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“You ever kiss someone, Kris?”
Kris didn’t even flinch as they kept playing their mobile game sitting atop their kitchen counter, Susie shutting the fridge door with her hip. She started pouring herself a glass of milk with one hand, the other one assuming an iron grip on the Oreos she got while raiding Sans’ store.
They shrugged in response.
“Nah.” is all they said, reaching over to steal an Oreo, their gaze not straying from their game. It was late, Toriel was asleep, Susie’s blue cookie-mascot pajama pants were too big on her, somehow, and Kris’ cheap polyester bootleg hoodie bore some design in broken English.
“Damn, me neither.”
“Doesn’t really matter, you know?”
“I guess.” There was something in the way Susie responded that felt a little empty somehow. Kris could read her like a book- she’s lying, plain and simple.
“You’re lying.” Kris echoed their thoughts on instinct, but they didn’t really translate well.
“Lying about what? That I guessed?”
“No, dude, I- ugh. You wanna kiss someone.”
Susie stopped pouring her milk and froze. Kris had never seen her freeze before. It was weird.
“...Yeah. And what about it?”
“Well, what brought it up?”
Susie flushed, her eyes darting away to look at the now-very-interesting cup she was dunking her Oreo into. “Thinking of… someone.”
“You’re not gonna say me, are you?”
“Oh hell no.” The way Susie responded (not just in her words, but in her voice, body language, and reversion back to her blunt demeanor), told Kris she was telling the truth. They didn’t second guess it.
“Okay, then who?”
“Not telling.” Susie rolled her eyes. “Not like I got a thing for ‘em or anything. Just thinking about how it’d feel, yaknow? You ever think like that?”
Now it was Kris’ turn to flush. They remember their mobile game, still on and playing dumb sound effects, but they switch off their phone and choose to stare out at the now-very-interesting baby photo of them on the fridge.
“Yeah,” was all they said.
Susie shoved more Oreos in her mouth, leaning by one of the cupboards next to the fridge, a small distance from Kris. “I mean, you know. We should know. Like, c’mon. How old are you? In human years?”
“Monsters and humans age the same, Susie.”
“I knew that, assnad.” Susie didn’t. “But, dude, c’mon. We go to college after next year and we haven’t even seen what it’s like? I- I dunno man. Sorry. That’s hella mushy. That’s not-”
“We could try it.”
Susie went silent.
“...What?”
“Have you ever… kissed another, Noelle?”
Noelle’s eyes shot open, her head whipping over to Berdly sitting right next to her on her couch. A blanket enveloped them, and one of their favorite comfort movies was playing on the TV. She gulped.
“Um… well, faha… actually… no.” she mumbled. It was late, Carol was asleep, and the light of the CRT Berdly had brought over shone dimly on her face as she flushed. It almost felt embarrassing to spill it to him, although a slightly-evil part of Noelle’s brain knew he was probably the same way. They had grown up together, after all; if he were to kiss someone, or like anyone at all for that matter, she’d be the first person he told.
Berdly snickered. “Ah. Looks like I’m not alone!”
Noelle breathed a small sigh of relief through her nose, a little guilty upon realizing she was happy her assumption was correct.
“Why do you ask?” Noelle feebly said. Her vision darted from him to her TV, not wanting to miss the movie, but wanting to hear him talk. She scratched at her oversized track team T-shirt she was using as pajamas.
Berdly huffed out through his nose, cracking a small smile as he averted his gaze, adjusting his glasses. Angel, Noelle thought. He really does look like one of those guys from an anime…
“I’m going to preface this by stating it wasn’t because of you,” For as flustered as Berdly could get, Noelle could sense he was serious. He had a certain way of locking in when he needed to, dropping whatever facade he was putting up to clarify something important. But, when they’re alone like this, she finds that he rarely puts up a facade at all.
“I… well… yeah, okay, it was that scene.”
Noelle holds back a snort. The movie they were watching- their favorite shared comfort movie- had this one scene that always made Noelle’s tummy turn, imagining it was her with- someone. Yeah, just someone.
Two characters are sitting together, having so much tension you could cut it with a steak knife. They almost kiss, but someone interrupts their moment, and it’s back to the main plot. Augh!
Noelle can name a few times something like that’s happened to her…
She shakes that weird dream away, that one where Berdly, Angel bless him, came floating down and ruined her moment with Susie.
Susie? Wait, who said anything about-
“No, yeah, I totally get it,” Noelle flushes, remembering to respond to him. “I’ve… rewatched this part a lot. Like, a lot a lot.”
“Me as well.” Berdly responds.
Neither of them thought to pause the movie. It continues playing.
Berdly and Noelle are sitting close to each other, in silence. For a while. So close, in fact, that their arms (or, arm and wing) are touching.
“Should we rewind the-”
“We could try it.”
Noelle went silent.
“...What?”
“Okay, so do we-”
“Chill out, man. We’re gonna be cool.”
“I know we’re gonna be cool, Kris! I’m, like, the ruler of being cool! I’m fucking cool, dude!!”
“Then act like it.”
“Fine, bro! Fine!”
