Chapter Text
Lux shivered on the corner of a cold, dark street on the monster side of Ebott City. The walk here from his apartment had taken an hour. The weather on the Surface was more intense than the magically driven elements in the Underground. Even though Lux had lived in Snowdin for years, the chill of winter bit into his bones. His little black dress wasn’t strictly appropriate for the weather either, but Lux needed to look and feel his best if he wanted to pull off his plan.
That’s why he waited several days until the end of the week to make his move. It would’ve been too desperate to throw himself at Carmine the day after they met while looking a mess. His encounter with Antony had really taken it out of him. The chronic pain caused by his excess magic flared due to the stress. His wrist still wasn’t totally healed, but Lux couldn’t wait any longer.
Across the street was a small row of businesses. Only one was open - GrillBz. The bar was brightly illuminated from the inside and monsters cast dark silhouettes on its windows. A few inebriated patrons stumbled out the front doors pushed from behind by an achingly familiar fire elemental. The monsters groused and moaned at Grillby, but the bartender just crossed his arms and glared silently until they slunk away.
Lux covered his mouth, stifling a gasp. For some reason, he hadn’t let himself consider this very likely possibility. Probably because he would’ve hesitated if conning Carmine also meant meeting the alternates of the friends he had left behind.
Of course Grillby would be here - just not his Grillby. Lux knew this wasn’t his former flame, but Stars it hurt to see this alternate version of his former lover looking so vibrant and full of life, not suffering from the side effects of the injection. There were obvious differences. His Grillby’s flames were neon orange and this monster burned black. Somehow he still cast light like a halo in the dark.
Lux missed him. He could still remember what it felt like to be embraced by those hot flames. The memory didn’t bring any warmth with it though.
All the bravado Lux had gathered around himself melted away, leaving him even colder than before. It wasn’t fair. Back home their futures hadn’t been bright. They had still been trapped in the Underground.
Despite that there had still been hope, love, and community. Except it was all twisted to an evil purpose beyond their control. So Lux did what needed to be done. He saved Poppy’s life but that meant they left everything else behind.
Lux and Poppy had stayed away from other monsters in this new world to protect the secret of their origin. The distance had also allowed Lux a chance to forget everyone that they would never see again. Except, in an instant, the previous year he spent in hiding from his loss was wiped away. The denial was gone, replaced with grief that he didn’t know what to do with.
The bartender didn’t notice the skeleton watching him across the street. Once the drunk monsters completely disappeared from view, Grillby shook his head and went back inside. Lux was once more left alone on the outside looking in.
Lux shook himself, allowing the sadness to sink deep within his soul so that none of it appeared on his face. He needed to focus on the future, not the past. This was his last chance to save himself and Poppy. None of his feelings could get in the way of that.
Carmine was the only monster who Lux could afford to care about tonight. He was Lux’s ticket to freedom. All Lux had to do was seduce Carmine so deeply that he wouldn’t think twice about giving Lux a mountain of gold or notice a few valuable items going missing while they established their relationship.
Lux took a deep breath and stretched his neck. Tension faded away on his exhale, leaving his body relaxed and ready. It was no different than getting prepared for a show.
His pink heels clicked confidently as he walked towards the bar. Lux’s phalanges were steady as he opened the door. No matter how familiar the monsters inside might appear; they were just strangers with unknown motives, an audience like any other. This was a performance and he would act like his life depended on it.
Passing through the doorway felt like stepping out of the machine again. On the other side was a new place that was strangely recognizable. The bar was lit with glow globes as much of Ebott City was. The light they emitted was usually cold, the magic oddly sanitized – all intent removed. The globes were a human invention so it only made sense. However, the light of these globes was warm and the magical energy that powered them welcomed Lux inside.
It was nothing like the dance club that Lux used to spend his nights at, sometimes on stage and others on the floor. The thrumming beat of the bass and flashing lights felt more like home than his and Poppy’s lonely house at the edge of town. Somehow this bar from a universe away also eased Lux’s soul.
