Quick note from moi, but the image below is the outfit I had planned for this chapter. The description is still in the chapter itself, I just felt like drawing it too. Feel free to imagine her how you like (i.e hair, eyes, actual features) but this is the outfit I tried to describe and just how I imagine (y/n) when writing her in. Anyway enjoy and stay tuned for the author's note at the end!~

"Show starts in five people!" One of the event coordinators yelled, her call sending the backstage into a flurry of final preparations. In giddy expectation, you bounced back and forth on the balls of your feet. You shook out your hands again, stretched your arms, and started humming to warm up your vocal cords a little. Though you didn't perform until the very end of the event, the second last person actually, you were still required to go on stage at the very beginning of the event, even though it was simply to clap and cheer. Though Mettaton was also performing, and wasn't due on stage until after you, he was also the chosen monster host of the show. Which is why he wasn't keeping you company.

It was really too bad you weren't allowed to head into the VIP section. That's where all the others were. Together, you and Mettaton managed to secure enough VIP tickets for the rest of the gang so they could have front row seats. The VIP section was off to the right of center, but it was right up against the raised platform. There they'd be able to see the entire show easily, and wouldn't be bothered by the news reporters strewn throughout the crowd. Which was surprisingly sizable, actually. But maybe that was to be expected. This was only the second New Year's event the monsters from the Underground had be able to participate in, and this year the organizers were going all out. With all the monster adding to the human numbers that usually turned up, the crowd was bigger than ever before.

"Show time darling!" Mettaton suddenly said, throwing his arm around your shoulder in an excited manner, bringing you from you musings. "Ready?"

You glanced down at your outfit one last time, making sure everything was still in order. Tonight you were sporting short khaki shorts, a tight (f/c) T-shirt, rainbow striped leggings with matching fingerless, above the elbow gloves, dark brown lace up boots, a red scarf with embroidered silver stars, and blue earmuffs to top it all off. Across your cheeks was two paths of silver stars, a gimic your makeup team came up with to cover the cut on the one side. You knew you looked rather childish, but the idea of the outfit was "fun", and it fit with your on stage persona. And, unbeknownst to your costume designer, you slipped the necklace Sans' had given to you under your scarf. You actually hardly took the thing off anymore, it had just become a part of your daily routine. It just didn't feel right not having the necklace firmly clasped around your neck.

"Ready as I'll ever be!" You grinned at Mettaton, just as the coordinator yelled;

"Show time people, lets go!"

With a grin, Mettaton grabbed onto your hand and led you out onto the stage. Lights blared in your eyes and the crowd roared, temporarily blinding and defending you. A familiar buzz swept through you, and you immediately adopted your biggest smile. As the others performers and backup dancers piled onto the stage, you heard the human announcer and host yell into his microphone, in a cliched manner, "Now let's start this off with a bang!"

Immediately the music kick up as the crowd cheered, and as the first singer took their mark, the first round of fireworks shot into the sky. You couldn't help but laugh when they exploded, then happily joined Mettaton at the front of the stage crowd to dance the first song away. The two of you danced in unpracticed harmony... something you'd been able to do since you met. He was an excellent dancer, and you had no problems keeping up as he twirled you around. As you shook what your mama gave you, you heard Papyrus screaming and cheering for the two of you. You bit back a laugh, your back to them, but knowing that even though they were a good 10 feet away, you could hear him almost perfectly over the booming music and crowd. When Mettaton spun you around again you couldn't resist pausing to blow the ecstatic skeleton a playful kiss. He squealed and started yelling at Undyne about it, who grinned along with him, even though she'd seen it too. Before you pivoted back to Mettaton you made brief eye contact with the shorter skeleton brother, and though you normally wouldn't do something like this, you smiled directly at him and winked. Now, blowing a playful kiss wasn't all that uncharacteristic for you while up on stage, but winking definitely was. The crowd may not know who this wink was directed for, but you were sure there wouldn't be any doubt in Sans' mind.

