, and yet you've never once looked at me like that before." They stand up straight, stare down at him, and rest their hands on the table, blinking their tears away throughout. "I've known you for so damn long, and yet you fall for the first human you see up here? I-"

"So that's what this's about," he says, chuckling. "You're-"

"Don't you dare brush everything off as me having a crush on you, Sans." They hiss. "You're not the same as before, and that's as clear as day. You worry a lot more now, and… And you actually seem to care more about other stuff beyond your job and sleeping on it. Y- You-"

"Aren't those good things?"

"Maybe, but your entire personality changing isn't. I liked you better when you were less worked up with stuff that's none of your business." They stop to grab his phone again; a grin breaks the sorrow on their face. "But hey, y- you're just doing your job, aren't you? You should set things straight with that human and remind them you're only with them because Asgore told you to in that agreement letter you gave them."

"Won't work if I flirted with 'em first. Pretty sure they'll see right through my lies."

"Y- You flirted with them first?!"

"Yeah."

He dodges a punch aimed right at his face.

"Wait-"

They throw a second punch -- this one turning out to be a spoof -- and laugh at the sight of him falling for it; they then toss the phone high over his head after he's finished dodging that fake attack, and aim yet another punch right after.

He salvages the device, though at the cost of taking the blow right on his left eye socket.

"How can you admit that so easily? You're awful!"

"'Cause you're only a close friend. I don't owe you an explanation about who I'm dating, and even less if you're gonna be actin' this way."

Drunk Bun springs at him, only to be held back by the rest of the regulars sitting near the scene, sufficiently fast enough for them not to wrangle Sans in anything major. They struggle and thrash at everyone around, trying to break free, but failing each time. It takes a fully-armored guard dog and a buff bear for them to be fought back into their rightful place, and yet another strong monster for them to let go of a wine bottle they insist on downing when seated.

Grillby intervenes as well by warning them to calm down, unless they want to be kicked out. Meanwhile, Sans turns on the camera and looks at his reflection through it, revealing a faint soreness already forming around his eye socket -- right where his companion had punched at. Being primarily made out of bones brought advantages, but having magical properties often led to him bruising easily.

Another regular approaches him and offers him a first aid kit, one he brings back to his seat to heal himself there.

While he takes out an antibiotic and some cotton pads with one hand, he uses the other to busy himself with (L/N)'s messages, against leaving them on read for so long.

no probs.

here at your service.

frisk looks great, btw.

and you? hot. 😘🔥

awkwardly hot.

hotwkward.

Frisk is reading the replies, you know?

damn.

i mean…

darn.

don't tell 'em i said that.

∆ Audio | 0:46 ∆

He clicks on it to hear Frisk giggling along with (Y/N) commenting they won't. It later continues with them asking if he's alright, specifying what they mean by highlighting a picture, this one sent by him. Blurriness makes up most of it when he clicks on it and zooms in, yet he can identify what looks like his companion from earlier, who'd apparently snapped and sent the human a photo by accident.

that's a friend o' mine.

they're, uh, kinda tipsy, so they got inna fight with me.

Really?

Are you okay?

yeah, just a lil' sore where they punched at.

What?!

i'm fine, puddin'.

dw about it.

Where's that bar at?

I'm near the mall, so I can drop by if you need anything.

aren't you still shoppin'?

take it easy.

I'm almost done.

Just trying out one more outfit.

can I see?

👀

Sure.

∆ Attachment | 2 images ∆

To his surprise, they're not only posing much more freely now, but they've also made the effort to strike another pose from a different angle. The human's outfit is composed of a dark green, semi-formal (suit/dress), fit for a night out. They've gone as far as to edit a wink emoji and some hearts at the corner of one -- the most flirty of the two.

So...

What do you think?

*jaw drops to floor, irises pop out of sockets accompanied by trumpets, soul beats out of rib cage, awooga awooga sound effect, pulls chain on train whistle that has appeared next to head as steam blows out, slams fists on table, rattling any plates, bowls or silverware, whistles loudly, fireworks shoot from top of head, pants loudly as tongue hangs out of teeth, wipes comically large bead of sweat from forehead, clears throat, straightens jacket, combs skull* ahem, you look real lovely.

*bwushes* Thank uwu kindwy, handswome. I'm vewy fwattewed.

...frisk ain't there anymore, right?

If they wewe, duwu uwu twhink I'd be twyping wike thiws?

faiw poiwnt.

Anyway…

I noticed the changes you made in that copy-paste, and…

You didn't edit the tongue part out.

So…

What that tongue do, baby?

😳

…lick…

...ice cream.

🔥🔥🔥

Ah, that's hot.

Or should I say cold?

And speaking of cold…

I'm gonna get you an ice pack or something.

You should take care of where it's sore, if you don't want it to bruise more.

whatta way to change the subject away from our moment, puddin'.

but uh, thanks in advance.

Anytime, teddy bear.

uwu

owo

• • •

"Am I really changin', Grillbs?" Sans asks, emptying his beer in three long gulps. "Be honest with me."

The one questioned takes the empty can from his hands and shakes his head in what looks more like disapproval rather than him answering that question. He first warns the skeleton about getting drunk, and reminds him to stay sober if he wants an answer as well as prevent himself from drunk-texting the source of his lovelorn self. When receiving a promise from him in response, he later answers with a 'no' and that he's still the same whenever he came to visit the bar.

