Having a bad time
Frisk stayed glued to Alphys’ side as she tried her best to help her with Undyne’s care. The frazzled lizard monster was an absolute wreck as she shakily worked to get the bullet out of the underboss’ shoulder. The task was gruesome to say the least, and Frisk found it very hard to watch, but she swallowed her nausea down when she saw how Alphys was also just barely hanging on by a thread.
Alphys’ hands were shaking from under the pressure of the daunting task and Frisk heard her quietly cursing her own incompetence as she tried to steady herself. They were only murmurs, and Frisk figured that Alphys must have forgotten that she was in the room to speak so badly about herself like that in her presence. She gently put a hand on the lizard monsters shoulder. Alphys flinched at the contact.
“Oh –oh, I’m sorry, I’ll be quite.” She said her yellow scales flushing pink when she realized that Frisk had heard her.
“Alphys, are you all right?” Frisk asked.
Alyphys squeaked slightly at Frisks question, before she tried to muster up a pleasing smile, but it fell apart before she could even attempt to get it properly fastened to her face.
“I- I’m fine.” She said as she then dug into her medical bag, avoiding Frisks gaze.
She produced a small jar which held some sort of sparkly red powder. Frisk watched in earnest as she poured the powder in a neat little line across the gaping hole in Undyne’s shoulder. After a few seconds the powder then ignited, bursting into a white hot flame before it disappeared, cauterizing the wound closed. Undyne only let out a brief grunt at the searing magic, before her face relaxed into its unconscious state again. Frisk watched amazed as Alphys continue to treat the underboss. She delicately wrapped up Undynes shoulder before tentatively backing away to go over her handy work, wringing her hands nervously as she kept a keen eye trained on the underboss’ vital signs.
Frisk looked worriedly over to the yellow lizard monster. It was clear that she had been beating herself down. Frisk didn’t know Alphys all that well, but she did know that she definitely owed her quite a bit. Alphys was the one who had helped to heal her back when she had almost been beaten to death by Ludo.
“You know Alphys, I have never really gotten the chance to thank you for everything you’ve done for me.” Frisk began. Alphys cocked her head to the side, confused about what exactly Frisk was referring to.
“You um, saved my life? After I made that pretty stupid move by going after the Gambinos underboss.” Frisk clarified. Alphys stiffened and blushed, before waving her hands dismissively.
“Oh, no no, that wasn’t anything. Papyrus had already stabilized you by the time that I had gotten there. I just bandaged you.” She said.
“But you still helped me heal, even after I could have potentially put everyone in danger.” Frisk said, not allowing Alphys to undersell her kindness. “I really want to thank you for that.” Alphys looked like she wanted to protest, but couldn’t really find it in her to deny Frisks request.
“It- it wasn’t that stupid a move.” She said instead.
“I mean, well ya, it was pretty stupid, but it was also really brave! A- And we wouldn’t have gotten the soul smoker if you hadn’t acted ….even though it’s pretty much useless in my hands.” She said her eyes turning guiltily to the floor.
“What you did was brave to Alphys!” Frisk protested. “You just saved an entire bar full of monsters." Alphys only huffed in response.
“That wasn’t brave Frisk. I - I was barely keeping my lunch down as I was working. I’m no medical doctor; I’d hardly even call myself a scientist at this point.” She said sadly.
“Bravery is being strong enough to be able to take down rival gang members, and - and tough enough to lead sting operations! Brave is like Undyne!” She said, suddenly perking up when she mentioned the underbosses name.
“She’s more of a monster then I could ever hope to be. I – I mean um, Shes really great.” Alphys stammered while her cheeks turned a vibrant scarlet. Frisk giggled under her breath at Alphys embarrassed state before offering her a light smile.
“Well, that’s certainly all true about Undyne. She is really strong, and really tough.” Frisk agreed. “But, you were the one that ended up saving her tonight, so that has to count for something, doesn’t it?” She asked. Alphys paused at Frisks question. She hadn’t really thought about it like that.
Suddenly Undyne stirred on the couch, letting out a low moan as her eyes blinked open. She immediately tried to sit up, only for a frazzled Alphys to leap forward to push her back down again.
