Behind the Door (Altertale Soriel)

[Chapter 3:] Farewell

Sans returned to the dishes after his failed attempt in reassuring Toriel. He couldn't help but pity her, knowing that he too knew the feeling of loss and worry. His youngest brother did die at a very young age after all and so did his adopted sibling. But that was in the past.. he must focus on the future. At least, that's what he keeps telling himself. Sighing to rid the thought, he turned around to face the exhausted goat again to see that she had finished her hotcat. Forcing a small smile onto his face, he took the plate and put it in the sink.

"Thank you.." Toriel mumbled, still lost in her thoughts. The skeleton's smile disappeared into a worried frown as he turned back around.

"Your welcome." He replied softly, turning the faucet on again. He must forget about his past.

After Sans had washed all of the dishes and had put them away, he made his way over to Toriel and sat next to her. She had the look of worry on her face still and the skeleton wondered if she had anxiety. Perhaps she does. The small goat looked up at him as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder reassuringly.

"Hey, it is going to be ok." He said once again to her, but she looked down.

"But what if it's not?" The goat's voice was barely a whisper as her mouthed curved down into a small frown. Sans could tell that she was on the verge to crying, by experience of course. He was an oldest brother, after all. However, the skeleton did not know what to do, so he hugged her for reassurance. Slowly, Sans could feel that Toriel hugged him back and he smiled faintly.

"Look," he said, pulling back so that they were face to face. Toriel was blushing a little now, despite tears glinting her eyes. "If you find out that your brother is.. gone --which I highly doubt-- you can always stay with me."

The small goat was still very worried for her sibling, but a small smile appeared on her face.

     "Thank you." She murmured, wrapping her arms around his neck in a hug. The skeleton genuinely smiled for the first time in awhile as he wrapped his arms around her small waist.

They stayed like that for a few moments, with Sans' arms around Toriel and her arms wrapped around him. Sans had spaced out mid-hug, almost concerned for the little goat. He wished that he could do something to help her, but what else is there to do? Toriel broke the hug before looked down again, wiping her face. She knew that he had tried to reassure her, but she still didn't feel any better.

Eventually, Sans got up and started cleaning around the stove. There was no sound beside the gentle creaking of the old house and the sound of the cloth rubbing up against the counter. Toriel rest her head on her arms as she leaned on the side of the counter. She appeared deep in thought, so Sans didn't bother to talk to her. Instead to break the silence, he hummed a familiar tune to himself. Toriel knew this song, but could not remember what it was called. She smiled a little and lifted her head up. The goat then hummed along with him, but in a higher octave. Their voices mixed, creating some sort of harmony. Hearing her voice, the skeleton stopped cleaning and turned around to look at her. They both smiled at each other as they continued the light hearted tune. At the end of the phrase Sans smiled brighter and tilted his head to the side.

     "How do you know that song?" The skeleton asked as he approached her on the other side of the counter. Toriel shrugged.

     "Dunno.. I think I have heard it somewhere. What's it called?" She asked calmly as she looked up at his grinning face.

     "His theme." Sans replied, leaning onto the counter in front of her.

     "Oh, interesting."

The two were almost face to face now with the skeleton on one side of the counter and the goat on the other. They were both leaning over the counter so their faces were practically touching. They stood there staring at each other for a few moments, each of which for different reasons. Toriel admired the calm visage the skeleton held, even though he had lived here for who knows how long. She wondered if he missed his family, if he had one and why he was here in the first place. Sans on the other hand was still worried about the goat. He hoped that her brother was okay and he didn't want her to go through the same thing that he had gone through many years ago.

After a few moments, the goat broke the stare and looked down, leaning back into her seat. Sans sighed and sat up straight as the comedian blushed slightly.

     "Maybe I should head home.." she muttered, almost to herself. The tall skeleton sighed and brushed his bony hand against her cheek, causing her to look up at him. He smiled faintly at her as he forgot that his arms were still wrapped around her.

     "Do as you wish. I can understand your concern for your brother." He said reassuringly. "Just know that you are always welcome here and that I am here if you need anything."

The pretty goat blushed a little bit at his words, looking back down at her hands. She appreciated that someone cared about her this much, even if he was a complete stranger.

"Thank you.." She smiled, wrapping her arms around the skeleton's neck and pressing her body onto him in a hug. At first, Sans didn't think that she would do such a thing and stood there, shocked. But as she squeezed him tighter, he sighed and hugged her back. Although they were blushing slightly, they didn't let go of each other.

After what felt like forever, the goat let go of the skeleton and smiled up at him. He grinned back at her until she looked down, rather flustered.

     "Could I um.. have my clothes now?" She chuckled a little as Sans' face lit up.

     "Oh! My apologies! I shall get them." He rushed into the other room with a smile on his face as Toriel swung her feet, clearly bored. The skeleton went into the closet in the pink room and shifted dusty clothing around. He knew that he put it here somewhere. Soon he found her sweater and purple jacket and smiled to himself. He returned to the room to find the small goat asleep on the countertop. He softly nudged her before she snapped awake, lifting her head in surprise.

    "Here." He said, handing the clothes to her. "I believe that these are yours."

     "Thanks." The beautiful goat smiled before sliding off of the stoop and into the next room. She carefully closed the door before slipping her fleece pants off and pulling the shirt over her head. Although her clothes were still a little damp they were still quite warm. She pulled her sweater over her head and slipped on her jacket. Then the goat returned to the kitchen-like room and stood in front of Sans.

     "I just want to say thanks again.. for everything." She said awkwardly as she grabbed her phone off of the counter and shoved it into her pocket. Sans shrugged and smiled a little.

     "It is no problem." He walked over to the end of the counter, his bony feet clicking against the old wooden floor. "Come now, my friend. I'll show you the exit."

The small goat followed the skeleton as he made his way down a flight of stairs and down a long hallway. Pretty soon the two reached the end of the hallways which a huge door stood in their path. Sans sighed and looked down at the goat.

     "Good luck out there." He smiled faintly at her as she looked up at him.

     "You too.. I mean.. in here." She replied awkwardly, blushing from embarrassment. Sans chuckled a little, patting her shoulder. The small goat smiled up at him before reaching for the door, cool art blasting in her face. She went to go through the door but took one final glance back at him. He was smiling softly at her and gave a subtle wave. She smiled once more and closed the door, relishing the fresh air in her lungs.

But little did she know that it wasn't the last time that she would see the skeleton.