Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“What did the grape say when it was crushed?”

Red smirked, leaning against the Ruins door. “dunno. what?”

“Nothing!” Said the voice from the other side. “It only let out a little wine.”

Red chuckled, hearing her laugh along with him. Toriel was one of the sweetest monsters Red had ever met. It was crazy to think she’d been married to their tyrant of a king.

Not that she knew he’d figured out who she was. But it had been easy to piece together. She’d introduced herself as Tori. She mentioned being around for centuries – a thing only possible with boss monsters. And there weren’t a whole lot of boss monsters left.

“It is your turn, my friend.” She prompted.

Red dropped his head back against the door. “sorry, tori. can’t think of any good ones right now.”

There was a small pause. “You seem distracted. Is everything all right?”

Red sighed softly. “yeah. mostly. just… you remember how I told you about the kids me and my bro took in?”

“Sans and Papyrus, correct?” She checked.

“yup.” Red confirmed. “they… well, they’ve got this sorta phobia? of food. introducing new things is hard, especially if they don’t know where it came from, and I’m realizing I don’t know how to make much from scratch.”

“Ah.” Toriel sounded thoughtful. “And that has you worried.”

“sans refuses to eat most things. we’re really limited on diet.” Red confirmed. “and it’s kinda centered on the fact the boss and I don’t know recipes we could use. I was gonna ask around town, but…”

“You have said before that it is dangerous to ask for help.” Toriel remembered. “That it can lead to… manipulation?”

“yup.” Red confirmed. He could call in a few favors, and he was about to do that anyway, but it was risky. “sorry, don’t mean to drop this all on ya. we’re supposed to be trading laughs.”

“I do not mind hearing of your troubles.” Toriel said. “It is a comfort to know that you feel safe enough to speak to me about such things.”

Red smirked. “yeah. you’re pretty cool.”

“Oh, goodness.” She laughed. “Cool is not something I have ever been called before.”

“consider this the first and not the last, then.” Red said.

There was a pause. “If I may be so bold as to suggest a temporary solution to your food problem?”

Red straightened. “if you’ve got one, I’d love to hear it.”

“There is an old recipe I learned many years ago. It might serve you well.”

Red’s soul beat faster in his excitement. “and you’re willing to share it?”

“Of course, my friend!” She said. “I could supply you with many recipes.”

Red looked in his inventory. “hang on, I don’t got a pen. I’ll be back in two minutes.”

Toriel chuckled. “No need to rush. I did not realize you would get so excited.”

Red hesitated. “just… thank you, tori. seriously. this means a lot.”

“Oh, it is no problem at all.” She said, her voice kind. “Go grab a writing utensil and some paper. I shall wait here for your return.”

Red beamed. This was a wonderful start. He took a shortcut back to the house.

Red checked his inventory – both the pad of paper and pen were easily accessible. He took a steadying breath and entered Grillby’s.

The atmosphere was as warm as always, the sound of chatter and clinking dishes filling the space. His entrance turned many heads, and quite a few regulars piped up to greet him. He waved back and approached the bar.

As he pulled himself onto a stool, Grillby stood nearby, purple flame reflecting on the shining surface of the countertop. “…Your usual?”

Red hesitated. “nah. just fries.”

Grillby nodded and walked away to grab the side.

“Hey, Red!” Bun approached, as drunk as ever, leaning heavily against the bar next to him. “It’s been a while, friend! How’ve you been?”

“fine.” Red answered simply. “you?”

“Oh, just great!” She slurred. “But Grillby’s cutting me off sooner these days.”

There was a scoff from Red’s left. Red Bird. “He ain’t cutting you off sooner, Bun. Your tolerance is just getting stronger.”

“Psh! That’s ridiculous.” She objected blurrily.

Red shook his head. “just as long as you stay safe. how’s your nephew?”

“He’s off to New Home tomorrow!” Bun said, excitedly. “Headed to one of them… fancy schools. Wants to be a doctor.”

“a medical doctor?” Red asked.

“Yup!”

“we always need more of those.” Red admitted. There was an unfortunate shortage of professional healers due to the restrictions high LV put on healing magic.

Grillby returned with Red’s fries, setting them down in front of him.

“hey, grillbz.” Red called before the elemental could walk away again.

Grillby turned back to him, a curious flicker to his flame.

Red gestured him closer.

Reasonably hesitant, Grillby followed the direction.

Red lowered his voice. Not to a whisper, as that would draw attention, but something softer than conversation volume. “I’ve got a question for ya. you got a minute to chat?”

Grillby nodded and shifted his weight to lean on the counter. Giving Red his full attention.

“don’t know if you heard.” Red started. “but edge and I collared some kids the other week.”

Grillby’s flame brightened momentarily. Usually a sign of amusement. “…Yes. The dogs don’t shut up about your new pups.”

“yeah, whatever.” Red waved him off. “I’m bringing it up ‘cause they’ve got a… well, they have to watch edge or I make food in order to feel safe eating it.”

Grillby stiffened. “…Muffet?”

Red shook his head. He could see why Grillby thought that. And he knew why it unsettled him; the number of monsters that come into the bar with some sort of issue with food was numerous because of that spider monster in Hotland. “nope. but the situation’s kinda similar. and I was wondering if you had any simple recipes that the boss and I could make. ‘cause, you know, we’re amateurs, and we don’t know much.”

Grillby shifted, his flames retreating to something quietly thoughtful. “…How far does the recipe need to be broken down?”

Red shrugged. “on a good day, as long as we can tell ‘em where something comes from and the packaging is sealed, they’ll eat it.”

“…On a good day.” Grillby noted. “…Bad?”

“gotta start from scratch.” Red said. “bare bones. we making sandwiches? gotta make the bread, too.”

“…Fresh ingredients are rare.” Grillby mentioned. “…Expensive.”

“yeah, I know that.” Red admitted.

Grillby stared at him for a long moment over the frames of his glasses. “…Worth the cost.”

The softness of the response threw Red, but that didn’t make it false. He nodded his agreement.

Grillby nodded back, still thoughtful. “…One moment.” He straightened and went around to the back, out of sight.

Red waited, anxious. He put a couple of fries in his mouth for appearance’s sake, but he barely tasted it.

A few minutes later, Grillby reappeared with a box in hand.

Red Bird’s attention was drawn immediately. “Holy shit, Grillbz. There an emergency?”

Red didn’t understand the reaction, but he noticed how quickly everyone turned their heads.

Grillby pointedly set the box down in front of Red. Slowly pushed it toward him.

The bar was completely silent.

Unsettled, Red moved his fries to the side and pulled the box closer. Carefully, he lifted the lid.

Inside were cards. Red tipped his head and lifted one to read. Recipe cards. With detailed instructions. He looked back to Grillby.

He leaned forward and pointed inside. “…Blue cards are simple recipes. From scratch. Easy for magic to break down and digest. Green are more complex. Orange is desserts.”

Red nodded, barely daring to hope. “do you mind if I write some of these down?”

Grillby shook his head. “…The box is yours.”

There was a clatter, drawing Red’s attention. Red Bird had dropped his fork onto his plate, gaping in shock.

Red really didn’t like what this was growing to be. “thanks, but this is a big deal—”

“…It’s not.”

“I can’t afford to pay you back for this, grillby.” Red insisted. “I can’t be in debt over this. not with the kids involved.”

Grillby stared directly into Red’s eyes. “…No strings attached.”

That was impossible.

“What the fuck?” Bun eloquently supplied.

“…Monsterkind used to operate under different rules.” Grillby said, still speaking to Red. “…If someone needed help, we gave it. No questions asked. No strings attached.”

“and you think that can apply here?” Red asked.

“…If you let it.” Grillby said.

Red was overwhelmed by the generosity of such a thing. The kindness shown in the midst of difficulty. He looked back down at the box. The number of cards. They could pick a different one every day and not repeat a single meal in a month. Each looked hand-written, meaning Grillby had spent personal time on this. Worked hard for each piece of perfected information.

Such things were not displayed openly or handled blindly. And they were never – ever – just given away without cost.

But Grillby wasn’t lying when he said there were no strings attached.

And this could help them so much. Maybe they could get Sans to eat more than once or twice a day.

Red looked up at the flame elemental. “thank you.”

Grillby inclined his head. “…If you need advice for any of the recipes, I have them memorized. Just ask.”

Red could hardly breathe. “thank you. so much.”

Grillby’s flames curled gently. “…Have fun.”

Red smiled. A small laugh slipped out of him, airless and broken. He blinked back his tears and stood, pulling gold out of his pocket for the fries.

Grillby held out a hand to stop him. “…I’ll put it on your tab.”

Red could hardly process the generosity. He closed the box and took it carefully in both hands before pushing it into his inventory. He nodded once to Grillby in farewell, and then turned to leave.

The entire restaurant remained silent, even as Red exited. He stepped out into the snow, feeling lighter than he had in weeks.

Edge looked up from the puzzle he was helping put together with Papyrus. “How did it go?”

Red closed the door behind him, staring blankly at the carpet.

That drew Sans’s attention as well, causing him to lift his gaze from his book.

Red blinked. Looked to Edge. “so… we, uh…” He couldn’t even begin trying to explain.

Edge looked confused. Worried.

Papyrus looked amused. “Wowie. Did something good happen? You seem happy.”

Edge was surprised.

“yeah.” Red said, his smile crooked. “yeah, pap. something good did happen.”

“What is it?” Edge asked.

Red approached the table and reached into his inventory. First, he pulled out the notebook. “the lady behind the ruins door told me a bunch of new recipes.” Red placed it in front of them. Then he pulled out Grillby’s box. “and… this was from grillby.”

When he set it down, Edge pulled it closer. Opened it. Gaped in sheer shock. “How did you get this?”

“it was a gift.” Red said.

Edge stared at him. “Excuse me?”

“a gift.” Red repeated. “no strings attached, just to help out – a gift.”

“That’s very nice of him!” Papyrus mentioned, giggling a little.

Edge was still staring. “A… gift.”

“yup.”

“No… no strings?”

“none.”

“Just to help out.”

“a gift.” Red confirmed with finality. “and he said if we run into snags, he can help. just gotta ask.”

Edge looked like he was flooded by that same awe Red had felt while in the restaurant. “That… did you thank him?”

“of course I did.” Red scoffed. “he just said that he wanted to operate by different rules. the whole bar acted like grillby was falling down or something.”

Edge was shellshocked.

“I told you.” Papyrus said softly, looking proud. “People can be kind. They only have to try.”

And after the day Red had, he was inclined to finally believe it. Maybe real change could be made someday. Maybe they could all do better. Be nicer. Spread compassion instead of hatred.

For the first time in Red’s memory, it actually felt possible.

Edge flipped through the recipes. Gently lifted a card. “Spaghetti?”

Papyrus tipped his head. “What’s that?”

“A sort of pasta.” Edge supplied. “Similar to lasagna, I suppose, but a different structure.”

“That sounds delicious!” Papyrus declared. “Can we make it?”

Red and Edge looked at each other. Edge looked back at the recipe. “We’ll need to go to the shop and see if they have eggs. But otherwise…”

Red smiled at Papyrus. “sure.”

Papyrus beamed back. Looked to Sans. “SPAGHETTI!”

Sans smirked. “sounds great.”

Chapter Text

Edge grabbed the onion and started to peel it. He glanced off to his left to ensure he was being watched.

Sans stood near the counter, a curious tilt to his head. Papyrus peeked over the countertop, just tall enough to see over it.

Edge placed the onion on the cutting board and grabbed a knife from the holder near the microwave. Carefully, he cut it in two. Then he set one half on its now-flat side and began to go through the process of dicing it. Once he finished, he brushed the pieces into a bowl and grabbed the other half, repeating the process.

“Sans, could you grab me the tomatoes?” Edge asked, knowing giving Sans excuses to inspect items made him feel less self-conscious about it.

Sans nodded and grabbed the correct plant.

Edge moved and grabbed a pot and a large bowl from the cabinet. He’d read over the recipes dozens of times, but he checked the itemized list he’d made himself anyway. It was similar to how he would make the sauce for lasagna, if he couldn’t just buy cans of it.

He put water in both the pot and the bowl, setting the pot on the stove to boil, and the bowl on the counter next to it. Then he put ice in the bowl to make the water even colder.

The whole while, Sans watched, attentive.

Papyrus stared with wide eyelights, like he were fascinated.

While the water was coming to a boil, Edge washed the tomatoes and found a large spoon that could easily hold one of them.

“It’s bubbling!” Papyrus said.

Edge glanced over and noticed the water was indeed boiling. “Thank you, Papyrus.”

He beamed, happy to help.

Edge placed a tomato in the boiling water and waited for the skin to loosen and crack. Then he scooped it out and dipped it in the ice water. He repeated the process with each tomato, until they were all cool and ready to be peeled, then he peeled them and placed them into a new pan.

“Ew.” Papyrus muttered, looking at the pile of tomato skins sitting on the cutting board.

Edge smirked and grabbed his knife again. Carefully, he quartered each tomato before returning the pieces to the saucepan before turning the burner on beneath it. Then he pointed. “Can you hand me the masher, Papyrus?”

He skipped over in the direction Edge indicated, opening the drawer and peering inside. “Which one is that?”

“It has the blue handle. The one with the squiggling line of metal.” Edge supplied.

Papyrus found it relatively quick and passed it to him.

Edge took the utensil and waited a few more moments for the tomatoes to soften further, then he began to mash them.

Papyrus gasped, like that surprised him, but he was looking on with wonder.

Sans was smiling fondly at his little brother, looking mostly relaxed about the whole scenario.

While the tomatoes simmered, Edge emptied the water pot and set it to the side, along with the bowl of ice water and the cutting board.

Then he grabbed another pan. He took the bottle of olive oil out from the cabinet and held it out toward Sans.

Sans hesitated before taking it in hand. “what’s this?”

“Oil.” Edge said. “I’ll be cooking the onions in it, so it will end up in our sauce.”

Sans nodded slowly, turning it over in his hands. He opened the lid and sniffed it. Then he tipped it to get a tiny amount on his fingers.

Before Edge could say anything, Sans put it into his mouth. He grimaced, clicking his teeth together, but didn’t voice a complaint.

Papyrus laughed, obviously amused by the face Sans made.

“that’s… kinda gross.” Sans admitted.

“It will taste different within other things.” Edge told him, trying not to smile. “Can I use it?”

Sans stared at him. Shrugged. Handed the bottle back.

Edge hesitated. He didn’t want Sans to turn down the whole dish because of a single ingredient Edge could manage without.

“it’s fine.” Sans said softly.

That helped. Edge nodded and poured some into the pan. Put in the diced onion. Cooked it until they were soft. Then he added the mashed tomatoes.

Papyrus inhaled deeply through his nasal cavity. “That smells nice!”

Edge smiled. Then he grabbed the salt, pepper, and sugar. “Do you remember these?”

Sans eyed the containers with something like reluctance. But he nodded.

“Can I add them today?” Edge asked.

Sans glanced at the sauce. “sure.”

Today must be a good day, though Edge could see the fear in Sans’s eyes. Maybe he was just growing to trust Edge more.

Edge seasoned the sauce with salt and pepper, then added a pinch of sugar to reduce the acidity of the tomatoes. Then he left it to simmer on low heat.

“Next, we do the noodles.” Edge said.

Papyrus clapped his hands, excited.

Edge grabbed the bowl from before that had contained the ice water and made sure it was clean. Then he checked the recipe and put the required amount of flour and salt inside. Stirred it. Grabbed an egg from the fridge and beat it slightly before adding it to the center of the flour and salt, and folding it in.

Once mixed, the dough was a little too dry, so Edge added a bit of water like the directions instructed.

After stirring the sauce again, he powdered the empty counter space with flour and upturned the bowl over it, dropping the dough onto the surface. Then he began to knead it, as described in Grillby’s notes.

Papyrus watched nearby with Sans. Attentive. Quiet.

Once he’d kneaded it for a few minutes, Edge grabbed the rolling pin and began to roll out the dough until it was thin. Next, he grabbed his knife and began cutting it into ribbons.

Once the noodles were cut, he left them for a moment to fill the pot with more water and set it to boil once more. He took a break to stir the sauce again – it was nearly finished – and then the water began to boil so he added the noodles to it.

Now, they waited.

Edge took the time to clean up the flour and all of the things he no longer needed and put them in the sink. Then he checked the noodles. Not quite done. He walked over to the cabinet and pulled out a small jar of dried basil. He handed it to Sans.

Sans opened the jar, and almost immediately his eyelights widened.

Papyrus’s practically filled his sockets. “Wowie… that smells delicious.”

Edge chuckled. “That’s basil. I was planning on putting it in the sauce.”

Sans stared at it for a moment longer. “okay.”

Edge accepted the jar when it was handed back to him and moved the sauce off of heat. He checked the noodles. They were done, so he strained them in the sink. Then he dished them onto four plates.

As he stirred some basil into the sauce, the smell filled the entire kitchen, making Edge feel hungrier than he thought he would be.

He spooned some sauce onto a plate of noodles he would claim, then he looked to Papyrus. “How much sauce would you like?”

Papyrus grinned. “A LOT!”

Edge chuckled. “All right.” He added enough to cover the noodles evenly and passed the plate to Papyrus. “How about you, Sans?”

Sans didn’t answer right away, drawing Edge’s attention. He'd noticed eating had been particularly hard for Sans lately, not that he knew exactly why.