When you turned back to Mettaton, he gave you a knowing smirk, to which you just shrugged your shoulders ever so slightly. He was the one to come up with this little quirk of you stage personality, so he knew what it meant more or less. He might have also had an advantage because, as you predicted, after the tobogganing incident he had a nice little chat with you. But as the song was still playing, he quickly pulled you into another complicated spin in time with the beat, and managed to finish the song off in a fabulous manner.

A little out of breath, you stood with the rest of the stage crew waving and blowing kisses to the crowd, listening as the crowd cheered and the announcer thanked us all for a great first song. Mettaton then turned on the microphone someone handed him, and started his stick as the second host.

"Don't you worry Darren, you'll see all these lovely darlings again soon."

With one last wave to the crowd you trotted off the stage with the other non-essentials for the next song, heading back to your dressing room to rest until your turn. You had about a hour and a half to kill before you were needed back in the stage area, since you didn't perform until the very end. Though interacting with the other performers was encouraged, it wasn't mandatory, and since there weren't any reporters backstage you weren't to concerned with keeping up a socialite image. Also, Mettaton was the only person you knew well, and would want to converse with, but he was now indisposed. And while you would consider speaking with Chris, your makeup artist Stacey, and costume designer Charlotte, but Chris was in the audience, Charlotte was part of the team making sure those performing next had no costume malfunctions, and Stacey was busy touching up their makeup.

So when you pushed open the door to your dressing room, you were greeted by silence. With a sign, you snagged your cellphone of the makeup counter and flopped onto the beanbag chair placed in the back corner. While sometimes you'd been given a full on couch, this time the room was rather small, so a bean bag chair was all that fit. Which was fine, because they were extremely comfortable. Comfortably leaning back in the chair, you flipped on the small TV hanging in the corner and turned it to New Year's event, keeping the volume low. Even though the event was live, the view constantly switched between different cameras, showing the stage, the crowd in general, specific people who smiled and waved, and some of the events which were going on further from the stage. Monsters and humans alike seemed to be enjoying themselves, and you were once again struck with pride that you were chosen to be part of such an event. While you weren't necessarily one of the more well known stars, you knew based on Chris' information that quite a number of talented individuals had offered to attend. Who wouldn't want to be a part of the biggest monster New Year's celebration across the globe? You'd been honoured the organizers approached you about attending. It might have been because of your involvement with Mettaton, but that was fine by you.

Suddenly, your phone pinged, lighting up with a text from a certain skeleton.

"knock knock."

"Sans this isn't really the time for knock knock jokes! What if the camera crew spots you not paying attention to the concert?" You texted back. As a VIP, it would be in bad form to be spotted texting in the middle of the New Year's concert.

"they won't even see me. i'm hiding behind Undyne. knock knock." He texted back, insisting on his joke. You bit your lip, debating answering. You glanced at the TV screen, and realized you could warn him if a camera was about to swing by. Giving in, you answered;

"Who's there?"

"abby"

"Abby who?"

"abby new year!"

Oh god, you knew it was terrible, but you couldn't help but burst out laughing. You were glad no one else was in the room. "That was terrible!"

"you laughed, i know you did."

"Sad but true."

"hey, what was a more important invention than the 1st telephone?"

"Idk what?"

"the second one."

And once again you dissolved into a fit of giggles. You knew this was terrible, you both should be paying attention to the concert, but you wouldn't help yourself. Between sitting alone in the room playing games on your phone and texting Sans, you'd chose texting Sans any day. Especially if he was cracking bad jokes. "lmao" Was all you texted back to Sans. And as a reward, he kept them coming.

"why did the chicken cross the road?"

Like you hadn't heard this joke before, but you decided to divulge. "Why?"

"to hunt somebody down."

"?"

"knock knock."

"Who's there?"

"the chicken."

"OMG no! o0o"

"XD ready for more?"

"Always!"

"knock knock."

"Who's there?"

"major."

"Major who?"

"major day with that joke, didn't i?"

"Lol definitely."

"i got a couple questions for you now."

"Okay shoot."

"there are 500 bricks on a plane. one falls off. how many are left?"

"Um, 499?"

"right. now, what are the three steps to putting an elephant in a refrigerator?"

"Ummmm idk."

"open fridge, put elephant in, close fridge."

"OMG."