Susie was standing in front of Kris, still sitting on the countertop. Kris’ legs were no longer pulled up to their chest, instead hanging down. Their hands were positioned on the countertop behind them, and Susie couldn’t help but realize that she was even more nervous than they were.
“Just kiss me.”
“Oh my Angel, that sounded so cringe.”
“Shut up, dude. Just do it. It’s good practice.”
“Yeah.” Susie said quickly, nodding her head. She stands close to Kris- too close? Is there such a thing right now? “Okay. I’m gonna count down from 3, okay?”
“Got it.” Kris replied. Susie noticed, in those two words, Kris’ voice cracked. Maybe they’re not that collected…?
“Okay, three, two…”
“Are you sure you’re OK with this?”
“Yes. I-I’m sure. This is just practice, right?”
“Yes, absolutely. And this won’t change anything.”
“It won’t. We’re just- just us.”
Berdly and Noelle stared at each other, already blushing, their hearts already racing. What they were saying was true, but the rush of the first kiss with anyone would make anyone nervous.
“I’m nervous.”
Noelle burst out laughing.
“STOP IT!!”
“No, no, you’re fine!! I- I’m just nervous too!! Honest!”
“Okay, then we can be nervous. It’s fine to be nervous! I consider myself a professional, then.”
“Berdly-”
“If you’re nervous, I’ll be nervous! Look at me! Mister Nervousness!”
“Berdly, stop!”
Berdly stopped.
“Look,” Noelle shakily breathed out. “I’m gonna count down from 3, alright?”
“Alright.” Berdly responded, slightly too fast.
They stared at each other, terrified.
“Okay, three, two…”
“One.”
They pull away, and the warmth immediately shoots through them. They stare at each other, eyes wide, Kris realizing their hands had found a place in Susie's hair, Susie realizing her hands had found a place on the countertop near Kris’ torso.
Susie’s voice is trembling as she says it.
“Dude.”
“Dude.” Kris responds, and that’s all Susie needs to hear as they both rush right back in.
They’re breathing hard, the blushing heat from their bodies enough to light a fire. The couch is so comfy, the blankets are so soft, and so are each others’ fur and feathers, and…
“C-c-cheeese and crackers--” Noelle dry-heaves as she bows her head, her hands shaking on his shoulders.
“I’ve got you, Ella,” Berdly mumbles with a wing to her back, and Noelle’s heart drops to her stomach as she gently falls into him once again.
Kris’ heart drops to their stomach as Susie slams them into the fridge, her tongue pushing back their lips with reckless abandon. There’s a certain snarkiness in the way she smiles as she does it, gripping their legs, holding them up with ease. Kris’ arms fall back, knocking over some magnets and some pictures as they try and stabilize themselves, their eyes squeezed shut. They don’t care. Neither of them do.
Susie moves, dragging Kris back to the counter in a state of constant rough movement. Kris knocks over the pepper shaker, their empty water cup, a plastic plate, and a can opener, in that order. They would have downed the toaster if it wasn’t plugged in.
They keep moving. Kris’ lips are starting to bruise, but they don’t care. They smile, actually, holding back a chuckle.
Susie eventually moves Kris out of the kitchen, periodically opening her eyes in quick reverse-blinks in order to see her path clearly. Before they both know it, they’re falling on the couch, Susie hovering on top of Kris.
They continue making out, grabbing each other feverishly, pulling each other closer, and closer, and closer. Neither of them can think clearly. They’ve lost track of how long they’ve been at it. Their lips are bruised, their tongues are tired, their hands are gonna get rugburn from how long they’ve rubbed against other clothing, they’re laughing, they’re punching each other, they’re-
Wait, what?
Somewhere along the way, it devolved into a fight. Tongues battling for dominance became fists. Slight moans became giggles. Soon enough, the two are laughing loudly and punching each other with glee. Kris bites Susie’s arm. Susie lets out a “GAAAH!” and uses her entire hand to envelop Kris’ face. Kris licks her hand, and Susie pulls it back.
“EW. Grooossssss, dude!”
Susie’s sitting on top of Kris, laying down on the couch. They both laugh, loudly, leaning their heads back and struggling to breathe.
As it dies down, they stare at each other with half-lidded eyes. Susie pushes some hair out of Kris’ face.
“You know, you look hella good when your eyes ‘r out.”
“Don’t go hitting on me now, dude.”
“HA! Like I’d ever! This was just practice. Hopefully kissing you feels like how kissing a deer would.”
She slaps a hand over her mouth, but it’s too late.
“Dude-”
“No, man, uh, it’s not-”
“NOELLE?!” Kris shoots themself up, knocking Susie off of them in the process. They pull their legs up and sit crisscrossed. “NO FUCKING SHOT!”
“DON’T! DON’T FUCKING- DUDE!!” Susie shoves Kris off the couch. “Dude. Dude. Tell her and you’re dead. You’re fucking dead.”
Kris is laughing too hard to care. “DUDE!” is all they say. Susie kicks their stomach.
“OW!” Kris giggles, out of breath. “Hop off!”
“Hop off me first.”
