Yesterday was a very strange day. All of your Masters were acting weird. Well, they were all already acting weird because you called them all out on their crap when you were in the attic save for Master Papyrus, but now they were even more evasive and awkward —and now it included Master Papyrus—. It made it pretty much impossible to hold a normal conversation with any of them, but at least that gave you some time for cleaning. Luckily and surprisingly, Master Sans was the only one that wasn't treating you like you had some obscure and life threatening disease that you just didn't know about it.

...

Nah, that couldn't be it. You'd notice something like that...

Right?

...

You pushed your inward anxiety aside and continued on with your thoughts. You had spent the time you would usually use watching Master Blue or Master Papyrus explain puzzles or performing some arcane task for Master Black or warding off Master Red, lightly chatting with Master Sans. You actually rather enjoyed it along with your casual talks. It was reassuring in a sense. Especially when all of your other Masters were keeping their distance.

In fact, all this distance started after you returned from the best trip to the Monster Village you ever had. Mmmmmm, speaking of that trip...

You had gone in with literally nothing but the clothes on your back, and you were so surprised by the hospitality and mercy your received by everyone! Apparently, you were well respected considering you basically babysit six skeletons, four of which that were very entitled. And you were well liked considering you keep a lot of the monsters in business with your frequent grocery trips. Whatever the reasons, you were just happy to be around people that you weren't working for. Everyone was so kind. You got to chat with lovely people, try on a beautiful dress, and the innkeeper even let you stay at the inn if you cleaned the rooms up a bit! Though, the real highlight of the day was your exchange with a certain gentlemanly bartender.

You always liked Grillby. He was a perfect gentleman, quiet but genuine, and intelligent. Your conversations with him were always a delight, though he didn't say much. You two had actually gotten to know eachother well over all the pick-up orders you had to make for three of your tasteful Masters. You'd actually be lying if you said you didn't have the slightest crush on him earlier on in your relationship. But that immediately flew out the window when you learned about a certain coquettish spider girl that wouldn't stop bothering him. At first, whenever he told stories of her, he had seemed agitated by her relentless teasing. Then his flames starting growing a little brighter and a little bigger as he griped about her.

Needless to say, you were getting these two together. But unfortunately, as much as the spider girl was 'vexatious' —as Grillby put it— she was elusive. Grillby hadn't ever been able to get a name out of the girl, and you hadn't even seen her before! But if a hiccup like that ever stopped you before, you wouldn't be working for six capricious skeletons. You had urged Grillby to give you his number the day before yesterday in hopes of keeping in contact with him for your efforts. He grew a brighter at that and said he thought your ideas were frivolous. He gave you his number and a free plate of food, anyway.

And it looked delicious too! Until the universe decided it hated you and destroyed the plate. But whatever that was was a mystery you didn't care to solve.

Though, now that you did have Grillby's number, you realized you had no way to contact him anyway. You didn't have a phone. Maybe you could borrow one of your Masters' phone if you told them it was for the sake Grillby's love life, certainly they'd understand that way? You pulled out the number from your apron's pocket and looked at it. How were you even going to find this spider girl? You only ever were around skeletons, never spiders! Maybe next time you get sent to the Monster Village, you could ask around...

"hey, kid." You turned. To your surprise, it wasn't Master Sans, but Master Orange seaking. "whatcha upto?"

"Nothing important." You lied as you stuffed the number into your pocket. By the expression on his face as he looked at your hands, you knew he didn't believe you. But you didn't want him to know about your extracurricular activities. At least, not when he might command you to focus on work and not intervene in somebody else's love life. What could you say, you liked playing the ultimate wingwoman. "What are you upto, Master Orange?"

A strange expression crossed Master Orange's face as you tried to change the subject off of you, but as soon as it was there, it was gone. "just wonderin' about you. you've been a bit distant, lately."

You were distant? Says the one of the skeletons that have been avoiding you like the plague. "My apologies, Master Orange. I haven't been meaning to act distant, I just haven't encountered any of you recently. I actually have this sneaking suspicion that most of you have been avoiding me."

"avoiding you?" He asked, his ability to act incredible. But you knew him better than that. "why would we do that?"

Guilt, maybe? "That's what I've been asking." You continued your sweeping, but Master Orange didn't seem to want to leave you alone. A strange sudden change in demeanor, considering his previous distance he tried to keep. "Do you need something, Master."

