May make art for this chapter later.

Outer glanced around the group curiously. He nervously tugged on the end of his jacket, readjusting its position every so often.

Today was the day for his college tour. This was supposedly the best college in the area, and had many different topics for monsters to major in. Outer was mainly interested in their observatory. Apparently, it had high-grade NASA equipment and top-notch quality. Apparently, most people who majored in astronomy at this college were able to get into the NASA program, which is what Outer dreamed of doing one day. He sighed and looked at the sky.

Some day...

Outer looked up again as he saw the group was moving. Their tour guide was explaining the functions of the college, and was currently showing them around the dormitory. Outer didn't care too much for this part. It was always the same, two monsters per room- males with males, females with females- and a common room, followed by an elevator in the common room that would lead to the next floor. The top floor dorms were always the best, and had much more room, but they cost a fortune. It had already cost him enough to enroll to the college, he didn't want to waste any more money.

Outer, ignoring the tour, started scanning the group. The group was all different skeletons. More specifically, Sanses. Of course, no one referred to a Sans as "Sans" anymore. Honestly, Sans was just a type of monster at this point. There were so many different kinds of "Sanses", they just became their own species.

There was a Sans who seemed to be dressed in all red and black, a Sans who was wearing a blue bandana and walking quickly, a Sans who wore a yellow tee shirt and golden crown, accompanied by a Sans who had the same height and posture that wore a purple long sleeved shirt and a golden crown. Outer turned his head to the right and looked at the rest of the group. There was a Sans with a purple flower crown, and another that walked close to him with a scowl on his face, adorning a black bramble crown. There was a Sans with a large hole in his head, a Sans with a purple and black jacket that went down to his feet, a Sans that seemed to be completely monochrome except for one of his eyes and a scar below the eye, and a Sans that seemed to have some sort of target in front of him.

Suddenly, the one with the target lifted his head and made eye contact with Outer. He saw that the other Sans didn't have eye lights and had what looked like black tears running down his face. The Sans didn't seem bothered by it however. He just turned his head back forward and followed the rest of the group. Outer quickly did the same, ready to check out the observatory.

————

It had been about a month after college started, and Outer already hated it. His roommate, Classic as he was called, wasn't so bad. They both liked making puns, and they both liked to drink ketchup straight from the bottle. The problem was Classic's ranting. THAT was annoying as hell. And even worse, it was always about other students and who he liked, who he didn't like, etc. etc...

"I'm telling you! That Blue kid is getting too close to Fell! What if Fell ends up falling for him instead of me?!" Classic yelled out in distress as Outer groaned.

"Can we please talk about this another time?! I have an essay due tomorrow that I need to finish, and I'm not even halfway done!" Outer yelled back as he brought the laptop screen closer to his face. He sighed. Outer doubted Classic even did any actual work on his school work, he's never seen him open his laptop once. In fact, Outer could tell by the thick layer of dust that was collecting on top of the device. He sighed, attempting to block out the other's whining and complaining. Suddenly, he shot up and closed his laptop with a thud. Classic fell silent.

"I'm leaving. I don't care about your stupid love life. If you're really that worried, then tell him. Explain to him what the fuck is going on in your mind. But I'm done."

Outer picked up his laptop and walked towards the door. "I'm going to the common room. Text me if you need anything." He closed the door behind him and walked down the hallway gingerly, careful not to disturb any of the other studying students.

When he arrived in the common room, he noticed two things. It was completely empty, apart from the green love seats and tables, and another Sans stood in the doorway to the other hallway. Outer blinked. He looked familiar, but he couldn't recall any prior encounters with this strange skeleton. Outer sighed and walked towards the nearest chair, setting his laptop on the table. He sighed, this silence was much better than Classic's annoyed voice. He began to type away, his fingers clicking at a quick pace.

...and comets. The galaxy was first studied by Galileo Galilei, who discovered Jupiter's four largest moons, which were later named the Galilean moons. However, dating even further back was the first record of a nova, or new star. It was found by Hipparchus, who also created a record of 1020 different stars.

Outer leaned back from his essay and closed his eyes, letting out a soft sigh. He didn't even notice the skeleton in front of him before he spoke up with a loud tone.

"You seem stressed."

Outer jumped and opened his eyes wide, looking at the skeleton who was sitting in the seat across from him. It was the same skeleton that was standing in the doorway earlier. He had dull eyes and black lines running down his face, resembling tears. He also had somewhat of a target that hovered in front of him, twitching and jittering occasionally. Outer seemed confused. He was certain he'd seen this Sans somewhere else, but he couldn't quite place it..

The stranger sighed and reached out his hand. "The names Killer. I do believe we were on the same tour if my memory serves me right."

Ah! That's what it was, the college tour. Outer smiled and took his hand, giving it a firm shake. "Outer. Pleasure to meet you."

Killer nodded and released his hand before eyeing the laptop. "Whatcha working on?"

