The World Falls Away ♡ Chapter Forty-Three

Instructions

If you like this chapter, be sure to leave a heart or comment so I know you want to see more! Hit the flag for background music :D Previous chapter: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/554009722/ ♡ My fingers are sticky with glue as I wipe a few beads of sweat from my brow. The hot weather outside hasn’t been doing me any favors. Mettaton’s house doesn’t have much air-conditioning, considering he has no skin. All morning, I’ve been working on a sign to bring to the airport. Marianne will be dropping by soon to drive me over there, so we can pick up Mettaton from his flight home. The sign I’ve been working on spells out “METTATON” in large letters cut out from construction paper, and I even made a little box-Mettaton at the bottom using the leftover paper, surrounded by tiny glittery stars. The glue is melting slightly in the heat, but Mary should be arriving soon, so hopefully we’ll be on our way before the poster can be completely ruined. I try to wipe the glue off my hands with a paper towel, but, as I should have expected, it simply sticks to the sheet. Huffing with frustration, I hobble over to the sink, almost tripping over my prosthetic, and start to wash my hands. Right as I begin drying them off, I hear the door open from the other side of the house, and smile to myself. Mary has a copy of the keys, so she can come in anytime she likes, but she prefers to surprise me by not calling ahead of time. I hear footsteps drawing closer from the front room. “Mary, I told you, you’ve gotta let me know before you come by. Else I’m gonna think someone broke into the house,” I sigh in fond exasperation, wiping my hands on the towel. The newcomer laughs as they step into the kitchen. “Well, darling, I think I’m entitled to enter my own home unannounced, aren’t I?” Instantly my eyes fly wide open as I recognize their voice, and I whirl around, nearly yanking the towel off of its hanger. “M- METTATON!!” I gasp, leaning against the counter so I don’t fall over from shock. He grins widely, but before he can say anything else, I instinctively rush towards him for a hug. Unluckily for me, my balance is thrown off by my sudden movements, and my prosthetic leg buckles from underneath me. My delighted laugh turns into a startled yelp as I tumble down. Mettaton catches me by my arms with a bewildered look, but the momentum of my fall brings both of us onto the floor, where we collapse on our backs. We stare at each other for a moment in shock, and then burst out laughing hysterically. I can barely contain the tears of happiness and laughter as they begin pouring out. “How- wha- what are you doing here?!” I manage to gasp out. “Mary and I weren’t supposed to pick you up for at least another hour!! I was j-just working on the sign right now!” Mettaton beams happily as he stands back up, and offers me a hand. “Alphys came to bring me home early, so I could surprise you! She’s a real sweetheart. And anywho, I simply couldn’t wait any longer! I missed Ebott City, and home, and YOU, and all my friends too much to stay away for even an hour longer.” I gratefully take his hand, allowing him to pull me up off the floor. “Aww, that’s really sweet! I wasn’t expecting you to be back so soon, though. I was hoping to tidy the place up a bit first,” I add, anxiously glancing around the house. Mettaton shakes his head dismissively. “No worries, darling! I don’t mind a bit of clutter. Besides, I have more important things to think about. Show off your new prosthetic for me, will you?” he asks excitedly, his eyes gleaming. I smile and gesture at my left leg. “It’s been working really well so far! I’ve only had a few incidents where I haven’t been able to move properly, one of which you just witnessed,” I say sheepishly. “I hope you'll be able to dance at the gala, at least! Discreetly, if you do," he adds, a hint of worry creeping into his voice. I raise an eyebrow. "You've never been partial to discretion, Mettaton. Why do you say that?" He seems a little caught off-guard. “Well, you wanted to be discreet, if you even ended up dancing at all, didn’t you?” he asks hastily. I blink in confusion. “Well, yeah, I guess I did- er, do. But, I didn’t think you’d give in so easily!” “Well, perhaps it’s for the better, darling. I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable, or at risk.” “Why would dancing… put me ‘at risk?’”