Geno's a dog groomer and Death's your local chill but soft guy who doesn't know what he's doing

and yes i choose the most random job position out there thank me later

also i dont know how dog groomers do their thing i just went with whatever works for the fic

~Start~

Death's really cheap.

He likes spending money (its fun, sue him), but he would rather avoid it if possible. That includes spoiling his dog- a black Portuguese water dog, Furry- who is probably the purest thing on planet earth, but Death doesn't treat her as much as he should. Sure, she's easy to please and seems happy with whatever he has to offer, but Death feels like trash for not treating her like the queen she is. Because he's stingy.

It should've been obvious that if you were going to save money, buying a dog wasn't an option. But as a lonely man who has nothing to lose, he went to the pound and got his heart stolen by bright eyes and a wagging, furry tail. Death's never been good with names, so he usually goes with the first thing on the top of his head and rolls with it. It's kind of embarrassing now when he's outside and calling for Furry to stop running around like a headless chicken when she's too excited, but his fate had already been sealed. 

Now, Portuguese water dogs require a lot of grooming. Which, he should've considered before adopting one since he's apparently incapable of doing it himself, but for the first few months, it was doable. He knew a place that didn't empty out his wallet like some places did and had a 5-star rating, so while it hurts his soul to be spending so much money, the well-being of his precious girl is worth it.

But ever since he moved out of the city and to another state, it was like starting back from scratch. He's a friendly guy and people love him (or rather his dog) and paying bills was never an issue. The issue was finding a groomer that did their job correctly, was affordable, and would treat Furry right. It was a surprise to Death when he realized Furry didn't like the new faces that were doing her fur since she usually likes everyone, but he figured it had to do with the fact that her previous groomer was like an aunt.

Death found that he couldn't really blame her, though. He didn't like them either, and he's not a dog that probably knows how to cure world hunger of sheer willpower alone, like Furry.

So when Toriel recommended him a place that was basically on the other side of town, Death thought why not and spent an extra 20 minutes driving because he trusted her judgment that much. As soon as he and Furry stepped inside, they were greeted with a cheery "Welcome!" and a warm atmosphere that basically screamed dogs galore.    

Furry was definitely excited. When Death met up with her new groomer, Furry was more than happy to knock him over just to get to the other boy and shower him with more love than he gets on the daily.

Death would've been hurt, but one look at the other and he had to fight back the urge to do the same. Furry's new, official groomer was a skeleton about the same age as him, but he sort of looked like he hadn't slept for a year. He wore a red scarf and a white hoodie, a contrast to Death's usual dark clothing but he looked angsty as ever, even with glasses. One of his eyes appeared to be injured but it didn't seem to bother the skeleton much, especially when his eyes lit up at the sight of a friendly dog warming up to him immediately.

Death looked at their name tag, a little too eager to learn their name.

Geno.  

Geno was the equivalent to a sleep-deprived college student, but he was cute and the sight of him smiling at Furry and kneeling down to greet her did bad things to Death's heart.

Death tried to appear cool, but when he realized he had yet to say anything, he contemplated on slapping himself in the face.

"She likes you," he said lamely.

Geno looked up at him, a brow raised. He looked at Death as if he was a bug. "Well, I'd sure hope so. The dogs here are supposed to enjoy themselves."

"Right," Death said, nodding. He knew all along that he was gay, but he never was able to really find his own 'type.' If Geno was his 'type' then Death was going to jump off a roof, because it became apparent that they did not like each other in the slightest.

Geno looked at him weirdly. "So... what's her name?"

Death blinked. "Furry?"

"...Furry," Geno repeated, unamused. He looked down at Furry, who was looking straight at him expectingly with her tail wagging. Eventually, he nodded, his mouth quirking up into a smile. "Alright."

"I'm-" Death started, pausing when Geno looked back up at him. "I'm, uh, bad with names. So."

"I can tell," Geno said, unhelpful, "At least it suits her."

Death nodded stiffly. "Yeah."

They stared at each for a few, long moments before Death finally cleared his throat. "I should, uh, head to work." He's off today, Death doesn't know why he's being an idiot.

