YOU (Undertale/Deltarune AU)

9

Sans and Papyrus we're taking their time walking back to where they lived. They were silent, but each could tell what the other was thinking.

"I HOPE THEY FIND THAT HUMAN."

"me too."

And just like that, silent again. The only sound their footsteps.

"AND THAT OTHER GIRL."

"the one who smokes out back of the store just because i told her i won't tell anyone? yeah, me too."

"YOU SEEM OCCUPIED BY SOMETHING, BROTHER."

Sans almost stopped breathing. He didn't realise it was so obvious at first, but of course, Papyrus, the ever observant, picked up. He was occupied by something.

"when i met that kid yesterday, for the first time, they... they told me it was nice to see me again."

Sans knew full well why they'd said that. He didn't like it, but he knew he knew that kid from somewhere before, too. And he knew what they did, and it hurt to think that someone as nice as them, who got grossed out by 'i fucked your mom' jokes could be as monstrous as that.

"i guess they just mistook me for someone else, though. it isn't important."

"SANS, YOU'RE AN OVERWEIGHT SKELETON WHO WEARS A SIX YEAR OLD HOODIE, WITH A HOLE THE SIZE OF YOUR INSECURITIES UNDER THE ARMPIT, RIP-OFF NIKE SHORTS AND PINK SLIPPERS.  HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY MISTAKE SOMEONE AS UNIQUE AND STRANGE AS YOU FOR SOMEONE ELSE?" Papyrus said, completely bluntly and kinda rudely.

Yeah, you wouldn't think he had it in him, but Papyrus had his fair share of harsh roasts. It was all in good humour, though. He did it to motivate Sans, to push him to do the simplest of things. Papyrus has brought up teaching self-love yoga classes before, but he'd never mentioned it again. He was a good person like that. Very likeable and easy to be friends with. Sans didn't know anyone who would ever hurt him. Everyone loved him.

It's a beautiful day outside.

Sans's breath caught once again, only this time he felt his whole heart stop. He felt tears prick, though he didn't know why. He blinked them back fast enough. Papyrus didn't even realise. Sans cleared his throat, pushing what just happened behind him.

"okay first of all, i like the hole. it adds charm. second of all, i'm not overweight, i'm-"

"SANS, DON'T."

"big boned."

"I'M DISOWNING YOU AS MY BROTHER." Papyrus said in annoyance. He seemed to temporarily forget that it was impossible to disown an older brother. No matter what, they were always gonna be stuck together.

Sans laughed, and it honestly felt good to laugh and smile. Real smiles, not just fake 'nah, i'm good don't worry about me' smiles. Papyrus's whole face lit up when Sans laughed. Anyone looking at them could tell they had the strongest brotherly bond of all brothers. Papyrus was such a dork, but Sans loved him. Likewise, he knew Papyrus loved him back. It was just the two of them, after all. After the strange disappearance of their father, Sans had practically raised the boy.

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU THINK IS SO FUNNY. THE SHEER HORROR OF YOUR TERRIBLE PUNS IS A MATTER THAT SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE POLICE."

"daaaaaamn that was cruel." Sans placed hand over his hand in mock hurt. "that was genuinely the harshest thing you've ever said to me. c'mon bro, admit it, you need me. you'd be bankrupt on the streets without me."

"AND YOU WOULD'VE HAD A MENTAL BREAKDOWN AND COMPLETELY SHATTERED WITHOUT ME. WE NEED EACH OTHER, AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU CHEERFUL, SANS. I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU HAPPY MORE OFTEN."

"well, with those three losers we just met, i might be." Sans said, still smiling. It was true, too. That day so far had been the most chaotic day of his life. First he got to watch Undyne interrogate Alphys right outside his door. Then this goat guy, Asgore, had busted into the store, grabbed a whole pack of cigarettes, payed fifty cents short, ran out and stress smoked the whole pack right outside the store, then came back in and apologised. Then he completely disappeared. Then, Papyrus busted in to take over for Sans's lunch break and broke the slushie machine after Sans dared him to chug the whole thing. Then, the school kids came charging in for their lunch break, and they were all chatting about two kids disappearing, and Sans was listening whilst serving. Then, they met Undyne, Alphys and Napstablook. Now, he was having a weirdly heartfelt conversation with Papyrus for no apparent reason.

"i can't wait to go bed." Sans said.

Turns out, he could barely even make it through the door without collapsing on the floor and instantly snoring. Papyrus frowned, hoisting him onto the couch. He sat on the armchair Sans usually sat in, and curled up. Sans would be fine without a blanket, it was boiling in that room. Papyrus was often genuinely concerned for Sans's mental health, but now more than ever.

Especially after he saw him tear up on the street just then.