“N-no don’t!” She exclaimed. “You’ll open your wound again.” Undyne stared at the little lizard monster now leaning over her in slight shock as she tried to get a grip on her suroundings.
“Alphys?” She asked groggily.
Alphys squeaked when she heard Undyne say her name, before she quickly withdrew her hands when she realized she was still holding Undyne by her sholders.
“Um uh, sorry!” She stuttered as she fiddled with her spectacles nervously.
“My team!” Undyne shouted, springing upward from the couch once more, ignoring Alphys’s previous warning, she then doubled over in pain from her fast movements. Frisk and Alphys both quickly stood from their seats to get to her side.
“Is everyone ok?” Undyne rasped through her pain as Alphys tried to settle her back onto the couch.
“Everyone has been taken care of Undyne.” Frisk replied, holding the panicked underboss with earnest eyes. Undyne seemed to relax slightly at Frisks honesty, as she finally allowed Alphys to gently push her back into the sofa cushions.
“And Papyrus?” Undyne continued, not breaking her gaze away from Frisk.
“He’s fine. Sans already put him to bed.” She answered. With that said Undyne let out a relived sigh, before gingerly laying her injured body back down.
“How did you manage with all of the injured?” She asked. Frisk flicked her pupils over to Alphys’ direction.
“I wasn’t really involved, but Doctor Alphys did an amazing job at patching everyone up. She even arranged for them all to be paired with other Pansy members, so that they can be taken care of while they heal.” Frisk said commendably. Undyne’s yellow eye then focused on the little yellow monster by her side. Alphys tensed at receiving so much attention all at once.
“Wow, Alphys you managed all that?” Undyne asked obviously impressed. Alphys blushed even brighter under Undyne’s gaze as she fumbled to find her words.
“Well um, N-not all by myself, Doggo’s team helped a lot. I – I just did what I could really, it was no big deal.” She replied. Undyne then reached out and placed a steady hand on Alphys’ shoulder.
“Alphys, you saved my comrades, and also me by the looks of it.” Undyne said as she inspected her own bandaged shoulder. “I honestly can’t thank you enough.”
Alphys then became a stuttering mess under Undyne’s gratitude filled stare. She tried to protest the praise that undyne was pilling on her, but if Undyne was anything she was stubborn as she refused to allow Alphys to deny her appreciation.
“Alphys, when this is all over we’re going for drinks on me. I’ll buy you a round for every one of my comrades that you treated.” She declared. “It’s the only way I can repay you.”
“That – that’s really not necessary Undyne.” Alphys sputtered.
Frisk just giggled to herself silently at the two of them debating. It was actually rather sweet. After a while, she silently made an escape to change into her makeshift night gown. When she got back she found that both of the women had succumbed to their exhaustion, and were fast asleep on the couch. Alphys had actually fallen forward on her chair, her head resting on the sleeping underboss' stomach. Undyne didn’t seem to mind in the slightest as her arm was draped over Alphys’ back while she snored softly.
Frisk smiled at the sight, before she grabbed an old quilt form the brother’s linen closet and placed it over the now sleeping Alphys. She also made sure to tuck Undyne in, and fluff her pillow before she left them alone for the night.
She then went to Papyrus' room to check on the brothers. Sans had still not made an appearance after he had led Papyrus away from the living room and she was worried. He had looked so unstable when he had first entered in to the apartment, as if he were on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and Papyrus had just appeared so worn out, like even standing was a challenge for him.
When Frisk rounded the corner into the little hallway, she noticed that Papyrus’ bedroom light was still on and the door was slightly ajar, allowing some of the warm yellow light to leak into the darkened hallway. She hesitated slightly before making her way forward. Then she silently peered through the small crack. She saw that Papyrus was asleep in his bed snoring peacefully.
A small relieved smile worked its way on to her face when she saw him getting the rest that he had so desperately needed. However, her respite was short lived as her gaze shifted to his older brother slumped on the floor, leaning against the bed frame. His dark eye sockets were sweeping over the pages of what looked like an old tattered children’s book. His ever-present smile was set into a grimace. He looked rattled as he flipped over the pages of the nursery book, as if the words were the only thing that was keeping him together.
