Customers.

As the day went on, they kept filing in. One right after the other.

Soon, Sans headed home early, to spend time with his family and give Papyrus his bedtime story.

The next day came.

Then the next.

Before they knew it, nearly two weeks had past. Sans finally managed to heal the bruise around his eye-socket, there hadn't been any other incidents at the bar except the usual fight, and the only difference in conversation was when Sans would bring up what he was testing with the collar he found in Ceecee's dust and how he was planning on bringing it to Alphys soon to help him figure out how it works. But, overall, not much had happened.

At least, not much in the outside world.

However, for Grillby, that nagging feeling he had just kept getting stronger and stronger. It got to the point where he nearly dreaded seeing his friend. His best friend.

He wanted to hit himself upside the head. He shouldn't be feeling negatively towards Sans, he hadn't done anything to make him feel so... distracted. Yet every time Sans was around, Grillby's attention would be sucked right away.

A few times he had thought about avoiding him for a bit, hoping that the feeling would go away if he did that, but he didn't want Sans to feel hurt or think he did something wrong. However, this didn't stop Grillby from unintentionally being less talkative with his lifelong friend.

Grillby honestly didn't even understand why Sans had been distracting him so much.

He knew there had to be a reason, for everything had a reason, but he hadn't figured it out yet. He couldn't figure it out... or maybe...

he was just scared to.

*****

Grillby quickly cleaned up a few dishes, watching Sylvia, a fox monster with gray fur, walk around on her shift. She was the waitress that rotated schedules with Sans, even though Grillby didn't know her too well, she was a friend of Jane, so she was now working a part-time shift.

Sans was a bit weird about it at first, seeming to have thought that Grillby believed that he wasn't capable of doing the job by himself. But the fact was, Grillby knew Sans could do it on his own, but he knew from personal experience how hard it can be to barely see your family. This was just his way of not letting that feeling of guilt weigh itself on Sans' already full shoulders.

Grillby sighed at the thought of Sans, still finding it a bit strange how much Sans had changed when they came to the surface. It's like he suddenly reverted back to his mindset in high-school. Which was...

Work.

Work until you drop dead because that's what you know people will eventually rely on you to do.

Grillby always found it strange how in the underground, within the snap of a finger, Sans went from the kid that would stay up until one in the morning studying, to the adult who would fall asleep at a sentry post.

It was like he was missing something. A piece of a story per say. But the more Grillby would try to connect the pieces to figure out what had caused the sudden change of character in his friend, the more it made his head hurt. It felt like he missed a whole part of Sans' life that caused that switch, but for some reason lost all memory of it.

Like it just didn't exist.

Grillby puffed out a breath, forgetting about that, just knowing whatever happened when Frisk fell, made Sans suddenly go right back to the person he first met, not the lazy skeleton that Sans gained the reputation for being.

Even then, when others considered him lazy, Sans wasn't a complete sloth. He was working three sentry posts, a hotdog stand that Grillby was pretty sure was illegal but who was he to snitch, and he did some act at Mettaton's resort. That last one Sans didn't bring up much, Grillby always assumed it was some comedy act, but he never went to it, so he had no idea. Granted, all of this was a downgrade from the science position Sans would ramble on about in high-school, but it wasn't like he didn't work.

Grillby actually had no idea what ever happened to that dream. Just like the puzzle piece he felt like he was missing, that dream also seemed to fall out of existence. He just... gave up on it one day. He never said why, it just happened. Soon after that was when Alphys became the royal scientist for her 'creation', Mettaton.

Whatever had happened, the past was the past, but seeing Sans back to the person he met almost 13 years ago put a strange smile on Grillby's face. Maybe Sans was a bit stubborn, sometimes he had a bit of a short-fuse, and at times he was a bit too harsh on himself, but he seemed to be trying his best again, and that was something Grillby could honestly admire.

Grillby suddenly realized he was dopily staring at his towel, immediately snapping himself out of his trance, quickly going back to washing the dishes.

A while had passed, as Grillby saw Sylvia beginning to pack up, looking up at the time.

Three o'clock.

It looked like it was time for Sans and Sylvia to switchout.

Almost on cue of that thought, Sans came out into the dining area through the backdoor, Jane's yells at him to take better care of himself slowly dying out as he and Sylvia passed by one another.

Sans seemed to say something to her, but his voice was too quiet under the bustle of the diner for Grillby to make out what he said Instead, he just watched Sylvia take fake-offense to what-ever the remark was, smacking Sans in the face with her tail before laughing, then walking into the back room to leave through the back entrance for employees'.

Sans blinked twice, before laughing, opening up the back door, calling out to her a, "wow, rude!" He received a laugh filled, "Right back at you!" From Silvia, before Sans closed the door shaking his head, chuckling, and turning to Grillby.

Grillby quickly looked away before Sans caught him staring at the scene.

"heya, grillbz." Sans said, walking towards the bar, seeming to be hoping for something.