Outer sighed and closed the device. "This essay over different discoveries and huge events in astronomical history. It's due tomorrow and I'm not even halfway done."

Killer just nodded before asking another question. "Well why are you out here? The WiFi's much better in the actual dorm rooms anyway."

Outer sighed. "Just... roommate issues."

Killed nodded in understanding. "I getcha. That's actually the same reason for me. Roommate kicked me out." He grinned before pulling out a bag of Popato Chisps. It was the large party size bag that held tons of the chips. Outer glanced over and subconsciously scolded himself. His stomach was aching after skipping dinner so he could work on his report, and now those Popato Chisps were looking really good.

He continued to stare until Killer looked up and noticed. "If you want some, you could just ask."

Outer looked up, embarrassed and shook his head. "No no! I'm fine, I need to focus on my assignment anyway, so I really shouldn't." Killer glanced over with a somewhat disappointed gaze before staring at the ceiling. "Whatever. More for me I guess." Killer leaned back against the seat and propped his feet on the table.

Outer began to type again. He stared intently at the screen, hunching over the device to get a better angle. He was so focused, he didn't even notice the hand that was approaching him until a finger tapped his nose.

Boop.

"Wha-" Outer opened his mouth to protest. However, as he did so, Killer shoved one of his chips into Outer's mouth. His eyes shot open in surprised as his face flushed from embarrassment. Killer noticed and moved his head in a somewhat circling motion, resembling that of rolling ones eyes.

"Jeez, don't get so worked up. It's just a chip. Besides, you look exhausted."

Outer sighed as he finished chewing and swallowing. His stomach begged for more, but he knew better. He leaned back against the seat once more and closed his eyes. "I suppose I am tired.. my thoughts are pretty spaced out right now."

Killer stared at him blankly before chuckling. Outer opened an eye and grinned. He always enjoyed it when someone enjoyed his puns. Killer then closed Outer's laptop despite sounds of protest coming from the latter as he shoved it out of the way, replacing it with the bag of Popato Chisps. Outer stared at the bag before groaning in defeat and taking a chip. Killer grinned as he took another chip as well.

"So, what was up with your roommate?"

Outer almost choked on the chips as he asked that. "Oh god! He won't shut up about his stupid love life!"

Killer laughed at that and gave him a look for him to continue. Outer groaned and began explaining. "Ugh. My roommate, Classic, has this huge crush on this dude named Fell. And he won't ever shut up about him! And recently, he's been even worse, because apparently Fell has become close to another dude called Blue. And it got to the point where I simply couldn't take it anymore, so I left."

When Outer finished, Killer only nodded in understanding. Outer liked that about him. He was a good listener, and he liked it when he nodded. Outer sighed as he took another few chips from the bag. Killer suddenly grinned.

"Guess you could say your roommate's problems are out of this world?"

This time, Outer did start choking. He had no idea this monster liked space puns enough to make them himself. He couldn't stop. He laughed at the pun, laughed at Killer, and laughed at himself. Killer seemed to laugh as well, which caused them to laugh even more.

When the two finally settled from their fit, they simply stared at each other in admiration. Killer had a smirk on his face, and his target was transforming into an upside down heart. Slowly, his white eye lights became visible. Outer stared into his eyes, his playful grin still present. They gave each other a warm smile before returning to the chips.

They continued munching, before Outer suddenly spoke up. "Wait, what about you?"

"Me? Oh, that's simple. My roommate, Reaper, was having a "guest" over, and didn't want me in the room. I know exactly what he's doing though, and I feel bad for whoever has rooms next to us. Or maybe even the next few rooms down. Who knows, these walls are pretty thin..." Killer trailed off as he stared down the hallway. "Anyway, I'm not going back in there tonight, so I'll probably just crash out here on the loveseats."

Outer nodded, imitating Killer's usual move. He understood. Tonight, dirty things were happening. They both blushed a little at the thought. The continued to munch of the chips quietly, occasionally brushing each other's hands. And for some reason, that seemed to make both of their blushing worse.

It's just because Killer told me what's going on in his room.. Outer thought. That's all. That's all.. just stupid reactions to a stupid thing, that's all..

Outer eventually began silently muttering "That's all" to himself as his eyes widened. He quickly took his hand back as Killer looked up at him curiously.

"What's up?"

Outer flinched before turning away. He couldn't deny that there was definitely something in Killer that he'd never seen in anyone else, but who was he kidding? They had just met! Outer shook his head before reaching for his laptop.

"I need to finish my report.." Outer finally said, somewhat disappointed. Killer looked at him with a saddened expression before standing up. Outer looked up in confusion.

"Well, good luck with your essay. I'm gonna hit the hay." Killer winked at Outer before turning away.

Outer just sat, frozen, as he felt the heat rising up his cheekbones once more. He sputtered our a few 'thank you's before returning to his work. Killer just chuckled as he collapsed on one of the other loveseats.

Oh boy, did he like seeing that blush...

Word Count: 2095