Frisk felt her heart lurch at the sight. She had never seen Sans looking so disheveled before. With a small fist she knocked lightly on the door to announce her presents, not wanting to startle Sans as he looked like his mind couldn’t take any more surprises for today. His head immediately shot up from the book to the door as she slowly opened it to reveal herself.
“Sans?” She said in a quiet and calm voice. He seemed to relax a little when he saw that it was only her. His forced smile then fixed itself back onto his skull, though it looked very, very tired as if it would crumble away again at any second.
“Is it ok if I come in?” She asked as she waited outside the entrance of the room, not wanting to overstep her boundaries.
“Oh, kid hey.” He said in what she assumed was supposed to be a pleasant greeting, though his voice sounded a little stressed. “Ya, sure.” He continued as he scooted over, making room for her on the floor beside him at the base of Papyrus' bed.
Frisk slowly made her way over and curled herself up as she took her seat next to him. She chanced a look over to him. He looked worse up close. She could practically taste the nervous energy radiating off of him.
“How is Papyrus doing?” She asked in an attempt to break the tension that hung so heavy in the room.
“He’s ok just needs his rest is all.” Sans answered as he turned to his sleeping brother, his face taking on a softer look as he watched his still form under the covers.
“The bone head used up too much of his magic, I …I keep telling him to be careful about that, but he never listens.” Sans said with a dry and sad sounding chuckle.
Silence again surrounded them, and Frisk struggled to figure out what to say next. She wanted to reassure Sans, but she had no idea how to do that. He already looked so broken. She was afraid to say the wrong thing and send him over the edge.
“You know, he always gets mad whenever I baby him.” Sans said suddenly breaking the silence.
“And I don’t mean to, But…. It’s just, I can’t help thinking that something bad will happen.” He continued, his sockets going dark as he stared down at his fidgeting hands. “Something that I can’t protect him from, and then he’ll just be gone.”
“He’s all I got left.” He said. Frisk felt her heart sink at his sorrow. Before she even could think about what she was doing she placed a tentative hand gently on to Sans’ shaking one. His pinpricks snapped to her as if he had just realized that she was really there.
“Sans its ok for you to worry.” she said. “I mean, he’s your younger brother, it’s kinda your job.” She said holding his gaze.
“But, Papyrus is his own person, and he has to be able to make his own choices.” She continued. Sans slumped his pinpricks sliding guiltily to the floor.
“Ya….. I know.” He said dismally.
“But, if he needs help, he will always come to you Sans.” Frisk said, recapturing the older skeletons attention. “I don’t really know all that much about you guys yet, but after living with you for as long as I have I know that you both deeply care for one another, and though Papyrus likes to put on a big show, he will always ask for your help when he needs it because you're who he respects most of all.” Sans couldn’t help the tinge of blue that stained his cheekbones at that comment.
“Haha, I don’t know about that kid.” He replied with a shaky laugh. “I think I’m too much of a lazy bones to really be held on par to his standards.” Frisk only shook her head.
“No, I don’t think that’s true. I think he scolds you so much because it’s his way of worrying about you.” She said.
“Papyrus wants to see you succeed, and be happy, and safe just like how you want to make sure he’s happy and safe. He’s just more direct about it then you are.” She continued. Sans paused, he hadn’t thought about it like that before.
“Even if you two get annoyed with each other now and again, in the end its just you both worrying about the other in your own way, that’s all.” She said. Sans was silent for a while as he contemplated what she had said. not sure if he wanted to believe it or not.
“you’re a really good big brother Sans.” Frisk continued, and Sans snapped his eye sockets right back to her in surprise.
“I know it must have been really hard on you today.” She said. “You must have been so worried about him. I’m sorry that you had to go through that all alone.” she continued sadly, almost to herself. Sans tensed at her words as he felt uncomfortable at how accurate they were, but at the same time he felt reassured that someone else seemed to understand what he was going through. Before he could stop himself he tightened his grip on her hand.