Geno hummed in agreement and stood up, taking Furry's leash. He's only about an inch or two shorter, but it's enough that he has to tilt his head upwards. "Name?"

It took Death a few moments to realize that Geno was talking to him. He smiled, hoping it didn't look as stupid as he felt. "Death."

Geno mouthed his name as if he was testing it without using his vocals. "Well, Furry's in good hands. She'll be still alive when you get back."

Yep, Death absolutely despised him. Geno was so his type, and the worst thing was he didn't have the slightest idea to why. "She'd better be."

---

"I hate you," Death said to Toriel once they were seated at McDonald's. Right after he made his grand escape, he called her and definitely did not beg to meet up so he can do something other than sit in his car for a couple of hours. She doesn't even like fast food, McDonald's just happened to convenient.

"I didn't do anything," Toriel stated, hands on her hips. The action made Death hate her more.

"Yeah, well," Death said, "The place you recommended to me is absolute shit."

Toriel raised an unimpressed brow. "Really now."

"Yes, really. It's perfect."

The other hummed well-knowingly. They knew each other for a span of two weeks yet they're attached hip-to-hip. Death honestly still didn't know why, but he knew that if he was straight, he'd probably date her. Probably. That'd be kind of weird, actually.

People most likely think they're a couple the more Death thought about it. They're more than comfortable with each other and Toriel is actually very affectionate and cozy. Death is usually charming and relaxed, but for some reason, he was the complete opposite when he met Geno. He wasn't even attractive by any means. 

"Talk to me, babe." Toriel sipped at her water, which she wrinkled her nose at. She's out of place here, and she's certainly larger than Death, height and muscle wise. He doesn't know how to feel about it.

"Furry's new groomer," Death said then shoved a nugget into his mouth. "He's so my type and I hate him."

"I'm sure he hates you too," she said, matter-of-factly.

Death groaned and very gracefully took a bite out of his burger, which is probably the unhealthiest thing he'll eat this month. He kind of feels like dirt.

Toriel patted him on the back. "Tell me about him."

"I don't think he sleeps," he said. "And he looked at me as if I was the worst thing that has ever been brought to planet earth. Which, I have to disagree with, I'm a catch."

"Of course."

"But he looks at Furry as if she's the cure to depression! Which she is, but that's not the point. Did I mention he's kind of cute? Well, I take it back, he should see a therapist. Or maybe I should."

Toriel snickered. "Death, you are a therapist."

"Counselor," Death corrected. "But usually I can woo the shit out of people. Even straight men are impressed! But with him, my brain short-circuited. I told him I had to go to work when I clearly don't have work today."

"You're an idiot," Toriel told him.

Death nodded solemnly, messily eating the rest of his burger. "I'm an idiot."

"That's gross," Toriel said. "And you have to pick up Furry later, so you'll get another chance. It won't be so bad."

He didn't really believe her, but since Toriel most likely had higher IQ and more functional brain cells, he reluctantly agreed. Not that he would say that out loud, though, that'd be admitting defeat.

After Toriel left him hanging, Death went to a nearby gym to let out some steam. He didn't feel like driving back home when it was so far away, and he usually felt better after a workout. He's no gym rat, that costs money, but Death knows that most things do.

A few hours passed and Death drives back to pick Furry up, still sweating and hadn't bothered to change out of his gym clothes. He feels superior wearing them as if they would tell the world that he works out and can lift bro.

He enters the play area to find Furry and some other dogs playing steal the ball while Geno holds a mop and cleans up any accidents. Some dogs try to get his attention and he gladly complies, but duty calls when there's a puddle on the ground.

Neither Geno or Furry had noticed him yet, which is fine. He leans against the wall and watches Geno interact with the dogs, cooing at them and giving them treats when they do something mildly amazing. Like going down the mini slide and landing on their face for example. Or for being dogs in general.

When Furry finally noticed him (took her long enough, damn) she started barking and proceeded to try and climb out of the cage, to which she failed at but kept trying. Death smiled and actively ignored Geno as he went over, taking happiness itself in his hands and rubbed her face. "Missed me, girl?"

Furry barked, which he took as a yes.