Grillby just nodded, to show that he heard him, his tongue suddenly finding itself tied, that persisting feeling showing back up again, not giving him a break.

Sans frowned, that was probably the tenth time this week Grillby didn't respond to him like he normally would. Maybe a nod or a wave was normal when he was interacting with other people, since he was shy with his voice for personal reasons, but he had never done it this frequently to Sans once they became friends.

"so..." Sans started, looking to his side, "how's the day been so far?" He attempted making small talk, trying to get Grillby to say something as he stood next to him, resting his arms on the bar and looking up at the much taller man.

Grillby just gave him a thumbs up, then went back to his dishes.

Sans mimicked the expression of someone pursing their lips together, "anything been on you mind lately?" He knew he was being a bit impatient with him, but no matter how many times he asked this week, Grillby would either flat out ignore him or give him a vague answer. And... it was scaring Sans.

He figured at this point he had to have done something that pissed Grillby off, which if that was the case, Sans had just accomplished something that was never accomplished before. But Sans wasn't too happy if he was indeed the one to achieve that burden.

Grillby shrugged, wishing that Sans wouldn't stand so close to him, he was starting to feel an uncomfortable flutter in his chest.

Sans waited a few more moments, as if that would result in a better answer, before he puffed out a breath, walking away saying, "welp, if that's all ya wanna say, then i gotta get to work." He grabbed his pen and paper before walking off to collect orders.

Grillby watched as he walked away, before putting his hand up to his own head, smacking himself lightly on the forehead, What is wrong with me, just talk like you've always had! He angrily thought to himself, becoming quite frustrated with his own behavior.

Grillby suddenly felt someone smack his shoulder, making him jump nearly a mile high, quickly turning around to find Jane's arm reaching out from her slot, her eyes giving him a taunting expression.

He gave he a puzzled look, before she said, "Honey, Mama knows you, and I think that you are fallin' for that lil' Domino like a bee to nectar."

Grillby continued giving her a confused look, until he quickly translated that from Jane-ese to English as being, "I know you and I think you have a crush on Sans."

Grillby blinked at the realization of what she said, quickly shaking his head 'no', folding his arms together like a child who is being told something they don't want to hear.

Jane blinked, seeming not pleased with that answer, saying flatly, "When two people love each other very much-"

A small poof of smoke came from Grillby's head, as he sent her a look that made her stop talking, chuckling under her breath.

"I think that you just don't wanna come to terms with your own feelin's, honey. But, Mama's been watching and I thinks that you is havin' sweeter feelin's towards you know who." She replaced his name with that last part, noticing said skeleton coming closer as he turned the horseshoe shaped bend to get to the customers on the opposite side of the bar.

Grillby glanced to the side, not saying anything.

She gave him a warm, understanding smile, "I can tells from that face that you know Mama's right." She watched Grillby not move before she sighed, saying, "Honey, you're acting like you're scared of your own feelin's, which would be like a bee being scared of it's own wings."

The fact of the matter was, he felt like he was indeed scared of his own feelings.

Jane gave him her usual expression, her eyes always being welcoming and confident in her words, "Look at Mama." She said, Grillby turning to her, "Listen here, honey, don't be scared of the thing that let's you move and keeps you alive. If a bee was scared of it's wings, it'd die of starvation, and if you're scared of your feelin's, you're gonna die feeling likes you never completed what you hads to."

Grillby blinked at her, not sure about how he COULDN'T be scared of how he felt. He was scared of how he felt because he knew feelings came with consequences, and he was scared of those consequences.

Jane could tell he wasn't convinced, "Honey, didn't you like him in high-school too, then you 'got over it'?" She asked, raising a brow, unsure if her memory was failing her or not.

Grillby nodded, knowing that wasn't a secret.

"And didn' lil' Domino know abouts it?" She inquired again.

Grillby nodded again, this time slower, unsure where she was trying to go with this.

"And if Mama's memory serves me right, then I know that boy turned you down sweetly 'cause he was being all focused on his studies. And you're still friends to this day." She looked at Grillby, seeing that he seemed a bit confused, "Mama's point is, it won't do you no harm to try to figure out how he feels. You already know that he cared abouts you enough to still be your friend back then, and I doubts that has changed one bit."

Grillby gave her a look that made her feel like she just jumpscared him in a haunted house.

"Ohhh," She growled teasingly, laughing, bapping his forehead through her slot, "Mama's not saying that you have to jump on the horse's saddle and do it right now. Give yourself some time, honey." Grillby gave her a nervous grin, nodding slightly to show he understood.

She looked passed him, seeing a partially annoyed Sans walk up to the bar with papers in his hand. She hadn't seen that face in a while. She waved at him through her slot, "Hey! Honey? What's got your buzzer in a pinch?"