Frisk turned to him at the gesture and was about to ask if he was ok, but before she could Sans slung his other arm out around her and pulled her too him. He then buried his face into the crook of her shoulder as he clung to the back of her shirt. Frisk stiffened in his hold, surprised by how close he had gotten. She was shocked as Sans had never reached out to her like this before. In fact, nobody had ever really reached out to her like this before, and suddenly she felt a little trapped as she had no idea what to do to comfort him.
“Sorry, sorry.” He murmured in to her shirt. “I just need a couple seconds.” He said. Frisk relaxed at the sound of his sorrow filled plea. He had been hurting more then what he had let show. She gently moved her own arm around him, accepting his embrace as she softly patted the top of his skull. She decided that she would just do what he had done for her in her time of need.
“It’s ok.” She said. “Take your time.”
Sans shoulders slumped like the weight of the world had just rolled off of them at the sound of Frisks understanding voice. He let out a wobbly sigh as he tightened his hold on her and nuzzled a little more into her shoulder to hide his face.
Frisk let him sit like that with her for as long as he needed. She was quite as she let him sort through his emotions, rubbing soothing circles into the back of his skull as his panic slowly started to subside. When he pulled away she released him without a word. He kept his eyes downcast, slightly ashamed of his clingy display. But, when he chanced a look back at Frisk he was only met with a sweet reassuring smile. He began to let himself lower his guard. Frisk was just too good for him.
“um, heh.” He faltered as he scratched at the side of his jaw nervously. “ …Thanks for that.” He finally managed. Frisk just nodded back to him.
“Anytime.” She replied.
Sans cleared his throat as he crushed down his blush. He was still feeling a little vulnerable, but was grateful that the kid wasn’t making a big deal out of the matter as she continued to carry on like nothing had happened.
“We should probably get some sleep.” She said as she pulled herself up off of the floor. She then extended a hand to Sans, which he took after only slight hesitation.
“We’re the only ones left awake after all.” She continued. Sans then mentally slapped himself as he remembered the surprise guests that had ended up staying the night. He had just remembered that he had given away her bed to Undyne.
“Aw jeez, sorry kid.” He said when he realized that Frisk had no place to sleep. “Guess I didn’t really think about our lack of accommodations in all that panic, don’t worry you can have my bed for tonight.” he said. Frisk looked back to him wide eyed and confused, before shaking her head profusely.
“No no, you don’t have to do that. I was just going to camp out in the kitchen.” She said as she motioned to the hallway behind her with her thumb. Sans smirked slightly.
“What were you gonna do? Curl up on the table like a cat?” He asked. Frisk blushed and averted her eyes.
“Well, something like that I guess.” She said. Sans chuckled.
“Nope.” He said as he led the way out of his brothers room toward his own with Frisk following reluctantly behind him. She paused outside of the doorway as Sans walked forward. He turned his head over his shoulder at her still being and raised a brow bone.
“Something wrong?” He asked. Frisk perused her lips, suddenly feeling nervous about following him into his darkened bedroom.
“If I take your bed, then where will you sleep?” She asked. Sans shrugged.
“I’ll just bunk with Paps for tonight.” He said. “I … don’t really think I’ll be able to get much sleep anyway, and there’s no sense in a wasted bed.” Frisk frowned slightly at his comment, but she supposed that if her nerves had been strummed as badly as Sans’ had been then she wouldn’t be sleeping well either.
She then took a tentative step forward and passed the invisible boundary of the hallway and in to Sans’ room. She glanced around herself at her surroundings as she made her way over to the bed. It was just like how it had been the last time she had been in here, still messy and unorganized, but it looked like he had at least attempted at tidying the place up a bit. Now all of his socks that had been previously thrown around the room were bunched together into a pile. Frisk couldn’t help the small smirk that broke on to her face when she saw it.
When she made it to his bed she was more than a little hesitant about just making herself at home. She found it slightly strange to be sleeping in someone else’s bed, like it was an invasion of their privacy. Plus, sans was still in the room watching her form the doorway, which definitely deterred her away from just flopping casually over the unmade and messy blankets, so instead she opted to perch on its end. Sans cleared his throat when he saw that she had made herself comfortable.
“So uh, night kiddo.” He said as he scratched at the back of his neck. “See you in the morning.” Frisk straightened up when she saw that he was preparing to leave.
