The door closed with a soft click. Master Orange was looking down, a light shadow over his features.

"oh, hey kid... thought you'd be in bed by now."

"Not quite..."

An uncomfortable silence followed as you played with your feet and he scratched the back of his head.

"Master Orange-""y/n-" The two of you said, simultaneously.

"heh." He avoided your eyes. "go ahead, kid."

"Master..." You took a step towards him, making a point to keep eye contact with him. "Where did you go? And why were you gone so long?"

"none of that really matters too much."

"It matters to me!" You took another step towards him, which made Master Orange react in stepping back. "I was worried about you! You just left, with no explanation or reassurance when you'd come back! You didn't even say goodbye..."

An orange blush briefly crossed Master Orange's cheekbones. "...that worried, huh?"

"With you, Master Orange?" You exhaled, crossing your arms. "I always am..."

His eyelights softened as did his expression, "sorry i make you worry so much."

You narrowed your eyes at him, "No, you're not."

He laughed, a loud noise in comparison to the silent house. "hahaheheh... sorry i'm not sorry, then."

You exhaled, exasperated. But soon, your worries took over the light moment. You looked to the side, concern filling your expression. "Master Orange..."

Sensing the change in your tone, he stiffened.

"Why did you leave so suddenly?"

There was another silence, this one tenser than the last. This one worse than the last. You held your breath as you waited for him to answer.

"y/n." You straightened. "you're tired, you should go to bed."

"B-but, Master Orange-!"

"y/n." Your Master had a stern but pained look on his face. "goodnight."

You reeled back, hurt by his sudden words. When your Master stood firm, not giving you any ground, you ducked your head.

"Goodnight... Master Orange..." You grabbed the edges of your skirt to keep from shaking. It seemed no matter what you do, Master Orange was determined to keep avoiding you. Why couldn't he just be open and honest with you, like you were trying to be with him? Why did he have to keep so many things to himself? All you wanted was to ease his pain... Maybe grow to understand him more, but he just wouldn't let you in! It'd be frustrating if it wasn't so very sad...

Suddenly, you felt the light clacking of bone on your forehead. Your eyes widened as you looked up at your tall Master. "sweet dreams, y/n."

Sweet dreams your arse.

But before you could express your irritation, he was gone. And you were left alone.

You hugged your broom. What could possibly be going on in his mind right at that moment? Were you too forward? Were you not open enough? You didn't understand, but you wanted to! You wanted to so bad, but it was as if he wouldn't let you!

You exhaled. Man, you really were tired.

---

The next day went on as if nothing happened. It was unsettling to you and it felt like you were missing something. Like as if a war was going on, and then the next day everyone was back home acting like nothing happened. All of your other Master ignored his reappearance other than Master Blue, who jumped happily in his arms once he came down stairs for breakfast.

You and Master Orange talked normally to each other, once again as if nothing happened. The first time, you were a little bit stiff and unsure, but then his casual carefree tone changed that quickly. Of course, you tried many times to guide the conversation to what happened the night before or why he left, but Master Orange seemed to have this expert ability of avoiding conversation topics he didn't like. A tendency that mildly annoyed you.

You exhaled as you dusted a vase. You didn't know why you dusted the vases, it's not like they'd last very long with Master Blue's puzzles.

"hey, dollface."

The shaky voice startled you out of your thoughts, you turned only to narrow your eyes.

"Master Red." You turned back, coldly.

You heard him swallow. You were still giving him a hard time for yesterday.

"j-just wonderin' if you could make me-!"

"What's that?" You shouted in a random direction. "Is that Master Sans calling? Oh, it's very important? Life or death? Well, I can't miss that! Sorry Master Red, you'll have to save it for later."

"come on, dollface!" Master Red expressed, exaggeratedly. "when are you gonna let it go, it was forever ago!"

"It was yesterday."

"whateva!" Master Red rubbed in between his eyesockets. "look, i already said i was sorry, why are you being so difficult?"

Your eyes narrowed, "Because I'm not the one who needs your apologies, Master Red."

"ya can't be serious."

