The Day After The End (OLD)

4. Steps

At The Ruins

Still wearing an congenial smile by the sight of company Toriel cleared her throat and looked down at Sans, "It is nice to see you again, Sans." She sighed delicately as if her very voice would become shattered against the icy air, and let the nostalgia fill her. "It's been awhile since I last saw you."

In response Sans's tucked his chin in starring blankly down at his pink slippers and face went dim as the shadows carved deep within his face, "I... know... T-Tori... I-just... been... busy..." Toriel's expression weakened, but she nodded marginally unconvinced.

"Well..." She paused scanning Sans's facial features, "Have you been taking care of yourself Sans?" Her eyes were solid with firmness, but her smile didn't fall.

Realising Toriel's doubtful glare was upon him, Sans quickly pulled his hood up over his head and forced a smile.
"Tori, ..." He ignored the pain the best he could letting his words slip, "I'd- Nothing- ok.... Paps?"

Papyrus took a step foward unconsciously saving Sans from having to explain, "Worry not queen Toriel!" He announced full of pride, "I, the GREAT Papyrus I'm the best at caring for my dear brother!" Toriel's eyes softened slightly at the brotherly display.

Sans looked up at his brother with what looked like to be admiration, "C-coolest bro..." Papyrus's smile beamed.

"Nyeh, heh, heh! Right you are brother! I'm the coolest!" He basked in the spot light before his imaginary cheering crowd. He then turned back to Toriel, "Queen Toriel, I assure you my brother is well!"

The expression on Toriel's face only supported how much she actually wanted to believe Papyrus, but her instincts told her otherwise. Sans covered his face more with his hood to avoid further questions, because he could tell that this conversation was far from over.

"Thank you, Papyrus." She said generously even though she knew that was far from the truth, but she couldn't imagine the sight of the taller skeleton being disappointed if she didn't agree. "I see."

Papyrus gained strength and spoke more pronounced, "He even told me himself!" He stopped and looked down at his brother fondly, "And I know Sans would never lie to me."

Sans slowly started to show signs of discomfort, all the pressure that was bleeding through, the pain became more severe in his head, he wanted to scream in hopes that would relieve the torment, but he couldn't , it was only going to get worse, and his "masks" was starting to gradually fall off his face.

The wind began to howl shaking the trees with all of its might as the snow began to come down heavy on them. Toriel looked up at the shivering trees with uneasiness, "I hope were not in for a storm." She sighed and turned back to Sans and Papyrus with an apprehensive chuckle, "I'm not prepared for that..." Her mind spaced out into disorganized worry, but was brought back to earth by her nature to take care of her visitors.

"Please, come in." She spoke softly and opened the door wider to accommodate them passing, "Before you boys catch a cold."

Papyrus marched in like a wooden solider and Sans first hesitated, but then started to sloshily follow Papyrus in.

Seeing her guests now sheltered from the wicked wind and chilling snow from outside. She let go of the large brass door handle causing the door to close with Toriel's absence.

They walked through the small purple corridor.

Sans walked much slower than both of them to purposely get left behind. He turned back to the huge door of the ruins considering leaving as he felt chills run up his spine, but forced himself away from possible escape, and looked at Papyrus and Toriel realizing why he shouldn't leave right now.