Perseverance

Pairing: Science Sans x Underfell Sans (scifell)
Rating: Minor Suggestive Themes (+13)

Summary: Sci first discovered an Underfell Sans, Edge at the Christmas Party AU and developed a long-distance relationship with him. After 3 years, Sci hasn’t heard of Edge for so long and escapes his universe in search of him.

Word Count: 2,128 (11,817 characters)
Last Updated: 20th November, 2021

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Sci hasn’t seen or been able to reach Edge for a long time. He continues worrying about him after Edge left an ambiguous message before he disappeared. Edge told him if he’s not back, he wishes Sci to live a good life without him.

It almost feels like receiving a suicide letter or a dying message you’ll last hear from them. How can Sci not worry about his long-distance lover?

Sci was in disbelief but cried when he couldn’t reach out to Edge, send directly to voicemail and unread. There’s no reply or a sign from him. The only option he could think of is to travel to his universe just to see him in person.

It’s dangerous to create a portal gateway between different universes. It’s a gamble Sci will take if it means ruining the likelihood of risking his life. Sci is only an apprentice and Gaster won’t be very happy if he knows somebody is using the machine without his permission.

The Christmas Party AU was the only exception because it was more of a test run after Sci received a vivid dream to complete their theory of the many-worlds interpretation. Sci couldn’t explain everything at first but he was called in his dreams by a different version of himself from a distant future by the name of Geno. He was also the one who helped him pin the right coordinates to his party.

When it succeeded, Sci warns Gaster that they must wear Christmas sweaters to enter the gateway to another world. It was part of the invitation and only he and his brother — Papyrus — are allowed to enter. Unfortunately, Gaster doesn’t approve of it and takes over Papyrus’ place because one, it could be dangerous for his little brother and two, he needs to see it for himself. At least Gaster got changed into a festive sweater with a Santa hat.

On that very day, Sci is amazed to see a couple of different versions of himself from different futures gathering together. Gaster invented a prototype to turn himself invisible before entering but it didn’t surprise Sci that he could still see him along with others noticing him later. He went off on his own, trying to observe different versions of Sans-es and Papyrus-es, giggling in excitement at his newest discovery.

As for Sci, he greets Geno and makes an excuse why his brother couldn’t come before blending in. It took some time to adjust himself to the new situation, imagining it’s like every other social gathering but ignoring the bizarre fact they’re all him from different futures or universes. He learns interesting facts about their different coloured eyes and their lives before he draws curiosity for the badass-looking skeleton — Edge — arriving at the party with his scary-looking brother.

Sci and Edge became close after they shared a moment and quality time alone, spending most of their time together in a closet. After a drink or two, Sci couldn’t deny he’s fallen for a guy like him. As for Edge, he finds Sci intriguing to talk to, someone who’s not afraid of him, someone who wouldn’t judge and be comfortable as himself.

Soon, they realised they have to return to their respective universes when the party was over. Sci didn’t want to leave and neither did Edge. They had a lot of fun, the best experience and a real holiday outside all of their daily stress.

To make things possible, Edge gives away his phone to Sci so they could call each other through multiple networks of the universe. He remembers his number so he’ll text Sci first — as he may receive future anonymous hate calls from other Underfell monsters — once he scavenges a new phone with similar technology features.

When the party’s over, they continue communicating with each other on their phones. Sci eventually invents a new model — setting up a different number —  thanks to Edge’s old phone used as the structure’s base. Sci has to hide the fact he developed a relationship with Edge and his multidimensional phone from Gaster after learning travelling through the multiverse is dangerous — shocked after hearing the fact nearly every Gaster died from their inventions — avoiding his fate as possible.

Fast-forwarding to the present, Sci stands in front of the forbidden machine they used once in their lifetime. Sci managed to keep his personal life and Edge a secret for over 3 years. He fell for that skeleton, devastated to see him one last time, even knowing how dangerous Underfell is.

As Sci starts the machine, waiting for it to rejuvenate, Gaster rushes over to stop him. He tries to reason with his apprentice, afraid of losing either of their lives but Sci turns his face around and bids farewell with a smile and tears.

Gaster is left alone with the machine without power, dropping to his knees. He didn’t understand why Sci committed such a suicidal act, questioning what could have happened to him like this…

At the other side of the universe, Sci is sent to the exact coordinates of his destination, tumbling down the snow from his first landing. He laughs and cries to himself at first, successfully making it out alive of his newest adventure, feeling the snow for the first time, making snow angels. It’s all thanks to Edge for becoming courageous to take risks to achieve anything he wants in life.

After getting up, he begins searching to find nobody in Underfell. That’s when Sci gets worried. He took a bold reckless risk without the possibility of returning home.

In the cold deserted world, Sci hasn’t found a single soul as he walks his way to Edge’s house. Sci becomes nervously shaken when he realises the door is unlocked. He invited himself in to find most of the furniture doesn’t exist from many photos Edge sent him — usually in his selfies. Well, there used to be but it’s missing, erased. Erased?

Sci leaps out of the house and panics. He begins crying for Edge as he makes his way towards the castle. Along the way, he didn’t find anybody and grows anxious about the possibility of a world genocide.

As Sci was about to give up, he finds a strange light behind the castle leading outside beyond Underfell.

The barrier is gone.

There’s still hope left...