“Sans wait.” She called out before he could close the door completely. He paused and turned back to her.
“hmm?” He asked.
“If you have trouble sleeping, you can always wake me up if you need to talk.” Frisk said as she fidgeted slightly with the crumpled sheets on the bed beside her. Sans smiled softly at her offer.
“Thanks bucko.” He said. “But for now you should get some rest. It’s been one hell of a day.”
“ Then You get some rest too.” Frisk replied holding Sans with an serious stare. Sans smile cracked slightly from under her gaze as he sheepishly turned away.
“Will do kiddo.” He said as he shut the door and left Frisk alone in his room.
Frisk sighed when he had gone. She was still worried about him. She knew that he was still very broken up about this whole incident, but she also knew that she couldn’t pry. Sans was reclusive when it came to how he was actually feeling, always hiding behind that lazy smile of his. If she tried to push him for more she would only end up pushing him away. If Sans needed her then all she could do was let him know that it was ok to come and ask her for help. She had extended the invitation, now all that was left to do was wait and see if he would approach. She hoped that he would.
Frisk then settled into the rumpled up sheets as she let her head plop down on Sans lumpy goose feather pillow. It was a little strange at first sleeping in a bed that wasn’t her own, but after she buried herself under all of Sans’ heavy blankets she began to feel fairly comfortable. Though Sans bed was messy it wasn’t dirty, but the sheets still held a slightly musty smell. Oddly enough, she found it comforting. It was a warm scent, sweet like ketchup, and also robust like coffee. She also detected something akin to cigar smoke which confused her a bit because as far as she knew of Sans didn’t smoke. She shrugged as she burrowed herself deeper into the comfy mattress. She supposed she would just have to ask him about it in the morning.
Sans slowly shuffled back to his brother’s room. He was so tired, but at the same time his entire being was buzzing with nervous energy. He only stopped briefly to look over and check on the two sleeping monsters in the living area. Undyne looked decent enough, her breathing was normal, not labored in the slightest as she rested peacefully with no sign of pain present on her face. Alphys snored softly beside her . She was completely knocked out, exhausted from the stress of today, but it looked like she was finally allowed some relief as she continued to snooze from under the quilt that he knew Frisk had wrapped around her. Sans smirked a little. The kid really was a sweet heart.
When he entered back into his brother’s room he felt his anxiousness ebb slightly at the sight of Papyrus’ sleeping form. Though he still appeared absolutely beat tired, he didn’t look as drained as he had when he first entered into the bar, which meant that his magic was building itself back up again. Thank heavens.
Sans sat down retaking his position on the floor by his brother’s bed. He leaned his skull back against the base of the mattress and closed his eyes while listening to Papyrus’ gentle snores, the sounds further quelling his anxiety. He double, and then triple checked that everyone was accounted for in his mind. Papyrus was here with him, Undyne was on the couch with Alphys right next to her, and Frisk was in his bed. Everyone was sleeping, everyone was safe. He repeated this in his head like a mantra until finally, he began to feel his own exhaustion take a hold of him. His shoulders slumped forward as he finally relaxed before he gratefully fell into sleep.
Everything was fuzzy when he came to. He groaned as he pulled himself up. God he felt sluggish, why where his bones so heavy this morning? Sans looked behind him at his brothers bed but found it empty. A shot of panic ran ice cold through his body as he headed for the door of Papyrus’ bedroom. Sans mentally tried to reassure himself, thinking that his brother was probably just in the kitchen cooking breakfast like he always did. He quickly made his way down the hall, though It looked kind of warped, and the lighting was so dim for some reason. Wasn’t it morning, and had the hall always stretched so far? Sans felt like he had walking down its length for an eternity. His tibia's were even starting to hurt. Finally he made it to the kitchen. Papyrus was there by the stove with his back turned toward him . Sans sighed in relief as he made his way over to claim his seat at the kitchen table.
“Hey Paps.” He greeted in his usual casual and lazy drawl, but Papyrus didn’t respond to him. Sans felt another spike of fear at his brothers un- naturally quiet display. Maybe Papyrus was still mad at him, they had fought before he had left to go on his mission.
