Sans's lament.

This old routine again.

Sans was having this same nightmare, the same thing over and over again.
The darkness around him was suffocating, Frisk was there. Close enough for him to grab her, close enough to see the tears pouring out of her eyes. Frisk stared at the skeleton sadly before starting to turn away, the distance between started to grow, showing the Frisk's from all the different timelines. Relentless killers, killers who had been moved by Papyrus and the ones who just... passed through. Sans started to run towards the furthest Frisk in vain, hearing something call out his name.

"-ans! Sans!"

Sans jerked awake, bashing his skull off the shelf of his sentry station.

"SANS!" Papyrus yelled, looking over, a stern look on his face "YOU LAZYBONES! WHAT IF A HUMAN COMES THROUGH?!"

Sans stared at his brother for a moment, almost looking right through him. Why this again? Why another reset? He couldn't bear this anymore. He forced a convincing grin and finally spoke up "Sorry bro, I'll keep my eye socket out for a human."

"AH GOOD!" Papyrus smiled, his tone becoming less heavy "I'M GOING TO RECALLIBRATE MY PUZZLES."

Watching Papyrus run off, Sans sighed and walked up the forest path, soon hid behind a cluster of trees near the ruins door. Soon enough, Frisk opened the ruins door, found a camera in the bush next to Sans and continue walking.

Frisk had reached the bars on the bridge when Sans played his usual song and dance, with his whoopee cushion in the hand trick. Sans still believed it was funny, despite all the times he had done it.

Something was different this time; Frisk cracked a wide smile and continued to laugh uncontrollably, to the point where tears were pouring out of her eyes.

"U-Um... You OK there kiddo?" Sans questioned, a genuine smile on his face. Of course he had his mouth stuck in a smiling position but his eyes normally gave the facade away.

Frisk suddenly stopped, snorting back another laugh as she wiped her eyes "Y-Yeah... That was fantastic!" She said quietly, well, quiet to Sans, this was the loudest Frisk would normally go, apart from her laughing fit.

"Glad to know you've got a strong funny bone." Sans said as calmly as possible, causing Frisk to snort again.

"C'mon I've got a idea." Sans mumbled, leading Frisk over the bridge to the conveniently shaped lamp. As usual, Sans told Frisk to hide behind it. This time, Frisk did it, somewhat of a surprise, the last few runs hadn't gone as smoothly. Papyrus ran in and Sans started this usual show with his younger brother, telling his bad jokes and he swore he could hear Frisk chuckling quietly.

As soon as Papyrus had arrived, he left once again, in a slight huff with Sans. Frisk slowly came out from hiding, and walked to leave to the next station and as usual, Sans stopped her and asked her to play along with his brother.

This time she nodded but didn't leave straight away, instead taking a moment to stare Sans in the eye sockets, smile and continue walking.

What was up with her? She seemed... different. Did she...? Sans shook his head at the thought and continued walking.