The booths, tables, and bar were full of monsters. The energy was lively, most of the customers engaged in conversation and a jukebox emitted tinny melodies. Lux was thankful that he didn’t see any more of his friends’ alternates. Although nobody was making a fuss yet, Lux’s presence was drawing attention. Some of it was the usual flush of arousal, other eyes lingered on him with suspicious curiosity.
It felt like he was in the spotlight. That was where he liked to be. Lux put on his most sultry smile and slinked up to the bar.
Lux leaned against it and made eye contact with Grillby. His soul trembled in his chest, but his smile was fixed in place. The bartender did not outwardly react to Lux’s appearance, besides for a nod of acknowledgment. He couldn’t immediately come over since he was in the middle of preparing some drinks. So Lux had the opportunity to look his fill.
The longer he stared, the less this monster resembled the one he had known. His torso was completely covered in a dark blue button-down shirt and an immaculately white vest. There was no mesh, no tight jeans, and no flirty belts or zippers anywhere on his person. This Grillby’s body language was languid, but had none of the sense of rhythm that Lux remembered.
The revelation was bittersweet. This really wasn’t his Grillby and although he was attractive, Lux didn’t feel the same pull towards him. Given Grillby’s ability to continue on with serving other customers and the lack of come-ons from the other bar patrons, Lux knew that his condition wouldn’t impact them. Up to this point he had only theorized that the pheromone-like magic his soul radiated as a result of the injection would not affect the monsters of this world. Since they were not injected with the same serum, there was nothing for the unnatural arousal magic to “pull on” in the others’ souls.
It was a relief that Lux wouldn’t have to navigate a bunch of horny monsters in addition to seducing Carmine. Lux did wonder about why Carmine had reacted so strongly to him given this new information. Maybe there was something different about Carmine that allowed him to feel the draw of Lux’s artificially aroused soul.
Grillby finally made his way back around to Lux. His glasses glinted as he gestured to the wall of booze behind the bar, inviting the skeleton to order a drink. Most of it looked much more expensive than what Lux was used to. Lux had never been in a bar so classy or free of dubiously sticky surfaces.
“Nothing for me, Hot Stuff.” Lux simpered.
The flirtatious tone was an unintentional reflex. Lux winced. Grillby quirked a fiery eyebrow in what could either be amusement or derision. It was difficult for Lux to read him. His intimacy with his own Grillby made him second guess if he was truly interpreting the monster in front of him or half remembering his old friend.
Lux swallowed down the awkwardness. Instead of retreating, he leaned over the bar and crooked a finger at the bartender. It was an invitation to get closer so that Lux could whisper in his metaphorical ear. Grillby stood still for a moment before inclining his head obligingly.
Lux’s eyelights drifted down Grillby’s body, another habit he’d have to get over. Lux always liked to appreciate his lovers’ bodies and to let them know it. Except that Lux’s gaze faltered when he saw a gun tucked behind the bar.
Guns were human weapons. They didn’t belong near monsters. A bullet was almost a guaranteed death blow for them. Lux didn’t know anything about guns, but he could tell the barrel had been sawed short. Why would Grillby have a weapon like this near to hand?
It had never been more obvious how different this place was from his home universe. His soul pulsed nervously. The quiet crackle of Grillby’s flames kept him grounded, but Lux couldn’t take his eyelights off the gun. He was out of his depth, getting involved with Carmine might be a horrible mistake.
But better a shark he could lead around by the nose, than one that was eager to take a bite out of him and his brother.
“I’m looking for Carmine. He said I should ask here.” Lux murmured. Grillby pulled back.
“You’re in the right place.” He hissed through a flaming mouth, voice quiet but clear. Then he pointed over Lux’s shoulder towards a darker corner of the bar.
Lux turned around and there he was. Carmine was sitting at a table tucked into the far back corner of the bar with a group of monsters playing cards. A single red velvet rope marked the spot as a VIP area.
The other skeleton hadn’t noticed Lux yet. He was smoking a cigar, whiskey near to hand, and laughing so hard it looked like he would bust a gut if he had one. His deep red eyelights rolled upwards as he regaled his card partners with a story.
