The bad man
Toriel’s presence became fairly familiar in the skeleton brother’s apartment over the next few days. Sans really didn’t mind all that much, except for the outrageous amounts of junk that she would always bring with her whenever she visited. At first it was only a few things, a gift here or there, or maybe a baked good for the household, but then things escalated rather quickly.
Sans didn’t really see the harm in it at first. He guessed that Toriel just wanted to play the mother role, and catch up on all the years that she had missed when it came to doting on her daughter. Though when the gifts for Frisk started popping up, not only in Frisks room, but also everywhere else in the brother’s apartment, Sans began to feel a little annoyed.
The bathroom was the worst. Every time that Sans went in there, a new pink flowery thing would magically appear. It was like his bathroom was all of a sudden dressing in drag. The once sparse shelves were now absolutely cluttered with decorative shampoo bottles and perfumes, Papyrus didn’t even have any room to put his bone cologne. Toriel claimed that they were all necessities for a young woman, and that it was imperative that Frisk have them on hand, though Sans wasn’t all so sure. In all honesty however, he couldn’t really argue as he had no clue as to what half of the things even were; like the dried up flower petals that Toriel placed in a bowl on the back of the toilet, she had said it was something called potpourri, or the weird fluffy mesh sponge that now hung in the shower, Sans had learned that that was called a lufa. There were even things that he didn’t even understand the point of, like the decorative sea shell hand towels, and why they weren’t meant for being used, or why they had to match the decorative sea shell soaps that also weren’t meant to be used. What was the point of having something if you went even supposed to use it?
Frisk also had no clue when it came to most of the things that her mother had given to her, and she would often apologized profusely to the brothers while trying to bring all of her mother’s gifts back into her room and out of their way, though Sans knew that Frisks tiny bedroom was lacking in space. She had already crammed the drawers of her end table full to the brim with all of the flowery smelling stuff.
In the end, Frisk had to have a heart to heart chat with Toriel about her intruding on their space. Toriel felt rather badly about it, and apologized with a pie, saying that she was sorry that she had gotten carried away. Sans shrugged it off. He knew that Toriel just wanted to make an effort to be a part of Frisks life again. Her heart was in the right place, even if all of the girly garbage that she was hauling over wasn’t. Frisk ended up making an arrangement with her mother where she would be the one to ask Toriel for something when she needed it. Toriel agreed, and gradually Sans and his brother got their bathroom back, after getting rid of most of the unnecessary fru fru items, though they did keep a few. Frisk actually had quite the soft spot when it came to bubble bath, and Papyrus ended up rather enjoying the potpourri, and Sans found that the lufa was actually really useful at getting his bones good and sudsy, though he would never ever admit it.
It was in the early afternoon when Toriel showed up at the apartment again. Sans was currently fixing the lock on Frisk’s door that he had broken during the whole ordeal with Toriel and Frisks re-introduction. Frisk had tried to explain to him that it wasn’t necessary, but Sans really didn’t like the idea of her not having a lock to her room, especially when there was a room full of drunken mobsters just down the stairs on most nights. Though many of them were Sans’ friends and comrades, he knew full well that he couldn’t vouch for all of their characters. Toriel cleared her throat form behind him, gaining his attention away from his work.
“Oh, heya Miss Tori.” Sans said in greeting as he picked himself up off of the floor, before dusting off his pants.
“Hello Sans.” Toriel responded with a polite smile. “Is Frisk in?”
“Not yet, she’s running a job at the moment with my brother, but she’ll be back soon.” Sans replied. “I’m sure you could wait for her in the bar downstairs.” He suggested as he began to clean up his tools.
“Actually if it is not too much trouble, I was hoping that I might have a brief word with you before she returns.” Toriel then said. Sans raised a brow bone in slight surprise as Toriel rarely made more than small talk with him on most occasions, and also tried to avoid engaging with any other Pansy members unless it directly concerned her daughter, but he only shrugged as he lead the way back to his apartment.
“Sure I don’t mind.” He said as he opened the door for her, she nodded in thanks as she walked in through the entrance, and made her way to the living room taking a seat on the couch.
“Uh, do you want some tea or anything?” Sans asked trying to be polite, but Toriel just shook her head.
“No thank you.” She said. “I don’t intend to stay for too long.” Sans nodded in return as he then made his way over to the living room to join her.
“So what is it that I can help you with?” He asked.