He took a careful breath. “just a little’s fine.”

Edge nodded and added enough that if Sans stirred it, he could get sauce enough for all of his noodles, but he left some noodles uncovered so if Sans only felt comfortable with the pasta, then that would be available to him.

He passed the correct plate to Sans and grabbed his own.

Edge didn’t add any sauce to the fourth serving, not wanting Red’s to get soggy or make it difficult to reheat when he got back from sentry duty this evening. Instead, he grabbed the correct number of forks and moved to the table.

Sans and Papyrus sat opposite of Edge, each with their own plate.

Papyrus kicked his legs underneath the table, bouncing a little on his seat. “This smells AMAZING!”

“Yes, it does.” Edge agreed, passing the forks around.

Papyrus stabbed his fork into the pile of pasta, and it was only then that Edge realized he forgot something.

“Oh!” He stood and moved to the fridge. Out came the bag of shredded cheese. He returned to the table. “Would either of you like cheese?”

“I’ll take some!” Papyrus said.

Edge passed him the bag.

Papyrus set down his fork and stuffed his hand into the bag, pulling out a handful of cheese that was dropped directly on top of his pasta. “Would you like some, Sans?”

Sans was frowning at his plate. “no, thanks.”

Papyrus hesitated, smile melting from his face. Edge wondered what it was Papyrus was feeling from his brother that caused the reaction. But then Papyrus forced the expression back on. “How about you, Mr. Brother?”

Edge smiled at the nickname, still amused by it. “I would love some.”

Papyrus handed the bag back to him.

Edge kept a careful eye on both Papyrus and Sans as they started eating. Papyrus seemed to be struggling with how to scoop up more than a few noodles at a time, so Edge demonstrated how to twirl the fork to get more. Papyrus looked rather proud of himself when he figured it out.

"THIS IS THE BEST FOOD!" Papyrus decided. "We should have this more than once, I think! Maybe even three times!"

Edge was amused. "Then perhaps we will. Maybe you could even help, next time."

"HELP COOK?" His eyelights were large in his sockets. "WOWIE! What a splendid opportunity that would be!"

Edge chuckled a little, making a mental note to ask Papyrus to assist more in the kitchen when he was cooking. If it could keep that smile on his face, Edge would handle any mess that might result.

As they continued eating, Edge realized something. Sans took one bite. And then waited.

And waited.

Edge ate slowly, so as not to leave Sans as the last one with food. But quickly, Papyrus finished and got up to put his plate in the sink. As he passed Sans, Papyrus patted him on the head, gentle and affectionate, and went to the living room.

Edge waited a few more minutes before deciding to speak. “Sans—”

“I know.” He snapped, voice quiet. “I know, I’m sorry.”

Edge hadn’t expected that. He hesitated. “What are you apologizing for?”

Sans propped his elbows up on the table and set his face in his hands. After a couple of seconds, he shifted so he wasn’t covering his mouth. “you worked really hard on this, and I wanna eat it, I really do – it smells good and it tastes good, but I just…” His fingers curled into fists pressed into his sockets. “I’m sorry.”

Edge set down his fork and shifted over to the chair directly across from Sans. “It’s okay.”

“no, it’s not.” Sans disagreed, and there were tears in his voice.

“Yes, it is.” Edge argued, keeping his voice as calm as he was able.

This wasn’t something he talked about often, but it was clear Sans needed some sort of encouragement. “When Red and I were first kicked out of the Labs, we went to Muffet.”

Sans lowered his hands. Edge could see the curiosity in his eyes. “muffet?”

“She owns a bakery in Hotland.” Edge told him. “She’s also the leader of one of the largest crime rings in the Underground. Usually, she deals in drugs.”

Sans stared at him, obviously not sure how that connected with their conversation.

Edge didn’t mind enlightening him. “She would put things into her baked goods. Sometimes it wasn’t just drugs, but poisons.”

“that’s why you asked us about her when we first showed up.” Sans connected.

Edge nodded. “That’s exactly why.”

Sans looked confused. “why’re you tellin’ me this?”

Edge looked down at Sans’s plate of food. “When Red and I lived with Muffet, most of the food she fed us was safe. But not all of it. When I got really sick, Red found out she’d been putting things in our food, and he got us out. We ran to New Home.”

They’d carried a lot of that time with them, though. Mainly, their names – ones they’d chosen while in Muffet’s employ. But also a wariness of food from strangers.

“We were both young enough, and desperate enough, we had to get over it.” Edge said. “Uncomfortably fast. I don’t think I kept anything down the first month, really.”

Sans frowned. “so I should get over it.”

“No, Sans, that’s not what I’m saying.” Edge disagreed.

“then what are you saying?”

“That I don’t expect you to just get over this.”

Sans stared at him.

Edge sighed. “We only had one bad experience. One. Because we had the opening to leave the very moment we had that experience. It had never happened before, and it certainly never happened again. You weren’t that lucky.”

Sans’s gaze dropped to his food.

“You weren’t.” Edge insisted. “You had to face it over and over again. Which means it will take a while to get your body used to being safe.”

Sans closed his eyes tightly. “it’s just food. it’s not even scary. not even close to the worst thing he ever did.”

It made Edge’s soul ache painfully in his chest. “You’re allowed to be scared.”

When Sans opened his eyes again, there were tears in his sockets. He looked desperately to Edge, like he wasn’t sure he’d heard right.

Edge didn’t mind repeating it. “You’re allowed to be scared of something that hurt you, Sans. Even if it won’t anymore.”

Sans released a breath like he’d been holding it the entire conversation. Then he sniffled, wiping at his sockets with his sleeve.

Edge waited, patient. Silent.

Slowly, Sans nodded. He glanced over toward Edge’s plate. “c’n you eat with me?”

“Absolutely.” Edge reached over and pulled his plate over to be in front of him. “And you can stop any time, okay?”

Sans nodded, jaw tight. He seemed to be bracing himself.

Then he lifted his fork in a trembling hand.

Edge followed along, twisting his fork to grab some noodles. When they both lifted their food, Sans hesitated so Edge took the lead, putting his fork in his mouth.

Sans closed his eyes tightly. Stuffed the noodles between his teeth.

Edge’s soul filled with pride as he watched Sans keep eating with him. He didn’t finish the plate, but he ate more than he usually did. When Sans put down his fork, Edge smiled at him. “Good job.”

Sans reacted like Edge had said something monumental. There were tears in his eyes again. “what if I can’t eat tomorrow?”

“We’ll figure something out.” Edge assured him. “The important thing is that you tried.”

Sans nodded, looking exhausted.

“I’ll take care of your plate tonight.” Edge told him. “Go ahead and join your brother.”

Another nod, then Sans stood.

As he left, Edge sat back in his seat. Progress. It didn’t look like much, and it might not stay, but it was so much progress Edge could hardly contain his awe with it. He would need to tell Red.

And he also learned that it was less the food’s fault, and more a mental block of Sans’s. Even when food was guaranteed as safe, he had a hard time. That explained why he barely ate. Gaster had, perhaps accidentally, conditioned Sans to the point that the act of eating felt dangerous.

Easily, Edge cleaned his plate and Sans’s before putting both in the sink. Then he put the rest of the food into containers for Red to heat up later.

Progress.

It was progress.

Red sighed. “so, ya know… it’s good but also bad.”

There was a thoughtful hum from the other side of the Ruins door. “The poor child.”

Toriel had asked for an update on the food situation, and Red had given her a summary of the last week. Sans was eating more, yes, but learning that the problem wasn’t just with knowing something was safe but feeling safe eating it made for a more difficult task.

He always ate the first bite, now. But apparently that was because he did to make sure it was safe for Papyrus to eat. One bite had been enough to make him sick before, so it was harder to take a second.

“Does nothing ease his fear?” Toriel asked.

Red shrugged. “when people eat with him, it helps. not just sitting at the table eating at the same time, but taking a bite every time he does.”

There was a small pause. “Have you tried a sort of community food?”

Red smirked, confused. “what?”

“Oh, I do not recall the name,” Toriel confessed. “But… the sort of food where everyone eats from the same bowl or pot?”

“all of it gets cooked in the same place,” Red said.

“Yes, but it is not always eaten in the same place,” Toriel said. “See if perhaps something could occasionally work as a meal for everyone.”

Red thought hard about the sort of food that could apply. “like nachos?” He mused. “fries?”

“Fries could work.” Toriel agreed. “And if you made them yourself, then there would be the extra reassurance that it was safe to eat, yes?”

Red dropped his head against the door. “I don’t know how to make fries, tori.”

“Well.” There was a smile in her voice. “It is a good thing you know someone who does, is it not?”

“What are you doing?”

Red looked up from the recipe box and over his shoulder to see Papyrus standing on the stairs in his pajamas, Mouse tucked beneath one arm. “shouldn’t you be asleep?”

Papyrus shrugged. “Couldn’t.”

That was fair, Red figured. He patted the cushion to his right on the couch.

The younger skeleton monster scampered around to join him, crawling onto the cushion indicated. “Looking at more delicious foods?”

“looking for something in particular.” Red confessed. “d’you know how sans has had a hard time with food lately, right?”

Papyrus nodded, looking sad.

Red couldn’t blame him. “it seems to help when we eat with him. same pace, same time.”

Papyrus nodded again.

“I’m looking for foods that will let us do that without making sans feel like we’re singling him out.” Red admitted. “edge and I both noticed he feels really bad about it if we do.”

Papyrus lifted his hands and curled his fingers, clawing the air gently. “Shame.”

Red frowned. “what?”

Papyrus made the same clawing motion, like that explained what he was talking about.

Red didn’t understand. He lifted a hand and mimicked Papyrus.

The kid nodded. “That’s what shame feels like.”

Oh. Red felt like he was beginning to get it. “shame feels like… like claws?”

“Sometimes.” Papyrus confirmed. “Or a cage. But made of claws! Like this.” He lifted both hands and touched his fingertips together, curling them just like before. “I feel it from Sans a lot.”

Papyrus has noticed shame as a particularly vivid emotion attached to Sans. It made Red’s soul ache. “ah. yeah, that’s what we’re trying to avoid.”

“That’s very kind of you.”

Red smirked. “we’re all trying to be a bit kinder, I think.”

“Good!” Papyrus decided with a triumphant grin.

Red chuckled and looked back toward the recipes. Grillby made fries all the time, and nachos were a thing on the menu. There had to be a recipe card for those, right? Or maybe he didn’t include recipes from the restaurant. Red wouldn’t have blamed him.

Toriel had given him a recipe for fried potatoes. Not quite fries, but similar enough it might work. Red was just hoping that he would have a recipe of Grillby's to compare. Hers sounded good, but less like it would be a finger food that was easy to eat. Contrary to the name, her recipe called for baking the potato strips in an oven on a pan.

His thoughts were disrupted by a gentle pressure on his right arm.

Red froze. Looked over.

Papyrus was leaning against him, head settling on his shoulder.

Red’s soul squeezed in his chest. He could hardly breathe. He definitely didn’t want to move or risk disrupting Papyrus. Not in the slightest. It was too precious.

He tried to go back to looking through the recipes, but his thoughts were too distracted by the kid laying on him. Red sighed softly, giving up his search for the night. “we should probably get to bed.” Red whispered.

When he looked down at Papyrus, his eyes were closed. His hands were curled around Mouse, and the reason he leaned heavily against Red became apparent. Papyrus was asleep.

Red couldn’t help the flood of affection he felt at the sight. The kid claimed he couldn’t sleep, but the moment he settled near Red he was out like a light.

It occurred to him then that it was because Papyrus actually felt safe around him, and Red was terrified. What if he messed it up? What if that trust was misplaced?

Pointless thoughts. He would either live up to that trust or he wouldn’t. Either way, Papyrus seemed to have already given it to him.

The front door opened. Edge entered and then slowed upon seeing the snoozing skeleton against Red’s side. He closed the door as gently as he was able. “I thought they were already in bed.” He said softly.

“said he couldn’t sleep.” Red filled him in. “did they have rice?”

Edge pulled a bag out of his inventory to show him as he took off his shoes. Rice. Perfect. “I also grabbed a few more seasonings and more sugar.”

“right.” Red nodded. “’cause you wanted to try cookies.”

Edge shrugged. “We’ll see how Sans feels tomorrow evening. Do you need help?”

Red blinked, confused, then he noticed the direction of Edge’s gaze. Papyrus. “should probably get him to bed.”

Edge nodded his agreement and stepped forward. Carefully, he took the box of recipes from Red’s lap and set it aside. Then, as slowly and gently as he seemed capable, Edge tucked his arms beneath Papyrus’s shoulders and knees before lifting him off of Red.

The kid was out. He didn’t even flinch when Edge adjusted his grip to make sure he wouldn’t drop Papyrus. It was almost hilarious, actually.

As Edge walked toward the stairs, Red got up to follow. When they reached the second floor, Red made sure the door was open so Edge didn’t have to worry about it and helped him tuck Papyrus in. Once that was done, they both looked at each other, then back to Papyrus.

Still asleep.

A glance over at Sans showed him equally still, a restful look on his face.

They moved back out toward the hallway, closing the door most of the way behind them, leaving it open a few inches as Sans and Papyrus preferred it.

On the same wavelength, Edge and Red both went to their own room and closed the door before speaking. “so. cookies tomorrow.” Red said with a smile.

“I’m hoping so.” Edge admitted. “I want to see if perhaps Sans has an easier time with sweeter foods.”

Red nodded. “makes sense. the lady at the ruins door recommended we do something like a big plate in the middle everyone eats from.”

Edge tipped his head, thoughtful. “I could see why that might work. Was that what you were looking for?”

“hoping for a fry recipe or nachos or something.” Red confirmed.

Edge sighed tiredly, dropping onto his bed. He ran his hands over his face. “The end of next week was Undyne’s deadline.”

Red hadn’t wanted to think about that. “he’s not gonna be up for it.”

“Have you had any luck getting him to be honest?” Edge asked.

Red shrugged. “I really haven’t been pushing him that hard. if telling us he’s older makes him feel safer—”

“I know.” Edge sounded like he was in pain. “It’s only that I wish…”

There was a lot going on all at once. And a lot of them involved Sans. His ribs healed okay, but his irregular diet probably kept his MP lower than it should be, and that was dangerous for someone that was going to be in a sentry position.

Not that they knew how much Magic Potential Sans truly possessed. That wasn’t a stat anyone got to see. Not even a Judge.

“we’ll figure it out.” Red said eventually.

Edge nodded, dejected.

Red sympathized. “you’ve got an early morning, though. should probably get some rest if you want the energy for cookies tomorrow night.”

Edge nodded again, but made no move to get up and grab his pajamas.

Red rolled his eyelights. “you’re as bad as papyrus.”

“I am not.” Edge pouted, standing then.

It was funny how quickly that got him to cooperate. It wasn’t that Papyrus didn’t do as asked; he just got distracted so much along the way that it took him twice as long to do anything. Unless it was a puzzle.

Exactly like a young Edge, now that he thought about it. There was more to Sans’s multiverse theory than Red had noticed before.

Red smirked. “right. and you’ve never gotten so distracted by a new puzzle idea that you forgot to put on a second sock.”

“Shut up.” Edge said, without venom.

“you got it, boss.”

Chapter Text

Papyrus added another lump of snow to the base of his snowman. “Look, Sans! He’s standing!”

“I see,” Sans said, smiling. He was sitting a few meters away, sculpting something in the snow that Papyrus didn’t understand. But he was flooded with fondness in that way that always made Papyrus feel warm, even while it was cold outside.

“Maybe I could give him large, muscly arms.” Papyrus mused. “Like Miss Captain Undyne!”

“maybe.” Sans said. “how you gonna get ‘em to stick?”

“I’ll think of something!”

Sans nodded, like that was exactly the answer he expected. “let me know if you want help.”

“As much as I live for your contributions to my art,” Papyrus said. “I must decline. You haven’t had a nap yet today!”

Sans snorted. “what’s that matter?”

“NAPS! ARE! IMPORTANT!” Papyrus declared, accenting each word with a clap of his gloved hands. “YOU SILLY NOODLE!”

“ah, yes.” Sans nodded. “consider me a silly noodle.”

“EVEN YOUR WIT IS WEAK!” Papyrus said. “Lay down!”

Sans chuckled and leaned back, falling into the snow.

Papyrus laughed, too, amused at the sight. Then he went back to making his statue.

A few minutes later, Papyrus felt… odd.

Something sticky seemed to squirm through the air. A bad mix of emotions. Not from Sans, not from the house, but further into town. A bad, bad mix.

He tipped his head that way, to see if he could catch it better, and the wind shifted. That did nothing for the intangible emotions, of course, but it did let him catch the sound of a familiar voice.

Distressed.

“Uh-oh.” Papyrus didn’t like that. His friend, in trouble somehow. It couldn’t hurt to go check, right? He needed to make sure they were okay.

They needed to be okay.

He started running in the direction of the emotion.

“papyrus?” Sans called after him.

He didn’t listen, still running. Running faster as fear overcame the other bad emotions. Stronger. Strongest. MK, afraid.

Papyrus slid as he turned the corner, having to right his balance – but there they were. MK, backed against a wall, feeling panicked even as they growled at the taller monster in front of them. Trying to scare them.

Unlike MK, the bear monster was not scared.

