Gaster sighed a nervous sigh. He stood from his work bench and stretched. Being a skeleton, he had no muscles in particular to stretch, but he found that the gesture worked wonders for the stiff cartilage that came with age. He gave his blueprints a final once-over before rolling up the blue parchment carefully. "That's enough for one night…" He had been designing a new part of the core, the source of energy for the Underground. This particular component would allow the parts to become interchangeable; putting more convenience on the workers should a part malfunction. However this invention could not be further from the forefront of the skeleton's mind. Tomorrow was the day his first-born, Sans, went to his first day of school. He let go of a shaky breath we was unaware that he was holding. Ordinarily, any father, especially one who happens to be a scientist, would be ecstatic for their child to begin their educational journey through the school system. In a way, he was, after all, education was extremely important to a young monster's future. Except….. well, his son was a special case. A certain attribute that made his father very nervous. Sans has only one HP. Now, this was normal for infant monsters, and typically, as a monster grew, their HP would steadily increase with age. Not Sans though. Despite being six years old his HP remained at a fragile one. He had been taken to the best pediatricians in the Underground, but no one could seem to figure out the cause of this. The usual response was, "Not to worry, Dr. Gaster, he's just a late bloomer. Come next year he'll catch up with the others." He never did though, and year after year went by with no increase in HP. Gaster had many theories as to why this was, perhaps a genetic anomaly or a cold caught in early infancy, but that was all they were, theories. The thought of sending his fragile son to school frightened him. He was aware of what could happen during recess time, a schoolyard fight. Fights were normal among elementary school monsters, usually over who broke the crayons or something along those lines. They were rarely serious, and the loser usually got off with a few HP missing and some bruises, nothing serious. But things were different with Sans. A fight that may leave one child with a bruise would be lethal to his son. The thought of losing his precious son sent a chill down his spine. He had insisted that Sans be homeschooled, but the six-year old wouldn't hear it. He wanted to make friends and learn like the other kids, and Gaster didn't blame him. School was a wonderful experience (for the most part) and he hated for his son to miss out.
Suddenly crying coming from the room down the hall interrupted his thoughts. Gaster smiled a bit to himself and stood up, trotting down the dimly lit hallway toward the source of the crying. He opened the door quietly and made his way into Papyrus's nursery. With a soft click he opened the crib and scooped up the crying infant, rocking him gently. Upon seeing his father Papyrus cooed happily and closed his eyes, falling asleep once more. At least he didn't have to worry about Papyrus' school life for a least a few more years. He brushed a small tear from the infant's cheek bone with a bony thumb and smiled. He looked so much like his mother… He heard the nursery door click open and he glanced over his shoulder to see a groggy Sans. The six year old stumbled sleepily over to his father and smiled. "…did papy have a bad dream…?" he asked. Gaster shrugged. "Perhaps, but I think he should be fine now that his big brother is here to comfort him." Sans flashed a toothy smile and looked at the now sleeping infant in his father's arms. "i think you're right! and i'm always gonna be there to protect him to! do ya hear that brother? you don't need to have any more bad dreams!" Papyrus smiled in his sleep, almost as if acknowledging his big brother's statement.
Gaster chuckled, "Well Sans I think he's in good hands. Oh, by the way, have you packed your backpack for tomorrow, you have a big day ahead of you." The thought of school made the six year old light up. "yeah! and i packed it all by myself like a big monster!" Sending Sans to school was against Gaster's better judgement, but he had a system worked out. His teacher, Mrs. Drake, had been long time friends with his wife before she passed away, and had often baby-sat for Sans when he and his wife would go on their monthly date-night. Gaster remembered those dates fondly. It was important to take a break every once in awhile and just spend time with the love of his life. He had it worked out that Mrs. Drake would keep an eye on Sans during recess, to ensure his son's safety. Sans would be in safe…wings? She was a Snowdrake after all. Coming out of his thoughts, Gaster set his second-born back into the crib and led Sans back to his own room, nearly tripping over a pile of toys in the process. "Sans, you really should get your room picked up!" The six year old giggled. "i'll do it tomorrow!" Gaster huffed. That was what Sans said every night. He also noted it was always the same toy racecar he tripped on every night. He grinned in amusement and tucked his son in, pulling the light blue sheets over his yawning child. Good night Sans." "g'night dad!" Sans slept soundly that night. He snuggled into his covers and sighed, dreaming of tomorrow, the day he would make lots of friends and learn a ton, just like his dad! He smiled to himself and drifted off into a deep and peaceful sleep.
-The Next Morning-
"dad! cmon dad wake up it time for school!" Sans jumped up and down on his father's mattress, creating a ripple of alertness with each bounce. Gaster groaned and looked at his alarm. "…3:45….he let me sleep in this morning…." He sat up begrudgingly as the little monster continued to jostle the bed, wiping the sleep from his eyes and stretching. "Sans, school does not start for another four hours." He groaned. Sans grinned. "i know! but like you've always said it best to be over prepared than under prepared!" Gaster chuckled. His own fatherly logic was being used against him. "Heh, alright son, I'm up." He stood and stretched, scooping up the mischievous six year old and carried him to the kitchen. He took down a box of Temmie Flakes from the cabinet and poured them into a bowl. This particular cereal had almost zero nutritional value, but it was Sans's favorite, and today was a special day after all. Sans grinned and ate quickly, scooping up the sugary cereal into his mouth as fast as he could. "Sans, remember your manners!" He chided. The little skeleton slowed down and apologized with a mouth still full of cereal. "mmph, sorry dad!"
Gaster watched with a mixture of anxiety and pride as his son ascended the stairs into the elementary school building. His son seemed so small compared to the gigantic steps it almost made him want to scoop him back up and take him back home. He resisted this urge though, and waved to Sans, who was skipping up the steps. His son waved back and grinned before disappearing inside. The door closed with a click and Gaster sighed nervously. Sans would be alright, he worried too much.