“Paps?” Sans tried again, but still Papyrus didn’t show any sign of acknowledging his presence. Sans was now feeling a little bit frustrated. This was hardly the time for Papyrus to be giving him the cold sholder, and acting so immature. Sans had been worrying himself sick over him for the last two days, couldn’t they just talk this out? Sans then hoped of his chair and pointedly made his way to his brother’s side.
“Papyrus.” He said again, only this time his voice was firm. However, when Sans reached out to grab his brothers arm to turn him toward himself. He was met with a sight that he would much rather not have seen. Papyrus slumped forward looking as raged and as drained as when Sans had first seen him enter the bar. His sockets were almost lifeless, as he then fell roughly to his knees.
“P-Paps!” Sans exclaimed as he caught his younger brother before he could fall completely over. “Oh god Paps, what happened to you?!” He said as he clutched his brothers limp form.
“S- SANS?” Papyrus asked his voice so raspy and quite that Sans had to strain to hear him.
“I got you bro.” Sans said as he clung to Papyrus even tighter.
“BROTHER, WHERE WERE YOU?” Papyrus asked, and Sans stuttered with his response as he had no idea what Papyrus was talking about.
“What do you mean bro?” He asked as he tried to pull his brothers limp body back toward his bedroom. Paps just needed more sleep that was all. He would get him tucked into bed and then everything would be fine.
“I COULDN’T DO IT ALONE SANS, I NEEDED YOU AND YOU WEREN'T THERE.” Papyrus said ,his voice barely a whisper. Sans continued to struggle with his brothers weight as he desperately tried to make it back to safety of the bedroom. Why was this hallway so impossibly long!?
We’re almost there Paps. We’ll get you tucked in, and hey I’ll even read you your favorite story ok?” Sans said, his voice nearly breaking as the door to Papyrus bedroom continued to move further and further away from him no matter how hard he struggled to get to it. The walls of the hallway started to ooze black tar, making it even harder for Sans to move as the grimy black slime stuck to Sans and his brother holding them in place. Sans found himself cursing out loud as he struggled against the sludge. Though the more he seemed to fight it the more it seemed to cling to him.
“I'M TIRED BROTHER.” Papyrus said as his dull eye sockets began to close.
“Not yet Paps.” Sans urged, jostling Papyrus in his hold to try and keep him awake. “You gotta wait till we make it back to your –.” But his words died in his nonexistent throat as he turned back to his brothers form slumped over his shoulder. His legs, Papyrus’ legs were disappearing; they were slowly turning to dust. Sans left eye immediately flared up at the sight as he called forth his magic to obliterate the thick black tar blocking his path; He then sprinted with Papyrus in his desperate grip toward the bedroom door.
“Just a little longer Paps, you’re gonna be fine, everything is gonna be fine.” Sans said mostly to himself as he hauled his now unconscious brother along. Papyrus’ legs had already disappeared up to his knee caps, and soon his torso would also become threatened as his body continued to slowly disintegrate.
Sans tore his blaring eye sockets away from the horrid sight as he instead focused on getting to the door that was dancing just out of his reach. He didn’t know why, but something just told him that as long as he could get Papyrus inside the safe haven before he completely vanished then everything would be ok. He struggled forward, but the door continued to move out of his reach. It was right in front of him, but he couldn’t seem to get any closer no matter how hard he ran.
Papyrus continued to shrink in his grip, and sans couldn’t bear to look as he felt his brother’s rib cage crumble away into nothingness under his phalanges. Sans gave out a terrible anguished scream as he lunged desperately for the doors handle. Just when he thought he had it within his grip, suddenly he found himself transported back to the very beginning of the hallway again.
Sans sunk to his knees as he clutched desperately to the last remaining bit of his brothers body. He began to sob.
“DON’T CRY BROTHER.” Papyrus rasped as his skull began to fragment. “ITS OK, I KNEW THAT YOU WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO DO IT ANYWAY.” He said as he turned completely into dust and slipped right through Sans frantic fingers.