“Well Sans, I’m just going to get right to the point.” Toriel replied as she turned to him with serious eyes. “I was hoping that you could help me to convince Frisk to leave the Pansies.” Sans stood silent for a moment as he registered her request.
“I thought you said that it was up to her whether she wanted to stay or go?” Sans questioned. Toriel’s brows furrowed as her firm gaze shifted to one of guilt.
“I know what I said, and I know that it has to be her choice, but maybe with just a little incentive she would see that there are so many other opportunities out there for her.” She explained. Sans just stood silently, waiting for her to elaborate.
“You see I have found a really good school that she could attend.” Toriel continued as she dug a brochure out of her purse and passed it to Sans. He took it from her and glanced over the cover page. The advertisement was for an all-girls academy, and it looked like it was a pretty prestigious one at that.
“I know that the Pansies have all provided for her, and I do not wish to sound ungrateful for that Sans, but she can have such a bright future. I have already been informed by Asgore that Frisk is free to go whenever she chooses but…..” Toriel then trialed off as she fidgeted with her hands in her lap.
“But the kid doesn’t want to leave.” Sans said finishing her sentence for her. Toriel nodded sadly.
“I was hoping that maybe you could help convince her to apply. I already have enough money saved up for the tuition, and it’s a human school so Frisk will be among her peers.” She explained, her voice growing a little excited at the prospect.
Sans huffed to himself as he looked down at the broacher. Girls in neat and smart looking uniforms were posed on the cover in front of a very studious looking building. In all honesty, this would be the perfect place for Frisk. He knew that she would most likely love it there. She loved to learn after all, and she would be able to make some human friends outside of crime rings. She would be able to lead a normal life of a normal girl, but Sans knew that she couldn’t leave the Pansies, not right now, not with Ludo looking for her. He pinched the bridge of his nasal cavity as he thought of a way to break it gently to Toriel, who clearly had not been informed about the trouble that her daughter was currently in.
“Miss Toriel, I’m afraid I can’t do that at this moment.” He began and Toriel’s excited smile quickly fell into a frown.
“And why not?” She demanded. Sans took a moment as he prepared to tell her the truth.
“Well, it’s because it wouldn’t be safe for Frisk there, at least not right now.” He said. Toriel furrowed her brow in confusion.
“What do you mean not safe, As opposed to doing dealings with criminals?” She argued sarcastically.
“Look Frisk has gotten into a little bit of trouble a while back and honestly, the Pansies organization is the safest place for her.” Sans explained.
“What trouble?” Toriel asked, her stare firm as she stood from her seat. Sans rubbed at his skull, he could already feel Toriel’s ferocity leaking through her firm façade.
“She’s a target.” Sans said and Toriel’s eyes widened in shock.
“What…. Who?” She asked.
“The Gambino’s, their new don has her on his hit list and it’s personal.” Sans explained and Toriel raised a hand to her face in shock as she wilted back down on to the couch again.
“That…that can’t be.” Toriel said quietly in disbelief, and Sans winced at her wobbly voice.
“Miss Tori, it won’t be forever.” Sans said in an attempt to give her some hope. “Frisk is safe here, and she’s protected. The Gambino’s can’t get to her as long as she stays with the Pansies.”
Toriel stayed silent on the couch as she swallowed down her panic and grief. She knew that Sans was right. The Pansies main hangout would be the safest place for Frisk. She would constantly be surrounded by numerous gang members that would keep her protected, not to mention the skeleton brothers who were right down the hall. Frisk would never be left alone here, she would never be unguarded, but Toriel still didn’t like it. She had wanted so much for her daughter, she had wanted to give her a future away from the slums and crime clogged gutters of Ebott, but now it seems that Frisk was trapped in them, completely stuck in the sludge.
“It- It will not be forever.” Toriel then said, repeating Sans’ words in an effort to believe them herself. Sans nodded.
“I can trust you to look after her?” Toriel then asked in a very fragile voice. “If anyone comes looking for her she will be safe here with you?” Sans nodded again, holding Toriel’s sad and fearful eyes with his own earnest sockets.
“I promise.” He said. Toriel let out a shaky breathe a little relieved, but not by much.
“I’m sorry Sans for springing this request on you. I understand now that the best place for Frisk is here.” She said, albeit very sadly.