Now that Carmine was pointed out, Lux couldn’t believe that he hadn’t immediately spotted him. His focus on approaching the bar kept him from noticing the table that was apart from the rest. Carmine looked different here, like he was in his element. Even from across the room Lux was drawn in by his magnetic charm.
The skeleton Lux had seen across the sea of tables at the human lounge was worn down, well on the way to getting sloshed. Then in the alley he was arrogant and spoiling for a fight. The magic that billowed off his bones was intimidating. It all had made Lux wet with want.
When Carmine tried to convince Lux to meet again, he sounded resigned even as he begged. Like he already knew that asking for what he wanted would be pointless. He’d looked so dejected as Lux gave him a last look over his shoulder before shortcutting away.
“Pok’er? I barely know her!” Carmine guffawed and slammed his hand of cards on the table before pulling his winnings towards him.
All the other monsters around him groaned, either at the joke or their losses. But Lux couldn’t help chuckling. He was a sucker for a bad sex joke.
A clink of glasses on the bar top drew Lux’s attention back to Grillby. A tumbler full of mellow brown whiskey and a pretty red cocktail served in a sugar rimmed martini glass were placed in front of him. The bartender gestured for Lux to take them.
Lux flushed in embarrassment. “It’s not that I wouldn’t like to, but I don’t have any gold to pay you.”
“It’s on the house.” Grillby crossed his arms, waiting for Lux to give in.
“That’s generous of you, but I can’t accept it.” Lux didn’t want to give Grillby the wrong idea, especially considering his unintentionally flirtatious approach.
“Then it’s on Carmine. We’re business partners after all.” Grillby smirked.
Lux didn’t stomp his foot, but it was a near thing. He was here to swindle Carmine. A free drink shouldn’t matter at all. But there was something sincere about it, the way that Grillby offered without Lux offering anything in return. It made him feel guilty for what he planned to do. If Carmine and this Grillby were business partners, they were probably friends too.
If he protested any louder, Carmine might notice him. Lux wasn’t ready for that yet. He studied the drinks instead.
“Is that a cosmo?” Lux asked, looking at the cocktail.
“You could use something sweet,” Grillby drawled.
Lux frowned, “Do I seem sour to you?”
“No,” Grillby held up the silver container he’d used to mix Lux’s drink. “Just a little shaken up.”
Lux laughed. He didn’t mean to, but it was such a surprise to hear a pun coming from Grillby of all monsters. His Grillby had not enjoyed puns at all. Lux shook his head and took a sip of his cosmopolitan. It was light and fruity with just a hint of sourness to offset the sweetness of the sugar.
“It’s delicious.” The compliment was genuine. Lux was much more used to alcohol delivered via jelly shots. This was much better.
Grillby tilted his head back in smug appreciation. Lux let a beat pass before continuing.
“I guess I can muddle through the rest of my night now.” Lux winked.
For a moment, Grillby didn’t react. Lux worried that maybe he had misjudged his sense of humor. Then the fire elemental hissed out a high-pitched laugh. His black flames flared taller in amusement.
“Hey, Grillby! What’s got you sputtering like an old radiator?” Carmine shouted across the room.
Lux turned around. He watched as Carmine’s red eyelights landed on him and widened. Carmine’s easy grin froze in place.
Lux’s soul pulsed. A faint blush of purple magic rose to his cheek bones. It was exactly as he had planned it, but somehow he had forgotten one important detail.
Carmine was smolderingly attractive.
Tonight he had no jacket on, just a white button down with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. Leather suspenders draped over his broad shoulders. A black hat sat at an angle on his skull, the brim dipping over his right eye socket.
His sudden attention pinned Lux in place. This was Carmine’s territory and Lux had willingly stepped into it. The heat that blazed between them made it hard to remember who was predator or prey.
It was suddenly imperative to close the distance that separated them. Lux told himself that he just wanted to get the re-introduction over with. He carried their drinks over to the table, stopping at the velvet rope.