Sans woke with a jolt. His socket was searing, his cyan eye reacting to his panic induced state thanks to that horrible, horrible nightmare. Before he could even attempt to try and straighten himself out, Sans snapped his wild gaze back to the bed. Once he saw his brother still there right where he had left him, under the covers, he finally allowed himself to believe that it had all just been a bad dream. He slowly then leaned himself back against the bed frame as he raked a hand over his sweaty skull.
Damn it. His mind just couldn’t give him a break could it? Sans then snuffed out his blazing eye as he shakily hoisted himself up off the floor. His head was already pounding, and his spine was killing him. Guess that’s what he got for sleeping on hard wood flooring. His soul was still thrumming wildly with anxious energy, and Sans knew that it wasn’t going to settle down any time soon. With a frustrated huff he made his way toward the door. If his thoughts were going to torture him all night then he would much rather drown them out with booze. Being black out drunk also might help him get a little bit of a decent shut eye. Stars knew that he needed it.
Sans glanced back once more at his brother making sure that he was ok, before he silently left the bedroom and headed down the small hallway through the living room to get to the front door. He had just started to turn the knob when he heard the rustling of blankets and a slight grunt of pain sound from behind him.
“Sans?” Undyne called into the darkness. “Is that you?” Sans stiffened at her inquiry. He really wasn’t ready to face anyone right now, least of all undyne. Though he knew that it wasn’t really her fault, and that she had already suffered greatly with the loss of three of her men and a shot to her shoulder, he couldn’t help but feel bitter toward her at the moment. She had promised him that Papyrus wouldn’t see any danger on this mission of hers, and frankly he was a little more than miffed that she hadn’t kept it.
“Heya pal, how ya feeling?” Sans drawled, turning slightly back toward her, though he kept his grip decisively on the doorknob.
“I’m fine.” She said, her yellow eye guiltily avoiding his sockets. “How’s Papyrus doing?” She asked. Sans bit back his urge to chew her out. He really did want to vent his frustration on to someone, but he knew that Undyne didn’t deserve it. He’d save those choice words for Asgore.
“He’s doing fine.” Sans answered with a shrug. “Just needs to catch up on his reast is all.” Undyne only hummed in response, but by how she fiddled in her seat Sans could tell that she had something else to say to him. He let out a quite sigh as he waited for her to work up her nerve. He was getting a little impatient as he could practically hear the liquor downstairs calling his name.
“Sans I’m sorry.” She finally managed. “I put Papyrus at risk. I shoud’ve been more cautious in my attack plan. I ended up carting everyone into a trap.” She finished, her voice straining under the weight of her guilt. Sans clenched his teeth. He really didn’t want to get into this conversation right now. He knew that he didn’t have the mental stamina to hide his anger if she ticked him off, or if she pushed him for a reaction.
“Undyne.” He said sternly, not even trying to put on his usual casual guise. “Look, it’s been a very long day. We can talk about this after we’ve both had a chance to clear our heads a little.” Undyne was silent for a moment before she nodded back in understanding.
“Ok.” She replied simply. Sans then turned to head back out of the apartment and down the stairs, where he could finally get his hands on some sweet liquid relief.
When he made it to the bar he immediately ducked behind the counter to fish out one of the cheaper bottles of whisky. He quickly scrawled a messy note informing Grillby to put whatever he drank on his tab before he forgot or got too intoxicated to be able to write legibly. He grabbed one of the polished glasses off of the neatly kept shelves and then took to his usual seat. He poured his glass full of the mellow amber liquid, right up to the rim, before raising it to the quiet and empty bar surrounding him.
“Cheers.” He declared dully as he brought the glass to his teeth, taking it all back in one gulp.
An hour or so later and Sans was feeling quite pleasantly pickled. He was leaning his swimming head on his hands giggling to himself as he spun the empty whisky bottle around on the wooden bar top. He glanced upwards at the clock on the wall, but couldn’t seem to read the time as the numbers danced in circles in front of his sockets.
“Heh, guess that means its last call.” Sans said as he pulled himself down from his stool. He teetered a bit when he stood, having to brace himself slightly on the bar until he could get a hold of his bearings. He chuckled at the pleasant numbness that was making it rather difficult for him to walk as he slowly began to stumble his way back up the stairs.