“It’s alright Ms Tori, and hey, remember this is only temporary. Once things calm down you should offer this opportunity to Frisk, I think that she would really like this place.” Sans replied with as much optimism as he could muster. Toriel turned to him and gave him a small smile of thanks for his efforts at trying to cheer her up.
“Yes I will do that.” She said as she gradually rose to her feet again. “Thank you Sans, I believe that is all I wanted to speak to you about.” But before Toriel could start walking over to the door to let herself out, Sans spoke up.
“Actually before you go, I uh also wanted to talk to you about something.” He said quickly. Toriel turned back toward him and waited expectantly for him to continue.
“Yes?” She asked, and Sans scratched at the side of his skull, not too sure exactly where he should start.
“Well, part of the reason why I was looking for you was because Frisk doesn’t seem to remember a whole lot about her past, and I was hoping that you might be able to clear that up a bit?” He explained. Toriel stiffened where she stood.
“I do not think that I can be of any assistance in that matter.” She said. “I do not know where Frisk came from, or what happened to her before I took her home.”
“There must be something?” Sans replied, probing further, slightly curious about Toriel’s defensive stance on this particular subject. Toriel turned away from him at first, adamant about keeping her silence, but then her shoulders fell in defeat as she decided to tell Sans all that she knew.
“I do not know much.” Toriel began. “But when she first came to stay with me, I noticed some odd habits that Frisk seemed to own.”
“Odd habits?” Sans repeated, encouraging Toriel to elaborate.
“Yes, habits that were not particular to a young child.” Toriel said. Sans just raised an eyebrow in question, and Toriel let out a huff as she retook her seat for the second time.
“I do not think that Frisk had a very happy childhood before I found her.” Toriel then explained.
“How so?” Sans asked.
“Well, she did not know any basic manners at all.” Toriel began. “In fact, I don’t think that she even knew what a knife or fork was, as she would only eat with her hands until I taught her how to use them. She would shovel as much food into her mouth as she could manage. I was afraid at times that she would chock.” Sans continued to listen patiently, waiting for Toriel to tell him what she had really meant by odd habits.
“She would also stuff food into her pockets when she thought that I wasn’t looking it was like she wasn’t sure if she would ever get fed again, and I would often find her hording food in a stock pile under her matters. Whenever I caught her doing it, she would look so afraid like I was going to hurt her.” Toriel said sadly.
“Well, Frisk was living on the streets before you found her right?” Sans said. “I think that kind of explains her obsession with food.” Toriel only furrowed her brows in response.
“It wasn’t just that.” She continued. “She also wouldn’t eat unless I instructed her to do so. Whenever we sat down for meals she would just stare at her plate until I told her that it was ok. It was like she had been trained. She wouldn’t sleep in her bed for the first few weeks either, she would curl herself up in a ball in the corner of her room and …she absolutely hated the dark.” Sans begun to feel his pinpricks dim, as a heavy bout of dread started to settle in his bones.
“She never told me anything about her past. Whenever I would ask, she would just clam up and say that she wasn’t allowed to say anything, or that she didn’t want to talk about it. Perhaps it was my own fear, but I never really pushed her to explain. I didn’t like the look that appeared on her face whenever I brought up the subject.” Toriel explained.
“Was there anything else?” Sans asked, and Toriel pursed her lips as her eyes shied away from his.
“Yes…” She answered, almost a little reluctantly, as if she were deciding if it was a good idea to really be telling Sans these things. “She would also have terrible nightmares.” Toriel then said.
“She would wake up screaming. It nearly gave me a heart attack the first time that it happened, and it took me so long to convince her that she was safe.” Toriel paused briefly, and took a calming breath, before she allowed herself to continue. “She… didn’t really tell me much about them, but she did say that there was a bad man, a bad man who did bad things, things that hurt .” Sans sockets abruptly turned black as Toriel explained Frisk’s nightmares to him, and suddenly he really didn’t want to hear anymore.
“Sans.” Toriel then spoke up when he didn’t respond after she had finished telling him what she knew. “About Frisks past, I don’t think that you should relay these things to her. I know that you are trying to help her, but I believe that it is for the best that she not remember. Over the time that she has stayed with me she has forgotten the majority of them, and I think that it should remain that way.” Sans nodded in answer, unable to find his words just yet. Toriel only sighed as she stood from the couch again and made her way to the door.
“I will come by again later to see Frisk. I do hope that you have a good evening Sans.” She said over her shoulder before she left, leaving Sans alone in the empty apartment to entertain his thoughts that continued to turn darker and darker as he imagined what terrible things might have happened to Frisk when she was only a child.