Grasping his hand through the unknown, Sci safely passed through the corridor he had never been for the first time witnessing a brand new light.

The surface world, where humans and monsters coexist in one unity.

Sci is in a daze at the beautiful scenery before snapping back to reality and shouting out Edge’s name, hoping his voice could be heard from a town below from afar. Sci wants to rush down the cliff but his legs have already given up after using his remaining strength from the long hourly search underground.

It was then, Sci received a call from Edge. Sci quickly wipes his tears and answers his phone.

"I’m here."

Sci didn’t hear Edge’s voice directly from the phone. He turns around to the voice behind him.

There stands Edge in a completely different outfit, all in purple instead of his usual red clothes. Sci drops everything and runs to Edge for a hug.

"I... I thought you died...!" Sci cries in Edge’s arms.

"Yeah... My bad, sorry I made ya worried, nerd!" Edge strokes Sci’s head to reassure him. "Just recently moved, didn’t have the time to evacuate everything. I was gonna call ya after everything’s sorted out."

"What happened during the past few months?!" Sci lifts his head to see Edge’s face.

"About that," Edge has difficulty in explaining his situation, "I had to turn off my phone cuz it wasn’t allowed during the war..."

"A war?! Oh god... I’m so glad you’re alive!" Sci tightens his hugs from the thought Edge could have died. "You could have told me that earlier...! I was worried sick for you — I miss you!"

"I... I know, but I didn’t want ya to know I was on the wrong side of the battle, even killed a couple of humans before I met... you..."

Edge admits his sins that he was a murderer like nearly every Underfell monster has to do to survive. But Sci just hits him in the chest a little, but not hard enough to knock Edge off, just enough pain to understand Sci’s feelings.

"Did you forget you’re Edgy, Mc My Chemical Romance?!"

Edge tries to hide his chuckle but Sci notices the vibration from his chest, heart pounding. "Damn, I haven’t heard that— and your voice, for a long time…"

There’s a brief silence and Sci rests his head in Edge’s chest.

"You know, I kind of like the purple look you’re wearing," Sci smiles.

"You... don’t like it?" Edge was a bit unsure of Sci’s compliment.

"Oh no, it’s just..." Sci moves back while holding Edge’s hands to take another look at him, "I’m used to seeing you in red so often! You still look good in it!"

Edge sighs in relief. "Glad you like the new me!"

"Of course! I still love you for who you are—!"

Sci quickly covers his mouth. He shouldn’t say the L-word. But Edge grabs his hands again and leans forward for a kiss.

The kiss only lasts a few seconds but it feels like time has slowed down for Sci to appreciate the moment a little longer. Sci wants to take back his hands to cover his mouth again, embarrassed from the sudden kiss but Edge holds his hands firmly so he can see his soulmate’s face.

Before Sci could say anything, Edge confesses.

"Don’t worry, I know what ya mean. Thanks to you, I learn to change and become a better version of myself. And… I know the difference between the L.O.V.E. I know the different types of universal love now." Edge leans forward again only to bring Sci’s attention to face him again. "Your kindness helped me end the war quickly without killing anybody."

Edge’s smiles are genuine, a real smile he didn’t need to force to show around everybody else to survive. It has a much softer feeling from seeing it and it melts Sci’s heart to kiss him back.

Sci quickly breaks the kiss because he couldn’t hold his embarrassment for long and that’s when they see each other’s souls in their eyes. Sci has the same green eyes, he never gives up and protects himself from others taking advantage of his kindness.

But Edge...

His glowing left eye is no longer red but purple.

Edge’s personality changed with his soul formed from a determined criminal outlaw to a loyal skeleton with perseverance. He’s still the same Edge Sci comes to know, just much kinder, patient and mature from the first time they met.

"Heh, you like what you see?"

Sci quickly shies away again, still embarrassed to say it, knowing where Edge is alluding. He quietly nods before he dives his face buried in Edge’s chest again for another hug. Edge notices and understands his partner is not ready to move on to the next level yet — it’s too sudden after all — and respects his love.

"So, what do ya wanna do now?" Edge asked, out of options.

"Well... is it okay to stay at your place tonight? I’m... my feet are quite sore from running around, looking for you in Underfell..."

Edge realises his nerd is tired after his long search. He decides to give Sci a piggyback ride.

"Here, hop on," Edge crotch down behind Sci to rest on his back.

"Are you sure...? You’re not worried about others judging you?"

"Nah, it’s fine! Everyone’s good now, even my bro tries to act a bit nicer so he’ll understand your situation. I promise he’s not as scary as you think now!"

Sci feels reassured and trusts Edge. Edge steadily carries him down the hill.

"Sorry I have so much to say but I’m already feeling tired..."

"Don’t worry, nerd. We can catch up on everything tomorrow."

"But... I feel guilty for leaving Gaster and my brother in my universe... just to see you..."

"Don’t worry," Edge reminds him again, "Right now, you need to rest first. Worry about everything else later. I’m here for ya!"

Sci wants to explain the situation when he last saw Gaster because he didn’t explain everything before the portal drags him away to Underfell. The more he wants to say it, the more mental power he’s wasting, making Sci fall fast asleep.

While resting his head on Edge’s shoulder, Edge smiles to himself and continues down the road carrying the light-weighted skeleton to the sunset.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: This oneshot was inspired and based on a scifell art by AnEdgySinner @ Instagram