"Apologize to Master Papyrus." You said firmly. "You were really mean to him yesterday!"

Master Red crossed his arms. "nothin' he couldn't handle."

"He started crying!"

"it was good for him!" Master Red bit back. "the boy needed somethin' to toughen him up!"

"You were being a bully."

"what are we, five?" He laughed. "come on, people's feelings get hurt, it's apart of life! get over it."

"Oh, well. Since you said, 'get over it', now everything's changed."

"cut it with the sarcasm, doll." He growled. "i've already said it's not funny."

"You know what else isn't funny?" You felt your anger rise. "Being a jerk to someone for 'laughs'. Breaking them down just to make yourself feel bigger. It's not funny, and instead it's cruel. But it's obvious that you see things a little differently, don't you?"

Master Red's eyelights burned red. "yes. i do. i see that you and that blubbering mess of a monster are too soft and sensitive to even live in the real world without getting your 'feelings' hurt."

"Well." You straightened. "I guess that shows what kind of monster you are, then."

A shadow fell over Master Red's face and he said no more. You turned to get back to your dusting, but were startled when you felt an iron grip on your wrist.

"low blow, sweetheart."

Before you could even question what he was doing, you were being dragged across the hall by him.

"What are you-?!"

You were silenced by Master Red throwing you onto the floor in one of the spare guest rooms. To your surprise, Master Papyrus and Master Sans were in there as well, apparently playing some kind of board game you've never heard of. The moment you hit the floor with a loud thud, Master Sans and Master Papyrus turned to you.

"red-?"

"i'm sorry, papyrus." Master Red crossed his arms, and turned away from the two of them.

"UHM...?" Master Papyrus scratched the back of his head. "SORRY, WHAT?"

"i said, i'm sorry, you-!" Master Red stopped himself when he saw Master Sans dangerously glare at him. "-uh, tall being, you."

You had to stifle a laugh, and Master Red kicked you for it.

"i'm sorry for being a jerk yesterday, good?" Master Red didn't even let Master Papyrus answer. "good."

And with that, he walked out. Saying nothing else. His apology maybe was half-baked, but at least he did it.

"WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT?"

Master Sans lent you a hand, "are you alright, kid?"

Master Papyrus took your other hand, "HE WASN'T EXACTLY GENTLE WITH YOU!"

You lifted yourself up with one skeleton on each side before you brushed your skirt off. "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for your concern."

"IF YOU WANT, WE CAN BEAT HIM UP?"

You laughed, "You won't beat him up, Master."

"true, but we can passive aggressively not share our snacks if that will help."

You beamed at the two of them, causing them to lighten up. "Thanks, but I think I'll confront him myself."

The two brothers exchanged looks of worry, but you smiled reassuringly.

"Don't worry, it's not what you think."

You left the room after a quick curtsey to go find your short and irritated Master. You swiftly rushed down the hall, next to the grumping and stomping skeleton only to offer a smile. He ignored you.

"Master Red." You walked next to him.

"whadya want?" He didn't even look at you, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"You said you wanted me to make something for you?"

He stopped, before looking at you to check if you were being sarcastic. When he saw that you weren't, he turned his head to hide his facial expression. Regardless, you couldn't help but notice the small pink tint at the corners of his cheekbones. "i'm starved. make me something."

---

You finished slicing the tomatoes, before setting it on the three grilled cheeseburgers.

"-and so then he said, 'Hey, that's my pair of shoes you're nailing to that wall!' me and grillby had to stop and ask, 'wait, these are your shoes?'." Master Red said, finishing his story.

You had to stifle a laugh, but that didn't stop the short snort that escaped you. "Pfft, wait what? I thought those were Maryann's shoes!"

Master Red seemed to glow at your reaction, "that's what we thought. who knew the guy had such feminine taste."

This time, you actually laughed as he shrugged. "Haha, oh my gosh! What happened next?"

"well, what do ya think?"

"You kindly gave his shoes back and explained why the lama was in the room?"

Master Red guffawed. "haha, nope! i threw the record player at him and grillby set the lama on fire as a distraction, then we made our escape."

