Once More With Feeling

The Birth Of A Mistake

"Can.. Can I.. maybe s-stay here?"

The question echoed in Mayas head long after her sister asked it, with big nervous eyes and a hesitant smile.

They were on their way to Snowdin, Frisk and Lilly running a few feet ahead, Sans and Maya trailing behind, and she couldn't stop thinking about it.

The girl wasn't even sure why it kept repeating in her head.

Because of course Lilly could stay with Toriel, if she really wanted to.

She had never been good at saying no to the girl.

Maya was actually a bit relieved her sister had asked, seeing as how there was simply no room for her in the apartment behind the pub.

Of course, that just made her feel guilty and like the worst big sister on the whole planet.

But Lillys huge grin and the tight hug she gave her as soon as Maya said yes really made up for it.

Toriel was also happy to have the girl, especially now that Frisk had to move back to her mom too.

Originally the plan had been for Lilly and Frisk to come back to Snowdin as soon as everything was sorted out, but that quickly changed.

Mainly because Gaster needed a room now that he was back.

And- of course- Lilly didn't want to leave.

Maya curled her hands deeper into the pockets of her (Grillbys) leather jacket, sighed and went back to watch the girls play in the snow ahead.

She felt Sans stare on her long before the skeleton opened his mouth- or teeth, rather.

Then again, Sans didn't even open them, he just kind of.. talked.

'He really takes being lazy to a whole new level.'

Maya shook her head to get rid of the thought.

"what's going on up there?"

Sighing again, she simply shrugged.

How was she supposed to explain to Sans what was going on when she wasn't even sure of it herself?

Well, not sure of the details, that is.

"this 'bout the kid wanting to stay with toriel?"

It shouldn't surprise her anymore.

It really shouldn't.

But Maya groaned anyway and threw her head up, praying to whoever was listening that he would let it go.

Of course, Sans being Sans, he wouldn't.

"i'll take that as a yes.", he grinned, sounding so full of himself that it nearly made her mad. "why didn't ya tell the kid you want her home?"

'Don't you think I would've done that if it was that easy, you lazy bag of bones?'

But she didn't say that, not really in the mood for any quarrels with the skeleton.

Instead shrugging again, Maya kicked a snow poof in her way and watched the glistening ice fall back down all around them.

The question bugged her though.

Did she want Lilly home with her?

'Course I do! What kinda question is that?!', the girl immediately replied.

But.. why did it felt like she was lying to herself?

She went back to watch the girls ahead and the ghost of a smile stretched her lips when she saw Frisk introducing Lilly to the greater dog.