“MK!” Papyrus shouted.

MK turned their head, looking in his direction. Their snarl faltered. “Papyrus?”

“You think you deserve help?” The bear monster growled, lifting MK by the front of their shirt and slamming them against the wall.

“STOP!” Papyrus objected. “That isn’t nice!”

The bear monster didn’t set down MK, but they did stop before doing anything else. Instead, they looked to Papyrus. “And what’s a piece of LV-bait like you doing, running into dangerous situations?”

Papyrus stumbled a little before summoning a bone attack in his hand. “Let them go!”

The bear monster looked at him. Then laughed. It wasn’t a nice sound. “You’re adorable, pipsqueak. Now get lost, or you’re next on the menu.”

“Papyrus, please,” MK begged. “Just go.”

But Papyrus couldn’t do that. “I don’t want to hurt you, sir, but you should let my friend go.”

The bear monster’s amusement leaked out of him. Replaced by something electric. Hostile. “You think I’m scared of your baby magic?”

Papyrus couldn’t breathe. “Please, let them go.”

“If you think you can make me, pipsqueak, then go for it.” The bear monster goaded. “Hit me with your best shot.”

“Papyrus, leave!” MK cried.

“No!” Papyrus said.

“Last chance, kid.” The bear monster said, yellow magic sparking in his hand.

Papyrus’s mind yanked him to somewhere else. Somewhere with yellow magic – bright and arching over him, through him—

A figure appearing from nowhere. A bright beam of light.

The bear monster roared, dropping MK.

Papyrus dove for them, dismissing his attack magic to wrap MK tightly in his arms. Safe.

There in front of them stood Sans. A deep rattle in his bones like a warning growl. That same, deadly concoction of fear and anger and protectiveness that he’d held in his soul that day they were slung across the Nothing Space.

The bear monster was rubbing his arm, where a burn was seared into his jacket sleeve. “You pack a punch, runt.” His eyes dropped to Sans’s neck. “Nice collar. Whose is it?”

Sans summoned a bone attack into his hand, much like Papyrus had. Before anyone could say anything else, a new voice spoke up.

“He belongs to Lieutenant Edge.” Dogaressa stepped out into their line of sight, Dogamy at her heels. They both had sharp glares directed toward the bear monster. Their growls matched Sans’s. “And it is time for you to leave.”

There was another presence, on their other side. Doggo, with a smoking treat in his mouth. He looked down his nose at the bear monster. “You’d better do what she says, bud.”

Papyrus stared at them, realizing that he’d gone from facing a dangerous monster by himself to having four people protecting him and his friend. It was wonderful to know. It eased the fear he had to nearly nothing.

“A’right, fine!” The bear monster stepped back, disengaging. “I wasn’t doing anything, anyway. Stupid mutts.”

Dogamy barked sharply.

The bear monster flinched. And swore. And walked away.

Once he was gone from sight, everyone turned toward Papyrus.

Sans, panic flooding out of him, dropped to his knees in front of where Papyrus was seated with MK in his arms. There was a frantic Check against his soul. “oh my god, pap – are you insane?”

Papyrus stared at him.

Sans stared back. “what were you thinking? you coulda been hurt! or worse!” Papyrus could feel the terror within his brother. “what would I have done then, huh? what’m I supposed to do when you run off like that? I didn’t even have time to tell red or something—”

“MK was in trouble!” Papyrus argued, holding tightly to his friend. “I had to help!”

Sans deflated. Pointed his thin, panicked eyelights to the other monster in stripes.

MK was crying. “I thought I was dust for sure, dude.”

Sans stared at them, looking torn. He flinched when Doggo’s hand settled on his shoulder. “The important thing is that everyone’s okay.”

“Doggo is right.” Dogaressa agreed. She looked to MK. “Are you hurt at all?”

“He only dented my HP.” They said. “I’m fine.”

“Maybe we should get them back to the Lieutenant’s house?” Dogamy suggested.

Dogaressa nodded and looked to Doggo. “We were on patrol. Can you escort them?”

“Absolutely.” Doggo agreed, offering his hands to MK and Papyrus in order to help them stand.

Papyrus took it, and MK nodded, so Doggo grabbed their shirt and pulled them to their feet.

Sans was still kneeling in the snow, looking at Papyrus.

He felt horrible, knowing that fear still radiating from Sans was caused by his choices. But MK needed help. And Papyrus wasn’t going to leave that alone. “I had to.”

Sans stared at him for a long second before nodding. Looking away. “I know.”

“Let’s get going, huh?” Doggo prompted. “We’ll tell Red what happened. The Dogi will put a notice out about that bear monster, okay?”

That sounded reasonable.

Within a few minutes, they were already on their way back to the house. Red met them out in the yard. “where did you run off to?” Even though his voice was casual, Papyrus could tell he was afraid, too.

Sans, Papyrus, and MK all traded identical looks of hesitancy.

Doggo was there, though, and he had no qualm with explaining what happened. “We all heard the attack magic…”

The further he got into the story, the more vivid Red’s emotions became. It was that same response of fear and protectiveness, mixed with a strange relief. Probably because they were all okay now.

Red dropped his head backward for a moment, closing his eyes. “papyrus—”

“I had to help MK.” Papyrus insisted. It was something he refused to move on. “Good people help their friends. And I am a good person.”

Red sighed, and his emotions became a confusing knot. “how about we talk about it later, once everyone’s calmed down, okay?” He looked to the sentry. “thanks for walking ‘em back, doggo.”

“No problem.” Doggo said with a sloppy salute. “See you tonight, probably.”

Red nodded his agreement.

Papyrus turned to wave. “Goodbye, Doggo!”

The dog monster waved over his shoulder as he left.

“let’s head inside.” Red suggested. “mk, d’you wanna stay for some hot chocolate? might bring your hp back up.”

“Nah.” They grimaced. “Promised my folks I’d be home soon, you know? Thanks, though. Maybe next time.”

Red smiled, and Papyrus felt that deep, hollow sadness. “sure, pal. whenever you want, just come over, okay?”

MK nodded. “See you later, Papyrus.”

Papyrus waved. “Until next time, friend.”

MK glanced at Sans and Red before leaning closer. “Thanks, dude. For helping.”

Papyrus nodded. “Any time you need me.”

Their smile was big. Happy. Papyrus felt a strange fondness from them, too. It was mixed with a large heap of gratefulness that surprised him.

As MK left, they all watched to make sure they made it back to the center of town safely.

“inside?” Red offered, gesturing toward the door.

Papyrus sighed deeply. “Inside.” He agreed, stepping up to the front porch.

It had been nearly an hour. Neither Papyrus nor Sans had said a word to each other or to Red. He was getting worried, if he were honest with himself. They were quiet kids, sure, but silent? Not usually.

“did something happen that doggo didn’t mention?” Red finally had the courage to ask.

Papyrus and Sans both looked at each other and then looked away.

That didn’t bode well.

New question, then. “why didn’t either of you come and get me?”

Sans rubbed his arm. “didn’t have the time.”

Red had a hard time believing that, though it was clear Sans thought it was the truth. “you didn’t?”

“I ran off without saying anything.” Papyrus confessed. “Sans followed me.”

“it’s a good thing I did.” Sans said, his tone surprisingly bitter.

Papyrus stiffened. “I had to help.”

“I know you did.” Sans ground out.

“Then why are you mad?” Papyrus asked. “What is it? If not that I tried to help my friend, then what?”

“this issue ain’t that you wanted to help.” Sans snapped, matching Papyrus’s tone.

“THEN WHAT IS?” He asked.

“hey.” Red’s tone held as much warning as he dared to put into it. “I know we’re all upset right now, but how ‘bout we try to keep things at a reasonable volume, all right?”

Papyrus crossed his arms and scowled at the carpet. “He never says what it is – just always tells me what it’s not.”

Red frowned. “what?”

Papyrus turned his glare to his brother. “You never just answer me, and I want to know! Why are you so mad at me?”

“I’m not.”

“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.” Papyrus said. “Did you forget I can tell what you’re feeling, brother?”

They needed to learn to talk to each other. So much of their communication was nonverbal that Red had wondered if they ever argued. Discussions like this were important in order to remain on the same page. Sans brushing it aside like this wouldn’t help things, but Red wanted them to figure this out on their own. He would be there to make sure no one was irreparably hurt.

“You were mad when it happened – you weren’t angry on the way back – but ever since we came inside it’s just been building up, so just tell me!” Papyrus pleaded. “What’s making you so angry?”

Sans’s fingers curled into his sleeves where his arms were crossed. There was something boiling in him – Red could see it.

After a few minutes of silence, Papyrus huffed. “It’s important enough to get mad about, but it isn’t important enough to talk about?”

Sans turned his head away.

“I’m not a mind reader, Sans.” Papyrus snapped. “This isn’t something I can figure out on my own – I need you—”

“what if I’m not there?” Sans interrupted, voice sharp.

Papyrus stared at him. “What?”

“what if I’m not there when you need me, papyrus?” Sans asked. “what if you’re in trouble and I couldn’t make it in time?”

That was a weighted question. Red watched it sink in as Papyrus thought about it.

Sans was breathing heavily, like he’d just finished running. “well? the problem isn’t that you wanted to help people, papyrus – I’m actually really proud of that – the issue we’ve got right now is that I can’t protect you. okay?”

“Sans—”

“you and I both know you would have let that monster hurt you.”

Papyrus flinched.

That was news to Red. “did the guy look like he was gonna throw attack magic?”

Sans was glaring at the floor. “had a handful of yellow magic.”

Papyrus’s sockets were wide. “I wouldn’t have.”

Sans closed his eyes tightly. “yeah, you would.”

“NO!” Papyrus shouted. “You don’t know that!”

Sans didn’t move.

Papyrus was breathing too quickly like he were on the verge of panicking. “You can’t know that – I don’t want to be hurt, Sans, I wouldn’t have just stood there, I…” He trailed off.

Red had no idea what to do. What to say to offer comfort. If he even should.

Papyrus’s hands curled into fists. “You really aren’t angry with me.”

Sans bowed his head further, as if to shy away from his brother’s words.

That wasn’t a turn Red expected this to take. “then what are you angry about, sans?”

Papyrus gave him a grateful look, like he was relieved to have someone on his side.

Sans curled tighter into himself.

Red hesitated. “listen… I know that today was probably scary—”

“no, you don’t!” Sans snapped, looking at him with sharp eyelights. “you don’t know a single thing. you think that scared me?”

“yes.” Red told him, keeping his tone even.

Sans seemed to mentally stumble at the response. “maybe it did.” He confessed softly. “but I’m used to being scared. I don’t care about that.”

It made Red’s soul ache in his chest.

Sans pushed onward. “I don’t care that I was scared – I don’t care that papyrus went out of his way to help people – what I do care about was that papyrus could have been seriously hurt again—”

“I would have been fine!” Papyrus argued, raising his voice again. “I can take care of myself!”

“you’re nine!” Sans cried.

“YOU’RE ELEVEN!” Papyrus shouted back. “We’re both kids – you don’t get to act like you’re better just because you’re older!”

Red stared at them as they glared at each other, each with protective fire in their eyes that burned brighter than anything Red had ever seen.

“I get it!” Papyrus continued, tears springing to his eyes. “I’m not as smart as you! I’m not as powerful – I don’t understand half of the things you read about – and I’m not very good at being by myself! But at least I’ll admit it! At least I don’t pretend I’m willing to do anything to protect you!”

Sans recoiled like Papyrus had burned him.

Papyrus smacked a hand over his mouth, as if in an effort to shove the words back in.

Sans slumped in his seat, face going blank.

“I think that was a little far.” Red said carefully to Papyrus. He didn’t understand the total weight of what was exchanged, but it clearly hurt Sans.

Papyrus looked horrified. “Sans, I’m so sorry, I—”

“don’t.” Sans cut him off, surprisingly gentle. “please.”

The room was silent for a long moment.

Red tentatively tested the waters. “could we—”

“no.” Sans stood. “I’m tired.”

“Brother—”

“going to bed.” Sans walked toward the stairs without another word. When he reached the correct bedroom, the door was closed softly, but completely.

Papyrus was in tears. He turned large, terrified sockets to Red. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it – I didn’t want…” He hiccupped and pressed his hands over his mouth.

Red moved to the space on the couch next to him and opened his arms in an offer for closeness.

Papyrus leaned in without hesitation, burying his face in Red’s sweater. And he cried.

Red rubbed his back, trying to think about what he should do. Both of them needed comfort. They both needed to get out some rough feelings, but also talk to each other. Red wasn’t sure if either of them were really up for reconciliation at the moment, but the Judge in Red could feel the strength of Papyrus’s guilt. He really hadn’t wanted to hurt Sans.

These kids were so soft. Red wasn’t sure how they retained such a trait after the hell they’d been through, but he wasn’t about to let them lose it over a single disagreement. “are you okay?”

“I’m not the one who’s hurting.” Papyrus said through his tears.

“pretty sure that ain’t true.” Red said. “having him just walk off without hearing your apology was probably rough.”

Papyrus wiped at his eyes. “I mean no offense, Mr. Red, but I think your point of view is skewed.”

“how d’you mean?”

“If Sans doesn’t want to forgive me, that’s his choice.” Papyrus said, voice soft enough to nearly be a whisper. “Now that I’ve said my words, I don’t get to decide they didn’t hurt him.”

Red nodded. “that’s true. but I’ve got a new question for you.”

Papyrus met his eyes, attentive.

“did you want to hurt him?”

Papyrus hesitated. “In the moment… perhaps a little.” He looked so upset. “That’s terrible, isn’t it?”

“being tempted isn’t a terrible thing, pap.” Red assured him, rubbing his back. “especially not when it makes sense. you were both upset, and it didn’t feel like he was listening, did it?”

“That’s no reason to hurt him!”

“you’re right.” Red agreed. “but that’s why you were tempted to. and you’ve got a special gift to know exactly how your words make people feel.”

Papyrus sniffled. “I wish that you wouldn’t try to make me feel better.”

Red tipped his head. “why?”

“Because I deserve to feel guilty.” Papyrus said.

Red sighed softly. “feeling guilty won’t make it all go away, pap. it takes more than knowing you did something wrong to fix it.”

He seemed to think on that for a while. “What am I supposed to do, then?”

Red nuzzled his head gently, feeling a flood of affection for the younger skeleton. “you learn. then you try to do better.”

“Do better.” Papyrus murmured, like a declaration. He wiped his face. Took a deep breath. “Okay.”

Red couldn’t help his small smile. He knew other people who would have blamed Sans for being soft enough to hurt, or would have pushed the blame onto someone else. Instead, Papyrus was acknowledging immediately what he had done wrong, and was determined to make it right again. “maybe you should wait a bit before going to talk to sans, though.” Red suggested.

Papyrus nodded his agreement. “You should go first.”

“heh.” Red shook his head. “what do you expect me to do?”

Papyrus looked downtrodden. “You can help him with this. Right?”

Red didn’t want him to lose hope, but he wasn’t infallible. “I’m not sure if I can, paps. this sounds like it’s cutting pretty deep.”

Papyrus sniffled again, obviously fighting back tears. “So there’s nothing to do?”

Oh, Red couldn’t tell him that. Not while he was making that face. Red would try anything once to stop a kid from looking that sad. He sighed softly. “I’ll try.”

Papyrus’s mouth tightened into a thin line and he nodded. “Thank you.”

“sure, kiddo.” Red rubbed his head. “will you be okay down here?”

Papyrus shifted on the couch and snagged one of Edge’s colored cubes from the end table. “I’ll be fine.”

Red knew it was the truth, so he stood. “let me know if that changes, okay?”

Papyrus gave him a thumbs-up.

Red made his way to the stairs. He ran through the conversation in his head, including Sans's reactions, to try and gauge where Sans might be emotionally at that moment. It was really hard to tell, especially since they were both young, and Red didn't know kids' temperaments that well.

Young.

Fuck, Red had almost let it slip his mind. He stopped at the top of the stairs, entirely motionless in his shock. Young.

Papyrus was nine.

Sans was eleven.

Red glanced down at the couch, watching Papyrus stare through the colored cube less like he was trying to solve it and more like he was thinking about something entirely different. He was nine.

And Sans was eleven. And they were already trying to bear so much responsibility; Sans claiming he was out of stripes and Papyrus running after his friends when they were in trouble...

Red had a flash of sheer panic. These were the kids he and Edge were trying to take responsibility for. These kids that acted much older than their age, sometimes, and holding so much more on their own than they should have ever needed to.

That was overwhelming, and Red felt like he was drowning in the midst of the responsibility.

It was okay, he reminded himself. He wasn't alone in this. There was Edge. And apparently Doggo, and the Dogi, and Grillby. And who knew who else Papyrus or Sans had managed to rope into their circle without trying.

For now, he had something he needed to do. One step at a time, if he could manage it, and everything would be fine.

It would be fine.

Red took a steadying breath and knocked gently on the door before opening it slightly. “sans?”

“if you’re in here to tell me to forgive paps, don’t bother.” He answered immediately. There was something thick about his voice, like he was speaking through heavy emotions. “I already did. I’ll go talk to him in a minute.”

As reassuring as that sounded on the surface, Red didn’t feel like that was all that needed to happen. “can I come in?”

There was a long pause. Some shuffling. “sure.”