Every word he said was put bluntly, "teenagers. they were breakin' pda rules for day hours. then they gave me the basic 'you don't understand usss' spiel. god, i hope frisk just stays eleven forever, or else i'm gonna lose my skull if they pull that with me..." he seemed to remember something, flatly adding in, "oh yeah, and they left throwing a tantrum, whoops."

There was a silence before Jane bursted out in laughter, knowing exactly what teenagers are like, having gone through that mess herself. Then she started to say through laughter, "Honey, you can stand peoples being flat out rude to you, then of all things this makes you mad?"

Sans looked at her blankly before a wide grin cracked his features as he started laughing at himself, covering his face with one hand in an almost embarrassed manner, "yup!"

Grillby glanced between Sans and Jane a strange smile melting on his face, from the way they were laughing, one would think they had both completely lost their minds... which Grillby was getting closer and closer to the conclusion the they had and he was the only sane person left working for this facility besides possibly Sylvia. 

Sans was the first of the two to start to get a hold of himself, looking up at Grillby. His laugh went a little softer as he said with a wink, "hey, mama, look at that, we broke mr. pokerface's mouth." He gestured towards Grillby, who's smile turned slightly more sheepish at that comment.

Mama was calming down slightly, even though she sounded like she was going to bust a magic vessel from the way she was laughing, "Honey, it looks like we did!"

Grillby gave them both a look, shaking his head before his expression went back to neutral, glancing off to the side, having a feeling Sans was looking at him.

Sans glanced Grillby up and down, his lack of making a comment about Fuku before Jane interrupted making him feel even stronger about the fact that he was upset with something he did. He drummed his fingers once on the table, his laughter having completely died out, "welp, didn't come here to talk now did i?" He said, holding out the order papers to Grillby.

Grillby quickly took the papers from Sans, putting the stack, that Sans had kindly organized, of orders for the bar next to him, handing the food ones to Jane.

Sans awkwardly looked at his own hand for a moment from how fast Grillby had snatched them from him, before sending him a painfully fake smile, "i'll..." he paused, seeming to forget what he was supposed to be doing for a moment, "...go grab the silverware." He quickly went around, walking through the back doors.

Jane waited for him to close the door to the silverware storage room in the back, knowing he would be a while from the amount of orders he gave them before turning to Grillby, "Honey, you might want to at least act normal around him. I think he's sensing something, he's as sharp as a stinger, that one. But Mama can't tell if he's taking how you're acting the wrong way or not."

Grillby gave her a nervous expression, "But, Jane-"

The bear quickly retorted, "What did I tell you for the millionth time! That's Mama to you, honey! And no buts- anyway, I think if you've fallen for a skeleton twice, you don't seem to be into butts to begin with, so 'no butts' should not be no problem for yous." She smiled at him playfully, just for his face to immediately scrunch as he fake swatted at her before turning his back to the bear.

Jane chuckled before letting her tone go a little softer, "But seriously, honey, you should act normal. Mama thinks you're weirding poor Domino out." She tapped her chin, "If it helps, pretend he's that other friend of yours... what's her name? DieDie?"

"Jane-"

"Mama!"

Grillby paused, "...Mama, it's Undyne, and if I did that I believe he'd be far more concerned."

Mama gave him a look, even though his back was to her, "Why's that, honey."

Grillby turned to her, "Because I would look scared for my life constantly."

Jane tried to recall memories of Undyne, not having too many, "Hm... She was a lil' bit of a spunky bee, wasn't she?"

Grillby rose a brow at her, internally questioning the 'a lil bit' part.

The bear shook her head at him, "Well, then honey, just act how you always have around him. I know that bit might be a bit sticky, but Domino was giving you weird looks just now."

Grillby nodded in agreement, "Got it, Ja-... Mama."

Jane smiled at him for correcting himself, and listening to what she said. She gave him a strong, yet supportive slap on the back of his shoulder, her arm barely fitting through her slot enough for her to do so, "That's the spirit, honey!" She called out, before ducking into her cubby to make the food orders.

Grillby smiled to himself, laughing under his breath as he bent down to get all the drinks ready.

Momentarily, he heard the silverware door open, followed by the door into the diner opening, Sans coming out with an impressive balance of forks, knives and spoons on two trays, balancing each in one hand. The skeleton gave him a smile before heading off to get the silverware to all the tables.

Grillby mustered a smile back, but Sans had turned away too fast to catch it.

The skeleton continued passing silverware to people, constant paranoia in his head, trying to figure out what he could have possibly done to make Grillby go quiet on him. It was funny, even though he was pretty sure Grillby was upset at him, he had no negative wishes towards him in anyway, he cared too much to think of Grillby negatively.

He watched from the distance as Grillby passed drinks to customers, knowing no matter how angry his friend could be at him, he couldn't possibly be mad back. He still loved him, he always would, and it was because of one thing...

They were worth it.

Turtle Side Note: It's pretty sad when you are writing a fanfic about a ship and it takes you 43 pages on google docs for the fact someone has a CRUSH to be mentioned.