In Need Of Care

Unawake, Unslept...

(Bad editing on the Cover I know but I think I did good for only have MS Paint)

It had been a few days since Gaster started treating Caster. The more minor injuries were healed, now only the more major injures were left. These would take a lot more time to heal, though the thing that worried Gaster the most. Was the fact that their patient hadn't woken up yet, their HP was fine despite the injuries. It was almost as if they didn't want to wake up, like they preferred to just sleep and forget about the waking world all together. If nothing changed they may sleep forever, or worse could die. 

Unable to do anything at the moment Gaster had to return to his work, Sans was mature for his age and could be left in charge for a bit. About an hour or so after Gaster left, Papyrus curious as to why his father had been so busy in his home lab lately. Decided it would be best to see if he could help in someway, sneaking into the lab Papyrus saw another skeleton floating in a tank.

Papyrus: "Hello? Are you awake?"

Walking towards the skeleton, Papyrus saw how hurt they were. 

Papyrus: "This must be why Dad was so busy, you're so hurt... what happened to you? Well no matter, The Great Papyrus's amazing dad will heal you up in no time!"

[Deep within the Caster's Soul, something gently stirs awake]

Caster: "Ugh, I'm so tired... I just want to sleep."

Papyrus: "I've never met another skeleton before. I wish I could ask your name, I'm the Great Papyrus, I'm 10 years old."

Caster: "Papyrus? Uhmgh, I want to sleep... WAIT he said TEN years old...? ... Why am I so tired, I'm going back to sleep..."

Papyrus stayed there talking to Caster for a bit, Caster while in a half sleep responded in their mind. When Caster fell back asleep fully Papyrus seemed noticed and left to let them sleep. It went this way for a few days, Papyrus would talk to Caster, Caster would respond in their mind and then fall asleep. But each day Caster would think for longer, talk for longer, wake up a bit more and stay awake longer. 

Caster: "I remember that Skeletons can read people's fonts as well as hear them. Could mini Pap read my Thought bubble if I directed them at him?"

Papyrus: "You know, you are a good listener. I wish we could talk to each other."

Caster: "Papyrus, can you see my thought bubble? My font?"

Papyrus: "OOOH wowie, is that your Font? It's a Cipher like Dad's! You must be someone very important!"

Caster: "Wait you can actually see my thought bubbles?"

Papyrus: "Well yes I can, Dad said skeleton can read any font directed at them."

Caster: "That's great, now we can actually talk!"

And that's how they began talking to one another, and a small spark of friendship formed. It didn't take long for the friendship to grow as the two talked to one another. And everyday Caster woke up more and more, until one day, Gaster caught Papyrus talking to his mysterious patient. Unsure what his son was doing he watched him carefully. Within moments he realized, Papyrus was actually talking to the young skeleton. And he seemed to be getting responses in some way. Thinking this could be a way to help their patient, Gaster has Sans also interact with Caster through communication. 

Sans: "Right, so I'm suppose ta talk to ya. So hey I'm Sans, Sans Gaster. ...This is dumb you're asleep right? How am I posed ta talk to ya?"

Caster: "Well you just think about it, or should I say I think about it."

Sans: "Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, that's pretty fu... Holy Asgore! You can talk while asleep?!"

Caster: "I think I'm only half asleep, I'm not sure if I wanna wake up or not yet. I'm tired of getting beaten up..."

Sans: "... I can understand that, but still... staying asleep forever seems nice at first but you'd miss out on so much." 

Caster: "I don't care I'm tired, I just want to sleep. I don't wanna hurt anymore, or get beaten or attacked."

Sans: "Is this what you've been talking about with my bro?"

Caster: "... Sometimes, mostly we talk about his school and stuff. He's, really nice to "talk" to"

Sans: "Yea he's the best, wouldn't you wanna meet him? Like face to face?"

[Something stirs in Caster's soul, a memory of something long forgotten.]

As Dee stirred forcing themselves awake, Gaster could feel there magic all the way from Hotland. Teleporting back he was just in time to see their eyes open. Everyone was ecstatic to see their new guest and potential friend's eyes open. But there was an issue, their eye shine was dull almost lifeless. A dim gray that should be a bright white, what had happened to this child to make them so lifeless? For now them being awake was what's important. Draining the healing tank for them Gaster offered a hand, but ended up backing away when Caster flinched. 

Gaster: "I'm sorry..."

Caster: "N-no don't I'm just... I don't..."

Gaster: "You've a fear of being touched, don't you?" 

Caster nodded almost ashamed to be scared of someone who was seeming so nice. He took them in and treated their wounds, yet here they were backing away for him. Gaster reassured them that it was fine, and got them something to drink. Though, it had been so long that Caster wasn't even sure how to drink anymore. This is going to be difficult Gaster thought as he noticed this. But he was more that willing to help out a scared and lost child. But for now, he needed to get back to work before they noticed he left. He left Sans in charge as usual and left, Sans thinking the same thing Gaster was. What happened to this kid, and who did it?