"So I'm only different when I'm talkin' about 'em?"

Grillby nods.

"Inna bad way?"

He shakes his head.

"Then…"

Sans is stopped with a hand over his and faced with a stern look, despite the owner of it having no eyes or mouth.

"If they make you happy, then it's alright for you to show it," a regular states, intervening in the conversation. "You're not a lifeless machine. And nobody's one-dimensional either, so you shouldn't force yourself to act the same, strict way all the time. If you want to be all mushy with that human, then so be it. Aren't you the one who always says stuff like 'nothing really matters; in the end, we'll all die'? What's stopping you now of all times? Where's that hardcore nihilist I've known since years ago?

Sans rubs the back of his neck and huffs.

Clearly, neither the regular nor Grillby understood what he truly meant to say with his questions. He didn't mind his relationship with the human, but he also didn't want his old self to be replaced by someone he wasn't, as a result. There were things he didn't want to change about his old self -- things he feared would fade away now that he seemed to be getting into something as complex as a romantic relationship. There were parts of him he needed to keep in case the world were to start over again -- in case something went wrong. He couldn't allow himself to grow soft.

A pat on his shoulder lets him know he's lost himself in those thoughts.

"It's alright to fear change, but don't let that hold you back. If you like that human and they do, too -- Then what's there keeping you from going for it?"

It's not that easy.

Still, he keeps that thought quiet and replies with, "Thanks, but I'll probably have to give that more ti-"

The door of the bar opens to reveal someone new to it, but not so much unknown to Sans, who already finds himself distracted by them. (Y/N) stands in front of the entrance, looking this way and that. Frisk holds on to their hand, while a reusable shopping bag's hung over their parent's arm; a pharmacy's logo and name can be seen stamped on it. The eldest human approaches the area with caution, until their child assures them -- once, twice, and then thrice -- they've been to this place before and that it serves other purposes beyond that of providing alcohol and provoking fights. When they look forward, he meets their eyes and tries to glance away quickly, only to be called out by them soon after. They don't take long to smile wide and bright, wave, and -- finally -- approach his side after he waves back at them.

Rather than giving him whatever's in the bag, they instead let go of Frisk's hand, ask them if they want anything to eat, and give them some money when they sign the word 'fries'. Then, they sit on the stool next to his and settle the bag on their lap. "Come closer, and close your eye sockets," they say, still smiling. "It's your left one, right? It looks really sore already."

He nods and tries to ignore the warmth in his soul when they place a hand over his.

In his favour, they let go of him not long after to disinfect their hands and slip some gloves on when these dry out.

"I-"

"Shh."

(Y/N) holds his chin with their hand and grazes their fingers against his injury, their touch slow and careful as they apply some antibiotic over and around it. They then slide an eye patch on him and assumedly check around for any more bruises, based on the feeling of their hands grazing against his torso, arms, and neck. "The ice pack's in the bag -- Remember to throw it in the freezer when you get home." They touch his chest again, even more gentle this time. "So..." He notices some hesitance when they pull their hand back. "You're not hurt anywhere else?"

He shakes his head, words caught in his throat.

"Alright, but don't look yet."

Doing as told, Sans waits for whatever comes next. He stays still and stiff, until he feels their lips brush close to his eye socket, where they lay a soft, ticklish kiss at. They do the same with his other one and finish it off by kissing his nose cavity.

"Now you can."

[First] | [Previous] | [Next]

• • •

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🌋🔥💥 ANNOYING NOTICE TIME 💥🔥🌋

So, here's a summary of all the events happening this month, which will affect Fairytale Complex's update schedule in various ways:

1. I will be rewriting all my other fics that aren't FaiCom, since I'm pretty darn happy and proud of the new writing style I've developed with this fanfic, and so I want to implement it into my older stories (with the exception of the Tom Nook x Reader one -- I'm rewriting that one despite being recent because it started off as a wild, 3 am energy project after finishing with finals, but then I actually had way more fun than I originally anticipated, so I'll be turning it into a long fic just like this one, lol). This means FaiCom will be taking a short, 1 to 2 week break after Arc 2 (Chapter 25) ends, to dedicate some time to all 4 of these stories.

2. I'm taking extracurricular classes/hobby workshops this summer, so I need to tweak my schedule again. This means FaiCom will be changing its schedule back to the old one, composed of weekly updates on Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays.

3. As mentioned previously, Pride Month is here, so I'll be making some one-shots and drabbles related to it, meaning updates might be slightly less frequent this month. BUT, a good majority of them are FaiCom related ones (and they will be posted on a different book to avoid conflicting with regular updates, too). More on that later on!

• • •

Tag List (Comment or message me if you want to be added to [or removed from] it!)

@the-simp-express

@nektotersh

@disastrous-l0vebug

@therealchickenjoe

@mintyflakes025

@pandaquick

@timelock97

@candle-creeps

@paperb9gs

@merak0

#sans x reader #undertale x reader #lgbt #lgbt themes #gender neutral reader #male reader #female reader #mother reader #father reader #parent reader #chubby reader #long fic #romcom #adventure #mystery #platonic relationships #slow burn

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