"now do you know the steps to putting a giraffe in the refrigerator?"

"Ummm, open fridge, put giraffe in, close fridge?"

"nope. open fridge, take elephant out, put giraffe in, close fridge."

"Ha!"

"the lion is having a birthday party. all the animals attend but one. which animal is it and why?"

"I give up."

"the giraffe. he's stuck in a refrigerator."

"Noooooo! XD"

"so there's this girl Sally, and she wants to cross an alligator infested river. there is no bridge and the only way she can cross is to swim. how does she make it across safely?"

"Not sure."

"the alligators are all at the birthday party!"

":D"

"but wait, there's more. Sally dies anyway. why?"

"Idk why?"

"she got hit in the head with a flying brick!"

"OMG nooooo! XP"

"knock knock."

"Idk how much more I can take... but who's there?"

"Mavis."

"Mavis who?"

"Mavis be a warning for you... watch out for more bad jokes!"

"Gahhhh! I'm dead. Okay, now I have a joke for you!"

"go for it."

"If I had to leave for a long time, would you still remember me?"

"course i would kitten."

"What about after 1 year?"

"duh."

"And 3 years?"

"i don't think i'd ever forget you, no matter how long you're gone."

Well that made you blush a little, even though you knew he didn't mean it that way, but you digress. So you continued your joke.

"Knock knock."

"who's there?"

"Well, that hurt."

There was a pause, and you worried your bottom lip for a second whilst smiling. "that was pretty good kitten." He finally texted back.

"I thought so too!" There was another long pause, and you wondered if you should try to crack another joke. Just as you were about to think of something else he responded.

"whoops, i got caught. Pap's threatening to take my phone away. gtg."

"Lol ttyl."

"break a leg out there."

"Thanks!"

With a sigh, you lay back in the bean bag chair and threw your hands over your head. What a great way to kill... nearly an hour, according to your phone. Now you only had just over a half hour before you had to be back in the stage area. So now you had two choices... play game on your phone until you had to head back up, or go hang out with the other performers. Tough choice. But regardless, it was a half hour well spent in your eyes.

Soon enough, you were back behind the stage. You had a quick chance to grab a bottle of water and a bite to eat from the refreshment table, before you were being ushered to where you'd enter from. From there, Stacey and Charlotte descended on you, making sure your makeup and costume had held up and touching everything up. As Charlotte repositioned your scarf for the hundredth time, Stacey fixed up your eyeliner and mascara and repositioned some of the stars. As they worked, you continued to sip on your water, and started to warm up your vocal cords quietly, humming and hawing between sips. As the last song of the performer before you started, the nervous excitement you always felt before performing made butterflies take flight in your stomach. You ran through the set you were singing, made sure you recalled the order. Made sure you remembered the dances that went with each song.

The song started to wind to a close, and one of the stage hands took over for Charlotte and Stacey, this time to make sure you knew your mark and to hand you a microphone. There wasn't a microphone stand out there, so everyone needed to take a mic out with them. They passed your a generic mic, making sure it was turned on and ready to go. You smiled in thanks, listening as the last part of the song played. It was almost your turn... you were so excited! You were only singing 7 songs total, 2 of which were with Mettaton, but that didn't make you any less pumped.

The song ended, and you bounced excitedly on the balls of your feet as Mettaton and Daren's voices returned to the speakers. They talked for a second about the performer and their career, made some jokes about the evening, and finally introduced you.

"And now, as we start to bring this fabulous night to a close, I invited all you lovely darlings to put you hands together for (y/n) Heir!" Mettaton cooed into the mic, and the music kicked up for your song.

You took a deep breath and smiled, and though it was practiced it wasn't fake. You didn't quite go on stage yet though... as for the first line you sing you were supposed to hang back and out of sight. Your que to start came, and you belted out the first line of the song. This was the kind of song that started slow but then picked up pace, and the shift happened right after that first line. When the tempo change hit, you practically jumped out from hiding and into the welcoming cheers of the crowd. This was what you lived for. This moment. The exhilaration you got standing on the stage, singing your heart out in order to make someone's day. Well, in this case hundreds of thousands of people's day, as many were watching at home on TV.