You couldn't stop yourself from grabbing your stomach with loud, energetic laughter. Master Red beamed at the attention.

"heheh, last time i try to rob a bank." His smile stretched from ear to ear. If he had ears.

"Hahahahah! Oh my goodness!" You wiped the tears from your eyes as you handed him his platter.

"hehehhe, finally." Master Red pulled the plate closer to himself. "what took you so long? distracted by something?"

You leaned on the counter, your expression still light with amusement. "Maybe it was the tiny umbrella rain that dissuaded me, haha!"

"heheh, maybe." Master Red played with his drink a bit, a dim blush across his face as he looked into your eyes. He looked down, causing you to tilt your head as the smile softened on his face. "you know, sweetheart-"

"hey, guys."

Your expression immediately perked up as you noticed Master Orange enter the room. You stood up straight, your attention brought back to your complicated Master and the melancholy, prior events.

"M-master Orange." You greeted.

Master Red seemed to notice your change in tone, but he didn't comment on it, instead settling for staring daggers into Master Orange.

"what's up?" Master Orange leisurely made his way to the counter, taking a seat next to Master Red. For whatever reason, Master Red didn't seem to like that.

"Master Red was just telling me-"

"-to make me a snack." Master Red finished for you. "i was a little hungry, and sweet, darling y/n here was happy to oblige."

Master Orange eyed the three hamburgers, "a little hungry?"

You almost jumped when the counter cracked underneath Master Red's claws. But neither Master Red nor Master Orange payed any attention to it as lightning cackled between their eye lights. You really hoped you wouldn't be the one installing the new countertop.

"...i skipped lunch." Master Red lied, his teeth grating.

"sure, you did." Master Orange said, smugly.

This was where you decided to intervene before Master Red tries to tear Master Orange's skull off. "So, Master Orange? Were you hungry?"

"no, not particularly." Master Orange commented, "i was just following the sounds of bad pickup lines and quick rejection."

Where did this sudden tension even come from?

"ha! must losing your hearing, honey." Master Red cooed, "all that echoed in here was laughter."

Master Orange's expressions faltered just slightly, but he kept his poker face. "hmm?"

"i like to think it's my charming personality, or maybe it's just that y/n likes me so much?"

You could feel Master Orange's temper rising, so you decided to stop this unprovoked conflict before it got even worse.

"Okay, I have no idea where this strange hostility is coming from, but I'm going to save the other kitchenware from being destroyed." You grabbed Master Orange by the sleeve and began dragging him out of the room.

"wait, y/n-!" But Master Orange's protests were left on deaf ears.

"Enjoy your meal, Master Red." You called back, but were left disappointed when you noticed how much darker Master Red's mood was compared to before Master Orange came in. Master Red just waved you off and returned to his food.

Letting go a sigh, you finished pulling Master Orange out of the kitchen and to a distant room away from Master Red. When you were done, you pushed Master Orange onto the couch, interrupting the quiet room with a soft pfff.

"y/n, what-?"

"We need to talk." You stated firmly, putting your hands on your hips.

Master Orange scratched the back of his head, looking away from you. "i don't..."

"No more 'i don't's, no more changing the subject, no more harsh orders in an attempt to avoid me!" You pleaded. "Master Orange, we need to talk about what happened last night, why you were gone, and what happened... all those nights before..."

Master Orange stood up, not daring to look at you. "i have to go-!"

You pushed him back down on the couch.

"wha-?!"

But before he could voice anymore of his outrage, you sat down on his lap, silencing him immediately with a bright orange flush.

Grabbing the ends of his shirt, you felt your cheeks heat up with anger as you took a deep breath in and almost yelled, "I'm not trying to smooch Grillby! I'm not trying to smooch ANYBODY! I was trying to get Grillby to smooch this spider lady who was practically made for him, and you had to turn into a jealous egg for NO REASON!"

Master Orange stuttered, "w.... wait, what?"

"And now you're still acting weird and tense around me for NO REASON, once again! Can you just normal up?!"