It wasn’t until a thunderous knocking sounded on the front door about an hour later that Sans was startled out of his dreary trance. He only managed to turn the doorknob before Undyne burst through the entrance way and bounded into the apartment.
“Is it true Sans? Is she really back? Where is she?” Undyne demanded as she continued to search the small living space.
“Nice to see you to Undyne.” Sans replied as he shut the front door again.
“I knew it was suspicious that Asgore was acting all goofy, but I never thought that she would actually dare to come back here.” Undyne continued, grumbling to herself as she threw open the brother’s linen closet, as if expecting someone to be hiding inside.
“I take it that you’re talking about Miss Toriel?” Sans asked as he watched Undyne stomp around the apartment.
“Who else?!” She snarled.
“Hey now, take it easy pal you might want to scale back on the anger.” Sans said, shooting her an obnoxious wink. Undyne just narrowed her eye at him and growled to herself in annoyance as she plunked herself down on the couch when she figured out that Toriel was long gone.
“So you wanna tell me what all the huffing is about?” He continued.
“No.” She answered stubbornly.
“That’s fine, I think I can guess what it is you want to see her about by that angry entrance you made, and buddy I don’t mean to pry, but I’m pretty sure that Asgore was very specific about leaving her be.” Sans replied cheekily. Undyne snapped her angry gaze over to Sans, before flashing him a sharp toothed scowl.
“You weren’t here when it happened Sans! You don’t know what it did to him when she just up and left!” She said. Sans only shrugged, unfazed by the bite present behind her tone.
“That’s true.” He said. “But I also know that Asgore isn’t exactly innocent in all of this either.” Undyne just let out an angry grunt in disbelief as she tore her gaze away from Sans.
“Look Undyne, it’s in the past, and honestly it’s none of our business. I think its best that we let Asgore and Toriel sort this out for themselves.” He said simply. “And besides it was Asgore’s orders after all that Toriel should be left alone, you wouldn’t want to go against his wishes now would you?”
“You’re one to talk!” Undyne retorted angrily. “You’re the one who went against orders in the first place and brought her back here!”
“Hey now, no need to point fingers. I’ve already worked this all out with the boss.” Sans replied, raising his hands in front of himself in defense. Undyne just growled under her breath.
“Why did you bring her back anyway?” She asked. "Was it some sort of payback for what happened to Papyrus?”
Sans stiffened a bit at her question, before sticking his hands lazily into his pockets. The Pansies were already in a bit of an uneasy state with the reappearance of the boss’ wife, and Sans knew that making Frisk and Toriel’s relationship public knowledge would really only add fuel to the metaphorical fire. Though Frisk had been accepted as a member of the Pansies, she was still a human, and Toriel was still a monster. Not everyone would be too thrilled if they overheard about this little family drama currently going on.
“Something like that.” Sans said, throwing Undyne an easy grin. He noted however, how Undyne’s good eye narrowed threateningly, not buying his response. The door was then opened firmly as Papyrus and Frisk had made it home, both of them carrying an armload of brown paper grocery bags.
“HELLO BROTHER.” Papyrus sang happily in greeting, before noticing that Undyne was also present in the living room. “OH UNDYNE, I DID NOT EXPECT YOU TO BE PAYING US A VISIT TODAY. I THOUGHT THAT YOU WERE STILL RECOVERING.” He said as he dropped his bags on the counter, before turning to Frisk to help to relieve her load as well.
“Oh uh yeah, no I’m all healed up good as new.” Undyne said, distracted away from her previous engagement with Sans, as she showed of her healed shoulder by flexing her arm.
“THAT’S EXCELLENT! THEN YOU MUST STAY FOR DINNER, FRISK AND I HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL PLANNED.” Papyrus exclaimed. Frisk giggled proudly from next to him, as Papyrus patted her fondly on the head.
“That sounds really good bro.” Sans said as he mustered up as much enthusiasm as he could manage, but then his pinpricks fell over to Frisk and her smiling face, and he felt like his heart was breaking when he was reminded of his unpleasant conversation with Toriel earlier in the afternoon.
“Sans you ok?” Frisk asked, noting the dead look in his eyes. Sans immediately jolted back to reality, as he fixed the grin back across his skull.