As the upbeat music continued, you easily slid into the first part of the routine, jumping in with the lyrics when the time came again. You easily sang with the music, swing your hips in time with the beat, gazing out past the blinding lights into the crowd blanketed in shadows. Several people were wearing bright glow sticks, making them stand out in the gloom. When you hit the first chorus you performer a pirouette, followed by half skipping half walking towards the right side of the stage, the side where your friends were. You made eye contact with a few of them as you sang, smiling happily, before the dance called you away again.

Time flew by when you were up on stage, and with each song you started and finished the crowd got more and more excited. There was a reason you'd been put at the end of the concert... much of your music was described as feel good or party music, approaching topics in a playful manner that tended to appeal to one's' inner child, or actual children. You had a few slower or more meaningful songs, but those ones never seemed to be as popular. Either way you didn't mind, and those who considered themselves loyal fans tended to like everything you produced. Like Papyrus, for example. But the crowd here tonight seemed to drink up each song you sang, even joining in during the chorus several times. You played into this, sometimes stopping singing so the crowd could carry the song.

Before you realized it, your final song came to a close, you singing the last few words of the song before breaking off into a complicated dance, the music blasting around you. As the last chord is hit, you strike a pose, one hand down by your side, legs split, and the hand holding the mic in the air. The crowd goes wild, but you aren't quite done yet. This time there wasn't even a pause between the performances, because this time they were connected.

The next song picks up, and you change positions so you're standing simply with the mic out in front of you, your legs together and feet sitting at a forty-five degree angle to each other. This song is quite a bit slower then everything else you'd sung thus far, but that was somewhat to be expected of a duet. As you sang, Mettaton strides out onto the stage, meeting you at center stage. When he starts singing the two of your blend harmoniously, your choreographed dance going smoothly, both of you moving in sync. The crowd ate it up, singing along when they could and bouncing to the beat. You managed to glance towards your friends while moving, in a part that was just Mettaton. They all looked like they were having a good time, which was relieving. But too soon you needed to tear your eyes away and get back to dancing. When the song ends, you trot off the stage, huffing a little but grinning from ear to ear.

"Great job!" Chris says, greeting you as soon as you were out of sight. He grabbed you into a shoulder hug, then passed you a water bottle after you passed the mic to the stage hand. You opened the cap and gulped some down, recovering from your time on stage.

"Thanks!" You said after recapping the water bottle. Chris motioned Stacey and Charlotte over, before getting beckoned away himself. Busy as always and even the man of few words. When Stacy reached you she passed you a towel so you could dab the sweat off your face, then proceeded to re-apply some of your makeup. Charlotte once again went to work on your outfit, making sure everything was ready for the final act. Mettaton technically had the last song, which was lyricless, but he insisted that you were acted as his dance partner. Well, it was more like he demanded it. So you would be up on the stage through the whole song, helping with the big finale and the surprise the organizers had planned. Mettaton only had six solo songs to sing through, then you would be back on stage.

As you listened and waited for your cue to head back on stage, you continued to sip on your water, thinking about the new year and what it might hold. For once you were a little unsure of where things were going to go. Before now you'd had your whole life planned out with Bitchell, but now there was an air of uncertainty. Of course your job was a given, and eventually you'd gain back your wealth... but everything from your past was gone. You had no earthly possessions to remind you of things, barely any clothes, and no home to return to. No... that was a lie. You would always have a home to return to, as long as Sans and Papyrus' door remained open. As long as any of the monster's welcomed you really. Sans... you thought, suddenly wondering where he would fit into everything. You knew now you wanted more than the comfortable friendship you had, but you weren't quite sure how to get to the next step. It was like you were walking on parallel paths; together but not quite intersecting. Easily joining if one of your would only cross over.

But how? Suddenly an idea struck you. You could use the surprise during Mettaton's song to your advantage, use it to cross the gap between you. Normally you wouldn't even think about taking initiative in things like this... there just hadn't been a need. But now... what was stopping you? No. This time you were going to grab the opportunity. What was there to lose? Sans' friendship? Doubtful. He was too laid back to make things awkward if you were reading things wrong. Now you just needed a plan... you were going to use the song to your advantage sure, but what about part two? Then it struck you. It was New Year's. Why not use that to your advantage too?