Red waited a second longer before nudging the door open far enough he could enter. When he did, he closed the door behind him. Not enough to latch, just enough to give them the illusion of privacy.

Sans was seated on his bed, shirt uneven on his shoulders like he’d just been laying down but had sat up before Red could enter. He really did look tired.

Red moved to stand nearby. He gestured to Sans’s mattress. “can I join you?”

Looking confused, Sans nodded.

Red perched on the edge of the mattress, giving Sans space but putting them on the same level. “it seemed like what papyrus said really hurt you.”

Sans wrapped his arms tightly around himself. “he didn’t mean it.”

“doesn’t stop it from hurting.” Red remarked.

Sans stared at him. “did you get him in trouble?”

There was no mistaking the fear in Sans’s voice. “no. he felt guilty enough on his own.”

Sans sighed deeply, looking away. “I’m the worst. shoulda just forgiven him before I walked out.”

“do you really think he would have believed you?” Red asked. “if you’d accepted his apology and walked out anyway?”

Sans shrugged. “I dunno. we haven’t…” He took a breath that seemed like it was supposed to calm him. “it takes a lot for us to argue. we haven’t in a while.”

Red nodded. “when was the last time?”

He thought about it. “years ago, I think. I did something stupid. he was angry about it.”

“how was it stupid?”

Sans shook his head. “it don’t matter anymore. none of it does.”

Red wished he could just understand. No work. No figuring things out. No need for Sans or Papyrus to feel uncomfortable by needing to explain. Just understanding.

Nothing worth having was that easy, Red reminded himself.

“just… making sure we’re on the same page.” Red started carefully. “you weren’t mad at papyrus. you were scared about what could have happened today, and you were angry because you might not always be up to snuff.”

Sans kept his gaze pinned to the blankets beneath his knees. “pretty much.”

That was easy enough. It didn’t touch more than the tip of the iceberg, but Red felt like he could handle that much. “that makes sense.”

Sans looked surprised. “it does?”

“course it does.” Red said. “papyrus means a lot to you.”

Sans nodded. Then frowned deeply. He picked at the fibers of the blanket. “not enough.”

Red wasn’t sure he heard correctly. “what?”

Sans’s frown sharpened into a glare. He took a deep breath, obviously fighting off tears. “he wasn’t lying – you know he wasn’t lying.”

“what are you talking about, sans?”

His gaze stayed firmly rooted to the blanket, but it was clear his mind was elsewhere. “what he said.” Sans’s voice was thick with his emotion again. “about pretending.”

Red reached back in his memory. The line that seemed to really hurt him. At least Papyrus didn’t pretend he would do anything to protect Sans. In a pointed way.

Implying Sans only pretended he would do anything to protect Papyrus.

Red had never seen anything but clear dedication from Sans toward Papyrus’s safety. Even in stories about their time with Gaster; Sans tried every food in order to test if it was safe or not. He could have just left Papyrus to it or decided neither of them ate anything, but instead he made sure it wasn’t food going to waste.

And Papyrus seemed to care monumentally for Sans. Even when Papyrus didn’t know them, he’d begged for help in treating Sans to save him. Though the only other adult Papyrus had ever met was Dr. Gaster, their tormentor.

“why are you so confused?” Sans asked, despondent.

Red stared at him. “because I don’t understand how papyrus could tell the truth and lie at once.”

Sans stiffened. “papyrus never lies.”

“no, but he was wrong.” Red said. “I’ve never seen evidence to say you would let papyrus get hurt if you could prevent it.”

“yeah, well…” Sans cleared his throat like something was stuck in it. “you haven’t known us that long, have you?”

The Judge in Red could See the intensity of Sans’s guilt. His shame. But it was misplaced. Whatever Sans felt bad about hadn’t been his fault. Not even close. So why did he feel that way?

Before Red could say anything else, there was a loud knock on the door. Not the bedroom door, but the front entrance.

“Um, RED?” Papyrus called, sounding nervous.

Reasonably, with the day they’d had. Red gave Sans an apologetic glance.

There was nothing but understanding in Sans’s eyelights. He smiled softly. “you’d better get that.”

“we’ll talk later.” Red insisted.

Sans shrugged, like he didn’t care.

Red cursed the universe’s timing and took a shortcut to the living room, easily putting himself between Papyrus and the front door. Just then, there was another knock, still deliberate and patient.

He sighed and opened the door.

There stood the Dogi, looking hesitant. “Hello, Red.” Dogaressa greeted.

Red tipped his head. “hey. what brings you?”

“We were the others who responded to the call earlier today.” Dogamy said. “When your pups were in trouble. We weren’t able to follow them back, so we wanted to make sure they were okay.”

That was surprisingly thoughtful, and Red couldn’t find it in himself to be mad about their interruption. “yeah, doggo brought ‘em back safe and sound.”

“Good.” Dogaressa said. She pulled a paper bag out of her inventory and held it out to him.

Hesitantly, Red took it. It was heavier than he expected it to be. “what’s in this?”

“Produce.” Dogaressa supplied. “Some fresh vegetables and fruits we won’t be using. Grillby mentioned he gave you recipes.”

And now they were just giving away food? This felt… wrong. Or maybe Red was still unnerved from the rest of the day’s events. “thank you. is there anything you want—”

“No.” Dogaressa shook her head. “Those are for you. For the pups.”

Red really wasn’t sure he was okay with all of the generosity he was receiving. He deliberately set the paper bag down inside of the door and glanced toward Papyrus. “I’ll be right back.”

Papyrus nodded, looking nervous.

Red stepped out onto the porch and closed the door behind them before looking to the dogs. “okay…”

They watched him, uncertain and obviously wary.

Red took a deep breath. “what’s going on? first, you protect my collared – pretty sure you’ve snapped at people for saving dogamy from anything.” He said to Dogaressa. “then you bring over food. fresh food, which is even rarer in snowdin with all the issues in ration transportation for the last month.”

They stared at him.

Red stared back. “it’s not that I ain’t grateful – I’m honestly pretty relieved that you were there when we couldn’t be – but what the hell is going on?”

Dogaressa shifted her weight. “We… we noticed today that little pup’s soul is hurting again.”

Red frowned. “again?”

“It was when we first met.” Dogamy admitted. “But it went away.”

“Until today.” Dogaressa confirmed with a nod. “And we know what could happen to you or the Lieutenant. If your collared Falls Down.”

Red was confused. “what do you mean?”

Dogaressa tapped her fingers together. “You and the Lieutenant. You help. Help always. Often.”

Dogamy nodded, agreeing. “But, if something happens to your pups—”

“We would be sad.” Dogaressa interjected. “Very sad, but…”

“You might not help.” Dogamy finished. “You might stop helping.”

Red shook his head. “we wouldn’t—”

“You might.” Dogamy said seriously. “And Snowdin needs you and the Lieutenant. To help.”

Red felt like they were talking about things a lot bigger than patrols and sentry duty. “help with what, exactly?”

And that seemed to be the right question.

Both dogs looked at each other and then away, as if uncomfortable. “Many things.” Dogaressa said vaguely.

Dogamy nodded. “Many, many things.”

Okay. That was weirdly cryptic. Red eyed them for a moment before realizing he probably wouldn’t get anything else from them. “okay… we’ll try?”

The Dogi nodded, almost excited.

“Good luck with the pups.” Dogaressa said with a small wave.

Red waved back. “sure.”

He watched both cloaked dog monsters step off of his porch and return to the path that led them deeper into the forest. Only once they were out of sight did Red reenter the house.

Sans and Papyrus were both seated on the stairs, halfway up like they’d met in the middle. Sans had an arm around Papyrus, who looked like he’d been crying again.

Which meant Red had missed the entire interaction, and he couldn’t help being mildly frustrated with himself. He pushed the feeling aside and focused on his concern for them. “well. the dogi say hello.”

Papyrus sniffled. “Hello, dogs.”

Red smirked before approaching the stairs. “you guys doin’ okay?”

Papyrus and Sans looked at each other. The latter smiled softly. “yeah, we’re fine.”

Papyrus seemed to melt in relief, as if he hadn’t been sure.

Sans nudged him gently in the shoulder. “we talked about communicating next time he felt someone was in trouble.”

“oh, that’s good.” Red said, not sure of what else to do.

Papyrus nodded. “I have learned to not run off on my own. Probably.”

That didn’t sound certain. “you sure?”

“Well…” Papyrus tapped his distal phalanges against his chin. “I can’t promise I will remember always, but I will definitely try!”

“that’s the important part.” Red said with a wink.

Papyrus smiled back.

Sans sighed. “you know what I could go for?”

Sans making a suggestion about anything? Red would absolutely hear him out. “what?”

“hot chocolate.” He confessed. "you mentioned it earlier to mk, and I've been thinking about it since then."

Red smiled. They would need to have a serious discussion at some point, that was obvious. Mostly about the topics they’d barely skimmed today. But that could wait, and Sans was taking initiative in requesting something. Red wanted to encourage that.

“sounds like a good idea.”

Chapter Text

“He’s eleven.” Edge breathed the words, like he hardly believed them.

Red nodded.

Edge stared at the wall directly across from him. “And… and you said he didn’t tell you?”

“nope.” Red confirmed. “he and papyrus got into an argument today. pap said it to prove a point.”

“So… we’re not even sure if he’ll own up to it.” Edge observed.

Red shrugged. “he might.”

“I hope so.” Edge whispered. Red knew he still wasn’t comfortable with the idea of Sans starting training to become a sentry so early. “This argument… did it have anything to do with the events of this morning?”

“yup. everything, actually.”

Edge nodded. “I’m not surprised. I’m sure they were both frightened by it.”

Red crossed his arms. “apparently, that wasn’t the problem. sans was upset that papyrus might get into trouble and he couldn’t be there to help.”

“And why was Papyrus upset?” Edge asked.

At that, Red shrugged again. “it seemed like he was more irritated sans wasn’t telling him anything at first. just kinda stewing in it. they bounced off each other until it escalated, and I didn’t even notice until papyrus got mad.”

Edge ran a hand over his head. “Nine and eleven.”

Red crossed his arms. “you got tomorrow off?”

“Yes.”

“then… I got an idea.” Red said.

Edge looked curious. “What is this idea?”

“confront sans and papyrus about their ages in the morning. talk to ‘em. if sans comes clean, one of us goes to undyne and lets her know.”

“Your use of the word if implies another option.” Edge mentioned.

“that’s because there is.”

He stared. “Now that we know—”

“he didn’t tell us.” Red said. “it’s clear sans didn’t want us to know how old he was. we don’t know why. and until we figure out he ain’t got a good reason for the fib, I suggest we let him keep that shield.”

“Why?” Edge asked.

Red sighed. “because it’s harmless. we know the truth of this one. better this lie than one we can’t see coming.”

Edge frowned. “You always know when he lies.”

“yeah, but that don’t mean I automatically know what the truth is.” Red reminded him. “I knew sans wasn’t fourteen. I didn’t know he was eleven.”

Monster ages were difficult anyway. It was why anyone under thirteen wore stripes – so everyone knew who was a child and who wasn’t.

“This isn’t a harmless fib.” Edge told him. “We’re talking about putting a child in a potentially hostile environment.”

“news flash, boss; we don’t know how old we are, either.” Red reminded him. “who knows? maybe we were in apprenticeship before we were outta stripes. I sure as hell know I wasn’t old enough to get pulled as a judge.”

Because Judges weren’t supposed to start in their position until they were twenty. Red had only been eighteen. Probably. They’d sort of guessed ages for necessity reasons and kept counting from there.

Now that Red thought about it, if Sans and Papyrus really came from an alternate universe, there was a chance they could make a few calculations to see how far off their guesses were. That could be fun.

A thing for later.

“We’re not supposed to give them what we had.” Edge said. “We’re supposed to do better.”

Red stared at him as the words sunk in. He winced, rubbing the back of his neck. “that’s a good point.”

It was only then Edge seemed to realize what he said, and he winced too. “I didn’t mean to imply—”

“no, I know.” Red assured him. “it’s fine. that’s a really good point we should always keep in mind. we want them to have better than we had.”

Silence fell between them.

“I propose we follow your plan if Sans is obviously using this as a shield.” Edge said. “If it genuinely makes him feel safer, we will let it go. But if it’s any other reason…”

Red nodded. “we’ll call him out.”

“how old are you, anyway?” It was far from subtle, but Red had never been one for subtlety.

Sans stiffened.

Papyrus smiled. “I’m nine! But I’ll be ten soon.”

That was news to Red. “how soon’s soon?”

Papyrus hesitated, a confused expression on his face. “What day is it?”

An excellent question. Red thought about it. “it’s thursday…”

“March thirtieth.” Edge supplied.

Red sent him a grateful look.

Papyrus counted on his fingers. Stopped. Recounted. Red was expecting a number of months, but instead – “Ninety-four days!”

Red stared at him. “that’s…”

“three months and three days.” Sans filled him in quietly.

Red stalled for a moment, surprised at the calculation speed.

“July second.” Edge mused thoughtfully.

It was a good thing someone understood how time worked, because it clearly wasn’t Red. He was the type of person to live each day while it happened. Planning things out far ahead of time rarely happened for him.

“And… how about you, Sans?” Edge asked. “How old are you?”

Sans was looking at the book in his lap without actually looking at it. He was tense. Nervous. Because he knew Red knew when he was lying – and he probably expected Red to call him out immediately. So now he was trying to decide if he wanted to try lying again or just tell the truth.

The real question would be why Sans felt compelled to lie at all.

Red exhaled softly. “sans?”

The kid didn’t look at him, but he tensed like he was preparing for something.

Red smiled slightly. “we’ll take whatever you say as the truth.”

At that, Sans looked up sharply.

Red met his gaze. “whatever you say. fact or fiction, we’ll go with it.”

Sans’s browbone pinched, skepticism and confusion in his eyelights. “why?”

“Because we want you to feel safe.” Edge said. “And if the reason you’ve chosen what you have is to feel safer, we wish to allow you that comfort.”

Sans stared at them, jaw hanging loosely open in shock.

Papyrus’s sockets were wide. He looked at his brother. “Sans, they’re telling the truth.”

“I know.” He whispered.

“There’s no extra trick, either!” Papyrus told him, looking practically overjoyed.

Sans was still staring.

Edge and Red traded a worried look.

Sans abruptly put his book to the side, trembling visibly.

More than a little concerned, Red stepped forward as he was the closest one. “sans, are you – oof.”

Sans had dove at Red, wrapping his arms tightly around his torso.

Red froze, terrified of ruining it. Slowly, he settled his arms on Sans’s shoulders.

Sans squeezed harder, face buried in Red’s shoulder.

After a second longer, as it became clear that Sans wasn’t just doing a quick hug, Red enveloped the child in his arms, allowing himself to feel that protectiveness he often did and actually shield him from the world like he wanted.

“are you sure?” Sans’s words were hardly more than a whisper, and Red had to strain to hear them.

The painful hope in the question squeezed Red’s soul. “yeah. we’re sure.”

“it’s a lie – I’ll be lying.” There was a bit of panic.

“I know.”

“that’s okay?”

“if you need it.”

Sans slowly pulled away.

Red released him immediately, allowing him the space.

He rubbed his right humerus before curling his hands toward his chest. He hesitated. “fourteen?”

Red smirked. “are you asking me? how’m I supposed to know?”

Sans grinned. “fourteen.” He said, with more surety.

Red gently rubbed his knuckles on the kid’s skull. “okay, then.”

“We should also add,” Edge noted. “If at any point you wish to go back on that, all you need to do is let us know.”

Sans nodded. The relief he felt was nearly tangible. “thank you.”

“And in that case, you’re old enough to be an apprentice.” Edge said. “I would like to assess where you are in the skills required for sentry duty, but that can wait for tomorrow.”

Papyrus clapped his hands. “CAN YOU MAKE BREAD?”

Red chuckled. “bread?”

“Bread can take a while, so I told him we could make some on my next day off.” Edge supplied. And he smiled. “Of course I can make bread, Papyrus. Would you like to help?”

Papyrus’s eyelights sparkled.

Sans nudged his brother’s shoulder. “you’d better. he’ll knead you.”

Papyrus started to nod before the pun registered and he looked affronted. “Could you not?”

Sans winked at him. “don’t be such a sourdough.”

“SANS!”

“you’d bread-er head to the kitchen, pap.” Red said.

“oh, good one.” Sans commented. “I was gonna use butter, ‘cause bread and butter.”

“that would have worked, too.”

“PLEASE!” Papyrus begged, lifting a throw pillow from the couch to press it onto his head.

“Come on, Papyrus.” Edge said with a sigh. “I suppose we should leave the comedians to their tomfoolery.”

Sans gave Red a sideways glance that read of mischief before folding his hands behind his back and following Papyrus and Edge to the kitchen.

They turned the corner, and Red heard Sans’s voice, but not what he said, then a loud groan from the youngest skeleton. “GET OUT!”

As Sans slunk back to the living room, Red heard Edge laughing. “what did you say?”

Sans shrugged. “oh, you know… just mentioned that paps helping edge cook will be the coolest thing since sliced bread.”

Red snorted. “that’s terrible.”

“yeah.” Sans agreed with a nod, looking fondly toward the kitchen.

“This is a good enough spot, I think.” Edge decided, stopping in the clearing.

Red agreed. It was a large, open space, the snow mostly undisrupted. No one came here often, it seemed. Which meant it was likely they wouldn’t be interrupted.