"you know..." Master Orange leaned on the surface behind him. "you're not allowed to contact anyone outside of us, right?"

Drat! He was uncannily perceptive, as usual! But you weren't going to be stopped by such thinly veiled attempts at subtlety. "I have a feeling you're referring to something, but I don't have the faintest clue as to what."

"don't lie."

"Okay, I have the faintest clue, but I'm choosing to ignore it." You turned your head away from him, irritated by his forwardness. How rude could he get! And invasive too!

Master Orange seemed irked by your words. "excuse me?"

"Master Orange, I had just gone through this whole 'privacy' thing with Master Sans and I don't want to go through it with you as well." You said simply, crossing your arms.

He stepped forward, "are you implying something, y/n?" His voice was strained, as if he was withholding anger.

You are not going through this again, "Yes. And it's, 'mind your own business'."

Master Orange's expression darkened, and you realized maybe you took it a little too far. Too little time had been spent with your Masters this past week, causing you to be a lot too casual with them.

"Uhm, I mean 'please, mind your own business'?"

"wrong answer."

"I mean 'sorry, Master Orange'?"

Master Orange's head tilted to the side, "you're acting particularly brattish today."

And just like that, your self-awareness was thrown out the window and you were back to being irritated, "Brattish? I'm not a child, Master."

"really? because you're acting like one."

"And you're acting like Master Black or Red." You bit back.

"why?" He grumbled, "because i'm annoyed with you? surprise! i have feelings!"

"No, because you grow angry out of nowhere and then insult me because I'm a little out of line!" You felt your face heat up. You were ready for a fight, and you'd be prepared to serve out some salt! "Why don't you talk to me like a mature adult and tell me why you're angry?"

One expression from Master Orange dissolved your anger in a second as his features softened. Then he looked down, sinking deeper into his hoodie. "...ah...sorry kid. i'm just- ... a little on edge."

Your voice was as soft as your feelings, "No no, you're fine. I'm sorry for snapping back at you, Master."

Your words seemed to pull a bashful smile from Master Orange. "you're good."

"Can I ask what's got you agitated, Master?" You put your hands to your chest in worry.

"... it's nothing important." You couldn't help but feel like the karma was intentional, but you didn't pay any mind to it.

"Very well, Master." You picked your broom back up.

"but i have been wondering..." Master Orange went back to leaning on the surface behind him. "what's on your mind lately?"

You pondered this as you thought of the right way to approach this. "Master Orange, do you know any spider monsters?"

Master Orange choked on air. "uh, what? why?"

You shrugged. "I want to know what they're like." This wasn't a lie.

"well..." Master Orange looked up, as if deep in thought. "you know muffet's a spider. you haven't met her, but i do mention her a bit. she's pretty cool. real calm type. she runs a bar like grillby, but her place is a little more classy in my opinion. "

That couldn't be your eccentric, travelling spider girl! Maybe a relative though... You wondered if you could get Master Orange to give you the address.

"though, i've had pretty good experiences with spiders. sans and red? not so much."

You tilted your head. "Really?"

"yeah." Master Orange shrugged. "you'll have to ask them, though. i don't know much about them."

"Ah..." You replied, deep in thought. You'd have to make a mental note to bring up that subject with Master Sans, and chase down Master Red if you can corner him with his recent elusiveness.

"you know, muffet's pretty great."

"By your description, I'm sure she is." You looked at Master Orange, who seemed to be shuffling a bit and avoiding your gaze.

"yeah, she's real nice." He glanced up to you. "a real pretty girl."

"Is that so?" Maybe this was the same spider girl, and she just opened up to the handsome fire monster. Oh, that would be really sweet! It only strengthened your determination to get them together!

"mmmhmmm." Master Orange subtly searched your expression a little. "she always treats me specially, because i go so often."

"That's lovely." You said, casually. "It's nice to see that she treats return customers so well."

"i don't think it was just because of that." Master Orange shrugged, "we're, uh, real close. she's always makin' me special honey and stuff."

"Mmmmm." You thought of the delicious drink. Your mouth began to water even just at the thought. "I remember vividly."

"yeah. she's reeeeeeaaaalllly somethin' else."

"Mmmhmm."

"a reeeeeeeeeaaalll lovely gal."