“Fine, fine, I won’t tell!” Kris coughs. “Just don’t tell Berdly and we’re good.”
Susie’s jaw drops with a smile. “TELL BERDLY WHAT?!”
Kris’s eyes widen, and they pull their knees up to their chest, covering their face with their palms and screaming into them. All Susie can hear is a muffled “AAAAHHHH!!!”.
“No fuckin’ way you’re hating when you like HIM. Bro, WHAT?”
“I’M NOT HATING!! I- I- I JUST- OKAY, SHUT UP!!!”
Susie laughs loud. Kris groans and breaks it.
“Dude, the festival is in a couple of weeks, you know?”
The movie means nothing now. Berdly is gently holding onto Noelle’s back, trying to make sure his beak doesn’t peck her too hard as he slowly, gently kisses her. Noelle’s maneuvering similarly, her hands on his shoulders shaking, trying desperately to get it right. Their eyes are both closed. They treat each other only delicately.
They don’t use their tongues, scared and unwilling. It’s just soft pecks (quite literally on Berdly’s side), but it’s still making their hearts race. The closest they get is the readjusting of their arms to hold each other tighter, Noelle’s arms wrapping around Berdly’s neck and Berdly’s wings wrapping Noelle up in a hug around the waist. This keeps going until their arms have hugged each other so tight there’s no possible room in between them. They lose track of the time.
Noelle tilts her head, Berdly lets out a hum, he starts to fall back-
THUMP!
Noelle jolts, pulling Berdly up, holding him close to her. From outside her room, they hear footsteps.
“Ell-”
“Ssh.” Noelle whispers.
The footsteps walk in the direction away from her room, and its not until they hear a toilet flush that Noelle breathes out.
“Thank Angel.” she whispers. “She was just going to the bathroom. Gosh, I thought she was gonna…”
“Walk in on her daughter kissing her best friend?” Berdly holds back a laugh.
Noelle isn’t so lucky. Her attempt to quiet her laugh fails, and the gravity of the situation suddenly smacks her all at once as she dry-heavingly laughs, falling into a hug with him.
It hits Berdly too. He blinks rapidly as he looks at her, his face slowly forming a smile. “Ella?” he asks softly.
Noelle’s head whips up, her expression one of bewilderment, something that makes Berdly weak. He holds her waist with care, running a part of his wing along her back for comfort.
“You okay?”
“M-More than okay?” Noelle giggles, leaning into Berdly’s shoulder, her laughs making him grin like a total goof. He lets himself giggle too, holding her in a hug.
The silence is comfortable. They can feel the others’ warmth, and they can feel the other shaking. They stay like that for a little while.
“That was nice.” Berdly says. Noelle only nods.
“I wonder if… kissing other people… is like that.”
Noelle nods even harder. Angel, do you think that this is like kissing S-
She holds him tight, silently squealing into his shoulder. Berdly breathes out, shaking his head slightly to adjust himself.
He speaks without thinking.
“Noelle?”
“Huh?” Noelle responds. Her voice is cracking.
“Do you think your lips feel similar to a human’s lips?”
And just like that, Noelle pushes him away, her hands shooting to her mouth.
It sinks in.
“Oh.”
“OH MY GOSH?!!”
“N-Noella, quiet your voice, your mother-”
“OH MY GOSH!!” Noelle says into her hands, giggling with glee. “I KNEW IT!! I KNEW I KNEW IT!! Catti owes me 5 bucks!”
“YOU- YOU MADE BETS?!”
“Well, it was obvious!! You guys are so cute! Like, actually!”
“Cute like you with Susie?”
“Yes, like me and Susi- WAIT- WAIT!!”
Berdly bursts out laughing.
“NO!! BER-DLYYYY!”
Noelle shoves him, using a pillow to hit him, then hold over her blushing face.
Berdly, weak with the giggles, grabs a pillow and hits her back. Soon, they both become weak with laughter as they hit each other with the pillows.
“It was so obvious! I should have placed bets with Kris!”
“Of course you start talking about Kris!”
“SHUT UP!”
The giggles return. Berdly smacks Noelle, causing her to fall down off of the couch.
“AUGH!”
“Heh… Once again, I reign supreme.” Berdly pushes up his glasses. Noelle chuckles as she shakes her head.
“Berdly?”
“Yes, Noella?”
“You know the festival is in a couple of weeks, right?”
“Yes, I know.” Susie responds. "Dude, I’m jumpin’ on that shit ASAP. I’m boutta eat my weight in churros.”
“Why, yes.” Berdly shrugs. “I’ve already devised a plan on how to win every single game. I’ve searched up every one on Gloogle and copied down the techniques.”
“You should tell her.” Kris grins.
“You should tell them.” Noelle smiles.
“Well, you should tell him.” Susie claps back, raising an eyebrow.
“W-Well!!” Berdly stutters. “You should tell her.”
Kris thinks. “Maybe I will.”
After a couple moments of hesitation, Noelle draws in a breath. “Maybe I will.”
Susie grins down at them. “Well, maybe I will too.”
“Ah.” Berdly smiles. “Well then. Perhaps I will too.”