Sans and Papyrus looked apprehensive. That made sense – they hadn’t explained what they were doing yet.

“Do you remember me informing you of the requirements of someone out of stripes?” Edge asked Sans.

He nodded.

“Captain Undyne has allowed me to take you on as an apprentice.” Edge reminded him anyway, so they were all on the same page. “So that you can both fulfill your required role, and I can ensure you remain as safe as possible.”

Sans made an interesting face at that. Somewhere between confused and wary.

Edge noted it. “That means you’ll be training to become a sentry. And, perhaps someday, a Royal Guard. This will require you to go on patrols with me, or man sentry stations with Red.”

Sans nodded. All of that seemed to make sense to him, but he still looked like he was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Which was good. Because there was, in fact, another shoe.

“You may be pulled into an Encounter.” Edge told him. “In our line of work, facing aggression is inevitable. Not a question of if but when. I would like you to be as prepared as possible for such an event.”

Sans looked around the clearing and understanding settled in his features. And – to Red’s confusion – Sans visibly relaxed. He turned to Papyrus. “he wants to see if I can fight.”

“Oh!” Papyrus relaxed, too. Not clinging so tightly to Sans’s arm. “That makes sense.”

“Have you ever been in an Encounter, Sans?”

He hesitated. “what’s an encounter, exactly?”

Red was confused by the mixed reaction. How could Sans be more at ease with the possibility of Edge seeing if he could fight, but he didn’t know what an Encounter was?

“How about I show you?” Edge offered, motioning him forward.

Sans patted Papyrus gently on his head, and the younger skeleton let go. He took a few careful steps forward, looking around the clearing as he went.

Red recognized assessment in his gaze. Calculation.

“Ready?” Edge asked. “I will pull you into one, so you know the sensation, but we won’t do anything yet.”

Sans nodded, looking more at ease than Red had seen him since he arrived.

The familiar magic floated through the air, and Red knew the Encounter had started. It was a special magic that reduced the damage of the environment or people passing by, limiting the space around the ones locked in combat. It was a useful trick.

It used to be turn-based, Red knew. And sparring matches still were between new Guard recruits. But in real Encounters, it was based on attacks of opportunity.

Sans’s sockets were wide, and he settled even more, much to Red’s confusion. A look at Edge showed him equally perplexed. “Do you recognize this?”

“yeah.” Sans admitted, digging his left toe into the snow as he looked around. “didn’t realize it had a name.”

“What is it?” Papyrus asked.

Sans motioned him forward.

While it was possible to enter an Encounter after it began, it took a special sort of intent. Just like most magic. It took a particular motivation, or it would keep you away. There was no accidentally strolling into a fight. Not when it took place within an Encounter.

But Papyrus walked up to Sans like it was as easy as through normal air. His own sockets widened. “It’s like puzzles!”

What?

Edge and Red traded confused looks.

Papyrus summoned a bone attack in hand, twirling it in his fingers with a giggle.

Sans rolled his eyelights, but his face was affectionate. “I think edge probably wanted to teach me something, paps. can you go stand by red again?”

Papyrus sighed and the attack magic dissipated with excellent control. “Okay. But me next!”

Sans looked nervous at the idea. “maybe.”

Papyrus hopped out of the Encounter as easily as he’d hopped in, obviously familiar with it, and stood next to Red.

“How is your attack magic?” Edge asked.

Sans seemed to pause in thought. “I dunno what sorta scale we’re using. fine? never good enough. doesn’t do a thing to paps.”

That made sense. If Red remembered correctly, Sans’s Attack had been one, just like his Defense, actually.

“What sort of attacks can you perform?” Edge asked instead.

Red thought he might need to elaborate, but then Sans launched into an answer.

“normal bullets and blue ones. and I can use blue soul magic.”

“And the blasters!” Papyrus reminded him.

Sans grimaced. “yeah. and those.”

Blasters. At his age? Red had been nearly sixteen before he’d started being able to maintain them long enough to use.

Edge seemed surprised as well. “Can you show me one?”

“of… the blasters?” Sans asked.

Edge nodded.

Sans took a steadying breath and lifted his left hand. Without much discernable effort, a wolfish skull large enough to dwarf the kid manifested nearby. He was carefully not looking at it, which was not normal. Usually it was easier to maintain attack magic you could see.

“How many of them can you hold at once?” Edge asked.

Sans thought about it and let the attack fade into spent magic. “five, on a bad day.”

Five.

Red could hardly believe what he was hearing. Who even was this kid?

“Okay.” Edge was taking it in stride, trying not to let it show on his face. “Something I would like to do next is test your ability to dodge.”

At that, some of the tension returned to Sans’s posture, but in the weirdest way. Not as a tightness of his shoulders, but a wiry expectation and anticipation in his limbs. Like he expected Edge to attack him without warning.

“I will not harm you.” Edge assured him. “And if it gets to be too much, you can tell me to stop. Especially if your ribs begin to trouble you.”

Sans had gone entirely mute, but he was paying attention.

“We’ll start slow.” Edge told him. “Ready?”

Sans nodded once.

The first few bone attacks Edge sent Sans’s way were slow. Easy things. Practically baby attacks. But with Sans pretending like he wasn’t hurt, there was no way to accurately guess how much he could handle.

He dodged them easily, moving no more than necessary. Red was shocked that he would let attack magic get that close to him, with such low HP. It spoke of familiarity. He wasn’t spooked by the sensation of hostile magic near enough to send tingles up his arms.

“Why is Mr. Brother going so slow?” Papyrus asked.

Red didn’t look away as he answered. “he wants to make sure he don’t hurt sans.”

“He couldn’t.”

“he couldn’t what?”

“Hurt Sans.” Papyrus said. “He’s the fastest dodger I’ve ever seen. He couldn’t hurt Sans unless he wanted to kill him.”

Red thought about that, trying not to dwell on the sheer shock that raced through his system at the words. If Papyrus truly believed that… “how’d sans get hurt, then?”

Papyrus’s answer was soft. “Mr. Doctor wanted to kill him.”

Red resisted the strange urge he felt to herd his group of skeletons together so they were more easily protected. Gaster had been trying to kill Sans.

As the attacks sped up, they also changed in complexity. Red recognized the training pattern. Increase of speed, change in pattern, repeat until you find the rookie’s limit. Simple, really.

Time stretched. Sans was still dodging like it were easy, with minimal movement. He almost looked casual, but Red saw his smooth movements falter for a moment.

So did Edge. He stopped attacking. “Are you all right?”

Sans was breathing quickly, but not heavily, even though it had gotten pretty fast. He frowned at Edge. “what?”

“You stumbled. Are you feeling well?” Edge elaborated.

Sans looked confused. “uh… yeah. snow is weird.”

They’d never even been to Snowdin before appearing in the basement, Red recalled. It could lead to a misstep like that, sure. But he wasn’t convinced that was all.

Neither, it seemed, was Edge. But he didn’t press. “Are you okay to continue?”

Sans seemed entirely baffled by everything that was happening. “sure?”

Edge started slow again, so as not to cause Sans panic, but he picked up speed significantly faster until they were back where they left off.

The attacks started to blur through the air, and Sans seemed focused but not distressed. He looked… comfortable. More relaxed than Red had ever seen him.

The fastest dodger, Papyrus had said.

Red himself was rather good at dodging, and he noted that this wasn’t a coincidence. This wasn’t Edge going easy on him. Sans was skilled. Trained.

When the speed picked up again and Sans had to do more complicated movements than simply stepping out of the way, Sans seemed to flicker every once in a while. As if he were shifting too fast to see.

No, Red realized with a start, he was teleporting.

Taking shortcuts mere inches from where he’d been before to give himself the illusion of speed he didn’t have. It was well executed. Red was in awe.

“I told you.” Papyrus sounded proud.

Red risked a glance at him and noticed the younger skeleton watched Sans with stars in his eyelights.

Edge stopped. “Well done, Sans.” He allowed himself to look impressed.

Sans faltered a step, the grace from before entirely gone. “is…” He was definitely breathing harder. “is that all?”

“You’re tired.” Edge said. “We can do more of that another time and see how fast you can truly go, but for now that’s adequate to know few attacks will actually harm you. Though I did notice you’re a little slower on your right?”

Sans nodded as if to confirm. Red hadn’t seen it, but that’s not what he’d been looking for, either.

“We can work on that as well.” Edge told him. “For now, I wish to move on.”

Sans nodded again and waited, silently patient.

Edge settled into a stance that was for easy mobility. “I want you to attack me.”

Red watched the kid’s eyelights blink out at the request. “what?”

“I want you to attack me.” Edge repeated with the same intonation.

Sans had stilled entirely, staring at him with empty sockets. He shook his head.

“I have plenty of experience.” Edge told him. “And I have enough HP to spare if one of your attacks does land. I’ll be fine, but I want to know you can defend yourself if you ever can’t move out of the way.”

Sans was still shaking his head in small motions. He took a small step backward.

Edge sighed and straightened, stepping closer.

Sans stiffened, but he didn’t move away to compensate. Soon, Edge was just in front of him.

“Summon a bone attack.” Edge requested.

Sans looked like he could start crying. He didn’t. “why?” It was a whisper that Papyrus and Red could hear from where they stood, the wind nonexistent that day.

“I want to show you exactly how much damage you would do to me.” Edge explained. “It takes harmful intent to truly hurt. And you don’t wish to harm me, so I want to show you that I’ll be okay.”

Sans shook his head harder now.

“This is important.” Edge insisted softly. “I need to know that, if needs must, you can protect yourself and Papyrus if Red or I aren’t around.”

Sans stilled. Bowed his head. Then he lifted a shaking left hand and summoned a single bone attack. It was solid. Well-formed.

Edge held out his arm.

Sans pulled the attack away. “are… are you sure?”

“I’ll be fine.” Edge assured him.

Sans clenched his jaw and allowed the bone to get closer so Edge could touch it.

He dropped his forearm through it with enough force for it to land similarly to an attack.

Nothing happened.

Then Edge stumbled slightly.

Red Checked him and his sockets widened. Down by six HP. How? Sans’s Attack stat was only a one. How had it happened?

“I’m all right.” Edge told him, lifting a hand to stop him from rushing forward. He looked back to Sans in confusion. “Has your magic always done that?”

Sans looked mortified. “only once.”

“When?”

Sans finally took a step back. There was definitely fear in his eyes. “doc – gaster. it… it was gaster.”

Edge lifted his hands in a show of peace and stepped backward himself, giving Sans distance. “It’s fine. Just take a moment to breathe.”

“what happened?” Red asked.

Edge glanced at him. “It bled off.”

Red felt the magic drain from his face. “what?”

“Sans has karmic magic.”

Red closed his eyes for a moment, praying to whatever listened that this went smoothly. “sans?”

The kid was still staring at Edge with a look of something like betrayal and confusion.

Red motioned for Papyrus to stay where he was, then he walked around to stand between Sans and Edge, without blocking their views of each other. “sans, do you remember that theory you had? about the multiverse?”

Sans was shaking. His bones looked grey. But he nodded.

“I think we just found more evidence to support it.” Red told him. “d’you know what karmic magic is?”

Sans shook his head.

“the damage it does to someone varies depending on their exp.” Red explained. “it’s tied up in lv.”

That caught his attention. “lv?”

“yeah. you can see it, right?”

Sans swallowed hard, looking apprehensive. Red knew this was a risk. But if Sans could tell between lies and truths, and he could see LV, of course he’d have karmic magic.

Eventually, the kid nodded again.

“if your attack hit papyrus, it would only take off one hp. but because edge’s got higher lv it takes off more.” Red explained. “if you hit me with it, the damage would fall somewhere between. gaster had high lv, right?”

Another nod from Sans.

“that’s why it’s acting the same.” Red told him. “nothing else. look at me, sans.”

Still shaking, Sans turned his eyelights to Red.

“that means nothing can hide from you. okay? you can know whatever you want about it.”

Sans’s browbone furrowed. “because you’ll tell me?”

Red shook his head negatively. “because the judge will.”

Edge stiffened behind him. “Do you truly think—”

“the karmic magic proves it.” Red cut him off, certain.

Sans’s hands were opening and closing at his sides, like he didn’t know what to do with them. “what… what’s the judge?”

This was going to be a long conversation. “that’s a long talk. d’you mind if we go home before we chat about it? just so we don’t get too cold.”

Changing environments would be seen as a risk to Sans, Red knew. A threat. But hopefully the promise of returning to a safe space would be enough.

After a nervous moment, Sans nodded then strode over to Papyrus. The moment he set his hand on his brother’s shoulder, they were gone.

Red swore under his breath and flipped to Edge, who had already started racing toward him. “didn’t think he’d go himself.”

“Well, he won’t let us touch him again until we explain, no doubt.” Edge didn’t sound surprised. “All he’s seeing is a similarity between us and his tormentor.”

And that made a horrible amount of sense. Red sighed and pulled them both through the Void into the living room.

Papyrus was tugging Sans toward the couch, urging him to sit. He looked reluctant, but when Papyrus sat first, Sans followed.

Red didn’t move to any of the furniture and instead sat on the floor in front of them, with the coffee table between.

Edge followed his lead, no doubt seeing the strategy – it would put Sans at a defensive advantage. The goal was to make him feel safe.

And, going by how Sans seemed to unwind a little once he noticed, it worked.

“okay.” Red pressed his hands together, putting them underneath his chin. It was, perhaps, best to start with the simplest facts first. “the judge is an entity that is passed from monster to monster. once the last one dies, the new one gets the power. some people think it works like reincarnation.”

“you don’t think that.” Sans pointed out.

“no.” Red agreed. “it’s more complicated than that. but the way a judge is classified is by their unique skills; they can tell truth from lie, they can see lv, and they have karmic magic.”

Sans nodded slowly. “that’s why you think I might be one?”

Red shrugged. “that… and I am, too.”

Sans looked thoughtful. “how many are there?”

“usually?” red asked. “only ever one. and they serve the king.”

Sans frowned. “but… if you are…”

“I serve the king.” Red said, and pulled himself out of darker thoughts when he noticed Papyrus clinging tighter to his brother. “but you won’t. we’ll make sure of it.”

“so… when you said this might back up my theory…” Sans tried carefully.

Red nodded. “there’s no other reasonable explanation for there being two judges.”

Sans grew quiet. Thoughtful. He looked between Edge and Red like he was puzzling something out. Red noticed his eyelights going sharp when they landed on Edge in particular.

Edge tensed.

Sans flinched and closed his eyes.

Yikes. “okay.” Red lifted his hands in a gesture of peace. “another thing I shoulda said but slipped my mind – after you hit someone with your magic, you can kinda… see more about ‘em?” Red searched for a better explanation. “you know stuff you shouldn’t logically know.”

Sans still had his eyes closed. “I didn’t mean…” His voice was warbly.

“yeah. he knows, kid, trust me.” Red said softly, glancing at Edge.

Edge did look incredibly sympathetic. Probably remembering when Red’s LV had been one and he’d gotten episodes of the Judge acting up.

Papyrus was still holding Sans’s hand. “Brother?”

Seemingly bolstered by Papyrus’s presence, Sans shifted and blinked his eyes open again, carefully looking only at Red. There was something pleading on his face that was practically begging for help. He didn’t want to feel and know what he did, obviously, but Red couldn’t take that away.

“here’s what you do, okay?” Red offered him a careful smile. “when you look back at edge, try not to look more than surface deep.”

Sans seemed apprehensive and the Judge in Red could read the guilt from a kilometer away.

“it’s okay.” Red told him. “he knows you didn’t mean it.”

“It didn’t hurt.” Edge added. “Not in the way you think it did.”

Because that had been a long discussion of Red and Edge’s years ago. When Red looked at someone with LV who was already repentant of their wrongs, it would sting. And it took a while for Red to realize it was his own pain, not Edge’s.

“will it happen every time I look at you now?” Sans asked, painfully quiet.

“it shouldn’t.” Red was the one to answer. “in fact, it’ll probably go away in an hour or so.”

Sans nodded. Then, hesitant, he turned his head to look at Edge.

Red could already tell it was working – Sans very rarely met their eyes anyway, and that would help a lot, but Red could see how his eyelights were no longer that cutting sharpness that the Judge would make them.

The kid sighed in relief, his shoulders slumping. “that’s so weird.”

Red smirked. “yeah, it is.”

“and that could happen with anybody?” Sans checked. “anyone I hit with my magic?”

Red nodded.

Sans looked thoughtful. “that… kinda explains a lot.”

Red searched his mind for what Sans could possibly be talking about.

Papyrus stiffened. “The bear monster!”

Sans nodded.

Edge frowned. “What bear monster?”

“The one who was attacking MK!” Papyrus said. “Sans hit him with attack magic.”

“and it was super weird, because then I knew his name without even checking him.” Sans said. “and I knew he… I could tell how he got his lv. and I was mad – is the anger normal?”

Red hesitated. “in some cases.”

“but I didn’t even notice, because looking at that monster didn’t hurt.” Sans was clearly confused. “why?”

“because he didn’t regret it.” Red filled him in.

Sans and Papyrus stared at him.

Red tipped his head toward his brother. “edge never liked hurting people. he regrets it. the judge can tell, so there’s a weird sorta karmic feedback. when someone doesn’t regret their actions, it all hits them.”