"She sure sounds like it."

"reeeeeeeaaaaallly attractive too."

"That's nice to know."

"yeah... i used to have a crush on her when i was younger."

"No!" You turned to him. You couldn't let Master Orange come in between Grillby's love life! Master Orange would end up broken hearted and it would just cause dramatic tension for Grillby and Muffet! Which is great in novels, but this was no piece of fiction.

The corners of Master Orange's mouth turned up. "no?"

"I-I mean..." You suddenly realized how brash you were being, "D-do you still have a crush on her?"

His smirk turned into a grin, "well, i mean, i'm not saying she isn't attractive..."

"You can't!" You grabbed the bottom of Master Orange's hoodie, "It's just-!" Argh! You couldn't just outright say he was getting in the way of a really cute couple, but how were you supposed to convey these feelings to him! You just settled for looking to the side, uncomfortably. "Nnng..."

But for whatever reason, that response seemed to make his day. His cheeks flushed a bright orange, but nothing could wipe the grin off of his face. "well, y/n?"

You didn't know why he was enjoying seeing you stumble over your words. Maybe he really was becoming more like Master Red or Master Black.

"You just can't, alright?" You exhaled, "It's kinda important to me. Is... Is that alright, Master?"

The corners of his mouth turned up even more. He leaned back, in false contemplation, "weeeelll, i don't know. it's hard giving up a crush just like that. maybe if i had something to distract me..."

"Like a sandwich?"

"no." He said, plainly, before bashfully looking to you. "like a kiss from a pretty girl."

Oh. You saw where this was going. And you weren't a fan. "Where are we going to find someone to do that?" You feigned ignorance.

Master Orange gawked at you, in shock over your pseudo-obliviousness. But you didn't really feel like giving him what he wanted. "i, uh, i don't know."

"Drat." You exhaled, "But don't worry, Master Orange. I'll find someone to distract you from your unrequited crush on Muffet. You can count on me as your maid and friend."

It was like those two words shot through Master Orange like an arrow. Good. That'll show him for trying to trick you into kissing him.

"thanks? i guess?"

You gave him a thumbs up, before leaving to go find Master Sans. Maybe he could shed a little insight on this spider-monster fiasco...

---

The knowledge you gained from Master Sans was rather insightful, surprisingly enough. When you brought up the conversation topic to your secretive Master, he seemed relieved you were finally asking a question that wasn't about him. Apparently, he knows a spider girl named Muffet as well. Though, she's not as calm and collective as Master Orange's Muffet —who you nicknamed Missulena, or Miss, to keep from confusion—. Master Sans did describe Muffet as being mischievous and tricky, which sounded much more like the spider girl Grillby was referring too rather than Miss.

When you finally cornered Master Red, he seemed grumpy over your questions regarding spiders. He told you he didn't like spiders, and he especially didn't like the ones that came from where he was from. Master Red ALSO knew a muffet —this one you nicknamed Black Widow, or Widow— but he referred to her with disdain and scorn. When you tried to press him for details about her, he just threatened you, saying that everything that came from where he was from was selfish and something to be avoided. He wouldn't talk to you after that ambiguous note.

So all signs pointed to Muffet over Miss and Widow, but how were you even supposed to find muffet? You only knew she sold pastries, like girl scouts or a bake sale, for fellow spiders. Maybe you would have to go to Miss and see if she knows. Though you were curious about Widow, you thought it would be wise to not seek her out. But then, how were you going to find Miss? You could always ask Master Orange... But he might get suspicious over your intentions. You bet that if you asked around a bit, maybe some of the monsters in the monster village knew of her?

You pulled out Grillby's number again. First thing's first, though. You should try relentlessly interrogating Grillby with a bombardment of questions to get as much out of him as possible. And then, you can give him the update of what you learned so far. Maybe the name Muffet will ring a few bells for him? But how to call him...

Suddenly, number was taken from your hands before you could even react.

"grillby, hmm?"

"H-hey!" You turned around to face the culprit, your eyes landing on Master Orange's tall frame. Where did he even come from? You thought he and all the others were avoiding you, and yet here he is, appearing out of nowhere to be an egg! "Master Orange!"

"didn't know he was your type." Despite his efforts to make it sound teasing, Master Orange's voice sounded a little too cold for your tastes.