Decision made, you finished up the water bottle and headed for your entrance location. You still weren't sure what you were going to do, but you were going to do something that broke the barrier between you once and for all. You'd already been lost in thought for 4 out of Mettaton's 6 songs, and couldn't spare any more time plotting. All too soon the countdown to the New Year was on, the numbers displayed on the huge screen above the stage. The final song, Death By Glamour, started playing, and when your que hit you started dancing towards Mettaton, who was at the opposite side of the stage by now. When you reached the middle of the stage with Mettaton, you both grinned and struck a pose, Mettaton behind you and leaving slightly to the left and you leaning to the right, arms out at your sides and legs split. You held this for a few beats, and when the music kicked up and changed the two of you launched into a complicated dance routine that only sped up and changed with the song. You danced through the eight major changes in the song, the moves your performed with Mettaton changing to match. At the end of the eighth the two of you struck dramatic poses, waiting until the music kicked back up and repeated itself.

This time you didn't start dancing. This time, you and Mettaton strutted towards the edge of the stage in time to the beat. He stopped about five feet away to strike a series of poses while you continued until you were right at the edge of the VIP section. When you reached it, you made eye contact with Papy, who was literally as close to the stage as he could get, and held out a hand to him. He screeched loudly and with excitement, and eagerly grabbed your hand so you could help him on stage. At the same time, several backup dancers appeared from backstage, heading to the edge of the stage as well to help up other VIP guests. Before anyone else climbed the stage, you spun Papyrus towards Mettaton , who eagerly grabbed the lanky skeleton's hand before leading him in a quick paced dance. Once the dancers offered their hands to those in VIP rows, it was like the floodgate opened. All fifty VIP guests were eager to join the stars on stage, happily participating in an impromptu dance party. The other front row guests were kept a few feet from the stage so they couldn't climb up as well and overwhelm the stage, and as an extra precaution there was a line of bouncers to catch anyone who tried.

You leaned down and started grabbing the hands of your friends specifically, leading them onto the stage as best you could. Well, some of them. Undyne grabbed Alphys around the waist and lept up in one clean bound, Nabstablook just floated up, and Asgore was happy to lift up Toriel, Frisk and Flowey so they could join. You helped up Muffet, Temmie, Asgore, Greater Dog, Lesser Dog, and Doggo, before finally you were just left with Sans. He looked up hesitantly, and you knew it was because he wasn't especially fond of dancing.

"Come on Sans," you said just barely over the music with a mischievous grin, citing what you said to get him to dance at Halloween. "Join us! It's your last chance for the year~"

Slowly, hesitantly, he reached up and slid his hand into yours, allowing your to help him onto the stage as you grinned in victory. You led him to the center of the stage where you were supposed to dance, Mettaton and the others already claiming the area for themselves. When you got there you started swaying your hips, and threw your arms up in abandon. He stood still, watching you with something you couldn't quite place, hands shoved into his pockets. Shaking your head and smiling reassuringly, you grabbed his elbow and spun him around trying to coax him into movement. When he stopped his back was to you, and he still hadn't really done anything. Deciding to do something a little daring, you placed your hand on his humorous and leaned towards him, not quite close enough to touch.

"Dance with me Sans." You whispered in his ear, smiling slightly as his blush darkened and he shivered a little. You definitely weren't reading the signs wrong. Spinning him back around to face you, you started dancing again, this time adding in trails of your fingers over his arms as you coaxed him into movement. Finally, hesitantly, he started to dance. As he finally got into the music, you couldn't help but realize why he was so resistant to dancing. He simply didn't seem to know how to move. Laughing a little, you grabbed one of his hands and began leading him through a simple enough dance, showing him how to sway and move his feet to the beat. He was a little apprehensive at first, but finally started letting go as you began doing some more complicated movements in time with his simple ones. Eventually he seemed to gain the confidence to lead, and after watching Mettaton lead Papyrus for a moment, started pulling you through a series of twirls. You couldn't help but laugh again, quite happy to relinquish control to Sans. Over time his grin stretched as well, and the two of you were able to simply enjoy the dance you shared.