“That…” Papyrus stared at Sans. “Is SO COOL! You’re like one of those heroes from the stories!”

Sans shook his head. “no, I don’t think so.”

“BUT YOU’VE GOT SUPERPOWERS!”

“it’s magic.” Sans said with a half laugh. “everyone’s got magic.”

Papyrus huffed and crossed his arms. “Well… you can believe whatever you wish to, brother, but I think you’re cool.”

Sans blinked. His face flushed blue.

Papyrus glanced at him and ruptured into a fit of giggles.

Sans sighed tiredly, blush fading. “it’s really not that funny.”

“I should complement you more often!” Papyrus said.

“please don’t.”

Edge was fighting down a smile himself. “Now that we’ve covered all of that. Sans, would you like me to go over some of the duties required of a sentry, and what you’ll be expected to learn?”

Sans straightened and nodded.

Edge launched into a detailed description, including the directions the patrol circuits took depending on the time and day of the week. He also informed Sans of the existence of random patrols in Snowdin – it was one of the main reasons the crime activity was so low lately.

Then he covered the purpose of sentry stations. Both as a lookout and as a point in which citizens can go to for help or to report crimes when they happen. There was a building in Snowdin that operated as a sort of main headquarters for the Snowdin branch of Royal Guard, and Edge would show Sans that eventually as well.

He also informed Sans of the possibility of him getting a phone for emergency purposes.

Papyrus had been passively listening while he scanned the room distractedly, but his attention snapped back to Edge at the words. “So he could call our friends? Do our friends have phones?”

Sans frowned at Papyrus. “what friends?”

“MK!” Papyrus said. “And all of the dogs!”

“Sans will have the numbers of all of the dogs, yes.” Edge said. “But—”

“WOWIE!” Papyrus said. “We could leave them nice messages – like digital notes! I’ve always wanted to leave nice notes!”

Red tipped his head. “we could do that without phones.”

Papyrus gasped. “REALLY?”

“you have paper and pencils, right?” Red mentioned.

Papyrus shot off like a bullet, practically flying up the stairs.

Red and Edge both tried desperately not to laugh, and only Edge succeeded.

“there.” Red said with mild triumph. “problem solved.”

Sans smiled back.

Chapter Text

A sneeze.

Edge lifted his head and realized he’d been slouching over his project for much longer than he had predicted – his entire spine complained upon being straightened.

He looked at his progress on stitching back together the shirt Papyrus had torn a hole in while playing tag with MK in the forest. He was used to mending his own clothes, of course, so it wasn’t a hard task to complete, but he decided to do all of the patching at once, and Papyrus’s shirt was the fourth item on the list.

Another sneeze. A small sound, this time accompanied by a small squeak.

Edge looked around. He couldn’t see Papyrus anywhere. Today was the first evening Sans was off with Red visiting sentry stations, so it was only Edge and the youngest skeleton in the house.

Slowly he stood, setting his sewing project aside to head in the direction of the sound. The kitchen.

Edge walked through the doorway just in time to watch Papyrus sneeze into a hand towel, obviously trying to be quiet. He looked up sharply at Edge’s presence and stumbled backward, his bones swiftly going a shade of grey in what Edge realized was terror.

Knowing the boys had triggers he and Red hadn’t figured out yet, Edge remained calm and lifted his hands as a show of peace. “It’s all right, Papyrus. You’re safe.”

Papyrus shook his head, pressing his back against the wall. “I’m fine!”

Edge’s browbone furrowed. “What?”

“I’m okay!” Papyrus said quickly. Desperately. “There’s absolutely nothing wrong! Nope! I’m fine, thanks for asking – I’m going to go now.”

Edge gently settled a hand on Papyrus’s shoulder as he passed, causing him to freeze. “Papyrus—”

“I’m sorry!” Papyrus said, flinching away and covering his face.

Edge was more than worried. He slowly sank to one knee to look up into Papyrus’s face. “You’re safe.”

He was trembling. Eyelights that peeked through fingers were narrowed to pinpricks in his fear.

Edge kept himself calm and spoke softly. “You’re safe, Papyrus. I’m not going to hurt you. I would never hurt you.”

Papyrus didn’t move.

“What is it?” Edge asked, as gently as he was able. “What’s wrong?”

Slowly, Papyrus lowered his trembling hands. He sniffled, and Edge noticed a slight orange tint to his nasal bone. The longer he looked at Edge, the more scared he seemed to become, but instead of running away or panicking, his knees gave out and tears came to his sockets. “I’m sorry.”

Edge had no idea what the child was apologizing for. “I’m sure that whatever it is, I would forgive you.”

Papyrus sniffled again. Wiped at his face. “I think that maybe I might not be okay?”

Edge tried desperately to not feel the sheer terror that ripped through him at the phrasing, as he knew that would frighten Papyrus. “What do you mean?”

Papyrus curled inward on himself. “I’m sick.”

The confession was whispered like something forbidden. As if Papyrus thought it was some sort of horrible, irredeemable thing.

Edge’s expression softened. “Maybe you should go lay down.”

He looked at Edge with wide sockets. “What?”

“If you’re sick, one of the best things for you is rest.” Edge said softly. “Would you like to lay on the sofa or in your room?”

Papyrus stared at him. “You’re not angry.”

Edge stared back, confused. “Why would I be angry?”

Papyrus sniffled again. The tears were back. “You’re not angry.” His voice warbled.

Edge had no idea how to respond. “Of course not.”

Papyrus burst into tears.

Edge twitched forward, uncertain, and stopped short before actually touching the child.

Papyrus, however, took the movement as an invitation and crawled forward to drop his face directly against Edge’s chest as he continued to cry.

Edge hesitantly rubbed his back. His worry increased as he realized the spot Papyrus leaned on warmed quickly. “It’s all right.”

He started mumbling things Edge didn’t understand, both because of the soft volume and the warble of his voice. “Papyrus, I don’t understand.”

Papyrus inhaled choppily and sat up again. “I’m really tired.”

Edge’s soul melted. “I’m sure you are.” He reached forward and pressed his hand gently against Papyrus’s forehead. Then down to his cheekbone. “You have a fever.”

Papyrus sobbed again. “Oh no!” He cried, sounding terrified.

Edge settled his hands on Papyrus’s shoulders. “It’s all right, child, let’s get you somewhere to rest, and I’ll make something that will help you feel better.”

Papyrus was still crying, practically inconsolable.

Edge decided there was only one thing to do. He carefully lifted Papyrus into his arms and carried him to his room.

The whole while, Papyrus cried, hard enough that Edge was worried he might make himself sick. Or sicker. He tried hushing him softly, rubbing circles into his back like usual, but nothing was working.

Edge set him in his bed and snagged the stuffed lion from where Papyrus lovingly placed him on the pillow. He tucked the animal into Papyrus’s arms and watched him squeeze hard enough that – if the creature were alive – Edge was sure he would have strangled it.

Gently as he was able, Edge guided him to lay down.

Papyrus complied, sniffling and with tears all over his face. “I’m sorry.” He said again.

And Edge’s soul pinched painfully. “Why are you sorry?”

Papyrus’s jawbone quivered and he sobbed again. “I don’t know. Isn’t that silly?”

Edge brushed his hand against Papyrus’s face softly, drying it and also checking the fever again. Of course it hadn’t gone away in the last few minutes, especially not with the tears, but Edge had to check anyway. “I’m going to get you a cool cloth.”

Papyrus shivered. “What?”

“It should help you feel better.” Edge explained simply. “Will you be okay if I go grab it?”

Papyrus curled his phalanges tightly into Mouse’s mane and nodded.

Edge offered him a small smile before taking his leave. To the bathroom, where he grabbed a small washcloth from the closet and soaked it underneath cool water before wringing it out and returning to Papyrus’s room.

Papyrus watched him with glassy eyelights, and Edge was startled by how he’d looked perfectly healthy earlier in the day and seemed to be doing so poorly now. Or maybe Edge was just finally looking for it.

He folded the cloth into a narrow strip and gently settled it across Papyrus’s frontal bone.

Papyrus visibly relaxed, sockets drooping toward closed. “That is better.”

“Good.” Edge said softly. “I’m going to go get you a glass of water, all right? And when Red and Sans get back, I’ll make you a nice soup for dinner. And that will help you feel even better.”

“It will?” Papyrus asked.

Edge nodded. “Some good rest should help, too. So try and sleep. If you need me, I’ll be finishing the sewing, so you can just call for me and I’ll hear. Okay?”

Papyrus nodded.

Edge smiled encouragingly, pulling up the covers and tucking Papyrus in properly. “Get some rest.”

The following hours were spent with Edge finishing the mending he set out to do, while intermittently checking on Papyrus and bringing him water or encouraging him to drink more because he hadn’t had any.

When Red and Sans walked through the door that evening, Sans looked tired but at ease, and Red smiled. “hey, boss. is papyrus in bed already?”

“He’s resting.” Edge said carefully, trying to give off as much this is fine energy as possible so as not to set off Sans the same way Papyrus had been. “He’s feeling a little under the weather.”

Sans furrowed his browbone. “what’s that mean?”

Edge signaled Red to not answer, but he was already talking. “just that he ain’t feeling well. it’s…”

Red trailed off. Not only because of finally noticing Edge’s signal, but also because of the sheer panic that exploded onto Sans’s face before he vanished on the spot.

Red looked shocked. “what was that?”

“I still don’t know.” Edge said, already rushing for the stairs.

“but you expected it?” Red shot back.

“Papyrus was in tears when I caught him sneezing.” Edge told him quickly.

Red muttered what was probably a swear before they finally made it to the boys’ room.

The door was open, of course, and Sans was in Papyrus’s bed, wrapped around the younger skeleton like some sort of shield from the world.

“sans, pal, if paps isn’t feeling well—”

“he’s sorry!” Sans said quickly, and Edge could hear the terror in his voice. Just like Papyrus’s had been. “he’s sorry, he’s sorry, he’s sorry—”

Edge stepped forward and was startled by the feeling of blue magic on his soul.

Ping!

It switched gravity to the wall furthest from Sans, which had him dropping that way. Red jumped toward him, reaching, but Edge held up a hand to stop him.

Sans was breathing heavily enough it was practically hyperventilation. Still muttering. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry – he’s sorry, I’m sorry, please—”

“Sans?” Edge called. “It’s all right.”

“he can’t help it.” Sans said desperately. “he can’t – he can’t – please—”

“Of course he can’t.” Edge said resolutely.

Sans’s muttering cut off. He was still breathing heavily.

“Of course he can’t help being sick.” Edge clarified specifically, so nothing was lost in translation. “And all he should be doing right now is resting. So that he can feel better.”

There was a long silence of absolutely nothing. Like Sans was holding his breath.

The blue magic dropped from Edge’s soul, and he stumbled back onto his feet.

Red was standing there, looking shocked.

Edge couldn’t handle that right now, and he was sure Red would have it figured out on his own. His main priority was Sans. “I’m going to step closer, but it’s only to make sure both you and Papyrus are okay.”

Sans didn’t say anything.

Edge stepped forward.

There was no reaction, no manifesting magic, so Edge took another step. And another. Until he was near the bed.

Sans was trembling just as badly as Papyrus had been, sockets closed tight enough it probably hurt.

Papyrus still looked exhausted, and he was slightly squished in Sans’s arms, but he didn’t look like he wanted to complain. Instead, he reached up and pet Sans’s head. “They’re not angry.”

At first, there was no response. Then, slowly, Sans opened his eyes. “what?”

“They’re not angry.” Papyrus repeated at a whisper. “They’re worried.”

Sans, still shaking like a leaf in a strong wind, slowly turned his head.

To look at Edge.

His eyelights were gone entirely, empty sockets staring at him.

Edge offered Sans a hesitant smile. “I’m not angry.”

Sans released the breath he’d been holding, and he curled defensively around Papyrus.

“He’s not lying.” Papyrus said.

“I know.” Sans told him, voice hoarse like he’d screamed for hours instead of his frantic pleading.

Red stepped up to stand next to Edge. “are you okay?”

Sans stared at them, breathing like he were still petrified. “w-what?”

“are you okay?” Red repeated, more insistent, but softer.

Slowly, Sans nodded.

“Good.” Edge said, relieved. “Can we talk about what just happened, or do you need it to wait?”

Sans was still holding Papyrus so tightly he was shaking. He shook his head mutely.

Edge figured that was answer enough. “It can wait, then.”

There was really nothing for them to do at that point, though. Nothing other than reassure Sans that he was safe in hope of reducing his stress response. But how were they supposed to do that?

Edge recalled that the easiest thing that eased Papyrus was making him comfortable. As if that directly contradicted what he’d expected. And Edge knew Sans was more comfortable if he had some sort of barrier. A physical shield, even if it were only an illusion.

So, Edge grabbed one of the blankets from Sans’s bed and brought it to them. He slowly draped it over, settling it on top of Sans.

He looked confused, but some of the tension melted from him.

Edge couldn’t see Turtle around, so he assumed the stuffed rabbit was in Sans’s inventory. “The glass of water on the table there is Papyrus’s. If you get thirsty.”

Sans blinked owlishly.

Edge looked to Red, at a loss for what to do next.

Red was eyeing the kids with something worried and calculating. “is that cloth warm again, pap?”

He lifted the washcloth from where it had fallen onto the pillow and held it out in silent answer. Edge had been dampening it again in cool water every time he’d gone up to check on Papyrus, but it was clear Red was trying to show Sans that they were taking steps to help Papyrus, not… whatever it was they seemed to expect.

So, Red took the cloth from Papyrus’s fingers and left the room.

Sans was looking at Edge like he hadn’t since the first week. Skepticism and restrained hope with a gallon of fear. It made Edge’s soul ache.

“Would you feel better if you had Turtle?”

Sans frowned. “I’m not a babybones.”

Edge disagreed, but he nodded. “There’s nothing indicating that you have to be to lean on a source for comfort.”

Sans narrowed his sockets, suspicious.

Edge only shrugged.

Carefully, Sans reached into his inventory and pulled out the stuffed rabbit.

Papyrus shifted, as if to make room for the new addition, and Sans settled the stuffed animal in the space.

Red returned with a freshly damp cloth and held it out toward them.

Sans took it in his hands.

“If you put that on his head, it will help him stay cool.” Edge said.

Sans looked at his younger brother and smirked. It was a tired expression.

Then he dropped the cloth flat on Papyrus’s face.

“HEY!” He objected, sounding just shy of normal. He folded the cloth up to expose a frown of displeasure. “He didn’t say my face!”

Sans looked surprised. “but, pap… isn’t your face on your head?”

Papyrus looked like he was about to object before going still. His face drooped into something surprised and confounded.

Red snorted trying to keep in his laughter.

“I’ll go get started on dinner.” Edge said. “A soup, to help Papyrus feel better.”

“and sans, we should probably just warn ya, okay?” Red spoke carefully. “your hp being low means that the more you hang around papyrus, the more likely you’ll end up sick, too.”

And it would be more dangerous for Sans. Because he didn’t have HP to spare.

Sans tucked himself closer to Papyrus. A silent answer.

Papyrus looked worried. Edge wondered if Papyrus would be able to convince Sans where they failed. It shouldn’t be the kid’s responsibility, but there was only so much Edge or Red could do when they were both so sensitive.

Red and Edge exited the room, leaving the door open, reminding the boys to call to them if they needed anything.

Once down in the kitchen, Edge began to piece together the ingredients for the soup.

Red crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. “haven’t seen him that scared in a while.”

Edge nodded. He remembered the last time, too. The miscommunication about the collars. “Papyrus was hiding in here when I found him. And he tried to tell me he was fine.”

Red shook his head. “there’s a bug going around right now. wouldn’t be surprised if mk gave it to him.”

That was what Edge had been thinking. “I’ll check on them tomorrow to see if they need medicine as well.”

Medicine.

Both Edge and Red froze simultaneously.

“Do we have medicine?” Edge asked.

Red stared at nothing, obviously trying to remember. Then he moved to the cabinet that held the medkit. Digging through that turned out fruitless and he teleported.

Edge listened and heard Red moving around in the bathroom.

A few seconds later, he reappeared in the kitchen. “damn it, I thought we still had some left from last year.”

Medicine was hard to come by. It wasn’t rationed, like other supplies. It was available for purchase from certain suppliers. At extraordinarily high prices. Because that’s what happened when there was a resource in high demand that wasn’t regulated. The monsters in the capital figured it was the best way to line their pockets.

Edge sighed softly. “I can go talk to Gerson.”

Red whipped his head around to stare at him. “um, excuse me?”

“He’ll probably have—”

“fuck no.” Red said immediately. “he’s bad news.”

“He has the fairest prices.” Edge countered.

“only if you count owing him a favor as fair.” Red disagreed. “we can’t be makin’ deals like that. being in debt—”

“I know.” Edge said, pained. “But Papyrus needs it. And so might MK. And even if they could manage without it, if Sans keeps hanging around Papyrus like this, he will catch it, too. And Sans might not be able to fight it off on his own.”

Because of his low HP.

Red looked cornered. Irritated. He turned in a circle, obviously restless. “then you’re not going.”

Edge lifted his browbones. “What was that?”

Red glared at him. “if that scheming turtle sends you on a suicide mission, and you die, that’ll kill us, too.”