"It's not like that." You burned, annoyed at his immediate jump in conclusions. You tried to snatch the paper back, but he swiped it away in the knick of time. "Give it back!"

"why?" Master Orange twitched, "is it important to you?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, it is." You said, reaching for it. But to no avail, he held it just above your head, mockingly. "So please, Master, give it back!"

"if you can take it from me."

You stopped trying to take it back, realizing what he was doing. "You know I can't do that!" You stomped, feeling heat rise to your cheeks. "You're being very rude."

"oh, i'm sorry." Master Orange said with faux concern. "i forget how easily offended children can get."

Ugh! What was his deal!? "Can you just give it back now, please?" You growled.

"hmm?" He inspected the paper as if contemplating something. "you want this back?"

"Yes!" You said, exasperated.

"i don't know, you didn't ask very nicely."

You gaped at him. You couldn't believe it! He wanted you to beg! You'd expect this from Master Red and Master Black, but him? You almost believed he was secretly Purple, if it hadn't been for the gold tooth Purple had!

"You want me to beg?" You said, incredulously.

He shrugged, but you could feel the tensity in his shoulders. "if that's what it takes."

"I already said please, so just give it back now." You almost hissed.

"getting colder."

You were fuming. "Gah! Why are you acting like such a jerk?"

"colder." His voice was getting colder.

You, on the other hand, were heating up. "I probably would've had better chances with Master Red!"

"colder."

"Because at least he doesn't get irrationally jealous over nothing!"

Master Orange twitched. "and it's gone." He tore the sheet of paper into microscopic pieces as you were helpless to watch.

Your heart sank. Why was it whenever you were enjoying something, one of your Masters had to come and ruin it? You let your expression fall, before your head fell with it.

This seemed to catch the attention of your Master, his conniption washing away with your change in attitude. "you're... you're not even supposed to contact people outside of us, anyway." His excuse was as weak as his tone.

You turned around, solemnly, before Master Orange grabbed your arm.

"hey, don't leave, i-!"

"I don't want to talk to you, right now." You said, brushing him off.

He stuttered at you words, and you took that as an opportunity to escape.

---

You exhaled. What a sucky day. You still barely knew enough about Muffet, nothing that could help you find her. You lost Grillby's number, because you were 90% sure skeletons were just there to ruin your life. All of your Masters save for Master Sans were avoiding you, but that one was actually a good thing save for Master Papyrus. And you still didn't know why you kept finding trenchcoats and sunglasses littered across the mansion!

By the time you had finished making sure everyone was in bed, all the dishes were done, and everything was ready for tomorrow, you were ready to fall into a coma.

You yawned as you entered the kitchen. Maybe a small little snack before bed would be nice. Master Black hadn't eaten all of his desert and demanded for you to 'SAVE IT FOR LATER!' But why save it for later, when you could pretend a hawk came in and stole it? The look on his face might be reward enough...

There was a single candle in the kitchen, still lit. The thick scent of honey and alcoholic cider filled the air. Bottles were lying everywhere. You couldn't control yourself when you checked every honey bottle to see if there was any left. There wasn't.

Nobody was in the kitchen. It would've been very easy to just ignore it and go to bed, but you couldn't help feeling worry over your tall and complicated Master, even if he was a jerk.

After collecting the bottles and tossing them into the trash, you turned around and began your search for Master Orange.

You rather liked the mansion when it was night time. Unfortunately, because of the lack of sleep you would get, you don't spend a lot of time upstairs at night. Your time spent awake when you'd await the return of Master Black on his 'errands' was always spent down stairs, for fear of him returning and you not hearing it. But the few times you get to spend time upstairs after all of your Masters fall asleep were always very serene and calming despite the loneliness.

Though, for whatever reason, you didn't feel very lonely while upstairs this time around.

You didn't like it.

You decided to ignore the feeling, and continued searching for Master Orange. Finally, you came upon a room whose door was open just a crack. You tentatively opened the door and whispered, "Master Orange?"

It was dark in the spare room, the only light coming from the waxing moon through the window. Master Orange groaned at the sound of your voice, his breaths heavy with intoxication. The smell of honey was rich.

You exhaled, "You're drunk." What was with people getting drunk in this house left and right? You should really start regulating the condiments in this house.