“Never better kiddo.” He replied with a wink as he went over and mussed up her hair. Frisk just snorted and batted at his hand playfully.
“So what is it that you two dweebs are making then?” Undyne asked, intrigued by this new culinary expedition laid out before her.
“We’re going to try lasagna.” Frisk answered excitedly. “I found a recipe book at the market today.” She said as she grabbed the cook book, showing it off proudly.
“THOUGH I’M SURE NO RECIPE CAN MATCH MY OWN CULINARY GENIUS.” Papyrus added, while he puffed out his rib cage. “BUT IT WILL SERVE AS A GOOD GUIDELINE I SUPPOSE.”
“Huh, sounds good.” Sans replied. “Uh hey, do me a favor and call me when it’s ready. I still have a bit of work to finish up.”
“WORK?” Papyrus asked, confused that his lump of a brother was actually concerned with getting something done, rather than taking the opportunity to laze on the couch.
“Yeah, just have to finish tightening a few screws on Frisk’s lock.” He said as he made his way over to the door.
“Oh Thanks Sans, you didn’t have to do that.” Frisk said as she began to unpack the grocery bags. “Do you need any help?”
“No uh, you just help Paps and Undyne with dinner.” He began. “And it’d be great if you make sure that they don’t destroy the kitchen.” He added with a wink. Frisk replied with a knowing smile and a nod as she turned to head back to the others. Sans watched her go briefly, before he made his exit .He was becoming a little desperate at this point to get away from the happy atmosphere. He could feel his guise starting to slip, and he needed some time alone to get his thoughts under control. He wasn’t sure that he could continue to face Frisk without giving away his inner turmoil at this point.
As soon as Sans entered into the dark hallway and shut the apartment door behind him, his grin fell from his face. He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck as he made his way back to Frisks room. He double checked, and then triple checked the lock, making sure that it was secure, before He then sat down on Frisks bed for a bit of a breather. Though his work was done, he couldn’t bring himself to go back to the warm and inviting apartment quite yet. He was still very disturbed by the news that Toriel had told him about, and he wasn’t sure how to deal with it. He almost just wanted to forget about it, push those dark speculations and wonderings about what exactly it was that had traumatized Frisk so much as a child to the far reaches of his mind, but he knew that he wouldn’t be able to do that. No, those thoughts were going to continue to haunt him.
He couldn’t ask her, He already knew that. She didn’t even remember anyway, and Sans knew that it would be far better if she never did. Whatever it was that had happened to her, it needed to stay forgotten. That way they could just go on with their lives. Him, Papyrus and Frisk could just stay like how they are now, happy and safe, and he could keep It that way. She would never have to worry about having nightmares again. She wouldn’t ever have to remember the bad man from her dreams… The one that did the bad things…. The bad things that hurt.
A soft knock sounded on the door and snapped Sans out of his not so pleasant thoughts. He slowly stood to go and open it, reveling Frisk in the hallway.
“Hey foods ready.” She said. “And you’ll be happy to know that I managed to save it from inevitable destruction.” She added proudly. “I think it might actually be edible this time.” Frisk then looked down to her new lock.
“Wow, you fixed it, thanks Sans!” She said, beaming up at him. Sans smiled back, as he began to feel the darkness residing in his soul retreat In the presence of her happy face.
“No problem.” He said, and Frisk then turned to begin walking back over to the main apartment, but Sans caught her by her wrist before she could get too far away. She looked back at him curiously as he continued to stare down at the floorboards.
“Frisk listen.” He began. “I uh, just wanted to let you know that if you ever need anything, or just want someone to talk to about anything, that you can always come to me.” Frisk blinked and cocked her head to the side in slight confusion as to what brought this on all of a sudden.
“Oh, ok I will then.” She said, as she looked over Sans' now very sullen appearance. Sans let out a small huff, satisfied enough with her answer as he let go of her wrist.
“Are you sure you’re ok Sans?” Frisk asked again, her brows furrowed in concern, and Sans couldn’t help the small smile that tugged on his cheekbones at her worry.
“Yeah, I’m alright.” He said patting her on the head again, but this time he let his hand linger, before he gently ran his phalanges through her short dark locks. Frisk blushed in her surprise at his sudden tender action, but before she could even say anything about it Sans stuffed his hands back into his pockets.
“let’s head on over, don’t want the food to get cold after all.” He said as he walked around her, back toward the apartment. Frisk only managed a nod as she stumbled along behind him.