Edge rolled his eyelights. “No one would dare—”

“you’ve got more enemies than you think.” Red disagreed immediately. “and the minute you’re weak enough, or you’re gone, they’ll come after what’s left. and that’s me. me and the kids.”

They stared at each other, locked at an impasse.

“but if I go, and I don’t make it, that leaves you to protect ‘em.” Red said.

“He might not even ask for a favor.” Edge said. “These are pointless hypotheticals.”

“no, this is our reality.” Red snapped. “everything costs something, and we’ve gotta make a judgement call. what’s the way that we do this with the least risk?”

Edge returned his attention to the broth on the stove. He cared about a lot in the Underground, but there were a few things he refused to risk needlessly. Things he never wanted to live without.

Red had been his only family for as long as he could remember. The protector. The provider. And when Edge got strong enough to seem scarier, and Red ended up in his collar, Edge swore that it would be his turn. He would take the risks. He would make sure things were taken care of.

But it wasn’t just them. Edge couldn’t only think of what he wanted in this. If it were between his life or Red’s, the answer was obvious to him. Or it had been. Things weren’t that simple anymore.

He took a deep breath. “I’ll still be the one to talk with him. If he asks for a favor, I will let him know I’ll be sending you.” It hurt to say.

There was a stretch of silence. “thank you.”

Chapter Text

When Edge exited his home, he was surprised to find three dogs on his doorstep. The Dogi and Doggo. “What is it?” He asked. Was there an emergency?

Doggo put his hands on his hips. “You cancelled your regular inspection for the day.”

Edge narrowed his sockets. “Yes. I did.”

“Because you need to leave,” Dogaressa added. “Go somewhere.”

Edge eyed them for a moment before descending the porch stairs into the snow. Even then, he was still taller than them by a few inches. “I’m headed to Waterfall to buy medicine.”

“From Gerson?” Doggo asked.

Edge nodded.

The three dogs traded worried looks. “Lieutenant…” Dogaressa spoke carefully. “Which pup is sick?”

Edge hesitated. “Papyrus.”

There was increased worry. They shifted their weight like they’d been filled with urgency. “We will go.” Dogaressa decided.

Edge frowned at her. “Go where?”

“To Gerson.” Dogamy supplied. “We will buy medicine.”

Edge shook his head and began to walk. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“But, Lieutenant—”

“This has gone far enough.” Edge snapped, looking over his shoulder toward the trio. “I don’t know the reason you’ve invested so much of your care into my family, but just know that continuing to do so will not guarantee you anything from me. I cannot pay you. And I cannot afford to be in debt.”

“Then why go to Gerson?” Dogamy asked.

Edge glared at him. “He has the fairest prices.”

All of the dogs nodded.

“Yes, he does, but why must you go?” Dogaressa pressed. “If you can’t be in debt—”

“We figured something out.” Edge told them vaguely. “It’s not ideal, but we do what we must. You know how it is.”

The three traded looks.

Doggo stepped forward. “Just let us go with you.”

Edge was unsettled by their persistence. “Why?”

“It’s our day off.” Doggo said with a shrug. “A walk sounds nice.”

Dogamy perked up, his tail wagging. “Take us for walk?”

Edge shoved down his own amusement with a deep sigh. “Fine, you mangey mutts. Heel.”

They scrambled excitedly, and Edge rolled his eyelights as he began his trek. It wasn’t a particularly long walk, but the distance felt warped with the twisting tunnel system and the shift in temperature.

They didn’t talk much, though it was clear as they walked through town that Papyrus must have been making an influence, because they all seemed to wave at everyone they passed. Edge was startled to see others even wave first.

Sans had noted the last time he’d been out on patrol with Edge that everyone seemed lighter. Happier, almost. And Sans was one of the few monsters who would truly know if that were true.

Undyne had mentioned it when she was last in town as well. Snowdin was changing. For the better, in Edge’s opinion. It was safer than it ever had been. They still got at each other’s throats now and again, but the crime rate had declined rapidly since Edge’s promotion to Lieutenant. Even the rabbits, who had previously been a gang that ruled over the Snowdin district, were doing honest work now.

Or… more honest. No one was perfect and old habits were hard to break. Especially if they were consistent sources of income.

As they crossed into Waterfall, the difference was even clearer. It wasn’t that Undyne didn’t do as well – she absolutely did everything she could. It was only that the closer one got to New Home, the nastier people became. Like it was being consistently instigated.

And the people there were still scared of the Royal Guard, Edge reminded himself as he saw a whimsum family dive out of sight in the tunnels. Guards were supposed to protect. Reduce hostility. Enforce order. The previous Captain of the Royal Guard – between Undyne and Gerson himself – had done nothing but instill fear.

Edge knew that was what Undyne most hated about her position. The generated terror of authority. Every sane monster feared the King of Monsterkind, and they also feared the Captain of his Royal Guard.

He tried not to think about it, shaking the thoughts from his mind. Gerson’s shop was right up ahead. An alcove isolated along one of the tunnels, blocked off by a grey curtain of waterproofed fabric.

Edge gently pulled the curtain aside, stepping into the cavern. There were tables covered in fresh produce and less-than-fresh produce, as well as a variety of herbs and teas, equipment, and tools.

And there, at the table nearest to the left wall, was an old turtle monster. He sat with his glasses perched on his face, eyeing what looked to be the interior of a geode. At Edge’s entrance, he looked up. And then back at the three dogs that entered with him. “Well, well… wish I woulda known to expect a party.” He laughed.

Edge glanced behind him, ready to signal them to wait outside, but the Dogi and Doggo quickly found themselves entertained by one item or another out on the tables for sale.

He rolled his eyelights and approached Gerson. “Do you have any medicine in stock?”

Gerson’s smile dropped slowly from his face, replaced quickly by a look of intrigue. “What kind?”

“To treat magic dysregulation.” Edge said. “The type that comes with common viruses.”

 Slowly, Gerson nodded. “The stuff I’ve got has a bit of healing intent, too.”

That was perfect, really. If Sans were to get sick, that sort of treatment would be the most effective. “How much?”

“How much do I have, or how much does it cost?” Gerson asked with a sly look.

Edge refused to show his unease. “How much does it cost?” He knew how much Gerson would sell at one time. It was never more or less.

Gerson folded his hands on the table, twiddling his thumbs with a thoughtful look on his face. “Been hard to come by, lately. Medicine’s pricy. You know how it is.”

“How much?” Edge asked dryly.

Gerson clicked his tongue. “You’re more impatient than that guppy you call Captain.”

Edge stared, unmoving. And he waited.

Gerson rolled his eyes. “You could say it’s an IOU.”

“Can’t.” Edge said sharply. He’d try anything else first. “What’s the value in gold?”

“For the favor I need from you?” Gerson asked with a crooked smile. “Way out of your price range.”

“I’m not in the mood.” Edge told him monotonously. “What’s your price?”

“A favor.” Gerson insisted.

Edge glared at him.

Gerson looked through half-lidded eyes, unimpressed. “Fine. A thousand gold.”

There was a sharp intake of breath from behind him.

Internally, Edge was broiling. Even with the ridiculous sums real medicine was worth, the amount Gerson was selling wasn’t even worth half that much.

The turtle monster smiled, like he thought he’d cornered Edge. A favor wasn’t cheaper, but it was a hell of a lot more manageable.

But Edge was terrified. He didn’t want to let Red take on an impossible and pointless task just to entertain the old monster.

But the truth was that they didn’t have that much gold to spare.

Edge’s soul sank, and his chest felt too tight. He opened his mouth, ready to tell Gerson Red would be by that evening to complete the favor.

A hand on his shoulder.

He looked over to see Doggo.

The Guard looked grim, giving Gerson a squinty glare with his bad vision. He smacked his hand down onto the table.

Edge’s eyelights flickered over the coins, counting – four hundred gold.

The Dogi approached on his other side. Dogaressa pulled a small bag from her inventory and upturned it over the table, adding her and Dogamy’s own gold pieces. Five hundred.

Nine hundred total.

Gerson was staring at the pile, wide-eyed.

Edge could hardly believe it himself. With a trembling hand, he pulled out the two fifty-gold pieces still needed and placed them gently on the table.

Gerson lifted his shocked expression to look between them all.

Doggo crossed his arms. “Give him the medicine.”

Gerson blinked. Then he nodded, sliding off of his stool and hobbling into the back room.

Edge couldn’t get his mouth to form words, let alone express everything he was feeling. He had so many questions, probably more than he had the time to ask.

And Gerson was back, a wooden crate in his hands. He set it down on the table and pulled the lid off before digging out the appropriate bottles. Enough for a year’s supply for Edge’s whole household and MK.

That wasn’t the agreed upon amount. That was more.

Edge lifted a hand, about to stop him.

Gerson set the bottles onto the table pointedly. “You get what you paid for.”

Edge stared at him.

The turtle monster looked up at Edge through his bushy grey brows. Over at the dogs next to him. “This behavior… you need to be careful how you act around others. Unity is a sure way to bring trouble.”

Edge frowned slightly.

Gerson dropped the lid back onto the crate and hefted it back into his arms. He gave Edge a sideways look. “Interesting, that they picked you. Doesn’t your brother work for the king?”

Edge had no idea what he was talking about. “We all work for the king.”

Gerson lifted an eyebrow. “Oh, you think so?” He chuckled. “Okay.” And he walked into the back again.

When he returned, he scooped the gold up into his inventory and shoved the bottles at him again. “Take it before I change my mind.”

And Edge did. All of it.

“Get outta here before people notice.” Gerson insisted, frowning grumpily. “And don’t be doing none of this in places where the word can get out, you stupid kids.”

Edge still wasn’t sure what he was talking about, but he bowed his head in farewell and moved to the exit.

Once back in the cave system, Edge turned to the others with him. “I’m not sure how long it will take, but I will pay you back. Or would you like an even share of the medicine?”

“Forget about it.” Doggo said with a wave.

Edge stared at him. “No, I don’t believe I will. I can’t afford to be indebted to anyone right now, not with the newly collared.”

“Then don’t be in debt.” Doggo shrugged. “Just take it and go.”

Edge felt like he was missing something. He reached into his inventory and pulled out the gold he’d brought.

“Lieutenant—”

“Please.” Edge cut off Dogaressa, holding out three fifty-pieces. “Please take it.”

Her eyes were soft as she held out her hand.

He dropped the money into her palm and took out two more pieces to pass to Doggo.

He shook his head. “I don’t need it.”

Edge stared at him, and there were too many emotions to properly name. “Please.” He repeated.

Doggo looked pained, but he accepted it.

Edge returned his pouch to his inventory and gave them all a concerned look. “Otherwise, I have no way to pay you currently. But—”

“We took more than we wanted.” Dogaressa told him. “Don’t make us take more.”

Edge shook his head. “I don’t understand. Why? Why are you doing this?”

They traded looks.

Dogamy shifted his weight and smiled at him. “We believe in you.”

Edge stared at them.

They stared back.

Edge hardly had the words to express all he wanted them to know. He didn’t understand all of the implications of their actions, but he could feel that it was done in kindness. An unparalleled kindness.

“Thank you.” He told them.

Dogamy’s tail wagged. “Pets?”

Edge rolled his eyelights and extended his hand. When Dogamy’s head met his fingers, he scratched behind the dog monster’s ears.

The walk back to Snowdin was light. Pleasant. They parted ways in town, and Edge returned to his home alone. When he walked through the door, he found Red halfway to standing from the couch, looking nervous.

Edge shrugged. “You might as well sit.”

“why?” Red asked.

Edge started removing his boots. “He took the money. It only cost me three-hundred-fifty gold.”

Red was silent. Until Edge faced him and noticed the complete disbelief on his face. “you’re joking.”

“You know I’m telling the truth.”

“it sounds like a half-truth.” Red called him out. “like only a piece of the story.”

Edge moved to the sofa and sat on it himself with a sigh. “I had a few friends along with me for the trip.”

He told Red what happened.

Red dropped onto the cushion next to him, shock on his features.

Edge gave him a careful look. “I couldn’t detect any manipulation in their words.”

“that’s because there isn’t.” Red said. “they… I’ve talked to ‘em about it before, and they said something real similar. I just don’t get it.”

Edge agreed.

“first grillby, now the dogi and doggo… and even gerson?” Red ran a hand over his skull. “what does this mean, boss? what’s going on?”

“If you don’t know, there’s no way I could.” Edge reminded him.

Red nodded, still thinking.

They both stared at the opposite wall, trying to process the events of the morning.

“you got the medicine, though?”

Edge pulled it all out of his inventory and set it on the table.

Red stared at it. “you gonna check on mk today?”

“Yes. I’ll probably leave after lunch.”

“cool.”

“How is Papyrus?”

“still got a fever.” Red admitted. “sans is still fine, though.”

“Good.”

They sat in silence for a while.

“why does this feel like the beginning of a conspiracy or some shit?” Red asked.

Edge had no idea. “I don’t know, but I do understand what you’re referring to.”

“it just seems…” Red seemed to fish for his words. “big. bigger than it should be.”

“Bigger than us.” Edge concurred.

Because that was the truth of it. Every act of kindness they received was personally significant, of course it was, but it also felt like pieces to a bigger puzzle. The beginning of something irreversible.

Chapter Text

Red knocked gently on the doorframe before entering the room. “hey, guys. how’s it going?”

Sans was still holding Papyrus, as he had been since the night before, but they’d both relaxed considerably. “he’s still coughing sometimes.”

That had started early that morning. Deep, hacking coughs that were due to the dysregulated magic in Papyrus’s system, no doubt. “yeah. edge picked up something that might help with that.”

“Really?” Papyrus asked with a smile.

Red nodded. “that’s what he left for this morning.”

“And he’s back now?”

“yup.”

“what is it?” Sans asked, suspicion heavy.

Red heard Edge on his way up the stairs. “it’s medicine.”

Both of them stared with wide sockets. “Medicine?” Papyrus asked in a terrified whisper.

Sans pushed himself up to a sitting position and settled his hand gently on Papyrus’s chest. His breathing was quick, eyelights small. They snapped to Edge as he entered, bottle and spoon in hand. “d’you remember that thing you asked me to do?” Sans asked quickly, voice tight.

Edge paused just inside the doorway, thrown off by the sudden and urgent question. “Which thing?”

Sans was almost hyperventilating. “you asked me to point out contradictions.” Sans said. “not just run, but ask about it.”

And Red realized where he recognized Sans’s posture from. Those weeks ago with the miscommunication about the collars.

Edge had gone very still. “I did. What seems contradictory?”

“you say you wanna help paps – and you’re not lying – but you’re gonna give him medicine.” Sans’s voice was small. “and I don’t get why you’d do that.”

Edge looked down at the items in his hands. “What do you think medicine is, Sans?”

“by definition or experience?” Sans asked, his expression shifting to something untrusting. “’cause they conflict.”

Red traded an uncertain look with Edge. “ours follows the definition.”

Sans stared at him. “what?”

“it’s… a remedy?” Red searched for the words. “it’ll help paps feel better.”

Papyrus grabbed a handful of Sans’s sleeve. “They wouldn’t. You know they wouldn’t.”

Sans was still struggling to breathe. He shook his head.

Papyrus looked at Red and Edge. “He’s panicking.”

Yeah, Red could tell. The kid looked like he was ready to yank Papyrus through the Void.

“Why is it that you don’t trust this, Sans?” Edge asked gently, lifting the bottle of medication as if to present it. “If you trust us, why do you not trust this?”

Sans shook his head again.

After a moment of nothing, Edge put the medicine and the spoon into his inventory, so his hands were empty. “Sans—”

“I know.” He bowed his head, like he wanted to hide. His breathing was still all over the place. “I know, I’m sorry. it’s… I believe you. I believe you.” It didn’t sound like he was trying to convince them. He sounded like he was saying it to himself. “I believe you – I trust you. you wouldn’t hurt him, I know you wouldn’t, but that’s exactly what he told me.”

Edge and Red both froze, staring at Sans.

He was trembling in his fear. “he told me all the time, it would make papyrus better – it would help him. instead, he just got more and more sick—”

Red quickly stepped up to the bed when he noticed Sans hyperventilating. “hey—”

“—and he’d be too sick to move, and the doc would take ‘im away – and then he’d scream and scream and I can’t—”

“slow down a sec.” Red requested, reaching out his hands. “it’s okay—”

“and when he’d get sick on his own, the doc would get mad and I wouldn’t get to see paps at all, and I didn’t know what to do, but the doc never lied because papyrus would come back healthy but he wasn’t better – it was never better – he never helped—”

“sans.” Red insisted, putting his hands on the kid’s shoulders.

He flinched, but the words stopped.

Red looked into his eyes, even though Sans never really met his. “okay.” He said with finality. “okay. I’m sorry about yesterday.”

Sans pointed teary eyelights in his direction.

Red tried to remain as calm as possible. “I’m sorry I scared you. I just didn’t want you hurt. you can stay right where you are, and you can even look at the medicine if you want.”

Sans looked like he was about to cry. “you’re gonna give it to him?”

“it’s gonna give him what he needs to fight off whatever’s making him sick.” Red told him. “it’s got healing intent in it.”

Papyrus tugged on Sans’s sleeve. “I’m scared, too.”

Sans looked at his little brother.

“I want to—” Papyrus had started, but his coughing interrupted him.

Sans gently brushed off Red’s hands to help Papyrus to a position more upright, so he could catch his breath easier. It still took a few minutes.