Too soon the song finished, and those on the stage as well as those in the audience cheered. You ended up closer to the back of the group, much of your view of the crowd obscured by the taller monsters you now called friends. Staying beside Sans, you couldn't help but notice that he made no move to let go of your hand, which was still clasped in his. On que the countdown began, and your voices joined the rest as you rung in the New Year.

"5!" Undyne hugged Alphys to her side, grinning from ear to ear at her blushing girlfriend.

"4!" Asgore somehow managed to coax Toriel to his side, ruffling Frisk's hair as she stood in front of them holding Flowey. Though she tried to hide it, you could tell that Toriel was secretly happy.

"3!" Mettaton scooted closer to Papyrus, who didn't even seem to notice.

"2!"

"1! Happy New Year!" The roar was deafening, and you couldn't help but watch with wide eyes and a grin as the first of the brilliant fireworks went off. When you pulled your eyes back down, you noticed that Undyne had pulled Alphys in for a New Year's kiss, and watched as Mettaton did the same to a vibrantly blushing Papyrus. You felt Sans tense beside you at the robots PDA, and couldn't help but laugh.

"It's called a New Year's kiss bonehead. It's for good luck!" You smiled, leaning closer so you could speak without yelling.

"oh yeah? to bad i ain't getting one of those this year." He answered, only half paying attention to you as he glared at the robot. A jolt went through you heart, making it pound, realizing this was your chance. Without a second thought you leaned over, bring up your free hand so you turn his head towards you. He didn't resist, and before he realized what your plan was and before you could chicken out, you pressed your lips firmly against his teeth in a kiss that was brief, but wonderful. Reluctantly you ended the connection, leaning back ever so slightly as your heart beat into overdrive. Sans' face was completely blue, eyes blinking in that weird way of theirs as he tried to process what just happened.

"Happy New Year." You murmured, smiling shyly at him as a blush rose to your cheeks to match his. For a second he just seemed stunned, but then his gaze flicked down to your lips again before returning to your eyes. That was the only warning you got before Sans pulled you back into the kiss, holding you there longer than you had dared him. If you could have melted into a puddle you would have; his kiss was infinitely sweet. When he pulled away you felt a little breathless, and if your heart decided to beat any faster you were sure it would jump right out of your chest.

"happy new year." He murmured back, a shit eating grin now plastered to his blushing face. You bit your lip and smiled back, unable to contain your joy. Seemingly unable to resist you, he reeled you in for another quick kiss, this one even sweeter than the last somehow. Once you parted you took a slight step away, unable to keep the smile from your own face as he laced his fingers through yours. His bones bit into your skin a little bit, but it didn't hurt, it was more of a pleasant reminder that he was there.

You could hardly contain your inner joy, heart singing as you praised yourself for having the confidence to take that leap of faith. When he kissed you that second time, all your fears of him not liking you back went out the window, and with the third your were soaring over cloud nine. So this is what real love feels like. You couldn't help but think. Glancing down at Sans again in the light of the fireworks, you spotted him watching your out of the corner of his eye. When your eyes met both your smiles grew ever so slightly, and you decided to close the distance between the two of you so you could lean against his side. Without a word, he let go of your hand and slipped it around your waist, pulling you ever tighter to him. With your head now resting on his shoulder as you watched the firework display come to a close, you couldn't help but think, This is going to be a great year, and nothing can ruin it for me.

Author's Note~

So what did you think my lovely readers? Did you enjoy this romaaaaantic chapter? And hey! You didn't have to wait another 4 weeks for it to come out! I just had so much fun with writing it and had so many ideas, especially near the end, so I didn't end up putting it off for weeks like I have been. Is it possible I could be hitting my stride again? Who knows!

So just to give you a little update on the next few chapters... there will be drama, there will be romance, and there will be bloodshed! It's going to be very intense the next couple of chapters, so stay tuned. As a side note I can't help but wonder... how much foreshadowing can one chapter contain? Is there even any foreshadowing? You'll just have to stay tuned to find out! I will give nothing away until the next chapter! 

Author... out!