Master Orange was laying across the coffee table, looking at his hands directly above his head. He wasn't wearing his hoodie, but instead your greatest weakness, a black tank top. You had to admit, his figure looked strangely elegant with his back straightened against the surface, but that didn't stop you from finding his choice of resting place very weird. He didn't even acknowledge you.

You came to his side, "Come on, Master Orange. Let's get you to bed."

The drunken glow illuminating from his cheeks was nothing compared to the piercing orange from his eyelights as they lazily rolled over to your figure.

He groaned again.

"It's heartwarming to see you so happy to see me." You said flatly as you tried to pull him up. "Now, come on. It's too late for this."

Master Orange made no effort to move, making it impossible to move him.

Why couldn't anything be easy for you?

"Must you be so difficult, Master?" You sighed.

Suddenly and swiftly, Master Orange sat up, the moonlight painting his spine and ribs. "why does everything have to be so difficult.... so difficult... so..."

Ho boy, looks like it was going to be those nights. You lightly placed your hand on his, hoping to guide him back to reality. But instead, he just ended up clasping your hand in his.

"why do you have to be so difficult?" The smell of honey only thickened when he turned toward you.

"I'm sorry." You replied, simply.

"don't be sorry, be open!" He was fully facing you now. "be receptive! be mine! ... mine..."

"..." You tried to take your hand back, but he wasn't having any of that.

"i... i don't know what more i can do for you?" Master Orange was more talking to himself now. "i'm so obvious, and yet you stay oblivious and dense! do you not realize how hard it is to say 'i love you'?"

You felt a little guilty that you had feigned ignorance earlier that day. You didn't realize you affected him so much.

"i-i just..." Master Orange's breaths were gaining weight, as if he was getting physically exhausted by explaining this to you. "i just don't know what to do with you. i try so hard, and yet it just feels like you're getting farther and farther and farther and farther away from me... you're slipping through my fingers like honey... sweet... smooth... and gone." He ran his phalanges through your hair, letting it fall through his fingers.

"Master Orange..." You said sympathetically.

"is it because you don't like me anymore?"

"Of course, not!" You replied, immediately. But he ignored you.

"is it because i get jealous?" His voice grew low and deep. "is it because others keep taking you for themselves?"

You almost flinched at this, and he noticed.

"i'm sorry..." Master Orange's skull fell, looking to the ground. "i can't help it... i know i sound creepy and possessive and like a crappy romance novel villain, but i can't help it. i can't help it... i can't..."

"I..." You didn't know how to respond.

"i don't want to be... i want you to like me. to feel safe around me. to love me... to..." He looked to you with desperation. "is it because you don't think i'll treat you well?"

"I don't-"

"because i would." Master Orange pulled your hand to his face as he nuzzled it. "i would treat you like a queen. i'd hug you lots, i'd kiss you lots, and i'd cuddle with you lots. i'd buy you anything you wanted, anything you asked for. i'd spoil you rotten until you couldn't help but love me."

For a moment, you could see the uncanny resemblance between Master Orange and his brother. "That's not... That's not what I want."

"then what is?" He grabbed both your hands now, "anything, anything, anything you ask! it's yours!"

"What I want doesn't come with a pricetag, Master Orange." You're expression softened. "As easy as we wish it could be, love can't be bought."

The agony on Master Orange's face was heartbreaking. "i know.... i know.... know... i just-... i'm left so desperate... and you just keep moving farther... and farther.... and f a r t h e r ......" Suddenly, Master Orange was on his knees in front of you, hugging your waist. Even on his knees, he was tall enough to pull his head against your chest. "why don't you love me?"

"I do... Just not in the way you want me too..." You had to glance away.

"lie to me. please. please just tell me you love me. please. ple-"

You couldn't stand to listen to him beg. You bent down to his level and looked into his eyelights. "I-I... I love you, Master Orange."

Orange tears started to form in his eyes, as his expression was one of awe. "truly? as i love you?"

"Truly."

Master Orange embraced you, stuttering out 'i love you's and 'i'm so happy's over and over and over and over again until they started to die out. Finally, after you started to hear soft snoring, you lifted him up and took him back to his room. You knew he was going to be tired in the morning, so you decided it would probably be best to let him sleep in. You set him down in his bed, and left the room.

When you closed the door, you leaned against it and sighed.

With any luck, he wouldn't remember any of what happened to night. But something told you that you weren't very lucky.