"m-me normal up?! how about you!" He bit back, "you're the one that practically flings yourself at every guy you walk past! all smiley and cute, it's like you don't even know you're flirting with them!"

"I do not!" You hissed.

"of course you don't! because everything's rainbows and sunshine for ms. i-love-everyone-and-everyone-loves-me!" Master Orange rolled his eyes.

"Oh yeah, everything's rainbows and sunshine for the practical SLAVE in this household! Nothing like catering to the whims of six adult men to bring in the happiness in life!"

He growled at you, "you know that's not what i meant!"

"No, I don't!" You fume, "Because you don't tell me anything! You keep everything all bottled up and hidden as if hiding is going to make the situation go away! Well, it's not! It just explodes like it is now!"

"it is not exploding now!"

"Yes, it is!"

Master Orange grabbed your waist, "no it's not! you started this! this is your problem!"

"Yeah, my problem I have with you!" You bite back, "You made me go to bed when all I wanted was to understand you better and open up to you! Why can't you do the same for me?!"

"because then crap like this happens!"

"Well, congratulations! The crap has not been avoided! Here's your flippin' award!" You started whacking his shoulder, but your weak attacks were easily stopped by his strong grip. "Let go!"

"stop hitting me!"

"Then stop being a jerk!"

"dangit, y/n!" In one swift moment, Master Orange was on top of you, your wrists pinned behind you and against the couch. Your breath escaped you, but you didn't let up your struggle. "i've been trying to go back to the way things were before, why are you making things so difficult!"

"Because we can't go back to the way things were before!" You said, exhaustively. "You shared something special to you with me, and then you disappeared! You can't just come back and pretend like it was never there in the first place!"

Master Orange seemed to be at a loss for words as he slightly shifted above you.

"Master Orange, I love you too! Even if it's not in the way you'd like me to!"

Master Orange turned away from you, a mix of anger and agony crossing his features, "don't say things so cruel."

You shook your head, fighting back tears, "I know it hurts and I know it's unfair, but that's the truth! I care for you deeply, and I hate seeing you in so much pain! So please... just talk to me. Tell me why you left. I can't stand seeing you pretend you're okay."

Master Orange looked to you with a pained expression, his true feelings opening up. He rested his forehead against yours and sighed. "...how could i face you after what i said... after what i made you say..."

Feeling the grip loosen on your wrists, you pulled away from his hands and wrapped your arms around his vertebrae. "I wasn't mad..."

"that's not the problem, the problem was that i made you lie to me! to feed my own sick fantasies!" He moved to the crook of your neck, wrapping his arms around your waist once more. "how am i supposed to face you after that? how was i supposed to know you weren't going to be repulsed by me?"

"It wasn't like that..." You said.

"i just wanted to erase that night..." Master Orange started to shake. "i just wanted to go back to before... you growing apart from me was better than you growing disgusted by me..."

You pulled him up so that you were facing him, "I would never judge you like that. No matter what you did to me."

Master Orange's eye sockets widened.

"There may be times that you do something wrong, but that doesn't change how much I care about you. You are more important to me than that. Even if you arrived with a clown mask asking me to 'ride you round like a merry go round', I still wouldn't judge you like that."

Master Orange stifled a laugh, "hrk-! oh my stars!"

"Kinkshame you? Yes." You smiled at his laughter, "But be so disgusted with you that I'd leave you? No! Master Orange, I don't believe you realize how much I enjoy being around you! I'd miss your company, your writing, your awful awful jokes, and you. I'd miss you. Because you're important to me."

"y/n..." Master Orange's eyelights softened as he gazed into your own. He softly took your hair in his hand, before he collapsed on top of you, hugging you close. "y-you're important to me, too."

"Yeah, I guessed."

"too soon."

"Sorry!" You held back more laughter, before you embraced him back. "I just want you to feel better..."

Sitting up, Master Orange pulled you up with him until you were sitting back on his lap.

"i am." He kissed your forehead, this time softer than the night before. "thank you, y/n."

"All in a day's work." You kissed his in return.

These skeletons maybe hard work, but sometimes, when you received an award like the smile Master Orange was wearing, it was worth it.