What is Family for? [UNDERTALE] (COMPLETE)

[12] Routine

{ again: more illness cw, death, yadda yadda.
btw ill start naming chapters now!! ive thought abt it for a while and i like it so B)
enjoy the chap!! thank you all for your support, even after such hiatus. ilyall <3 ] 

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There's pacing outside the doorway. Heavy, hard pacing. Alphys fears the floor might crumble beneath them, and sticks to the bench during Undyne's (justified) fit. Besides her, Sans and Papyrus fidget - opposites, as usual, but both do want Frisk better as soon as possible. Sans is just on the verge of passing out, while Papyrus is planning what to do when they get better, eyes squinting down at his screen as he types hastily. Asgore politely stands to the side of the bench. He doubt he' d be able to enter the room, despite that Frisk considers him their father - not with Toriel in such an unstable state. 

Sans eyes the clock - it's late, definitely. Everyone's eyes follow suit and acknowledge they'll have to return home soon.  The clock ticks once every decade, Sans has noticed. He slinks further into his seat, grumbling.

It's been a week.
Frisk is still sick.
They're still getting worse.

"We're still not allowed in?" Undyne huffs, breaking the silence and glaring at the same hospital door she's stared at all week.

"Well, Frisk isn't exactly our kid. Plus, we might make them even more unstable if we enter." Alphys reminds her (again.)

"What? 1 - Yes they are, I raised and almost speared them to death myself. They're totally my kid. And 2 - They need some more love and fire, not medicine."

"That's ... not how humans really work. If they're sick, they're just... sick. Their emotional state can't help them, really." And with that, the conversation closes as it seems to sink in that Frisk is beyond their help. 

The clock keeps ticking.
The family will have to pack up and go home, soon.

But it's not really a home without Frisk. They're the reason they're on the surface, anyhow, and enjoying what Frisk gave to them without them present seems wrong.
It's wrong that they're anything but happy. It's wrong that they're not smiling.
It's wrong they're dying, again. 

Once again, they got hurt because of their kindness - trying to help everyone, even someone like that kid. 

Sans can imagine the look the kid would give him if they heard him.   

But maybe Sans has a bit of a bias towards kids who get giggles out of hurting others.
Why kids specifically, I'm sure you know.

The door opens, and Toriel steps out. Her dress is wrinkles, her eyes are red and puffy, and she looks like she hasn't slept in a week. The group knows the routine by now - visiting hours have been pushed, and even family can't stay anymore. Frisk needs their rest. At once, the group organizes themselves, mumbles bitter goodbyes and heads their own ways.

-- x -- x -- x

He remembers driving home, but Sans doesn't remember falling asleep. He wakes up - still wearing the clothes he wore last night, he notes, but he's used to it - on a surprisingly warm day, for March at least. Spring is coming. He almost takes it as hope that Frisk will get well soon. Feeling at least a little lighter (he enjoys the sun, despite him valuing it for different reasons) he steps down the stairs. It's quiet, and Papyrus isn't cooking this morning - in fact, he's nowhere in sight. 

He can't stand things being quiet anymore - especially not his home, because then it means that it's empty, and if it's empty then it only means that -

A hand grasps his shoulder. Sans gasps, half expecting ... well, it doesn't matter. It's just Papyrus, much to Sans' relief. 

"It's rude to sneak up on people like that, you nearly scared me out of my skin."

"What? Already? You've been awake for 30 seconds, Sans!" 

When Sans opens his mouth(?) to speak again, Papyrus quickly shooshes him. 

"No, I don't want to hear it. Especially on an empty stomach." He sounds proud  - and Sans is too, but Papyrus still isn't emotionally prepared for risking another pun. Not one that's not his, anyway. 

"I'm not sure how you didn't notice considering you eat near constantly, but our fridge is empty. We don't have anything to cook with, much less bake anything in case Frisk wakes up suddenly." Sans is spun back towards the stairs and pushed gently. "Get dressed, alright? Not that the drive to the hospital isn't always a pleasant one," his tone sharpens, "But I think it'd do us both well if we got out of the house."

"I guess. Thanks, though. You've really managed to stay optimistic, even during all this."

"Thank you! I've noticed I often manage to keep my head on straight when others might panic, but it means a lot to hear it from my brother, too."

Sans chokes on the way up the stairs.

-- x -- x --x 

AN:

I M SO SORRY THIS CHAPTER WAS PUN TRASh

rlly tho prepare for ur skelebro relationships; these two are the best platonic skeletons from the multiverse 

(follow me for more soft platonic skeleton ) 

rllly tho... papyrus, is   A  pure CHild. a  pure boy. a good boy. wholesome skeleton. i elect papyrus for president 2k17              

thats the new hashtag
comment some hashtags i should put in the bio below!! ill pick my fav B)

HASHTAGS SO FAR IN "What Is Family For?" :

     - #ProtectFriskyFrisk2K16

     - #Papyrus2K17