When Papyrus settled, he looked tired. Pained. “I want to try their medicine.”

Sans shook his head.

“Their food is different.” Papyrus said. “Their beds are different. The blankets are different. The doors, the rooms, outside – all different. Even their feelings.”

Sans stared at his little brother.

Papyrus looked at Red and smiled. “Lots of things are different now.”

Red felt his soul squeeze in his chest.

Papyrus looked to Edge. “And I think the medicine might be, too.”

Edge nodded.

Sans still looked halfway to a panic, but he seemed to pull himself back. He took a tremulous breath. “c’n I look at it first?” He sounded terrified.

Red looked at his brother.

Edge stepped up to the bed and pulled the medicine from his inventory and held it out.

Sans took it in hand, rotating the bottle while his gaze scraped it for every detail. He twisted the lid open and Red heard the seal crack. Then Sans sniffed it. “what color is it?”

Edge grabbed the spoon he had before and held out his hand in a silent request.

Sans passed the medicine back to him.

Edge poured a small amount onto the spoon. It was syrupy, and a gentle white.

Sans looked at it and visibly relaxed.

That made Red frown. “is the color important?” A ridiculous question; obviously it was.

But Sans nodded anyway.

Papyrus leaned forward to peer at the spoon himself. “What color were you looking for?”

“any of ‘em.” Sans confessed. “not white. white’s fine.”

“There is a bit of healing intent in this.” Edge told him. “So it will shimmer green if you hold it to the correct lighting. Just as that balm we put on your broken ribs.”

Sans nodded his understanding.

Edge watched him carefully. “Can I give this to Papyrus?”

Sans hesitated.

Papyrus sneezed.

It made Sans flinch, like he’d been startled, and he glanced at his brother before looking back at Edge. “yeah.”

The answer was much more hesitant than Red liked, and Edge seemed to feel the same way. “Are you sure?”

Sans clicked his teeth. “it’s not gonna have the chance to help him if I don’t let you give it to him.”

Edge nodded. “That’s true. But I’m sure we could wait if you need.”

Sans shook his head. “just… can you promise me it’ll help him feel better?”

Edge hesitated, and Red knew why, but he absolutely did not want Sans to mistranslate that hesitation. “it might not right away.” Red cut in. “medicine takes time to help. and usually more than one dose. he can’t promise that in absolutes it will be the thing to help him feel better.”

Sans nodded slowly.

“I can promise, however,” Edge said softly. “That I would never knowingly give your brother something that would cause him harm.”

Red was about to smack his brother. Promising a Judge was a stupid move, no matter what it was, because Sans wouldn’t have the freedom to decide if it was ever reasonable to break. A promise put efforts firmly in the Judge’s territory.

And it was clear in the way Sans’s eyelights sharpened just for a moment before dropping to the spoon of medicine in Edge’s hand. “okay.”

Edge nodded and looked to Papyrus. “Here.”

Papyrus opened his mouth and let Edge set the spoon between his teeth. He made a face when the taste hit, like he’d eaten something sour, but he took the medicine and let Edge have the spoon back. “That was considerably far from appetizing!”

Sans looked worried, hands fidgeting.

Papyrus gave him a small, fond smile before opening his mouth and letting Sans look inside.

Just as gently as he always had been, Sans checked Papyrus’s mouth and neck for any signs that he’d been given something bad. Not that Red truly knew what it was he expected to see.

Actually… Red decided to take the risk. Sans had been open to answering some of their questions already. “what’re you looking for, when you do that?”

Sans hesitated. “color.”

The answer was soft, and obviously not the whole story, but it was still technically the truth. Red nodded, taking in that information. Color was bad.

“You should get more rest, Papyrus.” Edge said, then looked to Sans. “Would you like a book or something?”

Sans shook his head mutely.

Edge looked worried. “All right. One of us will be back up in an hour or so with lunch.”

Red and Edge helped them settle back into the bed, checking to make sure both Turtle and Mouse were within reach before they left the room.

Red stopped at the bottom of the stairs. “color.”

Edge nodded, moving to the couch to sit down.

Red walked around to the front of it and put his hands on his hips. “whatever skeleton monsters consume completely dissolves into magic.” Red muttered. “there shouldn’t be traces of anything. ever. why would sans have been seeing color?”

Edge shrugged, looking exhausted. “Perhaps it has to do with the composition of whatever Gaster had been giving them.”

That was probably true. Red dug in his mind for the time he’d worked at the Labs while Gaster was Royal Scientist. Had he been working with any ideas that could parallel Sans and Papyrus’s experiences?

Probably not, as Red and Edge had never even lived with the doctor for that long. His focus had shifted to developing new technology and weapons after he’d gotten access to the six human souls the king had stored away. That was when he’d…

Red froze. Colors. There was no way.

“boss?”

Maybe there was something in his voice, because Edge went from half-asleep to vigilant in a blink. “What is it?”

Red felt lightheaded. “sans said chemicals?”

Edge’s sockets narrowed. “That’s what he’s said before, yes.”

Chemicals that would theoretically be possible for monsters to consume but would make one incredibly ill. Red’s mind flashed back to standing in the Lab with a vile of bright purple Perseverance Extract in his hand. “if humans aren’t made of magic, like monsters, then how do they have magic in their souls?”

“It’s less flexible.” Gaster had said. “Not so much free-flowing magic as… characteristics. That’s why we call them traits. Because they are relatively static, when compared to the pieces that make up monster souls.”

“so it’s not the same?”

“Not quite.” Gaster agreed. “Though, realistically, I suppose it might not differ too greatly. We do use these magics ourselves, after all. It might even be possible to mesh human and monster magic together.”

Red frowned curiously. “have you tested that?”

“Angel, no. Of course not. Do you know how sick and weak someone could become if you mess with their magic matrix? Any test subject would sooner die in our social climate before any useful conclusions could be made.”

“—Red!”

He flinched, blinking himself back to the present. Edge was standing in front of him, looking nervous. His hands were on Red’s shoulders, as if he’d been shaken gently.

“sorry.” Red said, rubbing at his browbone.

“You haven’t checked out like that in a while.” Edge mentioned. “What was it this time?”

When Red would dig up new memories from the Void about Gaster, it would feel like he had to fight to keep it. Usually, that looked like dissociating from the outside, but Edge had learned to spot the differences. Not that Red knew what those differences were. “just… a really stupid theory.”

Edge looked more than worried. “Theory?”

Red nodded.

“Coming from you, it might not be as stupid as you think.” Edge said. “What is it?”

Red shook his head. “I… I can’t talk about it. not yet, okay?” He needed to process what any of that meant before he just started saying things. It could cause needless panic or confusion, and he knew Papyrus didn’t need the additional stress.

Edge looked reluctant, but he sighed. “All right. Fine. Tell me when you’re ready?”

Red nodded his agreement.

Edge nodded back, still tired. “Good. I’m going to go get started on lunch.”

Chapter Text

Sans took a deep breath, shifting so he could see his brother better.

Papyrus was asleep. The deep sleep that indicated exhaustion, even though he’d barely moved in the last few days. Being sick would do that, Sans remembered. Being sick made him tired, too.

But this time was different.

When Sans looked at Papyrus’s face, more often than not, he seemed at peace. Like he didn’t have a trouble in the world and just needed to catch up on sleep. No pain. No fear. Just a deep weariness that seemed to soak his every movement. His every breath.

Sans had the fleeting, terrifying thought that he might stop breathing and had to shove it deep and away. He couldn’t think that way. Ever.

Papyrus’s breathing caught, and he made a face.

Sans reached over and rubbed his sternum in smooth circles, easing whatever it was that distressed him.

Slowly, his pinched expression relaxed into that of sleep again.

Sans gave him a fond smile and settled back on his own pillow.

There was a gentle knock on the door before it opened. Edge entered as quietly as he was able, especially as he noticed Papyrus asleep. He stepped closer and reached for Papyrus.

Sans’s immediate response was a numbing terror that he choked back. It was Edge. Edge wouldn’t hurt Papyrus – Edge would never hurt Papyrus.

His hand settled softly on Papyrus’s forehead and then drifted down to his cheekbone. “It broke.” He whispered.

Broke? Breaking? That was bad – usually that was bad – Sans stiffened. “what broke?”

His nervous whisper seemed to startle Edge. “The fever.” He answered. “It’s gone down.”

That’s right. Fevers break. It was a turn of phrase.

Sans settled, feeling exhausted himself. “that’s good.”

Edge nodded, pulling his hand away. “Has he been sleeping long?”

Sans shrugged. “out like a light the second you left.”

Edge hummed, noncommittal. “And how about you? I noticed you haven’t been asleep whenever we come in to check on him. Have we been waking you?”

That was because Sans hadn’t been sleeping. How else was he supposed to make sure Papyrus stayed safe? “no, I’m okay.”

Edge was frowning in that way he did sometimes when he wasn’t sure what to say. “Have you been sleeping well?”

Sans remained carefully still, dropping his gaze to his brother. “not really, but it’s not a big deal.”

There was a pause of nothing. “No, I think it might be.” Edge confessed, and his tone was dipped in worry. “Is something wrong?”

Sans hesitated. “not wrong, no.”

Edge lowered himself to his knees, so he was at the same level of Sans laying on the bed. He settled his elbow on the mattress, giving Papyrus a searching glance to see if he showed signs of waking. “What has been disrupting your sleep, then?”

Sans pulled Turtle around from behind him so he could pick at the seams in his ears. “nothin’.”

Edge gave him a look that was somewhere between fond and unimpressed. “I may not be you or my brother, but I know a lie when I hear one.”

Sans shied away slightly, annoyed at being called out. “it’s nothing. not important.”

“Obviously it is to you, given it’s been keeping you awake.” Edge noted.

Sans wished that didn’t make so much sense. He sighed softly, momentarily burying his nasal bone into his stuffed rabbit. He ignored the residual fear that bubbled up in his soul. “kinda… keep thinking about that time when pap was little.” Sans glanced at his brother. “littler.”

Edge smiled softly.

Sans looked back to Papyrus. “wasn’t paying attention and he was sick. fell asleep and woke up and… he was gone.”

That same terror that had nearly drowned him then threatened to swallow him even as he sat with Papyrus mere inches from him. “we were tryin’ to hide that he wasn’t feeling well.” Sans admitted with a whisper. “the doc got mad and we both got in trouble, but that happened even when we didn’t hide it, so… I dunno.”

There was a moment where no one said anything.

“That sounds like a lot.” Edge spoke softly.

Sans shrugged and tucked himself deeper into the blankets, eyelights focused on Papyrus’s face. The soft curl of his nasal ridge. The perfect line of his teeth. “when the doc brought him back we talked and he told me it was scarier when neither of us knew what was going on.”

He still remembered Papyrus’s nervous smile as he seemed to realize neither of them knew what had actually separated them. Sure, they’d only ever seen Gaster in the Labs, and there weren’t many options. But the fact neither of them could know for certain what had occurred…

“if I know something’s happening to ‘im, but he might not remember, I try to be aware of it.” Sans admitted. “just to make him feel better.”

Edge shifted as if to get more comfortable. “That’s a lot of responsibility to hold onto.”

Sans didn’t know how to respond to that.

Edge gave him a carefully searching look. “Does it make you feel better?”

Sans frowned. “knowing stuff?”

Edge nodded.

“not always.” Sans confessed with his voice nearly too soft to be heard, he was sure.

Edge hummed thoughtfully. “That makes sense. There’s plenty in this life I would have rather missed. Even if it’s better for me to have known it in the long run.”

Sans was surprised by that. A small amount of hope flickered in his soul. “really?”

Edge nodded. “You remember Red mentioning his work for the King? As a Judge?”

Sans did, so he nodded. It was almost taboo to talk about. Papyrus had mentioned that it made Red feel a strange emptiness.

“He goes to New Home – the capital of the Underground – and conducts these sort of… judgements.” Edge explained vaguely. “He never talks about them, and I don’t fault him for that. But there was so much I didn’t understand.”

Sans waited, quiet.

Edge seemed lost in thought. “And then I had the opportunity to see one of these happen. Watch my brother become the Judge of the Delta Rune.” After a moment, he blinked and seemed to bring himself back to the present. “It wasn’t particularly pleasant, the experience. And there is often where I wish I had never witnessed it.”

Sans knew Red insisted that he not ever go to New Home for that very reason. He was worried about something happening that would result in Sans’s identity as a Judge to be known to King Asgore. Papyrus hadn’t needed to tell Sans the very idea petrified Red for him to know. It was evident in the way Red spoke of it all.

“It has helped, though.” Edge admitted. “When Red returns from such things tired or particularly grumpy, I know why.” He said that with a small smile, obviously hoping to lighten the mood. “And it’s given me valuable insight into the innerworkings of this kingdom, namely the imbalance of justice. But I still wish I’d never seen it.”

Sans felt his soul pinch painfully in his chest. Edge was the same way. Edge had seen important things that were helpful and still wished he never had. Even though they assisted him in helping others, he wished it away.

“so…” Sans hesitated, terrified to voice his question in the chance he might be misunderstanding. “wishing I didn’t know stuff doesn’t make me a bad person?”

At his question, Edge’s entire posture seemed to melt. He shifted to give Sans an insistent and deeply caring look. “Absolutely not. Wishing you didn’t know things that hurt you is not morally wrong.”

Sans’s phalanges curled into Turtle’s soft fur. “even if it helps if I know?”

Edge’s look softened further somehow. “If knowing something hurts you, it is completely reasonable to wish you’d never learned it. Not wanting pain doesn’t make you a bad person.”

Sans felt the tears come unbidden. He tried to fight them down, but it didn’t seem to work.

As if knowing that Sans was desperately trying not to cry, Papyrus chose that moment to snore.

The sound startled Sans slightly, but he only giggled when he realized what it was.

Edge looked similarly amused.

Sans sniffled. “thanks.” He spoke softly, worried at how his thanks would be received.

Edge offered him a reassuring smile in response before giving him a more serious look. “And on that note, I should remind you that there’s a chance you may catch the sickness Papyrus has.”

Sans nodded. He knew that.

“And that chance will increase if you don’t get enough sleep.” Edge told him. “It’s important that you rest so you don’t end up ill as well.”

Sans nodded again. That was probably true – it sounded right, at least – but he couldn’t imagine falling asleep and waking up to his brother missing again. Or not seeing something that happened around them that could result in danger in the future.

“Would it help if I stood guard?” Edge offered. “Sit in the room and wake you should something happen?”

Sans hesitated. “you… you’ll wake me up?”

“Yes.” Edge confirmed.

It was the Truth.

Sans looked at him for a moment before nodding slowly. “that could work. maybe.”

“Are you willing to try?”

He tugged at the blankets, burrowing deeper into the covers and settling his head on the pillow next to Papyrus. “yeah.”

Edge looked relieved. “Okay, then. I’ll sit in here until Red gets home from his shift.”

“and then you’ll wake me?” Sans asked softly, uncertain.

Edge hesitated. “Would it be all right with you if I simply allowed Red to take over?”

Sans hesitated. “when will he sleep?”

“Once you’ve rested adequately, I’m sure.” Edge said it like it was supposed to make Sans feel better.

“I don’t want him to not get to sleep ‘cause I was sleeping.” Sans argued. “that don’t make sense.”

“Why not?” Edge inquired.

“because he…” Sans hesitated. Glanced at Edge. “that’s a trick question.”

Edge arched a browbone. “How so?”

“my answer is that it ain’t his job.” Sans said. “he shouldn’t hafta stay awake to watch us. but then you’ll ask who’s job it should be, and I would say me, but then you’d say something about how I’ve already been awake for a while so maybe it’s not my turn anymore.”

Edge seemed slightly amused. “I would actually have reminded you that it is, in fact, our jobs to take care of you. That’s what came with our promise, remember?”

Sans’s hand reflexively lifted to brush the soft velvet of his collar. A gentle ambience of safety seemed to drift from it. Intent in the magic.

Edge was watching him. Waiting for a response.

Sans hesitated. His brain was all muddled. He hated when it did that. Being tired made every thought trip over itself and then each other, resulting in a tangled mess. “so… you and red’ll make sure we’re safe because you promised.”

Edge nodded to confirm, even though that hadn’t really been a question.

Sans frowned. “and that extends to losing sleep because I’m freaked out about something stupid?”

“Is it stupid?” Edge asked gently.

“yes.” Sans insisted.

Edge seemed thoughtful. “But you have previous experience that tells you to be worried about something occurring without your knowledge that was scary and painful for both you and your brother.”

“yeah, but…” Sans trailed off. Edge had a point. This was like his issue with food. Of course every plate they put in front of him was safe to eat, but past experience made it difficult anyway. Because it had taught him to expect pain and illness.

When Sans finally looked back to Edge, there was a strangely proud glimmer in his eyelights. “But?” Edge prompted.

Sans rolled his own eyelights. “okay, so… maybe you’ve got a point.”

Edge smirked. “Maybe so.” He shifted to stand. “I’ll go grab a chair, if the plan is acceptable?”

Sans couldn’t help his amused exasperation. Edge got weirdly proud when Sans agreed to let him help with anything, and it wasn’t pride in himself. It was almost as if Edge were proud of… Sans.

But that would be ridiculous.

Maybe someday he would ask.

By the time Edge finally settled in his chair for the evening, Sans was already asleep.