The rest of the monsters at the card table sensed Carmine’s mood shift. They watched Lux cautiously, unsure of what was about to happen next. Lux didn’t know what was going to happen either.
A tough looking bunny monster who had been lounging in the shadows came to stand at Carmine’s shoulder. Her casual but alert posture was common for a bouncer. Lux wondered if she was here to protect Carmine or just the VIPs in general. Nobody else moved.
“My hands are full,” Lux held up the drinks. “Won’t somebody help a girl out and get the rope for me?”
None of the monsters made a move, instead they looked to Carmine. Their deference made it clear that he was the most powerful monster at the table. He watched Lux with a hungry expression and nodded in approval. His card mates relaxed as the bunny bouncer unclipped the rope and let Lux pass.
“Lux.” Carmine said, voice delightfully raspy.
Lux swayed his hips as he walked towards his target. He felt powerful. The dress he had picked hugged his body. Silver metal details glinted across his chest and shoulders. It scooped open in the back, leaving his shoulder blades and a portion of his spine exposed. This was one of the few dresses he had from his own universe. In comparison to fashions of this world, the clinging material was absolutely risque.
He set the whiskey in front of Carmine. A single phalange lingered on the glass, circling the rim of it.
“Hi, Handsome.” Lux purred in his naturally deep voice. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Heh,” Carmine grunted. “Not that you aren’t a sight for sore eyes, but I thought we were one and done.”
A dog monster snorted at the implication, but the monster sitting next to him jabbed him in the gut. The rest of the table held its collective breath, waiting to hear what would be said next. Lux ignored them. He was focused on only one monster tonight, despite the distractions of his past. The closer Lux leaned into Carmine’s space the easier it was to forget it was an act. Of course Lux would only have eyes for the monster who commanded the attention of the room.
“I did too,” Lux admitted. The best deceptions were seeded with bits of truth. “But I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
Carmine’s hands clenched, as if he was restraining himself from reaching out to touch, to confirm that Lux was really there. Lux wished he wouldn’t hold back. He wanted to see Carmine wild and reckless again.
Lux held Carmine’s gaze as he took a sip of his red cosmo. His tongue visibly cushioned the delicate glass from hitting his teeth. Carmine’s eyelights shrunk as he took it all in.
“Get the lady a chair,” Carmine growled. “I swear – whenever there’s finer company around you all forget your manners.”
A fish monster sitting on Carmine’s left hurriedly stood up, offering Lux their chair. Lux shook his head with a sweet smile, denying the offer. He already had the perfect seat in mind.
“There’s no need for that.” Lux gracefully lowered himself down across Carmine’s lap. He felt the stout skeleton tense like a livewire, but he didn’t push Lux off. His pelvis rested on top of Carmine’s thick femurs.
“I’d much rather sit here.”
Carmine’s hands shifted. One wrapped possessively around Lux’s waist. The other squeezed his hip bone. He lifted his face up so he could speak directly into Lux’s acoustic meatus.
“Careful. I’m a simple skeleton. You act all friendly like this and it gives a schmuck like me ideas.” Carmine huffed the words hot against Lux’s skull, too low for anyone else to hear.
Lux only smirked in reply. The other monsters watched them closely. Lux knew it was a provocative scene, especially when it appeared that Carmine was whispering sweet nothings in his ear without care for their audience.
“Don’t let me interrupt your game. We can talk more after you’re done.” Lux relaxed further into Carmine’s hold, making himself comfortable.
“Yeah, Carmy,” the dog monster who snorted earlier piped up. “The game was just getting interesting, be a shame to leave now that your ‘friend’ is here.”
Carmine squeezed his hip bone again before letting go. Lux’s gambit had paid off. The elation of it, of his successful approach, of Carmine’s closeness, made his soul flutter inside his ribcage. He hadn’t felt this excited in a long time.
“It’s your money, Doggo. If you’re so eager to be parted from it, I won’t stop you.” Carmine snarked back. “If you’re in, ante up.”