When he made it to the apartment, he quietly stumbled his way through the living room even going so far as to hold his breath so he wouldn’t have to be confronted by Undyne or Alphys if he woke them up. When he made it to his bedroom door he let it all out in a huff. A wobbly smirk graced his face as he made it to his bedroom, opening the door so he could finally pass out on his comfy mess of pillows and blankets for a few hours of alcohol induced sleep, however, as soon as he glanced to his already occupied bed he froze.
Oh. Right. He had forgotten that he had lent it to Frisk for the night. Sans stayed rigid in the doorway as his inebriated brain tried to than figure out what to do. He knew that the appropriate thing to do was really to leave, and go back to his spot on the floor next to Papyrus. But, his stiff woozy body decided not to listen to his barely functioning brain as instead he found himself sauntering forward into the room.
He paused by the bedside as he briefly stared at the girl sleeping peacefully underneath his covers. He watched as her body rose and fell in a steady rhythm with her gentle breaths. He began to feel a little bit jealous of the fact that Frisk was able to snooze so soundly in his bed, while he was stuck on the hard floor of his brother’s room being tormented by nightmares. Now, Sans knew that he was the one who had offered Frisk his bed to begin with, but in his intoxicated state he very easily was able to dismiss that little tid bit of information so he could continue to feel the injustice of the current situation. He then sat down on the end of the mattress, before he leaned his head back against the wall. It still wasn’t as nice as being able to lie down to sleep, but at least the soft padding of the mattress would be easier on his tail bone then the hard wood floor of his brothers bedroom.
He knew that he was crossing some kind of line by doing this, he knew that he had already crossed a line by simply staying in the room while Frisk slept, but He couldn’t bring himself to care as the haze of alcohol clouded over the better judgment of his sensible mind. Besides, it wasn’t like he was going to go snuggling up to Frisk. He was just going to take up a small amount of space at the end of the bed that was all. Though he was pretty sure that she wouldn’t really mind if he did, they had already sort of shared a bed together after all, hadn’t they? Well, it was a couch but still, they had already slept together…in the literal sense of the word. This wouldn’t really be that big a deal would it?
Sans found himself glancing back over to Frisk. Now that he thought about it, he didn’t really remember how it had felt when he had fallen asleep with her in his arms. He had been so tired at the time, and also a bit preoccupied with being caught by Papyrus, that he hadn’t devoted any of his attention to Frisk. He tried to concentrate on that memory now, all of a sudden wanting to know how it had felt. To his disappointment he couldn’t really recall much, only the fact that her body had been pleasantly warm against his.
Sans then found himself shifting closer to \frisk. He couldn’t help but notice how inviting this situation was. It looked so comfortable to be all nestled into the comfy blankets, to have his head actually resting on a pillow instead of a wall, to have Frisks gentle warmth against his sternum as he listened to her rhythmic breaths. Maybe it would be ok if he could just take up a little bit more space. Frisk was so small after all, it wasn’t like she needed the entire bed to herself. There was already enough room for him right beside her. He was sure that she wouldn’t mind.
Sans inebriated brain then finally seemed to find the break pedal as it slammed its foot down hard on his coercing thoughts. He backed up immediately. Nope. It was certainly NOT ok for him to take up any more space. It was certainly NOT ok for him to move even an inch closer. He shook his head fiercely in an attempt to rattle awake what little commonsense he had left that he hadn’t killed off with alcohol.
God he was pathetic. After he wallowed in his own self misery for a moment, he chanced a look back to Frisk. He felt horrible, The booze in his system doing little to quell his self-deprecating thoughts which made him feel even more like the trash that he knew he was.
He remembered that Frisk had told him that he could wake her up if he needed to talk, and he almost considered doing it as he reached his hand forward, but he quickly scolded himself out of it. No, he had been selfish enough with her already. He didn’t want to rob her of her sleep as well. His hand then instead traveled down to one of Frisks covered feet, only a few inches away from his femur. He rested it there gently, comforted by the slight contact. This was as close as he could get. Sans then let his heavy eyes to fall closed as he began to drift back to sleep. This was all that he could allow himself to have and this was enough.