Geno looked surprised to see him, and if he had eyes they'd be bulging out of his head. Death took the chance to gain his dignity back and made eye contact as he leaned against the cage. "Nice to see you again, Geno."

Geno's mouth opened and closed like a gaping fish. It was both hilarious and adorably stupid.

Death prided himself for looking so good and sexy. Furry jumped up to lick his face and Death sputtered, simultaneously trying to keep up the look while letting her do her thing. Apparently, it wasn't working because Geno got a hold of himself and tore his gaze away when another dog pawed his leg.

"You always end up like this after work?" Geno asked, still not looking at him.

Death put a hand over Furry's face. He decided to not mention the fact that he didn't have work. "Only when I feel like it."

Even if he was looking away, Death could tell Geno was rolling his eyes. They were finally facing each other again, and Death gave a smile while leaning closer. "You're a little red there, Geno. Is it too hot?"

Geno's brows furrowed and he seemed genuinely confused, which brought a laugh out of Death. "What the hell do you do for a living?"

"Counseling," Death replied. "I just work out."

Geno mumbled something along the lines of "of course you do" under his breath.

"What about you?" Death asked, asking questions just to keep Geno talking. "What made you apply for this job?"

Geno looked at him dead in the eyes. "Therapy."

Death's mouth formed a small 'o'. That certainly wasn't the answer he was expecting.

Apparently, he was leaning onto the cage too much, because one moment he was standing and the next he was falling and seconds away from having cardiac arrest. Immediately, Furry went to lick his face and suddenly he was surrounded with warm, furry bodies that seemingly came out of nowhere.

As Death struggled to free himself, laughter filled the room and it took him a few seconds to process that it was coming from Geno. He felt like an idiot again, smiling sheepishly as Geno held his sides.

"My bad," Death said.

Geno blew a raspberry, and for a moment Death was reminded of a baby. "Yeah, and I have to clean up the mess you just made."

"I'll buy you dinner," Death said, causing Geno to pause. "Or lunch. As an apology."

Geno blinked in surprise then muttered, "Fuck."

Death grinned as Geno stared up at the ceiling, a smile playing at his mouth. "Okay- fine- dinner. I- wipe that look off your face, damn."

"Sorry," he wasn't sorry. "Can I have your number, too? So we can make arrangements?"

"I just met you today, what the hell." Geno breathed in. "Give me your phone."

Death watched intently as Geno typed in his number, feeling smug. He looked over at Furry, who looked as happy as he felt.

He was definitely coming here again.

~End~

i asked my sister what she would name death's dog and she said Furry

this fic was going absolutely no where

1/29/21: HI WOW this is weird haha um 

i cant tell you how long this draft has been sitting here. after my late 'update' when i promo-ed my friend's acct (they deleted it im pretty sure), i went ahead and wrote this (this is still old writing, i havent changed anything, not even my cringe-worthy notes). only reason why i didnt post this in the beginning was because i was going through a lot of self-esteem issues and i couldnt bring myself to. i rlly hated everything i wrote so i stopped for a while and took maybe like a few month's break from doing anything

im doing okay now!! i never rlly stopped hating myself, but im still writing and teaching myself that it's supposed to be a fun activity. being 'good' or 'bad' doesn't matter. i think moving fandoms and writing for solely myself eased the pressure of "posting" and thoughts of "what will people think" is what helped a lot

i finally managed to get into this acct after that whole 'wattpad getting hacked' thing. this was sort of a spur-in-the-moment decision and i realized i sort of just left without saying anything. i feel bad reading the comments from the last thing i posted, and im sorry for baiting anyone who was looking forward to an update 

that being said, im finally gonna mark this book as completed. i read through some past comments, and i had a good time laughing at some of them haha. i just cant believe this is number #1 in undertail. if i were still a kid, i'd be elated but now im just embarrassed- this whole book is embarrassing LOL but i still hold it dear to me so i cant hate it 

thank you to any old or new readers that are seeing this, and to those who arent. honestly, i owe you my lungs. to those who found comfort in my works, i'm forever grateful. i love you, stay healthy, and keep going <3

- Trash